Tag Archives: Review

My 2 Cents… Ex Machina

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Title: Ex Machina
Director: Alex Garland
Writer: Alex Garland
Stars: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Sonoya Mizuno

SHOW RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)

Blurb:
A young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breath-taking humanoid A.I.

Storyline:
Caleb, a 26-year-old programmer at the world’s largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location, he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world’s first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl. Written by DNA FILMS

My 2 Cents:
OK, I’ll admit – I did not see this one in the theatre. Big surprise, right? I mean it did come out back in 2014 and I’m just now reviewing it. I had never even heard of Ex Machina until the image of it scrolled across my Netflix feed.

I had no clue what to expect, but I tend to like AI movies so I gave it a shot.

Ultimately, this movie is about a computer programmer, Caleb – played by Domhnall Gleeson, who “wins” a chance to be flown to the estate where the owner of the company he works for, Nathan – played by Oscar Isaac, lives. Caleb gets there… to what is basically this massive, underground bunker where Nathan lives, works, and creates. His boss makes him sign an NDA and then shows him this beautiful AI woman, Ava – played by Alicia Vikander, that he created and keeps locked up – secluded from the outside world. He explains that the reason he brought Caleb there was to spend a week talking with Ava, questioning her, etc. to see if she is a real AI or just another robot.

Tension… tension… tension…

This really was a tension filled movie. Basically, because the acting was fantastic!!! I was captivated by the acting AND the dialogue. I have to hand it to Alex Garland, the writer and director, for such a well thought out, thought-provoking script. I was so surprised to find out that this was the first movie he had ever directed. WHAT?!?! Yup, its true.

As the viewer, you don’t know who to trust… who to believe… who to care for. That is part of the genius behind the writing. It also gives credit to the execution of the acting and directing.

I’m not going to tell you what happens, and I really won’t tell you the twist at the end. Yes, there is a twist. What I will tell you is – this is an EXCELLENT MOVIE!!!! If you haven’t seen it, you need to rent this one, it will not disappoint.

You can watch the official trailers here:


 

My 2 Cents… The Nun

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The Nun

Title: The Nun
Director: Corin Hardy
Writers: Gary Dauberman (Screenplay)
Story by: Gary Dauberman and James Wan
Stars: Demian Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, and Bonnie Aarons

SHOW RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★
Story: ★★★
Acting: ★★★
Overall: ★★★ (3)

Blurb:
A priest with a haunted past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate the death of a young nun in Romania and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun.

Storyline:
When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in ‘The Conjuring 2,’ as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned. Written by Warner Bros.

My 2 Cents:
I was hoping for more. More scares, more story, more plot, more acting. Just more.

Ok, before you get the wrong I idea, I do still think this movie is worth watching. Rent it, don’t buy it. The story is subpar and the acting is just ok, but there were a few good jump scares – my favorite part of scary movies. Although, the best part wasn’t the movie at all – it was who I was watching it with. My daughter says she loves scary movies, but she screams the whole time. THE WHOLE TIME – even when it isn’t scary. So, her fear and excitement at being scared made the movie that much more fun for me too.

So, find a friend or a loved one who loves to be scared and jumps at everything and watch this movie with them.

I guess the only other things I can say about the movie is that the special effects were better than I expected and Bonnie Aarons, the actress who played The Nun, was awesome! I’m not going to lie – she was pretty creepy scary looking.

You can watch the official trailers here:

My 2 Cents… Brain on Fire

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Brain on Fire

Title: Brain on Fire
Director: Gerard Barrett
Writers: Gerard Barrett (Screenplay) & Susannah Cahalan (Memoir)
Stars: Chloe Grace Moretz, Thomas Mann, Richard Armitage, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jenny Slate, and Tyler Perry

 

 

SHOW RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)

Blurb:
A young, capable professional cannot explain her newly erratic behavior.

Storyline:
The film follows the harrowing experience of a writer struggling with a rare neurological disease from when she first suffers symptoms to the many attempts at diagnosing it and the eventual discovery of the real cause of her illness. Based on the book, ‘Brain On Fire’, the true story of Susannah Cahalan, a journalist for the New York Post. Written by Danny

My 2 Cents:
WOW! I can’t say enough good things about this movie.

First let me start by explaining something I didn’t know when I hit play… This movie is based on a true story. It’s not fiction and wow did the actors and director nail it! I wish there were more movies being made that touched on such important topics as mental illness in such a way that people can relate and yet learn.

The acting was amazing – breathtaking. Chloe Grace Moretz was perfectly cast and brought her character to life in such a heartbreaking way. Richard Armitage and Carrie-Anne Moss played Chloe’s parents, a divorced couple struggling to move on from their failed marriage and still support their sick daughter through her time of need. They fought valiantly for their daughter’s rights and to provide her with the best treatment available.

I’m not going to give anything else away. However, I think it needs to be said that the negative reviews I’ve read online seem so miss placed. This movie is definitely a MUST SEE!

You can watch the official trailers here:

Four by Veronica Roth

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Four

TITLE: Four
AUTHOR: Veronica Roth

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★
Appearance: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (4)

 

AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
Fans of the Divergent trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by Four: A Divergent Collection, a companion volume that includes four pre-Divergent stories plus three additional scenes from Divergent, all told from Tobias’s point of view. This collection also makes a great pick for fans of the blockbuster movies who want to delve deeper into the character played by Theo James.

Readers first encountered Tobias as “Four” in Divergent. His voice is an integral part of Allegiant. Readers will find more of this charismatic character’s back story told from his own perspective in Four: A Divergent Collection. When read together, these long narrative pieces illuminate the defining moments in Tobias’s life. The first three pieces in this volume—”The Transfer,” “The Initiate,” and “The Son”—follow Tobias’s transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, his Dauntless initiation, and the first clues that a foul plan is brewing in the leadership of two factions. The fourth story, “The Traitor,” runs parallel with the events of Divergent, giving readers a glimpse into the decisions of loyalty—and love—that Tobias makes in the weeks after he meets Tris Prior.

Also includes three additional scenes from Divergent, told from Tobias’s point of view!

Buy it HERE on Amazon! 
THE CRITICAL POINTS

WRITING: Veronica Roth takes us deep into Four’s perspective with this one, and she doesn’t disappoint.

STORY: Four, the 4th book in the Divergent Series is actually a set of novellas. What it reminded me, after the disappointment of Allegiant, is that I really enjoy Roth’s storytelling and the world she created within the Divergent Series. Seeing her world through Four’s eyes was a great way to wrap up the series and give her readers the closure we didn’t get with Allegiant.

I won’t give anything away, but I will say even if you were disappointed with Allegiant, you have to pick up Four! Give Roth another chance and read these awesome novellas. It’s a fast-paced read, I think I finished it in one night… maybe two. You won’t be disappointed.

If you’ve already read Four, what did you think? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

APPEARANCE: The cover blends well with the rest of the Divergent series books and fits the story VERY WELL! I love the imagery as well as the meeting behind the Ferris wheel.

MY FAVORITE QUOTES:

“One thing I know: For helping me forget how awful the world is, I prefer her to alcohol.”

“Dead people can be our heroes because they can’t disappoint us later; they only improve over time, as we forget more and more about them.”

Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.

NOT YET RECORDED

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

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Allegiant 1

TITLE: Allegiant
AUTHOR: Veronica Roth

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Appearance: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (4)

 

AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that captivated millions of readers and film fans in Divergent and Insurgent. This paperback edition includes bonus content by Veronica Roth!

One choice will define you. What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

Told from a riveting dual perspective, this third installment in the series follows Tris and Tobias as they battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and their selves—while facing impossible choices of courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Buy it HERE on Amazon!

THE CRITICAL POINTS

WRITING: I have enjoyed Veronica Roth’s writing style with this series, however it changed in book 3. Books one and two were told from Tris’ point of view, which I LOVED. Book 3 however, jumps back and forth between Tris and Four… it was jarring and seemed out-of-place for the series.

STORY: I love the idea of this story and the trilogy is very good, especially books one and two. However, book three seemed repetitive, not with the other books but with itself. Jumping back and forth from Tris’ perspective and Four’s perspective led to reading the same information multiple times with a slight change in thought. It felt like Roth was pushing us toward the end of the story instead of letting us just come along for the ride.

The ending was a giveaway, I guessed it early and wasn’t to pleased. Not only because I like a good surprise, but because it seemed like the predictable choice.

I read each of the first two books in two or three sittings, but book three seemed to drag. It took me much longer, almost a full week, to read because I just didn’t feel as invested in the story. I love a good story line that pulls me into the action, character development, and relationships, but after a while of listening to Tris and Four go head to head with their back and forth love you – don’t trust you – love you – don’t trust you… I found myself disconnecting.

The last thing I will say is this… Not every story has a happy ending, and I’m ok with that, but this one builds you up to the hope and real possibility of a happy ending, just to let you down in the end.

Still, it is a good story and a must-read trilogy! If you’ve read it, I’d love to know your thoughts, so comment below and tell me what you thought of Allegiant or the whole Divergent series.

Next week, I’ll be reviewing Four, book 4 in the Divergent series.

APPEARANCE: The cover is a swirl of water… a wave. The symbolism is there… in one of Tris’ fears, but could be easily lost in the content of the book. Although appealing, I don’t know that the cover of this one connects to the story as well as the covers on books one and two.

MY FAVORITE QUOTES:

“I wonder if fears ever really go away, or if they just lose their power over us.”

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. That is the sort of bravery I must have now.”

Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.

NOT YET RECORDED

Check out the official movie trailers here:

https://youtu.be/0G0C-vMHcQY
https://youtu.be/2CY5TQ0K1Ls
https://youtu.be/_fLg8PsLWQ0

allegiant 2

 

Movie Information:
After the earth-shattering revelations of Insurgent, Tris must escape with Four beyond the wall that encircles Chicago, to finally discover the shocking truth of the world around them.

Director: Robert Schwentke
Writers: Noah Oppenheim, Adam Cooper, and Bill Collage (screenplay) / Veronica Roth (novel)
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jeff Daniels

My 2 Cents… Life Sentence (Season 1)

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LifeTV Series: Life Sentence (Season 1)
Creators: Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith
Stars: Lucy Hale, Elliot Knight, Jayson Blair, Brooke Lyons, and Carlos PenaVega

Blurb:
When Stella finds out her terminal cancer is cured, she must learn to live with all the choices she made when deciding to live like she was dying.

Storyline:
Stella (Lucy Hale) has lived the last 8 years of her life making every day count. 8 years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer, but when she finds out that her cancer has been cured, she struggles to make some life choices. How do you make choices when there isn’t a weight on your shoulders anymore?

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (4)

My 2 Cents:
OK Lucy Hale… I’m a fan. Having known Hale only from Pretty Little Liars, I was glad to see her in something a bit more serious. Something that could challenge her acting abilities. Life Sentence is a fun, yet serious, dramedy (drama/comedy) that touches on topics such as cancer, mixed marriages, discovering yourself, sexuality, and marital affairs.

No, cancer isn’t funny… but, in the context of a young girl who discovers her new-found life, the series creators have found a way to make all of life’s ups and downs entertaining. I laughed. I cried. I was disgusted and pissed off. To say that I was emotionally involved by the end of the season would be correct. Sadly, I have learned that there will be no season two as the CW canceled the show. So, I guess if you’re just looking for a short commitment… with minimual time investment… you should binge watch Life Sentence on Netflix, but be prepared for all the feels.

You can watch the official season one trailer here:

 

 

My 2 Cents… Maze Runner: The Death Cure

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Maze RunnerMaze Runner: The Death Cure – Young hero Thomas (played by Dylan O’Brien) embarks on a mission to find a cure for a deadly disease known as “The Flare”.

Let me start by saying that I LOVED the first movie in this series. With that said, I sat through this movie going, “Wait, what? Did I miss something?’ I felt completely lost, as if huge chunks of the story had been left out – skipped – or just deleted in editing.

Sure, there were some pretty awesome action sequences, but the story left me feeling disappointed and counting the minutes of my life that I’ll never get back.

Side note… Barry Pepper (as Vince) was awesome! Seriously Barry, where have you been? Hollywood needs to cast you more!!!

Watch the official trailer here:

My 2 Cents… Upgrade

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UpgradeUpgrade – Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when Grey (played by Logan Marshall-Green), a self-identified technophobe, has his world turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant called Stem (voice by Simon Maiden).

I wasn’t expecting any more than an action-packed movie along the lines of the Bourne movies (which I loved), but I ended up loving this movie for a completely different reason. It’s not all action and drama! It’s filled with laughs, which considering how dark the film is was very unexpected. Leigh Whannell, the film’s director, has packed this film full of drama, shock, action, and even some heartbreak. There’s never a dull moment as the film has you on the edge of your seat the entire time!

I can’t end this review without saying that Logan Marshall-Green was perfectly cast. PERFECTLY cast. He made the characters inner struggle believable in exactly the way this film needed. You feel for his character, you’re angry with him, grieving with him, and want him to win even if it means doing unspeakable things.

Watch the official trailer here:

 

My 2 Cents… All I See Is You

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all I seeAll I See Is You – A blind woman’s relationship with her husband changes when she regains her sight and discovers disturbing details about themselves.

Ok… wow! This movie did not go the way I expected it to at all! I’m glad I didn’t look at the IMDB reviews before deciding to watch this movie. Directed by Marc Forster, the subpar 5/10 rating given as an IMBD viewer average did not at all reflect my view of the film.

I felt like Blake Lively did a wonderful job playing the blind unsuspecting woman in love and pulled no punches when she regained her sight and took back her Independence. Jason Clarke, as the husband, was loving and caring, but we quickly find out he has a lack of confidence and possible abandonment issues that lead to a dark side I didn’t expect to see. He plays the jealous, suspecting husband perfectly.

Recommendation – take the time to watch! When you do, let me know what you think.

Watch the official trailer here:

 

My 2 Cents… Nostalgia

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nostalgiaNostalgia – Directed by Mark Pellington, Nostalgia is a mosaic of stories about love and loss, exploring our relationship to the objects, artifacts, and memories that shape our lives.

I knew nothing about this movie when I hit play, sitting on the plane waiting for my flight to take off. I had no expectations other than to be entertained. I felt like the cast held up their end of the deal… they were beautifully tragic. Although it was an extremely talented cast (Hugo Armstrong, Shinelle Azoroh, Annalise Basso, Ellen Burstyn, Arye Gross, Jon Hamm, Catherine Keener, Lindsey Kraft, and so many others), but unfortunately, the story/script left little to be desired (for me). I’m still trying to figure out the film’s message, other than ‘what’s important to you is junk to everyone you leave behind when you die.’

I can recognize that there were some though-provoking concepts/topics brought up in the film, but it was to spliced and diced to make a coherent film.

Just my two cents. If you saw it, what did you think?

Watch the official trailer here: