Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Overboard

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Apple Rating:

I love my comedies to be funny. So I was kind of shocked that Anna Faris (whom I love in “Mom”) would be in a comedy that isn’t really funny until the end credits.  This is a remake of the first “Overboard” starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.  I saw the original 30 years ago when it first came out, so my memories are a little fuzzy, but I am pretty sure it had some humor.  I would call this movie more heartwarming, as it does have an uplifting and sweet ending.  However, there is just not enough here for any of you to worry about paying money to go see it.  I don’t consider that I wasted money exactly, the movie was pleasant enough. I guess I just expected more than I got.

Logan Lucky

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Imagine you are watching an Ocean’s Eleven movie.  Now take out George Clooney and Brad Pitt and put in Adam Driver and Channing Tatum.  Instead of  Damon, replace with a tattooed and thick southern accented Daniel Craig ( I am not kidding).  Instead of the Bellaggio the target is the Charlotte Motor Speedway.   Throw in a jailbreak, a kiddie beauty pageant, a tetanus shot, an artificial limb and a couple of bags of gummy bears and you have this mildly amusing redneck heist movie directed by Steven Soderbergh.  I found this movie in the same vein as “The Hitman’s Body Guard”  Both movies are mildly funny and provided a teacher  ready to return to work a little mindless entertainment.

Despicable Me 3

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You have to know this about me before you continue reading this review. I LOVE the Minions.  They are adorable and crack me up.  I guess  you could say these movies are my guilty pleasure.  Going into an animated movie that is made for kids when you are an adult means you have to leave all cynicism behind and just enjoy the silliness.  That being said, I found this latest installment very uneven.  The Minions are not featured in this one as much as they should be and their antics bring much needed comic relief to another wise pretty pedestrian movie.  There is a subplot about unicorns that I felt could have been edited out, but I am sure it will appeal to a lot of young girls.  I didn’t enjoy seeing Steve Carell’s Dru going “nice” so to speak.  Part of his charm is that he is, well, despicable.  Trey Parker voices the villain of the movie, Balthazar Bratt, who is truly annoying, but does  listen to an enjoyable array of retro music.  If you like the Minions, or have kids who do, I would still go see this movie.  Despite its faults, it does have Minions and that makes the whole movie worth it in my opinion.

Baywatch

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Every summer there is that one movie that is just flat out mindless entertainment.  Baywatch is not that movie. Mindless – yes.  Entertaining – not even close!  If you want to see a dead guy’s “junk” and an overly long sequence about a goofus getting his johnson stuck in a wooden chair, then by all means go ahead and waste your money. Lame humor and tedious, unimaginative plot lines? This is your flick!  My advice if you have your heart set on seeing a movie this week, is to see ANY other movie out there…….even The Mummy!

Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead men Tell No Tales

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What can you say about a movie that is the fifth in what is becoming a rather repetitious franchise?  Well, my favorite part of this movie was a cameo by Paul McCartney who  plays a cousin of John Depp’s Jack Sparrow.  He was refreshingly funny and even had a few good lines.  Too bad he wasn’t in more of the movie.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Johnny Depp and his cadre of kooky characters.  I guess the main reason I enjoy his inventive interpretations so much is that each one is unique and unexpected.  Unfortunately, his Jack Sparrow is no longer fresh.  In fact, I found him unfunny and down right boring.  Don’t be fooled by Orlando Bloom’s brief appearance, he is in this movie for a total of maybe five minutes.  You see him at the beginning and briefly at the end where he is reunited with Keira Knightly.  She had the good sense to be seen for about a minute, collect her paycheck, and leave.  The special effects are very good and were enhanced by seeing them in 3D.  I think kids who are under the age of 12 may find some of the action amusing, but adults will find it hard to watch without dozing.    If you do go, don’t forget to stay to the end of the credits!  I hear Johnny Depp is going to play the Invisible Man in the new Dark Universe franchise being produced by Universal and also featuring The Mummy, Frankenstein, and Jeckyl and Hyde.  I am looking forward to seeing Mr. Depp play  a fresh and interesting character.  Hopefully,  someone will put a stake through the heart of Jack Sparrow and may he Rest in Peace!