It's Watchable... "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword"

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Aiden Gillen,

Directed by Guy Ritchie

The Story:

Arthur (Hunnan) is a bit of a rogue, but when fate finds him next to the blade Excalibur, it turns out he is also the long lost true heir to the throne. That doesn't please Vortigern (Law) in the least, and he attempts to kill Arthur and any who stand with him.

Well, this is certainly a different take on the legend of King Arthur.

Ritchie does his best to keep the story moving forward, and surrounds the film with a talented cast who keep your interest.

There are a few mystical aspects that just seem odd as the film unfolds, but it gives Arthur the reason to rise up and be a true hero.

As 2017 was filled with at least 2 versions of the story, if you're going to watch one, make it this one.

Personally, I'd say go find Disney's The Sword in the Stone instead, but maybe that's just bias.

Or maybe, it's just that much better than most incarnations that have come since.

Possibly both.

:)

Final Grade: C

Just Can't Get Enough..."Sing Street"

Sing Street (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Aiden Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Mark McKenna, Ben Carolan, Ian Kenny,

Directed by John Carney

The Story:

Growing up in Dublin, Conor (Walsh-Peelo) is watching his family break apart as his parents (GIllen & Kennedy) are inching ever closer to divorce and he is pulled from his expensive prep school and sent to a Catholic school instead. Receiving the usual new kid welcome, Conor will have to deal with the school bully (Kenny) and is simply hating life. But when a new friend (Carolan) points out the mysterious girl across the way (Boynton), Conor figures out what he needs to do to impress the girl and make his life better: he's going to start a band.

This is everything that I hoped Pretty in Pink would be.

: )

Buoyed by an impressive soundtrack (it was the 80s after all), this coming of age comedy drama is also a musical.

But not that kind of musical.

No, the music is interspersed within the story as the kids perform covers and eventually sing their own songs.

The beauty of it all, the songs sound like they came straight from the 80s.

The new songs for the film fit in seamlessly with the works of Duran Duran and The Cure and other bands that influence these teens (and pepper the soundtrack) as they come to terms with who they are as a band.

The girl in question, Raphina is dying to leave Dublin and head to London to be a model.

This of course causes friction between her and Conor as she is his muse, and she sees him as just a sweet kid.

At least at first.

I would be remiss not to mention Conor's brother, Brendan (Raynor). He is the catalyst for a lot of what goes on in the movie, even though he doesn't have nearly as much screen time as he should.

The interaction between brothers gives the film the extra layer of heart it needs for an emotional finale that is so befitting this very charming tale.

The movie is streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade:  B+ 

WWEekend Movies: Get Ready to Go "12 Rounds" With The Champ!

You can't see me...

The Story:

Danny (John Cena) is a New Orleans cop who gets promoted to detective when he takes down a terrorist, Miles Jackson (Aiden Gillen).  The only problem, Miles' girlfriend gets caught in the crossfire, and he blames Danny for her death.  One year later, Miles gets free, and Danny's house explodes!  It seems Miles has a series of 12 tasks for Danny to tackle if he wants to see his wife alive again.  Can Danny survive all 12 rounds, save his wife and take down the bad guy?

Yeah... it's John Cena, remember?!

: )

2009, and WWE Studios decides to give John Cena another crack at stardom.  It's not a bad effort at all, and perhaps a bit better than The Marine.  I can't recall, it's been a few years since I last saw that one.

Cena is a bit more at ease behind the camera, letting his natural ability and charisma to carry him through the action.  The story itself is a good one, reminiscent of Die Hard 3, which is always a good thing.

Lending Cena a hand behind the camera is Renny Harlin.  People can mock his body of work, but when he does a good film, it's really very good.  He is a firm believer in reality over CGI, and that's a refreshing change and carries over on the big screen.

But let's be honest, most things coming out of Vince McMahon's studio is going to be seen on the small screen, however, that may be for the best.

The action and pacing is good, and very little wasted time and effort from start to finish.

It's a nice budget action flick...no complaints.

Final Grade: C+... borderline B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  It's been over 5 years... not going to be buying it but if I stumble across it again in a few years, why not?