MOVIE REVIEW: A HAUNTING IN VENICE

 

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot investigates a murder while attending a Halloween seance at a haunted palazzo in Venice, Italy.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Michelle Yeoh

Release Date: September 13, 2023

Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for some strong violence, disturbing images and thematic elements

Runtime: 1h 40m

Kenneth Branagh's third Agatha Christie adaptation is just as lavishly directed and performed as his first two films, but the added dash of horror spices up the formula to the murder mystery template.  Branagh gives this entry a decidedly different feel from the start as he makes great use of Venice on Halloween to set up an unsettling, spooky feel to the film.  Once the film settles into its primary setting of the haunted palazzo Branagh throws in plenty of visual flourishes which makes wonderful use of off kilter angles and framing which make the film far more effective and engaging than if he'd played it more straightforward.  The cast is again made up of a wonderful assortment of impressive international actors.  Branagh leads the way with a slightly more weathered and cynical take on Hercule Poirot in this entry which gives this iteration of the character some much needed texture and depth outside of his sleuthing skills.  Tina Fey joins the fray as Ariadne Oliver, an Agatha Christie proxy in the novels, with mixed results which leaves you feeling she's miscast in the role. Fey does her best but you get the sense somebody like Rachel Brosnahan would have been a better fit for this role.  On the other end of the spectrum, Michelle Yeoh leaves a strong impression on the film even with her limited screen time.  Kelly Reilly and Jamie Dornan do just enough to make their characters interesting but sadly both roles are fairly one dimensional.  Jude Hill follows up his impressive performance in Branagh's award winning Belfast with another strong turn here.  Hill possess such a natural ease on screen as he delivers lines with seasoned actors that you can't help but be impressed with the level of talent this 11 year old brings to the production.  His interaction with Branagh early on is a surprising high point in the film which sets up a nice payoff in the end once the film concludes its twisty murder mystery.  A Haunting in Venice shows there's still life in this film series, something Branagh's character reiterates onscreen as his legendary detective finds renewed purpose.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE NUN II

 

In 1956 France, a priest is violently murdered, and Sister Irene begins to investigate. She once again comes face-to-face with a powerful evil.

Director: Michael Chaves

Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell

Release Date: September 8, 2023

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Rated R for violent content and some terror.

Runtime: 1h 50m

The first Nun was a rather flat collection of religious horror clichés that didn't really justify The Conjuring spinoff.  The sequel still leans heavily on been there, done that horror set ups and scares but its story is more engaging and focused with a final act that takes you through a gonzo cornucopia funhouse that's undeniably fun.  Michael Chaves's third film in the overall universe is the most visually appealing of the bunch.  He uses long hallways and streets to solid effect even though there are too many rinse and repeat moments where character's wander around some dimly light environment before the monster inevitably reveals itself in a jump scare.  Still, there's a level of care in the set ups that makes for a visually appealing film that gives it a distinctive look exemplified by an impressive set up at a magazine rack midway through the film.  Taissa Farmiga and Jonas Bloquet return from the original film with both being given converging story threads.  Farmiga doesn't look as young as she did in the original which helps for the role but she still struggles to find the right level of authenticity to make her role more engaging than it is.  Pairing her with the talented Storm Reid should work better than it does but she's saddled with very little to do with the most generic motivation and background.  Jonas Bloquet is given more screen time this go around which works since he's has a likable screen presence even though his subplot is rather blasé.  Regardless of the script's shortcoming The Nun II is surprisingly watchable thrill ride for the better part of its runtime even though there's nary a bit of tension built up since you know where the film is going. 

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: EQUALIZER 3

 

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall finds solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Now living in Southern Italy, he soon discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall becomes their protector by taking on the mafia.

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Cast: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman, Sonia Ammar, Remo Girone

Release Date: September 1, 2023

Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language.

Runtime: 1h 49m

The third and possibly final installment of the Equalizer franchise is a leaner, more focused entry which makes it the most effective of the three.  Antoine Fuqua's film is still as violent as ever, but he gives his main character a bit more time to breathe outside of his avenging angel persona.  There's a bit more nuance at play throughout which helps flesh out the character especially if you've followed his journey from the start.  Fuqua still delivers plenty of hero shots for his leading man with those visuals boarding between triumphant and menacing.  The action sequences are just as visceral and bloody as the past entries, but they are far less frequent than the first two entries leaning more on Washington's acting chops.  Denzel Washington has always been this series secret weapon as he pulls so much more out of the character than what's written on the page.  In this entry, he is given more room to explore moments of happiness and contentment before external forces bring him back to unleash his talents on a slew of faceless villains.  Washington does give the character a slightly different feel here, older more weathered and almost brutish in certain moments.  It makes those moments where his character unleashes his brand of justice interesting in that it could easily be flipped into a horror movie with little effort. Sadly, the supporting character are paper thin across the board, something that's been an issue with the three films.  Adding former Man on Fire costar, Dakota Fanning, should work better than it ultimately does with her character feeling more perfunctory than necessary.  Still the series as a whole is a testament to Washington's impressive talent and ability to make these films far more watchable than they would be in lesser hands.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: GRAN TURISMO

A player wins a series of Nissan-sponsored video game competitions through his gaming skills and becomes a real-life professional race car driver.

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Cast: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Emelia Hartford, Geri Halliwell Horner, Djimon Hounsou

Release Date: August 25, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sport

Rated PG-13 for intense action and some strong language.

Runtime: 2h 15m

Gran Turismo is one of the more interesting video game adaptations since it takes a real life underdog story as its basis instead of a straight up adaptation.  The story's beats are all familiar enough that it'd be easy to dismiss this as little more than Rocky on wheels but thanks to confident direction from Neill Blomkamp and earnest performances from the cast it’s far more watchable than you'd expect.  Blomkamp manages to balance the human interest side and racing sequences all while still making sure the corporate suits are happy with their IP's representation.  It’s a slick looking film from start to finish but you can clearly tell he's far more interested in the racing sequences than the human drama at play.  That's not to say the dramatic side is bad but it’s just serviceable enough to make you care about the characters.  The racing sequences on the other hand has an energetic verve that pulls you into each race in a visceral way that lets you feel speed and danger in each race.  There's a noticeable spark during those moments which make them the highlights of the film.  It’s a testament to Archie Madekwe and David Harbour performances that you care about the people once the film gets to those rousing moments.  Madekwe's baby face gives him an air of authenticity that works in the film's favor.  He has an understated, uncertainty that makes his character feel far more fleshed out than what's on the page.  Harbour natural, gruff charm works well for his character which plays like a racing version of Burgess Meredith's Mickey from the Rocky films.  When they are onscreen together, they share a believable rapport together that makes it easy to overlook all the paint by the number bits of melodrama woven into the story.  Orlando Bloom, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou are all familiar faces who are saddled with underwritten supporting roles.  Josha Stradowski suffers a similar fate as Jann's racing antagonist whose characterization comes down to being a rich jerk with the script offering little more than that.  Gran Turismo will never be accused of being a deep dive character study, but it delivers a solid bit of entertainment for those looking for a feel good underdog story.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: BLUE BEETLE

 

Jaime Reyes suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology called the Scarab. When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he's bestowed with an incredible suit of armor that's capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.

Director: Angel Manuel Soto

Cast: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Elpidia Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Harvey Guillén, Becky G

Release Date: August 18, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, language, and some suggestive references

Runtime: 2h 7m

Blue Beetle isn't going to win any awards for originality since it plays like a Spiderman, Iron Man, Green Lantern mash up regurgitated as an origin story.  Needless to say the film hits some very familiar beats but Angel Manuel Soto manages to  deliver an energetic, entertaining ride almost in spite of itself.  Soto smartly leans into the cultural, familial aspect of the titular hero's Mexican culture which gives the film a different sort of energy.  Its nothing as expansive as the Black Panther films since this story is much smaller with lower stakes and a heavier focus on the central family.  There's a charming authenticity to it which makes the whole thing much more likable and funny even though the film plays out in a predictable manner.  Xolo Maridueña leads the film with a fun, believably frazzled turn as Jaime Reyes who unwittingly becomes the Blue Beetle.  Maridueña has a natural screen presence that lets him shine through some of the scripts clunkier moments.  The film works best when he's pair with his onscreen family played by Elpidia Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar and George Lopez.  As an ensemble, they all play off each other well in an organic manner paired with solid comedic timing.  Not faring as well is Bruna Marquezine who's saddled with the pseudo love interest/story exposition role and not much else.  The villains are just as undercooked with Raoul Max Trujillo and Susan Sarandon delivering one note turns with the latter chewing up scenery with a mustache twirling glee.  The final act brings that issue front and center which makes the home stretch far more clunky than it needed to be.  That being said Blue Beetle  still manages to be a fun, family friendly comic book adaptation thanks in large part to its likable central cast and energetic director.

B-

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Heart of Stone & Red, White & Royal Blue

My dear reader(s), my movie diet this past weekend was cheesier than an extra-large Wisconsin six-cheese pie from Domino's, but unfortunately not all of it was quite so delicious.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers, aside from one non-plot-specific quote that earned itself a little spotlight.

First on my weekend agenda, Heart of Stone, starring Gal Gadot as a member of a shadowy agency charged with keeping a powerful weapon out of hackers' hands.

Boasting the wonderful Gadot and a likeable, familiar collection of supporting players, Heart of Stone had the potential to be the kind of dumb fun that passes a great summer afternoon. Unfortunately, the plot is lazy and predictable, the action is by the numbers, and much of the dialogue is so bad I was embarrassed for all involved. Top it with an overwrought score and excessive runtime, and, well, it's just a terrible waste of a solid cast and a good (if oft-used) premise.

Heart of Stone clocks in at 122 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action and some language."

Heart of Stone attempts to build a franchise atop an impossibly weak foundation. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Heart of Stone gets two.

Heart of Stone is now streaming on Netflix.

Next on my weekend agenda, the romcom Red, White & Royal Blue, a tale of forbidden romance between an English prince and the US President's son.

Me? Watching a romcom? Ye gods.

Red, White & Royal Blue is a sweet, funny tale that is no worse for being exactly what you expect at nearly every turn. Any romance rises and falls on its principals, and this one shines mainly due to the exceptional appeal and chemistry of its central couple, portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez. 

They are a delight! The movie is often laugh-out-loud funny, with the bulk of the credit there going to Sarah Shahi as the President's harried Deputy Chief of Staff, and special mention to Uma Thurman, who had me on the floor with the President's "Mom" speech. There's no denying Red, White & Royal Blue is a bit Hallmarkey in its execution. The acting is a little rough at times, and some of the music placement feels awkward, but those are petty quibbles with a movie that left me with a smile that hasn't faded a day later. 

Finally, and maybe most importantly, "He grabbed my hair in a way that made me understand the difference between rugby and football" has to be in the running for movie quote of the year. I don't make the rules.

Red, White & Royal Blue runs 118 minutes and is rated R for "some sexual content, partial nudity, and language."

Red, White & Royal Blue is a predictable romantic comedy elevated by a charming cast and some hilarious dialogue. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Red, White & Royal Blue gets eight. (I'll be watching it again today.)

Fangirl points: Clifton Collins, Jr.!!

Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Until next time...