Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” is obviously the sequel to “Mamma Mia!”, this time without Meryl Streep mostly. Her daughter is getting ready to reopen the hotel. At the same time Meryl’s (Donna) back story is told and we learn how she met the three fathers. Lots of ABBA music, well done, and appealing characters, but the situations are a bit forced. Cute but not great.

The Equalizer 2

“The Equalizer 2” is another summer sequel, this time with Denzel Washington as a bad ass, avenging innocent victims. He helps out a kid being recruited by a neighborhood gang, the murder of a friend, a holocaust survivor, and others. One lesson that his enemies don’t figure out until it is too late is don’t mess with Robert McCall, Washington’s character. The movie starts off with a bang, literally, and keeps going from there. Denzel is excellent, as always, and we learn a little bit more why he became the loner he has become. Not quite as dark as the original, it is still violent, but compelling. A good action film.

The Catcher is a Spy

I knew nothing about Moe Berg, a baseball player from the 1920’s and ’30’s. He was a Princeton graduate, major league baseball player, could speak something like eight languages and was Jewish. The OSS recruited him during World War II to find out if one of Germany’s top scientists was close to developing the atomic bomb. He did so by going to Europe and infiltrating Nazi circles. The movie stars Paul Rudd in a totally serious role and he does a good job. He plays Berg as an enigma, someone who doesn’t get close to anyone. The film is slow and not always interesting, even if the story is. It was released on Netflix, not in theaters, so you can watch it at home. Not the greatest, but like I said, it is an interesting, little know part of our history. P.S. Berg’s baseball card is the only one on display at CIA headquarters.

Uncle Drew

“Uncle Drew” is basketball comedy starring basketball players made up to look like old men. A guy is trying to put together a team to win a Harlem tournament in order to win the contest money. His initial team is stolen by a rival and he ends up meeting up with Uncle Drew, a great player from the 1960’s. They reunite his old teammates, who still can play ball. The old men are hilarious and the supporting cast is wonderful. Nick Kroll plays the rival as a wannabe thug and Tiffany Haddish steals every scene she is in. An unexpected summer comedy gem, go see it if you want a few laughs.

Ant-Man and the Wasp

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” is obviously the sequel to “Ant-Man”, which was clever, witty and funny. This one tries to bring back that magic, but doesn’t quite make it. This time Paul Rudd’s character is three days from getting off of two years of house arrest for his role in helping the Avengers in Germany. (Holy crossover!) Professor Van Dyne and his daughter Hope are in hiding, but are about to figure how to find his wife from the quantum realm. They need Antman to help them so they get him out of his house. Meanwhile an arms dealer wants the technology as does another person with super powers. Interesting, but not as tight as the original. Michael Pena provides comic relief as Antman’s business partner and Stan Lee’s cameo is funny. Good action, especially the shrinking and growing sequences. Not Marvel’s best, but not it’s worst. .

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

The documentary about Fred Rogers, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, is the story of a man who truly had a gift for communicating with children. He felt his mission was to communicate with them and address topics that most adults didn’t know how to approach such as death, divorce, prejudice and a multitude of others. His approach was simple. In the end he was loved by millions of children. The documentary is told by the people who worked with and knew Rogers. Seeing this film makes you believe that there are good people in the world.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is the sequel to the reboot of the Jurassic Park series. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard star again. This time the island where the dinosaurs live is about to be engulfed by volcanos and they must be evacuated. An eccentric billionaire who financed the development of the park underwrites the journey, but the whole plan is not what it seems. As in the other films, the special effects are amazing. Pratt is his usual smart ass hero. May biggest problem with the film is that Bryce Dallas Howard is not running through this movie in high heels like she did in the last one. Quite disappointing. Not very original, but still enjoyable.

Tag

Here is one of those stupid-funny guy movies. Interestingly it is based on a true story. Five childhood friends have been playing tag with each other in the month of May for over twenty years. They come up with outrageous ways to tag one another, but one of them has never been tagged and he is getting married. The characters range from a successful CEO to a slacker. Besides the slapstick and craziness, this film includes women in the mix. One of the wives, played by Isla Fischer, is as gung ho as the guys. Someone needs to give her a lead in a female comedy. This film is not Oscar material, but it is funny, has some originality and has an enjoyable cast. Ed Helms, Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm lead the cast, but Jake Johnson and Hannibal Burress dominate the scenes they are in. A fun diversion. 👌👌👌

Hotel Artemis

I went to see “Hotel Artemis” because it stars Jodie Foster. I had heard nothing about it prior. The plot takes place in the near future and Foster runs a hospital for criminals. If they are injured and have a membership they are admitted. The action takes place on a night that there is rioting in Los Angeles because the corporation that owns the water supply has cut it off to the masses. Meanwhile a hood and his gang take advantage of the rioting by breaking into a bank. While escaping they are shot and go to the Hotel. Also there are an arms dealer and a hit woman at the hospital. Finally the head of the local underworld, who is also the owner of the hospital needs medical assistance. A lot of other stuff happens. The action doesn’t stop and the atmosphere is kind of modern-noir. Foster plays a woman in her 60’s or 70’s. Very interesting and well executed, this dark study kept my interest and kept me guessing.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

“Solo” is the back story for Han Solo. If you don’t know who Han Solo is, you can stop reading now. We find out that he was a street kid who lived by his wits and stole to survive. Aiden Ehrenreich stars as the young Solo and does a decent job. Still, it takes a bit to get used to him after seeing Harrison Ford in the role for over forty years. As the movie goes on he grows on you with his cocky attitude. As important as the lead role is, we learn how he met Chewie. Once they are together, the movie really takes off. Woody Harrelson plays a thief for hire who adopts Solo. And there is a love interest who goes back and forth in her allegiance to Han. All in all a very entertaining and worthy installment in the Star Wars saga.