I love movies! I love any kind of good story, presented in whatever creative form the artist comes up with. Movies are one of the forms I like a lot. If you don't realize what good stuff is out there, here is a list of the stories that have caught my attention recently.
These are the ones I've either seen or want to see. I'll post again in a week or two about more upcoming summer movies. Click the title to see the trailer. I hope you find some good stories you'll enjoy!
Out in Some Theaters, Older but Current
Big Hero 6 – Animated – possibly in some second run theaters, already on DVD and in Redbox
I loved this movie! Strong family values, power of friendship, good triumphs over evil, kid power, etc. So funny!! Loved the story!
Kingsman: The Secret Service – Colin Firth – possibly in some second run theaters, already on DVD and in Redbox
I enjoyed this movie. It entertained me, which is exactly why I went. The characters played by Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson made me laugh. Mark Strong did a great job as the main character. It was just plain fun!
Insurgent – part two in the Divergent series – possibly in some second run theaters, on DVD August 4, 2015
I went with friends, which is part of the fun, and I enjoyed it. But I'd recently watched Divergent again (which I loved!) so I could be sure not to forget anything. Unfortunately, several times I thought, “I liked Divergent better.” Still, it was entertaining, and told me more of the story.
Cinderella – possibly in some regular theaters, probably in second run theaters
Best two hours of my movie-watching life so far this year! (At the time it came out.) I saw this one alone and completely forgot myself, the other viewers, the theater – I was so immersed in the movie, I was aware of nothing else! It wasn't until I left the theater that I realized my cheeks ached from smiling for two hours straight! See it!!
Ex Machina – in some regular theaters, probably in second run theaters soon
Really strange story that kept us guessing the whole time. I didn't know much about it (which I think helps enjoy a movie more for what it is, not what it's advertised to be), and I kept getting surprised by what was happening, which led to great enjoyment. Talked about “what if” afterward with John, which is always a good sign that we were really engaged with the story.
Out Now in Most Theaters
Home – animated
This just looks fun! I haven't seen it but I want to. I mean, come on, Jim Parsons – who plays Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory – plays the alien! What's not to like?
Avengers: Age of Ultron – standard, 3D, IMAX
BEST MOVIE THIS YEAR!! John and I enjoyed this movie so much we saw it twice the first week it opened! As I implied above about Insurgent, it's difficult to make a sequel as good as the original. But this movie rocks!! Of course, since I write superhero books that have a strong family focus, I loved the family scenes. But the action and the dialogue were just about perfect!
Mad Max: Fury Road – standard, 3D, IMAX
We pulled out our three Mad Max DVDs to watch before going to see Fury Road, but we bought them when we lived in Australia, and our International DVD player is packed. Darn! So we watched the new one without having the background fresh in our minds. And it was great! Lots of action, lots of the same kind of fighting I remember from the first three (meaning it's too violent for some of you), and some great scenes of sacrifice for the greater good. I enjoyed it.
Tomorrowland – standard, IMAX
I expected a fun Disney movie when I saw the trailer for this. You know, like Pirates of the Caribbean, where it's just something fun based on a ride. But by the time the movie was over, I was inspired to go make the world a better place, to believe we can make it a better place, even one person at a time. Go see this movie! Take your kids! Get inspired! Change the world!
