Road House-The Road Stops Here

 

It has been 35 years since Patrick Swayze starred in the original Road House film (1989). Many of you may be curious if this new rendering of it is an exact remake of the original. Well, the studio is classifying the new Road House film as a “reimagining of the 80's cult classic." I really have to agree with them; the only true thing that is the same between the two films is the name of the main character, Dalton. Don't get me wrong, the premise is basically the same, but the story, the location, and even the main character's background are completely different. 

 

Road House is an action film directed by Doug Liman from a screenplay written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry. The cast includes:  Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Williams, Hannah Love Lanier, Kevin Carroll, Daniela Melchior, and Billy Magnussen. There are a couple of cast surprises too.

 

Ok, let's get to it.

 

Even though Road House is streaming on Prime, I was fortunate enough to watch it in a theater on the big screen. I am so glad I did! I loved seeing all the action in a theater setting, but I know I will enjoy it just as much when I watch it again on my home television. 

 

Furthermore, you may be wondering why the movie went straight to Prime. Jake Gyllenhaal explains it this way: while he enjoys watching movies on the big screen, he feels that streaming services can be a good platform for movies that entertain and/or move audiences emotionally. 

 

“I’ve also sat watching a film on my computer, or in different places, and been so profoundly moved. If the job of a story is to move people, I have been moved in both forms,” Gyllenhaal said. “I’m a deep lover of cinema and the theatrical release, but I also really embrace the streaming world.”

 

Action is at the core of this reimagining, and it starts off that way right from the beginning. Although it does not have scene after scene of heart-stopping action, there are a lot of great action scenes throughout the film, some of which are cringe-worthy.

 

Equally important, the writers made me care about the characters. We also get to know something about the characters, especially the main ones. For example, we get to understand why Dalton is in the place in life he is in right now. We meet a brave young lady with a lot of personality. We meet the owner of the Roadhouse who shares the history of it and her reason for wanting to save it. A lot of films just leave a big question mark as to who is who and what they are all about, but they do a good job of letting us "in." While the authors did a good job of letting us know the characters, there was one detail that made me go, hmm, and did not fit with the narrative of the character. I am not going to disclose it, of course, because I don't spoil things, but let me know in the comments if you notice it too.

 

In addition, this paradise location will leave you wanting to go there for a vacation with its vast expanse of golden sand, kissed by the warm sun and caressed by gentle waves. While the location city is fictional, the location state, as it were, is a very real place. Let me know in the comments if it leaves you wanting to hop on a plane and go there right now!

 

There was great humor sprinkled amongst all the butt-kicking action. Honestly, the action helps relieve the stress of the blood and violence in some of the action scenes. Some of which will definitely make you wince.

 

I would be remiss if I did not mention the music—music is the language of the soul! 

 

“Music speaks the language of the soul, penetrating into the past and resonating into the future, unearthing pain and tenderness and sorrow and joy, reminding us of our infinite fragility and extraordinary strength, reigniting our dreams and passions once again to remind us of who we are meant to be.”

L.R. Knost

 

I guess my expectation was one band, a house band, that would play in all the bar scenes in the film. To my surprise, there are at least six different bands that perform in this movie—it was tremendous! If you've read some of my other reviews, then you wouldn’t be surprised to know that I was dancing in my seat!

Lastly, as to the question of whether you should take your children to see this movie, I would say this: “Hell to the no." This movie has a lot of violence, some of it bloody. It is not appropriate for children. It is rated R for violence throughout, pervasive language, and some nudity. 

 

I'm loving this revisitation of Road House. I, myself, can't wait to see it again! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Let me know in the comments if you did too.

 

I give it 5/5 "Charms."

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Just A Mom Who Loves Movies

 

Ghostbusters- Frozen Empire-Frozen Fun

 Sing along with me; I know you probably know the words by heart:

“If there's something strange

In your neighborhood

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

 

If there's something weird

And it don't look good

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

 

I ain't afraid of no ghost

I ain't afraid of no ghost"

 

 

Some of you may know the whole song by heart—it’s such a fun song. This catchy, infectious tune was written and performed by Ray Parker Jr. It was made famous by the original Ghostbusters movie in 1984.

 

 

In case you didn't know, the films in the Ghostbusters franchise are:

 

1984 Ghostbusters 

1989 Ghostbusters II

2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife 

2024 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

 

 

Yes, there was a Ghostbusters film made in 2016, but just erase that one from your mind; that was an unsuccessful experiment…. never to be tried again. Now, if you haven't seen Ghostbusters: Afterlife, you may want to watch it before seeing this latest entry into the franchise. It introduces you to new characters and gives you background information about them that is good to know for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. 

 

This film is classified as a comedy/fantasy. It is directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote the film with Jason Reitman. Gil Kenan is best known for directing the film Monster House, which was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature. Some of the cast members include Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, and Paul Rudd.

 

 

 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is such an enjoyable movie! The writers did a great job with the story. It is full of adventure, laughter, and nostalgia. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours.

 

Some of you may have seen the commercial that's being shown to promote the movie, which features the Manning brothers, Payton and Eli. They get to suit up in the iconic jumpsuit, don a proton pack, and join the Ghostbusters. It's a really cool advertisement. Wouldn't it be fun to be a Ghostbuster for a day? While it may not be possible for us to be a Ghostbuster for even a little while, we can sit back, relax, and watch as Ghostbusters new and old unite and entertain us. 

 

Lastly, as to the question of whether you should take your children to see this movie, I would say this: Yes! Yes! Yes! It was delightful. It is rated PG-13 for supernatural action and violence, language, and suggestive references. If you have children who are scared of anything related to ghosts, the supernatural, or scary monsters, this may not be a film for them. Parents, I'd love to know what your thoughts on this are. Let me know in the comments. 

 

 

 I give it 5/5 “Charms”

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Just A Mom Who Loves Movies

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Marley: One Love-An Icon of Love

  I have not stopped listening to reggae music since I viewed Bob Marley: One Love at an advanced screening. I danced in my seat the entire movie! The melodies and beats of reggae music are so infectious and magical!

 

    Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical drama based on the life of Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley. The film was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who co-wrote the screenplay with Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin. The cast includes: Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley; Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley; James Norton as Chris Blackwell; Tosin Cole as Tyrone Downie; and Umi Myers as Cindy. It took twenty years for this film to make it to the big screen. 

 

    And yes, you heard me right: twenty years! The difference between this attempt to make the film and other attempts was the decision of the family to take the initiative. Ziggy Marley tells us, “The family took the step to approach people instead of waiting for them to come to us. We helped choose directors, producers, and actors, so the family became the real force behind this instead of the force coming from somewhere else, which was what it used to be like.”

 

 

    As to what they wanted to be depicted in the film, Ziggy says, “We wanted to show a side of Bob that is not seen in interviews or anything people already know.” He then added, “We wanted to really show the internal struggles and the emotional side of Bob much more than anything has ever shown us before. People knew a lot of things, so we decided it was the internal workings on the emotional side. He was not a one-note person, and we wanted to make sure that he was represented.”

 

 

So let's get into it!

 

    This film shows us how Bob Marley overcame adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world. In the opening moments of the screening, Ziggy Marley appears on screen to tell us he was on set every day to make sure the details of the film were authentic. I hope they kept this in the opening, because it lets the audience know right away that the family was involved in the making of the film; that in itself brings credibility and authenticity to it.

 

 

    Furthermore, the film primarily focuses on showing his life from 1976 to 1978. Although the main focus of the film was only two years, so much happened in his life during that time period that, to me, it seemed much longer than that. The writers and director did a great job of placing flashbacks about his younger days, which helped us better understand his journey. 

Let's talk about the actors for a moment!

 

 

 

 

 

    The actors were brilliant! Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley were excellent! It seemed both Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch had just disappeared, and I was actually watching Bob and Rita on the screen. Their Jamaican accents, their mannerisms, etc. were spot on!

 

 

In conclusion, go see this movie!

 

    This film will immerse you in the life of Jamaica's iconic reggae musician, Bob Marley. You will feel his love, his joy, his triumphs, his struggles, and his pain. Bob Marley loved people; he not only wanted to lift up his people in Jamaica, but he wanted to lift up all people. He also wanted to reach as many black audiences as he could. Thus, the film celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity.

 

    Lastly, as to the question of whether you should take your children to see this movie, I would say this: “Hell to the no." Especially small children. It is rated PG-13 for marijuana use, smoking throughout, violence, and some strong language. In all honesty, it's not a film kids would enjoy. If you have a teenager and they love reggae music, or if you want to introduce them to it, or if you just want them to learn about an iconic great, yes, by all means, they should see it.

 

Let me know what you think about this review and/or the movie when you see it. I, myself, can't wait to see it again!

 

 

I give it 5/5 "Charms."

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

 

 

Just a Mom Who Loves Movies

Arthur The King: A Dog Worthy of the Title

   What’s there to expect when you hear about a movie called Arthur The King? All I knew was that it was a movie based on a true story with a dog in it. Oh, and that Marky Mark would be in it! One of my favorite actors! For those who don't know, Marky Mark was Mark Wahlberg’s rap name.

  

    Arthur The King is a biographical drama that is based on the true story of Mikael Lindnord and his dog, Arthur. It is directed by Simon Cellan Jones. The cast includes: Nathalie Emmanuel, Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Michael Landes, and Paul Guilfoyle. The cast definitely peaks your interest, doesn’t it?

Let's get into it!

  

   The story mostly takes place in the Dominican Republic. The story is about a man with a passion that he can't let go of, even when he seemingly retires. He's desperate to achieve a goal that has eluded him several times over the years; the problem is, it's not a goal he can achieve on his own. He needs to do it with a team.

 

    Well, therein lies the problem. He has proven he's not a good leader at all. He must prove to many that he can achieve the massive goal he's been trying to achieve if given one more chance. He also must convince a group of people so he can lead them to victory. 

 

    As the team gets pushed to the edge of their strength and endurance, a scrappy street dog named Arthur joins them. As a side note, stray dogs are common in the Dominican Republic. They have been dubbed “Coconut Hounds” by locals. They are a concern and a major problem, as they are affecting tourism. Although tourists fear the dogs, they are friendly animals that have decent lives roaming the streets of urban areas, such as Santo Domingo. In the course of having Arthur join the team, they redefine what victory, loyalty, and friendship truly mean. It truly is a beautiful story as we watch the team members give up their pride and work together.

 

    Arthur The King was not only a heartwarming film; it was thrilling. There are scenes that will make you hold your breath, and there are scenes that will have you yelling at the screen. Little known fact: I am EXTREMELY afraid of heights! There are scenes that had me cringing and closing my eyes. There's a scene in particular where they were dangling at a height inconceivable to my mind and body. My heart was beating so fast, like I was the one actually doing the dangling! It quite frankly stressed me out! 

  

   Arthur The King is the story of the unbreakable bond that is forged between an adventurer and a scrappy dog. It is worth every minute of your time! There are so many lessons in this moving film that are good for both children and adults alike. Three of the lessons I saw were:

 #1: The importance of getting along with others.

#2: The importance of working together as a team.

#3: The importance of humility.

 

    Lastly, as to the question of whether you should take your children to see this movie, I would say this: Yes! Yes! Yes! Although it is rated PG-13 for some strong language, I have to be honest; it didn't stand out to me. I've gone to some movies that are classified as family films, and the language does stand out to me, and I question how it can be designated as a family film. Maybe I was too immersed in the story to notice it in this one, but it's worth chancing it to see this wonderful body of work. In my humble opinion, this is most definitely a family film. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

I give it 5/5 “Charms”

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Just A Mom Who Loves Movies