Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening...whenever it is you have come across this entry.  Today, 4/21/18, I am re-watching the 2014 Edge of Tomorrow.  It stars Emily Blunt, Tom Cruise and Bill Paxton.  "A soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies."  Groundhogs Day meets Starship Troopers!  It currently has a 7.9 on IMDB.

• I forgot that Brendan Gleeson was in this flick!
• This has a very Starship Troopers feel at the beginning
• I forgot how old Cruise looked in this flick
• Yeah...blackmail probably is NOT the best approach "Major"
• Is that Tony Todd?  He is not credited but it sure looked and sounded like him
• Bill Paxton is SO good in this flick...and it is sad to think he is not around any more
• As I mentioned before, a mix between Groundhogs Day, Starship Troopers and The Matrix
• Its interesting that Cruise is SO bad in this flick when usually he is good at everything he does
• Jackson from Legends of Tomorrow?  Too bad he can't turn into Firstorm without Gray
• Why would they do PT without the suites?
• Needs to work on timing of the roll there Tommy Boy
• This is such an interesting idea, a hive mind that sends out bad guys that fits its enemy, love it
• Love that he reverts to multimedia guy as quickly as he can
• I forgot this was funny as well as smartly written
• I'll be honest, the ability to redo your mistakes after dying is a superpower I wouldn't mind having
• The trailer was not really dead weight
• That is the problem isn't it?  You cannot stop caring for people and you would have to watch them die each and every time...one draw back to the power if you cannot save the person you love
• This movie is strangely captivating and I keep finding myself lost watching the flick instead of writing witty comments
• I forgot this movie drags at certain points when Cruise is NOT dying 
• I still think that Emily Blunt is not amazonian enough for this role
• Its a good thing Cruise is a REALLY good swimmer

Overall the flick is a fun flick.  I think the 7.9 is a little high though.  I give it a 7/10.  Very enjoyable and enjoyable enough that I picked up the DVD at Wal-Mart.  The designs and CGI were both fantastic and while the monsters resemble those in the Matrix upon rewatching it is not nearly as bad as I thought when I first saw the flick.

Say what you want about Tom Cruise but he is a pretty good actor.  He does a good job in most if not all of the roles that he takes on.  At the same time you can look at Emily Blunt and say she has been in just about every genre of film and has done a good job on all of those really.  

I will say that I do not think that Emily was correct for the role she was fantastic in it if that makes sense.  Much like Gal Godot as Wonder Woman, not my pick but very good in the role.

Honestly I cannot really think of anything bad about the film.  I would have liked to have more time with the squad and less time with the love story but that is normal anymore.

Again overall I say 7/10.  Worth checking out if you enjoy sci-fi or action flicks.  Oh and when you throw Brendan Gleeson in a film you know it is going to be good!

Movie Review: The Mummy (2017)

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening...whenever it is you have come across this entry. Today, 9/10/17, I'm checking out the 2017 version of The Mummy.  It stars Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella and Annabelle Wallis.  "An ancient princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension."  It currently has a 5.6 on IMDB, which seems low but we shall see.

• A graveyard found under London?  I'm shocked (not really, probably very realistic)
• Russell Crowe isn't exactly the person I'd pick as a narrator
• Wait...so this chick is possessed by the Devil right?  Because I saw that happen in Doctor Who what with the writing appearing and what not
• Are they just randomly shooting things?
• Never say slip in and slip out, that is basically saying what is the worst that can happen
• I like Jake Johnson, he is good in his roles
• Tom Cruise hasn't aged for years has he
• Yep, I'd be leaving if that many spiders suddenly showed up.
• Wow that lady is a bitch, I'd probably shove her into the pit...by accident of course
• That is a lot of crows...or ravens perhaps...couldn't tell
• I don't think I'd get into a plane with that thing
• It looks like the bit is effecting Vail, because spiders are EVIL!
• And he is dead, way to go....nope not dead...just possessed....or perhaps a zombie
• That is a shit ton of birds
• For the record, I'm 30 minutes in and not hating this at all
• Can you parachute out of a twisting plane?
• No one is shocked that dead guy is up and not dead?
• Do these guys not watch movies?  If you see a mummy you don't investigate you run
• So she is like a zombie mummy queen
• Yeah, I like this character, Vail is easily my favorite character thus far
• That...that is a lot of rats
• Yep zombie mummy queen, very interesting 
• Damn, Cruise has really straight teeth
• Awkward!
• I am really enjoying this flick, zombie mummies are cool!
• Really?  They are going to capture her?  Because that always works well
• Of course, take her to where the blade and stone are near each other, why not
• Well she has a point, when she kills you, you will know what is beyond the veil
• Why do mummies always control bugs?
• Ah yes, Dr. Jekyll, nice addition to the story and to what they're calling the "Dark Universe"
• Wait...wasn't that the book from the 1999 Mummy flick?
• And the new spawns begin
• I don't think guns are going to stop her at this point, she seems...upset
• Zombielands Cardio rule really fits into any movie world I notice
• Nice, the face in the sand bit from the other trilogy
• That is a lot of mummbies (zombie and mummy combined)
• I wonder, can she control all undead or just mummies
• seriously why are there so many mummies under London?
• I don't think beating him up is going to take the pain away...but I could be wrong
• That might have been the most unsexy tongue lick in the history of tongue licks
• Did he just become a living god?
• Doesn't evil call us all all the time?

That wasn't horrible at all.  Actually I really enjoyed the flick.  It had really good pacing most of the time and even at two hours I didn't feel at any point like "my god is this over yet" which is often the case with these flicks.

I honestly can't say anything bad about this flick based on what the flick is.  It is an action flick so if you go in looking for more you are going to be disappointed.  

The acting was what you would expect, nothing out of this world but very solid.  Johnson has amazing comedic timing with Cruise and Crowe fit the role of Dr. Hyde perfectly.  The two female leads were also cast well in their roles.  The mummy lady was very good and came off as sexy yet terrifying and her walk through London as the sand storm hit was shot beautify. 

I guess overall I'd give it a 7/10.  I think people were expecting something different from this as I don't know why the low rating of 5.6.  I struggled between 6 & 7 but since I can't find anything to knock the flick for I went with my average of 7.  Average fun action flick that is worth checking out at some point.  Maybe RedBox or HBO or Netflix.  I don't think I'd buy it...yet.  Perhaps if they continue with the "Dark Universe" a box set might be worth picking up.  

Until next time...abyssinia!

Mission Impossible Rogue Nation or Impossible to watch another one of these

A special review today as I ventured out on the weekend to watch Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.  As of today it has an IMDB rating of 8.1.  This entry into the series stars Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson and Jeremy Renner.  "Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF."   These comments were written down in the theaters so I am sure I missed some snide comments....er....interesting comments...or if they'll even make sense/are in order.  And having just copied and pasted the description from IMDB isn't this plot the same as the last one?  Also 2 hours is a little long don't you think?  Or is it?  Let's go find out!

• I will start this off by saying I don't really remember anything but the first flick so any inside references will be missed unless it is a reference to Emilio Estevez
• Tom Cruise looks pretty good for a fifty something year old.  A old around the eyes
• Is that Michael Douglas from Falling Down?  D-FENS!
• Ah yes the usual awkward sexual tension that goes with spying
• I feel like we've seen this man hunt for Ethan Hunt before.  
• Shouldn't someone be yelling GO GO GO!
• That is one awful beard Tommy Boy
• Was that product placement for Microsoft?
• I wrote here something about Simon Peggs neck.  Did I want to neck with him?  Is it too big or small or long or something...damn it my hand writing sucks and is worse in the dark
• Simon Pegg has become the best part of this series
• They must have paid a lot of the key lock tool thing, having seen it several times
• Ethan must be getting old...but this fight over the stage is pretty cool
• As Triple H says, always have a plan B
• Never trust someone in yellow
• More like Mission: Impossible - Conspiracy Theory
• Is Ilsa suppose to be a Bond Girl like character?
• World craziest water slide perhaps?  
• I want my windows to unlock my car!
• BMW makes a damn nice car it seems
• I am having flashbacks to the horrible motorcycle chase scene in #3
• Everyone is playing everyone, I think I need a score card
• Mask time?
• Human Claymore?  Like Swordfish?  Really?
• Simon Pegg is really the star of this flick!  Every time he is on the screen you are reminded how great he is.

I think we'll start with my score.  7.5 out of 10.  I enjoyed it but it had its flaws.  First off it was long. Right around 2 hours.  Second quite a few things felt like old hat.  Motorcycle chase, random car chase, masks, decrypting lists.  It is like they put the first four flicks into a blender and what came out was this one.  Second the bad guy felt like a mix of all the bad guys from the past as well and the acting by Sean Harris felt like he was trying to be Christoph Waltz, but a poor mans version.  

It seems to be the trend in Hollywood to have longer movies with longer scenes.  Normally I wouldn't mind this but often they end up being pointless.  The Mission Impossible flicks have always been full of those but this one felt like it had more then others.  

It is worth going to and enjoyable.  Great popcorn flick.  

Until next....this blog will self destruct in 3 seconds....Abyssinia!

Valkryie

This time I am going to review the 2008 flick Valkyrie, which can be purchased from Amazon by clicking here.  It stars Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten.  "A dramatization of the 20 July assassination and political coup plot by desperate renegade German Army officers against Hitler during World War II."  As always, you'll see my thoughts as the flick plays then some comments after that might contain spoilers.  As of 7/29 it has an IMDB rating of 7.1

• An oath about swearing allegiance to someone/thing....that is odd!  Who would do such a thing?
• Wait...this is about killing Hilter...to save lives not to take power?  Huh...not what I thought 
• And Tom Cruise just became the Drew Barrymore of this film....wait....maybe not
• I know Hitler studied the occult but did he really promote a teacher from Hogwarts to Major-General?
• Uggg, those kids are annoying
• What is with Cruises hair?  It is awful
• Why have I become obsessed with actors hair recently?
• These guys sure aren't very hidden, they are pretty open about their attempted coup
• Did that guy have a British accent?
• Wow...that is quite the soft version of Hitler
• Was that guy Italian?  Sure looked like he was part of the mob!  That he was going to make me an offer I couldn't refuse
• This whole thing is very awkward
• This is strangely much more boring then I had anticipated.  
• I know it is a "true" story but a lot less spy-ish then I thought it would be
• Was that Brock Lesnar driving them to the bunker?
• Wait...THAT IS EDDIE IZZARD?!?  The Fat Stephen Colbert?!  WOW!
• I expected Hitler to more...well insane
• This is the worst game of telephone ever!
• Why the weird look between Claus and Hitler?  
• The driver looks like a shrunk down version of Lesnar, right down to the angry look!
• Nice to see Danny Webb show up, he is an underrated performer
• District 13?  So it was the Nazi's fault the Hunger Games began?  
• Too Soon?
• A lot of German writing in this movie for some reason....
• Harvey Friedman is a weaselly looking guy!  Probably a perfect Goebbels

Honestly I don't know what to think about this movie.  I know it is historically accurate but the flick itself is slow and probably could have been cut down some.  The scene with the family did little to advance the plot other then to give Cruises character a further reason to want to eliminate Hitler.  The rather drawn out portion of gathering the districts as well could have been cut down.  

As for the subject of the film what can you say?  

I'd give the flick a 6/10.  The pacing was just a little off.  The acting was good to very good but there was no standout performances.  Visually it was average as well.  So I gave it a slightly above average rating because there were a few above average performances and nothing made me cringe or the like.  honestly the one drawback was the pacing of the film.  I feel like there were just a few too many stutter steps for its own good.  

A decent film but I'd like to see 10-15 minutes shaved off the film personally.  Until next time, remember, the odds are never in your favor...and Abyssinia!