Movie Review: The Dark Tower (2017)

The Dark Tower (2017)

Aug 4, 2017

Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material including sequences of gun violence and action)
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Western
Directed By: Nikolaj Arcel
Written By: Nikolaj Arcel, Akiva Goldsman, Anders Thomas Jensen, Jeff Pinkner
Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Taylor

Studio: Sony Pictures

There are other worlds than these. Stephen King's The Dark Tower, the ambitious and expansive story from one of the world's most celebrated authors, makes its launch to the big screen. The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter O'Dim, also known as the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.

I went to see The Dark Tower with my 16 year-old-daughter. I've read the whole series, the last book in 2004, so it's been a while. Holly hasn't read the books.

We both enjoyed the movie. I don't know why everyone is hating on it. They made it clear that this movie isn't based on the book series. They take a lot of elements from it, and it was a lot of fun to see the book easter eggs. But it was a different take on the story...and honestly there is no way anyone could capture Stephen King's world...so this was kind of a tribute to the story more than anything.

The star of the movie was Tom Taylor as Jake. The writers/director did a great job with him.  He was a convincing representation of the Jake from the books. Matthew McConaughey was a perfect fit for Walter, and the writers/director got the character right.

Holly made this connection...and she's right.

I love Idris Elba...but he didn't represent the Roland from the books, and I think this is more the writers/director's fault...there are traits that are very "Roland", especially his speech and mannerisms, and those were missing. But I was willing to overlook this and appreciate the story they wanted to tell.

I'm not sure what kind of music score I would have picked, but for the big "Gunslinger powers-activated" scene, the music didn't fit.

In spite of the small things, we both had a great time. I would like to see it again...this time paying more attention to the background and all the Stephen King novel references. Holly even caught one about Pennywise. And the movie made her want to check out the first book in the series!

If you love the movie experience and like fantasy action movies, you won't be disappointed. But you can still appreciate the film on the small screen too.

I hope they make the TV version. I'm always up for more Idris and would love it if they cast Tom Taylor as Jake.

Holly gives it 4 1/2 Sheep

I give it 4 "I kill with my heart" Sheep

SharonS

Movie Review: Interstellar (2014)

Interstellar (2014)

Rating:PG-13 (for some intense perilous action and brief strong language)

Genre:Action & Adventure , Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By:Christopher Nolan

Written By:Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan

In Theaters:Nov 7, 2014 

Runtime:2 hr. 49 min.
Paramount Pictures - Official Site

With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; traveling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars. (C) Paramount

It's a rare movie that will drag me out of the comfort of my own home and into a theater where I must contend with people talking, candy bags rustling, and sound levels that leave me cringing and sticking my fingers into my ears. But on the recommendation of a friend, Interstellar recently became one of those movies...and I'm glad of it.


My friend's very science-oriented son described it as being rather like 2001: A Space Odyssey, only with more action and better science. "The most accurate depiction of a black hole ever in a movie," he called it. I'll have to take his word on the latter part (but American theoretical physicist Kip Thorne did advise on the film, so I'm betting my friend is right). As to the comparison to 2001? Yup. I can see that, too...but with waaay more action.

In case you haven't heard of the film (!), here's the synopsis from the official site

In the future, governments and economies across the globe have collapsed, food is scarce, NASA is no more, and the 20th Century is to blame. A mysterious rip in spacetime opens and it's up to whatever is left of NASA to explore and offer up hope for mankind.

Interstellar chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

That, in my opinion, is about the most boring description (*yawn*) anyone could give, because you’ll notice that nowhere are the words epic, breathtaking, visual feast, or WOW used. And the movie is deserving of all those words and more...at least cinematically speaking.

As for the other stuff, I thought the story held together okay, the acting was adequate (and given that I'm not a particular fan of either Matthew McConaughey or Anne Hathaway, that's actually saying rather a lot), and the plot was easy to follow. But seriously, those space scenes? Epic. Breathtaking. A visual feast. Wow. They alone made it worthwhile going to the theatre for the big-screen experience--and make it easy for me to recommend that others do as well.

Oh, yes, and the science stuff? Mind-bending. You've been warned. ;)

Guest review: Linda Poitevin
Author of the Grigori Legacy series from Ace/Roc Books

www.lindapoitevin.com

http://twitter.com/lindapoitevin 

http://facebook.com/LindaPoitevin

Sheep Movie Review: Magic Mike, magically delicious!

Magic Mike directed by Steven Soderbergh stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer and my soon to be husband Joe Manganiello. Forget about story or anything that SHOULD matter; this movie is hot, fun, and boiling over with sexy men taking it off! Woot! *throwing money in the air*

Plot:

Set in the world of male strippers, Magic Mike is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Channing Tatum in a story inspired by his real life. The film follows Mike (Tatum) as he takes a young dancer called The Kid (Pettyfer) under his wing and schools him in the fine arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money.

First things first, ladies come to this film ready to have a great time. Bring lots of cash (or fake money like I did) and throw those bills at the screen cause these men came ready to strip for your pleasure! I was impressed with the actual amount of time you can tell they spent on the dancing numbers, both solo and as a group. Pure entertainment in every sense of the word. And Joe with his fireman suit? *fans self* I thought I was going to pass out multiple times during the almost 2 hour run time. Channing brings the heat with some smexy numbers to the beat of Ginuwine and sexy Cop....good god I was ready to bust out of my seat and start humping the screen!

Now as we get into the plot itself let me just say again that really they didn't even need all this. Just strip for me men! But, being that I am trying to do an actual review I will pick at some areas that needed work. The stereotypical stripper life was portrayed yet again as drugs, alcohol and sex. Nothing new was brought to the table in regards to overall plot and character development. You knew that Channing wanted to get away from the life yet struggled with the pull of all the goodies that fell into his lap. Literally. Then you add in the romance factor with a chick who's on the straight and narrow, totally predictable and again unnecessary.

Camera angels were awkward at times and really close to actors faces. I hate seeing boogers in the movies so please try and pan back mmkay? The scenes along the Florida coast were beautiful and did add to the film but those were few and far between. Dialog hits you spot on when focused on the group of guys taking it off four nights a week for the ladies. The interaction between both the characters and the group playing them was genuine and came across to the audience. You can absolutely tell they had a ball making this one.

Overall go see it for the dudes and forget about the rest. One of my good friends and guest reviewer Bunni Darling also caught this one so let's see what she thought.

Getting 3 'Get naked and rock my world' Sheep

KD

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Hi all! First off let's just admit we aren't seeing this movie for the plot ok? Now that we've admitted that, I'd have to agree with Katie that the plot was weak. I would have preferred the plot be more about the guys' friendships and just having a good time, rather than throw in some weak love interest. Seriously, I saw no sparks between the two (Mike and Brooke) so it just seemed pointless. Now, plot aside- fun movie with so much eye candy!

Lots of sexy single and group dance numbers and like Katie said, you can tell the cast had a great time making this movie. The theater was filled with classified Cougars and they were going bananas over all the pelvic thrusting and chiseled hard bodies- I think fireman Big D#^$ Richie needed to come and hose the theater down! (I wish!) It made for a great girls night out movie and lots of happy dreams.

I give the plot 1 lone thong wearing sheep

While I give the overall sexiness of the movie 3 humping sheep's.

Bunni Darling