“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. 👌👌👌
The Incredibles 2
Remember a few months ago when I wrote that I am usually wary of sequels that are made many years after the original? They usually are a pale reminder of the first film. “The Incredibles 2” is an exception. Coming to us fourteen years after the first film, this one is fresh, witty, original and fun. The characters from “The Incredibles” are back plus a couple of new ones. In this version super heroes are illegal. Elastigirl is called on to show the world that there is a need for their kind. She must leave her family, which now consists of a baby named Jack-Jack, with her husband who is overwhelmed. The baby, who all but steals the show, has all kinds of powers which he doesn’t know how to control. Frozone and Edna Mode return and are hilarious. This is one of those films that is written on two levels; It’s perfect for kids and adults will enjoy the more mature references and jokes. Pixar has done it again!👌👌👌👌👌
Gotti
It is rare that a film gets a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, but here is one that did just that. “Gotti” is the story of John Gotti, the Teflon Don. The film is obviously a vanity project for John Travolta, who is made up to look like the real Gotti. His wife, Kelly Preston, plays Mrs. Gotti showing the world that she can act hysterical and speak with a phony New York accent. It’s not that the film is so bad, but it is very choppy, almost like they filmed a bunch of scenes and then threw them together. I read that they went through four directors and it shows. This is one of those films to watch on a rainy afternoon when there is literally nothing else on T.V. Hard to believe that this is the star from “Saturday Night Fever” and “Pulp Fiction”.
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.
Ocean’s Eight
“Ocean’s Eight” is for to a sequel to “Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen”. In this one Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie, puts together a team of women to carry out a pretty outrageous heist. Instead of Las Vegas, it takes place at an exclusive Metropolitan Museum affair. The writing is clever and the actresses are wonderful. Sandra Bullock is Debbie Ocean and Cate Blanchett is her partner, Lou. The rest of the cast includes Helena Bonham-Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, and Awkwafina. The latter two all but steal the show. Very entertaining. Like the other Ocean movies, it’s smooth and fun.
Show Dogs
It is a sad commentary on the state of the film industry when there very few good movies out on Memorial Day weekend. I realize that they all can’t be “Deadpool”, “Solo” or “Book Club”, but this is depressing. And with my Movie Pass burning in my pocket, what am I to do? So I went to see “Show Dogs” and am not proud to admit it. The premise is that a police dog must infiltrate a dog show in Las Vegas. It’s basically “Miss Congeniality” with a Rottweiler named Max instead of Sandra Bullock and without any of the wit, charm or writing. The human stars are Will Arnett, one of my least favorite actors, and Natasha Lyonne, who is usually edgy and funny. They cleaned her up so much that I didn’t[t recognize her for half of the movie. This is one of those movies to avoid. If you have a five year old to take to it you will be doing them a favor if you stay home and rent “Coco” instead.
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.
Deadpool 2
I must admit that the original “Deadpool” was my favorite movie of 2016, so when they announced a sequel I was excited. I was also nervous that the new film would not live up to the original. I always say that the only sequel that was as good as the first movie was “The Godfather, Part II”. Well that film now has a buddy because “Deadpool 2” is as funny, action-packed, filthy, and snarky as the original. It is also quite bloody, but like the original, not in a believable way. Deadpool is still never at a loss for words and takes almost no one seriously. This time the villian comes from the future to kill a mutant adolescent who has the ability to shoot fire from his hands, is from New Zealand and is the self-proclaimed first plus-sized super hero. Lots of plot twists and unbelievable things happen. It would be hard to describe which part of the film was the funniest or best, but I would have to say the scene with the baby legs is a classic. I loved this movie. Be forewarned that there is a lot of violence and swearing, mostly in a sarcastic, snarky way.
Book Club
“Book Club” is a comedy for the more mature set starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen as lifelong friends who start reading the Fifty Shades of Gray series The books turn the three staid ones, Keaton, Bergen and Steenburgen, into mild sex fiends and Fonda, the aggressive one, ends up having a normal romance for once. All of the actresses are wonderful and each has at least one hilarious moment. My only criticism is that the ending was kind of predictable. Still, it was enjoyable watching these pros in action. By the way, Jane Fonda’s plastic surgeon should be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects. At 80 she looks great and it ain’t natural.
Mark's Movie Reviews 