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-