Solo: A Star Wars Story

While "Star Wars" is certainly one of the oldest film franchises there is, it is definitely one of the most prolific. Its forty-one years of existence has changed the way films are made for better or worse, and while the different characters are aplenty, "Solo: A Star Wars Story" is surely about the most beloved anti-hero in modern film history.

 

In a galaxy far, far away, Young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) finds adventure when he joins a gang of galactic smugglers, including Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) and a 196-year-old Wookie named Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo). Indebted to the gangster Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany), the crew devises a daring plan to travel to the mining planet Kessel to steal a batch of valuable coaxium. In need of a fast ship, Solo meets Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), the suave owner of the perfect vessel for this dangerous mission--the Millennium Force,

 

Others to round out the cast are Thandie Newton as Val, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37, Jon Favreau as Rio Durant (voice), Linda Hunt as Lady Proxima (voice), Ian Kenny as Rebolt, Erin Kellyman as Enfys Nest and John Tui as Korso.

 

This was directed by incomparable veteran Ron Howard ("Grand Theft Auto" '77, "Night Shift" '82, "Splash" '84, "Gung Ho" '86, "Parenthood" '89, "Backdraft' '91, "Apollo 13" '95, "A Beautiful Mind" '01, "Cinderella Man" '05, "Frost/Nixon" '08, "Rush" '13, "In the Heart of the Sea" '15, "Inferno" '16) plus others and TV. As with his previous projects, Howard simply has an uncanny ability to extract a certain emotion from his actors so they come across that much more real. He proved this when he directed "A Beautiful Mind", which he won an Academy Award deservedly. He has two more films and a documentary that have been announced which makes him a popular and valuable director. It was effectively written by Jonathan Kasdan ("In the Land of Women" '07, "The First Time" '12) plus TV and Lawrence Kasdan ("Raiders of the Lost Ark" '81, "The Big Chill" '83, "The Bodyguard" '92, "Mumford" '99, "Dreamcatcher" '03, "Darling Companion" '12, "Star Wars" "The Force Awakens" '15) plus others, based on characters created by George Lucas. Alyhough I'm not a huge fan of this franchise, this was surprisingly well thought out. What actually makes this story work is the character of Solo. Harrison ford, who played Solo a bit older gave an amazing portrayal of this good-natured but cocky pilot, however Ehrenreich gave an incredible portrayal in this prequel. There were a couple of very slow places within the script--it could've been about five minutes shorter, it still wasn't enough to impede the enjoyment of this.

 

This is the quintessential summer flick with amazing visual effects by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) and a nifty IMAX format that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But don't worry, I'm sure there will be yet another installation of the franchise come Christmas time as there has been in the past.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                    Rated: PG-13                                    134mins.

 

Deadpool 2

While the summer season for films is attempting to get started, we can always be rest assured it will have the obligatory superhero movie to wet our whistle. When "Deadpool" was released in 2016, it captured the Marvel fans by the truckload. Well, now we have "Deadpool 2" to satisfy the staunchest of comic book fans.

 

After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry's hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste, if not his girlfriend, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas and one Nathan Summers/Cable (Josh Brolin), the Yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor--finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World's Best Lover.

 

Others to round out the cast are Zazie Beetz as Domino, T.J. Miller as Weasel, Julian Dennison as Russell, Lewis Tan as Shatterstar, Jack Kesy as Black Tom Cassidy, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Terry Crews as Bedlam, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Rob Delany as Peter, Eddie Marsan as Headmaster and Stefan Kapicic as Colossus (voice).

 

This was surprisingly well directed by newcomer to the director's chair, David Leitch ("Atomic Blond" '17) plus shorts. Even though he didn't direct the original, the same pacing, staging and emotional grit was virtually the same with this sequel. Leitch has a huge resume of stunt coordinating under his belt which has allowed him the ability of of being able to work with his actors effortlessly, and this will serve him as he continues to helm more films. In fact, if you like this brand of directing, "Hobbs and Shaw" has been announced for a 2019 release. It was creatively written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick ("Zombieland" '09, "G.I. Joe Retaliation" '13, "Deadpool" '16, "Life" '17) plus TV, and Ryan Reynolds, based on the Marvel comics by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. Although this film was creative, original and campy in its writing, it had a tendency to jump and meander a bit as it was attempting to find its story. The similar feel was copied from its predecessor to this, but as the story started unfolding, it lost its momentum. However as it approached the ending, it started picking up steam again. What actually made this film was Reynolds. His Deadpool characterization was a satirical reference to most of the other superhero movies out there which made this fun, funny, campy and an easy watch considering Reynolds was born to play this role.

 

If you like this for the sheer presence of Reynolds in the title role, you will love this sequel, however if you're looking for a script that flows like water, this might be a bit frustrating. In any rate, this definitely fits the escapism at the movies that you'll have to have with popcorn and you can enjoy it in a nifty IMAX format as well.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                                  Rated: R                                      119mins.

 

 

Life of the Party

Typically I don't see this many comedies in a row as I've done thus far--"Tully", "Overboard" and now "Life of the Party". Because of the crassness, banal writing and stupidity of most comedies, I have tended to let them pass on. As with the two predecessors, this too, was truly better than I expected. This wasn't original, but still had potential of true physical comedy.

 

When her husband, Dan (Matt Walsh) dumps her abruptly for another woman, Marcie (Julie Bowen), longtime dedicated Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) turns regret into re-set by going back to college--landing in the same school and class as her daughter Maddie (Molly Garden), who's not entirely sold on the idea. Plunging headlong into the campus experience, the increasingly outspoken Deanna--now Dee Rock--embraces freedom, fun and frat boys, namely Jack (Luke Benward) on her own terms, finding her true self in a senior year no one ever expected. Not only does she have support from her sorority sisters, including Helen (Gillian Jacobs) and Amanda (Adria Arjona), but from her best friend, Christine (Maya Rudolph) as well.

 

Others to round out the cast are Jacki Weaver as Sandy, Deanna's mom, Stephen Root as Mike, Deanna's dad, Debby Ryan as Jennifer, Sarah Baker as Gildred, Jimmy O. Yang as Tyler, Heidi Gardner as Leonor and Christina Aguilera as herself.

 

This was directed with gusto and wit by Ben Falcone ("Tammy" '14, "The Boss" '16) plus TV. With truly limited experience, this filmmaker, being an actor himself, knows what it takes to get his actors to emit that right emotion given whatever scene is being implemented. The fact that his wife, McCarthy is the one he's directing certainly makes his job easier than if she wasn't, however his expertise is a natural one. It was effectively written by Falcone and Melissa McCarthy. Their style is crude and rude, but what makes their films better than most of their counterparts is the writing. Not that it is Academy Award worthy, it certainly has a writing style that is better crafted and the crassness is somewhat toned down, as with this. Sure, this has problems such as going from dry, unoriginal predictability to something funnier with a better writing style, but since they have a limited amount of experience, I feel, given time and more projects, they will find their place in the writers' arena and become more seasoned with each future film.

 

McCarthy is certainly the new queen of physical comedy, and with more films, we will see this even more. If I had to compare this with any film, it would be that of "Legally Blond" in that this is an older version of the role Reese Witherspoon created as a coming of age vehicle learning something new through the drastic changes. If you're a McCarthy fan, you'll love this, because this is the quintessential summer comedy flick.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                                  Rated: PG-13                                    105mins.

 

                                                                       

Overboard

While most comedies today are froth with four-letter words, drug and sexual references galore and inane writing, we are handed, once in a while, a comedy whereas is entertaining as well as clean for anyone to watch. When the original "Overboard" first released in 1987, this was when most comedies were considered 'safe'. Well, now we have the rebooted "Overboard" where it is considered a rarity of wholesomeness.

 

In a splashy new twist, this story focuses on Leonardo (Eugenio Derbez), a selfish, spoiled, rich playboy from Mexico's richest family and Kate (Anna Faris), a working class single mom of three hired to clean Leonardo's luxury yacht. After unjustly firing Kate and refusing to pay her, Leonardo falls overboard when partying too hard and wakes up on the Oregon coast with amnesia. Kate shows up at the hospital and, to get payback, convinces Leonardo he is her husband and puts him to work--for the first time in his life. At first miserable and inept, Leonardo slowly settles in. Eventually he earns the respect of his new 'family', friends, Theresa (Eva Longoria) and co-workers, Bobby (Mel Rodriguez) and Jason (Josh Segarra). But, with Leonardo's billionaire family hot on their trail and the possibility of his memory returning at any moment, will their new family last or will Leonardo finally put the clues together and leave them for good.

 

Others to round out the cast are Swoozie Kurtz as Grace, Kate's mom, John Hannah as Colin, Hannah Nordberg as Emily, Cecilia Suarez as Magdalena, Cynthia Mendez as Lucia, Mariana Trevino as Sofia, Garry Chalk as Dr. Fletcher, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Olivia and Fernando Lujan as Papi.

 

This was surprisingly well directed by Rob Greenberg ("The Fish Tank" (TV movie) '09, "Hitched" (TV movie) '10, "Lovelives" (TV movie) '11, "How I Met Your Dad" (TV movie) '14) plus TV. I say surprising because since his only film experience is that of TV movies, this is his breakout film. And if this is his first theatrical film, I'll be waiting for his next film. His ability to stage and pace his actors as well as he did was as professional as any of his counterparts. Certainly with all the TV experience, this has served him well. More directors, and writers for that matter, should take note. It was also solidly written by Bob Fisher and Greenberg based on a story by Leslie Dixon. This was every bit as well written as its predecessor, which is rare in the reboot biz. Even the original stars of "Overboard", Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell were reported as giving praise for this rendition. The story is the quintessential feel good, stand up and cheer story that we definitely need more of. Other than a couple of very small slow areas in script, this was funny and entertaining.

 

Gone are the days where we can see a funny, entertaining, wholesome family film that everyone will enjoy, however with this film we have all that and more. This will make you laugh and teary-eyed with a great message all with an entertaining flair. Enjoy this ride!

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: PG-13                                    112mins.

 

Tully

Hollywood clearly has lost the ability to realize what a well crafted comedy is about, because most comedies I review are banal, unoriginal, gross types of comedies. Once in a while we are handed a little gem within the genre of comedy: "State and Main", "Thank You for Smoking", "Jasmine", "Midnight in Paris", and the like. So now we have been offered  "Tully" to sink our teeth into. Why can't there be more comedies like this?

 

 

This story centers around Marlo (Charlize Theron), a mother of three including a newborn, is gifted a night nanny by her brother, Craig (Mark Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis). Although Tully is young of years, she eventually gets Marlo to open up and share her feelings of feeling that her life is a trap and extremely boring and mundane. It truly shows us that even though an individual is older chronologically, we really don't know what life can be about without someone else outside the routine box to show us the way.

 

Others to round out the  cast are Ron Livingston as Drew, Marlo's husband, Elaine Tan as Elyse, Asher Miles Fallica as Jonah, Lia Frankland as Sarah, Maddie Dixon-Poirier as Emmy, Gameela Wright as Laurie, Emily Haine as Barista, Colleen Wheeler as Dr. Smythe and Joshua Pak as Dallas.

 

This was brilliantly directed with subtlety by Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking" '05, "Juno" '07, "Up in the Air" '09, "Young Adult" '11, "Labor Day" '13, "Men, Women & Children" '14) plus shorts and TV. By his very resume, subtlety is this filmmaker's trademark in that his characters are always so real in their conveyance to the audience, "Tully" being no exception. Theron's character development as a tired, uninteresting housewife and mother is perfection, and I can't help but think that this is partly due to Reitman's direction. If you like Reitman's brand of direction, his "The Front Runner" is in post-production at this point slated for a 2018 release. As opposed to other comedies, this was incredibly well written by Diablo Cody ("Juno" '07, "Jennifer's Body" '09, "Young Adult" '11, "Paradise" '13, "Ricki and the Flash" '15, "Raised by Wolves" (TV movie) '17) plus shorts and TV. This writer knows how to delineate her characters extremely carefully so that not only does it present the characters wirh painstaking realism, but also the characters are amazingly realistic in their presence. This is definitely present in "Juno", "Young Adult" and this film. And however this did have a couple of small places of choppiness, it certainly wasn't enough to deter to the very original characters that comprise this movie. There will be more to see of Cody's work since "Barbie" is in pre-production right now slated for a 2020 release.

 

This isn't a physical, belly laugh type of comedy and wasn't produced for a mass audience appeal, but if quality directing, writing and acting is your thing, you'll love this. It's a quirky, somewhat darker outlook at a routine life as a mom, but to see what a mother goes through on an every day, routine basis gives the rest of us the empathetic view that motherhood is definitely the toughest, and most thankless job on the planet. Go out and hug a mom and say thank you.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                      Rated: R                                       96mins.