Month: January 2018

12 Strong

Actors Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) is Captain Mitch Nelson and Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road” and “Nocturnal Animals”) is Hal Spencer lead the charge of a group of soldiers who’s acts of heroism highlight what “12 Strong” is about.

Based on the best-selling book Horse Soldiers, “12 Strong” is a powerful war drama that highlights the true events that unfold in the aftermath of 9/11.

Awesome story of sacrifice and bravery. “12 Strong” tells a sharp, heroic story. These men just go and get it done. “12 Strong” is one of the better war movies that has opened in recent years. “12 Strong” is worth a look.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Den of Thieves

The Los Angeles Branch of the Federal Reserve takes roughly $120 million dollars out of circulation and destroys it every day. There is an elite band of bank robbers who believe they can pull of the ultimate heist and get the money before it’s destroyed, but they will have to do it under the noses of LA’s most elite Law enforcement group. The story unfolds from there…

“Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave When We are Trying to Deceive.” That about sums up “A Den of Thieves”. With the exception of a few dead spots the movie is entertaining, full of suspense, action and intrigue. There are a few surprise twists and turns also.

The paid critics were “Luke-Warm” about “Den of Thieves”, but I thought it was pretty good. It’s an enjoyable “Heist Drama”.

If you enjoyed the 1995 movie “Heat”, I say throw caution to the wind and check out “Den of Thieves”.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Proud Mary

I had high hopes for “Proud Mary” I believe it’s going to be a Franchise for Taraji P. Henson. She deserves better because if this is the first installment there is nowhere to go, but up.

Taraji P. Henson is Mary a professional hit woman who works for a Major Crime family in the Boston area. Mary’s life becomes even more complicated when she meets a young boy when a professional hit goes all wrong. The story unfolds from there…

“Proud Mary” does not set the stage or provide any foundation for the story so that you will understand the character.

I find Taraji P. Henson’s talent wasted on this vehicle. She deserves better. The movie is choppy and lacks depth. The end is abrupt and does not close any open gaps.

This is a 2 Star Movie!

The Commuter

“The Commuter” would be an awesome action-packed thriller if the story made sense and provided a foundation from the beginning, but it doesn’t do either of those things. You the viewer have to piece the story together yourself, it’s not an easy task.

Michael (Liam Neeson) an Insurance Salesman who rides a Commuter Train every day is approached by a mysterious woman (Vera Farmiga) who seems to know him. This woman offers Michael a strange assignment that is lucrative, this has him intrigued, but cautious. Soon Michael finds out he is being blackmailed and his entire family is in danger if he does not complete the assignment that the mysterious woman offers him. The story unfolds from there…

I love Liam Neeson, but not in “The Commuter”. He does what he can with what he was given, but yet it’s not enough! The context of the story does not make sense. You are not given enough to fully understand the “What’s and the Why’s”. It does come together at the end, but at the end it’s too late!!

There are several excellent movies currently playing. “The Commuter” is worth a look, but only as a last resort.

This is a 2 ½ Star Movie!

The Post

“The Post” is a “Thrilling Drama” about the unlikely partnership between Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) and Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) both of the Washington Post. The two together race to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that cover three decades and four U.S. Presidents. The two allies must over-come their differences to help bring deeply buried truths to light. The story unfolds from there…

Plain and Simple…Meryl Streep portrayal of the first ever female publisher of an American Newspaper was Brilliant!!

“The Post” gives you “Old School” reporting and reminds you of times long since passed where Newspaper Reporters pound the pavement to get the scoop. The story moves along quickly and shows an accurate account of the events that occurred.

“The Post” is an excellent collaboration between Spielberg, Streep and Hanks.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Darkest Hour

Finally!! I was able to see “Darkest Hour” this movie has been on my “Watch List” for months!! I was highly disappointed when it opened Nov 22nd in limited-release and it did not open in a theater near me until Christmas Day.

It’s WWII and France is about to go down…Great Britain faces its problems as the threat of invasion is vast approaching. Great Britain hangs on the leadership of their newly appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman). Churchill must decide whether or not to negotiate with Hitler to save the British people all the while maneuvering his political rivals, also deciding whether to fight the odds and at what cost to the nation. The Story unfolds from there…

Gary Oldman is brilliant as Winston Churchill. He deserves every award nod he is currently getting. While at times a bit dull, the movie is still moving, entertaining and educational.

I am not sure why it took so long to go wide-release, but at least it finally did.

This is a 4 Star Movie!