Hello again, everyone and welcomes abundant to new and old readers alike of Gildshire Magazines’ bi-weekly movie feature. This is the place you want to be for insights into new releases, star points for how much we want to see these movies, and Rotten Tomatoes’ ratings. Along the way, find our thoughts on concessions and maybe even a picture of a vintage movie theater or movie poster. (Okay, for sure there will be one of those. Look up!) This week’s slate of new releases include an animated blockbuster-to-be, some dramas and a likely art-house film we have anticipated for a while. Let’s dive in.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, rated PG for mild action and rude humor.
Gildshire has a confession to make right off the top of our cinematic get-together. We aren’t gonzo about every animated movie that comes out of CGI-World. But there is something undeniably endearing about these jointless little Lego beings. The preview we saw tells us nothing about the movie and everything about the voice-actors and their dancing, but we don’t care! The first Lego captured our imagination, and we trust this one, as well. It stars the voice talents of Chris Pratt as Emmett, Elizabeth Banks as Wyldstyle/Lucy, Will Arnett as Batman, and Tiffany Haddish as Queen Whatevra Wa-Nabi. Rotten Tomatoes 88, Gildshire 4.5.
What Men Want, rated R for language and sexual content throughout, and some drug material.
Inspired by the gender-opposite “What Women Want,” this movie follows a female sports agent who is blocked from career growth by a patriarchal industry. When a concussion enables her to hear men’s thoughts she learns how the other side thinks. Fairly standard fare becomes something better when Taraji P. Henson is involved. It co-stars Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, and Wendi McLendon Covey. Rotten Tomatoes 53, Gildshire 3.9.
Cold Pursuit, rated R for violence throughout, drug material, and some language including sexual references.
Does anyone remember when Liam Neeson made deep, thoughtful movies like “Schindler’s List,” or even “Leap of Faith?” Now, they could make one movie poster that says “Liam Kicks A**,” and use it over and over again. Ah well, he’s still getting paid so he must have an audience. There is a little more humor in this one than in some of his previous testosterone-fueled forays. It co-stars Tom Bateman, Tom Jackson, and Emmy Rossum. Rotten Tomatoes 82, Gildshire 3.4.
The Prodigy rated R for violence, disturbing and bloody images, a sexual reference and brief graphic nudity.
I know people who won’t see movies where children are in peril. But, what about movies in which children ARE the peril? In this latest take in the “demon seed” genre, the smartest little guy in kindergarten is also the deadliest. It stars Taylor Schilling as Sarah, Jackson Robert Scott as Miles, Peter Mooney as John, and Colm Feore as Arthur. Rotten Tomatoes 55, Gildshire 3.0
Everybody Knows (Todos lo Saben), rated R for some language.
“Going home again.” For most of us, that means a trip to Bob’s Footlongs and a drive-by to see our old house. “Going home” is never quite that simple in the movies. In this film, Penelope Cruz plays a woman going home in joy and triumph, until things go terribly awry. A kidnapping reveals much more in the way of family history than anyone suspected. Gildshire is stepping beyond Rotten Tomatoes’ lukewarm rating to give this our Movie of the Fortnight award. It co-stars Javier Bardem, Ricardo Darin, and Eduard Fernandez. Rotten Tomatoes 64, Gildshire 4.5.
That’s our report for this week. Join us again in two weeks when we have more to say about movies that don’t have even one Lego in them! Until then, make sure the popcorn is hot, and the butter is flowing throughout.