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Reviews
Cruella (2021)
Maybe Disney can still make unique films
Of all the evil witches, monsters, dictators, and homicidal maniacs that populated classic Disney animation, Cruella Deville might be the most hated. Sure, she never had plans for world domination and she never even tried to murder another human, but she did the one thing that film audiences can never forgive: she tried to kill puppies. It's for this reason that I've been so skeptical about this film, an origin story that attempts to humanize this character by shedding new light on her turbulent past. The cast sounded stacked and Craig Gillespie is a director I've admired ever since "Lars and the Real Girl," but was it possible to tell a sympathetic, Disney-fied story about someone we know will wind up a would-be dog killer?
Well, the answer is yes and no, but mostly yes. Before I praise this film for being such an unexpected gem, let me get the couple of problems I have with it out of the way. First and foremost, without giving any spoilers, I never get the true sense that Cruella is as pure evil as she's supposed to be by the time we get to 101 Dalmatians. She's definitely no hero by any means, but there's not a point where I feel the audience will stop rooting for her. The only other complaint is that there's a bit of a tonal inconsistency at times, as if the film doesn't quite know its target audience. It's certainly not for children, not only is it dark and mature but it's so much of a character study that young kids would be bored, yet there are certain occasions that feature very "cartoonish" logic that adults will have to suspend a lot of disbelief over.
But on to the good, and the first point of praise is the cast. Emma Stone is absolutely brilliant in this role, and you can just sense that she's having the time of her life playing it. Almost just as amazing is Emma Thompson as the vile Baroness, and when the two are onscreen together the chemistry between the rivals is electric. As far as the supporting cast goes, there really isn't a weak link to be found, with a particular stand out in Paul Walter Hauser who is hilarious as the dimwitted thief Horace. As for Gillespie's direction, the film is beautifully shot and he brings the same stylistic energy he brought to "I,Tonya" though it's greatly enhanced here due to the 1970s punk rock aesthetic of the film. This leads me to the soundtrack, which is not only pure awesomeness, but is used to turn Cruella's story into an almost allegory for the transition of London music scene in the late 60s-early 70s.
I could go on and on about the individual components that make this film work, but the truth is what really makes it work is how well these individual parts come together in a seamless fashion (no pun intended). In another time perhaps I might be more critical, but honestly it's been a while since I've seen such a major studio blockbuster, especially one based on an established property, that feels like it's actually the unaltered vision of a filmmaker. The story, the cast, the music, the style, everything all fits together to make something truly satisfying. That's how movies are supposed to be made, and with that I give this my first strong recommend of 2021.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
Decent throwback action movie that needed a different star
Let's get one thing out of the way, while Angelina Jolie is a good actress and is fully capable of believably playing many different parts, smoke jumper is not one of them. That's not to say this is an otherwise believable film, it's full of plenty of action cliches, but it takes a ridiculous suspension of disbelief to believe someone who clearly only weighs about 110-120 lbs has a job that in real life is only available to those who can pass rigorous athletic strength testing. Politics all aside, this would have been a role better suited for a Gina Carano type.
If, however, you can get past that as well as the previously mentioned heavy cliches of the genre (drunk guilt ridden hero, odd couple hit men antagonists, etc.), then it's a fairly enjoyable film, though a fair bit under par when measured up with Taylor Sheridan's past work. The story doesn't attempt to break any ground and the cgi is standard at best, but the protagonists are all likable enough to keep rooting for and the antagonists, while never properly fleshed out, have their own decent entertainment value. All in all, it's not something I would recommend paying to see, but if you already have HBO max and just want a fun action adventure to turn off your brain and enjoy, then I'd recommend clicking play as it's not a bad way to spend an hour and a half.
Unhinged (2020)
Go in with the right expectations
I don't usually say this, but most of the bad reviews here are almost certainly trolling. Oh my, a trashy 90 minute action thriller contains unrealistic situations? How could they?! I think this movie was unfairly the target of scathing criticism that doesn't usually befall this genre simply because it was one of the few theatrical releases during peak pandemic lockdowns, which automatically put people against it. It also does something that modern audiences seem to be offended by, which is to take real themes of social unrest and, rather than give you a heavy handed message, simply use them as the backdrop for a simple hour and a half thrill ride with over the top scenarios. I guess I'm just old enough to remember the 90s-00s when movies like this came out every week, and while they were never high art, they were usually a pretty entertaining way to pass an evening. What sets this film above most of those ,though, is Russell Crowes convincing performance as a truly "unhinged" villain, a broken shell of a man who has traded any semblance of humanity in to become nothing more than a catalyst of rage. As for the other actors, who are very few, I'll admit there's nothing special, but I never went into this movie expecting Oscar bait. I give it a soft recommend, especially if you find it on a streaming service and just want to turn if you brain for a while.
The Little Things (2021)
Good performances and a few unique twists make up for mediocre pacing
Let me begin by saying that I can see why this was a January release, even before the HBO deal. This is is the type of film that isn't mainstream enough to appeal to mass audiences, nor is it socially conscious enough to draw praise and attention from professional critics. Plain and simple, it's a pulpy slow burn detective story, so much so that I was surprised to learn it wasn't based on an existing crime novel. There really isn't much to say about the plot without giving spoilers other than a seasoned and psychologically scarred veteran cop returns to duty to help a young hotshot detective solve a case involving a serial killer. Yes, the same type of story you've seen a thousand times, and honestly for the first third of the film it seems to be just another solid attempt at the age old trope. Somewhere around the time that Jared Leto's character comes into play, you get a sense that something is going to be different than you expect, as the obvious conclusions of where it's going begin to seem too obvious. After that, the audience is treated to a string of twists, some slightly predictable and others pretty original. I found the overall storyline decent, but it has severe pacing issues, especially toward the beginning, where what is supposed to feel like a slow burn drifts more into wheel spinning territory. But this movie lives and does on its performances, and that's what truly elevates it above an average crime film. Denzel steals the show, there's no doubt about it, as he plays the older, wiser, yet still unhinged and dangerous part that he has perfected. Rami Malek is good too, but he has the unenviable role of being the "straight man" between Denzel and the astoundingly creepy Leto, who gives one of his best performances in years as a character who keeps you guessing on whether or not he's a truly demented monster or just an average creepy guy who is too into true crime stories. To be honest, it's the type of movie where you can just watch the trailer and know whether or not it's for you, so if it looked at all intriguing, I recommend as a good way to spend two hours.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
A beautifully cheesy 80s movie that just happened to be released in 2020
Ignore the bad reviews, they're mostly just angry that this didn't attempt to hammer down the propaganda that superheroes are all really "dark and mature." Well that, and I'm sure more than a few are disappointed that this didn't make the overt political statements many proclaimed it would in pre release. No, instead what we got was not only a 1980s setting, but a fun little throwback to the urban fantasy adventure films that dominated that era, albeit with a lot of CGI imagery added in.
Without giving spoilers, the plot is basically what you get from the trailers. Diana mysteriously reconnects with Steve, socially awkward Barbara develops powers that alter her status in life, and sleazy business man Max Lord works behind the scenes in attempt to live up to the chip on his shoulder, with sinister consequences. Again, without spoiling anything, the plot is predictable and you'll probably figure out what's going on long before the characters do. But that's the thing, it was never intended to be a mystery. From the opening sequence, we're given the tone of exactly what's to come, and if you accept that and picture that you're watching an actual movie from 1984, you'll have a hell of a good time.
I think a lot of people are mad at the lack of political referendum. Yes, Wonder Woman is an important feminist icon, that doesn't mean every story she's involved in has to be about breaking the glass ceiling or standing up to a metoo metaphor, female heroes can have other exciting adventures. Yes, Max Lord is an over the top mega capitalist, that doesn't mean he has to be a Donald Trump caricature. Sometimes we just want to go to the movies and watch heroes be heroes, and I can't think of a better example this holiday season, or even this entire year, of a film that gives us just that. If you want a good time that the whole family can enjoy, I strongly recommend giving WW84 a shot.
A Christmas Carol (2019)
A classic redemption story adapted by writers who clearly don't believe in redemption.
I remember seeing trailers for this and thinking it what be amazing. It boasted a talented cast and I'm usually a fan of the dark, R rated takes on classic stories that have popped up over the last decade. And to be fair, the negative reviews that focused solely on their disgust at the R rated material have little merit, as it was clearly advertised to be for mature audiences. But, man, is there plenty of other stuff to criticize here...
I typically have no objections to the idea of putting modern sensibilities into historical fiction, especially one with themes as timeless as Dickens's novel, but it can't be on the nose politicization else you risk compromising the moral of the story, which is exactly what happened here. A Christmas Carol is supposed to be about the goodness of humanity prevailing over our own internal corruption, the classic tale that it's never too late to change your ways. Yes Ebenezer is a vile man who lived a life of inexcusable meanness, but the point was that even his soul could be redeemed with a little help from the powers of spirit and some genuine kindness and forgiveness. At least when Dickens wrote it.
Here, we get a heavy handed MeToo allegory about a man who has done wrong merely facing spiritual punishment, sans any redemption or enlightenment. Gone is the uplifting story of a dark soul finding the light and making peace with the good people he hurt in the past, mainly because the writers, along with most of Twitter, don't believe in redeeming dark souls. Yes, Scrooge still realizes the error of his ways, but rather than make amends and become a force of joy and happiness in the lives of those he wronged, he simply accepts that he must be exiled for his actions. Perhaps it's a sad reflection on a society that only values damnation, with no room for growth, forgiveness, and redemption, the three main themes of Dickens's novel.
In short, if you want a more modern update of A Christmas Carol, I would just go rewatch Scrooged.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Still the lowest point of the saga
I've been a Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember, and I owe part of that undoubtedly to being a kid as the prequels were being released. This being the case, The Phantom Menace is actually the first episode of the franchise I ever saw, and I credit it for making me want to dive further into the universe. However, even as a child, once I learned of the complicated episode order and saw the originals and the then-new Attack of the Clones, Episode I always stuck out as the weakest link, a sentiment that had remained with me throughout the completion of the prequels and even as an adult watching the polarizing sequels. Though I can't hate it as an essential part of the saga I love, this simply isn't a good film.
First off, I'll get the parts I like out of the way. For a film released in 1999, the visual effects are nothing short of a great cinematic achievement, and that shouldn't be forgotten despite their dated appearance today. Liam Neeson's Qui Gon Jinn is a welcome addition to the saga as a very untraditional Jedi master, who isn't afraid to ask the tough questions about the nature of the Force. Ewan McGregor also shines as a young Obi Wan Kenobi, though since he gets so little to do here it is merely a glimpse of what he will do in future films. And of course, the climactic lightsaber fight between these two and Ray Park's Darth Maul is one of, if not the, best of the franchise. Which leads me to things I dislike...
Darth Maul is not a great character in this film, and he should be. I know the cartoons and books have retconned this, but from this film alone, he does absolutely nothing until the end. Instead, our big recurring villains are a couple of bumbling green aliens and an exceptionally incompetent droid army, which makes the threat level seem nonexistent until our main characters remind us through dialogue that they're in danger. It's a far cry from the looming presence of Darth Vader and the Death Star of the original. Speaking of Darth Vader, Lucas makes the bizarre choice to portray the future villain as a 9 year old child, and a very annoying one at that. He should be our main protagonist, but he doesn't even enter the picture until act two and the story comes to a screeching halt for a good 45 minutes. Not even the pod race, though technically impressive, can resuscitate the pace. Finally the biggest issue is of course Jar Jar Binks, and I'd rather not talk about him, as everything I could say has already been said. He may possibly be Lucas's most bizarre (and terrible) idea in this entire trilogy of bizarre ideas.
In the end, Episode I is really only enjoyable to Star Wars fans as the opening prologue of our beloved saga, but on its own, it's a pretty bad movie. Plagued by pacing issues, lack of a central protagonist, lack of a clear threat, wooden acting, and some very, very strange attempts at humor, this is easily the hardest Star Wars movie to sit through. I give it a 6/10 only because despite its flaws, it's still an important chapter of the franchise, and it offers a few moments that remind me why I love Star Wars so much. It's comforting to know on a rewatch that the future only gets better.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Awesome Mix, Volume 2
When I first saw Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, I had never heard of the team before and was only watching it because I was a Marvel fan. Ironically, 3 years later Guardians is about the only MCU series I even bother keeping up with any more(not that I don't like the others, I just kind of got burnt out after 15+ films all trying to tie in). I was nervous, because what made the first film so memorable to me was how much it's quality and humor surprised me, something which I was sure Vol. 2 would try and fail to recreate, as many sequels to surprise smash hits tend to do. However, director James Gunn has surprised me once again, taking the Guardians into new territory in a film filled with top notch action, impressive visuals, and gut splitting humor in a storyline that is refreshingly original.
I was worried after seeing the trailers that this would ultimately be an attempt to catch lightning twice by basically repeating the first film with new jokes. But the trailers are pretty misleading(which is always a good thing with sequels) because the plot that they reveal is really only the first act of the film, including the spoiler character reveal at the end of the last trailer. This is where the viewers I think will be polarized, because after the fairly conventional first act Vol. 2 becomes a very different film than the original. I won't go into the villains, of which the film has multiple, because it's unclear who will be the main antagonist until the plot reveals it, bringing the film's multiple threads together.
Although the plot was well written, what truly makes this movie work, much like the first, is the characters. In true sequel fashion, we see the core group split up for a large portion of the film, but the side characters are so well written that it is just as enjoyable to see our team interact with them as it is when they interact with each other. It also allows each character to expand their arc rather than just playing their respective parts on the team. The humor is excellent throughout, and it seems to have gotten even more adult oriented this time around, with many hilarious, not so subtle sexual innuendos making the audience laugh out loud.
All in all, if you enjoyed the first film then I cannot see how the second part could be any less entertaining to you. With top notch humor, an engaging story, and beautiful special effects, Guardians 2 provides a great escape to a pop culture savvy corner of the Galaxy that we all wish to visit again and again.
P.S. if you enjoyed Michael Rooker's hilarious redneck space pirate Yondu the first time around, I'll go as far as saying he's the MVP in this installment.