Movies in Review: "Hidden Figures"

Biographical films are definitely one of my favorite genres of movies because there is nothing like watching someone's real life story play out on the big screen. However films like Hidden Figures take it a step further by bringing to the surface pivotal moments in history that otherwise would have remained unknown and forgotten. I never knew the of the vital role black women played in getting us into space. When I first viewed the trailer my mouth dropped and there was an overwhelming feeling of pride and excitement to see this film. The trailer did more than intrigued me, and this film is likely the one I've been anticipating the most this year. There was no doubt in my mind this movie would be a hit, and I was looking forward to being educated on the beautiful black women playing an essential role in the Nasa Space program.

I would like to give this movie a standing ovation, and I am so happy this story was brought to the big screen. As a black woman, the pride I had watching this film gave my spirit life, and I recommend every person of color, especially women with daughters, go see this film. It is all of that and a bag of chips. This story needed to be told. These women played a huge part in history that can't be denied. What I loved about this film, besides the excellent performances, direction and story, were the lessons I walked away with. The strength of these women to overcome obstacles will touch you to the core. Preparation meets opportunity was a core message with Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughn. This was the message that hit me the deepest, and well as us looking out for one another and bringing each other up with support.

I could go on and on about this film because it brought out so many positive emotions. I walked out of the theater feeling revived a brand new. This film definitely lifted my spirits. Shout out to Pharrell for the banging soundtrack, because the movie was definitely on point. This is a movie you don't want to miss out on...A+

Movies in Review: "Passengers"

I love me a science fiction space movie, one of my favorites being Gravity, which is what I think I compare all space movies too these days...lol. Although Passengers trailer didn't give me the feeling Gravity did, it still intrigued me. I am a huge fan of Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence is an actress whose work I respect as well. I loved the cinematography in the trailer, and there was enough of a teaser for the story line to have me wanting to see how this film played out. I did not have the best movie experiences this weekend, so I was really hoping this one would be able to deliver.

Womp Womp...Definitely didn't live up to the trailer. This movie was so freaking long that it had scenes that could have been eliminated because it made the movie drag. At least 15-20 min could have been eliminated just to keep the pace of the movie going. There was far too much down time. The movie didn't really get on a good pace until halfway through, but by that time I was a little too bored to really enjoy the last half of the film. The second half of the movie was pretty good though. However the ending failed miserably. In the last scene I was sitting there like "Really?"...smh. Honestly the second half of the movie was so good that if they had worked out a better ending I probably would have given this movie a higher mark, in spite of me being bored to death for the first hour...lol.

Passengers wasn't as intriguing as the trailer. Unfortunately the best part of the movie doesn't begin until the film is halfway over, and by the time the movie ends I pretty sure you will find yourself rolling your eyes and sucking your teeth...lol...C

Movies in Review: "Assassin's Creed"

I don't know if any of you were like me and found little interest in the trailer for this film. The only reason I went to see this movie was because Michael Fassbender was starring in it, so I thought maybe I was missing something and was wrong about this movie. I think Fassbender is a phenomenal actor, and couldn't see him in anything not worth seeing, even a little. I mean he was in The Counselor, which wasn't a great film, but had some nice performances, especially from him, that didn't make the film as bad as it should have been ~shrugs. I tossed a coin o with Assassin's Creed, and decided to take my chances...

One of the biggest movie mistakes I think I've made this year. True to form, Fassbender was great, but this movie was dumb as hell...lol. I should have known since the film is based on a video game...smh. Video games made into movies don't usually translate well, and you will definitely find yourself lost in translation with this one. I think only fans of the game would find worth in this film, because I was lost and totally annoyed with this movie. It felt like I was watching a video game with live characters, because there was no character development in the story. There were just character after character. The action sequences were well done, but that should have been expected right??? Nothing in this movie made sense to me, and I kept think was "Who Cares?” Although some of the dialogue had subtitles even the English spoken words didn't make sense...lol. Ugh...this movie should have been left at the arcade.

I was not a fan of this film. It was so annoying to watch because it didn't feel like a movie. There was limited dialogue that hardly made sense to me, filled with great action sequences, but a story that had no substance...Ugh! Can we please stop making video games into movies...ijs...D!

Movies in Review: "Sing"

We all know I love a good animated film, more so now because it is also the perfect activity me and my son can share. I've seen a number a spectacular animated films this year, however Sing was being advertised as one that would beat all the rest. From what I watched in the trailer, I didn't really believe that, but thought it would be cute enough that I would be entertained, and my kid would have a great time.

Just as I thought, this movie really didn't live up to all the marketing hype. The singing was absolutely phenomenal, but everything else about the movie was just ok. The story was blah, with mediocre animation. There wasn't anything too exciting about any character to really make me care about the film. However the singing performances are powerful enough to definitely draw you in and keep you from walking out of the theater. I would give a standing ovation for that alone, but unfortunately everything else fell a little flat. The humor was just wasn't there, and there was very little excitement to be found in the story ~shrugs. Kind of what I expected from this movie...

I would not rate this film anywhere near the top for animated films released this year. I think Moana is still in the theaters, and by far a better movie choice if you haven't seen it. There isn't too much except the singing that grabs your attention. I have to admit though, my son seemed to enjoy it, and was lit up with interest during every vocal performance, and was dancing as the credits rolled, however for me, the movie was a bit of a bore...C+

Movies in Review: "Fences"

I was so sad that I was unable to catch the play when it was on Broadway and starred Denzel Washington. However when I watched the trailer, I was beyond happy, and totally looking forward to the release of this film. What sparked my interest even more about this film was that Denzel would also be in the director's chair....Yaaaaasssssss. The screenplay for the film was written by the late August Wilson, and finished right before his death in 2005. I am pleased that the release of this film has finally arrived.

I can see why August Wilson is 2 time Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama. I not as familiar with all of his work, but the writing in this film gave me goosebumps. There were more than a few lines that had reacting with an "Amen"...wow. To add to the writing you have Viola Davis and Denzel Washington giving us Oscar Winning performances in both their respective roles. By the end of the film I was giving a standing ovation for them both, especially Denzel who also did a hell of a job in the director's chair. There is nothing I can say badly about this film because it is true perfection. I'd like to also recognize the performance given by Mykelti Williamson as Gabriel Maxson. You know this actor from a number of small roles, but the performance he made in this film has shined a light on this man's capabilities. He was everything, and I didn't know he had it in him. He was my favorite character in the film by far.

I went to see 4 films this weekend and 3 of them I absolutely loved, but this one was by far my favorite. This is not a film you need to think about seeing, you just need to go see it...A+

Movies in Review: "Rogue One"

So I admit I am not the biggest Star Wars fan. As a matter of fact, the summer release Star Wars film was the only one I had been able to watch in its entirety. I thought it was corny, and still surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think I only went to see it because everyone else was so hyped about it. However when I watched the trailer for Rogue One, I was sincerely intrigued. This was the first film from this franchise that I actually wanted to see. I have no idea why the others didn't appeal to me as much as this one ~shrugs. I usually have hard time keeping up with these films, so I was just hoping not to get lost in the sauce.

By far my favorite movie from this franchise. What I usually hate about Star War films is that there are too many characters, and too many stories and realms to keep track of. There is also very little character development, usually making far too many story lines forgettable, but this was not this film's case. The cast of main characters was small, so the story felt tight, and was easy to follow. The film had a number of strong memorable characters and a cohesive story line to go with it. The humor was on point and I loved the characters on-screen chemistry. The last 30 mins of the film were remarkable and powerful. This movie had a spark that I find lacked in the other Star War films. There weren't too many dull moments at all. The blind warrior and the Rebel Robot were definitely my favorites from the film. They were everything!

This film was filled with humor, excitement and unexpected moments that made it worthwhile. Star War films tend to feel like a long drawn out sometimes dull crusade, but this one didn't have a dull moment to notice the time. One of my favorite films from this weekend's movie adventures...A!

Movies in Review: "Collateral Beauty"

When I watched the trailer for this film I seriously got chills. There was something about the trailer that captured my attention, besides the fact that it starred Will Smith, and a few of my other favorite actor/actresses. I loved the marketing for this film, and it was the movie I was looking forward to seeing the most. However when checking for show times on Fandango I noticed that Rotten Tomatoes was rating this film a 14% Rotten...Nooooooooo!!! I was not expecting that. I can't see how a film with a cast as strong as this film could ever get a rating so low. I admit the rating put a damper on my expectations for the film, but I went in feeling like Rotten Tomatoes is a hater and I should trust anything they say! Lol...

Ummmmmmm...I was seriously at a loss when watching this movie because it was nothing like I had expected. I was expecting good film that was centered on a profound message I could take away from the movie, but no such thing happened. This movie was so odd. With a 90min running time, there wasn't enough time to character development for all the actors in the film. There were too many characters, and subplots that went with each character. I think the film would have been better if Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, and Michael Pena's characters were removed. The story could have used maybe one of them at the most, but the others took away screen time that should have been spent on Will Smith and Naomie Harris's characters, as well as the characters Love, Time and Death. I didn't really get much from Smith except in the last 20-30 min of the film. Most of the movie he was riding around on his bike, and not saying much ~shrugs. However I loved every scene he shared with Naomie Harris, and Harris's performance was my favorite. I thought Love, Death, and Time would have a more profound impact on the film, but they had very few scenes. 

There was so much death in this film that it was hard to see the beauty. There was humor injected in a movie that felt so heavy it just felt odd. I wanted to like this movie, but I just didn't get it. Can someone please explain the ending and Helen Mirren's character to me? The ending was a little predictable and very silly at the same time, but mostly because there was a lack of development for the story ~shrugs. I didn't hate it as much as Rotten Tomatoes, but I can't say I loved it either...C+

Movies in Review: "La La Land"

There was such great buzz around this movie that it finally convinced myself to go see it. Although I am a huge fan of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and their on-screen chemistry, I can't say I'm the biggest fan of musical films ~shrugs. I thought the trailer was cute, but the thought of all that singing made me wince. However as an avid movie-goer, there was no way I could pass up a film that has Oscar noms, and received 7 Golden Globe nominations...right!? I wasn't sure how I would feel after seeing it, but I had to know if it was worth all of the hype it has been receiving.

This movie is worth the hype and then some. I admit the opening scene made me cringe a little, because of course it started with a corny song...lol. However I got myself to relax to try and enjoy the film, and I found myself completely wrapped in it. I'm not a huge fan of musical film, but the performance scenes in this movie had me open. The music and performances were phenomenal. It was like a breath of fresh air was blown into a mirage of mundane films. This was something new...finally! The film industry needed this creative masterpiece. I could go on and on about Gosling and Stone, but anything I have to say about them is worth seeing on the big screen. This movie made me laugh and pulled and my heart strings. One of the best films I have seen this year.

I don't know what to say to anyone who isn't a fan of musicals, except I think you will still find enough entertainment value in this movie that the music will not be a negative factor. This movie is worth all the praises it has received, and well worth you seeing...A+

Movies in Review: "Office Christmas Party"

This was the movie I was most looking forward to seeing this weekend. The trailer for this film had me in stitches. I loved the cast, I was just hoping that there was more humor to the film than what was shown in the trailer. I tried not to get too excited about this one because I didn't want to be too disappointed, but there is no way in the world this movie wasn't going to be funny right!?

This movie was funny as hell. It was filled with some of the most entertaining characters I've seen in a comedy in a while. Everyone played their part well, even Jennifer Aniston, who would have been my only reason to not see this movie. Surprisingly, she wasn't that bad. My favorite characters were of course TJ Miller. This man knows how to be funny without trying to be funny. I love him for that. I think I laugh every time he opens his mouth...lol. Jason Bateman was also a fave of mine. I love his sarcastic quirky sense of humor. It always works for me. Kate McKinnon (the lady from Saturday Night Live) kind of annoyed me, but she always does. It always feels like she's trying too hard. My only other complaint was that the party scene was a little excessive and this movie could have been shortened by 25min. I think the funniest parts happened before the party really got started, but there is still enough laughter to hold you throughout the film.

I was a little worried that this movie wouldn't be able to deliver, but I am happy to say it did. This film is filmed with great comedic actors that all worked well together. I laughed out loud more than a few times, and found this movie to be super entertaining...B+

Movies in Review: "Miss Sloane"

Miss Sloane caught my eye while searching through fandango working out my weekend movie plans. I was surprised I had not seen a trailer for this film, it has a stellar cast with Jessica Chastain taking the lead, and looked like a great thriller. I love thrillers, although some of the material in political thrillers can fly over my head, I never walk out of the theater not catching the jist of the story...lol. I was looking forward to see this movie, and I was hoping to leave the theater more thrilled than confused...lol.

Now this was a good movie. Everything about this movie was great. Chastain was remarkable as the lead character Elizabeth Sloane. She is a BOSS! I really had a hard time figuring out if I hated her or loved her...but I think I'm definitely leaning more towards love. The story had a steady pace which I enjoyed, and great build-up. It is a must that you don't walk away and miss anything because it all comes together in the end. I honestly had no clue how this film was going to end, but with a running time of 2hrs + by the end I was ready for things to get sealed up. I wasn't expecting the ending that I got, which left my jaw on the floor and made this movie totally worth the 2+hrs.

I love a movie that can leave me stunned by end. It makes the movie less predictable and well worth it. I was beyond pleased with this film, but it was definitely the ending that won me over. If you are looking for a strong film that is thrilling and unpredictable, this is the one for you. I know you will enjoy it...A-

Movies in Review: "Jackie"

I love weekends like these, where there aren't any worldwide releases that I feel obligated to review. This was one of those weeks where I usually stay home, or indulge myself in an independent/limited release film, which was the case for Jackie. When I watched the trailer the story immediately grabbed me. We always hear about the assassination of Kennedy, but no one really spoke about the experience of the events for his wife sitting next to him. Besides it getting great reviews, I knew I wanted to see this anyway. Not to mention the theatrical poster is EVERYTHING. I love theatrical posters as much as I love movies, and the one for this film appealed to all of my senses, and is simply breathtaking, as the woman herself.

Natalie Portman is getting high praises for her performance as Jackie, and yes I think those praises are deserved...to an extent. She gave a great emotional performance, and seemed to really capture Jackie, but at times it seemed far too much. There were some parts of her performance that had me cringing. The way she was speaking at times annoyed the crap out of me, and also the stiff poses that she would make with her arms and faces had her looking like a mannequin. She definitely captured Mrs. Kennedy's shy demeanor, brains and beauty, but sometimes her performance was a little over the top. I enjoyed the film, but wished it had a better flow. The story would bounce back and forth from before the assassination to her husband's funeral arrangements, and killed the flow of the film. 

I enjoyed this side of the story being told, but I kind of wish it was told in a better way. I loved Portman's portrayal, but also found some of her performance to be cringe worthy. I was hoping to walk out the theater hoping to say I loved this one, but left the theater with a shrug and needing a nap...B-

Movies in Review: "Moana"

Omg...I have been waiting for the release of this film since I watched the first trailer. The trailer won me over with Maui voiced by Dwayne Johnson. From the trailer, Johnson was perfect as the voice for this character. I laughed and smiled each time this trailer came on. I love a good animated movie I can take my kid too. However I think I was more excited than him with this one.

Definitely one of the best animated films I've seen this year. I adored everything about this movie. The story was great, with great animation to back it up, and beautiful music to add to that, it is almost the perfect package. I loved all the characters, especially the chemistry between Maui and Moana. They were full of humor and entertainment, especially Maui. Everything that came out of his mouth made me laugh. I loved what they did with Maui's tattoos, which boosted this movie's entertainment in scenes that were already great. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this one, and not a dull moment to be had. My kid is 4yr old and was a little afraid of the ball of fire creature called Te Ka. Her scenes are few, just a warning for the younger kids.

This movie was great. This is one I would add to my animated collection (if I had one) because I could definitely watch this again and again...A+

Movies in Review: "Allied"

So I was thinking I would have had more interest in seeing this film, especially since it starred one of my favorite pieces of eye candy Brad Pitt. However I watched the trailer and was like..."eh...ok". Don't get me wrong, the trailer wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough to have me anticipating its release. So I went into the theater hoping my feelings about the trailer were wrong and that I would walk out of the theater pleasantly surprised...

I wasn't wrong, I was right. The movie was just ok. I think I was expecting more thriller, but this movie was instead all romance. Don't get me wrong, I love romantic films, but this movie was being advertised as more of a thriller, and the thrills were few. Marion Cotillard's performance blew me away, and Brad Pitt just looked awkward at times, especially in the romantic scenes. His performance didn't really get good to me until the middle to the end of the movie, that's when he seemed more comfortable with his character. This movie disappointed in the action scenes, the few there were. This movie lacked in power, and felt too fluffy.

I didn't hate this movie, but I wish it had more. There was very little that connected me to this film. I was waiting for the buildup, but it was mild and unnoticeable. There was far too much romance, and it could have used more thrills...C+

Movies in Review: "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"

So I honestly felt I would enjoy this film, totally overlooking the fact that it is related to The Harry Potter films, which I was never a fan of. However when I watched the trailer, unlike the Potter films, it definitely appealed to me. It helped that Eddie Redmayne was in the lead as Newt Scammander. I'm a fan of Redmayne's work, and couldn't see myself passing over a film he was in. Not to mention Colin Farrell was featured. Someone I'm also a fan of and who I'm rooting for a career comeback. This movie has been receiving high remarks from critics, so I was expecting to enjoy it.

I can say I did enjoy it, however I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. The movie felt a bit all over the place at times. There were way too many magical creatures that took away from the live characters in the story. Although visually beautiful and appealing, there was just way too much magic for my taste. Maybe it's because I didn't find the magic to be extraordinary, and sometimes just annoying at times. I found myself wanting to dose off more than once, but didn't for fear I'd miss something amazing, but that never happened. There were some entertaining scenes, but there were also some lack luster performances that too away from the film. My favorite characters were Jacob Kowalski the No-Maj and Queenie Goldstein. They were the best parts about the movie for me. I thought the creatures would be more interesting, but there were just too many of them for really have interest in any one in particular ~shrugs.

The movie was just ok for me, but I'm probably not the best judge since I had no interest in the Potter series. I would say that if you plan to see it, seeing on TV would do it no justice as there are some nice visual scenes that need to be experienced on the big screen...B-

Movies in Review: "The Edge of Seventeen"

I love a good coming of age comedy, and the trailer had me written all over it. I think I was anticipating this movie more than most people. Every time I watched the trailer I think I laughed out loud, and I was hoping the movie was as good as the trailer. Not to mention it starred Woody Harrelson, who I love, and Hailee Steinfeld, whose work I respect. I was in the mood for a feel good movie, and was hoping this could deliver.

I adored Steinfeld's performance in this role. She was great as the awkward teen Nadine trying to find out where she fits in. There was so much emotion in this film that I could relate to even at the late age of 40...smh. I was expecting Harrelson to have more of a goofball role, but it was nothing like that, and he was still perfect. The role fit him so well and didn't feel like he was trying or acting. His chemistry with Steinfeld made for some of the best comical scenes. However my favorite interactions were definitely the ones between Steinfeld and the young man who had a crush on her played by Hayden Szeto. Szeto was the best and had me smiling in every scene he was in. The characters made this film everything that is was and a joy to watch.

I would say I got everything I expected from this movie. It had a great story, interesting characters, emotion, and good humor. I think everyone can find something to love and take away from this film. It's one of those movies you don't necessarily need to run to the theater to see, but wouldn't be mad that you did...B+

Movies in Review: "Arrival"

Sooooo...about this movie....I honestly had very little interest in seeing this film. There was nothing about the trailer that moved or intrigued me. I found this strange since I am a huge fan of Amy Adams and her work. I think the only reason I went to see it was because critics were giving it such high marks and praising Adams performances. So I thought maybe I was missing something that the trailer wasn't revealing and took my chances to see this one.

You ever see a trailer expecting one thing, but then see the movie and it's nothing like what you expected. Yeah this is how Arrival was for me. I admit, I'm not the biggest sci-fi movie fan, but I don't dislike the genre as much as I hate horror. However this film was different. You think it's a sci-fi film, which it is, but it's like one of those sophisticated sci-fi movies like Interstellar, but a little on the dull side for my tastes. I think I was expecting something so completely different that I was unable to have the best experience from this movie. I wasn't expecting it to be so slow, and I found myself snoozing a few times. I thought Amy Adams was great, but I've seen better performances from her. This role didn't feel like anything special. By the time the movie ended I was feeling like I went through all of that just for this???? I can appreciate a good sci-fi pic, but this one missed me, and I left the theater trying to figure out if I even liked it ~shrugs.

The most I can say about this movie is that it's not what you are expecting. I love a though provoking sci-fi flick, but it's hard to provoke thought after being bored to death...ijs. It wasn't a horrible film, but just not my cup of tea...B-

Movies in Review: "Almost Christmas"

You ever get tired of seeing the same movie get redone with a new cast of actors and get marketed to you as if it was something brand new? Well this is how Almost Christmas was for me. I watched the trailer and found it to be very entertaining, and although the format of this film has been done before I still believed I would walk away from the film as entertained as the trailer had me feel. Unfortunately the best parts about this movie were all shown in the trailer...smh. Gotta hate when that happens.

I was hoping to have something good to say about this movie, but I'm finding it hard to do. I am so tired of us releasing the same types of films. This movie is almost exactly like "This Christmas". They both had very similar story lines that failed to impress. All this movie did was make exceptional actors look mediocre at best. I admit that I laughed, but I honestly could have watched this movie on BET instead of paying for it. Not at all worth running to the theater to see this one. Most of the funny parts were definitely shown in the trailer, and the movie didn't really have anything more exciting to offer. There were way too many small story lines that wasn't given the time to develop nicely. This movie didn't do a great job of making me care...eh.

Almost Christmas should have been shelved before it made it to theaters. With false promises of it being a movie for all to see was more of a disappointment and waste of time. All it did was expose our lack of creativity, which I hate...C

Movies in Review: "Doctor Strange"

Ok so I had been hearing about this movie from my Marvel hero fanatics far before the trailer was released. All were uber excited for it to be released. As I am not a comic book reader I couldn't take part in their anticipation. However when the first trailer was released my jaw absolutely hit the floor, and the hairs on my skin stood up. That trailer was everything, setting my expectations for this movie on another level that I didn't think would be possible for it to me. Let me first say, all expectations were met and then some. This movie was EVERYTHING!

I honestly don't know where to start with this movie, since I found everything in it divine and well done. So I'm just going to start with Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. I've always found Cumberbatch to be a remarkable actor, but not everyone is built to play a superhero, but not in this case. Cumberbatch was made for this role. I loved everything about him. His humor was on point, and he brought Doctor Strange to life. I don't think I could see anyone else playing this role as well as he did. I enjoyed the story, it had great movement, great comical moments and power. Besides Strange, Tilda Swinton's character was definitely another of my favorites...I loved her. 

Ok now let's talk about those visual effects. Did you see that remarkable work that was put on that big screen!? BTW...This movie has to be seen on a big screen, a premiere screening would be even better. If you have ever seen Inception and thought that was visually entertaining, this movie is like Inception on crack...Holy Cow...Wow! I was amazed by what my eyes were seeing. I'm still in awe.

By far one of the best films, especially Marvel films I have seen this year. I'm not for repeating films, but I could definitely see this one again. All I know is you have to make it to the theater for this one, anything less than seeing it on the big screen would be a waste...A+

Movies in Review: "Trolls"

Trolls!!! Wait...I really can't understand why I was so excited to see this movie since the troll toys always use to freak me out when I was younger. I kind of hated them, if I can be completely honest...smh. I guess I found them to be more adorable in an animated state though, because I could not wait to take my little man to see this one. I am such a kid at heart. I know my half the reason I wanted to see this movie so bad was because of all the bright colors...and of course the singing. I was happy that my kid wanted to see it as much as I did, I enjoy having him as a partner on my animated movie adventures! :)

My son knows nothing about the trolls, except what was seen in this movie. I'm happy to say this movie left a great impression on him, and he enjoyed it. I enjoyed it too. The animation was so beautiful, bright and full of color, it would be hard for any little one not to get drawn in. It was very visually appealing. The singing was off the chain, as to be expected, but I did feel like all of the singing sometimes got in the way of the story, and made it drag a bit...not too bad though. Anna Kendrick was perfectly cast as Poppy, and kept me laughing throughout. I also loved Zooey Deschanel who did her thing as the Bergen named Bridget, she was adorable. Timberlake didn't really do much for me until he finally started singing, only then did I actually enjoy his character, but that's not to say he was bad ~shrugs.

Trolls is such an adorable and fun movie. The soundtrack animation for the film will keep all thoroughly entertained. My kid left the theater saying "That was a good movie...right Mommy?" and I replied "It sure was boo"...B+

Movies in Review: "Loving"

I was completely drawn to this movie when I watched the trailer for the first time. It is known that I am a sap when it comes to love stories, but one based on a true story holds even more weight for me. What makes this story even more interesting is that this love story changed the laws against interracial marriage. With a number of my friends currently in interracial unions, I had to see the love story that was a part in making this a right. I had some expectations going into this film that I was sure would be met.

All expectations were met, although not really exceeded. I loved the story and wonderful performances from the cast. But the story lacked the power I thought it would have. The story was very harmonious throughout, but I felt it could have used a little kick. I found myself saying a few times "is this it?"...but it wasn't. The story got better as it went on, but still felt like it needed something. ~shrugs. The chemistry between Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga made up for what the story lacked. They were great on screen together, and after seeing the people they were portraying, it was remarkable how they captured their likeness. The film was very well cast, and one of my favorite performances from Edgerton.

The story was very long and a little too sweet, but still a joy to watch. To think that this case made it possible for you to love who you choose without race as a factor was nice to see on film. I think the story, although lacking power, was beautiful and very well done, and I would definitely recommend it...A-

Movies in Review: "Inferno"

So I'm a little late as I have never seen The Davinci Code and Angels & Demons, which are all films based on best-selling books. By the way, I have also never read any of the books ~shrugs. So I went into this film with little to no background on the story, so forgive me if I don't meet your standards for this review for anyone who is a follower of this series. I think the only reason I even went to see this film was because it was the only major released movie this weekend. If it wasn't, I might have passed on seeing this installment as well, especially since it received less than positive reviews from critics. My expectations weren't high, but I wasn't expecting it to be as bad as critics charmed it to be. Ron Howard was in the director's chair, and Tom Hanks was in the lead, so how bad could it be?

Ok so I'm not sure what critics were fussing about because I kind of enjoyed it more than the 20% Rotten rating Rotten Tomatoes gave it. I thought the film got off to a great start because it wasted no time getting into action. I was a little confused at all the symbolic lingo, but not confused enough that I was unable to follow the story. I liked how the story was a mystery at the beginning and was slowly pieced together by the end. It made the film more interesting to me because it was unpredictable and I didn't see the twist coming. Made the film very exciting for me, and came together well in the end. The film did a great job of building the story up and by the end my stomach was in knots and I was on the edge of my seat anticipating the events. This is what I enjoyed the most. I did think there were too many pieces/people in the story that cluttered the plot caused more confusion than was necessary. However none of that ruined the story.

I don't know how the movie compares with the book, nor do I care. I walked into this movie open-minded, and walked out satisfied. The film had great mystery, thrills, and surprises that held my full attention, what more could you ask for...B

Movies in Review: "Moonlight"

Finally...the critically acclaimed film Moonlight, written and directed by a fairly newcomer Barry Jenkins. This film had me intrigued from the release of its first trailer. You ever see a trailer for a movie that feels like poetry? Like everything is in sync and flows. This is what this trailer did for me. I loved that the trailer gave you just a taste of the story, but nothing that gave it all away. I also fell for the theatrical poster, which I would hang on my wall as art...it is a simple and beautiful piece of work. I knew I had to see this film in theaters. Everyone had the same idea this weekend. As a limited release, this film was only showing in 2 theaters and was sold out...Yaaaassssss! Once I saw this I purchased my ticket for a 10am show the next morning.

This movie was well worth me waking up at the crack of dawn and commuting just so I could make my showtime. This movie was everything. It was a work of art that is hard to put in words, but definitely something that needs to be experienced. I loved the way this movie was filmed, it was like poetry in motion. The cinematography heightened the story. It's crazy because the movie wasn't filled with a great deal of verbal dialogue, but delicate moments of body expressions. The musical score was also a masterpiece and injected life into every scene. I was very pleased with all performances, especially newcomer Trevante Rhodes, who plays the adult of the boy's story the story surrounds. The emotion that goes into a role like this and the remarkable way he pulled it off...wow. This young man is definitely one to watch.

It warms my soul to see movies like these, with original stories and great direction, acting, and cinematography, living up to all the hype placed behind it. This movie will hit an emotional cord that will have you thinking about this movie even after leaving the theater...A Must See...A+

Movies in Review: "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back"

I am always rooting for Tom Cruise (secretly...lol). I have always enjoyed him in action thrillers, and other roles as well, but action thrillers are my favorite genre for him. Age aside, this man can still get on the screen and kick butt. So I was looking forward to this sequel of Jack Reacher. I didn't have heavy anticipation, but I knew I would be seeing it. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the first one, and felt like this was the start of another decent franchise for Cruise.

Ok so the movie started out real cliché and corny in my opinion. The sequences that were happening in the beginning did nothing for the story and was leaving me bored. The action sequences for this movie, of course were great, but did nothing for the story that took away much of the film's life. There was nothing really out of the box for this movie, and it felt like it was following a very dull action-thriller handbook. I was left feeling less than impressed, so much so, I found myself falling asleep a few times. I could not wait until this movie ended, unfortunately it seemed to go on forever...smh.

All in all, I think the story lacked a little focus and was weak in so many areas and was a little cliché. The action was cool, but isn't enough to give this movie the boosts it needed. This sequel did nothing to outshine or even compare to the first one. I think I would be ok with them giving it another try with Jack Reacher 3, but I'm also ok with Reacher retiring...C+

Movies in Review: "Queen of Katwe"

Although I am behind on some of my reviews, I knew I had to make sure I watched this one. You ever watch a trailer and it gives you chills or causes and emotion? This happened to me every time I watched the trailer for this film. Not to mention Lupita Nyonga was starring in it, alongside David Oyelowo, two actors whose work I greatly appreciate and respect. I walked into the theater knowing that all of my expectations would be met, and that I would walk out of the theater smiling, but it far exceeded that.

This movie was like a breath of fresh air, and exactly what I needed. Everything about this movie was great. I loved where, and how the movie was filmed. All scenes had beautiful colors, and although the main character in story lived in the slums, it never felt like the slums. Lupita is getting well deserved praise because she was absolutely remarkable as Phiona's mother Nakku. She was a great representation of every mother who has their child's best interest at heart. I adored her in this role. There is no role that David Oyelowo doesn't kill, and this role is no different...he was perfect. However the best part about the movie were the kids cast in the film. They were amazing, fun and entertaining to watch. That finger popping thing they had going made me smile from ear to ear with each snap of their fingers. This is definitely one of the most inspiring films I have seen in a while. I had no idea the emotions it would bring out of me. I laughed, I cried (I mean seriously shed tears)...it was crazy...lol.

I am so happy someone decided to bring this young girl's story to the big screen. We need to see more stories like this. I left the theater on an emotional high and feeling inspired. Parents with daughters should definitely take their girls to see this...boys are welcomed too...lol. This is one movie that is a MUST SEE for all...A+

Movies in Review: "The Girl on the Train"

It kind of depresses me to think that we are losing our creativity with the constant remakes, and film reboots. How many books do we need adapted into film?...yawn. I really shouldn't be complaining, since I haven't read most of the books that are no movies...but still. Creativity is stepping out the door for films, and I'm just left here feeling empty. Well that's what most of the films I've seen in the past few years have me feeling, and this is another to add to the list. I wasn't impressed with the trailer for this film, but Emily Blunt was in it, and there was nothing else released this weekend, so I took my chances. Some books just don't need to be adapted into film...this would be one of them...

I swear sitting through this movie was like watching paint dry. It moved so freaking slow. So slow that it was hard to connect, or even care about the characters. I enjoyed Emily Blunt who gave great emotional performance, but the story did nothing to back her performance. The movie felt as if I was reading the book, except I couldn't skip pages to get myself quickly to the end...yes it was like that...I just wanted it to be over. Movie is being marketed with this "thrilling twist" in the plot, but when it got to that part I was less than thrilled, surprised, or satisfied. I was like "I sat through all of that for this?"...womp womp. The film does a decent job at building the story, but it took way too long for it to climax. The story wasn't really good enough for me to care...

I curse these book adaptions. Not every book needs to be seen on the big screen. It makes more sense to leave some on pages. If the book reads anything like this movie, I could see myself struggling to get through half of it, but eventually giving up out of boredom and tossing it to the side never to be read again...ijs...C-

Movies in Review: "The Birth of a Nation"

You could cut the tension, buzz and anticipation on the release of this movie with a knife. The film that is written, produced, stars, and is also the directorial debut for Nate Parker. As a fan of Parker's work I was definitely looking forward to what he would do with a film based on the story of Nat Turner, a slave who rebelled against slave owners. As I write this review, I feel my blood boiling, but I will do my best to remain focused on this movie...

I must say, not a bad debut Mr. Parker, not bad at all. This movie had its flaws, but when it comes to the story of Nat, I enjoyed it. The movie started out a bit weak. It was a little all over the place and I wasn't the biggest fan of some of the performances, especially by the kid who played young Nat. The movie got better for me when Nate Parker (who is an exceptional actor) arrived on the scene. Parker always exudes the best emotions in any character he plays. That is a remarkable thing to do. I definitely enjoyed him in the role of Nat. However, the film lacked the power I was expecting from the trailer. It was kind of lukewarm throughout the film with jolts of fire. Definitely not like what 12 Years a Slave had you feeling, just in case some of you are looking for that. Besides Parker, many of the other performances were nothing to really praise. Armie Hammer was ok...but he's always just ok. Gabriel Union is in the cast, but I seriously don't recall her having a speaking role...so weird. Aja, who played Cherry, wasn't bad, and I look forward to her in more roles. I also had a major problem with the makeup. Why did they have Aja Naomi King looking like that in her first scene? Was that wig you had on her necessary, was the black face supposed to be dirty? And don't get me started on the ash around some of the slaves’ mouth. The poor make-up job took away from the movie more than it needed too.

The movie seriously focuses on Nat and religion, which I didn't have a problem with. As we all know religion was used to keep slaves/people in line. As with Nat's story, it is the motivating force (among others) for his actions, I believe Parker's directing could use a little work, but not bad for a debut. I felt the story was a bit rushed in some parts. Like I wish there was more time spent on the organizing of the slaves for the rebellion. That should have been a bigger part of the story.

In response to all the controversy over the rape charges he was acquitted of in 1999 and the plot of rape inaccurately portrayed in film, I will say this...Nate Parker has had a 12yr career and has been in at least 20 films since he was acquitted and I never heard a peep about these charges until 2016. With word of Oscar nominations for this film dredging up dirt on him seems convenient. I can't be the judge and jury on the charges that were brought against him because he was already trialed for those in 1999. I will however like to point the finger at the media for pretending to care about the alleged victim by bringing up this case just to push your own agenda...shame on you. His first movie role was in 2005, and there was no press for the alleged victim and her case? There is so much focus on a man who was acquitted of charges 17yrs ago, and hardly any press given to Brock Turner and his sexual assault victim. Why is that? As far as the rape that was added in the plot is it really historically inaccurate. It is historically known that slave women were repeatedly raped by their slave owners, and that part of the story is portrayed in every slave film. Unless you can say the rape of black slaves never happened, please do me the favor and have several seats...I'm just going to leave that right there. 

All in all I enjoyed Parker's powerful performance. Parker's directing could use some work as the story sometimes lost its way. I enjoyed the strong focus on Nat, but felt there were some compelling parts of his story and the rebellion that were left out. I applaud Parker for bringing Nat Turner's story (one that needs to be told) to the big screen...B+

Movies in Review: "Deepwater Horizon"

As much as I enjoy any movie Mark Wahlberg is in, I honestly wasn't that hype about this movie. That's not to say I had no plans of seeing it, but if I missed it, I don't think I would have been trying to catch it on another weekend. I honestly think it was Kate Hudson who turned off the appeal of this movie for me. I don't have the most confidence in Hudson's acting abilities, and anything I've seen her in has only been "ok" at best. She has a way of bringing down the value of a film in my opinion, and her presence in the trailer brought down my desire to see it. If it wasn't for the exceptional buzz around this movie, I think I honestly would have let it pass...ijs.

Kate Hudson still brought down the value of this film for me, but her scenes were so few, the value wasn't brought down enough to really count. This movie was way better than I expected. I enjoyed the way it was filmed, with some scenes being filmed in continuous motion. There was good movement throughout, never a dull moment. The cast was great and worked well together. I loved John Malkovich and that southern accent he was giving me. Malkovich can do no wrong in my eyes, always an exceptional actor. Wahlberg was receiving exceptional praises for this role, which were well deserved. But it fell in line with most of his other performances in my opinion. My favorite part about this movie was the build-up, climax, and ending...so I guess you can say, the whole movie. The action scenes were phenomenal, and had my heart racing. I was jumping in my seat, and to think this was a true story...Wow!

This film didn't have the best trailer, and if you saw Kate Hudson you probably lost as much interest as I did. Please don't let what the trailer was lacking deter you, because this is a good movie. The best movie I watched this weekend, and have seen in a while...A+

Movies in Review: "Masterminds"

I had a ton of movie choices to see this weekend, and for some reason I chose this one...why? Something told me to pass on this one, especially since reviews for this film were less than positive. But I was in the mood to laugh, and I can usually count on more than a few chuckles from this cast in other separate movies. I wasn't expecting anything great from this one. I knew it would be filled with nonsense, but I was hoping it would still win me over with the humor. Unfortunately it didn't...

I have seen some not-so-great movies, but this one made me wish I could get back the 2hrs I wasted to see this film...smh. Why was this movie not funny? When I say not funny, I mean I didn't laugh or even chuckle once. It was just plain stupid. I think the most this movie got out of me was a smirk, and a few Zzzzzzz's because I was bored to death...yawn. This movie was straight nonsense, unfunny nonsense, the worst kind...smh. I am sitting here trying to remember something I enjoyed, but thinking about the time I wasted seeing it is only causing my stomach to hurt...ijs.

This movie had the cast that should have made it a comedic hit, but unfortunately none of the elements worked well for this film. I think maybe I should have been high while watching, but I'm not sure if that would have even helped...D-

Movies in Review: "The Magnificent Seven"

I know I'm a week late and a dollar short with this review, but a girl needs to get away ~shrugs. Vacation or no vacation though, this was a top priority for me to see when I returned. I don't think I've ever missed a movie Denzel Washington starred in, and I wasn't about too now. Besides Washington though, the entire cast had me anticipating this film that was also directed by Antoine Fuqua, whose work I also respect. I am usually not the biggest fan of remakes, but I have never seen the original, so in my eyes this remake would be an "original" for me.

Am I the only one who thought this movie started out a little corny? The church scene at the beginning was definitely had a little bit of corn in it. I don't think it had much to do with what was going on, but some of the character performances were lacking a bit. The actor playing Bogue, definitely saved this scene. The movie moves along nicely after this point, although I wasn't the biggest fan of the actress who played Emma Cullen. She kind of brought every scene she was in down. I'm just happy she wasn't in too many scenes.

The characters playing The Magnificent Seven a very much enjoyed. Of course my favorite was Chris Pratt, who is always great comic relief, and Vincent D'Onofrio who was a strong element of surprise and weird humor. I thought the cast worked well together, and made for an entertaining movie. The action scenes were fun to watched and directed well. 

I wasn't disappointed in the time I set out for this 2+ hour film. It was well worth my time. The cast was great, and had well executed action scenes that stole the show. I don't know how this compares to the original, all I know is I enjoyed this version very much...B+

Movies in Review: "Storks"

Ok so I had to play catch up this weekend since I took a little vacation to celebrate my birthday. There were a number of movies I was interested in seeing that were released during my absence. Storks was definitely one, on my “to see” list. I've always had a love for animated movies, especially ones that are as cute as this one. Plus these animated films always make for great Mother/Son dates. My kid loves him a good movie, but I think I was more excited to see this one than he was...lol. I mean seriously, who doesn't want to see a movie featuring cute, little, giggly animated babies...lol.

Usually I chuckle at animated films, but this one had me cracking up. The characters in this film were so cute and well done, it was hard not to laugh. My favorite characters were The Wolfpack, who should have been hired by Beyoncé because they knew how to get in formation. The scenes with them were some of the most humorous. The White Stork and Tulip were fun to watch too. Their back and forth made for a very fun and entertaining adventure. I think the movie was made to entertain both adults and children because there were a number of adults laughing as hard as I was.

Storks was adorable, and something both kids and adults will enjoy. I wouldn't call it one of my top rated animated films of all time, but it does the job. With beautiful animation and even better characters, this one is definitely a winner in my book...B+

Movies in Review: "Sully"

There are certain directors I would bet on every time, Clint Eastwood is one of them. There isn't a film Eastwood has directed that I didn't enjoy. So when I saw that he was in the director's chair for Sully, my anticipation grew, and expectations high. To add to this, Tom Hanks (one of my favorite actors) is cast as the lead. I was looking forward to being entertained seeing a great movie, because there was no doubt in my mind this is what this was going to be...

Eastwood amazes me. I say this because at first the movie didn't seem like much. I mean, we all know the story of the plane that landed in the Hudson. It really seems like a simple story. However Eastwood takes it deeper and really makes it a theatrical event. He did an amazing job of making the audience feel like we were on that aircraft. I seriously felt the fear and anxiety, as if I were a passenger on that flight. It was kind of amazing. The direction was excellent, but so were the performances. Tom Hanks did his thing as Captain Sully. I could feel his emotions and the fear of his decision to land in the Hudson. I loved how Eastwood gives us a deeper look into what was written in the headlines. My only complaint was I wish they had better extras in the background. The emotions of the extras filmed after the crash didn't look believable. It kind of took away from a great scene...well for me anyway...lol.

Sully is filled with emotion, which helped with the experience of the film. I loved everything about it, and walked out of the theater more than pleased...A-

Movies in Review: "When the Bough Breaks"

I'm really starting to get disappointed with Morris Chestnut and his movie role choices. He is really starting to be type cast. Starring in the same role in all his movies. The trailer for this movie felt so reminiscent of The Perfect Guy, which a complete fail. The only reason I decided to give this one a chance was because of Regina Hall, who I adore as an actress. I wasn't expecting anything great from this film. If anything at least I knew I would get a great performance from Hall, and possible get the chance to see Chestnut shirtless, which is close to a win win...lol

First off let me say I enjoyed the performances. Hall was great, Chestnut was average and the newcomer Sinclair was pretty good as well. However this movie was nothing groundbreaking. But what really killed this film was the story and directing. There were a few irrelevant plot lines that only took away from the story. Romany Malco's character seemed irrelevant, as well as the surrogate's boyfriend. The build-up in this movie took forever and climaxed quickly at the end, but also let the audience baffled and unsatisfied. This movie was a little unfocused and dragged on longer than what was really necessary. It was getting so bad towards the end, it felt like no one really knew how to end it. Which is why the movie felt so incomplete.

There is really nothing great to see here. At least nothing you need to run to theaters to see...unfortunately. This story has been done before, but done better. Its unfortunate these performances were wasted on such a lack luster film...oh well...C-

Movies in Review: "White Girl"

So the 2 new wide released films this weekend, I really had no interest in seeing. This film "Morgan" looked like a counterfeit version of the remarkable film "Ex Machina", so I had no desire to see that. The other movie released didn't really appeal to me much either, although I am a huge fan of the two main actors ~shrugs. Well when I have weekends like this, I go searching for Independent/Limited Released films. In my search I came across White Girl...see trailer. That trailer is crazy right!? Right...so you know I had to see this, the positives reviews this film has received also helped to get me into the theater too.

Ummmmmmm...yeah...drugs are bad! I was definitely exhausted by the time credits rolled from this film. It is a crazy adrenaline rush that will have you feeling like your high following the lives of NYC youth on summer break. Your summer will seem like nothing to the ridiculous stuff these kids find themselves in. The story is incredible, but I also found myself a little sick by the things that were happening to the character Leah. I mean...ummmmmmmm...I have no words, I was just uncomfortable and at times angry. Anyone who is raising a daughter may find yourselves feeling the same way. Some of you may walk out of this movie and put your girls on punishment for life, just because. I know I walked out of the theater and was giving men the side eye...seriously. They really take it there in this film, and held back nothing.

I wish I could go into more detail, but this is a movie that you have to see for yourself. If the trailer gets you, the movie is way more intense...A

Movies in Review: "Morris from America"

Soooooooo, I a little late reviewing this one. As a matter of fact, I'm so late, this movie is actually making its way out of theaters at this point...oooops. I never heard of this movie, until it was recommended by two of my friends on Facebook, as a movie I needed to review. You guys know I'm not one for reviewing movies that have already been in theaters for weeks, but since this one came highly recommended, had Craig Robinson starring in it, and there wasn't much released this Labor Day weekend, I gave it a go. I enjoyed the trailer...so why not...

I was told in advance this movie explores hip-hop, and I gathered that from the trailer. But that wasn't all that the story was about. Yes hip-hop was integrated into the story of a misunderstood black kid living in Germany. I did enjoy the hip-hop vibe, although the story was so much more than just music. The hip-hop music they selected for this film were on point. I was vibing throughout. I also enjoyed the old school rap and artist references, it was like being taken back to when hip-hop was great. Robinson was great to watch as a single father of a teenage boy. Robinson has great comic delivery, but held back just enough for this mildly serious role that he played exceptionally well. The young kid who plays Robinson's son Mo, was also well cast. It was easy to fall in love with him, and feel his pain as a young teen in love. The young woman cast as his tutor was definitely my favorite character though. She added humor and a level ground for the story.

The story was cute, and at times emotional. It is not all about hip-hop, but hip-hop music is definitely well incorporated into the story. I'm sure you won't find this film in theaters at this point, but you should definitely be on the lookout for it on cable TV or Redbox...A-

Movies in Review: "Southside with You"

Ok so a movie about FLOTUS & POTUS's first date? No question I was going to be in the theaters to catch this. They are one of my favorite couples, and I had to see how this story played out. When I watched the trailer, there was something so endearing about their first date, but I expected nothing less. Not to mention the actors cast in these lead roles gave me chills. Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers definitely emulated the younger versions of their real life characters. I had high expectations for this film, and didn't doubt that they would be met.

I absolutely loved this story. Keep in mind the entire movie is about their first date, so to some, the movie may move a bit slow. I found the pace helped in the experience of their date. I love the camera shots and attention paid to subtle details. It gave the movie a light and refreshing feel, but also added to the story. 

Now let’s get to the actors. Where in the hell did they find Parker Sawyers??? It felt like he was made for this role. They couldn't have chosen a better actor. I was seriously wondering if Obama had a son that they cast to play him in this movie, like Ice Cube did in Straight Outta Compton. Yes the similarities were scary. Felt like it was actually the young Obama, from every word, move, and puff of his cigarette. It was amazing. Sumpter was also great as Michelle Obama. Her demeanor and poise was on point. My only complaint would be that she was trying way too hard to sound like her that it would take away from her performance. It was a little annoying at times, but didn't ruin the movie. She was still a great choice for the role.

I couldn't have been more pleased with this film. It is all that you want it to be. It is everything you'd expect from their first date. Such a beautiful beginning. Movie had me smiling inside and out...A+

Movies in Review: "Don't Breathe"

Ok soooooooo...we know I'm not one for a horror flick. I often find them to be filled with weak stories and obligatory weak scare tactics ~shrugs. However there a few films in this genre that can catch my interest and drive me into the theater...this happened to be one of them. I really dug the trailer, and I'm also a fan of the young actor Dylan Minnette. I dislike being scared, but I also find it kind of fun and thrilling. I was hoping this movie would live up to this standard. I'm a little surprised to say this, but oh my...this movie was everything.

There was little about this film that I didn't enjoy. I enjoyed the story, direction and performances by the cast. The movie moved well and kept you on the edge of your seat. My only issue was maybe in the 1st scene when the character "Rocky" did the dumbest thing ever, making it easy for him and his crew to be found, if that was what the movie focused on, but it didn't...so I guess it wasn't really a big deal ~shrugs.

This is definitely a horror thriller that horrifies and thrills. There were so many elements in this movie that will have you shaking in your pants. Every move, breathe will have you on the edge of your seat, or jumping out of it. I was scared shitless...seriously. By the time the movie was over my heart was racing 100 miles a minute. There is never a dull moment in this film, and more than enough "OMG" moments...such a thrill.

This is definitely a winner. This movie is filled with real horror, not gag thrills. The story makes sense and characters are great. It will be a jolt to your system all the way to credits end. This movie still has me shook...lol...A-