A COMPLETE
UNKNOWN
Directed by James
Mangold Movie
Review: A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown is a compelling
biographical drama that dives into the life
and legacy of one of the most enigmatic
figures in music history, Bob Dylan.
Directed with precision and care, the film
brings together a stellar cast, including
the ever-talented Timothée Chalamet as Dylan
and Edward Norton in a supporting role that
only solidifies his status as one of the
greatest actors of our generation.
Chalamet’s performance as Dylan is magnetic.
He embodies the spirit of Dylan’s
complexity, from his unapologetic ambition
to his poetic brilliance. While Chalamet’s
singing might not rival Dylan’s unique
sound, it works. After all, Dylan himself
isn’t universally celebrated for having a
conventionally great voice. Instead, he’s
revered as one of the greatest lyricists of
all time, and Chalamet captures that essence
beautifully. His portrayal reminds us that
Dylan’s voice was always about the message,
not the melody.
Edward Norton delivers a powerhouse
performance, bringing nuance and depth to
his role. Watching him on screen is a
reminder of why he’s considered one of the
most gifted actors of our time. His ability
to elevate every scene he’s in adds a
richness to the film that is undeniable.
As someone from Minnesota, this movie felt
personal. It’s incredibly special to see
Dylan—a cultural icon and one of our state’s
proudest exports—represented on screen.
Dylan not only put Minnesota on the map in
the world of music but also became a symbol
of artistry and rebellion. The film does a
wonderful job of exploring his influence and
how he’s cherished by so many, even as it
doesn’t shy away from portraying his flaws,
including his complicated relationships.
It’s a reminder that even icons are human,
capable of brilliance and shortcomings
alike.
The storytelling provides a deep and
heartfelt look into Dylan’s life, from his
rise to fame to his impact on music and
culture. It’s a tribute to his genius while
also being unafraid to show the more
difficult aspects of his personality. The
movie balances the myth and the man, making
it a must-see for fans of Dylan and those
curious about the legend behind the songs.
Overall, A Complete Unknown is a triumph.
It’s a thoughtful, well-acted film that
sheds light on an extraordinary artist’s
life while remaining grounded in its
exploration of his humanity. Whether you’re
a lifelong Dylan fan or just someone looking
for an engaging story, this movie is one you
shouldn’t miss.
SATURDAY
NIGHT
Directed by Jason
Reitman
Guest Review by Doug Solem Sr.
I remember
watching
Saturday
Night Live back in the mid ‘70s. It was
a go to show that you and your crew would
make sure not to miss. A 12 pack of beer
and a bag of chips and you were ready to
settle into comedy like you had never seen
before. That’s why I knew I had to see
this new movie, also called Saturday Night
Live, that takes a look back at what it
was like to be on set with cast and crew.
As I slumped
into my seat for a viewing on the big
screen, I approached this new film with a
mix of nostalgia and skepticism. But what
a roller coaster it turned out to be!
Fast-paced and packed with energy, it
captured the chaos and excitement of what
those early days had to be like. The
story, set just hours before the first
episode was to air live, gave a
behind-the-scenes look at the craziness
that transpired. Without seeming like
cheap imitations, the actors portraying
the original cast members were spot-on,
from their mannerisms to their delivery.
It felt like I was right back in 1975,
watching history unfold. Much like the
Beetles revolutionized the music world,
Saturday Night Live transformed the
landscape of late-night television.
The movie was
fun, frantic, and a fitting tribute to
SNL’s wild beginnings.
Deadpool
and Wolverine is a raunchy, vulgar
blast of a ride that doesn’t hold back,
and fans wouldn’t want it any other way.
Ryan Reynolds returns as the foul-mouthed,
wisecracking anti-hero, but this time he’s
joined by none other than Hugh Jackman as
Wolverine. The pairing of these two is
nothing short of perfection. Their
on-screen chemistry—an irresistible blend
of Reynolds’ snark and Jackman’s brooding
intensity—creates a dynamic that fans have
been dreaming of for years.
But that’s
not all—this movie is packed with cameos
that will leave any movie buff grinning.
Jennifer Garner makes an unexpected
return, Wesley Snipes shows up in a clever
nod to Blade, and even Chris Evans
and Channing Tatum get in on the fun.
These appearances are just the icing on a
cake already overflowing with references
to pop culture, inside jokes, and
hilarious tidbits about Ryan Reynolds
himself. If you're a fan of breaking the
fourth wall, Deadpool has you
covered, and this installment takes it to
new heights, with jabs at Hollywood,
superhero clichés, and Reynolds' own
career.
For comic
book enthusiasts, this film is a dream
come true. Seeing Wolverine suited up in
his iconic yellow-and-blue costume for the
first time on the big screen feels like a
long-overdue reward for fans of the
character. The action is fast-paced and
brilliantly choreographed, with plenty of
nods to the comic books that inspired it.
Deadpool
is a movie made for the fans—those who
love smart, irreverent humor, and who can
appreciate its references to current
events and pop culture. It’s not just a
superhero movie; it’s a celebration of
everything that makes movies fun, and it’s
clearly aimed at those who get the joke.
I give
Deadpool a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
It’s an immensely enjoyable experience,
but definitely not one for the kids—it’s
inappropriate at times, filled with crude
humor and graphic violence, but for the
right audience, it’s an absolute blast.
From
the mind of George Miller comes "Mad Max:
Furiosa," a prequel that not only expands
the myth of the "Mad Max" universe but
also delivers an adrenaline-fueled
storyline that stands tall on its own.
This prequel dives into the origins of one
of the franchise’s most compelling
characters, Furiosa, portrayed by
Anya Taylor-Joy (Charlize Theron in last
Mad Max movie).
Plot Summary:
"Mad Max: Furiosa" chronicles the
harrowing journey of a young Furiosa,
ripped from her idyllic childhood and
thrust into a world that understands
nothing but brutality and a never ending
body count. The film masterfully explores
her transformation from a vulnerable
captive into the fierce, battle-hardened
warrior we meet in "Mad Max: Fury Road."
As Furiosa navigates this treacherous
landscape, she forms unexpected alliances
and faces moral dilemmas that challenge
her sense of justice and humanity.
My favorite part
of the Mad Max movies has always been the
visuals and the soundtrack. Once again,
the visuals are nothing short of
spectacular. Miller’s signature style of
explosive action sequences and
breathtaking practical effects are back in
full force. The chase scenes are
heart-pounding, the stunts are
jaw-dropping, and the desolate,
post-apocalyptic world is rendered with
stunning detail. Every frame is a
testament to Miller’s unparalleled ability
to combine chaos and beauty.
Junkie XL
delivers a thunderous score that perfectly
complements the film’s chaotic energy. The
music is both haunting and exhilarating,
driving the story forward and enhancing
the emotional weight of key moments.
Anya Taylor-Joy
( Queen’s Gambit) delivers a performance
that is both vulnerable and fierce,
capturing the essence of Furiosa’s complex
character. Her portrayal is nuanced,
revealing layers of pain, resilience, and
determination. Alongside her, Chris
Hemsworth (with a prosthetic nose) brings
a surprising depth to his role as Dementus,
a character whose motivations and
loyalties are constantly in flux. Their
dynamic adds an intriguing psychological
dimension to the film’s relentless
physicality.
At its core,
"Mad Max: Furiosa" is a story of survival
and redemption. It explores themes of
power, freedom, and the enduring human
spirit. The film delves into the impact of
trauma and the lengths to which
individuals will go to reclaim their
identity and autonomy. It also poses
poignant questions about the nature of
heroism and what it means to fight for a
better world in the face of overwhelming
darkness.
In my
opinion "Mad Max: Furiosa" is a very
successful addition to the franchise.
It stands as a testament to George
Miller’s genius in crafting unforgettable
cinematic experiences. With its intense
performances and breathtaking action, and
the complex storyline itself, Mad Max:
Furiosa" deserves to to be seen on the
biggest screen possible.
From
my perspective, the new Road House movie starring
Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor falls short of
expectations, particularly when compared to the
gritty charm of the 1989 original. My reservations
about the film stem not only from its casting
choices and storyline but also from its
overreliance on CGI and what appears to be an
attempt to capitalize on the original's cult
status rather than offer a genuinely compelling
narrative.
Firstly, Jake Gyllenhaal, while an undoubtedly
talented actor, didn't seem like the right fit for
the role of Dalton, a character that originally
embodied a unique blend of toughness and
philosophical depth. In this remake, Dalton's
character lacks the nuanced layers that made
Patrick Swayze's portrayal so iconic. Instead of
Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt could have been a far better
choice, potentially bringing the requisite
charisma and physicality to the role that this
movie desperately needed.
Furthermore, Conor McGregor's involvement was
another point of contention for me. His acting
came across as forced, and his character's
integration into the story felt more like a
gimmick than a meaningful contribution to the
plot. Aside from his performance, I'm not a big
fan of McGregor, both as an actor and as a person,
which perhaps added to my difficulty in
appreciating his role in the film.
The storyline itself is another major issue,
feeling both derivative and uninspired. The
narrative seems to lean heavily on flashy CGI and
other visual effects, which, while occasionally
entertaining, can't compensate for the lack of a
strong, engaging plot. This reliance on "bells and
whistles" suggests an attempt to distract from the
film's substantive deficiencies.
Moreover, the remake feels like a sell-out,
banking on the nostalgia and success of the
original Road House without delivering a film that
stands on its own merits. The original movie, with
its memorable characters and quotable lines,
struck a perfect balance between action and a
surprisingly deep exploration of its themes. This
new iteration, in contrast, comes off as a shallow
attempt to replicate that success without
understanding what made the original so beloved.
In conclusion, the Road House remake, despite its
potential, ultimately disappoints by failing to
capture the essence of what made the first film a
classic. Between miscast roles, a lackluster
storyline, and an overemphasis on superficial
spectacle, it feels like a missed opportunity to
introduce a new generation to the Road House
legacy or to offer something genuinely fresh to
fans of the original. I still think a lot of
people will enjoy this film but not my thing.
"The
Iron Claw" is a movie that delves into the
tragic and compelling story of the Von
Erich family, a famous wrestling dynasty.
The film has garnered attention for its
portrayal of the family's dramatic
history, marked by success in the
wrestling world and a series of personal
tragedies. Here's a summary of the movie's
depiction of the Von Erich family and
critical reception:
The movie
focuses on the patriarch, Fritz Von Erich,
and his sons Kevin, David, Kerry, and
Mike. Each character is given a unique
portrayal, reflecting their individual
struggles and aspirations within the
wrestling world and their personal lives.
The film highlights the intense pressures
they faced, both from the world of
professional wrestling and from their
father's high expectations. The narrative
is particularly centered on Kevin Von
Erich, played by Zac Efron, who brings a
physical and emotional depth to his role,
embodying the role of a protective big
brother and a son grappling with his
father's ambitions
The Iron
Claw" is a powerful, albeit tragic,
depiction of one of wrestling's most
storied families. It highlights the
complex relationship between fame, family,
and personal tragedy, offering viewers a
glimpse into the high stakes and emotional
toll of professional wrestling. The film
serves not only as a tribute to the Von
Erich family's legacy in wrestling but
also as a commentary on the broader themes
of ambition, familial bonds, and the
impact of generational expectations.
After Death
Directed
by Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke
"After
Death," a documentary film directed by
Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke, delves into
the unknowing and mysterious subject of
near-death experiences. This
thought-provoking documentary weaves
together stories of individuals who have
survived near-death experiences, offering
a collage of personal accounts that range
from the deeply spiritual to the
scientifically intriguing.
The film's
narrative is enriched by the perspectives
of authors and scientists, who provide
analysis and insights into these
experiences, attempting to unravel the
mystery of what happens after we die. This
combination of personal testimonies and
expert commentary creates a
multi-dimensional exploration of a subject
that has intrigued humanity throughout
time.
What sets
"After Death" apart is its ability to
engage viewers on different levels. It's
not just a film about the experiences
themselves, but also about the broader
implications these stories have on our
understanding of life, death, and what
might lie beyond. The film skillfully
balances the emotional weight of its
subject matter with intellectual
curiosity, making it accessible to a wide
audience.
The
documentary's approach to its subject
matter is respectful and thoughtful,
avoiding sensationalism. It provides a
platform for those who have had these
experiences to share their stories in
their own words, which adds a level of
believability to the film.
However,
"After Death" may not satisfy all viewers.
Those looking for definitive answers or
scientific proof may want to look
elsewhere. The documentary leans more
towards presenting experiences and
theories rather than concluding on any
specific truths about the afterlife.
In summary,
"After Death" is a respectful exploration
of near-death experiences. It successfully
navigates the delicate balance between
personal storytelling and scientific
inquiry, making it a good starting point
for conversation about life, death, and
what may come after.
"The Prom", now
showing at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater,
is a delightful, heartwarming, and
entertaining musical. The show follows
four down and out Broadway stars who want
to find a good cause to help put them back
in the spotlight. As a result, they head
to a small Indiana town to help a student
get her chance to attend prom with her
girlfriend The characters and their
relationships are genuine, and the cast
brings these characters to life through
their incredible singing and dancing
skills. The show does an excellent job of
addressing the issue of lesbian
relationships, and the acceptance and
understanding of those relationships by
both the school and the town. To me its
overall message was to show that love is
love and should be celebrated, no matter
what. Mission accomplished. The show does
a great job of portraying the relationship
in a positive realistic manner without
ever being preachy. It is refreshing to
see a show that can be both amazingly
entertaining and progressive. The
Chanhassen has another big hit on their
hands and you should make arrangements to
see it now before it’s too late.
BLACK
PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
DIRECTED BY RYAN
COOGLER
Provided by
Google: Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku,
Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect
their nation from intervening world powers
in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As
the Wakandans strive to embrace their next
chapter, the heroes must band together
with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new
path for their beloved kingdom.
The sequel to
black panther did not disappoint.
This film follows the real life death of
Chadwick Boseman the actor who played
Black Panther in the first installment.
Boseman unfortunatley passed away from
cancer in 2020 and left not only the
marvel franchise in shock but all of
cinema. The movie did a great job of
paying tribute to Chadwick in the opening
credits. It was a silent montage of
him from all the previous movies that left
the theater in chills. As the movie
begins, we see that a hospital in wakanda
is rushing to try and save the black
panther who seems to have something wrong
with his heart. This is a dramatic
sequence as it is tying the real life
death of Chadwick Boseman to the death of
the Black Panther character. As the
Black Panther passes away and his
character arc comes to a conclusion, there
is a dramatic shift as we are introduced
to the villains of the movie. Tenoch
Huerta, who plays Namor an underwater
mutant who’s strength and intelligence
rivals that of Wakanda’s best leaders
delivers an excellent performance.
Compared to most super hero movies I have
seen lately the character development of
his character is well thought out and has
incredible depth. Letita Wright, who
plays Shuri the sister of the Black
Panther has her coming out performance as
she is given the torch to lead the
franchise going forward. I won’t
give to much away but she is now in the
saddle to become Marvel’s next great woman
super hero. The film itself pushes
the three hour mark however, you are never
bored as an audience member. Through
both great writing and exciting special
effects this movie rivals my favorite
movie of the year (Top Gun Maverick) for
the top spot. I would suggest for
anyone who hasn’t seen the first Black
Panther in a while to rewatch so that you
are familiar with the core characters.
The movie moves fast and I found myself
forgetting the roles of the characters
from the first edition. Enjoy the
movie as this is the best super hero film
I have seen in the last couple of years.
This
movie was awesome! Tom Cruise is at his
best, and I mean at his fricken best in
the new Top Gun Maverick. This might be
one of those rare perfect movies that we
get every once in awhile. It isn’t going
to win any oscars, but this movie knows
exactly what it is and what the people
want. It is your classic summer block
buster filled with predictable and cheesy
scenes but is done with class. I found
myself smiling the entire time and when
the movie was over I was ready to become a
fighter pilot. I almost wanted to stand up
and cheer at the end of it. It had great
writing, great actors and was just a
blast! I’m keeping this movie review short
because I want everyone to go out and see
this one!
Belfast is a 2021 coming of age
comedy-drama film written and directed by
Kenneth Branagh. The film stars Caitríona
Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán
Hinds, Colin Morgan, and newcomer Jude
Hill. The film, is told through the eyes
of a child during the tumult of Belfast,
Northern Ireland, in the 1960s.
I had no idea what this movie was about
before going to see it. It was something
that I decided to see on a whim, and
unfortunately I was disappointed. Although
the movie is filmed beautifully, it lacked
a certain spark or intensity to the plot.
The movie was shot in a black and white
format that seemed futile. Interestingly
enough, there was certain scenes shot in
color, but only when the characters were
attending either a theater, watching a
movie or on television. It was an
artistic choice but I’m left wondering
what symbolic meaning it had, if any. I
was impressed with the child actor Jude
Hill. His acting skills were very
believable and on par with other top child
actors for his age. His demeanor and
personality in the film seemed genuine and
authentic to what was going on. Perhaps I
expected more than I should have for this
movie. Personally I was hoping for
something that would just keep my
attention for an hour and a half and
unfortunately my mind drifted throughout
the film. I would consider this movie to
a walk in the park. It was very beautiful
to look at, but don’t expect anything too
exciting. If you have a couple of ours
to burn this movie might be worth it from
a visual stand point, however if your
looking for anything more you may want to
pass.
“Onward” is Pixar’s
latest animated emotional rollercoaster
that tugs at the heart strings of its
viewers. It’s the story of a magical
world that overtime has succumb to the
convenience of technology. Magic no longer
has a role in Onward’s current society and
has been all but forgotten by its
citizens. However, when Ian (Tom Holland),
the films protagonist finds a magical
staff left by his deceased father, we’re
taken on a magical quest. Ian and his
brother Barley (Chris Pratt) sought out to
bring their father back for a whole day by
obtaining a magical gem.
Like 99% of Pixar movies this film once
again did not dissapoint. It’s not the
best Pixar story, but it holds its own
among the many animated hits. Dan Scanlon
who previously directed hits like Monsters
University and The Incredibles, takes
personal experiences from his own
childhood and death of his father to tell
a sad but heart warming story. The film
is reflective to Scanlon’s own experiences
between him and his older brother. In this
film, the brothers we follow are voiced by
Marvel super Heroes, Tom Holland and Chris
Pratt. A strong chemistry between the two
carry the movie along, and is good enough
for us to become emotionally invested
throughout. As the movie proceeds, the
brothers have a number of situations in
which they must learn to work together
which becomes a bit repetitive and morally
redundant. However, the films energy and
action sequences are enough to hold your
attention until the climatic fight
sequence just before the end.
The movie has a very meaningful
message and excellent ending. You
really do feel emotional by the movies
end. This is a great family movie to
take your kids too.
AD
ASTRA
DIRECTED BY JAMES
GRAY
REVIEWED BY DOUG SOLEM "J.R."
Thirty years ago,
Clifford McBride led a voyage into deep
space, but the ship and crew were never
heard from again. Now his son -- a fearless
astronaut -- must embark on a daring mission
to Neptune to uncover the truth about his
missing father and a mysterious power surge
that threatens the stability of the
universe. (Provided by Google)
Ad Astra is a modern day space epic starring
Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones. Although
this story is about space and the survival
of the human race., it is more importantly
about the relationship of a father and son.
While watching this movie I was impressed by
Pitt’s performance. It was a much different
take than what audiences are used to seeing.
Possibly his most serious and career
defining role. The movie is supported
by its great writing and dialogue. I
found myself very intrigued by the different conversations throughout the
film. Theres a number of intense scenes
that induce anxiety and fear. However Pitt’s
character never seems to be effected by it.
His character is known for being calm, cool
and collected while keeping a low heart rate .
However, when Pitt is asked to go on a
secret mission to return his father to earth we begin
to see the underlying insecurities he’s been
dealing with. We realize he is a man who
lives in his fathers shadow. His father
abandoned him from an early age and disowned
his entire family. His fathers search for
intelligent life has consumed his purpose
and no longer finds a need for humanity. When
Pitt finally reaches his father in deep
space, it becomes apparent that all of this
is in fact true. As sad as it is to admit, it's the closure that Pitt’s character needed.
This is a beautiful story that relates to
anyone looking for acceptance in life. It
does a great job driving emotion from the
audience and raises serious questions about
purpose. I suggest everyone try
to see this movie while it is still in
theaters.
I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.
Enjoy!
AVENGERS: ENDGAME
DIRECTED BY ANTHONY &
JOE RUSSO
REVIEWED BY DOUG SOLEM "J.R."
CAPTAIN MARVEL
DIRECTED BY ANNA
BODEN & RYAN FLECK
REVIEWED BY DOUG SOLEM "J.R."
There has been a lot of talk that
captain marvel would be ruined because of it (Social
Justice Warrior) Agenda. Early reviews made the
statement that it was a forced film, throwing itself
into the face of the audience. While it may be rushed
in to the marvel cinematic universe, I never got the
feeling that the movie was trying to push me in a
certain direction. It did however have a powerful
superhero who happened to be female.
Overall it was a
fun movie that could have been better. What I mean
is that the movie was entertaining but lacked qualities
that make Marvel/Disney movies great. The story and pacing of this movie
is confusing. From the beginning of the film, I
was unaware of character names and
backgrounds. For example, I still do not know the name
of Jude Laws character. It was announced only
briefly in the film. Personally I’m worried about
Brie Larson's take on Captain Marvel. Going
forward She Is supposed to be the next leading woman of
the Marvel Universe. Her character had little
personality and lacked depth. From what I've heard, Brie Larson is
a wonderful actress, but I’m not sure she has the
demeanor for this role.
On a positive note I thought the acting performances of
both Sam Jackson (Nick Fury) and Ben Mendelson
(antagonist) were great. I am once again blown away be
the evolution of CGI. It was unnoticeable on Sam
Jackson. The
subtle moment that stole the show was one of Stan Lee’s
(Creator of Marvel comics) final cameos. The scene is both
heartwarming and validating for audiences members.
Overall, the movie was enjoyable. Captain
Marvel needs better character development. It also
seemed that when it was all said and done, the stakes
were never high. Nothing truly challenged the main
character. Hopefully going forward we can see an evolution to this franchise.
3.5 out of 5 stars
GLASS
DIRECTED BY M. NIGHT
SHYAMALAN
REVIEWED BY DOUG SOLEM "J.R."
M. Night Shyamalan brings
together the narratives of two of his standout
originals—2000’s Unbreakable, from Touchstone, and
2016’s Split, from Universal—in one explosive,
all-new comic-book thriller: Glass. From
Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as
does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also
by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are
James Mcavoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell
Crumb and the multiple identities who reside
within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the
only captive to survive an encounter with The
Beast. Following the conclusion of Split, Glass
finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of
The Beast in a series of escalating encounters,
while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an
orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both
men.
Going in to this movie I was more excited than
anything else. I knew Shyamalan has a history of
great movies (Unbreakable, Split, Signs, Sixth
Sense). On the other hand I also knew he has a
history of making absolute duds (The Happening,
After Earth, The Last Airbender). However, his
movies are usually self-financed, original and
full of twists, which is something I can
appreciate.
It took almost two decades for this third
installment to premiere. Overall I was very happy
with the final film. This movie has a star studded
cast which includes, Bruce Willis, James Mcavoy
and of Course Samuel. L Jackson. Willis and
Jackson had solid acting performances, not amazing
but good. Mcavoy stole the show. His ability to
go in and out of personalities is stunning and
deserves more recognition. Overall, there are
plenty of holes in this movie which may irritate
people. However, I found a lot of the problems I
had throughout the movie, were resolved by the
end. My advice is to not set expectations too
high, and have an open mind when watching it. I
have to praise Shyamalan on his creative story
telling. Things don’t always make sense but it’s
always original and something you haven’t seen
before. Flaws, Twists, and shocks, expect the
unexpected.
3 out of 5 stars.
(As
provided from Google) Bitten by a radioactive spider in
the subway, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales suddenly
develops mysterious powers that transform him into the
one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he
soon realizes that there are many others who share his
special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his
newfound skills to battle the evil Kingpin, a hulking
madman who can open portals to other universes and pull
different versions of Spider-Man into our world.
I absolutely loved this movie, one of my favorites of
the year so far. It was incredibly enjoyable and a
refreshing storyline from what we’ve seen in
prior versions of the super Hero. This is no longer
another repetitive origin story that we are all too
familiar with. This has depth and is complex,
introducing a multi-verse of different versions of the
hero. The character development was solid and the change
from Peter Parker to Miles Morales is somewhat ground
breaking. With a back ground in graphic design and
video, I was blown away by the animation and the
sequences in the movie. It’s the closest thing that we
have seen to portraying an actual comic book on the big
screen, and it was executed perfectly. Truly an original
piece, and a great foundation for future installments.
For what this movie is, you will not be
disappointed…..They nailed it, a home run for sure!
Doug Jr.'s
Featured Movie Review Crazy Rich Asians
Directed by Jon M.
Chu
Last
Friday I decided to try something different. I
went to the theatre at exactly 3pm with no movie
in mind. Whatever was playing is what I would
watch. It turned out to be Crazy Rich Asians. I
have heard mixed reviews from some of my friends,
so I figured I would give it a try.
The Story-
(as
provided by studio)
Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her longtime
boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend's wedding in
Singapore. She's also surprised to learn that
Nick's family is extremely wealthy and he's
considered one of the country's most eligible
bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must
now contend with jealous socialites, quirky
relatives and something far, far worse -- Nick's
disapproving mother.
My Take –
This is the same story that we have all seen a
million times before. Poor girl falls in love
with rich prince, family doesn’t approve….. As far
as originality goes, this movie is as cliché as it
gets. However the movie can still be enjoyable.
One thing that is unique about this movie is its
perspective. You get to see a modern Cinderella
told through Asian culture. That part of this
story is refreshing. The movie itself centers
around cultural differences between America and
Asia. The way people are raised and what is
expected from their families. The movie is also
heavily focused on status quo and materialism. In
other words wealth equals power and power equals
success. The characters are full of passive
aggressive quotes along with strong comedic relief
throughout the film. I think this is a good date
night movie, however I wasn’t totally sold on the
quality of acting or originality. Overall I give
this movie 2 ½ stars out of 5.
If
you like back stories which show the early
relationships between Star Wars characters we met in
early episodes of the saga, you will appreciate this
film. We learn how Solo gets his name, meets eventual
co-pilot Chewbacca, falls in love with the Millennium
Falcon, and interacts with Lando Cairrisian. Director,
Ron Howard, pulled together a movie in crises in the
summer of 2017 to deliver what two previous directors
couldn’t as they were let go after creative
differences made it difficult to finish the movie.
The Story - Solo and love interest,
Qi’ra are trying to escape their home on the
shipbuilding world of Corellia with a dream getting a
ship and traveling the universe. As they try to bribe
their way off the planet, Qi’ra is captured and Hans
escapes to learn to fly at the Imperial Flight Academy
from which he is expelled for insubordination. He
becomes part of the infantry where he meets criminals
pretending to be soldiers. Solo is arrested for
desertion where he is going to be fed “The Beast”, a
Wookiee named Chewbacca. Solo, Chewbacca, and criminals
form a union under the direction of Tobias Beckett to
steal a shipment of coaxium. The action continues in a
series of interstellar adventures. Failure to steal the
coaxium successfully takes the group to the evil
syndicate boss Dryden Vos, where Solo runs into Qi’ra
who is in Vos’s service. The story continues with plots,
failures and successes and series of betrayals.
Throughout all of it is the typical banter as characters
grow closer to one another.
The Cast - Overall, I enjoyed this
cast. It is difficult to replicate some iconic
characters we grew up with, but it felt that some
consideration was given in hiring actors to play the
younger versions of the characters. Alden Ehrenreich
(Han Solo) is well cast as a younger version of Harrison
Ford. You see some of the unfounded confidence, perhaps
arrogance we see in Ford’s Solo. Emilia Clarke (Qi’ra)
carries the confidence you may recognize as the Mother
of Dragon’s in Game of Thrones. Woodie Harrelson (Tobias
Beckett) plays a great villain who is playing every side
possible in trying to survive in a world of treachery.
Donald Glover (Lando Cairissian) plays a wonderful
younger version first performed by Billy Dee Williams.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: B
The film is action
packed and carries some of the same play between the
characters that you see in first Star Wars episodes. As
previously stated, if you like to learn more about the
back stories then you may enjoy this film. John Powell
does a nice job of composing music which uses original
Star Wars themes and music developed for this movie. I
saw the movie in 3D. You wouldn’t need to. I also think
you could enjoy this film even if you hadn’t see all of
the originals.
Zala's
Featured Review Love Simon“Everyone deserves a great love story” Directed by Greg
Berlanti
Revealing ourselves is
something that is the most difficult thing we ever do.
The risk of showing who we are to others opens us up to
critique, analysis, praise and what we fear most,
criticism. Love, Simon is a movie about a high school
senior who deals with his being gay and being accepted
by his family, friends, and community. Director, Greg
Berlanti, shares a story of love, of fear, of being
exposed for who you are in a celebration of young man’s
ability to “exhale”.
The Story - Simon Spier (Nick
Robinson) is a high school senior living the “normal
life” with one “big-ass secret”. In the film you learn
what it is like to be seen as the person you portray,
rather than the person you are. As a young man who is
gay, he hides his secret in a world of blogs and social
media until it is posted that another guy at school,
whose identity isn’t revealed, is gay. He finds a way to
communicate with him via email and the two share their
secrets about feelings and fears in a world that doesn’t
consider them part of the mainstream. Simon communicates
with the student via emails on his phone until he
doesn’t have coverage at school and uses a computer in
the library. He is abruptly interrupted by the assistant
principal and minimizes the screen and leaves before
sending the email. Another student uses this computer
upon his departure and screen shots all of the messages,
which he uses as blackmail, threatening to post them on
the widely-read student blog.
The Cast - The cast of the
film has some recognizable actors whom you soon see as
characters instead of actors. Simon’s mother (Jennifer
Garner) and father (Josh Duhamel) are the kind of
parents you would like to have if you had to reveal your
secret. Simon’s friends Leah (Katherine Langford), Abby
(Alexandra Shipp), Bram (Keiynan Lonsdale), and Nick
(Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) have all played in a variety of
roles, many in superhero movies. Many of you will
recognize Mr. Worth, the assistant principle (Tony Hale)
from his latest role in VEEP. Theater director, Ms.
Albright (Natasha Rothwell) spent a couple of years on
Saturday Night Live. The cast is believable even though
the school administrators and teacher seem to try to hip
with the students and interact with some comments that
aren’t always appropriate. The actors are seasoned and
carry the story.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: A
The film is excellent.
The story flows and the 1 hour and 49 minutes flies by.
You can empathize with what Simon goes through hiding
being gay and his desire to respond to blackmail so the
entire school doesn’t find out. You watch him feel love
by this mystery young man and walk through his
experience of coming out as he is forced to do so. As
they communicate he tries to figure out which classmate
this is. He imagines several guys whose eyes he
connects. As he interacts with Blue via email, we see
the newest possibility sitting at the computer
responding to Simon’s messages. One by one he discovers
each isn’t the person to whom he is falling in love. You
want him to succeed in his desire to have nothing change
with his relationships as he comes out. If you can be in
a place of accepting gay people, then you will love this
movie. It gives a brief insight to the experience they
have in first dealing with the feelings themselves and
then sharing it with others. Riding the Ferris wheel of
life alone isn’t nearly as fun as sharing the seat with
someone you love. You will understand when you see this
feel good movie of the Spring!
Zala's
Featured Review A Wrinkle In Time -
Directed by
Ava DurVernay
A
flight of fantasy. Lessons about growing up to face
our fears. This 1963 Newberry Award winner in
children’s literature appears on the screen under the
direction of Ava DuVernay. Many of you may have read
or had A Wrinkle in Time read to you in
elementary school which may be one of the only reasons
you would want to attend this movie
The Story -
The story of a young daughter and son growing up with
their scientist mother as their father has disappeared
to “shake hands with the universe” demonstrates the
struggles of growing up with school challenges and
self-esteem issues. From the movie, we don’t know how
the younger brother makes contact with three magical
beings, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. They did
hear a message and travel across the universe to help
the siblings and a new-found friend find the scientist
father, Alex Murry, who disappeared while investigating
the couple calculations to travel (tesser) through time
and space. The three Mrs. Ws take the children through
the Wrinkle to find their father in a fanciful journey
which is about personal growth to develop a positive
esteem (the light) and to fight the evil inhabitants of
the Camazotz “IT” (the dark).
The Cast -
The three Mrs. Ws are well-recognized which may not help
the movie much. Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit
(Reese Withersppon), and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) have a
difficult time shedding the real actors persona
throughout the movie. Their costumes and make up are
elaborate, but I still saw each of them as themselves.
Father, Chris Pine, does a good job in his acting, but
comes across as Captain Kirk as a dad. This is the first
starring role for daughter Meg (Storm Reid). At age 14,
she does a fine job. She is building a strong repertoire
of movie and television roles.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: C
The film is adequate.
The story has possibilities on the screen but it seems
like more development is needed. The younger brother,
Charles Wallace, could be developed more and the time
when the IT turns him evil seems to happen without our
knowledge. He is suddenly evil. There are many ideas
that aren’t fully developed on the Camazotz as the
children are searching for the father. At 109 minutes, I
was ready for it to end. It seems like this wasn’t
created for adults and yet I didn’t feel like it was for
younger kids. Younger teens might get some of the
messaging here and could learn from it, but many other
movies do a much better job with the same themes. The
trailer is much more captivating than the movie itself.
Although I was unable to see all of the Oscar contenders, I was
able to see the big winner. The Shape of Water was an
odd yet beautiful movie. The actors all gave first
class performances. Best of all, the movie was
visually stunning. No need for high tech special
effects, just a director that knew how to weave a
wonderful, romantic fairy tale. Here's a list of all
the winners.
Best
Picture:
“The Shape of Water” (WINNER)
“Call Me by Your Name”
“Darkest Hour”
“Dunkirk”
“Get Out”
“Lady Bird”
“Phantom Thread”
“The Post”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Director:
“The
Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro (WINNER)
“Dunkirk,” Christopher Nolan
“Get Out,” Jordan Peele
“Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig
“Phantom Thread,” Paul Thomas Anderson
Actress:
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards
Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (WINNER)
Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”
Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”
Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”
Meryl Streep, “The Post”
Actor:
Gary
Oldman, “Darkest Hour” (WINNER)
Timothée Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”
Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”
Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
Supporting Actress:
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya” (WINNER)
Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”
Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread”
Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”
Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water”
Supporting Actor:
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside
Ebbing, Missouri” (WINNER)
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing,
Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”
Original
Screenplay:
“Get Out,” Jordan Peele (WINNER)
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Martin
McDonagh
“The Big Sick,” Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani
“Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig
“The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor
Animated Feature:
“Coco,” Lee Unkrich, Darla K.
Anderson (WINNER)
“The Boss Baby,” Tom McGrath, Ramsey Ann Naito
“The Breadwinner,” Nora Twomey, Anthony Leo “Ferdinand,”
Carlos Saldanha
“Loving Vincent,” Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman, Sean
Bobbitt, Ivan Mactaggart, Hugh Welchman
Original Song:
“Remember Me” from “Coco,” Kristen
Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez (WINNER)
“Mighty River” from “Mudbound,” Mary J. Blige
“Mystery of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name,” Sufjan
Stevens
“Stand Up for Something” from “Marshall,” Diane Warren,
Common
“This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman,” Benj Pasek,
Justin Paul
Original Score:
“The Shape of Water,” Alexandre Desplat (WINNER)
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” John Williams
“Dunkirk,” Hans Zimmer
“Phantom Thread,” Jonny Greenwood
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Carter
Burwell
Cinematography:
“Blade Runner 2049,” Roger Deakins (WINNER)
“Darkest Hour,” Bruno Delbonnel
“Dunkirk,” Hoyte van Hoytema
“Mudbound,” Rachel Morrison
“The Shape of Water,” Dan Laustsen
Adapted Screenplay:
“Call Me by Your Name,” James
Ivory (WINNER)
“The Disaster Artist,” Scott Neustadter & Michael H.
Weber
“Logan,” Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green
“Molly’s Game,” Aaron Sorkin
“Mudbound,” Virgil Williams and Dee Rees
Live Action Short Film:
“The Silent Child,” Chris Overton, Rachel
Shenton (WINNER)
“DeKalb Elementary,” Reed Van Dyk
“The Eleven O’Clock,” Derin Seale, Josh Lawson
“My Nephew Emmett,” Kevin Wilson, Jr.
“Watu Wote/All of Us,” Katja Benrath, Tobias Rosen
Documentary Short Subject:
“Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,”
Frank Stiefel (WINNER)
“Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Kerrin Sheldon
“Edith+Eddie,” Laura Checkoway, Thomas Lee Wright
“Knife Skills,” Thomas Lennon
“Traffic Stop,” Kate Davis, David Heilbroner
Film Editing:
“Dunkirk,” Lee Smith (WINNER)
“Baby Driver,” Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss
“I, Tonya,” Tatiana S. Riegel
“The Shape of Water,” Sidney Wolinsky
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Jon Gregory
Visual Effects:
“Blade Runner 2049,” John Nelson, Paul
Lambert, Richard R. Hoover, Gerd Nefzer (WINNER)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Christopher Townsend,
Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Dan Sudick
“Kong: Skull Island,” Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White,
Scott Benza, Mike Meinardus
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland,
Chris Corbould, Neal Scanlan
“War for the Planet of the Apes,” Joe Letteri, Dan
Lemmon, Daniel Barrett, Joel Whist
Animated Short:
“Dear Basketball,” Glen Keane, Kobe
Bryant (WINNER)
“Garden Party,” Victor Caire, Gabriel Grapperon
“Lou,” Dave Mullins, Dana Murray
“Negative Space,” Max Porter, Ru Kuwahata
“Revolting Rhymes,” Jakob Schuh, Jan Lachauer
Foreign Language Film:
“A Fantastic Woman” (Chile) (WINNER)
“The Insult” (Lebanon)
“Loveless” (Russia)
“On Body and Soul (Hungary)
“The Square” (Sweden)
Production Design:
“The Shape of Water,” Paul D. Austerberry,
Jeffrey A. Melvin, Shane Vieau (WINNER)
“Beauty and the Beast,” Sarah Greenwood; Katie Spencer
“Blade Runner 2049,” Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola
“Darkest Hour,” Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
“Dunkirk,” Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis
Sound Mixing:
“Dunkirk,” Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker,
Gary A. Rizzo (WINNER)
“Baby Driver,” Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin
“Blade Runner 2049,” Mac Ruth, Ron Bartlett, Doug
Hephill
“The Shape of Water,” Glen Gauthier, Christian Cooke,
Brad Zoern
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce,
David Parker, Michael Semanick
Sound Editing:
“Dunkirk,” Alex Gibson, Richard
King (WINNER)
“Baby Driver,” Julian Slater
“Blade Runner 2049,” Mark Mangini, Theo Green
“The Shape of Water,” Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ren Klyce, Matthew Wood
Documentary Feature:
“Icarus,” Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan (WINNER)
“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark
Mitten, Julie Goldman
“Faces Places,” JR, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda
“Last Men in Aleppo,” Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed, Soren
Steen Jepersen
“Strong Island,” Yance Ford, Joslyn Barnes
Costume Design:
“Phantom Thread,” Mark Bridges (WINNER)
“Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran
“Darkest Hour,” Jacqueline Durran
“The Shape of Water,” Luis Sequeira
“Victoria and Abdul,” Consolata Boyle
Makeup and Hairstyling:
“Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David
Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick (WINNER)
“Victoria and Abdul,” Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard
“Wonder,” Arjen Tuiten
The crisp opening will
grab your attention and it sets the tone that you will
be on a musical journey with high energy, excellent
choreography and camera angles and effects that blend
beautifully with music. Michael Gracey (Director) has
delivered a movie that can contend with sparkly
holiday season filled with inspiring music by
composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
The Story - This film is the story
of P. T. Barnum, the inventor of the Greatest Show on
Earth. That sounds biographical, which this movie is
not. The story uses themes of class struggle, acceptance
of differences, conflict with those who have or desire
privilege, getting rid of the ghosts of growing up, and
discrimination toward those who are different. All of
this is set to music. You have to get past the fact that
the singing is studio recorded as you can’t perform as
they do and properly sing. What I appreciated was a
weaving of the songs into the dialogue and story line
blending text to tunes. Barnum forms a troop of
“oddities”, characters society has shunned because they
don’t fit into the mainstream. He meets a theatrical
producer Phillip Carlyle and convinces him to become a
partner to gain some influence with upper society.
Carlyle gets Barnum’s Circus an audience with Queen
Victoria in England where they meet Swedish singer Jenny
Lind. Barnum pursues Lind to conduct a US performance so
that NY society will see him as a legitimate producer.
All of this leads to his Circus troop to feel he has
abandoned them to take Lind on a US tour.
The
Cast - You
will enjoy Hugh Jackman (P.T. Barnum) as he struggles
with growing up as a poor tailor’s son desiring to
become something great. Zac Efron (Phillip Carlyle) a
N.Y. socialite and producer becomes Barnum’s partner.
His acting is believable, definitely a couple of steps
higher than Baywatch. Both of these guys can carry a
tune, but the real vocal talent is delivered by Keala
Settle (The Bearded Lady) and Rebecca Ferguson (Swedish
singer Jenny Lind). Barnum’s wife (Michelle Williams –
Brokeback Mountain) and daughters (Austyn Johnson and
Cameron Seely) are delightful and provide much needed
grounded for the Showman.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: A
It is difficult to sit
in your seat without tapping your foot. The precision of
the dancing and the Cirque du Soleil show performance
effects are highly entertaining. It left me wanting to
attend an actual performance. The story ends in a quiet
scene that may bring a tear, or at least an “aww”.This is a movie that makes you want to run away and
join the circus!
Zala's
Featured Review Darkest Hour
Directed by Joe Wright
“We
shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we
shall fight on the seas and oceans ...
We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the
landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in
the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall
never surrender.”
The black and white
opening scenes of the German war machine are chilling
and immediately set the tone for the urgency of action
required as Hitler was conquering the European
continent. Joe Wright directs a powerful telling of the
story of Churchill’s selection as Prime Minister and his
leadership to rescue of over 300,000 troops at Dunkirk
as France and Belgium fall.
The Story - For
those of you who recently saw Dunkirk, this film will
fill in the pre-story to the valiant rescue of British
and French troops on the beaches facing certain death by
a superior German army and air force. The failed policy
of Neville Chamberlain in his “peach in our time”
agreement with Hitler has resulted in the need for
Parliament to choose a new prime minister. As Churchill
rises to the top, we witness his unpopularity within the
government and with the King. Churchill must pick up the
pieces with his army and navy in danger, a difficult
political climate, a country not ready for war, allies
that have been conquered and the United States not
willing to get involved. The stress that Churchill faces
during this story allows us to see inside of the man and
how he deals with the challenges. He is left to rely on
his wife and his assistant who, in the movie, he grows
to trust as both assistant and confidant.
The Cast - You
will not recognize many members of the cast. The gruff
Churchill is played by Gary Oldman who has usually
played evil characters in most of his film roles. His
assistant Elizabeth Layton is beautifully played by Lily
James who many of you may recognize as Rose, from Downton Abby. Stephen Dillane
is Churchill’s nemesis Viscount Halifax who is also in
contention for the prime minister position and sides with
Chamberlain to negotiate for peace terms with Hitler.
Ronald Pickup,
who
you may recognize from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,
is a convincing Neville Chamberlain look alike. Kristin
Scott Thomas is solid as a confident Clementine
Churchill. Thomas made her film debut in Prince’s Under
the Cherry Moon.
Should You See This Movie? Grade: A
This film is stirring.
At the end of the 2 hours, I didn’t want it to end as I
wanted to know what happens next. It kept me engaged. I
will admit that I do have a strong interest in history.
I enjoyed the way Wright gave us insight to Churchill’s
viewpoints. He made the gruff man, soften as he worked
to get to know the people he trusted, while keeping a
strong exterior to his political colleagues. We see both
his colorful and vulnerable sides. The connection he
makes with his assistant is touching. We realize how
difficult his life was as he had to move in tunnels
between his home, 10 Downing Street, the War Rooms, and
Parliament. The story is compelling, the acting
excellent, and use of some cinematography effects (slow
motion and camera angles) to show great insight draws
the audience into the emotional side of this man.
Zala's
Featured Review Wonder
Directed by Stephen Chbosky
If
you are looking for a movie that embraces all of the
meanings of the Christmas season and isn’t a Christmas
movie, Wonder is the movie you need to see. Family,
friendship, the interaction of relationships and the
lessons we learn about and from each other are the
major themes.
The Story - Wonder is the story of a
boy (Auggie) who is born with a disability and has lived
an isolated life centered within his family. Being home
schooled all of his life, his parents agree that it is
time that he begins to attend middle school as a fifth
grader. It is the classic story of all children reaching
out to build friendships. Where you might expect that a
child with facial deformities could struggle, this movie
shows us how all children struggle and learn to try new
things as they grow up. Director Stephen Chbosky
delivers a winner based on this New York Times
bestseller. This film not only centers on the story of
Auggie, but has focus vignettes showing the point of
view from his sister and friends. This is an interesting
technique to broaden character development. The story
walks us through Auggie’s year of school.
The Cast - The star of this film is
August (Auggie) Pullman played by Jason Tremblay. As the
son of Isabel (Julia Roberts) and Nate (Owen Wilson),
Jason portrays a character demonstrating a breadth of
acting beyond an 11-year old. The ensemble cast portrays
the humanness of growing up in a school and home setting
blending school and family activities. Mandy Patinkin
plays the wise school headmaster. The acting by the
children in this movie outshine the adults as they
probably should. Julia, Owen, and Mandy play solid roles
that you have seen in other films. Hopefully you will
see more of Noah Jupe who plays Auggie’s best friend,
Jack Will. I thought more should have been done with the
role of Mr. Browne (Daveed Diggs) who is Auggie’s
homeroom teacher who seeks to inspire the children by
teaching them life lessons through his monthly precepts.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: A
This is a feel-good
movie demonstrating life’s growing up themes. It focuses
on the way people should treat each other and shows the
results of how people need to learn more about one
another before casting judgments about differences. The
movie makes you laugh and shed some tears. Yes, bring
some tissues! The story is what is key here. See this
movie!
On
a recent trip to London, I kept hearing about “The Man
Who Invented Christmas”. Upon my return, I knew I
needed to see it. Director Bharat Nalluri takes you on
a magical journey of Dickens’ writing in mid-19th
Century England. This is a holiday movie that you
easily substitute for a performance of “A Christmas
Carol” if you can’t get to see it.
The Story - After a series of flops
and a failed American tour, author Charles Dickens is
running low on funds to support his fame and lifestyle.
He pursues ways to gain funding from his publisher and
through a set of life experiences he uses to get ideas,
he decides he needs to publish a story about Christmas
in a few short weeks. He works with a colleague to line
up the illustrator and the movie walks us through him
developing characters and plot based on events in his
life. As an author, he interacts with his characters and
blends his family and people on the street into a clever
way of bringing this story to life!
The Cast - You may not recognize
many members of the cast but as an ensemble they blend
well. The story revolves around Charles Dickens (Dan
Stevens from Downton Abby fame), Ebenezer Scrooge
(Christopher Plummer), and father John Dickens (Jonathan
Pryce from Game of Thrones and Taboo). Dan Stevens
commands your attention in this film and his acting is
stretched far beyond in what you may have seen in his
other movies.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: A-
The movie is
entertaining I have it an A- due to it sharing a
plausible back story to the creation of this Christmas
classic which goes far above the holiday theme to
portray a way to live a meaningful life. Woven into the
plot, are moments for audience to make connections
between Dickens and Scrooge and how Dickens’ life played
into the creation of A Christmas Carol. You learn a
little more about the real Charles Dickens to appreciate
his humble beginnings to becoming a world revered
author. A sequel may be hinted toward the end, when
Dickens runs into Constable Copperfield as he speeds his
way to meeting the deadline to print the book by
Christmas. For those of you A Christmas Carol fans, you
will enjoy how the quotes from the book are gathered
from the people Dickens comes across in his life.
There
are many versions of Agatha Christie’s story about an
eclectic group of passengers on one of the world’s most
famous trains. Director Kenneth Branagh, has created
arguably the finest version.
The Story -
In the opening, we are introduced to world renowned
inspector Hercule Poirot who solves a case in front of a
tri-religious audience at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
Needing to return to London, Hercule catches a
last-minute ride on the Orient Express. What he thought
would be a restful journey of reading, turns into being
another mystery to solve. Poirot realizes that he must
try to solve the case if for no other reason but for his
own safety. One by one, he interviews the passengers.
The audience spends most of the movie trying to figure
out this classic who-done-it.
The Cast -
I have to admit that the cast was the
main reason I wanted to see this movie. The main
characters are so strong and so different from one
another that they keep you glued to see them in their
next scene. However, what makes this movie strong, is
the use of talented supporting characters which easily
compliment the “stars”. Passengers and suspects on the
train include: Kenneth Branagh plays a confident and
clever Hercule Poirot, the inspector with a most
interesting mustache. Daisy Ridley is a bright and
intellectual nanny. Leslie Odom, Jr. is Dr. Arbuthnot
whose medical skills are needed on the journey. Manual
Garcia-Fulfo as Biniamino Marquez, an auto dealer.
Penelope Cruz is religious nurse, Pilar Estravados. Josh
Gad play stumbling assistant Hector McQueen. Johnny Depp
is antiques dealer, Edward Ratchett. Sergei Polunin
plays former ballet star Count Rudolph Andrenyi and Lucy
Boynton is his drug-addicted wife, the Countess Elena
Andrenyi. Michelle Pfeiffer plays American husband
hunter Caroline Hubbard. Judi Dench is Princess
Dragomiroff and her assistant Hildegarde Schmidt is
played by Oliva Colman. This group of perfect strangers
is neither perfect or necessarily strangers.
Should You See
This Movie? Grade: A-
The cinematography
is strong. Beveled glass adds a dimension to
personalities being interviewed to show that they may
have more than one side to who they are. The motion of
the train, the use of camera shots outside the windows
looking into the interior gives you a broader picture of
the scene. The acting is solid, and mystery is revealed
like the peeling of an onion skin. The music is dramatic
as needed and the scenery of dangerously icy mountain
passes gives a constant edge to murder. The engine is
derailed during an avalanche and the train’s cars sit
vicariously on a wooden trestle as the case is solved.
The movie blends all of these elements so that even if
you have seen or read the story before and know the
solution, you can enjoy the way the story is told with
these actors.
Zala's
Featured Review Blade Runner 2049
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
For those of you have been awaiting the sequel since the original Blade Runner movie in 1982 which takes place in November of 2019, you won’t be disappointed in Blade Runner 2049. This plays out over 2 hours and 43 minutes so be prepared! Officer K maneuvers throughout a plot that twists and turns to find former Blade Runner Rick Deckard. Director Denis Villeneuve delivers a glim vision of the future generations of Blade Runners 30 years later.
The Story -
The opening narrative describes the Blade Runner history since the original. We are taken to 2049 Los Angeles which has a mix of inclement weather and whose skyline has changed dramatically. LAPD Officer K is on a mission to obey his command to eliminate former replicants, android cleansing. This process reveals a secret which is explored to keep what bit of civilization exists from failing completely. The discovery leads him on a quest to discover the truth and himself while searching for Rick Deckard to get the answers. By watching the movie, you learn about Officer K’s childhood, the implanted memories of his childhood that may or may not be true. You will discover the answers at the end of the movie. There is an enlightening Vegas scenario that plays out when he finds Deckard.
The Cast -
Ryan Gosling (K) is strong in this film teetering on edge of human and robot. I lost the vision of him in La La Land after a few minutes. He struggles within to find himself while living a futuristic Spartan lifestyle with a Pinocchio scenario. Reviewing actors playing robots is more challenging. The movie cast improves when Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard) enters the plot. This is time where the pieces of the story go from development to answering questions. Somalian born, Minneapolis resident Barkhad Abdi appears in the film as a trader helping K to find the origin and origin of a childhood artifact. The rest of the cast is less recognizable but are strong performers.
Should You See This Movie? Grade: B+
If you enjoy methodical movies that play a bit long this movie is for you. During the movie, I decided to give it the artsy acclaim so I would be more patient watching some of the scenes I might have forwarded with my remote at home. You need to be more patient in the theater – perhaps the big bag of popcorn and some other provisions to make it all the way through. There are some slow places to take an “intermission” if you need to. There are some nice cinematic effects used in the film and the twists and turns engage you with trying to figure the story ending. There is nudity and violence. The movie is rated “R”. One thing I don’t understand about the future is why it is always bleak and why are there are always naked women robots in them? I can understand why futurists warn us about a post nuclear or dirty bomb scenario, but I can’t understand why there are only women sexbots. It is a bit one-sided and/or unnecessary. One of the biggest questions from the original Blade Runner is whether Deckard is human or a replicant. You will have to wait until the next movie to learn that answer.
In
The Golden Circle, the Kingman organization is
forced to go global when their headquarters and
operatives are taken out and the world is
blackmailed for an antidote for poisoned
recreational drugs. We discover that a cousin
organization exists in the United States, who’s
resources are needed to fight the villains.
Matthew Vaughn, who directed the first movie,
Kingsman: The Secret Service, delivers a proper
sequel.
The Story - The opening scenes are
typically packed with the introduction of a disqualified
and disgruntled Kingsman member who plays for dark team
now. For those of you who didn’t see the first movie,
the Kingsman organization is a bit James “Bondish”
fighting evil in Great Britain. The story reveals the
Statesman organization in America. The evil is in the
form of a recreational drug seller (Poppy) who has a
global network and is frustrated that she needs to hide
in the jungles of Cambodia where nobody knows what a
great business person she is. She launches drugs with a
poison in it and demands payment by the world for the
antidote. At team of Kingsman and Statesman need to
capture the antidote to save the world, when the
President of the United States doesn’t want to save the
world citizens who do drugs – winning the War on Drugs.
The Cast - For a simple movie, the
cast of characters is quite deep. Main operative Taron
Egerton (Eggsy) carries the brunt of the movie in his
world-saving endeavor. Spoiler alert: Collin Firth
returns as Harry Hart from the first film as does
staffer Merlin (Mark Strong) takes on a stronger role in
this film with his inventive tools to help save the
mission. Julianne More (Poppy) plays the ruthless drug
lord in her Cambodian hideout which resembles an
American 1950s town deep in the jungle. She has taken
Elton John as a prisoner to entertain her. Jeff Bridges
(Champ/Champagne) leads the Statesman team consisting of
Channing Tatum (Tequila) and Halle Berry (Ginger Ale).
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: B+
The movie is
entertaining. Does it get over the top at times? Of
course. The use of some great music (Prince, John
Denver, Elton John) during the action scenes is well
done. The story follows a typical 007 formula with a bit
more corn, and the 2 hours and 21 minutes moves quickly.
Big screen is fine, but you could wait for this to hit
the movie channels.
Zala's
Featured Review Dunkirk
Directed by Christopher Nolan
“We
shall fight on the beaches….” Churchill
British and French
soldiers surrounded on three sides by German forces with
their backs to the English Channel are a mere 26 miles
from England. Dunkirk is the historical portrayal of the
WWII battle where German troops are preparing to wipe
out 400,000 English troops which would be devastating to
the security of England and the outcome of the Second
World War.
The Story - Director and Writer,
Christopher Nolan tells the story of this epic WWII
battle which changed the direction of the war. By
interactively weaving the story through the perspectives
of soldiers, pilots, sailors and civilians. The
overlapping scenes are repeated from the viewpoints of
each of the groups affected in a way that puts the movie
together like a jigsaw puzzle letting you see the
interaction as it unfolded for each of the groups adding
a deeper dimension to the film.
The Cast - The story unveils
through sets of characters who are bound to destiny by
the rescue mission. A set of pilots who need to protect
a fleet of naval ships and civilian yachts by air, a
group of soldiers who attempt to get off the beach by a
variety of means, and civilians who launch yachts when
called upon by the British government to save the
soldiers. The experience of actor, Kenneth Branagh, as
Naval Commander Bolton, solidifies this set of actors
lesser known to American audiences. The group of
soldiers, (Fionn Whitehead, Harry Styles, and Aneurin
Barnard) and pilots (Jack Lowden and Tom Hardy) deliver
strong performances as their characters unfold
throughout the movie. The interaction between father
(Mark Rylance) and son Peter (Tom Glynn-Carney) is
deliverance-of-duty and coming-of-age relationship.
Peter’s friend, George hops on the yacht at the last
moment to have the adventure of his life to hopefully
impress the townsfolk who see him as a teenager who
hasn’t accomplished much in school or the community.
Should You See This
Movie? Grade: A-
For those of you who
love history won’t see this as the typical history
movie. The interweaving of the story between the
perspectives in the film and interaction between the
characters draws you into the suspense of this rescue.
The music pulls you into the drama of human survival.
The film focuses less on the battle and destruction and
more on the relationships and dilemma taking place to
save over 300,000. Churchill had hoped for 30,000 to
continue to the war effort so the rally by the civilian
fleet is a feel-good story. The ending is warming versus
damning. The story moves fluently through the hour and
46 minutes. The film will appeal to both history lovers
and those who like a good story.
Zala's
Featured Review Spider-Man - Homecoming
Directed by Jon Watts
When
I heard of yet ANOTHER Spider-Man movie
coming out this summer, I was reluctant to see it.
This version of Spider-Man, I will have to admit
is my favorite. The story goes deeper as it ties
into the last Avengers movie and shows the
struggle of high school senior Peter Parker
balancing school, a Tony Stark “Internship” and
his desire to be a member to be a superhero!
The Story -
Director, Jon Watts, portrays this Avenger in
Training as a high school student who spends more
time with his friends, being the typical student
growing into his role as a super hero. He
balances friendships and dates with school
activities, while trying to keep order in the
streets. His frustration is that he waits for a
call from Tony Stark for his chance to do
something “big” instead of menial tasks. His
secret is accidentally revealed as he sneaks back
into his room as his best friend is sitting on his
bed waiting for him. Throughout the movie, more
people exposed to his secret identity. There is a
bit of humor carefully woven into this story to
make the characters warmer.
The Cast -
If you
have seen the Spider-Man movies, you will
recognize the usual suspects: Tony (Robert Downey
Jr.), Happy, (Jon Favreaux), Pepper (Gwyneth
Paltrow). Tom Holland (Peter Parker) provides a
broader acting ability than previous “Spider Men”.
Marisa Tomei does a nice job in portraying Aunt
May. Michael Keaton is an excellent villain in the
story. We understand why he feels driven to be the
anti-hero playing both villain and family man.
High school sidekick to Peter Parker, Jacob
Balaton (Ned), is a surprise. He learns about
Peter’s secret and has a difficult time keeping
the news quiet. He dreams of being the “guy in the
chair” – the guy who is the tech geek who guides
Spider-Man to succeed. This is one of a couple of
supporting characters you want to see again in the
future. Another is Michelle (Zendaya) who plays a
high school loner who quietly observes others and
sketch their struggles. The obligatory cameo of
Stan Lee takes place early in the movie.
Should You See
This Movie? Grade: B+
This is a
superhero movie. The story is what it is, but with
some character development it has some warmer
hues. The characters are real and except for
special abilities, they feel real. The special
effects are well done with some cinematography
effects that capture your attention throughout the
movie. Moments of humor help to engage the
audience and the 2 hours and 13 minutes moves
well. If you like stories and dislike superhero
movies, you may like this one. If you like the
Avengers, you can’t miss it. Remember to stay
until after the credits to get the full
experience!
Zala's
Featured Review Wonder Woman
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Wonder Woman….Wonderful
For those of you who watched the Wonder Woman television series in the 1970s or saw the movie in 2011, you may wonder why you would spend money to see Wonder Woman. This movie is all grown up and the DC Comics version is one of the best of the series of comic book character movies produced in years.
The Story - Director, Patty Jenkins, takes us to scenes of an Amazon Island created to be protected from the fall out of the Greek gods. We meet a young Diana (Gal Gadot) and watch her grow up as she begins to learn of her ancestry and become a warrior. When a German WWI plane crashes into the sea off the island we meet Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) working for British Intelligence. Diana rescues him from drowning. The spy is being chased by a German ship whose sailors come on to the beach and a battle of Amazons and humans ensues. Diana leaves the island to join the war effort to stop the suffering of humans who she thinks is being caused by Ares, the god of War. Much is discovered about Diana’s background. This story is more about the mythology of the gods than previous versions of Wonder Woman. There are a variety of twists within the movie and there is a more athletic portrayal of Wonder Woman and her powers as a super hero.
The Cast - Most of the members of this diverse cast aren’t as recognizable to most movie viewers. This adds to the enjoyment of the movie. Chris Pine may be the only actor you recognize, but the cast is strong. Gal Gadot delivers a passionate performance as Diana. Her action scenes are solid, while she reaches deep to deliver compassion for humans as she discovers more about herself that was veiled by her queen mother and warrior aunt. Chris Pine is good in his role of spy and Diana’s first “man” experience. At times, he seems a bit stiff, but is able to loosen up throughout the movie. Lucy Davis plays a strong British secretary to Steve Trevor. She is a character actor whom I would have enjoyed seeing more in the movie. The variety of characters provides an acting buffet that should satisfy your tastes.
Should You See This Movie? Grade: A
I will admit that I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this movie based on the previous versions of Wonder Woman. I am glad I did. Of all the comic book, super hero character movies I have seen, I had to admit that this is one of the best, if not THE best! The action is strong. There are moments of compassion and comedy. The story is what brings this movie together. Of course, there are fantastic special effects. I saw this on an IMAX screen in 3D and at times even the seats vibrated, all adding to the experience. You don’t need IMAX, but this is a movie that plays well on a big screen and the 3D does make the movie a treat. It is worth the extra cost.
In what may be the final movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series many of the plots from past stories come full circle in Dead Men Tell No Tales. Directors Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg pull out the stops to bring this story to the screen. The sets have that “Disney” look, the action holds your attention and there is a bit of magic that brings it all together.
The Story - The story opens with a young boy searching the sea for his father who is held in the spell with the undead crew of the Flying Dutchman. The boy learns he must find the trident of Poseidon to release the spell. The boy grows up, enlists in the British navy and after running into some trouble with superiors due to his quest, he searches for Captain Jack Sparrow whom he runs into in the brig on St. Martin. Captain Jack has diminished from his previous legend by lacking a real ship (the Pearl is still trapped in a bottle), a crew who walks out on him, and even the bounty on his head has dropped to 1 pound. In this adventure, we learn about how Jack Sparrow got his name and became a captain. With the help of an astronomer, accused of being a witch, who has an old journal with drawings of the stars which lead the way to the trident, the search begins. If you like a bit of absurdity, slapstick, and pirate tomfoolery, you will not need this movie to make total sense. The ending is reminiscent of Moses dividing the Red Sea and a “lives happily ever” after conclusion prevails as Captain Jack Sparrow sails off to new adventures. The music sets the mood during the dark and ominous portions as well as the recognizable melody during the adventure scenes.
The Cast - Most of your pirate favorites appear in this movie. Obviously, the story centers on Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow). Javier Bardem (Captain Salazar – Flying Dutchman) and Geoffrey Rush (Captain Hector Barbossa) are both strong characters in the film. Orlando Bloom (Will Turner) and Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swann) return in this film to double the happily ever after ending. There is also a special appearance by Sir Paul McCartney as Uncle Jack.
Should You See This Movie? Grade: B-
If you have seen the previous movies you need to see this. If the previous movies haven’t interested you, then you can skip this one as well. The movie is action packed and moves along well. You can’t take any of this seriously. It isn’t outlandish, but you can see outlandish on the horizon. The movie is entertaining and a fun way to spend a couple of hours during the summer.
I
am Groot! - As for space
adventures, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, is
another humorous look at these cosmic vagabonds.
The action starts immediately with scenes in which
you instantly fall in love with Baby Groot who is
oblivious to the dangers of the battle as he rocks
to Fleetwood Mac. This MARVELous film begins
shortly after the timeline of the first movie,
which you don’t have to see to enjoy this one.
Director, James Dunn, takes us on a journey where
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) learns more about the
romance of his mother and father (Kurt Russell).
The Story - The music for this
film is set to Awesome Mixtape #2. We travel
through the romance of Peter’s parents and old
foes and family who bond to form new alliances.
Peter’s father finds him and invites him to live
in an utopian world he created. The team learns
while on this planet that not all is as it seems
and there is greater evil to follow. Throughout
the film the Sovereign’s try to rid the galaxy of
evil. They continue to show up as they are still
upset because Rocket stole some batteries while
the team was contracted by them. The story unfolds
song-by-song until the all-out battle of
supremacy.
The Cast -
There is a star-studded on camera and voice over
set of actors in this film. The Guardians include
Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax) Vin
Diesel (Baby Groot-voice), and Bradley Cooper
(Rocket-voice). Sylvester Stallone (Stakar Ogord)
plays an antihero thug and Stan Lee (creator of
many of the Marvel characters) appears briefly in
many Marvel Comics movies.
Should You See This Movie? Grade: A
The action is
exciting, the music makes you want to sing along,
the dialogue will make you laugh, and the ending
is touching. You will want to see this on the big
screen AND in 3D! The 2 hours and 16 minutes
“fly” by. And do not leave when the credits roll.
There are 5 more scenes during the credits
(typical for Marvel movies). The scenes provide a
few more laughs and as always, will forecast the
next movie!
Zala's
Featured Review Going In Style -
Directed by Zach Braff
A
humorous look at life as seniors…This is a
classic movie showing the challenges that seniors
who aren’t ready for “the home” face daily. Add a
loss of pension and the tables are turned to a
point of desperation. Zach Braff directs a
cast of experienced actors including Alan Arkin,
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Matt Dillon,
Christopher Lloyd and Ann-Margret.
The Story -
Reaching retirement age, I can realize what the
three pensioners are going through in the story.
Steel manufacturing closing American offices
decides to use the pension funds to cover the
company debt. Three septuagenarians are
forced to find funds to survive beyond social
security. Each has unique challenges with
family, health, and relationships. When the
reach their deepest struggles, they feel compelled
to rob a bank replacing the money their pensions
would provide. The hilarity ensues. What we see in
this film are the themes of the importance of
family relationships, friendship, love, and the
challenges seniors face.
The Cast -
For those of you have enjoyed the work the of
Freeman, Caine, and Arkin you realize that age
humor will come into play much like the movies of
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. None of the
actors are winning academy awards for their
performances which at times feel a bit subdued,
but they do play some feisty senior citizens who
aren’t about to give up on life. The love
interest of Ann-Margret offers the memory of her
role in Grumpy Old Men. If you enjoyed those
movies, you ought to enjoy this one. The character
that felt fresh is Joey King, Caine’s
granddaughter in the movie. Her bio includes
a lot of television and movies of the week type of
performances. She acts with a strong confidence
and we should be seeing a lot more of her in
movies to come.
Should You See This Movie? B-
You will laugh –
not rolling on the floor laughter, but there are
some funny scenes and will feel good after
watching this film. Not needing to view this movie
on the big screen, you can easily wait to see this
as a rental or on cable/dish. I would give
this movie a B minus because I enjoy these actors.
The story isn’t anything new, but it is plausible
and humorous.
The 2017 version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a great way to spend a couple of hours on any day. Directed by Bill Condon, the film makes the 1991 animated version more of a contemporary family movie and less of children’s story. Perhaps this was done for so that the children of the 90s will return to watch it with their families.
The Story
-Beauty and the Beast begins with a formal ball in a lavish castle decorated as only Disney can envision. As the Prince of the castle is cursed and the scene turns winter, a darkness overtakes the land. We travel to a nearby small French Village as Belle sings about her life growing up in a provincial village. You will get the feeling that you are watching other Disney animated films with human characters as they interact in the street market. The interactions are well choreographed and flow well as we get introduced to the villagers.
A Classic Fairy Tale
- This fairy tale follows the formula for great storytelling. There is the story of a girl who is raised by her aging father. Belle is searching for more in life than what her village can provide for her life. The scenes from venturing in the woods are full of danger with packs of wolves hungry for humans, falling trees which opens new pathways and the feeling of mystery and evil in the dark of night. The castle is devoid of life, with the exception, of the fresh blooms in the rose garden surviving the winter. The magic in this fairy tale comes from the characters of the castle who, we meet in the opening scene, surviving the curse as inanimate objects – teapot, candelabra, mantel clock, chipped cup, harpsichord, wardrobe. The most classic part of the fairy tale is the girl falling in love with the Prince who was turned into the Beast. The two grow close to each other by understanding one another with the help of the characters. The spell can be broken when love conquers all.
Why You Should Go - The version I saw was a sing-along. The words to the songs appeared on the screen with the old “bouncing ball” to allow the audience to engage even more. There is also a 3D version. In the past, these movies seemed massed produced but now, headline actors appear. Emma Watson, Dan Stevens (Legion), Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Josh Gad and Stanley Tucci star to make this a quality movie. The use of CGI makes exciting chase and fight scenes and fun-filled entertaining characters. I hadn’t seen the entire 1991 animated version so I can’t compare. Many of you are in a better place to do so. I know a lot of families wore out their video tape copy as children watched it over and over. I
wasn't sure if I would enjoy this movie, but I was highly entertained watching this film.
Zala's
Featured Review Lion - Directed by
Garth Davis
Imagine being 5
years old and needing to help your family eat and
survive near Calcutta, India. With his older
brother Guddu, young Saroo scavenges for anything
he can from trains to barter for goods to take
home to his mother and sister. From a one-room
shack in a small town, Saroo convinces Guddu that
he is strong enough to go out during the night to
the train station to see what they can find.
Saroo, however gets tired and Guddu has him stay
on a train station bench to sleep while he
ventures out alone. As Saroo wakes up in the
night, he calls out for Guddu, makes a mental
image of his surroundings noticing the water tower
in the train yard, and goes into one of the train
cars to sleep. He awakes to find himself on a
train with no passengers traveling thousands of
kilometers from his village. As a lost boy, he
does what he can to survive and experiences a new
language, other lost children, and a world of
questionable adults who require him to rely on his
intuition and inner strength. Eventually, he
lands in an orphanage and is adopted by an
Australian family.
Saroo grows up
“Australian”. As an adult, he decides to educate
himself in the hospitality industry where others
are interested in background begin to ask him
questions about where he grew up. This causes him
to start thinking about his family and a new
journey begins. His efforts turn to finding his
roots with only a handful of clues from his
memories as a 5-year old. With the help of Google
Earth, he tries to piece together his train
journey focusing on the water tower and village
landmarks he remembers as a child. We witness the
mental journey as he struggles to find home and
himself.
The movie is based
on a true story, adapted from the book “A Long Way
Home”. Director Garth Davis captures the
happiness of youth who grow up in a loving family
while scraping together an existence. These
memories are strong enough to bring Saroo back
home to find his birth family while remaining
connected to his adopted family. Saroo as an
adult, is played by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman
plays Saroo’s adopted mother. The cast is
strong. Perhaps the strongest performance comes
from young Saroo, Sunny Pawar. The ability of
this young actor pulls you deep into the story
from the start. The relationship between him and
his brother Guddu, Abhisheck Bharate, is an
amazing story of brothers who love one another.
The cinematography is gripping. The use of
lighting, the motion of the cameras, and the angle
of the shots all add to scenes of intensity and
calm.
Saroo, does make
it back to find his family and the movie ends with
the reunion followed by actual footage of Saroo
and his adoptive parents meeting his family and
villagers. The movie is intense as it plays with
your emotions of happiness, fear, and sadness.
Lion is justifiably nominated for an Academy Award
for Best Picture as well as five others. I
wouldn’t miss seeing it and I suggest you bring
some tissues, even if they are to give to the
people seeing it with you!
Zala's Featured
Review Hidden Figures
Directed by Theodore Melfi
For
those of you who didn’t grow up in the Sputnik
Generation, Hidden Figures, entertains you with a
“based on true events” version of the early NASA
space program during the space race which impacted
American society in the early 1960s. The part of
history we learn about is that this wasn’t all
about white males who were astronauts, engineers,
and administrative figures at NASA. Hidden Figures
focuses on the contributions by Katherine Johnson,
Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson who worked
tirelessly behind the scenes to turn a dismal set
of rocket failures into successful launches and
recoveries and concludes with the successful
orbiting of the Earth by John Glenn.
The story is about
these women who each contribute greatly as human
“computers” and how they use their mathematical
skills to the advance the space program. They were
needed to check the calculations of engineers,
join the ranks of the engineers and find ways not
to become obsolete as IBM delivered a mainframe
computer to NASA. These real women may or may not
have interacted with one another in the way the
movie portrays, but it makes for heartwarming
story as they try to serve their country. The main
characters need to hurdle two barriers – the
prevailing attitude of what women could do in the
work place and being given opportunities as
African Americans.
The themes in this
movie include the value of women in the work
place, single-working parents, race relations, and
the ability for women of color to advance in both
educational institutions and job promotions. The
film depicts the struggle of women of color with
the attitudes of the day and how they are
challenged in dealing with law enforcement,
segregation in society and at work, the ability to
take courses to advance in white schools.
Historically, this story takes place on the cusp
of the Civil Rights Movement. A group of “colored”
women work in part-time positions and the ability
to advance is made difficult even in a federally
funded agency. Slowly during the movie, their
talents convert the attitudes so they are
recognized for their contribution. You experience
the discrimination throughout the movie and
rejoice in the growth that is achieved.
This film combines
the talents of actors you haven’t seen in the same
cast including Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons, Octavia
Spencer, and Kirsten Dunst. They don’t overshadow
the other characters who deliver well to make this
ensemble cast more about this story and characters
than the individuals who portray them. Much of the
musical score was written and performed by Hans
Zimmer and Pharrell Williams (Happy). Perhaps the
most entertaining part of the score is used
effectively when Katherine is forced to leave her
work space to run a half mile to get to the
Colored Women’s rest room in another building. One
of the most dramatic moments is when Katherine is
asked why she isn’t always at her desk where her
boss (Kevin Costner) can find her. This leads to
making bathrooms available to whites and
“coloreds”
Director Theodore
Melfi, who co-wrote the screenplay based on the
book written by Margot Lee Shetterly, captures the
warmth of universal themes of families and heroes
and the portrayal of the struggles for African
Americans living in a society of prejudice. In
some ways, we see how far we have come as it
points to our own attitudes and in others, it
shows how far we need to grow. Perhaps the title
itself, Hidden Figures, provides a paradox. Are
the hidden figures the math equations that were
needed to developed a successful space program, or
are the hidden figures the people behind the
scenes who don’t receive the credit for their
contributions? Answer that for yourself as you see
this incredible story!
Zala's
Featured Review Fences - Directed by Dezel Washington
Fences
is the story of the challenges a black family
faces in Pittsburgh during the 1950s. The film’s
screenplay by August Wilson is adapted from his
Broadway Pulitzer Prize-winning play 29 years ago.
Denzel Washington both directs and stars in the
lead role, Troy Maxson, a sanitation worker who
dreamed of playing major league baseball. Viola
Davis equals Denzel’s performance as his wife,
Rose Maxson. Troy’s life revolves around baseball
and his frustration of being too old by the time
baseball admitted black players on the teams. It
is the classic struggle of raising a family who
all want to realize their dreams and have find
themselves settling for what life gives them.
The story of the
Maxson family could be the story of many families
of the time-period and today. Sons growing up to
combat their aging father, a wife serving the
family first and their dreams last, the reality of
growing up and growing old and how the
relationships change over time provides an
interesting twist as each character wants more in
their lives and is trying to find the way to get
what they need. It is the story of dreams being
tempered by the reality of life. This is what
makes the movie riveting.
The experience was
more of watching a play more than a movie. I felt
like I was watching this dynamic story on a stage
rather than the screen. The audience was fully
engaged as we watched this drama wrap around us.
The dialogue
resembles Shakespeare at times, as the
conversation is woven masterfully between
characters in a fast-paced exchange. At the
beginning of the movie, Troy speaks the most as
friends and family listen to his stories of past
greatness. He is the person with the most
knowledge and experience. He dreams of more for
his life and challenges the status quo. We learn
of his struggles to succeed again the odds of age
and color. But as he ages during the movie, other
voices start to speak up and be heard, challenging
him at times with differing viewpoints. Those of
you who grew up in the 50s and 60s may recognize
this from your own family’s relationships. We
learn about his fears and flaws as his decisions
impact the family greatly. His sense of duty and
responsibility overpowers good judgment at times.
No matter how much the family is in conflict with
Troy, they all grow to realize that he is a part
of them. This was most evident in the singing of
the song “Old Blue” between the youngest son and
daughter at the end of the movie. The daughter
makes the Marine sing the song with her and he
realizes that it was much more than a song about
dog and more about his relationship with his
father.
This is a “don’t
miss” movie. You will see this movie nominated
for awards this spring as Washington and Davis are
both already nominated for Golden Globes. The 2
hours and 19 minutes will pass quickly as you
watch this family grow and change before you. You
witness love, respect, betrayal, and emotional
moments that are ready to tear the family apart.
The characters will stick with you long after you
leave the theater. The story is easily recognized
without being trite, the characters are complex
and the actors deliver an experience you that will
enrich your life.
Zala's Featured
Review Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find
Them
Directed by David Yates
This
new venture by J.K. Rowling, takes Harry Potter
fans to a grown-up story with more magic and
outstanding visual effects. Taking place in New
York City, 1926, the new world wizards are worried
that they will be detected by the “No-Maj”, the
American version of Muggles. The Magical Congress
of the United States of America (MACUSA) works to
keep the magic hidden. The Second Salemers, a
group driven to hunt wizards and witches, is led
by an abusive woman who has adopted children to
hand out pamphlets and watch for suspicious
behavior. Her son is working with the Director of
Magical Security for MACUSA (Colin Farrell) in
hopes of being accepted by the wizards.
Newt Scamander
(Eddie Redmayne), a magizoologist, once expelled
from Hogwarts despite support from then Professor
Dumbledore, brings a collection of magical
creatures to educate wizards and witches in North
America to build a case to preserve these unique
creatures.
In the opening of
the movie, Jacob Kowalski (a No-Maj) goes to a
large bank to get a loan for a bakery he wants to
open to change his life. He and Newt intersect in
what makes for an entertaining exchange of
suitcases – one filled with baked goods for the
banker to sample and the other with fanciful
creatures. Jacob is on for the adventure of his
life.
There is a
similarity between Harry Potter and Fantastic
Beasts as David Yates directed the last four Harry
Potter movies. There are themes of good and evil,
paired with a possible love story or two, and of
course, fantasy. This story centers more on the
interaction between real-world New York and the
beasts which cause havoc. There are times where
you feel you are watching Night at the Museum –
creatures roaming the streets of New York and many
other action films in which evils destroys the
city.
Where this film
sets itself apart is the setting of a worn
suitcase in need of repair. A broken latch
releases to foreshadow the creatures’ possible
escape into the city requires immediate attention
by the characters throughout the story. The
suitcase itself provides a whimsical world where
the creature collection lives in life-sized
magical spaces and serves as a place to hide and
escape into the world of the creatures.
The film is highly
engaging. If you enjoy the jazz from the 1920s
you will appreciate how it is used throughout the
movie. The effects are spectacular and create a
realistic viewing experience. There are brief
moments of tension, keeping the audience wondering
what will appear next through cracking walls. You
will see “Potteresque” effects that are done even
better with today’s technology.
The movie
introduces us to the Hogwarts equivalent in North
America, the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry. At the end of the movie, we discover
that Scamander will write the Hogwarts’ textbook
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” which
Harry studies in his first year a few decades
later. There are also a couple of story lines
that are left unanswered for a possible sequel.
Rated PG-13, this
film is not as child centered as the Harry Potter
series. This is more of an adult story which
Rawlings may have written for those children who
have now grown and the for rest of us who read the
Harry Potter books. You will be entertained for
the full 2 hours and 13 minutes.
Doug's
Featured Review A Stray - Written and Directed by Musa Syeed
By Guest
Reviewer, Jeff Gigler
Honest
Disclaimer - I went to see this movie just because
I had been used as an extra in the filming - I
played an old white guy in the waiting room of a
non-profit housing assistance agency. Two years
ago. I had almost forgotten all about it, until a
friend who went to go see the movie at St. Anthony
Main Theaters sent me an e-mail saying she saw my
face up on the "big screen" and in the credits.
I've played a lot of zombies in my career, bunker
border guards, enthusiastic fight fans, even
generals who want to use nukes on giant mutant
mosquitoes. But not someone in a "real" movie.
I
went to the movie not even knowing what the full
story was. Basically, it's a story about a young
Minnesotan originally from Somalia who tries to
fit in to a new culture, a new place, and make new
friends. The best friend he reluctantly
makes.....is one that he almost accidentally
kills. He becomes responsible for a stray dog he
names Laila, at a time in his life when he can
barely take care of himself and find a safe place
to sleep. Add to the mix the fact that he is
Muslim and dogs are "unclean" to him, makes his
journey even more fascinating.
There's a lot of humor in this movie. The clash
of cultures almost insures it, and people
struggling between the new and old almost require
humor to stay alive. There's a lot of tenderness
in this movie, not always between the dog and his
boy, or even between the boy and his mother. And
there is a LOT of tension in the movie, inserted
because of terrorism....but not from the direction
you would expect.
I
found the movie fascinating from the standpoint of
seeing people trying to live their life in a new
world and keep true to their faith. This was
longest window I have ever had into the life of
someone following Islam, and it really opened my
eyes. Not to the "threat", but to the struggle.
We have "communion shooters" and other changes to
our Christian religion that accommodate modern
life; the people in this movie don't have many
options if they want to be a "good person" in the
eyes of others.
This movie also makes Minneapolis look good.
Even if you are homeless and wet.
Some parts of the movie take place in heavily
accented English; others are related in
subtitles. As with any foray into a foreign
culture, it's worth the effort to do your best to
listen carefully and watch closely. I highly
recommend this movie if you came here from another
country - as your great grandfathers probably did.
Playing for a limited time (until Nov 3rd) at the
St. Anthony Main Theaters.
Doug's
Featured Review Sully - Directed by
Clint Eastwood
By Guest
Reviewer, Jeff Gigler
Spoiler
Alert: everyone lives! Biggest surprise -
everyone is changed. Including the audience.
When I first heard
they were making a movie about Flight 1549 and the
heroic efforts of Captain Chelsley "Sully"
Sullenberger to land his airliner in the Hudson
river....I found it hard to believe it would be
interesting, or exciting - after all, the whole
flight was only 208 seconds long...and no one
died.
What the movie
really succeeds in doing is putting you in the
cockpit with Sully, and even into his head. It
also puts you into the passenger seats of an
airplane without power, at very low altitude, over
the most densely populated part of the United
States. When you are sitting in THOSE seats, in
THAT cockpit, inside Sully's head....things look
very different and at times, terrifying. Actor
Tom Hanks does an outstanding job portraying the
pilot, and you really never start thinking, "Oh,
there's Tom Hanks giving that 'Sleepless In
Seattle' smile or that 'You Have Mail' laugh.
Hanks really portrays the professional pilot so
well, in both appearance and mannerisms, that it's
very believable from the start.
And from the
start, we learn that Sully the Hero is also Sully
the Human, and there's no escaping from a plane
crash, even one where everyone survives, without
it affecting you deeply. We get a you-are-there
viewpoint of Sully's nightmares, when he makes a
different decision and things go horribly wrong.
And these nightmares don't only come out at night
time, or when he is asleep. Anything can trigger
them, and the audience starts to wonder when he
passes something ordinary or looks at something if
we are going to once again see his worst fears
come to life. Being this is New York City, there
are a lot of ways airliners can be turned into
nightmares.
The "enemy" in
this movie turns out to be facts - facts in the
hands of people trying to show human failure
instead of human triumph. Since this movie is
directed by Clint Eastwood, the enemy is rather
ham-handedly shown to be the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has all
the facts of the flight in front of them, plus
even more facts from aeronautical engineers, radar
tracks, and engine management data. Captain Sully
is basically accused of making the wrong decision
to land in the Hudson River when two airports
were, according to the facts and data, reachable
from the point of impact with the flight of geese
that destroyed both engines on a two-engine jet
airliner. Clint takes his anger for Big
Government out on the investigators of the NTSB,
which I thought was unfair - and makes them look
like a kangaroo court.
Not many of us
will ever sit in a cockpit of a jetliner, much
less operate the controls. But the movie does a
very good job of putting us in the passenger
seats, where many of us HAVE been, and can easily
empathize with the passengers on the flight. So
many normal, everyday tasks - the push to stow
luggage, fussing with the seat and the tray table,
the safety brief of the flight attendants. It all
helps, believe it or not, to build up the tension
to nearly unbearable levels - we KNOW the monster
is in the basement, don't open the door and go
down there! We can see ourselves in many of the
passengers...even though we don't really get to
know any of them in any detail. This is Sully's
story (for the most part).
The special
effects in this movie are excellent - from the
scenes where we see the flock of geese hit the
airliner engines and they burst in to flames and
flying parts, to the vivid enactment of Sully's
sleeping and waking nightmares come true, to the
water landing and rescue - which was actually
filmed on the Hudson using a full-sized airplane
for the passengers to exit. Seeing the airliner
barely clear bridges and be watched at eye-level
with the workers in the office buildings next to
the river gives you an idea how terrifying that
must have been for New Yorkers, after September
11, 2001.
In the end, it's
Sully's belief in his own skills and experience,
that help him win over the "enemy". All he
needed to do was to find a way to get all of these
investigators to be there with him in the cockpit,
and they would understand what an amazing thing he
was able to do - glide an airliner at just above
stall speed to a safe "landing" on a smooth
river. Make no mistake - he Sully been able to
set it down on another cleared piece of land
(there were none), the speed of impact would have
broken up the airliner and there would have been
deaths and injuries. After all the doubts raised
at the start of the movie, both generated by Sully
himself and by "experts", we get to keep and
better understand our "hero".
And the movie
emphasizes an important point - Sully was not the
only hero that day. Yes, his piloting skills were
excellent - but he was aided in the cockpit by a
cool-thinking co-pilot; experienced flight
attendants who were able to herd the passengers to
exits; by ferryboat captains that reacted
immediately to get to the ditching site and take
on passengers from a rapidly sinking airplane;
"Scuba cops" that rescued passengers in the
freezing water; and hundreds of first responders
who met the survivors on the pier to make sure no
one suffered from hypothermia.
There were times
in the movie when I cringed and shrunk back
because it was too intense to watch. There were
times when I teared up and stifled sobs,
especially when families were connected again in
person or by phone right after the crash, but had
feared the worst because they were missing (some
survivors were taken to the New York side, some to
the New Jersey side). Those actors did such a
great job at showing joy and relief their loved
ones were still alive, it became infectious -
again, something else that we, as passengers,
could imagine going through.
I am a
self-confessed aviation anorak (fanboy), and I
loved so many of the little details. I also love
a good story, which is one that I THOUGHT I knew
all about, and learned so many new details from
many different points of view that it was almost a
new story. I'm also a cinema buff, enjoying a
well-made, well-written movie. This one was
excellent. Make sure to stay through all the
credits - there's no sequel (God, I hope not, not
for Sully, at least), no outtakes - but there is a
little story worth waiting for.
Bring anyone you
want to this movie. Except people who are
terrified of flying. This will NOT help them. :)
Doug's
Featured Review Star Trek Beyond Directed by Justin
Lin
Guest Reviewer: Doug
Solem Jr.
I would just like
to say I have always been a huge fan of Anton Yelchin, the Star Trek actor who was killed in a
freak car accident a few months ago. Starring in
movies such as Charlie Bartlett, Alpha Dog and
Fright Night, Anton was clearly a rare talent who
died to soon. If you’re not aware of who he was,
do yourself a favor and check out one of his
movies.
Long
Story Short: (as provided)A
surprise attack in outer space forces the
Enterprise to crash-land on a mysterious world.
The assault came from Krall (Idris Elba), a
lizard-like dictator who derives his energy by
sucking the life out of his victims. Krall needs
an ancient and valuable artifact that's aboard the
badly damaged starship. Left stranded in a rugged
wilderness, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary
Quinto) and the rest of the crew must now battle a
deadly alien race while trying to find a way off
their hostile planet.
My Take: So far I have
absolutely loved the rebooted star Trek
franchise. The movies are always action packed
and leave us with heroics that are second to
none. Once again the newest installment “Star
Trek Beyond” does not disappoint. In my opinion
this is the most entertaining of the three.
Justin Lin who is the director of the fast and the
furious franchise leaves his mark with some
incredible fighting sequences and special effects.
Chris Pine kills as Captain James T. Kirk. He’s a
true badass who does things his way. The entire
cast overall have great chemistry, and there is
more than enough humor in the movie. I also need
to mention that the climax (accompanied by a
beastie boys soundtrack) is one of the best I’ve
seen in a really long time. I literally got an
adrenaline rush from watching it. If you’re a
nostalgic person, you will also enjoy the homage
paid towards Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.
They celebrated these actors’ lives in a very
classy way. However as memorable as this movie
was, it has some flaws. I thought the plot seemed
weak compared to its predecessors. The main
villain had a pretty weak motive for wanting to
destroy an entire civilization. It basically had
to do with him being accidentally abandoned by
Starfleet (fictional space organization). There
were also some scenes that just didn’t make sense
and could have been cut from the final edit. In
the end, who really cares this movie was downright
awesome.
I
believe "The Secret Life Of Pets" is a must see
for any animal lover. Not just cat and dog
owners; there are parakeets, hamsters, hawks,
snakes, and alligators in this movie and they all
have an important and usually funny role to play.
The movie follows the adventures of a small
terrier named Max and a large shaggy dog named
Duke as they chase and escape there way across New
York City. Luckily for us all, the movie has a
very happy ending.
Like all "buddy"
movies, Max and Duke do not get along at the
start, and it's their own war between each other
that ends up putting both of them in great
danger. Caught by Animal Control, on their way
back to the Pound (which Duke had recently been
rescued from and is terrified of going back), they
wind up in the hands of "The Flushed Pets". They
trick the leader, Snowball, and escape through the
sewers again. These scenes are probably too
scary for most very young kids (I would say no
younger than 8), since they involve snakes,
alligators, spiders, and very mean looking
dogs....as well as near-drowning.
What I really
liked about the movie is that the humor is really
geared down to kids. This isn't just a animated
movie with adult humor that winks at the
grown-ups. This is belly-laugh funny in jokes,
slapstick humor, and surprise actions. While this
reviewer saw it in 2D, I would probably recommend
seeing it in 3D because many of the chase and
escape scenes are elaborate and very exciting.
The animals never break the fourth wall and talk
directly with humans; people only hear barking,
hissing, and screeching when they interact with
animals - and sometimes that lack of communication
is funny.
Everyone is
stereotyped - little dogs are smart and fast, big
dogs are dimwitted and slow, cats are sneaky and
aloof....but they all have big hearts and are
brave when they need to be. Only the big fluffy
poodle is not what he appears to be. There's
even a love story in the movie, at about the 2nd
grader-level. More chaste even than "The Lady and
the Tramp". The quality of animation is
excellent, and very realistic.....so much so that
kids might get anxious during the sewer scenes or
the truck-dangling-over-the-edge-of-the-bridge
scenes.
Everyone gets a
happy ending by the end of the movie; you get to
watch the joy on the faces of the pets and their
owners as they come home at the end of the day
(the whole movie takes place in almost real
time). There is no real villain that needs to be
vanquished and given his just deserts; the worst
character of them all gets cuddled by a little
girl at the end.
This would make a
great date movie, a great take-the-grandkids
movie, a great family movie, a great movie for a
solitary cat lady to go see. All you have to do
is like animals. Oh, and make sure to come a
little early; most theaters are showing three
upcoming animated family movies that also look
funny and good. And stay past the first few
credits. :)
Doug's Featured Review Swiss Army Man
Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel
Scheinert
by Guest Reviewer: Doug Solem, Jr.
I’m
excited to be back for a second movie review. I
had a great 4th of July, spending time with family
and friends. This year we got to experience the
fireworks from the lake for the first time. It
was a great time and the show was spectacular. I
even found time to catch a movie with the old man.
Long Story
Short: Being stranded on a deserted island
leaves young Hank (Paul Dano) bored, lonely and
without hope. As a rope hangs around his neck,
Hank prepares to end it all, until he suddenly
spots a man (Daniel Radcliffe) laying by the
shore. Unfortunately, he is dead and quite
flatulent. Using the gassy body to his advantage,
Hank miraculously makes it back to the mainland.
However, he now finds himself lost in the
wilderness, and dragging the talking corpse named
Manny along for the adventure.
I really was not
sure what to expect from this movie. After
watching the trailers, it looked bizarre, gross,
and confusing. Turns out that’s exactly what it
was. However it was also beautiful and mind
provoking. I find myself sitting here wondering
how that is possible, but it is. Paul Dano and
Daniel Radcliffe I thought we’re great together.
Their journey together was full of highs and
lows. The movie was true to its title; Dano used
Radcliffes body in a number of ways to get back to
salvation. The oddest was using his body as a jet
boat fueled by his gas. This movie shows us that
everyone is a little weird in some way or another,
and that’s all right. There were a lot of laughs
along the way, and the ending is worth the wait. I
don’t think this movie is for everyone, but is
definitely something to see if you’re in the mood
for something original.
Doug's Featured Review The Nice Guys - Directed by Shane
Black
Believe
it or not, I am still not done unpacking boxes at
our new home on Brigg’s Lake. It has been the
most labor intensive thing I have ever done next
to trying to find the golf balls I lose every week
in the woods. It is with mixed emotions that I
also report that we sold our little cabin on Elk
Lake. For almost 20 years, it served as our
weekend summer getaway for fishing, golfing,
grilling and family fun. What makes it even
tougher, our good friends, Jim and Linda, live
right next door to our old place…so every time we
go to see them, we are reminded that someone else
has taken over. With that said, we are looking
forward to all the great times ahead at our new
place.
My son and I heard
some good things about the new flick The Nice
Guys starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.
We went to the early show at the incredible St.
Michael Cinema…grabbed a large popcorn and pop…and
settled in for what I thought would be a sure
thing.
Long Story
Short: (As
provided) The Nice Guys takes place in
1970s Los Angeles, when down-on-his-luck private
eye Holland March (Gosling) and hired enforcer
Jackson Healy (Crowe) must work together to solve
the case of a missing girl and the seemingly
unrelated death of a porn star. During their
investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy
that reaches up to the highest circles of power.
My Take:
As much
as I wanted to like this movie…I just couldn’t get
behind it. All the other reviews I read were
giving it the big thumbs up. So, I had high
expectations that this would be a real winner. I
like Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling but I honestly
thought they were just going through the motions.
I thought their performance was stale and almost
like they were just there to collect a pay check.
In all fairness, my son and I were the only ones
in the theater. I think sometimes, laughter is
contagious and maybe we just needed a few more
people to help us feel the vibe. The little gal
that played Gosling’s daughter (Rice) was cute and
was a breath of fresh air compared to her
sleepwalking costars. The other problem I had was
the plot was so weak and boring that it didn’t
really give the guys much to sink their teeth
into. They were hog tied from the start because,
although it is suppose to be a farce, it was just
stupid and not stupid good like Dumb and
Dumber….at least to me. I must admit though that
Cinematographer (Rousselot) and Production
designer (Bridgland) did a great job of capturing
that 70’s feel. As another critic pointed out,
the use of a filter that made everything snap with
beige and orange tint worked perfectly for that
period. Along with the crazy attire, that somehow
we thought looked cool back in the day, and a good
mix of all the muscle cars that were so popular
back then…the movie was still great fun to watch.
Doug's Featured Review The Jungle Book
Directed by Jon Favreau
As Viewed at the St. Michael Cinema
As
many of you are aware, I recently moved to my new
digs in Clear Lake. I was looking around for
another movie theater that was near by, to visit
when it was time to do a movie review. I saw that
the St. Michael Cinema wasn’t too far
away…so my son and I decided to go see The
Jungle Book. Normally, I would stop here and
have you get right into the movie review below but
I think the whole world needs to know that the St.
Michael Cinema is amazing. As soon as you walk
in, you can tell that some major dollars were
invested in this theater. It is seriously a
jaw-dropping venue for a guaranteed great night
out. The complex offers great seating and screens
for watching the latest movies. They have a full
bar upstairs and an entertainment room. The night
we went they were running a Texas Hold’em
tournament. They even hold live concerts in a
special wing of this sprawling entertainment
center. Whether you live in the neighborhood or
are looking for a “must see” destination…you have
to check out the St. Michael Cinema located at
4300 O’Day Avenue NE, St. Michael, Mn
763-400-8006.
Long Story
Short:
(provided by studio) Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron
Man), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless
stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated
film, The Jungle Book is an all-new
live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer
Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a
family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer
welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere
Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of
Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a
threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever
known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of
self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern
mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the
free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray).
My Take:
Best picture of the year, so far. Neel Sethi was
a great choice to play Mowgli. The kid is
awesome. He will charm the socks right off you.
Sethi had never been on the big screen before.
Director Jon Favreau noted Sethi was chosen after
thousands of auditions. He added “Casting is the
most important element of any film and finding the
right kid to play Mowgli was imperative. Neel has
tremendous talent and charisma. There is a lot
riding on his little shoulders and I’m confident
he can handle it.” Obviously Favreau has some
great instincts of his own because I can’t imagine
a better choice for such a major role.
Just when you
think there is no way they can get any better with
CGI or what I like to refer to as “movie
magic”…along comes this movie. Favreau has made
the best movie to date that seamlessly blends live
action with this CGI movie magic. Whether Mowgli
is walking with a bear, riding an elephant or
running from a tiger…you would absolutely believe
this is the real deal. Add in the star power
voices of people like Bill Murray and Christopher
Walken and you have a cinematic masterpiece.
This is a psychological horror film.
Without blood and guts; the story and filming and
even the soundtrack claw and tear at your mind,
like a caged animal just out of reach. The
suspenseful ending comes like a relief, and you
are glad to get back to a world where the monsters
are easily seen and understood and can be fought
directly.
The previews of this movie make it seem like
it’s some kind of apocalyptic Fort Apache;
desperate survivors trying to stay alive against
the monsters attacking from outside. But with
some very slight and subtle plot twists and
reveals, you soon realize that the worst monsters
are inside RIGHT NEXT TO YOU. It’s very much a
parable for today’s world, where we can get so
afraid of the Unknown that are beyond our sight
and contact…..and miss out on the evil just up the
street and the overblown fear that betrayal and
“they seemed so nice” can create.
The story revolves around Michelle, who is
leaving town via a dark and lonely rural road.
The car radio starts to report some strange and
interesting things – then disaster strikes. She
wakes up in Howard’s underground survivalist
bunker, and everything starts out creepy. And
stays creepy for two hours. Normally, I’m not a
fan of big-name actors in roles – it always seems
like “Oh, that’s Leo DiCaprio playing the role –
but in this case, John Goodman’s previous role as
the nice guy helps to build the severe creepiness
of it all. A third occupant, Emmett, who Howard
hired to help build the bunker, doesn’t really
help to alieve the tension and suspense.
At first you don’t believe anything Howard
says, and share Michelle’s fear and doubt. Then
Michelle has an encounter with someone from the
outside that makes everything Howard said to be
true, and they are a happy family again. Then
another dive into suspense (I haven’t closed my
eyes in a “crawl through the airducts” scene
before, but this time I did), and suddenly
everything Howard says is false again. Maybe.
There’s a big internal fight where being a hero
did nothing to help…..and our heroine Michelle is
free from the fear and the horror in the
bunker…..to find herself under attack from even
MORE monsters and fear. But these are obvious.
These will always be monsters, and you don’t have
to guess.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, this
movie really isn’t a sequel to the previous sci-fi
horror movie “Cloverfield”. But it still tells a
story filled with suspense and mystery, reminding
us that even if we think we are safe behind walls
and doors…..there is always evil lurking right
next to us, in the same room.
Jeff's Featured Review The Finest Hours
Directed by Craig Gillespie
My first piece of advice is –
do NOT read anything about this movie or the TRUE
STORY that it is based upon! Aside from seeing
the previews in the movie theater, I did not know
the story of this Coast Guard rescue effort back
in 1952…and it made the movie a real
“cliffhanger”! The heroes of the story…both the
sailors trying to save them and the sailors hoping
to be saved…have to overcome gigantic obstacles
thrown in the way. Some of the obstacles are
created by Nature – thundering, pounding waves
bigger than the ships that try to sail through
them; hurricane force winds – and some problems
are created by the man standing next to you.
It’s hard to say which is more dangerous, in this
movie.
I’m glad we live in the era of
computer generated special effects – I would hate
to think how many great actors we would lose if we
really had to film 60ft waves crashing into ships,
tearing them in half. The fierce storm looks
frighteningly real, as you see the sailors on the
tanker Pendleton trying simply to stay alive to
make port. The engine room on the tanker is
where some of the best dramatic parts of the movie
take place, and there is enough sound and fury to
make it seem like a war movie battlefield. Steel
explodes, men are thrown through the air, other
men grimly hold their “ground” trying to keep on
station, fighting against the sea.
The Coast Guard sailors are
portrayed as just normal guys….but normal guys
(boys, most of them) who joined for a sense of
adventure and to save people. Discipline has
brought them so far; to go out in conditions
where all of the local fishermen and even some of
the senior enlisted Coast Guard sailors tell them
NOT to go to sea and attempt a rescue requires a
personal strength and heroism that is not
“normal”. As Chris Pine says (playing the rescue
boat captain), “The Coast Guard says you have to
go out…it doesn’t say you have to come back.”
Not everyone survives. That’s
evident when the tanker crew learns how much
trouble they are in, and one-half of their ship is
gone in an instant, taking members of the crew
with it. After an initial panic and hopelessness
(the dynamics of leadership are very real in this
story), they rally around the man who has
expertise, calmness, and a plan. The tanker crew
get to work trying to save themselves, and what
they do and how they do it is fascinating. And,
speaking as a former Navy officer, completely
realistic and true. For the movie, Disney built
an engine room and other real ship sets taken from
a T2 tanker about to be cut apart for salvage.
There’s no foam rubber in this movie magic.
Just when you think the boat
sent out to rescue the crew is completely
inadequate for the extreme weather it is sent out
in…..the weather proceeds to worsen the odds even
more by damaging nearly every important component
on the boat. The audience is pleading with the
rescue boat captain to turn around and save
themselves…just like the crew.
And the end of the movie? It
makes you feel good, and warm, even though icicles
are forming on the sailors. Making a movie about
a TRUE story that has a happy ending is one of the
best formulas for a great movie – but it doesn’t
guarantee the story will be easy to endure. The
storm will make you flinch, the waves will make
you gasp for air, the failing pumps will make you
beat on the cinema seat arms in frustration. Go
see this movie to be immersed in drama, tension,
and suspense.
Jeff's
Featured Review The 5th Wave
Directed by
J Blakeson
The
quickest way to explain to you why you should not
waste time going to see this movie is to tell you:
all of the best parts were in the movie trailer.
Since most movie trailers are 2 minutes long,
another hour and 58 minutes is a long time to be
either bored or not amused by bad acting and bad
writing.
The movie is based
on the book “The 5th Wave” by Rick
Yancey, a ‘young adult’ novel written about an
alien invasion that progresses through five
‘waves’ of events, killing off the human
population of Earth. First it starts
with an ElectroMagnetic Pulse (EMP), which fries
all electronics and communications (and causes 747
airliners to fall out of the sky, a dramatic scene
in the trailer). Next come massive
earthquakes, even in formerly stable locations,
which also cause massive flooding on the coasts
and inland waterways (the next impressive special
effects display). Then widespread
disease, which explains why many of these
teenagers no longer have parents to help them
survive. The aliens land on
Earth, but we never see the aliens themselves,
only the flying bicycle helmets their drones seem
to resemble.
The only
explanation given for the waves of attacks is that
the aliens want to preserve as much of the planet
as they can, for their own use. EMP is
a good start, so that we can’t fight back too
well. But earthquakes and floods?
Wouldn’t aliens who could cause events like that
have more than enough power to crush any
resistance? And wouldn’t aliens who could
create a flu strain that can wipe out all but 1%
of the human race…..come up with airborne Ebola
and take out the rest with little effort? I
mean…are there, like, only 15 aliens up in their
spaceship?
There are so many
holes in the plot that it almost hides the bad
acting. The main character, a teenaged girl,
has only two expressions –shocked, and scared.
Even before the attack, when she was attending
high school. Even angry would have been nice
to see. The most convincing part for
this actress was greasy hair, after days on the
run through the woods from aliens in human bodies.
Perhaps the series “Walking Dead” has spoiled the
apocalypse for me; everything in that
alternate reality of a collapsed society is dirty,
dusty, damaged, and broken. In The 5th
Wave, it’s mostly a lot of trash left lying
around, as if we had come in the morning after a
big rock concert.
This movie
obviously wants to be another “Hunger Games”
series of movies. It falls far short of
that, because the plot and story are so
unbelievable. Which should say a lot,
since the Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian
future where greedy leaders want to oppress the
masses to exploit them – which is not too
unbelievable. Incompetent aliens who
have to rely on brainwashed teenagers to do the
final clean-up in aisle Earth are not.
Don’t see this
movie. Don’t encourage them to make another
one.
Jeff's
Featured Review 13 HOURS: The Secret
Soldiers of Benghazi
Directed by Michael Bay
13
Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is an
action-adventure-war movie right from the first
three minutes - that's probably due to the
direction of Michael Bay. However, the
story is so well crafted and manages to make you
care about the characters (or loathe them) so
quickly that it doesn't need to rely on Bay's
signature EXPLOSIONS to move the story along.
Minutes into the
movie you quickly understand that Libya is a very
dangerous place, and only the realization that you
have another two hours of film to go make you
believe the characters we first meet will survive
past the first ten minutes. The
Americans manage to bluff their way it of a very
bad situation, which is prescient of the fact the
Americans there in Benghazi are on their own and
without help for the entire incident.
It really helps
that the actors in the movie are not well known,
and there no distraction in seeing a favorite
actor or actress "playing" the role of a special
operator security contractor. These actors
are very believable as hard and tough men.
The excellent screenplay comes into play again,
telling their stories and creating their
characters in a very minimal amount of screen
time.
Another completely
believable aspect of the movie is how reluctant
the CIA station chief in Benghazi and US military
officers outside of Libya were to be courageous
and do the Right Thing. Other people
have said that the CIA station chief who refused
to give permission for a timely rescue has been
treated harshly; the truth is many times
government officials are reluctant to jeopardize
their careers without higher orders.
It happened in Benghazi, it happened again during
the Mayaguez rescue operation, again during the
attack on the USS Liberty.....and it will happen
again in the future, when mistakes are made and no
one wants to take responsibility or do the Right
Thing.
The combat scenes
are very intense and bloody - not appropriate for
pre-teens or sensitive people. We get
to see in very close detail how tactical
military decisions are made to fight off
overwhelming odds and save the rest of the people
in the CIA annex. The tension builds
and builds, and doesn't let up until either the
good guys or the bad guys are dead. We
never really learn anything a out the bad guys,
either who they are or why they attacked,
only they died in great numbers. That's
okay, because the story is really about the
heroism of the GRS contractors who fought against
hordes of Libyans.
The location
looks extremely authentic – it was filmed on the
island of Malta, just off the coast of Libya
itself. The narrow streets, the stone
buildings, all lend to the atmosphere of people
being trapped with no escape.
The movie should
be used as a teaching tool in the years to come.
From the very beginning of the movie, we are
forced to wonder why these Americans are here.
It's not even a real country, just angry mobs with
guns. A nation is needed before you can
start nation-building. Before we send
more Americans into harms way, we should ask
a question that is raised halfway through the
movie - why are we in a place we didn't need to
be, in a battle we don't understand.
I
have been off the grid for the last month or two.
My wife and I got it in our heads that we should
move. So…in about a two month span, we sold
our home in Coon Rapids, packed everything up and
moved to a log home in Clear Lake Minnesota.
It’s on the Brigg’s chain of lakes and is just 45
minutes from my office here in the Northern
Suburbs. We have all of our possessions
boxed up in the garage as we work on some
rehabbing projects that need to be completed
before we settle in for good. We have been
breathing drywall dust and listening to the sounds
of hammers pounding day and night…but we can
finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
With that said…Jr. and I decided it was time to
take a break and go see The Revenant.
Long Story Short:(As provided by studio)
While
exploring the uncharted wilderness in 1823,
legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo
DiCaprio) sustains injuries from a brutal bear
attack. When his hunting team leaves him for dead,
Glass must utilize his survival skills to find a
way back home to his beloved family.
Grief-stricken and fueled by vengeance, Glass
treks through the wintry terrain to track down
John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the former confidant
who betrayed and abandoned him.
My
Take: I
will jump right in by saying, and I might be in
the minority here, that I felt that DiCaprio was
miscast. He just didn’t seem right for the
part of mountain man. Sure he had a beard
and talked with a growl…but just not buying it.
That’s not to say, I haven’t enjoyed his acting in
tons of other stuff…just not so much here.
On the other hand, Tom Hardy was incredible as his
nemesis and was totally believable. An
earlier scalping by Native Americans and a face so
leathered it looked like it was taken off an old
catcher’s glove left nothing to remind you that
this guy is normally a Hollywood pretty boy.
In my opinion, it was also the best acting
performance I have seen to date for him. He,
not DiCaprio, deserves award consideration.
The movie also felt extremely long. I can
think of several scenes that just seemed to go on
forever! If a guy is crawling through the
snow to try and survive…do we really need to watch
him crawling for 20 minutes to get the point?
On the other hand, the cinematography was
stunning. The fantastic framing of the
landscape was jaw dropping. The epic scenery
shots were filmed in Canada, Montana and parts of
Argentina and were worth the price of admission.
I enjoyed the movie…just wish
a few things had been done a little different…but
what do I know?
Refresh
your memories and hold onto your hats, because
Hunger Games: Mockingjay 2 starts off fast and
right where it left off...a year ago.
Make sure you know who is who and what just
happened because things start to happen fast and
not everything is to the character's liking.
The first conflict is very close and personal,
and psychologically hurtful. It
throws Katniss into such a deep despair that even
death seems a better choice to her.
The books may have
been written for youth, but early in the movie the
characters are forced to make some real grown up
decisions about war and morals. Trying
to win against superior odds forces the Alliance
to choose actions which differ little from Snow in
the Capitol. Art imitates life as
surrendering refugees are given commands to "Get
down on the ground! Show your hands!" with such
force and fear that tension builds, and the
viewer almost expects someone to be unjustly shot
dead.
This movie is less
about adventurous combat and more about the
effects of war on people. It's also how the
justification for doing evil in the name of good
seems reasonable and expedient....until the
perpetrators are finally held accountable.
Including holding yourself accountable.
There is enough
combat and action in the movie to make fans happy.
The level of violence and gore is manageable, even
for pre-teens. However, the battle in
the flooded tunnels is so intense that it might be
prudent to watch it through a screen of fingers
before the eyes. I doesn't help that
a beloved character and hero dies a gruesome
death.
Katniss is not
motivated by strategic goals, or support for the
revolution....early on the movie, she is driven by
pure revenge and hate. And nearly
everyone around her suffers. At the
climax of the movie, she reclaims her pure, good
intentions.....and causes Snow to die a far more
horrible death than she had hoped to inflict on
him by her own hand.
The end of the
movie treats us to a beautiful sunset and idyllic
countryside. Katniss' final words
could easily be said by any veteran that survived
a protracted, painful conflict. We
should listen to all of what they tell us.