Three overstressed, overworked mothers (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and
Kathryn Hahn) decide to blow off their responsibilities and have some fun, but
their wild ways cause them to clash with a rival mommy (Christina Applegate) who's
dedicated to preserving the facade of her perfect life. Jada Pinkett Smith
co-stars. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. ~ Jack Rodgers,
Rovi
Director: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Cast: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Jay
Hernandez, Annie Mumolo
Release Date: Jul
29, 2016
Rated R for Full Frontal Nudity, Drug and Alcohol
Content, Language Throughout and Sexual
Material
Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.
Genres: Comedy
Review:
Bad Moms is a fairly straightforward women behaving badly
comedy that offers a decent amount of laughs.It’s a great showcase for Mila Kunis who is a gifted comedic actress
who’s deserved a showcase for a while.Kunis is great in her role but Kathryn Hahn nearly steals the show as
her bawdy new friend.Hahn is always the
most interesting person on screen and covers for some underlying script
issues.Kristen Bell is solid if
unimpressive, mainly due to a thinly written character.There in lies the films biggest issue.The actors really make a weak script far
better than it should be.The characters
are all types more than actual people.It’s not a terrible flaw since the actors all turn in solid work but
noticeable enough to make you wish they’d spent a bit more time fleshing these characters
out.
Director David Ayer (Fury) takes the helm for this Warner Bros. production
adapted from the DC Comics series about a group of super-villains who are given
a shot at redemption by embarking on a heroic mission that will most likely
mean the death of them all. ~ Rovi
Director: David Ayer
Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai
Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Jay Hernandez, Jai Courtney
Release Date: Aug
05, 2016
Rated PG-13 Disturbing Behavior, Action Throughout, Language,
Sequences of Violence and
Suggestive Content
Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
Suicide Squad isn’t a perfect film and there are plenty
of hints of the turmoil and studio tinkering abound but, almost in spite of
itself, it’s still a fun film.David
Ayer really tries to deliver a comic book film that will make fans happy and he
succeeds on various levels.The film’s
strength is its collection of characters and actors.The film spends the most time with Will
Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn with both delivering
excellent performances that really drive the film.Viola Davis
is pretty much pitch perfect as Amanda Waller, the government agent who puts
the squad together.As a longtime fan, I
did appreciate the amount of effort put into the characterization of some of
these characters even if some do end up on the periphery, Killer Croc and
Katana fare the worst.The chemistry of
cast is pretty strong through out with a few surprises like Jai Courtney
Captain Boomerang and a nice bit of emotional depth from Jay Hernandez.The biggest issue the film has is the film’s
overall plot and primary villain.It’s
pretty straightforward and follows the tropes we’ve seen plenty of times in
superhero film with the villain coming off as under written.The Joker, Jared Leto’s take is more crazed
gangster than Ledger’s anarchic take, would have probably served as a better
foil for the team.Still, even with it’s
issues Suicide Squad is an enjoyable comic book film that’s got plenty of
characters that you’ll want to revisit.
Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for DC Comics' latest effort, Suicide Squad.
Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.
The US government recruits some of the world's worst criminals for a special mission.
My dear reader(s), I'm gonna be upfront with ya: I'm a DC girl through and through, but my eagerness for Suicide Squad was mostly hinged on a bit of bonus Batman between headline gigs.
I am pleased to report that the movie is worth a lot more than that.
Suicide Squad kicks off with an epic intro, and you can tell right away it's something different from the norm. I think the last time I was this impressed with how well a movie's appearance captured its very essence was Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
This comic book movie just LOOKS like a comic book, and it's fantastic! Introductions run somewhat long, but that's justifiable given that most of these characters aren't comic A-listers with whom the general public already will be familiar. The acting is overall quite solid, and not just "for a comic book movie." Singling out those who made the biggest impression (good and bad):
Cara Delevingne as June Moone/Enchantress: The mousy June/evil Enchantress is a dual role with extremes that exceed the talent and skill of model Delevingne; throw in some weird CGI with her movements, plus those distracting eyebrows, and she is almost unwatchable.
Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: Robbie's turn as Harley is truly disturbing, yet she looks so amazing you wouldn't turn her down even knowing she's utterly bananas.
As Frank Valente once said, "Psycho chicks are the best!"
Will Smith as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot: One of the more likeable actors working today, Smith brings all of his considerable appeal to his character, turning in a tough, funny, and sympathetic performance.
As great actors do, Smith becomes the clear "star" of this ensemble picture, without needing to be heralded as such.
Jay Hernandez as Chato Santana/Diablo: Having turned over a new leaf in prison, Diablo is reluctant to use his terrible power, even for good. Hernandez is heartbreaking, and his is my favorite work in the movie.
Finally...
Jared Leto as the Joker. I love, love, LOVE this take on the Joker, and I want more of it like yesterday.
Leto is insane and terrifying, everything this character should be.
Suicide Squad seems a bit jumpy, a feeling exacerbated by the inclusion of almost too many good tunes in too-quick sucession.
Occasionally it plays more like a series of cool music videos than a coherent whole, which also leads to spots where it stalls in progression, if not in action.
It doesn't lag or lose your attention, but it does sometimes feel like everything that's going on still isn't getting it from point A to point B. The CGI is mostly great, and, as mentioned, it looks fantastic. There's a certain element to this movie that's more deeply unsettling than your average comic book picture, and I genuinely think an R rating would have been more appropriate and would have better served the material.
Suicide Squad clocks in at 123 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content, and language."
Suicide Squad is a rollicking good time, loaded with action, humor, and great characters.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, Suicide Squad gets seven and a half.
Fangirl points: Joel Kinnaman! Oh, and...Batman! Batman! Batman!
Until next time...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Movie Reviews: QUARANTINE
ON DVD
QUARANTINE
Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. They soon learn that a woman living in the building has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew in tow, only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, internet, televisions and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape.
Cast: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech, Columbus Short
Director: John E. Dowdle
Opened October 10, 2008.
Runtime: 1 hr. 29 min.
Rated R for bloody violence and disturbing content, terror and language.
Quarantine isn’t the type of movie that will redefine the horror genre but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid piece of horror. Shot in the first person, this film doesn’t break any new ground. It travels through some very familiar territory, the aforementioned first person aspect, the female protagonist and what amounts to a zombie movie. This film works because it gives you an interesting and sometime thrilling ride that is as fun as it is short. Director John Dowdle delivers a nearly shot for shot remake, sans the ending, of the Spanish film REC. Fun little techniques like using the camera as weapon and action flying by you is just great fun. Once the film moves past the intitai getting to know stages it really takes off, hitting a downright frenetic pace during it’s most inspired moments. The cast is game and delivers fairly solid performances. In the lead, Jennifer Carpenter is likeable and believable for the better part of the film. Sadly, as it heads into the home stretch Carpenter’s character degrades into screaming whimpering mess. Her character goes from being sympathetic to simply grating, mainly because the transition is lighting quick, one second she’s composed the next she’s a mess. Steve Harris does fairly well as the voice holding the camera, giving a believable performance throughout. Jay Hernandez is also solid as the firefighter left in the chaos trying to find a way to survive. The rest of the cast is there for fleeting moments before they become fodder for the film’s resident infection. Bloody gory and pretty damn enjoyable Quarantine is a thrilling little ride that really didn’t deserve having some of its better moments ruined by the advertising. This may not be not the most original piece of film making but enough of it works to keep it enjoyable throughout.
