Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood 

I went into this film for all intents and purposes, blindly.  Knowing nothing more than it’s Quentin Tarantino’s 9th film and a period piece, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio,  Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie (my man Kurt Russell also has a role), and Charles Manson figures into it somehow.  Not a lot to go on, but being a Tarantino fan, I was all in to see what his brilliant/freakish mind came up with this go around.

Hmmm, not really sure where to start with this one.

I love me some Tarantino, but after sitting through this epic 2 hour 41 minute whatever, I’m still not really sure what the hell the movie is about and therein lies the problem.  I’m not sure Tarantino really knows what the film was about either.

Clearly Once... is a love letter to Hollywood.  According to Tarantino the Golden Age of Hollywood (inaccurate as that era is widely agreed upon as ending in the 1950s, but, whatever).  Once... takes place in 1969 and as a period piece it’s spectacular.  The attention to detail in the recreation of branding, signage, interiors/exteriors, costuming, films and television shows within the movie, etc. is second to none.

Unfortunately, the actual “letter” part is a long, meandering affair with many great character/story moments, that don’t gel into a cohesive whole.  I had way to many instances of pondering, “where’s this going?”, “what’s the point?”.  I got restless numerous times and I wasn’t alone.  In a near sold out theater, numerous people got up (several multiple times) to get more snacks and drinks.  And at least two couples left and never came back around the halfway mark.

The cinematography is gorgeous, the acting strong, the characters/character development/story, not so much.  Even the dialogue and soundtrack, two cornerstones of a Tarantino film, were very hit and miss.  I was into it one moment and not the next throughout the film.  There's just too much waiting for something to happen. Making for extremely uneven pacing and an off kilter viewing experience.

The casting is a veritable smorgasbord of who’s who in addition to the before mentioned DiCaprio, Pitt, Russell and Robbie.  We’re treated to the likes of Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Luke Perry, and “Brandy” (love the dog) to varying degrees, in addition to many other “hey, that’s whatshis/whatsher name from...” plus many from “The Gang” of Tarantino regulars.  No doubt this helps contribute to the bloated run time and sadly not for any great benefit for the overall experience.

It pains me to say, but Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is by and large a self-indulgent, bloated, snorefest and has officially taken over as my least favorite Tarantino film.  I expected more.  I wanted more.  Alas, I’m mostly just disappointed..

While not complete trash, the ending is classic Tarantino and an extremist violent delight with an Inglorious Basterds bent that makes the entire film, it’s certainly not something I can recommend taking the time or spending the money to see in the theater.

It’s with a heavy heart and a prayer to the movie gods Tarantino doesn’t f#@! up the untitled Star Trek film he’s working on.  Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood gets a 4 from me.

FYI, if and or when you do see this one, be advised there is a mid credit scene to see so look for it.

Movie Review: Stuber 

It’s hot and I was in the mood for a good laugh.  A trip to the movies to see Stuber sounded like a good way to cool off, relax, and be entertained.  Starring the likeable and unlikely pairing of Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani, previews for Stuber look like a modern day take on buddy cop/action/comedies. The premise suggests  48 Hrs meets Collateral.

To say that Stuber failed to meet my expectations/hopes is something of an understatement.

The film largely gets the polar opposites and action parts right and by in large that’s where the entertainment comes from.  However, the comedy aspect falls woefully short.  Most of the jokes range from  dated to unfunny and “land” (proverbially speaking) like a lead balloon.  Sprinkled sparsely among those are a few and far between “ha, that’s amusing,” bits.  With the rare, “oh, that’s funny” to laugh-out-loud punch line.

Bautista and Nanjiani’s characters, Vic and Stu, ( respectively) isn’t anything too taxing to the imagination or intellect and play toward standard 2 dimensional stereotypes.  The film and their interaction consist of the two shouting at each other and arguing about what constitutes a “real” man.  Loud, but boring.

Speaking of boring, with a run time of a mere 1 hr 33 minutes, sitting through this disappointment
should’ve been relatively painless, but it wasn’t.  The pacing of the film, like much of the tone, is off and it drags feeling like it’s much longer.  I was shocked when I looked at my watch afterwards and saw how much time had actually elapsed compared to how it felt.  Never a good sign.

Stuber is one of those films that on paper has the potential to be so much more.  Unfortunately, on the big screen it’s a waste of time, money, and gas.  You’d probably have a better time paying surge pricing for a trip to the dentist for a root canal.  Wait until it’s on cable, you’re sick at home, realize you left the remote on the other side of the room, and feel too crappy to get up to get it to change the channel to see this one.

Because there is a good soundtrack, decent action, and I do like the two leads, I’m giving Stuber and overly generous 3.

Movie Review: Yesterday

In this rom-com director Danny Boyle (Slum Dog Millionaire) follows the trials and tribulations of a struggling artist through the “what if” alternate timeline where The Beatles and their iconic music don’t exist.  An interesting, original, and refreshing premise that should bring a pleasant and needed counter to all the sequels, super heroes, and franchises that traditionally glut the summer movie market.

Needless to say, the soundtrack for this film goes beyond exceptional (I’m sure the rights to the songs alone cost a fortune). Sure to delight and bring a smile to the face of any Beatles’ fan.

The casting of actor Himesh Patel is spot on.  Patel flaunts his singing and playing chops (yes, he really does sing and play throughout the film) in addition to acting to great effect.  Becoming one to keep an eye out for in the process.  More than holding his own with/against Ed Sheeran along the way.  Lily James is sweet, cute, and adorable.  The chemistry with Patel is believable and sells the whole “girl next door” setup between the two and completely unobjectionable.

For me, that’s where Yesterday falls short of its potential.

The premise is there, the questions are presented, but the film plays it safe and doesn’t explore much beyond the traditional rom/com trope of bff’s that are into each other and never say anything, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Even the exploration of the world missing Beatles’ songs (and a number of other things that has disappeared) isn’t delved into too deeply.  Is it the songs themselves, the shared experience against the historical era they sprang from that the world is missing?  Good questions, ones Yesterday doesn’t attempt to answer and so many more.

The story is overall enjoyable, but flat and uninspired.  It also gets long in the tooth.  The last 15 to 20 minutes or so, I was more than ready for the film to come to its inevitable nice, sweet, and predictable ending. 

There’s plenty to like/enjoy about Yesterday and what works really works.  Kate McKinnon and Joel Fry bring the funny in their respective if not stereotypical roles.  I just wanted a little more substance to sink my teeth into on this one.  Middle-of-the-road fare for sure.  Not great, but far from bad.  If you need to get out of the heat for a few hours, check this one out in the theater.  Otherwise, waiting to watch it at home isn’t a bad choice. 

I’m giving this one a 6.

Movie Review: The Lion King (2019)

Twenty-five years after the original animated family classic took the world by storm, Disney under the tutelage of Jon Favreau has released a new “Live-action” animated version.  A polarizing decision without a doubt (I’ve had numerous friends and coworkers ask why? What’s the point? And poo poos the idea of eschewing traditional cartoon animation for realistic animation).  I’m not sure how to respond to all that and I don’t really want to, so I’m not.  For me, loved the original, curious to see what they did this time around and how I’d respond to it.

First and foremost, the cinematography and CGI work in The Lion King (2019) is stunning.  An absolutely amazing job has been done to painstakingly bring the cartoon animated world of The Lion King (1994) to “real” life.  This not only includes the overall look of the film but also frame by frame recreations of key scenes.  Simply amazing.  Th packed audience, both kids and adults (I, included) were all smiling and nodding with approval.

That brings me to the second point, yes, The Lion King (2019) does largely follow the original tale exactly.  However, as noted from the expanded running time of just under two hours, it also expands upon the story.  The film does a wonderful job fleshing out additional character beats, themes, and messaging beyond the original.  Enriching the story with the added layers. 

Thirdly, the music is just as powerful and moving and then some.  With Tim Rice, Elton John, Hans Zimmer, and Pharrell Williams all involved that’s to be expected.  What is an unexpected bonus is the new takes on some of the original along with the new music taking the original soundtrack to the next level.  Yes, you can still sing along and annoy your seat mates in the process, but updated versions of Be Prepared and The Lion Sleeps Tonight also add an entertaining and biting freshness to the soundtrack.

Speaking of bite, The Lion King (2019) certainly contains more than its G-rated predecessor.  The photorealism of the film also brings with it a starker/darker/grittier less kid friendly reality of the story that packs a punch.   The hyenas this time around aren’t cute in anyway, shape, or form.  They’re menacing, vicious, and can be a bit intense/scary for younger/sensitive kids.  I won’t lie, a few times during the initial hyena encounter as well as during the battle for Pride Rock, I was pushing back in my seat and uttering a few “damns” at the intensity of the violence.  While not gory, there’s also a little blood in a scene as Scar happily chomps on an antelope. 

The cast.  It pretty much goes without saying that having James Earl Jones back as the voice of Mufasa is pure awesomeness.  Once again, he doesn’t disappoint.  Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner did admirable jobs as Pumbaa and Timon truly making the characters their own to the extent I got lost in their performances not thinking about Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella.  Eichner really took me by surprised, I usually find him a bit much and can only take him in small doses, but here…nailed it!  John Kani’s Rafiki holds his own with the late, great Robert Guillamume.  Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Scar while lacking the punch of Jeremy Irons tone and sarcasm, more than makes up for it with his straight up obsessive, frustrated, rage.  The lack of subtly goes a long way. 

All told, I found The Lion King (2019) a well done, worthwhile, entertaining remake.  Yes, the original will always have a special place in my heart and memories, but this one certainly didn’t fall from the original’s tree.  In fact, I don’t know if it’s just my advancing age, the photorealistic CGI, the modernized music or what, but I found this version more emotionally impactful than the original.  A couple of times I was fighting back tears.  TLK(2019) is definitely made with a new audience in mind (I ended up next to a young girl that never saw the original and she was going crazy for this version), but also has plenty of appeal for us “older” original viewers as well.  Worth a trip to the theater.  Money and time well spent.  

Hakuna Matata. I’m giving this one a 9.

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Far From Home 

So far, the 2019 crop of movies has been very hit and miss. And the summer box office has sadly been continuing the trend.  I can’t say that I’m desperate, yet, but I certainly need one in the win column.  Spider-Man: Far From Home, In what concludes Marvel’s phase III, seemed like a good bet to turn things around.  While Peter Parker tries to cope in world that has been changed forever post snap or “blip”, I tagged along for the ride.

Going in, I admittedly was worried about Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio.  Something about the character in the trailers was off putting and cheesy, so it took me by surprise that within the first couple of minutes it was actually the soundtrack that had me rolling my eyes and groaning out loud.  No worries peeps, that was a pure kneejerk reaction from me for being exposed to Whitney Houston crooning I Will Always Love You.  I can’t begin to express how much I loathe that song.  Anywho, moving on, it didn’t last long, and I was able to settle in, get into the film, and enjoy myself.  No small feat given that I was feeling sick to the stomach and fighting the urge to spew the entire time.  Insert gripe here: Quick note on etiquette and/or common courtesy, when attending a public event like a movie where you will be in close proximity to others for extended periods of time: basic hygiene is greatly appreciated be it severe b.o.  and/or reeking of pot. I’m just saying.

After End Game there was real risk of the next Marvel film being a bit of a letdown, so while I expected good, I wasn’t necessarily expecting great.  Good thing too, because Far From Home is spectacular.  Marvel in general and Tom Holland in particular hit every chord perfectly in this film.  Having been through the $@#! And then some, the shine of being a superhero has faded, the longing to be a “normal” kid resonates, and the reality of responsibility and choices hits hard.

 

As far as Jake Gyllenhaal’s role, whew!  I’m beyond relieved that Mysterio is masterfully done/played as a fully three dimensional, complex, and more nuanced character than he came across in the trailers.  No spoilers, but damn!  While I did figure out what’s what prior to the “big reveal” it in no way detracted from the story or my enjoyment.

As for the usual suspects: Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon and Jon Favreau, etc. a pure delight having them reprise their roles.

 

Emotionally engaging, thrilling, action packed, humorous, thought provoking, killer CGI, great script, amazing cinematography, and entertaining from start to finish Spider-Man: Far From Home checks all the boxes and is the prefect shot in the arm to cure what ails the summer box office.  The interweaving of previous films/bits and characters is handled beautifully and seamlessly.

I could go on and on about what a great film Spider-Man: Far From Home is, but you’d be better off and happier for hauling yourself off to the movie theater and checking it out for yourself.  A must see in the theater film (the final battle alone is worth the price of admission, flaming Spidey anyone?) that’s not to be missed on the big screen.  A perfect ending for phase III and ooh the possibilities for phase IV.  Speaking of possibilities, once again, I must reiterate, don’t bolt when the credits roll.  You need to stay all the way through for there’s a mid-credit scene and an end credit scene to get the old juices flowing.

It's a 9.5 from me!

Movie Review: Toy Story 4

In 1995 Pixar took us to infinity and beyond with the animated hit Toy Story, now 24 years later they’re not only bringing the successful franchise to an end but ending sequels altogether.  With this in mind along with the declaration of former studio head John Lasseter that a fourth film would only be made if it is as good or better than its predecessors there are some big expectations for getting Toy Story 4 right.

As expected with Pixar, the animation is spectacular, amazing attention to detail, the voice casting top notch (including all possible original cast members), and a Randy Newman soundtrack.  So far, so good.  Sadly, Toy Story 4 doesn’t go much beyond that and falls short of the mark of being “as good or better” than its predecessors.

While not a bad film, I did enjoy it, I didn’t love it. Honestly, I didn’t really “feel” this one.  After each prior film had me fully invested in the characters and stories, Toy Story 3 had me sobbing on three occasions alone, Toy Story 4 doesn’t pack much of an emotional punch.  I wanted it to, but there’s an underlying “meh”ness about it. 

Having no less than 8 different credited writers may be the beginning of the problem.  There are numerous plots/themes, so the story is pulled in too many different directions without one true unifying focus.  Also, with the multiple storylines none of them get completely fleshed out given the limited running time and you feel a bit cheated on each account.

Also adding to my disappointment is the very limited screen time given to most of the old gang, especially given that this is their last outing.  Buzz, Jessie, Hamm, Rex, etc. are regulated to background characters that with the exception of Buzz don’t even make it out of the RV for the film.  Even the return of Bo Peep largely takes a back seat.  As for the new characters, Gabby Gabby is a so-so villain and Forky quickly became Pixar’s Jar Jar Binks for me.  Okay in small doses, but not really adding anything to the overall storyline. 

Speaking of storyline, there’s a lack of heart and soul in this go ‘round, no doubt due to the lack of cohesiveness with the characters as well as the story.  There’s also a lack of fun and humor.  There are some cute moments and even a few laugh-out-loud ones, but they’re few and far between.  This is the first Toy Story film I’ve watched in a crowded theater where there were long periods of absolute silence, even from the kids.  The stakes aren’t very high either, tempering the tension making an underwhelming viewing experience.

All told, and as much as I hate to say it, Toy Story 4 is a disappointment.  The lack of charm, magic, heart, and soul is actually depressing.  So much so, I put off writing this review for several hours in hopes I might find the silver lining.  Well, two loads of laundry later, I admit defeat.  I heard someone say they’re going to pretend Toy Story 4  doesn’t exist, while I’m not willing to go that far, I’m not going to recommend you make any great effort to see it in the theater (unless you have a kid that won’t be denied).  Toy Story 4 is an unnecessary addition/sequel in the franchise.  Easily my least favorite of the Toy Story films.  I’m giving this one a 5 and I’m probably being a bit generous with that.

Oh, yeah, if you do go to this one, there's an additional scene during the credits.

Movie Review: Men In Black International   

It’s been 22 years (yes 22 years!) since Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith kicked off our summer movie season by introducing us to the world of Men In Black, and their mission to protect the Earth from the intergalactic scum of the universe.  Today, it’s Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson turn in this, the fourth film in the franchise.  This time around our intrepid MIB agents simultaneously narrow and expand the agency’s scope by taking things international as they search for a mole within the organization.

Sounds like a pretty good storyline.  And it is.  Unfortunately, writers Matt Holloway, Art Marcum, and Lowell Cunningham didn’t bother going beyond the “idea” for a storyline.  Instead of a fully fleshed out script, complete with story/character arcs/development Men in Black International comes across as a first or second pass outline against the background of a couple of key plot points.  In other words, MiBI is all sizzle, no steak.

The first half hour or so just lays there as what serves as the film’s setup plays out.  They’ve managed to strike the very unusual balance of the movie dragging (as you wait for something to happen) and flying by too fast (actually give us some details about the who, what, where, when, and why instead of glossing over them).  The lack of character development leaves you watching “pretty people” you don’t care about or have any vested interested in (beyond eye candy), doing stuff for some vague reason, and lots of cool gadgets and tech.  Results? A standard franchise sequel that looks to cash in on its predecessor(s) success/nostalgia instead of truly developing, expanding, and elevating both the film in general and the franchise as a whole. 

Even with that being the case, I gotta say, I enjoyed MiBI a helluva lot more than Dark Phoenix. 

Hemsworth and Thompson do the best they can, but as mentioned previously, without anything for them to sink their teeth into the film just lays there.  Especially between action sequences.  The chemistry between them just isn’t there and the dialogue feels stiff and awkward to forced.  Not much for Thor/Valkyrie moments here.  Too bad. As for Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson they aren’t given much of an opportunity to have an impact on the film.  They’re largely reduced to bookends this go around.

The sparseness of the plot also serves to make the film’s “twists” less than twisty with their predictability.  Even having missed out on my nap, I’d figured out who the mole is as well as a couple other key points within the first ten to fifteen minutes. I’d probably would’ve figured them out sooner if I wasn’t so tired.

So, is Men in Black International a complete dud?  Complete?  No.

I’d say MiBI is standard big budget, Hollywood fare. 

Not great, but not bad. Mindless, easily digestible entertainment wrapped heavily in CGI goodness.  Not as humorous as expected, but one true gem is in Kumail Nanjiani’s voiceover work as Pawny.  This summers’ equivalent of baby Groot (with a more extensive vocabulary).  Pawny’s adorable as all get out (yes, I want one).  Sassy and funny as hell, he makes the movie for me.

Was I disappointed with Men in Black International? That’s a definite yes.  The film has the potential to being so much more, but it feels like no one really wanted to put much effort into the endeavor.  Was I sorry I went? No, it was a couple of hours of air-conditioned comfort, looking at Chris Hemsworth, hanging out with my sister and niece (hi guys!).  I had fun and, on that front, MiBI was a winner for me.  Do I recommend you rush to the theater to check it out?  Since I wasn’t neuralized to think otherwise… Nope.  

This is a Redbox, stream, premium channel kinda film that gives you something to look at when there’s nothing else on.  It’s a 5 from me.