Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

John Wick Chapter 2

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Are you tired of movies where the hero kills hundreds of people in every possible way imaginable, is shot at as many times and is barely hurt, and all done by an actor who barely speaks wooden lines?  If not, do I have the movie for you!  I notice that “John Wick” is getting decent reviews elsewhere but  can’t recommend it, even though I enjoyed the first one.  Keanu Reeves stars as yet another hit man trying unsuccessfully to retire.  The bright spot in the movie is Ian McShane who once again plays Winston, a  suave and sophisticated owner of a hotel that caters to the criminal elite.  Lance Reddick also shines as the hotel desk clerk with a soft spot for dogs.  You really won’t see anything new in this movie, but I suppose sometimes we all yearn for the familiar.

Dr. Strange

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Benedict Cumberbatch is the perfect person to play Dr. Strange.  Stephen Strange is a gifted and arrogant surgeon whose hands are damaged in a horrible car accident.  When medical science can not help him, he travels East looking for a mystical cure and finds much more.  Through the teachings of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, he learns to channel his inner strength to become a powerful sorcerer.  If this doesn’t sound like your average Marvel super hero, you are right,  and that is why I loved this movie!  I watched it in 3D and I recommend that you do the same.  The special effects are incredible.  Let me know what  you think about a surreal scene showing Dr. Strange’s hands turning into something freaky and fascinating.  I have become a little jaded about superhero movies.  They almost seem to have been made on an assembly line and one is as good as another.  At last, a super hero movie that is different, smart, funny and action-packed, all at the same time.  There is one thing this movie has in common with all Marvel super hero  movies; stay until the end of the credits.  Apparently Dr. Strange is going to be paired in a future move with my former favorite Marvel hero (You will see who I mean in the credits).  I can’t wait to see what marvels are in store for Dr. Strange and we movie fans!

The Accountant

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I love this movie!!  It is one of the quirkiest action movies I have seen in a long time.  There are plot twists, flashbacks, and an autistic “hero.”   The screenplay by Bill Dubuque is sophisticated and smart.  The story centers on Christian Wolff, an autistic accountant who may have underworld connections.  J.K Simmons is the Treasury agent who wants to find him.  There are good supporting performances from Jon Bernthal and Anna Kendrick, as well as Jeffery Tambor and John Lithgow.  This is Ben Affleck’s movie all the way though.  I have taught many students who had Asperger’s or high functioning autism and I can tell you that Ben nails his portrayal of these often misunderstood individuals.  Be prepared though, there is a lot of violence in this movie, more than you might expect if you have seen the movie trailer.  In a way that is too bad, because I think older kids could learn a lot from this.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

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I love the first Jack Reacher movie starring Tom Cruise.  In fact, that movie inspired me to start reading the Lee Child books.  So I must say I was a little disappointed in this movie.  It isn’t bad, but it is not quite as good as the first one, which had the added benefit of the great Robert Duvall.  In Never Go Back, Colbie Smulders plays Major Susan Turner who is arrested on a trumped up espionage charge.  Reacher, who has only spoken to the major over the phone, decides to look into the case.  Of course, there is corruption everywhere, and Reacher is tasked to sort it all out.  Tom Cruise may not look like the Jack Reacher of the books ( he is supposed to weigh a muscular 300 pounds) but he definitely has the attitude.  He also has a daughter he didn’t know about, or does he?  There is lots of action and chases and, of course, Reacher straightens it all out.  I like how this movie was faithful to the book.  Even though I felt this one wasn’t as good as the first one, I am still looking forward to the next Jack Reacher movie.

The Magnificent Seven

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I am starting this review with a shout out to  the Cinemark Theatre in Hanover, Maryland.  I asked if they would be willing to donate an item to my school as a student reward and they countered with a donation of 30!  I appreciate the generosity and support of education.  Now on to the review.  If you are a fan of the original Seven Samurai or the previous Magnificent Seven starring Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen, you will not be disappointed in this new remake.   Denzel Washington plays the bounty hunter who agrees to help a young widow whose town is being taken over by a sleaze bucket played by Peter Sarsgaard.  I was charmed by Haley Bennett and hope to see her in more movies in the future.  Denzel never disappoints and he doesn’t here.  Chris Pratt provides some laugh out loud comedy relief.  Do not go to this movie if you are squeamish about violence.  This movie has a higher body count than I have seen in recent years.  That being said, it was a diverting and well-done movie.  I doubt if you will be sorry you went and you will definitely be entertained.