3 WITH ME, and 1 more- MOOVIES

Simple Concept- Talk about 3 movies. 1 which is in or just out of theaters, and 2 that you can stream on most platforms. (Plus a documentary sometimes bc those are Cinemay too)

The one thing I might do more than watch sports is engaging in TV and Film. It's a medium that I truly love and enjoy talking about. I hope you like my perspective and insight, and please send requests if you have them!

This Week

1. AVENGERS ENDGAME

2. AMERICAN HONEY (INDIE)

3. HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (INDIE)

*If you would like to be my editor I'm taking all inquires at Ineedgrammar help@Please.com (or alex.zappa@hotmail.com)*

1.

AVENGERS ENDGAME

As of 5/6/19- Over 2.4 Billion in Box Office Rev Globally (750+ Million domestically- Second to only Star Wars: Force Awakens)

Rotten Tomatoes- 93%

Runtime- 3H 2M

Director(s)- Anthony and Joe Russo

Writer(s)- Chris Markus and Stephen McFeely

Stars (1 through 6 scale)- 4.5

In a sentence- The shortest 3-hour movie I have ever seen was able to make me cry, laugh, and wish I was born on a different planet or had gotten bitten by a nuclear-infused spider...

(SPOILERS IF YOU COMMENCE)

MVPa (Most Valuable Player (actor))- Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark

His performance is amazing, flat out perfect. His ethos is the difference in what has made this Universe kick DC's ass. The charisma, wit, and ownership of his character have been the best study guide for other directors, actors, and fans who have followed along on this 20+ movie cycle to learn from. I've heard mostly that people prefer INFINITY WAR to ENDGAME, I disagree. The decision Tony has to make, one we have seen countless times in filmography history (Do I do what's right more me, or do I do what's right for the whole?) Makes this a more complete story to me. He chooses the whole and paid the ultimate price (Of course). The final battle sequence when he asks Doctor Strange "Is this the 1 in 14 million?!?!" (Great tie in to IW) Followed 15 minutes later by Thanos knocking on the doorstep, literally a clench of the fist away from erasing humanity as a whole, where then Tony realizes he's the only Marvel character still upright with a chance to do something- he peers over at Strange who holds up the 1.... It doesn't get better than that, he SELLS THE SHIT out of that last 20 minutes. From reuniting with Peter Parker to then saying goodbye to Gywenth- to tricking Thanos, then literally dying one of the best on cam deaths I've ever witnessed- He was Glorious.

His ability to sell us wholeheartedly that he is the prototypical American businessman IDGAF because I'm successful, rich, and famous then only to "Take one's life for one's friends" AND for the audience to buy it 100% goes to show you his dominance of every scene and how it connects to the bigger whole.

Things I wanted to insert into that last segment but didn't wanna ruin my groove-

(This will be more movie specific most times, BUT THIS WAS THE ENDGAME)

("It's ok, you can rest now- well be ok" That'll live on forever.... S/O Paltrow)

(I still think Brie Larson has more in the tank...)

Lou Williams Award (Who "came off the bench" or rather, who wasn't necessarily a main character in the plot but ended up being better than almost anyone)- John Slattery as Howard Stark

This is a homer pick for 3 reasons:

1. I am this biggest sucker for time management/movement in movies. If you move months, years, and in this case DECADES in a film I AM ALWAYS IN (Why MARLEY AND ME is very underrated). So with Tony going back in time to have a walk talk with his dad- this was like my movie fetish being tickled in the best way possible for 7 glorious minutes.

2. He, John Slattery, plays a lead in one of my favorite series of all time (MAD MEN) as businessman Roger Sterling- a true OG.

3. His nephew is a friend of mine so like ya... Of course, I'm gonna love this dude.

Why- He f****** kills this 7-minute span and puts the full court press on MARVEL to find a way to give him a prequel sequence (YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST). He out Tonys Tony Stark, which I didn't think was possible. His panash, swagger, and confidence- yet vulnerability is the embodiment of what Tony Stark represents (go figure bc ITS HIS DAD). Perfect casting, impeccable dialogue and delivery, and a scene that puts this movie over the top for me by taking a BIG swing. By going in the past they gave us a new insight in movie 163 for Marvel we had not even known existed before, bravo.

The "Oh S*** This just got real" part of the movie- THE FIRST DAMN SCENE

Jeremy Renner casually having a nice day outside with his family and capooooosh- GONE... The Russo Bros take us right back to the harsh reality we left off with- perfect tone-setter.

The "I wanna get a drink with you and hope we become friends" Award- Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan

An extremely efficient player in all of his MARVEL appearances, the Moneyball guys love this dude. He probably whales at post-production parties as well, I'm sure he has like 4 great Vince Vaughn stories.

I would like to Marry you Award- Scarlett Johansson

What an inaugural race for a highly contested 1x award winner.

2nd runner up- Brie Larson as CAPTAIN MARVEL

I have always stood by Brie Larson (Short Term 12, The Room). I loved her acting (specifically her choices in roles), but when she popped out that Black number for the 2017 OSCARS it turned into something more... (Google IT) But I have been slightly disenchanted by her press tour for this movie, in no wrongdoing of her own- Rather her acting in film compelled me to think we would get married and have a very nice life by a lake with 4 kids and 2 dogs.. But seeing who she really is, I have questions about our long term chemistry.

1st runner up- Zoa Saldana as GAMORA

It was love at first sight when I saw Zoa in STAR TREK as a young and up and coming 15 year old at the Southdale AMC in Edina Minnesota. It was really the time that I realized, with all due respect, that I was heavily attracted to women who have a certain level of sassyness to them. How she commanded Chris Pine, while also playing for both teams in engaging with Spock, gave her this power I was unable to comprehend in the best way possible. Now, to see her also grace the screen in the MARVEL Universe, WHAT A CAREER. F*** TV, I'm a God D*** movie star. But, in the end, I think I need someone a little sweeter- I'm a sensitive man, so that leads me to...

MY WIFE SCARLETT JOHANSSON as BLACK WIDOW

In 2006 we had only 1 iPhone, Oprah still had her show, and SCARLETT WORE THAT RED DRESS TO THE GOLDEN GLOBES. She is 21 in 06' which as a 25-year-old in 19' makes me feel 13% uncomfortable but ill deal with that later. THE PRESTIGE is one of the first times I saw her, AND WE SAW HER (Marvelous cleavage for a 13-year-old... mhm). Peering over her IMDB (I don't just no this shit) I recall seeing Bill Murrays LOST IN TRANSLATIONS, although on that IMDB page she has first billing (Humble brag by her). She also starred in JT's "What Goes Around....Comes Around" back in 2007 when 1. Music videos were routinely 9 minutes long and that seemed normal. 2. Had Somewhat big name actors/actresses in them and 3. PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAW THEM. From then on she's been in countless movies/TV shows and I've made it a point to try to see all of them. I HAVE SEASON TICKETS FOR SCARLETT, you should too. She has always been stunning to me, my perfect women, and deep down I think she conveys a down to earth/smoke show combination that made me feel like the perfect lady could be Stunning and Relateable.. Growing up in an era where she didn't have an automatic 5k insta followers by Highschools end because she had a "bumpy" chest, there is a sense of authentic self to her that is honest and from what I can take pure (followers can corrupt us all). Her recent press tour for the new Avengers movie (full circle) has made me put myself firmly on the hot seat to get either rich enough, famous enough, or lucky enough to have a chance to date her before its too late. She is devastatingly hot in this movie and the fact that she dies (whoops) means shell be forever perfect in the MARVEL Universe, and to me (I know she has her own movie coming). Thank you SJ for being you.

ANDREW WIGGINS AWARD (WE NEEDED MORE FROM YOU DUDE....)- Paul Rudd as ANT-MAN

This is contrary to how this award will typically work (someone who disappoints us), but with so many amazing performances- I'm choosing someone who I truly just NEEDED MORE OF in this flick- Paul Fucking Rudd man. He is the only superhero in this movie that is representing "The normal man/women". He is funny, is always up for lightening up the mood, and is someone I cannot take seriously in the nicest way possible.

LENA DUNHAM AWARD (FINAL WORD,,, LENA KINDA ALWAYS GETS THAT S/O GIRLS HBO)

Please don't hate me, I was bullish on these types of movies for some time. I went through a phase where Independent, non-fiction dramas, and Ryan Gosling movies were the only cinema worth seeing. That Marvel and DC could take there CGI and shove it because that's not how you make a real movie.. Hand up, I was wrong.. I have seen every single Marvel film and they all serve a purpose, they are not however all great movies. But with Guardians and the past two Avengers the MARVEL machine ought to keep on rolling for quite some time- and I AM IN.

SOPRANOS (Questions we will never get answers to)

I'm leaving out the whole time travel everything because they really F***** that up. Without those then ya they did a pretty good job- I mean its called ENDGAME for a reason...

2.

AMERICAN HONEY

Box Office- 1.8 Million (3.5 Budget)

Rotten Tomatoes- 80%

Runtime- 2H 43M

Director(s)- Andread Arnold

Writer(s)- Andrea Arnold

Stars (1 through 6 scale)- 5.3

In a sentence- Its about a girl and a boy with amazing cinematography plus a storyline to keep you engaged all 2 hours and 30 + minutes of marvelous INDIE cinema.

MVPa (Most Valuable Player (actor))- Sasha Lane and STAR

I was going to tell you to drop everything your doing and watch this movie before I tell you what I'm about to tell you.. But it might actually make it better...... THIS IS HER FIRST IMDB CREDIT! Her character runs away from home (leaving behind her Mom's kids whom she cannot take care of and a molesting father) to join a group of runaways who road trip around the USA selling bad magazines and sleeping in motels and random houses. All of this you buy 100%- all in the second you see her on screen your like yup SHE WOULD DO THIS. There is a certain edge, a "YOU THINK YOUR BETTER THAN ME? YOU DONT KNOW WHO I AM OR WHERE I CAME FROM, BITCH!!!" That she has down pat that this character needs. An inspiring performance with how raw and authentic she handles the role of Star, and she had to do so many things in this movie- so many subtle gestures and facial expressions (To drinking and smoking and having sex and a whole lot of other shit) that a new actress would feel like she had to sell us on what she is doing, but Sasha just DOES it. Ms. Lane has amazing chemistry with Shia LaBeouf (as Jake) which I could imagine comes from a real sense of HOLY SHIT ITS SHIA LABEOF and I Love him. Rumor has it, Director/Writer saw Sasha sunbathing on vacation, asked her to audition, and was like yup that's my b**** the role is yours. If shes bad this movie doesn't win Canes, and it WON CANES.

The "I wanna get a drink with you and hope we become friends" Award- Shia LaBeouf as JAKE

No contest whatsoever. We would have a fucking awesome time on a boys weekend somewhere across the pond. I wanna know about EVEN STEVENS, Meghan Fox, I even stand for EAGLE EYE, and id finally watch BORG v. MCENROE if this were to happen. I also heard he had a rough patch there for a while, so psychologist Alex would love to help him process some of that luggage in his headspace. We would drink, we would smoke, and wed probably do some other S*** I don't want to write about to the world.. I will report back when or if this ever happens.

Lou Williams Award (Who "came off the bench" or rather, who wasn't necessarily a main character in the plot but ended up being better than almost anyone)- McCaul Lombardi as Corey

First of all, anyone who shares a last name with the legend Vince is a friend of mine (sports reference). Within the first 7 seconds of seeing Corey, he casually flashes his dick and asks Star "Let me be the first one to F*** you"- out of context this screams #METOO butttttt (wow this sounds like a cop-out) in this type of culture it's normal, almost a tip of the cap like "Your really pretty and this is my unique way of saying I like you". McCaul is 4th on the call sheet but its really a 3 horse race with all the others left for scraps in the staples. On the IMDB page most of these actors in this flick don't even have a picture, let alone a single IMDB credit besides this- and probably never will again. I imagine Mr. Lombardi is a "normal" stand up guy in reality, but in this role he makes you believe he's "White Trash" and he hits it home to a T.

The "Oh S*** This just got real" part of the movie- First time Star sees Crystal

Any scene in this first 20 minutes is pretty jarring, but since we went with the opener for ENDGAME ill pick a different view for this. So Star has LITERALLY ran away from home and awakes at the Motel 6 (which Jake told her to be at in the morning to go to Kansas City) sleeping by the driver side door. She hears the people coming in there typical loud and somewhat obnoxious way. Corey again is the first one to notice her and says "Hey are you the new girl?" Before doing what we've already established. But then she looks up to see Jake (Shae L) carrying Crystals bags (The Young attractive Boss Lady) while she has her tiny purse and is smoking a Dart. The look of confusion and disappointment Sasha has in that moment is so true, along with the slight recognition of Crystal realizing this girl Jake recruited was cute and shes starring RIGHT AT HIM. Jake's look of amazement shes there and lack of understanding of the dilemma at hand is also comical and sincere. This scene turns this movie from a Drama/Semi biopic of lower class America to a classic love triangle within the confines of the movies setting.

I would like to Marry you Award- Riley Keough as Crystal

She kills this role, especially if you've seen her in the GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE (essentially soft porn, had to stop out of real guilt)- her range is outrageous.

Fun Fact- Eldest Granddaughter to...... ELVIS PRESLEY!!!

So that's an obvious turn on, sorry not sorry, but shes also just drop dead gorgeous. Now our marriage wouldn't be a Cinderella story from what I can gather, but the sexual tension would be borderline ELITE. She has a slight tick of, ya my grandpa was a f****** legend so I'm a little cocky ok? Which is very understandable, I just have 0 of that archetype and am slightly annoyed by those who do. I'm like 87% positive were divorced within 17 months, but the first 13 would be CRAZYYYY.

ANDREW WIGGINS AWARD (WE NEEDED MORE FROM YOU DUDE....)- Noone.

I thought we got perfect doses of everyone, well done Andrea Arnold.

SOPRANOS (Questions we will never get answers to)

Do Star and Jake end up together running away with their "Dream"?

How long does Crystal keep this operation going? Over under 3 more years, what ya got?

Do these people actually ever get their magazines? Is this a really cheap Ponzi scheme?

Why does Jake have a rat tail like Evan Mcgregor as OBI 1?

LENA DUNHAM AWARD (FINAL WORD,,, LENA KINDA ALWAYS GETS THAT S/O GIRLS HBO)

This is one of those movies that after you see it your just paralyzed for 13 minutes in your seat then immediately hop in your car and turn the radio/music/podcasts volume to zero and just meditate on WTF just happened. This movie feels so REAL, Id compare it to a clash of Moonlight/Meets Lady Bird/with a sprinkle of Mississippi Grind. Movies should, and will if you allow them to, evoke real emotions inside of you. It ought to teach us something, and I think for most people its the notion that- who are White Collar people to judge Blue collars because we have no idea what they deal with... That everyone comes from somewhere, and that past is usually a pretty solid indicator as to our actions of the future. So instead of seeing someone in the now, imagine what they have done and where they have been and it will hopefully give you context to everything else. I LOVE THIS MOVIE, on my revisit within 7 years list.

3.

HOT AMERICAN SUMMER

Box Office: $244,331

Rotten Tomatoes- 43%

Runtime- 1H 47M

Director(s)- Elijah Bynum

Writer(s)- Elijah Bynum

Stars (1 through 6 scale)- 3.1

In a sentence- Boy moves to a new town, meets a girl, boy gets caught up in some trouble- and uh oh, the girl is his Best Friends SISTER.

MVPa (Most Valuable Player or rather actor)- Maika Monroe as MCKAYLA

She plays the "it" girl in this small town and ya.... it TOTALLY WORKS. She is so hot in this movie that they spend, NOT KIDDING, about 10 minutes of narration to explain just how hot she is. The movie is told through a 12-year-olds point of view from this partular summer (set in the '80s), because obviously in a small town everyone knows everything, and he literally says "Every boy and Man around fantasized, by themselves, about Mckayla" (In essence) which is SOOO FAR but also so true.... Obviously, she's dating kinda the asshole jock- but feels a special pull/connection for our boy Daniel (played by Timothee Chalamet). This isn't a remarkable movie, but Maika's performance is what makes it worthwhile. She is more than just hot, she's complicated, she's intense, and she creates an attraction on the screen that I can only compare to Jolie in Mr-Mrs. Smith and Simpson in Dukes of Hazzard- That is ELITE company. She knows people talk about her and her brother (whom she doesn't talk to, is older, and is dealing HUGE quantities of drugs with Daniel) with the two portrayed as mini-celebrities in this town- and she owns that perspective not in a "I'm the shit way" but a "They think they know me but my life kinda sucks" tone that certainly was the right choice. I'm a fan for life, and I hope she becomes the star that this movie shows she could become!

The "I wanna get a drink with you and hope we become friends" Award- William Fichtner as SHEP

Classic "I've seen him in a shit ton of movies but isn't a movie star so whoooo is he again" HES WILLIAM FITCHNER and his IMDB is unreal. Starts in 89-highlights include Malcolm X (Ever play Denzel 1v1? How'd that go for you..) THE ORIGINAL BAYWATCH (So Pamela.... ) HEAT (Is Al Pacino really that cool? Deniro in the mob theory..Thoughts? Did Kilmer talk shit about Cruise?) Armageddon (Do a line with Billy Bob Thorton? Is Bruce Willis really that cool in person? Was Owen Wilson an asshole? Heard Affleck's dick is small, confirm? Sooo Liv Tyler....) Pearl Harbor (Did you sleep with Beckinsale and if so please don't leave anything out) Black Hawk Down (What do helicopters feel like?) Crash (Bullock, under or over ratted?) Mr & Mrs. Smith (Were you there for that one scene when Angelina....) Blades of Glory (Do you have Will's number..?) Dark Knight (Do you think Bale has killed someone?) Ya- I think you get the point.

Lou Williams Award (Who "came off the bench" or rather, who wasn't necessarily a main character in the plot but ended up being better than almost anyone)- Shane Epstein Petrullo as NARRARATOR VOICE

Kid was legendary. No way this voice is over 13 years old, and this is his 2nd IMDB credit (first sense 14'-this movie was shot in 17'). He doesn't even play his character, who we do finally see at the end of the movie (but doesn't talk). This 11-year-old kid just showed up one day to A24, said some shit, and went home and probably got paid a couple grand- UNREAL. Not the biggest fan of Narration in movies (Mollys Game... CMON) but it somewhat works in this flick and ya I'm just rattled I didn't have this gig as a young adolescent.

The "Oh S*** This just got real" part of the movie- Lolipop scene

This scene has to be set up-

Daniel hears about Mckayla from a random kid explaining her "legend" of sorts

Daniel is at the drive in by himself (sure)- sees Mckayla angrily get out of a car (after getting in a fight with her jock BF we assume) She without hesitation gets in the first car she sees (power move) which happens to be Daniels car. HE is stunned, she looks at him as her "BF" comes up to the car and starts yelling, she says "are you gonna move or what"- HE then moves and they hang out in the car driving around until they share a moment parked outside her house before she gets out (Just kinda like, there is sexual tension here but we shall not act on it because were only 1/3 of the way through this movie's runtime.)

Daniel sees her at a Carnival while her friends go away to get food, they talk briefly, then as her friends (and BF) come back he walks away. She stares him down (showing she's more interested in him than anything else happening around her) Daniel has a true "Fuck it" moment, turns around and kisses THE GIRL IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS AND BF. BF then punches Daniel, and as he walks away pleased Mckayla is smiling as well.

Daniel is chilling with his business partner, BF, and girls brother. Brother (Hunter) says "Heard someone kissed my sister" (should be noted this guy is rumored to have killed someone and Daniel has seen him literally almost kill a guy). Ill murder whoever did it, he says jokingly but also like very much not jokingly. Scary brother guy infers he heard it was him (Daniel), and warns him to stay away from his sister.

Then- The scene.

Shortly after this meeting, Daniel is at the drug store- he sees Mckayla as she turns around.

Mckayla "How long have you been following me for?"

Daniel (taken aback) "waaa uhh I haven't been"

Mckayla (slowly walks up to Daniel and stand like 6 inches from him- she whispers) "Can you smell my sunscreen?"

Daniel "Ya...... spf 50"

Mckayla (Takes the lollipop dangling out of Daniels' mouth, places it directly on her tongue- sucks it, then puts it back in Daniels' mouth)

Daniel "Oh my gosh... (cumming his pants)"

Mckayla "See you around"

END SCENE

I would like to Marry you Award- Maika Monroe as Mckayla

I mean we've been building up to this all post...

Why it works:

1. We are the same age.

2. She goes for guys that she is far cooler and prettier than.

3. I would literally do anything she says.

Why it wouldn't work

1. I would literally do anything she says.

2. As of May 2019 she is far cooler and prettier than me.

3. She probably goes for older dudes..

HOPE IT WORKS OUT.

ANDREW WIGGINS AWARD (WE NEEDED MORE FROM YOU DUDE....)- Elijah Bynum Writer/Director

Im all for writers/directors- unless you can't do it. I really like this movie, but there's a reason it isn't (yet) a classic. Great cast, amazing cinematography, and a great story- why wasn't this movie better?

I didn't buy the whole drug dealing thing and that's in the writing.

I don't even mind the GOT ending, but this one was just bad. Why Kill them? (not a spoiler, find out who them is when watching) Made a little sense but also like not really.

The police obviously bust these kids like immediately..

Can I please get like 4 more scenes with Mckayla?

Time will tell..

SOPRANOS (Questions we will never get answers to)

Is this actually like LOST and none of this ever happened?

Will we see blooper boners from Chalamet on the DVD release?

Can I see like something besides a car what these kids bought with there like 1.3 million dollars?

Did Daniel actually jizz himself in the drug store?

Do Daniel and Mckayla ever see each other again?

LENA DUNHAM AWARD (FINAL WORD,,, LENA KINDA ALWAYS GETS THAT S/O GIRLS HBO)

Very re-watchable movie. Its one of these movies where it's shot cool and the cast is attractive so you're just like ok I gotta see how this unfolds but I could stand up and get a popcorn and I'm probably missing nothing. Chalamet could have been better, but is this a career takeoff moment for Alex Roe (Hunter) and Maika Monroe? A24 entertains again and all I can say is I just want to work there someday.