Life of the Party

Movie Title:  Life of the Party

Grade:  

Rating: PG-13, 105 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Despite its terrible score on Rotten Tomatoes, Melissa McCarthy is fantastic and offers an entertaining comedy that will probably be enjoyed more by middle-aged moms than any other demographic.

            

Tips for parents: 

• The film shows a couple who is divorcing and how it affects the family.
• gun
• Discussion of bra size
• There is a LOT of college partying going on.  She is told, “You’re in college now and you need to learn how to party through it.” 
• LOTS of alcohol, drugs, and pre-marital relations.
• Bad behavior
• Dishonesty
• Profanity
•  

Uplifting theme: 

• The importance of education
• Make your dreams come true
• Don’t give up on yourself.
• Friendship: Support your friends and family.
• Mother/daughter relationships.
• Make better choices
•  

                                             

Things I liked:

• I love her enthusiasm for school.  I’m a nerd for that too.  My kids always thought I was so weird because I actually like school.  I thought it was cute when she breathed in the smell of a new textbook.  I used to always do that to.  The aroma of knowledge! 
• LIFE OF THE PARTY was written by Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone.
• Christina Aguilera!
•  

Things I didn’t like:

• It doesn’t dig deep enough.

Funny lines:

• ‘I’m a little snackish.” – mom   (Yeah, me too.)
• “I’m so worried about the math skills in this room.” – Mom
• She got me in the biscuits!” – Mom
•  

Interesting lines:

• “I guess we’re still doing this –girls being mean to each other for no apparent reason.” – mom
• “Us ladies got to stick together.” - = Christina Aguilera

                              

                                           

                                         @trinaboice

Ghostbusters isn't as good or bad as you thought it would be

Movie Title:        Ghostbusters

  

Grade:  B

Rating:  PG-13, 105 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Some of the funny women of Saturday Night Live, including 4 time guest host of SNL Melissa McCarthy, star in this reboot of the 1984 smash hit.  

The beloved original (which I loved) is hard to beat, but this version gives it a respectable shot.

Written and directed by Paul Feig, this movie isn’t as good as you want, but also not as bad as you thought it would be. 

Uplifting theme: 

• “No woman should walk around unarmed.” – Jillian
• “The purpose of life is to love.” – Jillian
• Female empowerment.

Things I liked:

• Cameos and references from the fantastic cast of the original movie.
• Terrific cast includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, and Cecily Strong.
• Keep watching during the final credits for a peek at the sequel…
• At the end of the movie, it says “For Harold Ramis.”  A lot of people don’t realize that he died in 2014.
• Chris Hemsworth.
• You’ll laugh out loud at least a couple of times.
• The action sequences are better than the original, thanks to new movie technology.
• I thought Zach Woods’ comments as the tour guide at the very beginning of the movie were really funny.

Things I didn’t like:

• It doesn’t have quite the charm as the original.
• Does this reboot add anything new to the original?  No, not really.  Oh yeah, Chris Hemsworth.
• The script didn’t allow these comediennes to really knock our socks off.  The material just isn’t as good as they are.
• Every male character in this movie is either an idiot or a jerk.
• Although this film isn’t the greatest ever made, it certainly doesn’t deserve all the hate that has been spewing over it online.
• The villain isn’t anything special or memorable.
• Needs better pacing.

Funny lines:

•  “Something big is gonna happen!” - Erin

“The word we’re looking for is Apocalypse!” – Jillian

• “That is a deadly high five.” -  Abby
• So, I don’t know if it’s a race thing or a lady thing, but I’m mad as hell.” – Patty
• “How can you be eating right now?” – Erin Gilbert

“Try saying no to these salty parabolas.” – Jillian Holtzmann

• “Am I on crack or is this a good logo?” – Jillian
• “That’s where I saw that weird sparking thing.” – Patty Tolan

“What was it?” – Erin

“If I knew what it was, I wouldn’t say ‘weird sparking thing.’” – Patty

• “Why am I using the untested nuclear thing?” – Erin

“You have the longest arms.” – Jillian

• “Ah, it’s always the sad, pale ones.” – Jillian
• “You hate to see the smart ones go bad.” – Jillian
• “You guys, this is exactly how I pictured my death.” – Jillian
• “Who’s the flying beefcake?” – Rourke
• “What year is it?” – Abby

“It’s 2040.  Our president is a plant.” – Jillian

• “I’m just looking for a reasonable ratio between wontons and broth.  This is absolute madness.” – Abby
• “It transports ghosts and I don’t know where, but I think it’s Michigan.” –
• “Safety lights are for dudes.” – Jillian

Tips for parents: 

• A lot of crude jokes.
• Some of the ghosts could be frightening for small children.
• Some profanity.
• Lots of slime, which your kids will love.