Category: Movie Reviews

The Minions are back for more!

This time we get some back story on the infamous Gru, voice by Steve Carell. I do have to say if you’re a fan of the tiny yellow comedians then this film is for you. But, if you’re not perhaps you should wait for the film to come out for rental.

Don’t get me wrong the film is cute and witty with some Easter eggs hidden throughout the film for the adults. The film is definitely catered for children and those who my want a good chuckle for an hour and half.

BThe film takes you back to the 70s, Gru had ambitions to become a super villain. After discovering the evil team the Vicious 6, whom he’s always looked up to is looking for a new member after they ‘supposedly’ lost their founding member, 11-year-old Gru ambitiously applies for the position with hopes of becoming part of the team. The Vicious 6 refuse to take Gru seriously, after discovering he was just a child. Gru successfully steals the prized medallion to prove himself to the Vicious 6, which they intended to use to conquer the world. During his escape he passes along the medallion to Otto, who’s just trying to help his little friend but unfortunately loses it and there begins the grand journey of finding the medallion and the start of Gru on his destined road to evilness.

Teaming with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, pop-culture sophistication, full-hearted emotion, bold music sensibility, and over-the-top action, Minions: The Rise of Gru features a thrilling new cast of stars, including, as members of the Vicious 6, Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance and Danny Trejo as Stronghold. The film also features Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad Kung Fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ʼ70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

Genre: Action-Comedy

Cast: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, with Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin

Director: Kyle Balda

Co-Directors: Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud

Can we talk about how EPIC this film is?!

I had no idea this film was in the works and what a surprise it was.

Let’s start right off the bat… What a superb performance by Austin Butler to the ‘King of Rock N’ Roll’. A better actor could not have been chosen, Butler embodied and literally lived the life of Elvis in the film. As for the leading lady in the King’s life, Priscilla Presley who was portrayed by Olivia DeJonge in the film; what a splitting image she is. Also the mannerisms and emotion that was put in to the roll was uncanny.

It is difficult to see how the King of Rock N’ Roll lived his life, in a way it almost reminded me of Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney movement. Perhaps if more people who cared had been involved in his life, other than those who looked at him as a money bag and exploited him, his life could have been better. As an Elvis fan, it’s shocking to see how someone like Tom Parker portrayed by Tom Hanks, had his hooks in so deep to Elvis for his own convenience. Nothing was ever done in the best interest of Elvis or his family. You can see clearly in the film that all Elvis wanted to do was take care of his family and be loved. He seek affirmation and love from any place he could, the loneliness and desperation drove him down the dark path along with the selfishness of Parker.

What I admire most about this film, is that young star has the lead role, which let’s face it… ladies of all ages will agree he’s the perfect eye candy to watch for 2.5 hour while shaking the forbidden hips. This film will introduce the younger generation to the music of the King and will also bring all the other age groups in to the theater to reminisce. The other point that should be made is that this whole story happened during some of the most trying times in this country. Perhaps reflecting on what’s going on in the world today and how we can overcome it all.

Don’t miss out on watching ELVIS on the big screen, because the music, the moves and the atmosphere will be like you’re watching the King himself. If only he were alive to watch it all!

ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis’s (Butler) story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

Starring alongside Butler and Hanks, award-winning theatre actress Helen Thomson (“Top of the Lake: China Girl,” “Rake”) plays Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge!” “Breath,” “Hacksaw Ridge”) portrays Elvis’s father, Vernon, and DeJonge (“The Visit,” “Stray Dolls”) plays Priscilla. Luke Bracey (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “Point Break”) plays Jerry Schilling, Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”) plays Dixie Locke, David Wenham (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, “Lion,” “300”) plays Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “The High Note”) plays B.B. King, Xavier Samuel (“Adore,” “Love & Friendship,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) plays Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”) plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.

Also in the cast, Dacre Montgomery (“Stranger Things,” “The Broken Heart Gallery”) plays TV director Steve Binder, alongside Australian actors Leon Ford (“Gallipoli,” “The Pacific”) as Tom Diskin, Kate Mulvany (“The Great Gatsby,” “Hunters”) as Marion Keisker, Gareth Davies (“Peter Rabbit,” “Hunters”) as Bones Howe, Charles Grounds (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Camp”) as Billy Smith, Josh McConville (“Fantasy Island”) as Sam Phillips, and Adam Dunn (“Home and Away”) as Bill Black.

To play additional iconic musical artists in the film, Luhrmann cast singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason as Little Richard, Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.

Oscar nominee Luhrmann (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”) directed from a screenplay by Baz Luhrmann & Sam Bromell and Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner, story by Baz Luhrmann and Jeremy Doner. The film’s producers are Luhrmann, Oscar winner Catherine Martin (“The Great Gatsby,” “Moulin Rouge!”), Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss. Toby Emmerich, Courtenay Valenti and Kevin McCormick executive produced.

If you’re up for a laugh and have missed seeing Nicholas cage on the big screen then this one is for you. It honestly may seem like just another weird comedic Nicholas cage movie but it’s so much more than that, you just have to see this road to redemption.

Now you may be thinking oh it’s just another nick cage movie where it’s all about him. In the beginning it may really seem like that but don’t fret my friends because it goes into a whole different direction.

The film is shot through with plenty of nods and winks. Nicolas Cage is a fictionalized version of himself who finds himself writing a movie for him to star in, which coincidentally turns out to not be about him at all. Imagine that!

All these events turn up after the disgraced actor is in the verge of financial ruin and being forgotten by Hollywood. Like anyone who’s always focused on just himself, he has alienated himself from his wife and daughter and is living in a hotel. Now the funny part of his character is he is being tormented by his younger self, who he calls Nicky. In an act of salvaging anything, he takes on a gig that will pay him $1 million for just showing up at a birthday party of a rich super fan named Javi, played by Pedro Pascal.

Perhaps the best thing about this film is that Nicolas Cage pokes immense fun at himself throughout the entire film. There’s a part in the film where mega-fan Javi shows Cage his Nic Cage shrine—complete with National Treasure posters, Face/Off wax statue, and funny enough a Nic Cage sequin pillow.

Massive Talent calls out the chainsaw from Mandy, Cage’s stunningly gorgeous experimental movie from 2018, and Cage’s iconic “Not the bees!” line from the film, The Wicker Man. There are many sequences that come straight out of the actor’s filmography track with moments or scenes faithfully recreated, but funny enough there are few mentions of the actor himself; so it’s more of a tribute to all the roles he’s played in the past.

Being a mega-fan, Javi and the film itself are obsessed with passion and are unconcerned with looking “silly” or “ridiculous,” capturing the authentic feelings and experiences.

In this film it’s clear, Nick Cage serves as a stand-in not for Nic Cage, but for passion. By the end of the film, you’ll see why the real Nic is so insistent on keeping the characters separate. Now you will def it be entertained throughout the entire film filled with laughter, although when the third act hits you may find yourself not laughing as much. Is it still worth it to watch… of course it is… it’s a Nicolas cage film that actually not too serious and allows the actor to show the funnier side of himself.

What a nice pleasant surprise this film is, many are skeptical whether to watch this film or not.

It’s safe to say, the film and the cast will not disappoint. Get ready to laugh! There’s just something ab out watching people get lost in the jungle with some action, some comedy and some drama mixed in. It’s almost like we don’t get enough of these films. Remember ‘The Mummy’ with Brendan Frasier and how it was an adventure, with a love twist and some comedy thrown in there? If you enjoyed watching those types of films then you will definitely be all about this one. Bring on the nostalgia!

The on-screen chemistry between Sandra Bullock who plays the leading lady, Loretta Sage and Channing Tatum who plays the role of a luscious model, Alan is enlightening.

Sandra Bullock takes on the role of a brilliant, but reclusive author with an archaeological background that has spent her career writing about exotic places in her popular romance-adventure novels featuring a handsome cover model Alan insert… ahem Mister Channing Tatum of course!

Let’s be honest, you can throw both these artist into any film and they can equally make it work. Sandra Bullock always gives it her all and never disappoints. Her comedic passion really does drive her films. As for Channing Tatum, he has to be one of the most underrated comedians in films. The man’s got chops and come on he’s certainly some great eye-candy. But even without the looks, he really does give it his all in all his films but when it comes to little jokes and comedy sequences such as this film, he really does shine. It’s great, sexy and impressive to see a many with his looks to make fun of himself, understand comedy and just let it all go. Let’s hope these two come together for another film because we really need it. If we do get another one of these, let’s just say there better be a better script as it was not the best or the most funny. Channing and Sandra were still able to take it and run with it.

The funny corny thing about Channing’s character is that he has dedicated his life to taking on this fabio-hero like character, “Dash” in real life. Loretta is annoyed by the fact that this man actually thinks he’s the man from her books and throw some reality into his face while on the first stop of her new book tour. In a twist of events, right after their little fight, Loretta is kidnapped by a spoiled little billionaire played by Daniel Radcliffe.

Like a spoiled little brat, this billionaire kidnaps her to have her find an ancient lost city and it’s treasures which she describes in on of her books. Like any leading man, Alan sets off to rescue his leading lady to prove that he can be the hero from the pages in her novels. Together they both take on the elements of the jungle, a group of mercenaries on a mission to capture her while trying to survive and secretly hoping to find the lost city.

If you want to have a good time and laugh, this is one you can’t miss.

Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Material|Language|Some Bloody Images|Partial Nudity|Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy
Director: Adam Nee, Aaron Nee
Producer: Liza Chasin, Sandra Bullock, Seth Gordon
Writer: Oren Uziel, Dana Fox, Adam Nee, Aaron Nee
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 25, 2022
Runtime: 1h 52m
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

It’s not just a call… It’s a warning.

The long-awaited film, The Batman starring Robert Pattinson as the Batman himself and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman will not disappoint you! From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.

Is it the BEST Batman film? Probably not, but it is definitely top 5. It will fulfill your expectations as it takes your on a wild detective journey, it’s grim and gritty filled with all the action you want. Most definitely different from all the other Batman films which will make you love this film.

Get ready because the film is dark and I mean DARK. While the film is three hours long and might make you nervous, trust me the three hours fly by; which only means it’s just that intriguing to watch and will keep your attention.

Must say I was a bit nervous when I heard that Mr. Twilight vampire, Robert Pattinson was taking on the role of The Batman, but I must say I can’t see anyone else filling these shoes especially with the stellar cast around him. Zoë Kravitz brought in the sex appeal and strong woman vibe as the Catwoman to the dark film while also bringing in a bit romance.

What most surprised me about this film was the makeup! Watch the film and see if you recognize Colin Farrell. It’s like the penguin devoured him!

Now lets get on to the villain, the Riddler played by Paul Dano… WOW! His portrayal of the Riddler will give you chills and might even make you cringe. You don’t see much from Paul Dano but when you do, it just smacks you in the face!

Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman, striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies—Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.

When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.

Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Material|Drug Content|Strong Disturbing Content|Strong Language|Strong Violent Content)
Genre: Crime, Adventure, Action, Drama
Director: Matt Reeves
Runtime: 2h 56m