Thank You for Your Service (2017)

Directed by: Jason Hall

Written by: Jason Hall & David Finkel (novel)

Starring: Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, & Beulah Koale







Overall, the film was inspiring to be more proactive in fighting for veteran rights.  Plot wise, the film addressed what veterans go through in three different scenarios, such as gang activity, suicide, and the V.A.  It was very eye opening and brought about a larger issue that more people should be concerned of.

As a film, there were portions in the middle that dragged a little, such as the hunting scene, in my opinion, but I thought at the same time that these scenes were appropriate to bring about further scenes, essentially the backstory.  

On another note, I feel the casting choice for Miles Teller was poor.  To me, he's more of a college kid, because of how young he looks, but playing a late 20-year-old seems unbelievable, especially in him being a sergeant.

4 popcorns.

A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

Directed by: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

Written by: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, & Kathryn Hahn







Continuing after the first film, these three moms come back for their own taking back of Christmas.  They're tired to having to be perfect with the presents, the decorations, and just being jolly and trying to keep these unrealistic Christmas traditions.  But when their moms come to town, it sets each woman back with them each having their own issue with their mother, whether they are the smotherer, super critical, or just isn't there.

The film was hilarious; just as much as the first one.  But it was even better because Justin Hartley is in it and his interaction with the other characters is priceless.

But what made this film good was that you got to see different moms up there and their moms, making the lightbulb go off like "oh that's why they're like that."  It's definitely a mother daughter film, but not every mother is up on screen or they can be a blend of them.

There isn't really anything bad about the film.  But I just thought that it wasn't a crying laughing film. I did get a little teary eyed when the mother daughter relationships, but that's about it.

4 popcorns.

The Mountain Between Us (2017)

Directed by: Hany Abu-Assad

Written by: J. Mills Goodloe, Charles Martin (novel), & Chris Weitz

Starring: Idris Elba & Kate Winselt






In an attempt for survival, Alex (Winselt) and Ben (Elba) rely on each other to find other humans that have resources to lead them back home.  While on the mountain, they encounter dangerous terrain and unforeseen obstacles that bring them closer together.

This movie kept me on edge.  I kept wondering what was going to happen throughout the whole film. Were they going to be saved?  Were they going to die?  Who was going to die first?  Would they stay in touch even after they were saved?

Elba and Winselt had great chemistry, but it was the first time that I've seen a sexual relationship that was interracial.  But you could always just see it as two British doing it.  And yes, sorry for the spoiler.

But anyway I really liked it and some trivia: they were actually there in the snow and Kate Winslet actually did fall in the ice.  Crazy stuff.

4 popcorns.

Wind River (2017)

Directed by: Taylor Sheridan

Written by: Taylor Sheridan

Starring: Jeremy Renner & Elizabeth Olsen







When I saw the trailer for this film, I knew I didn't want to see it.  I didn't like that Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen were the stars in this mystery film that focuses on Native Americans and their reservation.  They couldn't get Native American actors?  But then again someone noted that they would need big star names for the film to actually be successful and made.  But, still...

Nevertheless, the film was great.  The plot was sound and made sense as well as made you think about who the killers of this poor Native American girl could be.  While the main storyline was going on, there was also some consideration about Renner's character's background and how he fit in.

4 popcorns.

Brad's Status (2017)

Directed by: Mike White

Written by: Mike White

Starring: Ben Stiller & Austin Abrams






Brad's (Stiller) son Troy (Abrams) is finally going to college.  As a result, they begin scouting and getting interviews to help his son's college applications.  As they go from school to school, Brad contemplates his life and wonders: was it a waste?

This philosophical film is relatable as an audience member.  Has our whole life been a waste up to now?  What achievements have we made?  Are these achievements for ourselves or are they for society?  And what guarantees an achievement?  Is it happiness?  Money?  Contentment?

Okay, maybe I'm being too philosophical, but that's this movie.  It's pretty funny though seeing Brad go through a mid-life crisis while his son is barely beginning his.

4 popcorns.

It (2017)

Directed by: Andy Muschietti

Written by: Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, Gary Dauberman, & Stephen King (novel)

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, & Wyatt Oleff




I saw the original and this version is way better.

A group of students begin noticing that people are missing and after doing their research, they find that it happens every 27 years.  After discovering that something is abducting kids, each of the group members begins having their greatest fear haunt them, controlled by the evil clown/demon Pennywise (Skarsgård).

To me, and to others, the film is not scary.  It's creepy, but also funny.  The kids make the film and have great chemistry with each other as well as emulate how kids are, picking on each other, but still being friends.

Other than the kids being great, Skarsgård also did a great Pennywise.  Apparently, from looking at the trivia, he did a lot of his own stunts and like the part where he contorts his body is real and not CGI.  That makes it even creepier.

4 popcorns.

Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Directed by: Matt Spicer

Written by: Matt Spicer & David Branson Smith

Starring: Audrey Plaza & Elizabeth Olsen






After losing her best friend, Ingrid (Plaza) is on a search for someone to fill that spot.  She follows Taylor (Olsen), a designer, on Instagram and automatically wants to be her best friend from how interesting she finds her.  She moves to L.A. and hatches up a scheme to meet Taylor accidentally and become a part of her life.  But when she feels that she's being replaced, Ingrid hatches up more schemes and lies that eventually catch up to her.

This film was weird, but I liked it.  It basically emulated real life with how crazy people can get on social media from stalking someone to changing their personality to fit in.

This movie reminded me of "Rough Night," where Scarlett Johansson's character fought with Jillian Bells' character about how she wanted her own life and felt suffocated by Bell. That is basically this movie, but blown up.

Olsen played perfectly the L.A. girl stereotype and Plaza did too with her psycho obsession.  Not to mention the moral of the story where it doesn't matter how many people like you, you just have to like yourself.  Or the other moral that all those friends online are just that, online friends.

4 popcorns.

Shot Caller (2017)

Directed by: Ric Roman Waugh

Written by: Ric Roman Waugh

Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau







Jacob has it all.  He works on Wall Street, has a beautiful house, and a lovely family.  But after a drunken night, it all goes away and he gets stuck in prison.  In order to make sure he's not taken advantage of, he makes a name for himself "Money."  But once he gets out, he'll have to decide, is he Jacob or Money?

This film was amazing, mostly due to the possibility that this story could haven to anyone.  It's so realistic and played extremely well by Nikolaj.  In addition, this part is very different from his "Game of Thrones" one of Jamie Lannister.

The technicalities of the film are okay, nothing spectacular, but I didn't see anything wrong either.  The only reason for the 4 is because it drags in a couple of places.  But I highly recommend this movie due to the plot.

4 popcorns.

Kidnap (2017)

Directed by: Luis Prieto

Written by: Knate Lee

Starring: Halle Berry







Going through a custody battle, Karla (Berry) is highly stressed and just wants to enjoy her time with her child.  But as she becomes distracted at the park, her son is kidnapped and she'll do anything to get him back.

The film watched like a B movie.  It followed all the film making rules, but seemed amateurish compared to other films.  If Halle Berry wasn't signed onto this film, it probably wouldn't have been made otherwise.

There were a few scenes that were held too long, which was a bad choice on the editing and directing side.  Plus some of the music was distracting and felt too cinematic.

But, the movie was highly suspenseful with tension and good acting.  Berry did an excellent job portraying a caring mother trying to get her child back.  Throughout the film, as an audience member, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.  I was eager for more!

Even at the end I wanted more and was unsatisfied with how they left things.  Personally, I would have liked some more information about the custody afterwards and how this kidnapping affected it, but I guess the director thought otherwise.

Nevertheless, 4 popcorns!  I thought it was a great plot.

Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Directed by: David F. Sandberg

Written by: Gary Dauberman

Starring: Talitha Bateman, Lulu Wilson, & Stephanie Sigman








I recommend, before watching this film, you to watch the first one first.  Otherwise you might be lost or not see the connection between the films.

A group of orphans move into a new home where weird things begin to happen to Janice (Bateman) and her best friend Linda (Wilson) after discovering a strange doll in the closet.  After a while, the doll becomes more dangerous and needs to take a human soul in order to live on and become stronger.

Now that's where I became confused.  Apparently, the doll is not possessed, it's just attached to an evil spirit.  I thought the doll had the demon inside it, but note to self, it just waits for a host a.k.a. one of the girls.

The film was very tense for the most part and had a complete plot that gave you that "aha" moment at the end.  You can see how the films connect and even get a sense of the true story as well.  (Since if you didn't know, the real doll is a raggedy Ann doll.)

Other than that, there isn't much else to say.  I didn't get scared as much as I was creeped out and tense.  I guess knowing something is coming helps with the fear.  The best part though was the ending because, like I said, it had the connection between the films.  That's what pushed it up to a 4, otherwise it would have been a 3.

4 popcorns.