War for the Planet of the Apes: AKA Caesar's Revenge

The Planet of the Apes has a pretty long history.  The original series started in 1968 and ended in 1973.  There was later a remake in 2001 which got terrible reviews.  Then 2011 happened and our harry friends made their mark.  First was the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, followed by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and lastly, War for the Planet of the Apes.  I have been hooked since 2011 and must say, the final movie in this trilogy did not disappoint.

Caesar has new trouble with an army of angry humans who try to attack his species.  Caesar prefers to use alternate methods than fighting to make his point so sends his new invaders back to their camp without injury, which is in hopes this will make it known he and his fellow apes can be peaceful.  Well this plan ends up backfiring in the worst way possible when not only do they come back, but they kill his wife an oldest child.  Caesar is left with his youngest and the other survivors to find a new home because it is inevitable that theirs will no longer be.  On their way to a hopeful new home, Caesar decides his anger towards the man responsible for the death of his wife and son is too powerful for him to ignore.  He leaves his group, along with a few of his faithful followers, to find this man and do what Caesar doesn't want to do, but knows he will.  Meanwhile, Mr. Ape Killer is growing a ridiculously strong army who is not only fighting a war with the apes, but also a war with another group of humans.  It appears a disease has spread that causes human to lose their human abilities and become less intelligent than the apes.  This doesn't sit well so he does everything in his power to end the apes in hopes of saving the human race.  It looks like Caesar has his work cut out for him, but will his anger blind him from making decisions that are best for his species?

I LOVED this movie!  The scenes were raw and emotional along with excellent action scenes.  You felt Caesar's anger and inner dilemma.  You also forgot these were apes as their dialogue, compassion, and intelligence was superior to the humans.  IMDB gave it an 8/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 94%.  I will raise them both and give it a 9.5/10.  It was everything I was hoping it would be and then some.  The perfect movie for a family with older kids, a date night, or movie with your friends.  Ladies, if you haven't jumped on the train yet, I am as girly as they get with most things and really liked it!

Spiders and Sharks.....Oh My!

Summer is the best time to see action films.  There is just something about warm weather that makes seeing a movie filled with suspense even better.  This week, I was entertained by two vastly different, but equally awesome flicks.

SpiderMan: Homecoming

Peter Parker is back for a 3rd reboot of Spiderman.  In this version, Peter has to prove himself to Tony Stark before becoming one of the Avengers, but he is struggling with trying to find out how he can do that.  He spends his days trying to be a teenager, but his nights are protecting the innocent.  No matter how many times Tony tells him to leave well enough alone, Peter finds himself fighting the bad guys. He gets himself into quite a pickle when he discovers a group of not-so-good guys are stealing high tech weapons that are literally out of this world.  These weapons are more than his spidey suit can handle which leaves Peter depending on his buddy of iron to save the day.  Will this ruin his chance to fight side by side with the big boys?

This movie did a great job of not repeating the other Spiderman flicks.  We know Peter's Uncle Ben died and we know how, so thank you for not showing the same story again.  This story focused more on Peter evolving into the best version of himself.  I also liked how the bad guys weren't extreme characters.  The main villain was a regular Joe who was sick of being walked on, and he didn't have any powers, just sick weapons that were meant for those not-so-earthly.  It was funny, entertaining, and had the cute guy meets girl component as well.  A definite must see. Apparently IMDB and Rottem Tomatoes agrees since IMDB gave it 8.1/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 93%.  I'd give it an 8/10 so I'll be the bad guy this time.

47 Meters Down

I need to stop seeing shark movies by myself.  The last one I saw was with Blake Lively and you don't realize how creepy these movies are until you see them by yourself.  Needless to say, I found myself alone at the theater surrounded by a dark ocean and hungry sharks.

Lisa was dumped by her boyfriend for being boring, so decides to take her sister on a trip to Mexico to prove to him how boring she can be.  The girls meet a couple of cute locals who convince them to show their adventurous sides and dive with sharks.  I know, smart girls.  Lisa and Kate decide to ignore their intuition and embrace the adventure.  This all turns quite bleak when the cage they are submerged in breaks from the boat and plummets......you guessed it.....47 meters into the ocean.  The girls are left with little air and sharks that are ready to have their 4th meal.  Was this mission for bravery really worth it?

I have to say, this was not as cheesey as I thought it would be.  Mandy Moore did an excellent job playing a girl who is fighting to break free of herself and be the adventurous girl her sister is.  The shark scenes were not too gruesome and you are at the edge of your seat most of the movie.  Just don't show up late because you won't be able to find where the seats are.....we're talking dark.  I have to say, there is a pretty frustrating plot twist at the end and you are pretty much left thinking....what the heck (or another 4 letter word).  IMDB gave it 5.9/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 53%.  I'd give it a solid 6/10.  It was suspenseful and you didn't see the ending ahead of time.  It was what it was, a movie about two girls who want to impress boys so they dive with sharks.  So take that for what you will and just enjoy being entertained.

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns: 2 Vastly Different Stories with A Powerful Commonality

I have to admit, I am not typically the most patriotic person.  It isn't that I don't think the country I reside in has wonderful aspects and people, but I have always been more focused on loving the planet we live on which entails taking care of it as well as all of the species living in it, humans included.  So take my patriotism and apply it to my love for humanity, being kind to all, taking care of those in need, and treating our planet like the amazing shrine that it is.  I digress.  So I found it interesting that when the 4th of July rolled around this year, I was on vacation and ended up reading two books based on Afghanistan from the 1980's through the 2000's.  Reading these books, definitely gave me perspective and I do feel fortunate to have the freedoms we have. It is always important to strive for better, but there are many countries such as Afghanistan that are in shambles and their people are treated worse then any of us can imagine.  I love when you pick up a book that changes you and I was fortunate enough to read two books that did this.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini:

Amir grew up in Kabul with his father and his father's life long servant and his son, Hassan.  Yes they were servants, but Hassan and his father were also family to Amir and his dad. During this time, Amir knew it was looked down on that he was so close with Hassan based on where he was from, but that didn't stop him from spending all of his time with him.  Unfortunately, Amir was sometimes inflicted and used Hassan's failings against him such as his inability to read and his lack of knowledge of the world.  Hassan's biggest fault was that he had such unconditional love and loyalty for Amir, even when Amir didn't necessarily deserve it.  One afternoon after what should have been the best day in Amir and Hassan's lives, Amir witnessed Hassan have the worst things imaginable done to him by local bullies, and Amir just stood by in secret watching.  He never stopped the boys nor stood up for his friend and this eventually ate at him so much that he framed Hassan and made it so they had to leave Amir and his father's home.  This guilt never left Amir and as he grew up and left for the U.S., he never realized his life would eventually come back full circle and back to Kabul where it all began.

This book was a story of friendship, but also finding bravery in ourselves.  Amir evolved throughout the novel and finally in the end, became a man he could be proud of.  There were many raw images spread throughout, such as Hassan being taken advantage of by the cruelest of people, a little boy in an orphanage being sold to a leader of the Taliban with a sick temperament, people being brutally murdered just for having different beliefs, and the constant sound of bombs destroying homes and memories created.  It will definitely stay with you long after you read it, but makes you appreciative of the life you have and therefore encourages you to live it in a better way.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini:

Miriam's entire life was about challenges.  She was the daughter of a housemaid and member of high society which left her illegitimate.  She lived with her mother far into the country and only saw her father once a week where he would share stories of the life he lived, a life that really didn't include Miriam.  One day she fled to go find him and stay with him, only to be turned away.  When she came back home, her mother had killed herself thinking her daughter would never come back.  Instead of taking her in, her father gave her away to a 45 year old man, while Miriam was only 15.  She was wed and forced to a live with a man that only wanted her for one thing, a child, and a boy at that.  When she could't produce this for him, he added another, younger wife to their family.  Little did Miriam know, this new wife and Miriam would soon team together to defy the man that controlled them, beat them, and used them for his own pleasure.  They only had one another, but it was the most love and kinship Miriam ever knew.  Miriam's story was sad and her life did not end well, but she died knowing she was loved and she had loved in return.

This was my favorite of the two from this author.  I am sure it is because this was really a story about the women in Afghanistan and the constant oppression they endured.  Take Miriam who was forced into marriage, forced into sex at age 15 with a 45 year old man, beaten, and when she tried to run away, she was locked in storage for 3 days without food or water.  Her husband fed her rocks to show her how awful her cooking was.  Then add in the Taliban take-over. When the Taliban took over, they announced their rules which involved women never being allowed out of the house without a male relative, they must be fully dressed in what they called the Women's Veil which had to cover everything, literally everything, and a billion other ridiculous rules treating them as worthless beings.   As I am reading this, I am thinking of all of the choices I get to make and the marriage I get to choose and it just breaks my heart.  Miriam is a hero and after everything she went through, she still chose to live selflessly in the end.  I will never forget her story nor the images portrayed from this amazingly written novel.

This link gives you a small picture in to the world of women who must follow the rules of the Taliban. Warning: it will enrage you.

4th of July Weekend 2017 Comedies: The House VS. Cars 3

For many, the tradition on a summer holiday weekend is to head up north or venture of to the lake.  For others, they enjoy "stay-cations' and enjoy the local perks.  If you are the latter and are looking for a good summer comedy- I have two for you.  One would be great for the whole family and the other would be perfect for a date night........an adult date night.

Cars 3 was a fun experience and I am proud to say that I, with no kids, invited my friends, with three kids, to attend.  We had a blast!  It was neat to see the kids' excitement for seeing a movie and how engulfed in it they were.  Cars was about the last races of our friend Lightning McQueen who has a big decision to make.  He is being out raced by younger, more advanced race cars and needs to decide if it's time for him to say goodbye to the world he has always known and always been good at.  He is convinced he has one more race left in him so works with a great support team to make this happen.  In the end he ends up choosing between focusing on his own dream and helping someone else achieve theres. This movie was the perfect family movie with the appropriate amount of adult humor to help all stay engaged.  

The House was a hilarious movie about two parents (played by Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) who realize they have no money to send their only child to college.  To them, if they can't afford to send her, college won't be in the cards, so they devise a plan with a down and out of his lucky friend to raise funds. Now their friend is in the middle of a divorce due to his severe gambling addition so it isn't at all surprising when the idea is to run a casino out of his home.  This seems nuts at first, but the numbers can't be argued.  Will and Amy's characters soon realize they are pretty good at this new lifestyle and take things a little to far when fingers are getting chopped off, police get involved, and scary mobsters get wind of their operations.  This movie was funny, raunchy, and packed with swearing.  Picture a mix between SNL and Parks and Rec.  I laughed out loud a ton and think you will too.

So if you are in the mood for a comedy, depending on who is tagging along, I hope one of these makes your 4th of July to-do list.  

Rough Night: Best/Worst Bachelorette Weekend Ever!

The night I saw this movie was the BEST!  I live about 2 minutes away from Studio C, an amazing theater in Okemos, MI, and have been dying to ride my new bike with a basket to the movies. Wednesday's movie was on a sunny night with no rain, so I knew this was my night.  Not only was the bike ride perfect, but I ended up seeing a movie that made me laugh out loud a lot.

Jessica is running for office and a work-a-holic, but has an amazingly supportive fiancé and is about to embark on a weekend of fun with her BFFs from college for her bachelorette party.  Alice, who has always proclaimed herself to be the closest person to Jessica, has planned an epic party and has no idea it is about to get more real than she imagined.  The gals go to a beautiful paradise with blue water and white sandy beaches while making sure they dance the night away.  Once back at their amazing pad, they get this idea that it would be fun to hire a stripper.  This is when things get a little crazy, as if they hadn't already.  The stripper does his thing and Alice gets a little too excited only to end up accidentally killing the guy.  Now their night is about protecting their butts and making sure nobody goes to jail.  Meanwhile, Jessica leaves a horrible voicemail to her fiancé that gets cut off, which gives him a very wrong idea of what her night is like.  He ends up driving across the country to save his future marriage.  Will he still want to marry her when he finds out she was an accessory to murder?

This movie didn't get the best ratings.  IMDB gave it 5.5/10 and Rotten Tomatoes was really no better at 50%.  I thought it was hilarious and would give it a 7.5/10!!  Each girl in this movie had their own backstory and brought more comedy.  It also had some awesome stars such as Jillian Bell (she was in the 2nd Jump Street movie) and Kate McKinnon (SNL!).  As much as I loved the femininity of the girls portion of the film, my favorite component had to be the side story occurring with her fiancé.  He and his friends had the most hilarious bachelor party (we are talking wine and cheese tasting) and when he thinks his finance is cheating on him, he follows the advise of his friends and drives across the country in a diaper and drinks a ton of Monster drinks, just to make sure he gets to her in time.  His story makes this movie, along with the ridiculous comedy from some amazing ladies.

The Mummy: Egypt Meets the Walking Dead

I gotta be honest, this was definitely a movie I saw to chow down on some popcorn and appease the hubby. I did enjoy the original Mummy movies and am not a big Tom Cruise fan, so with those factors lumped together, I was not too eager to see this.  Nothing against Tom, the dude has done a TON, but I think I'm just kind of over him.  Maybe if he did another Jerry McGuire or something, it would change my tune.  I digress. The Mummy reboot was't as bad as I thought, but still not the greatest.

Nick Morton isn't the best person in the world.  He isn't even decent.  The guy takes what he wants and does't seem to care who it affects.  This causes him more harm that he could ever imagine when he accidentally awakes an evil princess who was mummified thousands of years ago.  She is back with a vengeance and is searching for a human body to store the God of Death.  Since Nick was the smart one to awake her, she seems to think he is her soulmate and the perfect candidate.  It's up to Nick to find a way to break this curse and hopefully save the world from utter destruction.

The beginning of this film was actually really good.  It was interesting and grabbed my attention.  Then it gets weird when I start wondering if I am watching The Mummy or The Walking Dead.  I was literally waiting for Rick and Carl to turn up.  You take that and then add the fact that Nick (Mr. Cruise) evolves into a God, and it's time to check out early.  My husband even asked me if we could leave when we had 20 minutes left.  IMDB seems to agree with 5.9/10 stars and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 16%.  I would give it a solid 3/10.  Save your money and just Netflix or go see Wonder Woman again.

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult: Things Are Rarely as Perfect as They Seem

I went through a Jodi Picoult binge a few years ago after reading My Sister's Keeper.  The girl can write.  Usually, her tales involve lots of drama and a court case, but this story was missing the latter.  For this reason, I kept picking it up to read, and then placing it back on the shelf. I just didn't know if it would pull me in like her others have.  So finally when I was in the used book section of Schuler's, I caved in and forced myself to read it. Best decision ever.

Cassie assumed Alex Rivers was going to be an entitled actor when she was offered a job to help with his set in Tanzania since it was based on an anthropologist, which is what Cassie was in the real world.  This proved to be true, but during the their time together, Cassie also saw the side of Alex he never showed anyone.  The two quickly found out how much they completed one another and needed one another so it wasn't at all shocking when they quickly married and began their life together.  It was a dream world for Cassie.  Multiple houses, cleaning ladies, chauffeurs, hired hands to do the grocery shopping, and so much more that made Cassie feel as if she was living someone else's life.  The one tangible thing she had was Alex.  The two were inseparable and as long as she had him, she would always be safe......or so she thought.  One night, Cassie got home late from a delayed flight and soon discovered that Alex, although 95% of the time was amazing, also had a dark side.  The slap across the face was something she never, ever expected, but soon that grew to being kicked in the ribs, blood dripping down her face, and bruises she would continually need to hide from the rest of the world.  Each time Alex lost his temper, Cassie has tried her best not to set him off.  She knew if she could just get it right, it would't happen again.  He loved her, he needed her, and she knew he couldn't live without her.  It was his past that made him this way and she could fix it.  Then the unthinkable occurred and she got pregnant.  This was supposed to be an exciting time for them.  She knew Alex did't want kids, but thought that was his insecurities as his own father had failed him.  She couldn't wait to tell him, but before she could, he cracked again and this time it was really bad.  She knew once it was over, so was her dream with their unborn baby.  After that, life seemed to calm down, and Cassie thought that just maybe the beatings were done.  She found her answer soon after when she got pregnant again and he lost his temper.  Cassie knew then that she had to leave.  She loved Alex and always would, but she had to save this baby.  She made a plan and fled, but that was interrupted as she got in an accident and lost her memory.  One police officer with his own backstory, Will, found her and helped her find out who she was and who she was married to.  Something didn't feel right to Will when he returned Cassie to her husband and couldn't shake it.  Something was very wrong, but he didn't know what or what he could do about it.  Meanwhile, Cassie returned home and slowly started remembering what happened and why she left in the first place. The problem was, would she be able to leave again?

As you can see, this book has all kinds of twists.  What I liked about it most was the readers ability to see the major dilemma Cassie was going through.  She loved Alex and would't have left had she not gotten pregnant.  This poor girl really thought she was helping Alex by absorbing all his pain when he hit her.  To her, he needed her and she needed him.  No matter how much it hurt, she would endure, but when the baby came, this all changed.  It was empowering to see her evolve and become independent and gain the strength needed to do what was right.  I also loved that I really did't know how it would end until it was finished.  So no, there was no major court case, but Jodi Picoult didn't need that in this novel.  I highly recommend it if you are in the mood for empowerment, suspense, and inspiration.

Wonder Woman: Now That's a Gal I Want in My Corner

This movie has gotten a ton of hype for being one of the first with a female as the leading hero.  Many wondered how it would compare to its testosterone filled counterparts.  I think the box office can speak to that given it killed records on its first weekend.  To put it in perspective, I saw this on a Saturday evening at 6pm which can usually count on being halfway filled on a big movie night, but not with this movie.  Every seat was filled because that theater was packed.  Most importantly to me, was the murmurs after. People were raving about how good it was and I have to say I definitely agree.

Diana was raised a princess of the Amazons, but felt a desire for more than just being a princess.  This was because she was so much more than that and as she got older, she saw she was destined for greater things.  When a mysterious gentlemen showed up on her island, her true destiny came into view as she left the only world she knew to defeat the evil of the world and bring peace.  Diane had faith in humanity and knew they were capable of good, but was constantly challenged as she discovered WWII in all its cruelty.  Convinced people could change, Diana didn't stop until the true culprit of all of this could be stopped. Would her strength be enough though and would she find out the real truth of how she came to be?

This movie just killed it when it comes to female heroes.  I loved her strength but more importantly her compassion.  She was strong, brave, and also loved humanity and would do anything for it because of that.  Not that male heroes don't have some of these qualities, but I think thats what makes a female hero more compelling is that they seem to demonstrate it in a different, better way. (No offense guys.)  Rotten Tomatoes gave it 93% and IMDB gave it 8.3 out of 10.  I would give it a solid 9.5/10.  It truly was an awesome movie that kept me engaged, had amazing action scenes, and such raw emotions.  A perfect kick-off to summer kind of movie.

Everything, Everything: Girl Next Door Falls for Boy Next Door

I remember being in high school and seeing Save the Last Dance with my girlfriends.  I was so gitty to be seeing a "girly" movie with my besties and wondered if I would ever outgrow such movies.  It is 18 years later, and I am happy to report that is not the case and far from it.  So of course when seeing the preview for a movie where an 18 year old, who has been confined to her home her whole life due to an illness, falls for the boy next door who shows her a world she's never seen, I was all about it.

Maddy has been sick since she was a baby, and with that has been confined to her house the entire time.  Her sickness is rare but limits her ability to fight infection and therefore implies that the outside world could very well kill her. This makes things tough when she falls for Olly, the boy next door.  Olly is the cynic to Maddy's positivity and falls for her instantly knowing she makes him better. The two have quite the challenge to their relationship as Maddy's overprotective mother doesn't want Maddy to get involved with Olly since their relationship can only go so far.  With the help of Maddy's nurse, Olly is able to sneak over and spend time with her.  This is still a limiting situation as he isn't able to stand too close to her.  As time continues, the two break more and more boundaries because love makes you do crazy things.  All hell breaks loose when Maddy leaves her house to see if Olly is ok after a rather scary encounter with his father.  Maddy's mom catches her going outside to him and puts together the pieces.  She forbids Maddy from seeing him again and takes all forms of communication she has with him away.  Maddy does what any teenage girl would do and runs away with Olly.  Her desire to be with him and see the world causes her to be brave and take Olly to a once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii.  Maddy is exposed to so much more than she ever imagined with cliff jumping, swimming, and yes.....falling in love.  This all comes crashing down when Maddy collapses and is taken to the hospital.  Will this trip have been her last?  Find out and see this heartfelt movie that reminds us of the simpleness of young love.

This movie was exactly as I suspected.  It was geared for those in between ages 14-18, but definitely had its appeal.  My husband even saw it with me and didn't mind it.  I have to say, there is quite the plot twist that you may be able to figure out in the middle of the movie, but I won't give anything away here.  IMDB gave it a 6.3 and Rotten Tomatoes gave is a 47%.  I would definitely give it a 7/10.  You have to go into it seeing it for what is is which is a high school love story.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2: Baby Groot Steals the Show

There is nothing better than seeing a movie with some of your closest friends, during the workweek, and on opening night.  I had the privilege of having a night like that on Thursday and what made it even better was that it was the kick-off to summer movies which means, it was a comic/action film.  To me, this was the best way to kick-off summer.  I know what you are thinking, I am an almost 32 year old, girly female, what could I possibly enjoy about such a movie?  You'll just have to read below.

Peter, aka Star-Lord, and his fellow defenders of the galaxy are in for it when two groups band together to destroy them.  The Guardians have other plans though as Peter finds out who his real father is and is introduced to a world he never knew existed.  Things aren't as they seem and the others begin to take notice, but it may be harder to make Peter see this as he is transfixed by daddy-dear.  Old enemies return, but we soon find out they may not actually be the enemies we thought.  Things get a little confusing and it's hard to figure out who to trust.  Ultimately, the fate of the universe will in be the hands of the Guardian's, and hopefully Peter is onboard with saving it.

When the movie first started, I was worried it was just going to be just a bunch of random action scenes.  It did kind of carry on a bit in this way for the first 10-15 minutes, but after that ended, the real story began and I loved it.  My favorite parts had to be anything involving Baby Groot.  If you were a Groot fan before, just picture a smaller version with a child-like mindset.  He was so stinking cute and just entertaining the entire time.  I also loved the secret hints throughout the movie that led to a major plot twist.  It definitely had a lot of action, but also sentiment and a ton of comedy.  Whether you are into Marvel or can appreciate action movies with comedic value, I definitely think you'll enjoy this one.  Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB would also agree as they gave it 82%, which I think it spot on.  Don't take it from me though, go get your summer started by seeing the first box-office hit!

The Circle: How Much Connection is Too Much?

When I saw a poster of this movie and saw it starred Tom Hanks and Emma Watson, I knew it was going to be nothing short of awesome.  Then I saw the trailer and found out it involved a girl who gets caught up in a company that is all about connectivity (Sounds familiar?) and was instantly stoked for a great film.

Mae is a temp customer service rep for a small company that pays little.  This all changes when her friend gets her an interview at a major company called The Circle which is known as the place to work.  Mae nails the interview and is thrown into a world she's never seen.  Yes, she has a cell phone and knows how to text, but this is a whole new level.  The Circle expects its employees to attend every get-to-gether, update their social media pages constantly, and basically connect/expose everything about themselves to the world.  Everyone who works there seems to love this and even though she resisted at first, Mae begins to drink the Kool-aid.  Things really fall into place for her when her company is able to help her father who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.  Things could't be better and Mae is rising to the top of a very successful company.  Her parents back home and childhood friend begin to pull away as Mae is now full involved in a world they want no part in.  She ends up having to make some choices and finds out that there is such thing as too much access which can be deadly.

This movie is like one giant conglomerate of Facebook, Apple, Google, and any other "techy" business you would like to throw in.  The obsession of sharing every aspect of life evolves so much that these people believe it to be every human right to have access to EVERYTHING whether it has to do with them or not.  It's engaging, suspenseful, emotional, and raw.  Tom Hanks plays the CEO of The Circle and Emma Watson plays our innocent Mae.  I saw it with my girlfriends and cannot wait to see it again with my husband.  Am I going to stop social media?  No, but it does make you want to be more conscious of how much is too much when it comes to sharing aspects of our life to the world.  Rotten Tomatoes gave it 18% and IMDB gave it 5.3/10.  I must be in a good mood or just super easy going today because I would definitely give it a 7/10.  I think if you are fascinated by the context, you will be very happy with the film.  Anyone with a social media account can appreciate the overall message, but you'll just have to see it for yourself.

2017 Summer Movie Preview- Studio C Style

Summer Preview Experience
Twice a year, Celebration Cinemas puts on an event where movie goers have the opportunity to see trailers of upcoming movies.  There is one in late Fall called the Holiday Preview and one in the Spring called the Summer Preview.  I believe this is my 3rd one and I have to say was my favorite.  The hubs and I have always chosen Studio C as our theater of choice when it comes to Celebration because of their trendy atmosphere, delicious eats, and wonderful staff.  So we knew which theater was the right choice for this.  The minute we got there, we were greeted with smiles and given tickets to use for the drawings in which about 20 people either won a gift card, movie ticket, or refillable popcorn bucket.  There were several options for their hottest food items so all we really needed to do was by our drinks or popcorn.....which you know I did.  Each preview experience has been different but this one stood out to me since I can tell they have learned from each one.  This time they did all of the drawings in the beginning and then let the trailers run without an intermission.  I loved it because it promoted efficiency and allowed us to focus on the trailers without staying super late on a work night.  They also gave us a list of movie trailers they were playing and a link to submit our choices of what we wanted to see this summer, which is a really good business tactic if you ask me.  If you haven't gone to a trailer preview before, I highly recommend it.  It gives you a chance to see what is up and coming and have a different kind of date night.  Okay, I know you've all been waiting, so go ahead and take a look at the movies I highly recommend this summer.

Must See Movies Summer 2017

The Circle
Tom Hanks and Emma Watson star in a movie that's all too familiar when one girl entered into a world where literally everything is recorded....a little familiar eh?  See what happens when she tries to escape as she finds out none of us have much control in our own lives.  A suspenseful film for sure!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
If you loved this dysfunctional group of super heroes the first time, then you will be pleased to know they are back and funnier than ever.  Plus it's got Baby Groot!  A definite action packed comedy.

The Lovers
What happens when a couple who's been married for many years both become unfaithful?  Plot twist- what happens when they cheat on the people they've been cheating with to get back together?  A romantic comedy of what one couple goes through to fall back in love.

Snatched
The beloved Goldy Hawn and Amy Schumer are in quite the pickle when they play the part of a mother/daughter duo who decide to take a vaca to Mexico and get kidnapped.  This movie is filled with a mix of Goldy and Amy's humor which make for a histerical film.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
This book was well loved by children and so will this movie.  The Heffley family is on traveling on vacation and run into all kinds of ordeals on their way.  A great movie for the whole family.

Everything, Everything
One boy falls in love with a girl who can't leave her house as her sickness has her confined.  The natural bacteria and infections in the air could very well kill her.  So when she decides she has had enough and escapes with him to experience what she's been missing, her life is in his hands. A definite young adult romance film.

Baywatch
When you do a reboot of Baywatch and throw The Rock along with Zack Efron......you've got quite the entertaining movie.  I don't think there is really much else I need to say, but please know they are making fun of the series and it's awesome.

Wonder Woman
A bad ass "shero" film for all feminists!  Haha- or just a really good action movie starring a super hero woman who knows how to kick butt.

Rough Night
A group of BFFs are out for a bachelorette party having the time of their life.  Things start to turn ugly when they accidentally kill the mail stripper and have to figure out what to do next.  This is the perfect comedy to go see with your girlfriends.

The House
Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler are the parents of an intelligent daughter who gets accepted to Berkley, only to find out they can't afford it.  So what do they do?  They open a casino in their basement.  Think all things Vegas, but in their basement.

An Inconvenient Sequel
My conservative friends may not be a fan, but seriously, all of my readers need to see this.  Does the title sound familiar?  Yes, Al Gore is back with another cry to the human race to do something about the cold hard FACTS of Global Warming and Climate Change.  This movie shows how far we've come, and what we are risking if we don't use our voices with this new presidency.  A must see for anyone who gives a hoot about our planet.

A Ghost Story
I don't think all of you will like this, but I had to throw one out there for my indie film friends.  This one stars Casey Affleck and reflects on what happens when life changes and we leave a little bit ourselves behind as it does.

Other Notable Must Sees:

Captain Underpants- For the kids.
The Mummy- A reboot of the origin starring Tom Cruise.
All Eyez on Me- The story of 2-Pac.
Cars 3- For the family.
Transformers: The Last Night- For the Optimus Prime followers.
Despicable Me 3: Another great one for the family.
Spider-Man: Homecoming- The next gen of our favorite spidey hero and this one includes Iron Man!
The Emoji Movie- It looks hilarious and definitely has adult humor.
Detroit 67- Think Detroit in the 60's.....yeah.
The Hitman's Bodyguard- Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds meets The Bodyguard.
The Nut Job 2- Another sequel for the kiddos.


Alright guys- no excuses.  Go to the movies!

Gifted: A Movie Review

Chris Evans is the sarcastic character we all know and love from Avengers known as Captain America.  Once in awhile, he'll venture off and star in a different kind of movie with less action and more heart.  He rocked it in Before I Go and did it again with this movie about a genius little girl who lives with her uncle after her mom dies.  It was literally everything I hoped it would be.

Mary Adler is in first grade, but has the personality of a 25 year old and the brain of Albert Einstein.  The girl can solve complex equations that mathematicians struggle with.  Her uncle, Frank, is trying to give her a normal life after witnessing his sister end her own from struggling with depression. He knew his sister always struggled with her genius and abnormal life so thought his sister would want Mary to play and just be a kid as much as possible.  Things begin to crumble for him when his mother all of a sudden wants to be in her granddaughter's life.  She stopped talking to her daughter when she became pregnant for Mary and after 7 years, decides she wants to take her.  Frank knows his  mom just wants to take Mary to live with the ridiculously smart and shove math down her throat just like she did with her mother, but he does everything he can to fight her, which unfortunately means going to court.  Will the judge side with what Mary has always known, or send her to Boston to live with her estranged grandmother?  More importantly, will Frank decide that a one bedroom apartment and simple living is lacking in what Mary really needs or deserves?

As I said earlier, this movie was everything I had hoped it would be.  Mackenzie Grace, who plays Mary, was exceptional.  Her charismatic personality and adult humor in such a tiny body was endearing.  The plot posed an intriguing question of which would be better for her between living with her uncle who repaired boats for a living, or living in Boston surrounded by mathematicians.  All Mary wanted was to live with her uncle and continue with their blissful life, but the more he sees what she is capable of, the more he questions his own ability to raise her.  His conflict of missing back his previous bachelor life and living the life of a single parent was well acted by Chris Evans.  This movie had a ton of heart and definitely brought out the emotions. I is a must see for sure. IMDB gave it a 7.7/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 65%.  I will raise IMDB and give it a solid 8/10, but you should see it for yourself and decide.

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin

I don't know what I love more about this novel.  It has to be a tie between the heartfelt story and the awesome Irish dialect throughout.  I must warn you though, you will need to have tissues on hand as the tears will most certainly come and when they do- good luck controlling them.  Don't let this deter you from reading it though.  As I have said previously, I am currently reading a list of books from Buzzfeed that are intended to make you cry, but also to make you laugh, and experience all of the other glorious emotions our human bodies are meant to live through.

Rabbit is in her 40's and is currently living the last of her days.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, went into remission, it spread to the other breast, she thought they got it again, and then it spread.  The last was when her leg broke and they found out it had spread to her bones.  She was living with stage 4 and even though she still had all of the hope in the world, was sent to hospice.  Her mother, Molly, and father, Jack, were not ready to give up and even though their daughter was in hospice, were researching everything to do what they could to save her.  Rabbit's impending death became the elephant in the room that nobody in her circle of friends and family was willing to address.  They all thought Rabbit would just be Rabbit and walk out of that room a healed woman who had beaten cancer.  After all, Rabbit had her teenage daughter to think about and a full life left to live.  As time continued and Rabbit worsened, it became evident that Rabbit would not be going home and some decisions would have to be made.  The biggest issue at hand was regarding who would take her daughter Juliet.  Secondly- how would any of them survive without their Rabbit?

This story is raw in every sense of the word.  Each character has his/her own backstory and you get to know each one as the author intertwines them and brings them all back to our main character.  The emotions of Rabbit in having to say goodbye, along with the denial many of her loved ones faced was extremely realistic yet beautifully written.  Beyond the character development of her loved ones, you also have a love story intermixed that ends on the most romantic note.  I promise you that you will laugh and cry as you read this, but it will also make you so glad you read it.  A beautiful story and must read.

The Art of Racing in the Rain: by Garth Stein

I didn't know how this book was going to go as it was told from a dog's perspective.  This was another from a list I am working on from Buzzfeed which entails novels that are sure to make you ugly cry and laugh.  This book in particular did both for me and made me seriously consider buying a dog.

Enzo is not just any dog.  He is almost humanlike with how intuitive he is.  The only thing he can't do is speak like a human or use his hands the way humans do (besides the obvious walking on two legs). Enzo was picked out by his BFF Denny when he was just a pup and the two have been together ever since.  Denny slowly learned of Enzo's smarts as time went on and would have conversations with him like he was a human friend.  Enzo might not have been able to reply, but he responded with body language which Denny definitely understood.  Denny and Enzo's life changed when Denny met the love of his life, Eve, and more so when they had their daughter.  Enzo adapted and loved his family more than anything.  He even saw their life change before anyone else knew it would as he saw a daemon taking over Eve's body.  He knew it wasn't good and knew things would soon change.  Enzo was right and when Eve died, life got even worse as Eve's parents sued Denny for custody of their granddaughter.  Things heightened even more when Denny was accused of statutory rape for something he didn't do, but the only witness was Enzo who knew Denny didn't do it, but how could he communicate this?  Enzo felt sick as he watched his lifelong pal's life deteriorate as he lost everything.  What could Enzo do to help and would Denny be able to get back on his feet and prove his innocence?

I seriously want to go buy an Enzo for myself.  This dog is profound, intelligent, and loyal.  He's the best friend you dream of.  I'll never forget reading when he discovered Eve had Cancer.  He saw it before anyone else could.  She smelled differently as she was releasing different chemicals that only Enzo could sense.  I have to think the author did his research on dogs and knew this to be something possible.  Enzo had quite the imagination too.  He saw a special on TV that explained when dogs die, they can come back as man.  He looked forward to this so much.  My favorite part though was when Denny was at his lowest and was going to sign papers to release his rights to his daughter.  Enzo literally took the paper and peed on it before Denny could get ahold of it.  Who needs words to communicate, am I right?  You don't need me to tell you how much heart this story has.  It truly captures the importance of perseverance, love, and loyalty.  A heartfelt story about a heartfelt furry, friend.

A Man Called Ove by Fred Blackman: As Unassuming Book Filled with Heart

I'm assuming it's my Type-A personality, but I love lists.  Checking boxes off a list gives me so much joy that it should be concerning.  Grocery lists, lists for what I need to get done over the weekend, and even lists for what to pack on vacation are all part of my routine.  So when Buzzfeed publishes their lists relating to books and movies, I get all kinds of geeked out.  The first list I saw was a list of books to read that were going to be movies, which is actually how this whole blog thing started back in 2013/2014.  The most recent list I found was this which is a list of 31 heartfelt books to read. The list included Me Before You, which I blogged about before and is one of my favs, so I knew it was a good list.  This list is where I found another favorite book which is why I am here today.  A Man Called Ove was not a book that looked particularly heartfelt when I read the back.  It looked like it was about a grumpy old man who hated the world after losing his wife.  It seemed sad and lacking of the exact thing it had, which is heart.  I am so glad I read it anyway because it is definitely one of my favorite books I've read yet.  

Ove thinks life should be simple.  You work hard, pay your bills, follow the street signs, mind your own business, and you should get along just fine.  He's been this way his whole life living in black and white.  Then he met Sonja, and found more color he ever knew possible.  Sonja loved Ove in all his seriousness and grumpiness and Ove lived his entire life doing anything he could for her.  So when she died, that's when Ove stopped living.  He saw no point in going on and just wanted to be with her again, so he developed a plan to kill himself.  He had his folder with all of his bank information, directions for the will, where he should be buried (right next to Sonja), and not to make a fuss of anything.  The problem was, each time he tried to do it, his pesky neighbors got in the way.  Whether it be a ride to the hospital, repairing a bike, or saving an old friend from being taken from his home- Ove could not be left alone.  He even got as far as jumping in front of a train, but ended up saving someone else from the train who accidentally fell at the same time Ove did.  It appeared Ove had a difficult task at hand.  To Ove, it should't be this difficult and his neighbors needed to start minding their own business and leaving Ove to die. 

What I love most about this book is Ove.  He is gruff as can be but has such a good heart.  He is also a romantic even though you'd never know it.  He just loves his wife which is all he's ever done.  Just to give you an example,  here are two of my favorite lines:

As you can see, this grump of a man, is sweet and loving.  This story ends up being so much more than Ove trying to end his own life. The more his neighbors unintentionally get in the way, the more you learn about Ove's back story and theirs, and the more you fall in love with all of them.  It truly is beautiful how they are all intertwined and how in the end, they all become one extended family.  I don't want to give too much away so will leave you with saying that this book will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on what forms love can take. A beautiful story that will pleasantly surprise you. 

Fist Fight: Two Teachers and Two Sets of Fists

So my husband and I have this system when life throws us unwanted curve balls, we see a movie.  Friday was definitely that day and instead of staying home and being sad, we saw a stupidly hilarious movie, and were so glad we did.

Andy Campbell is a teacher at a public high school and is known as the nice guy.  His wife is due any day now and he is set to dance with his daughter at her school talent show.  It also happens to be the last day of school, so you'd think life couldn't be better.  This school, however, has some unruly high schoolers, especially seniors, and is creating some extreme pranks such as traps throughout the school, a horse running free, and some not so appropriate images mowed into the lawn.  The administration  is also making huge cut backs, so many jobs are on the line.  Andy's school is literally a mess and it gets much worse when he rats out a teacher for using an ax to chop up a desk after freaking out on a student.  The teacher does not take being ratted out so well and tells Andy he needs to meet him in the parking lot at 3 o'clock to fight.  So now Andy has to find out if he still has a job, maintain some order in an unruly school, meet his daughter for their dance, and fight another teacher. Andy doesn't know what to do, but he is sick of being the nice guy who always getting walked on.  He can either try to make amends with his fellow teaching partner, ignore the fight altogether, or prove he isn't a doormat.

This movie was hilarious in that stupid funny way you'd expect after seeing the trailer.  It clearly would never happen in real life and the concept was far fetched, but it made me laugh a lot which was exactly what I needed.  So if you are in the mood for some dumb humor and you don't mind a lot of profanity, this is your movie.  Rotten Tomatoes gave it 32% and IMDB gave it a 6/10.  I'd say IMDB was spot on.  It isn't going to win any awards and tended to drag a bit, but I promise you'll laugh if you can appreciate it for what it is.  I also think teachers will appreciate the sentiment and message it sends regarding cut backs and expectations of educators.

Two Very Different Movies with One Thing in Common: Space

There were two movies coming out this winter that I knew I had to see.  After seeing both, I was more impressed with one than the other, but also thought it interesting how they had something in common.  You see, both movies shared the human interest of space travel in common and though one was from our past and one from our possible future, were equally as interesting.

Hidden Figures

Plot: This movie was about three intelligent, African American women who had to fight their whole lives to proof their intelligence in a world run by white men.  They had two things going against them which were their race and their gender.  During this time in US history, women were secretaries and every aspect of the US was separated by color from where you drank to what restroom you used.  You'd think NASA would be different, but it was far from it.  These three young ladies each worked for NASA in a computing department, but were capable of much more.  Each had their own battle in order to get out of computing and prove their intellect. After Russia had a successful mission into space, NASA was under the wire and pressure was on for us to send our men to the moon.  This allowed the girls to show NASA just what they were capable of.

Review: With the current state of the divisions of race in our country, I delayed seeing this.  I didn't want it to add to my discontent, but am happy to report that it was inspiring more than anything.  One of the women, Katherine, had to literally walk 20 minutes to the nearest colored bathroom and her co-workers designated a colored coffee pot for her to use.  One day when asked where she goes and why it takes her so long, she lost it and explained that it was due to the color of her skin.  This scene was powerful and so well acted.  You could see and feel in the injustice and how she finally let it all out.  I loved how this scene then sent a change through NASA and her boss who was typically reserve and conservative, began making changes such as removing all colored bathrooms and explaining there would be no division in NASA.  Another compelling story was from Mary who could't work on a project until she had a specific degree, but the problem was that she couldn't take the needed classes, because it was an all white school.  The best scene was when her boss explained she had no excuse since he was a Polish Jew who  got to where he was.  Mary fought her way to that degree and was able to convince a judge to change the ruling.  So as you can see, this movie was filled with inspiration.  IMDB gave it a 7.9/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 92%.  I would give it a 9.5/10.  The only reason why is because I wished it ended on a more inspiring note, but it was based on a true story so I can't blame the film for that.  I highly recommend this for all to see for a reminder of how diversity can be beautiful.

The Space Between Us

Plot: A young astronaut learns she is pregnant as she is on a mission to Mars.  Her baby is delivered on the planet and left without a mother as she died during child birth.  This leaves NASA with quite the predicament.  Here is this baby whose body is not able to handle the travel to Earth let alone its atmosphere, so they are left with no choice, but to have him live on Mars.  Fast forward 16 years later and like any teenager, Gardner is itching for interaction with others his age.  He is able to communicate with a girl from Earth via the internet and after finding some hints about where his real father could be, he is determine to get to Earth.  After some convincing of his sudo mom on Mars, Gardner is granted his wish.  Once arriving on Earth, the rebellious teen in him kicks in and he runs away to search for his lady friend and his father.  He does find his lady friend, Tulsa, quickly and the two are off on an adventure, but first he must convince her of where he is really from.  She soon finds out the guy she thought she knew is from a world she's never known and realizes he doesn't have much time as his body is slowly showing just how not from Earth he really is.  They are determined to find his father in time before it's too late.

Review: The best word to sum up this movie in one word is, cute.  I loved the concept of exploring space and the science behind the human body and how it would be tricky with a baby only ever living in Space.  However, the plot was well suited for a younger crowd.  If I was 16/17, I would have eaten this up, but with more life experience, it seemed cheesy in parts.  The plot twist at the end was predictable, but the science and scenes were pretty cool.  I'd say if it was a Sunday morning and you saw this on Netflix, give it a go, otherwise save your money.  IMDB gave it a 6.2/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a whopping 18%.  This really tells you how it is, because Rotten Tomatoes has been pretty generous lately, so for them to give it that low of a score, you know it's lacking.  I would give it a 5/10.  It's all about perspective and at 31, I need more in a movie.

Split: The Director of Signs and 6th Sense Makes Another Must See Film

Every so often I come across trailers that get me extremely stoked for the movie.  This was definitely one of those trailers.  Unfortunately, it usually happens that I get my hopes up and the movie ends up letting me down in a big bad way. I believe one movie I even walked out on, which I never do.  This movie however, did not disappoint and actually surpassed my expectations.

Three high school girls are kidnapped and wake up in what appears to be a secluded room in a basement somewhere unknown.  They soon find out they were selected for a reason.  You see, the man who took them has 23 personalities and he is working on revealing his 24th which is known as the Beast.  The Beast wants souls who have never experienced pain as an offering and these girls seem to be who fits that requirement.  The girls continue to learn more and more about their captor and his different versions.  They try to use what they learn to trick him into letting them go.  This works for a short time and then they are even worse than where they started.  Time is drawing closer to the end where they will meet the Beast and they are trying to do everything they can do avoid that, but will they be strong enough or clever enough to do so?

This was definitely a suspenseful movie, but it was also interesting because it showed almost 3 stories at the same time.  The film focuses on Kevin, played by James McAvoy, who has 23-24 personalities, but also shares the story of his counselor who has researched and believes his disorder to be him having more use of his brain than others. For example, one of his personalities has diabetes, one is a women, one is gay, and so on.  Each one was almost willed into being.  His body chemistry even changes and all in an attempt for his mind to protect who he really is which is a man named Kevin who was severely abused as a child.  We also have one of the kidnapped girls who has her own backstory with an awful uncle.  We slowly see more and more of what happened to her which ends up saving her in many situations throughout the film.  There were so many facets and deeper stories than just a kidnapping which made this an excellent psychological thriller.  IMDB gave it a 7.6/10 and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 75%.  I would score it a 7.8/10.  James McAvoy is truly talented and the way he portrayed each personality and the internal conflict of his character was outstanding.  The movie keeps you in your toes the whole time and if you like thrillers with a mix of suspense and physiology, you'll like this film.  It is rated PG-13, but has some dark innuendos so I would leave the kids and teems at home for this one.

Action Films Galore: What Should You See?

I've seen two action films this week, and thought it would be better to do a comparison to help you determine which may strike your fancy.  I honestly liked them both for different reasons, but promise to reveal which I preferred best.  To start, let's give a brief summary of both.

Live by Night: Directed by Ben Affleck
Joe Coughlin, played by Ben Affleck, lived the life of a mobster.  The problem is that he let a girl get in the way which almost cost him his life.  He was later given a chance to start over which entailed moving to Miami and working for another mobster, who happened to be the enemy of the man he was previously working for.  His goal was to make his new boss profitable and Joe was good at what he did. He developed a life in Miami and even fell in love again, but things got more complicated when he realized a group known as the KKK were heavily prominent in this area and did not like having Casinos and shady business occurring in the same area as their strong, Christian values.  Their goal was to shut him down, but what happens to a mobster who gets shut down when he has an even tougher mobster to report to?

Patriots Day: Starring Mark Wahlberg
Tommy is a Boston police officer who is assigned to work the Boston Marathon.  He'd rather be at home with his wife as he considers this security patrol verses true police work, but is trying to prove himself after a temporary suspension.  The day seems so be going as planned until a series of explosions occur at the race injuring many and even killing several- including an 8 year old boy.  The entire city is in devastation and Tommy is left to help pick up the pieces and try to figure out who did this to his city.  Naturally, once this event is labeled as terrorism, the FBI show up and take over.  Tommy and the FBI director don't always see eye to eye, but he won't rest until they find the two responsible for this. The FBI doesn't want to admit this, but they need Tommy in this investigation as he knows this city inside and out.  Will his help be enough and will they be able to find the suspects before another explosion occurs?

Who Did it Best?
Live by Night scored a whopping 34% on Rotten Tomatoes which is awful since they seem to have been more kind recently in their rating to most movies. IMDB gave it a 6.8/10.  I think a 6/10 would be fair.  It was good for what it was, but tended to drag a bit.  They could have easily cut out 30 minutes and cut out some unnecessary scenes, then would have had a better film.

Patriots Day rated a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.8/10 on IMDB.  I would have given it an 8/10.  It's not really a fair comparison, just because we have so much more interest and compassion for this movie since it was based on the true events of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  Tommy was a fictional character, but this film showed how they found photos of the suspects, the poor MIT student that was taken by them and how he escaped, the intense scenes where many Boston PD and FBI agents were getting bombs thrown at them while trying to corner the suspects, and how they finally caught them.  It also showed several real images throughout the movie in a way that was smooth and didn't seem odd or draw attention.  I also loved the last 20 minutes when they showed interviews with some victims and police officers from that day.  It was suspenseful even though you knew what happened and it was heartfelt.  I am usually not a Wahlberg fan as some of his roles can be quite cheesy, but his acting was well done in this film.

If you need more support for why Patriots Day wins this competition, then take it from my Dad who sent me this text this morning, " I saw Live by Night yesterday. Pretty good! But I think the Patriot was better."  So there you have it folks- now you know which action film you need to see this week.  Enjoy!

Jackie: Natalie Portman is Jackie Kennedy

I feel like ever since I was little, I have been obsessed with Jackie Kennedy.  Her poise, demeanor, smile, and style just drew me in.  I think I also admired her for being the victim of a rather lack luster marriage, yet she always seemed like she had it together.  I am not condemning JFK, but lets be honest here, would you want to marry him?  However your feelings were for JFK, I think many can agree that Jackie was to be noticed. With that said, I was surprised when my 85 year old grandmother complained that we had yet again, another Jackie movie.  I never watched the series starring Katie Holmes and am not sure what else is out there, but can assure you that this was a well done movie and I definitely think Jackie lovers all over or history buffs would enjoy it.

Our film begins with an interview just after JFK was murdered.  We have Jackie, starring Natalie Portman, and a journalist who has agreed to allow her to edit this interview and decide what is published.  The remainder of the film goes back and forth between the death of JFK and immediate dates after leading up to the interview and the interview itself.  Jackie not only was sitting next to her husband when he died, but she held his opened scull together to help from further bleeding, and had to tell their two children that their daddy would not be coming home.  The movie also portrayed the transition to Lyndon Johnson's presidency and how much support was given to ensure Jackie was taken care of.  Her main focus was that her husband received the best send-off possible and she would't listen to anyone who told her to do otherwise.   Security during this time was scary and many didn't feel a walking procession was the best idea, but Jackie did it anyway and had thousands of supporters doing the same.

This movie scored 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDB.  I would round up to an 8/10 as it was so well acted by not only Natalie Portman but also Peter Sarsgaard, who plays Bobby Kennedy.  The film really focused on the inner conflicts of Jackie during the darkest days of her life.  It was compelling and raw.  If you are looking for excitement or action, even mystery, this is not your film.  If you are looking for depth along with history then you have come to the right place.

Must See Movies of the Season

Don't be silly and think that since I haven't blogged a movie review since early December, that I haven't been to the movies.  You guys know me and know that would just be downright depressing.  I decided that since December is so busy with the holidays and there are so many movies out, I would narrow it down to a list of movies I really think you should see.  Each is very different from the other but equally as enjoyable and worth the money.  Hope you enjoy and after this we will go back to our weekly/semi weekly reviews!

Rogue One

Summary

Jyn Erso has been on the run since she can remember.  Her father was forced to work for the First Order on a dangerous weapon that could destroy everything and Jyn is rescued by the resistance in hopes she can lead them to him.  The problem is that one of the Resistance members has been ordered to kill him.  Jyn and others from the Resistance feel their leaders aren't making the right calls and decide to break out on their own in hopes of saving the galaxy.  Will their small group be enough to take on the First Order and Darth Vader?

Why You Should See It

This movie was awesome.  I have not always been the biggest Star Wars fan (hoping the husband didn't just draw up divorce papers now), but felt I didn't have to see others to understand what was going on.  This movie was its own story that connected other movies an characters in the Star Wars series. Jyn was the perfect protagonist and the symbolism of hope rang throughout the film.  An excellent cast and excellent effects made for an excellent movie. 

Audience

Besides the obvious Star Wars fans, I think kids and adults will love this movie.  The scenes weren't too intense for children and there was plenty of humor along with great action scenes. 

Why Him

Summary

Ned Fleming's world is turned upside down when his daughter requests he, his wife, and son join her in California to meet her new boyfriend.  Ned soon discovers that his baby is all grown up and madly in love with a millionaire who leads a slightly different lifestyle than Ned is accustomed too.  The boyfriend, Laird, is determined to get Ned to like him and does everything he can to do so such as: a tattoo of the family on his back, a bowling alley with Ned's face plastered all over it, and lots of other methods that end up turning into disasters.  It seems like the more he tries, the further he pushes Ned away and therefore his girlfriend.  Will Laird be able to figure out a way to win the heart of the father of the love of his life?  

Why You Should See It

This movie had so much stupid humor it was ridiculous.  I mean that in a good way.  I laughed the entire time, but how can you not with a cast that includes Bryan Cranston and James Franco. If you can appreciate lots of swearing and a ton of adult humor, you'll love this movie.  

Audience

Please leave children at home.  The content and swearing is a little much for kiddos, but feel free to take your significant other and enjoy a hilarious date night.

Passengers

Summary

Jim Preston wakes up to discover he is on his way to another planet.  Once he is more awake, he remembers signing up for this new adventure, but once he realizes he woke up too early, as the remaining 5,000 passengers are asleep, and has 90 years to go, he knows he has a problem.  Jim makes the best of his new situation but after a year passes, he needs what he has been missing most, human connection.  It is when he sees a sleeping passenger that he has the biggest debate of his life.  He wants to wake her but knows that means placing her in the same situation he is in.  Is it fair to end her promise of a future so he can have a companion?  of course not, but that doesn't stop him.  Jim wakes up who he now knows as Aurora and together they develop a beautiful relationship, but there is one small problem- Aurora has no idea that Jim woke her.  Once she finds out, her hatred for him is more than either could have imagined.  The two soon discover another woken passenger and hope that just maybe, they'll be able to get out of this ship and be able to live on an actual planet. Will they be able to set aside their heartache and will the passenger be able to help them find a way to correct whatever it is that woke them up in the first place?

Why You Should See It

Can you imagine finding out you are on a vessel in space, headed for another planet, but woke up 90 years too early?  I can't either, but feel like I lived it after seeing this movie.  Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence do an amazing job of portraying the realness of their situation and all of the emotions that go along with it.  I'll never forget when Aurora (Jennifer) finds out that Jim (Chris) woke her up.  The rage and hurt she felt was evident and I have to give Jennifer major kudos for such acting.  The plot definitely twists and the trailer does not prepare you for what happens- which I liked.  This is definitely an excellent movie for suspense and a good love story,

Audience

I think older teens to adults would appreciate this movie.  There are some pretty intimate scenes so that will depend on your parenting preferences.  Other than that, the content is just fine.  

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Ellis lives in a small town in Ireland with her sister, Rose, and mother.  Ellis is quiet and unassuming with a small group of friends and nothing else intriguing to look forward to.  Her sister is the vibrant one with a path in life.  This all changes when Ellis receives an opportunity to move to New York where she is forced to come into her own and find out who she really is.

Ellis lives in a home with several other young ladies.  She attends school for book keeping and works in a boutique.  As time passes, she becomes more comfortable with herself and begins expressing her opinions which never would have happened in Ireland.  Then, when she least expects it, a boy named Tony changes her world even more.  

The two meet at an Irish dance, which is interesting since Tony is very much Italian, and are quite the pair.  Ellis wants to take her time with him and Tony dives in heart first.  After awhile, Tony's pursuit wins and he steals her heart.  Unfortunately, their world is turned around when Ellis hears word of her sister passing away.  She is to leave for Ireland for one month to help her mother and get affairs in order.  Tony is devastated and Ellis agrees to marry him before leaving for Ireland.

Upon arrival, Ellis is already very aware of how different it all seems.  She is not the same girl she was when she left and her friends in Ireland notice this too.  One in particular is Jim who apparently has fancied her for some time now.  Ellis is first strong willed in knowing she will return to Brooklyn, but this slowly fades as he life in Ireland seems more real than her life in New York.  Which will she choose?

This book was similar to Ellis in that it was quiet and unassuming.  All of a sudden things start happening and before you know it, you are hooked.  I really enjoyed it and loved the development of Ellis.  A quick read on a quiet Sunday.