Rogue One (2016)

This pre-Star Wars flick wasn't needed. The space saga would be better off without essentially with no prequel. Get to the point already. Did not happen. It goes to join the others in "honorable mentions" for one of 2016's worst films. Nothing to see here, move along.

Don't get me wrong, the action sequences- especially a D-day styled battle scene are entertaining. But throughout the entire marketing parade, it felt as if I was reliving the past four years with the "Hunger Games" . And that's exactly what viewers got: a ripoff of that. Ugh.

The director Gareth Edwards, doesn't really add any originality like the actual Star Wars films. (COPY and PASTE!) I wonder what "Lionsgate" thinks of those uncanny similarities?

Rogue Ones' acting however, was monotone and mumbo-jumbo, to say the least. With a major of its cast boating hard-to-understand European dialects, it was nevertheless very tiresome. Huh? What? Here we go again.

Why on gods green earth would someone waste their time developing something before an actual film saga manages to kickass? This film didn't really kickass, because it's "been there done that" kind of feeling. And most of the time the film was more mopey and serious than entertaining.

Though the highly successful Episode 7 got the money it bargained for, Rogue One manages to highhandedly screw up the whole dynamic of this space saga and morph it into shit. It's so bad, you're better off watching Mel Brooks Spaceballs. 

Rate: D-

Director: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Felicity Jones

Runtime: 2 hours and 13 minutes

Rated PG-13

La La Land (2016)

I for one am not a fan of romantic films-(don't even get me started on "Hallmark"), however, I do like some musical films (just depends). Critics speculate the L.A set love story musical- starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone will be a big contender for the upcoming award season, I 100 percent concur with the notion.  Not only is the film a likely nominee but the leads- Gosling and Stone are guaranteed spots in the award season race.

What won me over with "La La Land" was its zest, vibrant colors and original tunes and pretty damn well choreographed dance numbers. And its persistent comedic efforts. Major success in those areas.

Apparently you can get success fresh out of college. He's just starting to make his mark on the silver screen. But, oh man does director Damien Chazelle  craft a one of a kind piece of art.

Some of the best film performances I've seen in a really long time. First, Gosling. Every time he shows up in audiences faces, its as if he wasn't Ryan Gosling. He does the role of the talented musician in a very subtle way. Particularly, Emma Stone isn't an actress I keep up with, but she shines so good opposite Gosling as an actress. The pair is so electric. The audience can feel that right from their head to toes.

As you sit in that dark auditorium, you feel as if you are dancing along with Stone and Gosling. Time warped yourself to its 1950's stylized but present day Hollywood. That's how in awe I was and I could definitely watch this over again.


*BEST FILM OF THE YEAR*


Rate: A+

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

Studio: Summit Entertainment

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 2 hours and 7 minutes

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Memoriam

2016 has been the year of the damned. So many beautifully gifted public figures departed Earth to the stairway to heaven. As the new year nears, the sudden death of star wars legend Carrie Fisher dies at the age of 60 due to a massive heart attack. While just one day after the shocking passing of Fisher, her mother also an acclaimed actor. Debbie Reynolds. Best known for (Singing in the rain) and Disney's (Halloweentown). Reynolds was 84.

Debbie Reynolds: 1932-2016 (84)

Carrie Fisher: 1956-2016 (60)