Happy Death Day takes a creepy stab at the movie Groundhog Day

Movie Title: Happy Death Day

Grade:  C+

Rating: PG-13, 

In a Nutshell:  This is like a warped, creepy version of Groundhog Day.  I have loved that fun movie for years, so I was curious to see what this suspenseful horror flick would do with it.  I thought it was funny at the end of the movie when Israel's character says,  “This reminds me of that movie Groundhog Day.”  Jessica Rothe's character, Tree, says she’s never heard of it and doesn’t even know who Bill Murray is.  Aww, Millennials.

 

Uplifting theme: 

• “Each new day is a chance to be somebody better.” –  Carter Davis (Israel Broussard)

Things I liked:

•  Jessica Rothe does a fantastic job.
•  There is a surprising amount of humor and snark.
• Timed perfectly for Halloween.
• It also reminded me of Before I Fall.  Both of these two flicks will appeal a lot to tweens and teens.

Things I didn’t like:

• I hated the female protagonist.  She’s a slutty, self-absorbed, mean skank.  I just didn't mind her dying.  I would have liked to see her character grow more and become a much kinder person by the end, but she doesn’t seem to have learned any lessons like Bill Murray’s character did in the original Groundhog Day.
• SPOILER: I enjoy a lot of red herrings, which this movie has, but when you learn who the real murderer at the end is, it's kind of a let-down and doesn't make very much sense.

Tips for parents: 

• The female protagonist sleeps with a guy after getting drunk at a party.  Nice role model for your daughters, eh?  Her daily routine includes the “Walk of Shame.”
• Vulgar language, profanity, and an F-bomb.
• Creepy baby face mask.
• Lots of violent murders.
• Masturbation.
• Homosexual kissing.
• She walks through campus naked to show she doesn’t care while the song “What’s wrong with being confident?” plays in the background.  That's not exactly the lesson of female empowerment I would want my daughter to have.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

See Edge of Tomorrow Today

Movie Title:  Edge of Tomorrow

PG-13, 1 hour 53 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:   This is Groundhog Day on steroids!  (I love that Bill Murray classic.)  Add the uber-intense Tom Cruise and the beautiful Emily Blunt, along with flawed, but heroic soldiers and you’ve got an action movie sure to thrill.  Video gamers will almost feel like they’re inside a Halo: Combat Evolved , complete with resets after dying and kicking alien butt.

Uplifting theme:

• Humanity is worth fighting for.
• Every moment of life is precious.

Things I liked:

• I thought it was appropriate for the film’s opening weekend to be during the 70^th anniversary of D-Day.  Replace Nazis with aliens and you’ll still feel patriotic.
• It’s kind of amazing to see a movie which actually ends, rather than one that Hollywood tosses out there, hoping to pump out a mediocre sequel for you to spend your hard-earned money on.  
• The super fast, squiggly aliens were cool, especially the “Alpha” when he growls.
• I saw it in IMAX 3D, which made some of the action sequences epic.  When someone got tasered, I was almost worried I’d get hit too. 
• I loved the fat soldier’s t-shirt that said “Mimic this.” It’s funny as is, but has another meaning when you learn that they call the aliens “mimics.”
• I loved the high-tech mech-suits the soldiers wear.
•  Emily Blunt was really cute in The Devil Wears Prada , but now she is even sexier as a strong, fighting machine.  Her body-double does some amazing stunts, including a ridiculously awesome push-up pose with her feet lifted off the ground (is that even possible?), but she's believable as a determined and tough soldier.

Things I didn’t like:

• It shows a movie clip of Hillary Clinton in some kind of executive meeting, as if she is president of the United States.  Was that a subtle bit of hopeful propaganda for the next presidential election?
• There was a plot hole in the ending…as if the rest of the movie was believable.  haha

Inspiring lines:

• “The fiery crucible, the only place where true heroes are forged.”  - Master Sergeant Farrel
• “There’s no courage without fear.”  - Master Sergeant Farrel
• “We fight.  That’s what we do.”  - Major William Cage

Funny lines: 

• “What do we do now?  - Rita Vrataski

“I don’t know.  We’ve never gotten this far.”  - Major William Cage

• “Where is the safety?”  - Major William Cage

“Exactly!”  - mocking soldiers

• “What day is it?”  - Major William Cage

“For you?  Judgment Day.”  - soldier

Tips for parents:  Be prepared for lots and lots of violence.  There is one F-bomb, but only a few other“mild” forms of profanity, which is impressive since it's such a testosterone-filled fighting flick.  There is a creepy shot of a burning/melting face, as well as one of a fat guy’s bum….both are a bit disturbing.

If you love the whole time-loop concept like I do, check out the following movies: 

       

Kids who like time travel will get a kick out of Mr. Peabody and Sherman.