The Blackcoat's Daughter

Director Oz Perkins

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Boynton, Emma Roberts, James Remar

Rating R

Release Date March 31st, 2017 (Streaming on Netflix)

“Two girls must battle a mysterious evil force when they get left behind at their boarding school over winter break.”

The Blackcoat's Daughter is a horror thriller from actor-turned-director Oz Perkins, who also penned the script. This film is his directorial debut. First releasing in 2015, it was originally titled February, which will quickly make sense once you start watching. It took nearly 17 months for film distributor A24 to get a U.S. release after playing at a variety of film festivals. According to IMDb, star Emma Roberts had trouble sleeping after first reading the script, yet she toughened up and still took on the role. That's impressive. The full cast includes Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Boynton, Emma Roberts, and James Remar.

A calculated and visceral horror experience, The Blackcoat's Daughter is a slow moving, yet effective debut for director Oz Perkins. Indie horror films are always a gamble, but I generally tend to give anything A24 is willing to attach itself to a fair shake, as they deliver more often than not. This is yet another notch in their belt. The Blackcoat's Daughter is the epitome of slow burn horror, which tends to be very love it or hate it for most viewers. The usual jump scares found in many horror films nowadays are completely nonexistent, which is entirely fine by me. A horror film such as this is built on atmosphere, acting, and a chilling score, which all come together to create a very unnerving experience that pays off in the end. The tension and general feeling of unease is palpable.

I also really enjoyed the old school horror elements that were used, reminiscent of Psycho or Bates Motel, which makes sense considering director Oz Perkins role as young Norman Bates in Psycho II (1983). Off topic, but fun fact nonetheless, many will recognize Perkins as the highly intelligent, yet very odd character Dorky David Kidney in Legally Blonde. Perkins also adapts the less is more approach similar to what was used with hit indie horror The Witch, also from A24. He allows the slow opening shots and overall visuals the opportunity to have an impact on the audience, and I liked that aspect. It might be easy to dismiss The Blackcoat's Daughter early on because everything seems to move at a snail's pace, but give it a chance and it will not disappoint. Does that mean this is a horror film that should satisfy everyone who decides to give it a shot? Absolutely not, many people will bash it for the variety of reasons I mentioned. Some may call it an acquired taste, but I feel that the artsy feel and old school horror elements will undoubtedly satisfy true horror fans, while inevitably letting down those seeking jump scares and other elements found in most of horror films today.

The acting is absolutely fantastic from top to bottom, with the entire cast helping to cement the inescapable feeling of dread the film creates. Young actress Kiernan Shipka is horrifying in one of the lead roles, coming across as not only creepy but definitely unpredictable, or better yet downright unhinged. Her character’s transformation during the film is an experience in itself. Emma Roberts is no stranger to horror, and I am a big fan of her work. She channels much of the vibe given off by Shipka and really adds to the overall effect of keeping viewers on edge. Lucy Boynton rounds out the cast as far as the primary roles are concerned, and she is stellar as well. Her character is instrumental as far as the believability and overall execution of the film, and she delivers in a big way. I also liked the casting of James Remar in a small but important role. If you watched Dexter you will remember him as Dexter's adopted father. This is a very well put together cast that didn't exhibit any weaknesses as far as I could tell, supporting roles included. 

The Blackcoat's Daughter is a satisfying horror film for a variety of reasons, but casual viewers should proceed with caution to ensure this is in fact a film they will enjoy. Perkins definitely has an eye for old school style horror and I'm looking forward to what he comes up with in the future. The Blackcoat's Daughter is a limited release and only available On-Demand currently in most markets, but it is absolutely worth the cost and an hour and a half of your time.

CHiPs

Director Dax Shepard

Genre Action | Comedy | Drama

Cast Michael Peña, Dax Shepard, Jessica McNamee, Adam Brody

Rating R

Release Date March 24th, 2017

“A rookie officer is teamed with a hardened pro at the California Highway Patrol, though the newbie soon learns his partner is really an undercover Fed investigating a heist that may involved some crooked cops.”

CHiPs is the feature-film reincarnation of the popular T.V. show that made its debut in 1977 and ran until 1983, starring Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox. Even though I was born a year after the show stopped airing I somehow have vivid memories of watching it, and I remember really enjoying it as well. The film version is directed by actor turned director Dax Shepard, casting himself in one of the lead roles. The rest of the cast includes Michael Peña, Jessica McNamee, and Adam Brody.

CHiPs stumbles due to a weak script and no real identity, but if you can appreciate silly humor Dax Shepard and Michael Peña will have you belly laughing nonetheless. First and foremost, this movie had next to nothing in common with the original show, aside from the title and the motorcycles. I can only assume the decision was made to use the name in the hope of pulling in fans of the original show. Although it seems to me the demographic that watched the show religiously back in the late 70's/early 80's wouldn’t really be into a movie like this, but what do I know? Fun fact, during the entire run of the show (6 seasons) the lead characters never fired their guns, not once. Bottom line, the show was a crime drama and this is well, not. CHiPs (the movie) is very much the definition of the love it or hate it R-rated comedy that focuses all of its energy on getting laughs, and basically lets everything else go by the wayside. I was looking forward to this for quite some time, mainly because of the cast and what seemed like a decent premise, and all in all I still left the theater feeling entertained. It didn't blow me away by any stretch of the imagination, but I was never bored and laughed about as much as I could have hoped to. CHiPs is raunchy, ridiculous, over-the-top, and will definitely offend some viewers, but that is essentially the definition of slapstick comedy. It could have been much better, no questions about that, but it still serves its purpose. As a director Dax Shepard did some great things, as a writer, he has plenty of room for improvement. Still, the ability to write, direct, and star in a big movie like this, that is impressive.

The original show was all about the chemistry between the two leads and the CHiPs movie has that in common. The cast is without a doubt one of the film’s biggest strengths. Dax Shepard split his time between directing and acting as he put himself in one of the lead roles. Shepard is actually a bit more reserved in his role compared to some of his other films and I actually enjoyed his character. His backstory is equal parts ridiculous and plausible, which somehow works for the most part. Casted alongside him is one of my favorite actors, the very versatile Michael Peña. I have been a huge fan of Peña ever since Crash, which is one of my all-time favorite films. He is a unique actor in his ability to play a goofy and hilarious character one movie and take on a very serious role the next. He is hilarious in this role and the chemistry he develops with Shepard is without a doubt the saving grace for the film. Kristen Bell, the wife of Dax Shepard, has a small role in the film but I must acknowledge the fact that she is absolutely gorgeous. I love that he has her in pretty much any film he directs. The supporting cast takes a backseat to the leads but everyone held their own. The film also includes an entertaining cameo from former CHiPs leading man Erik Estrada.  

CHiPs may be riddled with flaws but it had the theater I was in laughing out loud the majority of the time, myself included, and for me that alone is worth the price of admission for a pre-summer comedy. On the other hand, those of you who demand a little more should probably hold off until the Blu-ray/DVD release. It's difficult for me to recommend this to everyone simply because disliking the movie as a whole is a very realistic possibility, but if you can lower your expectations and maybe even have an adult beverage or two, CHiPs will put a smile on your face and send you home happy.

Power Rangers

Director Dean Israelite

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Dacre Montgomery, RJ Cyler, Naomi Scott, Ludi Lin

Rating PG-13

Release Date March 24th, 2017

“A group of high-school kids, who are infused with unique superpowers, harness their abilities in order to save the world.”

Directed by Dean Israelite (Chronicle), Power Rangers is the 3rd feature-length film for the long running franchise. After making its television debut in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, they were just getting started. To date, not counting the latest film, Power Rangers has accounted for more than a dozen T.V. adaptations, two feature-length films, a Green Ranger comic book, and an endless supply of merchandise. Actor Jason David Frank, known by most as the Green Ranger and White Ranger, is the longest running Power Ranger having been involved in 8 different versions of the show, and both movies. He is not in the latest film but is rumored to have a cameo appearance. The cast for the 2017 version of Power Rangers includes Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, and Ludi Lin.

With slick new armor sure to make longtime fans giddy, Power Rangers has more of an edge than ever before, while never forgetting where it came from. I was a HUGE Power Rangers fan growing up, specifically the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as it made its debut when I was a very impressionable 9-year-old boy. I always thought the idea of "morphing" was the coolest thing ever, and have spent far too much time wondering what it would be like to be able to do so. That was always part of the appeal of the show, the fact that regular teenagers became Power Rangers- it just made it feel attainable somehow. I also thought I could be just like Deion Sanders until freshman year of high school, so at the end of the day, what did I know? Power Rangers definitely has its fair share of clichés and cheesy moments, but all in all this is the gritty version I was hoping it would be. The cheesy moments are a necessary evil when it comes to the Power Rangers we all know and love. Its simply part of the appeal. The writers clearly made the depth of the characters an area of focus, and I am glad they did. Each of the soon to be Power Rangers are battling their own demons, and must find a way to let their guards down and become vulnerable to each other in order to truly become a team. This adds an emotional element generally absent from the franchise. They also delve more into Zordon's backstory which I thought was a nice addition. The reincarnation of Rita Repulsa is absolutely terrifying compared to the corny villain I remember from the T.V. Show. A few of her earlier scenes are scarier than the entire Rings movie. Granted that really isn't saying much, but in all seriousness they did a great job with her character.

Many have complained that Power Rangers lacks a true identity, constantly bouncing back and forth between gritty and cheesy, but I feel like that is by design. We all need to understand and do our best to recall the source material, because they are not trying to reinvent the wheel here. The goal all along was to attract longtime fans while doing their best to appeal to newcomers, and I think they accomplished that. During the movie I will admit, I found myself slightly disappointed that the fight scenes weren’t a bit more intense and/or violent, but after giving it some thought I realized that my brain is tuned to Captain America: Civil War level expectations, and this is NOT that. And that’s okay. As I mentioned before, Power Rangers has a cheesy or campy sensibility that adds to the authenticity. As much as I thought I wanted a gritty version up to the level of The Dark Knight, I realize now that is unrealistic, and if anything it would take away from what Power Rangers has built over 2 ½ decades. While collecting my thoughts after getting home from the theater, I turned the T.V. on and noticed that the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie was on. Naturally, I was intrigued and decided to start it from the beginning. Let me just say that although this adaptation is a bit corny, which is certainly a homage to the original show, it is basically Pulp Fiction compared to the 1995 movie. No exaggeration.

Power Rangers put together a very impressive cast, including huge names like Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Banks, both playing supporting yet pivotal roles. Cranston takes on the role of Zordon, the ultimate leader and voice of reason for the Power Rangers. During the scenes he was in I half expected Jesse Pinkman to burst into the control center telling Walt he was needed at the lab (just a little Breaking Bad humor, you get it). Banks assumes the role of well-known villain Rita Repulsa, and she sells the character quite well and the make-up team deserves a ton of credit. As far as the teenagers are concerned, Dacre Montgomery (Jason, Red Ranger) is the leader of the group who also gets the bulk of the screen time. He delivers a fine performance and helps to balance the dynamic of the cast. My personal favorite, although Montgomery is a close second, is RJ Cyler (Billy, Blue Ranger). As an autistic teenager, he plays the most unique character in the group, and he is definitely the funniest as well. I was thrilled when I found out he nabbed this role, as he starred in one of my favorite coming-of-age films, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (he plays Earl, just in case you were wondering). I really cannot think of anything negative to say about the casting, they were spot on from top to bottom. Unfortunately I have bad news for the original Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson, who was my childhood crush (one of many if I am being honest). You have been replaced by the new you, the U.K. born Naomi Scott (Kimberly, Pink Ranger). Don't worry, she is well over the age of 18.

Power Rangers is very much an origin story, in the sense that the majority of the film is dedicated to the buildup of these teenagers actually becoming Power Rangers. I see this as a negative and a positive, and here is why- as a fan, I would have loved to have seen more of the characters wearing the armor and battling bad guys, because simply put, they look really damn cool. On the flip side, the film sets itself up perfectly for a sequel, and thanks to a post credits scene that you should definitely stay for, I am actually pretty amped up for it. I won't give anything away but they seem to be heading in exactly the direction I hoped they would. I can't seem to get "Go Go Power Rangers" out of my head, which is certainly bittersweet. It is already rumored that a six movie story arc is in the planning stages, but obviously that is dependent on the success of this film. Overall, Power Rangers should be judged as an extension of the show that first graced our childhoods in 1993, with just enough of an adult spin to satisfy the grownups. I genuinely hope Power Rangers does well in the box office so they can green-light the sequel sooner than later. What are you still doing here?! Go see it!

The Belko Experiment

Director Greg McLean

Genre Action | Horror | Thriller

Cast John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona, John C. McGinley

Rating R

Release Date March 17th, 2017

“In a twisted social experiment, 80 Americans are locked in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia and ordered by an unknown voice coming from the company’s intercom system to participate in a deadly game of kill or be killed.”

The Belko Experiment is an action thriller directed by Greg McLean (Rogue, The Darkness) and written by James Gunn, the man who brought us Dawn of the Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy. With the outrageous premise of a twisted social psychology experiment, forcing office workers to kill each other in order to survive, it certainly turned some heads when the first trailer surfaced. The cast includes John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona, and John C. McGinley.

Well-written, fast-paced, brutally violent, and unapologetic, The Belko Experiment is a thrilling guilty pleasure not to be missed. Admittedly, I was reluctant to go see it right at release not only because it was limited to a few theaters in my area, but my excitement took quite a hit because of all the bad reviews. After first seeing the trailer, I was amped for what looked to be a fresh concept with a solid cast. I am pleased to report that I was genuinely entertained from start to finish. The Belko Experiment is absolutely brutal, and it makes a point to showcase each and every kill front and center, but as a fan that’s what I wanted to see. I wanted each casualty to make me say “Oh damn!” because that is what I was promised when I first watched the trailer. The Belko Experiment sets the table with a far-fetched yet plausible scenario, causing viewers to ponder that age old question, "How would I react in this situation?" That alone speaks to the effectiveness of the film as a whole, and its ability to be over-the-top while somehow still very much grounded in a dark reality not so far from our own. I find social psychology to be extremely fascinating and if you do as well, The Belko Experiment will ignite a few lightbulbs in that brain of yours. Although very different and much, much more extreme, I couldn’t help but think about The Milgrim Obedience Experiment. Bottom line, the concept worked because the writing was strong, the acting was believable and very effective, and the thrill aspect of the film didn’t pull any punches. James Gunn is a heck of a writer and I am very much looking forward to his next project, The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

I'm going to come right out and say it, critics really need to buck up. Not all critics, but the vast majority that took the time to submit a review for The Belko Experiment. I read the negative reviews and in a nutshell they criticize the film for its relentless violence and excessive use of blood and gore. What did you expect?! I mean seriously, the majority of the reviews tell me that they watched a movie that was simply too much for them so they gave it a bad rating. So if I see La La Land and I genuinely can't stand musicals and was simply sick of hearing Ryan Gosling sing I'm supposed to then give it a 0 rating? No, I'm sorry but that's not how it works. A very important unwritten rule for movie critics, or perhaps it is written (to be honest, I'm not sure) is that you leave bias out of it. You review a movie for what it is as well as what it was trying to be. But what you do not do is criticize it for actually accomplishing the goals it set out to accomplish. Just watch the trailer, it's pretty clear what kind of movie this is. If I was James Gunn I would personally call each and every critic and give them a piece of my mind. I would then kindly ask that they refrain from seeing any of my work in the future and instead stick to content they can handle, like maybe something on The CW.

The Belko Experiment assembles a versatile and talented cast perfect for the roles they were given. John Gallagher Jr. was awesome in the lead role, really selling the authenticity considering such an insane premise. He most recently starred in 10 Cloverfield Lane, as well as the Netflix horror exclusive Hush. Veteran actor Tony Goldwyn was amazing as well, playing a very intense and pivotal character crucial to the success of the script. As an actor, director, and producer, this guy takes hardworking to an entirely new level. Another very recognizable veteran actor, John C. McGinley, plays an exceptionally creepy and unsettling role, and he plays it well. If he reminds you of someone in your office, which he may, I would stand clear of that person for now on. Writer James Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn, plays the role of a paranoid stoner, and he was a nice addition to the dynamic of the cast as a whole. The entire cast did really well and you will surely recognize other faces.  

As demented as it may be, The Belko Experiment is an absolute blast. It is shockingly entertaining as long as you can stomach the gratuitous violence. For all of the sissies out there who claim this is the type of movie people walk out of, I shared the theater with two ladies easily in their late 70’s, maybe even early 80’s who seemed to enjoy it immensely, and even sat through most of the credits. A little strange? Sure, but I respect the fact that they see the movies they want to see and they know what to expect after actually watching a trailer. Interesting concept right? James Gunn has undeniable talent as a writer and The Belko Experiment is just further proof of that. Highly recommended.

Beauty and the Beast

Director Bill Condon

Genre Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Cast Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor

Rating PG

Release Date March 17th, 2017

“An adaptation of the classic fairy-tale about a monstrous prince and a young woman who fall in love.”

From director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Mr. Holmes), Beauty and the Beast is the live action retelling of the extremely popular Disney story. According to Disney, the first teaser trailer was viewed 91.8 million times in the first 24 hours, making it the most viewed teaser trailer in history. It is based on a traditional fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. The original French feature-film released in 1946, and was very well received by critics. The animated Disney version first released in 1991, and became an instant classic. The cast for the latest release includes Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and Josh Gad.

Staying true to Disney's classic, Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting experience for longtime fans of the timeless fairy tale. Admittedly I was never a huge fan of the original animated film, but I liked it and always considered it to be one of the best Disney movies ever made. But let's be clear, I am very much a guy, so that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Still, between this and Cinderella, the popularity was and is essentially unmatched. With relatively moderate expectations, I was actually quite pleased with the 2017 live action version of Beauty and the Beast. Although musicals aren't my thing, I thought that aspect was well done, but what I enjoyed most was the humor. The film includes a ton of funny back and forth between characters which I really enjoyed. Be Our Guest is my favorite song in the film, and that is also the most nostalgic for me as well. This version also looks deeper into Belle’s backstory which I thought was a nice addition and better explained the “black sheep” status she and her father have in the village. The visuals are stunning, and even though I saw the film in 2D, it was obvious that the 3D version would be worth the higher price. . The CGI was top-notch from top to bottom. It is a little long at nearly twice the length of the original, and at times it felt like it was dragging a bit, but luckily that feeling was few and far between. For the most part it was paced quite well, always keeping things interesting. All in all, I found Beauty and the Beast to be a very uniquely entertaining experience. I feel the need to mention that the infamous and controversial gay scene involving Josh Gad's LeFou character was extremely overblown. For a theater to refuse showing the movie over that is ignorance at its finest. Unfortunately, People always need something to complain about these days.

Beauty and the Beast certainly didn't skimp out on the cast. Although some have criticized the casting of Emma Watson as Belle, I thought she did a fantastic job, especially considering the immense pressure she must have felt to perform up to expectations. She possesses that girl next door beauty, and I felt she fit the role perfectly. As far as her singing ability is concerned, she held her own in that respect as well. Dan Stevens made the role of The Beast his own, and also developed great chemistry with Watson. Kevin Kline takes on the role of Belle’s dad Maurice, and the veteran actor delivers as expected. Luke Evans perfectly plays a conceited knucklehead and is very easily disliked, which is a credit to his performance. Josh Gad is great as LeFou, and I felt like he did a phenomenal job alongside Evans. If I had to choose, I would say that Ewan McGregor was my favorite part of the cast. He is the voice of Lumiere, which translates as light in French, the man who was transformed into a candlestick. He was witty and hilarious each and every second he was on screen. Ian McKellan took on the voice of Cogsworth the clock, and he also shared a great deal of hilarious banter with Lumiere. The entire cast met and exceeded expectations.

Whether you grew up a fan of the fairytale or not, Beauty and the Beast creates a well-crafted world of fantasy that is simply irresistible. My lady is a huge fan of the original movie, having watched it an insane amount of times, and has been excited to see this for months. I am pleased to say that she absolutely loved it, and that alone is enough for me to give my recommendation. Beauty and the Beast should be experienced by all generations, and this is the version that certainly ups the ante of overall appeal.

The Devil's Candy

Director Sean Byrne

Genre Horror

Cast Ethan Embry, Shiri Appleby, Kiara Glasco, Pruitt Taylor Vince

Rating Unrated

Release Date March 17th, 2017 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A struggling painter is possessed by satanic forces after he and his young family move into their dream home in rural Texas, in this creepy haunted-house tale.”

Written and directed by Sean Byrne, The Devil's Candy is an indie haunted house style horror film involving satanic forces. Byrne’s first feature-film, The Loves Ones, which released in 2009, received widespread acclaim on the international film festival circuit. The Devil’s Candy made its premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which was also very well received by critics, and was subsequently officially released on a limited basis and On-Demand March 17th, 2017. The cast includes Ethan Embry, Shiri Appleby, Kiara Glasco, and Pruitt Taylor Vince.

The Devil's Candy is a frighteningly fast-paced horror gem fueled by an earth shattering heavy metal soundtrack. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when The Devil's Candy arrived On-Demand, but after overwhelmingly positive early feedback from critics, I knew it was worth checking out. And I’m glad I did! I love horror films, but rarely are they capable of making me anxiously uneasy, and it pleases me to say The Devil's Candy managed to do that with relative ease. Right away it's clear this is a horror film with style and substance, and the last thing it lets you do is relax. As each moment passes, you just know something is very, very wrong. The score, soundtrack, and the cinematography, blend together in such a way that every single shot seems to somehow have an even deeper meaning. The script is simple yet immensely effective in a very real and very scary sort of way. I am still trying to figure out how they were able to create such a vile character that you can’t help but feel sympathy towards. I watched it twice and I picked up on a few subtle things that I somehow missed the first time through. You will be hard pressed to point out a flaw that justifies the limited release. Only his second feature film as a writer and director, Sean Byrne truly has an eye for horror and I can’t wait to see what he cooks up next. The combination of an extremely talented director and a superb cast pave the way for what is sure to become a horror classic. I'm not one to have nightmares, but if I was at all susceptible to a traumatic late night wake up, The Devil's Candy would surely make that a reality.

Rarely is acting a focal point for a horror film in general, nonetheless an indie horror, but The Devil's Candy turns that on its face. As a whole, this is the best acting I've experienced for a horror film since Lights Out. Lead Ethan Embry, best known for his role in the late 90's cult classic Can't Hardly Wait, is absolutely fantastic in his role. He has been working his butt off on the acting front but has had mostly supporting roles and brief stints on various T.V. shows, but he has legitimate talent. His portrayal of a struggling painter and committed family man is spot on, especially his ability to develop a strong and believably unbreakable bond with his wife and daughter. His wife is played by another Hollywood vet yet relatively unknown actress, the very cute Shiri Appleby, who has also made her career in T.V. for the most part. Most recently she has found success in the LifeTime Network drama series UnREAL. Appleby has great chemistry with her co-stars and delivers a solid performance. The daughter is played by young actress Kiara Glasco, and she delivers a more than effective performance as well. Now on to the meat and potatoes of this very sturdy cast, Pruitt Taylor Vince, who has an impressive 100 credits on his resume as an actor, dating back to 1986. He is very much a character actor who finds himself playing a less than savory role the majority of the time. Vince is remarkable in this sadistic role, rarely even uttering a word, and his character made my skin crawl. That is a feat not easily achieved, so kudos to him.

The Devil's Candy is the cream of the crop for indie horror films, and easily one of the best IFC Midnight releases I've seen in quite some time. It's no secret that direct to On-Demand films can be hit or miss, mostly miss, but this is an instance where the film more than deserved a theatrical release. To take it one step further, it is a travesty that this is a limited release. The Devil's Candy will have the hair on the back of your neck standing up in no time, and thanks to a director sure to turn some heads in the horror industry, this one is more than worth your time. Highly recommended.

Kong: Skull Island

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman, Samuel L. Jackson

Rating PG-13

Release Date March 10th, 2017

“A team of explorers and soldiers travel to an uncharted island in the Pacific, unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, including the mythic Kong.”

Kong: Skull Island is the most recent film to put the giant gorilla on the big-screen- the last being 2005’s King Kong. The latest version is brought to life by talented director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who also directed one of my favorite coming-of-age films, The Kings of Summer. It is also rumored that he will be directing Metal Gear Solid, which is based on the popular videogames, but that is not yet official. Kong: Skull Island has a fantastic cast including Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly.

Kong: Skull Island is an exhilarating pre-summer blockbuster that begs to be experienced in IMAX 3D. I went in to the theater expecting an abundance of eye candy and groundbreaking CGI, and I certainly got my money's worth, but what I didn't expect was a story that included a level of emotional depth. That really came out of left field for me. I mean I didn’t tear up or anything (I’m a grown man guys, come on!), but the backstory actually manages to hold some weight. Now in no way shape or form should you expect an emotional drama, I'm not saying that at all, but you have to give credit where credit is due. Kong: Skull Island hammers home unprecedented eye popping visuals with ease, but thanks to solid writing and a great cast, the impact of the film goes well beyond that. I am a big fan of war films, one of my favorites is The Hurt Locker, and I enjoyed that aspect of Kong: Skull Island as well. It had that war film feel to it with the military escorts heading into unfamiliar territory. I have to tip my hat to director Jordan Vogt-Roberts because the camera work was amazing, with so many cool shots that will surely leave an impression. One of the scenes shown in the trailer that has helicopters circling Kong with the camera panning around is simply glorious. I'm not going to say this is a groundbreaking film that should be talked about come Oscar season, but it is a very entertaining trip to the movie theater that will put a big smile on your face. To be honest, I may go see it again and I will definitely be adding it to my 3D Blu-ray collection. Just in terms of visuals alone, Kong: Skull Island is the most fun I’ve had at the IMAX 3D theater since the live-action version of The Jungle Book.

Kong: Skull Island offers a damn good cast. Oscar winner Brie Larson takes on one of the lead roles, and man is she beautiful. Don't get me wrong I'm a big Margot Robbie guy when it comes to some of my favorite actresses, but Larson has that undeniable girl next door cuteness that is just infectious. When I watched her in Room last year I knew she was going places, I guess I just have an eye for talent (I'm kidding of course, kinda). It's crazy to think she was the girl in 21 Jump Street that had a thing for Jonah Hill's character- that feels like an eternity ago. Just look at her now. Tom Hiddleston was great, and I felt like he developed solid chemistry with Larson as the plot unfolded. Samuel L. Jackson was amazing as usual, playing the controversial role that has become second nature to him. John C. Reilly is unquestionably the unsung hero of this film in my opinion. Once he was introduced, the dynamic changed for the better. Initially I wasn't sure what to expect from him, mainly because the trailers made it seem like he might be little more than a goofy prop character to grab a few cheap laughs, but he is much more than that and I really enjoyed what he brought to the table. Jason Mitchell was also a nice addition to the dynamic of the cast, bringing with him his knack for quick laughs and a universally likable on-screen presence. You might recognize him as he played Eazy-E in Straight Outta Compton. I could go on and on because this cast simply delivered from top to bottom.

Kong: Skull Island is a pleasure to experience, and if you have an IMAX 3D theater near you, make the effort to see it there if possible. It's worth it, trust me. I have read some of the criticism from people who outright refuse to see the movie even considering the very favorable reviews and I can’t help but feel a little annoyed. Now whether or not critics enjoyed the film shouldn’t be the determining factor because as they say, to each his own, but my issue is when people refer to something as crap without even giving it a chance. That is simply lazy and ignorant. I get the frustration with constant remakes, but they still have the potential to be good. When it comes to planning a trip to the movie theater we generally have a variety of movies to choose from, but for my money, good old fashioned entertainment value will always be a key component, and Kong: Skull Island has that in spades. When the screen went black the majority of the theater clapped, and rightfully so. Highly recommended.  

Logan

Director James Mangold

Genre Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

Cast Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook

Rating R

Release Date March 3rd, 2017

“In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.”

From director James Mangold (Girl, Interrupted, 3:10 to Yuma, The Wolverine), Logan marks the 17th anniversary for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier. The X-Men films, which include 10 films in total, have grossed an astonishing $4.5 billion+. Needless to say, they have been quite successful. Now we find ourselves at the end of the road as far as Jackman and the Wolverine character is concerned, so fans have had their fingers crossed in hopes that Logan is the perfect sendoff they have been waiting so anxiously for. The cast also includes Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, and Stephen Merchant.

Expertly acted, deeply emotional, and brutally violent, Logan is the exception to the rule for superhero movies and should be considered an Oscar favorite. I am a huge fan of the Wolverine movies much more so than the other X-Men films, primarily because they feel so real and intimate in comparison. That’s my personal opinion and I won' get into details as I am not much of a comic book guy (I did once read a few pages of Deadpool and I liked it), I simply enjoy quality entertainment. From the start you get a glimpse into what Logan's life has become, and it isn't pretty. Times are tough and he is getting old. Above all else, Logan is a survivor and he has a very high moral compass. Does that stop him from shredding human flesh with his razor sharp claws? Of course not, that would be boring. Logan is many things but boring is not one of them. It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, and if you are like me, you will find yourself grinning ear to ear and simply shaking your head at the insane fight scenes that leave a body count that require a mathematician just to keep a tally. Once we meet Laura, things really get interesting! I don't want to spoil anything because that would be rude of me, but Logan unveils an incredible story of family and survival, and it reminds us of what an all-around great movie is supposed to look like.

The acting in Logan is absolutely exceptional, which comes as no surprise considering the A-list talent involved with the project. Hugh Jackman once again proves how seriously he takes the Wolverine character, and after 17 years of releasing the notorious claws on unlucky enemies, he has this superhero thing down pat. In arguably his most impressive role due to the sheer emotion it required, Jackman should receive an Oscar nomination and has a legitimate chance at taking home the gold. I can say much of the same for veteran actor Patrick Stewart, who has been playing Professor X for nearly two decades. The chemistry he shares with Jackman is awe inspiring, and the sheer bond they share is something special to experience. Last but certainly not least, I need to mention how blown away I was by Dafne Keen. The daughter of television actor Will Keen, Logan is only Keen's 2nd film. Now granted she has very few actual lines due to the character she portrays, but her attitude, mannerisms, and sheer intensity, make her one BA little girl, especially considering her 4' stature. I sure as heck wouldn’t mess with her, let me just say that. Hopefully the success of this film opens a few more doors for her, and I would be surprised if we don’t see her again in another X-Men film (again, not a comic book guy, that may already be set in stone).

If this really is the end of the road for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, to say he made it count would be a severe understatement. Logan is a glimpse at a Wolverine character many of us aren’t used to seeing, one with immense vulnerability and something to lose. Whether you're going in expecting one of the best superhero films in recent memory (it's difficult not to), Logan will undoubtedly impress you and meet your expectations, and then some. Hugh Jackman, on behalf of viewers everywhere, thank you for being such a BA MF for so many years, you made us proud. Also, don't forget about the awesome Deadpool 2 teaser scene right before the start of Logan. I can't wait for that! Highly recommended.