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!!

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!!

CONCLAVE

CONCLAVE

CONCLAVE follows one of the most ancient rituals of the world, selecting a new Pope.

The reigning Pope has just died. What follows are time honored steps to selecting a new Pope, but during this current season a trail of secrets that are left in the dead Pope’s wake comes to light and if exposed could do great harm to the Catholic Church and the process of selecting a new Pope. The story unfolds from there….

CONCLAVE is Dramatic, Suspenseful and Riveting. Ralph Fiennes is absolutely awesome in his role. 

CONCLAVE is one of the best movies not receiving a lot of hype. The 2 Hour Running Time goes by really fast.

The reason I went to see CONCLAVE is because of the stars, Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. I love them and they are awesome actors. They did not disappoint.

The movie is loosely based on the Best-Selling Novel of the same name by Robert Harris.

“CONCLAVE” is worth a look.

This is a 5 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!!