The Amateur

The Amateur

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA. He works out of a Basement Office at headquarters in Langley. Charlie’s world is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London Terrorist Attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands and go after his wife’s killers himself, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge. The story unfolds from there… 

Rami Malek portrayal of a “Nerdy CIA Operative” is very compelling. He comes across very well. 

The movie has tons of intrigue, suspense and lots of twists and turns. There is good action without a lot of blood. There are a few dead spots, but overall once it gets going, “The Amateur” provides edge of your seat entertainment.

“The Amateur” is a Good Spy Thriller that falls a bit short of greatness. It’s definitely worth a look.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

A Working Man in AMC Dolby

A Working Man in AMC Dolby

This is the fourth of 4 Movie Reviews that I promised would post before March 31st.

Levon Cade (Jason Statham) left behind a decorated military career in the black ops to live a simple life working construction. But when his boss’s daughter, who is like family to him, is taken by human traffickers, his search to bring her home uncovers a world of corruption far greater than he ever could have imagined. The story unfolds from there…

Plain and Simple… This is Vintage Jason Statham. He kicks Butt and takes Names later. There’s tons of Action, Butt-Kicking Violence and some intrigue. There are a few moments where the movie drags a bit, but other than that it’s Edge of Your Seat Action.

The Director David Ayer obviously knows what audiences want from a Jason Statham Action Thriller. He keeps it coming in Spades. BTW… The Screenwriter is none other than Sylvester Stallone. Bravo to Him!! 

For Die-hard Jason Statham Fans, “A Working Man” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

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!!

The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

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

I actually saw this movie Wednesday evening March 19th

“The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is the first ever fully animated feature film from Warner Brothers for the Looney Tunes Franchise. Looney Tunes ran a series of short animated films from 1930 to around 1969, alongside its spin-off series Merrie Melodies, during the golden age of American animation.

That’s not all folks! Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, one of the greatest comedic duos in history, are making their hilarious return to the big screen in this sci-fi comedy adventure, THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE. Porky and Daffy are the unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when facing the threat of an alien invasion. In this buddy-comedy of epic proportions, they race to save the world after Daffy uncovers a plot that uses Bubble Gum!!

The movie delivers all the laugh-out-loud gags and vibrant visuals that have made the Looney Tunes Franchise so iconic, but on a scope and scale yet to be experienced. It’s going to be out of this world!

This is just plain funny and we need the laughs right now!! Shame on Warner Brothers for not advertising and pushing this movie out in February when originally planned.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Black Bag

Black Bag

Movie Reviews will be coming in HOT over the next 2 Weekends!!

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

“Black Bag” is a gripping Spy Drama about Legendary Intelligence Agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife Kathryn. When she is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test Loyalty to his country or Loyalty to his marriage. The Story unfolds from there… 

“Black Bag” is definitely “GRIPPING” It does live up to the hype. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett play very well together.

This is a Steven Soderbergh Production. He is an AWESOME Director and his movies are usually very intriguing, “Black Bag” is all of that. The suspense and mystery in the movie build to a fevered pitch that leads to a very interesting ending. If I provide any more details I would be giving it away.

If I have a complaint, it would be that the movie running time was a bit too short.

Run, don’t walk to see “Black Bag”.

This is a 5 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!!

The Fire Inside

The Fire Inside

“The Fire Inside” is about the journey that 2 Time Olympic Gold Medal Boxing Champion Clarissa Shields took to get to the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Miss Shields is arguably the greatest female boxing champion of all times.

Flint Michigan’s Clarissa “T-Rex” Shields is the only Olympic Boxing Champion to ever win back-to-back Gold Medals.

The movie is inspiring, enraging and at times intriguing. The movie gives you a nice glimpse into the world of boxing, dealing with a coach who dispenses “tough Love” and what it takes to make the Olympic Team and then what it takes to win a Gold Medal not once but twice. 

“The Fire Within” is the best Non-Block Buster movie playing right now. 

Check it out “The Fire Within” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 5 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!!