Family is worth fighting for

Daddy's Home

2015 | Color | 1 Hr 36 Min | Comedy | PG-13 | Paramount

Director: Sean Anders

Writers:
Brian Burns (screenplay)
Sean Anders (screenplay)

Stars: 
Will Ferrell
Mark Wahlberg
Linda Cardellini




Stepfather Brad Whitaker is hoping for his stepchildren to love him and treat him like a dad. All is going well until the biological father, Dusty Mayron, shows up, then everything takes a toll. His stepchildren start putting him second and their father first, and now Dusty will have to learn that being a good dad is about pains and struggles. Brad will also experience once again what it's like to be a stepdad.


So what do you get out of a writer that has written such bad flicks such as Dumb and Dumber To, Horrible Bosses 2, and Sex Drive and this pile of... well crap! That's what you get an overhyped pile of Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell crap!


Why do so many people think Will Ferrell is funny? I hear guys quoting Anchorman and Talladega Nights all the time like is a sacred guy code. If this means I have to turn in my guy card than so be it. The jokes in Daddy's Home fail hard to make me laugh the story is so lame to the point that I can not believe I bought into this when the trailers for the second one blasted the airwaves the past few weeks. Shame on me.


Now not everything was lost in this movie we do get the beautiful  Linda Cardellini (Scooby Doo, E.R.) who looks amazing and played the mom very well. And the kids are fantastic and deservingly where nominated for the Young Entertainer Award in 2016 but sadly Owen Vaccaro lost to Tate Berney's performance in Insidious 3 and Scarlett Estevez lost to Gigi Cesare in the movie Street. In fact, it was the three of them that kept me watching until the end and trust me I wanted to turn it off within the first 20 minutes half hour and one hour mark! But I kept trucking along in hopes of a simple laugh. 


Sadly the last three or four minutes of the movie it finally finds some heart and a few laughs but it was not enough to save the film for me. Man, I had such high hopes and really wanted to see Daddy's Home 2 but now I'm just not sure. Two sad comedies in a row I really need to clear my sole with some bad B movie or maybe a love story, Ugh rough start to 2018!

Daddy's should have stayed home...

2 Turkey legs out of 5

Top Five Tuesday The Golden Globes


Ok so after the Golden Globes here are the five movie's I can not wait to see,

Number 5

Although Three Billboards seems to be getting negative press and the fact that I  have not heard of it puts this movie on my list. Not to mention Frances McDermott, Woody Harelson, and Sam Rockwell are all strong actors.

What hardware did they bring home well,

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Martin McDonagh

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Frances McDormand

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Sam Rockwell

Seems independent movies rocked the Globes this year.



Number 4

I had no clue what the movie Call Me By Your Name was until the night of the Globes when they should the trailer for the first time that night. The Plot seems to be In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen-year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father's research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.

This looks amazing but did not seem to get much love at the award show it was Nominated for

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Timothée Chalamet

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Armie Hammer



Number 3

Boy, I really must have lived in a cave last year. Here is yet another one that grabbed my attention immediately. The Disaster Artist is about Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, who meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.

My guess would be that James Franco and Seth Rogen have their hands in this one which would lead me to skip it, but now I can not wait for it.

Franco did bring home the hardware for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy


And was Nominated for
Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy






Number 2

Ah, Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water where a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. Now this one was on my watch list long before the hype of award season. We all had hoped it would take home more awards then it did but Sci-Fi Horror fans could not be more tickled with winning

Best Director - Motion Picture
Guillermo del Toro

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat

And to be Nominated for
Golden Globe Best Motion Picture - Drama to name a few.






And Number 1

I have been waiting for Lady Bird to come around this small town for some time now I really can not wait to see this story of an artistically inclined seventeen-year-old girl and how she comes of age in Sacramento, California in 2002.

Lady Bird won

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Saoirse Ronan

And I have heard of this one as well bring the total of movies I  have heard of this season to two. I guess that is what excited me about the Golden Globes this year. 

And boy I must be wrong about The Marvelous Mrs. Masial as it took home a few awards too. Here is my review of that whole thing.  So what were you glad to see win or what surprised you the most? Make sure to comment below. 

Gratitude Challenge Week One


Week One
"Why Start This Challenge"

To challenge myself,
To empower myself,
To reflect,
To learn.
To Grow,
To Teach
And to embrace this crazy life I lead.

But most of all to demonstrate to my children the importance of Gratitude.

It's Alive! IT crushes! IT kills!


Godzilla King of The Monsters!
1956 | B&W | 1 Hr 20 Min | Action | PG | Toho

Directors: 
Ishirô Honda
Terry O. Morse

Writers: 
Shigeru Kayama 
Takeo Murata

Stars: 
Raymond Burr
Takashi Shimura
Momoko Kôchi 



When American reporter Steve Martin investigates a series of mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan, he comes face to face with an ancient creature so powerful and so terrifying, it can reduce Tokyo to a smoldering graveyard. Nuclear weapon testing resurrected this relic from the Jurassic age, and now it's rampaging across Japan. At night, Godzilla wades through Tokyo leaving death and destruction in his wake, disappearing into Tokyo Bay when his rage subsides. Conventional weapons are useless against him; but renowned scientist Dr. Serizawa has discovered a weapon that could destroy all life in the bay -- including Godzilla. But which disaster is worse, Godzilla's fury, or the death of Tokyo Bay?



“Godzilla, King of the Monster” airs on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time- and , if you’re not sure when it airs or on what channel where you are, please check your local listings , or at www.metv.com . In the Chicago area, viewers can get one more “almost-look” at the “Dr. Cyclops” at 11 am on WCIU, the U.

Big Evil Bong News From Full Moon Features


Big Evil Bong news this past week, first off a new comic coming from Action Labs,

The bad batch is back! The soul of a serial killer with the body of a cookie! It's the Gingerdead Man, and this time he's set his beady little candy eyes on a California headshop! High and die, brah! But little does he know it's under the protection of Eebee the Evil Bong, a cursed artifact who wants to cast his crunchy body into the magical realm of BongWorld! The bloodshed and stoned heads begin here!

Watch for it to hit comic book stores this March 28th and of course shortly behind that will be April 20th or should I say 420? And that means Charles Band and his gang will bring us a new Bong movie Evil Bong 777! You know I will keep you posted.





Full Moon Features is back with the next awesome installment of the hit franchise EVIL BONG. This time we are flying high in Las Vegas for an even scarier and far out trip! It is time to get ‘ripped’ on the ‘strip’ in EVIL BONG 777! EeBee, Rabbit, Lucy Furr, Faux Batty and the gang are back for more hilarious HIGHjinx. Directed by legendary filmmaker Charles Band, this chapter will feature the most insane Giant Puppet Burlesque Show ever filmed and introduce some seriously crazy new characters!



If you would like to be a backer you can head over to Indigo here

Get admitted.

Admission
2013 | Color | 1 Hr 47 Min | Comedy | PG-13 | Focus Features


Director: Paul Weitz

Writers:
Karen Croner (screenplay by)
Jean Hanff Korelitz (based on the novel by)

Stars: 
Tina Fey
Paul Rudd, 
Nat Wolff
Lily Tomlin



A Princeton admissions officer who is up for a major promotion takes a professional risk after she meets a college-bound alternative school kid who just might be the son she gave up years ago in a secret adoption.

American Pie director Paul Weitz takes on college and brings along Tina Fey with Paul Rudd. Will Admission get admited or will it be denied? 


The movie takes a very interesting look into the life of a boring Administration officer at a big ivy league college. As we travel through Portia (Fey) life we really see how boring her life is. Then we meet John (Rudd) who seems to be a dream/drifter that does not know what he wants in life. Once they are air quotes "Together" the chemistry between the two get boring as well. Sadly the movie never really finds its feet and that was a shame with such a good cast.


I did enjoy Paul Rudd's performance but that is to be expected as I may have a little man crush on the guy. I mean come on he is great in Clueless but toss in Halloween The Curse of Michael Myers instant street cred! And as for Fay yeah she will always be easy on the eyes, they are both good in Admission just the story was blah. The two biggest surprises would have to be Lily Tomlin and Wallace Shawn. Tomlin played a wonderful hippy mother that just did not care about much. She was terrific every time she was on the screen to the point of being one of the strongest reasons to watch. And as for Shawn, he is just always a delight to watch. 


Admissions does look good and has a nice simple feel to it, with a soundtrack that really fits the mood sadly could not save how I felt about the movie. A simple hour and a half dragged at times with little to no comic relief. If you are looking for a movie to keep you warm during the mega snow storm you may want to try something else.

Sorry, Mr. Rudd I still love you,


2 Ninja Santa's out of 5


A Wimp will rise

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid The Long Haul
2017 | Color | 1 Hr 31 Min | Family | PG | 20th Century Fox

Director: David Bowers

Writers:
Jeff Kinney
David Bowers
Stars: 
Jason Drucker
Alicia Silverstone
Tom Everett Scott

A Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw's 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course thanks to Greg's newest scheme to get to a video gaming convention. This family cross-country adventure turns into an experience the Heffleys will never forget.


As a parent, there is nothing more gratifying than a good book that your kids can truly get into. Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been one of those series and after 8 books and 4 movies later this family hopes they keep on coming. Even if they have to recast. So let's talk about the cast for a few minutes. Many fans of the franchise expressed anger at the recasting for this film, especially Roderick. And I get it the fans that are now teens grew up with the old cast but I feel like this team did a good job picking up where the old cast left off, kind of.



I had no trouble buying into the kids Greg and Rodrick it was the parents that I had some set back with and mainly with *Gulp* Alicia Silverstone. Look I love her too and she was one big reason for me to watch this time around. Sadly she is a terrible mother or just one I do not believe. Somehow she just did not fit the task like Rachael Harris. Aaaaand well Steve Zahn was funny as all get out but Tom Everett Scott yeah not so much and it is not like he has not played the dad before he did those Air Buddy movies and was fine. My grip would be that they tried way too hard to be the other set of parents that they just never let themselves develop with the new cast. Yet still, this movie works, really I mean it. I might not have shed a tear but in the end I...


Still, think this movie is right in all the right places. It's silly it's heartwarming, its a brother movie and one fine road trip movie. I did learn from my girls that they jumped around using story arch's from a few of the other books (Well they skip 5-8 to get to this one) but once they got passed the book was better phase they sat back and enjoyed this movie as well. The locations were fun throughout the movie, as well as the comic, relief coming from another family on there, own family road trip.  


Look this is a heartwarming family movie that does not deserve the negativity of the new cast. It was fun to sit and watch this as a family not expecting much. I will say this old man is good at predicting the outcome of movies and this one had me guessing wrong and I love that! If you get the chance give the wimp a chance you just might walk away liking the new family like we did. Besides the altercation between Greg and "Beardo" in the shower is a complete spoof of Psycho how could you go wrong?


4 Ninja Santa's out of 5



You only get one chance to save the galaxy twice.


Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
2017 | Color | 2 Hr 16 Min | Action | PG-13 | Disney

Director: James Gunn

Writers:
James Gunn
Dan Abnett

Stars:
Chris Pratt
Zoe Saldana
Dave Bautista

After saving Xander from Ronan's wrath, the Guardians are now recognized as heroes. Now the team must help their leader Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) uncover the truth behind his true heritage. Along the way, old foes turn to allies and betrayal is blooming. And the Guardians find that they are up against a devastating new menace who is out to rule the galaxy.


Ok, I said I was going find the time and watch more movies this year so why not get started as my vacation run's down. Little did I realize on this bitter below zero January night that I was picking a movie on my backlog that was two hours and sixteen minutes, good gravy! This was another one of those films that the trailer did not sell me on so I skipped it at the multiplex even tho I enjoyed the first one. And like the first James Gunn gives us a visually stunning sci-fi joy ride. 


The opening sequence helps set the tone as we reunite ourself's with the band of misfits but for me, the first battle falls a little short but quickly I will settle in and just let my mind go and fall in love with the ragtag group all over again. The look and feel of this universe is rather breathtaking and puts you comfortably in the driver's seat for the space battle that is.  but the soundtrack this time around was eh. The silly Groot dance that took over two years to finish was cute and yeah it sets up the movie letting you know this is not the X-Men or the seriousness of Iron Man but more of a silly ride, and that is ok with me. 


I get why everyone loves these guy's the chemistry is top notice even without a backstory. We also get a ton more action than that of the first.  But like all the other Marvel movies that try so hard to attach them selfs with other superhero's and how they are apart of the same universe, I still say "Who Cares!" like, In the Guardians of the Galaxy comics, Taserface is a warrior from the cybernetically enhanced race known as The Stark. The Stark is a race that found Iron Man technology that accidentally crashed on their homeworld, and as a result, worship Tony Stark, aka Iron Man as their god. and the silly scene with Stan Lee and the watchers I just don't care about tieing them all together just let me enjoy what is going on and not worry about the movie coming out in ten years that is going to tie it all together. 


Ok sorry and with that little rant over let us get back to how enjoyable this movie was. Not as good as the first one but still well worth my time and yours. The lands that Gunn bring us to fit well the comedy is goofing as all get out and nothing takes itself to serious and for that, I love the Guardians of the Galaxy. This was a fun ride from Stallone to Hasselhoff and even Kurt Russel the story moves along well and it does move you as well. The plot had a heart not sure if that was what they went for but it worked out nicely. Man, even I started to fall in love with green Martians. The funeral scene was powerful and stunning all at the same time warping itself into a cute little package topped with a pretty bow.


The only true negative I have is the soundtrack as it was nowhere near as fun as volume one. From Cheap Tricks Surrender to Cat Stevens Father and Son I feel the soundtrack was pushed on us rather than being a fun charter on its own. And Baby Groot? What was the point other than to sell this to the young kids that us fathers where going to bring to the movie just so we could see it? I don't know just felt ok with me and other times in the flick he was great, oh boy I got on the soapbox again, sorry. 


Ok look the movie was fun the cast is amazing together and visually this was better than The Avengers and Iron Man so with that Guardians is worth you two hours as it is a fun joy ride that has me wanting more. Ok started off the new year with a bang, now what?


4 Ninja Santa's out of 5

The Best of 2017!


It's that time again man feels only like last year that we take a quick look at what was the best of 2017.

Best Movie Non Horror


I still think about this movie yet today and I watched it way back on January 5th. you can read that review here.

Best Short Story


Yep edging out Puppet Master Axis Termination my favorite low budget film studio Full Moon drove home two amazing shows this past year. Now if they would only make more!! Here is a look at Ravenwolf Towers. 

Yeah Why did I like it:


Yeah, it is odd but I did not hate the Emoji Movie so now you know just what kind of blog this is. (Here is the Review)


The movie worth the Revisit


Yep, Rockula from 1990's and it is getting a Blu-Ray release this year! This was the most fun I have had watching a movie in a long long time! (Click Here)


Best Horror Flick I watched this year:


Man, this was a ton of fun sure it came out late 2016 but it was not easy to find! Check out the review here.

Runner-Up...


Sure it was the weakest of the series so far but still a fun trip! (Here)

Best Thing on YouTube


The Midnight Hour blew me away and instantly transported me back to 1985! (Here)

Ok so like I said a few days ago I just did not sit and watch as many movies this past year. Something I hope to change in 2018! So Happy New Year and here is to watching movies and writing about how bad they are.


The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 
2017 | Color | 1Hr 8 Eps | Comedy | TV-MA | Amazon

Creator:
Amy Sherman-Palladino

Stars:
Rachel Brosnahan
Alex Borstein
Tony Shalhoub

In 1958 New York, Midge Maisel's life is on track- husband, kids, and elegant Yom Kippur dinners in their Upper West Side apartment. But when her life takes a surprise turn, she has to quickly decide what else she's good at - and going from housewife to stand-up comic is a wild choice for everyone but her. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).


Oh boy, am in trouble here. See I watched the pilot episode earlier this year (I think) and voted for more, the pilot left me begging Amazon to pick this series up. And over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has this whole 95% fresh thing going on. So I would ask them the Tomatoes did you watch all 8 episodes? Because if you did am pretty sure you would not feel the same way, how do I really feel well read on shall you?

Me around episode 4

Man, the first 3 episodes have it all, love, lost love, heart, soul, and the feeling of being lost all tossed into a blender for a nice smooth no aftertaste kind of show. You really start to feel for the characters and want desperately to see more. And with so many laugh out loud moments this show was turning into a real binge watch. But somehow when episode 4 rolls around I find myself in the same rut as the show. It has become more of the same and the jokes are getting lame. And now the binge-watching me has crawled to a stop for the most part. I started watching in November and just finished before the new year if that tells you something.


My biggest complaint has to be the depression that this show slaps around with a cold fish in hopes for a good laugh. And do you know the main charters have kids? Yeah, we all forget too because they are running around all the time day and night! Is this how it was in the 1950's?  My parents worked all the time too but I remember them being around. Did you leave your kids with your parents all the time? I don't know but for me, this was one of the main plot holes that would take me out of the show, kind of like the squirrel scenario, hey look at me doing stand up.... baby in my arms. Wait baby have not see that child in the last 6 episodes. Ugh



Not all is lost tho I really love the feel of downstate New York and its vibe. The colors and clothes the Jazz it all really draws you into the decade giving a warm fuzzing feeling. And the sweet sounds of Sinatra seem to flow through your speakers trapping you nicely into this world. And by far the best part of Mrs. Maisel is not the star of the show and her sparkly outfits but none other than Chicago born Alex Borstein! Her grit would be the one thing that made me stick around until the end and will be the big reason for checking into season two. She is the glue that holds it all together and really knocks it out of the park.


I seriously wanted to love this show but sadly it did not hold together for me, the backstory sucked the life right out of me making the charters lifeless and cold, I just did not like how that felt. The show really does start out great and looks fantastic and that's why I ask to have the writers for the Tomato site really watch all of it? And as for season two, it better find a way for me to stick with it. I am looking forward to Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein taking home so hardware this award season but not much else. Amazon you really need a hit sadly for me this was not it. Thank god for the Tick earlier this year.


2 Smoking Hot Guns overall

2 smoking hot guns for the story

4 smoking hot guns for the look and feel

4 smoking hot guns for Alex Borstein