Category: Movies

X-Men: Apocalypse

In this ninth installment in the X-Men series, the ancient (original) mutant is awakened and attempts to take over the world while the X-Men try to stop him.  That is about it…  Well, maybe a bit understated.  But only a bit.

En Sabah Nur, bad mutant, is a really good really bad dude.  He recruits four of the X-men as the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”  They raise havoc around the planet.  In the mean time, the good mutants are circling the wagons…

There are really good special effects, lots of unexpected surprises and reasonably good acting.  James McAvoy, the always awesome Michael Fassbender, and the consistently good Jennifer Lawrence are the most noteworthy.

Critics were not pleased and audiences shunned this episode.  We thought is was fun and worth the time and money.  Maybe there are too many Marvel movies in release these days.  Just a thought.

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Alice Through the Looking Glass

Well…it had to be made.  After all the 2010 Alice in Wonderland racked up a whopping $1 Billion box office.

So now we have Alice Through the Looking Glass with many of the original actors in tow.  Jonny Depp with better than ever make up and still stupid accent plays Hatter.  Ann Hathaway is still the White Queen tormenting her sister the evil Red Queen played by the incredible Helena Bottom Carter.

Sacha Baron Cohen plays Time and Mia Wasikska plays Alice, now all grown up and cheated by her extended family of fame and fortune.

Ultimately Alice tries to use time to go back in time to save Hatter’s family from oblivion.  Visually stunning, mostly entertaining but ultimately fatiguing, we were disappointed.

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The Nice Guys

The good news is this was a fun romp through Hollywood of the1970s: drugs, sex and mayhem.  It was well crafted, held your interest and was often very funny.  Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling have excellent chemistry together.

On the down side, the main characters bordered on dumb and dumber.  They were not “nice guys”.  In fact, they were conniving, irresponsible shysters and terrible professionals.

On the bright side, it was not boring.  It clips along at a quick pace and once you embrace this as a silly comedy, it becomes an easy watch.

Audiences and critics liked this much more than we did.  I’ll watch it again on a long plane ride and reconsider my opinion.

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Weiner

Oh my!  This documentary is about the former New York Congressman, Anthony Weiner, who ran for Mayor of New York in 2013.  “Former” because in 2011, he was forced to resign after texting a series of sexual pictures of himself to women that became public and the subject of relentless ridicule.

His wife, still a top aide to Hillary Clinton, struggled to “stand by her man” but, nonetheless, endured and supported her husband.

It seemed odd that anyone would agree to a documentary like this.  It is both riveting and creepy at the same time.  The critics loved it.  I found it pitiful.

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 The Darkness

This psychodrama meets the supernatural after a vacation in the Grand Canyon by a Southern California family was not well received by the film critics.

It was a tad confusing.  The writers threw in a bit of autism, bulimia, alcoholism, and infidelity just to make it interesting, if you will.  That just muddied the waters.  We all saw the creepy guys from the beginning, all the rest was window dressing for the finale.

Kevin Bacon is the most notable star and delivers a fair to middling performance.  This will undoubtedly be available on pay per view very soon.  Save your money unless you are in the mood.  It will be on a network channel or airplane sooner than later.

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Love and Friendship

This film is based on the unpublished novella Lady Susan written by Jane Austen in 1794.  That’s amazing because this period piece is sharp, witty, funny and unpredictable.  Sometimes all of the above concurrently.

Kate Beckinsale channels Lady Susan Vernon and oozes impeccable taste and scheming ambitions.  There are more ins and out, ups and downs than your favorite soap opera.  The costumes, sets and humor are flawlessly delivered.

Do see this on the big screen if you can.  This is sure to become a popular classic.

Favorite line: Lady Susan’s daughter says: “but marriage is for one’s whole life!”  Lady Susan who has recently been widowed replies “Not in my experience,”

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Dough

This is a comedy/drama that does not take itself too seriously.  Good thing because otherwise the storyline is implausible and kitchy, albeit funny and endearing.

Aging Jewish baker hires young black Muslim immigrant to help bake kosher goods in an evolving British neighborhood.  It sounds benign until the young apprentice starts adding marijuana to certain recipes and conceal an added “surcharge” for the fortified goods.

There is no Oscar material here but just enough laughs and twists to make it worth a watch.

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Viva

This is an interesting and fascinating film.  Interesting because the story is about a young man, Jesus, who ekes out a living as a hairdresser in the slums of Havana, Cuba.  One of his customers is the owner of a seedy drag club who offers Jesus the opportunity to perform.

Suddenly Jesus’s father appears, recently released from prison and inserts himself into Jesus’s apartment and life.  The father is a drunk, a bully and is verbally abusive toward Jesus’ life choices.

Oddly enough, this film is an Irish production, filmed entirely in Cuba.  Viva means “to live”.  This is a harsh peek at life in the slums but also a look at compassion and perseverance.

Very limited theater release.  Seek this one out for a look at a unique film.

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Money Monster

 

It seems the critics were expecting a Wall Street epiphany from this Jodie Foster directed film about a live Investments Television show that is derailed when a young disgruntled blue collar investor takes over the set and threatens to blow everyone up with a bomb.

I’ll admit, it’s not perfect and there are some wrinkles that are a bit far fetched, but the core story is pretty good.  Strong performances by George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jack O’Connell as the would be bomber whose character is way out of his league.

The tension factor is about right.  The police as mislead heavy handed public servants is reflective of the current public perception.  It was an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.  Just don’t expect any big industry awards for this one.

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Dark Horse

 

It is hard not to like this true story.  A hand full of working class friends from a poor mining village in Wales pool their meager resources to buy a broodmare who produces a foal that eventually becomes a champion race horse that wins the Welsh Grand National.

It is a documentary that flows like a soap opera or sit com.  There are plenty of social commentaries woven into the story.  In fact, it is core to the story.  It’s the winner of several audience awards including the 2015 World Documentary Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

It is a feel good film that offers a rare glimpse into simple village life in rural UK.

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High Rise

 

This is suppose to be a Fantasy Science Fiction film about class warfare that erupts in a modern urban high rise residential building resulting in chaos and  carnage.  The idea seems to reveal or exploit the extreme socioeconomic canyons between the “haves” and “have nots”.

Instead, the story degenerates into obscure violence, strong sexual content/nudity, and a plethora of disturbing images and language.  I am surprised with only an R rating.

The great cast and well intended plot could not save this film. At almost two hours, we were delighted when the movie ended.  Note the rare rating.

Rating: ZERO GLOBES

Sing Street

 

Here is a feel good movie that will remind you of your youth (hopefully).  Set in Dublin, Ireland in 1985 and filled with music of the era.  Fourteen year old school boys from a poor rough Catholic neighborhood decide to start a band.

The lead singer falls for the young “model” across the street.  The suitor uses the “band”, not yet created, to draw her into the making of a music video to promote the new venture.

The talented young want-to be-band members quickly find their ‘sound’ (think Duran Duran) and eventually land a gig at the school.  Of course there is the parallel love interest and a great ending.  Rated PG.  Some strong language, bullying and drugs.  (It was the 80s!)

Special note: There is a scene in the movie set in the Dublin suburb of Dalkey.  John and I and John’s Mom were there in 1985 (same year the movie is set in).  It looks as charming now as it did then.

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Mother’s Day

Humm…Jennifer Aniston plays mother of two young boys who is recently divorced, unemployed and demoralized when ex-husband announces his marriage to bombshell new wife. Ex wants visitation of his sons with the new wife. Yup, pretty hard to swallow.

Enter friends Kate Hudson and her sister, next door neighbors and their “secret” spouses. Add bitter parents on perpetual RV road trip that pay a surprise visit and discover the “unique” spouses and chaos prevails.

Oops, I forgot about Julia Roberts as TV Home Shopping diva and long lost daughter with child.

The film is crafted well and relatively well acted. There are some zany moments but don’t expect Oscar material.

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Captain America: Civil War

The Marvel movie machine hits a home run with this latest franchise film.  The Avengers are under global pressure to yield to oversight on their powers to battle evil doers.  This causes a divide in the Avengers ranks.

The divide lead by Captain America (Chris Evans) on one side and Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.) on the other with the rest of the superheroes splitting 50/50.  This leads to some interesting “engagements”.

The result is interesting and thought provoking entertainment.  It is well worth the investment of a couple of hours.  Nonstop action and rated PG-13 for violence.

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Before I Wake

This is a suspenseful supernatural thriller about an 8 year old boy whose dreams become reality.  The boy is adopted by a young couple who are struggling with the recent loss of their child only to discover a series of heart wrenching night terrors that come to life.

It is an odd mixture of sci-fi meets creature feature.  The critics panned this film but we found it unique and just interesting enough to give it a “see it” nod.

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Miracles From Heaven

Based on “the incredible true story”, this movie is about the middle daughter of a Texas family who suffers from a rare but potentially deadly intestinal disorder and the struggle to overcome the illness.

It is a powerful tear jerker and is heavy handed on Christian faith but also balanced with the believable power of strong family support.

Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah deliver solid performances.  Rated PG.  There are tough scenes of pain and childhood illness.

Rating 

NOTE:  We love watching movies when we travel.  This week we saw Captain America, Before I Wake and Miracles From Heaven in different theaters in Panama City, Panama.  The last film was in an upscale shopping center (Prada, Chanel, Dior and such).  Arguably the most luxurious theater we have ever visited.  Each seat was an oversized recliner with an adjacent service table, call bell to summon a butler for food, cocktails…

It is alway fun to compare theaters and audiences in other countries.  It was also a welcomed break from the 80+ temps and 90% humidity for a couple of hours.

Watch for our PANAMA post in the next few days!

 

The Huntsman: Winter’s War

This was meant to be the prequel to the famed Snow White story.  It stars Charlize Theron as the evil queen, Emily Blunt, the sister and equally evil ice queen, Chris Hemworth the Huntsman and Jessica Chastain as the love interest.

All the performances are actually well done and the special effects were pretty good.  So why is the film getting panned by critics and industry insiders?!  Apparently, something derailed the entire production back at the studio, ultimately causing the director and the star Kristen Stewart to walk, as in, away from the project all together.

Comments like “cheesy performances” and “clumsy filmmaking” and worse are making the rounds.  At the end of the day, the movie left me wanting for more.

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Green Room

Oh my!!  Punk rockers perform at a neo-Nazi “club” in remote Oregon only to stumble upon something they were not meant to see.  It quickly becomes a movie of horror, a bloodletting thriller of survival.

It was often difficult to watch.  The action was intense and unrelenting that made the film eerily watchable.  There wasn’t time in the moment to process everything that was happening so it just unfolded ready or not, like it or not.

A big surprise was the unexpected appearance of Patrick Stewart as a really good bad guy.  I left the theater exhausted and somewhat stunned.

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Elvis & Nixon

“What?” was my first reaction to the movie Elvis & Nixon.  I had forgotten The “King” actually did meet with President Nixon for about 40 minutes at the White House back in 1970.

Kevin Spacey morphed into his Nixon character, perfect casting.  Paired with Michael Shannon as a believable Elvis.  The actual conversation was never documented or recorded so the script was free to imagine what may have been.

There was also an odd, creepy undercurrent.  Both men were clearly a few cards short, if you know what I mean.  Yet there was enough quirkiness to make it a unique story to be sure.

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The Wave

This Norwegian film about the unstable mountains above Norway’s fantastic fiords created by glaciers thousands of years ago.  They are moving, ever so slowly but surely, they are moving.

What makes this film work is the acting and the characters.  These are nice likable people living in a safe affluent country surrounded but incredible beauty.  This pastoral tone slips away when a huge chunk of the mountain gives way and crashes into the narrow fiord creating a massive tsunami wave.

This is a nail biting action thriller.  It is well crafted and easy to watch.  The English subtitles seemed easier to read than most.  It was only in the theaters for a very short time.  You can find it on line or pay per view.

Related Travel Note:  At some point in life, a visit to the Norwegian Fiords is a must.  The long days of summer is the best time to be there.  It can be done by train or car but the water route is hands down the best option.  There are dozens of fiords, Geiranger being the grandest.  This movie experience was greatly enhanced having traveled to this unique part of the world.

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Hologram for the King

Tom Hank’s character is the focal point for this unique story about a businessman, father and divorced husband down on his luck at the end of his career.  He takes a tech job is Saudi Arabia as a last stand for success.

He struggles to adapt to jetlag, business and social protocols and a lump on his back.  There is a goofy Saudi driver he befriends,  a wild party at the Danish Consulate, several encounters with the locals including a female doctor.

It is a fascinating and relatively accurate peek at an unusual country from a different perspective.  Ultimately uplifting.

Another Travel Footnote:  John and I were among the first 1000 “tourists” given visas to visit Saudi Arabia many years ago.  It was a fascinating experience but not for everyone.

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Criminal

My, my, where to start.  It is an action thriller.  Ryan Reynolds is an undercover CIA agent being tortured for access to missile defense secrets.  Kevin Costner plays a psycho criminal chosen to host Reynold’s memories and that is just the first 5 minutes.

While the premise sounds a bit goofy the story evolves into a fascinating concept.  The Costner character absorbs more and more of the Reynolds memories and slowly transforms into a more normal person.

In the meantime, the bad guys are at work trying to cause mayhem and destruction of the world as we know it.  This film is an action packed throw back to the 90s films with a Frankenstein twist.  Great London locations.  Good cast, Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Gal Gadot, and Alice Eve.

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The Jungle Book

The latest Disney film production of The Jungle Book is based on Rudyard Kipling’s original book.  This time filmed in a new live-action format that blends live action with computer generated images.  The result is a stunning, near life like viewing experience.

You know the story, little Mowgli is raised by a pack of wolves in the great African wilds.  The fierce tiger, Shere Khan, wants Mogli banished because of a bad encounter with mankind.

Mogli leaves the jungle with the guidance of the panther mentor, Bagheera.  Meets bear friend, Baloo.  Encounters with python, Kaa and ape King Louie.  Some unexpected friends arrive to save the day.

This is sure to be a box office hit with audiences of all ages.  Note for parents: some intense or scary action scenes.  A superb cast of 15 voices.

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Born to be Blue

This is the true story of jazz great trumpeter Chet Baker and his life struggle with heroin addiction and stage fright.  His version of jazz trumpet was unique and attracted a loyal following as a popular heartthrob.

Ethan Hawke convincingly becomes Chet Baker.  He is fearless, full of energy and empathy for the character.  The film is written and directed by Canadian Filmmaker Robert Budreau.

You may come away from this movie feeling like you now know this artist and what drives him.  At a minimum, he was another talented person destroyed by drugs.  Mr. Baker died in 1988 at the age of 58.

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The First Monday in May

This documentary is focused on the powerful world of fashion as art, the cultural power of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the iconic power of Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine.

It is also a story about the creation and execution of the enormously successful 2015 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute exhibit and lavish gala.  The theme: China: Through the looking Glass and the behind the scenes of planning, creating, challenges, barriers, problem solving, politics, complexity and execution made for a fascinating viewer experience.

There is a lot of focus on Ms. Wintour, and some attention to the celebrity aspect of the event, but the real star was the creative genius of so many fashion designers and the incredible imagination and execution in bringing those designs to life.  And then to the exhibit.  I wish we had been there.

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April and the Extraordinary World

We must have missed something!?  The nations critics give an overall rating of 8.2 out of 10 for this French animated feature film.  The audio is by a who’s who of the French film elite.  We saw the English version recorded by an equally talented American cast.

That said, the animation was OK, just OK.  Certainly nothing ground breaking.  The storyline was interesting, but not complex.  A fantasy about a talking cat, lost parents, misguided authorities, evil mutant aliens, deadly global pollution and such.  It was not clear what the point was suppose to be.

One critic said it “bestows a sense of otherworldly exhilaration”.  I  saw the same movie but felt it was more “Scooby Doo” than exhilarating.  Much of the animated sets were creative but, frankly, quite juvenile.

We are huge fans of France, French films and French culture.  No doubt we lost something in the translation.

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The Clan

This true story is set in the early 1980s after the collapse of years of dictatorship in Argentina and the rebirth of democracy.  The Clan is the story of the Puccios family lead by the father, a former state intelligence worker.

Although relatively well off, the father is a brutal, cold-blooded psychopath and kidnaps his affluent neighbors for ransom.  Ransom paid, the victims are never seen again.  The father enlists his sons and closest friends to carry out his crimes.  It all comes crashing down in a thundering climax.

That’s all I will tell you.  See this movie!  It is the product of the Almodovar brothers.  It is well done in every aspect.  Spanish with English subtitles.

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Krisha

This is the directorial debut film for Trey Edward Shults about an estranged family member and the Thanksgiving dinner that bring everyone together for the first time in 10 years.

The tension starts almost immediately with a tepid greeting from  the large extended family.  Nonetheless, Krisha jumps right in, preparing the 30 pound turkey for the oven.  Krisha clearly struggles to overcome her reentry stress that incrementally ratchets up as conversations with her sister, brother in law and nephew prick old wounds.

Ultimately overwhelmed, Krisha succumbs to old vices that transform her into her former self.  No surprise, tragic and frightful interactions occur.

The cinematography is inventive and played heavily in the effectiveness of the storytelling.  This film can be difficult to watch because of so much conflict but see it anyway.  It is a wonderfully crafted movie.

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Everybody Wants Some!!

This film by Writer/Director Richard Linklater (Boyhood) is set in the early 1980s. This sports comedy-drama follows the lives of college freshman baseball players and their introduction to college life.  The entire story takes place before classes begin.

It is a romp through the past.  It is pretty accurate on the era, the mentality, the social behaviors, drug use, sexuality and a killer soundtrack.  Some would say ‘those were the days’.  I remember those days and, for the most part, it brought back a lot of great memories.

On the flip side, the movie never really delivers a solid message.  It is anchored with baseball and layered with college antics, sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.  There are hints of male bonding, coming of age relationships and such, but ultimately, it is a soft landing.  That said, I enjoyed the movie but I wonder what got left on the cutting room floor that could have made this a home run.

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Eye in the Sky

This film exposes the ethical dilemmas of drone warfare and the collateral damage it may cause.  The story is set in rural Nairobi Kenya where British intelligence sources have identified top terrorist targets in the process of preparing for new a suicide attack.  The military needs the government leaders approval to launch the drone attack.  The British authorities defer to the US authorities who control the drone.

The political process creates tension between the British Colonel, played by Helen Mirren and her boss, played by Alan Rickman, as the decision ball is bounced back and forth.

There is a great performance by Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) as the on-the-ground operative.  Lots of subtle and overt conflicts and contempt over what is right under all the circumstances.  Plenty of angst for the audience as well.

Footnote: Alan Rickman was fighting cancer during the filming of this movie.  He died shortly after filming was completed.  He will be missed.

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Allegiant

Allegiant is the next to the last in the Divergent Series and is based on the first half of the final novel by Veronica Roth. Heroine Tris and love interest Four decide it is time to escape the walled city of Chicago in a quest to find a fix for their broken system.

They quickly discover an advanced society beyond the wall that has been manipulating the “factions” in Chicago in a hopes of correcting failed genetic engineering.  Jeff Daniels plays a good bad guy as the top mastermind of the advanced entity.

The storyline gets a bit goofy with sidebar stories about this character and that character but the overall action and plot is good entertainment and visually pleasing.  Early reactions to the film were not glowing but we still had a good time.

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Hello My Name is Doris

Sally Fields bursts onto the big screen with an Oscar worthy performance as the aging worker accounting clerk in a youth centric company and complicated by her struggles with personal life issues.

Ultimately it is a focus on some very difficult life challenges for the Fields character but brightened by the unfulfilled fantasies of Doris.  At times it is laugh out loud hilarious (the techno music concert alone is worth the price of admission) but in the next scene there can be some heart wrenching issues front and center.

The balance of comedy and drama is perfect.  This film should attract a broad audience but most folks in our theater seemed on the more senior side.  I predict this will become a modern classic.

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London Has Fallen

This sequel to the Olympus Has Fallen series, and along with the most recent 2013, White House Down, follows the same plot line almost exactly.  The London plot includes the unexpected death of the UK leader and the gathering of world leaders to show their respects.  Terrorist have spent years planning and finally executing (quite literally) most leaders on sight transforming London into a virtual war zone.

I will share with you the critics almost unilaterally trashed this film.  I thought that a bit harsh, especially since we watched White House Down the same evening on TV as a comparison.  Neither films will win any awards but the series continues to attract an audience which is probably why they keep making them.

The actions scenes are pretty good if uninspiring.  The acting was on a par with other like films.  It might be worth pay per view or a plane movie if you need to kill a couple of hours.

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Zootopia

This animated feature film was clearly released in early Spring to capture any energy it creates just before the Easter Season.  It is rated PG for the “gentle rude humor and occasional scariness”.   Our theater was packed with tiny tots and grown ups all atwitter with excitement.

The story is about a country girl rabbit with dreams of becoming the first rabbit on the Zootopia police force.  After repeated attempts, she succeeds with fanfare but is confronted with the reality of biases in this all animal society.  She is assigned to her post as a meter maid.  She manages to maneuver her way into investigating a missing person, Mr. Otter and the real plot begins.

The storyline is cleverly layered with parallels to the real life world without too many filters.  This is the genius of the storytelling and will likely result in big box office dividends and critical kudos.  I couldn’t agree more.

Rating:

10 Cloverfield Lane

This suspenseful and tremendously tension filled thriller is spooky good.  John Goodman as the builder and owner of an impressive doomsday bunker, perfectly plays the survivalist leader after some type of invasion occurs on the surface above.  There are two other ‘”survivors” in the bunker seemingly from odd circumstances but clearly under the unquestioned authority of the Goodman character.

Lots of little twists and turns each with a mounting amount of angst and dismay.  The story is deliberately confusing and misleading in a Hitchcock way.  The counterbalance is the bunker has all the trappings of normal life, electricity, water, showers, all sorts of entertainment, juke box, movies, games, books, food, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, power supply, filtration systems.

Things incrementally get more and more tense as the Goodman character becomes increasing paranoid and suspicious of the motives of his two bunker guests.  It all ends with a flurry of crazy events that may terrify and haunt.

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