Month: March 2018

Today’s quick review: Frequency. When freak solar activity lets John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) talk to his father Frank (Dennis Quaid) thirty years in the past over ham radio, John takes the opportunity to warn his father about a pending accident that would have claimed his life. But the change in the timeline exacerbates a string of serial murders in John’s time, and the two must track down the killer to set things right.

Frequency is a science fiction thriller about a father and son communicating through time to solve a mystery. Blending a touching father-son story, the mystery of a crime thriller, and sci-fi plot logic, Frequency is a competently executed film with an unusual premise. Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel make for reasonably solid leads, good men thrust into an unusual situation and given a chance to make things right.

Frequency makes decent use of its premise. The film has a realistic build-up to Frank and John’s cooperation, and the tests they use to figure out what’s happening are plausible and clever. The film also indulges in several creative uses of the timeline alteration rules, giving Frank and John a leg up on the otherwise difficult problem of fixing the timeline. The rules themselves are acceptable, not logically perfect but intuitive and reasonably consistent.

Beyond these aspects, Frequency does pretty well with its writing, acting, and core mystery. Nothing stands out, but the film has competent direction and no real misses, so it is able to make good on its premise. The film’s tender moments are handled quite well, and the tone walks a well-chosen line between sentimental and tense.

Watch Frequency when you are in the mood for a time travel-esque thriller with decent execution and sentimental themes. Though not an outstanding movie, Frequency is a good one, and it is worth a watch for those who like a bit of sci-fi mixed in with their stories. For a time travel movie with a darker twist, check out Looper.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid execution on a fairly interesting premise.

Today’s quick review: Source Code. Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal), a soldier recently deployed to Afghanistan, wakes up on a Chicago-bound train in the body of a stranger with no knowledge of how he got there. Shortly afterward, the train explodes, killing everyone on it. Back in his own body, Colter is given his orders: to relive the last 8 minutes of the stranger’s life over and over again until he can catch the culprit responsible for the bombing.

Source Code is a science fiction thriller with a minimalistic premise and solid writing. The mystery unfolds over several iterations of the same events as Colter pieces together the clues to the bomber’s identity. At the same time, he gathers information on his own circumstances, piecing together how he was given his mission and testing the boundaries of his 8-minute universe.

Source Code’s main draw is its skillful writing. The mystery unfolds well, with a steady drip of new information to keep the viewer hooked. The answers the movie gives are not perfect, but they are always interesting, and the writing has a clear endgame in mind. The strength of the plot is backed up by interesting clues, an impressive ending, and good performances all around.

Watch Source Code when you are looking for a better-than-average thriller with a sci-fi twist. Source Code takes mundane elements and mixes them with an unusual premise to form a surprisingly good thriller. The film is not without its quirks, from its short run time to one or two odd explanations, but its good core concept and high execution quality are enough to see it through. For a thriller with a similar sci-fi premise, check out Deja Vu.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a creative premise and solid execution.

Today’s quick review: Robot & Frank. Frank (Frank Langella) is a retired burglar beginning to struggle with senility. When his son Hunter (James Marsden) buys him a robot (Peter Sarsgaard) to help him in his daily life and to keep his mind sharp, Frank is opposed. But his relationship with the robot turns around when he discovers he can teach it to steal, and he finds new purpose in life planning adn executing heists around his community with his new companion.

Robot & Frank is a heartfelt science fiction comedy about the potential impact of artificial intelligence in daily life. Robot & Frank takes place in a near future where a quiet technological revolution has taken place. AI has advanced to the point where intelligent robotic companions are commonplace. The movie follows an aging man’s battle with senility and the effect of his new robot on his health and outlook.

Robot & Frank offers a blend of personal comedy, low-stakes burglary, and down-to-earth sci-fi speculation. Smart writing and solid acting make each of these elements fairly successful, from Frank’s bickering with the robot to the subtler effects on his personality and mental state. The humor is subdued and lifelike, with the occasional joke that captures something essential about AI, humans, or both.

The vision of the future in Robot & Frank is remarkably plausible. The nature and applications of AI technology are realistic, albeit several technological leaps away, and the issues raised are ones that are likely to come up at some point in reality. Beyond its speculative value, Robot & Frank is a touching movie with rich characters and a fair amount of insight into the human condition.

However, the nature of the film makes it somewhat hit-or-miss. The humor is fairly tame. The characters are prickly enough that they are not entirely sympathetic. The sci-fi elements are well-grounded but not all that exciting, more an intellectual and emotional exercise than anything. Moreover, Robot & Frank deals with the weighty themes of aging and memory loss, undercutting the comedy and making the film poor fodder for escapism.

Watch Robot & Frank if you are interested in a fairly realistic take on the future of AI. Certain viewers will find it a thoughtful and enlightening watch, particularly those who enjoy grounded, character-based stories. Those looking for much in the way of plot or overt comedy should look elsewhere. For a psychological mystery with similar AI components, check out Moon.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid execution of a plausible, if mundane, premise.

Today’s quick review: Spaceballs. When Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) leads an army of menacing Spaceball troops to kidnap Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga), Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his sidekick Barf (John Candy) set out to rescue her, claim the reward, and pay off their debt to Pizza the Hutt (Dom DeLuise). Their allies include Dot Matrix (Joan Rivers), Vespa’s robot assistant, Yogurt (Mel Brooks), a mystical mentor, and the Spaceballs’ own incompetence.

Spaceballs is a science fiction comedy from director Mel Brooks that parodies Star Wars and other sci-fi classics. Spaceballs is a comedy through and through, with only a token plot and gag characters. Drawing from Star Wars and Mel Brooks’ own imagination, the spoof has plenty of material to work with, and it is bolstered by memorable performances from Rick Moranis, John Candy, and Mel Brooks.

Spaceballs is one of the goofier incarnations of Mel Brooks’ signature sense of humor, with sight gags, meta humor, and a dash of slapstick. The parody skewers Star Wars at every opportunity, from its suspiciously similar characters to the franchise’s penchant for merchandising. Many of the jokes are too blatant to be really funny, but the more pointed jabs really hit their mark, as do the more elaborate comedic sequences.

Watch Spaceballs if you are a Mel Brooks fan or are looking for a more comedic take on the sci-fi genre. The humor can be hit-or-miss, but Spaceballs has enough going on to be worth checking out. Skip it if you’ve found you don’t like Mel Brooks or you weren’t that interested in Star Wars.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a few great jokes mixed in with a fair number of weak ones; the ratio and your score will change according to your sense of humor.

Today’s quick review: Treasure Planet. When Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a restless young man with dreams of adventure, chances upon a map to the fabled Treasure Planet, home to Captain Flint’s pirate treasure, his friend Doctor Doppler (David Hyde Pierce) hires Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and a crew of sailors to find the treasure. But Long John Silver (Brian Murray), the ship’s cook, has plans for the treasure himself.

Treasure Planet is an animated science fiction adventure from Disney. Based on the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Planet offers a sci-fi twist on the classic pirate story. Treasure Planet has a colorful setting to go with its unique premise, as well as decent production values, the various comedic trappings of a Disney family film, and a combination of traditional and CGI animation to bring its sci-fi world to life.

Treasure Planet is packed with imaginative but implausible science fiction. The sci-fi setting is just a thin but stylish veneer over the original Age of Exploration setting: classically-designed ship cruise the Ethereum on solar sails, journeying from planet to planet and braving the dangers of space. The sci-fi elements have little in the way of speculative value or depth, but they do make for a gorgeous and creative backdrop for the story.

How much you enjoy Treasure Planet will depend heavily on how much you like its art style. The art is not Disney’s best work, with peculiar faces and weak alien designs, but the space visuals are suitably impressive and the action is strong. Beyond its art, Treasure Planet has serviceable writing, mixed comedic elements, and just enough plot to complete its character arcs, without stopping for much world-building along the way.

These factors combine to make Treasure Planet a decent, family-oriented watch that falls a little short of its potential. If the art style happens to catch you the right way, Treasure Planet can be a unique, enjoyable experience. But temper your expectations accordingly: the film’s creative sci-fi setting is only a backdrop, not the full-fledged world it might have been. For a more comedy-oriented adaptation of Treasure Island, check out Muppet Treasure Island.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an imaginative science fiction setting and otherwise decent execution.

Today’s quick review: Cutthroat Island. After her father is killed by his brother Dawg (Frank Langella), the infamous pirate Morgan Adams (Geena Davis) sets out to collect the three pieces of her father’s treasure map. To read the map, she’ll need the help of William Shaw (Matthew Modine), a charming thief. But with both Dawg and the army hot on her heels, Morgan will have her work cut out for her making it to Cutthroat Island and its fortune in Spanish gold.

Cutthroat Island is a pirate adventure movie set in colonial Jamaica in 1688. Featuring a decent plot, a good amount of action, and an involved soundtrack, Cutthroat Island nonetheless falls short of its potential. The movie has its sights set in the right place, but rather than the dashing adventure it was meant to be, it only manages to be a bland, passable pirate tale without much to set it apart.

Cutthroat Island suffers from minor but pervasive problems with its execution. The dialogue is mediocre at best, a product of poor writing and flat delivery. There is little that is outright cringeworthy, but there are enough weak lines that any immersion is quickly broken. Though plentiful and exciting, its action comes across as clumsy in key places, particularly when main characters are involved.

Neither Geena Davis nor Matthew Modine are charismatic enough to pull off their swashbuckling roles with sincerity. Their performances never quite click, and what should be two strong leads to tie the movie together are simply subpar. The rest of the cast has similar problems, never quite achieving the seamless performances necessary for fiction. None of the film’s problems are glaring, but taken together, they hamper what could have been a fun popcorn adventure.

Watch Cutthroat Island only if you are looking for a pirate film and are willing to brave mediocre writing and acting to get one. Between its plot and its action, Cutthroat Island has enough going on to be watchable, but it is badly outclassed by other, similar movies. For a much more polished pirate movie with a fantasy twist, check out Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For a comedy adventure with romantic elements, check out The Princess Bride.

5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for decent adventure components held back by poor execution.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. When his old enemy Salazar (Javier Bardem) escapes his prison with his ghostly crew, a washed-up Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) must locate Poseidon’s Trident to defeat him. Joining in his endeavor are Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who seeks the Trident to break his father’s curse, and Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), an astronomer with a map to the Trident left to her by her father.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is a fantasy action adventure movie and the fifth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Set five years after On Stranger Tides and nearly two decades after At World’s End, Dead Men Tell No Tales finds Jack Sparrow on a Caribbean island with no ship, no crew, and only a slim hope of surviving Salazar’s revenge: a mythical trident that cannot be found.

Dead Men Tell No Tales continues the usual Pirates of the Caribbean blend of off-kilter humor, pirate fantasy-driven plot, and inventive action sequences. The movie picks up plot threads from the third and fourth films and sees the return of several familiar faces. At the same time, the film throws plenty of new elements into the mix, including the Trident, bits of Jack’s past, and two young, new protagonists.

As far as quality goes, Dead Men Tell No Tales is solid but not outstanding. The film’s creative pirate fantasy and unique sense of daring are something that only the Pirates of the Caribbean series can provide, and for spectacle and entertainment alone, it is a good watch. But the writing is not as sharp as previous entries in the series, the new elements feel like remixes of old concepts, and the plot is not as elaborate as it could have been.

Still, Dead Men Tell No Tales makes for an entertaining watch that advances the series’ canon. Watch Dead Men Tell No Tales if you enjoyed the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies and are in the mood for a well-polished adventure. Though a few weaknesses keep it from joining the ranks of the best movies in the series, Dead Men Tell No Tales has enough quality and novelty to be worth checking out.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for great action, good humor, and decent writing.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. After a short adventure in England, Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself aboard Captain Blackbeard’s (Ian McShane) ship, bound for the mythical Fountain of Youth. The only friendly face in sight is Angelica (Penelope Cruz), an old flame with a grudge. But Blackbeard is not the only one seeking the Fountain, and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), now a British privateer, is not far behind.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a fantasy action adventure movie and the fourth entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Continuing the series’ tradition of colorful characters and piratical legends, On Stranger Tides tells a self-contained story involving mermaids, magic, and the Fountain of Youth once sought by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.

On Stranger Tides marks a return to roots for the Pirates of the Caribbean series. With few ties to the previous trilogy, On Stranger Tides tells a self-contained story of its own. The stakes are scaled back to a more manageable level, the series’ humor returns to the fore, and Jack Sparrow becomes a more likable protagonist. These changes help On Stranger Tides stand on its own and make it a suitable jumping-on point for new viewers.

On Stranger Tides has a few weaknesses compared to its predecessors, but its strengths are enough to make it a very solid watch. It lacks the sheer spectacle of the second and third films, but makes up for it with good action of its own and a somewhat more coherent plot. It does not have quite as strong a story as the first film, but the story it tells still feels fresh and worthwhile. In general, On Strange Tides has strong but not iconic execution.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides when you are in the mood for a pirate adventure with comedy, action, and a dose of fantasy. Though it has a different flavor than the first three films, On Stranger Tides makes good on the promise of the series and has good entertainment value. Those who were heavily invested in the original trilogy may want to leave it be, as the changes between the fillms can be disorienting.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid action and comedy.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. With the reluctant aid of the Flying Dutchman and Captain Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) has all but cleared the seas of pirates. To stop him, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and William Turner (Orlando Bloom) lead a desperate voyage to the end of the world to rescue Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and assemble the Brethren Court.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is a fantasy action adventure movie and the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The conclusion of the original trilogy, At World’s End ties off the plot threads begun in Dead Man’s Chest and wraps up William and Elizabeth’s story arc. The third movie features higher stakes, a more serious tone, and farther-afield fantasy, as well as many of the series’ most colorful characters.

At World’s End is a step down from the first two films in terms of tone and plot. The higher stakes befit the end of the trilogy, but they sap the movie of some of its humor, rendering it dramatic and occasionally absurd, but rarely charming. The new fantasy elements are abstract, bordering on the surreal, while the plot has enough twists and double crosses that it can be very difficult to follow.

For all of these faults, At World’s End still has most of the polish of the earlier films. The cast is as strong as ever, albeit thrust into a more perilous situation than usual. Hans Zimmer returns to compose the film’s excellent soundtrack, while the series retains its impressive visual effects and sense of excess. At World’s End also makes a few worthy additions to the canon, such as the fractious pirates’ one governing body: the Brethren Court.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End if you enjoyed the first two films and are interested in seeing how the trilogy ends. Though it does not live up to the standards of the first two films, At World’s End remains a solid watch with strong action and an interesting setting. For those who aren’t interested in the plot, On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the series, has few ties to the other three and can be watched without seeing the third.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good action and solid overall quality, but with a weaker plot and a more serious tone than its predecessors.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. When Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) comes to collect Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) debt, Jack seeks out the legendary captain’s heart to use as leverage. Caught up in his quest are his old associates William Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), strongarmed into looking for Jack by Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) of the East India Trading Company.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is a pirate-based fantasy action adventure movie and the second entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Featuring sharp comedy, a colorful world based on pirate lore, and an elaborate plot that pits self-interest against self-interest, Dead Man’s Chest continues the franchise’s tradition of quality. The sequel takes more risks than its predecessor, resulting in a more dynamic but stranger experience.

Dead Man’s Chest has much the same formula as the first film. The complicated plot revolves around Davy Jones’ heart rather than The Black Pearl’s curse. The movie embraces its fantasy elements more, leading to more impressive but less realistic scenarios. The humor takes on a self-aware aspect, with frequent callbacks and self-deprecation. Hans Zimmer expands upon Klaus Badelt’s impressive soundtrack from the first film, adding powerful new tracks for Davy Jones.

Where Dead Man’s Chest really ups the ante is its action sequences. The inventive action of the first film breaks out into full-blown chaos in the second, with elaborate choreography, improbable stunts, and massive set pieces. Interspersed with all the sword fighting, chases, and ship-to-ship combat are expertly-timed comedic beats and a hefty dose of slapstick, yielding action that is as exhilirating as it is entertaining.

Dead Man’s Chest also continues the stories of Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and William Turner. William and Elizabeth are drawn deeper into the pirate’s life to rid themselves of the power-hungry Beckett, while Jack must sink to new depths to shirk his debt to Davy Jones. The acting continues to be solid, while the tone veers a touch darker as the trio of leads are forced into morally ambiguous situations.

The second film makes a few tradeoffs compared to the first. Where The Curse of the Black Pearl was a self-contained, relatively grounded pirate story with a dash of fantasy, Dead Man’s Chest throws itself into fantasy, comedy, and adventure, providing bigger spectacle at the cost of familiarity and realism. Dead Man’s Chest also leaves several important plot threads dangling, leading directly into its sequel rather than wrapping up neatly.

The result is a strong but imperfect sequel. Dead Man’s Chest is well worth checking out if you enjoyed the first film. Its plot, action, comedy, and all-around quality are enough to guarantee a good time. But don’t expect quite as tidy a package as The Curse of the Black Pearl, and be prepared to dive into the third movie if you want to see how the story ends.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for entertaining action and comedy hurt somewhat by its excesses.