Star Trek Beyond Review

There is a symmetry to my seeing Star Trek Beyond in the actual movie theater. The last film I saw in an actual movie theater prior to this year's Captain America: Civil War was Star Trek (2009). Absolutely loved it. Went on a quest to all the Burger Kings in Tulsa to find all the promo glasses, which I still have in their boxes. Since my mom and I have been on a roll this year in going to see movies this one was a no-brainer.

I don't like to write full synopsis in my reviews, wikipedia does it better, instead I will tell you what I liked and possibly what I didn't like about this film. There will be spoilers.

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By now we know the main crew in this Star Trek alternate universe, still in this film there is more time spent on some characters that needed a bit more fleshing out. Included in this are Scotty, Sulu and Chekov. They are given more screen time and have more to do compare to previous films. Something I really enjoyed was the mix matched pairing that happened; Kirk & Chekov, Spock & Bones, Sulu & Uhura and Scotty with new ally Jaylah. This gave the characters and actors a chance to expand themselves in the circumstances and change up the chemistry between actors. I must address that in the light of the recent passing of Anton Yelchin (Chekov) it was nice to see him have a good amount of screen time especially with Kirk.

Idris Elba's Krall was a really good villain. I did not recognize him until the end. (BTW I tried to go into this film as uninformed as possible of spoilers and casting. I thought it would be interesting to see it that way).

My favorite parts included every scene with Spock and Bones. It might just be that I love this version of Bones no matter who he is with. My mom really liked the scenes with Scotty and the new "Lassie" Jaylah. Honestly I really liked Jaylah. Kirk will always have to rescue a damsel in distress, because he's James T Kirk, but at least Jaylah holds her own for the most part. Should the Star Trek reboot series continue I would like to see her involved with the Enterprise crew. Perhaps she can take up the mantle that will be left by Chekov. I do wonder if they will make more of these films. They could end it now as a trilogy. And continuing on after the loss of a main actor will always be difficult.

Back to the film. For a two hour film the pacing is pretty good. The action scenes are a bit difficult to watch on a movie screen. A little disorienting but not so bad that it ruins anything. Maybe a film about space needs the audience to feel disoriented. 

My mom's only complaint was the "trite" building up to the show between Kirk and Krall and that Kirk could have taken him out earlier. This is where we differ. This is an action/ sci-fi film. It needs that tension. The buildup and the showdown. And Kirk has to give the villain a chance to do the right thing because Kirk is a hero. Yes Kirk had the opportunity to stop him but would he still be a hero if he did that? Not to Kirk himself. He must give every chance for redemption, that is who Captain Kirk is.

Basically to sum it up. I loved it. Go see it.

Dammit Jim...  

July Wrap Up/ Ab Fab Review

It's the monthly wrap up post. I am also going to add my review to Absolutely Fabulous the Movie at the end.

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Let's start off with the lowest point of the month.

TORNADO!

Technically straight line winds, but they can actually be worse than a funnel cloud. I was at work, there wasn't a Tornado Watch. The worst of "Tornado Season" is supposed to be over. Then BAM, I'm hiding in a bathroom at work with a bunch of other people. I hate tornadoes!

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Changing Things Up

I have mentioned last week that I am going to try and focus on getting physical fit. I am actually eating grapes as I write this...but I want chocolate. Making better choices. That is the plan. Since I have been feeling off lately I also cut off my hair. It is shoulder length so it isn't drastic, but my hair was really long to begin with. 

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Jabba

Just something I wanted to share. I made a clay Jabba the Hutt for an online contest. Didn't win but at least I have this monstrosity.

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Absolutely Fabulous the Movie

I have grown up watching the British TV series Absolutely Fabulous. I think it may have been one of the first British shows I ever watch. It is one of the few TV shows that my parents and I both like.

Although I love the show, the movie was just okay. Since it is a limited run release it cost about $10 to see. Not really worth it for the price. I did laugh a few times and smile quite a bit.

In some ways it is a good send off to a beloved show. So many of the pasts characters show up. Edina and Patsy are still out of control and doing it with style. It just felt a bit off. Maybe because it is the end.

All that aside there were some good moments. Jon Hamm and Patsy, YES! Also Chris Colfer as Edina's stylist was a perfect way to do a cameo.

The final resolution between Saffy and Edina was sweet. That for me was important for the end of this all encompassing franchise. 

When this comes out on DVD I will probably get it along with the entire series. It does give a nice closure but not at movie theater prices.

Ghostbusters 2016 Review

My mom and I went to see the female led Ghostbusters. There probably will be spoilers from here on.

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Having grown up with the original Ghostbusters films as well as the cartoon version (I am still looking for the damned Ecto Cooler that was supposed to come out this summer) I was a little unsure of this film. My biggest concern wasn't a female cast but of casting any other actor or actress to play the same exact roles as the original actors. I didn't want to watch anyone try and play "Bill Murray" if you get what I mean.

I am pleased to say that this film didn't do that.

There wasn't a "Female Ray" or anything like that. Instead they cast truly funny actresses and wrote well rounded (for a comedy) characters that are not just rehashed characters from the original films.

Kristin Wiig's semi straight-laced Erin is the first character introduced and what I liked best is that Wiig made her funny without going over the top. With four comedic actress leading this picture there needed to be a balance in the comedy. Most of her funniest parts are almost dry in their delivery. Her lusting after Chris Hemsworth really speaks to a few people, my mom included.

Honestly I liked all the main characters. Melissa McCarthy's Abby balances enthusiasm with science know how. Leslie Jones' Patty gets to be the over the top character because she can deliver a character like that and still be relatable. Most of the big laughs in the theater were for her. But my main love is for Kate McKinnon. I have been a fan of McKinnon since The Big Gay Sketch Show. Her Jillian stole scenes with less dialog then the other actress, but she doesn't need to say anything to be funny. My personal highlight, the DeBarge blowtorch-fire-fire extinguisher dance. Of course I must mention Chris Hemsworth's Kevin. It is great to see an actor like him embrace the ridiculous dimness of his character and play with it. The dancing scene during the credits was fantastic. Such a pretty man.

This Ghostbusters embraces the past movies without trying to remake them. All of the living original Ghostbusters actors have cameos including Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts. They all play different characters from the original films. Which I like. It adds to the film for people that loved the first films but doesn't take away anything from the new characters. There is also a tribute to the late Harold Ramis, he is seen as a bust behind Charles Dance's character at the college towards the beginning of the film. And not to be left out Slimer and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man show up too.

The plot itself is entertaining and well paced. It never felt like it was dragging. I don;t want to write a full synopsis here but I will say that despite being a comedy it does manage to have an endearing moment or two.

Conclusion: I thought this was an entertaining film. It introduces fun new Ghostbusters but gives a few nods and winks to the past films.     

Captain America: Civil War Review

If you have not seen Captain America: Civil War and do not want to see any spoilers stop now.

First let me tell you how long it has been since I have gone to a movie theater. The first Star Trek reboot it 2009. Seven years.

After getting both Age of Ultron and Star Wars the Force Awakens spoiled on social media I could not let this happen to CP:CW.

I am so glad that I actually went.

This film lived up to all the hype. Even my mom who is not a big Captain or Marvel fan (She does like the Thor movies) was on the edge of her seat covering her mouth. That is saying a lot.

I was pretty much in the same position.

There are tons of reviews and synopsis of this film out there so I am just going to review it my way.

I loved how much Bucky we got in this. Also the bickering between Falcon and Bucky was spot on. These are Steve's two best friends from different times so of course there will be fighting but it is done in such a fun way. Also the look on their faces when Steve and Sharon kiss. You can just see that these two guys really care about him.

Side note- Does it seem a little odd to anyone else that Peggy Carter's niece and Steve are maybe getting involved? I don't necessarily mind it, but it does seem strange.

I am Team Cap all the way, which makes it hard to like Tony some times in this movie. But I will say that RDJ is just one of the best actors of his generation because while I was so angry at Tony during the film I also could not really hate him. 

I am interested in the Wanda/Vision relationship. Not being a comic book reader I only know that they have a romantic relationship at some point. Once again Elizabeth Olsen really shines for me. 

Ant-man, Natasha and Clint were perfect. Loved Giant-Man. Really glad that Nat didn't completely abandon Steve. I feel like after Captain America: Winter Soldier they have a really strong friendship and I want them to stay that way.

At first I just didn't like Black Panther, mainly because he was going after my Bucky. But the actor was great and as the story progressed and he realized who really killed his father I really started to like him. He could have easily been too focused on killing Bucky to care about the truth but instead took the higher road and actually became an ally to Steve and Bucky.

By the way, in case you don't know, I love Bucky/ Sebastian Stan. He is perfection in my book and I am still disappointed Hottopic ran out of Winter Soldier shirts. 

In all I like how balanced the action and plot/character development scenes were. I never feel like anything really drag on. 

Now for the low point. Spiderman

I am not a spiderman fan in general.

I just did not see the point in his being there. I guess they are using this as a reboot...again. They could have cut the movie by a least 20 minutes without him.

Overall I absolutely loved this movie.