BRIGHT

BRIGHT, hear of it? Yeah, it is Netflix film directed by David Ayers, starring Will Smith and a unrecognizable  Joel Edgerton, that came out right before Christmas that all the critics were dogging out. I manage to just see the headlines and avoided the actual reviews. I didn’t want any of them to poison me to it. I wanted to see it with a open mind. Im a fan of Ayer but not the screenwriter Max Landis, so I already had issues of my own to overcome.

The trailer didn’t do anything for me. I just seemed gimmicky and silly. But then twitter blow up with the talks of shitty reviews and everyone else saying it was great and wanting a sequel. Critics and audience seemed to watch 2 different movies and I had to see for myself what the deal was.

 Well the deal is critics can be stuck up assholes that take films too damn seriously. I guess it was my bread and butter I would be too. But critics are not normal people. They don’t go to movies to have a good time. They’re looking for flaws and holes. For something to interesting to write about. They seen damn near every movie ever made and have to keep up with all the movies that come out as they’re careers go on.  They have to watch every thing, including The Emoji Movie. Think about that. They had to watch The Emoji Movie! Being a film critic fulltime is my dream job but if I got that assignment I would tell my editor to go fuck 'em self or at least call out sick until it was no longer in theaters.

Bright is a fresh take on the buddy LA cop film we’ve already seen a million times. Some of  those films David Ayer written and directed himself. The movie takes place in a world were faries, elves and orcs live side by side. Not peacefully, however. Orcs are the minorites that society shits on. Officer Scott Ward(Will Smith), whos having a hard time of it after being partnered up with the 1^st  Orc in the LAPD Nick Jakoby (Joel Edgerton).  So racial undertones aren’t subtle at all. People treat Jakoby like he was a black man trying to be a cop in the damn 1900 or something. Way over the top. Apparently, Orcs chose the Dark Lord 2000 years ago. What does that even mean I don’t know. But  that didn’t bother me because this world felt real and lived in. All of explanation would have been too extra.

The chemisty between Smith and Edgerton is the best thing about the whole movie. At first it’s a bit uncomfortable bc Ward is all most as hateful to Jakoby as everybody else is. But once the shit hits the fan and they have to start running for their lives they start to gel. Smith’s wise cracking one liner switch is turn all the way up. Classic Will Smith but maybe one of his most unlikable character to date. But on the scale 1-10 of unlikability Smith tops out at 4. But then he’ll save the day at the end, so it doesn’t even matter. He’s Will Smith, he never play real assholes, just grouchy good guys. Edgerton is the straight man that never gets the jokes. His unwavering earnestness and naivety was endearing amidst the seedy L.A. atmosphere. Besides being a Orc he would be a better fit in Mayberry.

Overall Bright was a fun action movie. Was it perfect? No, but it kept my interest from start to finish. Do you know how hard it is for me to watch a movie at home without scrolling my phone. It’s damn near impossible but I did while watching Bright. I think it would make for a better series. They created a whole world to explore but we barely got a taste of it because it all focused on the 2 leads. I want to know why the elves are so bougie and are there dragons out there. Are there Hobbits out there somewhere? Is there a Fairy equivalent to Oprah. Who is the president? Is this world ready for it’s first Orc President? Prehaps not, if being a Orc cop is such a big deal. There looks to be a Bright 2 in the works and hopefully I can get some of my question answered.  4 out of 5 STARS.

Top Anticipated Films of 2018

This is my list of  top 10 films of 2018 that I'm most looking forward to seeing and there is no order just like the rest of my life.


1. READY PLAYER ONE
Based on Ready Player One is a 2011 science fiction novel, and the debut novel of American author Ernest Cline, which I never heard of or read. But I saw the trailer and was blown away to see so many movie and video game characters and props in one world, even if its virtual reality world. And the fact that its Stephen Spielberg's first adventure/ action film in forever. Well the BFG was an adventure film and it was okay but this unlike that feels like a good old 70's and 80's Spielberg films like Close Encounter of the Third Kind, Raider of the Lost Ark. I really haven't been this hyped for on of his films in a long while and don't get me wrong I don't thinks he's made bad movie (the only exception being the Curse of the Crystal Skull) but his old films had a magical and awe inspiring. Of course most of those came out when I was a kid and there is some notaslic vaule for me and I don't care. This gives me those 80s feels. In theather March 18.

2. PROUD MARY
I've only seen the trailer one time and I was so fucking hyped. I was watching Marshall with my very sweet friend Di whom has a very different tastes and likes. She about the same age as my mom would be if she were alive and I'm the same age as her daughter that lives in another state. So it don't matter to me that we don't like the same things bc I like having a motherly woman in my life. The point is I was so overwhelmed by the trailer. Taraji P. Henson shooting shit up and being a full blown bad ass. When it was over I turn to Di like, "were going to see this!" but before I could say a word she said, "I never thought shed be in a movie like" with her face all messed up like she tasted something gross. Di does not like shot em up movies. I think she's still mad I took he to see Pain and Gain and that was 5 years ago. But this movie has the #1 things I love to see in a film I don't see enough of, a black woman in the lead role. And its a action movie?!?!!? Black women almost never get to do that shit. Actually women of color period. An Asian actress can't even get a lead in a film based on Japanese anime.



3. BLACK PANTHER
Straight up I didn't know a damn thing about Black Panther before I saw Captain America Civil War. I just thought he was African Batman. When sat down  I was just hoping Chris Evans would take his shirt off. Well he didn't but Chadwick Boseman came in with more swagger than Billy D., just kicking ass and stole my heart. So now I'm so ready. A big budget superhero movie will a mostly black cast, you know I'm down. I don't normally hurry to see the Marvel films, I'm a DC girl, but ill definitely be there on the first night and will call off work if I can get ticket to a screening.Feb 15

4.DEN OF THIEVES
I loved this movie when it was called HEAT and starred Robert Deniro and Al Pacino. This time they're calling it Den of Thieves, starring Gerard Bulter. Even the IMBD description sounds like HEAT. "A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist...." they could of just saved all that and said "Heat. Were doing Heat again, but with younger sexier dudes!" A film from both the cop and the criminal prospective is not a easy thing to do. And HEAT did it perfectly and is on my top 10 films of all time. So why do I want to see this film so much? It's HEAT with younger sexier guys ya'll! Were you not paying attention! I'm not proud of myself but I refuse to be a shame. Don't get it twisted. I don't usually like rehashing of my beloved movies. I have still not watched  Point Break 2.0 bc I knew damn while they didn't out sexy Reeves and Swazye. The both of them together, perfection. But Pablo Schreiber, that boy, that boy is the real deal.


5.ANNIHILATION
Another movie adapted from a book which I never hear of before but the trailer pulled me in completely and I still don't even know what its about. I watched it like 5 times and I'm clueless. Natalie Portman I running around with a gun looking intense as hell. She aint fucking arourd and I'm shook. This is on some futuristic/sci-fi/war/acid trip type shit. What more can you ask for. Feburary 23rd.

6. DEADPOOL 2
John Wick co-Director David Leitch is taking over and with the success of the 1st Deadpool movie D2 looks to be set to blow more shit up with a overload of crude humor. Seriously all this has to do is be ridiculous as the marketing for the film and it wins. I hope they don't fuck it up by trying to edit out recently accused rapist T.J, Miller. Maybe they can do what they did with Spacey in All The Money in the World and replace him or maybe cg him out of his scenes and make it a joke without ruining the integrity of the film.. That would be awesome, but doubtful.  June 1st.


7. INCREDIBLES 2
the 1st Incredible came out over 13 years ago. I'm not good with time. I cant remember if I talked to my dad 2 weeks ago or month. The last time I went to the doctor or how long ago I had a minor operation for that thing or what that thing was even called. I have a shit memory is the point. But I remember this came out 13 years ago in the 1st week of November bc my son was born a week before in the last week of October. That baby is now a full blown teen that's a whole inch taller than me. I didn't get to see it in theaters bc I had a new born at home that I didn't want to leave. I did watch with my mom on her bed while  my son played on the floor. We both loved it. She loved even more than me. Kari, the babysitter, was so funny to her. I don't think I'd seen my mom laugh so hard before. My mom has been gone for 10 years now and it breaks my heart that she won't be seeing this with me and her grandson. So this one is bittersweet. June 15.


8. OCEAN'S 8
Ocean's 11 but with women and the ringleader is Danny's Oceans sister? Hell yeah and why did it take so long? In heist/ action films we only get one or two women in key roles so this is extra cool to me to have a whole female time.  I can't wait for this and the sequel so they can add even more women in to mix. I mean they that to go up to 10 to complete the theme right? The only down side is Matt Damon apparently makes a cameo. I know Clooney is busy with his twins but they could have got anybody else. Well not Casey Affleck but Don Cheadle might have been available between Avengers movies. June 8th.

9. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 6
Mission Impossible movies never late me down. The last one, ROUGE NATION, was my least favorite in the fanchise and the fact that the director of that film is back for 6 does give me pause but the the old cast and new cast of actors that I love, including Superman himself, Henry Cavill and Angela Bassett, it's still a must see. Plus Tom Cruise doing his own stunts I worth the ticket proice alone. July 27th.

10. VENOM
Yeah I'm jazzed about INFINTIY WAR and all but Tom Hardy ain't in that, is he? No my boy T Hard is Venom. Ya'll already know I don't know jack about any Marvel character until I see the movie or show and Venom is not different. But its Tom the man Hardy in a comic book movie and that s all I need to know. I mean, I would love a standalone Bane movie but I'll just be happy with this. I think Venom is a bad guy I guess and when I say, "I guess" I mean I don't have a clue. It's Tom fn Hardy.What can I say, I'm a sucker for handsome men with intense acting chops. October 5th.

New Year, Who Dis

Hi, I'm LaTerice. Remember me? So, yeah it's been a while since I last blogged or reviewed. A really long time. It's pitiful, I know. I've been watching movies but not as much as I want to. But I can say 2017 had some great ones. Some I weren't expecting like Brawl in Cell 99 and big disappointments that I waited my whole life to see. I'm looking at you Justice League, with yo lame ass CGI villain and non-black suit wearing, weird upper lip having Superman. Seriously why didn't they have him in a black solar suit? Why?!!! Sorry about that it just makes me so mad. Andon the bright side there was Lady Bird, a film based in Sacramento with loads of Oscar buzz, however I still haven't seen it. Look, I was born and lived here, in Sacramento, my whole life and I love movies but..... it don't look that interesting to me. I mean, I was teenager in Sacramento and hated it. Do former prisoners like watching movies about prison? No, they don't. And of course there was The Last Jedi. Saw it twice and never have I  been so confused about my feeling on a film before. I'm not even gonna try to get it to that right now.

But it is 2018 and what's done is done. I'm not going to spend too much time to promising to post more and exciting new content. I have the best intentions for 2018 but ain't nothing to it but to do it. Promises are nice but action is the only thing that matters. There are so many movies coming out this year that I can't wait to see and share my take on them with you.

Wonder Woman

I don't even know how to start this review. I wanted to review movies and blog about films for years. I posted somethings over 5 years ago and it fell by the side. I have a life okay. Not a very fun or exciting life but a life. And this isn't gonna make me any money so it was hard to justify dedicating time to this. So I suck. But yesterday I watched Wonder Woman. And I have to share my thoughts because right now I seem to be alone on this one.

Wonder Woman is a movie I been waiting for since the first Batman movie came out in 1989 when I was 9. I watched the Wonder Woman tv show on reruns in the mid 80's. The show ended the year I was born, 1979 but I swear it was the first tv show that I remember. The theme song is still so clear in my head and makes me want to spin around like a damn fool, turning into Wonder Woman and go kick some ass. So, I thought if Batman has a movie, so Wonder Woman's is right around the corner. Right?

Wrong! Very fucking wrong. It been a long ass winding road to the big screen for the OG super hero. And hell yeah I was there Thursday night after a long day at work to beat the weekend crowds. Plus I been wait almost 30 damn years for this and I could not wait another day.  Plus the reviews were so over the top amazing. Everybody was talking like it was the best superhero movie ever and especially after Man of Steel and Batman vs Superman got hammered by all the critics and getting shit rating on Rotten Tomato. So my hopes for this was astronomical. So I got my son, paid a gwap for popcorn, sat down and  I was so ready to be amazed.

But the movie was not amazing. It was okay. Gal Galdot was beautiful and refreshing. Chris Pine playing Steve Trevor was charming like he is in all his movies.  Everybody including the main villain did a good job. But the thing is: it wasn't amazing.

It is Wonder Woman's orgin story. We see her grow up on Theymacara and training to be a warrior and Steve Trevors  shows up with Germans chasing behind him. She learns that World War 1 is ragging and millions have died. She was been raised to believe that Ares the god of war is the cause of man's hate and fighting so she goes because its her destiny to yada yada yada.

We've seen this story before. Well, not this story but its basically the same fish out of water story Hollywood have been selling since its beginning.. The whole thing was paint by numbers so why are all the critics acting like this is so above and beyond any other super hero movie? I keep waiting for it to get really really good. For some amazing scene that I was going to remember forever. But instead I sat thinking about how much better the fight scenes were in MOS and BVS. She looked animated in some shots. The lasso of truth was of course cgi when she fought with it but it looked completely unconvincing to me. Its 2017. There is no excuse for bad cg. And I know its petty and shallow but her hair, be it natural or a wig, I could not tell, but it was flat and inconsistent. Sorry but if Beyoncé can have "Wonder Woman hair" i.e. big, full and dancing to the beat, so should Wonder Woman.

This was probably one of the most predictable movies I since this year. Fortunately  most predicable movies give away how recycled they are in the trailer so they're easy to avoid. But this was not avoidable for me. This is Wonder Woman. How can so many film critics love this film so much?They see every film that comes out. Every action, horror, comedy, superhero, action film that's release. They had to see how routine the plot was, right? Did they had to know who the real bad guy of the film was because I sure a shit did. Nothing that happen surprised me or wowed me. Nothing was new, not truly.

I think the only thing I think was different from the other films is that the lead was a woman and it was directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. And God knows I'm a feminist and always have been. Wonder Woman has long been feminist icon in spite of her fictitious existence. I am all for more women in film. In front and behind the cameras but I refuse to say this is a great film just because we finally have a woman in a lead role in a superhero movie, after 20 damn films. Actually I have no idea how many there has been between DC and Marvel but its took too damn long to get to here, that's for damn sure. As a film lover and a feminist I've been looking forward to this day forever. I was invested in this film like none other but  I was genially underwhelmed by this movie. I can't front like it's great just because it stars a powerful women I've been dying to see on the big scene since I was a girl. I wonder, if Wonder Woman was Wonder Man would the reviews be so be so positive?

It was just another forgetable superhero movie. So I guess this is a good example that women can be heros too and also mad disappointing as any man.

Cool sword dude.

Keanu

Two squares infiltrate a drug dealing gang to recover their cute kitten.

Drive while Hunk

Okay to be honest I haven't watch TV or been online all summer so I didn't see any trailer for this movie. I actually saw something about it in a magazine. The write up gave a very enticing so I decided to see it. Didn't really know much about Ryan Gosling but his powerful work in Half Nelson and thought it was interesting a indie guy was in a action/car movie.

Well to say this is a different kind of car movie is an understatement. Actually Ryan Gosling performance in a exercise in understatement. His character barely speaks but when he does it important.The character is never named but we know he drive getaway cars at night and stunt cars by day and he's as cool as ice at all times. Oh and he wears a gold jacket with a embroiled scorpion on the back like a second skin, interesting chose to say the least.  He live a solitary life that is until he and his neighbor Irene played by Carey Muligan start something. Unfortunately before they get anywhere her ex con husband comes home. The bittersweet homecoming is just a prelude to whats to come. See hubby owe some guys some money and he has to do one last job blah blah blah. Driver is incline to help his would be loves husband, to stop anything from happening to her or her son whom he also has a soft spot for.

Of course things go horribly wrong on this "one last job"  as usual. Apparently Standard's "job" was a front for another "job" set up by a mobster associated with Driver's fast talking well meaning fuck up friend Shannon played effortlessly by Bryan Cranston. Left with a bag of money and a shit load of blood on his hands Driver tries to set thing straight but they only get worse. 

Without giving anything else away the film is a clear throw back to violent but character driven films of the 70's however the soundtrack is pure 80's pop which was kind of weird and refreshing at the same time. I can't wait for this to come out on DVD so I can really dig in to Gosling performance.