Special: The Addams Family, Ready Or Not, Annabelle Comes Home Mini-Reviews

The Addams Family:

Synopsis: Get ready to snap your fingers! The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbor.

My thoughts: The Addams Family was a fine film for both kids and adults alike but at the same time it didn't do anything to wow me unlike other animated films I've seen this year. If anything it made me want to revisit the previous films and television series. The voice acting was top notch, unfortunately the filmmakers decided to use the Addams clan as an excuse to pigeonhole political correctness into the flick, I'm not against it at all but the way it was presented could definitely use some work.

Final verdict: 3.5 severed hands out of 5.

Ready Or Not:

Synopsis: Ready Or Not follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband's (Mark O'Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival.

My thoughts: This movie is a great blend of horror and comedy with subtle political notes to the subject of the class system. Ready Or Not takes your favourite horror movie tropes, turns them on their head, makes a joke out of it and yet you still can't get enough. Weaving is excellent and may see herself cast in similar roles given her horror chops. The supporting cast is excellent as well but I can not give enough credit to the directors for building this masterpiece through well timed gags and incredible pacing.

Final verdict: 4.5 dead wait staff out of 5.

Annabelle Comes Home:

Synopsis: Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her "safely" behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest's holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target -- the Warrens' ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends.

My thoughts: Probably my favourite of the Annabelle series, though that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement... Despite Creation's stellar reviews I did not like it, I also don't particularly like this film either that is probably the tamest of the Conjuring franchise but at least our actresses give great performances.

Final verdict: 3 dumb babysitters out of 5.

Special: Avengers: Endgame, Long Shot, Dragonball Super: Broly Mini-Reviews

Avengers: Endgame:

Synopsis: The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios' grand conclusion to twenty-two films, "Avengers: Endgame."

My thoughts: This was a highly satisfying movie. I will not give away anything spoilery but I will say the film takes a few unexpected twists and turns each more enjoyable than the next. The Avengers were due for change after Infinity War and Endgame provides it as a step up from it's predecessor. The 3 hour run time feels like 1.5 since you're so invested in what's happening with lots of comedy, enough action and even some drama blended in for good measure. Can't wait to see what the next 22 films have in store for us.

Final verdict: 5 snaps out of 5.

Long Shot:

Synopsis: Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world. Smart, sophisticated, and accomplished, she's a powerhouse diplomat with a talent for... well, mostly everything. The two have nothing in common, except that she was his babysitter and childhood crush. When Fred unexpectedly reconnects with Charlotte, he charms her with his self-deprecating humor and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter, much to the dismay of her trusted advisors. A fish out of water on Charlotte's elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamorous lifestyle in the limelight. However, sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.

My thoughts: Honestly I went into this thinking this was a solid 3 since I don't do halves but I'm having a hard time getting it that low. The chemistry between the stars is undeniable even if sometimes it reverts back to typical Seth Rogen fair but you quickly forget when the script gets sharper.

Final verdict: 4 embarrassing boners out of 5.

Dragonball Super: Broly:

Synopsis: A planet destroyed, a powerful race reduced to nothing. After the devastation of Planet Vegeta, three Saiyans were scattered among the stars, destined for different fates. While two found a home on Earth, the third was raised with a burning desire for vengeance and developed an unbelievable power. And the time for revenge has come. Destinies collide in a battle that will shake the universe to its very core!

My thoughts: I was pretty disappointed with this. I've enjoyed the last few Dragonball movies quite a bit and I got the hype for this one since it made Broly cannon as he previously only appeared in GT, a series widely panned and quickly wrote off as not cannon but people loved Broly. I never watched GT so I didn't have that attachment so for me this film introduced me to him and it did very little. The fight scenes as always was exciting and I enjoyed the ending we got however there wasn't a whole lot going on here, much to my chagrin,

Final Verdict: 3 Saiyans out of 5

Special: Best of July 2017

Best Theatrical Film:

Atomic Blonde

I wouldn't say that this is a fantastic movie by any stretch but the reality is this is the only one I saw since I've been avoiding the theater this month since it's a long weekend in Canada this weekend which means four features at the drive-in and we always seem to have seen a film or two at each screen which makes us not want to go but this time we're prepared! (checks listings... Still seen at least 1 film on each screen... FUCK!!!)

Best Rental Film:

Kong: Skull Island

Again, not a fantastic film... But the best I've seen that has come out. I have yet to watch some that appear to be good (Free Fire, Resident Evil: Vendetta) but at the end of the day you have to go with what you've seen and this overgrown ape film was much better than Ghost In The Shell so it gets the nod... I've also mini-reviewed it so check that out if you wish!

Best Album:

Silverstein - Dead Reflection

At Warped Tour this year I was able to pick up 2 records the day before release, Silverstein's Dead Reflection and The Gospel Youth's Always Lose. Both are great records but Dead Reflection is approaching Record of the Year territory after a few listens so naturally it's more deserving of this spot but The Gospel Youth's debut deserves a tip of the hat and more for it's emo revival sound which is more back to the roots than the usual emo revival fare.

Best Graphic Novel:

A.D. After Death, by Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire

Two of comics’ biggest names collaborate on this twisty-turny science fiction story of a near-future world in which we’ve solved humankind’s oldest and most intractable problem: there’s a cure for death. Of course, things are never that simple, and living in a world in which death might not be the end requires a massive re-think. It’s a story that’s both epic and very personal, from the unique pairing of writer Snyder and artist Lemire.

Best Video Game:

Splatoon 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Special: The Magnificent Seven/Kubo And The Two Strings/The Boy Mini-Reviews

The Magnificent Seven

Synopsis: With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, led by Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns - Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D'Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

My thoughts: This was just a great fun, ride. The cast was strong and worked well together as everyone knew their part to play and played it extremely well. I can't really think of a bad part of this movie, the score was tight. Cinematography was beautiful. Writing was strong. Direction was stronger... Yeah. Final verdict time!

Final verdict: 5 bears wearing human clothes out of 5.

Kubo And The Two Strings

Synopsis: Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of "Game of Thrones") ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen - a magical musical instrument - Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.

My thoughts: Want to see a great fantasy movie? Go see Kubo. Want to see a great animated flick suitable for kids but fun for adults? Go see Kubo. Want to see a film that bring you joy, sadness and scares all within the first 20 minutes? Go see Kubo. Kubo makes you feel every range of emotion possible and even better it excels on all fronts... Go see Kubo.

Final verdict: 5 origami figures out of 5.

The Boy

Synopsis: The Boy is a frightening thrill ride directed by William Brent Bell (The Devil Inside) starring Lauren Cohan ("The Walking Dead"). Greta (Cohan) is a young American woman who takes a job as a nanny in a remote English village, only to discover that the family's 8-year-old is a life-sized doll that the parents care for just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20 years prior. After violating a list of strict rules, a series of disturbing and inexplicable events bring Greta's worst nightmare to life, leading her to believe that the doll is actually alive.

My thoughts: As far as early year horrors go, this wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. The acting was surprisingly strong as was the pacing, but in an effort to make us think it forgot to scare us, a part from a couple jump scares here and there which really holds the film back.

Final verdict: 3 January released horror flicks out of 5.

Special: Avengers: Age Of Ultron/Mad Max: Fury Road/Hot Pursuit Mini-Reviews

Avengers: Age Of Ultron:

When Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.

My thoughts? Age of Ultron had huge expectations after the success of Joss Whedon's first Avengers team up in 2012. I must say I wasn't enamored with the opening sequence as much as everyone else was, it was painfully obvious CGI and I found myself concentrating on that more so than The Avengers getting back in the saddle to retrieve Loki's staff. Now watching it a second time I was being too nitpicky since Age of Ultron is a really fun ride, but it fails in comparison to it's predecessor. The only person to blame for this is Whedon himself for setting the bar so damn high. The script paces well and all the actors bring their A-game. Spader was the highlight for me being one of the only true new characters to pop up as he made a perfect Ultron. As mentioned the action sequences were flawed at times but still mostly entertaining.

Final verdict: 5 infinity stones out of 5.

Mad Max: Fury Road:

Filmmaker George Miller gears up for another post-apocalyptic action adventure with Fury Road, the fourth outing in the Mad Max film series. Charlize Theron stars alongside Tom Hardy (Bronson), with Zoe Kravitz, Adelaide Clemens, and Rosie Huntington Whiteley heading up the supporting cast.

My thoughts? Those who caught my most anticipated movies of the summer list might have noticed that Avengers and Mad Max slotted in as my Top 2 films, and although Avengers dissapointed with failing to live up to the original, Mad Max also dissapointed though this one's on me for giving it such high expectations. Once the critics reviews started rolling in (current 98% on RT) my expectations sky rocketed further.What I was left with was a really good movie but not the cinematic masterpiece I expected. The acting was solid, though the supplementary roles could've used some work, Theron's role as strongest characted was vastly overstated and outshined by Nicholas Hoult's Nux. I thought after a 2nd viewing I'd enjoy it more like Age Of Ultron but that unfortunetly was not the case as it was the same movie, still looking forward to upcoming sequels though.

Final verdict: 4 wildboys out of 5.

Hot Pursuit:

In "Hot Pursuit," an uptight and by-the-book cop (Reese Witherspoon) tries to protect the sexy and outgoing widow (Sofia Vergara) of a drug boss as they race through Texas, pursued by crooked cops and murderous gunmen.

My thoughts? Where do I start... The leads are two generally likeable actress's in Vergara and Whitherspoon, fresh off another oscar nomination too might I add. Unfortunetly the only part I enjoyed when they were both on screen was when their names were featured together in the end credits as it meant this piece of poop was done. The script was terrible as I couldn't even pull out a giggle at even the most rudimentary joke. Which left director Anne Fletcher searching for answers on how to get anything of substance to the screen, not that Fletcher has the best track record in the director's chair with The Proposal being her highest rated film at a rotten 44%. This is just pure garbage all around... Stay away!

Final verdict: 1 bad buddy-cop movie out of 5.