MOVIE REVIEW: NUREMBERG

 

As the Nuremberg trials are set to begin, a U.S. Army psychiatrist gets locked in a dramatic psychological showdown with accused Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring.

Director: James Vanderbilt

Cast: Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O'Brien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant, Michael Shannon

Release Date: November 7, 2025

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller, War

Rated PG-13 for violent content involving the Holocaust, strong disturbing images, suicide, some language, smoking and brief drug content.

Runtime: 2h 28m

Review:

Nuremberg is a throwback historical drama that's more than willing to lean on its stellar collection of performers led by a wonderfully nuanced turn from Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring.  James Vanderbilt film is capably shot throughout with its aesthetic borrowing heavily from Saving Private Ryan and the like with a decidedly washed out, desaturated look overall.  His approach gives the film a stage play sort of look and feel especially with the confined, claustrophobic prison sets which puts all the focus on the cast.  Its unhurried pacing and dialogue driven approach might not be for everyone especially since the film can't avoid some clichéd tropes and clunky dialogue.  Thankfully the cast is more than capable of rising above those pitfalls by turning in impressive performances across the board.  Rami Malek's psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley, serves as the main character and the audience's entry point into the story.  It’s a fascinating role for Malek since he's carrying his own agenda and motivation to work with Crowe's Göring.  The character is complicated collection of contradictions which allows his overeager self-confidence to cloud his judgement, and it allows him to get too close to his subject.  Once he's lost perspective it allows Russell Crowe's Hermann Göring to manipulate him with general ease before the extent of his complicity in Nazi atrocities become impossible to ignore.  Crowe turns in one of his best performances in recent memory by making Göring a charismatic figure who is disarmingly human.  He maintains a certain level of self-confidence even though he's on trial for horrific war crimes.  It’s a nuanced turn that reveals itself over the course of the film which allows Crowe to play with a full spectrum of his character's personality.  It’s the kind of turn that should garner some awards attention as it’s a study in subtly with Crowe only unleashing in earnest during the rather brisk trial sequence.  Michael Shannon and Richard E. Grant are given a secondary story thread about the genesis of the trial and the possible pitfalls of failing to prosecute their case and allow Göring to perpetuate Nazi propaganda even in defeat.  Shannon is excellent every time he pops up onscreen as he's perfectly cast as the determined Supreme Court Justice, Robert H. Jackson, who understands the scope of the trial and its historical import.  Considering the film's lengthy runtime, it would have been well served to have fleshed out Jackson a bit more, especially since Shannon is in rare form, especially when he's paired with an underutilized Richard E. Grant.  A few stumbles pop up as the central trial feels a bit rushed after all the set up since it’s over shortly after it begins with the film rushing to the finish line.  The closing sequences brings everything full circle with a rather chilling warning about what's happened before and our current day reality which makes Nuremberg feel timelier.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: DEATH OF A UNICORN

 

When a man and his daughter accidentally hit and kill a unicorn with their car, his boss tries to exploit the creature's miraculous curative properties -- with horrific results.

Director: Alex Scharfman

Cast: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, Richard E. Grant, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani

Release Date: March 28, 2025

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong violent content, gore, language and some drug use.

Runtime: 1h 48m

Review:

Death of a Unicorn works best as a cartoonish black comedy thanks to its collection of talent, led by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, but it struggles to merge the satirical and horror elements which keeps it from being something special.  Alex Scharfman's freshman film has a quirky, energetic vibe that comes through the screen especially during some of the film's more outlandish sequences.  The straightforward narrative works in the film's favor with it, wasting very little time before moving into the meat of the story.  Some judicious edits would have helped streamline some of the clunkier moments that sap the film of some of its energy.  The parts that work is goofy, gory fun like its Aliens riff that proves to be one of the film's high points.  Scharfman would have been wise to lean into that sort of nuttiness rather than bluntly hammer home tired takes on the entitled elite and pharma exploitation of nature.  The father/daughter storyline is basic as well, but it’s salvaged by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega likable turns.  Rudd could play this sort of character in his sleep while Ortega is fully embracing her role as this generations Winona Ryder as the smart, quirky but emotional distressed daughter.  Richard E. Grant and Téa Leoni are fun as the obscenely wealthy couple that Rudd's character aspires to work for, it’s just a shame that the script doesn't give them a ton to work with outside the most clichéd traits.  Will Poulter fares far better as the couple's overly entitled son that gets more and more intense as the effects of unicorn's dust take hold.  Poulter's comedic timing is perfectly suited to the role and he's clearly having a ball onscreen as he's bursting with energy especially in the final act.  Anthony Carrigan and Sunita Mani are both solid comedic performers, but they're mostly wasted in underserved roles, which is a shame to say the least.  It’s one of the elements in Death of a Unicorn that feel undercooked or unfinished much like the shoddy CGI that brings the magically vicious creatures to life which keeps it from really hitting the sweet spot.    

 

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: SALTBURN

 

A student is invited to an eccentric classmate's estate for an exciting summer.

Director: Emerald Fennell

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 7m

Emerald Fennell sophomore feature, Saltburn, is a deliberately paced puzzle box that reveals itself methodically as it attempts to shock and surprise with varying degrees of effect.  Fennell does go for something far more visually striking and impactful here than her first film which gives the proceedings the kind of flair that's hard to ignore. The use of a 1.33:1 aspect ratio adds to the effect by giving the film a voyeuristic look and feel throughout. This fly on the wall approach gives everything a sinister undertone even as the script veers into dark comedy more times than not as the depravity unveils itself.  Its easy to see similarities to The Talented Mr. Ripley in terms of story and setting but there's also the anarchist spirit of Roger Avery's twisted tale of entitlement from The Rules of Attraction.  At the center of it all is a chameleon like performance from Barry Keoghan who runs the gamut of emotions and presence as the film goes along.  Its fascinating turn that allows him to work through subtly before revealing bigger emotional shifts.  Jacob Elordi is a solid counter to Keoghan's more nebulous persona.  Elordi comes across as deceptively earnest and well meaning for the better part of the film's runtime.  Strong supporting turns from Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe give the film the kind of depth that makes the film easier to enjoy even as it moves at a very specific pace.  Pike and Grant in particular make the most of their limited screen time by delivering devilishly fun performances as the parents.  There is plenty to unpack from the film's final act which takes a series of big swings with some working better than others.  There's a solid sense in some of these latter sequences that Fennell is trying to shock the audience which is fine but there's a lesson to be learned about less being more.  Issues aside, Saltburn is a solid follow up to Promising Young Women even if its not as refined or impactful as it should be.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: LOGAN

In a hideout near the U.S./Mexico border, an aging Logan (Hugh Jackman) cares for the ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart). However, their sheltered existence comes to a sudden end when a young mutant girl (Dafne Keen) arrives and needs their help to stay safe. James Mangold directed this film, the third Wolverine-based spin-off of the X-Men franchise. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle

Release Date: Mar 03, 2017

Rated R for Language Throughout, Brief Nudity and Strong Brutal Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 15 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Logan is one of the rare comic book movies that works on multiple levels.  James Mangold and Huge Jackman had a big task ahead of them trying to give fans the kind of send off that the character deserves.  Both seemed to have a great affinity for the character and it shows onscreen.  Mangold delivers a somber dour film that’s as exciting as it’s moving.  There’s an added depth to the character that gives Jackman more to work with than he’s had in previous solo films.  As such, it’s a meatier more well rounded performance even though the basic story of child and guardian is well worn.  Patrick Stewart also delivers an excellent performance as aged Professor X.  Stewart is clearly having a grand time in the role since the script gives him something different to do than just sit in the wheelchair and look stately.  Dafne Keen is a revelation as X-23.  Keen is able to deliver an impressive performance even though it’s mostly done with limited dialogue.  It’s a pivotal character and if the child actor wasn’t as strong, the film wouldn’t have been as good as it ended up being.  Logan is a strong film but it does drag in a few spots.  Certain sections feel like they could have been cut all together making the film a sleeker and better film.  Even with those issues, Logan finally nails the heart of the character which is a perfect way to end Jackman’s tenure in the role.

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Logan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Hugh Jackman's final turn with the super sideburns, Logan.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, mostly nothing you wouldn't get from trailers and clips.

 

A jaded, aging Logan is drawn from hiding to help a young mutant being pursued by some nasty characters.

 

Logan is a somber affair whose tone reflects its tired hero. This Logan isn't interested in saving the world, he's just trying to get by and get out. Action is plentiful, well-choreographed, and brutal, with decapitations and dismemberments aplenty. Do take that "R" rating seriously and leave the kids at home; graphic violence and bad language are pervasive. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and newcomer Dafne Keen turn in lovely performances that would not seem out of place on 2017's awards circuit, though timing and genre will probably leave them forgotten. The film suffers from its bloated runtime and tends to drag here and there. A trim would have worked in its favor, but otherwise, Logan is a superhero movie that's more than good enough to get away with taking itself so seriously. 

 

Logan clocks in at 137 minutes and is rated R for "strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity."

 

It's not quite The Dark Knight or Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but Logan is definitely one for the ages. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Logan gets eight.

 

Fangirl points: Stephen Merchant! Richard E. Grant!

 

Until next time...