Movies: Sorry To Bother You, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Sorry To Bother You

First, it is set in an alternate universe in Oakland, CA where under employed telemarketers struggle to make sales that impact their paycheck.  Suddenly Cassious Green, played by Kakeith Stanfield, is coached by Langston, played by Danny Glover, who teaches Cassious how to find his “white voice” when cold calling potential customers.   Before long Cassious becomes a super star who is invited “upstairs” where the heavy hitters work.

The total cast is over 80 actors including most notably, Armie Hammer, Steve Yeun, Michael Sommers, Kate Berlant and Tessa Thompson.

Unfortunately, the film erodes into a bizarre place where excessive drug use and humans are transformed into minotaurs for sex.  It goes way off target in our opinion.

Now fasten your seat belts…most critics gave this film great ratings!!  Rotten Tomatoes scored it with 95% favorable.  Metacritic and Common Sense Media both rated it with 80% favorable.  Our rating below speaks for itself.

It’s rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content, graphic nudity and drug use.  It’s listed as a Comedy, Science Fiction and Fantasy.  Children should never see this film.  And in our opinion, no one else should either..

Rating 

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

Yes, the movie “pickins” are getting a bit thin.  So why not catch a mindless cartoon for an hour or so, right?!  We know the franchise from Sony Pictures can deliver quality animation and we know what to expect, right?  Well…not as much as we thought.

Drac and his family decide to take a vacation on a Monster Cruise ship as an alternative to their own hotel.  All goes well until Drac falls for the Ship’s Captain, Ericka.  Soon, all goes wrong when Ericka’s Dad, Van Helsing, plans foul play…

Over 60 actors contribute voices to the characters.  Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Jim Gaffigan, Joe Jonas, and Mel Brooks were among our favorites.

It’s rated PG for some action and rude humor.  It’s listed as Animation, Comedy, Kids & Family.  The run time is 97 minutes.  It’s not a bad film.  Let’s just say we have had better “vacations”!!

Rating 

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

The original is a movie classic and the stage play is even more popular today than ever before.  This rendition tweaks the concept quite a bit.

First it’s set in the future of the original.  The daughter played by Amanda Seyfried, has completed the renovation of her Mom’s hotel and plans a huge Grand Opening event.  As guests slowly gather, bad weather threatens to impede events.

It’s a great cast.  Meryl Streep has a cameo appearance.  Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth round out the ‘Dad’ category.  Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are fantastic in the ladies section.  Cher headlines as the Great Grandmother.

We were surprised to see the critics and some audiences poo pooed the production.  We felt it had just the right mix of connection to the original, a few twists to make it interesting and respect for the original story while still keeping it fresh.

It’s rated PG-13 for some suggestive material.  Our theater was packed with an audience from adolescents to seniors.  It’s listed as a Comedy, Musical and Performing Arts.  Run time is 114 minutes.

Rating