MOVIE REVIEW: ARRIVAL

Linguistics professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind.

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma

Release Date: Nov 11, 2016    

Rated PG-13 for brief Strong Language    

Runtime: 1 hr. 56 min.    

Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival is a shining example of how to do heady science fiction with strong emotional depth. It recalls classics like Close Encounters with the Third Kind, 2001 and Contact.  Villeneuve’s film is a measured affair that demands your attention from start to finish with an impressive payoff that rewards you.  Amy Adams has never been better or more subdued.  Her performance carries the entire film and gives the film its bitter sweet heart.  Jeremy Renner provides a nice counterbalance to Adams.  Forest Whitaker is a tab wasted in a thankless role.  Arrival is a sure to join the upper echelon of science fictions films and marks another excellent film from Denis Villeneuve.

A-

Cindy Prascik's Review of Anthropoid

Dearest Blog: By now I'm sure everyone's familiar with that big-budget bore of a World War II flick that's gracing US cinemas this week, but what you may not know is there's also a really good World War II flick right at your fingertips via On Demand, digital download, and DVD. I give you: Anthropoid.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers if you saw one (which I didn't).

 

Anthropoid is the true story of a World War II mission to assasinate Hitler's third in command, Reinhard Heydrich.

 

Two WWII movies in a span of three days probably seems like a true test of endurance, and, if not for Cillian Murphy, I admit this one might have passed me right on by. I'm very glad it didn't.

 

 While Hacksaw Ridge dwells on gunfights, explosions, and the gore of war, Anthropoid is a quiet exercise in strategy all the way to its final act; only then are we thrown into the bloody firestorm, and by then we're so invested in every character that it is utterly devastating. Cillian Murphy (the surly one) and Jamie Dornan (the dreamy one) are outstanding as the leaders of the dangerous mission. Murphy is never less, but if you only know Dornan from his unfortunate 50 Shades fame, be prepared to be surprised. 

 

Supporting players include the terrific Harry Lloyd, and the always-reliable Toby Jones. Anthropoid takes its time getting to the actual assasination attempt, maintaining tension throughout as the rebels make their plans and attempt to avoid discovery. 

 

Fear is so palpable as to be almost another character in a film that feels very intimate and personal, in much the same way as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Anthropoid clocks in at a deliberate 120 minutes and is rated R for "violence and some disturbing images."

 

It may not be loud or flashy enough to have earned wide release in the USA, but Anthropoid is a thoughtful World War II picture that's well worth your time. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Anthropoid gets six and a half.

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE

After a car accident leaves him with nerve damage that ends his career as a New York neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) travels to Kathmandu in the hope of finding an otherworldly cure for his injuries. There, a powerful mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) accepts him as her pupil and trains him in the art of sorcery. Eventually, Strange must use his new powers to stop a rival (Mads Mikkelsen) from causing chaos by accessing the Dark Dimension. Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister). ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi

Director: Scott Derrickson 

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong, Tilda Swinton

Release Date: Nov 04, 2016

Rated PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Action and an Intense Crash Sequence 

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy 

Review:

Doctor Strange is a visually impressive origin story that’s better than it should be most due to its cast.  That’s not to say that director Scott Derrickson doesn’t do some impressive cinematic gymnastics because he does.  Its just that when you peel back all visual flourishes its plot feels incredibly familiar with magic taking the place of superhero powers.  Thankfully, the film is a generally enjoyable thanks to some strong turns by Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton.  Benedict Cumberbatch feels perfect for the roles and he’s clearly having a great time throughout.  The real stand out though is Tilda Swinton who’s generally the most interesting actor on screen throughout.  It’s a bit of a disappointment that the other great actors assembled aren’t given much to do.  Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all saddled with some terribly underwritten and generic characters.  It’s a shame because they are all excellent actors and with better material this film could have been something truly special.  As is, the film is a solid addition to the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic universe.

B

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Doctor Strange & Hacksaw Ridge

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Doctor Strange and Hacksaw Ridge, two movies that I anticipated about as much as a fork in the eye. (Any 80s metal fans guess what I'm listening to as I write?) Fortunately, one of them had the decency to be better than expected. 

 

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

 

First on the agenda: Marvel's latest cinema smash, Doctor Strange. Following a car accident that cost him his career, an arrogant doctor is awakened to a whole new world. Ladies and gents, if I had to describe Doctor Strange in one word, that word would be "trippy." 

 

Of course I'm gonna use a lot more words than that, but...yeah...trippy. I saw it in 2D, but I'll go on record as recommending the 3D unreservedly; I'm entirely convinced it's worth-the-upcharge spectacular. Inception-Meets-Pink-Floyd-Laser-Show special effects are Doctor Strange's primary virtue, but Marvel has hit it out of the park on casting again, as well. 

 

Benedict Cumberbatch is mesmerising as Strange, and make no mistake, he HAS to be. 

 

Strange is the Dr. House of comic books; he's abrasive and needs the right portrayal for fans to warm to him. In Cumberbatch, he's got it. Chiwetel Ejifor and Mads Mikkelsen lead a supporting cast that is almost uniformly terrific. 

 

The movie could have done with more Rachel McAdams and less Tilda Swinton, but Benedict Wong nearly walks off with the whole thing anyway. Michael Giacchino's epic score provides perfect accompaniment to the huge set pieces and fantastic action. 

 

The movie features the requisite Stan Lee cameo and a couple quick reminders that you're supposed to love it because it's from the people who gave you the Avengers. Guys...THE AVENGERS!! 

 

Don't forget now! Marvel's trademark humor occasionally seems shoehorned into situations where it feels awkward, ill-fitting, and inappropriate, but it mostly hits the mark. Story-wise, Doctor Strange is a generic origins tale that dwells too long on certain bits, making it seem bloated even though it's not really that long. It's a movie with some great elements, but hardly a great movie. Doctor Strange clocks in at 115 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence." Doctor Strange never fails to entertain, but, ultimately, it's nothing special. 

 

And if that's not Marvel's corporate slogan...well...it should be. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Doctor Strange gets seven. 

 

Fangirl points: Benjamin Bratt! Michael Stuhlbarg! 

 

Next up: Hacksaw Ridge. A young man whose faith keeps him from carrying a weapon hopes to serve as a combat medic in World War II. (A.K.A. "War is Hell. Literally.") 

 

Hacksaw Ridge is an inspiring tale that, in someone else's hands, might have made a great movie. In director Mel Gibson's hands, it's two hours of being clubbed over the head with an agenda. Andrew Garfield heads a magnificent cast with zero weak links. 

 

I'd hoped this might be Garfield's step up to a long-deserved Oscar nod, and I'm not sure it's that, but he is brilliant nonetheless. Hugo Weaving is heartbreaking in a scene-stealing turn that'll have you digging for the Kleenex, and Luke Bracey, Sam Worthington, and Vince Vaughn (you heard me) flesh out a memorable supporting cast with excellent chemistry. Sound mixing and editing are spectacular as well. That's the good news. 

 

The bad news is, Hacksaw Ridge has little else going for it. An excessive runtime exacerbates the feeling that it never gets anywhere. The terrible physical toll of war is detailed in such up-close, prolonged excess that it strays into Tropic Thunder territory. War = Bad. We've got it. No need to spend half the film focused on men you can't tell from lunchmeat. 

 

The faith angle gets full marks for its earnestness, but, again, is so unsubtle as to be comical. If I'd rolled my eyes any harder, I'd be writing this out the back of my head. Ultimately, you can't help feeling such an extraordinary story deserved better. Hacksaw Ridge runs 131 minutes and is rated R for "intense, prolonged, realistically-graphic sequences of war violence, including grisly, bloody images." 

 

Hacksaw Ridge is an inexcusably pedestrian telling of an amazing tale. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Hacksaw Ridge gets four. 

 

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of Inferno

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the latest in Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series, Inferno. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

After waking in a hospital, suffering from amnesia, Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) teams with Doctor Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) to thwart a global threat. Okay, dear reader(s), here's the thing about this Langdon series: these movies just oughta be better than they are. 

 

All the pieces are there, yet the finished product is always decidedly mediocre...in fact, the middle installment was so forgettable I had to double-check to make sure I'd even seen it before moving on to the new one! Inferno, like its predecessors, is fortunate to have the eminently likable Tom Hanks reprising his role as Langdon. 

 

No matter what else a movie has going for or against it, Hanks generally guarantees it'll be at least watchable, and certainly that's the case here. Jones, on the other hand, is her usual blandly irritating self; if not for her weird teeth, you might mistake her for ten other actresses of similar age and appearance. Inferno boasts more of the series' usual lovely locations and tidbits of historical interest. 

 

There's action aplenty, with our heroes spending much of the picture running through crowded streets and imposing buildings, but ultimately the whole thing just feels too silly for something that pretends to be so intellectual. 

 

Inferno clocks in at 121 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of action and violence, disturbing images, some language, thematic elements, and brief sensuality." 

 

Inferno is a passable afternoon's entertainment, but, sadly, it's nothing special. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Inferno gets five. Until next time... 

 

PS: Dear Cinemas Everywhere: I know Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are the cutest people on Earth, but that Passengers trailer is getting old REAL DAMN FAST. 

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES

An ordinary suburban couple (Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher) discover that their hospitable new neighbors (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot) are actually government spies. Soon, all four of them are caught up in an international espionage imbroglio. Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) directed this action comedy. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director:Greg Mottola 

Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher, Gal Gadot, Matt Walsh

Release Date: Oct 21, 2016

Rated PG-13 for

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Keeping up with the Jones is a fun little comedy.  As a spy movie satire it’ll never live to last year’s Spy or even Mr. & Ms. Smith which it borrows heavily from as well.  Still, it’s light and breezy direction by Greg Mottola makes for an enjoyable if inconsequential comedy.  Its biggest strength is its cast.  The foursome of Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher & Gal Gadot are likeable throughout with each shining at one point or another. The plot in of itself is thread bare with nary a surprise in sight.  This oversight does leave the film lingering past its expiration point.  It’s a shame because with a slightly better script and plot this could have been something special. 

B-