Release Date: December 25, 2016
Starring: James Franco as Laird Mayhew
Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming
Zoey Deutch as Stephanie Fleming
Megan Mullally as Barb Fleming
Griffin Gluck as Scotty Fleming
Keegan-Michael Key as Gustav
Directed by: John Hamburg
Written by: John Hamburg and Ian Helfer based off the story by Jonah Hill, John Hamburg and Ian Helfer.
When Ned finds out his daughter is dating a tech millionaire, Laird Mayhew, he and is family fly to California to spend Christmas with them. When they meet the strange and outrageously honest boyfriend, Ned is less than impressed. Laird gets overly excited and does everything he can to make a good impression, and more often than not goes a little too far. When Laird asks Ned to his daughter's hand in marriage Ned says no. Laird then tries everything to get Ned to like him and agree while Ned does everything to discredit Laird and drive him and his daughter apart.
I knew what to expect going into this film. These types of comedies are, for the most part, predictable and when you have James Franco in the mix you kind of know what to expect from him. While the bits are always the same and jokes are always similar, and the plot almost always goes down the same way, when you put James Franco in he always manages to make it funny. Even if you know what is eventually going to happen he always makes the journey fun. Bryan Cranston showing us a side that we don't see much was great. Franco and Cranston worked very well on the screen and built off each other's energy. I would say that you should go and see this film, it's crazy funny, and well worth it.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Passengers
Release Date: December 21, 2016
Starring: Chris Pratt as Jim Preston
Jennifer Lawrence as Aurora Lane
On a 120 year journey to a new colony, two passengers are accidentally awaken 90 years before they are supposed to arrive at their destination. When they learn that they can't go back to sleep and with no way to wake up the crew they must find a way to deal being alone. After the initial shock, they start to warm up to each other and create their own paradise on the ship to live out the rest of their years. When the ship stars to malfunction they must find a way to fix it and save the lives of the other 5000 people on board.
This is the most visually stunning film of the year. You can not out do what the production team of this film has done. Every thing you see and hear makes you think that you are with Pratt and Lawrence on the ship. It's majestic and electric at the same time. This film's story is very unique and original yet it tricks you. When you see the trailer you think that the whole film is going to be a thriller and you are going to be on the edge of your seat the entire time but it's not. The most action happens maybe in the last 45 minutes or so. The story is really between these two people who go on one journey and literally wake up in the middle of something new. This movie is literally what "it's not about the destination, it's about the journey" means. Lawrence and Pratt have such great chemistry on screen that you can't help but root for them in whatever they decide to do. Simply put, this is one of the best films of the year.
Starring: Chris Pratt as Jim Preston
Jennifer Lawrence as Aurora Lane
On a 120 year journey to a new colony, two passengers are accidentally awaken 90 years before they are supposed to arrive at their destination. When they learn that they can't go back to sleep and with no way to wake up the crew they must find a way to deal being alone. After the initial shock, they start to warm up to each other and create their own paradise on the ship to live out the rest of their years. When the ship stars to malfunction they must find a way to fix it and save the lives of the other 5000 people on board.
This is the most visually stunning film of the year. You can not out do what the production team of this film has done. Every thing you see and hear makes you think that you are with Pratt and Lawrence on the ship. It's majestic and electric at the same time. This film's story is very unique and original yet it tricks you. When you see the trailer you think that the whole film is going to be a thriller and you are going to be on the edge of your seat the entire time but it's not. The most action happens maybe in the last 45 minutes or so. The story is really between these two people who go on one journey and literally wake up in the middle of something new. This movie is literally what "it's not about the destination, it's about the journey" means. Lawrence and Pratt have such great chemistry on screen that you can't help but root for them in whatever they decide to do. Simply put, this is one of the best films of the year.
Manchester by the Sea
Release Date: November 15, 2016
Starring Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler
Michelle Williams as Randi Chandler
Lucas Hedges as Patrick
Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan
Written by: Kenneth Lonergan
When Lee's brother, Joe, dies after his heart fails he finds that he is now the guardian of his nephew, Patrick.
Really I think that the one line of the a description that I just wrote was more thrilling than the movie was. This film kept jumping back and forth in the timeline of Lee's life. It was hard to keep up with in some parts. Manly because I had to keep reminding myself what had just happened because I was so bored. When you keep looking at you clock to see if it's been an hour yet, and find that it's been only fifteen minutes, or you consider falling asleep because you know that the void of nothingness behind your eyelids is more interesting than what you paid money to see... you don't have a good film on your hands.
Starring Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler
Michelle Williams as Randi Chandler
Lucas Hedges as Patrick
Directed by: Kenneth Lonergan
Written by: Kenneth Lonergan
When Lee's brother, Joe, dies after his heart fails he finds that he is now the guardian of his nephew, Patrick.
Really I think that the one line of the a description that I just wrote was more thrilling than the movie was. This film kept jumping back and forth in the timeline of Lee's life. It was hard to keep up with in some parts. Manly because I had to keep reminding myself what had just happened because I was so bored. When you keep looking at you clock to see if it's been an hour yet, and find that it's been only fifteen minutes, or you consider falling asleep because you know that the void of nothingness behind your eyelids is more interesting than what you paid money to see... you don't have a good film on your hands.
Assassin's Creed
Release Date: December 21, 2016
Starring: Michael Fassbender as Cal Lynch/Aguilar
Marion Cotillard as Sofia
Directed by: Justin Kurzel
Written by: Michael Lesslie, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage
In a search for a way to control free will Cal is thrown into this unknown world over the Assassin's Creed. Learning that his family tree has thousands of years worth of family members being apart of the creed, he is now to enter into their world to protect the Apple of Eden. However, he does not enter in the way you might think. Sofia is the creator of a machine called the Animus. This machine takes a person in our time and makes them relive the memories of the past with an ancestor. Sofia needs Cal's help because he ancestor is the last known person to have held the Apple of Eden in his hand.
This movie had so much more potential than what was given to us. I won't lie, I don't play video games and I have not seen much of this video game that the movie is based off of but I was really looking forward to this film. It was lack luster story line that should have been about Aguilar but ended up being more about Cal. The only time the film was thinking was when it was in ancient Spain but every time I got close to thinking this film was really cool (which was only when we were in ancient Spain) they would take you back to modern times just as things were getting interesting. What was really disappointing was the fact that Michael Fassbender was perfect for the role but the character they decided to focus on, Cal, did not have the hype factor that I would looking for and I really didn't can to hear about his back story at all. I really just wanted to being pushed into the ancient world and live there for most of the movie rather than only getting a taste of it.
Starring: Michael Fassbender as Cal Lynch/Aguilar
Marion Cotillard as Sofia
Directed by: Justin Kurzel
Written by: Michael Lesslie, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage
In a search for a way to control free will Cal is thrown into this unknown world over the Assassin's Creed. Learning that his family tree has thousands of years worth of family members being apart of the creed, he is now to enter into their world to protect the Apple of Eden. However, he does not enter in the way you might think. Sofia is the creator of a machine called the Animus. This machine takes a person in our time and makes them relive the memories of the past with an ancestor. Sofia needs Cal's help because he ancestor is the last known person to have held the Apple of Eden in his hand.
This movie had so much more potential than what was given to us. I won't lie, I don't play video games and I have not seen much of this video game that the movie is based off of but I was really looking forward to this film. It was lack luster story line that should have been about Aguilar but ended up being more about Cal. The only time the film was thinking was when it was in ancient Spain but every time I got close to thinking this film was really cool (which was only when we were in ancient Spain) they would take you back to modern times just as things were getting interesting. What was really disappointing was the fact that Michael Fassbender was perfect for the role but the character they decided to focus on, Cal, did not have the hype factor that I would looking for and I really didn't can to hear about his back story at all. I really just wanted to being pushed into the ancient world and live there for most of the movie rather than only getting a taste of it.
La La Land
Release Date: December 16, 2016
Starring: Ryan Gosling as Sebastian
Emma Stone as Mia
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Written by: Damien Chazelle
Sebastian is a struggling Jazz Musician with a one way tack of thinking, and Mia is a struggling actress that is trying every way to reach her goal. In their search they find each other and form a beautiful but unusual relationship. They are the exact same and the exact opposite at the same time. They give each other hope, love and a lot of fun. With some song and dance thrown in they find there is nothing that they can not do or become. Even if it's not the way you that you would get there.
Everyone around me keeps telling me that musical are dead. Yet, here was are in 2016 and one of the best acclaimed films of the year, by both critics and the average movie goer, is a musical. This film is one of the most fun movies I have seen in a long time. Any movie that keeps the songs in your head for a week after you see it has great things going for it. Every scene you are mesmerized by the magnificent beauty of the set, and every song has a great way of being poignant and expanding the plot while being wonderful to listen to. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are fantastic in this realm together. I have seen neither in a musical but they did a fantastic job paying tribute to the art in a new way. It's hard to do a staple piece such a musical, with a long history they have, and keep it fresh without giving it a new "hip hop" sound. However, the musicians and writers did a fantastic job keeping a "more traditional" sound and story rather than over doing. I would say that this film is not to be over looked it will be come a classic in it's own time and it will help to keep musical alive even though a lot say that are dead.
Starring: Ryan Gosling as Sebastian
Emma Stone as Mia
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Written by: Damien Chazelle
Sebastian is a struggling Jazz Musician with a one way tack of thinking, and Mia is a struggling actress that is trying every way to reach her goal. In their search they find each other and form a beautiful but unusual relationship. They are the exact same and the exact opposite at the same time. They give each other hope, love and a lot of fun. With some song and dance thrown in they find there is nothing that they can not do or become. Even if it's not the way you that you would get there.
Everyone around me keeps telling me that musical are dead. Yet, here was are in 2016 and one of the best acclaimed films of the year, by both critics and the average movie goer, is a musical. This film is one of the most fun movies I have seen in a long time. Any movie that keeps the songs in your head for a week after you see it has great things going for it. Every scene you are mesmerized by the magnificent beauty of the set, and every song has a great way of being poignant and expanding the plot while being wonderful to listen to. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are fantastic in this realm together. I have seen neither in a musical but they did a fantastic job paying tribute to the art in a new way. It's hard to do a staple piece such a musical, with a long history they have, and keep it fresh without giving it a new "hip hop" sound. However, the musicians and writers did a fantastic job keeping a "more traditional" sound and story rather than over doing. I would say that this film is not to be over looked it will be come a classic in it's own time and it will help to keep musical alive even though a lot say that are dead.
Jackie
Release Date: December 2, 2016
Starring: Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy
Peter Sarsgaard as Bobby Kennedy
Greta Gerwig as Nancy Tuckerman
Directed by: Pablo Larrain
Written by: Noah Oppenheim
The story of the aftermath, and the assassination, of John F. Kennedy in the perspective of his wife Jackie Kennedy.
I loved that they did this film. When you talk about the assassination most of the talk goes to if it was an inside job, how many gunman, and other conspiracy theories that have popped up since then, yet you never hear about what happened in the days after. What happened to Jackie and the kids? A lot of these historical facts are over shadowed by the unanswered questions of the events that happened. So, I am glad that they showed and acknowledged the events that happened directly after in the White House. While Natalie Portman was amazing as always, and the set and make up was great, the story was a little slow. I felt with what had happened after could have been summed up in less amount of time, however, considering that the film was a little over an hour and a half (it felt like three hours) I guess they were trying give the film length. I was really looking forward to more information about her. What her life was like before JFK, what it was like after his death, and all of the other interesting stuff about her. However, the film still ended up being about the assassination and only that. So, I was left a little bored and longing for more.
Starring: Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy
Peter Sarsgaard as Bobby Kennedy
Greta Gerwig as Nancy Tuckerman
Directed by: Pablo Larrain
Written by: Noah Oppenheim
The story of the aftermath, and the assassination, of John F. Kennedy in the perspective of his wife Jackie Kennedy.
I loved that they did this film. When you talk about the assassination most of the talk goes to if it was an inside job, how many gunman, and other conspiracy theories that have popped up since then, yet you never hear about what happened in the days after. What happened to Jackie and the kids? A lot of these historical facts are over shadowed by the unanswered questions of the events that happened. So, I am glad that they showed and acknowledged the events that happened directly after in the White House. While Natalie Portman was amazing as always, and the set and make up was great, the story was a little slow. I felt with what had happened after could have been summed up in less amount of time, however, considering that the film was a little over an hour and a half (it felt like three hours) I guess they were trying give the film length. I was really looking forward to more information about her. What her life was like before JFK, what it was like after his death, and all of the other interesting stuff about her. However, the film still ended up being about the assassination and only that. So, I was left a little bored and longing for more.
Sing
Release Date: December 21, 2016
Starring: Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon
Resese Witherspoon as Rosita
Seth MacFarlane as Mike
Scarlett Johansson as Ash
John C. Reilly as Eddie
Taron Egerton as Johnny
Tori Kelly as Meena
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Written by: Garth Jennings
Buster Moon is about to loose the most precious thing he owns, his theater. In a desperate attempt to save her he decides to put on one last show. The show is a singing competition with a $1,000 prize. When a type makes it a 100,000 prize everyone in the city comes to audition. It's not until he gets an interesting group of contestants, and is in way over his head, does he realize his mistake. Now, he must only keep his theater from falling apart but keep the contestants from leaving.
This is one of the best animated films of the year. This Hilariously wonderful film will definitely keep a smile on your face from beginning to end. Every character is wonderful and unique in their own way. I loved it because not everyone character was singing the same type of music. You have everything from hip hop, to opera, and even a nod to Ol' Blue Eyes himself. It's a must see this year!
Starring: Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon
Resese Witherspoon as Rosita
Seth MacFarlane as Mike
Scarlett Johansson as Ash
John C. Reilly as Eddie
Taron Egerton as Johnny
Tori Kelly as Meena
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Written by: Garth Jennings
Buster Moon is about to loose the most precious thing he owns, his theater. In a desperate attempt to save her he decides to put on one last show. The show is a singing competition with a $1,000 prize. When a type makes it a 100,000 prize everyone in the city comes to audition. It's not until he gets an interesting group of contestants, and is in way over his head, does he realize his mistake. Now, he must only keep his theater from falling apart but keep the contestants from leaving.
This is one of the best animated films of the year. This Hilariously wonderful film will definitely keep a smile on your face from beginning to end. Every character is wonderful and unique in their own way. I loved it because not everyone character was singing the same type of music. You have everything from hip hop, to opera, and even a nod to Ol' Blue Eyes himself. It's a must see this year!
Rogue One
Release Date: December 16, 2016
Starring: Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor
Alan Tudyk as K-2SO
Donnie Yen as Chirrut Imew
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy bases off the story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta and based off the characters by George Lucas
In the midst of Darth Vader's rule of the Galexy the rebellion is trying it's best to keep it safe. With a dark threat of a terrifying new machine called the Death Star on the horizon of being completed, the Rebellion is trying everything they can to save their lives and their homes. They are running out of options that is until Jyn Erso shows up. Jyn is the daughter of Galen Erso, the engineer of the Death Star, and through some adventures of her own she holds the key to the destruction of the most destructive war machine in existence. When the Rebellion Counsel refuses to get the codes to destroy it (because they don't believe her story) a small group of rebellions rebel and try acquire the codes themselves.
I am not gonna tell a lie. I am not the a huge Star Wars fan. I mean I have watched all of them once all the way through but I was not crazy about them. So, when I found that this film was coming out I knew that I had to watch it because it was going to be a huge movie and it was going to be apart of one of the biggest movie franchises in history. You have no idea how glad I am that I did see it because I love this film! I was not one to ever go back and watch Star Wars on my own again but after seeing this film I really do want to see how well it ties in with the rest. I loved that they did pay tributes to some of the actors from the original films, and how they added the new characters in for it to fit seamlessly into that world even thought it was made decades after the original three. Even the movie it's self doesn't seem like it was all shinny and new. One of the first scenes that came up was of some spacecrafts in background and they looked like the technology used in the first films. It's a great film that will make a whole new generation of Star Wars fans and new fans out of the older generation like me.
Starring: Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor
Alan Tudyk as K-2SO
Donnie Yen as Chirrut Imew
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy bases off the story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta and based off the characters by George Lucas
In the midst of Darth Vader's rule of the Galexy the rebellion is trying it's best to keep it safe. With a dark threat of a terrifying new machine called the Death Star on the horizon of being completed, the Rebellion is trying everything they can to save their lives and their homes. They are running out of options that is until Jyn Erso shows up. Jyn is the daughter of Galen Erso, the engineer of the Death Star, and through some adventures of her own she holds the key to the destruction of the most destructive war machine in existence. When the Rebellion Counsel refuses to get the codes to destroy it (because they don't believe her story) a small group of rebellions rebel and try acquire the codes themselves.
I am not gonna tell a lie. I am not the a huge Star Wars fan. I mean I have watched all of them once all the way through but I was not crazy about them. So, when I found that this film was coming out I knew that I had to watch it because it was going to be a huge movie and it was going to be apart of one of the biggest movie franchises in history. You have no idea how glad I am that I did see it because I love this film! I was not one to ever go back and watch Star Wars on my own again but after seeing this film I really do want to see how well it ties in with the rest. I loved that they did pay tributes to some of the actors from the original films, and how they added the new characters in for it to fit seamlessly into that world even thought it was made decades after the original three. Even the movie it's self doesn't seem like it was all shinny and new. One of the first scenes that came up was of some spacecrafts in background and they looked like the technology used in the first films. It's a great film that will make a whole new generation of Star Wars fans and new fans out of the older generation like me.
Office Christmas Party
Release Date: December 9, 2016
Starring: Jason Bateman as Josh Parker
Olivia Munn as Tracey Hughes
T.J. Miller as Cay Vanstone
Jennifer Aniston as Carol Vanstone
Kate McKinnon as Mary
Directed by: Josh Gordon and Will Speck
Written by: Justin Malen, Laura Solon, and Dan Mazer based off the story by Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, and Timothy Dowling
It's the Christmas Season and everyone is looking forward to their Christmas bonus. When Clay learns his branch is being shut down, by his sister the CEO Carol, he throws as wild Christmas Party to get business from Walter Davis. Davis is a big shot potential client who business could save their branch. Going against Carol's final word of "no Christmas Parties" Clay throws the biggest and wildest Christmas party that the company has ever seen. However, the party creates way more funny problems than it fixes.
I think that this was a very funny movie. I love T.J. Miller and Jason Bateman! I think that paring them together was a brilliant idea cause they work off each other very well. As most comedies are predictable this one did have a few surprises in it. However, if you are not into "gross" comedies (i.e. sexual content and drug use) some of these scenes might turn you off to the whole movie. However, there are crazy antics, are weird scenarios that will make you belly hurt from laughing so hard.
Starring: Jason Bateman as Josh Parker
Olivia Munn as Tracey Hughes
T.J. Miller as Cay Vanstone
Jennifer Aniston as Carol Vanstone
Kate McKinnon as Mary
Directed by: Josh Gordon and Will Speck
Written by: Justin Malen, Laura Solon, and Dan Mazer based off the story by Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, and Timothy Dowling
It's the Christmas Season and everyone is looking forward to their Christmas bonus. When Clay learns his branch is being shut down, by his sister the CEO Carol, he throws as wild Christmas Party to get business from Walter Davis. Davis is a big shot potential client who business could save their branch. Going against Carol's final word of "no Christmas Parties" Clay throws the biggest and wildest Christmas party that the company has ever seen. However, the party creates way more funny problems than it fixes.
I think that this was a very funny movie. I love T.J. Miller and Jason Bateman! I think that paring them together was a brilliant idea cause they work off each other very well. As most comedies are predictable this one did have a few surprises in it. However, if you are not into "gross" comedies (i.e. sexual content and drug use) some of these scenes might turn you off to the whole movie. However, there are crazy antics, are weird scenarios that will make you belly hurt from laughing so hard.
Collateral Beauty
Release Date: December 16, 2016
Starring: Will Smith as Howard
Edward Norton as Whit
Kate Winslet as Claire
Michaell Pena as Simon
Helen Mirren as Brigitte/Death
Keira Knightley as Amy/Love
Jacob Latimore as Raffi/Time
Howard is a very successful advertiser in New York City. He if full of life and looks at it with great hope for the future. With this outlook on life he uses what everyone has in common to gear his advertising and these things are Love, Time, and Death. These things become ever more real to him after the lose of his six year old daughter. When he basically losses himself in the sorrow his friends are desperate to help him and hire a private eye to see what he does and if there is anything hey can do. They find that he is writing letters to Love, Death, and Time to ask the universe why this had to happen to him and his family. They wind up hiring actors to play these roles to help him come to terms with what has happened and why. However, his friends get more then they bargained for when they end up dealing with their own issues with Love, Death, and Time.
Critics are stupid... sometimes... most of the time. When the film came out everyone in every aspect hated this film and I am not sure why. Well, I am sure why because they said why in their reviews but I think they totally missed the point of the film. Let me give you one example. One of these critics said that they thought that the film was about rich people getting their way. The only reason at all that money was as issue in the movie was the fact that the friends hired the actors at $20,000 dollars a piece. Ok, I get that I get that only the rich could go to that extreme to help a friend. However, that was not something I was worried about mainly because if I had that kind of money and I thought that anything was going to work to help a friend I would have gladly paid that price and I think many other of us would too.
Besides the point of the film is to not only help Howard with the loss of his child but it was for us as an audience to see what we are afraid of. Everyone is worried about Love, Death, and Time. I am 25 and I am worried about all of them. I always feel I don't have enough time to do all the things in life I want to do, and I want to have love in my life and that has not happened yet, and I am at this age where people in my family are dying. I getting to an age where all of this is around me and I can't make time stand still to fix it, or adjust stuff, I have to keep going forward and pray I don't waste time that I have worrying. These are three very big, and universal things that everyone does have to deal with in their lives. It may not be in the same way, or at the same time, but we all deal with them.
I think that the critics got to caught up in how "unrealistic" it was. That the actors could have never pulled off what they did to help Howard. I think the point that they missed was a simple point. The point was that everyone grieves for a loss differently. Some work through the grief, others cry and compose their selves. Personally I have gone through a lot of grief this year and I cried a lot and then went to a movie to calm myself down and process. The point of the movie was to understand that heartache is a very real thing and it doesn't go away overnight. The pain that we feel will lessen with time but we can't speed it up. Also, that even though we are grieving in different ways does not mean that we have lost touch with the world and people around us. We might not be able to convey that we still see, know, and might be more in tuned with what is going on in others lives than you may think. The movie was not only about how people deal with grief but how they are now changed by it.
It's a beautifully told story about this one man's journey and how his life has changed. However, it is every bit as poignant to everyone who watches it as it is to the characters in it. It's not your typical story of these "angels" or "beings" that come along to help a man through in some fairytale. The story is of real people helping a real man to process and start to heal from a major loss. It's not a typical story but it is one movie that has the most realistic and truest feelings of any I have ever seen.
This is one of Will Smith's best performances that I have seen him in. He really brings the best he has to the table in this film. No one would have been better for this film. He makes me forget that he is Will Smith and that he did other films. Any actor that can make you forget who they are and become a different person is a great actor in my book.
Starring: Will Smith as Howard
Edward Norton as Whit
Kate Winslet as Claire
Michaell Pena as Simon
Helen Mirren as Brigitte/Death
Keira Knightley as Amy/Love
Jacob Latimore as Raffi/Time
Howard is a very successful advertiser in New York City. He if full of life and looks at it with great hope for the future. With this outlook on life he uses what everyone has in common to gear his advertising and these things are Love, Time, and Death. These things become ever more real to him after the lose of his six year old daughter. When he basically losses himself in the sorrow his friends are desperate to help him and hire a private eye to see what he does and if there is anything hey can do. They find that he is writing letters to Love, Death, and Time to ask the universe why this had to happen to him and his family. They wind up hiring actors to play these roles to help him come to terms with what has happened and why. However, his friends get more then they bargained for when they end up dealing with their own issues with Love, Death, and Time.
Critics are stupid... sometimes... most of the time. When the film came out everyone in every aspect hated this film and I am not sure why. Well, I am sure why because they said why in their reviews but I think they totally missed the point of the film. Let me give you one example. One of these critics said that they thought that the film was about rich people getting their way. The only reason at all that money was as issue in the movie was the fact that the friends hired the actors at $20,000 dollars a piece. Ok, I get that I get that only the rich could go to that extreme to help a friend. However, that was not something I was worried about mainly because if I had that kind of money and I thought that anything was going to work to help a friend I would have gladly paid that price and I think many other of us would too.
Besides the point of the film is to not only help Howard with the loss of his child but it was for us as an audience to see what we are afraid of. Everyone is worried about Love, Death, and Time. I am 25 and I am worried about all of them. I always feel I don't have enough time to do all the things in life I want to do, and I want to have love in my life and that has not happened yet, and I am at this age where people in my family are dying. I getting to an age where all of this is around me and I can't make time stand still to fix it, or adjust stuff, I have to keep going forward and pray I don't waste time that I have worrying. These are three very big, and universal things that everyone does have to deal with in their lives. It may not be in the same way, or at the same time, but we all deal with them.
I think that the critics got to caught up in how "unrealistic" it was. That the actors could have never pulled off what they did to help Howard. I think the point that they missed was a simple point. The point was that everyone grieves for a loss differently. Some work through the grief, others cry and compose their selves. Personally I have gone through a lot of grief this year and I cried a lot and then went to a movie to calm myself down and process. The point of the movie was to understand that heartache is a very real thing and it doesn't go away overnight. The pain that we feel will lessen with time but we can't speed it up. Also, that even though we are grieving in different ways does not mean that we have lost touch with the world and people around us. We might not be able to convey that we still see, know, and might be more in tuned with what is going on in others lives than you may think. The movie was not only about how people deal with grief but how they are now changed by it.
It's a beautifully told story about this one man's journey and how his life has changed. However, it is every bit as poignant to everyone who watches it as it is to the characters in it. It's not your typical story of these "angels" or "beings" that come along to help a man through in some fairytale. The story is of real people helping a real man to process and start to heal from a major loss. It's not a typical story but it is one movie that has the most realistic and truest feelings of any I have ever seen.
This is one of Will Smith's best performances that I have seen him in. He really brings the best he has to the table in this film. No one would have been better for this film. He makes me forget that he is Will Smith and that he did other films. Any actor that can make you forget who they are and become a different person is a great actor in my book.
Almost Christmas
Release Date: November 11, 2016
Starring: Kimberly Elise as Cheryl
Danny Glover as Walter
Omar Epps as Malachi
Mo'Nique as Aunt May
J.B. Smooth as Uncle Lonnie
Gabrielle Union as Rachel
Directed by: David E. Talbert
Written by: David E. Talbert
When the family comes home for Christmas, after their mother passes, sparks fly. While they are going through this family crisis of the first holiday without their mother they are also all going through personal transitions as well.
This film was thee okayist movie of this year. It was cute but nothing over the moon about it. It seemed pretty predictable, and not in the fun way. You kind of knew who was going to do what, and how the story was going to end once you knew what all of the problems were. It's one of those movies that is good to watch if there is nothing else on but not one to make time to see in any capacity.
Starring: Kimberly Elise as Cheryl
Danny Glover as Walter
Omar Epps as Malachi
Mo'Nique as Aunt May
J.B. Smooth as Uncle Lonnie
Gabrielle Union as Rachel
Directed by: David E. Talbert
Written by: David E. Talbert
When the family comes home for Christmas, after their mother passes, sparks fly. While they are going through this family crisis of the first holiday without their mother they are also all going through personal transitions as well.
This film was thee okayist movie of this year. It was cute but nothing over the moon about it. It seemed pretty predictable, and not in the fun way. You kind of knew who was going to do what, and how the story was going to end once you knew what all of the problems were. It's one of those movies that is good to watch if there is nothing else on but not one to make time to see in any capacity.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Moana
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho as Moana
Dwayne Johnson as Maui
Directed by: Ron Clements and John Musker
Written by: Jared Bush
Moana is the daughter of a chief on a tropical island. She has always longed to travel the sea but her father refuses. When a curse starts to take over her home land, Moana is trusted by the sea to return the heat of the goddess to its rightful place. With the help of a Demi-god named Maui, we travel with Moana to save her family and discover her true purpose.
This film is a real journey to go on. This has all of the bells and whistles of a classic Disney Princess film. Moana is such a relatable character in the fact that all of us long for more (as most Disney princess do) but she always knows how to express herself in song. The music is amazing in this film. They have songs that get stuck in your head for a few days, and then have great one liners that make you laugh no matter what. Dwayne Johnson was something I was concerned with for the film when I found out he was going to be in it. The reason for the concern was the singing. I haven't seen him carry a tune in a film before but he did do an amazing job with his song "You're Welcome". He had better pipes than I thought. The real Singing star of the show was of course Auli'i Cravalho! She has an amazing voice that I would love to hear more from and did a great job in bringing Moana to life. Everything detail that was put into this film was beautiful. It will be one for me to watcha again to truly appreciate everything that I know that I missed the first time.
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho as Moana
Dwayne Johnson as Maui
Directed by: Ron Clements and John Musker
Written by: Jared Bush
Moana is the daughter of a chief on a tropical island. She has always longed to travel the sea but her father refuses. When a curse starts to take over her home land, Moana is trusted by the sea to return the heat of the goddess to its rightful place. With the help of a Demi-god named Maui, we travel with Moana to save her family and discover her true purpose.
This film is a real journey to go on. This has all of the bells and whistles of a classic Disney Princess film. Moana is such a relatable character in the fact that all of us long for more (as most Disney princess do) but she always knows how to express herself in song. The music is amazing in this film. They have songs that get stuck in your head for a few days, and then have great one liners that make you laugh no matter what. Dwayne Johnson was something I was concerned with for the film when I found out he was going to be in it. The reason for the concern was the singing. I haven't seen him carry a tune in a film before but he did do an amazing job with his song "You're Welcome". He had better pipes than I thought. The real Singing star of the show was of course Auli'i Cravalho! She has an amazing voice that I would love to hear more from and did a great job in bringing Moana to life. Everything detail that was put into this film was beautiful. It will be one for me to watcha again to truly appreciate everything that I know that I missed the first time.
Allied
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Starring: Brad Pitt as Max Vatan
Marion Cotillard as Marianne Beausejour
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Written by: Steven Knight
During World War II Maxx Vatan was assigned to a secret mission in Morocco. Assigned to assassinate one of the top ranking officers, he is paired up with Marianne Beausejour to be his undercover wife. During the weeks they work together, in close proximity, they fall in love and come up with a plan to get the job done and get married. A few short years later they are living in London, happily married, and they are being put to the test. As suspicions arouse about Marianne being a spy, Max does everything not only to prove the accusation false but to do it without Marianne he is digging into her identity.
I would have to say looking back on this film is was better than the first impression that I had seeing it. However, that does not cover up the fact that I thought the movie was terribly slow. When you tell me that I am about to watch a thriller I feel like the slow part starts at the beginning and you are slowing being pulled to the edge of your seat by the end of the film. Not in this case. The film had parts that did leave you guessing but they also equally had slow parts that almost have you begging to get back to being thrilling again. The film does leave you guessing until the end but it was almost by the end that you really didn't care either way.
Starring: Brad Pitt as Max Vatan
Marion Cotillard as Marianne Beausejour
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Written by: Steven Knight
During World War II Maxx Vatan was assigned to a secret mission in Morocco. Assigned to assassinate one of the top ranking officers, he is paired up with Marianne Beausejour to be his undercover wife. During the weeks they work together, in close proximity, they fall in love and come up with a plan to get the job done and get married. A few short years later they are living in London, happily married, and they are being put to the test. As suspicions arouse about Marianne being a spy, Max does everything not only to prove the accusation false but to do it without Marianne he is digging into her identity.
I would have to say looking back on this film is was better than the first impression that I had seeing it. However, that does not cover up the fact that I thought the movie was terribly slow. When you tell me that I am about to watch a thriller I feel like the slow part starts at the beginning and you are slowing being pulled to the edge of your seat by the end of the film. Not in this case. The film had parts that did leave you guessing but they also equally had slow parts that almost have you begging to get back to being thrilling again. The film does leave you guessing until the end but it was almost by the end that you really didn't care either way.
Rules Don't Apply
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich as Frank Forbes
Matthew Broderick as Levar Mathis
Lily Collins as Marla Mabrey
Warren Beatty as Howard Hughes
Directed by: Warren Beatty
Written by: Warren Beatty based off the story by Warren Beatty and Bo Goldman
In 1950's Hollywood the world is run by the movie makers. Everyone that is in a movie is under contract with a studio and the people who run them. Howard Hughes is one such person and he is also one of the most sought after directors that actresses want to work for. One young, lucky actress does land a contract with Mr. Hughes and that is Marla Mabrey. If you are not under contract as an actor with Mr. Hughes you still want to work for one of the richest an most influential people in Hollywood and Frank Forbes in one such fortunate man, with big ideas, is currently doing, as his driver. With both of them getting a taste of the high life and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood they meet and star a lovely friendship that leads both of them in unexpected realties. While, walking a forbidden fine line between friendship and relationship Frank and Marla try to find success in their own dreams without the ever watchful Howard Hughes controlling every aspect of their lives.
The Hollywood that we know today and not the Hollywood that has always been. Watching a falling in love with old movies leads you to eventually learn the history of Hollywood. This is probably the most accurate telling of a story about that aspect of Hollywood I have seen in a movie. The fact that the actors and actresses were contracted to studios and couldn't really pick where and what movie they could really play in was different then what we see now. So, showing that side of Hollywood really helped the story as a whole. The movie all around was brilliant! It was dazzling, and wondrous. Everyone in this film was perfect for their roles, and really blended well with each other. It made me envious the fun they seemed to be having on the screen. It was a very original film and concept. Warren Beatty did a fantastic job at writing, directing and starring in this film. He is the very definition of what it means to be a triple threat. This film is one of the top recommendation list of this year.
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich as Frank Forbes
Matthew Broderick as Levar Mathis
Lily Collins as Marla Mabrey
Warren Beatty as Howard Hughes
Directed by: Warren Beatty
Written by: Warren Beatty based off the story by Warren Beatty and Bo Goldman
In 1950's Hollywood the world is run by the movie makers. Everyone that is in a movie is under contract with a studio and the people who run them. Howard Hughes is one such person and he is also one of the most sought after directors that actresses want to work for. One young, lucky actress does land a contract with Mr. Hughes and that is Marla Mabrey. If you are not under contract as an actor with Mr. Hughes you still want to work for one of the richest an most influential people in Hollywood and Frank Forbes in one such fortunate man, with big ideas, is currently doing, as his driver. With both of them getting a taste of the high life and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood they meet and star a lovely friendship that leads both of them in unexpected realties. While, walking a forbidden fine line between friendship and relationship Frank and Marla try to find success in their own dreams without the ever watchful Howard Hughes controlling every aspect of their lives.
The Hollywood that we know today and not the Hollywood that has always been. Watching a falling in love with old movies leads you to eventually learn the history of Hollywood. This is probably the most accurate telling of a story about that aspect of Hollywood I have seen in a movie. The fact that the actors and actresses were contracted to studios and couldn't really pick where and what movie they could really play in was different then what we see now. So, showing that side of Hollywood really helped the story as a whole. The movie all around was brilliant! It was dazzling, and wondrous. Everyone in this film was perfect for their roles, and really blended well with each other. It made me envious the fun they seemed to be having on the screen. It was a very original film and concept. Warren Beatty did a fantastic job at writing, directing and starring in this film. He is the very definition of what it means to be a triple threat. This film is one of the top recommendation list of this year.
Edge of Seventeen
Release Date: November 18, 2016
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine
Woody Harrelson as Mr. Bruner
Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Written by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Nadine is a Seventeen year old high school student who is an odd ball out. Things with her life and her family since her dad died a few years earlier. Thinking that he dad was the only on who really understood her she feels that she will always be the odd ball out. With her relationship with her mom and her brother strained and her only friend dating her brother she now feels totally alone. While in her moments of isolation she makes a few mistakes that she relies on the only relationship she feels she has left and that is one with her favorite teacher Mr. Bruner. With his sarcastic attitude that revels Nadine's she finds a friend in him that helps to get through the weird few months ahead.
This is one of the classic coming of age stories that you see all of the time in the movies. It was not the greatest of them all and it's was not the best storytelling. However, it was funny and embarrassing at the same time. I think that the film was set up like a moody teenager. It did not make sense in some places and in others it was too bland. Through most of it I was just wanting to slap Nadine because it was overly moody through the whole thing. In others I could have totally fell asleep and felt like I didn't miss that much. I think that it's a movie that if you are in the mood to watch give it a chance but I would not go out of your way to see it.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine
Woody Harrelson as Mr. Bruner
Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Written by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Nadine is a Seventeen year old high school student who is an odd ball out. Things with her life and her family since her dad died a few years earlier. Thinking that he dad was the only on who really understood her she feels that she will always be the odd ball out. With her relationship with her mom and her brother strained and her only friend dating her brother she now feels totally alone. While in her moments of isolation she makes a few mistakes that she relies on the only relationship she feels she has left and that is one with her favorite teacher Mr. Bruner. With his sarcastic attitude that revels Nadine's she finds a friend in him that helps to get through the weird few months ahead.
This is one of the classic coming of age stories that you see all of the time in the movies. It was not the greatest of them all and it's was not the best storytelling. However, it was funny and embarrassing at the same time. I think that the film was set up like a moody teenager. It did not make sense in some places and in others it was too bland. Through most of it I was just wanting to slap Nadine because it was overly moody through the whole thing. In others I could have totally fell asleep and felt like I didn't miss that much. I think that it's a movie that if you are in the mood to watch give it a chance but I would not go out of your way to see it.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
Release Date: November 11, 2016
Starring: Joe Alwyn as Billy
Kristen Stewart as Kathryn
Steve Martin as Norm
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Jean-Christophe Castelli based off the novel by Ben Fountain
The story about Billy Lynn and his team on leave from Iraq over Thanksgiving. They are given a hero's welcome during a Dallas football game. While they are being honored we see what events happen to lead them to where they are now.
I thought that the film was long and boring. It's more of an "artsy" type film but I wasn't that impressed by it. No one in the film was that impressive. It was like they tried to get a few big stars in on the movie to have people come and see it. Yet, Vin Diesel wasn't the star, Steve Martin was not in a comedy so most don't really want to see him a serious role, and Kristen Stewart doesn't show any emotion and I am not sure how she is an actress to begin with. So, with the rest of the cast not really being known and the most boing plot of a film this year it will be a soon forgotten film.
Starring: Joe Alwyn as Billy
Kristen Stewart as Kathryn
Steve Martin as Norm
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Jean-Christophe Castelli based off the novel by Ben Fountain
The story about Billy Lynn and his team on leave from Iraq over Thanksgiving. They are given a hero's welcome during a Dallas football game. While they are being honored we see what events happen to lead them to where they are now.
I thought that the film was long and boring. It's more of an "artsy" type film but I wasn't that impressed by it. No one in the film was that impressive. It was like they tried to get a few big stars in on the movie to have people come and see it. Yet, Vin Diesel wasn't the star, Steve Martin was not in a comedy so most don't really want to see him a serious role, and Kristen Stewart doesn't show any emotion and I am not sure how she is an actress to begin with. So, with the rest of the cast not really being known and the most boing plot of a film this year it will be a soon forgotten film.
Bleed for This
Release Date: November 23, 2016
Starring: Miles Teller as Vinny
Aaron Eckhart as Kevin Rooney
Directed by: Ben Younger
Written by: Ben Younger based off the story by Ben Younger Pippa Bianco and Angelo Pizzo
The story of World Champion fighter Vinny Pazienza and his experience of becoming world champion after a car accident nearly paralyzed him.
When I first saw the previews for this movie I was really interested in seeing it. I thought that if it was going to be anything like Hands of Stone was I would have really enjoyed it. I knew that it was based off a true story and the story of how Mr. Pazinza became world champion again after all he had been through. However, the movie did not do that story justice. I felt like it was focused just on the boxing and not on the relationships and how his life really changed. It was very long and it dragged. It seemed that they added scenes to make the movie unnecessarily longer. I will say for what Miles Teller was given to do in the movie he did a good job. I have yet to see him in a movie that he did poorly in. However, his performance did not change the overall slowness of the film.
Starring: Miles Teller as Vinny
Aaron Eckhart as Kevin Rooney
Directed by: Ben Younger
Written by: Ben Younger based off the story by Ben Younger Pippa Bianco and Angelo Pizzo
The story of World Champion fighter Vinny Pazienza and his experience of becoming world champion after a car accident nearly paralyzed him.
When I first saw the previews for this movie I was really interested in seeing it. I thought that if it was going to be anything like Hands of Stone was I would have really enjoyed it. I knew that it was based off a true story and the story of how Mr. Pazinza became world champion again after all he had been through. However, the movie did not do that story justice. I felt like it was focused just on the boxing and not on the relationships and how his life really changed. It was very long and it dragged. It seemed that they added scenes to make the movie unnecessarily longer. I will say for what Miles Teller was given to do in the movie he did a good job. I have yet to see him in a movie that he did poorly in. However, his performance did not change the overall slowness of the film.
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