Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

War For Planet of the Apes

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I went into this movie assuming I wasn’t going to like it.  I grew up with the original movies from the sixties, which featured older technology and unrealistic looking apes; but were naively entertaining.  My idea of a talking ape is the famous Koko, the gentle giant who uses sign language to communicate.  Boy was I wrong!  This is one engrossing movie!  Andy Serkis deserves an academy award, if not for this performance, than for his body of work as a whole.  From “Lord of the Rings” to “King Kong” to the “Planet of the Apes” movies, Andy Serkis and his motion capture acting make these creations seem so real and life-like.  Not only does Andy Serkis give a great performance, but this movie in a not so subtle way touches on issues of slavery, forced labor, civil rights and what constitutes humanity.  This movie definitely won’t be for everyone.  There was too much killing and war effects for my taste, for instance.  The first half of the movie is rather slow, but the second half is definitely worth it and packs an emotional punch.  Also, this not a happy, fun movie.  I would say if you saw the previous two movies, you would definitely want to see it, and won’t be disappointed.

Spider-Man Homecoming

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I was skeptical about seeing yet another reboot of a classic comic book character.  I mean, we all know he gets bitten by a spider and fights crime; what more is there to tell, right?  Well was I pleasantly surprised!!  This new Spider-man is highly entertaining and extremely funny.  In fact, I laughed more during this movie than I have at so called comedies like Baywatch!  ( Chris Evans’ Captain America shows up in several hilarious PSAs).   Tom Holland makes the perfect awkward teenage super hero, trying desperately to be an Avenger but not quite measuring up.  Robert Downey Jr. appears through out and even makes an appearance as Iron Man.  What I appreciated about Michael Keaton is he did not camp it up as the Vulture.   In fact, his portrayal was one of the most believable villains that I have seen in these kind of movies.  There is not as much action as in other Spider-man movies but that is a good thing.   Characters and plot drive the story rather than CGI effects.  Don’t get me wrong, the special effects are impressive, but do not take front and center.  I also loved Jennifer Connolly’s unseen role as Karen, the artificial intelligence who helps Spider-Man navigate the intricacies of his new high-tech suit.  If you go see ‘Spider-Man Homecoming’, and I think you should, stay to the very end of the credits-the very end.  Your patience will be rewarded.

The Mummy

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Disney has the Marvel superhero world, while Warner Brothers has the DC heroes like Batman and Superman.   Hoping to at least get a piece of the substantial money to be made in these franchises,  the powers that be at Universal have decided to release ‘The Dark Universe,’  which will feature an array of classic movie monsters from their heyday in the 1930’s; to include Dr. Jekyll, The Invisible Man and Frankenstein.  To start things off, they have chosen to reboot The Mummy.  Tom Cruise stars as a sort of low rent anti-Indiana Jones, who is out to look for and resell ancient artifacts while serving as an Army recon specialist (He is no George Clooney from “Three Kings!”).  In the deserts of Iraq, he accidentally stumbles upon Ahmanet, an Egyptian princess buried far away from Egypt due to the extremely heinous nature of her ancient crimes!  She was buried alive (as all good monster mummies are), and her sarcophagus submerged in mercury, to keep her from rising up in the future to complete a nefarious scheme that included murder and world domination.   Most of the movie involves her chasing Tom Cruise so that he can be her new partner and love, and they can rule the world together for eternity.  I found the whole premise rather silly.  Along the way, we meet Dr. Jekyll, played  by Russell Crowe.  This short segment was the only part of the movie I found fun.  Dr. Jekyll heads a secret organization that finds, studies and destroys evil in the world.  The fact that he does this while trying not to turn into the diabolical Mr. Hyde adds some much needed camp to this movie.  I think if you go in with low expectations you will be surprised, and even entertained; but you will not be dazzled like you would be watching the newest “Wonder Woman” or “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies.  I was so excited when I heard that Universal was rebooting all of the classic monsters; but after watching this first movie, I am not so sure.  I am intrigued to see what Johnny Depp does with  Invisible Man, and Javier Bardem seems like a great choice to play Frankenstein.  I just hope they have a better script and can give their movie a little more heart.

Wonder Woman

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Wow!  Long live Wonder Woman!  This movie has everything a great super hero movie should have; interesting back story,  a doomed romance, historical events, light-hearted comedy, kick-ass fighting and great special effects.  The heroine of this epic, directed by Patty Jenkins, is played convincingly by Gal Gadot.  Her Diana Prince is actually an Amazonian princess, the daughter of Zeus, and the secret weapon (unbeknownst to her) that will one day be the downfall of  Ares, who has destroyed the other gods, and is trying his hardest to destroy mankind too.  Gal Gadot does an excellent job playing the innocent Diane, when she is brought from her island into the real world and introduced to the new and odd behaviors of mankind, including the atrocities humans perform on each other in times of war.  Chris Pine is dreamy as always as the American  pilot who crashes on her island paradise and falls in love with the beautiful warrior.  Pine, Gadot, and  a trio of interesting side-kicks, band together to fight for humanity.  Unlike most super heroes, Gal Gadot really makes us feel that she truly cares for the people she has sworn to protect; and that love, will indeed, cure all.  There is enough over the top action to satisfy the most die hard super hero movie connoisseur, and enough fresh story-telling to satisfy those who are tired of this genre.  Which ever side of the love/hate super hero movies side of the fence you are on, this movie is for you!

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

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I have been interested in the Arthurian legend since I was a kid.  The Lady of the Lake, the round table, the doomed love affair, Excalibur and Merlin all make for riveting story telling about Camelot, the place that was special because of the tales people told about it.  Unfortunately, director Guy Ritchie  took all of these beloved elements from my childhood and turned them into a boring, preposterous mess that I refuse to even call a movie.  Do not see this cinematic mistake if you are a fan of King Arthur, as there is almost nothing from the story left intact except the name Uther Pendragon and a few  passing nods to the legend.  Merlin doesn’t even make an appearance!  A lot of silly things happen, but the silliest is a CGI humanoid-octopus thingie that helps Jude Law, Uther’s brother (?) take over the kingdom as long as he feeds it beloved family members.  Huh?  Eric Bana as King Uther, Arthur’s father, facing death at the hands of his brother throws Excalibur up in the air and it comes down and skewers him, and then he turns into the stone that the sword will have to be pulled out of.  What? I could go on  explaining this silliness but I really don’t want to.  My advice, if you see this movie playing at your local cinema, go see Guardians of the Galaxy instead, or hit a local watering hole for an invigorating libation.  Remember life is precious, and this is two and a half hours you’ll regret wasting.  After all, I did that for you!