MOVIE REVIEW: WOMEN TALKING

 

Women in an isolated religious colony struggle to reconcile with their faith after a series of sexual assaults.

Director: Sarah Polley

Cast: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Frances McDormand

Release Date: December 23, 2022

Genre: Drama

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content including sexual assault, bloody images, and some strong language

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

Sarah Polley’s Women Talking is a meditative drama is the kind of film that’s driven by its script and cast.  Polley takes a minimalist approach which allows the focus to remain centered on its subject matter and characters.  A handful of sweeping landscape shots and post assault flashbacks make up the small visual flourishes she utilizes during the course of the film’s runtime.  The film’s central meetings feel more like a stage play as we listen to the character describe the terrible state of this situation and ruminate on how to escape and possible consequences.  This isn’t the kind of film that isn’t going to be for everyone with its dialogue-centric approach and heavy subject matter which some people might find to be little more than pretentious award fodder.  It’s definitely a certain type of film but that doesn’t keep it from being impactful for those willing to take the time to appreciate the performances on screen.  The ensemble of actresses on screen deliver excellent performances throughout with each of them given ample time to shine. The characters do lean a bit more into types than fully realized characters but that doesn’t make them any less effective.  Rooney Mara is decidedly hopeful, Claire Foy intensely fiery but Jessie Buckley’s conflicted character is the most interesting of the group.  Buckly’s performance dominates the latter portion of the film with a measured and complex performance that’s rather mesmerizing.  Ben Whishaw, Judith Ivey, Michelle McLeod and Sheila McCarthy make the most of their screentime in vital supporting turns which gives the film its beating heart.  Women Talking is the kind of film that allows you appreciate the power of words especially when delivered by a stellar cast.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: MARY POPPINS RETURNS

Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins -- the beloved nanny from their childhood -- arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure.

Director: Rob Marshall

Cast: Emily Blunt, Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep

Release Date: December 19, 2018

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements and brief action

Runtime: 2h 10 min

Review:

I feel obliged to mention that I’ve never actually watched the original Mary Poppins start to finish.  I’m well aware of it by reputation and honestly I’m more familiar with The Simpson’s parody of it than the actual movie.  As such, I head into this reboot with the ability to take Rob Marshall’s sequel mostly on its own merits.  Keeping with the transparency theme, I’ll state that I’ve been a big fan of Marshall’s work since Chicago and Mary Poppins Returns only further confirms my admiration.  Marshall can stage a song and dance sequence like few others can and here he’s in top form delivering some wonderfully fizzy and enjoyable sequences that will leave a smile on your face.  The film moves at a steady pace, rarely lingering too long much less on the barebone’s plot.  It keeps moving on Marshall’s energy and its stars incredible charm and screen presence.  Emily Blunt is everything you could ask for as she takes over the reins from Julie Andrews.  It’s a role that seems tailor made for her and she plays it with palpable energy and vigor.  Manuel Miranda is a bit of an outlier, no so much that he’s bad but he just feels slightly miscast even though he does add some spice into some of songs.  Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer are mostly left by the wayside in thankless supporting roles.  It help that three child actors who spend the most time on screen with Blunt prove to be more capable of carrying their own.  It’s a treat to watch and the film as a whole is about as charming and delightful they come.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: PADDINGTON 2

Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear is a popular member of the community who spreads joy and marmalade wherever he goes. One fine day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop -- the perfect present for his beloved aunt's 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy's big celebration.

Director: Paul King

Cast: Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Sally Hawkins, Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville

Release Date: Jan 12, 2018

Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor

Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Review:

The first Paddington was a surprisingly fun adaptation of the classic children’s book.  It was the rare film that actually captured the spirit of the character instead of just mining the source material for a quick buck.  Having lighting strike twice seemed like a long shot but Paul King’s lovingly made sequel continued the first film’s legacy.  It’s nearly impossible not to be charmed by the story from the start.  It’s the best kind of kid’s film, one that never panders to its audience and has a tangible heart beat.  Ben Whishaw is just a perfect in this sequel as the titular bear, making him endearing and lovable.  The returning cast members like Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins are solid throughout with Hawkins getting more to do in the second half of the film.   Hugh Grant is clearly having a ball as Phoenix Buchanan, the villain in this chapter.  Buchanan’s character is a lot more memorable than the first film’s adversary which is to the sequel’s benefit.  Add in a fun supporting turn by Bredan Gleenson and you’ve got the rare kids sequel that improves on original while never losing the spirit of the characters.        

A

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Paddington 2 & Den of Thieves

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for a pair of heist movies: Paddington 2 and Den of Thieves. (Find another review that makes *that* connection if you can!)

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

First on my agenda: Paddington 2.

When dear Paddington is wrongly jailed for robbery, it's up to the Browns to find the real thief.

Paddington was a lovely surprise, a "children's" movie that turned out to be so much more. If there's any surprise to the greatness of Paddington 2, it's only that it's even better than the first.

Like its predecessor, much of Paddington 2's charm can be credited to its phenomenal cast. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, and Brendan Gleeson are in top form, and Hugh Grant is an absolute delight as the film's narcissistic villain. The plot of Paddington 2 doesn't hold many twists, but it doesn't need them; its execution is so sweet and funny that predictability is easily forgiven. The movie is beautifully filmed, with a special nod to the animated pop-up book sequences, a true delight from start to finish. Stay tuned for a great musical number at the end!

Paddington 2 runs 104 minutes and is rated PG for "some action and mild rude humor."

In an increasingly ugly world, I'm grateful for the joyful beauty of Paddington.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Paddington 2 gets all nine. (Yes, I'm throwing down a nine in January. 2018, you've got your work cut out for you.)

Fangirl points: Joanna Lumley! Ben Whishaw! Peter Capaldi! Ben Miller! Richard Ayoade!

Next on the docket: Den of Thieves.

LA's top cops face off with a legendary heist crew. Many shootings and f-words ensue.

Dear reader(s), my anticipation for Den of Thieves could not have been higher, and I want you to know from the bottom of my heart: I LOVE THIS MOVIE. It may not be the cleverest or the best from any technical standpoint, but, damn, it's everything I'd hoped it would be.

Den of Thieves wastes no time getting started with a fast and loud robbery and chase. From there, it quiets down surprisingly often, lending some time to backstory and...wait for it...planning. Like actual thinking. Yes, Den of Thieves is smarter than I expected. Understand the Smart Bar had been set very, VERY low, but still...I liked that it threw me a little curve, and in more ways than just Gerard Butler pondering his life choices. Den of Thieves weaves a tense tale, as the crafty robbers and no-rules cops attempt to out-fox each other. The bad-good guys are headed up by Butler, and his usual meathead act is quite perfect here. The bad-bad guys have Pablo Schreiber and O'Shea Jackson, Jr. turning in very nice performances with--dare I suggest it?--a fair bit of depth. Den of Thieves runs a hair too long and might have been better served by trimming some unnecessary subplot, but the movie takes a few turns I didn't expect and saves its best surprises for the finale.

Den of Thieves clocks in at 140 minutes and is rated R for "violence, language, and some sexuality/nudity."

Plopped squarely in the middle of all the pretentiousness of Awards Season, Den of Thieves is a sweary, testosterone-soaked action picture that is exactly what it means to be.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Den of Thieves gets eight.

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Suffragette & In the Heart of the Sea

Dearest Blog: yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for a double-feature of Suffragette and In the Heart of the Sea, or, as I like to call it, the Ben Whishaw Film Festival. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 Yesterday's opening act: Suffragette. The war for equal voting rights has a great personal cost for the women fighting it. Regular reader(s) will be well aware that Suffragette is hardly my kind of movie. 

It's about women. It stars Carey Mulligan, whom I loathe. No cities get crushed by aliens or giant robots...and I don't even know what the filmmakers were thinking there, as surely giant robots could have facilitated voting rights much more quickly than a few rocks through windows! 

At any rate, it's awards season and we all must make sacrifices, so, Suffragette it was. I'm pleased to report I didn't hate it. The bad news is, obviously, Carey Mulligan. If the woman were any more bland she'd be invisible, and, since she's the primary star of the film, it's a little hard to get around that. 

The good news is, she's surrounded by people who do a pretty good job of getting around it, including Helena Bonham-Carter, my beloved Ben Whishaw, the brilliant Brendan Gleeson, Romola Garai, and Meryl Streep, doing her very best impersonation of Mother Nature in A Year Without a Santa Claus. 

All in all, it's pretty easy to forget about Mulligan, which is probably not what the "star" of any movie wants to hear. In typical British fashion, Suffragette understatedly tackles an epic story; no one will be unaware that this fight was eventually won, but the movie plays out the victory sans the fireworks and trumpet fanfare that surely would have concluded an American telling of the tale. 

Finally, though it's mostly talkey rather than actioney, the film moves at a good clip and is smart enough not to bog down and wear out its welcome. Suffragette runs 106 minutes and is rated PG13 for "some intense violence, thematic elements, brief strong language, and partial nudity." 

Suffragette is a well-paced, finely-acted reminder of the cost of standing up for what matters, and why it's worth it. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Suffragette gets five and a half. 

Yesterday's headliner: In the Heart of the Sea. The kinda-sorta true story of the kinda-sorta true story that inspired the classic novel Moby Dick. 

By now anyone reading this likely will have heard that In the Heart of the Sea is being pummeled by critics and sinking at the box office (see what I did there?), the second "serious" project fronted by Chris Hemsworth to achieve these dubious honors. 

Hemsworth isn't a terrible actor, though his accent is all over the place, but I think perception of him is a big part of In the Heart of the Sea's biggest problem, that is: the movie just doesn't know what it's supposed to be. Inspired by a literary legend and dropped smack-dab into the middle of awards season, the supporting cast is littered with some of moviedom's most talented actors, but in the end it can't help itself being a big-budget actioner with a Marvel hero front and center. 

It's a little like that Benghazi trailer, which looks serious as a heart attack until it says "Directed by Michael Bay," and then you chuckle quietly and check your phone one last time before the feature begins. Brendan Gleeson, who deserved an Oscar last year for Calvary (still holding a grudge, thank you), is (again) nothing short of brilliant, as is the always-stellar Cillian Murphy. 

Ben Whishaw is terrific, because Ben Whishaw is always terrific, though this role hardly stretches his abilities. I'm also delighted to see that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (which, for the record, I loved) hasn't killed Benjamin Walker's career, though it looks like he's gonna give career-suicide another go with that Nicholas Sparks movie next year. 

*sigh* I saw In the Heart of the Sea in 2D, and, outside of a bit of wonky green screen, it looks great, but I didn't notice anything that would be appreciably better for seeing it in 3D. In the Heart of the Sea isn’t short on superficial assets--great water and disaster effects, nice cinematography, stupidly handsome principals--but under the surface there's little to get or hold your attention. 

The unfortunate truth is the film is rather dull. In the Heart of the Sea clocks in at 121 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of action and peril, brief startling violence, and thematic material." 

If there's one thing a movie about a boatload of hot dudes getting attacked by a giant whale should never be, it's boring; sadly, that's exactly what In the Heart of the Sea is. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, In the Heart of the Sea gets five. 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: IN THE HEART OF THE SEA,

Director: Ron Howard     

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, Tom Holland

Release Date: Dec 11, 2015 RealD 3D    

Rated PG-13 for intense Sequences of Peril, Intense Sequences of Action, Brief Startling Violence 

and Thematic Material.    

Runtime: 2 hr. 2 min.    

Genres: Action/Adventure    

Review:

In the Heart of the Sea is a serviceable film that sadly never achieves the epic scope it aspires to.  Ron Howard, workman as always, diligently directs his film with a clear earnestness which shines through the filming.  It’s a fine looking film, occasionally bogged down by some shoddy looking CGI, that does nearly everything we ask from our films but it just seems to be missing something.  The characters and tension is poorly drawn with little to no depth on either end.  Chris Hemsworth looks the part but his character, the proto Ahab, isn’t very compelling or interesting.  The supporting characters is a venerable whose who of strong actors and all of them end up in thankless roles, particularly Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy.  The film does perk up a bit during the pivotal whale act which is much more thrilling than the rest of the film combined. 

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: SPECTRE

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris

Release Date: Nov. 6, 2015

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language

Runtime: 2 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Action, Adventure

Review:

Spectre is a totally serviceable Bond film that hits all the expected beats but rarely surprises.  Coming after Skyfall, which is probably one of the best Bond films, doesn’t help Spectre since the comparisons are unavoidable.  Skyfall felt fresh and had a strong sense of immediacy something Spectre lacks.  Spectre delivers all the globe trotting set pieces and love interest required for a Bond film.  Its biggest issue is that it feels rather paint by the numbers throughout.  Even the big reveal feels kind of perfunctory when it should be a jaw dropping moment.  In lesser hands this would be a total miss but Sam Mendes is an incredibly talented film maker.  He delivers a beautiful film that has some great moments with the opening sequence in Mexico City and a thrilling chase in the Austrian mountains leaving the biggest impression.  For all the grumpiness during the press tour, Daniel Craig delivers another strong performance as Bond.  I’ve always enjoyed the level of intensity that he’s brought to the role, something that’s been missing from previous incarnations.  Bond’s supporting cast gets some slightly expanded roles with Ben Whishaw bringing some much needed to energy to the middle portions of the film.  Sadly, some of the new faces like Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, doing her best Eva Green impression, and Monica Belluci are woefully underused.  Christoph Waltz was born to play a Bond villain but he’s left on the sidelines for the better part of the film meandering runtime.  Spectre has a steady sense of finality for Craig’s run as Bond which is a shame on so many levels.  Sadly, Spectre stands closer to Quantum of Solace instead of a worthy follow up to Skyfall.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: SKYFALL

SKYFALL




007 (Daniel Craig) becomes M's only ally as MI6 comes under attack, and a mysterious new villain emerges with a diabolical plan. James Bond's latest mission has gone horribly awry, resulting in the exposure of several undercover agents, and an all-out attack on M16. Meanwhile, as M (Judi Dench) plans to relocate the agency, emerging Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) raises concerns about her competence while attempting to usurp her position and Q (Ben Whishaw) becomes a crucial ally. Now the only person who can restore M's reputation is 007. The film was directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and shot by acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins (True Grit, The Reader, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Release Date: Nov 09, 2012

Rated PG-13 for language, Intense Violent Sequences, Smoking and Some Sexuality

Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ben
Whishaw

Review:

Roger Moore’s take on James Bond still sticks in my mind whenever the series pops out another entry into the long running series. Moore was the Bond of my childhood and while some of it was enjoyable it never really did much for me as a series or character. So much so that I skipped the entire Dalton and Brosnan iterations of the character, the latter of which fell into some of the sillier set ups and situations. Craig’s take on the other hand, I rather enjoyed even with the overly self serious mess that is Quantum of Solace. That misstep seems like a distant memory with Skyfall, it cover so much franchise territory that it feels like the perfect Bond flick, doubly so with this being the 50th anniversary. Sam Mendes direction is superb, his love of the series seeps through every moment of the film. Skyfall is a visually stunning film, thanks to some truly impressive cinematography from Roger Deakins. The entire production could be seen as a love letter to the franchise as a whole, yet it works perfectly as a film and story in of itself. Mendes lets the plot breathe, never letting it get too serious dour or overdone. He moves it all forward at a steady pace and delivers an experience which never feels its 2 and ½ hours. Action set pieces are all very strong, especially the opening sequence which start thing off on a great note. Craig comfortably steps back into Bond’s tuxedo with ease. He is able to maneuver the character’s nuances, dealing with some deeper character moments very well. Judi Dench is given more to do than just issue orders and sit behind a desk. Her status as Bond’s surrogate mother figure comes into play here, allowing for some great character moments between M and Bond. The newcomers to the series; Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw all make for strong additions with Whishaw making his presence felt in a natural and organic manner for the character and series. Javier Bardem is wonderfully flamboyant and maniacal as the villain. Bardem’s villain encapsulates all the craziness of past Bond villains but adding a great twist to it, he’s hard to take your eyes off when he’s on screen thanks to Bardem’s commitment to his creation. The story itself has enough beef to keep causal and hardcore fans engaged especially with it’s focus on the old fashion ways of doing things.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: CLOUD ATLAS

IN THEATERS

CLOUD ATLAS



Directors Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski team up to helm this adaptation of David Mitchell's popular novel Cloud Atlas. The trio have put together an all-star cast, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, and Hugh Grant, to play various characters over the course of several different historical time periods. The various narrative threads weave in and out of each other, painting a portrait of mankind's quest for tolerance and peace throughout the ages. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer

Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Huge Grant, Keith David

Release Date: Oct 26, 2012

Rated R for violence, Language, Some Drug Use and Sexuality/Nudity

Runtime: 2 hr. 52 min.

Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The Wachowski’s and Tom Tykwer’s Cloud Atlas is truly an accomplishment. The film is a blending and mixing of genres and stories across space and time done with incredible ease. The experience is jarring at first but utterly engrossing after it settles in your mind. Various themes are interwoven into the multiple story threads display the level of intricacy at work. The assembled cast made up of A-listers and character actors attack their multiple roles with a noticeable vigor and range. Each actor or actress is given plenty time to shine in one interaction or another with Doona Bae being the biggest surprise overall, simply because she’s the least known. There are some characters that play actors incredibly against type and other that layer them in drag or heavy prosthetics to change their appearance. Cloud Atlas’s biggest positive is it’s boldness of sprit, even with the various genres at play it achieves a strong emotion link with the audience which will be readily apparent by the film’s end. At nearly 3 hours, the film moves at a steady pace but rarely feels overlong which is a good thing since it’s the type of film that will require multiple viewings to catch every nuance.

A