Those Who Wish Me Dead—Angelina Jolie and Jon Bernthal—hits hard and fast as it combines an out-of-control forest fire with military-skilled assassins as they pursue specifically targeted families. The script is very realistically portrayed on screen. It is a top-of-the-line thriller/drama that completely earns its watch. Be aware that this film is violent, fast, and efficient in telling the story.
Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb
Storyline
Female forest fire fighter and a policeman are caught up in political intrigue while trying to save a boy from assassins.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Taylor Sheridan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steven Zaillian, Garrett Basch, Aaron L. Gilbert, Kevin Turen, and Taylor Sheridan. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Finn Little, Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen, Medina Senghore, and Jon Bernthal.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This
is a really good film and tells an exciting story on screen. This film
is a great watch and has outstanding acting.
The Forbidden Zone— short post-apocalyptic film—uses great stop motion animation to illustrate its story. This short film has good camera work. It is a suitable story.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A man
in an post-apocalyptic world decides to unlock and open the iron door that has kept him safe and finds a world re-establishing itself.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Zach Tolchinsky for directing effort.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie has great stop motion animation and gives an interesting watch.
Wrath of Man—holds audience attention—implies violence and uses some sexual innuendos but has good to great acting with good presentation and portrayal. Jason Statham plays a solid, believable role that logically works. The movie depicts strong masculinity and resolution of a problem. It's an interesting watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A crime boss takes revenge on another crime 'family' composed of US military warriors, battle experienced from US encounters with Afghanistan, for killing his son during an armored truck heist.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Chasman, Andrew Golov, Louise Killin, Joshua Throne, for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Rocci Boy Williams, Josh Hartnett, Jeffrey Donovan, Scott Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Deobia Oparei, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a complicated watch that needs a Wikipedia plotline read before movie engagement. Be prepared for very good acting.
Nobody—uses writers from John Wick—gives its audience a surprise from its beginning to its conclusion. This hard hitting, outstanding action film completely defines the fun watch that moves explosively fast. Bob Odenkirk is the actor taking out gangsters in rapid fire succession. The writers made this movie. Great scripting.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Hutch
Mansell nearly kills some henchmen and saves a woman on a bus. But one of the
henchmen is a Russian mafia kingpin’s brother and the story is on.
Additional
Thanks
Thank
you to Director Ilya Naishuller for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Marc S. Fischer, Derek Kolstad, Tobey Maguire, and Annie Marter for
making the film possible. Cast include Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Ironside, Colin Salmon, RZA, Billy MacLellan, Areya Mengesha, and Gage Munroe.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a good watch with a wonderfully-written story.
F9: The Fast Saga—not as good as the previous three films—still consistently
holds the expected story and serves action fans well. Casting did a great job of choosing John Cena
as Dominic’s younger brother. Neither actor overshadows the other and the power
balance is preserved. Good choice to move forward in future releases. A dip into Dominic Toretto's past in the introduction into the story is well done, but after that it seems almost run-of-the-mill until it gains pace as John
Cena comes into the picture. The movie has a great conclusion and has already prepared
the audience for Fast X in the mid-credit scene at the end of the movie. Good watch
that revolves around family events in a racing world.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
This action drama film is about: Dominic and crew are on a mission to save Mr. Nobody.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Justin Lin for
directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin
Lin, Jeffrey Kirshchenbaum, Joe Roth, Clayton Townsend, and Samantha Vincent
for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese
Gibson, Chris Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung
Kang, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, and Charlize Theron.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. For Fast and Furious fans, this movie
provides some background to Dominic’s family story to include his father and
his brother. The movie earns its watch.
Ron’s Gone Wrong—okay watch—stands on great animation. The story
itself will be understood by adults more than children and while the message may
be appropriate, the movie has some bland scenes, Audiences will not relate to several parts of this film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
This film is about a boy
who receives a buddy robot as a birthday gift and finds that it is slightly
defective.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors Sarah Smith
and Jean-Philippe Vine for directing effort. and Co-Director Octavio E. Rodriguez, for co-directing efforts, Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Baynham, Elisabeth Murdoch, Sarah Smith, and Producers Lara Breay and Julie
Lockhart for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jack Dylan Grazer, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Olivia Colman, Rob Delaney, Justice Smith, Kylie
Cantrall, Ricardo Hurtado, Cullen McCarthy, Ava Morse, Marcus Scribner, Thomas Barbusca, Sarah Miller, and Bentley Kalu.
Tom and Jerry: The Movie—Nostalgia!—shows very well in its animation. Terrific
to see the Tom and Jerry cat and mouse activity and to also be reminded of Spike the Bulldog as built into this movie’s story. The live action is
problematic and detracts from the film. But it is good to see Michael Peña and the other
live action characters, Patsy Ferran is an interesting actress choice for this
movie. She will be looked for in other works to assess her handling of
characters. The film also makes a reference to Droopy the Basset Hound which is
quite welcome as another small trip down memory lane.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Tom wants to be a pianist and Jerry wants a new home and the adventure is on.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Tim Story for
directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chris DeFaria for making the film
possible. Cast includes: Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Tom, Jerry, Jordan Bolger, Rob Delany, Patsy Ferran, Pallavi Sharda, Colin Jost, Somi De Souza, Ajay Chhabra, Patrick Poletti, Janis Ahern, and Ken Jeong.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. It brings back memories in a very big way
and entertains with its animation techniques and storyline.
Belle—uniquely marks itself with some surprisingly WOW! singing—unfortunately drops into a sad copy/paste of the Beauty and the Beast story.
The audience immediately asks ‘Where did that come from?’ and that question
makes the rest of the film falter in entertainment value. The movie got high
ratings by many in the entertainment world, but it is not that great in storyline
or in portrayal. If one can get past all the glamour and hype, the movie
becomes an okay watch, not an outstanding watch. For English speakers there is
an English version of the film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A young girl finds a way to re-start
a singing career.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Mamoru Hosoda
for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Nozomu Takahashi, Yuichiro Saito,
Toshimi Tanio, and Genki Kawamura for making the film possible. Cast includes:
Kaho Nakamura, Ryo Narita, Shôta Sometani, Tina Tamashiro, Lilas Ikuta, Ryôko Moriyama, Michico Shimizu, Fuyumi Sakamoto, Yoshimi Iwasaki, Sachiyo Nakao, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Mamoru Miyano, Sumi Shimamoto, and Koji
Yakusho.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The singing is probably the best part of the film.
The storyline is a bit mediocre, but the animation is really good with soft and appealing background scenery.
Space Jam: A New Legacy—okay, not great—primarily suffers from writing
failures. The discord between the father figure, LeBron James, and his son
played by Cedric Joe does not work well. Don Cheadle as the antagonist does not come
off well. The movie, overall, seems out of step with its audience and completely
unrelatable. Even though it is nice to see the Looney Tune characters, it seems
odd to throw so many Warner Brother characters up on the screen without a
verifiable reference to the why question and the reason, purpose, question.
There isn’t even time to think about the missing Pepe Le Pew and the movie
comes off more as a 90% promotion of Warner Brothers rather than a movie meant
to entertain the audience.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
LeBron James desires his son to follow in his
footsteps and the son has other plans.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Malcolm D. Lee
for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ryan Coogler, LeBraon James,
Maverick Carter, and Duncan Henderson for making the film possible. Cast
includes: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Zendaya,
Jeff Bergman, and Eric Bauza.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. This movie could almost be skipped unless
following the Space Jam film story. Listen for a Michael Jordan gag. The
movie does provide a conclusion that ends on the happy note and the concept for
the movie is creative.
Encanto—read a plotline—can be a complicated watch if the audience attempts
an analysis of the storyline based on what is seen alone. This animated musical has new and exceptionally
creative effects in place that will captivate and enchant children and adults. It
dramatically illustrates the concept of living a magical life and can be
considered an intellectual watch when looking at the deeper context rather than
the shallow context. This film can be considered exclusive and seclusive in its
message. Overall? The movie deserves its watch.
Thank you to Director Jared Bush and Byron Howard for their directing efforts. Charise Castro Smith for her co-directing effort. Thank you to Producers Yvett Merino and
Clark Spencer for making the film possible. Cast includes: Stephanie Beatriz,
Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie
Cepeda, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama, and Carolina Gaitan.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This
film needs a good plotline read before buying a ticket or it may become a complicated,
unrelatable movie. It’s a good, animated child/adult share.
Being James Bond: The
Daniel Craig Story—documentary short film—WOW! has terrific
interviews, provides excellent behind-the-scenes education, and shows how
actors work to provide audiences with outstanding entertainment. This
documentary increases appreciation for the industry and the people who work
within that industry, various factors that can affect the quality of output,
and how dedicated performers and background workers make decisions to keep on
schedule despite terrific challenges. Wonderful presentation with outstanding
direction shows a candid view of relationship with the press and paparazzi. This
film is featured on James Bond 007’s YouTube page and the No Time To Die
DVD film. This documentary is more than worth watching. Don’t miss it.
Film Poster Courtesy of
Google Images
Storyline
This documentary film is
about: Daniel Craig being chosen for the new
James Bond character, what he did to prepare for the role, and how he finally
left the role after 15 years service.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Baillie Walsh for making the film possible. Thank you to Producer Colin Burrows
for making the film possible. Cast includes: Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson,
and Barbara Broccoli.
Luca—fresh concept—has fabulous animation with beautiful lighting and
colorization. Especially note the terrific coloring of its opening scenes. It is technologically up-to-date, but it incorporates a softer
touch and is not ‘loud’ nor is it ‘brassy’. The story itself is a bit constipated in some scenes,
but overall is suitable and presents a heartfelt conclusion with its ‘black
sheep’ doing good deeds ending.
Film Poster Courtesy of
Google Images
Storyline
A young sea monster discovers that
when he is on dry land, he becomes a human.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Enrico
Casarosa for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Andrea Warren for making
the film possible. Cast includes: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Saverio
Raimondo, Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, and Jim Gaffigan.
Ben
Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 StarsìììThe Suicide Squad—better writing in some places than the last film—has
over-the-top gore and violence that can cause an adult to feel queasy. Almost every scene presents the unexpected
mini-climax that keeps a viewer from being able to build toward a conclusion.
It’s an unexpected presentation format that is interesting for its novelty but creates difficulty for the critic to find common ground to compare
it to other movies within this genre. It’s like mixing evil with evil and then wondering
how that cake is going to taste after baking. Casting chose an excellent cast
that includes, but is not limited to: Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie who
reprises her role as Harley Quinn, Michael Rooker, Viola Davis who reprises her role
as Amanda Waller, and the voice of Sylvester Stallone (as King Shark), and Pete
Davidson. This film may be watched best at home rather than the theater setting
as free vetting of verbal ‘Uggghhh’ and averting of eyes can be done privately
rather than publicly.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
This spy action film is about Amanda Waller sending two new teams of super human criminals undercover to stop scientific work that does not serve United
States’ interests.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to
Director James Gunn for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven
and Peter Safran for making the film possible. Cast includes: Margot Robbie,
Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. The graphic, violent gore is over-the-top…enough
to make a grown adult feel queasy. It definitely is not for children. But, to
be fair, it is creative with a fresh story quite unlike any presented in
previous superhero films.
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