Tag: film review

Film Review: “Materialists”

Celine Song’s second feature explores the modern-day dating marketplace

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and Harry (Pedro Pascal) share an expensive moment in ‘Materialists.’

On the surface, a summer romance starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal sounds like a big budget studio comedy. However, adding in an independent distributor, A24, and an award-winning writer/director, Celine Song (Past Lives), makes one ponder if there’s something weightier behind the cast and genre. Materialists is Song’s second feature film, following her 2023 Best Picture nominated drama, Past Lives. Song’s indisputable knack for crafting intimate, complex connections between characters (she’s an accomplished playwright…and was a matchmaker, briefly…more on that later) is on full display in Materialists. Her skill as a writer, and how she directs her actors, distinguish her films from other romantic dramas with comparable emotional narratives. Materialists has much to say about modern-day dating, and through Song’s observant lens, her viewpoint makes for a rewarding viewing experience. Continue reading “Film Review: “Materialists””

Film Review: “How to Train Your Dragon”

Dragon’s nearly identical retelling lacks freshness

Hiccup and Toothless, bonding again, in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’

It would be hard to fault writer/director Dean DeBlois (2002’s Lilo & Stitch), who directed the original How to Train Your Dragon animated trilogy, for choosing to return to direct the live-action remake. After all, the original HTTYD is a near-perfect film, with a gigantic brand and fan-base. DeBlois and his team decided that the best way to capture the magic of the original was to “transfer” it to live-action– nearly shot-for-shot, and line for line. Well, Mr. DeBlois, not all the dialogue and shot-for-shot sequences are as effective with a new cast and without the colorful emotive freedom of animation. Dragon-riding is still exhilarating in the live-action version, but the rest of the film lacks the script re-tuning necessary for a new narrative tone and visual palette. The new How to Train Your Dragon will be a grand scale adventure for those unfamiliar with the original film, and certainly a blast for young kids, but for the previously Dragon-trained audiences, the new live-action version will fail to match the original’s transportive wonder and wit. Continue reading “Film Review: “How to Train Your Dragon””

Film Review: “The Life of Chuck”

The Life of Chuck beautifully illuminates the magic, devastation, and solemn finality of our lives

Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) begins his dance in “The Life of Chuck”

The Life of Chuck is based on a Stephen King short story from his collection, If It Bleeds, published in 2020. “The Life of Chuck” is similar to King’s other less scary, more dramatic works, such as “Stand by Me,” “The Green Mile,” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” But unlike those, “The Life of Chuck” is filled with colorful wonder and likeable characters, even as it explores the sad and mathematical truth of our finite existence. Writer/director Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass; The Fall of the House of Usher) is no stranger to adapting King’s work, having already directed two: Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep. Fans of Flanagan’s horror series and films know that in addition to the intricately-crafted scares and permeating sense of dread his team is so effective at creating, Flanagan knows how to deliver moments of authentic sentimentality. Focusing on that latter ability, Flanagan is the perfect director for The Life of Chuck. Combining visual flair with a whimsical yet brutally honest script, The Life of Chuck is, ultimately, a precious piece of existential storytelling.  Continue reading “Film Review: “The Life of Chuck””

Film Review: “Ballerina”

Ballerina effortlessly (and violently) pirouettes into the John Wick universe

Eve (Ana de Armas) kicks butt in ‘Ballerina.’

Gun fu is back! After 2023’s spectacular finale (for now), John Wick: Chapter 4, and a disappointing television series, The Continental, the John Wick universe is once again aiming to expand with Ballerina, marketed as From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, in case you didn’t know. If you also weren’t aware, Keanu Reeves reprises his role in Ballerina, a seemingly desperate inclusion by the producers to feed the fan base and add extra gravitas. Reeves is slightly overused in Ballerina. His initial cameo adds emotional weight to the titular ballerina’s plight, but the film could’ve stood solidly on its own without his reappearance in the third act, which isn’t much of a spoiler if you’ve seen any of the trailers. Ballerina is the first promising piece of John Wick universe expansion, and though the film contains plenty of flaws in its narrative logic, Ballerina is still a slick, exhilarating actioner with a bright future of potential sequel chapters. Continue reading “Film Review: “Ballerina””

Film Review: “Fight or Flight”

Fight or Flight is a brisk and exciting ride, despite narrative turbulence

Lucas (Josh Hartnett) is enjoying the fight on his flight.

The Josh Hartnett renaissance (Hart-naissance?) continues! From his supporting role in Oppenheimer and his cameo in The Bear, to the hammy lead role in last summer’s Trap, Hartnett is making moves to reclaim a movie star status he relished in the late ‘90s to early ‘00s. And, he seems to be loving every minute of it, taking on an assortment of roles: straight men, serial killers, and action heroes. Hartnett’s charm and underused physicality is on full display in Fight or Flight, a flawed B-movie thriller with a high level of violent choreography and cheeky humor. Continue reading “Film Review: “Fight or Flight””

Film Review: “The Surfer”

Toxic masculinity gets menacingly vibrant and sun-soaked in The Surfer

Nicolas Cage just wants to surf in ‘The Surfer’

“You can’t stop a wave. It’s pure energy.” What a great line to start a film, especially when the line is delivered with philosophical sincerity by Nicolas Cage to kickstart a gonzo psychedelic thriller. The Surfer is the new film from Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) and it takes its opening line to heart, stylistically and performatively. Finnegan submerges The Surfer in 1970s era orange and turquoise and utilizes Cage’s unique talent for capturing a character’s descent into madness. The result is a blistering portrayal of toxic masculinity. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Surfer””

Film Review: “Novocaine”

Novocaine delivers a funny dose of violent shenanigans

Nate (Jack Quaid) dangles unfeelingly in “Novocaine.”

Novocaine opens with a needle drop that signifies a level of spot-on self-awareness that perfectly sets up the tone of the film, as if the filmmakers are telling us, “Hey, our film is gonna be ridiculous, melodramatic, and won’t pull any punches, so just sit back and enjoy!” Using Jack Quaid’s everyman charm and a central conceit that allows for an abundance of inventive comedic violence, Novocaine fulfills its goal of delivering preposterous hard-hitting entertainment. Continue reading “Film Review: “Novocaine””

Film Review: “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”

Humor and tragedy converge in the brilliant and disquieting On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

Shula (Susan Chardy) wears a guinea fowl costume to begin “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl.”

With the release of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, writer/director Rungano Nyoni’s first feature film since her 2017 indie darling, I Am Not a Witch, the Zambian born British filmmaker has once again proven her unique talent for depicting tribal traditions through a modern lens. Guinea Fowl is simultaneously tragic and comically disquieting, venturing in and out of surreality within its otherwise grounded character-driven narrative. Kudos to A24 and a few UK and European studios for producing and distributing Guinea Fowl, since the film is not an easy sell. Guinea Fowl should be seen; its tightly controlled narrative, powerful performances, and artistic risk-taking make it one of the first must-see films of the year. Continue reading “Film Review: “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl””

Film Review: “Cleaner”

Cleaner is an unassuming Die Hard copy with B-movie energy

Daisey Ridley has a stellar view of London and the unfolding hostage crisis.

Cleaner is the type of B-movie matinee you watch while getting ready to meet friends for dinner, or a mysterious title on your streaming platform’s home page that you indifferently hit ‘play’ as you finish the NY Times crossword before heading to bed, only to find yourself having not solved a single clue ninety-five minutes later. You’ll rarely seek the film out, but you’ll welcome its breezy distraction. Cleaner is co-directed by executive producer Sébastien Raybaud (Femme) and Martin Campbell, but the latter’s surefootedness as an action director enables Cleaner to rise above its ham-fisted script. Campbell’s filmography includes iconic brand re-launches like The Mask of Zorro, Goldeneye, and Casino Royale, silly B-movie spectacles like Vertical Limit and The Foreigner, and a few cringe-y flops like Beyond Borders and The Green Lantern. Cleaner fits within the second grouping: a silly actioner with its entertainment value and narrative absurdity evenly matched. Continue reading “Film Review: “Cleaner””

Film Review: “Love Hurts”

What hurts more… Love? Or watching this movie?

Marvin (Ke Huy Quan) wants a home for you!

Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose deserve better. The two Supporting Actor Oscar winners, for Everything Everywhere All At Once and West Side Story, respectively, can tackle dramatic and comedic material while holding an audience’s most focused attention. When used right, Quan and DeBose can elevate a film from good to great. Unfortunately, Love Hurts isn’t good. Instead, Love Hurts results from an inexperienced filmmaker who doesn’t understand how to utilize the valuable toys he has to play with. The film is excruciatingly overwritten and poorly edited, with Quan’s inherent charm as its sole saving grace. Continue reading “Film Review: “Love Hurts””