2018 Summer Movie Review

In case you didn’t know, I’ve spent the bulk of my summer writing a second book. That’s why posts not pertaining to The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, or Bachelor in Paradise have been woefully MIA.

I apologize for my absence. And I’d like to defend myself before you scratch your head wondering how I had time to go see six different movies in three months, yet couldn’t find a minute or two to write on anything other than rose ceremonies.

Here’s the deal: I go to the movies and I read books to be inspired. It helps my writing. It also helps me get out of my own head by escaping into the world, problems, and crazy wackiness of someone else for a change.

If there happens to be a love story attached to that madness, I’M ALL IN WITH A HUGE TUB OF POPCORN.

I’ll admit that each of these movies should have been a single review, yet here we are on the brink of the winter 2018/2019 season, and if I don’t report my findings, you’ll all be prepping for the Academy Award season and this summer full of dinosaurs, Marvel characters, and women who like to steal things will be a distant memory.

I could never let that happen. Here we go!

Incredibles 2
Rated: PG
Starring: Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter

The Trailer:

The Gist: Mrs. Incredible is saving the world, while Mr. Incredible tries to figure out why Jack Jack insists on spontaneously bursting into flames.

You should definitely see this movie. It is currently the number two film of 2018, which is completely mind boggling to me considering all the other choices from this stellar year of movie making. I thought it had tons of fun moments. We buck the system with Helen staying home, while Bob takes care of the kiddos. Dash is still hilarious. Violet is everything you expect from a brooding teenager. And Jack Jack, Edna Mode, and a rogue raccoon absolutely make the movie for me. To say that it has held up since the fourteen years from last time we saw the Parr family in action is an understatement. In fact, I find it incredible that it withstood the test of time so beautifully.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard

The Trailer:

The Gist: Guess what? The dinosaurs have escaped. Again.

I will go wherever Chris Pratt leads. I think we all know this truth. I’m glad Universal put Bryce in a logical pair of hiking boots, verses the high heels she ran around in a few years ago when the dinosaurs were loose that particular time. Was this movie entertaining? Absolutely. Was it campy and full of “yeah right” moments? You betcha. Did I scream, “ARE YOU NUTS? THE DINOSAUR ISN’T DEAD. DO NOT GO IN THE CAGE, YOU IDIOT!” More than once. But that’s what we know and love about the Jurassic movies, right? The fact that a handsome, strong, man of a man is both rugged enough to fight the beasts, yet sensitive enough to cry when they die. (Is that just me?) Oh, and there’s a lot of death. I mean A LOT of death. If you like blood, guts, bone crunching, and reptiles that jump out at you, you will love this movie. Fair warning: Chris Pratt does not take off his shirt. You should still go and enjoy the movie, though.

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, and Michael Peña

The Trailer:

The Gist: It’s the Ant-Man with his favorite new sidekick!

If I had to pick between Chris Pratt and Paul Rudd, I think my head might explode trying. They are both delights, but I have to give Paul the edge for summer movies because his comedic timing is EVERYTHING. And his relationship with his daughter is adorable. Michael Peña is a refreshing tickle to the old funny bone and who doesn’t love to see a huge Hello Kitty pez dispenser flying through traffic on a busy afternoon? The villain is lame, Michael Douglas is boring, and the only way I can describe Michelle Pheiffer’s wig is “sad.” Subtract those three things and you have one heck of a Marvel movie. You also may be confused by the ending if you didn’t see Avengers: Infinity War.

Ocean’s Eight
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Every woman in Hollywood 

The Trailer:

The Gist: The ability to steal things right under someone’s nose is a family trait.

If you loved Ocean’s Eleven and Oceans Twelve, (I’ve chosen to forget about Ocean’s Thirteen) you will love Ocean’s Eight. It’s exactly the same. Substitute George Clooney for Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt with Cate Blanchett and you’ve got yourself an X-chromosome version of the original heist movie. Awkwafina steals every scene and I love her for it. This is a huge statement considering my beloved Mindy Kaling is on the cast roster, too. What’s more surprising? Anne Hathaway! She’s an absolute doll! We’re talking the charming, adorkable thing we knew and loved from Princess Diaries, but with a slight edge.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Lily James and Amanda Seyfried 

The Trailer:

The Gist: Pierce Brosnan still can’t sing.

Look, I’m not one who sang praises of the original Mamma Mia, but that didn’t stop me from purchasing the DVD back in the day. Let’s just say Meryl is a genius, but “musicality” is pretty low on her totem pole of talents. HOWEVER. The music is fantastic. You simply can’t go wrong with an entire catalog of ABBA songs. UNLESS you choose obscure songs that aren’t included on ABBA’s greatest hits album, which makes up the majority of the sequel. The good news is that Lily James sucks you like a moth to a disco ball. And I have three words for you: Cher singing “Fernando.” I may have stood up in the theater. I definitely high fived the woman behind me.

Crazy Rich Asians
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Constance Wu and Henry Golding 

The Trailer:

The Gist: Step into the world of crazy rich people!

I was halfway through the book when I received an advance screening to attend here in Houston. Naturally I went, but I wasn’t at all surprised by the turn of events. It’s a romantic comedy and I soaked up every predictable moment. Awkwafina once again proved that this is her year by stealing the show, again. Michelle Yeoh, who plays the wicked mother to the rich boy, was devilishly divine. It’s hard to believe that there are people out there with that much money. Click HERE to meet them!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Black Panther Review

A Wrinkle in Time Review

Avengers: Infinity War Review

And here’s a link to the podcast where my friend Todd and I discuss our summer movie review favorites!

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Lara
Lara
September 3, 2018 4:18 pm

Thanks Lincee! In looking at “Crazy rich” I thought Michelle Yeoh seemed familiar. I do not remember her from “Crouching tiger” but that was so long ago (all I remember is a whole lot of flying around…) but from “Memoirs of a Geisha”. I loved Memoirs! Read through the plot again and relived it. Okay, not your typical “love story” but beautiful still in its own way.

And I never get tired of the Jurassic movies or Chris Pratt with or without a shirt. Wish I could have seen it in 3D (yeah I know, I need professional help).

Good luck with your new book!!

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