Friday, July 1, 2022
Here's to more 'Minions,' less Gru; 'Nolan' is a hit; small 'Stalker' still rattles
Friday, June 24, 2022
'Elvis' fully rocks; 'Phantom' swings for fun; 'Black Phone' rings for scares
Friday, June 17, 2022
'Cha Cha' really dances; 'Lightyear' nicely animates; gentle 'Leo' surprises
That's because the ever-superb Emma Thompson, as a sixtysomething widow who never has been fulfilled during lovemaking, hires the 40-years-younger title character to turn the, uh, trick. Certainly charming and handsome leading man Daryl McCormack looks and acts more than capably enough to do it, and the script from first-time screenwriter Katy Brand sizzles with wit and an uncommonly consistent sense of where can we possibly go next?
Then, just when you think that director Sophie Hyde and her nifty adult production might be running off the tracks, a curve from a third character helps set the stage for a final, incredibly unexpected money shot that might knock more than your socks off.
What definitely can be expected now, though, are significant mainstream (acting) offers for McCormack and more water-cooler talk about the brave Ms. Thompson than she's ever heard before in a distinguished, 35-year career.
("Good Luck to You, Leo Grand" is streaming exclusively now on Hulu.)
Rated "R" by MPAA: sexual content, graphic nudity and some language; 1:47; $ $ $ $ out of $5
Friday, June 10, 2022
Final 'Jurassic' parks all over the place; 'Hustle' hits some three-pointers
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: intense sequences of some violence and language; 2:26; $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
Adam Sandler remains on his game as producer and star of "Hustle," a by-the-book basketball story that hoopsters will embrace and others may simply tolerate.Rated "R" by MPAA: for language; 1:58; $ $ $ out of $5
Friday, June 3, 2022
'A New Orleans Story' features all that cool jazz and much, much more
Also scheduled to open in theaters today: Crimes of the Future, Eiffel, Watcher, and White Elephant. Streaming: Fire Island (Hulu), Hollywood Stargirl (Disney+) and Interceptor (Netflix).
Friday, May 27, 2022
A familiar ol' 'Top Gun,' some stale 'Burgers,' and the real 'Emergency'
Of course, Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" walked away with the Song Oscar from the original "Top Gun," even if "Danger Zone" (which did go on to earn Kenny Loggins a Grammy Award) was the upbeat credits closer 36 years ago. In fact, some quickly "Danger"(ous) notes can be heard dancing around "Maverick," which also uses more photos than clips to bring back memories from America's No.1 box-office hit of 1986.
Otherwise, the biggest reminder obviously comes with the return of legitimate movie star Tom Cruise, now admirably playing a more mature and wiser version than the young hotshot who earned his titular nickname as a heroic and excitingly successful test pilot.
Also back is Val Kilmer, still called "Ice" by some, but now the U.S. Naval Commander of the (entire) Pacific Fleet. Naturally, his emotional reunion scene with Cruise will be the best 10 minutes in the film for many, but they also might notice all the nifty and newest digital cinematography moments from Claudio Miranda, already an Oscar winner himself for 2013's "Life of Pi," currently in his fifth big-screen collaboration with director Joseph Kosinksi.
The rest has Kosinski ("Only the Brave," "Tron: Legacy") serving up the requisite summer schmaltz and gravy, including a side of Jon "Too Much" Hamm," as the superior officer who repeatedly, testily and haplessly rags on Maverick's every spirited move. Talk about mad men!
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: sequences of intense action and some strong language; 2:12; $ $ $ out of $5
Please excuse the bun, but "The Bob's Burgers Movie" really must be more than just an acquired taste, no? After all, the FOX-TV series on which it's based has been running every Sunday night for 11 years.I think I watched the animated show's opening episode and never went back (unlike "The Simpsons," first noticed in this corner as a cartoon short on the old "Tracy Ullman Show" in 1987, and still occasionally viewed today during its own incredibly enduring -- and on-going record -- 33rd season).
Sad to say, the "Burgers" movie simply doesn't go down so easily. Three or four laugh-out-loud-instigating jokes and a few (very) silly songs in a dinosaur-paced 100 minutes do not a successful comedy make.
Besides, the murderous plot has gloomy Bob Belcher (H. Bob Benjamin) and ever-boosting wife Linda (John Roberts) worrying about paying the rent. And, that's even before a sudden and huge sinkhole not only hampers their eatery business, but leads to daughter Louise (Kristen Schaal), the youngest of three oddball Belcher kids, to finding skeletal remains at the bottom. Uh, maybe next time we'll just order fries.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: rude/suggestive material and language; 1:42; $ $ out of $5
Finally, that leaves the movie week's only real thought-provoker with "Emergency" (already in some select theaters and debuting on Prime Video today).
Rated "R" by MPAA: pervasive language, drug use and some sexual references; 1:44; $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Meet the haves of stuffy 'Downton' and have-nots of warm-hearted 'Valet'
It's no, uh, "Masterpiece," but legitimate fans of the long-running PBS-TV series surely will enjoy how the film gives everyone a chance to contribute in their own special if predictable ways.
"Downton" creator/screenwriter Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park") and director Simon Curtis ("My Week With Marilyn") bookend these proceedings with a wedding and a funeral. In between, those richly famous Crawley Family dynamics -- still overseen by Countess/matriarch Violet (as always, so smartly portrayed by truly Grand Dame Maggie Smith) -- include a few period-piece swoons and some inevitable redemption to smooth over any potential cracks.
Violet herself is inheriting the aforementioned and fabulously picturesqe villa, which has been willed to her by a wealthy former suitor. That means tongues start wagging, too, when part of the clan heads to France to discuss closing arrangements. Meanwhile, the rest stay home to deal with a film crew using their estate for a location shoot beset with numerous problems.
Perhaps worst among them is a pretty, petty actress (the fine Laura Haddock), whose difficulties with the spoken word seem borrowed from the memorable struggles of Jean Hagen in the '50s "Singin' in the Rain." Don't worry, though, it's the formidable Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and two wait-staff cuties (Joanne Frogatt and Sophie McSharra) who might come up with solutions. Otherwise, Dominic West, as the star of the movie within the movie, also contributes mightily.
Rated "PG" by MPAA: suggestive references, language and thematic elements; 2:05; $ $ $ out of $5
Ironically, it's truly seeing how the other half lives in a generally Hollywood-neglected part of Los Angeles that becomes one of the movie charms of "The Valet" (starting Friday only on Hulu).The mild-mannered Antonio (lovingly played by Eugenio Derbez, the choir director in the Oscar-winning "CODA") unassumingly rides his wobbly old bike to park cars at a swanky Beverly Hills hotel each morning and back to his Hispanic neighborhood off Pico Boulevard, near fabled MacArthur Park, every night. But who knew an accident on the way home would get the guy involved with paparazzi ("Hey, I don't even like to be in family photos," he says) and, more significantly, one of the world's most glamorous movie stars (the terrific Samara Weaving).
The silly story comes from a 2006 French film ("La Doublure"), re-imagined here for American audiences by a couple of writers, Bob Fisher ("Wedding Crashers") and Rob Greenberg (TV's "Frasier"), with some classic successes on their busy resumes. Still, it's the way they let Antonio and Weaving's Olivia spark a friendship and deal with the valet's loving, immigrant family that often makes their screenplay shine.
The engaging ensemble includes scene-stealing Carmen Salinas (in the last role before her December passing), as Antonio's outspoken live-in mother. Naturally, she doesn't speak English but nevertheless enjoys a full-on fling with the Korean landlord (Ji Yong Lee). Since neither undertands what the other is saying, Mom explains (through subtitles), "we speak a deeper language."
So does their movie, which at times is as meaningful about good things happening to decent people as it is funny. Kudos, Hulu, for picking it up.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: sexual content, some strong language and brief drug material; 1:57; $ $ $ 1/2 out of $5
(Also opening in theaters Friday is the Sundance hit "Emergency,," which will start streaming, too, May 27 on Prime Video; the horror-laden "Men," and the political documentary "2000 Mules." The animated "Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers" streams exclusively on Disney+).
Friday, May 6, 2022
'Strange' goings-on take backseat to playful 'Duke' and tiny French charmer
I mean, there's nothing particularly awful about "Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," but the title really says it all, and so does a warning from a pivotal character who quips, "Rule number one of multiversal travel is you don't know anything."
And, oh by the way, the plot -- helped immensely since the last multi-billion-dollar "Spider-Man" smash kinda spurred on the idea of multiverses -- gives the extremely wealthy Marvel Universe license to dismiss anything and everything fans think they know about other stories and movies they paid to read and watch previously. (According to a count provided by the same super-traveling heroine mentioned above, the number of multiverses she has visited already stands at 72. Geez!)
The multi-dimensional result thus becomes a mix of the same superheroes turning from good gals and guys in one world to bad ones in another, with even a very distinct possibility of changing back and forth again in the same film. Without giving much away, such a convoluted notion leads to perhaps the loveliest segment in this "Madness," when two sides of Dr. Stephen Strange, both portrayed again by the influential Benedict Cumberbatch, brawl mightily while accompanied by a cacophony of music nicely orchestrated by Danny Elfman.
Not as successful in the department of the ol' switcheroo, though, is Disney+ "WandaVision" star Elizabeth Olsen, helping as much as hindering in the dual role of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, with the latter playing like a soccer mom's answer to Maleficent.
Now, that's a Disney villain you'll probably never see in a Marvel movie, but the odd assortment of old and new players, either brought back or introduced anew, should keep genuine fans of crossover franchising happy. If anyone cares, it says here that returning "Strange" love interest Rachel McAdams and a cameo from Bruce Campbell (legendary friend to director Sam Raimi) weave their way through such messy madness as two of the legitimate standouts.
Rated "PG-13" by MPAA: intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language; 2:12; $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
Adults in the room may have more luck embracing "The Duke," based on the true story of a devilish Brit accused of stealing a Goya painting from the National Gallery "for the greater good."Rated "R" by MPAA: language and brief sexuality; 1:36; $ $ $ $ out of $5
Finally this week, there's the festval and art house favorite "Petite Maman," a wee fantasy from writer/director Celine Sciamma, the same auteur who gave us 2019's powerful "Portrait of a Lady on Fire."Her latest is as subtle as the last one was rousing with its intricate explorations of death, mother-daughter connections and childhood friendship all sneaking up on us through the brilliant camera work of Claire Mahon.
Identical twins (Josephine and Gabriel Sanz) star as unrelated 8-year-olds, who meet sweetly in the woods after one's grandmother dies, then become fast pals. Before we realize it and the quickly arriving end, Sciamma's smartly titled work (translating to "Little Mom") turns into a bit of a lark that still flies away with our hearts.
Rated "PG" by MPAA: thematic elements and brief smoking; 1:12; $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
("The Duke" and "Petite Maman" have been making their rounds at select theaters for a few weeks. They both open today in northeast Ohio, with the latter showing exclusively at the Cedar Lee Theater.)
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Shatner, 'Jay & Silent Bob' among top celeb guests at FAN EXPO Cleveland
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A "Clerks" reunion presents Jason Mewes & Kevin Smith. |
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Eggers swings for the fences with 'Northman' but falls short of real power
Now, though. the director (and co-writer) really goes straight for the jugular with a big budget blood and mud bath, "The Northman," which takes a mythic tale that apparently inspired "Hamlet" and dresses it up for the big screen with "Game of Thrones"-like mayhem. (Hence, the creepy stuff is saved this time for Nicole Kidman's "maternal" character. Get it?)
Eggers brings along a couple of stalwarts from his aformentioned movies, too, with "Lighthouse"-keeper Willem Dafoe here portraying a combo jester/advisor to a murdered Nordic king (Ethan Hawke), and Anya Taylor-Joy, now an A-lister after playing "The Witch" and a chess whiz on "The Queen's Gambit," nicely still settling for supporting love interest to the dead monarch's muscular and revenge-happy son (Alexander Skarsgard).
Of course, none of the players should be blamed for the uneven historical canvas or the unnecessary length of some scenes. One, in fact, the great Dane named Claes Bang, who was so good in little movies such as "The Square" and "The Burnt Orange Heresy," even mightily impresses with his own kingly clout.
Regardless, if anyone really is looking to be entertained by stories of this ilk, may I suggest a 1958 spectacle simply called "The Vikings"? Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Orson Welles -- full-fledged movie stars all -- carried the film to a resounding $13 million international box office and spawned a TV series in which none of them worked. By the way, if you can't locate the movie on a streaming service, a place called your local library might find a copy somewhere.
Rated "R" by MPAA: strong bloody violence, some sexual content and nudity; 2:20; $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
Also opening only in theaters Friday: "The Bad Guys" (animated) and "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" (with Nicolas Cage actually playing himself).
Thursday, April 14, 2022
'Father Stu' and newest 'Beasts' each tries hard to convert the masses
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Wahlberg's "Stu" at church. |
For what might be the actor's best performance since his Oscar-nominated turn in 2006 Best Picture "The Departed," he again goes through a plot-induced transformation that takes him body and soul from bruising boxer to aspiring, if somewhat delusional actor and, finally, to inspirational man of God.
There's another unexpected physical twist down the emotional stretch, but it's Wahlberg's ability to have us believe his foul-mouthed crusader actually might relate to the stained masses that makes a pivotal difference in Stu's very Catholic conversion.
The church-going Wahlberg's personal passion project gets strong help from worthy parental turns by Jackie Weaver and Mel Gibson, whose often angry roles finally earn some softer moments, too. Still, the story's most positive presence comes from Teresa Ruiz, as the religious young woman who instigated Stu's reclamation in the first place.
By the way, producer Wahlberg might have received a real blessing with the casting of ever-grand Malcolm McDowell, on hand here as Stu's pastor. The British star played perhaps filmdom's most sadistic bad boy in Stanley Kubrick's now 50-year-old classic, "A Clockwork Orange."
Rated "R" by MPAA: for language throughout; 2:04; $ $ $ and 1/2 out of $5
While on the subject of the dark side, the special-effects witchcraft in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" truly is the reason to see this third franchise effort to convert "Harry Potter" fans to watch more wizardry from author-turned screenwriter J.K. Rowling.
Thursday, April 7, 2022
All-star cast helps nurture book-based, war-tinged 'Mothering Sunday'
Way back in September, "Mothering Sunday" was the first movie I watched on the second day of the 46th annual Toronto International Film Festival. Now, finally, it's making some overdue theatrical rounds and premieres Friday at a half-dozen theaters in northeastern Ohio.
Among other films opening only in theaters on Friday: "Ambulance," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and "Sonic The Hedgehog 2." Meanwhile, "All the Old Knives" debuts both in theaters and on Prime Video, with "Cow," a BAFTA-nominated documentary, apparently available in even fewer theaters and On Demand. Finally, "Minamata," one of the features voted among the year's top five Oscar fan favorites of 2021 in a Twitter poll, launches on VOD and digital outlets just about everywhere.