Lovelorn and resigned to be a weepy couch potato, Rell — played by Jordan Peele of Comedy Central’s Key & Peele — finds love again by adopting a kitten that somehow finds its way to his door. Not too long after he’s centered his life around this newfound love, his kitty (he’s named Keanu) gets catnapped by a reputed crime lord. Recruiting his cousin, Clarence — played by, you guessed it, Keegan-Michael Key — both go on a search and rescue mission full of funny scenes. Bring out the popcorn and prepare to laugh a lot as you enjoy some Michael George songs along the way. Turns out Rell is a big fan of his music.
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Criminal (a movie blurt)
Although flawed in different areas, the movie is still entertaining with action and an interesting concept—to transfer a dying man’s memory to a live person. Plus, the movie has an all-star cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner , Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Michael Pitt, Alice Eve, and Gal Gadot. To keep the action going, the story consists of a number of spy vs. spy vs. international gangster scenes, with always the possibility of mutually assured destruction (MAD). High level, the movie is about a poignant love story mixed in with the U.S. government held hostage by a hacker who has found the means to trigger powerful weapons.
Colonia (a movie blurt)
Inspired by true events, the story line is fiction but the setting is real. There was a compound in Chile called Colonia Dignidad, a religious cult founded in 1961 by a group of Germans and later disbanded. The movie is set in the early to mid-‘70s during the unrest of Allende’s rule. Daniel Brühl plays a German photographer and activist who gets involved in the protest defending Allende’s communist government. Then, when a coup‘d’état takes place, he is captured by the military and taken to this isolated area of Chile known as Colonia Dignidad. His girlfriend, played by Emma Watson, goes in to rescue him, all the while discovering the dark ties between the military and the cult. The scary part is how people surrender their wills to be ruled by a domineering and ruthless cult leader, who brainwashes them into thinking he’s there for their own good.
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (a movie blurt)
An eye-opening film from the perspective of the security team that survived the 9/11/12 Benghazi attack, the story is based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s book, 13 Hours. The book is a true account of events that resulted in the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, primarily because they were outgunned and outnumbered. Anyone who is not quite clear about the controversy behind the Benghazi fiasco might want to see this film for a reality check. That’s because five out of the six private military contractors who actually fought to defend the other Americans in a compound recount how the help they received was not enough and came way too late. A must-see to get another perspective, or perhaps the only perspective as some parties are not forthcoming with all the facts. This is a well done film with engaging characters, one of whom is played by John Krasinski.
Triple 9 (a movie blurt)
This film caught my attention because of the all-star cast ensemble: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus, and Kate Winslet. The characters they play are flawed and except for Affleck’s character, they’re all cynical or corrupt to a certain degree. Set in Atlanta and complete with graphic scenes, this film is violent and gritty about dirty cops and dirty deeds with links to Russian organized crime . Lots of twists, action, and raw pain. Feels too much like real life in these turbulent times. There’s no escapism here.
Remember (a movie blurt)
A powerful movie with a timeless message, featuring Christopher Plummer, who plays a ~90-year old Auschwitz survivor with dementia. Co-starring is Martin Landau as another Auschwitz survivor, who orchestrates the vengeance on behalf of their murdered families during Hitler’s rule. More than a revenge film, the movie is suspenseful with a shocking twist. Other stars include Jurgen Prochnow and Dean Norris.
A Walk in the Woods (a movie blurt)
This movie is based on a book by the same name written by Bill Bryson, who at 44 years old decides to hike the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles long). Robert Redford, who is in his late 70s, plays Bryson in the film. He is accompanied by a long-lost friend, Stephen Katz (played by Nick Nolte); the two traveled Europe together when they were in their early 20s. They lost touch soon after their European trip and through some fluke they find themselves reunited to hike together.
Even though it seems a stretch for Redford to be playing a man in his 40s, such a thing can be overlooked because of the repartees between Bryson and Katz, beautiful photography, and other interesting characters — notably one of the hikers they meet along the trail. Before I watched the movie, I thought it would be boring because it’s just about two people walking and talking, but it isn’t like that at all. The story line’s themes – relationships and one’s purpose in life – make for some funny scenes, notable truths, and fine dialogue.
Criminal Activities (a movie blurt)
This film has a story line that is not what it seems. A real twister about four former high school classmates reunited by attending the funeral of one of their old chums. After the funeral services, the four get together for coffee and somehow bring up a get-rich scheme that can only work if they are willing to capitalize on it together. One of the friends, played by Dan Stevens, offers to front the money, while another, played by Michael Pitt — who so happens to be in financial services — gives it the green light. The deal turns sour and they have to pay up to John Travolta’s mob character, Eddie, who gives the four friends an out if they do something for him. As the story gets better, the situation gets worse for the four.
Karina Pinella 