Friday Film Frolic and Loaded Fries

Finished work early on Friday. Came home and nabbed Ray - off to Alamo Drafthouse movie theater for a full fun 3:15 pm film frolic. This theater chain is pricey but I'd been wanting to check it out. Nice! And I'm not big on food service in theaters, but this was part of the Friday plan - share a super good snack - loaded queso fries (OMG, Yummy) and two Alamo draft root beers.

We settled in for the ridiculousness that is the Fast & Furious series. Hobbs & Shaw is crazy town entertainment with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham snarling at each other, but saving the world. Car chases, a killer virus, super cool villain (Idris Elba) with a snazzy motorcyle, London, Russia, Samoa, Shaw's sister played by Vanessa Kirby adds a kick to the action. Back in prison, Helen Mirren (head of the Shaw clan) is a briefly seen hoot. Throw in CIA "friend", Ryan Reynolds and his wacky chatter. I don't need to tell  you plot line. The stunts are amazing, the film making rocks, it's loud, it's fast, it's furious. No brain power required. Summer Friday Frolic.


***Note - in light of the various serious matter of shootings in Dayton, El Paso, etc. I do want to say that I'm not a "gun" person. Far from it. 
However, I've always been fine with mob movies, cop movies, fast & furious movies, James Bond movies - guns, explosions on the screen, etc. Just like the use of the F word these days, it can be a bit much, but I can stay that step away from the silver screen, recognize it is Hollywood film making, and not confuse "pretend" with "reality". ***

Good luck with Monday and your week, my blog friends. Stay safe (and cool!)

Movie Review Madness: Furious Seven

 

 

 

It’s Furious Seven for the franchise series – bigger bolder and crazier than ever. Can cars fly? Heck yeah. Can cars zoom through three buildings? Heck yeah. Is our team back together? Well, sadly we lose a few thanks early on to the evil Jason Straitham, who’s bent on revenge for his brother. This guy is rogue top skills former British service, and he’s unstoppable – or is he? We also have another terrorist faction in cahoots who’s out to get the mega chip/software program created by the elusive Ramsey.  And who’s managed to find and protect Ramsey? Our team. Does all of this sound incoherent? Sure – you have to see it to believe it.  

Vin Diesel is Dom – our strap shirt muscle bound leader with the voice growl as hot as the cars he uses. Paul Walker’s baby blues are still in the majority of the movie. He’s a family man now, married to Dom’s sister Mia, and he vows to come back to her after this mission. Michelle Rodriquez, our hot girl fighter/driver/Dom’s girlfriend, still has amnesia but maybe her memory will return. Tyrese and Ludacris still banter and use their mad skills. And then Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) survives the Jason beating, but organizes the Furious crew and roots from his hospital bed until he literally busts out of his casts to provide backup with one huge machine gun.  

The key to this movie is the cast chemistry – they truly look like they are having fun. The car chases, the fights, the destruction is over the top. This is nonstop action at movie making cinematic greatness. Furious Seven runs too long – I would have edited away at least forty minutes. Otherwise this is a mega popcorn treat. The final salute to the late Paul Walker at the end of the movie is well done and touching. Strap in for a crazy ride and yes, cars can fly.