The Disaster Artist

Director James Franco

Genre Comedy | Drama | History

Cast James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie

Rating R

Release Date December 8th, 2017 (Limited)

“When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.”

Directed by veteran actor James Franco, The Disaster Artist is a cult classic in the making, based on the behind the scenes madness that took place during the filming of Tommy Wiseau's The Room (2003). To this day Wiseau remains a man of mystery but one thing is for sure, he made a movie that people can't stop talking about nearly 15 years later, and that is very impressive. The talented cast includes James Franco, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Seth Rogen, Zoey Deutch, Lizzy Caplan, Zac Efron, and Bryan Cranston.

Hilarious and surprisingly insightful, The Disaster Artist is a detailed and entertaining retelling of how the best worst movie ever reached cult status. I first became aware of Tommy Wiseau's The Room when I first started hearing rumblings of James Franco working on this movie. After doing some research, I was immediately intrigued, and the fact that A24 grabbed ahold of the film further increased my need to see it. First and foremost, The Disaster Artist is hilarious, but what intrigued me most was the emotional attachment to Tommy Wiseau the film creates, and the focus on his willingness to put himself out there despite his increasing vulnerability.

To me Wiseau cared more about what he could do for others than his own personal achievements, and the path that leads to the success of The Room is clear proof of that. We live in an era where movies that are incredibly bad can sometimes find themselves more widely appreciated than films specifically built for award season. Examples would be the painfully bad horror comedies such as the Sharknado films, or even Zombeavers. As viewers, we go in with expectations so low that we find a way to genuinely enjoy these movies, and this is usually because we don't take them very seriously.   

The cast is absolutely amazing from top to bottom, but I think it goes without saying that James Franco steals the show with his portrayal of Tommy Wiseau. From the long hair right down to the accent and mannerisms, Franco is spot on. Franco has developed into a great actor with plenty of notable roles but the dedication on display here is easily some of his best work. Tommy Wiseau is a very "unique" individual and he captures it all perfectly. Dave Franco, the brother of James Franco, steps into the role of the 2nd lead and he is fantastic as well. It probably comes as no surprise that the Franco brothers have genuine chemistry with each other, and they play off each other extremely well throughout the film. I also really enjoyed Seth Rogen's character, and I felt that he added a nice balance to the dynamic between the Franco brothers. I really can't say enough about the cast, and if you are a movie or television enthusiast you will recognize pretty much every actor and actress in the film.

The Room is a phenomenon for a damn good reason, and The Disaster Artist successfully broadens the reach of this cult classic. I read that prior to the premiere of The Disaster Artist, director and star James Franco stood in front of the audience and adamantly stated that this film is not making fun of Tommy Wiseau, but is simply touching on his talents as a director, writer, actor, and whatever the heck else he is credited for, as well as shedding some light on him as a human being. After seeing the movie, I actually agree with Franco's sentiment. The Disaster Artist simply provides the audience with an inside look at a man who dared to dream big. Did he spend a boat load of money on a movie that was considered to be so bad it's good? He sure did, but he also ignored the naysayers and made a movie on his own, the movie HE wanted to make, and that is pretty damn impressive. The Disaster Artist is very well done and extremely entertaining, be sure to check it out sooner than later. Highly recommended.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Director Martin McDonagh

Genre Comedy | Crime | Drama

Cast Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage

Rating R

Release Date November 10th, 2017 (Limited)

“A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder when they fail to catch the culprit.”

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (let's just call it Three Billboards for short) is a dark comedy-drama written and directed by Martin McDonagh. McDonagh may not be a big name in Hollywood, but he is a unique and talented writer and director. His best work so far would be In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, both similar films in terms of the dark comedy-dramas. The cast for Three Billboards includes Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, and Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea).

With stellar performances from the entire cast and a relentlessly crude yet effective sense of humor, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is easily the best dark comedy since Fargo. This movie is a blast, plain and simple. As long as you aren’t easily offended you will thoroughly enjoy each and every second of this film. I went in to the theater with lofty expectations due to early critic feedback as this was initially a very limited release, and it met and actually exceeded those expectations. To this day Fargo is one of my favorite films and is considered to be a cult classic by many. It was actually adapted into a very good T.V. show on network television as well. More importantly, it still stands as one of the best films from accomplished writer/directors the Coen brothers. Three Billboards Director Martin McDonagh seems to share a similar appreciation for dark humor mixed with crime evidenced by the 2012 film Seven Psychopaths, which he also wrote and directed. McDonagh smartly nabbed former Fargo leading lady Francis McDormand and got to work on his next masterpiece with Three Billboards.

Similar to Fargo, and even Seven Psychopaths for that matter, this film lives and dies with the cast and the unique interactions they have throughout the film, triggering a messy and extremely entertaining cause and effect during the two-hour runtime. Luckily everything comes together seamlessly. I really enjoyed each character and I liked how they fit into this dynamic of small-town "politics", for lack of a better word. The writing is smart, edgy, and creative, and even though it could make some viewers feel somewhat uncomfortable (at least at first), I felt that McDonagh did a great job of ensuring everything comes across as artistic expression. I was also rather impressed by the fact that Three Billboards manages to maintain its comedic edge throughout the film while still tugging at the heart strings a little bit. From the writing, to the directing, to the acting, right down to the cinematography, I'm finding it hard to narrow down a weakness with this film, it's just that good.

The cast for Three Billboards is absolutely fantastic. Veteran actress Francis McDormand is a force to be reckoned with and her performance brought me right back to 1996 where she delivered an epic performance in Fargo. She plays a character that has a mean streak like no other and she is very intimidating. What I enjoyed most about her performance was her ability to develop unique chemistry which each different character which was huge in terms of developing the backstory and subsequent chain of events that made Three Billboards so much damn fun to watch. One of my all-time favorite actors Woody Harrelson is in uniform yet again (I feel like he plays some sort of law enforcement official 9 out of 10 roles), and he is absolutely fantastic. As the chief of police he has quite the crew of misfits on his payroll and he does an amazing job balancing out the insanity.

As hard as it is to pick a favorite amongst a stellar cast I feel like Sam Rockwell's performance stood out to me most. I am a Rockwell fan in general even though if you mention his name most people will have no idea who you are talking about until you show them a picture. A veteran actor with 99 credits according to his IMDb filmography, he is best known for Iron Man 2, Seven Psychopaths, and The Way Way Back, which is a fantastic coming-of-age indie drama. Rockwell is a dynamic actor with enough personality and charisma to single-handedly carry a movie. His character in Three Billboards is an absolute riot and I honestly couldn’t picture anyone else playing this role as well as he did. Caleb Landry Jones, who most recently played pivotal roles in Get Out and American Made, delivers yet another great performance in Three Billboards. He plays a character that is sort of the Switzerland (neutral party) as far as the storyline is concerned and he is a huge contributor to the overall effectiveness of the film as a whole. I could go on and on talking about this cast and how much I enjoyed each and every performance but it would take all day.  

Three Billboards is one of my favorite films of the year for a few different reasons but mostly because I really liked how it pushed the envelope, and I am also a huge fan of dark comedies. The entertainment value is through the roof from the opening scene and I never felt bored, not even for a second. This is a movie that will satisfy a well-rounded group of genre enthusiasts for years to come.  Ever since I left the theater I have been looking forward to seeing Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri again and you can bet that I will be purchasing the Blu-ray on release day. Highly recommended.

Coco

Director Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina

Genre Animation | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, Renee Victor, Anthony Gonzales

Rating PG

Release Date November 22nd, 2017

“Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to work out the mystery.”

The latest from Disney/Pixar, Coco is an animated comedy about love and the importance of family. It is also about a young boy who is determined to follow his dream. Coco is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3, who also co-wrote the script, and Adrian Molina, his directorial debut.  Coco is Pixar's very first animated musical, and is also Pixar's very first animated feature where the lead is a person of color.  The cast of voice actors includes Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, and Renee Victor.

Visually striking, hilarious, and genuinely uplifting, Coco strongly reinforces the value of family and preserving the memory of loved ones no longer with us. Even though this is a Disney-Pixar film, it is absolutely an experience meant for the entire family. The film’s premise is based on The Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday which translates to Día de Muertos in Spanish, and celebrates the lives of loved ones that have passed on. It takes place over multiple days and focuses on the gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have passed, and to support their spiritual journey. I wouldn't consider myself to be a fanatic when it comes to animated films, but I do enjoy them and I tend to see as many as I can to break up the usual heavy dose of dramas, comedies, and thrillers. One of my favorite animated films in the last few years is Inside Out, mainly because I appreciated how deep the film was while still managing to be hilarious and entertaining throughout.

Coco is the only animated film as of late that I would put up next to Inside Out as it continues the trend of a powerful message and high entertainment value. Not only did Coco help to instill in me the true meaning of family, it also taught me about a fantastic and beautiful Mexican holiday and left me curious as to why we don't have something similar in the states. Perhaps we could develop our own variation of this popular holiday? As someone who has dealt with the loss of loved ones, I understand the importance of remembrance which at the end of the day is truly therapeutic, and the benefit is as much for those of us still on this earth as it is for those no longer with us. Coco is hilarious and will have you laughing out loud pretty much the entire time aside from those moments where the tears take you by surprise. I also really enjoyed the amazing visuals which were top notch. Coco is one of the most colorful and visually stimulating animated films I have ever experienced.

Coco has a stellar cast of voice actors who all come together to deliver one heck of a performance. Young actor Anthony Gonzalez is spectacular as main character Miguel. His performance ensures the character is truly brought to life. Veteran actor Gael García Bernal is fantastic as Héctor and develops genuine chemistry with Gonzalez. The chemistry they share contributes to the majority of the laugh out loud moments of the film. I also really enjoyed Benjamin Bratt as Ernesto de la Cruz and I felt like he was able to portray a somewhat complex character with ease.  Alanna Ubach is the boss of the house in her role as Mamá Imelda and you do NOT want to get on her bad side. Overall, the voice acting was stellar from top to bottom without a single flaw I can think of.

Aside from the 22-minute Frozen short which will no longer be shown after 12/7, Coco is easily one of the best animated films to hit the big-screen in the last few years. For me, Coco is more than just a movie, it’s a reminder to cherish the memories of those no longer with us, and it also manages to balance humor and a sense of drama effortlessly. As I mentioned before, this is easily my favorite animated film since Inside Out and I will definitely be adding it to my collection when the Blu-ray hits shelves. Highly recommended.

Lady Bird

Director Greta Gerwig

Genre Comedy

Cast Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges

Rating R

Release Date November 3rd, 2017 (Limited)

“The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year.”

Lady Bird is a coming-of-age comedy drama from actress turned director Greta Gerwig. Gerwig, who is a recognizable actress especially for fans of indie films (try not to hold Weiner Dog against her), and although she did co-direct the 2008 romance drama Nights and Weekends, Lady Bird is her solo debut. Gerwig first met lead actress Saoirse Ronan at the Toronto Film Festival in 2015 where they went over the script for the film in Ronan's hotel room and immediately connected. Gerwig was attending the festival for her film Maggie's Plan and Ronan was in attendance for her award winning romantic drama Brooklyn. The cast for Lady Bird includes Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, and Beanie Feldstein.

A well-rounded and very entertaining coming-of-age drama with a fantastic cast, Lady Bird paves the way for what should be a long and promising career for first-time director Greta Gerwig. As a huge fan of actress Saoirse Ronan, I was really looking forward to seeing this movie and I definitely had high expectations. Well, it did not disappoint! I am a sucker for coming-of-age dramas as long as the cast and script come together, and this film definitely had all of that in place. The blend of drama and humor will undoubtedly allow the film to reach a broad audience. Lady Bird dives right into the relationship between Christine and her mother Marion, which is the primary focus of the story. Christine's father Larry has assumed the full-time job of mediator between mother and daughter. What director Greta Gerwig has created for viewers is an up close and personal look at real-life family dynamics in action, more specifically the struggle that ensues when a college-bound teenager prepares to leave the nest.

One of the things I appreciated the most about this film is how authentic it felt. Relationships within any family can be messy and Lady Bird gives viewers a glimpse of the highest highs and the lowest lows, but it never strays from reality. Various aspects of Lady Bird actually hit home with me as well, and I feel like it is all too common that parents do what they can to shield their children from the harsh truth of real-life struggles. When I step back and really think about it, Lady Bird touches on pretty much every sensitive subject that has plagued society in the past decade seamlessly which is extremely difficult to do. Filmmakers today tend to avoid "toeing the line" due to fear of backlash but Gerwig seems determined to make her mark as Hollywood's next influential director. Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson reminds us that it is okay to be different, and more importantly it is okay to step outside your comfort zone because that is what makes life worth living.

The cast assembled for Lady Bird is absolutely fantastic from top to bottom. I am a huge fan of Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, and I feel like her talents are drastically underappreciated. Ronan has built herself a very solid acting career, most notably her Oscar nominated performance in Brooklyn, but even her lesser known performances in films like The Lovely Bones, Hannah, or The Grand Budapest Hotel. Ronan is quickly becoming one of the better actresses in Hollywood. In Lady Bird she yet again proves she is more than capable of taking on the lead role and capturing the emotions of the audience. Her character, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, is simply trying to find her rightful place in the world and Ronan delivers on that perfectly. Laurie Metcalf plays the role of Christine's loving yet overbearing mother, and she is fantastic. Metcalf develops a unique chemistry with Ronan that feels genuine and it is a real pleasure watching their relationship grow. Tracy Letts plays the role of Christine's father who is very much the submissive husband alongside Metcalf. Personally, I loved his character and felt like he balanced out the dynamic of the cast. Manchester by the Sea star Lucas Hedges makes his presence known yet again and is excellent as Christine's friend/romantic interest Danny. The rest of the supporting cast was great.

Lady Bird serves as sort of a look back on the world in the past few decades, with the characters constantly bashing pop culture and going out of their way to be "different". In many ways, the main protagonist reminded me of my little sister in High School, determined to mock stereotypes and forge a unique path. This may not be the path of least resistance but it sure makes for some quality entertainment. More than anything else, Lady Bird is a reminder that just because Society has a strong influence on our lives we can still choose our own path. Director Greta Gerwig is a unique talent in the director's chair and I am looking forward to watching her career grow. If you are like me and have a soft spot for coming-of-age films or just appreciate quality filmmaking in general, be sure to find time to see Lady Bird during its short run in theaters.

Wonder

Director Stephen Chbosky

Genre Drama

Cast Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs

Rating PG

Release Date November 17th, 2017

“Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.”

From director Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Wonder is a heartwarming story based on the New York Times bestselling novel from author R.J. Palacio. Born Raquel Jaramillo Palacio in Queens, New York, she is a graphic designer by day and a writer by night. She now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. Having sold over 5 million copies worldwide, Wonder is her debut novel and has been on the New York Times bestseller list since March 2012. According to the official website, the book’s message of kindness has inspired the Choose Kind movement, which has been embraced by readers all over the world. Palacio came up with the idea for the book after an incident involving her three-year-old son and a young girl with facial birth defects while in line at an ice cream shop, much like an encounter the main character experiences in the book. The cast for the film includes Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and Izabela Vidovic.

Staying true to its bestselling and inspiring source material, Wonder is genuinely heartfelt with a powerful message for viewers of all ages. When the film was first announced, I did a little research, and as someone with an interest in social psychology I made it a point to grab the book as soon as I could from my local library, and I was pleased to find that it was readily available. I absolutely loved the book, and I really appreciated how it was such an easy read considering the difficult subject it deals with. I actually refused to watch the trailer until I finished the book to ensure that I maintained a fresh perspective. I found myself really hoping the movie did the book justice, and the trailer and cast had me more than optimistic. Well, let me just say that Wonder is the best book to film adaptation since the tear-jerking The Fault in Our Stars, and that is not a comparison to be taken lightly.

Director Stephen Chbosky is given the tools he needed to craft an experience filmgoers can be proud to recommend to their friends and family. If any movie today is capable of feeling untarnished by the big movie studios, who always seem to feel like they need to adjust a detail here or a detail there to fit their agenda, Wonder is that movie. When it started I honestly felt like I had just finished the final page of the book, put it down and closed my eyes and began to slip away into my own personal world of Wonder. It really is that seamless. Currently, I do not have any kids of my own but if I did, I feel like it would be my duty as a good parent to make sure they read the book (or I would read it to them depending on their age), and have the chance to see the movie as soon as possible (even on a school night if necessary!). Considering the dark cloud of bullying that has been hovering over our schools for what seems like forever now, due in large part to the "Social Media" generation, Wonder is a reminder that even though it may take a joint effort from parents, kids, and young adults, the act of kindness is more powerful than any of us could ever imagine. I also really liked how the film was able to implement various aspects of Auggie's extraordinary imagination throughout some of the more impactful moments of the story, which was a big part of the book as well. By the end I wanted more than anything else to be buddies with this special kid.

I really can't say enough good things about the cast of Wonder as I felt that it was absolutely perfect and what I would have envisioned from the book. The chemistry between the cast is quite simply second to none. The hero of this story deserves to be mentioned first, and that is young actor Jacob Tremblay. I was first introduced to the Canadian born actor alongside Brie Larson in the hit film Room (2015). I knew right away this kid had a bright future in the film industry and he has not disappointed. From the narration to his natural acting talent, Tremblay fit the role of Auggie Pullman perfectly. Talented veteran actress Julia Roberts, one of the best to ever grace the big screen, is tremendous as well. Taking on the very important role of young Auggie's mom Isabel, Roberts is able to balance the role of loving and somewhat overbearing mother (for good reason of course), and she is easily the heart and soul of the cast. I also really liked the casting of Owen Wilson as the dad. He may not get a fair shake sometimes but Wilson has proven his worth in his fair share of heartwarming films, most notably Marley & Me (2008). He is the perfect best buddy/cool dad combo and his character’s relationship with his son is something we can all hope to aspire to. Actress Izabela Vidovic is stellar as Auggie's sister Via. Most viewers will recognize her as Jason Statham's daughter in the film Homefront, but the fairly unknown actress proves her value as an actress and then some. I really enjoyed Taveed Digg's (Black-ish) portrayal of the teacher we all wish we had, Mr. Browne. Young actors Noah Dupe (Suburbicon) and Bryce Gheisar are perfect as Jack Will and Julian. I also feel like I need to give a shout out to Mandy Patinkin who took on the pivotal role of Mr. Tushman. He was fantastic as well. Just to reiterate, the cast was amazing!

Wonder is the rare gem of a film that is as equally entertaining as it is meaningful. For most of my adult life I thought reading was a waste of time, and I always told people that if the book was really that good they will make a movie out of it and I will just watch the film adaptation. Now I still love movies (clearly), but I have become quite an avid reader and I really enjoy it. When such an amazing book comes to life on-screen it really is a special experience and I am thrilled that Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacion were able to collaborate and give us book and movie lovers one more reason to get up off our comfy couch and visit the movie theater. Be sure to check out Wonder as soon as you're able (I will be seeing it again soon) and lets all do what we can to become a part of the Choose Kind movement. Together we CAN make a difference. I also suggest that you have the tissues ready because you will have some tears running down your face before its all said and done. Highly recommended.

Watch the latest trailer below.

Justice League

Director Zack Snyder

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Ezra Miller

Rating PG-13

Release Date November 17th, 2017

“Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.”

From director Zack Snyder, Justice League is the ultimate DC superhero film that joins together the biggest names in the DC universe. Snyder has had an up and down directorial career, directing hits such as 300 and Watchmen, while also churning out his fair share of high budget duds, including Sucker Punch and his latest box office disappointment Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. DC fans have had a difficult ride in the past few years, but Wonder Woman's release raised their spirits significantly. Suicide Squad received a mixed reaction but I personally felt like it was pretty good overall. The impressive cast for Justice League includes Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, and Ezra Miller.

Funny and entertaining overall, Justice League will meet tempered expectations but it is yet another DC movie lacking the edge that has made the Marvel franchise the gold standard. If you enter the theater with moderate expectations, you will walk out feeling like you got your money's worth. If you walk in with high expectations, you will more than likely be disappointed- simple as that. Like many viewers I knew Justice League could be hit or miss and I prepared myself for either outcome. I am pleased to report that I was entertained and felt that the film provided enough eye candy (I am referring to the action sequences not actress Gal Gadot, although on the other hand…) and humor, as well as a great deal of nostalgia for fans of the comics. The stunts and fight scenes were pretty good for the most part and it was fun to be able to get a glimpse at the origin stories. I did see Justice League in a regular theater and unlike Thor: Ragnarok, this is a film that will benefit greatly from a trip to an IMAX 3D theater. The CGI in general is instrumental to the overall effect of the majority of the scenes and will absolutely require high quality audio and video to take full advantage. Wonder Woman and The Flash were my favorite characters throughout the film, and Wonder Woman remains one of the best DC movies in my personal opinion. Justice League has some great laugh out loud moments, as well as its fair share of jokes that have a bit of a rough landing if you know what I mean.

My biggest issue with Justice League refers to the edge I mentioned earlier, which is that feeling a viewer has when a movie finds that extra gear. It just never really reached that point where I found myself in awe with a big smile on my face. I also found some of the CGI to be a bit strange, specifically whatever the heck was going on with the face of one of the actors (I won't be specific in an effort to avoid spoilers). For the majority of the film I honestly thought that they either replaced him with another actor or perhaps just turned him into a CGI character altogether. After talking with an avid DC fan after the film (consider this information to be unconfirmed), he told me that apparently due to contractual obligations involving this actor and another film he was working on, he was required to have a mustache which forced the Justice League crew to use CGI to make the mustache go "bye bye". What those of us with a keen eye for detail end up with is a very odd looking CGI effect in the lower half of this actors face. In my experience adding CGI can get expensive, I wonder how much it costs to get rid of a damn mustache?! Hollywood and their deep pockets. Now as far as Zack Snyder is concerned, I honestly like him as a director because he has made some great films, but part of me feels like he really needs an R rating to work with in order to truly bring his vision to life. An example is the fact that when the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice released on Blu-ray with the added 30 minutes of R-rated footage, fans quickly confirmed that the film as a whole was significantly better with the scenes that were ultimately cut out prior to the theatrical release.

The acting in Justice League is solid but not stellar by any means. My biggest issue remains with Ben Affleck as Batman, which I still have a hard time accepting. Similar to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, I felt like Affleck's acting felt forced and unnatural. It seems as though Affleck is Batman solely because he has such a strong influence in Hollywood, but that won't change the fact that he will never reach the bar set by Christian Bale, or even Michael Keaton for that matter. Gal Gadot continues her impressive run as Wonder Woman and pretty much steals the show. I am still amazed by her ability to take control of a film, and even though she is one of a few sharing the lead role this time around she makes her presence felt. And did I mention she is responsible for quite a few double takes thanks to that incredible Amazon warrior outfit of hers? Well that is definitely worth noting. I really liked the casting decision that brought in Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, AKA The Flash. Now I did hear rumblings from people that are fans of the CW series that felt like Grant Gustin, who plays The Flash in the show, should have gotten the nod for the film. Well whether people realize it or not, some actors are film actors and other actors are television actors, and that’s just the way it is. The aforementioned "Big Screen" isn't for everyone, and Ezra Miller took full advantage of the opportunity he was given and quickly became one of the best characters in the film. Miller contributes to the majority of the laughs and I felt like his comedic delivery was natural and he really did a great job of becoming his character. He came across as the "Sheldon" of superheroes (that is a Big Bang Theory reference, obviously). I also really liked Jason Mamoa as Aquaman, and he manages to steal a few scenes for himself as well. Amy Adams plays a small role but I felt like she portrayed her character better this time around compared to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as I felt her performance in that was just okay. Ray Fisher delivered a solid performance as Cyborg/Victor Stone. The rest of the supporting cast earned their paychecks.

Justice League is an entertaining superhero movie and I expect it will do well in the box office if only for the simple fact that it does bring together the core group of the favorite superheroes from the DC universe. Early feedback shows that it actually beat Wonder Woman's Thursday night release numbers which is pretty damn impressive. It could have and probably should have been better, specifically had they decided on a different director and perhaps a different actor to play Batman, but luckily the train stayed on the tracks nonetheless. I think the majority of fans will be pleased with Justice League and thanks to an awesome post-credit cut-scene, they have plenty to look forward to going forward.

Thor: Ragnarok

Director Taika Waititi

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Kate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo

Rating PG-13

Release Date November 3rd, 2017

“Imprisoned, the mighty Thor finds himself in a lethal gladiatorial contest against the Hulk, his former ally. Thor must fight for survival and race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilization.”

From director Taika Waititi, the man behind What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok is the third entry in the franchise of solo Thor films. New Zealand native Waititi is quite the unique talent as he tends to play a role in some capacity in each of his films. In What We Do in the Shadows, the hilarious vampire spoof film, he plays one of the best characters in the film. In Hunt for the Wilderpeople, an amazing yet extremely underappreciated gem of a film, he plays a small but nonetheless hilarious character (if you have yet to see it I highly recommend it!). Waititi's career really began at Victoria University of Wellington, located in Wellington, New Zealand, where he met Flight of the Conchord's actor Jermaine Clement, and together they formed the comedic duo known as "The Humourbeasts," and well, the rest is history. Clearly humor is very important to Waititi when it comes to his films, and so far early critic feedback has pointed out the significant impact he has had on the Thor franchise. In Thor: Ragnarok, The God of Thunder finds himself imprisoned and thrown into the ring to face off against his former ally, The Hulk aka Bruce Banner, in a fight to the death. The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Kate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel House.

Hilarious, light-hearted, and oozing with acting talent, not only is Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok arguably the most complete Marvel film to date, it is an absolute blast to experience. I was already psyched about the next Thor film as a fan of the Marvel franchise in general, but once I found out that one of my favorite up-and-coming directors would be leading the way, I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to finally arrive. I fell in love (it's not weird I promise) with Waititi as a director after watching last year's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and after Chris Hemsworth himself raved about the film and suggested people go see it, it made sense that Waititi and Hemsworth would cross paths sooner or later. Well they crossed paths alright, and let's just say it was basically love at first sight. Thor: Ragnarok is amazing, and what I really liked is how much of the New Zealand vibe Waititi was able to bring to the film, from the soundtrack to the casting decisions, right down to his general directorial style, it is clear from the get go that this is a Taika Waititi film.

This very well may be the funniest Marvel movie I have ever seen, with Captain America: Civil War the only other film even in competition with it. Personally, I feel like Thor: Ragnarok deserves the nod considering the fact that Civil War had just about every single Marvel superhero at its disposal, and Ragnarok was able to essentially make a mountain out of a molehill (that is still a saying right?). In no way am I saying that this film lacks the level of talent Civil War had, it is just a smaller group of key players as opposed to the entire team sort of speak. It includes so many classic lines that during the ride home my girlfriend gave me the "I know, I watched the movie" response, complete with the piercing dirty look, as I continued to quote line after line during the ride home. She had a rough day so I let it slide, but it certainly didn’t stop me from continuing down that road- I couldn’t help myself! I am actually tempted to start writing about some of my favorite scenes but I can't break my promise of a spoiler-free review, so I will save it for another time. I wish I could narrow down what I enjoyed most about Thor: Ragnarok, but everything came together seamlessly to the point where it is very difficult to focus on just one positive aspect. The fact that I can't seem to think of anything negative also helps. I feel like Waititi's vision and directing style allowed the cast to truly become their characters and just have fun with the roles they were given, and it really shows. I browsed through a ton of photos that were taken during filming, many of which include Waititi engaging in conversation with the cast, and in each and every photo the actors are either laughing or smiling ear to ear. It just seems like he is a joy to work with and I am really glad he was given this opportunity, because it’s very well deserved.

Considering it lacks the majority of the fan favorites from the Marvel Universe, the cast in Thor: Ragnarok is basically a dream come true. I mean come on now, the combination of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Jeff Goldblum (every time I hear his name I think about Pineapple Express), Mark Ruffalo, Idris Elba, Tessa Thompson, and a scene-stealing role by director Taika Waititi, what's not to love?! As soon as it was officially announced that Waititi would be taking over directorial duties for Thor: Ragnarok, he was very open about the fact that he would be taking full advantage of what he called the extremely underutilized comedic talents of Hemsworth. And well, he was right! Hemsworth is an absolute riot and his comedic delivery is on point each and every time. For anyone who dismissed the all-female cast of the Ghostbusters remake out of sheer anger, you missed out on a classic Hemsworth performance proving that he is more than capable of getting well-deserved laughs out of an audience. Thor: Ragnarok reminds us why he was given this role in the first place. Tom Hiddleston is great and I really enjoyed the unique chemistry that has developed between him and Hemsworth over the years. So much has happened within this very complicated sibling rivalry, and this time around the audience gets a heavy dose of the hilarious back and forth.

Go ahead, chalk up the casting of Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster as yet another genius casting move for the Marvel franchise. Goldblum has that rare ability to always be entertaining when he is on-screen and he makes it seem so effortless. I hope he continues to make an appearance in the franchise going forward. New Zealand born actress Rachel House has perfect chemistry alongside Goldblum and I loved her as The Grandmaster's "right hand". Kate Blanchett was exceptional as the films villain and I once again really enjoyed Mark Ruffalo continuing his dominance as The Hulk/Bruce Banner. This is easily my favorite Ruffalo performance in a Marvel film. Director Taika Waititi is slowly becoming a household name, and if you are familiar with his previous films you know that he tends to take on supporting roles in all of his movies. I challenge you to try and watch any scene with Waititi's character without a smile on your face, it is literally impossible. His New Zealand accent brings true joy to my heart, and trust me when I say this is not an exaggeration. He is the epitome of a dual-threat and very well may be my favorite director who also takes on a role in his films. For fans of What We Do in the Shadows, it was recently announced that they are working on a TV version of the film which Waititi is directly involved in, so keep an eye out for that.

Thor: Ragnarok is an amazing addition to the vast collection of amazing Marvel films, and hardcore fans will surely be ecstatic. I also feel like viewers who maybe could care less about superhero films in general, or just simply have yet to see any of the other movies can still walk in to the theater and leave with a smile on their face. Thor: Ragnarok is a perfect example of pure filmmaking as it transcends the big-budget or the impressive CGI, and at the end of the day this is a beautiful work of art. As it stands right now, Thor: Ragnarok is the highest rated Marvel film, for good reason, and by early 2018 my guess is it will stand neck and neck with the next blockbuster of the franchise, Black Panther. I can't wait to see what Taika Waititi takes on for his next project. So do yourself a favor and get out to see Thor: Ragnarok as soon as possible, you can thank me later. I will be seeing it for a second time very soon and this will be added to my Blu-ray collection on release day. Highly recommended.

"All I've got is creativity, that’s it, that’s my job. At the moment I happen to be a filmmaker, but that’s not my job. My job is to express myself, and to share my ideas and my point of view. It happens to be I'm using filmmaking right now". – Taika Waititi

Thank You for Your Service

Director Jason Hall

Genre Biography | Drama | War

Cast Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Beulah Koale, Joe Cole

Rating R

Release Date October 27th, 2017

“A group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq struggles to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.”

The directorial debut for actor Jason Hall, who wrote the screenplay for American Sniper and was also an executive producer, Thank You for Your Service is a war drama that follows a group of soldiers who return home from Iraq and struggle to blend back in with civilian life. The film is based on the book of the same name written by David Finkel, which is actually a follow-up to his book The Good Soldiers, which takes a harsh look at the heroes who fought the Iraq War in 2007. The Good Soldiers is based on Finkel's first hand experiences during the Iraq War as he was imbedded there with a group of soldiers. After the conclusion of the war he traveled back home with a few of the men to monitor how well they were able to adapt once back home, which is precisely what the book Thank You for Your Service is based on. The cast includes Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Beulah Koale, and Joe Cole.

Powerfully acted and bursting at the seams with raw emotion, Thank You for Your Service is a heartfelt reminder of the significant sacrifices made by our military. After seeing the trailer for the first time, I was extremely excited for this movie and I honestly watched the trailer probably 15 times- it was just that good. Prior to the film's release, I did my fair share of research in terms of what the film was based on, as I touched on in the introduction of this review, and that left me even more excited. I am genuinely fascinated by everything our military has done and continues to do for our country, having recently read the book Horse Soldiers (it was made into a movie called 12 Strong set to release in 2018), and I am currently reading Black Hawk Down which was brought to the big screen in epic fashion in 2001. What interests me most about the books I just mentioned are the first-hand accounts of what it was like for these soldiers, who were often times thrown into life or death situations with barely any advance notice. Thank You for Your Service takes things one step further and follows some of these soldiers after they have returned home from the Iraq War, giving viewers an intimate look at the lives of 3 men who came home missing a piece of themselves. A film like this requires stellar acting and a director with a keen eye for detail, and luckily we were given both. You watch these men laugh together, cry together, and more than anything else you watch them struggle to live the normal lives they once had. One of the ultimate struggles plaguing our society is isolation and the feeling that we are misunderstood, and that is where these men find themselves.

Fighting in a war is hard enough as it is, but holding on to immense guilt brought on by traumatic events can eat a person up inside. One specific scene stood out to me above the others where one of the main characters finally brings himself to try and get help only to have a senior officer question his bravery. This is a perfect example of the way our society has been programmed to avoid showing weakness no matter what, especially within the military, and it can become a much bigger issue. This film is about cause and effect, the idea of what happens to the next domino if the domino before it gets knocked down, and on from there. Our actions have consequences, and sometimes it is the events that are out of our control that haunt us the most. As hard as it is to watch at times, Thank You for Your Service will undoubtedly instill a deeper appreciation for what the men and women of the military do for our great country. PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is very real and is very much a deadly disease, with the rising suicide rate of former service members as proof. PTSD is not curable but is said to be manageable if the victim commits to treatment, but as the film points out the number of victims far outweigh the number of opportunities for treatment, and that truly breaks my heart. Thank You for Your Service stresses one important fact, and that is the inevitable vulnerability of these soldiers once they return home, which is a growing epidemic that we as a society need to band together to try and do anything we can to help.

I really can't say enough positive things about the acting in Thank You for Your Service. The cast is lead by yet another powerhouse performance from talented actor Miles Teller, who pours his heart into a very difficult role. Teller is a versatile actor but I am beginning to believe that dramatic roles are his bread and butter. He recently played a role in the real-life emotional drama Only the Brave, and I read an article where he talked about how nervous he was to take on that role as well as this role, and how he wanted to make sure he did each role justice. I think he did that and then some. Haley Bennett delivers a very solid performance alongside Teller. Bennett is a solid actress but she is by no means an A-lister, yet she holds her own next to arguably one of the best in the business for the foreseeable future. I really enjoyed Joe Cole's emotional performance as Billy Waller, one of the returning servicemen who returns to a life turned upside down. Similar to the rest of the core cast, Cole's facial expressions alone tell the story of a man who has been through the worst of the worst. He is beginning to build up a decent resume and I look forward to seeing him play other roles in the near future. Actor Beulah Koale basically comes out of nowhere and absolutely crushes a role pivotal to the success of the film. Aside from playing in 6 episodes of the latest season of Hawaii Five-0, Koale really hasn't been in anything significant. To me his success speaks volumes for the cast as a whole, as well as director Jason Hall's ability to get the most out of his acting talent.

Thank You for Your Service is a hard hitting emotional drama that feels authentic and genuine, and it is one heck of a directorial debut for Jason Hall. As the saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover, and this is a perfect example of that. In an effort to raise awareness for PTSD, we are given a front row seat to some of the worst moments these men have experienced in their lives. I already had a deep appreciation for the men and women in our military and this film amplified those feelings. Thank You for Your Service reminded me that a member of the military could be hailed as a hero one minute, but the reality for a great deal of them is that once they return home to their family the real battle begins. Although I know they will be difficult to read, I do plan to pick up both of David Finkel's books so that I can have an even better understanding of the lives of these great men who are real American heroes. Highly recommended.

Jigsaw

Director Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Tobin Bell, Laura Vandervoort, Callum Keith Rennie, Matt Passmore

Rating R

Release Date October 27th, 2017

“Bodies are turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to one suspect: John Kramer, the man known as Jigsaw, who has been dead for ten years.”

From directors Michael and Peter Spierig, the brothers responsible for Daybreakers and Predestination (which is under the radar but actually really good), Jigsaw is the latest and seemingly final entry in the Saw franchise of torture horror films- although the potential for a series reboot has been discussed. I feel like fans of the franchise were on the fence about a sequel, primarily due to concern over a terrible movie leaving a bad taste in their mouths, which is certainly understandable. Considering the disaster that was Saw: The Final Chapter (2010), this is a justifiable concern. I wouldn't consider myself to be a hardcore fan of the franchise by any means, but I really enjoyed the first few films and considering the majority to be at least watchable. Let's see if Jigsaw can make a fan out of me yet! The cast includes Tobin Bell, Laura Vandervoort, Callum Keith Rennie, and Matt Passmore.

Jigsaw rolls out the red carpet for hardcore fans and brings to the table enough creativity and backstory to expand its target audience. I will fully admit that the Saw franchise as a whole got old for me personally, as I felt like it quickly reached the point where they were releasing new movies as nothing more than a quick "cash grab" without much creativity. The original Saw released in 2004, my senior year in high school (damn I'm getting old), and even though critics weren't overly enthusiastic, audiences were thrilled with the cat and mouse style horror thriller. Jigsaw reignites a franchise that many thought was dead in the water, and I personally felt nostalgic right from the start.

The Spierig brothers may not share the same level of directorial talent that original Saw director and horror mastermind James Wan possesses, but they are slowly building a very respectable resume, with the vampire flick Daybreakers and the unique and mind-bending sci-fi film Predestination. This time around the brothers are very much in sync and I felt like they took great pride in this opportunity. Jigsaw feels fresh and takes full advantage of the technological advances when it comes to its trademark gore factor. I personally found myself wincing quite a few times, and let's just say I've watched my fair share of movies where eye covering is basically mandatory. That being said, it doesn't feel forced or over the top, which helps with the overall effectiveness of the film. I was genuinely impressed by the creative and fairly elaborate backstory presented in Jigsaw. The events of the film unfold nicely and seem to fall into place just like perfectly placed dominos. The ending actually has a really cool twist that I certainly didn't see coming. Now granted Jigsaw has its fair share of inconsistencies and "why would you react that way?" moments, but none of them take too much away from the overall experience.

The cast for Jigsaw is solid all around and actually above average in terms of what you would expect from a horror film. Tobin Bell reprises his role as John Kramer, otherwise known as the Jigsaw killer. I was extremely pleased with Tobin's performance and I felt like he added a layer of emotional depth to his character rarely found in a horror film. Laura Vandervoort has a significant role and I was impressed with her performance. It was important for her to avoid coming across as corny or too over the top and I think she managed expectations well. Actor Matt Passmore, who only has a couple acting credits and was a truck driver for the Army prior to becoming an actor according to his IMDb filmography, exceeds expectations and delivers (see what I did there?) the performance of a veteran actor. Actor Callum Keith Rennie, who I personally recognized as a character from the Showtime series Californication as well as the classic film Memento, is solid as a rough around the edges detective. The rest of the supporting cast delivered a collective effort they should all be proud of.

Jigsaw caters to its fans first and foremost which is clearly the way it should be, but the film adds enough substance to appeal to a wider audience. Now this is far from a film that deserves critical acclaim but the final product is very entertaining and honestly much better than most people expected. If you can handle the trademark gore and see the value in a horror film during the Halloween season, Jigsaw is well worth the price of admission.

The Snowman

Director Tomas Alfredson

Genre Crime | Drama | Mystery

Cast Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Val Kilmer, Chloë Sevigny

Rating R

Release Date October 20th, 2017

“Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman.”

From talented director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), The Snowman is an intense crime drama centered around a woman's disappearance, leaving no evidence behind aside from her scarf left wrapped around an ominous snowman. The film is based on the best-selling novel of the same name from Norwegian crime-writer Jo Nesbø. The book is part of Nesbø's detective Harry Hole series of books. After the initial trailer dropped anticipation for the film was through the roof thanks to the source material as well as the cast, not to mention a trailer that set the tone for what looked to be a very dark thriller. The cast for The Snowman includes Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Val Kilmer, Chloë Sevigny, and J.K. Simmons.

Top notch cinematography and an effective score can't save The Snowman from greedy studio heads squandering the potential for an epic crime thriller. I feel like I need to start this review with a disclaimer pointing out the fact that I have yet to read the Jo Nesbø crime novel that this film is based on, thus I will not be comparing it in any way to its paperback counterpart. With that being said, The Snowman wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. The film has been absolutely shredded by critics and users alike since its release and on one hand I get it, but I also feel like anyone who read the book had unrealistic expectations. The tone feels true to a Norwegian crime novel as it is very dark and ominous, completely free of any joy or humor. This is of course by design. As I mentioned the cinematography is fantastic, taking full advantage of the snowy backdrop. I was very impressed by the soundtrack/score which I felt contributed nicely to the overall feel of the film. I also enjoyed the ending more than I thought I would and I felt like the film came to a solid conclusion. I know that many fans of the book felt like the ending was rushed and sort of came out of left field but that is extremely common for a book that makes the transition to the big screen. There simply isn't enough screen time to include everything crucial to the story. I also found myself oddly intrigued by the Norwegian influenced soundtrack which was generally upbeat and catchy.

Now the cons absolutely outweigh the pros, which is how do I say this, not good. One of the most glaring blemishes on a film that had very high expectations is a screenplay that felt rushed and basically full of holes. I can't even begin to count how many scenes transitioned in such a way that it seemed they were simply running out of shooting time that day. During a few scenes, characters would be mid-conversation and one would just get out of the car and walk off for no apparent reason- very strange. The pacing also struggled because of this and I really felt the 2-hour runtime. The Snowman had a TON of potential and as far as I can tell, some bigwigs at the studio, who felt the film absolutely had to have a late October 2017 release, stole from audiences what could have been an epic crime thriller. With all that being said, The Snowman still managed to piece together a decent enough backstory to shock viewers once the pieces came together.

The cast for The Snowman is top tier, no question about that. Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson lead the way, with supporting roles from the likes of Val Kilmer and J.K. Simmons. Michael Fassbender is a very talented actor even though he has starred in some stinkers over his career. Fassbender does well in the role of the often disheveled and troubled detective Harry Hole, but I didn't feel as though he truly invested himself in the character. I just never quite felt like Fassbender made that transition and actually became Harry Hole, sort of speak. Rebecca Ferguson was very convincing in her role and I felt like she delivered the best overall performance. I'm honestly not quite sure how I felt about Val Kilmer's role in the film- it was strange to say the least. I would need to read the book to try and get a bit more backstory on him prior to making my final conclusion. J.K. Simmons was very solid although he really didn’t get very much screen time. I also really liked the role Chloë Sevigny took on, as it was crucial to the portion of the film where things began to come together.

The Snowman isn't the worst film of 2017 contrary to popular belief, but it is absolutely a letdown. A few of the more graphic scenes definitely stuck with me and may have slightly altered my sleeping patterns last night. Jo Nesbø set the table with a novel that already has a significant fan base and the studio got greedy and allowed a golden opportunity to slip through their fingers. It set the tone well and had some very impactful scenes but they just seemed to be few and far between. Director Tomas Alfredson said in an in interview that he wasn't surprised the film has been deemed a failure because it was in fact rushed to be released. It reminds me of the epic fail of HBO's True Detective Season 2, which had hoped to live up to the lofty standard set by the first season, only to fail due to a rushed timeline. HBO admitted to the misstep and gave writers an abundance of time to work on the 3rd season. I honestly do feel that the right people were put in place to make The Snowman as good as the trailer made it out to be, but the obstacles it encountered proved to be too much to overcome. I have zero doubt that if I had gone into the theater having first read the book I would be livid, but nonetheless I plan to grab the book at some point to see just how much the film decided to disappoint Nesbø fans. This is still a watchable crime thriller that I can suggest people check out as a cheap rental but it would be hard to justify a visit to the theater.

Only the Brave

Director Joseph Kosinski

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 20th, 2017

“A drama based on the elite crew of firemen from Prescott, Arizona who battled a wildfire in Yarnell, AZ in June 2013, claiming the lives of 19 of their members.”

Only the Brave tells the true story of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, an elite group of firefighters from Prescott, Arizona and the first ever municipal group of firefighters to become Hot Shots. Hot Shots are the firefighters who are sent to face the fires head on and are considered to be the best of the best. The film honors the memory of the 19 out of 20 men who lost their lives battling the unpredictable Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. The film is based on the GQ article about the men who lost their lives entitled "No Exit", written by Sean Flynn. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, and Jennifer Connelly. 

Easily the most gut wrenching film of 2017, Only the Brave tells a powerful story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. A film like this goes well beyond the entertainment value it provides, offering viewers an intimate portrayal of a tight knit group of firefighters. The Granite Mountain Hot Shots were more than just firefighters, they were husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. They were men that did a very dangerous job each and every day, and they did it for the right reasons. The small details of the lives of these brave men will stick with you, and my guess is it will remind you just how precious human lives really are. The emotional weight of Only the Brave is absolutely incredible, and I'm having a difficult time recalling a moment in a movie that hit as hard as one of the final scenes. A movie like this is supposed to hit viewers like a freight train and it does. I really enjoyed Only the Brave and as sad and tragic as this event was I'm glad the story is being told.

The cast in Only the Brave is absolutely spot on from top to bottom. I am a huge Miles Teller fan and I feel like he is painfully underrated as an actor. Teller plays a very crucial role and he was, without question, the man for the job. I am a big Taylor Kitsch fan as well and I really enjoyed the chemistry he shared with Teller. You couldn't help but smile about the relationship that develops between the two men who started out disliking each other. As usual Josh Brolin dominated a role where he is in a position of power. Brolin is a fantastic actor and I think he took full advantage of his opportunities with this role. Jennifer Connelly is solid in her role as Brolin's wife especially considering the level of emotional investment required by her character. Jeff Bridges was great as well and I always enjoy seeing him on the big screen. Each and every actor playing one of these brave men took on their respective roles with great pride and the level of comradery amongst the cast was infectious. 

Only the Brave is funny, moving, and unforgettable. This is a story of heroism as much as it is an appreciation of life. I feel for all of these men and their families, and their stories will stay with me. Even though I went in to the theater knowing the outcome of this tragic story, I still wasn’t prepared for it. Only the Brave is an example of a movie that people need to see, not just because it will provide genuine entertainment and help to boost the stock for Kleenex, but because you will be a better person for having taken the time to get to know these men in some small way. Highly recommended.

The Foreigner

Director Martin Campbell

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Rory Fleck Byrne

Rating R

Release Date October 13th, 2017

“A humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers’ identities.”

The Foreigner is a tense thriller from New Zealand born director Martin Campbell, the man behind Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale, and Edge of Darkness. The film is based on the 1992 novel The Chinaman, written by British author Stephen Leather. The cast includes Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Rory Fleck Byrne, and Katie Leung.

Blending aspects of Jason Bourne and John Wick, Jackie Chan's The Foreigner is an extremely clever and absolutely brutal revenge thriller. Scrap anything you think you know about Jackie Chan as an actor, more specifically his character in the Rush Hour films. This is a new breed of Jackie Chan, hell bent on revenge, and boy is he a blast to watch. I had fairly high expectations for The Foreigner considering early feedback as well as Chan's undeniable commitment to martial arts, not to mention his willingness to commit 100% to the authenticity of this type of role. This is the story of a man who has endured the greatest pain life can inflict on a human being, and unfortunately this is not the first time. The only thing more dangerous than an angry man with nothing to lose is an angry man with nothing to lose who also has a Special Forces background. I mentioned before how smart of a film this was and I can't stress that enough. The backstory behind the events that set the plot in motion go much deeper than I expected and I felt like that helped to add more weight to the film. The Foreigner is never predictable, and from the opening scene it justifies the R rating, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats right up until the film’s credits. The bombing scene is especially brutal, similar to Patriots Day, so if you have a difficult time with graphic scenes like that you may have to look away. Considering the subject matter, which is dark to say the least, The Foreigner has a few feel good moments that I think audiences will really appreciate. I mentioned the Jason Bourne comparison and Chan's character has a similar badass presence to him, but I also felt like the score resembled the Bourne films, utilizing a dramatic clip of music during powerful scenes and more specifically the conclusion of the film. To me that was always a staple of the Bourne films that I really enjoyed. From top to bottom The Foreigner is a very well rounded thriller.

The cast in The Foreigner is nothing short of phenomenal, lead by veteran actors Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan, both playing characters with dark pasts. I would be hard pressed to think of a better all around performance from Jackie Chan. The actor has an astounding 134 total acting credits according to his IMDb filmography, and is best known by mainstream audiences for the Rush Hour films in which he starred alongside Chris Tucker. He has been working his tail off with 6 or 7 films in the works currently, but since 2010's The Karate Kid remake most of his films have been international or limited releases. From his mannerisms to the way he carries himself, right down to the constant look of a man who has lost everything, you can't help but root for him to come out on top. The Foreigner reinforces Chan's ability to play a pivotal role in a big budget movie and I can't wait to see this side of him again. Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, with 83 acting credits to his resume, is amazing as expected. I really enjoyed Brosnan's character because of how many layers are peeled away throughout the film. My guess is audiences will be split on their feelings towards his character by the end, and those feelings will definitely fluctuate as the plot unfolds. Similar to Chan, Brosnan hasn't really had a big film release in a few years but his talent is also undeniable and I don't think anyone could have played this role better. Relatively unknown actor Rory Fleck Byrne, who has acted in mostly short films and television, is fantastic alongside Brosnan as his nephew and arguably the only other man with the skills to stop Chan's revenge spree. The supporting cast is fantastic without a weak spot to speak of.

The Foreigner is non-stop entertainment brought to life thanks to amazing source material and a stellar cast. As much as I love certain remakes as well as the blockbuster comic book movies that we have been treated to as of late, it's refreshing to go see and support an original idea based on a book most of us have never heard of. The Foreigner is one of those intense thrillers that begs to be watched multiple times just so that you can once again experience the way it makes you feel. It will definitely be a purchase for me once it hits Blu-ray. Step outside your comfort zone and check out The Foreigner in theaters. Highly recommended.

Happy Death Day

Director Christopher Landon

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Rachel Matthews

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 13th, 2017

“A college student relives the day of her murder with both its unexceptional details and terrifying end until she discovers her killer’s identity.”

Happy Death Day is a horror thriller from director Christopher Landon, who previously directed Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.  He also wrote the screenplays for Disturbia starring Shia LaBeouf, and Paranormal Activity 2, 3, and 4. Happy Death Day follows a college student who wakes up one day and finds herself murdered that evening, only to replay the same day over and over, which provides her the opportunity to discover who the killer is. The cast includes Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, and Charles Aitken.

Drawing comparisons to Groundhog Day and Scream, Happy Death Day is a fun and fresh twist on the horror genre. After watching the initial trailer I was admittedly intrigued by the premise, regardless of whether or not it had been done before. I am a Groundhog Day fan (who isn't?!), and I enjoyed the Scream movies. I walked in to the theater with relatively tempered expectations expecting something a little goofy, but I am happy to report that I was impressed. More than anything else, Happy Death Day is entertaining from start to finish, and in this day and age that is saying something. The "Groundhog Day" aspect of the film is actually handled much better than I expected it to be, avoiding a feeling of repetitiveness and staying fresh throughout each "new day". Viewers will find themselves intrigued by the search to figure out who the killer is, and for the most part the main character makes realistic decisions in terms of how she decides to alter each new day. Happy Death Day does include a few solid jump scares but to say it is scary would be a stretch for me personally, although other more easily scared viewers may disagree. I also liked how well-rounded the film felt, adding in some general emotion with a backstory that holds much more weight than the traditional dumb slasher flick. I felt that the conclusion had its flaws but nothing too major to detract from the effectiveness of the film. Overall, Happy Death Day focuses on its strengths and successfully avoids its weaknesses, making for an entertaining movie experience that should appeal to a broad audience.

The cast for Happy Death Day is actually much better than I initially expected it to be. Granted, it is absent of any A-list talent but that shouldn’t really surprise anyone. What did surprise me was the performance of lead actress Jessica Rothe who is building herself a pretty decent resume having recently played a small role in the Oscar-winning musical La La Land. Rothe is very convincing in the lead role transitioning seamlessly from a character the audience is disgusted by to someone they genuinely care about and can maybe even relate to. This may not turn out to be a career jump starter for Jessica Rothe but at the very least it should give her a notch on her resume to be proud of. Israel Broussard is in the primary supporting role and gets a good chunk of screen time. I felt like he delivered a very solid performance and more importantly he developed some believable chemistry with Rothe. The Mississippi native is building himself a decent acting career and we may very well be seeing more of him. The rest of the supporting cast isn't necessarily noteworthy but is able to deliver solid performances all around.

Happy Death Day may not appeal to the traditional horror fan base like a slasher film would mainly because it does lack the majority of the key elements that make a slasher film great, which is gore and clothing optional college girls meeting their end after making several bad decisions. Now this film does include the PG-13 version of everything I just mentioned and they make it work, they really do, I just need to make sure that expectations are realistic. Happy Death Day is a slightly watered down slasher that includes better than average acting and a fun and fresh premise making it well worth a trip to the theater. Recommended.

Blade Runner 2049

Director Denis Villeneuve

Genre Sci-Fi | Thriller

Cast Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford

Rating R

Release Date October 6th, 2017

“A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.”

Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the cult-classic Blade Runner that first released in 1982. The first film was directed by Ridley Scott, who did join this project as an executive producer, and director Denis Villeneuve takes the reigns for the sequel. With only 16 directing credits according to his IMDb filmography, Villeneuve has made quite a name for himself with films like Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario. He received a Best Achievement in Directing Academy Awards nomination in 2016 for the sci-fi thriller Arrival. The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto.

Blade Runner 2049 is a dynamic Oscar contender, showcasing the unique talents of director Denis Villeneuve and lead Ryan Gosling in one of the best sci-fi thrillers in recent memory. The original Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, released in 1982 and was poorly received by critics and users alike which resulted in dismal box-office numbers. This didn’t last long as the unique style of the film eventually caught on cementing Blade Runner as a cult classic that would remain a fan favorite for years to come. When it was announced they would be doing a sequel for Blade Runner the usual pundits spoke out stating Hollywood was yet again out of ideas and trying to butcher a classic. Granted this can often times be the case, but when I saw that Villeneuve would be directing and Gosling would be starring, my doubts became a distant memory. This was going to be a hit. I made it a point to see Blade Runner 2049 in the IMAX for obvious reasons, and I was blown away. One simple thing that stuck out to me was the fact that it would have been easy to turn this movie into a spectacle, overwhelming viewers with visuals and fancy special effects, but Blade Runner 2049 takes the high road offering substance over style, although it has plenty of both.

In my experience Denis Villeneuve has the ability to ground a film in such a way that it becomes the viewer's reality, ensuring each and every person watching the film becomes genuinely invested in what is unfolding right before their eyes. Villeneuve did that with last year's sci-fi thriller Arrival starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, and he does it again here. He is a master of his craft and I would be hard pressed to point out a director with a better feel for sci-fi thrillers, especially when referring to cinematography and score, two Villeneuve trademarks. Blade Runner 2049 includes a number of dialogue free scenes supported by nothing more than a powerful score, and somehow these scenes are just as powerful as any other scene in the entire film. I found myself so deeply involved in the story that I felt a release when I was finally able to have a discussion about some of the more symbolic moments. Going back to watch the first film or even watching it for the first time prior to seeing Blade Runner 2049 isn't a bad idea but I also wouldn’t say it is absolutely necessary. Even considering the strong connection to the first film in terms of the backstory, it still holds up on its own which is impressive. Bottom line, Blade Runner 2049 is beautifully shot and expertly acted, and includes a storyline that will have you discussing it well after the film ends.

As I touched on previously, the cast of Blade Runner 2049 is absolutely exceptional, and it goes beyond the star power providing a few surprise performances in pivotal supporting roles. Let me just say what everyone else is thinking, Ryan Gosling is the man. That is simply a fact. From 2004's The Notebook, which is a fan favorite of females the world over, to Drive, Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Place Beyond the Pines, The Nice Guys (underrated but amazing), and most recently the critically acclaimed La La Land (if you fancy a good musical), Ryan Gosling is a rare talent. Sure he has starred in his fair share of duds (Gangster Squad anyone?!) but who hasn't? Gosling delivers one of his best performances to date in Blade Runner 2049, playing a very complex character that required a great deal of raw emotion. A few times during this film I felt like I could look into Gosling's eyes and be able to feel exactly what he was feeling, now that is pretty damn impressive. If Gosling's name isn't tossed around come award season I will be writing a very strongly worded e-mail on his behalf (kidding about the e-mail, but I will be pissed). Former professional wrestler Dave Bautista has a small role but he was great in it and further proves he is a very solid actor. House of Cards actress Robin Wright brings her stern sense of power to the table and is a strong contributor to the success of the film. Jared Leto has very little screen-time but I felt like his character makes a strong statement nonetheless and I really did enjoyed his role.

Veteran actor Harrison Ford, who was the start of the 1982 original film, makes for one heck of a homecoming. Ford is able to develop fantastic chemistry with Gosling and the two talented actors form quite the duo. Relatively unknown actress Sylvia Hoeks is given a very important role and she was great. The entire time I felt like she had to be a big name actress that I just couldn’t quite put a finger on what else she was in. I looked over her IMDb filmography and the only movie I recognized is the limited release war film Renegades, so kudos to her. Cuba born actress Ana de Armas is a very pleasant surprise in a unique and important supporting role. Most viewers will recognize the gorgeous de Armas from the 2016 film War Dogs in which she played Miles Teller's girlfriend, but she also starred in the twisted limited release 2015 horror/thriller Knock Knock from the sick-minded Eli Roth. Prior to Blade Runner 2049, I will admit that I looked at de Armas as not much more than a pretty face who was serviceable in smaller roles, but boy did she prove me wrong. Not only is she a crucial centerpiece to the rather confined reality Gosling's character lives in, her character embodies the internal struggle for humanity that lies deep within the films underlying symbolism. In simpler terms, she crushes it.

Blade Runner 2049 is further proof that quality cinema is alive and well. Not only does it do the original justice, it is arguably a superior film not only because of the advancements in technology, but a deeply immersive story to go along with it. At this point and time I will see anything that Denis Villeneuve is directing or Ryan Gosling is starring, and if they are together on the same project I will be there on opening night. Blade Runner 2049 may scare away some viewers due to the 2 hour and 45 minute runtime which admittedly is long for a movie, but trust me when I say that you are only hurting yourself if you pass on seeing this fantastic film on the big-screen. Highly recommended.

The Mountain Between Us

Director Hany Abu-Assad

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Dermot Mulroney, Beau Bridges

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 6th, 2017

“Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness.”

From director Hany Abu-Assad, The Mountain Between Us is a romantic drama based on the novel written by Charles Martin. The paths of two strangers come together after they are both stranded in the mountains following a plane crash, desperate to be rescued. Actor Alan Rickman passed away tragically during production of the film and it was eventually delayed a few days to allow lead actress Kate Winslet the opportunity to attend Rickman's memorial service. The cast includes Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Beau Bridges, and Dermot Mulroney.

The Mountain Between Us boasts a talented cast and stunning scenery, but an apparent attempt to play it safe limits the film’s potential. I have yet to read the novel written by Charles Martin that the film is based on, so I went in to the theater expecting what the trailer seemed to hint at, an intense survival drama with a potential love story mixed in. All of the aspects I just mentioned are very much present and accounted for, but the word intense may have been a slight exaggeration. Viewers are treated with a glorious snow covered mountain landscape for the vast majority of the just under 2-hour runtime, and solid pacing ensures it never feels boring, but I constantly found myself itching for that edge of my seat moment where my jaw just dropped. I can't help but compare the "survival" aspect of the film to hits such as Liam Neeson's The Grey or Leonardo DiCaprio's The Revenant, although I realize the comparisons are far from fair. The tone remains relatively light in comparison to the films I just mentioned, which may be preferable for some people and not quite enough for others. The journey we are taken on in A Mountain Between Us is still emotional and gratifying in its own right, rounding out an overall satisfying experience.

The cast for The Mountain Between us is rock solid from top to bottom, with leads Idris Elba and Kate Winslet getting the vast majority of the screen time. Elba is an extremely versatile actor who can play a number of different roles and he has developed into one of my favorite actors. He seems to really shine when playing a sharp dressed businessman, but films like Beasts of No Nation have proven that he can also step into a very gritty role with ease. Kate Winslet is a great actress who will forever be known for her role alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in James Cameron's The Titanic, a fact that I'm sure she is more than okay with. Even though Winslet has played in her fair share of "stinkers" over the years, I still consider her to be a uniquely talented actress who simply needs to be given the right role. She develops great chemistry with Elba, allowing the two talented actors the ability to play off one another effortlessly. Rounding out the cast is Beau Bridges and Dermot Mulroney, both of which delivered solid performances overall.

The Mountain Between Us is a very entertaining movie, it really is, but as I touched on before it just lacks that little extra I felt like it needed in order to cross that threshold from entertaining to must-see. Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are spectacular together and they take full advantage of their opportunities, but they certainly weren’t used to their full potential. I always feel weird about reviewing a movie based on a book when I have yet to read the book myself so I may try and get to it at some point in order to get a better idea of how it matches up to the film. I can still recommend a trip to the theater for A Mountain Between Us for casual viewers, but I can also easily suggest seeing something else and holding off until it becomes available to rent.

Stronger

Director David Gordon Green

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Richard Lane Jr.

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017 (Limited)

“Stronger is the inspiring real life story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become a symbol of hope after surviving the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.”

From director David Gordon Green (Joe, Pineapple Express), Stronger is a powerful drama about the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Patriot's Day released in 2016 and was the first feature-film to chronicle the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings, and many felt the film was out much earlier than it should have been considering how recent the events took place. Even considering the controversy the film did pretty well, offering viewers an in-depth look at the lives of the bombers, but more importantly the fight and determination of a city that refused to be beaten down. Stronger is a much more intimate portrayal of the events, telling the story of Boston Marathon Bombing victim and survivor Jeff Bauman. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, and Richard Lane Jr.

Lead by a captivating performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Stronger is a hard hitting real-life drama about strength and perseverance in the face of tragedy. Admittedly, I wasn’t all that familiar with Bauman's story prior to this film, and I was a little disappointed in myself because of that. Bauman nearly lost his life in the Boston Marathon Bombing, yet he was strong enough to allow his story to be told. Right from the start of the film I felt like I was personally impacted by what was taking place on screen. Stronger thrives in its authenticity, and a great deal of that is thanks to the performances as well as the directing. This film is very much an emotional rollercoaster giving viewers a first-hand look at Bauman's recovery and how it impacted his close relationships with family and friends. By the time the credits appeared on the screen I felt like I knew Jeff Bauman, and more importantly I had a better understanding of the life before and after of someone who experienced a very dark day and found a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stronger also digs deeper into what it means for our country to bounce back from a scary and damaging terrorist attack to reinforce the fact that no matter what we stand together and refuse to be bullied. Any one of us could have just as easily found ourselves standing where Jeff Bauman was standing that morning, and that is just one of the countless reasons Stronger deserves to be seen.  

The cast for Stronger is absolutely amazing, and I personally couldn’t imagine a better fit for any of the roles, especially Gyllenhaal's gut-wrenching performance as Jeff Bauman. We all know what Jake Gyllenhaal is capable of, and he has proven his worth time and time again, but somehow this feels different. Gyllenhaal becomes Bauman in such a way that you almost forget he exists outside of the story that is unfolding right before your eyes. The emotion, the pain, and the unique sense of humor is all there and accounted for. I actually read that when his family was able to finally watch the film they couldn’t believe how much he reminded them of Jeff. Gyllenhaal's performance will get plenty of attention come award season, no question about that. Relatively unknown actress Tatiana Maslany delivered a powerhouse performance as Jeff Bauman's on again off again girlfriend. Having the ability to go toe to toe with an actor as talented as Gyllenhaal is no easy task, and Maslany pulled her weight and then some. Miranda Richardson took on the pivotal role of Jeff's slightly overbearing mother, and I thought she did a fantastic job. The role that stood out to me most beyond Gyllenhaal or Maslany was the role of Bauman's uncle Bob, played by the well-known comedic actor Lenny Clarke. Clarke provides the right amount of humor amidst what was a very emotionally taxing experience. The supporting cast was fantastic all-around, and I really liked Danny McCarthy's portrayal of Bauman's boss, I felt like he added a certain level of humanity to the film.

Stronger is easily one of the most powerful and emotional films of 2017, and it would probably hold up in the top 5 in the last 2 years. On the chilly morning of April 15th, 2013, Jeff Bauman was just a regular guy trying to build a life for himself just like the rest of us, and his life changed forever on that fateful day. Bauman's story deserves to be told because not only did he struggle dramatically after the event, he was able to persevere thanks to the most powerful thing of all, which is the ability for people to come together in support of each other. Highly recommended.

American Made

Director Doug Liman

Genre Crime | Thriller

Cast Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons

Rating R

Release Date September 29th, 2017

“A pilot lands work for the CIA and as a drug runner in the south during the 1980s.”

American Made is an action comedy/crime thriller based on the real-life of Barry Seal, and his involvement with the CIA, as well as what came to be known as the Medellin drug Cartel. The film is directed by the talented Doug Liman, the man behind The Bourne Identity as well as the hit 2014 sci-fi action flick Edge of Tomorrow. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, and Jesse Plemons.

With Tom Cruise delivering one of his absolute best performances in recent memory, American Made is relentlessly entertaining and one heck of a crazy story. Rarely is a big-screen adaptation able to truly capture the insanity of its real-life counterpart, but in this instance it is spot on. American Made introduces audiences to the risk taking and equally charismatic Barry Seal, a man who values family just as much as he values money and a good old fashioned dose of adrenaline. Doug Liman is working his way up the short list of my favorite directors after absolutely killing it with Edge of Tomorrow, also starring Tom Cruise alongside Emily Blunt, and now he brings us an extremely entertaining story based on true events. Liman has an eye for quality filmmaking, and it seems that he also prefers Cruise at his disposal. Something that stood out to me with American Made was a filming style that was reminiscent of a documentary that was perfectly edited to piece together a uniquely entertaining story. Utilizing creative camera work and top-notch cinematography, Liman found a way to make the film feel like raw footage, allowing viewers the opportunity to feel like they had an intimate look at Seal and his many escapades. The entertainment factor American Made provides is absolutely undeniable, essentially guaranteeing you will not take your eyes off the screen, and as soon as you leave the theater you will start researching the crazy story it was based on. American Made has a long list of pros, but it is not without its fair share of cons. Now a few things that stood out to me, which may not be an issue for casual viewers, included the lack of overall intensity of the film or what some may refer to as the "grit" factor. It was pretty clear early on that American Made was going to have a lighter tone overall, which to me took away from the realism as far as Seal's dealings with the Cartel etc. I am all for the lighter tone in general as I feel it does broaden the target audience, but I also feel that borrowing a few pages from Sicario or the Netflix series Narcos wouldn't have hurt. It is also quite possible that the Cartel was a bit on the soft side in it’s earlier years, I am far from an expert on that. Nonetheless, as far as the genre is concerned American Made is much more of an action comedy than it is a crime thriller, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I can't say enough about the casting decisions for American Made, it was simply spot on. As I pointed out before, Tom Cruise was born to play Barry Seal. Cruise embodied the risk taking, act first and ask questions later mentality of Seal, as well as his limitless charisma. I could honestly watch him play this character all day long. I really liked Domhnall Gleeson's character, and he sort of reminded me of Bradley Cooper's character in American Hustle, a man essentially playing both sides. Gleeson's character is complex and shady from the start, yet still somehow likable. The son of Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, the 34 year-old Domhnall Gleeson has blown up in the last 5 years or so ever since the 2013 hit romantic comedy About Time, and I look forward to watching him continue to grow as an actor. The beautiful Sarah Wright takes on the role of Seal's wife and she plays it well, managing to find that fine line between an understanding wife and a woman willing to protect her family no matter what.  Jesse Plemons is great as usual although he plays a very limited role. A good chunk of the supporting cast comes across as corny at times taking away from the believability of the story, but overall everyone did pretty well.

American Made is high quality entertainment from start to finish, keeping the tone relatively light considering the subject matter. Personally I would have preferred that the film be at least a little edgier in terms of the violence or just the crime thriller aspect, but I still commend the fact that it developed an identity and stuck with it. Dough Liman again proves his chemistry with Tom Cruise in the lead role, and I'm absolutely looking forward to the Edge of Tomorrow sequel. American Made unravels a uniquely fascinating story that will undoubtedly grab and hold the attention of viewers during the full 2 hours. Recommended

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Director Matthew Vaughn

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.”

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the sequel to the 2014 film that took audiences by storm, immediately generating an enormous fan base. Director Matthew Vaughan, who got his start with Layer Cake, Kick-Ass (one of my favorites), and X-Men: First Class, returns for the sequel and is yet again credited as co-writing the screenplay. The films are based on a 2014 comic book, The Secret Service: Kingsman, which was written by Kick-Ass comic book writer Matt Millar, the man behind the Watchmen graphic novel Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn himself. The talented cast includes Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, Halle Berry, and Jeff Bridges. 

Kingsman: The Golden Circle may not succeed in dethroning its predecessor, but a heavy dose of the over-the-top blend of action/comedy that made the first film great will please fans and newcomers. Kingsman: The Secret Service seemingly fell out of the sky in 2014 and quickly became one of my favorite films of the year. I made sure to purchase the Blu-ray on release day and I have easily watched it at least 10 times, it quite simply never gets old. Talk of an inevitable sequel after a strong showing at the box office had me amped up like a teenager after his 5th Mountain Dew. Now to say that I was disappointed with Kingsman: The Golden Circle wouldn’t necessarily be accurate- I just had really high expectations. The first film gained traction thanks to some insane stunts and creative camera work, making for high-octane action scenes rarely seen in film today. Before we even make it to the title screen it becomes clear that the sequel aims to keep that tradition going, by once again moving the audience to the edge of their seats. Although nothing can compare to the church scene in The Secret Service, The Golden Circle does its best to match wits. My primary issue with this sequel compared to the first is the storyline that I considered to be pretty thin in comparison. Now the first film did have the advantage of devoting roughly half of the run-time to Eggsy's origin story, but even considering that it still built itself up to a fantastic "save the world" climax. The Golden Circle remained creative in its approach but it just didn’t hook me in the same way. But again I had very high expectations, and this was still one hell of a ride with plenty of crazy "did you see that?!" scenes as well as an abundance of laugh-out-loud humor. Director Matthew Vaughn is a big reason why both Kingsman films have found so much success, and I respect not only his eye for detail, but also his focus on "escapism" by creating a world that audiences can truly have fun with.

The cast in Kingsman: The Golden Circle is absolutely perfect. Taron Egerton reprises his breakout role and does so in stellar fashion. Egerton was relatively unknown to me prior to Kingsman: The Secret Service and he won me over with the energy and enthusiasm he devotes to his character. He doesn’t miss a single beat in the sequel and I hope to see much more of him going forward. Julianne Moore steps in as the primary villain in The Golden Circle, and even though I can't quite consider her above the memorable role played by Samuel L. Jackson in the first film, she is still pretty damn good. Moore has proven for years that she is a uniquely talented actress (Boogie Nights anyone?), and I applaud the casting decision to bring her on board. Colin Firth is absolutely amazing in The Secret Service, and he picks up where he left off with the sequel. Jeff Bridges (also known as The Dude) has a limited role but as per usual he still manages to make his presence known. The talented and always beautiful Halle Berry fits in nicely with the rest of the cast. Pedro Pascal, who many will recognize from the Netflix series Narcos, is one of the better additions to the sequel as he fits in nicely with the returning cast. Pascal also contributed heavily to some of the more action-packed scenes the first film was known for. Channing Tatum plays a slightly limited role but he is as great as ever when he is on screen. Mark Strong continues with the incredible chemistry he has with the rest of the cast, and even though he has played a ton of great roles in a bunch of fantastic movies, his character in both Kingsman films is right up at the top of the list for me. With arguably one of the best cameo performances ever in film, Elton John is amazing in every way and I would be lying if I didn't admit that he really does steal the show. The musical legend is hilarious each and every time he is on-screen, and the writers do a fantastic job of using his star power to connect the dots between the two films in a unique way. I challenge you to keep a straight face during what can only be known as the "peacock costume fighting scene", because it simply is not possible. Everyone in the supporting cast deserves a big pat on the back as well.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is one heck of a good time at the theater, and is well worth the extra cost to see in the IMAX if at all possible. The script is admittedly a little thin compared to the first film creating a bit of viewer detachment to the overall plot, but the fun factor Kingsman is known for remains prevalent throughout. Even considering a slight letdown due to my high expectations I still really enjoyed Kingsman: The Golden Circle and can easily recommend it to fans of the first film, as well as anyone willing to jump right in for a few hours of action-packed insanity. Just do yourself a favor and watch the first film if possible because this one picks right up where that one left off. Director Matthew Vaughn's IMDb page already has Kingsman 3 listed, and star Taron Egerton recently alluded to the inevitable 3rd film during an interview with GQ, as he raves about the villain Vaughn is cooking up and says the storyline will blow audiences away. I can't wait!

American Assassin

Director Michael Cuesta

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch

Rating R

Release Date September 15th, 2017

“Long before he began hunting terrorists, Mitch Rapp was a gifted college scholar/athlete. Then, tragedy struck and Rapp was recruited into the nation’s most elite covert operations program. After completing training designed to teach the kind of lethal skills necessary to target our most dangerous enemies, here and abroad, he is a man reborn with a mission of retribution”

American Assassin is a spy thriller based on the best-selling Mitch Rapp novels written by the late author Vince Flynn, who passed away tragically in 2013 at the young age of 47 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. With a total of 16 books selling nearly 20 million copies to date, the Mitch Rapp character was very important to Flynn which was always evident in his writing. The American Assassin novel was written as an origin story for the Rapp character, and even though it was published in 2010 (the first ever Mitch Rapp book was published in 1999), it is considered the first book in chronological order. The Last Man, published in 2012, is the last book in the series written by Flynn and is officially considered book #13. His books were considered to be so incredibly accurate in terms of the CIA and other military operations that they were consistently placed under security review by the Pentagon prior to release. After Flynn’s death author Kyle Mills was signed on to continue the Mitch Rapp series, and the 3rd book written by Mills was released recently. American Assassin stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch, and Shiva Nigar.

American Assassin brings Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp character to life on the big screen, and more than anything else, I honestly believe the talented late author would've been proud. Flynn was one hell of a writer, and after reading the first few pages of his American Assassin novel it was evident that he took great pride in this character. Rapp is a tortured soul who suffered a great tragedy, leading him to the business of tracking and eliminating terrorists, which ultimately is very unfortunate for them. I had my fingers crossed that this film would do the character and the books justice, and I must say I was impressed. Right out of the gate what stood out to me most is how brutal and intense American Assassin is. The action scenes are absolutely relentless whether it is a flurry of bullets or bone-crushing hand to hand combat. The opening scene sets the tone making it very clear this is a far cry from anything with the word "teen" in the title, and odds are you will remain on the edge of your seat throughout.

Now it's impossible to compare the books to the movie, as with any book that gets the big-screen treatment, a great deal ends up getting left out. Usually the biggest challenge is the fact that the movie has no choice but to fast forward through aspects of the story that go into much more depth within the books. American Assassin does stray from the book in many ways allowing the four screenwriters some creative freedom, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I feel like Flynn decided to go back and write this origin story for a few reasons, to tell the story of how Rapp got into this line of work, and to delve deeper into his colorful relationship with his mentor Stan Hurley, as well as his connection with handler Irene Kennedy, and I think the film manages to do just that. The book focused more on Rapp's psyche, which I would have loved to see more of in the film but again you can only cram so much into a film without it becoming overkill. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing the characters I have enjoyed reading about brought to life right before my eyes. The film as a whole could have used a bit more polish in terms of the pacing, but that can all be worked on later down the road if in fact a new franchise is born. I have heard mixed reactions to the ending of the film and to be honest I thought it was perfect- leaving the viewers with plenty of anticipation for what I hope is the beginning of a new action hero.  

A great deal of controversy surrounded the casting decisions for American Assassin, mainly the decision to cast Dylan O'Brien in the feature role of counter-terrorism agent Mitch Rapp. To say the former Teen Wolf star wasn't taken seriously for a role like this would be an understatement. But, what I personally find interesting is the fact that it seems that not only are people who seem to have an issue with O'Brien playing Rapp focused solely on his past and not his capabilities as an actor, but I honestly feel like the majority of them never picked up a Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp novel. The fact of the matter is this, O'Brien fits the description of Mitch Rapp perfectly, a dark complexioned former college athlete with dark hair and dark eyes, and an undeniable sense of confidence. He is the man you picture when you read the book, people just need to get past all of the other nonsense and give the guy a chance. Now that I've said my piece, I was very pleased with O'Brien's performance. I think he owned the role and did a great job conveying the complex emotions and struggle with authority that Mitch Rapp is famous for. I think he was great performing the stunts and the fight scenes, he showed tremendous ability with his firearm skills, and most importantly his character felt like the complete opposite of corny. O'Brien made you believe in the relentless drive and sheer desire Rapp felt to eliminate each and every terrorist from the face of the earth. The supporting cast was amazing as well, from Sanaa Lathan to Taylor Kitsch, but Michael Keaton's role really stood out. Stan Hurley's character is a huge piece of the Mitch Rapp puzzle, and I think Keaton was the perfect man for the job. Much like the complex role Keaton played in Birdman, he plays a character with a short fuse and a plethora of experience. I can't think of any actor more suited for this role.

American Assassin is a heck of a lot better than the majority of critics are making it out to be, and as a fan of the books I'm a little irritated by the unwarranted criticism. When Vince Flynn passed away he left behind a loving family, countless friends, and a fan base devoted to his unique and exciting style of writing. Prior to picking up a Flynn book my favorite crime thriller author was Dennis Lehane, with Michael Connelly in a close second, and I can honestly say that Vince Flynn easily transitioned into my short list of writers I simply cannot get enough of, and I plan to read each and every novel he wrote. Vince Flynn will live on in his books, and my guess is that he is somewhere right now writing his next great novel sure to be a best-seller. Dylan O'Brien steps into the role of Mitch Rapp with conviction and authority, doing everything within his power to prove he's more than capable of becoming the next Jason Bourne. Unlike Bourne, Rapp remembers everything about his past, and that does not bode well for the bad guys. Mitch Rapp is extremely intelligent, resilient, calculated, and determined, and I felt that O'Brien displayed all of his traits perfectly. I really hope this film does well in the box office so that a Mitch Rapp franchise is born, allowing viewers at least a few more opportunities to relish in the genius mind of Vince Flynn. Whether you are a fan of the Mitch Rapp novels or simply enjoy a good action thriller that will get the adrenaline going, American Assassin is well worth checking out in theaters. A consistent theme throughout the film and the book is Hurley's insistence that Rapp not allow the job to become personal, so I will end this review on a powerful quote from the book.

"Revenge is more mild, less calculated…deeply personal. Retribution is a punishment that is morally right and fully deserved". – Mitch Rapp    

It

Director Andrés Muschietti

Genre Drama | Horror

Cast Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor

Rating R

Release Date September 8th, 2017

“A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.”

From director Andrés Muschietti, IT is a remake of the successful 1990 miniseries, based on the best-selling Stephen King novel. The 2017 horror drama includes 3 writers contributing to the screenplay, who try to bring King's novel to life yet again. It has been proven time and time again that one thing we can count on as a society, is the inevitable fear of clowns. Officially known as coulrophobia and categorized as an anxiety disorder, it has been reigning havoc for as long I can remember, with my first experience coming thanks to the corny 1988 horror film Killer Clowns from Outer Space. Now that is a film with some remake potential (kidding, obviously). The cast for 2017's IT includes Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton.

Superbly casted, well-written, and genuinely creepy and disturbing throughout, IT is not only one of the absolute best Stephen King adaptations, it is one of the best horror films of 2017. After months of anticipation and 27 years since the miniseries, the day has finally come, and my excitement level was through the roof. Full disclosure, IT is the first horror movie since the original Paranormal Activity to actually give me legitimate chills. To me that is what makes a movie scary, to actually feel something within your body that you rarely experience. Paranormal Activity had the advantage of the element of surprise, because I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. But IT on the other hand lacked that benefit, and instead somehow managed to scare by utilizing creativity and sheer directorial talent combined with chilling cinematography.

Pennywise the clown is reintroduced to audiences in such a way that I felt proud to be a fan of the original film. I'm having a very difficult time deciding which epic scene was my favorite, which is obviously a good thing. The fear is unleashed in IT, and from every scene where Pennywise sprints at the screen like Usain Bolt off the starting line, the film doesn't pull any punches. Setting the horror aspect aside for a second, IT is unique in its ability to toe the line between scary and absolutely hilarious. I laughed a ton during this film, but rest assured that the 2 hours and 15 minute runtime allows for the perfect blending of the two genres. Viewers find themselves immersed in this clique of young adults known as "The Losers Club", and even though they raz each other at every opportunity much to the delight of the audience, IT is still very dark, even controversial at times similar to the source material, and absolutely earned the R-rating. This is what a remake or reimagining is supposed to be, taking full advantage of the tools available today, and in the process inevitably capturing an entirely new fan base to join those that have been avid fans for years. 

IT excels in a variety of categories but perhaps none more impactful than it's talented young cast. Before I get into the young cast I have to talk about the new Pennywise, played by relatively unknown actor Bill Skarsgård, brother of Alexander Skarsgård, the former star of HBO's hit series True Blood. Skarsgård is INCREDIBLE!! I mean I'm talking a damn near Heath Ledger playing Joker level performance in terms of commitment to his character, his use of dialogue, and his creepy as all hell mannerisms. I'll admit this is a different level and even though IT is dark, and it is very dark, it's still not quite on the level of The Dark Knight in that category but something tells me the next chapter will be. Skarsgård simply grabs ahold of the audience from his first scene and never lets go. Not for a second does he come across as cheesy, not even close. A huge credit is due to the director, the cinematographers, and the screenwriter, and of course King himself, but all of that talent would have been useless without the key ingredient of a committed and scary as hell Bill Skarsgård. The most recognizable of the young cast starring alongside Skarsgård includes Jaeden Lieberher, who starred alongside Bill Murray in St. Vincent, and Michael Shannon in Midnight Express, and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard. Both actors were incredible in IT and continue to make a name for themselves in a very, very difficult industry. Honorable mention is equally well deserved for Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton, rounding out a talented up-and-coming group of young actors. I’m interested to see who gets casted as the adult versions in Chapter 2 because they have some big shoes to fill.

The bottom line is this, IT is a damn good, dare I say brilliant horror movie that integrates several other elements to further increase its effectiveness. Whether you are a horror fan or not, if you can handle a good scare I absolutely recommend you experience IT while in theaters, you will NOT be disappointed. Now, I just can't wait for Chapter 2 to arrive, which was recently officially greenlit thanks to IT crashing the box office with huge numbers and many more to come. I'll probably see it at least one more time myself. Oh yeah and above all else just remember one thing, “you’ll float too”. Highly recommended.