Drama is Back & Fall Oscar Track

MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS

ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT:  The sequel to Maze Runner.

                Thomas (Dylan O Brien) and others survive the endless, dirty labyrinth in the first movie now they are in more danger by the mysterious organization WCKD.  At first they seem friendly but soon the gang finds out their true intentions and they escape on the run again.  The film is very exciting.   Read the book because there isn’t much character development because of the all the action.

THE MARTIAN

SCI-FI/DRAMA

PLOT:  Astronaut is left by accident on Mars and has to survive.

                Based on the novel by Andy Weir in 2011 the story is about Mark Watney (Mark Damon) is all alone on Mars and he has to think of ingenious ways to stay alive until he gets help.  He has a good sense of humor, intelligence and sheer willpower.  It has some scary moments but it is not action packed so don’t expect it.  If you like Gravity and I am stretching it- Castaway in outer space you will like this movie.  The cast is fantastic which includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Michael Pena, Sean Bean, Kate Mara (Fantastic Four), Sebastian Stan (The Winter Solider) and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

BLACK MASS

CRIME DRAMA

PLOT:  True story about gangster James “Whitey” Bulger who lived in Boston.

                Johnny Depp (Captain Jack, Lone Ranger) is a grim, intense, controlling criminal.  He has no redeeming qualities except he cares for his brother played by Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek into Darkness), his mom and his son.  Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) is convincing as his wife.  He transformed himself into this horrible human being but really are there any nice mobsters out there?  It is very violent and you don’t know are the cops are just as bad as the criminals!  The cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi is amazing and the music by Tom Holkenborg is haunting.  The film is good but Depp is great.

         

      

SICARIO

CRIME DRAMA

PLOT:  An FBI agent joins a military task force to take out a major cartel in Mexico.

                Kate (Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow) is a woman who joins an elite group to destroy a cartel in Mexico.  Her team is Josh Brolin, Daniel Kaluuya and Benicio Del Toro but she realizes she can’t tell the good guys from the bad guys!  Sicario means ‘hitman’ in Mexican and you won’t believe who that is.  It is well made, very violent and very terrifying.  It is not action packed but when it comes it is intense! 

THE PERFECT GUY

SUSPENSE DRAMA

PLOT:  Attractive black woman dates a stalker.

                Leah (Sanaa Lathan, the Best Man, Best Man Holiday) is an attractive, smart woman who wants a family but Dave (Morris Chestnut, TV show Rosewood) is not ready for commitment.  She breaks up with him and after two months she likes Carter (Michael Ealy, About Last Night) who is the perfect guy for awhile.  Okay, this movie could easily be a Lifetime movie but what makes it so different is that black actors and actress are in the lead parts.  Ealy who was also in For Color Girls played crazy before and did such a great job he might be typecast.  It was a hit in theaters and if you like women in jeopardy films you will enjoy this.

BRIDGE OF SPIES

DRAMA/THRILLER

PLOT:  Lawyer in the cold war era exchanges a Soviet spy.

                Let me say this is not a James Bond movie even though it has spies in the title.  It is a talky, intense film.  James B. Donovan ( Tom Hanks) who is a lawyer who defends a spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) in the US in the 50’s.  Most of America wanted the death penalty but he only receives years in jail. The CIA wants Donovan to go under the radar to negotiate to get Abel back to his country for exchange for a US soldier and a student studying economics in Soviet Union.  Hanks is good as usual playing the average guy in extraordinary circumstances and the rest of the cast is amazing.

Action Gets Traction Fall 2015

THE TRANSPORTER: REFULED

ACTION

PLOT:    A reboot of The Transporter.

                These days it doesn’t have to be years before they reimagine or remake a film.  The original Transporter is only 12 years old.  Gone is stoic but can kick-ass Jason Statham but replaced by Ed Skrein (Ajax , Deadpool 2016) is Frank Martin and he helps four attractive women to take a Russian’s kingpin money.  There is lots of action but it is not the same without Statham.  If you like The Transporter movies go but if not wait until video where all the movies are successful.

12 ROUNDS 3: LOCKDOWN

ACTION

PLOT:  Die Hard in a precinct HQ.

                WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose is Shaw a cop who returns back to duty after his rookie cop was killed, he was shot and had to see a therapist for PTSD.  His former partner Burke (Roger Cross, the black guy you see if every SyFy film and series) is a dirty and Shaw has the proof to put him in jail.  Burke and his crooked cops set a fire to the police station to get most of the police out then places it on lockdown hench the title.  You have seen it all before but the ONLY reason to see the film is for Ambrose.  He is an action star!  Not much in the acting side but makes up with badass!  There is many good kills!  Action Hounds please watch!!

AMERICAN ULTRA

ACTION/COMEDY

PLOT:  Stoner finds out he is really an assassin.

                Jess Eisenberg is Mike a loner and stoner who finds out he is CIA assassin when Adrian (Topher Grace) wants to start his own group of elite group of killers from mental patients try to get rid of him because he is a loose end.  Kristen Stewart is his girlfriend and she looks high most of the time.  The movie is good in a strange sought of way.  It’s has funny moments, real dramatic moments and many bloody moments.  If you like the story and the two stars you should see it.  It would make a good TV series.  If you can wait please see this on video or cable.

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

MUSICAL/DRAMA

   

PLOT:  The rise of gangster rap group NWA.

                In the beginning there was party rap, the fun stuff then there was message rap, a little more serious and gangster rap where it talked about ghetto life, poverty and the abusive police.  Three young men wanted the mainstream to hear how bad it is and there are Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Easy E.  The movie tells their story. I don’t know how accurate the story is but if you want more information you know where to find it. The positive: the money, the women the bling (gold) and the negative: crooked managers too much drugs and egos.  It is like most dramas about fame and the cost.  It is well made and well done.  All the young actors are great.  The film is about gangster rap so there is a lot of swearing, using women as sex objects, violence and drugs.  You have been warned.

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

ACTION

PLOT:  The movie based on the popular TV show in the 60’s.

                Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill, Man of Steel) and Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer, Long Ranger) are spies from English and Russian team together to find a scientist through his daughter.  Cavill seems to be having a great time playing Solo, Hammer not so much.  The villainess Elizabeth Debicki is beautiful, fashionable and dangerous.  At the end their code name is U.N.C.L.E. - United Network Command for Law Enforcement. The music is good and the action sconces are very good.  If you are curious did they make it better or worse go, if not wait for cable.

  

HITMAN AGENT 47

ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT:  Scientist makes the perfect solider.

                Rupert Friend (ShowTime’s Homeland) is Agent 47 a genetic engineered man with superhuman strength and stamina.  There is a barcode on the back of his bald head with the last two numbers which is 47.  The government shuts down the project but an evil organization wants to bring it back to life and they need to find the doctor, Litvenko (Ciaran Hinds) who created it and they use his daughter, Katia (Hannah Ware) to find him. Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) is John Smith is more than a CIA agent. It is based on a video game. You have seen this all before but it does have style and a lot of action!!  A sad note Rupert Friend was not first choice to play 47 but Paul Walker who died in a car crash.  If you like mindless action  go see it, if not wait until cable.

Rest of the Summer Wrap-up

POLTERGEIST
HORROR/SUSPENSE

PLOT: Remake of the 1982 film.

This was a weak reimagining of the original movie. It is a family who move into a haunted house. Not bloody, not scary either but at least it shows the dysfunctional family staying together in a crisis. Sam Rockwell (Iron Man 2) is good as unemployed father who has to believe all the supernatural occurrences going on in his home. Jared Harris (Mad Men) as Carrigan Burke, a spirit specialist with an Irish accent is also good showing he knows his job and humor with it. See the 1982 film then watch the remake.

TED 2
COMEDY/FANTASY

PLOT: Sequel to Ted about a cuddly cursing, drinking and smoking teddy bear that comes to life.

What makes us human? That’s a deep question for comedy but that’s what the Ted 2 is about. He wants a family and when he tries to adopt the problems come up but that doesn’t mean there is not a lot of raunchy fun in between. Ted (voice by director Seth McFarlane) and John (Mark Wahlberg) his best friend. They make a great dysfunctional comic team. If you like the first movie you will like this –if not wait for cable.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION
ACTION/THRILLER

PLOT: Ethan Hunt and his task force must stop an opposing organization as smart and dangerous as they are!!

This is the 5th Mission Impossible and it is the best!! IMF best agent, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has to prove there is an equal but evil group like IMF called the Syndicate. Hunt has to go through a lot to prove that the Syndicate does exist and it is very exciting and clever. Rebecca Ferguson (Hercules starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is amazing as Ilsa Faust. She is smart, attractive, can take care of her and you don’t know whose side she is on until the end. Sean Harris as Solomon Lane, the leader of the Syndicate is creepy as hell!! The best part of the film is that it is like the 60’s Mission Impossible where they are a team!!

TRAINWRECK
ROMANTIC COMEDY

PLOT: Young woman drinks, smokes and dates too many guys finds true love.

Amy Schumer is Amy, a writer but she is a “trainwreck”!! She drinks too much, smokes anything and has too many men in her life. It stems from her father Colin Quinn who instilled in her no one is faithful to each other so she takes that in her adult life. It is like a Lifetime movie with a lot of wit and vulgar humor. It’s a chick flick guys would like. It is not your typical romance comedy at all!! All the actors are good and the guest basketball players like LeBron James and Amar’s Stoudemire are excellent!! Wrestler John Cena is very funny as one of Amy’s one night stands and he has a nice body!!! A reason to buy the video and put in Slow Motion!!

PIXELS
SCI-FI/COMEDY

PLOT: Video games from the 80’s come back to destroy the world!!

Three good friends(Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Josh Gad) in their younger days were top of their game- 80’s video games now Kevin James is the president while the other two are losers must join together to stop aliens in the form of Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Dojo Quest!! Yeah, it sounds crazy but it is an imaginative idea. It is not just the 80’s video games it was pop culture of the 80’s. It is very good but if you don’t like the old video games or Adam Sandler wait until cable but it is entertaining.

FANTASTIC FOUR
ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT: Another reimagining of Marvel’s super team.

Oh man!! If you are a fan of the comics you will be cursing at the screen!! They changed sooo much. The last two movies were very campy but special effects great but at least it stuck with the origin. This one they are going to another dimension like earth to get resources but most of the dimension looks like a barren area. There isn’t much action in the film either. Josh Trank, the director who did Chronicle didn’t do a great job!! Why? This director has so much promise!! Rumors have it he was intoxicated during production and it could be from all the stress!! There is some good in the movie like Ben “Thing” Grimm. He is CGI and it is good. The movie is very serious. Please, if you love Fantastic Four don’t watch this –wait for CABLE!!

Toys and Robots, Inside & Out

SPY

ACTION/COMEDY

PLOT:  A deskbound CIA analyst dreams of being a field agent.

                Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) enjoys assisting her favorite agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) but longs to be a super agent and she does and she is very funny, very resourceful and very vulgar. It is good if you like action and there is a lot.  She is a big woman but she gets into fights and has to save the day!!  If you don’t like Mrs. McCarthy you shouldn’t see the film for she is in it mostly.  I was so surprised it was that good!!

INSIDE OUT

ANIMATED

PLOT:  A little girl’s emotions come to life in her head.

                What is in a young girl’s mind?  This delightful movie tries to explain.  All her emotions take a cartoon shape and try to shape her when she and her family has to move to another state and everything goes wrong.  This is the most imaginative film I have seen this summer!!  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

TERMINATOR GENISYS

ACTION/SCI-FI

PLOT:  Kyle Reese has to save Sarah Conner but something has changed.

                This is the fifth Terminator movie and this is the only film I know that YOU have to reboot your brain to understand it!!  It is confusing at least for me but basically the timeline has changed.  Sarah Conner (Emila Clarke, Game of Thrones) is a tough female yet  Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney, A Good Day to Die Hard) still has to save her from an unlikely person.  You will understand the situation more if you watch Doctor Who and Back to the Future films.  The action is very good and so is its star Arnold Schwarzenegger.  I believe it is not doing well because the story is not simple.  I think it will do better on video.

Big Time Monster Catastrophe Movies

SAN ANDREAS

THRILLER

PLOT:  Disaster happens as the famous fault finally falls.

                Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson is a rescue helicopter pilot who has to save his wife and daughter ( Carla Gugino, (Wayward Pines) Alexander Daddario (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) from the earthquakes!!  It is a lot to believe but the actress Daddario is smart and resourceful.  The special effects are terrific and terrifying!!  It is a good summer movie.

JURASSIC WORLD

SCI-FI/ACTION/THRILLER

PLOT:  After 22 years they finally make a Disney World with dinosaurs.

                I saw Jurassic Park in 1993 and it had the “wow factor” with the special effects and now it is even better!!  The plot not really why you go see this movie but the dinosaurs!!  The scientist makes a new creature with DNA spliced of T-Rex, raptor and other dinosaurs.  Indominus Rex escapes and that when the fun begins!!  It is a wild ride and the ending I didn’t see coming!!  This is a POPCORN movie you will enjoy.  The cast includes Chris Pratt (Guardian of the Galaxy) Bryce Dallas Howard (Twilight Breaking Dawn, The Help), Vincent D’Onofrio (Law and Order Criminal Intent. Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix) and Omar Sy (X-Men Days of Future Past).  Minor spoiler:  Mr. Sy is mentioned for the BLACK MAN LIVES at the end of the movie!!

INSIDIOUS:  CHAPTER 3

HORROR/SUSPENSE

PLOT:  The beginning of the franchise.

               

                Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) is a gifted psychic who helps a pretty teen, Quinn (Stefanie Scott) talk to her mom but an evil entity comes through and her father and friends have to save her.  It is a prequel before the supernatural occurrence of the Lambert family.  It’s okay and you have seen the plat before but I liked the character Elise who became brave to help the girl. LOOK OUT maybe a fourth!!