Cindy Prascik's Review of Barbie

 

My dear reader(s): Yesterday I finally had an opportunity to catch up with the year's most talked-about movie, Barbie.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

Barbie suffers a crisis and must brave a world outside Barbieland if she hopes to resolve it.

At this point, it feels like poor form to dislike Barbie. Fortunately, I liked it well enough, even if if I'm more "enheimer" than "Barb" in the Barbenheimer sweepstakes.

Pluses start with the divine Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Despite its many other attributes, I believe the movie would have fallen flat had they not leaned into their roles with such gusto. Vibrant costumes and sets team with upbeat music to sell a perfect world...even when it isn't. There's plenty of nostalgia for those of us who loved our Barbies, and some funny (if mean-spirited) digs at other pop culture icons who have fallen into...if not exactly disfavor, at least a perceived lack of coolness.

Barbie is a great deal more than a film about a doll. It's cleverly written and well acted, with an important message about autonomy and empowerment. Heavy-handed delivery of its message is the picture's only real flaw, but it's a pervasive one that kept me from loving Barbie as much as everyone else seemed to. I don't believe beating people over the head with a point faciliates real change; it only makes them tired of hearing about it, and by the end of this I was pretty tired of the word "patriarchy." Still, Barbie is a solid movie that's greatly enhanced by sparkling performances and a sensible runtime.

Barbie clocks in at 114 minutes and is rated PG13 for "suggestive references and brief language."

Barbie is a good movie made great by stellar lead performances, and any shortcomings are easily forgiven once the Indigo Girls start singing. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Barbie gets eight.

Fangirl Points: Kingsley Ben-Adir!

Barbie is now streaming on Max.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BARBIE

 

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

Director: Greta Gerwig

Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Rated Rated PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language

Runtime: 1h 54m

Greta Gerwig's Barbie is a pastel painted surreal, meta comedy that's sharply written and perfectly cast.  Gerwig makes its clear early on that the film and story isn't going to be a simple bit of Mattel marketing with a rather wry opening that spoofs Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Once the story starts in earnest and we are introduced to the colorfully constructed Barbieland utopia there’s a clear undercurrent of the kind of subversive storytelling, there's plenty that will go over younger kids heads, at play.  There are bits and piece that echo moments from Toy Story and The Lego movie, especially early on, but once the film finds its footing it reveals its own distinctive voice.  It’s a fanciful journey of self actualization as the film covers a bevy of themes from the nature of womanhood, gender roles, conformity and more along the way.  If this sounds like a lot for a film about a doll, it is but it’s a rather audacious swing from the filmmaker and the brand to go for something more substantial and meaningful than just a bit of brand cross promotion.  There's a lot to appreciate about what's going on behind the scenes in addition to what's onscreen.  Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the central roles are pitch perfect with both delivering fun performances from start to finish.  Robbie fills the titular role with general ease which shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but she does give the character a thoughtful earnestness that's endearing and makes the character easy to like.  Gosling is a real surprise though not because he's a stretch as Ken but because he shows off some real comedic chops throughout.  He proves to be a scene stealer for the majority of the film especially in the back half of the story.  The film's real secret weapon though is America Ferrera who gets a wonderfully rousing monologue which is effectively pointed and meaningful.  It’s got the kind of refreshing edge you wouldn't expect from a film about Barbie but that's what elevates the whole production to unexpected heights. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: BABYLON

 

Decadence, depravity, and outrageous excess lead to the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers in 1920s Hollywood.

Director: Damien Chazelle

Cast:  Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Tobey Maguire

Release Date: December 23, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Drama, History

Rated R for strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity, bloody violence, drug use, and pervasive language.

Runtime: 3h 9m

Damien Chazelle's Babylon is a frenetic, overstuffed film that's engaging but terribly unfocused.  Chazelle opening sequence plays like Eyes Wide Shut through Baz Luhrmann's lens but with a lot more bodily fluids.  It’s a kinetic introduction to primary characters and setting overall.  The excess on display is indulgently, outrageous on multiple levels but there's a tangible sense of energy and melancholy pulsating through the screen.  The impressive thing is that Chazelle keep that energy going for the better part of the film even though you get the sense that it would have benefited from some selective editing.  A tighter film would have focused its characters, themes and story particularly in its uneven and off kilter final act.  Even though the film loses itself on multiple occasions the cast makes it an easier pill to swallow by delivering impressive turns across the board.  Brad Pitt is excellent as the fading silent film star who used to be the biggest name in Hollywood. Pitt easily carries the earlier portion of the film with his charisma which works perfectly for his character however his more nuanced and subtle work in the back half of the film is much more impressive. Margot Robbie is equally impressive as the overnight starlet who’s destined to flame out in short order.  Robbie's manic energy is perfectly suited for her character who can best be described as a squirrel on cocaine.  It’s hard to take your eyes off her when she's onscreen but we never get under her skin as she remains an enigma who's just out of reach.  Diego Calva's wide-eyed Manny exemplifies that as he serves as the film's beating heart.  Calva has a likable onscreen presence that plays well even when he's onscreen with his bigger name stars.  Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li both deliver fascinating supporting turns, but their characters are underserved to the detriment of the overall film.  It’s a glaring misfire since the film has more than enough time to focus on their characters than it ultimately does even though their story threads are just as important as the others.  Ultimately, Babylon the kind of film that's trying to say too many things at once.  There are a few moments in its final act where the characters vocalize the themes Chazelle is trying to address but his lack of focus keeps them from landing the way they should.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: AMSTERDAM

 

Set in the '30s, it follows three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldaña, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Swift, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alessandro Nivola, Rami Malek, Robert De Niro

Release Date: October 7, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Drama, History

Rated R for brief violence and bloody images.

Runtime: 2h 14m

Review:

David O. Russell's star studded Amsterdam is a strange amalgam of a convoluted storyline that's nearly offset by energetic turns from its cast.  The film itself is impeccably shot with a glossy look that gives everything an air of Norman Rockwell nostalgia brought to life.  The visuals keep things interesting while the plot's expansive and overly busy story threads start unfurling.  This is the type of film that's in no hurry to get anywhere as it relishes in setting up scene and sequences which allow his cast to shine.   Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington make up the primary trio carrying the film and each of them brings a specific sort of energy to their characters.  Christian Bale's Burt is a collection of idiosyncrasies in a hunched over, emaciated, battle scarred body.  It’s a showy role, the type Bale loves sinking his teeth in and does so with his usual gusto.  John David Washington's character is the opposite side of the coin, and he delivers a turn that's confidently cool and authentic. Margot Robbie brings a nice mix of bohemian and manic energy which is an old hat to her by this point in her career.  All three make their characters incredibly likable which makes the film's unfocused story more palpable and enjoyable.  The supporting cast is a cavalcade of well known actors gleefully chewing up scenery as an assortment of quirky characters.  Amsterdam is the type of film that allows actors to dig into their characters, unfortunately the story doesn't meet the challenge leaving it an uneven experience where the performances are far better than the mystery laid out.  

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Suicide Squad

My dear reader(s): The weekend just passed brought us the latest installment in DC Comics' extended cinematic universe, the Suicide Squad.

A collection of the criminal and the criminally insane embark on another secret mission.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or a general familiarity with the product.

Technically, I believe the Suicide Squad is considered a sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad. In reality, minus Jared Leto's Joker and with an almost completely new cast, it feels more like a do-over. The original was universally reviled (though I didn't hate it), so putting maximum artistic distance between the two probably was in the best interest of the new movie.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Suicide Squad and *the* Suicide Squad are two very different films. As mentioned, gone is Leto's deeply divisive Joker. While that's a significant character to remove from the mix, I don't think the movie misses him. Gone, also, is Will Smith as Deadshot. The team's new leader is Bloodsport, portrayed by Idris Elba. Will Smith is cool, but I can't say there are many actors I wouldn't happily swap for Elba, and Mr. Smith is no exception. (Sorry, Will. Love ya.) Margot Robbie makes her third big-screen appearance as Harley Quinn, and — given the character's psychoses — it feels inappropriate to say she's delightful, but delightful she is. She's come to own the character, and certainly she owns the screen whenever she's on it. Joel Kinnaman returns as Rick Flag, and Viola Davis as Amanda Walker, but most of the other faces are new to the property, if mostly familiar to movie-goers. Notable are the brilliant Peter Capaldi, John Cena, and David Dastmalchian, a favorite of mine since he named Rachel Dawes as next on the Joker's hit list in the Dark Knight. (Dastmalchian and co-star Michael Rooker have also done time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.) Sylvester Stallone is a scene-stealer as the voice of King Shark. Most of the performances can fairly be called terrific without a "for the genre" qualifier. The Suicide Squad uses a solid score by John Murphy and an interesting selection of tunes to underscore its dark mood, another important distinction from the original, which often felt more like a series of music videos than it did one cohesive film. The movie has its fair share of juvenile humor, but an equal helping of legitimately funny bits. CGI is decent throughout, and action scenes are exciting and don't wear out their welcome. Harley Quinn features in a fight sequence that is right up there with the Freebird/church scene in Kingsman: the Secret Service as a new classic and maybe an all-time great.

While the 2016 and 2021 Suicide Squads are very different, they're also quite similar. Both are very, very violent, though in a stylized way that doesn't seem as much about the gross-out as it does about interesting visuals. Both have a bright comic-book look to them, with colorful graphics and bold text. Both feature an abundance of bad language and disturbing content. (Why does James Gunn hate birds??) Both play Harley Quinn's insanity for laughs when, really, hers is a grotesque and unsettling story. If the houses ended up looking quite different, it's clear their foundations were the same.

The Suicide Squad is now playing in cinemas worldwide, and streaming on HBO Max through the first week of September. It runs 132 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual references, drug use, and brief graphic nudity."

The Suicide Squad is good fun for those who aren't squeamish about extreme content, a definite improvement over the original. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Suicide Squad gets seven and a half.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE SUICIDE SQUAD

 

The government sends the most dangerous supervillains in the world -- Bloodsport, Peacemaker, King Shark, Harley Quinn and others -- to the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Armed with high-tech weapons, they trek through the dangerous jungle on a search-and-destroy mission, with only Col. Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave.

Director: James Gunn

Cast: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi

Release Date: Rated R for strong violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual references, drug use and brief graphic nudity

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Rated R for strong violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual references, drug use and brief graphic nudity

Runtime: 2 h 12 min

Review:

James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is a visually aggressive Dirty Dozen grindhouse film in the guise of a superhero film.  Gunn's Guardian of the Galaxy was one of first Marvel films that had a decidedly unique feel to it but those expecting something similar in DC universe will be surprised.  In this film Gunn has gone back to his gory roots by mirroring his first film's, Slither, story and using his refined directorial talents to great effect.  He delivers some truly beautiful sequences which will leave a lasting impact, Harley's escape is colorful collage of carnage.  His story is goofy, bloody but heartfelt at the same time even if all those elements don't hit the mark perfectly.  The character arches are filled with lingering mommy and daddy issues which doesn't give the ensemble much depth outside of being an outcast.  Robbie's Harley fares the best since her character has had three films to evolve into herself.  Idris Elba instantly feels like a more natural fit for this film than Will Smith did in the original film. Elba has a natural toughness that oozes through the screen which works perfectly for his character.  John Cena's Peacemaker should be the stand out of the piece but the script doesn't give him much to work with so he's not as impactful as the script wants him to be.  Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher 2 ends up being the beating heart of film with her and Bloodsport's relationship providing the emotional string to the film.  Joel Kinnaman's Col. Rick Flag gets an expanded role here which makes him feel more like a complete character even amongst the insanity of Sylvester Stallone's, R rated Groot, King Shark or David Dastmalchian's Polka Dot Man.  Gunn's film embraces the insanity full bore by the final act by delivering the kind of big budget midnight movie madness which you have to appreciate for its sheer audacity.  

B

My 10 Favorite Films of 2020

 

2020 was a strange year on many levels but for movie lovers it was a particularly strange one.  This year was probably the first time I didn’t lurk the halls of my beloved theaters for months at a time.  Still there were plenty of films that stood out, since I’m terrible at making and sticking with a top 10 ranking, here are my 10 favorite films of the year in no particular order. 

Birds of Prey

Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey was one of the early victims of the Covid Pandemic which is a shame since the film is one of the comic book films that truly found its own voice.  Birds of Prey never feels formulaic or cookie cutter as we see Margot Robbie’s Harley evolve into her own. 

Gretel & Hansel

Oz Perkin’s film went under the radar but those looking for a striking horror film will find plenty to like with the mind bending remaining of the classic fairy tale.  Sophia Lillis continues to rack up impressive performances, films like this should make her big break feel like inevitable. 

The Invisible Man

Leigh Whannell’s remake of The Invisible Man seemed ready made for forgettable horror fodder.  What Leigh Whannel and Elisabeth Moss were able to accomplish is quite an impressive feat.  They take a fascinating angle on the concept which made it fresh and timely, paired with a stellar turn from Moss turned this retread into a taut thriller. 

Wonder Woman 1984

Patty Jenkin’s follow up is a overstuffed and unfocused but that doesn’t keep her film from being fun and trying for something meaningful.  Even if she didn’t quite stick the landing you have to respect Jenkin’s attempt to create a 80s superhero film in tone as opposed to just placing it in the 80s.  Gadot was born to play Diana but Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal both put in memorable turns.

Promising Young Woman

There are some films that just stick with you long after you’ve left the theater.  Emerald Fennell’s meticulously crafted debut film fits the bill in spades.  Carey Mulligan delivers a career best performance playing against type as the tragic protagonist.    

Palm Springs

Andy Samberg & Cristin Milioti time loop rom/com seemed tailor made for 2020.  The concept has been done plenty of times before but there’s a sweetness and reflective insight that makes this love story work. 

Sound of Metal

Riz Ahmed has built up a solid resume of strong performances but Sound of Metal might be his best.  Ahmed’s work here is a raw, gritty and authentic, so much so that he’s sure to earn best actor nods come award season. 

Soul

Pixar has tackled some big concepts over the years but Soul feels like another step up.  While the candy colored film still has the hallmarks of a kids movie this is the first one that feels like it’s aimed more at the parents than the kids. 

Freaky

Christopher Landon’s third film continues to show how much a horror fan he is while showing that it’s ok to have fun with some of the concepts.  Freaky’s body swap concept works because Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton both go all in with the concept to great effect.

Mank

David Fincher’s labor of love is sure to get plenty of awards nods when the season comes simply because Hollywood loves Hollywood.  Still Fincher’s film is a loving homage to the golden era of Hollywood led by strong performance from Gary Oldman who could make these kinds of films for the rest of his career as far as I’m concerned. 

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Birds of Prey & The Last Full Measure

Despite the first real blast of winter rolling through my area this weekend, I was able to slip out to the cinema for Birds of Prey and the Last Full Measure.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First on my agenda, the film with the unnecessarily awkward and misleading name, Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.

Following her breakup with the Joker, Harley Quinn struggles to make her way on her own.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is misnamed in that it is mostly about Harley Quinn and hardly at all about the Birds of Prey, who pop up only sporadically throughout and not until the very end as a unit. Margot Robbie clearly is having the time of her life as Harley, as is Ewan McGregor as the film's psychotic big-bad. The rest of the cast is unremarkable, outside of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, always a rose even among thorns. Birds of Prey doesn't look half as good as the Gotham TV series as far as its production design and overall appearance and atmosphere, but there are a couple exceptional set pieces, particularly the climactic battle in a fun house. The movie makes great use of some popular tunes and features terrific score by Daniel Pemberton.

On the negative side, Birds of Prey is unrelentingly foul in both language and content. I'm a grownup and grownup content doesn't put me off, but the movie tries to shock for shock's sake and that's just boring. I find the character of Harley Quinn rather annoying, and this portrayal hasn't done anything to endear her to me. Much like the Minions--who are the best part of any Despicable Me movie but couldn't effectively carry a whole movie--a little Harley goes a long, long way. "Fun" is the word I've most often heard used to describe Birds of Prey, which for me frequently is code for, "It isn't very good but I liked it anyway." I can definitely see why people like this movie, despite it's not being particularly well done, and I'm grateful that solid reviews and good word of mouth should make it a win for DC, regardless of a (so far) sluggish box office.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn clocks in at 109 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material."

While Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is built of some great pieces, the whole is too dark to be fun and too silly (bordering on downright stupid at times) to be properly dark. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Birds of Prey gets six.

Next on the docket, the Last Full Measure.

A hotshot government lawyer is assigned (against his will) to review the case of an airman killed in Vietnam, whose brothers in arms are convinced he was wrongfully denied the Medal of Honor.

First and foremost, I would like to give props to my local theater for getting this movie. Even though the film is in wide-release, there doesn't seem to be much buzz around it and I was certain it would pass right by my small town. So, thank you, Marquee Cinemas, for screening the Last Full Measure.

Onward to the movie, beginning where regular reader(s) will expect: with Sebastian Stan. I've said it before and I'll undoubtedly say it again (and again): Sebastian Stan is the finest actor of his generation, and one of the finest actors I've ever seen. If you only know him as a Marvel guy, you are really, really missing out. (Shameless plug: Please check him out in the short-lived series Kings, which you can watch for free on the NBC app.) As a longtime fan, you can bet I was as proud as his mama to see his name at the top of the credits, his first real big-screen lead. This role hardly taxes his talent, but his character is the film's backbone and he serves it well. Most of the acting heavy lifting is left to the older cast members: Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Peter Fonda, and John Savage, but--while fine performances elevate the material--they can't really save it. The tone is overly sentimental and the script is pedestrian, at times so melodramatic as to be almost comical, which is a sad disservice to its subject. Having said all that, the film does put the spotlight on a very deserving hero, and the folks in my screening and the one before it were largely moved to tears. That's a movie that certainly gets something right.

The Last Full Measure runs 116 minutes and is rated R for "war violence and language."

The Last Full Measure is a film that strikes a nerve, not necessarily because it tells its story well, but because it tells *such* a story. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Last Full Measure gets seven.

Fangirl points: I mean, Seb, obviously, but Linus Roache was a nice surprise!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BIRDS OF PREY

It's open season on Harley Quinn when her explosive breakup with the Joker puts a big fat target on her back. Unprotected and on the run, Quinn faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask, his right-hand man, Victor Zsasz, and every other thug in the city. But things soon even out for Harley when she becomes unexpected allies with three deadly women -- Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya.

Director: Cathy Yan

Cast: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Genres:  Action, Adventure, Crime

Rated Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material

Runtime:  1h 49min

Review:

Birds of Prey nails so many things right about Harley Quinn as a character that you'd be hard pressed to find flaw especially if you've been a fan since her inception.  Her debut in Suicide Squad, a movie that's unfairly bashed while still being fun if problematic, was iconic for Margot Robbie and the DC universe in general.  Regardless of how you feel about that movie, she was one of the shining lights of the whole affair.  Now in her own film, flanked by longtime Batman friends and adversaries, she's given full reign on the screen and story.  Cathy Yan helms the film with a kinetic energy that's hard to resist with luminous star in a role she was born to play.  There are so many impressively manic and nutty fight sequences to keep even the most blood thirsty movie goer begging for more.  It's a candy colored assault on the senses that takes a break here and there before it drops a mallet on your head again.  Supporting Robbie are equally game cast mates like Ewan McGregor who's obviously having a ball playing Black Mask.  Needless to say that DC fans will have to appreciate this take on Black Mask and Victor Zsasz because it's both respectful of each character but still their own singular take.  The same can be said of this entrie's take on Black Canary and Huntress played by an underused Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  Each brings a specific type of energy to their role much like the more seasoned Rosie Perez who just fits as Renee Montoya.  Ultimately, they are all floating around Margot Robbie's Quinn who keeps the whole thing rolling.  There's a definite girl power rolling through the entire film and it's the better for it, fitting right in as the crazy cousin to the more refined DC super heroine Wonder Woman.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: BOMBSHELL

A revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.

Director: Jay Roach

Cast: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton, Malcolm McDowell, Allison Janney

Release Date: December 13, 2019

Rated R for sexual material and language throughout

Runtime: 1hr 48 min.

Genres: Biography, Drama

Review:

Bombshell’s impact on anyone is sure to be colored by their feeling about the real life people portrayed.  Jay Roach delivers a funny but ultimately depressing tales about the behind the scenes machinations at propaganda machine as known as Fox News.  Roach has the unenviable task of displaying people who are all on varying scales of terrible.  The tale about Roger Ailes numerous misdeeds was previously covered on Showtime’s The Loudest Voice so Bombshell feels a bit like a companion piece since this film focuses more on the woman than Ailes himself.  As such the trio of Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie are front and center and truly carry the film.  Charlize Theron’s Megyn Kelly is one of those transformative performances that is sure to garner her a lot of awards buzz and with good reason.  She’s nearly unrecognizable here, capturing Kelly’s look and voice with an uncanny degree of accuracy.  The performance is such an attention grabber that it’s easy to overlook Nicole Kidman and Margo Robbie slightly more subtle performances.  Kidman’s take on Gretchen Carlson is solid but it’s hard to say it any better than Naomi Watt’s version on The Loudest Voice.  Robbie’s character is a composite character but serves a purpose of putting us in the room with Ailes while he’s harassing and victimizing these women.  John Lithgow’s take on Roger Ailes isn’t as a nuanced as Russell Crowe’s take earlier this year which leads to the bigger issue at play.  Bombshell seems content with going through basics but never really cares to dig any deep or offer any colors of gray.  As such certain characters are painted as heroes which can be difficult to swallow since their real life counterparts are terrible for other reasons. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern,  Al Pacino

Release Date: July 26, 2019

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rated R for language throughout, some strong graphic violence, drug use, and sexual references

Runtime: 2 h 45 min

Review:

Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s 9^th film, is a gloriously unfocused tome that takes the audience back in time to another era.  Tarantino’s film feels like a unrelated assembly of story vignettes which ultimately do converge in an interesting and unexpected fashion.  While the finale will get a lot of buzz but the journey is just as enjoyable.  The film is anchored by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt who are both clearly having a blast in their roles.  They both share some amazing chemistry that keeps the film watchable and enjoyable for the duration.  Their takes of their character layered, subtle and ultimately lots of fun.  There’s a huge whose who of faces that pop up through out the film that boost the film at just the right times.  You can almost feel Tarantino’s gleeful energy come through the screen as some of the screen legends pop up on the screen.  There might be a bit of a complaint about how unfocused the whole thing is and in comparison to his other films, the story here isn’t the strongest.  Still it’s hard not to enjoy this dazzling stroll through a bygone era brought back to life by one of films most talented directors.


A-

MOVIE REVIEW: I, TONYA

Tonya Harding rises through the ranks of competitive figure skating only to find disgrace when her husband tries to eliminate her rival.

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Julianne Nicholson, Caitlin Carver, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney

Release Date: Dec 8, 2017

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

Rated R for pervasive language, violence, and some sexual content/nudity

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

I, Tonya is a solid biopic that overcomes some of the story’s drawbacks with stellar performances from the cast.  Craig Gillespie keeps his film interesting by framing the film as a pseudo documentary with interviews spliced through the entire film.  What we get are 3 unreliable narrators who weave together a story stranger than fiction even as it occasionally veers into high end Lifetime movie territory.  That’s not to say it’s not intriguing as it touches on themes of tabloid fame and illusion of the American Dream.  At its center is Margot Robbie in the titular role.  Robbie presents Harding as a doggedly determined individual who can’t reach the summit because of a variety of reasons even if some are not entirely her fault.  Underneath it all, there’s a frayed and broken person who is looking for acceptance and love.  It’s an impressive performance that’s topped off with a silence sequence of Robbie looking into the mirror running a gamut of emotions before the climatic performance at the Lillehammer Olympics.  The supporting roles played by Allison Janney and Sebastian Stan are just as strong with each leaving a lasting impression.  Allison Janney gives the cinematic world another legendary evil mother to pantheon of evil mothers.  It’s an engaging and arresting performance that just as strong as Robbie’s.  Sebastian Stan’s turn as Jeff Gillooly equally impressive as he disappears into the role, he captures the mannerisms and vocal inflections perfectly.  The film builds to the final act where we’re witness to the bumbling cast of characters that lead to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan and the subsequent aftermath.  It’s all anti climatic since we all know how the story ends but watching this collection of actors deliver top notch performances is the real treat.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: SUICIDE SQUAD

Director David Ayer (Fury) takes the helm for this Warner Bros. production adapted from the DC Comics series about a group of super-villains who are given a shot at redemption by embarking on a heroic mission that will most likely mean the death of them all. ~ Rovi

Director: David Ayer 

Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Jay Hernandez, Jai Courtney 

Release Date: Aug 05, 2016

Rated PG-13 Disturbing Behavior, Action Throughout, Language, Sequences of Violence and 

Suggestive Content 

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Suicide Squad isn’t a perfect film and there are plenty of hints of the turmoil and studio tinkering abound but, almost in spite of itself, it’s still a fun film.  David Ayer really tries to deliver a comic book film that will make fans happy and he succeeds on various levels.  The film’s strength is its collection of characters and actors.  The film spends the most time with Will Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn with both delivering excellent performances that really drive the film.  Viola Davis is pretty much pitch perfect as Amanda Waller, the government agent who puts the squad together.  As a longtime fan, I did appreciate the amount of effort put into the characterization of some of these characters even if some do end up on the periphery, Killer Croc and Katana fare the worst.  The chemistry of cast is pretty strong through out with a few surprises like Jai Courtney Captain Boomerang and a nice bit of emotional depth from Jay Hernandez.  The biggest issue the film has is the film’s overall plot and primary villain.  It’s pretty straightforward and follows the tropes we’ve seen plenty of times in superhero film with the villain coming off as under written.  The Joker, Jared Leto’s take is more crazed gangster than Ledger’s anarchic take, would have probably served as a better foil for the team.  Still, even with it’s issues Suicide Squad is an enjoyable comic book film that’s got plenty of characters that you’ll want to revisit.  

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of Suicide Squad

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for DC Comics' latest effort, Suicide Squad. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

The US government recruits some of the world's worst criminals for a special mission. My dear reader(s), I'm gonna be upfront with ya: I'm a DC girl through and through, but my eagerness for Suicide Squad was mostly hinged on a bit of bonus Batman between headline gigs. 

 

I am pleased to report that the movie is worth a lot more than that. Suicide Squad kicks off with an epic intro, and you can tell right away it's something different from the norm. I think the last time I was this impressed with how well a movie's appearance captured its very essence was Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. 

 

This comic book movie just LOOKS like a comic book, and it's fantastic! Introductions run somewhat long, but that's justifiable given that most of these characters aren't comic A-listers with whom the general public already will be familiar. The acting is overall quite solid, and not just "for a comic book movie." Singling out those who made the biggest impression (good and bad): Cara Delevingne as June Moone/Enchantress: The mousy June/evil Enchantress is a dual role with extremes that exceed the talent and skill of model Delevingne; throw in some weird CGI with her movements, plus those distracting eyebrows, and she is almost unwatchable. 

 

Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: Robbie's turn as Harley is truly disturbing, yet she looks so amazing you wouldn't turn her down even knowing she's utterly bananas. 

 

As Frank Valente once said, "Psycho chicks are the best!" Will Smith as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot: One of the more likeable actors working today, Smith brings all of his considerable appeal to his character, turning in a tough, funny, and sympathetic performance. 

 

As great actors do, Smith becomes the clear "star" of this ensemble picture, without needing to be heralded as such. 

 

Jay Hernandez as Chato Santana/Diablo: Having turned over a new leaf in prison, Diablo is reluctant to use his terrible power, even for good. Hernandez is heartbreaking, and his is my favorite work in the movie. 

 

Finally... Jared Leto as the Joker. I love, love, LOVE this take on the Joker, and I want more of it like yesterday. 

Leto is insane and terrifying, everything this character should be. Suicide Squad seems a bit jumpy, a feeling exacerbated by the inclusion of almost too many good tunes in too-quick sucession. 

 

Occasionally it plays more like a series of cool music videos than a coherent whole, which also leads to spots where it stalls in progression, if not in action. 

 

It doesn't lag or lose your attention, but it does sometimes feel like everything that's going on still isn't getting it from point A to point B. The CGI is mostly great, and, as mentioned, it looks fantastic. There's a certain element to this movie that's more deeply unsettling than your average comic book picture, and I genuinely think an R rating would have been more appropriate and would have better served the material. 

 

Suicide Squad clocks in at 123 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content, and language." Suicide Squad is a rollicking good time, loaded with action, humor, and great characters. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Suicide Squad gets seven and a half. 

 

Fangirl points: Joel Kinnaman! Oh, and...Batman! Batman! Batman! Until next time...