Octavia Spencer plays a different type of role in “Ma”. She is an off kilter veterinarian assistant who befriends a bunch of high school kids by buying them booze. She then offers her basement as a place for them to party. Her motives are somewhat darker and relate to her high school years. Spencer is good as always. This film unites her with her director from “The Help”, Tate Taylor. Not a bad mystery, horror film.
Rocketman
“Rocketman” is the biography of Elton John starring Taron Egerton. Unlike “Bohemian Rhapsody” this film does not place the songs in the order in which they were written. Instead they are placed where they fit into the story. Egerton is great as Elton and I kept wondering who was playing his mother. It was Bryce Dallas Howard in a black wig and she was also quite good. The music is phenomenal, the acting excellent, and the costumes are outrageous, just like John’s. The main story, bedsides his list to fame is about his loneliness and addictions. The film is good, e specially if you like Elton John’s music. Unlike “Bohemian Rhapsody”, it is not great, but still worth seeing.
Avengers: Endgame
Congratulations to Marvel and Disney for putting over “Avengers: Endgame”. The public is going nuts over this film. As a Marvel fan I had to see it so I would know what happened after Infinity Wars, which was a far superior movie. The first hour was very episodic, switching from place to place as the remaining Avengers brought their team together. Making Chris Evans the lead was a big mistake. Describing his performance as wooden would be insulting to wood. And I am over Robert Downey, Jr.’s flippant performance as Tony Stark. Scarlett Johansson’s teeth must be rotting because she didn’t smile once. On the positive side Chris Hemsworth’s body transformation was a highlight and Bruce Banner embracing the Hulk’s anger was quite amusing. Tom Holland as Spiderman once again steals every scene he’s in. figured out what was going to happen with their time travel, but I thought the individual stories. could have been better. The special effects were excellent (expected), but there were some giant holes in the plot. If you’re a fan and want to see this over-long finale go, but it is a letdown from last year’s Infinity Wars.
Dumbo
As a kid I liked Disney’s “Dumbo”. It was funny, sad and sentimental. It was also darker than many of the Disney cartoons. The latest live action remake of their cartoons is a little different partially because it is directed by Tim Burton. His view of the world has always been a little off center and this film is no different. The computer graphics of the elephants and other animals are wonderful and Dumbo is adorable. I felt the same pangs when everyone made fun of him and his separation from his mother is very emotional. The sequence with the pink elephants in the animated version is redone quite originally. The ending is changed a bit to make it more modern and the crows are no longer in the movie. A good remake with a little bit of a twist.
Shazam!
Shazam! is the latest film made from the DC Comics universe. Unlike a lot of the DC film adaptations, this one is not dark, nor does it have endless battle sequences. The premise is that a kid gains super powers when he utters “Shazam!” and he becomes an adult. Zachary Levi, who plays the kid as an adult, is perfect at portraying the wonder of a kid in an adult body. It kind of reminded me of Tom Hanks in “Big”. In fact there is an homage to that movie. There is a lot of humor and mix ups, showing the awkwardness of high school and the embracing of super powers. A fun, light super hero movie.
Us
Jordan Peele is definitely not a one hit wonder! After “Get Out!” two years ago, he gives us “Us” starring Lupita Nyong’o and all I can say is wow! There is a strange feeling from the beginning when a little girl wonders off at a beachside amusement park into a house of mirrors. Twenty five years later she is with her family going to their vacation home. Intruders come in, but they are not normal criminals. “Us” is a post modern zombie movie, with a twist. Like the best suspense/horror movies it keeps you guessing. You don’t know what will happen next nor what the creatures’ motives are. Any filmmaker who can keep me guessing deserves my praise, like M. Mike Shalaman in “The Sixth Sense”. Peele has done it twice.
Oscar Commentary 2019 #2
I usually have a hard time predicting the Supporting Actor and Actress categories. There are traditionally some ringers and this year is no exception. The Supporting Actor category is especially difficult. The early front runners were Richard E. Grant for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and Sam Elliot for “A Star is Born”. Then Mareshala Ali for “Green Book” started winning some of the early awards. Adam Driver for “BlacKkKlansman” and Sam Rockwell for “Vice” round out the list, but don’t look like they have a chance. Rockwell won last year. If the Oscar goes to Elliot it will reward an actor who has been dependable for a long time. Ali won two years ago, but seems to be the favorite now and Grant gave a great performance. I am split between Ali and Grant, but will give it to Ali.
The Supporting Actress category is a little easier to predict because most of the pre-Oscar awards have gone to Regina King for “If Beale Street Could Talk”. King should have been nominated for “Ray” and she is always good. In “Beal Street” she gives a strong, virtuoso performance. Amy Adams is nominated again for “Vice” as Lynn Cheney. As usual she is excellent, tough and relentless. This is her sixth nomination and there is the possibility that the Academy may take that into consideration. Rachel Wiesz and Emma Stone were equally bitchy in “The Favourite”, but I think they will cancel each other out. Finally, Marina del Tavarina’s nomination for “Roma” is the Academy’s way of honoring “Roma” some more. In the end, I think that Regina King will wall off with the trophy.
On the Basis of Sex
We already had the documentary “RBG” last year, which told Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story. Now we have “On the Basis of Sex”, which tells the story leading up to her first sexual discrimination suit success. Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer play the Ginsburg’s, with Ruth the intense, driven one and Marty equally driven, but possessing warmth and humor. The story is hard to believe because it deals with sexual discrimination, which was basically legal up until the 1970’s. Jones and Hammer play the couple realistically, showing how they loved and supported each other. A good film, but not a great film. If you really want to learn about Ginsburg see “RBG”.
Oscar Commentary #1 for 2019
As most of you may know I am a fan of the Academy Awards. The Oscar Nominees were announced on January 22nd. Here are my thoughts on a few on the Best Actor and Actress categories. The Best Actress category is one of the most interesting races in recent history. The early front runner was Lady Gaga for “A Star is Born”. I have to admit she was amazing, in a performance that captivated the screen. You couldn’t take your eyes off of her. In past years, she would be a shoo-in, but this year is different. Glenn Close, who has been nominated seven times and never won, is up for her performance in “The Wife”. Close is great in everything that she does and this film is no exception. She is now the front runner and will probably win as much for this role as for a lifetime of incredible acting. If there is an upset, it’ll probably Gaga. The other nominees, Yalitza Aparicio was the heart and soul of “Roma”; Melissa McCarthy turned in a unique performance in “Can You Ever Forgive Me”; and Olivia Colman stole “The Favorite” from two amazing actresses.
The Best Actor category also has two front runners. Christian Bale transformed himself into Dick Cheney in “Vice”. His performance is amazing. He has won a few awards, but I am rooting for Rami Malek as Freddy Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody”. His was one of those performances that doesn’t come along very often, like Jamie Foxx in “Ray” or Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”. He was real every moment of the film. Viggo Mortensen morphs into every role he takes on and “Green Book” is no exception. He will probably win one day, but this isn’t his year. Bradley Cooper gave a great performance in “A Star is Born” as well as directing it. (He was robbed of a Best Director nomination!) Willem Dafoe is also a nominee for “At Eternity’s Gate”, which is probably the least seen film in this list. (I haven’t seen that one.)
So my picks for Best Actress is Glenn Close and Best Actor Rami Melek.
They Shall Not Grow Old
“They Shall Not Grow Old” is a documentary that uses film from World War I to tell the soldiers’ stories. Instead of showing the movies in black and white and at the normal speed from movies of the time, it is colorized and sped up so that it looks like a modern film. The narration is mostly recordings of interviews of the soldiers. The film is a fascinating time capsule, showing scenes of combat and carnage the way we have grown used to viewing them in modern wars. Seeing the dead bodies, blood, explosions and vermin in color is disturbing and interesting. It is an interesting slice of history, but not for everyone. Lots of blood.
Mark's Movie Reviews 