Baby Driver Movie Review

June 28, 2017 (updated August 6, 2017)

Baby Driver is frenzied; just a CrAzY wild ride!! It was written, directed and edited with schizophrenic prowess. In the theatre this weekend, because I know you’re going to go see this, sit back and prepare to have your body attacked by an insanely high energy film where there will be no relief for you from the intensity of the madness playing out on the screen. Your eyes and ears will be assaulted and your body will stiffen but when you walk out of that theatre you’re going to say (I know you will) ‘I gotta see that again!’ The cinematography, stunts and the special effects are just that good.

The title refers to Baby (Elgort) who is an extremely talented driver of the getaway vehicles he drives for Doc (Spacey). Doc is the big crime boss of Atlanta; even has some city police in his back pocket. Not that Baby is long in the tooth, but when he was much younger, Baby did a stupid thing and took what wasn’t his; that thing belonged to Doc. A bit eccentric and untrusting of people, Doc never works with the same crew twice and ever since except for this exceptional driver. Luckily for Doc, Baby is paying Doc back by driving his bank robbing crew to safety until his debt is square. Luckily for Baby, who isn’t a ‘bad guy’ that time is coming soon. The film starts when he only has a few jobs left. He desperately wants free of this obligation because the crews that Doc is hiring of late are getting worse and things are getting more dangerous.

What’s so exhilarating about this flick is that we don’t go into the bank with the crew and see the heist. We’re inside the getaway car with Baby, waiting for them to come out and get them to a particular destination where they have yet another vehicle waiting for them to calmly drive away from the getaway car in case they were seen. When Baby has his earbuds in, we are listening to the music with him and the music makes a lot of these scenes. It’s a well-chosen soundtrack for us to jam to when he’s driving through the gorgeous city of Atlanta; running from cops at high speeds. Why he loves cars and why he’s into music is because when he was a child, he was in the car when his parents were killed in an accident. He was listening to music when the car rammed into the back of a truck and ever since, he has a ringing in his ears. Playing his music is the only thing that momentarily gives him peace from this affliction. That is until he meets Debora (James). She gives him hope that there can be a life for him after his criminal behavior. Debora wants what he wants and in their shared vision of the future, driving fast isn’t in the cards. However, with Doc in the picture, is driving slow an option?

See Baby Driver… today!! You’ll laugh, you’ll be shocked, and you’ll jump out of your seat. Its fast pace will get your adrenaline running and its ending will surprise you… so will the appearance of Paul Williams! Now, I KNOW you’re intrigued and I know you’re seeing it this weekend if not today, right? Have fun and enjoy one of the best and most unique action films to be released in a long time.

Here’s a chancence to experience a special Planet of the Apes triple feature on Wednesday, July12th

June 27, 2017

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM TO HOLD SPECIAL PLANET OF THE APES TRIPLE FEATURE

Audiences Will Have the Chance to Experience the Trilogy in Full and Be Among the First to See “War For The Planet Of The Apes” In RealD 3D

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 23, 2017) – To celebrate the epic final showdown between apes and humans in the upcoming War for the Planet of the Apes, Twentieth Century Fox Film will give audiences a chance to experience a special Planet of the Apes triple feature on Wednesday, July12^th. For one price, Planet of the Apes fans will be able to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2D, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 3D, and be among the first to see the upcoming War for the Planet of the Apes in 3D. An exclusive commemorative item will be available to all guests who attend the Planet Of The Apes Triple Feature in RealD 3D, while supplies last. This exclusive artwork is produced by Shepard Fairey in collaboration with Studio Number One.

Tickets for War for the Planet of the Apes and the triple feature are now on sale at:

http://www.apesmovietickets.com/

All films are rated PG-13.

In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

Twentieth Century Fox Film will release War for the Planet of the Apes in theaters everywhere July 14^th.

About Twentieth Century Fox Film

One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of Twentieth Century Fox Film: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

The Beguiled Movie Review

June 23, 2017 (updated July 21, 2017)

The Beguiled is a film based on a film based on a novel. The previous film is from 1971 and starred Clint Eastwood. I haven’t seen the original but it is definitely in my plans for summer watching after seeing writer/director Sofia Coppola’s take on Thomas P. Cullinan’s written work. Before getting into the film, I’d like to mention that I’m glad it was made. Not only am I happy to re-enter the world of 70’s classics but this is another film that solidifies the reemergence of three of its stars careers, not to mention the director’s, as well. The Beguiled earned Coppola some praise from Cannes this year which means more films from her for me to watch; pretty well always a good thing. I had all but given up on Kirsten Dunst. She has worked throughout the years, but she needed a film to introduce her as a grown up and this seems to be that film. Nicole Kidman is always good but I want more of her. She has this innate ability to weave in and out of characters and makes them completely believable; she’s flawless. I applaud her work and with Lion and this, I believe she should be considered the new Streep. Work more, woman! Colin Farrell hasn’t been in much either but he seems to be choosing parts very selectively, of late. His roles seem to be more developed. With The Lobster, the best work he’s done in my opinion, and this, I think we’ll see him continue to play in the arena with the big boys.

Now that I’ve let you know you won’t be disappointed in the cast, let me tell you a bit more about the film itself. The Beguiled is set during the Civil War. It’s the story of a Union soldier in the south, John McBurney (Farrell), who after being wounded badly in the leg, is found by a kind little girl who gets him help. She takes him to her all-female boarding school. The school is being run by two women, headmistress Martha Farnsworth (Kidman) and a teacher by the name of Edwina Dabney (Dunst). They’re not too excited about a wicked man from the north being in their school but they are women of God and decide the Christian thing to do is to help him. Luckily Martha is good with a sewing needle.

The ages of the girls in the school range from around 10 to late teens, Alicia, (Fanning) being the oldest. The girls aren’t around men and are all aflutter when one so good looking is in their midst. Some aren’t happy that he’s a yank and want to hand him over to the soldiers on their side but still are smitten. This is incredibly delightful to watch play out. I was ecstatic that the film was directed by a woman because Coppola really plays to her female audience with the way the girls fawn over him. As he’s on the mend, each parades into his room to entertain him in every way they can think of. They pay more attention to their wardrobes, too, as they fall in love with their charge. It’s obvious to John, Martha and Edwina that the girls are batting their eyes quite a bit. While watching some of these scenes, you’re propelled back to a time when you felt the flush of love in your young cheeks. It’s adorable. Martha and Edwina have also noticed his lovely face, very friendly character and that he’s in terrific shape; makeup and jewelry become the order of the day.

John is aware that the women are in need of company and begins to take advantage of that fact. They entertain him in many ways as he plays to their affections. Sexual tension builds which brings out the comedic aspect of the film but also many dark elements as it, in many ways, gets to the heart of humankind. This being the case, you have a very well paced, well written, incredibly well-acted film that Coppola may consider her best to date. Each girl is very accomplished for her age, plays to her strength and is genuine in her role, particularly Rice whom I believe is the best find since her co-star Fanning.

This is a see this weekend. Take a wee small break from the summer actions or you’ll never forgive yourself. This movie deserves your attention. Okay, could the movie have ended better? Yes. It was so good but the ending does have some degree of disappointment, however, it’s quality work from awe-inspiring talent and you will not walk away unsatisfied.
*Limited release in NY and LA today; nationaly release on June 30th!

‘Making History’ a War for the Planet of the Apes Featurette

June 21, 2017 (updated June 21, 2017)

“Making History” highlights Andy Serkis’ amazing performance in WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES and the incredible VFX work done by Weta Digital to bring this movie to life.

Over the course of three films, Weta Digital has mastered the art of translating human actors to apes. The apes level of sentience has developed throughout each film and so too have Weta Digital’s techniques and toolsets. Developing some of the most advanced techniques in the industry Weta artists employ these tools to create exceptional CG characters.

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES

Action/Drama

Release: July 14, 2017

Director: Matt Reeves

Written by: Mark Bomback & Matt Reeves

Producers: Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver

Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller, Karin Konoval, Judy Greer & Terry Notary

SYNOPSIS

In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES Official Channels

WEBSITE: WarForThePlanet.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ApesMovies

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ApesMovies

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ApesMovies/

#WarForThePlanet

Transformers: The Last Knight Movie Review

June 20, 2017 (updated June 20, 2017)

Bayhem: defined as the non-stop assault of wild images and loud sounds that come at you from a movie directed by Michael Bay. That is what is expected from his movies, and “Transformers: The Last Knight” will not disappoint the Bay fans out there. It is a long, non-stop and nonsensical action meat grinder of a movie. Are there giant robots – yes of course. Are there gaping plot holes – yes of course. Are there spectacular scenes of motion and movement – yes of course. Will Bay fans eat it up – yes, without a doubt.

To sum up: Autobots are good guy robots that transform into various vehicles. Decepticons are the bad guy robots that fight the Autobots, and they also transform. Autobots are led by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) who always pledges support to the humans. The robots go all the way back into history, back to the days of King Arthur. The last living descendant of Arthur, along with the “Last Knight” are needed to fend off an attack on Earth from the crazy robot who has taken over the robot planet and is going to smash it into the Earth. Or something like that…

Actually, there is a very broad outline of what goes on in this movie. There might be an overall plot line, but it is obscured by all the action set pieces. Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) is a friend of Optimus Prime and is hiding a group of Autobots in a junkyard in the dessert. Viviane Wembly (Isabela Moner) is a Professor at Oxford in England, and she is the final one related to Arthur. Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins) is an English earl with a vast knowledge of the Transformers history and why they are always coming back and mucking around on Earth. William Lennox (Josh Duhamel) is a military guy who is sometimes helping Cade and most times chasing after him. Due a set of some unclear circumstances, they all get together to work with the Autobots and save the world.

The action scenes are fantastic, yet the excessive editing cuts made them all look very choppy. The visual special effects are overwhelming and overbearing. They are done professionally and look terrific, yet the images are just thrown at you for more than two hours. It can just wear you down. The audio sound effects are growling and grinding and full of a lot of noise. There is a bombastic score playing under everything else, which increases the sound level. It is impressive and disturbing at the same time, like not being able to turn away from a bad car crash.

The story meanders from the US to England, where Sir Burton has brought Cade and Viviane together. There is some special staff that used to belong to Merlin, but it was given to him by an ancient Autobot. Viviane is the only one who control the staff, since she is the last of Arthur’s line. Cade had been given a special talisman that identifies him as “The Last Knight”. So, the major money of this movie went to the visual effects and not the script. However, there are a handful of performances that are OK. The plot is secondary to the stunning special effects, so call it a wash.

Mark Wahlberg is always a great action figure, even if the movie bumps into crazy dialog that could come from “The Happening”. He plays the earnest and trustworthy guy who can fight off anyone with his brains and brawn. Isabela Moner does a fair job in her role, nothing too special, but plays it with no problems. Anthony Hopkins does a delightful job as the slightly befuddled old guy who has a glint in his eye and tells you he knows more than he says. Just hope that he does not consider you a “friend that he would like to have for dinner”.

Granted, if Michael Bay is your thing and you have a deep appreciation for all things ‘Transformer’, then by all means, this is the movie for you. However, everyone else still need to determine how much of an action-packed blast in the face you can stand. If you have extra bucks, you can even see the “No Reason to be 3-D” version. It has 3-D on top of the already crowded screen of visual ADHD fever dreams. There are few scenes that use the 3-D to a good effect, but it sails through the film just fine without it.

More than likely “Transformers: The Last Knight” will make a ton of money, either here or abroad. Can it be too much to ask that Bay finally give up ‘his’ franchise? Or will he get enough incentive to come up with a sixth movie… “Transformers: The Ring of the Register”?

American Assassin Trailer

June 20, 2017 (updated June 20, 2017)

AMERICAN ASSASSIN

Directed by Michael Cuesta

Screenplay by Stephen Schiff and Michael Finch and Edward Zwick & Marshall Herskovitz

Based on the American Assassin novel in the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn

Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Nick Wechsler

Starring Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Shiva Negar, Scott Adkins and Taylor Kitsch

AMERICAN ASSASSIN follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Shiva Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Taylor Kitsch) intent on starting a World War in the Middle East.

For more info:

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In Theaters September 15th

http://www.fandango.com

Thank You for Your Service Trailer

June 20, 2017

DreamWorks Pictures’ Thank You for Your Service follows a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq who struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.

Starring an ensemble cast led by Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, Omar J. Dorsey and Jayson Warner Smith, the drama is based on the bestselling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author David Finkel.

Jason Hall, who wrote the screenplay of American Sniper, makes his directorial debut with Thank You for Your Service and also serves as its screenwriter. Jon Kilik (The Hunger Games series, Babel) produces the film, while Ann Ruark (Biutiful) executive produces.

Cast: Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, Omar J. Dorsey, Jayson Warner Smith

Directed by: Jason Hall

Written by: Jason Hall

Based on the Book by: David Finkel

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |#ThankYouForYourServiceMovie

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In Theaters October 27

http://www.fandango.com

The Beguiled Advance Movie Screening

June 19, 2017

Movie Screening Summary: “The Beguiled” is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.

http://www.thebeguiledmovie.com
https://www.facebook.com/BeguiledMovie/
https://twitter.com/beguiledmovie
https://www.instagram.com/beguiledmovie/

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Advance Movie Screening For The Beguiled

Find your chance to receive special advance movie screening passes below.

Phoenix, Arizona

Advance Movie Screening Details

Movie Screening Date: Tuesday, June 27th
Location: Harkins Scottsdale 101
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
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Las Vegas, Nevada

Advance Movie Screening Details

Movie Screening Date: Wednesday, June 28
Location: Century Suncoast
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
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Advance Movie Screening Information

To redeem a pass, simply click the Get Passes button. You will taken to our movie screening partner site (where you can sign up for a free account). Once you’ve done so, you’ll be able to print out your pass and bring it with you to your screening or event.

Admittance into a screening or event is not guaranteed with your pass. Events and advance screenings are filled on a ” first come, first served ” basis. To ensure that you stand a good chance of being admitted, we recommend that you show up 30 minutes to one hour early.

The number of admissions that are permissible for each pass are printed clearly on the ticket that you print out. You are allowed to bring as many guests as is indicated on your pass. For example, if your pass is for ” Admit Two, ” you can bring yourself and one guest. If you have an ” Admit One ” pass, you can bring only yourself.

If you have any other questions or comments, please contact us.

Rough Night Movie Review

June 16, 2017 (updated June 16, 2017)

“Rough Night” has a lot of promise, being a new original movie scripted and directed by a woman. It takes some cues from other raunchy R-rated movies, such as “The Hangover”, “Weekend at Bernie’s”, and “Very Bad Things”. However, the “Rough Night” turns out to be a ‘Rough Viewing”. There is a basic setup that could go on a beautiful honeymoon, but it fails to take its vows.

Five dorm buddies from 10 years ago now find themselves invited to a bachelorette party weekend in Miami. Jess (Scarlett Johansson) is finally getting married to her long-term boyfriend Peter (Paul W. Downs). Jess is running for state senate, but she needs some down time. Her best friend is Alice (Jillian Bell) and she is planning a crazy time. Also invited are Frankie (Ilana Glazer) and Blair (Zoë Kravitz).

When they are in Miami, they find that Jess also invited her friend from her Study Abroad trip to Australia. Pippa (Kate McKinnon) is new to all the other girls and there is some friction at first. But they do all do cocaine, drink a lot and dance at the clubs. When they get back, they stay at house that a donor has let Jess use for the weekend. Frankie calls up and gets a private male stripper.

Soon a man arrives, and he attempts to seduce Jess. Jess turns him down, but Alice gets a little too wild. The guy bangs his head and bleeds out onto the floor. All of the women start to freak out, but they decide to dispose of the body. They are at a beach house, and Pippa takes a Ski Jet out to dump the poor guy in the deep briny. But they are discovered by the creepy sex-pervert couple next door. Blair needs to keep them, ahem, distracted.

Soon another guy arrives in a police outfit. They knock him out and find out he is the stripper. But then who is the dead guy? Meanwhile, Peter thinks that Jess in trouble, and he has no other option than to do the “Sad Astronaut”. That means driving straight from D.C. to Miami with no stops, wearing a diaper and drinking Red Bulls.

Then the situation gets resolved, but it really has taken a turn for the worse. The women are hysterical, crude and morally indefensible. They keep adding worse choices on top the bad ones they have already made. The scenes all seem forced and not very pleasing to watch. There are some talented actresses in the movie, but none of them are making too much of an effort. Scarlett Johansson appears to be biding her time until they make a solo “Black Widow” movie.

The most awful is Kate McKinnon, who is most annoying with the fake Australian accent. It is like the movie part was written for an actual Australian (perhaps Rebel Wilson), but instead McKinnon came up and decided to do the part. Her character just removes any hint actual comedy or true drama that could have been there.

The movie could have been a hot ticket with the female audience and having a female director. But all of that gets wasted on the plot that just plods along without any pulse. The parts when Paul W. Downs is on screen are little be more fun, because his character is such a doofus with such a big crush on Jess.

There is so much promise and way to little to be enthused about. However, if you see this movie, do wait until the very final shot at the end of the credits. It brings back a missing item (or two) from earlier in the movie. It’s like finding ‘a girl’s best friend’…

47 Meters Down Movie Review

June 16, 2017 (updated June 16, 2017)

Perhaps quite a few people are uneasy about being in enclosed places, and then just as many are queasy about getting close to sharks. If that is you, well — get ready for “47 Meters Down”, because your personal spooked-out meter will be peaking in the red zone. This movie will take many of the scariest things you can imagine and blend them into a nice smooth frightening shake.

Two sisters are in Mexico for a summer trip. Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore) are getting away on a vacation. Lisa tells her sister it is because her long-term boyfriend broke up with her. He thought that Lisa was too boring. Lisa and Kate meet a couple of local guys, and they hit it off. They convince Kate to go on an underwater scuba trip to see the sharks. Lisa is much more sensible and does not want to go. Kate tells her that if she goes on the tip, she will prove she is not boring.

They meet Captain Taylor (Matthew Modine) who owns the worn-out old boat and the crappy-looking equipment for a shark dive. They don the scuba gear and get in the cage and start to descend down around 20 feet. They have only limited oxygen in their tanks, and they have limited experience underwater. But that is about to change. The cable holding the shark cage snaps, sending them down to 47 meters below the surface.

Both Kate and Lisa know that they cannot swim straight up to the surface. Once they go up, every 20 meters or so they would need to stop and let their blood handle the nitrogen bubbles, or they could die from the bends. They have no communication with the boat on the surface. So they take turns to try things out. One will swim up to try and get radio contact, then the other will trace down a mysterious flashlight brought down with a different cable hook. If they get it attached, they can be gently pulled up to the boat.

But, yes there are sharks in these here waters. So every attempt to get free or get back up to the boat is met with a potential big toothy grin. The guy who brought down the flashlight and the new cable was attacked and killed. Either Kate or Lisa could be next. The new cable turns out to be as useless as the first cable, and now they are trapped again. The Coast Guard has been called for a rescue, but they are an hour away.

Lisa and Kate almost run out of oxygen, and they two new tanks are sent down. But the new tanks can keep them alive. However, being down for so long can bring on nitrogen poisoning. This could lead to hallucinations and feelings of a dream-like state. They will both need to keep an eye on each over to make sure the other one does not get crazy ideas. After all, there is a rescue operation just about to begin…

To say anything more would deprive you of getting your feet wet and seeing this movie. The story is pretty straight-forward. Put two nice ladies in peril, and spend the rest of the movie trying to figure out how to get them freed. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt do a decent job, but much of the dialog is scuba breathing and screaming. They prove to be intelligent characters, except for the fact that they got on such a dumpy boat to begin with.

The setup gets going really quickly, and the part underwater is intense and spooky. Each of the sisters does her best to comfort the other one. But it is hard to find any comfort when you are more than 150 feet below the surface. Since this movie is so tense and spooky, I will need to lighten it up…

Once I threw out all the chopped up fish and fish guts into the water, the sharks got real chummy.

Baby Driver Movie Review

Here’s a chancence to experience a special Planet of the Apes triple feature on Wednesday, July12th

The Beguiled Movie Review

‘Making History’ a War for the Planet of the Apes Featurette

Transformers: The Last Knight Movie Review

American Assassin Trailer

In Theaters September 15th

Thank You for Your Service Trailer

In Theaters October 27

The Beguiled Advance Movie Screening

Advance Movie Screening For The Beguiled

Phoenix, Arizona

Advance Movie Screening Details

Las Vegas, Nevada

Advance Movie Screening Details

Advance Movie Screening Information

Rough Night Movie Review

47 Meters Down Movie Review

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