Movie Review: The Gentlemen - #TheGentlemen

The Gentlemen
Genre: ​Action | Comedy
Cast: ​Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, with Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant
Director: ​Guy Ritchie
Screenplay by: ​Guy Ritchie
Story by: ​Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies
Producers: ​Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Bill Block
Release Date: ​January 24, 2020

From writer/director Guy Ritchie comes ​THE GENTLEMEN​, a star-studded sophisticated action comedy. ​THE GENTLEMEN​ follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him (featuring an all-star ensemble cast including Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant).

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Good news! There is a new Guy Ritchie movie out right now.  It’s called The Gentlemen.  Better news?  If you like Guy Ritchie’s gangster movies, you’re going to enjoy this one, too. Not so good news? This Guy Ritchie movie is the same gangster formula that you have seen in flicks like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch.

Still, The Gentlemen is not a bad movie. Guy Ritchie’s formula has been tested and it still delivers.  The characters were quirky and charming.  The cast was stellar.  Matthew McConaghey (as Michael), Charlie Hunnam (as Ray), Henry Golding (as Dry Eye), Michelle Dockery (as Rosalind), Colin Farrell (as Coach) and Jeremy Strong (as Matthew) were all in top form.  Their work was completely believable and engrossing to watch.   As entertaining as the aforementioned cast was to watch, Hugh Grant (as Fletcher) took the prize.  His narration and performance wove the story together well  and kept the pace moving.

The heist was entertaining. The “American ex-patriot running a successful marijuana operation in London while fighting off a coup at the twilight of his career” story felt grown-up.  This isn’t your kids’ hot rod racing, action flick.   This felt more pensive. It felt timely, especially for its marijuana references. Rosalind’s “female luxury cars operation” plot points were also timely.  Loved that she was a boss in her own right, separate from her cartel boss husband.  Even found Flether’s “novice screen writer” story funny.  

The Gentlemen worked in the way that things work only in Guy Ritchie movies.   There were a ton of twists, turns, and expletives. The movie had backstabbing, dead bodies, and  assorted crimes galore. It is a great film for fans of Guy Ritchie’s work, and anyone out for a lot of fun. 

Above all else, The Gentlemen is great escapism.  Guy Ritchie has his own movie-making mold and his latest adheres to it perfectly.  It might be a formula, but it’s a formula that works.  This isn’t family fare.  The young ones should avert their eyes and ears, but adults will find it entertaining.  The Gentlemen is playing in theaters now.

Movie Review: UglyDolls

UGLYDOLLS
Cast: Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton, Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias, Wang Leehom, Emma Roberts and Pitbull. Bebe Rexha, Charlie XCX, and Lizzo
Director: Kelly Asbury
Producers: Jane Hartwell, Robert Rodriguez, Oren Aviv
Release Date: May 3, 2019

Official Site

#UglyDollsMovie

Unconventionality rules in UGLYDOLLS, STXfilms' new animated musical adventure starring the acting and singing voices of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton and Pitbull.

In the adorably different town of Uglyville, weird is celebrated, strange is special and beauty is embraced as more than simply meets the eye. Here, the free-spirited Moxy (Clarkson) and her UglyDoll friends live every day in a whirlwind of bliss, letting their freak flags fly in a celebration of life and its endless possibilities. In this all-new story, the UGLYDOLLS will go on a journey beyond the comfortable borders of Uglyville. There, they will confront what it means to be different, struggle with their desire to be loved, and ultimately discover that you don't have to be perfect to be amazing because who you truly are is what matters most.

The film is inspired by the unique and beloved global plush toy phenomenon launched in 2001 and features all new original songs from the cast of popstars.

Also starring in the voice cast of UGLYDOLLS are Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias, Wang Leehom, Emma Roberts, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX and Lizzo.

An STXfilms and Alibaba Pictures presentation, UGLYDOLLS is directed by Kelly Asbury and will be released in theaters on May 3, 2019.

The original motion picture soundtrack will be released by Atlantic Records.

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Recently, the world of animation has stepped-up its game.  There are some really good, trip to the theater worthy, animated films being made these days.  Unfortunately, UglyDolls isn’t one of them. In the scheme of the good, the bad, and  the ugly,UglyDolls is heavy on the bad and ugly and very low on the good. Opt for a different family film this week, or take the kids to see the latest superhero movie out (again.)

From the get-go, UglyDolls seemed confused.  Moxy (Kelly Clarkson) opened the film with a song about how wonderful the day was going to be and how happy she was to be a part of the Uglywille community, but she’s also very sad that she may never be able to leave Uglywille to realize the dream of belonging to a child. Then, the town mayor, Ox (Blake Shelton) discourages Moxy from following her dream, seemingly to protect her from he real world.  But, in his efforts to protect Moxy, Ox pressures an unwilling Lucky Bat (Wang Leehom) into “counseling” Moxy against her plans to search for more.  … And that was just the first five minutes.

UglyDolls tried hard to make the correct points: self-esteem, inclusion, and tolerance, among others. But, then, one of the dolls crashed into a wall because she didn’t want to “be ugly” by wearing her corrective lenses, and the good messages are lost on the kids in the theater audience wearing corrective lenses.  It happened like that time and again.  Just as the story was going to make a positive point, it went sideways. UglyDolls was definitely not some of Kelly Asbury’s (the Director of the film) best work. If it wasn’t for Moxy’s can-do spirit and big heart, UglyDolls would have been entirely unwatchable.

The music was bad.  It was more like sung dialogue. There was nothing catchy about most of the songs.  No one will be humming the tunes after watching the movie. Maybe because many of the of the voice actors are singers, UglyDolls includes an entire soundtrack of original music.  The many musical numbers were over used and overdone.

Still, not all of it was horrible.  Ugly Dog (Pitbull, who doesn’t love Pitbull?) stole all of the scenes he was in.  Wage’s cynical voice (Wanda Sykes) added genuine and much needed humor. And there was a bit in a washing machine which was creative and original.

That said, skip it. Use the 88 minute run-time to do something else with the family this weekend.  Big kids will dislike the silly music and infantile use of color.  Little kids won’t understand any of the well-intentioned themes.  Parents will resent all of it. Uglydolls is playing everywhere starting May 3.

Movie Review: STXfilms' Peppermint Movie

Peppermint 
Cast: Jennifer Garner, John Ortiz, John Gallagher Jr., Juan Pablo Raba
Writer: Chad St. John
Director: Pierre Morel
Producers: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Eric Reid, Richard Wright
Release Date: September 7th, 2018

Peppermint is a high impact, Jennifer Garner led, action thriller which tells the story of young mother Riley North (Garner) who awakens from a coma after her husband and daughter are killed in a brutal attack on the family. When the system frustratingly shields the murderers from justice, Riley sets out to transform herself from citizen to urban guerilla. Channeling her frustration into personal motivation, she spends years in hiding honing her mind, body and spirit to become an unstoppable force – eluding the underworld, the LAPD and the FBI- as she methodically delivers her personal brand of justice.

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If you're old enough to have been a fan of Jennifer Garner's action television series, Alias, you will be happy to see Garner in an action role again. While Garner has spent a decade playing mostly goodie mom roles, there is a good bit of kick-ass in her still. This week's film, Peppermint, is a fun action flick with a cool chic lead. 

The entertainment world needs cool chic leads. It's great to see women in the role of rescuer, instead the rescued. And Garner's character, Riley, is no victim. Even as a tragic event sets Riley on a path of revenge, there is no real time to pity her. It was great to see a woman who doesn't spend half of the movie in her feelings. There is a job to be done and Riley goes right to it. 

The plot moves at a lightening pace. The fast pacing works well for Peppermint. This story isn't entirely novel.  It's a stylized vendetta in the spirit of John Wick. Someone does something bad to someone else and that person wants revenge.  People know what to expect, so there is no need for a ton of back story or details. Peppermint jumps right into the action and stays there. 

More than anything, the movie is fun. The guns are cool. The combat is well choreographed. The Skid Row setting feels authentic. The soundtrack matches the genre perfectly. 

Go see Peppermint. Support a female-lead film. It is fun without over thinking. At a short run-time, the minutes will fly-by. The action will not disappoint. Jennifer Garner never disappoints. Peppermint is playing everywhere now. 

#SanAntonio Grab Passes to #PeppermintMovie @ Santikos Bijou 9/5

Peppermint
Cast: Jennifer Garner, John Ortiz, John Gallagher Jr., Juan Pablo Raba
Writer: Chad St. John
Director: Pierre Morel
Producers: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Eric Reid, Richard Wright
Release Date: September 7th, 2018

Peppermint is a high impact, Jennifer Garner led, action thriller which tells the story of young mother Riley North (Garner) who awakens from a coma after her husband and daughter are killed in a brutal attack on the family. When the system frustratingly shields the murderers from justice, Riley sets out to transform herself from citizen to urban guerilla. Channeling her frustration into personal motivation, she spends years in hiding honing her mind, body and spirit to become an unstoppable force – eluding the underworld, the LAPD and the FBI- as she methodically delivers her personal brand of justice.

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Do you want to see PEPPERMINT Movie before it hits Theaters. Click on the link below, for your chance to download an admit-two screening pass for an advance screening on Wednesday, September 5th at 7:00PM in San Antonio. 

Seats in the theater are first-come, first-serve so PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!

Movie Review for #TheHappyTimesMurders

The Happytime Murders
Director: Brian Henson
WritersTodd Berger (screenplay by), Todd Berger & Dee Austin Robertson (story by)
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph
MPAA Rating: R
Official Socials: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | IMDb
Hashtag#HappyTimeMurders

When the puppet cast of an '80s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.

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There's no other word to describe this movie with than odd. Yes, it had a plot, its funny moments, the silliness of puppets living with humans (reminded me of the world of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" but with Muppets instead of cartoons), but it is definitely odd. The poster for it you see above describes the movie very well.

Growing up watching Sesame Street and The Muppets Show (as many of us from the 80s did), I want to watch anything with the Muppets in it (I've seen most of the movies that have been done with them, if not all), so I was curious to watch this one. I saw the trailer before going into the movie and decided I'd maintain a neutral opinion about it until I watched the actual movie. I won't lie, it was better than I thought it would be. Will I tell you to rush to the theaters to go see it? No. If you do, should you take your kids to see like all the other Muppet movies? Um, take another look at the poster, read all the signs and things that are being shown and you will be in agreement with me that the answer is HELL NO. It's a very adult movie, so make sure to leave the little ones with a babysitter if you want to go see this movie.

The plot of the movie also reminded me of Roger Rabbit because, as the title of the movie implies, there are a few murders of puppets. The cast of a kids show from the 80s, "The Happytimes", start getting murdered one by one and it's up to Phil Phillips (the blue Muppet with Melissa McCarthy in the poster) ends up getting accused of them (as I said, reminiscent of Roger Rabbit), so now he and Melissa McCarthy's character, Detective Edwards, are out to solve the murders while clearing his name.

What makes it odd, I think, is that there's a terrible sex scene with two of the Muppets (you can see part of it in the trailer actually) and it's just so...well, odd. But there's a lot of things that make it odd. Doesn't mean it's not fun or funny, just know there are some things in the movie that will make you put a confused face. Despite these things, I did laugh and have a good time with it. I spoke to other press attendees and they said the same thing that I did: better than I expected, has its funny moments, but so odd.

I won't lie, I haven't seen many Melissa McCarthy movies. No reason at all, just haven't gotten around to it. Anyway, I actually liked her in the movie and laughed with her. I like the way she delves into a character and really makes you believe she IS that character. Joel McHale comes out in the movie too, but his character is more of a douche bag and smart ass than anything, but I still love him to pieces (and he's so hot!). The few scenes he's in are actually quite funny and make the movie funnier.

There really isn't much more I can say about the movie without spoiling it, but just know that I had a good time, but I wouldn't run to the theaters to see it. If you feel like watching some none sense movie that you don't have to think a lot and just laugh, then go and see it. Otherwise, wait for later.

#SanAntonio Grab Passes to I Feel Pretty @ Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro 3/27

I Feel Pretty
Release Date: April 20, 2018
Directors: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel, Aidy Phillips, Tom Hopper, Naomi Campbell, Lauren Hutton

I FEEL PRETTY is a hilarious and relatable comedy about an ordinary woman, Renee (Amy Schumer), who struggles with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy about herself both outwardly and inwardly. After suffering a fall, she wakes up believing that her physical appearance has changed to what she believes is the perfect version of herself, but unbeknownst to her, she looks exactly the same. With this new found “beauty”, suddenly she is con dent, empowered, and fearless. She marches through life with an altered perception of her physical self and a staunch self-assuredness that leads her to comedic interactions with the other people in her life.

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Click below to grab your pass to see Love, Simon on March 14, 2018.

Coming Soon: #AdriftMovie Starring Shailene Woodley & Sam Claflin 6.1.18

ADRIFT

Starring Shailene Woodley (Fault in Our Stars, Divergent films) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You, The Hunger Games films), ADRIFT is based on the inspiring true story of two free spirits whose chance encounter leads them first to love, and then to the adventure of a lifetime.

As the two avid sailors set out on a journey across the ocean, Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn't anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. 

ADRIFT is the unforgettable story about the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love. 

In Theaters from STXfilms June 1, 2018

         

#AdriftMovie

Movie Review: STX Films' The Foreigner - #TheForeigner

The Foreigner
Starring: Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan
Rated: R
Run Time: 114 minutes
Director: Martin Campbell
Writers: Screenplay by David Marconi, Based on the Novel “The Chinaman” by Stephen Leather
Producers: Jackie Chan, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Arthur Sarkissian, Qi Jian Hong, Claire Kupchak, Scott Lumpkin, Jamie Marshall, Cathy Schulman

Facebook.com/ForeignerMovie ​
Twitter​ ​-​ ​@ForeignerMovie
Instagram ​ ​-​ ​@ForeignerMovie
#TheForeigner

The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan, is a timely action thriller from the director of “Casino Royale.” The film tells the story of humble London businessman Quan (Chan), whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love -- his teenage daughter -- is taken from him in a senseless act of politically-motivated terrorism. In his relentless search for the identity of the terrorists, Quan is forced into a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official (Brosnan), whose own past may hold clues to the identities of the elusive killers.

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I didn’t know what to think of this week’s The Foreigner when I agreed to sit for a screening.  It has been a while since Jackie Chan had a starring role in a film.  In his sixties, I wasn’t sure if he could still deliver the action sequences of his past. I enjoyed some of The Foreigner, but not all.

Let’s cover the bad aspects first.  The story is almost too timely.  I’m tired of worrying about real random violence in the world today.  Terrorist threats and actions are all over the news, every day. The Foreigner offers nothing by way of escapist entertainment.  The plot felt like it was lifted-off the news headlines.  It was too real, and that was too much. It also felt irresponsible to glorify guns and violence in the manner this movie does.  

Also, I'm not sure that Jackie Chan (as Quan) was the best person to lead this film. He looked tired for the entire movie. The action scenes were nice to see, but they looked more carefully choreographed than in any action film Chan has done before. And Chan seemed to be lacking in his acting range. When he was supposed to look sorrowful, he looked flat. Chan's facial expressions, and lack thereof, were disappointing. Chan was easily out-shined by his co-star, Pierce Brosnan (as Liam Hennessy), in a movie that was supposed to be about Chan. While there are other members of the cast, The Foreigner is about the relationship between Hennessy and Chan.  The audience is supposed to root for one of them, and I found myself rooting for the wrong one. 

Next up is the musical score of The Foreigner. What was that? I would have enjoyed the movie so much more without the 1990's sounding musical score. It was very over-powering and out of place. It was distracting to the story instead of enhancing to it.  

But I didn't dislike all of the movie. I appreciated the geo-political plot. Films with a global view are enlightening.  I liked the fast talking political negotiations. Brosnan's star shown brightest during these scenes. 

The cat and mouse chase was predictable, but fun. I enjoyed putting together the puzzle. Not bad for a revenge-style movie as long as no one over thinks some of the impossible scenarios in the movie. 

The Foreigner is very middle of the road.  There is no need to rush out to see it in a theater. I could have watched this in the comfort of my living room and enjoyed it just fine. I would have liked the ability to turn-down the annoying musical score. If you want to see The Foreigner in a theater, it is playing everywhere now. 

Movie Review: STXFilms' Their Finest

Their Finest
Release Date: April 14, 2017
Cast: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, and Bill Nighy
Director: Lone Scherfig
Writer: Screenplay by Gaby Chiappe. Based on the novel by Lissa Evans
Producers: Stephen Woolley, Amanda Posey Finola Dwyer, Elizabeth Karlsen

With London emptied of its men now fighting at the Front, Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton) is hired by the British Ministry as a “slop” scriptwriter charged with bringing “a woman’s touch” to morale-boosting propaganda films. Her natural flair quickly gets her noticed by dashing movie producer Buckley (Sam Claflin) whose path would never have crossed hers in peacetime. As bombs are dropping all around them, Catrin, Buckley and a colorful crew work furiously to make a film that will warm the hearts of the nation. Although Catrin’s artist husband looks down on her job, she quickly discovers there is as much camaraderie, laughter and passion behind the camera as there is onscreen.

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I enjoy British comedies, for the most part.  I think it’s the accent, makes regular humor seem high-brow. And I adore Bill Nighy in all things.  He is, through and through, a likable character.  So, I was really looking forward to seeing Their Finest, a British dramedy about the making of a movie surrounding the events at Dunkirk during World War II.

I thoroughly enjoyed Their Finest. Everything about it, other than the title, was great.  What were people thinking when they called this film “Their Finest”?  Am I right?  Okay.  We got that out of the way, my only gripe.  The rest of this review will be about how much I enjoyed the rest of the film, about the making of a film.  The plot felt original.  I know this is a remake of an older film, but it still felt original.  I love that the script divulges all of the movie conventions “necessary” for the making of a good movie, concepts like a funny script, significant roles for females, an all-American hero, a tragedy, etc., and then, uses those conventions in both the movie about the making of a movie and the other movie.  If the audience listened, the first few minutes of the film divulged all of the plot conventions that would be featured in both of the movies.  I loved it.  Seemed very smart.

The whole film felt smart.  It tackles and comments on hot-button political issues without being overtly political. It questions disparities between men and women, but it doesn’t pick a side.  It’s a war-time movie that displays many of the tragedies of the War, and still appreciates that War for the opportunities given to Catrin and Ambrose.   

The cast is awesome.  I already gushed about Nighy (as Ambrose Hilliard), but Their Finest also stars Gemma Arterton (as Catrin Cole), Sam Claflin (as Tom Buckley) and Jake Lacy (as Carl Lundbeck). The cast had wonderful chemistry.  Each character was nicely flawed and relatable.  I appreciated that Arterton was written as a quick-witted problem-solver, quietly coming to the rescue of many complications in the movie.  Arterton and Claflin were perfect as love interests.  I could have watched another two hours just on Catrin and Tom.  Truth be told, I could have watched another two hours of Catrin and Ambrose, or just about any of the other characters.

Their Finest is witty and smart. And I love the strong female roles. Anyone that enjoys films about the entertainment industry will enjoy it.  Those who like historical films will like it, too.  The film looked great on the big screen, and several audience members stuck around after to discuss several of the movie’s themes.  See Their Finest on the big screen, expanding from limited release.