The Marine 5: Battleground

The Miz is back again as Jake Carter, the poor beleaguered ex-Marine who can't seem to find a job where people aren't shooting at him, and I'm happy to say this is a much better installment in the franchise than the last film was. The script is simple, but was everything it needed to be for a popcorn action flick. This fifth "Marine" film was packed to the gills with WWE stars, with solid and believable performances by Heath Slater, Maryse, Naomi, and Curtis Axel. The Miz ia awesome as always, and I like how he's allowing the cumulative emotional toll from the previous two films to build up and show through his performance in subtle ways. He is a profession and very proficient actor, and I'm glad he now owns this role. However, I have to say the true star of this film is Bo Dallas. His turn as the big bad boss in this was just tremendous. His range of emotion and commitment to the character was great. I predict he could have a long career in film, if only he can get that first push (a push, I might add, that he has been long deserving of and not getting in the WWE). This was a solid installment in the "Marine" franchise and a big improvement from the last film, and I hope The Miz gets a whole slew of new sequels to come. 3.5/5

The Marine 5: Battleground on Netflix

The Collector

If I'm being very honest, this is pure torture-porn with a premise I've seen before. However, this is some of the best high-violence horror I've seen in a while, and, given how much horror I watch, that's serious praise. Marcus Dunstan's direction is high-octane and creative, with shot-composition and lighting I don't see often in horror. Josh Stewart's acting was pretty damn solid for horror, as was most of the cast. Jerome Dillon's score was exceptional and kept the energy high. The traps were better than the similarly-themed "Saw II", and the premise better executed than in "The Hoarder" and "Don't Breathe", which are also similar plot-wise. I was thoroughly glued to my screen by this - a very impressive film. 4/5

The Collector on Netflix

Colossal

Sorry for the long absence, I have been dealing with some bad health issues. But let's get to this film, because I have some things to say. This is not a comedic film, which was what I was expecting. The trailers would have you believe it is, but it is in actuality very, very dark. It starts somewhat dark, gets darker, has a few witty moments, and then dives full-on into some pretty serious stuff. I feel like writer/director Nacho Vigalondo wanted to make something funny with a bit of darkness, which is a combination that works well. But, instead, he made a very dark and disturbing film with some bizarre moments of levity that were definitely out of place, and I found the occasional humor a bit unsettling. Having said all that, the actual meat of the story is quite good. It's daring, interesting, and it's brought to life with knock-out performances from Hathaway and Sudeikis. As the film barrels towards what becomes an inevitable and tragic end, I found myself wishing Vigalondo had just dived in and really dedicated himself to the darkness of this story, because it would have been amazing. Instead, I found myself both wowed and confused, so a mixed bag here for me. 3/5

Colossal on Netflix

Toy Story 2

Am I weird? I must be weird, because I wasn't a huge fan of this. I liked the characters and their development, especially all the new folk from Woody's Roundup. I liked the sense of adventure and the moral of the story. But, honestly, the plot got a little much for me. Okay, I know this is an animated story about toys that come to life when no one is watching, but it got a bit ridiculous. For example - Woody's arm tears from gentle play, but he can handle the air velocity of a plane taking off without injury. RIIIIIIGHT. The whole film is filled with these types of gaffes, where we're given a rule of the world one minute and it's broken the next. It really bothered me after a bit, if I'm being honest. I'll be interested to see the third one now. 3/5

Toy Story 2 on Netflix

Sleight

This wasn't the movie I was expecting from the ad campaign, which I always find a bit disconcerting, but it was a movie that I became more and more interested in as it developed. The acting was quite strong from a group of young actors with whom I was not familiar. I enjoyed the direction and pacing as well. I do feel like the script left a few things out I wish had been further developed, and the ending was just a big giant tease for an apparent sequel with no pay off for the film I had just been watching. Overall I thought this was a fun and fairly strong film. 3.5/5

Sleight on Netflix

Project Almanac

I really don't get the hate in Netflix reviews for this, as I really enjoyed it. It's tough to do a time travel film that makes sense, and I thought this film was smart and well thought out. Yes, even I rolled my eyes at the found-footage aspect of it, but it really was the only way the story could have been told. The acting was fairly decent as well. As a bonus, there were a few alternate endings and openings on the disc, which I always enjoy. I liked this a lot, I recommend it to time-travel movie fans. 4/5

Project Almanac on Netflix

Moana

Well, I think I'm in the minority with this film, because I wasn't really jazzed by it. I saw a lot of similarities between this film and "Kubo and the Two Strings" in terms of message and how the story unfolded. But I also felt that it was trying to be witty and clever and endearing ln the way that "Trolls" was. Unfortunately, because those two purposes were at odds with each other, I felt this film failed to really deliver on either front. I thought the message of the film came off as trite and actually played into some of the gender stereotypes it was trying to overcome. I also felt much of the humor felt stale and the songs weren't nearly as good as in other Disney films or in "Trolls". In the end, this didn't really do it for me I'm sorry to say. 3/5

Moana on Netflix

The Space Between Us

This was an adorable movie, it really was. It's soft sci-fi that's actually a romantic drama at heart, and it was sweet and lovely. It did fall a bit flat with me, though, because I never felt the stakes were high enough. I should have felt more afraid for people's lives, I should have really believed that tragedy was afoot all the time, but I didn't. So, while I did really enjoy it, I felt it could have been far more impactful if it was slightly less charming and slightly more serious. Still, a cute film. 3.5/5

The Space Between Us on Netflix

Ironclad

Oh wow, this was truly excellent. I always seem to forget how awesome Paul Giamatti is, and then I see him slaying in a film like this and I remember why I love him. Everything in this film is on point. The script is tight, the direction really compelling, and all the acting is excellent. It's also really violent, so be warned. An excellent film. 4.5/5

Ironclad on Netflix

Life

Okay, I'm just going to address the very mixed reviews for this right away. I see both sides of the issue. Yes, the acting is very strong. The direction was engaging and excting, and I was incredibly intrigued by the life form. I was completely into the film from minute one. However, I see the point of the naysayers. This movie really was cliche after cliche after cliche. And, ultimately, given the parameters of the film, most of the choices made were idiotic and contradicted by the way the film draws to a close. Yes, I'm being really vague here to avoid spoilers, but I think readers will get my meaning regardless. I did have to give it an extra half star for the last two minutes of the film though, because WOW. That alone was worth the price of admission. I did like this. It was enjoyable and fun in every way it needed to be, but "Alien" it was not. 3.5/5

Life on Netflix

John Wick: Chapter 2

I loved the first John Wick film, and I loved this one even more. I haven't been a Keanu fan in some time, but his gun-handling in these films is a large part of why they work so well. He's so damn good at three-gun it's ridiculous. Now, granted, his acting is as sub-par as ever, but that hardly matters here. The action is fantastic, the direction is gorgeous, the music is great, and so are most of the performances. I can't wait for the third one now! 4/5

John Wick: Chapter 2 on Netflix

Kubo and the Two Strings

This animated film was just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen stop-motion done quite like this - it was insanely beautiful. I really loved the story, the pacing was excellent, the comedy was witty and yet dark enough to convey the tragedy of the story. My one gripe? Maybe this is being a little hard, but I didn't understand why we heard Theron, Fiennes, Mara, and McConaughey voicing Japanese characters. It just seemed like a awfully strange choice to me. The movie tried so hard to ground this in Japan and Japanese culture that I really didn't get why I wasn't hearing Japanese accents and voices. But, that aside, this is a wonderful film. I normally don't watch much animation, so this is high praise from me. 4.5/5

Kubo and the Two Strings on Netflix

Allied

Brad Pitt is a better actor than this. I know he is. I've seen it. But, both in this and in his movie before this, "By the Sea", he was just wooden. I cut him slack for it in "By the Sea" because I thought it might be a stylistic choice, but there was no reason for it here. Cotillard was lovely in this, as she is in all things, but Pitt's wooden boy routine left her hanging and the whole picture stale. This could have been a real home run if Pitt had shown up for work. However, I do know that this was made during the active dissolution of his marriage, so I'm guessing that's why. Still, a shame - this could have been much better. 3/5

Allied on Netflix

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

I didn't mind the first Jack Reacher film because I have never read the books. However, I understood enough about the Reacher character to know that, while Cruise looks nothing like the part, he acted the part quite well. I cannot say the same for this film. This isn't Reacher as I understand him, nor did it resemble the Reacher from the first film. Added to that, the writing was sloppy and pedantic, the acting mostly trite, and the direction predictable. Whether or not you agree with the casting of Cruise in the role, one must admit that the first film was at least a decent action thriller at heart. This, sadly, was not. 2/5

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back on Netflix

Assassin's Creed

First off, sorry for the long absence, I've had a slew of life problems happening. I will try to return to my regular reviews.

My husband is an avid gamer, and I have watched him play the Assassin's Creed games many times over. The game is so stylized in its look and action that I thought no movie could ever capture that. I was wrong. This movie lives so well in the Assassin's Creed world it could be a game itself. The direction, sets, and motion of everything was so spot on it was eerie. The acting was far better than what you normally see in video game films, especially Fassbender, who is quite good. The ending was a bit too open and got a little off track, but I know they did that to leave place for a sequel. I was surprised at how good this was. If you know the game, it's worth a watch. 4/5

Assassin's Creed on Netflix

Deepwater Horizon

Have the team of Berg and Wahlberg made a bad movie yet? I really don't think so, at least none that I've seen yet. This chronicle of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy was told well, with rounded characters, solid acting, and stunning direction that really throws the viewer into the midst of the story. It was well paced and not overly long, and I was happy not to see it turn into a political tirade, although it does make a powerful statement. Another great film, highly recommended. 4.5/5

Deepwater Horizon on Netflix

Rampage

I never thought I would write these words in a review, but this is a Uwe Boll film that is actually really good. I've never been a Boll fan, but he really surprised me with this action thriller, which is so markedly different from the rest of his past catalog that it's unrecognizable as his work. I'm also stunned because he wrote this as well, and the plot is actually good, engaging, and interesting. The acting was solid, and I loved the ending. I'm stunned, but I highly recommend this for action fans who don't mind a bit of the ultra-violence. 4/5

Rampage on Netflix

Doctor Strange

While I have always been a Marvel girl, I was mostly an X-Man fan and never knew anything at all about Doctor Strange. Because of this, I have to say right at the start that I have no idea whatsoever if this film is true to the books, so I can't base any part of my review on that. What I can say is that this is a spectacular film with some of the best effects I've maybe ever seen. It's like an incredible update to things I remember from "Inception", only far better with the advances technology has made. The acting was mostly strong, and I was happy to see a superhero film coming in at only an hour and forty-five minutes. I really enjoyed this and am curious to see how this film and its characters will integrate with the rest of the Marvel Universe. 4/5

Doctor Strange on Netflix

Passengers

I'm struggling to find words here to express how angry I am at this movie. From a purely filmmaking standpoint, this is a good film. The acting is strong, the script fairly well written, the direction tight and cohesive. But the story. Oh, gods, this story. I'm stunned this script made it past studio executives and test audiences without someone screaming how utterly, terribly, horridly violating and rapine this story truly is. I really don't think I've ever seen a movie that more glorified rape culture, or forced us to sympathize with a criminal, disturbed male oppressor and require us to thus thoroughly shame his victim. Pratt's character violates Lawrence's in pretty much every way possible, and yet he is portrayed as the hero and she the clumsy, harpy, shrill woman who doesn't appreciate her partner's abuse. It's like watching a cut of "Room" where Brie Larson's character was portrayed as a nasty, sullen, uncaring witch who just doesn't appreciate how wonderful she has it in this garden shed made for her by the man who "loves" her so much. I feel sick after seeing this, I really do. I normally forgive far more than I really should when it comes to the glorification of rape culture, but I can't condone this. Not this. 2.5/5

Passengers on Netflix

The Accountant

This is a solid movie, but not necessarily a great one. Affleck turns in a strong performance in parts, which made the moments where he forgets his character's flat affect a bit glaring. Jon Bernthal is quite good in his supporting role as well. The story is good, if a bit sparse as to motivation in places. I saw the "plot twist" coming a mile away, although there was something at the end that did take me by surprise. All in all good, but not truly great. 3.5/5

The Accountant on Netflix