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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Free Guy (2021) in Movies
Sep 5, 2021
Wonderful - and Family Friendly!
Like most of us, when I first saw the trailer for the Ryan Reynolds comedy, FREE GUY (well over a year ago), I thought this looked like a bad “money grab” that will quickly come and go.
But after it premiered earlier this summer, buzz started to grow - and a few people that I trust recommended it to me, so I decided to check it out.
And…I’m glad I did for FREE GUY is a fun, family-friendly romp with a charismatic Ryan Reynolds anchoring a strong cast in a surprisingly heart-felt film.
Directed by Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM), Free Guy tells the story of an NPC (Non-Playable Character in a video game) that becomes sentient.
In the capable hands of Director Levy and actor Reynolds, Guy (his character) is charming, earnest and likeable - a trio of qualities that is hard to pull off, but Levy and Reynolds walk this fine line very well, making Guy a character to root for. They wisely steer away from this character becoming cloying and annoying and just keep him charming and sincere.
This is do-able because Levy and screenwriters Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn wisely choose to not make Guy the emotional center of this film, but rather, Guy is the catalyst who moves the plot (and the other characters) towards their final destinations - all the while keeping Guy (basically) the same. A very smart move that has been used in other, successful films (most notably Michael J. Fox in the BACK TO THE FUTURE FILMS).
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Joe Keery (Stranger Things) are a the heart of this film as 2 video game designers that are trying to find proof that their code was stolen by a heartless Video Game mogul (broadly, comically played by Taika Waititi). Both Comer and Keery are pleasant in their roles and they play off of Waititi (and his chief henchman, played with specific focus - this is a compliment - by Utkarsh Ambudkar). Comer and Keery make it easy for the audience to root for them and Waititi and Ambdukar make it easy for the audience to root against them.
Credit for all of this goes to Director Levy. This film has the same feel as NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. It doesn’t try to do too much, makes the motivations of the good guys and the bad guys very simple to understand and then drops in the variable (Guy) to mix things up - all done with wit, simplicity and charm - a pretty easy combination, that often gets lost in the machinations, but Levy avoids this trap very, very well.
Finally, I have to point out the performance of Lil Rel Howery as Guy’s buddy…named…Buddy. He is the perfect “Best Friend”. Again, Directed to a simple and direct performance by Levy, not trying to be more than he is, but ends up being a character you care about and root for.
A winning combination of Director, Actors and material, FREE GUY isn’t going to win any Oscars, but it is going to do something that very few films these days do - provide entertainment for the entire family.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
But after it premiered earlier this summer, buzz started to grow - and a few people that I trust recommended it to me, so I decided to check it out.
And…I’m glad I did for FREE GUY is a fun, family-friendly romp with a charismatic Ryan Reynolds anchoring a strong cast in a surprisingly heart-felt film.
Directed by Shawn Levy (NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM), Free Guy tells the story of an NPC (Non-Playable Character in a video game) that becomes sentient.
In the capable hands of Director Levy and actor Reynolds, Guy (his character) is charming, earnest and likeable - a trio of qualities that is hard to pull off, but Levy and Reynolds walk this fine line very well, making Guy a character to root for. They wisely steer away from this character becoming cloying and annoying and just keep him charming and sincere.
This is do-able because Levy and screenwriters Matt Lieberman and Zak Penn wisely choose to not make Guy the emotional center of this film, but rather, Guy is the catalyst who moves the plot (and the other characters) towards their final destinations - all the while keeping Guy (basically) the same. A very smart move that has been used in other, successful films (most notably Michael J. Fox in the BACK TO THE FUTURE FILMS).
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Joe Keery (Stranger Things) are a the heart of this film as 2 video game designers that are trying to find proof that their code was stolen by a heartless Video Game mogul (broadly, comically played by Taika Waititi). Both Comer and Keery are pleasant in their roles and they play off of Waititi (and his chief henchman, played with specific focus - this is a compliment - by Utkarsh Ambudkar). Comer and Keery make it easy for the audience to root for them and Waititi and Ambdukar make it easy for the audience to root against them.
Credit for all of this goes to Director Levy. This film has the same feel as NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. It doesn’t try to do too much, makes the motivations of the good guys and the bad guys very simple to understand and then drops in the variable (Guy) to mix things up - all done with wit, simplicity and charm - a pretty easy combination, that often gets lost in the machinations, but Levy avoids this trap very, very well.
Finally, I have to point out the performance of Lil Rel Howery as Guy’s buddy…named…Buddy. He is the perfect “Best Friend”. Again, Directed to a simple and direct performance by Levy, not trying to be more than he is, but ends up being a character you care about and root for.
A winning combination of Director, Actors and material, FREE GUY isn’t going to win any Oscars, but it is going to do something that very few films these days do - provide entertainment for the entire family.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2542 KP) rated All That Is Necessary in Books
Mar 9, 2018
20 years ago, the small Boston town of Exeter was rocked when it was learned the Boston mob was using the swamp to dump bodies. Now, Rick, the son of one of the men convicted as a result, is moving back to town. And his old friends don't know what to make of it. I could not put this book down, literally reading most of it in one day. While not a mystery, the tension is still very real, and the characters are so great you want to root for them. NOTE: Jennie is a friend who sent me the book for free. I honestly can't wait for the sequel to come out.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/amazon.html">Read my full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/amazon.html">Read my full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2542 KP) rated End Me a Tenor (Glee Club, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Paige is thrilled when she lands the job of soprano soloist in a production of The Messiah along side world famous tenor David Richard. But at their first rehearsal together, he takes a sip of his water and dies. Meanwhile, she has to get her high school show choir into shape, including a new song, in just a few days or lose her day job.
There's lots going on here, and I did feel the mystery suffered a bit as a result. On the other hand, Paige is such a great character I couldn't help but root for her even when the show choir sub-plot was taking center stage.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-end-me-tenor-by-joelle.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There's lots going on here, and I did feel the mystery suffered a bit as a result. On the other hand, Paige is such a great character I couldn't help but root for her even when the show choir sub-plot was taking center stage.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-end-me-tenor-by-joelle.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Tate (25 KP) rated Uncles Tom's Cabin in Books
Jul 14, 2018
The social commentary (2 more)
Adventure and action scenes
Sweet moments
A gripping classic
Classics can be a bit boring, but not this classic! Uncle Tom's Cabin is filled with complex plots and characters that you can't help but root for.
You follow the story of uncle Tom, a slave living in Kentucky. His story is one of hardship, pain, and loneliness with beautiful examples of love and faith woven through.
Eliza is also an important character. She's a woman fighting to keep her family together and free. Her adventurous escape is daring and dangerous. Thrilling to say the least!
This book is impossible to put down! It fosters deep thoughts and perspectives about slavery and racism. Not an easy read but definitely worth it!
You follow the story of uncle Tom, a slave living in Kentucky. His story is one of hardship, pain, and loneliness with beautiful examples of love and faith woven through.
Eliza is also an important character. She's a woman fighting to keep her family together and free. Her adventurous escape is daring and dangerous. Thrilling to say the least!
This book is impossible to put down! It fosters deep thoughts and perspectives about slavery and racism. Not an easy read but definitely worth it!
KarenRC (6 KP) rated The Death of Mrs Westaway in Books
Jul 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! It is a creepy, atmospheric tale of a dysfunctional family full of secrets. Its a bit of a slow burn, but I think that adds to the tension. The characters are all very well written, but especially Hal. Despite knowing that what she is doing is wrong, you can't help but root for her to just get that little break she is hoping for to help get her out of the mess she has found herself in after her Mothers untimely death. Trepassen is the perfect setting for this story, complete with creepy housekeeper and was a character within itself due to the descriptive writing.
Overall, a really good read with twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way.
Overall, a really good read with twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way.
I just found Christina Lauren by reading Love and Other Words and had to find another of her books, I'm glad I found this one.
I loved the dynamic between Holland and Collin. It's a crush, it's a ruse, it's love. The characters are easy to relate to and you root for them the entire book. There are some VERY steamy parts in the book that make the book just that perfect segway from sweet to sultry. As a woman, I'd love to rumple some sheets with Collin myself. :)
As with any romance, the storyline runs on a formula:
*girl meets boy
*insert positive storyline
*insert insurmountable problem
*insert resolution
*insert HEA
Luckily the storyline, writing style, character dynamic, and steam give the formula the kick it needs to be a good book.
I loved the dynamic between Holland and Collin. It's a crush, it's a ruse, it's love. The characters are easy to relate to and you root for them the entire book. There are some VERY steamy parts in the book that make the book just that perfect segway from sweet to sultry. As a woman, I'd love to rumple some sheets with Collin myself. :)
As with any romance, the storyline runs on a formula:
*girl meets boy
*insert positive storyline
*insert insurmountable problem
*insert resolution
*insert HEA
Luckily the storyline, writing style, character dynamic, and steam give the formula the kick it needs to be a good book.
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