three billboards outside ebbing missouri

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI is a darkly comedic drama from Academy Award® winner Martin McDonagh (IN BRUGES). After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter's murder case, Mildred Hayes (Academy Award® winner Frances McDormand) makes a bold move, commissioning three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Academy Award® nominee Woody Harrelson), the town's revered chief of police.

Very early in the movie, three billboards were set up to provoke a community. That leads to a series of events that does not shy away from vulgarity or violence. A lot of those scenes can get pretty dark and disconcerting, but somehow I was having an absolute blast watching it all play out anyway. Maybe it's because of the wicked and clever sense of humor that sometimes takes you off guard with how blunt and biting they can be. A lot of insults are thrown. Things get physical. All of it gets personal. Fun times. 

Written and Directed by Martin McDonagh, we've got ourselves here a fantastic piece of story telling with some very remarkable characters. The plot moves along as expected at first, but there are curve balls that are thrown our way to keep us on our toes. Some scenes are as expected as can be, while others subvert our expectations. Considering there is a crime that needs to be solved, we are also sorta playing along by guessing as to how it will all conclude. As it goes with these kinds of films, some people will be satisfied with how it goes down, while others may not. 

As I suggested earlier, the dialogue in this movie is spectacular. I was honestly laughing out loud with some of the exchanges between certain characters. Two in particular stand out the most. Frances McDormand as Mildred, and Sam Rockwell as Dixon. Woo! Absolutely stand out performances by both of them! McDormand is amazing as the tough as nails, says what she wants, angry Mother who wants justice. It's hard not to root for her here, but as it goes, things get complicated. Rockwell is also amazing as the slow witted, says what he wants, reprehensible police officer who just happens to be racist. It's easy to hate on him here, but as it goes, things get complicated. 

The rest of the characters played by Woody Harrelson, Lucas Hedges, Caleb Landry Jones, Sandy Martin, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes, Samara Weaving, Abbie Cornish, Zeljko Ivanek, and Clarke Peters, are all excellent in their roles. Quite excellent! Each one of them get good scenes and great lines, to make them stand out. McDormand and Rockwell can't have all the spotlight now. 

By the end of the movie, there is an obvious primary theme that "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri" is trying to tell us. I'd rather not say what it is here, because it's like a learning lesson that needs to be experienced in person. Along with the sharp writing, fantastic characters, and the overall entertainment factor, it's that particular theme that really takes this movie over the top as being an instant classic in my eyes. 

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wonder

Wonder - NOW PLAYING in theaters! Get tickets now: http://lions.gt/wondertickets Starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs, and Izabela Vidovic. Based on the best-selling novel by R.J. Palacio. Written for the screen by Stephen Chbosky and Steven Conrad and Jack Thorne. Directed by Stephen Chbosky.

Adapting the best-selling novel by RJ Palacio, I thought this movie was simply wonderful. Pun intended. Full of charm, melancholy, with tons of heartwarming and emotional moments. By the end of the story, it would be hard not to feel emotionally moved by it. If that isn't your reaction, then maybe this movie isn't what you were looking for? A movie that has the central message of always trying to choose to do the kind thing. I get that it's easy to gravitate towards pessimism, but an optimistic theme can also be very welcome when done well. This movie does that well. 

Tackling subjects about bullying, insecurities, lonelinest, and prejudice, should obviously be expected when the premise involves a young kid with a cranial facial difference. As it usually goes, themes about family and friendship, also has to enter the picture here. If there is a flaw in this story, it's that there is a lot here that really isn't anything you haven't already seen before. The plot progression may seem very predictable, but Co-writer/Director Stephen Chbosky was able to make the narrative not feel too derivative in many respects. In fact, there were definitely some plot points that subverted some expectations. Like i said earlier, despite the familiarity of the movie, it's still executed really well. 

While the adult characters like Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, and Daveed Diggs, are all good in this, it's the young cast that captures your attention. Young actors like Noah Jupe as Jack Will, and Izabela Vidovic as Via, who both were able to display these subtle expressions that really brought their characters to life. Of course the incredibly talented Jacob Tremblay deserves all the praises he should get for his amazing portrayal of Auggie. Working behind the makeup; and an Astronaut helmet, Tremblay easily grabs your attention with all the emotions he is able to put on the screen. All of the characters of this movie for that matter were able to add something significant to the overall theme of the story. 

I suppose it's easy to call "Wonder" an idealistic after-school special, but that sounds like it's downplaying the film. Movies are meant to be entertaining and still manage to let the audience get something out of the experience. This film does that in an incredible way, and encourages people to be kind. How can that be a bad thing? 

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*fuzzy spark* 

justice league

In theaters November 2017! http://JusticeLeagueTheMovie.com https://www.facebook.com/justiceleagueofficial Featuring "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes: http://smarturl.it/IckyThump

I feel like I'm just going to be regurgitating what a lot of other people are already saying about this movie. It's got some really cool action sequences, but the plot is not much to talk about. That is this film in a nut shell. Yes it's very cool seeing all these DC Comics super heroes join forces to fight a common foe, but it somehow didn't feel as exciting as it probably should have been. It's still cool though, but it wasn't exactly successful in giving my inner 8 year old goosebumps from seeing Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg, together on screen in live-action. It should have. 

Yes the story is as simple as it can be. That basic simplicity to the story does work in favor of the movie though, but on the flip side it also manages to work against it. The straightforward nature of the plot does keep the movie from feeling too over-bloated in juggling all these characters into a sensible story line. Now with that said, due to the lack of some much needed exposition, the movie also feels like it's just a series of separate scenes that are loosely stitched together through a rough edit. The story should have flowed more naturally, but it didn't. 

Those scenes in question however were pretty cool for the most part. In fact, some of those cool scenes actually did give me some of those "wow" moments I was looking forward to. Wonder Woman was responsible for a lot of that, and so was the Flash. Everybody else were good too, but some of the things they did just looked cool on the basic comic book superhero level, and not necessarily on the "this is making my comic book geek self glee with joy" level. Still the same, overall the superhero moments delivered more positives than negatives, so I'll give it credit for that. 

Is it possible for me to like "Justice League" based simply on visuals and those cool action sequences? Is it possible for me to like it purely on a superficial level, and ignore the substantial problems of the narrative? The answer to both questions is yes. With that said, I can't say the movie was terrible. It just wasn't as great as it probably should have been though. 

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lady bird

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribe From writer/director Greta Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Lois Smith. LADY BIRD - Now playing in select theaters.

As far as teenage girl coming of age stories goes, this one is arguably going to be an instant classic. Sure there's the typical plot tropes about teen romance, dysfunctional families, BFFs, general hijinx, social anxieties, and what not, so it's not entirely a completely unique film. However the integration to the story of having it be set in a Catholic High School, plus the city of Sacramento overall, adds that extra bit of layer for it to really stand out. 

It's the many different moments that helps makes this movie endearing. From the comedy bits to the more emotionally dramatic ones. There are funny gags involving communion wafers, pranking a nun, to the most unbelievable way of getting out of an argument in a moving vehicle. Then there's the serious scenes involving a depressed Priest, discourse among friends, and the many arguments between a daughter and her Mother. Actually those Mother-Daughter arguments can be pretty funny too. 

The cast overall is great in this. From Tracy Letts, Beanie Feldstein, to Lucas Hedges. But speaking of the Mother and Daughter... Laurie Metcalf is excellent in this, and helps with the emotional core of the story. Her relationship, constant bickering, and chemistry with Saoirse Ronan is top notch! That leaves us with Ronan herself as Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, who is simply amazing in this movie. Playing the neurotic, very outspoken, and impulsive, teenage girl who is frustrated with living in the city of Sacramento, Saoirse Ronan is like a force of nature here, balancing a spectacular act in effortlessly doing bits of comedy, to the more heartbreaking moments. 

I've always liked Greta Gerwig as an actress, but now I also really like her as the Writer-Director of this movie. All the little quirks and personalities that she is able to bring out from the characters and of the locations in this movie is simply wonderful. Charming, fascinating, and insightful, “Lady Bird” definitely deserves to be up there in the pantheon of teenage girl coming of age movies. 

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mayhem

MAYHEM In Theaters, VOD + Digital HD 11/10! Derek Cho (Steven Yeun, "The Walking Dead") is having a really bad day. After being unjustly fired from his job, he discovers that the law firm's building is under quarantine for a mysterious and dangerous virus.

I can just imagine the pitch for this film. "It's like the movie "The Raid," where the hero is trying to get to the top of the building, to defeat the big bad. Except this one is set in a corporate building, filled with lawyers and office suits, plus they are all infected with a virus that makes people let go of their inhibitions. As you would expect, physical attacks against fellow co-workers are often displayed here; some sex scenes too, but primarily there are lots and lots of aggressive bloody violence.

The premise would be oh so shocking and terrifying like a horror movie, but the sheer pulpy thrashy nature of the direction by Joe Lynch, makes this more like a dark comedic romp through office madness. Or should I say office mayhem? bah-dum-dum. That's more or less the main reason to see this movie, for the insanity of it all, and wow where there some crazy scenes that just didn't hold back much. You could also go in for the story, but the plot is pretty straight forward and not that intricate. So don't put too much logic on the premise, because you should go into this movie just for the chance to see a scene where somebody would get stabbed by office tools. It all doesn't have to make much sense here. Anarchy! Anarchy! 

Another thing that makes this an enjoyable movie is the fact that the actors seems to really be having fun going all out with what they get to do here. Steven Yeun as Derek Cho is like the surrogate character of somebody finally fighting back against the place of employment that takes him for granted. It's hard not to root for the guy. On the flip side, actors like Steven Brand, Caroline Chikezie, or Dallas Roberts, also gets to go all out, hamming it up, in playing the people in charge that Derek has to deal with. Samara Weaving is also here as Melanie Cross, and she gets to do badass things as well. Unfortunately Weaving really seems to just be here simply to do badass things, and not that much more. Some of the random conversations she has with Steven Yeun do at least provide some nice character moments at least. 

While it's easy to dismiss "Mayhem" as a generally forgetful thriller that goes over the top with it's premise and characters, it's entertainment factor can't be denied. If you're the correct target audience for this movie, then you should find it to be quite the crowd-pleaser. 

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murder on the orient express

http://CluesAreEverywhere.com What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best selling author Agatha Christie, "Murder on the Orient Express" tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect.

Straight up, I should give a full disclosure here first. I've never read the original novel, I haven't seen the previous film or TV adaptations, nor am I that familiar with the story. My reactions to this movie are purely based on the lack of knowledge on what's going to happen, which greatly differs from others' reactions who are familiar with the material. Now with that out of the way, let me go ahead and say that when I saw that they were going to do another movie adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder On The Orient Express," I was excited and a little concerned about it.

My concerns were primarily because of the huge cast, that involves Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe, and many more. I was worried that the movie wouldn't know how to give each and every one of them an equal amount of screen time, which could result in an overly bloated narrative. It turns out that this movie wasn't concerned at all about giving each one of them an equal time on the screen. With that said, unfortunately this movie wasn't concerned at all about giving each one of them an equal time on the screen. 

One of my main problems in how the narrative plays out is that the movie does focus the most on particular characters, and everybody else are just relegated to the background like an after thought. So while the tagline for this movie does say that "everyone is a suspect," we know certain characters are likely not. Admittedly that's my own fault in thinking that way, but it's nevertheless distracting when participating in watching a whodunnit mystery.

As for the mystery itself, it is good, filled with twists and turns, red herrings, and what not. People will describe it as an old-fashioned murder mystery, and contains many familiar time honored plot tropes as well. I thought some of the coincidences took me out of the movie though. The other thing that took me out of the movie was this huge shift in the tone! The first half was filled with this energy and exciting build up to the murder. The second half which involves the actual procedural investigation itself dragged for me. I ended up frustrated and restless with the pacing. Which is odd, because story-wise it technically goes through a lot of intricate plot details in the time that was given. I have a feeling that I would be more forgiving if I had another viewing of it. 

The main reason for me to re-watch this, would be for Kenneth Branagh's performance as the great eccentric detective Hercule Poirot. I thought it was a fun character to watch, and I was genuinely entertained by the fact this movie primarily revolves around him. I also really appreciated the somber and tragic conclusion, plus the overall theme of the story, which honestly encourages me to retroactively forgive the flaws I had with this movie. For the time being though, I thought it could overall have been a better movie than what we've got. 

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goodbye christopher robin

Goodbye Christopher Robin is in UK cinemas now Check out the film's official page - http://bit.ly/2tm0cg1 Directed by Simon Curtis Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie and Kelly Macdonald Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodbyeChristopherRobinFilm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GCRFilm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodbye_christopher_robin/ Website: goodbyechristopherrobin.co.uk GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children's author A.

For a movie that's based on the true creation of the lovable kid-friendly character of Winnie The Pooh, this can be awfully melancholy and just plain depressing to watch at times. The overall seriousness that surrounds this story definitely shows that this movie is reaching for a much more ambitiously dramatic depiction of these events. From plot points involving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, criticizing war, resentment, neglect, family dysfunctions, and the pitfalls of childhood stardom, all combine into an admirably compelling biopic about A.A. Milne his son Billy Moon, and Winnie The Pooh of course.

Needless to say, this might not be the movie you are looking for. However, if all those plot points interests you after all, then this movie will definitely grab your attention from beginning until the end. Just seeing the journey of when and how Winnie The Pooh started, and when and how it ended up to where it is now, is undeniably fascinating to me. Throughout the movie, there are scenes that feel like Easter eggs filled with hints on how they influenced the iconic character and his friends. Those can be a bit too on-the-nose, but I thought Director Simon Curtis provided a good balance with all that. 

Domhnall Gleeson is excellent as A.A. Milne, and Will Tilston is amazing as the 8 years old Christoper Robin. Their relationship as Father and Son is the heart of this story, although there are stretches of scenes that may only involve one or the other character. Those scenes of the two in the forest alone are some of the best things to show off about this movie though. Although the media attention and the fanfare surrounding Christopher Robin alters the movie's narrative a little bit, it still comes down to the interactions between the characters. I should also give credit to Kelly Macdonald as the nanny Olive, and Margot Robbie as Daphne Milne, as both of them add a lot to this movie as well. 

While some might complain that "Goodbye, Christopher Robin" lays it on too thick with it's emotionally triggered premise, or about how it's not jovial enough, in the end it's still very much worth checking it out. 

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novitiate

Spanning over a decade from the early 1950s through to the mid-60s, NOVITIATE is about a young girl's first initiation with love, in this case with God. Raised by a non-religious, single mother in rural Tennessee, a scholarship to Catholic school soon finds Cathleen drawn into the mystery and romanticism of a life devoted to the worship and servitude of God.

There were many moments in this movie when I was thinking that the depiction of how passionate a person can be for their faith can be truly moving. These were young girls who want to be Nuns, because they love God that much. However there were also moments when it's shown that the steps of becoming a Nun are incredibly tough; almost too cruel, to the point that I was thinking that this doesn't really help encourage somebody to want to be a nun. Those harsh moments makes it seem like this movie is actually an indictment against the faith after all. "Novitiate" really tows the line by not really picking a side on that argument. Although I would argue that it definitely leans more towards one side. 

Fascinating and thought provoking. This is a film that will and should push some people's buttons. It's filled with scenes that should trigger an emotional reaction from movie goers, as well as encourage people to have a conversation about what it is they just saw. Even though this may seem like a straight forward drama, there are enough mature provocative scenes that complicates it from having an easy narrative. Certain people might even call those scenes blasphemous. Either way, Writer-Director Margaret Betts successfully makes this film feel very intimate in observing what the characters do in this story. 

This movie has a strong set of female actresses, with Margaret Qualley doing a fine job as our main protagonist that we're suppose to be rooting for here. While Qualley is technically the lead character of this story, it's Melissa Leo's portrayal as the Reverend Mother that steals the movie from everybody. Wow what a commanding performance from Leo. It's true that her role as the super strict Nun in charge, plays on the stereotypical tropes a little too much. She plays that role so well though. When the Reverend Mother is in full rampage mode, I myself felt like I needed to be on my best behavior from sheer fear that she will jump out of the movie screen just to punish me. 

Clearly I have some issues with the overall themes of the movie, as well as how certain characters are depicted here. I know a couple of questionable plot turns during the second half of the story made me think that this movie was just going for the easy route and opted for overly familiar plot tropes. Plot tropes that I didn't agree with. Despite all that though, the incredible cast, the compelling story, those tense scenes, made the experience of watching this enjoyably gripping. "Novitiate" is definitely not for everybody, but it sure successfully made me feel and think things; just like I'm sure they intended. 

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wonderstruck

Based on Brian Selznick's critically acclaimed novel, Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook.

Considering this movie is called Wonderstruck, it kinda leaves itself open to ridiculous puns if it turns out to be a disappointment. I could say that it struck out. I could say that I was wondering when the movie was going to actually get good. I could also call it wonder-suck. Of course the movie could avoid me making fun of it's title if it turns out to be a masterpiece. By the end of the film, it struck me that the narrative simply lacked the proper amount of wonder that it needed to have to truly wow me with what it was trying to do. 

On a visual level, I still have to give Director Todd Haynes credit for making the experience at least pleasing to look at. There are many scenes that purposefully linger, so as to allow us to breath in the settings and the items being showcased. The movie has a huge theme about museums and history, so having a focus on seemingly innocuous locations and objects seemed appropriate enough. I appreciated what this movie was trying to do in that regards, but you have to understand why many might find that boring to watch. 

As for the story itself, it seemed to rely heavily on these mysteries that are introduced to us throughout the narrative. The story intercut between the character of a young girl in 1927, and a young boy in 1977. The 1927 story is done like a black & white silent film, while the 1977 story is in full color with lots of sounds. Both characters go through an adventure in the city, encountering different characters, and different objectives. The thing about this story however is that it constantly lays out situations that are out of context, and we're suppose to be compelled enough to care about that mystery before it is actually revealed. It's like it's suppose to be this fun and exciting game of "guess what's going on," but instead becomes a series of frustration, impatience, and disappointment. If I cared enough, it would have worked, but I just didn't care enough. 

Not to disparage writer Brian Selznick on his film adaptation of his own best-selling novel, but I just didn't find the conclusions to all those mysteries to be that satisfying; although I have to say that the final act is probably the best part of this movie. While I overall have issues with the narrative, at least the cast is fantastic. From Oakes Fegley, Millicent Simmonds, Jaden Michael, and Julianne Moore, their presence in this movie should at least get your attention. 

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tragedy girls

Tragedy Girls Official Trailer HD. In Theaters Now. Visit the official film site and Facebook for more: https://www.tragedygirlsmovie.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TragedyGirls Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GunpowderSky Song: "Always Forever" by Cults Best friends Sadie and McKayla are on a mission to boost their social media fandom as amateur crime reporters hot on the trail of a deranged local serial killer.

Putting a twist on the slasher movie genre is something every film maker tries to do. How often do you watch one from the perspectives of the killers though? Not only that, but the killers are two High School girls. Plus, if you're a fan of comic book movies like Deadpool or the X-Men films, well those two girls are played by "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" and "Storm," Brianna Hildebrand and Alexandra Shipp, respectively. Is this something you'd like to check out? 

Considering the premise of this movie, I'm glad it didn't opt for the darkly serious take of the story, and went for a more entertaining black comedy style direction by Tyler MacIntyre. I suppose we could have gone for a more dramatic and earnest look into what would happen if two teenage girls decided to try to raise their social status by way of secretly killing people, but where's the fun in that? If anything else, there's a twisted macabre sensation of being entertained in how teenagers try to murder people in gruesome ways. Several of those gory deaths looked bloody fantastic too. 

Despite the grim social commentary about how being narcissistic and obsessed with social media, can encourage people to do dastardly things, this movie is also about friendship. The BFFs i'm referring to are of course Hildebrand as Sadie, and Shipp as McKayla. Both actresses are good in their roles already, but it's their chemistry together that truly makes this movie worth checking out. Besides the excellent murder scenes of course. The supporting cast from Kevin Durand, Craig Robertson, Jack Quaid, and Timothy V Murphy, are all good in this movie as well, but it's still all about Hildebrand and Shipp here. Oh, and the killing. All that killing. 

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