BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018) – My rating: 9/10

Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographical film about British rock band, Queen and  is Directed by Bryan Singer, written by Anthony McCarten, produced by Graham King and former Queen manager, Jim Beach.  Bohemian Rhapsody follows singer Freddie Mercury’s life leading to Queen’s Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985.  Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor served as creative and musical consultants on the film. I was pumped to see Bohemian Rhapsody because I really love Queen. I was not disappointed.

**** SOME SPOILERS BELOW ****

In 1970, Farrokh Bulsara / Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek), an Indian-British Parsi college student and baggage handler at Heathrow Airport, watches a local band, called Smile, perform at a nightclub after following them for some time. After the show, he meets Smile’s guitarist, Brian May (Gwilym Lee) and drummer, Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) and offers to replace their singer, Tim Staffell (Jack Roth), who has quit the band to join Humpy Bong. With the addition of the bassist, John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello), the band, now known as Queen, plays gigs across Britain until they sell their van in order to raise enough money to produce their debut album. Their musical style lands them a contract with EMI Records. At the same time, Farrokh legally changes his name to Freddie Mercury and becomes engaged to Biba a store clerk named Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton). The album hits the charts in America, and during the band’s U.S. tour, Freddie begins to question his sexuality.

In 1975, Queen record their fourth album, A Night at the Opera, but leaves EMI when executive Ray Foster (Mike Myers) refuses to have the six-minute song “Bohemian Rhapsody” released as the album’s first single. Freddie has Capital Radio DJ Kenny Everett (Dickie Beau) debut the song on the airwaves. Despite mixed reviews, “Bohemian Rhapsody” becomes a big hit. Shortly after the band’s world tour, Freddie begins an affair with Paul Prenter (Allen Leech), his personal manager. Mary breaks up with Freddie when he comes out to her as bisexual, although she assures him that he is gay. The band’s success continues through to the early 1980s, but tensions arise over the direction of their music and a change in Freddie’s attitude. In 1981, after a lavish party at his home, Freddie falls in love with Jim Hutton (Aaron McCusker), one of the waiters at the party. They shortly part ways, with Jim telling Freddie to look for him when he learns to like himself.

I really liked Bohemian Rhapsody.  I thought it was well put together and showed Queen from their beginnings to their end with Freddie Mercury.  While their were some inaccuracies, the film was close enough.  2 performances really stood out for me, Rami Malek as Freddie and Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon.  Actually, the entire film was brilliantly acted.  I was entertained from the start to the finish while my heart went out to Queen for their loss.  I highly recommend Bohemian Rhapsody — it’s well worth your time and money plus the music was fantastic.  Check it Out!

[Bohemian Rhapsody is Oscar nominated for BEST: Picture, Actor, Film Editing, Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing]

 

MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE (2018) – My rating 8.7/10

Maze Runner: The Death Cure is a dystopian science fiction action film directed by Wes Ball and written by T.S. Nowlin, based on the novel, The Death Cure written by James Dashner. It is the sequel to the 2015 film Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and the third and final installment in the Maze Runner film series.  In my opinion this final sequel was the best of the trilogy and was easiest to follow.  I was sort of tired of trilogies but after seeing Maze Runner: The Death Cure, I am newly motivated.

— some SPOILERS BELOW — 

The film opens with Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), and Frypan (Dexter Darden) who are the last of the free “Gladers” and who are immune to the Flare virus that has ravaged the world’s population. They and The Right Arm resistance conduct a rescue operation where they retrieve other Immunes from a train, owned by WCKD, an organization responsible for capturing and experimenting on immune children. They thought they were recusing Minho (Ki Hong Lee) as well as the other children but their remaining Glader friend, whom WCKD had captured, was not on the train, which is headed to “The Last City”, WCKD’s base of operations.

Against the orders of Vince (Barry Pepper), leader of The Right Arm, the three leave their camp to rescue Minho, who is being tortured by WCKD in hopes of developing a cure for the virus. Heading for the Last City, the group is attacked by Cranks, humans infected with the Flare. However, they are saved by Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Brenda (Rosa Salazar), who join them. The group makes it to the wall of the Last City, which protects those within the city walls from Cranks. Outside the wall, people are rallying in protest to be let into the city. When WCKD opens fire at the protesters, the group is captured by a contingent of masked men and taken to a hideout. Gally (Will Poulter), who survived Minho’s attack during The Scorch Trials, is among the masked men. Gally takes them to see Lawrence (Walton Goggins), a rebellion leader for those outside the walls, who helps them enter the Last City through a secret entrance. Gally leads Thomas and Newt through to the city where they spot Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Vince’s former girlfriend.   Gally informs Thomas that he can get them into WCKD headquarters.

I really enjoyed this version of Maze Runner.  Their adventure into WCKD’s city and who and what they encounter was exciting.  The plot to stop WCKD once and for all definitely thickens and leads to many exciting twist.  The acting was brilliant and the special effects were terrific.  Some scenes were so spectacular, I was on the edge of my seat.  I recommend you see this final sequel, as it makes the entire series worth while.  Maze Runner: The Death Cure is now on DVD and Blu-Ray — Check it out!