Tag: Movie Review

Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Review: THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS

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THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS Re-Ignites the Franchise

Written by Jesus Figueroa (@Thisfunktional)

Dominic Torretto faces a decision to make for his family in “The Fate of the Furious,” bringing a fantastic sequel that propels the franchise forward.

The story isn’t a brilliant life altering story, but it’s a magnificent change for a series that has taken some twists and turns which have been unexpected.

This installment starts with Dom, played by Vin Diesel, and Letty, played by Michelle Rodriguez, on their honeymoon in Cuba.

Both Diesel and Rodriguez have been playing these characters throughout the series and continue to play them well.

Cipher, played by Charlize Theron, brings a proposal to Dom which he accepts.

Theron is a fantastic villain which adds an element of viciousness which the prior villains of the Fast and Furious franchise had not before. She is an equal to any of the members of Dom’s team, but adds a seductively dominant quality that will entice audiences.

To avoid spoilers, Hobbs, played by Dwayne Johnson, and Deckard, played by Jason Statham, end up in the same prison.

Johnson has a likable comedic element which helps to bring more to his character than just another brute force cop.

Statham is able to explore his character further and bring out more than expected. The parkour moves he does keep his character being highly entertaining.

The rest of the team – Roman, played by Tyrese Gibson, Tej Parker, played by Ludacris, and Ramsey, played by Nathalie Emmanuel – are back as well with Mr. Nobody, played by Kurt Russell and new comer Owen, played by Luke Evans.

Gibson and Ludacris get the best lines and such funny moments that it’s hard not to think of them as a crucial part of what made this movie good.

What makes this movie worth watching is a spoiler, which I will avoid mentioning, but will elude to.

Vin Diesel takes Dom’s character to a whole new level.

Dom’s relationship with Letty gets put to the test, enemies become allies and the family dynamic of the group changes.

The cars are amazing as they always are in this series.

Dom and Letty get the bad ass muscle cars which can take a beating and keep going.

Roman gets the flashy cars which help him become a bullseye.

Tej and Ramsey get cars which are high-tech as they are brilliant with technology.

Hobbs gets the large-bulky powerful trucks which go with his personality.

The villain gets the vehicles which can be seen as impossible to take down with a regular car.

The ending, much like the rest of the ending of these series wraps up with an inspirational message.

I give this action film a 4 out of 5 Popcorns. Discussing this movie with my guest to the screening Jessica Cameron, It held its own with the story and the action was just enough to be entertaining but not over doing it. It’s an entertaining ride which is enjoyable and adds something new to the franchise, a female villain that is equal in every way to any of the male counterparts. Charlize Theron is one of the biggest reasons to watch this movie, having watched it in IMAX was another great part. It’s a movie that benefits from the IMAX experience.

“The Fate of the Furious” is out in theaters April 14.

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: COLLATERAL BEAUTY

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: COLLATERAL BEAUTY

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Hey, movie lovers!

I know I’m late to the game on this one, but I watched it last night with my niece and just had to post about it. To be quite honest, I’m surprised it has a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes! I can see how some people might not enjoy it as much as I did, but I wonder if the people who didn’t like it have experienced loss in their lives. From personal experience, I know how death can create these questions in your mind about love, time and death so the meaning behind the movie really hit me in the heart. My niece just loves any movie that can make her cry for some reason (teenagers!), but she loves this one!

SYNOPSIS: Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. 

Let me start by saying that Will Smith kills it in this movie. We all know he’s a great actor, but he hasn’t always chosen the best roles in his career. In this one though, he plays the role of a grieving father so perfectly that you can actually feel his pain. The entire cast does a great job, in my opinion. I found myself getting angry at his friends for scheming behind his back, then I felt sympathy for them because Howard’s grief has affected their lives as well. I think I felt every emotion imaginable while watching this movie and, for me, that’s a sign of a good one.

Every twist and turn in this movie was great and it’s not until the credits roll that everything sort of hits you all at once.

Usually when I see a new movie in the theater, or rent one on On Demand, I try to judge it based on whether or not I would actually buy it or possibly catch it again down the road when it’s streaming online. I rented this one last night and I would definitely buy it. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one to at least check out. So grab a box of tissues and try to put yourself in this man’s shoes for about 2 hours.

If you forgot what this movie was about, check out the trailer below and if you decide to watch it, let me know what you thought!

 

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: MOONLIGHT #moonlightmovie

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: MOONLIGHT #moonlightmovie

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I finally had a chance to watch the 2017 Oscar winning movie, Moonlight, and decided to write a short review for it. First and foremost, congratulations to all involved with this movie. It’s a subtle, yet powerful depiction of a young black male trying to find his way in the inner city of Miami, which isn’t always easy.

So many movies in our history have shown the coming of age of white teens, usually from rich families or from unconventional households that force them to decide they deserve better. What we don’t get enough of are movies like this where we see the main black character not being a bully and not holding a grudge against some higher power.

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We see a drug dealer, Juan, who is obviously not doing the right thing career wise, but he develops a friendship with this little boy, Chiron, and teaches him things that his drug-addicted mother isn’t around to teach him. Not once do we see Juan being violent or “bad” in any way. He is a strong, influential man in a great relationship who tries to guide Chiron in the right direction. He also happens to be a black Cuban man. So yes, movie watchers . . . it is possible to see a different, positive side to a black man in the inner city.

Chiron struggles with understanding his sexuality, and Juan helps him through that – free of judgment. The one thing I was disappointed with is the fact that Juan wasn’t around as long as I’d hoped. We don’t even really know what happened to him, or how it affected Chiron mentally. We only see the three crucial chapters in Chiron’s life – as a young boy, as a teenager and as a young adult seemingly following in Juan’s footsteps while continuing to try and understand his tendency to identify with homosexuality. I also wish Chiron spoke a bit more in the movie. His scenes in all three chapters were powerful in their silence, but I think there could have been a bit more dialogue without taking away from the effectiveness.

In a society where homosexuality is viewed as “a sin,” it was nice to see a child asking questions about it and having an adult answer those questions with positivity and acceptance. To be clear, this is not a movie based on “pushing the homosexual agenda.” It’s a coming of age movie about a young boy who grows up in an unconventional setting who is just trying to make his way through life despite the ups and downs. It’s an important story that isn’t told often enough.

 

SYNOPSIS: A chronicle of the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American, gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

Director: Barry Jenkins
Writers: Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monae, Naomie Harris, Jaden Piner, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Trevante Rhodes, Andre Holland
Genre: Drama

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: BEAUTY & THE BEAST #beourguest

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: BEAUTY & THE BEAST #beourguest

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Hello, everyone! I’m happy to report that I traveled back to my childhood today for two hours and have safely returned to adulthood in one piece!

I admit that I was a bit nervous going into this live-action version of Beauty & the Beast because it was always my favorite Disney movie. Not to mention the back and forth chatter on whether or not Emma Watson could pull off the role of Belle AND the “news” that Josh Gad’s character, LeFou, was homosexual (SIDE NOTE: Kudos for including this aspect in the film tastefully. Everyone should’ve known that LeFou was homosexual in the original, but I’m glad the folks who created this live-action update didn’t leave it out to please those who are afraid of PEOPLE based on sexual preference.)

With that being said, I thought this version of the film was fantastic! It stayed true to it’s original form, save for a few minor updates: feminism and diversity! There were also a few new songs included here that explained a bit more of the connection between Belle and the Beast. Some viewers were not fans of Emma Watson’s singing, but I thought she did a great job! It’s not written anywhere that every singing actress has to sound like Adele, but I thought Watson did a great job and really lived up to the expectations.

The visual quality here was stunning as well. In some parts the visual effects were lacking just a tiny bit, but the rest of the movie made up for what it lacked in certain areas. It was such a colorful, lively film that shows a strong-minded young woman making her own choices and not sitting around waiting for things to happen to her. Belle is kind, well-read and respectful to all around her…which is something that we should all be teaching our daughters, our nieces and granddaughters. Never fear, young boys can also learn a thing or two from this version of the film. The prince was spoiled and shallow, taught to be cold-hearted from his father at a young age and is cursed into “beast mode” until he learns a lesson in humility.

So take a chance on this film and take your family on a trip down memory lane!

 

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Musical
Length: 2 h 9 min
Rating: PG
Director: Bill Condon
Writers: Stephen Chbosky, Evan Spiliotopoulos
Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Hattie Morahan, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Nathan Mack, Audra McDonald, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Website: disney.com/beauty-and-the-beast-2017
Twitter: twitter.com/beourguest
Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyBeautyAndTheBeast

Hashtag: #beourguest

Movie Reviews

@Keishamaze Movie Review: Does Assassin’s Creed Break the Video Game Movie Curse?

by KristinLeave a Comment on @Keishamaze Movie Review: Does Assassin’s Creed Break the Video Game Movie Curse?

 

Directed by: Justin Kurzel

Starring: Marion Cotillard, Michael Fassbender, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Ariane Labed and Charlotte Rampling

Rated: PG-13

Assassin’s Creed reunites director Justin Kurzel and actors Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender (who worked together on 2015’s Macbeth) for a fun adaptation of the the popular video game.

The story centers on Calum Lynch (Fassbender), a descendant of a secret society known as the Assassins. He’s recruited by Sophia Rikkin (Cotillard) and subsequently forced into the Animus, advanced technology which unlocks his genetic memory and allows him to assume the life of his ancestor Aguilar during the Spanish Inquisition. It’s these flashbacks that allow him to acquire the skills needed to take down the modern day Templars who are holding him and other Assassins hostage.

Fassbender says they chose that timeline because “we wanted to get a brand new timeline from the games and play wit history.” That means this original story is now canon in the game world. As such, Kurzel focused on making the 15th century scenes as accurate as possible by using real locations and avoiding the camp that befalls many a movie adapted from a video game. What follows is a series of beautifully shot scenes with minimal dialogue that almost make you feel like you’re in the game. And according to Fassbender, he performed about 95% of the stunts (just not that 150 ft Leap of Faith because…well, you know!) to add to the authenticity.

I can’t say that this breaks the video game movie curse but it does put forth a decent effort. The Aminus scenes alone are worth the ticket price because they deliver all the action you could ever want from the film. Rather than showing a guy writhing in a chair, Kurzel makes him more active by adapting the Animus into a mobile arm that allows Lynch to jump and flip—those scenes perfectly intercut with the ones in which his ancestor is performing the same actions.

Where the film falters is in the storylines outside of 15th Century Spain. In the real world, Sophia believes she’s doing good by her subjects when, really, she’s only after the Apple of Eden which supposedly fixes the aggression trait in people. She thinks she can save humanity with it but her father Rikkin (played by Jeremy Irons) believes subjugation is the way to go. There is a lot of story in this film which makes it a little hard to follow at times. Plus, they drag down the pace. On top of that, we’re also dealing with an interesting group of assassins we barely get to see. I often found myself wondering who they were and from which timeline their ancestors came from.

Still, it’s an enjoyable film overall and not the worst of the bunch. Since we’ve only scratched the surface with the assassins, it’s clear that more films will follow. According to the Playlist, Fassbender says the movie was originally intended to be a trilogy. If they do decide to continue the story, I hope Kurzel’s team fixes the pacing and realizes that they don’t need to cram so much into one film. Makes for a smoother ride.

-Keisha (@Keishamaze)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Assassin’s Creed is out in theaters now.

Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Movie Review: COLLATERAL BEAUTY

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Written by Jesus Figueroa (@Thisfunktional)

Despite being a story around Will Smith’s character, Edward Norton steals “Collateral Beauty” with a charismatic and honest performance.

Howard, played by Smith, is mourning the loss of his daughter by writing letters to three abstractions, time, love and death.

Smith is a fantastic actor who portrays an emotional character with so much grief. He is dramatic and can pull the emotions out of anyone who has dealt with loss.

When his three business associates – Whit, played by Norton, Claire, played by Kate Winslet, and Simon, played by Michael Peña – decide to hire to actors – Brigitte, played by Helen Mirren, Amy, Played by Keira Knightley, and Raffi, played by Jacob Latimore – to play Death, Love and Time and to go to Howard and answer his letters.

Norton is just fantastic playing a humorous, yet emotional business man dealing with life after divorce and having a daughter that dislikes him because of it. He grabs hold of the audience’s attention and steals the spotlight from Smith.

Knightley is brilliant in her role and matches with Norton having several scenes throughout the movie which stand out. Her emotion feels true and can lead the audience to sympathize with her.

Winslet is great, for what is seen of her story. There’s not much the audience can grab on to about her character and leaves the story of her character lacking.

Peña is convincing as his character, but much like Winslet is not really seen as much and does not give enough of his back story to let audiences connect with his character.

Mirren is fantastic as an actress and as Death. She is one of the positive parts of the movie which audiences will enjoy.

Latimore embodies the youthfulness of his character well and gives some aggressiveness to his portrayal of time. He delivers his lines with such ease that audiences can lose themselves into his story and have it flow out like natural speech.

The entire story is difficult to sum up, but its a great story for the holiday season.

I give this drama a 3 out of 5 Popcorns. Although it has great parts to the story and the complexity is refreshing, it targets an audience which has dealt with major loss. The movie fells much like a stage production and yet much of the actual story feels left out. The overall story of Howard can get drowned out by the amazing acting from the supporting cast. The resolution seems to come out so quickly and runs long to where more is explained than what feels needed.

“Collateral Beauty” is now in theaters.

Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Movie Review: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

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Written by Jesus Figueroa (@Thisfunktional)

Filling in the gap between Star Wars Episode III and Episode IV, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is dark rebellion story with complex characters.

As the rebel alliance gets information of the empire making a secret weapon they go on the hunt for for the blueprints.

Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna, finds Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, who is the daughter of Galen Erso, played by Mads Mikkelsen, who designed the Death Star and builds in a secret weak spot.

Luna is fantastic and is prominent in the story. He comes into the story as an anti-hero with a deep complex character that evolves throughout the story.

Jones is a compelling and matches well with Luna. The two together are a great addition to the Star Wars universe.

Mikkelsen is one of the best parts of this movie as he is a compelling character who is designing the Death Star under threat of being killed if he does not help.

The story falls on Cassian’s shoulders and keeps a serious tone with some comical moments which keeps some hope in a dark story.

There are few throwbacks to the original Star Wars series with appearances from several of the classic characters making an appearance.

There’s a huge reveal at the end, which gives fans something to look forward to.

I give this sci-fi movie 4 out of 5 Popcorns. Diego Luna carries this story great and does so not masking his accent and as a prominent figure. The supporting cast is able to give great performances, but Luna still stands out from the supporting cast. Felicity Jones is a strong character as well. The movie has no distinguishing qualities from any other Star Wars movies.  The cameos from classic characters give fans some excitement, even when everyone knows where this story ends.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is open in theaters now with some special presentation in 4XD.

Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Reviews: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

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Written by Jesus Figueroa (Thisfunktional.com)

Take another trip into the Harry Potter Universe, but this time the trip takes audiences back into history to discover “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

The wondrous imagery on screen is matched with a splendid story told with a different tone than the Harry Potter franchise established.

Wizard-writer Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, comes to New York in 1926 where he comes into contact with a secret community of witches and wizards.

Redmayne is charming and grabs the attention of the audience by being bizarre and curious onscreen. This role was brilliant as he can play off of his supporting cast which dazzle at his side.

Newt comes into a No-Maj, American for Muggle or someone who does not practice magic, named Jacob, played by Dan Fogler, who unintentionally causes obstacles for Newt on his travels.

Fogler is part of the heart of the movie and with such an innocence and naive nature that quickly he becomes an audience favorite. Despite not having any magic, Fogler’s performance is brilliant.

To increase the troubles, a witch by the name of Porpentina, played by Katherine Waterston, wants to get back in good standing with the secret witch and wizard society and brings in Newt to turn him in for almost revealing the witch and wizard community in New York.

Waterston plays a fantastic female lead. She is able to fit well as a strange and quirky counterpart to Redmayne. The two actors mesh together well and create an enjoyable partnership.

With a brilliant story, which takes twists and turns to keep the audience’s attention, the action sequences full of magic and wonder have substance behind them.

The conflict only grows as the story progresses and keeps the villain a mystery.

Writer J.K. Rowling did a fantastic job of sticking to this Harry Potter universe well, but gives audiences a taste of how truly magical and action packed this universe can be.

Director David Yates keeps a steady pace going throughout, which is just fast enough to always feel like the movie is going forward and not dragging along.

The ending is surprising, it doesn’t matter how much of the story is figured out during the movie, there’s ways an element which catches the audience off-guard.

I give this movie 4 out of 5. It’s just about perfect. There’s so many good elements, great actors, beautiful cinematography, amazing visual effects, especially on a giant Real D 3D premiere screen, but there could have been more magical fantastic beasts involved in the story. It’s a movie that is worth paying the extra money to watch in theaters and every surprise will catch people’s attention.

“Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them” is out in theaters Nov. 11.

Movie Reviews

Keisha Reviews FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

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Written by Keisha Hatchett

Director: David Yates

Writer: J.K. Rowling

Rating: PG-13

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a wonderful leap back into J.K. Rowlings magical world, but it’s not what you might think. While it does tie into the Harry Potter timelime, this one is set in 1926 it New York City. It also centers on a Hufflepuff named Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) rather than a boy with a lightning bolt on his forehead.

Expelled from Hogwarts in England, Schamander travels overseas to America with a tiny brown suitcase full of magical creatures. When he accidentally swaps cases with a no-maj (American muggle) named Jacob (Dan Fogler), some of those precious beings escape and he embarks on an adventure to return them. Along for the ride are Tina (Katherine Waterston), who works for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), and her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol), a sultry mindreader.

There are familiar elements, like the constant struggle for witches and wizards to hide magic from no-majs. And then there’s the theme of abused children, which appears in much of Rowling’s works, as Credence (Ezra Miller) often finds himself on the receiving end of corporal punishment by his foster mother, Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton).

According to director David Yates, he’ll play a major part in the next movies to come. Here, might call him the secondary star. His haunting portrayal of an abused, repressed teen manifests physically in his crouched stance and the submissive way he interacts with Auror Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), whom he’s covertly working with.

“Credence…maybe want isn’t a sufficient word for him because he’s really seeking all this stuff that he desperately needs and Graves is sort of dispensing those things to keep Credence in his trap,” Ezra told me of their relationship. It’s one that feels inappropriate to watch, but at the same time, you can’t turn away.

And that’s the biggest difference between this story and the one about the Boy Who Lived. While Potter’s world was filled some moments of darkness, it never presented such an unsettling relationship as the one between Graves and Credence. Fantastic Beasts also delivers a completely different dynamic, in that we’re focused on four complex adults who’ve already had their coming of age tales. That’s not to say Potterheads won’t enjoy this film. It still has all the main ingredients: magic, wonder, heart, and a group of super talented British (and Irish and American) actors.

In other words, what are you contemplating? You know this movie will be great! Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them heads to theaters on November 18.

Final Grade: A

Movies

@Thisfunktional Movie Review: LOVING

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@Thisfunktional Movie Review: LOVING

Written by Jesus Figueroa (@Thisfunktional)

The story of the loving couple who changed nation to the supreme court case Loving V. Virginia, which brought the right to love anyone regardless of color, gets told in an impactful way in “Loving.”

Loving V. Virginia is taught in history classes and law classes, the story gets told and it’s moving. In this age it seems that the nation is seeing similar prejudice.

“Loving” tells the story of Richard, played by Joel Edgerton, and Mildred Loving, Ruth Negga, who after getting married go through some tough trials.

Edgerton has a stoic demeanor with a quiet yet strong look. There are few words that come from Edgerton, but the moments which went down in history are made that much more intense.

Negga has a charm which is innocent and strong. Her manner of delivering lines captures a southern woman in that era.

The couple got married and then spent the following nine years fighting to be recognized as a legal married couple and a family in their hometown in Virginia.

The manner in which many of the instances get depicted in a scary, yet realistic way.

From being arrested in the middle out the night out of their bedroom because they are an interracial married couple to being exiled from Virginia and all the turmoil there after.

The court battles are never really seen other than the climactic Supreme Court scene, but the one instant which leaves audiences silent comes splendid and unexpected.

As Richard’s lawyer asks him what he wants the Supreme Court judge to know the stoic man of few words says, “Tell the judge I love my wife.”

Those words sticks when reading them in a history book, reading them in a thick law book and now when hearing them spoken from Edgerton.

I give this bio-pic 4 out of 5 Popcorns. Being so familiar with the story I’ve seen several productions that have tried to do justice to the story and they all fall short of telling a compelling story. This movie, although it is slow-paced, is well developed and shows enough to capture the attention of the audience, make them care about Richard and Mildred and it doesn’t push the boundaries to make the story feel unbelievable. There’s some moments which the true story has which could have suited the story and the impactful nature of it.

Movie Reviews

Phenomenal Movie HACKSAW RIDGE Brings True Hero to Big Screen

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Written by Jesus Figueroa, Thisfunktional.com

Unbelievable true story of non-violent heroism in the midst of one of the most violent battlefields of World War II, “Hacksaw Ridge” shows true heroism can be more surprising than any superhero story.

Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, held true to his beliefs through many trials and opposition to show how his undying trust in his faith could bring him more power than any man made weapon.

Garfield was fantastic in the role. He took on a larger-than-life true-to-life character and with some wit and charm was able to portray him in a truthful and relatable manner.

The movie stays at a steady pace which makes each scene, each test Desmond is put through and each character more intense.

Director Mel Gibson finds a way to contrast a beautiful story of love and faith with the gruesome reality of war.

Gibson truly takes on a monumental story and is able to guide his fantastic cast of actors to give a raw feel to the emotions through subtle dialogue and powerful performances.

Through the story the trials of Desmond seem too hard to go through and at points he becomes a person too selfless to be true, but, through trust in his faith, Desmond takes on all challenges and obstacles head on.

The spectacular true story is adapted for the big screen in a great way, is shown in a realistic manner and can be enjoyed by audiences.

Checkout the highlights from the “Hacksaw Ridge” press conference for some more information on the story, the casts’ reactions to it and how the movie came to be.

I give this war movie 4 out of 5 Popcorns. The movie as a whole shows the power of determination and faith. The acting from all the cast members is phenomenal, from Andrew Garfield as the lead, Teresa Palmer and Vince Vaughn to all the extras in the battlefield.

“Hacksaw Ridge” is in theaters Nov. 4.
Movie Reviews

#Thisfunktional #FathomEvents Brought Adam West’s Batman Back to the Big Screen

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Written by Jesus Figueroa

Fathom Event’s brought new animation “Batman Return of the caped Crusaders” to the big screen with a special intro by the cast of AMC’s “Geeking Out.”

With Tiffany Smith, Kevin Smith and Greg Grunberg of “Geeking Out” exchanging stories of their introductions to Batman and how the caped crusader has impacted their lives, the intro gives a bit more of a nostalgia factor as Adam West voices Batman, Burt Ward voices Robin and Julie Newmar voices Catwoman once again.

There’s something about West’s Batman which keeps fans returning to this version of Batman.

The animated feature has the caped crusaders facing four of their iconic villains, but also has one surprise adversary which is unexpected.

The voices of Jeff Bergman as the Joker, William Salyers as the Penguin and Wally Wingert as the Riddler blend well with the style that West’s Batman is known for.

This story feels like actual fans of West’s Batman took great care to properly honor the classic series.

“Batman return of the Caped Crusaders” is available on Digital HD on Oct. 11 and will be available on Blu-ray on Nov. 1.

I give this animated movie 5 out of 5 Popcorns. The original voices are great to set the story in the same Batman storyline as the classic series. The comedy of this version of Batman is well set and much more than a dark knight, this Batman makes audiences believe that being a good person, good citizen and conscious of positive beliefs can make a hero. It’s a much different Batman than audiences have had for the recent versions of Batman. The use alliteration and tone keep audiences glued to the screen.

Movie Reviews

Movie Review by Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ | ‘The Darkness’ : Never Take Things That Don’t Belong to You!

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review by Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ | ‘The Darkness’ : Never Take Things That Don’t Belong to You!

The Darkness

From the Producers of The Purge and Insidious comes THE DARKNESS…

A family returns from a Grand Canyon vacation, haunted by an ancient supernatural entity they unknowingly awakened and engages them in a fight for their survival. The Darkness is directed by Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) and stars Kevin Bacon and David Mazouz (Gotham).

So, what did I think of THE DARKNESS?

OK…before I tell you – – I gotta share my freaky story.

So I watched this late last night – – like around 12:30 – – right in the middle of the movie – – when everything starts getting crazy – – all of sudden – on my 2 yr old’s baby monitor – I start to hear him talk. Crazy. I know. Question is…

Was he dreaming OR was he talking to ‘something’ or ‘someone?’ I guess I’ll never know – unless it happens again tonight. (lol)

OK, OK. Enough of that. What did I think of THE DARKNESS?

I like it. It was actually better than I expected. I’m always on the fence when it comes to supernatural PG-13 movies.

I thought the cast did a great job. Kevin Bacon (dad) was cool. Radha Mitchell (mom) was cool. Lucy Fry (daughter) was really cool. She had some intense moments – – very believable. David Mazouz (son) was really cool as well. This kid’s got some acting chops. It’s crazy to see how sophisticated he is as Bruce Wayne on Gotham – – – but in this – – he did good.

I thought the special effects were dope.

I thought the story of the ‘ancient demons’ were pretty sweet.

I thought the movie had some jumpy moments here and there…but nothing really scary.

I think THE DARKNESS is worth the watch – especially if you’re into movie like this.

Oh – – on the Blu-ray + Digital HD copy I got – – on the front cover it says: INCLUDES SHOCKING ALTERNATE ENDING!

I watched it…and personally…I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad they didn’t go with that ending instead. Yeah. I wasn’t a fan. (lol)

I give THE DARKNESS…3 out of 5 popcorns!

 

Mike “The Movie Guy” Pierce
http://iwatchmike.com

Movie Reviews

MOVIE REVIEW: #UNDRAFTED

by KristinLeave a Comment on MOVIE REVIEW: #UNDRAFTED

Undrafted-Movie-600x304[1]

Hey there!

I had the chance to sit down and check out Undrafted this weekend and I’m glad I did!

SYNOPSIS: When twelve ragtag teammates set out to play what should be a meaningless summer intramural baseball game, it ends up becoming the most important game of their lives. 

Did I enjoy it? Absolutely! The cast was great, and it honestly didn’t even feel like I was watching a movie. It felt like I was actually there watching these guys out on the field. Now, I’m a baseball fan so I’ve been looking forward to this movie for a while now. Throw in a cast like this and it was sure to be a feel good movie. Based on the true story of John Mazzello (a/k/a Mazetti in the film played by Aaron Tveit – Graceland, Grease Live) and how he was overlooked in the major league draft, this movie follows a motley crew of guys including Dells (Tyler Hoechlin – Teen Wolf, upcoming SuperGirl), Pat Murray (Joseph Mazzello – Jurassic Park, Radio Flyer), Barone (Chase Crawford – Gossip Girl) and Zapata (Manny Montana – Graceland) playing in a game not all seem to take seriously.

This is Mazzello’s directorial debut and while it’s clearly missing the big budget production of other movies, that’s part of what I liked about it! You really find yourself rooting for these guys despite their craziness!

Side note: I’m a big fan of Graceland, which was cancelled WAY too soon, so seeing Manny Montana and Aaron Tveit back on screen together again made me happy!

Check it out and let me know what you think! You can catch it in select theatres OR you can buy/rent it on iTunes now!

 

Production: Dead Fish Films, Parlay Pictures
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Cast: Aaron Tveit, Chace Crawford, Tyler Hoechlin, Joe Mazzello, Philip Winchester, Jay Hayden, Michael Fishman, Billy Gardell, Jim Belushi, Manny Montana, Ryan Pinkston, Duke Davis Roberts
Director/Screenwriter: Joe Mazzello
Producers: Eric Fischer, Brianna Lee Johnson, Joe Mazello
Executive Producers: Tony Romo, Chace Crawford
Director of Photography: Adrian Correia
Production Designer: Anthony Eikner
Editor: Sharon Rutter
Costume Designers: Christopher Lawrence, Sarah Evelyn Bram
Casting: Elizabeth Barnes, Corbin Bronson

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

the-secret-life-of-pets-movie[1]Hey guys!

So I finally made it out to the movies last night to see ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ and it was hilarious! Everything about it was great…the graphics, the storyline, the comedic aspect. It’s definitely a great movie to see with the family. My niece, who is 12, wanted to see The Purge instead but she actually really liked this one! If you’re a pet owner who wonders what your pet does when you leave the house, you’ll really get a kick out of this movie! Max (Louis C.K.) and Duke (Eric Stonestreet) don’t like each other at first, but when they’re almost captured by Animal Control, they need the help of their neighborhood friends to help save them from the villain bunny, Snowball (Kevin Hart). The dialogue is hilarious in this movie from start to finish!

So head on out to the theater with the family and check it out! Let me know what you think!

SYNOPSIS: A terrier named Max’s quiet life is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.

Director: Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud
Writers: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio and Brian Lynch
Cast: Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Chris Renaud, Steve Coogan

‘The Secret Life of Pets’ is NOW PLAYING in theaters and Real D 3-D

 

Movie Reviews, Movies

Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Movie Review: Worry Dolls

by KristinLeave a Comment on Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Movie Review: Worry Dolls

On June 22 I posted a press release for the upcoming UK release of WORRY DOLLS.

Well guess what?! I got the chance to watch it…


WORRY DOLLS – TRAILER from Jinga Films on Vimeo.

What did I think of WORRY DOLLS…

I liked it.

I thought it had a great start. (lol) It jumps right into action! In the first 10 minutes of the movie – SERIOUS blood and brains. Texas Chainsaw Massacre style. (lol) Loved it. I think that’s one of the main things I liked about the movie – – the special effects. They definitelys didn’t hold back – – for a movie that didn’t seem to have a huge budget – I thought they got the job done!

I enjoyed the serial killer.

I enjoyed the dolls.

I dug it all.

I give WORRY DOLLS… 3 1/2 out of 5 popcorns.

 

Mike “The Movie Guy” Pierce
iwatchmike.com

Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Movies Review INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE

by KristinLeave a Comment on @Thisfunktional Movies Review INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE

@thisfunktional Podcast: Movie Review – INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE

Written by Jesus Figueroa

Jesus, @Thisfunktional of Thisfunktional.com, talks about “Independence Day Resurgence.”

This movie definitely has an audience, but not Thisfunktional. Although, as an action movie it did good, there were many parts to the movie that were less than enjoyable.

I give this action movie 2 out of 5 Popcorns. Not my cup of tea at all, Lacked so much that the first part had. Cast, although great, weren’t a good fit.

 

“Independence Day Resurgence” 

opened in theaters June 24

Follow and interact with Jesus:

Twitter – @Thisfunktional

Instagram – @Thisfunktional

Facebook – ThisfunktionalLA

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Movie Reviews

@Thisfunktional Retro Movie review: The Original 1984 Ghostbusters

by KristinLeave a Comment on @Thisfunktional Retro Movie review: The Original 1984 Ghostbusters

Written by Jesus Figueroa

The original “Ghostbusters” from 1984 holds up the test of time.

It was fantastic to sit in a theater for a special Fathom Events movie screening for a movie that came out the year I was born.

There are a few Fathom events coming up, check out FathomEvents.com to see a listing of the ones which will be available close to you.

“Ghostbusters” has been a movie which I’ve seen on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray and is a part of my collection.

Getting to see it on the big screen was surreal and fantastic to hear children laughing at the jokes.

The fantastic look of film could be seen and the well developed story entertained.

Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

The supernatural comedy has a magnificent plot with a spectacular cast.

Dr. Peter Venkman, played by Bill Murray, Dr. Raymond Stantz, played by Dan Aykroyd, and Dr. Egon Spengler, played by Harold Ramis and later they are joined by Winston Zeddmore, played by Ernie Hudson.

Aykroyd and Ramis wrote “Ghostbusters” and with Murray and Hudson completed a stellar leading cast.

With Sigourney Weaver playing Dana, who is haunted by Zuul, Annie Potts playing the Ghostbuster’s receptionist Janine Melnitz and Rick Moranis playing Louis Tully the cast is just beyond belief.

There’s so many movies coming out with such talented casts, but not only are all these cast members talented, they work great together and combined to make this movie a classic.

With the remake of “Ghostbusters” coming up, catching up on the original, and the sequel “Ghostbusters 2,” is a must.

The screening ended with a sneak peek of the new “Ghostbusters.”

“Ghostbusters,” the original from 1984, and “Ghostbusters 2” are available 4K HD Blu-ray

The “Ghostbusters” remake opens in theaters July 15.

Movie Reviews

Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Movie Review: Careful What You Wish For

by KristinLeave a Comment on Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Movie Review: Careful What You Wish For

I actually just finished watching CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…like literally. I just took off the headphones…climbed out of bed…trying not to wake the wifey…walked through the living room…trying not to wake the dog…who could possibly wake up our ‘almost’ 2 year old son…all this…for Mr. Nick Jonas. (lol)

Careful What You Wish For

Did I like the movie?

I did. Any type of movie that can get my ‘WTF feelings’ going – – is alright with me. (lol)

Here’s what the movie’s about – OH…DO NOT watch the trailer. I know some of you girls will be tempted to – – DON’T! Personally…I thought it gave away too much.

Careful What You Wish For

Ok – real quick. Nick Jonas plays a young dude named Doug. He comes with parents to a little vacation spot – does a little summer work before heading off to college. One day – he notices a couple moving next door – – – the husband played by 1988’s YOUNG GUNS Dermot Mulroney – – he’s a rich douche who happens to have a super hot wife named Lena, played by the lovely Isabel Lucas. Right off the bat – she’s gives him the old ‘I wanna meet your penis look.’ Well – that’s what it looked like to me. (lol) Instead of playing it smart – – – his penis does all the thinking and decision making for him and well…it gets a little ‘complicated.’ (lol)

Careful What You Wish For

You get the picture. Right? Well…I hope so. (lol)

Like I said before – I liked the movie.

20 minutes into the movie I was like, “WTF Nick Jonas?!”

40 minutes into the movie I was like, “WTF Nick Jonas?!”

Last 20 minutes of the movie I was like, “WTF Nick Jonas..you idiot!”

Careful What You Wish For

See. This movie got my emotions going. (lol) I thought Nick Jonas did a great job in the acting department. It was super cool seeing Paul Sorvino is this. (I’m a fan)

I could see the girls loving this one – – Nick Jonas sexy time. Nick Jonas with his shirt off. Nick Jonas in just his boxer shorts. (lol) Yeah, yeah…he works out. (lol) Personally…my eyes were locked on Lena, the crazy, seductive chick. (lol)

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR hits theaters and On Demand this Friday. The same day as Nick Jonas’s new album drops – Niceeeeee dude. Nice.

If you happen to check it out the movie – let me know your thoughts.

I give CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR… 3 out of 5 popcorns. It could be a cool solo or date flick…which ever floats your boat….get it? BOAT. (lol)

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Me Before You #LiveBoldly

by KristinLeave a Comment on Movie Review: Me Before You #LiveBoldly

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Directed By: Thea Sharrock

Written By: Jojo Moyes

Starring: Sam Claflin, Emilia Clarke, Vanessa Kirby, Matthew Lewis, Jenna Coleman, Janet McTeer, Charles Dance, Stephen Peacocke, Ben Lloyd-Hughes

SYNOPSIS: A wealthy London man’s life is turned upside down when he is paralyzed in a car accident. When a young woman from a small town is hired to be his caregiver, the two form an unlikely bond.

 

Anyone who has seen the trailer for ‘Me Before You’ knows they’ll need tissues when they actually see the movie.  If you think you’re the exception…think again!  Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games) shine in this beautifully tragic love story from beginning to end.  Emilia’s character, Lou, is a quirky, chatty, happy-go-lucky young woman who is searching for a job to help support her family.  Sam’s character, Will, is quite the opposite.  He’s a wealthy, adventurous young businessman who becomes quadriplegic after a tragic accident.  With the help of Nathan, Will’s nurse, and Will’s parents, Lou tries to make Will feel alive again.  The story is beautiful and has so much potential, but I wish there was a bit more.  It starts off a bit slow (not complaining because the content was good) but at some point it just began to feel rushed as far as their relationship goes.  I’m sure the novel fills in those gaps but, in any case, the pacing of the story doesn’t ruin the heartfelt moments in the latter part of the movie.  It also doesn’t discredit the wonderful acting, writing and directing involved with this film.  Claflin and Clarke have great chemistry together!  The pacing issue, in my opinion, happens sometimes when they make films based on novels.  It’s impossible to fit everything in.  Either way,  I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good love story!