What to Watch This Weekend: May 15, 2020

Redbox: Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is a triumphant breakout for Harley Quinn, a wild celebration of this character filled with bold style, entertaining action, a wonderful cast, and plenty of craziness.  For more information, check out our review!

Redbox: Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island is a creative and different remake of the 70s TV series, one that takes the general idea and puts its own dark twist on it.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: All About Who You Know
All About Who You Know offers a fresh perspective, with complicated characters and enjoyable writing in this unconventional anti Hollywood rom-com.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: Castle In The Ground
Castle in the Ground is a painful, deliberate descent into addiction that is fueled by a stellar cast, complex characters, and a powerful story.  For more information, check out our review!

Digital: The Trouble With Wolves
The Trouble With Wolves is a thorough and balanced look at one of the most heated conservation issues in America, with in-depth interviews, compelling information, and beautiful nature footage.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Trial By Media

Trial By Media provides viewers with a program that is equally entertaining and informative, providing a true crime documentary that highlights the social, cultural, and historical relevance of these cases.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (Netflix): Angel Has Fallen

Angel Has Fallen is a fun action movie that suffers from summer movie ridiculousness.  If you can get past the story and just enjoy the action, then hop onto Marine One to see how far this angel has fallen.  For more information, check out our review!

Streaming (HBO): Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey delivers the fan service that those hoping for a movie want, with plenty of period appropriate pieces and keeping the core of what made the series such an enjoyable phenomenon. 

Streaming (Amazon): The Hustle

The Hustle is a genuinely funny remake / update of a classic film, with a promising start but an ending that will leave you feeling slightly conned.  For more information, check out our review!

Review: Angel Has Fallen

Release date: August 23, 2019
Running time: 120 minutes
Starring:   Gerard Butler, Piper Perabo, Morgan Freeman 

Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman are back in the third movie in this trilogy.  This time, Butler will need to protect the President at an extreme disadvantage.  Not only is Butler facing insurmountable odds, but he also has to fight his aging body and inner demons. 

Angel Has Fallen gets a lot of things right. The action is pretty spectacular, especially some of the suspenseful, quiet scenes and an unconventional chase scene.  And as you would expect from a summer action movie, the effects are big and explosive. Additionally, Butler and Freeman have great chemistry, although the rest of the cast is adequate but slightly off.  The third film in this trilogy also manages to meaningful advances the characters that we have met from the previous films.  I did like what they did with Butler to humanize him and give him some choices that don't involve shooting.  

However, the problem with Angel Has Fallen is that the story makes no sense.  Now, I imagine if you are watching this movie you don't necessarily care so much about the story.  But at times, the nonsensical nature of the plot and character's choices just distract from the enjoyment.  The movie is good for the first third, but once the movie attempts to explain the character's motivations, the film falls apart. The antagonists make some ridiculous decisions that defy logic but do make for good action scenes.  Not that this film should be believable, but the ridiculousness is distracting at times. And there are several little details like characters accents or ages not lining up that distract as well.  

Angel Has Fallen is a fun action movie that suffers from summer movie ridiculousness.  If you can get past the story and just enjoy the action, then hop onto Marine One to see how far this angel has fallen.  It’s a fun ride to take, but maybe one that should be enjoyed at home (preferably with a good sound system for some of those effects)!

Rent it.