Tag: movies

Film Review: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019)

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“I might just skate.”

As resplendent and transcendent as the trailer, which is no small feat. This is a piece of crafted cinema that is never without substance or the perfect sound, be it music or ambience. Every moment works.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “At least watch the trailer. However you feel when you watch that, multiply it by ten. That is how you will feel while watching the actual film. Then multiply that by ten. That is how you will feel thinking back over the movie on your way home from the theater. You might pass out from the emotion. You probably won’t. Because you’re strong. As strong as this film, even.”

Film Review: “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019)

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“Be seeing you.”

Another impressive video game gauntlet that continuously asks the age-old question of how can John Wick get out of this one? in inventive, bloody ways. Now with battle dogs!

My VHS cover pull-quote: “The greatest bits in the first John Wick were the nods to a greater mythology and world of assassins behind a simple revenge plot. Now we are steeped in that grand mythos, which — while interesting — sometimes threatens to impede the kinetic pacing of these things. Either way, I’ll still watch JW Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8, 9…”

Film Review: “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018)

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“I have a really good feeling about this.”

Solo is a fun enough space Western with charming leads, plenty of betrayals and heists, something of an identity crisis, and some of that old school Star Wars flair. Not bad!

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Did we need to know the origins of a character whose very hook was his mystery and roguish charm? No. Do we need any movie? Probably not. Do we need anything? Or do we just want? Want to eat, want to breathe, want Star Wars movies to live up to some nebulous standard we’ve built up over years of fortifying the original series with impenetrable nostalgia? I suppose.”

Film Review: “A Wrinkle in Time” (2018)

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“I missed you every second of every day.”

As with Disney’s last big, originalish non-remake live action movie Tomorrowland, the intention, message, and overall sentiment of A Wrinkle in Time helps to compensate for some structural problems and narrative messiness in some parts. As with all things, it succeeds most when things start getting dark and trippy. Overall, it’s an excellent adaptation of a book long thought to be unfilmable with an inspiring message of self-worth that everyone could stand to hear once in a while.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “I said it’s like Tomorrowland, but I really enjoyed Tomorrowland.”

Film Review: “Black Panther” (2018)

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“Is this your King?”

A superhero movie with heavy 007 vibes and both narrative and emotional complexity as important in the evolution of the modern genre as last year’s Wonder Woman. The celebration and incorporation of African culture in all aspects of the film, from the setting to the memorable score, offers a more than welcome new perspective to the MCU.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Lest we forget the trailblazer Luke Cage, though, who took the MCU to aid Harlem and later beat up many ninjas for the good of the world. With how separate the Netflix shows seem to be from the Iron Mans of it all, I doubt these two worlds will ever meet, which is a damn shame.”

Film Review: “The Post” (2018)

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“No shit.”

One of Spielberg’s stirring serious swells of strings pictures, but still an important story to be told, especially right now. It often plays like an episode of The Newsroom, wearing its message on its really long sleeve that it keeps slapping you with the way kids used to do because they had small arms and their shirt used to be their big brother’s, but the film still hits the right spots at the right moments.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Halfway through the movie, Meryl Streep broke character and addressed me personally, saying ‘Nick, literally everyone else at this theater is seeing Black Panther tonight. What are you doing here seeing this milquetoast country club shit?’ Only when I assured her and, later, Bob Odenkirk that I’d be seeing Black Panther this weekend did the picture continue. I’ve contacted Mr. Spielberg about this event during the 10:15pm showing of The Post at the United Artists’ King of Prussia, but received only a recorded message from him about how incredible Kendrick Lamar’s work on the Black Panther soundtrack is. Needless to say, I’m excited to see Black Panther in a couple days.”

Film Review: “Paddington 2” (2017)

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“I don’t do nothing for nobody for nothing.”

This is the most charmed I’ve been by a movie since Hugo way back in 2011. Paddington 2 shares a distinct love of wonder and sheer entertainment with Hugo, as well as the visual craft that goes into every marmalade slathered frame. It also shares a nearly idyllic version of its splendorous setting, where it feels like the worst thing happening in the world is quite possibly a dissociative Hugh Grant stealing a pop-up book. Prison is an amazing place in a Wes Andersen sort of way, criminals are lovable and merely gruff or roguish, and most everyone has the capacity for self-awareness and change. I want to live in this world.

My VHS cover pull quote: “One of the most substantial and timely things this movie does is keep the Peruvian bear intact as a stand-in for immigration by way of Peter Capaldi’s Mr. Creary and his unfounded fear of the adorable Paddington. Dynamite!”

Film Review: “Life” (2017)

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“I belong up here.”

A somewhat nihilistic entry into the outer space horror/adventure/let’s-watch-some-people-die-horribly-or-survive film genre that feels like the natural evolution of both Alien and Gravity at once.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Remarkable! LIFE will have you up on your feet saying ‘You guys really shouldn’t be messing around with that. Just knock it off.'”

Film Review: “Midnight Special” (2016)

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“You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

And with that line that has appeared in a myriad of other films like it, the ball begins to roll in Jeff Nichols’s straight sci-fi effort. In many ways, Midnight Special feels like Spielberg making Cameron’s The Abyss, and I can’t imagine anyone would (nor should) take that as a criticism. But Nichols has obviously taken many cues from directors before him here, even if his rural Americana vibe and affection present in Take Shelter and Mud (both “better” films) remains intact. Most everything works, though. The kid has an apt young-Culkin quality to him, the plot is indeed soulful, and the effects are just understated enough. Plus, the actors — Michael Shannon in particular (as always) — really help sell everything that’s happening.

My VHS cover quote: “Not since Star Wars VII has there been a science fiction film featuring Adam Driver.”

Film Review: “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies” (2014)

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“…but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all.”

As good an ending as one could expect from the overlong, flawed, but — you know what? — still endearing trilogy of films. While it should have been a duology, what happened happened and this is what we have. So let’s all just chill out and hang with Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, an aggressively digital Billy Connolly and company.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Lord of the what? Return of the who? Oh, right. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, the crowning achievement in a trilogy of crowning achievements. Yeah, this isn’t as good as that, but it isn’t terrible and Middle Earth is always a fun place to visit.”