LONDON HAS FALLEN (2016) – My rating: 8/10

London has Fallen is one of a couple of similar titles (White House Down and Olympus has Fallen) that deal with the taking over of a country or the attempted murder of a world leader i.e., president of the US, right in their own back yard.  This time, a funeral for the Prime Minister, James Wilson is scheduled to take placed in London and is being attended by many world leaders.  Concern for their safety becomes a growing concern because of the state of the world regarding terrorist, and current events including the mysterious death of the Prime Minister.  President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart),  Secret Service Agent, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler),  Secret Service Director, Lynne Jacobs (Angela Bassett), travel to London to join many other prominent world leaders for Wilson’s state funeral. As they arrive, an attack is launched killing the Canadian Prime Minister and his wife, among others.  The Japanese Prime Minister drowns when suicide bombers cause Chelsea Bridge to collapse, the French President perishes when a bomb destroys his yacht on the River Thames and heavily damages Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, the Italian Prime Minister and his wife die when one of Westminster Abbey’s bell towers is blown up and the German Chancellor is murdered by disguised royal guardsmen at Buckingham Palace. The terrorists also hack into the city’s power network, effectively shutting it down. Meanwhile, back at the White House, the president’s staff, including Vice President Allan Trumbull, now acting President, (Morgan Freeman) watch the events in horror. The action is non stop as Mike turns an amenable president into a soldier as they fight to stay alive and free themselves from the terrorist war zone they find themselves in.

Although London Has Fallen has a similar theme to White House Down and Olympus is Down it still manages to be entertaining and is even better than a lot of summer fillers I’ve seen.  Still, you might want to wait for the DVD release.

 

THE BUTLER (2013) – My rating: 10/10

Very nicely done.  The Butler is sort of a love story that educates us on the events regarding the Black plight from the 50’s to present.  At the tender age of 6, Cecil (played by Forest Whitaker) worked beside his parents, picking cotton.  Tragedy unfolds at the onset of this brilliant movie and we get to see Cecil’s life unfold as he becomes “The Butler”.  This movie is based on a true story depicting the life of Eugene Allen, born July 14, 1919, in Scottsville, VA over the span of 8 presidents.  Eugene died March 31st, 2010 and his wife, played by Oprah Winfrey passed in 2008 a few days short of  Obama’s win as the 44th president of the United States.  Lee Daniels may have directed a potential academy award nominated feature.  I really felt like I was right there in the White House with Cuba, Lenny and Forest.  The Butler was personable and real.  I learned something new about each president Cecil served under.

For the sake of history, heartfelt entertainment, masterful direction and a cast to die for, see The Butler.  It’s worth your time and your money!

Obama’s Non-Pound Dog

Because President Obama knows he’s under scrutiny regarding campaign promises, he probably should have gotten the white House Dog from a pound.  It’s really not that deep but the dog “do-gooders” will make it deeper than it should be. The media will jump in with big banners and lots of air time to drive home the point.

A loving, non-violent cute dog was adopted by a dignitary.  Does it really matter where the dog came from?  This dog was rescued from a misfitted family who obviously was willing to let the dog go.

Bottom line, a dog is a dog is a dog, no matter where it came from!