*** stars
The Boy- This latest entry in the "creepy doll" horror subgenre stars The Walking Dead alum, Lauren Cohan, as an American trying to escape a sordid past by taking a nanny position with an elderly British couple to watch over their little boy, Brahms. Brahms just happens to be a child-sized porcelain doll the couple treats as human. I give the minds behind the film credit. The story behind Brahms is a bit of a curveball. But, that same curveball also makes a few scenes a little nonsensical. Still, there is suspense to be had even if the film isn't what you would call terrifying.
**3/4 stars
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- Speaking as someone who has never read Jane Austen's classic, she might be spinning in her grave over this one. Her story of social class and manners in 19th century England is fused with zombie lore for one of the craziest mashups of the year. The second oldest of five sisters from a somewhat well-to-do family develops a very contentious love/hate relationship with a higher born gentleman. Oh, and they just happen to be expert samurai-type warriors in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. It's as silly as it sounds and also a lot of fun if you approach it with the right mindset. Skull-cracking and more than one head exploding from gunshot is the flavor of day. Throw in a little 19th century English romance and you have something for the whole family.
***1/4 stars
Zoolander 2- All you really need to know about this sequel to the 2001 farce is that it's completely and utterly ridiculous. Even more so than the first. Plot is secondary to lunacy, but, if you're interested, the world's most beautiful people are being assassinated with male supermodel, Derek Zoolander's, signature "Blue Steel" look on their faces. Fashion Interpol recruits Zoolander and his friend-once-chief-rival, Hansel, to investigate. Yes, you read that correctly. While funny, I think Ben Stiller may have milked everything he can from this silly franchise. Will you like it? Depends on whether you liked the first one. Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, and Will Ferrell star. Benedict Cumberbatch has one of the creepiest and funniest roles in the film as the gender ambiguous model, All.
**3/4 stars
The Witch- By the amount of critical acclaim this film has received, you might think it was one of the best horror movies ever made. This story, based on New England folklore, tells the story of a deeply religious Puritan family in the1600s exiled for differences in beliefs from the rest of their community. While taking up residence at the edge of a large forest, strange things begin happening to the family. Something evil is lurking within the forest. Or, could it be a little closer to home than anyone in this doomed family believes? While there is some creepy innuendo and a few disturbing images, The Witch is far from the terrifying horror movie it is billed as. The Witch is a bit of a slog even at just over 90 minutes and I found it difficult to give my full attention the entire time. It's not horrible, but, it's not an edge-of-your-seat nail biter either.
**3/4 stars
The Other Side of the Door- There has been a plethora of horror movies to usher in 2016. As a horror fan, I couldn't be happier about that. Ah, if only the horror that's been offered thus far was notable. So far, it's been a fairly mediocre ensemble. The Other Side of the Door, however, is one the better ones. It's a story that highlights the dangers of not being able to let go. When her young son dies in a tragic car accident, a grief-stricken mother is given one last chance to communicate with him from beyond with the caveat to not open a temple door separating the land of the living from that of the dead. Well, you know we wouldn't have a movie if she leaves the door closed, so, we'll just leave it at that. You can predict much of the plot as it's a retread of what you've seen in some other horror movies in the genre. But, predictability still doesn't mean it's not done well. It does score a few blips on the creep scale. Sarah Wayne Callies and Jeremy Sisto star.
*** stars
10 Cloverfield Lane- Well you had to be somewhat intrigued by the title alone if you saw or were a fan of the 2008 film. And the powers that be were very cagey about the footage that was released. You didn't really know what it was about except three people locked in a few rooms. There were hints of a monster being involved. Was it the creature from the first film or something different? No one knew. I won't give it away here except to say 10 Cloverfield Lane isn't necessarily a sequel. There is unexplained phenomena here. But, it's as much psychological thriller as it is horror. And the former tells a very tight story of a young woman "rescued" by a paranoid survivalist who is protecting her from "apocalypse" occurring outside his homemade bunker. Is everything happening outside what he describes? Maybe, maybe not. But, the danger may become very real on the inside.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman star.
***1/4 stars
The Boss- Melissa McCarthy stars as wealthy, ambitious, and more than a little obnoxious business mogul, Michelle Darnell. Busted for insider trading and losing everything in the process, she starts the long road back after her release with the help of her beleaguered former assistant (Kristen Bell). This one is as absurd as most of McCarthy's other comedies. It's ridiculous and more than a little mean-spirited at times which has drawn the ire of many who have reviewed it. But, guess what? It's a farce. So, while McCarthy clotheslining 12-year old girls might not be to some people's comedic tastes, I found many segments of the film to be hilarious. Written and produced by both McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone (who also makes a cameo), this isn't McCarthy's best comedy, but, far from her worst. In other words, disengage your brain and enjoy the shenanigans. Peter Dinklage co-stars.
***1/2 stars
Keanu- Comic duo Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele star as two hopelessly straight laced cousins who must find their inner "gangsta" to rescue a stolen kitten named Keanu. Their misadventures inadvertently start a gang war where the hapless pair have to take bloody action. There was a fear that the sketch comedy duo had made a movie of comedy shorts that would have best been left as skits on a half hour cable show as is the case with many movies starring comedians who have become popular in that particular medium. But, I have to say, Key and Peele kept the laughs coming fast and furious. A ridiculous movie with a ridiculous premise that works on just about every level imaginable.
***3/4 stars
Green Room- A down and out punk rock band gets a gig they never bargained for. Performing at a small Neo-Nazi club in the backwoods of Oregon, the group mistakenly witnesses a murder. Trapped in the small band area backstage, the small group must survive the murderers operating under the authority of the sadistic club owner (Patrick Stewart). It's a movie that has a slow, nonsensical start which amps up nicely in the second act. But, then the ending is a bit of a head scratcher. And the club owner's plot to frame the band for the original murder is needlessly convoluted. It's a mixed bag on this one. See it once if you have nothing better to watch. Anton Yelchin and Imogene Poots co-star.
**3/4 stars
Zootopia- A non-Pixar produced animated feature from Disney, Zootopia is actually better than most features that studio has produced in several years. In a fantasyland where animals, both predators and prey, have developed a modern society where they live in harmony, feisty bunny, Judy Hopps, strives to do some good in the world at an early age when she vows to be the first of her kind to graduate the police academy. Making good on her dream, but, not taken seriously by the top brass, Judy becomes embroiled in a mystery where random mammals have gone missing. Enlisting the aid of reluctant fox con artist, Nick, Judy finds this mystery might actually be a conspiracy that's greater than any Zootopia has ever known. Funny and beautifully animated, the film has a more complex story than many animated features these days tackling the prickly subject of race relations and the far reaching consequences of bigotry. It's an overall triumph for Disney's non-Pixar animated studio. Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and J.K. Simmons lend their voice talents among others.
**** stars
The Angry Birds Movie- So, this is what the world has come to. Having tapped into the video game genre with varying degrees of success, Hollywood has now drawn creative inspiration from...phone apps? The highly popular and successful Angry Birds app has now received the movie treatment in their own animated feature. In a land of flightless happy birds, Red, Chuck, and Bomb are outsiders who don't quite fit in. Which makes them the perfect saviors when a mysterious group of green piggies invade the land for their own nefarious reasons. Angry Birds is cute and very funny at certain moments. It's a better movie than one based on an app has a right to be. But, that is its weakness also. The premise is a little thin for even a 90 minute feature. However, it is fun overall and most should have a good time with it if they don't take it too seriously. Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Peter Dinklage, and Bill Hader provide the voice talent.
***1/4 stars
Ride Along 2- Ride Along 2 is what happens when a moderately funny buddy cop movie makes more money than it has any right to. Soon-to-be cop brothers-in-law, James (Ice Cube) and Ben (Kevin Hart), travel to Miami to track down a dangerous crimelord (Benjamin Bratt). This is a demonstration of the law of diminishing returns. As I mentioned, the first Ride Along was moderately funny at best. The sequel has pretty much recycled the same jokes. Cube is more ornery. Hart is more of a buffoon. That doesn't make this movie any funnier. I think there was only one scene near the end that made me genuinely smile. They really should have stopped at the first. But, rest assured if this makes enough money we'll be in store for Ride Along 3. The horrors. Olivia Munn and Ken Jeong co-star.
**1/2 stars
Fifty Shades of Black- Just what everyone was looking for. A parody of Fifty Shades of Grey. And, Marlon Wayans-style no less. It's everything you'd expect from a movie helmed by this particular member of the Wayans family. It's sexually and racially charged to the gills. Now, I'm not always the biggest fan of Marlon's comedy, but, he usually makes me chuckle a time or two when I do watch him. Fifty Shades barely made me crack a smile. I think there was one moment I found laugh out loud funny. Marlon's solo efforts with the Haunted House series are uneven, but. they seem like masterpieces compared to this. And, for the life of me, I don't know why this man is so fascinated with his butt.
**1/4 stars
How to Be Single- A rom-com that follows four single women with interconnecting stories in New York. With most looking for love in all the wrong places, what struck me is how unlikeable and uninteresting they really are. For example, one young woman (Dakota Johnson) "takes a break" from her college boyfriend to discover if they really do belong together. After an undisclosed amount of time, she announces to her former paramour that the experiment is over and she's ready to commit to him...again. Thankfully, he's moved on. Seriously, I felt not one twinge of sympathy for her. I wanted to jump through my TV set and high five this dude. Aside from a few humorous moments from Rebel Wilson as the unabashed single party girl, this film has little to offer. If this was meant to be a feminist slant on the single life, it fails miserably. Alison Brie and Leslie Mann co-star.
** stars
Jane Got a Gun- Natalie Portman stars as a woman in the Old West who must enlist the aid of an ex-lover to protect her current husband from a vicious gang who wants him dead. I'm not the biggest fan of Westerns, but, as far as those movies go, this is a fairly solid outing that has a couple of unexpected twists to boot. Joel Edgerton and Ewan McGregor co-star.
*** stars
Triple 9- An all-star cast leads this action thriller following a team of corrupt cops doing the bidding of a Russian mob. Meanwhile a clever detective and his team on hot on their trail. Triple 9 (police code for "officer down") is a bendy tale that leaves no one unscathed. I just wish the ending was better. It leaves you with the feeling of "Is that it?" It's the reason I downgrade the film a quarter of a star. Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, Anthony Mackie, Kate Winslet, Gal Gadot, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor star.
***1/4 stars
Gods of Egypt- Let's just say Gods of Egypt's closest equivalent is the 1980's version of Clash of the Titans. That's not a good thing. How many things are wrong here? Cheesy special effects, bad acting, and mortals/gods that don't look like Egyptians. How did anyone involved with this film think it was a good idea? I will say that I did get a bit of a kick out of how bad it was. So it gets some "good bad" points. The plot, if anyone cares, follows a clever mortal enlisting the aid of the deposed Egyptian god, Horus, to rescue his love from the Underworld and save Egypt from the evil god, Set. Silliness of unheard of levels. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gerard Butler star.
** stars
The 5th Wave- Can I just say to Hollywood enough of the YA-adapted novels? You're not going to repeat The Hunger Games. And while this film isn't terrible, it offers little excitement and rudimentary special effects. An alien invasion attacks the Earth in waves driving humanity back to almost a new Stone Age. A young girl tries find her brother and survive in this apocalyptic new world. As much as I like Chloe Grace Moretz as an actress, she can't quite make this film interesting enough to recommend. Liev Schreiber and Ron Livingston co-star.
**3/4 stars
The Conjuring 2- I will be the first to say that I thought the first Conjuring was a tad overrated. Not that it was bad by any means. It just wasn't the scarefest it was touted to be. That said, Conjuring 2 improves upon the first and doubles down on the creep factor. Depicting another real life paranormal case in the career of husband/wife duo, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Conjuring 2 takes you to England where the investigators try to assist a family living in an Amityville-like house with a particularly nasty demonic presence. As much as I enjoyed director, James Wan's, tale this time around, the other satisfying factor in the film is the chemistry shared between the two leads. They're good onscreen together. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star.
***1/2 stars
The Do-Over- Adam Sandler and David Spade star in this comedic action-adventure of two down-on-their-luck high school acquaintances who re-connect at their 25-year high school reunion. Deciding that it would be for the best to just start their lives over (well, one decides for both of them), they fake their deaths and assume the identities of two newly deceased individuals. Little do they know their new identities come with some unexpected baggage. It's a preposterous premise. It's an Adam Sandler movie. What do you expect? It's sexist and gross at times. It's an Adam Sandler movie. What do you expect? It's not a great movie, but, it did draw me in to a degree if for no other reason than to see where this was leading. It's not Sandler's best. That will forever remain "Happy Gilmore." But, it's not his worst either. It's watchable. As a made for Netflix feature, you can stream it anytime.
*** stars
Finding Dory- Disney/Pixar's long awaited follow up to the smash hit "Finding Nemo" finds the forgetful Blue Tang on a quest to find her own parents she was separated from some time ago. It's as vibrant and delightful of a film as the first. If you loved Nemo, there's no reason you shouldn't love Dory. It should be yet another triumph for Disney at the box office. The Mouse is printing money again. Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olsen, and Ty Burrell lend their voice talents to the film.
***3/4 stars
London Has Fallen- Gerard Butler returns as super Secret Service Agent, Mike Bannon, in this sequel to 2013's "Olympus Has Fallen." Bannon must protect the President again at all costs against a terrorist plot in London designed to execute all prominent Western leaders. There's a lot of action, a lot of neck breaking, a lot of stabbing, a lot of Butler being an unstoppable terrorist killing machine. Oh, and throw in a good amount of "America, F---- Yeah!" sentiment and you pretty much have the measure of this film. Olympus was better. This one is palatable. Morgan Freeman and Aaron Eckhart co-star.
**3/4 stars
Hail, Caesar!- In this latest Cohen Brothers extravaganza, a beleaguered 1950s movie studio "fixer" charged with finding kidnapped movie star, Baird Whitlock. Well, that among about a dozen other fires involving the studio's stars needing his attention. Like most Cohen features, Caesar is not uproariously funny, but, it is quirky. It muddles along at times. However, it throws in just enough goofiness to be entertaining. The all star cast includes Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johannsson, Jonah Hill, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum.
*** stars
The Brothers Grimsby- Sacha Baron Cohen returns as the long lost soccer hooligan brother of a British spy. Needless to say, Cohen's character causes all manners of difficulty for his brother. It's a Cohen movie, so, if you're familiar with them there is no lack of gross out humor most of which involve certain body parts. I like Cohen for the most part, but, some of the imagery here even I found to be a little too much. He's likely never going to equal the brilliance of Borat again, but, I have liked his movies since then even if many haven't. This one was a bit of a miss for me. I laughed at some of it, but, mostly found myself shaking my head in almost disgust thinking, "Yeah, he just went there." Mark Strong, Penelope Cruz, Isla Fisher, and Rebel Wilson co-star.
**3/4 stars
The Purge: Election Year- The third installment of James DeMonaco's horror/thriller series has a much more social and political bent than ever before. This time, on the U.S.'s annual purge night, a Presidential candidate who wants to see an end to this night of death and destruction permanently is targeted by the powerful "Founding Fathers" who control the government. She must survive this lawless night with the aid of her one loyal security chief and a few local D.C. citizens. This series has evolved a great deal since the first film in the sense of shining a light on economic, religious, and social issues that can be applied to the current issues of the day. Although the ending of the film could leave some wiggle room for another possible sequel, the story could logically conclude here. I hope that's what people in charge believe. But, again, it'll likely depend on how much money this installment ultimately takes in. Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson star.
***1/2 stars
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot- Based on a true story, Tina Fey stars as a low level TV journalist who is offered a short term assignment as a war correspondent in Afghanistan. What was supposed to be only a month or two-long assignment turns into a years' long assignment as she befriends and, in some cases, annoys the politicians, local citizens, and U.S. Marine Commander in her travels. Fey does get a couple of comedic zingers in here and it was somewhat fascinating to see how a vast number of journalists in the area party in their down time, but, as a whole the film just doesn't grab you in any significant way. I had a difficult time focusing through its entirety. Fey is better than the material she had to work with here. Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, and Billy Bob Thornton co-star.
**1/2 stars
**3/4 stars
The Purge: Election Year- The third installment of James DeMonaco's horror/thriller series has a much more social and political bent than ever before. This time, on the U.S.'s annual purge night, a Presidential candidate who wants to see an end to this night of death and destruction permanently is targeted by the powerful "Founding Fathers" who control the government. She must survive this lawless night with the aid of her one loyal security chief and a few local D.C. citizens. This series has evolved a great deal since the first film in the sense of shining a light on economic, religious, and social issues that can be applied to the current issues of the day. Although the ending of the film could leave some wiggle room for another possible sequel, the story could logically conclude here. I hope that's what people in charge believe. But, again, it'll likely depend on how much money this installment ultimately takes in. Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson star.
***1/2 stars
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot- Based on a true story, Tina Fey stars as a low level TV journalist who is offered a short term assignment as a war correspondent in Afghanistan. What was supposed to be only a month or two-long assignment turns into a years' long assignment as she befriends and, in some cases, annoys the politicians, local citizens, and U.S. Marine Commander in her travels. Fey does get a couple of comedic zingers in here and it was somewhat fascinating to see how a vast number of journalists in the area party in their down time, but, as a whole the film just doesn't grab you in any significant way. I had a difficult time focusing through its entirety. Fey is better than the material she had to work with here. Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, and Billy Bob Thornton co-star.
**1/2 stars
Hush- This psychological thriller is the tale of a deaf, mute young author who is ruthlessly stalked by a masked killer around and in her small, remote cottage. This small-budget film from Blumhouse Productions was released directly to Netflix. It gets an A for producing its fair share of white knuckle thrills. Like the 2008 film, "The Strangers", it's so much more terrifying that there really isn't a reason for the killer's actions. His victims have just unfortunately crossed his path. It's simple, bare bones horror. Not the scariest thing you've probably seen, but, well made with good pacing from director, Mike Flanagan.
***1/2 stars
Swiss Army Man- Here's a headscratcher of a movie. A suicidal, depressed young man strikes up an unusual friendship with a drowned corpse that washes ashore on an isolated beach. The corpse, despite some unreal superhuman flatulence, turns out to be a really nice guy who helps his new companion work through his issues. No, I'm not making this up. That's the setup for director, DANIELS (Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan), oddball dramedy. It's not easy to categorize this one. It's a little bit Cast Away, a little bit Weekend at Bernie's, and all whacked out of its gourd. What's mostly a whimsical adventure takes a sharp left turn for the dark and sad ending with one of the most ridiculous scenes in the history of film. I'll...give it a recommendation if for no other reason than this is a film you have to experience just once. Love it or hate it, you will agree you've never seen anything like it. Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star.
*** stars
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates- Two immature brothers are given an order by their fed up parents. Bring dates to their sister's impending wedding in Hawaii so they're less likely to cause mischief. For the sake of their sister, they agree, using Craig's List as their resource. Their search goes viral and they attract the attention of two schemers who see the opportunity for a free "vacay." Unfortunately, these "nice girls" are every bit the arrested adolescents the brothers are. This is normally the kind of raucous fratboy-type comedy I dismiss. But, I have to say the characters grew on me more than I thought they would and I laughed at its absurdity for a healthy portion of its runtime. I'm as surprised as anyone. Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Aubrey Plaza, and Anna Kendrick star.
***1/4 stars
Term Life- In this crime thriller, a thief (Vince Vaughn) who plans heists and sells those plans to the highest bidder (?). When plans for his latest heist go awry thanks to corrupt cops, the thief has to go on the run with his estranged daughter (Hailee Steinfeld) when the collection of thugs threaten her, too. This film tried to be a lot of things, a crime thriller, a father-daughter comedy, an action adventure movie. It did none of these things well. It didn't do them particularly poorly either. Everyone's pretty much going through the motions here and I'm not a particular fan of Vaughn's in the first place. On a side note, could he possibly have a worse hairdo? Bill Paxton, Terrence Howard, and Jon Favreau co-star.
**1/2 stars
The Family Fang- Actor Jason Bateman's second directorial effort tells the story of the Fangs, a family of performance artists who stage shocking events in public. Nothing was too taboo for their "art" which ranged from staging a fake shooting in a bank to the young siblings kissing during a performance of "Romeo and Juliet." However, the siblings now bear the scars of these antics as adults. The daughter is a temperamental alcoholic film actress and the son is a depressed writer with a severe case of writer's block. And their parents are still "performing." When the parents disappear suddenly under what seems to be violent circumstances, the brother-sister duo are left to wonder are they really gone, or, is this just another "act." The film is at times a darkly comic look into family dysfunction. It also dives into serious waters in commenting how childhood scars can have debilitating effects into adulthood. It makes for a movie that's 100% off-kilter. But, at least, it's an entertaining type of off-kilter. Jason Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken, and Kathryn Hahn star.
*** stars
*** stars
The Divergent Series: Allegiant- The YA saga depicting the strife in post-apocalyptic Chicago continues as series heroine, Tris Prior, fights for the rights of all citizens in the city. While Chicago is gearing up for civil war between two factions of the victorious rebels from the last film, Tris discovers there's an even greater "big brother" threat on the horizon. Divergent is now a series of diminishing returns. While the first was much better than I thought it would be, each subsequent chapter has become less interesting. And, the special effects here? They look like they should be in a bad science fiction B movie. You know what's worse? We have at least one more movie in this series to go. Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Octavia Spencer, Jeff Daniels, and Naomi Watts star.
**1/4 stars
Kung Fu Panda 3- That lovable, but, bungling Kung-Fu master panda, Po, is back with Master Shifu and the Furious Five in the third installment of DreamWorks hit animated series. This time Po discovers his biological father and a hidden city of pandas. His jubilation is short lived as a vengeful spirit warrior returns to the mortal plane to wreak havoc. Only by mastering the ancient and all-but-lost Panda art of chi will Po defeat this powerful warrior. It's a cute movie just like the others in this series. But, it just wasn't as funny to me this time around. DreamWorks made a shrewd move releasing this film early in the year when studios don't release many of their finest they have in the can. If this film had gone head-to-head with Zootopia or Finding Dory, I think it would have been crushed at the box office. Featuring the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogan, Bryan Cranston, Kate Hudson, and David Cross.
***1/4 stars
Midnight Special- Jeff Nichols' sci-fi, supernatural drama is one that leads the viewer on a long chase, but, not a particularly merry one. Running from a religious cult and the FBI, a father and his best friend are on the lam when they kidnap the father's son away from the cult. But, this is no ordinary boy. He has abilities that aren't human. They have to bring the boy to an undisclosed location on a specific date in which a possible world-changing event will occur. All predicted by the son, of course. This film takes you down a road that spins you in circles that ultimately crash and burn into a WTH ending. You can spend your time doing more productive things like, say, clipping your fingernails. Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, and Jaeden Lieberher star.
**1/2 stars
Lights Out- In this supernatural thriller, a young woman fights to defend her half-brother from their mother who has been a little unhinged ever since young woman was a girl. Their mother is mystically connected to a malevolent entity who can only exist in darkness. While there are a few plot points that don't always make a lot sense, there is no denying how chillingly creepy the film is. It's not always necessary, but, I felt a little more gore may have ramped up the intensity. I'm not talking about a complete bloodletting, but a few more mutilations would have been welcomed. As it is, it's still the best horror movie I've seen so far this year. You just might flinch at the darkness when it's all over. Teresa Palmer and Maria Bello star.
***1/2 stars
Miracles From Heaven- Based on a true story, the film recalls the tale of a young girl dying of a terminal illness who is miraculously healed when she falls 30 thirty feet from a tree onto her head. Informing her parents that she had an amazing out of body experience while unconscious, she becomes an inspiration to many in her small Texas town. However, there will always be cynics who want to challenge her family's faith. This is a total feel good movie. You know. Sad, inspirational, and ultimately, sappy and syrupy sweet. And overlong. It's a TV movie of the week stretched out to be a feature film. There's nothing inherently wrong with the film, it's just not my cup of tea. It goes down easy enough if you like this sort of faith-driven story. Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah star.
**3/4 stars
***1/2 stars
Miracles From Heaven- Based on a true story, the film recalls the tale of a young girl dying of a terminal illness who is miraculously healed when she falls 30 thirty feet from a tree onto her head. Informing her parents that she had an amazing out of body experience while unconscious, she becomes an inspiration to many in her small Texas town. However, there will always be cynics who want to challenge her family's faith. This is a total feel good movie. You know. Sad, inspirational, and ultimately, sappy and syrupy sweet. And overlong. It's a TV movie of the week stretched out to be a feature film. There's nothing inherently wrong with the film, it's just not my cup of tea. It goes down easy enough if you like this sort of faith-driven story. Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah star.
**3/4 stars
The Infiltrator- Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, Benjamin Bratt, and John Leguizamo star in this crime drama based on a true story from the 1980s. U.S. Customs agents go deep undercover to take down the Pablo Escobar cartel. It's well-acted by all involved and expertly conveys the sacrifice undercover agents must expose themselves to on the job, as well as, the dangers of getting too close emotionally to the target itself.
***3/4 stars
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice-Ultimate Edition- I felt compelled to add a second review of this film after watching the Ultimate Edition as it has 30 minutes that were cut from the theatrical version of the film. So, the verdict. Does the extra 30 minutes help? Yes. Does it make this movie a great one? Still a no. What the extra time does is flesh out some of the murkiness of Lex Luthor's plan. That's a good thing. But, that's about all it solves. So, I guess how you view the Ultimate Edition comes down to how you felt about the theatrical version. If you already loved it, this will do nothing except keep you moony-eyed. If you weren't in love with it, your opinion will improve marginally. If you hated it, there's probably very little the extra 30 will do for you. Count me in the second group. I raise my original rating by a quarter star.
***1/2 stars
The Secret Life of Pets- Universal, that studio that gave the moviegoing public those mischievous Minions, veers away from the little yellow guys in favor pets. You name it. The film has dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and even a crazed bunny among others. This little tale tells the story of a happy pooch named Max who absolutely loves his owner. All is bliss in his life as he cuddles with his owner and hangs out with his other animal friends in their apartment building awaiting her return every evening. That is, until she brings home a shelter dog, Duke, to be Max's new "brother." Needless to say the turf war between the two leads to a crazy adventure involving the animal warden, psychotic alley cats, and a gang of abandoned pets led by a manic former magician's rabbit. It has big laughs and gives you that "awwww" feeling without being too sappy about it. I think this is the best animated feature of the year outside of Zootopia. Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, and Kevin Hart are among the film's voice talents.
***3/4 stars
Eye in the Sky- This military thriller offers a bleak look into the art of modern warfare and the scars it leaves in its wake. A joint American-British-Kenyan operation to eliminate several terrorist targets in Africa is wrought with legal and moral pitfalls when innocent casualties could become part of the equation from a drone strike. Difficult decisions must be made. Ground forces risk their lives selflessly. The political and legal haggling does slow the pace of the film down a great deal, but, the film does a more than adequate job of depicting the psychological trauma of having your "finger on the trigger" when innocent lives are at stake. The ending is a bit devastating. Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Helen Mirren star.
***stars
Criminal- What happens when you try to implant the brain wave patterns of a dead CIA agent in the mind of an emotionally stunted, hardened criminal? That's the premise of this sci-fi action thriller. Agent Bill Pope's memories are surgically implanted in psychotic criminal, Jericho Stewart in order for the CIA to complete Pope's last globally vital mission before he was killed. But, Stewart still has remnants of his own personality and isn't as cooperative as the agency hopes he would be. Throw in an industrialist-turned-anarchist megalomaniac and Russians who all want what's in his head and you've got a wild adventure. It's a solid actioner that's fairly well-acted. It's not award-winning, but, it's good entertainment. I'm surprised this didn't perform a little better at the box office. Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gal Gadot star.
***1/4 stars
Hardcore Henry- Where do you start with this one? This film offers a novel concept being shot like a first-person shooter video game. But, the minds behind project forgot one very important item. It's always useful to have a story behind your idea. And, that's what Hardcore Henry is sorely lacking. The plot, if you can call it that, involves a man named Henry who wakes up in a lab. He's told he's married to the scientist who revives him and shortly realizes that he has new gnarly cybernetic parts. He's then attacked by a team of mercenaries led by a telekinetic named Akan and proceeds to be pursued by him throughout the film's runtime. Oh, and he's also mysteriously aided by a man named Jimmy who seemingly has the lives of three cats. The action is fast-paced and constant. And, more than a little dizzying given how it's shot. Other than Henry kicking butt to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" near the end, there isn't much to latch onto here.
** stars
***1/2 stars
The Secret Life of Pets- Universal, that studio that gave the moviegoing public those mischievous Minions, veers away from the little yellow guys in favor pets. You name it. The film has dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, and even a crazed bunny among others. This little tale tells the story of a happy pooch named Max who absolutely loves his owner. All is bliss in his life as he cuddles with his owner and hangs out with his other animal friends in their apartment building awaiting her return every evening. That is, until she brings home a shelter dog, Duke, to be Max's new "brother." Needless to say the turf war between the two leads to a crazy adventure involving the animal warden, psychotic alley cats, and a gang of abandoned pets led by a manic former magician's rabbit. It has big laughs and gives you that "awwww" feeling without being too sappy about it. I think this is the best animated feature of the year outside of Zootopia. Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, and Kevin Hart are among the film's voice talents.
***3/4 stars
Eye in the Sky- This military thriller offers a bleak look into the art of modern warfare and the scars it leaves in its wake. A joint American-British-Kenyan operation to eliminate several terrorist targets in Africa is wrought with legal and moral pitfalls when innocent casualties could become part of the equation from a drone strike. Difficult decisions must be made. Ground forces risk their lives selflessly. The political and legal haggling does slow the pace of the film down a great deal, but, the film does a more than adequate job of depicting the psychological trauma of having your "finger on the trigger" when innocent lives are at stake. The ending is a bit devastating. Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Helen Mirren star.
***stars
Criminal- What happens when you try to implant the brain wave patterns of a dead CIA agent in the mind of an emotionally stunted, hardened criminal? That's the premise of this sci-fi action thriller. Agent Bill Pope's memories are surgically implanted in psychotic criminal, Jericho Stewart in order for the CIA to complete Pope's last globally vital mission before he was killed. But, Stewart still has remnants of his own personality and isn't as cooperative as the agency hopes he would be. Throw in an industrialist-turned-anarchist megalomaniac and Russians who all want what's in his head and you've got a wild adventure. It's a solid actioner that's fairly well-acted. It's not award-winning, but, it's good entertainment. I'm surprised this didn't perform a little better at the box office. Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gal Gadot star.
***1/4 stars
Hardcore Henry- Where do you start with this one? This film offers a novel concept being shot like a first-person shooter video game. But, the minds behind project forgot one very important item. It's always useful to have a story behind your idea. And, that's what Hardcore Henry is sorely lacking. The plot, if you can call it that, involves a man named Henry who wakes up in a lab. He's told he's married to the scientist who revives him and shortly realizes that he has new gnarly cybernetic parts. He's then attacked by a team of mercenaries led by a telekinetic named Akan and proceeds to be pursued by him throughout the film's runtime. Oh, and he's also mysteriously aided by a man named Jimmy who seemingly has the lives of three cats. The action is fast-paced and constant. And, more than a little dizzying given how it's shot. Other than Henry kicking butt to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" near the end, there isn't much to latch onto here.
** stars
Batman: The Killing Joke- An iconic comic story finally comes to life. Well, animated life, at least. This adaptation of one of the Dark Knight's most disturbing confrontations with his primary arch-nemesis has long been anticipated. DC and Warner Brothers pulled out all the stops enlisting Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill from the wildly popular Batman Animated Series to voice Batman and Joker. So, you would think there's the potential all involved made something legendary. Well, as far as the actual "Killing Joke" story itself, it's good, if not legendary. All 30-40 minutes you get of it. The first 30 minutes or so are devoted to a Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) story and her "relationship" with Batman (which does become physical at one point). And, let me say, this sequence could have been accomplished in five minutes, 10 at the most. Really, the first act will have you wondering "When does the Killing Joke start?" We don't even see Joker until about 35 minutes into the approximately 80 minute feature. You really don't even care what happens to Barbara later on as the character is a bit annoying. There is also a friend of Barbara's that is such a gay stereotype, you wonder what were they thinking introducing this character. As I said earlier, the actual Killing Joke part of the story is good, but, even that is brought down by the boring flashback sequences of Joker's possible origin. And, let us put the Joker musical number in the film as far out of our memory as possible. The other disappointing thing? This movie has an R rating. So, I'm expecting a little bit of graphic savagery here. The Killing Joke is not a kid's story as the Joker defiles Barbara in the most heinous ways possible in the graphic novel. This barely registers on the PG-13 scale. Come on. At least give us some foul language to justify that R rating. All things considered, this was a bit of a miss for me Bat-fans. One of the few DC animated features that didn't impress.
**3/4 stars
Meet the Blacks- Funnyman Mike Epps stars as a beleaguered husband and father who seizes the opportunity to steal money from a Chicago gangster and move his family to Beverly Hills. But, the neighbors may not be so eager to embrace the Black family as they move into their new home on "Purge Night." Yes, this film is a parody of The Purge series. It's also chockfull of ethnic humor, racial stereotypes, and a generous use of the N-word, some of which made me chuckle a few times. But, as funnymen go, Epps has never been on my list of favorites. Meet the Blacks does nothing to improve that opinion. It was film I was glad ended when it did. Charlie Murphy co-stars.
**1/4 stars
The Bronze- What happens when an ex-teenage Olympian with unfulfilled potential becomes an adult? She becomes an acerbic, foul-mouthed, and mean-spirited ex-Olympian with an Ohio-sized chip on her shoulder. That's the premise of The Bronze, a dark comedy, featuring Melissa Rauch of Big Bang Theory fame as the unpleasant ex-gymnast. Through circumstance and manipulation, she comes to mentor another young gymnast from her hometown with Olympic potential. But, will she really be a mentor to the young girl, or, a saboteur as the young upstart threatens to replace her in the hearts and minds of the townsfolk. The sex scene between Rauch and her ex-lover, current nemesis is a ridiculous and hilarious array of acrobatic carnal escapades. Sebastian Stan and Gary Cole co-star.
***1/2 stars
The Trust- Two bored Las Vegas cops decide to rob a drug dealer's safe in this crime thriller. As meticulously as they plan the heist, they're still unable to account for all variables. It's factor that just might get both of them killed. I don't actually remember this one being released theatrically. Since it's a Nicholas Cage movie, it might not have been. That guy will star in anything these days. But, this is a somewhat fun, harmless movie that has a bit of a twist at the end. You could do worse with a rental. Elijah Wood co-stars.
*** stars
I Am Wrath- A retired Special Ops soldier goes into vengeance overdrive when his wife is murdered in what seems to be a random gang shooting. What he discovers is a conspiracy that involves the upper ranks of government. It's a standard revenge flick with little nuance or excitement. If you look up average in the dictionary, this movie will spring out at you. Christopher Meloni and Rebecca DeMornay co-star.
**1/2 stars
Mother's Day- A large ensemble cast highlights this romantic comedy from Garry Marshall (his final director credit before his recent passing). The cast tackles several storylines ranging from conservative parents accepting their daughters' lifestyles and mates, a divorced mother coming to terms with her ex's new, much younger wife, and a widower trying to come to terms with his beloved wife's death. This is all fairly insipid storytelling that elicits few laughs. Even fans of rom-coms might find this one tedious. Jennifer Anniston, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Jason Sudeikis, Britt Robertson, and Timothy Olyphant star along with several others.
** stars
Sausage Party- The ideas for this animated feature could only have come from Seth Rogen's, Evan Goldberg's, and Jonah Hill's minds after taking several bong hits. Food and other supermarket items have a belief and hope that one day they will be taken to the "Great Beyond" by the human gods. Little do they know what will happen to them when these "gods" get them back home behind closed doors. After learning the awful truth of their true fate, some food begins to fight back led by a courageous wiener named "Frank." Where do you begin? The movie is a ridiculous raunchfest of suggestive toilet humor. And, it's one of the funniest and most unique movies you'll see this year. You haven't lived until you've seen an actual food orgy. This one ain't for the kiddies. It's got an R-rating for a reason. Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Salma Hayek, Bill Hader, Edward Norton are among the stars that voice this farce.
****stars
The Lobster- Where do I start with this one? How do I start with this one? Here goes. In a dystopian time period, romantic attachments are a mandatory part of society. If you are not in one, you are either hunted as a "loner" in the forest or, in the case of breakups, you are taken to a hotel to find a new compatible mate. If you don't find one in 45 days, you are transformed into an animal of your choice. You can have time added to search if you go out on daily raiding parties to hunt loners in the forest. Let that sit and simmer for a moment. That's the plight of David, our main character, whose wife has recently left him. But, can he conform to the strict rules of this society or will he rebel? And do the loners offer a viable alternative, or, are their rules just as strange and oppressive. You know, this might have been a goofy enough premise that could work if approached with a little more madcap lunacy. But, it's presented as an abstract absurdist comedy that's short on comedy. I did find the first half of the film partially amusing by the sheer blandness the characters approach life with. The second half quickly devolved into ideas that are so abstract that it's no longer entertaining. What was the point here? What is the greater point writers Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou are trying to convey about relationships in general? If you figure it out, let me know. Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and John C. Reilly star.
*1/2 stars
The Nice Guys- Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe star as a down-on-his-luck PI and an enforcer who become embroiled in a complicated 1970s mystery involving a fading porn star, a corrupt politician's daughter, and a scandalous movie several parties would kill for. The plot for me was a little overly complicated and confusing at times. But, the comedic chemistry between the two leads was enough to make me forget about that for the most part. Who knew Russell Crowe could be funny. Watching these two semi-bungle their way through this minefield of deception is the real treat of the film. It also has a killer of a 70s soundtrack. Keith David, Kim Basinger, and Matt Bomer co-star.
***1/4 stars
**1/2 stars
The Duel- In late 19th century Texas, a Ranger is tasked with an undercover mission to infiltrate a small community controlled by an enigmatic religious leader who may be responsible for the death of a prominent Mexican military officer's relative. What I can say about The Duel is it has a nice setup. It's intriguing...about 40+ minutes after its start. It's really too bad. If it didn't move so slowly I could give it a recommendation. As it is, The Duel just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. If the plot moved better, this would have been a solid outing. Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, and Alice Braga star.
**3/4 stars
***3/4 stars
a
Hell or High Water- Two brothers go on a bank robbing crime spree to save the family farm from foreclosure. A Texas Ranger close to retirement pursues the siblings on the way to an explosive confrontation where not all survive. The film is a slow burn with some explosive bursts of action before it reaches its fateful confrontation. It's well-acted by the three leads. It gives you humor, sadness, satisfaction, and a myriad of other emotions. And, the ending. Very simple, yet very ominous at the same time. It leaves you to make your own conclusion as to what may come in the future. It does drag slightly in spots, but, this is one in 2016 you should catch if you can.
***3/4 stars
***3/4 stars
*** stars
The Magnificent Seven- Director, Antoine Fuqua, kicks it Old West style in this reimagining of John Sturges's 1960 classic which itself was a reimagining of the Akira Kurosawa tale, Seven Samurai. You know the story (at least you should). A desperate western town, bullied and intimidated by a powerful third party (this time a wealthy landowner with dozens of hired guns), hires their own set of rough and tumble gunslingers led by bounty hunter, Sam Chisolm, who might have some unknown ties to the landowner himself. The seven protectors train the peaceful townspeople how to fight for the inevitable final smackdown. A movie like this can be a little bit of a hard sell. You already know what's coming. Fuqua's "7" offers very little nuance on the original story other than the heroes are more racially diverse. So, then the story becomes can the cast itself save the day? And the answer is, "Yes, it can." They interact well with each other. They're believable (to a degree) and individually interesting even if the overall story is a retread. From the gambler's snarky humor to the evil landowner who almost twirls his mustache, there was great chemistry on the set. And, if you like old fashioned western Gun-Fu, you can't go wrong. Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ethan Hawke, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Martin Sensmeier are the titular seven.
***1/2 stars
***1/2 stars
***1/4 stars
***1/4 stars
Bad Santa 2- Billy Bob Thornton is back as Willie Soke, the hard drinking, deviant sexual misanthrope from the hilarious 2003 comedy. Willie once again teams up with his diminutive and devious partner, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. The duo has a new partner this time in the form of Willie's awful excuse for a mother, Sunny. His life is further complicated by the now adult, Thurman Merman, the hopelessly naïve child from the first film who was pretty much the only person on the planet who believes Willie is a decent human being. I've indicated in the past that comedies don't lend themselves well to sequels because the jokes tend to be repeated and get old quickly. Bad Santa 2 still goes for the same lowbrow comedy of its predecessor, but, what I appreciated is that it didn't go overboard trying to "out-Santa" the first film as most comedy sequels do. The jokes weren't as funny this time, but, they still work for the most part. Bad Santa 2 made me smile. Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, and Brett Kelly co-star.
***1/4 stars
***1/4 stars
Warcraft- The fantasy role playing game is brought to life in this special effects laden action adventure. It's humans vs. Orcs on the fantasy landscape of Azeroth. Knights and mages. Sword and Sorcery. Huge monstrous creatures. Should make for a good funhouse ride, right? After watching this, I not only am NOT inclined to play this game, but, I also never want to see another frame of film involving this world. It's not that it was necessarily bad. It was just very blah for me. These types of fantasy fights were done much better in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In fact, at times I was reminded of cheesy 80s sci-fi fantasy only with better special effects. It just did nothing for me. Dominic Cooper, Tony Kebbell, Ben Foster, and Paula Patton star.
**1/2 stars
Office Christmas Party- An all-star cast is front and center for this raucous holiday tale about a scattered, but, well-meaning party boy who heads the Chicago division of his family's tech business trying to justify his office's continued existence. He is opposed by his overachieving ultra-competitive sister who is the CEO. To avoid massive layoffs, he promises to land a large account. Now the problem is trying to impress the straight laced representative of the company he needs to land. What better way to do that than inviting that rep to the office Christmas party. The party his sister resoundingly canceled. What could go wrong, right? Office Christmas Party is funny. Very funny at times. But, it all ends in silly typical "all is forgiven" fashion despite things happening that should have landed many people in a holding pen. I guess this is how it should have ended, but, I was looking for something a little more subversive. Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, Rob Corddry, Olivia Munn, Courtney T. Vance, and T.J. Miller star.
*** stars
Morgan- This sci-fi thriller covers familiar ground. Humans trying to play God dabble in science they shouldn't, and said science ends up kicking them in the backside. In this instance, a powerful corporate entity has financed the creation of a human girl. For what purpose? You'll find out as you watch. Let's just say, the girl, chronologically five years old, but, physically, a teenager, has a few defects that have had some unexpected consequences for the scientists who made her. The corporation sends their own special agent to investigate. An agent who has some secrets of her own. You can pretty much call out most of what is going to happen before it happens. Not necessarily a bad thing, just a predictable one. What struck me is how incredibly stupid the scientists in this film are. How many different ways does your experiment have to show it's dangerous before you get the hint you shouldn't be in the same room with it? But, alas, I guess we wouldn't have anything to talk about if they were smarter, would we? Kate Mara, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Giamatti, and Anya Taylor-Joy star.
*** stars
31- I'm not even sure how to review this one. I didn't hate it. But, being a Rob Zombie film, it didn't make a lot of damn sense either. The setup time warps you back to the mid 70s. Five carnival workers try to desperately survive 12 hours in a twisted game of death called 31. The game is controlled by three wealthy people dressed as aristocrats. The object for the carnies is to avoid the aristocrats' henchmen known as "Heads." Each of the Heads is a murderous psychopath bent on mutilating their prey in the vilest ways imaginable. If you're familiar with Zombie-type mayhem, there's gore galore and buckets of blood. There's no rhyme or reason to 31, only mayhem. One of the Heads, "Doom-Head" is a killer who waxes philosophical many times trying to add what I suppose is some type of keen insight on the human condition. But, like most Zombie ventures, 31 is primarily Hillbilly Killer Theatre. Sheri Moon Zombie, Malcolm McDowell, Meg Foster star.
**1/2 stars
***stars
**3/4 stars
The Shallows- Was the world ready for another killer ccgreat white shark movie? Apparently, it was. A medical student taking some much needed R&R in Mexico enjoys a day of fun and surfing. Unfortunately for her, she unwittingly stumbles upon the feeding ground of a great white shark. Needless to say, the shark isn't pleased by this interloper and intends to remove her in a way that only sharks can. There are intense moments and one danger following another. It's no Jaws, but, it's pleasing enough. Blake Lively stars.
***stars
Why Him?- An eccentric and obscenely wealthy game developer has dated the college-age daughter of an uptight upper middle class family for a year. While he's crude and lewd, he's genuinely a nice guy who wants to do nothing more than marry his new girlfriend. Now, if only he can convince her father to give his blessing. The film was a pleasant surprise for me. I expected maybe a few laughs, and, then boredom from the sheer stupidity of the plot. And, make no mistake. Why Him? offers plenty in the way of stupidity. But, it's funny stupidity. I laughed a lot more at this one than I ever thought I would. James Franco, Bryan Cranston, Keegan-Michael Key, Kaley Cuoco (voice only), Cedric the Entertainer, and Megan Mullaly star.
***stars
***1/2 stars
The Legend of Tarzan- In the latest relic Hollywood is dusting off to add a new shine to, the Lord of the Apes is set for a new adventure. Eight years removed from living in Africa, Tarzan, has taken his rightful place in England as John Clayton, Lord Greystoke. Convinced to return to Africa to expose a possible slave ring in the Congo, John has dangers other than natives and the harsh, cruel jungle itself to deal with. An old enemy has struck a deal with the Belgian government who wants the regions precious diamonds. The price for the diamonds is luring Tarzan back to the area where he's been marked for death. The film is a solid actioner. It really pops in action scenes over the jungle landscape. Outside of the action, the story itself is a bit mundane which is why it doesn't rate higher for me. Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, and Djimon Hounsou star.
***stars
***1/2 stars
Now You See Me 2- The Horseman have returned! Those Robin Hood magicians from the first film have a new threat on the horizon in a tech genius that appears just as savvy as they are. In a plot only slightly less convoluted as that of the first, the sequel isn't quite as fun either. Plus, it also appears the story has been retconned in such a way as it makes the first film make even less sense. Still, the illusions are fun. The movie is entertaining on its own level even if some plot twists don't completely make sense. Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Daniel Radcliffe, Sanaa Lathan, and Michael Caine star.
***1/4 stars
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows- This sequel to the 2014 megahit finds the reptilian foursome still protecting New York City from the shadows one year later. There are several new additions to the cast from the TMNT universe including the introductions of Casey Jones, Bebop, and Rocksteady that turtlephiles should appreciate. The Turtles main foe, Shredder, has teamed up with an alien entity to enslave Earth. Standing in their way is...well, you know. This movie was ripped to shreds critically when it was released, and I'm not sure why exactly. You have to take the Turtles with a grain of salt. They're corny. Let's get that out of the way. But, they do have a childlike charm about them. This one has solid action and solid special effects. Trust me, there are much worse movies in 2016 to sit through. I've done it. Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry, and Laura Linney star.
***1/4 stars
***3/4 stars
Star Trek Beyond- The third installment featuring the "new original" Star Trek crew finds our space heroes battling an enemy that attacks like an insect swarm. The leader is in search of an ancient weapon that just happens to be on the Enterprise. That leader also has surprising ties to the Federation's past. I know these last three Star Trek films have drawn much criticism from hardcore "Trekkies" for not being Star Trek enough. It's much the same as the criticism of Daniel Craig's rendition of James Bond. But, I have to say, these new movies are fine by me as someone who hasn't been an avid Trek fan in the past. I like the more Star Wars feel to them. I know it probably can't last as Beyond didn't do the bang up business it was expected to do at the box office. But, count me as a fan of the new direction it has taken since the 2009 reboot. Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, and Zachary Quinto return as the Enterprise crew.
***3/4 stars
*1/2 stars
Free State of Jones- Director Gary Ross spins a tale based on the life of Newton Knight, a medic in the Confederate Army who becomes weary with the senselessness of his side's cause and deserts. Going back to his hometown a fugitive, he becomes a hero and leader of his and the surrounding communities' fight against Confederate oppression in Mississippi during the war. The story also spins ahead to 1960s Mississippi as one of Newton's descendants has to fight bigotry in court due to his "unlawful" heritage. The problem I always find with a film of this nature is that it's often hard to judge how good or bad it is because there are parts that make me angry watching them. It's history though, every last ugly inch of it. It's a little known tale that the public should be aware of, so, I do think it's worth viewing. Matthew McConaughey stars.
***stars
*** stars
***3/4 stars
*star
Keeping Up With the Joneses- What do you get when accomplished undercover spies move next door to the most bland and mundane couple in the history of human existence? What director Greg Mottola is hoping for is rip-roaring hilarity. In part, he's right. Keeping Up With the Joneses is very funny at certain times, but, it gets bogged down in the usual "fish out of water" trope when the average couple becomes unwittingly involved in the spy world. That's not necessarily a knock against it. I'm just saying there's nothing new to see here. A movie like 2016's Central Intelligence did this type of story better. This one is a harmless little comedy that has a few decent action sequences and a couple of laugh out loud moments. It's worth viewing. Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm, and Gal Gadot star.
***stars
*** stars
**3/4 stars
Masterminds- This comedic heist movie is based on the real life 1997 Loomis Fargo Robbery in North Carolina. Lovable, but, hapless armored car driver, David Ghantt is manipulated into being the inside man in the robbery of his company's vault. None of the players in this heist are criminal masterminds so you can imagine what a comedy of errors this becomes after the theft is pulled off! With a heavyweight cast of comedians such as this, you would think Masterminds would be a laugh riot. But, it's not. It has its moments to be sure, but, if you were expecting a rollicking good time, you may be slightly disappointed. It's still worth a look. Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, and Leslie Jones star.
***stars
***stars
Trolls- This DreamWorks animated feature pits the lovable singing, dancing, happy wild-haired Trolls against the unhappy, miserable Bergens. The Bergens can only feel happy when they consume Trolls (pretty dark for a children's movie). When a disgraced Bergen chef captures some of the Trolls for her king who has never eaten one, it's up to Poppy, the forever optimistic Troll princess to get her friends back. The only assistance she has is from Branch, a worrying, fearful Troll who is as dour as Poppy is peppy. I'm usually not a fan of the old Disney style of singing cartoons for the modern era. There are many times when the characters break out in song. However, it helps that the two leads can more than carry a tune. The songs are also very recognizable pop tunes that most can relate to. It's a cute movie with enough comedy to stop it from being syrupy sweet. Featuring the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, Christine Beranski, and Christopher Mintz-Plase.
***1/2 stars
Florence Foster Jenkins- This biographical dramedy follows the life story of the New York heiress who became an opera singer during World War II. Known for her horrific lack of skill in singing skill, Jenkins appears to have never been deterred through the bitter end. The singing is treated a bit Three Stooges-like at times, but, in actuality, it's a tragic story of a woman who is a bit delusional, has a professionally loyal, but, cheating husband, and carries a debilitating disease given to her by her first husband. It's another typically good performance by Meryl Streep in the title role. Hugh Grant, Rebecca Ferguson, and Simon Helberg co-star.
***1/4 stars
The Edge of Seventeen- Oh, no! Another coming-of-age dramedy. This one, however, did get much critical praise during its release so I was optimistic. Unfortunately, that optimism wasn't rewarded in my eyes. The Edge of Seventeen is supposed to be a poignant tale of a socially awkward teenage girl coming to grips with the death of her beloved father (the only person who seemed to ever understand her) and just teenage life in general. What I saw was a petulant teenager who self-inflicted most of her emotional scars. If this had played as a complete farce about a sad sack teen, it might have had more traction with me. As is, the main character just comes across as an "Oh, woe is me", brat. The film isn't a disaster as it does offer some amusing moments, particularly from the main character's beleaguered, mildly sarcastic teacher/confidante. But, teen angst usually isn't my style, so, I can't fully recommend it. Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson star.
**3/4 stars
Arrival- This alien invasion film is a bit of a departure from the usual films in this genre. As the invaders hover over random sections of the Earth and generally "freak out" the world's governments, a linguist is pressed into service by the U.S. in an attempt to communicate with the visitors. Through much trial and effort, she is able to decipher their language. But, is the purpose for the invasion malevolent, or, is there something less sinister afoot? I don't necessarily mind nonlinear storytelling as presented in Arrival as long as the journey is worthwhile. One of my favorite movies of all time is Pulp Fiction to illustrate. While Arrival does present a thought-provoking conundrum at the end, the journey was a bit long and painful. Because of the dilemma the film presents, I do want to like it more than I do. I just can't. Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forrest Whittaker star.
**3/4 stars
***1/4 stars
Almost Christmas- You really should follow Flava Flav's sage advice when it comes to watching this film, "Don't believe the hype!" And, by hype, I mean don't get sucked in by the trailers that this is a raucous holiday comedy. There's way more melodrama here than I was anticipating and, it wasn't particularly moving. The Meyers clan is challenged by the family patriarch to spend five days together, including Christmas, without conflict. There are feuds where you're not quite sure why there is one. Drama feels forced and unoriginal. It does offer some amusing moments at its obvious attempts to force comedy, but, overall, this is a glorified Lifetime movie posing a major motion picture. Danny Glover, Omar Epps, Gabrielle Union, J.B. Smoove, Romany Malco, Kimberly Elise, and Mo'Nique star in the ensemble cast.
**1/2 stars
**1/2 stars
**3/4 stars
***1/2 stars
Allied- Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star as a Canadian intelligence officer and French Resistance fighter who work together to assassinate a German ambassador during World War II. Beautiful people working that closely together naturally fall in love, get married, and start a family, right? It's destined to be a beautiful life until Allied intelligence discovers the French rebel might be a Nazi spy and tasks her husband with putting her down. It kind of puts a damper on happily ever after. Allied is a slow burn thriller that has some blindingly violent scenes that offset the romance of the two leads. It's a well-acted bittersweet effort from director Robert Zemeckis.
***1/4 stars
**1/2 stars
***1/4 stars
**1/2 stars
*** stars
Fences- Denzel Washington directs and stars in this film of a very flawed husband and father trying to keep his family together in 1950s Pittsburgh. Washington is Troy Maxson, a hard drinking, opinionated, blusterous sanitation worker who can't seem to get out of his own way when dealing with his wife or teenage son. While not an evil man, Maxson is hard-hearted and more-often-than-not a mental bully to his son. He was once a great baseball player in the Negro leagues who is just a smidge resentful that he was a little too old to play when blacks were finally allowed in the Major League. He puts up walls, or fences, between himself and loved ones that no one may be able to break through. It's a well acted movie, but, it's not a particularly riveting one. It's worth a look. Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Maxon's wife, Rose.
*** stars
Collateral Beauty- A somewhat surreal journey into an advertising executive's path to acceptance of his young daughter's death, Collateral Beauty is definitely a different kind of movie. Both the executive and his friends/business partners meet three actors who change their lives in profound ways. These actors who may not be all they appear to be add some light comic effects to the heavy subject material. The revelations in the film, while not shocking (you'll figure a lot of it out before it happens), are poignant. It's a bittersweet movie that I think avoids becoming overly preachy. Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, Michael Pena, Keira Knightley, and Naomie Harris star in the ensemble cast.
*** stars
*** stars
***1/2 stars
***3/4 stars
Hidden Figures- FINALLY! An Oscar contender I can get behind. African-American women face racism and misogyny at 1960s NASA in this biographical drama. Following three (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson) in the era of America's space race with the Soviet Union, these women became instrumental figures in the country's first manned missions to the great beyond. Wonderful performances are turned in by the three main actresses. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae star. Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali, and Jim Parsons co-star.
***3/4 stars
***1/4 stars
***1/4 stars
*** stars
1/2 star
*** stars
Hacksaw Ridge- Mel Gibson returns to the director's chair to recount the true story of Desmond Doss, a pacifist Army medic in World War II who refused to use or touch firearms. Yeah, that would make it a little difficult to when you're on the battlefield wouldn't it. In Okinawa, Japan, Doss singlehandedly carried 75 wounded men to safety on a stretch of land nicknamed "Hacksaw Ridge." I'm not a big fan of war movies. They're just so extremely sad I have difficulty sitting through them. This one is no different. It's a well-crafted movie by Gibson, but, watching the pain and suffering of war, even simulated gives me a feeling of dread. I'll recommend it for those who don't have an aversion. Andrew Garfield gives a notable performance as Doss. Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, and Teresa Palmer co-star.
***1/2 stars
The Birth of a Nation- I'm going to make this one short and sweet. This is another movie genre that I'm not very fond of. The film is based on the story of Nat Turner, a slave who led a short-lived slave rebellion in 1831. It's what you would expect of a movie depicting the Antebellum South. Unimaginable cruelty floods your senses. It's difficult for me to label a film of this nature good or bad. If you want dose of history, go for it. But, I wouldn't blame you if you left it alone either. It is well acted, so, on that basis, I'll recommend it. Nate Parker, Gabrielle Union, Armie Hammer, and Penelope Ann Miller star.
*** stars
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
