MOVIE REVIEW: ASTEROID CITY

 

World-changing events spectacularly disrupt the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention in an American desert town circa 1955.

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, Jeff Goldblum

Release Date: June 23, 2023 

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rated PG-13 on appeal for brief graphic nudity, smoking and some suggestive material

Runtime:1h 45m

By this point in Wes Anderson's career people should know what they are getting into when they step into the theater to watch one of his films.  His esoteric, meticulous style may not be for everybody but you have to appreciate the level of craftmanship on display in every shot.  This latest entry has all of his quirks and style set to max which a multilevel structure that allow him to explore a wide variety of themes and ruminations on life, love and loss.  Anderson has run through these sort of themes in the past but this is his most densely packed film which is ready made for discussion and dissection. The film follows a very specific pace which might be a bit slow for some since its in no hurry to get anywhere.  Like everything in this film, its measured and calculated and it allows the all star cast really shine in each scene.  It's truly an ensemble piece with everyone getting their moment throughout the film with Schwartzman and Johansson getting slightly more screen time.  Those looking for a straightforward comedy might be disappointed since it's a much more varied beast that has more charm than outright belly laughs.  As the film moves into its final act it also gets more experimental in its structure and overall approach.  Asteroid City proves to be something far more interesting and innovative when its all said and done.  Its an impressive feat from Anderson and his cast but I don't believe this is the type of film that will change people who dislike his singular style into fans.  

A-

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of The Good Nurse & See How They Run

My dear reader(s): Yesterday I treated myself to a good old-fashioned double-feature. If it was from my sofa rather than from my old seat at the cinema...well...I'm still going to frame it as a step back towards normal. On the docket: The Good Nurse and See How They Run.

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

First up: The Good Nurse.

A physically and financially overburdened nurse begins to suspect her helpful new co-worker is not as he appears.

Based on a true story, the Good Nurse stars Academy Award winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne, punching below their weight. The film maintains tension decently — even if viewers may remember the outcome from the news — yet it still seems to arrive at its destination a little too quickly and conveniently. Fortunately, the story itself is compelling enough to hold attention, and Chastain and Redmayne (along with the stellar Noah Emmerich) would make it worth a look regardless of its other flaws.

The Good Nurse runs 121 minutes and is rated R for language.

The Good Nurse is essentially a network movie of the week, elevated by its exceptional cast. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Good Nurse gets six and a half.

The Good Nurse is now streaming on Netflix.

Next on my agenda: See How They Run.

In 1950s London, attempts to make a film version of a long-running play are derailed when a key individual is murdered.

See How They Run is a proper, old-school murder mystery with an excellent cast, featuring Sam Rockwell, Adrien Brody, David Oyelowo, a particularly charming Saoirse Ronan, and the always delightful Ruth Wilson. The self-aware film moves quickly, keeps its secrets well, and boasts terrific costumes, styling, and set design. In the "before times," this is the sort of movie I'd have awaited anxiously, run out to see on opening day, and written about — if not glowingly — then at least very, very positively. These days, I'm excited it turned up for free, I loved watching these actors work with a decent script and pretty outfits, and I liked it well enough that I didn't play on my phone the whole time it was on.

See How They Run clocks in at a quick 98 minutes and is rated PG13 for "some violence/bloody images, and a sexual reference."

See How They Run is a fun mystery that boasts solid performances from its wonderful cast. Of a possible nine Weasleys, See How They Run gets seven.

See How They Run is now streaming on HBO Max.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BLONDE

 

A look at the rise to fame and the epic demise of actress Marilyn Monroe, one of the biggest stars in the world.

Director: Andrew Dominik

Cast: Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, Julianne Nicholson

Release Date: September 16, 2022

Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance

Rated NC-17 for some sexual content

Runtime: 2h 46m

Review:

Marilyn Monroe is one of those cultural icons whose story has been told ad nauseam by this point.  Tackling this subject matter requires that a director makes the well worn material feel fresh and interesting.  Andrew Dominik's film Blonde does this by delivering a glossy, visually impressive horror show that feels more like Passion of the Christ than Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.  Dominick's film relishes in delivering scene after scene of pain and torture to it's central subject.  There's nary a sequence that doesn't involve some sort of degradation, trauma or abuse piled on.  Its a disquieting and unsettling exploration of the starlets life which leaves the character with very little agency or depth outside of her PSTD as she's beat around like a platinum pinball.  Ana de Armas, for her part, is fully committed to the role and delivers an impressive performance even with the razor thin characterization she's given.  Armas captures the breathy woman child persona with relative ease even though her Cuban accent does manage to  peak thru a handful of times.  The script gives her painfully few moments for Armas to delve deeper into the character's inner turmoil much less any semblance of happiness.  The character is written and played as a gorgeous punching bag beaten to a bloody pulp on multiple levels by the time the film ends.  Blonde isn't the biopic for fans of the iconic actress, instead it's more like an arthouse horror show.  

D