“AXL” Review
“Darkest Minds” Review
“Unfriended” Review
Universal Is bringing horror to the screen with the sequel to to the original Unfriended movie that follows a group of teens who are haunted by a mysterious being online. This time it is the owner of the laptop in which one of the teens happens to discover while online. The thing is the person is determined to get the laptop back by any means possible.
The film delves into the horror of the web by using the same techniques as the original, that is using various social media outlets including Facebook, messenger, and Skype to name a few. The film is shot almost entirely through the eyes of the computer with very little to see outside of the computer monitor which is not easy to do, but the director excelled in captivating the audience and making them jump at the right time.
Also like the original, Unfriended: Dark Web stars a cast of relative unknowns but all of which do an exceptional job of taking the web and showing just how dark and twisted it could be. Particularly the actor that played Matias (Colin Woodell) could be considered a breakout star in this film as he fully captured what its like not only to communicate with the girl he loves via the internet, but also do it while learning to sign. There were little explanation for the signs he was doing but the audience was still able to understand through other ways and see the sense of urgency when the hacker got hold of his files and threatened his friends and girl friend online.
Overall Unfriended: Dark Web is a film for a true fan of the horror genre, however it is also one for those fascinated with the world wide web as it shows the worst that could happen when one trusts without knowing who they are really talking to.
The Universal film came out in theaters July 20, 2018 and is currently playing in a theater near you. See it to know just what to look out for on the Dark Web.
“Mamma Mia” Review
Sophie is back and trying to carry on her mother’s tradition with restoring the Hotel Donna to it’s former glory for if nothing else to remember her mother’s legacy. The film follows the same structure as the original with Sophie (played by Amanda Seyfried) it opens with her sending three letters one to Bill, one to Harry and one to her long lost grandmother, though she decides at the last minute to rip the last one up and not send it.
At the same time of Sophie trying to reopen the hotel, the director, cleverly decides to cut to a new scene paralleling a Young Donna (played by Lily James) who is in the exact same situation as Sophie currently is. The choice of the director to seamlessly splice the film together reflecting the “like mother, like daughter” saying is crystal clear as the audience doesn’t have to know much about what happened in the first MammaMia film to know what is going on in the second.
Furthermore, the casting of James as Young Donna is exceptionally done as one can tell that Ms. James, studied the mannerisms and vocalizations of Meryl Streep, who played Donna in a way that is really believable. Her singing of the iconic Abba songs is remarkably done not only by her but by the entire young cast of individuals including her best friends, Rosie (played by Alexa Davies) and Young Tanya (played by Jessica Keenan Wynn).
Looking at the music, I was particularly impressed how the director’s choice in music used as he kept with the “Abba” music theme however tried not to duplicate the songs that were used. Only a few including the title song, ‘MammaMia’ and “I have a dream” were repeat songs, but were done in a new way that helped move the movie along.
A few surprises including the addition of music legend Cher who played Sophie’s grandmother, Ruby who finally decides to come around after Sophie’s boyfriend Sky {played by Dominic Cooper) invites her to the opening of the hotel. Of course, no appearance of singer Cher is complete without a song herself as she rekindles her spark with old flare, Fernando (Andy Garcia) in the iconic song, Fernando.
The film also brings back stars including Sophie’s three dads, Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) and Harry (Colin Firth) as well as Julie Walters as Rosie and Christine Baranski as Tanya. Of course, even though the film is set five years after the original, it wouldn’t be complete without a cameo song from Meryl Streep at the end.
The only issue I had is with the introduction of Sam, Bill and Harry. As far as continuity goes, the director reversed the order with Young Donna meeting Harry first as opposed to Sam. Not a big deal, but those who know the first one may notice the different.
Overall at nearly a two hour run time, MammaMia: Here We Go Again is a film that will have true Abba fans toe topping along the way, though one might question if it really is as good as the original, the film will captivate audiences enough to make one wonder. The film came out in theaters July 20th and is currently playing in a theater near you.
“Sicario” Review
Benicio Del Toro is back in the drug trafficking sequel as the cortels seek to protect the Mexico border from terrorists. Now it’s up to Alejandro (Del Toro) to team up with FBI Agent Matt Grover (Josh Brolin) to fight the opposition at the border while protecting a refuge girl who falls victim to abduction from the cortels.
The film stars Del Toro in a role that is prevee to him as he is very much has a knack for getting into sticky situations, but does so in a way that he manages to pull himself out by the bootstraps and survive to live another day. One break out star is Isabela Moner who plays the girl whom Del Toro takes responsibility in protecting and overall she is definitely one to watch. Coming off her first feature length film with Transformers: Age of Extinction in this Mexican based film, one sees Moner in a slightly new light, that of one who just wants to survive and get back to her family. Moner enhanced the dynamic of the the flare as she definitely knew how to get down and dirty in a sense as she physically did take some emotional as well as physical abuse and had the audience rooting for her survival as the film moved on to its climax.
In addition, the use of language and the director’s inclusion in Spanish dialect showed the culture that one is dealing with and for a California- west coast audience, one could sympathize with.
Overall at 2 hour and 2 minute run time Sicario: Day of the Soldado captivates audiences with action and suspense that is known to Del Toro’s style as well as adding an essential element of protection as a young girl, Isabel, who is kidnapped from the border now must rely on the protection of Alejandro in order to get back to her family. It is refreshing to see a good, clean film though it is timely to the issues going on at the border, it reminds one that anything is possible and as far as sequels go, it’s a movie that one doesn’t necessarily need to see the first one in order to enjoy the second.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado came out in theaters June 29, 2018 and is currently playing in a theater near you.
“First Purge” REVIEW
It’s time to go back to the beginning and see just how the yearly ritual got started in the Universal Film that is becoming a anthem for its Halloween Horror Nights.
The First Purge stars nearly a predominant African American cast as it shows typical stereotypes for the race as well as anger that the government seeks to control through its purging ritual. Using relative unknown actors is a challenge but for the film sake of it, it showcases the fact that anyone can “purge” so to speak and it doesn’t take big name actors to drive people to see this film. That aside, let’s talk about a few break out stars including Rotimi Paul who played Skelter, the individual who all throughout the story followed as one understands the anger and frustration that he feels as the President first announces the experiment. Over all Paul has a way of using his nonverbal acting skills to portray his feelings emotionally leading up to the “12 hour purging” and although I’m not a huge fan of killing for the sake of killing, I must say his acting captivated my attention and made me want to watch to see just how he was going to retaliate.
The other break out star was the subtle romance of Isaiah (Joivan Wade) with his girlfriend Nya (Lex Scott Davis) which ultimately helped drive the need for survival as everyone else is trying to just kill mercilessly. The dynamic of the characters made the audience grab on to someone for fear that the next moment would be their last as the couple tried desperately to get to the safe haven of the church. In the end, only time would tell if they made it or not.
Overall, at an hour 38 minute run time and with a “R” rating, The First Purge is not a movie for all but for those select few who have a urge to see a good old fashioned blood bath, then perhaps, this is the movie for you. It allows everyone to “witness the birth of an American Tradition” and fully understand just where the annual “purging” came from.
The First Purge came out in theaters July 4 and is currently playing in a theater near you. See it and get ready for the “purging” happening at Universal Studios this year.
“Hearts Beat Loud” Review
It’s the summer before Sam is set to go to college and it’s her father, Frank’s last time to rekindle what they had a long time ago, through music.
The dramedy father daughter relationship captures the heart of what could potentially be a tough moment in any parent’s life, when a child leaves home for the first time. The director uses the words of songs to convey what both Sam and Frank are going through from their own relationship with each other as well as with Sam and her lesbian lover and Frank who still mourns the death of his wife. He does it in such a way that even those ultraconservative viewers should leave the theater saying at least, ‘that was sweet’.
Kiersey Clemens, who plays Sam, in what is her most dramatic role yet. Coming from other movies including Neighbors 2, Hearts Beats Loudly not only showcases her talent as an actress but also her musical ability. When she first sings, her voice carries the movie and we as an audience know that it’s only the beginning.
The chemistry between the actors, which was a small cast of names including Ted Danson, Toni Collette, Blythe Danner and Nick Offerman who plays Frank. All actors together provide a tight chemistry where even the slight disagreement in the beginning when Sam is trying to study in preparation of medical school, it definitely gave a sense that this relationship was rocked a little by something which we find out later is what drives them to want to write music.
Ultimately at 1 hour 37 minute run time, Hearts Beat Loud is a feel good movie for anyone who remembers what it’s like to either have a father or be a father and it’s a great movie to go to with your dad if you are able to. The film came out in theaters June 8, one week before father’s day and is currently playing in a theater near you. See it before it leaves theaters or wait to rent it on your nearest streaming device. You won’t be sorry.
“Incredibles 2” Review
The Incredibles are back, though one might wonder if they ever left as the much anticipated sequel picks up exactly where the first film left off. This alone had one wondering why wait so long but i’ll get into that later. First let’s talk about the good.
Incredibles 2 features the same voice talents of Craig T. Nelson as Bob Parr (a.k.a Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter as Helen Parr (a.k.a. Elastagirl) and Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best (a.k.a Frozone) and rightfully so. The film couldn’t exist without the voices and given the 14 year time-lapse the film doesn’t disappoint. It still has the same hype as the previous one while not relying on old jokes to drive the film. In addition, the “Incredible” children, Violet (voiced by Sarah Vowell) , Dash (voiced by Huck Milner) and Jack Jack (voiced by Eli Fucile) play a crucial part as this is the first time that we see just what the younger supers can do. There is the same sibling rivalry between Violet and Dash as to who will be taking care of Jack Jack, who obviously is still a baby, but also adds tremendously to the comical timing as we learned in the original film that he does have powers. The question is just how many?
No spoilers, but that is the first “problem” I saw is the family’s knowledge of Jack Jack’s powers. If we look back at the first film, there is a scene at the end with Cyndrone where Helen is thrown up in the air when Cyndrone is trying to take baby Jack Jack and he uses his first power, but yet in the sequel, the powers come as a surprise. Maybe I’m just reading to much into it, but I thought I’d point it out just for decision. That being said, it didn’t take away from the film and in fact, the discovery of just how many powers Jack Jack does have, drives the film as the family must know figure out how to help Jack Jack control his powers.
The importance of family shines though this film as it did in the first one as well as the idea of role reversal with Helen Parr now being the one to save the day and Bob Parr to take care of the kids. The film shows a great message of the importance of each role and the idea of it doesn’t matter who does it, each job is equally important.
Brad Bird, who returns as both the writer and director, excelled in taking the same story and enhancing it for a new audience. Aside from the previous comment, with Jack Jack, everything else about the film was spot on with regards to continuity. In addition, we saw growth with most of the Parr family as we saw Violet as she quickly enters her crazy adolescent phase with that of attempting to talk to Tony to that of embracing her responsibility with her little brother, Jack Jack.
As always the music score added to that feel of superhero vibes with the same iconic theme song that we remember from the beginning. The audience also is introduced to Elastagirl, Mr. Incredible and Frozone’s unique themes as Winston Deavor (played by Bob Odenkirk) tries to reinstate supers in their former glory.
Overall, at 2 hour run time, Incredibles 2 is a fun movie for all ages. Kids will love the superheroes trying to save the day amidst the fact that it’s illegal, while adults will love the subliminal messages including the biggest about the importance of balancing family life with that of work.
Incredibles 2 came out in theaters June 15. 2018 and is currently playing in a theater near you.
‘Action Point’ Review
D.C.: What this place needs is an excitement enema. We’re going to make this place fast and loose. Every ride, every attraction, no rules, no speed limits, just pure fun!
Action Point Employee: That sounds kind of dangerous.
It was an entirely different game back in the 70’s and Action Point Amusement park was the place to be. That was until D.C’s daughter came to visit around the same time that another mega amusement park challenges out of control park in Calico Park. Now it’s up to D.C to come up with something ‘great’.
The Paramount film stars Jackass’ Johnny Knoxville in the same basic role as a man who has little care other than just to have a good time without any consequences and for the most part the film follows the same structure as its predecessors. There’s one exception though, that of Knoxville realizing that he must ‘grow up’ as he rekindles the memories of his teenage daughter to his grand daughter. There is a slight sophistication around this film that I found admiring. Honestly, I have not been drawn to the other films of the same statute but this one, I feel has a slightly better storyline as the audiences saw a different type of movie, not typical for the Knoxville type.
Still hilarious, I did find myself laughing after every single joke, while also going “ouch” when he made a fool out of other’s injuries.
Additionally the film stars Eleanor Worthington-Cox, who made her debut as the eight year old Aurora in the Disney film Maleficient. This time, we see her as a teen awkwardly coming to spend the summer with her father who is so busy with his amusement park, he doesn’t realize his daughter is fading out of his life. In this film, it’s refreshing to see Cox as more of a prevalent character who can handle some dumb comedy while trying to adapt to her adolescent companions. The chemistry between Knoxville and Cox meshed well as we now are looking at Knoxville in an all new light, that of the role of father.
Subsequently Action Point is loosely based on a real life amusement park found in Vernon, New Jersey, The director, Tim Kirkby, in collaboration with Knoxville, paid great attention to detail though they changed the location of their amusement park to being placed Calico City, California. The rides that were shown could have been the actual park that is still in existence to this day, but under a different name. Similarly, the park is still the danger type as it was known for when it originally opened back in 1976 when it was accused of injuring park guests. That was more than likely the appeal to Knoxville to base his next movie on the nature of the park. It fits in with his other movies in that way.
Of course in true Jackass tradition, the language and fowl behavior was still prevalent to the film which would not be suitable for children. The message of fatherhood was there which for that reason would make a great movie for the upcoming father’s day weekend.
Action Point is much more enjoyable then the previous films. The storyline is stronger and doesn’t rely on rude humor to have a good time. Those that go to this movie expecting that solely might walk away somewhat disappointed, but I for one was relieved and encouraged to keep an eye on other movies that Knoxville will be making from now on. The film came out in theaters June 1st and is currently playing in a theater near you.