The Transporter Refueled

Directed by : Camille Delamarre  
Written by : Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Luc Besson  
Starring : Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Ray Stevenson  
Release Date : September 2, 2015  

If "The Transporter Refueled" tried to recapture the fun factor of the original that Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen started in 2002, well it fails in that. If it tried to give us entertaining action sequences, well it was a mild attempt at that. If it tried to establish the character of Frank Martin as an action hero that could be interchangeable with different actors, well it's an admirable but honestly unwanted attempt.  

No disrespect to Ed Skrein, but he is no Jason Statham. Skrein's charming and likable enough, and is very capable in the martial arts sequences, but he still doesn't really stand out in the role as much as he should. It's probably because the movie plays off more like a heist story, with the supporting cast like Ray Stevenson and Loan Chabanol stealing scenes away from Skrein.  

As mediocre as a lot of the action sequences are in this movie, there are a few entertaining scenes that I enjoyed. The "shelf" fight scene, and the "ghost riding the whip" sequence, genuinely felt imaginative. However, a lot of the action felt hollow and uninspired, despite how many vehicles they were willing to crash in the chase scenes.  

At best, "The Transporter Refueled" is a very generic action movie that isn't as good and entertaining as it thinks it is. Despite the few enjoyable moments, the movie is flawed, and really just a huge elaborate ad for Audi, phones, vodka, and even credit cards.  

loveditenjoyedititsokay  IT'S MEH  itsterrible

Z For Zachariah

Directed by : Craig Zobel  
Written by : Nissar Modi  
Starring : Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine  
Release Date : August 13, 2015  

Based on the Robert C. O'Brien novel of the same name, "Z For Zachariah" is an exploration of loneliness, trust, beliefs, and survival, in a post-apocalyptic world. This is not the intense and grim end of the world tale that most people are familiar with, as it's a little slow and maybe a bit mundane even. It's still a poignant look at what life after a nuclear apocalypse could look like though, especially since it's set in the one place that's safe from a radiation filled world. 

Simply put, it's the cast that makes this movie worth watching. Margot Robbie is incredible as Ann, the capable but lonely young religious woman who is making do as the only surviving person in her home. She eventually meets the scientist John, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who helps her out in her farm, and provides the companionship she was longing for. Chris Pine plays the stranger Caleb, who John doesn't completely trust, while Ann is more open to him staying. 

The movie is filled with varying degrees of conflicts, whether it be discussions about survival, danger, religion, science, or love. The whole theme about finding love at the end of the world is unavoidably present, and is emphasized the most ones Caleb enters into the picture. All these themes moves at a very deliberate and gentle pace, and it kinda makes the movie feel longer than it really is. Still, it did have the perfect tone for the situations the characters were in. 

I should point out that this adaptation of "Z For Zachariah" is very different than how the novel plays out. Besides that fact, the movie does have an interesting premise and is thought provoking, but the slow pacing may not be palatable to many, plus the conclusion can feel a little frustrating. 

loveditenjoyedit  IT'S OKAY  itsmehitsterrible

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl

Directed and Written by : Marielle Heller  
Starring : Bel Powley, Alexander Skarsgård, Kristen Wiig  
Release Date : August 7, 2015  

An adaptation of the graphic novel "The Diary Of A Teenage Girl: An Account In Words and Pictures" by Phoebe Gloeckner, this movie is a coming-of-age style story about a 15 year old girl who is on her sexual awakening, and begins it by having an affair with her Mom's 35 year old boyfriend. As expected from a premise like this, it goes through certain expected and predictable plot progressions that heightens the seriousness of the drama. This movie will be very cringe worthy to see for Fathers who have teenage daughters. 

The execution of the story is what makes this film extraordinary, combining some whimsical and romanticized aspects, mixed in with the disturbing and negative results from the lead character's actions. It's like an empowering story and a cautionary tale at the same time. There's an amazing sense of intimate honesty about the subject matter here, that it does feel like I'm watching something very personal and real, to the point of it being uncomfortable at times. There's also some visual flairs of animation to liven the narrative as well, which is like emulating how the graphic novel mixes traditional prose with comic book passages. 

Huge kudos to Bel Powley for her amazing work as our main protagonist Minnie. From her thought provoking monologues and the confidence she brings to her role, as well as the vulnerability and innocence that she possess, Powley perfectly captures this very important time for her character. The whole cast over all is great as well, from Alexander Skarsgård to Kristen Wiig. 

"The Diary Of A Teenage Girl" is simply a movie that's not for everybody, although the ironic thing is that everyone should probably watch it. It's an insightful look that might just be very enlightening and important to experience. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Turbo Kid

Directed and Written by : François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell  
Starring : Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf, Michael Ironside, Edwin Wright, Aaron Jeffery  
Release Date : August 14, 2015  

What happens when you make a movie that is heavy on BMX bikes, over-the-top splatter gore, a 1980's visual aesthetic, set in an alternate reality post-apocalyptic 1997 that's not too far off from Mad Max? You get "Turbo Kid." This feels like a movie that somebody might find in a straight-to-video bargain bin in a video rental shop, and that's me giving it a compliment. 

This is the kind of B-movie experience that a kid could easily gravitate to, because it's fantastical enough, and contains graphic content that somebody young would find edgy. Adults on the other hand should appreciate the homage to this type of movie that's not being made much anymore. It's charming to see the low budget visuals, the outlandish premise, and the sheer silly imagination that this brings. 

The actors here aren't doing anything particularly great, but just enough for the audience to care about them. This movie has fun characters from the kid with a superpower gauntlet, a cowboy arm wrestling champion, to a sinister skull mask wearing henchman with a buzz-saw weapon. Actors like Laurence Leboeuf and Michael Ironside seem like they are really enjoying playing their characters and it only makes things better when they are chewing the scenery. 

Released in the same year as "Kung Fury;" the other '80s action movie homage, "Turbo Kid" could be the perfect movie to be seen back to back with it. Of course the movie is a bit cheesy and not without it's flaws, but the fun simplicity of it's execution is something I can root for. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Mistress America

Directed by : Noah Baumbach  
Written by : Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig  
Starring : Lola Kirke, Greta Gerwig  
Release Date : August 14, 2015  

As with many Noah Baumbach films, this is another movie that studies the human condition, with social commentaries and allegories embedded into the story. While I thought the premise was entertaining and insightful with very witty dialogues and colorful characters, I admit that it also felt a little contrived and artificial at times. Baumbach films isn't for everybody, but this one should in particular feel relatable to the kind of person who wants to fight against reality and live that dream life. 

This movie is set in a slice-of-life situation about Tracy; a lonely college student played by Lola Kirke, who meets this full of life, soon-to-be, sister-in-law Brooke who is played by Greta Gerwig. Tracy just wants to be somebody desirable, and couldn't help but be immediately infatuated with Brooke, who seems to represent that "somebody." Seeing these two characters on screen is a lot of fun, and the supporting cast are great as well. 

While there's an air of enjoyable but simple aloofness to the plot when it comes to Tracy and Brooke, the story moves along to reveal that these characters are definitely more than meets the eye. Things come to a head when they arrive at this upper class Greenwich, Connecticut home, which is an important and entertainingly long sequence that is probably the best highlight of the whole movie. 

It'll be easy to call "Mistress America" a "stereotypical hipster-friendly indie-film," but I honestly thought the message of the movie is worth checking out. If anything else, see it for Greta Gerwig, who is a fantastic actress in this and who also did the screenplay. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

No Escape

Directed by : John Erick Dowdle  
Written by : John Erick Dowdle, Drew Dowdle  
Starring : Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Sterling Jerins, Claire Geare, Pierce Brosnan  
Release Date : August 26, 2015

There's a lot of fears and anxieties that are present in "No Escape." Being in a foreign and unfamiliar land. Not being able to speak or read the local language. Being in a country where a sudden coup d'etat has erupted. Needing to protect your family from people that are hunting you down to kill you. All that combined is definitely a horrific situation to be in, and this film successfully lets its audience feel the terror of it all. 

Going from one dangerous situation to another, the film moves at an energetic pace. It only slows things down just enough to catch your breath until it ramps up the intensity once again, like a certain escape attempt across two buildings which kept me on the edge of my seat. It was easy for me to have that sense of hopelessness for this family, and I only wanted to see these characters make it out in one piece. 

Thankfully for the characters, there's a lot of coincidences and conveniences that happens for their benefit, which keeps the theme and tone of this movie just below the horror category of films by not going darker than it honestly could. Those deus ex machina plot devices are admittedly a bit disappointing as it took me out of my suspension of disbelief on how realistically believable the danger of the coup presented. 

When watching "No Escape" it's easy to compare it to a zombie apocalypse movie, with it's sense of desperation and how the antagonists are just so unrelenting. That experience is the reason to see this movie. You just have to ignore some of the flaws in the story telling. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Hitman: Agent 47

Directed by : Aleksander Bach  
Written by : Skip Woods, Michael Finch  
Starring : Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto  
Release Date : August 19, 2015  

Based on a video game, "Hitman: Agent 47" doesn't make too much of an effort to shy from that fact. There are literally scenes that feels like video game levels that needs to be passed, just to get to the next level. I admit that those scenes were somewhat entertaining to watch; like a certain stealth sequence in an airport, but they also felt shallow and fabricated. 

The movie had some interesting plot ideas involving who the characters are and their motivations, but the story just felt very middle of the road. It felt like the premise was just there to tie in the action set pieces. That wouldn't be too bad of a directing decision to make, but the action scenes are just serviceable enough, and aren't exactly spectacularly awesome. 

I did like Robert Friend as Agent 47 though, and his acting felt perfect for the role. Hannah Ware was more or less good playing a character that would fit better in another genre film. Zachary Quinto was also just fine, but seemed happy to just chew each scene as 47's nemesis.

"Hitman: Agent 47" is decent as a video game based movie, which is better than the many other horrible ones that were made. As an action movie though, it's just in the average to below average range, which means you're better off watching something better. 

loveditenjoyedititsokay  IT'S MEH  itsterrible

American Ultra

Directed by : Nima Nourizadeh  
Written by : Max Landis  
Starring : Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins  
Release Date : August 19, 2015  

Tell me if you've heard of this plot before, about a seemingly normal guy who finds out that he is a highly trained killing machine secret agent, but doesn't remember it. No, this is not the "Bourne Identity," because what we get with "American Ultra" is what is essentially a less-serious slacker friendly version of that. It also seems a little designed to capture a niche and cult audience with it's straight-to-video sensibilities. 

Although the story starts out very simple with some nice character building moments for who Mike Howell and Phoebe Larson are; Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart respectively, the movie starts demanding a huge amount of suspension of disbelief once the main premise kicks in. Even so, I thought it was entertaining seeing the action sequences play out, and I enjoyed the whole gimmick of seeing a stoner fight back with some amazing skills. 

The ridiculous premise aside, there are two things that really worked for me. The relationship between Mike and Phoebe actually felt like the solid heart of the movie that I was completely rooting for. The other is the emphasis on using every day items you can find at a super market as weapons of death; which reminds me a bit of Jackie Chan's philosophy of using whatever weapon you can find. 

"American Ultra" can feel like a throwaway movie that isn't essential viewing, but I did have a lot of fun with it. It has a nice mix of self awareness and over the top moments, mixed in with some sentimentality and imagination. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Directed by : Guy Ritchie  
Written by : Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram  
Starring : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander  
Release Date : August 13, 2015  

Considering how many spy movies there are, it's not easy coming up with a unique and highly compelling story that's going to elevate the genre to new heights. "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." is also another spy movie that doesn't do anything revolutionary. However, despite the simple and uninspired plot, this still turned out to be a very entertaining watch. 

Director Guy Ritchie successfully made this spy movie stand out really well, purely on style. This movie doesn't go overboard with the life and death explosive in-your-face action sequences, but dials things down to a more reasonable form of exciting set pieces. Several of the chase scenes, the infiltration and escape sequences, were simply highly enjoyable to see play out. 

The biggest strength of this movie are the primary actors. Henry Cavill as the suave and sleek Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer as the always intense and physical Illya Kuryakin, and Alicia Vikander as the scene-stealing and energetic Gaby Teller. It's their interactions and banter with each other that really makes this movie super fun. Add them to the particular sense of humor that really shines through in this film, and the whole thing is absolutely fantastic. 

It's easy to dismiss "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." as a derivative spy movie that can get overlooked for more spectacular franchises, but that would be a mistake. There's a certain charm to this movie that makes it worth checking out. By the end of the movie, it'll be hard not to want to see a sequel made. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible

Straight Outta Compton

Directed by : F. Gary Gray  
Written by : Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff,  
Starring : Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Paul Giamatti,  
Release Date : August 13, 2015  

As far as musical biopics about the rap group N.W.A. goes, "Straight Outta Compton" is highly entertaining. The movie is almost two and a half hours long, but it moved at a good pace, always had my attention, and I probably wouldn't have minded if it could have been even longer. This might just be Director F. Gary Gray's best work on a movie, especially considering the story he had to tell on screen. 

As much as it is a dramatized story about real life events, the film plays off like a historical film as well, but in the end comes off almost like a folk-tale that has characters acting like the epic heroes we're suppose to root for. There's an instant charm to the story about kids who grew up in a rough neighborhood, making it big doing what they loved. It's a more complicated story than just that of course, and the movie does go over what some of those were; even if not every detail in reality made an appearance on the film. 

There are three main themes that this movie focuses on. The group of young friends and their tough life that's tied to the city they lived in, the relationship between the N.W.A. and their manager Jerry Heller, and the constant oppression by the Police. There's a lot of content that's shown, but I thought the last third of the movie suffered a little for feeling rushed and seemingly just jumped around significant historical moments without proper story progression. 

Where "Straight Outta Compton" succeeds the most as a movie, is that it's made enjoyable enough for a wide audience and not just for fans of the band. If anything else, it might just make people want to immediately listen to the music after they see this movie. 

lovedit  ENJOYED IT  itsokayitsmehitsterrible