Hellboy
Director: Neil Marshall
Cast Headliners: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, misc
Original Release Date: April 12th, 2019
We thought Hellboy was gone. After Guillermo Del Toro's incredible, unique special first two films signs of a third film seemed to fade to nothing. The news of a reboot with new cast, directors, and a hard R, comic accurate darkness brutal take was a bit of a dream. However there was always going to be a high bar to meet. Sadly while this Hellboy film, simply called that, does not live up to its predecessors it has some slight fun buried deep within.
An attempted epic lore exposition of an opening explains how the Blood Queen witch Nimue(Milla Jovovich) and her monstrous armies were defeated long ago by the forces of King Arthur, Merlin, and mankind. She's been sealed away for thousands of years but like all ancient things in the Hellboy universe this may not last. These stylistic colors are broken up by the swears and sarcasm of a voiceover by the professor Bruttenholm(Ian McShane). This snarky attitude is apparent strongly through and may paint one's experience with it one way or another.
In the present day Bruttenholm leads Hellboy(David Harbour) his demonic, but kindly good, son on various missions throughout the world. It's almost a bit too much for a first film but Hellboy finds himself on various creepy misadventures facing such creepy foes as vampire, giants, Baba Yaga(Emma Tate), enemy human agents, and the pig “changeling” demon Gruagach(Stephen Graham) as well as more. He soon finds himself joining up with the sidekick equivalents of this timeline(as Del Toro's are not present) of telepath Alice Monaghan(Sasha Lane) and were-panther Ben Daimio(Daniel Dae Kim). Alot of cheese, blood, swears, sassy remarks, and action happen on the way...that's about it.
The least of the flaws of the film is actually probably Harbour himself. While his “red” has a high bar to meet with Ron Perlman before him he gives it his best. His makeup/costume has a bit more of a cheese to it and some muffling on the voice but his grimace, attitude, and comebacks are as one would want with some effectiveness in combat too. He also makes a great pair with McShane's Bruttenholm being an even more strained father / son relationship than has been previously seen. These two are enjoyable in any scene together or seperate.
Everyone else... not so much. Monaghan's Alice has some of her own quips and fierceness but with tons of the meh-kind-of hammy schlock that carries through most of this film. Dae Kim's Ben goes for generic tough guy with a dark secret which is only effective when that dark secret gets to fight in the action. However by the very end things become more of a cohesive crew for a sequel we may never get (With an extremely silly and frustrating cliffhanger).
The villainous front is perhaps even worse. Jovovich's Nimue is as generic as generic sorceress can be with the exception of some powerful spells and menace but bores otherwise. Luckily Baba Yaga is far more creepier but a bit part that, like many things, is too grossly sudden and fast. One possible exception is Graham's boar beast who, with a thick Scottish brogue, has some personality and swagger although it's nothing that hasn't been seen before.
What perhaps it gets best (while of course souring with cheesy metal / pop music whether Benjamin Wallfisch's score or misc others.... Del Toro didn't take that approach for a reason) is the bloody, dark action. Director Neil Marshall makes action scenes pop with visceral amounts of gore , blood, and clanging blades and fists. Some very cheesy CGI can be apparent however usually what's going on is alright enough to hide that. There's also some incredibly spooky demon and monster designs that add to that hellish gore...particularly in visions and a climatic montage. However like many things these are only touched upon or not addressed otherwise. Attempted but not far enough.
As a whole this is a movie riddled with cheesy hollow supporting characters, villians, set-pieces, script, and filmcraft. However if one is seeking more of the Hellboy guy himself and the world he lives in it scratches that itch even if failing to be as great as what came before. That doesn't mean it doesn't have some silly creature-hunting fun but one must keep what it is in mind. 6.6 out of 10
Friday, April 19, 2019
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Shazam! Review
Shazam!
Director: David F Sandberg
Cast Headliners: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Mark Strong, many other minor silly others
Original Release Date: April 5th, 2019
Another few months another superhero film (or to those in the know another few weeks ANOTHER technical Captain Marvel) but at least it's good to see that the DCEU is increasing its output pace. Shazam! also shows that it's good to see that they're improving their continual upwards growth into fun, unique movies like they have needed before. It's a very different kind of superhero by having everyone's dream: what if as a youth one could turn into a hero. It's an answer that leads to some hilarious situations and a lot of bright charm amid-st its typical hero's journey.
Some back-story introduces various lore and characters but the important focus as the modern day. Orphan Billy Batson(Asher Angel) floats from situation to situation in Philadelphia trying to find a family and purpose. He soon is adopted by the kind Victor(Cooper Andrews) and Rosa(Marta Milans) Vasquez in their group home. He must bond with the other kids and teens there including injured leg suphero expert outcast Freddy( Jack Dylan Grazer), college aspiring Mary(Grace Fulton), bright youngest Darla (Faithe Herman), gamer Eugene(Ian Chen), and F-student bodylifter Pedro(Jovan Armand). It's some cheesy yet heartwarming stuff that wouldn't be out of place in many other movies although it's done cheeringly, humorously well amidst about a couple recurring tropes, jokes, and slight drama each between all the listed characters Freddy aside (more on him later.
However things soon take a turn into its comedic, heroic best when Billy finds himself whisked to the magical world of the Shazam Wizard(Djimon Hounsou in a cheesy Dumbeldore-esque bearded seldom role with some cool magic lore). This encounter transforms the teen-aged Billy into an older, super ripped super powerful adult version of himself in the hero Shazam(Zachary Levi). Comedic ruckus then ensues.
As stated the absolute best aspect of the movie is its carefree, light, funny, wacky tone. It's almost a bit like Deadpool meets Big. Truly unique in that the first live action film more with a kids focus adapted from a DC comic that can be enjoyed by all. Levi's take as the Shazam version he is is great. He's perfectly happy, optimistic, silly and definitely gives off the vibe of a man-child trapped in a body like that. He's quite cool in combat too with flying, super strength, lightning blasts, and “bullet immunity”. There's some cheese with that flying and perhaps its a bit hard to take him seriously as a hero due to his joking but that appears to be the point of this smile-inducing take. Dylan Grazer's Freddy also brings enthusiastic energy and has some great lines. Between the two a perhaps iconically fun friendship ends up forming as they get into various shenanigans testing out his powers. Angel's young Billy form is also solid alone or with Freddy. He's a bit of a trouble maker but has some quips and heroics. There's often times where he blasts back and forth between his ages in the span of a few minutes and it all mostly works.
Of course for every superhero there's most often a superhero to go against them. Here it's a mad scientist in Dr.Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) who has a grudge against the Shazam wizard. He leads a corporation and soon obtains an evil, Seven Deadly Sins demon infused eye which grants him his own superpowers. He gives an effectively fierce if slightly hammy generic performance. He has a menacing look and his quips but his plans are about as generic as they can be mostly acting as someone who Shazam can punch and face-off with on even grounds. He has his moments of value however with some alright stuff in his side plot with his father Dr.Sivana Sr(John Glover in a bit part). For a more energetic youth bright focused film the surface level mustache twirlingly evil take Strong does more or less fits even if it's not one for the ages.
That's the thing of this film is that it's best at its silliest and loosest. It's a bit of a contrast when some more darker and attempted epic elements appear. There's just a couple of action scenes but they do maintain the laughs among-st the punches but one won't be impressed by the actual spectacle of them. Shazam himself is best in smaller actions here and there than CGI flying (even moreso Sivana). There's some CGI creatures that show up which have a cheesy look too although bring some cool interest in their designs and even some slight villainous scares.
This is not a knock on director David F Sandberg at all because aside from the action the movie has some alright stuff in the rest of the production design. It's not to a clap worthy level but there's some nice homes and grey skies in its winter setting. One can't help but like the interesting angle the Christmas period brings with fights in a toy store (including some of the only other DCEU connections at all... apparently people don't mind buying children's toys and replicas of vigilante murderers, aliens, and goddesses?) and a colorful winter carnival theme park. The world of the Wizard is also quite cool looking dripping in apparent power even if the visits are brief. One can feel a more epic potential sequel lurking out there.
As a whole it does exactly what it sets out to do. It's a silly fun story of a teen in a superhero man's body who must put aside the antic, but not the warm humorous outlook, to save the world. There's definitely a lot of cheese and “for the kids”-ness to it but there's some things that are truly well done. It's a breath of fresh air for DC in what would otherwise be a semi-often seen MCU film. However since it's DC it's that much fresher...keep it up. Simple fun times, 8 out of 10
Director: David F Sandberg
Cast Headliners: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Mark Strong, many other minor silly others
Original Release Date: April 5th, 2019
Another few months another superhero film (or to those in the know another few weeks ANOTHER technical Captain Marvel) but at least it's good to see that the DCEU is increasing its output pace. Shazam! also shows that it's good to see that they're improving their continual upwards growth into fun, unique movies like they have needed before. It's a very different kind of superhero by having everyone's dream: what if as a youth one could turn into a hero. It's an answer that leads to some hilarious situations and a lot of bright charm amid-st its typical hero's journey.
Some back-story introduces various lore and characters but the important focus as the modern day. Orphan Billy Batson(Asher Angel) floats from situation to situation in Philadelphia trying to find a family and purpose. He soon is adopted by the kind Victor(Cooper Andrews) and Rosa(Marta Milans) Vasquez in their group home. He must bond with the other kids and teens there including injured leg suphero expert outcast Freddy( Jack Dylan Grazer), college aspiring Mary(Grace Fulton), bright youngest Darla (Faithe Herman), gamer Eugene(Ian Chen), and F-student bodylifter Pedro(Jovan Armand). It's some cheesy yet heartwarming stuff that wouldn't be out of place in many other movies although it's done cheeringly, humorously well amidst about a couple recurring tropes, jokes, and slight drama each between all the listed characters Freddy aside (more on him later.
However things soon take a turn into its comedic, heroic best when Billy finds himself whisked to the magical world of the Shazam Wizard(Djimon Hounsou in a cheesy Dumbeldore-esque bearded seldom role with some cool magic lore). This encounter transforms the teen-aged Billy into an older, super ripped super powerful adult version of himself in the hero Shazam(Zachary Levi). Comedic ruckus then ensues.
As stated the absolute best aspect of the movie is its carefree, light, funny, wacky tone. It's almost a bit like Deadpool meets Big. Truly unique in that the first live action film more with a kids focus adapted from a DC comic that can be enjoyed by all. Levi's take as the Shazam version he is is great. He's perfectly happy, optimistic, silly and definitely gives off the vibe of a man-child trapped in a body like that. He's quite cool in combat too with flying, super strength, lightning blasts, and “bullet immunity”. There's some cheese with that flying and perhaps its a bit hard to take him seriously as a hero due to his joking but that appears to be the point of this smile-inducing take. Dylan Grazer's Freddy also brings enthusiastic energy and has some great lines. Between the two a perhaps iconically fun friendship ends up forming as they get into various shenanigans testing out his powers. Angel's young Billy form is also solid alone or with Freddy. He's a bit of a trouble maker but has some quips and heroics. There's often times where he blasts back and forth between his ages in the span of a few minutes and it all mostly works.
Of course for every superhero there's most often a superhero to go against them. Here it's a mad scientist in Dr.Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) who has a grudge against the Shazam wizard. He leads a corporation and soon obtains an evil, Seven Deadly Sins demon infused eye which grants him his own superpowers. He gives an effectively fierce if slightly hammy generic performance. He has a menacing look and his quips but his plans are about as generic as they can be mostly acting as someone who Shazam can punch and face-off with on even grounds. He has his moments of value however with some alright stuff in his side plot with his father Dr.Sivana Sr(John Glover in a bit part). For a more energetic youth bright focused film the surface level mustache twirlingly evil take Strong does more or less fits even if it's not one for the ages.
That's the thing of this film is that it's best at its silliest and loosest. It's a bit of a contrast when some more darker and attempted epic elements appear. There's just a couple of action scenes but they do maintain the laughs among-st the punches but one won't be impressed by the actual spectacle of them. Shazam himself is best in smaller actions here and there than CGI flying (even moreso Sivana). There's some CGI creatures that show up which have a cheesy look too although bring some cool interest in their designs and even some slight villainous scares.
This is not a knock on director David F Sandberg at all because aside from the action the movie has some alright stuff in the rest of the production design. It's not to a clap worthy level but there's some nice homes and grey skies in its winter setting. One can't help but like the interesting angle the Christmas period brings with fights in a toy store (including some of the only other DCEU connections at all... apparently people don't mind buying children's toys and replicas of vigilante murderers, aliens, and goddesses?) and a colorful winter carnival theme park. The world of the Wizard is also quite cool looking dripping in apparent power even if the visits are brief. One can feel a more epic potential sequel lurking out there.
As a whole it does exactly what it sets out to do. It's a silly fun story of a teen in a superhero man's body who must put aside the antic, but not the warm humorous outlook, to save the world. There's definitely a lot of cheese and “for the kids”-ness to it but there's some things that are truly well done. It's a breath of fresh air for DC in what would otherwise be a semi-often seen MCU film. However since it's DC it's that much fresher...keep it up. Simple fun times, 8 out of 10
Us Review
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Cast Headliners: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Tim Heidecker, Elizabeth Moss, x2
Original Release Date: March 22nd, 2019
Seen: April 2019
One would most likely not have predicted that Jordan Peele of sketch comedy fame would one day be a modern horror master of some renown. Yet after the surprise mix of terror and comedy that was 2017's Get Out he's back again with another project in Us. It has all the strong elements of a quality sophomore improvement by going even further into the terror and cinematic craft while perhaps losing a bit on the way. It definitely keeps one on their seat while also making them question this messed up situation.
Semi-frequent flashbacks give us the initial creepy look at the situation. A young Adelaide(a kid in Maddison Curry) and her parents(bit parts for a father and mother in Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Anna Diop respectively) go to a carnival where she finds an ominous hallway and visions of some kind of a menacing doppelganger. This experience haunts Adelaide giving her PTSD and she refuses to talk which has some effective drama elements at play. This mystery ties in a very key way to the film overall.
Years later an adult Adelaide (Lupita Nyong'o) goes on a summer vacation to a coastal lake house with her family including husband Gabe(Winston Duke), daughter Zora(Shahadi Wright Joseph), and Jason(Evan Alex). They also meet their friends in the Tylers consisting of husband Josh(Tim Heidecker), wife Kitty(Elisabeth Moss), and their twin daughters Becca(Cali Sheldon) and Lindsey(Noelle Sheldon). They also find a terrifying set of strangers in the Tethered who seem to be evil copies of themselves.
What's interesting, and effective, about the film is how much it manages to accomplish with so relative little... just like Get Out did and perhaps one could argue the way director Jordan Peele did his past work before that. The list of characters is not much aside this but yet one gets to know them all well. This is aided by some great performances but one rises above others.
Nyongo's Adelaide is amazing. That's also because it's also , like everyone's, a dual role in the mysterious “Red” who leads the Tethered copy family. Each has their own takes and they contrast so much. As Adelaide she continues to be haunted by visions and an unsettled mood into adulthood. It's a bit of a quiet awkward role but it makes sense in its subtle way. Eventually she gets some great action beats in as well. Contrasting, as Red, she's a villain for the ages. Perhaps most effective of all the scissors users in the film (it'll make some sense although much is only hinted at which is frustrating in lieu of full explanations) she also is the most chilling. With a demonic presence and a raspy accent she is nigh-unrecognizable from her usual work. The face-off and or torture between them is some impressive mashing up as well as dramatic horror ruckus.
This same dual role astounding nature is present in the other cast although to various degrees with none quite having that same equal impact to the viewer. Everyone has their moments with perhaps ending up as a bit shallow this time around. Duke's Gabe is a goofy big softie of a joking dad who just wants to take the old boat out for a spin and enjoy some beach relaxing which makes him the film's only true comic relief . This means it's very much a film that's more dark horror than horror comedy although there's some occasional chuckles as a whole. The children don't amount to much characterization on the noble side with Wright Joseph's Zora amounting to just about “the reluctant track running athletic daughter” and Alex's Jason being “the little boy who likes to wear a Chewbacca mask”. They do have their moments of individual terror and or heroism however. Much less can be said for the Tyler twins for notability. In that same vein Heidecker's Josh is as generic as they can be but has his quips and a true fan will know this role is a bit perfectly hammy for them. Moss's Kitty makes for a bit of a humorous suburbanite contrast a well. Now Red isn't the only member of the Tethered family with the other characters best being seen firsthand but if an actor is decent as a hero imagine that their monster version is also quite different and decent too.
It's a horror movie but not one of any true jump scares. That's what makes any good horror stand apart...when it's something with more nuance and depth such as the dramatic elements here. It can be incredibly pulse pounding and bloody to be sure. Peele's direction helps with his dark ambiance and thrill with some great fast and tracking cinematography and set design especially as the depths of a metaphorical hell are gone into (Although with some spot momentary cheese). Previous composer Michael Abels brings some great orchestrated pieces as well with choirs and who hasn't been impressed by the spooky use of rap and pop songs like “Got Five On It”.
It's thrilling, intense, and thought provoking yet also it's kind of... dumbly illogical if one thinks too hard. There's some narrative elements and backstory that don't make much sense at all. Perhaps Peele intended this (remember, the comedian) but it's illogic presented effectively as logical fact. One must remember to turn their brain off a bit and just get scared and it does that job well. It's best at thrilling in an intense situation than it is at bringing up anything too social commentating and one may wish for just a bit more like that.
For what it is on its own though and aside that fact it's a great time. It's a well crafted, well acted, high intensity horror / thriller with a very unique premise. Fans of Get Out would enjoy but also of any classic “murder house” kind of work. One may be hoping their doppelganger isn't around there and that's the kind of great thing.. to make one wonder just a bit and look both way amidst its thrill ride. 8.5 out of 10
Director: Jordan Peele
Cast Headliners: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Tim Heidecker, Elizabeth Moss, x2
Original Release Date: March 22nd, 2019
Seen: April 2019
One would most likely not have predicted that Jordan Peele of sketch comedy fame would one day be a modern horror master of some renown. Yet after the surprise mix of terror and comedy that was 2017's Get Out he's back again with another project in Us. It has all the strong elements of a quality sophomore improvement by going even further into the terror and cinematic craft while perhaps losing a bit on the way. It definitely keeps one on their seat while also making them question this messed up situation.
Semi-frequent flashbacks give us the initial creepy look at the situation. A young Adelaide(a kid in Maddison Curry) and her parents(bit parts for a father and mother in Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Anna Diop respectively) go to a carnival where she finds an ominous hallway and visions of some kind of a menacing doppelganger. This experience haunts Adelaide giving her PTSD and she refuses to talk which has some effective drama elements at play. This mystery ties in a very key way to the film overall.
Years later an adult Adelaide (Lupita Nyong'o) goes on a summer vacation to a coastal lake house with her family including husband Gabe(Winston Duke), daughter Zora(Shahadi Wright Joseph), and Jason(Evan Alex). They also meet their friends in the Tylers consisting of husband Josh(Tim Heidecker), wife Kitty(Elisabeth Moss), and their twin daughters Becca(Cali Sheldon) and Lindsey(Noelle Sheldon). They also find a terrifying set of strangers in the Tethered who seem to be evil copies of themselves.
What's interesting, and effective, about the film is how much it manages to accomplish with so relative little... just like Get Out did and perhaps one could argue the way director Jordan Peele did his past work before that. The list of characters is not much aside this but yet one gets to know them all well. This is aided by some great performances but one rises above others.
Nyongo's Adelaide is amazing. That's also because it's also , like everyone's, a dual role in the mysterious “Red” who leads the Tethered copy family. Each has their own takes and they contrast so much. As Adelaide she continues to be haunted by visions and an unsettled mood into adulthood. It's a bit of a quiet awkward role but it makes sense in its subtle way. Eventually she gets some great action beats in as well. Contrasting, as Red, she's a villain for the ages. Perhaps most effective of all the scissors users in the film (it'll make some sense although much is only hinted at which is frustrating in lieu of full explanations) she also is the most chilling. With a demonic presence and a raspy accent she is nigh-unrecognizable from her usual work. The face-off and or torture between them is some impressive mashing up as well as dramatic horror ruckus.
This same dual role astounding nature is present in the other cast although to various degrees with none quite having that same equal impact to the viewer. Everyone has their moments with perhaps ending up as a bit shallow this time around. Duke's Gabe is a goofy big softie of a joking dad who just wants to take the old boat out for a spin and enjoy some beach relaxing which makes him the film's only true comic relief . This means it's very much a film that's more dark horror than horror comedy although there's some occasional chuckles as a whole. The children don't amount to much characterization on the noble side with Wright Joseph's Zora amounting to just about “the reluctant track running athletic daughter” and Alex's Jason being “the little boy who likes to wear a Chewbacca mask”. They do have their moments of individual terror and or heroism however. Much less can be said for the Tyler twins for notability. In that same vein Heidecker's Josh is as generic as they can be but has his quips and a true fan will know this role is a bit perfectly hammy for them. Moss's Kitty makes for a bit of a humorous suburbanite contrast a well. Now Red isn't the only member of the Tethered family with the other characters best being seen firsthand but if an actor is decent as a hero imagine that their monster version is also quite different and decent too.
It's a horror movie but not one of any true jump scares. That's what makes any good horror stand apart...when it's something with more nuance and depth such as the dramatic elements here. It can be incredibly pulse pounding and bloody to be sure. Peele's direction helps with his dark ambiance and thrill with some great fast and tracking cinematography and set design especially as the depths of a metaphorical hell are gone into (Although with some spot momentary cheese). Previous composer Michael Abels brings some great orchestrated pieces as well with choirs and who hasn't been impressed by the spooky use of rap and pop songs like “Got Five On It”.
It's thrilling, intense, and thought provoking yet also it's kind of... dumbly illogical if one thinks too hard. There's some narrative elements and backstory that don't make much sense at all. Perhaps Peele intended this (remember, the comedian) but it's illogic presented effectively as logical fact. One must remember to turn their brain off a bit and just get scared and it does that job well. It's best at thrilling in an intense situation than it is at bringing up anything too social commentating and one may wish for just a bit more like that.
For what it is on its own though and aside that fact it's a great time. It's a well crafted, well acted, high intensity horror / thriller with a very unique premise. Fans of Get Out would enjoy but also of any classic “murder house” kind of work. One may be hoping their doppelganger isn't around there and that's the kind of great thing.. to make one wonder just a bit and look both way amidst its thrill ride. 8.5 out of 10
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