MOVIE REVIEW: THE ORDER

 

A string of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads veteran FBI agent Terry Husk to a white supremacist group that plans to overthrow the federal government.

Director: Justin Kurzel 

Cast: Jude Law; Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, Alison Oliver, Marc Maron

Release Date: December 6, 2024

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for some strong violence, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 58m

Review:

Justin Kurzel's tense police procedural feels like a throwback to classic Michael Mann films from the 80's and 90's with its straightforward single-mindedness buoyed by stellar performances across the board.  Kurzel's film is hauntingly beautiful in how its shot by taking full advantage of the natural beauty that hides the sinister workings of the white supremacist domestic terrorist at the heart of the story.  It’s a fascinating juxtaposition that offers up a hefty bit of thematic subtext to the story playing out on screen.  It’s all wonderfully shot but straightforward and lean with very few visual flourishes thrown into the mix.  It’s an incredibly efficient film from start to finish that never loses sight of where it's going or how it wants to get there.  Jude Law embodies the film's no nonsense approach with his turn as the hardboiled FBI agent who drives the story.  Law has rarely been better as he gives his character a hardened intensity that drives his relentless pursuit of his target regardless of the personal toll it takes on him.  We are given only a few morsels of background information on the character, but Law manages to give him enough layers so that we understand the depths of his determination even if not the reasons.  On the other end, Nicholas Hoult takes advantage of his boyish looks paired with a tangible sense of charisma that becomes more an unnerving as his groups actions become more extreme.  There's subtle work from both actors on display with Law's performance being the showier of the two but Hoult is just as good with his measured approach.  They only share a few moments on screen but when they do the screen screams with tension as each party attempts to size up each other.  Tye Sheridan and Jurnee Smollett are solid in smaller supporting roles with Sheridan leaving a sizeable impression on the film.  There's plenty to appreciate about The Order, especially since it brings a certain level of immediacy and importance due to some readily apparent modern day connections.  

A

MOVIE REVIEW: JUROR #2

 

A juror for a high-profile murder trial finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma that could influence the verdict and potentially convict, or free, the accused killer.

Director: Clint Eastwood

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch

Release Date: October 27, 2024

Genre: Thriller

Rated PG-13 for some violent images and strong language.

Runtime: 1h 54m

Review:

Clint Eastwood's latest film is a fascinating morality tale in the form of a courtroom drama that dissects the ideas of truth and justice in an earnest, meaningfully way.  Eastwood's film is a deliberately paced throwback drama that gives the audience plenty to chew on while rarely falling back on didactic moralism.   It’s a film that works in morally grey areas for the majority of its runtime with each participant bringing their own self interest to the table adding an intriguing level of complexity to their motivations.  Eastwood does a solid job of laying all these conflicting viewpoints onscreen to show how complicated and imperfect the justice system can be.  It’s all very glossy, lacking the kind of real world grittiness that would have made it even more effective with Eastwood pulling for a more satisfying resolution as opposed to something more nebulous and complicated.  It’s a minor complaint because the film is so well constructed and acted that it’s easy to overlook some of the film's biggest cinematic stretches.  The ensemble cast led by Nicholas Hoult is solid across the board.  Hoult's tortured turn as the juror/assailant is a study in subtly as more and more layers reveal themselves as the film goes on.  Zoey Deutch is given an underwritten role as his wife which she does what she can with.  There's a sense that there's plenty of fertile ground that goes untouched thanks to the generic characterization she's given to work with.  Toni Collette, sporting an aggressive southern access, fares better as the DA who's prosecuting the case and running for re-election.  Collette brings a dogged single mindedness to the character making her tunnel vision make sense as she attempts to advance her career.  There's a bit of moderation in the back half of the film as her friend and public defender played with abject earnestness by Chris Messina makes it clear she's more focused on her career as opposed to the pursuit of truth.  Messina and Collette have solid chemistry together which makes their interaction a strong showcase for both even though you wish the script offered more details about their friendship.  J. K. Simmons, Kiefer Sutherland and Leslie Bibb have small supporting roles which add texture to the story just through their screen presence.  The film could have made better use of Simmons in particular who has a moment to shine before he's shuffled off screen for the remainder of the story.  Juror #2 plays it a tad too safe for my taste in its final act but that doesn't detract from its polished presentation and strong performances from its ensemble. 

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Renfield

My dear reader(s), this weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with the Dracula-adjacent movie Renfield.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

The eternal sidekick embarks on a journey of self-improvement, putting him at odds with his dark master.

Renfield is a solid horror comedy that's heavy on gore and fairly light on lore. Laughs take the lead, with a beautifully over-the-top Nicolas Cage camping it up as the immortal Angel of Death, and Nicholas Hoult as his downtrodden sidekick. Awkwafina nearly steals the show as an incorruptible police officer whose own quest for vengeance intersects with Renfield's mission. The original premise is its own reward here, but the movie also benefits from nice special effects, well placed humor, and an efficient runtime.

Renfield clocks in at 93 minutes and is rated R for "bloody violence, some gore, language throughout, and some drug use."

If you can stomach a lot (a LOT) of blood and you're in the mood for a new take on an old tale, Renfield is the flick for you. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Renfield gets eight.

Renfield is now streaming on Peacock.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: RENFIELD

 

Renfield, the tortured aide to his narcissistic boss, Dracula, is forced to procure his master's prey and do his every bidding. However, after centuries of servitude, he's ready to see if there's a life outside the shadow of the Prince of Darkness.

Director: Chris McKay

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo

Release Date: April 14, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Rated R for bloody violence, some gore, language throughout and some drug use

Runtime: 1h 33m

Review:

Chris McKay's Renfield is a goofy and bloody romp that plays like a weird mash up of John Wick by way of Tim Burton.  The film has an undeniably cartoonish charm that makes it easy to enjoy from the start.  McKay film has a kinetic sort of energy with flourishes of style highlighted early on with a clever use of classic Dracula footage used to give the Cliff's Notes version of Renfied's backstory.  Nicholas Hoult as the titular star is a likable lead as the sad sack that's been in a toxic relationship for centuries.  Hoult's performance is endearing enough to make you care about his predicament which also keeps him from being totally out shone by Nicolas Cage's performance as Dracula.  Cage is entirely in his element in this role as he's given free reign to do whatever outlandish thing he wants to do.  It’s a crazy mixture of just about every iteration of the character condensed into a singular, hilarious performance.  The film works best when it focuses on Cage and Hoult's characters and the gonzo action sequences peppered throughout.  It hits some speedbumps when it falls back on its rather thin plot and romantic subplot.  Awkwafina brings a certain sort of energy which works in small bits, and it would have been more effective if the script had just cut the romantic overtones especially since she and Hoult just don't have that sort of chemistry together.  Ultimately, it keeps Renfield from maintaining its comedic energy consistently enough to make it truly memorable.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MENU

 

A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

Director: Mark Mylod

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, John Leguizamo

Release Date: November 18, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong/disturbing violent content, language throughout and some sexual references.

Runtime: 1h 46m

The Menu is a glossy, sharply written satire that delivers some devilishly dark comedy that touches on themes of class warfare but never delves too deep into them.  Mark Mylod's film is directed with a steady hand as he sets up the setting on the island and high end restaurant.  The entire film has a slick modernist visual that echoes David Fincher's unappreciated The Game from the late 90s.  This film is never as subversive or surprising as Fincher's mind trip since it lays its cards out on the table fairly early on.  The script doesn't provide multilayered characters instead everyone is a type with only the smallest sprinkling of background details to flesh them out.  There's very little depth to them with the film relying on the performer’s talent and charisma.  Thankfully, the film is blessed with a excellent cast of actors who elevate the film with a fun, committed performances.  Ralph Fiennes serves as the film's lifeblood with his turn as the Chef who both measured and menacing at the same time.  In lesser hands, this character would have come off as some sort of cinematic Soup Nazi but Fiennes is able add so much more than what's on the page to make him far more fascinating.  Anya Taylor-Joy gets the lion share of the screen time and she's dependable as usual.  She gives the character a believable sense of self reliance and underlying toughness that's clearly out of place among the assorted upper crust.  The rest of the supporting cast all make the most of their limited screen time with Hong Chau, Judith Light and John Leguizamo making you wish their roles were just a bit larger and fleshed out.  The Menu is the kind of film that works in spite of itself, a credit to its cast and director but you get the sense it could have been something really special.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: DARK PHOENIX

This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved characters, Jean Grey, as she evolves into the iconic DARK PHOENIX. During a life-threatening rescue mission in space, Jean is hit by a cosmic force that transforms her into one of the most powerful mutants of all. Wrestling with this increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal demons, Jean spirals out of control, tearing the X-Men family apart and threatening to destroy the very fabric of our planet. The film is the most intense and emotional X-Men movie ever made. It is the culmination of 20 years of X-Men movies, as the family of mutants that we’ve come to know and love must face their most devastating enemy yet -- one of their own.

Director: Simon Kinberg

Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Jessica Chastain

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action including some gunplay, disturbing images, and brief strong language

Release Date: June 7, 2019

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Runtime: 1h 54 min

Review:

It’s typically not the biggest compliment for a film when you start comparing it to past entries in the franchise only to confirm that it’s not as bad as some of the series low spots.  In this case, Dark Phoenix isn’t the collective disaster that X-Men The Last Stand was and it’s far more palatable than X-Men Apocalypse.  That doesn’t necessarily make a good film though, it’s serviceable at best.  The first two acts of the film rush through exposition and tries to get the audience to care about Jean Grey whom we’ve spent barely anytime with as a character in the previous films.  Sophie Turner just isn’t terribly engaging as the titular character, her acting ranger here seem to consist of staring blankly into space angrily.  The real shame is that the film is stacked with excellent actors and actresses across the board.  Jennifer Lawrence is barely given much to do and her character’s storyline doesn’t land the way it should.  It’s a consistent issue with the film, its first two acts feel like an emotionless slog peppered with some respectable action sequences.  Jessica Chastain’s character and performance exemplify this since she’s a walking talking emotionless villain who’s not so much a character but a plot device to move the story forward. She’s utterly wasted throughout the film, much like Michael Fassbender whose role feels more like an extended cameo.  James McAvoy fares slightly better but it not enough to turn the tide, the films final battle is solid but strangely Simon Kinberg decided it was a good idea to uses certain beats from The Last Stand.  Since the final act was entirely reshot, it’s hard not to see a problematic production turn into a messy uninspired film.

C

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Tolkien & Pokemon: Detective Pikachu

This weekend it was off to the cinema for the disparate duo of Tolkien and Pokemon: Detective Pikachu.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up: Tolkien, chronicling the early years of one of the world's most celebrated and beloved authors. Regular reader(s) will know I make a point of not reading reviews until I write my own, but headlines I've seen in passing tell me most folks, including the Tolkien family themselves, don't like this movie.

Since the Tolkien family isn't noted for liking much of anything, I suggest putting that aside and giving the picture a fair shake. It's really not bad at all.

First we have a likable cast, fronted by Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins. The material won't win anyone an Oscar, but the performances are quite enjoyable. There are plenty of nods to the things Tolkien fans will want to see...Balrogs and Nazgul and of course very powerful rings. These come mostly in the form of Tolkien's fevered battlefield imagination. Other influences come from Tolkien's real world, most obviously three close friendships formed in his school days. The references aren't exactly subtle, but the movie doesn't constantly beat you over the head with them either. Tolkien does not follow a linear timeline, but rather jumps back and forth between the author's school days to his World War II experiences and beyond. (It's worth noting that some of the war sequences do get a bit gruesome.) The film's meandering pace makes two hours seem a bit long, but it's an engaging enough story that it never lost my attention.

Tolkien clocks in at 112 minutes and is rated PG13 for "some sequences of war violence." If Tolkien isn't an especially memorable movie, it's a serviceable biopic that won't bore you, either. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Tolkien gets six.

Next on the docket, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu.

After his detective father is killed in an apparent accident, a young man happens upon the father's Pokemon partner and a mystery involving the two.

If Pokemon: Detective Pikachu were the worst movie ever, it would have every right.

The concept feels pretty thin, and little--if anything--I've seen at the cinema lately has been as jarring as Deadpool's voice coming out of that adorable little Pokemon. Curiously, though, each trailer got funnier and funnier, and, as it turns out, the finished product isn't half bad.

Let's start with Ryan Reynolds. Yeah...that voice probably still wouldn't be what I imagine for Pikachu, but this version of Pikachu is all Reynolds, and it's pretty hilarious. Justice Smith capably plays the straight man to Reynolds' wisecracking yellow cutie. Ryme City is loud and colorful and looks every bit the sort of bustling, progressive burgh where humans and Pokemon would live and work side by side. Action sequences are well choreographed and don't run on too long. The movie is great for kids, but there's a fair bit of grownup humor to entertain adults as well. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu runs 104 minutes and is rated PG for "action/peril, some rude and suggestive humor, and thematic elements."

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu is a fun movie that's a lot better than it should be.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu gets six and a half.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FAVOURITE

In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, James Smith, Mark Gatiss

Release Date: November 23, 2018

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language.

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

At some point during Yorgos Lanthimos cynically funny film, you might get the sensation that you are watching a mash up of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and Milo Foreman’s Amadeus.  That’s hardly a bad thing but as the film moves on its genuinely funny script and biting wit take hold, carried ably by the top notch cast.  The three leads share the sort of chemistry that’s rare to find.  It’s instantly recognizable and they make you care about these fairly terrible human beings.  Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are all in top form with each being given multiple moments to shine.  It’d be criminal not to mention Nicholas Hoult who finds a way to standout in supporting role.  The Favourite is truly a fun ride through and through filled with top notch performance and stellar camera work that’s sure to be iconic as the film ages. 

A

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Alice Through the Looking Glass & X-Men: Apocalypse

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the maligned pair of Alice Through the Looking Glass and X-Men: Apocalypse. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

Well, dear Reader(s), I was prepared to tell you neither of these pictures is as bad as you've probably heard, but last night I spent good money to watch How to Be Single, so, by comparison, now I guess I'm prepared to call them both Oscar worthy. 

 

First on the docket: Alice Through the Looking Glass. The further adventures of Ms. Kingsleigh and her whimsical Wonderland friends. It's probably fair to say that Through the Looking Glass is the sequel nobody who isn't collecting a paycheck from it ever wanted, but I'm pleased to report it's really not all that bad. 

 

On the positive side, the movie boasts enjoyable performances from Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, and Helena Bonham Carter. Colleen Atwood's costumes are glorious, and Danny Elfman provides a magical score. 

 

The film kicks off with an exciting high-seas action sequence, sets and cinematography are beautiful throughout, and there's some nice CGI work. On the downside, there won't be much middle ground on Depp's Mad Hatter; if you don't love it, you're likely to hate it, as I did with that weird, fluttery thing Anne Hathaway kept doing with her hands. 

 

In one of his final roles, Alan Rickman has barely three lines. Finally, though the movie mostly keeps a good pace and isn't overlong, the final act slows to a snail's pace. Alice Through the Looking Glass runs 113 minutes and is rated PG for "fantasy action/peril and some language." 

 

It's hardly special, especially from a company that inspires the devotion that Disney does, but Alice Through the Looking Glass provides a couple hours of enjoyable escapism. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Alice Through the Looking Glass gets five. Fangirl points: Richard Armitage and Andrew Scott. 

 

Next on my agenda: X-Men: Apocalypse. When a godlike mutant threatens to destroy the world, the X-Men must band together to save it. X-Men: Apocalypse isn't a perfect film, but it's good fun and hardly deserves the critical beating it's taking. The movie has a fantastic cast and does a fine job of fairly distributing screen time, though, once again, its Evan Peters' Quicksilver who manages to steal the show. 

 

If a brief, crowd-pleasing appearance by a certain someone isn't precisely a surprise in this Internet age, it definitely retains its impact on the audience, if not really on the plot. Apocalypse runs overlong and is a bit convoluted, but the action is terrific and keeps things moving at a good pace. Some great effects and huge set pieces make the movie well worth seeing on a big screen. 

 

X-Men: Apocalypse clocks in at 144 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence, action, and destruction, brief strong language, and some suggestive images." The weakest link in a pretty strong trilogy, X-Men: Apocalypse is still worth your movie dollar. Of a possible nine Weasleys, X-Men: Apocalypse gets six. Fangirl points: Zeljko Ivanek and a Duran Duran "Rio" poster on the wall! 

 

Until next time... 

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Director: Bryan Singer 

Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult

Release Date: May 27, 2016

Rated: PG-13 for brief Strong Language, Action and Destruction, Sequences of Violence and Some Suggestive Images.

Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

X-Men: Apocalypse isn’t the rousing success that Days of Future Past but it’s a fairly enjoyable X-Men adventure.  That’s not to say there aren’t issues.  The most glaring of which is the general waste of talent.   The cast is made up of excellent actors but none of them are really given anything substantial to do.  Oscar Isaac’s turn as the titular villain is decidedly underwhelming.  The character isn’t particularly interesting and his four horseman, three of which seem utterly useless, sound like a better idea than it actually is.  Michael Fassbender’s Magneto is still the most interesting character in the redux series but even his story feels a tad bit tacked on and inorganic.  Thankfully it’s a swift movie with it rarely muddling down or lingering too much on minutia.  The action is impressive all around especially Evan Peters rescue sequence which is more elaborate and impressive than the one in the Days of Future Past.  As a whole, the film has plenty to like but I can help but feel like it’s a missed opportunity.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Director: George Miller

Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Adelaide Clemens 

Release Date: May 15, 2015 RealD 3D 

Rated R for Intense Sequences of Violence Throughout, and for Disturbing Images

Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road is an assault on the senses from the opening scene and pretty much through its entire runtime.  Its action is the kind of stuff that is rather jaw dropping due to its sheer size and scope.  Miller’s film is proudly ridiculous and over the top while taking a minimalist approach on the story side.  What’s really surprising about the film is that even though it seems like story and characters would end up being 1 dimensional there is a steady amount of emotional resonance when it’s all said and done.  Tom Hardy is a fine successor for Mel Gibson in the titular role bringing the appropriate amount of quiet intensity required by the role.  Charlize Theron, though, is the real star here.  The character and Theron’s performance makes Furiosa the most interesting character on screen throughout the film.  The pair makes for an engaging twosome that grounds the film from some of its insanity.  It’s a simplistic film with some of the most complex action that I’ve ever seen put to the screen, the type really deserves to be seen on the screen.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: WARM BODIES

WARM BODIES




A tormented zombie (Nicholas Hoult) experiences a profound transformation after entering into an unusual relationship with the daughter (Teresa Palmer) of a military leader charged with eradicating the walking dead. As the unlikely pair build a tenuous bridge between the living and the dead, those on both sides of the battle begin to sense that nothing in their world will ever be the same again. Warm Bodies is based on the novel by Isaac Marion. Rob Corddry and John Malkovich round out the starring cast. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jonathan Levine

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, John Malkovich, Dave Franco

Release Date: Feb 01, 2013

Rated PG-13 for zombie violence and some language

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Warm Bodies is a simple film which a bit of a statement for a zombie rom-com. Director Jonathan Levine keeps things as simple as possible while giving us a self aware version of Twilight with a much better sense of humor. Its light fare at it’s fluffiest. Its center is an incredibly fun, charming and ultimately engaging performance from Nicholas Hoult. From the moment we hear his internal monologue the audience is sucked into his plight and quest for zombie reinvention. R is pretty much Buddy from Day of the Dead with a romantic heart. Love truly conquers all, even rigor mortis. As mentioned the plot is thread bare and while it’ll keep you grinning throughout you can’t help but think it could have been streamlined or that it’s rather neutered to keep that sacred PG-13 rating. Teresa Palmer is rather bland but serviceable. Rob Corddry and a steady John Malkovich do solid work in limited roles. Warm Bodies is an almost sugary sweet zombie love story, it’s not perfect but who is.

B-