writeguyr Reviews

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

No wonder Wonder Woman lost the Wonder

[1/10 · 15 April 2021]

I liked the first Wonder Woman film that Gal Gadot did. After stealing the show from the flop film "Batman s Superman". Her first WW film played out perfectly as a true action flick. What exactly people expect from DC films or Marvel films.

Wonder Woman 1984 tries to be too many things for too many people. It starts out as flashback of young Diana in a athletic event. This scene for the young female audience.

Then the film turns into a chick flick comedy when Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig) appears as Diana Prince's (Gal Gadot) working associate she idolizes the gorgeous Diana who can do no wrong. These scenes are awkward clumsy and redundant.

Next the film turns into a Hallmark Network comedy between the resurrected Steve Trevor (Chris Pine} and Diana. These romance scenes take up the bulk of the film and seem to last forever. Remember this is supposed to be a DC action flick. Hello film writers..Did you forget that?!!!!

The action starts very late in the film when Max Lord a loser con artist steals an ancient vase and is possessed by an evil spirit. Max Lord then grants anybody their wish making him more powerful. Frumpy Barbara wished to be just like Diana Prince with all her powers.

So now the loving duo or Diana and Steve must take time out from hugging and kissing to team up and fight the evil Max Lord and the vengeful Barbara. It all is for nothing, for the film fails miserably mostly from the horrible writing.

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Face the Music?!! Face it Keanu Reeves it was a big mistake!!

[1/10 · 20 November 2020]

For some strange bizarre reason Keanu Reeves decided to resurrect a film character Ted that he played as a young man thirty years ago in the film "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and the sequel that followed "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey." Alex Winter returns as Ted's pal Bill. Both look aged and redundant as they try to copy the mannerisms and speech of the characters they portrayed as young actors. Reeves does an awkward and horrible bad imitation of his earlier young character. The script is mundane and boring, and the plot takes forever to develop. The plot is to gather big stars of music history: Mozart, Jimi Hendrix, Louie Armstrong, and others to bring them together to perform as a band to save the world from ending. Bill & Ted must come up with the song for the band to play. Reeves' nervous bobbing and weaving, and constant use of the word dude becomes tiresome. Why Reeves ever agreed to star in this film is puzzling? He embarrasses himself as an actor. This film is a mess incoherent, boring and a waste of time!!

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Daisy Ridley endures unfair vicious remarks from male reviewers

[10/10 · 28 July 2020]

I am giving this film ten stars to Daisy Ridley for her courage in taking on this role in the face of so much male hatred towards her as a female Jedi and as an actress! Let me state in defense of Daisy, she has more acting talent in the tip of her baby finger than male Jedi actor Mark Hamill has in his entire body!!

I have seen the many negative reviews for female action heroes by males that feel threatened that their once male dominated action film genre has equal female competition. Now with Wonder Woman, Rey, and Harley Quinn! I saw the male reviewers' comments like; "Another Man Hating film where females bash and beat up men! No, it is female film action heroes bashing villains! Lighten up guys.....to repeat the Joker "Why so serious?!!"

If you do not like a film for the directing or the story, fine. But don't make personal attacks upon an actress because she is a woman that has taken over the part once played by a male actor. You male reviewers feel insecure and threatened by females that can kick butt as good as a male. The attacks that mostly male reviews made against Daisy Ridley border on defamation of character!!

Here is a sample of this vicious statements made: " it gives Rey more Mary Sue moments (she and JJ talked it through on the couch)." "Why Daisy is so tacky and so ugly why she ruins Star Wars here!" My response: Really? Open your eyes she is a beautiful woman!!"

Look at these ridiculous remarks from film reviewers: "Not a single pretty girl in the whole movie!" "Not a pretty woman to check out!" "Not a single pretty woman I want to fall for or look at." Hey guys you want to just see pretty women that is it?? ...Go see a James Bond film.... the Bond girls will make you happy!

The attack continues with the remark" "I hate gender switch films" The attacks on female action heroes are also in the film reviews for "Charlies' Angels" and for the latest "Harley Quinn" film. With recycled remarks: "Another man hating film" With reviews made by male film reviewers who hate female action stars just because they are females! That is disgusting! I hope that someday some of you guys have a daughter who becomes an actress and she gets the part of Rey in the future....I want to read your reviews then!!

Birds of Prey (2020)

Harley Hilarious Fun Hero

[10/10 · 28 July 2020]

Harley Hilarious Hero

Usually a film is about a good girl turned bad. Here Harley Quinn is a bad bad girl turned good! As she finds herself becoming a reluctant hero. Harley finds herself trying to save herself and a young girl from a villain named Roman Sionis ( Ewan McGregor ) and his henchmen. Harley finds help from three action characters. The Huntress a kung fu fighting crossbow assassin. (Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett) a martial arts expert with a killer voice her high pitch can shatter glass! A former female police officer and former enemy of Harley's Rene Montoya ( Rosie Perez). Together they do battle with Sionis and company! But this Margot Robbie's film. She nails the part of Harley Quinn! She is like the female "Deadpool" or female Joker. She is having so much in this film that it becomes a joy to watch. Harley has expert martial arts skills. She does back flipping martial arts kicks and expert fighting skills, that Bruce Lee is probably smiling down from heaven, giving Harley the thumbs up signal! I saw an older animated cartoon where Harley fought big muscle-bound Batman with martial arts fighting equal to his skill. But the main attraction here is that Margot Robbie brings this action comic character to life! You must remember that this film is taken from a comic strip. It supposed to be humorous with fun action. And here Margo as Harley Quinn delivers! Lately male action hero characters: Batman and Superman have lost their way from their comic origins and become too dark and serious! Heath Ledger as the Joker in a Batman film stated to Batman "Why so serious?!!" That is a good question?!! Margot here is a having a fun blast and you enjoy her antics with her! In the warehouse scene when Harley is trapped by a dozen villains. Harley finds a baseball bat there, she has a mischievous grin and says, "Oh yeah!!" With her martial arts skills and swinging of the baseball bat smacking the bad guys. The New York Yankees would want to sign her for bat swinging prowess! The finale fight showdown between Harley and her three sidekicks and Sionis large army of thugs in an abandoned amusement complex is pure Jackie Chan martial action fun and delight! Only here you have four girls as Jackie Chan! See this video for the fun time ride!! I have seen the many negative reviews for female action heroes by males that feel threatened that their once male dominated action film genre has equal female competition. Now with Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn! I saw the male reviewers' comments like; "Another Man Hating film where females bash and beat up men! No, it is female film action heroes bashing villains! Lighten up guys.....to repeat the Joker "Why so serious?!!"

Welcome to Acapulco (2019)

Acapulco not!

[1/10 · 23 June 2020]

The first thing that is obvious from the opening scenes of this film is the horrible washed out faded color of this film. It is like the filmmakers shot this with an old Super 8 camera, then left the film in the backseat of a car in 100 degree weather. Technically an inferior film. like an old TV show from the early 1960's when color was first used on TV. The action is nothing new, most of the people get killed off in the film. A very childish screenplay. The main character reminded me of Woody Allen with his facial expressions and mannerisms, but without Allen's humor. The female lead character played by Anna Serradilla. Has the worst hairstyle ever in a film. It looked like someone put a bowl on her head and cut her bangs on her forehead too short. Film had one good scene when the male lead character uses his video game skills to kill off some of the bad guys. That should have been it. He becomes an action hero using his video game skills. But no. They waste the film time having him running away through the entire film.

Chappaquiddick (2017)

Mary Jo could have been the best thing ever to happen in Ted Kennedy's life.

[2/10 · 19 August 2018]

There is a line quoted in this film by Joseph Gargan a close Kennedy aide and advisor after the accident that killed Mary Jo Kopechne. Gargan states to Ted Kennedy. 'Mary Jo is the victim not you." Yet the film depicts Ted Kennedy as the victim by sympathetically showing his wandering around hours after the accident, brooding and attempting to console himself, feeling sorry for himself for what had happened. Then later he starts to act as if nothing had happened, possibly hoping by some magic that it would all disappear, because he was a Kennedy. There is a scene where Kennedy is at a table with friends, with a new change of clothes. His two close advisors rush to his side, imploring him to come with them for they have updated news about the discovery of the accident. Ted Kennedy acts aloof and tries to brush them off, as if nothing happened. This was very disrespectful to Mary Jo who had lost her life. There is a later scene where Ted Kennedy is at Chief of police Arena's office to inform him of the truth. Chief Arena walks in seeing Kennedy sitting behind his desk. Any other person Chief Arena would have told them, "Get the hell out of my chair!" Yet here he offers his condolences to Kennedy for his unfortunate problem and offers any help he can to Kennedy.

A Kennedy in Massachusetts was like royalty, it was their safe haven their sanctuary the people of Massachusetts cherished and worshipped the Kennedy name. As was it with Mary Jo Kopechne, a staunch, loyal Kennedy political campaign worker. Who had worked diligently with Bobby Kennedy's campaign for President in 1968. She worked on several political speeches for Bobby Kennedy, and was an accepted frequent guest at all Kennedy social events. Bobby was not only impressed and interested with the pretty young smart Mary Jo as a campaign worker. He also was drawn to her sexually, yet all the Kennedy men were known to be active womanizers. There were reports of Bobby embracing and kissing Mary Jo, on several occasions. He reportedly did this with several other young women who had worked for him. Back then women did not dare to report sexual harassment or abuse. After Bobby Kennedy's assassination in 1968, Mary Jo was devastated to the point where she vowed to leave Washington DC and quit her association with politics.

Enter Ted Kennedy into the picture. "Teddy Kennedy was the weak kitten in the litter, never able to measure up to his brothers. The accident at Chappaquiddick displayed his chronic immaturity. One problem Teddy has always had was keeping it in his pants - even when other people are around." - Cleo O'Donnell - wife of former Kennedy campaign aide.

The infamous party at Chappaquiddick included six married men all part of the powerful Kennedy clan including Ted Kennedy. The film depicts that there was no sexual activity at the party. What BS that is! Six married men without their wives, six attractive young single women all whom worshipped the Kennedy name. Contrary to reports, there was drinking and loud partying going on. You know the sexual sparks would have been flying.

There is a scene in this film where Mary Jo at the party is sitting on a chair. Joseph Gargon one of the Kennedy clan advisors slides next to her and attempts to flirt with her. Mary Jo is not listening to word he is saying. She has intense LASER eyes directed right at Ted Kennedy who is sulking on the couch a depressed look on his face regarding his political future. Mary Jo gets up walks over the couch sits down next to Ted Kennedy and consoles him. He states he might not become President. Mary Jo's political ambition that night may have been re-energized. She saw this man with so much potential but lacking the drive and confidence to go for it. Mary Jo had the fire and the experience and the back-bone that Ted Kennedy lacked. She could have been the driving force that could have helped propel Ted Kennedy into the Whitehouse!

Mary Jo could have been the best thing ever to happen in Ted Kennedy's life, instead he ended her life! Killing his political future! It is a shame that so little for this film is about Mary Jo, a woman whose young life that had so much potential that was cut short. A real tragedy.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

newcomer Lily James owns this film with a perormance of a lifetime!

[10/10 · 14 August 2018]

MY FILM REVIEW FOR "MAMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN"

New star Lily James owns this film she nails a tremendous performance; acting, singing and dancing! Emma Stone a few years ago won an Oscar and a Golden globe for acting, singing and dancing in "La La Land." Lily James has 100 times the singing talent that Emma Stone has! And shows more emotion as an actress in her new film. Meryl strep was WOWED by the newcomer Lily James. "I had no idea Lily James had these singing chops...She shakes the rafters. She's amazing," said Streep in a featurette giving a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Mama Mia sequel.

Lily James has a certain charisma in this film, she's beautiful, cute and talented, you really feel for character and the trials and tribulations she has to endure in this film! The film is very well done in a series of flashbacks with Lily James playing the young Donna, mother of Sophie the girl she will give birth to in this film. With the younger versions and older versions of Sam, Bill and Harry appearing in the film. Amanda Seyfried returns as Sophie. But the real star of this film is newcomer Lily James as young Donna. She is a triple treat acting, singing and dancing! This recommendation comes from a former tough newspaper film critic for four years who watched and reviewed one hundred sixty five films a year. Lily James had me teary eyed more than a couple time in this film. I highly recommend this film to anyone who wants to see an uplifting fun heartfelt film see "Mama Mia Here we go again." If you are tired of seeing action hero films, films about Zombies, Sharks and Dinosaurs and buildings being blown up. See "Mama Mia Here We Go Again" and experience Lily James' performance of a lifetime!

Alex & The List (2017)

Nerdy guy wins the girl again?!!

[1/10 · 26 July 2018]

Here we go again with the homely nerd dating the gorgeous female in the film. This time it is Patrick Fugit as the nerdy Alex dating Katherine played by the very gorgeous Jennifer Morrison. These kind of films should be classified as fantasy films, not romantic comedies. Come on Hollywood!! There is no way on this Earth that a drop dead gorgeous woman like Katherine would ever date a nerdy guy like Alex! In all of my years going to sporting events at auditoriums at theaters on the streets. I have never seen a nerdy looking guy like Alex walking hand in hand with a beautiful woman like Katherine. The only exception would be if the nerdy guy is very rich and or famous. Now the other factor in this film, Alex has a low paying job as a dog trainer and walker, a job that has no future. WHY would a beautiful woman like Katherine even think of having a relationship with a nerdy guy like Alex?!! Makes no sense!!

But Hollywood drums up these redundant fantasy films. Like "Revenge of the Nerds" and its sequel films, where the nerds all win the beautiful girls in the films. And the most ridiculous film "Knocked Up" where a fatter and nerdy looking goofy looking Seth Rogen's character has sex with an amazing fantastic gorgeous looking Katherine Heigl's character and he gets her pregnant.?!! The redundant premise of this film story is that Heigl's character can't get a date because she is thirty something, and all the guys at a disco club don't want to ask her for a date or dance because they are young twenty year old pups. That is sooooo STUPID!!!! So she is desperate and dances and goes home with a fat ugly Seth Rogen's character. Has sex with him a and gets pregnant. That is soooo unreal!!

Katherine in "Alex and the List" Has the chance to date and marry a rich handsome Italian man, yet she chooses the nerdy Alex over him?!!??!! Katherine gives Alex a list of changes that he must do in order for him to look better to be by her side and then marry her. The list contains things like for him to whiten his teeth, convert to the Jewish faith that she is. Get interested in sports so her father will like him better. Ahhhhh why didn't Katherine put on the top of list for Alex to have plastic surgery done on his nerdy face?!! But she just puts on the list whiten your teeth? Also on the list should have been. Alex you bum get a better high paying job if you want to date me Dude!!!

Bent (I) (2018)

Return of the Marlboro Man

[1/10 · 30 May 2018]

I have not seen a main male character in a film smoke so much on screen since I watched the 1940's film "The Big Sleep" Starring Humphrey Bogart. One might say that this film is Bogart meets the Marlboro Man. It is so obvious that the Tobacco Industry must have helped finance this terrible recycled film, it's like an hour plus long TV commercial for smoking. The macho character attired in a black leather jacket Danny Gallagher (Karl Urban) is a disgraced cop who upon his release from prison goes on a revenge mission to get the bad guys. All his fellow cops hate Gallagher because he was accused of being a cop killer. So he is now a lone wolf out for revenge. Gallagher is shot at, beaten and comes back for more. Someone should should have told him that if the beatings and bullets don't kill him, his chain smoking surely will! The story and plot has been done so many times before, it is the same old same old. But the shocking thing about this film is the shameful outright advertising for cigarette smoking. I had read where famous movie stars were offered thousands of dollars to smoke in their films. Since cigarette ads in magazines had been banned for years, along with TV ads and billboard advertising. The cigarette industry wants desperately to get the public to see smoking in a positive light. So here Gallagher lights up constantly in this film, the macho hero Gallagher is more than happy to oblige. I read where the Director of this film wanted to do a modern day film noir with Gallagher as an updated Bogart, with a cigarette so ever in his and and puffing away. Yet, back in the 1940's the public was not aware of the dangers of cigarette smoking, we are today! Funny thing though Gallagher the hero is a smoker and the villains in this film are all non-smokers. Another peculiar item, all the cigarette packs is this film have no label, they are all light blue in color. I suppose the tobacco industry would get a lot of flack if Gallagher had a visible pack of Marlboros or Camels in his hand. So this film could be called the return the hero smoker the Marlboro Man, not a cowboy, a cop this time around.

Split (IX) (2016)

Another disapointing Shyamalan film

[2/10 · 15 February 2018]

Film writer/director/producer M.Night Shyamalan has made it his trademark for his films to include a surprising twist revealed at the conclusion of each of his films. Such as in his very popular and successful film "The Sixth Sense" and later in the less popular films of his " The Village" and in the "Lady in the Water" The two latter films had to deal with some threatening, mysterious monster, beast or creature that is revealed at the climax of the film. The problem with Shyamalan's latest film "Split" is that the writer/director Shyamalan let the mystery twist out of the bag too early in the film. We are all aware by way of the film's early trailers that actor James McAvoy who portrays four characters exceptionally well in the film as; Dennis the strong aggressive one, Patricia a female, Barry an artist with a gay personality and Hedwig as a nine year old boy all are going to become the character called the beast. Who they claim will do terrible things to the three young teens girls that Dennis has kidnapped and brought to his dungeon/basement hideout.

The concept of three young women being kidnaped and locked up is very close to the true life story of young women being held prisoner by a sick man in Ohio a few years ago. Of course the real life kidnapped victims had a very long duration of imprisonment, rape and sexual abuse. While the three young women in "Split" Here Marcia (Jessica Sula) Claire (Haley Lu Richardson) and Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy) are merely locked in the basement while Dennis enters the room he grabs Marcia, now all three of these teen girls are gorgeous and curvaceous, so one would think that Dennis wants to satisfy his sexual desires. The smartest of the trio of girls is Casey, she is a loner while Marcia and Claire are more of the popular teen schoolgirls. Casey shouts out to Marcia for her to pee on herself since Dennis has cleanliness issues, this seem to spurn whatever intention Dennis had for the trio of teen beauties. The three girls watch as each time the door to their room opens a different personality portrayed by McAvoy appears to perform.

I always wondered where writers obtained their inspiration to write their stories. I read Shyamalan's bio where he and his family lived in an affluent town in Pennsylvania and that he attended a strict all Catholic school even though he and his family were of a different religion. Woody Allen in his film "Annie Hall" poked fun at his school experiences being spurned by the pretty girls in his classroom. I wonder if Shyamalan may have had similar experiences at the Catholic school, being rejected by the pretty Catholic girls of his school. Thus he had this beast of revenge inside of him, using the film "Split" to release his inner beast as well. For we all have some kind of dark hidden sides and secrets and inner beasts that we wish to hide.. Writers can release their beasts and have fiction characters play out their fantasies or their revenge.

The film has long lulls of no action and may seem very boring to many. As Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley) who is caring for Barry/Dennis/Patricia and Hedwig is receiving distress red flag emails from one the personalities. Her sessions with Barry reveals nothing and is wasted film time. Also Claire suggests that the trio of girls try to attack Dennis and fight for their freedom. While Dennis is too physically strong, the other personality Hedwig the nine year old boy, could have been easily over powered by one of the girls, yet they all just sit there and watch Hedwig as a nine year old rants and raves how the beast is coming and that they are food for the beast. All these personality performances become too repetitious. Wait aren't there supposed to be 24 personalities, we only see five, where are the rest of the personalities? "Split" like Shyamalan's "The Village" is all build up to a disappointing conclusion. The bright spot to bring to light is actress Anya Taylor Joy, she is a joy to watch a true future superstar actress, with fabulous beauty and talent!!

Suburbicon (2017)

The worst, weirdest film I have seen in years!

[1/10 · 14 February 2018]

This is actually two films competing with each other within the film itself. The main film theme is about Matt Damon as Gardner Lodge and his perfect 1950's white family living in idyllic suburban white suburban America. They have issues when a pair of goofy looking criminal intruders break into their home, for what reason I haven't a clue, for it is nonsensical as the weird Chen Brothers can offer as the so called screenwriters for this horrible film. There is also a back story of a young black family the Mayers who had just moved into the all white neighborhood and face horrible racist hate from their white neighbors. This escalation of racial hatred and the comments on TV news by other white racists is difficult to witness. Why this import and true to life story of a disturbing embarrassing look at Americas' history had to take back seat to the Lodge family's silly plight and stupid antics is puzzling. George Clooney director of this mess of a film, should have had the insight to see the Matt Damon character Gardner Lodge and family was a waste of filming time. Clooney should have had the courage to film the black family the Mayers as the main story here.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Cold cold heart

[2/10 · 14 December 2017]

"Atomic Blonde" is great on cinematic action for almost the full length of the film. Yet it grows to be a little too monotonous and predictable. The problem with this film it has no heart or soul or no humor, it is as cold as the novel that inspired this film "The Cold City." Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton has the clout for the main character of this film, the physical stature and the energy. Yet her cold heart and vendetta attitude becomes tiring after seeing her repeatedly beating and killing dozens of male thugs and villains. All the while her expression is one of either anger or boredom.

The similarity to the film "Salt" is very obvious, starting with the opening interrogation scene and the suspicion of the central character Broughton here, as it was for Jolie's character in "Salt." But the similarity ends there. For we had empathy and cared for Jolie's character in "Salt" for she had many human issues the audience can relate to. Jolie's character did have revenge in her heart but she also had visible pain from betrayal. The pursuit scenes in "Salt" were amazing. In "Atomic Blonde" Theron spends most of the film hunting down the bad guys, kicking their butts and or killing them with ease.

There are some unusual twists in this film. While most action films with a male lead have him have one or many female love or sexual interests. Here, Theron's character is interested in men only to beat them or kill them. Theron's character has a sexually charged affair with the only other female major character in this film Delphine Lasalle (Sofia Boutella.) Their attraction sparks into a sexual encounter in the ladies restroom of a bar. Hmm? It seems very familiar to the sex scene between Theron and Christina Ricci in the film "Monster." Where Theron pinned Ricci against the women restroom wall and gives her a hot mouth to mouth passionate kiss. Theron repeats the same scene with Boutella in this film. Theron in "Atomic Blonde" is also a bit of monster, she shows no feeling, she has the heart of a heartless android robot. The graphic lesbian sex scenes in bed also may turn off many.

It is perplexing that Theron and the producers for this film chose this course for Theron's character. Why not make her more like a female James Bond? Having her have affairs with many men, a love them and leave them type attitude like 007. Have her have the wry humor like 007 also. And perhaps a love puppy guy who is in love in love with her, with Theron's character having to save his life repeatedly.

Atomic Blonde has the sex appeal with Theron and she is the actress that could carry this film into sequel territory. But for this to happen Theron will have to give her character more warmth and melt the Cold City atmosphere.

Coffee Shop (2014)

Bittersweet

[5/10 · 23 November 2017]

The story was recycled from other movie ideas and the scenes moved very slow. The continuous monotonous piano music from the film's sound track was irritating.

The lead character Lauren Vandervoort as Donovan owner of a coffee shop, is struggling with lost love and a struggling business, She is a mesmerizing beauty. WOW! Is she ever gorgeous and cute. She looks a lot like a younger Charlize Theron. The camera really loves her or maybe so did the cameraman. She is definitely the woman that every guy would love to take home to meet the parents.

Cory M. Grant (related to Cary Grant?) is the struggling writer who falls for Donovan. While watching this movie I could not help notice the striking resemblance Cory has with a young Rick Hudson. With Cory's hair combed back and clean shaven he could play Rock Hudson in a bio picture about the movie star Rock Hudson. ARE YOU READING THIS CASTING DIRECTORS?!! So the story not so interesting, but very interesting watching these two young actors that have a lot of potential for their future in film!

Unforgettable (II) (2017)

Barbie the Bitch

[3/10 · 27 October 2017]

Katherine Heigl shows her acting prowess and versatility switching from soft comedy fluff to hard dramatic fare and does so in an effortlessly fashion. In "Unforgettable" she portrays Tessa Connover the gorgeous tall slender blonde doll that had it all, but lost her hunky husband GQ model type David Connover, and her little doll of a young daughter, losing her past life in a divorce.

It is very easy to pick up on the Barbie doll comparison for Tessa. But what does Barbie represent? The ultimate beauty, superior to everyone else. In this film the else is Julia Banks (Rasario Dawson) a light skinned beautiful black woman who was a troubled youth and had a relationship with an abusive man, whom she has a restraining order against, after he had beaten her.

There is a dichotomy between Tessa and Julia that is very evident. But you have to believe that the filmmakers were playing the race card to boost viewer's interest. For would it have been as interesting if Julia had been a Caucasian brunette? The filmmaker director Denise Di Novi also played it safe by not showing graphically what would have happened in a situation such as this.

Tessa growing up in an affluent white society, surrounded by mostly white friends and associates, probably would have harbored some racist feelings. Then Julia the only black character in this group setting would have had some racism directed at her by Tessa. In reality Tessa most likely would have had this inner racism come to the surface, when confronting Julia. Yet all of this is swept under the rug and handled in a pristine sanitized manner by the filmmaker and writer.

You see a few years back black actors had protested vehemently about not enough roles for blacks and the fact that blacks were not nominated for any awards. So the mostly white Hollywood community took notice and began offering more roles to black actors and awards for them followed shortly afterwards.

I was very disappointed that director Di Novi handled this film with such kid gloves, making such a pristine sanitized version of what society is really like. By not showing what a black woman entering such a situation would in reality face. Tessa without a doubt would have been a closet racist. Her mother Helen/Lovey (Cheryl Ladd) as child with her affluent upbringing most likely had black servants working for her parents, waiting on her needs. She and Tessa being brought up on the belief of white superiority. They of course keep it in the closet A black female director would have not been afraid to show a real gritty graphic down to Earth real story. With all the racists feelings coming out from Tessa. Without a doubt during Tessa's and Julia's confrontation Tessa would have uttered the N word, and when talking to her ex-husband David she would have uttered it. So we were handed a sterilized version without any reality. So Hollywood let black film directors tell the graphic real story of what black characters would endure.

Realive (2016)

Live and Let Die

[2/10 · 20 October 2017]

This film has two stories one is about Marc Jarvis' (Tom Hughes) past love lost story. His love affair and full wonderful life with the lovely Naomi (Oona Chaplin.) We fast forward some sixty years into the future where Marc is awoken after having his body frozen. Marc had cancer in his past life, he decided to have his body frozen to bypass the agony of going through the painful chemo treatment. His lover Naomi at first is set against the idea, but later she relents and aids Marc in his suicide plan to save his body the ravages of cancer, so his body will be fresh for future doctors to repair him and bring him back to life.

The past life story of Marc was very interesting and believable. When we get to the science fiction future writer/director Gil Mateo paints a somewhat believable picture of the future, yet he has his characters the brilliant doctors and scientists make illogical decisions and blaring mistakes that defy explanation.

Here is what I am talking about. When Marc is awoken and undergoes the slow process of adjusting to being alive again. The doctors at first make logical choices. Yet later when Marc begins to recall some of his painful memories of his past life. The doctors unbelievably give him a device that he places on his face like glasses that allow him to vividly see his past life memories. This therapy backfires badly as Marc is caught in a depression thinking of Naomi and his past wonderful life. For most of his present life he has an umbilical cord attached to him and to a machine to help keep him alive. His movements and life is very restricted to the hospital.

The one bright advantage of the future? A gorgeous, cute nurse and assistant for Marc, Elizabeth. She cares for him in a loving way that many would be begging to go to this hospital as patient, especially when she tells Marc that when his get stronger they can have sex!! This would be the best therapy for Marc or any guy, to take his mind off the past. It was working until. The writer of this film decided to make complete morons out of the once brilliant doctors. The doctors hand Marc a box of memorabilia that he possessed from his past life. That includes a love letter from Naomi. This sends Marc into an even deeper tailspin of depression. He wants his life and freedom back and to be like he was, not hooked up to machine and restricted to this hospital.

When Marc is told that Naomi is frozen and in a chamber Marc visits the chamber. Without supervision where he is what he doing? He wanders into the doctor's office, finds tape of the previous experiments before him that all went horrible wrong shown in bloody vivid detail. Now Marc gets even more depressed and defiant and regretting that he was brought back to life. Complicated even more when at fund raising event Marc is brought before to a group of financial donors. Here the moron doctors make another blunder, they reveal that they are going to bring Naomi back to life. REALLY!! You dumb Idiot doctors!!, After Marc just saw the videos of all the failed horrible experiments that went wrong!! He doesn't want Naomi to go through that!!

Spoiler ALERT!!!!

Marc having had enough of this abuse by his idiot doctors plans to commit suicide. He asks Elizabeth to aid him like Naomi did in his first life. Elizabeth agrees and tells him where the medicine is that will end his life. SO GUESS WHAT?!!! Marc just strolls through the facility. He opens up a cabinet where all the medicine is stored and drinks the medicine that will end his life. Why did the writer Mateo make everyone in the future a moron idiot!!? Why aren't there any locks on the medicine cabinets? Or security cameras that have alarms that go off alerting everyone that their prize valuable patient is about to do himself in?!! Marc is depressed, he had an altercation with a doctor. Logically he would have been under heavy surveillance and watched over. But there was no logic written in this future sci-fi story!!

Before I Fall (2017)

Pretty Little Bitches

[3/10 · 4 July 2017]

SPOILER WARNING!!! What happens when you put four little bitches together in a High School setting? Yeah! Like a dozen people already wrote in their reviews about this film. "Mean Girls." Here we have Samantha (Zooey Deutch) and her mean gal buddy Lindsey (Halston Sage) and their two loyal minion follower gal pals. The high school girls are the terror of the high school hallways. As all other students seem to be in awe and envy of them. These four girls have the hippest clothes the best looking boyfriends. They rule! We watch their silly antics and pranks on each other and other students, especially against Lindsay's former best friend Juliet (Elena Kampouris) a raga muffin teen who resembles a New York city bag lady. Lindsay relishes with glee every opportunity to hurl nasty insults at her former best friend.

Somehow Samantha wakes up every morning to relive the exact same day. And we have to witness repeatedly all the silliness and nastiness the mean girls have to dish out. Yes yes many other reviewers have noticed and coined "Before I Fall" "Mean Girls" meets "Ground Hog Day" It is so blatantly obvious that the material from these two previous films were used, borrowed, stolen. Screenwriter for this film Maria Maggenti and novelist Lauren Oliver have shamefully taken large chunks from the two films mentioned and tried to make a dramatic film. It didn't work. The two original films worked for they were comedies with heart and soul. Here with "Before I Fall" there is just a constant flow of meanness, with only slight glimpses of any heart.

I really like Zooey Deutch as an actress, she is very talented. I wish she and her fellow actors had better script material to work with. Samantha as she relives her day over and over again attempts to break similar happenings by changing a few things in each day. In one repeat day scene Samantha wearing high fashion black and extra dark make-up. She looks more mature and in the SUV scene she releases her frustration upon her three mean girl pals by telling the truth, how she really feels about them. Samantha's wrath especially aimed against top honcho mean girl Lindsay, telling her she is a mean selfish egocentric bitch. BRAVO Samantha! This is the scene in this film that should have been a positive turning point.

Now one would think logically that Samantha had learned something be reliving the day over repeatedly. That she had grown and grownup. Yet NO! The writer of this screenplay Maria Maggenti places Samantha back in the SUV the following repeat day having Samantha acting silly with her mean gal pals. That is what they call out of character and totally illogical! Another example of out of character. Is the slumber party sleepover scene. In this scene Samantha knowing of bad things to happen at a big high school party, asks Lindsay and her two minion friends to join her in a slumber party, and for her friends not to attend the big party. So the three forgo the big party and join Samantha's slumber sleep over. NO WAY!! Lindsay as Samantha told her off is a selfish, egotistic brat!! No way Lindsay would not attend the big party. The writer here blew this scene, Lindsay is written completely out of character! Now all of this repetition has some kind of darker meaning. In another repeat day, Juliet confronts Lindsay at the big party, after a screaming altercation between the two. Juliet dashes from the party and is later killed. This scene is repeated several times with the same tragic result. Meanwhile Samantha finally begins to lose her mean girl ways, and starts treating her family with more caring love. A nerd boy that was kind to her, but she not to him, she begins to feel for him, choosing him over her one time all popular high school handsome hunk boyfriend. Yet the most important part of her repetitive puzzle , she doesn't get! Save Juliet from killing herself. She could have done this at the many relived high school scenes. In the cafeteria, by getting up from her elite mean girl table, instead of asking Lindsay "Why she is so mean to Juliet?" Hey Lindsay is the ultimate mean girl, That's why! Samantha could have gone over and sat with Juliet, tell her she'll give her some fashionable clothing so Juliet does not have look like an old bag lady and be friends with Juliet.

This would have taken courage on Samantha's part. Yet the writer picked the illogical course of action. As we see Samantha dashing after Juliet in a desperate last second effort trying to keep Juliet from running in front of highway traffic. This scene is repeated many times with the finale Samantha pushing Juliet out of the way of a truck, giving her life to save Juliet. A redundant illogical ending. The element of high school bullying is not handled well in this film. It leads to Juliet's near suicide and Samantha's death. Unfortunately, most teen girls watching this film will envy and want to copy the cool mean girl Lindsay. Unfortunately there are probably many Lindsays in High Schools all over America, who prey on girls like Juliet.

Part of the fear of everyday life is not knowing what is going to happen. Yet Samantha knows the future she can change and alter it any way she wants to. So why would she want end her life, when she can share her new kinder side with her family after discarding the mean girl within herself? One last observation, when Samantha is in bed she wears a really old torn tattered T-shirt that even Juliet would have been embarrassed to wear. Why would a teen who is so fashion conscious wear a torn trashy t shirt? Makes no sense at all!! Out of character again!

Baywatch (2017)

Babe Watch AKA Baywatch

[2/10 · 29 May 2017]

Babe watch AKA Baywatch!

Babe watch is the name that many guys tagged the popular TV show Baywatch 1992-1997. I admit I was one of those guys that loved to tune in the watch the hot babes in their patented tight red swimsuits. Among these beauties who delighted any red blooded male over the five years the TV series ran were; Pam Anderson, Donna D'Errico, Carmen Electra, Erika Eleniak, Yasmine Bleeth, Alexandra Paul, Krista Allen, Nicole Eggert, Traci Bingham, Gena Lee Nolin. Whew! Wow!! Some of these girls were also Playboy models so they really filled out their swimsuits! While there are some attractive women in the film version the TV series they don't stack up to the babes of the original Baywatch TV show.

Kelly Rohbach as CJ Parker is a cute curvy blonde Ilfenesh Hadera as Stephanie Holden and Alexandra Daddario as Summer Quin who comes close to the original Baywatch babe. Daddario gets most of the acting time here and her comedic timing is very good. I must say that the early introduction to CJ Parker here is not impressive. She comes running in slow motion onto the beach, with strong sunlight behind her, to give her the look of a halo light around her. Yet the camera man and film crew did not give her enough fill-in light. Being a fashion photographer myself I have shot many beach swimsuit models using the back light halo effect. I always use a good fill in flash. In this scene in the film CJ Parker's face and body are covered in an unflattering shadows.

OK, the film itself is a six pack (opposite of a chick film) buddy all guy film. It is basically an ego tug of war between (Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson) Mitch Buchannan and new dude on the beach washed up gold medal swimmer now washed up onto the shore of Baywatch (Zach Efron) Matt Brody. There are some yawn!!! ridiculous plots in here like Mitch's boss wanting Brody as a PR prop for the beach. Then (Priyanka Chopra) Victoria Leeds the gorgeous crime boss and drug dealer who wants the beach as a part of her drug dealing empire. Mitch and his gang of lifeguards decide to play detectives to help save their beach. Earlier an out of shape lifeguard hopeful (Jon Bass) Ronnie Greenbaum has a fantasy dream desire for hotie CJ Parker. In his first scene with her he gets his erection stuck in a wooden pallet. Then onward its Dick jokes upon Dick jokes.

For any guy reading about the graphic nudity in this film. Don't too get excited that you will see any of the Baywatch babes here in the nude. No! Sorry, the graphic nudity pertains to tubby Greenbaum showing his bare ass in a shower scene. The other is a somewhat funny scene as Mitch and Matt examine a dead corpse on a slab, where Mitch asks Matt to pick up the dead man's penis and balls and examine them for anything strange looking. This scene shows the man's penis for several minutes. So you will be disappointed if you expect to see the Baywatch babes in the buff.

I saw this film at the first 1PM showing on Thursday. The audience demographics were 99% male, with the age range at 20-30 years. The guys came in groups of five and six. They looked like athletes or recruits for Baywatch. Like I said it's a macho action guy film.

100 Streets (2016)

Another negative stereotyped film aimed at black people

[1/10 · 4 May 2017]

This film continues the never ending stereotyping of black people mostly black males in the inner cities of USA and here in England. This is a very disturbing film, but not for the story that it presents but for the unfair depiction of black males. The white filmmakers who are guilty of this stereotyping of black people have their black actors in their films use excessive profanity. The black characters in their films are also very angry and confrontational. So is the case in this film. The two major black characters here are Max (Idris Elba) a former Rugby star now a ghost of his once famous persona. And Kingsley (Frank Drameh) a street gang member who finds himself living in a world of crime and no opportunities for him to get out of his ghetto lifestyle.

Both characters in this film are very violent and use excessive profanity. While the white characters in this film are very civil and calm and do not use any profanity. This depiction in this film was created and written by screenwriter Leon Butler a Caucasian man. As many of these stereotyped films showing blacks people as drug dealers, gang members and even everyday people all using excessive profanity and having confrontational personalities are created and produced by white men. There is a theme that these white filmmakers emphasize, that the white characters in their films are civilized and superior to the black people who are depicted in an inferior manner. There are many civilized calm mannered black people in the USA and in England who do not use excessive profanity, some even prefer the ballet or symphony music to rap, or golf to basketball.

Yet writers like Mr. Butler continue to present black people in the most negative manner. I know there are black people who are in very dire situations in England and the USA. Yet this film does not have any positive black characters in the film. Either police officers or anybody! The film story sets the pace to slowly show how the main black characters Max and Kingsley each deal with their problems by using excessive violence with graphic loud profanity.

The story has an interracial marriage between Max and Emily (Gemma Arterton) an ultra-conservative white woman who could pass for the wife of a politician. Their marriage is very strained because of Max's affairs with other women and other vices. Whenever Max shows up at Emily's home (Max has an apartment) she treats him with aloof disgust with a quick hi and goodbye attitude. Early in the film we are rooting for Max to get his life back in shape and reconcile with Emily. It's interesting to note that this is the 50th anniversary of the *controversial film (*for the 1960's) "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" The first major film that showed a black man played by Sidney Poitier meeting the parents and his future in-laws played by Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. Their young white daughter played by Katherine Houghton. Sidney Poitier's character in this film is civilized and mild mannered as the white characters in this film. Poitier playing the black man set to marry their daughter, he uses no profanity nor does he even have an inner city urban accent.

In "100 Streets" Max is a man in self-destruct mode. He claims it's all about his and Emily's kids that he wants to make his marriage work. But even when Emily gives Max another chance. He has sex with other women, gets drunk in public and snorts coke, before he is to appear on live TV as a Rugby commentator, because of his coke addiction he has to leave the TV studio. Emily was seeing another man but not secretly. He is Jake a civil white man who is very caring and mild mannered. Much like Sidney Poitier's black character some fifty years ago. When Max mistakenly believes that Emily is picking Jake over him. Max goes ballistic, he appears in Emily's home on her balcony without a shirt on waving a rifle shouting profanity to all the white spectators on the street below. Emily on the phone with Max using a calm caring voice trying to get Max to surrender before the police sharp shooters kill him. Emily's kindness is met with the most graphic violent rage and profanity. As Max hurls hatred at Emily. But Emily prevails and is successful in having Max surrender as he is arrested on the scene.

How the depiction of black males has degenerated in fifty years since Sidney Poitier character appeared in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." It is refreshing that new black filmmakers are now releasing films that show black people not as drug dealers or violent characters who have to use profanity. But as positive black characters on the theater screen.

Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)

Gal Gadot star power shines bright!

[10/10 · 8 February 2017]

This movie gets ten stars from me because of two words. Gal Gadot!! Every film I see her in I love her acting and her more and more!! In her last film the dramatic thriller "Criminal" she demonstrated a vulnerable yet strong willed woman. Here in "Keeping up with the Joneses" she shows her ability to cross over and do comedy also.

While watching her in this film I could not help but think of the strong connection to another spy thriller with some comedy. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Gadot as Natalie Jones and spy partner Jon Hamm as Tim Jones in KUWTJ (Keeping up with the Joneses) their spy team attire is similar to the Pitt & Jolie spy team as are their spy team mannerisms. Gadot has the similar physical features of Jolie, add a few inches in height for Gadot. Gadot is one of the hottest new actresses, she will appear in her own upcoming film starring as action heroine "Wonder Woman." A more appropriate title for Gal Gadot could not be made. Gadot has an edge on Jolie for she can do comedy far better than Jolie. Also in KUWTJ and her other films Gadot has an inner warmth that she projects on the screen, something Jolie does not possess. I give all ten stars to Gal Gadot for her wonder woman performance and charisma. She is a wonder to behold!! Watch her in this film to see a future super star in the making!!

Café Society (2016)

Nothing of interest on this Café's menu.

[2/10 · 9 November 2016]

As a longtime fan of Woody Allen's films I find the difficult situation of writing about an Allen film that was sub-par by Allen's standards. "Café Society" is nothing more than a parade of celebrity big name stars dressing up in 1930's wardrobe, then parading in front of the camera. Delivering boring, dour and staid lines. This was a disconnected film that had no real strong story line. It is jumble of inept plots that are supposed to connect but just don't work here. One of Allen's worse screenplay's.

The weakest link in this film is Jesse Eisenberg as the lead character Bobby. A young man who travels to Hollywood in the 1930's to find himself and his future. Eisenberg has had much success as a teen film star and recently as Lex Luthor in "Batman vs Superman," he did not do a believable job with his portrayal of Luthor. Nor does he do a good job portraying Bobby. As Bobby he just meanders through scene after scene. Yet all I could see is the teen star Jesse. He didn't transform well into a 1930's young man. In fact the entire film seem outdated as the time line. This film would have been much better had it been placed in the present time. His costar and love interest Kristen Stewart as Vonnie, fared even worse. Her character was a weak link that just did not match well with Bobby. Eisenberg and Stewart had appeared together in "American Ultra" with Eisenberg as a stoner/hit-man and Stewart as his love interest. They worked well together in that action/comedy format. Yet in "Café Society" there is no real chemistry between Bobby and Vonnie in this film.

Bobby's uncle and super talent agent Phil Stern played by Steve Carell plays his character way too serious and is wasted in this film. He constantly drops big name stars of the 1930's. Yet we never see any of them on the screen in cameos played by actors in this film. That would have given this film some credibility. The character Ben Dorfman played by Corey Stoll is added to put some action humor in the film as a gangster thug of the 1930's but it just didn't add anything or help here.

The love interest between Bobby and Vonnie is played out similar to Alvy Singer and Annie Hall played by Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in the 1977 Academy Award winning film "Annie Hall". In that film Hall/Keaton wanted a career and life in L.A. while Alvy/Allen was a true New Yorker. Same scenario pops up here Vonnie is in Hollywood, while Bobby become a night club manager in New York. While the 1930's costumes and sets are impressive. It all just comes across like an elaborate 1930's costume party. I liked Allen's film "Radio Days" a lot better. It had much more heart, soul and humor. In that film Allen took us back to his early days as a kid during the 1940's. It worked great because Allen told us his story and it was a very interesting story. Yet the 1930' "Cafe Society" is not interesting at all and seems quite phony. The only bright spot in this entire film is the brief appearance by the hot sexy lovely Blake Lively as Veronica, she livens up this dull film, if only for a very brief time.

Everest (2015)

Thrill seekers Beware!!

[5/10 · 21 October 2016]

Everest as a film honors those who had died climbing the treacherous famous mountain in 1996. Yet learning that some of these thriller seekers each shelled out $65,000 for the chance to reach the summit of Everest. Made me think what a waste of money that could have been used in investing in their family's future or donating to some worthy charity. It is a selfish act to attempt the dangerous climb of Mount Everest. If you are not a professional mountain climber and do not have the experience and stamina to do so. To put their lives in harm's way to risk their lives for this high priced folly. Making widows of wives and leaving their children one less parent, not to mention the long enduring heartache of those who must mourn for their deaths. I would like to see filmmakers who want to show courage and hardship. Film those homeless people in cities. They have no option but to sleep on frigid streets and push heavy carts with their worldly belongings. Not for a few weeks as in climbing Mount Everest, but for years. They are not athletes these are sometimes elderly people who must face the wrath of snow cold temperatures lonely nights with very little nourishing food. They have no team like the climbers of Mount Everest to help them or direct them. They are on their own, lonely and discarded from society. They survive by taking on the challenge of the canyons of the streets of Manhattan and other large cities, dwarfed by the spiraling towers of skyscrapers surrounding them. Yet they have no desire to ascend the heights of the monolithic mountains of concrete and steel. For they would not even be welcomed inside if they wished to do so. Everest is a mountain thousands of miles away, yet it beckons to those who have challenge in their hearts to risk their lives to reach its summit. I would urge them to see if they could take on the challenge of a homeless person living on the streets of large cities, live in the streets, pushing a heavy cart, sleeping on the streets in freezing weather, living on a meager amount of food. And have the undignified experience of having wealthy people driving by in limos starring down at them without lifting a finger to help them. That is a challenge I'd like to see them take on.

Sundown (II) (2016)

Camille Belle is awesome!!

[10/10 · 8 September 2016]

When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought oh another teen comedy with gross humor and poor story and script. Well while "Sundown" does share a lot in common with other teen comedies with the first twenty minutes or so. Things do pick up when Logan a handsome DJ wanna be played by Devon Werheiser who is a very close Zac Efron clone., and his buddy Blake (Sean Marquette) decide to take off to Puerto Vallarta Mexico.

Blake is a dead ringer for a young Jonah Hill and acts a lot like him. He is the guy who gets Logan in constant trouble. When Logan's attempts to court the gorgeous blonde Lina ( Sara Paxton) fail. It is Blake who urges him to pursue her more aggressively. Especially when Logan's parents have gone on a cruise trip believing Logan to be home watching and taking care of their home. His father trusting Logan to guard his Rolex watch given to him by his grandfather.

Well everything goes south when Logan and Blake fly south to Puerto Vallarta. First Blake failed to book a hotel room for the two. Luckily for the two they have found help from a hilarious and affable cab driver Chuy ( Silverio Palacious ) He helps them find a living space at his cousins laundry. Funny thing is Chuy refers to everyone as his cousins. Chuy adds most of the real comedy here as he helps the two get out of jam after jam, then getting in trouble with the two himself also.

Logan does find his dream girl Lina drunk in a local night club. He carries her out to the street, where upon she kisses him on the mouth, then vomits into his mouth. Not exactly the image he wanted for his dream girl. Logan has Chuy take Lina back to her hotel. Despondent Logan returns to the nightclub where he sees his buddy Blake dancing closely to a gorgeous big busty Latino woman. An awesome beautiful woman with long black hair and sparkling blue eyes and sizzling figure passes by Logan she looks at his Rolex and smiles at him she then says to him "Nice Watch." Now I did not recognize this vision of beauty woman as actress Camilla Belle. I have seen Camilla Belle in other films and liked her acting, but she did not look anything like this hot dream girl! Here in this film she played Gaby/Jessica. As Gabby she is a high priced hooker working the night club floor looking for an easy mark. Like a young tourist like Logan wearing an expensive Rolex watch.

Yet she plays it cool and turns on her charm added with her incredible sexy beauty is a deadly combination. Most guys would find themselves falling under her spell. I know I did!! So Logan didn't find his fantasy dream girl in Lina, he found her with the fabulous Gaby! She is fabulous awesome!!! The sexiest most beautiful vision I have ever seen in a film!! It is incredible that Camilla Belle transformed herself into his sexy sizzling hot Gabby. That is great acting! Bravo to you Camilla!! Camille takes Logan back to her place, where he falls asleep under the spell of a potent drug that Gabby had slipped into his drink at the nightclub. Next morning Gabby demands to be paid for her hooking service. Logan stunned at the turn of events tells her he'll get the money. For her to give him some time he'll be back. When Logan returns with Blake, Gabby is gone and so is the precious heirloom Rolex that Logan had accidentally left on the bed.

Here is where the film switches to high gear and the action kicks in. Dorian a crime boss who wears a fake blonde wig played wonderfully by Jordi Molla, Molla has played the serious villains in countless films. Here he has a little fun parodying his past roles. Dorian has possession of Logan's Rolex, he also has possession of Gabby whose real name is Jessica, she must do whatever Dorian wants, for she owes him a lot of money. When Logan sees Gabby this time as Jessica, she does not have on her black wig or blue contacts lens for her eyes. Yet she has a very soft natural girl next door type beauty. I wish I had a girl like this next door!! Dorian gives Logan the ultimatum get $10, 0000.00 for the Rolex for it to be returned to him. There is a lot of high jinx and fast action car chases, showdowns with the bad guys. But hey this is a summer fun flick!! You also have hot music, nightclub dancing, wet t-shirt contests, some girls taking their t-shirts off! Everything a guy wants in a fun flick!!

Logan and Jessica are drawn together and a romance sparks as we get to see another side of her, and learn her plight of being owned by Dorian. Jessica is warm, caring, cute, beautiful, everything a guy dreams about in a girl. Camille Bella offers us guys two fabulous fantasy dream women; the hot sexy Gabby and the naturally beautiful cute Jessica. I would fantasize about either or both!! I saw Camille in "American Side" she looked like an average beautiful woman. Here she transfers herself into two different gorgeous WOW goddesses!! She and Logan take a dip in small tropical pond. Jessica revealing her fantastic figure in a bikini!! A feast sight for any guy's eyes!!

Camille Belle shows her range as an actress in this film by portraying two different characters. She also shows us two beautiful women! That's what great acting is all about! She is awesome!! I love her for it!!! I'm awarding all ten stars to Camille Belle!!

Criminal (2016)

Modern day Frankenstein with a heart of gold

[10/10 · 28 August 2016]

As bizarre as it may seem, Kevin Costner does play a role similar to a modern day Frankenstein monster. The film introduces Costner as wild man criminal Jericho Stewart as the bearded prisoner chained in a jail cell. He talks with a gruff voice with grunts. He is treated like the criminal monster he is. He has no real emotions, he has killed and injured people without anger or remorse. The reason that brings Government Honcho Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman) to Jericho's cell. They need to retrieve important memories of important national security information and transfer it into Jericho's accommodating skull in hopes of retrieving the info. Government agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) was killed while attempting to secure the important information from a secret contact called the Dutchman (Michael Pitt.) Wells wants Dr. Franks (yes similar to Dr. Frankenstein) portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones to perform the delicate brain operation on dead Pope retrieving the info and transferring from his still active brain, into the wild man beast's brain. Why Jericho? Seems his brain is the only choice that will accept memories since he has a rare brain malfunction.

After the operation is completed there is not much change with Jericho he still seems like a wild monster brute. Yet he starts to have strange visions begin to flash through his brain, but can't decipher what they are. Which causes him much pain. Wells believing the operation to be a failure, gives the order to be transfer Jericho to someplace he could be terminated. However in transit Jericho, kills the security guards and makes good his escape. Once on the streets of the city Jericho unleashes his brutish violence upon anyone and everyone he runs into. He brazenly takes food from a fast food restaurant, daring anyone to interfere, just by his monstrous glare no one does a thing to stop him. Then Jericho steals a van by beating up the tough thug occupants.

Suddenly the memories of Bill Pope become more clear and vivid in Jericho's mind. He sees images of Pope's gorgeous young wife Jill ( Gal Gadot) She has an angelic like beauty as she dances on a beach reaching out to her husband, yet it is Jericho who receives the enticing memory. Suddenly Jericho is no longer the brutish monster. He now can speak several foreign languages, he remembers security codes and highly classified information.

The villainous character Xavier Heimdahl ( Jordi Molla) is also interested in Jericho, he wants to retrieve the information from Jericho to find the elusive secret contact Dutchman, who has the ability to take over nuclear weapons via his computer and launch them. The only thing to stop the Dutchman's countdown to launch is Bill Pope going to the Dutchman and paying him with a huge payoff. But with Pope dead it is now only Pope's memories in Jericho's head that could find the Dutchman that will save the world. Xavier and Wells are hoping that Pope's memory transferred into Jericho's mind could be the key. Xavier sends his army of thugs to retrieve Jericho. When Wells discovers that Jericho's mind is recalling the important data he also sends agents to retrieve Jericho. Jericho on the run, goes to Bill Pope's home. He remembers the code to open the security system for the front door. Once inside something strange happens to the brute Jericho. As he finds Jill lying in bed, the images of her tender beauty from her husband flash through his mind. Even as he tapes her to the bed, you can see his mind fighting to calm the beast within himself. He gently touches her bare leg, steals a few items then leaves. Now the Jericho before his operation would have raped and sexual assaulted and killed the helpless Jill. Yet something miraculous has happened to Jericho for the first time in his life Jericho VIA Bill Pope's memories has felt tenderness and caring.

Later during an escape from Xavier's thugs Jericho is seriously wounded. He is found in the Pope's basement by Jill who has a gun trained upon him. As he patches up his bleeding leg he looks up at her with a calm sentimental expression. He then says to her "Your husband could never hurt you and neither could I" Then he tells her all about the memory transfer from her dead husband, and that he can recall all of his memories and all of his feelings. Now Jill's fear vanishes she has now a caring curious look on her face. Could she actually be communicating with her dead husband through Jericho? Then when she sees her young daughter Emma (Lara Decaro) teaching this once monster brute Jericho with scars on the back of his head like the Frankenstein monster to play the piano. She and her daughter take him into their hearts and he also cares for them. There is of course for the action fans a big climax shoot out that has Jericho risking his life for Jill and her daughter, something he would have not ever have done at the beginning of this film. I like the ending twist plot that is so rewarding as is the finale.

A truly magnificent; film, acting, directing and screenplay. One of the best films I have seen in a long time. Costner should get an Academy Award nomination for his acting here. And Gal Gadot should have the name Gal Goddess. She is just a stunningly beautiful actress. I liked her as Wonder Woman in Batman vs Superman, and I love her in this film. Definitely a future super star actress with immense talent and beauty. This is a film you should see!!!

The American Side (2016)

A Sloppy Sleuth Story

[3/10 · 27 August 2016]

This is one of those could've been films. With the right story and leading man it could have gone somewhere. But as it is it just meanders meaninglessly. The biggest problem here is the lead character Johnny Paczynski played by Greg Stuhr a gum shoe detective right out of the 1970's-80's. but in living in the present day. He wears a 1970's jacket (I owned one just like it) Drives a forty year old car and smokes incessantly, or has a cigarette always dangling from his mouth. Charlie lives in his office, drinking hard liquor and taking PI odd jobs. He always has an unpleasant nasty look on his face.

I have seen quite a few detective films but I have never seen a bald lead character detective with lamb chop 1970's sideburns. We've seen completely bald lead star detectives; Telly Savalas as Kojak, and Bruce Willis. Willis would have been perfect as Charlie in this film. He does possess the serious rough edge swagger and can utter funny one liners with a slight tinge of comedy that is needed for this character. Unfortunately Stuhr does not possess these qualities. Stuhr looks more like a disgruntled CPA or a banker that needs a shave. Stuhr's slight frame and his demeanor are all wrong for this character. He doesn't have the sex appeal that Willis has, and when almost seduced by the lovey Emily Chase ( Camilla Belle) a client seeking his help, he brushes her aside.

This film is like a paint by number mystery detective story that gets so caught up with itself that it becomes pedestrian and boring. Then you have actors just reciting lines in different scene locations. Matthew Broderick shows up in the film as the villain Borden Chase. Broderick looks as though he is imitating about a dozen past film villains. He also is imitating Marlon Brando and Orson Welles in their later years by becoming a Hollywood overweight actor. Broderick must have packed on thirty pounds. It was sad to see veteran actor Robert Vaughn wasted in a short scene portraying a grumpy eighty five year old tenant. Vaughn was the dashing handsome spy in the 1960's TV hit series The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Janeane Garofalo makes a short appearance as elusive Agent Barry. I did not recognize her at first. For we all remember her as the adorable pretty cute actress in comedy films some twenty year ago. Here they had her wear no make-up and used harsh lighting that made her look old and horrible. With Stuhr as the film's screenwriter along with the film's Director Jenna Ricker. Stuhr must have pulled rank and insisted on playing the lead role here. Big big mistake. But of course the mistakes were not surprising since this was Stuhr's first produced screenplay. Along with inexperienced Director Ricker who has had only one other small film under her directing belt.

The only bright spots in the film were veteran actor Robert Forster as Sterling Whitmore and the two excellent beautiful actresses Camilla Belle and Alicja Bachleda as Nikki Meeker. Meeker the key to the puzzle of this confusing film. Here Meeker is sought after by Russian and Serbian thugs out to obtain the diagram to some invention created that could be used for peaceful or destructive purposes. Any fans of Buffalo New York will get to see a lot of Western New York landmarks and buildings, with short glimpses of Niagara Falls New York The American side. A big big disappointment of a could have been should have been film.

Like Crazy (2011)

Crazy and Stupid Love!

[8/10 · 28 April 2016]

"Like Crazy & Stupid Love"

SPOILER ALERT

The film is basically a transcontinental love affair, she Anna from England, he Jacob from the USA and L.A. Anna visiting the USA on a student visa meets and falls in love with Jacob while she's in L.A. The two are drawn closer, dating, spending more and more time together. Until Anna is forced to leave the USA because of a student visa violation for overstaying her visit in the USA. The two lovers torn apart separated by an ocean, text and talk to each other, telling each other how much each misses the other. Jacob visits Anna in England and the two realize that the travelling back and forth would prove to be very costly for the young lovers. The two despondent try to cope and go about their lives. Jacob has found a new love interest with his gorgeous new employee.

Enter Jennifer Lawrence as Samantha. Never have I seen such a gorgeous and welcomed entrance by an actress. Her long blonde hair glorious curvaceous figure and her charismatic personality just demonstrates even this early in Jennifer's career why she is a superstar actress. Jacob enjoys the company of his new love interest Samantha, she is more fun filled than Anna. I like many other males watching this film fantasize about being with the hot sizzling Jennifer Lawrence as Samantha. I know my heart beat picked up and my eyes enjoyed the pleasure of seeing Samantha. We see Jacob and Samantha at a nightclub partying and having a great time. Suddenly while on the dance floor Jacob receives multiple texts from Anna in England for him to call her. This is where Anna starts acting crazy and Jacob starts to get stupid. Now while Anna is kind of cute, Samantha is sizzling Hot!! 99.9% of guys would pick Samantha over Anna. So Jacob answers the call, Samantha suspects that Anna is about steal her guy from her. While Anna is selfish and possessive, Samantha is forgiving and understanding along with being far more beautiful than Anna.

Jacob makes hits first stupid idiotic move, he lives Samantha and travels to England to be reunited with Anna. Anna corrals Jacob into marrying her believing that it would open the door for the two to return to the USA. Not happening! The ban on her travel is still in effect because of her student visa violation. Now the two are stuck at a crossroad situation. How do they make their marriage work? The stress of their dream plan faltering brings out the anger suppressed within the two. Anna and Jacob both have careers in different countries. The stress brings about a screaming argument between the two. Jacob leaves Anna and returns to L.A. and a forgiving Samantha. Wow what a woman! Now at the same time Anna begins dating a young Brit named Simon. They have a close loving relationship to the point where Simon proposes to Anna. Anna plays it cool and doesn't accept his proposal. OK now back to L.A. Jacob is in bed with the sexy gorgeous Samantha, while she sleeps Jacob receives a text from guess who? Anna, she texts "I miss you" The stupid Jacob upon learning that Anna has the travel ban lifted agrees to go back to her.

Upon Anna's return to L.A. her meeting with Jacob is sort of awkward and not as passionate and fun filled relationship that Jacob had with Samantha. Right away Anna complains about not being able to find a job like the great job she gave up in England. The two seem to be lovers who have career issues that interfere with their romantic lives. This uneasy compromise by Anna being in L.A. one could see is not going to work out. Will Samantha be waiting on the sidelines ready to comeback to Jacob? Word of advice for Anna STAY IN ENGLND!! Leave Jacob alone so he can find real happiness with Samantha! The eight stars I give all of them to the fabulous young Jennifer Lawrence appearing as Samantha!