100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 20 Day 20
War On Everyone
I do enjoy a great dark comedy. They can be a bit twisted but I'm always up for a good laugh. As an added bonus you get to see Alexander Skarsgard dance to Rhinestone Cowboy. What's not to love?!
War on Everyone is written and directed by John Michael McDonagh and he is not afraid to cross the line on dark humor. The premise of War On Everyone is Terry (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bob (Michael Pena) are two corrupt cops looking for their next big score. They are not afraid to commit a crime to get it. Even if they must bribe, beat, steal or sleep with someone to get it. To them it's just another Tuesday.
The big score is a million dollar hit from a British Lord (Theo James) and his stripper club manager Russell (Caleb Landry Jones). The Lord is a twisted man who has no problem killing anyone who gets in his way. Terry and Bob see him as just another guy to rip off. Let's just say there is a ton of drama along the way. Bob and Terry see Russell as a stain upon their town and have no problem kicking the crap out of him.
War On Everyone is so freaking funny! I laughed so hard. The back and forth dialogue between characters is so wonderfully written. Bob and Terry are not afraid to have real conversations, no matter how taboo the topic. It's a great dark buddy comedy and Skarsgard and Pena have magical chemistry. I really hope they make more movies together.
Alexander Skarsgard takes his character Terry to the dark place. Terry has clearly been traumatized in the past and he uses alcohol to cope. We don't know exactly what happened to him but we assume it was child abuse and molestation. This explains why he is so unhinged and unafraid to kick the crap out of someone. He's twisted but he pulls it off so well.
Everyone should see War on Everyone. Well unless you are easily offended but crass humor. Don't be such a party pooper. Let your hair down and laugh your face off!
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
The Ticket
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 19 Day 19
The Ticket
I am a big fan of Dan Stevens, ever since I saw him in Downton Abbey. He is charming, wonderful and has eyes as blue as the sky. You immediately want to trust him. The Ticket is a movie where you want to believe the best in people but people are flawed.
What would you do with a miracle that could change your life? The Ticket was written and directed by Ido Fluk. It is the story of James, played by Dan Stevens, regaining his sight after half a life of blindness. One morning he wakes up and can see again. James refers to this as his miracle. So what do you do when you get an opportunity to change your life? James and his wife come from a religious background. He believes God has given him a second chance. Slowly, James starts to become selfish. His old life is not enough for him anymore. He wants a better job, he wants a better home and he wants a beautiful new girlfriend.
The writing and visual styling of The Ticket is wonderfully haunting. When James first gets his sight back, everything is bright and colorful. As James becomes more corrupt the surroundings become more gray and dark. It's as if his world becomes as gray as his soul.
Dan Stevens acting is tragic and wonderful. There is a raw scene where James prays and his starts sobbing to God. He begs God that things can be different and he begs for forgiveness. His entire soul is shown in that scene. I felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to seen. It was so intimate and personal.
It's a film that makes you think about what life has given to you. It also proves how grateful we should be with the life we have.
Movie 19 Day 19
The Ticket
I am a big fan of Dan Stevens, ever since I saw him in Downton Abbey. He is charming, wonderful and has eyes as blue as the sky. You immediately want to trust him. The Ticket is a movie where you want to believe the best in people but people are flawed.
What would you do with a miracle that could change your life? The Ticket was written and directed by Ido Fluk. It is the story of James, played by Dan Stevens, regaining his sight after half a life of blindness. One morning he wakes up and can see again. James refers to this as his miracle. So what do you do when you get an opportunity to change your life? James and his wife come from a religious background. He believes God has given him a second chance. Slowly, James starts to become selfish. His old life is not enough for him anymore. He wants a better job, he wants a better home and he wants a beautiful new girlfriend.
The writing and visual styling of The Ticket is wonderfully haunting. When James first gets his sight back, everything is bright and colorful. As James becomes more corrupt the surroundings become more gray and dark. It's as if his world becomes as gray as his soul.
Dan Stevens acting is tragic and wonderful. There is a raw scene where James prays and his starts sobbing to God. He begs God that things can be different and he begs for forgiveness. His entire soul is shown in that scene. I felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to seen. It was so intimate and personal.
It's a film that makes you think about what life has given to you. It also proves how grateful we should be with the life we have.
Green Book
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 18 Day 18
Green Book
After the Oscars I had to check out Green Book. I was excited to see if it was as charming as it appeared in the trailers. I also had a very good friend tell me how much she enjoyed it. I must say it was a beautifully crafted film. Green Book is also based on a true story and co-written by Nick Vallelonga, son of Tony the main character.
Green Book is about Tony Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony becomes the driver for world renown pianist Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is going on a concert tour in the deep south in the 1960's and need protection as well as a driver. The film explores the relationship between two people as different as night and day.
Green Book is a reference to the travel guide for African Americans in the south. The green books inform African Americans where hotels and restaurants are that will accommodate them. I never knew such a book existed. It's a sad reality to some of the struggles during segregated times. The film is not afraid to unapologetic call out the blatant racism portrayed in the south. Dr. Shirley has to endure the humiliation of being asked to perform but not use the house bathroom. He can play the piano for these people but he also can't eat a meal in the restaurant. It seems so backwards and makes me so angry. Dr. Shirley endures all of it with grace and patience. I'm more like Tony, he gets angry. He sees it happening and it pisses him off. Over time, Tony learns to use his words and not his fists.
Green Book is like a reverse Driving Miss. Daisy and I mean that with respect. So often people do not leave the comfort of their own neighborhoods. In the beginning, Tony is racist towards African Americans, he doesn't trust them. It's not until Tony spends 2 months traveling with Dr. Shirley that his eyes are opened to the struggles of African Americans. Both men see who the other really is. A beautiful friendship is formed. I love how two men, from two completely different worlds, can still form a meaningful friendship. It's a beautiful thing.
Movie 18 Day 18
Green Book
After the Oscars I had to check out Green Book. I was excited to see if it was as charming as it appeared in the trailers. I also had a very good friend tell me how much she enjoyed it. I must say it was a beautifully crafted film. Green Book is also based on a true story and co-written by Nick Vallelonga, son of Tony the main character.
Green Book is about Tony Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony becomes the driver for world renown pianist Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is going on a concert tour in the deep south in the 1960's and need protection as well as a driver. The film explores the relationship between two people as different as night and day.
Green Book is a reference to the travel guide for African Americans in the south. The green books inform African Americans where hotels and restaurants are that will accommodate them. I never knew such a book existed. It's a sad reality to some of the struggles during segregated times. The film is not afraid to unapologetic call out the blatant racism portrayed in the south. Dr. Shirley has to endure the humiliation of being asked to perform but not use the house bathroom. He can play the piano for these people but he also can't eat a meal in the restaurant. It seems so backwards and makes me so angry. Dr. Shirley endures all of it with grace and patience. I'm more like Tony, he gets angry. He sees it happening and it pisses him off. Over time, Tony learns to use his words and not his fists.
Green Book is like a reverse Driving Miss. Daisy and I mean that with respect. So often people do not leave the comfort of their own neighborhoods. In the beginning, Tony is racist towards African Americans, he doesn't trust them. It's not until Tony spends 2 months traveling with Dr. Shirley that his eyes are opened to the struggles of African Americans. Both men see who the other really is. A beautiful friendship is formed. I love how two men, from two completely different worlds, can still form a meaningful friendship. It's a beautiful thing.
Monday, February 25, 2019
BlacKkKlansman
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 17 Day 17
BlacKkKlansman
Post Academy Awards I was dying to see BlacKkKlansman. I was so happy to hear Spike Lee finally won his Oscar. It really has been a long time coming. I have not seen a ton of Spike Lee's films. I've seen a few and he has a beautiful cinematic eye. I was intrigued by BlacKkKlansman, a true story about a black man infiltrating the KKK in the 70's?! What?!?! I mean how the heck did that happen. Once again proving that real life is incredibly interesting and ironic.
As I've said, BlacKkKlansman is a film starring John David Washington as Ron Stallworth. Ron is the first African American on the Colorado Springs police force. He desperately wants to make detective and when given the opportunity, he shines. One day he takes it upon himself to try and infiltrate the KKK and it works! They want to meet Ron but he's obviously black and that won't fly. So Detective Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver, steps in to be Ron in person at the KKK meetings. Topher Grace plays Grand Wizard David Duke, I can't imagine that was easy. The film is unafraid to ask the hard questions and hold a mirror up to current events in the US.
Amazing performances from Adam Driver and John David Washington. There is an emotional scene where Flip, pretending to be Ron, has to stand in front of David Duke and deny he is Jewish. Driver is brilliant in this scene. You can feel his emotional torment deny who he truly is. I see why he was nominated for an Oscar. Driver's performance has so many layers to it. You can see the pain Flip has pretending to hate people of color. Saying horrible words, names and shaking hands with these hateful people. I know I would never be able to do it.
This film is surprisingly funny, now don't get me wrong, it's very serious but it also makes fun of itself. It's not afraid to make fun of people. The humor is what gave the film balance. It's so difficult to sit through some of the horrible things said in the film. The laughter helped break it up. We are relieved to laugh just after we've cried. It takes the brilliance of Spike Lee to pull off that balance.
BlacKkKlansman is an incredibly insightful and a terrifying film...I say terrifying because there are so many parallels with today. We want to act like we've come so far from the 70's but the reality is, we still have so many hateful people voicing their ignorance towards people of color and minorities. It made me feel physically ill hearing some of the KKK chants in the film. At one point, the KKK chant make America great and I felt like I was punched in the gut. Spike Lee is unafraid to make you feel uncomfortable. We need to take a long, hard look at our country and speak for those who can not. Speak for those who have no voice and speak for those that have passed but who fought. Honor those who have fallen and use our voice to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Spike Lee connected the ending with the marches in Virginia in 2017. If you don't remember, a group of KKK supported student marched and chanted horrible hateful thing. The following week was filled with violence as protesters showed up. A young woman was killed at a peace rally when a car drove into a crowd of people. It reminds the audience how far we really have to go. A good film makes you think and BlacKkKlansman does just that. Please see this film, it's important and insightful.
Movie 17 Day 17
BlacKkKlansman
Post Academy Awards I was dying to see BlacKkKlansman. I was so happy to hear Spike Lee finally won his Oscar. It really has been a long time coming. I have not seen a ton of Spike Lee's films. I've seen a few and he has a beautiful cinematic eye. I was intrigued by BlacKkKlansman, a true story about a black man infiltrating the KKK in the 70's?! What?!?! I mean how the heck did that happen. Once again proving that real life is incredibly interesting and ironic.
As I've said, BlacKkKlansman is a film starring John David Washington as Ron Stallworth. Ron is the first African American on the Colorado Springs police force. He desperately wants to make detective and when given the opportunity, he shines. One day he takes it upon himself to try and infiltrate the KKK and it works! They want to meet Ron but he's obviously black and that won't fly. So Detective Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver, steps in to be Ron in person at the KKK meetings. Topher Grace plays Grand Wizard David Duke, I can't imagine that was easy. The film is unafraid to ask the hard questions and hold a mirror up to current events in the US.
Amazing performances from Adam Driver and John David Washington. There is an emotional scene where Flip, pretending to be Ron, has to stand in front of David Duke and deny he is Jewish. Driver is brilliant in this scene. You can feel his emotional torment deny who he truly is. I see why he was nominated for an Oscar. Driver's performance has so many layers to it. You can see the pain Flip has pretending to hate people of color. Saying horrible words, names and shaking hands with these hateful people. I know I would never be able to do it.
This film is surprisingly funny, now don't get me wrong, it's very serious but it also makes fun of itself. It's not afraid to make fun of people. The humor is what gave the film balance. It's so difficult to sit through some of the horrible things said in the film. The laughter helped break it up. We are relieved to laugh just after we've cried. It takes the brilliance of Spike Lee to pull off that balance.
BlacKkKlansman is an incredibly insightful and a terrifying film...I say terrifying because there are so many parallels with today. We want to act like we've come so far from the 70's but the reality is, we still have so many hateful people voicing their ignorance towards people of color and minorities. It made me feel physically ill hearing some of the KKK chants in the film. At one point, the KKK chant make America great and I felt like I was punched in the gut. Spike Lee is unafraid to make you feel uncomfortable. We need to take a long, hard look at our country and speak for those who can not. Speak for those who have no voice and speak for those that have passed but who fought. Honor those who have fallen and use our voice to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Spike Lee connected the ending with the marches in Virginia in 2017. If you don't remember, a group of KKK supported student marched and chanted horrible hateful thing. The following week was filled with violence as protesters showed up. A young woman was killed at a peace rally when a car drove into a crowd of people. It reminds the audience how far we really have to go. A good film makes you think and BlacKkKlansman does just that. Please see this film, it's important and insightful.
A Star Is Born
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 16 Day 16
Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a weekend youth retreat. I was busy running around with 40 awesome kids under the age of 17! Needless to say, it was a bit hectic but a ton of fun.
It seems right to write about Oscar nominated films because it is Oscar season. Today I am writing about the remake of A Star Is Born. I must preface that I adore the 1954 version with Judy Garland. I went into the new version a bit skeptical because of my admiration for Judy. I also knew how the movie was going to end because I've seen the original. I believe that is why I wasn't as emotional as everyone else in the theater.
The 2018 A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars himself as Jack, Lady Gaga as Ally and Sam Elliott as Jack's older brother Bobby. Jack is an alcoholic country singer who stumbles across Ally singing at a drag show in LA. Jack is immediately taken by Ally's haunting music and intrigued by her look. He decides he is going to help her become a singer and they fall in love in during the process. Along the way, Jack battles with his own demons AKA his sever alcoholism.
Is the movie about Jack or Ally?
My friend described this movie as Bradley Cooper's passion project for Bradley Cooper. The movie focuses so much on Jack that you forget it is titled A Star Is Born not A Star Slowly Falls. In fact, the movie jumps so fast from Ally being an unknown to a superstar that you are jarred by the change. Like woah, when did that happen? Instead, A Star Is Born focuses on Jack's self destructive actions. He pushes away his brother, the only one who had his back. He falls in love with Ally, becomes jealous of her fame and starts to mentally abuse her for her success. This is all accepted and allowed because Jack is drunk the entire time. Jack blames all of his actions on the alcohol. It's tragic to see this talented artist hit rock bottom.
Lady Gaga is a brilliant singer, one of my favorites. I even enjoy her acting but where she really shines is when she sings and acts. The moment she walks on stage to sing her first original song was film magic. I literally cried when Jack and Ally sing Shallow. It's a powerful song and by far, my favorite scene in the entire movie. Ally finally has the courage to use her own voice and it's a beautiful moment. There is an emotional song at the end of the film where Lady Gaga pours her entire heart into it. I felt like I saw of piece of Lady Gaga's soul on screen.
The stand out performance was Sam Elliott as Bobby. He was the conscience of the film. He sees life for how it really is. He sees who Jack is, he loves him but he also knows he can't "fix" him. He wants Jack to sober up but Jack finally pushes Bobby away. The final scene with Bobby moved me to tears. It was a classic performance with heart and pain.
My problem with this movie
SPOILERS AHEAD
I feel like Bradley Cooper missed a massive opportunity to talk about depression and suicide. The movie's climax is Jack deciding Ally will be better off without him and he kills himself in the garage. I had to turn away from the screen. It was a horrible and painful moment to see on screen. I've lost friends to suicide, it's painful and it hurts. I wanted the movie to end with something more than credits rolling. I wanted to see a suicide prevention website or email. Maybe a PSA about alcoholism but instead it was another emotional song with credits. It was a missed opportunity to help people struggling with addiction.
The soundtrack of this movie is magic. If anything, watch the movie to hear Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing Shallow.
Movie 16 Day 16
Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a weekend youth retreat. I was busy running around with 40 awesome kids under the age of 17! Needless to say, it was a bit hectic but a ton of fun.
It seems right to write about Oscar nominated films because it is Oscar season. Today I am writing about the remake of A Star Is Born. I must preface that I adore the 1954 version with Judy Garland. I went into the new version a bit skeptical because of my admiration for Judy. I also knew how the movie was going to end because I've seen the original. I believe that is why I wasn't as emotional as everyone else in the theater.
The 2018 A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars himself as Jack, Lady Gaga as Ally and Sam Elliott as Jack's older brother Bobby. Jack is an alcoholic country singer who stumbles across Ally singing at a drag show in LA. Jack is immediately taken by Ally's haunting music and intrigued by her look. He decides he is going to help her become a singer and they fall in love in during the process. Along the way, Jack battles with his own demons AKA his sever alcoholism.
Is the movie about Jack or Ally?
My friend described this movie as Bradley Cooper's passion project for Bradley Cooper. The movie focuses so much on Jack that you forget it is titled A Star Is Born not A Star Slowly Falls. In fact, the movie jumps so fast from Ally being an unknown to a superstar that you are jarred by the change. Like woah, when did that happen? Instead, A Star Is Born focuses on Jack's self destructive actions. He pushes away his brother, the only one who had his back. He falls in love with Ally, becomes jealous of her fame and starts to mentally abuse her for her success. This is all accepted and allowed because Jack is drunk the entire time. Jack blames all of his actions on the alcohol. It's tragic to see this talented artist hit rock bottom.
Lady Gaga is a brilliant singer, one of my favorites. I even enjoy her acting but where she really shines is when she sings and acts. The moment she walks on stage to sing her first original song was film magic. I literally cried when Jack and Ally sing Shallow. It's a powerful song and by far, my favorite scene in the entire movie. Ally finally has the courage to use her own voice and it's a beautiful moment. There is an emotional song at the end of the film where Lady Gaga pours her entire heart into it. I felt like I saw of piece of Lady Gaga's soul on screen.
The stand out performance was Sam Elliott as Bobby. He was the conscience of the film. He sees life for how it really is. He sees who Jack is, he loves him but he also knows he can't "fix" him. He wants Jack to sober up but Jack finally pushes Bobby away. The final scene with Bobby moved me to tears. It was a classic performance with heart and pain.
My problem with this movie
SPOILERS AHEAD
I feel like Bradley Cooper missed a massive opportunity to talk about depression and suicide. The movie's climax is Jack deciding Ally will be better off without him and he kills himself in the garage. I had to turn away from the screen. It was a horrible and painful moment to see on screen. I've lost friends to suicide, it's painful and it hurts. I wanted the movie to end with something more than credits rolling. I wanted to see a suicide prevention website or email. Maybe a PSA about alcoholism but instead it was another emotional song with credits. It was a missed opportunity to help people struggling with addiction.
The soundtrack of this movie is magic. If anything, watch the movie to hear Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing Shallow.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 15 Day 15
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Flying home from Florida, I was able to watch Can You Ever Forgive Me. I didn't know much about the movie but I enjoy everything Melissa McCarthy is in. I was interested to see if the film could stand up to the Oscar hype. I was unaware it was based on a true story and it gave me more interest in the film. I'm always curious about the Based On A True Story because real life is always so interesting. Who needs fiction when people create their own drama everyday!?
The premise of Can You Ever Forgive Me is Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, an author who is down on her luck. She is a difficult woman to work with and would rather spend her days drunk, hanging out with her cat. As an author, she specialized in the biographies of famous people. She was known for her voice, she became the people she was writing about. She was able to capture their emotions and "voice". Years later, Lee is washed up, broke, and can't get a writing contract because she's too difficult to work with. You burn a bunch of bridges when you drink on the job and belittle everyone you meet. Once Lee is down to her last few dollars, she sells a personal letter from a famous person written to her. She ends up getting some good money for the letter. Lee realizes, people pay a lot of money for persona letters from famous people. Remember, Lee is brilliant at capturing others people's literary voice. She starts to forge letters and sells them all over New York City, making a ton of money along the way.
Melissa McCarthy is tragically unlikable and I mean that in the best possible way. She isn't supposed to be someone you want to succeed. She is selfish and horrible but we realize it's because she has no one to trust. Melissa is haunting as Lee. She brings the character depth and justifies her actions. Melissa earned her second Oscar nomination for this film and she completely deserves it. I forgot I was watching the same woman that made me laugh so hard I cried during Spy. I think people forget what a fantastic dramatic actor she really is. Can You Ever Forgive Me was Melissa's moment to shine and shine brightly she does!
Richard E. Grant plays Jack Hock. He is Lee's only friend and he's not a very good one. He's a hustler and a scam artist but he's charming and funny while he does it. Grant plays Jack beautifully and effortlessly. Grant is transformed into a character you should disapprove of but instead you are cheering for him. You want to see what other scam he can pull off next. Grant is also nominated for an Oscar and I would love to see him win. He gives a stellar performance that is tragic and hilarious.
I was incredibly impressed how director Marielle Heller represented Lee and Jack's sexuality. Both the characters are homosexual but it's filmed it a way that doesn't put too much focus on it. It was natural and neither character judged the other too harshly. So often a character's sexuality is made the central focus of that character. Heller allowed these characters to be so much more than their sexual preference. They were interesting and not defined by who they loved. It was there but in a natural way. Beautifully done.
Over all a heavy but well done drama.
Movie 15 Day 15
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Flying home from Florida, I was able to watch Can You Ever Forgive Me. I didn't know much about the movie but I enjoy everything Melissa McCarthy is in. I was interested to see if the film could stand up to the Oscar hype. I was unaware it was based on a true story and it gave me more interest in the film. I'm always curious about the Based On A True Story because real life is always so interesting. Who needs fiction when people create their own drama everyday!?
The premise of Can You Ever Forgive Me is Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, an author who is down on her luck. She is a difficult woman to work with and would rather spend her days drunk, hanging out with her cat. As an author, she specialized in the biographies of famous people. She was known for her voice, she became the people she was writing about. She was able to capture their emotions and "voice". Years later, Lee is washed up, broke, and can't get a writing contract because she's too difficult to work with. You burn a bunch of bridges when you drink on the job and belittle everyone you meet. Once Lee is down to her last few dollars, she sells a personal letter from a famous person written to her. She ends up getting some good money for the letter. Lee realizes, people pay a lot of money for persona letters from famous people. Remember, Lee is brilliant at capturing others people's literary voice. She starts to forge letters and sells them all over New York City, making a ton of money along the way.
Melissa McCarthy is tragically unlikable and I mean that in the best possible way. She isn't supposed to be someone you want to succeed. She is selfish and horrible but we realize it's because she has no one to trust. Melissa is haunting as Lee. She brings the character depth and justifies her actions. Melissa earned her second Oscar nomination for this film and she completely deserves it. I forgot I was watching the same woman that made me laugh so hard I cried during Spy. I think people forget what a fantastic dramatic actor she really is. Can You Ever Forgive Me was Melissa's moment to shine and shine brightly she does!
Richard E. Grant plays Jack Hock. He is Lee's only friend and he's not a very good one. He's a hustler and a scam artist but he's charming and funny while he does it. Grant plays Jack beautifully and effortlessly. Grant is transformed into a character you should disapprove of but instead you are cheering for him. You want to see what other scam he can pull off next. Grant is also nominated for an Oscar and I would love to see him win. He gives a stellar performance that is tragic and hilarious.
I was incredibly impressed how director Marielle Heller represented Lee and Jack's sexuality. Both the characters are homosexual but it's filmed it a way that doesn't put too much focus on it. It was natural and neither character judged the other too harshly. So often a character's sexuality is made the central focus of that character. Heller allowed these characters to be so much more than their sexual preference. They were interesting and not defined by who they loved. It was there but in a natural way. Beautifully done.
Over all a heavy but well done drama.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Aquaman
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 14 Day 14
Aquaman
I know very little about Aquaman. I know that The Big Bang Theory likes to make fun of his powers. I remember Family Guy doing a few parodies of how crazy his fish talking ability is. To be fair, I was raised on Marvel but I have always loved Tim Burton's Batman films. I went into Aquaman with low expectations. I adore Jason Memoa and enjoyed him in Justice League but I didn't know how well Aquaman would do as a stand alone film. He meshed so well with The Flash and Wonder Woman, I was almost disappointed to see him on his own. I will say I was pleasantly surprised.
One major difference between Marvel and DC is DC is not afraid to go dark. They want to show humanity at our lowest and they succeed. So many DC characters act without thinking. In Aquaman there is a scene where Arthur aka Aquaman, has an opportunity to save a bad guy. Instead, he walks away, lets the guy dies in front of his kid, the kid wants revenge for his father and Aquaman creates a whole new enemy. You would never see Captain America leave someone behind like that! It was such a sinister moment. Even my 14 year old nephew was shocked! A very dark side to the DC Universe is characters only thinking of themselves.
Jason Momoa portrayed Arthur as funny and witty. I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. He mocks himself and his abilities. Jason seems to have a good sense of humor in real life, it shows during Aquaman. He makes up for the lack of chemistry between him and love interest Amber Heard. Maybe I just prefer Aquaman to be with Wonder Woman, either way Jason is the reason to watch the movie.
I was delighted to see Nicole Kidman play Arthur's mother. She is a run away queen that falls in love with a human. Tale As Old As Time has magically popped into my head! Nicole is a totally Bass A$$ in Aquaman. She fights off water demons with her trident and is a hero in her own right. I always love seeing the ladies fighting and standing up for themselves!
Regardless if you like the story or not, the special effects are next level amazing! I was worried the underwater scenes were going to be cheesy or look fake, not at all! The special effects were crisp and clear. I was impressed at the realism of the sea creatures and water. It all came together beautifully!
Over all a fun and entertaining movie. Not as good as Wonder Woman but still a fun film.
Movie 14 Day 14
Aquaman
I know very little about Aquaman. I know that The Big Bang Theory likes to make fun of his powers. I remember Family Guy doing a few parodies of how crazy his fish talking ability is. To be fair, I was raised on Marvel but I have always loved Tim Burton's Batman films. I went into Aquaman with low expectations. I adore Jason Memoa and enjoyed him in Justice League but I didn't know how well Aquaman would do as a stand alone film. He meshed so well with The Flash and Wonder Woman, I was almost disappointed to see him on his own. I will say I was pleasantly surprised.
One major difference between Marvel and DC is DC is not afraid to go dark. They want to show humanity at our lowest and they succeed. So many DC characters act without thinking. In Aquaman there is a scene where Arthur aka Aquaman, has an opportunity to save a bad guy. Instead, he walks away, lets the guy dies in front of his kid, the kid wants revenge for his father and Aquaman creates a whole new enemy. You would never see Captain America leave someone behind like that! It was such a sinister moment. Even my 14 year old nephew was shocked! A very dark side to the DC Universe is characters only thinking of themselves.
Jason Momoa portrayed Arthur as funny and witty. I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. He mocks himself and his abilities. Jason seems to have a good sense of humor in real life, it shows during Aquaman. He makes up for the lack of chemistry between him and love interest Amber Heard. Maybe I just prefer Aquaman to be with Wonder Woman, either way Jason is the reason to watch the movie.
I was delighted to see Nicole Kidman play Arthur's mother. She is a run away queen that falls in love with a human. Tale As Old As Time has magically popped into my head! Nicole is a totally Bass A$$ in Aquaman. She fights off water demons with her trident and is a hero in her own right. I always love seeing the ladies fighting and standing up for themselves!
Regardless if you like the story or not, the special effects are next level amazing! I was worried the underwater scenes were going to be cheesy or look fake, not at all! The special effects were crisp and clear. I was impressed at the realism of the sea creatures and water. It all came together beautifully!
Over all a fun and entertaining movie. Not as good as Wonder Woman but still a fun film.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Bohemian Rhapsody
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 13 Day 13
Bohemian Rhapsody
How the heck have I not done a review on Bohemian Rhapsody?! I swear I wrote one but it looks like I must not have. I am a big Rami Malek fan, I blame A Night At The Museum. Some may say Mr. Robot, which is brilliant but I had a big crush on Rami in The Night At The Museum movies. He was charming and super cute. Rami aside, I really wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody because I am a big Freddie Mercury fan. I love his story and think he was an absolutely brilliant artist. I didn't just see Bohemian Rhapsody once in the Theater but 3 times. Each time I noticed something new and unique.
Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie Mercury's journey from college kid to Queen lead singer. We see how he became the artist we all adore. The film does a lovely job showing Freddie's struggle as he comes to terms with his homosexuality. We see how he the truth, even from himself. It's tragic and wonderful when he finally starts to embrace his truth.
If Rami Malek doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor, I'm going to be so pissed! He completed transformed himself into Freddie. He mastered the way Freddie moved, spoke and performed. I would have never thought anyone could be Freddie Mercury but Rami comes pretty dang close. His performance is the stuff of Hollywood Legend. If you want to watch something fun, go on youtube and look up the side by side performance of Rami and Freddie at Live Aid. It's completely mind-blowing how in sync Rami's performance is with Freddie's.
My biggest concern of this film was going to be how they handle Freddie's death. I know people love a heavy drama but I don't want to see someone I admire die a slow horrible death from aids. How does the film handle Freddie's Aids diagnosis? Bohemian Rhapsody handles Freddie's diagnosis with respect and grace. We didn't watch him slowly get sick, we saw him rise above. Instead of ending with his death, the film focused on the Live Aid concert. The ending made the film about Freddie's life and legacy, not his death.
What about the other 3 guys? Freddie himself did not like being called the leader of Queen. He said he was the lead singer and they were all a team. The film makes sure to show Queen was a collaborative family. We see what a horrible flirt Roger is. We laugh with John's one-liners. We see Brian May give his heart and soul on the guitar. It was a film about Queen, not just Freddie. It also helped that the movie was produced by Brian and Roger!
If you have ever heard a Queen song or rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a movie for you!
Movie 13 Day 13
Bohemian Rhapsody
How the heck have I not done a review on Bohemian Rhapsody?! I swear I wrote one but it looks like I must not have. I am a big Rami Malek fan, I blame A Night At The Museum. Some may say Mr. Robot, which is brilliant but I had a big crush on Rami in The Night At The Museum movies. He was charming and super cute. Rami aside, I really wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody because I am a big Freddie Mercury fan. I love his story and think he was an absolutely brilliant artist. I didn't just see Bohemian Rhapsody once in the Theater but 3 times. Each time I noticed something new and unique.
Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie Mercury's journey from college kid to Queen lead singer. We see how he became the artist we all adore. The film does a lovely job showing Freddie's struggle as he comes to terms with his homosexuality. We see how he the truth, even from himself. It's tragic and wonderful when he finally starts to embrace his truth.
If Rami Malek doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor, I'm going to be so pissed! He completed transformed himself into Freddie. He mastered the way Freddie moved, spoke and performed. I would have never thought anyone could be Freddie Mercury but Rami comes pretty dang close. His performance is the stuff of Hollywood Legend. If you want to watch something fun, go on youtube and look up the side by side performance of Rami and Freddie at Live Aid. It's completely mind-blowing how in sync Rami's performance is with Freddie's.
My biggest concern of this film was going to be how they handle Freddie's death. I know people love a heavy drama but I don't want to see someone I admire die a slow horrible death from aids. How does the film handle Freddie's Aids diagnosis? Bohemian Rhapsody handles Freddie's diagnosis with respect and grace. We didn't watch him slowly get sick, we saw him rise above. Instead of ending with his death, the film focused on the Live Aid concert. The ending made the film about Freddie's life and legacy, not his death.
What about the other 3 guys? Freddie himself did not like being called the leader of Queen. He said he was the lead singer and they were all a team. The film makes sure to show Queen was a collaborative family. We see what a horrible flirt Roger is. We laugh with John's one-liners. We see Brian May give his heart and soul on the guitar. It was a film about Queen, not just Freddie. It also helped that the movie was produced by Brian and Roger!
If you have ever heard a Queen song or rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a movie for you!
Monday, February 18, 2019
Eighth Grade
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 12 Day 12
Eighth Grade
I knew I wanted to see this film but I kept forgetting about it. A friend and I had been talking about it when it first came out. We were intrigued that it was written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham. It seemed like an interesting connection, this goofy guy writing about the eighth grade experiences of a girl. Whatever magic it was, the film was beautifully heartfelt.
Eighth Grade is the story of Kayla played by Elsie Fisher. Kayla is a very shy girl who just wants to survive her last week of eighth grade. She tries to be outgoing and even does youtube videos, giving advice to teenagers about gaining confidence. She struggles to make friends and all she wants is to be accepted. At one point she write a list of her goals and one is to make friends and have a best friend. Her goal list crushed my heart. I remember how difficult it was to be in middle school. I was always the loud girl but I was lucky enough to have great friends.
Eighth Grade does not sugarcoat the real issues of being a teen. At one point she wants to talk to a boy but it's known that he is more sexually experienced. Kayla has to decide if sending nude photos is something she is ready for. She is so innocent and sweet but she is afraid that's why she isn't making friends. Kayla will hurt your heart in the best way. Eighth Grade shows the modern struggles teens today are fighting through. It's eye-opening to see the good and bad things that come for a generation fully immersed in technology.
Elsie Fisher does a beautiful job bringing Kayla to life. She shows her vulnerabilities and that's terrifying for anyone, let alone a 13 year old girl. Her acting was enduring and charming. You wanted to protect and hold her. Kayla is a character you can relate to and care for.
The movie is rated R which surprised me. I thought it was made with teens in mind and it was. Slight spoiler here, there is a scene where Kayla has to learn about consent. A high school boy is pressuring her to have sex in the car, it's unbearably uncomfortable to watch. It's intimately filmed and I was terrified the whole time. I didn't want this sweet girl to lose her innocents to some jerk high school boy. The sad reality is teens are dealing with these types of pressures everyday. It is a reality to them and the film is a cautionary tale to parents trying to deny it is really happening.
If you were ever a teenager I think you will enjoy this movie. Eighth Grade is a heartfelt film about the awkwardness of growing up. I think you will really enjoy it.
Movie 12 Day 12
Eighth Grade
I knew I wanted to see this film but I kept forgetting about it. A friend and I had been talking about it when it first came out. We were intrigued that it was written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham. It seemed like an interesting connection, this goofy guy writing about the eighth grade experiences of a girl. Whatever magic it was, the film was beautifully heartfelt.
Eighth Grade is the story of Kayla played by Elsie Fisher. Kayla is a very shy girl who just wants to survive her last week of eighth grade. She tries to be outgoing and even does youtube videos, giving advice to teenagers about gaining confidence. She struggles to make friends and all she wants is to be accepted. At one point she write a list of her goals and one is to make friends and have a best friend. Her goal list crushed my heart. I remember how difficult it was to be in middle school. I was always the loud girl but I was lucky enough to have great friends.
Eighth Grade does not sugarcoat the real issues of being a teen. At one point she wants to talk to a boy but it's known that he is more sexually experienced. Kayla has to decide if sending nude photos is something she is ready for. She is so innocent and sweet but she is afraid that's why she isn't making friends. Kayla will hurt your heart in the best way. Eighth Grade shows the modern struggles teens today are fighting through. It's eye-opening to see the good and bad things that come for a generation fully immersed in technology.
Elsie Fisher does a beautiful job bringing Kayla to life. She shows her vulnerabilities and that's terrifying for anyone, let alone a 13 year old girl. Her acting was enduring and charming. You wanted to protect and hold her. Kayla is a character you can relate to and care for.
The movie is rated R which surprised me. I thought it was made with teens in mind and it was. Slight spoiler here, there is a scene where Kayla has to learn about consent. A high school boy is pressuring her to have sex in the car, it's unbearably uncomfortable to watch. It's intimately filmed and I was terrified the whole time. I didn't want this sweet girl to lose her innocents to some jerk high school boy. The sad reality is teens are dealing with these types of pressures everyday. It is a reality to them and the film is a cautionary tale to parents trying to deny it is really happening.
If you were ever a teenager I think you will enjoy this movie. Eighth Grade is a heartfelt film about the awkwardness of growing up. I think you will really enjoy it.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Mr. Right
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 11 Day 11
Mr. Right
Sometimes you just need a feel good, dark comedy movie. As you may know, I am a big fan of Sam Rockwell. I think he is a brilliant actor and I was so pleased he won an Oscar last year. He also has some serious dance moves! Sam can totally cut a rug!
Mr. Right is a film where Sam Rockwell plays a hitman named Francis who goes around killing people who hire him to kill other people. It's confusing so let's try to explain it. Sarah wants to kill Bob. Sarah hires Francis to kill Bob. Instead Francis kills Sarah because wanting Bob dead is wrong. Francis has this weird reverse hitman motto. He's also hilarious! Instead of just shooting people he dance fights them. It's sounds odd but it totally works because Sam is amazing.
Anna Kendrick plays Martha. She is going through a very ugly break up and she meets Francis at the supermarket. They hang out all day and are completely adorable. Francis tells Martha he is a hitman and she just thinks he's joking and bring funny. Nope, he's telling you the truth!
There is this whole other story about a mafia family trying to fight Francis. To be honest, that story is a bit boring when you have sparks flying with Martha and Francis. There was a great secondary character named Hopper played by Tim Roth. He is Francis' mentor when they were in the CIA. Now Hopper is also trying to track Francis down. I had no idea Tim Roth was so funny. He has this dry wit that flows so well in the movie. Tim dry jokes counter very well with Sam larger than life humor.
If you are looking for something fun to watch on a Sunday evening, take a look at Mr. Right. Great script, brilliant cast and a dark comedy. You'll love it!
Movie 11 Day 11
Mr. Right
Sometimes you just need a feel good, dark comedy movie. As you may know, I am a big fan of Sam Rockwell. I think he is a brilliant actor and I was so pleased he won an Oscar last year. He also has some serious dance moves! Sam can totally cut a rug!
Mr. Right is a film where Sam Rockwell plays a hitman named Francis who goes around killing people who hire him to kill other people. It's confusing so let's try to explain it. Sarah wants to kill Bob. Sarah hires Francis to kill Bob. Instead Francis kills Sarah because wanting Bob dead is wrong. Francis has this weird reverse hitman motto. He's also hilarious! Instead of just shooting people he dance fights them. It's sounds odd but it totally works because Sam is amazing.
Anna Kendrick plays Martha. She is going through a very ugly break up and she meets Francis at the supermarket. They hang out all day and are completely adorable. Francis tells Martha he is a hitman and she just thinks he's joking and bring funny. Nope, he's telling you the truth!
There is this whole other story about a mafia family trying to fight Francis. To be honest, that story is a bit boring when you have sparks flying with Martha and Francis. There was a great secondary character named Hopper played by Tim Roth. He is Francis' mentor when they were in the CIA. Now Hopper is also trying to track Francis down. I had no idea Tim Roth was so funny. He has this dry wit that flows so well in the movie. Tim dry jokes counter very well with Sam larger than life humor.
If you are looking for something fun to watch on a Sunday evening, take a look at Mr. Right. Great script, brilliant cast and a dark comedy. You'll love it!
Saturday, February 16, 2019
The Hate U Give
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 10 Day 10
The Hate U Give
My cousin and I spent the entire day together. We actually went to an open casting call a few hours from our home. Sadly, we were there for 3 hours and still had 100 people a head of us. It was a fun experience but we didn't get a chance to audition. On the way home we decided to watch a movie and eat rootbeer floats. We had a whole list of movies to watch but we decided on The Hate U Give.
The Hate U Give is about Starr an African American girl and her family. Starr must learn to balance living in the hood, going to private school, and the fear of living a black kid in today's day and age. She becomes the sole witness in a cop killing an unarmed black teenager. The Hate U Give is not afraid to talk about the hard topics such as police brutality, gang violence and race relationships.
I cried several times during this movie. The first 5 minutes are about a father explaining to his young children how to react when you are pulled over by the police. How you might have done nothing wrong but you will still be labeled as a thug based on the color of your skin. It was a moment that made me cry because it's a reality for young black children. They have a layer of fear that white children will never understand. It's a harsh and horrifying truth.
The Hate U Give should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar this year. I'm not sure why the academy did not acknowledge this meaningful film. Maybe The Hate U Give was a little too real for some audiences. We live in a world where an unarmed black child can be killed and no justice is served for that child. This film took a big risk at showing how we, as a society, perpetuate and allow these wrongs to grow and thrive. It's tragic and painful to see.
The Hate U Give shows how beautiful a family can be. Starr's parents are not perfect, her father was in prison but he tells the children they are worth being better for. The parents put their kids into private school because they want them to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. Starr is caught in the middle of two worlds. Garden Heights is her home but it's an impoverished community. Her private school is wonderful but she can't be too ghetto or hood. She must speak like the white kids and show she belongs there. It's a lot of pressure for a 16 year old girl.
Starr has to learn to use her voice to speak for those who can not. She must risk everything to tell the story of another child taken too soon. It's a painful and beautiful film all at once. Go see it.
Movie 10 Day 10
The Hate U Give
My cousin and I spent the entire day together. We actually went to an open casting call a few hours from our home. Sadly, we were there for 3 hours and still had 100 people a head of us. It was a fun experience but we didn't get a chance to audition. On the way home we decided to watch a movie and eat rootbeer floats. We had a whole list of movies to watch but we decided on The Hate U Give.
The Hate U Give is about Starr an African American girl and her family. Starr must learn to balance living in the hood, going to private school, and the fear of living a black kid in today's day and age. She becomes the sole witness in a cop killing an unarmed black teenager. The Hate U Give is not afraid to talk about the hard topics such as police brutality, gang violence and race relationships.
I cried several times during this movie. The first 5 minutes are about a father explaining to his young children how to react when you are pulled over by the police. How you might have done nothing wrong but you will still be labeled as a thug based on the color of your skin. It was a moment that made me cry because it's a reality for young black children. They have a layer of fear that white children will never understand. It's a harsh and horrifying truth.
The Hate U Give should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar this year. I'm not sure why the academy did not acknowledge this meaningful film. Maybe The Hate U Give was a little too real for some audiences. We live in a world where an unarmed black child can be killed and no justice is served for that child. This film took a big risk at showing how we, as a society, perpetuate and allow these wrongs to grow and thrive. It's tragic and painful to see.
The Hate U Give shows how beautiful a family can be. Starr's parents are not perfect, her father was in prison but he tells the children they are worth being better for. The parents put their kids into private school because they want them to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. Starr is caught in the middle of two worlds. Garden Heights is her home but it's an impoverished community. Her private school is wonderful but she can't be too ghetto or hood. She must speak like the white kids and show she belongs there. It's a lot of pressure for a 16 year old girl.
Starr has to learn to use her voice to speak for those who can not. She must risk everything to tell the story of another child taken too soon. It's a painful and beautiful film all at once. Go see it.
Friday, February 15, 2019
The Giant Mechanical Man
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 9 Day 9
The Giant Mechanical Man
Will this winter ever end? Thank goodness for movie days. Sometimes you need to watch a movie to help keep away the winter blues. My process for picking movies varies from week to week. The majority of the time I find an actor I like and watch everything I can get my hands on. In the case of The Giant Mechanical Man, I watched it because I found out Chris Messina was in it. If you ever have an opportunity to watch a movie with Chris Messina, you will not be disappointed. He is such a brilliant actor, he's brilliant on The Mindy Project.
Anyways, this review is about The Giant Mechanical Man. This movie stars Jenna Fisher as Janice, she is a woman walking aimlessly through life. She works from temp job to temp job like a zombie. Janice falls on hard times and moves in with her sister Jill, played by Malin Akerman. Jill keeps trying to set Janice up on dates with annoying motivational speaker Doug, played by Topher Grace. Janice decides to take a job at the zoo where she meets Tim, played by Chris Messina. Tim has a secret, he dresses as a mechanical man on stilts and dancing around the city for tips.
I found myself relating and connecting to Janice. She is having a hard time figuring out what she is supposed to be doing with her life. Everyone is trying to "fix" her and claim they know what is best. Janice has a hard time expressing what she wants and gaining her courage. She meets the Mechanical Man, not knowing it's Tim. She feels connected to him, she feels like an outsider. It's wonderful seeing Janice grow and become her own woman. She learns to love herself and opens herself to loving someone new.
Tim is a beautifully written character. He wants to bring people happiness, even if he has to wear metal paint to do it. He is desperate to connect with others but isn't sure how to do it. Once he meets Janice, he starts to see hope. He sees someone he can connect with. I think connecting with other people is something we can all relate to.
The only part I didn't enjoy was Topher Grace's character. He is a horrible, selfish cliche on the motivational speaker. It's probably not Topher's fault because the character is so dreadful. I found his character to be distracting from the plot and not in a good way. I would have preferred more time on other characters in the film. The rest of the movie is Brilliant if you can get past the Doug character.
Over all a charming independent film that I enjoyed. It made me want to work at a zoo. The Giant Mechanical Man reminds us that happiness is unique to our needs. It's okay to be selfish when it comes to your own happiness. Putting your foot down and knowing what you need for your future.
Movie 9 Day 9
The Giant Mechanical Man
Will this winter ever end? Thank goodness for movie days. Sometimes you need to watch a movie to help keep away the winter blues. My process for picking movies varies from week to week. The majority of the time I find an actor I like and watch everything I can get my hands on. In the case of The Giant Mechanical Man, I watched it because I found out Chris Messina was in it. If you ever have an opportunity to watch a movie with Chris Messina, you will not be disappointed. He is such a brilliant actor, he's brilliant on The Mindy Project.
Anyways, this review is about The Giant Mechanical Man. This movie stars Jenna Fisher as Janice, she is a woman walking aimlessly through life. She works from temp job to temp job like a zombie. Janice falls on hard times and moves in with her sister Jill, played by Malin Akerman. Jill keeps trying to set Janice up on dates with annoying motivational speaker Doug, played by Topher Grace. Janice decides to take a job at the zoo where she meets Tim, played by Chris Messina. Tim has a secret, he dresses as a mechanical man on stilts and dancing around the city for tips.
I found myself relating and connecting to Janice. She is having a hard time figuring out what she is supposed to be doing with her life. Everyone is trying to "fix" her and claim they know what is best. Janice has a hard time expressing what she wants and gaining her courage. She meets the Mechanical Man, not knowing it's Tim. She feels connected to him, she feels like an outsider. It's wonderful seeing Janice grow and become her own woman. She learns to love herself and opens herself to loving someone new.
Tim is a beautifully written character. He wants to bring people happiness, even if he has to wear metal paint to do it. He is desperate to connect with others but isn't sure how to do it. Once he meets Janice, he starts to see hope. He sees someone he can connect with. I think connecting with other people is something we can all relate to.
The only part I didn't enjoy was Topher Grace's character. He is a horrible, selfish cliche on the motivational speaker. It's probably not Topher's fault because the character is so dreadful. I found his character to be distracting from the plot and not in a good way. I would have preferred more time on other characters in the film. The rest of the movie is Brilliant if you can get past the Doug character.
Over all a charming independent film that I enjoyed. It made me want to work at a zoo. The Giant Mechanical Man reminds us that happiness is unique to our needs. It's okay to be selfish when it comes to your own happiness. Putting your foot down and knowing what you need for your future.
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