American Made features entertaining Tom Cruise control

Movie Title: American Made

Grade:  B+

Rating: R, 115 minutes

In a Nutshell: 
Based on a true story, this entertaining ride features Tom Cruise as a wide-eyed pawn in illegal activities led by the American government in the 1980’s.  

It’s amazing and alarming that this really happened.  The documentary-style of film making works perfectly for this story. 

 

Uplifting theme: 

• There are always consequences.
• Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. 
• When it comes to drugs, just say no!

Things I liked:

• Tom Cruise always does a great job playing flawed characters with charisma and he always give it 100%.
• There is a lot of humor. 

Things I didn’t like:

• A lot happens in a very short amount of movie time, so you often don’t realize years have passed by in the story. 

Interesting lines:

• “All this is legal?” – Barry Seal (Tom Cruise)

“If you’re doing it for the good guys.” – Monty Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson)

Tips for parents: 

• F-bombs and other profanity.
• Some Spanish without subtitles.
• There’s a short clip of “Bedtime with Bonzo” movie, starring President Ronald Reagan, who was a movie star before he went into government.  Your kids may not even know that!
• Because this is based on a true story, your kids may not know who the Sandinistas and Contras were and what happened in Central America in the 1980’s.  You may want to give them a briefing on Pablo Escobar while you’re at it.
• The movie features drug dealers and arms dealers, as well as other illegal activities that appear glamorous on screen.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

The Mummy unwraps a sexy monster to introduce a new Universal Studio Dark Universe

Movie Title: 
The Mummy (2017)

Grade:  B

Rating:  PG-13, 120 minutes

In a Nutshell: Universal Studio’s Dark Universe presents a sexy, new mummy that hopes to kick-start a new universe of monster movies. It drops a lot of hints of what’s to come.

The film's tagline, "Welcome to a new world of gods and monsters," is a quote from the 1935 Bride of Frankenstein...soon to be remade by Universal Studios.

Critics are picking this origin movie apart, but it's fine for a summer popcorn flick that'll entertain you plenty in air conditioning.   

Uplifting theme: 

• “Death is the doorway to new life.  We live today.  We shall live again. In many forms shall we return.” Egyptian prayer of resurrection
• “The past cannot remain buried forever.” – Dr. Henry Jekyll (Russell Crowe)
• “Where’s your sense of adventure?” – Nick Morton (Tom Cruise)
• Good vs. evil. 

                                                         

Things I liked:

• Tom Cruise is incredibly dedicated and hard-working in this film.  He takes a serious beating in almost every scene and just keeps going and going like the Energizer Bunny.  He said in an interview with Regal movie theater about the film, “The sets are magnificent.  They’re beautiful.  They’re haunting” and then later, “It’s a helluva lot of fun.” 
• Sophia Boutella is really great as a seductive female mummy.  We’ll see her again soon in Atomic Blonde: The Coldest City.
• Russell Crowe’s character was a surprise to me, but a pleasant one.  We’re sure to see more of him in this role. No spoiler!  I want you to be surprised too!
• It’s better in 3D.
• I liked the little details, such as Ahmanet’s blue, cracked fingernails.
• Some of the set pieces are pretty cool and the special effects are impressive.
• Lots of fun jumps and scares.
• I liked Annabelle Wallis a lot.  Unfortunately, she played a damsel in distress in almost every scene, but she was still pretty to watch.
•  There is a welcome sense of humor.
• The zero gravity scene in the airplane was really good.  Apparently, it took 64 takes and most of the crew got nauseous, except for Tom Cruise and Annabelle Wallis.
• The next time you're at Universal Studios, be sure to watch their hilarious and informative "Horror Make-up Show."

Things I didn’t like:

• There are a lot of exposition scenes.  They're necessary, although a bit annoying.
• Jake Johnson was a mildly entertaining sidekick, although sometimes an odd addition.  Tom Cruise was funnier than the designated comic relief.

·   The film feels like action sequence, explanation scene, action sequence, explanation scene, etc.

• No end-of-credits scenes.  Drats.  Marvel rocks at those.
• Camel spiders.  EEEEK!
• Tom Cruise plays a protagonist who isn’t really a stellar hero.  He’s a flawed man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time .  His set of moral standards is questionable.  For example, Jenny yells, “You stole from me!” and his justification that he is still a good person is, “But I didn’t lie!”
•  Did you ever see the first trailer?  Tom Cruise lets out this extremely unpleasant, high-pitched scream that seems to have been replaced in the film, thank goodness. 

Funny lines:

• “We are not looters.  We are liberators of precious antiquities.” – Nick Morton (Tom Cruise)
• “I’m sorry.  We’re just never going to happen.  It’s not me.  It’s you.” – Nick Morton
• “Wow!  That was intense.” – Chris Vail (Jake Johnson)

Interesting lines:

• This is not a tomb.  It’s a prison.” – Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis)
• “There are worse fates than death.” – Ahmanet
• “Evil never rests.” – Dr. Henry Jekyll
• “Sometimes it does take a monster to fight a monster.” –Dr. Henry Jekyll

Tips for parents: 

• This probably should have been a Rated R movie.  There is a lot of sexual innuendo, but more than that.  There are some kinky moments and bare naked moments of Tom Cruise (covering his middle parts), and a naked side shot of Sophia Boutella. 
• There are a ton of bloody, gory, fighting, destructive scenes.
• There is talk of an affair.
• Some profanity.
• Lots of dead bodies, scary mummies, and high body count.

                                            @trinaboice 

Jack Reacher struts macho action

Movie Title:   Jack Reacher Never Go Back

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13, 118 minutes

In a Nutshell:  My husband really liked the first Jack Reacher movie, so he was looking forward to this sequel.  It’s definitely a “man’s movie” with lots of fighting, chase scenes, and military machismo.

Director Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise were last paired together in "The Last Samurai."

Uplifting theme: 

• Family first.
• Friendship, loyalty, patriotism, unconditional love.

Things I liked:

• Tom Cruise always gives 100% in all of his movies.  He really sells his stunt work and I like his interpretation of the Jack Reacher character in Lee Child's best selling books.
• Cobie Smulders is really great in this film too.  She looks great and keeps up with Tom’s physicality.  She has come a long way since the hit TV show "How I Met Your Mother."  It was fun watching their relationship develop as they learned to work together to solve the puzzle that was keeping them running as fugitives.
• We get to see a softer, more personal side of Jack Reacher.
•  Kick-butt fight scenes.  There is nothing mamby pamby about this movie.
• Robert Knepper always does a great job as a bad guy.  I loved/hated him in "Prison Break."
• "Intense retail therapy."    ha ha   (rich girl at the school)

Things I didn’t like:

• Movie reviewers have been critical of how formulaic this action movie is.  Well yeah, it kind of is.
• Some of the scenes take place in New Orleans.  Director Edward Zwick could have really featured its charm, but instead, the location comes off as a frat party.  Wait a second...that IS New Orleans.
•  There are a lot of faceless goons that come out of nowhere that Jack Reacher has to beat up.
• The story is a bit confusing, so don't think about it too much.
• Danika Yarosh's character (Samantha) was super annoying.
• It feels like a long movie.  On the one hand, you feel like you're getting your money's worth.  On the other hand, you kind of want it to end.

Tough guy lines:

• “Who the hell are you?” – bad sheriff (Jason Douglas)

“I’m the guy you didn’t count on.” – Jack Reacher

• “You think you’re above the law, but I’m not the law.  You better star running, because I’m going to start hunting.” – Jack Reacher
• “Two things are going to happen in the next 90 seconds…” – Jack
• "I don't like being followed." - Jack, Samantha
• "Ten minutes is a very long time, as you're about to learn." - General Harkness (Robert Knepper)
• It's time we stop running and start hunting." - Jack

Tough girl lines:

• “Not sure you could handle me.” – Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders)

“I’m not worried.” – Jack

“Worry.  Just a little.” - Susan
*  "I don't want them as bad as you.  I want them more." - Susan

Interesting lines:

• “Some people still wonder why you left.” – Susan

“Let’s just say one day I woke up and the uniform didn’t fit.” - Jack

Funny lines:

• “You have a very interesting way of saying thank you.” – Jack Reacher
•  "This is insane." - Susan
•  "Does this mean dinner's off?" - Jack
• "Why do I feel like you're enjoying this?" - Susan
• "You have a weird way of saying than you." - Susan
• "People talk to me.  It's a thing." - Samantha
• "Never underestimate the charm of a seedy motel." - Jack

Tips for parents:   
* This movie is full of brutal hand-to-hand violence, blood, gore, explosions, guns, and perilous situations.
* There is a scene where you see Cobie Smulders in a bra.
* Lots of profanity.

Own the collection!

 

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation will finish your summer with a bang

Movie:   Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

PG-13, 2 hours, 12 minutes

Grade:   A-

In a Nutshell:    I can neither approve, nor deny this movie review without approval from the Secretary…

Tom Cruise reminds us again that he is still an action star that can draw us in.  Alec Baldwin’s character says of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise): “Hunt is uniquely trained and highly motivated, a specialist without equal, immune to any counter-measures, there is no secret he cannot extract, no security he cannot breach, no person he cannot become….Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny.”

The movie is pure action, fun, fresh, intelligent and just what you want to watch with some buttery popcorn.  This franchise knows its audience and delivers.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Self-sacrifice, loyalty, friendship, patriotism.

Things I liked:

·          The comic relief role is provided by the loveable Benji (Simon Pegg whose movie Hector and the Search for Happiness inspiring).  He sighs, “IMF.  See the world….on a monitor…in a closet.” 

·         The Turandot opera scene was pretty awesome, using the music to accent the action. 

·         The Mission Impossible theme song is the best.

·         I love that the villain has a high-pitched whiny voice, instead of the deep growl that most villains         have.

·         Aw, those masks.

·         It’s always fun to see Alec Baldwin involved with the CIA.  One of my favorite movies of his is The Hunt for Red October .

·         You know an underwater action sequence is good when it makes you hold your breath.

·         Fun chase scenes and lots of them.

Things I didn’t like:

·         It always cracks me up when spy women in long ball gowns and high heels climb curtains and roof tops with ease.

·         Beautiful woman in a wet bikini, walking slowly out of a swimming pool.  So cliché.  I guess it’s to be expected in a Mission Impossible or James Bond movie.  Rebecca Ferguson is a nice addition to the franchise.

·          

Funny lines:

·         “We’ve never met before, right?”  - Ethan Hunt

·           “She tried to shoot me!” – Benji

       “That doesn’t make her a bad person.” – Ethan

·         “Oh hey boys!  What did I miss?” – Benji

·          

Cool lines:

·         “This man, can you find him?” – William Brandt  (Jeremy Renner)

“I won’t stop until I do.” –Ethan Hunt

·         “You want drama?  Go to the opera.”  - Ethan Hunt

·         “Tell me it’s possible to pull facial recognition off a sketch.” – William Brandt

“For mere mortals, no.  For me, I could have done this at home.” – Luther Strickell (Ving Rhames)

Tips for Parents:

·         Some foul language, but no sex scenes.
-    Lots of flying bullets, suspenseful moments, explosions, fight scenes, and high body count.

Mission Impossible movies that are done well:

 

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.