All the Money in the World will leave you dumbfounded

Movie Title:      All the Money in the World

Grade:   A

Rating: R, 2 hours 12 minutes

In a Nutshell:   If you have ever been to the famous Getty Museum in Los Angeles, you’ll get a new appreciation for what you saw there.  If you haven’t been, put it on your list of places to see next time you’re in California.  What’s ironic is that the entrance ticket is free.

Inspired by true events, Ridley Scott gives us another compelling movie that has already earned him and the lead actors nominations for Golden Globe awards.  As an added bonus, we learn that ransom money can be tax deductible if you do it right.  Ha ha

                                               

Uplifting theme: 

• “Money is never just money; it always stands for something.” – Mark Walhberg
• The value of life
• Family
• Money

Things I liked:

• Christopher Plummer was absolutely fantastic, well deserving of the Golden Globe nomination he just earned.  He did all of his scenes in only 2 weeks! You'll notice on the movie poster above that it lists Kevin Spacey.  He was replaced with Plummer as soon as sexual allegations made headline news against him at a cost of $10 million dollars to the picture. I'm sure Spacey would have been great in this, but Christopher Plummer was outstanding.  What Ridley Scott was able to do in such a short amount of time deserves an A grade alone. Another movie Plummer was magical in during this year's Christmas season was The Man Who Invented Christmas. I really enjoyed it, but it flew under the radar for most people.
• Good for Michelle Williams for having two great movies in theaters at the same time!  Her other film is “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN IN THE WORLD.” She does a great job in both and earned her 5th Golden Globe nomination for her role as Gail Harris Getty.  I wonder if Angelina Jolie regrets declining the role.
• Most of the movie is filmed in Rome, which I adore.  There are beautiful vistas and scenery.
• It was fascinating to see J. Paul Getty pay obscene amounts of money for artwork, yet he couldn’t see the value of human life.  Twice, he admires a painting of the Madonna and child, saying breathlessly, “There you are…beautiful child”, while his own grandson was being tortured as a captive.
• Oscar winner Timothy Hutton and Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg also give excellent performances.  Because of the reshoots, Mark Wahlberg had to be refitted for his suits.  He had lost 30 pounds for another movie he was shooting.

Things I didn’t like:

• Have you ever noticed that people who arrogantly say, “I can take care of myself!” are usually the ones who need to be rescued?
• I thought it was interesting that J. Paul Getty thought he was a reincarnated Roman emperor.  He sure lived like one.  And yet, he was such a cheapskate that he had a phone booth installed in his house in case his guests needed to make a phone call.  Yikes.
• Sometimes I couldn’t understand what Cinquanta (Romain Duris) said, because he had such a thick accent and mumbled a lot.
• Other than being young, we're not given a lot of reasons to really care about Paul Geddy, the grandson who got kidnapped.  He seems like a spoiled wanderer, so I would have liked to know more about him.
• It is truly mind-boggling that a billionaire wouldn't be willing to pay money to save his own family.

                                                                     

Interesting lines:

• “If you can count your money, then you’re not a billionaire.” – J. Paul Getty
• “I don’t have any money.” – Gail Harris Getty (Michelle Williams)

“Get it from your father-in-law.  He has all the money in the world.” – Cinquanta

• “Everything has a price.  The challenge in life is to discover what that price is.” – Getty
• “There’s very little in life worth paying full price for.” – Getty
• “You never really know anyone until you get divorced.” – Getty
• “You’re not a person anymore; you’re a symbol.” – detective 
• “Guns are for people who don’t have money.” – Getty
• “Getting rich is easy.  Any fool can and many do, but BEING rich is different.” – Getty
• “There’s a purity in things that I’ve never been able to find in another human being.” – Getty
• “What would it take for you to feel secure?” – Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) 

“More.” – Getty

Tips for parents: 

• Some profanity and F-bombs.
• Some spoken Italian with no subtitles.  Otherwise, most of it has subtitles.
• Lots of smoking and drinking.
• Bloody, violent deaths.
• Burned, charred body.
• You watch bad guys slice the ear off of Paul.  It’s bloody and disgusting.
• Young children will be bored.  This is a long movie with lots of talking and not that much action.

                                            @trinaboice 

Roman J. Israel takes a look at honor and integrity

Movie Title:    Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Grade:   C+

Rating: PG-13,, 117 minutes

In a Nutshell:   Sony Pictures presents a movie that is part thriller, part character study, part legal drama. 

Denzel Washington is why you want to watch this movie.  I loved the topic of the film, which is morality: which is more important to you: your money or your integrity?

The original title of the movie was “Inner City”, which I actually like better, because of the double meaning.  While the movie presents low-income life in a big city, it’s really about the inner struggle within all of us.  Roman J. Israel, Esq. explains it, “The real enemies aren’t on the outside; they’re within.”  He looks at himself often in the movie, something we all need to do…not to question our appearance, but to truly look at who we are.  All rise!

 

Uplifting theme: 

• Integrity, honesty, morality
• The power of money
• The “burden of activism”
• Choices, consequences, and accountability

Things I liked:

• Denzel Washington is solid, as always.  It’s his performance that carries the movie.  You’ll wonder about the gap between his two front teeth.  He has worn caps to fix that gap ever since high school, so for this movie, he decided to remove them. 
• There are many meaningful themes and lessons in this film to spark some interesting conversation with the people you watch this movie with.
• Colin Farrell always draws me in.
• Cool hotel room at the beach with the fire pit on the balcony!
• Some camera angles and sequences are interesting.
• I love symbolism, like that bulldog statue.
• My brother is an attorney.  He's one of the good guys.  I've always been fascinated with people who want to study law and wonder what their motivations are and how they often change.  Such an interesting field, right?

Things I didn’t like:

• The movie promises an intriguing story, but it fizzles before it truly flowers.  It’s directed by the talented Dan Gilroy, who also brought us the thrilling Nightcrawler  Unfortunately, the story could have been so much stronger.
• It's a little slow-moving.

Interesting lines:

• “I’m tired of doing the impossible for the ungrateful.” – Roman J. Israel
• “The lack of success is self-imposed.” – Roman J. Israel
• “The ability to have conflicting ideas in one’s head takes energy.” - Roman
• “Let us be enraged about injustice, but let us not be destroyed by it.” – Bayard Rustin
• “The world is for wonderful things.” – Roman J. Israel
• “Every weapon is a tool if you hold it the right way.” – Ana DiFranco
• “I believe because of my beliefs.” – Buddha
• “An act doesn’t make a person guilty unless a person’s mind is guilty too.” – Roman    (Do you agree with that statement?  It’s pretty controversial, don’t you think?)
• “Let us pardon each other’s folly.  That is the first law of nature.” - Roman

• Tips for parents: 
• Some profanity and 1 F-bomb.
• Most children will be bored.  Teens might be interested.
• Interesting themes to talk to your kids about.

@trinaboice 

How to Be A Latin Lover is offensive, and I'm not even Latina

Movie Title:  How To Be A Latin Lover

Grade:  C

Rating:  PG-13, 115 minutes

In a Nutshell: Welcome to the multi-cultural talent of Eugenio Derbez.  He’s one of the most successful actor/comedians in Mexico.  You may have seen him in a various Adam Sandler projects before, but you’re about to see more of him…a LOT of him in this movie (he takes his close off often), but in upcoming movies too.

Nah, I wasn't seduced.  It was too filthy to be fun.

Uplifting theme: 

• “It’s never too late to do what’s right.” – Cindy (Kristen Bell)
• Family, true love, friendship
• There are things more important than money.
• "You get what you work for, not what you wish for." - Sara

Things I liked:

• Raphael Alejandro is a jackpot discovery in this film.  He’s absolutely adorable and has a bright future in Hollywood if he wants one.  Those dimples!
• The lovely Salma Hayek plays Maximo’s sister and a struggling single mother. 
• You get to hear Kristen Bell sing.  She was wonderful in Frozen (2013).
• Small parts go to familiar faces you know and like, all named Rob: Rob Lowe, Rob Corddry, Rob Riggle, Rob Huebel. 
• Usually Rob Lowe plays the handsome, rich guy, right?  It was nice to see him be a pizza driver and broke for a change.
• Maximo wakes up on the flat air mattress.  I hate those things!  That’s happened to me before.
• When Sara (Salma Hayek) gets depressed, she turns a sad song into an energetic salsa.  Great idea!
• Cute balloons at Arden (Mckenna Grace) ’s birthday party!
• Raquel Welch has aged, but is still a timeless beauty.
• There’s an authentic, although clichéd Latin vibe in the movie.  Salma Hayek and Eugenio Derbez speak Spanish a lot, so there are a lot of subtitles.

Things I didn’t like:

• If I were Latina, I’d probably be doubly offended.
• A LOT of crude gestures and lines.
• Do you know anyone who has actually earned money by having their car wrapped?  I called a few companies once and it was a real bait-and-switch.  Drats.
• Maximo gives such terrible advice to Hugo.  He’s a terrible role model in oh so many ways.
• There’s an odd moment with Weird Al Yankovic.

Funny lines:

• “I didn’t know we could do that!” – Hugo after he watches his uncle pour cereal from the box directly into his mouth.

“We can’t!” – Sara

• “She doesn’t even know I exist.” – Hugo

“Why do you say that?” – Maximo

“Because she’s a girl…and she’s beautiful.” – Hugo

• “I was named after my grandfather’s dog.” – Quincy (Rob Corddry)

“The legacy lives on.” – Maximo

• “She’s been through too much emotionally…and surgically to put up with this.” – Quincy
• “You guys are getting real creative with these gummy bears.  Most people just eat them.” – Cindy
• “What is a virgin?” – Hugo

“It’s an airline.” –Maximo

“Pull my finger……false alarm.” – Maximo

• “You sound like Dora the Explorer” – Maximo to Rob Lowe when he tries to speak with a Spanish accent
• “I don’t need a Rolex, bro!” – Nick (Rob Huebel) as he points to his FitBit.

Interesting lines:

• “Cokes have no nutritional value.” – Hugo   True.
• “Do I have something on my face?” – Arden

“You have my full attention.” – Hugo

Tips for parents: 

• The title reveals that this is really not a family-friendly movie.  The protagonist is a gigolo, so that should tell you something.
• Lots of profanity and F-bombs.
• TONS of crude, raunchy humor.
• This should be an R-rated movie.
• There is a lot of smacking people on the head.  I hate that.
• Tons of crotch shots and butt grabs.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice