Movie Monday - 1/9/2017

Going to the theater to watch a movie has been a hit or miss proposition for a while now, BUT in the last week, I've been four times!!!

As soon as the credits were rolling after the screening of La La Land, I turned to The Husb and declared, "This movie is going to win the Best Picture Oscar." Well, it has my vote, at least, but apparently The Golden Globes feel the same way that I do. I liked it because it's a fresh take on the musicals of yesteryear. It's nothing like anything else Hollywood is churning out these days, and for the most part, that's a good thing. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star as a musician and an actress, each trying to make it big in their respective fields. Loved it!

The weather plays an important role in Manchester by the Sea, acting as a sort of Greek chorus. This movie is as heavy as La La Land is bright and airy. Casey Affleck plays Lee Chandler, an unassuming maintenance man, who is named guardian of his nephew (Lucas Hedges) when his older brother (Kyle Chandler) dies suddenly. He returns to his hometown where he must confront his past, including his ex-wife (Michelle Williams). Gretchen Moll and Matthew Boderick also star in this film. It was beautifully shot and well acted. It was very good. Take Kleenex.

Rogue One isn't the best Star Wars movie I've seen, but it certainly isn't the worst. The die-hard fans of the brand love it, I'm sure, but for me, it just served to add a little context to the big picture. Felicity Jones, Diego Luna and Forest Whitaker are among the actors in this movie. It was alright.

Imagine being one of the over 5000 people on a spaceship bound for a new world that's 120 years away from home.  Everyone is in suspended animation for the journey, but after an incident with an asteroid, your pod malfunctions and you awaken with 90 years remaining until the destination is reached. It's not long (relatively speaking) before you determine that the lives of everyone on board are threatened. This story plays out in Passengers. Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen and Lawrence Fishburn star in this film. It was pretty good.

That's all for now.

MK out.