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Film reviews

It Ends with Us Review

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This is a romance based on a book. The film is played out with feelings of love in a period of happiness during younger days. It Ends with Us is a title with several meanings such as disconnectand confusion which gives the audience something to think about. The most positive aspect of the film is that its two female stars are Blake Lively and Jenny Slate. Lively is the lead in the film, and Slate is in the supporting role. It Ends with Us involves falling and getting back up which is somewhat poetic. Throughout the film, there are a trail of questions that swerve and struggle to stay in their lanes.

The setup is around love. The plot is strongly set on Lively’scharacter, Lily Blum. She has lived a rough life of turmoil and abuse. Her name inspires her to open a flower shop. In the back of her mind, Lily remembers what it means to fall in love and feel a surreal connection. At one point she was in love with a man named Atlas Corrigan, played by Brandon Sklenar. Their connection made her feel safe. Later, she meets Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni. Lily just wants to live a successful life and run her flower shop. Her friends, Allysa (Slate) and Marshall (played by Hasan Minhaj) try to be there for her. Lily continues to have reminders of the abuse due to the Ryle’s behaviors. How bad is it though?

It Ends with Us is clear in its patterns of distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Lily is unhealthy most of the time with Ryle. When Lily has Atlas on her mind she feels at ease. Their paths do cross again. When that happens, does Lily’s turmoil have a revelation? The positive aspect of the film being focused on Lily falls flat due to the tackiness of romance.

The film is built upon accidental moments. Those scenarios feel repetitive. This can be seen when Lily falls down the stairs when she has an argument with Ryle. After that happens, he tries to act like it does not exist. This may seem like a spoiler, but this is a pattern of repetition to expect in It Ends with Us. The conflicts keep trying to find fulfillment in a desperate romance which makes the film cheesy and predictable. However, it still has good writing, editing, and pacing which is centered on the path to happiness.

Overall, the theme of connection is what keeps being traced back repeatedly in It Ends with Us. There are moments when arevelation seems possible, but then it resorts to conflict andimmediate dismissal which is overly predictable. The romance vibes are not especially unique or special. Lively and Slate are great in their roles, but the film’s dynamics keep going awry.

With Lively and Slate playing close friends, I found magic in their relationship in terms of having a friend to talk with or figure things out with. Their friendship also paints a clear portrait that demonstrates happiness is possible. Unfortunately, too many scenes in this film lacking and there is too much predictability which is a pet peeve of mine. Two out of four stars for It Ends with Us.

Film reviews

Fly Me to The Moon Review

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A film that gears on NASA tends to have components that are multi-step. There is the subject of space, science, and politics. It is all about how those aspects move around its theme. Fly Me to The Moon is one-of-a-kind to that extent. Directed by Greg Berlanti, Fly Me to The Moon is subtle with certainty. Its beginning brings historic value to the era of NASA. Its characters are just too rich for the film itself.

From my saying, “Its characters are too rich,” the intelligence side does not mend smoothly. Fly Me to The Moon is created more for the commotion of its high-profile celebrities in a NASA storyline. The layout is stimulating. The project itself is perplexing. Blasting from amazement has a generous number of blockades.

The film begins with Cole Davis (played by Channing Tatum). Cole is a director for NASA. The opening brings in a great deal of NASA feeling undervalued. The place has deficits in supplies and staff. The assistant to Cole is Henry Smalls (played by Ray Romano). Cole is by the book and believes his own political beliefs. Henry tries to go with the flow and deal with the turmoil (since it is unbearable).

For clarification, the performance of Tatum is the one to take earnestly. He delivers that presentation of authority to have a purpose. The performance of Romano is inadequate. If audiences expect to see Romano in a role of accomplishments, his is below the surface level. Expect success from Tatum and Romano being a benchwarmer in Fly Me to the Moon.

The marketing direction in the film’s context is the bigger picture of Fly Me to The Moon. The audience will not be flying into space. They will be diving into the advertising aspect of Fly Me to The Moon. This approach is when the exaggerated traits of characterizations evolve. Kelly Jones (played by Scarlett Johansson) swings into the life of Cole. She has that vibe where she rocks the planet. She does it all day, every day.

Cole and Kelly find themselves having to work together. Cole’s mission is to get astronauts to launch into space. The conflict is politics…a gray area. The promotional aspect is what lies in hope. With Kelly handling the marketing, they both start working out strategic plans to deliver the media that can spark attention to the mission of space for NASA. That all faces risks also. The individual Moe Berkus (played by Woody Harrelson) is on the inside of what is true and false. It is the time when lies lead to more publicity. Hence why the characters are overly characterized. Their personalities all have forms of egos with over-done make-up. The realistic and inspiring aspect is lacking in Fly Me to The Moon.

The dynamic of the performances with Tatum, Johannson, and Harrelson is the compelling aspect of Fly Me to The Moon. There is that motive of intelligence questioned. They all play the cards accurately. It is just hard to take them seriously. Too much make-up and overhype. They may play the parts right, but the writing of their roles is out of focus.

With the advertising and profits side of Fly Me to the Moon, the film gives a lot of detail to Omega watches. The products worn by astronauts drive faith in the production. That is because it is looking for its accomplishment. What matters more? Products selling? Are astronauts making it to space? Are astronauts coming back from space? The two-sided factor of advertisements and a space mission remain in their lane.

Fly Me to the Moon is a joyful flick for a two-hour escape of laughs and minor seriousness. The era may have sits, giggles, and historical factors. Fly Me to the Moon is just average. I feel that there are more NASA factors of moving foundations in The Right Stuff (1983), Apollo 13 (1995), and Hidden Figures (2016). Fly Me to the Moon has leads of connection with a more apt meaning, but these three prior films make me soar with inspiration and imagination to many more heights. I rate Fly Me to The Moon at two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review

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The continued franchise made me wonder how many slaps there would be. Enough for a killer ride? Bad Boys: Ride or Die feels a bit repetitive. Fortunately, the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is thrilling and humorous. Both are in their fifties now and still delivering non-stop action with some of the funniest lines of dialogue. It is hard to believe that the previous film, Bad Boys for Life, was one of the highest-grossing films of 2020 before the COVID lockdowns. This time the duo is back with dazzling stunts, witty humor, and all kinds of antics that go flying off the rails.

The film again takes place in Miami, Florida. Officers Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) are still in their cop and buddy vibe. They are under the assumption that their lives have found the peace they’ve been looking for. Then they receive evidence that their previous boss, Captain Conrad Howard (played by Joe Pantoliano), has been set up. With databases of falsehoods and fabricated theories, Lowrey and Burnett will not stop until they can find the truth. Their new boss, Captain Rita Secada (played by Paola Nunez), puts all her faith in Lowrey and Burnett. The enemy behind most of the dangerous operations is Banker (played by Eric Dane). The story is all about the curiosities behind who is working from within. Only this time the stakes are higher, the mission is obscure, and Lowrey and Burnett may have their lives on the line. Was Captain Conrad Howard a criminal? Was he involved in any other crimes? The faith and loyalty of Lowrey and Burnett fuel their search for redemption.

The elite team adds to the fun in this film. With Kelly (played by Vanessa Hudgens), Dorn (played by Alexander Ludwig), and Armando (played by Jacob Scipio), the teamwork is enthralling. If one goes down, they all go down. If one fights to dangerous heights, they all elevate their fight to that level. Can everyone be trusted? In Bad Boys: Ride or Die team dynamics are put to the test.

What lingered in my mind while watching this movie was Michael Bay who directed the first two films in the franchise. Even though he did not direct Bad Boys for Life, or the newest one, this film feels like Bay’s world of destruction. The technical factors keep growing in this franchise. There are drones, many monitors, and all kinds of accessories in Bad Boys: Ride or Die which showcases a classy use of modern technology. However, if Bay was still directing, I imagine the explosions and action being twice as gnarly as they are in this film. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah know when and how to display explosivity and stylized action. They don’t overdo it like Bay would.

The mission improves on many levels in this fourth installment. Smith and Lawrence deliver that classy attitude of being BAD BOYS! This franchise keeps finding new routes to create a memorable grandeur of cops and destruction for the masses. How much damage will there be? Find out in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.