MOVIE REVIEW: CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

 

Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with President Thaddeus Ross. He must soon discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Director: Julius Onah

Cast: Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some strong language.

Runtime: 1h 58m

Review:

Captain America: Brave New World tries its best to be bring a level of intrigue to its comic story but there's something decidedly bland about the whole thing that never connects the way it should.  Julius Onah does a serviceable job in delivering a glossy but exposition heavy, political thriller.  There are plenty of characters and moving parts at play from the start to keep the action rolling.  It should make for an engrossing mystery, but it never engages the audience the way it should with the reveals coming off as more perfunctory than revelatory.  The main issue is that the central mystery isn't all that interesting or shocking, especially since the previews gave away the biggest reveal in the film.  The action sequences are decent but slightly uninspired with none of them giving the film the sort of pop that would liven up most of these films.  Anthony Mackie takes up the Captain America mantle with an earnest air that fits the role, but he struggles to find the real meat of his character.  He does his best with the script he's given as he's clearly searching for an emotional center to this new iteration of the character throughout.  A few quick moments in the final act do touch upon the weight of his new mantle, something the story would have been wise to use to greater effect.  Instead, he almost feels lost in his own film that should have served as his big spotlight.  Harrison Ford joins the fray here, taking over for the late William Hurt, as Thaddeus Ross who has just been elected president.  Ford brings some of the old school Air Force One energy to the role, but he suffers a similar fate to Mackie with an underwhelming script that paints his character in the most generic terms possible.  There's supposed to be an air of antagonism between the two that never comes through the screen the way it should, which kills a lot of conflict that's written on the page.  It doesn't help that the main reveal was given away months ago thanks to the film's advertising which kills most of his character's story arch.   The supporting players are all serviceable even if they don't leave much of an impression with Danny Ramirez and Shira Haas making the most of their limited screentime.  Carl Lumbly brings some gravitas to the screen, but the film never takes full advantage of his presence or his character, especially in relation to Mackie's Sam Wilson.  Giancarlo Esposito shows up for a cup of coffee as a hired mercenary that there mostly to connect the plot to Tim Blake Nelson's Leader from 2008's The Incredible Hulk.  It's a strange choice to connect so much of this film that, mostly forgotten Marvel entry and 2021's Eternals but ultimately Captain America: Brave New World main purpose seems to bring a certain element to the universe and everything that entails.  

C

MOVIE REVIEW: PADDINGTON IN PERU

 

When Paddington discovers his beloved aunt has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the jungles of Peru to find her. Determined to solve the mystery, they soon stumble across a legendary treasure as they make their way through the rainforests of the Amazon.

Director: Dougal Wilson

Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Carla Tous, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Ben Whishaw

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Mystery

Rated PG for action, mild rude humor and some thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 46m

Review:

Paddington's third outing shakes up the formula by moving to a more action adventure focus which gives this entry a different feeling while never losing the family friendly charm of the first two films.  Dougal Wilson does an admirable job taking over the reins from Paul King who directed the first two well-regarded entries.  Wilson can conjure up a similar sense of whimsical fun throughout even if he can't quite match the levels of his magical predecessor.  That's not to say this entry isn't as earnest and heartfelt as those previous entries but just lighter throughout as we follow Paddington's adventure through the Peruvian jungle as he searches for Aunt Lucy and a mystical city.  Ben Whishaw easily moves back into the titular bear's hat and duffel coat proving more than capable of exuding his polite charm through the screen.  Whishaw again does an excellent job of balancing the sillier and more emotional moments with impressive ease.   Hugh Bonneville and Julie Walters reprise their roles from the first two entries as the Brown patriarch and housekeeper with Emily Mortimer taking over for Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown.  Mortimer along with Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin, as the pair's older children, brings a slightly different energy to the family as the kids are growing up and starting on their own journey's.  The returning and new cast members manage to give the audience an authentic sense of the love that exists in their family and their ability to come together.  Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas are clearly having a great time hamming it up in key supporting roles.  Colman brings her very specific sort of energy to her instantly suspicious Mother Superior while Banderas has fun being able to play a larger array of personas.   Throughout all the jungle hijinks Paddington and his family encounter, the story still manages to stay grounded with the series' overarching theme of family whether it be by blood or chance.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: LOVE HURTS

 

Marvin is a Milwaukee realtor who receives a crimson envelope from Rose, a former partner-in-crime whom he left for dead. He now finds himself thrust back into a world of ruthless hit men and double-crosses that turn his open houses into deadly war zones. Hunted by his brother, a volatile crime lord, Marvin must confront the choices that haunt him and the history he never truly buried.

Director: Jonathan Eusebio

Cast: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, Sean Astin

Release Date: February 7, 2025

Genre: Action, Comedy

Rated R for strong/bloody violence and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 23m

Review:

Love Hurts boasts a game cast, led by an ever-likeable Ke Huy Quan, and some fun action sequences but the clunky executions keep this action comedy from hitting its mark.  Stunt performer/Assistant Director, Jonathan Eusebio, helms his first film here and he clearly feels much more comfortable during the highly energetic and choregraphed fight sequences, but he struggles to find a cohesive flow and tone outside of those moments.  The film moves at a breakneck pace which should work in its favor, but it doesn’t matter since the characters are written so cartoonishly over the top that you are left wishing Eusebio would just fully embrace the Looney Tunes madness.  Instead, there's far too much time spent on a rather nonsensical love story that never connects the way it should despite Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose best efforts.   André Eriksen and Marshawn Lynch prove to be a better onscreen bouncing off each other with ease as a pair of dim assassins.  Mustafa Shakir and Lio Tipton also bring some fun chemistry together as another, more cerebral, assassin and realtor assistant who finds a weird sort of love connection.  Ke Huy Quan is fully committed in the main role, and he brings his generally likeable onscreen persona to his reformed killer.  Ariana DeBose is oddly stiff here, never nailing the funny cool vibe the character is supposed to exude.  Daniel Wu does what he can in the villain role but there's not much there to work with outside of his perchance for revenge and love of boba tea.  Love Hurts ultimately feels instantly disposable and forgettable once it’s all said and done.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BABY IN THE BASKET

A baby in a basket is left on the steps of an isolated monastery on a Scottish island. The nuns take it in, planning to care for it until a storm passes. Soon though, strange and unexplained events begin to happen at the convent.

Director: Andy Crane, Nathan Shepka

Cast: Amber Doig-Thorne, Michaela Longden, Elle O’Hara, Lisa Riesner, Nathan Shepka, Annabelle Lanyon, Maryam d’Abo and Paul Barber

Release Date: February 17, 2025

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Unrated

Runtime: 1h 40m

Review:

The Baby in the Basket does its best to emulate 70's style religious horror films by focusing more on the psychological aspect of terror instead of outright gore but it's ultimately held back due to its lackluster execution.  It’s easy to appreciate what directors Andy Crane and Nathan Shepka, the latter of which also stars, are trying to achieve with their film that takes bits and pieces of classic horror films like1976's The Omen and 1973's Don't Look Now.  The script gives them plenty to work with as the majority of the film's story focuses on the character’s mental state as they slowly fall victim to supernatural forces.  The script smartly moves from one character to another as the central point of view to give the entire film an off kilter, unbalanced feel since we are not quite sure who the main character is since the focus shifts at various points during the film.  It gives each member of the cast a chance to shine with Elle O'Hara and Lisa Riesner carrying the load early on before Amber Doig-Thorne and Michaela Longden take over the spotlight.  Together they make for a solid ensemble especially early on when they share the screen together, something the film should have taken advantage to give each nun a more time to develop well defined characterizations.  Elle O'Hara does a lot of heavy lifting in the first half of the film as earnestly devoted Valerie who is trying desperately to understand what is going on after the titular baby arrives.  Amber Doig-Thorne moves into center stage midway through the film with a fun, energetic and ultimately crazed turn as Agnes.  Doig-Thorne's gives the film a boost once she's unleashed only to be matched by the scene stealing Michaela Longden as Eleanor.  Longden stands out every time she's onscreen with her naturalistic verve that leaves you wondering why she's kept offscreen for the entire middle portion of the film.  Her chaotic, adversarial energy would have given the film a definite boost across the board.  It’s compounded by some clunky pacing issues that never allow anything to naturally settle before moving on.  Shooting on location at Scotland's St Conan’s Kirk also should have been a boost but the film rarely takes full advantage of its gothic backdrop.  There's are plenty of moments during The Baby in the Basket that feel as if they are heading toward a crescendo only to fumble the moments with some coming off as more silly than scary despite the best efforts of the script and cast. 

C

MOVIE REVIEW: COMPANION

 

A weekend getaway turns bloody and violent when a subservient android that's built for human companionship goes haywire.

Director: Drew Hancock

Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén, Rupert Friend

Release Date: January 31, 2025

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 37m

Review:

Companion is a fun, dark dramady that puts a techno twist on the lifecycle of an abusive relationship led by a stellar turn from Sophie Thatcher.  Sleekly shot and well-paced, the film quickly lays out the set up and players before moving into the meat of the action.  Drew Hancock's debut feature shows off an ability to turn on a dime from tense to darkly funny.  It gives the entire film a breezy feel even as the body count continue to increase.  Through it all he never loses focus on Sophie Thatcher's Iris and her "awaking" as the human collection of dullards attempt to complete their master plan.  There aren't many surprises to be had since the story plays out like you'd expect but that doesn't detract much since the cast is strong across the board.  Sophie Thatcher leads the entire thing by naturally cycling through a wide range of emotions as the film goes on.  She's got the kind of screen presence that makes it easy to root for her character as she tries to break free on multiple levels.  Jack Quaid is a fun counterpart since he's able to project his goofy energy along with incel infused anger as he slowly loses control.  Thatcher and Quaid have solid chemistry together that gives their scenes together a sort of rom-com vibe before things turn more twisted.  Harvey Guillén brings his fun and likable persona to his supporting role with his onscreen partner Lukas Gage making for a fun counter point to Quaid and Thatcher's relationship.  Rupert Friend is clearly having a blast, hamming it up as Megan Suri's well-off Russian boyfriend which is a shame since he's got the least screentime of the ensemble.  It all adds up to making Companion the perfect anti Rom-Com for those that like their love stories with a bit more blood and viscera.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: PRESENCE

 

A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they're not alone.

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, Julia Fox

Release Date: January 19, 2025

Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for violence, drug material, language, sexuality and teen drinking.

Runtime: 1h 25m

Review:

Steven Soderbergh's reverse perspective ghost story, Presence, is a solid bit of voyeuristic experimentation that's more engaging as a drama than a horror film.  The gliding, first person point of view can be a bit disorienting initially especially for people who have not played many first persons video games.  It gives the film an interesting look and feel as the camera serves as the character of the Presence with Soderbergh proving more than capable of communicating a boatload of information via movements and more standard ghost tropes over the course of the film's brisk runtime.  The film plays out in a series of short and extended sequences that play out like uninterrupted shots which are technically impressive.  Once the film settles in the central story it is far more focused on a portrait of a family fraying at the edges for a variety of reasons.  Lucy Liu toplines the cast as a domineering matriarch who's possibly involved in some sort of criminal endeavor and overly focused and forgiving of her eldest son.  Chris Sullivan is solid as the long-suffering father who's trying his best to keep his family together even though he's clearly at his breaking point.  Eddy Maday is appropriately douchey and entitled as the family's golden child.  Callina Liang plays the daughter who's broken from the recent loss of a friend which may be the Presence since it seems to be singularly focused on her.  The four of them have a natural family dynamic even if the characters are written a bit generically.  The script only gives us bits and pieces on their backstories but it’s enough to give us insight into the dysfunctional nature of their family unit.  West Mulholland's Ryan is far less subtle with the character written as far too creepy and strange as Tyler's friend who shows an immediate interest in Liang's Chloe.  It’s obvious that there's something off about his character early on that makes Chloe's interest in him seem far-fetched at best.   It makes the final act come off as far more predictable than it should have, especially since its script drops breadcrumbs every step of the way.  It ultimately keeps Presence from really knocking the concept out of the park even though it leaves you with a particularly goosebump inducing shot.  

B