Bumblebee mini movie review

Rating: B+

In 2007 the Transformer cartoon that I occasionally watched as a kid was turned into a Summer popcorn movie.  It was fun, crazy, entertaining, and the movie where I learned to love Bumblebee, a transforming robot that turns into a yellow car. I had a hard time getting into the movies that followed.  I didn't get around to seeing Revenge of the Fallen, 2009, and forgot to see 2017's The Last Knight.  (I did review Age of Extinction and gave it a 3.25 out of 5, back when I was on the number reviewing system.)

When I heard there was going to be a Bumblebee movie I was intrigued, but not rushing to see it.  It was my brothers and family wanting to see Bumblebee on New Years Eve that I went, mainly because it was a family activity and all the kids had babysitters, so something we haven't done in awhile.

What a pleasant surprise!  And now my favorite Transformer movie.

This movie takes place during the 1980's when Bumblebee crash lands on Earth, creating all kinds of problems, fleeing a war from his home world to find a safe haven for the autobots.  He has a mission, a mission he forgets when his memory is zapped, just after losing his ability to speak.

Here we find Bumblebee's origin story, meeting Charlie, played by Hailee Steinfeld, and the friendship they developed.  There's cut scenes to the villains and our governments involvement, but the movie shines whenever Charlie and Bumblebee are on screen.  It's a cute story.  The 1980's throwback fun.

In the end I found myself a Transformer fan again.  I actually wanted to dig out the 2007 DVD to see Bumblebee's story continue.  And the CGI!!  Usually I grumble with some CGI, but Bumblebee was animated brilliantly.  It's amazing the emotion conveyed by a voiceless robot.

Out of all the movies I saw last last year, this is the one I would quickly re-watch again.

And Hailee Steinfeld's end credit song "Back to Life" with an 80's vibe is cool.

MPAA: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence.

Romeo and Juliet: Movie Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

"Never was a Story of

More Woe

than this, of

Juliet and her

Romeo"

The setting: Verona

The characters: Juliet, her Romeo, some comic relief, overbearing parents, and feuding families.

Plot: Star crossed lovers try, unsuccessfully, to find their Happily Ever After (Spoiler Alert!), amongst said feuding families and untimely realities.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is a story that has stood the test of time.  I read it for the first time in High School, pouring over the drama and the thick, sweet words, watching the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli's version in the process.  This is the version that all follow adaptation are compared, because, like a Jane Austen novel, you can never have too many takes on a single play.

Carlo Carlei is the latest director to the Romeo and Juliet table, and here he serves a plate rich in scenic wonder, beautiful cinematography, and delightful costumes.  This stage is set nicely, and is a wonder to behold.  A great escape piece.

The text, though, is not pure.  Long soliloquy's and monologues are cut down, bite size tidbits for a modern audience.  I should be overly disgruntled by this, but I'm not.  If I want to see a full version I'll find a local performing troupe or simply read it myself, imagining the grandeur.  Here the words fit the screen, making the story easy to follow for those not familiar, or heightening crucial moments through careful editing.

This story, though I've read and enjoyed it many times, was made fresh.  The audience was filled with various ages, many of whom know the tale as well as I.  Yet, through the climaxes end, I could hear sniffles in surround sound.  Everyone holding back tears and breath as the tragedy unfolded.  It was marvelous, really.  There was a teenage girl sitting next to my Mom and I who was in tears by the credits, already knowing the plot, but this version shook her, moving her to the core.  If this adaptation can move people like that, then it's worth watching.

Juliet, played by Oscar nominee (True Grit) Hailee Steinfeld, and the handsome Romeo, played by Douglas Booth, are sweet in their roles, but it is the side characters that truly shine.  Lesley Manville as the Nurse and Paul Giamatti as Friar Laurence were both outstanding.

To date, since this films October 11th release, it has only grossed $1,112,972, opening in 421 theaters.  I didn't even realize until last weekend that this movie was already out, thinking it had a November/December release.  All trailers I saw said it was "Coming Soon."  Dangerous words.

I'll be buying this movie on Blu-ray.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements