The Invisible Man

Rated R

2 hours 4 minutes

Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Harriet Dyer

Are you looking for something to watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat? This might be the movie for you. I found it to be creepy, suspenseful and a really good psychological thriller. Our main character, Cecilia is involved in an abusive relationship with Adrian. The opening scene opens right into the storyline. We watch Cecilia, in the middle of the night, leaving Adrian. Every noise she makes, you’re fearful she’ll wake Adrian up. She does get out of the house, but that’s not the end. Cecilia finds out that shortly after leaving him - he dies. But she doesn’t believe it.  Then that’s where the movie gets very atmospheric. Who’s in the shadows? Is someone sitting in the chair? Are those footprints on the carpet? Just because someone says they’re dead doesn’t mean it’s true! This isn’t a horror movie, but it has a few good scares and jumps in it. There are also a few twists that I enjoyed, too.  It’s a little over 2 hours, but I was entertained and would watch it again.

Library Link: The Invisible Man (DVD)

 

Bad Boys for Life

Rated R

2 hours 4 minutes

Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens

This is the 3rd in the series and I wish I could say I liked it, but I can’t really give it two thumbs up. I saw the first 2 over the years and they were fun. What made them fun was the banter between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They absolutely play well off of each other. With the new one - it’s like they forgot to bring the chemistry that made them “Bad Boys.” The movie starts out very violently and really didn’t let up. Yes, there’s always violence in these shows - but it seemed extreme this time. I liked some of the action sequences - but it just didn’t seem to click this time.  The story line focused on Will Smith’s character,  Mike Lowery, whose past comes back to haunt him. Martin Lawrence’s character no longer wants to be a “bad boy” and retires after Mike gets shot. Mike can’t let go of it, and as he unravels the truth, we find out the double life he once led.  I wanted to like it so much more than I did. But it forgot who were the “bad boys” and just made them “old boys.”

Library Link: Bad Boys for Life (DVD)

 

Shooter

Rated R

2 hours 4 minutes

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover

Mark Wahlberg is one of my favorite actors and he didn’t disappoint in this movie. Shooter came out in 2007 - not sure why I’m just now watching it, but am glad I did. Very good movie with a good storyline and great actors. Mark Wahlberg plays Bob Lee Swagger, an ex Marine. He’s not just any marine, but a top notch marksman - a sniper whose skills are unmatched.  He’s living in exile after losing his best friend until a colonel asks for his help. The President of the United States might be assassinated in the next couple of weeks. They need his special skills to prevent this from happening. Well, all is not what it seems and he finds out he’s just been set up as the one who fired the shot at the president. From there the movie is on the run! How do you stop a marine who’s out to clear his name and how high up do the dirty politicians go? Lots of action. Lots of payback. And with Mark Wahlberg doing what he does best... you can’t go wrong.

Library Link: Shooter (DVD)

 

Just Mercy

Rated PG-13
2 hours 17 minutes
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson

I’ve always been interested in stories of people that are wrongly accused and convicted of crimes, especially those on death row, which is what Walter “Johnny D” McMillian (Jamie Foxx) is in this film.  He is given hope when a new graduate from Harvard, Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), comes to Alabama to defend those that were never given a fair trial and have been sentenced to death.  It all turns out to be much harder than he ever imagined, no matter how much evidence there is proving their innocence.  The racism and corruption is almost overwhelming, but Stevenson won’t give up until McMillian is given some form of justice!  I thought this true story was very powerful!  It was emotional, strong, moving, heartbreaking at times, and really captured how unscrupulous and ruthless the legal system can be to those that are presumed guilty and aren’t able to adequately defend themselves.

 

Library Link: Just Mercy (DVD)