New Mortal Kombat Movie

WOW, it's been awhile. I checked out the new Mortal Kombat movie on opening night as I was STARVED for something to see in theatres. It doesn't carry any notable cast members, in fact Josh Lawson, who plays Kano, was about the only person I could name, but I did recognize the actors who play Scorpion and Raiden. The film doesn't waste time with plot, or character development much, which is ideal. It brings back the gore and violence that fans of the series have been longing for on the big screen adaptations. There's a healthy amount of fighting and gore, so it's not a film for children. There is a spin on the original in that the blood feud of Scorpion and Sub-Zero in fact goes back to the 17th century. I was impressed with the CGI, as they clearly spent the budget wisely on making sure nothing looked like garbage. If that's what sacrificed the budget to grab a few "name brand" actors, I'm all for it, as this cast did just fine. Overall this is definitely worth seeing, especially since it's free on HBO Max. It's particularly fun to fast forward through most of it and only watch the fight scenes, as that only takes about 25 minutes... Overall- 7.8 out of 10. Does it's job admirably and efficiently. It's not winning any Oscars, but you'll be entertained.

The Predator- A New Post After 15 months?

I saw The Predator, and as a person who has been a fan of the Alien/Predator genre since I was a kid, this thing sucked. It's an attempt to turn the franchise with some alright ideas. The cast is actually really solid, which makes the fact that the movie is garbage more painful. You'll recognize the faces, particularly Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, and Keegan Michael Key. The story takes a few turns, like trying to explain the Predators love for ripping out skulls and spinal columns. The idea is they are blending DNA to create "Super Predators" with the best characteristics of the species they kill. It pits the "regular" Predators vs. the Super Predators, with Earth as the potential deciding ground for their civil war. It all sounds exciting, but they biff by adding a family, kid with Asperger's (played brilliantly by Jacob Tremblay), a group of disgruntled former military guys, etc., etc. Too much stupid stuff bogging down the action and fun that a typical action movie has. This hits every cliche and is totally predictable. The action does not overcompensate for all the other bullshit you are drug through during this film. 5.3 out of 10. Don't spend any money on this.

Wonder Woman

I saw Wonder Woman last week and thought it was alright. Gal Gadot is very good and I imagine she will have no trouble finding work for the next several years. Chris Pine is solid (surprisingly), and really all the characters are pretty good. The story is Wonder Woman (Real name Diana) is an Amazon living on an island encompassed by fog and hidden from the world. World War I is in full force and an American pilot (Pine) serving as a British spy is shot down near the island. There is a German ship in pursuit and they cut through the fog and find themselves on the island. The Amazon's and Germans fight it out on the island and Diana decides she must go with Pine and try to slay Ares, the God of War who she believes is the cause of WWI and his death will end the strife. Pine has a notebook that contains the German's chemical plans to crease a nerve gas that will kill anyone who comes in contact with it, even if they are wearing gas masks. It becomes a race against time to get the notebook into British hands and prevent a chemical attack on the frontline troops. I've often wondered why there is a lack of WWI movies and I'm at least glad this dives into that era. If you are looking for your straight forward superhero origin movie, this would be it. It's solid and unspectacular. Bottom Line: 7.1 out of 10. Worth checking out for a Summer movie that will entertain you for 2+ hours.

The Fued: Joan Crowford Vs. Bette Davis

I, as a lover of Old Hollywood, saw an advertisement for Feud on FX and was intrigued. I then forgot that it was going on, but caught up this last weekend. The movie follows Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, career stars of Hollywood, as they are in the "twilight" of their careers. They have been rivals, occupying different roles and mantras within the same era. Davis as spicy and outspoken, which was revolutionary during her era. Crawford was Hollywood royalty essentially. Elegance and establishing wholesome class in all she embodied. Lifelong rivals unable to find work they would enjoy or could be happy with, they come together during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Despite general disdain/hatred for each other, they film a hit that thrives against all odds. The series digs more into the very complex relationship of Hollywood and the two "leading ladies", but also with the director, Bob Aldrich. Hollywood was, and probably still is, a cruel, harsh place. Hollywood was continually telling Davis and Crawford there was a lack of roles for "mature women", and they had no interest in playing older mother's, or even grandmother's at the time. It's a behind the scenes look at the life and times of 1962 for them, but also the behind the scenes filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? I have been very impressed up to this point. The cast is phenomenal with Susan Sarandon occupying Bette Davis and Jessica Lange owning Joan Crawford. Sprinkle in Stanley Tucci, Alfred Molina (Aldrich), Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kathy Bates, and Kiernan Shipka (Sally Draper!), and you have my attention. I was really impressed with the series up to this point, which is episode 4 of 5. The story is an unveiling of the problems surrounding two of Hollywood's biggest stars at a tough time of their life. It's a revealing of all the issues that were going on "Behind the scenes". Interesting choice on the project, but well done. Bottom Line: 8.7 out of 10. Not a lot of weakness on this one. It's real solid.

Hacksaw Ridge: My Hatred of Andrew Garfield Subsides

I was NOT HAPPY when I saw Andrew Garfield was tasked with playing the role of American hero Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to win a slew of military awards. Doss is raised by an alcoholic WWI vet father played expertly by Hugo Weaving in rural VA. He lives a simple life and falls in love with a hospital nurse after taking in someone seriously injured in an accident. He decides he can still serve the military as a medic, but he will not take up arms. The love story blossoms and Doss enlists. Doss is tortured throughout basic training by anyone in a command position, and eventually by his own bunkmates. It's unfathomable that a man who won't pick-up a rifle can be anything besides a liability in battle. Doss survives it all and eventually is placed into combat after a letter from a high-ranking general who served with his dad. Doss is sent to Okinawa, and for anyone unaware of their American history it was an incredibly fortified and contested Pacific Island held by the Japanese. Doss is sent up the face of a cliff with his battalion only to be pushed back very quickly in a violent mess. I don't want to tell too much of the story, but it's amazing. The battle scenes are as brutal as you'll find, but they are well done. Mel Gibson may be a crazy, drunken racist, but he can direct a story. Bottom Line: 8.9 out of 10. Garfield is excellent, just like the majority of the cast. Vaughn is excellent as his drill sergeant, which was also a welcome surprise. This was a privilege to watch on Veterans Day. I was very proud and goosebumpy watching this film. My Grandpa fought in the Pacific Islands and though I knew how horrific the fighting was, this really drove it home. The "Greatest Generation" would be the shit out of my millennial generation in a fist fight, that's a fact.

Moonlight

The Oscar buzz on this film I didn't get. The movie follows a black closeted homosexual teen in the early 1990's in a "tough" neighborhood. His mom is addicted to crack. The local drug "Kingpin" takes the young child under his wing, allowing him to regularly live with him and his wife (I think?) throughout his youth. He is picked on a lot, but it turns violent in middle school. He does have a best friend from when they were around five, but they don't always stay in touch. The main character is extremely introverted and quiet. His best friend reaches back out to him during high school, re-affirming their friendship. Things get complicated and the movie essentially blows up. You do a little fast forwarding and nobody is where you'd think they are. They try to tie it together, but I wasn't impressed. Bottom line: 6.8 out of 10. I wasn't really impressed by any part of this movie. I feel bad saying that, but I didn't get the hype. Decent acting is about the nicest thing I can say about this film. Watch at your own peril.

La La Land- Oscar Front-Running

La La Land tries on for size the 1950's musical score in the Los Angeles of today. There are impressive musical numbers, but the performances of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling carry this thing. It's impressive to watch them dance, sing, act, and play through the variety of numbers and scenes this movie demands of them. Stone is an aspiring actress who can't get the role to propel her into stardom. Gosling is a jazz "purist" who can't simple play piano for someone else because he has his own songs, ideas, and style. He wants to open his own jazz club, but is only a few hundred thousand dollars short of that. They meet a few times, but finally connect at a pool party that Gosling is playing keyboard at, despite his hatred for it. He realizes that you can only stand by your ideals for so long without breaking down since ideals don't pay the bills. The movie follows their love story and careers. I originally was a little annoyed by the volume of musical numbers early on in the film, but the story unfolds with acting and normal talking instead of singing, so I got back into it. It's obvious why the Oscar buzz is strong. It's visually beautiful and has two incredible performances in Gosling and Stone. It holds up well and I was pleasantly surprised with it overall. Bottom Line: 8.7 out of 10. I realize this means I rank John Wick 2 ahead of the film most likely to win Best Film, but realize I am a flawed movie critic and I love watching Keanu Reeves run through a crew of killers more than watching a freeway musical dance number break out. Deal with it.

John Wick: 2- The Wick is Lit

I'm a big fan of John Wick, so it's implied that I probably would like the second offering of the series. I think it's the best "action" movie that I've ever seen. What does that mean? It means that Keanu Reeves at age 52 is better at killing people and kicking ass than anyone who has come before. Van Damme, Segal, Norris, Stallone, Schwarzenegger, I get it, but Reeves is unreal. He is completely believable in a role that is SO difficult to convincingly play. He moves as you presume a special ops member would. I'm amazed by the quality of the fighting and gunplay. The plot doesn't matter really, just know that it's much crazier than the first film. Many more bodies, shots fired, stabbing, punching, kicking, and driving. Bottom line: 9.2 out of 10. It's weird rating it on the same scale as Oscar films, but this movie is a masterpiece in the art of action. Reeves will go down as the best action film actor ever after this series runs its course I believe. Dude is the O.G. Johnny Utah after all...

Girl on the Train

I was skeptical watching this one since I hadn't read the book and it was in the 50's on Rotten Tomatoes, but I persevered. I'm a big Emily Blunt fan and I knew the book was a huge hit. The premise is a woman rides a train, OBVIOUSLY, but the train goes past her old house where her husband currently lives with his new wife and child. She stares out the window at them, but also their neighbor, a young beautiful woman who was recently married. She begins to feel like she's a part of their lives. She watches them and fabricates stories in her mind. The movie then starts being told from the "other" women's point of view. Her husband's new wife and the hot neighbor. The story boils over when the gorgeous neighbor is murdered and the "train lady" saw her with a mysterious man who wasn't her husband that day. Further complicating things is that train lady is a drunk who rides the train only to appear to be employed to appease her "roommate", aka lady letting her live with her. The story unfolds and new details are introduced slowly, but it weaves an interesting web that ties together well. It's very mysterious, so I don't want to talk about the plot much, but it has excellent performances by Blunt, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, and Luke Evans. Bottom Line: 7.5 out of 10. I was a bigger fan than I expected. I can imagine if someone read the book they may not enjoy the film since the book would do a much better job of unveiling things and explaining emotions and thoughts.

Hacksaw Ridge

I came it with fairly low expectations for Hacksaw Ridge. I'm not a big Andrew Garfield fan, so to have him playing an American war hero originally drew my ire. I was pleasantly surprised with his performance, it's very good, as are all of them. I really like Vince Vaughn, and Sam Worthington is also very good. The film tells the story of Desmond Doss. Desmond is raised in the hill country of Virginia, so he's not a Rhodes Scholar. His father fought in WWI, or THE GREAT WAR as it's referred to as. He's played expertly by Hugo Weaving. His dad's a drunk from the fact that he's unable to come to grips with his friends dying in France. He has a brother, younger or older is never said, though they are close in age. Desmond falls in love with the nurse who draws blood at the nearby hospital (5 miles). After his brother enlists it's the final straw and he decides to enlist shortly after as a medic. He's interested in human anatomy, etc., and more importantly he refuses to kill another man, or even pick-up a weapon. This causes all sorts of issues during basic training, but after a court order and Brigadier General's note, he's set to head off to Okinawa. Okinawa was crucial, like all of the contested islands, to get within bombing distance of Japan. This movie was particularly meaningful as I watched it on Veterans Day. It helped remind me of how awful my Grandpa's role was in WWII. He was an "Island Hopper", a role that I used to explain as the beach landing of Saving Private Ryan, only in the Pacific islands. He suffered tremendously with what he saw, did, and experienced. He left with a full head of hair and came back bald. His unit had a survival rate of between 10-15%. The Pacific Islands were definitely one of Dante's Spheres of Hell. Something that even after watching Hacksaw Ridge, which from what I can tell is the most accurate depiction of what happened in the Pacific Islands regularly, you can't possibly grasp the true horror of what occurred regularly. Getting back to the movie, what happens on Hacksaw Ridge is after a push to secure a good part of the "Ridge" the Japanese burrow underground for the night. At first light they charge and force Doss' unit off the Ridge, leaving many men wounded on the Ridge while battleships bombard it. Doss works tirelessly throughout the day and night to lower wounded troops down the cliff to safety all while being unarmed. It's totally amazing. The sum total of his efforts produces 75 wounded men lowered to safety. I'm not certain if all survived, etc., but that's a gargantuan effort for a group of medics, but Herculean for one man. Bottom Line: 8.6 out of 10. Believe the Rotten Tomatoes scoring, it's another rock solid movie from Mel Gibson, that crazy racist drunk.