CHAPPIE

We both rated this film a 7 and we were expecting a 3.

Pretty engaging and interesting and enjoyable movie about robots taking over human functions; one of the functions being the police force in this South African city.

Dev Patel (the highly annoying Sonny from the exotic marigold hotel movie; he was more contained in this film plus his on-air time was much less than in  the hotel movie) is creating a robot who can think and feel and make decisions just like a human. Hugh Jackman (sporting an awful nerdy haircut) is in competition and instead wants a robot (his prototype is named Moose) who is controlled by a human.

And there is a horridly bad and evil group of ne'er-do-well's who kidnap Dev because their intention is to use the robot (who they name Chappie) to help with a bank heist. The trio of baddies are really pretty likable especially the female who Chappie calls Mommy (pronounced in his metallic monotone Mummy.)

The action was quick and non-stop and even though there were quite a few cheesy and corny parts; all in all, it was a good story with a great ending.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

What a flurry of fluffiness. I wasn't expecting great deep drama but i was hoping for a mildly enjoyable romp through the cinematic fantasy of life in India where there is no poverty, everyone is dressed in clean, pressed and intact clothing, there is no dirt or debris or garbage in the streets, there are no maimed and pus-oozing beggars and everyone is always dancing, dancing, dancing.

I rated this film a 3 and Bill gave it a 6.

I didn't see the first installment/development of the hotel but i think the characters were the same in this second one. Its the "story" of Sonny (Dev Patel, who was the most annoying and hyper and mouthy and nonstop talker imaginable. In fact, he is the leading reason why i disliked the movie so much. in addition to the fact that it wasn't funny at all. The only line i chuckled at was one uttered by Maggie Smith "just because I'm looking at you, doesn't mean i'm listening to what you're saying".) who wants to expand the exotic hotel concept by buying another one.

There are subplots involving the core group of residents and Sonny himself in a totally amazingly unbelievable engagement to his girlfriend. None of the relationship stories were interesting or rational. The only one I liked was the one between Bill Nighy and Judi Dench. Their tentative couplehood was gentle and likable and reasonable.

The movie, naturally, ended with an over long and over loud dance production number; this is India, doncha know.

I did enjoy all the colors and sparkles and brilliant hues and the costumes with their richness and jewels.