Kevin Hart: What Now?

In Universal Pictures’ Kevin Hart: What Now?, comedic rock-star Kevin Hart follows up his 2013 hit stand-up concert movie Let Me Explain, which grossed $32 million domestically and became the third-highest live stand-up comedy movie of all time. Hart takes center stage in this groundbreaking, record-setting, sold-out performance of “What Now?”—filmed outdoors in front of 50,000 people at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field—marking the first time a comedian has ever performed to an at-capacity football stadium.

The movie sketch stuff before the comedy special was pretty stupid.  But once it got to his stand up stuff it was great.  Pretty much similar material of Kevin Hart's other stuff but still funny as hell at times.

If you like Kevin Hart's stuff - then I would definitely recommend this movie.  If you don't - then why bother now?

Masterminds

In this action comedy based on true events, directed by Jared Hess ("Napoleon Dynamite," "Nacho Libre"), David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. He is an uncomplicated man stuck in a monotonous life. Day in and day out he drives an armored vehicle, transporting millions of other people’s money with no escape in sight. The only glimmer of excitement is his flirtatious work crush Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) who soon lures him into the scheme of a lifetime. Along with a group of half-brained criminals led by Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and an absurdly faulted heist plan, David manages the impossible and makes off with $17 million in cash…only problem is he foolishly hands the money over to this wild group of double crossers and has been set up to take the fall. With the bandits blowing the millions on lavish and ridiculous luxuries, they leave behind a glaring trail of evidence. Now on the lam and in over his head, David must dodge the authorities, evade a hilarious hit man, Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis), and try to turn the tables on the ones he trusted most.

This is one of those movies where you watch the entire thing asking yourself what made all these stars do this movie.  There was no point throughout the movie where I was not thinking this.  The movie was pretty stupid and has been delayed forever because of legal issues and it really was just a giant waste of time.

I wouldn't recommend anyone wasting their time with this.  It never should have been made and should have just been delayed forever.

Inferno

Ron Howard returns to direct the latest bestseller in Dan Brown’s (Da Vinci Code) billion-dollar Robert Langdon series, Inferno, which finds the famous symbologist (again played by Tom Hanks) on a trail of clues tied to the great Dante himself. When Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), a doctor he hopes will help him recover his memories. Together, they race across Europe and against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.

I've read all the books in the Robert Langdon series.  This one was one of the easier to read ones but wasn't too high on the suspense.  I could see things coming way before they panned out.  I figured that would lead to a pretty dull movie.  I was wrong.  The movie made some tweaks here and there to make it a much more flowable movie and to actually have surprises and what not.  Unfortunately, they also changed the ending of the book - which was my favorite part.  They made it more of a cut and dry type of situation and lost the philosophical not so happy ending from the book.  Regardless - it was a decent watch and I would say it was better than Angels & Demons but not as good as The Da Vinci Code.

I would somewhat recommend people checking this out.  It's not bad but it's not a must see by any means.  Fans of the book will probably feel the same way that I outlined above.   

Boo! A Madea Halloween

Tyler Perry will write, produce, direct, and star in the latest project with the popular character Madea. In Boo! A Madea Halloween, Madea winds up in the middle of mayhem when she spends a hilarious, haunted Halloween fending off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, ghouls, and zombies while keeping a watchful eye on a group of misbehaving teens. Perry will play the role of “Madea,” in addition to the roles of “Joe” and “Brian.”

I am a HUGE fan of the Madea character.  I can't put my finger on it but the character always cracks me up . . . . . . .  in small doses.  She is like an ultimate SNL character.  Full length movies dull the hell out of the comedy and I really wish that they would stop making these sadly.  There are a couple of good laughs sprinkled throughout but the the movie is pretty much awful besides that.  Maybe we could just see Madea shorts before other Tyler Perry movies to highlight the good laughs instead of diluting them so much?

I wouldn't recommend anyone bother with this.  It really was a pretty big waste of time and definitely not worth anyone's money. 

Jack Reacher: Never Back Down

Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) returns with his particular brand of justice in the highly anticipated sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is the Army Major who heads Reacher’s old investigative unit. She is arrested for Treason and knowing that she is innocent, Reacher must break her out of prison and uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear their names and save their lives. On the run as fugitives from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever. 

Weird how far Tom Cruise has fallen.  Used to be the main summer blockbuster guy and now his random movies open up mid-October.  Anywho - this movie was pretty much exactly the same as the first one.  Good action, good temp, decent story . . . . . . . . . .but after you are done watching it you have pretty much forgotten about the movie five minutes later.  It's not that the movie is bad or good.  It's just sort of an action movie that is there.

I would not really recommend anyone go rushing to see this.  It's not a bad watch and is pretty enjoyable but it really isn't anything to talk about after seeing that.   The first one wasn't that memorable so why would the sequel to it be?

Ouija: Origin Of Evil

It was never just a game. Inviting audiences again into the lore of the spirit board, Ouija: Origin of Evil tells a terrifying new tale as the follow-up to 2014’s sleeper hit that opened at number one. In 1965 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by the merciless spirit, this small family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.

This movie had lots of good moments and creepy sights.   The kid being possessed was actually really good.  Unfortunately - the rest of the cast . . . .  not so much.  And they also mailed it in on a lot of effects by basing the movie back in the 1960s.  There were also at least 2-3 really major scenes that just made me laugh at the movie more than get hooked and invested in it.  

I wouldn't really recommend people checking this out.  It wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen but way too many points where I found myself mumbling well that is just stupid.

The Accountant

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Anna Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

This was kind of like Jason Bourne with autism.  I'm not remotely trying to be funny.  That is literally what the movie felt like.  Great action.  Great story progression.  The characters, both main and side ones, hook you and make you care about what happens to them.  It was just enjoyable all around.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It was a very enjoyable action movie and a fun ride.

Birth Of A Nation

Set against the antebellum South, The Birth of a Nation follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself and his fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

This movie was amazing and will easily end up being one of the better movies of the year.  I can't remember the last time that a movie did such a good job stirring anger and sympathy inside me at what the world was once like and ideals that unfairly and inexcusably still exist today.  It's a true testament to how good a movie is when you leave the theater feeling almost broken and silent yet will definitely suggest that others go see the movie.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It was an incredible film and is deserving of awards love at the end of the year.

The Girl On The Train

In the thriller, Rachel (Blunt), who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds. Based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel.

I wish I would have read the book but never got the chance.  Based on the buzz and the trailers I was expecting a crazy psychological thriller like Gone Girl.  And honestly it was kind of close to that.   But it wasn't as intense.  The movie was still a great watch and I really enjoyed the different way of telling the story that enabled the viewers to figure things out as the main character does.  Emily Blunt was great as was the rest of the cast and the movie avoids dragging at any point which is really essential for a movie like this to succeed.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It was a very enjoyable watch but I would recommend not having your expectations too high to avoid disappointment.

Deepwater Horizon

On April 20th, 2010, one of the world’s largest man-made disasters occurred on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Directed by Peter Berg ("Lone Survivor"), this story honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change everyone’s lives forever.

Even though it took over half the movie to get to the intensity, once it got there the intensity was awesome.  The tension brewing with the mechanical parts of the rig was crazy and you couldn't look away from the screen once the disaster starts playing out.  The character development was done so well that I didn't even realize that I was connected to them so much until they were in danger.  This was a very well done movie across the board.

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out.  It's a great telling of heroism in the face of disaster/tragedy.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

From visionary director Tim Burton, and based upon the best-selling novel, comes an unforgettable motion picture experience. When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

This was Tim Burton finally getting back to his roots.  While not as dark as his best stuff it wasn't as bright and fluffy as some more recent efforts.  It was a very enjoyable fantasy movie with characters that you got hooked to and a story with great visuals as it plays out.  Again - not as big of a hook as his best stuff but more than good enough to keep you invested in how it turns out.  

I would recommend people checking this out who are in to these kinds of movies.  I thought it was a very enjoyable watch.  There is some pretty creepy stuff in this for anyone with younger kids just to warn those this would pertain to.

The Magnificent Seven

Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures' and Columbia Pictures' The Magnificent Seven. With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns - Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D'Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

This movie was great for being exactly what it was supposed to be.  This is a popcorn western movie.  There is a bad guy.  A crew gets rounded up to fight him.  Said crew bonds together.  They fight the bad guy.  No extra nonsense.  No pointless filler.  Straight and to the point and a very enjoyable ride.  The cast had great chemistry and you find yourself attaching to several of the characters.  It's exactly what it was supposed to be and that really is a rarity in today's movies.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It's a very enjoyable ride with great on screen chemistry.  

Storks

Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop – in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world.

This movie was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be.  With its September release date I kind of expected one of those family movies that kids like but the adults are tortured through.  This one was plenty fun for the adults as well and the movie had lots of laughs throughout.  It wasn't Pixar or Dreamworks level but it was definitely better than expected.

I would recommend families checking this out.  It was a decent watch for all and is a good family trip to the movies.

Bridget Jones's Baby

After breaking up with Mark Darcy (Firth), Bridget Jones’s (Zellweger) “happily ever after” hasn’t quite gone according to plan. Fortysomething and single again, she decides to focus on her job as top news producer and surround herself with old friends and new. For once, Bridget has everything completely under control. What could possibly go wrong? Then her love life takes a turn and Bridget meets a dashing American named Jack (Dempsey), the suitor who is everything Mr. Darcy is not. In an unlikely twist she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch… she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby’s father.

Why is this a movie franchise?  Was there really a demand for another Bridget Jones movie?  Besides the fact that if you saw the trailer you pretty much saw the movie.  There really is nothing more that needs to be said about this rather turdly movie.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering with this.  Hopefully that will mean they don't bother making any more of these.

Blair Witch

A group of college students venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of James’ sister who many believe is connected to the legend of the Blair Witch. At first the group is hopeful, especially when a pair of locals offer to act as guides through the dark and winding woods, but as the endless night wears on, the group is visited by a menacing presence. Slowly, they begin to realize the legend is all too real and more sinister than they could have imagined.

This movie was absolutely awful.  I remember seeing the original Blair Witch Project.  It was about a month or more before it was released.  The studio came to my movie theater and asked if they could screen it for the staff.  We had no idca what it was but said sure.  We then sat there and crapped ourselves as we watched the very original and creepy as hell movie with handheld cameras.  The hype then started advertising it as the scariest movie ever and that ruined it for a lot of people because of heightened expectations.  Which is unfortunate because it really was an amazing movie.  Simple as hell but very scary.  Since that movie came out the handheld camera thing has been done to death.  Its now formula for like every other scary movie and tired as hell.  I don't know why I got my hopes up for this relaunch of this movie but it was god awful.  There was nothing scary.  The shaky handheld camera stuff was nonstop and way too much.  The movie was only an hour and 20 minutes long but felt like three hours.  Please just leave well enough alone and don't bother with these movies anymore.

I would absolutely NOT recommend anyone wasting their time or money on this movie.  It was a total waste of time and a massive insult to the greatness that the original Blair Witch Project was.

Snowden

Oliver Stone, who brought "Platoon," "Born on the Fourth of July," "Wall Street" and "JFK" to the big screen, tackles the most important and fascinating true story of the 21st century. Snowden, the politically-charged, pulse-pounding thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, reveals the incredible untold personal story of Edward Snowden, the polarizing figure who exposed shocking illegal surveillance activities by the NSA and became one of the most wanted men in the world. He is considered a hero by some, and a traitor by others. No matter which you believe, the epic story of why he did it, who he left behind, and how he pulled it off makes for one of the most compelling films of the year.

I have to give this review an incomplete for now because out of total exhaustion I passed out like 15 minutes in and woke up with about 15 minutes left.  DAMN YOU, COMFY RECLINING CHAIRS!!!   Anywho, the opening and closing both felt very powerful and I know that I felt hooked by the movie even though I had missed most of the it.  I will reference Wonder Woman's thoughts on the movie for an actual perspective.  She loved it.  She was definitely hooked and is still talking about the movie a couple of days later.  It didn't seem like too much of an Oliver Stone movie in that his usual biases come into play and he is showing a specific perspective.  He definitely provided a much more human side of Snowden than we have seen before and you come away from the movie with a much better understanding of everything that happened.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out . . . . . . including myself again so I can see the whole movie.  WW definitely gives it a big thumbs up and I can't wait for it to show up online so I can finish watching it.

When The Bough Breaks

John and Laura Taylor (Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall) are a young, professional couple who desperately want a baby. After exhausting all other options, they finally hire Anna (Jaz Sinclair), the perfect woman to be their surrogate – but as she gets further along in her pregnancy, so too does her psychotic and dangerous fixation on the husband. The couple becomes caught up in Anna’s deadly game and must fight to regain control of their future before it’s too late.

This movie was pretty much a massive waste of time.  It was basically a wannabe Fatal Attraction or Hand That Rocks The Cradle.  If you saw the trailer - you saw the movie.  I wanted to leave after like 20 minutes and thinking about all the other things I could be doing instead of watching this.  There was no suspense.  There was no surprises.  There was nothing positive to say about this movie.

I would not recommend anyone bothering with this total time vacuum and I saw it for free.  The thought of paying for this would lead to me probably having to punch someone in the face.

Sully

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger (Hanks) glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. Clint Eastwood is directing the film from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters," by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.

This was a great movie across the board.  The direction, the acting, the way the story was told were all really top notch.  I was curious to see how they would make this in to a full length movie that wouldn't just tell you the story that you already knew and they did an exceptional job of telling it from the pilot's point of view and in a non-heart string pulling kind of way.  The fact that I enjoyed this movie so much is that much more impressive when you take into account that this story/movie took my biggest fears (flying and birds) and combined them in the most horrible of ways and I was still loving every second of it.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this out.  It's a great reminder of how awesome Tom Hanks still is and is easily one of the better movies to come out this year.

Florence Foster Jenkins

Set in 1940s New York, Florence Foster Jenkins is the true story of the legendary New York heiress and socialite (Meryl Streep) who obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. The voice she heard in her head was beautiful, but to everyone else it was hilariously awful. Her "husband" and manager, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic English actor, was determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence decided to give a public concert at Carnegie Hall, St. Clair knew he faced his greatest challenge.

I really didn't get this movie.  Was it a comedy?   Was it a drama?  So she couldn't sing well but thought that she could?   That was it.  I still don't get it.  Why would Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant do this movie?   I would think that there should be much more substance to it, no?   Maybe this is just one of those not my cup of tea type of movies and people that are more familiar with these historical people or time era that it took place in will really like this.   I pretty much sat there for the vast majority of the movie thinking "huh?"

Like I said above - I'm really not sure how to review this one.  It's just kind of there and I have no idea why it was made.  But maybe I'm just ignorant about the times/characters and people that are not would like it more?

The Light Between Oceans

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.  Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

This is one of those truly frustrating movies.  As you are watching it - you know that it is a very well done movie in every way.  Direction, Cinematography, Screenwriting and especially acting.  But regardless of all that - you are just so damn bored throughout the movie.  I felt like I was sitting there for years watching this.  LOL!!!   Again - the performances were great and very powerful especially when they were conveying emotions without talking.  But I couldn't wait for it to end just so I could go home and move on to doing other things.  

I would recommend this movie to people that want to see all the award nominated movies because even though this was released in September, I could definitely see it getting acting nominations at the end of the year.   But it is one of those slowly paced and torturous well done movies.   Be warned.

Morgan

A corporate troubleshooter (Kate Mara) is sent to a remote, top-secret location, where she is to investigate and evaluate a terrifying accident. She learns the event was triggered by a seemingly innocent “human,” who presents a mystery of both infinite promise and incalculable danger.

This was a decent idea with some pretty decent action/story progression.  The problem was that there was no need for this to be a wide release film or honestly to be made at all.  It's not that it's a bad watch.  It is just there.  It's a textbook September release in that you forget about it within 48 hours and that brings you back to why did they spend time even making this?

I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering with this in theaters.   It's not worth the time and definitely not the money.  It's a decent watch if you have some down time at home when it's on cable or netflix but still no rush in having to see this.

Before I Wake

In this supernatural thriller, Jessie (Kate Bosworth) and Mark (Thomas Jane) decide to take in a sweet and loving 8-year-old boy, Cody. Unbeknownst to them, Cody is terrified of falling asleep. At first, they assume his previous unstable homes caused his aversion to sleep, but soon discover why: Cody's dreams manifest in reality as he sleeps. In one moment they experience the incredible wonder of Cody's imagination, and in the next, the horrific nature of his night terrors. To save their new family, Jessie and Mark embark on a dangerous hunt to uncover the truth behind Cody's nightmares.

This movie was a decent watch.  It had its fair share of creepy images and moments that make you jump.  The problem is that it was missing an emotional hook.  Without that in scary movies you tend to forget about them five minutes after seeing them.  That is the boat that this movie falls into.  Watchable.  Enjoyable at times.  But overall forgettable.

I would not really recommend people spending money to watch this.  It's a decent watch but not good enough for that.  Wait to see it at home for free or something.

Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur is the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title, separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery. After years at sea, Judah returns to his homeland to seek revenge, but finds redemption. Based on Lew Wallace’s timeless novel, "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ." Also starring Morgan Freeman and Rodrigo Santoro.

This movie wanted to be an epic film but it absolutely was not.  It didn't even really have the budget to be so or it was massively misspent.  The acting wasn't epic.  The action wasn't epic.  The movie ends up just kind of being there.  It's a textbook end of summer type of movie.

I wouldn't really recommend people wasting their time with this.  There are much worse things you could watch but this just really isn't worth your time and definitely not your money.

The Wild Life

From the over-exuberant parrot Tuesday to the snack-obsessed tapir Rosie, from the persnickety echidna Epi to the acrobatic pangolin Pango, from the ditzy goat Scrubby to the commonsensical kingfisher Kiki and the always-cool chameleon Carmello, things are larger-than-life on a tropical isle that is pure wild animal paradise. Then Robinson Crusoe, a marooned human, arrives in the midst of a furious storm, and their lives are forever changed by this bewildering new “creature.” No matter their differences, castaway human and quirky animals embark on an hilarious new adventure, building the island’s first tree-house and surviving together. But when two conniving members of the animal kingdom — the savage cats Mal & May – pounce into a battle for control of the island, Crusoe and his animal posse must uncover the true power of friendship against all odds (even savage cats).

This movie was eh.  It was kind of watchable but there really was not the necessary hook that comes with most animated movies today.  The characters had moments but there were none that really carried the movie.   It almost felt like the animators kind of mailed it in on this one.  

I wouldn't really recommend people checking this out.  It's just kind of there and is one of those blatant money grabs by it being released when there really are not any other options out there for kids or families.

Don't Breathe

A group of friends break into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong.

See how simple that synopsis was?   That's easily what made this movie so great.  It had a short running time, didn't waste time with over development, and jumped right into the creepiness and thrills.  The movie was very enjoyable and had you sitting on the edge of your seat plenty of times.  Just when you think the movie is going to get a little played out, it switches gears and gets you hooked for the second part of the story.   

I would definitely recommend this movie to thriller fans.  Its short, well directed and paced in a way that keeps you hooked and makes you jump plenty of times.  

Kubo And The Two Strings

Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato, Hashi and Kamekichi. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle, and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen - a magical musical instrument - Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King and the evil twin Sisters to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

This was an awesome movie.  It's not your normal animated movie for kids because the subject matter will probably go flying over their heads.  But the animation was amazing and kept getting better as the movie went on.  And the story of the boy and his parents and finding out about your ancestors and history was great.  

I loved this movie and would definitely recommend people checking it out but it really is not a mainstream movie in any way.  Kids won't necessarily like it because it is a pretty deep story overall but it was incredibly well done and told.

War Dogs

War Dogs follows two friends in their early 20s (Hill and Teller) living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

This was a great movie due to the awesome chemistry between Miles Teller and Jonah Hill. I actually think this was one of Jonah Hill's better overall performances.  The story was paced perfectly and was given the proper time to develop.  You get really hooked by the friendship and it was a perfect balance between Teller's WTF type of reaction to everything and Jonah Hill's nothing to worry about reaction.  Even though it really was a drama movie due to the subject matter and Jonah Hill's character development, there were a ton of laughs throughout.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It was a great watch and very surprising to find such a great movie in theaters in late August.

Pete's Dragon

A reimagining of the 1977 Disney classic, Pete’s Dragon will blend live action and CGI to tell the story of the special bond between an orphaned boy, Pete, and his best friend, Elliott, who just happens to be a dragon. 

The original Pete's Dragon was one of my favorite movies growing up.  I used to watch it over and over again at my grandmother's house.  I was a little worried about them messing the movie up by reimagining it.  Thankfully, I was dead wrong.  This movie was an awesome family film.  It was the type of movie that made me fall in love with movies way back in the day.  Sure it was cute and fluffy at times but it was all about imagination and love.  I laughed, I cried, and I connected several aspects of the boy's adventure to moments throughout my life.

I would absolutely recommend people check this movie out.  This is especially true for families looking for a great all around movie going experience.  

Sausage Party

Sausage Party is a raunchy animated movie about one sausage's quest to discover the truth about his existence. After falling out of a shopping cart, our hero sausage and his new friends embark on a perilous journey through the supermarket to get back to their aisles before the 4th of July sale.

The movie had several moments of absolute hilarity that had the whole audience laughing.  The innuendos and references made were so well written and off the charts funny.   But there were definitely times where I would have probably preferred the innuendos as opposed to them actually showing some stuff.  At one point there was like an actual food orgy and it was weird as hell to watch.  The movie was definitely raunchy as hell but like I said so damn funny at times.  The only movie that I can compare this to with its laughs and wtf moments of what you were actually watching was Team America.

I would recommend people checking this out if they are interested in some big laughs and total raunchiness is not a turn off for them.  Otherwise you should absolutely not see this.  And parents of young teenagers be warned - this is absolutely a R rated movie that you don't want your kids to see or for you to foolishly go with them to see it.

Suicide Squad

It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

This was a tough one to review as are pretty much all DC Comic films.  Lets start with the positives.  The characters were great.  Will Smith was the best and was finally back to being the Will Smith of old.  Didn't realize how much I missed him until seeing him in this one.  Margot Robbie was great as Harley Quinn even if she was a little "softer" than the character usually is.  Jared Leto was great as a mibster version of The Joker.  The other characters were greatly too (especially El Diablo) as well as Viola Davis as the government official pulling the strings.  The chemistry between all of them was awesome and the first 45 minutes of this movie really made you think DC finally got something right.  And then came the villain.  And thats where the cons start.  The whole mystical and magical villain thing sucked.  DC always screws the pooch with villains because they insist on having too many of them and going CGI crazy with them.  Just like with Batman Vs Superman.  Yes, Lex Luthor being overacted was one of the more annoying parts of that one but if it was just him versus the superheroes instead of Doomsday and all the chaos that brought it probably would have been a better movie.   It was the same with this using Joker and the villain (without giving too much away).  In all honesty - they pretty much forced Joker into this movie and they eould have been better off going all in with him or not having him at all until the end as a tease or something.  It should have been Suicide Squad against Joker and his goons or them against the movie's main villain.  It messed up the story by working towards the villain story but forcing the Joker in every once and a while regardless of how goid Jared Leto was as him.  

My ranting is done now.  I would still recommend that people check this movie out.  It is definitely one of DC's better movies if not the best one.  The characters were great and the movie was enjoyable.  It just once again could have been better if DC would stop overdoing it every time on the villain front.  

The Infiltrator

Based on a true story, Federal agent Robert "Bob" Mazur (Bryan Cranston) goes deep undercover to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's drug trafficking scene plaguing the nation in 1986 by posing as slick, money-laundering businessman Bob Musella. Teamed with impulsive and streetwise fellow agent Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo) and rookie agent posing as his fiancé Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger), Mazur befriends Escobar's top lieutenant Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt). Navigating a vicious criminal network in which the slightest slip-up could cost him his life, Mazur risks it all building a case that leads to indictments of 85 drug lords and the corrupt bankers who cleaned their dirty money, along with the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, one of the largest money-laundering banks in the world.

This was a really well told and acted movie.  Bryan Cranston continued his excellence in the field and did a great job basically playing two parts between the actual character and who he had to become undercover.  At no point did this slightly more than 2 hour movie drag or feel like the pacing was lame.  I don't know why this got a quiet release in the crowded summer field.  It could have done so much better given a more appropriate release date.  

I would definitely recommend people checking this movie out if they have the chance.  It is a high quality movie across the board and a great vehicle for Bryan Cranston to shine yet again.

Mechanic: Resurrection

Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) returns as the Mechanic in the sequel to the 2011 action thriller. When the deceitful actions of a cunning but beautiful woman (Jessica Alba) force him to return to the life he left behind, Bishop's life is once again in danger as he has to complete an impossible list of assassinations of the most dangerous men in the world.

Pretty much your standard Jason Statham entry.  Lots of action.  Good pacing.  No reason to bother with overdevelopment of story or characters.  Some of the stunts and the inventive ways of him taking out the opposition were crazy and really hooked you a little more than just the usual hand to hand combat movies he churns out.

If you are a fan of Statham movies, you will like this one.  Like I said - not much substance just more of the usual stuff from him.  If that's your thing - check it out.  If not - definitely pass.

Ice Age: Collision Course

Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.

How is this a movie franchise with 5 movies?  How is this the biggest box office animated franchise of all time!?!  I have never really been that into the Ice Age movies and I'm a HUGE fan of animated movies.  It just never really hooked me.  But the bottom line is that kids love them and my two nieces had a great time seeing it so even though they really are not my cup of tea it was more than worth the time to watch their enjoyment.

Again - was never a fan of these movies/characters.  But if you have kids and they like it, take one for the team and take them to see it like my friends and I did.  

Bad Moms

In this new comedy from the grateful husbands and devoted fathers who wrote The Hangover, Amy has a seemingly perfect life - a great marriage, over-achieving kids, beautiful home and a career. However she's over-worked, over-committed and exhausted to the point that she's about to snap.  Fed up, she joins forces with two other over-stressed moms on a quest to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities – going on a wild, un-mom-like binge of long overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence – putting them on a collision course with PTA Queen Bee Gwendolyn and her clique of devoted perfect moms.

This movie was hilarious with a heart.  The mom stuff was great and very touching at times but the laughs were off the charts.  The three leads really played their parts to perfection and their chemistry was perfect.  That being said - Kathryn Hahn stole the show.  She was as hilarious of a supporting character in this as Will Ferrell was in Old School and Zach Gallifinakis in The Hangover.  She really was that damn funny.

If you are looking for laughs I absolutely recommend this movie.  It's pretty raunchy at times but really was hilarious.

Jason Bourne

Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of "The Bourne Supremacy" and "The Bourne Ultimatum," once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.

This was yet another excellent entry in the Bourne franchise.  If you like the others you will certainly like this one.  More twists and turns and new characters were fluidly introduced.  The fighting and car chases continue to be the most realistic ones I've ever seen.  You can't watch them and not see it as actually happening with no additional special effects.  

I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out.  It is a very enjoyable and action filled roller coaster ride.

Nerve

Industrious high school senior, Vee Delmonico [Emma Roberts], has had it with living life on the sidelines. When pressured by friends to join the popular online game Nerve, Vee decides to sign up for just one dare in what seems like harmless fun. But as she finds herself caught up in the thrill of the adrenaline-fueled competition partnered with a mysterious stranger [Dave Franco], the game begins to take a sinister turn with increasingly dangerous acts, leading her into a high stakes finale that will determine her entire future.​

This was a decent movie.  It really puts into perspective how screwed up the YouTube generation really is that this could be a legit game/app that would be a HUGE success with everyone's addiction to their five minutes of fame.  The chemistry between the leads was definitely there making the movie watchable for the appreciated short running time.

The movie was a decent watch like I said but I don't know that I would necessarily recommend it.  Watchable doesn't really make it worth time and money.

Lights Out

From producer James Wan (The Conjuring) comes a tale of an unknown terror that lurks in the dark. When Rebecca left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out…and now her little brother, Martin, is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety. A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie, has reemerged. But this time, as Rebecca gets closer to unlocking the truth, there is no denying that all their lives are in danger…once the lights go out.

The trailers for this movie were terrifying so I was expecting to pretty much crap myself from this movie.  There definitely were plenty of scary moments.but not as much as I expected.  That's not to say the movie was no good.  It definitely was.  I'm just saying it could have been even scarier.  The good thing though was how simple the story was and how short the running time was.  They didn't waste any time and they didn't have a whole convoluted story.  Always a fan of that.

I would absolutely recommend that fans of horror movies check this out.  It was a great watch but was not as scary as I had thought it would be based on the trailers.