I didn't think this "Ghostbusters" remake was any worse than the original. In fact, I liked it. It's pretty much what you would expect from a collaboration between several ex-SNL comedians and the director of Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. It's funny in places and there's decent chemistry among the leads. The highlights are comedic performances from Chris Hemsworth and Kate McKinnon. Perhaps the biggest weakness is director Paul Feig spending a little too much time on the special effects fights between our heroines and the ghosts and not enough story. (Although come to think of it, the original was short on story, too.) If you're a fan of the original, you'll see cameos from Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts. Plus Ivan Reitman is the co-producer, Dan Ackroyd has Executive Producer credit and there's a bust of Harold Ramis early in the movie. There's even a nod to the Marshmallow Man.
Chris Hemsworth is hilarious as the dumber-than-a-sack-of-rocks secretary, not exactly what you would expect from an actor known for playing hunky roles like Thor and The Huntsman and Kate McKinnon steals every scene she's in. She quirkiness is just the spark that the often humdrum script needs. Surprisingly, the 'big' name stars, Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig are almost understated although they help to make the humor palatable. Was this remake necessary? Probably not, but studios seem to like remakes and sequels. The new "Ghostbusters" work well together. They have a strong rapport and have no difficulty commanding the screen for two hours. And the very end of the film (after all of the credits) suggests that there's going be (guess what?) ... a sequel. If you loved the original, don't see this one. Otherwise, you'll probably enjoy "Ghostbusters."
Thursday, July 21, 2016
The Secret Life of Pets - 2 smiles
"The Secret Life of Pets" is more for children than adults although if you're an animal lover, you'll probably find this (just a bit more) entertaining.The animation has a generic quality so it doesn't pop like a Pixar film. And the story is nothing special. The people look like caricatures and the animals have a cartoonish, stuffed animal appearance. Not much of a realistic look here. There are moments of humor and the script does a good job of anthropomorphizing the dogs, cats, birds, etc. A cute bit is Chloe the cat unable to resist chasing a moving light.
The basic story finds Max (voiced by Louis C.K.) having to put up with another dog, bossy Duke (Eric Stonestreet), that owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) has brought home. Their inevitable feud carries over onto the streets during the next day's walk. Max and Duke escape when the dog walker is distracted and are captured by animal control. One rescue later they find themselves in the middle of a gang of abandoned pets led by angry bunny rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart) and no closer to home. Meanwhile, friends Gidget (Jenny Slate), Chloe (Lake Bell) and some other friends go searching for Max. "The Secret Life of Pets" is strong enough that parents won't fall asleep, but it lacks a strong emotional punch that mark superior animated movies.
Note: The movie is preceded by a new 7-minute short about a quartet of Minions who go into the landscaping business. In no way does it compare to 'Piper,' the animated short that accompanies Finding Dory, but it's a good marketing ploy for a future Minions movie.
The basic story finds Max (voiced by Louis C.K.) having to put up with another dog, bossy Duke (Eric Stonestreet), that owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) has brought home. Their inevitable feud carries over onto the streets during the next day's walk. Max and Duke escape when the dog walker is distracted and are captured by animal control. One rescue later they find themselves in the middle of a gang of abandoned pets led by angry bunny rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart) and no closer to home. Meanwhile, friends Gidget (Jenny Slate), Chloe (Lake Bell) and some other friends go searching for Max. "The Secret Life of Pets" is strong enough that parents won't fall asleep, but it lacks a strong emotional punch that mark superior animated movies.
Note: The movie is preceded by a new 7-minute short about a quartet of Minions who go into the landscaping business. In no way does it compare to 'Piper,' the animated short that accompanies Finding Dory, but it's a good marketing ploy for a future Minions movie.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
The Infiltrator - 2 smiles
I was expecting to feel more tension with "The Infiltrator," a story based on the real life of Customs agent Robert Mazur. The movie does show the fine line Mazur (Brian Cranston) walks as he poses as a money launderer to catch Pablo Escobar in 1980s Florida. He manages to make drug importers, drug dealers and dirty bankers like him and in some cases, even love him. However, the movie in general conveys the basic facts of the story while rarely making us feel for Mazur's plight or peril.
Director Brad Furman and screenwriter Ellen Brown Furman (the director's mother) get most of their material from Mazur's autobiography, but the script introduces so many characters it's hard to keep them straight let alone develop any characterization. And elements of the story feel sloppy: a subplot about the CIA stalking Mazur goes nowhere and a scene in which he submits to a voodoo test in order to earn the cartel's approval makes little sense since he's already handled millions of their money and befriended dozens of Escobar's men. Nonetheless, "The Infiltrator" is mostly saved by its superb cast. Cranston makes both Mazur and his alter ego feel like real people (despite the fact that the script does not give him the opportunity to reveal the psychological toll his undercover work takes). Diane Kruger (another Customs agent) plays his fiancee with grace and ease. John Leguizamo finds the balance between erratic and crazy as Mazur's adrenaline-loving partner. And Benjamin Bratt is excellent as Escobar's top lieutenant. Forman has a compelling true story and an exceptional cast, but a weak script and his bland direction leaves "The Infiltrator" unable to ratchet up the tension.
Director Brad Furman and screenwriter Ellen Brown Furman (the director's mother) get most of their material from Mazur's autobiography, but the script introduces so many characters it's hard to keep them straight let alone develop any characterization. And elements of the story feel sloppy: a subplot about the CIA stalking Mazur goes nowhere and a scene in which he submits to a voodoo test in order to earn the cartel's approval makes little sense since he's already handled millions of their money and befriended dozens of Escobar's men. Nonetheless, "The Infiltrator" is mostly saved by its superb cast. Cranston makes both Mazur and his alter ego feel like real people (despite the fact that the script does not give him the opportunity to reveal the psychological toll his undercover work takes). Diane Kruger (another Customs agent) plays his fiancee with grace and ease. John Leguizamo finds the balance between erratic and crazy as Mazur's adrenaline-loving partner. And Benjamin Bratt is excellent as Escobar's top lieutenant. Forman has a compelling true story and an exceptional cast, but a weak script and his bland direction leaves "The Infiltrator" unable to ratchet up the tension.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
The BFG - 2 1/2 smiles
The best things about Steven Spielberg's "The BFG" are the lead performances. Immediately likable Ruby Barnhill is perfect as the plucky Sophie. Mark Rylance, working for a second time with Spielberg after winning an Oscar under the director's guidance for Bridge of Spies, conveys a gentle, genial spirit for BFG (Big Friendly Giant). It's a surprisingly complex performance for a special effects character. The first half of the movie gets off to a slow start as we see Sophie (Barnhill) up late one night and staring out the window. She is surprised to see a giant (Rylance), whom she later names BFG, wandering the streets. Fearful that she will tell people about him, he abducts her and carries her off to his home in the Land of the Giants. Lacking family in her world, she decides she want to stay, but there are problems when the other giants (who are not so friendly) want to eat her. Sophie devises a plan to defeat the giants but it requires that the BFG present himself to the Queen (Penelope Wilton).
The story lacks an emotional impact and while we care about Sophie and BFG's relationship, we're not as invested in it as we should be. Things are strangely muted. Spielberg succeeds in crafting a land of wonder and although his methods are flawless, they are not unique. Hailed for his groundbreaking use of CGI in Jurassic Park, he has been surpassed over the years by others who have pushed the special effects envelope. Perhaps because it's Spielberg, we hold him to a higher standard and expect greatness from everything he does. "The BFG" is pleasant summer entertainment, but not a classic like E.T. or Jurassic Park.
The story lacks an emotional impact and while we care about Sophie and BFG's relationship, we're not as invested in it as we should be. Things are strangely muted. Spielberg succeeds in crafting a land of wonder and although his methods are flawless, they are not unique. Hailed for his groundbreaking use of CGI in Jurassic Park, he has been surpassed over the years by others who have pushed the special effects envelope. Perhaps because it's Spielberg, we hold him to a higher standard and expect greatness from everything he does. "The BFG" is pleasant summer entertainment, but not a classic like E.T. or Jurassic Park.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Free State of Jones - 2 smiles
If you're interested in learning more about a real character, "Free State of Jones," which instructs more than it inspires, is something you will want to see. Matthew McConaughey stars as Newton Knight, an 1860s Mississippi farmer rebelling against war and slavery and in doing so, he creates his own militia of former slaves and fellow farmers. The first half moves well enough, with Knight and his conscripts defending their land against both Confederate and Union forces. The story splinters in the second half when too much exposition is crammed in (including a 20th century court case) and momentum is lost.
McConaughey is earnest and noble in the lead role, moreso than history might have you believe about the real Knight. And Writer/director Gary Ross seems to have turned Knight into a superhero rather than telling the tale of an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances. Plus Ross stages several battle scenes with a bloody realism that is too graphic and jarring. That the movie wants to draw parallels to today's racial hatred is all too obvious. We get N-word speechifying, the birth of the KKK and a history of voting prejudice, all of which feel crammed in despite the film's laborious 139-minute running time.
McConaughey is earnest and noble in the lead role, moreso than history might have you believe about the real Knight. And Writer/director Gary Ross seems to have turned Knight into a superhero rather than telling the tale of an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances. Plus Ross stages several battle scenes with a bloody realism that is too graphic and jarring. That the movie wants to draw parallels to today's racial hatred is all too obvious. We get N-word speechifying, the birth of the KKK and a history of voting prejudice, all of which feel crammed in despite the film's laborious 139-minute running time.
The Legend of Tarzan - 3 smiles
When it comes to recycling stories, "The Legend of Tarzan" does a good job. There is a solid story with character development that doesn't rely on special effects and any special effects there are aren't excessive. Flashbacks that provide backstory explanations are seamlessly incorporated into the main narrative and are never intrusive. The movie is respectful of its source material and takes the characters seriously, even adding humor (most of it coming from Samuel L. Jackson). A ripped Alexander Skarsgard plays Tarzan (aka John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke) with intelligence and sophistication. Jane (Margot Robbie) is feisty, forthright and definitely not a traditional damsel-in-distress. Jackson pays Tarzan's sidekick, George Washington Williams and Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz, playing Captain Rom, is an effective sneering bad guy.
After a prologue that explains why Rom wants to catch Tarzan, the movie provides a semi-convincing reason for Viscount Greystoke to leave behind his estate and return to the lands where he grew up. Jane, not wanting to be left behind, decides to go with him. Also long for the ride is the American Williams, a representative of President Benjamin Harrison, who believes the King of Belgium might be promoting slave labor in the Congo. Soon after they arrive, they are ambushed, Jane is captured and Tarzan is almost killed. "The Legend of Tarzan" moves briskly and has the overall feel of one of Burroughs' more entertaining stories. Unlike so many of the disappointing entries into the 2016 big budget sweepstakes, this is good summer escapist entertainment. (I'd see it again.)
After a prologue that explains why Rom wants to catch Tarzan, the movie provides a semi-convincing reason for Viscount Greystoke to leave behind his estate and return to the lands where he grew up. Jane, not wanting to be left behind, decides to go with him. Also long for the ride is the American Williams, a representative of President Benjamin Harrison, who believes the King of Belgium might be promoting slave labor in the Congo. Soon after they arrive, they are ambushed, Jane is captured and Tarzan is almost killed. "The Legend of Tarzan" moves briskly and has the overall feel of one of Burroughs' more entertaining stories. Unlike so many of the disappointing entries into the 2016 big budget sweepstakes, this is good summer escapist entertainment. (I'd see it again.)
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
The Hunt for the Wilderpeople - 4 smiles
"The Hunt for the Wilderpeople," a New Zealand import that won the audience award at Sundance, is pure joy and not to be missed. It's an oddly affecting take on two misfits finding their way to each other. Ricky Baker (13-year old Julian Dennison) is an orphaned juvenile delinquent, a 'real bad egg' as his social worker (Rachel House) announces. When Ricky is sent to live with foster parents Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec (Sam Neill) Faulkner on their farm, it's not exactly a perfect match. The sullen retain takes one lap around the house and climbs back into the car he arrived in. In time, though, he settles in, eventually going Hec on an epic journey through the wilderness while eluding the predatory clutches of social services, vigilante do-gooders and well-armed police and military squads.
This is a coming-of-age tale, the on-the-run road movie, the mismatched buddy comedy, the boy's adventure story all rolled into one and writer/director Taika Waititi maintains a steady hand and knowing understanding of his characters as this story unfolds. You have your chubby Maori foster kid infatuated with urban rebels (he names his dog 'Tupac') and crusty old outdoorsman who wants little to do with his wife's addition to the household and you know they're going to bond. Although Waititi jumps from the silly to heartstring-pulling melodrama, that's part of the fun of this movie. It's laugh-out-loud funny in places and heart-rending in others. Young Dennison is a delight and Neill soars as a gruff man with a soft center. "The Hunt for the Wilderpeople" is a breath of fresh air. Be sure to see it.
This is a coming-of-age tale, the on-the-run road movie, the mismatched buddy comedy, the boy's adventure story all rolled into one and writer/director Taika Waititi maintains a steady hand and knowing understanding of his characters as this story unfolds. You have your chubby Maori foster kid infatuated with urban rebels (he names his dog 'Tupac') and crusty old outdoorsman who wants little to do with his wife's addition to the household and you know they're going to bond. Although Waititi jumps from the silly to heartstring-pulling melodrama, that's part of the fun of this movie. It's laugh-out-loud funny in places and heart-rending in others. Young Dennison is a delight and Neill soars as a gruff man with a soft center. "The Hunt for the Wilderpeople" is a breath of fresh air. Be sure to see it.
Independence Day: Resurgence - 1 1/2 smiles
After seeing "Independence Day: Resurgence," I have to wonder why some sequels get made. Especially when this feels more like an excuse for special effects (with very little plot). Returning cast members include Jeff Goldblum as scientist David Levinson, Bill Pullman as ex-Predient Whitmore and Judd Hirsch as David's grumpy father. Maika Monroe plays Patricia Whitmore, the president's grown-up daughter and Jessie T. Usher is Dylan Hiller, the son of Will Smith's dead character. Liam Hemsworth is Jake Morrison, a hotshot pilot.
The story is essentially an alien invasion (again) with bigger ships and guns and is supposed to be light summer entertainment. However, thinking of any kind will ruin this experience because it has too many implausible events. Sure, you suspend disbelief with this kind of movie, but when you have Judd Hirsch's character just barely speeding ahead of a huge tidal wave (he's in a small boat, of course) and he survives, you have to say, 'Come on. Really?' Director Roland Emmerich has stated that he plans to make a third Independence Day movie. To which I have to say, Come on. Really?
Finding Dory - 3 smiles
Although "Finding Dory" swims through familiar waters, it's still an enjoyable summer movie. The themes, the importance of friends and family and the value of tolerance, are the same. And the basic narrative, a fish making a long journey to find family, replicates that of Finding Nemo. Dory (voice by Ellen DeGeneres), the good-natured blue tang with short-term memory problems, was a supporting character to Albert Brooks' clownfish Marlin. This time she's the lead with Marlin and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) providing support. Despite her memory issues, Dory realizes she once had a mother (Diane Keaton) and father (Eugene Levy) and a few random memories sends her off to find them, with Marlin and Nemo in pursuit. Her quest takes her to a marine institute where she reconnects with old friend Destiny, the nearsighted whale shark (Kaitlin Olsen) and makes a bargain with Hank the octopus (Ed O'Neill).
"Finding Dory" has a solid emotional core, which is what makes Pixar movies so good. We become invested in Dory's journey. And even when things become a bit silly (like the chase scene at the end), we stay engaged. The best Pixar movies work on two levels - one for adults and one for children; Up is a perfect example. "Dory" works more for kids, but that's not to say adults won't enjoy the movie. And visually, this is one of Pixar's strongest offerings.
Note: "Finding Dory" is paired with "Piper," an animated short that will be an entrant in the Academy Award Best Animated Short category. "Piper," a sure winner, is about an adorable baby sandpiper. It's a story told without words and it delivers wonderful messages, like we can learn from each other and that everyone has something to offer. "Piper" will become a classic. Be sure not to miss it.
"Finding Dory" has a solid emotional core, which is what makes Pixar movies so good. We become invested in Dory's journey. And even when things become a bit silly (like the chase scene at the end), we stay engaged. The best Pixar movies work on two levels - one for adults and one for children; Up is a perfect example. "Dory" works more for kids, but that's not to say adults won't enjoy the movie. And visually, this is one of Pixar's strongest offerings.
Note: "Finding Dory" is paired with "Piper," an animated short that will be an entrant in the Academy Award Best Animated Short category. "Piper," a sure winner, is about an adorable baby sandpiper. It's a story told without words and it delivers wonderful messages, like we can learn from each other and that everyone has something to offer. "Piper" will become a classic. Be sure not to miss it.
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