Category: Comedy

Zootopia in 3D

I am enjoying a couple of days off so I decided to see the animated hit “Zootopia”!!

We should all be so lucky to live in a place like “Zootopia”. It’s a metropolis with neighborhoods like “Ritzy Sahara Square” and “Frigid Tundratown”. Animals from every environment live together and co-habitat without issues. Whether you are a HUGH Elephant to a small tiny mouse, you can be and do anything you like.

Rookie Office Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) wanted to be a police officer ever since she was a little bunny in school. She passes the police academy training at the top of her class. Judy is excited to get her assignment upon graduation day, but when she arrives at her newly assigned police precinct Judy discovers she is the first Bunny to become a police officer. She is not sure about this. There are HUGH animals as policemen. Judy is determined to prove her worth though, but she is assigned to Parking Meter Duty…The story unfolds from there…

“Zootopia” is entertaining, light-hearted and fun. While it’s potentially billed as a movie for the younger set. Adults can definitely enjoy “Zootopia”. There is a lesson in this movie for everyone!

The animation and cinematography are awesome! There is a story, plot and intrigue. If you are interested in something “Light-Hearted and Fun” I suggest “Zootopia”.

This is a 5 Star Movie!

Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot

Comedian Tina Fey turns a bit serious on us for her role as News Journalist Kim Barker.

“Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot” is an adaptation of Kim Barker’s Memoir titled “The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan”. The story details Kim Barker’s days as a reporter in the middle-east during the 2002 thru 2006 time frame.

Tina Fey does a nice job portraying a Kim Barker. The movie attempts to strike a balance between comedy and drama. You do get more drama than comedy. The movie gives you a bit of “Girl Power” portrayed in a male dominated environment.

“Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot” was executed very well. You get to see Tina Fey operate an AK-47 with ease.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Hail Caesar!

“Hail Caesar!” was not on my original watch list but, I decided to give it a look.

The Oscar winning filmmakers the Coen Brothers are back with a Star-Studded Golden Aged Comedy. Unfortunately I did not find anything golden about the movie.

The story is centered-around a typical day in the life of a “Studio Fixer”, but what you see is anything but typical and I can’t imagine that everything that goes on could have possibly happened in 24 hours. There are so many problems that even Olivia Pope from the ABC hit Scandal couldn’t possibly fix them all without a cast of thousands.

The movie starts off ok, but goes down-hill fast. There were too many stories and sub plots, so the movie is all over the place and no place. At one point I was bored out of my mind. I sat there thinking how could they have this many heavy weight actors and the movie be so boring. Don’t get me wrong there were some funny scenes, but not enough to be entertaining. I did not find George Clooney funny at all.

The paid critics said that “Hail Caesar!” was “Fresh”. I say its “Stale”.

This is a 2 Star Movie!

BURNT

Bradley Cooper is Chef Adam Jones a celebrated 2 star Michelin Winner and celebrity among the Paris Restaurant scene. He loses everything because of his “Bad Boy” ways. In order for Adam to obtain his own kitchen again and win a third Michelin star he will have to clean up his act and leave his “Bad Boy” ways behind him. The story unfolds from there…

The story has bones, but starts off dis-jointed and continues throughout the movie. There are too many elements missing and you have to piece it all together yourself. That’s not why we go to the movies. We want the story to unfold and all of the parts to be there. We should not have to guess or assume anything.

“BURNT” is a bit funny and heart-warming, but is incomplete.

“BURNT” is best viewed on cable. It’s not worth the price of a DVD or Blue Ray.

This is a 1 1/2 Star Movie

Our Brand is Crisis

“Our Brand is Crisis” is in and of its self a “CRISIS”.

“Our Brand is Crisis” is a political satire that doesn’t quite hit its mark. Sandra Bullock plays Jane a political strategist who is enjoying semi-retirement until she is summoned to assist a team that goes down to a war-torn area in South America to help install a new leader. The story unfolds from there…

There are a few intense comedy moments, be hard hitting and have some meat, but unfortunately “Our Brand is Crisis” does not contain any strong elements to endear its self to the movie going public. Sandra Bullock is the best element in the movie.

“Our Brand Crisis” is best viewed on cable. It’s not worth the price of a DVD or Blue Ray.

This is a 1 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!

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!

Magic Mike XXL

I did not see the 2012 installment of “Magic Mike”. I thought it was cheesy, so I decided to skip it. After seeing an extended trailer I decided to give “Magic Mike XXL” a look.

All I can say is “Ooh La La!!! Eye Candy, Six-Packs and G-Strings Galore!!”

Mike (Channing Tatum) has given up the Stripper Life and owns his own Furniture making business in Florida. His old stripper friends come calling. They want to do one last blow-out show. With great reluctance Mike (Channing) agrees to join them, so they hit the road for Myrtle Beach.

What keeps “Magic Mike XXL” from being a 4 or 5 star movie is that the first 40 minutes is BORING!!

In comes Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith) and wow! The story picks up! From that point until the end you do not want to leave your seat!

Its sultry eye popping moves and G-Strings flying. The enticing dances are smooth and slick. “Magic Mike XXL” works really hard to keep it “R” rated, but with a little imagination it’s all “X” rated.
BTW…For you NFL fans, former NY Giants player Michael Strahan is in this movie. You will see him like you have never seen him before. I was shocked!!

“Magic Mike XXL” is definitely a “Chick Flick”. It’s all for the ladies. It’s definitely worth seeing even though the first 40 minute are a drag. The music is awesome!

I anticipate that “Magic Mike XXL” will do better than the $40 million opening weekend its 2012 predecessor enjoyed.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Danny Collins

Based loosely on a true story, an aging 70’s rocker Danny Collins (Al Pacino) continues to live the fast life of an entertainer, but when his manager presents him with a Birthday gift that is an undelivered hand-written letter from John Lennon, after reading the letter Danny decides to clean up his act and chart a new course by attempting to mend some fences related to his estranged son and find a new love.
The story unfolds from there…

The story is witty, entertaining and engaging. Al Pacino keeps the story moving. This is probably Al Pacino’s best performance in years.
The only problem is that the movie ends a bit abruptly. You are sort of left hanging.

Only open in limited-release; “Danny Collins” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, is a sequel to the 2011 “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. Now that the hotel is full with long term residents, co-managers Muriel and Sonny (Maggie Smith and Dev Patel) have dreams of expansion.

This movie highlights the journey that Muriel and Sonny take to get the expansion completed.
At best the movie is “Ho-hum”. I was a bit bored. It does pick up during the last 20 minutes.

“The Second Best Marigold Hotel” is best viewed on DVD, Cable or Blu-ray

This is a 2 1/2 Star Movie!