Movie Review: Pandemic Edition October 7, 2020

Yes, it's October and the world is still on fire. But, first things first. How are you doing? I do so hope that you and yours are safe, healthy, and do as well as possible under the circumstances.

Whew, it's been a long time, and while the country is reopening to various degrees (including movie theaters), I'm afraid it's going to be a bit longer before I'm willing to venture forth. Numbers are still high in my area (better, but high) and while there are a couple new pics playing, I have to ask myself, "are they worth possibly risking my life to see?". That's a resounding no.

That being the case, I like so many others have been at home catching up on things I wanted to see and never got around to before the big lockdown. Films like "Abominable", "Dolittle", "Playing with Fire", "Doctor Sleep", "Bombshell", and "Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn." What I got was a mixed bag.

Unexpectedly the best film by far is "Abominable". I wasn't sure when this one came out, the yeti looked kinda goofy and it seemed like it could go either way. Turns out this charmer really works. Cute, funny, amazing animation (goofy yeti aside), wonderful messaging, and with all the character development and feels you can want. Yup, I laughed, but I also cried. Finally, I ended up getting a copy for my personal collection. A 9.5 for sure.

That brings me to "Dolittle". Sorry to say, the title pretty much says it all because it certainly did little for me. It's one of those family films with a spectacular voice cast, a decent amount of whimsy and imagination, but it all falls flat. While the main child actor/character does a good job, overall there are too many cringe worthy moments that are simply quite embarrassing to witness.

The same can be said about "Playing with Fire" minus the kid watchability. Two of the kids are just obnoxious and off putting. The adult casts members do there all to salvage this clunker, but other than a couple of scenes here and there, this one is just not salvageable. Really disappointing. "Dolittle" and "Playing with Fire"

are 4s at best.

"Doctor Sleep" is Stephen King's sequel to "The Shining", a book I loved and a movie I hated. I wasn't sure how this one was going to work out. I'm thrilled to say an expert job was done reconciling the elements of the original ("Shining") book/film and marrying them to the "Doctor Sleep" book sequel. Solid all the way around, this is a definite 9 for me.

Finally, "Bombshell" and "Birds of Prey". Two films I had really high expectations for. While not awful, they both feel short of those expectations. "Bombshell" for some inexplicable reason decided to add characters and events to enhance the drama. Completely unnecessary and adding a superficial and disengaging element to the film. It felt too force. As for "Birds" very little character development or story arc, highly predictable, downright silly at times, and nothing more than a long setup for a sequel. 5s for both films.

Movie Review Pandemic Edition: My Spy

Long ago in the before times when going to the movies was a treat, not a possible death sentence, one of the films I was looking forward to seeing was "My Spy". This family film starring Dave Bautista looked like the possible remedy to remove the stink that is "Stuber" from my movie going consciousness. Sadly, the film was pushed back from its original release date, then the ‘Rona hit and the world caught fire (only a slight exaggeration). Amazon decided to give this film a digital release back at the end of June, so needing to decompress from a long week and the non-stop dumpster fire that is 2020, I kicked back with a refreshing beverage to check it out.

"My Spy" is not the most original story by any stretch of the imagination, nevertheless it’s cute, entertaining, and all around enjoyable in its simplicity. Bautista and company deliver a feel good film (we can all use that) with some truly laugh out loud moments (the dance scene alone makes this a film worth watching). There’s just enough heart and soul to get you invested in the characters and delivers the emotional “feels”.

Chloe Coleman’s Sophie strikes the perfect balance of precociousness, cuteness, and sass to maintain likability and avoid obnoxiousness. Coleman’s chemistry with Bautista is right on target and had me wanting more. While Kirsten Schaal’s Bobbi is spot on in her obsessive fan girl/unwanted/unappreciated partner role to Bautista’s JJ.

When all is said and done, "My Spy", predictable as it may be has some surprises, and is a charming, humorous, witty, action packed, and emotional winner in my book. So, if you have Amazon Prime access and an hour 39 minutes to spare, give "My Spy" a gander. I’m giving this one a solid 7.

Oh, be sure not to be eating or drinking during the dance scene.

Movie Review: Video Pandemic Edition

First, let me just say hope that you and yours are healthy and staying safe.  Second, I realize it’s crazy out there and for many it’s really starting to wear thin.  The sudden and dramatic changes from the everyday mundaness (is that even a word?) of life to chaos, uncertainty,  and all around upheaval has been unsettling to say the least.  While going to the movies, like so many things, are a no go, like many between the stressing and disinfecting (I think I’m becoming OCD about hand washing) I have gotten a few at-home movie views under my belt. While I’m not going to go too deep into analysis it still seems like a pretty good time to offer up a couple of ideas as a distraction/entertainment.

How about a Will Smith double shot?

First up, Gemini Man. Yeah, yeah, I couldn’t get a good feel from the trailers and never heard anything positive once the film did hit the theaters, (the same can be said of Collateral Beauty and that one gave me all the feels and had me crying like a baby, yet happy to have experienced it) so I gave it a looksy out of pure curiosity.  To put it mildly I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one (filed under, “wish I’d seen at the theater”).  Good casting, engaging characters, fantastic action, and real emotion/characterization.  The CGI work for creating a younger version of Will Smith is mesmerizing.  Given things get a little over the top towards the end of the film, but all told, really entertaining.

I’m giving it a solid 8.


Second, Will Smith part deux in Spies in Disguise from the folks at BlueSky (Ice Age, Rio, Fight Club).  Now this was one I had planned on seeing in the theater, but didn’t make it.  So, when I found myself able to score some disinfectant wipes as an add-on with $25 purchase, I snagged this, some snacks, wipes, and felt victorious.  My victory was made even sweeter upon watching this film.  I was all in from start to finish to the point when the credits began to roll three thoughts popped into my mind. 1) Delightful. 2) I could/would this again right now, but I need to go to bed. And 3) I hope they make a sequel.  Fun, funny, heartfelt, educational (pigeon facts), poignant, all around entertaining and engaging. 

A 9 from me.

Check these out and let me know what you think.  Keep washing those hands and staying away from each other! 

TTFN

BWT: BONUS, since I’m on the Will Smith track, Bad Boys for Life, was also a fun ride.  If you like the series, don’t miss it. 

An 8 from me on that one as well.