Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Thor Ragnarok

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Some super hero movies get so bogged down in cinematic effects that they lose that magic spark that makes super heroes so appealing.  Luckily that is not the case for this one.  First of all, there is a lot more wit and humor than is usual even for the Marvel Universe movies. Thor, as played by Chris Hemsworth is not only pleasant on the eyes ,but is quite the comedian and will have you laughing many times at the witty dialogue.  His character has come a long way from that duck-out-of-water of his first movie. Yes, there are still plenty of special effects, but I didn’t mind because I was having too much fun watching.  Cate Blanchett is deliciously evil as Thor’s visually striking sister, Hela, who wants to destroy Asgard.  When she appears at the beginning of the movie, Thor finds himself without his hammer and ends up on a planet ruled by Jeff Goldblum playing a wacky, oh wait a minute, playing Jeff Goldblum.  If you have seen any of the trailers you know that Thor and The Hulk will be forced to fight in a gladiatorial arena. Thor and Hulk eventually escape. They have to, events in Asgard are coming to war and rebellion, and there is plenty of action as Thor and his companions strive to save the real Asgard.  Not sure what that means?  Go see this movie and all will become clear, it’s worth it!  Other standouts are Tom Hiddleston, Karl Urban, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins and Benedict Cumberbatch.  Look for a fun trio of cameo appearances by Matt Damon, Sam Neill and Luke Hemsworh.  Stan Lee makes his usual cameo too,and I think it is my favorite.  This is an entertaining and funny movie and I think that just about everyone will find something to enjoy.

Suburbicon

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What’s not to love?  A script written by the Coen Brothers,  directed by  George Clooney, and a stellar cast that includes  Matt Damon, Julianne Moore (playing twins no less!) and Oscar Issac.  So, why did I not love this movie?  Well……the first half of Suburbicon is extremely boring.  It starts out in a perfect, stereotypical middle class, white 60’s neighborhood where everything looks perfect.  Matt Damon’s character is married to a disabled woman who has a twin sister.  He seems the typical, button down good father and husband. During a home invasion, his wife ‘accidentally’ dies.  Is it an accident? In a plot twist reminiscent of the far, far better Fargo, we find out that Matt Damon’s character may not be the perfect Mr. Cleaver father after all. Mayhem ensues.  Interspersed within this plot is an almost completely different movie that involves the first Black family to move into all white suburbia.  By the time you get to the end of the movie, you feel like you have been hit on the head with a not very subtle point.  As always, the Coen Brothers include some dark humor and a few surprises, but it is just not enough.  Instead of going to see Suburbicon, I would recommend looking for Fargo on Netflix and watching William H. Macy “fleeing the interview.”

The Snowman

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I had high hopes for this one.  I recently read the book by Jo Nesbo.  He has written seven other books that feature Norwegian detective Harry Hole.  The book was no “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” but was still an interesting read.  I wish the movie had been even 1/10 as good as the novel!  I wonder how people who didn’t read the novel were able to follow the plot, because I was confused and I knew what was happening….kind of.  The action jumped around a lot, and they did not develop the characters well.  You don’t find yourself interested or invested in them, even the main people!  Michael Fassbender is a great actor, but even he couldn’t imbue the character of Harry Hole with any real life or interest.  You never find yourself getting behind him as an investigator. Toby Jones and J.K. Simmons were wasted in their roles, as was a rather debilitated looking Val Kilmer. This was another movie where those involved made inexplicable changes to the plot that added nothing to the story.  For what it’s worth (and no spoiling here) the main story is that a serial killer is killing promiscuous women and sometimes using their heads as a topping for his snow creations.  Detective Hole and his new partner are on the case.  Who is the killer?  What is going on?  Who cares?  This is definitely not one that I would recommend.

The Foreigner

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Welcome back Jackie Chan!  I sure have missed you and your inventive, choreographed fight scenes. And the return was worth the wait.  Yes, he is older (aren’t we all?) and perhaps not as energetic as he was in movies past, but I loved this new Jackie Chan.    He plays it totally serious in this one, and is surprisingly moving.  Chan plays Quan Minh, a Chinese immigrant living peacefully in England.  But then, his only daughter is killed in an IRA bombing and Chan is out to bring the perpetrators to justice.  The IRA presence is a bit dated, and it’s part as a plot device is a little tenuous, but it at least is a change from the continual mid-East based villainy.  And of course, the greater, hidden, plot sets him to solving the basic question…what are the names of the men who killed his daughter? Apparently, he has a certain set of skills (ala Liam Neesen) and sets out to do what Scotland Yard is failing at.  There is less fighting and humorous action than you may be used to seeing in a Jackie Chan movie, but there is more character development and plot.  Pierce Brosnan  is satisfactory as  a dubious British government official who may have clues to the identities of the killers.  I look forward to seeing this new, older and serious Jackie Chan in future movies!

Blade Runner 2049

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A sequel to a movie made 35 years ago?  The original “Blade Runner” was a detective movie, a film noir and a  science fiction movie rolled into one.  It was visually stunning and thought-provoking with an ending that people still talk about.  If you loved the original (and I did), then you are going to LOVE “Blade Runner 2049”.  Ryan Gosling is at his best as he plays a new blade runner for the LAPD, who unearths a secret that has the potential to start a war between replicants and humans.  This leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard ,who is reprised by Harrison Ford, a former blade runner, who has been missing for thirty years.  The secret is intriguing and Harrison Ford is spot on as the old blade runner in hiding.  If you didn’t see the first “Blade Runner,” and you are a big action movie person, this movie probably won’t be for you though.  Go see it on the big screen as the special effects are dazzling and the cinematography is amazing.  This is a highly intelligent and cerebral movie, and may or may not be popular at the box office.  However, just like the original, I think it is destined to be a cult classic.