The original “Lion King” was Disney’s highest grossing animated film. The stage play is nothing short of brilliant. The new version of “The Lion King” is the latest “live action’ remake of one of Disney’s animated classics. This time they used computer animation to tell the story. The animals looked real. The story is the same, with a couple of updates. It’s a whole new set of voices except for James Earl Jones, who is back as Musafah. A couple of the songs, like “Be Prepared”, are underplayed. And I missed Jeremy Irons as Scar. If you’re a fan of the original, you should like this version. Is it ground breaking? No, but it’s still a good story with fun characters. Entertaining and kids should love it.
The Art of Self Defense
I don’t usually give a scathingly bad review to a movie, but “The Art of Self Defense” deserves one. This one is a stinker! It’s an independent film with a very different plot, but it is slow, completely underplayed, and offensive to the sensibilities. Other than that it is fine. Jesse Eisenberg plays a 35 year old loser who, after being mugged, decides to join a karate club that is run by a guy who is stranger than he is. The club is kind of a cult. The story gets darker and more off-putting as it goes on and the ending is truly weird. The acting is dead pan and none of the characters are relatable. Jesse Eisenberg is at his most annoying and quirkiest. I not only wanted to ask for my money back, but also for the time I spent.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, Quentin Tarantino’s latest film is not his best, but not his worst. Like most of his movies there are multiple plot lines. He totally nails the period, 1969, and Los Angeles. The story revolves around a television actor who hasn’t really graduated to the big time in movies. The main story is about him and his stunt man/double, who is now his driver and gopher. The second story is about Sharon Tate. Like most Tarantino movies the dialogue is great as is the acting. The problem is that the story meanders, with a lot of scenes going on a bit too long. There isn’t much action until the very end and like most of Tarantino’s movies, it is fast, furious, bloody, and over the top. There just isn’t enough of it. The acting is first rate, especially Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Look for them to be noticed at awards time. Worth seeing, but a bit long.
All is True
“All is True” is the story of William Shakespeare’s retirement years. Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench are Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare and are almost strangers since Mr. S has lived in London for the past twenty years. Neither of their daughters are happy and Will still has not gotten over the death of his son, Hamnet. Branagh is unrecognizable in the role. However, the story is depressing and a bit slow. His films usually have a certain humor and are seldom slow moving. This film is an exception. Interesting but not exceptional.
Toy Story 4
It is hard to believe that the original “Toy Story” was the first computer animated film. Even back then Pixar Studio knew that the script was as important as the animation. The first two sequels were almost as good as the original. This one, while not as good as the first three, is worthy its legacy. This time Woody and the gang are owned by a new child, a little girl. They go on an adventure with her and her family. Cute, clever and funny. You won’t be disappointed.
Yesterday
The feel good movie of the summer is “Yesterday”, from the director who brought us “Slumdog Millionaire”. The plot is pretty far fetched, but fun. A down on his luck musician blacks out when. the world has a power outage and when he awakens the no one knows who the Beatles are. He plays their songs and becomes a superstar, all the time being told what a genius he is for writing such incredible songs. Himesh Patel plays the musician who is dumbfounded by his success. His British Pakastani family is adorable and his friend/girlfriend, played by Lily James, is also wonderful. Kate McKinnon plays his money hungry agent. They pull off the far fetched plot and of course the music is amazing. I really loved this movie and will probably see it again. It is that enjoyable.
Men in Black: International
“Men in Black: International” is a continuation of the series. This time Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are absent. Tessa Thompson plays a new agent assigned to London to work with Chris Hemsworth’s experienced but rouge agent. Their adventures take them around the world as they encounter aliens, including a cute little one voiced by Kumail Nanjiani from “The Big Sick”. While not as original as the first two films, this is not a bad continuation of the series. It doesn’t have the same sense of humor as those films, but it is still pretty enjoyable. A good summer diversion.
The Secret Life of Pets 2
“The Secret Life of Pets” was a cute computer animated film from a few years ago. It was unique and clever, telling a story from pets’ in New York City point of view. The sequel tells another story with many of the same characters. Again there are some clever and funny parts of the plot, but overall it didn’t seem necessary. A few of the plot twists seem contrived. This is a film for the kids. If you’re looking for the wit of the original, it isn’t there.
Late Night
“Late Night” is the story of a late night talk show host who has lost her touch with the audience and is on her way out. She hires an Indian-American novice writer who changes the whole show, making it contemporary and the host beloved. The host is played by Emma Thompson as a type A, take no prisoners character and she is quite good. The Indian-American is played by Mindy Kaling, who also wrote the film. Her encounters with the male writers are funny. A nice diversion.
Shaft
This is the third movie named “Shaft”, but is not a remake of the first two versions. Rather it is a continuation of the Shaft story. In this one we meet John Shaft’s son, an MIT graduate working for the FBI. Shaft was an absentee father and his son, J.J., needs him for an investigation. The plot is incidental because this is a showcase for Samuel L. Jackson’s talents and persona. You could say that this film is “Deadpool in Harlem”. There is lots of action and just as much comedy. Jackson is hilarious and his son, played by newcomer Jesse T. Usher, holds his own. The film really hits its stride when Richard Roundtree, the original Shaft, shows up playing Jackson’s father and Usher’s grandfather. He’s still cool. This film was a lot of fun. If you like action with comedy, don’t miss it!
Mark's Movie Reviews 