Atlanta Content Creator Inspiring [life] style

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Movie Reviews: See or Skip

If you've read any of my book review posts, then you might remember that I read Ready Player One back in 2016, so it was certainly my most anticipated movie to see on this list. You can read my review of that book (and a few others) in this Summer Reading List post. Here are a few movies that I've watched this year -- some were good and some were a total disappointment (I'm talking to you, A Wrinkle in Time). Let me know if you've seen any of these!

MOVIES TO SEE

Ready Player One // Released 3.29 // In 2045, many people live their lives online in the Oasis, a place created by James Halliday (think Steve Jobs) where you can choose an avatar and be and do whatever you want. When Halliday dies, he creates a scavenger hunt where the winner of the hunt will inherit his ownership in the company, which is worth trillions. // Wade Watts and his friends spend time in the Oasis trying to solve Halliday's scavenger hunt. In order to solve it, you have to have a deep knowledge of Halliday and a strong appreciation of the things that he was into, including John Hughes movies, 1980s video games and bands like A-Ha. Wade doesn't just want to win for the money, but also to keep ownership of the company out of the hands of the IOI, a corporation that would ruin the Oasis. As I've mentioned above, I read this book a couple years ago and it became a complete favorite. I had high hopes for this film, especially since it's directed by Steven Spielberg. And although it was a fun movie that was able to visually showcase the real life characters along with their futuristic video avatars -- and included a ton of nostalgic music -- it just didn't live up to the book. But I won't knock it too much for that because it's super hard for any movie to live up to any book, especially when the book is as good as this one. Rating: 

Black Panther // Released 2.16 // So many people have already reviewed this movie. If you don't know how well it did at the box office then you've been living in Kazakhstan. Actually, people there probably have seen this movie, too. Black Panther is a typical Marvel comic book movie, but it features its superhero characters in different ways than the other movies. It does a great job at providing a background, character development, and even makes you relate to the antagonist. Yes, it also has a significant and noteworthy impact on black culture. But aside from that, it's just a good movie from start to finish. And now I have three new awesome characters I can dress up as this Halloween: Nakia, Okoye or Shuri. Which one would you pick? Rating: 

Isle of Dogs // Released 3.23 // A stop-motion film by Wes Anderson, Isle of Dogs tells the story of a boy who goes in search of his dog Spots after all dogs have been sent from Japan to neighboring Trash island due to an outbreak of canine flu. // The main story itself isn't entirely intriguing or well thought out, but everything else about the movie makes the film work. Dogs are voiced by Wes Anderson favorites like Edward Norton and Bill Murray along with the voices of Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson and more. The best moments are the interactions among the exiled dogs and the connection between the boy and one of the dogs that help him search for Spots. If you're into the typical Wes Anderson quirk, look and feel (think The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums and my favorite, Moonrise Kingdom), then you'll love this one as well. Rating: 

MOVIES TO SKIP


A Wrinkle in Time // Released 3.9 // A scientist gets lost somewhere in the universe, and his daughter goes to find him with the help of three mysterious women // Honestly, I don't really want to say too much on this movie. It's not worth it. I read the book A Wrinkle in Time when I was a kid, so I really wanted to see it even though it was technically a kid's movie. But I don't think a kid would have liked this film. It was utterly terrible. The last movie that I saw in theaters that was this flat, dry and bad was Cosmopolis in 2012. Gar-bage! The only redeeming factor was the imagery. Ava DuVernay -- I love 13th and Selma and Queen Sugar, but this one was the pits. And this article about the movie is actually hilarious! Rating: 

Annihilation // Released 2.23 // An ex-army scientist enters a mysterious quarantined zone after her husband comes back from the same place in a coma // I wasn't sure I wanted to see this movie in theaters, but then I saw that the critics on Rotten Tomatoes scored it nicely so I saw it. I was disappointed. I honestly couldn't stop comparing it to Arrival. I loved that Annihilation had a female cast, a sci-fi story line and beautiful imagery. But I didn't like how some of the women were portrayed (scientists not acting like scientists), and I really just thought the ending didn't make any sense. It was written in a way that was meant to leave you confused. I did watch Arrival again on Hulu and it was amazing. So I'm just going to call Annihilation the poor man's Arrival. Rating: 

The Maze Runner: The Death Cure // Released 1.26 // Thomas and the crew try to rescue Minho from WKCD, and Teresa tries to figure out what side she's on // There are three reasons why I watched this movie. One: I had read the first book and had seen the previous two films. Two: I'm a Dylan O'Brien fan. Three: I have MoviePass and needed to see a movie so that my pass would pay for itself. I should have written this review months ago because at this point, I don't really remember the movie much. I do remember that I liked The Maze Runner: The Death Cure better than the second film, but that it should have ended about four times before it actually did. Rating: 


I also saw Pacific Rim: Uprising but I wasn't sure if I wanted to put it under "see" or "skip" so I left it out, lol. Other movies I plan to watch this month: Love, Simon // A Quiet Place (seeing Thursday) // Avengers: Infinity War
SHARE:

32 comments

  1. Only saw Black Panther but I do want to see the new Avengers movie too.

    xo
    Pinksole

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah...heard about A Wrinkle in Time:( I wanted to take the kiddos to see this, but I decided to just skip it. And you can't really go wrong dressing up as any one of the three Black Panther ladies:D
    PS Thanks for the Annihilation review! I've been dying to see that coz of Natalie, but Imma just gonna wait when it's available for streaming. And can't wait for Avengers Infinity War! Woo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh...did you see the new Lara Croft? I'm curious about that one coz I loved the original movies with Angelina.

      Delete
    2. I actually did not see the new Lara Croft. It didn't look like it would be good. But I will most likely rent it at home. I did think Alicia Vikander looked pretty ripped though.

      Delete
  3. "Black Panther" was pretty amazing for all the reasons you listed above. I surprise myself for liking these Marvel movies and want to see the "Infinity War" as well.
    I'm so sad that "A Wrinkle in Time" was poorly received but may see it anyway on Netflix or whatever.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never seen any of these movies, but I may just have to now! Thanks for sharing your movie reviews, always love these kind of blog posts!

    xo, lydia

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always love your movie/ tv show suggestions! Totally adding a few of these to my list, I haven't seen any of them!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have seen so many mixed reviews about A Wrinkle in Time. It's interesting to read everyone's take. I actually enjoyed it! I thought there were a lot of great message throughout the movie, and I almost felt like a kid again watching.

    Black Panther was EVERYTHING! I was nervous that it wouldn't live up to the hype, but I'm glad to see it did. It actually exceeded my expectations. The soundtrack has been on heavy rotation from the time I left the theater, lol!

    Great recaps! I may check out some of the others you mentioned.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't wait to see Black Panther. Thank you for the review! Very helpful!

    Stacy

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have had the Black Panther on my movie list forever! I really love the Marvel movies and I can't wait to see Infinity War. I really thought the A Wrinkle in Time would've been better. I may see it when it comes on cable.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't watched all the movies you mentioned.Thanks for all the recommendations! I'd love to watch Black Panther.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i haven't really taken a look at the reviews of a wrinkle in time out there, but i was actually expecting it to be great and now i'm a little hesitant to actually watch it in the cinema. :(

    but yesss for the isle of dogs and black panther! :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing these reviews! I am really excited to see Ready Player One. I want to read the book first though! And I've already seen Black Panther several times. One of my favorite Marvel movies EVER!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Black panther is def a great movie and a must see for the theater!

    xoxo
    Sarah Lindner
    www.thehouseofsequins.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm not typically a movie goer, but I can't wait to see Black Panther

    ReplyDelete
  14. Black Panther was amazing! Ready Player One is one of my husband's favorite books and he's trying to decide if he wants to watch the movie. good to get your take on it since it was one of your faves as well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the heads up ... I wasn't planning on watching any of the movies on your skip list :D I haven't watched a movie since Black Panther ... haven't had the time or interest in anything.

    ❥ tanvii.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow I'm so shocked about A Wrinkle in Time. I don't go to the movies that much but I was highly considering it since I read it as a kid. There was so much hype on this movie!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I thought about watching "A Wrinkle in Time", but I'm going to pass now! Thanks for the review!!

    Kileen
    cute & little

    ReplyDelete
  18. I’ve only seen Black Panther and loved it! Did want to see A Wrinkle In Time but now I’m not so sure. Thanks for the reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good choice of movies to be seen.
    And those to be skipped - thankfully I have not seen them.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have still yet to see Black Panther... can you believe it lol, I HAVE to watch it asap, have a awesome Thursday :) xx

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have heard SO many good things about Black Panther...I need to see it asap!

    xoxo,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  22. Black Panther was SO. DAMN. GOOD. I love that it's shattering allllll the records!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    ReplyDelete
  23. i always love the maze runner series
    i love most of your picks

    Much Love,
    Jane | The Bandwagon Chic

    ReplyDelete
  24. Black Panther is awesome! When I saw A Wrinkle in Time, I kept asking myself what kid would want to sit and watch that?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Poor Oprah. Can't catch a break! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I saw Blockers this weekend and it was pretty funny- you should check it out!

    xo, Kristina

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have not been to the movies in so long! Thank you for writing these reviews because I was kind of excited to see A Wrinkle In Time but now I don't know if I will waste my time!

    xoxo, Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  28. Black Panther is amazing, not just the movie, but their OST. I'm looking forward to see The Maze Runner and Ready Player One real soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these movies dear!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I still have not seen Black Panther, but I want too! As for "A Wrinkle In Time", I haven't seen that one either but have heard nothing but bad stuff so I won't be seeing it. Have you seen "I Can Only Imagine"? That, along with "The Greatest Showman" were my two favorite films this year so far.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never seen that first one, but I did see Greatest Showman. Thought it was pretty good. Loved the main song, too.

      Delete

♥ Thank you all for leaving your comments! ♥ Remember to find inspiration in everything! ♥

Blogger Template Created by pipdig