Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Logan. In the year 2029, mutants have all but died out. Logan (Hugh Jackman) works a mundane job while struggling with an illness that has slowed his healing factor to a crawl. Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) now suffers from a neurological disorder and must be cared for in secret by Logan. But their meager lives are interrupted when Logan is hired to take Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant, across the country and away from her pursuers.

Logan is a superhero film in the X-Men series. Taking place at the end of the X-Men timeline, Logan is by far the most bleak of the X-Men films, showing a version of the X-Men universe that has given way to entropy and decay. Logan and Charles are all that remain of the X-Men, and their respective illnesses have reduced them to shadows of their former selves. Out of options and out of time, Logan and Charles embark on one last journey together.

As a drama, Logan is unusually effective. The weakened state of its protagonists, the lack of allies to turn to, and the world that has passed them by all contribute to the sense that Logan and Charles are fighting a losing battle. The appearance of Laura offers them a glimmer of hope, a chance to be heroes again, but she brings with her trouble that they may no longer be equal to.

As a superhero movie, Logan is unusual. The dark tone and reduced cast do away with the unbending optimism that is typical of the genre. The movie makes the most of its R rating, with copious amounts of swearing and the unfettered gore that previous Wolverine movies lacked. The flurries of action should please any Wolverine fan hoping for the character to cut loose, but the focus of the movie is on its characters rather than its action.

Watch Logan if you are interested in a weightier than usual take on the superhero genre. Fans of the bright, colorful side of the X-Men may want to sit this one out due to its departure from the other movies in terms of tone and style. But as a sendoff for two of the franchise’s most beloved actors, Logan is well-conceived and well-executed.

8.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for high dramatic quality and intense action; your score will depend on how well you like the tone.

Today’s quick reivew: Hardcore Henry. Henry wakes up in a lab with no memories, no voice, and a cybernetically enhanced body. His wife Estelle (Haley Bennett) promises him answers, but before she can deliver them, Akan (Danila Kozlovsky) storms the compound and kidnaps Estelle. Henry escapes into the streets of Moscow, where a resourceful man named Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) helps him fight his way through dozens of Akan’s soldiers to rescue his wife.

Hardcore Henry is an indie action film shot entirely from a first-person perspective. With heavy doses of video game logic, one very impressive supporting actor, and a well-chosen soundtrack, Hardcore Henry promises and delivers exactly one thing: unfettered violence. Henry shoots, stabs, and pummels his way through Akan’s endless army of mercenaries with only minutes to catch his breath, using katanas, miniguns, and any other weapon he can get his cyborg hands on.

Hardcore Henry’s action is entertaining but not phenomenal. It lacks the polish of higher-budget films, but the stunts are competent, the kills are creative, and the gore is plentiful. Hardcore Henry gets much of its character from its simple, video game-esque plot logic: silent protagonist, first-person perspective, linear objectives, minimal plot, unlimited waves of enemies, and a knack for spectacle.

There is little acting to speak of, with one notable exception. Henry himself has no dialogue and only a few brief glimmers of personality, while Akan is a subpar villain redeemed by his unexplained telekinesis. But Sharlto Copley carries the film as Jimmy, Henry’s remarkably resilient sidekick. Jimmy’s erratic personality and devil-may-care attitude give Hardcore Henry a personality beyond its violence, and he is the source of the film’s humor and exposition.

Hardcore Henry is well worth a watch for fans of the action genre. While not as polished as other action films, Hardcore Henry offers fast-paced, spectacle-heavy action that makes great use of the movie’s unique first-person gimmick. Skip it if you are sensitive to violence or are looking for something more than action for action’s sake.

6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid action and a surprisingly successful gimmick.

Today’s quick review: Goodfellas. Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), an up-and-coming gangster, enjoys everything about his criminal lifestyle: the money, the respect, the sense of family. His two partners, Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), are good at what they do, and together the trio are poised for success. But nothing in crime is ever certain, and a few bad breaks threaten to destroy everything they have achieved.

Goodfellas is a crime drama from director Martin Scorsese. Based on a true story, Goodfellas follows Henry Hill through a lifetime of involvement in the mafia, from his days parking cars for the neighborhood boss to his most ambitious crimes to his most desperate moments. Top-notch acting, smart direction, and solid writing combine to make Goodfellas one of the better biographical crime dramas around.

Goodfellas follows the pattern of Scorsese’s other films in terms of format and presentation. Shared elements such as troubled marriages, drug abuse, and criminal empires teetering on the brink of collapse give the film some common ground with Casino and The Wolf of Wall Street. The story follows the cadence of real life rather than a movie plot, and Ray Liotta’s helpful narration colors in the background details of Henry Hill’s remarkable life.

The movie makes good use of its three talented leads. Ray Liotta stars as Henry Hill, a loyal member of the mob and the story’s protagonist. Robert De Niro plays his friend and mentor Jimmy Conway, a successful gangster willing to take risks to get ahead. Joe Pesci rounds out the trio as Tommy DeVito, a man with a violent temper that earns him as much power as trouble. The relationship between the three gives the movie its core.

One of the key themes of the film is how criminal behavior becomes commonplace. Henry begins his criminal career at a young age, and soon he finds himself intimidating people for protection money, planning robberies, and disposing of bodies. Even his wife Karen (Lorraine Bracco), an otherwise ordinary woman, quickly adjusts to the lifestyle. But the normalcy of it all leads to overconfidence, mistakes, and a gradual breakdown in the ties of loyalty.

Goodfellas has the same issues as Scorsese’s other biographical films. Though not overly long, Goodfellas covers a lot of ground in summary fashion. The story is told as much as it is shown, insulating the viewer from the emotional impact of its events, while the ebb and flow of real life give the movie several small story arcs rather than one large one. These are not bad decisions per se, but viewers used to more fictionalized drama will find them odd.

Watch Goodfellas when you are in the mood for a well-executed crime drama in a similar vein as Casino or Blow. Fans of Scorsese’s other work will get a lot out of Goodfellas, while new viewers will appreciate its craftsmanship and compelling subject matter. Skip it if you dislike biographical dramas or if you are sensitive to violence.

8.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for great acting and an interesting look into the world of organized crime.

Today’s quick review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) and Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick), a newly engaged couple, are stranded in the woods on a stormy night when their car breaks down. They seek shelter in a nearby castle belonging to Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist who invites them to watch the birth of his latest creation.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical horror parody with a cult following and a tradition of audience participation. A surreal fantasy posing as a 50s musical posing as a tacky horror movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show merges its eclectic influences into a movie unlike any other. Its catchy rock and roll soundtrack, unpredictable plot, and unique atmosphere are enough to make it an interesting watch at the very least, with a chance at becoming something more.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show opens with a literal love song to old-school science fiction. Its plot mimics well-known sci-fi and horror conventions, but with a subversive edge that gives the the movie an identity of its own. Tim Curry headlines as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a memorable performance that blends danger and charm in equal parts. The film’s many musical numbers, done in the style of classic rock, give the film an upbeat vibe in spite of its dark subject matter.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show does have a few issues with its presentation that detract from its merits. The sound mixing brings out the electric guitar at the cost of the vocals, obscuring story-crucial lines in several places. The plot comes across as random and hard to follow during a first viewing. A couple of macabre moments and the film’s descent into madness let the movie live up to the “horror” part of its name at the cost of adding a darker side to its humor.

Whether you will enjoy The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be a matter of taste. The catchy music, perpetual irreverence, and oddball tone are enough to make it a unique and even enjoyable watch. At the same time, the muddled plot, excessive strangeness, and low amount of overt humor will turn off viewers expecting anything resembling a conventional movie.

Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show only if you are curious about it. Its quality is high enough for it to be worthwhile even for lukewarm viewers, but the chance of becoming a devoted fan gives The Rocky Horror Picture Show a substantial upside. Skip it if strangeness does not appeal to you.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for originality and a catchy soundtrack, tempered by an odd tone and a few major flaws; your score can be much higher if the movie catches you the right way.

Today’s quick review: RocknRolla. When rockstar Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) steals a painting entrusted to Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), a crooked real estate tycoon, by his Russian partner Uri (Karel Roden), it falls to Lenny’s right-hand man Archy (Mark Strong) to get it back. Meanwhile, Stella (Thandie Newton), Uri’s accountant, hires the Wild Bunch (Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, and Tom Hardy), a trio of small-time crooks, to steal millions of Euros from her boss.

RocknRolla is a crime comedy written and directed by Guy Ritchie. RocknRolla follows in the footsteps of Ritchie’s classics Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels: a punchy crime flick set in the London underworld, with a touch of black comedy, a large cast of characters, and a complex, weaving plot. Ritchie brings his signature style to the film, producing a film that is energetic, entertaining, and clever.

Gerard Butler heads an ensemble cast as One Two, a local criminal and part of the Wild Bunch. His two million pounds of debt to Lenny prompts him to take up Stella’s offer of work, starting a series of events with far-reaching consequences. Gerard Butler plays the role with the right mix of affability and fallibility. His chemistry with Thandie Newton gives the movie a bit of romantic spark, while his banter with the Wild Bunch feels natural.

The rest of the cast is just as strong. The other members of the Wild Bunch are Mumbles and Handsome Bob, played by Idris Elba and Tom Hardy, respectively. Much like One Two, the characters are underdogs with a likable, casual air about them. Tom Wilkinson plays a suitably detestable Lenny, an influential player in the London real estate scene engaged in all kinds of shady dealings. His inflated ego coupled with real power makes him an interesting character.

The cast is rounded out by Toby Kebbell as Johnny Quid and Mark Strong as Archy. Johnny Quid is Lenny’s hated stepson, a rockstar and junkie who recently faked his own death. Johnny occupies an oddly central role in the plot, with a warped but keen intelligence that keeps him in the middle of things. For his part, Mark Strong delivers an excellent performance as Archy, Lenny’s lieutenant, the film’s narrator, and a uniquely competent and level-headed criminal.

Fans of Guy Ritchie’s work will appreciate RocknRolla for its great cast and slick presentation. Its only real failing compared to Snatch or Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is its weaker plot. The world feels smaller than usual, with a few more unnecessary coincidences than Guy Ritchie’s other films, and the climax rolls around with little sense of build-up. First-time viewers may also have a hard time keeping up with the tangle of plot threads and characters.

Still, RocknRolla is a better than average crime movie in terms of cast, writing, humor, and presentation. Watch it when you are in the mood for a complicated, entertaining, and rewarding peak into London’s criminal underworld. Skip if you are looking for straight action. For a more dramatic take on similar plot elements, check out Layer Cake.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for interesting characters, a fun plot, and punchy direction that lacks the impact of its predecessors.

Today’s quick review: The Italian Job. After a successful job in Italy, professional thief Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his crew are betrayed by one of their own. Steve (Edward Norton) kills Charlie’s mentor John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and steals the job’s $35 million in gold. When he resurfaces a year later, Charlie recruits Stella (Charlize Theron), John’s daughter, to help his crew steal back the gold from Steve’s Los Angeles home.

A remake of the 1969 Michael Caine film of the same name, The Italian Job is a tidy heist film with an unusually good cast. The premise is simple: a gang of thieves attempts to get revenge on the man who betrayed them by stealing his fortune. With an interesting heist, decent excitement, and low levels of violence, The Italian Job is an entertaining watch with few weaknesses.

The cast is what sets The Italian Job apart from other crime films. In addition to Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Edward Norton, the cast includes Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland, who are all well-used. The characters are simple but effective, and their offhanded banter gives the movie its undercurrent of comedy. Though not the focus of the film, the characters give it a sense of liveliness that similar films often lack.

Beyond its cast, The Italian Job is a well-executed but standard crime film. The plot revolves around the heist, with only a light dusting of drama sprinkled on top. The heist itself takes a few liberties with computers, but otherwise relies on a good mix of planning, adaptation, and stunt driving. Compared to the original Italian Job, the remake has more action and better characters but lacks the original’s style and finesse.

Watch The Italian Job when you are in the mood for a light heist film with a good cast. Fans of Ocean’s Eleven will appreciate The Italian Job as a somewhat weaker but still worthy film in the same vein. Skip it if you are looking for a drama or a thriller.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for good characters and an interesting plot.

“You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” —Charlie Croker

Today’s quick review: The Italian Job. Charlie Croker (Michael Caine), a criminal just released from prison, receives a gift from an old friend: a daring plan to steal $4 million in gold from an armored car in Turin. To pull it off, Charlie will need the backing of Mr. Bridger (Noel Coward), a well-connected inmate, as well as an expert crew, perfect timing, and three Minis. But between the police and the Mafia, Charlie and his crew will be lucky to escape alive.

The Italian Job is a crime comedy about a crew of British thieves who have their sights set on a massive score in Italy. Starring a young Michael Caine, The Italian Job offers a light and enjoyable take on the heist genre. The heist is impressive, the European atmosphere is charming, and the soundtrack is odd but catchy. Between its pleasant tone, likable characters, and dashes of excitement, The Italian Job makes for a fun watch that is often overlooked.

The tone is one of the movie’s greatest draws. The Italian Job captures the excitement of a well-planned heist without the need for drama or violence. The comedy comes from understated British humor, subtle quirks of dialogue or character that amuse without disrupting the flow of the movie. The action comes from the film’s impressive heist and iconic car chase: three Minis fleeing the police through the streets and rooftops of Turin.

The movie does not spend much time on character development, but what little there is works well. Michael Caine is a joy to watch as the likable rascal Charlie Croker, while Noel Coward as Mr. Bridger is an anomaly: a scrupulously patriotic prisoner who practically runs the prison from his cell. Charlie’s crew has the same sort of half-competent, half-goofy air as Charlie does, and even the Mafia shows class in its own sinister sort of way.

The film’s age makes it an odd watch by modern standards. There is next to no violence, the soundtrack is light and cheery, and Charlie has no great revelation or change of heart. The sole focus is on the heist and the antics accompanying it, not revenge, love, or politics. As such, The Italian Job is a film that must be taken patiently, on its own terms, to be properly enjoyed. Those who go in expecting to be blown away will be disappointed.

Watch The Italian Job if you are in the mood for a light heist film with old-school style. Though not as thrilling as modern crime movies, The Italian Job achieves exactly what it sets out to do. Skip it if you are looking for deep characters, a complicated plot, or raw action.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for fun and charm.

Today’s quick review: Dark City. John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) wakes up in a hotel room with a mutilated corpse and no recollection of his past or how he came to be there. With only a cryptic message from Dr. Daniel Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) to help him, John attempts to piece together the clues to his identity. But Inspector Frank Bumstead (William Hurt) is not the only person after John: strange men with odd abilities pursue him at every turn.

Dark City is a science fiction noir from writer and director Alex Proyas. Boasting impressive atmosphere, a well-told mystery, and a suitably expansive premise, Dark City merges the puzzling plot and dark visuals of the noir genre with the flexibility of the sci-fi genre. Rarely enough for this type of movie, Dark City plays its mystery well, with a good progression, interesting plot twists, and a payoff that justifies all the paranoia along the way.

The movie deals with themes of reality, memory, and control. The situation John finds himself in is only the tip of a much larger conspiracy. Everything John thinks he knows is a lie, from who he can trust to the nature of the city around him. The film does veer hard in a sci-fi direction, but the core conflicts are ones of information, the unraveling of a mystery as grand in scope as any story from The Truman Show to The Adjustment Bureau.

Dark City has a striking visual style that combines a shadowy, oppressive cityscape, noir lighting, and unsettling camerawork. In the entire film, only a handful of shots last longer than five seconds. The brief shots and abrupt cuts give the movie an edgy quality that reflect its mood of danger and uncertainty, while the off-noir atmosphere heightens the feeling of oppression without remaining faithful to any one particular location or era.

Dark City shares eerie similarities to The Matrix, which came out the following year. The movies share similar themes, visual styles, and even certain camera shots. But where The Matrix opts to show its hand early, Dark City takes a more cerebral approach, steadily revealing pieces of a secret that is altogether weirder than anything The Matrix has to offer. Which film is better is a matter of taste, but The Matrix has better production values and broader appeal.

Unlike its counterpart, Dark City has only some action. Its special effects are somewhat tacky, but they work well with the city’s artificial feel and the film’s selective glimpses of the extraordinary. The film focuses more on its atmosphere and mystery than its thrills, carefully cultivating a sense of paranoia that its handful of action sequences only serve to heighten.

Watch Dark City when you are in the mood for a well-written sci-fi mystery with great ambience. Dark City is a strange enough film and a tough enough watch that most viewers will not appreciate it, but for a niche audience of devoted science fiction fans, it is an overlooked gem. Skip it if you are looking for action or an ordinary noir, or if you cannot get used to the brusque camerawork.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for compelling science fiction; your score will vary depending on your taste for its particular themes and style.

Today’s quick review: Devil’s Advocate. Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a Florida defense lawyer with a legendary winning streak, gets called to the big leagues by John Milton (Al Pacino), the head of a wealthy New York City law firm. But as Kevin begins to understand the darker side of his new job, he finds that it could cost him his marriage, his scruples, and possibly even his soul.

The Devil’s Advocate is a drama with horror elements set against the backdrop of the upper echelons of the legal profession. The Devil’s Advocate features solid acting, an unsettling progression, and a strong premise. Kevin Lomax faces all manner of temptation from his influential boss and the money and power he commands. But these perks come at a price: his integrity, his peace of mind, and the life he once led.

The main draw of The Devil’s Advocate is its acting. Al Pacino lets loose with a powerful performance as the charismatic, morally dubious John Milton, coming across as immoral yet eerily trustworthy. Keanu Reeves straddles the line between everyman and legal shark, mirroring the conflict for Kevin’s soul. His performance in the courtroom scenes, his commanding presence, and his confrontation with Milton are highlights of the film.

These virtues are offset by a handful of flaws, many of which come down to taste. Horror fans looking for death, demons, and suffering will be kept waiting for a long time, while viewers looking for a simple drama will be upset when supernatural elements appear abruptly halfway through the film. Fans of the niche in between the genres will find the film tasty, but The Devil’s Advocate lacks the payoff of most dramas and the excitement of most horror flicks.

The film also misplays some of its strengths. Keanu Reeves’ character only gets a handful of moments to shine, turning what could have been an active, dynamic protagonist into a mere bystander. Charlize Theron does a good job as Kevin’s wife Mary Ann, but she follows his lead as a helpless victim to the horror aspects of the plot. Many of the smarter points in the movie also could have been achieved with greater impact without the crutch of horror.

Watch The Devil’s Advocate if you enjoy drama and have a taste for horror. The two lead actors are solid picks, but the downward spiral of events and gradual descent into the supernatural distract from what could have been a compelling moral drama. Horror fans may enjoy it as a high-pedigree, dramatic take on the genre, but others are better off steering clear.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a decent premise and good acting with a mishandled blend of genres.

“This is precisely the sort of thing no one ever believes.” —Baron von Munchausen

Today’s quick review: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. When Baron von Munchausen (John Neville), the renowned fabulist, stumbles upon a theater in a war-torn city presenting his adventures as fiction, he takes the opportunity to set the record straight. His tales capture the imagination of Sally (Sarah Polley), the daughter of the lead actor, and together they set off on adventure to reunite the Baron’s old compatriots and save the city from Turkish siege.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a fantasy adventure from director Terry Gilliam. Adapted from the famously improbable travel memoirs of Baron Munchausen, the movie portrays a world of actors, oddity, and wonder in Gilliam’s signature style. While its strange tone and inconsistent payoff keep it from living up to its full potential, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen does offer refreshing amounts of charm and creativity.

The story revolves around Baron von Munchausen, an aged adventurer, and Sally, a young girl and one of the few people to believe his stories. Setting out in a hot air balloon, Sally and the Baron travel as far afield as the Moon in their search for Berthold (Eric Idle), Adolphus (Charles McKeown), Albrecht (Winston Dennis), and Gustavus (Jack Purvis), Munchausen’s extraordinary crew, now some twenty years removed from their prime.

The themes of the movie are similar to Terry Gilliam’s other work. Prominently featured elements include the theater, the boundary between reality and fiction, larger-than-life adventures, and strange imagery. The fickle nature of the story boosts its sense of wonder but hurts its dramatic impact. The sense of whimsy is also marred by a few macabre moments and a couple of adult jokes, but on the whole the movie stays within the boundaries of a family film.

Neither the plot nor the characters are particularly deep, but good performances and the nature of the story keep these issues in check. Sally and the Baron tumble into trouble as easily as they escape it, and the adventure progresses with all the capriciousness of a children’s book. The conflict between the Baron’s irrational adventures and the “Age of Reason” of the world around him is a potent one, but the movie opts for a shallow treatment of it.

Watch The Adventures of Baron Munchausen when you are in the mood for an odd, family-friendly fantasy. The movie has similarities to everything from The Man of La Mancha to The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and Terry Gilliam fans are sure to find something to chew on. But the far-fetched plot, odd tone, and peculiar ending make The Adventures of Baron Munchausen a movie with only niche appeal.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for daring fantasy with mixed execution.