Movie Review #AntManandtheWasp

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
WritersChris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | IMDb
Hashtag#AntManAndTheWasp

As Scott Lang balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.

If you know me, you know what a geek I am and how much I love a Marvel movie, so they hadn't finished asking me if I wanted to review Ant-Man and the Wasp before I said yes. It's not JUST a Marvel movie, it's a movie with Paul Rudd and Evangelina Lilly as superheroes. Who doesn't want to watch two hotties kicking butts and saving the world?

I had so, so, so much fun at this movie! It was funny and witty and just plain action-packed. I loved the first one, but I liked this one even more! I think I laughed for the majority of the movie. Paul Rudd is a great comedic actor and he is part of the writers crew, so I think that makes it even better. It's always nice to see an actor be part of the behind the scenes, it makes it that more special.

So the movie starts right before Infinity Wars is supposed to start, or around the same time, and explains why Scott (Paul Rudd) wasn't out there helping the other Avengers. It also explains what everyone has been doing in the meantime.

This movie focuses more on Hank, Hope, and Scott and their relationship. The Pyms are not happy with Scott for going to Germany with Captain America to fight in "Civil War". It also gives more screen time to Scott's daughter, whom he calls Peanut and she's adorable! I loved every scene with her in it. She brings a lot of comedy, and we see a lot of Scott in her too!

We also meet a new villain whom they call Ghost. She's one of those villains that are mysterious and that you aren't sure if you like her or not. I can't say anymore so as to not spoil it for you all, but I walked out of there wndering whether I liked her or not. The actress is Hannah John-Kamen (Black Mirror, Tomb Raider) and she does a great job, I think, to show us the pain she is going through. She is also one bad-ass. She kicks everyone's behind, and is very strong, and very smart. I love it when women are like that!

Part one of this series, Ant-Man, had more talking and it seemed to drag in some parts, since they had to introduce a whole new storyline into the MCU and explain the backstory of this new hero, but Ant-Man and the Wasp is past that. In this one, they have a lot of action, lots of comedy, and lots more of Hope, which I loved! I really like her character because she is smart, independent, and can kick any man's behind, but she is also sweet, loving, and cares a lot about those around her. Also, she's beautiful! I loved her character in the first part, but this one made me love her even more! She is a big, big part of the plot and shows she's a full-blown super hero! We need more girl super heroes!

Then we have Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), who has developed from the first movie. I love his character too because he's not the stereotypical guy super hero from most movies in the MCU. He's not too book smart (but he's street smart), he's not a goody two shoes, he's brave but debates it a lot, and he doesn't have any super powers nor really a suit (since it really belongs to Hank), which most of the other heroes do have all of that and/or more. He has to work harder and prove himself more, and he does it beautifully. He's like the underdog of the super heroes and proves all of them wrong. And I always root for the underdog!

Of course, we now have Michelle Pfeiffer, and she's amazing in this movie, as she always is. And we have the return of Micheal Douglas, who brings a lot of comedy and sass to the movie. They have such good chemistry together. My favorite part is when Hank (Michael Douglas) sasses Scott for daydreaming about his daughter, Hope, and he just looks so uncomfortable about seeing Scott see his baby girl as a sexual person. It just made me laugh a lot.

Don't forget to stay after the credits, there are two extra scenes!

Hope you guys enjoy the movie as much as I did!

For Those Recovering from #Avengers - #AntManandWasp Movie Trailer

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath ofCAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas.

Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP opens in theaters everywhere on July 6th!

Like ANT-MAN AND THE WASP on Facebook

Follow ANT-MAN AND THE WASP on Twitter

Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram

#AntManandWasp

Movie Review: Murder on the Orient Express - #OrientExpressMovie

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Mystery
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release: November 10, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenplay by: Michael Green
Based upon the Novel by: Agatha Christie
Produced by: Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon, Simon Kinberg, Kenneth Branagh, Judy Hofflund, Michael Schaefer
Cast: Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Marwan Kenzari, Olivia Colman, Lucy Boynton, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Sergei Polunin
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Official Channels: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
#OrientExpressMovie

What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author Agatha Christie, "Murder on the Orient Express" tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh directs and leads an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

---

It is rare to see an ensemble cast with all “A-list” stars. Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley, and Kenneth Branagh as the famed Hercule Poirot, all star in this week’s Murder on the Orient Express. Unfortunately, the hype was more than the film could bear. While I appreciated some of Murder, this latest re-telling of Agatha Christie’s novel falls apart in the details.  

The concept was good.  We haven’t seen Hercule Poirot on screen in a while.  Every version of Poirot (portrayed Albert Finney, Alfred Molina, David Suchet) has been  entertaining.  Agatha Christie knew how to write suspense novels.  They translate well to screen. And, while Murder wasn’t my favorite, I would enjoy more Agatha Christie movies made from the novels.

The latest Poirot, Branagh, doesn’t disappoint.  Branagh isn’t one of the problems I had with Murder. Although this version of Poirot takes some liberties with the traditional character aspects of Hercule Poirot, Branagh plays the role charming and with a rapier wit.  Also, Branagh wears a mustache like he’s been wearing one his whole life.  I very much appreciated the subtle humor of the role.  

I didn’t enjoy that none of the other actors in the ensemble were given any development.  It seems wasteful to have such a feast of accomplished actors and not use them to their fullest potential.  The two-hour run time should have flown-by.  The audience should have been struggling to keep-up.  It could have been a “don’t leave your seat for fear of missing something” movie, and it wasn’t. The plot moves at a snail’s pace, and I blame that on the under use of the brilliant cast. The likes of Michelle Pfeiffer and Judi Dench deserve to be painted as more than one dimensional characters.  Other than Branagh, the only other stand-out in the cast was Tom Bateman (as Bouc).  I appreciated the earnest mischievousness with which Bateman played his role. I was glad that Bateman had decent screen-time.   

I also minded that I didn’t feel engaged in the cat and mouse of the plot.  Crime/mystery/suspense films are my favorite.  They are also my favorite novels.  But I like to feel engaged in the story; I like to feel like I could solve the mystery myself if I were paying close enough attention.  Murder doesn’t allow for any of that.  There is no smoking gun to be discovered by the audience. All of the clues are something that occur only in Poirot’s recollection or in some back story that the audience isn’t privy to, until Poirot is solving the mystery.

Murder is beautiful to behold.  The sets were impeccable.  The train looked luxurious. The outside scenery shots were beautiful.  The costuming was flawless.  No detail was spared in making Murder look authentic. The production design was so well done, that I found myself entertained by the scenery when the plot stalled.  But, a movie needs to be more than pretty.  

I would wait for Murder to be available on some at-home video format before endeavoring to watch it.  It could have been spectacular, but it isn’t.  Murder is pretty to watch, but not pretty enough to justify the two-hour run time.  If you’re still interested in watching Murder on the Orient Express in theaters, it opens everywhere this Friday.  

The Wizard of Lies Available on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital and On Demand on October 3! #BlurayGiveaway

The Wizard of Lies
Blu-Ray/DVD Release: October  3, 2017
Director: Barry Levinson
Screenplay by: Sam Levinson, John Burnham and Samuel Baum
Novel by: Diana B. Henriques
Cast: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer

---

The Wizard of Lies is a drama that right off the bat throws you into the world of Bernie Madoff’s (Robert De Niro) when he stole over $65 billion dollars in 2008, in one of the most famous Ponzi schemes ever. You follow along watching current events such as him in prison getting interviewed to then going back to the events from 2008 as it happened. You see his family and friends deal with this event, who was involved and who had no clue. To the people that lost every cent they had, to the one ones that profited from those cents. 

Robert De Niro delivers a performance that makes you truly believe he is Madoff. And let’s not leave Michelle Pfeiffer out, she also does one heck of a job on this film. I personally don’t really like dramas like The Wizard of Lies, which involve things such as Wall Street and finances of this matter, but the way De Niro and Pfeiffer deliver, you are entertained and keep watching. There are others in this movie that also receive praise from me for their fantastic job with their characters. 

I was not at all familiar with this event until I saw this film, so The Wizard of Lies helped get this on the radar for people like myself that normally don’t follow such events/stories. It’s like getting a US history lesson via a Hollywood movie (or a novel). 

---

To celebrate the release of The Wizard of Lies on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital and On Demand, here at OUaT we are hosting a giveaway. One lucky follower will win a Blu-ray copy of The Wizard of Lies and a movie-tie in paperback copy of The Wizard of Lies. Just enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#SaltLakeCity Win Passes to Mother! on 9/18 - #mothermovie

Mother!
Release Date: September 15, 2017
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer
Directed & Written By: Darren Aronofsky
Produced By: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin, Aro Handel, Mark Heyman

A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. From filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream), mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer in this riveting psychological thriller about love, devotion and sacrifice.

---

Do you want free tickets to see Darren Arnofsky’s new film Mother!? For your chance to win, send your full name and birthdate to AlliedIMSLC@gmail.com and enter ‘mother!’ in the subject line. Entry deadline is 9/18. Winners will be notified that morning. Mother! opens everywhere on September 15th.

#Denver Win Passes to Mother! on 9/18 - #mothermovie

Mother!
Release Date: September 15, 2017
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer
Directed & Written By: Darren Aronofsky
Produced By: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin, Aro Handel, Mark Heyman

A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. From filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream), mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer in this riveting psychological thriller about love, devotion and sacrifice.

---

Do you want free tickets to see Darren Arnofsky’s new film Mother!? For your chance to win, send your full name and birthdate to AlliedIMDenver@gmail.com and enter ‘mother!’ in the subject line. Entry deadline is 9/18. Winners will be notified that morning. Mother! opens everywhere on September 15th.