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-