Saban's Power Rangers fans relive the cheesy glory days

Movie Title:  Saban's Power Rangers

Grade:  C+

Rating:  PG-13, 124 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Does anyone actually care about the Power Rangers anymore?  My 4 sons absolutely loved it…back in the day, but I didn’t think it was even relevant to kids anymore.  

Seems like just a morphin cash grab to me in more ways than one.

Uplifting theme: 

• Friendship, loyalty, teamwork, sacrifice 

Things I liked:

• Fans of the Power Rangers will probably enjoy it just for old time’s sake.
• The characters are pretty well fleshed out with back stories, which pleasantly surprised me.
• The training sequences were pretty fun.
• Bryan Cranston is awesome in everything.  Did you know he actually voiced some of the characters in the original 1990’s TV show?  Cool.  Billy Cranston’s character in the movie was actually named after Bryan Cranston.  Even cooler.
• Their outfits have definitely gotten an upgrade.
• There is plenty of trivia for fans to sink their teeth into as the movie does a pretty good job paying homage to the source material.

Things I didn’t like:

• Krispy Kreme gets HUGE product placement.  Kind of weird, right?  Product placement always kind of annoys me, because it's so manipulative and an obvious cash grab. In this case, it’s a BIG part of the story line. Did you hear that Krispy Kreme is actually changing the name of the company in England, because customers there can’t figure out how to pronounce it correctly?  True story.
• Most of the lead teenagers are super annoying delinquents who are rude, self-absorbed, and whiny. They almost try to out-do each other to see which one of them is least understood and outcast. Even before the five teenagers get their special powers, they’re involved in very dangerous activities.  These kids are not great role models.  Of course, they finally figure out how to work as a team and sacrifice for each other (not a big spoiler alert), but I didn’t like most of them.  On top of that, they all buy into killing Rita within minutes.  I did, however, think R.J. Cyler (Blue Ranger) was the most compelling Ranger and did a great job.
• Rita Repulsa.  What a name. Ha ha.  Instead of declaring her intentions to conquer the world or the universe, she pretty much just trashes a little town.  Ha ha  Elizabeth Banks’ accent seemed off, but I appreciate that she was trying to go over-the-top campy like the original TV character did.
• Some bad editing moments.
• The original 90’s TV show was super cheesy and knew it.  That’s what made it really fun.  This movie mixes up the cheese with serious drama, so it often feels disjointed in tone.
• For an origin story, it’s fairly cliché.
• There are some really inappropriate jokes.
• It’s kind of like the directors picked out what special effects they wanted to use and then built a story around it.

Funny lines:

• “Yippee Kayay, Mother Fu….Mother.  Mother’s good.” – Blue Ranger (R.J.Cyler)
• “You five are the Power Rangers!” – Alpha 5 (Bill Hader)

“Are we like Iron Man or Spiderman?” – Blue Ranger

• “My guess is we have 11 years.  No, days.  Eleven days.” – Alpha 5
• “I’m pretty sure I’m a super hero.” – Pink Ranger (Naomi Scott)

“Pee in that cup!” – Kimberly Hart’s mom

• “Jason, did you just slap her?” – Blue Ranger

“I did.  Weird, right?” – Jason Lee Scott/Red Ranger (Dacre Montgomery)

• “Sorry, Bumblebee!” – Blue Ranger (Transformers reference)

Dumb lines:

• “Take that!” – Pink Ranger
• “Bring it on!” – Pink Ranger
• “We got this!” – Pink Ranger
• “My family is so normal.  Too normal.” – Yellow Ranger (Becky G)

Tips for parents: 

• Lots of fighting and destruction.
• A surprising amount of profanity.
• There are some subtitles you’ll have to read for little ones.
• There are several inappropriate jokes that will, hopefully, go over the heads of most kids.

If you love the Power Rangers and can't get enough, check out Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - The Complete First Season on 6 Dvds - 60 Episodes Uncut

@trinaboice 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 finally arrives!

Movie:   The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2

Rating:  PG-13, 2 hours 16 minutes

Grade:   A-

In a Nutshell:    As Finnick (Sam Claflin) says, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 76^th Hunger Games!”

After 4 years and almost 9 hours of movie viewing, the concluding film in this popular action series is finally here!   This is a very sad and serious movie, but fans will feel an overall satisfaction with this last installment.  Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic, shining as always.  As Haymitch says, “I’ll say this for you Katniss, you don’t disappoint.”  She doesn’t. 

One thing that does is the reminder that Phillip Seymour Hoffman died while filming this final movie.  I always thought he was an excellent actor.  He will be missed. The rest of the cast is great too, offering a fond farewell.  Three cheers for Suzanne Collins for bringing us a thrilling book series that makes us think.

Be sure to watch Mockingjay Part 1, because this film picks up exactly where the last one left off.  

Uplifting Theme: 

·         Peeta explains, “There was no real life, because we didn’t have a choice.”  Free will has always been an important theme in all of these Hunger Game movies.

·         Do what’s right.

·         Revenge, justice, war, freedom, politics, revolution, loyalty, love

·         Which is worse: a clever, calculating, ruthless dictator you know or one you thought you knew?

Things I liked:

·         I absolutely love the last line of the movie.

·         While the book doesn’t mention it, the movie provides a touching moment when Effie and Haymitch kiss.  Viewers will have to decide if it was meant to be a romantic kiss or one that sweetly demonstrates their close bond over the years.  In fact, it was one of the better kisses in the movie.  Some of the other ones lacked some serious chemistry.

·         ADORABLE little blonde boy at the end.

·         I thought the idea and execution of the “pods” was super cool.

·         That black death water stuff was awesome.

·         SPOILER ALERT: President Snow’s subtle smile was perfect when he found out that Katniss had survived an attempt on her life.  He relishes the game.  Donald Sutherland does a great job ‘til the very end.

·         Pollux’s backpack looks like one of those roly poly bugs.  He sure is a sweet, brave character and well played by Elden Henson

·         It’s always good to see Julianne Moore, who plays President Alma Coin.

·         SPOILER ALERT:  Peeta brings Katniss a Primrose flower. So sweet.

·         I liked the “real or not real” conversations Peeta and Katniss have.
*  Jennifer Lawrence's nephew plays her son at the end of the movie.  He's a huge X-Men fan, although he tells her she's not a "real" X-Man.

Things I didn’t like:

·         The third part of the book series was unnecessarily broken into 2 movies.   Of course it’s all about making money.  The result is that these last two movies have a lot of slow moments in order to stretch out the source material.
      There wasn't a big, epic battle scene, but instead, a few minor skirmishes.

·         Very little humor. Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and Effie (Elizabeth Banks) are much more subdued in this movie, whereas in former films, we could count on them for some comic relief.

·         I wish we could have seen more of Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman.  Thankfully, they gave more screen time to Elizabeth Banks than was originally written for her in the book.

·         Weird Tigress character.  Then again, she represents the extravagance of the Capitol.

Interesting lines:

·         “What’s going on in your head? – Gale (the handsome Liam Hemsworth)

“I don’t know. – Katniss

“It’s like kissing someone who’s drunk…it doesn’t count.”  - Gale

·         “It’s war Katniss.  Sometimes killing isn’t personal.  I would have thought out of all people, you’d know that.” – Gale

“I know it’s always personal.” – Katniss

·         “What about you, Mockingjay?  Feeling safe?” – Johanna  (Jena Malone)

“Til I got shot.” -  Katniss

·         Are you still trying to protect me?  Real or not real?” – Peeta (Josh Hutcherson)

“Real.  Because that’s what you and I do: keep each other alive.” - Katniss

Tips for Parents:

·         Blood, LOTS of violence with a high body count, and a lot of fire and explosions.

·         SPOILER ALERT: Several good characters die, which is sad, but especially traumatic are the deaths of children in one particular scene.

·         SPOILER ALERT:  There is a scary scene when Katniss and her comrades go underground and these creepy creatures attack them.  They're kind of like mutant, white zombies with no eyes and razor sharp teeth.  Super creepy.  I kinda wanted a closer look at them, but they were moving really fast.

Love and Mercy biopic features the tortured life of Beach Boys Brian Wilson

Movie:   Love & Mercy

Rating: PG-13, 2 hours

Grade:    B

In a Nutshell:    Growing up in California, I was required to be a Beach Boys fan.   It was a social law I gladly obeyed.  My dad even bought a Cadillac.  I remember the first time I saw Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys in Concert .  The audience cheered for their love of his music and for him.

This sad, yet triumphant biopic features great music and a painful look into Brian Wilson’s troubled life, Love & Mercy .

Uplifting Theme:

·         Just say no to drugs!

·         It’s truly amazing what our love and mercy can do to transform others.

Things I liked:

·         I adore Paul Giamatti in anything.  He plays a despicable and manipulative therapist with crazy ‘60’s hair.  He said “I have it under control.  I AM the control.”

·         Elizabeth Banks is charming and sweet as Brian’s patient girlfriend.

·         The legendary Brian Wilson is played very well by both Paul Dano and John Cusack, as they reveal Brian during two struggling periods of his life.   I liked going back and forth in time, but I especially liked knowing the triumphant present of Brian Wilson.

·         There are two interesting moments, one at the beginning and one at the end, where the screen goes blank.  Feel the moments.

·         SPOILER ALERT:  I loved watching the real Brian Wilson sing Love & Mercy at the end of the movie.

      Director Bill Pohlad does a great job staying true to Brian's life without taking unnecessary creative license.

      

Things I didn’t like:

·         Why is genius always so tortured?

·         It broke my heart to see Brian’s abusive father and the cruel treatment of his creative son.  It was interesting to hear Brian talk about his dad.  He said, “He scared me so much I think he scared me into making good songs.”

      It's a bit slow-moving.

Funny lines:

·         “Maybe I’m Cookoo for Coco Puffs!” – Brian Wilson

·         “Hang on to your ego….is this a drug song?” – Chuck Britz  (Mark Linett)

Interesting lines:

·         “How does that work?” – girl in band

“Well, it works in my head.” – Brian Wilson

·         “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” – Brian

·         There was someone.  He was no good.  He broke my heart.” – Melinda

“He shouldn’t have done that.”  - Brian

“Well, I shouldn’t have let him.” – Melinda

·         “I think I might be losing it.” – Brian Wilson

“I don’t blame you.  There’s a lot to lose out there.”  - Carl Wilson

Tips for Parents:

·         Lots of profanity, including 1 F-bomb.

·         Lots of talk and scenes about drugs.  Some of the musicians smoke weed during a work session.

·         Children and some teens will be bored.

Beach Boys music from the movie:

Pitch Perfect 2 is A Ca-ffensive fun

Movie:   Pitch Perfect 2

GP-13, 1 hour 54 minutes

Grade:  B

In a Nutshell:   If you’re easily offended, this film is not for you. Every group that exists is a target for distasteful jokes by writer Kay Cannon in this college party flick. Jokes fly as fast and hard as if they were being shot out of one of those T-shirt guns at a football rally, some landing better than others.

Directed and produced by Elizabeth Banks, the singing sequel isn’t as good as the first one, but if you loved the first Pitch Perfect like I did, you’ll still be entertained and have a few new mash-ups and choreo steps to try on your own after the final credits roll.
  

While most of the movie is a bit messy, the ending is sweet and inspiring, leaving us with that sing-a-long feeling like the original movie did.  By the way, keep watching after the rolling credits for a funny scene with Bumper.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Overcome your fears.

·         Everyone has a voice.  Everyone is an original.  Find your unique sound and sing/live it.

Things I liked:

·         There is some pretty good beatboxing.

·         How fun would that be to spend a $42,000 gift card at Dave & Busters?  We use to take the fam         there when we lived in San Diego.

·         I love Emily’s long, gorgeous hair.  Hailee Steinfeld  has grown into a beautiful young woman.          Where have you seen her before?  True Grit and Ender's Game .

·         It was fun to hear Katey Sagal sing.

·         The riff-off scene in the eccentric, rich guy’s basement is a lot of fun.  More please.

·         I loved how Beca could only think of positive things to say about her German nemesis, Valkyrie        (the flawless Birgitte hjort Sorensen).

·         Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) has the best lines.  She also has some of the worst lines.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Lots of slow-motion montages of the Bellas dancing, having a pillow fight, and doing team building activities at a camp retreat. Were they looking for filler material?

·         SPOILER ALERT: There are two odd, creepy, romantic scenes between Fat Amy and Bumper.   I would have liked to see Beca and Jesse sing a duet instead.

·         There are some musical misfires (songs about butts, for example), but overall the music is good. Thankfully, the finale is exactly what we hoped it would be.

·         Beca’s personality vacillates from being the cynical, "alternative" goth she was in the first movie and a more optimistic, happy college girl living her dream.  We all love hearing Anna Kendrick sing again.  How about a solo?  By the way, have you seen her in the musical movie "The Last Five Years"?  She's fantastic in it.

·         Some of the characters we fell in love with in the first movie are in this sequel, but they don’t get developed any further.   If you haven’t seen the first movie, you’ll miss some of the charms of the original characters that get a little lost in this one.

Did you know?

·         The real A Capella group that won Season 3 of The Sing-Off on NBC, Pentataonix, appears in the movie as a group representing Canada in the World Championship.  In real life, they won a Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. They’re A Camazing.  Check out their YouTubeChannel, which is the 12 most subscribed-to music channel.

·         The German guy on Das Sound Machine  A Capella team (Flula Borg)  has a funny YouTube channel I discovered a couple of years ago.  Here’s a clip I show my English language students:

·         
Cameo performances in the movie include Snoop Dog, President Obama and First Lady Michelle, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhymes, and Good Morning America's Robin Roberts.

Producer Max Handelman chose an all male A Capella group from his Alma Mater, the University of Pennsylvania, to perform in the movie as one of the groups in the World Championship.

Funny lines:

·         “Don’t blame yourself.  You’re a ginger; that’s punishment enough.” – Fat Amy

·         “You’re the most talented person I know, and I’ve met three of The Wiggles.” – Fat Amy

·         “Even your sweat smells like cinnamon.” – Beca

·         “We need to scout those Deutschbags.” – Fat Amy about Das Sound Machine

·         “I don’t understand camping.  We’re voluntarily living like dogs.” -  Flo  (Chrissie Fit)

Tips for Parents:

·         Like the first film, there is a lot of crude language and sexual innuendos.

·         Tweens may not understand certain pop-culture references, such as the hate letter supposedly written by Sonia Sotomayor (who is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States) and all of the immigration jokes aimed at Flo, the Guatamalan. 

·         A kalimba is mentioned.  Want to see what one looks like?




Must-haves for Pitch Perfect fans:

Hunger Games: Catching Fire now out on DVD!

If you’re a Hunger Games fan, then you’ve probably already seen this, but if you haven’t, it’s now in stores on DVD for rental or purchase!

Movie Title:  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Grade: A

In a Nutshell:  This movie franchise has all the odds ever in its favor.  The gritty books are best-sellers and the intense films don’t disappoint.  The special effects are great and you really find yourself enveloped in the dark world of these compelling characters.  The games feel familiar from the first movie, but they take on some new twists that engage your sensibilities and heart.  As Haymitch Abernathy states “Last year was child’s play; this year you’re dealing with all experienced killers.” The fans and the smart storyline mature with this second movie in the successful trilogy.

President Snow announces “On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors.”  And then it begins.

Uplifting theme: 

• I liked the speech Peeta gave in District 11: “Our lives aren’t measured in years, but in the lives we touch and touch us around us.”
• “We don’t need to destroy her – just her image.  Sew fear.  It doesn’t work as long as they have hope” counsels Plutarch Heavensbee.  Hope is a very powerful thing.  When you’ve lost everything, hope is everything.  Primrose tells her sister that she notices something different about her world now.  Katniss asks “What can you see?”  Her answer:  “Hope.”  Katniss becomes the mockingjay herself, the image of a new hope to her people.
• The grim violence is physical AND emotional, deepening the layers of imprisonment and drama. 
• There is a weighty theme of cultural and personal revolution that could begin an interesting dinner table conversation in your home.
• Simply surviving is not the end-game, but creating a meaningful life that blesses those around you is.  Primrose Everdeen says to her sister “You saved my life.  You gave me a chance.”  Katniss confirms “Yes, to live.” Primrose corrects “No, to do something.”

Things I liked:

• I loved the FANTASTIC wedding dress-turned mocking jay gown visual effects!
• The cast is terrific: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, and Woody Harrelson.  Philip Seymour Hoffman was a national treasure and will be missed.
• The “lethal lovers” Katniss and Peeta twist their lives together in a new way that may become a new prison of sorts, even if they’re able to pull it off.

Things I didn’t like:

• I thought the yucky blisters caused by the fog were pretty gross.  I definitely felt relief when they were able to wash away the pain in the water
• The film is almost 2 ½ hours long, but ends abruptly.  Dang it!  Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long to watch the rest of the story.  The third movie installment in the trilogy is expected to release on the big screen November 21, 2014.   Like the Harry Potter franchise, the final part of the story is going to be split into two movies: Mockingjay 1 and 2.  The very last movie will hit theaters November 10, 2015.
• Love triangles are a bit tired.

Interesting lines:

• “That’s how the friend thing works…you have to tell each other deep stuff.”
• President Snow: While you and Peeta are on tour, you need to smile, you need to be grateful, but above all, you need to madly end it all in love. You think you can manage that?
• Katniss Everdeen: Yes.
• President Snow: "Yes" what?
• Katniss Everdeen: I'll convince them.
• President Snow: No. Convince me.
• “Don’t look so cute.  We’ll kill you anyways.”  - Johanna Mason
• “Say good-bye and forget them.  I do my best, thinking of them one by one, releasing them like birds from the protective cages inside me, locking the doors against their return.”  - Katniss Everdeen
• “No wonder I won the Games.  No decent person ever does.” – Katniss Everdeen

Things to look for:

• You only seem them for a few seconds, but I adore Effie’s super cute gloves at the party on the last night of their tour.
• Effie’s outfits in this movie are fantastic.  Look at the details on her butterfly outfit.
• Katniss hangs the model of Seneca Crane in an act of defiance during the judging. 
• Did you know a spile, the tool Katniss uses to get water out of a tree, really works?  It’s used to get sap out of sugar maple trees to produce maple syrup.
You can learn more about Tap My Tree Maple Spile and Hook
• Did you know that Effie’s last name is Trinket?  So appropriate, don’t you think?  I love that her character deepens in this installment in the story.

Tips for parents:

There is some violence (mostly bloodless) and a cold-faced attitude of murder that should begin an honest discussion of humanity in your family. There is some profanity, but the Capitol itself bleeps out two F-bombs.

If you missed the first one and need to catch up, here are some links to the books and movies:

The Lego Movie has quick wit, gags and fun for all ages

Movie Title:  The Lego Movie

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  Quick-witted fun for all ages, as well as obvious Lego lovers.  While raising 4 boys, I’ve sucked up my share of miscellaneous Lego pieces on the carpet with my vacuum cleaner over the years, as well as stepped on the sharp plastic corners in the middle of the night one too many times, but I still love Legos.  Actually, the plural of Lego is Lego, so I should change that last sentence, but I won’t because I’m as sassy as the movie.

I lived only a few blocks away from LegoLand in Carlsbad, California for 6 years and even had an annual membership.  That theme park is simply adorable and a truly fun amusement park for the whole family.  One of the things I love about LegoLand is its keen sense of humor and that it doesn’t take itself so seriously.  This movie is exactly that. 

The jokes fly fast and furiously and the story line is surprisingly thought-out with a couple of sweet twists in the end.  It feels like free-flowing play itself with the satisfaction you get after building something well.

The fun flick is filled with tremendous voice talent, including Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, and Chris Pratt.  Shaquille O’Neal plays himself, and Billy Dee Williams revisits his role as Lando in Star Wars.

Uplifting theme:  Like most movies with Morgan Freeman in them, his character says the bulk of the inspiring lines in the film.

• “The only thing you need to be special is to believe that you are.”  - Vitruvius
• “We all have something that makes us something.” – Emmet’s co-worker
• Emmet worries “What do I do?  I don’t have my instructions!” illustrates the importance of imagination and creativity.
• “Believe.  Then you will see everything.”  - Vitruvius
• “You have to embrace what is special about you.”  - Vitruvius

Things I liked:

• I can’t get that “Everything is awesome!” song out of my head
• I love quick wit.  This movie’s jam is quick wit.
• The water in the shower, hot tub bubbles, and ocean white caps were fantastic
• I loved how Emmet did Jumping Jacks
• Frequent use of plastic Lego flames.  It’s amazing how often they were able to use them.
• I thought it was cute how they tied in the use of instructions into the theme of the movie.  Emmet begins showing each step he takes in the morning, as if he’s writing instructions for you to follow.  Later, the good guys create a step-by-step plan to defeat the bad guys, identifying the correct order for you to follow.
• Twist ending

Things I didn’t like:

• No need to pay extra money for 3D.  There is almost too much stimulation and the whole film is a bit manic, similar to Christmas morning when wonderful presents and wrapping paper are strewn everywhere.
• My little kids were too smart to recognize that when everyone gets a trophy for just paying to be on a Little League baseball team, then the trophy isn’t worth anything.  They hated being told “Everyone is special” because that meant to them that nobody was special.  This movie has a bit of that philosophy in it, although it tries to point out that everyone is special for different reasons.
• Cloud Cocoaland?  I thought they could have come up with something more clever than that.

Funny lines: The adults were laughing more than the kids.  Parents won’t have to suffer through this children’s animated movie.  A lot of the humor will go over kids’ heads, and the wit happens so fast that you’re sure to miss some of it too.

• “Come with me if you want to not die.” – Wyldstyle/Lucy
• “Place the thing on the other thing and save the universe.”  - Vitruvius
• “We’ll wing it.  It’s a bat pun.”  -  Batman
• “You don’t know me, but I’m on TV, so you can trust me.” – Wyldstyle/Lucy
• “Let’s take extra care to follow the instructions or you’ll be put to sleep.  And don’t forget Taco Tuesday’s coming next week.”  - President Business
• “I only work in black.  And sometimes very, very dark grey.”  - Batman
• “Okay, I think it got it.  But just in case, say it all over again.  I wasn’t listening.”  - Emmet
• “Do you see the quotations I’m making with my claw hands?”  - Bad cop/good cop
• “Here are your pants.  End of series.”  - Wyldstyle/Lucy as she walks onto the set of the popular TV show “Where are my pants?”
• “Ow!  That is going to start hurting pretty soon.” – Emmet
• “I WILL text you.”  - Batman
• “This has been the greatest almost 15 minutes of my life.”  - Emmet
• “I’m dark and brooding.  Look!  A rainbow!”  - Emmet

Things to look for:  You need to pay attention, because clever gags appear and disappear quickly, along with the rapid-fire wit.  I’ll bet this film will do well with DVD sales, because everyone will want to have the power to hit the pause button on this one. There are too many details to mention.  The Legoland amusement park has a “Minland” in the center of the park that is unbelievably detailed with hidden gems everywhere.  This movie is like that.

• I’ve never seen a surfer Lego dude with flowing, blonde hair!
• Bubbles in the hot tub in The Old West
• Cool Lego dust behind moving cars in the dirt
• Lego smoke blocks from a moving train

Tips for parents:  Relax and rest easy on this one.  All of the profanity includes such lines as “Darn, darn, darny, darn” (Bad cop/good cop) and “Dangit!” (Batman & Wonder Woman).  Pretty nice, right?  Someone calls someone else a “butt”, but there is a surprisingy lack of toilet humor for a kids movie.  Nice, right?  There is a budding romance, but no Lego kissing. Merchandising for this movie is going to be huge.