Pete's Dragon (2016)

86% fresh on the Tomatometer?! Either these critics weren't watching the same movie I did or they so blinded by nostalgia for the original they didn't care that the is absolute garbage! Not since Fantastic Four in 2015 have a been so angry at a movie and begged for the credits. The credits were a sweet, sweet mercy. The main problem was they remade a musical, but took away all the songs. So as a result they had to write more plot, but this plot is so buthchered and hackneyed from the original, I couldn't even recoginize this as the same story. One problem most audiences had with the movie when the trailer came out was "The dragon has fur." I don't have a problem with that. We don't know what dragons look like. What I did have a problem with was they made the dragon too doglike. We've seen this "It's not a dog but it has doglike qualities" thing over and over. It's been done to death. "Meet the Robinsons" did this with the dinosaur. "Hercules" did it with Pegasus. Even "How to Train Your Dragon" already did this. This film stole from "How to Train Your Dragon". If you're going to give it doglike qualities, just make it a dog. Another problem was the plot. It's the stupid liberal, hippie, environmentalist "Save the Forest" propaganda that kids' movies these days seem to love hitting us over the head with. We get it: Humans are bad. We've had that idea progressively drilled more in more into our minds since "Avatar" came out and now it's getting annoying. The original did not have this level of stupidity. And the invisibility powers of the dragon only seem to work when the plot calls for it. When they're searching for him in the forest, he can disappear no problem. Once he's been captured, suddenly they don't work anymore but of course when he escapes they work again. You have rules. Stick to them. Not even the acting of the talented cast could save this movie. The writing and plot are just too awful. I'm sorry to make a pun but the movie does drag-on. The filmmakers should do as the dragon does and disappear.
Grade: F.  0/10. 0/5 stars

The BFG

It's sad this wasn't a success at the box office or with most critics. It's sad that most peoplevforgot this even came out. It's sad that Disney chose to not advertise for this movie and it suffered greatly as a result, because this movie is amazing! It's Steven Speilberg directing a movie based on a book written by Roald Dahl with a screenplay by the late Melissa Mathison. It's a win win win situation. The CGI is some of the best (if not the best) CGI I've ever seen. The attention to detail is astounding! The little liver spots, arm hairs, and pores on the BFG are so detailed and beautiful. The film is a fun, innocent little fairy tale romp that is perfect for kids. The story isn't very fluid, (to be honest I don't think I could tell you the linear plot. If you asked me what it was about I'd say it's about a girl and her giant friend who have various adventures), but that's the beauty of it. It's such a simple plot that really has nothing going on, but it's so fun and whimsical you love every minute of it. It's a great way to kill some time if you have it. Pop it in, turn off your brain, and enjoy the wonder that is this film. It took me back to my days of childhood innocence and wonder and I look forward to revisiting this movie many more times in the future.
Grade: A+. 10/10 5/5 stars

Rings

I don't get why most critics on Rotten Tomatoes hate horror films so much. Why is the score for this so low? It's very well done. I wasn't sure it would work. If putting the movie "The Ring" in a modern day setting in the Internet Age would ruin the first one's "urban legend" element. Surprisingly, it works! I'm not a blood and guts horror guy. I'm rather squeamish with that type of thing which is why I stay away from it. I prefer psychological horror, and boy does this film deliver on that! I was constantly surprised by the misdirection of what was real and what wasn't, to the point where I was wondering if I had been cursed by Samara myself. Some of the characters' motivations don't make a whole lot of sense, and most of the plot is progressed through silly little coincidences. (But let's be honest. Most horror/thriller films these days have that). But the end twist (which I don't dare reveal here, because it's that brilliant) makes up for the problems somewhat. The acting in this film isn't terrible, but it isn't great. I wasn't really feeling emotion for any of the characters, and the acting except for Vincent D'Onofrio's character is average at best. But considering this film was delayed several times, to the point where many, myself included wondered if this film would even be released, I'd say it was a pretty good attempt.
Grade: B.  8/10.  4/5 stars

The Lego Batman Movie

It's only February, but I think it's safe to say this is one of the best movies of 2017. Academy, if you don't nominate this for Best Animated Film in 2018, I will be so angry and annoyed. You already snubbed "The Lego Movie" and I don't want to get hurt twice. This movie is awesome because it feels like parody, while still honoring the source material lovingly. It's a satire on DC comics and Lego as a whole. I'm not going to spoil the 3rd act, but I will say that if you're a fan of classic 80s movies or British TV, you will love it. I'm thoroughly excited for "The Lego Ninjago Movie" later this year. If they can keep the winning formula they've done for the past two Lego movies, we may have some clear winners on our hands. The film has subtle moments in the background and blink-and-you'll-miss-it jokes that make this worth several repeated viewings. The comedic timing and humor are absolutely perfect. It's been 30 minutes since the film ended and my face still hurts from smiling and laughing so hard, and probably will hurt all night. Definetly a winner for kids and adults. Although it helps to be a comic book fan, you won't feel left out or not in on the joke if you're not. This is a film for everyone. Its meta, and sometimes self-deprecating jokes make it one of this year's most perfect films. There's also some "We're sorry" moments for some of the weaker Batman films like Batman and Robin, and even the days of the Adam West 60s tv show. It's not afraid to make fun of itself and just about everything about Batman.  I can't think of anything about this movie that I didn't like. It's definetly worth seeing.

Grade: A+  10/10  5/5 stars

I'm dropping my boycott of the studios suing VidAngel. (Disney, Fox and WB). No, VidAngel didn't win, (sadly), but I realized 3 things.
1. Who realistically will win? The small company with only a few million dollars or the multi-billion dollar studios?
2. If I didn't know VidAngel existed or about this lawsuit would I be boycotting? No.
3. Am I really going to get in trouble at Judgement Day for supporting these studios? Probably not. (As long as the movie I see is generally appropriate. Lego Batman won't get me in trouble. Now, Logan on the other hand...I just won't see that one).
And I'm probably the only person boycotting. 1 person is not going to make a difference.
Call me a hypocrite or a sellout or whatever, but this is my decision. I will continue to support VidAngel and I sincerely hope they win, but even if they don't I can support them through their original content through their own studio.