Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Directed by: Bill Condon

Written by: Stephen Chbosky & Evan Spilliotopoulos

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGreggor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Audra McDonald, & Gugu Mbatha-Raw


This live-action remake brings to life the original fairy tale along with the Disney classic animation version.  There are so many things that I loved about this film.

Ok first, my favorite princess was always Jasmine.  But as I grew up and took a bunch of "What Disney Princess are you?" (I always got Belle) my favorite changed to Belle.  So when I heard that this film was coming out, I was very excited.  So excited that I got advanced tickets in 3D.  (I recommend seeing it in 3D.)

Anyway, one of the positives from the film is how I said that it incorporates the original fairy tale...at least a little bit.  Belle (Watson) still doesn't have siblings, but the reason for Maurice (Kline) leaving is the same as the original story.  So rather than trespassing as the original, Maurice is imprisoned for being a thief.

Second, it is pretty historically accurate.  In the cartoon it is difficult to figure out when the film takes place, but in the live-action it is pretty evident that it takes place during the 18th century a.k.a. during Marie Antoinette time.  The costumes were outrageous and the antiques that the king has are for sure during that time. (I used to work at an antique lamp shop.)

Third, it is a very modern version with there being interracial couples as well as more than one gay character.  It brings it into this time period.

Plus the additional scenes that weren't in the original are fantastic.  They answer the questions that we have like what happened to Belle's mother?

So it's a must: 5 popcorns.

Table 19 (2017)

Directed by: Jeffery Blitz

Written by: Jay Duplass & Mark Duplass

Starring: Anna Kendrick



Eloise (Kendrick) decides to RSVP to her longest friend's wedding.  Unfortunately, she dated her longest friend's brother who dumped her two months ago and, of course, he will be there.  Awkwardly, she makes her way to the wedding and is seated at the last table with all the other rejects: Table 19.

I thought this was going to be a rom com type film and it was, but what I liked is it wasn't all about Kendrick.  The film followed the other members of the table and it was more of an ensemble cast.  Their stories all intertwined together at this, what they thought would be, horrible wedding.

If you need a cute movie that will just make you laugh and love then watch it.  It isn't anything amazing, but it'll make you feel good.

3 popcorns.

Get Out (2017)

Directed by: Jordan Peele

Written by: Jordan Peele

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya & Allison Williams




At first I didn't think this was 5 popcorns.  I didn't feel anything about it and I wasn't super shocked by the ending, but...then I saw a Buzzfeed article that changed everything.

In the Buzzfeed article, that you can see here, it basically says all the hidden secret things the film had.  I missed most of them and thought it was very creative after that.  I love foreshadowing and puns in films.

So the film had a lot of these, boosting up the popcorn rating.  In addition, the storyline is very creative.  I thought it was going to be about white people enslaving blacks as their slaves using hypnosis as the best friend said, but it's more Sci-Fi than that.

Even though the film is intense, the best friend Rod (played by LilRel Howery) eases the tension throughout the film.  Not sure that I like the tension being eased though.  But maybe Peele put it in in order to not disappoint audience members just in case the tension was too big to fulfill everyone's expectations.

5 popcorns.

Logan (2017)

Directed by: James Mangold

Written by: James Mangold, Scott Frank, & Michael Green

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, & Dafne Keen




I saw this film twice.  The first time, I liked it greatly, but was very confused as to what happened to the other X-Men members.  I Googled it various times and still had no answer. My number one question was about Storm.  When the hell did she die?  Because I am a true X-Men fan and have seen all the films, but do not remember Storm's death.

And I was right!   She never died, which meant that I either missed Logan addressing it or they didn't talk about it at all.  So I Googled that and turned out I missed it.  I made it my mission to see the film again.

The second time around, I paid very close attention and actually heard the film address it.  But barely!  No wonder I missed it the first time!  Deducted a popcorn for overlooking a very important detail!!!!!!!!

But other than that it was pretty good.  It definitely stands out from all the other films, but Keen was amazing!  She's fierce and my second favorite mutant after Mystique.  No one beats Mystique.

4 popcorns.

Fist Fight (2017)

Directed by: Richie Keen

Written by: Van Robichaux, Evan Susser, & Max Greenfield

Starring: Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, & Jillian Bell





Andy Campbell (Day) is a high school English teacher.  When he witnesses angry behavior by Strickland (Cube), he ends up fighting for his job by snitching.  And as the saying goes: Snitches Get Stitches.  

The film was pretty funny.  But my main problem was the middle portion where it dragged.  He's nervous about the fight yadda yadda yadda.  Okay, we get it already.  That's basically the whole film until the ending, but no spoilers.

Morgan and Bell definitely added to the comedy along with all the stupid senior pranks.  Meh.  3 popcorns.

Fifty Shades Darker (2017)

Directed by: James Foley

Written by: Niall Leonard & E.L. James (novel)

Starring: Dakota Johnson & Jamie Dornan




So this film probably doesn't deserve 4 popcorns, but it was very entertaining and this is my blog so 😛

Anastasia Steele (Johnson) and Christian Grey (Dornan) aren't speaking to each other after what he did to her at the end of the first film.  (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go watch the first film.)  Nevertheless, Ana is doing well for herself.  She has a new job and she's taking her loneliness day by day.  Christian on the other hand is doing awful and wants - no, needs her back.  But will she go back?  And if so, what are the terms?

From the technical perspective of the film, it wasn't very good.  There were several camera angles that looked out of place, or perhaps it was the editor choosing crappy shots.

On the plot side, like I said it was entertaining.  This film is very close to the book (yes I've read them) and despite the continuous tension, Johnson is able to break it with one of her funny one-liners every time.  To be honest, she makes the film I think.  Mostly because she says exactly what the audience is thinking.  She's as new to this as we are; with the only experience we have being the first book/movie.

But don't expect it to get rave reviews or any awards.  It's fun to watch and the story keeps you interested without it just being all about sex.  4 popcorns.

The Founder (2016)

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Written by: Robert D. Siegel

Starring: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, & John Carroll Lynch




The Founder magnifies the story of how the famous fast food restaurant McDonalds became franchised.

Ray Kroc (Keaton) is a conniving fantastic businessman.  Keaton was able to show Kroc's transformation throughout the film from when he was a rejected mixer salesman to the rich well...founder.

The film was clear and to the point of how this all began.  There was nothing confusing about the business portion of the film and you could believe the accuracy.  Plus I researched a little after and it is definitely super close to the truth.

The film is interesting, but there are a few slow parts, but nothing that shakes your interest.  4 popcorns.

Jackie (2016)

Directed by: Pablo Larrain

Written by: Noah Oppenheim

Starring: Natalie Portman




Jackie stars Portman as Jackie Kennedy.  This film discusses the obstacles and trauma that she went through after her husband, President John F. Kennedy, died all the way up to his funeral.

In other words, it is not a full bio pic; it is only that time period of her life.

The film though was good.  Portman gave a great portrayal of the First Lady from her facial expressions to her mannerisms to even her voice.  If Emma Stone didn't dance in La La Land and Isabelle Huppert wasn't raped in Elle, Portman would be next in line for awards.  Her acting was on par.

One annoyance was the music.  There was repeated music...well so-called music, which was really just disturbing musical tones, that overtook the film in some spots and made it difficult to hear what the characters were saying.

In addition were problems with the editing. There were some J-cuts and L-cuts that were out of sync and distrupted the film as well as some voiceovers that confused me for the first couple of seconds since it was not matching up with the moving mouths until I realized it was a voiceover.

Other than that though, I thought the film was well done.  4 popcorns.

Sleepless (2017)

Directed by: Baran bo Odar

Written by: Andrea Berloff, Frédéric Jardin, Nicolas Saada, & Oliver Douyère

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, & Dermot Mulroney



When I first saw the preview for this film, I thought that it was an African American version of Taken.  It's not.  So whoever made the previews, you need to fix that.

Foxx plays Vincent, an undercover cop that actually works for the DEA ready to bust drug dealers.  Unfortunately, those drug dealers catch on and kidnap Vincent's son in order to stop him.  Vincent has to choose between saving his son and saving his job, or can he save both?

It was okay.  That's about it.  There wasn't anything exciting and the film felt familiar.  The best part of the film is Monaghan's part.  She plays a suspicious cop that wants to take Vincent down.  She's pretty awesome.

But nothing other than that.  2 popcorns.

Elle (2016)

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Written by: Philippe Dijan (novel), David Birke (screenplay), & Harold Manning (translator)

Starring: Isabelle Huppert




Elle is a powerful movie about a powerful woman.  Ironically Elle is no one, so it must mean something in French.  One moment...*google translate* oh...duh...It means "She."

Anyway, in the film Michèle Leblanc (Huppert) is going through life with a chip on her shoulder.  For years she has had a struggling relationship with her parents and is divorced with an adult son.  She works at a gaming company with nothing exciting happening in her life per se.  Unfortunately all that changes when an intruder breaks into her home and rapes her.  From then on she becomes paranoid and determined to figure out who her assaulter is.

At first I didn't know this film has subtitles, so if you don't like to read then do not see the film, unless you know French.  But once I recognized the actress I remembered that she recently won for Best Actress and this film won for Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes.  I became even more excited to see it as the previews rolled across the screen.

It definitely did not disappoint.  The film had tremendous tension and keeps you guessing all through the 2 hours and 10 minutes; even after you find out who assaulted her.

I've seen several foreign films throughout my day, and this one is definitely in the top three spots.  I do agree with Huppert winning the Best Actress in a Drama Feature for the Golden Globes.  I thought she was amazing, but for the Academy Awards, I don't think she'll win.  The main reason is because Emma Stone is nominated in the same category for La La Land, so...yikes.  Oddly enough though this film is not nominated for Best Foreign Film category for the Academy Awards.  I wonder why.

Well, it could be that this film did have some comedic moments and gave the film a strange vibe for the second half of the film.  But I still recommend it if it's playing in your area.  5 popcorns.