A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire.
Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Cast: Alisha Weir, Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use.
Runtime:1h 49m
Review:
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett's Abigail might be a little light on scares but it more than makes up for it with its fun, over the top energy and a game cast that make it one of the funniest horror comedies in recent memory. The directing duo recapture the energy that worked so well in their 2019 breakout, Ready or Not, with a bloody blend of cartoonish characters and increasingly outrageous dark comedy which plays like a mash up of Reservoir Dogs and From Dusk till Dawn. Those expecting anything new or terribly deep will be left disappointed since neither the story nor characters are fairly thin and straightforward. Thankfully, this is the kind of film that doesn't really require much from either, especially with an ensemble cast that's having as much fun as the directors are. Melissa Barrera is steady in the lead role, playing it straight for the majority of the film even as things get gorier and bloodier. The supporting cast is made up of familiar faces that are clearly relishing the chance to lean into the characters personas. Dan Stevens delivers another strong performance as a NY cop turned criminal, further proving his ability to morph into anybody onscreen. Kathryn Newton, in full Avril Lavigne cosplay, is great fun as the ditzy tech nerd of the group who gets some of the film's best lines. Kevin Durand brings a goofy likability to his meat head muscle highlighted by some solid chemistry with Newton. Angus Cloud, in his final screen performance, gets a few moments early on but his screen time is fairly brief, much like Giancarlo Esposito, in the grand scheme of things. Alisha Weir, who plays the kidnapped tween ballerina, really shines throughout as she shuffles between tween and ancient ghoul with incredible ease. She possesses a confidence onscreen that makes the film work far better than it would have been in lesser hands. Abigail stumbles a bit in the final act where you get the sense a few bits could have been excised to make for a leaner experience. It’s a minor issue and something that's easy to overlook once the film wraps up its goofy, gory trek that's sure to leave plenty of people smiling.
Godzilla and the almighty Kong face a colossal threat hidden deep within the planet, challenging their very existence and the survival of the human race.
Director: Adam Wingard
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen
Release Date: March 29, 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated PG-13 for creature violence and action.
Runtime: 1h 54m
Review:
Adam Wingard's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire brings a massive amount of kaiju action to the big screen in a big dumb, popcorn film that keeps the focus on the central monsters. Those looking for any sort of deep story from the human side of the film will likely be disappointed with them serving as little more than afterthoughts primarily used for exposition dumps. Rebecca Hall, returning from the previous entry, does what she can with her paper thin character. Hall, to her credit, doesn't phone it in as she clearly enjoying herself throughout regardless of how ridiculous the dialogue or action is while also managing to squeezing out every bit of emotional connection possible with Kaylee Hottle. Brian Tyree Henry also returns as the chatter box conspiracy podcaster taking care of most of the comic relief along with Dan Stevens. Stevens brings his charismatic energy from the moment he pops up on screen, chewing up scenery with impressive enthusiasm. Of course this is all secondary to the monster mayhem Wingard unleashes onscreen as he creates his version of 1968's Destroy All Monsters battle royal. He delivers a series of expansive and inventive battles for the titan's conflict with a weightless kaiju battle in the film's final act leaving an impression. This entry is focused more on Kong's side of the story as he searches for a community after his extended isolation. He's joined by an adopted mini Kong for large spurts of the film and they manage to create a surprisingly enduring relationship even in the mist of all the CGI action. Those looking for more Godzilla action might be a little disappointed since he's more of a secondary character here even though he gets to dole out his fair share of destruction. The action isn't concerned with collateral damage in anyway shape or form as cities are destroyed left and right throughout. Wingard is fully aware of what kind of film he's making with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and those looking for epic kaiju battles are sure to leave happy.
My dear reader(s): In my attempt to wallow in holiday revelry until they drag me kicking and screaming back to work on Tuesday, on New Year's Eve I checked out an older (but new to me) holiday flick, the Man Who Invented Christmas.
Spoiler level here will be mild.
Charles Dickens juggles family and artistic struggles while writing a Christmas Carol.
The Man Who Invented Christmas intertwines fantasy with reality, as characters from the story Dickens is writing appear in a real world where he's fighting both family and professional difficulties. Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens leads a cast of familiar faces through the serviceable story. The trailer sells the film as a comedy, which it isn't, but it's entertaining enough despite not feeling very Christmasey until the very end.
The Man Who Invented Christmas clocks in at 104 minutes and is rated PG for "thematic elements and some mild language."
It's not the most festive holiday film around, but the Man Who Invented Christmas is an engaging tale that will help you keep the spirit of the season alive. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Man Who Invented Christmas gets five.
The Man Who Invented Christmas is now streaming on Prime.
Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their
seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should
have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister.
Director: Dave Franco
Cast: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby
Huss
Release Date: July 24, 2020
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Rated R for violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexuality
Runtime: 1h 29min
Review:
Dave Franco’s debut film is polished but inconsistent.Franco does a good job of setting up the
interpersonal dynamics which gives us a palatable sense of tension from the get
go.He lets it simmer until it comes to boil
in the final act with gruesome results.Unfortunately, most horror fans will see most twist coming a mile away
and it’s ultimately a retread of countless home terror type films like The
Strangers.Still a strong cast led by
the ever reliable Dan Stevens keeps the whole thing watchable.He and his cast have great chemistry together
which makes these characters feel like living breathing people and not just
fodder for the meat grinder.This gives
the film an air of authenticity that makes it easier to overlook some of the
story’s shortcomings.Those horror fans
looking for something super gruesome or supernatural will be left wanting
because this film is solely focused on the terrible things people do which
ultimately might be scarier than anything.
Two small-town singers chase their pop star dreams
at a global music competition, where scheming rivals, high stakes and onstage
mishaps test their bond.
Director: David Dobkin
Cast: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Demi
Lovato
Release Date: June 26, 2020
Genres: Comedy, Music
Rated PG-13 for crude sexual material including full nude sculptures,
some comic violent images, and language
Runtime: 2h 3min
Review:
There are a few things that’ll make you much more disposed to enjoying
Will Ferrell’s latest farce. If you’re a
fan of Ferrell’s man child shtick and euro pop music you’ll probably find
plenty to love in loving send up of the famed singing contest. The film radiates some strong Zoolander vibes
from the start even if it never quite reaches that film’s heights. It’s a zany vibe from the start and director
David Dobkin embraces the silliness which includes things like elves and a
charred protector ghost and those aren’t even major story threads. Unfortunately the film could have used some
trimming here and there; it appears to be an issue with Netflix produced films
all around. There’s zero reason this
type of film should be 2 hours long and while it only drag in spots it would
have benefited from some savvy edits. As
is the film have some really funny portion like an after party that turns into
a Eurovision cameo fest and central performance that goes horribly wrong. Ferrell and McAdams make for a fun duo and both
work off each other really well. This
film is right in Ferrell’s wheelhouse so it’s hardly a surprise but McAdams
continues to show off some impressive comedic talents which is kind of hard to
believe considering her early rom-com film roles. Both are obviously have a great time but Dan
Stevens nearly steals the show as their friendememy. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire
Sage is kind of escapism lark you need occasionally especially during
particular time in history. It doesn’t
bring much new to the table but its funny enough to make for an enjoyable
watch.
Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directed this live-action retelling of the Disney
animated classic from 1991. As before, this fairy tale centers on a young woman
named Belle (Emma Watson), who is forced to live in an enchanted castle with a
prince who is cursed to look like a hideous Beast (Dan Stevens). In time, the
pair fall in love as Belle learns to see the good man hiding behind the Beast's
monstrous exterior. The film co-stars Luke Evans as Gaston, Ewan McGregor as Lumière,
Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ian McKellen as Cosgworth, Kevin Kline as Belle's
father, and Josh Gad as Gaston's sidekick LeFou. ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi
Director: Bill Condon
Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad,
Ewan McGregor
Release Date: Mar
17, 2017
Rated PG for Peril, Frightening Images and Some Action
Violence
The live action Beauty and The Beast hits all the right
notes both figuratively and literally but it still feels like it’s missing
something.Bill Condon does a fine job
of directing the film delivering lavish musical numbers and a cornucopia of
visual treats.His cast is excellent
with Emma Watson sliding into the Belle role with great easy.Her voice isn’t quiet as strong as the role
needs it to be but she’s still a great choice for the role.Dan Stevens is solid if uninspired as the
Beast which is a shame considering he’s a strong actor.It doesn’t help that the CGI on the Beast is
thoroughly unconvincing.The rest of the
CGI characters are well done which makes the misstep on one of the main
characters all the more puzzling.Ewan
McGregor stands our as Lumière as does Emma Thompson.As for the rest of the live action cast, Luke
Evans and Josh Gad make for a great duo which is helped by the fact that they
are clearly have a great time.All in
all, the live action version of the film is strong across the board even though
it could have used a bit of a trim here there.Unfortunately, it never really finds itself and it really makes you want
to revisit the original animated film.
Dearest Blog: Today it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the live-action remake of Disney's classic, Beauty and the Beast.
Spoiler level here will be...oh, who am I kidding? Everybody knows how this turns out.
A selfish prince is turned into a hideous beast by a curse that can only be lifted by his learning to love and be loved.
Dear Reader(s), other than Pirates of the Caribbean and that awesome old Robin Hood cartoon, I'm not really a Disney super-fan. If you want to know how the current imagining of Beauty and the Beast stacks up against the much-loved animated version (which I failed to revisit, despite my best intentions), you're going to have to look elsewhere. That out of the way...
The new Beauty and the Beast gets just about everything right. Emma Watson is a delight in the lead. She hasn't got the strongest singing voice, but she's gifted with numbers that aren't much beyond your average shower performer, getting by on her natural charm, beauty, and ever-growing acting chops. As for the Beast, well, casting a handsome devil like Dan Stevens in a role where you hardly see his face has to be a black mark on a film's permanent record, but Stevens' charisma is never hidden by his beastly facade. The cast's true gems are in its supporting players. Luke Evans, Josh Gad, and the divine Audra McDonald use their musical theater cred to steal the show, and the number "Gaston" (featuring Evans and Gad) is easily the highlight of the picture. Some interior scenes are a bit too dark (a by-product of seeing a 3D product in 2D), but the movie's glorious sets are otherwise on full, stunning display. Costumes are also top notch. Seeing Emma in that iconic yellow dress tugged at even my Grinch-sized heart. For my money, the movie's only serious flaws are bland tunes (I daresay most don't share that opinion) and the fact it could use about a 20-minute trim, but a good--if predictable--story, fun action, and solid humor more than compensate for these minor quibbles.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast runs 129 minutes and is rated PG for "some action violence, peril, and frightening images."
The live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast is magic for old and new fans alike.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, Beauty and the Beast gets seven and a half.
Fangirl points: The Goddess Audra! My beloved Luke Evans!
Dearest Blog, yesterday it was off to the pictures for my first
double-header in awhile. Before a final screening of summer's most fun
flick, Guardians of the Galaxy, I had a look at Liam Neeson's latest, A
Walk Among the Tombstones.
Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.
An ex-cop working as an unlicensed P.I. hunts a woman's killers.
A
Walk Among the Tombstones looks a lot like an old TV cop show. It's set
against the harshest, ugliest parts of New York, in that gloomy bit of
the year when the leaves have dropped but the snow hasn't yet fallen.
Though the lack of color sets an appropriately morose tone, the movie is
not without its lighter moments, most of which hit the right mark,
lifting the mood without derailing it.
Liam Neeson does what Liam Neeson
does best, ensuring you leave the theatre thinking you never, EVER want
to face a crisis without him. The solid supporting cast features
Downton Abbey heartthrob Dan Stevens in a VERY different role from
Matthew Crawley, Sebastian Roche (who will ever be Law & Order's
C-Square to me!), and the precocious Brian "Astro" Bradley. The story
has enough twists and turns to keep you interested, without being so
long or overly complicated that it bogs down.
A Walk Among the
Tombstones clocks in at 113 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence,
disturbing images, language, and brief nudity." It may not be
especially memorable, but it's an entertaining, well-crafted thriller
that easily holds your attention.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, A Walk Among the Tombstones gets seven.