MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Steven Soderberg and Warner Bros. is the finale to the trilogy with MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE.

The economy and covid has hit Mike Lane’s (Channing Tatum) business and he is in deep debt. At a bartending gig, he meets Maxandra Mendoza (Salma Hayek Pinault) who is going through a divorce and some issues of her own. At the same party, Mike runs into a woman who remembers him from his dancing days and she immediately tells Maxandra.

After the party, she asks Mike about it and when tense comes to tease, Maxandra has an ‘a-ha’ moment for her life. She immediately asks Mike to come to her home in London because she has an amazing job opportunity for him. Staying in her home, Mike meets daughter Zadie (Jemelia George) and stern looking Victor (Ayub Khan Din).

The new job Maxandra is offering is to take over the theatre she wants in the divorce and create an amazing show with Mike as the director. She also makes it clear that it is now a strictly working relationship even though daughter Zadie wonders. Now, they search London to find dancers that are perfect for the show and rehearsals begin.

There are theatre hurdles to get through, emotional hurdles to be confronted and in between is a show no one expected.  

Tatum returns as Mike and immediately goes into slinky mode within ten minutes of the film starting. Trust me when I say I’m not complaining, it almost felt like ‘hey, lets get this out of the way so we can get to the story’ but much, much hotter. It is nice to see Tatum embrace Mike one more time but with a different feel and solid storyline. His dance moves are singularly memorable, but then again that is the case for MAGIC MIKE and MAGIC MIKE XXL.

Hayek-Pinault as Maxandra is a hot mess trying to keep her insanity to a minimum with a divorce, a daughter she doesn’t quite understand, and a night she can not forget. Taking Mike away from his life in Florida, she sees that he has so much more to offer and this is a chance for both of them to break away. Hayek-Pinault is funny, out of control, confused and shows her characters insecurities.

Din as Victor had me going from start to finish. If I ever had a butler (if that’s what he was) I would want him to be exactly like Din. Knows his job yet has an opinion and gawd help the person who says, ‘so what are you thinking?’ because the floodgates will open. George as Zadie is the voice of the story and she has a lot to say. Like her mother in being confused about things, the story writes itself and the outcome brings Zadie to the forefront of her own life.

Other cast include Caitlin Gerard as Kim, Nancy Carroll as Phoebe, Gavin Spokes as Matthew, Juliette Motamed as Hannah,

Warner Brothers is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainments with worldwide distribution to DVD and Bluray, animation, comic books, videogames and broadcasting. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

Let’s get it out of the way first, yes, there are hot abs, smooth moves, choreography that is off the charts and women loving every minute of it. The music has a few memorable moments that will bring a smile to faces and Mike hasn’t forgotten his friends (even if he owes them money) who surround him with positivity. In this film, Tatum’s Mike takes chances and begins to believe in himself again.

Now, let’s dive in deeper. The theme here is women being empowered and fighting against having to make choices placed on them by society. As a woman of a certain age myself, that is very poignant and not just for the youngin’s. An example is that I have very long hair but people say/ask, ‘when are you going to cut it?’ or ‘you’re getting older and it would be so much easier to take care of if it were short’.

My consistent answer in my head is, ‘wtf?’ and moments when I thought that I should because that’s what is expected. I’m older, maybe it would be easier, blah, blah, blah but, finally my heart won over my head and it’s still long. The same with sexuality, emotions, thoughts and love and that is what comes across in the film. Breaking the stereotypes, pressures and expectations that are no longer valid but instead allowing the heart to have a say.

If men and women just said what they wanted in all those categories, life could be different. We all want to be appreciate as a human being, we all want moments that take our breath away and we all want to be treated like we are ‘the only person’ (see the movie for more) in someone’s eyes. What MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE tries to bring is one word ‘connection’ – but it is up to each individual to explore it and accept what works marvelously for each of us and damn it, just be happy!

Oh, and a sultry eyed ab factory breathing a little hot breath on the neck wouldn’t be too bad either – just sayin’.

In the end – it is the final tease!

A Perfect Comedy Seeking THE LOST CITY

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from directors Aaron and Adam Nee and Paramount Pictures is an adventure for a writer, a model and gazillionaire looking for THE LOST CITY.

Loretta (Sandra Bullock) is an extremely successful romance novelist who is dealing with the lost of a loved one. Consigned to being over all the conventions and book tours, she just wants to take a break. Unfortunately, very determined publicist Beth (Da’Vine Randolph) is not going to let her get away with anything, including her obligations.

In a purple form fitting sequenced onesie, Loretta is on stage to talk to fans about her latest book and, much to her dismay, so is Alan (Channing Tatum). Alan is the book cover model with striking good looks and long flowing air who dazzles everyone but Loretta. On this occasion, clumsiness and an awkward backbend has Loretta twisting and Alan losing his locks.

Loretta decides she has had enough and storms off to meet her car, instead she is met by two large gentlemen who whisk her away. Waiting for her is Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe), a very energetic and excited gazillionaire who wants Loretta’s help. He believes she has the key to finding a hidden treasure based on her book. Assuring him that she does not know anything, Fairfax does not take no for an answer.

Waking up on a private jet, Fairfax makes it clear that Loretta is going to help and can start by deciphering glyphs. Where is Alan? Oh, well he has discovered that Loretta has been taken and Beth is frantic. He calls the one person Alan knows can track her down and that is Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt).

Meeting up, Alan and Jack discover Loretta’s phone is on a volcanic island and off they go. Loretta in the meantime is at the mercy of Fairfax who makes it clear she is not going anywhere till she helps. Well, shoot ups, sneak ups and bang ups later Loretta and Alan are in the middle of the jungle trying to get away from the bad guys.

Instead of instantly leaving, they sort of decide that they are going to look for the treasure Fairfax wants. Will they discover it? How far is Fairfax being them? Is Beth going to find them first? Is the mystery of the treasure even real? Find out when you see THE LOST CITY.

Bullock as Loretta gives us everything that is stereotypical thinking about romance novelists. Living a sad life, writing down her passions and dreams of romance and adventure while living a secluded existence. Except only some of that is true because Loretta is a smart woman just dealing with things on her own time. Once she is let out of that box, man the adventure follows, and Bullock delivers some of the funniest lines. I was laughing constantly and loved it.

Tatum as Alan, oh dearests Channing you are absolutely hilarious. Playing opposite Bullock, Tatum has found magic. Clearly Alan is in love with Loretta, and he does everything to try to show it but you can not get through someone who is jaded by her own work. Yet, there Alan is, persistent, patient yet also has some of the best mumbling answers but, there does come a moment where he lays out his truths and I applauded it.

Radcliffe as Fairfax is hilarious, wonderful and made his role looks like he was having more fun that he should have been. Clearly dealing with brother problems and trying to make his own mark in the work, Fairfax has a magazine rack full of issues. Radcliffe continues to shed his Potter days (although secretly we wish he’d make a return someday – embrace the Potter dude!) and this role took us clearly on the other side of the universe of that. I loved it and he cracked me up.

Randolph as Beth is clearly a woman who believes in her job, a paycheck and no nonsense. Those three things make her a combination to be dealt with and a force driving her to find Loretta and eventually Alan. Randolph held her own and did it with style and hilarity. Shout out to Oscar (Oscar Nunez) and his role as the airplane pilot trying to make his moves on Beth and yet we still remember his strip tease from Bullocks film THE PROPOSAL.

Now, about Brad Pitt, oh yes, Pitt as Trainer is everything in Loretta’s books and even more than everything that Alan wants to be for Loretta. He is suave, slick, adventurous, disarming (literally) and still as handsome as ever. Thanks, Brad, for that!

Other cast include Patti Harrison as Allison, Bowen Yang as Ray, Joan Pringle as Nana, Hector Anibal as Rafi, Thomas Johnson as Julian, Sli Lewis as Shades, Olga Bucarelli as the woman in the village, Adam Nee as Officer Sawyer and Raymond Lee as Officer Gomez.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

THE LOST CITY was hilarity from beginning to end. It has been a while since I laughed this much at a movie and repeated some of the lines since then. Reminiscent of ROMANCING THE STONE, this story let each of the cast members show their comedic side in equal measure. I thought all of them had the best parts and just loved what they brought to the film.

If you are looking to just laugh for two hours, THE LOST CITY is the film to make that happen. I had such a good time and along with my daughter and granddaughter, watching a good story, lots of action and adventure and a little surprise at the end of the credits. Laughing is just the medicine we needed and thanks to a stellar cast for giving us such a cool afternoon at the movies.

In the end – adventures is real but heroes are not!

SMALLFOOT is Total Family Fun

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from directors Karey Kirkpatrick, Jason Reisig and Warner Bros. is the story high in the clouds about SMALLFOOT.

Migo (voiced by Channing Tatum) is a yeti who lives in a village high in the clouds. His father Dorgle (Danny DeVito) has a very important job of helping the sun come up each morning and Migo wants to be just like him.

When the village Stonekeeper (Common) bestows on Migo his own helmet, the training begins. After a few practice runs, he is set across the sky aiming for his gong target when distracted by the lovely Meechee (Zendaya), daughter of the Stonekeeper. Shooting over the mountain, Migo lands in a snowy patch and tangles with an airplane where he sees the mythical Smallfoot!

Running back to the village to tell everyone, Migo is banished by the Stonekeeper until he tells everyone the truth – there are no Smallfoots. Deciding to find one Migo takes off but finds himself followed by Gwangi (LeBron James), Kolka (Gina Rodriguez) and Fleem (Ely Henry).

They take Migo to Meechee who is the head of the S.E.S. (Smallfoot Evidentiary Society). The group believes that all the rules set in stone for the yeti’s are not true, that there has to be something more. Migo still takes it upon himself to find a Smallfoot in the local town and meets Percy (James Corden), a television personality who spends his time discovering new animals but has lately fallen on hard times.

When the pilot of the downed airplane makes it to the town, he tells Percy that he saw a yeti which gives Percy a great idea. Trying to convince Brenda (Yara Shahhidi) to dress up as a yeti, he could get his ratings back and once again be a hit.

But Migo has other plans and after a verbal exchange of sorts, takes Percy to his village. Stunning that the yeti’s are congenial, Percy finds himself making friends and explaining any questions, well sort of, that they might have. Meechee realizes that something is wrong with Percy and that he needs to get off the mountain.

That’s when Migo discovers through the Stonekeeper that some things are better left untold to the people and making Percy go away is the best thing for them all. Not everyone agrees and when the two groups meet – someone has to bend!

Tatum as Migo is adorable and my three-year-old granddaughter is my proof. She was immediately drawn to Migo with his fast talking curious ways and when the singing began – that’s all it took. Laughing, clapping and cheering Migo on became her mission all through the film and it was as delightful as the film to watch. Thanks Channing for making our film experience so entertaining!

Corden as Percy is a fast talking personality who is losing his perspective and, according to Brenda, his integrity. Willing to do anything to bring back the fame he once knew, it takes a group of furry yeti’s to remind him of his humanity and ability to care for someone other than himself.

Zendaya as Meechee is charming and stubborn when it comes to doing what her father the Stonekeeper says. She believes that there is something more to their life and wants to be able to find out what that is. Common as the Stonekeeper is convinced he is doing the right thing by his yeti-people and is equally as stubborn to make sure the village is kept safe. Tatro as brother Thorp does his father’s bidding but does get an eventual wake up call.

DeVito as Dorgle comes from a long line of yeti’s who have made it their life (and flat headed work) to bring in the sunrise and enjoys knowing Migo will someday follow…or will he? Rodriguez as Kolka follows Meechee with no hesitation but is keeping an eye on Migo. James as Gwangi is another follower who believes with or without any proof. Henry as Fleem is the yeti that would drive me nuts always weighting the pros and cons of life until what he’s weighing becomes over rated.

SMALLFOOT is fun, musical and giggly mixed in with lessons of loyalty to both family and friendship no matter how big or small your foot might be. The fun comes in the slap stick comedy of snowy pratfalls and snowballs that I will even admit to enjoying. In a theatre full of children, it is easy to see the delight on their faces.

The music is fun, lighthearted, engaging and, I’m sure, will create a few hits that will be sung by children again and again. While the characters were singing the catchier tunes, the children would stand up and dance a little which always makes the adult laugh and smile.

Giggling is inevitable with this film as its jokes get the adults and the antics get the kids, or maybe it’s the other way around but does it matter? The antics are there and its meant for every age group.

The lessons of friendship and differences are what is wonderful and colorfully done with SMALLFOOT. Whether you are furry or have a small foot, each side saw the other as monsters and that is when the opportunity presents itself to either change that or continue to live in fear. I choose the change!

SMALLFOOT’s animation is colorful, vibrant and stunning which is just icing on the cake of a film, and I saw for myself, that everyone truly, truly enjoyed.

In the end – no every legend is a tall tale!

Bluray Races Home with LOGAN LUCKY

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Steven Soderbergh, Bleeker Street and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the race to revenge led by LOGAN LUCKY.

Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) feels like his life continues to be plagued by a curse. Losing his job doesn’t help, dealing with ex-wife Bobbie Jo (Katie Holmes) and adorable pageant daughter Sadie (Farrah Mackenzie).

Brother Clyde (Adam Driver) and sister Mellie (Riley Keough) stick together as family trying to do what’s right. When they decide that isn’t happening, Jimmy and Clyde decide they are going to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway and it will only work if they get the help of Joe Bang (Daniel Craig). That means Clyde has to get himself incarcerated.

When the day for the heist approaches, everyone has a job to do and Jimmy is making sure they get it done. What looks like chaos and mayhem is actually a coordinated show of force – just their way.

FBI Agent Sarah Grayson (Hilary Swank) is sent in to investigate after the robbery and the gang puts the world right – in their way. Not about to give up, she is frustrated by what seems to be the perfect crime.

Just know not everything is as it seems when dealing with the Logan’s!

Tatum as Jimmy is a sweet and charming dad, a brother dealing with sibling issues and a man just plain tired of the struggle. It isn’t hard to give the southern charm considering Tatum is just that – minus the revenge issues. Drive as brother Clyde is softer spoken but when he does talk make sure you listen. When Jimmy tells him of the plan, brother Clyde may have a few questions but none of them bring his loyalty into question.

Craig as Bang is absolutely hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing when he uses a certain term for the prison garb he is stuck wearing. This is certainly an interesting role for Craig to take on and the blonde hair is pretty bangin’ too! Keough as Mellie also doesn’t hesitate to work with her brothers on the plan but her relationship with Sadie is sweet.

Mackenzie as Sadie is as adorable as she wants to be and dealing with adults is just not part of her day. Instead, she wants to show her love and her rendition of John Denver’s Country Roads is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and heard. Holmes as Mom Bobbie Joe isn’t thrilled with Jimmy and his inconsistent fathering. Swank as FBI Agent Grayson just can’t seem to get a handle on what went down on robbery day!

Other cast include: Jim O’Heir as Cal, Boden Johnston as Dylan, Sutton Johnston as Levi, David Denman as Moddy, Charles Halford as Earl, William McCullough as Bobo, Jack Quaid as Fish Bang, Brian Gleeson as Sam Bang, Dwight Yoakam as Warden Burns and Seth MacFarlane as Max Chilblain. Cameos include Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon and LeAnn Rimes.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

LOGAN LUCKY Bluray has the Bonus Features that are Exclusive to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and Digital that include Deleted Scenes. The 4K Ultra HD brings the ultimate movie watching experience with color brilliance and High Dynamic Range, the Bluray unleashes the power of your HDTV with the feature of 6X the picture resolution and theater-quality sound. Digital lets viewers watch the film on all your favorite devices.

The story is twisted, funny, smart, different and interconnected with people who know how to make it all come out right. Each character is uniquely different with their own trust issues embedded into the storyline.

Director Soderbergh brings a crispy to this southern-fried heist using auto racing for a little down home fun. Leading the audience down the two lane highway of goofiness, I’m a fan and I don’t mind saying so!

In the end – see how the other half steals!

KINGSMAN: The Golden Circle

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from writer/director Matthew Vaughn and 20^th Century Fox is the next level epic to save the world and at the helm is KINGSMAN: The Golden Circle.

Eggsy (Taron Egerton) is back and continuing to work with Merlin (Mark Strong) and Arthur (Michael Gambon) with Kingsman. Having a life outside of his work, Eggsy is in love with Princess Tilde (Hanna Alstrom) and planning to meet her parents the King and Queen of Sweden.

There is a problem however, former Kingsman trainee Charlie (Edward Holcroft) wants to take out a bit of frustration on Eggsy. After a knock down drag out, he heads for dinner with the royals with the help of Roxy in his ear. Everything is going as planned until rockets are launched at Kingsman headquarters leaving only Eggsy and Merlin alive!

Their new enemy is Poppy (Julianne Moore), a slightly psychotic gal who lives in the jungles of Thailand in a 50’s theme compound. She has also created a condition that affects people who partake in recreational usage. Oh, and she’s also the only one who has the cure!

Eggsy and Merlin learn that they must go to the United States and find Statesman, their American agent cousins. Their first introduction is to Tequila (Channing Tatum) who isn’t about to make their visit easy, Ginger (Halle Berry) who is the American Merlin and Champ (Jeff Bridges), the Statesman’s leader.

That isn’t their biggest shock – it’s who they have been taking care of. Harry (Colin Firth) is alive and Eggsy needs his help. Knowing they have to follow leads for the cure, Champs insists that Agent Whiskey (Pedro Pascal) go along for back up.

Time is not on their side as the created disease is spreading and Poppy wants to cut a deal with the President of the United States (Bruce Greenwood). He agrees to her terms but also happily houses the infected, including his own Chief of Staff Fox (Emily Watson)!

In a final attempt to save the world, Eggsy and Harry put on their best suits and load up to take on Poppy with a little help from a English feathered friend!

Eggerton as Eggsy jumps right back into this role and doesn’t miss a beat. He is smooth, a little mouthy, in love and thrilled to see Harry. Looking good in the Kingsman suit, he drives, fights and drinks with the coolness of a proper agent. Honestly, I just like this kid and he sings so there’s that to add to his resume, like he needs it right?

Firth as Harry is back and a little off kilter. Firth is such a strong Kingsman that when there are moments that are “un-Harry” like, he keeps a straight face while I am cracking up. I couldn’t ask anything more than a straight-man who looks awesome doing it. Strong as Merlin is to die for and I have women in the audience to back me up on that statement. He is calm, cool, collected and doesn’t get worked up about anything. Instead, he is the steady that keeps Eggsy from going off the rails.

Moore as Poppy is just completely bonkers and I love it. She is that kind of crazy where a smile and sweet talk scare me more than a crazy with a weapon! Poppy has an agenda and nothing is going to get in her way as Moore looks like she is having more fun than anyone else in the film.

Tatum as Tequila is off his barrel a little bit as the out of control gun toting Statesman agent. Okay, so he’s hilarious too which is a bonus! Barry as Ginger is stuck behind a computer when she’d rather be out in the field. Bridges as Champs is just cool for the sake of being cool.

I have to throw a thumbs up at Bruce Greenwood and his crazy depiction of the President. Since he has played the Commander-in-Chief before in the 2007 film NATIONAL TREASURE: Book of Secrets and the 2000 film THIRTEEN DAYS – both serious Presidents – this is his chance to throw caution to the wind and be all out bonkers. He manages it quite well actually.

Other cast include Mark Arnold as General McCoy, Bjorn Granath as the King of Sweden, Lena Endre as the Queen of Sweden, Tom Knight as Angel, Sophie Cookson as Roxy, Keith Allen as Charles, Tobi Bakare as Jamal, Thomas Turgoose as Liam, and Calvin Demba as Brandon.

KINGSMAN: The Golden Circle isn’t rocket science! This is a film that is meant to be fun and a no brainer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going to the movies with a tub of popcorn, a soda and not having to analyze ever moment. Instead, this is grab the group and go out together for some serious laughs.

There is action, comedy, unexpected surprises and laughs that just keep coming. The twist on spy films wrapped up in pretty awesome tailored suits works for me and I don’t mind saying it loud and proud. KINGSMAN: The Golden Circle is the reason popcorn, friends and theatre going were invented.