'The Gray Man' A Review

The Gray Man is an action/thriller based on the novel of the same name. Six(Ryan Gosling) is a CIA block ops agent who uncovers criminal activity from the new department head, Denny, and goes on the run. Denny(Regé-Jean Page) calls in psychotic contractor Llyod(Chris Evans) to hunt Six down.

Gosling hasn't lost a step charm wise or in his physical presence, it's a great part for him, he's both stoic and funny, able to deliver some thrilling action as well as some genuine emotion. He leads the film effortlessly, it's a reminder that he's a Star and deservedly so. Evans goes bigger, more broad, as the heavy, an opportunity he clearly relishes(and excels in). He brings a non-stop frenetic energy to this truly disgusting, odd, idiosyncratic villain. It's wonderful. The supporting cast is stacked and for the most part they all get a scene or two to shine- the incomparable Alfre Woodard, Billy Bob Thorton, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush- Gosling's support is Ana de Armas who continues her, just, rise.

An addicting, building, pace with action set piece after action set piece building to a thrilling(if somewhat on-the-nose) crescendo. It's got it all- gun fights, car chases, escapes, jet-setting- it seems clear that this is Netflix's attempt at a James Bond like franchise and quite frankly it is fresher and more enjoyable than those movies have been for quite a while. Some CGI sequences are sloppy and something is absolutely lost not seeing to see a movie of this scale and type on the big screen. But there's something really fun and engaging about this unapologetic, pedal-to-the-metal, 90's action throwback. 

Simple, effective, abundant entertainment.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

See It.

My Dad Can Eat Chips

My dad can eat chips
full size bag
to the head
in less than five minutes

We'll be on the phone

and he's crunching

and chewing, 

just excavating chips

He gets home from work

he sits down

and he eats chips

like a compulsion

It's astounding

this quirk, this skill

the pure efficiency

the guy loves chips

And yes, I am my father's son,

you better believe I can eat chips too.

'Fire Of Love' A Review

Fire Of Love is a documentary about volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft utilizing primary the footage they shot themselves along with some animation sequences and archival interviews from the Kraffts.

The most captivating thing about the film is the extensive footage of the various volcanos. Volcano science is not the focus, what the Krafft's scientific contribution was is not the focus, who they were to the people in their lives is not the focus. Other than the volcanos themselves(very cool and interesting) the main through line is a vague, twee, shallow reference to their 'love story'. It's pretty odd and is not helped by Miranda July's voice over which ultimately offers little insights and serves mostly to manufacture tone.

There's a lot to enjoy here, the shots of the volcanos and the crafts relentlessly moving toward and around them is really captivating but there are innumerable questions the film leaves which the filmmaker Sara Dosa seems uninterested in- anything really about the Kraffts other than the fact they were in love. We have no sense of their economic situation, no sense of what exactly their research entailed, no sense of their community or family and very little sense of either of them personally. It's not bad its just very obviously incomplete.

Worth it for the visuals.

Currently in theaters coming soon to VOD.

Rent It.

Northwoods

I return after a time away

and it is not the same

peaceful still, striking

lakes and forest

followed by more lakes, more forest

to the horizon and beyond

but lacking the magic

I saw with my child's eyes

yet there is a simplicity, a clarity

perhaps it is more real

now that I am more solidly in this world

none the less comforting

rich in its familiarity

I exist in this place

and remember

and experience anew

'Thor: Love And Thunder' A Reviewe

Thor: Love And Thunder is the 4th movie in the Thor franchise and latest MCU installment. Thor(Chris Hemsworth) continues his journey of self discovery began in the previous MCU movies, this time he is reunited with Jane Foster(Natalie Portman) who Mjolnir(Thor's hammer) has bonded with as a result of her cancer diagnosis. They team up along with Valkyrie(Tessa Thompson) to bring down Gorr(Christian Bale) who has vowed to kill all gods in the universe.

The cast, no surprise, is packed with talent and Hemsworth is still delightful as Thor, Thompson also fun, and its a real treat to see Portman get an active role in the franchise. But there isn't that much for them to do. The scope of this installment is simply too broad, there's too much going on, and there is little time for the small, funny, character moments that made Thor: Ragnarok so refreshing. Bale is spectacular, no surprise- committed, dynamic, menacing, emotional- but the material around him doesn't really match what he's doing.

Visually its relatively generic and feels more muted and restrained than its predecessor, which is a shame. There are some great needle drops and a couple fun action sequences but taken together its simply too messy, too unfocused. Whether constrained by time, the MCU exces, or his own contract requirements writer/director Taika Waititi just doesn't seem to have had as much fun here, it lacks his usually expert balance of absurd humor with effecting emotion. It seems, perhaps, like its a chore.

Not terrible but not great. A bit bloated and tired.

Currently in theaters coming soon to Disney+.

Stream It.

'Girl In The Picture' A Review

Girl In The Picture is a true crime documentary about the life and death Suzanne Sevakis. The movie is stitched together from talking head interviews, archival footage, and reenactments and uses an animated timeline as a framing device(the same device used in the recent We Need To Talk About Cosby and Keep Sweet: Prey and Obey among others). The movie opens on the mysterious death of "Tonya" in Oklahoma then cuts back and forth in chronology as her life is revealed. 

A fascinating but sad story is layed out with significant energy and pathos and is notable in that its focus is mostly on Sevakis and unraveling the mystery of her life and honoring it and the criminal Franklin Delano Floyd is given only minor time and attention.

The construction of the movie itself is relatively standard, with the true crime boom of the last decade it seems these kinds of movies and series are being churned out pell-mell and although the individual stories may be powerful or interesting the craft has moved toward a sameness that renders them, from a visual standpoint, generic. 

Upper third in the true crime offerings but lacking much in the way of cinematic identity.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

Stream It.

Image

In The Departed
Martin Sheen's character
asks Leo DiCap's
"Do you want to be a cop
or do you want to appear to be a cop?"

a question I've since asked frequently

not in regards to law enforcement

but other labels

comfortable categories

questioned the curating of perception

asked what is the projection

and what is the reality

always it seems

it is better to be

than to seem to be.