Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

The Spy Who Dumped Me

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The Spy Who Dumped Me, a spy-comedy-buddy movie starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon is a so-so film. It’s being promoted as an action comedy feature, and I must admit there is a lot of action in this movie.  But..the action isn’t really new or terribly exciting.  I was hoping that with Mila and Kate involved, there would at least be some great comic moments, and I tried really hard to find something to laugh at in the first half, but I was not successful.  I did laugh here and there in the second half, mainly at Kate McKinnon, but not enough to recommend it.  I laughed more during Ant-Man and the Wasp to be honest.  Sam Heugan provided some of the action, and eye candy relief without wearing his Highland gear from Outlander.  But still, this is definitely one to skip at the theatres.

Mama Mia! Here We Go Again

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So, this is my movie blog and I can rate this movie the way I want and not address the ABBA haters.  I thought ‘Mama Mia! Here We Go Again’ was an enjoyable toe-tapper that found me singing along with the stars.  Everyone is back, including the three Papas:  Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard; and Christine Baranski and Julie Walters as the likable best friends.   The action moves between the present where Amanda Seyfried’s character  is opening a hotel and the past where her mother (Lily James playing the young Meryl Streep) is sowing her wild oats.  There are many other new cast additions including Cher and Andy Garcia, who get to sing “Fernando” together.  If you didn’t like Mama Mia, don’t bother going to this one, you won’t like it.  For eveyone else, be prepared to laugh, cry and sing!

Mission:Impossible-Fallout

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In this go-around, Ethan Hunt and the gang join forces with CIA assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to, as usual, save the world.  A mysterious group calling themselves the Apostles plan to detonate three nuclear warheads under the control and direction of returning villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris).  This movie is jam-packed with action, plot twists and double, even triple, crosses.  The nearly indestrucible Tom Cruise broke his ankle doing stunts for this movie, and even knowing the scene where the accident happens, you can barely make out the slight limp he runs through to complete the scene.  It seems Mr. Cruise is really driven to give the utmost to make his movies action packed, intricate and entertaining, and with the touches of humor and humanity that make the whole team so likeable.  The quality shows!  Rebecca Ferguson is back as Ilsa Faust, delightful and deadly.  What is her goal in this mission? Whose side is she really on?  Ahhh, that would be telling! Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are back and flawless in their usual supporting roles, while Alec Baldwin and Angela Bassett provide important parts in the twists.  This movie is so full of action that by the time it is over, you will feel as though you completed this mission yourself, including the best helicopter chase scene I have ever seen.  This is definitely the best Mission Impossible movie so far, and I believe just about everyone will thoroughly enjoy this action masterpiece.

Equalizer 2

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First off, this must be said.  I love Denzel Washington and I am sure I could happily watch him whitewashing a fence or simply sitting on a bench.  So there was no way I was going to not like the Equalizer 2 just as much as I loved the first one.  Despite what a lot of other critics are saying – this sequel, the first ever for Denzel, meets and exceeds my expectations.  Denzel once again plays retired (and presumed dead) CIA agent Robert McCall, who uses his considerable skills to help every day people like you and me get justice.  If you harm, or even try to harm someone that McCall knows, you will be very sorry!  There is plenty of action, car chases, fights, double dealing agents, and a wild finale in the midst of a storm. There are a few  twists, and of course, Mr. McCall is always on top of his game. Supporting roles are expertly filled by Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo and Orson Bean.  Yep, you heard me, I said Orson Bean – all 90 years of him!!  If  you like the first Equalizer, I guarantee that you will like this one too!

Ant-Man and The Wasp

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“InfinityWar” was such an intense entry in the Marvel catalogue that I found Ant-Man and the Wasp a refreshing change.  Don’t get me wrong, this movie has everything you expect  to find in a Marvel movie; such as nonstop acton, interesting villians, back stories and special effects. This movie, however, felt a little smaller and more intimate and I loved that!  The script is very witty and Paul Rudd knows how to deliver the laughs.  Also, there is some true chemistry between his character and Evangeline Lily as The Wasp.  Walter Goggins is excellent as the very human villian, and Hannah John-Kamen is the mysterious “Ghost,” both of them wanting to steal the secrets of the quantum realm but for different reasons.  Michael Douglas is back as Hank Pym, who wants to journey into that quantum realm, where it is just possible his wife (Michelle Pfieffer) who disappeared 30 years ago may still be alive. Don’t worry too much about the plot, the real treat in this movie is the clever special effects. Various peoople (and cars) grow and shrink making for hilarious circumstances.  I know I don’t have to tell you this, but stay until the end of the credits; there are actually two scenes, one in the middle of the credits and one at the end.  Both of them will give you a little hint as to what will be happening in the next Avenger movie.  If you are looking for a super hero movie with a sweet romance, witty dialogue and a gigantic Hello Kitty Pez dispenser, this is the movie for you!