The Walk in 3D

“The Walk” is based on a true story about a young Frenchmen, Philippe Petit, and a cast of unlikely recruits who work together to help Philippe pull off the stunning act of hanging a wire between the two World Trade Center Towers so that Philippe can “walk” the wire.

After seeing a high wire act in Paris, a young Philippe Petit knows early on that he too wants to “walk” the wire. He spends all of his free time practicing to the annoyance of his Father. As time passes Philippe moves away from home in search of the perfect place to hang his wire. He performs to crowds on the streets of Paris.

While in the Dentist office Philippe sees a newspaper advertising the World Trade Center Towers. Philippe knows then that he must go to New York and hang his wire between the World Trade Center Towers. The story unfolds from there…

The first 45 minutes of the movie is just “Dead Space”. This causes a slow start which in turn causes you not to be able to get into the story right away. The last hour is when everything starts to come together and the story becomes interesting.

The Cinematography at times is stunning. The 3D aspects of the movie are very good. Brush up on your French because sometimes French is the dialog used.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie

The Martian in 3D

I love Matt Damon!! In “The Martian” he does not disappoint!!

A team of NASA Astronauts are on a manned mission on Mars. While members of the team are out performing routine tasks a storm brews in the distance. A quick decision as to whether to stay or go is made in a snap. While packing up and trying to get everyone back to the Space Shuttle to take off, the storm blows some heavy metal debris toward the team members as they are trying to run. Astronaut Watney (Matt Damon) is struck and buried beneath a lot of red dirt and is believed to be dead.

The team takes off and heads back to their Satellite station “Hermes” where they report the tragic incident to NASA officials. A few hours later Astronaut Watney wakes up. He’s badly injured, but very much alive. He gets himself to the team housing quarters and tries to repair his wound. The story unfolds from there…

“The Martian” is nail biting suspenseful, intense, intriguing, entertaining and very well executed. The movie is also moving and of “Epic” proportion. At times the cinematography is breath-taking.

“The Martian” will remind you of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”.

This “Science Fiction Epic” should not be missed!

This is a 5 Star Movie!

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!!