A Scoundrel, A Heist, and Some Dinosaurs

I know, I know. It has been a few weeks since I have made the last post. I fell behind. I got busy.
Life comes at you fast... yada, yada, yada.

Although, we did see some movies during that time. So here is a super quick summary, that way we all can continue the summer season moving along.


SOLO: A Star Wars Story

I wasn't expecting much from this movie. I was hoping it would surprise me, and it did... at least for the first half of the movie. Right from the start I was hooked into the film, and I was generally excited to see all the back stories that we all dreamed about seeing from the original Star Wars trilogy.

How did Han Solo become the greatest smuggler in the galaxy. When did he meet Chewbacca? When did he meet Lando?! How did he accomplish the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs?!!!

All of these questions and more get answered. In many ways that should appease any Star Wars fan. Then as the film went through the second half, I caught myself saying, "What's going on?" "Why does this matter?" Well, that's just silly and stupid."

Then I finally came to realize that the movie wasn't half bad. It was enjoyable. It could even be great, if only there was one adjustment... it should have been made 30 years ago, starring Harrison Ford!!!


SOLO gets e - Entertaining

Wait for it to come to streaming, so you can watch it over and over and over; analyzing how it ties into the original Star Wars trilogy.

Ocean's 8



Have you seen any of the Ocean's 11 movies? If so, then you probably already seen this movie.

I get what they were trying to with if one. They wanted to create an all female version of the Ocean's crew. I think it was a great remodeling on the franchise, and I actually liked the whole cast. But it is hard to make a spinoff/sequel to a franchise without re-doing the same movie. And that is exactly what this was. It was the same Ocean's heist movie just with different characters.

Ocean's 8 gets e - Entertaining

You can wait until it hits streaming, or you can re-watch Ocean's 11, 12, or 13.



Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

We were super excited about this one. I love all the Jurassic Park movies. It always seems when ever the original Jurassic Park comes on television, somehow we are always drawn into watching it. Even though we own it on blue ray. Sometimes I even like watching part 3, which most people hate.

Then Jurassic World came out in 2015. Chris Pratt was great in it and so are Bryce Dallas Howard's heels. Life finds a way. The dinosaurs live once again!!

But this is going to be the 5th movie in a franchise, and a sequel to a movie that restarts the dinosaur fascination. Something needs to change. It has to be different from the rest, right?

I believe going with the horror tone was exactly what it needed. This movie has plenty of intense horror built ups with satisfying scares throughout the entire movie. I felt like I was waiting for dinosaurs to jump out at me in every scene. It was fun. I really liked it.


Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom get G - Gratifying


You should see in a theater if you get a chance. Bring friends, but only 50% of them may like it. At least that is what I discovered with my friends.

Tonight, We are seeing Ant-Man and the Wasp!!!!

Deadpool 2

Whoa, we needed that two week breather after the devastating ending of Avengers Infinity War. I'm still feeling a bit stunned from it. Also I was slightly sick this week, so naturally I didn't even try to write this post. I just can't muster any energy to focus when I'm feeling ill.

But enough about my feeble problems.

Deadpool! Everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth!

The first Deadpool film surprised everyone. The success of it not only spawned this sequel but also proved that audiences would embrace a schizoid character with a bizarre -breaking the fourth wall- style of story.

Where to begin?

Deadpool 2 takes what made the first movie great and turns it up a few notches. Another R-rated action comedy, so don't bring the kids unless you are hoping they will expand their vocabulary.

There are a plethora of jokes and references of everything from Wolverine/X-Men movies to expanding jokes from the first film to Josh Brolin's previous acting jobs, etc, etc.

The introduction of new characters, Cable and Domino, fits perfectly into Deadpool's universe. They play it serious and straight to complement Deadpool's hyper- active zaniness.  I wonder what they are thinking when he breaks the fourth wall. Do they even notice? Is it all in Deadpool's head? Are we even actually watching a movie now?!

Probably my favorite part of this whole franchise is how it knows where it needs to make fun of itself.
Just check out this music video

When most action movies go get (name of most recent artist/band) to record a new rock/pop song that will be burning up the charts for weeks for the soundtrack, the creators of Deadpool wanted to take to the next level. Instead they go get the iconic Céline Dion to perform a Titanic grade ballad. Go ahead, try and get this song out of your head. I bet you're already humming it to yourself.

Deadpool 2 is incredibly funny. I caught myself laughing so hard that I missed the following jokes or scene. I might need to view it a second time.

It receives an E-Exceptional

You'll want to go see this movie if you haven't already. Keep an eagle eye out for some surprising cameos! Also all the laughs are great but remember to stay for the post credits cut scenes for those bonus laughes. It is totally worth it.

Here's a reminder of our 3 out of 4 doctors approved ranking system

L - Legendary
E - Exceptional
G - Gratifying 
e - Entertained
n - Nugatory
d - Dreadful

Coming up this weekend, SOLO: A Star Wars Story. If they called it LANDO, maybe I would be more eager to see, but we're going anyways. #YouCannotReplaceHarrisonFord

Avengers: Infinity War

Well, we just finished viewing Avengers: Infinity War for the second time.

10 years, 18 movies, all leading to this one simply amazing movie.

I know it is only the start of the summer season, but this Marvel movie checks all the boxes on a very enjoyable movie going experience.

The film starts off immediately with the action and never lets up. Filled with all the Marvel characters we have grown to love. Each one getting their individual moments. Of course you'll enjoy plenty of comedic moments, but there are definitely some emotional and even shocking scenes. I will tell you right now, I gasped out loud at certain times on my first viewing. And that ending had set my brain on pause as I tried to process what I just witnessed.


It gets a L - Legendary!!

That's right! I am giving out a Legendary on the first week!!

I don't know how any other movie will top this one during the rest of this summer season.

I'm not even sure which movie is next in line. I may need a little bit of time to recover from that dramatic ending.

When does Ant-Man & Wasp come out?
How long do I have to wait for the next Marvel film?
I just wish it was May 2019 already!!

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!!!

Yes! Yes! Yes! SLMR returns!!

Finally! Summer Movies have returned!!

That's right. It's that time again. Summer Legendary Movie Review has returned for its 11th season!

Refresher...

Each and every week of the summer movie season the Summer Movie Squad (SMS) gathers together to view one (or more) of the premiering films. What follows (hopefully) is a post on this blog about the magical movie going experience.

As always, this is a NO SPOILER zone. The worst part about most film reviews is when the impassioned critic believes it's his/her purpose to ruin the reviewed movie for you by providing a detailed re-telling of the entire plot. Not on this blog! We will simply give a honest recommendation based on our well established personal ranking system.

With a new year, comes a few new modifications on how we will deliver our reviews to you. We will still provide a post on this blog each week, but we will also test out other ways get out a more instant response.      i.e. quick Facebook Live or Periscope reviews.

This year is also the earliest start date for SLMR. That's mainly due to Avengers Infinity War moving its premiere up a week.  Now on to the list!!


The Official SLMR 2018 List

April 27 - Avengers: Infinity War

May 11 - Life of the Party

May 18 - Deadpool 2

May 25 - Solo: Star Wars

     

June 1* - American Animals 

            - Adrift

June 8*- Hearts Beat Loud 

            - Ocean’s 8

June 15* - Incredibles 2

               - Tag

June 22 - Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

June 29 -  Sicario 2

July 6 - Ant-Man & the Wasp

July 13 - Skyscraper 

July 20 - OPEN

July 27* - Mission: Impossible - Fallout

              - Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

              

August 3* - Christopher Robin

               - The Spy Who Dumped Me

August 10 - The Meg

August 17 - OPEN

August 24 - OPEN

Bold - Must see

* - Double Feature week

There is a lot in there. At first the main list was thin. There are still a few open weeks. Although recently, a few new trailers came out to help fill the list more.

First up, AVENGERS INFINITY WAR!!

Will it be the first Legendary movie of the year? Let's find out!!

Official hashtags:

#SLMR #SMS2018 #SMSTexasEdition #SMSVegas