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.

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is a “quirky, funny and entertaining summer flick.”

Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a top protection agent who has been summoned to protect a Notorious Assassin, Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Darius’s testimony is needed in criminal court case to put away a dictator who has been killing or ordering the killing of innocent people.

Michael Bryce and Darius Kincaid have a history. They don’t like each other, so when they are faced with each other and it dawns on Michael Bryce what he is getting into, dangerous sparks start flying. The story unfolds from there…

The paid critics did not like “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”. The movie is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s not bad. In fact it’s funny and entertaining. There is a story, a plot, intrigue, suspense and a couple of twists. It’s mindless entertaining.

Ryan Reynolds is an unlikely bodyguard, but he does a good job. Samuel L. Jackson is the perfect assassin. The movie is worth seeing if for no other reason than to see Salma Hayek. She kicks some serious butt!!

Check out “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” for some fun entertainment.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Logan Lucky

After a very slow start “Logan Lucky” revs its engine and races to the finish line. It’s a story we have all seen before, but “Logan Lucky” has a few entertaining moments along with a few interesting twists.

Brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde (Adam Driver) Logan are trying to eradicate a family curse by successfully executing an elaborate bank robbery during the famous Coco-Cola 600 Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. They need help and guidance, but the person they need help from is currently in prison. That doesn’t stop them. They figure out an elaborate scheme to setup a prison break and get their friend out to help them. The story unfolds from there…

“Logan Lucky” is a departure from the norm for Mr. Bond (Daniel Craig). You will see him in a very different light with his bleached blonde hair.
Director Steven Soderbergh is back from a 4 year hiatus. The last movie that he directed that I saw was “Side Effects” in 2013.

There are some strange, quirky and interesting moments in “Logan Lucky”. Example… just when things are heating up the movie plot stops for a beauty pageant. It’s a cute moment.

Director Steven Soderbergh is excellent at what he does, so I say that while “Logan Lucky” has a slow and strange start, the movie does come together at the end and it is worth a look.

I am looking forward to “Ocean’s Eight” in 2018 which is a Steven Soderbergh production.

This is a 4 Star Move!

Detroit

“Detroit” is a very well executed movie that is hard to digest.

It’s 1967 and racial tension is at an all-time high in places like Newark, Watts, Philadelphia and Detroit. The promises of a better life are not being realized by people of color. In Detroit, the Civil-Rights movement isn’t being recognized or adhered to.

The movie “Detroit” depicts the summer of 1967 when the city of Detroit endured one of its darkest time in its history.

“Detroit” is hard to take. It’s Brutal, Honest and Gut-Wrenching. I wanted to leave, but I stayed so that I could give an honest and accurate review. I did not enjoy the movie, but that does not mean it was a bad movie. Academy Award Winning Director, Kathryn Bigelow cuts to the chase. The absolute only bright spot in the movie is regarding the 1970’s R&B Group known as “The Dramatics”. “Detroit” shows how this group got started and went on to fame.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

The Dark Tower

“The Dark Tower” is one of Stephen King’s best-selling novels about the last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba) who continues to battle the “Man in Black” (Matthew McConaughey) to prevent him from destroying the Dark Tower, which holds the Universe together.

A young boy, Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor) has continued nightmares, visions and dreams about a “Dark Tower”, a “Gunslinger” and a “Man in Black”. He draws what he dreams. Jake’s dreams, visions and nightmares lead his parents to thinking that he needs to be placed in an institution. When the representatives from the institution arrive at Jake’s home, he recognizes them from one of his nightmares. Jake finds a way to escape his home and is able to evade them.

Jake on the run makes his way to an abandoned mansion he saw in one of his visions not realizing that inside this mansion is the gateway to where the “Gunslinger” and the “Man in Black” are located. Jake enters the gateway. The “Man in Black” realizes that Jake is the boy who holds the powers that he needs to use to topple “The Dark Tower”. The story unfolds from there…

Unfortunately the movie does not do the book justice. Although watching Idris Elba as a “Gunslinger” is a wonderful thing… He and his five o’clock shadow look good doing just about anything and Idris Elba is the bright spot in the movie.

“The Dark Tower” spends too much time at the beginning not giving you what you need to put everything in perspective. There is plenty of action and special effects. The movie spends most of its time being dark and mysterious.

I grew up a Stephen King fan and read almost all of his books. I did read “The Dark Tower” and I am disappointed that the movie does not represent the book better.

If you are a Stephen King fan, you may find “The Dark Tower” worth your time, but I suggest waiting for it to come out on DVD, Blu-Ray or Cable.

This is a 2 Star Movie!

Atomic Blonde

“Atomic Blonde” is the “Female James Bond!!”

It’s 1989 in Berlin Germany on the eve of “The Wall” coming down. Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) is a Top Level Spy for MI6. She is tasked with going into Berlin to bring down an International Spy Ring that has killed an Agent for no reason. Lorraine has been told to corporate with the Berlin station chief Percival (James McAvoy), but it appears that there is a “Double-Spy” amongst them or a leak because at every turn Agent Broughton has to unleash her many skills and use her arsenal to defend herself as she tries to carry out her assignment. She doesn’t know who she can trust. The story unfolds from there…

“Atomic Blonde” would be a 5 star movie if the plot and narrative were a bit more-meaty. The action is crazy good. There is plenty of intrigue, suspense and unexpected twists. There are even some “Kick Ass” stunts! The sound track is awesome and appropriate for the time period portrayed in the movie.

Charlize Theron is excellent as the “Atomic Blonde”.
If you like “Spy Thrillers” then “Atomic Blonde” is your movie.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Girls Trip

“Girls Trip” is “Hilarious!!” It’s definitely a “Chick Flick”

Four life-long friends have a chance to hang out in New Orleans at the Essence Jazz Festival. They haven’t seen each other in a while, each living their own lives and dealing with their own problems. They leave their regular lives behind to come together for 4 days in the Big Easy to drink, dance, party and act “Buck Wild”. The story unfolds from there…

“Girls Trip” is “Wild, Hilarious, Shocking and Raunchy!!” There are parts of the movie that will make an adult blush!! There is some really “Raunchy” nudity. I laughed out laugh constantly. I do not usually review Comedies because they are usually so insane and stupid to me, but I had to see what these ladies were up to. There is a relatable story in the movie.
Comedian Tiffany Haddish is in the movie and she is just plain crazy funny!

“Girls Trip” is worth a look, but Adults only Please!!

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Dunkirk the IMAX Experience

Welcome to a Special Edition of “Thursday Night at the Movies with The Movie Warrior”

“Dunkirk” requires Empathy. If you don’t have “Empathy” you will have a hard time viewing this movie.

“Dunkirk” is a World War II movie about the evacuation of 400,000 soldiers who are trying to go home, but are trapped by the enemy at the French city of “Dunkirk”. When it’s plainly clear that the soldiers are not going to get home in the normal fashion. Home comes to get them. Fisherman with boats start arriving, risking their lives as fighter pilots swarm over-head. The story unfolds from there…

“Dunkirk” is executed brilliantly although the story is a bit detached, not allowing you to get too close. The movie is gritty and has non-stop war violence, suspense and intrigue. The Cinematography is wonderful.

Director Christopher Nolan wrote and directed “Dunkirk”. The movie is just long enough without overwhelming you. “Dunkirk should be seen in IMAX to get the full effect. You will feel like you are on the ships, on the beach and on the fighter planes. If you are a Christopher Nolan fan, “Dunkirk” should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

War for the Planet of the Apes in 3D

The third installment of this re-booted franchise is probably the best one yet!

Caesar (Serkis) and his people are pitted in an all-out war that causes HUGH casualties to his colony. Caesar is desperate to save his people while still trying to exact revenge upon the Army Colonel (Harrelson) who is leading the charge to destroy Caesar and his people.

A new uninhabited area to live has been discovered by Caesar’s son. It’s decided that all of the colony should move immediately to this new area. Caesar on the other hand is going after the Colonel. A few of Caesar’s men convince Caesar to let them come with him. It’s believed that that the rest of colony has made the journey to the new area.

Caesar and his posse happen upon the Colonel’s camp, but soon they find out that the Colonel has out foxed them and captured the colony. The story unfolds from there…

“Action-Packed, Suspenseful, Intriguing, Heart-Wrenching and Fast-Paced” are the best words to describe “War for the Planet of the Apes”. The movie is entertaining, smart and well-acted, but also a bit bloody. There are many “Epic” moments. This is one of the best rebooted franchises that I have seen in quite some time.

If you are a fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise, than “War for the Planet of the Apes” should not be missed.

This is a 4 ½ Star Movie!

The Big Sick

“The Big Sick” is a fine display of a well-executed Romantic Comedy!

“The Big Sick” is based on the real-life courtship of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon. Kumail is a stand-up comedian in Chicago trying to catch a break. He also moonlights as an UBER driver. During one of his stand-up comedy gigs he meets Emily Gordon. Kumail and Emily hit it off. They start spending a lot of time together.
Kumail’s family is trying to arrange a marriage for him with a Pakistani Woman. When Kumail goes to visit his family a Pakistani Woman always arrives to meet him. After every visit Kumail places the picture he has received from the prospective bride in a cigar box in his bedroom. The cigar box is full of pictures of women that Kumail’s family has tried to set him up with.

One day Emily happens to take a look in the cigar box when Kumail isn’t around. What she sees upsets her. Kumail and Emily argue and she leaves. A few weeks later Kumail gets a call from a local hospital that Emily has been admitted. Kumail drops everything to go to her. The story unfolds from there…

“The Big Sick” is engaging, funny, heart-warming, entertaining and well executed. It’s an excellent story and reminds us about prejudice in today’s society. This movie is a reminder that “Love has no Color”.

“The Big Sick” is definitely worth all of the hype it has been receiving.

Currently the “The Big Sick” is open in limited-release. It open wide on Friday July 14th.

Check it out!

This is a 5 Star Movie!

Spider-Man: Homecoming in 3D

This installment of Spider-Man is “Fresh and Entertaining”

After six installments and several lead actor changes, Marvel figured out how to energize Spider-Man and make the franchise entertaining again.

Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is fresh off his adventure with the Avengers. He returns home where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). Trying to get back to a normal life, Peter attends high school, but at the end of each day he can’t wait for school to end so he can don his Spidey suit and fight crime. Each time Spider-Man tries to save someone or stop a criminal he leaves destruction and destroyed property in his wake.

Tony Stark, Iron-Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is Spider-Man’s mentor and tries to keep Spider-Man out of trouble, but Iron-Man often has to swoop in to assist Spidey sometimes needing to rescue Spidey. Peter Parker gets wind of “The Vulture” (Michael Keaton) and a plan of destruction that the Vulture and his men are planning. Iron-Man tries to keep Spider-Man out of harms-way, but to no avail. The story unfolds from there…

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” is “Fresh, Entertaining, Action-Packed, Quirky and at times a bit annoying”.
Out of the previous six installments “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is one of the best.

There is great cinematography and cool special effects. The movie was cast well. Tom Holland is perfect as the young Peter Parker.

BTW…I love Tyne Daly. It was great to see her in this movie!

If you are a “Spider-Man” fan, then “Spider-Man: Homecoming” should not be missed.

This is a 4 ½ Star Movie!