Movie Review Madness - Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot absolutely leaps from the screen. She is stunning, smart, and is the perfect Diana/Wonder Woman. I loved this movie. It is sharp, slick, moves along with an actual plot, is visually arresting, and Wonder Woman has a lot of character.  Am I gushing? Sure. So many of the Marvel and DC Comic movies are over-the-top fights moving to more over-the-top fights. Sometimes it’s too big of an assault to the senses.  (I like the films, don’t get me wrong, but…)

Wonder Woman has better pacing as an origin story.  We meet young Diana as a girl living with the Amazons on a shrouded island. This place filled with strong women is idyllic and yet prepared for the worst. Unfortunately, Chris Pine as Captain Steve Trevor, pilot in WWI, crashes into the nearby waters. Diana saves him and the island is invaded by German soldiers. Needless to say, Diana saves her people, unleashing more powers than she ever knew she had. She is special and in her naïve way, wants to find Ares – the God of War – to stop this mess. Trevor is a spy who needs to escape and get back to England. Diana says farewell to her world, she’s destined for bigger things, and joins Trevor on his mission.

Once in England, this Amazon fish out of water proves resourceful. Again, Gadot shows trust, heart, and worry – it flashes across her face, even as she’s using her golden lariat, her magnificent sword, and her ever increasing skills. Chris Pine is also quite good with a light comedic touch at times and then true stolid hero bearing. They work together to find the German plant preparing to unleash killer poisons. They find the horrific scientist creating chemical weapons of mass destruction. Oh, there’s plenty of action and blow-em up. But through it all, Diana/Wonder Woman is a towering presence.

Wonder Woman is a winner in so many ways. A strong female heroine with principles and heart. I do believe that Gal Gadot was created from clay and blessed by Zeus. And I look forward to future films from this actress. I want her to save OUR world!

Movie Review Madness - Star Trek Beyond

Star date 2016 – another successful mission logged for The Enterprise. Go see Star Trek Beyond.  This franchise stays a winner thanks to director Justin Lin’s filmmaking style. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine – slowly maturing into a worthy leader), Dr. Spock (Zachary Quinto – worthy sidekick), Bones (Karl Urban – grouchy in a good way), Ulurhu (Zoe Saldana), Checkov (sadly, the late Anton Yelchin), Sulu (John Cho), and trusty engineer of anything Scotty ( Simon Pegg) round out a cast we care about. Especially when Irdris Elba as Krall is lurking beyond……..beyond the nebula into vaster, deeper space.

Before they leave on their mission, we see Kirk chat with his boss – is he contemplating a desk job? Spock chats with fellow Vulcans and learns of a loss (all hail the late Leonard Nimoy – this is a good tribute). Thus, is he contemplating another life? Well, leave that behind as The Enterprise heads back on a mission beyond the nebula to find another space crew and help a lost commander. But is she good or evil with an ulterior motive? Oh no!!!

Star Trek and the Federation talk of unity, peace, and goodwill, but like today’s Earth the ideas are good but tough to implement. Tough to comprehend when your ship is being attacked and all the warp speeds and shields don’t seem to matter.  Crashing and trying to save his captured crew, Kirk joins forces with a woman who seems darn resourceful. She’s managed to resurrect an old ship – the USS Franklin, and she has many reasons to seek revenge against Krall.  So, as the Star Trek cast slowly work their magic – communicate, reinvent, and reinforce friendships, we’re along for the ride.

Strap in and turn on your phasers for a fun journey. Star Trek Beyond is a solid summer movie adventure into space – the final frontier.  Live long and prosper

Movie Review Madness: Into the Woods

It had been a long time since I saw the stage musical “Into the Woods”, but I have fond memories of its magic. Now the movie directed by Rob Marshall is on screen and it’s a lush production. Into the Woods has  a great cast and is faithful to the story as  a childless couple seek to end a witch’s curse.  However, it seemed really long despite just two hour running time. And Stephen Sondheim music is tricky – it’s not hummable, but it does tell the tale. If sing-talk annoys you, then stop reading now.  

Emily Blunt (baker’s wife) has a lovely voice. I liked her best. James Corden (baker) is pleasant. Johnny Depp as the Big Bad Wolf is amusing. The young lady playing Red Riding Hood has a nice set of pipes, and the boy Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk) took his part well.  Anna Kendrick (Cinderella) is decent but a tad shrieky on high notes. Chris Pine (the Prince) is dashing and he says, “I was raised to be charming, not sincere.” He appeared to have fun in his role and could sing just fine. The star is the witch and Meryl Streep can certainly act -  but to me, she is only an adequate singer. Critics are suggesting Oscar nomination – I say no.  

All of these characters converge in the woods and all seek different things. The Bakers want a child and must gather four items – a red hood, a white cow, golden hair, and a gold slipper – by the blue moon so the witch can create her potion and lift a curse upon them. Thus encounters with Red Riding Hood, Cinderella escaping the ball, Jack taking his family cow to market, and Rapunzel stuck in a tower are crucial to the success of the Bakers. All must conquer fears, and learn about risks. There are lessons in the songs and the famous song “Children Will Listen” is important.  

All in all, I liked the film okayish (C+, B-) for my $4.50. It kept me warm on a cold day for two hours. However, unlike some musicals (like Rob Marshall’s Chicago) this did not generate audience energy. You did not want to burst into song or tap dance or do jazz hands. However, it makes you think as you go “into the woods”  (i.e. enter your own life challenges) and come out on the other side.  

Movie Review: Star Trek - Into Darkness

Star Trek:Into Darkness gets an A+ for special effects and sound. You need to see this on the big screen in a dark theater and immerse yourself in warp speed. J.J.Abrams, the director, has raised the bar on this franchise. Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Dr.Spock are buddies, teammates, and loyal to the Enterprise. When it appears that a former Starfleet man has gone rogue and is blowing up key installations, it's time for the guys to improvise.

I won't blow the surprise on the villain, but it's a familiar name in Star Trek history. Benedict Cumberbatch is great in his role. He's a superhuman strain and can outfight, outwit, and out terrorize anybody in his path. Equally as evil is Captain Marcus (Peter Weller) and he's on "our" side. Explosions in space cripple the Enterprise as it sits on the outer edges of darkness the world of Klingon. That's not where you want to be trapped and fighting evil.

It's fun to watch Scotty be a hero, Bones grumble at lack of respect, Zoe Saldana is a strong female character, and Zulu fits as acting captain at times. All in all this space morality play is a fine film, and we can only hope that Starfleet continues to save our Earth in crisis. Star Trek: Into Darkness sheds new film light and fun.

Movie Reviews

Fresh in the Queue -

Drive - Ryan Gosling is a stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver. He lives a very isolated life until he meets his pretty neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son. However, her violent husband is released from prison and Ryan's character is drawn into the crime scene. Albert Brooks plays an exceptionally nasty man, and there's some double crossing going on. Ryan's a good actor but very expressionless in this movie. Guess he's going for stoic, reserving his inner strength. Plenty of chase scenes, great stunts, and lots of tension. This is a dark and violent movie. Not suitable for kids. It was good. I was expecting better, but it had some twists and turns, and a rollover or two.

Abduction - Here, Team Jacob (Taylor Lautner) stretches from the Twilight films and stars in his own tween flick. His shirt is off a few times, so as far as this critic is concerned, I give the film a thumbs up. When it came out in the theaters, real critics panned it. Aw c'mon, it wasn't that bad. Basically, here's an only child who's been raised and trained how to fight and think for himself. Well, turns out he was adopted by CIA type parents in a unique program. They are killed and he has to figure out who are the good guys, who does he really belong to, and adapt to his newfound freedom and identity. Sigourney Weaver, who's been his shrink, is on his side and helps him escape. Alfred Molina, for the government, claims to be good but is suspicious. There's plenty of chase scenes, guns, and action. This is brain candy and Taylor is adequate for the job. Good cast and it ties up well in the end, plus the boy does get the cute girl. Fun rental.

In Theaters Now:

This Means War stars Reese Witherspoon- too cute for words, Chris Pine - dreamy blue eyes, and Tom Hardy - British actor and a brute look, but a pussycat heart. Reese doesn't date, but her best friend (foul mouth Chelsea Handler) signs her up on a dating site. Well, Tom checks out the site and meets her on a date. They hit it off. After she leaves the coffeeshop, she meets Chris in the video store. He was just hanging there to keep tabs on his buddy Tom. Well, Chris falls for Reese. Now she has two great guys vying for her attention.

With a gentleman's agreement, they'll allow the best man to win and she has no idea. Plus they both work for the CIA and are trying to catch a notorious Russian terrorist. But that's merely side tension. The main thrust of the film is how they put their spy tactics to use to thwart each other's dates. It escalates and is quite humorous. Meanwhile, Reese is torn. She has a love/hate time with Chris, and Tom's almost too nice.

I know who I rooted for to win her heart. You'll have to see This Means War to make your own choice. This is a good date flick - plenty of blow 'em up action, plenty of luscious flirtation, down and dirty humor courtesty of Ms.Handler, and it's fun. It has Reese and she's so charming and smart and helpless and then heroic. It's been a dry spell for a good version of this kind of movie. It's your obligation to make it a night - dinner and movie, and hold hands, and laugh together. This Means War = Truce.