Month: February 2024

‘Dune: Part Two’ Review or It’s Very Dune-ified for Dune People

| Rachel's Reviews

One of the challenges as a critic is to try and be as fair and objective as possible. Obviously true objectivity is impossible because I am a human being full of biases, tastes, history and personal experiences that flavor my understanding and acceptance of any film. I still like to try as hard as I can to give everything I see the opportunity to wow me. However, some stuff has admittedly more of an uphill climb than other stuff…

This is where I admit I am just not a Dune person. I found the book to be one of the most excruciating experiences of my reading life with uninteresting characters, story and plot and neither of the feature film adaptations have caught my interest- both 2021 and 1984. The last one I think is well done for people that like Dune but since it was still Dune it didn’t do much for me.

Now we have Dune: Part Two and I was hoping I would like this one better because it focuses on a love story, and I guess I did, but it was still not my thing. In particular, the first hour was plodding and stocked full of uninteresting desert people without a compelling narrative to draw them forward. It all looks nice but the drama between Paul and the Baron and protecting his pregnant Mother feels like a lot of meaningful shouting without much actual meaning.

Once it becomes a war story with Paul leading the Fremen against their captors it is more engaging and we get some interesting dynamics from Timothee Chalamet as Paul who is a reluctant leader who only assumes the throne because there is nobody else to do so. The George Washington of the spice world you might say. Unfortunately Frank Herbert and Denis Villeneuve always keeps Paul at a distance from us. I don’t really know who he is the way I do a Frodo or  a Luke Skywallker. Aside from vague ideas of honor and family I never really feel like I get in his head or understand his journey very well.

If you like the first Dune you will love Dune: Part Two. I can’t imagine anyone feeling differently. If you didn’t than maybe go just for the visual spectacle of it all. I am in the minority and didn’t enjoy the Hans Zimmer music again. It’s loud, blaring and overwhelming without having a memorable theme to draw us into the story. I defy anyone to hum the supposedly great music from Dune. You can’t do it!

Dune: Part Two is a hard movie for me to give a grade to because it’s just not made for me, but I can see that if you like this kind of thing than you will like it and isn’t that the most important factor- that a movie be a success to its intended audience? I don’t even know if I will log this review on rottentomatoes because it feels unfair of me to give it a rotten rating when I think it does what it’s trying to do very well. I just find Dune boring, bland and uninteresting and no iteration I’ve experienced it has convinced me otherwise. Clearly millions around the world disagree with me and that’s ok.

It happens in life. So I hope you will forgive this rather strange review and hopefully it has given you some idea of whether Dune: Part Two might be for you or not.

5 out of 10

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Current Mini Reviews- Drive Away Dolls, Upgraded, Ordinary Angels

| Rachel's Reviews

Hi friends! I have some quick updates to give you and then will be writing my longer review of Dune: Part 2 in the next couple of days. If you want to see my out of theater reaction click here:

Drive Away Dolls-

As an esteemed moviegoer and film critic I have a confession to make. I am extremely mixed on the Coen Brothers especially their comedies. Of course, they have their classics like Raising Arizona and O Brother, Where Art Thou? but especially some of their more recent stuff really falls flat like Intolerable Cruelty, Hail, Caesar! and Burn After Reading (I know these movies have their fans. I am not one of them.) Now we have Drive Away Dolls which is just from brother Ethan Coen and it’s another big comedic misfire. I was pretty excited going into this raunchy comedy having enjoyed the trailer and left feeling really disappointed.

The main couple played by Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan have their moments and could have chemistry in another film but most of the jokes felt really played out and often only included for shock value, which becomes less shocking as they are repeated again and again. In many ways this felt like a movie of favors. Lots of famous people come in and out of the story but aren’t given much to do with few laughs being delivered. It feels like Ethan called up his friends but then the creativity stopped there and I frankly would rather hang out with my own friends than spend time with these people. For my more sensitive readers this one is a hard R but they don’t do much that’s exciting or creative with that raunchiness. It was just not for me…

4 out of 10

Frown Worthy

Upgraded-

I’m always happy when I see a new rom-com is coming out even if it is just for streaming (this one to Amazon Prime which released my favorite movie of last year Red White and Royal Blue.)  Upgraded is a pretty basic The Devil Wears Prada copycat but it’s pleasant enough for fans of the genre. Camilla Mendes plays Ana, a young art gallery assistant who is trying to make a name for herself in New York City. She gets a job with Marisa Tomei and then they are zipped off to London where she meets handsome William (Archie Renaux.)

A little of Tomei’s character goes a long way and we get a lot of it and most of the work related stuff feels very played out; however, Renaux and Mendes are charming and it’s fun seeing London. This is no masterpiece but I smiled while watching it. If you like the genre give it a try.

5.5 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Ordinary Angels-

I always try and judge films for both my overall enjoyment and how well does it succeed in being what it’s try to be. In other words, if the movie is clearly geared towards little kids than does it meet those audiences expectations. Sometimes I have to guess what that audience will enjoy (especially when watching horror movies for example) but I at least try to put films in their proper context.

With Ordinary Angels the team behind it includes the Erwin Brothers who have the strongest resume of faith-based films working today as well as director Jon Gunn who made solid genre entries like I Still Believe, American Underdog and Jesus Revolution.

Fortunately you can count Ordinary Angels as another win in their filmography. This is a very satisfying faith-based film that is honestly pretty light on the faith aspects and presents compelling characters with a story that is easy to root for. Hillary Swank leads the film playing Sharon a woman who becomes determined to help a little girl get the medical care she needs. Alan Ritchson is also strong as the little girls Dad as are all the child actors involved.

Of course, it has its cheesy moments but that’s to be expected in this type of film. I just appreciate it had flawed characters that we see learn and grow and the evangelisms is kept to a minimum. If this is the future of the faith-based genre sign me up! It’s definitely a step in the right direction.

7 out of 10

Smile Worthy

So there you have it! If you’ve seen any of these let me know what you think and happy moviegoing!

If you enjoy my writing please support me on patreon and you will get some great perks along the way! Check it out here.

 

 

 

‘Madame Web’ Review or Did Anyone Really Try Here?

| Rachel's Reviews

I realize the title to this review is going to cause some outrage. I like to believe even on bad movies people are usually still trying their best. Therefore, I did not give such a title lightly. In fact I waited several days to write the review after the embargo and release to make sure how I felt about Madame Web and that I wasn’t just feeding on internet hate and hyperbole. It’s not that it’s just a movie I dislike. That happens all the time. It’s that it is so sloppily constructed that it’s hard to justify its existence on any level.

I usually try and start my reviews with some positives but with Madame Web I have very few. There are a few actors like Isabela Merced and Adam Scott who are trying their darndest with the material and a few moments of nice cinematography as well as some winks to 2003 where the movie is set.

That’s about it. The script is the biggest problem with dialogue that had me howling (to myself) in my seat The story also fails to develop compelling characters who’s actions feel believable. Every flash forward is so poorly edited and constructed that it feels confusing rather than enlightening and there are often big gaps in logic or story that leave you wondering ‘how did they get here?’ or ‘how did she know that?,’ ‘has she never been in water before and if not why?’ You get the idea. The actors, who have been good in other roles, can’t save this script with Dakota Johnson making her role in Fifty Shades of Grey look like an Oscar bait film and Tahar Rahim entering the history books as one of the most poorly executed villains ever.

What’s more shocking is how poorly made Madame Web is. We expect clunky dialogue these days from superhero movies but everything from the editing to the sound design to the action is sloppy! And let’s mention the product placement that had me wondering if I’d wandered into a parody film by mistake.

There’s scenes in this film where a character opens a can of Pepsi right in front of the camera acting like a Price is Right model showcasing it for all to see. Then later on the climatic fight scene is literally done beneath a giant Pepsi Cola sign. I wish I was making this up.

I’ve mentioned how I hate modern action movies where characters stand around staring at screens. Well, in Madame Web there is an entire character who seems to not leave the villains apartment but just stares at screen for her entire existence. The sad part about this henchman is she is played by Zosia Mamet who is so wonderful in the lead of Molli & Max In the Future– a far better film out in theaters now. When I think of the style and energy that film brought to the table on a nothing budget it’s infuriating to watch a big mess  like Madame Web. Did I mention how bad the editing is in this film? I mean come on!

The trailer for this film promises aspects that aren’t really delivered like instead of a team-up movie with other spider-women it’s a teens being ordered around by a bored female mentor movie (the teens are mostly standing around waiting for things to happen to them). The villain instead of being cold and calculating is in revenge-mode for crimes that haven’t happened despite himself being a cold-blooded murderer! It makes no sense. It honestly feels like they just made it up every day they went to shoot and all the winks to Spider-man only amplify that feeling.

It’s especially baffling when Sony has done such a brilliant job with their animated Spider-verse movies. They might have just as well hired Tommy Wiseau and made this one of his triumphs. At least that would have some personality. This is without a doubt the worst comic book movie since Catwoman and it may be even worse than that. As I recall that at least didn’t have ADR and visual effects problems… It’s not even fun bad. It’s just boring, lame and incompetent. Badly done Sony!! Badly done!

1 out of 10

Frown Worthy

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Current Mini Reviews- Orion and the Dark, American Fiction, Lisa Frankenstein, Bob Marley: One Love, Molli and Max: In the Future

| Rachel's Reviews

Hey everyone! First I want to apologize for being so late in getting you my Sundance recap. It’s 28 films and taking me longer to get it done than I hoped for. In the meantime I have some other films to catch you up on. So let’s get to it! 

Orion and the Dark

Due to its Netflix-only strategy I predict Orion and the Dark will end up being one of the more under-appreciated films of 2024. And this is a real shame because it’s a special little animated film from DreamWorks. It tells the story of a little boy named Orion who has high anxiety. One day in the midst of his panic he meets his greatest fear personified- The Dark. They then go on a journey together to help him overcome his fears.

The script for this film is written by Charlie Kaufman of Adaptation fame and his imprint is all over the place. The way it addresses anxiety with honesty and empathy is wonderful for kids (second movie this year to do so with Inside Out 2 coming out with a character named Anxiety.) I also loved the animation with a similar flat style that we saw in Abominable or Captain Underpants (both underrated.)

I also had the pleasure of interviewing the composers for this movie after I saw it and that interview will be on Rachel’s Reviews youtube and at rotoscopers.com later this week. I wish we could have seen Orion and the Dark on the big screen but it’s definitely worth a watch over at Netflix. I think it will not only entertain but help kids process their feelings in a very positive way. Love it!

8 out of 10

Smile Worthy

 American Fiction

I finally checked American Fiction off my to-watch list this week. It’s not that I’d been avoiding it. I just missed the screening and this time of year once you miss it it’s hard to catch up! Overall, I really enjoyed this lively little piece of satire. It’s at its strongest when it is poking fun at academia and literary hipster circles. It’s less effective when it tries to be about the lead character “Monk’s” family and personal life. That felt more cliched and tired.

Still, the performances are excellent especially Jeffrey Wright in the lead. He’s trying to do the right thing but also the world keeps telling him they don’t want his best- they want the cliched book he wrote as a joke. It’s kind of funny in a way that it’s up for all these awards because the script criticizes the very people who vote for such awards! It’s very ironic. Nevertheless, this is a good example of how you can do contemporary satire effectively and keep it funny/non-woke for lack of a better word. I’d watch it again and I can’t say that about that many movies like this. Erika Alexander, who I used to love on The Cosby Show is excellent as Monk’s girlfriend.

7 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Molli and Max: In the Future

Last year one of my favorite movies at SXSW Film Festival was Molli and Max: In the Future. I had the chance to rewatch this clever take on When Harry Met Sally in space and I still really enjoyed it. In fact, I’ve kept in touch with the director Michael Litwak over this year and recently had him on the Hallmarkies Podcast to talk about the movie. I really enjoyed our discussion about the movie and rom-coms in general. Check it out above or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The movie itself is very inventive and fresh. I can’t believe all they were able to do on a nothing budget creating a unique and immersive world that feels like Doctor Who meets Tron. There are some segments that drag a little too long like a section on a reality game show but even there the world-building is creative enough to keep me invested. Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari are wonderful in the leads and their friendship and chemistry is believable.

If Molli and Max is playing near you I’d love for you to support it. It’s the kind of bootstrap filmmaking with hard and humor I’d love to encourage and support. A gem of 2024.

9 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Lisa Frankenstein

Next I saw Lisa Frankenstein which is a genre mashup romantic comedy, horror film in the vein of Edward Scissorhands, Shaun of the Dead or Warm Bodies. I don’t think this is as strong as any of those films but there was enough positives for me to recommend.

The best thing about this film is the aesthetic and enjoyable performances. It is set in 1989 and it really feels like a creature of that time in all its aesthetics. I also liked all of the performances especially Kathryn Newton as Lisa and Cole Sprouse as the Frankenstein. Carla Gugino and Liza Soberano are great in supporting roles. The dry sense of humor in the script by Diablo Cody is also pretty entertaining.

The problem lies in the story. The script doesn’t give them enough to do. It seemed like a lot of the movie is just the characters hanging around the house waiting for something to happen. It’s also not as effective a love story as it could have been because Lisa’s pining away for a different boy most of the movie. Recently I saw Your Monster at Sundance and that was a much better genre mashup. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this enough for a mild recommendation. If it seems like your thing than you’ll enjoy yourself.

6 out of 10

Smile Worthy

Bob Marley: One Love

Finally we have a new musical biopic about reggae legend Bob Marley called Bob Marley: One Love. Unfortunately this is a by the numbers biopic that doesn’t give us much new that we didn’t already know about Bob or the music he created. The biggest insight I gained was learning about how he died (I’ve always heard he died of a stubbed toe that got infected but it was evidently cancer that came from the stubbed toe.

The leads are decent with Kingsley Ben-Adir and I suppose if you are a big fan who knows nothing about Bob Marley it might be entertaining enough at home but I mostly was bored and wishing it would wrap it up sooner.

4 out of 10

Frown Worthy

So there you have it. What about you? What have you been enjoying at the theater or on streaming? I would love to hear your thoughts!

If you enjoy my writing please support me on patreon and you will get some great perks along the way! Check it out here.

ARGYLLE or the Real Supervillain is THE SCRIPT! (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

As much as it is not pleasant to see terrible films like Strays or Trolls: Band Together it is a different kind of agonizing experience to see films loaded with potential that are almost good but make crucial mistakes that sink them. This is my experience with the new action comedy Argylle from director Matthew Vaughan. For about the first 45 minutes I was really enjoying it. It takes about that long for the first twist to be revealed and I was on board and having a good time with the films energy and the engaging cast.

Then as if encouraged by the first twist there’s another, and another, until it all becomes too much. Unfortunately the blame for this frustrating experience has to be lain at the feet of screenwriter Jason Fuchs. Somebody needed to go to him and say hold back. The first twist was all that was necessary. Sam Rockwell and Bryce Dallas Howard are great together (they are the leads of this film not Henry Cavill and his horrible haircut. The cat literally has more time than Cavill.)

The narrative does take the viewer around the world and there are some inventive sequences but there’s never any sense of tension because it’s all divorced from any kind of reality to take seriously.

If Argylle had taken a page from the underrated Knight & Day and taken Howard and Rockwell on a madcap espionage adventure  I would have been all in. Like I said, even the first twist I enjoyed but it just becomes too much. Also some of the supporting cast is shamefully wasted including Samuel L Jackson who literally sits at a desk waiting for a file to download for most of the film.

There are sequences in the film that look fresh and inventive; however, there are others that are surprisingly cheap and shoddy looking. We certainly expect much better from a $200 million action movie from Apple. The whole thing should and could have been much better. It’s beyond frustrating to see something so close to being great but it botches in execution.

5 out of 10

Frown Worthy

If you enjoy my writing please support me on patreon and you will get some great perks along the way! Check it out here.