Hello and welcome to the show, my name is Jonathan Paula.
My schedule got a bit screwed up this week, so I'm calling an audible and reviewing some
brand new releases - instead of the "Action Movie Month" special I had planned.
Let's begin with "Hail, Caesar!".
I wouldn't call this picture an outright "swing-and-a-miss"... it's more like a sacrifice fly.
Released on February 5, 2016 - this period-comedy film about the trials and tribulations of
a classic Hollywood film studio in the 1950s was produced on a budget of $22 million.
Written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen - the prolific duo have once again
penned a brilliantly quirky and unique script - which the all-star cast absolutely revel
in delivering.
Josh Brolin stars as the studio's "fixer" - a man who solves problems and gets results.
The 106-minute narrative follows a particularly busy day in his operation when George Clooney,
playing a ditzy big-shot actor is kidnapped by communists for a $100,000 ransom.
Elsewhere, Alden Ehrenreich portrays a country-western actor who is thrust into a serious drama with
hilarious results.
Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Alison Pill,
and Channing Tatum are marvelous as colorful supporting characters - but their appearances
amount to little more than an extended cameo, as none appear in more than two scenes.
I was left wanting to see more of their performances, which would have been better suited to a serialized
television show with an ensemble cast.
Come to think of it - how has never been a TV show about running a movie studio?
Seems like a great idea.
The PG-13 rated film features several authentic re-creations of Hollywood's "Golden Age",
like Johansson's beautifully choreographed water dancing, or Tatum's song-and-dance number
that is an outright homage to the classic Gene Kelley musicals of that era.
Meanwhile, the titular film-within-the-film is an obvious nod to the Charlton Heston masterpiece,
"Ben Hur" - which comes with all the trappings of that historical epic.
The screenplay seems poised to make some apt witticisms or satirical observations, but
sadly remains steadfast to its source inspiration's seriousness.
With a different treatment, "Hail, Caesar!"
could have been a fantastic parody of old-Hollywood...
rather than a hodge-podge of weird characters and events.
Things are and constantly happening, and they're perfectly amusing - but there's just no tension
or drama anywhere to be found.
Indeed, the lack of intersection from the half-dozen moving parts leaves the film extremely
disconnected - without a solid throughline to properly support the narrative.
The careful editing allows every joke and downbeat to land with precision.
One of the standout scenes has Brolin securing permission and feedback from a small group
of religious leaders over his movie's use of Jesus as a background character.
The bickering and arguing, especially from "Star Trek" alum Robert Picardo is especially
funny.
Perpetual Oscar runner-up Roger Deakins photographs these sequences with vivid detail and bright
compositions - and continues to illustrate why he's my favorite cinematographer working
today.
Shallow and unapologetic - fans of the Coen brothers will still enjoy this picture, but
they should wait for this one on home media.
"Hail, Caeser!"
may be sharply written and wonderfully acted, but it's ultimately pointless.
I thought it was just ALRIGHT.
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And now a review of a film that would be a perfect for younger comic fans using VidAngel,
"Deadpool".
This ain't your parent's superhero movie.
An impressive debut for the film's director, Tim Miller - this is a truly fresh take on
that tired and oversaturated genre.
Released nationwide on February 12, 2016 - the $58 million dollar action/comedy film broke
Thursday-night preview records for an R-rated movie... and boy does it earn that rating.
Bloody violence, gratuitous nudity, a plethora of F-bombs, and plenty of sexual innuendo;
there's at least a dozen masturbation jokes in this film.
When a Special Forces operative turned mercenary undergoes dangerous treatment to cure his
terminal cancer, he winds up horribly disfigured and imbued with accelerated healing powers.
The newly-formed mutant then begins killing everyone connected to the man who wronged
him - in effort to get his life back.
In his fifth comic-book adaptation (and second as this particular character) Ryan Reynolds
is outstanding as the titular hero - a crude, annoying, sex-obsessed martial artist who
doesn't hesitate to decapitate his enemies and use their severed heads as projectiles.
You can tell Reynolds has reverence for this project, as his treatment of the "Merc with
the mouth" is faithful, and authentic.
From his chiseled physique to his wise-cracking sarcasm, he's a perfect fit for the iconic
character.
Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, and T.J.
Miller portray the love interest, villain, and ally, respectively.
They're able to bring dramatic sincerity to the somewhat outlandish script - and the emotional
stakes of the picture actually resonate as a result.
T.J. is especially great as the plucky comic relief (a role the film directly pokes fun
at), but honestly, the film remains hilarious throughout, regardless of his presence.
The inclusion of Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and Stefan Kapicic as mutant enemies and allies
aren't given much to say or do - and their appearances are more fan-service than necessity.
Speaking of which, the 108 minute story is set within 20 Century Fox's X-Men universe,
and features a number of references to that franchise, including a great gag where Reynolds
asks if it's 'McAvoy' or 'Stewart' currently
in charge.
"Deadpool" opens with a stupendous freeze-frame during the middle of an explosive action sequence...
with the camera floating through the suspended moment as mock-credits flash on screen.
Minutes later, we're witness to this insane stunt at full-speed, and it's even more glorious.
The choreographed violence and death is so detailed, it gives the "Final Destination"
movies a run for their money.
Inter-cut with lengthy flashbacks providing Deadpool's origin story - this centerpiece
highway chase and shoot-out is humorously summarized by Reynolds, "Today was about as
much fun as a sandpaper dildo."
Brisk pacing and comfortably wide-framing lets this chaotic and frenzied picture really
breathe and progress without contrivances.
The visual effects are integrated seamlessly with practical stunts and takedowns.
Meanwhile, Tom Holkenborg, A.K.A.
Junkie XL provides a gritty and urban score that blends well with plenty of appropriate
- but sometimes ironic - pop music samples.
With lots of fourth-wall breaking that makes sure the audience is in on the joke - this
movie's few flaws are effectively turned into strengths - and the unique structure works
great.
Although it's definitely not a movie for younger viewers, all adult Marvel fans should adore
the memorable lead, graphic violence, and mature humor.
"Deadpool" is an ambitious and sarcastic adventure worth seeing more than once, and earns its
position among the best in the superhero genre.
I thought it was AWESOME.
Finally tonight, let's take a look at Zoolander 2.
There comes a point for potential sequels where "long-awaited" eventually becomes "mostly
forgotten".
Ben Stiller returns as writer, director, and star in this follow-up, which opened worldwide
on February 12, 2016 - nearly fifteen years after its predecessor.
With a weak debut and strong competition, it's not likely this goofy comedy will recoup
its $50 million dollar budget, but least we forget; the first film wasn't much of a box
office success either - achieving its cult status and perpetually internet memedom years
later.
The PG-13 rated story follows the title character's re-entrance into the world of fashion as he
tries to rescue his son from an Italian boarding school.
Most of our favorite characters are back, Stiller hasn't missed a beat - and remains
just as a aloof and dumbfounded as always.
Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell similarly slip back into their old characters effortlessly
- and this core trio of returning players deliver the bulk of the picture's most effective
lines.
When Ferrell attempts to escape prison with his self-described "perfectly life-like" masks
that he's produced , the reveal of his horribly poor-looking creation is a fantastic moment.
The exquisitely gorgeous Penélope Cruz is included mostly as eye-candy, and role that
she, uh, "fills-out" rather nicely.
SNL cast members Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen and Kyle Mooney also do great work with their
quirky characters; Wiig is a fashion icon with too much botox, Armisen as a weird little
butler child, and Mooney is a chatty clothing designer.
We haven't seen much of Stiller's real life spouse Christine Taylor outside of his occasional
Red Hour Productions in the intervening years - but it great to see her return in a small
part here, still looking as beautiful as ever.
Much like the original, "Zoolander 2" contains a constant stream of famous cameos - Kiefer
Sutherland portraying himself as an emotional orgy-participant is particularly great...
but it's Neil deGrasse Tyson in full "Cosmos" mode that got me to laugh the hardest.
A host of other celebrities, including Katy Perry, Sting, Justin Bieber, Susan Sarandon,
and of course, Billy Zane also make fun appearances.
I've spent a lot of time describing this film's cast, because unfortunately - that's really
all it has going for it.
The 102-minute script is generally void of purpose or reason - things happen in this
movie only to set up a joke, or because something similar happened in part one.
Filming on-location in Rome provides for some nice scenery, especially in a hilarious driving
montage set to Wham's "Wake Me Up".
Make no mistake, this movie is very stupid and immature - but then again so was the original.
While 15-years seems like a period of time when everyone should have left well-enough
alone, this unneeded follow-up honestly isn't that disappointing.
If you enjoyed the goofy gags and fun irreverence of first picture - you should feel right at
home with "Zoolander 2".
Unnecessary and often aimless, Stiller and friends manage to deliver a fun time, I thought
it was ALRIGHT.
Unfortunately, that does it for tonight's episode, but next week we'll get back to my
planned special on James Bond films.
And if you click this information-icon, some related videos will slide out for to watch.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!