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.

Den of Thieves

⭐⭐

Directed by: Christian Gudegast

Written by:  Christian Gudegast Paul Scheuring

Gross Revenue : $34.4 mil

mis·lead·ing

giving the wrong idea or impression:

I WAS IN FACT  MISLEAD!! When I went into Den of Thieves I was expecting an action packed "cops and robbers"  type of situation. I mean, that is what the trailer LEAD me to believe as it did everyone, now I'm no stickler for action, its like my 6th favorite genre I think. However, when you show me something like this, which is what I have a soft spot for.....you know heist films. I expect just that! Not some half baked idea that sluggishly got off the ground. The trailer had me under the impression this would be a gun fighting non stop race against time type of movie and IT WAS NOT! One thing I hate most is when they edit trailers in a way  that totally contradicts the entire film.

Its starts with guns and ends with guns. But the middle is filled with lengthy character development and scenes that serve no purposes. Like the prom date, what exactly was that for? The divorce? It was personal but Gerard's character seemed unaffected by it, it didn't have any psychological ramifications. In my opinion, this film had no business being 2hr and 13 minutes. A good 3 scenes could have been easily thrown out. This entire story could have been done in 90 minutes. There was entirely too much of nothing going on for a good chunk of it. I enjoy the story, the premise is exactly the kind of thing I'd watch. However the execution was riddled with flaws and the directing even made the movie seem more boring then it could have been.

As far as performances go? Well Gerard Butler for me, was the only saving grace and he even seemed a bit off center in this role. Assuming you'd get a decent performance from  50 cent or  O'shea is like assuming you can squeeze water from a rock. I've seen 50 shine more in his show "Power" then in any movie he's ever done. As far as O'shea is concerned, well I'd rather watch his dad, Ice Cube in "Are We There Yet?" (which for me is the worst movie he's ever done) three times in a row rather then watch him ever. 

It was my fault for jumping to conclusions and thinking Den of Thieves was going to be the high grossing year opener. Word of mouth is powerful and chatter surrounding it was nothing short of disappointing, It dragged over the 7 day finish line with a $20 mil in the bank, which would surprise me if the month of January wasn't a nightmare for all releases. Let me just say that for fun, for entertainment and for a "okay" heist movie this would be a good choice, more so if you were really bored and stuck in the house with nothing else to watch yeah.

The Darjeeling Limited

    

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola
Gross Revenue: $35 mil





         Last year I made a vow that I'd see ever Wes Anderson movie ever made and I'm still at it. Every time I go into one of his movies I say "oh my gosh what if I don't like it?" I say this only because I've yet to see one I haven't enjoyed. He has a way of bringing every environment to life in a way I don't see anywhere else. His vision is unmatched, it's something I am very happy to say I am addicted to and will be anticipating from now on. I feel like, I missed out on great in theater experiences that I could have witnessed if I wasn't such a mainstream junkie. However, as the saying goes, "you know better you do better" 

     I knew I was in for a treat by just reading the description of The Darjeeling Limited. The moment I saw the trailer I said    "yep, okay I'm gonna watch it and oh lort I hope I like it" and of course I fell in love with it. Only Wes can capture the tight quarters of a train and make it into something so magical. Each shot was beautifully done and well executed. Death! Is all the rage in Wes's films but its done so elegantly and so lighthearted you find a peace in that person passing rather than sadness. The message he gives is very direct but not in a preachy, in your face way which I love.

     I often envy those who flawlessly create dialogue that is both witty, fresh and amazing. Somehow Anderson does it every time and I am just in awe of his literary skills. Words, just words can leave me unable to blink when watching his films, I never want to miss one sentence, one word, one syllable . The comedy is always so awkward, strange a little dark by oh man is it remarkable. I often find myself wanting Wes humor in other films and I'm sure that's weird but I admire his writing that much. Its always a cut above and something that wont ever be replicated.
    

 

Adrian Brody, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman  are Andersons golden boys and I have zero complaints about that and I love them all individually. So, this was a treat for me because the brotherly dynamic was so well done, the chemistry was through the roof. Alone, well they were as always perfect in the most awkward way. Only Wes Anderson can make this cast as astonishing as it was.

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

Birdman

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Written by:  Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Armando Bo
Gross revenue: $105 mil

So, why am I just now seeing this? Keaton's in it so I should have seen it a while ago but nope
this was a first time watch for me. I must say I do not understand people who say this film wasn't any good, did we not see the same version?? It seems so harsh to say this was a "bad" movie, it was original and severely entertaining. The writing alone kept me engaged to the point I got upset I had to use the restroom. You'd think it'd be a horrible mess given how big the writing team was, but they did an amazing job! Alejandro  per usual, is spectacular I'm a huge fan of his films they always seem to get some sort of critical acclaim, he's great at what he does. This, is Michael Keaton at his best folks, he had been more or less absent before this. Birdman was a terrific re-introduction of Keaton. Phenomenal comes to mind, I enjoyed this so much & I crave more creative films such as this. The camera flow was so beautiful and the cast was down right electric! Love love love!

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!!

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Directed by: Wes Anderson

Written by: Wes Anderson & NoahBaumbach
Gross Revenue: $50 mil

It took me years to see this movie! I suppose it was due partially to when it was released I could care less about weird but brilliant films like these. I was all movie of the month, big blockbuster "franchises" back then. Cate blanchette, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Willem I found to be so amusing it hurt. I mean really what's not to love about this movie??

This is my first time seeing it, I loved Grand Budapest so I figured why not see every other Wes Anderson movie ever made. His movies make me so happy. I love his style, his use of color and environment its always so amazing!! I really really love this movie, the dialogue as usual is a precious commodity and I couldn't get enough!! Isle of dogs is going to be fantastic!! Wes Anderson is so amazing!

Blade Runner

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Hampton Fancher, David Peoples
Gross Revenue: $27 mil

I've seen reviews from all sides, some claiming this to be a masterpiece others saying it's the worst. Most of the nay Sayers.....most, not all seem to be young. I have yet to see it but, they praise 2049 for being art and unlike anything we've ever seen. However, I believe there is just a disconnect and with so many years in between for this generation it may just be outdated. Seeming as the term "slow" seems to be used a lot when people review it, but I didn't see an issue with it.

It may be because I was born in the 80s and I was raised on this generation of cinema.If you watch classics, were born in the 80's, or before you know what I am talking about, every movie back then didn't move at light speed.However, you must take into account this is not an action movie it is sci-fi.

All in all I liked it, I truly did, I liked Harrison Ford he did good...he was Harrison Ford. I just don't know where all the performance bashing is coming from as far as he's concerned. The graphics well, it was magnificent for its time I still think it looked amazing. I've seen worse when it comes to visuals and 1980's cinema.

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.

The Fate of The Furious

⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: F. Grey Grey
Written by: Chris Morgan & Gary Scott
Gross Revenue: $1.24 Bil



        Now I know most rather forget this franchise and wish it would just go away.  For a film that has grossed over a BILLION dollars it cant be all bad. As for me? I love love love these movies although I was apprehensive to see this one. That is due to the fact that Paul Walker is no longer in it and I felt his absence would negatively impact the film. Though him not being there was felt in my opinion it really didn't endanger the film it is what it always has been fast and fun. So to get right down to it, there is something that I can always look forward to in 'Furious" n=movies and that's off the wall stunts and cheesy one liners. I love the fact that this franchise has stuck to the same formula, cars cars and more cars. They haven't lost the idea of why it was originally made, indeed no one really cares about street racing anymore but we all love pretty cars. 

        As usual I love the cast there is nothing I can say on that I mean Kurt tussle, Jason Statham, The Rock and Tyrese where my favorites. Even though The Rock did get the cheesy one liners they were funny and well executed.  The writing was a little messy but thats a furious movie for you. Although come on you can not say the phantom cars weren't bad ass! I think it was very well played as a furious movie it felt like one, which for me hadn't happened since 5. The closing scene? Talk about feels omg I was a puddle of tears. I'm a very emotionally connected viewer so I was a goner after he named his son.

The bad batch

⭐⭐⭐⭐


Directed by: Ana Lily Amirpour
Written by: Ana Lily Amirpour
Gross Revenue: $180,851



         Despite the epic failure this movie suffered at limited box office release it was an amazing film.  Its not really about what's being said, its not lazy writing in this case. Its more to do with body language and emotion that transfers on film. It is a visual gem that will be discussed in small circles with massive enthusiasm. I loved it, I loved the silent Jim Carrey, I loved the way Arlen took the child under her wing & I loved the fact that Giovanni was a dirty lunatic. I loved the fact Jason was a visual ascetic, he didn't need to say much his eyes and body said a lot......as it often talks to me in my dreams. I'd rather him not speak anyway honestly the accent? It was comic relief for me. I mean I love that man but he should never ever do that again. As messed up and two faced as it was the silent chemistry Miami man and arlen had was beautiful and the girly girl in me wanted to see a happily ever after ending. Although, I knew that would not have been the right approach. This was not a film made for everyone and that's okay it wasn't aimed at the masses hints the limited release.

Logan Lucky

     

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Steven Soderberg
Written By: Rebecca Blunt
Gross Revenue: $40.4 mil


          I wasn't quite sure what I was going to get with this, when I first saw the trailer. Indeed, I wanted to see it , I mean Daniel Craig in a role other than James Bond? Don't get me wrong it's amazing whenever he plays bond but its even better when I see him do other things. I must say his performance was pretty great and his scenes are what I enjoyed most. Now, on to Channing Tatum whom I adore but can be like watching paint dry at times.

        I tend to steer clear of things involving him that don't end in Mike. However, I was pleasantly surprised he was alright it wasn't as horrible as I imagined he'd be. The movie was slightly reminiscent of the Oceans movies and I guess that's to be expected, with Soderberg at the helm. I really have no complaints on that, oceans 12 is in my top 20 favorite films of al time. The writing was amazing, for her first gig Rebecca Blunt didn't do too bad especially with the climax, amazing flow the entire time I loved it. The dialogue seemed a little scarce at times but Daniel Craig's scenes more than made up for it. I definitely love it

Wonder Woman

🌟🌟🌟

Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Written by: Allan Heinberg
Gross Revenue: $411 mil

          

          I went into this film with high expectations seeming as everyone said it was "mind blowing" and "phenomenal". Certified Fresh....as the trailer that played 100 times a day told me. A few minutes into the film I was all yay "superhero action" but then I was brutally reminded that it was DC superhero, not marvel. Thus making it boring boring, boring. Gal Gaddot?? Id rather watch paint dry then watch her for 2 hrs, its virtually the same thing.
      
        I am a marvel girl but I am also a gigantic movie lover. I give props when due, but that never seems to happen with these guys. Aside from "christian bale" batman which didn't even have a DC FEEL IN MY OPINION! I think that had to do  more with Christopher Nolan's genius perception. I have tried to give DC a shot, batman vs superman, man of steel and now this! Why on earth can't I get through an entire DC film without the urge to just walk out because I'm bored out of my mind??!! I give it 3 stars because it was entertainment but that's it still boring as ever! Step it up DC JL  is probably going to be just another bloated with dialogue snoozer as well.

The Room

⭐

Direcred by: Tommy Wiseau

Written by: Tommy Wiseau

Gross Revenue: $1;800

Sooo this really is the best worst movie ever made. Before I saw the disaster artist I wanted to gain some knowledge of who Tommy Wiseau was & what "The Room" was all about. If there was ever a role James Franco was meant to play it is definitely this one. So so bad its horrendously awesome. James Franco said  Wiseau was trying to make a Oscar worthy film & that is the truth you can see that throughout the movie.  gotta admire him for putting his all into it no matter how hilariously bad it was.

I can really see why everyone likes this movie, i do but it's not because it was good. Its because its so funny and you know that is not what it was meant to be and that makes it down right amazing. Following this man Tommy & his cheating girlfriend Lisa around a horribly made set just added to the comedy.

 

Life of Pi

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: David Magee (screenplay)

      I...I just don't know where to start I mean this film?? Its off the scales spectacular. The main reason I suppose I'm just now seeing it is because when it came out, I kind of avoided best film nominated pictures like the plague. Why? I guess you could say I thought they were all talky, boring meaning less drivel. Between then and now I've seen countless nominated films and now I know how misguided I was. Though I don't believe all are Oscar worthy, this film was.
The color grading and the visuals left me in awe, wonder & pure longing for more of this. More creativity, more astonishing cinematography, more cinema that takes you on an escape to beyond. Ang Lee did some amazing work on this, and best director, best visuals, best cinematography was well deserved they earned it. Phenomenal job, really I cannot be more in love with this film.
However, I don't want to take away from the actual story which was magical and so well written. It has persuaded me to read the novel, I want to know this story in and out. As all book to films go, I'm sure they left some out and I'm excited to read what I couldn't see.

The Dark Tower

⭐⭐⭐

Directed by: Nikolaj Arcel
Written by: Akiva Goldsman & Jeff Pinkner
Gross Revenue: $110 mil
   

         I've never read a single Stephen King novel so I have nothing to compare it to. So if we are just talking from a movie perspective it wasn't horrible but it wasn't good either.. I feel the character development was a little weak and Idris definitely didn't give his best in my opinion and neither did Matthew. However, the story was intriguing and I really wanted to know more about the gunslinger history and what they went through with Walter. Word has it this was after the last book so the backstory wasn't needed for those who read them. For those who didn't, like me it left us wondering.

Hell or High Water

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
     Directed by: David Mackinzie
      Written by: Taylor Sheridan
      Gross Revenue: $37.9 mil

       whoa! Finally saw this today and I must say I wanna kick myself in the teeth for not seeing it sooner. Jeff bridges, Ben Foster and Chris Pine gave amazing performances that I couldn't help but get emotionally attached to. Right out the gate it grabbed me like an opening line from a best selling novel, that for me on its own was astonishing. That is a rarity in this day and age in film, at least for me it takes about 30 or so minutes for me to be committed to a movie.
      Not this one, nope the first act was beautiful! Bravo! Bravo! A round of applause for Taylor Sheridan he's a good egg that one. He does such an amazing job, I mean first sicario, Brilliant and this, mind blowing. The dialogue was fierce and real, the way the whole story flowed was so perfect I didn't want it to end. I loved every piece of this film and it is definitely going to be apart of my DVD collection. Not all movies get that honor.