Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a darkly comic drama from Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh ("In Bruges"). After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter’s murder case, Mildred Hayes (Academy Award winner Frances McDormand) makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson), the town's revered chief of police. When his second-in-command Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), an immature mother’s boy with a penchant for violence, gets involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing's law enforcement is only exacerbated.

Never in a million years would I have had this movie pegged as ending up as my favorite/best movie of 2017.  So glad I watched this on the last day of the year so it could qualify.  Frances McDormand should be a lock for best actress of the year.  All of the characters and the story progression just seemed so real and down to earth.  The audience is hooked right from the start and as deeply dramatic as the subject matter is - you will be belly laughing numerous times throughout the movie because of the witty script and delivery from the actors and actresses involved in the movie.   

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It actually gets the must see stamp as the best movie of 2018 in my book.

The Disaster Artist

Based on Greg Sestero's best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy Wiseau's cult–classic disaster piece "The Room" ("The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made"), The Disaster Artist is a hilarious and welcome reminder that there is more than one way to become a legend – and no limit to what you can achieve when you have absolutely no idea what you're doing.

I never really thought that I would enjoy this movie as much as I did.  It did an awesome job of creating the "greatest bad movie ever made" and this might have honestly been the most enjoyable performance from James Franco ever.  He had me cracking up from beginning to end.  

I would actually recommend that people check this movie out.  Never thought I would say that when I saw the trailers but I liked it alot.

Molly's Game

Molly's Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.

I don't know that you will find better on screen chemistry between two actors like there was between Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba in this movie.  Every scene with the two of them going back and forth was a shining example of excellent screenwriting and the kind of delivery that can only happen when they have that kind of chemistry.  The back and forth storytelling of this movie only made it all even better.  Again - a testament to the screenwriting because choppy timelines like that can sometimes totally undo a movie.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this one out.  It was a very entertaining watch with great performances and writing.  

The Shape Of Water

From master story teller, Guillermo del Toro, comes The Shape of Water - an other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.

This movie masterfully succeeded at the basic principle of what determines a good fantasy movie.  They take you there and make you feel like you are watching something that could be real by hooking the audience.  The second this movie started - I was 100% hooked.  Just the opening with the narration and the cinematography of it had me.  The hook never let up and I find myself saying that a movie about a fish man falling in love with a mute was one of the best movies of the year.   

I would absolutely recommend people check this out.  The acting and storytelling are excellent across the board and this movie is the definition of how to make an exceptional fantasy movie.

I, Tonya

Based on unbelievable but true events, I, Tonya is the darkly comedic tale of American figure skater Tonya Harding and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, her legacy has forever been defined by her association with an infamous, ill-conceived and worse-executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. Featuring an iconic turn by Margot Robbie as the fiery Harding, a mustachioed Sebastian Stan as her impetuous ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and a tour-de-force performance from Allison Janney as her acid-tongued mother LaVona Golden, and an original screenplay by Steven Rogers, Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya is an absurd, irreverent, and piercing portrayal of Harding’s life and career in all of its unchecked––and checkered––glory.

This movie was excellent.  The acting was top notch across the board.  They way that they had the story play out/explained was top notch.  The filming style and use of comedy was by far the best part of all.  I never would have thought that I would have laughed so hard at this movie.  They might as well give Allison Janney the Best Supporting Actress oscar now.  She was amazing.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out.  It is an incredibly enjoyable movie and a lock for my Top 10 movies of the year list.

Pitch Perfect 3

Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office. After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.

Here's the deal - in terms of reviewing an movie like normal, this movie was absolutely awful.  It really was a pretty bad movie.  That being said - I love these characters so much that I was able to enjoy it and take it the laughs that you will literally only have if you are equally fond of them.  This movie was pretty much made for the already existing fans of the Aca-pitches.  Anyone who isn't familiar with them or the other movies will think this is one of the dumbest things that they have ever seen.  And even if you are familiar with them - DJ Khaled might be the worst character in this history of these movies. Regardless - they did a good job with most of the girls and even brought some usually in the background more to the forefront.  Fat Amy still rules supreme no matter what.

I would recommend fans of the franchise still check this out.  All others should stay as far away as possible.

Downsizing

Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to over-population, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.

This movie was pretty disappointing.  I thought it had some pretty decent potential after the trailer.  Unfortunately, the trailer pretty much gave you the entire movie.  I was more than halfway into the movie before seeing anything I wasn't already aware of.  Around then was when Matt Damon met this vietnamese character that really was the only reason worth seeing this.  It was very much not a comedy and much more of a drama which was also disappointing.

I would not really recommend people bothering with this.  It's not awful but it was very disappointing.

Lady Bird

In Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig reveals herself to be a bold new cinematic voice with her directorial debut, excavating both the humor and pathos in the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter. Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird's father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, amidst a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird is an affecting look at the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us, and the unmatched beauty of a place called home.

This was a very well written and acted movie.  It's exactly what coming of age movies should be like.  You feel like you are there with the girl and going through all the emotions and voyage with her.  It had a great hook to keep the audience there with her and the short running time was perfect.

I would definitely recommend that people check this movie out.  It was a very enjoyable watch with a good hook with the characters - especially the lead actress and her mother.

Call Me By Your Name

It’s the summer of 1983 in the north of Italy, and Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17- year-old American-Italian, spends his days in his family’s 17th century villa transcribing and playing classical music, reading, and flirting with his friend Marzia (Esther Garrel).  Elio enjoys a close relationship with his father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an eminent professor specializing in Greco-Roman culture, and his mother Annella (Amira Casar), a translator, who favor him with the fruits of high culture in a setting that overflows with natural delights. While Elio’s sophistication and intellectual gifts suggest he is already a fully-fledged adult, there is much that yet remains innocent and unformed about him, particularly about matters of the heart.  One day, Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charming American scholar working on his doctorate, arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio’s father. Amid the sun-drenched splendor of the setting, Elio and Oliver discover the heady beauty of awakening desire over the course of a summer that will alter their lives forever.

This is definitely this year's "I know it was a well done movie but I was bored out of my mind" movie.  I get it.  The scenery was great.  The acting was great.   It was a very well done coming of age movie about homosexuality.   But I was soooooooooo bored.  I couldn't even make it all the way through the movie.  There was no real hook.

I would not recommend it based on my enjoyment level but again - I am aware that this is a very well made movie from an artistic standpoint and if you are into that - you should definitely check this out.  

The Greatest Showman

Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

I very much enjoyed this movie.  The spectacle and cinematography of it all was excellent.  The music was great and made you want to sing and dance along with it several times throughout.  They didn't really develop all the characters too much but I really don't think that they had to.  The movie was more about imagination, expectations,  humanity and perspective than the individual characters.   It was a very enjoyable journey.

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  Movies like this are why I love going to movie theaters.  The big hook and journey/music make you really enjoy being there.

Ferdinand

Ferdinand tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can't judge a bull by its cover.

Decent watch.  Kids will like it.  Adults will have something to do with the kids by taking them.  It wasn't necessarily bad for the adults.  It's more sort of just there.  There is literally nothing else to really say about it.

I would kind of recommend parents of younger kids taking them to this only because they don't really have another option.  Outside of that you could totally wait for it to show up on tv.

The Last Jedi

Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga. The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson.

Wow!  This was incredibly different from what I expected.  After The Force Awakens was pretty much a scene for scene carbon copy of Star Wars, I totally expected this to be a carbon copy of Empire Strikes Back.  It was very much not.  This was a very different Star Wars movies from the others.  It made everything much more open and bigger than just the Skywalkers.  It answered questions about the past and looked to the future.  A much different and open future than we are used to with the Star Wars films.  I can't really go into too much more details without spoilers.  I can just say that there were so many surprises, twists and turns that it made the long running time fly by and I cannot wait to see where this story goes because I honestly have no idea.  The one knock I can make against it is that there was too much CGI.  Honestly it was borderline prequels at some points and so not necessary.  But that was really it.

CORRECTION - there were other issues after thinking more about the movie.  I'm not disappointed with a couple of major issues a lot of fans are having but I am bothered by the lack of continuity from The Force Awakens.  There is definitely a disconnect in several points throughout the movie.  The aura of specialness with certain scenes including cherished characters and special scenes has also been bothering me.  

I would still recommend peeps checking this out.  It's a Star Wars movie. Those that are too analytical and want big elaborate and connected answers to the big mysteries will likely be disappointed.  But those who want to enjoy an awesome ride with great characters both new and old/respected will probably still be able to enjoy it.

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle

In the brand new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji – Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever…

I had pretty low expectations going into this one.  I figured this was going to be one of the lamer reboots or whatever you want to call them when they are kind of sequels.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  The Rock bounced back to his usual greatness after the Baywatch turd.  He had great chemistry with the three other kids having to adjust to their very  different avatars.  Jack Black honestly stole the movie though.  Him as a 16 year old girl provided the biggest laughs throughout the movie.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It was a very fun ride and paid respect to the original while developing their own version of it.

Darkest Hour

During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds. Directed by Joe Wright, "Darkest Hour" is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.

This is another one of those movies that you know is a great movie as you are watching.  You know the acting is great.  You know it's going to be nominated for a ton of awards.  But I'm not that much into historical/biographical movies so I was bored out of my mind.  I appreciated how well done t was across the board but I just wasn't enjoying it.

I would still recommend people checking this out.  Anyone into these types of movies is guaranteed to like it and appreciate the performances.  I know it was a great movie.  It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a dramatic thriller set in the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when a turbulent series of events challenge the activism that has defined his career. Colin Farrell costars as the ambitious, monied lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm.

This is one of those movies that you know are well done, well acted and well written.  It was definitely watchable.  But by seeing the trailer you pretty much already saw the whole movie.  Like literally the whole thing.  Nothing took place in this movie that I had not already seen and it made the movie just kind of be there.  Even though it was a decent watch it ended up being about as memorable as the commercials showing you everything.

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It is a decent watch but I wouldn't say its worth the time and money at all.  

Coco

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Pixar doesn't do bad movies.  That streak continues with Coco although this was easily their toughest sell to date.  They really went all in with hispanic heritage and did an excellent job of bringing it to a mainstream audience.  The story about the importance of family was beyond heartfelt.  Everything related the Day Of The Dead was excellently done and you are totally hooked by the voyage of the little boy.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It was a very well done movie but what else is new for Pixar.  

The Star

In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told - the first Christmas.

This is pretty much an animated movie for Sunday schools about the birth of Christ.  The songs were like hymns in church.  The journey of Mary & Joseph was told through the animals around them.  I'm shocked that this was given in wide release in theaters.  

I wouldn't recommend anyone bother with this.  Unless you are super religious.  If that's the case - this might be your favorite animated movie of the year.

Marshall

Long before he sat on the United States Supreme Court or claimed victory in Brown v. Board of Education, Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman) was a young rabble-rousing attorney for the NAACP. The new motion picture, Marshall, is the true story of his greatest challenge in those early days – a fight he fought alongside attorney Sam Friedman (Josh Gad), a young lawyer with no experience in criminal law: the case of black chauffeur Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown), accused by his white employer, Eleanor Strubing (Kate Hudson), of sexual assault and attempted murder.

This was a great story and very well acted by all parties involved.  The problem is that even with that being said, the movie ends up just kind of being there and is easily forgettable.  It's a shame because the three main actors continue to get bigger and bigger and this movie will surface years from now as a "remember when" type of movie.

I would recommend people check this out still.  It really was a good movie.  It will just be forgotten in the grand scheme of things.

Justice League

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Oh where should I start?  So many different ways to review this one.  By DC standards - it was better than average.  Nowhere near as good as Wonder Woman but definitely much better than Batman Vs Superman.  I have no doubt that going into this movie with super low expectations helped, but I did not hate the movie.  I could see me watching it again at some point.  The CGI was still garbage.  Cyborg was garbage.  The villain was beyond garbage.  But Aquaman was great and so was The Flash - even if both overdid it with the machoness and nerdiness.   Still - if you were to put this up against the slate of Marvel movies this would absolutely be the worst one.  

I would recommend people checking this out but keeping their expectations super low like I did.  It is one of DC's better offerings when seeing it through that point of view.  

Wonder

Based on the New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

Wow!  This was one hell of an excellent heart string pulling movie.  Great performances by everyone!  And I loved that it ended up being so much more than just Auggie's take on everything.  It was great to see the genuine point of view of his older sister and other kids in both of their age groups dealing with life and growing up and being connected to Auggie.  I hadn't read the book but am now very annoyed that I didn't.

I thought this movie was excellent and would recommend that everyone check it out.  It's an excellent feel good movie that will also make you cry your eyes out several times.

Daddy's Home 2

In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.

This was pretty much more of the same laughs from the first one with the holiday stuff pushed in there.  It was formula in every way but regardless of how cheesy the laughs were, I still was able to enjoy this movie because of the chemistry between the actors.  The additions of Mel Gibson and John Lithgow were perfect to complement the already existing characters.  

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoyed the original.  It really was just more of the same and is not a good movie technically but the laughs did hit me regardless.

Murder On The Orient Express

Agatha Christie’s novel, published in 1934, is considered one of the most ingenious stories ever devised. The novel revolves around a murder on board the famous train. Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must solve the case, but there are a number of passengers who could potentially be the murderer. In addition to directing the film, Branagh, a five-time Academy Award®-nominee, will star as detective Hercule Poirot. Depp portrays Ratchett; Pfeiffer is Mrs. Hubbard and Ridley plays Mary Debenham.

This was a weird movie for me.  It wasn't a bad movie.  It was actually quite good.  It just struck me as boring.  Kind of like watching paint dry.  Interesting paint.  But still very capable of making you fall asleep while watching it.  I even gave the movie a second go around to make sure and I felt the same way.  I know it was good.  I know it had good performances.  I just thought there would be more suspense or intrigue which I felt like it was running very low on.  I think my expectations of this really ruined it honestly.

I would still pretty much recommend people checking this out.  It is a good movie.  I just found myself bored by it because of high expectations.  

A Bad Moms Christmas

A Bad Moms Christmas follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holidays for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers.

This was pretty much more of the original which I thought was hilarious.  This one added the dimension of the main characters mothers and added the whole Christmas part to the equation.  The laughs were still there and Katherine Hahn still stole every scene she was in.  This was a textbook sequel to capitalize on the success of an original.  Don't reinvent anything.  Just give the people more of the same with little tweaks or additions.

I very much enjoyed this movie and like these characters.  It's a great watch for someone wanting to see an adult movie with christmas flair.  

Thor: Ragnarok

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor will arrive in Asgard after hearing about trouble in his home world, and when he arrives he finds Loki’s style of ruling (while impersonating Odin) has led to some lapses in the rules and leads to the freeing of prisoner Hela. Thor and Hela naturally come to blows when they meet, which sees Thor “blasted” to Sakaar, described as “a barbaric planet ruled by the charming but nefarious Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum).” There he meets Valkyrie, who is hiding out on the planet, and brings him to the Grandmaster to make him a gladiator, where he meets the most popular competitor in the arena, The Hulk, and loses his trademark hair and hammer.

This was a major game changer for the Thor franchise.  Easily my favorite of the three, this one totally changed its tone and might honestly be the funniest Marvel movie to date.  Like major belly laughs throughout kind of funny.  They continued to build on already established characters and did a great job of introducing new ones.  The action was great.  The pacing was great.  It really was an all around awesome ride and a great change for the Thor franchise.

I would absolutely recommend people check this out.  It was Marvel excellence yet again and honestly funny as hell

Jigsaw

Thirteen years ago on Halloween weekend – "Saw" and the character of JIGSAW introduced the world to a new face of horror. For seven straight years “If it’s Halloween it must be Saw” was a holiday tradition. After a series of murders bearing all the markings of the Jigsaw killer, law enforcement find themselves chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade and embroiled in a new game that’s only just begun. Is John Kramer back from the dead to remind the world to be grateful for the gift of life? Or is this a trap set by a killer with designs of their own?

I really am not sure that there was a need for the Saw franchise to return.  The movies are literally carbon copies of each other.  If you like the idea of seeing people get out of the traps - cool.  If you don't - then these movies are garbage.  This is pretty much more of the same.  No sort of reinvention.  Just another copy of the whole "story".  I'm not saying that it was bad.  It really depends on if you like these kinds of movies.  

I would recommend anyone who liked the other Saw movies to watch this one.  You will most likely enjoy it.  Otherwise - stay far, far away like you did with the others.  

Geostorm

After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything...and everyone along with it.

This movie was awful.  This had so much less to do with end of the world natural disasters than it did with a silly ass plot to control the world with some weather station and the voyage to shut it down.  I don't even want to waste more time writing about it.  It was such garbage.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bother with this.  Total waste of time and definitely not worth any money being spent to see it.

The Snowman

Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson and Charlotte Gainsbourg star in The Snowman, a terrifying thriller from director Tomas Alfredson, based on Jo Nesbø’s global bestseller. When an elite crime squad’s lead detective (Fassbender) investigates the disappearance of a victim on the first snow of winter, he fears an elusive serial killer may be active again. With the help of a brilliant recruit (Ferguson), the cop must connect decades-old cold cases to the brutal new one if he hopes to outwit this unthinkable evil before the next snowfall.

This was a massively disappointing movie.  If there was ever a movie that should have just been done like a Criminal Minds episode and it would have been awesome - this is the one.  Instead it was massively overdone, sloppily edited and boring as hell.  I wish that they would have put half as much effort into making the movie creepier - especially with how the opening 5 minutes had you in a paralyzed feeling of watching extreme awkwardness that teased that the whole movie would be like that - instead of pushing the country of Norway as some sort of a character kind of.  It was very strange and beyond disappointing.

I wouldn't recommend that anyone bother with this.  Like I said - it could have been soooooooo good but they completely dropped the ball.  

The Foreigner

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.

This was a very enjoyable film when the action was happening.  Jackie Chan was awesome as always.  The only thing was that the movie was paced like a race between snails.  It dragged massively and really didn't have to.  They could have stepped on the gas a lot more.  

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It's not great but is still a decent watch.

Happy Death Day

Blumhouse produces an original and inventive rewinding thriller in Happy Death Day, in which a college student (Jessica Rothe) relives the day of her murder with both its unexceptional details and terrifying end until she discovers her killer’s identity.

This was basically a scary movie version of Groundhog Day.  It seemed like it would be a really stupid idea/movie.  But I was very pleasantly surprised.  I enjoyed this movie a lot and it was done in a way that was both scary at times but very, very funny.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  Never thought I would be saying those words going in, but this movie was a lot of fun.  

Blade Runner 2049

Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

This was one of the most amazing visual movies ever.  It is basically a current day wow type of movie visually like the original Blade Runner was way back then.  The number one rule of a great sci-fi movie is that it fully transports you to their alternate world and makes you feel like you are really there.  This movie absolutely delivered on that.  And it was a great, well developed story.  I will say that the movie is about twice as long as it had to be but it was still a very enjoyable watch.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It's a great watch and one of the more excellent visual movies ever.  

Flatliners

In Flatliners, five medical students, obsessed by the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring and dangerous experiment: by stopping their hearts for short periods of time, each triggers a near-death experience - giving them a firsthand account of the afterlife. But as their experiments become increasingly dangerous, they are each haunted by the sins of their pasts, brought on by the paranormal consequences of trespassing to the other side.

The original Flatliners was a favorite of mine growing up.  I used to watch that movie all the time.  I can't possibly do justice to how not excited I was to see that they were remaking this.  And my crappy expectations turned out to be dead on.  This was nowhere near the level of the original Flatliners.  It had some super small scares here and there but not nearly enough.  And the casting was horrible.  Especially the one guy that I guess was trying to do the Kevin Bacon role from the original.  Every time that guy spoke or did anything I wanted to yell shut up at the screen.  He was so bad.

I would not recommend that anyone waste their time with this.  It's definitely one of the lamer remakes with the flood of them that have been done.

Battle Of The Sexes

The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the "Battle of the Sexes" and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.

This was an excellent autobiographical movie.  Emma Stone and Steve Carell were both awesome and brought so much more to each of the people that they were playing then just a tennis match.  The build up to the match was incredibly well done but it was them playing these people behind the scenes of it all and behind closed and very private doors that really made this movie a joy to watch.

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It has great build, great acting and really is an excellent story.  

American Made

In Universal Pictures' American Made, Tom Cruise reunites with his "Edge of Tomorrow" director, Doug Liman, in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of Barry Seal, a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.

This is one of Tom Cruise's better performances in a long time because he let go of the need to be in action all the time and just played a guy in way over his head with a situation spiraling more and more out of control.  This movie developed excellently and was basically a movie version of the Netflix show Narcos BUT through the eyes of a pilot transporter who never should have been involved to begin with.

I would sort of recommend people checking this out.  It's not a must see but it is definitely an enjoyable watch and nice to see that Tom Cruise can still actually act outside of running and fighting all the time.

The Glass Castle

Chronicling the adventures of an eccentric, resilient and tight-knit family, The Glass Castle is a remarkable story of unconditional love. Oscar winner Brie Larson brings Jeannette Walls's best-selling memoir to life as a young woman who, influenced by the joyfully wild nature of her deeply dysfunctional father (Woody Harrelson), found the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

This was a very well acted family drama.  Everything felt beyond genuine and real.  Brie Larson and especially Woody Harrelson really put in Oscar worthy performances and both really hook the audience into caring big time.  The back and forth between childhood and adulthood dealing with the family by Brie Larson made for excellent story telling.

I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out.  Excellent acting across the board and a dysfunctional family story that completely hooks you.

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja (Dave Franco), along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu (Jackie Chan), as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), the Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.

This was yet another enjoyable Lego movie.  It's nowhere near the laughs and enjoyment of The Lego Movie or the Lego Batman Movie because the characters are not already known entities and what not.  I liked that it was a Princess Bride type thing with live action narration that they would go back to.  It also had tons of funny moments sprinkled throughout just like the others that were absolutely more for the parents/adults than the kiddies.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It was a fun watch and the kids will love it.  

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Kingsman: The Secret Service introduced the world to Kingsman - an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, our heroes face a new challenge. When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents' strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that's becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy...

I forgot how much I enjoyed the first one until I had a chance to rewatch it a second time a couple weeks ago.  It was lots of awesome off the wall action and Matthew Vaughn really doesn't make non-enjoyable movies.  This one is pretty much more of the same from the original.  The off the wall is definitely there.  The characters that you have come to love are definitely there.  Just an enjoyable ride.  The only knock I could make is that the movie was like a 1/2 hour too long.  

I would definitely recommend people check this out.  It's a fun take on the whole James Bond like world just like the original.  

American Assassin

American Assassin follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (Dylan O'Brien) a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Shiva Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Taylor Kitsch) intent on starting a World War in the Middle East.

I liked this movie a lot more than I thought I was going to.  It was formula in every way and was kind of like a poor man's Jason Bourne but I liked the actors and the chemistry between Keaton and O'Brien was awesome.  Loving how Michael Keaton has come back from the dead.  Probably one of my favorite actors ever.  This movie was a very enjoyable action movie with lots of testosterone and adrenaline up there on the screen.

I would definitely recommend that people check this one out.  It was a fun watch and a great popcorn movie where you just shut off your brain and enjoy the 2 hour ride.

Home Again

Home Again stars Reese Witherspoon as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice's unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. "Home Again" is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.

This is one of those enjoyable movies that ends up just sort of being there.  It was cute and a fun watch but I will forget about this movie in like 2 days.  There was no long lasting appeal to it even though it was a decent watch.  The characters were cute.  The story was cute.  The chemistry was cute.  But there really isn't much else to say about it.

I would sort of recommend people checking this out.  Again - its not a must see although its a decent watch because there really isn't too much memorable substance to it.

Mother!

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.

This movie is exactly why artsy movies should not star huge actors and be advertised as a mainstream movie.  I knew going in that this would be one of those massively mismarketed movies and my expectations were spot on.  This is an artsy movie filmed in a visionary style that film studies people could easily examine and rave about.  It is NOT a mainstream movie in any way.  I honestly said "what the f am I watching" out loud about 70 times.  This movie was off the charts strange and all about being open for interpretation.

I would only make the suggestion that filmmaking buffs see this due to the visionary style of Aronofsky.  Outside of that - this will pretty much be seen as a massive turd by all.