Category: 3.5 Stars
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Gold (***1/2) is a beautiful loser
If you like McConaughey, then watch this film. If you are on the bubble and think he just may have gotten lucky, watch this film. Tell me if it doesn’t make you feel like he’s finally proved himself worthwhile.
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The Lego Batman Movie (***1/2) is rife with life, the universe, everything
It’s not as much a movie as a celebration of all things insanely tangential. The references are so thick you can go 2 seconds before getting another one. Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent / Two Face? Really? Are you kidding?
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The Secret Life of Pets (***1/2) and Sing (*1/2) shows Illumination is just pumping them out there regardless of quality
It’s plain that Illumination is banking on a distinct visual flair while sacrificing originality of story (and, in Sing’s case, distinct vocal talent). There are worse films out there, but it all makes me happy that my youngest one is 10 and I will likely be skipping more of the automatic animation viewing destinations in…
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La La Land (***1/2) The portrait of the artist(s) looks familiar
If you like the elements of a musical, the artist staying true to their dream and romance, you will like and possibly love this film. I am firmly in the former category.
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Ouija: Origin of Evil (***1/2) improves upon the model
The first story was kind of a throwaway. Kids get hooked into a board game that is tied to a house with a past. The past is kind of interesting though, and they wisely decide to mine that fertile territory for this episode.
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Hunt for the Wilderpeople (***) is a pleasant walk through New Zealand
If they had kept the story with the two leads, it would be a fine film. Neill can do this role in his sleep, and Dennison is more engaging than most Disney kids. Unfortunately they go a little too often to the well of hijinks with House’s welfare worker who acts as though she were…
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The Lobster (***1/2) is precisely as pathetic as it’s supposed to be
The overall effect to me is somewhere between amused and nails on a chalkboard. This film has appeal to people I admire, and I cannot fault them their feelings. It’s a little too close to “Sprockets” for my taste. When I watch a movie or read a book, I am in for a different type…
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Finding Dory (***1/2) is about new beginnings and never ending
If anything, this film shows us who the real star of the series is. There would have to be some major work done to incorporate Marlin as essential at this point. I am not sure Nemo ever mattered less.
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Jane Got A Gun (***1/2): Hell’s coming with me
O’Connor has not done nearly as much as a director of his caliber since his incredible last effort, Warrior, mentioned earlier. If nothing else, Jane Got A Gun shows that he can take other people’s material and make something that we can feel. It’s a good, memorable western that allows us to know we come…
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Pride and Prejudice & Zombies (***1/2) does good bad cinema
If you like zombies, but never tried a Jane Austen story, let this be your bridge. If you like Jane Austen and your boyfriend / husband likes the zombies, this is probably the closest you’ll get to enjoying something together. Or, if you are like your wife and me, you’ll hope they make a sequel.
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