What to Watch in the Theater:
Hearts Beat Loud (PG13) is in theaters now. This is a touching story about a dad dealing with his daughter leaving for college. The daughter, played by Kiersey Clemons, is the more mature of the pair, so she’s eager to get started at UCLA pre-med. The dad, played by Nick Offerman, is also closing his record store, and uses his love for music as a last-ditch effort to keep his daughter from leaving. They produce some music together, which could change things for both of them… The father-daughter dynamic is familiar, yet different, in this heartwarming film about facing challenges and making good choices.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
Ant-Man and the Wasp (PG13) opens today. This sequel picks up in the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War. Scott Lang has a pretty routine life, trying to run a security business and keep his young daughter entertained, all while on house arrest. He re-connects with Hank and Hope on the sly, to help them find Hope’s mom in the quantum realm, and fight off a strange entity and mobster, who both want to steal their lab. The film is just as fun as the original, and the miniaturization effects and chase scenes are even more spectacular. Humor is a key element here, just as it was in the origin story. MAKE SURE YOU STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS to see where this film fits in Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline!
Our rating: 5 out of 5
What to Watch at Home (Or Not):
Only the Brave (PG13) is on DVD. This film, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, builds slowly toward its tragic conclusion. We see the backstories and camaraderie of the group, and how they build their team to become an elite squad that fights wildfires head-on. While some elements are dramatized, the basic story elements align with the real story, which you don’t need to be familiar with to enjoy the movie. As the action builds (albeit slowly, over 2+ hours), so do the emotions, leading to a powerful finish.
Our rating: 4.17 out of 5
The Open House (TVMA) is a Netflix original. We love Dylan Minnette, but this film is more horrible than horror. On top of financial woes, a mother and teen son are dealing with the death of their husband/father. They relocate to a fancy house in the woods, which is on loan to them with the caveat that they leave every Sunday for open houses. When weird things start happening, there are some good scares and general creepiness, but this 90-minute film feels incredibly slow, and then wraps up quickly with a lot of violence. The premise has promise, which it never fulfills.
Our rating: 2.75 out of 5
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