Top Gun: Maverick

Maverick:  Was excited our small-town theater brought this one back this weekend so I got to see it in the theater.  I'm so glad I did.  Top Gun: Maverick hit all the marks for me. It's what I would hope for and expect from a Top Gun sequel.  In doing so it didn't go over the top and did a great job blending the original movie into what we see here.  The acting, the story, the nods to the original movie, the music, the goose bump moments, how they handled Goose and Ice - it all worked.  Tom Cruise fought to wait out the pandemic to make sure this was seen in theaters and boy did that pay off.  It is now seventh all-time now in domestic money having just passed Titanic.  Worldwide it has brought in $1.3 billion!  This is one of the most entertaining movies I've seen in a while.  I think I've gotten my point across.  As you have surmised, I highly recommend this to everyone.  You don't need to see the original to enjoy this installment either.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

My pop and I were able to take in Mission: Impossible - Fallout when it came out and we both really enjoyed the movie.  It is a ton of action and while it comes in at 2 hours and 27 minutes it really didn't feel like it.  Haven't seen a Mission Impossible movie in years (I think this is my third overall) and I thought they did a great job.  All the different players, the action, the plot, they all worked for me.  My understanding is they either referenced or used many elements from previous installments of the franchise but I was never confused or wondering what I missed.  Tom Cruise is of course the star and deservedly so.  He not only acted well but also looked great in all the action scenes.  Reading about how many of his own stunts he does, it is amazing.  Just a fun movie to watch.  If this kind of action flick is your thing don't hesitate to give it a try.  

I loved Vanessa Kirby as The White Widow.