My 2018 Movie Reviews
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- DirectorPaul KingStarsBen WhishawHugh GrantHugh BonnevillePaddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.***1/2: A delight throughout. Definitely great for the entire family. Just like the first was.
- DirectorAdam RobitelStarsLin ShayeLeigh WhannellAngus SampsonParapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet, as she is drawn back to her ghostly childhood home where the terror began.
- DirectorJaume Collet-SerraStarsLiam NeesonVera FarmigaPatrick WilsonAn insurance salesman/ex-cop is caught up in a life-threatening conspiracy during his daily commute home.***: Non-Stop but on a train. It's still not bad due to Neeson and a good supporting cast.
- DirectorNicolai FuglsigStarsChris HemsworthMichael ShannonMichael Peña12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.
- DirectorWes BallStarsDylan O'BrienKi Hong LeeKaya ScodelarioYoung hero Thomas embarks on a mission to find a cure for a deadly disease known as "The Flare".
- DirectorWill GluckStarsJames CordenFayssal BazziDomhnall GleesonA rabbit sneaks into a garden to steal food, and they get a new challenge with a new owner.***: Not perfectly made, like a Paddington bear movie. However, there's enough charm to make it watchable for the whole family.
- DirectorAlex ZammStarsEric BauzaTimothy OmundsonGraham VerchereThe hyperactive red-headed bird enters a turf war with a big city lawyer wanting to tear down his home in an effort to build a house to flip.**1/2: Predictable but somewhat charming.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.****: One of Marvel's strongest films. Due to a terrific cast, solid performances, great action, good villain and just being a strong film for Black History month.
During watching a lot felt like a new path and something different from Marvel. However, it did dawn on me afterwards that we have seen similar villains as N'Jadaka (Michael B. Jordan). I mean Jordan is great but I did get Loki and Maximus (Inhumans) vibes. Of the usual "boo hoo, it should be my throne!"
While Martin Freeman's Everett K. Ross feels like the new Phil Coulson. Since apparently on tv Coulson is alive on tv but considered dead and buried still in the movies. If that makes sense.
The stand out performances are by Chadwick Boseman, Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, Daneil Kaluuya of Get Out and of course Andy Serkis and Forrest Whitaker.
Wright is just adorable and funny as Black Panther's tech girl sister. Jordan is badass. Serkis has some good side villain scenes. Whitaker is always good, well don't count Battlefield Earth.
While Kaluuya I think shows more range as an actor here than Get Out. I liked him in this more where he is trying to figure out who's side he is on. Due to being disappointed by Black Panther's failed efforts to bring Serkis' character to justice.
After Infinity Wars, we could see Black Panther take over the Avengers I think. Since the future of Captain, Iron Man and even Thor is unclear after Infinity Wars it is rumored. This film proves, that might not be a bad thing. Even if we will miss those characters and actors terribly. - DirectorAlex GarlandStarsNatalie PortmanJennifer Jason LeighTessa ThompsonA biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.***
- DirectorJohn Francis DaleyJonathan GoldsteinStarsJason BatemanRachel McAdamsKyle ChandlerA group of friends who meet regularly for game nights find themselves entangled in a real-life mystery when the shady brother of one of them is seemingly kidnapped by dangerous gangsters.***1/2: Great fun with the perfect cast and plenty of laughs. Even if not every laugh is laugh out loud.
- DirectorTim HillStarsRobert De NiroUma ThurmanRob RiggleUpset that he has to share the room he loves with his grandfather, Peter decides to declare war in an attempt to get it back.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJoel EdgertonMatthias SchoenaertsBallerina Dominika Egorova is recruited to 'Sparrow School,' a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission, targeting a C.I.A. agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations.
- DirectorEli RothStarsBruce WillisVincent D'OnofrioElisabeth ShueDr. Paul Kersey is an experienced trauma surgeon, a man who has spent his life saving lives. After an attack on his family, Paul embarks on his own mission for justice.
- DirectorAva DuVernayStarsStorm ReidOprah WinfreyReese WitherspoonAfter the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.**1/2: Margaret Murry (Storm Reid) a young outcast who's father Dr. Alexander (Chris Pine) who has been missing for 4 yrs. Goes on a journey to go find him across the universe. With the help of 3 peculiar beings (played by Oprah, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling), her half brother and a boy she literally just met.
There's a charm to the self discovery Margaret goes through and to the movie itself. You just have to get passed a giant Oprah, Reese Witherspoon turning into a CGI flying piece of lettuce and Zach Galifianakis as a.....wise yoga instructor like being.
I like movies that take you somewhere unusual and this definitely does. Despite, not being the best movie I have ever seen. There's also much better Wonderland like movies. Storm Reid has a future and her performance isn't one of the movies problems. A Wrinkle in Time just doesn't have the best pacing and doesn't add up to anything too spectacular.
If Disney ever tries to adapt this for a 3rd time, maybe animation is the best tactic. To avoid all the celebrities in goofy looking outfits. - DirectorRob GreenbergStarsEugenio DerbezAnna FarisEva LongoriaAfter a spoiled, wealthy yacht owner is thrown overboard and loses his memory, a mistreated employee convinces him that he is her working-class husband.**: The actors are charming but having the male lose his memory instead of the woman. While making him Spanish instead of Caucasian doesn't make this unnecessary remake fresh.
You've still seen it and know what to expect. But hey if Hollywood made Three Men and a Baby but with the Wayans brothers. They would consider that being original. - DirectorNash EdgertonStarsJoel EdgertonCharlize TheronDavid OyelowoGRINGO, a dark comedy mixed with white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, explores the battle of survival for businessman Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) when he finds himself crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal.
- DirectorRoar UthaugStarsAlicia VikanderDominic WestWalton GogginsLara Croft, the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, must push herself beyond her limits when she discovers the island where her father, Lord Richard Croft disappeared.***: Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) is on a journey to find what happened to her missing father (Dominic West). Together with a hungover sailor (Daniel Wu) named Lu Ren, find themselves on an island and captured by Mathias Vogel (Walter Vogel).
A man who works for Trinity, a group that won't allow him to leave the island until he uncovers it's secrets.
Lara must find the fighter in herself if she wants survive Vogel and his men. As as well as the dangerous tombs there.
Vikander is awesome. Despite perves not happy that she doesn't have the big boobs of the video game character. She has both the vulnerability and toughness of Lara in the newer origin games. Where Lara must learn how to survive.
The movie is definitely less goofy as the Jolie films with a better story. That is a lot like the newer games. Which I don't mind since I love the origin story games of Lara.
You also have Lara doing plenty of running, jumping and having to grab on to platforms to survive. So it's very faithful to the games and I found in a believable way even. - DirectorWes AndersonStarsBryan CranstonKoyu RankinEdward NortonSet in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows a boy's odyssey in search of his lost dog.
- DirectorJohn StevensonStarsJohnny DeppJames McAvoyEmily BluntGarden gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments.
- DirectorSteven S. DeKnightStarsJohn BoyegaScott EastwoodCailee SpaenyJake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTye SheridanOlivia CookeBen MendelsohnWhen the creator of a virtual reality called the OASIS dies, he makes a posthumous challenge to all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune and control of his world.***1/2: Spielberg's love letter to film as well as video games, but also about just living. May not be his best film but is very enjoyable and just cool.
I would say there's nothing like it but Readu Player One is like Avatar meets Tron meets Wreck It Ralph. But it works very well. - DirectorKay CannonStarsLeslie MannJohn CenaIke BarinholtzThree parents try to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.
- DirectorJohn KrasinskiStarsEmily BluntJohn KrasinskiMillicent SimmondsA family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures. They are forced to communicate in sign language to keep the creatures at bay.****
- DirectorBrad PeytonStarsDwayne JohnsonNaomie HarrisMalin AkermanWhen three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago.***: Another decent video game adaption. Due to fine action and likable heroes. The human villains were extremely weak. But The Rock and Jeffrey Dean Morgan "pretty much in Negan form but without the bat" make the film good.
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.***1/2: Plenty of heroes, story and action to make the film one of Marvel's best. It's just the end that is a little disappointing.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsAlden EhrenreichWoody HarrelsonEmilia ClarkeDuring an adventure in the criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebel Alliance.***: There's not a strong story but the movie is a fun origin movie. Just not a four star movie. It does honor the old school trilogy more than the other Disney Star Wars films do though.
- DirectorDavid LeitchStarsRyan ReynoldsJosh BrolinMorena BaccarinFoul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool) assembles a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg Cable.***1/2: To me, Deadpool 2 is superior than the first with more laughs and a better story. Ryan Reynolds is even funnier some how.
- DirectorGary RossStarsSandra BullockCate BlanchettAnne HathawayDebbie Ocean gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's annual Met Gala.***: same formula but with all women doesn’t exactly make it fresh. However the cast is good together.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonHolly HunterSarah VowellThe Incredibles family takes on a new mission which involves a change in family roles: Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) must manage the house while his wife Helen (Elastigirl) goes out to save the world.***1/2: Entertaining through-out even if some feels familiar but just with role reversals. Not as good as a Toy Story sequel but better than Cars sequels, Monster University and Finding Dory.
- DirectorJ.A. BayonaStarsChris PrattBryce Dallas HowardRafe SpallWhen the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.***: A lot of the film is Lost World: Jurassic Park but with a volcano. Which doesn't make sense. Why put a tourist attraction on an island with an active volcano ?
While Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) barely cared about dinosuar rights as much as Owen (Chris Pratt) in Jurassic World. Yet, here she's suddenly Juliane Moore in Lost World and will do anything to save them.
Fallen Kingdom is the worst since part 3 but to me that's not bad. Since I wouldn't say any of the films aren't a good time. I just think that now the franchise is reaching Bay Transformers like played out, heights.
Except yes I would sit through this again over any Transformers sequel. Since despite a pretty slow second half. The film really picks up in the 3rd act. Despite a lot of deja-vu through-out the film and alot feeling like we saw it already. - DirectorStefano SollimaStarsBenicio Del ToroJosh BrolinIsabela MercedThe drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddEvangeline LillyMichael PeñaAs Scott Lang balances being both a superhero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.***1/2: The first may have had a better villain. Ant Man and the Wasp is more fun though with possibly better action. Spoiler: also an insane cliffhanger.
- DirectorGerard McMurrayStarsY'lan NoelLex Scott DavisJoivan WadeAmerica's third political party, the New Founding Fathers of America, comes to power and conducts an experiment: no laws for 12 hours on Staten Island. No one has to stay on the island, but $5,000 is given to anyone who does.
- DirectorGenndy TartakovskyStarsAdam SandlerAndy SambergSelena GomezCount Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters, unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family.***: as sweet and funny as the others but less corny.
- DirectorRawson Marshall ThurberStarsDwayne JohnsonNeve CampbellChin HanA security expert must infiltrate a burning skyscraper, 225 stories above ground, when his family is trapped inside by criminals.***: Die Hard but with the Rock. It won’t blow you away but it’s not bad to pass the time.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseHenry CavillVing RhamesEthan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.***1/2: I don’t get why it needed a dream sequence. A long one at that. However it’s the most fun of the series with the best villain of the series.
- DirectorAaron HorvathPeter Rida MichailStarsGreg CipesScott MenvilleKhary PaytonA villain's maniacal plan for world domination sidetracks five teenage superheroes who dream of Hollywood stardom.***: If you liked LEGO Batman, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy this. All the superhero movie references are quite clever.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsBoyd HolbrookTrevante RhodesJacob TremblayWhen a young boy accidentally triggers the universe's most lethal hunters' return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled scientist can prevent the end of the human race.**1/2: Shane Black who directs this movie played the wisecracking soldier Hawkins in the 1987 film. Writes everyone in this movie to be like Hawkins, they wise crack and tell dirty jokes non-stop.
That it’s hard to take anyone seriously. It never feels like bad-asses versus the Predator, like the original. More like soldiers you’d see in a comedy versus the Predator.
While despite all the cursing and violence. There being kid apart of too much of the story, as well as dog Predators. It’s almost as if Shane Black forgot he’s not making a Family Film. - DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonPedro PascalAshton SandersRobert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsEwan McGregorHayley AtwellBronte CarmichaelA working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.***: Like Hook, where a workaholic father has to be reminded of his magical childhood. It’s cute but won’t leave you thinking you watched the best movie ever.
- DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsJason StathamBingbing LiRainn WilsonA group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed - the Megalodon.***
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMelissa McCarthyElizabeth BanksMaya RudolphWhen the puppet cast of a '90s children's TV show begin to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.**1/2
- DirectorAlbert HughesStarsKodi Smit-McPheeJóhannes Haukur JóhannessonMarcin KowalczykIn the prehistoric past, a young man struggles to return home after being separated from his tribe during a buffalo hunt. He finds a similarly lost wolf companion and starts a friendship that would change humanity.
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJohn GoodmanAshton SandersJonathan MajorsSet in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extraterrestrial force, 'Captive State' explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and dissidents.
- DirectorEli RothStarsJack BlackCate BlanchettOwen VaccaroA young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.***: the cast charms and the film is pretty fun.
- DirectorGregory PlotkinStarsCynthea MercadoStephen ConroyAmy ForsythA masked serial killer turns a horror-themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.**1/2: A killer in a carnival stalks whoever says he isn’t scary. Yeah, pretty weak motive. While the murders are pretty weak as well.
Even if the film did keep my attention throughout. Due to a likeable cast and cool atmosphere for a Horror movie. The pacing just kind of sucked as well. - DirectorAri SandelStarsWendi McLendon-CoveyMadison IsemanJeremy Ray TaylorTwo young friends find a magic book that brings a ventriloquist's dummy to life.***: Almost close to being more faithful to the books. Then it just feels rushed with not much to it by the end.
However it is a fun Halloween treat when it lasts. - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsTom HardyMichelle WilliamsRiz AhmedA failed reporter is bonded to an alien entity, one of many symbiotes who have invaded Earth. But the being takes a liking to Earth and decides to protect it.**1/2: Sony’s attempt to still do Marvel films without Spider-Man. Just feels like why ? Even Tom Hardy is good and Venom is done right.
Sadly Sony will definitely move ahead with more Spider-Man spin-offs....without Spider-Man. After the success of Venom. - DirectorDavid Gordon GreenStarsJamie Lee CurtisJudy GreerAndi MatichakLaurie Strode confronts her long-time foe, Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
***: Twenty years ago H:20 erased all the sequels to be a sequel to the original. Twenty years after that they’re trying the same concept again.
Though this time it might have worked better. Jamie Lee Curtis is more solid and bad ass than she was in that film for one. H:20 also tried too hard to be a Scream film but with Michael Myers.
The film is almost even better than the first due to better kills and a bigger kill count. Until it gets a bit goofy towards the end.
It is also hard to believe that Laurie who has waited years for Michael to return so she could kill him. Could even afford a house that looks like it cost millions. To make a training ground to fight Michael. Since I can’t really picture her with a job in the state she was in for 40 years.
Still, Halloween kept me glued to my seat throughout. It’s quite gripping and intense. Almost a four star movie but definitely not by the end. - DirectorLasse HallströmJoe JohnstonStarsMackenzie FoyKeira KnightleyMorgan FreemanA young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.**: Visually stunning but it would have been better. If it was actually based on the Nutcracker. Just like with A Wrinkle in Time, Disney was more focused on being diverse. Then actually doing the story justice.
Yet they don’t even do anything with the Nutcracker or much with Morgan Freeman. The Nutcracker gets to do very little and the actor doesn’t stand out much.
Hell the Nutcracker starring Elle Fanning that got 0% good reviews. Was more Nutcracker like since Mouse King was actually the villain. Oh and actually in it. - DirectorYarrow CheneyScott MosierStarsBenedict CumberbatchCameron SeelyRashida JonesA grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.***: Definitely better than critics have said. Even if it’s the Despicable Me version of the Grinch just without the Minions. It’s charming nevertheless.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsEddie RedmayneKatherine WaterstonDan FoglerGellert Grindelwald plans to raise an army of wizards to rule over non-magical beings. In response, Newt Scamander's former professor, Albus Dumbledore, seeks his help to stop him.**: J.K Rowling and David Yates still don’t give us much of a good reason to why these movies exist. Fans rather have more Potter.
The Fantastic Beasts stories have yet to fully get off the ground. Despite a likeable cast and some magical moments.
The Crimes of Grindelwald is bit over-stuffed with too many characters and subplots. You also have Rowling annoying fans. By messing with the time line and having some characters introduced way too early. To how she originally wrote them.
My main problem is how they used the delightful Queenie though. Having her tempted by the dark side is like Mary Poppins tempted by the dark side. To me that worked least of all.
Well that and flashbacks of Dumbledore (Jude Law) and villain Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) looking at each other in lust. To show as Dumbledore said it “they were more than friends.” Rowling has said they were an item. However on film it came off a bit goofy. - DirectorPhil JohnstonRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillySarah SilvermanGal GadotSix years after the events of "Wreck-It Ralph," Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.***: While it’s an entertaining movie it gets a bit too deep by the end. The first was a great tribute to video games.
This film feels like it was only made to teach kids about feminism and to be nicer while commenting on the internet. As well as to be a less clingy and controlling friend, I guess.
The plot of the original was a more fun and focused story of friendship. Ralph Breaks the Internet is a bit all over the place. While it never felt like something I’d want to watch again and again. The first will remain a favorite of mine though. - DirectorChristian RiversStarsHera HilmarRobert SheehanHugo WeavingIn a post-apocalyptic world where cities ride on wheels and consume each other to survive, two people meet in London and try to stop a conspiracy.
- DirectorAndy SerkisStarsChristian BaleCate BlanchettBenedict CumberbatchA human child raised by wolves must face off against a menacing tiger named Shere Khan, as well as his own origins.***: Despite weak cgi for some of the animals. I don’t see why critics didn’t like this version as much as the 2016 film. It’s darker but more faithful to the book.
Critics make it sound like it loses focus of the story a lot when Mowgli is in the man village. I think the film is pretty solid and under-rated though.
Mowgli learns to feel at home in the man village but has to choose between that and the jungle. So the film doesn’t lose track of the stories heart at all. Unlike what Rotten Tomatoes says. - DirectorBob PersichettiPeter RamseyRodney RothmanStarsShameik MooreJake JohnsonHailee SteinfeldTeen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.***1/2
- DirectorJames WanStarsJason MomoaAmber HeardWillem DafoeArthur Curry, the human-born heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, goes on a quest to prevent a war between the worlds of ocean and land.***: Funner and better than most DCEU movies. However the story feels cliche throughout. It’s half Gladiator underwater, half treasure hunter film and half Clash of the Titans underwater.
- DirectorTravis KnightStarsHailee SteinfeldJorge Lendeborg Jr.John CenaOn the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. On the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, Charlie Watson discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.***1/2: Definitely should be the start of a reboot. Bumblebee feels like the first movie meets the Iron Giant. It has more of a brain though. Than the first movie. Especially more than Michael Bay’s loud, long and brainless sequels.
It feels more like Transformers. Some might just not approve that it’s a cute and heart warming Transformers movie.
While Cena’s acting is like he’s doing a segment in WWE. Hailee Steinfeld and Bee own the movie. The Cena scenes are not really the strong points. When it cuts back to Steinfeld. It’s like “yay the good movie I was watching is back on.” - DirectorRob MarshallStarsEmily BluntLin-Manuel MirandaBen WhishawA few decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins, the magical nanny, returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.
- DirectorEtan CohenStarsWill FerrellJohn C. ReillyRalph FiennesA humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.