Movie Review: Good Boys 

The movie slum continues as we await the Fall releases.  So, when a coworker saw Good Boys and said, “It’s pretty funny,” I decided to give it a viewing.  With the team behind Superbad and Sausage Party lead by Seth Rogen behind it, I figured I had a decent shot at being entertained for an hour and a half.

Let’s be honest, Good Boys isn’t for everyone.  It’s nothing too deep or challenging and is basically just dumb.  Raunchy, dumb, fun.  It’s fair to classify it as a pint-sized Superbad from start to finish.  Extreme situational comedy, but not over the top.  The humor for me, however, is a mixed bag of unevenness.  Maybe it’s just me (other audience members were shrieking with laughter from start to finish) I on the other hand felt some of the “humor” didn’t land, other bits were “one chuckle through the nose amusing”, and then you had some real laugh-out-loud hilarity, sometimes all in one scene.  Not quite the emotional roller coaster I was looking for.  Maybe it was just me, but I feel like a have a good sense of humor normally, and this one just didn't hit the ole funny bone as often as it should.

The kids are watchable, relatable and not annoying for the most part.  But, once again, there are also quite a few cringe worthy acting moments that beg for another take.  After a slow start the pacing hits a good stride, and the soundtrack is without a doubt my favorite part of the film. 

While I did find Good Boys amusing, can’t really categorize it as entertaining.  Yes, there are some real gems sprinkled throughout the film, but the inconsistencies, predictability, and cliches are too many to over come.  Overall not a terrible film, just not that great.  Most of the funny you see in the previews and for the rest you’re better off waiting to watch at home.  I’m giving Good Boys a 5 and hope that Seth Rogen and company put a little more into their next effort.

Movie Review: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

The 2019 film season continues to be less than stellar for me so I haven’t been excited enough about the current film offerings to make the effort to hit the theaters.  The constant reminders that I haven’t posted anything recently had me put out a call for suggestions.  Shout out to Robert Howard for heeding the call and suggesting Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.  With another week of brutal temps ahead and Guillermo del Toro being involved in the screenplay, sounds like the perfect time to hit the theater.

First things first, Scary Stories certainly isn’t breaking any new ground or moving the horror genre forward into some new territory.  It’s quite predictable and familiar to even the most casual of horror viewers.  Nonetheless, after a somewhat slow start, this 108 minute period film delivers on entertainment and is visually rich and acts as a cautionary tale against trespassing, breaking & entering, petty larceny, and eating food that miraculously appears in your refrigerator.  Not to mention leaving suspect reading material alone.

With the exception of Dean Norris all the principle actors are unknown to me.  The young cast was fine and their acting serviceable (they avoided the lame/obnoxious kid trap thankfully), but overall nothing to get overly excited about.  Best acting moment for me is the laugh-out-loud one liner by Chief Turner.  Made the film for me.

No, the real joy of Scary Stories definitely lies in the CGI work and the creatures.  They deliver next level creepy and take the spine tingling in this PG-13 film to the next level.  They have del Toro written all over them and they doesn’t disappoint.  Great adaptations of the original source material.

A little more dark/scary than Goosebumps, not as scary as IT, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark falls somewhere in between on the “jack up some kids” scale.  Not a bad way to get out of the heat and spend some time in the movie theater.  Glad I went, and thanks again for the recommendation Robert.  I’m giving this one a 7.5 and look forward to the sequel.

Movie Review: Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

With the almost universal exception of Tokyo Drift I’m a big fan of the Fast and Furious franchise.  I’m not a gearhead by any stretch of the imagination, however, I do enjoy the flashy, expensive cars I can never afford or drive (stick is not my friend), the over-the-top/one upmanship of the films along with the increasingly ridiculous “heists”/stunts, all against the backdrop of the ride or die nature of family (both born into as well as chosen).  Being a fan of the three principal male actors (I haven’t had much exposure to Vanessa Kirby) and wanting to desperately break my movie slump (2019 has not been kind to my movie viewing) I’ve been anxious to see what’s been done with the first (no doubt of many) franchise spinoffs.  The idea of  Idris Elba as “Black Superman” going up against Dwayne Johnson(Hobbs) and Jason Statham (Shaw), meant I couldn’t get my butt into a theater seat fast enough.

If you’re a fan of the Fast and Furious films, then you’re in luck.  Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw fits perfectly within the franchise and the expectations that go with those film. Adrenaline pumping action sequences/chases, brutal knock down drag out fights, humor, heart, self-awareness winks and nods, cool cars and tech, the continued underlying theme of family throughout, and just enough of a plot to hold things together without taxing your brain too heavily for the 2-hour 15 minutes run. 

With the Fast and Furious formula firmly in place Hobbs & Shaw isn’t anything new, but definitely delivers plenty of bang and entertainment for the buck.  Quick and even pacing keeps the film moving so it never drags.  The strategic placing of the heartfelt/emotional/dramatic elements keeps you interested and invested in the characters without impeding the good stupid fun the film offers.  There’s even a couple of unexpected casting choices that delight. Way to keep a secret and have it pay off.

Speaking of casting.  The boys, Johnson, Statham, and Elba all deliver and they’re a blast to watch. Not really surprising.  The Johnson/Statham chemistry continues to build and deliver from their Fate of the Furious outing.  As for Vanessa Kirby, kudos!  She not only keeps up with, but often takes over and leads the boys with their toys, making sure she’s anything but a damsel in distress.  Her “Hattie” unlike many of the females in the Fast and Furious franchise refuses to play second fiddle and the film is better off for it.  Kirby’s a smart, sassy, sexy, competent, bad@$$ and she never lets anyone forget it, most of all the audience.

Kicking soundtrack including the perfectly themed song performed by Aloe Blacc featured on Songland. Solid CGI.  Good cinematography and editing.  All round things out and make Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw a perfect summer popcorn film.  It’s got some heavy themes, but never gets too bogged down or serious.  There’s good character continuation and development that elevate this film and will no doubt play into the main franchise and other spinoffs.  Hobbs & Shaw is a big, loud, over-the-top, somewhat dumb Hollywood film, done right.  It delivers on fun, self-awareness, and entertainment. Setting up the spinoff franchise perfectly. 

I was looking for a movie win and Hobbs & Shaw delivered in explosive fashion.  I’ll certainly be adding this to the old movie collection and look forward to many repeat viewings. Do yourself a favor, hit the theater, sit back and enjoy this one for what it is.  It’s far from Citizen Kane, but it gets a 10 from me.

Oh, and do stick around through the ENTIRE credits.  Most people didn’t and missed all 3 bonus scenes not to mention more kicking music.

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.