I Should Have Stopped At The Trailer..."Power Rangers"

Power Rangers (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, Ludi Lin, Becky G., Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston, Bill Hader,

Directed by Dean Israelite

The Story:

5 Teenagers stumble upon an ancient alien craft and receive powers from an ancient alien race. Under the tutelage of a robot (Hader), they must learn to morph into Power Rangers if they hope to stop an ancient evil (Banks) from finishing her plan to destroy the earth that she had attempted centuries earlier.

Well, let me first say that I never planned to see this movie.

However, seeing the trailer last year, it was very well done and seemed very interesting. I was actually hooked, and then they revealed it was for Power Rangers.

Well played studio marketing, I'm intrigued.

I never bothered with the show during the 90s for my kids, so I had no nostalgia or anything else driving me to see it or to compare it to.

That said, the execution left a lot to be desired.

I believe boredom sat in rather quickly, as all the charm and intrigue of the trailer quickly faded away as 2 minute fun from the trailer expanded to a bloated 2 hour run time that was far from fun.

Too long, too cliched, too bad.

Final Grade: C-

Didn't Quite Hit The High Notes Of The First One..."Pitch Perfect 2"

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins,

Directed by Elizabeth Banks

The Story:

The Bellas are back, and the 3 time champs are on a roll and performing for the President when a wardrobe malfunction by Fat Amy (Wilson) gets them banned from further competition by the A Capella Governing Board (Higgins & Banks). They make a desperate gamble: if they win the European Championship, they are fully reinstated. It's a big task as no American team has ever beaten Europe's finest.  Can they pull off the greatest upset of all time?

If you've never watched a movie before, the suspense might kill you.

For everyone else, it's a foregone conclusion. :)

I make no apologies that I loved the first film. I don't remember if it made my Top 10 list the year it came out, but it was definitely an honorable mention film.

While just about the entire cast returns for the sequel, much of the charm and fun of the first film is gone, because we know what to expect.

That's not to say you won't enjoy this one, because you will, just not as much.

But this one has a lot of juggling to do as they are ready to let this group of Bellas graduate, but they bring in one lone recruit (Steinfeld) who will need to carry the franchise going forward if there is indeed a Pitch Perfect 3.

If there is, it has to have the duo of Higgins and Banks providing commentary again because they are the brightest spot in the movie, and the two never fail to entertain with their insane and inane commentary.

Final Grade: B-

The Drive Behind The Success Of The Beach Boys..."Love And Mercy"

Love and Mercy (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Jack Abel

Directed by Bill Pohland

The Story:

Brian Wilson (Dano) struggles with the voices in his head that drive him to make music. The problem, his latest idea, "Pet Sounds" is something unlike the Beach Boys have ever done before.

Brian Wilson (Cusack) meets Melinda Ledbetter (Banks) at a car dealership and he is smitten. He begins taking her out, but their relationship continues to be stifled by the domineering presence of Dr. Eugene Landy (Giamatti).

The two stories will weave in and out of one another, almost seamlessly as the audience is taken to the 60s and 80s watching Wilson's life fall apart, and ultimately, come together.

While I'm not a huge fan of the Beach Boys, there is no denying they churned out their fair share of hits throughout their illustrious career, and many snippets will fill the soundtrack of this film.  It's interesting to see how Wilson constructed Pet Sounds and as with all things ahead of its time, the respect it receives now is nowhere near the reception it received upon arrival.

While the 60s show Wilson's descent, thanks in no part to his own father, it is the 80s that shows us a Wilson that has hit rock bottom and it is only through the kindess and love that Melinda develops for Brian that she ultimately is able to save him.

Giamatti is only missing the moustache to twirl as he relishes his role as villain in this piece.  Dano and Cusack both bring their best to showcase Brian's vulnerability and drive to the screen.

And yes, I will have to grudgingly up my respect for the Beach Boys after seeing this.

Final Grade: B

Mistaken Identity Fuels This "Walk Of Shame"

Walk of Shame (2014)

Rated R

Starring Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden, Gillian Jacobs, Ethan Suplee, Bill Burr,

Written and Directed by Steven Brill

The Story:

Meghan (Banks) is a local newswoman with a shot at a Network job. Then in a stunning turn, her boyfriend dumps her and she is informed that the job is going to someone else.  So to drown her sorrows, her friends take her out on the town and she gets plastered and winds up going home with a random guy (Marsden). Then she gets the phone call in the morning, that the network is reconsidering her, and she has until 5:00 pm to get to work and wow the bosses.

But first, she has to figure out where she is, and when her car, wallet, and phone all end up M.I.A., you know this task will not be easy!

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Okay, so you've seen this story before, or some variation of it over the last few years.

However, this one is still very well made, and pretty funny throughout, so while the road may seem familiar, it's also a trip well worth taking.

Banks is game for just about anything as she has to race through the city in a little yellow dress.

Naturally, she will be confused for a hooker, among other things, and she is being pursued by various people, including the cops, who all want to chat with her.

Can you outwit them all, make it to the newscast in time to score the anchor job?

Well, duh.

But it's all in how it unfolds, and Brill brings his best work to the screen since Mr. Deeds, making us actually care about Meghan's plight and wondering if she will indeed pull it off.

That says something.

Final Grade: C+

Everything Really Is Awesome... "The Lego Movie"

The Lego Movie (2014)

Rated PG

Starring Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson

Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller

The Story:

Emmet Brickowski (Pratt) is an everyday, ordinary Lego builder.  He goes about his business, never realizing that he is... "The Special".  Yes, prophesied to stop the superweapon, the Kragle from being used by Lord Business (Ferrell) destroying the many Lego realms.  Teaming to help Emmet on his quest are Wyldestyle (Banks) and Batman (Arnett).

Want a fun movie that is great for all ages?

Look no further.

Naturally, for those of us that were kids at one point, Legos are no stranger to our lives.  The bricks can create almost anything you can imagine.

As the years have passed, the sets have gotten cooler, and now there are Legos to reflect pretty much any pop culture obsession.

Way cool for kids.

Possibly even cooler for parents.

Which becomes the crux of the conflict of The Lego Movie.

It seems that Lord Business is more familiar of an enemy than you realize as the movie unfolds, but I don't want to spoil it for those who have not seen the film yet.

The voice cast in the film is amazing.  Pratt is overshadowed by the more famous Legos and/or voices, but that's to be expected for his character. However he brings the heart and soul to the movie along with some pretty good comedy gags.

Batman could easily be seen as the star of this film, and it's easily the best Batman film from DC...

Ever.

:)

This beautiful 3D film is above and beyond all of the previous Lego movies that they've released.

That said, those movies were all pretty darn fun on their own merits.

Combine these films with the stellar Lego videogames, and you begin to realize that a simple building block has reimagined itself for the 21st Century.

They aren't going anywhere, and the future looks very bright for this franchise.

The movie is so good, you can almost forgive all those times you step on a Lego barefoot at 2 AM in the house.

Almost.

:)

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Add this to the other great Lego offerings.  I imagine this will find its way into our house by Christmas.

Is "Movie 43" the Worst Movie of the Year? Not So Fast...

Get ready for the worst movie of all time...

No.

Not really.

The Story:

Charlie Wessler (Dennis Quaid) is pitching a movie idea to studio exec Griffin Schraeder (Greg Kinnear).  Each story pushes the envelope of sense and good taste.

What in the name of Kentucky Fried Movie is going on here?

First, this movie isn't that bad as people make it sound.  It's not the worst movie ever made.  It's not the unfunniest comedy ever filmed.

This movie won't even make my final list of Turkeys of the Year.

Strange, but true.

Is this movie a laugh riot from start to finish?  Nope, not even close.

What you have instead are a bunch of short skits or commercial parodies stretched over 90 minutes.  Yes, an episode of Saturday Night Live without censors.

Some jokes are hysterical, many fall flat.  The actors and actresses give a straightforward performance, ignoring the silliness of their particular scene and playing it as if they were in a drama.  That naturally makes the movie all the more absurd.

I did vow to watch the entire movie, ignoring my own 20 minute rule, just to see if there were any redeeming skits within the movie.  From start to finish, not really any that you must see, the best overall skit was probably the end of the movie with Terence Howard as the basketball coach, and you already know how that plays out if you saw the trailer. 

Honorable mention goes to the waterproof tampon commercial.  Genius.

The worst skit to make the film starts after the credits begin rolling, and is directed and stars Elizabeth Banks.  They would have been wiser to leave that out completely.

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Thanks, but no thanks.  Again, not a great movie, but not the stinker people make it out to be. 

Is The Movie Worth Watching? "Definitely, Maybe"

A story about love, divorce, and second chances.

The Story:

Will (Ryan Reynolds) is getting divorced.  This of course doesn't sit well with his little girl, Maya (Abigail Breslin) who wants to know about how he met her mom and maybe see what went wrong in the marriage.  Fair enough, so Will begins telling her the story of the loves of his life, of which there were three, only he changes their names so that Maya can't figure out which girl happens to be her mom.  Will it be college sweetheart Emily (Elizabeth Banks), good friend April (Isla Fisher) or sophisticated Summer (Rachel Weisz)?  And by telling the story, can Will learn any lessons and realize that maybe the one he was supposed to end up with is still out there?

Before there was "How I Met Your Mother..."

This movie works, for the most part, as a fun romantic comedy. 

I'm not sure what exactly is missing from the movie overall that keeps it from being a must see for me though.  While good, it never crosses the threshold and becomes great.

Ryan Reynolds is always a plus for me, and for the most part he is allowed to play his usual charming, wise-cracking self.

His chemistry with his leading ladies varies, but that is a hard enough trick to pull off with one star, let alone three.

About five years have elapsed since I first saw this, so it was pretty much like watching it again for the first time.

I absolutely think the correct choices were made, as even the daughter rules out her real mom in the story. : )

Will's second chance at love is both uplifting and heartbreaking for both characters, and that is a nice change of pace, when they could have made it so much easier on his character.

Glad I  got a second chance to revisit this one.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No hurry...should be up for it again in about 5 years. : )

A Dysfunctional Family Affair... "People Like Us"

Sometimes the greatest family, is the family you don't know about.

The Story:

When a record producer dies, his son Sam (Chris Pine) heads home reluctantly with his girlfriend (Olivia Wilde).  He arrives late to console his mother (Michelle Pfeiffer), but Sam just wants to get back to his job before he gets in a world of trouble.  That's when he receives a windfall of cash from his father's will, with implicit instructions to give it to a boy named Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario) and to 'take care of them'.  That's when Sam discovers that he has a sister he never knew about named Frankie (Elizabeth Banks).  Sam could really use the money... nobody would ever know... but this is family...

Did I mention that it's based on a true story?

Of course not, but they claim it is.

Don't all movies make that claim nowadays?

But anyway, Sam could really use the dough, but the more he gets to know Josh and his new sister, the more troubled he becomes with making the decision to just take the money and run.  Things complicate further when Frankie mistakes this caring, sweet guy for a possible romantic interest.

Eww.

Naturally, it all blows up when he reveals who he really is, and then in typical family fashion... fights and grudges ensue.

Can Sam make everything right?

Maybe, just maybe, and with a little help from his father one last time, the family can become stronger.

It's a great ending.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I have now had the distinct pleasure of watching this film twice, so I would say that yes, I could watch it again and wouldn't be opposed to adding it permanently to the library.

I Might As Well... Jump! "Man on a Ledge"

I am...an innocent man...

The story of a man inspired by a Billy Joel lyric...

The Story:

Nick (Sam Worthington) is a cop who was falsely accused, or so he claims, of stealing a diamond from a ruthless businessman (Ed Harris).  On the run, he brings to fruition a scheme with his little brother (Jamie Bell) to steal the diamond...for the first time... to prove that Nick is innocent.  To do this, Nick stands on a ledge of a hotel and threatens to jump.  This very public display is going to be Nick's second trial, and he's going to prove he's innocent... or die trying!

I will be honest, I loved this movie the second I saw the trailer.

When I finally saw the movie, it was just as good, if not better, than the trailer had promised.

So for those that say Hollywood never comes up with anything new, this was pretty new to me.

Or at least, it wasn't a sequel, wasn't a toy/comic franchise, wasn't a remake... so that's pretty new in my book.

Ed Harris is gleefully slimey as the bad guy.  In his career, he's played both sides of the law, but I think he relishes the turns when he's not wearing the white hat more often than not.

I am a fan of Sam Worthington, at least in making Clash and Wrath of the Titans watchable fun.  Count me as one of the 17 people on Earth to have not seen, nor really have any interest in seeing Avatar, and there you have it.

Also, well done to Elizabeth Banks who holds her own as a police negotiator who is in a deep downward spiral, but Nick feels he can trust her more than any other policeman on the force and insists she is brought in for the job.

Count me as a fan of this movie.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Potential: Extremely rewatchable, in fact I just watched it within the last week, thus the review.  And yes, I own it.