'Deadpool & Wolverine' A Review

Deadpool & Wolverine is a superhero movie, the third installment in the Deadpool franchise. Deadpool(Ryan Reynolds) attempts to join The Avengers and is rebuffed sending him into a depressive spiral. He's picked up by the TVA and told because Wolverine(Hugh Jackman) is dead(from Logan) his timeline will collapse, he searches the timelines for a replacement and together they attempt to save his friends.

Reynolds brings his patented irreverent humor and sincerity and it still works, Jackman revisiting his iconic role is fun but doesn't pack as much presence as he has in the past particularly in the wake of the definitive turn in Logan. Its nice but a bit odd. The two though have wonderful chemistry and the best parts of the movie are their fights with each other and them just spending time together on screen. The plot is convoluted to say the least and doesn't feel altogether necessary, there's no real need to narratively justify Disney's acquisition of Fox and although it makes for some good jokes the plot mechanics weigh down the enjoyment. The supporting cast is basically non-existent, all other characters are in essence cameos, and there are a lot of them and some of them are really wonderful. But the sheer size of the cast and the sidelining of the characters from the previous two installments does lessen the emotional effectiveness.

The movie looks slick if a bit over CGI'd, the fight sequences are cool, particularly the van one between the titular characters. The soundtrack is one needle drop after another and is great. There's a sense of exuberance and momentum from all the production elements which is really great and sweeps you up in the fun of it all. If there's a downside its with all the plot the movie has to get to and all the new toys it has to play with given the merger the story takes somewhat of a backseat.

High energy fun if lacking some heart.

Currently in theaters.

Rent It.

'The Contestant' A Review

The Contestant is a documentary about a 1998 Japanese reality show starring Nasubi(real name Tomoaki Hamatsu) who was confined to a studio apartment and lived off magazine giveaways for 15 months.

Through contemporary interviews, footage from the show, and archival news clips Nasubi's story is told. Its interesting and bizarre and certainly a telling precursor to the cavalcade of reality TV to come. But it plays more like a summary of the show and neither Nasubi himself or the shows creator/producer Toshio Tsuchiya are able to offer much in the way of insight about the experience other than it was traumatic. No one is really held responsible, there is no comment about Japanese culture(or humanity at large), no analysis about reality TV as a genre, most of the questions the story itself raises are left unanswered.

Entertaining and pretty cringe but mostly devoid of why. The movie simply states "this happened" which is fine, its a weird enough story to hold attention, but it reaches and fails to grasp any real meaning. The third act attempts to place the experience as motivation for Nasubi later in life but it feels contrived.

Intriguing but incomplete.

Currently streaming on Hulu.

Rent It.

Taking Tickets

I haven't worked a register
in many years

technology

has come a long way

since '07

chips and taps and apps

so many ways to pay

convenience

but my suitability

for the interaction

is unchanged

in my allergy

to false warmth

and low grade

commercial

deference

I am as I ever was

barely competent

'Land Of Bad' A Review

Land Of Bad is a war/survival movie about Air Force drone pilot Reaper(Russell Crowe) and the Delta Force team he supports, most directly with JTAC Fruit Loops aka Playboy(Liam Hemsworth), on a rescue mission in the Philippines.

Crowe continues his streak of incredible performances in mid-range movies. He's totally present, creates a fully realized and compelling character, and is able to hit kind of a shocking level of nuance with the split focus of the narrative and the little emotional space the character gets on the page. Out of the ensemble Hemsworth the Liam is the weakest link, he's serviceable but his dead-eyed aww-shucks take doesn't really have much mileage. Milo Ventimiglia as the ops leader Sugar is breathtaking, not that the story itself is anything particularly unique but Ventimiglia, who has shown incredible promise ever since Heroes, has hit his stride. He is absolutely focused, he is absolutely this character, or at least fully expressing this type of character that is just captivating. Like the soldiers under his command we the audience are utterly convinced of his capability, frightened perhaps by the action but totally confident in his leadership. Hemsworth the elder(aka Luke) is much more assured than his brother, much more at ease and believable and therefore interesting. Ricky Whittle isn't as successful but he's still good. The core team in compliment with Crowe and his partner played by Chika Ikogwe(great) make for a surprisingly deep ensemble in a movie that at first blush may seem straight-to-VOD type material.

The film benefits by taking place, for the most part, in two locations. It looks real, the sound mix and score are effective, the action is competent(if occasionally spoiled by goofy POV go-pro style shots). It works. And the dual narrative of the drone operator state side vs. the boots-on-the-ground mission is really effective. Although an argument could be made for solely following Crowe as the Liam part is very much something we've seen before. There's some decent commentary and insight about the current state of military affairs but the movie isn't particularly interested in that element although it is most certainly there. Land Of Bad is mostly concerned with being entertaining and it is, this was dumped in theaters in the winter and its a shame they put basically no marketing money behind it. Its not a great movie but it is a pretty good one.

A modern day military movie that colors outside the lines just enough to be intriguing bolstered by a mostly tremendous cast.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

Rent It.

'Twisters' A Review

Twisters is a disaster movie, a quasi-sequel to1996's Twister. Kate(Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a storm chaser in Oklahoma but retreats to work with the weather service in NYC after tragedy on a chase. Five years later her friend, the only other survivor of said tragedy, Javi(Anthony Ramos) gets her back on the chase where they butt up against youtuber Tyler(Glen Powell).

Powell is uncompelling and off-putting as Tyler, unable to hit the charming-asshole balance coming across almost entirely as the latter. Edgar-Jones doesn't make much of an impression either way. They are both conventionally attractive which goes some distance for some but neither is able to really generate any real chemistry nor are they able to make much sense out of their flat, lifeless, improbable characters as-written. With the supporting players though the casting agency out did themselves, it is filled with recognizable up-and-coming talent- Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane, Katy O'Brian, Tunde Adebimpe, Kiernan Shipka, and Nik Dodani- and their presence fills out the mostly lifeless spectacle.

The film has a competent look, the CGI entertaining if not particularly realistic, but the script feels AI generated, the actors executing said script feel like automatons and the plot itself careens from scientific gobbledygook to silly spectacle to incomplete romcom to absolute absurdity. Twister worked because it had serious actors elevating a relatively silly idea. Here the tone is wildly uncertain. For a decades-late sequel Twisters does well as a complete refresh with a young cast unencumbered(for the most part) from clunky tie-ins, although there is a relatively frustrating bait-and-switch non-appearance from Helen Hunt.

The movie has some traction at the box office which I'm all for, whatever gets people in theaters I'm behind, so if you're interested go for it, for me though it was a snoozer.

Currently in theaters. 

Stream It.

Top 10 Movies Of The Year So Far

Top 10:

Dune: Part Two

The Fall Guy

Ghostlight

Hundreds Of Beavers

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Longlegs

Monkey Man

Problemista

Sasquatch Sunset

Thelma

Worst Of The Year Contenders:

Hit Man

Road House

Unfrosted

"I'm good."

My grandmother
refused to acknowledge
this idiom

she would harangue me

for its use

wholly rejecting

colloquial evolution

she would force me 

to the explicit "No."

as a child

already intimidated

by her distance presence

and afraid of offending

this was difficult

but

it was good training

good practice

in making the decision

and holding the line.

'Longlegs' A Review

Longlegs is a horror/thriller set in the 90's that follows Lee(Maika Monroe) an FBI agent in Oregon on the hunt for a mysterious killer.

Monroe gives Lee a raw and effecting humanity, reserved yet vulnerable, skittish but determined. Its an intricate web of emotion that Monroe weaves and serves to anchor the story as it gets wilder. The supporting cast is excellent, Blair Underwood(as Lee's boss) brings some absolutely necessary charm and an easy authenticity which the movie needs, Alicia Witt(as Lee's religious mother) is appropriately and disconcertingly alien, and Nicolas Cage as the titular villain, in his typical style, is wonderfully baroque creating not so much a character but a legitimate monster out of a child's nightmares.

The film looks great with communities/neighborhoods/homes that feel real and the locations and the manipulation of light in those locations furthers the films themes. The use of the changing aspect ratio is effective and the simple but ever present score sets the oily but seductive tone. There is flair in the production design, no question, and overall its an intriguing immersive ride. But the film stumbles in the third act with some reveals and plot twists that seem either unnecessary or not completely thought out, overly simplistic. The story and the characters are rich and the ending although not bad enough to undermine the experience and promise of the film certainly pulls it up short.

A queasy, biting, hypnotic horror flick undercut by a lackluster finish.

Currently in theaters, coming soon to VOD.

See It.

'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' A Review

 Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is an action/comedy, the 4th installment in the franchise. Axel Foley(Eddie Murphy) remains a Detroit detective, the movie opens on a Red Wings game where he is following some suspects which culminates in a high speed chase damaging a lot of private and public property. He is suspended and heads to Beverly Hills after his old friend Billy(Judge Reinhold) tells him his daughter Jane(Taylour Paige) is in over her head on a cop killing case.

Murphy deploys his wisecracking charm as if it hasn't been 30 years since he last revisited the role. Its great and a mix of nostalgia and an odd edge(even though the humor is in-line with the previous films). Its wonderful to see him here and his late career return starting with Dolemite Is My Name continues, maybe not with all unequivocal hits, but still he has been missed, he is a singular performer with a robust career and now, perhaps more than ever with all the mix up in show business, we need him. The returning cast are all great to see(although Reinhold has had some unfortunate plastic surgery) and new comers to the franchise fit right in and enhance- Paige plays it absolutely straight and almost single handedly grounds the film with necessary reality and stakes, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays off Murphy well, and Kevin Bacon is deliciously over-the-top as the heavy. All-in-all a stellar cast.

The production is shockingly practical and expansive. The action is visceral and Murphy is still able to execute it well and weave comedy throughout. The classic score fades in and out effectively and it mostly moves along at a decent clip(even if there's a moment or too where the plot becomes a bit heavy). It really works and it should have been released in theaters, this is an undisputable crowd pleaser with a large demographic reach(not to mention a large budget) so there is no possible benefit for Netflix to confine this to streaming. 

If Bad Boys: Ride Or Die(aka Bad Boys 4) was a moderate box office success Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F(aka Beverly Hills Cop 4) would have been a bona fide hit(particularly with the current malnourished release schedule). The original Bad Boys was an attempt to repurpose Beverly Hills Cop and for the talent that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have in this particular genre niche(which I don't dispute) you could argue it was created by Eddie Murphy who is still the king.

Straight-up fun.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

See It.

Clarity, and perhaps, Contentment

Cut away all the fat
all the distraction

the expectation

what's left

is just living

and the body

does half the work

on its own

'A Quiet Place: Day One' A Review

A Quiet Place: Day One is a horror/drama, a prequel to A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place II. Sam(Lupita Nyong'o) is a terminally ill cancer patient convinced to go on a day trip to NYC by one of the nurses Reuban(Alex Wolff). In the city the "event" occurs and the monsters invade. Sam has to come to terms with the situation, what life she has left, and her death. Along the way she meets and befriends Eric(Joseph Quinn).

Nyong'o as always is magnetic and assured grounding, wholly, this monster movie in absolutely real and compelling human stakes. She is totally confident, totally present in her performance and be sheer force of talent elevates the material. Wolff and Quinn similarly give great turns, incredibly emotional and honest. Djimon Hounsou makes a brief appearance, the only disappointment in the casting is that he's not in it more. The surprise star is the cat Frodo, Sam's companion/service animal, who's presence again underscores the humanity involved.

Visually slick but in some ways perfunctory. If there is an issue here it is that writer/director Michael Sarnoski is not particularly interested in the franchise or its mythology so this is less a horror movie than it is a thoughtful exploration of mortality that happens to have huge bestial aliens in it rather than A Quiet Place installment. Not a surprise coming from the man behind Pig but given A Quiet Place II was an object lesson in diminishing returns its probably just as well. Sam's journey and Nyong'o's portrayal of it is compelling, deeply emotional, and satisfying. What happens on "day one" in John Krasinski's little monsterverse no one really cares about(nor should they).

Almost despite itself, an entertaining and moving piece of film.

Currently in theaters, coming soon to VOD.

See It.

'Kinds Of Kindness' A Review

Kinds Of Kindness is an absurdist anthology movie about depraved sad people doing depraved sad things.

The cast are all talented but none are able to lock into the tone in a way that makes the film feel particularly watchable or coherent. Over his past several projects writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos has traded in his old ensemble mainstays for new and that trade has not benefited the results, if Colin Farrell and Angeliki Papoulia were in the Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone roles the film would be better. Not that Plemons or Stone are bad but they are miscast, they misunderstand or are unable to translate the tone, they don't have the necessary cunning to deliver. Perhaps this is a result of the film not having the flat affect used to great success in Lanthimos's earlier films. Maybe it's because the script as is feels like its trying too hard. Lanthimos and co-writer Efthimis Filippou trying to reclaim their avant garde bonafides after Lanthimos's back-to-back mainstream successes. And, like Austin Butler before her, its astonishing that Margaret Qualley's star has risen so far so fast. Its not that she lacks talent but her current ubiquitousness is baffling and her limited experience makes her presence here a waste. Equally frustrating is the under use of Hong Chau and Mamoudou Athie who are the only two that are able to convey anything like recognizable humanity.

What is this film even about? It appears nothing. The film has visual style and an infectious soundtrack but it has no meat, no life to it, so the excellent production design is mostly for naught. The sex stuff is gratuitous and seemingly without purpose, the violence boring and unaffecting as there is no discernable motivation behind literally anything. The Lobster works because the world it builds is rich and the actors within it carve out idiosyncratic yet emotionally truthful characters. The same is true of The Killing Of A Sacred Deer even if it is more brutal, it has ambition and it is confident in what it is. That balance is what is lacking here. Regardless of the trappings, the subculture, the bizarreness there is no truth. And the fault is both in the script and with the performances both of which fall into Lanthimos's lap. He seems to be falling prey, as many writer/directors do, to success. The Favourite is a good movie but it was the first of his film's that was digestible to a wider audience. And Poor Things, despite its critical acclaim, was an absolute mess. One hopes he can right the ship.

Inert.

Currently in theaters, coming soon to VOD.

Don't See It.

Fireworks

On a night
when a sign is needed
lo, the City provides

a gift for the weary

a demonstration

of the Summer's promise