Sheep Movie Review: Brightburn (2019)

Brightburn (2019)
May 24, 2019
Directed By: David Yarovesky
Written By: Brian Gunn, Mark Gunn
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: Screen GemsRating: R (for horror violence/bloody images, and language)
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?

Went to see Brightburn with my husband, 18-year-old daughter and a friend of mine. First off...I was so not expecting what I saw. That isn't a bad thing, but it is a horror movie..."Silence of the Lamb" gore type. This character (who isn't called Bizarro—anti-Superman—but that's who he is) is evil...there is no happy ending.

My daughter and I liked it a lot. My friend liked it but not quite as much because they thought the gore had no purpose. My husband didn't like it at all mostly due to the gore and slow pace.

It did move slowly in the beginning. They tried too hard to draw out the suspense and set up some jump scares. The acting was excellent and well cast and they did the most they could with only a $7 million budget.

You know where the story is going, the question is how far will they go...all the flocking way! It was like the proverbial train wreck. I knew what was coming but couldn't look away.

Even with all its faults, I loved the premise. True evil supervillains. The ending sets up the possibility for an evil superhero franchise. You need to pay attention to the "news stories" at the end. You get a peek at the "others."

This is the opening weekend and it was only playing on one screen at our theater and it was the smallest one. You don't need to see it on the big screen to enjoy. I think it will do better on Blu-Ray/DVD than in the theaters. BUT if you like horror movies then check this one out.

My husband gives it 1 1/2 sheep

My friend, Holly and I give it 3 1/2 but I would have given in 4.5  if it had been a little faster paced.

SharonS

Sheep Movie Review: The LEGO Movie

The LEGO Movie

Directed By: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Staring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson 

PG

Plot: 

"The LEGO Movie" is the first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO adventure. The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet (Chris Pratt) an ordinary, rules- following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. 

It's always a blessing when kids and adults alike can enjoy a fun warm hearted flick. The Lego Movie delivers all the brick laying foundation of being one of the best kid comedies I've seen in a very long time. It's hilarious with non-stop laughs! Everything is awesome!

Aside from the laughs, kitten posters and fun variety of LEGO action figures, you have a story about being creative. Follow your own path and use your individual imagination to make something new and awesome. Cause everything is awesome!

This is truly a meaningful story at it's core and that journey takes a kids toy and turns it into a whole world of wonder. Sure, Toy Story did that too but this is Legos....and they are awesome! The ending was surprising to me, which only endears this tale even more. 

It's a witty, crazy, excitingly manic ride of CGI awesomeness, including a moody Batman and Liam Neeson having a split personality disorder, all wrapped up in a lesson on letting go and I loved every second of it! 

Try to get this song out of your head after watching the movie. I dare you! 

Getting 4 and 1/2 'space ship' Sheep

KD 

Sheep Movie Review: The Hunger Games

***Warning this review is filled with spoilers***

The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth (Yup, Thor's brother!), Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Lenny Kravitz. This is definitely not a feel good movie you watch on a lazy weekend; no, this is an emotionally wrecking film where children hunt down and slaughter each other on live TV. Yet from this brutality rises our heroine Katniss, the gal who won't go down for the thrills of a society littered with corruption.

Plot:

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

First and foremost let me say that I did not read these books so this review is coming from a strictly movie-only perspective. That being said here's some of the things I liked: Liam Hemsworth, need I say more? The costumes throughout this film are outrageous and over the top, yet at the same time they are somehow incredible and completely consuming. The hair, mustaches and yellow eyeliner were amazing. The story itself is one that is absolutely emotion-packed from the top, down to the tiniest parts of its core and for that alone I have to give this one a major bow for taking me on one heck of a ride! Jennifer Lawrence knocked this one out the park with her stellar performance! Truly an amazing actress whose performance alone had me buying into the movie's story.

On the downside, shaky camera syndrome is a plague on modern films and should be banned from most in my opinion! It's extremely frustrating to be deeply involved in a story and suddenly have the whole perspective thrashing about so forcefully that you have no idea who just killed who. At least give us barf bags under the seat! Our lead male, "Peeta bread" as I'm calling him, was a total pansy. He turns on the woman he confesses to loving for a long time right after the game gets going. I get that it's a savage game to the death and maybe he was playing nice with the other kids just to get by, but there are always choices other than teaming up with the nasties. Aside from his traitorous heart, he comes across as such a total wimp that Katniss has to keep safe all the time. Yet another reason why Thor's brother was clearly the better choice here.

With a PG-13 rating I was blown away with the amount of savagery and knife-oriented gore. A movie like this and have to wonder just how far we've come in the film industry that an action blood bath extravaganza can pass with a lower rating just to get more butts in the seats. It boggles the mind!

The overall storyline is given to the audience in gradual doses, but by the end I was still lost, so the rest I had to call and ask Sharon about. (Since she read the books) Maybe it's assumed that just about everyone has read these books, but more info on the past of characters' and the overall plot would have done a lot of good here. It wasn't very clear how the games came to be or why so many districts are so poor. There also were some major mother-daughter issues going on between Katniss and her mother, but no real dialog between the two explaining why. The biggest flaw for me was why on earth would anyone let their kids be put into this game in the first place?! I mean come on, you all outnumber the guys with the guns! Yeah some might die, but think of the greater good here people!

So for the folks that want to watch a heart-wrenching story that's filled with corruption, nail biting action, kids killing kids, murder and hallucinating bees then check out the punch-in-the-gut The Hunger Games. It will leave you both loving and hating it at the same time.

Getting 3 and 1/2 tree climbing Sheep

KD

Our Idiot Brother

Our Idiot Brother, directed by Jesse Peretz stars Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer and Hugh Dancy. With long hair and beard Paul Rudd nails the part of the ever-faithful brother who just can't seem to get it right. Life, love and relationships ring true in this heartfelt playful story bringing the summer comedies to a sweet ending.

Plot:

Every family has one: the sibling who is always just a little bit behind the curve when it comes to getting his life together. For sisters Liz (Emily Mortimer), Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel), that person is their perennially upbeat brother Ned (Paul Rudd), an erstwhile organic farmer whose willingness to rely on the honesty of mankind is a less-than-optimum strategy for a tidy, trouble-free existence. Ned may be utterly lacking in common sense, but he is their brother and so, after his girlfriend dumps him and boots him off the farm, his sisters once again come to his rescue. As Liz, Miranda and Natalie each take a turn at housing Ned, their brother's unfailing commitment to honesty creates more than a few messes in their comfortable routines. But as each of their lives begins to unravel, Ned's family comes to realize that maybe, in believing and trusting the people around him; Ned isn't such an idiot after all.

While you won't be getting the cruder kinds of humor seen in previous summer flicks this year, you will get a very decent script well acted with lots of promising scenes. A few little draggy parts here and there but overall the actors owned the parts given and made for one heck of a film. Now the most disappointing part here is the trailers for this movie give away some of the more touching parts of the film. There are also some pivotal turning points that change the plot around. While I would have liked a bit more of a surprise in these areas I do understand the studio needs to push the selling points. So if you are going to be heading out for this one don't expect much else from the movie if anything.

Deeper than the hippie comedy bits is a real emotional story which as I stated above hits on life, morals and family. Relationships that fall apart and family ties that need mending. Some pleasant surprises had me ALMOST teary eyed, but the vamp in me kicked those suckers back just in the nick of time! Phew! In all honesty this was a refreshing film that touched on my sweet spot, Paul's character is hard not to love. While we may not all have a brother like this one it's nice to see that there are some people out there who love just to love. Would have enjoyed a little more camp from the actresses playing the sisters in the film but aside from that the rest of it all worked out.

I'm going to tack on the end here that this movie will probably appeal more to the ladies out there, not to say men can't enjoy it too. If you want to see a sincere comedy that spreads a little sunshine then go check this one out.

Getting 3 and 1/2 Willie Nelson Sheep

KD

The Next Three Days, slow build.

The Next Three Days written and directed by Paul Haggis stars Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. This movie has a slow build, taking viewers on a chaotic ride. Set stoves to medium low and let this one simmer until it boils. :)

Synopsis:

A college professor John Brennan (Crowe) and his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) we're happily married and raising a family when their lives fell apart in the blink of an eye. Lara has been charged with murder, convicted of a crime she swears she did not commit. Despite every effort to prove her innocence, the judge sentences her to an extended prison sentence. Meanwhile, on the outside, John files multiple appeals while struggling to raise their child and maintain his career. Lara's future starts to look especially grim, however, after the final appeal is rejected, and she admits that she'd rather commit suicide than spend the rest of her life behind bars. Determined to save his wife after the justice system fails her, John seeks the advice of an ex-convict (Liam Neeson) who staged his own daring prison escape in order to draw up an airtight plan. Later, John prepares to put his life on the line for the woman he loves, and sets the plan into motion with the knowledge that one false move could be their last.

Anyone with ANY bit of "street smart" will watch this movie and cringe throughout; but that's the whole point of the film. If you're an average guy with an average family living in suburban America, how do you plan to break someone out of prison AND acquire all the things you would need to start a new life? A lot of mistakes are made along the way and it's almost painful to watch. My stomach was in knots repeatedly watching Crowe's character struggle along.

Now cop's in movies almost always get a bad wrap for being the hard nose, law breaking jerks who don't give a crap about legal details. This movie once again plays into that theme. Is it right? No. Will that stop movie makers? No. It makes for a great story that has you wanting the guy on the other end to win, and you do pull for John in this story. Well acted movie that I all around enjoyed, but man oh man is it a ride. lol

Getting 4 sheep from me. :)

KD