The Wedding Plan - Absurd Fun

Movie: The Wedding Plan

My Rating: 3 stars

I enjoy a wholesome religious comedy from time to time.  Now, I’m not talking about films like those Christian movies that are not-so-secretly trying to proselytize to viewers.  I can’t stand anything too preachy.  And, I’m not talking about mainstream movies that have been scrubbed of any possibly offensive material for a “family” audience.  When I say “religious comedy,” I mean movies that derive their humor from the crazy, frequently comedic positions a person is put in because of their adherence to a certain religious doctrine.  This isn’t making fun of those religions.  In fact, most of this type of movie is made by members of the religion in question, and it’s their attempt to poke a little fun at themselves and some of the farcical situations they may find themselves in because of their lifestyle.  I can’t stand humorless people or content.  So, I’m always happy to celebrate people who are willing to embrace life’s absurdities.  And, this movie really is a silly one.

Michal wants to get married.  And, she’s also a very religious, Orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem.  She’s done waiting around for the right man to come along.  The match-makers aren’t having any luck with her case.  And clearly, none of her own efforts to find a husband have been working either.  So, she’s decided to let God take over the whole mess.  She sets a date for her wedding, books a venue, buys a dress, and pays for all the food and flowers.  She trusts that God will deliver her a groom at the right time and place.  It’s a ridiculous premise, and the comedy gets pretty silly along the way to the altar.  This movie definitely falls right into that genre of comedy with a crazy (but loveable) female protagonist who can’t help but getting in her own way.  This movie is lighthearted and fun, and the inherently tragic nature of this kind of character doesn’t bring the mood down too much.

This is a pretty cute movie.  It’s nothing too special—nothing I’d go out of my way to see.  I kinda just stumbled across it, myself.  But, it was enjoyable nonetheless.  And, it’s the kind of “romantic comedy” that won’t send you into diabetic shock.  But at its heart, it’s pretty fluffy and insubstantial.  So, if this movie sounds right up your alley, go ahead and rent it.  I think you’ll really like it.  But for everyone else, you won’t be missing out on very much if you decide to skip it.

Call Me By Your Name - Steamy Stuff

Movie: Call Me By Your Name

My Rating: 4 stars

I had heard a lot about this film before I finally got my hands on it.  Everyone who had seen it told me that it’s sexy, and sad, and beautiful.  And, after having watched the movie, I’d have to say that I agree.  But, what I think it the most remarkable about this movie is that it does an amazing job of conjuring up all those intense, painful, exciting emotions that every hormone-addled teen has felt when they’re taking their first steps into romantic love.  Those emotions are so powerful and all-consuming.  When you’re first experiencing that kind of love or infatuation for the first time, it’s all you can think about.  It consumes your thoughts, but it’s also a little scary too because it’s so new.  And, this movie captures the essence of those feelings very well.

This movie is about a teenage boy, Elio, who is experiencing that first intense, romantic attraction to Oliver, his father’s research assistant that is staying with their villa in Italy for the summer.  Of course, the situation is even more complex and tortuous than first love already is because Elio is also coming to terms with the fact that he is attracted to men.  And, this movie is set in the early 1980s, a time when being openly gay was less accepted than it is now.  But, this story isn’t about how the rest of the world perceives the relationship between these two men.  That context merely serves to frame the story between Oliver and Elio.  The story is really told from inside the relationship.  It’s very intimate, and very personal.  In fact, we only get hints as to how the men feel about what everyone else thinks of them.  They’re really more concerned with feeling out the boundaries between them.  It really gets the blood racing.

I think this movie can be enjoyed by a pretty wide audience.  Of course, there are always going to be those people that are made uncomfortable by any sexual content in a movie.  And, the undercurrent of this movie really is very sexual.  But, the majority of the sex is merely implied or happens off-screen.  So, there’s nothing very explicit to embarrass you when watching this in mixed company.  That being said, I still probably wouldn’t watch this movie with my mother.  So, if you’re in the mood for a very moody, sexy, European-style love story, this is the movie for you.

Wild Wild Country - Cult or Commune?

Movie: Wild Wild Country

My Rating: 4 stars

This is actually a new documentary series streaming on Netflix, instead of a movie.  But, I found it interesting enough that I wanted to write about it here.  I was already a bit familiar with this story, since I listened to Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds talking about it on their podcast, The Dollop.  But, episodes of that podcast usually run about an hour long.  So, at nearly six times that length, this series is able to delve much deeper into the topic of the Rajneeshpuram commune that started in Oregon in the 1980s, and all the mayhem that surrounded its rise and fall.

This really is a fascinating documentary.  At first glance, a viewer may be led to believe that this is a simple story about a new-age community, and the uptight townspeople that reject it as a “cult,” and object to its sinful ways.  And, of course, that is exactly how this story starts.  But, this story very quickly spirals out of control, and each new episode is crazier than the last.  And, unless you’re already very familiar with this story from when it happened in the 80s, you’ll never guess the wild new twists and turns it takes.

The thing I like best about this documentary is that it isn’t obviously trying to make viewers side with one side over the other.  One episode will present the absolutely ridiculous behavior of the Rajneeshees, and then the very next will examine the poor behavior of the townsfolk.  I found my allegiance flipping at many points throughout the series.  And, I think it was created that way by design.  Of course, the ultimate lesson we learn by the end is that both sides were pretty insane.  Both sides had valid arguments, but both were also behaving rather badly when in direct conflict with teach other.  The whole series really is a lesson in considering the source of information you rely on or being aware of the possible biases in reporting.  So, if anything, this documentary series teaches one to be a bit more mindful.  But, it’s also a pretty wild story.

I definitely recommend you watch this series.  At six episodes, it initially feels a bit long for a simple story about a commune that is having conflicts with the surrounding community.  But believe me when I tell you that they absolutely do have enough material to fill out the whole six episodes.  You almost won’t believe your ears when you hear some of this stuff.  It’s a good time, and definitely worth the investment of time.

Ready Player One - Satisfying Nostalgia

Movie: Ready Player One

My Rating: 5 stars

I enjoyed this movie a lot.  I saw it in the theater with a crowd full of people who were grinning and laughing right alongside me.  But somehow, I feel a bit sheepish admitting that I liked it so much.  It’s definitely because Steven Spielberg has gained a well-earned reputation for creating sentimental drivel.  So, I guess I feel pretty uncool at having enjoyed one of his movies.  But, I still don’t know why I’m feeling so defensive about this one.  I guess people are pretty split on this whole story as a whole.  I read the book first, and really liked it.  But, some critics disparage it for shamelessly pandering to nostalgia (which makes it a perfect property for a Spielberg adaptation, in my book).  But, I view it as more of a genuine expression of nerdy enthusiasm for 80s pop-culture.  And I, of all people, cannot fault anyone else for being overenthusiastic.  That’s my bread and butter.

The story is about a time in the near future when the economy has pretty much collapsed, life is bleak, and only a few mega-corporations are in control the entirety of commerce.  Virtual reality has progressed to the point where people can work, go to school, and generally live complete, satisfying lives in an online world.  And, since there’s not much waiting for them in the real world, more and more people are disappearing into “The Oasis.”  This idea taps into some topics and sentiments that feel remarkably timely, so the story really speaks to me.  Plus, a lot of the future stuff it imagines seems so cool.  As bleak a portrait as this story paints of the world, I would be so interested in exploring all the experiences on offer in the Oasis.  I can’t say confidently that I wouldn’t be one of the people to disappear into an online persona.

Since I really enjoyed the book, I was a bit nervous about the adaptation.  I always get that way when a favorite of mine gets reimagined for the big screen.  I’ve been burned many times before (Golden Compass, I’m looking at you).  I respect an author’s work, and I generally feel that when a big studio gets involved in a project, too many cooks spoil the broth.  But, I’ve been pleasantly surprised as often as I’ve been disappointed.  And, this is one of those cases.  This movie doesn’t try to recreate the book scene for scene.  Sometimes that’s what you want, but other times, a story is too conceptual or scattered to translates well to the screen as-is.  And, this story was heavily reworked to tell a tighter story.  Some complete new ideas are added.  And, there are whole subplots that are completely missing.  But, the essence and heart of what this story is remains intact, and that’s why I found the adaptation to be pretty satisfying.  And of course, this has the added benefit of preventing fans from either being bored because they know everything that’s going to happen or complaining that the movie didn’t do a particular plot point justice.

As you may imagine, this is a visually stunning movie.  The majority of the story is set in the Oasis, so most of the movie is computer generated.  And, that allows the filmmakers to go completely wild with effects and action sequences.  And, the filmmakers really swing for the fences in that regard.  One of the points the narrator makes in the movie is that there really are no limitations when it comes to choosing who you want to be online or how you want to look.  So, the visual team has some real fun with character design.  There are tons of fun (and, of course, nostalgic) references for people who take the time to take it all in.  It’s the kind of movie that definitely warrants a re-watch, if only to catch more of the allusions.  Of course, the movie is horribly cheesy.  And, it’s sappy as hell.  But, I found myself in the mood for exactly that sort of thing when I went to see it this weekend.  So, I imagine that may be the same case for plenty of you too.

Your Name. - Intense Teenage Emotions

Movie: Your Name.

My Rating: 4 stars

The premise for this movie sounded so funny.  “Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives until they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki's body, and he in hers.”  A good gender-body-swap comedy is always good for a few easy laughs—especially since the characters are high-school kids.  And, this movie does, indeed, serve up some of that low-hanging fruit.  (Picture a lot of boob-fondling as the boy, Taki, wakes up in the girl, Mitsuha’s, body).  But, this movie is actually a lot more than just a comedy.  It develops into something like a melancholy, mystical, cosmic romance by the end.  And, it’s something you’ll be on board for by the time the story gets to that point.

The story is a little hard to describe beyond that initial premise because it gets pretty confusing once the initial gags are over.  The story is told from the point of view of the two main characters.  And, since they’re pretty confused by what’s happening to them, we necessarily are too.  Of course, we do have a bit more of an omniscient viewpoint than they do.  But, we figure things out at the same rate that they do.  Plus, a lot of these metaphysical dramas are written to be a bit “mysterious,” (even though that often just means that the author didn’t feel like explaining stuff or coming up with something that makes sense).  But, while there are elements in this movie that I never manage to make sense of myself, it’s executed in such a stylish, beautiful way that I was perfectly willing to accept the more flattering explanation.

The animation in this movie really is gorgeous. It captures the romantic, sentimental view of what life in rural Japan is like (in fictional tales).  And, it also depicts the stereotypical character of the fast, anonymous and impersonal life in a busy city.  And, I feel that it juxtaposes these two extremes in a way that suggests that neither is the exact truth.  It’s very interesting, and it really got me in a very contemplative, philosophical mood while watching it. 

I recommend this movie to anyone that’s a fan of sentimental Japanese animated movies.  This is a very good example of that genre.  So, if you’re going to dip your toe in that water, this is a good place to start.  But, if that doesn’t sound like your thing, don’t worry about it.  This movie isn’t for you, so you shouldn’t feel bad about skipping it.  But, I really loved the movie.  If anything, it reminded me of those intense feelings you have as a teenager.  And, that’s always an interesting well to dive into.

Logan Lucky - When You Thought Bank Heists Couldn't get Sillier

Movie: Logan Lucky

My Rating: 3 stars

This movie is pure silliness.  Sure, it holds itself out to be a tricky bank heist movie.  But, it’s really more of a farcical comedy.  But, I think all that tomfoolery was intended.  And, in that case, the movie accomplishes what it sets out to.  There are so many strange things about this movie.  It casts Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Riley Keough as siblings.  That’s bizarre.  It casts Daniel Craig as a West Virginian hillbilly.  That’s even more strange.  All the characters are presented as mildly dimwitted, yet apparently geniuses at planning bank heists.  I don’t necessarily think this movie is asking us to suspend our disbelief.  They’re just making our disbelief irrelevant by being so outrageous.  But, of course, that’s why this movie is such silly fun. 

I don’t think this movie was particularly successful.  And, it really is such an odd beast that I have a hard time imagining it as a crowd-pleasing blockbuster.  But, all the actors are so charming.  And, they’re all so funny, that I think it really did deserve a little more attention than it got.  It almost doesn’t even matter that the plot makes little sense.  The plan is that the Logan boys are going to rob the local NASCAR Speedway.  They’re down on their luck, but they’ve got local knowledge.  The problem is, they’re not exactly experts at planning elaborate heists.  The guy who is an expert, Joe Bang, is currently locked up in prison.  So, the plan is to break him out of jail just long enough to help them, then return him before anyone’s the wiser.  Fool-proof.

This movie is light and fluffy, and entirely unserious.  A lot of the physical gags border on slapstick.  The characters are ridiculous, and the actors are clearly having a good time.  Plus, if you like the kind of heist movie with elaborate twists, overcomplicated planning, and absurdly tight margins, this has got you covered.  Of course, none of it is credible in the least.  But then, if you’re into this kind of movie that wouldn’t bother you anyway.  So, next time you’re in the mood for something thoroughly outrageous, this is a good choice. 

Deepwater Horizon - Mark Wahlberg, America's Hero

Movie: Deepwater Horizon

My Rating: 2 stars

I didn’t hate this movie as much as my rating might suggest.  It’s a very dramatic film with all the usual symbolism, foreshadowing, and heavily telegraphed plot points.  And, it does get the heart racing a good bit.  But, it’s not a good movie.  In fact, this is probably one of the most ham-fisted pandering jobs I’ve seen in a while.  The movie is about a real-life disaster—the explosion of an offshore oil drilling rig (the Deepwater Horizon), and subsequent oil spill.  The movie touches a little bit on the causes of the disaster, but mostly focuses on a few of the heroes that helped rescue workers and evacuate the rig.  And naturally, Mark Wahlberg stars as hero number one, and Kurt Russell is hero number two.  People love those guys.

One thing that the movie makes a point of emphasizing is that this disaster was definitely, 100% the fault of the greedy corporate guys who care more about bathing in a swimming pool full of gold coins than about safety or compliance with the rules.  And, the movie is probably completely right about that.  But, it’s pretty comical the way the script keeps hammering it so gracelessly.  John Malkovich plays the big, bad guy in charge, and his character might as well have been cackling like a Bond villain and stroking a Persian cat.  But, I suppose the movie was never trying to be subtle.  It was designed to congratulate the honest, hard-working, blue-collar workers who keep the economy running.  And, boy does it ever accomplish that!

I’m not going to recommend this movie.  It was fine.  I didn’t mind watching it.  But, if you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve pretty much seen the whole movie. You get exactly what you see.  So, watching the action unfold at the pace of the movie makes it feel like the story drags on and on.  Of course, if you catch this movie on a lazy afternoon at home, or during a long plane flight, it’ll probably keep you adequately amused.  But, there’s no need to seek this one out.

Passengers - Ethics and Sci-Fi

Movie: Passengers

My Rating: 3 stars

I love a good sci-fi movie—especially if it’s a sci-fi thriller.  So, although this movie never got the best reviews, I was still pretty interested in seeing it.  The premise sounded pretty intriguing.  Thousands of people are being transported in suspended animation on a long-haul luxury space-liner.  The trip is supposed to take over a hundred years, but after only a decade or so into the journey, one man wakes up.  Although all the other sleeping passengers are still there with him, he’s essentially alone with no way to fix his predicament, and no way to tell anyone what’s happened.  That’s a very haunting prospect—to be surrounded with plenty, but to know you’re going to spend the rest of your life utterly alone.  It was enough to intrigue me.

I liked this movie.  The movie is pretty slick looking, and the actors are very charming.  Chris Pratt plays the unlucky man who awakens early.  Michael Sheen is the bartending robot who is the only company Pratt has to rely on at first.  And, Jennifer Lawrence, is the lady he has his eye on.  Of course, there are always going to be complaints about the way a director has handled the material.  And, I’ve read a number of articles proposing alternate treatments of this script.  And, of course some of them had good points.  Most of them proposed ways to build suspense in a more effective way.  But I wasn’t fundamentally dissatisfied with the way this movie turned out.  To me, this movie was more about exploring the idea of coming to terms with such a sudden change in fortunes than it was about creating suspense.  The philosophical and ethical questions the script raised were more important to me than the “thrilling” ones.  Although, there is a good amount of dramatic tension too.

This is a pretty fun movie.  I think I could go either way on recommending this one or not.  I enjoyed it.  And, I’m glad I watched it.  But, I can also acknowledge people’s complaints.  But, the movie is slick, and pretty, and proposes some pretty interesting ideas.

Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Movie: Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

My Rating: 4 stars

I want to see this movie again.  In fact, I think I need to see it again in order to fully process the story.  As of writing this, I’ve only seen the movie once.  I saw it in the theater, which I think is the right way to experience a movie of this scale.  This movie is the next installment in the reincarnation of the Star Wars franchise now that it’s in Disney’s hands.  In general, I’ve been happy with the direction they’ve taken the property in.  The Star Wars universe is vast, and really should be in the hands of someone who is willing to dedicate enough budget and resources to do it justice.  But of course, since the movie so epic in scale, I feel like I wasn’t really able to take in the full picture in that one viewing.  So, I’m definitely going back.

This movie is a heartbreaker.  It’s pretty much an exercise in processing catastrophic loss and managing one’s grief.  We lose many characters we’ve grown to love and even more that we’ve just met.  And, the characters who do survive have to make such painful sacrifices that you know they’ll never be the same again.  It’s pretty brutal.  And, it’s the kind of movie that leaves you with a very heavy heart when you’re walking out of the theater.  But, it’s very beautiful. And, I found myself really thinking about it for days afterward.  I think the most interesting thing about this movie is that it is so unpredictable.  It starts up right where The Force Awakens left off (in fact, moments after).  And, at first it appears that the story will take the same heroic tone that we got from that first film.  But, quite abruptly the story veers off that broad road, and starts to take us on the strangest ride through the metaphorical underbrush.  And, the surprises just keep coming.  The film will give us a few predictable moments, followed immediately by the most idiosyncratic turns.  I don’t think there’s any way to foresee what’s going to happen next, or which direction the story will take.  There are so many sharp turns and dead ends along the way.  In the film, Luke Skywalker says to Rey, “This is not going to go the way you think.”  And, I think that really applies to the film as a whole.  It’s very disorienting and totally captivating.

As I mentioned before, I will be watching this movie again.  I feel like there’s so much I missed, and so much that I want to pay closer attention to.  I think it’s probably going to take me a while to really get a good feel for the film—or even to cement my feelings about it.  So, naturally I recommend it.  Of course, it won’t make any sense unless you’ve been following the films so far.  So, make sure you see those.  But, definitely give this one a watch or three.

I, Tonya - Tragic Comedy

Movie: I, Tonya

My Rating: 5 stars

I’m not sure I would have wanted to see this movie if I hadn’t seen the trailer.  The idea of a biopic about Tonya Harding didn’t immediately sound appealing to me.  I was imagining it’d be a salacious, tabloid-style, tell-all, sob story.  And, I’ve had enough of that brand of audience manipulation.  But, the trailer told a different story entirely.  It presented the movie as a self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking, ironic comedy.  And, that’s something I can generally get excited about.  But, in order for me to really enjoy a movie that’s been hyped up this much, it has to deliver more than the trailer promises.  And, this movie does, in the form of a truly humanizing, tragic story of a real girl who was abused and snubbed by almost everyone in her life.

This movie is still a comedy, and a hilarious one at that.  But, it manages to weave those laughs into the bleak backdrop of a pretty heartbreaking life story.  If the core message of this movie is to be believed, Tonya Harding was really used as a pawn by everyone she became close with.  Coaches saw this amazingly gifted athlete as a way to be associated with a champion.  And, her family used her as a punching bag (both physically and emotionally), as a way to make themselves feel better about their own sorry lives.  It seemed like every time she tried to put her trust in someone, they’d betray it.  And in the end, the one activity she cared about most in life was taken away from her too.

This movie really made me rethink the tabloid feeding frenzy this story created when it first came to light back in the nineties.  I’m, of course, talking about the attack on Nancy Kerrigan that was attributed to Tonya Harding and her associates.  The media coverage was treating the story as breaking news.  And, they characterized their actions as getting to the bottom of the story.  But, now their motives for bombarding us with the story 24/7 seem much more cynical.  People do love gossip.  And, scandals are profitable.  But, folks usually don’t stop to acknowledge the effect their chatter is having on the parties involved until much later.  That’s the dark side of our human nature.

This movie affected me emotionally.  I felt great sorrow for a girl who could have been helped to prominence, but instead was torn down to nothing.  And, I felt a kind of collective guilt for a society that relishes this kind of tawdry spectacle.  But, the movie is also tremendously enjoyable too.  Despite the tragedy, the movie really does have a lot of laughs.  And, the actors all portray their characters wonderfully.  The standout performances were from Margot Robbie as Tonya, and Allison Janney as her mother LaVona.  Janney really becomes a true villain.  And, that’s always fun to see.  I recommend this movie.  The story and performances are multi-dimensional, and it really has a lot to offer.

The Disaster Artist - Laugh Out Loud Fun

Movie: The Disaster Artist

My Rating: 5 stars

By now, most people are familiar with the dumpster fire that is The Room.  It’s Tommy Wiseau’s cinematic masterpiece about life, love, and betrayal.  Of course, it’s written by, directed by, and starring none other than Tommy Wiseau himself.  And, it’s a truly horrendous movie.  I once overheard someone in an elevator describe it as a “friendship ending movie.”  (I think one friend must have lent it to the other).  And, The Disaster Artist gives us a dramatic account of how a movie like The Room may have come into being.  I say “may have,” because any project like this comes with some degree of fictionalization.  But, the story is based on the actual accounts of many of the actors involved in the original project.  So, I think most of it is probably accurate. 

The Room has become a phenomenon in the same vein as something like Rocky Horror Picture Show.  People clamor to go see midnight screenings of the thing.  Of course, the major difference between the two is that Rocky Horror was always intended to be campy, but this film was meant to be serious cinema.  But, people just can’t get enough of this mess.  Especially since Wiseau refuses to acknowledge it as a flop.  It almost baffles the mind how a movie could turn out so badly.  You certainly couldn’t design something like it on purpose.  This kind of creation can only be accomplished through a one-hundred percent, good faith effort to make a serious film.  And, that’s why this retelling works so well and is so amusing.  

Now, a project this meta and self-referential may sound like a bit of a snooze to the uninitiated.  But, all you have to do to cure yourself of that misconception is actually watch the original film.  And, then you’ll be clamoring to hear the back story.  This movie is as enjoyable as it is cringeworthy.  It almost feels like a guilty pleasure.  It’s fun to have a laugh at poor Tommy’s expense, but at the same time you can’t help feeling really bad for the guy.  It kind of breaks my heart to see people with delusions of grandeur, who clearly have none of the tools necessary to accomplish their goals.  But, at least this movie does humanize Mr. Wiseau a bit.  In this story, he’s not only a punchline.  I mean, he’s still a bit of a punchline.  This movie is presented as comedy after all.  But, I think this story helps us empathize with the guy a little better.

Go see this movie.  It’s spectacular.  But, see The Room first.  Or, if you don’t have the patience to do that, at least go look up a “best clips” compilation on YouTube.  It’s necessary to have some understanding of that movie in order to get the full benefit of this one.  But, this movie is a really good time.  It’s the kind of thing that had the whole theater laughing out loud (when they weren’t squirming through the distressingly long and detailed sex scenes).  The cast is full of great comedians.  And, James and Dave Franco really kill it as Tommy and his leading man Greg.  Plus, it’s really fun just to see the two brothers playing off each other.  You may regret having to watch The Room, but you’ll love this movie.

The House - Adults Behaving Badly

Movie: The House

My Rating: 3 stars

I won’t say no to a Will Ferrell/Amy Poehler movie.  I think they’re both really funny, and their movies are usually a pretty safe bet.  They can usually drum up a big enough budget to work with.  And, they’ve got a lot of really funny friends that they can coerce into joining them.  And, this movie is pretty good.  It’s not great.  The idea is a little gimmicky, and the storytelling seems a bit rushed.  But, it’s not like I was expecting too much from their slapstick comedy style.  This is a story about a couple who has just realized that they won’t be able to pay for their daughter’s expensive, private college tuition.  So, they take the next natural step, and open up an illegal gambling den in their basement.  The plan is to fleece all the neighbors until they’ve raised the right amount, and then get out clean.  What could go wrong?

This is a very silly movie, and viewers are meant to revel in the absurdity of the whole thing.  And, in that sense, the movie succeeds.  Another success is all the acting.  I’m a really big fan of a lot of the comedians featured in the film—Jason Mantzoukas, Rory Scovel, Lennon Parham, Rob Huebel.  There’s tons of them.  And, they’re all performing in their element.  I’m a big fan of the “adults acting like spoiled children” brand of comedy, and that’s what most of these guys specialize in.  And they’re perfect for this story about family men and women who just want to let their hair down and behave very irresponsibly once in a while.  The comedy is quite crude, and immature, and very fun.  I seem to be using a lot of negative words in this review, and it’s making it sound like I didn’t care for the film.  But, I really did enjoy watching it.  It’s just not a serious movie, and it’s not meant to be considered with so much weight.

Everyone gets in the mood for a fluffy, goofy movie every now and then.  And, that’s exactly what films like this are for.  (Or if you want to scandalize grandma).  So, go ahead and see this movie if you feel like it, but I don’t think you’ll really be missing out on much if you decide not to.

The Little Hours - Surly Nuns

Movie: The Little Hours

My Rating: 5 stars

I fell in love with this movie.  I like comedies about surly, foul-mouthed ladies behaving badly.  And, if its nuns behaving badly, all the better!  To top it all off, the filmmakers cast a ton of my favorite actors/comedians in this project—Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci, Dave Franco, Nick Offerman, etc.  There are tons of great people in this.  The movie is based on a pretty funny idea.  The filmmakers have reimagined some of the stories in Boccaccio’s Decameron, but told in a very irreverent way.   Now, those stories are already a bit lewd and rowdy.  So, it’s not like vulgar comedy is out of place in a movie like this.  In fact, it was inevitable that someone was going to eventually do something like this.  I remember reading parts of the book in high school, and my classmates and I always felt like we were getting away with something fairly naughty.  So, I’m glad that more people get to be in on the fun.

This film merges ironic, absurdist humor with classical literature, and idyllic Italian landscapes.  It’s quite a combination.  Perhaps the incongruity is another reason why I was so delighted by this project.  Rumor has it that some of the writers and actors involved kinda just wanted an Italian vacation, and used the filming of this movie as a way to justify it.  And, I think that breezy attitude may also be a contributing factor to this film’s casual ambience.  The story is set in a nunnery—a pretty disorganized one.  These nuns are a bit boorish, and they’re always giving the local peasants and their superiors grief.  Of course, things get even more interesting and chaotic when a handsome, new handyman shows up at the convent.  With this alluring new distraction, the nuns go from being mildly truculent to aggressively unmanageable.  And, that’s exactly the type of fun I enjoy—bossy ladies living it up!

I went into this movie really hoping to like it, and I’m so glad I wasn’t disappointed.  The trailer made it look like pure gold, and fortunately it was an accurate representation of the finished product.  The movie did actually end up being a little more sweet and charming than I was expecting.  And, that was a lovely surprise.  But the sets and scenery really steal the show.  They’re absolutely gorgeous.  They really did film on location at historic sites in Tuscany.  And, watching it really made me want to go touring around Italy.  Everything is so gorgeous.  I think you should definitely see this movie.   Of course, you’ll need a good sense of humor.  And it’d be best if you don’t get too embarrassed by liberal amounts of vulgarity.  But, I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.

The Girl With All The Gifts - Zombie Kids

Movie: The Girl With All The Gifts

My Rating: 3 stars

I watch a lot of zombie movies.  I’ve almost gotten a little bit tired of them.  I’ve seen just about all the permutations that exist—zombie men, zombie kids, zombie sheep, zombie Nazis.  There are fast zombies and slow ones, virus zombies and supernatural ones.  If it’s a living creature, it can be zombified.  And, I’ve been diligently consuming all of these offerings without a care for whether they’re good or bad.  But, I’m not going to stop watching these films just because a good proportion of them are total trash.  It must be the idea of them that appeals to me.

This movie focuses on little zombie children.  The condition seems to be caused a viral or fungal infection.  And, these are the fast, running type.  We begin our story in a facility that houses, monitors, and even attempts to educate a select bunch of infected children.  We meet Melanie, a delightful, little girl who is cheery, talkative, and quite polite to all the workers at the center.  So, it is quite shocking when we see the contempt with which the guards and scientists treat her.  Security is high—almost like a maximum-security prison.  And, the guards use prods, and restraints, and have the children strapped to planks like Hannibal Lecter.  It’s pretty confusing until we meet Melanie’s other classmates.  Where Melanie is a bright and engaged student, her fellow pupils are practically non-responsive.  They are your classic, milky-eyed, lumbering, jaw-gnashing creatures that we’ve come to expect from a traditional zombie.  Just a whiff of human skin will start a feeding frenzy.  Melanie is clearly different from them, and the scientists at the facility are trying to figure out why.

This movie is ok.  I don’t think there’s really very much that sets it apart from other movies in the genre other than the striking visuals of seeing children wearing prison oranges and those clear plastic muzzles meant for the criminally insane.  But, aside from that gimmick, we’re not really working with very much new material.  So, I won’t tell you to go out of your way to track this one down.  But, as I know with my own experience, a zombie fan is a zombie fan.  And, if you’re one of those, you’ll probably find an excuse to watch this movie anyway.  So, go ahead and knock yourself out.  It won’t be the best zombie movie you’ve seen, but it won’t be the worst either.

Jackie - Strange Creature

Movie: Jackie

My Rating: 3 stars

I wasn’t really expecting to like this movie very much.  And, I suppose in a sense, I didn’t.  But, I didn’t dislike it as much as I was expecting.  This movie doesn’t have much of a story.  It’s about Jackie Kennedy, and the state of mind she was in in the hours and days after the assassination of her husband.  So, I suppose it wasn’t really meant to be a narrative, but more of a representation of a waking nightmare.  And, in that sense, the storytelling is a success.  But, what I found most interesting about this movie was Nathalie Portman’s acting.

I’ve always found Nathalie Portman to be a very “specific” actor.  (In the same way that Nicole Kidman is).  When actors like this are miscast, the result is a stale, bloodless movie.  But, if you manage to catch them in the narrow band in which they excel, you have a phenomenal performance on your hands.  And, I think Nathalie Portman does excel at portraying dark, anxious, or self-inhibited characters.  Her portrayal of the exquisitely mannered, painfully affected grace of Jackie Kennedy is an absolute success.  I’m not saying that Portman’s personality reflects the same qualities as this over-polished and prim woman.  It’s just that her acting skills are perfectly suited to portraying them.

As I mentioned already, there isn’t really much to this movie.  But, it’s an excellent character study.  I’m not actually very familiar with Jackie Kennedy’s persona.  I’m not from the generation that really followed her pursuits.  But, I think most people probably have some idea about her public image.  It all seemed very coached—always giving the appropriate responses, wearing just the right things, speaking in that grand transatlantic accent.  None of it seems very natural.  But, maybe when you come from the fancy New England background that she did, you’re groomed to be something of a public figure.  I actually have no idea.  It’s an existence that’s utterly foreign to me.  And, I suppose that’s where my interest in this movie comes from.  It’s like watching zoo animals.

I think I would recommend this movie to people.  It’s a bit strange, and not what I initially expected.  But, I think it does some really interesting stuff.  However, I wouldn’t go into the experience expecting too much.

The Belko Experiment - Yet Another Workplace Battle Royale

Movie: The Belko Experiment

My Rating: 3 stars

I tend to watch a lot of this kind of movie—stories about office workers losing their minds and going full Battle Royale (with a dark sense of humor).  I’m pretty much a guaranteed audience for anyone who wants to make a movie like this.  I’m not quite sure why they appeal to me so much.  Perhaps I’ve worked a few too many soulless cubicle jobs in my time.  Or maybe it’s my morbid sense of humor.  But, there’s something about that kind of anarchy—of social rules changing on a dime—that I find really fascinating. 

This movie doesn’t differ too much from others in the genre.  Workers in a typical (if mysterious), white collar business find themselves trapped inside the building one day after a dramatic lockdown.  A voice over the loudspeaker informs them that they must kill one another, and that they have a limited amount of time to do so, so they’d better get a move on.  Naturally there is some amount of disbelief at first, but then the mysterious disembodied voice starts to take people out himself just to show them how serious things are.  And of course, this is when the true chaos of the movie begins.

There’s a certain point in all these stories when the characters turn from being good little rule followers to viscous killing machines.  And of course, the characters who make this switch sooner have a better likelihood of survival.  That is, unless no one else turns maniac, and then that first person is ruled a murderer.  That’s always the risk.  People feel uncomfortable turning killer first.  But if they don’t, they run the risk of falling prey to the person who does.  I suppose my strategy would be to hide long enough to see how things are playing out, and then throw my hat into the ring.

This movie isn’t anything great or special.  It’s not particularly new or imaginative.  There aren’t any real twists.  But, it’s a moderately exciting romp nevertheless (if you’re into that kind of thing).  It is quite violent and bloody, so the movie isn’t for the weak of stomach.  But, I think the script does capture a pretty realistic sense of anarchy, which is interesting from a psychological point of view.  I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to see this movie, so I’m not exactly recommending it to you.  But if you come across the film, and you’re hard up for entertainment, this isn’t a bad option. 

Murder on the Orient Express (2017) - A Worthwhile Remake

Movie: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

My Rating: 4 stars

I enjoy a good costume drama.  And, murder mysteries are fun too.  So, I was plenty happy to go see this movie in the theater, even though it was pretty clearly one of Kenneth Branagh’s many vanity projects. But, I won’t hold it against him.  I’d probably do the same thing if I had his reputation and resources.  I’d cast myself in so many classic roles—the crazier the costumes, the better.  And, I suppose this classic story was about due for a big, glossy remake. 

Fortunately, the filmmakers did a beautiful job with this project.  The sets and cinematography are gorgeous.  The costumes are very fun.  And, I’ve never wanted to eat tiny cakes off of fine china more than I did after watching this movie.  It almost makes travelling by train seem appealing.  My mom, after seeing this movie, even called up and volunteered that if I ever wanted to take her on a luxury train trip across Europe, she’d definitely be up for going.  But, then I remembered the grimy conditions of the first class sleeping cars I’ve traveled in during my time jaunting around Europe in college, which led me to rethink the whole ordeal.  I think the days of enjoying cut crystal glasses, gourmet chefs, and velvet cushions during rail travel are unfortunately over.

I’ve never actually seen the previous incarnations of this story on film.  There do seem to be quite a few.  But, I haven’t heard any Agatha Christie fans complaining about this version departing from the original story too much.  So, I’ll assume that this movie is a relatively faithful adaptation.  But even if it weren’t, I think it a successful revival of the old-timey murder mystery genre.  It retains the glamour of the era.  And, it includes some of the cheesy, improbable resolutions to the various mysteries raised.  I don’t think it would be very impressive as a new work of original fiction, but for a remake of a classic story, I find it very fun.

I’ll leave it up to you whether you should see this film or not.  I don’t think I’d say it’s a must-see for people who aren’t particularly interested in this genre.  But, if you have a soft spot in your heart for Agatha Christie and the crazy antics of Hercule Poirot, then you’ll probably get a kick out of this one.  Branagh is especially over the top in the role.  And as I mentioned before, the scenery and sets are absolutely stunning.  Because of that, I really enjoyed seeing this movie on the big screen.  But, I think you can probably gauge your own interested in this film better than I can.

Blade Runner 2049 - Stylish and Sad

Movie: Blade Runner 2049

My Rating: 4 stars

I saw this movie in the theater, and I’m glad I did.  The whole aesthetic and moodiness of the film really feels like something best enjoyed on the big screen.  It really is very stylized.  Some people might say that it’s a little too stylized for its own good.  But, I can go in for that kind of self-referential, nostalgic stuff when I’m in a generous mood.  And, I guess I must have been in one when I went to see this movie, because I was really quite taken with it.

This movie is, of course, a follow up to the 1982 film.  Although, I wasn’t quite sure which date to put because all of the different director’s cuts floating around out there.  (My favorite is the “Final Cut,” but writing 2007 didn’t feel right.) This story takes place in the same world and city as the original, but decades later.  And, there are tons of little references to the first film sprinkled throughout this one.  There’s no way I caught them all.  But, I enjoyed the movie well enough that I’d be willing to give it a few more views. 

In this story, we’re following around a newer generation of replicant, a purposely un-rebellious model, in the form of Ryan Gosling.  He knows he’s a replicant, and he’s supposedly fine with the fact that his job is hunting down older models who’ve tried to go off the grid.  He’s been programmed to be loyal.  But, the movie raises the question of just exactly what “programming” means—whether it’s actually something that’s been coded into his DNA, or whether it’s just something he’s been conditioned to believe.  There’s a fair amount of ambiguity.  This story is just as sad and desolate as the first one, if not more so.  I’d say, the whole thing is characterized by loneliness.  These movies really do capture the desperation and alienation created by an overpopulated, technologically advanced, super-metropolis of the future.  Everyone in the story seems overwhelmingly depressed.  And, I can’t imagine I would feel any different. 

I liked this movie, and I recommend it.  I loved the aesthetic the most—the sets, the clothes, the soundtrack, the haircuts.  I want all the outfits that Luv wore.  And, I think the casting was pretty good too.  I guess Ryan Gosling really does his best acting when he’s playing the silent, depressed type.  So, his role in the enterprise felt pretty natural.  And, of course Jared Leto is his best when he’s playing a loathsome megalomaniac, so that was perfect casting too.  This movie doesn’t feel exactly like the first one in tone.  This film is definitely a lot slicker, and I don’t think that’s entirely due to improved special effects.  But, I’m not one of those people that’s so bonkers for the original movie that I get mad at any changes or additions to the franchise.  I think there was definitely enough room in that universe for this story to be told too.  But, I’d be interested in hearing the opinion of someone who is a die-hard fan.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle - Even More Butt Jokes

Movie: Kingsman: The Golden Circle

My Rating: 3 stars

I like silly movies.  I like laughing like a fool over completely ridiculous, rude jokes.  And, so that’s why I like these Kingsman movies even though everyone else in the world seems to think they’re drivel.  People really didn’t like this latest installment.  But you know what?  I’m not too cool to admit that I loved laughing at all the rude jokes this movie served up.  Sometimes that’s just what you’re in the mood for—watching Elton John making a thinly-veiled butt sex joke.

This movie is a continuation of the spoof on the James Bond spy flicks.  The scenarios are outrageous, the gadgets are fantastic, no character stays dead for very long, and the clothes are to die for.  I’ve never wanted a bespoke suit more than I did while watching this film.  And, while the jokes are a bit more over the top than the humor in the original Bond movies, they do share a good amount of the same sort of camera winking.  The story picks up not too long after the first movie.  Life seems to be going well for our protagonist Eggsy.  He’s being a good spy, and he’s in a relationship with the Swedish princess he clicked with in the first movie.  But then, terrorists show up and try to ruin everything!  So naturally, this leads the British boys to look to their American counterparts—the Statesmen—for help.  And, these guys have the same number of snazzy gadgets, and specialty-wear as the Brits.  Although, theirs is more of a cowboy theme, while the English are playing gentlemen.  Let the craziness ensue!  Their exploits take them all over the globe, and they make sure to get there in style—even when they’re fighting a deranged drug lord in the mountains of Colombia.

This really is a silly, fluffy movie.  And, either you’re the kind of person who likes that or you’re not.  I’m not going to try to defend this movie to someone who didn’t like it.  But, I did.  And, it was especially fun to see this kind of outrageous, comedy-action flick on the big screen.  Rent it if you’re feeling up for a mindless but gratifying frolic and detour.  Just don’t expect it to be something it’s not.  Sure, there are plenty of sly nods to classic Bond films, but that’s about as deep as it goes.

The First Monday in May - Costume Crazy

Movie: The First Monday in May

My Rating: 4 stars

I like fashion documentaries.  Fashion designers are such ridiculous creatures.  They don’t talk or even think like humans.  They remind me of wood elves or sprites—scampering about with billowing sheets of sheer fabrics trailing behind them.  Just take a look at John Galliano.  He’s a magical man.  Plus, you’re all pretty much aware by now that I do a lot of things just so that I can interact with fun clothes.  I’m always looking for an excuse to don a costume.  And, I’ll watch movies I have only a passing interest in if it’ll mean getting a gander and some fabulous dresses (Marie Antoinette anyone?).  So, this documentary was great.  It’s about a few fashion experts, Andrew Bolton and Anna Wintour, digging through the archives at the Costume Institute at the New York Met, and fussing over which dresses are the most beautiful.

The documentary is really about the preparations for the 2015 Met Gala.  The theme of the exhibition that year was “China: Through the Looking Glass.”  So, we get to watch our fashion experts scouring the costume archives to find examples through history of how fashion designs were inspired by portrayals of China in Hollywood films.  It’s a great framing mechanism.  The theme is narrow enough to set our curators off in the right direction, but broad enough to really fill out a full show.  And, they really did come up with some stunning examples of historic couture.  The rest of the film is seeing out same experts freaking out about how this party they’re planning really isn’t coming together quite as quickly or cheaply as they’d hoped.  And, a minor meltdown always adds a bit of drama to a story.

Of course, you can’t mention that anything has been inspired by another nation without the cultural and political gatekeepers jumping in and telling us why we are bad for liking any kind of fusion of traditions.  And, right on cue, the critics show up and start in on their spiels.  But, I think they’re missing the point somewhat.  The show is about history, and celebrating beauty.  We can celebrate these fantastic creations, and acknowledge their place in history at the same time.  In fact, I think that acknowledging that place in history may even help people to understand what may be right or wrong about the way cultures have interacted in the past.  Ignoring sensitive subjects has never made them go away.  And suppressing art just to make a political point has never been the answer.  Plus, I think that cultural blending is what growing and learning is all about.  And, that’s about as political as I want to get today.  Because really, I just want to think about all that billowing fabric again.

I liked this documentary very much.  It had everything I was looking for from a fashion documentary.  It benefitted from being a sampler of sorts.  By focusing on a theme rather than one particular designer, it gives viewers a taste of many different ideas and aesthetics, and doesn’t get too bogged down in one specific artist’s personal issues.  And the arc of preparing for and putting on a big show creates natural drama.  This is the prefect thing to watch if you don’t really know what you’re in the mood for.