Author: Stan

Today’s quick review: Olympus Has Fallen. When a North Korean terrorist attack turns the White House into a war zone, it falls to Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), a disgraced Secret Service agent and personal friend of the President, to rescue President Ben Asher (Aaron Eckhart) from the White House’s secret bunker. Elsewhere, Speaker of the House Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) assumes command of the government in the midst of its greatest crisis.

Olympus Has Fallen is a gritty action thriller that posits a devastating attack on the White House. The movie features a solid cast, a well-constructed plot, and a steady stream of destructive action. Its high body count and willingness to put the U.S. through the wringer give Olympus Has Fallen higher stakes than most action movies. Although the movie doesn’t venture far from the basics, good craftsmanship and a sizable budget make it an enjoyable watch.

Olympus Has Fallen covers its bases well. The film takes the time to establish Banning and Asher as characters before dropping them into the action. The plot finds plausible ways to keep Banning at the center of the action without cutting Trumbull and the rest of the government out of the loop completely. The action is a high-octane blend of large-scale destruction and brutal close-quarters combat that never lets up for more than a few minutes at a time.

Still, Olympus Has Fallen has its weaknesses. President Asher has potential as a character, but he comes off as weak and ineffectual during the crisis and never gets the chance to redeem himself. Mike Banning has more depth than many action heroes, but he’s still a shallow character as far as drama is concerned. The movie’s high stakes also come with a price, taking it just a little too far outside the status quo and hurting suspension of disbelief.

Watch Olympus Has Fallen when you’re in the mood for a competently executed, modern-style action thriller. Neither its characters nor its plot is enough to make it distinctive, but action fans will get what they are hoping for. Skip it if you prefer lighter action movies. For action thrillers with a similar setup and a more memorable protagonist, check out the Die Hard series. For an airborne take on a similar premise, check out Air Force One.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid execution of a good premise.

“Get off my plane!” —President Marshall

Today’s quick review: Air Force One. Following his announcement of a new, hard-line policy on war crimes and terrorism, President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) has his convictions put to the test when Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman), a Russian terrorist, hijacks Air Force One with the President and his family on board. As the only person on board to escape the terrorists, Marshall must wage a one-man war to take back the plane and save his family.

Air Force One is an action thriller with a straightforward premise and solid execution. Harrison Ford stars as an American president who is forced to take matters into his own hands to save his family. The movie follows the usual pattern of high-stakes action and spectacle, with only a few slight variations due to the unusual setting and the occupation of the hero. The result is a fun, if unsurprising, watch that makes good on its premise.

Air Force One delivers pure, uncomplicated action. President Marshall must use the few tricks at his disposal to stay one step ahead of Korshunov. The action consists of gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and a few dangerous scenarios specific to planes. The CGI comes across as a little dated and the drama isn’t as moving as it’s meant to be, but on the whole the action is satisfying and the plot gets plenty of mileage out of the premise.

Watch Air Force One when you’re in the mood for a straightforward, competently executed take on the action genre. Though not a standout movie, Air Force One has what it takes to make good on its promises. Skip it if you’re looking for a more cerebral thriller. For an action thriller with a similar setup and better execution, try Die Hard or Speed. For a more comical variant, try Con Air. For a low-key thriller with a similar premise, check out Non-Stop.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid action with few frills.

Today’s quick review: Mute. Leo (Alexander Skarsgard), an Amish man rendered mute in a childhood accident, works as a bartender in a German nightclub. When his girlfriend Naadirah (Seyneb Saleh) goes missing, Leo embarks on a winding investigation to locate her, one that leads him to buried secrets about her past. Meanwhile, Cactus Bill (Paul Rudd), an AWOL American army doctor, looks for a way to get himself and his daughter out of the country.

Mute is a science fiction crime drama and mystery from director Duncan Jones. Set in a neon future where criminals rule the nightlife and technology has further worked its way into the fabric of society, Mute follows Leo on his single-minded quest to find his missing girlfriend. The movie features a well-drawn setting, a competent mystery, and unusual characters. However, its odd tone and slow pacing keep it from living up to its full potential.

Mute has solid craftsmanship, particularly when it comes to setting, character, and the slow drip of information. Mute’s vision of the future has plenty in common with films like Blade Runner, but its colorful, moody environments and keen eye for detail, particularly when it comes to the impact of technology on society, make it a worthwhile setting to visit. Mute manages to be forward-thinking yet grounded in familiar concepts.

Mute’s cast has a very particular flavor to it. Each character has a distinctive personality, but all of them are abnormal. Leo is a kind-hearted mute with poor technological skills and a one-track mind. Cactus Bill is a brash, temperamental criminal with an honorable streak. Even supporting characters such as Duck (Justin Theroux), Bill’s best friend and fellow doctor, are twisted in their own ways. The result is a skewed cast that’s hard to read.

Mute’s plot is just as hard to get a bead on. The mystery moves slowly, always chugging steadily forward but never building up real momentum. The plot has a few good twists, but actual clues are scarce and the answers are not entirely satisfying. Mute also leaves the viewer to connect a lot of the dots, which can make the story hard to follow. Leo’s investigation ping-pongs around a complicated criminal underworld with plenty to keep track of.

Mute never quite clicks. Its individual pieces show potential, but its unusual characters, its futuristic setting, and its vague mystery make it too alien to work well as a drama. Even a sympathetic protagonist in Leo is not enough to ground the story, and without a solid emotional foundation to build on, Mute struggles to tell a satisfying story. The film also contains explicit, mature content that some viewers will find unpalatable.

Try Mute when you’re in the mood for a dark, personal peek at the future. Solid craftsmanship and a decent mystery make the movie a worthwhile watch for curious viewers, but those hoping for a cohesive, moving experience will be disappointed. Steer clear if you’re looking for action-oriented sci-fi, a faster-paced mystery, or immediately relatable characters. Also steer clear if you’re sensitive to mature content or prefer lighter films.

For a minimalistic sci-fi thriller from the same director, check out Moon. For a much more artful take on a similar future, check out Blade Runner 2049. For a present-day noir with a similar plot and tone, check out Brick. For a gritty, violent action movie with a similar atmosphere, check out Drive. For a less successful attempt at something similar, try Only God Forgives.

5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for its setting and mystery, held back by warped characters, a dark tone, and only modest payoff.

Today’s quick review: Batman Ninja. When Gorilla Grodd’s (Fred Tatasciore) latest invention malfunctions, it sends Batman (Roger Craig Smith) and Gotham’s most notorious criminals back in time to feudal Japan. The Joker (Tony Hale) quickly takes charge of Japan’s largest state, while the other villains fight to stake their own claims. To save Japan and return home, Batman must master the Way of the Ninja and accept the help of some new allies.

Batman Ninja is an animated superhero movie with heavy anime influences. Batman Ninja mashes up the Batman mythos with anime-style art, a Japanese setting, and rules lifted from the ninja and mech genres of anime. The movie is a hodgepodge of genres, characters, and storytelling styles whose main unifying theme is what would make for the most fun. However, uneven execution and flimsy plot logic keep the movie from living up to its full potential.

Batman Ninja’s chief appeal is its willingness to embrace its far-fetched premise. All the familiar Batman characters receive a Japanese-style redesign, and their gimmicks map surprisingly well to samurai, ninjas, and the other mainstays of feudal Japan. The action is loose and imaginative, the presentation has a few nice flourishes, and the film indulges its creative side continuously. It even throws in a few giant robots for good measure.

But Batman Ninja runs into problems where its story is concerned. The plot is all over the map, a mess of fakeouts and betrayals that never settles into a cohesive story arc. Batman himself drops into the background on two or three occasions as the villains take center stage, and his own growth as a character is only discussed, never shown onscreen. The action also suffers from nonsensical, ill-defined rules, even by the lax standards of the genre.

The result is a movie where anything can happen, including things that shouldn’t. Batman Ninja’s attempts to work mechs into a feudal Japanese setting are appreciated but not very graceful. The ninja aspects of the movie are thematically appropriate but never properly worked into the plot. The movie’s technical execution is generally fine, but there are a handful of noticeable missteps, such as stiff, CGI-based animation and weak mech design.

Watch Batman Ninja if you’re interested in an anime-inspired take on Batman. Though the movie suffers from a poorly structured plot and uneven execution quality, Batman Ninja has enough enthusiasm and creativity to make for an entertaining watch. Viewers willing to sacrifice storytelling for spectacle should give it a watch. Those hoping for a more cohesive animated film should try Son of Batman for the superhero genre and Ninja Scroll for mature anime.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for high creative potential let down by weak plot logic and technical flaws.

Today’s quick review: The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue. Timmy (Ralph Macchio), a young mouse destined to become a hero, bids farewell to his family and journeys to Thorn Valley, an idyllic hideaway where the intelligent, escaped lab rats of NIMH have made a new life for themselves. After years of waiting, Timmy finally gets a chance to prove himself when a young mouse named Jenny (Hynden Walsh) brings word of impending danger.

The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue is a family animated fantasy adventure that picks up years after the original Secret of NIMH. The sequel has none of the merits of the first film. The premise is ill-conceived, the execution is sloppy, and the cheery, silly tone is an about face from the mature drama of the original. Even a cast of voice actors that includes Ralph Macchio, Eric Idle, William H. Macy, and Dom DeLuise does not help much.

The Secret of NIMH 2’s chief failing is that it does away with all of the gravity of the original. The death and injury, menacing scenery, and true peril of the first film give way to the cheerful color palette, lackadaisical characters, and forgiving challenges of the second. Nothing in the movie carries any dramatic weight; everything comes easily to Timmy, and his few failures are quickly corrected. The story panders to him and to the audience.

Even taken on its own terms, The Secret of NIMH 2 comes up short. Timmy makes for a bland, one-dimensional protagonist. He’s accompanied by a new cast of equally flat characters, while the few familiar faces are unrecognizable. The script struggles with even the basic mechanics of storytelling, such as motivating its characters or setting up plot points. To cap it all off, the movie is peppered with needless songs with overly literal lyrics.

The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue is only worth watching for those with young children to entertain. Those who enjoyed the original Secret of NIMH will be sorely disappointed, while anyone looking for family-friendly fare can do better. For another movie that makes better use of its mouse heroes, try The Secret of NIMH, The Rescuers, or The Rescuers Down Under. For a Disney movie with better characters in a similar vein, try The Jungle Book.

3.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 4.0 for unlikable characters, flimsy writing, and abandoning the qualities that made the first film a classic.

Today’s quick review: The Secret of NIMH. Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse who lives in a farmer’s field with her family, must figure out a way to get her sick child to safety before the farmer’s plow destroys her home. Aided by Jeremy (Dom DeLuise), a clumsy crow, Mrs. Brisby braves the farmer’s cat and other perils to seek the help of Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi), a wise, old rat who was friends with her husband.

The Secret of NIMH is a family animated fantasy adventure based on a book by Robert C. O’Brien. The Secret of NIMH tells the story of a courageous mouse who faces great danger to save her family. The movie features a likable heroine, an engaging plot, lush animation, and a dash of magic. Its dramatic tone and mature content skew dark for a kids’ movie, but adult viewers and resilient youngsters will appreciate the weight this brings to the film.

The Secret of NIMH has an ususually strong story. The building blocks are simple and familiar: talking animals, a heroic journey, and a small-scale conflict writ large. What sets The Secret of NIMH apart is its quality of execution. The stakes are clear from the very beginning, the plot unfolds at a steady clip with a few good wrinkles along the way, and everything is presented with an appropriate sense of mystery and wonder.

The keystone of the story is a top-notch protagonist. Mrs. Brisby is a brave and purehearted mouse who’s easy to root for. Neither the strongest nor the smartest animal in her world, she succeeds through courage and persistence. The supporting characters are not especially complex, but they suit the needs of the story perfectly. The story and characters are backed by striking, brooding painted backgrounds and lively character animation.

Try The Secret of NIMH when you’re in the mood for a mature sort of kids’ movie. Its unflinching treatment of death and danger sets The Secret of NIMH apart from most other family adventures, while its rock-solid story and high-quality animation make it worth the watch. Skip it if you’re looking for something lighter. For a more comedic take on a similar premise, check out The Rescuers or The Rescuers Down Under.

7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for high all-around quality.

Today’s quick review: Ocean’s 11. Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) and Jimmy Foster (Peter Lawford) round up nine more of their Army buddies, including Sam Harmon (Dean Martin) and Josh Howard (Sammy Davis, Jr.), for a daring criminal enterprise. The plan is to rob five Las Vegas casinos at the same time, just after midnight on New Year’s, by using a blackout as cover. But the real challenge will be getting the money out of Vegas once they have it.

Ocean’s 11 is a crime movie with an ensemble cast. The Rat Pack unites as a group of World War II veterans with a scheme that’s worth a fortune. The movie features a motley cast of thieves, a classic soundtrack, and decent banter. However, its long setup, brief heist, and limited payoff keep Ocean’s 11 from living up to its full potential. Rather than its plot, the film has to rely on characters that are not quite strong enough to carry it.

Ocean’s 11 takes a while to get going. Danny Ocean spends the first forty minutes of the movie just assembling his crew, and with one or two exceptions, the characters aren’t distinctive enough to justify the wait. The leads have a fun dynamic between them that comes through intermittently, but their dialogue can be hard to follow, thanks to their breezy speaking style, a proliferation of characters, and minimal exposition to get the viewer started.

The heist has a few interesting ideas, but in the end there isn’t much to it. The plot has a tendency to drift, first as the movie introduces its cast and later on as the gang deals with the aftermath of their attempted robbery. One or two of the subplots do end up mattering, but others, such as Danny’s patchy relationship with his wife (Angie Dickinson), are dropped without ceremony. The result is a somewhat underwhelming heist story.

Watch Ocean’s 11 when you’re in the mood for an old-school crime movie with a strong cast. Its execution leaves something to be desired, both as a heist movie and a nominal comedy, but fans of the actors may appreciate its style. Modern audiences will be better off with the remake starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon, which features a better plot and funnier dialogue. For a heist comedy with more heart, try the original Going in Style.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a solid cast and a decent premise held back by a weak plot.

Today’s quick review: Nacho Libre. Nacho (Jack Black), a friar at a Mexican monastery, has dreamed his whole life of becoming a luchador. He finally gets his chance when he spots a flyer for an amateur wrestling league. Donning a mask, Nacho teams up with Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez), a scrawny beggar he met on the street, to fight for fame, for the money to support the orphans, and to impress the beautiful Sister Encarnacion (Ana de la Reguera).

Nacho Libre is an underdog sports comedy starring Jack Black. Nacho Libre tells the story of an underappreciated friar and his forbidden passion for lucha libre. Unfortuantely, the movie falls short of its ambitions. The characters are more loser than lovable, the humor misses the mark, and the romance, such as it is, is irredeemably awkward. Slow pacing, a static presentation style, and a flat story arc put the nail in the coffin.

Nacho Libre has the makings of a fun movie, but it has a hard time following through. The comedy is a mixture of physical humor, underdog scenarios, and the skillfully awkward antics of Jack Black, with a splash of toilet humor for good measure. But there are only a handful of gags that hit home, and even the best ones are muted thanks to the long setup and cooldown for each joke. The film never keeps its momentum for long.

From a story perspective, Nacho Libre makes a few key mistakes. Nacho is not a sympathetic protagonist. He’s an underdog whose redeeming features are buried under a thick layer of erratic behavior and ineptitude. The recipe is right but the proportions are wrong: Nacho is a joke first and a character second, giving him little room to grow and robbing the story of its heart.

The plot has similar issues. Nacho Libre strips away too much of the classic underdog story and ends up taking away most of its drama. Even as a light, almost flippant take on the genre, the movie would benefit from a touch of drama to tie everything together, make Nacho more sympathetic, and keep the plot moving along. The romance is similarly stunted. Nacho’s impossible love for a nun is played for laughs, but it’s another blow to the film’s core.

Watch Nacho Libre only if you are a die-hard fan of Jack Black or goofy, awkward comedies. Nacho Libre has its moments, and its particular flavor of humor will catch some viewers the right way, but most will be better off skipping it. For a funnier, more heartfelt movie starring Jack Black, try Be Kind Rewind. For a sillier and more successful comedy in a similar vein, try Dodgeball or Zoolander.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a weak story and humor that misses the mark.

“Just another Wednesday.” —The Nurse

Today’s quick review: Hotel Artemis. After a bank job goes wrong, a robber (Sterling K. Brown) takes his injured brother to the Hotel Artemis, a hospital and safehouse for criminals, where the Nurse (Jodie Foster) tries to patch them up. But with a riot raging outside, a VIP patient on the way, and the power on the fritz, the Hotel Artemis may not be safe for long. The brothers must decide whether to ride out the storm inside or head for greener pastures.

Hotel Artemis is a crime thriller with sci-fi elements. Set in a near-future Los Angeles torn by water shortages and riots, Hotel Artemis injects a dash of futuristic technology into the crime genre. The film makes a lot out of a simple premise. Intriguing plot hooks, dynamic characters, a compelling setting, and a cast of familiar faces make Hotel Artemis a solid watch. However, failure to capitalize on its strengths keeps it from going further.

The allure of Hotel Artemis begins with its setting. The Hotel Artemis oozes with flavor, a decrepit ruin of a hotel converted into a high-tech hospital and a sturdy safehouse. The Nurse and her orderly (Dave Bautista) are the only ones keeping the place running, and the Hotel manages to be both an impregnable fortress and an aging institution on the verge of collapse. Just being set in the Hotel gives the movie a great sense of atmosphere.

But what makes the setting come alive is its characters. The standout performance is from Jodie Foster, an affable, tough-as-nails nurse who has spent over two decades patching up criminals at the Hotel. Her character is sharp, nuanced, instantly likable, and given depth by her agoraphobia. The other lead role belongs to Sterling K. Brown, who plays a savvy criminal constantly dragged into bad situations by his irresponsible brother.

Hotel Artemis also has a talented supporting cast. Dave Bautista plays the tough, loyal, and impossibly large orderly. Sofia Boutella and Charlie Day are the hotel’s other guests, an assassin laying low and a sleazy businessman, respectively. Jeff Goldblum and Zachary Quinto round out the main cast as an injured crime boss and his weakling son. They are not the deepest or most original characters, but all of them have their moments.

The movie’s chief failing is that it doesn’t go far enough. Within the first half-hour, Hotel Artemis sets up half a dozen tantalizing plot threads, any one of which could drive the rest of the movie on its own. The only problem is that the film loses confidence in what it has. Rather than weave the threads together in a spectacular tapestry of conflict, coincidence, and cross purposes, it lets each one play out linearly and more or less separately.

The result is a good movie with glimmers of greatness. Hotel Artemis could have easily been as complex as Lucky Number Slevin or Smokin’ Aces, as stylish as John Wick or Atomic Blonde, or as moving as the various character-focused crime dramas. But instead it shows glimpses of potential. Its style, its plot, and its characters are all competently handled, but a few changes could have really made them shine.

Give Hotel Artemis a shot if you’re a fan of stylized crime movies with novel premises. Though it falls short of its potential, what’s there is decent at worst and often quite enjoyable. But those looking for flawless storytelling should look elsewhere. For a crime movie with a similar atmosphere and lots more action, try John Wick and its sequel. For a stylized action movie with a similar atmosphere and more intrigue, check out Atomic Blonde.

6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a clever premise, an interesting world, and an engaging plot, held back by the inability to put all its pieces together.

Today’s quick review: Pom Poko. When their forest home is endangered by the spread of suburban housing developments, the raccoons of Tama Hills decide to protect their way of life with their magical powers of transformation. The raccoons use pranks, scare tactics, and sabotage to try to drive off the humans. But with the forest dwindling and times getting tough, even the raccoons’ magic may not be enough to stop the humans’ advance.

Pom Poko is a Japanese animated fantasy comedy from director Isao Takahata and Studio Ghibli. Pom Poko tells the story of a tribe of raccoons determined to protect their forest in their own peculiar way. The movie mixes light, cartoonish antics with a strong environmental message and tragic overtones. The storytelling style most closely resembles a history, with lots of exposition and only passing focus on individual characters.

Pom Poko’s greatest draw is its colorful cast of raccoons. The raccoons of Tama Hills are a lazy, easygoing lot who nonetheless rally when their home is threatened. Their powers of transformation let them change shape, turn into inanimate objects, or even impersonate people, a skill they put to good use against the humans. Their friendships and quarrels show the friendly, earnest, and chaotic side of human nature writ small.

However, Pom Poko does have some peculiarities that set it apart from typical family comedies. The story takes place over the course of several years, relying heavily on the narration to convey the key events. The raccoons struggle has a certain amount of tragedy to it, and they run into setback after setback. The film is also steeped in Japanese culture, although it does a good job of explaining the bits of folklore that are impmortant to the plot.

Overall, Pom Poko makes for an odd but enjoyable watch. It has the liveliness and beauty that all Studio Ghibli films share, and even its stranger qualities have a certain charm to them. Skip it if you’re looking for a focused adventure with a singular hero. For a stylized comedy with similar story and presentational elements, try Isle of Dogs. For a Studio Ghibli film with a similar vibe and a lighter tone, try My Neighbor Totoro.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fun characters and a high degree of craftsmanship, held back somewhat by its unusual choices.