MOVIE REVIEW: THE FLASH

 

Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian -- albeit not the one he's looking for.

Director: Andrés Muschietti

Cast: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity

Runtime: 2h 24m

Andrés Muschietti's The Flash is cornucopia of superhero wackiness powered by a manic energy that makes the whole thing incredibly watchable.  Muschietti takes a kitchen sink approach by staging some inventive action set pieces which ranges from charmingly goofy early on like a "baby shower" rescue or a bit of mayhem that plays more like a circus parade before we move to the requisite superhero action.  The variety in these sequences keeps the entire thing from feeling stale since each sequence offers up it's own sort of energy.  These set pieces, as fun as they are, wouldn't work as well as it does if Ezra Miller didn't deliver a strong performance.  Miller's, legal issues aside, is a talented performer and this role allows him to really flex his acting muscles as he plays two different versions of the titular character at different stages in his life.  He balances the more mature, damaged central character with the more carefree and naïve iteration of himself with impressive ease.  In both cases, he brings a grounded, authentic emotional center to the characters even amongst the increasingly insane situations splashed on screen.  The character's arch through the multiverse differentiates itself from other film using the trope by centering it around the character's personal growth and acceptance, Star Trek: The Next Generation fans might get echoes of the episode Tapestry which used a similar approach.  Its a smart approach which centers the film even as a bevy of cameos and Easter eggs are thrown onscreen.  The most substantial of these is Michael Keaton donning the cape and cowl once again, something he does with his general ease as he brings back the same Burtonesque energy that's sure to thrill children of the 80's.  Once Keaton shows up on screen the film does lean heavily into fan service which will make a portion of the fandom very happy and will likely be lost on people under a certain age.  Sasha Calle joins the film roughly around the same time as she brings a quiet ferocity to her character that the film would have benefited from exploring.  Instead her character feels rushed and underserved which is a shame.  Michael Shannon returns as General Zod in what amounts to a thankless role since its little more than an extended cameo that there simply to set up Barry's internal conflict.  While it makes sense in terms of the story being told you can't help but think there had to be a better way to use both Calle and Shannon.  Its a minor quibble especially when you step back and look at the amount of juggling Muschietti is doing to make The Flash work as a fun and engaging superhero story centered around a personal journey about growth.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE PROTEGE

 

Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody, Anna is the world's most skilled contract killer. However, when Moody is brutally killed, she vows revenge for the man who taught her everything she knows. As Anna becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer, their confrontation turns deadly, and the loose ends of a life spent killing weave themselves ever tighter.

Director: Martin Campbell

Cast: Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, David Rintoul, Ori Pfeffer, Ray Fearon, Caroline Loncq, Robert Patrick

Rated R for strong and bloody violence, language, some sexual references and brief nudity

Release Date: August 20, 2021

Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller

Runtime: 1h 49min

Review:

The Protégé plays like a hybrid between Mr. & Mrs. Smith and La Femme Nikita.  The latter fits perfectly for the film's star, Maggie Q, who led the underseen and underappreciated  2010 series Nikita.  Needless to say, she's perfectly in her comfort zone here.  Martin Campbell brings his directorial clout having helmed two well regarded Bond films.  Together they should make for a match in heaven but a hackneyed muddled script hampers what should have been a slam dunk.  Thankfully the action sequences well staged and engaging with Q doing the majority of her own stunts.  In addition to being incredibly adept at the physicality needed for the role but she's equally capable as an actress.  She has the ability to go from stone cold stoic to vulnerable with an impressive subtly.  Samuel L. Jackson, who plays her adoptive father, is more subdued than his recent turn in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard instead he seems to be channeling Jules from Pulp Fiction which is a nice change of pace.  Michael Keaton makes the biggest impression in a supporting roles as he works the sort of wry world weary charm and intensity that worked so well for him in Burton's Batman.  Keaton and Q make for a strange May December pairing since they don't share any tangible romantic chemistry.  Even though their relationship isn't believable both performers are able to make each of their interactions the high points of the film.  So why doesn't the whole thing work better as a cohesive whole?  The script doesn't do any favors for the cast and director as they try their hardest to overcome the inherent limitations in terms of story and dialogue.  Thankfully, The Protégé is able to overcome this and still deliver a fun spy thriller even if its not as good as it could have been.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: DUMBO

Struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists a former star and his two children to care for Dumbo, a baby elephant born with oversized ears. When the family discovers that the animal can fly, it soon becomes the main attraction -- bringing in huge audiences and revitalizing the run-down circus. The elephant's magical ability also draws the attention of V.A. Vandevere, an entrepreneur who wants to showcase Dumbo in his latest, larger-than-life entertainment venture.

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Alan Arkin

Release Date: March 29, 2019

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Rated PG for peril/action, some thematic elements, and brief mild language

Runtime: 1h 52min

Review:

Dumbo, the latest live action money grab from Disney, is a film that’s visually lush but fairly sterile and bland.  Tim Burton seems like a solid fit for this retelling of this tale of an outsider, something Burton excels at.  The odd thing is that it’s a visually impressive film but it fails to connect on an emotional level consistently.  The CGI creation that is Dumbo is impressive but it’s difficult to connect to the character since it doesn’t talk like in the original film.  Going for a more grounded approach is a bit of a misstep since you’re supposed to connect with your lead character in order for the whole thing to work.  To compound the issue, Tim Burton seems far more focused on the visuals of the film than the performances of his A list cast.  As a result we get some fairly stilted performances that come off as overly broad and soulless which is just startling considering the fact that you have such a strong and likable cast.  They each manage to shine in spots but it never comes together to create a cohesive story since their characters are so thinly written.  As a result, this live action redux feels fairly unnecessary and uninspired.

C

Cindy Prascik's Review of Dumbo

Following an extended hiatus, this week Disney’s Dumbo offered me the chance to reconnect with my local cinema.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn’t know from the trailers.

A baby elephant, whose large ears give him the ability to fly, takes a small circus to new heights…but the journey is not without peril.

Well, dear reader(s), I’ll be straight: I’m not much of a Disney fan. Other than that long-ago animated Robin Hood, if it’s Disney and it doesn’t have Jack Sparrow, I’m not all that interested. Having said that, I am *very* interested in Tim Burton, Colin Farrell, and Eva Green, so off to the Thursday sneak-peek of Dumbo I went.

Dumbo has a great deal going for it. Sincere performances from Farrell, Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton easily sell the fantastic premise, with the old story adapted for live action and new times. Sets, costumes, scenery, and Tim Burton's magical vision create a luscious landscape that is a true feast for the eyes, and, as always, it pairs perfectly with Danny Elfman's spellbinding score. The problem is, when you're done absorbing all that beauty, Dumbo is just...well...kinda boring. The movie clocks in well shy of two hours, but it felt like I was sitting in that theater for days. All the adorable elephants, colorful circus acts, and devastatingly handsome leading men in the world couldn't save it.

Dumbo runs 112 minutes and is rated PG for "peril/action, some thematic elements, and brief mild language."

Disney's Dumbo is a decent bit of Saturday-afternoon entertainment, but don't expect to remember it long after you've left the theater.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Dumbo gets five.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING

Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine -- distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

Director: Jon Watts 

Cast: Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey, Jr., Donald Glover

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments

Release Date: Jul 07, 2017

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Spider-Man: Homecoming was going to have an uphill battle being the  3^rd iteration of the character in so many years.  Thankfully Tom Holland is a great fit for the role, really taking the character back into the high school world in earnest.  Holland has a great gee whiz charisma that fits the film and this take on the character.  The story itself is a solid coming of age tale that feels familiar without becoming burdensome.  It’s a fun story which makes good use of Robert Downey Jr. in the mentor role which seems like a logical fit being Marvel’s first hero.  Michael Keaton makes for a solid villain, a rarity in the Marvel movies, with his motivations making more sense than your usual bad guy.  Keaton uses his low key intensity to great effect here even though the film could have used some focus in terms of conflict.  At times it almost feels like Keaton’s villain is secondary to other plot lines in the film.  It’s a shame because it’s a decent character that could have made a larger impact if the film had allowed him to.  A few quibbles aside, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a fun film that avoids the entire “origins” trope by basically sidestepping it entirely and doing it’s own thing.

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of Spider-Man: Homecoming

 

 

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you haven't learned already from trailers and clips.

 

Young Peter Parker works his way through high-school angst, frustration with his mentor, and part-time hero-ing.

 

Well, dear reader(s), I am fond of saying I always keep an open enough mind for something to surprise me. Usually that's a positive, but this weekend, unfortunately, the opposite is true.

 

I adore Spider-Man. He's my third-favorite superhero, behind The Tick and Batman, if anyone wondered...okay, probably not. Thanks to solid trailers, good word on the street, and an entertaining appearance in Captain America: Civil War, I had high hopes for Spider-Man: Homecoming, and it hurts me deeply to declare it a disappointment. Still, the movie has a fair few positives, so I hope to focus mostly on those, beginning, as I usually do, with the cast. Tom Holland is a great Peter Parker, perfectly embodying that challenging age when young adults are certain they're capable of more than the grownups think. It helps that Holland, barely old enough to drink, is within (web) shooting distance of our high-school hero's age. While both effectively play younger onscreen, and both, for my money, were terrific Spideys, Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield were in their mid- to late-20s when they put on the tights, so at some point they were bound to feel a bit removed from those difficult-but-exciting teen years. The supporting cast is filled with awesomeness in the forms of Marisa Tomei, Donald Glover, Tyne Daly, and the now-obligatory appearance by Robert Downey, Jr., but it's Michael Keaton, as the film's chief baddie, who really steals the show with what might be the best performance in any Marvel movie, ever. Keaton's can't-look-away work is worth the price of admission all on its own. (For the record, on the subject of RDJ, Homecoming never feels like Iron Man 3.5, as the trailers sometimes promised/threatened.) Spider-Man: Homecoming features some really great CGI as well as some inexplicably wonky CGI. There are times when you'd believe Spidey was actually swinging through the sky above you, other times when he might as well be a Colorforms that someone's moving across the board by hand. (Does anyone remember Colorforms? Do I need to change that analogy?) Some of the worst of it comes at the expense of the climactic Staten Island Ferry scene hinted at in the trailers, which can't help but leave a bad taste. Also on the subject of visuals, even brighter scenes are a bit dark, leaving dark scenes too muddy to see much of anything. A bit of darkness is an understood side effect of seeing 3D product in 2D, but if a movie is showing in both formats, then filmmakers and cinemas really need to figure that out. Marvel's forced cheekiness is getting old as well; they're like that Facebook friend who's constantly posting the same duck-face selfie and expecting a hundred likes; it's just not as cute as it thinks it is, and the Stan Lee cameos are ho-hum, at best, these days. Ultimately, though, if you're wondering what makes this movie so disappointing, the answer is simple: It's boring. Homecoming is only slightly overlong (a 15-20 minute trim would have done it a great service), but it seems to go on forever without getting anywhere. The first half is insufferable, and the second act cruises towards its finale without ever gaining much momentum. Big action pieces are dropped between funny or heartfelt exchanges among Peter, his classmates, Aunt May* (*hottie version), and Tony Stark, but it's all too familiar and forgettable. There's a mid-credits scene that's worth your sticking around, but the final post-credits stinger is a waste of time that, again, isn't nearly as cute as it thinks it is.

 

Spider-Man: Homecoming runs an interminable 133 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi action violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments.”

 

If you're a fan of the genre who plans to see Spider-Man: Homecoming regardless, big-screen is definitely the way to go for this effects-driven extravaganza. If you're just looking to go to the movies this week, go see Baby Driver instead. (If you've already seen it, see it again.) Of a possible nine Weasleys, Spider-Man: Homecoming gets five.

 

Fangirl points: Mostly musical this time, with soundtrack appearances by the Ramones, The English Beat, and A Flock of Seagulls, as well as the classic Spider-Man theme. 

 

Also a cute nod to Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

 

Until next time... 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: BIRDMAN

A fading actor (Michael Keaton) best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected. Lindsay Duncan.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Cast: Michael Keaton, Lindsay Duncan, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Emma Stone

Release Date: Oct 17, 2014

Rated: R for brief Violence, Some Sexual Content and Language Throughout

Runtime: 1 hr. 59 min.

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Review:

Birdman is a dizzying powerhouse of a film that’s showcases it’s cast and director on multiple levels.  Alejandro González Iñárritu has crafted a fascinating dissection of fame and celebrity culture through the guise of a mental breakdown.  Michael Keaton’s soul baring performance is simply amazing.  It’s an unglamorous performance which shows every inch of age on Keaton’s face while showcasing his impressive talent.  Aided by excellent supporting turns by Edward Norton and Emma Stone, Birdman maintains an impressive energy throughout as it builds to its crescendo.  There’s nary a moment when the film drags and it’s at it’s best when Norton and Keaton share the screen together since you can tell they are both having a blast while putting on some impressive performances.  If there’s a small drawback it’s the film does reek of self importance even smugness at some points.  That being said, Birdman is the type of prestige film that should hold up well upon repeat viewing thanks to some wonderfully crafted filmmaking and acting.

A

Cindy Prascik's Review of Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

 
Dearest Blog, this weekend my cinema unexpectedly offered awards season hopeful Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). I owe them a debt of gratitude for eschewing the usual smalltown "If it's not Transformers, why bother?" mentality and not making me fit in *all* the nominated films in the two weeks leading up to the Oscars!

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

The washed-up star of a big Hollywood superhero franchise tries to kickstart his career on Broadway.
Well, dear reader(s), Birdman is the kind of movie that many people may dislike despite it's being well done, and there probably won't be much middle ground: people will love it or they'll hate it. Me, I really, really loved it.

Michael Keaton turns in an extraordinary performance in the lead, simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious and sympathetic and distant and serious and insane. Early goings yet for me to say "All the awards, please!" but this is the kind of work that, even if he ends up not being my guy when the time comes, I won't complain about anything he wins. The supporting cast is similarly terrific, especially Edward Norton and the lovely Emma Stone.

I'll go on record as saying this is the first time I've seen Zach Galafianakis in anything where I didn't want to kill him; he is very good and almost unbelievably not annoying! At a glance, the story sounds like a buzzkill, as "has-been actor" tales rarely end well, but the telling is so entertaining that it doesn't feel that way. Certainly there's a bit of melancholy about the past, but there's also a hopeful note that comes with the having courage to take a chance. There has been much online debate about the movie's ending, and I won't spoil it here, but I will say it's a real conversation starter and--in my opinion--a perfect finish to a film that poses more questions than it answers.

Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) clocks in at 119 minutes, and is rated R for "language throughout, some sexual content, and brief violence."

Birdman is, across the board, one of the best movies I've seen this year, smartly written, beautifully acted, and truly entertaining from start to finish.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) gets eight.

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Robocop & Winter's Tale

Dearest Blog, yesterday I braved the Valentines' weekend crowds for Robocop and Winter's Tale.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know or have guessed from the trailers.

First on the agenda was MY Valentine, Gary Oldman, in Robocop.

A critically-injured Detroit police officer is saved by technology...but at what cost?

Dear Blog, I must confess I don't have the same reverence for the original Robocop as many folks do. I like it well enough, but it's nothing special to me. Though I generally avoid press 'til I've written my own review, I have seen some reviews for this remake because they popped up in my daily Gary Oldman Alerts...not that I have daily Gary Oldman Alerts, mind you. Many folks who DO revere the original seemed unable to hate the remake as much as they expected to, so I took that as a good sign.

Due to the filmmakers' determination to hold onto a PG13 rating, the Robocop remake is less brutal than its predecessor. There are explosions and shootouts a plenty, but also very human moments. I haven't seen Joel Kinnaman in too much before, but I always thought he deserved an Emmy for The Killing, and I was interested to see him as a big-screen lead. He does a terrific job of keeping the lead character sympathetic, even when his behavior is more Robo than Cop. While I needn't mention that the best thing about the movie is Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Jackie Earle Haley are both better than they needed to be as well. I was also delighted to see two of my TV faves: Boardwalk Empire's Michael Kenneth Williams and Dexter's Aimee Garcia.

So, dear readers, how much would YOU sacrifice in the interest of your safety? Like the original, the Robocop reboot hits you over the head a bit with its social commentary, but, for my money, if it gets credit for any socially-relevant achievement, it'll be introducing a whole new generation to the awesome 70s jam Hocus Pocus! The movie has solid effects, and there's no denying the new Batman...er...Robocop suit looks pretty slick. The action is fast-paced, and a super cast helps make up for any other shortcomings.

Robocop clocks in at a very reasonable 108 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of action violence including frenetic gun violence throughout, brief strong language, sensuality, and some drug material."

Robocop is the remake the world deserves, but not the one it needs right now. (See what I did there?) Of a possible nine Weasleys, Robocop gets six and a half.

Next on my agenda was the maligned Valentines' Day love story Winter's Tale.

A man awakes in present-day New York City with no idea who he is, but soon discovers the connection between past and present.

I haven't read any reviews of Winter's Tale, but I'm told they're brutal, like 13% at Rotten Tomatoes brutal. As the sappy romance is front and center in the trailers, I was fully prepared to hate the movie, but I just couldn't. I didn't precisely love it, either, but 13%?? Harsh.

Winter's Tale is too schizophrenic to be the movie anybody wants or expects. An uneasy marriage of time travel, the Bible, and the most vomit-inducing love story ever, Winter's Tale is too schmaltzy a romance for fantasy fans, and too fantastic for folks looking for a simple love story. The movie never manages to find a comfortable balance between romantic tearjerker and fantasy epic, then it further muddies the water with a shot of morality tale.

If the movie is so-so, Colin Farrell, in the lead, is not. Farrell is a heaping helping of phenomenal actor with a double side of devastatingly handsome, and he salvaged the movie even when it bored me a little. Downton Abbey's Jessica Brown Findlay is charming as Farrell's lost love, and Russell Crowe remains immeasurably good, always.

My screening of Winter's Tale was fairly crowded, and it sounded like pretty much all the women were crying and all the men were sleeping. No matter what I write here or what you read elsewhere, that's probably as fair an assessment of the movie as you're going to find.

Winter's Tale runs 118 minutes and is rated PG13 for "violence and some sensuality."

In the end, I thought Winter's Tale was a better Cloud Atlas than Cloud Atlas. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Winter's Tale gets five.

Until next time...

[Trailer] RoboCop

The first trailer for Jose Padilha's upcoming RoboCop remake is out and it gives us plenty to chew on in terms of visuals and tone.

Personally, I think this one feels just like the insipid and soulless Total Recall remake from last year...

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE OTHER GUYS

IN THEATERS

THE OTHER GUYS



A desk-jockey detective and his tough-talking partner get their moment to shine in this buddy police comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and directed by Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby). New York City detective Allen Gamble (Ferrell) is more comfortable pushing pencils than busting bad guys. A meticulous forensic accountant, his numbers are never off. Detective Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg) is Gamble's reluctant partner. Try as Detective Hoitz might to get back on the streets, an embarrassing encounter with Derek Jeter has left a sizable black mark on his permanent record. Detectives Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) are the complete opposites of Gamble and Hoitz: unwaveringly confident, they always get their man, and they do it with style to spare. When the time comes for Gamble and Hoitz to prove their mettle and save the day, their incompetence becomes the stuff of legend. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Dwayne Johnson.

Release Date: Aug 06, 2010

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, violence, some drug material and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy

Review:

Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are usually comedic gold and they have the absurdist resume to prove it. The Other Guys is another strong comedic outing for the pair this time bringing Mark Wahlberg into the fold who’s finally having a little fun with himself by playing a parody of his typical character. McKay set the table with a ridiculous and entertaining opening action sequence involving Sam Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, both who are more just around for what amounts to an extended cameo, as your usual super cops. From the there, McKay introduces Ferrell and Wahlberg’s characters and keeps the film moving at a steady pace, throwing jokes left and right with great effect as both actors share palpable comedic chemistry onscreen. They play off each other extremely well throughout. Ferrell bounces back after last summer abysmal Land of the Lost by doing what he does best, creating likable weirdos who are more layered than you’d think. His character is like a more thoroughly realized SNL character complete with a “tragic” past. Wahlberg is well at ease playing a tongue in cheek version of the type of role he usually plays. He’s believable and only occasionally borders on caricature. Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan and Eva Mendes are all strong in supporting roles and it’s always good to see Rome’s Ray Stevenson large productions. McKay had something close to a classic on his hands till the 3rd act nearly brings the film to a dead stop as the convoluted plot gets in the way and it kind of saps the life out of the film.

B-