Stars-and-popcorn

So, I saw this movie at a film festival the year it was released and what I remember best is just how hard the audiences was laughing. The film features a premise that might be a little over done in horror films, but it's use of witty dialouge and self-aware performances makes it so much better than all the other "trapped in a house with a serial killer" movies I've seen. It is honestly one of my favorite horror comedies of all time and I would love to see them minds behind this indie film get a chance to make more movies. It's charming, thrilling, and knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to blending horror with comedy. Definitely worth watching even if you don't like scary movies.

After seeing 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' in theaters I have to admit that it's been a pretty good year for Marvel at the movies. Marvel studios itself has already released 'Black Panther' and 'Avengers: Infinity War,' and another one of their heroes got a sequel from Fox. With all these Marvel movies in 2018, ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' had a lot to overcome in order to be even slightly memorable. Luckily, the film is much more than just slightly memorable, it's probably the most fun I've had at the movies so far this summer.

Paul Rudd is back as Scott Lang a former criminal turned accidental hero. Scott's had a bit of a rough time as of late and is coming to the end of two years under house arrest. He's kept on a tight leash and is just trying to keep his head down until he's free to walk the streets again. That is until Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) comes knocking on his door again. Reluctantly Scott is sucked back into becoming Ant-Man in order to help Hope and her father (Michael Douglas) on a mission to save her mother and outsmart the villains hot on their tails (Walton Goggins and Hannah John-Kamen). Oh, and the FBI wants to put them all behind bars. Needless to say, this is Ant-Man's biggest adventure yet.

Unfortunately, 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' is a Marvel movie that starts to rely too much on people having seen the other films of the MCU. It makes a number of references to 'Captain America: Civil War' and Scott Lang's involvement in the events of that film. Of course, it also helps to have seen the first 'Ant-Man' movie too so you know who these characters are and what in the heck that Quantum Realm is (then again, I still don't really even know what it is). Then, of course, there's also the tie into 'Avengers: Infinity War.' While I appreciate Marvel trying to tie all their film together into one epic universe, the fact that you have to sit through over six hours of movies in order to truly grasp all the nuances in their newest film is a bit daunting. Personally, it's not an issue for me, but I figured I would offer a heads up to the more casual Marvel movie fans out there.

So, why wasn't Ant-Man in 'Infinity War?' Well, I'm not going to completely spoil that for you, other than to say that you should definitely stick around through the credits to find out what he was up to. My theory is that Paul Rudd and Chris Pratt together in one movie would have been one joker too many. In a lot of ways, they are very similar heroes. Of course, Pratt is one of the heavy hitters in Hollywood right now, but I have to say that Rudd plays the fish out of water hero much better overall. Scott Lang is pretty much a professional screw up despite the fact that he's utterly brilliant. The fact that he has no idea what he's doing though, and fully acknowledges it, makes him one of the better heroes in the MCU right now. I mean, there's no way Ant-Man on his own could compete with Captain America, Thor or Iron Man? Well, you make him the most human of them all and that's 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' gets right.

Marvel has seriously been upping their game with their female heroes. They've come a long way from just having Black Widow in their ranks and have some truly badass ladies from Valkyrie ('Thor: Ragnarok') to Okoye ('Black Panther'). Now Evangeline Lilly's Wasp gets to join them. In fact, she's so badass in this movie that it feels a lot more like Ant-Man is her sidekick. While we got to see some pretty awesome uses of shrinking powers in the first film, but this movie really ups the ante. The Wasp manages to take groups of baddies apart in absolutely astounding displays of grace and brutality. Honestly, the men of the MCU are going to have to watch out at this rate, because the women are proving to be much cooler as of late.

What makes 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' really shine though is that it is absolutely side-splitting. Of course, Paul Rudd is well known for his endearing charisma and sense of humor on the big screen, but this time around he's got plenty of other capable comedians working with him. Luckily audience favorite Luis (Michael Peña) is back with his comrades (T.I. and David Dastmalchian), and they're all back in great form. Joining them though is one of my favorite supporting actors, Randall Park, joins them and practically steals the show. He plays an FBI agent who is essentially a huge puppy dog throwing around words like "malarkey" and "dickens." All together, they round out a cast that manages to make 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' a comedy to rival even 'Guardians of the Galaxy' in the MCU.

While 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' might be a comedy at heart, it is still very much an action film. Director Peyton Reed manages to make small powerful in some outstanding uses of the shrinking powers Ant-Man posses. There are car chases, fight sequences, and even a few death-defying stunts. Altogether, it feels like this sequel really embraces the potential that the original laid out. Best of all 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' feels like it steps outside the mold that most Marvel movies feel like they're vacuum sealed into these days. Sure, it's an action comedy like so many of them, but it's just a ton of fun and doesn't feel quite like an all-out superhero movie at heart. So, if you're looking for a great movie to see in theaters, be sure to check out this awesome flick.

'Hotel Artemis' has its fair share of cinematic kerfluffles from story structure to pacing. However, it's a lot of fun. This is mostly because it has a cast that is given roles that they excel at. It's such an odd assortment of actors that came together to create a stylish film that seems familiar yet unique at the same time.

There are rules at the Hotel Artemis, a secret, high tech hospital for the underworld of Los Angeles. In order to remain a member of this elite criminal's emergency room, you have to respect the staff and the other patients, much in the same way that The Continental from 'John Wick' has rules. It's neutral ground where egos, grudges, and guns have to be checked at the door. The reason for these rules is because it houses an odd assortment of colorful characters from all walks of life. The only thing they all share in common is that they are the worst of the worst when it comes to dirty dealings in a city known for its outlaws.

Jodi Foster stars as the nurse that runs the Hotel Artemis. She's a washed-up drunk who has long since lost her medical license, but not her skills when it comes to saving the lives of those who probably shouldn't be saved. Foster's portrayal of Nurse is much richer than the character probably deserves in a sci-fi action film. Tormented by the death of her son, she hasn't set foot outside the hotel for decades due to crippling anxiety. Despite this she is a no-nonsense tough as nails caretaker who won't hesitate to call upon her orderly, Everest, played by David Bautista, to expel unruly guests from the premises. Her character is the very cornerstone of the film and what everything and everyone is built off of.

The rest of the cast features the likes of Sophia Boutella as a beautiful and deadly assassin, Sterling K. Brown as a devastatingly handsome bank robber, and Charlie Day as an obnoxiously entitled arms dealer. The three are at odds given that the hotel houses criminals and criminals can't be trusted, and to make matters worse a full-blown riot is taking place on the streets below. Luckily, there is honor among thieves for the most part. That doesn't last long though, because, well, what fun would that be?

'Hotel Artemis' is the feature directorial debut of Drew Pearce, who also wrote the film. While he's proven to be an exceptions writer in the past his directing isn't quite up to par with the concepts and characters he's put together. While the actors all do what they do best with the roles they're given, the pacing and cinematography feel flat, which undermines the urgency of the situation. There's such a focus on putting together the leads in the film, that the overall threat that they end up facing by the end of the film doesn't feel like it's truly worthy of them and ends with a disappointing third act.

Despite the cinematic issues 'Hotel Artemis' faces, it is fun watching events unfold. Brown is unbelievably charming as a suave and debonair bank robber trying to get out of the underworld once and for all. Most of his scenes are shared with Boutella who has exploded onto the scene since 'Kingsman: The Secret Service.' Since then she's become a name I look for on movie posters and while her films might not always be great, I'm never disappointed in her performances. Then there is Bautista who has become incredibly popular since joining the MCU and is an actor that takes his art very seriously. He's someone who remains humble and works hard for everything he has. While the role of Everest might not be as juicy as say, Sapper in 'Blade Runner 2049,' he manages to use his imposing physicality perfectly in Hotel Artemis.

As we like to say here, "not all great movies are good." That isn't to say that 'Hotel Artemis' is a great movie, because it definitely isn't. However, it's a fun movie. It's a film that is mindless entertainment with enough interesting concepts (from medical nanites to 3D printing organs) to keep audiences intrigued with what's unfolding. It's just unfortunate that it never seems to achieve what it's aiming for. At its core, it's a film with great characters and an interesting premises, so much so that it almost feels wasted. That being said, it still a movie that I quite enjoyed sitting through. There are certainly better films that came out this week, but I feel like Hotel Artemis really rounds out the choices at the cinema. It's not a movie for everyone, but for those who enjoy trashy movies with reliable and talented actors, it's definitely going to hit the spot.