by Josh Sewell
A Litle Prayer
(Rated R for language. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: Bill (David Strathairn) is a business owner, veteran and proud patriarch in his Southern community. But the quiet home he shares with his wife Venida (Celia Weston) is uprooted when his daughter Patti (Anna Camp) returns home after the collapse of her marriage, while his son David (Will Pullen) struggles to adapt to civilian life after his stint in the military. When Bill begins to suspect David is having an affair, he must decide whether to reveal this heartbreaking news to his daughter-in-law Tammy (Jane Levy), who he has come to love and respect more than his own children.
The verdict: It’s always exhilarating when a movie comes out of nowhere and floors me like writer-director Angus MacLachlan’s latest drama. His quiet, powerful story of a family’s bond during crisis is easily one of the year’s best films. I don’t know why I’m surprised – he accomplished a similar feat with 2005’s tonally and thematically similar Junebug, which earned Amy Adams her first Oscar nomination and helped her become a household name.
A Litle Prayer
(Rated R for language. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: Bill (David Strathairn) is a business owner, veteran and proud patriarch in his Southern community. But the quiet home he shares with his wife Venida (Celia Weston) is uprooted when his daughter Patti (Anna Camp) returns home after the collapse of her marriage, while his son David (Will Pullen) struggles to adapt to civilian life after his stint in the military. When Bill begins to suspect David is having an affair, he must decide whether to reveal this heartbreaking news to his daughter-in-law Tammy (Jane Levy), who he has come to love and respect more than his own children.
The verdict: It’s always exhilarating when a movie comes out of nowhere and floors me like writer-director Angus MacLachlan’s latest drama. His quiet, powerful story of a family’s bond during crisis is easily one of the year’s best films. I don’t know why I’m surprised – he accomplished a similar feat with 2005’s tonally and thematically similar Junebug, which earned Amy Adams her first Oscar nomination and helped her become a household name.
He gets equally incredible performances from his stars here, with Strathairn delivering some of his best work in a legendary film career that started way back in 1979. It’s ridiculous that he’s only been nominated for a single Oscar (Best Actor for 2005’s Good Night, and Good Luck), but his work here is worthy of another one. I just hope enough people see it to get the awards season train rolling.
Levy is also outstanding in a role that seems simple on the surface but reveals a deep well of sadness and anger. She doesn’t have as much screen time or dialogue as Strathairn, but her character is just as compelling. The scenes they share are staggeringly beautiful.
Small films like A Little Prayer typically don’t get huge theatrical releases, but this one is worth seeking out. At the very least, keep an eye out once it hits VOD and streaming.
Small films like A Little Prayer typically don’t get huge theatrical releases, but this one is worth seeking out. At the very least, keep an eye out once it hits VOD and streaming.
Grade: A
The Toxic Avenger
(Not rated, but contains graphic violence, strong language and nudity. Now playing in select theaters.)
(Not rated, but contains graphic violence, strong language and nudity. Now playing in select theaters.)
The premise: When down-and-out janitor Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage) is exposed to a catastrophic accident at work, he transforms into the grotesque but good-hearted Toxic Avenger (Dinklage’s voice, with Luisa Guerreiro in the suit). Now, Toxie must take on ruthless villains (played by Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood) who threaten his son (Jacob Tremblay), his friend (Taylour Paige) and his community.
The verdict: I had absolutely no business watching Troma’s original Toxic Avenger movies as a nerdy preteen back in the early 1990s, but they played a pivotal role in my evolution from cartoons and other children’s entertainment to far more grown-up movies. They also weren’t technically “good” from a snobby film critic perspective, but they sure were a lot of fun (and incredibly eye-opening) to a kid who lived in a pre-internet world.
Writer-director Macon Blair’s remake (which finally hit theaters last weekend after a two-year delay) is certainly a more expensive star-studded affair, yet captures the fun, dangerous spirit of those originals. It’s silly, grotesque and hyperviolent, but it still demonstrates a surprising amount of heart.
What’s more, it’s a blast to watch acclaimed actors – who would typically be considered “too good” for such schlocky material – having a great time wearing tons of makeup and delivering outlandish dialogue. Dinklage and Bacon totally nail the exploitation flick vibe, while Guerreiro’s work in the Toxie getup is just as crucial as her better-known collaborator’s hilarious vocal performance.
Although this update of The Toxic Avenger won’t be for everyone (especially kids!), those with a nostalgic connection to the originals or just a generally warped sense of humor will probably have a good time. I know I wouldn’t mind a sequel or two.
What’s more, it’s a blast to watch acclaimed actors – who would typically be considered “too good” for such schlocky material – having a great time wearing tons of makeup and delivering outlandish dialogue. Dinklage and Bacon totally nail the exploitation flick vibe, while Guerreiro’s work in the Toxie getup is just as crucial as her better-known collaborator’s hilarious vocal performance.
Although this update of The Toxic Avenger won’t be for everyone (especially kids!), those with a nostalgic connection to the originals or just a generally warped sense of humor will probably have a good time. I know I wouldn’t mind a sequel or two.
Grade: B
The Thursday Murder Club
(Rated PG-13 for violent content/bloody images, strong language and some sexual references. Now available on Netflix.)
(Rated PG-13 for violent content/bloody images, strong language and some sexual references. Now available on Netflix.)
The premise: Based on the bestselling novel by Richard Osman, this mystery revolves around four retirement home friends (Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie) who try to solve cold cases for fun. However, the stakes become real when they’re entangled in an active murder investigation.
The verdict: Sort of a British version of Only Murders in the Building (although Osman’s book was published a year before that show hit Hulu), this pleasant enough mystery is basically an excuse to put a bunch of talented elder statesmen in the same room and let them do their thing. On that level, director Chris Columbus succeeds; it makes sense considering the guy behind Home Alone, Harry Potter and Mrs. Doubtfire knows a thing or two about working with great actors.
The verdict: Sort of a British version of Only Murders in the Building (although Osman’s book was published a year before that show hit Hulu), this pleasant enough mystery is basically an excuse to put a bunch of talented elder statesmen in the same room and let them do their thing. On that level, director Chris Columbus succeeds; it makes sense considering the guy behind Home Alone, Harry Potter and Mrs. Doubtfire knows a thing or two about working with great actors.
Where the movie stumbles a bit is in the screenplay, adapted by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. It feels rushed and anticlimactic at the same time, mainly because we don’t get to know the characters well enough for the emotional beats and reveals to pack the required punch. Although I haven’t read it myself, I’ve heard several people suggest the nearly 400-page novel might’ve been better suited for a limited series instead of a two-hour movie.
Regardless, Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, Imrie and the rest of the cast (including Naomi Ackie, Jonathan Pryce and David Tennant) do a decent job of papering over the movie’s flaws. Considering it’s a hit on Netflix and Osman has written four additional books in the series, there’s a good chance we’ll see this crew work together again.
Regardless, Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, Imrie and the rest of the cast (including Naomi Ackie, Jonathan Pryce and David Tennant) do a decent job of papering over the movie’s flaws. Considering it’s a hit on Netflix and Osman has written four additional books in the series, there’s a good chance we’ll see this crew work together again.
Grade: B-
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com or on BlueSky @joshsewell.bsky.social
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