The Good, The Bad, and the Adorable - Reviews for "Money Monster", "Mother's Day", and "Keanu"

   "Money Monster" is the new thriller from well-renown actress Jodie Foster, who has donned the directing cap once again in what will surely be canon fodder this weekend in the wake of "Captain America: Civil War". I'm not saying it's not a good movie, it is. "Civil War" is on the hunt to hit $300 million domestically this weekend and this little movie doesn't stand a chance of knocking Marvel's latest venture off the number one spot in the box office. Again, that has nothing to do with the quality of the movie and everything to do with that fact that Marvel owns cinemas for the next few weeks, easy.

   This movie isn't without its charms, and it's worth checking out. The story follows financial TV host Lee Gates, played by George Clooney, and his producer Patty (Julia Roberts) as they deal with being put in an extreme situation when an irate investor takes over their studio at gunpoint. It's a thrilling yet predictable drama that speaks to the 'every-man' in all of us. Foster shows once again that she's just as capable behind the camera as she is in front of it as she weaves a narrative that is entertaining and engaging. I went into this movie thinking it will be just an okay movie. I didn't really gain a sense from the trailers that it will be anything spectacular. I was pleasantly surprised at the overall experience as the story unfolded. Most of that can be attributed to the acting.

   Arguably the best aspect of the film, the cast does a really great job overall. Both George Clooney and Julia Roberts have this gravitas, this larger-than-life Hollywood vibe about them and it always feels like watching actors who seem to harness that same magic found from early Hollywood actors. The two are some of the biggest stars in the business and it's fun to watch them on screen together. Clooney plays the archetypical playboy  who has too much money to spend and no cares whatsoever. His show is basically him dancing around and parodying a money manager as he fills the ears of his viewers with whatever 'advice' he sees fit. It's purely entertainment, and it's hard to say whether or not the financial industry takes him seriously. Patty is his north star, directing him not only through the show but also through the harrowing events that takes place.

   Jack O'Connell plays Kyle, a blue-collar worker desperate for answers after he loses all of his investments when a certain company 'loses' $800 million from a 'glitch' in their new software. He decides the best way to get answers is to hold up the Money Monster show studio with a gun and bomb vest. The remainder of the movie from that point on is one part thriller, one part detective story, and one part crime drama. O'Connell does a great job in portraying the desperate every-man in what Kyle knows to be a one-way endeavor. The story is touching, engaging, and introspective as it leaves you wondering how it is we can become so complacent as a society with where we keep our money and who it is that handles it for us. "Money Monster" is a well-crafted film with great acting, a decent story and an entertaining value worthy of checking out.  

ALSO THIS WEEK

   Director Garry Marshall has had quite the career in delivering romantic comedies. Some were great, and some were duds. Films like “Overboard” and “Pretty Woman” have become staples in the rom-com genre. Both of which are fun and engaging, with great humor, great writing, and great acting. But for whatever reason, the phrase “getting better with age” doesn’t quite ring true. That's not to say his latest films aren’t fun. For whatever reason, Marshall has been stuck on this merry-go-round of holiday themed, wide-casted, interlocking stories that have become more of a gimmick than an expression of art.

   After the likes of “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Day”, Marshall makes his return to the merry-go-round with his latest film “Mother’s Day”. Like the previous films in his Holiday Anthology, this movie follows four different stories that weave in and out of each other, connecting all the characters by story’s end. I honestly don’t remember all the characters names, or a lot of their motivations. What does that say about the movie already? Jennifer Aniston is a divorcee who’s ex-husband Timothy Olyphant has remarried a woman half his age, and who’s kids seem to gravitate towards. She’s an interior designer who is looking for the next gig, even though her massive house suggests she’s doing quite well. She’s spastic, stressed, and worried that her not moving on as fast as her ex, and her kids’ affection towards their new step mom has lessened her relevance as a parent.

   Kate Hudson and Sarah Chalke play sisters who have striven to distance themselves from their racist parents. Why? Well, if being racist wasn’t enough of a reason, dealing with that racism would be. Kate’s husband isn’t white and Sarah has a wife. When the parents make an unexpected drop in, all parties are forced to deal with their issues head on. Britt Robertson plays a woman who is weighing the pros and cons of marrying her long-time boyfriend/baby daddy. Her insecurities are due to the fact that she was adopted and has issues with emotional connection. When her friend (Kate Hudson) suggests she find and confront her biological mother, she does just that. Come to find out, her mother is a big time HSN sales rep played by Julia Roberts. It just so happened that Julia’s character is looking for a new set and hires Jennifer Aniston, who’s friends with Kate Hudson’s sister.

   Oh, and let’s not forget Jason Sudeikis. Jason plays a widower who’s wife died while on military duty. He’s left to raise his two daughters alone and when we meet him, he and his family are about to celebrate their first mother’s day without their maternal unit. Sheesh, this premise is exhausting. When it comes down to it, the movie is…okay. It had some funny moments, but overall it just seemed like a lesser outing in comparison to the previous Holiday movies. “Valentine’s Day” is better by leaps and bounds. I really don't know what else to say, I’m cramping up from just going through the story lines. At any rate, like most movies that have spurred from previous installments, if you enjoyed the likes of “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Day”, then you’ll probably like this one. 

ALSO

   

    I remember quite vividly the moment my wife and I first saw the trailer for “Keanu”, the new comedy from the hilarious minds that brought us Key and Peele. I laughed all through the trailer and when it was over I looked over at my wife and her beautiful brown eyes stared straight into my soul and said…"That looks stupid".

   Folks, let me tell you here (and not to my wife’s face) that she was wrong! "Keanu" is a hilarious comedy that surprised the heck out of me. Like I said, it looked funny from the trailer, but I didn't realize just how funny it would actually be. I won't spend a lot of time here because it's been out a while and I'm sure most people have seen it. The movie is about two friends (Key and Peele respectively) who hatch a plot to retrieve a stolen kitten by posing as drug dealers for a street gang. It's a girthless plot that doesn't really care that it's so...girthless. The chemistry between the two main characters is what sells this movie. You don't see movies like this because they have an Oscar worthy story. It's a fresh comedy that will leave your gut sore from laughing. The acting is great, the writing is silly and fun, the action is hilarious and it's just a good time out.