Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

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!

Hell or High Water

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For those of you who have been following this blog, you have probably noticed that I love to follow the smaller movies.  “Hell or High Water” is one of the best of these movies I have seen this year.  The great Jeff Bridges plays a crafty Texas Ranger close to retirement in this modern western.  I enjoyed the back and forth banter he has with his partner, played by Gil Birmingham.   Chris Pine has some acting chops as one of two brothers (the other is played by Ben Foster) who resort to robbing banks for what they believe to be a noble reason.  These is some unexpected humor,  great dialogue and superb acting.  This is a gritty movie, that should be depressing, but there is satisfying redemption at the end.

Star Trek Beyond

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I have been watching the Star Trek franchise for over forty years.  I loved the original television series with William Shatner and company.  I am equally captivated with the newest reboot staring Chris Pine.   These beloved characters just keep getting better!  “Star Trek Beyond” definitely lived up to my expectations.  There was lots of action, great special effects, humorous dialog and an appealing new character who I could see joining the Enterprise for a fourth movie.  If you enjoyed the first two Star Trek movies, there is nothing in this movie that will disappoint you.  On a bittersweet note, this will be the last time Chekov makes an appearance in these movies due to the recent death of Anton Yelchin.