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!

 

DETROIT (2017) – My rating: 8.5/10

It’s hard to believe a movie based on true events that happened in  1967, at the Algiers Motel in Detroit during the 12th Street riot is still playing out in 2017. I’m sure it was just as shocking these events were happening in 1967, since slavery was suppose to be a thing of the past and the emancipation meant hope for a brighter future. I’m even sure many people won’t believe this really happened and many won’t care but one thing is certain, 3 young Black adults were killed by the hands of the police force at a very troubling time. These young adults will never see the light of day nor have another opportunity to do anything, good or bad. Their crime was the color of their skin. That was sad then and it’s sad now, it will be sad forever more. Kathryn Bigelow felt she had to bring this riveting story to the world, because no one else would — for that, I say thank you. You did an outstanding job reporting what happened as written by Mark Boal to the best of your ability.

On July 23, 1967, the Detroit police staged a raid on an unlicensed club that was celebrating the return of black veterans. A riot started while suspects were being arrested. The mob started throwing rocks at the officers before looting nearby stores and starting fires. Unable to maintain any semblance of order, Governor George W. Romney authorizes the Michigan National Guard and Army paratroopers to enter Detroit to provide assistance. On the second day of rioting, two cops pursue a fleeing looter. One of them, Philip Krauss, (Will Poulter) mortally wounds the man with a shotgun against orders, but is allowed to remain on active duty until his superiors can decide whether to file murder charges.

The Dramatics, a professional black R&B group, arrive in Detroit hoping to score a recording contract. Seconds before their scheduled performance at a music hall, the police shut down the venue and order them to leave the city. while in route, their bus is attacked by rioters and the group subsequently splits up, with lead singer Larry Reed (Algee Smith) and his friend Fred Temple (Jacob Latimore) renting a room at the local Algiers Motel for the night. They meet 2 White girls, Julie Ann (Hannah Murray) and Karen (Kaitlyn Dever), who introduce them to their friends Carl Cooper (Jason Mitchell) and Aubrey Pollard (Nathan Davis, Jr.) who were already staying at the motel. Carl and another friend (for fun) staged an innocent prank using a toy starter pistol, upsetting Julie and Karen, who move to the room of Greene (Anthony Mackie), a Vietnam War Veteran, while Larry and Fred return to their own room.

In the meanwhile, not far from the motel, Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega), a Black private security guard was assigned to protect a grocery store from looters, ingratiates himself with the Guardsmen so he won’t be mistaken for a rioter. Not expecting any problems, they all hear shots fired in their direction, which they all perceive as a sniper attack coming from the Algiers. A detachment of police arrive, led by Krauss, who immediately guns down one of the Algiers’ guest, plants a knife next to his body and watches him as he bleeds out.

This marks the beginning of the Detroit incident that caused this movie to be written in the first place.  I cannot go any further, you’ll have to see it to find out what happens next — Krauss seems to be the loose cannon and several others who followed him made it all come together as the inhuman, racist, murdering event it ended up being.  Just like the Holocaust, this is another moment in Black history that needs to be told, like it or not!  No one deserves to die because of their race or skin color!  Good job on telling a profound story.  Check it out if you haven’t!

 

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THE REVENANT (2015) – My rating: 8.5/10

Dress warmly before you go to see The Revenant because this film takes place in the freezing cold. The entire movie never encounters a warm moment. The Revenant is brutal and because of one man, it’s incomprehensible. This doesn’t mean you won’t understand The Revenant, it just means the actions, evilness and disregard for another fellow Human Being will baffle you to the point of ambiguity, denial and/or contempt. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of his career as Hugh Glass, a frontiersman on a fur trading expedition set in 1823 Montana and South Dakota.

A quasi-military group of trappers are hunting for pelts in the unsettled wilderness of the Louisiana Purchase, under the command of Captain Andrew Henry.  A hostile Native American Tribe called Arikara ambushes the hunting party.  Only one third manage to escape, salvaging as much as they can while still under attack from the Arikara. To make matters worse, Glass the most experienced guide with the hunting party is mauled by a grizzly bear and severely wounded, further slowing down the party who is still being pursued by the Arikara.  Because Glass is so near death, one of the hunters, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) suggest they put Glass out of his misery by killing him thus freeing the rest of the men to move faster.  Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) the hunting party leader, offers payment to anyone who stays behind and cares for Glass while the rest of them moves on.  Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) a younger hunter and Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) Glass’ son volunteers to stay along with John Fitzgerald who will receive an additional bonus if he makes sure Glass gets a descent burial, if and when he dies.  Not to spoil the rest of the movie, I’ll only say this film really begins at this point.  The grizzly attack was nothing compared to the ensuing journey from this point on.

The Revenant is an adventure, drama, thriller that last 2 hours and 37 minutes long.  It’s directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and has already won 3 Golden Globe awards for Best Motion Picture – drama, Best Director and Best Actor.  Out of all the movies I’ve seen in 2015/2016, I didn’t think The Revenant was the best but I do think it’s a good film that you’ll certainly enjoy. I actually liked the Hateful 8 a tad bit better, but that’s just my opinion.  Check it out for yourself!

[THE REVENANT is nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Directing, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Film Editing, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects]