Movie Review Madness: Terminator - Dark Fate

Terminator: Dark Fate was written and produced by the originator – James Cameron. He did not direct this, but all of his masterful touches are there.  Forget a bunch of the Terminator sequels and just go into this one fresh. This movie opens in Mexico when there’s a lightning disturbance and out from the sky drops Grace (Mackenzie Davis) – she’s an augmented human sent to earth to protect Dani (Natalia Reyes), a young Mexican gal, who has no idea how important she is to the future of Earth.

Forget Skynet, etc. Now it’s another force sending Terminator Version 9.0 and this is one bad dude. The initial fight sequence, chase, shootings, car chase, bulldozer incident, etc is intense and certainly kicks off  Dark Fate. Ray leaned over and whispered, “I’m exhausted.” And fortunately, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton!) is there – world weary, raspy voice barking orders, no-nonsense sense of the situation, and she’s been fighting Terminators since one killed her son. Now Dani is the mission.

This movie is kick-ass sharp and yes, he’s BACK – Arnold – is on “our” side and ready to help Sarah and Grace to save Dani.  I  won’t spoil any more of the plot.  It’s all familiar and yet has some new twists. The special effects are fabulous. The pacing of the film is non-stop. You will be exhilarated and hyped by the end of the film. Terminator: Dark Fate is meant for the big screen, so get that tub of popcorn and immerse yourself in the dark fate of the world. Enjoy!

Movie Review - Tully

Tully is part of a trifecta and is not for everyone. I personally love director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody, and actor Charlize Theron.  I loved Juno, Young Adult, and now Tully proved trickier but good. Had to think, not for everyone, seriously – not for everyone, and yet well done. A couple  behind me  - the woman kept saying “ I don’t like dark movies. This is dark. It’s depressing. I don’t like this.”

I wanted to turn and say – Crap, lady – just leave!!!!  But no, I contained myself and she shut up for most of it.  Yes, you had to THINK!!!!

Charlize plays Marlo – pregnant in her 40s with two kids.  One – Jonah – is a challenge – definitely on the autism spectrum and being kicked out of his school as “quirky” in kindergarten. Not good. Husband (the ever patient and solid Ron Livingston) is working hard and giving it his best but is still clueless.  His brother (Mark Duplass) is highly successful and  he and his wife just have it all. Marlo and crew are scraping by.

So we watch her waddle, give birth, and then try to be the perfect mom for all. Can she make the cupcakes?  Can she help Jonah? Is she setting a good example for her daughter? Tough call.  The brother has offered to pay for a night nurse – a woman who will come in, help, and allow Margo to sleep, pull herself together, and be what she needs to be for the family.  Too good to be true?  Mackenzie Davis is Tully – a free spirit young lady with lots of New Age wisdom. We watch Margo relax, seemingly get her crap together, and become the mother she needs to be.

But there’s so much more to this journey.  Motherhood is hard.  Motherhood in the 40s is harder.  This movie has weird twists and turns…….you have to go with it to complete the full creation.   Like I said, it’s odd and yet it works.  Charlize Theron is just beyond fantastic – she can play dumpy and feeling awful, and then be luminescent and real and beautiful. If you see this, you will root for her.

But it’s a tough one!   Enjoy??