In The Theater
#WhiteBoyRickMovie, #ASimpleFavor, and more – Movie Reviews
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White Boy Rick – Review
White Boy Rick – Budget of $29 million – 1 hour and 56 minutes
Rick Sr and his son Rick Jr buy guns in Oklahoma to sell in Detroit. While he can legally sell guns, it’s his homemade silencers that are the real problem. Sr. uses those silencers as an upsell for his guns. Rick Jr takes his dad’s advice and goes to the local auto body shop run by Detroit’s biggest dealer, Jackson, to sell the guns. They buy Rick Jr’s guns but it’s his bravado that wins them over. He is dubbed White Boy Rick and asked to come to the Skate and Roll by Booh (Jackson’s little cousin). Rick goes home with money in his pocket but his family is falling apart. His sister Dawn is a drug addict and is leaving with her drug-dealing boyfriend Ty. And a gun his father sold was used in a murder. Wanting an escape, Rick goes to the Skate and Roll and have fun. But on is way home, three cops ask him to get in a car. They give him money to buy drugs at one of Jackson’s house to help get dirt on Jackson. If he doesn’t help, they will throw his father in jail. Rick agrees and succeeds. A few days later, the cops give him cocaine. They tell him to make crack, get a crew, and sell it. Any money Rick makes, he can keep. They want Rick to get more information about the crew so they can make a better case. But when Rick is shot, he is out of the game for 2 years. But with one major life event, Rick decides to use his new knowledge to become the country’s youngest kingpins.
Based on a true story, it’s hard to believe everything happened in 3 short years. Rick went from being a 14-year-old gun dealer to a 17-year-old drug kingpin. However, when you watch the movie, you have to ask yourself one question: Who gave Ricky his start? The cops, who gave him his first brick of cocaine to sell. His dad, for not stopping his son and insisting Ricky do something different with his life. The system, for not allowing Ricky back in school after he was a victim of a crime. Ricky, for not seeing any other options for himself and his family. Or all of the above. A sad reality this movie points out is having more than 655 grams of cocaine in Detroit offered a stiffer penalty than murder. So, dealers worried more about the weight of drugs they carried than the lives they took. It was this dragnet that caught Ricky in the long run.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
What do you think dad is Ricky – Dawn
I didn’t steal the car. I borrowed it. Someone stole it from me – Ricky
Be a lion – Ricky Sr.
A Simple Favor – Review
A Simple Favor – Budget of $20 million – 1 hour and 57 minutes
Stephanie starts her vlog by saying hello to all her followers. But before she starts her next project, she updates them on her friend Emily’s disappearance. The two met five days ago because Stephanie’s son Miles wanted to have a playdate with Emily’s son Nicky. Emily has them all back at her house. And while the boys play, the two mom’s have martinis and talk. Stephanie reveals she is an English Lit major and homemaking guru. She was widowed when her husband and brother died in the same car accident. Because her husband left a life insurance policy, she can afford to be a single stay-at-home mother until 2020. She likes to keep busy and uses her vlog as an outlet to help other moms. Emily is the Director of Public Relations for a fashion designer. She pursued her husband Sean and got him to marry her in a few months. Sean wrote a successful book but hasn’t written anything in 10 years. Now he is a college professor. While everything looks great on the outside, the couple is house poor and in financial debt. After a few more playdates, the two are at ease with each other. So at ease that Emily asks Stephanie to watch her kid while she takes care of work. The first pick up goes without incident, but the next is different. Emily doesn’t come back, doesn’t answer calls, and doesn’t answer text. Worried, Stephanie calls Sean in London with his sick mother. Sean flies home and agrees that the police need to be called. That was 5 days ago. With a phony plane ticket, a car rental, and $4 million, Stephanie wonders what happened to her friend Emily. Let’s hope Stephanie has some faith.
Based on the novel A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell, this movie is more than a roller coaster ride (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It is the entire theme park. With out-of-this-world twists and turns, it’s hard to keep straight what is really going on. And don’t take Stephanie’s innocent face for a sweet backstory. She has plenty of skeletons in her closet that will make you cringe and want more. These women together are one combustible mix that makes for a unique, fun, and intriguing movie. This is the type of movie that makes you want to read the book. See it now before someone ruins it for you.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Like my mom always said, lies are like margarine. Easy to spread but bad for the heart – Stephanie
The best thing I can do for Nicky is blow my brains out – Emily
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere – Sean
A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. – Review
A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cass’s watching the state by state results for the 2016 election when Frida crosses his path. He takes a moment to talk to her. Frida stopped at a food truck after she couldn’t get into a club. Cass – a club promoter – tells her he “doesn’t do lines”. And if she rolls with him, she won’t have to stand in line. She turns him down and continues to eat. He walks away with his friend and a group of women. After an affirming conversation with his son, Cass’s joined by Frida. She changed her mind and decided to come. Once in the club, the two accidentally kiss. In shock, Frida runs to the bathroom. Cass joins her and they start to make out. But when Cass goes a step too far, she leaves the club. He offers to get her a ride but she brushes him off. Then he turns away only to hear a commotion. Two men are harassing Frida and he fights them off. Cops witnessing this assumes Cass’s the perpetrator and slams him against a wall. Frida screams to the cops that they are attacking the wrong guy. With the 2 men in the wind, the cops leave Frida is awestruck and Cass bloody. Having a guy fight for her instead of fighting her strikes a nerve in Frida. The two will spend the rest of the night talking about their hopes and dreams while the world changes.
Amazingly this movie was shot all in one take. It’s hardly noticeable until the camera has to readjust on the fly or the actors’ head is cut off. But having a play on a street with multiple building, traffic patterns, and actors is a difficult orchestra of planning. Because this is all in one take, you don’t delve too deep into what lead each character to their current positions in life. Just that each was following a dream and now they are stuck. But with the night’s conversation, their dream deferred will be their mission in life. There are moments when your mind will drift as the two are quiet for long periods of time, so be prepared for that. Also, while Cass’s dream is spoken, you won’t get to see it. Only imagine it.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Nobody ever gets what they really want – Frida
I’m just doing my job – Cass
#KINmovie and #AXLMovie – Movie Reviews
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KIN – Review
KIN – Budget of $30 million – 1 hour and 42 minutes
Elijah goes around town finding scraps from abandoned buildings to sell. He is saving for a new pair of shoes. On one of his explorations, Elijah finds dead bodies and a high tech weapon. He gets spooked and runs home. He comes home to his disappointed father Harold. Elijah was suspended for fighting a kid who spoke badly about his deceased mother. Harold tells him if he is not in school he will be doing chores all day. In addition, his brother Jimmy will be coming home after a 6-year bid in jail. Elijah goes back to the abandoned building to clear his head. The bodies are gone but the weapon is still there. He grabs the weapon and it lights up. So he puts the weapon in his bag, sneaks into the house, and hides it under his bed. The next day Harold finds Elijah’s scraps and tells Elijah taking those things is stealing. He wants Elijah to call all the Section 8 housing directors and apologize. When they get Harold’s business to make the phone calls, Harold notices the chain is broken. He tells Elijah to stay in the car until he comes out. Elijah puts on his headphones and waits. A few minutes later Jimmy comes out and tells Elijah their dad is staying because someone broke in and poured concrete everywhere. Harold told Jimmy the two should immediately go on a trip to Lake Tahoe (their mother’s favorite place) and he will meet the two later. Elijah is happy to get away from the chores. In a hurry, Elijah grabs some food, clothes, and his new secret weapon. But Jimmy is hiding a huge secret too. Before he ran to the car, he helped two men (Tyler and Dutch) break into is Harold’s business to steal money he owed them. When Harold tried to stop them, Tyler killed Harold and Jimmy killed Dutch (Tyler’s brother). Jimmy knows Tyler and his crew will come after him and kill him and Elijah. Unknowingly, Elijah is on the run from the police, Tyler, and his crew. Oh and let’s not forget, someone is looking for that weapon.
This movie, produced by Michael B. Jordan, mixes a complex storyline with a sci-fi flair. Elijah is learning what it really means to be a man and the true definition of a family each mile of the road trip. As Jimmy takes him to motels, a strip club, and a poker game, he does it with the intention of keeping Elijah happy. But Jimmy hates himself for keeping their dad’s death a secret. Jimmy is not represented as cold and evil, just irresponsible and lost. While this movie starts with a weapon as the answer to some of his problems, it’s really the key to unlocking the truth. Parents, be forewarned, that this movie does involve strippers. They are clothed but it’s equal to a bikini. While this movie has a strong message about manhood, the strip club scene is 10 minutes long and up to your discretion. But this is a strong movie that deserves a second look and possibly a part 2.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I don’t even know why I listen to you – Elijah
I got a lot of money. I am looking to get drunk. He is looking to get caffeinated. You want to join us – Jimmy
Don’t hide it. It proves you’re a survivor – Milly
You are not a replacement – Harold
Be careful, it’s slippery there – Tyler
A-X-L – Review
A-X-L – Budget of $10 million – 1 hour and 40 minutes
Miles is a motocross racer who feels like he has nothing going for himself. He did poorly in school, has no money, and no sponsors. He feels that racing is all he has. Sam, the competition has money and sponsor. Miles believes if he had those things, he could have made it to nationals by now. So when Sam asks Miles to attends one of his parties, his dad tells him it may be the connection he needs to move up in the racing world. He has fun and gets to meet Sara again. He saw her after a race and kept a picture she drew and threw away. Sara is the daughter of Sam’s housekeeper. While Sara sees Sam is an arrogant, playboy, Sam sees Sara is one of his girls. After losing Sara and a race to Miles, Sam sees him as a threat. So he causes Miles to wipe out on his bike and leaves him in the middle of nowhere with gas. When he tries to start up his bike, he hears banging in a container. Inside the container, he finds a robot dog. The dog chase Miles on his bike until the dog gets impelled by a large pipe. When Miles removes the pipe, the dog sees Miles as a friend and delivers maintenance instructions to his phone. Miles learns the dog’s name is A-X-L (Attack, Exploration, Logistics). Axl was created to replace K9s. It biometrically links with its owner, can carry a slew of payloads, and kills. When the dog is activated, it alerts its owner Craine Systems. When the owner discovers the dog is advancing like never before, he decides Miles will be the first human subject and he will study Axl’s progress. Axl, however, is very volatile and extremely dangerous. Axl snapped once to escape Craine Systems, he will snap again. His new owner Miles may be in danger but will he be able to give Axl up?
This movie is a mix of Transformers, Alpha, and Frankenstein (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It uses Axl’s POV to help the viewer understands how he makes connections between friend and foe using body scans, commands, and hacking. If you blink, you will miss this critical information. Also, in the first 2 minutes, the movie gives a brief explanation of the start of the Axl program. But don’t worry if you miss it, there is a longer recap later. While the tech and human/robot dog relationship is fun to watch, this movie is better suited for adolescents and pre-teens. It’s a good matinee movie for the entire family. Otherwise, wait for Redbox.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
Axl, remember this – Sara
We’re friends, right? Friends don’t bite friends – Miles
Yo, send it – Axl
The #HappytimeMurders – Movie Review
The Happytime Murders – Budget of $40 to 47 million – 1 hour and 31 minutes
P.I. Phil is a disgraced cop who feels he let Puppet-kind down. He was the first puppet to join the LA police force. He hoped it would open the door for other puppets like him. But after a bad shooting leaves an innocent man and his partner shot, the expert marksman was labeled prejudice for not being able to shoot a puppet criminal. After his partner, Connie testified against him, Phil drinks to cope and his only friends are his secretary Bubbles and his brother Larry. Sandra Jakoby walks into Phil’s office to investigate a threatening letter. Phil recognizes one of the note’s magazine cutout letters as a porn magazine. When he goes to a porn shop to double check his knowledge, the movies playing in the background drowns out the sound of several puppets being murdered by a lone gunman. Connie is the first on the scene to investigate. Phil and Connie are at each others’ throats. But when Larry is murdered by several dogs ripping him apart, Phil knows the killer is going for puppets on the Happytime Gang TV show. It was the first TV show with a predominantly puppet cast that included Larry. They must find the murderer before every cast member is dead.
First things first. THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR KIDS. THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR KIDS. This raunchy and dark tale of puppet life off camera is a good laugh for those who enjoy this type of humor. So if you were not a fan of Sausage Party, it would be best for you to skip this movie. It discusses prejudice, porn, and an 8-arm reach around in a way you have never seen before. Also, Melissa McCarthy is in her element with these puppets. You get a true sense that these puppets are alive and having real-world problems. As the Happytime Gang is killed off one by one, you try to solve the crime along with Phil and Connie.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
You don’t have to sing and dance for the man anymore – Phil
Clean up on aisle Phil – Sandra
One day your gonna slip up Frank. And I’m gonna be there. I’m gonna take you down with extreme prejudice – Connie
#Mile22, #CrazyRichAsians, and more – Movie Reviews
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Mile 22 – Review
Mile 22 – Budget of $35 million – 1 hour and 34 minutes
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Sixteen months ago, black operatives stormed a home looking for cesium while being overseen by Overwatch. They killed everyone inside and got away without being seen. Now, Jimmy is furious because his partner Alice got bad intel. There was more cesium than they were told. He knows this because of an officer named Li Noor. Li crashed into someone on purpose in front of the U.S. Embassy. And to make matters worse, Li was Alice’s asset for the first mission. He has a disc containing the location of the last cesium. And this disc is slowly removing its information with every passing second. Li wants safe passage out of the country and he will give Jimmy the code to unlock the disc and save the data. The airstrip is 22 miles away from their current location. With Overwatch monitoring from the sky, this seems like an easy trip. But this trip will leave a scar on Jimmy that can never be healed.
So much action packed into one movie is just not possible. But Mile 22 finds a way to get it done and get it done right. Mile 22 doesn’t waste time with holier than thou good guys or over the top evil bad guys. It makes every person human and with a purpose. You will not only hear but you will feel each death blow and get a strong sense of this teams connection. Even as they leave members behind to fight to the death, it is done with a moment of sadness. But the mission must continue. This movie can only be appreciated on the big screen so you can see each move through smoke and fire. See it today and look forward to a part 2.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I just wasted 10 minutes coming back for you – Jimmy
Don’t. I’m a mother – Alice
Stop monologuing – Mother
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Crazy Rich Asians – Review
Crazy Rich Asians – Budget of $30 million – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Economics professor Rachel Chu is completely in love with her boyfriend Nick Young. Nick’s best friend Collin is getting married in Singapore and Nick is a groomsman. Nick wants Rachel to come as his date to the wedding and take this chance to meet his family. While sitting in a restaurant discussing the trip, Nick is spotted by 2 women who use social media to alert the world of his relationship. In seconds, his mother Eleanor gets wind of Rachel and Nick’s relationship. She warns Nick not to bring her but Nick defies her. On their way to Singapore, Rachel learns that Nick’s family is uber rich. Now, she not only has to worry about thumbing her knows at traditional culture but walking the line of rich etiquette. Both worlds make her feel like an outsider. Is Rachel’s love for Nick stronger than Eleanor discontent for her?
Based on the Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy by Kevin Kwan, the power of money is on full display but the Young family does it with so much style and class you want to be one of them (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). That is until Nick gives you an overview of his whole family. You see that money, while it has been extremely helpful, it has become a leash around their necks. While Rachel is seeing this all first hand, she is making a careful decision about her possible function in this family. As bitter exes, overbearing mothers, and gossipers try to put a wedge between Rachel and Nick, you will laugh each step of the way. But Rachel has her best friend Goh Peik Lin and her family by her side to help. Just when you believe the two have found their “happily ever after”, this movie does what no other does, it extends the story beyond what you know as “the end”. It’s not just a cultural phenomenon but a unique twist to the Cinderella love story. Except, Rachel is the one to be feared not rescued. See it today.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Of course. I’m not an animal – Goh Peik Lin
Do get a mop. The floor is wet – Eleanor
You dealt with it – Nick
Family never says thank you – Grandma
It’s not my job to make you feel like a man – Astrid
I buried it. It was disgusting – Rachel
Alpha – Review
Alpha – Budget of $55 – 80 million – 1 hour and 36 minutes
Keda has just passed is the spear-making test and can now join the seasonal hunt for bison. He and his tribe must travel the sacred path to the bison in order to keep their tribe alive. Keda’s father, the Chief believes this will make him stronger. He knows Keda is smart but worry he does not command the strength and killing instincts to be the Chief. Traveling to the hunt is long, painful, and dangerous, so the women, including Keda’s mother, are extremely worried about their safe return. When the hunters find their prey, they prepare by hunkering down. They strike and lead some of the animals to their death by having them jump off a cliff. But one turns around and comes straight for Keda. Keda is thrown off a cliff and onto a ledge. The Chief tries to save him but his men stop him because Keda is too far down. They believe Keda is dead, leave burial markers, and return home. Keda wakes up on the ledge after a buzzard tries to eat him. He is on a ledge, with a broken leg, and all alone. But not for long. He will meet a wolf and take mercy on it. This chance meeting will forge the “first” relationship between man and dog.
You will quietly chuckle as you see the “first” game of tug & war and fetch played between Keda and Alpha. The layer of trust isn’t given instantly between the two. It is earned over several days and nights while Keda and Alpha are healing and hiding from a pack of hyenas. However, with the touching storyline, it is the cinematography of each scene that will leave you awestruck. A director has not used light and scenery like this since The Revenant (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). IMAX was made for movies like this. See it matinee today but be prepared for lots of subtitles.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Pain will journey with us – Tau
He leads with his heart not with his spear – Mom
I will keep you alive – Keda
#BlacKkKlansman – Movie Review
BlacKkKlansman – Budget of $15 million – 2 hours and 15 minutes
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Click on a vendor to purchase: Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes, Vudu, and Walmart (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)
Colorado Spring Police Department is looking to integrate their police force. Rookie Ron Stallworth applies for the job. After a tough and intrusive interview, Ron is hired to work in the records room. It’s not long before Ron wants more. He wants to go undercover and lead an investigation. At first, the chief declines Ron’s offer. When he hears, Kwame Ture is in town, he believes Ron is perfect for the job. Ron’s first assignment is to go to the Black Student Union wearing a wire. If he tries to “rile up” the students, the police will arrest Kwame. After the investigation, Kwame is considered to be non-threatening. And the mission is a success. The next day, Ron reads the paper and see an ad for the Ku Klux Klan. Ron calls and leaves a message. Within seconds, “The Organization” calls him back to set up a meeting. Now Ron only has one problem. He’s black. He has to work with a white officer to meet with them face to face. Phillip “Flip” Zimmerman is the best choice. Only two problems. First, Flip is Jewish. Second, he sounds nothing like Ron. This investigation into the KKK will leave Ron and the Colorado Springs Police Department in awe of the reach of the Klan.
Even today, it’s hard to believe this story is real. Based on Being Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth, this movie is careful not to portray all whites as the enemy (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It clearly defines the line between good cops, bad cops, and the Klan. And hearing the same rhetoric being using today is sickening but necessary. However, when you hear Harry Belafonte tell the story of Jesse, you will see how far we have come as a country (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). But when you realize David Duke’s plan of having a parasite slowly grow within the government has worked, you realize how far we have to go. The need for growth is proven deeper of clips from recent events and a loving tribute to Heather Heyer. The only improvement is the real images of the real officers and their current positions in life. See this movie today and discuss.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Did I just hear you give your real name – Flip
Your father sounds like a great man – David Duke
Hell no, we won’t go – Kwame Ture
Coming from a black man, that’s pretty naive. Why don’t you wake up -Sergeant Trapp
I’m a cop – Ron Stallworth
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#DogDays – Movie Review
Dog Days – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 53 minutes
People love their dogs. And on the hottest days in Los Angelos, the dog days of summer, several peoples’ lives will be intertwined all because of their dogs. Tara is a barista who feels she is putting her marketing degree to waste. She has a crush on the local vet Dr. Mike but is too nervous to approach him. But after she finds a dog hiding behind the coffee shop’s trash can, she uses it to get to know Dr. Mike better. Walter is a widower and a retired English teacher. His dog is his only connection to his wife. But his dog runs away after Walter has a heart attack. He will search to the ends of the earth to get his dog back. Dax skates through life until his sister goes into labor with twins. She asks, well demands that Dax takes care of her dog. Dax barely takes care of himself so he is extremely hesitant about taking care of a dog in his “no pets” building. Finally, Grace and Greg are getting the child they have always wanted. Grace does have concerns because Amelia is not a baby. She is quiet and shy until she finds a dog in the park. Elizabeth works for Wake Up LA. After catching her dog with another woman’s bra inside its mouth, she is single again. With so many more stories, it’s only fair that everyone will run into each other and grow. All because of their dogs.
This feel-good comedy is for the “12 and up” crowd. You will fall in love with each dog as they warm their owners’ hearts. There are moments that will cause you to laugh out loud, be in complete shock, and get misty-eyed. And with so many characters, like New Year’s Eve and Mother’s Day, you may be concerned about losing track of each storyline. But don’t worry at all. Since this movie is over the course of months, it has the same precision as a soap opera and with some of the juicy drama. If you don’t own a dog, you may start looking after this movie. And the credits are funny too. However, don’t be late for this movie. If you miss the first 5 minutes, you will miss everything.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I thought you were a giant beige rat – Tara
What if I’m not good at it, being a mom – Grace
I’m plenty loose – Elizabeth
Sorry, but this is not my dog – Walter
How do you like it – Dax
#SpyWhoDumpedMe and #TheDarkestMinds – Movie Reviews
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The Spy Who Dumped Me – Review
The Spy Who Dumped Me – Budget of $40 million – 1 hour and 57 minutes
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Click on a vendor to purchase: Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes, Target, and Vudu (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)
Audrey has 2 highlights in her life. Her best friend Morgan and her favorite arcade game. She looks to both of them because her boyfriend Drew broke up with her in a text message. And to make matters worse, he won’t text back to get his stuff. So, Morgan grabs her phone and text Drew. She texts him that she will be setting is stuff ablaze. Drew calls Audrey back and begs her to stop burning his things. While at work, Audrey is approached by Sebastian, who asks her to walk him to his car. She agrees to be nice but he pushes her into a van. They explain that Drew is CIA and they need her help to find him. She promises to keep in touch and gets out of the van. The next day, Morgan is having fun with her latest conquest and Audrey is getting ready for work when Drew comes through their window. He tells Audrey to hold on to his trophy. And if he doesn’t make it, she must meet Verne in Cafe S in Vienna at 11 am tomorrow and give Verne is 2nd place fantasy football trophy. If she doesn’t do it, a lot of people will die. Seconds later, Drew is killed. With a slight nudge, Morgan convinces Audrey to keep her promise and finish Drew’s mission.
With an out-of-the-world plot, this movie is funnier and more action pack than the trailer would allow you to believe. And no, you haven’t seen the best parts in the trailers. This will make you laugh out loud and cringe. Also, you will do both at the same time. It provides a lot of intricate twist in the plot but it isn’t anything new. You can see the big reveal coming. The biggest joy of this movie is seeing the two main characters ab-lib the funniest dialogue. They constantly feeding off each other, upping the ante each time. While it does have a love story, the sisterhood story between Audrey and Morgan is much stronger. See this one matinee and bring your best friend.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I’m normal – Audrey
I have so much respect for you that it full circled to objectifying – Morgan
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The Darkest Minds – Review
The Darkest Minds – Budget of $34 million – 1 hour and 45 minutes
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Click on a vendor to purchase: Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes, Target, Vudu, and Walmart (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer)
On a typical school day, Ruby sat with her friends at lunch, laughed, and talked. Then, her friend dropped dead in front of her. By the end of the month, half of her class was dead. Soon, 98% of the children in the US would die of IAAN (Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration). The remaining children would be left with powers. The government has asked all the parents to turn their children over to be cured. President Gray was able to cure his son, so he believes all the children can be cured. Ruby knows her parents are worried about her being taken away. So, on her birthday night, she tiptoes into their bedroom and promises she won’t let anyone else take her away from them. When she touches her mother’s arm, she gets the first sense of her powers by erasing her parent’s memory of her. The next morning Ruby’s mother doesn’t recognize her and calls the government to take her. The government takes her to a concentration camp where the kids are separated by their “Danger Level” color. Greens are the smartest. Blues can move objects with their minds. Golds can control electricity. These are the safest colors. Oranges and Reds are the most dangerous and should be killed on sight. Ruby takes the test and she is an orange. But before she can be killed, she touches the doctor and changes his mind. The doctor makes her diagnosis a Green. This camp will be her home for the next 6 years. Until Ruby is discovered as an Orange and must escape. With the help of Dr. Cate Connor, Ruby gets out of the camp. However, when Cate makes a stop to meet up with her partner Rob with the Children’s League, Ruby gets a bad vibe from touching him and runs off. She hides in Liam (Blue) and Chubs (Green) van with the help of Zu (Gold). They are looking for a rumored oasis for kids like them. They believe they will finally be safe there.
Based on The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken, this movie is The Fifth Wave meets X-Men (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). With bounty hunters, doctors, and even their parents turning on them, it’s hard to understand who to trust. Now fans of the book series, understand this movie won’t fall in line perfectly but it’s still a good movie. This movie ends on a cliffhanger because it’s the set up for the next movie. So don’t be surprised if you feel like the movie didn’t have a true ending. While the major plotline and the subplot aren’t original, it provides some laughs and heartfelt moments. This is a great matinee for teens over the summer. However, everyone else can wait for Redbox.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
I kinda like myself the way I am – Ruby
What did I tell you about picking up strays – Liam
It’s Charles to you – Chubs
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