Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Bullet Train

By Leave a Comment

Apple Rating:

Brad Pitt plays a very unlucky assassin nicknamed Ladybug who is tasked with finding and removing a particular briefcase by his handler (voiced by Sandra Bullock). The action takes place entirely on a high speed train in Japan (A ‘bullet train.’ Coincidence? Unh unh).  Ladybug discovers that seemingly everyone on the train has an ulterior motive for being on board, AND for wanting the briefcase. No surprise that the gloves are off, and they all will stop at nothing to get it.  Some of his adversaries include Bad Bunny playing the Wolf, Joey King as Prince, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine, and Bryan Tyree Henry as Lemon.  The man behind it all has a complicated back story, but it will become clear that he’s earned his sobriquet ‘White Death.’ (The ever daunting Michael Shannon). This movie reminded me a lot of Pulp Fiction because of the witty dialogue, violence, and timeline mash ups. The action is fast paced and full of twists and unforeseen turns. Right in the middle of the action, for example, the movie shows you the journey of a water bottle from the vending machine where it is purchased through it’s appearance on the train and it’s inventive use as a weapon.   Oh and don’t forget some tongue-in-cheek cameos by Channing Tatum and Ryan Reynolds. This is an extremely violent, but yet, highly entertaining summer pop-corn movie.  I wouldn’t take young kids to see it, but otherwise, if you go, I doubt you will be bored.

Ocean’s 8

By 2 Comments

Apple Rating:

I liked this movie.  It is light hearted and fun.  Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, sister of the famous Daniel Ocean from three past movies (2 great and 1 terrible), who has recently passed away (although  there  are several jokes about the fact that no one is 100% positive that he actually is in his crypt).  She has been in jail for five years, apparently framed by her former boy friend and partner in crime, Claude Becker (portrayed by Thorin Oaken…er, Richard Armitage).  She’s had a LOT of time to think, and when she gets out, she is ready to pull off a seemingly impossible  (aren’t they all?) heist that involves stealing a necklace – worth an incredible $150,000,000! – from the Met’s Annual Gala and the neck of the self centered Daphne Kugler (Anne Hathaway).  Watching how she pulls this off with partners like Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Rihanna is entertaining.  Director Gary Ross even throws in a few cameos from some of the original players of Ocean’s 11-13.  Hathaway makes a really good mark, one with more on the ball than you might think, and Armitage lightly oozes the charm as the boyfriend who may or may not be part of a revenge subplot.  The schemes are not as intricate and developed as the Clooney vehicles, but there are some good twists, some good performances and plenty of eye-catching fashion.  Ocean’s 8 may not be an intense ride like Dead Pool or Infinity War, but for a summer popcorn movie – It definitely fills the bill.