It was Just an Accident

 

    This new Iranian film was written and directed by Jafar Panahi. Mr. Panahi is very critical of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned several times. The film was shot without permission from the Iranian authorities which makes it all that more remarkable.

     When a former prisoner believes he has recognized his former torturous interrogator and jailer, he kidnaps the man with the intent to kill him. When a shred of doubt makes him hesitant to finish the act, he seeks the help of an eclectic group of other former prisoners to help make a positive identification.

     The film becomes more and more complex as other characters are introduced and the final resolution is not as simple as it seems. 

      Vahid Mobasseri stars as Vahid, who initially thinks he has found Eghbal, his former jailer. Ebrahim Azizi costars possibly as Eghbal. As Vahid seeks help for identification, he enlists Mariam Afshari as Shiva, Hadis Pakbaten as Golrokh, Majid Panahi as Ali, and Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr as Hamid.

      The film is thrilling and absurdly humorous at times and raises moral questions about justice and revenge while making a fairly blunt statement against the current Iranian government. It is presented in Persian with English subtitles.

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

 

         Directed and screenplay by Scott Cooper, this new film explores a particular period in the life of Bruce Springsteen and is based on the terrific book, "Deliver Me From Nowhere" (The making of Nebraska) by Warren Zanes. It takes place between the end of "The River" tour in 1981 and before the release of "Born In The USA".

           It is a intimate look into the personal and professional struggles of an artist approaching stardom who retreats to an isolated rental home to work out his demons through his music with the result being the stark, solo, acoustic, album known as "Nebraska". 

            The film stars Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. Co-starring as his manager, Jon Landau, is Jeremy Strong. The film also features Stephen Graham as Bruce's father Douglas, Gaby Hoffman as his mother, Adele, Paul Walter Hauser as Mike Batlan, Odessa Young as Fay (a fictional girlfriend), Marc Maron as Chuck Plotkin, David Krumholtz as Al Teller, Harrison Sloan Gilbertson as Matt Delia, and as a young Bruce, Matthew Anthony Pellicano Jr.

            Mr. White capture the spirit and essence of Bruce Springsteen without becoming an imitation. He does his own singing and guitar playing. and makes the "character" Bruce Springsteen his own. His scenes of self doubt and depression are heartbreaking.

             The film contains many flashbacks to Bruce's youth and his difficult relationship with his father, which he starts to understand and work out through the songs of "Nebraska".  He finally comes to grips with his crippling depression with professional help. This is a raw glimpse into the life of a rock icon, that reveals his inner struggles (which he has discussed publicly) while at the same time shows us his creative process. And that process led to the album "Nebraska", that at first, no one knew what to make of, but is now regarded as a masterpiece.

              One doesn't have to be a Springsteen fan to appreciate the emotional relationships, terrific acting, and the creative backstory of the film, but of course, fans will thoroughly enjoy it.

Bugonia

 

            The latest film from director Yorgos Lanthimos is a nasty piece of work based on the Korean film, "Save The Green Planet", which in itself, is a completely bonkers film. The screenplay for this story is by Will Tracy and while it has the basic premise of the Korean film, Mr. Tracy and Mr. Lanthimos make it their own.

              The film stars Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons and they are terrific playing off each other as kidnapper and victim. Ms. Stone plays Michelle Fuller, the CEO of a pharmaceutical company and Mr. Plemons plays Teddy, a low level warehouse worker for her company and a beekeeper hobbyist. Teddy and his mentally challenged cousin, Don, kidnap Ms. Fuller convinced she is an alien from Andromendon.

              Once they have her tied up in the basement of their isolated house in the woods, Teddy proceeds to torture her to get her to admit she is an alien. Much of the film is is contained to the house and scenes of torture. The more Fuller denies, the more Teddy tortures her until she figures out her best chance to survive is to play along.

              Aidan Delbis plays Don and Stavros Halkias plays Casey, a local policeman investigating the kidnapping. Casey harbors guilt over an incident between him and Teddy when they were both young and Casey was his babysitter. There is also a cameo from Alicia Silverstone, who plays Teddy's comatose, hospital bound mother.

               It's a very small cast and the story is driven by the two leads. Eventually we learn of an ulterior motive for the kidnapping which leads to more horror and even more violence. This is not an easy film to watch as it grows darker and crazier as it goes along.

               The little humor that exists is very dark. None of the characters are likeable or deserve our sympathy except for, maybe, Don, who is just following his cousin's lead. 

                Root for the bees.

The Lost Bus

 

     Nobody does realistic recreations better than director Paul Greengrass. Here he tells the true story of a heroic bus driver and a teacher who drove 22 kids to safety in the middle of the devastating California "Paradise" wildfire.

      The film stars Matthew McConaughey as bus driver, Kevin McKay and America Ferrera as teacher, Mary Ludwig (in the actual events there was a second teacher, who did not want to participate in the making of the film). The film co-stars Yul Vazquez as fire chief, Ray Martinez, Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby, Ray's boss at the bus depot, and Mr. McConaughey's real mom and son as Ray's family.

       Blending actual footage and special effects, Mr. Greengrass puts the viewer in the heart of the fire. It is so well done, you can't tell where the actual fire begins and the CGI ends. You can literally feel the heat and smoke around the bus as Kevin desperately tries to find a way around the flames. And he does it dodging traffic jams, narrow mountain roads and, along with Ms. Ferrera, trying to keep twenty two kids calm at the same time. And on top of all that, Kevin worries about his own mother and son, while Mary worries about her own family, all caught, as well, in the middle of the fire.

        This heroic story (just one of many that I'm sure occurred during that catastrophic fire) is edge of your seat excitement and one hell of a ride. It's streaming now.

A House of Dynamite

 

      If you like your movies linear with a definitive beginning, middle and end, this new film is NOT for you. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who is a master with this kind of material and written by Noah Oppenheim, the film is a doomsday scenario played out with multiple perspectives.

     When a nuclear warhead is launched by an unknown entity and is discovered heading into United States airspace, the military and government leaders must make crucial decisions within twenty minutes. The film is presented with three different perspectives with overlapping dialog. Characters in the first section may only be heard as voices and then revealed in the second and third section and vice versa.

      Once the rogue missile is detected, we see officials spring into action for almost twenty minutes and then the film momentarily goes black and resets twenty minutes to replay the action from the perspective of different characters and then resets again in the final third of the film.

       The film stars Idris Elba as POTUS (the President of the United States), who's voice we hear early on but only see him in the last third of the film. Also starring are Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Geta Lee, Jason Clarke, Gbenga Akinnagbe with cameos from Kaitlyn Dever and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Everyone is excellent in their realistic roles but to this critic, the standout is Jared Harris as the Secretary of Defense.

        Ms. Bigelow rachets up the tension with each perspective as the no-win situation plays out with the final, ultimate decision squarely in the hands of the President. Many viewers may not like the ending but if you watch the credits, you may get a definitive clue as to how the film finally ends.

          Apparently Mr. Oppenheim and Ms. Bigelow did deep research as to how this scenario would really play out and the film represents a very scary, realistic view of  "what could happen".  The title refers to our planet as the "house" and all the nations with nuclear weapons as the "dynamite". 

          The film is this generation's "Fail Safe", released in 1964 during the "Cold War". It was and still is, a chilling drama about the possible consequences of nuclear war.

Good Boy

 

                Let's get this out of the way immediately...the dog doesn't die, nor is he ever in any real danger. Directed and co-written (with Alex Cannon) by Ben Leonberg, this new horror film stars Mr. Leonberg's own dog Indy. What make this horror film unique is that it is told from the dog's perspective.

                Mr. Leonberg pulls off quite the trick. He filmed the movie over three years shooting with the dog only three hours a day. Indy, of course didn't realize he was making a movie. Just another day in the life of a dog. What makes the film work is the camera angles, perspective, and sound that will convince you Indy is indeed "acting". He is extremely emotive with wonderful expressions and obvious intelligence. And of course, he is absolutely adorable.

                The story is simple enough. Todd is dying of cancer. He decides to live out his final days at his deserted grandfather's home with his loyal dog Indy by his side. His sister tells him the house is haunted which he ignores. Indy, however, senses a presence immediately upon arriving and through his eyes, Todd appears to be slowly becoming possessed by an "evil spirit".

                 Besides Indy, the film stars Shane Jensen as Todd, Arielle Friedman as his sister, Vera, Stuart Rudin as Richard, the neighbor and Larry Fessenden as Todd's grandfather.

                 Despite taking three years to make, the final cut is only seventy five minutes long but it packs quite a wallop. It is suspenseful,  always creepy and contains a few good "jump-scares" as Indy tries to save Todd from the "evil spirit". 

                  Mr. Leonberg and his wife, producer, Kari Fischer deserve a lot of credit for a successful experiment in filmmaking and turning their dog into a star. Stay after the credits for a short behind the scenes look at how the film was made.

                 It is said that dogs can sense disease in people and it's quite possible that what Indy is "seeing" is Todd's cancer manifesting itself as an evil spirit or the house is truly haunted. Either way, it's a different kind of horror film that will both scare you and tug at your heart.

            

 

         

The Smashing Machine

 

          Written and directed by Benny Safdie and based on the documentary of the same name, this is a raw and intimate look at the life of MMA fighter, Mark Kerr during his most successful years in the ring.

         The film takes place between 1997 and 2000 during the early days of MMA when Mr. Kerr was one of the top fighters in the sport. Dwayne Johnson stars as Kerr and he is absolutely terrific, completely disappearing into the role. It is easily his best screen performance and he "smashes" it.

         Also starring is Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Mr. Kerr's longtime girlfriend. The two actors have wonderful chemistry together, in both the tender moments as well as in the screaming matches between them. Co-starring as himself is Bas Rutten, a former MMA fighter and now Mark's trainer as well as Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman, another MMA fighter and Mark Kerr's best friend.

         Mr. Safdie shoots the film closeup and personal, clearly focused on Mark's fights and life outside the ring. His fight scenes are incredibly realistic. You can feel every punch and kick. Mr. Johnson's makeup is remarkable and it helps him to disappear into the character.

           I'm sure the original documentary is fascinating but this "fictionalized" version, while very interesting is really a showcase for Dwayne Johnson's serious acting chops. You can't take your eyes off him.

One Battle After Another

 

      This new drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (who also wrote the screenplay based on the book, "Vineland" by Thomas Pynchon), is just terrific.  The cast is perfection. The script is original and so relevant to the country we are living in today. And Mr. Anderson's direction could not be better, bringing out the best in his cast, his eye for detail and even his trust in the audience.

       The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as "Bob", a member of the far-left revolutionary group, The French 75 who, along with his partner, "Perfidia" played by Teyana Taylor wreck havoc on the establishment. Shortly into the film, the story jumps 16 years and Bob is now a burned out stoner, and paranoid ex- revolutionary raising his teenage daughter, Willa, played by Chase Infiniti. The film also stars Regina Hall as Deandra, Benicio del Toro as Sergio St. Carlos, and Sean Penn as Col. Steven Lockjaw. As I mentioned, the cast is perfection but in particular, Sean Penn is just sensational as Col. Lockjaw disappearing completely into the character of an obsessed military man.

       Mr. Anderson's script touches lots of hot buttons and while serious in nature, still contains flashes of humor. There are many exciting sequences including not one but two unique car scenes, one a getaway and the other a chase. His trust in the viewer is never more obvious when he makes the conscious decision to shoot a scene in Spanish without subtitles. He has us engaged from the start and while the film runs almost three hours it never feels too long or bloated. 

        This is an easily one of Mr. Anderson's most entertaing films and should rack up many Oscar nominations.

         

HIM

 

         Not quite a sports film and not quite a horror film, "HIM" is just a horrible film. Directed by Justin Tipping, who also co-wrote it along with Skip Bronkie and Zack Akers, the film misses in every direction. 

          Tyriq Withers plays Cameron Cade, an up and coming quarterback who has a chance to sign with the Fictional San Antonio Saviors. After a very strange head injury almost ends his career, he is given the opportunity to train with "legendary" quarterback, Isaiah White at his remote compound. Marlon Wayans plays Isaiah White and he puts "Cam" through a rigorous and bizarre training regime. Mr. Withers shows much promise as an actor. It's just a shame his first starring role is in this mess.

           The film co-stars Julia Fox as Isaiah's wife, Tim Heidecker as Tom, Cam's agent, and comedian  Jim Jeffries as Marco, Isaiah's personal sports doctor.

          We never see an actual football game, only the training which borders on sickly sadistic and turns into a competition between the two men. Both actors are in amazing physical shape which is evident by the consistent, bordering on fetish, camera work of their topless bodies.

          The cost of greatness is played out against odd and violent rituals which never really make sense. Producer Jordan Peele dropped the ball on this one.

Eleanor The Great

 

       Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with this touching film about navigating loss, grief and guilt. The delightful 94 year old June Squibb is her leading lady, and she is just remarkable.

       When her best friend and roommate, Bessie, passes, Eleanor leaves Florida and moves back to New York to live with her daughter and grandson in their Manhattan apartment. One day, she accidently walks into a Holocaust support group meeting at a Jewish Community Center, and a lie told with no malice intended, leads to  unforeseen consequences. Even as the lie takes on a life of its own, Eleanor befriends a young college student named Nina who want to write an article about her. 

        Ms. Squibb does an excellent job balancing Eleanor's desire for friendship against her need to tell the truth. Ms. Johansson frames Eleanor in frequent closeups as she struggles with her moral dilemma. The film rests solely on the relationship of trust between director and actor. 

         The film co-stars Erin Kellyman as Nina, in her best performance to date. Also co-starring is Jessica Hecht as Lisa, Eleanor's daughter, Will Price as Max, her son, Rita Zohar as Bessie, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger, Nina's father. Mr. Ejiofor is the perfect choice for the emotional gravatas he brings to the role of Roger.

           No gun fights or car chases, this is a character driven drama with hints of humor that should easily earn Ms. Squibb an Academy Award nomination. 

The Long Walk

 

       Based on a short story by Stephen King, this could have easily been a boring tale of guessing who survives a "long walk". Instead director Francis Lawrence and screenwriter JT Mollner, create an atmosphere of dread and suspense as we watch characters we have come to care about die one by one as they stop walking. Last man standing wins the prize, cash and a wish granted. For the audience a well as the actors, it's an exhausting exercise.

        The film stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, and Jordan Gonzalez as the walkers with the most fully realized personalities. Co-starring are Joshua Odjick, Roman Griffin Davis with appearances by Judy Greer and Josh Hamilton. There is also a surprising performance from Mark Hamill as "The Major".

        Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Jonsson's characters form an early bond and easily become the favorites to last the longest but other characters are worth watching as the walk continues for hundreds of miles. Deaths are horrific and some come in surprising ways which only increases the suspense as we watch the toll this takes physically and mentally on all the walkers.

         It's a well done and intense experience if you are up for this sort of thing.

    

The Conjuring: Last Rites

 

         The next and possibly last installment in the "Conjuring" series. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, once again, star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, paranormal investigators.

          The film opens in 1964 with the birth of their daughter, Judy (played as an adult by Mia Tomlinson) and soon jumps to 1986 and the focus shifts to the Smurl family and the supernatural events happening in their home.

          While Lorraine and Ed insist they are retired from investigating the occult, Judy becomes increasing drawn to the activity at the Smurl home. The scary moments are well done and spread out throughout the film until the last act when things really get out of control.

           The film co-stars Ben Hardy as Tony Spera, Judy's boyfriend, and Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan as Janet and Jack Smurl. Their family are portrayed by Kila Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Molly Cartwright, Tilly Walker, and as the grandparents, Kate Fahy and Peter Wight. There are also cameos from the earlier "Conjuring films" as well as some of the real people portrayed in the film.

            Once again, based on real events, fans will debate if this is the scariest of the muti-film series but either way, there are enough moments to induce a nightmare or two.

Caught Stealing

 

        The latest film from director Darren Aronofsky is a crazy crime romp that, at times, can be both humorous as well as a nasty piece of work. The screenplay is by Charlie Huston, based on his novel.

         Austin Butler stars as Hank, a baseball loving bartender living on the lower east side. Along with his mother, Hank is a huge San Francisco Giants fan who's dream of playing professionally was crushed by a car accident, that he keeps reliving in his dreams.

         When his British punk neighbor Russ (played by a very funny Matt Smith) asks Hank to watch his cat, it sets in motion a series of mishaps for Hank and his girlfriend, Yvonne (played by Zoe Kravitz). Rival ethnic crime gangs are after four million dollars in hidden cash and are all convinced Hank knows where it is and how to get it. 

           The film has a terrific supporting cast including Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Carol Kane, Griffin Dunne, Yuri Kolokolnikov, and Benito Martinez Ocasio (better know as "Bad Bunny").

          Hank is shot at, beaten and constantly on the run. Multiple bodies start piling up as he is pursued for the money. Mayhem abounds but despite the growing violence around him, Hank keeps going, looking for a way out of the madness.

          Mr. Aronofsky directs the film at a kinetic pace but allows us a glimpse of the New York City he loves. His portrait of New York in 1998 includes the seediness of the lower east side, the grunge of Coney Island, the Russian influence of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, remnants of the World's Fair at Flushing Meadows Park, the back alleys and courtyards of Brooklyn apartment buildings,  and even the NY Mets, still at Shea Stadium.

            Mr. Austin is easy to root for. He has natural charisma, playing Hank with a likeability and everyman quality. Not as intense as some of his earlier work, the film is an interesting change of pace for Mr. Aronofsky.

The Roses

 

        The bloom is off these roses in this terribly unfunny comedy remake of the 1989 film, "The War of The Roses". The only thing that makes it tolerable is listening to and watching the wordplay and antics between it's two stars, Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

         If not for the two stars, this flat humorless "comedy" would be a complete bore. It doesn't begin to even hint at comedy until late in the film but even then, the comedy comes from such a dark place, it's cringe worthy.

         Watching the successful loving marriage of this couple disintegrate is just not funny. Even the casting of Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon as "comic relief" best friends can't help. They are both completely miscast. Allison Janney has a cameo as a cutthroat lawyer and you've already watched her entire scene if you've seen the trailer.

           If you enjoy watching the growing misery of others, you will completely enjoy this film but if you are looking for laughs from a bad breakup, stick to the original.

SPLITSVILLE

 

         This new Indie comedy is a clever take on modern marriage. It is a self made affair, starring Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino, who co-wrote the screenplay and is directed by Mr. Covino. It also stars Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona who also serve as producers.

         It is the story of two couples (the men are best friends) that come in crazy conflict when there is an unusual turn in their relationship. There is clever word play as well as visual gags that produce laughs in subtle and not so subtle ways.

         Co-starring are David Castaneda, Charlie Gillespie, Simon Rus and Prince Rodn3y. There are also cameos by O-T Fagbenie and Nicholas Braun (in a funny turn as a Mentalist).

          The ensemble cast work well together and the story takes some unusual turns as the four navigate their fractured love lives.

Eden

 

       Ron Howard goes out of his comfort zone to direct this serious adult drama, based on a true story. With flashes of nudity, sex and violence, this is unlike any other Ron Howard film, and he does a remarkable job.

        The film is based on the true story of a group of people who decide to live off the grid on an uninhabited Galapagos Island in the early 1930's. With a screenplay by Noah Pink, based on a story by Mr. Howard and Mr. Pink, the film has the all the qualities of a good book. The characters are rich and interesting and as they say, "the plot thickens" as the story moves forward.

         Jude Law stars as Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Vanessa Kirby is his companion, Dore Strauch. Disillusioned with Germany's growing fascism, the two leave for the Galapagos, where they can live alone and Dr. Ritter can philosophize in his journals about creating a utopia. His essays make their way back to Germany through a mail ship that periodically visits the island. One day Heinz Wittmer, played by Daniel Bruhl, his young wife Margret, played by Sydney Sweeny, and his sickly son arrive, enthralled by Ritter's writing with the intent to settle on the island as well. Not long after, A woman calling herself Baroness Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn also arrives with a few men in tow with the intent on building a hotel on the island. The baroness is played by Ana de Armas.   

         Mr. Howard brings out the best in his already terrific cast. You already expect great work from Jude Law, Daniel Bruhl and Vanessa Kirby but Ana de Armas is at her best as a character you will grow to hate and Ms. Sweeny is almost unrecognizable as Margret and steals the film with her best acting to date.

          Uneasy alliances are formed and broken and tensions begin to rise as everyone struggles to co-exist. It is a remarkable story, all the more interesting since it is based in truth.

           It's an odd choice by the film company to release this film in the middle of August with little fanfare. It's the sort of adult drama usually released in the fall as Oscar bait. Regardless of its timing and distribution, it is definitely worth seeking out for the unusual story, the excellent work of its cast and its fine direction.

Nobody 2

 

            Bob Odenkirk reprises his role as Hutch Mansell, a retired assassin in this unnecessary sequel. The film opens in an identical way to the first one, with Hutch bruised and being interrogated by law enforcement (although this time he has a dog next to him. Comic relief I imagine).

             We flash back to a montage of Hutch during a typical week, fighting and killing people for a shadowy figure as he pays off a large debt. This time however, his family is aware of his "job" and there are no surprises left. Hutch just wants out of "the game" and decides to take his family on a vacation to a theme park he enjoyed as a kid. Of course, he can't seem to stay out of trouble.

              The paper thin plot is just an excuse to up the ante of violence that follows. With a bigger budget, there are more explosions, more bullets fly and blood flows liberally. The film lacks the humor of the first one and Mr. Odenkirk's deadpan delivery is just dead this time out as he walks through the role.

            Co-starring again are Connie Nielsen as his wife, Christopher Lloyd as has dad, Gage Munroe and Paisley Cadorath as his kids and RZA as his adopted brother, Harry. As the villains of the story, we have Colin Hanks (playing against type as a crooked sheriff), John Ortiz (the corrupt owner of the theme park), and Sharon Stone (chewing up and spitting out the scenery) as Lendina, the crime boss.

             The film is pretty much non-stop violence (which may work in the gravitas of a John Wick film but not here) and unless you like that sort of thing, nobody should bother with "Nobody 2".

Shin Godzilla

 

              Fans of Godzilla will thoroughly enjoy the 4K restoration of the original 2016 film.

              The film looks great and the special effects are excellent. Miniatures are seamlessly intertwined with live action sequences. 

               Poor Godzilla. He comes out of the ocean for a nice walk and aimlessly destroys everything in his path without intent. Unfortunately, the population of Japan don't see it quite the same way and the government gets caught up in ridiculous red tape trying to decide how to deal with the creature. What makes it even more difficult is that each time he is attacked, Godzilla evolves and grows bigger and stronger.

                Eventually other nations get involved and of course, the U.S wants to nuke Godzilla but Japan is clearly not interested in another nuclear explosion in their country and seeks a different solution.

               The film pivots between Godzilla's path of destruction and government talking heads having endless meetings about what to do. There are no subplots, no love story, just how do we stop Godzilla?

               The principle actors are Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, and Satomi Ishihara. The entire cast take their respective roles very seriously which makes the film actually more fun.

Weapons

 

        Written and directed by Zack Cregger, this sophomore effort after his terrific horror film, "Barbarian" cements his place among today's best horror filmmakers.

         The poster for the film promised quite the mystery, giving away nothing and the film starts with the same information. How and why are revealed very slowly in chapters from the perspective of different characters. Each chapter reveals a little more information while building suspense and ever growing weirdness. The final chapter reveals the mystery in an insane twenty minutes or so, of bloody horror laced with dark humor.

          The film stars Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. It also features Benedict Wong, Alden Ehrenreich, Cary Christopher (a child actor mature beyond his years who may need therapy after this role), Austin Abrams, Toby Huss and a surprising Amy Madigan.

          Mr. Cregger does a terrific job with the structure of the film. He layers each chapter with just enough information to keep the audience intrigued and guessing. Even his actors are put off balance and do fine work with such an original script.

          The final reveal does pull everything together that does make sense with a supernatural twist. It's a terrific modern horror story.

The Naked Gun

 

         Liam Neeson plays it straight in this comedy update of the original "Naked Gun". He stars as Frank Drebin Jr. the son of Leslie Nielson's character from the 1988 film.

         The film also stars Pamela Anderson as the femme fatale, love interest, Beth Davenport. Ms. Anderson is wonderful in the part, having obvious fun with the role. Her stage performance in a nightclub scene is a riot.

          Co-starring are Paul Walter Hauser as detective Ed Hocken Jr., Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes. Priscilla Presley reprises her role as Jane Spencer-Drebin, Frank's mother and there are two surprise cameos.

          The jokes, both visual and verbal come fast and furious. Some miss the mark but more often they are pretty funny. Some scenes will have the entire audience laughing out loud. There is a strange sequence midway through the film involving a magical snowman that is completely out of place with the central story but while odd, it's pretty funny in it's own way.

            Much like Mr. Nielson did in the original. Mr. Neeson doesn't play for the laughs and takes his part quite seriously, which makes it all the more humorous. He also has great chemistry with Ms. Anderson.

             Stay for the credits as Mr. Neeson sings (badly) over them and there are also fake credits placed among the real ones that are pretty funny. There is also a post credit scene that is surprising and funny too.

Together

 

        Written and directed by Michael Shanks, this is one of the best new horror films in a long time. It is a wild ride, both humorous and terrifying at the same time.

        The film stars real life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim Wilson. They are partners who move to a rural area when Millie takes a new teaching job. Tim is a musician and works from their new home on the edge of a forest.  

        When they are both exposed to some kind of unnatural water, it affects them in an incredible way. No spoilers here except to say they make a great couple dealing with an outrageous situation.

         The film co-stars Damon Herriman (one of my favorite character actors), Mia Morrissey and Jack Kenny.

          Mr. Shanks could have heightened the suspense by not giving away what starts to happen to Tim and Mille, in the opening scene, when we see the effect of the water elsewhere. But even though we know what's coming, it's still a funny and frightening story as it unfolds and the last shot will stay with you for some time.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

 

      After multiple attempts to recreate Marvel's first family of superhero comics in the movies, this new film gets it pretty close to perfect.

       The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as his wife, Sue Storm Richards, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. The four stars have wonderful chemistry together and bring the central theme of family to the forefront of the film.

        The film also stars  Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/The Silver Surfer (yes there is a female Silver Surfer in the comics), Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert, Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/The Moleman (perfect casting), and Ralph Ineson as Galactus (also perfect casting).

        Opening the film with the team already in place, the Fantastic Four origin story is quickly recapped in a fun sequence that name checks almost every one of their comic villains.

         The CGI and special effects are excellent and the retro yet futuristic visuals are fresh and striking. It's a story filled with excitement, humor and heart and I really only have two complaints. First, for some strange reason, the screenplay calls for The Thing to grow a beard which looks incredibly silly (especially after getting the rest of his appearance perfect). and second, while Natasha Lyonne is a great choice for Ben's love interest, her character should have been, The Puppeteer's blind daughter, Alicia Masters, for comic book continuity.

          The film comes in at a lean 2 hours without any bloat and the mid-credit scene is absolutely great. The post credit scene is fun but probably not worth sitting through except if you're a die-hard fan.

Eddington

 

   

      Written and directed by Ari Aster, this new film is a microcosm of the insanity of 2020 that takes place in one small New Mexico town. Taking place in May of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic is sweeping the world and masks have become the norm. Eddington residents are torn between the Mayor's mandate to wear masks and the local sheriff's refusal to do so. If that isn't enough, Mr. Aster throws in the murder of George Floyd, "Black Lives Matter", and  several conspiracy theories to add fuel to a growing volatile situation in the small town of Eddington.  

        Joaquin Phoenix stars as the sheriff, Joe Cross and he is terrific. His performance holds the whole story together, even when it starts to go off the rails in the third act. Emma Stone is Joe's wife, Louise, who is emotionally unstable and heavily influenced by her conspiracy theorist mother, Dawn, played by Deirdre O'Connell. Louise becomes involved with Vernon Jefferson Peak, a radical cult leader played by Austin Butler. Pedro Pascal is Ted Garcia, the town mayor running for re-election.

         The film also co-stars Luke Grimes and Micheal Ward as Joe's deputies. Amelie Hoeferle, William Belleau, Matt Gomez, Cameron Mann and a completely unrecognizable Clifton Collins Jr. round out the excellent cast.

         Mr. Aster injects dark humor into the tense drama at odd moments but it works as a release value for the audience, already on edge from the growing confrontation the film is leading up to (but not in the way you might think). It is easy to compare the film to a modern western (Mr. Aster's goal) with the sheriff trying to contain the townsfolk from growing violent due to outside forces.

         The third act erupts into serious violence and gets pretty crazy (which is a common theme in all of Mr. Aster's films). The story is a grim reminder of a time that brought out the worst in many of us and yet it still holds surprises when you least expect it.

Superman

 

        Writer/director James Gunn foregoes the origin story and drops us into the middle of a world that already exists with Superman. This allows him to shape the story without any preexisting notions. And for that reason, we get a Superman we have never quite seen like this before.

         Mr. Gunn refreshes the story by including elements of the comic books, the 1950's TV show and even the older animation stories. He introduces more characters from the D.C. universe in novel ways and gets terrific performances from his cast. He even tackles social issues like immigration and alienation without getting heavy-handed. And while some may not like seeing a Superman getting his butt kicked for most of the film, truth and justice do prevail.

         The film stars David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent. Mr. Corenswet borrows elements from Christopher Reeve's Superman as well as the Superman of the more recent comics. However, he does make the character his own with humor and just enough gravitas. Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane and she is perfect. Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor and while I had my doubts, he is actually very good as the high-tech villain with a chip on his shoulder. The film also co-stars Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, the Element Man (with even a nod to Stagg Industries), and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. Together this group make up the "Justice Gang" (name pending) and they deserve their own film, they are that good together. Personally I was excited to see "Metamorpho", one of my favorite DC comic characters.

         Additional co-stars are Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampano as Eve Teschmacher, Maria Gabriela de Faria as "The Engineer"", Frank Grillo as Rick Flagg Sr., Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent and Neva Howell as Ma Kent and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. There are also a few cameos which I won't spoil. And of course I can't forget Krypto, the Super dog, who completely steals the film.

         Mr. Gunn's technical team produce some first rate special effects, the score is excellent, even borrowing the theme we all know so well, and Mr. Gunn even throws in some easter eggs for good measure. The film comes in at a trim two hours and never feels bloated. I recommend seeing it in IMAX, if possible, for an optimum experience.

           There is one quick mid credit scene and one post credit scene which are clever but don't provide any clues to the next film. And I'm sure there will be a next film and more as I suspect Mr. Gunn is just getting started.

            

             

Jurassic World: Rebirth

 

          Wow, can you believe this is the fourth installment in the Jurassic World franchise and overall seventh film in the dinosaur franchise? People just can get enough of dinosaurs. Just as the films were starting to disappoint, writer David Koepp (who co-wrote the original film) manages a story that comes closest to the Jurassic Park roots and gives it a fresh jolt in this standalone film.

            Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film does it's best to bring back the magic and excitement of the original film. He clearly is a student of the "Spielberg" school of film making and includes many "easter egg" and nods to the original.

             Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, who is asked to lead a team back to the isolated island of dinosaurs to collect samples for a pharmaceutical company, who's corporate shill, played by Rupert Friend, is along for the ride. Also joining her as the dinosaur expert, is Jonathan Bailey and as her "number two'" in the expedition, Mahershala Ali. Co-starring are Manuel Garcia- Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono and as the requisite child in danger, Audrina Miranda. 

              The film takes a bit too long to get going, having to introduce the characters and their emotional backgrounds. Mr. Koepp wants to make sure we care what happens to these people once they start encountering the various dinosaurs. And encounter they do, as there are many exciting action sequences in the film.

                It is far from perfect however, as there are continuity gaps and plot holes (if you look closely), far too many product placements that are distracting and spotty CGI work at times (clearly a lot of "blue Screen" work was evident). However, when it really counts, the dinosaurs that need to scare do their job and make the film a fun ride. The clear definition of a summer "Popcorn" movie.

F1

 

    

            "F1" stand for Formula 1 and the title couldn't be more apropos. This is a formula film from start to finish. Filmed during the actual racing seasons, the film features many real drivers and race care personal and owners. If you are a racing fan, you will certainly enjoy the film. As for a novice audience, it's enjoyable enough but the repetitive races start to bore after three or four times around the various tracks.

             Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, the worn-out veteran driver who is talked into one more shot at the title by APXGP racing team, CEO Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem. He is paired up with a young rookie "phenom", Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. Of course, the two drivers can't stand each other at first but eventually learn to respect and even like each other. The film co-stars Kerry Condon, who plays the APXGP technical director who, of course, falls for Mr. Pitt (I mean who wouldn't. He's in great shape and doesn't seem to age). Also co-starring are Kim Bodnia, Tobias Menzies and Sarah Niles.

             The racing scenes put the viewer right inside the cars, due to the intimate camera placement in and around the cars, although at times, you feel like you're playing a video game. Filmed in various Formula 1 tracks around the world, there is much local spectacle before the start of each race, which is fun to watch.

              There are the inevitable crashes and curves (on and off the track) to keep things exciting, but a true highlight is watching the various pit crews change tires and parts in under three seconds at each pit stop. If you learn anything from this film, it's that Formula 1 is a team sport because no matter how good the driver is, they can't do it without the pit crew to get them to the finish line.

28 Years Later

 

      Continuing the series that most likely influenced TV's "The Walking Dead",  this installment reunites writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle who were the creatives behind the original "28 Days Later".

       It may be misleading to call this a traditional horror film, as while there are horror elements, it's more of a human drama with survivors of the "Rage Virus" protecting themselves against "The Infected". Not undead zombies, the infected were once human but have now become something less with no reason and just an instinct to kill and eat the unaffected. Most of them move quickly and attack in groups.

       The opening scene is pretty horrific though, setting the stage for what is to come "28 years later". A group of survivors live on an island off the coast of Britain, accessible only at low tide. On his twelfth birthday, Spike and his father Jamie set out to the mainland for his "first kill". 

        Spike is played by Alfie Williams, and he is the heart and soul of the film. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays his father, Jamie and Jodie Comer is Isla, his sick mother. The plot drives Spike to take Isla to the mainland in search of a mythical doctor. Co-starring are Ralph Fiennes, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis -Parry, Christopher Fulford, and Jack O'Connell.

        The action scenes are very exciting and a visceral thrill but the film is also very emotional and dramatic. Mr. Garland's script holds surprises for the characters and the viewer is easily caught up in their struggle to survive. Mr. Boyle hasn't lost his touch and has lots of fun speeding up and then momentarily freezing certain scenes.

       The first of three planned films, the first sequel is expected in January of 2026. One of the executive producers of this film is Cillian Murphy, who appeared in the first film and is rumored to be part of the next installment in some capacity.

         I look forward to the next chapter and hope they can make it as good as this one.

The Life of Chuck

 

        Based on a short story by Stephen King and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, this is absolutely no horror story. Rather, it is remarkable story of an average person, beautifully told by Mr. Flanagan.

        The film is told in three acts and starts in reverse. While it may take a moment to understand what is happening and where the story is going, it does all come together in an endearing way. Telling the story in reverse makes perfect sense and once it ends, you'll be thinking about it for quite a while.

         Adult Chuck is played by Tom Hiddleston, who as it turns out is a terrific dancer.  He has a wonderful dance sequence with Annalise Basso, after he begins to move to the rhythms of a young street drummer, played by Taylor Gordon. 

          The real revelation, however, is Benjamin Pajak as the eleven year old Chuck.  He's an adorable young actor, mature beyond his years and a terrific dancer himself. Chuck is also played by Cody Flanagan as a seven year old and Jacob Tremblay plays Chuck as a seventeen year old. Mr. Tremblay has grown into a fine young actor after his breakout performance in "Room" back in 2015.The film also co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor,  Mark Hamill, Mia Sara (great to see her on screen again), Karen Gillan,  Carl  Lumbly, and Nick Offerman as the narrator.

           An unconventional film, it will sneak up on you and you will appreciate the power of it's ultimately life affirming story.

             

The Phoenician Scheme

 

        The latest film from writer/director Wes Anderson is jammed packed with famous actors in cameo roles. This is not unusual as actors love to work with Mr. Anderson and many of them have appeared in his films before.

         Benicio del Toro stars as Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda, a wealthy and ruthless businessman Who plans his biggest venture yet, the "Phoenician Scheme".  The complicated scheme is presented to his daughter Liesi, played by Mia Threapleton, as a device to also explain the scheme to the audience.  During the course of the film,  Korda and his daughter (who's about to become a nun) meet the various characters who can help carry our Korda's plans.

           The film co-stars Michael Cera and Rupert Friend and in various cameos, Riz Amed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scalett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hope Davis, Bill Murray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, and Stephen Park.

            There are many funny sequences and very witty dialog, which you would come to expect from Mr. Anderson. What is also true of a Wes Anderson film is the wonderful art direction and this film is no exception. The film and it's set pieces are literal works of art. It is a beautiful film to watch, even if you're having trouble following the plot.

           While not the best film in the Anderson canon, fans will absolutely enjoy themselves.

         

Ballerina

 

        Set in the John Wick universe, this action thriller takes place around the same time as "John Wick: Chapter Three" and revolves around another assassin trained by the Ruska Roma. The "Ballerina" of the titles is Eve Macarro played by Ana de Armas.

         As a little girl, Eve watches as her father is killed by another set of assassins, led by "The Chancellor", played by Gabriel Bryne. Orphaned, Winston Scott (Ian McShane), brings her to the Ruska Roma where she is trained by "the Director", (Angelica Huston) both as a dancer and assassin. As the years pass, Eve is now an adult and seeking revenge against "The chancellor" for the death of her father.

         The action is fast and furious, once the film kicks into high gear. The fight sequences are at times, very inventive and always amazing. Ms. de Armas is up for the challenge, using whatever she can for a weapon and fighting with above par martial arts.

         The film also ca-stars Norman Reedus, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and in his last role before his untimely death, a cameo by Lance Reddick as Charon. Fans of John Wick will be certainly pleased (and this comes as no surprise) that Keanu Reeves does make a more than just a cameo as John Wick himself.

          This is an exciting film with a violent and high body count. It lacks the gravitas that Mr. Reeves brings to his own "Wick" films but the fans of this franchise will still have a good time.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

 

     The eighth and final chapter (but you never know) in the Mission Impossible franchise. This is part two to the previous film, "Dead Reckoning". No need to rewatch that film to enjoy this one as there are countless flashbacks (including scenes from all seven previous films) and endless exposition of the film's plot.

       Of course Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt (a part he has played now for thirty years). Co-starring are Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Shea Whigham.

       The film is an exciting two hour action adventure wrapped in a bloated, repetitive additional forty nine minutes. There is also a lack of humor as the film takes it's plot very seriously filled with pretension. Over and over again, we hear how only Ethan Hunt can save the world and how much we must trust him. By this time, Ethan Hunt has risen to God-like stature, even dying and being reborn.

       Despite all this, the action sequences are spectacular, especially seen in an IMAX theater. Credit Mr. Cruise, who likes to do his own stunts and Christopher McQuarrie, the director and co-writer (along with Erik Jendresen) for giving the franchise a sentimental and a crowd pleasing sendoff.

Final Destination: Bloodlines

 

       Whether we admit it or not, we all have a certain fascination with death.  For that reason, this has been a highly successful franchise leading into this, it's sixth film.

        After a spectacular opening sequence, we are introduced to Stephani Reyes played by Kaitlyn Santa Juana, a young woman who has seemingly inherited her grandmother's ability to see premonitions of death. The entire cast is predominately unknown actors and just about all of them are just fodder to die in ingenious, original and ghastly ways. In his last film, horror film star, Tony Todd has a welcome cameo.

        Audiences don't flock to this franchise to see stars or even expect coherent storytelling. They come for the grisly set pieces that make even everyday items deadly. The family subplot does add some depth to the story, but the clever and twisted ways death claims victims are what will appeal to fans and they will not be disappointed.

  

The Shrouds

 

   Never one to disappoint, writer/director David Cronenberg returns with a new twisted drama, apparently to help him grieve over the death of his own wife, who died in 2017.

    Vincent Cassel (looking very much like Mr. Cronenberg himself, sans glasses) stars as Karsh, who has created a company around his invention "GraveTech".  The company employs high tech "shrouds" that are placed around a corpse when buried so that a person can actually view the body as it decomposes in a grave. Karsh has developed this technology initially to keep himself close to his deceased wife, Becca. 

    The film co-stars Diane Kruger as Becca, her twin sister, Terry and the voice of Karsh's AI assistant, "Hunny". Ms. Kruger gives a daring and raw performance , especially as Becca. Also co-starring is Guy Pearce as Maury, a tech nerd and Karsh's brother-in-law, who helped develop the technology, and Sandrine Holt as Soo-Min Szabo, the blind wife of a CEO who wants to sponsor a "GraveTech" in Budapest.

    While not a horror film per se, there are scenes of body horror and amputation (this is a Cronenberg film, after all) and combined with multiple sex scenes and a bizarre story in general, this will not appeal to a wide audience but fans of Mr. Cronenberg will appreciate his storytelling and directing skills.

    The film is in English (despite the poster). 

 

Thunderbolts*

 

            Marvel reboots their superhero franchise by recruiting many characters from their other films and TV shows to create a new dynamic for the next phase of their superhero collective.

            It's a terrific script by Eric Pearson and Johanna Calo, based on a story by Eric Pearson. It has plenty of action and humor and grounds its characters in a cohesive story that works much better than the last few Marvel films.

            The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost,  Julia louis-Dreyfus as Valentina de Fontaine, David Harbour as Alexei, and Lewis Pullman as Bob. The film also features Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Olga Kurylenko, and Wendell Pierce.

             The lead actors make excellent anti-heroes and a reluctant team. They have great chemistry together and appear to be really enjoying themselves. Ms. Pugh is clearly the lead with most of the attention placed on her character, Yelena. She is more than up to the task.

              Self-described characters without any true super powers (except maybe enhanced strength), they "punch and shoot" their way through the film without the need for excessive CGI. The special effects that are necessary blend seamlessly into the action. There are some serious psychological elements introduced in the film that provide background and insight but don't overwhelm the action and humor. The story successfully sets up the next phase of the Marvel universe and definitely explains the asterisk in the film's title.

               Stay for the mid-credit scene that is fun and a post credit scene that actually adds something to the story (although with a shameless plug).

The Accountant 2

 

      Capitalizing on the success of the first film, director Gavin O'Conner and writer Bill Dubuque have returned along with star Ben Affleck to double down on the comedy and action.

      Mr. Affleck returns as Christian Wolff and is joined once again by Jon Bernthal as his brother Braxton. Mr. Bernthal's role increases the chemistry between Mr. Affleck and himself. The two create more comedic moments as well as more mayhem than in the original film.

      Also returning in increased roles are Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Federal agent Marybeth Medina. and as Justine, Christian's hacker, Allison Robertson takes over the role but with the voice of the original Justine, Allison Wright. Daniella Pineda is new to the cast in a mysterious role and J.K. Simmons has a cameo reprising his role as Raymond King.

      The plot is a bit convoluted but it doesn't matter. It's just a device to enjoy watching Mr. Affleck and Mr. Bernthal save the day, which they do after many bullets fly and time out for line dancing (don't ask).

        

Sinners

 

     The latest film from writer/director Ryan Coogler is an interesting mix of genres. What starts out as a period piece drama descends midway through into a visceral horror story. This jarring switch midstream may put off some viewers and while it makes no sense, still makes for an exciting film.

     Mr. Coogler's frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordon stars as twin brothers, nicknamed "Smoke" and "Stack". Their scenes together are flawlessly integrated. He is terrific as both characters, who come home to the Mississippi Delta in 1932,  flush with stolen cash from gangsters in Chicago, in order to open a "juke joint".

      The film co-stars Hailee Steinfeld (in a role she really sinks her teeth into), Jack O'Connell ( a terrific actor in a truly bizarre role), Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, a terrific Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton as Sammie, the younger cousin of the twins, who is an excellent blues singer and guitar player.

      Production design on the film is excellent and along with the period costumes and terrific original music, there is an air of perfect authenticity, at least until things go off the rails.

      There are lots of great musical styles represented in the film, highlighted by a wonderfully magical musical number during the party at the "juke joint".

       One criticism I have regards a racially motivated incident towards the very end, that while exciting, didn't ring true to me in it's execution. True to the times, I think it would have taken place differently. Aside from that, the film, while eventually gonzo, is fun and exciting.

       I would love to see a prequel with the twins in Chicago and just how they came about their stolen cash. I think that story has lots of potential. And as a final note, stay during the credits for a mid credit scene featuring a great cameo and also a quick scene at the very end.

Warfare

 

      A very different kind of war film, "Warfare" takes you into a reenactment of an actual confrontation during the Iraq War. It is about as close as you can get in a firefight without tasting the blood, sweat and smell of the ammunition..

      Written and directed by Alex Garland and former Navy Seal, Ray Mendoza, the film is scripted entirely on the memories of the men who lived through the battle of Ramadi. It is shot in real time and is about as intense as it gets in ninety five minutes. 

       The film stars D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (of Hulu's Reservation Dogs) as Ray Mendoza, Cosmo Jarvis (of Hulu's Shogun) as Elliott Miller. Also starring are Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, Kit Conner, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, and Michael Gandolfini. The entire cast honor the men they are portraying.

      Watching the film unfold, you experience the primal terror of the battle from the boredom before it starts until the very last shot is fired. You won't even realize you've been holding your breath the entire time.