MOVIE REVIEW: THE FLASH

 

Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian -- albeit not the one he's looking for.

Director: Andrés Muschietti

Cast: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity

Runtime: 2h 24m

Andrés Muschietti's The Flash is cornucopia of superhero wackiness powered by a manic energy that makes the whole thing incredibly watchable.  Muschietti takes a kitchen sink approach by staging some inventive action set pieces which ranges from charmingly goofy early on like a "baby shower" rescue or a bit of mayhem that plays more like a circus parade before we move to the requisite superhero action.  The variety in these sequences keeps the entire thing from feeling stale since each sequence offers up it's own sort of energy.  These set pieces, as fun as they are, wouldn't work as well as it does if Ezra Miller didn't deliver a strong performance.  Miller's, legal issues aside, is a talented performer and this role allows him to really flex his acting muscles as he plays two different versions of the titular character at different stages in his life.  He balances the more mature, damaged central character with the more carefree and naïve iteration of himself with impressive ease.  In both cases, he brings a grounded, authentic emotional center to the characters even amongst the increasingly insane situations splashed on screen.  The character's arch through the multiverse differentiates itself from other film using the trope by centering it around the character's personal growth and acceptance, Star Trek: The Next Generation fans might get echoes of the episode Tapestry which used a similar approach.  Its a smart approach which centers the film even as a bevy of cameos and Easter eggs are thrown onscreen.  The most substantial of these is Michael Keaton donning the cape and cowl once again, something he does with his general ease as he brings back the same Burtonesque energy that's sure to thrill children of the 80's.  Once Keaton shows up on screen the film does lean heavily into fan service which will make a portion of the fandom very happy and will likely be lost on people under a certain age.  Sasha Calle joins the film roughly around the same time as she brings a quiet ferocity to her character that the film would have benefited from exploring.  Instead her character feels rushed and underserved which is a shame.  Michael Shannon returns as General Zod in what amounts to a thankless role since its little more than an extended cameo that there simply to set up Barry's internal conflict.  While it makes sense in terms of the story being told you can't help but think there had to be a better way to use both Calle and Shannon.  Its a minor quibble especially when you step back and look at the amount of juggling Muschietti is doing to make The Flash work as a fun and engaging superhero story centered around a personal journey about growth.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: TULLY

Marlo, a mother of three, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.

Director: Jason Reitman

Cast: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Ron Livingston

Release Date: May 4, 2018

Genres: Comedy, Drama 

Rated R for language and some sexuality/nudity

Runtime: 1h 36min 

Review:


Tully, the third collaboration between Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody, is an impressive thoughtful and raw look at motherhood.  Reitman and Cody have found their muse in Charlize Theron, the trio shined in the thoroughly unappreciated 2011 film Young Adult, who once again proves she’s one of the strongest actresses in film business.  Theron gained 50 pounds for the part to truly capture the character but it’s more than a physical transformation.  Theron has an ability to bring rawness to her character.  There’s a strong theme of melancholy throughout the film even as it moves from touching to outright funny.  Mackenzie Davis is more than capable of holding her own with Theron as the titular Tully.  Reitman and company carefully lead you down one path before the film takes an unexpected turn in the final act which totally changes the complexion of the film and story.  It’s a master stroke of direction and story telling that gives the film an emotional punch that it would have lacked if the story had played it safe.  Tully is a rare film that truly captures something real and relatable to most mothers, a real gift.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE CONJURING

Insidious' James Wan dips his feet into the haunted-house genre once again with this New Line Cinema production depicting the real-life tale of the Perron family, who claimed to have been terrorized by a series of ghosts. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as paranormal investigators who achieved notoriety from their investigation into the Perrons' house. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: James Wan

Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King

Release Date: Jul 19, 2013

Rated: Sequences of disturbing violence and terror.

Runtime: 1 hr. 51 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

The Conjuring is a well acted, well directed horror film that takes it’s time building scares. James Wan directs his film like an homage to 70’s horror films, it borrows heavily from The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. Like Insidious, Wan builds up the tension by setting up a chilling atmosphere that’s filled with wonderfully set up moments all done with interesting camera work. Unlike Insidious, the final act doesn’t falter with cheesy monster effects. The final reel is a goose bump inducing horror show that delivers the goods. Impressively, this is all done with very little blood or even cursing, it’s a master class in restraint. The cast is solid but the characters, the Warren’s in particular, are under written. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson shine throughout while creating a palpable and believable loving relationship. Personally, I wish we’d seen a tad more of them and their back story but since this is considered a franchise starter it maybe something we’ll see down the road. Let’s hope the quality stays just as high in future installments.

B+