Recent Movie Round-Up Vol. 2

I saw a few movies recently! Take a look---

Inside Out-Could Pixar be any better at what they do? Well, I mean, they could be completely and totally perfect every time, but really, really good is the next best thing. This is one funny, touching, universally accessible, heartwarming movie and I loved it. It’s easily my favorite of the first half of the year. A-

I’ll See You in My Dreams-Blythe Danner may not be a household name, but her acting career has spanned decades of great performances, and here she is giving one of the finest of the year. Some of it’s a little melodramatic for my taste, but this is a generally sincere and lovable movie. A-

Dope-Although I don’t like some of its showy “Look at how cool and indie we are!’ attitude, it’s still easy to understand why this is such a crowd-pleaser. It’s sharp, clever, and a little arrogant, but consistently fun. B+

Love and Mercy-John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, and Paul Giamatti all give good performances, which is a fact worth the ticket alone. The true story about the insane Beach Boys songwriter can be hard to watch, but it’s handled competently. B+

Hungry Hearts-Here is a perfect example of a hard-sell good movie. It’s a psychologically stressful and hard to stomach venture, but that’s what makes it worth watching. It’s difficult to sit through, yet strangely satisfying. B+

Ted 2-I’m no Seth MacFarlane fan and I wasn’t too keen on the first foul-talking teddy bear movie of his, but there’s some solidly amusing entertainment to be found here, even if a lot of it is of the throwaway variety. B-

Pitch Perfect 2-The first movie was fine, even likeable, but this sequel is unforgivably unstructured, illogical, and obnoxious. I not only didn’t laugh at the jokes, I wished them and their families harm. C

Max-Call me Mr. Potter, but I cry hogwash! This is a lifeless, occasionally downright stupid movie that will appeal to fans of phony sentiment and obvious, easy storytelling. There are far better, actually inspiring things for your family to enjoy (INSIDE OUT, ANYONE?!?). Malarkey! Balderdash and claptrap! Get off my lawn! C