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Reviews
The Grinch (2018)
This movie is not bad, but it is not great either. Still worth seeing though!
3/5: This movie was okay. It is worth it to see it in theaters but if you are excited about other movies, I'd see those over this.
I love the Grinch. All the films and just for the fact that it is a Christmas movie that isn't all the same as the others. I came into this film excited because I really enjoy Benedict Cumberbatch as an actor and figured he would do a great job as the Grinch. To keep it short, he does a great job as the Grinch. This movie was different from what I expected though. The Whos when the Grinch would visit weren't in fear of the Grinch. They didn't avoid him, there are characters that openly try to embrace the Grinch. While the story of the movie has this tone makes sense, it was weird throughout seeing this. The best part of the film is Max. He is the character that helped me enjoy this movie. The bonding between Grinch and Max is adorable especially if you have a pupper at home. The Whos really take back seat in this film and that was fine because they really didn't enhance it much for me outside of a singular character and a few scenes. This is not a bad movie, I just don't think it is necessary for theaters. If you love the Grinch, I recommend a viewing but with movies like Overlord, Widows, and Girl in the Spiders Web, I feel that your experience could be better served if you're more excited for those films.
TL;DR- This Grinch is the least grinchy of them all. Max and the animal pals make the movie fun to sit through because they are adorable. If you love the Grinch, I'd say see this but if you're excited for other movies this week and next, save your cash and see those.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Come for the music, stay for the story - See this in a Premium Format!
JUDGEment: Bohemian Rhapsody - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1727824/
8/10
Is this the review, or is this fantasy? This is definitely the review. This movie from start to finish followed the biopic formula to a tee. There were a few plot devices repeated which irked me but nothing that broke the experience. The story of Freddie Mercury is an interesting one. The movie is shot well and the acting from Rami Malek is unbelievable. He plays a very convincing lead role. The rest of the cast was outshined in my eyes by Malek's performance but it didn't wear on the movie for me. I saw this in Dolby Digital Premium Format. This is the best way to see the movie (or IMAX, pending your preference). This film deserves to be seen in a premium audio format. The last 30 minutes alone were worth the price of the upcharge.
TL;DR - If you have any interest in Queen, and want to know more, see this film. If you love Queen and their music, treat yourself and see it in a Premium Theater format. The upcharge is worth it. Good film start to end, worth a viewing in.
Venom (2018)
Great film but slow start hinders it immensely.
JUDGEment: Venom - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270797/?ref_=nv_sr_1
7/10
Sym-BYE-ote or Sym-BEE-ote? Which team are you? Either way, Venom is Fox's take on copying the Marvel formula. Trying and stumbling along the way. Movie starts out very slow. Definitely feel it is the worst half of the film. You follow Eddie Brock pre-symbiote (How do you think I said that?) While his story is good, the filmed aspect of it is boring. I felt the urge to want to check my phone. As soon as Venom is introduced into the equation, this film picks up and takes off, never looking back. Editing during action scenes cut around a lot, CGI is very good in most cases even though it looks odd at times. Story overall starts slow and then picks up and ends very fast it felt like. If you have an interest in the character or the movie, I'd say see this film. Is it one I'd say stop what you're doing to see? No. It is serviceable, great Redbox/Netflix movie. Definitely should see it but if you're on the fence or are excited to see things like First Man, I'd say go with your excitement. I saw this in IMAX. Definitely wasn't necessary to see there.
TL;DR - This is Fox trying to carbon copy the Marvel formula and they do okay at it. The down times without Venom at the start are boring and slow. Once Venom is introduced Hardy shines and it becomes a film worth seeing. Should you see in theaters? Only if you want to, if you're excited for other releases this weekend, I'd pass on Venom and see it as a rental.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Bite Size review!
JUDGEment: A Star is Born - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517451/
9/10
Drama and movies with emotions don't usually get to me. I am normally disconnected with movies which is just how I view movies. This is one of the first movies in a long time that has naturally evoked the emotions of happy, sad, and excited by just watching the movie. Not knowing about the source material I came into this just know what the trailers were about. The movie is very well paced, edited well, and the story is top notch.Cooper and Gaga were amazing together and the whole cast played their parts very well. The story is quite predictable but that doesn't hurt the story at all. It is so well acted that it is worth it. I saw this in Dolby Digital Premium Format and it was the right decision. The concert sounds and the musical moments are accentuated greatly in the premium format. This movie has a feeling that it will be a classic, one that we will look back on like we do movies of the past and say this was a classic.
TL;DR: Saw this in Dolby Premium Format, SEE IT THIS WAY. (If you can that is) The movie is much better with the large sound format. The story was amazing, it hit all the right notes, story was great but a bit predictable, but it is one of the few movies I've seen that made me feel the emotions of the movie and that doesn't happen often. This is one of the best movies you will see all year. It is worth it to see it. This will be nominated for awards for sure.
Night School (2018)
JUDGEment: Night School - Almost seemed like a Happy Madison movie
JUDGEment: Night School - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6781982/
6/10
Not a fan of usually seeing comedies in theaters, I decided to go with it because there wasn't much out this week that seemed like it was worth while. Boy was I right. If you find Kevin Hart funny, you will enjoy this film. This really is in the vein with his style of comedy and other comedies similar to Happy Madison Productions. While I enjoy Hart's comedic style, I felt this plot was okay and he wasn't the shining point of the film. Tiffany Haddish though, she is the main reason to see this and other movies she's coming out in. She was fantastic and a great counter to Hart in the film. Plot is super simple and that is fine for a comedy. Nothing really to write home about. Had some laugh out loud moments but mostly chuckles. If you want to see something in theaters this weekend, go see A Simple Favor. That movie deserves more recognition.
TL;DR - It was okay. Majority of the laughs were chuckles with a few LOL moments. If you love Haddish, see this. Hart is about average and the editing really sped by the middle of the movie. If you want to see something in theaters, see a different movie. If you're interested in this movie or like the comedy style, wait for Redbox. You aren't missing much.
Book Club (2018)
If you like movies in this vein, you've probably seen this already. . .
Post Theaters Release Viewing
8/10
You ever wonder what senior citizens think about 50 Shades of Grey trilogy? No? Well you should find out. This movie was a significant other pick. She saw this in theaters and loved it so much that she bought it in Blu-Ray. The movie is a RomCom and I came in expecting little as I do but I came out pleasantly surprised as I did with Crazy Rich Asians (check that review and that movie!) . The movie has a fun story and the cast is stellar. Lots of great jokes and the stories that they came up with for each of the 4 main characters were great. Some better than others. I feel the character Candice Bergen (Sharon in the film) was probably the weakest of the bunch but still wasn't a drag. The fact that each story wrapped up and the overall story had a nice conclusion was fulfilling. It was very typical of the style of movie but that didn't stop the moment to moment interactions from being great.
TL;DR: While I didn't see this in theaters per my usual routine, my number ratings remain the same. Should you see this movie? Yes. I feel that it is one that you will enjoy. If you like the style of movies like Mamma Mia etc, you will like this movie. All Star cast is great, story is good and has a satisfying conclusion. If you see lots of this style of movie, you probably have seen this story one way or another, but the cast makes it worth the viewing.
White Boy Rick (2018)
Bite Size review
JUDGEment: White Boy Rick
7/10
One of the few times IMDb review aggregate is spot on with how I feel. This movie is very similar to Blow with Johnny Depp and other movies this style. The story is engaging, the characters are very well acted. The main complaint I have is that the story jumps around a lot. The movie is oddly edited and I feel that it sets up acts of the movie, goes to deliver and then it jumps away to another topic. It just felt odd watching the movie. I feel that this movie if it had more time to develop it would have been fine. Reaching back the the character acting, the main three, McConaughey, Merritt, Powley all play very strong roles and the acting was fantastic. Should you see this in theaters? I don't know. I thought it was worth seeing but I feel that there are better movies to see in theaters right now.
TL;DR: Story was engaging, Characters were acted superbly, editing was weird. If you want to see this, go see it. If you're on the fence, wait and see something else like Searching and catch this in Redbox.
A Simple Favor (2018)
Gone Girl style plot with the right amount of comedy blended in!
I came into this movie not knowing what to expect. My Girlfriend picked it and I just knew going in the base concept. If you've seen thrillers such as Gone Girl you get the general gist of this movie. While the base plot is pretty simple to understand, the aspect that I was not ready for was the overall comedy that would happen in this movie. Between Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively there are more than enough laughs to go around. Anna Kendrick is her usually perk style self and that is always appealing. While not seeing Lively in many things prior, I really enjoyed her character. The thing I loved the most about the movie was when both of the lead actresses shared screen time together. The chemistry on screen was stunning. The movie from time to time felt a bit weird in the pacing department because it would go from funny to serious in a drop but it kept you on the edge of your seat.
Overall the movie was great. The plot maintained it's twists and turns as you would expect a suspense/thriller to do and it delivered on many quips and laughs that didn't feel overused. The movie is now in my top three of movies seen in theaters this year bumping Hotel Transylvania 3 out of the top 3. I highly recommend seeing this movie any way you can. It is a great movie to see if you want a good story with more than your fair share of laughs.
TL;DR - Gone Girl style story with the perfect amount of comedy blended in. Highly recommend seeing this movie any way you can. Kendrick and Lively are both stellar here and their characters mesh perfectly while they share the screen space.