Ant-Man (Spoiler-Free) Review - 4 1/2 Stars

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE!!

Come one come all. Come see the incredible shrinking man. I bring to you Ant-Man. At first glance at the title most people will shy away from wanting to see this movie. But believe me when I say that you will want to look closer.

Ant-Man is the latest superhero addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film is more of a heist film than it is a typical Marvel superhero film. Think Oceans Eleven meets Spider-man. Ant-Man tells the story of Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd), a thief who is asked to get into a shrinking suit to help a billionaire scientist (Hank Pym - the original Ant-Man) get back his company and technology from a protege who seeks to use it as a weapon for evil. I like that this story is not an origin story. In this story the Ant-Man has already been saving lives and is a myth among men. The story focuses on Scott Lang who is trying to find redemption and rekindle his relationship with his daughter after serving time in prison. He has a criminal crew with him brilliantly and hilariously played by Michael Pena, T.I. and David Dastmalchian. They are his sidekicks and help him get back into the life of crime but ultimately lead him to the meeting of Hank Pym played by Michael Douglas. Hank Pym who is the original Ant-Man and creator of the suit gives us the origin story while training Scott Lang to become the new Ant-Man. Michael Douglas as Hank Pym is played with so much gravitas. He commands the role. Loved him! We are also introduced to Hank's daughter Hope Van Dyne played by Evangeline Lilly. She was a great addition to the story-line as she plays the part of someone who is trying to connect back to her father as well as service the new protege taking over her father's company. The villain Darren Cross AKA YellowJacket played by Corey Stoll felt kinda flat to me. Aside from Loki, Marvel has a problem with really grasping at a good villain and giving them a strong enough reason to turn to evil.

Other than the villain the characters in this film are so well balanced. The amount of humor that each character brings to table is astounding. Michael Pena stole the scenes that he was in each time. At first I was kind of worried that he would get on my nerves but by the middle of the film, I was wanting more. I can't count the amount of times throughout this film that the audience was laughing hysterically. The film is played up more of a comedy than it it is a typical superhero action flick. I feel this approach was a great way to bring the general audience into this "tiny" universe along with the comic book fans. It's has a very simple plot and the paint by numbers good vs evil scenario. I love that! It doesn't play up to be this over the top action drag out movie. It's just complete fun!! If you are coming off of a Avengers: Age of Ultron high then this is a completely different pace and might throw you off. The handling of the shrinking scenes with macro photography was so good. It brings you into the world of the ants and small adventures. The action sequences, the technique of the shrinking technology works and CG of the ants were so awesome! There are tons of easter eggs in the movie for comic book fans and the director reminds us of the connecting Marvel films very well without beating everyone over the head with it. Make sure to stay to the complete end credits to see two post-credit Marvel scenes.

This movie is in my top 3 standalone Marvel superhero films along with Captain America: Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. It brings tons of fun and action to the film and gives the general audience a new take on a superhero. The villain needed some work and some would say that the pacing could have been sped up some in the beginning. But overall it is a fun ride to be had by others. I can't wait to see this again!

So should you come to the circus to see the incredible shrinking man....oh yeah!!!

4 1/2 Stars.

Inside Out - 5 Stars

BEWARE PLOT SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!!! IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE YOU ARE GOING TO BE SPOILED! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Inside Out is an original movie about a girl who is growing up and us as the audience connecting with her emotions. It brings to life the understandings of what it's like to feel joy, sadness, anger, disgust and fear. Pixar does a great job of adding all of these feelings to the dialogue and animation. This actually is the first time that I felt as though it's the most "grown up" Pixar film. It's more serious than it is just silly to me. I think it's a movie best enjoyed for younger audiences if you are between the ages of 10 to 18. There are some jokes and feelings I don't think anyone under the age of 10 would get. The bottom line of the movie and what I took from it was that everything that we do or experience are dealt with mixed emotions. Or at least it should be seen that way. There is usually some sadness with some joy.

I'm not a parent but I can only imagine that your heart strings are going to be tugged at when seeing what this girl goes through. I know I definitely felt empathy for Riley while she was growing up. SPOILER ALERT!! One of the key moments for me that made me sad was when Riley's imaginary friend fades away from existence. I'm pretty sure we all had them as a kid (mine was named Todd). We shouldn't have to get rid of those characters. Being imaginative is what keeps us growing creatively. At least it does for me. Which is probably why I'm so silly and friendly. SPOILER ALERT!! The main plot point is that Riley goes through so many emotions when her parents decide to move away to San Francisco. If you've gone through moving from a long lived location because a parent has to change jobs or whatever, it can be really hard for a child. Growing up in a military environment, I know first hand what's it like moving from place to place. I can remember to the moment when my family and I left my best friend and my first "childhood love". I don't think that my parents ever did understand the emotions that I was going through. This movie reminded me of that. I think I might have a conversation when them about it sometime.

The characters are well cast and the animation is superb. There is just the right amount of "emotions" written into the dialogue. I saw this movie in 3D but it didn't really add anything. I'm not a fan of 3D anyways. I wouldn't be surprised if this movie is nominated for Best Picture this year. It is in the same category as UP! for me. Overall this movie is about the need to feel and express all of your emotions whether it be sad, happy, disgust, anger or fear. We all feel them and it's okay. It's important for others to understand those emotions when you explain them. You can't tell me how to feel but I hope that you understand.

P.S. The animated short LAVA that plays before it was very sad. I enjoyed it but didn't expect that at all. Most PIXAR shorts have some humor with them but this one didn't. It kind of felt like an off way to start an animated film for younger audiences.

5 Stars!! A Must See!!

MAGIC MIKE XXL - 4 1/2 Stars

*cue the music* "Jump on it. Let's do it. Ride it. My Pony." - Ginuwine

That is the best way to start this review. Let me second say....bravo and you are welcome ladies! I think this what you wanted! This is not a movie to go see on a Sunday morning instead of going to church. This is not a movie to say "Hey mom, wanna go see a dancing movie?" This is something that you enjoy either late at night in the theater with your girlfriends or someone cool like me. Or you see it in the private of your own home and don't admit that you enjoyed it. Although I happily do.

My interest in the first and second Magic Mike was strictly to see the dancing performances. I didn't go into either of these films wanting to see any Oscar winning performances. These weren't the typical "Oh my wife dragged me to see this movie." type of situation. I wanted to see both of these films. I appreciate music and dance films. I don't make it a point coming into this review saying "Oh I'm so masculine and confident in my sexuality." My wife and friends know what's up. I wasn't really surprised to see that I was the only man in the theater. Okay now that that's out of the way...when I saw the first Magic Mike I was like it was okay. Entertaining it. Is that what what it's like at a strip club for females? Kind of what it's like attending a strip club for males I guess. This is sequel is NOT what it's like going to a strip club for males. Women do not perform like this for males!!! Why not?? If they did.......ooooh. Magic Mike XXL is exactly what I thought the first one was going to be. I expected to see a movie that was filled with dance performances that would make a woman feel the same experience she would in a gentleman's club setting. That is exactly what you get when you see this movie.

This is the first time in a longtime that I would say this is what the first movie should have been!! If you are a woman or male who enjoyed the first one...I'm 98% sure you agree with me on this. If you are a woman or male who enjoyed this one but never saw the first one...I'm 98% sure you might be disappointed if you go back and watch the first. This movie doesn't try to be something that it's not. I'm not saying it isn't without it's flaws but still. We follow along Magic Mike and the gang going to the Stripper Convention (is this real?) in Myrtle Beach, SC. We stop along the way to drag queen shows, convenience stores, the hospital and a southern home in Savannah, GA. There's a girl that Magic Mike tries to fall in love with....blah blah blah. Who cares. The moments that are enjoyed the most are the performances. I loved how the dancing showcased the women feeling sexy and worshiped. To me it was about ALL WOMEN are sexy. Not just the skinny ones. Not just the plus size ones. Not just the tall ones. Not just the short ones. ALL WOMEN. The dance performances were less about just taking your clothes off for money but about how the men could service the women. There is a line in the movie where one the dancers says something like...We never ask the woman what they want. We need to ask them what they want and how, then deliver more that what they expect. I agree and I feel like that is what the men in this movie were doing while having fun doing it. There was no shaming involved at all by the women or men. They were all cheering them on.The sexiness of a woman is talked about openly and without any shame or shade or even words. The same with the male dancers in the movie. Not at anytime during the movie when they were at the drag show or sharing a hotel room bed together were there any homosexual jokes made. Why would it be needed? And the women who were the audience of the shows felt as though they were picked up off the street real women. I can imagine that the casting director just went into a room and said "How many women in here have ever been to a real strip-club and would like to go to real show?" You're hired! I loved that!!

The cast was put together very well and the absence of Matthew McConaughey was filled by Jada Pinkett Smith with an added umph. At first I didn't know what to expect because her character seemed like a pimp to me but then as the movie went on I actually enjoyed it. Michael Strahan! What?!? Now that he is divorced...did he just decide to say screw it...I'm going to get my groove on???? WOW! I hope Kelly Ripa hasn't seen this movie because I can only imagine her feeling uncomfortable sitting next to him in the morning. GOOD MORNING AMERICA! Channing Tatum is going to break his neck, back, arms and legs if he continues to contour his body the way he does. AMAZING! I wish I knew how to dance half as good as he does. I told my wife that I was going to start working out and take some dancing lessons. I might have opened my mouth too soon. The movie was hilarious and fun without being overly dramatic at all. Some of the scenes were a little long and unnecessary. It is just a good time to have fun. I had a blast and I know you women did too. The women in my audience were laughing, cheering, and dancing. Now everyone can  go home and continue to think about those dancers. Just remember to still love and marry us normal slightly overweight average men. Please don't spoil the performances to others if you have seen this movie...just let them experience it for themselves.

XXL....THE NAME FITS!

4 1/2 Stars.