Gringo is an ok movie. I totally had the wrong expectations from the trailer that has been playing.
The trailer makes it appear that this is a dark comedy. The comedy is rather lacking for me. I think one scene got a laugh in the theater I was in…except for one person laughed the whole movie.
Harrold, aka the Gringo, is basically shit upon for the bulk of the movie. This movie happens to him until the final reel.
I do think I would rate this higher if I hadn’t gone in expecting more comedy.
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Charlize Theron, David Oyelowo, Amanda Seyfried
Game Night was a fun watch. IT was a good watch once comedy. Not sure how it will hold up on any rewatches.
Max and Annie are obsessed with games. We get an intro montage of them playing party games even up to their wedding reception. They host a weekly Game Night with their friends. This week, Max’s brother, Brooks, is in town.
He hosts a special Game Night. One where an interactive company (think The Game) will stage a mystery game with actors. Brooks gets kidnapped (spoiler not by the actors) and the game is afoot.
The players find out that the game is real a little too early for me. But later twists eases my mind on that.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons
Red Sparrow is a slow burn spy thriller. I see this movie as an intrigue Unbreakable. We have the introduction to a protagonist I hope we get to see in future sequels.
This movie is not for children. There is graphic violence. There is sexual assault.
Do not be like the mother who brought her small child to the movie.
I would recommend seeing this movie in the theater. It is a slow burn – not an action fest.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Ciarán Hinds, Joely Richardson, Bill Camp, Thekla Reuten, Douglas Hodge, Sakina Jaffrey
Like most initial solo Marvel hero movies, Black Panther gives us a nice introduction to the character and his motivations above and beyond his introduction in Civil War.
Black Panther introduces us to the MCU version of Wakanda, his family, love interest, and traditions. Also, where those same traditions can fail.
Wakanda as a society has always hidden who and what they are. The world at large sees Wakanda as a third world farming country. Not the technologically advanced, rich country they are. Some Wakandans believe they should go out into the world with their technology and help people while others wish to stick with tradition.
Claw returns and has a sonic hand cannon and is working with War Monger. They show little regard for human life while stealing a Wakandan artifact from a museum. Their attempt to sell it in South Korea to the CIA brings them in direct conflict with the Black Panther.
War Monger takes extraordinary steps (many evil steps) to get into Wakanda. You want to completely dislike the character. But. His backstory makes him a sympathetic character. Up to a point. War Monger’s ideals to spread Wakandan weaponry and begin an Empire are in direct conflict with the Black Panther and Wakandan tradition.
The fight between War Monger and Black Panther ultimately splits the Wakandan people over tradition and new ideals. There will be a lot of healing needed for the Wakandan people. And a change in tradition.
The mid credits scene lets us see how Wakanda will be interacting with the world at large now. The post credits scene gives us a nice update on characters last seen in Civil War.
My favorite character introduced by far is Shuri, T’Challa’s sister. She brought a fun lightheartedness take on the role. Okoye was just plain badass.
There were a lot of kids at the theater when I saw this movie. They all had a blast. This one group sitting near me had all of them picking which Marvel hero they were going to be. From Black Panther to Iron Man. Then the movie started….and all the kids were so engrossed in the movie. I have never seen a movie where kids were so behaved and engrossed in a movie.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis, Forest Whitaker, John Kani
Vía Letterboxd – AngryTownsman
This was an enjoyable blending of the Belko Experiment and 28 Days later. In Mayhem, a virus exists that lasts 8 hours and removes a person’s filters. Normally, you would not give in to that impulse hit the person you are arguing with. Under the effects of the Red Eye virus, you’re smacking that person.
What happens when you have a building filled with people in high stress jobs lose that filter? Where there is nothing holding them back from doing whatever pops into their heads.
A freaking good movie – that’s what.
I heard a review of this movie on the Trick or Treat Radio podcast and it intrigued me.
Steven Yeun pulls off the everyman vibe perfectly. Someone who is trying to hold onto a piece of their goodness in his chosen profession.
Samara Weaving gives another amazing performance here. Between this and the Babysitter, she is an actress to look out for in the future.
Starring: Steven Yeun, Samara Weaving, Steven Brand, Caroline Chikezie, Kerry Fox, Dallas Roberts, Mark Frost, Claire Dellamar, André Eriksen, Nick Kent
