Born in China (2016)

Directed by: Chaun Lu

Written by: David Fowler, Brian Leith, Phil Chapman, & Chaun Lu

Narrated by: John Krasinski





Movie Review: "Born in China" -


To go along with the, now past, Earth Day, Disney has released another magnificent nature movie: Born in China.  The film follows three families and their year long journey, of, well...life.  As an audience member, you get to experience what it is like to live as a panda, snow leopard, and golden monkey, while also getting glimpses into lives of cranes and chiru.

Technically speaking, the film is amazing.  The nature shots and time lapses are beautiful, plus the close up animal shots are a little different than what DisneyNature has done before.  What I mean is there are some shots of the animals' reaction faces that are very intense.  Predators and prey are looking right into the camera as if they are hunting or fearing you.  It's extremely powerful and exciting.

Meanwhile, the plot lines of the families is cohesive and dramatic.  Like usual, DisneyNature gives these animals names and with their footage, creates a story of family drama, rivalry, and a mother's love.  Even though it's always a possibility that these animals never saw the light of day of these themes, they are believable.

Another perk about this film is the ending and seeing how the crew trekked up and down the mountains of China and their forests to capture the perfect shot.  It's always a great feature to see behind the scenes, especially for documentaries.

4 popcorns.

How to Be a Latin Lover (2017)

Directed by: Ken Marino

Written by: Chris Spain & Jon Zack

Starring: Eugenio Derbez, Salma Hayek, & Raphael Alejandro





When Maximo's (Derbez) father dies, Maximo is determined to never work as hard as him.  Therefore, he becomes a Latin Lover, as the title implies.  But when his sugar momma cheats on him and then throws him out, he has no where else to go, but with his sister Sara (Hayek).  While there, he schemes a way to find a new rich old wife.

This film is hilarious.  Derbez does it again with his fantastic comedic performance similar to Instructions Not Included.  In addition, Hayek performed well too as the uptight hardworking mother who needs to let loose every once in a while.

Despite the film making me cry for how hilarious it was, towards the end it became more touchy feely and less funny.  But it wrapped up the film well nonetheless and showed character growth within the three main stars.

If you need a good laugh, go see this movie.  5 popcorns.

Unforgettable (2017)

Directed by: Denise Di Novi

Written by: Christina Hodson & David Leslie Johnson

Starring: Rosario Dawson & Katherine Heigl




Julia Banks (Dawson) is excited to start her adventurous new life with her fiancé David (Geoff Stults).  But little does she know that she's stepping into someone else's shoes...

I was bored for most of the film, except the ending.  Basically it's just a game between Tessa (Heigl) and Julia in an effort to get rid of the other one and end up with the happy family.  Julia though has been through a lot with a crazy stalker and now she has to deal with a crazy ex-wife.

The film's best feature was Heigl's performance.  She plays a good mean and crazy ex-wife.  If looks could kill, if you know what I mean.  You could feel her hatred through the screen.  She was amazing.

Everyone else was eh.  I was really just waiting for the good stuff a.k.a. the fight you see in the trailer.  A lot of the film was giving backstory to the characters, which was fine and all, but really?  Did it have to take up most of the film?

I suggest you rent this one if I were you.  2 popcorns.

The Promise (2016)

Directed by: Terry George

Written by: Terry George & Robin Swicord

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, & Christian Bale




The Promise stars Oscar Isaac as Mikael Boghosian, an Armenian who just wants to become a doctor.  In order to go to school, he promises himself to marry Maral (Angela Sarafyn).  He then travels to Constantinople where he meets Ana Khesarian (Le Bon), a tutor to his cousins.  Charmed by her, he forgets about Maral and becomes head over heels in love with Ana.  Unfortunately, Chris Myers (Bale), an American journalist also loves her and does all he can to protect her while still doing his job.  But things become complicated once the Turks join the fight to keep the Ottoman Empire alive during World War I.  Turks then began what is known today as the Armenian Genocide, which affects Mikael in more ways then one.

Before watching the film, all I knew about the Armenian Genocide was from an episode of the Kardashians.  After watching this film, I still know about the same.

The film, although takes place during the genocide, focuses more on Mikael and his journey to becoming a doctor.  Mostly, the story follows this love triangle with glimpses of how the war affected various people of different cultures, but not much else of how it started nor how it ended, which is unfortunate.

Besides the historical lack of facts, it bothered me, just a touch, that the actors portraying Armenians and Turks were, well not.  Isaac is Latino and Le Bon is Canadian (at least that goes along with the French aspect).  Of the three main characters, Bale is the only one that is actually American, just like his character.  Are there no good Armenian or Turkish actors out there?  Must we resort to Latinos and those that are in the Middle East but not Turkey nor Armenia?

There were a few editing cuts that seemed out of place and jolted me, essentially ruining the scene.  But other than that, not many technical errors, nor plot errors.  The storyline was cohesive and played well with the characters, even Bale, who at first seemed out of place in this smallish film.  I think they just needed a big star, but his acting didn't match the others in a sense that it seemed far superior.  Maybe it was just the lack of chemistry between Bale and the others.  I don't know.

Anyway, 4 popcorns.

The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)

Directed by: Niki Caro

Written by: Angela Workman & Diane Ackerman (book)

Starring: Jessica Chastain




Chastain proves, once again, that her amazing acting skills are versatile and can fit a variety of roles.

Antonina (Chastain) is the zookeeper's wife in Warsaw, Poland.  Unfortunately, Antonina and her husband, Jan (Johan Heldenbergh) run the zoo during WWII, which comes into conflict of Germany's plan to overtake the country.  Their beloved zoo is destroyed all the while their Jewish friends are being murdered.  They try to take matters into their own hands by sneaking Jews into their zoo for protection.  Will they prove successful?  Or will they be caught and possibly killed themselves?

Typically, films dealing with the Holocaust do very well plot wise.  The same is with this film.

First off, the animals in the zoo made my heart pang.  I'm an animal lover (even though I eat meat - sorry PETA) and the way these animals are treated, both good and bad, breaks my heart.

The same goes for our main character Antonina, a shy obedient housewife who just cares for her children and animals.  She wants the quiet life, but somehow becomes wrapped up in this hateful mess.

I found myself rooting for this couple despite how the odds were against them.  Even for the people that they helped, though had little screen time, left an impression and gave insight into the Holocaust.

This film definitely brought back compassion and love that has been absent for quite some time in biographical movies.  This film made me cry and appreciate my blessings.  5 popcorns.

CHiPS (2017)

Directed by: Dax Shepard

Written by: Dax Shepard & Rick Rosner (television series)

Starring: Michael Peña & Dax Shepard




Stupid, hilarious movie.

I have never seen the original series, but apparently the film is just as, if not more funny.  Frank "Ponch" Ponchrello is an undercover FBI agent investigating dirty cops.  Unfortunately, he gets partnered with a rookie, the motocross legend Jon Baker, who is looking to get his wife back by being a cop.

Together, they make an odd pair, but prove that once you get to know a person, they may become your best friend.

This film has hilarious moments and barely drags.  Despite this, the film is not Oscar worthy nor made me emotional.  It's just a good comedy for those days where you just need a good laugh.

3 popcorns.

The Belko Experiment (2016)

Directed by: Greg McLean

Written by: James Gunn

Starring: John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn, & Adria Arjona




So this film has no huge stars.   The biggest being Goldwyn from Scandal, but the film is well done overall.

In Columbia is Belko Inc.  Various people work in this company, mostly Americans, that help other companies outsource their workforce.  The company itself seems ridiculous, but the story continues with the doors and windows being shut on them with an intercom system announcing that it practically just became The Hunger Games.  At first, it seems like a joke, but when people's heads start exploding, the characters go into fight or flight mode.

The film is extremely entertaining and you end up rooting for your favorite character.  (Mine died, by the way.)  At the end of the film you're eager for more and may get it if the film does well.  But considering how much it is advertised in the media, it's unlikely there will be a sequel.

Nevertheless, I recommend everyone go see this film to enjoy a great action game show type film.

4 popcorns.