Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first anthology film set within the Star Wars universe. This movie is sort of a midquel set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Galen Erso (played by an underused Mads Mikkelsen) is an imperial scientist who helps the Empire build the Death Star. When the Rebellion discovers this, they recruit his daughter, Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and a team of rebels to find him, and the Death Star Plans. So, this movie did have its share of hurdles to overcome. I feel it overcame these hurdles for the most part. This is a harder movie to sell. Not only does serve as a prequel to A New Hope, but also tells a story we had an inkling of an idea about. It was something where we kind of knew how it was probably going to end. The movie is well-written, well-acted, and well-directed. These elements help make Rogue One work. The actors all put themselves into their performances. The development, admittedly, could’ve been stronger. The visual style of Rogue One is incredible. It simultaneously looks like a Star Wars movie, and looks like something completely different. I fully believe Rogue One takes place in the Star Wars universe, but also feel like it could be its own thing. The pacing can bog the movie down at times, though it never makes the movie come off as bad. Is Rogue One a perfect movie by any means. No, it isn’t. But, this is very much still a worthy addition to the Star Wars saga.   

8 / 10 

The BFG

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Young orphan Sophie (newcomer Ruby Barnhill) stays awake most nights, reading from a book. One night, she accidentally spots the titular BFG, or Big Friendly Giant (played by Mark Rylance). He is forced to take her with him to “Giant Country,” which is where he lives. From there, misadventures begin to happen. Sophie is nearly eaten by the bigger, more cannibalistic giants on multiple occasions. They have to visit the queen of England at some point as well. The fantasy, suspense, and comedy actually do manage to blend together, better than I could’ve possibly thought. Granted, there are some stumbling points that don’t work as well as I think they could’ve. I do think it helps that this movie is directed by Steven Spielberg, a man who clearly understands how to make these genres blend together. Rylance is fantastic as the BFG. He brings the character’s mix of childish innocence  and worldly wisdom to life perfectly. Ruby Barnhill should also be complimented for her performance. After all, it isn’t easy to go toe to toe with an Oscar winner and, for the most part, hold your own. The visual effects on the film should also be commended. Admittedly, they are a bit cartoony at times, but this is a Roald Dahl story, and it isn’t necessarily easy to make giants look like they are actually there on screen. The flow of the thing also has its occasional issues where it does drag a little bit. Despite these fairly minor flaws, The BFG is still a fun fantasy adventure film that should not be overlooked.

8 / 10 

The Secret Life of Pets

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Max (voiced by Louis C.K.) is a dog who is the center of attention for his owner Katie (voiced by Ellie Kemper). Max’s world is turned upside down when she brings home another dog (voiced by Eric Stonestreet). Naturally, the two dogs don’t get along, and get themselves lost after some shenanigans and mishaps. They end up being chased by a group of forgotten pets led by an evil rabbit (voiced by Kevin Hart). Meanwhile, Max’s friends go searching for him. The characters are genuinely likable and entertaining, even the villainous characters. The voice cast really does seem they are having a great time with the material they’re given. The movie actually is kind of funny, and the jokes don’t really feel that forced. The plot is a bit familiar (think Toy Story with pets), but it isn’t done badly by any means. Overall, The Secret Life of Pets is a decent, family comedy. It’s not something that needs to be watched again and again, but it’s a fun every now and then kind of movie. 

7 / 10    

Star Trek Beyond

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Star Trek Beyond is written by Simon Pegg and Doug Yung and directed by Justin Lin. The cast includes Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Idris Elba, and Sofia Boutella. The crew of the Enterprise is sent on a rescue mission. They quickly realize it is a trap, and they are ambushed by the mysterious Krall. When the ship crashes on a nearby planet amidst the attack, our heroes must try and survive. Pegg and Yung’s script shines, excellently balancing the comedy, drama, and action without it ever truly feeling jumbled or forced. In fact, the humor helps add to the smaller character moments, giving this lighthearted summer blockbuster a little more weight to it. The action sequences in the movie are fantastic, and some of the best of the series, which isn’t surprising given director Justin Lin’s background with the genre. The acting on all parts is typically fantastic. The absolute standouts, however, are the newcomers to the series. Idris Elba mixes humanity into an ice-cold murderer, something that started out as a man, turning into more and more of a monster as time goes on. Meanwhile, Sofia Boutella as alien scavenger Jaylah further proves she may just have a future as an action star. Much like the last two films in the franchise, the technical aspects (the visual effects, makeup, and sets) of the film are incredible. I have to admit that while I do Michael Giacchino’s score is good, I didn’t find it particularly remarkable. Overall, despite the so-so score, the movie’s acting, writing, directing, likable characters, and aesthetics make Star Trek Beyond one of the best movies within the Star Trek franchise.

9 / 10  

Hell or High Water

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Two Texas brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) carry out bank robberies early in the morning. All they really want to do is give themselves better lives. Things for the brothers grow more tense, however when a sheriff (Jeff Bridges) catches wind of them, and starts hunting them down. The three main actors in the movie all manage to carry the weight of their performances. Pine and Foster have fantastic chemistry with one another, giving a sense of believability to their on-screen relationship as brothers. Foster, in particular stands out. His character Tanner is an ex-con. When we first meet him as a character, he appears to be unpredictable and dangerous (in truth, I wasn’t sure exactly where hints would end up with his character). But, as the film goes on, you understand and learn the layers to him. He never had a great relationship with his mother, but actually fights to hold back tears saying he would’ve helped her near the end if she would have asked. I would also like to extend praise to writer Taylor Sheridan. He makes the dialogue in this movie feel realistic. These conversations feel like real discussions real people would have with one another. The movie opens with a fairly simple, yet haunting score (one I wish would’ve carried throughout the movie a little bit more). While I will admit I am not a huge fan of country music, the use of it in the movie works as a backdrop for the movie’s Texas setting. David Mackenzie’s direction feels simple. For that reason, it is actually incredibly effective. If I have but one flaw (and it really is a nitpick for me), the lighter humorous moments that are occasionally spiced into the mix of the movie don’t always work. They don’t necessarily feel natural, so much as forced. However, everything else comes together, working in Hell or High Water’s favor. 

9 / 10     

Max Steel

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Max Steel centers on a teenager (Ben Winchell) who discovers a robot invented by his deceased father that ultimately doubles as something of a robotic super suit. Structurally speaking, Max Steel is a complete mess of a disaster. Fair warning, I am going to spoil this movie, because nobody should fucking watch it. But, I really need to break down WHY Max Steel doesn’t work as a movie. 

1.) The editing is completely jarring and sloppy. Fun fact, Taylor Lautner was originally attached to play Max Steel in this movie. So, when I say that Ben Winchell is so wooden and lifeless, that I wished Taylor Lautner was the star, that should say something. 

2.) As soon as the movie starts, you know exactly which steps Max Steel is going to take. 3.) Maria Bello and Andy Garcia are good actors (this piece of shit is beneath them). 

4.) Once Andy Garcia shows up, you know he’s going to be the villain. Garcia doesn’t even really hide it in his performance. 

5.) The visual effects are atrocious. They look like someone just sort of ok’d the starting demo effects for the fucking final cut. 

6.) This is supposed to be an origin story, and the filmmakers don’t really build up to the protagonist getting his powers. He just sort of gets them and goes “okay.” This brings me to my next big problem with this movie. 

7.) The characters SUCK! Max is supposed to be a superhero, but he’s an idiot and a coward who runs and hides, letting other people try and kill the big bad. This is our HERO, people! Our main character. The love interest does nothing but stalk the main character, and she’s completely USELESS! 

8.) The love story. The awful writing does nothing for these characters. The actors are so lifeless in their performances, that it’s obvious they have no chemistry with one another. 

9.) I’ve kind of been hinting at this for a while. The directing and writing are some of the worst I’ve seen this year. Honestly, I’m not even convinced these people wouldn’t even cut it in an Asylum movie. 

The best way I can describe Max Steel is that it feels like one of those shitty direct-to-video mock busters, like Transmorphers and Metal Man, but this movie got a wide theatrical release, and we should all be scared because of it. Overall, Max Steel is more than just one of the worst movies I have seen this year, it’s one of the worst movies I have seen in my entire life.  

0 / 10    

The Disappointments Room

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The Disappointments Room is directed by D.J. Caruso, written by Wentworth Miller, and stars Kate Beckinsale. A family moves into a house in the country after suffering a recent tragedy. Dana (Beckinsale) discovers a skeleton key, and unlocks a room in the house that begins showing her horrific things, which leads her to uncover the house’s secrets. That’s the gist of what the movie’s official given plot synopsis is. In reality,  The Disappointments Room is a very telling title for what’s to come. From a writing and directing standpoint, this movie just sort of feels like one non-event after the other. I have no problem with a slow-burn-style of movie. The problem with this movie is that it lacks the creative atmosphere necessary to make a good horror movie. The scares in this movie are almost entirely fake-out scares and/or dream sequences I’ve seen a million times before. When you reach 20 minutes, and you’re still waiting for something, anything, to happen, stop expecting a good product. The acting is awful. It’s incredibly bland and unemotional. For example, I like Kate Beckinsale as an actress, but here, she puts in zero effort or investment. That’s just sad. The characters feel very thinly written. Yes, the family tragedy is in the movie. The issue is, it doesn’t really factor into anything, and doesn’t flesh the characters out at all. With Beckinsale’s character, you know that she’s a mother, wife, and architect. But, she’s never developed past that point. Hell, the pet cat feels like the most invested actor (and most developed character) in the movie. On the rare occasion something potentially interesting happens in this movie, it only confuses me, and it doesn’t feel earned. This movie suffers from a meandering plot, thinly written things that barely pass for characters, and bland direction. Don’t watch The Disappointments Room.  

0 / 10