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Four reasons to watch this movie; 1) Your kids wont eat their dinner, 2) Your life is miserable and you would rather drink than attend your own daughters birthday party, 3) You and your friends feel like hiking this weekend, 4) You have babied your son and now he is a dick!  Well, the ploy to market this film as a compilation of horror films directed only by women and casting only female roles was unnecessary as the film was actually quite good.  I am a fan of the anthology movies and the horror genre of course so I enjoyed all of this film.  The stories were not so obvious and left a lot to the imagination.  There were some disturbing parts that weren't so in your face that kept you thinking all the way through.  Although it was a tad low budget, it is definitely worth the watch.  One review I read said it was the biggest waste of time with no actual sense behind anything the stories told.  I say go back to watching The Fast and the Furious, and stay out of the thinkers world.  The acting was all pretty good, especially the birthday party segment which was darkly comical.  If you are a fan of the genre and like storied movies like Creepshow, and 4 Rooms give this a shot.

FYI:  During the filming 2 of the original female directors dropped out reducing it to only 4 stories.

***1/2

The Founder

Who knew???  The title also could have been, "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun, with a side of a knife in the back of the Actual founders!"  I think the studio execs probably thought that was too long though.  Wow, what a movie!  Coming to you from the most well known restaurant brand in the world, you get the movie telling the true story behind McDonalds.  We all know its the greasy, fast food chain that changed the 5 minute meal in America, but how did it get to be a giant?  I mean, seriously have you eaten there in the last 20 years?  My kids aren't even huge fans!  The story is incredible, telling the tale of an underdog, down on his luck salesman, Ray Kroc who happens upon a pair of brothers in California running a burger joint.  Not just any burger joint, McDonalds!  They orchestrated a methodical system serving only a few items at perfection each and every time.  Kroc saw it, and wanted it, bad!  So he partners with the brothers and begins to strategically screw them out of everything taking over franchise and land rights until he buries them as innocent naive puppets.  Forget the reviews and the snub at the Oscars, this movie is excellent and highly recommended.

FYI:  Tom Hanks turned down the role of Kroc, just as Keaton turned down Hanks role in Philadelphia.

****1/2

Passengers

Ahhh, the future!  Where nothing can go wrong, and apparently engineers have the ability to configure and fix a busted up technological monster of a spaceship!  Sounds good to me, but wait, I am only an insurance agent.  Amidst the horrible reviews of this film, I must say I don't agree in the slightest!  This movie was outstanding!  Sure it took from the lonely, secluded, last person alive playbook such as Castaway or I am Legend but did so with the witty charm or Chris Pratt.  Basically the setting of this story is on a passenger ship traveling over 100 light years away to a new planet for select earthlings.  Unfortunately something goes wrong and one of the sleeping chambers opens 90 years early.  From there you can guess what type of psychosis destruction happens with a single passenger alone on the ship sure to be alone until his death.  There were many references in this film such as the robot bartender who was awesome, with a direct feel for "The Shining".  Jennifer Lawrence is actually really hot in this film and I usually don't like her too much.  There is tension, action, romance, and a great story.  I highly recommend.

FYI:  Andy Garcia is in the movie for approx 15 seconds with no speaking lines.

****

Nocturnal Animals

Reason #4,572 I hate Texas!  West Texas, to be exact.  Oh, you're from there?  Well then you completely understand :)  This movie has flown under the radar for some reason and I am shocked.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was blown away!  First off I am pretty sure everything Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal touches turns to gold, no exception here.  Throw in Michael Shannon and Isla Fisher and you got yourself a good ole flick.  The premise is basically two stories combined to come full circle.  Adams receives a proof of her ex husbands book as he wants her opinion since she was the inspiration for his writings.  The book is haunting and extremely emotional which you can only assume comes from some real life situation.  As her unraveling life starts to become more revealing, she relates more to the terrifying story as a ironic message.  This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, piss you off, make you sad and get you completely excited.  I read so many bad reviews which I can only assume came from trolls and unimaginative idiots.  There should be an award or two for this movie in the near future if there is any justice in the film world!

FYI:  This is Jake Gyllenhalls 35th film

*****

Keeping Up With The Joneses

Ho, hum.  Another one of these movies.  If it weren't for the star power, this would have definitely been a straight to TBS Saturday afternoon double feature.  Ready?  Tell me if you have heard this plot before.  Overly suburban couple living on a cul de sac are introduced to the new neighbors who are perfect.  Looks, money, culture, experience, you name it.  Well, it turns out they are, wait for it, spies.  Of course they recruit a really skinny Galifinakis and Fisher to help them take down a crime lord.  Been there, a number of times.  There were a few funny parts, and Zach does a great job of being a sensitive HR nerd.  Overall it was a pretty big dud.  There was a silver lining mid movie.  A scene where Gadot and Fisher are in a dressing room wearing skimpy undergarments!  Both are hot, so that was great!  Enough said.  IF you really want to see this movie, just wait a month and see it on a local cable affiliate on a weekend afternoon, otherwise skip it.

FYI:  Red Brick Brewing Co. is featured in this film, this is the oldest craft brew in Georgia.

*1/2

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Nerds of the world unite!  Another Star Wars movie smashing box office records is upon us, and its not disappointing!  If you are confused, and not sure of the order of these films, let me simplify it for you.  Part one is actually number 4 then stems into 2 sequels.  Rogue one isn't part of the actual original trilogy but takes place between part 3 (actually number 4) and just before part 4, number 1.  The film that came out just before this one was actually part 7, which catches us up in chronological order if you don't include Rogue One (part 3 1/2).  See, easy and clear.  This movie was really good and the way it tied up a number of loose ends was excellent.  The story was a little more involved than most of the others but had a great pay off.  Good acting and characters with some cool depth and some open ended avenues they can go.  I would give you some theory's but don't want to get killed by the purists.  I did think there were a few parts that were a little slow, but WOW, did Darth Vader save the day!!!!  The few scenes he was in were absolutely outstanding.  If you like any part of the Star Wars saga, check this one out.  It will be well worth it.

FYI:  Actors cut from casting: Joel Edgerton, Taylor Kitsch, Dominic West, Sam Worthington, and Gerard Butler.  Budgeting???

***1/2

Sing

Calm down, its a cartoon!  Not only is it a cartoon, but a really light hearted one at that.  The comments I have heard about this movie being too kid friendly, or to subjective with twerking animals, or being ruined by the shy, introverted character, or the crime aspect, bla, bla, bla.  Seriously?!  Have you watched a recent big screen animated movie lately?  If the answer is no, well okay then, go back to the nursing home.  This movie was actually really good.  The songs were assembled in a great way using the popular songs of today and throwing in some alternative and classics to feel well rounded.  The characters were great and you will find yourself tying to decide which one was your favorite.  I had a hard time recognizing the voices only to be pleasantly surprised during the credits.  The kids loved it and I was hung over watching it and still had a good time, so mission accomplished.  If you like animated blockbusters, this is pretty close to as good as it gets.

FYI:  There are at least 2 references to Back to the Future.  Can you find them?

****