MOVIE REVIEW: THE HIGH NOTE

Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis, a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie is Grace's overworked personal assistant who's stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

Director: Nisha Ganatra

Cast: Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Bill Pullman

Release Date: May 29, 2020

Drama, Music, Romance

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, and suggestive references

Runtime: 1h 53m

Review:

The High Note is a romantic comedy that doesn’t aspire to any great heights but as a serviceable low rent version of The Devil Wears Prada it works.  Nisha Ganatra delivers a glossy looking film that looks slightly like a Nancy Meyers film set in the music industry.  Still, it’s decently paced with a nice sweet tone throughout even if it only brushes on bigger subjects but never engages them.  Instead it’s content with the basic rom-com plot points.  As is, the film works well enough to keep it entertaining mainly due to the film keeping a light easy going feel for the length of the film.  Dakota Johnson is fine in the lead even though she’s about as vanilla as they come and her character is written to take advantage of her blandness.  She’s never annoying or really all that interesting but she keeps the film moving.  Thankfully Johnson and Kelvin Harrison Jr share some solid screen chemistry which makes their love story thread better than it should be.  The film does perk up noticeably when Tracee Ellis Ross is on screen, she’s tailor suited to playing a legendary songstress and she’s got the pipes to back it up.  Her character deserved more nuance and depth than the film gives her which is a shame since it would have made the whole thing more impactful.  Ice Cube has a smaller supporting role and it’s good to see him play a different type of character here.  The High Note isn’t a perfect film and could have used a bit of trimming here and there but still an enjoyable watch even if doesn’t bring anything new to the table.

B

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Independence Day: Resurgence & Free State of Jones

Dearest Blog: Today it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Independence Day: Resurgence and The Free State of Jones. 

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing that hasn't been divulged by the trailers. 

 

First up: Independence Day: Resurgence. Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, aliens prove they can't take a hint. 

 

Well, dear reader(s), if you thought this reboot was unnecessary before, just wait 'til you see it! 

 

Resurgence features some pretty imposing disaster effects, and, if you're a fan of the first one, there are plenty of familiar faces to indulge your nostalgia, but unfortunately, the movie doesn't have much else going for it. 

 

Resurgence gets off to a slow start and, despite the fact there's plenty of action, it never really seems to pick up. Wooden performances exacerbate clunky dialogue, emotional moments are worse than contrived, and the "one world, one people" message is so heavy-handed I kept expecting everyone to sit in a circle and sing Kumbaya. 

 

If I'd rolled my eyes any harder, I'd be writing this review out the back of my head. Independence Day: Resurgence runs 120 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of sci-fi action and destruction, and for some language." 

 

Independence Day: Resurgence is a silly, unnecessary exercise in bad science fiction. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Independence Day: Resurgence gets four. 

 

Next on the agenda: Free State of Jones. 

 

Tired of poor people dying to keep rich people rich, a Confederate deserter declares his indpendence. 

 

Movie lovers: would you believe me if I told you Free State of Jones is the *less* preachy of the weekend's two new epics? 

 

I know, right?? While it does run overlong and is in no hurry to get anywhere, Free State of Jones never seems to drag. Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Mahershala Ali headline a stellar cast that makes a pretty average drama seem much better. 

 

The film is gruesome and hard to watch at times, but it boasts extraordinary production design and a lovely score by Nicholas Britell. It also serves as an important and timely reminder that being horrible to others is a lousy idea that invariably lands a person on the wrong side of history. 

 

Free State of Jones clocks in at 139 minutes and is rated R for "brutal battle scenes and disturbing graphic images." 

 

It'll be long forgotten come awards time, but Free State of Jones is a pretty solid historical drama that's worth your movie dollar. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Free State of Jones gets six and a half. 

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE

Roland Emmerich returns to the helm for this long-awaited sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Roland Emmerich. Fearful of another attack, the nations of Earth have teamed up against their common enemy -- the extraterrestrials who brought humanity to the brink of extinction. Using recovered alien technology to bolster their defenses, the alliance braces itself for another invasion. Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman reprise their roles from the original film, while Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher, and Maika Monroe are among the new additions to the cast. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: Roland Emmerich 

Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox

Release Date: Jun 24, 2016

Rated PG-13 for sequences of Sci-Fi Action, Destruction and Some Language

Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Independence Day: Resurgence is a massive summer blockbuster that’s as dumb as it is loud.  The good thing about it is that the film never really feels like a chore and rarely bores throughout.  It’s a silly film and that will affect people’s enjoyment of it.  The spectacle is impressive but less impressive than it was 20 years ago when it seemed groundbreaking.  The comedy is about as broad as humanly possible, as if one of the six writers on the project wanted to make sure they recycled as many jokes as possible while trying not to offend.  We get a run through of returning characters and some are killed off unceremoniously while other still play vital roles.  The first act also, makes it a point to let the audience know that Will Smith’s character had died in the 20 years since the original film, explaining away Smith absence.  Sadly, the new characters aren’t terribly engaging or interesting but the film does throw in a African Warlord and a high speed school bus vs. giant alien chase because why not.  Independence Day: Resurgence isn’t going to set the world on fire like the original but it’s surprisingly light disaster film that’s eager to please.

C