Evan Almighty—spinoff
from Jim Carrey’s Bruce Almighty—continues
to use Morgan Freeman as God while examining how diametrically opposed family prayers
can work when otherworldly forces are at work. The story concept is good, the
comedy is there, and Director Tom Shadyac shows great promise for comedy
movies. It’s a good family share film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Newly
elected Congressman Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) has an appointment with God
Almighty.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Tom Shadyak for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Ilona Herzberg, Matt Luber, and Dave
Phillips for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: God
(Morgan Freeman), Joan Baxter (Lauren Graham), Dylan Baxter (Johnny Simmons),
Jordan Baxter (Graham Phillips), Ryan Baxter (Jimmy Bennett), Congressman Long
(John Goodman), Rita (Wanda Sykes), and Marty (John Michael Higgins).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
There’s enough comedy to make it a watch for the whole family.
Kong: Skull Island—everything is okay, but not great—serves as a
good cult watch for the fan devoted to Kong movies. It is interesting to see
John C. Reilly in the movie. The movie does not fare well when compared to the
2005 Peter Jackson version of King Kong.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
This science fiction film is about: researchers look for life on Skull Island and find more than they expected to find.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts for
directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni,
and Alex Garcia for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Hiddleston,
Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John
Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Terry Notary,
and John C. Reilly.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. A Kong film lover may enjoy
this movie. The animation is great. But, know that the better watch is Peter Jackson’s 2005 version: King
Kong.
Ratchet & Clank, an
animated feature that bases itself on the video game, wants so badly to be an
action animation movie. The meager storyline, however, does not justify a movie
and despite an all-star voice cast fails at every juncture. If one must see
Ratchet and Clank in action, it’s better to get the Play Station game than
watch the movie.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
The
Blargs are systematically destroying one planet after another which results in
a deployment of Galactic Rangers. Wannabe Ranger, Ratchet (voice of James Arnold Taylor), finds himself on the
reject list when he attempts to join the fight. Rejects have the day, however,
when Ratchet teams with Robot Clank (voice of David Kaye).
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Kevin Munroe for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Delna Bhesania, Xinyu Bian, Connie Booth, Brian Cleveland, Jason
Cleveland, Alan Elkin, Jeremy Fan, Michael Hefferon, Sun Ming, Kevin Munroe,
Jin Na, Edward Noeltner, Bryant Pike, Dan Reardon, Richard Rionda Del Castro,
Riley Russell, David Charles Sheldon, Jared Underwood, Slava Vladimirov, Vincent
Ye, and Harley Zhao for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast
include: Drek (voice of Paul Giamatti), Grimroth (voice of John Goodman), Cora (voice
of Bella Thorne), Elaris (voice of Rosario Dawson), Owark (voice of Jim Ward),
Dr. Nefarious (voice of Armin Shimerman), Brax/Solana Trooper (voice of Vincent
Tong), Zed/Blarg (voice of Andrew Cownden), Victor (voice of Sylvester Stallone), and
Mr. Micron (voice of Lee Tockar).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
For the hardcore Ratchet and Clank video
game fan, the film may suffice. For the general audience, this animated feature
fails due to its inability to imagine a strong backstory and future story.
The Emperor’s New Groove—excellent,
clean, wholesome, animated family movie—creates a ‘no foul found here’ entertainment
experience. Well scripted and well voiced, it allows gentle realization that decisions
are best made when thinking of the impact on others.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Emperor Kuzco (voice of
David Spade) wants to build a water park for his eighteenth birthday atop a
mountain that houses impoverished llama herder, Pacha (voice of John Goodman).
Emperor Kuzco, transformed into a llama, learns a few things about loyalty and
friendship while Pacha learns patience and forgiveness for persons outside his
cultural group in a comical romp that is quite satisfying from start to finish.
Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Mark Dindal for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producer Don Hahn for making the film possible. Additional voice casting
include: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, and Wendie
Malick.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. A wonderful film for the child/adult share, with a fabulous story. Video Critique Available Here:
