MOVIE REVIEW: THE HOLDOVERS

A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school remains on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's head cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.

Director: Alexander Payne

Cast: Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa, Carrie Preston, Gillian Vigman, Tate Donovan

Release Date: August 31, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rated R for language, some drug use and brief sexual material.

Runtime: 2h 13m

Alexander Payne's newest film, The Holdovers, is a throwback on multiple levels from its character centered approach and methodical pacing which results in something nuanced, funny, and moving.  Its old school approach is readily evident from the start as Payne uses a retro style rating announcement and title cards to establish a mood before we even meet our cast of loners.  Once we do, there's a wonderful lived in, authenticity to each character that comes through the screen.  Paul Giamatti carries the lion's share of the screen time as the acidic, oddball intellectual whose overblown sense of superiority is instantly evident.  On first glance, it’s a fairly straightforward character which we've seen in these kind of films multiple times.  However, once the story starts in earnest the film slowly starts to peel layers away, revealing a character with multiple layers of depth particularly when the film's central trio gets center stage.  This is the kind of role that's tailormade for Giamatti since he can play an oddball in his sleep, but the latter moments lay bare how truly talented he is as he brings moments of rare but subtle emotions.  His natural chemistry with Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, both of which turn in stellar, subtle performances, serves as the emotional center of the entire film.  Their relationships evolve over the film's runtime, which gives it a more focused and adult styled The Breakfast Club as we experience each character's sense of isolation and loneliness.  The script is wryly written, finding comedy and heartfelt truths through which gives the audience an impressive emotional connection to these characters.  Its methodical pacing and understated style might not be for everyone but those still willing to engage with this kind of character study will find plenty to love in The Holdovers.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LOST CITY

 

Reclusive author Loretta Sage writes about exotic places in her popular adventure novels that feature a handsome cover model named Alan. While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta gets kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire who hopes she can lead him to an ancient city's lost treasure from her latest story. Determined to prove he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her.

Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Brad Pitt

Release Date: March 18, 2022 

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Rated PG-13 for violence and some bloody images, suggestive material, partial nudity and language.

Runtime: 1h 52m

Review:

The Lost City is cinematic fast food, instantly recognizable, mildly comforting and full of empty calories.  Director's Aaron Nee and Adam Nee know what kind of film they are making so they keep everything light and breezy.  The film takes off with a hearty amount of laughs aided by an extended cameo from Brad Pitt who makes the most of his screen time.  Once the film settles in on the central romance between Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum the comedy slows a bit as they try to make their mismatched pair seem romantically plausible and only partially succeeding.  For their part Bullock and Tatum are clearly having fun with their roles with both showing off their strong comedic chops even if their romantic chemistry doesn't quite work.   Daniel Radcliffe makes for a surprisingly effective villain here putting in more effort than the role really needs.  Da'Vine Joy Randolph makes her subplot funnier than it really is by bringing some chaotic energy to her role.  The Lost City is the type of film that's easy to enjoy and just as easy to forget about once you step out of the theater.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: DOLEMITE IS MY NAME

Performer Rudy Ray Moore develops an outrageous character named Dolemite, who becomes an underground sensation and star of a kung-fu, anti-establisment film that could make or break Moore.

Director: Craig Brewer

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Wesley Snipes

Release Date: October 25, 2019 

Genre  Biography, Comedy, Drama

Rating: R for some sexuality, full nudity and brief language

Runtime: 1 h 58 min

Review:
Craig Brewer’s Dolemite Is My Name is a fun film that could have been easily forgettable if it weren’t for his central star.  Sure, the true story of Rudy Ray Moore is a fascinating anecdote from Hollywood’s past but without Eddie Murphy’s un-containable energy and charisma it wouldn’t be nearly as watchable.  Murphy’s performance is like a throwback to his classic performances not like his slew of rinse and repeat family comedies he churned out for the better part of late 90's and 2000’s.  The film reminds you why Murphy was such a singular star in those classic films like Coming to America, Trading Spaces and even Bowfinger to a certain extent.  He’s such a magnetic performer that you can’t help but enjoy this bawdy biopic.  The story itself feels familiar but Murphy keeps you interested in this underdog tale.  His supporting cast is made up a who’s who of African American actors and comedians with each making the film better than it deserves to be with Da'Vine Joy Randolph & Wesley Snipes leaving lasting impressions.  Ultimately Dolemite Is My Name is the type of film that’s better than it deserves to be because of inspired casting.


B+