Movie Review Madness - Jason Bourne

Bottom line – Jason Bourne, the new film), is a boring retread. I had high expectations and they were crushed by a yawn inducing tale of a network of terror and technology with unchecked power.  

Once again Jason (the always decent Matt Damon) is having flashbacks and remembering stuff. It’s been ten years since he went off the grid, but he’s back in sight thanks to Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), his former contact. Well, the agency is tracking her hacking and it’s a vicious circle of exposure. A weary director Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) wants Bourne erased. A newby agent Lee (Alicia Vikander) sees her chance for a power grab and she tries to lure him in. Oh so innocent, she’s not aware of Dewey’s orders and the evil Vincent Cassel who wants revenge on Bourne for past problems.  Plus, now there’s a super internet mogul who’s partnered with the devil Dewey and has no idea of the ramifications of getting in bed with the government.

Chase after chase after chase after chase. Been there, done that.  It’s a shame that nothing new is brought to the excellent Bourne series.  With furrowed brow and curled fists, Damon does his best to fight evil and he’s always one step ahead.  That’s the good part. Unfortunately I needed Dramamine for the film’s shaky camera – have you feel like you are in the middle of things – perspective. Whew. My head was spinning by the end, and not in a good way.

Save your money and stream Jason Bourne someday.  I regret saying this is not worth popcorn and a soda. 

Movie Review: Lincoln

A movie about the sixteenth President of the United States, Lincoln, couldn't be more timely. Director Steven Spielberg looks at January 1865 in great depth and from it we get a portrait of a caring man, a concilliator, a smart politician, a family man, a compromise, and a key to American history. The Civil War was winding down and the Union would prove victorious. Lincoln (played by a genius actor, Daniel Day-Lewis) wants an amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery. He feels this is very important for closure to this long bloody mess.

Thus we see the behind the scenes meetings in the House of Representatives - the arm twisting, the cajoling, and yes, compromises. Much like today, there has to be some wheeling and dealing to get things done. Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens is excellent. James Spader provides some comic relief, as he visits members and takes count. Sally Field is haunting as Mary Todd Lincoln - still mourning the death of son Willie, still dealing with other young son Tad, and worrying about eldest son Robert who wants to enlist.

Lincoln is quite enthralling. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Lincoln as we imagine - his walk is perfect for a very tall man (rather gangly), his eyes twinkle as he tells a story with a meaning, his pauses and gestures reflect a man who speaks with purpose. It is an amazing performance. Lincoln gives depth to the holiday movie season.

Movie Review: Men in Black 3

Friday, I'm a guest at  Annalisa Crawford's blog  - that's exciting and I'm pleased she invited me for a chat. Please check it out. We have discussed movies before, and she found it funny that I do reviews for a town with no cinema. In keeping with that theme - here's a review I published in The Little Paper of San Saba:

Men in Black 3 is so sharp, so awesome, and so worthy of the full price I paid. Okay - I did bring snacks and a soda. We had to save money somewhere, but this movie is way too much fun. It's PG13 but only for alleged violence - they blow apart aliens with space guns - all totally pretend.

Once again Agent J (Will Smith) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) are battling evil alien scum. Unfortunately , Boris (The Animal- he hates that denotation) escapes from his lunar prison and vows to wreak death and destruction on Agent K (who shot off his arm) and the earth. There's a time travel issue, there's love (Agent K and Agent O (Emma Thompson in current day), and there's the salvation of the world at stake.

Who better than Will Smith to save us all and look totally cool while doing it? Men in Black 3 doesn't re-tread old stuff. There are fresh aliens, fresh jokes, and absolutely amazing new technical wizardry. My husband and I loved this movie. It's 100 minutes of sheer magic. During some time travel sequences, Josh Brolin plays the young Agent K. Holy Cow - he has a Tommy Lee Jones impression down pat - it's uncanny, and smart, and funny. I swear I saw Will Smith half-grin during one sequence. Even he knew this was sheer genius film-making.

We won't discuss plot - it's time travel to save the world. 'Nuff said. The acting is great, the effects are superb, and Men in Black 3 makes summer movie going very fun again. GO SEE IT.