The Card Counter

The Card Counter

“The Card Counter” was not originally on my “Watch List”, but after seeing several trailers I decided to give it a look. 

“The Card Counter” is about revenge, redemption and moral responsibility. The movie is intense and at times difficult to look at because some of the scenes are very grotesque. 

Oscar Isaac plays William Tell, a former Military Interrogator who becomes a gambler. He is haunted by events and tasks he participated in during his time in the Military. William meets a woman in a Casino that he becomes attracted to. The story unfolds from there…

 The story and the movie are super intense and riveting. While the performances of Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Willem Dafoe and Tye Sheridan are outstanding, the movie was not very entertaining.

Some of the viewers in the cinema I was in got up and left an hour into the movie. Had I not been writing a review; I probably would have left also.

Hopefully in the near future we will see Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish and Willem Dafoe in something more entertaining and light-hearted.

This is a 2 1/2 Star Movie!! 

The Angry Birds Movie 2

Although I did see/review the first installment, “The Angry Birds Movie 2” was not on my original “Watch List”, but after seeing a couple of deep trailers I decided to check it out.

The Flight-less Birds and Pudgy Pigs are back and they are taking their feud to a new level.
The Birds are unaware that a long time ago one of their own had a romance and left the bride behind. In present time the jilted Eagle who was left at the Alter, is planning and executing her revenge. Everyone is fair game. The story unfolds from there…

This installment is hilarious!! There is everything from “Speed Dating” to “Star-Crossed Lovers”.
Adults will get and understand the story, young children will not. While this is animated, it’s still plays for adults.
Next to “Toy Story 4” and “The Secret Life of Pets 2”, “The Angry Birds Movie 2” stands tall.

There is great cinematography and excellent special effects. There is a story, a plot and raw humor. What else do you need in an animated movie?

“The Angry Birds Movie 2” will offer comic relief and animation for those who need it.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

The Kitchen

Three Hell’s Kitchen Housewives soon find themselves husband-less because their husbands tried to rob a liquor store and failed. Once their husbands were sentenced to spent time behind bars, the three wives went about hatching their own plans to make money in Hell’s Kitchen. The story unfolds from there…

I had high hopes for “The Kitchen” when I first saw trailers of the movie, I thought wow this should be interesting.
My hopes were dashed only 20 minutes into the movie. The movie was dry and lifeless, almost listless. I found myself a bit bored.
There was no real back story. Each housewife had a story, but it never really came to the surface. Those stories should have come to the surface even for just a few scenes so you could understand the events that happened.

There is some suspense and intrigue, but not nearly enough to justify a $15 dollar movie ticket. I was very surprised given the cast in the movie, but it just goes to show that a great cast does not always translate into a great movie.

I say wait for cable for “The Kitchen”.

This is a 1 Star Movie!!

The Secret Life of Pets 2 in 3D (Early Screening)

I was fortunate enough to be offered an opportunity to attend an early screening of “The Secret Life of Pets 2”.

It’s been 3 years since the 2016 Blockbuster that showed us what our pets are really doing when we leave home. This second installment is no different. The lives of our pets are on full display and take on new meaning after we leave for work and school each day in this second installment.

“The Secret Life of Pets 2” has its moments. The movie is funny, hilarious and entertaining. There is definitely a story.

One of the best elements of the first installment was the Poodle changing the boom box music from classical to “Acid Rock” and inviting his friends over for a party the minute his owner got on the elevator. Disappointingly the Poodle did not appear in this 2nd installment.

“The Secret Life of Pets 2” opens wide Friday June 7th. If you want to know what your pets do when you are not at home, then go see this follow-up to the 2016 Blockbuster hit.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

Girls Trip

“Girls Trip” is “Hilarious!!” It’s definitely a “Chick Flick”

Four life-long friends have a chance to hang out in New Orleans at the Essence Jazz Festival. They haven’t seen each other in a while, each living their own lives and dealing with their own problems. They leave their regular lives behind to come together for 4 days in the Big Easy to drink, dance, party and act “Buck Wild”. The story unfolds from there…

“Girls Trip” is “Wild, Hilarious, Shocking and Raunchy!!” There are parts of the movie that will make an adult blush!! There is some really “Raunchy” nudity. I laughed out laugh constantly. I do not usually review Comedies because they are usually so insane and stupid to me, but I had to see what these ladies were up to. There is a relatable story in the movie.
Comedian Tiffany Haddish is in the movie and she is just plain crazy funny!

“Girls Trip” is worth a look, but Adults only Please!!

This is a 4 Star Movie!