It’s almost 24 hours later and I’m still listening to the soundtrack of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. My roommates have just about had it with my dance breaks in the kitchen and blasting of Dancing Queen over our speakers. But that’s what Mamma Mia has always been about, right? Living life to it fullest, and as Donna Sheridan would say, making memories.
Here We Go Again! While my voice doesn’t even compare to Lily James, Amanda Seyfriend, or Cher (who makes a much-anticipated appearance in the last bit of the film), the nostalgic feeling hasn’t left my bones yet. Sophie, Donna and the Dynamos, Sam, Harry, Bill, and Skye are the family we all wanted to be a part of ten years ago. And thanks to writer/director Ol Davis, we are welcomed into their world again some undetermined number of years later. The very diary that led Sophie to discover her three possible dads in the first film is played out before the audience’s eyes. Lily James captures the adventurous Donna spirit while bringing a grounded flare of her own. With a single bag in hand, Donna treks from England to Greece, searching for the end of the world. Along the way she meets three young men and learns more about love and heartache over a period of a couple weeks than I have over twenty years. Amanda Seyfried reprises her role as Sophie with as much charisma as she did a decade ago. In the present day, Sophie has completely renovated the hotel her mother spent the better part of her life building. But her life isn’t all smooth sailing as she and Sky (Dominic Cooper) fight their own battles. There to help her through her feelings are her mother’s greatest friends and her three dads – talk about a big support system. Whether you’re an 80’s fan or not, the musical numbers of Mamma Mia will have you tapping your foot and singing along in the theater (let it loose, trust me the rest of the theater is with you.) Expertly choregraphed, each number was more fun and nostalgic than the last. Just as seamlessly as we move from past to present and back again, ABBA songs not only aide the actors in telling a story but enhance their ability to portray their characters’ emotions. Bear with it as the supporting actors *attempt* to carry their tunes… the best always comes when Seyfriend and James are in the number. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have the songs stuck in your head for days as you try and try to recreate the dance moves (to no avail). And if you’re nothing like me, the ABBA songs, tight knit cast, fun storyline, and incredible scenery will have you singing “mamma mia!” Take Fifty Two Rating: Watch Remember in high school when everyone was obsessed with High School Musical? Yeah, I remember too. It’s no secret human kind loves a good musical. Think about it – The Sound of Music, Grease, La La Land. We are suckers for films intertwined with songs. And if a good musical doesn’t make you even the least bit excited, well, you must be crazy. 😜 Feeling in the musical mood, (and of course in anticipation of the sequel’s release) my friend and I sat down to watch one of the greatest musicals ever. You guessed it, Mamma Mia.
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! As Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) prepares to get married, she is very aware that her dad won’t be there to walk he down the aisle. Why, you may ask? Well, she doesn’t exactly know who her dad is… As luck would have it, she found her mom’s diary complete with the names of three potential candidates. So like any rational thinker would, she invites them all unbeknownst to her mother. As the film progresses, she gets to know the men in an effort to figure out which one might be her true father while her mother works through past feelings now surfacings. Chalk full of some of ABBA’s very best songs, Mamma Mia is a fantastic journey of love and self-discovery. Personally, I could’ve done with out a few of the songs, namely “Winner Takes All,” but thankfully it’s very easy to fast forward these days. Each song is well timed, and does exactly what a song is to do in a movie – expand on what the characters are thinking and feeling. While the script was a tad silly at times, Mamma Mia was not supposed to be a serious movie. It is modern entertainment, and entertaining it was. Amanda Seyfried is captivating as the young and carefree girl, desperate to connect with her father. Meryl Streep succeeds in portraying her stubborn, conflicted character. The supporting actors were supportive and the men were acceptable enough. Mamma Mia is absolutely held together by Seyfried and the fun musical numbers. It may not be worthy of critical acclaim, but if the credits roll and I get that dance and sing around the house like no one’s watching feeling, its an A in my book. Take Fifty Two Rating: Watch Some days you just need a comedy – you, know a feel-good movie sans death/destruction, CGI aliens, political statements, etc. Some days you need a movie like TAG.
You’re it! Every year during the month of May, its on. Everything and anything (I’m talking disguises, traps, guerilla tactics, the whole shebang) is fair game for a group of friends who have played the same game of tag for thirty years. Yes, for three decades, these childhood friends have used the game as an excuse to stay connected (can my friend group be that cool??) When the month of chaos concludes, whoever is “it” lives in tag-shame for the rest of the year. So goes the plot of the movie, and the true story. The movie is adapted and made Hollywood, but the screenplay stays true to many of the facts. The on-screen friend group consists of Jon Hamm as the corporate CEO, Ed Helms as the hanging-onto-his-childhood-type, Jake Johnson as the stoner who’s hit rock bottom, Lil Rel Howery as the … honestly I can’t even give him a type, and Jeremy Renner as the CIA Operative type who’s never been tagged. It isn’t long after the Warner Brothers logo appears on screen when we’re met with witty humor, lovable characters, and a capital-f fun storyline. I expected to laugh, and I did. I expected to leave feeling good, and I did. What it didn’t expect is to leave feeling emotionally attached to the story and its characters. The starring cast, along with supporters Isla Fisher and Rashida Jones, has incredible chemistry you can feel from the very beginning. As a viewer who doesn’t gravitate towards the comedy genre, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was invested in the film. Tag struck a difficult balance between realistic but outlandish comedic action scenes. (Think of the scene from Hot Rod where Andy Samberg spends an entire minute falling down a mountain – I still laugh when I see it, but it’s just not realistic.) I also tend to stay away from comedies as to avoid crude and forced humor, which writer Pam Brady kept to a minimum. Long before the hour and a half was over, I was wishing I was a part of the game, and more importantly, the friend group. With my best friend sat beside me, and a couple dozen of our new friends scattered about the theater, we laughed and cried along with our new big screen friends family. Grab your friends, grab some popcorn, and settle in for the best feel good film of the year so far. Take Fifty Two Rating: Watch So you want to be a sicario?
As a big fan of the first Sicario, I was beyond excited to see the second film – I’m talking countdown from the first trailer excited. The first movie delivered a story that was unlike any other I’d seen on the big screen. It was the type of film that just leaves you thinking. So it’s accurate to say I was slightly nervous walking into the theater last night. Nervous, but very hopeful, that the sequel would leave me with the same feeling. Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro are back in full force in the follow up of the 2015 film. This time, federal agent Matt (Brolin) is enlisted by the government’s higher-ups to stir up trouble among a group responsible for a recent terrorist attack on US soil. To do so, he needs outside guys with no ties to the government. Enter: Alejandro (Del Toro). Returning as a freelancer, if you will, this mission becomes a tad too personal, putting everyone at odds with each other and their morals. The action begins soon after the beginning credits and sticks around for the next two hours. As I sat in the back row, I was willing the movie to move faster – but not because the plot was moving slowly, rather because I was itching to know what would happen next. Taylor Sheridan’s screenplay engages your thinking and tests your patience with impeccable pacing that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As intently as my eyes were fixed on the screen, my ears were tuned into to the incredible score. Though not the same composer as the first film, the music enhanced the suspense, amplified the action, and heightened the emotion - just as it should be. As an audience member, the intention behind every shot, angle, ever character placement was obvious in the best of ways. Not to mention the script was devoid of cringey lines and unnecessary dialogue. Sheer perfection behind the lens. I would be remised if I didn’t mention the outstanding performances by, well, the entire cast. I had no doubts Brolin and Del Toro would resurrect their characters with the same authority and conviction as they did three years ago- and they did. What I wasn’t expecting was such great performances from the supporting roles… Though fairly new to the Hollywood scene, Isabela Moner has already mastered the use body language and facial expression as she played a young, but intelligent, girl in an unfortunate situation. With even less credits to his name, Elijah Rodriguez surprised with a convincing performance of a teen tempted by money and caught up with the wrong crowd. This film is a prime example of why I started this blog. Sometimes critics review can be confusing. For example, why did Sicario: Day of the Soldado only score a 62% (at the time of writing) on Rotten Tomatoes? I’m not sure. To me, it two hours much better spent than watching Ocean’s 8 (which achieved a marginally better Rotten Tomatoes score of 67%). There great thing is, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And this is mine: The entire cast and crew of Day of the Soldado delivers another unique story of duty and revenge (and moral compasses than need some resetting tbh.) Sicario 2 is an engaging statement about the real problems of today and a triumph of summer theater among blockbusters made for sheer entertainment. Take Fifty Two Rating: Must Watch *Keep in mind, there was a director change as well. Stefano Sollima has a much different style than Denis Villeneuve (responsible for the first Sicario.) It was because of this style he was brought onto the film – making the sequel more violent and ruthless than the first. I’m going to keep this short and sweet. (Because during busy weeks when you can hardly come up for air, that’s all you can really do.)
Nothing will make sense to your American Ears… As the story goes, FBI agent, Kate (Emily Blunt), has a bone to pick with the drug cartel responsible for the demise of her latest mission. As such, she joins a mission over the border along with the annoyingly frank Matt (Josh Brolin) and suspiciously silent Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro). As the task force delves deeper into the mission, the curtain is drawn revealing things Kate never asked to know. Among the amazing cast, Del Toro stands out despite owning the smallest portion of the script. It’s less of what he says and more of what he does that leads to his stellar performance. The entire ensemble of cast and crew will keep you on the edge of your seat as you feel for Kate, root for Alejandro, and laugh at Reggie. Sicario is the thriller most haven’t even heard of (criminal, right?!), but all should be so lucky to see. Take Fifty Two Rating: Must Watch In a single word, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was stressful. In another word, unconvincing. Guys, I had high hopes for this one. I enjoyed the first Jurassic World. But all in all, the sequel was a bit of a letdown.
Life… finds a way. Following the demise of Jurassic World on Isla Nublar, the island is evacuated except for the very dinosaur that led to its evacuation. The dinosaurs seem to be living in peace but there is one problem… the islands volcano has been reclassified as active and its about to blow. 🌋 The government won’t help no matter how many calls they get, but someone else has the money… Claire and Owen return to the island to help capture and move the dinosaurs before nature takes its course yet again. Mere humans against an entire island of dinosaurs on an island that will soon cease to exist. What could go wrong?? To answer that, a lot goes wrong. Essentially what ensues is two hours of running from dinosaurs – which were, by the way, visually stunning. However, and maybe this can be traced back to the fact that I didn’t have pets growing up, I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the plot line of saving the dinos. You could also chalk it up to the fact that they are an extreme danger to humanity?? Anyway, in the first movie I felt for the creatures a bit more, in this one, I couldn’t understand why they wanted to save them. Speaking of emotional connection, I didn’t feel it between Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). They are back to their on-again-off-again shenanigans, but this time around, I didn’t find myself invested in the relationship as much as the film prior. Oh also, in the first movie, we witnessed extreme character development from almost all involved. In Fallen Kingdom, there was very little development to be seen. Quite the bummer. The script was a B- at best, and this directly ties back to the lack of an emotionally investing plot and character development. Despite a couple of intriguing plot twists, ill-timed, forced humor (one of my biggest pet peeves!!!) stood out in the worst way. To the actor’s credit, they did the best with what they were given. To the director’s credit, I was on the edge of my seat for most of the film. Overall, it was entertaining, but forgettable. It did its purpose of giving fans a sequel, raking in money for the involved companies, and setting up the franchise for a third film. When said third film comes around, I’ll see because I like Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard (and because I have a Movie Pass.) But next time around, I’ll lower my expectations going in. Take Fifty Two: Watch When Bored Remember when Black Friday used to be an actual worth-while, big deal occasion?? You know, the one time a year when you’d actually buy a newspaper and flip through the adds and make a plan of action. Then you’d wake up super early, still half-way in a food coma, wait in line in the freezing cold and then grab the decently discounted winter jacket you need for next year’s Black Friday?? Well I don’t know about you, but now I just wait for cyber Monday. The point is, the deals were worth waiting for. So, was the Incredibles sequel worth the fourteen-year wait??
Suit up! It might get weird… The incredible family is back. Though technically they never left… The Incredibles sequel picks up right where the first movie left off. This time, the still-illegal supers have a wealthy ally who is lobbying for their legalization and return to society. But no tale is that easy and soon, the supers meet their latest foe. As a family, this time including Jack Jack, the Incredibles work together to protect the good name of super heroes everywhere. Sounds pretty epic, right? I was. I guess. If I’m honest, I was expecting more. More dazzling animations (still amazed by Pixar’s work with Coco 😍) More emotion. More… wow factor? Don’t get me wrong, Incredibles 2 was a great follow up to the original. If anything, the pace was slightly faster and overall involved a bit more action. I guess maybe my expectations were a bit too high – which can happen with films that have been marketed for, well, fourteen years really. Speaking of the action, the fights, chases, and close calls honestly rivaled those of live-action marvel movies. In fact, while Elasta girl was pursuing her target, I actually thought to myself, huh, this is pretty realistic for an animation. Yes, they have super powers, which can sometimes be a bit far fetched and out there. But to Pixar’s credit, it all feels pretty real. One thing I’ve mentioned throughout the Pixar series is the well developed and sophisticated plot lines. While Incredibles 2 was a bit faster paced than its predecessor, I didn’t find the plot to be quite as engaging. Where it lacked in plot development, it made up for in humor. Edna returns and faces unchartered territory with all her charm. Bob learns how hard it is to manage kids 24/7. The “Frozone and his wife” banter is not forgotten. All in all, its entertaining. However, it may be one of those movies that you forget about for a couple years, and then re-watch on a rainy day. The major difference between The Incredibles (2004) and Incredible 2 (to me) is the feeling you get when the credits roll. For The Incredibles, it was more along the lines of wow, that’s what it means to be a family. As for Incredibles 2, huh, that’s what a mediocre sequel feels like. Take Fifty Two Rating: Watch You know, there are some movies you just can’t see too many times. Incredibles is one of them.
That was totally wicked!! There are a few things that alll Pixar movies have in common. Always (usually) a well developed plot, appealing to all ages, and visually stunning (see Coco as a prime example.) Anyway, The Incredibles is no exception and here’s why. Just in case you maybe haven’t seen it, The Incredibles follows a family of “supers” in a world where superheroes must hide their powers and identities. Bob Parr (aka Mr. Incredible) however, craves a taste of the good ole’ days. Ultimately, his desire to be “back in the saddle” if you will, put him and his entire family of supers in danger, testing their powers and strength as individuals and as a family. It’s a little crazy honestly how adult these Pixar films are – think about how sad Up was, think about the subplot of cheating in The Incredibles. These movies may be animations, but the story lines are far more sophisticated than we, as children, could’ve understood. Also, Pixar films tend to develop their characters pretty well. And between Bob, Helen, Dash, Violet, and even Jack Jack, every audience member can relate to a small part of this movie. At it’s core, The Incredibles delivers what most Pixar movies do – solid lessons, well timed humor, and two hours of wholesome entertainment. If for anything, watch The Incredibles for the “where is my super suit” scene – you know the one. 😂 But don’t watch it for Bob, he’s not the best character ever. There. I said it. Take Fifty Two Verdict: Must Watch Been a while since you've seen the movie? Here's what you need to know before seeing Incredibles 2... (contains spoilers) - After saving a man who didn't want to be saved, Mr. Incredible brought on a cascade of lawsuits against the supers, forcing the government to send them into hiding and conceal their identities. - While attempting to catch a bank robber, Mr. Incredible was distracted by his biggest fan - Incredi-boy. He told the kid that he "works alone." - Incredi-boy harbors his bitterness and resentment for years, becoming Syndrome, who is essentially a self-made super and intends to wipe out all the real supers and make a good name for himself (anger issues much??) - Mr. Incredible, Elasta Girl, Violet, Dash, and Frozone saved the world from a very smart robot, essentially bringing supers into the light again, but still not accepted by the public and endorsed by the government - The Underminer threatens the safety of the city yet again, but have no fear, the supers are here!! - Incredibles 2 will pick up where the first movie left off - Oh, and baby Jack Jack can set himself on fire, turn into a baby demon, and much more. Expect to find out more in the sequel. Can you imagine anything more exhausting than blowing up enough balloons to lift your house off the ground, steering said house through a thunderstorm in the atmosphere, and trying to keep a very talkative child safe while also trying to save a rare bird from the hands of a bitter, evil man?? I can… shopping with my sister who stops at every sale rack in existence. 😴After a particularly exhausting trip to the mall, the couch and a movie sounded nice. In honor of the release of Incredibles 2 this weekend, I thought I’d indulge in a trip down Pixar Lane with a film I surprisingly haven’t seen before – Up.
Squirrel! It’s realllly hard to critique a Pixar movie. You can just tell they put so much thought and effort into any film that comes out of their studios, and Up is no exception. The plot, as loosely described in the intro, is charming, frightening, and inspiring all at the same time. Adventurers Carl and Ellie meet at a young age and through an expertly designed montage, we get a sense of their relationship over the years. When Ellie passes, Carl decides to embark on the adventure he always promised her – parking their beloved house on the edge of Paradise Falls. With his unexpected travel companion, Russel, they face storms, talking dogs, and natures toll on the helium keeping them afloat. I remember Up being a big hit when it first came out, and I’d seen bits and pieces over the years, but the entire plot line was never clear to me. How were they going to make a movie out of a house carried by balloons? Is it a tale of easy success and fulfilling promises? Where was the conflict going to come in? All of my questions were answered in a storyline so unique and surprising for an animated movie. For a kid’s movie, it was actually pretty sad and scary. Then again, in the eyes of a child, maybe all they notice are the amazingly colored balloons and playfully decorated house brought to life by the animation team. As any children’s’ movie should be, Up appeals to all ages and teaches lessons important to every member of mankind. Remember everyone, Pixar is amazing, and adventure is out there! Take Fifty Two Rating: Must Watch Ahh summer… a season of sunshine and vacations. Also the time of year when producers and distributors count on larger audiences turning up in cinemas across the globe (aka more $$$). Unfortunately for us, those in the audience, this means the movies are often designed to be blockbusters and please the general movie-goer. So does Ocean’s 8 fit the bill? Find out below.
The Plan is Priceless. And technically the movie was too. (thanks Movie Pass) Whether or not the two hours were well spent is tbd. If you ask me, this movie had two big marketing pulls. 1) The all star cast and the countless cameos. 2) The fact that it’s a spinoff of the Ocean’s 11 series (also pack full of A-listers.) As the story goes, Danny Ocean, king of heists, has a crime-loving sister, Debbie (Sandra Bullock). Even after a stint in prison, she’s hungry for the biggest heist of her career. She’s had five years in the slammer to plan the job and recruits the best of the best (or just those available) to help. Without saying too much, this particular plan is a bit more personal for Debbie. The actual logistics are pretty brilliant, but not enough goes wrong in their plot for the story to actually be engaging. Also, there so many characters that each one gets little development – in cases like these, it’s hard to root for them, especially when they are criminals 🤷 In terms of the acting, each member of the team, from Rihanna to Helena Bonham Carter, brings something to the table. But even when you have such a strong cast, a movie is really only as good as it’s script. The story line had just enough twists not to be totally predictable, but not enough to be memorable. As fun as it is to witness so much star power on one screen, the excitement stops about there. I was almost buying into the film overall, and then in walks James Corden… Don’t get me wrong, I love James Corden. How could I not, he’s British! But I love him as a talk show host. As an insurance fraud investigator, he wasn’t so convincing. It was almost like they stuck James Corden in to play himself. The few comedic moments before his screen time were, for the most part, understated. But once his character was introduced, it literally felt like watching a skit on The Late Late Show. Overall, it was entertaining enough. When the credits rolled, my first thought was this is the Pitch Perfect of the crime genre (if that’s a thing.) So if you liked Pitch Perfect in all of it feminine/comedic/next-to-no-emotion glory, you may find yourself like the others in my theater – clapping at the finish like it was the next La La Land. Take Fifty Two Rating: Watch When Bored |
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