2018 Movies Seen By Likeability
2018 long in the past but I return with a film every now and then. Not so sure if any have a chance of changing my Top 10 at this point but who knows, a surprise could come for me.
Last Seen: Outlaw King - 8/10
To Watch:
Blindspotting
WhiteBoy Rick
Mid90s
Last Seen: Outlaw King - 8/10
To Watch:
Blindspotting
WhiteBoy Rick
Mid90s
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- DirectorWes AndersonStarsBryan CranstonKoyu RankinEdward NortonSet in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows a boy's odyssey in search of his lost dog.9/10, Loved it, standard Wes Anderson genius.
- DirectorJun'ichi FujiseTomoyuki ItamuraMasaharu TomodaStarsMahiro TakasugiLynnYukiyo FujiiA high school student discovers one of his classmates, Sakura Yamauchi, is suffering from a terminal illness. This secret brings the two together, as she lives out her final moments.9/10, If you want to get the tears flowing it is certainly a a must see, usually with films like this I find it done so hamfistedly that I can't get into it but this one does it so well. Don't let the provocative title fool you, this film is a keeper and its an emotional watch. Gives the laughs and tears so what more could be asked for?
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonHolly HunterSarah VowellThe Incredibles family takes on a new mission which involves a change in family roles: Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) must manage the house while his wife Helen (Elastigirl) goes out to save the world.9/10, Fourteen long years later with Cars and Monsters sequels to finally get this great second Incredibles film. Pixar what took you so long?
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseHenry CavillVing RhamesEthan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.9/10, Another great Mission: Impossible film, stunning action scenes that make your stomach clench to view with memorable villians for Ethan Hunt and his team to face. A must theater watch!
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.8.8/10, The film may have had some questionable humor that Marvel has felt necessary to put in its latest films, Infinity War could have made Top 3 MCU films easy without it but even so this was a very entertaining watch. Plenty of action, characters worked despite the large cast and the plot wasn't completely conventional or predictable. Great stuff.
- DirectorJohn CurranStarsJason ClarkeKate MaraEd HelmsDepicting Ted Kennedy's involvement in the fatal 1969 car accident that claims the life of a young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne.8/10, Fascinating tale of how Ted Kennedy got away with leaving a woman to die and still saving his political career.
- DirectorJohn KrasinskiStarsEmily BluntJohn KrasinskiMillicent SimmondsA family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures. They are forced to communicate in sign language to keep the creatures at bay.8/10, A Quiet Place doesn't explain where the things came from but forgetting that fact and the film is very entertaining. Characters to actually care about and plenty of suspense. Considering there is little dialogue the actors did well to sell the fear.
- DirectorBob PersichettiPeter RamseyRodney RothmanStarsShameik MooreJake JohnsonHailee SteinfeldTeen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.8/10, This movie was a lot of fun, great animation, entertaining action and dynamic engaging characters. I find myself with a desperate need to see an immediate sequel which I am glad to have as Spider-Man has never been a favorite film series for me. All the different Spider people were very fun though, not a dud among them, congrats movie, you did well.
- DirectorBradley CooperStarsLady GagaBradley CooperSam ElliottA musician helps a young singer find fame as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral.The narrative was predictable and this is coming from someone who hasn't seen any of the previous versions of this film. However this is the only real glaring negative I can give this film as I found the acting, the music and directing to be terrific. The path may have been familiar but the journey sure was entertaining with all the laughs and tears required.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsRami MalekLucy BoyntonGwilym LeeThe story of the legendary British rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid (1985).8/10, The Freddie Mercury portrayal was excellent, the Queen library always great to listen to and I felt it was held together with a more than satisfactory script. Was the dive into Mercury's person perhaps a bit shallow? Maybe there could have been a bit more there. Though what was provided was certainly enough to make this a very good watch and one of my favorites of the year. The Live Aid concert was such an excellent sendoff to the film and the man.
- DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsChris PineStephen DillaneRebecca RobinA true David vs. Goliath story of how the 14th century Scottish 'Outlaw King' Robert the Bruce used cunning and bravery to defeat the much larger and better equipped occupying English army.8/10
- DirectorJulius AveryStarsJovan AdepoWyatt RussellMathilde OllivierA small group of American soldiers find horror behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day.8/10, It may be a bit cheesy but that is actually part of the fun of this film. It is a simple film that knows what it is about and does it well. Nazis and zombies, how could they mess this up right? :D
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTye SheridanOlivia CookeBen MendelsohnWhen the creator of a virtual reality called the OASIS dies, he makes a posthumous challenge to all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune and control of his world.8.0/10, Its a fun watch, at least during the scenes in the OASIS, what occurs in the real world is rather slow and less interesting. Plenty of throwbacks and nostalgia in here and the namedrops certainly helped the experience for me. The romance between the MC and Art3mis was a bit cringe though and not very believable but fortunately it is only a minor part of the film. The visuals are terrific of course, I certainly wish I had access to this world, 2018 internet just doesn't cut it after seeing what the OASIS proides. Ah well, just need to wait for the 2040s then? :P
- DirectorMorgan NevilleStarsFred RogersMargaret WhitmerTom JunodAn exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host Fred Rogers.8/10, Was a joy to get a close look into a man who led a show that was a big part of my childhood.
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingClaire FoyJason ClarkeA look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.8/10, I found it difficult to feel that emotional in the required places, the movie timeskipped so much that it was hard to really feel for the characters or the historical moments. Still though First Man didn't grip my heart like it clearly wanted, I found it to be a great character piece and Ryan Gosling was terrific as usual. The space scenes looked terrific and I noticed the film looked to be shot in a more gritty way to have the feel of the time period. Good film, try to see in the theater!
- DirectorStefano SollimaStarsBenicio Del ToroJosh BrolinIsabela MercedThe drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro.7/10, Doesn't quite have the punch that the original had for me, perhaps because it lacks a character like Emily Blunt, all the people in this film are dirty in one way or another so it becomes difficult to get behind anyone. The plot doesn't go where you think it will go which has pluses and minuses involved both. Brolin and Del Toro are great of course, they elevate this from something middling to a very decent film. Not really an action film as it does seem more like straight violence than "action" which given the grim nature of the film, works well.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddEvangeline LillyMichael PeñaAs Scott Lang balances being both a superhero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.7/10, An improvement to the first Ant-Man imo more fun and less cringe for me. Sure the plot isn't the strongest but there is a lot of enjoyment to be found here. Good second tier Marvel.
- DirectorJon M. ChuStarsConstance WuHenry GoldingMichelle YeohThis contemporary romantic comedy based on a global bestseller follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's family.7/10, Fun and sweet, a not very original script but had enough of a shakeup to be thoroughly entertaining. It fell off some as it came to its conclusion unfortunately or I would have rated this even higher, shame that. Still, I didn't think I would be so invested in the lives of a bunch of rich people, but good on you movie, you succeeded.
EDIT: On rewatch didn't quite succeed as much but still fun, dropping from 8 to a 7 though. - DirectorLeigh WhannellStarsLogan Marshall-GreenMelanie VallejoSteve DanielsenSet in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.7/10
- DirectorSteven Caple Jr.StarsMichael B. JordanSylvester StalloneTessa ThompsonUnder the tutelage of Rocky Balboa, newly crowned heavyweight champion Adonis Creed faces off against Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago.7/10, Didn't care for this as much as I enjoyed the first Creed film but it was entertaining in its own right. Like the first film it grabs elements from the Rocky series only more blatantly imo. Combining Rockys II and IV that is. Too familiar without enough of its own spin to give Creed II its own identity like its predecessor managed. I also felt a bit strange to sympathize more with the villains, the Drago family than I did with Creed and his inner circle. I suppose if I was to sum it up I think this sequel is like the original only plot and characters just not quite as hard hitting. Doubt I'd ever rewatch this but Creed the first? Definately.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.7/10, Its decent Marvel fare though nothing spectacular. Standard formula set in Africa instead of Asgaard say. Michael B Jordan's character put a bit of a spin on the villain though I wish there was more of Andy Serkis's Klaue. Supporting cast forgettable though. Very noticeably PG-13 film with some of the deaths and lack of blood with one death in particular. Premise of Wakanda is absurd of course but it being a comic book film I'll give it a quick eye roll and accept it.
- DirectorEli RothStarsBruce WillisVincent D'OnofrioElisabeth ShueDr. Paul Kersey is an experienced trauma surgeon, a man who has spent his life saving lives. After an attack on his family, Paul embarks on his own mission for justice.7/10, Is it rather cheesy? Sure. Is the acting of Bruce Willis... not the best? Yep. Manages to be entertaining though, could rewatch if there was nothing else to do certainly.
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsRyan ReynoldsJosh BrolinMorena BaccarinFoul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.7/10, The first Deadpool was near perfect to me, the sequel doesn't quite hit the target dead center for me. This time there were a few jokes that missed completely and one scene that goes on far too long and was a real struggle to get through. Cable was an excellent addition but I can't say the same for the child antagonist. Simply not as strong as its predecessor unfortunately but fun enough.
- DirectorJeff TomsicStarsJeremy RennerEd HelmsJake JohnsonA small group of former classmates organize an elaborate, annual game of tag that requires some to travel all over the country.7/10, More amusing than I was expecting, was quite fun if nothing spectacular. Needed more of Jeremy Renner.
- DirectorJames WanStarsJason MomoaAmber HeardWillem DafoeArthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land.7/10, Not the best superhero film ever made but it was a fun popcorn film with a decent enough story to go with the spectacular underwater special effects. Jason Mamoa ozzes charisma and is a terrific fit for the role and is a big reason that Aquaman works. Glad to see that DC is able to make decent films, Wonder Woman might not have been an accident I suppose.
- DirectorJonathan BakerJosh BakerStarsMyles TruittJack ReynorDennis QuaidChased by a vengeful criminal, the feds and a gang of otherworldly soldiers, an ex-con and his adopted teenage brother go on the run with a weapon of mysterious origin as their only protection.7/10, A little sci-fi, a little road trip drama. Reminded me of Midnight Special but had its own identity and was cetainly enjoyable if not a film that will ever be a classic. Perfectly acceptable though.
- DirectorMamoru HosodaStarsRebecca HallDaniel Dae KimJohn ChoA young boy encounters a magical garden which enables him to travel through time and meet his relatives from different eras, with guidance by his younger sister from the future.7/10, Not sure a four year old boy is the best main character a movie can have but the lessons he learns here through the strange occurrences made a fun enough film though this isn't one of my fav anime films. Decent watch.
- DirectorPeter FarrellyStarsViggo MortensenMahershala AliLinda CardelliniA working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.7/10, I suppose I can understand the praise Green Book is getting for the acting of leading men Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. They certainly are the engine that drives this film as I feel this is really the only strength it has. The story itself is fine, perfectly serviceable but it is hardly a concept that has any originality. Driving Miss Daisy with the races reversed. Two men from different cultures and social positions learning and growing from traveling with each other. Don't get along at first but then grow to be friends. They meet racism along the way and giving those racists some comeuppance as well. Film takes a few side streets here and there but the main road is stuck to for the most part. The acting sells it really well can't argue with that though. Plus if the story is told well enough then even if Green Book hits familiar beats it can be a good watch even so. Which I think it was I simply can not call it one of the best films of the year, Oscar bait is what it is. I'm sure thee will be a Best Picture nom, probably Director as well and not just one for acting.
This kind of movie is popular lately though especially with the current political and social climate but for me I would warn moviegoers not to expect anything groundbreaking with Green Book, movie will check off the required plotpoints of this genre but will be elevated by the actors involved. Recommended with lowering expectations a tad. - DirectorAneesh ChagantyStarsJohn ChoDebra MessingJoseph LeeAfter his teenage daughter goes missing, a desperate father tries to find clues on her laptop.7/10, Was a decent film, didn't find the twists to be that mindblowing but the narrative was interesting, the acting was was even better. Searching took a bit of time to get the ball rolling but moves quickly once in motion.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsNatalie PortmanJennifer Jason LeighTessa ThompsonA biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.7/10, It is definitely a beautiful movie the CGI is quite the spectacle but I felt the overall project shot the moon and fell short. Big ideas felt muddled and the ending was a letdown. The cast was forgettable as well, for a small team like that I need to feel for their safety but I didn't really care. Still it was a good attempt that was enjoyable enough, just doesn't reach the grand height of Alex Garland's Ex Machina.
- DirectorRawson Marshall ThurberStarsDwayne JohnsonNeve CampbellChin HanA security expert must infiltrate a burning skyscraper, 225 stories above ground, when his family is trapped inside by criminals.7/10, I admit I was expecting this to be pretty terrible but it wasn't that bad at all. Sure its cheesy with some poor dialogue but it was entertaining in a mindless way. Not dumb enough to be unwatchable, good job movie.
- DirectorChristian GudegastStarsGerard ButlerPablo SchreiberO'Shea Jackson Jr.An elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew clash as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.7/10, A one time throwaway watch. Has some interesting shootouts but the plot is generic and the "characters" are forgettable. Can just watch Heat, a much better film of this type.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodPatrick L. ReyesCesar De LeónA ninety-year-old horticulturist and Korean War veteran turns drug mule for a Mexican cartel.7/10, Family, family, family. Clint Eastwood wants you to know that family is what is important, don't let work take priority. But if you need cash fast moving illegal drugs from A to B is an option I guess.
Ending was really abrupt, I feel like the consequences of what came before was not really dealt with... like 10-15min was missing or something. - DirectorJacques AudiardStarsJohn C. ReillyJoaquin PhoenixJake GyllenhaalEli and Charlie Sisters, an infamous duo of gunslinging assassins, chase a gold prospector and his unexpected ally in 1850s Oregon.7/10, Can't call this a comedy, more like a brooding film with a few lighthearted moments to lighten the mood every now and then. Seems inaccurate for this film to be titled as such even with John C Reilly starring. Doesn't really have quite the impact it wants to have with the existential questions the film attempts either but the cast of characters are interesting enough that make The Sisters Brothers a decent watch, if only a one time watch.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsKiKi LayneStephan JamesRegina KingA young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.7/10, The acting sells this film as the cast are all fantastic. Cinematography the same. The story though doesn't hold me tight like I hoped it would. It's fine but a young love story with a smattering of family drama and racism and legal stuff just doesn't come together in a film that is getting the praise that it is getting in my view. I suppose the fact that romances in general aren't my genre doesn't help but opinions and all.
- DirectorDebra GranikStarsThomasin McKenzieBen FosterJeffery RifflardA father and his seventeen-year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon when a small mistake derails their lives forever.7/10, I know that the film is well made, well acted and terrifically shot but Leave No Trace just doesn't quite grab me like it is intended to. Subdued performances and low key tension just didn't carry it imo. Decent but not a film to remember unfortunately.
- DirectorRoar UthaugStarsAlicia VikanderDominic WestWalton GogginsLara Croft, the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself beyond her limits when she discovers the island where her father, Lord Richard Croft disappeared.6.8~/10, Was a decent watch though it started off real slow and doesn't finish in a satisfactory manner. Premise was silly as well in both the concept and the execution as well. Still Alicia Vikander played her role fantastically and felt more of a human character than movies of this time usually give us. Clearly set up for a franchise, I wouldn't mind seeing another one, hopefully a sequel can improve on this foundation.
- DirectorJohn Francis DaleyJonathan GoldsteinStarsJason BatemanRachel McAdamsKyle ChandlerA group of friends who meet regularly for game nights find themselves entangled in a real-life mystery when the shady brother of one of them is seemingly kidnapped by dangerous gangsters.6/10, Ridiculous film but fun in a mindless way.
- DirectorHiroyasu IshidaStarsKana KitaYû AoiRie KugimiyaA fourth-grader, Aoyama-kun, investigates the mysterious reason behind the sudden appearance of penguins in his village, which is somehow related to a power from a young woman working at a dental clinic.6/10, Felt more for kids with the poor simplistic dialogue and fantastic elements that aren't ever really explained, just throwing water and penguins and mystery around to really wow younger viewers. For me was a passable watch in a lighthearted wistful way.
- DirectorNadine LabakiStarsZain Al RafeeaYordanos ShiferawBoluwatife Treasure BankoleWhile serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime, a 12-year-old boy sues his parents for neglect.6/10, 12 yr old boy in Syria goes from one depressing scenario to another, not a real fun one to watch. Also as it seems a bit aimless doesn't have a driving narrative or great acting to try and make use of the depression to be more interesting.
- DirectorTimo TjahjantoStarsIko UwaisJoe TaslimJulie EstelleIto, a gangland enforcer, is caught amidst a treacherous and violent insurrection within his Triad crime family upon his return home from a stint abroad.6/10, I watched this after getting it recommended from liking The Raid films but for me this simply does not match the greatness of those two. I will say the final fight was entertaining but so much else just felt like mindless violence without the style to give it value to watch. All the blood and gore does nothing if it isn't gripping. I was laughing at the needless graphic violence in places actually. I guess it does what it needs to for those who love films like this, for me I'll stick with The Raid: Redemption.
- DirectorRuben FleischerStarsTom HardyMichelle WilliamsRiz AhmedA failed reporter is bonded to an alien entity, one of many symbiotes who have invaded Earth. But the being takes a liking to Earth and decides to protect it.6/10, Scenes involving Venom/Eddie Brock were very entertaining and the best part of the film. Everything else... not so much. Villain was horrific, CGI was questionable and the story and characters that weren't our title characters were complete non-entities. Wasn't expecting much but at the least it wasn't outright terrible, had bright spots among the forgettable overall film.
- DirectorYarrow CheneyScott MosierStarsBenedict CumberbatchCameron SeelyRashida JonesA grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.6/10, Its alright this story is very simple so its not like there is any kind of depth but it is fun enough for kids I suppose though there are certainly better animated films that came out this year to see.
- DirectorDrew GoddardStarsJeff BridgesCynthia ErivoDakota Johnson1969. Four strangers check in at the El Royale Hotel. The hotel is deserted, staffed by a single desk clerk. Some of the new guests' reasons for being there are less than innocent and some are not who they appear to be.6/10, Tarantino knockoff that simply doesn't match up. The first act was pretty interesting but the characters just didn't interest me. They all got their backstories to try and make me care but it wasn't enough as how they were used simply felt like they were thrown away for no real purpose.
- DirectorChris WeitzStarsOscar IsaacBen KingsleyMélanie LaurentA team of secret agents sets out to track down the Nazi officer who masterminded the Holocaust.6/10, Operation Finale should have been more intriguing in both the capture of this man and the interrogation of him to find out what was in his head. Doesn't really succeed in either though unfortunately so the film is simply flat.
- DirectorPierre MorelStarsJennifer GarnerJohn Gallagher Jr.John OrtizFive years after her husband and daughter are killed in a senseless act of violence, a woman comes back from self-imposed exile to seek revenge against those responsible and the system that let them go free.6/10, Second tier revenge flick, a female Punisher. The Death Wish remake earlier this year was more entertaining for me though Jennifer Gerner certainly did her best with what this thin plotted movie gave her.
- DirectorTravis KnightStarsHailee SteinfeldJorge Lendeborg Jr.John CenaOn the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. On the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, Charlie Watson discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.6/10, Never thought I'd see a decent Transformers again but I guess once you ditch Michael Bay the quality goes up immediately. Now I can't say I loved this film but I got some enjoyment out of it and I'll take what I can get after the complete dumpster fires this whole series has been (other than the decent original). I could follow the action and there wasn't the same constant terrible jokes and bad dialogue. Of course this just made Bumblebee not completely blow. I still found the story to be lackluster and frankly the actions of the military was absurd and I really felt no emotion for either Bumblebee or Hailee Steinfeld's human character. In the end I suppose I may only be giving this film a positive rating simply because compared to what has come before this film didn't outright suck. Suppose that's an achievement in itself though.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsAlden EhrenreichWoody HarrelsonEmilia ClarkeDuring an adventure in the criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebel Alliance.6/10, Felt like more a generic heist movie than anything else, all around "meh" of a film. Dull at times, a few entertaining action sequences though the characters for the most part did not work for me. The actor playing young Han Solo did not give as bad a performance as I thought he might have though Donald Glover was the best in that regard though I'm not sure the script really had his character shine like he could have. The droid was annoying though, can't get around that one. The most forgettable of the new Star Wars films by far though less annoying for me than Rogue One was.
- DirectorRob GreenbergStarsEugenio DerbezAnna FarisEva LongoriaAfter a spoiled, wealthy yacht owner is thrown overboard and loses his memory, a mistreated employee convinces him that he is her working-class husband.6/10, A passable throwaway film, not terrible but not all that funny or engaging either.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsEwan McGregorHayley AtwellBronte CarmichaelA working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.6/10, There were some good moments but I found this to be rather dull for a family movie.
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsViola DavisMichelle RodriguezElizabeth DebickiFour women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities take fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.6/10, This movie seems to be all about "women power!" but not enough attention was given to the script to really make this a great film. Too convoluted, too many characters who didn't really have anything to do with muddled messages that aren't that clear. Its an alright watch but its hardly anything memorable.
- DirectorPhil JohnstonRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillySarah SilvermanGal GadotSix years after the events of "Wreck-It Ralph," Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.6/10, Disappointing sequel, had a few funny jokes/references but for the most part I found it a bit dull with an attempt to jerk tears that fell flat on its face.
- DirectorGreg BerlantiStarsNick RobinsonJennifer GarnerJosh DuhamelSimon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.6/10, A cliche romcom coming of age story with the twist of the main character being gay. This is not enough to overcome the standard narrative beats to make this anything that memorable.
- DirectorTatsuya IshiharaYasuhiro TakemotoNaoko YamadaStarsAtsumi TanezakiNao TôyamaMiyu HondaBest friends in their last year of high school realise there is no such thing as being together forever.6/10, Wanted to like it but the story was so low key and one of the characters being shy and not talking much just made the story of these two to not be very interesting. Emotional climax between the two at the end still wanted to make my eyes misty but couldn't quite get there given what came before didn't grab me and couldn't get behind the theme of the film much. Stuck the landing so wasn't a complete bore and will give a mild positive rating.
- DirectorNick ParkStarsEddie RedmayneTom HiddlestonMaisie WilliamsSet at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of Dug, along with sidekick Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age City to save their home.6/10, Passable little film, nothing to really praise over and nothing to really criticize imo. Will no doubt fade from memory soon enough. Weird that the film seemed more about soccer than "early man' jokes.
- DirectorDavid LoweryStarsRobert RedfordCasey AffleckSissy SpacekBased on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.6/10, Ho-hum story of Robert Redford robbing banks with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Nothing to complain about but nothing stands out either. If this is Redford's final role its as good as any I suppose.
- DirectorBo BurnhamStarsElsie FisherJosh HamiltonEmily RobinsonAn introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth grade year before leaving to start high school.6/10, I can certainly understand the praise this film is getting, Elsie Fisher played the awkward 14yr old perfectly. Unfortunately i was bored through much of the film at least until the third act when the emotion certainly kicked in and I was able to get fully invested. Too late to say I got any satisfaction from Eight Grade though. Just wasn't for me I suppose.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsJohn David WashingtonAdam DriverLaura HarrierRon Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, Colorado, successfully infiltrates the local Ku Klux Klan branch aided by a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events.6/10, Blackkklansman was entertaining when it managed to stay on point and away from left-wing propaganda. Unfortunately the film seemed to spend as much time finding ways to bash President Trump as it did on infiltrating the KKK. As I guess they are as big a threat in 2018 as they were in 1972 or some nonsense.
- DirectorArmando IannucciStarsSteve BuscemiSimon Russell BealeJeffrey TamborMoscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly 30 years, Soviet dictator, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.6/10, Jokes missed more often than they landed, overall this film never really grabbed my interest, too dull and too silly, can't really recommend as either drama, comedy or satire.
- DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsJason StathamBingbing LiRainn WilsonA group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed - the Megalodon.5/10, Special effects and mindless silly action scenes are what make this film, certainly not the plot, characters or humor. The kid was cute in a way kids are as well but none of this can save this shark movie.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsMark WahlbergLauren CohanIko UwaisA small team of elite American intelligence officers, part of a top-secret tactical command unit, try to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of Indonesia.5/10, I was actually going to rate this a bit higher but the ending... took the twists just a bit too far. The choppy editing didn't help either, Iko Uwais was the best part of the film and the director for some reason decided to disrupt his fight scenes with lots of cuts. Fights were still entertaining enough but could have been so much more. As it is the film totals up to lots of bullets and blood but little else to recommend it.
- DirectorGenndy TartakovskyStarsAdam SandlerAndy SambergSelena GomezCount Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters, unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family.5/10, Inoffensive fun for kids no doubt though a yawn for anyone older. Surely there is better entertainment out there than this series.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsBoyd HolbrookTrevante RhodesJacob TremblayWhen a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled scientist can prevent the end of the human race.5/10, Plot is nonsensical with constant humor that fails hard much more often than it lands. Why does a Predator movie need constant jokes anyway? Because Arnold cracked a few one liners in the original? So even more jokes will improve a sequel? Characters are one-note and stupid like usual in new Predator/Aliens films so no way to relate to them, just targets to see killed. This just ends up being another throwaway entry of the franchise. OG Predator still the only one worth watching.
- DirectorJ.A. BayonaStarsChris PrattBryce Dallas HowardRafe SpallWhen the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.5/10, Plot is idiotic, borrows heavily from previous films, brings back the "dinosaurs as weapons" and that ending.... pfft. Still, the opening sequence is entertaining and there is enough dino CGI to be mindlessly entertaining enough to not be too awful.
- DirectorBrad PeytonStarsDwayne JohnsonNaomie HarrisMalin AkermanWhen three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago.5/10, Well, its not as bad as San Andreas. In fact it is rather mediocre in every way, forgettable even. Everything outside the "rampage" is bland, the jokes not even that cringy, the villains mustache twirling not TOO twirly and the characters simply made of cardboard instead of cardboard stereotypes. The third act got rather boring to me though, giant animals destorying things and killing people quickly lost its appeal. The end of the recent Godzilla movie held much more interest to me than this did.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonPedro PascalAshton SandersRobert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?5/10, Would have been a bit better if the story focused on the main plot instead of all the little side trails it kept going on. Perhaps could have made the antagonists a bit more interesting then.
- DirectorRob CohenStarsToby KebbellMaggie GraceRyan KwantenThieves attempt a massive heist against the U.S. Treasury as a Category 5 hurricane approaches one of its Mint facilities.5/10, The whole movie was absurd of course with bad dialogue and characters you don't care about but there is something mindnumbingly fun about Hurricane Heist that doesn't make me hate it. I never need to see this again mind you but this is a forgettable disaster/heist film that can be seen and then promptly forgotten.
- DirectorGary RossStarsSandra BullockCate BlanchettAnne HathawayDebbie Ocean gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's annual Met Gala.5/10, An uneccessary sequel that felt like a copy of Oceans 11 but with women, instead of building off of it and making its own film. Sandra Bullock was barely a shadow compared to George Clooney (haven't seen original Oceans sorry) and Cate Blanchett was a female clone of Brad Pitt. Motivation was less than compelling as well other than the greed of course. There was no real villain to root against, no Andy Garcia to want to see get hurt by the heist. Just a random guy Bullock has a grudge against and an innocent museum that is to be robbed. None of the characters were interesting or had anything to make them memorable, just random "girl power!" Oh and Anne Hathaway's character made no sense at all
As the film settled into its conclusion and wrapped things up if anything this film got more irritating for me. This is just another cash grab, a female remake that studios seem to think audiences want though ticket sales don't seem to indicate that. At all. Though it would no doubt help if they would tell good original stories instead of lazy attempts of riding off glory of better films. - DirectorEli RothStarsJack BlackCate BlanchettOwen VaccaroA young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.5/10, Meh. I found this to be thinly plotted with poor humor including terrible toilet humor which took me out of trying to enjoy this every time it occurred. Rules of magic never really explained and allowed the characters to be mysteriously helpless at times instead of you know, using magic. Film did have really spooky imagery though, especially for a rated PG film.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsEddie RedmayneKatherine WaterstonDan FoglerGellert Grindelwald plans to raise an army of wizards to rule over non-magical beings. In response, Newt Scamander's former professor, Albus Dumbledore, seeks his help to stop him.5/10, Boring. Biggest crime I can name in this film. Honestly there wasn't much I actually enjoyed here other than the opening and closing sequences and Jude Law paying Dumbledore of which there was't anywhere near enough of. Everything was just so bland with the same issue I had in the previous film regarding the "fantastic beasts". It feels like filler to me, we have the Big Bad in the film but lets hit pause and deal with magical creatures as well. Confusing at times with usual flat characters. Plus was that Asian lady who turned into a snake Nagini? Really was that necessary to make the snake a person? The choices made here.... bleh.
- DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsLiam NeesonVera FarmigaPatrick WilsonAn insurance salesman/ex-cop is caught up in a life-threatening conspiracy during his daily commute home.5/10, Rather dull for a Liam Neesson thriller and dumb in a non-entertaining way. Predictable as well. Simply forgettable really.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJoel EdgertonMatthias SchoenaertsBallerina Dominika Egorova is recruited to 'Sparrow School,' a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations.5/10, Overlong and over-complicated along with being a snoozefest. Another forgettable film in a year full of them.
- DirectorJohn StevensonStarsJohnny DeppJames McAvoyEmily BluntGarden gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments.5/10, Good to fall asleep to.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsClaire FoyJoshua LeonardJay PharoahA young woman is involuntarily committed to a mental institution, where she is confronted by her greatest fear - but is it real or a product of her delusion?5/10, I was bored through most of the film, by the time things pick up in the third act it was much too late. Plot was hardly engaging after all.
- DirectorFede AlvarezStarsClaire FoyBeau GadsdonSverrir GudnasonYoung computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt government officials.
- DirectorMarielle HellerStarsMelissa McCarthyRichard E. GrantDolly WellsWhen Lee Israel falls out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception.5/10, Another one of those dull films with good acting in them. My mind wandered while it was playing but this wasn't really bad. Competently made and all, just not interesting to me.
- DirectorBoots RileyStarsLaKeith StanfieldTessa ThompsonJermaine FowlerIn an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a universe of greed.4/10, This film started out fine but the increasingly anti-capitalistic message bothered me especially when flavored with anti-police and anti-white bits as well. The surreal elements were fine and added to the film for me... at least at first. Around the time the third act begins there is a certain revelation at which point the film goes from strange to ridiculous. I simply could not take the direction taken, absurd visually and storywise.
Sorry to Bother You may be flawed propaganda/satire but it was effectively filmed, and superbly acted, definitely give this massive props for that, even if the script isn't something I can get behind. - DirectorShinsuke SatoStarsSôta FukushiHana SugisakiRyô YoshizawaA Japanese teenager with the ability to see ghosts gains a soul reaper's powers and begins his duties as a substitute soul reaper.4/10
- DirectorS. Craig ZahlerStarsMel GibsonVince VaughnTory KittlesOnce two overzealous cops get suspended from the force, they must delve into the criminal underworld to get their proper compensation.4/10, Boring for the first two thirds and then stupid violence, stupid character decisions all seeming to be 'shocking'.
- DirectorWill GluckStarsJames CordenFayssal BazziDomhnall GleesonA rabbit sneaks into a garden to steal food, and they get a new challenge with a new owner.4/10, I know this is a kids movie but honestly couldn't the writers have been slightly more clever and slightly less mean spirited with this? Bad dialogue and "humor" doesn't help make a good film you know. Just because this is made for children is no excuse for laziness.
- DirectorSteven S. DeKnightStarsJohn BoyegaScott EastwoodCailee SpaenyJake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat.4/10, Disappointment, Transformers lite with awful humor and flat characters. Boring first act, third act seemed to spend more time with cringy banter then having interesting fights. Idiotic twist as well. This won't be hard to forget though, only the original exists...
- DirectorLasse HallströmJoe JohnstonStarsMackenzie FoyKeira KnightleyMorgan FreemanA young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.4/10, Bright and colorful as candy and just as empty. Completely forgettable.
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMelissa McCarthyElizabeth BanksMaya RudolphWhen the puppet cast of a '90s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.4/10, I admit I snickered here and there but overall this was so stupid, the jokes so terrible that this was not an enjoyable experience. Puppets being crude only goes so far if there is nothing else going for it. Team America: World Police this is not.
- DirectorNicolai FuglsigStarsChris HemsworthMichael ShannonMichael Peña12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.4/10, I feel like this could have been so much better but instead what I saw was a mass of cliches. The dialogue was often terrible with standard lines given. "I will return to you wife!" and "I would follow you anywhere my brother soldier!" "My ally, we had differences at first but now we are great friends!" I couldn't help but groan inside. Plus I felt no real connection to the characters so when the action scenes occur I felt no concern for the those concern. The Afghans were just extras and the Horse Soldiers themselves were shallow or total enigmas. Then we have the villain, the Al Qaeda commander, the perfect representation of a mustache twirling baddie. He is introduced in such a hamfisted and brutal way that what was supposed to be a powerful appearance went over flatly. I wasn't angered or frightened by his actions, just irritated at how the scene was executed. With such great source material its a shame to be let down here.
- DirectorAdam McKayStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsSteve CarellThe story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that are still felt today.4/10, I was with this film for the first half hour or so as young Cheney was explored and his motivations to seek power was teased. Then he begins his climb up the ladder and the true purpose of the movie kicks in. To attack him and hit Democratic talking points. Instead of a docudrama look at the man it was a political hit job which is a shame as it ruined any honest look at Dick Cheney. This felt like a sequel to Oliver Stone's horrid film "W" though not as insulting to the man its based on. Vice at least didn't have a scene of Cheney sitting on the toilet though the strange "I wonder what was going through his head" scenes were bad enough. I was no fan of the Bush administration or Cheney especially but I so want a balanced film that isn't just filled with this whiny rage.
The only real praise I can give the film is Christian Bale and his portrayal of
Cheney, I feel he got the speech pattern and mannerisms of the man down really well. Hardly enough to lift the film though. - DirectorOtto BathurstStarsTaron EgertonJamie FoxxBen MendelsohnA war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown.4/10, Film seems to think that looking modern and stylish with its costumes and explosions is supposed to make up for a crap script and crap dialogue. It doesn't.
- DirectorMalcolm D. LeeStarsKevin HartTiffany HaddishRob RiggleA group of high school dropouts is forced to attend night school in hopes that they will pass the GED exam to finish high school.4/10, A big whiff with this "comedy". Bad jokes with a cast of stereotypes could sometimes be amusing but was more often worthy of a facepalm. Fortunately watched this at home so could skip around, don't think I could have tolerated watching straight through.
- DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsOlivia ColmanEmma StoneRachel WeiszIn early 18th-century England, the status quo at the court is upset when a new servant arrives and endears herself to a frail Queen Anne.3/10, A catfight between two women over power through controlling a malleable queen with period costumes, "snarky" dialogue that made me wince and potty language. Incredibly boring soap opera with every single character being unlikable which is quite an achievement. The acting is decent but since everything else is rather revolting it matters not to me. Was rather disgusting overall really.
- DirectorAva DuVernayStarsStorm ReidOprah WinfreyReese WitherspoonAfter the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.3/10, Watching this trainwreck made me wonder if the character of Mrs. Whatsit was the actual writer of this thing. The dialogue was that which no human would actually speak so it must have been from someone who doesn't understand human interaction. Would also explain the terrible acting especially from the two boys in this film. The brother had the added problem of being incredibly annoying as well every time he opened his mouth. A being from outside Earth wouldn't understand human emotions so would make something so lifeless as A Wrinkle in Time, would have bright colors and no substance. Whatever the explanation this film fell flat and will be forgotten soon after watching.
- DirectorEtan CohenStarsWill FerrellJohn C. ReillyRalph FiennesA humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.2/10, Horrifically bad, one bomb of a joke after another. Did these people feel embarrassed making this?