The past few weeks have been either feast or famine at the movies. There have been huge blockbusters and there have been some movies that have simply come and gone without a whimper.
Let’s get you caught up on what’s out there right now.
Jurassic World:Fallen Kingdom
Well it is making money hand over claw, but its a shame this is not a better movie. This 5th installment of the 25 year old series is a far cry from the masterpiece that was the original. In fairness, you do get all the dinosaurs you could possibly want as there is not a shortage of action sequences. Trouble is, that’s about all e get.
This movie is the poster child for movies made for a attention shortened audience. It moves from one action scene to another leaving story holes and character development in the dust. This movie also feels kind of bad. There is not real awe, or joy in seeing this. It’s dark, agenda laden, and just not the fun experience it should be.
This is not summer escapism. This is very intense at times and some of this may be a bit too much for the too young. Is this a bad day at the movies? No. But this franchise is a beacon for one that has run its course. But there will be more.
Jurassic World 2 – Getting tired.
Oceans 8
The trend continues this week, where there was far more thought put into who would be in this movie, than what they would say in it. Oceans 8 boasts a huge cast, and that is supposed to carry the day. And it did to the tune of a 41 million dollar opening weekend. too bad the budget was 150 million for this.
This is a disturbing trend right now in Hollywood. Big casts, and projects, and terrible scripts. This is not a bad day at the movies, but this should have been way better. There also may be some “Oceans” fatigue too, but this is simply falling short.
Anne Hathaway is really great here, as she did a lot with the little that was given to her, but she can’t make this great. This will have to settle for average.
Adrift
A young couple gets on a sailboat and heads out on a long voyage and it all goes wrong. There is the good and the ad here. Good – based on a real event, and there is a nice depiction of a very strong woman, who is bound and determined to survive. Bad – predictable from the first frame.
Good example of a movie that fans are going to love far more than critics. Also, her character is very well developed, but Shailene Woodley is not very likable to me. This is not a bad day at the movies, just a predictable one.
Book Club
Great cast, seemingly a great idea, with a script that should have been walked ceremoniously to the dumpster and tossed out. A group of older women are introduced to the 50 Shades series in their book club.
And let the unending amount of sex jokes begin, and begin, and begin. Hey, there are certainly worse movies out there, but this could have been a lot funnier, with a more creative script.
scott@wqmx.com