Arrival is a great screenplay based on a Ted Chiang short story. I ended up checking it out at the library and really enjoying several of his other short stories too. Amy Adams (nominated) does a great job experiencing and interpreting the first alien encounter on Earth. This is not an action movie and yet I was on the edge of my seat wanting to see what happened next. Without saying too much, I loved the ending. I urge you not to miss these incredible moving pictures on the big screen.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Trolls
(2016)
My kids seemed to like this OK
27 February 2017
My kids seemed to like this OK. It wasn't too scary for my sensitive 8yo girl and yet I should have known better when my 6yo boy said he figured it out and "didn't want to ruin it for us." The intro to the situation and characters was interesting enough, but about half way through I wanted it to end. You may enjoy it more than me if you like pop music videos and lots of trippy animation. I was hoping for some laughs, but left with only a couple chuckles. I gave this a 5/10 and would skip it on family movie night at home. You'd probably be better off just buying the soundtrack if people still do that kind of thing?
Midnight Special
(2016)
The love of a father for his son no matter how strange he is
27 February 2017
Director Jeff Nichols and Michael Shannon team up again for another interesting flick. This one focused on the love of a father for his son no matter how strange he is. Joel Edgerton and Adam Driver turn in equally enjoyable performances. I gave it a 7/10 and recommend checking it out at home next time you are in the mood for something different.
These four had us laughing our butts off
27 February 2017
These four had us laughing our butts off last night. The actress playing the sister also had some great moments. Predictable characters, but the interactions and jokes worked. Be prepared for raunchy and make sure the kids aren't around. I gave this a 8/10 which is more than Bad Moms which I also enjoyed recently.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
(2016)
A disappointing sequel
27 February 2017
A disappointing sequel. I didn't read the books, but it seems like there was something missing from the story between the two main characters. Great action scenes like the first one with plenty of Tom Cruise running shots. I would probably skip it unless you loved the first one or read the books.
The Girl on the Train
(2016)
Great acting, but I would just say it is slow
27 February 2017
It got a lot of press for being bad, but I would just say it is slow. Great acting by the cast and the desire to unravel this mess kept me interested. You'll probably figure things out at the beginning of the third act, but there was an additional twist that I liked. From what I hear it is slightly different than the book at times. I think it is worth a watch if you have the flu like me.
Deadpool
(2016)
Van Wilder brought the comics to a new level
27 February 2017
Deadpool was a lot of fun and Van Wilder brought the comics to a new level of adult enjoyment. Ryan Reynolds (nomination) deserves a lot of credit for getting this project off the ground, marketing the hell out of this relatively low budget "Superhero" romp and diving into a fanboy character. If you missed it on the big screen watch it at home after a couple beers for a good time.
Nocturnal Animals
(2016)
A distraught character drama that kept me on the edge of my seat
27 February 2017
Nocturnal Animals starts out with a blinding display of full nudity and dives into the distraught character played by Amy Adams. She reads a book about a story involving Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon characters that kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire film. The bad guys are the worst and I hope I never wind up on a long, dark West Texas road with them especially Aaron Taylor-Johnson (nomination). I recommend not watching this alone. It was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Director and Screenplay.
Hell or High Water
(II) (2016)
Really caught me off guard
27 February 2017
Hell or High Water really caught me off guard. I saw it for the cast and was blown away with their performance and the gritty tale of desperation. Bridges played his typical role very well (nomination) and Pine was the believable every man, but Ben Foster laid it all on the line and was fun to watch. Even though it was well shot you will be fine watching this at home. It received nominations for Best Drama Picture, Supporting Actor and Screenplay.
Hacksaw Ridge
(2016)
Enjoyable, but almost two different movies
27 February 2017
Hacksaw Ridge was a very enjoyable (based on) true story, but almost two different movies. The first half focused of family and love and the second half was a bloody war scene depicting true bravery by a determined idealist. I would recommend seeing it on the big screen for the sound and cinematography. It received nominations for Best Drama Picture, Best Actor in Drama and Director.
Passengers
(I) (2016)
Not a giant blockbuster space opera
27 February 2017
I'm surprised how harsh the critics have been on this movie. I enjoyed the character development, story and chemistry between Pratt and Lawrence. Some good humor mixed in especially the scenes with Sheen. It is not a giant blockbuster space opera if that is what you are expecting. It exposes the fear and tough choices you might be faced with in a crisis and the human side of interstellar travel. It is very well shot and visual appealing, but if you want to wait it would be a good one to watch at home too. I look forward to more from this director (The Imitation Game) and writer (Prometheus).
Captain Fantastic
(2016)
A unique family unit faces the struggles of loss and life
27 February 2017
A unique family unit faces the struggles of loss and life. Touching story and characters with great acting and direction. Viggo Mortensen is nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe and an Academy Award as well. Available at RedBox now I would recommend seeing this quirky and unusual family film.
Dark Places
(2015)
A messed up situation that created some messed up people
27 February 2017
A very appropriate title for a messed up situation that created some messed up people. I am biased with Charlize, but this was well done and an entertaining yet twisted tale. If you are a fan of her work you won't be disappointed. The rest of the cast was enjoyable also. I hear the book was good too.
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