The Marvels

My View: The Marvels (2023) PG-13 Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) is an astronaut working for S.A.B.E.R. and Nick Fury. While investigating a wormhole linked to the Kree, Monica’s powers become entangled with Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and Ms. Marvel, Kamala Kahn (Iman Vellani). The trio will have to team up to defeat a new enemy while trying to figure out why they are swapping places with each other every time they use their powers. As a film critic, I get upset when films are judged before anyone sees them. Such is the case with The Marvels. I am a huge fan of Brie Larson as she is in two films from 2013 that I love, The Spectacular Now and Short Term 12. While I liked the Ms. Marvel and Wandavision series, I felt both ran out of steam by the end of their respective episodes. However, I had high hopes that the charisma of Larson would meld with the high energy of Iman Vellani and the cool factor of Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau. I was right. First, this works because of the brilliance of Iman Vellani as Kamala Kahn, who breathes a bit of fresh air into every scene she is in. She is so much fun to watch as Ms. Marvel, a superhero who is still figuring out what she can and cannot do but is ready to try. Vellani gives us a character full of adventure and life while still being a fangirl of Captain Marvel. You almost feel that Vellani isn’t acting, but is that excited to be an actor in this film as much as her character is. Now it is known that I am not a fan of cats, but occasionally one shows up that I like, and Moose the alien cat is hilarious as Captain Marvel’s sidekick. The film is fast, funny, and I loved you don’t have to have seen the TV series to figure out each character. My problem with the film is that the bad guy in the movie, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), is a pretty weak one, and the final battle doesn’t live up to the rest of the film. Still, The Marvels is a lot of fun to watch, Iman Vellani is terrific, and Moose is, well, Moose. And the film is 1 hour and forty-five minutes long, which is a brisk pace for so many recent releases. And there is, as usual, a bonus scene after the first round of final credits. So go have some fun at the movies and see The Marvels. But be sure to watch out for Moose. He tends to spit up a hairball or something bigger occasionally.   My Rating: Full Price The Marvels Website  Now playing in theaters nationwide.

My View: The Holdovers (2023) R  Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is a history teacher at a remote prep school known for being demanding and cranky. The last thing he wants to do is babysit a student named Angus (Dominic Sessa), who has no place to go during the holidays, but he has no choice. They are now stuck together along with the school cafeteria manager (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) for the holiday break. It’s going to be a holiday that both won’t forget. This is a funny and touching film about three lost souls who aren’t happy about having to spend the holidays with each other. As you would expect, Paul Giamatti is just about perfect in the role of the teacher who looks down on his students and expects far more than they are willing to give. Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a delight as the cook with an attitude who isn’t going to take any gruff. The surprise of the film is Dominic Sessa, who holds his own with Giamatti, able to act toe to toe and hold his own. The two play off each other wonderfully, and their timing and chemistry is a wonder to behold. I also want to mention Carrie Preston, a favorite of mine, who lights up the scenes she is in as the love interest for the teacher. With its clever twists and turns, The Holdovers is a delightful and entertaining exploration of finding family and understanding in unexpected places. So class, find your places, because Mr. Hunham is about to teach us a thing or two. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  The Holdovers Website  Now playing in theatres.

My View: What Happens Later (2023) R Willa (Meg Ryan) and Bill (David Duchovny) are ex-lovers who were together over twenty years ago. They are now stuck in an airport overnight together. Will they find the spark again, or is it too late? Meg Ryan has been in our hearts since that wondrous appearance as Goose’s wife in Top Gun. A queen of the rom-com in the 90s, she dazzled us on the screen. Now, after quite a few years away, she is back in a film she not only stars in but directs and co-writes. I wish I could say it’s a triumphant return, but it’s not. The film explores the theme of lost love and the regrets that come with it, as two people with a shared past meet at an airport and share their stories. What Happens Later tries to be too cute, with an airport announcer as the third character in the film. I would have enjoyed this film more without the announcer's voice constantly guiding the characters' discoveries at the airport. The film tries to make this a magical thing, but instead, it becomes tiring very quickly as a plot device to get the characters to do something. There is some chemistry between Duchovny and Ryan, but the film doesn’t have a lot of charm to it, and so a lot of the discussions (and there are many) don’t feel fun; they feel like the characters want to revel in the sorrow of the past regrets. I think the film might have had a chance to work without the magic airport and its announcer, but we will never know, just like we won’t know what their lives would have been like if the two characters had stayed together.   My Rating: Cable  What Happens Later Website  Now playing in theatres.

Indiefest: AKA Mr. Chow (2023)  Documentary on the life of Michael Chow, a Chinese immigrant who started a restaurant in 1968 in London that soon became a hangout for the rich and famous, including The Beatles and every fashion model on the cover of Vogue. He soon expanded to Hollywood, where stars went to be seen. I found the first part of this documentary fascinating, as Michael Chow was the son of Zhou Xinfang, the Peking Opera Grand Master performer. Michael was sent to Europe to boarding school, and he followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor (along with his sister), appearing in films and TV shows in the 60s. The documentary becomes too much of a promo from Mr. Chow as we spend too much time on his present-day ‘job’ as a painter. I felt sorry for his assistants, who kept getting splattered with paint as Michael created his paintings using a mallet to bang paint on his canvas. The film slows down when transitioning between Mr. Chow's marriages, and I wished for more focus on the earlier days of the restaurants. I wanted to know what was happening in the 80s and 90s when there were stories coming out every week from those restaurants. Overall, I would send this dish of a film back to the kitchen; it’s just too lukewarm for my taste.   My Rating: Cable  AKA Mr. Chow website Now playing on the Max platform.

Forgotten Film: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) In a world where forests are poisoned and giant insects move at will, enters Princess Nausicaä, who vows to save her people living in a valley from an invading army. This is one of the first feature films of Hayao Miyazaki, and while the animation feels very 1980s, the storyline is still relevant for today’s audience. The characters are vibrant and stand out, with the Princess determined to save her people. Unlike some of Miyazaki’s other early films, like Castle in the Sky (1986) and Porco Rosso (1992), this film feels a little more adult in its storyline. Still, this is a beautiful film and a great starting point into the world of Miyazaki’s animation.   My Rating: Full Price Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Info  Now available to rent/buy on most online forums.

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Marvels: Blues Standby Rigger

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Boy and the Heron (2023) PG-13  A young boy, Mahito, loses his mother in a fire and is haunted by her memory. His father has remarried and moved to a new house in the countryside. Mahito keeps hearing his mother call his name, and he sets out to find her in an abandoned and magical tower that will take him to a world he never knew existed. Legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises) brings us another tale from his inventive mind. The Boy and the Heron could be the last of Miyazaki’s incredible animated film collection and is one of the most anticipated films of the December releases.  The Boy and the Heron Website   The film will be in theatres nationwide on Friday, December 8.

Captain Phillips

My View:  Captain Phillips  (2013)  PG-13  Based on a true story, the American ship, Maersk Alabama, captained by Richard Philips (Tom Hanks), becomes the first U.S. ship in two hundred years to be hijacked by pirates.  The Somali pirates want millions of dollars to return the ship and its crew.  Can Capt. Philips and his crew stall long enough for help to arrive? This is Tom Hanks' best performance in years as he plays the New Englander Capt. Philips to perfection.  The film is filled with action sequences but also gives you an accurate picture of not only the crew of the ship, but its attackers, as well.  Barkhad Dbdi plays the leader of the pirates, Muse, as he makes several attempts to take over the ship.  The film is expertly directed by Paul Greengrass, who uses hand-held camera shots to create a sense of intimacy and tension as the film progresses.  This film and Hanks' performance are capped off in the last three minutes of the movie which makes Hanks a sure-fire nominee for Best Actor.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Captain Phillips Website

Indiefest:  Romeo & Juliet  (2013)  PG-13  This film is a remake of the time-honored story of the two star-crossed lovers whose love is forbidden by their warring families. The film has created a bit of controversy because not all the dialogue in the movie is from the Shakespeare text - some of the lines have been modernized.  I like Hailee Seinfeld’s performance as Juliet, but I feel that Douglas Booth lacks the charisma that Romeo needs to take a woman’s breath away.  I liked Paul Giamatti as the Friar who tries to help the doomed couple, and I especially liked Ed Westwick, who brings some life and energy to the screen as  the villain, Tybalt.  I didn't like the cinematography of the film, as scenes seemed to be always shot a dusk, making the film look dull.  The film, though, never really finds its footing, and after you see this two hour re-do, you will be wondering, as I did, since nothing new was brought to the screen, so why remake it?  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Romeo & Juliet Website

Indiefest:  The Summit (2012)  R  K-2 is one of the tallest and most dangerous mountains to climb in the world.  1 in 4 climbers that attempt the final summit climb die.  In 2008, 11 mountain climbers died on a single day, and several more lost fingers and toes to frostbite.  This film is a riveting combination of photos / videos from the actual climb with incredible recreations of what happened.  The film not only explores what happened on that climb but why it happened.  There are a number of interviews with the survivors of the climb along with family members of people that died, making it a touching and moving film.  The movie does a great job of showing how incredible the human spirit is and just how heroic people can be when the chips are down.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  The Summit Website

Forgotten Film:  Logan’s Run (1976)  PG   The year is 2274, and people are living inside a dome without a care in the world, living a life filled with pleasure.  That is until you turn 30.  When you reach 30, your life is terminated in a religious ceremony known as Carousal.  Not everyone goes to Carousal willingly.  Some try to run, and the men whose job it is to track the “runners” down and kill them are known as Sandman.  Logan (Michael York) is such a Sandman, and he is recruited by the authorities to find a subversive group known as Sanctuary and destroy it.  Things get complicated when Logan falls for a woman who is also a runner named, Jessica (Jenny Agutter), and now Logan must choose between his job as a Sandman and his love for Jessica.  This is a splendid Sci-Fi action film with very impressive special effects. (It won two Academy Awards, and one of them was a Special Achievement award for visual effects.)  It has a well thought out storyline that has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.  Look for a very young Farrah Fawcett in a small role.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  Logan's Run Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-ray): Much Ado About Nothing  (2013)  PG-13  I loved this Joss Whedon film of the William Shakespeare comedy about Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof) who are two life-long single people who everyone is determined to get together.  I especially enjoyed the performances of Nathan Fillion and Tom Leck who play two bumbling police officers.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again  Much Ado About Nothing Website

In Memory of Ed Wood ( A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Bad Grandpa (2013)  R  Johnny Knoxville playing an 86 year old man on a trip with his 8 year old grandson.  Uh, no, I think I will skip that trip.   Bad Grandpa Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Captain Phillips:  breakdown artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  About Time (2013)  R  Richard Curtis, who wrote and directed Love Actually (2003), brings us a film about a young man (Domhnall Gleeson) who discovers he comes from a long line of Time Travelers.  He uses his new found skill to win the girl (Rachel McAdams) of his dreams.   About Time Website

Until Next Time!

Gravity

My View:  Gravity (2013)  PG-13   A medical engineer, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), and a veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), are on a space mission. During a spacewalk, satellite debris crashes into the Space Shuttle and sends Dr. Stone adrift into space with limited oxygen.  This is one of the most spectacular looking films I have ever seen, and it is worth every penny to see it in IMAX 3-D.  This is one of those films where you want to see a full length feature on how they made it.  The action sequences in Space are incredible, scary and beautiful, all at the same time.  Clooney is perfect as veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, a man who enjoys what he does and lets everyone know it.  When things go wrong, Kowalski is the man you want, and he always has a plan and the nerves of steel to carry it out, which is fortunate since Bullock’s character, Dr. Stone is a space rookie who, when things start to go wrong, panics.  Bullock has to show a wide range of emotions in the film, and she is up to the task, making us like a character who, at the start of the film, is closed off and reserved.  I credit director/co writer Alfonso Cuaron, for making a film that must have seemed impossible to make but develops into an astonishing movie-going experience. My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Gravity Website

Indiefest:  Parkland (2013)  PG-13   The movie recreates the day of and days that followed John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. The story is told from the perspective of the men and women who witnessed the shooting and tried to save the President’s life.  I liked this film because, instead of going into the conspiracy angle as so many films about the JFK assassination do, this film lets us see the shooting through the eyes of the people who had to deal with the aftermath on that fateful day in Dallas.  This is a large ensemble cast, and there really isn't a weak-point in the group, though several actors stand out with their performances.  Paul Giamatti plays Abraham Zapruder, the man who would shoot the most famous home movie in the history of film.  Giamatti is stunning as the likable Zapruder, who seems to a good man at heart.  The film’s most moving image is Zapruder's expression while he films the tragedy, as we don’t see the actual shooting, but we see the horror and sorrow in Giamatti’s eyes.  I also liked Marcia Gay Harden, who plays the head nurse in the emergency room where the injured President is taken.  Harden's character shows part equal compassion and guts as she takes charge of a situation where everyone is in shock or panicking.  This is an interesting film that I think history buffs will enjoy.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Parkland Website

Indiefest: The Patience Stone (2013)  R  While war and strife wage around her, a wife (Golshifteh Farahani) faithfully sits watch over her husband (Hamid Djavadan) who is in a vegetative state after he was shot. As she sits at his bedside, the wife begins to tell her husband all the things that she has remained silent about during their ten years of marriage.  Farahani is the reason to watch this film in a tour de force performance.  She is in almost every frame of this film and exhibits touching, heartfelt emotion, and at times, heartbreaking soliloquies where she tells her comatose husband her deepest, darkest secrets.  It’s a fascinating film that shows how hard war is on the civilians, especially on the women as they try to keep their families together under extreme circumstances.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Patience Stone Website

Forgotten Film:  Lone Star  (1996)  R  Sherriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) is a local Texas lawman who gets called in when human bones are found out in the desert.  Deeds begins investigating the murder, which occured over forty years ago and he gets deeper and deeper into an investigation that has many mysteries, some involving his father, the former sheriff (Mathew McConaughey).  This is a dark murder mystery directed by John Sayles, a mystery that delves into not just a murder, but a number of interwoven relationships, all of which are very messy and dangerous.  My Rating:  Full Price  Lone Star Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  This Is The End  (2013)  R I loved this raunchy comedy about a bunch of actors hanging out at James Franco’s house when the end of the world starts happening.  The film is filled with cameos, some of which were really surprising, and is loads of fun.  But, be warned.  This film is full of strong language and scenes that really push the edge of good taste.  My Rating:  Full Price  This is the End Website  

 

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Gravity:  Movement coach

 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)   PG-13 The continuing saga of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson) after winning the 74^th Hunger Games starts a rebellion in the Districts.  I thought the first Hunger Games was brilliant, and Lawrence was the perfect Katniss.  I am excited to see if Writers, Directors, Production Crew and Cast can keep up the quality of the story-line and acting.   The Hunger Games: Caching Fire Website

Until Next Time!

Turbo

Family Faire:  Turbo (2013)  PG   Theo (Ryan Reynolds) dreams of being the best race car driver in the world, just like his hero, five-time Indianapolis 500 champ Guy Gagne. There is just one problem Theo is an ordinary garden snail. Theo’s life changes when, by accident, he gets sucked into the supercharger of a drag racer and his DNA mixes with nitrous oxide, which results in a snail with super speed. Now, Theo can live up to his nickname, Turbo, and make his dreams come alive.  This is a movie that kids will love since it's is filled with bright colors, lots of movement and likeable characters. Adults may find the storyline a little too simplistic and not engaging.  The story drags in places , and it seemed to move at a snail’s pace, taking forever to get to the Indy 500. Ryan Reynolds doesn’t bring a lot to the character of Turbo , but I did enjoy Samuel L. Jackson as the racing snail, Whiplash and Paul Giamatti as Turbo’s reluctant and always cautious, Chet.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Turbo Website

                                                            

My View:  Red 2  (2013)  PG-13   Your favorite retired black-ops are back. Frank (Bruce Willis) is just trying to fit in and live the normal life with his girlfriend, Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) when he is notified by Victoria (Helen Mirren) that Interpol is on the hunt for him. To clear his name, he gets the gang back together on a quest to hunt down a missing portable nuclear device.  I really enjoyed the first film, Red (2010), but this one wasn’t as much fun. In the first film, we didn’t know any of the characters, so some of the joy of the film was getting to know their quirks and their specialties. Also, the first film seems much more tongue-in-cheek.  It's a fun film, and, any time you get to see Helen Mirren shoot a big gun, it’s a win. The film has lots of huge explosions, shoot outs and some really cool fight sequences with a new member of the team, Korean martial artist, Byung-hun Lee. I will say I missed Ernest Borgnine, who sadly died before this film was made.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    Red 2 Website

My View:  The Conjuring  (2013)  R   The Perron family (Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston) is being terrorized by a mysterious presence in their old family farmhouse, so they bring in Paranormal Investigators, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) to get rid of the entity. This case may be bigger, though, than anyone ever thought.  This is a damn scary film that is firmly situated in the true horror genre. It takes a while for things to really start happening, but once they do, watch out because there are a lot of things that go bump in the night. The dialogue is a little clunky and occasionally funny as the film is set in the early 1970’s. Overall, this is a scary film that delivers truly frightful, intense scenes. The film does ask you to believe that the Paranormal Investigators are the real deal, but it’s just a little price to pay for such a fun ride.   My Rating: Full Price    The Conjuring Website

My View:  R.I.P.D.  (2013)  PG-13  Detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) is killed in a shootout and discovers that there is a whole other dimension inhabited by the spirit world. Now Nick works for the R.I.P.D – the Rest in Peace Department, the police force of the undead. Partnered with Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges), Nick has to stop evil spirits from taking over the living world.  This film went downhill almost from the start as a chase scene goes on with some of the worst CGI special effects that I have ever seen.  Every one of the characters in this film seemed be inspired by 1950’s cartoons, and bad ones at that.  Bridges performance is especially disappointing as he has decided to go over the top with his cowboy accent and bigger than life facial expressions.  Reynolds looks as if he wishes he was in another movie and the usually reliable Kevin Bacon, playing Nick’s best friend, just never connects with his character or the audience. Thirty minutes into this film, I was looking at my watch, hoping that this film was almost done.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.  My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   R.I.P.D. Website

Indiefest:  Fruitvale Station  (2013) This is the true story of the last day in the life of Oscar (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year old man who was killed by transit cops in the Bay area of California one New Year’s morning. This film will make you angry and sad at the same time.  The cast is astonishing, led by Jordan’s breathtaking performance as Oscar. The film was shot in documentary style at most of the actual locations, which allows you to get inside the world of Oscar. The film is heartbreaking from the beginning where we see the actual camera phone footage of Oscar’s death. This is one of those films you will walk out of and immediately start talking about it. This is one of my must see smaller films of the summer, and you shouldn't miss it.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Fruitvale Station Website

Indiefest:  Crystal Fairy  (2013) Jamie (Michael Cera) and his friends are traveling through Chile when they encounter a woman (Gaby Hoffmann) who calls herself, Crystal Fairy. The gang, with Crystal in tow, embark on a quest to find a psychotropic cactus that they plan on eating while on a beach. It’s a trip they never will forget. Cera’s character, Jamie, is extremely unlikeable as he is all about his needs and wishes and doesn't  about other people.  Cera definitely does a good job projecting that selfish attitude. Hoffman is the main reason to see this film, though, as she is perfect in the role of the always talking, sometimes maddening, self-proclaimed Crystal Fairy. This film doesn’t quite hit the mark, but the performances are worthy, just as long as you don’t partake of the psychotropic cactus.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Crystal Fairy Info

Forgotten Film:  Tumbleweeds  (1999)   PG-13   Mary Jo Walker (Janet McTeer) is a single mother who usually picks the wrong man to get involved with. When things get messy, Mary Jo’s instinct is to run. Ava (Kimberly J. Brown) is her long suffering daughter who has gotten used to moving to new towns and starting life over. When Mary Jo once again gets involved with the wrong man, Ava, must take a stand and get her mother to face her fears. This is a moving drama that relies on the great chemistry between McTeer and Brown. Mary Jo is one of those characters whom you just wish would grow up a little, especially since her bad decisions affect her daughter so deeply. This is an interesting, smart film with excellent performances.  My Rating:  Full Price    Tumbleweeds Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Red 2:  Origami services provided by

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Prince Avalanche  (2013) Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch star in this film about two highway road workers who, while working in an isolated area, talk about their life and loves. The trailer is very funny, and the film is directed by David Gordon Green, who gave us Pineapple Express (2008).   Prince Avalanche Website

Until Next Time!