Yellowstone

On Paramount Network if you have it - if you don't you can buy the app. Executive producer and actor, Kevin Costner (Open Range) is a commissioner for a collective of cattle ranchers. They are having clashes with the native tribes in the area and a developer. Not only that but after just the first two episodes one knows there is a lot of family issues going on underneath it all. The writing is excellent, the scenery is amazing, and it appears most everyone is doing their own stunts. Wes Bently (Hunger Games), Cole Hauser (Good Will Hunting), and Luke Grimes (American Sniper) all star along with a much longer list of recognizable stars. I'm hooked - some of the lines are priceless. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Sicario: The Day of the Soldado

Sicario is an assassin - a hitman - and this is the sequel. Benecio Del Toro (Usual Suspects) is asked again by Josh Brolin (Avengers) to help him run an off the books mission for the government. This time however both men have gotten older and the victim in this is a 16 year old girl. Suspecting terrorists are being helped over the US border by Mexican cartels the government wants to start the cartels fighting with each other. Turns out like many things the CIA believes it isn't 100% true. It's also not so simple as kidnapping the daughter of one cartel leader to get all the others to fight one another. A sub-plot in this...how one becomes a soldier for the cartels or how one starts on the path to becoming a sicario. It is as dark and scary as the original -okay maybe not as scary. It's rough, but I think it's something people need to see because I absolutely believe it to be based on reality. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Tag

You've seen the previews so you know a group of guys spend one month a year tracking each other down and trying to tag one another. This movie adaption focuses on 5 guys - 4 of which want to tag the only guy to never have been tagged - Jeremy Renner (Avengers). He felt a little off to me in this movie. It has some funny parts, and several scenes that go too far. It's not usually my cup of tea, but I was curious. Ed Helms (Office) and his wife Isla Fisher (Rango) convince the other three friends to go to Renner's wedding to Tag him. Jon Hamm (Baby Driver) and Rashida Jones (Office) also star among many others. All in all, I say: WATCH IT on tv when it comes to TBS or the CW or something.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Same main characters as the last one. This time the 2 of them are duped into helping a wealthy man move some dinosaurs from the park to another location. The park is being destroyed by a volcano - very sad part there. Really the man responsible wants to sell the animals and their DNA to horrible people around the world. It's kind of an escape, prevent evil, and save the planet all at once kind of thing. They really only manage to do one of those things - escape. They kind of make the other 2 things impossible. It's not exactly a happy ending kind of situation. The movie stops- leaving us to imagine - what will happen to millions of humans now that dinosaurs are being used by criminals and are wandering the world? All in all, I say: SEE IT - for the action, a couple of fun one-liners, and seeing people being eaten.

The Storyteller

It's three stories in one kind of thing with each chapter being a different character. One story is a fictional story about the Polish version of a vampire. One story is modern day of a young woman determined to be a hermit and how along with the help from a investigator from DC she uncovers a Nazi. The last story is that of the main characters grandmother and her life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Baking is a common thread through-out. The descriptions are amazing - the research Jodi Picoult did would have taken years I would think. To have each story sort connect to the other two to reveal deeper and deeper layers was amazing. All three are almost metaphors or allegories for the others. The characters are all so rich. All in all, I say: READ IT - or rather listen to it on a long road trip like I did.

C.B. Strike

Based on a novel by JK Rowling and showing on Cinemax in the US. CB Strike is a former soldier turned PI. It only has 3 seasons - each one only 2-3 episodes long. He is a very complex and likable main character. The mysteries are decent and not very predictable. It's a who's who of British TV stars. I am hooked and disappointed I only have a few more to go. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Love, Simon

Nick Robinson (Everything, Everything) is a gay teen who hasn't come out to anyone except an anonymous person online. He does a good job as always being a mix between serious and funny. Jennifer Garner (Alias) and Josh Duhmel (Safe Haven) play his parents who are also great characters. It is filmed in GA, so watch for recognizable streets and shops. What does coming out look like this day in age? It's a cute movie. All in all, I say: STREAM IT on OnDemand.

Love at First Dance

A Hallmark movie that follows their typical plot. This time it's a finance guy played by Niall Matter from Eureka who falls in love with a choreographer who is stuck teaching dance. All in all, I say: SEE IT - if you like predictable Hallmark romances.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

A lovely, extremely well done documentary on the life of Fred Rogers. It is funny, sad, hopeful, and tragic all at the same time. It's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Mr. Rogers was an amazing person and after seeing this in my top 5 all time favorite people along with Mandela and Cat Stevens. There is so much I didn't know. I warn you I cried all but maybe 10 minutes of the entire movie, and the ending has stayed with me longer than expected. All in all,  I say: SEE IT

The Letdown

An Australian tv show I think I saw on Netflix. A group of women with newborns join a support group and end up helping each other through some interesting times. Basically, motherood ends up being a bit of a letdown for the main character, but she's finding her way. Season 1 is about 7 episodes and I hope there is a season 2. It's funny - my favorite character is the one played by Instagram comedian Celeste Barber. The main character is also the creator of the show. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Pacific Rim: Uprising

Sequel to Pacific Rim - years and years later.  Only about 2 of the originals left alive in the last movie appear. This time they are fighting a demon on their own planet and not from other dimension - well kind of. The characters are uninteresting, the writing is mediocre, and special effects are nothing new. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Oceans Eight

A female take on the series of Oceans 11, 12, and 13. Sandra Bullock (Two Weeks Notice), Kate Blanchett (Elizabeth), Anne Hathaway (Les Miserable), Sarah Paulson (American Horror series), Mindy KaRiling (Mindy Show), and Rihanna (singer). A hiest of jewels - there a lot of cameos. It's not as "fun" as the other Oceans. Not enough interactions between the characters - not enough funny scenes. I did love seeing Ricahard Armitage (LOR). All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Baywatch

Based on the long lasting tv show of lifeguards that solve crime and help people learn lessons and not just on the beach. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Ballers) leads his group to find out who is moving drugs on the beach. It's supposed to be a comedy, but I didn't laugh once. It's not my kind of movie, but it was on and I was just in bed getting over a headache. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Hero

Sam Elliot (The Ranch) is a famous, aging actor who made westerns. He is stuck doing voice overs and smoking pot with his friend Nick Offerman (Parks & Rec). When he discovers he has cancer he tries to make things right with his daughter, his ex, his career, and his new relationship with a younger comedian played by Laura Prepon (That 70s Show). It's a slow independent film that focuses on him coming to terms...very introspective. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you just really love him.

Flower

Zoey Deutch (Why Him) stars in this comedic-drama about a girl coming to terms with her mother's new fiance. Most of her life it's been just her and her mom - best of friends going through life. Her mom has brought a man and a future step-brother into her life. In struggle to deal with high school ending, her broken relationship with father, and her mother moving on she kind of makes a mess of things. Her fixation on herself places her in a dangerous situation, but she finds love. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's kind of messed up, but it was kind of sweet.

A Kid Like Jake

Clarie Danes (Homeland) once a lawyer is now a stay at home mom in NYC. She and her husband played by Jim Parsons (Big Bang) are facing two realities. One, they need to find a school for their kid. Two, they need to realize that Jake is a girl living in the body of a boy. They go through a lot of emotions and face realities that most parent probably haven't come face to face with. They show the good, the bad, and the ugly. It was really well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Incredibles 2

Same core group of super heroes trying to cope in a world where being a super hero has been outlawed, Catherine Keener (Sicario 2) is  - spoiler - although it's predictable....the bad guy. There were some funny parts, but overall it just wasn't as good as the first. It felt long...and it felt like something was missing. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Upgrade

A hard core science fiction movie that takes place in the future. A bit more toward the horror than the action it turns out. From appearances it's about a man seeking revenge for his wife's murder. It is so much more than that. Logan Marshall-Green from Devil reminds me of a younger less drug addicted version of Tom Hardy. He does an amazing job in this. It's completely believable. All in all, I say: SEE IT - I didn't see the ending coming and hopefully you won't see it coming either.

Hotel Artemis

So, I was really interested in this film mainly because if it brings Jodie Foster from Freaky Friday out of the wood work then it has to be seen. The writer of one of the MIs, one of the Marvels, and the next Sherlock Homles pic deserves to have his work seen on the big screen. It's an action movie that takes place in the future. It's more about the characters inside the hotel than the hotel itself. Each one will find redemption in one way or another. Sofia Boutella from The Mummy has a very cool action scene in a hallway that was my favorite in the movie. Dave Bautista from Guardians is funny. Jodie does a good job. An illegal hospital for members only disguised as a hotel where criminals can go if they get injured. One night at this hotel everyone breaks the rules and all hell breaks lose. All in all, I say; SEE IT

Annihilation

I never seem to learn my lesson with these alien science fiction movies that seek to be some sort of metaphor or warning to human kind. It's long and drawn out, and well....sort of preditable and boring. Natalie Portman from Black Swan tries, but I don't think anything or anyone could have made this better. Cool special effects and a good cast - it was just the plot I couldn't handle. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Dietland

I haven't read the book, so I don't know where any of this is going. The main character is not happy with her weight and not exactly happy with her job. I would also say miserable in her personal life as well. Until a couple of unusal people show themselves to her. That and a possible serial killer(s) on the loose makes for an intreguing plot. I can't wait to see what happens next. All in all, I say: SEE IT on AMC.

Reverie

A new tv show on NBC. It has potential, but if the writing and plot don't get a bit more complicated and interesting it's not going to be renewed. A former hostage negotitor lost her family in a shooting incident. After struggling for a while, a former friend and collegue has something he thinks will help her. People can use a device to get into a sort of VR state. Some aren't able to get out or don't want to, so she uses clues from their life to help them cope and get back to the real world. Reverie means a state of bring pleeasantly lost in one's thoughts like a daydream. Sarah Shahi from Fairly Legal has a hard time finding series that lasts - maybe this one will. Deniis Haysbert from Progressive commericals has found a job, and Kathryn Morris from Cold Case appears. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Safe

If you can get over the accent Michael Hall form Dexter uses, and the accent Audrey Fleurot from Spiral uses then you can get through this. A gated community sees all their secrets come to light when a girl goes missing. A stellar cast and all the twists and turns keep you interested. It was a decent mystery series on Netflix. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Solo: A Star Wars Story

I don't know why so many people have such strong feelings about this one. It takes places before 4,5,6 in the series. It's all about Han Solo in case you didn't know or couldn't tell. How does he get his name? How does he get in the smuggler game? How does he meet Chewy? All these questions and more are answered. It's well done. It's ok for kids like all the others. Alden Ehreneich from Stoker is Han. Donald Glover from Atlanta is Calrissian. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In Darkness

This had so much potential. It needed to be better written. A horrible man is being hunted and protected. But who is the hunter and who is the protector. Natalie Dormer (Sherlock) does an amazing job at being blind. But the treasure in this film is Ed Skrein - not only is he hot, but the martial arts! He only gets to use his skills two maybe three times and that's it. It really should have been more from his point of view with way more action. Ending is predictable. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Book Club

A generation a little too far ahead of me for me to really find some of it funny. I wouldn't pay to see this, but maybe if it came on tv. It's about a group of friends - women - who through the 50 Shades trilogy make it through the next life changing stages of their lives. I really didn't like Keaton or her character in this - she was annoying. It's predictable. I did like seeing Andy Garcia (The Lost City). though. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Game Night

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) and Rachel McAdams (Notebook) are a couple who enjoy weekly Game Nights. When his brother comes into town things start to go sideways. A neighbor is wronged, stress over getting pregnant skyrockets, and game night changes for the first time in years. One problem, however, it's a real kidnapping. You could see all that from the previews. Really most of the funny parts are in the preview. It's a light hearted comedy for a quiet night at home if you have a free Red Box rental. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you can meet the above conditions.

Fahrenheit 451

A Bradbury masterpiece about a future - a future that is a lot like our present. Amazon describes the plot as, "Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden.

Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television.

When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. He starts hiding books in his home, and when his pilfering is discovered, the fireman has to run for his life."

All in all, I say: READ IT - Bradbury is an easy read considering the topics he covers in his books. A novice would enjoy reading it.

The 1966 movie based on the novel was in good hands with Francois Truffant  (400 Blows) who wrote and directed the movie. It does look dated but it is the book on screen. All in all, I say: SEE IT but only after reading the book.

The newest HBO original movie stars Michael B Gordan from Black Panther. This is not a remake of the 66 movie. It is not a film version of the book. It's an updated rethinking of the book and movie. It helps makes it closer to what we know. If you are a die hard fan you won't like this one. If you haven't read the book and/or you aren't a die hard then you won't mind the revisions. I liked it from an entertainment point of view. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Avengers: Infinity War

It's kind of hard to review this without taking away some of its allure. It's kind of hard to review this without giving away a spoiler, like I shouldn't even tell you who is in it and you shouldn't look it up - it gives a little bit away. If you've seen all the other movies then you've got the bits and pieces you need. It's one of the better Avengers - a ton of action. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Barry

A hitman played by Bill Hader from SNL stumbles upon an acting class and a beautiful woman, and he decides to stop killing people. The problems are the cops have CCTV with him on it killing someone, the woman is an actress and flighty, and his partner played by Stephen Root from Office Space. Harry Wrinkler from Happy Days is the acting coach, and he's quarky. I enjoyed the series on HBO. It was surprises to see Hader has an action guy, but fun. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Willy's Mexican Grill

 A new place I decided to try the week after trying and being disappointed by Burger Fi. This is basically Moe's with better rice. It's a similar concept to Moe's and Chipolte. You order along a caferiteris/buffet style line. I guess I just hoped it would taste different than the other 2 places. Shocker - it tastes the same. So, I would just say find your favorite Mexican and stick with it. For me that's Frida's. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Burger Fi

The have a veggie burgers, plant burgers, regular burgers, and good fries. The taste is fine, the presentation is fine, so really the only thing that was a disappointment was the price. I can get an ok burger at a dozen or so places around town for a lot cheaper. There didn't seem to be a point to spend that much on an ok burger and an ok experience. All in all, I say: SKIP IT