Series Review: Hollywood [2020] ★★★
It’s not the best series you’ll ever see about Hollywood, but I can’t say I wasn’t entertained from start to finish either. Creator Ryan Murphy and his collaborators have crafted a lavish limited series about old Hollywood, which feels damn near irresistible. The time is post-World War II and a group of ambitious actors and filmmakers are struggling to make that Hollywood dream come true. Murphy goes right at the exhilaration of it; you can practically breathe the air of Ace studios, as newcomers line up every morning for a chance to get a role, any role in an upcoming picture. One of them happens to be a very young Rock Hudson, who later rose to fame and became a huge star. But almost everyone else and everything else is a product of Murphy’s imagination. This allows him to have fun with the spirit of 1940’s Hollywood, with a great ensemble cast, eye-popping sets, and beautiful costume designs. The story itself is amusing and well-fleshed out, and it’s difficult not too root for all these up-and-coming actors. Criticism? I would say the screenplay promises more than it delivers, and I wish it had more surprises up its sleeve. Still, film buffs will enjoy taking a time-trip to the past, brought to life with such a keen eye for detail. That, alone, is worth celebrating.
Simply put, “Dolemite is my Name” is one of Netflix’s finest movies. It gives Eddie Murphy the role of a lifetime, playing Rudy Ray Moore, the underground comedian who rose to fame in the 1970’s and inspired a generation of artists. This is Murphy’s territory, and he lets it bleed, giving a comeback performance that impressed even the naysayers. The 1970’s recreation is remarkably good, from costuming and hairstyles to the details of shooting a movie in a studio and on location. You simply can’t take your eyes off the screen. I had no idea what to expect from a biopic about a man I knew very little about, but this is why we go to the movies (or stream in this case). Murphy and his supporting cast bring this story to life with great attention to detail. The result is pretty damn irresistible. What’s more, it gave me a lot to think about, long after those credits started rolling. That’s as much as I could ask of any biopic.
It’s not a classic in the making, but Netflix’s “The King” has an interesting history lesson to tell, and a great ensemble cast to bring it to life. I do not know how the real Henry V talked or acted, but I do know that Timothée Chalamet makes a believable young King, who was crowned following his tyrannical father’s death in the year 1413. History books will tell you that Henry V died of dysentery 9 years later, but the focal point of the movie is the early days of his rather short reign. Having inherited war and deceit, the new King must do whatever it takes to forge a new path for England. “Great reforms are best enacted with regime change”, his royal advisor tells him early on. It’s a fascinating time in history, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll have a good time watching the story unfold. The movie is also fueled by lavish sets and well-crafted battle scenes, but it’s the characters and the memorable dialogue that make it worth the watch. I know we’ve seen a lot of Historical dramas that do not bring anything new to the table. “The King” never pretends to be anything more than a history lesson, but it does it well enough for me to recommend it.
With “The Half of It”, Netflix may have finally dropped their finest coming-of-age movie yet. You heard me. Alice Wu directs this sweet and tender film about Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis, a revelation), a smart teen girl who writes essays for other students in exchange for cash (a piece of cake for her). Her most challenging assignment finally arises when a boy (played by Daniel Diemer) asks her to a write a love letter on his behalf. Problem is: she also has a crush on the same girl. From that moment on, “The Half of It” is a rollercoaster of emotions, but it’s also genuinely funny at times. It helps that Ellie is played by a very likable Lewis, who brings wit and irresistible tenderness to her role, which gives us rooting interest right from the start. It also helps that the film has a memorable score and plenty of references to classic films at every turn (the fun is in trying to name them). At the end, you’re left with a feeling that you’ve just witnessed something genuine and special. I rarely say this about a Netflix movie, but this one’s a winner in my book.
This fact-based story starring Hugh Jackman like you’ve never seen him before is the perfect film to stream during confinement. Jackman transforms himself completely to play happy-go-lucky superintendent Frank Tassone, who, in 2002 became a prime suspect in an embezzlement scandal. The film , directed with a keen eye for detail by Cory Finley, focuses on the events that led to this huge scandal. How can a regular superintendent who cares so much about his students be involved in something like that? That’s the hook that will lead you into “Bad Education”, and Finley has assembled a top-notch ensemble cast who do outstandingly in the various roles they’re given. The film has also a few surprises up its sleeves, making it a thrilling and thoroughly engaging ride. Best of all, it leaves you with much food for thought, something that’s been missing from a lot of films I’ve watched recently. I watched “Bad Education” not knowing what to expect from it, but I came out pleasantly surprised. I hope you find it as refreshing and entertaining as I did.
The folks at Disney/Pixar have done it again. As soon as their latest film opened, I felt at home. You could tell that a lot of effort has been put to bring this story to life, with clever staging, hilarious moments and spectacular action scenes. So what is “Onward” about? It’s basically several things at once. But at heart, it’s about a quest. Two brothers (brilliantly voiced by Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) embark on a grand and glorious adventure in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were very young. The screenplay is lively and funny, the kind we’ve come to expect from Pixar, but it also has heart, especially when it matters most. As someone who loves puzzles and quests, I had a blast watching the story unfold (spotting references to other films is always part of the fun as well). Compared with “Coco”, “Inside Out” and “Up”, “Onward” doesn’t break a lot of new grounds, but the magic is there, and I know that kids and adults alike will have a great time with it.
Surprise. This remake of a remake of a remake is actually good. Who would have thought that the least hyped Universal monster movie of the modern era would turn out to be the best one yet? Certainly not me. But here’s the deal: “The Invisible Man” gets everything right, from a terrifying plot to pulse pounding horror sequences. Elizabeth Moss deserves all the credit for her chilling performance as a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. One night, she decides to run away, leaving everything behind. She seeks shelter in her childhood friend’s house, but when her abusive ex commits suicide, she starts to suspect that he faked the whole thing to drive her insane. It’s one hell of a setup, and against all odds, it actually works. Writer-director Leigh Whannell is out to fry your nerves, and boy does he ever. But what truly raises “The Invisible Man” above the routine is the humanism that lies beneath the horror. It’s hard not to sympathize with Moss’ character, and as a result, I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. Whannell keeps you on the edge of your seat, right through the closing credits. And the getting there is terrific mind bending fun. This is the Universal monster movie that we all deserve.
I was reluctant to see this film when I first saw it playing in theaters this week. I didn’t think a movie about a couple dealing with cancer was something I needed to experience right now. But having heard all the good buzz, I finally caved in. This is a well-crafted drama that has all the right elements to satisfy fans of the genre: an emotional story and a great cast to carry it through. Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville are both phenomenal as an everyday married couple who do ordinary things together. When the wife is diagnosed with breast cancer, their whole life is thrown into turmoil. Before you frown and stop reading, let me tell you that the story is riveting and completely absorbing at every turn, mainly because we’re watching real life unfold before our eyes. It also helps that both these actors give us rooting interest, which is always crucial in films like this. That’s not to say that the film is always easy to watch, but at the end of the day, this is a story about dealing with illness as a couple, and to suffer with these two for 90 minutes is a risk you’d be willing to take.
Doubters can relax: this is the Harley Quinn movie we’ve all been waiting for. 2016’s “Suicide Squad” briefly introduced us to this flamboyant character (at least on the big screen), but “Birds of Prey” moves things forward in ways you don’t always see coming. It’s a colorful, over-the-top and often hilarious film that rarely pulls its punches. Credit Margot Robbie for having a blast playing Quinn, who, following her breakup with the Joker (adios Jared Leto), finds herself without immunity in a city where everyone wants her dead. Robbie also narrates this fast-faced story, turning the familiar into her own playing field for R-rated talk and pulse-pounding action scenes. The film also introduces us to an array of colorful characters (the Birds of prey if you will), women with agendas of their own. Looking for a villain? Look no further than Ewan McGregor, who has a fun time playing “Black Mask”, a narcissistic crime boss who would stop at nothing to get rid of Quinn. Director Cathy Yan keeps the action coming in gory chunks, but this wouldn’t mean a damn thing without a solid story and a committed cast. And that’s where “Birds of Prey” scores its points. It’s a total blast from start to finish and a major step forward for DC and Harley Quinn. Needless to say, we’ll definitely see more of her in the future.
Jamie Foxx plays a man wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit. Michael B. Jordan is the lawyer who vowed to clear his name and get him out of death row. That’s “Just Mercy” in a nutshell, a straightforward but deeply touching film that you need to experience before it gets lost in the shuffle. The struggles Jordan has to endure, and the willpower to save an innocent man is at once inspiring and thought provoking. The movie also relies on the chemistry between these two actors, and needless to say, they both knock it out of the park. It’s so easy to root for these characters from the word go, and thanks to Destin Daniel Creston’s smooth direction, the film is also a treat to watch from start to finish. So if you’re looking for a fact-based story that feels genuine and honest, look no further. I think you’ll appreciate “Just Mercy” as much as I did.
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