JoeMama's Movie Reviews

The Front Runner Starring Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Sara Paxton Directed by Jason Reitman The Story: In 1984, Senator Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman) lost his bid for the Democratic Party's choice for President to Walter Mondale, but in 1988 he once again ran and became the front runner for the nomination.  He was young and headstrong, who always stayed on message, and seemingly had the perfect family life with wife Lee (Vera Farmiga) and their two young children. When word reaches the Miami Herald of Donna Rice (Sara Paxton) - a woman that Hart has been seeing on the side - they set out to investigate the claim and unearth a slew of immoral actions by Hart, but he doesn't seem to care, because all he cares about are the facts and not divulging his private life - but soon he might not have a choice. The Synopsis: A surprising fact people might not know about me is that I love following politics, but I never talk about it because all it does is stir up ...

Instant Family Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Octavia Spencer Directed by Sean Anders The Story: Childless couple Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) Wagner decide they want a child, because they're getting older and find something missing in their lives.  They decide to adopt with the help of social workers Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (Tig Notaro), and choose teenager Lizzie (Isabela Moner) - but she also comes with her two younger siblings, Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz). As they adjust to being new parents of three children, Pete and Ellie discover all the pitfalls and positives that come with being adoptive parents, as they deal with the three children who were raised in a broken home try to fit into this new family dynamic, with all their ups and downs, and learn to become a family. The Synopsis: Adoption is something that's not really talked about in Hollywood, but something that millions of families in ...

Widows Starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo Directed by Steve McQueen The Story: Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis) has the perfect life with her husband Harry (Liam Neeson), who works as a bank robber with a gang of friends.  She lives in a high-rise apartment, has a beautiful dog, and always has the best fashions.  However, during one robbery, things go wrong and Harry - along with his crew - are killed in a shootout with police. Now a widow, Veronica realizes her troubles are just beginning, as corrupt wannabe politician Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry) wants the $2 million dollars Harry was supposed to steal for him, and tells Veronica she has a month to get it.  She gets the other widows together - Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) - after she finds a journal Harry left that includes details of all his past robberies - and one he was planning on doing next. Veronica leads the girls to plan th...

Crazy Rich Asians Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina Directed by Jon M. Chu The Story: Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is a successful economics professor at New York University, and dating the dashing Nick Young (Henry Golding), and is totally unsuspecting of his upbringing until he invites her to his home country of Singapore for his best friend's wedding.  Rachel learns that Nick's family is the most wealthy real estate companies in Singapore, and his family is basically royalty. When Rachel meets Nick's overbearing mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), she's quick to show her dissatisfaction for Rachel, making her feel like a commoner in the presence of royalty.  For Eleanor, no one is good enough for Nick, and she harbors deep resentment for Nick not coming home earlier.  With the help of her friend Goh Peik Lin (Awkwafina), Rachel holds to her convictions and believes firmly that love can conquer all - even an overbearing mother. The...

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black Directed by Gus Van Sant The Story: John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) was a hard drinking, hard living young man who was continually drinking to avoid thinking of the mother who abandoned him when he was born.  One night with fellow drunk Dexter (Jack Black), Callahan gets into a car wreck and while Dexter got out with some minor bruises, Callahan was permanently paralyzed. Having to rely on others, he sees his life as meaningless and continues drinking, until he starts attending AA meetings led by the charismatic Donnie (Jonah Hill), and decides he wants to quit drinking and face the past and the future sober.  He begins drawing and finds a true knack for it, and his work gets published in several magazines despite the uncouth nature of it, and finds love with Annu (Rooney Mara).  As he gets his life back in order, there's one more thing he needs to do - make a...

The Old Man & the Gun Starring Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover Directed by David Lowery The Story: Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) is a lifelong criminal who's escaped from different jails a total of sixteen times, most recently escaping the nearly impossible San Quentin, and reunites with friends Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits) to rob several banks in multiple states.  What makes their crime spree so different - besides their age - is how Forrest treats his victims.  He's a gentleman, always smiling, and even offering consoling words to the bank tellers he robs, and the three are deemed "the Over the Hill Gang." For Detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), this is a case that he wants to solve desperately, even if it seems no one else around him really cares, since the criminals are so oddly likeable and they don't steal a lot of money.  While on the run, Forrest meets widower Jewel (Sissy Spacek), and the two ...

Worst2First: My Top Ten Classic Christmas Films Christmas is my most favorite holiday of the year, and when it comes to Christmas films, there's no shortage of classics you and your family can enjoy during this most joyous time of the year. Here are my personal top ten classic Christmas films, worst2first... **THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS** #10  Muppet Christmas Carol Taking the beloved Charlies Dickens novel and including everyone's favorite Muppets, "Muppet Christmas Carol" is a delight for young and old this holiday season.  Featuring Michael Caine as the ever-grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, the film also features the likes of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang as they tell the classic Christmas story in their own unique way. #9  The Santa Clause After accidentally causing Santa to fall off the roof of his house, Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) must become Saint Nick himself to finish the deliveries, or else it c...