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.

Sicario

It’s Friday Night at the movies literally! I had to hop off a plane from Sacramento, CA and race to the theater to see “Sicario” because on Saturday it’s Matt Damon’s “The Martian”.

The war against drugs continues to escalate. A by the book FBI agent, Kate (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official, Matt (Josh Brolin) to aid in the fight. The leader of the team is an enigmatic consultant with a dark past (Benicio Del Toro). The team sets out on a clandestine journey that takes them back and forth across the border between the US and Mexico.

Events that occur on the mission cause Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive. She is not sure who can be trusted. The story unfolds from there…
“Sicario” is a Dark Saga that is ambitious. It gets the word across. It’s not black and white, but deals a lot in the “Gray Areas”. You see up close what the war on drugs really looks like. There is plenty of action, suspense and intrigue. It’s in your face bloody.

On a small front, “Sicario” reminds me of Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 hit “Traffic”.
“Sicario” is a must see!

This is a 4 1/2 Star Movie!

The Intern

Director Nancy Meyer’s “The Intern” to be delightful and witty”

Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is a retired business owner who decides to go back to work. He creates a video of himself and sends it off to a successful Fashion Design Website Company that is run by a young successful career woman (Anne Hathaway). Ben interviews along with many others, some around his age and some younger. Ben is one of four who land a job with the Fashion Design Website Company. He is assigned to work with the owner, but she wants him assigned to someone else. The story unfolds from there…

The story is a bit weak and there isn’t really a plot, but the movie is enlightening and entertaining. There are many good moments in the movie. How can you not like a movie that stars Robert De Niro. He is such a great actor!

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

Black Mass

I am not a Johnny Depp fan, but I have to say that his role in “Black Mass” is the best I have seen from Johnny Depp in years!! He was awesome!!

In 1970’s South Boston, an FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) struck an unlikely deal with a known Irish Mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp). Over the course of years Whitey took advantage of this arrangement and while providing valuable Intel to the FBI, he also evaded the law and strengthened his forces and became one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston’s history. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is quietly violent, bloody and intriguing. The story is riveting. “Black Mass” is an old school gangster drama movie. Johnny Depp plays a cold blooded killer with ease. The performances overall were excellent.

“Black Mass” is worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

The Perfect Guy

“The Perfect Guy” is a case of “Been There, Done That, Seen It!” Good looking actors trapped in a bad script in a not so good looking movie.
A successful lobbyist, Leah Vaughn is tired of her current romantic situation, so after Leah parts ways with her current beau, Leah meets a very charming stranger.
After a while Leah’s former beau re-enters her life. Soon after she finds herself wondering who to trust and who to fear. The story unfold from there…

As a stated previously good actors, bad movie. Although the end is white-knuckled intriguing. I really expected “The Perfect Guy” to be different from movies like “Fatal Attraction” etc…The movie makes no attempt to be different. What a shame and a waste of actor talent

This is a 1 Star Movie!

The Transporter: Refueled the IMAX Experience

A new installment of “The Transporter” series “Transporter: Refueled” finds its sexy driver being lured into a job by a bevy of beautiful women who have s serious ax to grind.
Unlike the previous installments the plot is not clearly defined.

“The Transporter: Refueled” does offer a bunch of decent action-packed sequences, some crazy cool driving, a nice soundtrack and there are a few interesting moments between Frank Martin Sr. (Ray Stevenson) and Frank Martin (Ed Skrein), but other than that the movie falls short of its known purpose.

If you are a fan of “The Transporter” series you may fine this installment interesting otherwise you can wait for “Transporter: Refueled” to come out on cable.

This is a 2 Star Movie!

War Room

Opened in limited-release, “War Room” is about a seemingly successful couple (Tony and Elizabeth Jordan) with a beautiful daughter (Danielle). Everything appears to be perfect on the surface, (dream house, great jobs etc…) but when you pull back the covers what you actually see is Elizabeth’s world crumbling under a failing marriage. Tony the husband enjoys the fruits of his labor and flirts with temptation. Not knowing what to do Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness.

Things change when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara. Soon Miss Clara challenges Elizabeth to establish a “War Room”. The story unfolds from there…
The message in “War Room” is loud, powerful, clear and very meaningful. Unfortunately most of the acting is not good and that’s what keeps “War Room” from being a great movie.

“War Room” is a Christian Faith based Drama, but is a bit too preachy and this causes some of the good message and intent to be lost.

The paid critics were very critical of “War Room”. It’s not that bad, but it certainly could be better.

With all of that being said…”War Room” is still worth a look!

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Straight Outta Compton

“Straight Outta Compton” was not on my original watch list. I only heard about the movie about 6 weeks ago and wasn’t sure…I had not seen many clips.

“Straight Outta Compton” is awesome! It’s in your face real. The music is slammin. You will be transported back to the late 80’s early 90’s.

It’s widely known that the streets of Compton California were some of the most dangerous streets in America during the 80’s. There were five fortune men who were talented enough to use Rap Music to portray the mean streets and brutality that some were subjected to even if they were totally innocent. “Straight Outta Compton” takes you on that journey…

The sound track for this movie is awesome. You will be moving in your seat.
Beware…There is some violence, racial brutality, strong profanity, blatant nudity, drugs and a lot of alcohol. Without these elements though the movie would have been soft. The movie is executed with precision. There is never a dull moment.

I highly recommend “Straight Outta Compton” if you can stand the elements I mentioned.

This is a 4 1/2 Star Movie

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. – The IMAX Experience

The widely popular hit T.V. show from the 60’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” comes to the big screen!

Henry Cavill plays Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer who plays KGB Agent Illya Kuryakin. Agent Kuryakin has been trying to capture and/or kill Napoleon Solo, but due to circumstances beyond either gentlemen’s control, they are thrown together to help destroy an International Criminal Organization.

They must locate a renowned scientist who went missing years ago. It seems he is the link to finding and destroying the International Criminal Organization before they start launching nuclear weapons. Napoleon Solo locates the missing Scientist’s daughter Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander). Gaby does not know where her father is but wants to find him. She teams up with Napolean Solo and Agent Illya Kuryakin.

The story unfolds from there…

Although a definite take on the 1960’s T.V. show, the movie is fresh! Based in 1963, there are no mobile phones, no tablets, no laptops, just plain old fashion espionage, torture and ingenuous subterfuge.

The sound track is pretty good also! There will definitely be a sequel. This installment sets up the sequel very nicely.

If you were a fan of the 1964-68 hit T.V. show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E” starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, this is your movie!!

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

Ricki and The Flash

I love Meryl Streep! She is one of my favorite actresses. She gets into her characters like nobody’s business. She gave it everything she had, but I wasn’t convinced.

Ricki (Streep) gave up everything to live her dream as a rock and roll singer/guitar player. She and her band “The Flash” play nightly gigs in a local bar in Southern California. They play to good crowds.

One day Ricki receives a call from her ex-husband (Kevin Kline) about their daughter Julie (Mamie Gummer). She needs her Mom. Ricki puts aside her feelings and travels across country to Indiana to try and pick up the pieces and attempt to make things right with her family. The Story unfolds from there…

Rick Springfield plays Greg a member of “The Flash” and he is also in love with Ricki (Streep). Greg has his own family demons that he is dealing with.
“Ricki and The Flash” is a deep movie but it only skims the surface. There are unfinished stories in the movie. The movie ends a bit too soon.

There is lots of live music and entertainment. The music is good. You will be dancing in your seat.

Mamie Gummer is Meryl Streep’s real life daughter. They have excellent on-screen chemistry.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Mission:Impossible – Rogue Nation an IMAX Experience

I have to say that “Mission:Impossible – Rogue Nation” is the most thrilling installment in the Franchise history.
The IMF has been disbanded and its members have been forced to join the CIA, all but Ethan Hunt (Cruise) because his location is unknown.
Ethan Hunt finds himself (Cruise) out in the cold. He and his team are facing a highly skilled threat known as the Syndicate. The highly trained operatives will stop at nothing to destroy Ethan and his team plus create a new world order through specialized terrorist attacks.

Ethan and the team join forces with a DISAVOWED British agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who may be a member of the rogue nation. This is the toughest mission yet for the IMF. The story unfolds from there…
The stunts in this movie are out of this world! Tom Cruise did all of his own stunts. That is extremely impressive considering some of the stunts in the movie. Rebecca Ferguson’s character had some really cool moves.

“Action Packed, Intriguing, Thrilling, Suspenseful” are all of the phrases for “Mission:Impossible – Rogue Nation”. The Cinematography is awesome.

Do you want to see the movie or be part of the movie? It’s a must see in IMAX.

This is a 4 1/2 Star Movie!!