Deep Summer Chills, Epics and Icons

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

ACTION/COMEDY 3D ANIMATION 

PLOT:  How Gru as a young boy always wanted to be a villain and gets his wish along with his yellow pals.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The 70 music, the evil group the Vicious Six and the wacky, wonder minions.  It is a joy to watch the crazy antics of them.

WHAT IS WRONG:  The ending is way out but what do you expect from villains who want to take over the world.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  Most definitely!  It is very funny and entertaining.  Great for the young and the young at heart.

BLACK PHONE

HORROR/ SUPERNATUAL 

PLOT:   The Gabber is a murder and kidnapper of teen boys but his latest victim gets help from his previous victims on the black phone in the basement.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The two young stars Mason Thomas as Finney who gets bullied a lot but is very resilient when a serial child killer has him.  Madeline McGraw as Gwen Finney’s funny, feisty and psychic sister.  The backstory tells why they are like that.  Ethan Hawke is creepy as “The Grabber.” 

WHAT IS WRONG:  The film is a slow burn!  It takes a long while to get going.  It is NOT a slasher where teens get killed every ten minutes.  No jump scares either.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like scary, well-thought out  intelligent thrillers-YES!   

ELVIS

BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA 

PLOT:  Another movie about the legendary singer by the point of view his manger Colonel Tom Parker.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Tom Hanks is unrecognizable as Colonel Tom Parker aka Andreas Corenlis (Dries) Van Kuijk who was Dutch.  He was con man who knew  two things-talent and how to exploit it for his own good.  Hanks does not play a nice guy in this one.  Elvis (Austin Bulter) is good as Elvis.

WHAT IS BAD:  In all film biographies  leave or emphasis certain times of the performer’s life.  If you are interested read books about them.  The movie is long but it may not cover everything.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like biographies-yes.  The acting is very good yet you seen it all before-mangers pleasing the star, betraying and doing whatever to keep star going.  If you are a fan you may point out  the parts that did and did not happen. 

  

THOR: LOVE & THUNDER

SUPERHERO/ACTION 

PLOT:    Thor has to change to save Asguard from the Gorr, The God Killer.

WHAT IS GOOD:   Christian Bale as Gorr.  He is a tragic figure as well as a villain. He isn’t in the movie much but when he is, his presence is fantastic!  The look of the film is amazing.  Chris Hemsworth looks great.  Russell Crowe is humorous with his strange accent as Zeus.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is too funny at times like Thor: Ragnarok.  It is amusing but they overdo it most of the time.

SHOULD YOU SEE WATCH:  YES!!  It does have a lot going for it as much as it has against it.  If you are a true fan of Thor or Chris Hemsworth  you will enjoy this –if not wait!

 

Franchises Go Boom or Pop

JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION

ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT:    The cast of the origin and the current of the Jurassic franchise come together to stop an evil company Biosyn from controlling the food supply.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The dinosaurs of course!  The film added a few more besides the T-Rex.  The people from  classic Jurassic Park such as Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, Sam Neil as Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Stattler.  The updated movie includes Chris Pratt as Owen and Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire.

WHAT IS BAD:  They say this is the final Jurassic movie.  I don’t believe that!  The story is all over the place but you didn’t come for the story did you?

SHOULD YOU WATCH:   YESSS!  If you are a fan of the franchise and you can compare which films are better and for the movie watcher who just loves see amazing special effects, action and thrills.

 

LIGHTYEAR

ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT:    The origin of Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series.

WHAT IS GOOD:  For a 3D animation film it is action-packed!  Also many good supporting characters especially Sox, a computerized cat to be Buzz’s pet and companion.

WHAT IS BAD:  For those who know Tim Allen did the voice of Buzz for all the Toy Story franchise and now it is Chris Evans, Captain America himself.  There are “woke” elements but it is just a few seconds.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  If you like action, suspense and comedy you will enjoy it.

MEMORY

ACTION/THRILLER

PLOT:  Alex Lewis (Liam Neeson) is growing old and growing a conscious for not killing an underage girl and killers come after him.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Liam Neeson good actor and great action hero! He has talented cast with him such as Guy Pearce (Iron Man 3) Ray Stevenson (Punisher: War Zone) and the beautiful Monica Bellucci (Matrix 2).

WHAT IS WRONG:   Formula plot of aging or tired of being an assassin and wants to leave or do the right thing.  It has some surprises but not much.

SHOULD YOU GO:  YES!  This movie is made for Liam Neeson fans and action fans so if you like those two things-see it!

 

TOP GUN MAVERICK

ACTION/DRAMA 

PLOT: Maverick (Tom Cruise) is not a trainee but an instructor of a new group of pilots and one of them is the son of his fallen best friend. 

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Tom Cruise as Maverick is older but still daring to do the impossible.  The old cast is mostly seen in pictures.  The air fight scenes are good.  Nostalgia and humor.

WHAT IS BAD:  It is formula plot but it still works.  Soundtrack okay but nothing like the first one.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you enjoyed Top Gun the first one you will like this one.  If you like Tom Cruise and the talented cast it is worth it.

 

The Multiverse of Summer Blockbusters

 

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

ACTION/ADVENTURE/FANTASY

PLOT:   Dr. Strange cast a spell that many verses are blending together and he has to stop Wanda, Scarlet Witch from taking powers from America Chavez.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The cast Benedict Cumberbatch is great as Dr. Strange.  Elizabeth Olsen who plays Scarlet Witch is fantastic determined and obsessed to see her children again no matter what the cost.  The cameos of superheroes in their different dimensions are wonderful.

WHAT IS WRONG:  For comic fans Scarlet Witch does go insane but not like in the movie.  It is so different so if interested what really happened read the comic!  Also the origin of America Chavez is half right.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you enjoy Dr. Strange, special effects and the superhero cameos you will have fun with this film.

FIRESTARTER

HORROR/SCI-FI 

PLOT:    Charlene “Charlie” has power from her parents to set anything ablaze.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Zac Elfron as Charlie’s father Andrew and Sydney Lemmon as Victoria caring parents trying hard to protect their child from the same horrible fate as they had.  Michael Greyeyes as Rainbird who is a bounty hunter to find Charlie.  Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Charlie, she wants to be a normal girl but she can never be and she soon realizes this.

WHAT IS WRONG:  How many times are they going to do this story?  It was done 1984 with Drew Barrymore, a miniseries in 2002 and now the latest film.  Hollywood should stop making this movie and remake or make a series of The Fury-not written by Stephen King.  It has the same elements: young woman with extraordinary powers.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  Yes!  To compare the 1984 version to the latest remake and which is better.

THE NORTHMAN

ACTION/ADVENTURE 

PLOT:    In 895 AD young Amleth sees his father killed by his uncle and vows for revenge.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Alexander Skarsgard as the grown man, Amleth.  He was Tarzan in 2016 and he didn’t lose his ripped body for this.  Nicole Kidman as his mother Queen Gundruin  who is not as loyal as she seems  and Anya Taylor Joy as Olga his love interest.  She has a unique look perfect for this film.  It is VERY violent. 

WHAT IS WRONG:  In between the brutal attacks they are telling a story plus folklore and action hounds may find it slow but you understand his motives.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like Conan but he’s a Viking you will love this film!  Slashing and bashing galore!

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT

ACTION/COMEDY

PLOT:     Hollywood and action actor Nicholas Cage uses his acting skills to save a young woman in danger.

WHAT IS RIGHT:    Nicholas Cage spoofing himself.  Many vain celebrities can’t pull a feat like this off but Cage can.  Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Wonder Woman 1984) as Javi, a super fan who brings him to his island but he has secrets. The chemistry of Cage and Pascal are great.  The action sequences are great.

WHAT IS WRONG:  The movie is not for everyone.  It is quirky and weird.  It is like the IFC movies of old.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you enjoy Nicholas Cage movies then YES!  It is odd and strange like  the performer  and you will have fun with it.

FANTASTIC BEASTS # 3 THE SECRET OF DUMBLDORE

ACTION/FANTASY 

PLOT:   Dumbledore needs help from Newt and other wizards to stop Grindelwald  to become leader of all wizards.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Jude Law as Dumbledore and Mads Mikkelson as Grindelwald one good the other evil.  Mikkelson doesn’t disappoint!  He hates humans and does whatever it takes to become ruler.

Sometimes it is watching a fantasy movie and Mission Impossible!  Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowoski is great as always in the franchise being an average guy in the mist of magic.  Special effects excellent.

WHAT IS BAD:   It is not as good as the Fantastic Beasts series but is still  entertaining.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like more detail about Dumbledore and Grindelward or you want to see how it is connected to Harry Potter by all means YES!

THE BAD GUYS

ANIMATION/ACTION/COMEDY 

PLOT:  The worst animals you don’t want around you, a wolf, a snake, a shark,  a tarantula and a piranha are cute thieves is dared to do  an experiment to be good,  abiding citizens.

WHAT IS GOOD:  It is funny, has action and great music.  The voice cast is excellent.

WHAT IS BAD:   The ending is far-fetched.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  OH YES!  It has much going for it than most live action films!  Has humor, heart and amazing  soundtrack!

Wild Science, Wilder Heroes

 

MORBIUS

ACTION/SUPERHERO

PLOT:    The origin of Michael Morbius, a world renowned biochemist who is now a chemically induced vampire.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Jared Leto is a gifted actor who played the Joker in Suicide Squad.  He is a decent human being but when he turns into a primal night creature not so much.  He feels guilty after but not during.  The special effects are good too.  Matt Smith (the 11^th Doctor Who and Terminator: Genisys) is great as his nemesis.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is not epic or as delightfully crazy as Venom.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like the latest antihero yes.  They changed some details as usual.  It is B-movie good.

SONIC THE HEDEGHOG 2

ACTION ADVENTURE COMEDY

PLOT:    In the sequel Sonic has to deal with being responsible, the return of Dr. Robotnik a new friend and a new villain from his past.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Sonic is so funny.  He is a kid but he looks like a Hedgehog who wants to be a hero but also a child.  Jim Carrey is just fantastic as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a goofy genius bad guy who wants to get rid of Sonic and rule the world.  He is so funny is this film as in the first one.  Miles “Tails” Prower, a yellow fox with 2 tails which is very smart and make good gadgets.  Knuckles, is a powerful echidna who wants revenge on Sonic.  The rest of the cast is delightful too.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is very over the top ending.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!!!  If you enjoyed the last movie you will definitely enjoy the sequel.

 

 

Big Franchise Chills and Thrills

 

SCREAM 5

THRILLER/SLASHER

PLOT:    The further kills of Ghostface.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  It is a requel – based on the original movie with modern changes.  One of the characters gave that a new phase which means the fans of the fictional Stab movies love the first film.  It has many funny moments and many things from the past franchise.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Should there be a next?  Maybe because of the first director Wes Craven who passed away.  Sidney (Neve Campell) not in much until the end along with Gale

(Courteney Cox).

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  Do you like Scream movies?  Then watch if not- don’t watch.  The best were the first 2 because it was original.

THE BATMAN

DRAMA/MYSTERY/THRILLER 

PLOT:  The Riddler is killing important people in Gotham and Bruce Wayne’s family is involved.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  It is a different Batman then many people are used to.  He is a crime fighter and a crime solver.  The Riddler leaves clues in cards and he has to figure out The Riddler’s horrible plan.  Robert Pattinson is great as the brooding, sober cape crusader.  Gone are the days of Twilight franchise.  Paul Dano as the Riddler is just AMAZING. There is a reason for his madness but it is still madness.  Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as The Penguin.  He is not in the movie much but when he is you know it. Zoe Kravitz is good as Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is VERY grim and gritty.  It is NOT a popcorn movie!  It is a slow burn.  There is not a lot of action until the end.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  It is the Dark Knight and he is a detective you will enjoy it.  Everything  is intense from acting to the music.