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.

         

Passenger

 

   The road trip to hell. After a strong opening sequence, we turn to a young couple starting out on a cross country road trip. After the witness a terrible car crash, they don't realize they have picked up a demonic force that has now latched on to them, hitching a ride on their trip.

    Jacob Scipio stars as Tyler and Lou Llobell as Maddie as the young couple. Joseph Lopez is "The Passenger" and Melissa Leo, in what amounts to an extended cameo, plays Diana Marsh. Mr. Scipio and Ms. Llobell play a very effective couple as the danger grows.

    Things get progressively weirder until a climatic confrontation brings the trip to an abrupt halt. The film itself, stretches the story as long as the open road we find ourselves on, but there are some good bumps and jolts along the way.

      As one character says "You don't take a trip. The trip takes you".

Backrooms

 

         Based on a series of YouTube shorts by director Kane Parsons, and now turned into a full length film, this is less of a conventional horror film and more of an unsettling, surreal experience. It can also be terrifying at times, unlocking a primal fear deep in our consciousness.

          When Clark, a furniture store owner, finds a doorway (in the basement of the store) to what appears to be another dimension and or reality, he steps into a seemingly endless maze of rooms. From that point on, we are watching Clark and others navigate this maze of rooms while they appear to being watched by others. It's an endless loop of a movie, even more surreal than the recent "Exit 8".

           The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline, Clark's therapist, and Lukita Maxwell ( of Apple TV's Shrinking) as Kat and Finn Bennett as Bobby, Clark's employees. Mark Duplass also co-stars as Phil.

           Mr. Ejiofor and Ms. Reinsve really sell the concept when they both become lost in the "backrooms".  It's an existential film with more questions than answers and while it can become frustrating, it is mesmerizing to watch with exceptional art and set design. 

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

 

       Jon Favreau is the go-to director in the Marvel/Stars Wars universe. Here, he continues his work from the TV version of "The Mandalorian" and rather than a fourth season, releases further adventures as a feature film.

        While the film appears to be episodic, it's still an exciting story filled with the kind of action you would expect from a Star Wars franchise story. The son of Jabba The Hutt plays an important role and some minor characters cross over from earlier Star Wars films.

          Pedro Pascal reprise his role as The Mandalorian but while you hear his voice throughout, with his helmet on, it's his stunt actors (Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder) doing most of the heavy lifting. Of course, there is a sequence with his helmet off, so we know it's "him".

          The film co-stars Sigourney Weaver as Ward, a leader in the New Republic. It's fun to watch her still piloting an X-Wing fighter. Jonny Coyne plays villain Janu Coin and there is voice work by Jeremy Allen White as Rotta the Hutt, and surprisingly, Martin Scorsese as an alien shopkeeper. (Mr. Scorsese must of had a great time doing his scenes) Other actors providing character voices include Shirly Henderson and Stephen McKinley Henderson.

            Of course Grogu is as adorable as ever, brought to life through animatronics and puppetry, augmented with visual effects.

            Filmed with plenty of action sequences, there is a lot to take in and at times, the film is bloated and almost overkill. Further editing would have tightened things up a bit. Still, its a lot of fun, especially in IMAX where the visuals are amazing.

Tuner

 

          A pleasant surprise, this new drama has an original and clever story and features a charming performance from Leo Woodall. Mr. Woodall plays Niki, a piano tuner with perfect pitch but also a hearing disability. For the right reason, he gets involved with the wrong people who become much more of a threat than he anticipated.

         The film co-stars Dustin Hoffman (in a welcome return to film) as Harry Horowitz, Niki's friend and mentor. Also co-starring are Tovah Feldshuh as Harry's wife, Havana Rose Liu as Ruthie, a young pianist that Niki falls for and Lior Raz, as Uri, a charming but unsavory character. And in a significant cameo, the great French actor, Jean Reno. Mr. Woodall and Ms. Liu have great chemistry as their relationship grows and while Mr. Hoffman's role is small, he makes an impact.

           Written and directed by Daniel Roher, the film balances its light moments along with a darker side later in the film that make the original story very enjoyable despite a growing tension put upon by Niki's involvement with Uri.

            Don't tune this one out.

 

Obsession

 

                Writer/director Curry Baker puts a new spin on the tale of "The Monkey's Paw" and "be careful what you wish for". 

                  Michael Johnston stars as "Bear" who is hopelessly in love with Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette). Unfortunately, Nikki only thinks of Bear as a good friend. The two leads are absolutely terrific. Ms. Navarrette, in particular, is outstanding as her obsession grows.

                  The film co-stars Cooper Tomlinson as Ian and Megan Lawless as Sarah. Andy Richter also has a small role as Sarah's dad. Mr. Baker does a lot with a little counting on his young cast to carry the load as the film gets progressively creepier and deadlier.  Rock Burwell's music perfectly compliments the growing horror and Mr. Baker has a great knack for using it to build the tension and then cutting it completely to drive home the scene.

                   Early on,  Mr. Baker uses Nikki's obsession to comedic effect but things get progressively nastier and the climax of the film goes completely off the rails. While no animals were harmed making the film, cat lovers in particular, will not be happy with the fate of Bear's pet cat, Sandy.

                    

Deep Water

 

       Action director Renny Harlin returns with a new disaster/survival thriller.  He manages to keep the tension and excitement level high with not just an intense plane crash into the middle of the Pacific Ocean but also with the addtion of hungry sharks surrounding the survivors among the wreckage.

        The shark behavior is amplified to enhance the story and there are enough emotional subplots to tug at your heart strings. There is, of course, a completely obnoxious passenger who is the villain of the film and it's only a matter of time until he gets what he deserves.

         Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star as the pilots of the doomed plane. Co-starring are Molly Belle Wright as Cora and Elijah Tamati as Finn, the requisite kids in danger.  Also co-starring are Angus Sampson as Dan, the obnoxious passenger, as well as Lucy Barrett, Rose Zhao, Lakota Johnson, Ramian Newton,Madeleine West, Mark Hadlow, and Kelly Gale.

          Mr. Harlin's direction keeps the action level high, first with the crash and then, with the surviving passengers and crew having to contend with the sinking wreckage, blood thirsty sharks and infighting among themselves.

           You get what you expect with this "popcorn" thriller. No more, no less.

          

The Devil Wears Prada 2

 

       Twenty years later, we get more fashion, more glamour, pretty much more of everything people loved about the first film. Directed again with much flair by David Frankel, the film will certainly not disappoint fans of the original.

      This time however, the red hot devil represented by Miranda Priestly has cooled off as the film seeks to find her humanity. Meryl Streep, like putting on a favorite dress, easily slips back into the character. As her counterpoint, Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, now a veteran journalist who finds herself out of work until "Runway" magazine comes calling needing a new features editor. She is as cheerful as ever.

      Also returning is Emily Blunt as Emily, Andy's nemesis, now working at Dior but still finding ways to sling a good barb in Andy's direction. And as Miranda's stalwart right hand man, Stanley Tucci returns as Nigel Kipling, who just about steals the film with his perfect style and grace. 

      Joining this time are Justin Theroux as tech billionaire, Benji Barnes who is smitten with Emily, Kenneth Branagh as Miranda's new husband, and Lucy Lui as  Benji's ex-wife. Rounding out the cast are B.J. Novack, Tracie Thoms, Simone Ashley, Tibor Feldman, and Patrick Brammell. While Mr. Brammell is a fine actor, he's merely there to include a completely unnecessary romance for Andy. Of course there are also too many fashion icon cameos to mention as well as other celebrities including a particular female superstar (a fashion icon herself) who even gets a musical number.

      Underneath all the glitz and glamour, the script tries to make some points about the threat of digital and AI on the media as well as corporate acquisitions displacing the workforce and tearing at the soul of beloved companies.

      It's a light and breezy sequel that is enjoyable but like a glass of sparkling champagne that's been sitting on a tray too long, it does start to lose it's bubbles after a while.

Hokum

 

          Writer/director Damian McCarthy's ("Caveat" and "Oddity") most ambitious horror film yet doesn't disappoint. With a style all his own, Mr. McCarthy creates an atmospheric sense of dread and a creepiness that grabs you early and doesn't let up.

           The film stars Adam Scott (perfect for this role) as a writer who returns to the Irish hotel where his parents spent their honeymoon years ago. This is a classic haunted house story with McCarthy's signature twists and turns. Simple visuals alone may give you nightmares.

            Co-starring are Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell, Michael Patric, Brendan Conroy and Austin Amelio.

            The music by Joseph Bishara compliments the spooky visuals and horror elements and Brian Phillip Davis's editing provides many a jump scare.

            Mr. McCarthy is three for three and I can't wait to see what he does next.

MIchael

 

           A sanitized screenplay by John Logan gives us a heartwarming version of Michael Jackson's life. Directed with flair by Antoine Fuqua, the musical numbers are very entertaining recreating some of Mr. Jackson's best moments but the story is just too clean portraying him just short of sainthood.

            Michael is played by his actual nephew, Jaafar Jackson and he's got all the moves and nuances of his uncle perfectly. He doesn't do his own singing however, rather lip-synching the songs to Michael's actual voice.

             The film also stars Nia Long as Michael's mother, Miles Teller as his eventual manager John Branca, and Coleman Domingo, chewing the scenery, as Michael's domineering father, Joseph Jackson. Mr. Domingo is over the top as a scary bully but falls short of the suspicions of abuse around the real Mr. Jackson. The most we see is a belt lashing. Also co-starring are Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy,  Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones,  KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Michael's long time head of security, and Mike Myers (in a one scene cameo) as Walter Yetnikoff, the head of Columbia Records. And of course, a CGI (or AI) Bubbles the chimp.

             There is little to no interaction with his brothers. We see little of La Toya and Janet Jackson is not even mentioned in the film. Apparently, she "declined" to take part.  The drug addiction that ultimately took his life is briefly mentioned after his incident with his hair catching fire (which got him hooked on pain meds in the first place). And any hint of sexual abuse doesn't even exist here.

             While the story plays like a lifetime bio with little substance, the musical moments are magical. Even the scenes in his home studio watching him put together the songs we know so well was fun to watch. It's an entertaining film that casts no shade on Michael's legacy and ends on a high note during the "Bad" tour in 1988. 

              It's actually sad to think what a waste of incredible talent was lost much too soon, like so many other talented artists.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy

 

        Not to be confused with Universal's "The Mummy", writer/director Lee Cronin puts his name right in the title. While this original story certainly involves a mummy, it is closer in plot to "The Exorcist" since it involves the evil possession of a little girl.

         While the film is too long and could have benefitted from additional editing, it still contains enough gross out moments and jump scares to be a satisfying horror film. At it's core, it's an emotional story about a family threatened from within by their possessed daughter, thought dead for eight years. Little Katie is found alive (but no longer an innocent little girl) inside a thousand year old sarcophagus after a plane crash, and once reunited with her family, things begin to go off the rails.

          The film stars Jack Reynor as Charlie Cannon and Laia Costa as Larissa Cannon, Katie's parents, May Calamawy as Detective Zaki, Natalie Grace as Katie (Emily Mitchell as young Katie), Shylo Molina as brother Sebastian (Dean Allen Williams as young Sebastian), Bille Roy as younger sister Maud, Veronica Falcon as Grandmother Carmen, and Hayat Kamille as "The Magician".

           Mr. Cronin puts his young cast through the ringer with lots of  good special effects and bloody gore, but they are all up to the task. Mr. Reynor is an admirable hero trying to protect his family and save his daughter. The score by Stephen McKeon adds the right amount of dread but the use of some popular rock songs seem out of place.

           Stuffed with horrific moments, including a few good scares, the craziness builds to an exciting climax in a final battle with the demon possessing Katie.

   

Exit 8

 

      Based on a Japanese video game, the film faithfully recreates the look and feel of the game with just a few changes. Director Genki Kawamura, who also co-wrote the screenplay invites the viewer to experience the game in a cinematic way. This is not a horror film but rather a metaphysical puzzle that needs to be solved by both the protagonist and the viewer.

       The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya as "The Lost Man" who becomes trapped in a underground subway passage in a seemingly endless loop. As he repeatedly navigates the corridors leading to Exit 8, he encounters "The Walking Man", played by Yamato Kochi, "The Boy", played by Naru Asanuma and "The High School Girl", played by Kotone Hanase. Nana Komatsu plays the "Lost Man's" ex-girlfriend, who at the beginning of the film, we find out, is pregnant and unsure if she wants to keep the baby.

        We are told that there are anomalies each time "The Lost Man" navigates the corridor and part of the fun for the viewer is trying to spot them before he does. What the film means is open to interpretation but I suspect one of its elements is a deliberate commentary on contemporary Japanese society.  And while I have my own theory about what it all means to "The Lost Man", I will keep that to myself and let the viewer decide for themselves.

        If you are fascinated by a mobius strip and the art of M.C. Escher, this is a film for you.

The Christophers

 

          Steven Soderbergh takes a intelligent and fun story written by Ed Solomon and makes Indie film magic. Easily one of his best films in a while, Mr. Soderbergh directs a pitch perfect comedy/drama about a human connection that takes place in the world of art. 

          Ian McKellen is a retired artist who has nine unfinished paintings (the series is called The Christophers) stored away in his home. The paintings are legendary and if completed will be worth millions. The problem is he has no intention of finishing them. His adult children played by Jessica Gunning and James Corden hire an art forger, played by Michaela Coel to act as his assistant while secretly finishing the paintings.

          Ms. Coel and Mr. McKellen's growing relationship is at the heart of the film and it is wonderful. Their chemistry and the interplay between them is just a joy to watch. Ms. Gunning and Mr. Corden provide laughs in smaller roles as the greedy children who just want to sell the paintings once their father dies.

          The film is quite funny at times. Mr. McKellen carries the film and gets all the best lines (although Ms. Coel holds her own against the master). You certainly don't have to be an art aficionado to appreciate a clever story with a great cast.

The Drama

 

     Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, this is a cringe worthy comedy/drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. They play Emma and Charlie, who as the film begins, meet cute, date (in a montage), fall in love and decide to get married.

      About a week to go before the wedding, Charlie learns about something disturbing from Emma's past and it has a deep effect on him, causing him to question his feelings for Emma. Discussing the issue only causes a rift to develop between the two and Charlie grows increasingly shaken and disturbed.

       The film co-stars Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, Sydney Lemmon, Anna Baryshnikov, and Zoe Winters. Zendaya and Mr. Pattinson are both terrific bringing great depth to their relationship but Mr. Pattinson, in particular, is outstanding, reacting to his world crashing down based on what he has learned about Emma.

        At the heart of the story is a deep moral question, which in itself would make for a fine drama but the comedic moments, while eliciting laughs from the audience, seem misplaced and distract from the seriousness of the subject. The film is definitely thought provoking. Emma's reveal and it's consequences will surely be up for debate once the film ends. 

  

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

 

        Seven year later, the sequel to "Ready Or Not",  begins immediately where the first film ended. With the same creative team behind it, they find a clever way to keep the original concept intact, even while building on it. The cast is bigger, the body count higher, filled with dark humor and excessively violent (especially towards women), the new film will satisfy fans of this growing trend of "Eat The Rich", violence porn.

          Samara Weaving once again stars as Grace but now we are also introduced to her estranged sister, Faith, played by Kathryn Newton. Joining these two "scream queens" together is inspired casting. Their chemistry is terrific. The new cast tasked with hunting the women down by Satan's "lawyer", played by Elijah Wood, include Sarah Michelle Geller (more inspired casting), Shawn Hatosy, Nestor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, Olivia Cheng, Varun Saranga and in a rather quick cameo, David Crohenberg.

           By coincidence, the plot of the film ends up almost the same as the other recent splatter fest, "They Will Kill You" as both films involve the rescue and protection of one's sibling from Satan worshippers, while avoiding being sacrificed. Both involve over the top cartoonish violence aimed at the wealthy elite. Even though the violence is cartoonish, there is one sequence in this film that really takes the beating of a woman too far, and you're no longer laughing. While it is important to the plot, it is really hard to watch.

             If you are a fan of the first film, you will almost certainly enjoy this continuation of the story and I'm sure if it makes enough money, we can expect a third film in the series.

They Will Kill You

 

      It seems the latest trend in horror movies is "violence porn" directed at the wealthy. Writer/director Kirill  Sokolov takes his "stab" at the genre with this new outragous kill fest. Produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti ( of the TV show "IT" and "Welcome To Derry"), this is basically a live action, figurative, Bugs Bunny Cartoon starring Zazie Beetz.

      Ms. Beetz stars as Asia Reaves, who in a prologue, leaves her younger sister in the hands of their abusive father. Jump 10 years later and she is now searching for her sister to make amends. Her search takes her to a sinister apartment building/hotel in Manhattan where she applies for a job as a new maid. Unbeknownst to her, the building is basically a devil's cult of wealthy acolytes and almost immediately everyone is trying to kill her as a sacrifice.

       The film is a ninety minute orgy of cartoonish violence, which, at times is very inventive and actually poetic in it's fight choreography. Ms. Beetz shows off her athletic ability dodging an array of weapons, some of which do manage to inflict damage. 

       Co-starring are Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham, Myha'la, Angus Sampson, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, and the voice of James Remar.

        It's certainly not for everyone but fans of this growing genre will enjoy themselves.