MOVIE REVIEW: DUMBO

Struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists a former star and his two children to care for Dumbo, a baby elephant born with oversized ears. When the family discovers that the animal can fly, it soon becomes the main attraction -- bringing in huge audiences and revitalizing the run-down circus. The elephant's magical ability also draws the attention of V.A. Vandevere, an entrepreneur who wants to showcase Dumbo in his latest, larger-than-life entertainment venture.

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Alan Arkin

Release Date: March 29, 2019

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Rated PG for peril/action, some thematic elements, and brief mild language

Runtime: 1h 52min

Review:

Dumbo, the latest live action money grab from Disney, is a film that’s visually lush but fairly sterile and bland.  Tim Burton seems like a solid fit for this retelling of this tale of an outsider, something Burton excels at.  The odd thing is that it’s a visually impressive film but it fails to connect on an emotional level consistently.  The CGI creation that is Dumbo is impressive but it’s difficult to connect to the character since it doesn’t talk like in the original film.  Going for a more grounded approach is a bit of a misstep since you’re supposed to connect with your lead character in order for the whole thing to work.  To compound the issue, Tim Burton seems far more focused on the visuals of the film than the performances of his A list cast.  As a result we get some fairly stilted performances that come off as overly broad and soulless which is just startling considering the fact that you have such a strong and likable cast.  They each manage to shine in spots but it never comes together to create a cohesive story since their characters are so thinly written.  As a result, this live action redux feels fairly unnecessary and uninspired.

C

Cindy Prascik's Review of Dumbo

Following an extended hiatus, this week Disney’s Dumbo offered me the chance to reconnect with my local cinema.

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

A baby elephant, whose large ears give him the ability to fly, takes a small circus to new heights…but the journey is not without peril.

Well, dear reader(s), I’ll be straight: I’m not much of a Disney fan. Other than that long-ago animated Robin Hood, if it’s Disney and it doesn’t have Jack Sparrow, I’m not all that interested. Having said that, I am *very* interested in Tim Burton, Colin Farrell, and Eva Green, so off to the Thursday sneak-peek of Dumbo I went.

Dumbo has a great deal going for it. Sincere performances from Farrell, Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton easily sell the fantastic premise, with the old story adapted for live action and new times. Sets, costumes, scenery, and Tim Burton's magical vision create a luscious landscape that is a true feast for the eyes, and, as always, it pairs perfectly with Danny Elfman's spellbinding score. The problem is, when you're done absorbing all that beauty, Dumbo is just...well...kinda boring. The movie clocks in well shy of two hours, but it felt like I was sitting in that theater for days. All the adorable elephants, colorful circus acts, and devastatingly handsome leading men in the world couldn't save it.

Dumbo runs 112 minutes and is rated PG for "peril/action, some thematic elements, and brief mild language."

Disney's Dumbo is a decent bit of Saturday-afternoon entertainment, but don't expect to remember it long after you've left the theater.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Dumbo gets five.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: SHAZAM!

Billy Batson is a streetwise 14-year-old who can magically transform into the adult superhero Shazam simply by shouting out one word. His newfound powers soon get put to the test when he squares off against the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

Director: David Sandberg

Cast: Zachary Levi. Mark Strong, Grace Fulton, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou

Release Date: April 5, 2019

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material

Runtime: 2 h 12 min

Review:

Shazam! is a fun family friendly superhero film that works on multiple levels but first and foremost it’s fun.  David Sandberg directs his film with a breezy good natured feel while mashing up Big and Superman.  Throw in a solid bit of heart and themes about family and you have a superhero film that’s sure to make multiple members of the family happy.  Shazam! is at it’s best when Zachary Levi and his goofy charm appears on screen.  When Levi was originally announced as the title character it did seem like an odd choice at first glance but it works incredibly well.  Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer share solid chemistry and put in solid performances so the film rarely lags when Shazam! isn’t on screen.  Mark Strong can do the villain thing in his sleep and here doing yeoman’s work, his character isn’t really all that layered so it’s not terribly memorable.  Shazam!  is the kind of fun light hearted superhero movie that’s just fun to watch, a slight trim to the runtime would have helped it a bit because some sequences seem to go on for no reason. Still it’s the kind of origin film that strikes a strong balance of introducing a new character but keeping it fun.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: US

Accompanied by her husband, son and daughter, Adelaide Wilson returns to the beachfront home where she grew up as a child. Haunted by a traumatic experience from the past, Adelaide grows increasingly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Her worst fears soon become a reality when four masked strangers descend upon the house, forcing the Wilsons into a fight for survival. When the masks come off, the family is horrified to learn that each attacker takes the appearance of one of them.

Director: Jordan Peele

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker

Release Date: March 22, 2019

Genres: Horror, Thriller

Rated R for some violence and disturbing images

Runtime: 1h 56 min

Review:


Us, Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort, is hard to classify as a horror film.  Much like Get Out, it’s a film that’s never particularly scary even though it’s filed into the horror genre.  That’s not to say that the film isn’t well done, it’s a fun thrill ride, but it’s just not a horror film.  Once we move past that point, again much like Get Out, it works best as an interesting Twilight Zone type film.  Peele’s references to other better horror films are sporadically throughout with some being more explicit while others are implicit.  On its own merits, the film moves at a fast pace playing out much like a rollercoaster ride where once it gets going it never stops.  Ultimately, even with all the references, Us ends up feeling much more like George A. Romero criminally underseen 1973 film The Crazies.  Peele delivers some beautifully composed shots and sequences that are sure to leave an impression but at the center of it all is Lupita Nyong’o.  Nyongo’o duel performance is the oil that makes this engine go here; she does wonderful work throughout even though you are left wanting more of her as her doppelganger.  The supporting cast is just as strong with Winston Duke showing some strong comedic chops.  I do wish we’d gotten a tad bit more of Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker who make the most of their limited screen time.  On it’s whole, the film is a fun ride even though it seems to find it’s last second reveal much more mind blowing that it actually is.        


B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Dirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the second week running, Netflix made me a better offer than the cinema, so, thanks to that and the flu, I spent yesterday morning in bed with the Motley Crue biopic The Dirt.

 

A little note about spoilers: I generally try to stay reasonably spoiler-free; however, I won't hesitate to reference actual events of decades past. If you are unfamiliar with Motley Crue and don't want to know the story until you've watched this movie, please refrain from reading until you've done so.

 

The Dirt and the book on which it is based are Motley Crue as seen by Motley Crue. Told from the first-person point of view of each band member in turn, the movie breaks the fourth wall and even gives wink-wink acknowledgements of liberties taken with the truth, but it never really rises above four men whose psychological development stopped about the age of 16 trying to show the world how badass they are. That being said, if you have the stomach for people behaving in the most vulgar ways you can imagine...well...it makes for some damn funny stories. When the movie is self-aware enough to recognize its own ridiculousness, it's a lot of fun, backed by some great Crue tunes; however, bad acting and worse wigs make the tale's low points a rougher go, with neither the script nor performers having the skill to handle them. The movie depicts the car accident that claimed the life of Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley and the death of Vince Neil's daughter Skylar in too much visual detail; in more deft hands the emotional impact could have been felt minus images of a cold, grey child in a hospital bed or the film's most jovial character expiring in a mangled sports car. John Corabi, a talented artist who made some decent music with Motley Crue in Neil's absence, unfairly gets the Yoko treatment here, but my dear Razzle is portrayed just as I remember him: fun, lovable, and perhaps a little too easily entertained. An afterthought about "regrets" in the closing voiceover feels like a bit of an apology to anyone the band may have hurt over the years, either directly or by extension. Ultimately, The Dirt plays as the story of four "brothers," who, despite epic highs and crushing lows, remained by one another's sides until the band finally called it a day on New Year's Eve, 2015. (Note: The Crue did record four new songs for this movie.) 

 

The Dirt clocks in at 107 minutes and is rated TVMA for language, nudity and sexual situations, cigarette and drug use, and some violence.

 

The Dirt is an objectively bad film on almost every level; however, if you're a Motley Crue fan and/or you're nostalgic for the time period of the band's heyday, you're likely to enjoy it anyway. 

 

I tick both of those boxes, and I'd watch it again. Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Dirt gets five.

 

Fangirl points: The Dirt's end credits include clips from Motley Crue's mid-80s home video, which I watched until it wouldn't play anymore. 

 

"Hi, we're Christmas!" Also, forgive the poor quality, but this is the only image I ever wanted for this review!

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: TRIPLE FRONTIER

Former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for themselves instead of the country. But when events take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills, their loyalties, and their morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic battle for survival.

Director: J.C. Chandor

Cast: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund,  Pedro Pascal

Release Date: March 6, 2019

Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime

Rated R for violence and language throughout

Runtime: 2h 2 min

Review:

Triple Frontier is an engaging and well acted film that’s far better than it should be.  The plot is simple enough and you can see where things are going from the get go. A few surprises here and there keep things interesting but J.C. Chandor and the cast make it all watch able throughout.  J.C. Chandor directs the action confidently and delivers some impressively tense sequences that really make an impact.  Ben Affleck leads the cast and brings some real depth to his character.  Sadly, the script doesn’t delve enough into his character or any of the others.  It’s a shame because each of the cast members is fully committed to their roles and deserved far meatier roles than they were given.  As such, it’s an enjoyable and watch able but frustrating at the same time because you can’t shake the feeling there’s a far better film in there somewhere.  As is, it’s still a solid throwback to some of the manly 80s and 90s action flicks even if it’s not quite the top tier.

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of Triple Frontier

Thanks to the Death Plague currently decimating my office, this week I was able to catch the Netflix original film Triple Frontier.

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

Having various degrees of success readjusting to civilian life, a suspiciously-handsome group of ex-Special Forces soldiers plans to steal a drug lord's ill-gotten gains.

Triple Frontier is just the sort of picture that still gets me out to the cinema: a big, shoot-em-up actioner with testosterone to spare, kinda like the Expendables, only with smaller people who take themselves a little more seriously.

Given my dwindling tolerance for the movie-going public, it's my good fortune that Netflix gave me the opportunity to catch this in the comfort (and quiet) of my own home.

While they aren't all exactly A-List, the aforementioned smaller people--Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund--have a fair bit of big-screen cred among them. Each has his moment(s) to shine, and none is better or worse than exactly what the material requires. Triple Frontier is certainly action packed, yet at times I was surprised how slow it seemed. It's good that there's more going on than just gunfights and explosions (she says, grudgingly), but somehow the bits that *aren't* gunfights and explosions don't quite earn their keep. Part of the problem is that the trailer sells a heist film, but the actual heist is a relatively small part of the story; the majority of the film's runtime is burned on what follows. Effects and action/fight choreography are solid, but even the movie's most meaningful dialogue is awkward and stilted. Despite any other failings, the film boasts a groovy soundtrack and does a good job of sustaining tension right up to a predictable finish.

Triple Frontier clocks in at 125 minutes and is rated R for "violence and language throughout." It may not be the best movie of the year, but Triple Frontier holds its own.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Triple Frontier gets seven.

Fangirl points: You guys...CHARLIE HUNNAM! Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd

Today I was fortunate to catch If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd, on Showtime.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow is a loving but unflinching look at the band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

This film documents well known events, so kindly expect "spoilers" if you are unfamiliar with Lynyrd Skynyrd's story.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow focuses on the band's humble beginnings on the wrong side of the tracks in Jacksonville, Florida, through its mid- to late-70s heyday, but beginning, middle, and end are touched by the tragic 1977 plane crash that claimed the lives of six people, including three band members.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow blends new and old interviews with terrific photos, video clips, newsreel footage, and excerpts from what appear to be home videos. How lucky we are that someone captured so much in an era long before everyone had a video camera in their pockets! The movie plays to a backdrop of both better- and lesser-known Skynyrd tunes.

Filmmakers and band members alike clearly revere founding lead singer and songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, but that doesn't stop the movie from touching on his violent darker side. Still, it's clear to this day that Skynyrd members new and old feel Van Zant's vision as the driving force behind the band.

Band members prove to be mostly good interviews, telling entertaining stories of hard-working early years and the debauchery that fame brought. More than a couple of their remarks may surprise those who take the band only at face value. Harrowing first-person accounts of the plane crash are almost certain to bring the hardest-hearted viewer to tears. Today, when such hard lines strive to define and divide us, it's fantastic to watch this band of hippie-hillbilly-bluesmen erase all such barriers.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd clocks in at 95 minutes and is rated TV14. (There's some rough language and a good bit of drinking and drug use.)

If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd is a story told with love, but it does not tiptoe around the band's less-flattering moments. It's a well-crafted picture that truly does these legendary artists justice. Of a possible nine Weasleys, If I Leave Here Tomorrow gets nine.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow is currently running on Showtime's family of networks, and is available on Showtime On Demand and Showtime Anytime. 40+ years and many hard losses since the plane crash of 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd is in the midst of what it is calling its "farewell" tour, slated to wrap up in September.

Fangirl points: I've met a lot of people, specifically a lot of famous people, specifically-specifically a lot of famous musicians, and Johnny Van Zant is one of the nicest people I have ever met!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: CAPTAIN MARVEL

Captain Marvel is an extraterrestrial Kree warrior who finds herself caught in the middle of an intergalactic battle between her people and the Skrulls. Living on Earth in 1995, she keeps having recurring memories of another life as U.S. Air Force pilot Carol Danvers. With help from Nick Fury, Captain Marvel tries to uncover the secrets of her past while harnessing her special superpowers to end the war with the evil Skrulls.

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

  

Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Annette Bening, Clark Gregg,  Jude Law

  

Release Date: March 8, 2019

  

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

  

Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language

  

Runtime: 2h 4 min

  

Review:

Captain Marvel is a solid if bland origin story.  That's not to say that there isn't fun to be had but the plot does telegraph some of the biggest reveals.  At the center of the film is Brie Larson who is typically a strong performer.  Here though, she's mostly wooden and she never really gives her character much personality.  As such, the titular character and star isn't all that interesting for the majority of the film.  Thankfully the supporting characters give the film a lot more life.  Sam Jackson finally gets his proper due in the MCU by giving us a look at Nick Fury as a young SHEILD agent.  The film is at its best when it pairs Larson and Jackson in a sort of buddy comedy, which really gives the film some life.  The real surprise though is a Ben Mendelsohn who brings a lot more to the table than you'd expect.  His character looks like a standard baddie but there's much more depth at play than at first glance.  Throw in a scene stealing cat and you get film that's better in it's final act than it was in the previous two portions.  The soundtrack is bound to make certain people nostalgic even if it plays like a copy of "Now that's what I call Music 90s."  Ultimately the film does a workman like job of checking all the boxes on a origin film but with a clever feminist twist even if it's not a natural or organic as say Wonder Woman.

B- 

MOVIE REVIEW: GRETA

Frances finds a handbag on the New York subway and promptly returns it to Greta, an eccentric French piano teacher who loves tea and classical music. Having recently lost her mother, young Frances strikes up a seemingly harmless friendship with the lonely and kindly widow who enjoys her company. But when Greta's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and obsessive, Frances does whatever it takes to end the toxic relationship before things spirals out of control.

Director: Neil Jordan

Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Colm Feore, Stephen Rea

Release Date: March 1, 2019

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Rated R for some violence and disturbing images

Runtime: 1h 38 min

Review:

Greta is one of those odd ball thrillers that pulls you in because of the talent assembled but never provides anything new or groundbreaking.  Neil Jordan’s film is wonderfully shot which makes it look far better than it deserves.  So it has a nice glossy veneer that elevates the subject matter even when it’s at its most ridiculous.  Isabelle Huppert is a decorated actress fully capable of playing this role in her sleep and she makes the entire thing run even if you do wonder why such an acclaimed actress is slumming it in such routine Fatal Attraction/Single White Female knock off. Chloë Grace Moretz is solid overall even though her and Huppert’s characters are so thinly written that there’s very little depth to either of them.  Maika Monroe makes the most of her supporting role even making more nuanced as the film moves around.  Ultimately, Greta is one of those films that pops up on cable down the road and is just interesting enough to keep you from changing the channel.         

C+