Finally Friday - Guardians 3

 Hey - finally caught up with Guardians  of the Galaxy 3.  It's ridiculous good fun. I won't even pretend to give the plot.  Hey - saving the galaxy again  - the title says it all.  It's irreverent. If you enjoy the Marvel Universe - this is light and very tongue in cheek.  Chris Pratt is great. Zoe Zaldana is always awesome. Dave Bautista cracks me up.  Vin Diesel voices  Groot and that's enough for me. His growl could read me the phone book and  I'm happy. 

Ray and I enjoyed a movie date as we catch up to real life after vacation. Indulge me - ha!

And have a good weekend!

Movie Review Madness - Onward

Enjoyed a preview showing of Pixar's Onward last night with Ray. Unusual Thursday evening date night complete with yummy dinner at Red Robin. We both said, "Fun," when the movie ended. This will not be in the pantheon of beyond awesome Pixar movies, but it's in the category of great animation, good voice characters, and a sweet story. What more could you want for a five dollar ticket?

There used to be magic and wonder, and now the world is just bumbling along. It's Ian's sixteenth birthday and he's quietly missing his father who passed from illness; he'd like to actually talk to people in school; he'd like to learn to drive. Ian (Tom Holland) needs to get some ooomph. Older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) misses his dad, plays quest games, and seems to find trouble. Mom (Julia Louis Dreyfus) tries to guide her boys and be strong. What's missing?  Some magic and wonder.

When mom gives the boys a gift from their dad - a wizard wand, they embark on a quest to have time with him for a day. Oh there's a path to peril, raven's point, and the powerful Manicort (Octavia Spencer) to encounter. In this quest, there's humor, danger, and a chance for brotherly bonding. It's fun and funny and poignant.

All in all, Onward is energetic and family fuzzy warm. I cared about the brothers and they find out how much they care about each other. Big hug all around for this sweet movie.

Yes, it's okay to go see it on the big screen in the theater.  Just wash your hands and carry on. 

Movie Review Madness - Avengers-Infinity War

Who’s not in Avengers: Infinity War?  Ant-Man who has a movie this summer with Wasp (Paul Rudd), the Arrow dude (Jeremy Renner), and maybe someone else I can’t think of as I am not a fanatic.  Otherwise, the whole gang is around to battle Thanos (Josh Brolin) who’s huge and just wants to have all the power and kill half of humanity. No other reason that I could fathom, but what the heck. He was busy gathering Infinity stones from various planets and sacred keepers.  The stones represent Power, Soul, Time, Reality, Mind, and Space.  So it’s up to our favorite super heroes to try to work together, avoid death, and save the planet. Just another day.

This movie is filled with non-stop action, battles, quick quips, power struggles, team work, and off the cuff maneuvers. It’s fun and trippy and keeps the sagas moving along.  Loki (Tom Hiddleston) vs. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Thor with Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) and Spider Man (Tom Holland), Black Panther and Captain America and Black Widow and….the story circles between different planets and Wakanda and the USA as different stages occur in the fight. Dr.Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is holding onto the Time Stone – you think he’s in danger?  And Vision with the Mind Stone embedded in his head. The Scarlett Witch does her best to keep him safe.  If you have not watched any of the Marvel movies, then you will be lost. If you are up on the saga, then this movie will blow your mind. And poor Mark Ruffalo keeps trying to summon the Hulk, but the big guy isn’t angry enough. How can that be?

Fun, fast paced kick butt blockbuster – Avengers: Infinity War ramps up the summer movie season.  And yes, stay for that after the credits Marvel teaser….whoa!

Movie Review Madness - Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Guardians of the Galaxy 1 was so refreshing and fun.  It’s tough to beat. Thus Guardians 2 is a bit much – plenty of excess, but still extra good hilarity and worth seeing in the theater. I am Groot, now with baby Groot (voice by Vin Diesel) is still an awesome tag line, no matter the dialogue.  Lots of plots, tons of action, and of course, the Star Lord (Peter Quill) himself, Chris Pratt, is ever more confident and handsome and cool as our leading man.  Zoe Zaldana’s Gamora returns as well as Rocket the raccoon (Bradley Cooper). She provides the hot, smart, and sexy. He’s our master of quips and irreverence.

Kurt Russell appears as Ego, Quill’s father. He’s a hoot – self-absorbed villain with a grand scheme to take over the world with his DNA. His wild planet is a feast for the eyes. There are plenty more plot lines and then teasers as the Guardians will fit into future Avenger story lines. Sly Stallone appears as a space thief. There’s a woman in gold who’s out to take over the world but is foiled by the Guardians for now. Teaser after teaser appears and it’s hard to keep track (I thought) of who is who.  But it’s still a bit tongue in cheek and raucous.  You won’t be bored or check your watch.

Big thumbs up. Pay for the big screen experience. Treat yourself to some popcorn and stay and stay and stay until the lights come up.  Groot as a teenager is a plus moment at the end.  Guardians of the Galaxy Part 2 has a great soundtrack and kicks off our summer cinema season.  Just have a blast.  We are all Groot. 

Movie Review Madness - Passengers

Futuristic film Passengers – over 5000 souls are on board the Avalon as it heads on a 120 year journey to Homestead 2 a new planet for colonization. As they sleep in hibernation chambers, the ship hurtles deeper into space. At the thirty year mark, there is a collision with large debris. Warning. Warning. As the ship recovers and continue on its trajectory, one chamber opens. Jim (Chris Pratt) is greeted by a programmed cruise director. He’s given his bracelet key, sent to his room, and has time to get acquainted with his new neighbors. Alas, there is no one else awake. One android bartender (Michael Sheen) provides whiskey and some chat.

As a mechanic, Jim explores the ship and tries everything to figure out what when wrong. After a year, he’s lonely, bored, and contemplating suicide…unless….. (spoiler alert that you can figure out pretty quickly )  …what if…he wakes up someone else….and that someone is, of course, the lovely smart Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence)?  Ahh, now we have a story – two pretty people in space. The perfect couple. And it goes so good until it can go bad. So much for secrets.

Passengers is entertaining and has some new twists to a familiar plot until the last thirty minutes. Then it’s a bit hurried and clichéd. Chris and Jennifer have good chemistry. The ship is very cool. It’s a pleasant film and you’ll enjoy it when you stream it at home. No need to rush to the theater. 

Movie Review Madness - The Magnificent Seven

Yes, 1960 had Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson headlining a western. That was a long time ago and you can watch it on any classic movie channel. But there’s nothing wrong with rounding up a new herd of actors and bringing The Magnificent Seven to the big screen again. Director Antoine Fuqua lends a sweeping touch to glorious scenery. He throws a ton of firepower, stunt shooting, and riding, and oh no – a Gatling gun to the showdown. He gives each man a solid role, sharp dialogue, and a chance to squint into the sun as he reflects on his fate.

Denzel Washington lends the gravitas necessary for Sam Chisolm, the bounty hunter. Ethan Hawke is a twitchy former Confederate soldier. Chris Pratt is the slick cardsharp gunslinger, and Vincent D’Onofrio is the grizzled coot. Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Martin Sensmeier fill in the final seven. I read somewhere that it’s the United Benetton Western.  Peter Sarsgaard is the slimy villain who owns the mine and wants to run roughshod over the neighboring town and steal all of the land. Boo hiss

The seven choose to tilt against windmills and fight for the little guy. They help the townsfolk with their pitchforks and rifles and vow to save the women and children. It’s a noble fight and entertaining. The Magnificent Seven won’t be considered a classic, but it’s a popcorn worthy movie. Round ‘em up and head to the theater. 

Movie Review: Jurassic World

It’s been a long time since we held our breath as raptors tapped their claws in the kitchen and kids tried to not move. Well, they are back and dinosaurs are bigger and badder than ever in Jurassic World.

This is a summer blockbuster, eat-a- tub- of-popcorn, kind of movie for the family. It’s PG-13 with a little language and some big teeth chomping. I actually paid full price and have no regrets – super big screen, great sound, and comfy recliner seats. I did not choose 3D, but I heard that is decent. So, Jurassic World is fun……….but………..it’s a lot of rehash of the old Jurassic Park. For me it lacked that extra wow factor that made the first one so original.  

Two kids come to visit their aunt and experience the theme park – ride dinosaurs, interact with them, and picture Sea World or a Zoo on mega steroids. The aunt played by Bryce Dallas Howard is a big executive and really can’t spend time with the kids. She’s in crisis mode when a newly created dinosaur goes rogue. What was in its genetic mix? A bit of raptor, a bit of all things nasty? This dinosaur is clever and can adapt as it runs rampant. Speaking of running, Howard does it in heels (seriously? This annoyed me).  

Fortunately, we have Chris Pratt – dino-whisperer. He’s the man with the muscles, the plan, and some common sense. Plus his sense of humor and comic timing makes the movie. Chris Pratt can do no wrong right now.  And finally, evil Vincent D’Onofrio, is eager to bring in his military muscle to control Jurassic World and key dino DNA.  

So lots of great CGI special effects. The dinosaurs are impressive. Lots of chasing through the jungle, rain, and the roar of massive beasts. Jurassic World is eye candy and there’s nothing wrong with that in the summer. Take the family and have fun. Just keep your arms inside the ride.

 

Movie Review Madness: Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is beyond awesome silly fun.  This is a Marvel misfit movie. What could go wrong in outer space will and it will be very amusing. Peter Quill as a young boy loses his mother. He runs out of the hospital and is sucked into space. Twenty six years later we see him, played by an awesome Chris Pratt, stealing an orb, living by a mixtape, and trying to get a nickname Starlord to stick. He’s a charming rascal.  In this chase for the orb, he encounters a green girl – Zoe Saldana – totally badass and her sister Nebula is worse. Rocket the raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is the brains behind any operation but he’s a creature with no scruples. Groot (Vin Diesel’s voice) is a walking tree. Dave Bautista voices a serious Drax who takes everything literally. Altogether they are a mess and yet they slowly conquer the fight against Ronin.  

In the early stages of the movie, don’t worry too much about all of the planets and leaders, etc. Concentrate on our self-proclaimed Guardians. They bicker and they are a mess and it works. This movie is hysterical as it kicks into high gear. Stay conscious of the winning oldie soundtrack – that’s the charm of this flick. Entertaining – this is a full bucket of popcorn and a large soda movie. Truly joyous – Ooh Ooh Child will never be the same.  

We are Groot.  That’s the motto. Watch the movie and join the club. Stay after the credits for a blip of an old joke.  Guardians of the Galaxy is summer movie magic.