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-

MOVIE REVIEW: FANTASTIC BEAST: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

 

Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards and witches. They soon encounter an array of old and new beasts as they clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.

Director: David Yates

Cast:  Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Katherine Waterston, Mads Mikkelsen

Release Date: April 15, 2022 

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Rated PG-13 for some fantasy action/violence.

Runtime: 2h 22m

Review:

Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the third entry in this prequel series, is lavishly directed and filled with strong turns from its string of A list stars.  None of which should come as a surprise, what is surprising is how this series made a sharp turn into more adult themes and tones.  David Yates, a veteran of the Potterverse, delivers another well crafted entry into the overall series.  His direction is methodical, allowing you appreciate the craftmanship of the production from the sets to wardrobe which makes the world feel real and lived in.  The action set pieces are impressively staged with the dinner escape sequence being a highlight in the film while a particularly gory sequence in a prison is likely to give some kids nightmares crabwalks aside.  The cast is equally committed with each member of the ensemble getting a moment to shine.  Eddie Redmayne, who was the original lead of the series, takes more a secondary role here as the focus shifts to Jude Law's Dumbledore.  Redmayne still manages to make to the most of his screen time especially when paired with his onscreen brother Callum Turner.  Jude Law gets a bigger spotlight here and his take on the character is thoughtful and measured with only a few fleeting moments early on really letting us in.  Mads Mikkelsen, who takes over for Johnny Depp, delivers a strong more menacing turn as the central villain. Mikkelsen can play these type of characters in his sleep so he's hardly flexing but that doesn't mean he's any less fun to watch.  Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler and Jessica Williams are the film's secret weapons by stealing every scene their in and infusing some life in a mostly dour affair.  There in lies the issue with the film, its a decidedly grim affair for the better part of its overlong runtime.  Additionally, this entry is steeped in mythology which might make it inaccessible to the casual fans.  Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore offers plenty to like and appreciate even if the story feels bloated and incomplete by design.  

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT

 

Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan's birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones.

Director: Tom Gormican

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffany Haddish

Release Date: April 15, 2022 

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for language throughout, some sexual references, drug use and violence.

Runtime: 1h 45m

Review:

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a treasure trove of Nicolas Cage career Easter Eggs and meta humor, packaged in fun self aware film.  Tom Gormican's film has a light tongue in cheek vibe to it from the start.  He takes a hands off approach by simply moving along the plot with very few visual flourish to distract from the performances on display.  He knows that Nicolas Cage is the central attraction who is more than game poking fun at his persona and career.  There are plenty of references to a bevy of his film's with some references being more overt while more subtle are peppered throughout the film.  Cage playing an outsized version of himself might sound like a lot but he plays it with a measured hand, a de-aged imaginary version of a Wild At Heart era Cage lets him really let loose, for the better part of the film.  The real treat here though is his chemistry with Pedro Pascal who steals multiple scenes throughout the film. Pascal is incredibly versatile actor and with this role he shows off another side of himself by playing a nebbish Cage fanboy who might also be a huge arms dealer. The bromance that grows between Cage and Pascal's characters make up the backbone of the film with both clearly having a ball playing off each other.  The script occasionally veers into super meta territory, you might be left wondering if any of the events in the film actually happened by the end, while never fully embracing it with more inspired flourishes like Cage's imaginary Cage.  As is, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is the kind of film that's easy to enjoy due to its stars and meta concept.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

 

When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis

Release Date: March 11, 2022

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

Rated R for some violence, sexual material and language

Runtime: 2h 12m

Review:

Everything Everywhere All At Once is a wildly imaginative bonkers film that will leave you looking at hotdogs and everything bagels in a new way.  Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert direct the film with a freewheeling kind of energy that's infectious and captivating because of the sheer audacity of the entire thing.  This is the type of film that has no problem throwing everything at the audience but the biggest bit of cinematic alchemy is the amount of heart at the center of it all.  A hefty amount of credit for that goes to Michelle Yeoh who anchors the film with a performance that runs the gamut of emotions.  She's entirely committed to the role and rolls with everything her character goes through with incredible ease, displaying the kind of singular talent she is.  She is the beating heart of the film aided by some strong supporting turns from Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis who is clearly having a ball.  They share incredibly strong chemistry together which makes the insanity on screen easier to digest.  If there is a small complaint, the film is unfettered on every level and probably could have benefited from some trims here and there to make it a more effective film.  Still, Everything Everywhere All At Once stands as a beacon of originality in a sea of diluted ideas. 

A-