This movie bombed big time at the box office and it’s a real shame because it kicks some major ass. After 2 big dumpster fires called “Salvation” and “Genysis” they finally got back to basics and did this franchise a solid. Taking place after the events of T2: Judgement Day, a really good Terminator movie, we meet a new protector arriving on earth played by Mackenzie Davis who like Linda Hamilton has hit the gym and then some. Holy shit. Her job is to protect a latina named Dani who will be carrying the future savior of mankind. If all this sounds familiar, it should. Much of this film is a combination of storylines taken from T1 & T2. May as well take from the best. Sarah Connor returns in bad ass fashion to lend her support as she travels the country killing off terminators with her giant elephant gun. Linda Hamilton is a very welcome return to the franchise despite her face looking like a catchers mask and her voice sounding like a pack of Camels. It’s Linda Hamilton playing Sarah Connor, so who cares. Arnold is back and he’s great known as Carl in this movie and living in exile as a drapery business owner. He actually spends a couple minutes talking about drapes. Hysterical. He gets sucked in to help, even though Connor wants to kill him. the action is great. There are 2 terrific action sequences. One at the very beginning on the highway and the other on a damn. Both are very exciting. This movie works because it gives you exactly what you want. You want the the Terminator, Sarah, robots and action. You got it. You also want a coherent story which was missing in the last 2 films and you got that too. Too bad nobody wanted to see this in the theaters because it’s a lot of fun.
Rating: (***1/2)
Category: Uncategorized
“Birds of Prey”
I made my first new release in the theater for 2020 with this movie. After sitting through Birds of Prey, it is obvious that DC wants to make Harley Quinn their answer to Marvels Deadpool. There are too many similarities. But that isn’t a bad thing because Harley is a really fun character played to the hilt by Margot Robbie. She’s having a blast. You could say this is a spin-off of Suicide Squad, a movie I kind of liked, but there isn’t much connection to that film aside from the reference of the Joker character to which he dumped her. That is referenced a lot, but the Joker is never seen, fortunately because Jared Leto’s version of the Joker sucks. As for this movie, it’s a wild film that is pretty fun at times. It introduces the Birds of Prey and I remember some of it from the comics and a failed TV series and it wasn’t anything like this. But it worked for the most part as each individual of the group is pretty interesting especially Rosie Perez in one of her best roles in years. She’s difficult to cast sometimes. The story is all over the place and is probably the weakest aspect of the picture. It gets gimmicky with the storytelling and I really wish it was more linear because it gets really confusing. Once they do away with that, the film makes more sense and has less problems. The action is well choreographed and pretty fun. The last 30 minutes are a blast and they set things up for more movies. This is a pretty R rated film. There is lots of cartoon type violence, but the language is very adult so please use caution when taking your kids to see this. I took my 13 year old and thought maybe this wasn’t the best parenting choice but then again I have a toilet mouth and he’s probably heard worse on the school bus. Not a great movie, but it’s fun and I give it a mild recommendation
Rating (**1/2)
“Green Book”
Well, it took a while, but I finally saw the best picture winner and I’m glad I did. This is a very entertaining movie. Kind of hard to believe that this is written and directed by the same guy who did Dumb & Dumber and There’s Something About Mary. The true story of the relationship between black musician Don Shirley and his driver for 2 months, Tony “Lip” Villeonga. On it’s surface this is really another civil rights film about stereotypes and segregation in the early 60’s. There is a lot of that, but I think this movie is more about relationships, different cultures and learning from each other. It’s a funny film at times and very serious as well. Farrelly does a really good job at keeping a balance. Much of this film, is very predictable and a little bit “Hollywood’, but I’m willing to forgive that. The film works because of the 2 actors, Mahershala Ali & Viggo Mortensen have tremendous chemistry together and the script is very smart.
Rating (****)
First Man (2018)
I always try and take my family to a historical drama of some kind. We saw “Lincoln”, “42” & “Selma” together, so I thought this would fit the bill. Not so much, I guess. My son was bored out of his mind. I thought “First Man” was extremely well done. Very detailed with a wonderful cast and the production value was top shelf. All the space sequences were terrific and by far, those were the best parts of the film. Everything was done from the astronauts point of view and the sound effect editing and score was a great asset to create tension. That’s the good stuff of “First Man”. I never said I actually enjoyed the movie. This is not a rah rah America kind of film about the space program. I recommend “The Right Stuff” (1983) for that kind of film. This was really a film about Neil Armstrong and unfortunately, he ain’t exactly Mr. Personality. He may be an American hero, but he doesn’t resonate to good drama on the screen. In this movie, he comes across as a sour puss who doesn’t seem to love his wife or his job that much for that matter. There is a tragic back story with his daughter that drives him which may explain a lot of his charm, or lack thereof, but it doesn’t mean I have to spend 140 minutes watching it. This is a good movie. There is no doubt about that. Technically, its terrific. All the space stuff is worth watching, I just wish our hero was more fun to watch.
Rating (***)
A Star is Born
Many consider this movie the clear front runner for Best Picture come Oscar time and based on what I just saw, I’d be inclined to agree. If anything, it’ll be sure to get multiple nods. This is the 4th version. I barely remember the Babs movie from 1976 except that weird iconic poster, but this story has been updated to fit the times and it works. Those familiar with the story, knows that this is a bit of a tearjerker, so be prepared for that. You can also predict what is going to happen right from the get-go. You know the arc, but what makes this work so well is the bravada performances by its 2 main leads Bradley Cooper and Lady Ga Ga. You knew the Ga Ga was terrific, but I had no idea that Cooper could sing. His directing style, esp. the concert footage works well with the story he’s telling. Those were my favorite parts. This movie may not be for everybody, but I liked it a lot and recommend it.
Rating (****)
Opening week of 2/11
“Isn’t it Romantic?”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Happy Death Day 2U”
Widows (2018)
Directed by Steve McQueen, “Widows” is a pretty engrossing movie. It’s not exactly a light hearted female heist film in the same vein as Oceans 8, but it’s certainly a better film. Viola Davis is in pure serious intense bitch mode as she gathers up all the widows from a botched heist. They all owe money or in need of it pretty quickly and they set up their own heist. The cast is really good. You’ve got a lot of terrific actors in this including Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez to name a few. It takes place in Chicago and I think the city looks pretty good. Some of it resembled the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood, but what do I know. You;ve got a few neat twists and turns in this and when they get to the actual heist, the film picks up even more steam. “Widows” does drag at times. It seems like the set up took way too long to get going and I could have done without all of Viola Davis’ yelling and mugging for the camera. She’s a fine actress, but I’m not a fan of hers. The story is what I enjoyed and I always like a good heist film that keeps you on the edge of your seats and this one did.
Rating (***1/2)
Eric at the Movies 