The Valero Verdict: Aquaman

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Aquaman. The very highly anticipated DC movie starring Jason Momoa.

  • This story was a complete rip-off of Black Panther.
  • This movie really tried way too hard to be funny, like it got embarrassing at some points.
  • The colors were pretty.
  • The action was a bit lackluster, the “big fight” scene in the water was just horrendous, at times you didn’t even know who was who during the fight.
  • Momoa was okay, but honestly he didn’t really have much to work with here. The screenplay was not very good and they didn’t put him in position to succeed at all.
  • Arthur? I feel like you could go back in time and get a better Super-hero name for this guy, this is what I think when I hear Arthur.

The Verdict:

* out of ***** stars

A loaded cast with a terrible script, while colorful and pretty to look at (Add Momoa to that if you’d like) the film feels like one big dud. Aquaman is one of the characters that belongs in ensemble movies but not his own standalone film.

Should You See It?: Absolutely NOT. Especially on Date Night, don’t be like “You can stare at Jason Momoa for two hours”, THEY WILL LEAVE YOU. Just no.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter @RickyValero_

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The Valero Verdict: Dumbo

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Dumbo, the live action version of the very well known Disney character.


  • Michael Keaton and his horrendous accent. I just didn’t get why he needed the accent and not only didn’t get it but it was terrible. Just every time he spoke, I wanted to walk out.
  • Danny Devito was well casted, he fit the role of the “Carny” Max Medici perfect. He was a lone bright spot of this film.
  • The movie had some real old school colors and tones to it, thought the visuals and the cinematography were well done in this film.
  • At time this movie was very boring. While Burton does a good job of getting you invested in Farrell and his kids, at the same time there was just some extremely boring parts of this film.

The Verdict:

* & 1/2 out of ***** stars

Predictable, Underwhelming, Boring and just an OK film. A few bright spots in DeVito/Farrell/Parker/Hobbins/Green, this film lacked the fun that all Disney films bring to the table. The doesn’t have much to work with and it shows throughout. And I’ll patiently wait for someone to explain Keaton’s HORRIBLE accent.

Should You See It?: If the kids are kicking and screaming and want to see this, take them to see Us instead, you’d rather them have nightmares instead of you.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter @RickyValero_

The Valero Verdict: Triple Frontier

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Triple Frontier. The big budget heist film from Netflix starring Ben Affleck.

Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck and Charlie Hunnam
  • Let’s start with the soundtrack because it was certifiable bad ass. From Metallica to CCR to Bob Dylan to Pantera, it was loaded with some great songs and placed in the right spots throughout the film.
  • Good guys actually die, I HATE in action/shooting movies and everyone makes it out alive.
  • The action sequences were well shot, from the first one on, they were well placed, they were well shot and they felt meaningful. Sometimes you have sequences with action/shooting in films and you are often like, “why did that even happen”, it was refreshing not to have that in this film.
  • The goal in mind wasn’t an easily obtainable goal, they didn’t walk in, take what they wanted and walk out without any issues. That in itself was worth the price of admission. (well a fraction of my $9.99 Netflix hits me with)
  • Does Charlie Hunnam act as anyone other than Jax in any of his movies? Is it just me? You really could take his whole entire presence and pick it up and set it in a Sons of Anarchy scene and it would work. Just kind of bugs me.
  • Favorite quote: “Great trip boys, this turned out to be some full on cowboy shit.”

The Verdict:

*** out of ***** stars

This what I believe in Hollywood is a Popcorn flick, it isn’t your most well acted, it’s not the best script, and no one is winning any Oscars but it’s a very fun action flick.

Isaac was easily the star of the show, I felt like he portrayed his character fine in this and was easily the best thing about this film. The rest of the acting was just fine, Affleck was Affleck, Hunnam was Jax and the rest of the cast was okay.

The story isn’t going to knock your socks off but you are going to enjoy some fun shooting, with a decent story and a solid twist or two.

Should You See It?: Toss some popcorn in the microwave, sit down and enjoy an action packed heist movie.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter @RickyValero_

The Valero Verdict: Us

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Us the highly anticipated second movie from Oscar winner Jordan Peele.

  • Lupita Nyong’o was brilliant in this film. Both version of her. She played a wide range of emotions all wrapped up in both of her characters. She’s riveting, smart, and a down right bad ass in this film.
  • This movie is EXTREMELY CREEPY!!!!!
  • Typical Horror movies like to have way too many funny moments in a film, not this one. It had it’s comedic relief in Winston Duke but it was perfectly timed comedy, not over done.
  • We are early in the year but let’s go ahead and hand Michael Abels the Oscar for his Score in this film.
  • Peele’s writing is damn right scary, I have never been captivated in a Horror film the way I was in this. I was creeped out all while battling with the inner thoughts in my head about overcoming

The Verdict:

**** 1/2 out of 5 stars

To be able to tell a compelling story within a creepy horror movie is not easy at all. This movie was the battle within us all and how we can overcome that. Most horror movies focus on “jump scares”, killings and satisfactory ending, this movie was the complete opposite. Peele gives you a reason to care about the characters, he puts Lupita in a position to just do what she is good at and act her ass off.

The rest of the cast was great, the Score is perfection (I expect an Oscar nomination), its visually haunting, edited to perfection and Peele has officially made me want to never go to the fair again.

Should You See it?: What are you waiting for? Peele is turning himself into one of the best Writer/Directors in the world. The story within the extreme craziness is worth the price of admission alone.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter @RickyValero_

The Valero Verdict: The Kid

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, the Vincent D’Onofrio directed film about a young boy who witnesses Billy the Kid’s encounter with Sheriff Pat Garrett

The Kid is Rated R and in theaters now
  • Dane DeHaan is perfect as Billy the Kid. He just has this perfect witty, sarcastic charm that can’t make you not like him. He was in the movie with some heavy hitters and held his own on every occasion
  • The introduction to Jake Schur….. I was totally impressed by not only this kid’s ability to act but to show some raw emotion in some really tough to watch scenes. For his first movie ever, I was shocked that this kid not only was as good as he was but really stole the show. Which was impressive considering the cast.
  • Ethan Hawke. He is easily becoming one of the best actors of our generation. We are truly blessed every time this man is in a movie anymore.
  • D’Onofrio directed a very well shot, very well told and very well put together film. When it started slow, I was concerned, but as all the pieces started to come together, you understood why the slow build. The payoff was well worth the wait.
  • The little things, like the shootouts. There aren’t many of them but when they happen, they mean something and they are brilliantly shot.

The Verdict:

**** 1/2 out *****

I am not a huge fan of Westerns but D’Onofrio knocked this one out of the ball park. With each Act came more and more layers to peel off with such a massive payoff at the end. You can’t help but come away from this movie satisfied. From DeHann to Schur to Hawke, the acting was top notch. One of the best films of 2019 so far.

Should You See It?: Well it’s only sitting in roughly 258 theaters right now, but if you get a chance to see it, do it. Ignore the bad reviews on this film and go see this movie.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter@rickygangster

The Valero Verdict: Captain Marvel

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Captain Marvel, the HIGHLY anticipated Marvel movie with Brie Larson in the driver seat.

  • Brie Larson was good. Maybe very good, depending on a second watch but, sometimes I felt a little underwhelmed by her and I am not sure if that was by design because other times I felt she knocked it out of the park.
  • Goose. Enough said.
  • Ben Mendelsohn – HELLLLLLL TO THE YES!!!!!!!!!!! I absolutley loved this man in this movie, he is extremely fun in this role and love to see him part of the universe.
  • One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Brie Larson breaks into her own as the Captain Marvel character to the tune of Gwen Stefani’s “Just a Girl”.
  • The soundtrack is pure FIRE!!!!!!
  • The de-aging of Jackson is awesome to see. The editing was perfect. Like all Marvel movies, it was visually stunning.
  • Favorite Quote: “It’s a cat, not Hannibal Lector”

The Verdict:

**** out of ***** stars

I went back and forth with the rating on this, and honestly on a 2nd viewing I might rate it a little higher.

So many things about this film worked, I loved they paid homage to so many future things in the story. The soundtrack in this movie was great. The chemistry between Larson/Jackson is fantastic. The supporting cast all the way around is good. The story of this film was good, a solid twist, fun humor and all in all a great introductory of Captain Marvel. Just another notch on Marvel’s belt. (Also ready for the Goose vs. Rocket showdown)

Should You See It?: Seriously? Is this even a question? I am already planning on seeing it again just in case I missed anything. This movie made me even more hyped to see Endgame.

The Valero Verdict: Fighting with My Family

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, Fighting with My Family, the movie based on WWE Diva Paige.


  • The casting of Florence Pugh turned out perfect, she played Paige very well, especially the Paige of the early years. She was very Raw in the film which is what she needed because Paige was in a very Raw position starting from the bottom of the WWE. Very good casting.
  • Nostalgia from the Rock was fantastic. While not in the film a whole lot, you did get to see some old fashion Rock lines that were classic for his many years in the WWE.
  • The opening of this movie was absolute brutal to watch as a former professional wrestler, I get these guys were “rookies” but man, the in ring stuff was brutal to watch.
  • The story flows very well, it tells the story you are wanting to see, with the 1st act setting the story, the 2nd bringing you the challenge and leaving the 3rd act to bring it all together to get us our feel good ending.
  • Vince Vaughn was good in this, but it felt so weird seeing him in a role of this nature.

The Verdict:

*** out of ***** stars

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this movie but it’s one of the feel good stories that you can really get behind and cheer for throughout. The Rock brings some fun humor to the movie, Pugh does a fantastic job as Paige, and the rest of the cast packs a nice punch as well.

Should I see it?: Yes. I think no matter if you are a wrestling fan or not, this is a well written movie with solid story telling, you laugh, it pulls at the heartstrings and you cheer in triumph at the end.

The Valero Verdict: A Madea Family Funeral

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, A Madea Family Funeral, the final installment of the 11 Tyler Perry driven Madea movies.


  • Let me start with Uncle Heathrow, EVERY single time this man was on the screen, he stole the show. Just absolutely brilliant. It has been a very long time since a character had made me laugh as hard as I did when he was on screen.
  • And Tyler Perry’s character’s Madea/Joe/Brian, Aunt Bam and Hattie as always were super funny while on the screen.
  • Can I talk about David Otunga for a second? He could possibly be the worst actor I’ve ever seen on the big screen, I am not kidding. He was just awful.
  • The funeral scene was magical (All 80 hours of it), it was just well thought out and a whole lot of fun.
  • One of my favorite line of the movie was “I wanna know why his hoe, smell like his bro.”

The Verdict:

*** out of *****

My rating my be a bit generous but I don’t care, Uncle Heathrow deserves probably 5 stars on his own. The story was okay, nothing groundbreaking but they did put the pieces together throughout the film. I will say outside of the core Madea characters, the acting wasn’t really good (that includes Worst Actor of the Year nominee David Otunga). But you sure do laugh a whole lot and was a nice fitting end to the series.

Should I see it?: I went back and forth with whether or not you should see this in theaters or wait till Redbox/Digital. If you aren’t a big Marvel/Comic Book movie fan, totally go check this out this weekend.

Tell me what you thought of the movie, hit me up on here or talk to me on Twitter@rickygangster

The Valero Verdict: What Men Want

| Richard Valero

Welcome to another edition of the “The Valero Verdict” movie review. In this I will give you a quick movie review with a couple of bullet points of which I either liked or disliked. I will end the review with rating of the movie and a short overall thoughts.

On the docket today, What Men Want, the female driven version of the 2000 movie What Women Want. This one starring Taraji P. Henson.

  • The scene from the trailer in which she catches the ball, I probably saw that trailer a trillion times and even when it came on in the movie, it was still hilarious.
  • Why does sex in movies so outrageous looking? I will never understand why the over-blow how sex really is vs. how they portray it in movies.
  • Tracy Morgan as the Lavar Ball like character is absolute MASTERFUL, OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! Just brilliant.
  • I laughed, and laughed a lot. Between the Psychic scene in which she is playing with Tarot Cards and bust our a Uno Skip card to the Club Scene where they are acting like straight fools, I laughed from start to finish during this film.
  • Taraji P. Henson, she’s a star, period. She’s one of my favorite actress in Hollywood. I will always catch a movie she is in, in theaters.
  • It’s a feel good movie, it teaches you that you should watch how you treat people on your way to the top.

The Verdict:

*** out of ***** stars

The flow of the movie just worked, it started up, went down, somewhere in between act 1 and 2 we got our set-up and we settle down and got our ending. While the movie was predictable from start to finish and it’s okay, as long as the story works, and it did here.
I enjoyed the remake (revision) and wouldn’t hate the idea of a sequel either.

Should I See It?: Yes, absolutely yes. If you are thinking of seeing a movie this weekend, this should be the one. It’s a feel good movie with a whole lot of laughs.