That's "Life"

Life (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ariyon Bakare, Olga Dykhovichnaya

Directed by Daniel Espinosa

The Story:

6 of the world's finest astronauts are trying to collect a soil sample from Mars aboard the International Space Station. When they discover a single cell organism, they have proof that life on Mars exists. As they further experiment, they soon discover that this life wants to grow and be free...at any cost.

This movie seems very familiar.

If you've seen Alien, you've pretty much already seen this film, except they don't really leave much room for a plethora of sequels and prequels.

However, maybe that's a good thing? :)

Now I'm one to suspend belief as much as humanly possible during a film, but there was one scene that really bugged me, is they reference for Re-Animator.

Yes, it's an off-the-cuff quip from Reynolds character, but it drove me buggy. Because how can he realize he's watching something out of Re-Animator, and never acknowledge what is happening is straight out of Alien?!?!

I know, I'm over-thinking this likely, but it's things like that, and then watching each astronaut make stupid choice after stupid choice that gets them killed (oops...spoiler) that just made the movie annoying enough to not love it.

Totally watchable, sure, but nothing in the horror/sci-fi genre that I would need to revisit any time soon.

Final Grade: B-

A Night At The Opera..."Florence Foster Jenkins"

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson

Directed by Stephen Frears

The Story:

Florence Foster Jenkins (Streep) is a New York City heiress who has devoted her life, passion and considerable funds in support of the opera in the city. Her dream to someday sing at Carnegie Hall is supported by her husband, St. Clair Bayfield (Grant), and he goes to great lengths to provide her with a gracious audience to perform in front of. The problem, Florence can't sing very well, no matter how many lessons she takes. That, however, is not going to deter her from her dream.

A movie like this doesn't get made if it's not based on a true story, so here you have a tale of the worst opera singer in the history of forever, brought to life by an actress considered to be the greatest American actress of all time.

Meh.

It looked great, and captured the time period of New York so very well.

The only reason I even bothered with this one is because it's always nice to catch up on the latest Hugh Grant movie.

As usual, he doesn't disappoint with his performance of a husband who loves his wife, conditionally, because he has a mistress (Ferguson) to provide him with the needs that Florence withholds.

Add a young pianist (Helberg) to the mix, and eventually Florence makes a record, it becomes a smash hit, and Jenkins finds herself playing in front of Carnegie Hall.

However, the reviews that follow are none too kind, and Florence literally dies of a broken heart within days of the performance.

That the recording  is Carnegie Hall's most requested performance speaks volumes of people's willingness to be tortured, or the realization to never give up on your dream, no matter the odds.

A touching sentiment, but one wrapped in an overly long biopic that dragged a bit too much for my taste, though I'm sure Streep's fan base will delightedly enjoy this one.

Final Grade: C-