Thursday, January 26, 2023
Academy Award nominee Nighy puts some memorable life into 'Living'
Friday, January 20, 2023
'Women' finally talks to everyone, but 'Son' is not even close to 'Father'
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: mature thematic content involving suicide, strong language; 2:03; $ $ out of $5
Also opening today in theaters: Alone at Night, Missing, When You Finish Saving the World, and You People (which also streams on Netflix, beginning Jan. 27).
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Hanks and cast score with 'Otto'; possessive 'M3GAN' scares hard, too
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Christmas 6-pack: 'Babylon,' 'Corsage,' 'Eye,' 'Boots,' 'Whale,' 'Whitney'
"Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody" ($ $ and 1/2): The tragically late, enormously great chanteuse's vocal stylings become the reason to see this so-so biopic, especially since two documentaries about her crowded life and drug-related death in 2011 probably rehashed more than her most devoted fans wanted to know, anyway. Regardless, it's all here -- again -- from Houston's awe-inspiring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV to her "Love" medley at the 1994 American Music Awards, which this film uses to bookend itself. In between, too, for good or bad, better or worse, Robin Crawford (the scene stealing Nafessa Williams of CW's "Black Lightning") or Bobby Brown (Ashton Hudson from "Moonlight"), all earn lavish screen time right up to the unhappy end. Unfortunately, where this "Dance" stumbles most, though, comes with the college-try approach of Brit Naomi Ackie, who simply never provides the kind of pop that "Pop Princess" Houston herself almost always delivered. (Rated "PG-13" and in theaters just about everywhere.)
Friday, December 16, 2022
No surprise that new 'Avatar' is one to behold as holiday releases appear
Certainly, all their demanding work looks marvelous in the most astonishing 3D ever (especially during early moments and some thrilling closing sequences) and various other well-publicized, extra special effects. (Those include WETA-inspired faces and sensational underwater, performance-capture techniques, which even find room for a few nods to Cameron's all-time fan favorite, "Titanic.")
Of course, if film wasn't still such an all-encompassing visual medium, the director's partners in screenwriting, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (themselves a team best known for "Jurassic World" and this century's trio of "Planet of the Apes" sequels), might have had some trouble putting together a story that fills more than three hours for ever-restless audiences.
As it is, returning lead characters portrayed by Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington, don't find much penetrating dialogue to deliver, but they do have four kids, including one that sounds a lot like Sigourney Weaver. Listen to any or all of them if you'd like, but wide eyes become the only tools anyone really needs to enjoy the epic entertainment offered here.
Rated "PG-13 by MPAA: sequences of strong violence and intense action; partial nudity and some strong language; 3:12; $ $ $ $ out of $5
("Avatar: The Way of Water" starts today on reportedly more than 3,000 screens nationwide.)
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Guillermo del Toro delivers 'Pinocchio'; Will Smith works 'Emancipation'
Rated "PG" by MPAA: dark thematic material, violence, peril, some rude humor, and brief smoking; 1:57; $ $ $ $ out of $5
Also streaming anew Friday (on AppleTV+) after a brief theatrical run is "Emancipation," a movie certainly to be endured and not easily enjoyed by anyone with a heart and soul.
Friday, December 2, 2022
Ohio-based 'Noise' and Marine base 'Inspection' join late-year film rush
("White Noise," the Opening-Nighter at this summer's Venice International Film Festival, debuts today in a few select theaters -- including the Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights -- before landing Dec. 30 on Netflix.)
"The Inspection" mostly tells a true story that turns into a smart and thoughtful first film from uniquely named writer/director Elegance Bratton. That's because it seriously is a tale about Bratton himself, and how his tough, religious, prison-guard mom threw her 16-year-old son out into the mean streets of Trenton, N.J., because she could not accept that he was gay.
Thursday, November 24, 2022
A full bounty of movies for a big, busy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday
Get a taste of a huge holiday movie banquet with a few thoughts and ratings below, today even including some tempting leftovers from last weekend. (Thank goodness, too, we could watch six of these films when they premiered during September's crowded, 47th annual Toronto International Film Festival.)
"She Said" ($ $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5): A year ago, German director Maria Schneider had some fun with romance in a clever A.I. comedy ("I'm Your Man"). Now, there's nothing funny about her follow-up about the real newspaper folks (seriously played by the likes of Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson and more), In fact, their dedication in helping to send movie mogul and conceivable monster Harvey Weinstein to prison not only becomes a brilliant case study of how investigative journalism is supposed to work, but a tribute to his countless victims as well. Two of them, as so grandly portrayed by Samantha Morton and Jennifer Ehle, further enhance the remarkable ensemble involved. (Rated "R," in theaters everywhere)"The Wonder" ($ $ $ $): Director Sebastian Leilio ("A Fantastic Woman") lets the voice of his well-chosen star (Florence Pugh) ask us to "believe in this story" to begin a hypnotic journey into 1862 Ireland. Methinks you will, with Pugh thoroughly convincing as an English nurse paid to watch -- not treat -- a young girl (Kila Lord Cassidy) showing nary a sign of starvation, despite not having eaten for at least four months. Is she a "wee faker," as doubters and agnostics suggest, or the "miracle child" that devout Catholics in her spare village believe she is? Screenwriter Alice Birch, who brought Pugh to films in "Lady Macbeth," co-pens with Leilio, as based on a book by Emma Donoghue of psychologically moving "Room" fame. (Rated "R," on Netflix now.)
"The Menu" ($ $ and 1/2): If you love watching difficult people dish and dine, then you might swallow the intriguing premise here. I did not, although a scary chef (Ralph Fiennes) catering only to the filthy rich leaves room for a lot of explaining to do about how he treats his regulars. Of course, they are a mostly unlikable mix anyway, even if their faces belong to Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, John Leguizamo, and the good-to-see Judith Light. Back-of-the-house chores get properly stolen, though, by an assistant chef in the on-the-rise guise of Hong Chau, also soon to be seen in "The Whale." (Rated "R," in theaters everywhere)
"Spirited" ($ $ and 1/2): Firmly established song-and dance-men Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, both of whom seem to enjoy a genuine screen talent for pushing buttons that can turn them from obnoxious to agreeable and back again, get together to urge, "Hey, gang, let's put on a show!" Ok, ok, I'm jesting. Besides, even if nobody needs another twist on "A Christmas Carol," especially one with run-of-the-mill tunes and production numbers usually stopping the show in the wrong kind of way, the dynamic duo does produce -- and share -- a few humorous moments. The best ones, though, feature scenes with the always-giving Octavia Spencer and the amusing, ghostly presence of Sunita Mani. (Rated "PG-13," now on AppleTV+)"Devotion" ($ $ $ and 1/2): Quickly overcoming a few clunky moments at the start, the stirring story of groundbreaking Black aviator Jesse Brown reaches for the stars, features enough emotional moments to dampen a few handkerchiefs, and stands tall behind the romance between the stoic Brown (Jonathan Majors) and his lovely wife (Christina Jackson). Both offer solidly credible turns and so does Glen Powell, as Brown's best friend before and during America's "forgotten" war in Korea. Whether true or not, a shore-leave encounter with actress Elizabeth Taylor (Serinda Swann) finds a way to interject some fun into an otherwise strong and serious telling. (Rated "PG-13," in theaters only)
"The Fabelmans" ($ $ $ and 1/2): Ever since winning its notable TIFF People's Choice Award, Steven Spielberg's latest and most personal film has been pegged as the one to beat for the 2022 Best Picture Oscar. Uh, not so fast my friends. This is simply an accomplished coming-of-age story, and so what if it borrows a few real moments from the life of a guy who became a legendary filmmaker? The youngster here is the film-obsessed "Sammy," nicely captured by a pair of kids both showing signs of actually growing up to look like Spielberg. The first (a long-named Mateo Zoryon Frances-Deford, honest) finds huge influences while watching "The Greatest Show on Earth," and the older one (Gabriel LaBelle) deals with family drama, mostly involving his spirited mother (an overtly showy Michelle Williams). Otherwise, Judd Hirsch almost runs away with it all during just 10 wonderful minutes as the fascinating Uncle Boris. (Rated "PG-13," only in theaters)"The Swimmers" ($ $ $): The actual TIFF Opening-Nighter, written and directed by the festival's "Emerging Talent" winner Sally El Hosaini, is based on two sisters who ran away from war-torn Syria with dreams of becoming Olympic athletes. The real "swimmers" attended the world premiere of their story, as did the pair of acting newcomers (Manal and Nathalie Issa) giving them life on the big screen. All four earned loud, long ovations from Toronto crowds, the same ones which for years have been called "the best movie audiences in the world." They might have been a bit kind to this one, though, especially after a superfluous ending truly pales in comparison to El Hosaini's powerful presentation of the girls' dangerous trek. (Rated "PG-13," streaming on Netflix)
"Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" ($ $): I still can hear the positive chants and whistles from yet another sold-out TIFF audience, which so obviously enjoyed Rian Johnson's star-studded sequel at 9 o'clock on a Sunday morning, no less. Meanwhile, color me disappointed by the murderously convoluted plot points that had to be repeated to prove the tacky cleverness of things. Add the silly reminders of the Covid-19 pandemic too few of us actually managed to survive, and even an over-the-top Daniel Craig, back again as super sleuth Benoit Blanc, could not save my day. By the way, of all the players assembled for this latest and extremely long cat-and-mouse activity, it says here that Janelle Monae fares best. Regardless, what really killed me is that I hardly laughed at all. (Rated "PG-13," in theaters until Nov. 29, before it debuts for good Dec. 23 on Netflix)"The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special": ($ $ $ $) A genuinely happy ending to this special day features the release of a terrific offering from writer/director James Gunn and his Marvel(ously) outrageous team of superheroes. I mean, absolutely all the goons and gals from my favorite MCU extension show up for an ever-funny attempt to figure out what this magical and distinctively Earthly thing called Christmas really is all about. A few also believe that their melancholy leader, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), could use some legitimate cheer, so why not bring him the special gift of the "heroic" Kevin Bacon? That means pairing mind mischief from Mantis (the sparkling Pam Klementieff) with the mighty humor of Drax (Dave Bautista) for one hoot of an intergalactic mission to kidnap the actor. Without giving away too much of this crowded, 45-minute treat, talented Bacon gets to sing, a new franchise reveal becomes a memorably charming moment, and a laugh with the trademark end-of-credits segment ties a big red bow around it all. Happy holidays indeed! (Rated "TV-14" and showing only on Disney+)
Other new viewing possibilities: "Bones and All (only in theaters)," "Disenchanted (exclusively on Disney+)," "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" (in a few select theaters before its Dec. 9 Netflix debut), and "Strange World" (for now just in theaters).
Friday, November 11, 2022
'Wakanda' might play forever; 'Oppy' and fellow robot keep on ticking, too
To these old eyes, though, the brilliance of the piece comes in how co-writer and director Ryan Coogler, back from 2018's epic (in every way imaginable) screen original, manages to fill in the somber blanks left by the sad absence of his legitimate bright light, Chadwick Boseman.
There are nice tributes galore to the young "Black Panther" actor, whose quiet and shocking death from cancer two years ago left Coogler to come up with special sequel plot possibilities -- from the lavish funeral for Boseman's King T'jalla dominating the first act to a sweetly touching segment during the end credits, virtually assuring how Wakanda seriously and truly just might live forever.
That last moment shares time with a worthy closing ballad, "Lift Me Up," sung by Rihanna and already 2022's frontrunner for a Best Original Song Oscar.
Speaking of awards, don't be surprised if Angela Bassett, who kinda goes all Shakespearian on us as the dazzling Queen Ramonda, earns some acting mentions for her energetic work here. Meanwhile, even if lithe and lovely Letitia Wright doesn't yet project the heft of her motherly co-star, her own moments of both sadness and strength, as T'jalla's sister Shuri, certainly promise to serve the future of the franchise well.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: sequences of strong violence, action and some language; 2:41; $ $ $ out of $5
("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is playing at theaters everywhere -- and then some.)
Angela Bassett, once again showing off more of her singular versatility, narrates another new movie today, "Good Night Oppy," an offering about rover robots on Mars that's scintillating enough to have been among the pacesetters for Sunday night's Critics Choice (Association) Documentary Awards.In fact, Bassett's vocal delivery earned her one of the film's six nominations, which include Best Feature and possible Best Director honors for Ryan White. (Find the complete list of CCA nominees (then victors) here. Winners will be announced during a New York ceremony, which will stream live on Facebook and Instagram.)
If "Oppy" does drag home a big haul Sunday, it will be because of its warmth, spirit and seeming humanity, an odd combination for an inspiring bucket of bolts that roamed the Red Planet for 15 years after expectations "to live" just 90 days.
That makes for often fascinating and unexpectedly touching stuff, even if some of the affection looks a bit long in the tooth by the time "Opportunity," the real name of the title gizmo, has paid its geological dues.
Rated "PG" by MPAA: some mild language; 1:45; $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
("Good Night Oppy" is now in select theaters, including northeast Ohio's Cedar Lee, before its Nov. 23 streaming debut, exclusively on Prime Video.)
Friday, November 4, 2022
Exceptional 'Banshees,' 'Tanya' returns, and a little something 'Weird'
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Dance on screen with 'Everybody' and 'Me,' just not on 'Retaliators' toes
This small-budget gem from first-time director Dan Watt highlights a brief -- and invaluably moving -- story of an equally tiny studio/school smartly called "Ballet for All Kids," as founded by a remarkable woman, who gets volunteer help from a group of secondary and college students all deserving of medals or more, too.
Many of their dancers, you see, are special needs kids, whose own lives keep getting enriched and, perhaps, a little bit nicely frazzled, in preparing for the school's annual recital. So do some parents, whose words and faces reveal a wealth of emotions in watching their boy or girl earning his or her own unique moments under a spotlight on stage with similar dance mates. Talk about exhibiting legitimate pride, one young miss compares the moment to "like being in heaven"!Leading up to the those deeply felt displays down the stretch, the heroic Barbara Schlachte tells us why she created her school, introduces us to this year's aspiring and uniquely inspiring talents, and discusses the well-documented benefits of teaching ballet.
"Learning a classical art supports a student in so many ways," she says. "It improves self-esteem, self-confidence, focus, motor skills. The list just goes on and on."
So does the poignancy. Be sure to watch with a very large handkerchief ready.
Not rated by MPAA (but filled only with moments of joy and love); 1:25; $ $ $ $ out of $5
("Everybody Dance" debuted at the 47th annual Cleveland International Film Festival and is now available on VOD outlets everywhere.)
If you want to keep those feet moving, "Ask Me to Dance" just may be your ticket, not to mention a source for providing a bunch of loud and unexpected laughs.Of course, who doesn't think that Mario Cantone is funny? I mean, the guy is always a riot, whether making a TV talk-show host fall on the floor or introducing his favorite horror movies on the TCM Network.
Cantone happily jumps in and out throughout, but also just happens to open the proceedings here on the dance floor, as a fun-loving matchmaker type, with his BFF Jill (lovely and likable Briana Evigan) somehow still single while the world around her keeps pairing up.
Well, wouldn't you know that someone named Jack (Tom Malloy) will within moments find himself up on that same floor in a souped-up dance contest, then leave quickly before meeting the potential Jill of his dreams -- at least for right now. (And wait'll you see the gypsy Jack and Jill each runs into on their way home.)
Actually, Malloy also writes, directs and co-produces the fun-loving feature that's never afraid to mix adult friskiness with the downright weird. Celebrities such as "Three's Company" legend Joyce DeWitt, as a shoot-from-the-lip Nana, and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, playing his smiling self, enter the fray out of nowhere and help get the mostly fast-moving rom-com to where everyone knows it's going.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: crude sexual material and language; 1:35; $ $ $ out of $5
("Ask Me to Dance" is finding its way into select theaters around the country before a Nov. 8 release on VOD.)
And now for something completely different: It's "The Retaliators," just about perfect for hardcore-Halloweeners and with a Christmas-time message of its own, no less.Michael Lombardi (from TV's "Rescue Me") genuinely portrays a Christian pastor named Bishop and a single dad with two daughters. What happens to the oldest one, though, becomes too much for even the most "other-cheek"-oriented man among us, no matter what faith he practices or preaches.
Getting Bishop into real retaliation mode even might mean putting him in touch with a tough homicide detective played by Marc Menchaca. If you don't recognize the name, you might know him from two memorable roles: Russ Langmore in Netflix's "Ozark" or Klansman Joe on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Then look rather quickly or you'll miss cameos from Brian O'Halloran (from the "Clerks" movies, among others), the real Tommy Lee, and probably a few more rockers, whose music screams so loudly along the way.
In fact, Lee's Motley Crue bandmate, Nikki Sixx, is credited with co-writing the movie's spiritually heavy theme song. Some might even give a big Amen to that!
Not rated by MPAA (but brimming with blood and gore, violence, language and all the rest); 1:37; $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
("The Retaliators" is now available on VOD outlets everywhere.)
Friday, October 21, 2022
Some standard stuff: A couple TIFF premieres and a Clooney/Roberts romp
Poster boy Harry Styles set more than a few Canadian hearts aflutter early last month outside and inside the city's venerable Princess of Wales Theater, where the 47th annual Toronto International Film Festival hosted the world premiere of "My Policeman," featuring the rock star-turned actor's work as the title character.
("My Policeman" opens today in select theaters before streaming exclusively Nov. 4 on Prime Video.)
Young Styles had more than a little celebrity company of all ages earning cheers and whistles at a variety of TIFF venues and red carpets. In fact, fiftysomethings Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor were among many on hand, too, though perhaps enjoying more polite applause for another world premiere showing, "Raymond & Ray."The plot in the dramedy from writer/director Rodrigo Garcia ("Nine Lives") finds our ever-swell duo easily becoming half-brothers and reluctantly reuniting for the funeral of their derelict ol' man.
Of course, their father is the guy responsible for giving them the same first names, just one of a few purposeful acts of cruelty they discuss when getting together again. None of it is really much fun, but their inevitable homecoming allows each to discover things about their sibling, themselves, and the not-so-dearly departed's last wish for both of them: He actually wants his boys to dig his grave.
A couple of strong women (portrayed by Maribel Verdu and Sophie Okonedo) pop in often enough, as well, to energize the proceedings and let us and the kids know that maybe the man they called Harris really wasn't such a bad persom down the stretch after all.
Rated "R" by MPAA: language and some sexual material; 1:46; $ $ $ out of $5
("Raymond & Ray" opens today in a few theaters, including the Cedar Lee in northeast Ohio, and streams only on AppleTV+.)
Maybe the latest from Hollywood superstars Julia Roberts and George Clooney, another big-screen coupling with tons of red-carpet experience, didn't make the final cut for TIFF this year, but their fifth film pairing in "Ticket to Paradise" once again finds them as a divorced twosome with a problematic past.Honestly, though, it's really as pleasant of a rom-com partnership as it sounds, especially since good-looking Julia and George just might now hold the all-time record for number of combined smiles in a movie. Despite their over-the-top bickering early on, playing the parents of a smart and pretty daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) finding first-sight romance in beautiful Bali, of all places, obviously pays dividends (apparently even with a gorgeously appealing part of Australia standing in for paradise).
Uh, on the other hand, all-the-way-at-the-end-credits begin with some insufferable outtakes, whose presence alone usually signals a production team's lack of confidence in much of what precedes them. Screenwriting certainly is not always the sharpest here, and predictability surfaces almost immediately. Ah, just go to see the stars (only at your local cineplex), and you'll smile along, too.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: some strong language and brief suggestive material; 1:45; $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
(Also new in theaters now: "Black Adam," "Detective Knight: Rogue," and "Till." Streaming just on Netflix: "The School for Good and Evil.")