Month: January 2019

Today’s quick review: Snakes on a Plane. FBI agent Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) must escort Sean Jones (Nathan Phillips), the witness to a mob murder, from Hawaii to Los Angeles so he can testify. But their flight becomes a fight for survival when the plane is flooded with hundreds of deadly snakes, smuggled aboard to kill Sean. The survivors turn every item at their disposal into weapons to beat back the snakes.

Snakes on a Plane is an action thriller with a straightforward premise. The film promises action, excess, and a slew of exotic kills. However, its thin cast and mediocre execution cause it to fall somewhat flat. Samuel L. Jackson is the film’s only real draw; the supporting cast, script, and snake CGI all feel like they belong to a film with a much lower budget. The result is a passable but unexceptional watch that falls short of its potential.

Snakes on a Plane’s main problem is that it never really achieves the attitude it aims for. Snakes on a Plane wants to be an over-the-top movie with a defiant attitude, one that embraces the absurdity of its premise and pushes it even farther. But that vision shows through only rarely. Instead, the movie plays out like a conventional disaster film, distinguished from countless others only by the specific nature of the threat.

There are other issues with the movie that are subtler. The snake encounters are necessarily brief, ending almost immediately with a bit human or a dead snake. The supporting actors are generally fine, but the film has a noticeable lack of talent outside Jackson himself. The kills are plentiful and verge on horror. Sensitive viewers will find them excessive, but those unfazed by gruesome snakebites will do just fine.

Give Snakes on a Plane a watch when you’re in the mood for a gory thriller with a healthy amount of action and a shallow plot. Snakes on a Plane is missing the extra punch it needs to make good on its promise, but it fits in comfortably with other films of its ilk. For a schlockier, gorier, and more entertaining film in the same vein, check out Sharknado. For a more conventional thriller set on an airplane, check out Non-Stop.

5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for modest enjoyability.

Today’s quick review: Brigsby Bear. James (Kyle Mooney) is a lifelong devotee of Brigsby Bear, a long-running sci-fi kids’ show. When the police raid the bunker where he lives, James learns that his life is a lie: his parents actually abducted him as a child, and his father (Mark Hamill) created Brigsby Bear. As James tries to adapt to the outside world, he embarks on a project to film a Brigsby Bear movie and give the series a proper sendoff.

Brigsby Bear is a heartfelt comedy about a naive young man’s dream to bring his favorite show to the world. Brigsby Bear features an unusual premise, a fascinating lead, and an understated sense of humor. The film draws on the campy charm of old television shows, the positive aspects of fandom, the uncertainty of the creative process, and the unexamined strangeness of daily life to form a satisfying, oddly cohesive story.

Much of the movie’s humor comes from James’s skewed perspective on the world. His unusual upbringing has left him with a blurred line between reality and fiction, as well as basic misunderstandings about how the world works. Kyle Mooney fits the part perfectly, making James just odd enough to distance him from his real family without alienating him completely. His pure motives and forgiving nature make him a likable protagonist.

Brigsby Bear also does an admirable job of balancing its tone. Between its peculiar premise, its themes of maladjustment, and the subtly warped kids’ show at its core, the movie has all the ingredients it needs for a disturbing horror movie. But Brigsby Bear carefully maintains the trust that it builds up. Even at its weirdest, the film never goes too far, and the optimism it conveys is genuine and unsullied.

The movie does have its tradeoffs. Its particular sense of humor may not appeal to those used to more outrageous jokes. Its plot isn’t very elaborate, although it’s fulfilling enough for anyone who invests in it. Brigsby Bear also depends heavily on James; viewers who don’t like him as a character simply won’t get much out of the movie. More subtly, the movie puts the needs of its story first, so its most interesting ideas aren’t explored to their fullest.

Give Brigsby Bear a watch if you’re in the mood for something sweet, amusing, and experimental. It’s one or two steps removed from traditional comedies, but its acting and writing are enough to make good on its promise. For a more overt comedy with similar themes, check out Be Kind Rewind. For another upside-down perspective on reality, check out The Truman Show.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a unique perspective, good humor, and plenty of heart.

“You’ve never been a gopher.” —Beast Boy

Today’s quick review: Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. The Teen Titans, a team of young superheroes, are going through changes. As they work on tracking down Brother Blood (Gregg Henry) and his cult, Nightwing (Sean Maher) rejoins the team, rekindling his relationship with its current leader Starfire (Kari Wahlgren). Meanwhile, the younger heroes try to help Terra (Christina Ricci), their newest member, feel welcome.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is an animated superhero movie based on characters from DC Comics. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is a loose sequel to Justice League vs. Teen Titans. The story further fleshes out the Titans and their history while pitting them against a new foe. The movie offers DC’s usual quality: polished animation, an entertaining script, and plenty of superpowered fighting.

The Judas Contract has solid fundamentals. The cast of characters is fun, a varied group of teens drawn in simple, effective strokes. The plot isn’t too elaborate, but it’s well-paced and keeps the action coming. The film is peppered with humor, enough to keep the tone light without being a distraction. These basics are enough to make The Judas Contract a satisfying watch for anyone interested in the genre.

Give Teen Titans: The Judas Contract a shot if you’re a superhero fan looking for something quick, well-constructed, and self-contained. Though not groundbreaking, The Judas Contract is another solid addition to DC’s animated offerings. Those looking to be impressed would be better off starting off with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox or Son of Batman.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for good characters, a decent plot, and a fair amount of superhero action.