Surprise! A mid-month post. That’s because I had too many reviews for the next IWSG post and I have a post at the IWSG site today. I have compiled some information on writers, AI, ethics, programs, copyright, and more at the IWSG site, so check it out!
Movie Reviews
Despicable Me 4
Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run.
It was entertaining.
Nothing against Gru and his family, but bring on the Minions! The family dynamics are sweet and nice, but at this point, more interested in Minion shenanigans. Fortunately, there are plenty.
I’d say the second half worked best, once the girl next door got involved. And the honey badger.
The animation is stunning, as there are close up moments that look so real, like Gru’s hands near the end when he’s holding on for dear life.
Recommended. Unless you didn’t like the other five movies. This one won’t change your mind.
Plane
A pilot finds himself caught in a war zone after he's forced to land his commercial aircraft during a terrible storm.
Starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter, it’s a surprisingly good film with a terrible title.
Shot on a very modest budget, the director makes the best of the locations and his two stars. He delivers an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller. It also had an 80’s-90’s vibe to it.
Recommended
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened and works with old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy.
It’s actually a super fun movie. While not as good as the first two, it delivers a lot of good laughs and crazy action scenes. It’s almost an apology for the third film.
Eddie Murphy doesn’t look like he’s aged. Certainly not forty years from the first movie!
It’s a definitely throwback to the 80’s films. Same vibe, style of music, and makes one smile.
Recommended
Music Review – Evergrey – Theories of Emptiness
Released last month, their seventeenth album has quickly grown to be one of my favorites.
From Sweden, this is a prog band that focuses on shorter tracks with great hooks and catchy choruses.
Falling From the Sun is the perfect way to lead off an album. It’s an earworm with a melody you won’t soon forget.
The rest of the album is just as impressive. Standout tracks include Say (the video hinted at the departure of their drummer and it was indeed announced a week or so later – the video is a nice sendoff), We Are the North, and Cold Dreams (featuring Jonas Renkse, lead singer from Katatonia.)
This album is a must-have for those who love metal/rock with clean vocals.
Highly recommended!
Have you seen any of those movies? Heard of Everygrey? Doing anything fun this summer?
Be sure to visit the IWSG site to get information on AI and writing.
After this week, I’ll see you again for the August posting of the IWSG!
Be sure to visit the IWSG site to get information on AI and writing.
After this week, I’ll see you again for the August posting of the IWSG!
33 comments:
I think the title would have been better if they'd just added an article to it. "The Plane." Although why even do that? Sounds like a good film, at any rate.
Thanks for the Beverly Hills Cop new movie recommendation. I have Netflix and will check it out.
Elizabeth, it was just a really dumb decision to give it that name.
Pat, Plane will probably show up somewhere else soon.
Despite its name, Plane sounds good. I'm beyond tired of paying for movies and additional streaming services (I have five) so I'll wait until it arrives at one I have. Thanks, Alex.
Haha you are right, Plane is a terrible title. what the heck? But I will make a point of seeing it because I love these kinds of movies.
It is always a treat to see a post from you - despite the fact that none of the movies are on my radar and I don't know the band.
I heard the new Despicable Me was out- but haven't seen it yet. Glad to hear it is pretty good. I remember watching Beverly Hills Cop a lot in the 80s and 90s. So- I am happy to hear the new one is fun too! Thanks for sharing. :)
Always nice to get a bonus post when the blogosphere is always so quiet. I think the smartest call is to never go anywhere near AI. Though you should know that your post links are to your site and not the IWSG site.
I haven't heard of "Plane." I haven't seen Gerard Butler in a movie for a bit. I might see this... There's another movie too, that I want to see. Channing Tatum and Scarlet Johansson are in it, but I can't remember the name of it.
I noticed Axel F on Netflix last night, but I haven't tried it out yet. (I was finishing up 3 Body Problem.) I might give it a go.
Karen, you'll enjoy it.
JE, crap - thanks for letting me know.
Rosey, it's called Fly Me to the Moon.
Liz, 3 Body Problem was a trip, wasn't it?
I shouldn't be surprised we're at 4 Despicable Me movies. LOL
Hi Alex, I actually have seen ‘Plane” the name isn't very creative, hoe, the movie is better than I expected. Action packed.
The minions are always the stars of Despicable Me. I'm always a bit cynical when I see #4 in the title. All too often, sequels are diappointing because the writers are visibly milking one good idea for all it's worth, but there are exceptions. The Shrek movies were all fresh storylines, and we just watched Kung Fu Panda 4 which also manages to keep its originality. I hope Gru and co. are also such an exception.
Patricia, plus two Minion movies, so six total.
Truedessa, it was indeed action packed.
Ian, they need more Minion movies instead I think.
Hi, Alex!
I enjoy air disaster films (just watched Ants On A Plane) and edge-of-my-seat thrillers. Shirley (Airplane! reference) I would enjoy Plane, a movie with a very "plane" title. The main reason right off the bat is because I have followed actor Mike Colter for years. He was in AHS: Coven, Jessica Jones and the latter series' spin-off Luke Cage. Now he's going gangbusters in the main cast of the hit supernatural drama series Evil along with Katja Herbers, the marvelous Dutch actress who is also great in the series Manhattan.
Any prog rock or metal band from Sweden is an automatic "yes" for me because there are so many great ones. Thanks for visiting Shady's Place and enjoy the rest of your month, good buddy Alex!
I like Gerard Butler so I will see this movie but, with that title,I expect to see Herve Villechaise to ring a bell. I still have to see the other Gru movies. The first one was funny. I feel I can't keep up with all the movies coming out into theatre's but also Netflix, Disney, HBO, Hulu. Blah, blah, blah...lol
I need to go see Despicable Me 4 - love the minions. I have to say Axel Foley was just a hoot - Eddie doesn't age and that grin and laugh absolutely work. Who cares if the plot is ridiculous? It's entertaining.
I will say The Blue Angels doc on Prime is worth watching - wow....I almost needed some dramamine just watching on TV. Live shows are crazy good - seeing behind the scenes training is a wow.
Stay cool Alex. It's summertime HEAT!
I want to see Plane and Beverly Hills Cop. I used to love those movies.
I watch movies as they come out on Prime so I just watched Godzilla x Kong and loved it.
Sorry I've been MIA for almost 2 weeks. My internet was out and I had a hard time getting on blogs with my phone. But it's fixed now and I'm making my way around to all the blogs I love.
What a gorgeous album cover that is! As for the movies, no, none for me this time. As I get older, I'm getting much harder to please :-)
Loved the Minion movie although it was a little slow getting to the plot.
Yay to having enough interesting movies to review! (sorry, my kids have been bummed by the selection the last months). I'm going to take a peek an Evergrey.
I had no idea there was a new Beverly Hills Cop. That one is now on my list, glad you liked it, but honestly, I would have watched it either way.
Hi Alex - I'm like Annalisa ... as I get older I'm harder to please with films, or what I want to watch. I looked up Evergrey ... and note your 'Highly Recommended' ... I'm interested to learn - but I'll leave it at that. I have learnt since I started 'clocking in' to various bloggers' sites: opens my eyes, at least - cheers and thanks - Hilary
Ants on a Plane - I'll have to look for that one, Shady.
Birgit, good point about Herve!
Joanne, haven't had a chance to see The Blue Angels yet.
Mary, sorry about your Internet being out. We recently rewatched Godzilla x Kong and it was just as enjoyable as the first time.
Rhonda, at least you know it's good.
Evergrey's awesome, thanks for the reco. Summer is over where I am, rains now and I'm enjoying them after being in rainless zones for years and years.
I've been in a movie slump. Nothing grabs me. Maybe it's all the rehashing of the same movies. At least Plane is something new. We need more original content, movie making people!
Seems I wasn't the only one venturing out with a mid-month post. LOL
Forty years? Really? Ugh
Saw "Axel F." Not bad at all. You're right about Eddie Murphy. While he certainly has aged, he doesn't look bad. Rosewood and Taggert, on the other hand? Sweet Baby Moses, those two look like mummies.
I enjoyed the new Beverly Hills Cop movie! It had the feel of the first two, but brought some things into the current day effectively.
Heading over now.
Sounds like you have some interesting things up at the IWSG site! I might take a look.
I haven't had a chance to see the new Beverly Hills Cop yet!
I hadn't heard of Plane, that one sounds good!
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