Apollo 18

Movie: Apollo 18

Genre: thriller

Synopsis: The premise is that Apollo 17 was not the last Apollo mission.  There was a top-secret Apollo 18 that made it to the moon.  When they got there, they discovered what would become the basis of the catch-phrase “there is a reason we never went back”.

My two cents: This movie has gotten pretty crappy reviews . . . but I liked it.  The big stumbling block is believing that - with all the hundreds, if not thousands, of people on the ground involved with an Apollo mission – it has taken over 35 years for anything to be leaked about it to the public. Once I got past that, it was kind of fun.  A number of real goose-bump moments; such as when the two astronauts in the lunar module look out their window and discover that the flag they planted is no longer there, or when they discover footprints.  I think this was much better than the critics and a lot of viewers) have given it credit for.

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Creature

Movie: Creature

Genre: horror

Synopsis: The “Creature” is a man-alligator that haunts the swamps near a small Louisiana community.  Three young couples who are just “passing through” learn about the “legend” of this creature and decide to visit the house where the man who supposedly became the creature used to live.  Many, many bad things follow.

My two cents: A pretty typical “wrong turn” type of movie – with an alligator twist.  The actor I most enjoyed watching was Sid Haig – who played his typical really-evil type of character (you may remember him as one of the scariest clowns ever in “The Devil’s Rejects”).  An example of the stuff that just drives me crazy with this type of movie: these six people just suddenly decide that they are going to hike through an unknown backwoods swamp area and camp there overnight – but no one even has a flashlight.  If you are into this genre you would probably like it.  If you are not a big fan of this genre, definitely give this a pass.

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The Debt

Movie: The Debt

Genre: spy thriller

Synopsis: In 1966, Rachel (Jessica Chastain), Stephan (Marton Csokas) and David (Sam Worthington) were three Israeli Mossad agents wo were sent on a secret mission to East Germany.  Their mission was to kidnap a Nazi war criminal and bring him back to Israel for trial. The movie begins 31 years later in 1997 with Rachel (now played by Helen Mirren) is the ex-wife of Stephan (Tom Wilkenson) and David (Ciarán Hinds) has only recently re-entered the picture.  The three were celebrated as heroes for their exploits in 1966; but the return of David brings a major bump to their lives.  As we re-live the 1966 mission, we find out just how big the “bump” is.

My two cents: A pretty good spy thriller.  The plot and execution was pretty believable.  I especially liked Jessica Chastain as Rachel.  After seeing Jessica as Celia Foote in “The Help” it was interesting to see her in such a radically different role.  I would like to have seen Ciarán Hinds get more screen time.  After seeing Helen Mirren play a “wet work” specialist in REDS, it would have been nice to see her do more butt-kicking.  That said, my only real beef with this movie was the ending.  I like the endings to wrap up loose ends and – for me - this movie left too many.

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Seven Days in Utopia

Movie: Seven Days in Utopia

Genre: drama

Synopsis: Luke (Lucas Black), an up and coming professional golfer, is challenging for the lead in the final round of a golf tournament … until he shoots a 14 on the final hole.  After his meltdown, he drives off to be by himself.  He ends up in a town of 375 called Utopia.  In Utopia, Luke befriends Johnny Crawford (Robert Duval).  Johnny is a crusty old gentleman who turns out to be a former professional golver with his own golf course in Utopia.  Johnny promise Luke that if he gives Johnny a week to work with him, he will give Johnny the tools to turn his golf game around.  What follows is Johnny in the role of Mr. Miyagi and Luke in Ralph Macchio’s role.  By the end of the seven days, Luke has indeed learned what he needs to turn his life (and golf game) around.

My two cents: The movie had a lot of potential . . . but I was too distracted by the “Karate Kid” similarities.  I kept waiting for Johnny to tell Luke: “Wax on . . .wax off”.  I did like the performances: Robert Duval never seems to miss.  I especially liked seeing Deborah Ann Woll sans fangs (i.e. outside of True Blood).  The movie just got a little too preachy for me.

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Attack the Block

Movie: Attack the Block

Genre: horror

Synopsis: Sam (Jodie Whittaker) is on her way home located in a crime-ridden section of London when she is mugged by a gang of teenaged boys – who turn out to live in the same apartment building that she does.  After the mugging the gang investigates a strange explosion that occurred nearby.  It turns ouy to be some kind of alien creature that attacks them.  The rest of the movie follows the gang as they do battle with the dozens of other aliens that land and seem intent on killing them.

My two cents: A bit out of the ordinary.  The story line was a little thin.  The thing that stood out were the creatures.  They looked like short, hairy gorillas with fangs that glow in the dark.  In hindsight, I would have been happy to wait for it to come around on TV.

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The Whistleblower

Movie: The Whistleblower

Genre: drama

Synopsis: Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is a Nebraska police officer.  She is hired by a State Department contractor to be part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in post-war Bosnia.  While there, she discovers that there are very young girls being held in brothels as sex slaves.  As Kathy investigates, she finds the she has only scratched the surface, not only are the local police involved, but members of the U.N. peacekeeping force are actually helping smuggle the kidnapped girls into Bosnia.  Then, higher-ups decide to shutdown Kathy’s investigation, forcing her to take some extreme measures. Also stars Vanessa Redgrave, David Strathairn and Monica Bellucci.

My two cents: I had to keep reminding myself that the events in this movie really happened.  The things these poor girls are put through and forced to do are unimaginable.  And equally unimaginable is how anyone could allow things like this to occur and then protect to perpetrators, much less to actually participate.  Kathy put her own life in jeopardy to try and make the world aware of these atrocities.  This was a tough movie to watch . . . but one that needs to be seen.  Rachel Weisz turns in a great performance.

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The Names of Love

Movie: The Names of Love

Genre: comedy (French, with subtitles)

Synopsis: Baya (Sara Forestier) is a very liberal French woman who is a bit of a hippy.  Arthur Martin (Jaques Gamblin) is a very straight-laced government scientist –  he is an expert on avian-born diseases.  Her mother was raised in a wealthy family and rebelled by marrying an Algerian immigrant.  His parents both fled to France from Germany during World War II after their parents were killed by the Nazis. Baya has a mission in life – she sleeps with righ-wingers in the belief that her actions make them more liberal.  Although an unlikely couple, Baya and Arthur take a liking to each other.  The movie follows their relationship through its ups and downs.

My two cents: I liked this movie. . . it was definitely not your typical comedy.

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