Month: September 2018

Today’s quick review: Gambit. To get revenge on his abusive boss (Alan Rickman), art curator Harry Deane (Colin Firth) hatches a plan to sell him a forged Monet for 12 million pounds. Harry recruits PJ Puznowski (Cameron Diaz), a blue collar woman from Texas, to pose as the long-lost painting’s owner. But the plan that seems so simple in Harry’s mind proves to be difficult to accomplish.

Gambit is a crime comedy written by the Coen Brothers. Gambit offers a caper plot, fine comedic performances, and a consistently light tone. The movie follows Harry’s increasingly desperate attempts to stick to the plan in spite of a series of unforeseen obstacles. However, Gambit lacks the substance needed to be more than a popcorn watch.

Gambit is limited in what it tries to achieve. The movie barely reaches an hour and a half, and it is missing the elaborate plot work the Coen Brothers are known for. The jokes are more amusing than funny, the characters are good but not great, and the con itself is fairly simple. But within these constraints, Gambit manages to be an enjoyable diversion for the right kind of viewer.

Give Gambit a shot when you are in the mood for a light crime comedy. Those who are looking for uproarious humor or an intricate plot will be disappointed; those looking for a bit of harmless entertainment will have a good time. For a whodunit of similar merits, check out Flypaper. For another light heist film, check out Going in Style. For a quirkier Coen Brothers comedy, check out O Brother, Where Art Thou?.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for charming characters and light comedy.

Today’s quick review: Kingsman: The Golden Circle. After a devastating attack on Kingsman, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) seek the help of Statesman, their American sister organization. Aided by Agent Whiskey (Pedro Pascal), the spies race to discover the location of Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), an eccentric drug kingpin who has infected the world’s drug users with a deadly virus.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is a spy action comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn. The Golden Circle continues the Kingsman tradition of inventive violence, spy-genre style, and tongue-in-cheek humor. The gentlemanly Kingsman agents are joined by their rowdier, cowboy-themed American cousins. The impressive cast includes Colin Firth, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, and Jeff Bridges.

Like its predecessor, The Golden Circle’s main draw is its action. The action scenes are expertly choreographed, fast-paced, and often brutal. Unlike the spy movies it draws inspiration from, The Golden Circle does not shy away from violence. Coupled with occasional coarseness, this gives the movie a particular tone that may not appeal to all viewers. Sensitive viewers may want to steer clear.

For the most part, The Golden Circle maintains the quality of the first film. The action is as sharp as ever, Statesman is a fun and welcome addition to the canon, and the movie has the same mischievous twinkle in its eye. But The Golden Circle is missing the careful world-building of the original. The destruction of Kingsman and rapid introduction to Statesman lack the emotional depth of Eggsy’s training and first mission.

The Golden Circle also dips more heavily into science fiction than its predecessor. Poppy Adams has outfitted her drug operation with cybernetic limbs, robotic guard dogs, and drones, while Statesman introduces new gadgets like electric lassos, microscopic trackers, and advanced first aid technology. Nearly every addition to the universe is an enjoyable one, but they are a step beyond the already implausible spy gadgets of the first film.

Watch Kingsman: The Golden Circle if you are in the mood for a high-quality action movie that is unabashedly fun. Its more mature content is not for everyone and its virtues will mainly appeal to action fans, but The Golden Circle is a strong choice for anyone interested by it. Newcomers to the series should start with Kingsman: The Secret Service for a proper, chronological introduction to the universe.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for fun, stylish action.

Today’s quick review: I.T. Mike Regan (Pierce Brosnan), an avionics CEO on the verge of taking his company public, has his life turned upside down when Ed Porter (James Frecheville), an IT specialist for his company, takes an unhealthy interest in Mike and his family. Ed uses his technical prowess to torment the Regans, driving Mike to desperate measures to stop him.

I.T. is a suspense movie that pits a desperate businessman against a tech-savvy stalker. The movie taps into fears about privacy, the ubiquity of technology, and what happens when that power falls into the wrong hands. However, the movie’s unlikable characters and poor plot mechanics keep it from making anything of these themes. I.T.’s highlights are a decent performance from Pierce Brosnan and a disturbing tone, with little substance to back them up.

I.T.’s core problem is its lack of interaction. Ed has the ability to spy on the Regans, forge medical records, and control their home remotely. Mike can do nothing to stop him. The movie gets some mileage out of Ed’s unsettling behavior and Mike’s impotent threats, but I.T. simply does not have the back-and-forth it needs to hook the viewer’s interest.

I.T. shows enough competence that the right viewer might get something out of it, but most people would be better off looking for a proper suspense movie or thriller. Give it a shot only if you are intrigued by stalking or social awkwardness and have lax standards when it comes to plot. For a suspenseful crime drama about stalking gone wrong, check out Following.

5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a decent premise and uncompelling drama.

Today’s quick review: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Years after their childhood encounter with a witch, twins Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become famed witch hunters. While investigating a rash of kidnappings in a small town, Hansel and Gretel uncover a massive gathering of witches preparing for a ritual that could make them invincible.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is a fantasy action horror movie loosely based on the classic fairy tale. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters recasts the twins as action heroes armed with an array of high-tech gadgets and weaponry. The movie delivers gory action and high-flying stunts with a tongue-in-cheek modern attitude. The plot, dialogue, and characters can all be summed up the same way: simple but entertaining.

Hansel & Gretel has a sense of ridiculousness that will endear it to certain action fans. Between the improbable gadgets, the overblown witch makeup, and the historical inaccuracy, Hansel & Gretel sacrifices almost all of its dramatic credibility in favor of schlocky fun. The tradeoff is a welcome one for fans of gory kills and over-the-top action, but anyone looking for a serious movie will be badly disappointed.

The movie’s action is surprisingly entertaining. The witches are fast-moving, spell-hurling, and superhumanly strong monsters. The twins work well as a team, trading off attacks to keep their quarry from escaping. The fights are fast-paced and destructive, with a nice sense of overkill. The icing on the cake is the movie’s pro wrestling influences, from Hansel and Gretel functioning as a tag team to Hansel suplexing a witch.

Watch Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters if you are any sort of fan of the silly, violent side of the action genre. Stay far away if you are looking for a serious or realistic movie, or if you are sensitive to gore. For a similarly inventive action movie with gothic horror source material, check out Van Helsing. For darker, more disturbing fairy tale horror, check out The Brothers Grimm.

6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for fun, schlocky action.

Today’s quick review: The Call Up. Seven gamers are chosen to test a state-of-the-art augmented reality system for a mysterious company. Equipped with haptic feedback suits and AR visors, the players enter a simulation that transforms an abandoned office building into a lifelike military shooter. But as the game goes on, the players realize that they are playing for their lives.

The Call Up is a science fiction action movie that blurs the line between game and reality. The Call Up features decent visual effects, a promising premise, and a steady stream of low-grade action. However, its dull characters and lackluster writing keep it from making anything too impressive of itself. The movie manages to deliver some cheap thrills in a competent manner, but does little more.

For a short movie, The Call Up takes a long time to develop. The game is introduced right away, but the players spend more time talking about it than playing it. The movie only addresses its central mystery near the very end, and while the explanation is interesting enough, there is not much substance to it. The AR effects are fairly stylish, but the game world is a generic military shooter with almost no character of its own.

The Call Up’s characters are not too bad but are not used to their fullest. The players fill the typical roles in the death game genre, and their varying reactions to the situation around them are the movie’s bread and butter. But as real people, the characters are lacking. Total anonymity would have fit the premise just fine, but instead the movie opts for token amounts of backstory that are never properly developed.

Give The Call Up a shot if you are looking for a quick, mediocre entry into the death game genre. Though the movie gets a few things right, it is outclassed by its competitors. Most viewers would be better off looking elsewhere. For a darker, more brutal, and better-executed take on a similar concept, check out Gantz: O. For a mysterious thriller with a better plot and less violence, check out Exam.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a decent premise marred by limited vision and poor writing.

Today’s quick review: Blue Streak. After a heist goes bad, Miles Logan (Martin Lawrence) hides a stolen diamond in a construction site before he is arrested. Two years later, Miles returns to the construction site to retrieve the diamond only to find that the site has become the LAPD’s newest police station. To get his diamond back, Miles must go undercover as a police detective and keep up the charade long enough to find the missing jewel.

Blue Streak is a crime comedy about a jewel thief forced to pose as a cop. Martin Lawrence makes for an entertaining lead as Miles, an unlucky but resourceful criminal who gets drawn deeper and deeper into his fake career as a detective. Luke Wilson plays Carlson, Miles’ mild-mannered partner on the force, while Dave Chappelle plays Tulley, Miles’ dimwitted accomplice from the diamond job.

Blue Streak gets most of its comedy from Miles’ increasingly outlandish efforts to keep his ruse going. Between his quick thinking, his criminal background, and his flagrant disregard for the law, Miles proves to be an effective police officer, earning him attention that hinders his efforts to locate the gem. None of the humor is phenomenal, but Miles makes for a likable protagonist and Blue Streak delivers a steady stream of amusement.

The movie’s biggest missed opportunity is its failure to build on Miles’ police career. Miles gets dragged into a series of escalating incidents, but they are mostly unrelated to each other. His relationship with Carlson is entertaining but does not get the chance to progress very far. The movie misses its chance to go farther with its story, either with a more involved police plot or a more satisfying emotional arc.

Watch Blue Streak if you are in the mood for a dose of easy comedy. Blue Streak does not have the sharp writing needed to be memorable, but it makes for fun popcorn nonetheless. Skip it if you are looking for a riotous comedy or a well-plotted crime story. For a more adventurous cop comedy, check out Beverly Hills Cop.

6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for decent comedy and a good premise.

Today’s quick review: The Court Jester. In an England ruled by an usurper king, the Black Fox and his band of rebels seek to restore the infant royal heir to the throne. To gain access to the castle, Hawkins (Danny Kaye), an entertainer in the Fox’s band, assumes the identity of Giacomo, the king’s new jester. But as soon as he reaches the castle, he becomes tangled in a web of chivalry, political intrigue, and romance.

The Court Jester is a musical comedy set in medieval England. The Court Jester features charming music, a witty script, a touch of swashbuckling, and an outstanding performance from Danny Kaye. The cast includes Basil Rathbone as Sir Ravenhurst, the king’s right-hand man; Glynis Johns as Jean, Hawkins’ ally and love interest; and Angela Lansbury as Princess Gwendolyn, who sees Giacomo as a way out of her arranged marriage.

The Court Jester delivers comedy in the classical style. The movie slips expertly between wordplay, swordplay, singing, dancing, and slapstick. Danny Kaye is in fine form, adroitly portraying the many layers of Hawkins’ character. The plot is chaotic in clever ways and does an excellent job of toying with its characters’ plans. The movie is tied together by an enjoyable suite of songs that run gamut from lullaby to tongue-twister.

The Court Jester relies heavily on classic comedic devices like coincidence, mistaken identity, and hypnotism. The film puts these devices to great use, but they are still contrivances. The Court Jester also tends to abandon its jokes rather than resolve them properly. No good gag is shortchanged this way, but a new bit will often take an old one’s place without a send-off. These flaws are minor, but they make The Court Jester best for a specific taste.

Give The Court Jester a shot if you are a fan of classic musicals. Its sharp writing, light tone, and great performances make The Court Jester a hidden gem for fans of the genre. Those looking for drama or a modern-style comedy should look elsewhere. For another, more sentimental Danny Kaye classic, check out White Christmas. For a raunchier musical with a similarly breezy tone, check out A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for being a delightful, endearing musical.

Today’s quick review: Money. Mark (Kellan Lutz) and Sylvia (Jess Weixler), a wealthy young couple, invite Mark’s hotheaded friend Sean (Jesse Williams) and his girlfriend Christina (Lucia Guerrero) over for dinner. Unknown to the women, Mark and Sean have just brought home $5 million in cash from selling corporate secrets. But when John (Jamie Bamber), a dangerous thief, crashes the party in search of the money, the night devolves into a hostage situation.

Money is a minimalistic crime drama centered around a high-stakes home invasion. Money aims to be a tense, cerebral thriller that makes good use of its small cast and unpredictable plot. However, the movie’s abrasive characters and mediocre writing keep it from living up to this ideal. Though its basic story is fine and its execution is decent, Money delivers little that’s new or exciting.

Money relies heavily on its characters. The characters are deliberately flawed, but Money goes a step too far and skimps on their redeeming qualities. Poor decisions, infighting, and petty social quarrels all make it difficult to root for any of the characters. The plot suffers from similar missteps, with limp plot twists, arbitrary reversals, and a failure to capitalize on what should be the movie’s best moments.

Money gets enough right to be a decent pick for those with a hankering for tension. But its flaws are pronounced enough that most viewers would be better off skipping it. For a stranger but more interesting minimalistic cat-and-mouse game, check out Sleuth. For a black comedy hostage situation, check out Suicide Kings. For a darker, tenser crime drama, check out Reservoir Dogs.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a decent premise and mediocre execution.

Today’s quick review: Limitless. Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper), a struggling writer, turns his life around when an old friend introduces him to NZT-48, a miracle drug that unlocks the mind’s full potential. He uses his newfound brilliance to make a fortune in finance, but his meteoric rise earns him powerful new enemies. Even more troubling are the drug’s side effects: headaches, blackouts, and the threat of a lifetime addiction.

Limitless is a science fiction thriller that explores the upper limits of human potential. Limitless boasts a strong script, capable dramatic acting, and polished presentation. The movie keeps busy with several interesting subplots, including Eddie’s relationship with his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish), his attempts to impress finance legend Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), and his investigation into NZT-48’s origins.

In spite of his intelligence, Eddie is more of an addict than a mastermind. Every now and then, the story flirts with cat-and-mouse games, but Eddie tends to react more than he plans ahead. The serious tone of the movie, the mysteries surrounding the drug, and the drastic changes to Eddie’s life all push Limitless in the direction of a dramatic thriller rather than a cerebral tale of machiavellian ambition.

Limitless is a potent power trip wrapped around an interesting story. The movie misses the chance to indulge in NZT-fueled battles of wits, and its themes of drug addiction may not appeal to everyone, but competent execution and an original premise make Limitless well worth a watch. Skip it if you are looking for a power fantasy with a lighter tone. Check out Layer Cake for a more mundane crime drama with similar themes.

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

Today’s quick review: Ares. In a dystopian Paris run by pharmaceutical corporations, Ares (Ola Rapace), a washed-up pit fighter, receives a second chance at success when Donevia, a company known for its lethal human testing, approaches him with a new performance-enhancing drug. With his sister in jail and two nieces to support, Ares has no choice but to accept the risky treatment.

Ares is a French dystopian science fiction movie set in a future where anything can be bought and sold. Ares features a bleak tone, a short but tidy story, and a few brutal fight scenes. The movie is an odd blend of sports comeback and dystopian drama, although it is missing the triumphant tone of the former and the rebellious spirit of the latter. In spite of its competent execution, Ares lacks the extra punch needed to be exciting or memorable.

Ares shows more thought than the typical movie of its caliber. The world it presents is disturbingly close to reality, separated from the present only by economic collapse and looser regulation of drugs and human testing. The characters are not brilliant, but they are resourceful and avoid making any obvious errors. Ares himself is an interesting figure, neither a blind idealist nor a pure mercenary in a world that wants him to pick a side.

Give Ares a shot if you are in the mood for a short, serious peek at one possible future. Ares’ dark subject matter and limited plot make it an unexceptional watch, but the movie shows enough quality to be a worthwhile pick for the curious. Skip it if you are looking for unfettered action or successful drama. For a more elaborate dystopian drama with better writing, check out Children of Men.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a good setting and decent execution.