MOVIE REVIEW: INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

 

Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen

Release Date: June 30, 2023 

Genre: Action, Adventure

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, language and smoking

Runtime: 2h 34m

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is a perfectly capable send off for the legendary character even though it does feel like a band on their farewell tour playing all the greatest hits.  James Mangold does his best Spielberg by delivering the kind of action set pieces you'd expect in an Indy feature, the extended opening is well done but the de aging technology still looks a bit odd in extended use.  The film rarely drags except for a few spots here and there that could have been cut to make it a more efficient experience.  It’s all enjoyable but like the script it’s all incredibly familiar on multiple levels.  There are bits about age and regret interwoven throughout the story but none of it is particularly revelatory.  The addition of his goddaughter, played with appropriate spunk by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, feels like a redo of the much-maligned character from Crystal Skull, Indy's son Mutt Williams.  Helena Shaw's character veers closer to being a mirror image of Indy and their interplay is fun thanks in large part to the actor’s natural chemistry together.  Harrison Ford puts the fedora back on with general ease which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.  Ford's general gruffness works well with the character at this point in his life so much so that you sort of wonder if he's even acting or just being himself.  He clearly enjoys being back in the saddle one last time even though the film doesn't cover any new territory.  Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook villainous character are broadly drawn and don't really make for very interesting adversaries.  Mikkelsen, for his part, does what he can with the character but you really get the feeling he was dying for a beefier role.  The same is true of Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny as a whole, it ultimately serves as comfort food for long time fans of the character who wanted just one more taste before saying goodbye.    

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: BLADE RUNNER 2049

Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who's been missing for 30 years.

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Release Date: Oct 06, 2017

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Lennie James.

Rated PG-13 for language, Brief Suggestive Content, Sequences of Sci-Fi Action and Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 43 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Making a sequel to a seminal sci-fi film is a huge task, especially 35 years after the fact.  Denis Villeneuve and his cinematographer Roger Denkins deliver a visually mesmerizing film that’s gorgeous from start to finish.  It’s an impressive accomplishment that honors the original but also expounds on it.  Ryan Gosling ably leads the film with an understated performance that’s surprisingly nuanced and layered.  Those expecting a heavy dose of Harrison Ford’s Deckard will be left disappointed since he’s only in the film for a small amount of the film’s runtime.  While it’s hard to ignore the high level of craftsmanship and artistry, you do have to wonder if Villeneuve fell a little in love with his creation.  The film’s nearly 3 hour runtime isn’t necessary since some scenes seem inconsequential to the overall plot.  That’s not to say the film isn’t enjoyable or engaging but I can’t help but feel like there’s a tighter more efficient film in there somewhere.     

B+

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Blade Runner 2049 & The Mountain Between Us

Dearest Blog, yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see the highly-touted Blade Runner 2049 and not-at-all-touted The Mountain Between Us.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild for 2049, somewhat elevated (see what I did there?) for Mountain, but nothing really plot-related.

 

First on my agenda: Blade Runner 2049.

 

A young Blade Runner unearths a secret that sends him on a dangerous quest.

 

Ohhhhh...Ryan Gosling...you owe me. La La Land. Lars and the Real Girl. The Place Beyond the Pines. Only God Forgives. (Worst. Movie. Ever.) At this point, *I* could be forgiven for thinking this guy willfully takes only projects he hopes will bore me to death. Slowly.

 

In the interest of full and fair disclosure, here I'll confess that I haven't seen the original Blade Runner in about a hundred years and thus I remember very little (read: nothing) about it. I had good intentions of revisiting it before the new one hit cinemas, but never got around to it, so I know there were certain "recognition" moments that were lost on me. I should also note that I was in no way predisposed to dislike this, so the degree to which I did came as something of a surprise.

 

Blade Runner 2049 actually does have a fair few things going for it. The principal roles are carried by well-known and well-decorated actors who do as much as they can with wooden characters. Gosling is never less than watchable, and Robin Wright is the same. Harrison Ford takes his sweet time showing up, but when he does it's welcome, even if it seems a rehash of pretty much everything Harrison Ford does these days. The picture boasts astonishing, Oscar-worthy visuals and an ominous score that I can't wait to torture my coworkers with. For at least the first half of the movie, all of that was enough that I didn't hate it, but the longer it dragged on, the less interested I became in finding that silver lining, and there you'll find the movie's chief handicap: it is just too long to be as slow as it is (or too slow to be as long as it is). Yes, it's pretentious at times (lots of times). Yes, Jared Leto is ridiculous. Yes, it's often too dark to see anything at all, and yes, the 3D is utterly pointless.

 

BUT...2049 likely could have gotten away with most of that if only it weren't So. Damn. Long. I saw a few social media posts yesterday saying that the film leaves many questions to be answered by a potential "next installment," but the only question Blade Runner 2049 left me was: "Can Robin Wright take a drink without slamming it like a belligerent pirate?" The world may never know.

Blade Runner 2049 clocks in at a painful 163 minutes and is rated R for "violence, some sexuality, nudity, and language."

 

Blade Runner 2049 is a flaming bag of poo left on my cinematic doorstep, but it sure looks and sounds pretty! Of a possible nine Weasleys, Blade Runner 2049 gets four.

 

Next up: The Mountain Between Us.

 

Two professionals who HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE charter a small plane and end up not getting anywhere.

 

The Mountain Between Us is nothing more than badly-done fanfiction, Twilight for grownups, minus the sparkling. How on Earth anyone got one--nevermind TWO--actors the caliber of Kate Winslet and Idris Elba to sign on for this drivel is beyond me. The most entertaining thing about the whole mess was the two older folks in my screening who loudly admonished the screen: "You should have waited for the other plane!" "You should have brought warmer clothes!" (It's a testament to just how bored I was that I found that amusing instead of infuriating.) The picture plods on for nearly two snowy hours, hitting every tired AO3 tag you can think of, and often turning very specifically reminiscent of 1993's Alive. (Spoiler alert: Except they never ended up having to eat each other. At least not literally.) By the time the movie reminds you for the last time that this horrible experience has made someone FEEL ALIVE, you'll be wishing you weren't.

 

The Mountain Between Us runs 103 minutes and is rated PG13 for "a scene of sexuality, peril, injury images, and brief strong language."

 

If ever I am stranded somewhere with Idris Elba and you send someone to "rescue" me, I will end you. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Mountain Between Us gets three.

 

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Dearest Blog: yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see--you guessed it!--Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

In a post-Empire galaxy far, far away, the resistance fights the tyrannical rule of the First Order. Dear Reader(s): Is there anything quite so magical as being in a dark theatre when that crawl starts and the iconic Star Wars theme kicks on? 

 

I think not. Fortunately, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is extraordinary from the theme's opening note to the end credits' final line. The Force Awakens is littered with enough nostalgia to keep the die-hards happy, but it's far from just a stroll down memory lane. 

 

The new story and new characters fit the universe with nary a hiccup, well crafted enough to stand on their own without upsetting the whole galactic applecart. New leads Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (Attack the Block...YEAH!) are so terrific the naysayers will be forced to come 'round, if they haven't already, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little teary through the biggest smiles ever when my old favorites appeared. 

 

The Force Awakens has terrific effects that seem to come right off the screen, even in 2D, and it goes without saying the score is majestic. 

 

The movie's a hair on the long side, but that's a minor quibble with a picture that manages to please old and new fans alike, garner nearly universal support for a very polarizing director, and effectively redefine Hollywood's definition of "blockbuster." Star Wars: The Force Awakens runs 135 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi action violence." 

 

That rare item that lives up to the hype, of a possible nine Weasleys, Star Wars: The Force Awakens gets eight and a half. (Small bonus for having an actual Weasley in the cast!) Also, I want a BB-8!! 

 

Until next time... 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN

In this continuation of the epic space opera, a downed stormtrooper (John Boyega) goes on a journey that brings him face-to-face with heroes from the past (Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill). Directed by J.J. Abrams. ~ Violet LeVoit, Rovi

Director: J.J. Abrams

Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford, 

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher

Release Date: Dec 17, 2015

Rated PG-13

Runtime: 2 hr. 16 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is probably one of the most hyped movies in recent memory and the question quickly arises, can it possibly live up to the hype.  It does to a certain extent but it’s far from a perfect delivery.  The good news is that J.J. Abrams brings back the sense of fun and wonderment to the series that was sorely lacking from the prequels.  Abrams has a clear affection for the franchise, countless youtube videos will soon be dedicated to dissecting shots that reference the original trilogy, and it shines through the screen and through the plot.  It’s both a love letter to Star Wars: A New Hope and a redux of it.  Even if the nostalgia is a bit much at times, Abrams knows how to keep the film fun with plenty of space battles and adventure.  The new and old characters mesh surprisingly well even if the Daisy Ridley and John Boyega scale closer to Luke Skywalker than Han Solo.  Boyega does stand out with his comedic timing which is used throughout the film.  A persistently sweaty Ridley does a solid if unremarkable job.  Oscar Isaac on the other hand plays the most intriguing new character in the film.  He’s so impressive that you can’t help but wish that he was the main character instead of a supporting one.  The returning cast does well as expected with Harrison Ford impressively easing back into his Solo character and providing a solid center to the whole film.  Adam Driver on the other hand is a mixed bag as the new baddie Kylo Ren.  He’s world more effective when he’s in full character.  The mystique they work to create during the first two acts is kind thrown to the wayside when he’s unmasked and we’re left with an all too familiar whiny child with Driver’s face.  This is part of the persistent problem with the film, it lack any real surprise because it telegraphs “surprises” from miles away.  The only way you’d really not see them coming would be if you showed up late or fell asleep for some reason.  That’s not even to mention the Death Star, hey lets make it huge this time that’ll work, device that used again.  Still, even with it’s faults The Force Awakens delivers what people expected from the prequels, a fun adventure back in this universe.

B+

Cindy Prascik’s Review of Paranoia

Dearest Blog, a day of lunacy, with an unexpected detour to the DMV, left me time for only one movie on this weekend of four major new releases. Since one of the four has Gary Oldman and the other three do not, I believe the technical term for this decision is "a gimmie." Paranoia it is!

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. I'm going to have to comment on the film's ending, but I won't give it away.

A tech whiz-kid is used as a pawn in two industry giants' bitter feud.

I am sorry to report that Paranoia does not break the mold in this summer of movies that have been less than expected. It's fairly entertaining, but definitely not the smartly twisting thriller I expected.

Star Liam Hemsworth matches his big brother Chris in the looks department, but lacks the magnetism that allows Chris to share a screen with the likes of Robert Downey, Jr. and not be utterly invisible. Oscar-nominated supporting cast notwithstanding, it's up to Hemsworth to carry Paranoia, and, sadly, the task is beyond him. Hemsworth is a fine physical specimen, and his charms are randomly and gratuitously on display throughout the movie. (That's not a complaint, more a warning...you know, if you have a weak heart or something.) His performance is passable, but not strong enough to salvage a so-so film.

Supporting players Oldman, Harrison Ford, and Richard Dreyfuss are the movie's goldmine and are surprisingly well-used. When any one of the three is onscreen, Paranoia becomes infinitely more engaging. For supporting roles, I can't really complain about Oldman's or Ford's screentime, but the movie noticeably loses its spark when neither is present. In these days of Sirius Black and Jim Gordon,

Paranoia is a nice reminder of just how good Gary Oldman is at being bad!

Paranoia has relatively few attempts at humor, and most of what it has falls flat. The film consistently fails to sustain any tension or suspense, and there were zero (0) twists that I didn't see coming from a mile out. I rolled my eyes so much at the ending I was afraid they might stick. Even allowing for its many faults, though, Paranoia didn't bore me, and I wouldn't say it's a terrible movie...just not anywhere near as good as I'd hoped.

For my fellow Gary Fangirls and Fanboys, Paranoia sees Gary looking extra-fine, dapper in grey suits with mostly purple ties (though they went for blue at the end), very handsome. His screentime is more than acceptable for a supporting role and, as I'm sure I don't need to say, his scenes represent all the movie's high points. This is Gary's only big-screen appearance of 2013, so I enthusiastically suggest everyone get out and see him while you can!

Paranoia clocks in at 106 minutes and is rated PG13 for "some sexuality, violence, and language."

Paranoia is carrying a rating of just 4.5 at IMDB, and an embarrassing two-percent at Rotten Tomatoes. Before seeing it yesterday, I heard it called "the worst movie of Harrison Ford's career," all of which I think is unnecessarily harsh. Paranoia is a bit of pointless summer brain candy, to be enjoyed and forgotten.

It's far from brilliant, but I wasn't bored either.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Paranoia gets five.

Until next time...





Forget about rich. Make me Mrs. Oldman, dammit! ;-)

[Trailer] Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

First trailer for Anchorman 2, which shows some actual footage, has hit and it doesn’t show its hand too much. A few bit here and there made me grin but nothing made me laugh out loud.

I’m working on the assumption that they are keeping the best bits for the actual movie or at least hoping so since Anchorman is a personal favorite of mine, expectations are a tad high…

Cindy Prascik’s review of 42

Dearest Blog, having survived a bout with the Death Flu on Friday, today I rewarded myself with a trip to the cinema. On the docket was my much anticipated baseball drama 42.

Spoiler level here will be as mild as possible for a story about a super-famous person who's been dead for four decades.
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson becomes the first man to break Major League Baseball's color barrier.

Well, dear Blog, there's no sense denying it: I'm stupidly sentimental about baseball, and therefore stupidly sentimental about baseball movies. Not once did I get through the 42 trailer sans tears, so needless to say I expected the film to be the emotional equivalent of a 15-car freeway pileup.

Chadwick Boseman, who isn't quite a newcomer but certainly is new to headlining a project of this caliber, carries 42 with flair. A weaker performance easily might have been overcome by Harrison Ford's strong turn as Brooklyn Dodgers' general manager (then titled "business manager") Branch Rickey; depending on how strong the field is, I won't be surprised if voters remember his performance come awards season. Supporting players include a few of my faves: Brett Cullen (too briefly...again), Christopher Meloni, Hamish Linklater, and Steve the Pirate Alan Tudyk as the bigoted jerk manager of my beloved Philadelphia Phillies. The cast is almost uniformly strong, with only Nicole Beharie coming off a bit too dewey-eyed and perfect as Robinson's wife Rachel. (In fairness, writing may be to blame there; more on that later.)

Though I loved it overall, 42 does have a few faults worth mentioning, the first being that it is, at times, too earnest with its message. There are two kid scenes at the ballpark (which I won't spoil here) that are played way too hard for tugging the heartstrings, and it was absolutely unnecessary; the film speaks for itself and needn't have hit viewers over the head. Secondly, the movie portrays Robinson's wife (now widow) Rachel, and therefore their relationship, as just a bit too perfect. Remember a few years back when VH1 did that Temptations biopic? At my house, we call it "The World According to Otis." The only surviving Temptation at the time was Otis Williams, and the mini-series went out of its way to make sure viewers knew Otis was the good guy in...well...everything. I'm not sure how much of a hand Mrs. Robinson had in this film, but it definitely skews towards making her look brave, flawless, and pretty much responsible for Major League Baseball not being an all-white sport to this day.

Finally, my two favorite teams, the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, are portrayed as dicks and laughingstocks, respectively, a view many hold of both teams to this day. History is what it is, but they didn't have to keep saying, "Pittsburgh??" like it was some big damn joke. (Though I did laugh anyway.)

While 42 successfully tells what's ultimately an uplifting story, the racism that was the norm for the time is more than uncomfortable to watch...all the more so for knowing we aren't entirely past it a half-century later. Still, the fact that we keep telling the story leads me to believe we'll get there someday, and that the movie earned a houseful of applause in my not-necessarily-progressive little town lets me hope we're closer than I think. Oh, and to the staff and management at the Highlands' Marquee Cinemas, that flood in room 12 was just my tears. Sorry about that.

42 clocks in at 128 minutes that’s as deliberately-paced as the game of baseball itself, though it doesn't feel long. It's rated PG13 for "thematic elements, including language." (At one point, dialogue prompted a little boy at the back of my cinema to ask, "Dad, what's adultery?" to which his father hastily replied, "NOTHING!")

42 is a great movie about the great sport of baseball. If it comes on a bit strong with its message, well, that's easily forgiven when the message is this important.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, 42 earns seven and a half.

Now, dear Blog, if you'll excuse me, my flu-decimated self needs a nap. Until next time...




Thank you.

MOVIE REVIEW: COWBOYS AND ALIENS

IN THEATERS

COWBOYS AND ALIENS



Based on the graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Cowboys & Aliens starts in 1800s Arizona, where the local cowboys, headed by gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig), and the indigenous Apache tribe have been feuding fiercely for quite a while. Their skirmish is interrupted, however, by the appearance of a spaceship, commanded by an alien creature that's bent on enslaving the human race. It's time for a six-gun shoot-out between these cattle rustlers and space invaders, and there might even be a temporary peace between the cowboys and Indians as they both take aim at these extraterrestrial uninvited guests. Jon Favreau directs from a script by Star Trek scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, with help from Lost's Damon Lindelof. Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, and Sam Rockwell fill out the headlining cast. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference

Runtime: 1 hr. 58 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Cowboys and Aliens is the type of film that should just reek of fun. A galloping mash up of genres that keeps you excited and thrilled throughout. Instead, Jon Favreau delivers a dour film that rarely thrills and occasionally falls into motionless boredom. As a film, it’s mostly inert moving forward only because it must. The characters are all variations of classic film characters and there’s not much of a twist brought to them here. There’s nothing interesting about any of the characters or particularly deep. This would be entirely forgivable if the spectacle of it all was rousing and exciting. The cast assembled is an impressive collection stars and stellar character actors. Daniel Craig is a sight in his full cowboy get up but he’s not asked to do much but pose and occasionally say something. Harrison Ford seems barely interested in the film or role. His lines are delivered like he’s in a hurry to get off the set. Olivia Wilde isn’t asked to do much but look out of place and then really be out of place in the latter half of the film. Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Adam Beach, Keith Carradine, Walton Goggins and David O’Hara would all make a hell of a film in their own right but here’s they’re mostly wasted in pointless bit parts that could have been filled by mannequins. With the assembled talent behind and in front of the camera you’d expect a somewhat passable film by default. Sadly this overlong comic adaptation is devoid of any fun or originality.

D

[Trailer] Cowboys & Aliens

New full trailer is out and it gives you a better idea of what to expect from this Western / Sci-Fi Hybrid.

The original teaser trailer intrigued me but this full trailer got me pretty excited, looks like a good time all around with a solid cast, should be fun!

Cowboys & Aliens Trailer