The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)

Films that have stories surrounding animals aren't anything new. It seems like we get an animated film centering around animals every other year or so. From the studio that brought us "Despicable Me", comes the second "Secret Life of Pets". This film is just as delightful as the first film, but it does get a little over the top sometimes and it's too much handle. All that to say, this film is good, but lacks the potential to be better.

I feel like I've already seen movies like this. Movies like "All Dogs Go To Heaven" & "Zootopia" have set the standard for animal based films, but this film tries to top all others but barely succeeds in doing that. It's an okay film frankly. Being based on animals, you'd think the filmmakers would have more to showcase it's primarily young audience.

Director Chris Renaud tries to top the first film by adding a new story, when it's really not. It's the same as the first one but with more characters and lively sets. I give him props however at least for trying to improve upon the first film. But ultimately, the only thing that this film improved was the animal based action and that's about it.

Not even the voice cast could save this film. With big name talents like: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart & Eric Stonestreet, you think this film would be even funnier than the first film but I was wrong. They only bring the same energy from the first film. Even with the voice talent of Harrison Ford, this film still lacks depth.

One of the other few positives of this film is the score. With Alexandre Desplat returning from the original film to bring yet another film a upbeat and jazzy composition. Desplat crafts the score where it balances well into the film overall.

This film may be all cute and adorable, but it's kind of messy around the edges. This film is another entertaining film, mostly for its young audience. Parents and older audiences might want to skip this movie. Though it had potential, it doesn't offer any new and fresh ideas that are worth seeing.

Rate: C- 

Director: Chris Renaud 

Starring: Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate & Harrison Ford

MPAA Rating: PG (for mild action and some rude humor) 

Runtime: 1 Hour & 26 Minutes 

Synopsis: Max the terrier must cope with some major life changes when his owner gets married and has a baby. When the family takes a trip to the countryside, nervous Max has numerous run-ins with canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses.

Photo courtesy of Illumination & Universal

Men In Black: International (2019)

One generation had the "Ghostbusters", the other has "Men In Black". Both franchises have been very successful but this new addition to the "MIB" films has received overwhelmingly negative attention. Granted that this film is a "reboot" of the Will Smith led films and doesn't have either him or Tommy-Lee Jones in it, this film is still an entertaining film. It has that same feel of pizazz that the films predecessor's had, which should instantly win over the skeptics.

Director F. Gary Gray "Straight Outta Compton" does a great job at continuing the saga in an undeniably charming and exciting way. Gray makes this film as sci-fi as possible. Some of the most dazzling parts of this film are the sets and action sequences. It may not be the best film in the series, but it is another successful film in the series.

The absence of Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones is noted but reuniting are "Thor: Ragnarok" stars Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson. Their chemistry in that film was strong and consistent. Those same characteristics can be said here in this film as well. Hemsworth is charming and Thompson is enthusiastic and smart. This duo is another win for audiences.

Some of the films problems however, stem from its mildly predictable plot and lack of an enticing story. It could have been better if the writers made it more interesting and worthwhile, but it's not 100 percent garbage when it comes to the writing and the films plot. Some of the things that improve these issues are the films eye popping visuals and action that is what fans of these films can expect from these films.

Scoring the film is returning composer Danny Elfman. Elfman, who scored the three original films, is back. He brings the sci-fi feel to sound and makes the score as upbeat and electrifying as possible. The film also has the now iconic theme from the original films and this film utilizes that theme in an exciting way.

The film may not be critically successful but it has won over fans, especially those who have an appetite for sci-fi films. This film is a buddy-buddy action flick and it is another successful entry into the "Men In Black" franchise. No neutralizer is necessary because this film is as entertaining as any films in the sci-fi genre can get.

Photo courtesy of Columbia & Sony Pictures

Rate: B 

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Emma Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Liam Neeson & Rebecca Ferguson 

Director: F. Gary Gray 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi action, some language and suggestive material)

Runtime: 1 Hour & 55 Minutes 

Synopsis: The Men in Black have expanded to cover the globe but so have the villains of the universe. To keep everyone safe, decorated Agent H and determined rookie M join forces -- an unlikely pairing that just might work. When aliens that can take the form of any human arrive on Earth, H and M embark on a globe-trotting adventure to save the agency -- and ultimately the world -- from their mischievous plans.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

For the past 8 years, audiences have gotten a quite mediocre "X-Men"  origins franchise. Now, after 3 films, comes the last film in the franchise. Though this film isn't perfect, it's still a better sequel than it's 2016 predecessor. This films got a much more interesting story too. It may not be as entertaining as other "X-Men" films, both of new and old blood.

I like how the film has a lot of action, which surpasses the previous film by a mile. Ever since the first film in the origin "X-Men" saga, these films have been hits and misses. Safe to say that I am glad and slightly disappointed that this is what calls as a franchise finale.

"Fox" should not have gotten rid of Bryan Singer. Singer, who directed the original "X-Men" films with the older versions of our favorite characters. He managed to pull of some of the best in the saga, but new director Simon Kinberg can only manage to do less than half than what Singer did, which is entertain. Kinberg does however manage to craft a very action-packed film. This is perhaps one of the more action packed films in the franchise.

On another note, this entry into the "X-Men" saga is perhaps the darkest installment in the series. This installment uses its somewhat sloppy narrative to entertain audiences but also show a dark side to it. The film's villain, played by Jessica Chastain, is one of their most sinister yet. Chastain is another element to what makes this a dark film.

By no means is the acting in this film praise worthy, but, this film does shine the spotlight on the "Dark Phoenix" Jean Grey, played by "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner. As it is in the name, this film is dark. Turner shines as the title character and is one of the best things about this film. She puts everything into this role and it shows.

This film can be a bit overdramatic at times though, despite its achievements. Jennifer Lawrence playing Mystique/Raven is one of the most overdramatic or melodramatic, actually, parts of this film. She did a really good job in the 2014 follow-up to "First Class", but it isn't a great one this time around. 

Alongside Lawrence & Turner, are its leading mutants Professor X & Magneto played by James McAvoy & Michael Fassbender, respectively. The two give sub par performances but it's enough to satisfy. The one thing I wish I saw more of in this film, would be Magneto. That was disappoiting if I do say so.

He annouced after scoring "Batman vs. Superman" that he would no longer score superhero films. That man is Hans Zimmer. Zimmer who makes his "Marvel" debut scores an electric score that keeps the film energized to the max.

For 18 years in all, movie fans have come to love their favorite "X-Men" characters. Now that we're 8 years come and gone with the new young origin saga, this film is satisfying up to its abrupt and unsolved resolution ending. I expected more from this. But all that to say, this is another thrilling installment to the "X-Men" films despite some of it's noticeable flaws.

Photo Courtesy of Fox

Rate: B- 

Director: Simon Kinberg

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Jessica Chastain 

MPAA Rating: PG-13  (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action including some gunplay, disturbing images, and brief strong language)

Synopsis: In DARK PHOENIX, the X-MEN face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force. Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain. With Jean spiraling out of control, and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together. Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite -- not only to save Jean's soul, but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy.

Runtime: 1 Hour & 55 Minutes 

Rocketman (2019)

After last years Queen biopic, could this Elton John biopic follow in that same step as being a great film that tells the origin of an iconic singers beginnings? The short answer... Yes. I didn't think that this would top "Bohemian Rhapsody", but I am dead wrong. This film is extraordinary and is better than it by a long shot. Yeah, Rami Malek stunned audiences with his Freddie Murcury portrayal, but Taron Egerton's Elton John blows him out of the water. Two iconic singers, two amazing films. Once you see this Elton John biopic, you'll think that this does beat "Bohemian Rhapsody".

I said it with "Bohemian Rhapsody", I'll say it for this film, they couldn't find anyone else to play their main man. Taron Egerton (Kingsman) stuns audiences with his charisma, emotion and heart as the "Rocketman". His portrayal of one of the greatest singers of all time, is one you can't miss. I have no doubt that is his best performance of his career so far.

Director Dexter Fletcher who also directed the "Queen" biopic, takes on this film. Fletcher stuns audiences once more with yet another smash musical biopic. He holds no boundaries as this film is unpredictable and flaunts its flashiness in a comedic and colorful way.

Some of what Fletcher manages to pull off is perhaps the eloquently balance of flashbacks. On top of that, are the flamboyant costumes that perfectly capture the personality of Elton. Egerton pulls it off in a fun and intuitive manner. Audiences will enjoy this as it is as entertaining as its subject.

I'm okay with kissing in films, but sex isn't something I consider necessary in any film. Whether it be a straight couple or in this case a gay couple, I don't think it's really necessary for sex to be flaunted in this film. Granted that Elton John is gay and everyone knows it, I don't consider the film's sexual side entertaining whatsoever. Nevertheless, this is really the only thing I didn't like about the film.

Audiences first heard Egerton's singing voice in 2016's animated film "Sing", in which he coinsidentially sang "I'm Still Standing", one of Elton John's songs. He blew away audiences with that, now comes his talent on full display. He has an amazing singing voices and this film definitely showcases it in all it's glory.

I don't think that any film that has already told of a music legends background could ever top this. This film is beyond entertaining, it's imaginative and heartfelt. Beneath the glitz and glam of the iconic Sir Elton Hercules John aka Reginald Kenneth Dwight, is a tragic upbringing. I was shocked to say the least that this was how he grew up.

He's the Rocketman! This film is spectacular in that it's one of the most entertaining films this year. It's exciting and joyously irresistable. This film honors one of the greatest singers of all time in dazzeling fashion. What it manages to accomplish here is beyond exciting and without a doubt pleasing. It makes 2019 continue to be a year well spent at the movies. This film is certainly a one of a kind, that definitely doesn't go unnoticed.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures 

Rate: A-

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Bryce-Dallas Howard, Jamie Bell

MPAA Rating: R (for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content)

Runtime: 2 Hours 

Synopsis: ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John's breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story -- set to Elton John's most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton -- tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.