Movie Review- Mission: Impossible; Rogue Nation

You know what I love more than going to a movie? Two movies in one day! Last Sunday, we went to the Arclight Hollywood to see Vacation, had grilled cheeses at Melt and bought tickets for the late showing of Mission: Impossible; Rogue Nation at the Cinerama Dome.

Day = Success. 

PLOT - In this latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, we find Ethan Hunt ( Tom Cruise) on the run from the United States Government after the IMF has been disbanded. Hunt is certain that he can prove the existence of and take down, the Syndicate, an international crime cooperative. As Hunt works to take them down, he gets help from some former IMF friends and from Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), a mysterious woman who saves Hunt's life, but who may be working for the Syndicate.

LIKE - As with the previous Mission: Impossible films, Rogue Nation is a fun ride. The story is solid with plenty of unexpected twists, but what really drives the film are the thrilling action sequences. This film has all manner of action...action on a moving jet plane, claustrophobic underwater action (I held my breath), a mountainside motorcycle/car pursuit and a multi-weapon fight on the catwalks in an opera house.

What was interesting was the lack of dialogue in many of the fight scenes. Music was key for creating drama, especially in the opera scene, which had the fight take place above a performance of Puccini's Turandot. The action in Rogue Nation is as good as it gets. Yes, the action is crazy ( Impossible), yet unlike many action films, every movement made sense to the story and there was nothing gratuitous. Not extra explosions or never ending car chases. The action was pitch perfect.

 Cruise is a very good actor and generally picks strong roles, this being no exception. I like Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg. However, the scene stealer is Ferguson. Not only is Ferguson stunningly gorgeous, but she got to play such a strong, kick-ass, intelligent character. What a great role. When we left the theatre, Dan even commented that he thought that Ferguson should be the next Bond. Not Bond girl, but the first female Bond. 

Also making an impression was Sean Harris, who played the villain, Solomon Lane. Creepy, creepy, creepy.

DISLIKE- Nothing. This is an ideal summer film. 

RECOMMEND- Definitely and with the amazing action and beautiful locations, this is one to see on the big screen. 

Movie Review - American Sniper

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, Dan and I drove down to the historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood for a showing of American Sniper. A cool result of seeing it at this location, was a bonus clip of an interview with screenwriter, Jason Hall, that was shown after the credits. 

PLOT - Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper is adapted from Chris Kyle's memoir of the same title. Chris Kyle was motivated to join the Navy Seals after the September 11th terrorist attacks and he ended up being the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. The story follows Kyle's four tours in Iraq and his home life, including the courtship and marriage to his wife, Taya and the birth of their children.  

LIKE - Chris Kyle's story is an important one, primarily because despite his skills as a sniper, the heart of his story is he is just another soldier. His story is an everyman story for soldiers and it speaks to the need for society to support them and their families for the sacrifices that they make.

Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle and Sienna Miller as Taya, give exception performances. Miller wasn't even recognizable in her role.

This film is filled with extremely intense ( held my breath) moments and moments of heartbreak. Some of the best moments, were when Kyle was trying to manage his PTSD and continue with life back home. The end credits show a montage of real footage from Kyle's memorial and when it was running, the theatre was completely still, it's a very affecting and emotional tribute to his life.

DISLIKE - Dan loved American Sniper and found no fault, but I thought that the pacing was off. It wasn't a long movie, but it felt long. My mind wandered and I found myself disengaged during his third tour. 

RECOMMEND - Yes. American Sniper is an important story that people need to know. This is not appropriate for young children. It's filled with graphic violence, including torture, that was disturbing to watch. We were surprised to find elementary aged children in the audience with us. This movie would be okay for older teens.