Love Simon is a coming out and coming-of-age dramedy

Movie Title:
  Love, Simon

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13, 109 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Nick Robinson stars as Simon Spier in this coming-of-age dramedy that shows how difficult it is for a teenager to “come out” and reveal who he really is to his friends and family.  

Add a mystery man and you get an unconventional love story that critics are calling fresh and romantic.

Based on the popular book, the movie adaptation deals with a serious issue in a light-hearted way.  I have a lot of LGBT friends and have tried hard to assure them that they are loved and accepted by me.  Everyone deserves respect and kindness. 

Those who struggle with the same decisions that Simon does in this movie are praising the film for addressing a complicated social issue in a delicate way and giving it the Big Screen attention it deserves. 

Tips for parents: 

• Within minutes of the movie starting, you hear crude language and carefree conversations about sex.
• Profanity, crude language, and one F-bomb
• A black transvestite and a gay boy get bullied.
• Simon’s high school puts on a musical performance of Cabaret.  I remember when I was in high school and our theater director wanted to do that play.  The parents and school district leaders told us to pick another play because they thought it was completely inappropriate and too mature for kids.   What do YOU think?
• Teens laugh at parents who don’t know what the Grindr app is.  (It’s a hook-up app for gay men.)
• It’s a “talking movie,” so young kids might get bored.
• The entire subject matter is mature, so parents need to decide at what age they want their children to be to see this.  It certainly starts a conversation.

Uplifting theme: 

• Tolerance
• “No matter what, announcing who you are to the world is pretty terrifying, because what if the world doesn't like you?” – Simon   - The truth is that we ALL face this same scary challenge, whether we're straight or gay.
• Being brave enough to be who you really are.
• Everyone is battling with their own secrets.  Be gentle with yourself and with others.
• Tolerance goes both ways.We're all on our own journey in life, so it's not helpful to judge or criticize others whose path or values are different from ours. (Some people will simply not want to watch or accept this movie and that's OK too.)             

                                    

Things I liked:

• SPOILER:  Besides a few thug-head jocks in the school, everyone was really accepting of Simon.  I thought Simon’s mom was especially supportive and loving.  There will always be haters, but we live in a more accepting world in many ways.  I absolutely adored the recent movie The Greatest Showman, which also celebrated our differences and tried to show that everyone deserves to be loved.
• One aspect of the movie that I haven’t heard anyone else talk about is how friends and family actually WANT their loved one to come out to them.  One of Simon’s friends feels this way.  I have known that a dear friend of mine is gay for many years, yet he has still not officially come out to me.  He has told others, but not me.  It actually hurts my feelings, because I absolutely adore him and accept him 100% for who he is. 
• Teens will like the intrigue of trying to figure out who the mystery man/love interest is who chats with Simon online.
• Nick Robinson does a really great job.  He doesn't try to make us feel sorry for Simon, but only to relate to him. Simon explains, "I'm just like you."
• There were some home décor things in Simon’s house that I really liked, like the chalkboard walls around his bed, and the cozy kitchen benches.
• I loved Leah’s Papillion dog that she walked down the street, because I have one too!
• I thought it was adorable that Nora (played by Talitha Bateman) was into cooking and that her family showed patience and love while she tried to develop her talent and figure out who she wanted to be too.  Simon wasn’t the only one changing.  A good family is made up of imperfect people who show support while each one tries to stretch and grow.  The family in this movie did exactly that.
• Good soundtrack.

Things I didn’t like:

• The antagonist is goofy and easily dismissed, despite the fact that he could have caused serious trauma or even a suicide.
• Simon is very self-absorbed, like most teenagers, focusing solely on how his life will change when his big secret is revealed.  He never thinks about what his family and friends might go through when he tells them.  
• Lots of jean jackets.  Ha ha
• The teens drink a LOT of coffee.
• I wish there were more focus on the romance and less on the sex.
• Mr. Worth (ironic name, right?) was too much of a cartoon character.

Funny lines:

• “Stop with the Selfies.  You’re not all that.” – Mr. Worth (Tony Hale)
• “I have something more important to say than the ‘National Anthem.’  No offense America.” =  Martin (Logan Miller)

Interesting lines:

• “I’m just like you.” – Simon

                                        

 @trinaboice

Ready Player One celebrates video games over the decades

Movie Title:      Ready Player One

Grade:  A-

Rating: PG-13, 140 minutes

In a Nutshell:   The creator of the largest virtual reality world ever, called the OASIS, dies and leaves a challenge to anyone who can find three invisible keys that lead to a hidden Easter egg to win a fortune and ownership over the OASIS.  Directed by Steven Spielberg, it is full of imagination, fun, action, romance, humor, and a moral lesson.  Game on!

If you’re not into video games, this movie is probably not for you.  I don’t really play video games, but I still enjoyed it.  I have four sons who played video games for many years growing up, so I was exposed enough to most of the characters that make an appearance in this movie that I got a kick out of it all.  One of my sons is now living his dream as a 3D character artist for the hugely successful video game company Blizzard.

                                              

Tips for parents: 

·       Ready Player One is rated PG-13 for tons of violence, bloody images, partial nudity, profanity, and some suggestive material.  
   *  I was worried that the movie would glorify video games and encourage kids to plug into technology even more, but the message in the end is that we all need each other and real life.   I thought the ending was actually very sweet.

·       Some profanity and other crude language.

·       A character flips the bird.

·       It shows real people losing touch with reality as they play video games.

·       Several people have face and body tattoos.

·       The leading lady’s avatar (Art3mis) has a super skimpy outfit on.

·       You see the partial naked back side of a virtual reality woman. 
*   There is an important reference to “Rosebud” in the 1941 movie Citizen Kane that very few kids or even adults will catch.

·       

Uplifting theme: 

·       “People need to spend more time in the real world.” – Wade/Parzival

·       “It’s not about winning, but playing.” – Wade/Parzival

·       “As painful and terrifying as the real world can be, it’s the only place you can get a decent meal…because reality is real.” – Halliday

·       “No man is alone who has a friend.” – I-R0k

·       Illusion vs. reality

• Real world consequences

                             

Things I liked:

• The movie itself is classic Spielberg with absolutely fantastic action sequences and imagination.  
• The special effects are really well done and blend easily from virtual reality environments into scenes with people in reality. 
• The movie is overflowing with references that span several decades of movies, music, and pop culture, focusing mostly on the 1980’s.  While the main character (Wade Owen Watts) is looking for the grand prize, there are TONS of fun Easter eggs for the audience to look for and enjoy during the entire film.  At one point, there is a scene with a famous Anime motorcycle that Spielberg is notorious for having rejected 30 years ago, dismissing it as “unsalable” for film.  It’s fun to see how he now embraces and celebrates it on the big screen. 
• There is some humor and heart in the film with most of the comic relief provided by a scary-looking, yet hilarious character named I-R0k, voiced by T. J. Miller. 
• Alvin Silvestri offered an energizing and fun musical score.  Originally, Steven Spielberg’s favorite composer, John Williams, was going to tackle the project, but he had to step away to finish his work on another Spielberg film, The Post
• If you can, try to see the movie in 3D, but it’s still fun without the glasses and extra fee.  
• Climb Mt. Everest with Batman.  Ha ha
• I love Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance in anything.

Things I didn’t like:

·   Older folks will probably claim the movie is on sensory overload (they’re right), but the younger crowd will feel like they’re right in the middle of playing a video game.  A really old guy sitting near me in the theater got up and walked out.

• There are a LOT of exposition scenes that tell us what’s happening and the movie drags a little bit in the Third Act.  
• It’s a very long 2 hours 20 minutes flick, so Grandpa or Junior may fall asleep.
•  Sit farther back in the theater; otherwise, you won’t be able to focus on everything going on.  There is a LOT happening on the screen.

Funny lines:

• “There are only 3 things I hate in the world: Steam Punk, pirates, and Tabouli.” – I-R0k (T.J. Miller)
• “Am I being punked?” – Aech/Helen (Lea Waithe)
• “She wanted to go dancing, so we went to a movie.” – Halliday (Mark Rylance)
• “She could be a dude, a 300 pound dude who lives in his mother’s basement…and his name is Chuck.  Think about that!” – Aech/Helen
• “Voila….which is French for….” – I-R0k
• “Do you want it or not?” – Anorak (Mark Rylance)

Interesting lines:

• “People go to the Oasis for all the things they can do, but they stay because of all the things they can be.” – Wade
• “A fanboy knows a hater.” – Parzival
• “Things move forward whether you like it or not.” – Ogden Morrow (Simon Pegg)

If you loved it and want more, check out the book that it’s based on, Ready Player One ,written by Ernest Cline.  The movie adds to and deletes from the source material, frustrating true fanboys, but they both have something to offer.  Cline actually mentioned Steven Spielberg in the original novel.

     

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                                                              @trinaboice

Paul, Apostle of Christ movies is more dark and gory than expected

Movie Title: 
  Paul, Apostle Of Christ

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13,
 108 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Just in time for the Easter season, this Christian movie brings Paul and Luke, both faithful followers of Jesus Christ, to the big screen with their unique friendship and affirming messages.

This film is VERY heavy, dark, gory, and even depressing.  In that regard, it's very realistic. The film states at the end that is has been “dedicated to all those who have been persecuted for their faith.”  Christians will leave with a feeling of reverence and increased respect for the early Christians.

While this movie really won’t convince non-believers to turn their lives over to Christ, it is another arrow in the quiver of recent Christian movies that build faith and testimony.  Christian movies are slowly getting better and I'm grateful that Christian audiences support them in movie theaters.

Two additional Christian movies, a holy trinity of films so to speak, are also in theaters at the same time to celebrate the Easter season: I Can Only Imagine DVD and God's Not Dead: A Light In Darkness (Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture).

                                             

Tips for parents: 

• There are a lot of gruesome images of torture, deaths, bodies burning, and suffering.  I’m almost surprised that this movie wasn’t rated R because of so many brutal scenes.
• There is a LOT of talking with not very much action.  Most children will be bored.
•  It's definitely not a feel-good popcorn movie for a fun Friday night. It is, however, a thought-provoking film that will make you think and feel.

Uplifting theme: 

• Enduring faith
• Forgiveness
• Be the light.
• Peace begins with you.
• “Love is the only way.” – Luke
• “We cannot repay evil with evil.  Evil can only be overcome with good.” – Paul
• “Men do not die for things they doubt.” – Paul
• “We live for the Lord.  We die for the Lord.  Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” – Paul
• Through suffering, good can come.

                             

Things I liked:

• I really like Jim Caviezel.  Knowing that he is a solid Christian makes me like him even more, especially as he tries to lend his big star name and talent to Christian movies, which are often seen as amateur and cheesy.  Jim Caviezel gave impressive strength to Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ  Do you want to know what he did with a lot of the money he earned from that movie?  He adopted 3 special needs children.  Wow.
• I like the Giving Films logo and the name “Affirm Films.”
• The production value was very high.  Good technical work.
• I thought the Lord’s Prayer scene was powerful.
• The end was very sweet.
• Filming was done in Malta, where Paul actually went on one of his journeys.
• Some humor.
• Some of the dialogue was full of rich wisdom.
• I really like it when movie theaters don't instantly raise the lights when a movie ends.  Audiences are able to sit and reflect for a few minutes and even compose themselves before the lights turn back on.
• I really liked the scene where Luke told Paul that he saw Jesus in him when Paul taught the gospel.  What a great compliment.  Oh that people could see Christ in us!

Things I didn’t like:

• There are a LOT of scenes in dark corners and dungeons, making it hard to see what’s going on.  There are also a lot of scenes with whispered conversations, making it hard to hear what’s being said.
• The various accents were distracting.  Characters spoke with British accents, French, American, and even one guy sounded Scottish. 
• Paul's famous “Road to Damascus” scene was surprisingly short.  I wanted more.
• Some of the flashbacks could have been done better. It seemed like they were reusing footage to save money.
• It drags in some places, especially during the first half.  My sister and I both got drowsy and had to keep each other awake.  That's not good!

Funny lines:

• “Come, eat.  You must be starving.” – Aquilla (John Lynch)

“If you’re cooking, I don’t know if I’m that hungry.” – Luke (Jim Caviezel)

• “Quit your complaining.” – Luke to Paul
• “They truly were miserable days with you.  I do miss them.” – Paul to Luke 

Interesting lines:

• “The Devil sneaks in the darkness here.” – Paul (James Faulkner)
• “All men are a slave to something.” – Paul
• “Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.” – Paul
• “In a moment, you will know you know God’s love and I hope it is soon.” – Paul
• “They will know us for our love.” - Paul

In an online interview with Jim Cazievel, he mentioned how he could watch good Christian movies like Ben Hur over and over.  Be sure to watch that movie again this Easter season.  It's old, but it's extremely powerful!

                                      

                                           @trinaboice

Pacific Rim Uprising is more of the same for fans of the franchise

Movie Title:    
  Pacific Rim Uprising

Grade:   C+

Rating: PG-13, 111 minutes

In a Nutshell:  If you liked the first Pacific Rim movie, this is more of the same, but even bigger, louder, and chaotic.

Tips for parents: 

• Some subtitles when people speak Mandarin.  By the way, have you noticed that more and more movies have Chinese characters in them?  That's because American movie studios are trying to get more of their movies into the extremely lucrative Chinese market.  In fact, this movie exists mainly because the first one in the franchise did so well in China.
• Some Russian profanity with subtitles.
• One of the Jaeger robots flips the bird.
• If your kids love the Transformers or even the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie movies, they’ll like the fighting robot action of this franchise too.
• Some profanity.
• Tons of destruction and fighting.

Uplifting theme: 

• “We make our own luck.” – Hologram
• Never give up.
• Family and friendships

                                    

Things I liked:

• Good special effects for the most part.
• I loved the respectful nod to Idris Alba’s character from the first Pacific Rim movie, as well as the funny line when Dr. Newton Gottlieb says, “Your father was a great speech writer.  Did you hear the one where he canceled the apocalypse?”   ha ha 
• I always appreciate some humor.
• The sound effects are really good.  You can hear the weight of the heavy footsteps of the various machines and monsters.
• I loved Tian Jing’s outfits, especially her long, white coat towards the beginning of the movie.
• I thought John Boyega did a great job and I loved his hair cut. 
• If you can, see it in 3D, but sit farther back in the theater.

Things I didn’t like:

• Some people may actually want to wear ear plugs while they watch this because it’s so loud.
• Super clichéd beginning where a teenage genius builds something incredible and races off with a covered face for the big reveal later.  In fact, the whole movie was super predictable.
• Jake Pentecost’s rotten attitude was annoying and tiring.
• Jake Pentecost and Amara Namani constantly bicker.  It’s supposed to be endearing, but it was just annoying.  Several times he yells, “Shut up!” which is a phrase I really dislike.
• If you haven’t seen the first movie, you might be a little bit lost in the story; however, there is a quick recap to bring you up to speed at the very beginning of the movie.
• The character development seems super contrived and cliche.
• It actually becomes boring watching robots fight each other and smash everything around them over and over and over.
• Yep, this movie leads into another sequel.  (sigh)
• I heard another movie critic explain that this movie felt way too corporate for his taste.  It's true.  Everything seems very calculated and researched to profit the most from cultural tastes.  For example, the two main pilots are Jake and Nate.  Those are the top two baby boy names in America.
• Robots often fight monsters, but when the rogue Jaegers fight the good Yaegers, it looks like just another Transformers movie.
• Guillermo del Toro was going to direct this movie, but he stepped away from it in order to direct The Shape of Water, which he ended up winning an Academy Award for as Best Picture in 2017.

Funny lines:

• “Stay focused and try not to fall over.” – Chinese guy
• “Speak in English.  Your Mandarin makes you sound like an idiot.” – Liwen Shao (Tian Jing)
• “In theory, what does that mean?” – Jake (John Boyega)

“Today, it means YES!” – Dr. Hermann Gottlieb (Burn Gorman)

• “Well, THAT’S confusing.” – Jake after Cadet Jinhai kisses him and Nate Lambert
• “I can’t believe she just hologrammed me.” - Jake

  

                                            @trinaboice

Sherlock Gnomes introduces kids to some classic characters

Movie Title:    Sherlock Gnomes

Grade:   B-

Rating: PG, 86 minutes

In a Nutshell:  With original music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, this gnome animation is a gentle introduction to Sir Arthur Conan Dole’s classic story of Sherlock Holmes.  It has action, comedy, good music, and uplifting themes, making it an entertaining movie for kids and watchable enough for parents.

Tips for parents: 

• Profanity like “Cheese & Crackers!” and “Fertilizer!”
• You see quite a bit of a dancing gnome in a thong.  If you saw the first Gnomeo & Juliet, you’ve already been introduced to Mankini, a character kids will laugh at, yet one who is pretty inappropriate for young children, in my opinion.  The first Gnomeo & Juliet was rated G, but this one is PG for using some rude and suggestive humor.  Mankini's appearances definitely bumped up the rating. 
• There is some potty humor that will make most parents squirm.
• Some subtitles
• All British accents and landmarks in London.

Uplifting theme: 

• “We all have our good and bad sides.” – Watson (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
• “A man doesn’t make you strong, but the right partner can make you stronger.” – Juliet (Emily Blunt)
• “We took our best friends for granted.  We stopped listening.  We stopped giving them the respect they deserved.  They were the last thing we were thinking about and they should have been the first.” - Juliet
• Family and friendships

Things I liked:

• Star-studded, award-winning voice talents include James McAvoy, Johhny Depp, Michael Caine, Emily Blunt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Maggie Smith, and Mary J. Blige.
• The animation is very well done with impressively expressive characters.
• Lots of physical gags and entertaining visuals.
• Fun soundtrack of popular hits and new songs.
• It uses several different types of animation, which I thought was cleverly done.
• A couple of twists.  I love twists.
• The sound effects were really good, allowing you to hear the clay pots and hear the weight of the gnomes.
• Stay to the end of the rolling credits to see a few more little things.
• Kids will like the use of modern technology in the story telling.

Things I didn’t like:

• Sherlock Gnomes is pretty annoying and not very likable.  If only they had gotten Benedict Cumberbatch to play the voice!  He does a fantastic job in the TV adaptation.  That would have been awesome and hilarious.  Don't get me wrong, because Johnny Depp was fine, but Cumberbatch as Sherlock...come on!
• There are a lot of jokes that kids simply won’t get because they’re references to older generations, like the River Dance gag.
• I started to get bored.  It felt like a video I would put on for my kids at home to keep them occupied while I got some work done.

Funny lines:

• “To be fair, it was needlessly complicated, but that’s what super villains do.” – Moriarty

Want to learn more about Sherlock Holmes? Check out the original stories! The books are always better than the movies (except for the The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring / The Two Towers / The Return of the 
King Extended Editions) [Blu-ray])  

Here are also some fun Sherlock Holmes products you might get a kick out of.

                                 

                                                         

  

                                                                       @trinaboice