Kong: Skull Island

Released:  2017

Number of Ginger Snaps:  6 out of 10

Director:  Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Producers:  Alex Garcia, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent

Writers:  John Gatins, Dan Gilroy

Main Actors:  Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson


Favorite Quote:  Is that a monkey?

Spoiler Alert!  Don't read if you don't want details on this movie.

I have to admit, I thought this would be a really bad movie.  It wasn't great mind you, but it was not as bad as I was fearing.  I'm not sure why I thought it would be bad.  Maybe because the general story has been done before - big monkey threatens lives, girl bonds with big monkey, people start to like said monkey, then other people try to kill monkey, monkey ends up safe and sound.

Stuff did blow up - a lot.  I did like that part.  It was a slightly different twist on the general story (see above), but I just can't give it higher than an average rating as it just wasn't that great.  The special effects were good, the acting was okay, but the script and plot could have used a little help.  Also, the lizard guys were not that threatening.  I mean come on, they only had 2 legs and I had a hard time believing that Kong couldn't just grab it's tail and end it.

Overall, if you are bored and want to watch this kind of movie, go for it.

Unlocked

Released:  2017

Number of Ginger Snaps:  8 of 10

8 of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Director:  Michael Apted

Writer:  Peter O'Brien

Producers:  Claudia Bluemhuber, Georgina Townsley

Main Actors:  Noomi Rapace, Orlando Bloom, Toni Collette




Favorite Character
Jack

Yeah, yeah, so I haven't posted a review in forever.  2017 was a crazy year, so I'm way behind.  But rest assured, those of you who like my reviews will be seeing more this year.

Now for the review... there were gun fights and some hand to hand combat, so it was right up my preferred alley.  The female character was a bit too emotional at first, but she ended the movie being a total badass (also right up my preferred alley).

I do admit that it took a bit of time to understand what was going on.  It kept me engaged cause I kept trying to figure out who the bad guys were.  There were a couple things that you could easily see coming cause Hollywood tends to use the same kinda clues over and over again.  Despite that, I really did enjoy the movie.  If you want to see an action flick, I recommend this one.

Ben-Hur (2016)

Released:  2016

Number of Ginger Snaps:  7 of 10

7 of 10 Ginger Snaps 

Director:  Timur Bekmambetov

Writers:  Lew Wallace (novel), Keith R. Clarke, John Ridley

Producers:  Sean Daniel, Duncan Henderson, Joni Levin

Main Actors:  Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi




Favorite Character
Esther

I remember watching the original Ben-Hur with my mom when I was little, but all I remember from that was the chariot race and the lepers.   Interesting what you remember from a childhood movie...

Anyway, I did not think this was a great movie.  It was entertaining though.  I was engaged the entire time, which is why I gave it a higher rating than I may have if that was not the case.

During the chariot race, all I could think about was the horses.  I'm glad none were actually hurt during the movie, cause you know that isn't allowed (hopefully), but nonetheless, the entire time was preoccupied with my concern about the safety of the horses rather than what was actually happening in the movie.  I am quite sure I had the same concern when watching the original version when I was a little human.

There was not one particular thing that made the movie bad or good.  It was overall a decent and entertaining film.  It is not exactly a 'lift you up / feel great about life' movie, but it held my interest and I wanted to keep watching it.  I'd recommend it for the sole reason of expanding your film knowledge.  This was a classic movie and the redo may be interesting for you to view.  

The Finest Hours

Released:  2016

Number of Ginger Snaps:  6 of 10

6 of 10 Ginger Snaps

Director:   Craig Gillespie

Writers:  Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson

Producers:   Dorothy Aufiero, James Whitaker

Main Actors:  Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster



Favorite Character
Ray Sybert

This was better than I thought it would be.  Granted, it wasn't great, but it held my interest and kept me engaged.  And it had some cute boys in it, which is always helpful.  Just saying...

I have to admit that this is not really the type of movie I like to watch.  It had action, which I like, but it was based on a real story and focused on the drama aspect.  The acting was okay, the story was okay, and the production quality was decent.  That was part of the problem though - it was all 'okay'.  There wasn't anything stellar about it.

Despite it just being 'okay', I would recommend this movie to those of you who like dramas.  It was entertaining.

10 Cloverfield Lane

Released:  2016

Number of Ginger Snaps:  7 of 10 

7 out of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Dan Trachtenberg

Writers:  Josh Campbell,  Matthew Stuecken

Producers:  J.J. Abrams, Lindsey Weber

Main Actors:  John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr.




Favorite Character:
Michelle

Favorite Quote:
What, the 'ten new ways to style your bangs'? - Emmett

I enjoyed the movie - it's the kind of films I like - some science fiction, a little scary, a study of human reactions when put into insane situations... Yep... right up the Val alley.

One thing I think would have made it a better movie is to have included another small character or two.  It would have been nice to have been given a little more on what was happening outside of the shelter.  I know - that was kinda the point of the movie, but something - like a short blurb announced on the radio would have helped build more uncertainty about what was really going on.   It just felt like it needed a little more interaction outside of the 3 characters.

John Goodman did an excellent job of being the uber creepy guy.  It's hard for me not to think of him as Roseanne's husband, but he did a good job in the movie.  I definitely did not think of Roseanne at all!

Anyway, overall - recommended (but not for little ones).

The Secret Life of Pets

Released:  July 8, 2016

Number of Ginger Snaps:  8 Out of 10

8 of 10 ginger snaps 

Directors:  Chris Renaud, Yarrow Cheney

Writers:  Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch, Simon Rich

Producers:  Janet Healy, Christopher Meledandri

Main Actors:  Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey


Favorite Character:  Killer Bunny Guy (aka Snowball)

Favorite Line:  You've got the stench of domestication all over you.  - Snowball

This movie was totally silly and adorably cute.  I loved the fast pace of it.  I don't have kids, but I imagine that is a good thing for a kid's movie.  It made me laugh - a lot.  Another good thing for a kid's movie I would think.

I gotta admit, I almost busted a gut when the sausage dream sequence came on.  All I could think of was watching Grease when I was a kid with my friends and all of us singing that song.  Oh memories of youth...

Anyway, I recommend this movie, especially if you want a low brain exercise engagement that makes you happy.

Star Trek Beyond

Number of Ginger Snaps:  9 out of 10

9 of 10 ginger snaps 

Director:  Justin Lin

Writers:  Simon Pegg, Doug Jung

Producers:  JJ Abrams, Bryan Burk, Roberto Orci  

Main Actors:  Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Sofia Boutella

Favorite Character:  Jaylah 

Favorite Quotes:  

Cause if I mess it up, I don't want it to be just my fault.  - Scotty

You gave your girlfriend a tracking device.  - Bones 

I loved this movie - much more than the last one.   I especially liked the opening scene - funny, crazy, spacey awesomeness.  The recognition of Ambassador Spock's death was touching and made me cry. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the first Vulcan I ever knew.  

Anyway, back to the review... I liked it cause it didn't seem to be a copy of an already existing Star Trek movie.  Not that doing that would be a bad thing, but they already did that in the last movie.  This one stood on it's own and developed the same (yet unique) characters very nicely.  It seemed that this movie was more focused on characters and plot then the last one.  I liked that aspect.  Good job Scotty!  I mean Simon!  

Jaylah was fabulous!  The addition of this alien was extremely well done - and not just because she liked the Bestie Boys.  She was a strong, identifiable character AND she wasn't put in only as a love interest!  Well done movie maker guys!  Well done.  I really hope to see her again in the next Star Trek.