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REVIEW: “THE LOST CITY” (2022) Paramount Pictures

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Coming out in theaters this Friday, the 25th is “THE LOST CITY” with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, taking the leads in this comedy of a shut-away romance book author who gets talked into doing a book tour by her agent Da’Vine Joy Randolph. What ensues is complete hilarity for a good first portion of the film.

Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock), is a successful romance novelist, though she is also grieving the loss of her husband. She reluctantly agrees to do a ‘final’ book tour by her agent Beth (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), as she adds in the books ‘famous’ cover model Adam (Channing Tatum), to the tour much to Beth’s chagrin. As we soon find out, with Loretta and her husbands love of history, she has accidentally wrote in the book on where to find the location of fortune in an ancient burial spot of a notable King and Queen. This brings our villain, Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe), out in full force with his team Rafi (Héctor Aníbal), and Julian (Thomas Forbes Johnson), who kidnap Loretta with the thought being, she can lead them to the site.

The first half of the film comes at you fast and hard, with one-liners and features most spectacularly, our two scene stealers. The first is ex-Navy Seal Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt), who is hired by Beth and her social media assistant, giving us our second scene stealer, Allison (Patti Harrison), that will have you laughing your socks off for the first half of the movie. Albeit, in the second half, the laughs slow down drastically as the film gets a lot more serious with attempts at character arcs and story moments, while not bad, they are ones we’ve seen a many times before. Going into full romance novel mode without as much comedy, the second half falls a little flatter than what it was going with.

Directors Aaron and Adam Nee do the smart move here with giving Bullock and Tatum most of the screen time, as their chemistry is undeniable. As well, Tatum doing full nod to ‘Fabio’ cover-boy in the beginning gives us a hoot of fun. Supporting cast does well to keep the pace and relevance with Brad Pitt, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Patti Harrison and Oscar Nuñez getting their fair share of inclusion in this movie to stay relevant to the plot and relationships of the character. I wasn’t in love with Radcliffe who seems a bit out of place as he goes almost too big in his role as villain, when some subtlety might have played better.

Had they stuck with the formula they were going with, this would be a great comedy instead of just a good one. As is, it’s still a load of fun and brings something new to the box office this weekend where it should do well.

Grade: C+

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Review Screening: Tuesday, March 18, 2022 ~Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

“THE LOST CITY” from Paramount Pictures is in theaters Friday March 25, 2022

Animation, Comedy, Family, Family, Movie Reviews, Movies

REVIEW: “MINIONS” (2015) Universal Pictures

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Everyone!! Meet Kevin, Stuart and Bob, our adorable minions who decide to leave the home they have set up as all the minions are getting depressed (in some of the movies funniest ‘depressing’ scenes) to go and find an evil master to serve. This takes them on journeys far and wide until they eventually find a master who they think is evil enough in “Scarlett Overkill” (v/o Sandra Bullock) who along with her husband “Herb Overkill” (v/o Jon Hamm) is shall we say, just a bit obsessed on obtaining the royal crown and being Queen of England. Needless to say, without even trying the minions manage to annoy and disappoint her just by the sheer dumb luck of what is happening to them.
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Before we even meet Ms. Overkill though, the film takes us on an adventure to see how the minions have spent their years trying to find an evil master to serve. This creates some of the best and most amusing moments of the film showing what the minions have been doing during some historic time periods.
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While it lagged some in the middle of the film, it picked itself back up with the parts in England and inclusion of Queen Elizabeth being fun along with the British stereotypes, made for some humourous moments. I think the best thing to say about this film is that I surrounded by loads of kids and shockingly enough they were quiet in the best way possible throughout the film – by that I mean they all seemed to love it and be very entertained by it.. laughing at different parts show that it was well catered to them though I’m not sure how parents are explaining the prequel part to them, it might not be all that necessary.
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For me, the soundtrack used in the film is a must mention with some absolutely fantastic songs from start to finish. Though I’m guessing only the adults will catch on to some of the references made such as running into The Beatles in the now famous Abbey Road album cover.

All in all, this movie will be a summer-time box office smash and a must see for anyone with young children.

Rating: C+
@pegsatthemovies

Screening at Mann’s Chinese Hollywood – Monday, July 6,2015 courtesy of Universal Pictures.
Nationwide release: Friday, July 10, 2015

Added bonus shot: ME with the Minions!!! 😀
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DAY 4 – COUNTDOWN TO THE OSCARS – BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

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Have I said that I loved this movie yet??! ha! yes, I don’t care what Ross Von Metzke says – the movie is great and Amy Adams was pure GOLD in this role.. I’ve liked her in a few things before,but this was definitely her starring vehicle. Will she win?? well, she has a really good chance and it would be deserved if she did. 

I like Blue Jasmine and I really liked Cate Blanchett in this role..you couldn’t have asked for a better actress to pull off a Woody Allen starring role than her. I mean remember Scarlett Johannson in ‘Match Point’  yeah..enough said – she was awful..but Cate is wonderful and really made this movie.. Will the Woody Allen controversy hurt her..yeah there is a big chance it could.. here’s to hoping it doesn’t.

Oh Sandy Sandy Sandy…3 words for you..’The Blind Side’ in which you were so fantastic and totally deserved that Oscar.. This..oh..Sandy..I’m sorry..but no. just no. 

Who doesn’t love Dame Judi..I dare anyone to say they don’t. And her performance here is stellar as usual..and as much as this movie broke my heart and made me hate what those horrible religious zealots did to the real Philomena – I don’t think it’s going to garner her an Oscar this time around. 

I know I didn’t love this movie as much as some.. Meryl is always always good and considering she sat behind me at the premiere..:)  I just felt like I’ve seen her do this role time and again. It wasn’t anything new.. 
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“GRAVITY”

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Saw ‘Gravity’ tonight – and an fyi Los Angelenos..Regal Cinemas has $7 Tuesdays..all day/night any showing, 3D-IMAX whatever..no extra charge..it’s downtown at LA LIVE which is unbearably quiet when nothing at Staples or Nokia..but anyways..yeah it was probably 1 of the 1st movies I would say ‘worth it in 3D’ as it was well done and the photography was amazing.. I think I am missing the hype of what a GREAT movie it is though..I mean I thought it was good.. but not great by any means.. to be truthful, there was a moment I almost nodded off. Sandy was fun in it, but this is not an award winning performance like ‘The Blind Side’ was..and although George Clooney’s character threw me off and to be honest, kinda creeped me out. Would I recommend it. eeehhh that’s a tough call but yes, I guess I could say I would though not as highly as some do.

Grade: C+ #peggyatthemovies