Deadpool & Wolverine

 

     If you are familiar with the mythology having read the comics, seen the previous films and have  watched the Marvel TV show "Loki", you will absolutely love this. If not, this film is not for you. It may be enjoyable enough but most of the references, flashbacks, cameos, and inside jokes won't make a lot of sense.

     Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman star in this violent, hysterically funny, mad romp of a team up and if you are indeed a fan, you will love all the cameos, references and inside jokes...and they come fast and furious. 

      I'll just stop here as not to give anything away. See it in IMAX, Dolby, or just the biggest screen you can. And for once, a cat doesn't steal the movie...a dog does.

Thelma

 

       June Squibb (93 years young) takes center stage as Thelma, a grandmother swindled out of $10,000, determined to get her money back. Ms. Squibb is a absolute wonder and a delight to watch. 

       The film co-stars Fred Hechinger as Thelma's grandson Daniel, Parker Posey as her daughter Gail, Clark Gregg as Alan, her son-in-law, Malcolm McDowell as Harvey, and in his final film performance, Richard Roundtree as Ben, who reluctantly helps Thelma on her "mission impossible". Ms. Squibb and Mr. Roundtree make a great pair and their adventure is filled with insightful dialog about getting older.

       Mr. Hechinger and Ms. Squibb have a genuine love and affection for each other which easily is expressed by their characters. Ms. Posey and Mr. Gregg are portrayed as the comic relief "helicopter parents".

       Writer and director Josh Margolin envisions a lively adventure for seniors that doesn't shy away from senior issues, but manages to tread lightly. During the credits, it is suggested that Mr. Margolin based the character on his own grandmother.

        

Fly Me To The Moon

 

      Billed as a romantic comedy,  this new film starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum is neither romantic nor comedic. The forced "screwball" chemistry between the stars falls flat and the comedy is sabotaged from the very beginning when the film opens recounting the tragic loss of the Apollo One astronauts, killed in a capsule fire, before they even launched. That terrible accident starts the film and any lighter moments are quickly forgotten when the accident repeatedly comes up (Mr. Tatum's character was the control director on that mission).

      Greg Berlanti directs the film like a bad sit-com with no laugh track and the pace of a snail. He does nothing to make the chemistry of the two stars credible and the subplot of a faked moon landing (that theory has existed for years), played better in "Capricorn One".

      The film co-stars Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Noah Robbins, and Donald Elise Watkins. Mr. Romano's natural comedic ability is underused, Mr. Rash is an offensive stereotype but Mr. Harrelson is well cast as a mysterious government agent.

       Fact and fiction don't blend well in the script and don't even get me started on Mr. Tatum's terrible hair piece. There are a few funny lines and one comedic scene that works but they don't make up for this film's "failure to launch". 

       And for the second time this year, a cat steals the film.

    

         

Twisters

 

       Building on the success of the original film "Twister",  this update is an all new story with a new cast.

       The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glenn Powell as storm chasers with very different styles who end up working together to try to stop tornadoes before they can do any damage. The film co-stars Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Harry Hadden-Paton and Sasha Lane.

       The special effects are first rate, especially seeing it in IMAX, but what sets it apart from watching the effects of real tornados on the internet, is the suspense of watching the cast in fictious harm's way. I imagine people who live in the "Tornado Alley" states will have no interest in the film as they live through the dangers and tragedies of real tornadoes all the time.

        For the rest of us, it's a pretty exciting summer "popcorn" movie but watching the devastation left behind the various tornadoes, even in a movie, is a very somber reminder of the real thing 

Longlegs

 

        I'm just going to say it, this is the creepiest and most disturbing serial killer film since "Silence of the Lambs". Writer and director Osgood Perkins has created a minor masterpiece of claustrophobic dread in almost every frame. He succeeds in blending psychological horror, crime procedural, and the occult into a film that is the stuff of nightmares. 

       There are no sudden jump cut scares but every scene is unnerving just the same. The score by Zilgi, is terrific. It is original, atmospheric and sets the perfect audio vision for the film.

       The cast is amazing. It's been a while since I can say how committed the fours lead actors are to their respective roles The film stars Maika Monroe (a terrific new talent), Blair Underwood (as good as I've ever seen him), Alicia Witt (simply amazing), and Nicolas Cage (unrecognizable but as his most gonzo).  Kiernan Shipka (you might remember her from the TV show "Madmen") has a small but significant role as well.

         If you are a fan of this genre, this is a must see film. You will leave the theater with goosebumps. Movies like this come and go all the time but "Longlegs" is the real deal.

             

MaXXXine

 

       Written, directed, produced and edited by Ti West, this is the third film in his "X" trilogy with Mia Goth reprising her role as Maxxine Minx. If it was Mr. West's intention to make an homage to '80's Slasher B-movies, direct to VHS and found in the bottom shelf of a video store, he has succeeded beautifully. If not, then "MaXXXine" is quite possibly the worst movie of the year so far.

      Ms. Goth is Mr. West's muse, starring in at least three of his films. What he see in her is a mystery in itself. She is not a very good actress and this film does nothing to change my opinion. What I really find puzzling is why good actors including, Bobby Cannavale, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Giancarlo Esposito, Lily Collins and Kevin Bacon (ok, he'll take almost any part) would agree to participate in this film. I realize actors have to work but surely, there are better scripts out there for actors of this caliber.

      I'm not wasting any more words on this one. Just remember, I see these films so you don't have to.

         

A Quiet Place: Day One

 

        Written and directed by Eric Samoski (based on a story by John Krasinski and Mr. Samoski), this is a prequel to the two earlier successful films in the growing franchise.

         The film stars Lupita Nyong'o as Sam, a terminally ill patient, who is on an outing into Manhattan from her Hospice center. While watching a puppet show with other patients, the alien invasion begins and Sam and her cat, Frodo are separated from the group.

         While the city starts to collapse around her, since she knows her time is running out anyway, she decides to stay alive as long as she can to reach Harlem and memories of her childhood. Along the way she meets Eric (played by Joseph Quinn) and the two try to survive together. The film also co-stars Alex Wolff and Djimon Hounsou.

          The original concept is still in place (the aliens respond the the slightest sounds),  but this story has a different kind of emotional core and Ms. Nyong'o's  character is someone you easily can root for, even though you know her fate is inevitable. She has great chemistry with Mr. Quinn. And while they are both very good, Frodo the cat steals the film.

          This is a welcome addition to the franchise. It is exciting and even harrowing at times with plenty of suspense and some good scares.

            

          

Beverley Hills Cop- Axel F

 

     Back for the fourth installment in the franchise, Eddie Murphy returns as Detroit detective, Axel Foley. Needing a plot device to send him back to Beverely Hills,  he learns that his estranged, adult daughter may be in danger from crooked cops.

      Besides the usual action and comedy, the film provides an awkward family dynamic to act as the centerpiece of the story. In addition to Mr. Murphy, original cast member joining the film include Judge Reinhold, John Aston, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot. New to the franchise are Taylor Paige as Jane, Mr. Foley's daughter,  Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott, and Kevin Bacon as Captain Cade Grant.

      Of course, the film fills a nostalgic need for fans of the franchise, including using music from the original film and similar action sequences but there is enough original plot points and stunts to enjoy the film on it's own merits. 

        Currently streaming on Netflix     

The Bikeriders

 

        From writer/director Jeff Nichols, comes this great new drama based on the book, "The Bikeriders" by Danny Lyon.

        The film starts out in 1965 with Danny Lyon interviewing Kathy Cross about her time with "The Vandals", a local Chicago motorcycle club. We then flashback to how the club started and the various interactions of it's members. We learn that Mr. Lyon has been given full access to take pictures and interview club members for his subsequent book.

         While it is based on real characters and events, there are the usual fictious elements added for dramatic effect. Mr. Nichols clearly loves his subject matter and he has assembled a terrific cast.

         The three main leads are Tom Hardy as Johnny, the leader and creator of the club, Jodie Comer as Kathy (with a terrific Chicago accent),  and Austin Butler as Benny, club member and Kathy's love interest. The co-stars include Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Damon Herriman, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen, Karl Glusman, Toby Wallace, Norman Reedus, Paul Sparks, Happy Anderson, and Will Oldham.

        Mr. Hardy (a brute who's smarter than he looks) and Ms. Comer (the heart and soul of the film) are just terrific. Mr. Butler is a seething, magnetic presence and the rest of the cast does a great job bringing an air of authenticity to the film.

        This is an original and exciting film that I can't recommend enough.