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• The Foreigner (R, 2017)

  - by fb100000124099262

  Pretty much every late 50's to late 60's male actor is looking for their own "Taken". Ever since Lia... read morem Neeson brilliantly played the revenge-father in Taken, it sure seems like their been an uprising in older actor-action films. Jackie Chan gets his chance with that in The Foreigner, based on Stephen Leather's novel, The Chinaman.
  
  In many ways, this feels like an original action film, and we just don't get many of those anymore. Chan plays a father who loses his daughter in a bombing by Irish terrorists, and risks everything to exact revenge upon the perpetrators. Pierce Brosnan (in a reunion with Bond director Martin Campbell) plays a government official, who may or may not have intel regarding the "Authentic IRA" bombers. Both men are playing against-type characters and are easily the best part of The Foreigner.
  
  I think the main problem that plagues the film is the lack of focus. I was under the impression that this was mostly a revenge story starring Chan. However, the film is actually probably more so about English and Irish intelligence and their inner political drama with each other. There are good chunks of them where Chan seems to disappear to make room for drama between those intelligence agencies dramatic plot points.
  
  Not that all of that isn't interesting on it's own, but I think the balance doesn't seem to be there. I would have much preferred the film to be focused solely on Chan's quest for revenge. With that said, there are plenty of inventive action sequences and hand-to-hand combat that feels like only something Jackie Chan can pull off to its fullest potential. And the against type performances are worth the price of admission alone.
  
  7.0/10

• The Lego Ninjago Movie (PG, 2017)

  - by fb1025970122

  Well, the time has come, but admittedly, it came a little quicker than I thought it might. The LEGO ... read moreMovie brand has seemingly run out of gas in what is no doubt only its first act. Though it was just in February of this year that it seemed it was the LEGO brand, behind Marvel of course, that was having the most success in carving their own path out of a recognizable brand things have quickly changed with the rise of Wonder Woman and the misstep that is The LEGO Ninjago Movie. After blowing all expectations out of the water with The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, 21 & 22 Jump Street) set not only a precedent for any sequels and spin-offs that might come in the wake of their success, but they also set a very specific tone that has now served as the signature trait of that initial film, The LEGO Batman Movie from earlier this year, and now Ninjago as it attempts to be just as irreverent as its predecessors. Ninjago is different though in that, while the first film had the brand as a whole to market and LEGO Batman obviously had Batman as a marketing tool, Ninjago is a specific line of toys from the Lego brand that has made its way into a television show and now a feature film. The point being that, because it has narrowed the brand down into such a specific line of toys it has narrowed the appeal as well. That isn't to say that just because Ninjago isn't as immediately recognizable or notable as the brand's previous outings that it immediately carries less weight, but rather that it has more to prove to more people. The LEGO Movie itself had a lot to prove, but surprised everyone when it was able to balance its great sense of humor with real heart while Ninjago more or less seems to be piggybacking off that _b_style rather than coming up with a unique voice of its own through which to convey its movie. It was always going to be curious how Warner Bros. Animation went forward with the Lego universe in terms of each of the films sharing a similar tone or if they would divert according to the toy line and/or type of story they were telling, but with Batman and now Ninjago it is pretty clear each "LEGO Movie" will follow suit in the self-aware and spoof-like nature of that original outing. While this isn't the worst thing in the world it already feels somewhat tired three films in and though the movie's trio of directors who have plenty of experience between them have done well to follow the precedent set by other Lego pictures they have done little to help Ninjago stand enough apart from them for it to be memorable.
  
  read the whole review at www.reviewsfromabed.com

• Blade Runner 2049 (R, 2017)

  - by fb1710827246

  The quintessential science-fiction masterpiece of this century.

• It (R, 2017)

  - by fb1442511448

  It has a terrific blend of horrors, humor and heart. The new adaptation of the Stephen King novel pr... read moreovides some very charming characters, frightening sequences and a surprisingly heartfelt feel that holds up against the original adaptation as well as many horror flicks to date. 4.5/5

• Happy Death Day (PG-13, 2017)

  - by fb100000124099262

  We've had a nice little resurgence of great horror films the last few years, and Happy Death Day is ... read moreno different. It's really not all that scary of a film, only presenting a few jump scares here and there. It succeeds far more as a Jessica Rothe driving force of charm, wit, and charisma.
  
  Having a bit part in La La Land, Jessica Rothe gets her first starring role as Tree Gelbman, a college student who awakens in an unknown dorm room on her birthday and finds herself reliving the same day over and over again as an unknown masked person stalks and murders her each night. As I said this isn't a film that will keep you up at night, instead, it works with its (semi) unique story structure and rapid pace. Yes, this film feels a whole lot like Groundhog Day and Edge of Tomorrow, heck, it even mentions the inspiration at one point. But there's something to be said for a horror film to have such a fun tone and lead. Seriously, this film lives and dies with how good Jessica Rothe is.
  
  Luckily, there's a few twists and turns along the way to keep the film from falling into typical horror cliches (which is does inevitably do every now and then). However, as long as the film is entertaining and presents a serviceable script with likable performances, that's enough to keep me in the theater. Granted, the script and some supporting performances are admittedly bland. I always feel like young actors have a tough time pulling off realistic students, high school or college. The script is smart as a whole, but some individual lines are something I would expect from a really low-budget horror film, not something that would come from Blumhouse Productions.
  
  What I will say about Happy Death Day is that it's one of the few horror films that I think is pretty easy to re-watch. Nothing nightmarish attached, a very enjoyable turn from Rothe, and a well structured mystery- thriller. It's weird to say, but the horror genre is really starting to grow on me.
  
  7.8/10

• Kingsman: The Golden Circle (R, 2017)

  - by FiLmCrAzY

  Mush up of the first....but with less of the spark. An unnecessary sequel, vaguely amusing in places... read more!

• Blade Runner 2049 (R, 2017)

  - by bradley2296

  Denis Villeneuve is quickly becoming my favorite modern director. His ability to captivate an audien... read morece within an environment using mood and tone has always been on point. Prisoners drew me into its bleak world, Arrival was enchanting, and now Blade Runner 2049 maintains a grim but visually inspired atmosphere. Ryan Gosling turns in another complex performance that highlights the inner humanity within his replicant soul. His character is given a nearly shocking twist before the climax of the film which turns the story from a predictable hero's journey chosen one thread, into a very different path for our protagonist. It is a nice twist and one that actually enlivens the narrative to a stronger height than what could have been. What is a minor problem with the film, is the pacing and length which occasionally takes too much time to explain a simple idea or moment. Villeneuve no doubt favors the slow burn, but it is used a bit too frequently without real need. Patience is, however, rewarded in many aspects with Blade Runner 2049 and prior knowledge to the original is not needed but of much use as it aids in providing background information to events in the new version. I wasn't familiar with original and still grasped the ambitious themes on humanity. It is a work that allowed me to dig deeper into the themes after watching it and one that will rewards multiple viewings. Rating: 82

• American Made (R, 2017)

  - by ROBLOXEpicLadySponge

  Tom Cruise puts the nail in his latest film called American Made. While that isn't saying much, the ... read moremovie takes in a completely different experience one would not expect to see in a while.

• Blade Runner 2049 (R, 2017)

  - by FiLmCrAzY

  A visually stunning piece of story telling, shame it moves at a glacial pace with nothing overly exc... read moreiting happening!

• Blade Runner 2049 (R, 2017)

  - by pier007

  If I experience a variety of emotions in a film, and even long after it has finished, I keep ponderi... read moreng about its significance, it is simply because I witnessed something truly remarkable. A unique sensorial experience that defies the narrative conventions of its time, dwells on a shattering quest for identity, finds soulful beauty in the grime, and exalts the humanity behind the facades of technology. Denis Villeneuve poured his love and talent all over the story, aided by the marvellous eye of Roger Deakins. As a long life admirer of Philip K. Dick and Ridley Scott, this is a worthy successor of the legacy they crafted.