 |
| Courtesy of The Weinstein Company |
(Rated
PG-13 for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material,
thematic elements and smoking.)
Who’s
in it: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba
Gooding Jr. and numerous actors in presidential cameos.
What
it’s about: “Inspired” by a true story, the film tells the story of Cecil
Gaines (Whitaker), a White House butler who served seven presidents over three
decades. He’s a witness to history – from the Civil Rights Movement to Vietnam
to fairness in the workplace – but his job also puts a strain on his
relationships with his lonely wife (Winfrey) and activist son (Oyelowo).
The
good: Most of the actors’ performances are terrific. Whitaker delivers his strongest
work in years, bringing warmth, sadness and anger to a character that could’ve
easily been a caricature. From her first scene, Winfrey comes across as Gaines’
frustrated wife rather than one of the planet’s most influential women. It’s a
nice reminder that she was a gifted actress before she was OPRAH. I would be
shocked if she doesn’t get a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Oyelowo
continues to be one of the most compelling aspects of the projects he chooses. Kravitz
and Gooding are also strong as Gaines’ co-workers. On the presidential front,
James Marsden and Minka Kelly, who play the Kennedys, are the most convincing.
The
not-so-good: Everyone else that Daniels cast in political roles. Robin Williams
doesn’t register as Eisenhower; John Cusack is terribly miscast as Nixon; Liev
Schreiber is too young to pass as LBJ; and Alan Rickman is reduced to a bad wig
and a weird accent as Reagan. Jane Fonda makes a surprisingly decent Nancy, but
she’s onscreen for less than two minutes. The makeup is awful, often causing
unintended laughter from the audience. Danny Strong’s script completely
fictionalizes the main character and his family (for instance, the real
butler’s name was Eugene Allen, he had a much different childhood than the film
depicts and his relationships with his wife and son weren’t contentious), and
the plot is a retread of Forrest Gump. Daniels’ direction makes it seem like
he made three separate movies – all with different goals, themes and tones –
and jammed them together at the last minute.
Grade:
B-
 |
| Courtesy of Universal |
Kick-Ass 2
(Rated
R for strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief
nudity.)
Who’s
in it: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and
Jim Carrey.
What
it’s about: A few years after the events of the first film, Dave Lizewski
(Taylor-Johnson) misses the excitement that comes with being the titular
superhero. As does Mindy Macready (Moretz), who – after the death of her father
– is attempting to be a normal teenager instead of the ultra-violent Hit Girl. They
get their chance to suit up again when former colleague Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse)
decides to become the world’s first supervillain, complete with a name that I
can’t type without getting fired. To take down Dave’s old friend, they team up
with Justice Forever, a league of wannabe superheroes led by Colonel Stars and
Stripes (Carrey).
The
good: Like last time, Moretz is hands-down the best thing about the flick. Hit
Girl shouldn’t work as a realistic character, but the gifted young actress
makes Macready’s conflicted feelings and budding humanity seem authentic.
Carrey is very good as the film’s sole moral compass, but it’s a far smaller role
than the film’s marketing would have you believe. There are a handful of
genuinely funny lines.
The
not-so-good: Basically everything else. The film is basically a reboot with the
same cast. Other than a couple of major deaths, nothing from the first film
sticks. New writer-director Jeff Wadlow has none of the visual panache or flair
for dialogue that Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman brought to the original. His
attempts at being shocking or “edgy” (a meaningless buzzword) come across like
a 10-year-old who just learned the f-word. It also seems like Wadlow doesn’t know
if he’s making a comedic version of a superhero flick or a genuine one, so he
tries unsuccessfully to do both. Taylor-Johnson barely registers, even though
he’s supposedly the main character. Lizewski doesn’t grow or change in any way (aside
from getting more buff); he just coasts through the movie.
Grade:
C
 |
| Courtesy of Disney |
Planes
(Rated
PG for some mild action and rude humor.)
Who’s
in it: The voices of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett and Teri Hatcher.
What
it’s about: Dusty Crophopper (Cook) is a crop-duster plane with a fear of
heights and impossible dreams of being a racer. To his friends’ disbelief, he
somehow qualifies to compete in the Wings Across the World race. With the help
Skipper (Keach), a former combat plane, he learns the skills he’ll need to
succeed in his dangerous but rewarding endeavor.
The
good: Cook, who I typically find smug and irritating, is genuinely likable as
Dusty. His voice communicates the character’s good-natured personality and
sense of wonder as he travels around the globe. He also effectively portrays
Dusty’s maturation over the course of the race. The rest of the cast does solid
vocal work as well. Fans of Top Gun will appreciate the in-joke that kicks
off the movie. As with all Cars-related properties, the animation is welcoming
and colorful.
The
not-so-good: Planes commits the cardinal sin of kid’s movies – it’s boring (the
second act in particular). I noticed many of the children in my screening growing
increasingly antsy, and a few families even got up and left. It’s bizarre how
similar the plot is to the recently released Turbo. Replace the planes with
snails and racecars and it’s basically the same movie, down to the climactic
race at the end.
Grade:
C
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