Random Movie Birb

Movie Birb Presents:  My 18 Favorite Films of 2018 Part One- Honorable Mentions 2018 has been an amazing year for film, and for myself personally. By years end I will have seen over 160 motion pictures released in the 2018 calendar year, by far the most I have seen in one year. Being able to see so many films, write this blog, and communicate with everyone on social media has given me perspectives on films that I may not have seen previously, the way I watch films, and how to voice my opinion. This list is my personal opinion of what are my   favorite  films of 2018 are, and not what I think are the   best.  The list of honorable mentions is all of the films that I rated four-stars or higher that did not make my top 18. Without further ado, here are my honorable mentions for my favorite films of 2018. Four-Star Honorable Mentions Shoplifters-  Hirokazu Koreeda, Director Aquaman-  James Wan, Director Mary Poppins Returns-  Rob Marsha...

Creed II Starring Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson Directed by Steven Caple, Jr.  US Release Date: 21 November 2018 My First Viewing: 20 November 2018 A film that should be retitled Rocky IV: Thirty Years Later.  Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed are back in Creed II, but now with a new director and screenwriter. We follow Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) as he makes the jump to Heavyweight and is on the comeback trail after his split decision loss at the end of Creed. Now the Heavyweight Champion of the World, he has a new challenger in the form of Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago, who killed Adonis' father Apollo in Rocky IV. Throw in some friction between Adonis and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and a new baby with his now wife Bianca (Tess Thompson), you have all the makings of and adequate yet bland sequel.  What Works Chemistry 101: One of the (many) great things in the first Creed was the chemistry between Tessa Thompson and Michael B. Jordan. This contin...

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Starring Eddie Redmayne and Johnny Depp Directed by David Yates US Release Date: 16 November 2018 My First Viewing: 15 November 2018 Eddie Redmayne returns in Newt Scamander and the Thirty Loose Threads David Yates returns to the Wizarding World for the sixth time in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, with a returning cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, and Ezra Miller, as well as newcomers Jude Law and Zoe Kravitz. While this film carries on the visual masterwork that many of the later Wizarding World films created, the overall story of the movie lacked any heft to the point where coming out of it, I could not wrap my head around all of the story arcs that were presented. At the end of the day, this ended up being nothing more than a set-up for the next film, and the next film, and so on and so on until either we come to a satisfying conclusion, or fans of the franchise just st...

The Girl in the Spider's Web Starring Claire Foy and Lakeith Stanfield Directed and Co-Written by Fede Alverez US Release Date: November 9th, 2018 My First Viewing: November 7th, 2018 Claire Foy is Lisbeth Salander: The Girl who Hacks and Kicks Ass...and Makes Questionable Decisions Seven years after the English language remake of the Swedish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Sony pictures have revived the series by skipping the second two books in the series, replacing the cast, as well as bringing in Fede Alverez (Evil Dead '13, Don't Breathe) to replace David Fincher. Now three years after the events of Tattoo, Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) is the girl who punishes men who abuses women, and she still hacks computers and kicks ass. After the creator of a computer program that is designed to take control of nuclear weapons across the globe wants his program back so it can be shut down, Salander is caught in a cat and mouse game that involves murder, set-ups, and cool ...

The Meg Starring: Jason Statham and a Megalodon Directed by John Turteltaub US Release Date: 10 August 2018 My First Viewing: 9 August 2018 There are three types of bad movies. Either it's so bad it's good, just plain awful, or has good intentions but fell short of expectations. The new Jason Statham action film The Meg falls in category number three.  Statham stars as Jonas, a deep sea diver who, after a traumatic incident that left two of his companions dead, has holed himself up in Thailand. When a new crew of divers led by Jonas' ex-wife Lori (Jessica McNamee) is stranded after an unknown entity attacks their submarine, Jonas is called back into duty by the Zhang Corporation led by ex-partner Mac (Cliff Curtis) and Zhang (Winston Chao). What attacked the sub? It's a Megalodon. The once-thought extinct 70-foot sea predator is on the prowl, and it's up to Jonas and the rest of the Zhang team to stop it. What works in the film is Statham as Jonas playing ...

Skyscraper Starring Dwayne Johnson and Neve Campbell Written and Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber US Release Date: 13 July 2018 My First Viewing: 12 July 2018 There are a few things you will be guaranteed of during Summer movie season. Several superhero/comic book movies, a solid animation feature (usually from Disney/Pixar) and a Dwayne Johnson big budget action flick. Well, we've had Civil War and Incredibles 2, now Johnson gives us the trifecta with Skyscraper.  Johnson plays Will Sawyer, a former FBI assault team member who becomes a security professional after a negotiation-gone-wrong leaves him without his left leg. He is trying to gauge the security system of The Pearl, a 220+ story building in Hong Kong which was developed by Zhao (Chin Han, The Dark Knight ). However, there are some really bad men who are trying get their hands on the Magic McGuffin that Zhao possesses, and it's up to Sawyer to save his family and Zhao before the entire building goes up in...

The First Purge Starring: Y'Lan Noel and Lex Scott Davis Directed by Gerald McMurray US Release Date: 4 July 2018 My First Viewing: 3 July 2018 image credit: movieposter.com The First Purge, which is technically the fourth film in the financially successful Purge franchise, tells the story and the events which led to, you guessed it, the first Purge experiment.  This time around, we follow Nya (Lex Scott Davis) and her brother Isaiah (Joivan Wade) through Staten Island as the New Founding Fathers are days away from beginning the experiment. This test, by whatever nefarious means are required, tries to prove that by letting out all of your anger and frustrations through one twelve-hour period every year where you can do whatever you want, including murder, is better for society as a whole. Overseeing the experiment is Dr. Updale (Marissa Tomei) and NFF Chief of Staff Arlo Sabian (Patch Darragh).  With this being the fourth film in the franchise, there are...

Hello BirbArmy! We have reached the halfway point of the year, so I wanted to share with you my ten favorite films thus far in 2018.  There has been a lot that I have seen, but there are a few that I may have missed. Honorable Mentions:  First Reformed, The Death of Stalin, Disobedience, RBG, Deadpool 2, Tully, Love Simon, Incredibles 2, and Thoroughbreds. 10.) Game Night Starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams US Release: 23 February 2018 I did not get a chance to experience Game Night in theaters when it was initially released. This out-of-nowhere box office success has a great cast including Bateman and McAdams, as well as Kyle Chandler and Jesse Plemons. Centered around a sibling rivalry that goes awry when a murder-mystery game night theme becomes real, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also has great set design and isn't too long that it overstays its welcome. I'm glad I didn't miss it because  Game Night is my favorit...

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Starring: Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard Directed by J.A. Bayona US Release Date: 22nd June 2018 My First Viewing: 21st June 2018 image credit: movieposter.com Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return for the sequel to 2015's Jurassic World in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom , directed by J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls).  After the events that took place in the first series, a once-dormant volcano on Isla Nublar has erupted, and a military team is trying to evacuate as many dinosaurs off the island as possible. The plan is to relocate them to a self-sustaining new island where the dinos can roam free. Owen (Pratt) and Clarie (Howard) are summoned by Jurassic Park co-creator Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) and Eli Mills (Rafe Spall) to track down Blue, a Velociraptor that Owen trained on the island. Once there, a double-cross occurs and the true reason they are summoned to the island begins to take shape. Mills wants to auction off t...

QuickBirb: Brief reviews, typically done when I see multiple films in one day.  Usually, this will be done with lower budget/indy films, or ones I am getting caught up on VIA streaming/rentals. This is a new concept, so let me know what you think! Unsane  stars Claire Foy ( The Crown)  who, after going to a counselor to seek help for the flashbacks of her stalker, is put into an asylum against her will. As her stay is prolonged, she finds that her stalker found his way into getting a job at the asylum she's at. Steven Soderbergh ( Logan Lucky, Magic Mike)  directs this stylized film with the usage of iPhone 7's for the cameras. Foy's performance is great, but the overall story lacks in any real surprises and to a degree seem unrealistic, even for a movie.  Soderbergh tried to do something different, and for the most part, he succeeds. Would recommend for Foy's performance alone.  Hearts Beat Loud  stars Nick Offerman and Kiersey Cle...

Hereditary Starring: Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne Written and Directed by Ari Aster US Release Date: June 8th, 2018 Most Recent Viewing: June 16th, 2018 image credit: movieposter.com Some movies take more than one viewing to fully grasp everything that occurs while you're watching it. Blink and you miss it moments, small hints that come back later in the film, and typically an ending that leaves you scratching your head. Hereditary  falls in that category and after a second viewing is the best film thus far in 2018.  After the death of her mother, Annie (Toni Collette) and her family are each dealing with the grief that goes with her passing. After slowly discovering more about her mother's past, a plethora of secrets arise, as well as a spiritual presence that doesn't want to leave.  It is impossible to go into much more detail without giving away any spoilers. There are so many reasons why you should see this film, at least once, if not twice. Toni Colle...

Incredibles 2 Starring: Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter Directed by Brad Bird US Release Date: June 15th, 2018 My First Viewing: June 14th, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com After a long fourteen year wait, Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash, Violet, and Jack-Jack are back in Incredibles 2 , directed by Brad Bird.  Taking place right after the events of 2004's The Incredibles  with the Parr family leaving the track meet when The Underminer shows up to reek havoc on the city. With the help of Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson), they defeat their foe but Supers are still outlawed, and the police are not happy with all the damage they caused. Coming into the picture are the Deavor siblings (Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener), who want to bring Supers back into the limelight by showing that they are, in fact, good. Standing in their way is the new big bad, The Screenslaver, who wants to keep Supers away by taking over all the screens in the world and turning people into mindle...