by Josh Sewell
Napoleon
(Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language. Opens in theaters November 22.)
The premise: Joaquin Phoenix plays iconic French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in director Ridley Scott’s latest film, which chronicles the controversial leader’s rise and fall. The film captures Bonaparte’s journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
The verdict: The marketing for Scott’s new historical epic is wildly misleading. The studio is clearly hoping to sell potential viewers on Gladiator-style action and melodrama, which makes sense considering it’s a semi-true story that reunites Scott and Phoenix. In actuality, Napoleon is more of a dark comedy that views its title character as a childlike buffoon when he’s not on the battlefield. Think The Favourite or Veep rather than Kingdom of Heaven.
I’m not sure what other viewers will think about the bait-and-switch, but I was happy to be tricked. I walked into the screening expecting a standard biopic; instead, I found myself laughing harder than I did in many of the year’s “real” comedies. Phoenix nails the entitled, impetuous character of the historical figure. One line reading in particular (it’s about boats) absolutely destroyed me. I just wish Kirby got more to do as the equally impulsive, strong-willed Josephine.
Still, those expecting intense battle scenes won’t be disappointed. Even in his mid-80s, Scott maintains his talent for crafting brutal, innovative action sequences. The pacing’s a little sluggish at times and there are some jarring tonal shifts, but that might be due to the sheer amount of history David Scarpa’s screenplay speeds through. Scott has teased a four-hour director’s cut of the movie, so I’d be interested to see how differently that version plays.
Grade: B
Saltburn
(Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use. Opens in select theaters November 22.)
The premise: Following her Oscar win for 2020’s Promising Young Woman, writer-director Emerald Fennell crafts this dark tale about Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student struggling to fit in at Oxford University. He’s soon drawn into the world of the charming, aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to his eccentric family’s sprawling estate for a life-changing summer.
The verdict: The words “shocking” and “divisive” don’t even begin to describe this darkly comic thriller that plays like a modern update of The Talented Mr. Ripley. It’s the kind of movie tough to discuss in a brief review because I don’t want to even hint at the outrageous stuff that happens. While the story’s ultimate destination probably won’t surprise most people – if you’ve seen Keoghan’s past work, you know he often gravitates toward a specific kind of character – the journey is intense and frequently grotesque. (So many fluids…)
Performance-wise, everyone involved gives it their all. Keoghan, Elordi, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant all clearly relish the chance to play characters with almost no redeeming qualities. The scenes when they’re all together are a particularly nasty delight.
Saltburn is the epitome of “not for everyone” and it doesn’t always work. However, viewers who want their movies to swing big and take risks will find plenty to appreciate. I respect that Fennell refuses to play it safe or boring.
Grade: B
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
(Rated PG for thematic content and brief sensuality. Opens in select theaters November 17.)
The premise: This feature debut from poet, photographer and filmmaker Raven Jackson is a lyrical exploration of a woman’s life in Mississippi, paying tribute to the generations of people and places that shape us.
The verdict: Reminiscent of dreamlike, poetic works like Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life and Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, Jackson’s film is beautiful to experience. However, those expecting a traditional narrative should prepare for an unusual watch.
Much like prose is much different than poetry, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt feels more like the memories most of us have about our past – quick bursts that are often non-chronological and without dialogue. In some cases, events once thought of as happy can seem melancholy or tragic in a different context.
The film is undeniably not designed for general audiences (the deliberate pacing will test viewers with short attention spans) but it’s a deeply poignant, almost experimental journey thanks to Jomo Fray’s stunning cinematography, as well as the powerful score from Sasha Gordon and Victor Magro. I can’t wait to see what Jackson does next.
Grade: B+
Home Video Spotlight
The Equalizer 3
(Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital.)
In the hit action franchise’s final installment, former government assassin Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) finds a new home in Southern Italy. However, he soon discovers the town is threatened by local mobsters. As the conflict turns deadly, McCall vows to protect his friends at all costs. Special features include over 15 minutes of deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and a lyric video for Jacob Banks’ “Monster.”
Rudy
(Rated PG for mild language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital.)
In this classic sports drama, based on a true story, Rudy (Sean Astin) is determined to join the Notre Dame football team. Mocked by everyone at first, he ultimately earns the respect of his family, coach and teammates. Special features on the 4K disc include a new director’s cut with feature commentary from filmmaker David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo; five deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and the original theatrical trailer.
Black Hawk Down
(Rated R for intense, realistic, graphic war violence, and for language. Now available in a limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook.)
Acclaimed director Ridley Scott and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer collaborate on this harrowing true story about American soldiers who find themselves under attack in a 1993 mission to Somalia gone horribly wrong. The film boasts an all-star ensemble cast, including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor and Eric Bana. This release includes both the theatrical and extended versions of the film; three audio commentaries from Scott and Bruckheimer, author Mark Bowden and screenwriter Ken Nolan, and Task Force Ranger veterans; three documentaries; eight deleted and alternate scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; Q&A forums; storyboards; photo galleries; trailers and TV spots.
The Guns of Navarone
(Not rated. Now available in a limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook.)
(Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language. Opens in theaters November 22.)
The premise: Joaquin Phoenix plays iconic French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in director Ridley Scott’s latest film, which chronicles the controversial leader’s rise and fall. The film captures Bonaparte’s journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
The verdict: The marketing for Scott’s new historical epic is wildly misleading. The studio is clearly hoping to sell potential viewers on Gladiator-style action and melodrama, which makes sense considering it’s a semi-true story that reunites Scott and Phoenix. In actuality, Napoleon is more of a dark comedy that views its title character as a childlike buffoon when he’s not on the battlefield. Think The Favourite or Veep rather than Kingdom of Heaven.
I’m not sure what other viewers will think about the bait-and-switch, but I was happy to be tricked. I walked into the screening expecting a standard biopic; instead, I found myself laughing harder than I did in many of the year’s “real” comedies. Phoenix nails the entitled, impetuous character of the historical figure. One line reading in particular (it’s about boats) absolutely destroyed me. I just wish Kirby got more to do as the equally impulsive, strong-willed Josephine.
Still, those expecting intense battle scenes won’t be disappointed. Even in his mid-80s, Scott maintains his talent for crafting brutal, innovative action sequences. The pacing’s a little sluggish at times and there are some jarring tonal shifts, but that might be due to the sheer amount of history David Scarpa’s screenplay speeds through. Scott has teased a four-hour director’s cut of the movie, so I’d be interested to see how differently that version plays.
Grade: B
(Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use. Opens in select theaters November 22.)
The premise: Following her Oscar win for 2020’s Promising Young Woman, writer-director Emerald Fennell crafts this dark tale about Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student struggling to fit in at Oxford University. He’s soon drawn into the world of the charming, aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to his eccentric family’s sprawling estate for a life-changing summer.
The verdict: The words “shocking” and “divisive” don’t even begin to describe this darkly comic thriller that plays like a modern update of The Talented Mr. Ripley. It’s the kind of movie tough to discuss in a brief review because I don’t want to even hint at the outrageous stuff that happens. While the story’s ultimate destination probably won’t surprise most people – if you’ve seen Keoghan’s past work, you know he often gravitates toward a specific kind of character – the journey is intense and frequently grotesque. (So many fluids…)
Performance-wise, everyone involved gives it their all. Keoghan, Elordi, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant all clearly relish the chance to play characters with almost no redeeming qualities. The scenes when they’re all together are a particularly nasty delight.
Saltburn is the epitome of “not for everyone” and it doesn’t always work. However, viewers who want their movies to swing big and take risks will find plenty to appreciate. I respect that Fennell refuses to play it safe or boring.
Grade: B
(Rated PG for thematic content and brief sensuality. Opens in select theaters November 17.)
The premise: This feature debut from poet, photographer and filmmaker Raven Jackson is a lyrical exploration of a woman’s life in Mississippi, paying tribute to the generations of people and places that shape us.
The verdict: Reminiscent of dreamlike, poetic works like Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life and Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, Jackson’s film is beautiful to experience. However, those expecting a traditional narrative should prepare for an unusual watch.
Much like prose is much different than poetry, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt feels more like the memories most of us have about our past – quick bursts that are often non-chronological and without dialogue. In some cases, events once thought of as happy can seem melancholy or tragic in a different context.
The film is undeniably not designed for general audiences (the deliberate pacing will test viewers with short attention spans) but it’s a deeply poignant, almost experimental journey thanks to Jomo Fray’s stunning cinematography, as well as the powerful score from Sasha Gordon and Victor Magro. I can’t wait to see what Jackson does next.
Grade: B+
Home Video Spotlight
(Rated R for strong bloody violence and some language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital.)
In the hit action franchise’s final installment, former government assassin Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) finds a new home in Southern Italy. However, he soon discovers the town is threatened by local mobsters. As the conflict turns deadly, McCall vows to protect his friends at all costs. Special features include over 15 minutes of deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and a lyric video for Jacob Banks’ “Monster.”
(Rated PG for mild language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital.)
In this classic sports drama, based on a true story, Rudy (Sean Astin) is determined to join the Notre Dame football team. Mocked by everyone at first, he ultimately earns the respect of his family, coach and teammates. Special features on the 4K disc include a new director’s cut with feature commentary from filmmaker David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo; five deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and the original theatrical trailer.
(Rated R for intense, realistic, graphic war violence, and for language. Now available in a limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook.)
Acclaimed director Ridley Scott and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer collaborate on this harrowing true story about American soldiers who find themselves under attack in a 1993 mission to Somalia gone horribly wrong. The film boasts an all-star ensemble cast, including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor and Eric Bana. This release includes both the theatrical and extended versions of the film; three audio commentaries from Scott and Bruckheimer, author Mark Bowden and screenwriter Ken Nolan, and Task Force Ranger veterans; three documentaries; eight deleted and alternate scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; Q&A forums; storyboards; photo galleries; trailers and TV spots.
(Not rated. Now available in a limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook.)
Academy Award winners Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn star as Allied military specialists recruited to infiltrate a Nazi-occupied fortress and disable two long-range field guns so that 2,000 trapped British soldiers may be rescued. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and won for Best Special Effects. This new 4K release of the classic 1961 film boasts a wealth of special features, including optional playback with Original Roadshow Intermission Card; audio commentaries with director J. Lee Thompson and film historian Stephen J. Rubin; an interactive feature; and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Justified: City Primeval
(Rated TV-MA. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
Justified: City Primeval
(Rated TV-MA. Now available on Blu-ray and DVD.)
In this sequel series to FX’s hit drama that originally aired from 2010-2015, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) now lives in Miami, balancing his life as a U.S. Marshal and part-time father of a 15-year-old girl. A chance encounter sends him to Detroit where he crosses paths with a violent, sociopathic criminal, along with cops and lawyers who have their own agendas.
For All Mankind: Season 1
(Not rated. Now available on Blu-ray.)
For All Mankind: Season 1
(Not rated. Now available on Blu-ray.)
The first season of this acclaimed Apple TV+ series asks viewers to imagine an alternate history where the Soviets got to the moon first and the global space race never ended. Spotlighting the high-stakes lives of NASA astronauts and their families, the cast includes Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour and Wrenn Schmidt.
Reach out to Josh Sewell on Twitter @IAmJoshSewell
Comments
Post a Comment