Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Black Adam

By 8 Comments

Apple Rating:

For anyone out there listening, this will be my last weekly review for awhile.  I am still seeing a movie at a theatre every Saturday and have seen some really great movies.  Reviews can not exist in a vacuum though, and I am not sure my little missives are being read by anyone.  This is not to say that I will completely give up movie reviews, but they will not be coming out weekly.  That being said – here we go!!

Black Adam is a DC movie that I found rather meh.  I am a fan of The Rock, especially when he is in comedies like “The Jungle Cruise” or “Jumanji”.  I thought it might be fun to see him as a superhero, but this movie really wasn’t much fun at all.  It all starts out in ancient Kahndaq where Teth Adam is given superpowers by a council of gods.  He uses these powers to get revenge on the people who killed his father, so he is imprisoned for 5,000 years, thus turning into Black Adam.  Through some very muddled story telling, Adam is released and reluctantly helps to save his hometown from various evil doers.  Viola Davis is completely wasted as a feeble sort of Nick Fury, but the storyline doesn’t give her much to do, or even explain what she is up to.

Tasked with bringing in Black Adam are the Justice Council, who  seem to be copying (and not in a good way) some of their more superior Marvel counterparts.   The Justice Council consists of Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone.  Except for Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan) none of these heroes are  interesting or even very powerful. It’s over complicated and jumps all over the place.

I guess Black Adam wasn’t a bad film, it does have its moments, and the CGI is impressive.  But if this is the best that DC has to offer, I think I will stick with Marvel.

Red Notice

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

What were you expecting out of a movie with Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Godot? Well, you won’t be disappointed, for that is exactly what you’re going to get!! Ryan Reynolds (Booth) plays his usual wise-cracking, Deadpool-ish character who describes himself as the World’s Greatest Art Thief. Dwayne Johnson (Hartley) is the intrepid FBI agent out to bring him to justice, and Gal Godot is the mysterious “Bishop,” who is beautiful, smart, and kicks butt like Wonder Woman. Yes, you have seen these characters in these same parts before, but that does not detract from the fun. The ludicrous plot has much to do with possessing all three of the ancient golden eggs said to have been given to Cleopatra by Marc Anthony. Two of these eggs are in private hands, but the third has been lost to time. Booth claims he knows where it is. The person who can deliver the lost third egg to a rich Egyptian collector – so he can give it to his daughter, yep her name is Cleopatra, on her birthday – will be $800 million richer. I advise you to forget the plot and just enjoy the banter, chases, escapes, and surprises. The action is virtually unending, the twists and betrayals many and surprising, and the effects are awesome. Look for a delicious cameo by a famous English singer-songwriter. This movie won’t win any Oscars, but it’s a fun ride, and will certainly entertain you for a few hours.

Jungle Cruise

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

Do you want to completely escape your troubles and watch a movie that doesn’t involve any thinking what-so-ever; and yet is surprisingly entertaining? Then you are in luck, because I have the perfect movie for you. Disney is constantly coming out with movies that are loosely inspired by some of its most popular theme park rides. The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean immediately come to mind. Jungle Cruise is another one, but it is made enjoyable by the performances of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. I was mesmerized by Emily Blunt’s performance in the Quiet Place I and II. But here she is equally engaging as a turn of the century scientist who wears pants and kicks butt. Dwayne Johnson plays a charming riverboat captain with a big secret. Paul Giamatti has a small role as the Italian dock owner Nilo Nemolato; while Jesse Plemons is the inevitable evil villain, Prince Joachim. The story is loaded with spectacular special effects, and a somewhat complicated plot with a few little twists here and there. And of course, there is the usual spooky jungle river mythos story. It doesn’t have much to do with the ride, but neither have the others! There are a number of interesting side characters (including British comedian Jack Whitehall as Emily’s brother) that really flesh out the tale and help add a touch of humor. They do a pretty good job of establishing the settings and atmosphere. No worries about me spoiling the plot, it is silly, full of holes, and really who cares? Just sit back, relax and escape.

Jumanji:The Next Level

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

It may not be as good, or charming, as the original, but ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ is a pleasant little romp to take your mind off of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.  Nerdy college student, Spencer, is feeling down in the dumps, and it seems, missing the fun and excitement of being Dr. Smolder Bravestone, and decides to repair the broken Jumanji game.  You know what’s going to happen next… Our main favorites are all back: The Rock, Jack Black, Karen Gillian (my fave) and Kevin Hart.  Of course they get sucked back into the game again, only this time around their “avatars” are inhabited by different characters.  This can all be explained by the fact that the game was smashed, put back together, and is working, but malfunctioning. Bethany is left behind, at first; but it turns out she has to find Alex (Colin Hanks/Nick Jonas). He will get them into the game.  The Rock is inhabited this time by Spencer’s grandpa Eddie (Danny de Vito), while Jack Black is Fridge the Jock.  Kevin Hart is Eddie’s buddy Milo (Danny Glover). Eddie and Milo are injected in the story as old friends who hadn’t see each other in years when Eddie resented Milo for retiring from their successful restaurant business.  Spencer ends up in the body of Awkafina while Bethany gets to be a horse.  Are you confused?  Well there is more confusion to come when the characters find some’ magical water’ in the game that make them all switch avatars yet again!?!  The plot really doesn’t mattter, it has something to do with a jewel, Game of Thrones’ Rory McCann (The Hound), and a flying horse.  I enjoyed the addition of Awkafina, she is hilarious.  However, I wish that the writers had kept everyone in their original avatars, the new ones were not as endearing.  All in all, a decent, if not great, adventure movie!

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

I loved the duo of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the very funny ‘Central Intelligence.’  However, I admit I wasn’t expecting much out of their latest pairing in this updated version of ‘Jumanji.’  I have to admit, though, that I laughed quite heartily through most of this movie.  Jack Black and Karen Gillan were fine too.  In a shift from the unwilling participants of the original movie,  there are now four teenagers who stumble across an old video game called ‘Jumanji,’ while cleaning an old school storeroom (they have all been assigned detention for various reasons). They start the game, and choose avatars before things begin to go in an odd direction and they stop playing.  However, in that inexplicable magic that only happens in the movies, they are whisked into the game anyway, where they are turned into the avatars they chose.  How they cope with their new bodies (one female is now in a male  body) and complete their mission makes for  interesting comedy and some good old out loud laughs.  No, it’s not Oscar material in any way, it’s not a deep or edge pushing show.  But, if  you are looking for a fun movie for a few laughs and a good time, look no further!