Phantom Thread

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Written by: Paul Thomas Andersom
Gross Revenue: $32.8 mil





      Please bare with me because I am still trying to digest what I just saw. I truly believe I should view it a second time before I review it but screw it, I'm gonna just go for it here. After seeing one stellar review after another for  Phantom Thread I decided what the hell Ill give it a shot. Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Thomas Anderson are my only reasons for even considering this film, I mean I'd never even seen the trailer. He engulfs himself in a role and doesn't come up for air until the final shot. I am ever so grateful for that, because his roles are always amazing and potent almost to a point the entire movie no longer matters, at least that's what happens to me when I see him on screen.

    Now, I hate to sound like another PTA groupie because I mean people worship the ground he walks on, I feel like a cornball being one of them but the man is a genius. Not only can he write a fantastic screenplay but his films are beautiful. Frame after frame is nothing short of perfect, but what else can you expect from the man who gave us There Will Be Blood? That movie put me in a state of lustful passion when I saw it and Phantom Thread was along the same lines. The shots held my attention, the dialogue was  intriguing, the score was beautiful and fit so unbelievably well. The thing is though, I wanted more, I know! I sound like a sniveling, snot nosed brat but I did. I feel like a horrible human being saying this, I truly do.The movie was intimate, very well made and in a way a character study, it had a lot less then what I desired to see between them both.

      The dynamic between Reynolds, Alma and Cyril is what kept me in it and is why my complaint is minuscule compared to the level of adoration I have for this film. My thoughts on Phantom Thread at about an hour and a half in began to change due to the amazing turn of events that not even I saw coming, and for me that took this movie to a whole other level. Call it a twist of sorts if you will, and everyone loves a good twisty end. This was a great love story that wasn't your cookie cutter, run of the mill romance, the people are flawed and everyone understands that from the very beginning. This wasn't a romance seen through "rose colored glasses"  it was real and uncomfortable at times. Mushy "too good to be true" romances make my stomach churn. Phantom Thread is what most real love stories look like, and that is another reason Paul Thomas Anderson is an astonishing filmmaker.

Thor: Ragnarok

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Directed by; Taika Watiti
Written by: Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost
Gross Revenue: $315,034,967
WW Gross: $802,233,599

       Jaw dropped and wig snatched folks!! Taika Waititi just resuscitated this lifeless, dead to the world franchise and brought it back to life. Words are escaping me at the moment, Thor: Ragnarok was so good it's stolen my passion for expression...I'm all choked up on pure joy. I typically wait for the dust to settle to view a big Budget CBM. Don't ask me why it's just how I tick. Now, as I was saying ....or trying to say, THIS IS WHAT A CBM SHOULD FEEL AND LOOK LIKE. This is how you set the bar, this is why Marvel is far superior to the "other guys". From beginning to end it served up all the goods, from Directing, witty fun dialogue, flawless and I mean flawless visuals that make me wanna kiss everyone on the CGI team! It was all so beautiful, I'm talking a rose dipped in 24 kt gold and sprinkled with diamonds beautiful.

    

       If you like the melancholic, dark, abrasive, slow cinematic experience then please, stay far away from Ragnarok, because you'd be getting none of that. Tears literally were welling in my eyes, I was so very pleased with this Thor and yet so very saddened. I feel, manhandled, short-changed, frickin robbed!!! This is the Thor we should have been gifted with long ago! Nope, what'd we get?A boring, bloated, lengthy origin film, and crawling half dead dumpster fire called Dark World. Why, oh why, give me the best Thor I've ever witnessed in the last solo installment?? Cold world, cold, cold world.

     

There were so many good elements in this movie. Mmm Thor, Hulk holding a legitimate conversation, Jeff Goldblum as himself, the witty banter, Thor with no hammer, Thor with no hair and Korg...I severely wanted more of him!! Oh, and let's not forget that sexy little fight bit in the last act! I think thaaaatsss about it......oh right LOKI, he's flipped flopped more than a pair of Nike slides worn by Usain Bolt. However, I'm willing to get over it as long as I get to keep seeing his beautiful face!

     I just am so very pleased with this movie, there isn't a word big enough that describes my feelings at the moment. I'm not someone who lives and breathes for the next superhero movie, but Marvel sure knows how to make a girl sweat. I'm so anxious to see infinity war now, my bones are vibrating!! If this is the kind of delivery they've committed to I'm so in for the next 20 movies they've got in the slow cooker.

The Shape of Water

⭐⭐⭐⭐


Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Written by: Guillermo del Toro &     Vanessa Taylor
Gross Revenue: $110.7 mil



Guillermo Del Toro is a glorious master at his craft.  There is just something about a film that is developed with passion. The love and creativity is viewed in every frame. There is nothing like a Del Toro film, he puts his heart into every piece of art he directs and writes.

 I say everything, from cronos on down, even hellboy II which I believed the flack was highly undeserved. It all was brilliant. The Shape of Water is beyond astonishing and he, as with everything else executed this project with perfection and precision. From the opening credits I was in awe, it provoked a phenomenal feeling I only seem to get with his films. The ability to perfect the use of  darkness is always something I look forward to.

His vision of the "monster" is   
something I can understand seeming as I too have an affinity for fantasy of the dark persuasion.  I just love how he deals with very dreary subjects  and somehow makes it amazingly beautiful. There's poetry in his films and it's evident more so in The Shape of Water. It was such a great movie with an unbelievable cast, cinematography and score that was so good I got misty eyed. Del Toros mind is just beautiful and I'm so envious of it. He has the ability to create beings that would be seen as monsters and horrid creatures and make you fall in love with them. You empathize with them, you want them to thrive, live and love. My heart was with "the Asset" the entire time I wanted to free him as bad as Elisa did.

  Speaking of which, let's give Sally Hawkins a standing ovation please. Also, a moment of silence for the actresses in the same leading category for the Oscars. Cause she's got it, there's no doubt in my mind she'll win. To convey the amount of emotion needed without saying a word is TALENT and not everyone can do that.  She perfected the art of body language and facial expression down to a science and she deserves up most recognition.

  Michael Shannon and Octavia Spencer were more than good and I've always enjoyed them both. Shannon isnt new to playing no nonsense off the cuff characters and I genuinely love it when he does them. He does the antagonist so very well. However, this one was disturbingly amazing and made my stomach churn but he was fantastic.  Octavia is just adorable and her performances are always full of heart and sass and I love that.

The cast and crew executed this film masterfully . I felt at home watching this and I seldom feel that way with films so when the feeling does arrive I get emotionally attached and that's what happened here! Sweet, stunning and smart! Bravo! c'est magnifique!

The Killing of The Sacred Deer

🌟🌟🌟🌟


Directed by:Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Yorgos Lanthimos,   Efthymis Filippou
Gross Revenue: $2.29 mil

   
       What in the amazed balls did I just witness??? Simplified??? A young boy inflicts revenge on his father's surgeon, whom he believes killed his father on the operating table. That sounds like a nice suspenseful, good over evil thriller right?? WRONG, WRONG, I'm not in the business of just blurting out spoilers so I won't delve too deep but I've gotta vent about this gem for a moment.

Not being familiar with any of Yorgos previous work, so I wont even try and dissect this the way I really want to. However, I will say nothing about this movie is "bad" aside from screwing with my mental with the total and utter lack of emotion and sterile environment, it's great. I found the performances to be the most astonishing part of the film. Martin? Was cringe worthy just to say the least, I was squirming in my seat, more than once I felt overwhelmingly uncomfortable. The dialouge in this was beautifully executed and that pulled me in even deeper. Just when I thought, okay I'm done, I kept watching, I could not look away it was magnificent.  


The Killing of The Sacred Deer was this vast, morbid pit of despair that just when I thought would make sense and a shinning resolution would be found, nope. Just more despair, more of "what the hell" and the type of person I am I enjoyed this film, that was void of all life and emotion. Its unlike anything I've ever seen, an endless ride to absolutely no where. I was left feeling despondent and I am totally okay with that.

Martin: If you dig a hole in the yard, better make it a big one.

Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐


Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Written by: Martin McDonagh
Gross Revenue: $24.6 mil

   

  Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri was something that took me by amazing surprise. Besides the name i knew nothing of it, I hadn't even looked at the trailer. I know what a shame on me because I could have been in cinema bliss a long time ago. Let me just get this out of the way now, Frances McDormand is in a league of her own folks, she walked on that set and stole every single spotlight and made it hers. I've never been a Mcdormand fan per say but I believe I am slowly becoming one. She's a tour de freaking force, it seems every role she plays it is MEANT for her. Seriously, each of her roles fit like a latex bodysuit three sizes too small. She without a doubt brings every character to life in a way that many actors try to do but cannot execute. She is getting better and better with age. I know now that if the cast includes Frances I am more than certain I will love the movie, simply because of her. She well deserves every award she wins.

The movie itself is on a whole other level of greatness, its a dramedy in every sense of the word which is my 4th favorite genre. It punches you in the gut with subject matter that are tough to deal with and at all times more uncomfortable to watch. However,  when you want to see a mama raising hell over her deceased daughter due to her prolonged unsolved murder, this would and should be your first choice. Everything about it is fantastic though abrasive at times it's a must see. To be totally honest, i'm not familiar with  Martin McDonagh and his work at all, I know of hIs fIlms but i've never seen one. This, however has me second guessing my decision on never seeing In Bruges.



Not only was his direction spot on and very impressive, the writing was impeccable. Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, whom of which won a globe for his Earth shattering performance. The cast alone made this movie an excellent experience, which made me proud to be a film fanatic. Though as I said it’s rough around the edges but it’s real, in a very dark comedic way. It grabs at your heart strings and sends a message that's incredibly hard to ignkre. Film, is very subjective I know, just because I love dark, twisted, humor shrouded in turmoil doesn't mean everyone will. That fact aside I beg you, if you haven't seen it pay yourself the honor of seeing it at least once. You may just like it and if you don't well that's okay to

The Disaster Artist

🌟🌟🌟🌟


Directed by: James Franco
Written by: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Gross Revenue: $20.6 mil



       Critic Consensus:

Oh, hai Mark. The Disaster Artist is a surprisingly poignant and charming movie-about-a-movie that explores the creative process with unexpected delicacy.

    I simply cannot agree more, Rotten Tomatoes aren't always fair but they are known to be right on occasion.
The Disaster Artist is a one chance look at a very private Tommy Wisesau at a time where his dreams were both shattered and made real. It goes without saying, though some may beg to differ, you really should watch The Room to understand where The Disaster Artist is coming from. Sure, you can watch it alone without viewing The Room but I think you can't understand and get the full gravity of what Tommy was trying to do unless you see the actual film.

    I'm not going to sugar coat it or put a pretty ribbon on it, The Room was horrendous, it was bad. Like, nails on a chalkboard bad, I'd rather watch paint dry bad, though there was a silver lining....it was hilarious. Which is something you could tell just by watching it, it's definitely not what Tommy was trying to do.  I love The Disaster Artist for giving us an inside look, so to speak into  the mind behind the madness.  Wiseau is such a passionate soul,  the movie more times then not had me thinking of myself and my own dead and buried dreams. You can respect Tommy for his effort and the amount of heart he tried to put into his movie.

     Oh before I go, let me just say that ONLY James Franco can deliver in a film like this. Before even watching it I often said he was meant to play Tommy. That fact was solidified by his brilliant exectution both in front and behind the camera. The chemistry that he and his brother Dave have is the sweetest thing to watch. It was like he was speaking through Tommy with the endering things he was saying. I just admire them both a great deal and I'm so happy I'm living in a time such as this, when James Franco is at his best.

Jumanji (2017)

⭐⭐

Directed by:  Jake  Kasdan
Written by: Scott Rosenberg , Jeff Pinkner, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers 
Gross Revenue: $168.60 mil

re·boot
restart or revive (a process or sequence, especially a series of films or television programs); give fresh impetus to:

        I understand this is a reboot given what the definition above implies, it was trying to revive Jumanji and bring something new to the table. I'm not going to sit here analyze every piece of this film  and say "well in the original jumanji.."  because that's not what this is.  This is not a verbatim retelling of the original, its a sorta kinda sequel I guess. Although there are a few things that do permit comparison, I'll discuss that in a bit. Everyone seems to get so flustered and paranoid with reboots thinking its just a hard reset to an already good movie or franchise. That's not always the case, and thank goodness that wasn't the case here. The original is good as is and I am happy they kept it that way. 

       Now, what can be said about this kind of sequel? Well, it was fun and entertaining, that's just about the end of it. I always enjoy The Rock, Kevin hart and the always hilarious Jack black in anything they're starring in. So it's no surprise that I'd want to see it based on star power. It goes without saying that I was pretty anxious to see this, as a child I always wanted to know just where Allen Parish went. Sure Jumanji came to him, but I wanted to see the real world, I wanted to see more.  When I heard  another Jumanji was coming and that's  where they were going, I was stoked as hell. You can imagine my disappointment over Christmas weekend, I was sure I was going to just fall head over heels in love with it. Alas, I did not. I like it, do not get me wrong it has total watchability but there are a few errors that set it staggering down to a 2 star review.

   The casting did an amazing job with the leading and supporting roles, I don't have any issues with that but Van Pelt??? Horrible, horrible choice, of all the people to choose from they choose Bobby Cannavale?? Seriously, the original Van Pelt? Johnathan Hyde, yeah he's still alive they could have just called him up. They included Allen Parrish for a sec, eluding to the fact that it is a sequel so, why change Van Pelt?? That wasn't the only element I found to be absent, where was the other worldly feel that the first Jumanji held? I mean this was the world Allen Parish came from, so why didn't it feel like it? Where was the sense of danger? The sense of  "omg what's coming next?" There was really nothing that made it seem even similar to the world Allen claimed it was in the first. There were no man eating flowers, vines that would bury you alive, no dog sized spiders or mischievous monkeys. Honestly, they could have been in any jungle around the world, nothing out of the ordinary and that's what bothered me most.

        As a standalone it's amusing and the cast does a good enough job in the comedic department  so that kept me semi engaged. I enjoy role swapping films and light hearted survivalist flicks so it wasn't a total loss. I say if your okay with a jumanji movie not really being a jumanji movie then by all means give it a go. Especially if you like Jack Black, I found him to be just a tad bit funnier than Kevin Hart who was good, but gave his usual "Kevin" performance. Not quite sure if this will make my worst of 2017 list or the best but I am glad they gave it a shot. In the type or world we live in now, I'm  sure we will see another Jumanji in the near future.

Bright

⭐⭐⭐
Directed by: David Ayer
Written by: Max Landis


This was by far the most anticipated movie on Netflix for me since, well.....ever. At no other time have I said "hay, oh man I wanna see that Netflix movie, I cant wait." that is until now. I wont sit here and flat out lie and say Will Smith isn't what initially sold me on it because at first it was. However, as I started mulling over the plot I began to get more and more excited. After the first initial watch Iiked it, then after the second, I loved it!! The whole idea of Orcs, Elves and magic is such a soft spot for me, there is no way I could not fall in love with it. Then for extra magnificent measure they set it in modern day which I love way more than a period piece set in the dark ages. It adds to it's realism and edge, it seems like something not qute so unbelievable and I think it worked beautifully.

       The only, and I mean only weak link which isn't even consistent is the dialogue. It was a little pestering but as I said that wasn't even consistent, at times the dialogue was pretty good. Max Landis did alright, however I don't know where he got the idea this script would be his "Star Wars".I have no quarrels with the story it self and I'm very anxious to see how it all unfolds, seeming as Bright  is being pinned a Netflix franchise. People have been chatting about the whole wand thing, "well why could the cop hold it and the other guy blew up?" Well, if most were actually paying attention which I hope they were, when Montehugh was being interrogated he explained when someone touches the wand with their BARE hand they explode. He said nothing about if it's gloved or covered by fabric of some sort. I have no issues with the story, why on earth would they give everything away in the first film? Why would they provide all the answers? They need a vehicle for the upcoming films and I'm okay with that.

    David Ayer is THE man, I loved Suicide Squad and I love his style!! How can you not feel his movies with the amount of realism and grit he adds to them? How can you hate on the man who wrote and directed Training Day??  I will watch this over and over again, that's how much I liked it.  You cannot go wrong with orcs, guns and magic!!

Justice League

🌟🌟

Directed by: Zack Snyder
Written by: Joss Whedon, Zack Snyder
Gross Revenue: $634 mil



    In a perfect world the DCEU would be everything I've ever wanted and more. The movies would be the stuff that hopes and dreams are made of. However, this isn't a perfect world, in fact the DCEU is what pure blood drenched nightmares are made of. It seemed to be a Batman vs Superman man lite in the opening. Then, it was followed up with an all too rushed character round up, only to sputter to a hault with the all too weak Villainous battle.

   

        Before I continue let me say I did not come at this with any expectations seeming as I'm not a true DC fan. However from a movie point of view I thought I was going to legitimately enjoy it. I didn't go into this with a biased attitude being I love marvel. I would really love to enjoy a DCEU movie, seriously I'd love for them to be on the same level as marvel. That just never seems to happen, I haven't been entertained by a DC film since the watchmen. Not saying they all don't have elements I enjoy.

      For instance the best part of the movie was Auquamans cornball lines and Barry's awkward humor. I'd love to see a Flash movie and I'm excited for Auquaman, he had a more commanding on screen presence. More so than Superman whom of which was as always, quite boring and well, batman is Ben Affleck....nuff said. The visuals were good, if you like made for TV effects. I've seen better CGI in a Netflix series.

    Like I've stated, in a perfect world I wouldn't have to say all this. However, for some reason they just can't seem to pull a good movie off in this day in age. WW aside because that is a whole different monster, I believe it was only successful due to where society is at  in terms of gender equality. Not, because it was a good film. Anyway, I may be making a mistake by having high hopes for Auquaman, but I can't help it. I like his delivery, as bad as his one liners were his presence is electric.  Maybe the next JL will be everything we wanted and then some, at least that's what I'm gonna pray for.

Thor: Ragnarok

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Directed by: Taika Waititi
Written by: Christopher Yotes, Craig Kyle, Eric Pearson
Gross Revenue: $835 mil



Jaw dropped and wig snatched folks!! Taika Waititi just resuscitated this lifeless, dead to the world frannchise and brought it back to life. Words are escaping me at the moment, Ragnarok was so good it's stolen my passion for expression...I'm all choked up on pure joy. I typically wait for the dust to settle to view a big Budget CBM. Don't ask me why, it's just how I tick. Now, as I was saying ....or trying to say, THIS IS WHAT A CBM SHOULD FEEL AND LOOK LIKE.  This is how you set the bar, this is why Marvel is far superior to the "other guys". From beginning to end it served up all the goods, from Directing, witty fun dialouge, flawless and I mean flawless visuals that make me wanna kiss everyone on the CGI team! It was all so beautiful, I'm talking a rose dipped in 24 kt gold and sprinkled with diamonds beautiful.

If you like the melancholic, dark, abrasive, slow cinematic experience then please, stay far way from Ragnarok, because you'd be getting none of that. Tears literally were welling in my eyes, I was so very pleased with this Thor and yet so very saddened. I feel, man handled, short changed, frickin robbed!!! This is the Thor we should have been gifted with long ago! Nope, what'd we get?A boring, bloated, lengthy origin film, and crawling half dead dumpster fire called Dark World. Why, oh why, give me the best Thor I've ever witnessed in the last solo installment?? Cold wold, cold, cold world.

There were so many good elements in this movie. Mmm Thor, Hulk holding a legitimate conversation, Jeff Goldblum as himself, the witty banter, Thor with no hammer, Thor with no hair and korg....I severely wanted more of him!! Oh, and let's not forget that sexy little fight bit in the last act! I think thaaaatsss about it......oh right LOKI, he's flipped flopped more than a pair of nike slides worn by Usain Bolt. However, I'm willing to get over it as long as I get to keep seeing his beautiful face!

I just am so very pleased with this movie, there isn't a word big enough that describes my feelings at the moment.  I'm not someone who lives and breathes for the next superheo movie, but marvel sure knows how to make a girl sweat. I'm so anxious to see infinity war now, my bones are vibrating!! If this is the kind of delivery they've committed to I'm so in for the next 20 movies they've got in the slow cooker.

Golden Globe Nominees

⭐The 75th Annual Golden Globe Nominees⭐

  

  

       Before I start let me get this out of the way the GG's kind of sets the "Tone" for the Oscars and well, is it horrible of me to say I'm not all that excited about some of these noms?? Bare in mind I haven't seen any of the best picture nominees, which I will by the time the Oscars roll around. I make it my duty every year to see the movies nominated for best picture. So I cant say whether or not these films deserve it but, I was never all that hyped to see any of them in the first place except for 3, "The Disaster Artist, Get Out, and The Shape of Water" which isn't even available yet in my state yet. I guess time will tel for me if I like any of them. Here ate the lucky nominees in film. The Golden Globes Premiers On Jan 7, 2018, on NBC at 5pm Pacific and 8pm Eastern.

Best Motion Picture (Drama)
Call Me by Your Name
Dunkirk
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri


Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy)
The Disaster Artist
Get Out
The Greatest Showman
I, Tonya
Lady Bird


Best Motion Picture (Animated)
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Ferdinand
Coco
Loving Vincent


Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama)
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Tom Hanks, The Post
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.


Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama)
Jessica Chastain, Molly’s Game
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Meryl Streep, The Post
Michelle Williams, All the Money in the World


Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy)
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes
Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver
James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out


Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy)
Judi Dench, Victoria & Abdul
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes
Helen Mirren, The Leisure Seeker


Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your Name
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri


Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound
Hong Chau, Downsizing
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water

Best Director (Motion Picture)
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Ridley Scott, All The Money in the World
Steven Spielberg, The Post


Best Screenplay (Motion Picture)
The Shape of Water
Lady Bird
The Post
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Molly’s Game


Best Original Score (Motion Picture)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Shape of Water
Phantom Thread
The Post
Dunkirk


Best Foreign Film
A Fantastic Woman
First They Killed My Father
In the Fade
Loveless
The Square


Best Original Song (Motion Picture)
Ferdinand – ‘Home’
Mudbound – ‘Mighty River’
Coco – ‘Remember Me’
The Star – ‘The Star’
The Greatest Showman – ‘This Is Me’

The Mountain Between Us

🌟🌟

Directed by: Hany Abu-Assad
Written by: Chris Weitz - J. Mills Goodloe
Gross revenue: $54.7 mil

Charismatic, the term cannot be any less relevant when you're dealing with Idris Elba & Kate Winslet. I love these two as separate beings, but when they come together my lort it was like a spark ignited. The mountain between us takes two very normal people and throws them into a survivalist type of situation. Now I'm all for snow and the elements, but I feel that's all this movie had going for itself. Kate & Idris ? Phenom....as usual, story??? Not so much.  Being based off of the Novel written by Charles Martin, I'm almost entirely sure - though I've never read it - this film didn't do it justice.

This movie had a 2 man writing team, and not one could shell out a decent plot?? One of which, Chris Weitz who's been behind, Star Wars: Rouge One, The Golden Comapss and About a Boy should have been able to help with the dull romance.  Given how much I like Idris and Kate this movie deserves 2 stars and a half star simply because I loved the idea of those two in an on screen romance.

The unrealistic story line from the very beginning rubbed me entirely wrong. Then the whole "cmon" factor never crossed, it was was one mistake after another and besides their cute flirty banter, I wasn't really thrilled about it. I wasn't bored watching it so it wasn't awful.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (teaser trailer)

Behold!! The ninth wonder of the world!! Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom teaser now available!!! I love the fact that the last has not changed!!

Avengers: infinity War (official trailer)

   


      This is what the good life looks like!! From the start I was drawn in, this made me so anxious to see the movie.  Truth be told I'm not a snob, I am not particular about CGI. True, I'd like it to look better then something  "made for TV" but other than that I'm no stickler in that regard. I see nothing wrong with how it looks, it gave me chills, the whole bit. I literally got misty eyed. Only a few films have me so emotionally invested. Guardias though??? at the end was so beautiful!!! May 4th cannot come fast enough!!!

Murder on The Orient Express

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Directed by:  Kenneth Branagh
Written by: Michael Green
Gross Revenue:  $196 mil

From beginning to end this was spectacular. From the dialogue, to the off train shots, to the cinematography. I am deeply in love with a magnificent period piece, Murder on The Orient Express was no exception. The cast was phenomenal and I've never read the novel, but it felt like a good mystery book on screen. I just loved it, it had a feel to it that made it seem more classic than modern and that was a good treat.

I am not understanding the whole "boring" bit, its a mystery not a action/suspense/ thriller I never once got that vibe from the trailers. There's no way anyone should have went into this with any type of action or thrill seeking expectations. Looking at the trailers would let you know straight off, thats not what this was about. You ever played the game Clue?? Yea, its kinda like that....

I need more of this, more art, more depth, for some crazy reason the filmmaking industry are scared of films like this. The box office wants nothing to do with them, everyone is so concerned with the next dollar made and daily numbers. The mainstream film world is congested with the next big CBM or  the next cinematic universe. When did become we so concerned with  the tone of a film rather than what it made us feel?? I love big budgets just as much as the next person, but films like Murder on The Orient Express really makes my passion for cinema burn. For a film that was released between thor & justice league I believe it didn't do too bad!

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

 

⭐⭐⭐


Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Written by: Matthew Vaughn & Jane Goldman
Gross Revenue: $310 mil






     I'm so upset that I have to write this review, because I am a huge Kingsman fan and I still watch the first one at least twice a month. Sad, is the only word I can to describe how I'm feeling at this moment. Seriously, when I say I was excited for this movie I mean it. I had the Kingsman as my wallpaper for a good 2 months. I am not going to sugar coat it, I went in with extremely high expectations and that was my mistake. I wanted to fall in love with this as much as I did the first but oh man, that so didn't happen. Who knows w what happened with Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman, they wrote such an amazing story the first time it was close to perfect. The dialogue was great and the story? Even better, the golden circle seems like it was written by someone else, it didn't have the same energetic feel the first had.

     For one, the promotion made it seem like the new cast was going to be incredible and that wasn't the case. Channing Tatum could have been a non mention cameo, hell Jeff Bridges  was seen all of maybe three times and Halle Barry? Well she sat the entire film. Not to mention, in my opinion eggsy got diluted, he wasn't as bad ass as he was in the first and harry? We all know how disappointing that was. The villain was horribly weak, and I love Julianne Moore, but that was not a good choice for an antagonist role. Elton John had more of a part than any of the newly promoted cast members!!! The one saving grace this movie had was the unbelievably  amazing fight scenes that you come to expect with a Kingsman movie.


     The last and final pet peeve I have with the movie is the ending, that was a hot dumpster fire and I absolutely loathed it....... A wedding??? Really Matthew Vaughn? And Merlin, was that necessary???!!! I know it seems I hated it judging by my complaints but I didn't hate it, I was.......amused by it. I really, really hope the next (if it happens) is better than this huge misstep.

Official Trailer Wes Anderson's Isle Of Dogs 2017

 I am more than sure i have stressed my love for Wes Anderson, so it comes as no surprise I bring to you his new creation. Isle Of Dogs, the official trailer has me more than excited to see it. If you adore stop motion like I do this should be a real awesome movie!! Enjoy!!

American Made

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed b\y: Doug Liman
Written by: Gary Spinelli

Gross Revenue: $80 mil

Isn't it great seeing Tom Cruise in something other than mission impossible?? (the mummy aside) His onscreen charisma just doesn't fade, I mean he can put people in seats just to hear him speak. This was one crazy almost unbelievable turn of events that I don't think you could possibly make up. Though I am sure this film only scratched the surface on what "truly" took place between Barry and his multiple dark dealings. However, I enjoyed it immensely and Doug Liman did an okay job in capturing this off the wall recount of events. Whoever this Gary Spenelli is I dig his writing just a bit, it wasn't a masterpiece but it did flow in a very appealing way.

I find that this was more of the Tom Cruise we haven't seen in a long time. Even though this was a good movie he still carried it on his back, as he does with most other movies he stars in.  Now I am not complaining about that, unlike most I'm not ashamed to say I love Tom cruise, I have since The Firm. Hes the man with the magnetic charm and 1000 dollar smile that will sell ticket no matter what the movie is about. Is this flick worth 5 stars? No, but it I feel 4 is generous enough.

Mother!

⭐⭐



Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
written by: Darren Aronofsky
Gross Revenue: $35.4 mil




         Now I get why there are so many "mixed" reviews, this is literally a love or hate type of movie. Through the film I found Jennifer Lawrence to be strangely annoying & I usually love her in her roles. This one? Not so much, I mean her performance seemed very shallow & withdrawn. The story in of itself, was madness & scratched on the surface of religion which is something I don't wanna get into because I am more than pissed about that. This movie was a bit much & the dialogue was damn near horrible. Although I did like Javier Bardem, the chemistry was not there at all & them together was like nails on a chalkboard. The final act was disgusting & left me speechless, I know it was a movie & I get that. The mama in me though was shook & I was utterly repulsed. The movie as a whole was boring & as I've already stated pure undiluted madness.

Baby Driver

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Directed by: Edgar Wright
Written by: Edgar Wright
Gross Revenue: $224 mil

      

        This movie is absolutely amazing! I love baby so much and the originality of the film is so refreshing in a world of reboots. I crave for something new, untouched & fresh. Baby driver is definitely a re-watch for me Edgar Write has done it again. As with all his movies this one will be a classic, he hasn't failed me yet. This was so well written and executed with finesse I no longer see too often & its just not fair.

        This movie reminded me of a time when  we would be in awe by the sheer brilliance of something we had never seen before. When the mainstream box office wasnt choking on big budgets and the next big CBM. When filmmakers weren't afraid to think outside the box and render their own ideas onsceen. Movies made in the good Ol' days of cinema pushed the bounds of our imagination and it was astonishing. If you want something beyond the usual flicks, well you've gotta dig through the indie world.  I shall reiterate it is not fair.

       Baby driver gave me something I missed. It gave me nostalgia almost for the old film industry and how they took risks and didn't care about common interest. This movie is not a movie for everyone  but they promoted it as such and it did pretty well. The soundtrack? Oh dont even get me started on how perfect that was. I had no issue with the casting Jon Hamm was an astounding antagonist. 

        My only quip was the dialogue between baby and Deborah it was a tad awkward. Other than that I completely and utterly fell in love with Baby driver. I couldn't ask for more.