MOVIE REVIEW: QUEENPINS

 

A frustrated suburban housewife and her best friend hatch an illegal coupon-club scheme that scams millions from corporations and delivers deals to legions of fellow coupon clippers. Hot on their trail is an unlikely duo -- a hapless loss-prevention officer and a determined U.S. postal inspector -- both looking to end their criminal enterprise.

Director: Gita Pullapilly, Aron Gaudet

Cast: Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Paul Walter Hauser, Bebe Rexha, Vince Vaughn

Release Date: September 10, 2021

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Rated R for language throughout

Runtime: 1h 50min

Review:

Queenpins is a breezy slice of life crime drama that's smart enough to make great use of it cast.   Writers/directors Gita Pullapilly & Aron Gaudet give these film an easy sensibility that makes its subject matter easy to digest.  At the center of it all is Kristen Bell who has perfected the damaged overachiever.  Bell is right at home in this role that allows her to use her considerable comedic talents with an air of sadness behind her beaming smile.  She and costar Kirby Howell-Baptiste share a natural likeable onscreen chemistry together.  Their character's relationship serves as the lifeblood of the film and ultimately what makes the film so watchable.  Paul Walter Hauser and Vince Vaughn also share a parallel story arcs as investigators on the tail of the two couponing criminals.  The film biggest issue is that film frames the characters as heroes and it mostly absolves them of any real blame or responsibility.  It's a strange bit of framing for what was a real criminal enterprise but based solely on it's cinematic merits,  Queenpins works as fun dramady buoyed by it's game cast. 

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: CRUELLA

 

A live-action feature film following the evil exploits of Cruella de Vil, the villain from the Disney film, "101 Dalmatians'. 

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mark Strong

Release Date: May 28, 2021

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Rated PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements 

Runtime: 2 h 14 min

Review:

Disney's live action remakes haven't been more than cynical cash grabs.  The films themselves have been bland retreads with little to no innovation to justify their existence.  Craig Gillespie's Cruella manages to break the mold by delivering a visual feast for the eyes and story filled with hefty character development and pathos.  Gillespie channels everything from Tim Burton, Lady Gaga, The Devil Wears Prada and even a touch of Cathy Yang's Birds of Prey to create a vibrant dense character study that exceeds all expectations.   It shouldn't work as well as it does and it'll probably bore plenty of the smaller kids expecting something much lighter and funnier.  Gillespie's direction is impressive but it wouldn't work as well as it does if it weren't for spectacular turns by Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.  Both are clearly having a blast glamping it up as the dueling fashionista with their interactions being the high points of the film.  It's be easy to go broad and coast through the film and it'd still be moderately fun but both actresses give their characters so much lived in depth which makes them all the more interesting.  Throw some award winning costumes and it's a feast for movie lovers who enjoy great performances from stars at the top of their game.  The film even manages to give Cruella's sidekicks more depth and characterization than expected with Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hause turning in strong performances as well.  Once the film ends you are sort of left gobsmacked by the quality of the entire production as your reminded this is still a Disney production which started with the most basic of intentions.  Sure it could have used a few trims here and there but the cast and crew all rise above their trappings to deliver something devilishly delightful.

A-