Author: moviewarrior

I am an IT Professional who has loved the movie going experience since Kindergarten. My favorite Genres are Action, Suspense/Thrillers, Drama, Sci-Fi, Animation, Art House and Romantic Comedies.

Harriet

“Harriet” is about the incredible life of Harriet Tubman. The iconic freedom Fighter who pioneered the Underground Railroad to free slaves. Harriet herself was a slave who eventually ran away to freedom. Once she had been free for a short time she risked her life and freedom to go back many times to lead family and friends to freedom.

During Harriet’s life she freedom over 750 slaves. The movie showcases events in Harriet’s life about her courageous efforts to free slaves. Harriet’s efforts changed the course of history.

The movie is excellent! It’s moving, heart-wrenching and at times sad. There is some comic relief. “Harriet” is definitely worth the price of admission, if for nothing else a bit of History learning/revealing. I am looking forward to the $20 Dollar Bill that will showcase Harriet Tubman.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Motherless Brooklyn

“Motherless Brooklyn” is set in the 1950’s New York. The movie follows Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) who is a private detective living with Tourette Syndrome. Lionel sets out to solve the murder of his long-time friend and mentor, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Along the way Lionel stumbles upon and unravels a few addition mysteries and secrets that could affect the whole city. The story unfolds from there…

“Motherless Brooklyn” is a long movie and requires patience as the plot unfolds and the mysteries unravel. All actors involved give strong performances and that’s what makes the movie worth viewing. There is action although it’s slow in coming and more of the gangster variety.

The movie soundtrack is excellent if you like jazz. “Motherless Brooklyn” is worth a look.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Terminator: Dark Fate in AMC Dolby

Calling all “Terminator” Fans!!

It’s been over 20 years since Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton) halted Judgement Day and changed the future for the human race. Now she is going to have to get involved again. The machines have targeted Dani Ramos (Mackenzie Davis) who is living a simple life in Mexico City with her brother and father.
The machines believe that Dani represents the future and they cannot let that happen. A super enhanced human named Grace also arrives in Mexico City. Together Grace and Sarah must save Dani from the machines. The story unfolds from there…

“Terminator: Dark Fate” is an excellent re-boot to this franchise. It has non-stop edge of your seat action and violence. The movie is very entertaining. Great special effects and a good back story tie-in help boost this movie. This installment is definitely better than the previous reboots.

“Terminator: Dark Fate” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!!

Black and Blue

“Black and Blue” is a fast-paced action thriller with many twists and turns.

Alicia West (Naomie Harris) is a rookie cop on the New Orleans Police Department who accidentally observes several fellow officers killing some questionable people execution style. Once her fellow officers realize they have been caught, they try to kill Alicia, but she gets away. The story unfolds from there…

“Black and Blue” would be an awesome movie had there been a back story and more depth into the key characters. There are several unfinished mini stories that you have to use you own imagination as to what may have happened in the past to lead them to where they are today.
All of that being said, the movie has non-stop action, intrigue and is worth checking out.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in Real 3D

She’s Back!! “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is a visual feast!!

After Maleficent’s goddaughter Aurora gets engaged to Prince Phillip, they each start questioning the complex matters of family. Aurora wants Maleficent to meet the King and Queen and do all of the things that a mother would do when her daughter gets engaged. Little does Aurora know her godmother already knows the King and Queen all to-well. Additionally the hatred between man and the fairies still continues. The story unfolds from there…

As I stated in my opening “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is a visual feast. The cinematography, action and special effects are on point. There is a lot of new ground to cover in this second installment. There are many new cast members and you get a peek at what may be Maleficent’s back story.

The movie is quite enjoyable. It’s sad that it took so long for this sequel. It’s been 5 years since the 2014 Global Box Office hit “Maleficent” hit theaters.
The paid critics didn’t seem to like this installment, but I think it’s worth a look.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Gemini Man in 3D

I was so excited when I first learned of “Gemini Man”. The movie trailers made the movie seem interesting and intriguing. When I saw the Rotten Tomatoes score of 26, my heart fell. I told myself I was going to keep an open mind.

Henry Brogan (Will Smith) just completed what he felt was his last assassin job for the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency). He planned to retire and enjoy time on his boat. The DIA had other ideas. They did not want to lose their elite assassin, so they decided to take action. The story unfolds from there…

The visuals for “Gemini Man” are impressive. There is a ton of action, suspense and intrigue. Will Smith turns in a strong performance. The problem with “Gemini Man” is the lack of foundation and a back story to tie all of the elements and other people you see into the movie.

“Gemini Man” is not a 5 or 4 star movie. I think it’s definitely worth a higher score than 26.

If you like Will Smith and suspenseful movies, you should check out “Gemini Man”.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Judy (2019)

“Judy” picks up Judy Garland’s life in 1968. Judy has 2 children (a son and a daughter) and is struggling to support them. For a while Judy and her 2 children perform small shows for a few dollars that furnishes cab rides and maybe one or two nights in a hotel. Soon Judy becomes desperate and she takes the children to their father. She leaves them and goes to London where she is given a second chance. The story unfolds from there…
“Judy” is very entertaining, somewhat eye-opening and also a bit tragic. This movie pulls back the layers a bit to show you the addiction that Judy Garland suffered from and potentially how the addiction started.

Renee Zellweger does an excellent job of portraying Judy Garland.
“Judy” (2019) is a nice surprise.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Downton Abbey

From the little screen to the big screen, “Downton Abbey” is a delightful British Comedy/Drama that should be enjoyed with a spot of tea!!

The Crawley’s and their staff find themselves preparing for the visit/event of their lives when the king and queen of Great Britain come to Downton Abbey to stay for a few days. The story unfolds from there…

As I stated in my opening “Downton Abbey” is delightful. It’s funny, interesting and entertaining. The transition from TV to motion picture does nothing but help “Downton Abbey”. Now everyone can enjoy the never-ending drama that occurs with the Crawley’s, their family, staff and friends.

Afternoon Tea anyone?

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Ad Astra in AMC Dolby

“Ad Astra” is about an Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) who is sent on a Space Exploration out into the Solar System to search for his missing Father Cliff McBride (Tommy Lee Jones) who is also an Astronaut. The mystery of it all threatens the existence of planet earth. On his travels, Roy uncovers secrets that challenge the human existence and earth’s place in the cosmos. The story unfolds from there…

Plain and simple the movie was boring. I did not find anything entertaining about “Ad Astra”. I had hoped it would get better, but except for 2 or 3 scenes that were interesting I found the movie to be dry and lifeless.
Don’t get me wrong I love Space Exploration movies like “Interstellar” and “The Martian”. Those movies were entertaining and had lots of action, suspense and intrigue and kept you on the edge of your seat. I did not get any of these elements from “Ad Astra”.

The paid critics gave “Ad Astra” 4 stars. It will only get 2 stars from me.

This is a 2 Star Movie!!

Hustlers

Based on a true story, “Hustlers” shows you that a bunch of savvy former strippers are a lot smarter than you think.

Tired of dancing/stripping and taking home only a fraction of what they made, several former strippers led by Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) put together their own “Hustle” to take the same guys who were previously visiting them at the strip club. Everything is going great, money, clothes, jewels you name it, but after a while little by little things start to fall apart.
Ramona stumbles upon some other women who are trying to copy-cat her system. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is good and well-acted. Just warning you…The nudity is “In Your Face”. Female friendships are on display in “Hustlers”. The movie just scratches the surface of a “Dancer/Stripper’s Life”. There is even some comic relief.

If you can keep an open mind, I say “Hustlers” is worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!