Tag: Bradley Cooper

Avengers: ENDGAME in 3D

I am not as happy with “Avengers: Endgame” as I have been with the other installments. This is not to say the movie isn’t good because it is. It was executed brilliantly! I am just not totally thrilled with the ending. Additionally there are a couple of events that occur in the movie that are very unsettling to me. It leaves me with questions as to what’s next. Where is the Marvel Universe going in the future? You will have to see the movie and make your own assessment.

In the previous Avenger’s installment Thanos rose up and ruled. Much of the universe was wiped out and the Marvel Universe was severely fractured. Time passes and the few Marvel Heroes that are left decide to make one final run at taking Thanos and his army out. The story unfolds from there…

As I previously stated “Avengers: Endgame” is executed brilliantly!! The action is non-stop. There is suspense and intrigue. It’s definitely “Edge of Your Seat” entertainment. The cinematography and special effects are fantastic. The 3-D aspects are very good. There are a few dead spots in the movie where you are not sure what’s coming next, but that does not take away from the over-all execution of the movie.

I am just not happy with the way the movie ended. I found myself a bit confused and deep in thought when I left the theater because I knew I needed to get my thoughts together to write this review. It was very quiet when everyone was leaving the cinema. Usually there is loud chatter, laughter, clapping etc…But not today!

The movie is 3 hours and 2 minutes long. This does not include previews!! I now can understand that the long running time was really necessary. This is the longest movie in this genre that I have ever seen. Previously the longest running movie in this genre was “The Dark Knight” at 2 hours, 42 minutes.

If you are a Marvel Universe fan, you must see “Avengers: Endgame”.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

The Mule

Set in Peoria, IL, an 80 year old Day Lily Grower, Earl Jones (Clint Eastwood) with a thriving award winning business soon finds himself down on his luck and in foreclosure. He packs up his possessions and goes to visit his youngest daughter, Ginny (Taissa Farmiga). While visiting Ginny Earl has a confrontation with his estranged wife, Mary (Diane Wiest) and his oldest daughter, Iris (Alison Eastwood) who will have nothing to do with him. When Earl is leaving Ginny’s home, one of her guest approaches Earl and gives him a card and tells him to contact the name on the card because he can get some work through this person. Upon contacting the mysterious person Earl soon becomes a “Mule” for a Drug Cartel. The story unfolds from there…

The story is entertaining and moving. This is Clint Eastwood’s 38th film as a Director. The story tackles real life issues such as aging, family illness and working as a true Senior Citizen really late in life. There is even some comedy relief.

Clint Eastwood still has the ability to make an excellent vehicle and “The Mule” is definitely worth seeing.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Avengers: Infinity War in 3D

The Avengers and all of their Super Hero allies have their hands full. This is one of the most complicated and deadliest missions they have ever been faced with. They must all come together and fight as a total united front if they expect to be victorious.

The Avenger’s arch nemesis Thanos is on the move and wrecking-havoc across the universe. He and his warriors are destroying communities everywhere. Thanos is after the 6 jewels that collectively will give the owner the utmost power. He will have to battle several of the Avengers and their super hero allies to gain the jewels. Thanos is aware of this and starts his fight by coming to earth. The story unfolds from there…

The 3D aspects of the movie are excellent. It was awesome to see the Avengers and their Super Hero allies come together. They each have their own stories and the movie was able to bring everything together nicely.

The cinematography and special effects are awesome. There is plenty of action and intrigue. There is even some comic relief. This installment is part one. There will be a part 2 and this installment ends perfectly to allow part 2 to take over.

If you are a Marvel Universe fan, “The Avengers: Infinity War” should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 the 3D IMAX Experience

In this installment the team continues their adventures as they make their way across the galaxy. “The Guardians” must fight to keep their family together as they are confronted with challenge after challenge, but one challenge made by Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) supposed father “Ego” (Kurt Russell) proves to be more than the team bargained for. The story unfolds from there…

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a CGI feast. The special effects and cinematography are off the charts. There is plenty of action, suspense and intrigue. I did not review the first installment, but saw it later. This installment is a lot cruder and a lot more violent than the first installment, so Parents beware.

The movie is fast-paced and will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is plenty of humor, probably more than in the first installment. Normally sequels lose some luster, but I would say this installment kept it real and fresh. My favorite Guardian is “Baby Groot”. He looks like a miniature Mummy.

If you are a die-hard Marvel Comic Fan, you will love “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

JOY

“JOY” is based on factual information about a crazy family that crosses 4 generations. The anchor is the young woman who invents an innovative mop and goes on to create a dynasty. The movie is filled with Decent, Betrayal, Treachery and Heartache. All of this paves the way for “JOY”.

The absolute best element to “JOY” is Jennifer Lawrence. She turns in a strong performance. The movie is all over the map and then it’s not. The opening minutes do not make sense. Things finally calm down the last 45 minutes of the movie, but by then the damage is already done.

“JOY” does not turn out even close to what the previews lead you to believe. In fact almost all of the scenes you see in the trailers are the best scenes in the movie.

Unfortunately “JOY” does not bring joy this Holiday Season!

This is a 2 1/2 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

American Sniper

FINALLY!! “American Sniper” opens wide! I have been waiting for this movie for many months. It does not disappoint!! “American Sniper” isn’t just about war; it’s about how war affects the loved ones who remain at home. Multiple tours can and do take their toll on a family.

Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle an American Sniper who was the deadliest Sniper in U.S. Military History. He served four tours with one goal in mind; “Protect” his brothers-in-arms. He does just that saving countless lives, but Kyle becomes a wanted man behind enemy lines with a price on his head. Insurgents would love nothing better than to take Chris Kyle out. Each time Chris returns home he finds it difficult to leave the war behind. The story unfolds from there…

You will be on the edge of your seat! The movie will hold your attention. It’s nerve racking intense, suspenseful and has plenty of action. It is a bit bloody.

This is probably Bradley Cooper’s best role. He has come a long way since starring as “Will Tippin” in the ABC hit “Alias”.

“American Sniper” is definitely worth the price of admission.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

American Hustle

“American Hustle” is one of those highly anticipated movies, it doesn’t disappoint. You will be intrigued from the first 20 minutes. My attention never wavered. The cast was excellent. Depending on whom you are rooting for you will either be pleased or pissed off.

“American Hustle” is about cons and swindles going down routinely. A couple of con artists believe they have the perfect money making scheme. They go about executing their plan flawlessly until one day they happen upon the wrong client. An FBI agent happens to meet with the con-artists; of course they do not know they are talking with an FBI agent. Once the scheme goes down, he identifies himself and arrests are made.

The FBI agent isn’t all on the up and up himself, but he forces the con-artists to work with him undercover to bring down a group of shady State Senators and Congressman. The story unfolds from there…

“American Hustle” is very much a Martin Scorsese like film, but he did not direct this. This was directed by David O. Russell. You must pay attention. Things are not always as they seem. There are plenty of surprises that materialize before your eyes. There is a lot of drama, quite a bit of sexuality, but the movie does not contain a lot of brutality.

The male audience will find this movie entertaining from a sensual perspective. Amy Adams never wears a bra and this is obvious throughout the movie. There are several scenes where it’s clear she isn’t wearing any panties either. I also found Jennifer Lawrence’s performance interesting. This movie is definitely not for the teenage set.

“American Hustle” is worth the price of admission.

The Words

Bradley Cooper plays Rory Jensen who perpetrates a writer. While on his honeymoon in Paris, his new bride (Zoe Saldana) purchases an old leather satchel for Rory as a gift. Hidden in one of the pockets of the satchel is an old manuscript.

Rory finds this manuscript and reworks the story a bit. It is then published and becomes a best seller. The original writer (Jeremy Irons) of the manuscript recognizes his tragedic story. He finds Rory and tells him the details of his story and Rory then realizes he made a HUGH mistake in publishing the manuscript as his own work. The story unfolds from there…

“The Words” is a very boring movie. There are a lot of heavy hitters in the movie, but none of them resconate on the big screen. The movie is disjointed and contains a lot of holes.

I found “The Words” to be a complete waste of money.