CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2019) – My rating: 7.5/10

Charlie’s Angels is an action-comedy written and directed by Elizabeth Banks from a story by Evan Spiliotopoulos and David Auburn. It is the third installment in the Charlie’s Angels film series and serves as a continuation of the story that began with the television series of the same name by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts and the two previous theatrical films, Charlie’s Angels (2000) and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003). I absolutely didn’t want to see Charlie’s Angels because it sort of symbolizes flesh peddling.  This version had more substance and less sex but was still based on sexy women luring men by showing excessive skin. I’m just saying!

A team of ladies, employed by the Townsend Agency and known as Charlie’s Angels, are led by senior operative John Bosley (Patrick Stewart). Their mission is to capture international embezzler Jonny Smith (Chris Pang) in Rio de Janeiro and turn him over to American authorities. A year later, Elena Houghlin (Naomi Scott) who is a programmer engineer, employed by entrepreneur Alexander Brock (Sam Claflin), wants to expose Brock as well as Peter Fleming (Nat Faxon) who is head of development, for covering up a device that she helped invent called Calisto. The device is not ready to go into production but has been given the go-ahead by Fleming despite being told by Elena that Calisto has the potential to trigger fatal seizures when in use. Fleming convinces Brock to back him in signing off on production, immediately.

With the help of Angel Jane Kano (Ella Balinska) and Angel Sabina Wilson (Kristen Stewart), Elena meets with operative Edgar “Bosley” (Djimon Hounsou) to turn over her findings, but an assassin named Hodak (Jonathan Tucker) ambushes the meeting and subsequently kills Edgar and leaves Elena to drown. Jane Kano rescues Elena and brings her to operative Rebekah “Bosley” (Elizabeth Banks) with the help of her partner, Sabina Wilson. Meanwhile, John Bosley, who has since retired from the agency, discovers that Rebekah has tagged him with the agency’s specialized subdermal implant without his knowledge. Rebekah tasks Jane and Sabina, joined by Elena, with breaking into Brock’s corporate headquarters to steal the remaining Calisto prototypes before they can be duplicated.

This time around, Charlie’s Angels was better than it’s predecessors but still not considered great.  What made it better was the plot and the seriousness of the characters as they went after their enemy.  The fighting didn’t look so choreographed and the dialogue was comprehensible.  There was less flesh peddling and I really enjoyed the movie.  There have been many changes like a whole agency of Angels instead of just three. The name Bosley is a title as well as a position of authority.  Michael Strahan has been introduced as a Bosley of the agency’s New York branch. Robert Clotworthy is now the voice of Charles “Charlie” Townsend, owner of the Townsend Agency, formerly held by the late John Forsythe. Elena appears to be a new recruit and most likely will appear in future Angel’s films.  I liked Charlie’s Angels and recommend it. It received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $51.5 million worldwide. Check It Out!

CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018) – My rating: 8.8/10

Crazy Rich Asians is a romantic comedy/drama directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan. It is the first film by a major Hollywood studio to feature an all-Asian cast since “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993.  I’ve seen Joy Luck Club and thought Crazy Rich Asians couldn’t possibly live up to the Brilliance of Joy Luck Club — well, I’m known to make a mistake or 2.  Crazy Rich Asians was fabulous!

After dating for over a year, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), an economics professor at New York University (NYU), is invited to Singapore by her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding), a history professor, also at NYU.  Nick is the best man at the wedding of Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno) and Colin (Chris Pang). Also, the trip will be the perfect opportunity for Nick to introduce Rachel to his family. Having said yes to Nick’s invitation, the couple arrive at JFK airport when a gossip personality (Stephanie Auyeung) takes a picture of them and launches it to all Nick’s family and friends,  exposing their relationship online where it eventually reaches Nick’s mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh).  Just before boarding the plane, Rachel is shocked to learn that Nick has upgraded their tickets to first class. When she asks him how they could afford the upgrade, he casually tries to brush it off, but eventually reveals that he is part of a family of wealthy real estate developers.

In Singapore, rather than going to an intimate family dinner, Rachel is brought to a large party where everyone is already aware of her. She makes several awkward faux pas, including mistaking Nick’s nanny for his grandmother, Lisa Lu (Shang Su Yi) and spilling wine on Nick. She also briefly meets Nick’s mother, Eleanor, and quickly realizes that Eleanor dislikes her. Fortunately, Rachel makes a good impression on Nick’s grandmother who invites her back to the family home to make dumplings.

An ensemble cast portrayed so many interesting people in Crazy Rich Asians.  The Young family has every walk of life included in their lineage, from the most Flamboyant to a renown fashion aficionado.  The crazy in Crazy Rich Asians has to pertain to how rich they are, “crazy rich” as outlined by Rachel’s college best friend, Goh Peik Lin (Awkwafina) who also lives in Singapore with her rather crazy, wealthy family headed up by her father, Goh Wye Mung (Ken Jeong).  There is so much more to come in this movie, I couldn’t possibly write it all.  From the bachelorette party to the most beautiful wedding dress I’ve seen in some time to bullying and non-acceptance to true love and a tour of Singapore’s richest and best communities.  Some of the celebrations were so breath takingly elaborate, I was immediately ready to take a plane to this paradise city.  I figured the budget for this movie must have been in 7 figures but found it was only $30M.  Despite all the shenanigans and bad blood, the plot was pretty typical — the haves vs the have nots.  I was transported into another world while watching Crazy Rich Asians.  The ending was so good, the audience applauded.  I loved it — it received 97% rotten tomatoes, for those who don’t know, that’s a good thing.  Check it Out!