War for Planet of the Apes impresses audiences with the closing film in an epic trilogy

Movie Title:  War for the Planet of the Apes

Grade:  A-

Rating:  PG-13, 140 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This is a war movie with all of the violence, explosions, strategy, suffering, beatings, prison camp, and human drama that the best war movies has….except that it also happens to have apes.  

This final installment in the reboot trilogy of Planet Of The Apes has incredible visual effects and plenty of heart to end the journey and story in an epic way.

I watched the original series of Planet Of The Apes when I was a little girl and remember even attending a Movie Marathon at a theater that played them all back-to-back.  I think the original film team would have been proud of this new version…and extremely impressed.  “Apes together strong!”

Uplifting theme: 

• Mercy vs. justice
• Revenge vs. forgiveness
• Family, friendship, loyalty
• Fear vs. love

Things I liked:

• If you have forgotten exactly what happened in the first two movies, the beginning of the movie gives you a clever, quick summary of RISE and DAWN to lead you into the WAR.  There’s only one other expositional scene, which makes for a very riveting movie without long scenes that have to explain to you what’s going on and why. 
• Andy Serkis is absolutely amazing.  What an outstanding career he has had in bringing epic characters to life like Lord of the Rings’ Gollum and now Caesar. He deserves every one of the awards he has won and been nominated for.
• The cinematography is stunning.  Visually, it's a truly beautiful movie.
• The motion capture work is unbelievable.  There is a blending of humans dressed as apes and real apes and you can't often tell the difference. In fact, you forget you’re watching special effects when you see the apes move and talk.  They’re incredible.
• I love the small details, like blood vessels in the ape’s unbelievably expressive eyes, fog coming out of the apes’ mouths in the winter scenes, and ice crystals on the apes’ fur.  Speaking of the eyes, even Colonel exclaims, “Look at your eyes!  Almost human!”
• “Bad Ape” (voiced by the lovable Steve Zahn) provides most of the comic relief.  He was a scene-stealer every time. In a dark movie like this, “Bad Ape” could have been an awkward “Jar Jark Binks” figure that just didn’t work, but instead, “Bad Ape” works very well.
• I got a kick out of carefully placed words that provided some humor like “Ape-colypse Now”, and “Bedtime for Bonzo”.
• It’s truly rare that the third film in a series can measure up to the first or even the second, but this last edition in the franchise is excellent.
• Critics are referring to the script writing as a masterpiece, partly because it follows the old-fashioned model of storytelling.
• The score by Michael Giacchino was noticeably awesome.  It kept up with the meat of the story extremely well.
• The green laser sequence was super cool.
• Directed by Matt Reeves, this film immediately immerses you into the ape world from the beginning. 
• Woody Harrelson was fun to watch, as always.
• I love that this final installment in the story is so ape-centric.
• SPOILER: If you think about it, the end of the movie is a perfect set-up for the very FIRST movie in 1968.  Interesting, right?

Things I didn’t like:

• It’s a bit slow-moving.  It’s more of a thinking movie, rather than an action movie.
• A lot of dark, night scenes will make this hard to watch on your computer when it comes out on DVD and streaming.
•  The Colonel makes some dumb decisions in regards to Caesar.
• The Colonel is worried about his race dying because of the apes, but ummm....where are all the women? Doesn't the lack of female humans pretty much end the human race?  ha ha
• It always bugs me when the lines in the movie trailers are different from what's actually in the movie.

Interesting lines:

• “The irony is we created you and nature has been punishing us ever since.” –  The Colonel (Woody Harrelson)
• “There are times when it is necessary to abandon our humanity in order to save our humanity.” – The Colonel 
• "I saved myself.” – “Donkey” gorilla

“Is there anything left of you to save?” – Caesar

• “I am like Koba.  I can’t escape my hate.” – Caesar
• “I did not start this war…..I fight only to protect apes.” – Caesar
• “I may not make it back.” – Caesar

“That’s why I’m coming….to make sure you do.” - Maurice (Karin Konoval)  Interesting that he's voiced by a woman, right?

Funny lines:

• “Oh no! OK.”  - Bad Ape
• “You’re probably not much of a reader.” – Colonel to Caesar
•  

Tips for parents: 

• There are bodies of dead humans and apes throughout the entire movie.
• A lot of the monkeys use sign language, so there are a lot of subtitles kids will have to read quickly.
• There is a lot of violence, including frequent and bloody beatings.  Some images will be disturbing for young kids.

Take another look at the first two parts of the story:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Rise Of The Planet of the Apes

@trinaboice 

The Edge of Seventeen will make you glad you're not a teenager anymore

Movie Title:    The Edge of Seventeen

Grade:  B+

Rating: R, 98 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Hailee Steinfeld plays a completely self-absorbed teenager who has a hard time learning some of the most important lessons in life…that loving and caring for others is important and necessary to be happy.  It’s a bit frustrating how long it takes her to discover those simple truths, but she’s still a complete delight to watch, because the magnificent Hailee Steinfeld plays her.  

Woody Harrelson is fantastic in every scene he’s in and complements Hailee's performance perfectly.  I wish there had been more scenes in the movie with both of them together. I could have watched their hilarious banter all day long.

It’s an edgy coming-of-age story that will make you ache and laugh at the same time.

Uplifting theme: 

• “I have to spend the rest of my life with myself.” – Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld)
• “Wow, I’m one of those people who thinks everything’s about them.” - Nadine

 

Things I liked:

• What a sweet dad.  Oh that every kid could have such a kind, loving, supportive father.
• It was touching to watch each family member finally learn how to relate and communicate with each other.
• I thought Erwin Kim’s short film at the end was pretty funny.
• First-time writer Kelly Fremon Craig will have a bright future if he keeps producing honest movies like this one.
• I’m so grateful I’m not in high school anymore.
• Fans who first fell in love with Blake Jenner on Glee The Complete Series will be happy to see him in this film.

Things I didn’t like:

• Kyra Sedgwick doesn’t seem to age.  She plays a terrible mother to counterpoint the very sweet father played by Eric Keenleyside.
• I know it was part of the story, but it was NOT smart for Mr. Bruner to bring a young female student into his home.  My husband never even drove any of our female babysitters home when we had little kids.  Thankfully, the movie doesn't go in that direction, but it's important for men to use wisdom when dealing with dramatic, psycho teenage girls.
• As a mother, I would be super depressed if I had a daughter like Nadine.  I hate seeing young girls already be so foul-mouthed, cynical, mean, and desperate.
• Erwin is too rich, talented and good-looking to be so shy and awkward. His character didn’t seem believable, but I really liked him.

Funny lines:

• “You are so going to get fired when I actually do it.”  (commit suicide) - Nadine

“Well, not actually for sure, but I can dream.” – Br. Bruner

• “There are two types of people in this world: the people who radiate confidence and naturally excel at life, and the people who hope all those people die in a big explosion.” – Nadine
• “My mom has to take medicine or else she’ll get too upset at the mall.” = Nadine

Tips for parents: 

• Lots of profanity, including many F-bombs.
• Talk of suicide, bullying.
• Loss of virginity, inappropriate sex jokes, teens in bed, awkward car make-out scene.
• Your kids will probably laugh, but you need to remind them that Nadine is terribly messed up and NOT a positive role model for them.
• Nadine drives a car without a driver’s license.

@trinaboice 

Now You See Me is mostly smoke and mirrors

Movie Title:     Now You See Me 2

  

Grade:   B

Rating:     PG-13, 115 minutes

In a Nutshell:    I loved the first movie, but this sequel just felt more like smoke and mirrors.   

Uplifting theme: 

•  “Seeing is believing, but is it truth?  It depends on your point of view.” – Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman)

Things I liked:

• Lots of twists and turns.  It’s a fun ride, because you never know what's around the corner.
• Funny sleeping scenes.
• I love all of the cast.  Two Woody Harrelsons?  Twice the fun.
• It's always fun to see places around the world.  They spend some time in London, Macau, and New York.
• SPOILER ALERT: I love it when good "bad guys" outsmart real bad guys.
• Lots of action sequences mixed in with some quick wit.

Things I didn’t like:

•  I should have re-watched the first movie so I could remember how everything left off.  There were a lot of comments made that referred to past events, so if you haven’t seen the first one, you’ll be a bit lost.
• Too many villains.
• Everyone is too cool and slick, coming off as smug characters we have a hard time feeling sorry or concern for.
• Do't get me wrong here...I love all of the actors in the film, but they kind of play the same characters they usually do in almost all of their other movies.  Well, except Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter.  Amirite?  For example, Jesse Eisenburg always plays a fast-talking genius.  Morgan Freeman always plays someone wise and mysterious.  Dave Franco always plays a playboy loose cannon.  Lizzy Caplan always plays a snarky chick.  I'm just sayin...
• A lot of things are just too implausible and ridiculous.  If you think really hard to figure it all out, most of it just doesn't make much sense.  
• Most of the lines sound like scripted performance lines, rather than spontaneous conversations.

Funny lines:

•  “Not Chinese food.  I think here it’s just called food.” - Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson)
• “I want to be completely off the Grid and do you know why?” – (Walter Tressler)    “Yeah, because the Grid is for real humans.” – J. Daniel Atlas  (Jesse Eisenberg)
• “Don’t do anything I would enjoy.” – Merritt McKinney
• “Is that weird to have more hair in your ears than on your head?” – Merritt to his twin brother

Interesting lines:

•   “The eye; it can’t lie, but don’t think for a minute it can’t be lied to.” –  Thaddeus Bradley

• Tips for parents:   

• Someone flips the bird at the camera.
• Some profanity and inappropriate language.

As the characters say, “Didja get all that?”

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.