Willie's View Movie Reviews

          HOBB AND SHAW is a spinoff of the FAST AND FURIOUS Franchise, featuring Dwayne "THE ROCK" Johnson's Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw of those films. (I'm leaving out some plot details because they are, IMO, major spoilers). In the FAST films, Hobbs and Shaw had a very strong dislike for one another but were forced to work together as part of a larger team. In HOBBS AND SHAW, the two are once again thrown together against each other's will to retrieve a deadly virus that, if in the wrong hands, could wipe out the world. Added to the mix is Idris Elba as an excellent bad guy with super strength and an MI6 agent with some secrets played very well by Vanessa Kirby and you have a high octane action summer blockbuster in the making.         HOBBS AND SHAW is a ridiculously over the top action film, just like you would expect from these types of movies. The thing that makes this film an entertaining success is the chemistry, n...

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood(2019) Rated R; Run Time:2 hours and 41 minutes Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is about a washed up actor named Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his best friend/Stunt Double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in 1969 Hollywood, who struggle to keep their careers afloat in a time when the industry was more focused on the next big star and always ready to throw dirt on fading, aging movie stars, like Rick Dalton. Once is an original film from legendary writer/director, Quentin Tarantino and features two excellent performances from DiCaprio and Pitt, both appearing together in a film for the first time. Their onscreen chemistry is the #1 reason to see this film. The story unfolds like reading a novel, an activity that is lost on people in these fast paced information  loaded Internet days we live in. It rewards the patient moviegoer who is willing to give th...

     I've never been a big fan of horror movies. Most horror movies have no heart or empathy in it's cinematic storytelling. When watching a movie, I want to feel or understand what the characters are experiencing or going through. I find it near impossible to have any empathy with horror movie characters in most horror movies period. That being said, I found director James Wan's THE CONJURING to be engaging and horrifying all at once. It's based on a true story about Ed and Lorraine Warren and a family that was terrorized by a demonic presence in their house.   I do have to say that I've seen this plot at least a dozen times before, presented in a cheesy, horribly acted and written fashion. THE CONJURING is not one of those films. It presents believable characters in unbelievable and horrific circumstances. James Wan delivers the story in a straight forward, no unnecessary gimmicks style. The performances by the cast including Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson,Ron Liv...

      MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-FALLOUT marks the sixth film in the MI franchise. This film series seems to get better with every film. This very well could be the best in the series, but only time will tell for me.      Say what you will about Tom Cruise. You cannot argure the fact that Cruise can sell an action movie better than his action movie counterparts like Stallone and Schwartzenegger. FALLOUT is yet another example of Cruise gathering the most talented filmmakers he can find and entertain the socks off moviegoing audiences.   FALLOUT picks the plot threads from the previous two M:I films and tells another story of bad guys wanting to end the world with a nuclear threat. We've seen it all before. Yet, to my amazement, this film makes everything that's been done before seem like a freshly baked loaf of bread. The thrills and chills, twists and turns have never been this engaging or down right entertaining. Writer/Director Christopher McQuarrie is ...

    I never thought I would be writing a review for HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 and I never thought I would be seeing it on it's preview night like I do for big blockbuster movies. Nevertheless, here I am to tell you that this third entry in the film series is the best of the bunch and one of this summer's nicer surprises.    HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION as Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and his hotel staff/family/friends going on a cruise to the Bermuda Triangle courtesy of his daughter, Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez). Once on the cruise ship, he meets and falls in love at first sight with the Captain of the cruise ship, Erika (voiced by Kathryn Kahn), but the potential romance is threatened by a secret that Erika is keeping hidden for personal reasons.    If you've seen the previous two HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA films then you pretty much know what to expect-lots of bathroom humor. However, this time, I found that the third time is the charm. Director Gen...

   ANT-MAN AND THE WASP picks up two years after the events in CAPTAIN AMERICA:CIVIL WAR, where our hero Scott Lang was greatly effected. Know right off the bat though, if you are expecting more earth shattering revelations like we got in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, you will be disappointed.        That's not to say that this self contained story of Scott Lang, Hank Pym and his daughter, Hope Van Dyne is a waist of time because it's anything but. It's a two hour action comedy, that like the first one, is big on heart and fun. After the breakneck pace and heavy handedness of INFINITY WAR, it's nice to take a breather and have some fun with characters who, in a smaller sense(no pun intended) have alot to lose here, but the sense of earth ending urgency is toned down here for a less stressful and enjoyable adventure for the audience.        Paul Rudd returns as Scott Lang and gives his best and most comfortable performance to date. I'm also ...

   SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO is the sequel to the 2015 film that starred Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. This second entry stars Del Toro and Brolin, reprising their roles from the first and takes their characters to deeper and darker places than explored in the first film. They weren't the focus of the first film. The focus on that film was Emily Blunt's Kate Mercer, who is nowhere to be found in this film. Her character represented the audience. Through her, we the audience entered into a dark and scary world that most of us have no idea exists. We were introduced to a world of dark characters who did bad things to further their causes, whether it be on the side of the good or bad. Through the eyes of Kate Mercer, we the audience took off the roses colored sunglasses to see a side of the world we choose to turn a blind eye to-evil.     In DAY OF THE SOLDADO, we are taken back into that dark and scary world created by one of the best screenwrite...

DR.STRANGELOVE is a film that I have avoided all of my moviegoing life until now, thanks to the 100 Movies Scratch-Off List. I always thought that STRANGELOVE was too smart of a film for me to watch and possibly like. For many years, I've read how highly regarded this film is in the film enthusiast world. They are right. STRANGELOVE is one of the greatest films I've never seen until now. Let me briefly describe this film in my dumbed down way instead of using the typical synopsis that is used for this film. STRANGELOVE is Stanley Kubrick's 1964 satirical look at the Cold War. The world is plunged into chaos when a United States General orders a nuclear attack on Russia. The story unfolds in three different areas. On a U.S. Military Base, an airplane(bomber plane) and the Pentagon with the President (played with a straight face by the brilliant Peter Sellers). What transpires over the 95-minute runtime begins as a political thriller laced with witty comedy. As the plot ...

    This is the first entry in my MOVIE SCRATCH-OFF BUCKET LIST Challenge.     The Original JURASSIC PARK recently celebrated it's the 25th Anniversary along with the fifth film launching into theaters (in America) this past weekend. I thought it fitting to kick off this 100 movie list challenge by starting with Steven Spielberg's classic film adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel JURASSIC PARK.      If you didn't know, the film is about genetically created Dinosaurs that are put on an island off the coast of Costa Rico and have had a theme park built around them. A group of scientists (Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum) are invited to check out the park and give the creator, John Hammond (played by the late Sir Richard Attonbourgh) their opinions. Add Hammonds two visiting grandchildren, a crooked employee and a violent storm to the mix and you have one heck of a classic thriller that left me feeling like I just climbed o...

         I recently discovered the MOVIE SCRATCH-OFF BUCKET LIST poster and decided to purchase it. The list features classic movies, some that I've seen before (The Original STAR WARS TRILOGY, THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY, JAWS, PSYCHO, and MEMENTO) and others I've never seen before (2001, DR.STRANGELOVE, OLDBOY, DRIVE). I will be posting my thoughts of each of the 100 movies on the list in future blogs entries. I invite you to watch those movies you have never seen before and rewatch the ones you have seen. Like my self, you will discover classic movies for the first time, while revisiting some of your favorite films. Maybe your thoughts will change on these films after watching them either for the first time or the fifth or sixth time.     If you are interested in purchasing this poster, check out the video above for more information or just google THE MOVIE SCRATCH OFF POSTER.

It's been three years since we got a Jurassic Park sequel. Now it's time to return to Isla Nuebla for another terrifying (hopefully) visit with those genetically recreated dinosaurs. Question #1: What sequel does this make? This is the fifth film in Jurassic Park series and is a direct sequel to Jurassic World. Question #2: Is Chris Pratt in this or was he too busy playing Star Lord in the Marvel movies to make it back for this one? Yes, Chris Pratt is back as velociraptor wrangler, Owen Grady. After being guilt-tripped into joining his on again, off again girlfriend, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard, who is also back) on a return trip to the island of Dinosaurs to help another Billionaire investor rescue the dinosaurs when an erupting volcano (that wasn't in any of the other movies) threatens to make the dinos extinct. Question #3: Is it really necessary to have another sequel? Depends on if you are a fan of the previous 4 films, which I am. Anytime H...

   After 14 long years, The Incredibles are back. But what took them so long? THE INCREDIBLES 2 picks up seconds after the first one ended-The Incredibles about to fight The Underminer. One thing we do learn right off the bat is that the story didn't stop at the original's ending. This second entry of the beloved superhero family starts off with a frantic pace and never lets up. That's a good thing. A really good thing.    Is the second better than the first? Yes and No. There are things I really can't talk about because they are most definitely spoilers that could ruin your enjoyment of this film. I can tell you that writer /director Brad Bird has come up with a plot and story that is as complicated and deeper than the first one. It also has a faster pace than the first one. Those are all really good things. The one aspect I enjoyed most about The Incredibles 2 is the family aspect. Not only can I relate to it as a Father, but I found scenes in the mo...

  TAG is an often rude, crude and foul-mouthed comedy about a group of friends who get together every May to play a game of tag. The premise sounds childish and outlandish but to my shock and surprise, TAG works due to the fact that in the ned, the film has what I call redeeming social value. Translation-it has a heart.     TAG features a very strong ensemble cast that includes Ed Helms (in a very good performance), Jake Johnson (NEW GIRL) as a marijuana smoking jerk(another good performance), Jon Hamm (MAD MEN), Hannibal Buress (whose work I'm unfamiliar with), Annabelle Wallis as a Wall Street Journal reporter (underused here), a scene-stealing Isla Fisher as Ed Helms wife and Jeremy Renner as the untouchable, untaggable friend who reveals this is his last game and is getting married to a snobby young lady (played by Leslie Bibb). There is one other actor that I have to mention, LilRel Howery. He is another actor who is given very little to do and ...

   GRINGO tells the story of a good man named Harold (played well by David Oyelowo) who gets taken advantage of by everyone around him. His best friend and boss (one of my favorite actors working today-Joel Edgerton) Richard, uses Harold for his own interests and business gains. Richard is a real creep. He's a lying,cheating thieving excuse for a man. His partner in crime and business is Elaine (Charlize Theron), who is an equally unlikable person. Together or separately, Richard and Elaine screw over everyone around, especially poor Harold. I'll leave out all the details and just tell you that Richard and Elaine run a pharmaceutical company and have made some bad deals with the mexican Drug cartel. They use an unwitting Harold to do their dirty work. But when Harold finally catches on to their shenanigans, he learns to finally stand up for himself. But he finds himself neck deep with the Mexican Drug Cartel and other untrustworthy people, or are they?  That is the fun ...

     SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is the tale of Han Solo's origin story. It tells about his first love, his escape from enslavement on his homeworld of Corella, his days in the Empire and his very first meeting with Chewbacca and how they became gangsters working for crime syndicates across the galaxy. SOLO is also and more importantly a 2 hour and 15-minute entertaining and thrilling rollercoaster ride of a filmgoing experience. It has action, romance, comedy, suspense and thrills enough to entertain a Tusken Raider.    The cast assembled for this film is top notch. Alden Ehrenreich absolutely nails the character of Han Solo. Instead of giving us an impersonation of Harrison Ford, he gives us his interpretation of the iconic character and does a fantastic job. The same can be said for Donald Glover who portrays Lando Calrissian. He's not doing his best Billy Dee Williams impression, he goes into who and what the character of Lando is al...

  First, before I dive into my thoughts on DEADPOOL 2, let me give you a strong word of warning. If you did not see the first DEADPOOL or didn't like the first one, then DO NOT bother with seeing this sequel. There is more foul language and ultraviolence to be found here. If those things are a turn off for you, then let me STRONGLY urge you to stay away. And if you do go, by all means, LEAVE  THE KIDS AT HOME.        DEADPOOL 2 is more of the same stuff that the first film gave us. Lots of potty mouth humor and language and tons of gratuitous violence. It also manages to maintain it's an endearing quality that the first film possed. Ryan Reynolds Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, is a mutant mercenary who cannot die. That is his superpower. If he gets riddled full of bullet holes or gets his neck broken, his body restores itself back to normal, at least normal for Deadpool. There are lots of spoilers that I will avoid getting into here. I can tell you that ...

What is the film about? Do you really have to ask? Ok, fine. A Big, Bad Villain from the deepest parts of the Universe sets out to collection the 6 Infinity Gems. Once he gets his hands on these mystical and powerful gems, he plans on wiping out half of the universe. Who can possibly stop him? Well, who do you think? The Earth's Mightiest Avengers along with the help of The Guardians of The Galaxy. That's who. Do I need to see any of the previous Marvel films before I see this? It sure would help understand things better. There is very little exposition in the film, unless it has to do with Thanos and the Infinity Gems. Otherwise, the filmmakers assume you know all the major players and everything they've been through up to now. There is no backtracking here. Do people die in this film unlike in most Marvel films? (Minor Spoiler!!!!!) Yes. The Powers that be finally deliver consequences that amount to something here. That is all I will say. How long is the film? ...

   Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen I appreciate those who take their time out to read my movie reviews. I am looking for feedback. I recently started a new type of review that I call Q&A Movie Reviews. Have you read the two I recently wrote? If so, do you like the style versus the traditional style movie review? What do you think about the reviews in general? Any feedback you are willing to give me will be quite helpful when writing future reviews. Feel free to post in the comment section below and share with me your thoughts.   Thank you for your time. William Wygle

What is the film about? Set in the future, ISLE OF DOGS tells the story of a boys search for his dog, who was just one of many dogs exiled on an island of garbage after a dog flue breakout sweeps Japan. After the boy crashes on the island, he encounters a pack of dogs who help him search for his missing dog. Is it written and directed by artsy fartsy filmmaker Wes Anderson? Yes, it is. Wes Anderson is similar to Woody Allen in the sense that his films do not attract a mainstream moviegoing audience. Mr.Anderson is hit or miss with me. His latest film and his second animated feature after THE FANTASTIC MR.FOX, is a hit with me. Is this a film for children? That depends on the intellect of the child. I doubt small children will sit still for long enough to immerse themselves in this often awkward style of storytelling. Middle school children and up might find something to like about in this film. I hear it's different from today's animated films. How so? The film us...

What is the film about? BLOCKERS tells the story of three teenage girls who make a pact to lose their virginity on Prom Night. Complications ensue when the parents find out the plan via text messaging. Is this movie funny? Film is subjective and ultimately up to the individual to decide what is funny or not. For me, I found the movie to be funny in a very uncomfortable way. I'm not a fan of raunchy sex comedies, so I was somewhat surprised when I found myself laughing for much of the movie. One big reason for me is that I could relate to the parents and where their need to control things gets out of hand in comedic fashion. What is John Cena doing in this movie? You read that right. WWE wrestler John Cena is one of the stars of the film and does a fantastic job of showing his comedic side. He is a scene stealer in this film. Can I take my mother to see this? Depends if your Mother like raunchy sex comedies and if you are comfortable watching raunchy sex comedie...