Bohemian Rhapsody

Rated PG-13

2 hours 14 minutes

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton

I really liked this movie!  I agree with what Eric had to say about it.  I didn’t know much about Queen or Freddie Mercury other than the music that was played on the radio in the 80s.  I loved the performance that Rami Malek gave as Freddie Mercury.  I really felt like him and the other actors hit the nail on the head as Queen!  People were talking “but that’s not him really singing!!”  Of course not, he’s an ACTOR doing an amazing job and I saw him as Freddie Mercury and I wanted to hear the “real” voice belting out “We are the Champions” or “Bohemian Rhapsody.”  I got goosebumps as I watched the group’s most popular performance at Live Aid.  You really felt like you were there and by this time you knew Freddy was dying from AIDS.  This movie may not be for everyone.  But it’s one I’ve already seen three times and will watch again because it was entertaining and told the story behind the success and the pain of the making of Queen.

Library Link: Bohemian Rhapsody (DVD)

Creed II

Rated PG-13

2 hours 10 minutes

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone

I thought the first Creed movie was great!  It re-energized the Rocky series for me.  This one, not so much.  Not that it was bad, it just felt like “Rocky IV, Part 2” or more of a reboot or something.  I liked the idea of Adonis Johnson (who is the son of Apollo Creed) fighting Viktor Drago (who is the son of Ivan Drago).  For those who saw Rocky IV, that’s a good storyline knowing that Apollo died fighting Ivan in that film.  I enjoyed seeing Ivan again and definitely felt some nostalgia for the old Rocky movies.  It just didn’t feel that fresh or new – pretty much the same formula as almost every other movie in the series.  But if it works, it works.  If you liked the original Rocky movies, you’ll probably like this one, too.  Just don’t be expecting much of anything that’s new or different.

Library Link: Creed II (DVD)

A Star Is Born

Rated R

2 hours 16 minutes

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

I loved this movie!  I like Bradley Cooper in most roles and Lady Gaga is starting to grow on me, but this was as good as I’ve seen them.  They were both great and had amazing chemistry together!  This is the fourth release of this movie going all the way back to 1937, though this is the only one I’ve watched.  The story isn’t all that original – a veteran singer helps a young newcomer on the scene gain some attention and turns her into a star.  Also, they fall in love and get married, but eventually he goes back to battling his old demons of drugs and alcohol trying to make everything work.  As she becomes more popular, his career and stardom are fading, which makes for a lot of tension all around!  It all felt very genuine and real and made me care about the characters and their lives.  It was exactly what I like in a movie and I can’t wait to watch it again!

Library Link: A Star Is Born (DVD)

Bohemian Rhapsody

Rated PG-13

2 hours 14 minutes

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton

Some of my earliest memories of listening to music are hearing songs by Queen, so I was excited to see this movie!  I won't lie, I was a little skeptical of anyone playing Freddie Mercury and didn't know if they could really pull it off and make a decent movie, but Rami Malek was amazing! He BECAME Freddie Mercury!  His talk, his walk, his mannerisms, etc.  I remember watching the original Live Aid and can't believe how well they were able to recreate that concert, along with the rest of the actors playing their parts all being spot on.  I actually saw this one in the theater and found myself (and everyone else there) singing along to the songs over and over.  I also didn't know much of what was going on at the time of the original concert or about Freddie's history, but feel like I understand more of what he'd gone through during his life and how incredible it was they were able to play the way they did in that show.  I've seen many, many live concerts and that set in the Live Aid show is still one of the best performances ever!  This movie was much more than just a concert film, though - it took you behind the scenes of Freddie growing up, Queen forming, and all of their highs and lows through the years leading up to that iconic performance.  The critics didn't love this one, but the public sure did!  And I did, too!!!

Library Link: Bohemian Rhapsody (DVD)

Tully

Rated R

1 hour 35 minutes

Starring: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Ron Livingston

I’m still not really sure what I thought of this movie.  Charlize Theron plays a woman who has two kids, including one with special needs that requires a LOT of attention and patience, and is pregnant with another child.  When she is almost at her wits’ end after having her third child and trying to keep up, her brother talks her into hiring a “night nanny” named Tully.  She is VERY reluctant at first, but eventually gets comfortable with Tully and everything starts coming together and working for everyone.  It felt real to me.  Like an actual mom trying to deal with everything.  There was quite a twist at the end I didn’t really care for, but the more I think about it, the more I’m OK with it.  I probably don’t need to see it again, but overall, I’d say I liked this one.

Library Link: Tully (DVD)

Life of the Party

Rated PG-13

1 hour 45 minutes

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Matt Walsh

I used to like Melissa McCarthy alright, but it seems like I’ve enjoyed watching her less and less with each movie she’s been in.  But then I still watch her movies, hoping they’ll get better.  With this one, I’m glad I gave it a shot!  She plays a woman whose husband decides he wants a divorce after a long marriage and she’s left wondering what to do.  Instead of her life being “over,” she decides to go back to college and get her degree – at the same college her daughter is attending.  I was glad it wasn’t just her acting stupid trying to get laughs and embarrassing her daughter over and over the whole movie.  Her daughter and her friends actually realized how much she knew about “life” and accepted her as one of their own, allowing her to relive her college days a little.  It wasn’t very serious, wasn’t the funniest movie, and wasn’t very realistic, but it all made for a nice story.  I hope McCarthy stays on this path, rather than just over-the-top stupidity like she’d been doing.

Library Link: Life of the Party (DVD)

Blockers

Rated R

1 hour 42 minutes

Starring: Leslie Mann, John Cena

This movie was just dumb!!!  I can’t believe what passes for comedy anymore!  I thought it looked like it could be funny, but I was wrong!  Not to say there weren’t funny parts, but it was just more rude and crude than anything – and just ridiculous.  The story is about three parents that are trying to do anything they can to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.  They run into all kinds of “obstacles” along the way and eventually realize they need to let their daughters go and allow them make their own decisions.  This movie just felt like over-the-top, “slapstick” type humor that completely fell flat – over and over and over.  I get that some people might like these types of movies, but I guess I’m not one of them!  If you want to waste your time, then give this one a shot!

Library Link: Blockers (DVD)