Often sequels are a letdown after a surprising first movie, however, Deadpool 2 keeps you laughing as it pokes fun at itself most of all. Now going internationally to take on bad guys, Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) makes one mistake which changes the course of his future. Now in an effort to make things right again, he sets out to save a mutant boy with fire-power before a time-traveler from the future/Cable (Josh Brolin) can kill the kid. Wade sets out to create his own team to rescue the kid before Cable can kill him. His team becomes X-Force and features some interesting characters including a normal guy named Peter, who Wade can’t seem to get his name right. With cameos and extra credit scenes galore, Deadpool 2 is a fan favorite. The movie does bog down at times but the constant over the top violence and insider jokes keep the viewers laughing. With a great musical soundtrack with songs by Dolly, Cher and Céline, you’ll be tapping your feet and singing along. However, I missed Stan Lee. The icon doesn’t have a cameo in the movie but is featured in the graffiti. But to keep you on your toes, there are many other amazing cameos by Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. Featuring many of the characters you loved from the first movie, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Colossus, Weasel, Vanessa and Dopinder, Deadpool breaks the fourth wall, pokes fun at its own movies, Marvel cannon, Wolverine and a billion other things. Nothing is sacred. Cable is an interesting addition to the Deadpool franchise and gives an interesting twist on what makes a bad guy. It also pulls out the emotional story with what makes a family and death, but again with a funny twist. Co-written and produced by Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool is a movie you will want to see over and over to catch all the references and Easter eggs. However, the gore and violence is too much for young kids. While it’s done in an emotionally distant way, it’s not a good plan for kids to see all the body parts flying through the air. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing Deadpool “fix” things at the end, so be sure to stay for all the after credits scenes.
A girlfriend movie! Take your best buds or your mom and enjoy a night filled with laughter. A similar premise to the 1986- Rodney Dangerfield Back to School movie, in The Life of the Party, middle-aged Deanna finds herself blindsided by a divorce and decides to go back to college to get the degree she’s always regretted not completing. Only, her daughter is also facing her senior year at the same school. Can the two find their own way on campus without stepping on toes? Hilarity ensues as Deanna’s daughter and sorority sisters set out to update the old-fashioned mom, giving her the confidence boost she needs and the sexy younger new man in her life doesn’t hurt either! This movie is one for the women as they laugh their way through the predictable story of the ugly duckling who finally finds her own way. Melissa McCarthy along with her husband Ben Falcone wrote this movie and Ben directed it (as well as showed up in a scene). For every woman who has faced divorce, The Life of the Party proves that you are more than what you were. Change is good and with it comes freedom. The secondary characters like Deanna’s dorm mate steal the movie while the feel good message isn’t beaten over your head. The 1980’s dance-off was funny as Deanna sticks it to the mean girl. In addition, the twist of who her new boy toy is, will have you laughing out loud. While the premise is similar to the 1986 movie, the laughs are all new with an updated storyline which breathes new life into a familiar story. Melissa McCarthy has the slapstick moves down although her characters all seem very similar in the “changing to fit in” trope. While the character of Deanna is a caricature of a sparkly sweatshirt mom, she is one viewers can identify with. Deanna’s daughter was also more accepting than I would be of my mom being on campus and hanging out with me, drinking at parties and doing the walk of shame. But we do have to give the writer’s license to make the story work. Not a movie with a thought provoking storyline, but filled with laughs. A perfect movie for when you are feeling blue.
Clash of two social classes as a wealthy playboy gets his comeuppance. A modern retelling of the 1987 movie of the same title, Kate (Anna Faris) is a working mom who is about to lose her house, has lost her job and owes the company about $3000 to replace her missing equipment. A rich playboy, Leonardo (Eugenio Derbez) is the cause of all her problems. When he is found washed ashore with amnesia, Kate and her friend come up with a plan to pay him back. Kate enlists the help of her three girls in convincing Leo, he is her husband and their father and puts him to work so she can study for her nursing degree examination. Lies build upon lies as Kate convinces Leo he’s sterile, an alcoholic and a laborer. For someone whose only work was raising a glass of champagne, Leo quickly picks up new talents such as cooking and finds his heart in his new family. When the lies come crashing down, Leo and Kate must decide if the lie they lived was reality. The original movie featured Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Goldie was the rich socialite and Kurt was the working class single father. While many plot points were the same between the two movies, this remake twists the tale by switching the main character’s places. In addition, the movie was produced by the joint production company of Lionsgate and Telemundo. With Spanish used throughout, the characters showcase Hispanic heritage in a positive light. Don’t worry if you don’t understand Spanish, subtitles are provided. While a cute movie, Overboard isn’t one you need to see in a theater. Renting it or watching on pay-per-view is just fine. A feel good movie with a happy ending, Overboard is one you can take the whole family to. It’s a wonderful date night movie and has just the right amount of humor woven into the serious topics of teenage angst, family drama and death.
Infinity War- Spoiler Free Review Infinity War is an epic movie which brings together ten years of Marvel movie characters and ties together some of your favorite superheroes in this groundbreaking event. Taking place immediately following Thor: Ragnarok, Thanos is after the infinity gems and nothing will stand in his way. As our heroes set out to keep the Infinity Stones out of Thanos’ hands, they risk their lives, putting aside former conflicts in order to prevail. Be warned, Infinity War has a cliffhanger. The ending is abrupt and leaves you with more questions and frustration. The follow up movie won’t come out for another year, which is a long time to wait to find out what happens to your favorite heroes. While I loved seeing my beloved characters on the screen, the movie left me upset because we don’t have a real ending and have to wait until 2019 to find out what happens. In the meantime, I’m scouring the gossip sites to see what secrets are being revealed. I also felt as if the Russo brothers wrote the ending in order to shock the audience rather than to move the story forward, but I guess we will have to wait to find out what happens next.
All your favorites from the 2001 original movie return in this sequel. When a border change occurs in Vermont, the Super Troopers get their jobs back and a chance to redeem themselves. Captain O’Hagan contacts the group as they are working construction under the supervision of Farva. When the government of the US and Canada realize the border line is really a little north of where they thought it was, they ask the former Vermont State Troopers to set up a post in the disputed area. Mac, Rabbit, Thorny and Foster are happy to get their jobs back, unfortunately Vermont’s governor (played by Lynda Carter) includes Farva in the assignment. Welcomed to the town by the mayor (played by Rob Lowe), a former hockey player who owns the bordello in town, the guys immediately are set upon by the townspeople who are unhappy with the change. Not only is the town against them, but the former Mounties who served in the area are being reassigned farther north and target the Troopers, showing them they aren’t wanted. More slapstick comedy with drug use, nudity and oh so many jokes. The movie has a loose plot but appears to be one running joke after the other. Most of the jokes in this movie are about the differences between Canadians and Americans, from the way they say “Sorry” to the metric system. Michigan people will get the references much quicker than people from other states, since we have Canada in our backyard. This movie seems to appeal more to guys than women. The silly over the top humor is in your face and doesn’t take a lot of thought. From kicks to the groin to “caulk” jokes, there’s no subtlety. Everything is fair game as well, from sex with a moose to lactation. But for fans of the original movie, this one will be a walk down memory lane. There are some fun cameos in the move such as Damon Wayans, Jr. and Seann William Scott (from the American Pie Movies). In addition, it was nice to see Lynda Carter on screen again. Rob Lowe played his character over the top and seriously, did he really touch that?? With an extra scene surrounding the “Savage” incident, and outtakes during the credits, you will want to stay to the end. Unless you are a fan of the original movie, you probably want to skip this one. The raunchy comedy could easily be watched at home, saving yourself some money.
Laugh out loud potty humor, Blockers leaves you with a smile on your face. Three girls meet in elementary school and quickly bond, creating a long lasting friendship. Their parents also become friends. Flash forward, it’s senior year and prom night. The girls make a pack to lose their virginity. But when the overprotective parents find out, they are determined to stop it from happening. Hilarity ensues as the parents (played by Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz) set out chasing after their children, going from prom to after party and finally to a hotel. The teens have no idea their parents are following them in an effort to stop them from making the ‘biggest mistake of their lives.’ Prom night is a big rite of passage for teens. Parties, drinking and sex are pretty much the norm these days as students live it up one last time before graduation and college. The teens are really very normal. The pretty girl has a hot boyfriend, the sporty girl looks to find a way to get “rid” of her virginity and the closeted lesbian is afraid to share with her friends so she fakes it with a guy. It’s the parents who are crazy! Lisa (played by Leslie Mann) is a single mom who thinks she’s her daughter’s best friend. But what happens when her daughter longs to escape mom’s friendship? Lisa worries her daughter will make the same mistake she did by having sex and getting trapped too early in life, giving up her dreams and sets out to stop her daughter. Many moms can relate to Lisa. We long to have a wonderfully close relationship with our children and sometimes step over a line. Mitchell (played by John Cena) has been his daughter’s coach and biggest supporter. She’s a killer soccer player as well as strong and self-assured but as he realizes his daughter is turning into a woman, he balks at it, longing to keep her his little girl forever. He has a problem with her date, the “chef” who likes to bake drugs into everything and has a man bun. Cena is hilarious as the straight guy in the comedy. His nerdy persona allows him to be the “butt” of the jokes. The final parent is Hunter (played by Ike Barinholtz). He’s divorced after being caught sleeping with the babysitter. Not close to his daughter, he seeks to provide her with the most memorable prom night ever and tries to stop Lisa and Mitchell from interfering. Ironically, Hunter is more in touch with his daughter than either of the other parents. With nudity, swearing, sexual situations, drug use and potty humor, this movie isn’t for younger audiences, nor do I believe the teens will see this movie as hilarious as the parents. They can’t empathize with the parents who would do anything for their children. While a funny movie, it isn’t a blockbuster. Either go with the cheaper matinee or catch it on pay per view. But certainly one which will have you laughing out loud.
Filled with 1980’s and video game references, Ready Player One appeals to gamers. Based on the best-selling book by Ernest Cline, Ready Player One is set in 2045 where people escape the drudgery of their daily lives by escaping into a virtual universe named the OASIS. When the creator of OASIS died, he set up three challenges which led to an Easter egg and the ownership of the virtual reality world. Wade/Parzival (Tye Sheridan) finds friends in the OASIS and an escape from his boring life. As a fan of the OASIS creator, Halliday (Mark Rylance), Wade is able to solve the first challenge and win the first key, which sets him and his friends up against the Innovative Online Industries (IOI), a video game conglomerate and manufacturer of most the virtual reality equipment. The IOI and its owner wants control of the virtual reality world and are willing to kill in order to get it. Ready Player One movie is much different than the book which has fans of the book up in arms. Even with the book’s author as the screenplay writer, most of the favorite scenes and 80’s references are missing in the movie which has fans up in arms. However, if you go into the movie knowing it’s not like the book (or if you haven’t read the book) you will enjoy the storyline of five kids who band together to take on the big evil corporation. The 80’s and gaming references are fun for people who understand them. After all, what movie can you see the TV show Batmobile alongside Back to the Future’s DeLorean and Speed Racer’s car? Or where the Iron Giant fights alongside Gundam and Master Chief from Halo battling Meca-Godzilla? Many of these references go by so quickly, fans will want to see it again and again to catch the ones they miss! While not a movie for everyone, it will appeal to many fans of video games. The message of reality vs virtual reality is one for all of us who get caught up online. As Halliday states, “As terrifying and painful as reality can be, it's also the only place where you can find true happiness."
A modern-day Pretty in Pink, Love, Simon sends viewers on a roller coaster of emotions in this coming of age movie. High school senior, Simon Spier (played by Nick Robinson) has a perfect life, a loving family and amazing friends but he’s hiding a secret. He’s gay. When a student with the alias, Blue, posts on the school blog about his own secret, Simon begins an email relationship with him. As Simon sets out to find his mysterious classmate, another student screen shots Simon’s emails and threatens to “out” him unless he does what he wants. Up against a rock and a hard place, Simon jeopardizes his friendships and hurts those around him in an effort to keep his secret. Love, Simon will have you laughing and in tears at times. Life is challenging enough but when you are trying to keep a secret and protect your reputation, it seems like life or death. Through it all, having people who care about you can save the day. Love, Simon has many parallels with Pretty in Pink from the opposite gender best friend who is secretly in love with the main character to the big finale on whether or not the love interest will show up. While a little predictable, Love, Simon will draw you in as Simon sets out to figure out who the mysterious Blue is. The story keeps you guessing until the very end. Comic relief comes in the form of a sassy Drama teacher and the awkward vice-principal. In addition, the character of Ethan, who is a gay student, has the best lines. With a deadpan face, he puts the bullies in their place. I adored Jennifer Garner as Simon’s mom. She’s the mom everyone would love to have. While Josh Duhamel as Simon’s father, comes off as trying too hard to be a part of his son’s life, he means well and is a realistic portrayal of a father who puts his foot in his mouth. If you have any teens in your life, you will want to take them to see this movie. It’s one which you will enjoy again and again because you leave the theater feeling like everything is right in the world.
Stunning visually, A Wrinkle in Time leaves the viewer with a feel good message of love overcoming dark. When father and scientist Dr. Murray (Chris Pine) goes missing, it’s up to his awkward and angry daughter, Meg (Storm Reid) and her brilliant brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) to find him. Along the way, they enlist the help of one of Meg’s classmates (Levi Miller) and three magical women- Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey). This classic piece of literature by Madeline L’Engle has often been a favorite of children throughout the world. Turning it into a movie was a large undertaking by Disney. How do you compete with love and memories? Much like 1980’s Dune, fans will either love A Wrinkle in Time or hate it. With beautiful cinematography and sweeping landscapes, A Wrinkle in Time feels majestic. The colors are bright and even the flowers talk in color. The star power rocks a new level with Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling to name a few. It also feels like a Benetton advertisement. Meg is mixed race. Her brother is adopted. He’s brilliant and says what comes into his mind, no filter. She’s angry and keeps people at a distance. The neighbor girl is a bully who is secretly hiding her own problem with bulimia. It represents everyone. All the viewers should be able to see themselves in one of the characters, making this a powerful movie for younger audiences. But it’s the message which will resonate with viewers after they leave. The negative loop in our heads we hear over and over is the evil IT who is trying to take over the world, one person at a time and by only accepting our faults and embracing our whole heart can we overcome the evil. While the message is important, it comes off as trite and heavy-handed. Most of us know how goodness and love spreads and changes the world. We don’t need to be reminded many times during the two and a half hour movie. So see the movie on the big screen for the majesty of the film but don’t spend big bucks unless you are taking your children. At the very least, it’s a good movie to lead the discussion about how everyone has their own inner dialogue and problems… so throw kindness as confetti.
A remake of the Charles Bronson 1974 movie, Death Wish with Bruce Willis entertains. Paul Kersey (Willis), a trauma surgeon, lives in Chicago, where deaths happen every night. He’s good at his job, putting back together both the heroes and the bad guys. A family man, his daughter is leaving for college in the fall. The perfect family. When thugs decide to rob the house, expecting no one home, things go awry. His wife, Lucy (Elizabeth Shue) is killed and his daughter, Jordan is left in a coma. Dr. Kersey does everything by the book but the Chicago PD lack the leads to find the suspects, leaving Paul frustrated. After witnessing a couple of thugs manhandling a woman, Dr. Kersey decides to stop playing by the rules and teaches himself to shoot. Taking matters into his own hands, he becomes “The Grim Reaper”, a vigilante who sets to protect those who are victims. When a thug comes into the ER wearing Dr. Kersey’s watch, he gets the break he needs to find those men who attacked his family. Bruce Willis is back as a kick-butt character, similar to his Die Hard one. Now bald and a little older, Willis still is able to handle a gun and witty banter before he kills someone. He carries the movie as he moves from surgeon to vigilante. The director Eli Roth does a nice job of updating the movie for 2018 with radio stations and television shows debating the use of violence versus protecting those who are unprotected. It’s an interesting debate in light of recent events. In addition, social media and viral video show how quickly information is shared around the world. While some pieces remain the same from the original, this movie has a “new” feeling. Although it will keep you on the edge of your seat with the violence and action, it’s not a movie you need to visit the theater to see. The cheap seats or on your TV would be just as fine. Save the money for those spring blockbusters.
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Melissa KeirIt's all about the movies... Archives
January 2020
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