JoeMama's Movie Reviews

The Friday Five:  Melissa McCarthy Melissa McCarthy is best known for playing to her comedic strengths in a slew of films that are laugh-out-loud funny, and proves why she is one of this generation's best comediennes.  Yet she's also done some serious work as well, and proves that she can more than handle both genres.  With the release of her next serious work "The Kitchen," I take a look at my five favorite Melissa McCarthy films. **THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS** #5  The Nines   In one of her earliest starring roles, McCarthy plays different characters as she interacts with Ryan Reynolds' character through three different stories.  It's a complex psychological thriller in which McCarthy is allowed to play to all her strengths including comedy and drama, and works beautifully against Ryan Reynolds.  The film isn't well-known, but it also features standout performances by Hope Davis and earlier debuts of fu...

Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino Directed by Quentin Tarantino The Story: In Hollywood in February 1969, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman/best friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are living the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle filled with money, fame, and prestige - until Rick realizes that his career is on the downswing, as he finds himself playing the villain in several television pilots, and never the hero.  He's approached by Hollywood bigwig MArvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) to go to Italy to make some spaghetti westerns in order to build up his credibility again, and Rick struggles with his decision. Meanwhile, Cliff is more carefree and enjoying life and his dog, and comes across hippie Pussycat (Margaret Qualley), who invites him to visit her commune, run by Charles Manson (Damon Herriman).  It's also during this time young starlet Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) begins her rise to stardom, tha...

Major Theatrical Releases August 2019 Typically August brings about a slew of subpar films that the production companies want to throw out there before the fall, and this year looks to be no different.  While there's some really good gems in the bunch, it looks like it'll be another subpar month at the theaters. Here are the major theatrical releases for August 2019... **THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS** **DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**  Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw August 2 "The Fast and the Furious" franchise has managed to maintain its popularity and provide action-packed films for over a decade, and now they're branching out and presenting a spinoff film.  Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham return as their "Fast and the Furious" characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw as the two adversaries must come together to stop a ruthless international terrorist who's become cyber-genetically enhanced.  Idris E...

The Friday Five:  Jason Statham Jason Statham is best known for his action films, but he's also delved into other genres as well - but he still maintains the title of one of today's biggest action stars.  With the release of "Hobbs & Shaw," I take a look at my five personal favorite Jason Statham films. **THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS** #5  Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels The first film for both Jason Statham and director Guy Ritchie, "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" centers on a group of four friends who lose a high-stakes poker game and must come up with 500,000 pounds before they're killed.  Ritchie saw Statham working as a black market salesman and recruited him to star in the film, and it showcases his natural charisma as well as providing a fun-filled ride with well-rounded characters, dark humor, and Ritchie's now-signature filming style. #4  The Bank Job Best known for his action prowe...

The Lion King Starring Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones Directed by Jon Favreau The Story: In the Pride Lands of Africa, a family of lions rule over the land, led by the gentle and caring Mufasa (James Earl Jones), who sets out to protect his lands and not rule with an iron fist.  His young cub Simba (JD McCrary) is crowned the future king, to the anger of Mufasa's brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who desires to rule himself.  As Mufasa teaches Simba what it means to be a real king, Scar tricks Simba to find himself in a dangerous situation, leading Mufasa to save him and leading to Mufasa's death at the hands of Scar.  Simba - thinking Mufasa's death was on him - is told by Scar to leave and never return, which he does. In exile, Simba meets meerkat Timon (Billy Eichner) and warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), who teach the young cub the importance of forgetting the past and living a life of no cares or worries.  The years go by...

The Friday Five:  Margot Robbie Margot Robbie is one of today's most prolific, talented, and downright stunning actresses, a rare talent who totally envelops herself in her role so fully that you don't even recognize her.  With her upcoming role in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," I take a look at my five personal favorite Margot Robbie films. **THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS** #5  Z for Zachariah In one of her first starring roles, Margot Robbie stars as Ann Burden, who thinks she's the lone survivor after the world ends due to an apocalyptic event.  Living alone in an unspoiled piece of land, she finds that she's not alone after discovering stranger John Loomis (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the valley, and the two begin to form a bond - until she finds another survivor, played by Chris Pine, that threatens everything they worked to build.  Robbie delivers a solid performance and sets the stage for this then-up-an...

Wonder Park Starring Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, Mila Kunis The Story: Growing up, June (Brianna Denski) and her mother (Jennifer Garner) share a vivid imagination, and together create the mythical Wonderland theme park where their most innovative imaginations can create the most unique rides imaginable, and when June tries to create this world for real, ends in hilariously disastrous consequences.  The young girl maintains a childlike imagination and wonder, but when her mother comes down with a terminal illness that sends her away, June abandons her imagination and Wonderland altogether. Then while on a trip, June wanders from the group and finds her Wonderland theme park in tatters.  The creatures that run it - Boomer (Ken Hudson Campbell) the bear, Greta (Mila Kunis) the boar, Steve (John Oliver) the porcupine, and Cooper (Ken Jeong) and Gus (Kenan Thompson) the beavers - are trying to keep what's left of Wonderland alive after it myst...