How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is the much-anticipated culmination of one of the most beloved animated film franchises in history. As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

Wow!!!   I can't think of a single movie franchise that means more to me than this one does.  Like even more than Star Wars.  I have been massively connected to these movies from the beginning because the Hiccup and Toothless relationship is virtually identical to the one I had with my son/cat, J.  And this entry was no different.  It was legit a perfect ending to this trilogy of stories.  The animation was absolutely amazing just like the previous two.  The characters were all great.  And the connection between Hiccup and Toothless as they both grow up is equal parts heartbreaking and the most beautiful thing ever.  I was pretty much ugly face crying by the end of this movie and loved every second of it.

I give this movie the must see stamp.  Again - it is a great conclusion to this story and these characters.   This series is the best non-Disney animation of all time as far as I'm concerned.  It's honestly better than most Disney too.

The Upside

The Upside chronicles the unexpected friendship between Phillip Lacasse (Cranston), a Park Avenue billionaire left paralyzed after a hang-gliding accident, and convicted felon Dell (Hart), recently released from prison and in need of a job and a fresh start. From worlds apart, Phillip and Dell form an unlikely bond, bridging their differences and gaining invaluable wisdom in the process, giving each man a renewed sense of passion for all of life’s possibilities.

This was an awesome pairing onscreen chemistry wise.  Kevin Hart and Byran Cranston were perfectly paired in this movie and played off of each other so well.  You really believed a lot of the odd couple bantering and the caring that developed between the two characters.  The old two people from different worlds, both flawed and learning from each other how to change for the better story was perfectly played out because of this great chemistry.

I would absolutely recommend people checking this movie out.  It is a very enjoyable watch with lots of laugh and heart throughout.

Isn't It Romantic

New York City architect Natalie works hard to get noticed at her job, but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city’s next skyscraper. And if things weren’t bad enough, Natalie, a lifelong cynic when it comes to love, has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare, a romantic comedy and she is the leading lady.

I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie.  Don't get me wrong - I'm a big fan of Rebel Wilson.  I just figured that this would be one of those movies where all the good stuff was in the trailer.  But the fact that the movie didn't take itself seriously and really mocked the whole genre perfectly made it crazy entertaining.  The movie was short, to the point and really witty with its commentary on rom-coms.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  It had plenty of laughs and was really an enjoyable watch.

Fighting With My Family

Fighting With My Family is a heartwarming comedy based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige™. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, cut-throat world alone. Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.

This was a really enjoyable movie.  Granted - it helps to be a WWE fan in order to enjoy it but honestly even if you are not - it was a really well developed movie where you get hooked by the characters and their voyage regardless of being a fan or not.

I would definitely recommend people checking this out.  Its a great story and you can't help but get wrapped up in it.

Happy Death Day 2U

Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard will reprise their roles from the first film. Suraj Sharma is also joining the sequel as Samar Ghosh, a science enthusiast and geek who enjoys coding in his spare time. Sarah Yarkin will play Dre Morgan, a science geek and tomboy with a sleepy feline gaze who is Samar’s partner-in-crime. "Happy Death Day 2U" will pick up where the first film left off in a “Back to the Future-like style.”

Not really sure why a sequel was needed to this.  The first one was better than I thought it would be but only because I had bottom of the barrel expectations.  To make a sequel off of that is questionable at best.  And it very much was nowhere near as enjoyable as the first one.  This came off as much more rushed and desperate considering that there was barely enough material for the first one.

I wouldn't really recommend that anyone bother with what was a very pointless sequel.  It's really not worth it and should not have been bothered with at all.

Cold Pursuit

Cold Pursuit is an action thriller infused with irreverent humor, stars Liam Neeson as Nels Coxman, a family man whose quiet life with his wife (Laura Dern) is upended following the mysterious death of their son.

This movie was literally one of those where if you watched the trailer - you saw the movie.  No surprises.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just a longer version of the two minute trailer that you essentially forget all about 10 minutes after its over.  

I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering with this.   Wait for cable or something when you accidentally find it on because there is really no need to go out of your way to watch this.

heir son. Nels' search for justice turns into a vengeful hunt for Viking (Tom Bateman), a drug lord he believes is connected to the death. As one by one each of Viking's associates "disappear," Nels goes from upstanding citizen to ice-cold vigilante, letting nothing and no one get in his way.

The LEGO Movie: The Second Part

A sequel to the original 3D computer animated film, which follows Emmet, 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.

Let's be honest . . . . .  how could they go wrong with this movie?   Just do more of the same.  Have similar laughs, humor and references throughout and the movie would be all good.  And that is exactly what they did.  You still have the characters you love from the first.  You still have the constant laughs and sight gags.   You still have great musical numbers and songs that will stay with you long after the movie is over.  And you get a couple of new and interesting characters too.  Pretty much your textbook very enjoyable sequel.

I would fully recommend people checking this out.  Both adults and kids are sure to fully enjoy the break from the world and laughs while going to see this.

What Men Want

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world... until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.

This movie was watchable and had a couple of good laughs but it is very much the type of movie that gets ruined by the trailer.  All the good stuff was already in there and you pretty much have seen the movie by seeing the trailer.  There was nothing I didn't see coming and nothing original whatsoever.  It's a shame because I like Taraji P Henson a lot but this definitely continued her streak of blah movies.

I wouldn't really recommend that anyone bother with this.  It's just kind of there and again not much to see past the material in the trailer.  It could have been so much better.

The Prodigy

Taylor Schilling stars as Sarah, a mother whose young son Miles' disturbing behavior signals that an evil, possibly supernatural force has overtaken him. Fearing for her family's safety, Sarah must grapple with her maternal instinct to love and protect Miles in favor of investigating what - or who - is causing his dark turn. She is forced to look for answers in the past, taking the audience on a wild ride; one where the line between perception and reality remains blurry.

This is another one of those prime example early in the year horror movie releases.  They are just made for the quick opening weekend money and out of theaters within two weeks.  This was basically a made for tv movie on like Lifetime or something that somehow made it to the big screen.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bother with this.  It's pretty much just there and a big waste of time.