Worst Movies of 2017

Every year I say I am going to watch less bad movies, yet every year I have no trouble filling out this list. Read about my misery below.

10. Justice League overstepped its boundary by trying to do what Marvel has done but without doing any of the groundwork. 

9. 47 Meters Down pulls one of the lamest third acts twists of all time. Based off the information you receive at the end, it makes the entire movie pointless and makes you wonder why you watched the movie in the first place

8. A Ghost Story. I guess I just did not get it.

7. Transformers 5 continues the trend of this terrible franchise. The only reason it is so low on this list is because it was about what I expected from it.

6. Wish Upon feels like Final Destination for kids. Dumb reveals and terrible acting makes you wonder why they even bothered in the first place.

5. The Bad Batch is dangerous for your health. I almost fell asleep while watching it on a treadmill.

4. Underworld: Blood Wars was the first film in the franchise I have seen. I doubt I will go back and watch the rest.

3. Kidnap may have been number one but I fell asleep for about 30 minutes while watching it. Yet that other hour would have been bad for a TV show. The decision to put this on the big screen will forever give me hope I may have a chance in this business.

2. The Circle is perhaps the most disappointing film. The waste of such a high profile cast is one of the many reasons this movie makes me so angry. The story goes no where and the message is a little too on the nose.

1. Geostorm is close to being so bad that it is good. But no, it's just bad.

Best Movies of 2017

These are my favorite movies of 2017. They aren't necessarily the best crafted, but they entertained me the most. This past year was actually quite surprising for me personally, as many of the top blockbusters were slightly disappointing while arthouse films came out of nowhere and blew me away.

Honorable Mentions

Brawl in Cell Block 99, Shot Caller, The Shape of Water, It Comes at Night

The List

11. Molly's Game is perhaps the best written film of 2017. Aaron Sorkin's dialogue is paired by a great lead performance to make one of the best gambling movies of the past few years.

10. Brigsby Bear is a quirky little film that somehow is able to live up to its premise. Both funny and inspirational, this is a movie that comes out of nowhere to brighten your day just a little. Very underrated and I highly recommend.

9. Logan Lucky is very smart despite how dumb its characters appear to be. Think if Ocean's 11 was full of hillbillies and that is what this movie is. Gets funnier on rewatches as much of the humor can fly right over your head the first time.

8. mother! is a film that I did not expect to be on this list even after walking out of theater. Yet the more I thought about it, the more I liked and felt like it was well deserving to be here. Aronofsky is one of the best filmmakers working today.

7. Finding Frances is a great documentary about love and finding your place in the world. Although technically a TV show, its runtime allows it a spot on this list and I have a big soft spot for Nathan Fielder.

6. Logan transcends both the superhero and comic book movie genres. In a year full of both genres, this movie featured real stakes paired with heartbreaking performances, making it a must see and finding it on this list.

5. Baby Driver is a fantastic showcase of a director's singular style. From its pace to its soundtrack, this movie stands above the rest for the sheer artistry on display.

4. The Killing of a Sacred Deer is darkly disturbing and deeply thrilling. The less you know about it the better. But know that if you watch it, you may not be the same afterwords.

3. Lady Bird is perhaps the most surprising entry on this list. But its great character development and clever editing give this coming-of-age story a fresh feeling and you want to keep watching long after the credits roll.

2. Get Out is exhilarating, taking the horror genres places that it had not been for quite some time. Although social commentary is prevalent throughout, the greatness of the movie is not because of it.

1. Dunkirk is more of a spectacle than a film, but that does not diminish its overall impact. Rather than focus on characters, Christopher Nolan focuses on the strategy of the evacuation as a whole. This movie takes a war film to a place that they seldom go and is all the better for it.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

     

     Star Wars: The Last Jedi is directed by Rian Johnson (Looper) and stars Daisy Ridley (Murder on the Orient Express), John Boyega (Detroit), and Mark Hamill (Kingsman: The Secret Service). It tells the continued story of the Resistance's fight against the First Order, as well as Rey discovering her place within the force with the help of Luke Skywalker.

     The return of the Star Wars franchise in December has been a quite the new Christmas tradition. While The Force Awakens was great, Rogue One was bit of a misstep, so my expectations were slightly lower but none the less still incredibly high. And Rian Johnson behind the lens was an incredibly exciting prospect. The man behind the three of the best episodes of Breaking Bad, as well as the 2012 film Looper, taking the reigns of an episode hopefully meant something new and refreshing.

     One of my favorite parts of the new film was the expansion on the mythos within the film franchise. From a deeper dive into an exploration of the Force to new species and races of aliens and animals, The Last Jedi expands on a galaxy far, far away a lot more than previous installments had. Although more seasoned Star Wars fans may have already been privy to many of the new things, as a viewer of only the movies it was interesting to learn more about this part of the universe.

     As with any Star Wars movie, the special effects are some of the best. From space battles to island training, each visual on screen makes the viewer feel as if they are actually there to experience it. And the battle on the salt mining planet was some of the best visual effects that I have ever seen.

     Many in the cast gave standout performances. Adam Driver as Kylo Ren delivered an incredibly complex character. His arc throughout these first two movies has been fantastic storytelling and it is exciting to see where the third film will take him. Carrie Fischer delivers a poignant performance in a role tinged by real life tragedy. Hamil's real return as Luke gives an almost completely new take on the character. The 30 years in movie since Luke last appearing has really changed the character and his outlook on life. This is not the Luke you may have been expecting, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. 

     But The Last Jedi is not without its far share of problems. Perhaps the biggest being the pacing of the film. Clocking in at almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, the first hour has moments that screech the movie to a standstill. Thirty minutes could have been seemingly cut with ease. I specifically know of one storyline that did nothing to the overall arch of the story but for spoiler sake will not mention exactly what happened. 

     Whereas the new characters from the last film continued to impress with their energy and emotional layers, the new characters introduced this time around were less than stellar. Laura Dern felt completely unnecessary as Vice Admiral Holdo, almost as if there to suck the fun out of our heroes. Kelly Maria Tran was fun as Rose, but the decisions she makes are inconsequential and her character is trivial with regards to the action of the movie as a whole. Benicio Del Toro was at least trying something interesting with his codebreaker DJ, but again the choices he makes seem to go against character again and again. 

     Another problem I had with the movie was the overall tone. Each subplot seemed to have a different tone. Some deeply dramatic with world altering implications. Others comedic to the point of slapstick. Many movies are able to use the two to its full advantage, but The Last Jedi switches between the two at a moments notice leading to jarring moments. 

     Although many actors are giving outstanding performances, the top of the notch special effects, and the interesting possibilities of the expanded mythos, The Last Jedi ultimately feels like a steppingstone in-between two movies rather than a standalone film. It almost feels unfair to judge it without the knowledge of what is coming next.

When to watch it?

Dollar Theater (or maybe wait until Episode IX comes out)

Mount Rushmore of Action Stars

     Crafting a Mount Rushmore is somewhat of a cultural touchstone. When completed in 1941, I am sure naysayers arose over if those four presidents were the ones most deserving of being immortalized. Since only four people can make up the mountain, endless debate can arise from the controversy. Countless hours have been spent on sports radio discussing who makes up the four greatest NBA players. Playlists after playlists give a voice to those who want to decide on the greatest in the rap game. But today I have taken on the unenviable task of deciding who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Action Movie Stars.
     I would say 1980 begins the era of action movies. That year is when the schlock and gore really began to amp up and create the legends we know today. On a side note, this Mount has no honorable mentions. Mount Rushmore has four presidents and this list will have four actors. Below you will find the list in no particular order.

Keanu Reeves

     Point Break alone reserves Keanu a spot on this list. From his bromance with Patrick Swayze to the iconic heists, this film highlights what makes Reeves such a great action movie star. Is he a great actor? Maybe, maybe not. But the roles he chooses are magnetic and full of dumb fun. While Point Break established Reeves as an action movie actor, The Matrix may be what makes him a full on action movie star. Smarter than your typical action film, The Matrix still delivers on fight scenes and classic lines. But let's just forget about those sequels. The resurgence of Keanu with John Wick cements his place on my Mount. Turning what could have been another throwaway action movie with an aging star into one of the best action films of this century hinged on the lead role. And Reeves most definitely delivers. And I didn't even mention Speed.

Tom Cruise

     Cruise is perhaps the most versatile actor on this Mount. And probably the best. Although his action films are a bit more serious, that does not make them any less fun. He has quite a diverse filmography, which makes the action films he chooses all the more interesting. Top Gun is his most campy, but still delivers on the emotion. The Mission Impossible franchise alone would probably get Cruise a spot on this list. The set pieces are big and brash, yet Cruise is able to bring a human side to them. This century, Cruise has focused more on science fiction action films, and has delivered time and again in Minority Report, Edge of Tomorrow, and War of the Worlds. Even some of his more serious movie, like Collateral, still give Cruise a chance to show off his action side.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

     Arnold is perhaps the most obvious choice. His name is attached to classic franchise after classic franchise, and it is hard to see anyone else pull of the roles that he does. Even though he seems to only deliver the muscles, he often conjures up genuine emotion, however subtle it may be. As the years have passed by, his stone may be beggineng to crack, but his spot is still well deserved from Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, The Running Man, Commando, Conan the Barbarian, Last Action Hero, True Lies, Escape Plan, and the Expendables franchise. Looking at it now I do not know if he will ever leave this list.

Nicolas Cage

     My Mount Rushmore would feel incomplete without the addition of Nicolas Cage. The path his career has taken is something that should be studied in colleges. When discussing the greatest movie trilogies of all time, one of my personal picks would be the unofficial trilogy of The Rock, Con Air, and Face/Off. These three movies epitomize the action genre and each one sees Cage front and center. His manic facial expressions and over the top movement helps to heighten the action on display and humanize some of the more intense moments of the films. And who doesn't love National Treasure?

So this is my list of Mount Rushmore Action Movie stars. It could possibly change but right now it is set in stone. Let me know who you would have on your list.

Nathan for You: Finding Frances

     Finding Frances is directed by is directed by Nathan Fielder and stars Fielder, William "Bill" Heath, and Cornelius Ladd. It is a documentary, telling the story of a Bill Gates impersonator's quest for finding his lost love and explores the themes of identity, purpose, and happiness.
     Nathan for You has been one of the most consistently funny shows for the past few years. Riding off the success of shows such as Shark Tank, Nathan for You has found its way onto my TV year in and year out. The premise is that a young Canadian will help struggling business owners to increase profits. But that does not even begin to tell the whole story. Rather than by following traditional strategies to maximize revenue, Nathan Fielder looks for the most extreme. And the hilarity of the situation is heightened by Nathan's deadpan approach. Comedy Central has knocked it out of the park with this show. And when a feature length finale was announced for season 4, I was excited.
     While other episodes focus on business ideas, Finding Frances focuses on reuniting a lost love. Bill Gate's impersonator William Heath recounts to Nathan about his biggest life regret: not professing his love to a woman named Frances some 50 years ago. But this simpler approach does not lead to less extravagance on the part of the show. Key scenes include creating a 47 year high school reunion and faking a sequel to the Matthew McConaughey film Mud in order to steal yearbooks from an Arkansas high school. To see the rest you just need to watch the episode.
     This finale excels in ways that the show had never previously. The comedy is still there, yet a tragedy is revealed at the same time. The exploration of what love means is fascinating. Nathan has quietly been exploring this topic throughout his seasons, but this finale expands on his ideology. Through a series of events, Fielder begins a non-sexual relationship with a prostitute. Through their conversations, Nathan begins to wonder if this is the first real companionship he has ever felt. The viewer is left empathizing with his plight to find love through this self realization. As Nathan contemplates Heath's quest for love, he begins to realize that he too is rapidly heading down this road.  Nathan's thoughts are summated in this quote from the show: “A part of me wondered if Bill was just a bored old man looking for an adventure to keep himself busy, or maybe when you prioritize your career for too long, you just become desperate for any human connection.” Through Nathan for You, Nathan himself may have lost sight of any real connection, through no fault of his own.
     Surprisingly, Finding Frances took me to place I never thought Nathan for You would, or even could. Yes I laughed out loud many times throughout the episode. But I also cared the titular character, something that many comedies struggle with. We laugh along with the characters, but we feel with them as well.

When should you watch?
Opening Night (Had this been released to theaters, I would have gone out and paid money to see it on the big screen. Thankfully, it is streaming on comedycentral.com right now)

Lady Bird

     Lady Bird is directed and written by Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha) and stars Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn), Laurie Metcalf (Scream 2), and Timothee Chalamet (Interstellar). It tells the coming-of-age story of Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, a teenager trying to navigate her world in Northern California.
     The hype train for this movie started all the way back in September, when it first premiered at Telluride Film Festival. Since then it has garnered nothing but positive reviews from every critic. Naturally, this had me quite excited for Greta Gerwig's directorial debut.
     I found this movie to be extremely engaging and fascinating. The longline seemed like something I would normally stray away from, yet the performances instantly drew me in. Saoirse Ronan was magnetic in the titular role. Her ability to make you feel how she felt was great. And although you do not always side with the decisions she makes, you can see her thought process and understand how she got there. Metcalf was also great as Ronan's mother. Although the two are at odds throughout the majority of the runtime, their heart for each other ultimately shines through in a beautiful way.
     The coming-of-age genre has tropes that have begun to plague it. When stories begin to follow these tropes, they become trite and boring. Yet Lady Bird manages to turn many of these tropes on their heads, leading to quite the refreshing movie going experience. Plot points I imagined going one way were abruptly sent in another direction. Small things like this left me not knowing what would happen next, a pleasant surprise in today's movie going age.
     I tried to think of something I did not like about this movie, and I could not come up with anything. I smiled. I laughed. I felt for the characters. Overall, a great movie going experience and Lady Bird is possibly one of the best films of the year.

When should you see it?
Opening Night

Dunkirk

     Dunkirk is directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) and stars Tom Hardy (Locke), Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), and Fionn Whitehead. It tells the intersecting stories of three different events all occurring within the same week at Dunkirk during World War II.
     Christopher Nolan's name alone will sell me on his films after he has crafted some of the best films this century. Even with few details released before the release of the film, I was still sold on seeing this movie opening weekend. It sees the reunion of Nolan and Hardy after The Dark Knight Rises and introduces British actor Fionn Whitehead. Nolan and war epic seemed to go hand in hand, so heading into the theater I was beyond ready to be immersed into whatever story Nolan had to tell.
     This film is a powerhouse of cinematic glory, but perhaps not in the way we have become accustomed to. Gone are cutaway scenes of battle hardened men bonding over a campfire, replaced by tension filled moments leaving you on the edge of your seat. Rather than focus on any one certain person or place, Nolan expertly weaves between three events: a land evacuation, a boater coming to the rescue of the evacuees, and a dog fight over the evacuation. Just as one event begins to lag, we are whisked to the action of something a little more exciting.
     Perhaps the biggest complaint I hear about the movie is lack of characters. I understand where this argument is coming from, yet I vehemently disagree. Rather than learn about the backstories of the characters, we are immersed into the world that they live in. The small victories won in such harrowing circumstances are felt within ones own soul. This is not your typical war movie, which is welcomed all the more.
     I am not one to notice the scores of a film, yet I could not help but feel the overwhelming effect of Hans Zimmer's music. It added to the tenseness of certain scenes and the overall emotion felt by the viewer. The ticking of clock can be heard throughout, adding to the unease as we hope our protagonists make it out alive. By not casting big name actors in the roles of soldiers on the beach, we as audience are unsure who will make it back to the mainland.
     Christopher Nolan adds to his impressive resume with perhaps his second greatest movie. War feels real as we are forced to live through some of the most harrowing moments with the characters as they try to survive.

When should you see it?
Opening Night

Quick Reviews: Murder on the Orient Express, Wonder, A Bad Mom's Christmas

Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express is directed by Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet) and stars Branagh, Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), along with many more award winning actors and actresses. It tells the story of world famous detective Hercule Poirot in 1920s Europe, as he seeks to unravel the murder on the train he is traveling on.

Pros

- Kenneth Branagh's mustache

- Fun first act

- Beautiful exterior shots

Cons

- Odd pacing

- Too many characters to give proper time to

- Lackluster ending

Verdict: Redbox

Wonder

Wonder is directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and stars Jacob Tremblay (Room), Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), and Julia Roberts (Money Monster). It tells the story of August Pullman, a middle schooler held back by facial differences, as he enters the fifth grade, putting himself into the real world for the first time.

Pros

- Great makeup on Tremblay

- Tugs on the heart strings with realism

- Interesting points of view

Cons

- Sappy in certain moments

- Lack of Owen Wilson

- Unsurprisingly some child actors turned in awful performances

Verdict: Wait a Week

A Bad Moms Christmas

A Bad Moms Christmas is directed by Jon Lucas (21 & Over) and Scott Moore (Bad Moms) and stars Mila Kunis (Ted), Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and Kathryn Hahn (We're the Millers). It tells of the continuing adventures of three moms, this time as they attempt to navigate the holiday season, made harder when their respective moms decide to crash the festivities.

Pros

- Fun chemistry of the cast

- Surprisingly heartfelt scenes

- Better than original

Cons

- Head scratchingly dumb character decisions

- Profanity in the place of comedy at certain moments

- Quick resolution

Verdict: Dollar Theater

Justice League

     Justice League is half directed by Zac Snyder (300) and half directed by Joss Whedon (The Avengers) and stars Ben Affleck (The Town), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wall Flower), Jason Momoa (Conan the Barbarian) and Ray Fisher. It tells the story of the Bruce Wayne enlisting the help of other superpowers individuals in order to face the greatest threat the world as ever seen, Steppenwolf.

     The DCEU has been struggling through its first four movies. Man of Steel started it off, and is arguably the best it has ever been. The following films felt very hobbled together, with no clear direction or focus. This year's Wonder Woman made it feel like it may have been getting back on track, bring promise to the future of the franchise. Justice League was plagued by behind the scenes problems, and the fact that it came out in December is nothing short of a miracle. Heading into the movie, I was optimistic but skeptical.

     To put it lightly, Justice League is a mess. Hacked and chopped to pieces, scenes feel out of place and cobbled together. Characters make decisions out of nowhere, and you cannot help but feel that a lot of exposition was cut in favor of action. The fact that $300 million was spent on this movie is incredible because none of that money is on display. The special effects are unfinished and green screen moments are so obvious it makes you cringe.

     Some positives in the movies are the moments between the members of the Justice League. Even in end-of-times scenarios, they still find time to have fun and build relationships. The only problem is that for some of these characters, it is the only character-building time we get. And there inlays the biggest issue of the film: the team up movie should not be the first time we are introduced to over half the team. Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg had practically no time in any movie before suddenly being put into the spotlight. A two-hour movie does not give enough time to establish all the new characters and put them into a fight to save the world.

     Is there a good movie somewhere inside of the movie we got? Possibly. Is the 120 minute movie we are given good? No.

When should you see it?
Cable

Brawl in Cell Block 99

     Brawl in Cell Block 99 is directed by S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk) and stars Vince Vaughn (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story), Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), and Don Johnson (Django Unchained). It tells the story of Bradley Thomas, a locked up drug runner who must learn how far he will go for the ones that he loves.
     S. Craig Zahler directed the film Bone Tomahawk, a criminally underrated western-horror-thriller hybrid that more people need to see. That film has some of the most unnerving scenes that I have seen put to film, so the prospect of a new Zahler film had me excited from day one. Vince Vaughn is hit and miss an actor, with more hits than misses. But last year's Hacksaw Ridge showed a different side of Vaughn, which led me to think we would get another good performance from him.
     This film is another gritty, dark drama that sputters but ultimately pays off in the end. Zahler's violent sensibilities are again on full display in the best way possible. Another low budget affair aids the creativity and the lengths a filmmaker has to go to show anguish on full display. No moments of levity give you as the viewer a moment to breathe as Vaughn dives deeper into the underground world of the prison system.
     Vaughn is near unrecognizable as Bradley Thomas. A shaved head and cross tattooed on his skull are just the start of his transformation. Although he is still smug, his quips are kept to minimum, replaced by stares and intimidating stances as he fights his way through whatever is in front of him. His performance alone is worth watching the film. Don Johnson also shows up for a small role as the warden of the highest security prison, and he eats up every second he is on the screen.
     But at a certain point, the bleakness crosses a line. The realism of the film is put to the side as Zahler looks for a way to continue the violence for no apparent reason. From a gore standpoint, it is pretty fun. But the story seems to rest on the violence and when that is what propels a movie forward, it does not have as much of an impact. Violence for the sake of violence is not compelling.
     Overall, Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a good character study for Vince Vaughn from an interesting upcoming creative mind. The violence, while gritty, feels overbearing, which stalls the movie towards the end. But the movie is still worth viewing, which you can do today.

When should you watch it?
Wait a Week

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

     Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is directed by Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) and stars Frances McDormand (Fargo), Sam Rockwell (Moon), and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland). It tells the story of a mother looking for answers to the murder of her daughter seven months ago, by creating hysteria in a small town by purchasing three billboards.
     Since premiering at the Venice Film Festival in September, Three Billboards has gotten nothing but praise. Currently, it sits as the front runner for best picture at this upcoming Academy Awards. And Martin McDonagh has created some of my favorite films of all time with his smartly written scripts and darkly comic timing. All the pieces were in place for this to be a great film, so how did it hold up to expectations?
    Starting with the positives, Frances McDormand was incredible as a single mother, trying to navigate the world post losing a daughter. Her ability to change emotion within the same scene was a masterclass in acting. I believe the Oscar is hers to lose at the moment. Sam Rockwell also has a strong case for best supporting actor. He somehow was likable despite his bigoted attitude towards many different people groups. Harrelson played his role well, but was a little too Woody to see much acting actually going on. One person to note is Caleb Landry Jones, who is quietly having a terrific year after staring in this movie, Get Out, The Florida Project, and American Made.
     It is difficult to discuss much of the actual plot without going into spoiler territory, so I am going to avoid it because the movie is worth seeing based off the performances alone. But many of the twists and turns were welcome surprises, going in directions I had not even considered. And by the end, I was not ready to let these characters go, which is a testament to the power of McDonagh's ability to write characters with real depth and the power of the performances on display.
    Although I enjoyed the movie, it was not without it's flaws. The most glaring of them was the shocking violence that appeared to come out of nowhere. Rather than cutaway at some of the more gruesome parts, Three Billboards shows it in all its glory. The ultra violence felt like a tonal clash with what the rest of the movie had going on. Another issue goes into spoiler territory but involves a scene in the gift shop that McDormand's character works at. The character introduced feels like a caricature and too easy a solution for such an otherwise brilliant film.
     Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a very good film that was almost great. It is worth seeing based off the performances of McDormand and Rockwell, but its ultra violence and questionable character motivations held it back.

When should you watch it?
Wait a Week

It

     It is directed by Andy Muschiette (Mama) and stars Bill Skarsgård (Atomic Blonde), Jaeden Lieberher (Midnight Special), and Sophia Lillis. The movie tells the first half of the Stephen King classic and follows the lives of seven preteens as they navigate through their summer vacation as they must band together against an evil force terrorizing their home of Derry, Maine.

     It was a film that I had been excited to see for some time. Although I have never read the novel the movie is based on, the concept has always intrigued me. But the movie spent some time in development hell with the talents of both Carey Fukunagwa (True Detective) and Will Poulter (Detroit) seeing untimely exits from the project. Eventually a trailer was released and I was right back on board.

     The best parts of the film lay not with the horror but with the coming of age aspects. The kids feel like kids in the way that they interact with each other and their response to the horrific scenarios they go through on a day to day basis. For me the standouts from the Losers are Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), who was hilarious throughout, and Jack Dylan Glazer, who was the best at being scared which is surprisingly hard to do in movies. The group as a whole felt very authentic and it’s kind of disappointing that the sequel will have to focus more on the adults. The other standout was Pennywise himself. Although not terrifying in the way that I expected him to be, he was nevertheless effectively portrayed by Skarsgard. From certain ticks of the character to his ability to flip a switch from unassuming to killer in a matter of seconds was impressive. I hope to he gets more of an opportunity to show his acting chops in the sequel, rather than being negated to only quick scares.

     The scene with Georgie from the trailers is the best of the movie as it sets up what’s to come as well as shows how horrible Pennywise truly is. Unfortunately, after that the scares stop scaring almost all together. As a horror movie, It just was not very scary. My hypothesis for why is that the basis of the entity of It is that it becomes whatever the character fears most, whether that be Pennywise the clown or a group of zombies. But that is not going to be scary for everyone. And when the special effects are done worse than what I can see in an episode of The Walking Dead, it makes me wonder why I am going to the theater and paying for a ticket rather than just staying home and using my Netflix subscription instead.

     The themes running throughout It do provide terror on their own. Seeing that sometimes the way humans treat each other is worse than a flesh-eating clown left me thinking about the movie long after its runtime. The film portrayed almost all the adults in the town of Derry in quite a negative light, which I think could lead to interesting subtext in the next film, as next time around we will be cheering for the adults as they fight against the creature or whatever It actually is.
     Although I had problems with the movie, it still left me wanting to see a sequel. I think a higher production budget will help to build up the scares that the movie was lacking. Had I gone into It with my expectations of being scared tampered, I may have had a more enjoyable experience with the movie, but the lack of scares from this "horror" movie left a sour taste in my mouth.

When should you watch it?
Dollar Theater

War for the Planet of the Apes

     War for the Planet of the Apes is directed by Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) and stars Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), and Steve Zahn (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). Caesar returns in the supposed finale to the rebooted Apes trilogy as he continues his quest to protect his apes, as well as avenge unimaginable losses.
     Having never seen any of the original Apes films, I nevertheless have enjoyed the first two entries to this new trilogy and was highly anticipating this entry. I even decided to watch the marathon of Apes films in anticipation of the new film.
     The best part of War for the Planet of the Apes lies in the motion capture technology and performances. Watching the films in order helped to show the progression of the technology from 2011 to today. The apes looked amazingly lifelike and I was honestly astonished by the performances given through motion capture. Andy Serkis's performance was incredibly poignant and should be in awards talk for next season (although I highly doubt he would ever get it due to the lack of forward thinking by Academy voters). Harrelson also gives a great performance but unfortunately the film gives him little to do.
     Without going into spoilers, the film ended on the perfect note. It not only concluded the trilogy, but it also set up future films without being tacky.
     Although technically speaking the film was flawless, on a story level it left something to be desired. The title is complete miss marketing so do not go into this film expecting an action fest or you will probably be disappointed (like myself). Also, Bad Ape, motion captured by Steve Zahn, took me out of the movie whenever he was on screen. I understand what Reeves and the creative team was trying to do with the character, but it did not work for me. In fact I would consider him on the level of Jar Jar Binks. The human girl character felt completely superfluous and her role in the film did not make much sense to me. I felt like twenty minutes could have easily been trimmed from the movie without it skipping a beat and it would have been better for it.
     While War for the Planet of the Apes was fun to look it, once I sat down to think about it a little longer, I am ultimately disappointed by the product that was delivered, yet still hopeful for the future of the franchise.

When should you watch it?
Dollar Theater

Quick Reviews: Alien: Covenant, Wonder Woman, Transformers: The Last Knight, Baby Driver, and Despicable Me 3

For those of you who may not know, I spent the previous 7 weeks serving as a camp counselor at the Pine Cove Ranch. The time was incredibly rewarding, but also meant I missed a lot of the movies to have come out this summer. So I'll give you my quick thoughts on some of the movies I have been able to catch up on since returning home.

Alien: Covenant

Alien: Covenant is directed by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner) and stars Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), and Billy Crudup (Almost Famous). It continues the story from Prometheus, but follows a new crew for obvious reasons. The crew attempts to navigate a seemingly inhabitable planet, only to find something much more harrowing taking place.

Pros

- Stunning cinematography

- Great performances from the cast

- Violence and gore

Cons

- Tonally inconsistent

- Bogged down by trying to connect with the Alien series mythos

Verdict: Wait a Week

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins (Monster) and stars Gal Gadot (Fast Five), Chris Pine (Hell or High Water), and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator). It tells the origin story of the titular character, as she discovers the world outside of her Amazonian paradise and her true self.

Pros

- Surprisingly good performances from the cast

- Interesting plot points

- Beautiful visuals

Cons

- Awkward humor

- Drags in certain scenes

Verdict: Wait a Week

Transformers: The Last Knight

Transformers: The Last Knight is directed by Michael Bay (13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi) and stars Mark Wahlberg (Patriot's Day), Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs), and Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy). It tells the story of the continued war between Autobots and Decepticons, as humanity looks to its medieval history in order to save Earth.

Pros

- Fantastic special effects

- Anthony Hopkins

Cons

- Story is hard to follow

- Cringeworthy dialogue

- Blatant set up for a sequel

Verdict: Cable

Baby Driver

Baby Driver is directed by Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) and stars Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars), Kevin Spacey (American Beauty), and Jamie Foxx (Horrible Bosses). It tells the story of getaway driver, Baby, as he navigates through the criminal world while also falling in love.

Pros

- Action scenes shot fantastically

- Combination of music and action

- Well-paced

- Solid performances

Cons

- Questionable character decisions in third act

Verdict: Opening Night

Despicable Me 3

Despicable Me 3 is directed by Kyle Balda (Minions), Pierre Coffin (Minions), and Eric Guillon and stars Steve Carrell (The Big Short), Kristen Wiig (The Martian), and Trey Parker (South Park). This time around, Gru meets his long lost twin brother as the two attempt to foil the evil plans of Balthazar Bratt.

Pros

- Great voice work from the cast

- Minions in prison

Cons

- Scatter brained plot

- Less heart then previous two

- Drags in the second act

Verdict: Redbox

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

     Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is directed by James Gunn (Slither) and stars Chris Pratt (Jurassic World), Zoe Saladana (Star Trek), Dave Bautista (Spectre), Vin Diesel (The Fast and The Furious) and Bradley Cooper (American Sniper). This time around, the guardians continue their adventures from the first go around, as secrets about their pasts, presents, and futures are revealed.
    Coming into 2017, this sequel was near the top of my list as one of my most anticipated, not only because of how enjoyable and different the first film was but also because of James Gunn returning to write and direct. Gunn has some lesser known but quite enjoyable films, Slither and Super, that if you have not seen I would recommend checking out. But Marvel does not have the best track record when it comes to sequels and the early buzz was mixed, so in that theater I was not sure how to feel.
     This movie did not disappoint. From the opening action sequence, I could tell that Vol. 2 was going to be something special. It's quite unconventional and different from the first but the characters feel as though they have naturally progressed to the point we meet them at. The standout performance was Michael Rooker (The Belko Experiment) as Yondu, reprising his role as the infamous ravager from the first film. His jokes were among the best and nearly every one had me smiling from ear to ear.
    Comedy took center stage in this go around, as the first act had them flying one right after another. There were far more hits than misses, leading for me to count that as a success. And when it's time for the story to progress, Gunn shows his writing ability by changing the tone effortlessly, not letting it feel disjointed. The themes of legacy and family played major roles in the movie, with each character having a respective arch in regards to the theme. If I had to find a problem, it would be in the Sovereign's abilities as they are throated time and again, but I understand the role they played and did not see too much of an issue.
    Colorful and creative, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 shoots to become the best sequel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I say it lands in the ranks of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The movie is as good, if not better, than the original, and I cannot wait to see it again.

When should you watch it?
Opening Night

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

       Beauty and the Beast (2017) is directed by Bill Condon (The Fifth Estate) and stars Emma Watson (This is the End), Dan Stevens (The Guest), and Luke Evans (Dracula Untold). It tells the tale as old as time of a young girl who must learn to love a beast in order to save his castle and the various people trapped under an enchantress’ spell.

Beauty and the Beast

      Live action remakes of classic animated movies are all the rage in Hollywood these days with Maleficent, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book already out and Mulan, Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Dumbo already announced. Some of the ones already released have been better than others, so when Beauty and the Beast was announced I was not sure if it would be good or not. But once the cast was announced and promotional material began to be released I could not but help but feel a little excited.

      One of the best parts of Beauty and the Beast is the CGI. While the beast looked slightly fake at times, overall it was a very noble attempt that worked more times than it did not. What could have easily felt silly and fake instead felt very realistic with some great designs and innovative techniques.

      Another excellent part was the cast. I was surprised to see some of the actors pull off the singing and thought they did a great job, even if it does not sound like the original. Rather than complain about how different it sounds, just watch the original if you want to hear the vocals of the original cast and watch the new one if you watch to see a different take.

      But the new take is my biggest problem with this film. While the original had a much shorter run time and had a great pace, the remake attempted to add to the mythology but many of the additions fells short and seemed to only add to the run time, not the actual story. The new songs are unmemorable and fall way short of the bar that the original songs set. The main theme of the movie is a beauty who learns to love a beast. The additions to the story should add to this but instead feel crammed in and do little to add upon this central element.
     While the characters and CGI are wonderfully done, the movie ultimately feels unnecessary when the original holds up so well. If you love the original Beauty and the Beast you may as well just watch the original because the additions to the remake only hinder the love story on display.

When should you watch it?

Dollar Theater

Kong: Skull Island

     Kong: Skull Island is directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer) and stars Tom Hiddleston (Thor), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), and Brie Larson (Room). Set in the 1970s, it is a new take on the classic monster. This time around, a group of conspiracy theorists convince the army to take them to one of the last unexplored areas on the face of the world, “Skull Island.” But as soon as the humans arrive, they are greeted by things thought only to be in science fiction.

      The previous King Kong was directed by Peter Jackson and was bold and beautiful but also boring. So the idea of a new Kong film sounded just right. And one that is supposedly set in the same world as 2014’s Godzilla made this a film I wanted to see opening night.

      One thing that you cannot fault this movie for is action. It moves at a quick pace and boasts some very impressive visuals. From Kong himself to the plethora of other creatures on this island, no expense was spared to bring these creatures to life. And from the moment the characters arrive at the island, chaos is unleashed in a fantastic way.

      But what the film has in action it lacks in developing interesting characters. None of the characters in the film are particularly memorable but I feel it’s at no fault of their own. The script itself gives them nothing interesting to do despite their best efforts. As the characters begin to get picked off as character’s in these types of movies tend to do, their deaths left no emotional impact on me.

      And the amount of slow motion in this film was enough to last me a lifetime. It was inserted at some great moments but also some moments left me questioning what the director was thinking.

      Kong: Skull Island is an enjoyable film to watch but should only be taken at face value, otherwise it will feel unsatisfying. So when you sit down to watch the movie, make sure it is with a large popcorn and equally large drink because that is how you will have the best time with it.

When should you watch it?

Dollar Theater