Dying To Work There..."The Belko Experiment"

The Belko Experiment (2017)

Rated R

Starring John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, Adria Arjona, John C. McGinley, Gregg Henry, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn

Directed by Greg McLean

The Story:

An office in Bogota Colombia suddenly transforms into a prison as all the windows and doors are sealed. Then a voice (Henry) calmly instructs the workers that they need to kill a fellow co-worker in the given amount of time...or else.

So begins a twisted corporate version of kill or be killed, brought to you by the guy who gave us the fun and wholesome Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn.

It's a twisted day at the office, to be sure, and as the voice tells us at the very beginning, most of you won't survive the day.

That's an understatement.

While you have an idea of who the lone survivor might be, it's still an occasional jolt as each person meets their untimely demise.

Some pre-meditated, some accidental, some just by chance and happenstance, the movie grabs you and carries you along for the ride until the very end.

No huge stars in it, though I suppose Michael Rooker might take exception to that, but lots of familiar faces abound.

Won't go down as a cinematic classic in the horror or thriller genre, but still worth a peek.  It will likely become a cult classic like Gunn's other works (Slither).

 Final Grade: B-

So That's Where Babies Come From..."The Boss Baby"

The Boss Baby (2017)

Rated PG

Starring Alec Baldwin, Miles Bakshi, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Steve Buscemi, Tobey Maguire

Directed by Tom McGrath

The Story:

This is the story about how Tim (Bakshi) and his little brother (Baldwin) first met, and how they saved the world from not having anymore babies. At least as recounted by Tim (Maguire) now that he's much older.

Well, if you would have told me at the beginning of the year that 2 of my favorite animated films of 2017 would be studies on where babies come from, I would have called you crazy.

But here we are.

After the surprisingly touching Storks taught people how to be better parents, along comes Boss Baby with a lesson on what it takes to be a sibling.

Along with all the laughs, be prepared for an emotional moment or two as well.

This is nothing new of late, as Dreamworks Animation keeps killing it with their movies.

I know the rest of the world clamors for whatever Disney or Pixar is putting out next, but Dreamworks seems to be the most consistent maker of animated hits in our household.

Baldwin shines as Boss Baby, and he basically plays himself, or at least what audiences have come to perceive as Alec Baldwin, just as a tiny baby. Sure, it sounds crazy, but it works.

However, don't look past the role of Tim, which Dreamworks veteran Bakshi imbues with a lot of heart and soul. Graduating to a starring role versus just one of the kid characters he's played before, he holds his own with Baldwin and provides the emotional punch for the movie in the finale.

Apparently a sequel is heading our way. Not sure how they'll pull that off, but I'll be ready for it.

Final Grade: B+

Absolutely Delicious..."The Great British Baking Show"

The Great British Baking Show (2010)

Starring Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins

The Story:

12 of Britain's best amateur bakers face off in a giant outdoor tent where each week they attempt to make 3 different recipes. Their efforts are judged by renowned British baking experts (Berry & Hollywood) and each week, one baker is rewarded as Star Baker, while the one most lacking that week is sent home. Finally at the end of the season, one baker remains triumphant.

Ah, reality TV as brought to you by the BBC and renamed and aired over here on PBS.

:)

Now, 3 of the shows 7 seasons are available on Netflix for streaming.

I really enjoyed the first season, the 2nd season not as much, but I am enjoying the 3rd season as well.

The difference in the 3 seasons?

It all comes down to the contestants.

The first season had a nice variety of people, and there were so many interesting characters, you don't really mind who the ultimate winner might be, and you're almost sad to see them all go.

Season 2... not nearly the connection for me with those contestants at all, and I think we wound up jumping a few episodes just to see who won and move on.

In the third season, again a better mix of contestants that rise and fall with the challenges and keep the viewer interested in who will succeed and who will be sent home.

So how is this different from every other reality TV show?

I'd say the judges, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. One, the duo has the best possible names ever for baking judges! :)

But two, and most importantly, they are quite possibly the nicest judges in reality TV history. Always offering the most enthusiastic reviews when they taste something good. Yet when they eat something that doesn't work, they are often quick to answer why it tastes bad.

Normally it's either too much or too little flavor, or the recipe in question is raw and inedible.

Not sure if we'll ever get the other seasons on Netflix, but if we do, I'll definitely give them a try.

Final Grade: B+

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 Spoiler Free Look At "The Defenders"

The Defenders (2017)

TV-MA

Starring Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, Finn Jones, Elodie Yung, Jessica Henwick, Scott Glenn, Simone Missick, Eldon Henson, Wai Ching Ho, Rosario Dawson,

Created by Douglas Petrie & Marco Ramirez

The Story:

The Hand has used the last of their mysterious life restoring energy to resurrect Elektra from the dead. With her leading the charge, their goal is to retrieve the Iron Fist to unlock an ancient door and give The Hand the ultimate power. The downside, opening that door will cause the total destruction of New York City. Looks like the heroes of New York will need to band together and save the day.

Now that is more like it.

8 episodes.

Very little drag to them at all.

Not as much time for redundancy and stalling as the tale needs to be told and finished with far fewer episodes than the Netflix series have previously enjoyed.

And it shows.

The first 2 episodes cut back and forth between Jessica Jones (Ritter), Luke Cage (Colter), Daredevil (Cox) and Iron Fist (Jones) and the members of their supporting cast who will be seen briefly in The Defenders.

I would argue if you've not seen, or didn't care for certain characters, this is the show for you that will give them a chance to shine and change your opinion on them.

The weak link is still Iron Fist, but the show acknowledges that, and actually spotlights that this is kind of the point.

He's still "a kid" in theory. He's learning the ropes as a superhero who has been handed a ton of responsibility in life and realizes he's already failed at just about everything he was born to do.

Everything wraps up fairly nicely and sends the heroes back to their own shows, ready to hit the ground running.

There are also a few surprises and changes for some characters along the way as well.

Finally, once you've completed episode 8, stick around after the credits for a trailer for Marvel's next Netflix Original.

Final Grade: A-

Labor Intensive Viewing..."Ghost In The Shell"

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbaek, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, Takeshi Kitano

Directed by Rupert Sanders

The Story:

In the future, Major (Johannson) is an elite soldier that has been cybernetically enhanced to face criminals that mean to do the world harm. However, while most people get enhanced parts, Major is the first to have her life put into a completely cybernetic being. Now someone is killing those behind her creation, and it's up to Major to stop them.

I enjoyed this one a lot more 30 years ago when it was called RoboCop.

:)

I can't tell how this compares to the Manga series of the same name, I would imagine that having the lead Japanese character played by Scarlett Johannson is the first of many departures from the original.

Because, oh yeah, when they recreated Major, she was previously a Japanese girl, and the body they opted to put her in was decidedly not Japanese.

They also decided to put her in a movie that really seemed overlong, rather boring, and completely uninteresting.

I did watch the whole thing instead of shutting it off, but at the end of the film, I have to ask myself, "did I enjoy what I just watched" and "would I ever want to watch it again" ?

The answer to both, a resounding no.

I hope this doesn't hurt Scarlett's shot at a solo Black Widow movie.  That, I do want to see!

 Final Grade: D+

Well That Was Awkward..."All Nighter"

All Nighter (2017)

Rated R

Starring Emile Hirsch, J.K. Simmons, Analeigh Tipton, Taran Killam, Kristen Schaal, Shannon Woodward

Directed by Gavin Wiesen

The Story:

When Ginnie (Tipton) introduces her boyfriend Martin (Hirsch) to her father, Mr. Gallo (Simmons), it's basically the worst first impression you could possibly hope for. Fast forward 6 months, and Mr. Gallo is knocking on Martin's door looking for Ginnie. The only problem... Ginnie and Martin aren't together anymore. Mr. Gallo doesn't mind, Martin needs to get up, get dressed, and come help him find his daughter.

What follows next is a buddy comedy of epic proportions!

Okay, maybe not epic, but there is some smiles and laughs to be had with Hirsch and Simmons running around L.A. looking for his daughter.

As they run into one friend after another, nobody can quite put their finger on where they last saw Ginnie, and the night becomes a blur or crazy characters and situations as the two have to get past their mutual annoyance of one another and work for the bigger picture - where is Ginnie?

Simmons is as great a comic actor as he is a dramatic one. He makes any picture better just by being in it, and Hirsch provides able support as the beleaguered ex who still hasn't gotten over his old flame, but just might before the night is over.

You won't be doubled over in laughter, but you likely won't regret taking the time to spend watching this one.

Final Grade: C+