I enjoyed this sequel, as I enjoyed the first one. It's not the greatest action flick, but it certainly satisfies those who are into this type of film (Namely me).
Some of the camera work was nicely done. I really enjoyed certain set pieces. The overall production values of the film are great.
My nitpicks are that the protagonist cursed a bit too much for my taste, and Julianne Moore played the antagonist a little too over the top for me. Neither is close to a deal breaker, though.
The action sequences were breaking the laws of physics; however, since this film is definitely poking fun at the spy hero genre, just lie back and enjoy the ride. It reminds me of James Coburn's take on the James Bond movies in his "Our Man Flint" series in the 60s (Which was just as fun. I really like the soundtrack of the first one).
There was a great notable personality who appeared in Kingsman that was quite a surprise. He/she was really funny. I don't want to name the person so that anyone who reads this who hasn't seen it will be pleasantly surprised as well.
I was a little leery of the setting moving to the United States, but it worked for me, at least. I like the mythology of the Kingsman (and Statesman), so I'm looking forward to any additional films that might be made.
All in all, a very fun film!
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
"Amercian Assassin" is entertaining
I'm a big fan of the Mitch Rapp series authored by Vince Flynn. This movie is an origin piece that was around ninth in the series. It's a good start for people unfamiliar with who Rapp is. Rapp is another member of filmdom's "special agents" fighting for truth, justice and the American Way after he suffers a personal loss.
When I started seeing the trailers for this film, I had doubts about the actor playing Rapp (Dylan O'Brien). He was not at all how I pictured Rapp. I was thinking along the lines of Chris Hemsworth. O'Brien seemed wimpy to me. As the months went by, I came around to accepting him. He does fine with the lead role. His action sequences are well done, and I like his intensity of the character.
Michael Keaton is great as Rapp's mentor. Of course, I really like Keaton in most things he does.
The plot is pretty basic (Terrorist are BAD people), but well handled for me. They certainly left it open for another film. I'm sure everyone involved with the production is thinking "Franchise." We'll see. I'm certainly open to it!
All in all, if you're an action fan like me, you will be fine seeing this movie. If not, Girls Trip is still playing.
When I started seeing the trailers for this film, I had doubts about the actor playing Rapp (Dylan O'Brien). He was not at all how I pictured Rapp. I was thinking along the lines of Chris Hemsworth. O'Brien seemed wimpy to me. As the months went by, I came around to accepting him. He does fine with the lead role. His action sequences are well done, and I like his intensity of the character.
Michael Keaton is great as Rapp's mentor. Of course, I really like Keaton in most things he does.
The plot is pretty basic (Terrorist are BAD people), but well handled for me. They certainly left it open for another film. I'm sure everyone involved with the production is thinking "Franchise." We'll see. I'm certainly open to it!
All in all, if you're an action fan like me, you will be fine seeing this movie. If not, Girls Trip is still playing.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
"Girls Trip" a successful journey
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I really wasn't expecting much out of it, but it succeeded in winning me over.
It's an R rated comedy about four BFFs in high school who drift apart for five years and decide to get back together for a trip to New Orleans. As in all these buddy comedies, hilarity ensues, then conflict followed by reconciliation. It getting there that's makes or breaks a film.
This one succeeded for me. I like the fact that the humor was very adult. Most film companies are so worried about getting young teenagers in the seats that the prevailing rating is PG-13 for this kind of film. I have to say a couple of the scatological gags were a bit over the top for me. I didn't find them particularly funny, but, overall, there were some great laughs.
Kudos to the four leads. They worked together very well. Particular praise goes to Tiffany Haddish as the no-nonsense-in-your-face friend. She was terrific. If the reader is curious, the other women in the cast are Regina Hall, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith. I hadn't realized how short Smith is. According to IMDb, she's five feet tall.
Of course, there was the standard lesson learned be true to yourself message at the end, and in this case, it was very heartfelt and something we can all take to heart. Though I admit I think the message was geared toward women. But men can apply it to themselves as well.
It's an R rated comedy about four BFFs in high school who drift apart for five years and decide to get back together for a trip to New Orleans. As in all these buddy comedies, hilarity ensues, then conflict followed by reconciliation. It getting there that's makes or breaks a film.
This one succeeded for me. I like the fact that the humor was very adult. Most film companies are so worried about getting young teenagers in the seats that the prevailing rating is PG-13 for this kind of film. I have to say a couple of the scatological gags were a bit over the top for me. I didn't find them particularly funny, but, overall, there were some great laughs.
Kudos to the four leads. They worked together very well. Particular praise goes to Tiffany Haddish as the no-nonsense-in-your-face friend. She was terrific. If the reader is curious, the other women in the cast are Regina Hall, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith. I hadn't realized how short Smith is. According to IMDb, she's five feet tall.
Of course, there was the standard lesson learned be true to yourself message at the end, and in this case, it was very heartfelt and something we can all take to heart. Though I admit I think the message was geared toward women. But men can apply it to themselves as well.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
"27 Meters Down" floats my boat
I was going to pass seeing 27 Meters Down at the theater, but since I have Movie Pass, I thought I'd check it out. While it's not a great movie, I was pleasantly surprised by it, and isn't that what movie going is all about?
Sure, it will never be considered a great movie, but it did its job for me. The movie had a few good tense moments and the leads were sympathetic. Nothing like being trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean with great white sharks cruising about.
I did feel that the ending was a bit confusing, or at least I missed a couple of things. No matter.
The film has been successful enough that a sequel has been ordered entitled 28 Meters Down. I'm not sure if it will involve the same characters or another sad lot will be trapped one meter deeper than these characters.
This is a total non sequitur, but shouldn't the U.S. join the rest of the world and embrace the metric system?
Sure, it will never be considered a great movie, but it did its job for me. The movie had a few good tense moments and the leads were sympathetic. Nothing like being trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean with great white sharks cruising about.
I did feel that the ending was a bit confusing, or at least I missed a couple of things. No matter.
The film has been successful enough that a sequel has been ordered entitled 28 Meters Down. I'm not sure if it will involve the same characters or another sad lot will be trapped one meter deeper than these characters.
This is a total non sequitur, but shouldn't the U.S. join the rest of the world and embrace the metric system?
Friday, September 8, 2017
Movie-a-day for only $9.95/mo.
This is really cool. About three weeks ago, a company named "Movie Pass" announced that for only $9.95 a month, you can see a one movie a day every day (They lowered the price from $50/mo.). That's it. For just $9.95 a month.
Well, since I'm retired and walking to two nearby theaters quite frequently, this is manna from Heaven for me. I actually didn't quite believe it. How on Earth can they sustain this?
Of course, I enrolled in the program. The debit card I had to use would be delivered by mail in about a week. After a week, I got an email from the company explaining that due to popular demand (No kidding!), I wouldn't get the card for another two weeks.
I got the card a week later. It even has a MasterCard logo in the corner. The next day, I walked to one of my theaters and tried it out. You have to download the company's app to get started. I launched the app and was asked to give the last four digits of the card. Once that was done, I got a list of movie theaters participating in the program that were in my vicinity (All theaters around my residence are participating) .
Since I was standing in a particular theater, I chose that one. A list of the movies available appeared, and I chose the film (Logan Lucky for a second viewing) and the time. I touched on the button and was taken to a "Confirm" page. I touched the "Confirm" button, and voila! The amount of the ticket was loaded onto the card. I went to the theater's kiosk, swiped the card at the appropriate time and out popped the receipts! Easy-peasy!
Two days later, I went to the other theater I walk to and used it again (The Hitman's Bodyguard for a second viewing). Right now, I've already covered my monthly fee, plus I'm $2.50 ahead. I'm looking forward to utilizing the card two-three times next week.
A word of note: the card is not good for IMAX or 3D movies. Probably special engagements as well.
I really don't understand the business model for this thing, but I'm certainly going to enjoy using their services until they fold (I hope they don't). This is going to be fun!
Well, since I'm retired and walking to two nearby theaters quite frequently, this is manna from Heaven for me. I actually didn't quite believe it. How on Earth can they sustain this?
Of course, I enrolled in the program. The debit card I had to use would be delivered by mail in about a week. After a week, I got an email from the company explaining that due to popular demand (No kidding!), I wouldn't get the card for another two weeks.
I got the card a week later. It even has a MasterCard logo in the corner. The next day, I walked to one of my theaters and tried it out. You have to download the company's app to get started. I launched the app and was asked to give the last four digits of the card. Once that was done, I got a list of movie theaters participating in the program that were in my vicinity (All theaters around my residence are participating) .
Since I was standing in a particular theater, I chose that one. A list of the movies available appeared, and I chose the film (Logan Lucky for a second viewing) and the time. I touched on the button and was taken to a "Confirm" page. I touched the "Confirm" button, and voila! The amount of the ticket was loaded onto the card. I went to the theater's kiosk, swiped the card at the appropriate time and out popped the receipts! Easy-peasy!
Two days later, I went to the other theater I walk to and used it again (The Hitman's Bodyguard for a second viewing). Right now, I've already covered my monthly fee, plus I'm $2.50 ahead. I'm looking forward to utilizing the card two-three times next week.
A word of note: the card is not good for IMAX or 3D movies. Probably special engagements as well.
I really don't understand the business model for this thing, but I'm certainly going to enjoy using their services until they fold (I hope they don't). This is going to be fun!
Monday, September 4, 2017
UCLA football comeback one for the ages
Yesterday, I watched the UCAL/Texas A&M football game on TV with my cousin. I am Bruin fan and have been all my life.
Sad to say they Bruins were totally hapless for the entire first half and were on the losing end of a 38-10 score. We were so disgusted we quit watching and turned to other TV entertainment. A little while later (I don't recall how much time), my cousin's mother-in-law called to express her wonderment at the UCLA comeback. My cousin and I looked at each other in disbelief. No frakking way!
Fortunately, my cousin was recording it, so we got to watch the incredible second half comeback with the final score being 45-44. Amazing! The greatest comeback in Bruin history and the second greatest comeback in college football history. Wow!
Obviously, the moral of the story is to never give up on your team. You never know what can happen. Unfortunately, I'm sure that down the road I will be giving up on my Bruins when they're losing badly. I'm such a jerk...
Sad to say they Bruins were totally hapless for the entire first half and were on the losing end of a 38-10 score. We were so disgusted we quit watching and turned to other TV entertainment. A little while later (I don't recall how much time), my cousin's mother-in-law called to express her wonderment at the UCLA comeback. My cousin and I looked at each other in disbelief. No frakking way!
Fortunately, my cousin was recording it, so we got to watch the incredible second half comeback with the final score being 45-44. Amazing! The greatest comeback in Bruin history and the second greatest comeback in college football history. Wow!
Obviously, the moral of the story is to never give up on your team. You never know what can happen. Unfortunately, I'm sure that down the road I will be giving up on my Bruins when they're losing badly. I'm such a jerk...
Friday, September 1, 2017
"Queen of the South" - Two versions, both fun
I watched the season finale of Queen of the South starring Sonia Braga on the USA network last night, and I find the show really entertaining. Fortunately, it has been renewed for a third season. It's based on a novel by Arturo Perez-Reverte.
I also saw a couple of years ago on Netflix the 63-episode Spanish version of the same story (La Reina del Sur - for those who don't speak Spanish this translates to "Queen of the South") starring Kate del Castillo. It's very interesting how the two stories differ. Of course, there is a long way to go in the American version so they may become similar down the road, but here are my thoughts comparing the two.
The Spanish version (subtitled) is more akin to a telenovela. It may even be considered that, I don't know for sure. There is a soap opera feel to the entire production. The acting is a bit over the top, yet it is still a good presentation.
The story concerns the rise of a street girl in a small Mexican town who eventually becomes a major drug lord (lady?). Of the two leads, I prefer Ms. Braga as Teresa Mendoza over Ms. del Castillo. I will say that del Castillo plays the innocent naïf better than Braga, but Braga plays the hard-ass Teresa much better.
The first two seasons in the American version have been concentrating on Mexico and Texas locations. In the Spanish version, Teresa actually has her gravitating to southern Spain to escape retribution from another drug lord. It is there where she builds her empire. The ending of season two has Teresa on a boat sailing somewhere, but we are not apprised of her ultimate destination. I don't think she's going to end up in Spain. I would think that the budget for filming overseas would be prohibitive, but who knows.
Now from here on, this is going to get a bit spoilery.
What is definitely different in the English version is that the Big Bad has been changed from the Spanish version. That villain was just killed at the end of the second season. In the Spanish version he is a threat throughout the entire series. Interesting. It appears the wife of the villain is going to be Teresa's series-long nemesis. We'll see.
I could go on, but I'm sure this piece has already gone into TL;DR territory. Suffice it to say, both versions are a fun watch. If you decide to see either or both versions, let me know what you think.
I also saw a couple of years ago on Netflix the 63-episode Spanish version of the same story (La Reina del Sur - for those who don't speak Spanish this translates to "Queen of the South") starring Kate del Castillo. It's very interesting how the two stories differ. Of course, there is a long way to go in the American version so they may become similar down the road, but here are my thoughts comparing the two.
The Spanish version (subtitled) is more akin to a telenovela. It may even be considered that, I don't know for sure. There is a soap opera feel to the entire production. The acting is a bit over the top, yet it is still a good presentation.
The story concerns the rise of a street girl in a small Mexican town who eventually becomes a major drug lord (lady?). Of the two leads, I prefer Ms. Braga as Teresa Mendoza over Ms. del Castillo. I will say that del Castillo plays the innocent naïf better than Braga, but Braga plays the hard-ass Teresa much better.
The first two seasons in the American version have been concentrating on Mexico and Texas locations. In the Spanish version, Teresa actually has her gravitating to southern Spain to escape retribution from another drug lord. It is there where she builds her empire. The ending of season two has Teresa on a boat sailing somewhere, but we are not apprised of her ultimate destination. I don't think she's going to end up in Spain. I would think that the budget for filming overseas would be prohibitive, but who knows.
Now from here on, this is going to get a bit spoilery.
What is definitely different in the English version is that the Big Bad has been changed from the Spanish version. That villain was just killed at the end of the second season. In the Spanish version he is a threat throughout the entire series. Interesting. It appears the wife of the villain is going to be Teresa's series-long nemesis. We'll see.
I could go on, but I'm sure this piece has already gone into TL;DR territory. Suffice it to say, both versions are a fun watch. If you decide to see either or both versions, let me know what you think.
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