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Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of April 23, 2018

Paddington 2
Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Part of the above description should have given you pause. 100% Rotten Tomatoes score? Not one critic out of almost 200 (including me) didn’t recommend it? You read that correctly. This almost perfect family film beat out the first’s almost perfect 98% score in grand fashion. Based on the popular English stuffed animal, Paddington 2 continues the adventures of the lovable bear as he is falsely arrested for stealing a priceless pop-up book, only to find himself and his human family hot on the heels of the despicable real thief, played by the versatile Hugh Grant. Just like the first, the film is cuddly, cute, clever, funny and surprisingly smart. And if you have kiddos, it is one of the most family-friendly films you can enjoy with them without feeling guilty. The whole thing is simply an enjoyable way to send nearly two hours. A-

Den of Thieves
Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Gerard Butler plays a flawed and ferocious cop, hell-bent on taking down a ring of criminals determined to be the first to ever rip off a federal reserve bank. The film has a big-time Michael Mann vibe to it, but lacks the substance and talent, even though the attempt is admirable. So while Heat it ain’t, there are some respectable qualities. The premise itself is original and almost works, especially towards the end when the actual crime takes place. But where the film fails is the long, meandering path to get to the climax. It’s a slow burn with little reward or even justification as to why it takes so long to show us the money. Still Gerard Butler is believable as the sort of good guy and Pablo Schreiber is convincing as the street savvy gang leader ready to take on the biggest heist in history. I just wish the film didn’t waste so much of my time getting to the well-executed third act. C+

The Post
Rated PG-13 for language and brief war violence
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Available on Disc and Streaming
After watching this film in theaters last December, I felt certain that I had just seen the movie that would win Best Picture. After all, it had two of America’s most-loved actors (Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks), in addition to America’s most-respected director Steven Spielberg telling the most relevant of stories about the Washington Post in the 70s going against all odds to print a story that would eventually bring down a president. But while it brought in a slew of nominations, it didn’t win a thing and eventually fizzled. Still – this is a movie that needs to be seen, even if it will not be seen or appreciated by the audience most in need of its message and theme. It is a tale of caution and courage, meant for far greater ambitions than it was able to achieve. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is a masterful film worthy of America’s attention. A

Grease: 40th Anniversary Edition
Rated PG for adult situations/language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Since this film came out when I was six, I was unable to see it in theaters and had to rely on VHS, TV, and eventually DVD for my limited exposure to it. But now remastered in this new 4K edition, the film looks pristine to the point where it’s almost uncomfortable. Since this musical, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John as two teenagers in love, relies more on its iconic nostalgia for its success rather than its art; this new and stunning-looking film might throw you off quite a bit. I’m actually anxious to discuss with fans of the film to see if they prefer this or the dirty, lower resolution version of the pic we are used to seeing. B-

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of April 9, 2018

The Greatest Showman

Rated PG for thematic elements including a brawl

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%

Another victim/survivor of the crowded Christmas schedule this year was this musical produced by and starring Hugh Jackman as the infamous P.T. Barnum.  But even though it didn’t get much in the way of awards love (I didn’t even get to see it until after nominations were due), it went on to have a moderately successful box office, creating quite a fan base who went to see it again and again.  Well I have to admit that I am right there with them.  After seeing it the first time in early January, I couldn’t wait to go again.  I found the music (written by Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land scribes Benj Pasek and Justin Paul), to be catchy and addictive, with a soundtrack that now has regular play intervals in my car and home, especially when my young son has his choice.  Overall, I found the movie to be an excellent feel-good movie/musical and had I had the chance to see it before I wrote my Top 10 of 2017, it might have been a major player on my list.  A

 

Phantom Thread

Rated R for language

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Nominated for 6 Oscars including Picture, Director, Actor and Supporting Actress, Phantom Thread was quite the last-minute surprise from director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights).  The story follows Daniel Day-Lewis as a high-end fashion designer in the 1960’s and his struggles to constantly improve his craft and his inability stay grounded in both love and life.  For much of the movie, it is possibly the most pretentious, snooty film I have ever seen.  But then the film takes a turn to bring it and its subject back down to Earth in a deeply surprising manner that actually excited my intellect and curbed my almost negative opinion.  I would not recommend this to anyone who isn’t a serious cinema fan, but I can see why the Academy honored it with so many high-power nods, and I look forward to discussing with other viewers once some people have actually seen it.  B

 

Molly’s Game

Rated R for language, drug content and some violence

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin makes his directorial debut here with this real-life story about an ex-olympic skier (Jessica Chastain), who created an exclusive high-stakes poker game until she became an FBI target.  With Sorkin on the script, the story is well-written and the talented cast keeps the words and action flowing.  Its only downfall is that the story, while interesting, isn’t two hours interesting, making you wish that there was something more worth watching.  It’ll pass the time on a rainy day, but I doubt it will stick with you.  B-

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of April 2, 2018

Ready Player One
Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence, bloody images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
In Theaters
Based on the best-selling novel by Ernest Cline (and one of my favorite books in recent memory) Ready Player One explores a futuristic world where life in the real world is quite terrible, but people can escape into a virtual reality program called the OASIS, where they can be anyone and do anything. Before its creator died, he left a series of puzzles and easter eggs with the prize of the entire company to the lucky first solver. After five years of no one finding the first clue, a poor young gamer figures it out, sparking the race to see who will soon rule the virtual world.

The world of the OASIS in the book focused solely on 80s pop culture, but here director Steven Spielberg, along with the novelist Ernest Cline, recreate the world to serve modern nerd culture instead. And while the structure of the story stayed mostly the same, the adventures and puzzles are all brand new. This has made some purists angry, but personally, I loved the changes. These differences create a more vibrant and exciting story, well within the spirit of the original text. Also, there are some moments in the book, that while great on the page, had no way of translating to the big screen. Spielberg and team were able to get past these potential pratfalls and the storytelling on display is magnificent.

While 140 minutes long, the movie zips along at a fast pace, literally keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out where they are going next. The journey is invigorating and incredibly fun, while all the while giving you a sense that the heroes are still in a world of danger.

Personally I found this film to be even better than I had hoped – and I was expecting a lot. Once again Spielberg proves his worth as one of my heroes. His vision and ability to pull off a project such as this is truly impressive. This film is pure joy and the epitome of what we hope for when we go to the movies. A

Insidious: The Last Key
Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content, violence and terror, and brief strong language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%
Available on Disc and Streaming
In this fourth Insidious flick, Lin Shaye and her sidekicks return to her childhood home in New Mexico in order to take on a demon which won’t leave her old house alone. The story is again ridiculous but there are a few decent chill-inducing scares here and there. The low box office proves that there aren’t that many fans willing to stick around, but the film still ran a profit, if only a minor one. As long as horror franchise flicks like Insidious are cheap to make and can be assembled in a PG-13 fashion, they’ll keep making them. I just wish they could put some thought and talent into the story so that it wasn’t just a formulaic mess such as this. C-

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of March 26, 2019

Pacific Rim Uprising
Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 46%
In Theaters
Years after the events of the first film, John Boyega (Finn from Star Wars) is a promising young Jaeger pilot who has abandoned his military career to explore a life of crime. But when he is forced back into the program, he is faced with the first Kaiju attacks since the Earth was almost destroyed the first time they came. If you didn’t see the first film, then you are probably confused by my description. But trust me – you will be more confused by the film. I saw the first Pacific Rim, directed by the now Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, maybe 3 or 4 times. But there were still things I forgot or took for granted. Surprisingly enough, here they don’t give you exposition or background – they just jump in like you should remember every little detail. Since the movie comes in at less than 2 hours, I feel a dab of exposition would have been nice. In the end though, they are treating the franchise like the silly plot doesn’t matter. All that does matter are giant robot soldiers (Jaegers) fighting giant monsters from another planet (Kaiju). Its big and silly and sometimes fun when its not tedious. Story-wise the film should have been much stronger with less predictability and a better thought-out villain. But if all you are going for is big monster battles, you will probably leave somewhat satisfied. Personally I would have loved to have seen a continuation of del Toro’s vision, rather than the vision of a studio merely trying to breathe life into a franchise. C

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Available on Disc and Streaming
In this official 8th Star Wars movie (not including the spin-off Rogue One of course) The Last Jedi continues the saga as we watch Rey gets some training from the unconventional teacher Luke Skywalker while Kylo Ren makes his move to take over the galaxy. Having missed the press screening, I was thrilled to find out that all of my critic buddies were stirring up all kinds of buzz. They were declaring it highly original and one of the best of the entire series. But all that buzz might have hurt my enjoyment. I started to tear it apart when I started witnessing all of the movie’s imperfections, of which there were many. I was not surprised that while the Rotten Tomatoes critics score was 91%, the Audience Score was 48%. The movie just didn’t mesh for me like I was hoping it would. That being said, I liked, but definitely didn’t love it. I was even more disappointed after seeing the deleted scenes on this blu-ray release. There were scenes that should have been left in but were instead removed for pacing and runtime. But if they were really concerned about pacing and runtime – they should have removed the entire casino heist scene with Finn and Rose, which was a long sequence of wasted space (no pun intended). Fortunately, a lot of the film did work for me and the overarching story choices, I firmly believe, will lead to an amazing 9th film. B-

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of March 19, 2018

Downsizing
Rated R for language including sexual references, some graphs nudity and drug use
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 51%
Available on Disc and Streaming
When Alexander Payne’s (Sideways, The Descendants) latest dramedy was released during the holiday, I actually expected it to be a competitor for awards season, but was greatly surprised when the reviews and buzz spiraled down. With all of the films being released at the same time, I missed the critic screening and they never sent an awards screener, so I dismissed it immediately. But I was still intrigued by the story. The film takes place in a world where technology has allowed people to become small in order to save dwindling resources. The benefit to the small is that they can live in luxury for a fraction of the price it takes when you’re big. The downside is that you leave the world you knew forever to take on the new life. Here Matt Damon becomes small and goes on a life journey that you just can’t see coming. Honestly, the film has an epic feel to it and after finally seeing it, I just can’t conceive how this movie was not considered one of the best of 2017. I loved the writing, the storytelling, the acting and pretty much everything about it. Most of all I loved its incredible creativity. The world is extremely well thought-out with with a grandiose vision. A-

I, Tonya
Rated R for pervasive language, violence and some sexual content/nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Based on the true story, I, Tonya takes place in the world of figure skating where the very talented but brutish Tonya Harding was known more for her involvement in the assault of competitor Nancy Kerrigan than her actual skating. There has always been a dark cloud over Harding, and while this film does nothing to lift it, it actually brings empathy to its title character rather than shame. Margot Robbie is wonderful as the damaged hero and Allison Janney is magnificent as her mother, and awarded with an Oscar because of it. Overall this is a terrific movie that sheds light on a story that we only thought we knew. B+

Lady Bird
Rated R for language, sexual content, brief graphic nudity and teen partying
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
Available on Disc and Streaming
While it’s hard to pinpoint and describe the actual plot of Lady Bird, it’s easy to describe it as one of the best movies of 2017. With a host of big Oscar nominations including best picture, best director/best screenplay (Greta Gerwig), as well as best actress (Saoirse Ronan) and best supporting actress (Laurie Metcalf), the buzz should be enough to interest most audiences. The story follows the life of a precocious and entitled high school senior (Ronan) whose over-extended confidence more than makes up for her lack of abilities. It is a grand coming-of-age story full of verve, but again, not full of plot. But that really doesn’t matter here. Personally, I just loved watching her go through the motions, exploring the limits of her relationships and mostly – appreciating that she is not my daughter. A

Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton

Week of February 26, 2018

Annihilation
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
In Theaters
This heavy sci-fi piece from Ex Machina writer/director Alex Garland stars Natalie Portman as an ex-military scientist who leads an all-female mission into an environmental disaster zone in order to try to uncover what happened to the all male team that preceded them. Once there, they discover a world that defies logic as well as the laws of nature. With a feel much like that of a cross between Arrival and Alien, you at once try to figure out both the importance of the characters as well as their mission and the extent of its danger. But once you are in the zone, you can’t help but be sucked into the secrets of the crazy and strange world on display. It is scary, thrilling, fascinating and beautiful – all at the same time. This is certainly some hardcore sci-fi, and thus not for everyone, but many will find this a weird and exhilarating adventure. B

Coco
Rated PG for thematic elements
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Available on Disc and Streaming
About the only Oscar that is a sure-thing this year will go to this Pixar hit about a young boy who enters the world of the dead on an adventure to find and gain the blessing of his grandfather. While Warner Brothers beat Pixar to the screen with its Dia de los Muertos-themed The Book of Life, Pixar one-upped them with this spectacular musical fantasy that simply blows the competition away with its storytelling and artistry. It is a true masterpiece that is equally enjoyable for both kids and adults. A

Darkest Hour
Rated PG-13 for some thematic material
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Available on Disc and Streaming
There is so much to love with this remarkable film about Winston Churchill that it is hard to know where to start. The standout here is the brilliant performance by Gary Oldman, which is quite inspiring. It is also a product of one my favorite director and composer teams (Joe Wright and Dario Marianelli – Pride and Prejudice, Atonement), with work on par with their previous projects. But what will stick in your brain is the terrific story of how Churchill came to be the prime minister during WWII and the events that led up to the evacuation of Dunkirk, a story that so few Americans have a clue about since it took place before the U.S. entry to the war. It won’t win Best Picture this year, but it is surely deserving of its nomination and makes a great primer to watching one of the other great Best Picture nominees: Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. A

The Florida Project
Rated R for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Available on Disc and Streaming
One of the most under-appreciated films this year was this little indie about a precocious six year-old girl who lives in a hotel with her struggling mother who pays little attention to her as she plays and gets in trouble with her friends. I went to see this film without a hint to what it was about and I felt lucky because of it. I was most fascinated that I was 60 minutes into the movie asking myself “what is the story?” until I finally realized that I was already neck-deep into it. It has a modern-day 400 Blows feel to it and the little girl, played by newcomer Brooklyn Prince (winner of the Critics Choice Award for young actor) pulls off the role magically. But the best part of the film is the amazing performance of Willem Dafoe who plays the hotel manager and only thing protecting the children when their parents are no where to be found. A-

Murder on the Orient Express
Rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Sure it has one of the most amazing casts assembled in recent years (Branagh, Cruz, Depp, Dafoe, Dench, Gad, Pfeiffer and Ridley) and a lush production, but ultimately the story gets bogged down as a mystery, as it is arrogantly solved by writer/director/star Kenneth Branagh. I was so annoyed by the ego-driven performance and distracted by the horrible mustache that I wished someone would have simply pushed him off the train as they were traveling through the mountains. I rather liked the story behind the mystery but hated having to watch it unfold. C-

Popcorn Perspectives by Danny Minton

Week of February 12, 2018

Early Man
Rated PG for rude humor and some action
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84% (at time of writing)
In Theaters
Aardman, the UK stop motion animation studio behind Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit, are now tackling caveman soccer in this new project about a tribe of neanderthals who are forced out of their valley by their technologically superior neighbors, only to challenge them to a football match to win back their land. While Pixar used to hold the trophy, I will throw it out there that Aardman is consistently the best quality animation studio running right now and their talent is certainly on display here. The storytelling is quite bizarre and unconventional, but the enjoyment is undeniable. And just like their other films, adults and kids will find this equally entertaining, but in different ways. I can’t think of a better way to spend two hours at the movies with my family. A-

The Ballad of Lefty Brown
Rated R for violence and some language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Yet another decent Western this year, The Ballad of Lefty Brown stars Bill Pullman as the titular character: a cowboy who witnesses the death of his partner, only to be blamed for the crime and forced to both prove his innocence and bring the real criminals to justice. For those who like their Westerns a little less dark than the recent Hostiles, this might fit the bill perfectly. It plays more like an old fashioned cowboy film in both production and storytelling. The highlight here is most certainly Pullman who is just fantastic as Lefty. I’ve always liked the iconic actor, but with this film I have a new-found respect for his talent. B+

Blade of the Immortal
Rated R for bloody violence and carnage throughout
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
In Japanese with English Subtitles
Available on Disc and Streaming
In this newest sword fighting thriller from prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike, a samurai is cursed with immortality after a legendary battle and left for the centuries to kill off evil men until he can regain his soul, and hopefully meet his end. Determined to help a young girl seek revenge for the killing of her family, he hopes his deeds will lead to the end of his curse. If you enjoy uber-violent samurai flicks with a strange twist – this one is certainly for you. It’s a little long at 140 minutes and the story does get confusing at times (perhaps a little lost in translation), but it sure does pummel through its weak spots with tons of gore and an eerily fun and perverse sense of humor. B-

Dealt
Not Rated
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Available on Disc and Streaming
For decades, Richard Turner has been one of the premier up close magicians at the infamous Magic Castle in Hollywood, wowing audiences with his unbelievable sleight of hand. What most audiences don’t realize, though, is that he is completely blind. This terrific documentary takes a close look at Richard’s fascinating life and how he overcame the bad hand that was dealt to him with extreme perseverance and determination. It will leave you, amazed, impressed and most definitely inspired. A

Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton

Week of February 5, 2018

Suburbicon
Rated R for violence, language, and some sexuality
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Years ago the Coen Brothers wrote this screenplay about chaos in the burbs during the late 50s. It sat unfilmed for years until George Clooney came along to ask for the project. It very much feels like a Coen Brothers film – but one that is incomplete. The story follows Matt Damon as a husband whose wife (Julianne Moore) succumbs to a tragedy during a home invasion. Her twin sister (also played by Moore) takes over the family duties and all is well again until the insurance investigation. There are some nice moments in the film with some good laughs and the quirkiness you’d expect from such a project. But there’s not enough story and the gaps are filled with shallow subplots like the town’s first black family moving into the neighborhood. Ultimately the whole thing turns out to be a failure for Clooney who saw something in the project that most people couldn’t and still don’t. C

24 Hours to Live
Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, language and some drug use
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
Available On Disc and Streaming
This practically straight to DVD release stars Ethan Hawke as an assassin who is killed, only to be brought back to life with only 24 hours to live before he will finally meet his demise. Choosing to right some wrongs, he goes on an uber-violent killing spree until he can find the dirty dog who is ultimately responsible for the mess. I love Ethan Hawke, but this is honestly just a sad waste of his talent. And he acts here like he knows it. The film is completely unoriginal and tedious to get through and leaves you wishing you hadn’t just wasted your time even watching the trailer. D

A Bad Moms Christmas
Rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and some drug use
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%
Available on Disc and Streaming
The three talented girls (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn) that disappointed us the last time around in Bad Moms are at it again with this mostly unfunny comedy about what happens when your mom unexpectedly drops in for the holidays. Hoping to weigh in on the Christmas film cannon, the project proves to be nothing more than a cheesy, stupid, overly-sentimental comedy with little heart and less brain. C-

Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton
Not Rated
Available on Disc and Streaming
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
From Oscar-nominated documentarian Rory Kennedy (Last Days of Vietnam), comes this high-octane thrill ride of a look at the life of one of the greatest surfers to ever grace pop culture. With tons of great footage of his miscellaneous surfing adventures, and loads of great interviews from those that know him, the doc gives a detailed chronicle of what drives him to push the limits of the sport he helped to put into the mainstream. B+

Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton

Week of January 29, 2018

Last Flag Flying
Rated R for language throughout including some sexual references
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Writer/director Richard Linklater (A Boy’s Life) brings us this somber but touching comedy about three friends who served together in Vietnam (Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne) who come together to help bury one of their sons who just died in Iraq. While some of the drama seems contrived between the military and the veterans, for the most part the script is well-crafted, as you would expect from a wordsmith such as Linklater. And it sure helps to have a powerhouse ensemble like this to deliver the dialog. That being said, the film is not as powerful as you think it would be and really survives only from the chemistry of the actors and not from the story they are delivering. This definitely falls in the liked it, didn’t love it, category. B-

The Square
Rated R for language, some strong sexual content, and brief violence
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
In Swedish and English with English subtitles
Available on DVD
This well-received Swedish import follows a modern art curator (Claes Bang) who finds himself stuck in compromising and uncomfortable situations as he attempts to bring a new and controversial art exhibit into his museum. Living as a wealthy, out of touch high-society sort, he struggles with trying to understand the less fortunate world around him as he jumps from strange adventure to stranger adventure. The result is a quirky and complex comedy that will most likely have you scratching your head at the rather unforgettable and enjoyable foreign film you just took in. A

Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton

Week of January 22, 2018

Thank You For Your Service
Rated R for strong violent content, language throughout, some sexuality, drug material and brief nudity
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Miles Teller leads a relatively unknown but talented cast in this drama based on a true story about U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq only to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder as they attempt to integrate back into civilian life. Like other movies of its kind, this one is extremely challenging to keep your eyes on. It is certainly well-acted and there is an air of authenticity abounding that makes the film feel almost too real, which is great for those who want that, but tough for those who aren’t wishing for such reality programming. That being said – it’s an important film about an important subject that serves as a reminder of the very real sacrifices our veterans make and what many go through when they return home from war. B+

The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, some graphic nudity and language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Yorgos Lanthimos, who brought us the very strange movie The Lobster, has teamed up once again with Colin Farrell in this equally wild creation, that upon a little online research, appears to be a remake of an ancient Greek tragedy set in modern times. The tale follows the life of a heart surgeon (Farrell) who introduces his wife (Nicole Kidman) and children to a teenage boy with which he is developing a mentor-like relationship with. But when this boy haunts his family in deplorable ways, he is forced to make decisions with disturbing results. Some will like this movie, just like some liked Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! earlier this year. But most will hate the fact that this film is not on the level and is instead symbolic of a different story that requires behind-the-scenes work to reveal the true intent. Just like The Lobster and Mother!, I couldn’t take my eyes off the film as I couldn’t wait to see where the heck the thing was going. But I am also fully aware that this is not a movie for the masses, in spite of its A-list stars and horror-skewing trailer. C+