Now this is a “Transformers” movie that is actually worthy. It is not like the other ones directed by Michael Bay where they are close to three hours and have continuous explosions, confusing plot points, and characters that serve no purpose (a majority of the “Transformers” movies directed by Michael Bay has characters that make no sense to have). “Bumblebee” is a “Transformers” movie that is worth the time and money. The chemistry between Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) and “Bumblebee” is captivating, there is a fair amount background to how “Bumblebee” comes as an importance in the film, and the best part….the main focus is Charlie and “Bumblebee.”

The setting of the film is the year 1987 in California. Charlie is struggling to come to terms with herself after losing her father some years ago. She comes across a yellow VW bug that is basically trashed, but she takes it, and soon begins to realize her condemned vehicle is “Bumblebee.” They begin a friendship and start to have some fun together. The film feels like it has the setting of “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” (1982) but with a robot and a female. They create a friendship that is quite entertaining and heartfelt, and the best part, there is very little explosions.

I remember continuing watching the other “Transformers” films after the first one, and I kept on telling myself I was done with “Transformers.” However, even though a majority of them were poor experiences, I still sat and suffered through them because of all the frequent commercials and such. “Bumblebee” though was not a poor experience, it was a positive one. I like how the director Travis Knight mostly incorporates friendship over protagonist vs. antagonist (which was something that Michael Bay did in literally all of his films). Even though, I kind of liked the first “Transformers” I think somewhat differently now. I wish that robots had their own separate story in separate films and came to meet up in a film later (like “The Avengers” where it is part of a universe). With “Bumblebee” i found myself wanting to know much more about the robot’s story over why certain enemies are part of the conflict.

This film only had a budget of $102-128 million, and this is the least expensive “Transformers” movie that has been made. When I think about that, I just think now with the second, the third, the fourth, and the fifth “Transformers” that all that money was invested so much in countless and dreadful hours of special effects, buildings falling, explosions, and way too many where I asked myself, “What am I watching again?”

I believe this new director used the limited budget to focus solely on the meaning of its title. Knight has producing credits for mostly animated films and before “Bumblebee” he directed “Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016). He has also produced the two animated films “Paranorman” (2012 and “The Boxtrolls” (2014). They were decent animated films, and I believe for still being new in the game with directing, that Knight has made his mark “Bumblebee.” He is a director with a bright future ahead.

With the film’s time setting, I like how it takes place in the era with VCRS, cassettes, and old box TVs. That is because this one does not look into the future like other ones have, it keeps its place and time period as a serious component. The 1980s with very limited resources and the internet still becoming popular. That makes the reaction to its characters more intense because they are not used to seeing something so advanced like a robotic car. I remember in the first “Transformers” there are scenes where video games systems turn into robots along with other pointless technologies transforming, but that does not happen in “Bumblebee.” “Bumblebee” is one of the only transformations which builds excitement for its viewers.

Now, I am surprised myself that I enjoyed “Bumblebee” but the truth is I did. I had a great time with its laughing moments, its retro setting, and its funny humor with Steinfeld. Steinfeld is truly a talented actress with a bright future ahead. I find that she picks her roles carefully and this role was truly for her. Overall, it is a film that is definitely worth the time and money. Three and a half stars.

I finally saw Beautiful Boy. It was definitely heavy, but both Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet are brilliant. It is a film that shows how far people will go to save the protect the ones they love. It has many moments that are heavy but it is powerful and engrossing. Chalamet is nominated for best actor in a supporting role in the Golden Globes on Sunday he is worthy of the award. Carell’s performance is also Oscar-worthy. The film challenges a dad and his son (Carell and Chalamet). Carell is a man that is doing all he can to help his son be completely clean from using drugs to get by in his life. The film is a heavy journal that is powerful, bold, and a true story.

David Sheff (Carell) has a son who has a history tons of drug usage, and his son is Nic (Chalamet). Chalamet is completely in denial when it comes to being questioned about his drug usage. That is because his system is full of all kinds of dangerous substances. They range from alcohol, meth, cocaine, and more. Throughout the film David does every possible research he can to help Nic follow steps to getting himself out this horrible habit, but Nic keeps on being dishonest and relapsing. He has his moments where he acts like he is clean or doing well for short periods of time, and then he goes right back towards drugs, bad decisions, and all other kinds of disasters. This starts to leave David to run out of options in terms being a support to Nic. That is because Nick keeps lying, using, and his consequences start to become irreparable.

For Chalamet this film is a transformation for him. He went from being the geeky and cool student in “Lady Bird” (2017) and “Call Me By  Your Name” (2017) to the pale, dry-skinned, and teary-eyed and depressed Nic Sheff. Chalamet lost 25 pounds to play the role. He plays the role very well and is faithful to the depressed real-life character in which he portrays in this sad, but vivid masterpiece. Also it is a transformation for Carell, he went from being the cranky and opinionated Michael Scott from “The Office” (2005-2013) to the worried, but also hard working father that will do whatever it takes to bring his son to recovery. Both are just very memorable in “Beautiful Boy.”

I also felt the film reminded me a lot of what is going on in today’s society. There are many people who are struggling with addiction, and “Beautiful Boy” has a message to that, and that is relapse is part of the process of recovering. Nic does not get better overnight, he has multiple ups and downs where he is better and then falls apart again, and viewers are thinking if Nic is ever going become a better and stronger person in his life.

For director Felix van Groeningen, this is his seventh film as a director, and in the process of editing “Beautiful Boy” it took seven months. With that the movie was recut a generous amount of times, however Van Groeningen wanted the film to be perfect and he found an editor that he has worked with for a while at the last minute to help him. That editor was Nico Leunen, and when he came in, I believe that brought out “Beautiful Boy” to be as visually moving and emotional as it was. The editing and the pacing will movie viewers to feel they are in the heavy world of challenges there is for Nic Sheff.

Another factor that was riveting with “Beautiful Boy” was its screenplay. The writer for it is Luke Davies and he did the screenplay for “Lion” (2016) and that was another movie I was deeply moved by as equally as I was with “Beautiful Boy.” Davies writing in the screenplay is quite realistic and intense where it makes its audience feel they are part of the problems in the film. This would be more on the elements along the lines the scenes of disagreements and arguments between Carell and Chalamet.

“Beautiful Boy” is a must watch. I will say though, be ready for its heavy theme. The world of drugs and addictions is not a pretty place, and it was not for Nic Sheff or his father. There is so much more in the world for Nic, and his father tries to help him realize that he has so much to offer the world, and that what he is doing to himself will not make the pain go away. It is a journey that viewers will feel moved by. Four stars.

The rush of holiday films are basically over, therefore the big titles now that will grab most film fanatics’ attention are films that has Oscar buzz, films worthy of a second viewing, or independent films that only play at limited locations. “Escape Room” was definitely not a movie that I enjoyed very much. I saw a variety of decent films over the holiday season ranging from “Vox Lux,” “Aquaman,” “Mary Queen Of Scots,” “Ben is Back,” and those grabbed my attention, but not “Escape Room.” Escape Room was a very predictable movie that was very overrated. Yes, these games may seem fun to do in real-life, but why make a silly movie out of it?

The plot focuses on six strangers who fall into one escape room. They all must fight to survive the games or scenarios they are placed in. They have limited resources, limited time, and their lives are on the line. However, it is a very easy plot to solve on who survives as the film gets further. I will not explain what I mean by the film being easy to understand, that is something viewers will have to see for themselves.

The film opens up with a game and someone who is on the line with his life and about to die. Then the movie jumps forward to everyone coming together to be part of a game. In that scenario, there is not much background story to the characters or why they are in the game. Therefore, we do not know much of their purposes for taking part in a game requiring to escape. We notice some of their emotions and drama but the background lacks entirely. I think the director was gearing more on the scare factors or jumping moments over emphasizing the importance of character development.

I know I am basically bashing this movie. However, it is always in January where mostly crappy movies come into play. “Escape Room” is crappy. I came to realize the director, Adam Robitel also directed “Insidious: the Last Key.” He is still fairly new to directing, so I will not be that negative with his directing, because when I think of it, he is still new in the game with directing, but he has a fair amount of writing, editing and producing credits.

I remember looking at the ratings before watching the film, and they would vary from the six zone to the seven zone, however, I would drop it more down to the five zone. That is because this movie is poorly written, poorly directed, has some good jumping moments, but of course they are predictable. Here is some movie math on it, think of the “Saw” series, however drop the level of violence down a multiple amount of levels. With that, “Escape Room” is basically a PG-13 version of “Saw.”

Overall, I do not have much positivity for “Escape Room.” All I can say is hello January and hello to average to poorly done film month. I am only going to give this movie one star.