MOVIE REVIEW: IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE MOVIE

Impractical Jokers: The Movie is a 2020 American reality comedy film directed by Chris Henchy, based on the truTV television series Impractical Jokers'. The film stars Brian Quinn, James Murray, Sal Vulcano and Joe Gatto, also known as The Tenderloins

Director: Chris Henchy

Cast: Brian Quinn, James Murray, Sal Vulcano,  Joe Gatto

Release Date: February 21, 2020

Genres: Comedy

Rated PG-13 for suggestive content, language, some drug references and brief nudity

Runtime: 1h 33min

Review:

Chances are that if you are sitting in the theater having paid to watch something called Impractical Jokers: The Movie your already a fan of the show.  If not, it's a random thing to pay to watch but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed.  The movie much like the show is a series of challenges among the four friends with the film adding in a wafer thin plot to the proceedings.  The "story" is probably the weakest part of this whole endeavor and ultimately it feels superfluous.  This whole concept works because the guys are likable goofs who are constantly ribbing each other during the challenges.  The challenges themselves are funny but they really don't feel like anything special that would demand the big screen treatment.  As is, this feels more like a super sized extended episode.  It'll probably make fans happy and confused at the same time since you'd expect something a bit bigger for the big screen.  As is, this doesn't quite reach the heights of something like the Jackass Movies which took the show and amplified to the tenth power.     

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE INVISIBLE MAN

The Invisible Man is a 2020 science fiction horror film written and directed by Leigh Whannell. A contemporary adaptation of the novel of the same name by H. G. Wells and a reboot of The Invisible Man

  

Director: Leigh Whannell

Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Release Date: February 28, 2020

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Rated R for disturbing violence, some bloody images, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 2h 5min

Review:

The opening of The Invisible Man might give you flashback of Julia Roberts' very 90s thriller Sleeping with The Enemy.  Leigh Whannell sets the stage nicely for the this reboot which changes the basis of the story, making it timely and effective.  Whannell shows a talent for crafting impressive shots that create tension without falling back on cheap jump scares, even though there are a handful of those.  The film is a slow burn and it at its best during the first two thirds of the film.  During that time, the pervasive and ever present sensation of being watched is ever present on Elisabeth Moss's character.  Moss, whose mastered playing frayed tortured woman, is perfectly suited for the role. Her performance carries the film making it far more impactful than it would have been in lesser hands.  She's always the most interesting thing on screen which is an impressive task considering she's reacting to nothing for the better part of the film.  Aldis Hodge is strong in a supporting role even though you are left wishing he'd been given a bit more to do.  Thematically the story works as a horror show for the women who've been abused or stalked but it's final act suffers a bit as the sci-fi portion of the story is resolved.  The final showdown is predictable from the start, so much so that you wish Whannell had played a bit more with the main character's state of mind. A bit more ambiguity would have given the film even more impact but still you have to respect how well this reboot pull off the 90s thriller vibe. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LODGE

During a family retreat to a remote winter cabin over the holidays, the father is forced to abruptly depart for work, leaving his two children in the care of his new girlfriend, Grace. Isolated and alone, a blizzard traps them inside the lodge as terrifying events summon specters from Grace's dark past.

Director: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala

Cast: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, Alicia Silverstone, Richard Armitage

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for disturbing violence, some bloody images, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1h 48min

Review:

The Lodge is the kind of horror film that constantly reminds you of other better films while it struggles to find its own identity.  Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala mines films like The Shining, The Others and even bits of Hereditary.  The film is visually impressive with several shots leaving a lasting impression.  The mood and general feel is ominous and oppressive, the fact that they maintain it for the better part of the film’s runtime is fairly impressive.  The performances are all strong across the board.  Alicia Silverstone kicks of the film with a strong performance that leaves an impression and definitely sets the mood for the rest of the film.  That being said this is truly Riley Keough’s film.  Her performance here is avsubtle but measured decent into madness.  Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh turn in solid supporting performances with neither ever breaking into annoying child actors syndrome.  If the film has an issue it’s that the air of mystery that’s prevalent during the first two thirds of the film should have been maintained longer into the final act since the reveal takes a bit of a steam out of the film.  A bit more ambiguity would have served the better and made it a truly special entry into the horror genre.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: DOWNHILL

A woman starts to have second doubts about her husband after he runs away from an approaching avalanche, leaving her and their two sons behind.

Director: Nat Faxon

Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Will Ferrell, Miranda Otto, Zoë Chao, Zach Woods

Release Date: February 14, 2020

Genres:  Comedy, Drama

Rated R for language and some sexual material

Runtime:  1h 26min

Review:

Downhill is an oddly frustrating movie when you consider players involved.  This remake of the Swedish film Force Majeure, a film I've heard of but haven't seen, is intriguing in parts but never maintains any momentum to tell a meaningful story.  It's a rare feat that a film can feel both rushed and slow at the same time.  Nat Faxon's film screams like it should be worlds better than it ultimately is and he directs it with a steady hand, taking full advantage of the lovely locale.  Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell are solid together even Ferrell feels miscasted in as the family patriarch.  Dreyfus does get a few chances to show off her range, showcasing her dramatic chops while still nailing her comedic timing.  Zach Woods and Zoë Chao fun in limited roles while Miranda Otto seems to be having the most fun out of the entire cast.  Still the whole thing never connects on a emotional level the way it should, the story and meaning all feeling glossed over.  

C+

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Birds of Prey & The Last Full Measure

Despite the first real blast of winter rolling through my area this weekend, I was able to slip out to the cinema for Birds of Prey and the Last Full Measure.

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

First on my agenda, the film with the unnecessarily awkward and misleading name, Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.

Following her breakup with the Joker, Harley Quinn struggles to make her way on her own.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is misnamed in that it is mostly about Harley Quinn and hardly at all about the Birds of Prey, who pop up only sporadically throughout and not until the very end as a unit. Margot Robbie clearly is having the time of her life as Harley, as is Ewan McGregor as the film's psychotic big-bad. The rest of the cast is unremarkable, outside of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, always a rose even among thorns. Birds of Prey doesn't look half as good as the Gotham TV series as far as its production design and overall appearance and atmosphere, but there are a couple exceptional set pieces, particularly the climactic battle in a fun house. The movie makes great use of some popular tunes and features terrific score by Daniel Pemberton.

On the negative side, Birds of Prey is unrelentingly foul in both language and content. I'm a grownup and grownup content doesn't put me off, but the movie tries to shock for shock's sake and that's just boring. I find the character of Harley Quinn rather annoying, and this portrayal hasn't done anything to endear her to me. Much like the Minions--who are the best part of any Despicable Me movie but couldn't effectively carry a whole movie--a little Harley goes a long, long way. "Fun" is the word I've most often heard used to describe Birds of Prey, which for me frequently is code for, "It isn't very good but I liked it anyway." I can definitely see why people like this movie, despite it's not being particularly well done, and I'm grateful that solid reviews and good word of mouth should make it a win for DC, regardless of a (so far) sluggish box office.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn clocks in at 109 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material."

While Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is built of some great pieces, the whole is too dark to be fun and too silly (bordering on downright stupid at times) to be properly dark. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Birds of Prey gets six.

Next on the docket, the Last Full Measure.

A hotshot government lawyer is assigned (against his will) to review the case of an airman killed in Vietnam, whose brothers in arms are convinced he was wrongfully denied the Medal of Honor.

First and foremost, I would like to give props to my local theater for getting this movie. Even though the film is in wide-release, there doesn't seem to be much buzz around it and I was certain it would pass right by my small town. So, thank you, Marquee Cinemas, for screening the Last Full Measure.

Onward to the movie, beginning where regular reader(s) will expect: with Sebastian Stan. I've said it before and I'll undoubtedly say it again (and again): Sebastian Stan is the finest actor of his generation, and one of the finest actors I've ever seen. If you only know him as a Marvel guy, you are really, really missing out. (Shameless plug: Please check him out in the short-lived series Kings, which you can watch for free on the NBC app.) As a longtime fan, you can bet I was as proud as his mama to see his name at the top of the credits, his first real big-screen lead. This role hardly taxes his talent, but his character is the film's backbone and he serves it well. Most of the acting heavy lifting is left to the older cast members: Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, William Hurt, Peter Fonda, and John Savage, but--while fine performances elevate the material--they can't really save it. The tone is overly sentimental and the script is pedestrian, at times so melodramatic as to be almost comical, which is a sad disservice to its subject. Having said all that, the film does put the spotlight on a very deserving hero, and the folks in my screening and the one before it were largely moved to tears. That's a movie that certainly gets something right.

The Last Full Measure runs 116 minutes and is rated R for "war violence and language."

The Last Full Measure is a film that strikes a nerve, not necessarily because it tells its story well, but because it tells *such* a story. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Last Full Measure gets seven.

Fangirl points: I mean, Seb, obviously, but Linus Roache was a nice surprise!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BIRDS OF PREY

It's open season on Harley Quinn when her explosive breakup with the Joker puts a big fat target on her back. Unprotected and on the run, Quinn faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask, his right-hand man, Victor Zsasz, and every other thug in the city. But things soon even out for Harley when she becomes unexpected allies with three deadly women -- Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya.

Director: Cathy Yan

Cast: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Genres:  Action, Adventure, Crime

Rated Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material

Runtime:  1h 49min

Review:

Birds of Prey nails so many things right about Harley Quinn as a character that you'd be hard pressed to find flaw especially if you've been a fan since her inception.  Her debut in Suicide Squad, a movie that's unfairly bashed while still being fun if problematic, was iconic for Margot Robbie and the DC universe in general.  Regardless of how you feel about that movie, she was one of the shining lights of the whole affair.  Now in her own film, flanked by longtime Batman friends and adversaries, she's given full reign on the screen and story.  Cathy Yan helms the film with a kinetic energy that's hard to resist with luminous star in a role she was born to play.  There are so many impressively manic and nutty fight sequences to keep even the most blood thirsty movie goer begging for more.  It's a candy colored assault on the senses that takes a break here and there before it drops a mallet on your head again.  Supporting Robbie are equally game cast mates like Ewan McGregor who's obviously having a ball playing Black Mask.  Needless to say that DC fans will have to appreciate this take on Black Mask and Victor Zsasz because it's both respectful of each character but still their own singular take.  The same can be said of this entrie's take on Black Canary and Huntress played by an underused Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  Each brings a specific type of energy to their role much like the more seasoned Rosie Perez who just fits as Renee Montoya.  Ultimately, they are all floating around Margot Robbie's Quinn who keeps the whole thing rolling.  There's a definite girl power rolling through the entire film and it's the better for it, fitting right in as the crazy cousin to the more refined DC super heroine Wonder Woman.

B+