"The Duel" Fails To Revive The Western

The Duel (2016)

Rated R

Starring Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Alice Braga

Directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith

The Story:

Mexicans are turning up dead in the Rio Grande, and the governor sends a Texas Ranger (Hemsworth) to the town of Helena to investigate a local named Abraham (Harrelson) who may have something to do with it.

The movie starts out with a flashback to discover that Abraham had indeed killed our Ranger's father years earlier.

That is to add yet another layer of intrigue and tension to the story.

Except it didn't.

It actually all started to become a bit tedious and dull once they were in the town, and Abraham holds sway over the entire town in an almost cult-like atmosphere.

He begins to charm Marisol (Braga), the lovely wife of our main character.

So you can see where it's all going.

I accidentally hit the chapter skip button when I attempted to pause the movie about an hour into it.

Maybe less.

Couldn't tell you.

I went back a few chapters, and nothing looked familiar or memorable.

That's when I decided I probably didn't care to see how the film ended, though I had a pretty good suspicion.

Points for making a western and trying to keep the genre alive.

Negative points for making a movie I really didn't care to see how it ended, and seemingly unremarkable after an interesting start.

Final Grade: D+

I Figure The Game Is Better Than The Movie..."Assassin's Creed"

Assassin's Creed (2016)  

Rated PG-13

Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cottilard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson,

Directed by Justin Kurzel

The Story:

Cal (Fassbender) is a convicted felon. He's killed, but brought back to life to participate in an experiment. When hooked to a machine, he's able to channel the life and times of Aguilar, his ancestor and learn the secrets of being a member of the Assassin's Creed.

I'm assuming the game is similar to the movie.

Only more interesting and less confusing.

:)

The production values on the film are astounding, especially the look of the historical eras they produce.

But yeah, this one just never clicked as I watched it.

I get where they were going, and what they were trying to do...

But quite frankly, I never really cared nor felt engaged with any bit of the storyline.

Which you would think Assassin's vs. the Knights Templar would be an interesting idea.

Quite frankly, I was bored throughout pretty much the entire movie, and that's the kiss of death for an action film.

Final Grade: C- Changed my mind...D+

The Next Big Thing..."Sandy Wexler"

Sandy Wexler (2017)

TV-14

Starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Colin Quinn, Nick Swardson, Terry Crews

Directed by Steven Brill

The Story:

Sandy Wexler (Sandler) is a talent manager, not an agent! Back in the 90s, he discovered Courtney Clarke (Hudson) and wanted to make her the next Whitney or Mariah. Can the small-time manager succeed in hitting the big time?  This is their story.

For those of you that hate Adam Sandler, there's no doubt that you've likely quit reading this review already.

For those that love Adam Sandler, apparently we are the quiet minority in movies. Don't say it, because it will cause outrage and scorn.

However, it seems that Netflix has come up with the perfect solution and signed Adam Sandler to an original 4 picture deal that has just been extended to 4 more.

Why?

Because apparently between the Adam Sandler lovers and Adam Sandler haters is everyone else.

They watch Adam Sandler movies and then probably play dumb about it?

What? No, haven't seen anything by him since Happy Gilmore or The Wedding Singer.

Uh-huh.

We're on to you.

:)

Continually heralded as Netflix's most watched movies when they hit, Sandler offers up his 3rd Netflix Original, and it is easily the best of the 3.

You could argue it's also one of Sandler's best films in some time as well, period.

Wexler is based on Sandler's own manager, Sandy Wernick.

It's a loving tribute/roast and Sandler brings in many of his friends to play themselves as the story is told in flashback and they reminisce about Sandy's attempts in the 90s to be a big player in Hollywood with his eclectic band of talent (James, Quinn, Swardson & Crews).

It's when he finds Clarke that things seemingly take off for him.

Or at the very least, for her, and the rest of the movie concentrates on their relationship as she begins to become very popular and seemingly outgrows the need for a small-time manager.

But there is a very sweet center to this movie, and it's mentioned in the trailer:

An agent is business, but a manager is family.

And that heart shines through this film throughout as Wexler only wants the very best for his family.

It's not a laugh out loud comedy, though there are 2 or 3 genuine belly laughs to be had.

Instead, it's one you will smile along to, and be happy to enjoy, and by the time the credits roll, you'll be glad you came along for the ride.

Final Grade: B-

The Devil Is In The Details..."Incarnate"

Incarnate (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Carice van Houten, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Mazouz, Matt Nable

Directed by Brad Peyton

The Story:

Dr. Ember (Eckhart) has developed a way to enter the subconscious mind of an individual. He does this to cast out demons who have taken over control of their hosts. He's not into religion, he treats this as science. However he is on a personal mission of revenge to find Maggie, the demon that killed his family.

Competent thriller that keeps you engaged for the duration.

Naturally, your tolerance of movies about exorcising the demon-possessed will go a long way on how, or if, you judge this one.

I still shudder when I think about watching the Exorcist many years ago, so I often approach these films cautiously, if at all.

: )

However, Peyton keeps you guessing throughout the film, even when you think you know how everything is going to turn out, right or wrong, with films like this, you second guess yourself every step of the way.

Eckhart is always a reliable lead in any film, and he doesn't disappoint here as a man who has lost everything, yet channels his rage to go on with life.

It's a different take on the genre, and that is always something to welcome.

Final Grade: C+

Shooting The War With A Camera..."Five Came Back"

Five Came Back (2017)

Not Rated

Starring William Wyler, George Stevens, John Huston, John Ford, Frank Capra

Based on the book by Mark Harris

The Story:

In World War II, 5 acclaimed Hollywood directors willingly gave up their careers and joined the military. Their job was to document and present what they saw and what was happening at the time. In harms way, and with no guarantee that they would even survive their experiences, these directors answered the call of their country.

Presented by 5 acclaimed directors of today, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Greengrass, Guillermo Del Toro, and Laurence Kasdan and narrated by Meryl Streep, this documentary chronicles briefly their successful careers pre-WWII and everything they were tasked to do for the allied war efforts during the war.

It's a 3 hour documentary split into 3 hour-long episodes that works as a chronological effort of before the war/early war, the main war effort, and the conclusion of the war and life afterwards.

What they saw, what they shot forever changed each of them.

Upon their return from service, they went back to Hollywood and all turned in what is arguably the best work of their career, though in the case of Capra, his work was not appreciated until generations later when It's A Wonderful Life became a staple on television during the holidays.

Highly recommended, especially if you're a film or history lover, and if you're both, this is right up your alley.

It's a Netflix Original series and one you shouldn't miss.

Final Grade: A

"Elstree 1976" Is Proof I Don't Love Every Documentary I See

Elstree 1976 (2015)

Not Rated

Starring Jeremy Bulloch, Laurie Goode, David Prowse

Written and Directed by Jon Spira

The Story:

For Star Wars fans, the title of this documentary should be obvious. That's where and when a little movie called Star Wars was filmed. This documentary has interviews and behind-the-scenes clips and photos of the filming of that little film and the effect it had on some of those actors who donned costumes as extras and other parts in the film.

It should be a fascinating and fun watch.

Oh, if only.

It was methodical and mundane.

Any time it kind of picked up and got relatively interesting, something would happen to stunt the momentum of the film.

The most interesting tidbit is the shaming of some actors for showing up at conventions because their parts were deemed irrelevant and immaterial because they didn't portray one of the cool space aliens.

Kind of harsh, but in the world of Star Wars, not totally unexpected either.

For die hards only.

It is streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Netflix Streaming C-

It Was A Joy Watching "Raising Hope"

Raising Hope (2010)

TV PG

Starring Lucas Neff, Martha Plimpton, Garrett Dillahunt, Shannon Woodward, Cloris Leachman, Baylie & Rylie Cregut, Gregg Binkley, Todd Gibenhain, Kate Micucci, Bijou Phillips

Created by Gregory Thomas Garcia

The Story:

Jimmy Chance (Neff) lives at home with his parents Burt & Virginia (Dillahunt & Plimpton) who are living at home with Maw Maw (Leachman). He has a one-night stand with Lucy (Phillips) who turns out to be a serial killer. Thankfully, they turn her over to be executed. One minor wrinkle, she's pregnant with Jimmy's baby, and he gets custody of Hope (Cregut) after her execution.

This is their story about Raising Hope.

From the mind who brought you My Name Is Earl, and who takes any chance he gets to remind people what a crime it was that show was cancelled, Fox brought Raising Hope to airwaves in 2010.

It ran for 4 seasons, and is now streaming on Netflix.

My wife stumbled upon an episode by chance (no pun intended) and we gave it a shot.

Much like any show, the pilot is good, but not great.

However, they ironed out the kinks, and from the 2nd episode on, the show is comedy gold on a consistent basis.

Funny, touching, a tad crude and sometimes downright hysterical, this is a show about a working class family who may not be the brightest, or the richest, but they sure love each other and at the end of the day will do anything for family.

The cast is amazing from the leads to the bit players. Fully fleshed out and all kinds of eccentricities abound in the show.

In the history of child actors, there have been a lot of adorable kids, but Hope is such a cutie from baby through toddler, she's a total sweetheart and it's totally believable that a family would do whatever they could to take care of her.

There are too many good things about the show to possibly squeeze in, but I would be remiss to not mention the dynamic duo of Plimpton and Dillahunt. Their chemistry and timing is impeccable, and Burt quickly became my favorite character on the show.

There are a few moments where the show would seemingly jump the shark, but even they began to acknowledge those mistakes, and they quickly recovered and went full-steam ahead.

I would have loved to watch a few more seasons, but they probably wrapped it at the right time as Hope was getting older and would soon be heading for school.

Thankfully we can just loop back around and watch them again any time we want to.

Final Grade: A-

A Murder Most 'Meh'... "A Kind Of Murder"

A Kind of Murder (2016)

Rated R

Starring Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Hayley Bennett, Eddie Marsan, Vincent Kartheiser

Directed by Andy Goddard

The Story:

Walter (Wilson) is a successful architect by day and budding detective novelist by night. His wife Clara (Biel) is unsupportive at best, and things just aren't right between them. Walter longs to be with Ellie (Bennett) instead. However Walter's obsession with a seemingly perfect unsolved murder may prove to be his very undoing.

Welcome to a throwback noir thriller set in 1960s New York.

The production values are stellar as it looks and feels as if the film and everything in it is straight from a bygone era.

The problem comes about from the story itself.

The perfect murder in question is pretty much just that, perfect.

You have the weaselly suspect (Marsan) and the overeager detective (Kartheiser) and these characters will go about making Walter's life unbearable.

But that's just it, it almost is unbearable.

His fascination with what could have happened makes him the suspect when his own wife is murdered, and naturally he lies and then lies some more.

The book upon which this is based is titled The Blunderer.

You'll feel like that is a very apt title the longer you watch the film.

Watchable, but in the end, rather unsatisfying.

Final Grade: C-

And Now The Musical Stylings Of "The Wrecking Crew!"

The Wrecking Crew! (2008)

Rated PG

Starring Tommy Tedesco, Brian Wilson, Glen Campbell, Carol Kaye, Dick Clark, Herb Alpert, Hal Blaine

Directed by Denny Tedesco

The Story:

In the late 50s, Rock and Roll music was born. While we are familiar with the names of the singers and bands that gave us this amazing music from that moment all the way through the 60s, many of them had a deep, dark secret: They all employed The Wrecking Crew as their session musicians to make their music sound so good.  You know the songs by heart, and now it's time to learn the story of those musicians who put their soul into the recordings with rarely any credit given to them outside of the industry.

Until now.

Denny Tedesco started a documentary about his dad, guitar master Tommy Tedesco.

Yet the more he filmed, the bigger the story got.

So he expanded it, and archive footage and interviews with industry legends and members of the Wrecking Crew are spliced together in near chronological order to give not only a behind the scenes peek at the recording industry, but a history of rock from its birth to the end of the 60s and beginnings of the 70s.

Basically, if you think The Monkees were the only band to not really play their instruments on records, you're about to have a wake up call as to who was really responsible for the music.

In some cases, the Wrecking Crew even played the music better than the artists themselves.

It's informative.

It's eye-opening.

It's worth your time.

The movie is currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A

When Is A Superhero Movie Not A Superhero Movie..."The Fate of the Furious"

The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Charlize Theron, Kurt Russell,

Directed by F. Gary Gray

The Story:

You've seen the trailers.  Dom (Diesel) has turned his back on his team, his family. Now it's time to finally find out why.

If you've been there for the first 7 installments, you'll have no problem transitioning into the final trilogy of the Fast and Furious saga.

Yep, Vin's got plans to make 2 more, 10 total, to conclude a little street racing saga that has grown bigger and more popular with the passing of each year and each installment.

Especially once they infused the cast with new blood and new thrills starting with Fast Five and the reassembling of the largest cast pitted against Special Agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) as the only guy who could take them down.

With each passing chapter, the stakes have gotten higher and the stunts more elaborate.

And yes, it's the 2nd greatest superhero universe, right behind Marvel.

Suck it DC.

: )

Now if you don't like these movies, and I can't even fathom that prospect in all sincerity, then this movie isn't for you.

The only thing missing is Paul Walker, but there's nothing that you can do about that. He shared his vision with Vin Diesel, and they're honoring that memory as best they can.

Enjoy the ride, it's a lot of fun.

Final Grade: B+

Spy vs. Spy "Allied"

Allied (2016)

Rated R

Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard,

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The Story:

Max Vatan (Pitt), a Canadian spy parachutes into Casablanca to meet the lovely French resistance ally Marianne Beausejour (Cotillard). Their mission: to assassinate a German ambassador. While their cover as a married couple was very convincing, Max decided that he wanted it to be real. So after enduring months of vetting and background checks, Marianne finally comes to England, the two are wed, and happiness abounds. Until suspicions arise that Marianne may not be all that she seems.

Cue the ominous music!

In 2005, Brad Pitt makes a movie about being a spy, and having a wife who is also a spy.

He later divorces Jennifer Aniston and marries Angelina Jolie.

In 2016, Brad Pitt makes a movie about being a spy, and having a wife who is a spy.

He later divorces Angelina Jolie...

Clearly, Brad Pitt needs to stay away from this type of role, as he's obviously being typecast!!

:)

That said, this one is not the rip-roaring adrenaline thrill-ride that Mr. & Mrs. Smith was.

It's an action/thriller/drama that keeps you engaged in the is she/isn't she and what happens next as every bit of the story unfolds.

Zemeckis keeps the audience dazzled with action set pieces as well as dramatic tension-filled character moments.

It's not perfect, but it's a pretty solid viewing.

I won't say much more than that, because it's a spy film, you need surprises!

 Final Grade: B-

It's Hard To Describe "Hap and Leonard"

Hap and Leonard (2016)

TV-MA

Starring James Purefoy, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jimmi Simpson, Bill Sage, Christina Hendricks, Pollyana McIntosh,

Created by Nick Damici & Jim Mickle

The Story:

Hap (Purefoy) and Leonard (Williams) are best buddies with a long history together. When Hap's ex (Hendricks) brings them in to find some missing money from a bank heist years earlier, they're going to cross paths with some crazies in the hopes of finding a lost fortune.

This was a puzzler for me.

Based on a series of books, this show is on the Sundance Channel.

Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix, and it popped up in my recommended list feed.

It's starring James Purefoy? Sure, why not? I'm a fan.

So I watched the first episode...

And it was very slow... deliberate maybe?

A black comedy/crime noir-ish escapade is a tough sell.

It starts off good enough with a great car chase that establishes the main story that will drive the next five episodes.

Then it cuts to the future, or in our case, the past as this takes place in the late 80s.

However the rest of the episode wanders all over the place, so this is a tough one to gauge.

With only 6 episodes, I figured it couldn't be that bad, and it wasn't.

It actually got a little better as each episode got a little more footing and backstory under their belt.

The show was wise in choosing Simpson as a whacked out criminal as the brains behind the scheme.

However without the chemistry between Purefoy and Williams, then this show would have been dead on arrival.

I won't be chomping at the bit to stream season 2, but if I've got the time, I'll be back.

Final Grade: C+   

Don't Mess With "The Accountant"

The Accountant (2016)

Rated R

Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, John Lithgow,

Directed by Gavin O'Connor

The Story:

Christian Wolff (Affleck) is a savant with an amazing knack for numbers. His services are so well regarded, many illicit organizations have used him to fix their books, so to speak. However, with the criminal task force closing in, he accepts a more legitimate client to lay low for awhile, yet it may be his most duplicitous account yet.

And did I fail to mention that Wolff is also like a deadly assassin as well?

And there you have a premise to a movie that might sound silly on paper, but plays out really well on screen.

Surrounded by a great supporting cast, including Simmons as the lead agent on the task force who is one step away from retirement, and hoping he can catch Wolff, or at least train his replacement before it's too late.

Other than that, I'm not going to give anything else away at the risk of taking any twists and turns away from this action thriller.

Great cast. Interesting premise. Well done by all involved.

Final Grade:  B  / B+ range

Just How Innocent Is He? "Reasonable Doubt"

Reasonable Doubt (2014)

Rated R

Starring Dominic Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Gloria Reuben, Ryan Robbins, Erin Karpluk

Directed by Peter Howitt

The Story:

District Attorney Mitch Brockden (Cooper) has one too many drinks, but decides to drive home anyway. Along the way, he's distracted just long enough while driving that he hits a man with his car. Unwilling to risk the police, he leaves the scene and calls in the accident by way of pay phone to avoid suspicion. However, when Clinton Davis (Jackson) is arrested with the man's body in his van, Brockden does everything in his power to throw the case to avoid sending an innocent man to prison for a crime he didn't commit.

But just how innocent is Davis after all?

If it sounds like your average thriller that you've probably seen before, well, you wouldn't be too terribly far off.

I think the main problem with this thriller is you've got Samuel L. Jackson who can deliver a whole different level of movie than the rest of cast involved.

While he's dialed up to 11, the rest of the cast is rolling through on about a 7.

So the movie crackles when Jackson is around, other than that, things get a little slower and more bogged down.

If you're all caught up on your thrillers, it might be time to queue this one up.

It only took me 3 years to get back around to it.

:)

I watched it on disc, but it is now currently available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

I Can't Believe They Made A "Trolls" Movie

Trolls (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski,

Directed by Walt Dohrn & Mike Mitchell

The Story:

The trolls are the happiest little critters that live in the woods. The Bergens are the most miserable. When they discover that they can become happy by eating trolls, well, you can pretty much guess that the trolls are going to have to work really hard to have a happy ending to this film!

I never saw a preview for this film. No trailers. No anything.

I heard it was coming, and I thought, really? Trolls? Those little ugly dolls from when I was growing up?

Really?

How is Dreamworks going to make this into a film?

And this is Dreamworks, and aside from Shrek, they make some pretty fun movies, but it will likely tank at the box office.

But hey, that Justin Timberlake song is pretty catchy, so what the heck, I'll rent it for the kids.

So I did.

Then I watched it.

Oh my goodness.

No matter what I was expecting, which admittedly wasn't much, I was blown away with how much fun and enjoyment I had watching this one.

It was cute. It was silly. It was fun.

It was a musical!

And in a good way, where the songs enhance the story, not become the story.

A mix of new songs and some classics mixed in for fun, it's easy to be swept up by the proceedings and you'll be as happy as Poppy (Kendrick) as the movie rolls along. Accompanied on her journey is Branch (Timberlake) the one troll in the kingdom who doesn't share the affinity of optimism and happiness that all the other trolls embody.

Yep, you get sucked in to this fun little world, and if you're not careful, you'll get sucker-punched by an emotional wallop late in the film.

I know I did.

When "True Colors" is sung, the reaction is heartfelt and genuine.

I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about it.

So, once again, well done Dreamworks.

I enjoyed this one so much, I bought it.

"For the kids".

:)

Following Storks, this looks to be a really fun year for animated films, with 2 very different, very unexpected films vying for Best of the Year honors.

 Final Grade:  B+

Unimpressed Sums It Up..."Nocturnal Animals"

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Rated R

Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer,

Directed by Tom Ford

The Story:

Susan Morrow (Adams) is a wealthy art gallery owner. She is married to Hutton (Hammer), but was previously married to Tony (Gyllenhaal). Well, Tony has sent his ex-wife a manuscript for his upcoming novel to read. It's called Nocturnal Animals. As Susan reads it, it's a very intense work that may also be an allegory to his time being married to Susan.

Cue the intrigue.

Ah yes, the old "story within a story" effect.

This time, instead of a movie or tv show taking place, it's a novel being read.

Gyllenhaal gets double duty as both flashbacks to the time with his wife, and also as the main character of the book.

Except I was bored by all of the characters within the first 10 minutes.

I was actually ready to turn it off during the opening credits.

Watching obese naked women dance on platforms is actually not my idea of a good time.

But that's art! As presented at Susan's gallery, I was already put off before the movie even begins.

Then as each new character is introduced, I really didn't see any reason to care for them, or want to see where the story was going.

Great actors, don't get me wrong.

Just put into a storyline I really had no ambition to soldier through to the end.

Then as I'm doing research on the film, it's one of those arthouse "best of the year...accolade after accolade" films.

So apparently, maybe I'm just not highbrow enough of a movie snob to appreciate what's sitting in front of me, and I would be happier watching an Adam Sandler movie.

Well, I did watch the Waterboy again a few days later, so yeah, maybe.

: )

Your mileage may vary, but this one was ejected and tossed on the scrap heap for worst of the year consideration.

Final Grade: D

The Secret Is Out There..."Hector and the Search For Happiness"

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)

Rated R

Starring Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Jean Reno, Christopher Plummer, Ming Zhao, Toni Collette

Directed by Peter Chelsom

The Story:

Hector (Pegg) is a psychiatrist who leads a seemingly ideal life. Except he seems both bored by his patients and his girlfriend (Pike). So one day, Hector decides to throw caution to the wind and embark on a global adventure to discover what true happiness is.

A quirky little indie dramedy that grows on you as the film rolls, Pegg continues to shine as a leading actor who seems perfectly at home in these offbeat love stories.

He absolutely loves Clara, but feels the need to see what life could throw at him if he leaves his very organized life behind for a moment and travels the globe.

Along the way he encounters all manners of characters who impart their wisdom of how to be happy, and how they achieve it. Naturally, each one adds a new layer to Hector and he is able to use what he's learned along the way to help him out of situations as the needs arise.

Naturally, there is the other woman (Collette) who Hector needs to see to find out what he might have missed out on, or if there is a chance that she was his happiness all along, and Clara is a substitute of what might have been.

If you've seen enough movies in your life, you know pretty much how this movie will play out from start to finish.

Still, it's a journey that's always worth taking, and a great cast that takes you along for the ride.

Final Grade: B

Death Before Dishonor..."Last Knights"

Last Knights (2015)

Rated R

Starring Clive Owen, Morgan Freeman, Cliff Curtis, Aksel Hennie,

Directed by Kazuaki Kiriya

The Story:

Raiden (Owen) is the commander of an army of knights that are loyal to the nobleman Bartok (Freeman). When called to see the Emperor, Bartok refuses to bribe the emperor's counsel (Hennie) and winds up losing everything in the process. Will Raiden avenge his master, or is he too far gone to find redemption?

Never heard of this one?

Don't worry, I hadn't either.

But when you're looking through movies that are coming out or available to stream in Netflix and Morgan Freeman pops up on the cover of the movie, odds are that it's worth a look.

And this one is.

The story itself is nothing new that you probably haven't seen before, but the production did a great job of recreating the mood and atmosphere of a time and place of legend.

With a European and Asian mix of cast, crew and location peppered with some well known faces, the movie will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

Might be a tad overlong at nearly 2 hours, but the pacing and structure seemed a deliberate attempt to tell the proper story while having the audience become invested in all of the players, both primary and secondary.

Worth a look if you're interested in an action film you might have otherwise missed.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C+

Greed Isn't Good...It's Delicious! "Waffle Street"

Waffle Street (2015)

TV-PG

Starring James Lafferty, Danny Glover, Julie Gonzolo, Dale Dickey

Directed by Eshom & Ian Nelms

The Story:

James Adams (Lafferty) is a successful broker who ends up taking the fall when his firm is hit by the financial crisis of the early 2000s. He loses his job, and becomes untouchable by other firms. So he attempts to find another job...any job... but being a numbers guy for so long, he's got no real skills to do anything else. He finds himself in a 24 hour waffle house one day with a help wanted sign outside. The rest, is history.

Naturally, this is based on a true story.

James becomes a server, and develops a friendship with the rest of the staff, several of the regulars, and the short order cook, Edward (Glover).

His plan, to put in the hours, save up the money and buy his own Waffle Street franchise so he can be the boss, and reclaim some of his past glory and financial security.

Naturally, things don't always go as planned.

This is a cute little comedy/dramedy that relies on the likability of the cast and the honesty of the source material to keep you invested in the story.

Nothing exceptionally groundbreaking here, but if you're searching around Netflix for something new to stream, here's 90 minutes that are worth your time.

Final Grade: B- 

Just Along For The Ride..."Passengers"

Passengers (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen

Directed by Morten Tyldum

The Story:

A starship traveling making a 120 year journey to inhabit a new space colony with over 5,000 souls onboard has a malfunction, and a pod containing Jim Preston (Pratt) opens early. 90 years early. With the prospect of dying long before he arrives, Jim tries everything he can to get help from the crew or to put himself back into hibernation. After over a year alone, Jim stumbles upon Aurora (Lawrence) and then wrestles with the decision of whether to wake her up, resigning her to share his fate, or leave her be. You've seen the trailers, you know what he's going to choose.

The question is, wouldn't you do the same thing?

The movie was very clever in the marketing of this film. Never once did they reveal the giant elephant in the room:

Do you wake someone else up, effectively committing murder as they too will die long before there is help, or do you remain alone?

The movie tackles the situation in probably the best way it can, and with the introduction of another character as the movie heads into the final act, it is summed up perfectly on why Jim made the choice he did, and why it is a decision that probably anyone else would make as well.

The moral dilemma aside, the movie itself is beautiful, both in the space sequences as well as just the impressive visuals of imagination that went into the starship.

Adding Michael Sheen to the mix as the third wheel in the relationship helps break the monotony and allows the characters a chance to interact with someone else.

He's also a good reason why you can't trust androids with your secrets.

: )

Final Grade: B-