The Odyssey

 

         Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, based on Homer's epic poem, the film itself is an epic work of art. Entertainment on a massive scale, Mr. Nolan continues to push the envelope of what can be accomplished on film.

           The cast is so impressive. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, in one of his finest roles (and probably one of his hardest). He is supported by Anne Hathaway as Penelope, his patient wife waiting twenty years for his return from the Trojan War. Tom Holland is Telemachus, his son, who really should have referred to his parents as Mother and Father rather than "Mom" and "Dad" but otherwise a fine portrayal.  Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, a conniving suitor for Penelope. Lupita Nyong'o is Helen of Troy and her twin sister, Clytemnestra. Samantha Morton is Circe. John Leguizamo is Eumaeus. Zendaya is the Goddess, Athena. Charlize Theron plays Calypso. Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus. Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus. Elliot Page plays Sinon and Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon. Special consideration to Bill Irwin who portrays the Cyclops.

             There has been many critical comments about the casting which I personally think is ridiculous. No one really knew what these people looked like in ancient times and this is a film after all with Mr. Nolan's own vision. He cast the best actors for the roles and all the performances were excellent.

              Forgoing CGI for practical effects, the film is a visual marvel. Shot in multiple locations around the world, every scene is breathtaking. There is detail in every frame and since it was shot completely using IMAX cameras, it is truly an immersive experience.

               While it is recommended, you see in in IMAX 70mm, I'm sure it will still be one of the most incredible films you will ever see in any format. But I do highly recommend  you see it in a theater. The grand scale of this film won't be the same on television (unless you have a really large screen with high end surround sound).

                  This will be the film to beat in multiple categories at next year's Academy Awards. It is remarkable. 

               As a side note, there is an exclusive 22 minute "Making Of" documentary now on the Peacock streaming channel (where the film will eventually land).

Evil Dead Burn

 

        Strictly for fans of the franchise, this latest installment will not disappoint. While not particularly scary (there are one or two jump scares), it is incredibly gruesome with excellent special effects.

         Co-written and directed by Sebastien Vanicek, the film doesn't reinvent the story but certainly builds upon the visceral horror of the ongoing series. The audience can feel every painful moment and there are plenty. The realism is extremely well done with every inventive cut, stab, chop, shot, burn, buzz, or bite.

          Souhelia Yacoub star as Alice Price, Tandi Wright as Susan Price, Erroll Shand as Edgar Price, George Pullar as William Price and Luciane Buchanan as Thya.

         The cinematography by Philip Lozano is excellent with many inventive camera angles as well. The action is pretty much non-stop as the Price family tries to survive the onslaught of the dead. There are mid credit and post credit scenes that are actually important to setting up the next installment, so you may want to stay through the credits.

Supergirl

 

      Super disappointing is more like it. There was so much potential here but besides a strong performance by Milly Alcock as Supergirl, the rest of the film falls flat.

       Joining MS. Alcock is Eve Ridley as "Ruthie", an orphan who's desire for revenge against Krem (played by Mathias Schoenaerts) for killing her family, drives the plot. That, along Supergirl's mission to save her dog, "Krypto", played by CGI, after he is poisoned, also by Krem. Which is a shame because Krypto is the best thing about the film but he is sidelined, dying for most of it. (By the way, this is not a spoiler as both things occur very early in the film).

        Krem is the leader of a band of brigands who are kidnapping young girls as "brides" to rape them and bear their children. Sex trafficking is a terrible plot point for a film like this and sets a awful tone. Watching families killed on screen also doesn't endear one to the story. Neither is watching Supergirl drunk for at least the first third of the film. A film like this, certainly as an origin story (told in flashbacks), should be lighter and more fun in tone, especially for younger kids who may see Supergirl as a role model.

            The chemistry between Supergirl and Ruthie is odd and yet somewhat endearing as Ruthie helps Supergirl try to be a better person. The film also co-stars Jason Momoa as Lobo, another character from the DC universe, who is basically "Deadpool" with a nastier attitude. Mr. Momoa sems to be enjoying himself in the part and Lobo does brings some humor to the story, even as he's killing people. David Corenswet also has a cameo as Superman but even his scenes fall flat as he does nothing "super" in them.

          The action sequences are cookie cutter and actually bland. The film lacks a certain intensity and we can only hope DC Films can pull it together for its Superman sequel which will most likely feature Supergirl as well. Sorry DC, Marvel continues to put out better quality "Superhero" movies and I look forward to the next installment of Spider-Man.

The Invite

 

      Reimagine "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" in a contemporary setting, as written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. Basically a one act play, the film is set almost entirely in the apartment of Angela and Joe with a visit from their upstairs neighbors,  Pina and Hawk.

      What starts out as an simple invite to meet the neighbors over cheese and wine turns into something much more complicated and surprising. This is a very funny but also uncomfortable comedy that digs below the surface relationships of two couples over one evening. 

       Angela and Joe are played by Olivia Wilde (who also directed) and Seth Rogan. Pina and Hawk are played by Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton. Ms. Wilde, in particular does a terrific job directing herself (in a demanding role) as well as her castmates.

       What starts out as a comedy takes on a much more serious tone towards the end of the film but remains very entertaining due to the smart story and the excellent acting by it's four leads.

     

    

Toy Story 5

 

        For a franchise that started in 1995, director and co-writer Andrew Stanton has found a way to keep things fresh and yet familiar at the same time. For this installment, the focus is on Jessie the Cowgirl and the toys human kid, Bonnie.

         It's techs versus toys when Bonnie gets "Lilypad",  a tablet to introduce kids to tech. The message is clear. Tech is occupying every child's time and the act of imaginative play no longer holds any interest. When Bonnie has playtime with "friends", they all lay around playing on their tablets. Jessie and the other toys see their future and it looks bleak.

         A subplot involves a lost shipment of Buzz Lightyear action figures that are trying to find their way back to "Star command".

         Woody left his friends at the end of "Toy Story 4" so he doesn't show up until he thinks a call from Jessie is asking for help. Once reunited, his character is the brunt of many jokes about his age and appearance. Buzz Lightyear tries to hold things together while Jessie hopes to win back Bonnie's attention and affection.  

           All the original voice actors are back including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Joan Cusack as Jessie with new voices joining the cast including Greta Lee as Lilypad, Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants, and Scarlett Spears as Bonnie.

             The animation is excellent. The story sends a clear message about the dangers of tech and the meaning of true friendship. It is also very clever with plenty of humor for both kids and adults. And at it's core, it's quite emotional. (even I welled up during a scene when Jessie makes a surprising discovery)

              Pixar and Andrew Stanton have done it again. We may age but our nostalgic love for our favorite toys never goes away. Neither it seems will Toy Story.

Disclosure Day

 

       Director Steven Spielberg's return to science fiction finds him in very familiar territory. Too familiar as it turns out. With a story by Mr. Spielberg and a screenplay by David Koepp, the film plays like the director's greatest hits. Bits and pieces from many of his earlier (and better) films make up this story of alien cover up and reveal that could almost serve as a sequel to "Close Encounters of The Third Kind".

       Starring Josh O'Conner as a whistle blower for Wardex, a shadowy corporation, the film drops us in the middle of the story as he is on the run with secret files that he wants to disclose to the whole world. Joining him are his girlfriend, Jane, played by Eve Hewson and later by Margaret, played by Emily Blunt, a TV weather personality, who is more than she even realizes herself.

         Joining the three leads are Colin Firth, as the head of Wardex, Colman Domingo, as Hugo, another defector from Wardex and a miscast Wyatt Russell as Margaret's boyfriend. Ms. Blunt is terrific in a role that becomes more complicated as the film goes on. Mr. O'Conner plays the reluctant hero well and Mr. Firth is a well cast villain. Ms. Hewson is also good as the girlfriend, in what seems to be constant peril. 

         The film is basically one long chase (shades of "The Sugarland Express" with some "Duel" thrown in for good measure). His aliens, when revealed look just like the ones from "Close Encounters" and much of the Wardex tech resembles the tech of "Minority Report". Sprinkle in some "E.T." elements and stunts worth of "Indiana Jones" and there you have it. And, of course you have to include a few cute kids.

         There are a few memorable action sequences and clever effects (although the CGI animals aren't very realistic) but overall, the film is a disappointment in the canon of Mr. Spielberg's works. Even the score by John Williams fails to inspire us. The film's message of empathy for each other is also familiar territory for Mr. Spielberg. The only thing missing was Richard Dreyfuss emerging from a spaceship at the end.

Pressure

 

    Who would want to watch a 140 minute film about the weather? 

   Well, not just any weather but rather the forecast for the D-Day invasion of France. This fact based film puts the spotlight on meteorologist, James Stagg who is pressed into service by Dwight D. Eisenhower to accurately predict the weather for the day of the invasion, June 5th, 1944.

    Recommended by Winston Churchill, Scott completely disagrees with Eisenhower's American meteorologist, Irving P. Krick forcing "Ike" into one of his most critical decisions of the war. Bad weather can have potentially disastrous results for the invasion.

    The film stars Andrew Scott as Stagg and he is just sensational. Also starring is Brendan Fraiser as General Eisenhower. Co-starring are Kerry Condon as Kay Summersby, Chris Messina as Irving P. Krick, Damian Lewis as Bernard Montgomery, and Con O'Neill as Air Chief Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory.

     Director and co-writer Anthony Maras does a good job building the tension as the clock ticks down to the faithful date with a final decision yet to be made. While we all know the actual outcome of the D-Day, this little known fact about the days leading up to the invasion tells a story that very easily could of had a very different and horrible outcome.

Power Ballad

 

        Writer/director John Carney (Once, Swing Street, Begin Again, Flora & Son) continues his win streak with another comedy/drama with music. He has an amazing knack for writing at least one song per film that sticks in your head and stays with you long after you leave the theater. 

         The film stars Paul Rudd as Rick, a musician who's rock stardom dreams were sidelined when he got married and had a daughter. Now he makes a living as a wedding singer in Ireland. It also stars Nick Jonas as a former "Boyband" member, Danny Wilson (what a stretch) who's solo career has faltered as he tries to come up with his next big hit.

          The two meet at a wedding and late into the night, get wasted while playing and writing songs together. Some time later, while tinkering at the piano, Danny remembers parts of a song Rick had played for him. He finishes the song and what happens next becomes the central plot of the film.

          The two stars have great chemistry and Mr. Rudd is at his most charming best without his usual smug comedy (and who knew he could sing?). Mr. Jonas's part comes fairly naturally to him but he shows a new maturity in his acting that serves him well. The film co-stars Marcella Plunkett as Nick's wife, Rachel and Beth Fallon as Aja, their daughter. Peter McDonald is a standout as Nick's best friend and guitar player. Also co-starring are Jack Reynor as Mac, Danny's manager and Havana Rose Liu as Marcia. Ms. Liu is having a moment as she is also a standout in "Tuner".

       Mr. Carney's ability to create an "earwig" is uncanny. "How To Write A Song Without You" is a great power ballad. His music choices for the rest of the film are perfect as always. As with his other films (whether writer, director or both), Mr. Carney knows how to play the emotions of his audience (in a good way) and always satisfies.