MOVIE REVIEW: THE BOB'S BURGERS MOVIE

 

A ruptured water main creates an enormous sinkhole right in front of Bob's Burgers, blocking the entrance indefinitely and ruining the Belchers' plans for a successful summer. While Bob and Linda struggle to keep the business afloat, the kids try to solve a mystery that could save their family's restaurant. As the dangers mount, these underdogs help each other find hope as they try to get back behind the counter.

Director: Loren Bouchard, Bernard Derriman

Cast:  H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, David Wain, Zach Galifianakis, Kevin Kline

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Musical

Rated PG-13 for rude/suggestive material and language

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

The Bob's Burgers Movie successfully makes the leap to the big screen by delivering the kind of heart and humor that makes the show so special.  Loren Bouchard takes advantage of the larger budget and runtime with fun song and dance numbers and refined animation which leaves the Belcher's looking better than ever.  The plot is a hodgepodge of storylines which gives each of the family members a solid story arch that builds on their characters in fun and meaningful ways.  The script smartly toes the line by giving long time fans of the show plenty of callback and references but it never does so in way that makes it inaccessible to people unfamiliar with the show.  Its a large enough story to warrant the movie treatment as such it never feels like a supersized episode.  The regular voice cast lead by H. Jon Benjamin all prove they're up to the challenge by delivering funny but heartfelt performances.  The Bob's Burgers Movie is in the upper echelon of cinematic adaptions in the same category as The Simpsons and South Park.  

A

MOVIE REVIEW: TOP GUN: MAVERICK

 

After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Tom Cruise; Miles Teller; Jennifer Connelly; Jon Hamm; Glen Powell; Lewis Pullman; Ed Harris; Val Kilmer

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Genre: Action, Drama

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

Runtime: 2h 11m

Review:

Top Gun: Maverick is the rare decades delayed sequel that somehow manages to recapture the magic of the original while standing on its own merits.  Joseph Kosinski's film works on multiple levels as it echoes classic scenes from the original while allowing his movie star to shine in his iconic performances.  It’s a fascinating bit of alchemy that allows him to bring back that feeling of a 80's blockbuster while delivering some insanely updated aerial acrobatics which may leave some people with a serious sense of vertigo.  The script is lean with a straightforward story that doesn't dig too deep into many of the characters even though it does manage to touch on themes of legacy and age.  Some of the dialogue does come off as stilted and old fashion in spots but it’s easy to forgive. Tom Cruise eases back into his iconic role with such gleeful ease that you can feel his deep affection for the character.  He carries the film with tangible energy that comes through the screen as he leads the newcomers of fresh faced up actors.  Miles Teller and Glen Powell get the biggest spotlights in supporting turns with Powell echoing Kilmer's Iceman throughout.  Kilmer himself gets a surprisingly touching sequence with Cruise that works well within the film and as a tribute to both characters and actors.  It's the type of moment that plenty of revived franchises have attempted but never quite nailed, it's a testament to the cast and crew to pull off such a satisfying sequel.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: MEN

 

In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Harper retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to find a place to heal. However, someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her. What begins as simmering dread soon becomes a fully formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears.

Director: Alex Garland

Cast: Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, Paapa Essiedu, Gayle Rankin

Release Date: May 20, 2022

Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

Rated R for disturbing and violent content, graphic nudity, grisly images and language.

Runtime: 1h 40m

Review:

Alex Garland's third film, Men, is a stylish fever dream that takes broad strokes at it central theme.  The film establishes an unsettling atmosphere immediately juxtaposed with the lush beauty of the English countryside.  Flashbacks establish the central character's state of mind while dealing with increasingly nightmarish situation.  Each scene is a meticulously constructed and packed with subtle and overt thematic overtones as the tension increases as the film moves on.  Jessie Buckley carries the film with ease as the central woman in a vortex of menacing masculinity.  The script doesn't ask much from Buckley outside of being confused and terrified but she adds layers to the character that isn't on the page.  Its a fascinating performance that puts you in the character's skin and makes you feel every bit of terror as the film becomes increasingly disturbing and abstract.  Veteran British actor, Rory Kinnear is tasked with playing nearly every other character onscreen.  It's a dauting, disjointing task but Kinnear's talents are up to the task with each character feeling like a singular representation of masculinity.  Garland clearly has something to say and for the most part he accomplishes it even if the actual story is decidedly simplistic while he take big swing at bigger idea instead of character depth.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: FIRESTARTER

 

A couple desperately try to hide their daughter, Charlie, from a shadowy federal agency that wants to harness her unprecedented gift for turning fire into a weapon of mass destruction. Her father taught her how to defuse her power, but as Charlie turns 11, the fire becomes harder and harder to control. When a mysterious operative finally finds the family, he tries to seize Charlie once and for all -- but she has other plans.

Director: Keith Thomas

Cast: Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Sydney Lemmon, Kurtwood Smith, John Beasley, Michael Greyeyes, Gloria Reuben

Release Date: May 13, 2022

Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for violent content

Runtime: 1h 34m

Review:

Firestarter is the kind of remake that never makes it clear why it exist or is even necessary.  Keith Thomas directs the film with a blasé inertness that drains the entire proceedings of any sort of engaging energy or drama much less anything that resembles actual horror.  There's nary a trace of tension or visceral excitement for the film's mercifully short runtime as the cast goes through the motions with a uninspired script that's as generic as they come.  Zac Efron seems disinterested from the moment he shows up on screen, as if he'd be anywhere else but there.  Ryan Kiera Armstrong tries her best to exude a unnatural menace in her role as the titular Firestarter only occasionally succeeding.  Michael Greyeyes and Gloria Reuben play the primary villains with neither coming off as scary or threatening due to a silly script that doesn't give them anything to work with.  The lone bright spot in the entire affair is the film's distinctive score which was done by horror legend John Carpenter.  The score makes you think of far better 80s films and leaves you wishing Carpenter had come out of retirement and just directed this remake himself. 

D-

MOVIE REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

 

Dr Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle.

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast:  Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdams

Release Date: May 6, 2022

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi

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

Runtime: 2h 6m

Review:

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is a Sam Raimi film from start to finish, it's bloody, outlandish but never boring even if the actual plot plays like a Rick and Morty episode.  Raimi takes very little time to put his stamp on his entry into the Marvel universe by throwing out monster and mayhem from the start.  People familiar with his filmography will pick up on nods to his past film with Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell being the most obvious inspirations.  Benedict Cumberbatch is surprisingly at ease amidst the general insanity that Raimi throws at him in the film.  He clearly comfortable in the role but you get the distinct sense that he'd relish a bit more depth to his character this far into his run as he throws out quips at the same pace as magic spells.  Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda is untethered, broken and  and she plays her with impressive intensity even though her backstory will requires some Disney+ homework for the uninitiated.  Olsen has the ability to display pain and loss with naturalistic ease and she does so with great effect even though some fans may not be happy with her character ultimate arch.  Rachel McAdams gets some time to shine in the backend of the film which makes you wish the film had made better use of her while Xochitl Gomez is given the task of being little more than a human McGuffin.  The multiverse conceit opens up worlds of possibilities and Raimi takes great pleasure in delivering fanboy moments especially when there aren't any real consequences to what happens.  Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is one of the more jumbled entries in the Marvel franchise but it does overcome some of its story deficiencies by letting Raimi go nuts.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE NORTHMAN

 

Prince Amleth is on the verge of becoming a man when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle, who kidnaps the boy's mother. Two decades later, Amleth is now a Viking who raids Slavic villages. He soon meets a seeress who reminds him of his vow -- save his mother, kill his uncle, avenge his father.

Director: Robert Eggers

Cast:  Alexander Skarsgård; Nicole Kidman; Claes Bang; Anya Taylor-Joy; Ethan Hawke; Björk; Willem Dafoe

Release Date: April 22, 2022 

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, History, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, some sexual content and nudity

Runtime: 2h 16m

Review:

The Northman is a visually striking, blood soaked, revenge epic that's sure to leave an impression long after the film's finished.  Robert Eggers most expensive film to date is also his most accessible with a straightforward Viking Hamlet tome that still allows him to engage in his signature folklore flourishes.  Eggers peppers his film with paganistic mythology which pairs perfectly with the imposing Irish vistas subbing in for Iceland.  There's a brutishly beautiful tone set from the start and maintained for the duration which plays like a grimier Gladiator with sprinkles of Clash of the Titans and Excalibur.  Alexander Skarsgård is a hulking mass of revenge whose intensity screams through the screen the moment he appears.  Its not necessarily a challenging role since there's not much depth to his character, none of the characters in the film are, but Skarsgård still makes for a imposing and engaging figure.  Anya Taylor-Joy channels a more mature version of her character from The Witch which makes for a fascinating turn even if her and Skarsgård don't share much onscreen chemistry.  Ethan Hawke, Björk and Willem Dafoe have small supporting turns which adds texture to the film.  Nicole Kidman also has a small but pivotal role that gives her a scene that allows to flex her incredible talent.  The Northman may not have the thematic depth and reach of Robert Eggers first two films but that doesn't make it anymore impactful memorable due in large part to his creative vision.  

A-