47 Meters Down

Director Johannes Roberts

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine, Yani Gellman

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 16th, 2017

“Two sisters, vacationing in Mexico, are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, with less than an hour of oxygen left and great white sharks circling nearby.”

47 Meters Down is a shark attack thriller from director Johannes Roberts. Originally titled 47 Meters Down, the title was changed to In The Deep during spring 2016 and it was given a VOD/Blu-ray/DVD set for August. A week before the scheduled release a studio purchased the film, changed the name back, and prepared it for a wide theatrical release. The cast includes Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Chris Johnson, and Yani Gellman.

47 Meters Down is a visceral shark attack thriller more than capable of seeking its teeth into an audience. Full disclosure, I had moderate expectations when I walked into the theater, especially considering the fact that this film wasn't even supposed to reach theaters originally. I fought the urge to compare 47 Meters Down to The Shallows, starring Blake Lively, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was honestly impressed. 47 Meters Down is a back to basics shark attack thriller, pitting unsuspecting excitement seeking tourists up against some of the oceans most dangerous predators. The acting is very solid, and the scenario in which the characters find themselves in is relatively plausible (not that that matters all that much- it is a movie after all). The cinematography is spot on, the pacing is effective throughout, and the directing and score is top tier as well. I was honestly most impressed by the CGI, which I half expected to be average at best, but the sharks looked fantastic, and admittedly caused my heart to skip a beat or two. The characters were given enough of a backstory for viewers to invest in the preservation of their well-being, which I thought was important. By the final act, I was actually thinking beyond what was happening on–screen, and in some strange way thinking about how the events of the film will ultimately impact the lives of the two sisters. I was also impressed with the ending, which I found to be creative and thought provoking. A few things that I felt seemed out of place did take away from the level of intensity during some of the bigger scenes. For example, the oddly calm demeanor of the supporting cast felt out of place at times, specifically during radio contact with the bot while under water. However, that didn't take too much away from the overall impact of the film. Maybe they were trying to be realistic in the sense of how someone would act if they were trying to make sure the victim kept calm, but to me it just didn’t sit right. I did notice a couple other inconsistencies, but honestly I don’t feel it’s worth picking these things apart. 47 Meters Down is a very entertaining movie and that’s what matters.

47 Meters Down has a small yet very talented cast at its disposal. Leads Mandy Moore and Claire Holt anchor the cast and deliver great performances. Mandy Moore has been relatively quiet as far as movies go as of late, although she has been making waves with the hit series This Is Us. According to Moore's IMDb filmography, she has a few upcoming films on the horizon. A talented actress who seems to have grown over the years, Moore has fantastic chemistry with Holt and the two are a big reason why the film works. 47 Meters Down is the first lead role for Claire Holt, who also has a few films coming out soon. While she may be considered a B-rated film actress up to this point in her career, I think she proved that she has the ability to play a lead role with great results. I feel like a certain level of difficulty does exist when playing a role like this, compared to let's say a traditional horror film or slasher, with such a huge emphasis on believability as far as a life or death situation, and these two deliver the goods. The supporting cast is fine overall, not really providing or taking away too much from the film. The biggest name on the cast has one of the smallest roles, and that is fan favorite and veteran actor Matthew Modine, best known for his role as Pvt. J.T. "Joker" Davis in Full Metal Jacket (1987). As usual, Modine is a gem in front of the camera.

Summarizing how I feel about 47 Meters Down is surprisingly difficult, mainly because I thoroughly enjoyed it, yet I wouldn't consider it to be a really good movie necessarily. I'm honestly not quite sure how to explain that riddle of an explanation, but this is an example of safe filmmaking that in the end, simply works. The audience stays on the edge of their seat, the acting never feels corny or exaggerated, and the filming location is absolutely beautiful. Director Johannes Roberts is far from a household name, but he has caught my eye a few times now, first with the underappreciated horror film, The Other Side of the Door and now this. All in all, 47 Meters Down isn't quite a must-see in the theaters type of movie, but whether you see it at home or on the big screen, it will be an hour and a half well spent- that I can assure you.

All Eyez on Me

Director Benny Boom

Genre Biography | Music

Cast Demetrius Shipp Jr, Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, Jamal Woolard

Rating R

Release Date June 16th, 2017 (Tupac's Birthday)

“Tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur.”

All Eyez on Me is a biopic chronicling the life of controversial rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks, most commonly known by his stage name 2Pac, and is the first feature-film about his life. Born in East Harlem, New York, Tupac made his rise to fame after starting out as a backup dancer and MC for the alternative hip hop group Digital Underground, which he eventually became an official member of before going solo and launching his impressive career. Benny Boom directed the film, who previously directed the 2009 comedy Next Day Air, but he is mostly known for his work directing music videos. The cast includes Demetrius Shipp Jr, Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, and Jamal Woolard.

All Eyez on Me offers up enough nostalgia to satisfy the majority of 2Pac fans, but a generic script and lackluster directing limit its potential. I grew up a fan of rapper Tupac Shakur, and I still feel to this day that one of the more talented artists to blend music and acting talent died tragically on that chilly day in the Fall of 1996. It's strange because throughout my childhood certain moments resonate as vivid memories almost like I could transport myself to that very moment whenever I wanted. The death of Tupac Shakur is one of those moments, as I vividly recall 11 year-old me, living in sunny Florida at the time, sitting in our fancy R.V equipped with a television when the news broke about the shooting, and as young as I was, it truly shocked me. Tupac was larger than life, and now he was gone. The East Harlem native was taken well before his time at the young age of 25, and he had quite the future ahead of him. All Eyez on Me attempts to chronicle his life from the days when his father was a member of the Black Panther's, all the way up to his death. I personally felt like the majority of the facts checked out in terms of what I recall. I'm sure many details were left out or misconstrued, leading to outrage from people close to Tupac like actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who claims the film portrayed their relationship in a false light. Yet for reasons beyond my understanding she doesn’t actually clarify how it was different because I would love to know.

All Eyez on Me feels boring at times, jumping from one chapter to the next without much of a smooth transition. I also felt like the film lacked the "wow" moments it should have had, like the anticipation of Tupac walking out on stage, or just a genuine build-up in general so that viewers could really feel the larger than life icon he became, even if just for a short time. Very few of the bigger moments felt as big as they should have, and that’s too bad really. I'm convinced that directing played a large part in this, and I honestly would have loved to see what director John Singleton would have come up with. Singleton was initially attached to the film as the director but eventually left the project over creative differences with the studio. Apparently he disagreed with the overall portrayal of the late actor. It is worth noting that according to IMDb, Singleton is the only director to receive a blessing from Tupac's late mother to tell her son's story. Singleton was quoted as saying he hopes to someday direct his own Tupac Shakur film, on his own terms. Singleton is an accomplished director, best known for hits like Boyz in the Hood, Poetic Justice (also starring Tupac Shakur), Higher Learning, Shaft, Baby Boy, and Four Brothers (one of my personal favorites). Interesting fact, Tupac was dropped from his role in Higher Learning prior to filming because of legal troubles, which is covered in All Eyez on Me. The more I think about it the more I realize how much better this film could have been under Singleton's direction- damn you studio big wigs and your micromanaging of the individuals ten times more talented than you will ever be! Damn you, damn you, damn you.

The cast for All Eyez on Me was pretty well put together all things considered. Demetrius Shipp Jr. is a spitting image of Tupac Shakur and I definitely felt like it was Tupac himself on screen throughout the film. Shipp seemed to take his role very seriously, and I felt that he delivered an impactful performance, especially considering this was his first ever role. According to a 2017 cover story in Vibe magazine, written by Kevin Powell, Shipp was originally casted for the role way back in 2011, but the project was delayed numerous times. Shipp, a father of 3, was struggling financially working a few different jobs at places like Lowe's and Target, while on the verge of eviction from his apartment prior to finally getting the call that they were ready to begin work on the film. His father was a member of the Crips street gang that was originally founded in Los Angeles, CA, and he was also a music producer that worked with Tupac back in the day. During the interview with Vibe, Shipp talks about how ever since high school people told him he looked just like the late rapper, and after a close friend insisted he take part in an open audition for All Eyez on Me, he decided to give it a shot. This role will certainly change his life regardless of whether his acting career flourishes or not, but if he works hard I could see him progressing towards a solid career if given the right roles. After learning more about his life and where he came from, it was fitting that he was the man to portray Tupac. The supporting cast was pretty good, most notably the return of Jamal Woolard as Biggie Smalls, the man who portrayed the rapper in the 2009 biopic Notorious (definitely worth a watch if you haven’t seen it already). I also really enjoyed Dominic L. Santana as a spitting image of Suge Knight, the large and very unstable former CEO of Death Row Records.

As I mentioned before, I consider myself to have been a pretty big fan of Tupac throughout my formative years, and I continue to appreciate his music, so all things considered I enjoyed All Eyez on Me. I do feel that with a superior director this could have been a much better film, perhaps even close to the level of Straight Out of Compton, which is certainly a high bar, but they also had the tools at their disposal. One of the biggest advantages Straight Out of Compton had was proven acting talent and more resources, including the strong influence of rapper turned actor Ice Cube. I was anticipating the release for a while so I went to see All Eyez on Me the day after it came out, and decided to take some time to process my thoughts before writing a review, which has allowed me to appreciate the film more than I did upon leaving the theater. At the end of the day it was awesome to in some way relive what life was like before Tupac's death, and I really feel that any fan of the late rapper should see All Eyez on Me, and reserve judgment until they've experienced it for themselves.

Wonder Woman

Director Patty Jenkins

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 2nd, 2017

“Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.”

From director Patty Jenkins, who directed the 2003 drama Monster, Wonder Woman is the latest film in the DC Universe. Fans have been begging to have a female superhero on the forefront, and that time has come. Israeli actress and model Gal Gadot first appeared on screen as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman, but due to a thrashing from critics she didn’t receive a great deal of positive feedback. Gadot seems to have taken her role as Wonder Woman extremely seriously, as it is noted that she trained for 9 months and gained 17 pounds of pure muscle for the character. Now that is dedication! The cast includes Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston, and David Thewlis.

Well-acted, funny, and genuinely entertaining, Wonder Woman is one heck of a film and a career defining performance for actress Gal Gadot. It's well documented that DC has had its troubles as of late, which is part of the reason why this film couldn't have come at a better time. I actually enjoyed Suicide Squad more than most critics, but I was definitely let down by Batman v Superman, also starring Gadot as Wonder Woman, which I felt lacked a much needed edge. With the new Justice League movie on the horizon, a powerful female superhero is here to save the day. I had high expectations for Wonder Woman after the early release praise from critics, and it did not disappoint. The collaboration of director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot seems to be a match made in heaven. Jenkins is far from a household name as she made her directorial debut with the 2003 drama Monster, which started Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. Monster was a hit with critics but for one reason or another Jenkins focused on T.V. for a while, directing a couple episodes for The Killing and HBO's Entourage. With Wonder Woman, Jenkins proves she has an eye for great visuals, and she understands how to make a visually stunning film without sacrificing substance. I really enjoyed how Wonder Woman was able to toe the line between the superhero cinematic universe, and a very dark time when the world was truly at war. You get a glimpse at the harsh reality while still preserving your ability to be entertained. Wonder Woman is the rare superhero film that can hold its own up against some of the better action films of the past decade.

Wonder Woman brought together a fantastic and charismatic cast to ensure success of the film. I will admit that I had my reservations about Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, not because she isn't attractive or athletic enough, because we all know she has both in spades, I just wasn’t sure of her ability as an actress to carry a film in the lead role. Well let me just say, she impressed the you know what out of me! In her very first lead role, Gadot exuded confidence from the beginning and never looked back. Not once did I question her ability as an actress, and it was almost like she was born to play this role. Strong, determined, smart, and downright lethal, Gal Gadot is the Wonder Woman fans deserve. I read that she went through re-shoots for the film, including stunts, while she was 5 months pregnant! They had to utilize some green-screen magic on her baby bump. This performance may very well have landed Gadot a spot in my top 5 list of favorite actresses, for several reasons. This may or may not have something to do with the strange fascination I had with girls that could beat me up when I was little, but we won't dive too deep into that. Chris Pine was amazing as expected, and I was actually really impressed by the chemistry he developed with Gadot. The two played off each other really well and made sure there was never a dull moment. Accomplished actor David Thewlis was great in his role, but I will admit I couldn’t get the vision of him as V.M. Vargas in Fargo season 3 out of my head. His character in that show is absolutely incredible. The supporting cast was amazing as well, especially the crew that Pine convinces to join in on the adventure. Just a great cast all around!

Wonder Woman is a fantastic film, period. It gets so many things right that viewers will ignore any flaws that it may have. You feel the pain and the struggle of the World War I victims, and you see what things were like on the front lines. Wonder Woman exemplifies selflessness, and is more concerned with the well-being of those around her than her own. What I also found fascinating is the fact that even though she dealt with significant culture shock entering into a world entirely new to her, instead of judging what she saw as strange or different she embraced this new world and all of its flaws. I'm not going to sit here and say that this is a movie about women empowerment blah blah, because to be quite honest that's been said enough already (apologies if I seem insensitive). Wonder Woman is empowering for the human race as a whole, because she embodies compassion, strength, and understanding, and we could all learn a lot from her. Do yourself a favor and see this film before it leaves theaters, you won't regret it. I will definitely be adding this to my collection when the Blu-ray releases.

It Comes at Night

Director Trey Edward Shults

Genre Horror | Mystery

Cast Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo

Rating R

Release Date June 9th, 2017

“Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, a man has established a tenuous domestic order with his wife and son, but this will soon be put to test when a desperate young family arrives seeking refuge.”

It Comes at Night is the second film from talented director Trey Edward Shults. He previously directed the critically acclaimed indie drama Krisha (now streaming on Amazon Prime), which he filmed entirely in his own personal home, with the majority of his family members as the cast.  As a director, he seems to focus on the basis of human emotion and family dynamics. As an indie horror film that premiered at the Overlook Film Festival in Oregon, It Comes at Night has received a great deal of a praise from critics prior to it's release. The cast includes Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Tense, unnerving, and beautifully shot, It Comes at Night is a uniquely crafted post-apocalyptic horror. Viewers are immersed in a world where optimism no longer exists, and survival is the only thing that matters. I was extremely excited to see It Comes at Night and I had relatively high expectations considering all of the early buzz and incredible trailers, and I'm pleased to say I wasn't at all disappointed. Now I understood going in to the theater this was not going to fit the criteria of a traditional horror film, and I expected a slow-burn style similar to The Witch. It certainly fit that mold for the most part, but this is even more of a thinking mans horror. The fear is very real, and from the opening sequence to the powerful final shot, you will be on edge. In order to truly appreciate It Comes at Night you need to try and find a way to let go of expectations, and simply become engaged with what is unfolding on screen. This is a film about human emotion, trust and distrust, and protecting one’s family and the lengths to which we will go to do so. The interactions between the characters hold just as much weight as the seemingly imminent threat everyone is trying so hard to protect themselves from. It's the idea of being on the brink of grave danger and not knowing what you're supposed to be scared of. What exactly is coming at night? I believe Shults succeeds in forging a connection between the characters on screen and the viewers themselves, because in a way you are both searching for the same answers, and the terrifying thing is that you may never really know what it is you are so scared of. The cinematography is absolutely amazing, and many of the shots beg to be freeze framed and experienced further. I loved the isolated and claustrophobic environment the film creates. If you watch It Comes at Night with an open mind and an understanding of what you are about to experience, it will provide you with a ton to appreciate and will leave you with the need to discuss further. This is the absolute epitome of leaving the "monster" in the shadows, and proving that the unseen can be just as scary. That being said, much like The Witch, The Babadook, or It Follows, or any other love them or hate them horror films, It Comes at Night will alienate some viewers but the overall impact of a film like this is simply undeniable.

Aside from directing and cinematography, acting is unquestionably one of the biggest strengths for It Comes at Night. Joel Edgerton is a proven actor with the ability to play a variety of roles, and here he proves that dramatic roles may be his calling card. His facial expressions and mannerisms are incredible, and he carries himself like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Christopher Abbott, who many will recognize from the HBO series Girls, is fantastic in his role. Abbott manages to match Edgerton's intensity stride for stride, and the two actors team up as quite the acting duo. Carmen Ejogo (Selma, Alien: Covenant) was another bright spot in a strong supporting role. The relatively unknown Kelvin Harrison Jr. (The Birth of a Nation) was amazing as a critical character in the film. In a sense he was a key component to bridging the emotional gap between Edgerton and Ejogo, who play his parents, and the people they cautiously allow into their lives. I really enjoyed his performance. Simply put, you will be hard pressed to find a weak spot in this cast. 

It Comes at Night will please the vast majority of the horror fan base, and will surely anger its fair share as well. Simply put, this movie is not for everyone. It's not going to hand you an explanation on a silver platter at every corner. It's going to challenge you, and allow you the opportunity to use your imagination. Regardless of any of that, this is a finely crafted piece of cinema that deserves a viewing regardless of opinion. This is filmmaking as an art form. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Director Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Johnny Depp, Brenton Thwaites, Javier Bardem, Orlando Bloom

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 26th, 2017

“Captain Jack Sparrow searches for the trident of Poseidon while being pursued by an undead sea captain and his crew.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is the 5th entry in the franchise that has grossed over 4 billion dollars worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. The films caught on quickly thanks to Johnny Depp and his brilliant portrayal of the rarely sober, but undeniably likable pirate Jack Sparrow. The full cast includes Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Geoffrey Rush, and Orlando Bloom

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is not without its flaws, but a return to the goofy feel of the original and what amounts to a real treat in the IMAX, should satisfy fans and newcomers. I am by no means a hardcore fan of the franchise, but I enjoy the films and I find myself drawn to the fun "let's not take things too seriously" mentality. For me, that allows viewers to appreciate the visuals, the humor, and lets not forget the incredible level of detail with the costume design. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales had me laughing and smiling for the majority of the film, although admittedly I entered the theater with tempered expectations. I enjoyed Johnny Depp's return as a stumbling bumbling drunken idiot. I felt like the humor was spot on even though many jokes fell flat, and I really enjoyed one cameo in particular which takes place in a jail cell, but I won't give anything away. The storyline has its fair share of inconsistencies without question, and at times it does seem to drag, but the conclusion ties together earlier films and makes you feel pretty good about the last 2+ hours. All in all, this is a solid movie that the entire family can enjoy.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales has an impressive cast which has become a staple of the franchise, and this time around they went ahead and added talented actor Javier Bardem to rival the great jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). Bardem was fantastic in his role, and I felt like he truly immersed himself. I am a little on the fence about Depp's performance for a few reasons. For the most part Johnny Depp was as charismatic on screen as we have come to expect, but at times I felt like his heart wasn’t fully into his performance. Perhaps he is a little run down with the franchise or prefers to play a character with a bit more substance. Not to worry, for the most part he was great and brought his character back to life once again. Brenton Thwaites was a welcomed addition to the film and delivered a charismatic performance, and it seems that his career is beginning to take off. I also enjoyed Kaya Scodelario's role and thought she really took advantage of her opportunity as the primary female lead.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is a fun film that makes good use of the gigantic budget it is afforded, which makes for one heck of a fun IMAX film more than worth the price of admission. Critics have laid on a great deal of criticism, most of which is warranted, but at the end of the day what matters most is staying true to the franchise and ensuring fans leave the theater with a smile on their faces. In my opinion Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales accomplishes that goal, and even though it falls well short of what we would consider a great movie, it still earns its right to be seen on the big screen. Be sure to stick around through the credits for a bonus scene, and I mean all the way through the credits (the clean-up guy was giving me the stink eye for sure).

Baywatch

Director Seth Gordon

Genre Comedy

Cast Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Priyanka Chopra

Rating R

Release Date May 26th, 2017

“Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchanan butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.”

Baywatch is the feature film based on the TV show that ran from 1989-2001, which starred an actor and actress who graced the bedroom walls of teenagers everywhere when I was growing up, mine included. That would be the breathtaking Pamela Anderson, in case you didn’t grow up in the 90’s, and Night Rider himself, David Hasselhoff. A show that prided itself on bombshells in skimpy red bikinis patrolling the beach, Baywatch was destined to be a cult classic. Fast forward 27 years and the movie version is upon us. Baywatch stars Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Zak Efron, Priyanka Chopra, and Alexandra Daddario.

A talented and enthusiastic cast generate plenty of laughs and keep Baywatch from drowning, but a script with zero imagination severely limits its potential. I have been waiting months for this movie, and my expectations were sky high mainly due to a fantastic cast and an incredible marketing campaign. I thought to myself, "With such a great cast it would be impossible for this movie to be anything less than hilarious." Regrettably, Baywatch fell well short of my admittedly somewhat unrealistic expectations, and the worse part is how easily it could have been so much better. I was right about the cast and what they would bring to the table, because they were in fact hilarious, but the wheels fell off in another aspect of the film. So, where did Baywatch go wrong? Let me just start with the pathetic excuse for a script, which to my surprise was a joint effort between 9 different writers, 3 of which worked on the original show. It would have made more sense if they said that a group of 5th graders came up with it as part of a school project.

Now let's be clear for a second, I'm not necessarily bashing the jokes or funny situations throughout Baywatch, because it was able to get quite a few laughs out of me and kept me smiling for the majority, but the overall storyline was just shameful. It lacks identity and teeters between serious and slapstick, with no clear direction. The fact that a studio signed off on a script this bad with so much money on the line is beyond me. In no way did I expect an Oscar worthy narrative, I just wanted something that at least pulled me in beyond the gags, similar to 21 Jump Street for example. The balance is absolutely possible, so chalk it up as an opportunity missed. Phew, that got me a little worked up. Now that we are past that we can focus on the fact that the film does have positives, a good amount in fact. Some of the jokes do fall flat, but a fair share hit their mark, and hit it hard. As many critics and viewers have mentioned, Baywatch essentially earned its R-rating thanks to a plethora of di** jokes, and the majority are funny and at times downright painful to watch. Unfortunately the R-rated content most meat-eating, beer-drinking males were hoping for is relatively restrained. Sad, I know. Baywatch also includes a few amazing cameos, and at the end of the day it is an entertaining trip to the theater worth the price of admission. What will eat away at me for at least the next few days is the fact that it could have been much, much better.

The cast is fantastic all around, and the Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron chemistry came together nicely. The back and forth between these two is priceless, and at times it is the ultimate battle of the biggest egos on the beach. Johnson has such a powerful on-screen presence that any scene is simply that much better when he is involved. I hope to see these two collaborate again in the near future. I wasn't sold on Priyanka Chopra as the villain, but I didn't hate her performance. She just lacked that edge you want from a character that is supposed to be a ruthless drug kingpin. Relatively unknown actor Jon Bass was an unexpected bright spot in the cast, and as usual I enjoyed the presence of comedian Hannibal Burress. Burress has a unique style as a comedian, and he is starting to thrive as the token funny guy in feature films. He is an absolute riot in the recent Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg comedy Daddy’s Home. The eye candy is aplenty compliments of Alexandra Daddario, and the beautiful model turned actress Kelly Rohrbach. Daddario has proven her ability as a solid actress, but Rohrbach's performance took me by surprise. The cast saved Baywatch from complete and utter disaster, that is one thing I am sure of. 

Baywatch is like that friend you enjoy hanging out with but sometimes says or does the stupidest things and you wonder "What the heck is wrong with this guy?!" You think to yourself, "Man he has it made, good looks, great job, attractive girlfriend who makes him steak 5 nights a week,” yet for some reason he fails to live up to his potential. That, my friends, is this movie in a nutshell. Baywatch is funny, great to look at, and loaded with talent, but some idiot at the studio decided having a plot worthy of daytime TV just wasn't in the cards. Guys can gals will be pleased by the “scenery”, especially gals as a jacked Dwayne Johnson and shredded Zac Efron dominate the shirtless screen time. Keep your expectations in check and enjoy Baywatch for the visually pleasing albeit watered down raunchy comedy that it is, because at the very least you will get your laughs in one way or another and it will prepare you for a fun summer!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Director James Gunn

Genre Action | Sci-Fi

Cast Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 5th, 2017

“Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.”

Directed and co-written by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the box office crushing 2014 film. Gunn is an incredibly talented and creative writer/director, and this franchise is lucky to have him on board. I fell in love with the first film so I was pretty excited when I found out they already had plans for a sequel. Funny how fast that’s announced when a movie starts making money as fast as they can print it, right? The incredibly talented cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, and Michael Rooker. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 also includes some really cool cameo appearances, but I won't ruin that for you. You're welcome

Relentlessly hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is one heck of a good time. I'll admit that when I first saw the trailer for the original film at the theater, I had zero knowledge of the movie or the comics that inspired it. I just knew that it looked like a lot of fun so I went to see it opening weekend, Well, I was blown away. This time around my expectations were much higher, but that didn't matter, as this was as good of a sequel as I could have hoped for. I laughed like a fool throughout the majority of the movie, and I challenge you to watch a scene with Baby Groot without a big smile on your face. In my personal opinion, up against all other Marvel films, The Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2 reigns victorious simply in terms of the "fun factor" (Civil War may be the exception). Although it does include a great deal of heart, you never find yourself overly concerned for the characters on screen, mainly because neither film takes itself all too seriously. To me this is a good thing, and rings especially true for Vol. 2. If you're able to see this in IMAX 3D, do yourself a favor and do so! The visuals are absolutely stunning and the 3D is top notch. Director James Gunn did a stellar job and he deserves a lot of the credit here as well. The music, the characters, the awesome CGI, The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 delivers on all fronts and I cannot wait for the next movie! Just be sure to stay for all 5 during/post credit scenes.

Much like the original film, the cast in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is amazing, and I would be hard pressed to find a weak spot. This cast is even better this time around with a few very welcomed additions. Chris Pratt reprises his iconic role and once again he is the charismatic knucklehead we have all come to love. Former professional wrestler turned actor Dave Bautista is the king of dry humor and poorly timed comebacks, yet somehow he will have you laughing regardless. Similar to the first film he rarely "gets it" and that is unquestionably the charm of his character. I could watch the back and forth between him and Chris Pratt's character all day long, no exaggeration. Kurt Russell was a welcomed addition but it is still the core of the cast that the audience will love most. I am honestly struggling to decide who my favorite character is but I feel like I need to settle on the character with the fewest lines, and that would of course be Baby Groot. I can barely begin to describe how great it is to have this little guy running around without a care in the world, it really is priceless. I actually just watched a car commercial that had him in it and I thought about buying it until I realized the car wouldn’t be nearly as fun without him in the passenger seat. I could go on and on with how much I really like this entire cast but I will allow you the opportunity to experience it for yourself!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a triumphant sequel if I may be so bold, as it caters to fans of the original which is what matters most if you ask me. I purchased the original on Blu-ray 3D as soon as it came out and I have watched it multiple times since. These movies are non-stop fun and have incredible replay-ability, which to me is relatively rare these days. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was officially announced before the butter even hit the popcorn for Vol. 2 so that is definitely a good sign. It will remain high on my movie's “I can't wait to see list.” Whether you are a comic book fan or not, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a film that aims to please audiences of all ages, so take the kids or just carve out some time for a date night, it will be worth it! Highly recommended.

Free Fire

Director Ben Wheatley

Genre Action | Crime | Drama

Cast Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Sharlto Copley

Rating R

Release Date April 21st, 2017

“Set in Boston in 1978, a meeting in a deserted warehouse between two gangs turns into a shootout and a game of survival.”

Free Fire is a crime thriller directed and co-written by Ben Wheatley. Wheatley most recently directed the indie drama High-Rise. The film takes place in Boston in the late 70's- the perfect setting for a guns blazing action flick. The cast includes Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, and Sharlto Copley.

Lead by a charismatic and energetic cast, Free Fire is a throwback shoot-em-up style indie well worth checking out. I planned on seeing this movie right out of the gate because of the cast alone, and once the release grew closer I became that much more excited for what I expected to be a very entertaining indie flick. Receiving a limited release and only playing at my local art house theater, I was sure to make my way there opening weekend and I was not disappointed. The storyline sucks you in right away thanks to a stellar cast and a smartly written script. The dialogue is top notch allowing viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves, while experiencing some of the most ridiculous back and forth banter available in cinema today. Once the bullets start flying it can be difficult to decipher who is on which side but that is surely by design and attributed to the chaotic mess the characters find themselves in. Free Fire passes on the John Wick style stunts and instead relies on old fashioned running while screaming and hoping nobody shoots you. And guess what, it works. I really liked the 70's setting, specifically the outfits. They really never get old. Free Fire is hilarious and even the seemingly never-ending firefight is packed full of humor. I really liked the balance between fear of imminent death and damn I have a blood stain on my favorite suit. I genuinely enjoyed the film from start to finish and felt like everything came together to create a unique experience that should satisfy most fans of the genre, or simply fans of quality filmmaking in general. My biggest issue is that it seemed to drag a bit right around the 3rd act, which was unfortunate because of how seamless the film was as a whole, but that wasn’t enough to take away from the overall entertainment value.

The cast is easily my favorite aspect of Free Fire in terms of what it added to the experience. The foundation is built on the dialogue, and the way the characters play off each other. I am having a hard time deciding who my favorite character was but I narrowed it down to 2, Vernon played by Sharlto Copley, and Ord played by Armie Hammer. Copley will have you laughing in each and every shot he is in, whether through his ridiculous outfit, erratic behavioral, or his absolutely hysterical South African accent. Most of what comes out of his mouth will have you shaking your head wondering what the heck is this guy talking about? Hammer, who stays true to his name with an overbearing 6'5 frame, is crucial to the dynamic of the cast. He is as cocky as they come but I still found him to be one of the more appealing characters. He quickly cements himself as the "Big Brother" of the cast trying to keep things together, but even he isn't capable of maintaining order amongst this crew of misfits. Oscar winner Brie Larson was fantastic as expected, and the chemistry she shared with Cillian Murphy added quite a bit to the effectiveness of the film as well. After winning me over with her award-winning performance in Room, Larson is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses and I really like her versatility as an actress.

Free Fire is a unique experience and most importantly, it felt like a movie the cast was proud to be a part of. Nothing felt thrown together, and true to many indie films that find their way into local art house theaters, it prides itself on originality. As I mentioned before, the dialogue is absolutely fantastic and I can't wait for the Blu-ray release so that I can pick this one up and laugh my butt off once again. Recommended.

The Fate of the Furious

Director F. Gary Gray

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron

Rating PG-13

Release Date April 14th, 2017

“When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.”

The Fate of the Furious is the 8th installment in the fan favorite The Fast and the Furious franchise, dating all the way back to the original release in 2001. I grew up watching these movies, and as a young sophomore in high school when the first move came out, I remember thinking, "Man it would be cool to be able to have a license and drive a car anytime I want." Granted the ability to drive or even better yet own one of the many amazing cars they have in these movies would be another level entirely. The latest entry is directed by F. Gary Gray, the man who brought us The Negotiator, the thrilling and underappreciated Law Abiding Citizen, and Straight Outta Compton. The stellar cast includes, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Charlize Theron, Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood, and Helen Mirren.

Action-packed, hilarious, and a heartfelt tribute to the beloved late Paul Walker, The Fate of the Furious is yet another stellar entry in the series. I have a special place in my heart for all of the films, although some are certainly better than others, and I own each and every one on crystal clear Blu-ray. Well I am pleased to admit I absolutely loved The Fate of the Furious and I thought it was the perfect way to reignite the franchise and take it in a seemingly new direction. After the trailer was unveiled I, like many other fans, was taken aback by Dominick Toretto's (Vin Diesel) decision to go rogue on his family, which means everything to him as engrained in us for almost 2 decades now. Not knowing why kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and certainly kept the blood pumping. When the smoke cleared, everything made perfect sense. The prevalence of humor has become a benchmark for the series and this entry is no different. To me that is a tribute to the chemistry the core of the cast has developed over the years. Chris Morgan deserves a great deal of credit as the man who penned the script. He was able to add an impressive level of depth to the story and took full advantage of the acting talents he had at his disposal. Morgan previously wrote Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, and most recently Furious 7. F. Gary Gray proved he is more than capable of grabbing the reigns of the series, picking right up where talented director James Wan left off with Furious 7. I was slightly concerned about that transition just because of what Wan has achieved in his career, but Gray is a man of many skills as well and has also worked with Diesel in the past. What is most mind-blowing to me is the simple fact that they are able to "one-up" themselves with each film, very much an uphill battle each and every time. People can complain all they want about how it used to be about street racing and what happened to that blah blah, but if they continued to make the same old movie over and over again, not only would these same people complain about that, they would flop in the box office and there would be no more franchise. Creativity and a passion for the series has kept The Fast and the Furious alive and I feel blessed to watch it flourish. I won't give anything away but the film also has a few tributes to the late Paul Walker's character Brian, one of which got me pretty good. They handled Paul Walker's death within the framework of the direction of the franchise perfectly with Furious 7, and it was really nice to see them keep his memory alive in the latest film.

It is rare to have a stunt heavy film such as this with literally no evident weakness in terms of the cast. I mean sure much of the cast is considered mid-level by Hollywood standards- Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris etc, but they have carved out the perfect niche with their characters within this franchise. The Fate of the Furious makes it a point to up the ante by adding not one, but two Oscar winning actresses. Charlize Theron is a fantastic addition to the franchise, even though she finds herself on the bad side of things. Helen Mirren has a small roll but is a very welcomed addition as well. I have been telling people over and over again, that Dwayne Johnson’s surprise role in Fast Five was huge for the franchise, and The Fate of the Furious just further proves that point. Now they add in the likes of Jason Statham alongside Johnson, and you have yourself what some may call a dream come true for fans of action flicks. Add in the continued success of the core cast, and of course the missing yet never to be forgotten pillar of the franchise Paul Walker, and you have yourself a recipe for success that shows no sign of slowing down.

The Fate of the Furious will satisfy fans and newcomers alike, but those expecting an Oscar-worthy film need not apply, this quite simply is popcorn entertainment at its finest. I refuse to refer to the franchise as mindless because each script is well-written, the cast works hard to bring their characters to life, and most importantly each and every person involved pours their heart into what eventually hits the big screen. I read that it was Paul Walker's dream to keep this franchise alive as long as possible, and Vin Diesel is determined to keep that dream alive. Go ahead Vin, continue to do your thing, and I will continue to stand in line on opening day. Highly recommended

The Void

Director Jeremy Gillespie, Steven Kostanski

Genre Horror

Cast Aaron Poole, Kenneth Welsh, Daniel Fathers, Kathleen Munroe

Rating Unrated

Release Date April 7th, 2017 (Limited & On-Demand)

“Shortly after delivering a patient to an understaffed hospital, a police officer experiences strange and violent occurrences seemingly linked to a group of mysterious hooded figures.”

Written and directed by Jeremy Gillespie and Steven Kostanski, who won the Jury Award for Best Feature at the Nevermore Film Festival, The Void is categorized as a horror/mystery/sci-fi film. The overall premise is rather mysterious when you watch the trailer but it has a very cultish vibe to it, and seems to appeal to old-school horror fans. The cast includes Aaron Poole, Kenneth Welsh, Daniel Fathers, and Kathleen Munroe.

Decent acting and a solid gore factor isn't enough to save The Void from a convoluted script and confusing premise, making this potential cult-classic a mediocre entry at best. I'm honestly not quite sure where to start. If you know me or have followed my site in any way you know that I am very much a legitimate fan of horror films. I have a special place in my heart for slasher films, particularly Friday the 13th, and my love and appreciation for horror has only grown over the years. After initial reviews for The Void surfaced I was pretty excited. Critics were saying it was a throwback to old school 80's horror which was quite the statement, and the trailer showed a great deal of promise. I had to find time to check this one out sooner than later so I pulled the trigger on the On-Demand purchase as the film received a limited release.

Well first things first, did these so-called critics even watch the movie? Or did they simply put together a review after just watching the trailer, because that’s what I feel like happened after actually watching it. The Void is a jumbled mess of horror and sci-fi, with the added element of an extremely poorly-written script. First of all, who is the main character and who are we as viewers supposed to care about? It is unclear from the beginning and only becomes more and more unclear as it goes along, and to me that is an issue. What irritates me most is it starts out very promising- instilling the much needed uneasy "what the heck is going on here" feel right from the very first 5 seconds of the film. But it quickly shifts into no man's land, and becomes a confusing sci-fi horror which disappointingly includes zero scares in my opinion, and not even a single jump scare. Sure it is plenty gory and gross in a variety of ways which is a plus, but the problem is that this isn't gore in the slasher or even Saw version of the term, but instead more of the strange tentacle sci-fi variety, if you get my drift. Some may appreciate that more than others, and it is clear they spent quite a bit of time with the overall look of everything, and the effects are impressive. I did a little research and according to IMDb's "Did You Know" section, the film is influenced by H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror (I had no idea who that was either so you are not alone), which essentially revolves around secret cults who sacrifice humans to ancient, alien god-like creatures. Well that certainly makes sense and I wish I had known it previously because not only is that not my thing at all, but to me that is not scary. Now the people in the white what I can only refer to as old-school Ku Klux Klan (KKK) outfits, they are creepy, but if you asked me who or better yet what they actually are, you would probably get a blank stare because I literally have no idea. I wish I knew.

Acting takes a back seat in The Void but somehow it is still one of the brighter spots of the overall final product. It includes its fair share of cheesy acting from a bunch of no-name actors and actresses but they still manage to deliver a serviceable performance. Aaron Poole assumes what seems to be the lead role and actually does a pretty good job with it. Although he seems to have plenty of work as an actor, most of us won't recognize him because he generally works on short films and lesser-known television shows. He did have a small role in The Samaritan (2012), which starred Samuel L. Jackson. Co-star Kenneth Welsh was great and successfully portrayed a doctor who seemed to have more than a few secrets. This guy has a very impressive resume according to IMDb which started in 1964, and consists of 219 total acting credits to date. Now that is pretty damn impressive. The Canadian-born over 75-year-old actor looks pretty damn good for his age. With a better script and some clear-cut direction this cast would have been more than capable of ensuring this was a good horror film destined for cult-classic status, I feel confident in that.

Admittedly, I am being rather hard on this movie, mainly because I had high expectations and it really wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. If you enjoy films that are a mix of horror and a heavy dose of sci-fi than you may enjoy The Void a heck of a lot more than I did. But if you would prefer to watch something really scary that ends with at least a semblance of understanding to what you just spent an hour and 30 minutes watching, you should probably steer clear. It isn't a terrible movie, it's really not, it just should have and could have been a lot better than it is. Bottom line, if you have an indie horror itch that needs scratching, you can do better than The Void by quickly searching Netflix or Amazon Prime. If you need a few suggestions, feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to provide more than a few recommendations.

Life

Director Daniel Espinosa

Genre Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Cast Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Hiroyuki Sanada

Rating R

Release Date March 24th, 2017

“A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discover a rapidly evolving life form, that caused extinction on Mars, and now threatens the crew and all life on Earth.”

Life is a sci-fi thriller from director Daniel Espinosa, the man who brought us Safe House and Child 44. The film is said to be inspired by Alien, which released in 1979. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, and Hiroyuki Sanada. Ryan Reynolds was slated to play a bigger role in the film, but due to scheduling conflicts with The Hitman's Bodyguard he and Gyllenhaal essentially switched roles. This is also the first film to feature the two actors together.

Offering a stellar cast and a genuine thrill factor, Life is a sci-fi experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The first few trailers had me unsure as to what type of movie this was going to be, but once the final trailer released it was clear this was a true thriller in the sci-fi genre. Taking place entirely on the spaceship during an expedition to try and discover life on Mars, it can feel a bit limiting at times in terms of scope. Luckily, great directing and a stellar cast ensure the final product never even gets close to mediocrity. I expected a bit more in terms of backstory on the characters, but the route they decided to take worked. You learn enough about them to genuinely care for their well-being but nothing more, and that's fine. Life is built on the tense moments and the believability of life or death circumstances, and it all feels very, very real. This is one of the better sci-fi films I've seen in a while in terms of the overall impact it had on me. It’s very much an experience that will have you gritting your teeth in anticipation right up until the very end. Life may seem to be predictable at times, but trust me when I say it's all a front. It WILL catch you by surprise.

Life has an incredibly talented cast, that fact is simply undeniable. Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds are two of the most sought after actors in Hollywood today, and two of my personal favorites. The mix of screen time is a little uneven for the two stars but everyone has an opportunity to leave their mark. Ryan Reynolds is absolutely amazing as per usual, although it was a bit strange to see him in a role not cracking at least a few jokes. The other megastar Jake Gyllenhaal is fantastic as well, once again proving he is more than capable of expressing deep emotion in pretty much any role. Rebecca Ferguson performed quite well also but I found her character to be somewhat off putting (annoying really but off putting seemed more professional). All in all the stacked cast delivered on all fronts.

Life kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and to be honest I may have even gripped the arm rests a time or two. The buildup is impressive in terms of overall pacing and it keeps the juices flowing. Although somewhat linear, Life has unique depth that warrants a viewing, so I recommend checking this one out sooner than later, if you haven't already.

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.

Before I Fall

Director Ry Russo-Young

Genre Drama | Mystery

Cast Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, Logan Miller, Medalion Rahimi

Rating PG-13

Release Date March 3rd, 2017

“February 12 is just another day in Sam’s charmed life until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over one inexplicable week, Sam untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she’s in danger of losing.”

Before I Fall is a drama mystery, based on the book from author Lauren Oliver, which was originally published in 2010. Fox optioned the rights to make the book into a film around the middle of the same year. Fast forward about 7 years and here we are. The cast includes Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, Logan Miller, and Medalion Rahimi.  

With a creative and engaging premise, Before I Fall is a genuinely entertaining film that is surprisingly inspirational at its core. With a relatively short runtime of just over an hour and a half, the film is paced well and never seems to overstay its welcome. I found myself immersed right from the beginning, and I really enjoyed the accompanying soundtrack as well. Regrettably, I have yet to read the book due to limited availability at my local library (yes I’m too cheap to buy it), but it has to become available at some point. The plus side of that is it allowed me to experience the film version without the commonly detrimental bias that comes along with comparing it to the book. I really enjoyed the concept and felt that the plot had impressive depth, especially considering it could have easily fallen into the hole of your traditional generic high school flick. Instead, Before I Fall cements itself as one of the better book-to-film adaptations in the last few years, and I look forward to finally reading it.

Before I Fall has a solid cast that performs about as well as anyone could have hoped.  Zoey Deutch is the lead in the film and by far my favorite of the bunch. As an actress, she is able to command the screen without forcing anything. I felt like she was perfect for this role, as she was able to display a wide range of emotion during the roller-coaster ride of events.  Most recently she was in Dirty Grandpa, Everybody Wants Some!!, and Why Him?, so this was a nice change of pace for her. I enjoyed Logan Miller's character and felt that his chemistry with Deutch was a big factor in the success of the film. Miller has a solid resume since joining the acting game in 2008, having starred in Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, as well as small roles in AMC's hit show The Walking Dead and A Dog's Purpose. Young actress Erica Tremblay was the cutest little girl in her role as the little sister, and she seems to be building up quite the resume. She currently has 10 acting credits according to IMDb, including a small role in the hit show The Killing, as well as the recent horror film The Bye Bye Man. I wouldn’t say the rest of the cast was necessarily noteworthy, but it was solid.

Before I Fall is a very entertaining film that will have you anticipating its inevitable climax. As I referenced before I can't speak to how the film holds up to the book, but judging by user reviews it seems to hold up pretty well. The idea of a "Groundhog Day" approach with a bit of a twist might seem played out, but it works, and at the end of the day that’s what matters. For me, Before I Fall was well worth the price of admission, and easily earns my recommendation for anyone who can appreciate the genre.