Category: Adventure

Thunderbolts in AMC Dolby

Thunderbolts in AMC Dolby

The Marvel Universe goes back to its roots of true Adventure. “Thunderbolts” is an assembly of underdogs who constantly insist they are not Super-Heros.

The team find themselves in a death trap that was set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Dreyfus).

To free themselves they must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to each confront the darkest corners of their pasts. The team struggles with either tearing themselves apart or finding redemption and uniting for the better good. The story unfolds from there…

The story is very heavy. There is a lot of action, but not as much as I would have liked. There is some intrigue, but not a lot. The story at times is confusing because there are so many alternate paths that get dipped into briefly. You really have to pay attention or you will be more confused. 

There is a lot of uncertainty around whether you can consider this a comic book superhero story. You are somehow led to believe that “The Thunderbolts” are the team that came before The Avengers.

I am disappointed that there wasn’t more action, but that does not diminish the fact that the movie was executed very well. The Dolby / IMAX aspects are very good. The cinematography is excellent.

If you are a Marvel Universe Fan, You should check out “Thunderbolts”. 

This is a 4 Star Move!!

Disney’s Snow White in AMC Dolby

Disney’s Snow White in AMC Dolby

This is the third of potentially 4 Movie Reviews that I will post before March 31st.

Disney comes to us with another Live-Action/Musical Production of their classic film from 1937, Snow White.

This Live Action / Musical Version of the Classic is not as bad as the paid critics stated. The movie is a bit flat in some areas and some of the characters seem a bit flat and not as engaging or entertaining as you would expect in a movie like Snow White. The best character in the movie is Snow White who is played by Rachel Zegler, The Seven Dwarfs were cute and funny. I wanted to see the movie because Actress Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) plays the Evil Queen. I really like her as an actress and was excited to learn she was in the movie. I felt she was a bit flat in her role. I was hoping for a bit more from her.

The cinematography and special effects were very nice. The Costumes were definitely on point.

For Die-Hard Disney Fans this Rendition of “Snow White” is worth a look. Otherwise, you can wait for it to come out in Pay-Per-View or Stream it.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Captain America: Brave New World in IMAX

Captain America: Brave New World in IMAX

Anthony Mackie returns as the high-flying hero Sam Wilson who officially takes the mantle of Captain America and runs with it.

It’s a new day and a new President of the United States has been elected.

Captain America meets with the newly elected President, Thaddeus Ross. After the meeting, Sam finds himself in the middle of an International Incident. He must find out what the reason behind this nefarious global plot is before substantial lives are lost and the mastermind behind the plot has everyone seeing RED. The story unfolds from there…

This installment starts off ok, but then somewhere in the middle it tanks badly. I feel this is because of the lack of backstory related to the supposed plot. The story pieces don’t come together until close to the end.

You will be dazzled by the action, special effects and the cinematography. This Captain America has more artillery at his disposal along with a handsome sidekick.

The door was left open and there will be more installments with this new Captain America. This installment is a catalyst for the Hulk. I feel that Anthony Mackie did an excellent job with what was given to him. He is as adept with words as he is with his fists.

The IMAX Aspects are very good as well.

If you are a Marvel Universe Fan, then by all means do see “Captain America: Brave New World”

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Mufasa: The Lion King in IMAX

Mufasa: The Lion King in IMAX

In this installment, “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to a young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature commentary along the way. 

The story is told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka–the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny. Their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe of White Lions. The story unfolds from there…

This is a decent prequel and the younger set will be entertained, but this installment would have been better served if shown as a fully animated movie. The photorealistic animation style was ill-served. The IMAX aspects were very good.

A nice tribute to the late James Earl Jones who has loaned his voice to “The Lion King” Franchise.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Moana 2 in AMC Dolby

Moana 2 in AMC Dolby

It’s been 8 years since Moana magnificently graced us with her presence.

This installment rides high on the wave of stunning animation, but falls flat on the storyline. Unfortunately, the story is practically non-existent. The visuals are absolutely stunning. The AMC Dolby aspects are great.

This installment plays well to the younger set. Don’t get me wrong, the movie is entertaining and a visual feast, but if you are expecting a story / Plot… Forget it. 

Moana 2 is definitely not as good as it’s 2016 predecessor, but from an entertaining perspective it’s a fun one hour and forty minutes.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Wicked in IMAX

Wicked in IMAX

“Wicked” is the long running highly successful Broadway Musical that has come to the Big Screen. 

“Wicked” is about the Witches of Oz before the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and Toto. 

The story is told in grand fashion. The main characters are complex frenemies, but Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo do such a fantastic job of lighting up the big screen. You will find yourself wanting to be in Oz.

The props and costumes are to ‘Die For”. The execution of the movie is brilliant. There are no lapses or gaps. It’s just non-stop music, movement, song and story.  

There are some extremely elaborate sets. Some of the views are breath-taking. The IMAX aspects are on point. You will feel like you are in Oz.

This is just Part 1. The movie does well to remind us that this is a continuing saga. How will it all end? Have to wait for the next installment to find out. Cynthia Erivo’s performance will probably earn her an Oscar nomination.

“Wicked” is worth a look.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

Gladiator II in IMAX

Gladiator II in IMAX

Remember the first Gladiator from 2000? 

This installment comes years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington do not disappoint. In fact, every scene that Denzel Washington is in makes the movie intriguing and interesting. Denzel steals every scene he is in, Think “Training Day”. Also hats off to Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal.

This installment comes very close to matching the same intensity as the Oscar-Winning Best Picture first installment, but does fall short just a bit. There is plenty of bloody action, suspense and intrigue. Crowds will roar at the Coliseum action. The IMAX aspects are awesome! You will feel like you are in the Coliseum and riding on every Chariot, Horse and on any Ships.

If you are a fan of the Oscar Winning first Installment then “Gladiator II” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

The Wild Robot in AMC Dolby

The Wild Robot in AMC Dolby

I am sure you are probably wondering why did I go see “The Wild Robot”?

Animated Movies are executing really well right now. They often times contain a message for young and old. This is true of “The Wild Robot”. BTW… There were only adults in the cinema where I saw the movie.

The movie starts off a bit slow, but picks up really fast. “The Wild Robot” finds himself in a forest surrounded by all of the different animals we would normally see in a forest. Soon the Robot uncovers a nest with a lot of broken eggs, but there is one that has not hatched yet. The Robot instinctively protects the egg. While he does have to fight a fox who wants to eat the egg. The Robot will not allow it. Soon the egg hatches and out comes a cute little duckling that sees the Robot as its Mom. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is so Heart-warming and Entertaining. It contains Humor that only adults would be able to understand. The cinematography and special effects are awesome. There is never a dull moment. It’s a simple tale that gets told in a wonderful way.

“The Wild Robot” is worth a look.

This movie is based on a Novel by the same name.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

Transformers One in AMC Dolby

Transformers One in AMC Dolby

Have you ever wondered how Optimus Prime came to be? Or what about Bumblebee and Megatron? Well…Transformers One is the Back Story on how the “Auto Bots” were born and Optimus Prime and Megatron became sworn enemies. Granted its 17 years late, but you know what they say… “Better Late Than Never!!”

The movie is executed very well. Lots of information, the story flows and you get the full picture. There is plenty of action, tons of special effects and really nice cinematography. The movie dramatically satisfies any curiosity regarding the history of the Transformers and Auto Bots. This is a fully animated installment which is interesting since none of the other installments were. I love the fact that there was a great cast lending their voices to this project.

If you are a Transformers Fan, “Transformers One” should not be missed.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

Twisters in AMC Dolby

Twisters in AMC Dolby

I do not normally see Weather-Related Disaster Movies like this, but the trailer looked entertaining, so here goes…

Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. 

She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi (Golden Globe nominee Anthony Ramos, In the Heights) to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. 

There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the storms, the better. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems that converge over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is entertaining. The cinematography and special effects are on point. The execution is loaded with Drama and Sparks Flying. It’s like being on a constant Roller Coaster Ride. You are not sure if you want to get off once it stops or go for the thrills again. It’s been a very long time between this installment and the original. This seems fresh though and not too close to its predecessor.

If you are looking for an adventure and thrills check out “Twisters”

This is a 4 Star Move!!