Movie Reviews - Alien: Covenant, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Norman
Alien: Covenant is the 6th installment in the Alien franchise, and the 3rd installment directed by Ridley Scott. He brought us the groundbreaking original in 1979, but jumped ship until 2012, when he returned with Prometheus, an ambitious but ultimately disappointing entry. Still, there was much to like about Prometheus: stunning visuals, thought-provoking questions, and strong performances from talented actors.
Covenant gets back to its monster-movie roots, spending most of its time trying to thrill and terrify its audience. Both the good and the bad of Prometheus finds its way into Covenant, but overall, this is a much leaner, cleaner, and more satisfying chapter in the series.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword"
Many filmmakers have attempted to bring the Arthurian Legend to the screen, and very few have fared well. The latest to step up to the plate is Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Sherlock Holmes). He swings. He misses.
Here, Ritchie has made about three different movies in one. He’s tried to marry a traditional King Arthur movie with a fast-talking, energetic, jokey Guy Ritchie gangster movie, as well as a loud, CGI-filled action summer blockbuster. Story, character, and most everything else of value plays second fiddle to Guy Ritchie’s tired gimmickry. It’s rarely coherent, and never compelling.
Verdict: 1 out of 4 stars
"Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer"
Richard Gere gives one of the best performances of his career in a movie that’s as strange and amusing as its title.
Gere plays a down-on-his-luck fixer who spends his time trying to befriend important people and connect them with other important people. Norman is a liar, a moron, and an opportunist, but he’s also a well-meaning sweetheart who would lay down his life for his fellow man. He’s infuriating, annoying, charming, and pitiful.
It’s a fascinating, hilarious, and surprising movie about what happens after your dreams come true. It’s also a dream of a role for an actor, and Richard Gere grabs the bull by the horns.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: Snatched, The Wall, Frantz
"Snatched"
In this madcap comedy, a mother and daughter try to mend their contentious relationship by going on a vacation to South America, but they soon find themselves kidnapped, and hijinks ensue.
"Snatched" is the second feature film for Amy Schumer, who burst onto the scene with her hilarious and highly successful 2015 debut, Trainwreck. It’s also the first film in 15 years for Goldie Hawn (a national treasure), who’s been on hiatus ever since 2002’s The Banger Sisters. It’s wonderful to see Goldie Hawn back on the big screen, but she’s given precious little to do in a pretty lazy buddy comedy. Amy Schumer plays a version of the character she played in "Trainwreck," but one that’s more mean-spirited and less endearing. It’s certainly not awful—I laughed out loud a handful of times—but to call this a disappointing follow-up for Schumer would be an understatement.
Verdict: 2 out of 4 stars
"The Wall"
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena star as two American soldiers fighting to survive after a deadly Iraqi sniper pins them behind a crumbling wall. Doug Liman, who brought us such huge blockbusters as The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, directs "The Wall"—a movie that’s small-scale in almost every conceivable way. "The Wall" is set in one location, and has only three characters, yet it’s far more gripping than most action films at the multiplex. The Wall is filled with contrivances, its characters are ill defined, and its politics are problematic. But, because it thrills and fulfills for the better part of its 80- minute running time, we can let bygones be bygones.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
In the aftermath of WWI, a German widow grieving the death of her fiancé has her life upended after meeting a French soldier who claims to have known her fiancé. Like many of Francois Ozon’s films, this is a romantic, mysterious, morally complex melodrama with a rich female character at the center (played by wonderful newcomer Paula Beer). The mostly black and white photography is stunning—adding a melancholic and nostalgic dimension to a movie about post-war guilt and grief. "Frantz" never lives up to its full potential, but it’s still a strong piece of work that’s moving and thrilling in equal measure.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: Guardians of the Galaxy 2
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
Like most people, I found "Guardians of the Galaxy" to be clever, irreverent, and highly enjoyable. During a somewhat lackluster 2014 summer movie season, it was a breath of fresh air. Expectations for the sequel couldn’t be higher, with box-office experts already predicting that it will be the biggest movie of the summer.
For the sequel, director James Gunn doubles down on what audiences loved about the first film, filling this sequel to the brim with 70s soft rock tunes and 80s TV show references. Did you like the post-credits scene in the last movie? This time around, you’ll get five of them. It’s entirely too eager to please, but it’s still more charming and amusing than your average superhero sequel.
The silly, one-off jokes represent the best of the movie. On the other side of the coin, the plot is incredibly dull and gloomy.
Each character gets their time to shine, but I wish that these characters shared more moments together. It’s a perfectly solid summer movie, but "Guardians 2" is notably less fun than its predecessor.
Verdict: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: The Circle, Colossal, Their Finest
A young woman lands her dream job when an incredibly powerful Internet corporation hires her. She quickly becomes successful and popular, but at the expense of her privacy and freedom.
Emma Watson leads an incredible cast that features Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Bill Paxton, Karen Gillan, and Patton Oswalt. Behind the camera is James Ponsoldt, a director who hasn’t made a bad movie in his career, until now. "The Circle" isn’t just bad, it may very well be the worst film made by people of talent in 2017.
It’s a film that looks sleek and modern, but its ideas are old news. "The Circle" feigns intelligence, but adds nothing new to the conversation about security and surveillance. Tonally, it’s a mess, too. Ponsoldt has made a movie that feels constantly at odds with itself—not sure if it’s a satire or an earnest drama. The actors do the best with what they’re given, but no one escapes this trite and lazy movie unscathed.
Verdict: 1 out of 4 stars
"Colossal"
I doubt that many of you were ever pining for a movie-mash-up of Garden State and Godzilla, but if you were, boy, are you in luck. "Colossal" tells the story of an unemployed party-animal who discovers that her drunken antics are connected to a giant monster that’s wreaking havoc on a city in South Korea.
This delightfully unusual film dips its toes into a lot of different genres, including science fiction, drama, and comedy. It’s a movie that shouldn’t work, but somehow, director Nacho Vigalando pulls it off, giving us a surprisingly layered film that’s as much about addiction as it is about monsters.
Jason Sudeikis impresses in his meatiest role to date, but it’s Anne Hathaway who really shines. This oddball movie gives her the opportunity to showcase her tremendous range, and she rises to the occasion.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
Directed by Lone Scherfig, this WWII dramedy tells the story of a woman who lands a job as a screenwriter for a British propaganda film. Like Scherfig’s most famous film, "An Education," this is a romantic drama that’s uncommonly charming and intelligent.
Gemma Artertron is stellar in the leading role, but she’s nearly upstaged by a boisterous and hilarious Bill Nighy—which is somewhat problematic given the film’s feminist themes. But, as it conveys its message, "Their Finest" is able to empower and uplift its audience without ever preaching to them.
"Their Finest" is a charming crowd pleaser, though not without its darkness. A contrived tragedy thrown in at the last minute threatens to de-rail the film entirely, but the movie is able to regain its footing by the end.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: Born in China, Lost City of Z, Free Fire
Born in China
It’s Earth Day, so that means it’s time for another Disney Nature movie. Born in China changes up the formula a bit, choosing to focus on not one, but 5 different animal species: cranes, pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, snow leopards, and Tibetan antelope, or chiru. Of these 5 narratives—only 2 are truly compelling.
Disney Nature films are often nice to look at, and Born in China is no exception. Not only do we get some fantastic animal footage, but also there are also some gorgeous shots of China’s vast terrain—from icy mountaintops to lush forests. Narrator John Krasinski constantly reminds us of how “cute” these animals are, but rarely does he dole out factual information. Little ones will likely be entertained and amused by Born in China, but don’t expect them to learn much of anything.
Verdict: 2.5 out of 4 stars
The Lost City of Z
Based on a bestselling book, The Lost City of Z tells the fascinating true story of British explorer Percival Fawcett (played by a never-better Charlie Hunnam), who vanished while searching for an ancient city hidden deep in the Amazonian jungle. Breathtaking in its scope, deliberate in its pace, this is an adventure-drama that’s old-fashioned in nearly every sense of the word—recalling classics like Lawrence of Arabia and Aguirre, the Wrath of God.
Director James Gray has created something that’s not quite mainstream, not quite art-house. Z has action-thrills and adventure to spare, but it’s also a lyrical and meditative film about man’s relationship with nature, obsession, family, and destiny. It’s a film that’s hard to pin down, but that’s part of what makes it so special.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 stars
Free Fire
Set in Boston in 1978, an arms deal in a warehouse goes south, turning into a bloody and chaotic shootout. Put more simply, it’s an hour and a half of people shooting at one another in a giant room. There have been a few great movies depicting characters confined to a small space (check out Locke with Tom Hardy), but Free Fire isn’t one of them.
Director Ben Wheatley has made a one-note action-comedy that never fully delivers on the thrills promised in the film’s marketing campaign. The excess of violence becomes monotonous after a while, especially when you don’t care about anyone on-screen. That being said, there’s still a fair amount of laughter in this movie, and it all goes down quite smoothly.
Verdict: 2.5 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: The Fate of the Furious, Land of Mine, The Zookeeper's Wife
The Fate of the Furious is the eighth installment in this adrenaline-fueled franchise—one that just a few years ago, appeared to be out-of-gas. But, this soap opera on steroids of a series came roaring back to life with Fast Five, and is now breaking box-office records with each new installment. "The Fate of the Furious" is a perfectly competent entry, although it certainly doesn’t exceed expectations. It focuses far too much attention on its tedious and insipid plot, and strives for intelligent drama when it should stick to what it knows best. But, it’s still a fun ride, with more than enough thrillingly preposterous action set pieces to please legions of die-hard F&F fans.
Verdict: 2.5 out of 4 stars
This Danish-German historical drama follows a group of German teenage soldiers who, in the aftermath of WWII, were forced to remove thousands of their country’s landmines from the coast of Denmark. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, "Land of Mine" brings to the screen an under-told true story in brutally intense fashion. This nightmarish nail-biter is as grim as it is captivating; at times, you may want to look away, but you know that you can’t. As harrowing as this journey may seem, "Land of Mine" ultimately reveals itself as a poignant and moving tale of compassion and forgiveness.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 stars
The Zookeeper’s Wife tells the true story of a couple who saved hundreds of humans and animals during World War II by hiding them at their Warsaw Zoo. The film is based on a bestselling book that’s rife with compelling historical drama, but Niki Caro fails to bring any of that excitement to the screen. The film features a fine performance from Jessica Chastain, and has some compelling moments, but there’s not a lot to recommend in this mostly drab, emotionless affair. The film gets a much-needed jolt of energy in its last half hour, but at the end of the day, this is nothing more than a bland, run-of-the-mill Holocaust drama.
Verdict: 2 out of 4 stars
Movie Reviews: Going in Style, T2 Transporting, Raw
GOING IN STYLE
Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin star in this caper-comedy about three retired best friends who hatch a plan to rob a bank after their pension checks are abruptly cancelled.
These are three of the best and most beloved actors alive, and watching them hurl insults at one another for an hour and a half is at least somewhat fun. It all goes down smoothly, but there’s precious little to be found here beyond a handful of modest laughs. An absence of drama and emotional stakes makes it incredibly difficult to stay invested in what’s happening on-screen. If there’s no risk, then there’s no reward. It’s too inoffensive for you to fully dislike, but the movie can’t help but feel like a disappointment.
Verdict: 1.5 out of 4 stars
T2 TRAINSPOTTING
Making a sequel to a film as culturally significant as “Trainspotting” sounded like a great example of a bad idea, especially when you consider that it’s been 20 years since the original film’s release. Despite the odds, Danny Boyle and company have created a highly entertaining sequel that will likely please die-hard fans of the original.
More than a mindless romp down memory lane, T2 is a thoughtful and meditative movie about men coming to grips with the passage of time. It may be difficult to justify this movie’s existence, but nevertheless, it’s a rollicking ride from start to finish.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
RAW
16-year-old Justine has been a vegetarian for her entire life, but after she is forced to undergo a carnivorous hazing ritual at vet school, a powerful hunger for meat begins to grow inside of her.
The graphic nature of this French-Belgian film has had people talking ever since the movie premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Reportedly, some U.S. theaters showing the film are going as far as to distribute barf bags to their audiences. Yes, the film is sometimes shockingly disgusting and outrageous, and it earns every bit of its R-rating, but there’s a lot more here than meets the eye.
More of a coming-of-age movie than a horror film, “Raw” is a surprisingly intimate and empathetic portrait of a young girl trying to navigate the murky waters of newfound adulthood. Although the squeamish should probably steer clear, the film’s emotional rewards will stay with you far longer than the grisly images.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars