Eddington

We've all seen independent films where the premises are quirky, odd all the while fulfilling our expectations for a cutting edge story with fine acting.Well, "Eddington" definitely gives its audience that feeling, however it's a story that is reckless in its premise while obtaining little to no empathy for its characters. 

In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. Considering how politically volatile 2020 was what with the pandemic and the arguments of wearing or not wearing masks, the six-foot distancing, the different riots due to the death of George Floyd to name a few incidents, it's no wonder that the country was so divided, and where there was seemingly no end of it all. There was racial tension, skepticism and with that...rage. What is a small community to do?

Others to round out the cast are Deirdre O'Connell as Dawn, Emma Stone as Louise Cross, Micheal Ward as Michael Cooke, Luke Grimes as Guy Tooley, Cameron Mann as Brian, Austin Butler as Vernon, Matt Gomez Hidaka as Eric Garcia, Ted's son, William Belleau as Ofcr, Jimenez Butterfly, Amelie Hoeferle as Sarah and Clifton Collins Jr, as Lodge. 

This was directed with conciseness and underlying intensity by Ari Aster ("Hereditary" '18, "Midsommar" '19, "Beau Is Afraid" '23) plus shorts. This filmmaker's staging and pacing is certainly second to none where these characters were in the scenes that called for them and others, if not needed, were not there. His sequencing was appropriate and these characters obtained this rock-bottom gutsiness which was credited to both actors and director. This film was also written by Ari Aster (Hereditary" '18, "Midsommar" '19, "Beau Is Afraid" '23) plus shorts. As one can see by his resume, even though he doesn't have a plethora of experience, his work is definitely quirky, odd and somewhat irreverent. I felt that, considering the length of running time, this film was obviously too long-in-the-tooth--about 10-15 minutes could've been cut from this to achieve the impact it was striving to convey. There were places that, either something different could've been used or was an absolute impossibility, but if they went another path, it probably would create a problem script wise. It definitely had some interesting scenes and the acting was first rate, but after a while, one would grow weary of this story--as aforementioned, it was severely difficult to have empathy with just about every character in this film. Usually the audience could root for someone--usually the good guy, but here, it was hard-pressed. 

If you're into this filmmaker's style of storytelling and direction, you'll revel with this, however I'm not a true fan. The acting, directing and photography by Darius Khondji were all executed with expertise and clarity.

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                                        Rated: R                                    148mins.

Superman

When the TV show "Superman" was released back in 1952 for six seasons, little did anyone know then that it would ultimately be as popular as it has become. Shoot to 1978, and we have the first of many incarnations of the franchise called "Superman: The Movie". It's been a beloved franchise that now we have, yet another, film by the same name simply named "Superman".

When Superman (David Corenswet) gets drawn into conflicts at home and abroad, his actions are questioned, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) the opportunity to get the Man of Steel out of the way for good. Will intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Superman's four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help him bring down Luthor and his cohorts before it's too late?

Others to round out the cast are Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Terence Rosemore as Otis Berg, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. and Bradley Cooper as Jor-El.

This was directed with exuberance and clarity using amazing sequencing by James Gunn ("Slither" '06, "Super" '10, "Movie 43" (segment "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" '17, "The Suicide Squad" '21, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" '23) plus TV, a TV short, shorts and videos. For a franchise that has gone through the 'keyhole' in the many plots and premises it has endured, this was treated in a way that brought these different characters to life. Several of these actors don't have a tremendous amount of experience, but through the amazing talent of Gunn's direction, each and every one of these characters were paced and staged perfectly. It was also penned well by writer James Gunn ("Tromeo and Juliet" '96, "The Specials" 2000, "Thir13en Ghosts" (additional writing) '01, "Scooby-Doo" '02, "Dawn of the Sead" '04, "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" '04, "Slither" '06, "Super" '10, "Movie 43" (segment "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "The Belko Experiment" '16, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" '17, "The Suicide Squad" '21, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" '23) plus TV, shorts, video games, music videos and a TV short, based on the creation "Superman" by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, which based on the DC comic. By his very resume, Gunn has certainly earned his ability to write clever stories. He also would be difficult to pigeon-hole since his resume is a 'who's who' of premises. This script was tight, concise and kept the audience's attention. Really, the only thing I can say negatively about the screenplay is that there were areas that if a character did something other than what they did, it would make more sense, but then again. it would probably impede on the flow of the film. And there were a couple of very small places of slowness, but otherwise the film rocked. And, as usual, the visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) were seamless as they were effective. 

Will there be a "Superman 3"? There is a small clip after all the credits roll, and it doesn't spell out sequel, but could. I think this was purposely done in case this film didn't profit as much it it needed to make, So this leaves it open-ended. But considering how this film has been raking it in, my guess would be that there will certainly be a part 3. If you like that up and close feeling, it's also presented in an IMAX, 4DX and a 3D format as well. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: PG-13                                       129mins.

Jurassic World: Rebirth

Ever since this franchise started back in 1993 with "Jurassic Park", Hollywood and fans alike have had a fascination, if not an obsession with the films. "Jurassic World: Dominion" was supposed to end the 'World' trilogy. However, because of the fans and the fact that this franchise has made well past a billion bucks, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment decided to "do it again" with "Jurassic World: Rebirth". 

Five years after the events of "Jurassic World: Dominion", the planet's ecology has proven largely impossible to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-changing benefits to humankind. Corporate, Martin Krebs (Rupert Krebs) commissions Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), whereas she hires scientist, Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), and others to go to this island and to extract DNA from three different dinosaurs to use toward this new drug to help people, Can they succeed and leave the island before they succumb to the dinosaurs left?

Others to round out the cast are Manual Garcia-Rulfo as Reuben Delgado, Luna Blaise as Teresa Delgado, Ed Skrein as Bobby Atwater, David Iacono as Xavier Dobbs, Audrina Miranda as Isabella Delgado, Bechir Sylvain as LeClerc and Adam Loxley as Williams

This was intensely directed with grit by Gareth Edwards ("End Day" (TV movie) '05, "Monsters" '10, "Godzilla" '14, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" '16, "The Creator" '23) plus TV and a short. This filmmakers doesn't have a plethora of experience behind the camera, but what he does have proves he can certainly handle a large, high-adrenaline film (check his resume). His staging and pacing are delineated well with tight timing. He was very much excited to direct this and he's proven he was definitely ready to do so. It was penned by seasoned writer David Koepp ("Apartment Zero" '88, "Toy Soldiers" '91, "Death Becomes Her" '92, "Jurassic Park" '93, "The Paper" '94, "Mission: Impossible" '96, "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" '97, "Stir of Echoes" '99, "Panic Room" '02, "Spider-Man" '02, "Secret Window" '04, "War of the Worlds" '05, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" '08, "Premium Rush" '12, "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" '14, "Inferno" '17, "The Mummy" '17, "Presence" '24, "Black Bag" '25) plus other films, TV, video games, a TV short and a short, based on characters created by Michael Crichton. Koepp certainly created an interesting premise for this installment--doctors, scientists and thrill seekers being drawn back to the island where the studying for the new Jurassic Park took place. This island housed the dinosaurs they needed the DNA from. Since Koepp wrote the original script for "Jurassic Park" and subsequent "Lost World: Jurassic Park", it's no surprise that this would be smartly and deftly written. Was it flawless? No, there were a couple of very small slow places, but surely not enough to detract from the story at hand. It was presented in IMAX and 4DX for your viewing pleasure--I decided to see it in 4DX and it rocked. And the visual effects were designed predominantly by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) and, as usual, were seamless. 

Certainly if you like the Jurassic franchise, this film will give you that fix and then some. It had it all: high-adrenaline, explosives, grit, intensity and even some humor to break up the tenseness. You must see this on the large screen in order to fully enjoy the grandiose of it.  When I left the theater, I was totally drained--wow, what a rush!! Grab the popcorn and enjoy this ride. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                        Rated: PG-13                                        133mins.