Armageddon Time

     Written and directed by James Gray, this new drama is a coming-of-age story, looking back at Mr. Gray's own past. The story takes place in Queens NY circa 1980 and revolves around Paul Graff and his family. 

      As the film begins, Paul starts sixth grade and quickly makes friends with Johnny, the only black boy in his class. The two are minor troublemakers for their teacher, Mr. Turkeltaub. Paul has trouble concentrating in class but excels at art. Johnny had been left back and starting sixth grade for the second time. He dreams of being an astronaut.

      Paul has a typical New York, Jewish family with his parents played by Ann Hathaway and Jeremy Strong. They are both excellent in atypical roles. His grandparents are played by Anthony Hopkins and Tovah Feldshuh. Ryan Sell plays Paul's older brother Ted. Paul's unusual outlook on life confound his parents but he has a strong bond with his grandfather. Mr. Hopkins is wonderful and his scenes with Paul are gems. Paul is played by Banks Repeta and he is a terrific new talent. I imagine he will have quite the acting career if he continues to pursue it. Paul's friend Johnny is played by Jaylin Webb, another fine young talent.  In a one scene cameo, John Diehl plays Fred Trump and Jessica Chastain plays Maryanne Trump, Donald's sister.

     Mr. Gray captures the period perfectly, with a nostalgic look at his past that can still appeal to a wide audience. It's a solid drama with outstanding performances.

The Banshees of Inisherin

      The newest film from writer/director Martin McDonagh reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in a tale of a friendship gone wrong. The year is 1923 and the story takes place on the tiny island of Inisherin, off the coast of Ireland (don't bother looking for it on a map).  Mr. Farrell plays Padraic and Mr. Gleeson plays Colm, two lifelong friends whose relationship takes a turn for the worse when Colm announces he no longer wants to be friends.

      As Padraic becomes more distraught at his friend's decision, Colm doubles down on his resolve to no longer speak to Padraic. The situation reaches unexpected consequences for both men in this darkly comic drama. And what would a Martin McDonagh script be without some blood being spilled?

      The film co-stars Kerry Condon as Siobhan, Padraic's sister, as well as Barry Keoghan as Dominic, the town's simple minded, oft put-upon lost soul. But it's the film's stars that carry the story and shine in their respective roles. Mr. Farrell, in particular, is simply outstanding playing against type, in one of the best roles of his career.

      Overflowing with authenticity, from the bullish island policeman, to the gossip desperate shopkeeper and the pub friendly barmen, everyone is affected by the unusual situation. Under Mr. McDonagh's minimal but efficient direction, the film is a small yet absorbing tale of a decision that changes lives for the two friends and the fascinating supporting cast of characters.

Amsterdam

 

       The latest from writer/director David O. Russell tells the fictious story of three friends who help expose a factual conspiracy in the years leading up to World War Two. It's a complex plot that only truly finds it's footing in the second half of the film.

       What does keep things interesting and fun are the performances of the three leads. The film stars Christian Bale as an unorthodox doctor, fighting the physical and mental effects of World War One. His best friend, whom he met in the war is played by John David Washington, who after the war becomes a lawyer. Rounding out the trio is Margot Robbie, a field nurse the two soldiers meet in a French hospital after they are both wounded. The three friends leave France for Amsterdam where they spend a few years cementing their friendship.

          Years later in New York, they become suspects in a murder and uncover a political conspiracy within our government. The film is a mix of whimsical comedy, political thriller and murder mystery. Co-starring in this mash up (which does eventually come together) is an all-star cast comprised of Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant (under heavy makeup), Andrea Riseborough, Alessandro Nivola, Matthias Schoenaerts, Rami Malik, Taylor Swift and Robert De Niro.

            Characters come and go and some of the actors are wasted in small parts that don't really contribute much. It's still fun but the film is truly grounded by the three leads. Mr. Bale is simply fantastic, as usual, having a ball with a very unusual character. Mr. Washington is the most serious of the trio with an excellent performance, continuing his growth as an actor. Ms. Robbie is simply a perfect mix of beauty and talent.

             Mr. Russell's direction is unique. The actors speak in an odd cadence and the rhythm of the film follows an irregular path. It may not be the easiest film to follow but one thing becomes very clear. Mr. Russell is making very obvious parallels throughout our history right up to our current climate.

Don't Worry Darling

          Olivia Wilde directed and co-stars in this mash up of "The Stepford Wives and "The Truman Show". Everything looks perfect in the town of Victory, but there is something wrong below the surface...Sound familiar?

          The film stars Florence Pugh as Alice, Harry Styles as her husband Jack, the aforementioned Olivia Wilde as her best friend Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean, Bunny's husband, Chris Pine as Frank, the founder of Victory, and Gemma Chan as Shelly, Frank's wife. Co-stars include Timothy Simons as a sinister doctor and Kiki Layne as Margaret, another friend of Alice's.

           The cast does very good work with standouts being the excellent Ms. Pugh and a surprisingly good Mr. Styles. Chris Pine is perfect against type as the "cult-like" founder of Victory and the mysterious Victory Project where all the men in town work. The women stay home, cooking, cleaning, shopping and drinking. Lots of drinking.

           Ms. Wilde's direction is self-assured, fun and clever with occasionally interesting camera choices. The cinematography in general is very good with bright color visuals (great sets and costumes) hiding the darkness below. What sinks the film is the plot. With little originality, it veers off into multiple genre directions without finding solid footing. 

           There is too much repetitive imagery (shades of "Moonage Daydream") in hallucinations and memories that find Alice certain she is going mad. But of course, we know she is not...or is she? And I personally found the ending disappointing but I suppose that will be debatable.

Moonage Daydream

        Written, directed, produced and edited by Brett Morgen, this new film about David Bowie is less of a documentary and more of an experience. 

         In a style that Mr. Bowie would have appreciated, the film is a visual and aural feast. A mixture of concert footage, interviews, behind the scenes footage, lightshow and images of Mr. Bowie's influences all combine in a kaleidoscope of sound and color. There is no traditional path, yet the film does trace Mr. Bowie's life through interspersed images and voice-over supplied only by Mr. Bowie. The lightshow images throughout are fascinating, odd and fun, however, they do start to become repetitive throughout the journey.

        The music, of course, is fantastic and the concert footage really fun, especially in the very early days of Mr. Bowie's development of his stage personas.  His personal insights bring the viewer a little bit closer to knowing the man behind the image but David Bowie will always remain somewhat of an enigma. 

        This experience is best viewed in IMAX and really meant for fans. Gone too soon, at least Bowie's music will live on forever.

Three Thousand Years of Longing

     Famed director George Miller co-wrote and directed this imaginative modern version of the timeless tale of the genie in the bottle. Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie, a scholar specializing in storytelling and myths. Idris Elba is the magical genie she accidently releases from his bottle, while she is on a business trip in Turkey. Of course, he offers her three wishes for releasing him. 

     Neither comedy or drama, this is an adult fairy tale based on the short story, "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye". The film itself is a visual marvel, especially when Mr. Elba recounts the three times over the centuries that he became trapped in the bottle. Mr. Miller takes us back to the days of Sherezade, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon but yet grounds the story in a modern hotel room in Istanbul as well as a home in London.

    Ms. Swinton is the perfect actress to portray Alithea and her chemistry with Mr. Elba can best be described as lovely. At it's core, the film is very unusual love story.  It will stir your imagination and is totally unpredictable.

Emily The Criminal

         This debut from writer/director John Patton Ford is an assured, taut crime drama starring Aubrey Plaza. Familiar yet very original, this is a fun ride with an outstanding performance from Ms. Plaza.

         Ms. Plaza plays the title character, in debt and drowning in student loans, she works part time for a catering service, barely getting by. One day she takes a phone number from a co-worker that promises $200 cash for an hour's work and this leads her down a dark path, becoming increasingly more complex and dangerous. The film co-stars Leo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon in a fun cameo.

        Mr. Ford underscores his story with plenty of social commentary, including how easily someone can turn to crime in today's world. Ms. Plaza (also a producer) is perfectly cast as a lead that balances a love/hate relationship with the viewer. As her criminal activities deepen, you still root for her to find a successful way out of her situation. Love her or hate her, you still enjoy the ride, thanks to the smart script by Mr. Ford.   

       With not many big budget films available this August, it's a great time to seek out smaller independent films like this one. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Bullet Train

 

     A Tarantinoesque  live action "Looney Tunes" cartoon starring Brad Pitt as a combination Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck anti-hero. The action is fast, furious and blood spattered as multiple assassins all try to take possession of a mysterious briefcase while riding a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto.

    Mr. Pitt is a criminal for hire, trying to change his life, following the advice of his therapist. What starts out as a simple job to snatch the briefcase becomes more and more complicated as the train zips through the Japanese countryside. The brisk pace and cartoon violence never lets up and along with the colorful cast of characters, it's easy enough to disregard the simplistic plot and just enjoy the ride.

     The film co-stars Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benito A Martinez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz and the voice of Sandra Bullock (although we do get to see her briefly). There are also some surprise cameos. It's a great cast with everyone enjoying getting theirs in one smackdown or another. 

    While seemingly in a constant battle with at least one of the other characters, Mr. Pitt remains charming throughout, tossing off witty one-liners and great facial expressions. Beaten, shot, stabbed, poisoned by a snake, blown up, surviving a horrific crash, none of it matters as Mr. Pitt just shakes it off and keeps things lively and fun. A true live combination of Bugs and Daffy.

     The plot (such as it is) actually does come together at the end with the help of many flashbacks to fill in details. While witty and violent in a Tarantino sort of way, it lacks the style, depth of character and panache of Mr. Tarantino's own films. The successful trick the film does pull off though is convincing you there is a lot going on while in reality, nothing is really going on.

Thor: Love and Thunder

   

     Taika Waititi returns as director and co-writer of the next chapter in Marvel's Thor series. This time out he borrows heavily from the recent comics run of Thor but instills his own brand of wacky humor into the script.

      Chris Hemsworth returns, of course, as Thor who still seems to be finding his way in the Marvel universe. After a prologue with new addition Christian Bale,  the film begins with Thor traveling with the Guardians of the Galaxy (great to see this group again, even if it is just a cameo). He soon receives a message from Sif, played again by Jamie Alexander, that someone is murdering Gods and that New Asgard is in grave danger.

      At the same time, we are reunited with Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who sat out the last film. Jane has cancer but Thor's hammer transforms her into a female Thor and she is temporarily cured as she gains his powers. Director Waititi also again does the voice of CGI character, Korg. Tessa Thompson also returns as Valkyrie and King of New Asgard. Mr. Bale is Gorr, the God Butcher, the main villain pulled directly from the comics. As usual, he completely disappears into the character and manages to inject a dose of humanity into the role. Russell Crowe has an extended cameo as Zeus, the Greek God. Although why he plays him with an Italian accent is beyond me.

      Mr. Waititi, besides using "Lady Thor" and Gor, also brings Thor's giant goats from the comic to life, and their bleating screams are funny every time. Upping the humor ante from the last film, "Love and Thunder" is filled with humor and  absolute silliness at times. While fun, it does make the film uneven between the serious threat of Gor and the many verbal and visual jokes.

       The music is great with much use of "Guns & Rose" material. Overall, if you don't take it very seriously, you'll enjoy the ride. Of course
what would a Marvel movie be without a mid-credit scene (which introduces a surprise character) and an end credit scene (a fitting coda). There is also a final welcome message to the fans..."Thor will return".

Nope

           

          The third film from Jordan Peele owes a great deal of gratitude to Steven Spielberg.  Written, produced and directed by Mr. Peele, it's an original plotline that borrows heavily from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Jaws". While the trailer promises thrills and chills, the final product, while suspenseful, rarely produces actual scares or horror.

          Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer play "OJ" and "Em", brother and sister ranch owners who train horses for movies and TV.  When their father, played by Keith David, dies from a bizarre accident, the ranch starts to fall on hard times. Discovering what they believe is a UFO in the sky above their ranch, they decide to try to capture it on film for a profit. They enlist the aid of an electronics store employee, Angel, played by Brandon Perea and later a famous cinematographer, played by Michael Wincott to get pictures and video of the UFO.

           A subplot involving a TV sitcom chimpanzee begins the film and Mr. Peele returns to it later to expand on the backstory of the other main character, Ricky "Jupe" Park, the former star of the sitcom,  played by Steven Yeun. Jupe has built a strange theme park nearby the horse ranch trying to capitalize on his former TV fame. While a fascinating character, Jupe and his backstory seem completely out of place in "Nope" but certainly lend an element of additional weirdness to the story. It's as if Mr. Peele had fragments of another film project that he abandoned and stuck into this one.

          Mr. Kaluuya is the understated, stoic, older brother to Ms. Palmer's outgoing personable younger sibling.  Ms. Palmer is a standout in the film, injecting energy, comedy and a hip presence to her character even in the face of danger. Mr. Yeun is also quite good, even if his character seems to belong in a different film.

          Without revealing to much about the UFO, I can say I was very unimpressed when all is finally revealed. What did impress me though is the wonderful cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema. The film looks fantastic. The music by Michael Abels, is also quite good, adding a level of much needed suspense to the story.  It is especially effective during the brief shots of the UFO, much like Mr. Spielberg used music to heighten the suspense  during the early glimpses of the shark in "Jaws". 

          There is a sequence when Em and Angel are trapped in the main house while OJ watches, trapped in a truck nearby that was the highlight of the film for me. Other than that, I was underwhelmed by the lack of thrills and chills that were so promising in the trailer.

Elvis

    

    Baz Lurhmann  tells the Elvis Presley story adding his own bombastic glamour and glitz to a story most of us already ready know.  In an original twist the story is told from the point of view of "Colonel" Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks under heavy makeup.

    Austin Butler stars as Elvis and he is remarkable. The perfect actor to play the part, he does his own singing (for the most part) and has the right looks and moves to accurately portray the music legend. The Colonel and Elvis were joined at the hip (shaking and otherwise) once Parker became his exclusive manager. Mr. Hanks and Mr. Butler bring that same chemistry to their on-screen relationship. To say Mr. Hanks's performance is accurate is hard to say, as "Colonel" Parker was an enigmatic character, hard to pin down. A schemer, a con man, sharp businessman and a marketing genius all rolled into one.

   The first half of the film moves at frenetic speed cutting back and forth through various parts of Elvis's life. The music is, of course, terrific and Mr. Lurhmann does a faithful, colorful and over the top job, recreating the rise of rock & roll in the 50's and the turbulent 60's. The script touches on almost all of Elvis's career highs and lows.  The story slows down a bit in the second half as it concentrates on the Las Vegas years and the eventual end we have all come to know. But in between, it's a blast.

Jurassic World Dominion

         In the world of this franchise, dinosaurs now live among us but as a series, we can only hope extinction has finally arrived. Universal has milked two trilogies out of the iconic original film made 30 years ago. "Dominion" feels like the last gasp of a dying animal. The plot is disappointingly silly (even for this franchise) and boring but after five previous films, you can't expect much more originality.

         There are a few exciting moments though, in the bloated two and a half hours, that are clever and entertaining. A motorcycle chase through the streets of Malta actually tops the motorcycle chase in the recent James Bond film, "No Time To Die. The CGI, animatronics, and puppets are, at times, both remarkable and cheap.

         From a clever casting perspective, the film combines the stars of the first trilogy, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum with the stars of the second trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.  For most of the film, they are engaged in separate plot points but manage to come together in the last act. Mr. Pratt and Ms. Howard do most of the heavy lifting in the action sequences and Mr. Pratt is, as usual, is a dashing hero. Mr. Goldblum, in his unique, quirky way provides what little there is of comic relief (although there are plenty of unintentional comic moments). 

        New to the cast is Campbell Scott as the world's most boring villain who actually has a temper tantrum on screen. DeWanda Wise is a cargo pilot who helps our heroes. Mamoudou Athie is Mr. Campbell's second in command,  B.D. Wong reprises his role as a genetics scientist and Omar Sy is a CIA agent who helps Mr. Pratt in Malta.

        Fans of the franchise will probably cheer as the credits role but from a critic's perspective, enough is enough.

Top Gun: Maverick

 

             Tom Cruise flies again. Fans of the original have waited two CoVid postponed years for this sequel to the beloved first film. They won't be disappointed as the new film adds all the elements from the first, mixes in some contemporary twists and makes it fit as comfortable as a favorite T-shirt.

            For audiences who may not have seen or don't remember the original, if they can get past the melodramatic, predictable plot and dialog, they will be treated to thrilling flying sequences and a very exciting last act. Mr. Cruise, still in remarkable shape is no longer the cocky young hotshot pilot but rather a weathered pilot still grieving over the loss of his best friend. His first priority now is getting his new Tom Gun pilots combat ready and keeping them alive. A dangerous mission against an unnamed enemy sets up the dramatic action but takes it's time getting to the actual mission. In between, we are treated to many  familiar plot points updated from the original.

           The film co-stars Jennifer Connelly returning as Penny, Maverick's love interest from the first film, now conveniently divorced and owner of the bar where they first met. Also co-starring are John Hamm as a by the book Admiral, Miles Teller as "Rooster", the son of Maverick's best friend "Goose", Charles Parnell as another admiral on Maverick's side,  and Glenn Powell, Lewis Pullman,  Monica Barbaro,  Greg Tarzan Davis, Danny Ramirez as the new Top Gun Pilots. Val Kilmer has a poignant cameo as "Iceman".

           The flying sequences are remarkable putting the audience directly in the cockpit, feeling every twist, turn and G force. The film is designed as a nostalgic crowd pleaser with  contemporary elements that won't disappoint if you can bear the predictable melodrama (although the script does have more depth than the original). I highly recommend seeing it in IMAX or at least Dolby Cinema to really appreciate the action.

"Downton Abbey: A New Era"

 

        I must confess, I have never seen an episode of the Downton Abbey TV show, nor the first film. However, after enjoying "The Gilded Age" on HBO,  created and written by Julien Fellowes who also created "Downton", I was intrigued by the trailer.

        After a quick primer by my wife, on the characters, I went into the film with an open mind.  And I have to say, it was quite enjoyable. Mr. Fellowes plays it safe with two subplots that split the family and servants between a film being shot at "Downton" and an inherited villa in the south of France.

         Everything is prim and proper, as is the English way, especially in the upper-class life of the early 1930's. Most, if not all of the familiar characters are back and a few new ones are introduced. Hugh Dancy is the movie director of the silent film, "The Gambler" being shot at "Downton". Dominic West and Laura Haddock are his stars. Problems arise when "The Jazz Singer" premieres and studios suddenly want "talkies".

         At the villa, Lord Grantham, played again by Hugh Bonneville, is faced with a potential scandal. But Mr. Fellowes is not interested in causing waves in a sea of familiarity. For the most part, there is a happy ending for almost everyone.  And how can you not love the fabulous costumes and scenic locations?

         Fans will enjoy the two hour loving embrace of their favorite characters but new fans, such as myself, will also enjoy the light drama and surprising fun as the Downton Abbey legacy continues.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

     The magic of Dr. Strange and the Scarlett Witch may have transported audiences through Marvel's conception of the multiverse but this new film takes a more scientific, yet fun, approach to the concept and does it brilliantly.  Written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (together known as 'The Daniels"), the film is epic in scale. It throws so much absurdist fun, emotional drama, martial arts, and questions of life itself, into one story that you will leave the theater exhausted but thrilled at having your mind blown.

      Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Quan Wang, who along with her husband Waymond (played by Ke Huy Quan) own a failing Laundromat, and are about to be audited by the IRS.  The legendary James Wong plays Evelyn's father and Stephanie Hsu plays their daughter, Joy. Co-starring are Jamie Lee Curtis as the IRS agent from hell, Tallie Medel as Joy's girlfriend, Harry Shum Jr. as Chad, and Jenny Slate as Debbie, the dog mom. It's a great cast but Ms. Yeoh and Mr. Quan really stand out. Their characters go through multiple transformations but they manage to keep it all grounded no matter how crazy things get and trust me, things get pretty crazy.

       The "Daniels" make it a point to try to explain the existence of a multiverse in a fun and almost believable way. Using trigger points that get more absurd as the film goes on, characters then "jump" between realities ultimately trying to stop a threat to the entire multiverse. While this all sounds completely gonzo (and it is), the plot is actually easy to follow and it all ends up making sense in a weird way.

       It's really great to see Ms. Yeoh take center stage, especially in film that show her full range, from comedy to drama with martial arts in between. She is just brilliant and Mr. Quan, a famed martial arts stunt director, is just as good in what I think may be his first starring role. The film will make your head spin (but in a good way) and is, so far, my favorite film of the year.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange in this trippy sequel that will appeal to Marvel fans but hold probably no interest for anyone else.

    Events from the "Wanda Vision" TV show on Disney+ set up the plot in this film but even if you missed that show, you will still be able to follow the central story.  Elizabeth Olsen returns as Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch and she just about steals the film out from under Mr. Cumberbatch.

   While the central plot is simple to follow, it is actually a disappointing storyline that at its core is about the lengths a mother will go through to be with her kids. For a film with the title "multiverse of Madness", there really isn't a big focus on the concept or construct of an actual multiverse. There are a few set pieces that are film highlights and fan favorites that introduce more surprise Marvel characters (films to come later) but one of the best scenes where Dr. Strange and his young friend America travel through many multiverses goes by much too fast.

   Mr. Cumberbatch is terrific as Dr. Strange. He continues to capture the character perfectly and his snarky attitude makes you miss Tony Stark just a little bit less. Xochitl Gomez plays America Chavez, a young woman who can travel between the multiverse and has a power that is coveted by Wanda. Also returning are Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, Strange's ex-fiancé. The leads are terrific especially Mr. Cumberbatch and Ms. Olsen but the characters get bogged down by the barrage of trippy CGI. And speaking of the special effects, they go from sloppy to excellent depending on where you are in the film.

    The film is directed by Sam Raimi,  who has played in the Marvel universe before and has a fun sensibility to the material. He can't resist a good zombie. He even casts an old friend in a surprise cameo.

    As usual, there are two extra scenes, one mid credits and one post credits. The mid credit scene is a short but important tease. The post credit is just silly and can be skipped without missing anything.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

      Nicolas Cage stars as a fictionalized version of himself in this new action comedy, written and directed by Tom Gormican. 

     Mr. Cage is in great form, making fun of himself and at the same time having a blast with Pedro Pascal in quite the "bromance". He stars as Nick Cage, who needs a desperately needs a hit as his bank account is dwindling quickly. Neil Patrick Harris plays his agent who brings him an offer of a million dollars just to be the guest of honor at a billionaire's birthday party. Mr. Pascal is Javi Gutierrez, the billionaire who is Mr. Cage's biggest fan and wants him to read a script he has written with Mr. Cage in mind.

    The two hit it off immediately and fuel their friendship with drugs and alcohol. Mr. Cage is very impressed with Javi's private Nicolas Cage collection, including a life-size figure of Mr. Cage. Things take a turn when Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz, playing CIA agents, "recruit" Mr. Cage into betraying Javi, who they suspect is an arms dealer and kidnapper.

    Using clips and quotes from many of his earlier films, and an imaginary visit from one of his earlier characters, the film is an absolute ode to Mr. Cage. He is obviously enjoying himself and has terrific chemistry with Mr. Pascal, who almost steals the film.  Additional co-stars include Sharon Hogan as Mr. Cage's ex-wife and Lily Sheen as his daughter. 

      While not award material , the film is a silly romp that pokes fun at Hollywood, movie stars and itself. If you are a Nicolas Cage fan, and who isn't, you will find it easy to "bear the weight".

The Northman

           Director and co-writer ( with Sjon) Robert Eggers brings his unique vision to this Viking tale of revenge. Set in AD 895, the film, while filled with its share of violent battle scenes, is more metaphysical and mystical in nature.

           The film stars Alexander Skarsgard as Amleth, a warrior prince, Oscar Novak as the young Amleth, Nicole Kidman as Amleth's mother and Ethan Hawke as his father. When his uncle Fjolnir (played by Claes Bang) kills his father and takes his mother as his queen, young  Amleth escapes by boat plotting revenge. We meet him years later as the adult Amleth, who after a visit by a seer (played by Bjork), seeks a mystical sword in order to slay his uncle. Along the way he befriends Olga (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) when they both become slaves to Fjolnir, who is unaware of Amleth's true identity. The film also co-stars in small roles, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie, all veterans of Mr. Eggers earlier films.

          The majority of the film is set in the barren wilderness of Iceland. Devoid of much color or life, the harsh landscape becomes a character unto itself. Mr. Eggers brings a true sense of realism to the stark and violent world of these characters. You can almost feel the blood and dirt on your skin as you watch the story unfold.  He has an uncanny way of creating a familiar story in a fresh and unique way. 

          Don't expect a full-blown Viking adventure with a cast of thousands but rather expect the unexpected and be rewarded with a surprising tale of blood, sweat, and a single tear. 

Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore

 

       The third film in the "Fantastic Beats" series finds most of the original cast back for a new adventure. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander as does Dan Fogler as the "muggle" Jacob Kowalski. Albus Dumbledore is played again, with great charm by Jude Law in an expanded role from the previous film. Also returning are Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, and in what amounts to a cameo, Katherine Waterston. Jessica Williams joins the cast as Professor "Lally" Hicks. A welcome addition this time out is Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald, replacing Johnny Depp. He brings more depth and menace to the role than Mr. Depp. 

        Directed again by David Yates from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, the film moves along at a calm almost leisurely pace (even the action sequences seem calm and lacking a real sense of excitement) with an engaging story, that at its core, is about a rigged election. The most exciting sequence involves Newt rescuing his brother, Theseus from a wizard prison. The CGI work is impressive creating a sense of magic throughout the film.

        The series was originally planned as five films. This film does have its charms (pun intended) and a clear ending in case the decision is made not to move forward with more films.

Ambulance

        

       I can't imagine any director other than Michael Bay going near this ridiculous script.  Apparently he turned it down the first time it was offered but after CoVid shut down any production, he was anxious to start directing again. The film is based on the Danish film of the same name and I suppose Danish audiences were less forgiving. In typical Michael Bay fashion, logic and depth of character are replaced by pure adrenaline and explosions.

       Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II star as brother Danny and Will Sharp. Danny took up the family business of robbing banks while Will became a Marine. Now faced with a desperate need for cash, Will agrees to help Danny with a $32 million dollar bank robbery. When things go wrong very quickly, they find themselves stealing an ambulance with an EMT (played by Eliza Gonzalez) and a wounded policeman (played by Jackson White) still inside. The remainder of the film is basically one long chase through the streets of Los Angeles. Garrett Dillahunt and Kier O'Donnell play the Swat leader and FBI agent pursuing them.

      Mr. Gyllenhaal is in manic mode as the desperate bank robber. Mr. Abdul- Mateen II is the sympathetic brother who wavers between surrender and getaway. Ms. Gonzalez steals the picture out from everyone as the tough talking EMT.  But the real star of the film is the camera work, filming the action from every angle sometimes at dizzying speed. Mr. Bay's bombastic direction is fast, furious and loud. He makes it easy to forget how ridiculous the story is, including reality defying surgery performed in a moving ambulance.

      Exciting at the start, the mind-numbing chase grows weary until the script throws in a Latino gang with a clever ruse to help the brothers. While injecting some fresh action, it's too little too late. Suffice to say, Ambulance runs out of gas and coasts to an inevitable ending.