Annihilation Movie Review

February 23, 2018 (updated February 23, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“Annihilation” is the movie adapted from the first book in a trilogy by Jeff VanerMeer. It is a science-fiction look at a strange cosmic phenomenon created on the Gulf Coast by a bizarre meteor. Many miles around the lighthouse where it landed is covered by an other-worldly dome that they call “The Shimmer”. Every team of military experts that are sent in to investigate is never heard from again. That is, until he comes back…

Lena (Natalie Portman) is an ex-military vet who is now a biology teacher at a university. Her husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) is a Special Ops soldier who was on a secret mission but when missing. Kane turns up a year later, back at home. But he is very ill and falls into a coma. Lena and Kane are taken by the military to Area X, which the home of “The Shimmer’. That is where Kane and his unit had been sent, and nobody else has every returned.

Lena volunteers for the next mission, led by Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Ventress is a psychologist who will lead a group of female scientists into the mysterious Area X. The others on the mission are Thorensen (Gina Rodriguez), Radek (Tessa Thompson) and Sheppard (Tuva Novotny). All are specialists and they want to unravel the mystery of “The Shimmer’.

However, once inside they discover that weeks pass by like days. The radios and even the compass are non-functional. All that they have are their wits and their wills. They must learn to trust each other, and trust in the mission. But when they find that nature inside “The Shimmer” has gone a little kooky, they feel that this has become a suicide mission. The things that they are encountering are becoming more insane, and more deadly.

Lena has her own mission, to find out what was going on with Kane when he was sent here. But the things that she finds out make her more disturbed. Dr. Ventress seems to have her own personal mission, while the others are being led down a path of potential human destruction. The final goal is to find the source of the mystery, which is near the lighthouse. But what can be found in there, and will anyone be alive to find out?

Alex Garland has created some fantastic screenplays in the past, and his first director effort for “Ex Machina” was superb. But here, he is constrained by the original material, and he makes some awkward choices. He has scenes with Lena being interrogated after the mission, and these are intercut with the overall movie. It is a trite excuse to explain or bring up some unknown fact. The scientific language about the event origins and what is happening are somewhat clunky.

Natalie Portman does a very credible job as Lena, with her military and science background helping her to cope. Almost all the other characters are basic movie stereotypes, with minimal depth or back-story. Even Oscar Isaac has very little to do, even when he is critical to the story. The worst off is Benedict Wong, who has to play the inquisitor behind a clean room mask.

This movie is however quite beautiful in how it looks and in the details of the alien environment. The soundtrack is also simple and unassuming, until it slowly builds up tension and suspense towards the end. The photography is amazing and also eerie as it goes deeper and deeper into “The Shimmer”. The story is good, but some of the ideas pull from other sources. Perhaps some parts resemble “The Day of the Triffids” and short story “Weeds” by Stephen King.

“Annihilation” is a brain-teaser, and that itself makes it a cut above most sci-fi movies. But perhaps the subject is a little too weird for most audience members. Let’s hope that “Annihilation” is not what happens to this movie in terms of box office revenue…

Game Night – Movie Review

February 22, 2018 (updated February 23, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Come to Game Night! Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams are hosting! Actually, Bateman is one of the producers of the movie, as well, which isn’t all that much of a surprise. This has Jason Bateman comedy written all over it. I was surprised he didn’t write it because it so fit his dry wit. When he gets a fresh winner of a script like this and works with directors like John Francis Daley (Vacation reboot) and Jonathan Goldstein (Horrible Bosses), who know where his strengths lie and use him to his full potential, gold is struck. It certainly is here. This is what I’d consider a must-see because it was so well written and put together. It’s never once slow or overdone. They even took care to make you feel a part of the game. It’s shot to make it seem as if the actors in the film, the ‘players in YOUR game,’ are moving around a board. At one point, you’ll even see these delightfully insane characters involved in a dangerous game of keep away. Warning, you and everyone in the theatre will laugh until you cry so be sure to check at the customer service desk first to see that the volume is turned up to a level where you can hear over one another.

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play Max and Annie who have wanted nothing more than to play games since they met over trivia in a bar years ago. Now middle-aged, they haven’t grown up much beyond the kids they were when playing board games with the family was the perfect Friday night. Now they’ve gotten several of their friends hooked and every Friday they stream into Max and Annie’s to see what the night has in store for them. Another satisfying element about the comedy is that each and every one of the actors cast, play off of each other exceptionally well, especially Jesse Plemons who plays Gary, their next-door neighbor who used to be welcome on game night. He was only a part of the fun because they were friends with his ex-wife, Debbie, who has since moved. His character is creepy and some of the earlier funny scenes are watching Max and Annie try to get out of his inviting himself over. Plemons plays him so admirably that you’ll never recognize him as being Todd from Breaking Bad.

What spoils this particular game night isn’t just the threat of Gary finding out it’s taking place, but that Max’s handsome and successful brother, Brooks (Chandler), is in town and wants to play. Not only does he come play and, as you might have guessed, unapologetically alerts Gary to the festivities, but he decides he’s hosting next. Unenthusiastically, they all decide to attend and the event Brooks has in store for them this evening is unlike what is usually held. No cards, paper, dice or pegs needed, just your wits. He hires a company to stage a murder mystery for them to solve. They’re paired up and the couple who solves the whodunit gets a Corvette Sting Ray. Now the movie turns into a thriller, mystery as Brooks is kidnapped. Twist! Kidnapped not by the company he hired to kidnap him but by people for whom he has done bad business. This is quite a unique set up and a fun adventure for the audience lies ahead.

The comedic timing everyone displays, while all of this is playing out, is spot on accurate. Rachel McAdams is irreplaceable as her Annie and Bateman’s Max banter back and forth, clueless as to what is really going on. Max even tells the kidnappers to drive safely as they’re pulling his struggling brother out of the house. Hysterical. Do yourself a favor and make this movie a part of your Friday Night amusement. You won’t be sorry. It meets all the requirements of a fantastic and memorable night out.

*Stay through the entire credits for two extra scenes!

Black Panther Movie Review

February 16, 2018 (updated February 14, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“Black Panther” is an exciting change-up in the Marvel movie line-up. Here is a hero who is a black African king, as well as being a superhero. Wakanda (a fictional nation) is a powerhouse of technology and civil order in the heart of Africa. An ancient meteor hit that place eons ago, and that meteor was loaded with Vibranium (the fictitious deep-space element that makes up Captain America’s powerful shield). The Wakanda people have enjoyed a hidden wealth of goods and services, along with their tribal rites and laws. But years ago, the king killed his own brother in a tragic incident.

King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is the new young leader, and his country is behind him. He has a young sister named Shuri (Letitia Wright) who is a great teenage nerd with a sense of humor. Ramonda (Angela Bassett) is the Queen and mother to T’Challa and Shuri. Zuri (Forest Whitaker) is his uncle who will guide T’Challa. He also has an ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) who wants to open up Wakanda to the outside and share the secrets. The palace is guarded with an all-female Special Forces group, led by Okoye (Danai Gurira). The kingdom is secure, except for a mercenary who is attempting to break in and steal much of the Vibranium. This is Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) who has dealt with T’Challa once before.

King T’Challa goes to Korea to try and capture Klaue, along with Nakia and Okoye backing him up. After some cool chase scenes, they finally get Klaue. There is also a CIA agent named Ross (Martin Freeman) around to apprehend him, and they work together to bring down Klaue. Klaue then escapes with the help of a mystery person named Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan). Erik has a background of growing up in Oakland, and he knows about Wakanda. He is also ready to confront T’Challa and take over the throne. The kingdom is in turmoil because T’Challa and Eric struggle for power.

Eric removes T’Challa from the throne and takes over. There are few that follow him, but some follow Eric as a new king. T’Challa is found alive, and he is helped by his tribesman. He also gets some outside assistance from CIA agent Ross. T’Challa needs all the help that he can get. When T’Challa goes up against the current king Eric, he will need powerful allies. There are many struggles before the end comes and the kingdom is peaceful once again. And when the issues are resolved, then Wakanda can become a major nation in eyes of the whole world. The nation will become stronger, and T’Challa will be known for being a beloved leader.

This Marvel movie is the first to have a black main character, a mostly black cast and a black director and co-writer. But even more important, it is beautiful movie with an epic sweep in terms of story and meaning. The themes echo Shakespeare, or with a more recent comparison, “The Lion King”. Brothers battle over who should be king, and even cousins are torn apart with different ideas of how the kingdom should evolve. Ryan Coogler, along with Joe Robert Cole, has crafted a story worthy of much praise.

Coogler also directed the movie, which make his contribution even more valuable. But to work out a very deep and meaningful story, it sure helps to have a cast of great actors. Starting with Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan, Coogler has found the two main character that make his story come alive. Boseman is strong and steady as T’Challa. Jordan is electric as the villain Killmonger, who is brutal and vicious – but he is doing the right thing is his own mind.

Also add in Andy Serkis as an over-the-top Klaue, who enjoys being in crazy-town. Martin Freeman plays the lonely white good guy willing to help as much as he can. But with some very strong female back up, the movie becomes even more special. Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett all add much depth and some unique black woman characters that make the movie better.

“Black Panther” is a welcome addition to the group of fine Marvel superhero movies. The story is intriguing and thought-provoking. The production values are top-notch, and the soundtrack is evocative and haunting. There are many places where this movie does new and unusual things for a ‘superhero’ movie. Let’s hope that these can happen again and more often.

Permission Movie Review

February 14, 2018 (updated February 14, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The term, ‘You always want what you can’t have.’ may come to mind while watching this wickedly terrific and uncommon film, written and directed by thirty-five-year-old, Brian Crano. Crano hasn’t a large amount of work behind him but I have a sneaking suspicion this will change after Permission gets around.

Don’t make the mistake of missing this. It may seem like it could be a boring story of the typical relationship gone wrong by the trailer, but it is anything but typical. What Crano offers is a striking contrast to ordinary. The trailer, using hot pink neon letters throughout, making it appear as though the film were light and heavily comedic in nature, downplays what is. Behind the glitz of this trailer is a well-structured, deep and perplexing movie. It pulls you in with an outstanding setup and a brilliant cast of characters, right from the get-go.

In Permission, we meet and get entangled in the lives of Will (Stevens) and Anna (Hall) who are one another first love. We are shown that their sex life has become very familiar and routine and as Will and Anna speak to her brother Hale (Craig) and his lover Reece (Spector) about their relationship, the length of time they’ve been together comes up. Reece finds it almost unacceptable that the two have been together since childhood, never having an opportunity to get to know what it’s like to not only engage mentally with another person for it to be too meaningful outside of friendship, but also physically be with another person. Reece puts it out there to them that they truly must live a little. Almost immediately, Will and Anna begin to wonder if the other person wants to be with someone else, perhaps has wanted to all along. Since they’re about to move in together, they agree that they should both open their relationship so they can have experiences they’ve never had and agree to have sex with other people. There are rules put in place and you, the audience member, will slap your head and wonder what will become of them once they start this foolishness.

Quietly and sweetly, Crano has gotten you very attached to these characters. You want the best for both of them and you question their judgment… which is what makes the film so riveting. Permission breaches such a taboo subject that while you’re watching, you feel somewhat uncomfortable. You want them together and hope that at the end of the film, they will be.

Soon after the decision to be with other people has been reached, Anna meets Dane (Arnaud) a composer who shares her passion for music like no one ever has. This can’t be good. Anna stays in touch with Will through text the entire time she’s with Dane and feels somewhat guilty for enjoying herself but enjoys herself she does… maybe too much.

Will can’t bring himself to find someone right away but is eventually seduced by a sexy, older woman named Lydia (Gershon) who wanders into his shop and finds him attractive… she wants him. She takes control and once she gets her hands on him, he has no choice in the matter. Unlike the more loving and meek Anna, she is wild in bed and she allows him to do to her a certain act that he’d never ask Anna to go through with. He’s thrilled but also confused. Not only has he kept sexual desires from Anna, he keeps having sex with Lydia, too, breaking their agreement. Anna finds out and isn’t happy he’s being secretive but she breaks the rule, as well. She has been seeing Dane on a regular basis.

Permission is magnificent, filled with brave, strong characters. It’s an honest look at what happens when people have no experience with life and love, craving it for the first time. It sneaks in a lesson of what it takes to stay but also what it might take to bow out. You will care deeply for Anna and Will and you’ll find yourself chomping at the bit, nervously, awaiting the outcome of the yarn. It’s quite a reaction to the truth coming from their finally being open to change. Well done, Brian Crano. Bravo! You have made an intriguing, beguiling film that will live on for a long time. It’s as touching as it is agonizing and I anticipate those who see this will eagerly await your next project.

The 15:17 to Paris Movie Review

February 8, 2018 Published by JMcNaughton

Europe be saved from extremists by a young group of Americans on vacation, going to France? Well, in one case, that is exactly what happened. In the summer of 2015, there were three friends who were backpacking across the continent, and they managed to be in the right place at the right time. It also helped that they did the right thing, that is – stop a major attack from happening on a high-speed train traveling to Paris. Everyone could have been killed, and they helped to stop the worst-case scenario. This movie is a depiction of that event, and the lives of the three young American men. They also happen to play themselves, not as a gimmick, but to keep the story as true as possible.

“The 15:17 to Paris” gets into the events of the train attack, but first it goes back to the high school days of the three guys who develop a bond that will last for many years. When they are finally out of school, each will decide what they will do with their lives. Spencer Stone (played by Spencer Stone) joins up with the Air Force and learns some life skills. Alek Skarlatos (played by Alek Skarlatos) gets into the National Guard and spends a tour in Afganistan. Anthony Sadler (played by Anthony Sadler) goes to college to become smarter and to learn about the world. They all decide that a trip to Europe would do them all a world of good. Spencer and Anthony get to Italy and then go to Venice. At that same time, Alek meets up with an exchange student in Germany.

The early years of the three guys get illuminated in flashbacks about how they all met. Young Spencer and his mom (Judy Greer) and neighbors to young Alec and his mom (Jenna Fischer) The two boys meet with young Anthony at school, and they all get along quite well. They spend time playing and sometimes get into trouble. But when they all grow up, that is when the real adventure starts. They all meet up in the Europe trip in Germany, and then spend some time in Amsterdam. But they are convinced by many people to make a final trip to Paris, just because it is a beautiful place. And they are in luck, because they can take the 15:17 to Paris…

However, on this particular train, there is also a passenger with very bad intent. Ayoub El-Khazzani (Ray Corasani) has brought aboard a few extra items, such as an AK-47, a hand gun, a knife, and large supply of ammo. This guy decides to take out as many people as he can in the train compartment. But little does he know that Spencer, Alek and Anthony are also aboard. It just so happens that they have a particular set of skills that just might save the day. They all face-off against El-Khazzani to give him a very bad, very no-good day. Of course, there are a couple of other people involved with taking down the terrorist and saving the day, but the biggest flag waves for the Americans.

Clint Eastwood has taken a big chance and made a bold gamble. With casting the actual guys that where there on that day, he gives a large responsibility to some people who are not professional actors. In fact, many of the actual passengers on that train are given an opportunity to recreate a moment of terror and the relief of getting control of the situation. The three come through with excellent results; after all they are playing themselves. They might have a handful of times that the acting is a tad bit rough and unrefined. But it does shine through to give a very unique view from the eyes of those who were deeply involved.

Eastwood takes his steady and trained hand to guide the (non) actors to perform the events of their lives again, but this time for our benefit. The movie is focused on the one main event, but it goes into details about how all three of these guys wound up there on that train. There are times where the movie starts to drag a bit, as you learn a little more about what these guys want out of life. But with a brisk run time, there is no time to get bored. That is because each scene is designed to being you to the main event.

This movie has the ‘true story’ aspect down to a tee. That is mostly because the actual participants are the actors. That says a lot about how important Eastwood thinks this movie will be. His vision keeps “The 15:17 to Paris” on track…

SHERLOCK GNOMES is in theaters March 23, 2018 – New Images!

January 31, 2018 (updated February 5, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Sherlock Gnomes, Watson, Gnomeo and Juliet in Sherlock Gnomes from Paramount Pictures and MGM.

SHERLOCK GNOMES is in theaters March 23, 2018

Director

John Stevenson

Cast

James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Ashley Jensen, Matt Lucas, Stephen Merchant, Mary J. Blige and Johnny Depp

The beloved garden gnomes from GNOMEO AND JULIET are back for a whole new adventure in London. When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in the city with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting their new garden ready for spring. However, they soon discover that someone is kidnapping garden gnomes all over London. When Gnomeo and Juliet return home to find that everyone in their garden is missing – there’s only one gnome to call… SHERLOCK GNOMES. The famous detective and sworn protector of London’s garden gnomes arrives with his sidekick Watson to investigate the case. The mystery will lead our gnomes on a rollicking adventure where they will meet all new ornaments and explore an undiscovered side of the city. This action-packed sequel features the voices of returning cast, James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Stephen Merchant and Ozzy Osbourne, plus Johnny Depp as Sherlock Gnomes, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Watson and Mary J. Blige as Irene.

Social Media

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Insult – Movie Review

January 26, 2018 (updated January 26, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The Insult (original title L’insulte)

Directed by: Ziad Doueiri

Starring: Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Rita Hayek, Camille Salameh, Diamand Abou Abboud, Talal El Jurdi, Christine Choueiri, Julia Kassar, Rifaat Torbey, Carlos Chahine

Rating: R

Run Time: 1h 52 min

Genre: Drama

This movie is the ultimate story of someone needing to make peace with his past to have any sort of future. Lebanese director, writer and cinematographer, Ziad Doueiri, (West of Beirut, The Attack), who worked under Quentin Tarantino, can rest easy if he was attempting to make his magnum opus… because he just did.

At the beginning of the film, a message pops up that reads, the opinions in this film do not reflect the official policy or position of the Lebanese government. Knowing the film is a drama and not a documentary, I found that interesting. The Insult tells the story of Tony Hanna, played magnificently by Adel Karam who had to balance frustration, hate and anger with forbearing. Karam achieves a fantastic counterbalance which makes you both like and dislike him at the same time. It couldn’t have been easy. Tony is a Lebanese Christian who gets upset when he perceives just a misunderstanding to be a terrible insult; a slap in the face, if you will. To be insulted in his homeland of Beirut is one thing, to be disgraced in his own home is another.

The manager of the residential building in which Tony resides allows the foreman of a construction company, Yasser Salameh, (Kamel El Basha), a Palestinian living in a refugee camp, to fix a drainpipe as it’s getting all of his workers wet. They’re there to make repairs to the building anyway, so taking care of Tony’s pipe, which is not up to code, can get done quickly and they’ll be on their way. When Yasser tells Tony he needs to fix the pipe, Tony refuses to allow him to and closes the door in his face. He isn’t interested in change, which is part of his personality, as well. There is ultimately a reason for this, but it takes the entire film to get you there which is what makes this film so damn good. Tony’s character is revealed slowly and the justifications for his actions do come but will there be a large cost to his stubborn behavior? Who pays and why?

Without Tony’s permission, Yasser fixes the pipe. Tony then smashes and breaks it, screaming that they had no right whatsoever to make adjustments to his home when his life is fine. When the manager of the building attempts to make amends and apologize, it isn’t good enough for Tony. He wants to hear an apology from Yasser himself. When the manager finally talks Yasser into apologizing, Yasser and Tony, both very proud men, only stare at one another. When words are spoken, they are harsh and the problem escalates from there. Tony, who listens to propaganda all day, tells the Palestinian that he wished, ‘Ariel Sharon had finished you off.’ These words are more than an insult to Yasser and he strikes Tony.

What happens next is intense and dramatic, in that we see these two struggle for power yet also fight against the system. A court battle to prove guilt or innocence in what becomes a national debate ensues and the original point is skewed. Not allowing a simple fix to a pipe leads us on a journey into Tony’s dark past and it leads Yasser there, as well, which brings in the much-needed human aspect to the conflict. It’s exciting to watch these two men, both in complete control of their characters, spar.
They’re willing to be imprisoned, even die if they must, but they will not lose face. The final courtroom battle is extremely powerful and I enjoyed how you know there’s something brewing inside of Tony but you just don’t know what. Kudos to these performers and to Doueiri for getting them there. There is much more to be revealed about this film, but I’d rather you see it for yourself. It will be up for a few Academy Awards, that I can promise. It’s surprisingly moving and, again, the acting is unforgettable. Also, in our political climate today, such films need to be seen and I’m glad they’re being made… which explains the message at the beginning of the film.

Catch it at Harkins Fashion Square on FEB 2nd, 2018

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING Trailer

January 26, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING – In Theaters March 23

The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising.

John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity’s victory against the monstrous “Kaiju.” Jake has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld. But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father’s legacy by his estranged sister, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi)—who is leading a brave new generation of pilots that have grown up in the shadow of war. As they seek justice for the fallen, their only hope is to unite together in a global uprising against the forces of extinction.

Jake is joined by gifted rival pilot Lambert (The Fate of the Furious’ Scott Eastwood) and 15-year-old Jaeger hacker Amara (newcomer Cailee Spaeny), as the heroes of the PPDC become the only family he has left. Rising up to become the most powerful defense force to ever walk the earth, they will set course for a spectacular all-new adventure on a towering scale.

Pacific Rim Uprising is directed by Steven S. DeKnight (Netflix’s Daredevil, STARZ’s Spartacus) and also stars Jing Tian, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day.

Genre: 3D Epic Adventure

Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Jing Tian, Cailee Spaeny, Rinko Kikuchi, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day

Directed by: Steven S. DeKnight

Screenplay by: Emily Carmichael & Kira Snyder and Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin

Story by: Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin

Based on the Characters Created by: Travis Beacham

Produced by: Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, Cale Boyter, Guillermo del Toro, John Boyega, Femi Oguns

Executive Producer: Eric McLeod



In Theaters March 23rd, 2018

http://www.fandango.com

Maze Runner: The Death Cure Movie Review

January 26, 2018 (updated January 25, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“The Maze Runner” series is a young adult dystopian fiction (is there any other kind?) that deals with teens in a critical situation when the world goes haywire. “Maze Runner: The Death Cure” is the final chapter of the three books converted into movies. The books/movies have been pretty popular, but the quality is sometime lacking. This latest serving assumes that you have a precise knowledge of the prior two movies, “The Maze Runner” and “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials“. If you are not familiar with them, you could be in for a shock.

The movie barrels right into the action as if the “Fast and Furious” was the guiding light from Heaven. With nothing in the way of introduction, it gets straight into a train robbery right off the bat. But they are not stealing cars, they are releasing prisoners. There are the goody guys against a wicked organization called WCKD. Great use of subtlety here, right? Anyway, the train is carrying captive kids from the prior movies, and they are being taken for more experiments. Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) is the leader with Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Brenda (Rosa Salazar) and Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) helping him to get all the kids freed. Vince (Barry Pepper) is also an ally who can get the materials the need to attack the train.

Thomas and Newt are from the “Glade”, and they escaped with Minho (Ki Hong Lee) who has been captured. He was taken when another person from the Glade, named Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), turned traitor and gave Minho up to WCKD. Now Teresa works for the evil agency with Dr. Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson), who is studying the kids to see why they have an immune gene to prevent a disease called the “Flare”. WCKD is also run by a slimy guy named Janson (Aidan Gillen), who will stop at nothing to get the “Glade” kids and keep them captive for more study.

Minho was not found on the train, so he is still captured and taken into the WCKD-run Last City, a final place for civilization that is free from the Flare virus. Thomas and Newt and friends find an old-time Glader named Galley (Will Poulter) who was missing for a long time. Galley can get into the city, so there they can search for Minho and free him. Thomas will work with a new partner named Lawrence (Walton Goggins) who is suffering from the Flare and is ebbing away. Thomas can bring back a serum from in the city where Dr. Paige and Teresa are doing the terrible experiments. When they find and release Minho, then will also bring back all the serum, which is known as the “Death Cure”.

When they enter the City and attack WCKD headquarters, it all goes sideways. There are outrageous plans to get imprisoned kids and free them and take them away on a bus. They find Minho and get him free, but by that time the City is under attack from Lawrence and his minions of Flare-infected followers. Teresa tries to get Thomas to stay and help because he is the key to the cure. Dr. Paige is ready to leave and escape, but the evil Janson will prevent anyone from leaving. Newt and Thomas are about to escape, but Newt is has been ill for some time. Who will live? Who will die? And who can make it out alive?

There is so much stuffed into this movie that it only moves forward with the full-on action sequences. There is very little exposition that connects to any of the prior movies, so the audience needs to know a lot of details from all that happened before. Characters are introduced, or reintroduced, without much fanfare about where you might have seen them before. The explanation of what the main story is about is left to seeing the action and knowing which group is the good people and which are the bad guys.

Granted, there are many well constructed action pieces that have you following along with excitement. But the characters are mostly cardboard cutouts of real people, and not given much depth or deeper meaning. With the action as the greatest asset in the movie, all the actors and acting talent become nothing more than pawns on a chessboard. They move back and forth, and there is a lot happening, but nothing really is revealed.

The practical visual effects and the CGI effects blend in pretty well. It is a well designed movie and the places look futuristic and potentially frightening. But there is no better purpose but to finish up the story that was started a couple movies back. Most things get wrapped up, presuming that you kept track of who was from what prior movie and who did what back then. There is a lot of action and it keeps going on for almost two and a half hours.

Director Wes Ball has actually been in charge of all three of the “Maze Runner” movies. He could have used a better editor, who could have taken this movie and focused the main action into a narrower path. By the time this movie ends, you are glad you made it out of the “Maze”…

Mom and Dad Movie Review

January 22, 2018 (updated January 22, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

Say you could take a movie like “The Happening“, where a mysterious plague overcomes people and makes them want to commit suicide, but it changes the results a little. Now, it only affects the parents, who exhibit a change in the attitude from protecting their children, to instead wanting to kill them. Now add the forever crazy antics of Nicolas Cage and you have “Mom and Dad”, bizarre creation that gives you another reason to demand that Cage hand back that Oscar he won back in 1995.

Brent Ryan (Nicolas Cage) and his wife Kendal (Selma Blair) have the ideal life in the suburbs with their two kids. Carly (Anne Winters) is a teen-ager in high school, and Josh (Zackary Arthur) is her younger brother. The whole family gets along pretty well, but Ryan is dealing with a mid-life crisis and Kendall wants to be back in a creative job like she used to have. Carly and her friend Riley (Olivia Crocicchia) would like more freedom to have fun. Carly has a boyfriend Damon (Robert T Cunningham), but Brent does not like him because he is older, and he is black.

But there is a sudden turn in events. The parents are overcome by an insatiable urge to murder their children. Regardless of age or disposition, they are driven like wild animals to slaughter the fruit from their loins. It happens slowly over the course of one day, and then the first reports come in of dead children. The news is ablaze with reports of theories of all sorts. It could be unusual microbe activity in the water, or a sinister plot of an evil foreign nation. But these parents are compelled to kill the lovely little shining stars in their lives. They are guided by an unseen desire to destroy their spawn.

Carly and Joshua are caught up in the murder spree that is about to imposed by their parents, Brent and Kendall. The can hide and they can run, but they have nowhere else to go. Damon has been able to escape his own death-by-paternal-unit, so he comes by to help. Carly is clever in ways that can fight back, so she can survive with her brother. Oh, and of course, this all happens on the night that Brent’s own parents are coming over for dinner. His dad Mel (Lance Henriksen) is of course under the same spell and feels the need to do the dirty deed – kill his own son in a gruesome manner.

Yes, this is a frankly bizarre and twisted movie. But it is a crazy set-up that seems tailor-made for the frantic and manic performances for which Nicolas Cage is most famous. And he does not disappoint here at all. In a sequence (a flashback that is set weeks before the weird killing virus), Cage plays Brent at home in the basement constructing a large pool table. And then in a fit of rage and fury, he destroys the same pool table with a sledgehammer, all while singing the “Hokey Pokey”. Ridiculous? Yes, it is – but at the same time it is fascinating to watch.

Brian Taylor is also the writer and director (with partner Mark Neveldine) of movies like “Crank”, Crank: High Voltage” and “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance”. That is, writing and directing movies that are so tilted and perversely skewed is second nature to him. So this movie fits quite well into his wheelhouse.

Is this movie great or meaningful? Is it even good? The movie is competently made, but the soundtrack does not fit at all. The acting is somewhat uneven. Cage and Blair are really good, but there is no depth to being depraved. Anne Winters is the best, because she has a real emotion of fear and wanting to protect her much younger brother.

I just want to see this family at the next Thanksgiving dinner…

In Phoenix area, playing only at the Harkins Valley Art in Tempe.

Category: Reviews