Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

PG-13
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsem, Jimmy Smits and James Earl Jones
Running Time: 2 Hours and 14 Minutes

As you well know by now, This is one of several of the "Star Wars" trilogy prequels. But this movie finally does The"Star Wars" franchise justice! This is a very strong and entertaining "Star Wars" movie. This story is centered around a young woman named
Jyn Erso  (Felicity Jones) who was left alone to be raised by Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) after her parents were ambushed and her mother was killed and her father was taken hostage when she was just a mere child.
Fast forward and she is now a young adult and incarcerated. She has been chosen by Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) a senator from the Old Republic, to head out on a dangerous mission to steal the plans for the infamous Death Star.
This has a great story and the special effects were nothing less than spectacular The action sequences were off the chart and the computer generated graphics were second to none!
I really enjoyed how they mixed the old traditional "Star Wars" characters/creatures with the new and ever evolving creatures from the new franchise.
There is one action sequence with the rebellion that is just outstanding!
I really enjoyed this new "Star Wars" prequel. I found it to be interesting and just a lot of fun!
Parents be advised: This is rated PG-13. It has quite a bit of fighting and violence. It is your typical "Star Wars" movie. I would recommend this move for children over the ages of 13 and older.
I am giving "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" four bags of popcorn

Collateral Beauty

PG-13

                                                                         Starring: Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, 

                                                              Michael Pena,Naomie Harris, Keira Knightly,

                                              Kate Winslett and Jacob Lattimore

                                                      Running Time: 1 Hour and 34 Minutes

I was always intrigued by the previews of this movie and I thought it looked like it would be a good story, so I really wanted to see it. I had no clue how the story would play out, but once it started, I was hooked. Will Smith stars as Howard, he works for a high-powered advertising agency in New York City. He finds himself retreating from his duties after he is overwhelmed by personal tragedy. He had always worked closely alongside his team members which include; Whit (Edward Norton), Claire (Kate Winslet) and Simon (Michael Pena). They really love one another and they were more like family than co-workers.They are all trying desperately to keep up with the game when Howard is getting more and more lost trying to deal with his own issues. As time goes by, he is becoming incapacitated with his grief and completely shuts off from his team and the outside world as well.

Each of the team members are having their own personal issues as well, but they are still trying desperately to hold it together and win more accounts to keep their jobs.

Whit is suffering because he was unfaithful to his wife and his young daughter wants nothing to do with him and it is tearing his heart out. Claire is becoming frustrated because her biological clock is ticking by and she wants desperately to fall in love and have a family of her very own. Simon is working hard to take care of his wife and child when he receives devastating news about his own  health and is trying to cope the best that he can.

Howard  writes three letters, one to Love, one to Time and one to Death, trying to receive answers to his heart wrenching dilemma.

He comes into contact with three individuals, Brigitte/Death  (Helen Mirren)., Amy/Love (Keira Knightley) and Raffi/Time (Jacob Latimore). When he is finally able to connect his letters to these three individuals, he begins to understand how these three actually do connect and work in harmony together. Every one of these characters were dynamic. They all had a great story of their own!

I found this movie to be so intriguing and so interesting that it just consumed my every emotion. There is so much depth and beauty to this story. I have to admit, this was a tough movie to watch and I think it would be difficult for anyone experiencing any kind of tragedy or or the loss of a loved one recently.

Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. I don't believe children under the age of 13 should go to this movie. I think the subject matter is too intense and the grief sequences are difficult to watch. Much better left to older teenagers and adults. There was nothing objectionable outside of the fact that there was one F-bomb dropped.

I am giving "Collateral Beauty" four bags of popcorn.