MOVIE REVIEW: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

 

Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder,  Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe

Release Date: September 6, 2024

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sporadically recaptures the manic energy from Burton's original but it’s not consistent enough, thanks to an overstuffed story, to really deliver the way it should.  Tim Burton does manage to rediscover his gleefully macabre, cartoonish visuals that made him a name in the 80's and 90's.  The film works best when it’s playing in the afterlife with its exaggerated color schemes and wonderfully twisted character designs.  He's clearly having a ball revisiting this particular playground, but he adds some new wrinkles to mix such like a sequence using claymation and a subtitled, Ed Wood inspired flashback.   Those moments when Burton really leans into the weirdness work so well that you wish that he'd done it more throughout the film.  That's not to say that the rest of the film won't have fans grinning even if some of the jokes don't quite land the way they should.  Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara easily jumping back into their characters make it easier to navigate some of the film's dead spots.  They are able to recapture the essence of the original characters without missing a beat, which is great fun to see onscreen.  Ryder serves the film's north star doing some strong subtle work as the middle aged Lydia.  Catherine O'Hara is the film's bright spot in the opening act as the film pops to life as soon as she appears onscreen.   Keaton's voice is noticeably deeper and he's not bouncing around with the same chaotic energy he brought to the role in the original but he's still able to channel that mischievousness that made the character so memorable.  Newcomers, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe are solid with some leaving a bigger impression than others.  The ageless Monica Bellucci looks wonderful as an undead, soul sucking frankenstein but the film gives her woefully little to do.  Willem Dafoe is given a bit more rope and he has a ball chewing up scenery as deceased actor turn detective.  The film would have been better off giving those two more screentime as opposed to Ortega and Theroux's characters who are uninteresting and flat for the majority of the time.  The overload of subplots saps so much energy and momentum from the film that you're left wishing they had focused on the story more and kept it more straightforward.  The film works better in its second half once it becomes more focused with some threads being closed off rather quickly which gives Lydia and Beetlejuice more of a spotlight.  A quick throwaway line handles the absence of the Maitland's while Jeffery Jones' character death sets off the entire plot which allows for some clever methods to have him be a presence without the actual actor.  If there was a film that's perfectly suited to deal with the exclusion of an actor who'd run afoul of the law, its definitely this one as they easily weave it into the story's vibe.  It’s a testament to the cast and crew that they are able to recapture the original's vibe so succinctly in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice even if the story doesn't land the way the original did.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: ON THE BASIS OF SEX

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.

Director: Mimi Leder

Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Jack Reynor, Cailee Spaeny, Sam Waterston, and Kathy Bates

Release Date: December 25, 2018

Genres: Biography, Drama 

Rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive content

Runtime: 2h 0min

Review:

On The Basis of Sex is an engaging if cliched bio pic that is elevated by it's direction and performances. Mimi Leder directs the film with a steady caring hand that treats it's characters with a gentle hand.  Leder moves the film at a steady pace but the film would have been better served focusing on a tighter timeline since it covers a fairly large portion of Ginsburg's life.  At the film's center is Felicity Jones who provides the story it's heart.  Jones turn as Ginsburg captures that intensity and drive that propelled her throughout her early years.  Sure her Brooklyn accent comes and in and out through the film but she does a fine job of carrying the film.  A swoon worthy Armie Hammer is excellent as Ginsburg's loving and ever supportive husband.  The supporting cast is made up of familiar faces along with a rare evil turn from Sam Waterston. There are a few missteps mostly due to the script which over does the schmaltz factor that makes certain sequences feel a bit too "Hollywood" which robs moments of authenticity.  Still it's a solid film enough biopic of an amazing woman who deserves this type of recognition.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE SPY THAT DUMPED ME

The Spy Who Dumped Me tells the story of Audrey (Kunis) and Morgan (McKinnon), two best friends who unwittingly become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of the women discovers the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy.

Director: Susanna Fogel

Cast: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, Justin Theroux, Sam Heughan

Release Date: August 3, 2018

Genres: Action, Comedy

Rated R for violence, language throughout, some crude sexual material and graphic nudity

Runtime: 1h 57min

Review:

The Spy That Dumped Me is one of those goofy comedies that light and easy but fairly forgettable.  It’s a shame because the two leads have strong comedic talents but the film never fully takes advantage of them.  Susanna Fogel directs her film with a zany energy which starts to lose steam towards then end.  Fogel switches from zany antics to hardcore spy action throughout the film making for a slightly choppy feel.  The movie just doesn’t find a steady groove even though there are plenty of laughs to be found.   Big chunk of the gags work mostly due to the Kunis and Mckinnon’s talents, in the hands of lesser actresses the film wouldn’t be nearly as funny.  Even they can’t keep the film from dragging in the last act.  These types of films should be quick and easy, a 2 hour runtime needs to be earned.  The Spy That Dumped Me could have used some editing which could have shaved off a good 20 minutes, making it a more effective comedy in the long run.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE

The battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, also secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat the evil warlord Garmadon, who also happens to be Lloyd's dad. Pitting father against son, the epic showdown tests these fierce but undisciplined modern-day ninjas as they learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash the inner power of Spinjitzu.

Director: Charlie Bean, Bob Logan, Paul Fisher

Cast: Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Michael Peña, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani

Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor

Genres: Animation, Family, Comedy

Review:

The LEGO Ninjago Movie is a fine addition to the blossoming franchise even if the sheen is starting to wear off just a tad.  The movie is full of all the pop culture references and self aware humor we’ve seen in previous installments.  The best thing this film has going is Jackie Chan.  Jackie Chan shows up in the opening and closing but supplies the film with its heart Master Wu.  Justin Theroux is a lot of fun as the villain even if he’s just doing a Will Arnett impression throughout.  Theroux and Dave Franco have fun chemistry in the second half of the film.  The main issue with the film is that the plot and overall story seems hacked together.  The story lacks any sort of real flow even though there are still lots of like here.  That probably speaks to the general fun in the franchise, where even a lesser entry still delivers.

B-

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of The Girl on the Train & The Birth of a Nation

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the buzzkill double-bill of The Girl on the Train and The Birth of a Nation. 

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. First on the docket: The Girl on the Train. An unhappy divorcee makes up stories about the people she sees on her daily commute, then becomes entangled in the case when one of them goes missing. 

 

The Girl on the Train is such a pedestrian mystery that, never having been anywhere near the novel, it took me approximately 23 minutes to clock exactly how it was going to play out...and that was far from my final check of the time, believe me. 

 

Emily Blunt plays the titular girl as a sloppy, irritating drunk, and the supporting characters are so odious it's impossible to care what happens to any of them. (Though I'd forgive Luke Evans for pretty much anything once he started peeling off those clothes.) 

 

A few laughable bits--including a full-on Cameron Frye moment in a gallery--spell a miserable whole that plods along with varying versions of events. Who's telling the truth? Who's lying? 

 

You'll stop caring long before this mess crawls to its predictable finish. About the only things The Girl on the Train has to recommend it are a properly menacing score by Danny Elfman and a couple frames of Evans' glorious bod. 

 

The Girl on the Train runs an excruciating 112 minutes and is rated R for "violence, sexual content, language, and nudity." The Girl on the Train is a slow, dull exercise that made me want to throw myself on the tracks. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Girl on the Train gets four. 

Fangirl points: Luke Evans. Luke Evans' abs. Luke Evans' bottom. 

 

Also, a girl in a Damned shirt...yay! Next up: The Birth of a Nation. The true story of Nat Turner, a slave and preacher who orchestrated a rebellion in 1831. 

 

The Birth of a Nation is difficult to watch, and more than once I had to look away from the brutality and abuse. Performances are fantastic across the board, with Nate Parker and Aja Naomi King outstanding in the leads, and Armie Hammer his usual reliable self in an important supporting role. 

 

Turner's Christian faith is central to the story, but the movie also exposes the contradictory nature of the Bible and those who presume to speak for their gods. 

 

The subject matter is unpleasant enough to make the film feel much longer than it is; for the duration I kept thinking the last thing we really need right now is yet another reminder of how horrible people can be to one another. 

 

Only afterward did it occur to me, maybe exactly what we need right now is a reminder of what happens when people are encouraged to treat others as less than themselves. 

 

The Birth of a Nation clocks in at an even two hours and is rated R for "disturbing violent content and some brief nudity." The Birth of a Nation is a well-acted picture with a timely, important message, but, sadly, none of that makes it a truly great movie. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Birth of a Nation gets five. .

 

 Fangirl points: The aforementioned Armie Hammer. Mark Boone Junior (Bobby Elvis)! 

 

Until next time... 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

In the thriller, Rachel (Blunt), who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds. Based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel, The Girl on the Train is adapted for the screen by Erin Cressida Wilson and Taylor. The film’s executive producers are Jared LeBoff and Celia Costas, and it will be released by Universal Pictures.

Director: Tate Taylor

Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans

Release Date: Oct 07, 2016

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and nudity

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Is it possible to make an interesting movie with a cast of characters who are all unlikable and fairly terrible?  The Girl on the Train tries really hard to pull it off and has a decent amount of success even if the “mind blowing” twist is telegraphed fairly early on.  Tate Taylor is clearly trying to emulate David Fincher’s Gone Girl but he’s not as talented a filmmaker to make it work.  As is, the film is a surprisingly engrossing tale of bad people doing bad things repeatedly.  Taylor’s real talent is getting some truly impressive performances out of his cast especially Emily Blunt.  Blunt is incredibly impressive throughout with multiple scenes set up to showcase her acting chops.  Haley Bennett, who looks distractingly like a Jennifer Lawrence clone, is just solid even though her character feels unwritten.  It’s a shame because the character seems to be most interesting of the group.  The Girl on the Train is trying it’s hardest to be some special but it never quite gets there.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: ZOOLANDER 2

Past-their-prime male models Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) are recruited by Interpol to investigate a conspiracy after a number of beautiful celebrities are assassinated while posing with Zoolander's signature "Blue Steel" look. Their probe uncovers an ingenious plot by fashion mogul Mugatu (Will Ferrell) to locate and harness the source of the legendary Fountain of Youth. Directed by Ben Stiller. Olivia Munn, Kristen Wiig, and Penélope Cruz co-star. ~ Tom Ciampoli, Rovi

Director: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller

Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penélope Cruz, Christine Taylor

Release Date: Feb 12, 2016

Rated R for crude and sexual content, a scene of exaggerated violence, and brief strong language.

Runtime: 1 hr. 42 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Zoolander 2 isn’t nearly as terrible as some of the reviews suggest but it’s not nearly good enough to warrant its existence.  Once the nostalgia of seeing Zoolander and Hansel passes, we’re left with a fairly routine comedy that’s never quite as funny as the original.  Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson slip back into their roles easily and they do have some funny bits but its never consistent overall.  There are plenty of dead spots along the way with the film perking up substantially once Will Ferrell’s Mugatu reemerges.   Penélope Cruz is game as the biggest new addition to the cast but it leaves you asking why the film isn’t funnier with all the talent assembled. 

C+