ATOMIC BLONDE
Movie Review
ATOMIC BLONDE features Charlize Theron as a super-human female who takes on men and women with the kind of strength that seems impossible. She plays an undercover M16 agent who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents. When she is given instructions, she is warned not to trust anyone so the movie opens up at a fast pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Sofia Boutella and James McAvoy play key roles in the movie, and you do not know whether she can trust them or not. Surprise encounters happen to her throughout the movie. In 1989, the Berlin Wall is threatened by people in East Berlin who will do anything to escape to the freedom that exists in West Berlin. For those of you who can remember, Ronald Reagan was our President at that time. If you enjoy following the history of that time, you will not be bored. Charlize Theron doesn’t disappoint. She has prepared herself for this role and displays the strength she was hired to do.
ATOMIC BLONDE is the movie to see.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Movie Review
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is an excellent movie for the entire family because it is a story of love. Not only of romantic love, but of love of humanity done with musical characters which are a golden candelabra, a golden clock, a teapot, tea cup and other objects brought to life to tell the story. They depict the enchanting love story of the beast and a beautiful girl. This is an adaptation of the Disney fairy-tale about a monstrous prince portrayed by Dan Stevens and the young woman portrayed by Emma Watson. The scenery is stunning and doesn’t disappoint. The movie is one that even adults will have the tendency to enjoy along with their children. The story takes place in France and is breathtaking and beautiful. You will certainly be able to sit back and take in this story of love which we all strive to have in our lives. Be sure to come out soon to see this incredible movie.
By Dianne Hicks-Flourry
GOLD
Movie Review
GOLD is an adventure movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat with excitement from the very beginning in Reno, NV to the end of the movie. Matthew McConaughey’s character has grown up in the mining business so he decides that he wants to get gold any way he can. His enthusiasm to accomplish this has his girlfriend played by Rachael Taylor excited about accomplishing his dream. He hooks up with the character portrayed by Bryce Dallas Howard when he travels to Indonesia’s jungle in search of the gold he has now heard about that exists there. They are an unlikely pair with the same dream. However like so many dreams, they win and then they lose. The movie keeps the audience in suspense as the characters travel through their highs and lows of mining for gold. The movie has a surprise ending that you want to look for. GOLD is now playing in the Lansing theaters. It is an adult movie that is inspired by true events.
By Dianne Hicks-Flourry
LION
Movie Review
The movie “LION” depicts the story of a young boy, portrayed by Rooney Mara, who gets lost from his family at 5 years old. Because he is so young and there are millions of people, there is no way for him to find his way back home located somewhere in India. He is miraculously picked up eventually by an orphanage and is soon adopted by a couple from Australia. Nicole Kidman plays the sensitive and loving mother, who later shares her story in the movie of why she and her husband decided to adopt. Dev Patel plays the young man trying to find out his heritage. Twenty five years later, he is determined to find the small village in India and his family. His hunger of trying to piece together his memory and heritage keeps you glued to your seat. The story is based around what it takes for him to find them. The movie is mesmerizing and draws the audience into the story right from the beginning. The movie is based on real life events. You will not want to miss seeing “LION” the movie.
By Dianne Hicks-Flourry
SULLY
Movie Review
The incredible movie is of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who became a hero after gliding his plane to safety along the Hudson River in New York. He was responsible for saving the lives of 155 passengers including the crew. Sully is portrayed by Tom Hanks a very excellent actor who may be up for an Oscar in the near future as a result of this movie. He plays Sully as a professional pilot who knew his job as one who was sensitive and caring individual. When he lost two major engines on the US Airways plane were hit by bird strikes, he had to make a critical decision with only 208 seconds left to maneuver a plane in a direction he thought he could land it. Even his 42 years of experience didn’t prepare him for landing his plane safely on the water. The miracle is that all lives were saved that cold January day in 2008. Actress Laura Linney portrays his supportive wife. If you enjoy seeing Tom Hanks in movies, you will once again be surprised at his expertise he does in this film.
By Dianne Hicks-Flourry
SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU
Movie Review
The movie takes place in Chicago where Michelle Robinson, an attorney with a local law firm, portrayed by Tika Sumpter is out with Barack Obama, one of their law interns, portrayed by Parker Sawyers on a day that isn’t suppose to be a date. Barack has invited her to go to a meeting with him. Of course, when he picks her up, she doesn’t know that the meeting isn’t until much later in the day. He then tells her he has made plans to go to an art museum to see the works of an African American artist. Michelle is determined to keep reminding Barack all that day that they are not on a date. However, Barack remains positive about their day out. Later, they do attend the meeting that he invited her to in this depressed neighborhood where he is trying to be of help to these people in need of a community center. Barack is called on to speak and Michelle seems to take note and perhaps becomes more impressed with him. He has also planned dinner after the meeting and a show. She informs him again that this is not a date, and she will be going home soon. Barack is not convinced and the movie continues with them spending the entire day together. Barack is persistent and his persistence pays off. The movie doesn’t get past that day, but we know in real life that Barack Obama becomes the first African American President of the United States of America.
The movie is enjoyable and has a touch of humor. Hopefully, you’ll spend a couple of hours seeing how Michelle and Barack spent their first date.
By Dianne Hicks-Flourry
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
Movie Review
The Secret Life of Pets is a wonderful movie for those of all ages. Once the movie started it kept my attention the entire time. The plot is touching and heartfelt and storyline is memorable. The movie takes place in Manhattan and focuses on the relationship of a dog named Max and his owner Katie. But even more, it focuses on the relationships between all pets and the fun they have while their owners are away. The humor is witty, timely and does nothing to take away from the awesome pace of the movie.
The Secret Lie of Pets shows how love can disarm vengeful intentions once the leader of the displaced pets, a former magician's rabbit who goes by Snowball, is eventually offered a home by a little girl and her mom, he immediately hops at the chance. Snowball climbs up into the loving child's arms, a changed bunny.
By the time the credits roll, The Secret Life of Pets also delivers a gentle reminder to humans to be wise about the choices we make when it comes to the pets we adopt. The Secret Life of Pets is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated buddy adventure comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment. The film stars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan, Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Jenny Slate, and Albert Brooks. This is a wonderful movie for people of all ages. If you are looking for something entertaining and fun minus the violence the Secret Life of Pets is a winner by all means!
INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE
Movie Review
Independence Day: Resurgence starring Liam Hemsworth, Maika Monroe, Jeff Goldblum is an action packed follow up to the original Independence Day that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. The new installment takes place twenty years after the original alien invasion of earth. The new installment does have several cast members from the original film but yet focuses more on a younger generation of Americans that have grown up after the first alien invasion. In addition, the sequel focuses on how the different nations on earth were able to collaborate and use recovered alien technology to build more advanced weapons and defenses in order to protect planet earth from any future invasions.
Independence Day: Resurgence is gigantic ride with excellent special effects. Although this is an exciting movie you may want to hold off on taking the kids due to the strong adult language and scenes with violence. Although some critics say that it is not as satisfying as the original film audiences that are anxious about seeing the action packed battle sequences will not be disappointed.
tion Year 3 will certainly not disappoint.
By Yanice Y. Jackson
FINDING DORY Movie Review
Finding Dory the sequel to Finding Nemo is a lighthearted and fun movie that is good for movie watchers of all ages. It is fun loving and strikes an emotional cord with the heartfelt storyline of the quest of Dory (brilliantly voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) a Pacific Regal blue fish that struggles to find home despite her short term memory loss. No need to worry if you have not seen the original movie Finding Nemo as Finding Dory carries on an independent storyline of its own.
In the movie Dory is adopted by a family of Clownfish that includes Marlin and his son Nemo. As we get a look into her childhood we see the back story of how Dory is separated from her parents and how her short-term memory loss does not allow her to remember where she lives or the members of her family.
Later in the movie she gets hit on the head and starts to see flashes of her past life experiences. This helps her to put together the pieces of the puzzle to find her family and the place she once called home. This movie moves at a good pace and very thought provoking. Finding Dory is an excellent film about the true meaning of family. If you are looking for a good family movie on any day of the week Finding Dory is a must see.
By Yanice Y. Jackson