MOVIE REVIEW: MISS BALA

A young woman battles a ruthless drug cartel to save her kidnapped friend in Mexico.

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Anthony Mackie

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for sequences of gun violence, sexual and drug content, thematic material, and language

Runtime: 1h 44 min

Review:

Miss Bala is a ridiculous crime drama that’s watchable mainly because of Gina Rodriguez.  Catherine Hardwicke’s directs the film with a generic hand delivering very little in terms of visual style.  It has an inherit blandness that almost guarantees that’ll you’ll forget about the film as soon as it’s over.  The script is a jumbled mess that’s filled with so many plot holes that thinking about any portion of the story for too long would cause it to collapse instantly.  The film’s saving grace is Gina Rodriguez.  Rodriguez screen presence translates well on to the big screen.  She carries the film well and makes the entire thing so much more watchable than it deserves to be.  It’s a shame the film isn’t up to her talents but it does show that Rodriguez can carry a film ably.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART

The citizens of Bricksburg face a dangerous new threat when LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle to defeat the enemy and restore harmony to the LEGO universe takes Emmet, Lucy, Batman and the rest of their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds that test their courage and creativity.

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Charlie Day, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman,Will Ferrell, Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz Maya Rudolph

Release Date: February 8, 2019

Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure 

Rated PG for some rude humor

Runtime: 1h 46 min

Review:

The Lego Movie 2 The Second Part has a lot to live up to since the original was such a breath of fresh air.  The original film was a candy colored concoction that was enjoyable for children but was just as enjoyable for adults since it was an incredibly meta story that offered layers of depth.  Throw in the fact that we've had two other Lego related film's released with diminishing returns.  Thankful the sequel is just as enjoyable and thoughtful as the original even if it doesn't quiet reach the heights of the original.  The story is fun and thoughtful at the same time which speaks to the effort put into making this the best film possible.  The returning cast are all great, clearly more comfortable with their roles even if we do miss Liam Neeson's Bad Cop since there's not really a memorable villain.  The addition of Tiffany Haddish and Stephanie Beatriz help ease that loss with solid characters even if they're slightly underused.  The film does decide to embrace song and dance sequences which are mostly effective even if it take a moment to settle into them.  When it all said and done, the film's message is even more pointed and effective than the first film.

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Kid Who Would Be King

Dearest Blog: Today it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the Kid Who Would Be King.Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or--you know--one of the most-told stories of all time.

A young boy on the run from school bullies unearths a medieval sword and discovers there are bigger problems.Dear reader(s), if my first official movie of 2019 is any indication, it's going to be a great year!The Kid Who Would Be King is utterly charming.

Kicking off with a gorgeous animated sequence, the movie is beautifully filmed throughout and features lovely scenery and solid effects. The cast of kid actors is terrific, with Louis Ashbourne Serkis (yes, he's Andy's son) carrying the picture like an old pro. For what little screen time they have, the grownups are pretty great too.

Action sequences are spelled by quieter moments for near-perfect pacing, and the film has a fantastic, thoroughly English, sense of humor. The final battle does drag on a bit, leaving the picture perhaps a little long (and a little dark) for younger kids, but it's a small quibble with what is otherwise a very, very good movie. Oh...and I think the mighty Led Zeppelin would be proud to have their concert tees turn up in this film!

The Kid Who Would Be King runs 120 minutes and is rated PG for "fantasy action violence, scary images, thematic elements including some bullying, and language."The Kid Who Would Be King is a genial, totally engaging movie with a powerful and important message for young people.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Kid Who Would Be King gets eight.

Fangirl points: Erm...I think I may have squealed out loud when Mark Bonnar turned up...Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Retro-Review: Flashback Cinema Presents Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Flashback Cinema's presentation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

As this third installment in the Harry Potter franchise turns 15 years old this summer, I daresay no one is reading this who hasn't formed an opinion by now, so we'll call this a discussion rather than a proper review. In other words: Here be spoilers. Please chime in with your thoughts in the comments!
A dangerous felon escapes from the Wizarding World's most terrifying prison in search of the Boy Who Lived.

The Harry Potter books and movies, to me, seem much like Beatles records: The early ones are very sweet and innocent, and the later ones sometimes almost impossibly heavy; it's those middle ones that find that perfect tonal balance. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite HP book and movie, and not just because it introduced my beloved Mr. Oldman to this magical universe. (Shut up, I know you were thinking it!)

Prisoner of Azkaban features major transitions in the Potter universe. As mentioned, the tone begins to turn darker. "Darker" is relative in a story that begins with a baby orphaned in an attempt on his own life, but here the threat seems more constant and fully permeating. Even fun moments are tinged with a hint of worry, like Dementors hovering just outside the Hogwarts grounds.

Following Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Christopher Columbus ceded the director's chair to Alfonso Cuaron. While I think every director did a fine job with his bit of the Potter world, I have long contended that none of the others *truly* understood magic the way Cuaron did. At times I think it meant more butting heads with author J.K. Rowling, who retained a great deal of creative control over the films (I seem to recall a story about her vetoing his wish to have little people dancing on pianos?), but ultimately it resulted in the most magical feel of any of the movies. Despite releasing in the summer, Azkaban's production design boasts a very Halloween-ish atmosphere that fully expresses Cuaron's vision, with especially brilliant use of the Whomping Willow to indicate the change of seasons. Maestro John Williams' final Harry Potter score also reflects the picture's creepier tone. While my favorite piece for any of the Potter movies comes from the previous film (Fawkes the Phoenix), overall I find Azkaban's score to be the most immersive of the franchise, and the best reflection of its film.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban we see Michael Gambon's first turn as Albus Dumbledore, following the sad loss of Richard Harris. (RIP.) While many prefer Harris' kind-hearted Headmaster, I feel Gambon better captures Dumbledore's kookiness, and the hardness that allowed him to ask the same great sacrifices of others--including children--that he expected of himself. There's a brand new look for Professor Flitwick this outing, and several notable cast additions, including my Gary as the titular jailbird, David Thewlis as Lupin, the new Dark Arts professor, Emma Thompson as flighty Divination professor Trelawney, Timothy Spall as the Potters' childhood friend Peter Pettigrew, and the brilliant Dawn French in an all-too-quick appearance as the Fat Lady.

In POA, Daniel Radcliffe turns in a a more mature performance that really begins to reflect how seriously he takes his craft. Watching him grow up as a fine actor and even finer young man has been such a joy! Rupert Grint and Tom Felton cement their places as the strongest of the young performers, and Emma Watson gets to add a few more layers to her Hermione. The Weasley twins, my favorite characters in the Potter universe, turn up only briefly, but enjoy one of their more defining moments in this installment as well.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban clocks in at 142 minutes and is rated PG for "frightening moments, creature violence, and mild language."

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban marks the finest moment in one of the world's best and most beloved movie franchises. Of a possible nine Weasleys--and being the only film that actually features all nine Weasleys (photo evidence below!)--Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban of course gets nine.

N.B.: My everlasting regrets regarding the Potter franchise are that I never got to see Rik Mayall as Peeves, nor hear Uncle Vernon utter the words, "Dementy-Whatsits."

Fangirl points: You. Guys. I forgot how hard I ship Sirius/Remus. I will go down with that ship!
Until next time...