Hangman dies a quick death at the box office

Movie Title:    Hangman

Grade:  C

Rating: R

In a Nutshell: Al Pacino.  There’s THAT.  This is the eighth time he has played a police detective.  

The old-school child’s spelling game, Hangman, held promise for a good thriller, but the movie disappoints in a pretty mediocre paint by numbers who-dunnit.

 

Uplifting theme: 

• “Sometimes finding out the truth leaves scars.” – Christi Davies (Brittany Snow)
• “Scars tell stories.” – bad guy (I don’t want to tell you who that is!)
• Revenge
• Friendship

Things I liked:

• It was refreshing to see Brittany Snow in a hard-hitting murder mystery, after seeing her in fluffy, fun movies like Pitch Perfect By the way, the 3rd Pitch Perfect movie hits theaters in 3 weeks!  I confess, the franchise is a guilty pleasure for me.
• Karl Urban plays Detective Ruiney as well as he does “Bones” in Star Trek Into Darkness , although "Bones" is definitely a more interesting character.
• I first noticed the beautiful, tough Sarah Shahi when she starred in Person of Interest: S1-5.  Her real name is Aahoo Jahansouz and she’s a descendant of a real Persian Shah.  Cool.  Unfortunately, she seemed too young to be cast as the captain of the police department.

Things I didn’t like:

• Typical bad guy monologue at the end.
• The cops never take the time to try to figure out what the hangman letters mean.  It seems like they could have plugged them into a computer to consider various options.  You get to see what the letters spell out towards the very end, but no one even mentions anything about it.  Missed opportunity there.
• Silly ending.
• The whole plot feels contrived and forced with annoying plot holes.

Tips for parents: 

• This is NOT a family-friendly film.
• F-bombs and other profanity.
• Lots of bloody, gruesome deaths.
• Naked chest of some dead women.
• Paintings of naked women.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

Jigsaw is twisted and sick

Movie Title:  JigSaw

Grade:  C

Rating: R

In a Nutshell:  I don’t like gory, torture movies, so it’s no surprise that I’ve never seen any of the previous 7 movies in the Saw franchise.  Somehow I ended up in the theater watching this one.  (Oh yeah, I get paid to watch movies.) 

It’s basically what I expected: a gory, torture movie.  Yuck.  Presented by Twisted Pictures, this is just a twisted, sick movie. Saw fans will probably enjoy it, since it has been many years since the last movie….which was actually supposed to be the last movie in the series.  Why did we need another one?

Uplifting theme: 

• “What’s the value of a life?” – Anna (Laura Vandervoort)
• “There are no short-cuts in life.” -  Jigsaw
• “We all have a thumb on the scale, for good or for evil.” – John Kramer (Tobin Bell)   TRUE
• Motivations
• Take responsibility for your actions.

Things I liked:

• Timed well for Halloween.  Is it me or has Halloween become more freaky, creepy and sick lately?
• I hear that the first 7 films in the Saw franchise had odd color and sound effects, but this one looks more professionally made.
• It takes those popular “Room Escape” concepts to a new level.  Have you ever been to any of those?  I’ve been to a few in several different cities and got a kick out of them.
• Twist.  I love twists in movies.

Things I didn’t like:

• The plot doesn’t make sense.
• It’s just demented.

Tips for parents: 

• This is a messed up movie.  It tries to act like John Kramer is torturing people with nothing but good intentions in mind and to create balance in the world.
• Bloody, violent, gory deaths.
• Lots of screaming and murderous torture.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

Suburbicon is a messy disappointment

Movie Title:   Suburbicon

Grade:  D

Rating: R

In a Nutshell:  Nope.  Hated it. The film tries to be a drama, dark comedy, murder thriller, and social commentary all at the same time, but it’s a messy downer.   I felt like I just wasted a part of my life.  Dang it.

Actor/Director George Clooney and the Coen writing brothers have talent, but it’s not revealed in this movie.  Super disappointing.

Uplifting theme: 

• Hypocrasy
• Racism

Things I liked:

• The 1950’s tone was well done.
• The talented cast did a great job with the material they were given, especially Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac.

Things I didn’t like:

• The trailer was extremely deceiving.  It makes the film look like a fun, dark comedy with quirky characters.  Well, I guess it was those things, but without the fun.
• It reminded me of another ugly film that had great acting talent in it, but left me wanting to take a shower.  In 1989, Tom Hanks starred in the mystery thriller The Burbs.  

Tips for parents: 

• Lots of profanity, including F-bombs.
• The film shows a black family being bullied and violently attacked.
• There are slurs against Jews and Episcopalians.
• A child walks in on a couple having sex (no nudity).
• Bloody, violent deaths.
• Dead bodies killed in violent ways.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

The Shack gets polar opposite reviews of A and F

Movie Title:  The Shack

Grade:  B

Rating: PG-13, 132 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Based on the best-selling New York Times novel by Canadian author William P. Young, this lovely film can heal your heart if you let it.  Lose the cynicism at the door and just allow yourself to feel the love. 

It’s filled with beautiful symbolism and metaphors, yet movie critic haters have given it an extremely low score of F on Rotten Tomatoes.  Christians and fans, however, have given it an A rating on CinemaScore.  You be the judge.  (You being the judge is a strong theme in the movie.)

Uplifting theme: 

• “Pain has a way of twisting us up inside and making us do the unthinkable.” – Mack Phillips (Sam Worthington)
• There is no quick fix to problems. 
• “Don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” – Sarayu (Sumire Matsubara)
• Forgiveness, hope, love, faith, patience
• “Everything bares consequences.” – God
• “You’re not stuck because you can’t; you’re stuck because you won’t.” – God
• “With every act of kindness, the universe changes for the better.” – Jesus (Aviv Alush)
• “What do I do?” – Mack when he was a kid

“Talk to God.  He’s always listening.” – family friend/Papa

Things I liked:

• I love how God is revealed how the character can best accept him/her.
• Beautiful imagery of baptism when he goes under the waterfall.
• Lovely scenery and images.
• The colorful image of the father and son together, forgiving each other was touching.
• I loved the image of Jesus and Mack running across the water together.
• I was impressed with Nan Phillips, the wife, (played by Radha Mitchell) who never blamed her husband once.  What an incredible example of forgiveness and understanding she was.
• Octavia Spencer makes a wonderful God.  Her award-winning movie Hidden Figures is still playing in some theaters.  I also thought it was interesting to show God as a wise, old Indian father, played by Graham Greene. 
• How many of you still think of the movie Avatar whenever you see Sam Worthington?  Did you know Disney’s newest attraction Avatarland opens in May 2017!  My friend, who has the dream job of a Disney Imagineer has been working on this project for months!  I'm so excited to see it!
• Amelie Eve is adorable as Missy Phillips.
• Singer Tim McGraw has been showing up in Christian films quite a bit recently.  Good for him.
• I thought casting Aviv Alush as Jesus and Sumire Matsubara as Sarayu (Spirit) were fascinating choices.
• When Mack asks, “Which one of you is God”? all three characters say, “I am.”  I liked that portrayal of three personages with a singular purpose.  I also love that he spends time with each one as a friend.
• The way the central problem in the story is resolved is a biblical one that may seem too simple, yet is very powerful: trust in God, even when you can’t see or understand what God is doing.
• SPOILER: There is a lot of abstract philosophysing, but Mack is able to apply the principles and put into practice what he has learned.

Things I didn’t like:

• The story jumps back and forth in time a lot in the beginning.
• I think almost every parent has experienced that terrible feeling when you can’t find your child, even if it’s just for a few minutes in the grocery store when your toddler dashes down a different aisle.  The experience in this movie will touch every parent’s heart.
• There are few bad editing moments.
• For some who are currently experiencing grief in their lives, this can be a healing experience or one that is still too painfully raw.
• Most of the music is super cheesy.
• SPOILER: He never has to atone for his own sin of killing his father.
• SPOILER:  A dream?  Really?  Isn’t that the worst cop-out ever?  I didn’t read the book, but I’m told the author didn’t stoop that low.

• Interesting lines:
• “If God’s always with us, why does he care if we’re late to church?” – Missy Phillips

“God cares, because your mom cares.” – Nan Phillips  (great answer)

• “Son, when all you see is your pain, you lose sight of me.” – God
• “Why would you keep working on me?” – Mack

“Cuz that’s what love does.” – God

• “Don’t forget – we love each other.” – Nan
• “Dreams are especially important.  They’re a way of opening a window and letting the bad air out.” – God
• “You misunderstand the mystery.” – God
• “Love always leaves a mark.” – God
• “I don’t need to punish people; sin is its own punishment.” – God
• “When a star twinkles, a prayer is heard in heaven.” – Mack

“Wow, Papa sure is busy.” – Missy

• “Religion is too much work.” - Jesus
• “You want the promise of a pain-free life.  There isn’t one.” – Wisdom

Funny lines:

• “I always pictured you with a white beard.” – Mack

“I think that’s Santa.” – God

• “Honey, you have no idea how much I’m doing right now!” – God
• “Do you like Neil Young?  I’m especially fond of him.” – God
• “Serei can be very persuasive.” – Jesus

“If only I were smart enough to understand a word she says.” - Mack

Tips for parents: 

• The film addresses child abuse, abduction, murder, domestic violence, alcoholism, hypocrisy, religion, Christianity and other heavy subjects.
•  Mack says, "OMG!", but God immediately forgives him; otherwise, no profanity in this movie.  Yay! 

@trinaboice 

Secret In Their Eyes has satisfying and creepy double twist at the end

Movie:    Secret in their Eyes

Rating:    PG-13, 1 hour 51 minutes

Grade:   B-

In a Nutshell:   The source material is an Argentine crime thriller that won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009.  (“El Secreto De Sus Ojos”).  Despite its talented cast and Julia Roberts’ stellar performance, this remake isn't as good as the original and probably won’t win any awards.   Joining Roberts is Nicole Kidman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dean Norris, and Alfred Molina.

It’s a disturbing movie that is dark, sad and depressing.  You leave the theater thinking “Ew” and “Oh” and “Ah” all at the same time.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Revenge doesn’t bring peace.

·         Does the end justify the means?
      Blood is thick.  A mother's love is thicker.

·         “Passions are like maps.  Passion always wins.” – Jess

Things I liked:

·         Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) tells Jess (Julia Roberts) that she looks like she’s a million years old.  She really does.  You can physically see the weight and pain she has worn for 13 years after her daughter was murdered.   Julia Roberts looks old, tired, and even...dare I say it... average.  Now, that’s good acting by a beautiful actress!

·         Julia’s heart-felt cries at her daughter’s crime scene were extremely believable and compelling.  I could hear soft whimpers and sobs in the audience during that entire emotional unraveling.

·         I love movie titles that make you think, although I think even more could have been done with this one.

·         Did you notice the piano outside the house with drinks on it?  What a fun idea for a night-time party….hard on the piano, though, unless you live in clear skies Los Angles, where the movie takes place.

·         There is some subtle humor that helps cut the tension every now and then.

·         I just taught my college students the word “predilection” the very day I saw this movie in the theater, so I was pleased to hear Jess use it in a sentence.  (Hint:  It means a preference or partiality for something.)

·         Cool camera views over Dodger Stadium. 

·         Good for Chiwetel Ejiofor for having two movies out in theaters at the same time!  (Hint:  The other one is The Martian.)

      SPOILER ALERT:  I love the double twist at the end.  Creepy though, yet satisfying.
      I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the movie poster looks like a woman's view from her burka. There is a Muslim element in the film with the crime scene taking place just outside a mosque and some discussion about the post-9/11 fear towards Islam.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Writer and director Billy Ray thought mixing up the original story would give it a sense of urgency.  Wrong.  The movie lunges from present day back to the past, sometimes making it confusing to keep the timeline straight.  It’s often difficult to find clues to help you quickly ascertain which of the two decades you are seeing, as the background and even clothing are the same.  The result is a messy mix with bad transitions that don’t flow and a confused audience.

·         It’s a bit slow-moving.

Funny lines:  

·         “They teach you some version of ‘Yes, Sir!’ at the Bureau, don’t they?”  - Martin Morales (Alfred Molina)

·         “You really are an idiot….medically.” – Jess

·         “Harvard law doesn’t date community college.  Stop hitting on my new hire.” – Martin Morales

Tips for Parents:

·         This is not a family entertainment film, especially for young children.  The theme is very dark.

·         Some profanity, death, unpleasant images, and violence.