Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

THE PITCH






WORTH

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THE VIEWING

"I can neither confirm nor deny any details about any operation without the permission of the Secretary."

  Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation stayed true to the MI infrastructure which has made it’s brand a legendary franchise.  That should bode well for most of us and then again perhaps not...  I observed a few complaints about the predictability of the story line despite the film’s loyalty to the original fan base.  Objectively, I can see both sides even though I lean more towards respecting the brand and them not trying to be something else.  Risky transformations/redirection of brand identity can work though. I cite Fast Five of the Fast & Furious franchise

   The IMF is always running the risk of being shut down but that threat is imminent this narrative.  I really found this story interesting and unpredictable, two characteristics of any successful movie.  I thought this was one of the better chapters in the MI gift set.

 

   Quick notation of a pleasantly hidden easter egg, I love the soft reverence to the classic Casablanca. Not only was a portion of the story there but the lead actress's name is Ilsa. The actress Rebecca Ferguson is Swedish like Ingrid Bergman… Selfishly I had to point that out because remember, Casablanca made my 15 Greatest Films of All-Time [so far] list.

 So!!!  Worth Watching in my book!

letter grade: B+

The Most Insane Tom Cruise Stunts Ever!
Tom Cruise has quite the reputation for performing his own stunts...I had NO idea he did THIS many! #MPOriginal
Posted by Moviepilot Video on Monday, August 17, 2015

Straight Outta Compton

THE PITCH

WORTH

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THE VIEWING

"Let me tell you what I see here: a lot of raw talent..."

       In the ever on-going effort to stay reasonably and consistently objective in this blog I will admit, there may be some bias here, so please read the following with the proper dosage of ginkgo biloba:  Straight Outta Compton had my attention throughout.  The film went from good to great, then to outstanding in a very approximate and swift 2 hours. Especially considering that the original cut was about 3 hours and 30 minutes long.

     I was nervous about the film falling into the conventional bio-pic feature, as I like to call it,  the “ Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story” effect. Okay, maybe I don’t really call it that but the important part is that Straight Outta Compton didn’t come to that.  It became an extremely compelling story exceptionally fast, even to those of us that are very familiar with the exploits of the rap group.

    Hats off to the casting crew.  Everyone had a superb performance.  I am not sure why yet but the performances, along with the story, and the direction just ALL seemed to get better near the end.  I can’t wait to see it again as I am sure I will discover things I missed last night.  

     It is very hard to believe that it has been over 20 years since the passing of Eric Wright. The depiction of that event leaves such a scar in your emotions that it feels like yesterday.  It’s on your mind for the rest of the night and certainly into the next day… as it is in mine…. as I write this right now.  

     That is one of the best things about movies.  Whenever you leave the theater with something, it becomes an experience rather than an event. That can be defined as value, or simply “worth watching”.

     letter grade: A