Category: Reviews

REVIEW: Strong acting in ‘Hedda’ overshadowed by lack of substance

Oh, it’s the aristocracy being completely off the walls on screen again.

“Hedda” is the latest film adaptation of the 1891 stage play “Hedda Gabler.”In this version, the picture is set in England during the 1950s and centers on the character Hedda Gabler Tesman. Portrayed by Tessa Thompson, Hedda is in a strained marriage to her husband, George, who’s hosting an event to secure a university position.

That party, though, is crashed by an author named Eileen (Nina Hoss), a woman who’s also vying for the university job and also had a relationship with Hedda in the past. What follows is a night of scheming, betrayals and even bloodshed.

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REVIEW: Beautifully animated ‘Arco’ doesn’t fully realize interesting ideas

I can’t believe it’s not Ghibli.

That was the thought process with this French film, which was very reminiscent of the movies released by the Japanese animation company, Studio Ghibli. Featuring a look that’s very anime-inspired, “Arco” is set in two futures. In the distant future, we meet the titular protagonist, Arco (EVA Juliano Krue Valdi), who comes from a family of time travelers.

They are common in his timeline, but he’s too young to join in the adventures. That is until he takes his sister’s suit and goes on a time journey to the past, reaching 2075. There, he meets a young girl, Iris (EVA Romy Fay). As Arco looks to go back to his own time, he also develops a friendship with Iris, and the two learn about each other’s timelines.

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REVIEW: ‘Song Sung Blue’ is too schmaltzy for its own good

Wanna hear “Sweet Caroline?” Wanna hear it again? A person gets quite a few opportunities with this flick.

That’s because the main characters of this film make up a Neil Diamond cover band who gained popularity in the Midwest. The film first introduces Mike Sardina, played by Hugh Jackman, as a recovering alcoholic and struggling cover artist. During one event, he meets Claire (Kate Hudson), another performer who has aspirations in music gigs.

The two hit it off not only personally, but also professionally, becoming known as Lightning and Thunder. Together, they find success covering various hits, including “Sweet Caroline.” However, the good times also come with their fair share of challenges for the couple and their family.

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REVIEW: ‘Predator Badlands’ is an amusing buddy sci-fi adventure

I know we’ve seen a Predator team up with a human-like character before, but now it’s actually in a good movie.

In a spin on the normal structure, the protagonist of “Badlands” is a predator. Their species is actually called Yautja and the hero of the movie is Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi). Considered a runt of his Yautja clan, Dek’s father decides he needs to be killed off for the good of the tribe, but the young warrior is saved by his brother and sent to a world where he can prove himself.

There, he must hunt the dangerous apex predator known as Kalisk, but the planet is extremely dangerous. Fortunately for him, he meets a damaged, but functioning, android named Thia (Elle Fanning) who promises to help him. They begin a journey together and soon learn there’s more danger out there than just the wildlife.

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REVIEW: After strong start, ‘The Secret Agent’ is largely unspectacular

Stories of political strife and resistance to authoritarianism often translate to good cinema, and “The Secret Agent” certainly does some things right. Unfortunately, this movie also feels insufficient in many areas.

Set in 1977 during the time of dictatorship by the military in Brazil, “The Secret Agent” centers on Armando, a former professor-turned refugee who goes by the alias Marcelo to avoid detection. Played by Wagner Moura, Armando is under threat both because of his refugee status, and due to someone having a vendetta against him.

The film follows how he tries to blend in by getting a job at a registration office, which brings him into a circle with a corrupt police chief, while he also attempts to reconnect with his son and plan an escape.

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REVIEW: ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ is an intense, anxiety-filled ride

Alas, this is not a martial arts movie. If that were the case, it would probably be, “If I Had Legs I’d Roundhouse Kick You.”

Instead, this movie focuses on a vastly overstressed mother, Linda (Rose Byrne), who doesn’t have much support in what she’s going through. Her daughter has a stomach disorder, meaning she requires the use of a feeding tube each night, and has to reach a certain level of weight for an operation.

While dealing with that, a massive hole breaks open in the ceiling of her apartment, with an accompanying busted pipe, leading to a flooded home. Oh yeah, and her husband is absent as he’s working away from home, plus she’s strained at work as a psychologist with a mix of difficult patients. Needless to say, it’s a difficult period we find the protagonist in. Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ is an intense, anxiety-filled ride”

REVIEW: ‘No Other Choice’ is an absolutely brilliant black comedy

I know job hunting can be tough sometimes, but, yeesh.

That’s mainly what the lead character is going through in this new dark dramatic comedy from South Korean director Park Chan-wook. The film stars Lee Byung-hun as Yoo Man-su, a blue-collar paper factory worker who seems to have everything.

He lives in his childhood home he bought back, has achieved a solid middle-class status, and supports his wife Lee Mi-ri (Son Ye-Jin), as well as his two children and twin golden retrievers. That all changes when he, and several others are laid off from the factory. It leads to months of unemployment, hard times, and desperate decisions for the movie’s protagonist. 

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REVIEW: ‘Spider Woman’ leans heavy on music, for better and worse

In 2002, “Spider-Man” gave us the kiss of the Spider Man, upside down with Kirsten Dunst. More than 20 years later, we finally get the “Kiss of the Spider-Woman.”

The movie is the latest adaptation of the 1976 Argentinian novel of the same name. It’s previously been adapted as a film in 1985 and as a stage musical in 1992. This film takes inspiration from that stage production, as it too is presented as a musical experience.

The movie centers on a pair of men in a prison cell together during Argentina’s Dirty War from 1974-1983. Valentin (Diego Luna) is a political dissident with revolutionary goals while Luis (Tonatiuh Elizarraz) is a gay man arrested for public indecency. During their time together, Luis describes the story of a film he’s a fan of featuring The Spider Woman.

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REVIEW: ‘Nouvelle Vague’ is an enjoyable look back at French New Wave

Well, this was a fun little trip down memory lane in film classes.

“Nouvelle Vague” is a movie all about the making of the 1960 classic film “Breathless.” That 60s picture is a staple of cinema history, notable for its revolutionary methods incorporated in its shooting. Guillaume Marbeck stars as the director of “Breathless,” Jean-Luc Godard, who pushes boundaries with his unorthodox approach.

Joining in the production as the two leads of his film are Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch) and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin). Both performers express frustrations with Godard’s take on directing, as do members of the crew, but they stay committed to make the picture become a reality.

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REVIEW: Seyfried shines in Ann Lee’s mixed ‘Testament’

Amanda Seyfried is continuing to show she’s one of the best actresses working today with this flick, though one wishes the film around her was stronger.

“The Testament of Ann Lee” centers on its titular character, who founded the religious movement that became known as the Shakers. Ann’s story began in England during the 18th century, where, after several miscarriages and stillbirths, she leaned heavy into faith.

This led to her receiving a vision, which resulted in her taking over a religious group that prayed through continuous movements and shakes. Additionally, knowing what happened with her pregnancies, she makes a decree barring intimacy, seeing it as the ultimate sin.

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