Kong: Skull Island

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ Kong: Skull Island could have been a great movie.  It started out as such.  But two-thirds of the way through, Writer John Gatins story went south with Samuel L. Jackson’s character being so stupid that even the kids near me started to groan.  

If you weren’t for Kong by then, loyalties changed and you just wanted him to end the human characters and get back to keeping the island natives safe.

 

It’s a shame because Director Vogt-Roberts had such great control over the action and the Writing Team of Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly, not to mention Cinematographer Larry Fong and the entire Visual Effects team had a crackerjack thriller going for them.  But even all this talent couldn’t fight the eventual story dumbness.

John C. Reilly had the standout performance with Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston well playing the central couple.  Kong and the “Skull Cracker” monsters were wonderfully created, as well.

Despite the story flaw, I still give Kong: Skull Island a 3.3 out of 5. 

Logan

Writer/Director James Mangold’s Logan may be the best of all the X-Men derived films, even with 2013’s The Wolverine being, in my estimation, one of the best crafted films of that year.

This is due to the fact that, despite the film deals with fantastical characters, it’s played like a more realistic crime thriller; that and the fact young actress Dafne Keen may be the find of the Century.  Kudos to Casting Directors Lisa Beach and Sarah Katzman or whoever was responsible for finding her.

The trio of Keen, Hugh Jackman as Logan and Patrick Stewart as the aged Charles are absolutely riveting in the performances of their camaraderie.

So, even if you’re not an X-Men fan, but like thrillers, you will definitely enjoy this movie. 

That’s not to say it may be tough going for the feint-of-heart.

It’s not even spring yet, but the thrillers promised for the rest of the year have a high bar to face if they want to challenge Logan.

 

I give it a 4.9 out of 5.

Before I Fall

Director Ry Russo-Young got together with Writers Maria Maggenti and Lauren Oliver to successfully deliver what has to considered a “chick-flic” entitled Before I Fall.

 

Starting out as a cross between Mean Girls and Groundhog Day, the film becomes more and more innovative as it moves along.

 

The story surrounds a clique of four high school girls, who have an auto accident with one (Zoey Deutch) reliving the day over and over until she understands the full meaning of that day and, ultimately, her life.

The point of the story may seem simple, but the unraveling brings the viewer to that point in a clearer and more meaningful way.

Though I went up and down as the plot unfolded, I was quite satisfied with the resolution. 

I think young women will especially like the film, but it is worthwhile to a wider audience, as well, especially because of the wonderful performance by Zoey Deutch.

I give Before I Fall a 3.9 out of 5.