Movies in Review: "The Founder"

So I'm kind of late with this review...I was just having one of those weeks where I didn't have the desire to tap my opinion about this movie away on a keyboard. I'm sure we have all been there, sometimes you just need a damn break right!? However I do feel I would be doing my fans a disservice if I totally passed on writing and making you aware of this film, because it was that damn good, and who's not interested in the story of how the infamous fast food chain McDonald's was acquired...I know I was.

Can I just say, this is one of the better films I have seen this year. January doesn't really crank out blockbuster movies, but is usually like a dud month when it comes to films. However The Founder made my month. I never knew the story of the McDonald's franchise, but it is definitely one you want to see, holy cow. Ray Kroc was no freaking joke, and the moves he made and the people he stepped on to get McDonald's and his pockets into the position is...wow. Michael Keaton was phenomenal as influential businessman Ray Kroc. Definitely one of my favorite roles from Keaton since his last film Spotlight. As a matter of fact Keaton his killed his last few roles, but this one definitely rating at the top. The story, movie direction and performances all make this a top rated film. There will be something that you will learn, or take away from this film once it's over. I love movies that impact me, and this one did just that.

Anyone who has the entrepreneurial spirit will definitely love this film. If you like a film with substance, then this is the one for you. If I was a movie collector (which I'm not) this movie would be in my collection to watch again and again from time to time. Yes this is one of those films that I could see more than once...A+

Movies in Review: "Split"

The trailer for this film immediately captured my attention, and mainly because it starred James McAvoy, who is one of my favorite actors. However, the PG-13 rating had me a little worried, as did M. Shylamalan in the director's chair. Shylamalan doesn't have the best track record with films, sometimes missing the mark on films that should have been great, i.e. After Earth and The Last Airbender. I was willing to take my chances with this film, but feeling like I would likely leave the theater more disappointed than not ~shrugs.

Not a bad movie at all, and I have to give most of the credit to the performance of McAvoy, who put it down playing the multiple personalities of the character Kevin Wendell Crumb. He was what made this movie as entertaining and interesting as it was. McAvoy outshined everyone, including the 3 teenage girls his character held captive. They were so forgettable...smh. The subplots in the story was good, but I wish we could have gotten more background of Kevin. Although this film had a PG-13 rating, it pushed its limits and was still able to be thrilling. Although I think an R-rating would have given this film the little something extra it needed, I was still entertained...for the most part. I think I enjoyed everything about this film, except for the end. I guess I was supposed to take away something from the last few scenes, but it kind of felt like the movie gave up. The character Casey was so deer in the headlights in every scene, it was a little annoying...smh. Also I never watched the film Unbreakable, which it seems this film is the second installment for that film. So the last scene was over my head.

Split wasn't bad. McAvoy's performance was everything, but unfortunately almost everyone else around him didn't match his work. However he held it down and is enough to get you into the theater to see it...B+

Movies in Review: "XxX: Return of Xander Cage"

Should I really go to see movies in series without first viewing the previous films in the series? I have done this far too often, and usually I don't find myself lost...lol. I did try to watch the second film in this XxX series, but found myself changing the channel after 10min...smh. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the XxX films, however I'm definitely a Vin Diesel fan, especially when it comes to action flicks. I think the only reason I decided to catch this 3rd installment was because Diesel was looking extra delicious and my eyes were begging for the eye candy. So I had no expectations of this movie being good, I only went because I wanted to Vin Diesel and all of that scrumptiousness...lol. Don't worry fellas, I promise not to exploit Diesel's well put together body in my review, as a matter of fact, this is the last statement you have to read about it...lol.

The best part about this movie was definitely the action sequences, which teetered on extremely unbelievable, and sometimes moronic, but still entertaining. Vin Diesel honestly isn't the best actor out there, but he knows how to make a character work. Besides the action sequences, I can't say there was much else I enjoyed about the film. I thought the characters didn't get enough screen time to develop properly. There were a bunch of characters who seemed interesting, but were so limited. I really wish the character Adele Wolff played by Ruby Rose had more screen time. She was one of the most interesting characters that should have had a bigger role. Her action sequence with the character Serena was everything. I'm all about girl power, and that scene rocked. The DJ Kid seemed like a waste for the team, and the other characters were ok, but really nothing special ~shrugs.

All in all, the story was extra corny, with Diesel landing one liners that often fell flat...it’s a good thing he's cute...lol. The action sequences are great. So if you're into that, then you might find this movie more entertaining than I did...C+

Movies in Review: "Patriot's Day"

This movie was finally wide released this weekend, although it had been showing in NYC since Dec 25. As you can see, I was still deciding whether I was going to see this movie. But it was either this or Live by Night with Ben Affleck, who I haven't been able to take seriously since that horrible Batman v Superman film...smh. So needless to say Patriot's Day won the toss, and I will leave it up to you guys to tell me about Live by Night ;).

This movie is about the Boston Marathon bombings that too place not too long ago in 2013. To some of us it's like it happened yesterday as we were all following the details of the investigation on the news. I probably didn't follow the story as much as everyone else, since I was more worried that there was a bomb somewhere else ready to go off...smh. I wasn't worried that this movie would be good, but films like these can be hard to watch, especially when you lived to experience it. I'm not sure if any of the people who were involved in this incident have seen the film, but from my stand point, I thought that it was very well done. This movie still gives me chills. The intensity is on another level for this film. It's like you are personally experiencing the tragedy. What made the film more real and intense was the real video camera footage that was added in the film. My body still has chills. The experience of this film with have your emotions in overdrive. I know I was a wreck. The direction was great, and the performances stellar. I cannot express how I, considering, enjoyed this movie.

There is no way you will walk away from this movie not feeling something. With a running time of a little over 2hrs, you won't even be able to take your eyes off the screen. By the time the credits roll your body will be filled with emotions that will cause you to cry, and looking for a very strong drink...ijs. If you are into films like these, then I recommend you see this before it leaves theaters...A+

Movies in Review: "Silence"

I wish I could tell you what made me decide to see this film, especially since movies based around religion aren't my favorite films. Not that I'm not a religious or spiritual person, but I'm not one who would speak about it at the dinner table...ijs. Although the premise of the story didn't really grasp my attention, I am a huge Scorsese fan. He has directed some of my favorite films like Shutter Island, The Departed, Wolf of Wall Street, and more. So I may have been on the fence with this film, Scorsese had a track record with me that had me feeling I should give this film a chance. 

I'm really not sure how to review this film, however I came to the absolute conclusion that I do not like films centered on religion. Films like these bring out too many emotions, and anger is the heaviest one...smh. I can say that I do enjoy the way Scorsese directs a film. I loved how the film looked visually. I also enjoyed the performances, but it was the content that failed to appeal to me. What made matters worse was the almost 3hr running time of this film. This movie felt so drawn out for no reason. By the 2hr mark, I was ready to go. You will leave the theater feeling like you have just spent 8hrs there. I think the movie would be more appealing to audiences if they had kept the story short and sweet. By the time the credits rolled, everyone in the audience just looked exhausted and like the life was just sucked out of us...and that's what it felt like.

Silence is getting praises and being looked at as some of Scorsese's best work, but I'd beg to differ. My first question for critics is..."For Who?" What movie-goer seriously wants to sit through this movie? I enjoyed aspects of it, but found myself snoozing, bored, and ready to leave for most of the film. No person wants to give up 3hrs of their time for that...ijs...C+