MOVIE REVIEW: IMAGINARY

 

When Jessica moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter, Alice, finds a stuffed bear named Chauncey. As Alice's behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize that Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.

Director: Jeff Wadlow

Cast: DeWanda Wise, Tom Payne, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Veronica Falcón, Betty Buckley

Release Date: March 8, 2024

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for some violent content, drug material and language.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

Imaginary is a predictable, run of the mill horror movie that relies on jump scare to do the heavy lifting even as it toys with campiness before fully embracing it in its final act. Jeff Wadlow's film borrows freely from other, better films like The Shining, Coraline or Pan's Labyrinth which is all fine and well if he'd crafted something engaging.  Sadly, there are only a few well staged scares early on but very little in the way of tension of atmosphere. It doesn't help that the cast of characters are thinly drawn genre clichés that don't make you care about anything that's happening.  DeWanda Wise goes through the motions in the lead role with a sort of wide eye detachment for the better part of the film's runtime.  Pyper Braun is tasked with the central child role and does a decent job all things considered.  Braun is given a healthy amount of screen time and she's subtly funny, especially when some of the situations get more extreme.  Taegen Burns does solid work as the older sister even if she isn't given much to do besides being bratty to her stepmother until she comes around.  Betty Buckley, who plays the requisite neighbor who knows more than she lets on, is really the only person who knows what kind of film she's in.  Buckley's character and performance is campy fun especially as the film veers into its goofier and more inventive final act that doesn't make much sense but has the common sense to be fun at least.  You're ultimately left wondering why the film's first two acts were so serious instead of leaning into the campiness much like last year’s M3GAN.  It’s ultimately too little too late to make Imaginary anything other than another easily forgettable horror film.

D+

MOVIE REVIEW: DUNE PART TWO

 

Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux

Release Date: March 1, 2024

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some suggestive material and brief strong language.

Runtime: 2h 46m

Review:

Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part Two is a sci-fi epic in every sense of the word filled with mesmerizing visuals, a stellar cast and a beefier story than you'd expect from a blockbuster of this size.  Villeneuve, now free of the first film's exposition dump, moves his film at a steadier pace delivering massive action set pieces that are impressively staged and far more engaging than the first film's offers.  Paul's first ride on a sandworm is wonderfully set up and executed to create a thrilling and visceral experience, something the battle sequences can't quite match.  Visually, you can see Villeneuve pulling inspiration from other legendary sci-fi films such as 2001 or Star Wars for Arrakis and contrasting it with the Harkonnen's which clearly draws inspiration from H.R. Giger early work from Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to bring the film to the screen in the 70's.  There are a bevy of shots that are sure to join the pantheon of the memorable shots in cinematic history.  Overall, the film and story move at a brisker pace with the full scale of the story's themes and relationships unfurling at steady pace leaving very few dead spots throughout the film’s hefty runtime.  The film's ensemble cast shines throughout with each delivering strong performances regardless of screen time.  Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya get the lion's share of the screen time with both doing fine work albeit their romantic chemistry isn't quite as strong as it should be likely due to their romance being rushed thru in the opening act.  It’s a minor issue especially with the amount of story they have to work through and both still deliver the goods on the dramatic sides.  Rebecca Ferguson gets a meatier role here as her character takes a darker more ominous tone which she's more than capable of conveying.  Javier Bardem also gets more to do this go around after his extended cameo in the first film.  Bardem is fun every time he's onscreen thanks to his general charisma which works for his character's unwavering zealotry.  Austin Butler proves he doesn't have to be Elvis in everything with an impressive about face as the psychotic Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.  Florence Pugh does well in her limited screen time even though the character is mainly used for exposition dumps, but you get the sense there's more on the horizon if a third film comes to fruition.  Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin and Charlotte Rampling return from the first film with much smaller but important roles with each making those small moments far more impactful.  It’s a testament to the scale of Dune Two that these actors serve as garnish to its cinematic cornucopia which delivers on multiple fronts while leaving you wanting to see the story's final act.   

A

MOVIE REVIEW: DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS

 

In search of a fresh start, two women embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, Fla. However, things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.

Director:  Ethan Coen

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, Matt Damon.

Release Date: February 23, 2024 

Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller

Rated R for crude sexual content, full nudity, language and some violent content.

Runtime: 1h 24m

Review:

Ethan Coen's solo directorial debut, Drive-Away Dolls, is a silly crime caper of a road movie that can't quite maintain its manic energy in spite of energetic performances from its two leads.  It’s hard to avoid comparisons to Coen's work with his brother since this film carries plenty of hallmarks of some of their sillier crime comedies like Raising Arizona and Burn After Reading.  This film never reaches those levels of joyful insanity although it comes close on multiple occasions.  The film's pacing runs at a frenetic pace which makes it a breezy watch, but it also keeps some of the stronger sequences from landing the way they should since they aren't given time to breathe.  It’s a shame since the film central duo of Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan turn in inspired performances.  Their oil and water chemistry make the film run with Qualley outsized performance working in perfect contrast to Viswanathan straight laced understated turn.  Qualley gives the character a lively, energetic spirit that feels authentic even with the cartoonish southern accent she sports.  Viswanathan works more subtly, using her deadpan delivery and expressive eyes to great effect.  They're chaotic fun together especially as the situations get more over the top and outrageous.  Their supporting cast is peppered with well known faces who are clearly having a ball even in their limited screen time.  Drive-Away Dolls makes you wish you got to spend more time with all these characters but it's in a strange rush to get in and out as quickly as possible.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE

 

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Henry Douthwaite, Anthony Welsh, Sheldon Shepherd, Quan-Dajai Henriques, Nia Ashi

Release Date: February 14, 2024 

Genre: Biography, Drama, Music

Rated PG-13 for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

Bob Marley: One Love is solid albeit fairly straightforward snapshot biopic buoyed by excellent performances from Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch.  Reinaldo Marcus Green treats his central subject with the sort of reverence and respect you'd expect especially with Marley’s widow and son serving as executive producers.  Green's directs the film with a steady, self assured hand which makes the film an easy watch from start to finish especially since Marley's songs are interspersed throughout.  Green does add in a few visual flourishes in the form of a recurring vision that Marley sees which is visually impactful enough to make you wish he'd added more throughout the story.  A handful of flashback to Marley’s early years, with solid performances from Quan-Dajai Henriques and Nia Ashi, add some texture to his story of his upbringing before moving back to its central story carried Kingsley Ben-Adir.  Ben-Adir is excellent throughout, showing a full level of commitment to the role.  He captures Marley's persona, speech patterns and unique style of performing during his concerts.  He manages to go above mimicry when the film gives him a chance to dig into some of the meatier portions of the man.  Lashana Lynch is just as strong as Marley's wife, Rita, with the two sharing some intense and insightful moments later in the film.  Sadly, there isn't enough of those sequences as we are left with the feeling that we're only scratching the surface of their relationship and ultimately Marley's motivation and turmoil.  The film's final act, especially after his cancer diagnosis, moves unusually fast as it rushes to the finale which ends with a combination of archival footage and title cards.  It’s a strange choice since the film barely started scratching deeper into the man and it ultimately keeps Bob Marley: One Love from being the in depth dive into the man as opposed to a quick overview. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: MADAME WEB

 

Cassandra Webb is a New York City paramedic who starts to show signs of clairvoyance. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she must protect three young women from a mysterious adversary who wants them dead.

Director: S.J. Clarkson

Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott

Release Date: February 14, 2024 

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for violence/action and language.

Runtime: 1h 54m

Review:

Madame Web arrives onscreen barely registering a pulse thanks to a bland script and a cast that's as disinterested as the audience.  S.J. Clarkson does her best to give this low rent version of Edge of Tomorrow some life early on but using inventive angles and shots during some of the action sequences.  There are small slivers of energy, especially early, but once the film goes into an endless cycle of repetition which kills any sense of momentum or entertainment.  Those hoping for some mindless superhero action will be sorely disappointed since the majority of that occurs in a flash forward which the film never occurs in the actual film, leaving this film as nothing more than set up for a future installment.  Instead, the film follows Dakota Johnson's Cassandra Webb kidnap/rescue the trio of Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor and Isabela Merced and chaperon them around before abandoning them for an impromptu day trip to Peru.  It’s all rather nonsensical and illogical which might be goofy if any of the cast put any sort of effort into their performances.  Johnson leads the cast with one of the more uninspired performances in a big budget film in recent memory.  Her consistently monotone line delivery makes it feel like we are watching rehearsal footage instead of the final cut.  That energy runs across her supporting cast  who are saddled with the most generic clichés of early 2000's teenage girls.  It’s so painfully bad that you wouldn't be surprised if they randomly started singing Spice Girls song just to drive the point home about the live action Brats dolls assembled.  Tahar Rahim doesn't fair much better as the film's sort of evil Spider-man from the dollar store with his stilted delivery that makes Johnson look inspired in comparison.  Madame Web is a mess of a film that commits a variety of sins which would be forgivable if it wasn't so incredibly boring.

D-

MOVIE REVIEW: LISA FRANKENSTEIN

 

A misunderstood teenager and a reanimated corpse embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness and a few missing body parts.

Director: Zelda Williams

Cast: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, Carla Gugino

Release Date: February 9, 2024 

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance

Rated PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, sexual material, language, sexual assault, teen drinking and drug content.

Runtime: 1h 41m 

Review:

Lisa Frankenstein is a fun, if uneven, mash up of a variety of sources that's carried by Kathryn Newton's energetic performance.  Zelda William's film is bright and bubbly the way most nostalgia porn recreates the 80s as a neon filled wonderland.  It’s kitschy and overblown but very much in tune with the rest of the film and story being told.  Diablo Cody penned the script, with plenty of moments showing off her ability to write sharply funny dialogue.  It doesn't have the same level of consistent energy and verve that some of her past work but it’s still funnier more often than not.  It’s a broader satire of all sorts of 80's teen comedy tropes with larger than life characters and ideas that the cast willingly embraces with impressive gusto.  Kathryn Newton carries the film from the opening sequence through its final frame with an effervescent, charming central turn.  Newton is consistently the most interesting performer on screen even during some of the film's weaker moments.  Her wide eyed enthusiasm shines through the layers of mascara, apple candy lipstick and ever expanding 80s hairdo.  Newton has shown some comedic talent in her previous turns like Freaky and Blockers, but this is by far her best showcase.  The supporting cast is solid with Cole Sprouse and Liza Soberano leaving the biggest impression.  Sprouse has fun chemistry with Newton which is impressive since he's required to rely on a psychical performance with his character being mute for the better part of the film.  Soberano is equally impressive as Lisa's incredibly supportive and sweet step sister by giving the character a believable sort of authenticity.  Carla Gugino vamps it up to an impressive degree as the stepmother but sadly the film doesn't take full advantage since the film could have benefited from more scenes between her and Newton.  Ultimately, Lisa Frankenstein is a wonderfully twisted spotlight that lets Kathryn Newton show off charismatic screen presence.

B