There is no question that this has it's share of problems, but being suspenseful is not among them.
In a nutshell, this is the story of three young amateur thieves in the worst part of abandoned Detroit who are pulling off small time home robberies. They decide to try to pull off a huge heist that seems easy to the naked eye. But they soon learn that it is anything but.
They hear of a former US military veteran, who is blind, having a minimum of 300 grand in his house as a result of a lawsuit from the car crash that killed his daughter. So our thugs, 2 guys and a girl go in for the job at 2AM in the worst part of Detroit where the veteran lives. What ensues is a vet, who is cunning, well trained, angry, and ready to defend what he has left. And once they find their way in, our crooks find it impossible to get out.
This is very well written, and quite interesting. There are a few twists you will not see coming that keep this 1 hour 30 minute flick moving along nicely. This also does not wear out it's welcome. Does this make some mistakes? Well yes. There are a few moments of silliness that I quite frankly don't understand, because it didn't need them in the story and don't make this better. But this is filmed well, acted well, and doesn't go over the edge with gratuitous violence. This remembers that the story is what brought this to the dance, and that was a good decision.
Stephen Lang is great as our blind hero, who comes off as completely credible. There is just enough here to keep you on the edge of your seat, and stays the course. This is well done, and for once, pretty intense in a genre lately that has increasingly become less intense and simply more violent.
Don't Breathe. Quite good for what it is.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
MOVIE REVIEWS - New In Theaters
War Dogs
This is a very interesting movie, that if it wasn't true, you would never believe it. Jonah Hill, Miles Teller and Bradley Cooper star in this stunning story of two 22 year old dudes somehow become incredibly wealthy international arms dealers, supplying weapons to the US Military with virtually no experience or accreditation. What a story!
All of our stars are great here. The writing is slick and this moves along nicely. Cooper is especially good here as a real dirt bag of a character running weapons all over the world and getting insanely rich doing it. The good thing here, is that they never forget who the star of this movie really is. The story - period! Hill, and Teller are willing to let the story play out, and shine, all the while not getting in the way with wayward performances, or overacting. Great soundtrack, fair amount of action, shot in great locations and that gives this a real nice look and feel.
War Dogs. This is darn good, and well worth your time.
Hell Or High Water
When a movie stars Jeff Bridges, I feel it is mandatory viewing, and this is. In fact, this is one of the best movies of the year so far. This also stars Chris Pine, and Ben Foster and they both deliver incredible performances. There isn't anything about this that isn't great.
Pine and Foster star in this terrific story about two brothers living in thoroughly depressed West Texas, go on a poorly thought out bank robbing spree. Bridges is a soon to be retired Texas Ranger who is out to catch them before he hangs it up. Why is each side doing what they are? That's the story, and it's great. While Pine and Foster are great in their large roles as close knit outlaw brothers, Bridges is simply amazing again. In the right role, he is simply Hollywood's best actor these days. This also one of those movies, where every single person in it, no matter how small the role, is perfectly cast.
This is exciting, thrilling, suspenseful, and funny at times. This is about as well written as it could be. The characters are well defined, and the story is topical, relevant, and exceedingly believable.
Hell or High Water. Go watch great actors be great. One of the best movies of the year. First class project.
scott@wqmx.com
This is a very interesting movie, that if it wasn't true, you would never believe it. Jonah Hill, Miles Teller and Bradley Cooper star in this stunning story of two 22 year old dudes somehow become incredibly wealthy international arms dealers, supplying weapons to the US Military with virtually no experience or accreditation. What a story!
All of our stars are great here. The writing is slick and this moves along nicely. Cooper is especially good here as a real dirt bag of a character running weapons all over the world and getting insanely rich doing it. The good thing here, is that they never forget who the star of this movie really is. The story - period! Hill, and Teller are willing to let the story play out, and shine, all the while not getting in the way with wayward performances, or overacting. Great soundtrack, fair amount of action, shot in great locations and that gives this a real nice look and feel.
War Dogs. This is darn good, and well worth your time.
Hell Or High Water
When a movie stars Jeff Bridges, I feel it is mandatory viewing, and this is. In fact, this is one of the best movies of the year so far. This also stars Chris Pine, and Ben Foster and they both deliver incredible performances. There isn't anything about this that isn't great.
Pine and Foster star in this terrific story about two brothers living in thoroughly depressed West Texas, go on a poorly thought out bank robbing spree. Bridges is a soon to be retired Texas Ranger who is out to catch them before he hangs it up. Why is each side doing what they are? That's the story, and it's great. While Pine and Foster are great in their large roles as close knit outlaw brothers, Bridges is simply amazing again. In the right role, he is simply Hollywood's best actor these days. This also one of those movies, where every single person in it, no matter how small the role, is perfectly cast.
This is exciting, thrilling, suspenseful, and funny at times. This is about as well written as it could be. The characters are well defined, and the story is topical, relevant, and exceedingly believable.
Hell or High Water. Go watch great actors be great. One of the best movies of the year. First class project.
scott@wqmx.com
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
MOVIE REVIEW - Sausage Party
Some may say why review this movie? But I say this movie could be a real turning point into the next big trend in movie going.
As you can clearly see, even the title suggests that this is not going to be the slightest bit family friendly even being a completely animated flick. This is the brain child of Seth Rogen and others to do an extreme parody of very friendly Pixar animated movies. And being honest, they do that very, very well here. This really makes fun of the Pixar formula. And this absolutely has serious political and social over and undertones. Some of that quite well done as well.
But this is also raunchy without end, very direct and flat out offensive for many - in many regards. Easily the mildest part of this is the incredible harsh and never ending foul language. There is a constant sexual undertone throughout, and this again glorifies harsh recreational drug use and that entire lifestyle. And with that said, some of this is still quite funny.
This movie brings to life, food, in a grocery store and the life it leads. Sound way out there? It is. Talking, walking, drug ingesting, sexually active and down right horny animated food. You may have caught on, this is not for youngsters. This is the hardest of R ratings. In fact, I saw a theater where NO ONE under 7 would be admitted under any circumstances. I have never seen that before.
What Sausage Party may do though, is usher in a new line of movie making if it makes a ton. Mainstream, extremely naughty, harsh, and unfriendly for kids animated movies. I think it is safe to assume that there will be more movies like this from various movie makers. Is this a good idea? Doesn't make any difference, if there is big money in it, it will happen because of all the platforms we have to view it.
Sausage Party. Not for the kids at all, highly adult, funny in spots. It seems a new era may be born.
As you can clearly see, even the title suggests that this is not going to be the slightest bit family friendly even being a completely animated flick. This is the brain child of Seth Rogen and others to do an extreme parody of very friendly Pixar animated movies. And being honest, they do that very, very well here. This really makes fun of the Pixar formula. And this absolutely has serious political and social over and undertones. Some of that quite well done as well.
But this is also raunchy without end, very direct and flat out offensive for many - in many regards. Easily the mildest part of this is the incredible harsh and never ending foul language. There is a constant sexual undertone throughout, and this again glorifies harsh recreational drug use and that entire lifestyle. And with that said, some of this is still quite funny.
This movie brings to life, food, in a grocery store and the life it leads. Sound way out there? It is. Talking, walking, drug ingesting, sexually active and down right horny animated food. You may have caught on, this is not for youngsters. This is the hardest of R ratings. In fact, I saw a theater where NO ONE under 7 would be admitted under any circumstances. I have never seen that before.
What Sausage Party may do though, is usher in a new line of movie making if it makes a ton. Mainstream, extremely naughty, harsh, and unfriendly for kids animated movies. I think it is safe to assume that there will be more movies like this from various movie makers. Is this a good idea? Doesn't make any difference, if there is big money in it, it will happen because of all the platforms we have to view it.
Sausage Party. Not for the kids at all, highly adult, funny in spots. It seems a new era may be born.
Friday, August 5, 2016
MOVIE REVIEWS - Various Out Now
Nerve
This is a very interesting movie that has come out to very little fanfare, but is not a bad night at the flicks. This is a fictional story about an interactive video game called Nerve. It seems a quick way to make money if you do the "dares" that you are challenged to do as a "player." Then the "watchers" follow the players, and drive the game. The more followers you get as a player, the more you can make and the more your popularity soars. But there are problems.
The game becomes a mind control and life controlling entity that makes it impossible for you to get out of it, unless you win it outright. It is an identity stealing, harsh game that is driven by the watchers desire to see more and more graphic and live content.
This is good original story and a nice performance from our star Emma Roberts who is becoming more of a star all the time. It showcases, certainly in an extreme form, the public's appetite for fame, voyeurism, greed, and the need for acceptance in social media. Very topical, and a real eye opener, and this could be the precursor to actual events in the future. Well done.
Bad Moms
This is an all star cast of many of today's most popular female Hollywood stars in a parody of being a mom in today's very difficult environment. This has been referred to as the "Hangover" for girls and for the most part it is true. This is a hard R rated movie that shows a group of moms, who have had it with the politically correct world they are forced to live in, while raising young children. And for the most part, there are some really good laughs here.
But in addition to the laughs, there are also gaffs. This is a good idea that veers off the tracks at times and goes a bit too far, drifting into areas that are no longer funny. But they don't wreck the ship. There is a bit too much harsh language and a few too many redundant scenes, but this is a good day, especially a group of women to go together and laugh out loud. Kudos too, to Kristen Bell, who is really funny in her supporting role. Easily the funniest thing I have ever seen her do.
Bad Moms. Target audience will LOVE this!
scott@wqmx.com
This is a very interesting movie that has come out to very little fanfare, but is not a bad night at the flicks. This is a fictional story about an interactive video game called Nerve. It seems a quick way to make money if you do the "dares" that you are challenged to do as a "player." Then the "watchers" follow the players, and drive the game. The more followers you get as a player, the more you can make and the more your popularity soars. But there are problems.
The game becomes a mind control and life controlling entity that makes it impossible for you to get out of it, unless you win it outright. It is an identity stealing, harsh game that is driven by the watchers desire to see more and more graphic and live content.
This is good original story and a nice performance from our star Emma Roberts who is becoming more of a star all the time. It showcases, certainly in an extreme form, the public's appetite for fame, voyeurism, greed, and the need for acceptance in social media. Very topical, and a real eye opener, and this could be the precursor to actual events in the future. Well done.
Bad Moms
This is an all star cast of many of today's most popular female Hollywood stars in a parody of being a mom in today's very difficult environment. This has been referred to as the "Hangover" for girls and for the most part it is true. This is a hard R rated movie that shows a group of moms, who have had it with the politically correct world they are forced to live in, while raising young children. And for the most part, there are some really good laughs here.
But in addition to the laughs, there are also gaffs. This is a good idea that veers off the tracks at times and goes a bit too far, drifting into areas that are no longer funny. But they don't wreck the ship. There is a bit too much harsh language and a few too many redundant scenes, but this is a good day, especially a group of women to go together and laugh out loud. Kudos too, to Kristen Bell, who is really funny in her supporting role. Easily the funniest thing I have ever seen her do.
Bad Moms. Target audience will LOVE this!
scott@wqmx.com
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