Movies in Review: "Sherlock Gnomes"

I was not the biggest fan of the first gnomes film and was quite surprised they felt this film was worth a sequel. I had no plans at all of catching this second installment if I didn't have a kid. It was my little guy that had me grudgingly purchase 2 tickets for a film I knew I was not going to enjoy ~rolling eyes. There was no way I could pass on this movie as it seemed my kid had it already booked in his own personal mental calendar...ugh. So, I went to see this movie hoping at least he would enjoy it.

I found myself pleasantly surprised. Critics marked the first film better than this sequel, but I have to disagree. I was seriously bored to death with that first gnome movie. I remember yawning and wondering who thought this would make a good animated film. However, to me, the sequel was far better. I loved the addition of Sherlock Gnomes, voiced by Johnny Depp. I thought his characters was fun and humorous. The character Watson was also a great addition, and the chemistry between him and Sherlock made for a great storyline. The addition of these characters gave a little reprieve to the other gnomes, who I found a bit dull in the first film. I loved the animation much more in this film than the first. The colors felt brighter and held my attention more. Gnomeo and Juliet I also enjoyed more. Their characters seemed to have more personality in this sequel.

I believe this is a decent animated film for the young kids. My little guy was happy with what he saw and was telling me about the movie even after we left the theater. This is not my favorite animation, but I did enjoy this sequel a little deal than its predecessor. That's a plus...C+

Movies in Review: "Pacific Rim Uprising"

I was a huge fan of the first film, so it didn't take much for the sequel to get on my radar. It didn't hurt that the rock 'em sock 'em trailer featuring the Tupac track had me all types of hype when it came on. John Boyega starring in this sequel was just the icing on the cake, and I was here for all of it. I loved the robot/Kaiju battles in the first film, so my expectations were on another level for what would be delivered in this film.

This film definitely had more fight battles, but unfortunately not half as exciting as I had hoped they would be. There was only so much punching, pushing and throwing each other around I could take. I was really expecting more. I was especially disappointed that the robots were the same old machines used in the first film. I was definitely expecting an upgrade. The kaiju monsters were phenomenal, but also looked completely impossible for those small robots to beat ~shrugs. I enjoy the new cast, for the most part, especially John Boyega and the young actress who played Amara, she was great. Boyega made this movie for me, with his over the top personality, he stole every scene. He brought fresh energy this film was lacking. I wasn't the biggest fan of the fighters being so young in this film. It also didn't help that there was little background information on any of them, so it was hard to connect with the characters. They just seemed like space fillers ~shrug.

I didn't hate this film, it definitely had some good things going for it, namely Boyega. However, the film didn't offer anything new and fresh from the first film. Boyega's performance is about the only thing memorable about this sequel...C-

Movies in Review: "Tomb Raider"

I am not the biggest fan of remakes and reboots. I think it lacks creativity trying to throw the same story at us with new characters added into the roles ~shrugs. I was never a huge fan of Angelina Jolie, and therefore never watched the original Tomb Raider films, but know of its following from the video game. However, I am a fan of Alicia Vikander, and didn't mind seeing her in this role for the reboot. I had no doubt Vikander would deliver, however I was still unsure about my preference for the film.

Eh...Vikander definitely kicked ass and was the best thing about this movie. Her action sequences, although completely unbelievable, were fun to watch. She kills in an action role, and her physique will have you rethinking that summer body you gave up working on...ijs...lol. I wasn't impressed with the story or writing. There was nothing really exceptional about this reboot, in my opinion, to make me want to see this reboot continue. Vikander was great, but the action sequences were so far-fetched, it was hard to believe they were survivable. Vikander only received a few scratches in the film but in reality, what she went through would have seriously left her mangled. Although interesting sequences, you want to at least feel like it would have been possible for your heroin to actually survive and not feel like it was all fake...ijs.

I wasn't expecting to love this film. I expected to like Vikander, and I did. The rest of the movie was just ok, and I seriously could have waited for its television release. It is unlikely I will follow this reboot all the way through for another film. Vikander was the only upgrade from this reboot, everything else about this movie was just stale...C-

Movies in Review: "Love, Simon"

Romantic comedy-dramas might be my favorite genre of movies. I have a weakness for great coming of age stories, they have the ability to warm my heart and usually put a smile on my face when I need it. I hadn't really heard much about Love, Simon, and I think I watched the trailer once, but once was all I needed. The trailer definitely captured my attention as a movie I wanted to see. I was more than excited to see this film and was set to have an enjoyable movie experience at the least. An enjoyable experience I did receive.

I kinda loved this movie from beginning to end. This movie is heartfelt. It drew me in and didn't let go until the credits rolled. I went through a number of emotions watching this film, I laughed and may have shed a tear, or at least felt like I could have...lol. The story was really well written and performed by a wonderful cast. My favorite characters without question were Simon (the main character), but also Tony Hale as the Vice Principal. I seriously wish I had him as a vice principal or even a teacher. He was great. I loved the spirit and enthusiasm he gave this character. I also enjoyed the Queer black kid they cast. His role was very powerful for the film. This film had all the elements you would want from a coming of age story, including the awkwardness, and crazy things kids do. This film has some really nice moments.

I felt great leaving the theater after watching this film, and of course I left with a smile. I love a film that can draw me in and evoke emotion and has me falling in love with the characters. This movie did all of that. If you are a fan of films like this, then this is one I recommend you see...A

Movies in Review: "A Wrinkle in Time"

I love me some Ava DuVernay, so I was more than excited to see her direct this science fantasy film based off the book of the same name by Madeleine L'Engle. I found the trailer for this film to be beautiful and exciting. I loved the diverse casting for characters, and visuals. Needless to say, my expectations were very high as DuVernay has already directed a combined number of films and TV shows that I love. I went into the theater with enthusiasm and walked out with dread about writing this review. ~smh

I'm not saying this movie was bad, but I will say if I had lowered my expectations I think I might have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, this movie combines all its best parts in the trailer, then in the film these parts are spread out causing the film to drag, at least for me anyway. I was expecting the feeling I received from the trailer, and much more, but the much more never happened. Someone commented to me that I would have enjoyed it more with the mindset of a pre-teen. I can agree with this, as this age group is the targeted audience.  However, the novel was written in 1962, and any fan of the book would be my age or older (fyi...I never read the book). This movie may be more appealing to pre-teen girls, I'm not sure boys will find it as entertaining ~shrugs.

I wanted to love this movie more, but I felt it lacked character development. I felt thrown into the story and wanted to know a little more about what I was getting into. I also thought the film would be a little more visually appealing, but even that aspect was just ok. I wasn't wowed nearly as much as I thought I would be. The costumes and make-up were great, but Oprah's heavy glittered and beaded eye make-up was giving me anxiety. I swore she was going to slice her retina...lol. I did love Reese Witherspoon, she was the most enjoyable character along with the young actor who played Charles Wallace. The other kid actors could have used some help. The emotions of the main young actress felt contrived.

I wanted to love this movie, but by the final scene I was waiting for it to end. The final scene really dragged...omg...smh. The movie was perhaps a little too dramatic and was in my opinion too slow. It lacked character development in my opinion and missed the mark for me visually. I wish I had something better to say. I do think it's a decent film to see with your preteen daughters, for everyone else, if you lower your expectation you might find your experience to be more enjoyable...B-

Movies in Review: "Gringo"

The thing that attracted me most about this film was the cast. It also didn't hurt that I found myself laughing through the trailer. I am always open for a good comedy, and it was nice to see David Oyelowo give his comedic chops a go. I think my expectations expectations were about average for this film. I definitely felt I would walk out of the theater satisfied, as it has more than a few of my favorite actors cast in it. However sometimes a great cast isn't enough to save a bad movie.

Now I'm not saying I hated this movie, or that it was completely bad, but the content was more than enough to personally rub me the wrong way. The best part about this film was definitely David Oyelowo who was more than amusing. He was a very animated character and provided most of the comedy for this film. I thought they over-sexed Charlize Theron's character. To me she's better than this role. I usually like Joel Edgerton, but just like Red Sparrow, he was just ok in this movie. He doesn't really bring much to the film. Sharlto Copely had a small bit role playing Edgerton's brother, and brought more to the movie than than most of the main characters. I didn't see the significance for Amanda Seyfried's storyline. It was like an additional subplot that was hardly needed. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of Seyfried...ijs. Although I didn't love this movie, there were parts (very small) I did enjoy. I enjoyed the story Edgerton's character told Oyelowo's character concerning the gorillas involving carrots and bananas. That story made me smile, especially how it played into the ending :).

All in all, I can't say I would recommend paying for this one. You will enjoy it more if you caught it on Netflix, or in Redbox ~shrugs...C

Movies in Review: "Red Sparrow"

It has been a while since a movie has filled me with excitement. Much have been the same old mundane plots inserting different actors. This is how I felt when I watched the trailer for this film. It reminded me of Atomic Blonde, which I was not the biggest fan of. However I was willing to give this film a go as my only other choice was Death Wish, and you couldn't pay me to see that. I wasn't expecting much, but I did feel I chose the better of the 2 movies released this weekend ~shrugs.

You know...I like me some Jennifer Lawrence. Much respect to her performance in this film because if it wasn't for her I probably would have been sleeping. This young lady really knows how to dive into a role and pull it off. I was really surprised by this role as this film was very sexual in content. So much so, I found myself squirming uncomfortably in my seat during some scenes. I love a good spy thriller, but this one added very little new and was very reminiscent of other films. There were some very interesting and attention grabbing torture scenes, but the film lacked the action it so desperately needed. The story dragged a bit at times as I found myself dosing off at least once. The running time could have been shortened. It felt as if this movie was trying to do too much. Joel Edgerton co-starred but didn't really shine or feel present in this film. I'm used to seeing better performances from him :/.

All in all, it's a decent film. Jennifer Lawrence's performance is worth seeing. The story will feel familiar, but the added torture and sexual content will get you through, or having you cringe in your seat...lol. I didn't hate it, but I could take it or leave it. However if you've seen everything else and are choosing between this and Death Wish, this one is the winner hands down...C+