Category: Drama

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

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!

Mr. Holmes

“Mr. Holmes” is another chapter in the life of the world famous Sherlock Holmes.
In this chapter set in 1947 we find an aging Sherlock Holmes on his return journey from Japan where he was searching for a rare plant that has powerful restorative qualities. He has witnessed the devastation of the nuclear war. Now Sherlock returns to his remote seaside farm house to live out the rest of his days.

He spends his time tending to his bees. The only company he has is his housekeeper and her young son Roger. Sherlock battles with a diminished mind and he relies on his house keeper’s son Roger to help him as he grapples with the circumstances of an unsolved case that forced him into retirement. The story unfolds from there…

“Mr Holmes” is a gripping tale. The story takes you back and forth between the aging Bee Keeper and the elegant younger detective that Sherlock was known to be.

Ian McKellen is a force on the screen. He plays Sherlock Holmes effortlessly.
“Mr. Holmes” is only open in a limited-release capacity. Check it out if you can.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Southpaw

“Rocky” this is not!! But it does have its own identity.

“Southpaw” tells a riveting story about Billy “The Great” Hope a reigning Junior Middle Weight Boxing Champion of the World.

It appears that Billy has a great life and successful Boxing career, a loving wife and an adorable daughter. When tragedy strikes, Billy’s entire world is turned on its axis. His long-time friend and manager Curtis (50 Cent) up and leaves him. Billy hits rock bottom. Now in dire despair Billy turns to an old ally who owns and operates a run-down gym from Billy’s early boxing days. The story unfolds from there…

“Southpaw” is “Bloody”. The movie is physically brutal during the boxing action. It’s a bit tough to watch. The action scenes are very surreal. I felt that Jake Gyllenhaal did an excellent job portraying Bill Hope. The movie ends a bit abruptly leaving the family dynamic part of the story unfinished.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Self/less

“Self/less” is “Selfish”!! Its “Selfish” in its Execution and “Selfish” in its Delivery.

An extremely wealthy business man Damien (Ben Kingsley) is dying from some form of neurological cancer. He is offered a chance to undergo a form of radical treatment that transfers his consciousness into a healthy younger man.

Once the transfer takes place and the healthy young Damien (Ryan Reynolds) wakes up, is rehabilitated and starts his new life, all is not what it seems. As the younger Damien starts to uncover the mystery of the original older Damien, the secret society behind the treatment will stop at nothing to protect its cause.
The story unfolds from there…

This is one of the worst executed stories I have seen in a long while. It seems that the story is being made up as it moves along. There are so many miss-connected dots. The story does not flow at all. It starts off odd, gets odder as the movie continues and ends in strange fashion.
This is a movie that should have gone straight to video. Its not worth the money. In fact it probably should have been placed on the cutting floor.

It was a waste of Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds acting abilities.

I do not recommend “Self/less”

The Age of Adaline

“The Age of Adaline” is about a woman, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) who remains 29 years of age for 8 decades due to an accident. Although Adaline does constant research about her strange dilemma, she can find nothing in any medical journal.
So Adaline goes about living a solitary life because she is afraid of running into someone who might reveal her secret. A Chance meeting of a good looking philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. Ellis invites Adaline to his childhood home for a long weekend to meet his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker), but it turns out that Ellis’s Dad is a man from Adaline’s past. The story unfolds from there…
The first part of the film is boring, this is due to the fact that Blake Lively sashays through her scenes as if she is on a runway. Once Helen Burstyn, Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker appear in the movie, things get interesting. Unfortunately they are not in the movie very much.
I can think of several other actresses (Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock or Julia Stiles just to name a few) who could have played the role of Adaline Bowman better.
With all of that being said, “The Age of Adaline” is still a “Date Night” movie.

This is a 2 1/2 Star Movie!

Woman in Gold

Based on a true story; “Woman in Gold” is about a woman Maria (Mirren) who fled to America during the Nazi invasion of Vienna who now sixty years later is trying to get back valuable paintings and family possessions that were seized by the Nazi’s.

Maria employs the services of a young spunky lawyer Randy Schoenberg (Reynolds) who also has a family heritage in Vienna and Poland. Together they meet with continued opposition from the Austrian Establishment, but this does not deter them. Maria and Randy will take their fight all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The story unfolds from there…

“Woman in Gold” is a very moving and entertaining story. There are some holes left unfilled, but over-all it’s a pretty decent film. The injustices done by the Nazi’s are on full display. It’s a constant reminder of historical events that took place abroad.

“Woman in Gold is worth a look.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

The Longest Ride

Based on the Nicholas Sparks best-selling novel, “The Longest Ride” tells two different stories that are similar, but separated by time.

The story centers around a former Champion Bull Rider, Luke (Eastwood) who is trying to make a comeback meets and falls for a college student Sophie (Robertson) who is about to embark on her dream job in New York’s famed art world.

Luke and Sophie make a connection with Ira (Alda), who has vivid memories of his own decade’s long relationship with his wife (Chaplin), who recently died. Ira has a basket filled with letters that tell the story of his courtship and marriage. There are many similarities to the two stories. Each story has its challenges which the movie explores.

Nicholas Sparks` movies are usually about true and lasting love; “The Longest Ride” is no exception. The problem is one of the stories in the movie is very intriguing while the other one is not.

The movie isn’t bad, but it’s definitely not great.

“The Longest Ride” will warm your heart if you are into Romantic Drama’s.

This is a 2 Star Movie!!

Insurgent: The IMAX Experience 3D

“Insurgent” is a “Hot Mess!!” The movie is a menagerie of dreams, events and chaos which collectively is supposed to mean something, but doesn’t.

In this installment, Tris (Shailene Woodley) searches for answers and allies in the ruins of futuristic Chicago. Tris and Four (Theo James) are now wanted fugitives on the run; they are being hunted by Jeanine (Kate Winslet) the leader of the Erudite elite.
Racing against time Tris must find out what her family risked they lives to protect and why the Erudite elite would do anything to stop her and anyone who helps her. The story unfolds from there…

As I stated previous, “Insurgent” is a “Hot Mess”. There is tons of violence and chaos. The story is confusing and uninvolving. The best elements are that the movie is fast-paced and non-stop, but in the end you will not hunger for the next installment.

“Insurgent” is best viewed on cable.