Rocketman – Review

Rocketman – Budget of $40 million – 2 hours and 1 minute

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
	Exclusive		Exclusive
Digital
			$3 Pre-order Credit

Elton John sits in a room, in full costume, surrounded by people and gives them his name, his addictions, and his life story – starting with his real name Reginald.  At the age of 5, his father Stanley was a cold, hard man who was only a father in the technical sense.  His mother Sheila loathed Stanley and considered Reginald to be a bother.  She was only a mother in the technical sense.  Reginald’s only beacon was his grandmother Ivy.  She gave him praise and acknowledged his presence.  One day, Reginald sits at the piano and plays what he hears on the radio.  Ivy believes he should get lessons and make a go of it.  A few years later, his teacher wants him to enroll in the Royal Academy of Music on scholarship.  Quickly, he impresses his instructor with his memory and tone.  But she works on his poise and presence.  Soon, Reggie is playing in clubs with his band Bluesology.  The group is asked to perform as background musicians for American Soul artist touring London.  Reggie changes his name to Elton Dean (a band member’s name who tells Reggie to piss off) and meets Ray Williams.  Ray loves Elton’s ability to play and ask Elton his name.  Elton looks at the Beatles’ picture on the wall and says his name is Elton John.  Ray goes through his envelope of songs and hands him songs written by Bernie.  Elton and Bernie meet face to face and realize the magic between them is real.  They create a musical duo that will bless the world with music for generations to come.  We just pray the rock-n-roll lifestyle doesn’t kill Elton and their friendship in the long run.

Rocketman is a musical that is too big for any stage.  The storytelling comes full circle and lets you into the vulnerable side of Elton John.  He wanted to be loved but when he couldn’t get it, he had to find a way to cope without it.  His coping mechanisms were drugs, alcohol, and sex.  Elton made the mistake of falling in love with a man who was as cold and abusive as his father.  As Elton sat in the room and peeled off the layers of himself, he took off his costume.  He was finally healing.  In the end, he stands in the room and makes amends to everyone … including himself.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Get out of there and play you little twat – Doug

Well for God’s sake, I know that. I have known that for years – Sheila

Don’t sign it to me. Sign it to Arthur – Stanley

No, not to me – Bernie

My name is Elton Hercules John. I am an alcoholic, a cocaine addict, a sex addict, bulimic, and a shopping addict – Elton

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
	Exclusive		Exclusive
Digital
			$3 Pre-order Credit

Top of this Post

Ma – Review

Ma – Budget of $5 million – 1 hour and 40 minutes

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
Digital

Maggie and her mother Erica move back to Erica’s hometown in the middle of the school year.  Haley introduces herself aggressively to Maggie and invites her to Stephanie’s party.  Maggie has no intentions of going but gets bored being at home alone.  Haley, Andy, Chaz, and Darrell pick Maggie up in Andy’s van.  Stephanie’s mom canceled the party so they want to get beers and hang out at the Rockpile.  They take turns in front of the liquor store asking adults to buy them alcohol.  On Maggie’s turn, she, like the others, have no success.  Until she approaches Sue Ann.  Sue, a veterinary technician, says no but something about Andy catches her eye.  She changes her mind and gets alcohol.  She makes them promise not to drive drunk and they head to the Rockpile.  Later, Sue Ann provides them alcohol at her job but chooses to hand it off at a secret location.  She takes the kids to her house and offers them the basement to party.  She only has a few rules:

1. Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain
2. Don’t spit on the floor
3. Don’t go upstairs
4. They have to check with her before they leave so she knows they aren’t driving drunk

The kids love it and she even provides snacks.  Darrell nicknames her Ma.  Soon, the word of Ma’s house spreads like wildfire to other’s schools and Ma’s house is packed.  Maggie enjoys the party life but she believes something is a little off with Ma.  During a party, the bathroom is occupied so Maggie and Haley go upstairs.  Maggie acts as the lookout and hears mom berating someone upstairs.  She goes into the bathroom and tells Haley they need to leave.  They exit the bathroom and Ma slams Maggie into a wall.  The girls run into the basement and out the basement doors.  The next morning, Ma has texted the girls dozens of times. Haley tells Maggie to block Ma but goes one step further.  Haley puts a message on Instagram for everyone to stay away from Ma’s because she is a crazy old lady.  Unbeknownst to anyone, Ma sees this message.  She will lie, drug, and steal to get the party back at her house so she can carry out her ultimate plan for revenge.

While this movie has some cringe-worthy moments, it doesn’t supply jump-scares.  Ma’s need for revenge is given over time.  But it’s hard to understand why she waited so long to do it.  While Ma’s story is complete, Genie’s is not.  You can only speculate what happened to her and what will happen to her.  Honestly, the best part about this movie is the backing track.  A mix of 70’s classics like Kung Fu Fighting will have you singing in the theaters (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  If you like to yell at the screen and laugh at dumb people falling for Ma’s antics, this is the movie for you.  Otherwise, wait for Vudu.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

You can smoke as much as you want until your 25. Quit and nothing will happen to you – Haley

Don’t tell – Ma

I love you – Andy

I don’t drink – Maggie

If you two have a baby, name it Chaz – Chaz

You’re a lifesaver – Genie

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
Digital

Top of this Post

Godzilla: King of the Monsters – Review

Godzilla: King of the Monsters – Budget of $170 – 200 million – 2 hours and 12 minutes

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
	Exclusive
Digital

Madison reads her father’s emails and wonders if she should respond.   It’s been three years since they spoke.  Mark turned to alcohol after her brother died in the 2014 attacks.  In addition, Madison is starting to worry about her mother Emma.  Emma is working on ORCA.  It scans an organism for bioacoustics and replicates the sound of an alpha.  If the sound is correct, they can control any animal.  Meanwhile, in DC, Monarch is being questioned by a Senate committee.  Monarch refuses to tell DC how many Titans are in hibernation.  This secrecy leads DC officials to demand Monarch fall under DOD control.  Dr. Ishirō and Dr. Ilene believe this is detrimental to their progress.  Dr. Ishirō thinks some of the Titans are good and can help humans.  Unfortunately, he will find out.  When Mothra hatches, Emma calms her with ORCA.  Eco-terrorists, lead by Alan, take over the building and kidnap Emma, Madison, and ORCA.  They fly the three to Antartica and take out the guards protecting Rodan.  Alan wants Emma to use ORCA to wake up Rodan to bring balance to the world.  When Monarch learns Emma and ORCA have been kidnapped, they call Mark to help.  He is able to locate his family and attempt to save them.  An ultimate betrayal will force Mark to kill, revive, and team up with a perceived enemy.

Sequel to Godzilla, the CGI in the movie is second to none (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  However, the CGI doesn’t make up for the average plot.  This movie effectively carries out one twist but every other twist is foreshadowed.  It feels like the writers didn’t know if this should be an action movie, alien movie, monster movie, or an environmental PSA.  Original Godzilla fans will see the monsters they love in magnificent form and will consider this version a cult classic.  Others will be bored.  For fans of the original, see it in the biggest screen possible.  Everyone else, wait for Vudu.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

You’re a monster – Madison

It shouldn’t even exist – Mark

Run – Emma

If I had you two for parents, I would run away from home too – Jackson

She had nothing to do with this – Alan

Emma and I believe some of them are benevolent – Dr. Ishirō

In my culture, these creatures are revered – Dr. Ilene

Click on a vendor to purchase (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)

Blu-rayTM
	Exclusive
Digital

Top of this Post