I have been reading a lot about “Jo Jo Rabbit” and its audacious plot, the type that you’ll either love or hate. It won awards at film festivals, while some audience members walked out. Jo Jo is a ten year old Nazi youth, who has an imaginary friend, Adolph Hitler. The writer and director, Taika Waititi, plays the dictator as buffoonish and simple minded and I must admit, he is very funny. Roman Griffin Davis, a newcomer, is Jo Jo and he is outstanding, believable and sympathetic while spouting Nazi rhetoric. The film turns a Hitler Youth Camp into a series of funny and ridiculous episodes. Jo Jo’s mother is played by Scarlett Johansson giving a great performance. Sam Rockwell is a clownish Nazi officer, sympathetic to Jo Jo. This film is not be for everyone. Some people may find its attempt at humor offensive. If you are not offended it is a crazy story with a lot of humor and some pathos. I liked it a lot.
Motherless Brooklyn
“Motherless Brooklyn” is a murder mystery set on 1950’s New York City. It concerns a detective, played by Edward Norton, with a tick-like disability, trying to find out who killed his boss and mentor. Norton also directed and the film is very atmospheric and shows a lot of details from the era. The supporting cast is excellent, including Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe and Bruce Willis and the plot keeps you guessing. The problem is that in trying to cover the details of the story, the film is slow. I thought it would have made a great mini series. Edward Norton once again gives a great performance and shows potential as a director. A good, but not great movie.
The Laundromat
“The Laundromat”, starring Meryl Streep, Antonio Banderas, Gary Oldman, and directed by Steven Soderberg, is one of the new films on Netflix. It is billed as similar to “The Big Short” because it tells the story of how shell corporations out of Panama ruined people’s lives. Based on its pedigree this film should have been good, but that wasn’t so. Like “The Big Short” there is narration, done by Banderas and Oldman, but it is more annoying than informative. Slow and not compelling. The only thing I liked about it was a surprise at the very end. Normally when I don’t like a movie I say wait for HBO. For this movie, don’t waste your time.
Terminator: Dark Fate
I have never been a huge Terminator fan, but I liked the new “Terminator: Dark Fate”. This time around robots from the future come back to kill a young woman who is instrumental in fighting them later on, like Sarah Connor was in previous editions. This time Sarah and a bionic person from the future named Grace try to keep the young woman safe. Of course one of the evil robots is chasing them and they enlist Arnold Schwarzenegger’s help. Lots of action, but this time it’s the women who do most of the fighting. Sarah Connor, still being played by Linda Hamilton is a true bad ass, still out to avenge the death of her son. Grace is also an incredible fighter. Lots of action and it keeps moving at a brisk pace. I recommend it.
Parasite
“Parasite” is the first South Korean film to win the Palm d’Or, their highest award. It is a comedy/mystery with social overtones. It has received rave reviews since its release. It’s the story of a poor family who infiltrate a wealthy family as their servants. They way they get their jobs is devious, interesting, and funny. The rich family doesn’t have a clue. The story turns dark when the wealthy family goes on a camping trip and the servants take over the house. None of the actors are known in the United States, but they do an excellent job. The story moves, has many layers and kept my interest for most of its two hours. Plenty of twists and turns. This film will likely be prominent during awards season, not only in the Foreign Language category, but for directing and writing.
Black and Blue
“Black and Blue” is a suspenseful police chase drama. Naomi Harris, who played the mother in “Moonlight”, is excellent as a rookie New Orleans police officer. She witnesses the murder of a couple of drug dealers at the hands some corrupt fellow policemen and happens to be wearing a body camera. Her problem is that, even though she is black, residents want nothing to do with her and most of the other patrolmen want to cover up what happened, so she has no help and nowhere to hide. Suspenseful and interesting. The film captures the poor section of New Orleans realistically, with its poverty and violence. It will keep your interest for its two hours. This was the best original action movie I’ve seen in a while.
The Current War
“The Current War” tells the story of how electric lights came to the United States. Thomas Edison, played by Benjamin Cumberbatch, was the premier inventor of his time. He was also the premier ego. George Westinghouse, played by Michael Shannon, was an industrialist and businessman. Edison wouldn’t team with Westinghouse, because he wanted all of the fame. Money did not matter to him. So Westinghouse beat him at his own game. Thrown into the mix was Nicolai Tesla, who was brilliant but scattered. This movie was a bit slow, but a good history lesson. The acting is good, but the pace is not. It’s the kind of film to watch at home. An interesting side note: “The Current War” was supposed to come out in 2017, but it was distributed by the Weinstein Company at the time that all of the allegations about Harvey Weinstein came out. So it was shelved until now. Not a bad movie, but not a great one,.
Zombieland: Double Tap
I am not a huge zombie fan, but I enjoyed “Zombieland” ten years ago. The same cast is back in this sequel. Instead of just killing zombies, the film focuses on comedy. Woody Harrelson is hilarious. Jesse Eisenberg, who is usually so uptight, is still uptight, but in a funny way. And Emma Stone, who got her start in the original, lets loose. The funniest scene occurs when a couple of dopplegangers show up and bond with the gang. Also, there is a new character, a vacuous, no-brain Valley Girl that they find in a mall of all places. You will laugh throughout this film. Be forewarned: there is a lot of blood and swearing.
Downton Abbey
I have not watched the series “Downton Abbey”, so I wasn’t sure if I would appreciate the movie. The producers were smart because they spent a few minutes explaining what had happened and who the characters are. The plot involves a visit by the King and Queen and the preparations for the event. That may not seem like much of a plot, and it isn’t, but it is an excuse to show off the characters. It is the story of the upper class as well as their servants. Basically it is a very proper soap opera, like “Dallas” or “Dynasty” minus J.R. or Alexis. The acting is excellent. As usual Maggie Smith steals every scene she is in. Fans of the show will love this film, but for those of us who are not groupies, it was quite enjoyable.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is the continuation of “Sleeping Beauty”s” villain’s story. In the original, we learned that Maleficent has a heart. In this one she is jealous because Prince Charming wants to marry her adopted daughter, the princess. She doesn’t mix well with the normal royals, especially the prince’s mother played by Michelle Pfeiffer. When she and Angelina Jolie get together it is a battle of the cheekbones. We learn where Maleficent comes from and just how evil a queen can be. Not as good as the original and a little bit darker, this film is campy fun. Angelina, even when she just stands there, commands the screen and Pfeiffer gives her a run for her money. If you like this type of movie, you will enjoy this one. If you don’t, do not waste your time.
Mark's Movie Reviews 