Country Bumpkins..."Logan Lucky"

Logan Lucky (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig,

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

The Story:

Jimmy and Clyde Logan (Tatum & Driver) have decided that if they want to succeed in life, they have to stop getting walked on. So they set out to rob Charlotte Motor Speedway, but they need the help of safecracker Joe Bang (Craig). The only catch? He's currently behind bards...

And there you have the setup for an elaborate heist film that is filled with ups and downs, which actually seems to be the curse of the Logan family.

The heist itself is improbable and yet elaborately simple and complex, both at the same time.

The movie ends on a puzzling note, but for this film, that seems spot on.

Daniel Craig seems to be having the most fun of the cast, playing completely against type in this one. Of course when your type seems to be James Bond, it's fairly easy to play anything other than that.

But the role is very comedic in nature, and he seems to be relishing the whole non-leading man part and having a lot of fun while doing it.

If you've got Amazon Prime, this movie is currently available to stream.

Final Grade: C+/B- range

Diluting The Brand..."Kingsman: The Golden Circle"

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Rated R

Starring Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Hanna Alstrom, Edward Holcroft, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Jeff Bridges, Elton John

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The Story:

With the Kingsman organization in chaos, Eggsy (Egerton) and Merlin (Strong) head to the States and meet up with another unknown secret service organization: The Statesman. Together, they must foil the plot of the nefarious drug lord, Poppy (Moore) before much of the world population is killed by her poisoned merchandise.

In 2015, Kingsman: The Secret Service took the movie world by surprise, and was a critical and box office smash. I enjoyed it so much, it wound up as my 2nd favorite film of 2015, surpassed only by Ant-Man as favorite film of the year.

As 2017 draws to a close, the eagerly awaited sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is here.

However, as with most sequels, they rarely measure up to the original.

And in 2017, Kingsman is going to have to work really hard just to make the list, let alone come in 2nd place.

The fights, the soundtrack, they've already been done, so Kingsman basically had its own reputation to fight against.

It could be argued, that like Guardians of the Galaxy, the 2nd installment is a virtual retread of the original, just dialed up to 11.

However, unlike that one, which has an emotional arc at the end, this one just seemed to be dialed up to 11 and given an even longer running time with which to wreak havoc.

Cue extra scene time for Elton John and just a lot of extras that put this one so far over-the-top, it makes the first film seem like traditional spyfare at this point.

Sadly, the trailers ruin the fact that they brought back Harry (Firth) but it's a fine return to the fold.

Also amusing was the relationship between Eggsy and Princess Tilde (Alstrom) that could have easily been the throwaway gag of the first film but actually centers and provides much of the emotional distress for the 2nd.

All that said, there is an even more emotionally devastating moment in this film than in the first, and I was none too pleased with the decision.

I won't begrudge the studio a 3rd installment, but it just isn't going to be the same after this.

Final Grade: B-

Be Bored By Those Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear..."Hail, Caesar!"

Hail, Caesar! 

Rated PG-13

Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johannson, Jonah Hill, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton,

Written and Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen

The Story:

Eddie Mannix (Brolin) is a "fixer" for Capitol Pictures in Hollywood in the 1950s. He makes problems for the stars...go away... As he is dealing with a usual day at the office, one of their biggest stars, Baird Whitlock (Clooney) goes missing.

This is not the fun, farcical tone that the movie trailer suggested. It's a dramedy, to be sure, but if you're expecting a comedy, expect to be disappointed.

If you're expecting a movie with Clooney as the focus, also prepare to be disappointed.

Neither of these issues really bothered me.

If you're expecting a good movie, prepare to possibly be disappointed.

And that is the camp that I fall into.

This loving look back at Hollywood in the 1950s lacks really...everything.

The stars are present.
The scenery is magnificent.

You will believe the 1950s live again!

But really...nothing happens, and everything happens, all in the span of about a day.

A really long day, but you get the idea.

Ah, but it's a Coen Brothers film, so it's probably not about Hollywood at all, but is an allegorical tale about Christianity.

Oh.

Well that changes everything.

Except the part about it being a good movie.

B-O-R-I-N-G.

I do believe I made it through the whole thing, all the while wondering if there was a point to any part of it.

Weeks later, I don't believe I can look back and find the point.

I would have preferred a movie that focused more on Mannix, and maybe less sideshow stories and make a bigger case or two for him to try and solve.

As it was, it just seemed like a whole lot of loose ends that are vaguely tied together by his role.

But, I will award points for the look of the film.

And a reminder that if you want a better film about 1950s Hollywood, do yourself a favor and watch Trumbo instead.

Final Grade:  D+

It's "Jupiter Ascending" Quickly To The List Of Worst Movies Of 2015.

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean

Written and Directed by Andy & Lana Wachowski

The Story:

Jupiter Jones (Kunis) is an illegal alien who cleans bathrooms for a living. No, not that kind of alien, the kind from outer space. However she doesn't realize this until aliens come to get her and she is saved by intergalactic space hero, Caine Wise (Tatum).

That sums up about the 20 minutes, that felt just shy of an hour, that I endured this film.

I looked around the room at all of the faces not watching, or caring what was happening in this film.

I then looked at the clock on the wall and realized I still had just a hair under 2 hours still to go, and I didn't really care for the characters or the plot (if there truly was one yet) of this film.

Eject.

Return.

Note to self, add the Wachowskis as directors (and writers) whose work, overall, is stuff that I don't care for. Never cared for The Matrix, never bothered with the sequels. Cloud Atlas had some interesting ideas, but the overlong run time saps your energy.

Again, I have to wonder if you keep allowing some directors to write/direct/produce their own movies, who is the filter to tell them, hey, this kind of sucks?

Seems that there isn't one.

I can only tell them after the fact.

Hey, this movie kind of sucked.

The visuals were nice though.

: /

Final Grade: D

Quite A Tale In "The Book Of Life"

The Book Of Life (2014)

PG

Starring Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate

Written and Directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez

The Story:

Best friends Manolo (Luna) and Joaquin (Tatum) grow up as rivals for the adorable Maria (Saldana).  As grown men, the rivalry continues. The relationship catches the eyes of some supernatural beings (Perlman & Applegate) who make a wager on which man will win Maria's hand. When trickery comes to play however, not even death can stop true love and Manolo embarks on a journey of a lifetime.

From the company that brought you Free Birds...

I know, that sentence alone had me very worried as well, as I found that movie to be rather on the boring side of things...

But they fixed my complaint from that movie, which was a rather poor storyline, with a much tighter narrative, and now I'm pleased to say that this has been one of the better animated films I've seen this year.

I never had a problem with their animation, most animation studios are really killing it in terms of look and feel of their films.

Reel FX goes the extra mile on this film as many of the characters look wooden and have puppet joints. The care and attention that went into the work is nothing short of amazing to watch.

A voice cast of names, but aside from the always superb Danny Trejo, I think you'll be hard pressed to feel that the "name" overpowers the voice, and you may be wondering who the cast really is during and after the movie has concluded.

I was expecting to be disappointed going into this one as it pretty much bombed in theaters.

Instead, I'm more disappointed that unless it has Disney or Pixar on the banner, families are staying away from most other animated fare unjustly.

Final Grade: B+

The Undercover Brothers Like No Others! "22 Jump Street"

22 Jump Street (2014)

Rated R

Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube,

Directed by Phil Lord

The Story:

Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) are going back undercover to college this time, instead of high school. In basically the exact same movie as the last one we saw!

Their words, not mine.

But the joke is indeed, that this film is pretty much a note for note remake of 21 Jump Street.

Which is fine, because 21 Jump Street was one of those surprise hits from a few years back.

Tatum showed he has a great sense of humor, Hill showed off that he could be an action hero.

Mostly.

:)

Again, it would have been a bit better had this go-round been not entirely a retread of the first one.

The buddy cop saga does grow a bit between the two leads, and that makes for about the only real growth in the movie as the two realize that their brotherhood is real, and that's a nice development.

When the funniest part of the film is the extended credits for each of the subsequent numbered Jump Street sequels, then perhaps there is no future for the franchise.

Somehow, I'm sure we'll see 23 Jump Street at least.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was probably enough for me on this one.

Verily, E'en Shakespeare Wouldst Approveth..."She's The Man"

She's The Man (2006)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum,
Directed by Andy Fickman

Written By William Shakespeare.  Sort of.

Return to those thrilling days of yesterday when Amanda Bynes hadn't lost her mind yet...


The Story:

If you've read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, get ready to see it turned on its ear.  If you haven't, you're about to get the general idea of the play, but with a modern twist.  Viola (Bynes) is a girl soccer player whose school cuts girls soccer!  She wants to join the boys team, but they reject the idea of a female playing with the guys.  So she hatches a plan to take her twin brother Sebastian's (James Kirk) place at a rival school.  She dudes up and ends up rooming with Duke (Tatum).  Naturally, a love triangle ensues because Duke has eyes for Olivia Laura Ramsey) but she won't give him the time of day...she's got eyes only for Sebastian (Bynes!) and Sebastian ... Viola... is totally falling for Duke!

Let the madcappery ensue!

This movie is flat out funny, from start to finish.

Wisely, they take the basic premise of Shakespeare's work, and keep that, but jettison the language with the update to the modern setting.

No offense, but every Shakespeare update that goes modern age, yet keeps the language never works for me.

But, update the work, keep the ideas/plot/characters... it seems to work.

It may just be me, but that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Must Look Away From the Tatum!

Yes, I watch this movie, and then I just sit back and sigh.

So much potential from Ms. Bynes, and it seems to go off the rails into a trainwreck of life.

Thankfully, we'll always have the movies.

All of the supporting characters are great character actors who support the story perfectly.  Vinnie Jones is great as the soccer coach who brings Sebastian up to the main team by watching the effort put forth by a former second stringer.

I Could Kill You With Me Bare 'ands...

David Cross is hilarious as Gold, the absent minded headmaster, and really, the movie is just filled with comedic gems from start to finish.

The cast and writers make Shakespeare's comedy of identity swap work wonderfully on so many levels.

The fun revelation of course, is Channing Tatum.  This is before he was Channing Tatum!  It's his first co-starring role, as Step Up was on the horizon when this came out.

But Tatum is hilarious as the jock who Viola pines for, and his sense of comedic timing is exceptional.

Channing Tatum: Tampon Spokesman

The kid's got a future in Hollywood.

:)

Good for a laugh any, and every, time it hits the DVD player.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would say this gets played at least once a year in the house, and I do own it.

Tatum To The Rescue! "White House Down"

I get a feeling of deja vu...

The Story:

Cale (Channing Tatum) is a Capitol Service policeman attached to the detail of the Speaker of the House (Richard Jenkins).  But Cale is dreaming of working security for President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) to impress his daughter (Joey King).  Of course on the day he takes his daughter to the White House for an interview, well that's the day that some really bad guys decide to take over Washington D.C. and take the President captive.

And they might have gotten away with it, if only they would have left Cale's daughter out of it.

But they didn't, and now he's mad.

And he's going to get his daughter back!

Welcome to 2013, when terrorists taking over the White House is not the subject of one Hollywood movie, but two!

First was Olympus Has Fallen, previously reviewed right here on this very spot! http://talesfromthequeue.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-overthrowing-dc.html  It's now also streamable on Netflix if you still haven't seen it, or would like to watch it again.

If that was "Die Hard in the White House", then I guess this go-round we're going for "Lethal Weapon in the White House".

It's the buddy cop formula as Tatum and Foxx team up for most of the movie trying to stay alive and one step ahead of those dastardly fiends that are trying to catch the President.

There was some good stunts, some funny lines, and there's nothing inherently wrong with this take on taking out the White House.

However, there's nothing really memorable here either.

In fact, this one actually makes Olympus Has Fallen seem better than it may have been in retrospect.

This one's a little too long, and a little too reliant on the daughter for too many plot devices, than it should be.

Probably streaming on Netflix in about 6 months, but for now you'll have to rent or buy it.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch it again, but wouldn't go out of my way to do so.  If it comes on cable or something and the remote is too far... ;)

Nothing A Little Armageddon Won't Cure..."This is the End"

Based on a true story.

Somewhat.

The Story:

Jay Baruchel comes out to L.A. to visit his best friend, Seth Rogen.  Rogen wants to go to James Franco's house for a party, but Jay is uncomfortable with all of Seth's Hollywood friends.  Seth assures him it will be fine, and so they head to the home. 

Naturally, that's when the Apocalypse happens.

So, in a few movies I've reviewed, I've mentioned that there are some actors who literally just play themselves on the screen.  Seth Rogen...Jonah Hill... those guys, right?

Well, this movie does one better, they actually play themselves, playing themselves.

Genius!

And for what it is, it works.

These guys are friends, or at least act like it in the movie.

Jay plays the outsider of the group who just doesn't click with the Hollywood crowd, and then the literal apocalypse kicks off, and people are raptured to Heaven.

Naturally, none of our cast makes the cut, and they spend the rest of the movie trying to stay alive, and not kill one another, while holed up in Franco's abode.

The crew of survivors also includes Craig Robinson and Danny McBride. 

They throw nearly any and every joke against the wall to see what sticks.  All the while, mayhem ensues.

There are some howlers, there are some eye rolling, but the guys give it their all.

Plus, there's Channing Tatum.  Apparently everything is better with more Channing Tatum.  That's the new Hollywood mantra.

However, I will give them a plus for having the decency to kill Rihanna.

: )

For the fans that have enjoyed all of their other films, you'll probably see no reason to miss this one.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was enough, thanks.

Evel Knievel Had Nothing on the Guys from "Nitro Circus: The Movie"

Kids... Don't try this at home...

Unless you want to be famous!

The Story:

Travis Pastrana and his crew of daredevil buddies take extreme sports...to the extreme!

Sit back and watch 90 minutes of death-defying and sometimes amusing stunts performed for your entertainment...

As well as theirs!

The natural comparison to this film would be Johnny Knoxville and his Jackass series.  In fact, Mr. Knoxville stops by and provides some talking head insight into the Nitro Circus.

The best piece of advice he offers... Jackass designs the stunts to fail spectacularly and be hilarious.

If the Nitro Circus fails... they could be killed.

Sobering thought.

So the film follows them around the globe as they prepare for their performance for a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas. 

Many of the stunts they perform have to be done outside of America, for legal reasons.

The movie also spends time allowing you to get to know the crew, so they aren't just faces performing for your amusement.

Celebrity fans, including Channing Tatum (you can never have too much Channing Tatum in a film!) comment on how amazing these guys are.

And they really are.

Give it a whirl though, I promise you won't be bored.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't need to buy it, but I'd have no problems watching the stuntwork again.

We Must Avenge Channing Tatum! "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" !

Get a piece of the Rock!

The Story:

Since the last movie, apparently all of the cool Joes are now gone, leaving only Duke (Channing Tatum) and Snake Eyes (Ray Park) as the only members still around.  They lead a new crew featuring Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), Flint (D.J. Cotrona) and Roadblock (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).  When all of the Joes are assembled to keep a nuclear warhead from falling into enemy hands, the President (Johnathan Pryce) orders them killed.  Remember, he's actually Zartan in disguise!  All of the Joes are killed except our new trio (and Snake Eyes...) and together they must discover who brought them down and why... before it's too late!

First, the lingering question of "Where did all the other Joes go?"... lingers.  I don't believe it was ever explained to satisfaction.  I think there was a throwaway line about after the nanomite incident... but that doesn't explain how your entire team disappears.  I was pretty sure everyone was still around when the last film ended.  If it was mentioned other than that, I missed it.

Second, the rumors of the movie being reshot to include more Channing Tatum (because every movie needs more Channing Tatum!!) proved false.  Yay!

If I spoiled that little factoid that Duke doesn't survive the film... well, sorry.  I gathered that piece of information from the trailer without even seeing the movie. :)

Sure, I was sad to see Duke killed, but it's a plot device, and if Scarlett, Duke and the rest are fodder, hasta la vista Duke.  When you think about it, every Joe is expendable at the end of the day, except Snake Eyes.

And apparently now, Roadblock.

Once again it is Dwayne Johnson to the rescue of a franchise.  He brought respectability to the Mysterious Island, and he proved to be an equal as the new guy in Fast Five, and helped propel Fast Six to even bigger box office heights.

Throw the guy into the G.I. Joe mix, and the guy owns the franchise from the minute you see him onscreen.

There is also the glorified cameo from Bruce Willis as the original G.I. Joe from which the unit was named.

A lot of fun, and as expected, even better than the original. 

And yes, I suppose the easiest explanation for the smaller cast, is you can tell a better story when you are only concentrating on a trio of heroes vs. over a dozen.

Plus, it's probably a lot cheaper. ;)

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't own it yet, but I'm hoping that situation works itself out in the future. : )

A Real American Hero..."G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra"

If knowing is half the battle, what exactly is the other half?

The Story:

The G.I. Joe team recruits Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans) into their ranks.  It seems that the nefarious COBRA organization has some nanomite technology in their hands, and they plan to take over the world!  Can the Joes save the day?  Or are they doomed to failure?

You know what, I don't get all the hate towards this film.

Going back and watching the 80s cartoon...yeah, it's not as great as we might seem to remember it being.

:)

Plus, I never bothered with the action figures.

No, instead, this movie came out, yet another Hasbro toy property brought to the big screen.  2 years removed from the blockbuster success of The Transformers (a movie that blows by the way! : )  )The trailer premiered, and they promised me an action movie, and the movie delivers.  Some great effects and stuntwork and some killer action set-pieces, I have absolutely no complaints with what the finished product wound up being.

The majority of the characters are all here, with a pretty impressive cast filling in all of the roles.  An argument could be made that perhaps it was all too much...too soon and it could have been spread out over a franchise instead of cramming everything and the kitchen sink into one movie.

But come on, it was cool to see Snake Eyes (Ray Park) up on the big screen.

At the end, the Joes save the day, imprison Cobra Commander and Destro, but Zartan has taken the place of the President.

I smell sequel!

: )

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it, and I've watched it 2 times since the first time I've seen it.  Still enjoy it each time.

I Thought This Was About Magicians..."Magic Mike"

First David Copperfield...and now this?


The Story:

Mike (Channing Tatum) works all day...and works it all night in a club owned by his buddy Dallas (Matthew McCounaghey) as a male stripper.  On his latest construction gig, he runs across a young loser named Adam (Alex Pettyfer) who wants to be Mike's best friend.  Mike takes him under his wing and teaches him the ropes about being a male stripper.  This doesn't sit too well with Adam's sister (Cody Horn) who is irritated by, yet drawn to Mike.

Perhaps your sense of entertainment from this movie will be directly related to how much you enjoy watching male strippers?

If that is the case, I am definitely not the target audience for this film, but it was a slow week for new releases at Netflix, and this one came up next in the queue.

Channing Tatum says that this is based on his story before he broke into Hollywood.  If that makes him Adam, then yikes.

Adam is a completely selfish and really quite stupid character with no redeeming qualities or features whatsoever.  This would seem the most likely of the characters, and if so, well done to Mr. Tatum for digging himself out of a hole in his life that would probably kill most people.

More likely, he is Mike who is indeed infinitely likeable, has a heart of gold, and wants something more out of life.  Yeah, that sounds better.  I wish he would have had the sense to hire his wife to play his love interest in this film, or any other actress for that matter.  The one they hired is downright awful and is in over her head with actual actors surrounding her.

The first half of the movie actually works at a great pace under the more than competent direction of Steven Soderbergh.  But after awhile, the movie seems to lose focus as they simply pile conflict upon conflict and ultimately resolve...absolutely nothing.

The movie ends on a most unsatisfying conclusion, answering no questions that were raised... perhaps setting up for the inevitable sequel?

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how hysterical it was to see Kevin Nash attempt to be a male stripper.  He's about as flexible as an oak tree, and his group dance routine with the other actors was a laugh riot, purely unintentionally.  I'm sure the ladies are focused on the beefcake on display front and center, I was too busy laughing at Nash in the background.

So if you're coming to see Channing Tatum shake his moneymaker, you're in luck.

If you're coming for a compelling dramedy.... I highly suggest you look elsewhere.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not going to happen.

Needs More Channing Tatum... "10 Years"

Has it been 10 years already?

The Story:

It's been 10 years since graduation, and a group of friends returns to celebrate their high school graduation.  Are friends still as tight as they once were?  Do any relationships rekindle or spark out after all this time?  Did everyone really grow up?

Only one way to find out...

Ten Years. 

That's about how long my wife thought this movie lasted. : )

Really, it's just about 100 minutes, but it's 100 minutes of talking heads and lots of different characters taking up screen time.

Whether you connect to any of them or not will depend a lot on the actors in question, and perhaps if they had a story that strikes a chord with your personally, or at least is interesting.

The players:  Jake (Channing Tatum) and his girlfriend arrive, but Jake can't shake his former flame Mary (Rosario Dawson) who arrives to the affair...married.

Marty (Justin Long) and AJ who both are trying to get with the popular girl one more time.

Former bully who decides to mend his ways by apologizing to everyone during the party, repeatedly.

Then there is the boy who made good, Reeves (Oscar Isaac) who went on to become a popular musician thanks in part to a song about a girl (Kate Mara) who he was in love with in school, and still is to this day.


It's a cute film with its heart in the right place, but overly long and a bit boring in many places.

Too much reliance on alcohol to get the party started and keep it going, and most of the conversations shouldn't take all night, but they do.  And as they drag on, so too does the movie.

It could have been shorter, tighter scripted and a much better affair.

My recommendation?

If you want a film that celebrates a 10 Year High School Reunion, check out Grosse Pointe Blanke instead.

: )

Final Grade: C

Would I Own It: Nope