Killers and Thieves at Eastertime

JOHN WICK #4

ACTION  

PLOT:  John kills more people to have freedom from the High Table.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The spectacular stunts and kills!  The cast including Donnie Yen as Caine, a friend of John Wick who must try to kill, Shamier Anderson as Tracker/Mr.Nobody who is obsessed with John on killing a legend with his attack dog.  Scott Aktins(Jean Claude Van Dam sidekick in Expendables 2) as a bloated male in charge of the German High Table.  Last but not least Bill Skarsgard as Marquis Vincent De Gramont head of the High Table who wants John Wick dead.

WHAT IS WRONG:  The action is fantastic but unbelievable too.  It is like Fast and Furious franchise. Great but outrageous!!!

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  If you like John Wick series you have to see this one.  NOTE:  Don’t rush out of the theater there is a post scene.  Amazing fights and kills but stretching you imagination!

  

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS:  HONOR AMONG THIEVES

ACTION/ADVENTURE/FANTASY 

PLOT:  Edgin (Chris Pine) is a thief and his partner Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) land in jail while the real bad guy Forge (Hugh Grant) escapes with the treasure.  They are joined with others to take the magical item back.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The cast, the comedy and the adventure.  Chris Pine is great as the charming Edgin.  Michelle Rodriguez is good as his friend and a fighter.  Huge Grant is fantastic as a classy, funny villain.

WHAT IS WRONG:  You have heard the story before of a group of thieves becoming heroes but it is still fun.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  It has the right balance of comedy, action, fantasy and adventure.

Oscar Movies Everywhere at Once

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE AT ONCE

FANTASY/COMEDY/ACTION

OSCAR NOMINATIONS:  BEST ACTRESS MICHELLE YEOH BEST PICTURE  BEST EDITIING 

PLOT:  Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies) is  Evelyn Quan a middle age stressed out Chinese woman dealing with a laundry business, her dull husband Waymond Wang played by Ke Huy Quan(Short Round in Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom), a senile  father and daughter Joy Wang played by Stephanie Hsu who disappoints her.  She finds out that she is the only person who can save the universe and goes into different multi-verses to do it.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The editing and the action sequence are fantastic! 

WHAT IS WRONG:   It is STRANGE!  It goes to comedy, drama fantasy in seconds!

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  This film is not for everyone despite it is Oscar nominated. You will be saying WTF many times before the movie is over.  It will either be brilliant to some bizarre to others.  The film was directed by two directors Daniel Kwan and Daniels Scheinert.  It is recommended for an open mind.

TO LESLIE-2022

DRAMA 

OSCAR NOMINATION:  BEST ACTRESS 

PLOT:   Leslie Rowland is a southern woman who won the lottery but she is also an alcoholic. She spent all the money an abandon her teen son.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  British actress Andrea Riseborough is AMAZING as Leslie who knows she is a loser  and struggles to change.  She has humor and heart.  She is also Executive Producer.  The supporting cast is very good as well including Allison Janney (The West Wing) and Marc Maron. If you love country music it’s great soundtrack.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Nothing is wrong with the independent film but there is scandal how Ms Riseborough got an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  OH YES!  You want to see good performances , good soundtrack this is the movie. 

 

WOMEN TALKING

DRAMA 

OSCAR NOMINATIONS:  BEST PICTURE BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

PLOT:  In Bolivia in a Mennonite, ultra conservative community 9 men drug women with cow tranquiller to rape them.  The women must make a decision- stay or leave.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The performances!  The cast includes Rooney Mara, Clair Foy, Judith Ivey and Frances McDormand. It is mainly in a barn where the women are discussing what to do with their lives.  It is a slow burn yet it is hard to watch at times.

WHAT IS WRONG:   The true story was in Bolivia, a Latin country.  They couldn’t find good Latina actresses for the part? 

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES.  It is bleak and grim but there is some humor. 

 

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

BLACK COMEDY 

OSCAR NOMINATIONS:  BEST ACTOR, BEST SUPORTING ACTORS BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS BEST PICTURE

PLOT:   Colm and Padraci, two  best friends and one decides he doesn’t want to be his buddy any more with funny and tragic consequences.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Colin Ferrell and Brenden Gleeson as the two friends.  Ferrell as Padraic doesn’t want to let go of the friendship for it is all he has in the small town.  Colm played by Brenden Gleeson wants to be left alone to write music and calls it the name of the film.  He enjoys the arts but still lives in the small town too.  Dominic played by Barry Keoghan is great as a horny teen.  Siobhan played Kerry Condon is a delight as Padraci’s sister who wants to get away from and do better.  The lush cinematography by Ben Davis is fantastic!

WHAT IS WRONG:  The stereotypes of Irish people-arguing and drinking.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  It is strange but entertaining.  If you are into that and the good acting-YES.

 

THE WHALE-2022

DRAMA 

BEST ACTOR/BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

PLOT:  Charlie (Brendan Frasier) is a 600 hundred pound English professor.  He teaches online but no one knows what he looks like.  He knows he is dying and wants to see his daughter again.  Based on the play by Samuel D. Hunter.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The cast.  Brendan Frasier- The Mummy franchise is great as the English professor who knows his job but his personally life is a mess.  Liz(Hong Chau) is his part=time nurse and only friend who hates him for letting himself go but wants to help him  the best she can.  Elle (Sadie Sink) his teenage daughter who has a love/hate relationship with him for she thinks he abandon her and her mother for a male student.  Mary (Samantha Morten) an alcoholic who does the best she can to raise her daughter.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Religion is not favored in this movie.

SHOULD YOU GO:  OH YES!  The performances of damaged people is gut wrenching but  worth watching.  Oscar nominations should go to the entire cast.

  

AFTERSUN

DRAMA 

BEST ACTOR 

PLOT:   Sophie (Frankie Corio) a teen and her farther Calum (Peter Mescal) go to Turkey together.  Her dad is great to her but her dad has problem.  He has depression.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Frankie Corio and Peter Mescal are great as daughter and dad.  He cares about her daughter very much and tries his best to not show his illness.  Corio is a smart girl but doesn’t realize what is happening to her farther.  The film is beautiful looking.

WHAT IS WRONG:   The film is very sloooow.  Patience is needed here.  It is Euro-style art movie.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:   Yes.  The acting is great but you must have patience for it is required.

 

LIVING

DRAMA 

BEST ACTOR 

PLOT:  Rodney Williams (Bill Nighy, Underworld franchise and Love Actually) works at a government job in England in the 50s.  He doesn’t have long to live, he has stomach cancer.  He tries to commit suicide but didn’t but committed himself to help moms to make a playground for poor children.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Bill Nighy as Rodney.  He is a sad character for he is predictable, cold and dull but as he tries to help other people he changes for the better.  It is a slow yet subtle change.  He is great.  Amie Lou Woods as Margaret Harris, a cheerful female where Rodney works is excellent as well.

WHAT IS WRONG:   I don’t know why Margaret left a government job to become a waitress is strange.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES.  The acting is amazing.  The moral of the story is you work hard, take care of family but you don’t live.

 

BLONDE

BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA

BEST ACTRESS

PLOT:  The latest film about the tragic life and death of fame actress Marilyn Monroe.  This one based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates.

WHAT IS GOOD:  Ana deArmas as Marilyn Monroe.  She is in agony most of the movie.   Men use or abuse her throughout the movie. Gladys Baker played by Julianne Nicholson is incredible as her mentally ill mom.  You feel sorry and angry with her. Her story is a cautionary tale how far will you go for stardom.

WHAT IS WRONG:  Another movie about Marilyn Monroe’s doomed life?  How many times can you tell the same story?  Is the events true or not?  When they make bios you have to research to find out what is true and what is false.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  The film is on Netflix and it is a sad, tragic story.  If you want to see good acting then Yes.

Oscar and Action Movies to Watch

A MAN CALLED OTTO

COMEDY DRAMA

PLOT:  Tom Hanks is Otto, a grouchy senior citizen who has a heart of gold.  Based on a Swedish movie A Man Called Ove.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Tom Hanks who loved his job and wife dearly and it was taken away from him and he hates the world but soon starts to care about his multicultural  neighbors is a joy to watch.  The rest of the cast is wonderful too.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is predictable but still great to watch.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  Loss is hard to bear and his only reaction was anger at people.  Very good and very sad.  The only thing I can say is where is the series.

80 FOR BRADY

COMEDY 

PLOT:   Inspired by a true story of four senior ladies going to see Tom Brady at the Super bowl.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The four 80s ladies Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda (who looks AMAZING!), Rita Moreno and Sally Fields.  It is a cute concept with the team getting into fun and adventure.

WHAT IS WRONG:  You know what is going to happen but still fun to cheer them on.

SHOULD  YOU WATCH:  YES.  If you like the cast and Tom Brady is throughout the movie and is Executive Producer.  It is fun to watch ladies in their 80s have a good time.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP:  QUANTUMANIA

ACTION/FANTASY 

PLOT:  Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is happy he was an Avenger and back with his family. His teen daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton) made a device to contact the Quantum Realm but the adverse effect the family is sucked in to the Quantum Realm.  They try to find each other but secrets are revealed.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The spectacular special effects!  You feel you are like in another world.  The cast. Paul Rudd as Scott Lang /Ant-Man is Great!  Michelle Pfeiffer is equally good as Janet Van Pyne who lived in the Quantum Realm and has many secrets.  Kathryn Newton is good as the smart and wants to change whatever world she is in.  The supporting cast is wonderful too.  William Jackson Harper as Quaz who’s forehead glows and reads minds.  Katy O Brian as Jentorra, a female warrior trying to protect her people.  Jonathan Majors as Kang steals the show.  He is evil to the core and does it well!

WHAT IS WRONG:  There is a person from Ant-Man’s past who shows up.  They tell what happened to the person, but it could have been done better.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES.  It is full of excitement, adventure and comedy.

M3GAN 2023

HORROR/SCI-FI

PLOT:  The perfect robotic toy becomes a killing machine.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  M3GAN stands for Model 3 Generative Android. The prototype in the beginning she is loving, protective even a companion and sister. The doll then soon evolves to have human emotions.  She becomes toy Terminator before it is over and it is good.  The leads are women and there is dark humor.

WHAT IS BAD:  It is predictable and it has been done to death!  Machine turns on man or woman or machine wants to control man for his own good.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you enjoy dolls run amuck then yes!  Note:  The movie is rated PG-13 but the studio might have done an R-rated version.  Also they maybe a sequel and when you watch the film you will know why.

 

THE OLD WAY

WESTERN

PLOT:   A cold-blooded gunslinger, Colton Briggs (Nicolas Cage) marries and has a daughter but his past catches up with him.

WHAT IS RIGHT:    Nicolas Cage!  He can still act even if he does strange, quick buck movies and it is a western which they don’t make these days.

WHAT IS WRONG:  The plot you have seen in most western:  revenge!  Brook Briggs (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) is a headstrong, bratty kid you have seen a dozen times over.  The villain James McCallister (Noah LeGros) is the standard bad guy.

SHOULD YOU SEE IT:  Two things:  Nicolas Cage and it’s a western.  If not interested in those two reasons don’t watch!

 

Oscar Bait Season and the Fate of Young Boys

THE FABLEMANS

DRAMA 

PLOT:    A semi-autobiographical film about the legendary and talented Steven Spielberg. 

WHAT IS GOOD:  The acting!  Mitiz Fableman played by Michelle Williams is amazing as she supports her child Sammy who wants to make films after seeing The Greatest Show on Earth.  She is talented as well.  She gave up being a pianist to raise a family.  In was the 50s.  She is fun but also erratic.  Burt Fableman played by Paul Dano (The Batman as The Riddler) is just as amazing as a computer engineer  who takes his family place to place to give his family a better life.  He knows he is not exciting but he is excellent provider.  Judd Hirsch as Uncle Boris is not in the film very much but his “art” speech is nothing short of excellent! Williams, Dano and Hirsch should be Oscar nominated.

WHAT IS BAD:  When doing semi autobiographical movies many things may not be true so you would have to learn about Spielberg,

SHOULD YOU GO:  YES!  It has OSCAR all over it!  Up and coming film makers should see it for it is not easy to be one.

 

TILL

BIOGRAPHICAL/DRAMA 

PLOT:    Another retelling of the tragic story of Emmett Till, a black teen in Mississippi in 1955 who was disfigured by two white men when he whistled at a white woman. 

WHAT IS GOOD:  Dainelle Deadwyler as Mamie-Till Mobley .  It is a very difficult part-especially when she sees he son in the morgue.  Should be an Oscar nomination.  The cast is equally fantastic including Whoppi Goldberg who is in a brief part as Mamie’s mom and one of the producers.

WHAT IS BAD;   The subject has been done a few times now and though it is a true story Hollywood may change a few things for dramatic effect.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:   A cautious YES because this is not a crowd pleasing movie but an emotional journey of a mother trying to get justice for her son.

 

Animated Watery Wishes At Year's End

AVATAR: WAY OF WATER

SCI-FI/ACTION 

PLOT:   A decade later Jack Scully is now one of the Na’vi of Pandora and he has a family who find peace –for awhile in a beautiful place where they swim like fish.

WHAT IS GOOD:  The special effects!!!  It took director James Cameron 13 years so technology could catch up with him and his vision.  The beauty of the sea and sea creatures are dazzling.  Stephan Lang as Miles Quaritch the villain in the first movie is back and is Na’vi as well.  He is still a bad guy yet he has some comparison but not much.  He is amazing as a man obsessed to kill Jack no matter what the cost! When the action does start-WOW!

WHAT IS WRONG:  The movie is over 3 hours and it is a slow burn but it tells how Jack has to protect and provide for his family.  He has kids and a few are teens and teens no matter what they are give parents problems.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like the first film-YES!  Action fans will enjoy the end I promise you.

PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH

ANIMATED/ADVENTURE/ FANTASY 

PLOT:     Puss has used 8 of his 9 lives so he searches for a magical star to give him more lives.  On his quest he meets new and old friends and enemies.

WHAT IS GOOD:   Antonio Banderas who voices Puss is perfect!  Salma Hayek is great as Kitty Softpaws and the villain Wagner Maura is scary as the Wolf. 

WHAT IS BAD:  Should have been released sooner!

SHOULD YOU GO:   YES!!!  The film is fun and it tells a message without banging it over your head.  It’s funny, action packed and romantic.  MUST SEE!