MOVIE REVIEW: IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE MOVIE

Impractical Jokers: The Movie is a 2020 American reality comedy film directed by Chris Henchy, based on the truTV television series Impractical Jokers'. The film stars Brian Quinn, James Murray, Sal Vulcano and Joe Gatto, also known as The Tenderloins

Director: Chris Henchy

Cast: Brian Quinn, James Murray, Sal Vulcano,  Joe Gatto

Release Date: February 21, 2020

Genres: Comedy

Rated PG-13 for suggestive content, language, some drug references and brief nudity

Runtime: 1h 33min

Review:

Chances are that if you are sitting in the theater having paid to watch something called Impractical Jokers: The Movie your already a fan of the show.  If not, it's a random thing to pay to watch but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed.  The movie much like the show is a series of challenges among the four friends with the film adding in a wafer thin plot to the proceedings.  The "story" is probably the weakest part of this whole endeavor and ultimately it feels superfluous.  This whole concept works because the guys are likable goofs who are constantly ribbing each other during the challenges.  The challenges themselves are funny but they really don't feel like anything special that would demand the big screen treatment.  As is, this feels more like a super sized extended episode.  It'll probably make fans happy and confused at the same time since you'd expect something a bit bigger for the big screen.  As is, this doesn't quite reach the heights of something like the Jackass Movies which took the show and amplified to the tenth power.     

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE INVISIBLE MAN

The Invisible Man is a 2020 science fiction horror film written and directed by Leigh Whannell. A contemporary adaptation of the novel of the same name by H. G. Wells and a reboot of The Invisible Man

  

Director: Leigh Whannell

Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Release Date: February 28, 2020

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Rated R for disturbing violence, some bloody images, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 2h 5min

Review:

The opening of The Invisible Man might give you flashback of Julia Roberts' very 90s thriller Sleeping with The Enemy.  Leigh Whannell sets the stage nicely for the this reboot which changes the basis of the story, making it timely and effective.  Whannell shows a talent for crafting impressive shots that create tension without falling back on cheap jump scares, even though there are a handful of those.  The film is a slow burn and it at its best during the first two thirds of the film.  During that time, the pervasive and ever present sensation of being watched is ever present on Elisabeth Moss's character.  Moss, whose mastered playing frayed tortured woman, is perfectly suited for the role. Her performance carries the film making it far more impactful than it would have been in lesser hands.  She's always the most interesting thing on screen which is an impressive task considering she's reacting to nothing for the better part of the film.  Aldis Hodge is strong in a supporting role even though you are left wishing he'd been given a bit more to do.  Thematically the story works as a horror show for the women who've been abused or stalked but it's final act suffers a bit as the sci-fi portion of the story is resolved.  The final showdown is predictable from the start, so much so that you wish Whannell had played a bit more with the main character's state of mind. A bit more ambiguity would have given the film even more impact but still you have to respect how well this reboot pull off the 90s thriller vibe. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LODGE

During a family retreat to a remote winter cabin over the holidays, the father is forced to abruptly depart for work, leaving his two children in the care of his new girlfriend, Grace. Isolated and alone, a blizzard traps them inside the lodge as terrifying events summon specters from Grace's dark past.

Director: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala

Cast: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, Alicia Silverstone, Richard Armitage

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for disturbing violence, some bloody images, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1h 48min

Review:

The Lodge is the kind of horror film that constantly reminds you of other better films while it struggles to find its own identity.  Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala mines films like The Shining, The Others and even bits of Hereditary.  The film is visually impressive with several shots leaving a lasting impression.  The mood and general feel is ominous and oppressive, the fact that they maintain it for the better part of the film’s runtime is fairly impressive.  The performances are all strong across the board.  Alicia Silverstone kicks of the film with a strong performance that leaves an impression and definitely sets the mood for the rest of the film.  That being said this is truly Riley Keough’s film.  Her performance here is avsubtle but measured decent into madness.  Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh turn in solid supporting performances with neither ever breaking into annoying child actors syndrome.  If the film has an issue it’s that the air of mystery that’s prevalent during the first two thirds of the film should have been maintained longer into the final act since the reveal takes a bit of a steam out of the film.  A bit more ambiguity would have served the better and made it a truly special entry into the horror genre.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: DOWNHILL

A woman starts to have second doubts about her husband after he runs away from an approaching avalanche, leaving her and their two sons behind.

Director: Nat Faxon

Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Will Ferrell, Miranda Otto, Zoë Chao, Zach Woods

Release Date: February 14, 2020

Genres:  Comedy, Drama

Rated R for language and some sexual material

Runtime:  1h 26min

Review:

Downhill is an oddly frustrating movie when you consider players involved.  This remake of the Swedish film Force Majeure, a film I've heard of but haven't seen, is intriguing in parts but never maintains any momentum to tell a meaningful story.  It's a rare feat that a film can feel both rushed and slow at the same time.  Nat Faxon's film screams like it should be worlds better than it ultimately is and he directs it with a steady hand, taking full advantage of the lovely locale.  Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell are solid together even Ferrell feels miscasted in as the family patriarch.  Dreyfus does get a few chances to show off her range, showcasing her dramatic chops while still nailing her comedic timing.  Zach Woods and Zoë Chao fun in limited roles while Miranda Otto seems to be having the most fun out of the entire cast.  Still the whole thing never connects on a emotional level the way it should, the story and meaning all feeling glossed over.  

C+