While searching for her missing mother,
intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother
Sherlock and help a runaway lord.
Director: Harry Bradbeer
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam
Claflin, Adeel Akhtar, Fiona Shaw, Frances de la Tour, Louis Partridge, Susie
Wokoma, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Date: September 23, 2020
Adventure, Crime, Drama
Rated PG-13 for some violence
Runtime: 2h 3m
Review:
Enola Holmes has all the trappings of a
young adult franchise starter. It’s
based off a popular series of books which introduces us to Sherlock Holmes
sister. The film is a fun ride that
focuses more on the titular character than the central mystery. Harry Bradbeer directs the film with a
slightly kinetic energy which borrows some elements from Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock
Holmes modern reinvention. The action is
fast and fun, filled with quick cuts coupled with fourth wall breaking
addresses to the audience. It all could
have been rather forgettable and inconsequential if it weren’t for a game
cast. Millie Bobby Brown carries the
film with a star turn that’s even more engaging than her breakout role in
Stranger Things. Here she’s allowed to
let loose and she takes full advantage of it, proving to be an effervescent
performer whose charisma shines through the entire film. It helps that she's surrounded by a stellar
supporting cast with the likes of Henry Cavill, the burliest Holmes ever, Sam
Claflin and Helena Bonham Carter peppered throughout. Each of them has their moment to shine throughout
the film but it’s clearly Brown’s film.
Sadly, the central mystery is more of an afterthought as it’s never as
engaging or interesting as the characters.
Still it’s a flaw that could be corrected in future installment that are
sure to come.
Five years, eight months, 12 days and
counting -- that's how long DebbieOcean
has been devising the biggest heist of her life. She knows what it's going to
take -- a team of the best people in the field, starting with her
partner-in-crime Lou Miller. Together, they recruit a crew of specialists,
including jeweler Amita, street con Constance, suburban
mom Tammy, hacker Nine Ball, and fashion designer Rose. Their target -- a
necklace that's worth more than $150 million.
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne
Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter
Release Date: June 8, 2018
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime
Rated PG-13 for language, drug use, and some
suggestive content Runtime: 1h 50min
Review:
Ocean’s 8, the female centeric continuation
of the Ocean franchise, is an enjoyable but safe reboot.Gary Ross tries his best to capture that cool
vibe and spirit of the original film.He
delivers a glossy fizzy film that that’s about as lightweight as they
come.Sandra Bullock leads the film ably
even if her DebbieOcean
is a far call from Clooney’s DannyOcean.Bullock
performance is fine but the film undersells its lead without much
characterization, leaving her a bit of a cipher throughout.Cate Blanchett, ever the chameleon, is lots
of fun as Bullock’s partner in crime.Blanchett
and Bullock have some solid chemistry together and their plenty of fun when
they’re plotting or interacting.The
remaining members of the crew are all good fun in varying degrees of
effectiveness.Anne Hathaway leaves the
biggest impression with her self parody performance that people will either
love or hate.Ocean’s 8 is never boring
or uninteresting but it’s all so inconsequential that you’ll probably never
think about it again.
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.
The King's Speech's Tom Hooper directs this adaptation of Cameron Mackintosh's successful musical version of Victor Hugo's classic novel. The drama surrounds the obsessive quest of Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) as he spends years in an effort to capture escaped convict Jean Valjean. Hugh Jackman co-stars in the Universal Pictures production. Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, and Sacha Baron Cohen also star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
Release Date: Dec 25, 2012
Rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements
Runtime: 2 hr. 38 min.
Genres: Drama, Music/Performing Arts
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen,
Helena Bonham Carter
Review:
The cinematic version of Les Misérables will give you goose bumps one moment then have readjusting in your chair as the barrage of bombastic yet bold musical numbers beat you into submission. It’s all wonderfully staged by a dedicated Tom Hooper. He treats this beloved musical with a tenderness and love throughout. Everything is wonderful to look at and listen to. Hooper just lets you dive right in and never really lets you take a breath. His A+ cast belts out tune after tune with impassioned veracity and emotional heft. At its center is Hugh Jackman who anchors the entire production with his impressive vocals and performance. Jackman’s stage talent and experience is readily apparent, making his casting a real win for film. Anne Hathaway has garnered plenty of attention because of her turn as Fantine and its well deserved. Her screen time is incredibly limited but she leaves a strong emotional impression. Less impressive is a miscast Russell Crowe. I’ve been a fan of Crowe for years and while he looks the part, his vocal chops are just all wrong for this type of film and character. It’s a major misstep, one that detracts from the film’s quality as a whole which is a real shame. An angelic Amanda Seyfried is strong if limited as the older Cosette. She’s outshined by her character’s counterpart played by Samantha Barks. Barks oozes melancholy as she belts out her songs about unrequited love. Hooper moves his film at a methodical pace but the story does leave you feeling a bit disjointed as it changes from intimate to global back to intimate. Flaws aside, it’s an opulent piece of musical filmmaking which keeps your eyes glued to each actor’s soulful eyes as they sing about dreams lost and found.
Entombed for 200 years after betraying vengeful witch Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), 18th century vampire Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) returns to Collinwood Manor in 1972, only to find his estate in ruins and his family plagued by macabre secrets in Tim Burton's reboot of the popular supernatural soap opera. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Moretz
Release Date: May 11, 2012
Rated PG-13 for Language, Comic Horror Violence, Sexual Content, Smoking and Some Drug Use
Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min.
Genres: Comedy, Horror
Review:
Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows is an endearing film which shows his obvious affection for the source material. The script written by Seth Grahame-Smith, whose humor is most subtle than the trailer suggest, peppers the film with plenty of melodrama to fulfill several soap operas. He hits on the major points of the original series and provides a workable narrative, it’s not perfect but not the slap stick mess it could have been. While it’s more lighthearted than the original series it’s not the parody some expected. Johnny Depp, in his Burton required mime make up, chews up the screen creating an endearing take on Barnabas Collins. I can’t say it’s different enough to make it memorable but still it’s well done if not singular. Eva Green is equally vampified, showcasing an obvious on screen glee playing her character throughout. The best sequences involve interchanges between Deep and Green as they riff and joust with each other during various points in the films. Sadly, the remaining cast has to deal with thinly written caricatures. A radiant Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter get the most screen time but are given nothing to do. The rest aren’t required to do more than show up here and there and get out way. A fun finale caps off the film in fine fashion even if it leads to a totally unnecessary sequel set up. As a fan of the original series, I found Burton’s take an adequate homage to a cult classic.
The final adventure in the Harry Potter film series follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they prepare for a final battle with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), who is determined to destroy Harry once and for all. In order to defeat the powerful wizard, they must find and destroy Voldemort's last and most elusive Horcrux -- that is, the enchanted piece of soul allowing him to remain immortal -- before his nefarious plans come to fruition. David Yates directs. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes
Release Date: Jul 15, 2011
Rated: Some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images
Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
Finishing a series a series I originally thought would end up like some kind of cinematic fad is a strange thing. I’m one of those folks that’s never read one chapter of the novels, never been a big fantasy fan in any medium, so I started the cinematic versions as a chore. The first few films I found light and mostly dismissible, I kept with it and slowly but surely the films and character matured. The films became more complete works as a cinematic experience even if some of the jargon still sounds like some alternate version of Star Trek tech speak. In all honesty, I became found of the characters but can’t say I ever adored them. Radcliffe’s Potter has all the calling cards of a typical hero’s journey and coming of age story. This finale completes both sides of these plot threads with wonderful vigor. Radcliffe brings earnestness to the character that just transcends the screen. His ability to ably display quiet strength and growing maturity is an underrated talent. It’s really something incredible to witness, with Radcliffe starting as a green child actor to an impressive performer who can carry the weight of this monolith sized story. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson each show similar growth and are able to reach a similar level of achievement, even if they do kind of fall into the background here more than in Part 1. The film is filled with character moments for series favorites some making sacrifices while other rise to surprising heights. Ralph Fiennes who’s held a restrained check on his character’s evilness is finally allowed to spread his wings and he does so with fantastic results. Director David Yates deserves an untold amount of credit as he’s steered the franchise for the better part of its trek. Here, Yates maintains a strong pace filled with impressively lavish and dour set pieces that impress throughout. He’s fine tuned everything by this point that’s it’s easy to enjoy and easier to overlook how incredibly difficult Yates job was. While I still felt like it might have help to have a scorecard to keep track of some of the secondary and third level characters are, it’s the kind of finale a franchise of this size deserves.
Emmy Award-winning director Tom Hooper (John Adams) teams with screenwriter David Seidler (Tucker: A Man and His Dreams) to tell the story of King George VI. When his older brother abdicates the throne, nervous-mannered successor George "Bertie" VI (Colin Firth) reluctantly dons the crown. Though his stutter soon raises concerns about his leadership skills, King George VI eventually comes into his own with the help of unconventional speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Before long the king and Lionel have forged an unlikely bond, a bond that proves to have real strength when the United Kingdom is forced to flex its international might. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall.
Release Date: Nov 26, 2010
Rated R for Language
Runtime: 1 hr. 51 min
Genres: Drama
Review:
The King’s Speech is the definition of an award’s/actor’s movie. It’s the type of film that allows actors to flex their considerable muscle. Colin Firth is front and center with a character that’s complex, distant and thoroughly conflicted. Firth is only half of what makes this film work. The always impressive Geoffrey Rush is stellar working with Firth. Their chemistry is what drives the film and while there are larger historical event that are addressed this friendship is central to the story. It’s wonderful relationship to watch and especially once Rush’s character starts to break down “Bertie’s” walls. Firth is most impressive during a one on one exchange with Rush after the death of King. Helena Bonham Carter is impressive in limited screen time as the supporting and loving queen. Director Tom Hooper doesn’t have much work to do but he still crafts an elegant film that lovely to watch and rarely drags. Hooper most impressive work is at the beginning and end of the film by making thing like a microphone and typed words seem incredibly terrifying. He allows the audience to feel every bit of trepidation and fear that the character feels as he struggles through each work. The finale is like watching a maestro direct an orchestra that has you hanging on each and every word.
The first installment of the two-film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they search for the pieces of Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) soul that he extracted from his being and hid in obscure locations both far and wide. If the trio is unable to locate and destroy them all, Voldemort will remain immortal. Despite their long friendship, a combination of dark forces, romantic tensions, and long-held secrets.
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes
Release Date: Nov 19, 2010
Rated: For some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images
Runtime: 2 hr. 27 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
Taking a purely cinematic journey through J.K. Rowling’s now classic tome about the titular boy wizard, mainly because fantasy books have never grabbed my attention in the slightest, has been in interesting if somewhat confounding experience. The first 3 or 4 films really felt closer to standard issue preteen fantasy writing and story telling that while mildly interesting was never thoroughly engaging. Still I trudged forward, mainly because I like to finish whatever I start, and as the child actors grew the storytelling became more layered and detailed, creating a more engaging story and series of events. While I’d hardly ever call myself a diehard I had grown to enjoy the story and its darker far more adult undertones as the finale drew closer. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is an epic start to what’s sure to be a rousing and hopefully fulfilling finish. David Yates again directs and he’s been a wonderful guide for these latter entries. Part 1 has an epic and world weary, at times almost apocalyptic feel to it that been building for the last couple of chapters. It’s a thoughtful film that knows when to insert humor or character moments when needed to break the occasionally oppressive tone of story. There is enough action to keep novice interested while some of mythology mumbo jumbo sinks in. The cast is equally comfortable in their roles, the primary trinity now having spent the majority of their adolescence in these characters. They are all more than capable of handling the characters more intensive story lines. While Radcliffe and Grint have shown a steady improvement as they’ve aged, Emma Watson has become the best of the lot and displays an impressive level of naturalism here. A few dead spots here and there especially in the final act where the film kind of starts to feel like Harry Potter and the Fellowship of the Horcrux as they wander the woods before a hurried finale that simply reinforces the point that this is the end of act 1.
Director Tim Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) team up to deliver this visually-dazzling take on the classic Lewis Carrol tale. Nineteen year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is attending party at a lavish country estate when she sees a White Rabbit with a pocket-watch dart into the bushes. Curious, she follows the rabbit to an enormous tree, and tumbles down a hole that takes her to Underland, a strange world inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures in search of someone to save them from the dreaded Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who has assumed control of the kingdom by decapitating anyone who dares disagree with her. According to a scroll detailing a historical timeline of Underland - including events that have not yet taken place - it is Alice who will set the kingdom free by defeating the Jabberwocky, a powerful, dragon-like creature under the control of the Red Queen. But is this Alice the same Alice who appears in the scroll? While some of the creatures of Underland have their doubts, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and his friends are certain she's the same girl who previously visited them years ago. When the Red Queen kidnaps the Mad Hatter, Alice attempts to free her friend and locate the one weapon with the power to slay the Jabberwocky, thereby restoring the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) to the throne, and bringing peace back to Underland. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Matt Lucas.
Release Date: ..Mar 05, 2010..
Rated PG for scary situations, scary images, fantasy action violence and a smoking caterpillar
Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.
Genres: Fantasy
Review:
Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton should be a match made in creative head trip heaven. Sadly, Burton’s adaptation comes to the screen feeling terribly inert and unoriginal. Visually, Burton adds his usual flair to the proceedings and occasionally the film has some inspired moment. Those moments keep you hoping the film will find its stride but it never finds its footing. The story, written by Linda Woolverton, borrows pieces from Alice in Wonderland and its literary follow up Through the Looking Glass feels uninspired and derivative coming off closer to The Chronicles of Narnia than something original. Mia Wasikowska does well in the lead role providing the necessary curiosity and strength. Johnny Depp is surprisingly one note as the Mad Hatter and is probably the biggest disappointment on the acting side. Helena Bonham Carter is good fun as the Red Queen but the character, like the Mad Hatter, is terribly underwritten. Anne Hathaway suffers a similar fate with the White Queen but she does provide some fun moments especially how she moves around. Crispin Glover feels very comfortable in his role as Stayne the Knave of Hearts bringing his usual oddness. The voice talents for the CGI creations are adequate with Stephen Fry making the best impression as the Cheshire Cat. Once the film’s climactic battle comes and goes you can’t help but be left feeling a tad under whelmed. The film’s use of 3D was equally unimpressive with Burton only using it for the occasional trick scenes, something popping towards the audience, and nothing more. Sadly, it’s a symptomatic of the general state of this film. The subject matter could have been a treasure trove for Burton to add his typical spin on but the execution never achieves anything above mediocre.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Movie Reviews: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
IN THEATERS
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman
Director: David Yates
Opened ..July 15, 2009..
Runtime: 2 hr. 33 min.
Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Genres: Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Fantasy, Children's/Family
Review:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince continues the maturation process that started in earnest in The Order of the ....Phoenix..... David Yates crafts an elegant and pensive film that doesn’t shoot for big trills and focuses more the characters and the evolution from children to adulthood. Hormones rage at Hogwarts and the scenes dealing with the trios budding feeling are mostly handled well and delicately. That being said it’s hard to watch this entry into the series and not feel like it’s all set up for the final 2 entries; The Death Hallows is being split into 2 to be released over the next two years. The plot is fairly straight forward if you’ve been following the series and none of the twist or turns are thoroughly shocking or surprising, mainly because they are telegraphed in a fairly obvious manner. Yates still manages to make the events here engaging and manages to put some beautiful imagery on screen. Hogwarts, much like the previous entry, doesn’t carry that fancy and wonder it possessed in the early films. Instead Yates bathes this film in grey and sepia tones throughout, rarely showing any sunlight. The actors also bring more gravitas to the proceeding. Daniel Radcliff brings more confidence to Harry while still maintaining that wide eyed innocence of the early films. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have both grown into their roles and can now add more subtle character work than before. Grint in particular shows fairly good comedic timing. Michael Gambon as Dumbledore continues to be appropriately fatherly and sagely but is strangely one note in this particularly important entry for his character arch. Alan Rickman once again delivers strong character work in limited screen time. Newcomer to the series Jim Broadbent shines and he uses his vast talent to make his character the most memorable of this entry. Helena Bonham Carter is devilish fun as Bellatrix Lestrange but she gets painfully little screen time to truly shine. As the events in the film come to an end you are left pining for the finale and Yates makes no secret of the fact that this entry is mostly set up as he ends this tales with a sense of meandering melancholy and unresolved issues.
