Cinephile No. 1,077 “No Hard Feelings”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM  

Plot: “On the brink of losing her home, Maddie finds an intriguing job listing: helicopter parents looking for someone to bring their introverted 19-year-old son out of his shell before college. She has one summer to make him a man or die trying.” 

Review: Jennifer Lawrence has entered a new phase of her career. With enough box office success, she can pick projects that matter most to her. No Hard Feelings is evidence of this new reality. It is a choice that really should surprise no one who has been paying attention.  

Lawrence is the perfect late night talk show guest. She has great comedic timing and does not mind sharing an embarrassing tale that puts her at the center of the joke. In this film, it is those skills that elevate a crude script dripping with dry humor from beginning to end.  

Within fifteen minutes of the movie’s opening credits, you will figure out where this film is heading. It suffers from a predictable storyline. Lawrence stars as Maddie. When we first meet her, life is unraveling and spiraling out of control. Her car is being repossessed. Without a car, she cannot drive rideshare and take advantage of the busy summer months in Montauk, New York. She is behind on her property taxes and is inching closer to losing her home (a home that once belonged to her mother).  

Maddie needs cash and needs it fast. A car is the centerpiece of her plan to raise money for back taxes to keep the home she dearly loves. Scrolling through Craigslist looking for a cheap car, she runs across an ad placed by wealthy parents. The ad proposes the exchange of a free Buick Regal for a woman who agrees to date their isolated son before he heads off to Princeton in the fall. Without hesitating, she fully jumps at the opportunity. It is this ridiculous scenario that serves as the comedic gold that feeds the rest of the story.  

Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) is a bashful loner with lots of online friends, but few in the real world. Bullied by kids at school, he spends lots of time volunteering at a local animal shelter, playing piano, and gets lost in the world of video games. When he first meets Maddie, he is completely unaware of his parents’ proposition. Awkward and shy, he totally misses her advances. This gives rise to a series of roadblocks that serve as threats to Maddie’s plan. It is these obstacles that allow Lawrence an opportunity to shine and flex her comedic strength.  

The predictability of this film rears its head in two ways. We know from the beginning that Percy will fall head over heels in love and that the plan will be discovered. The consequences make this film worthwhile. Lucky for us, the script is hilarious and Lawrence gives a brave and fresh performance. Taken together, this film overcomes any challenges associated with predictability.

In the end, this film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of over-involved parents who rush to protect their children. It possesses a lot of humor and heart. It also gives us a type of role I would like to see Jennifer Lawrence pursue more often.  

Nathan 

This Is 40

The rumors are true. Today marks the beginning of a new decade as I slowly march toward figuring out what lies beyond this life. Whatever it is, I hope there is cheese. Based on the pain I feel in my hips, knees, lower back, and how many times I ask people to repeat themselves, I assume death will not come quickly. Instead, she will play a long game slowly robbing me of bodily functions with each passing year. Adult diapers are days away. As she does, I want to introduce a new annual tradition.

“This Is 40” serves as a retrospective. Beginning with 1983, I selected my favorite song from each year I have called this planet home. All songs are from my personal collection. It is my birthday present to you. I hope you’ll enjoy and, perhaps, find something new to love.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Cinephile No. 1,074 “Mission: Impossible–Dead Reckoning Part One”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME  

Plot: “Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.” -IMDB 

We have talked about artificial intelligence for decades, but it seemed like a far-fetched idea that wouldn't come true in my lifetime. When news of Chat GPT first broke, I made every attempt to approach this new technology rationally and with curiosity. I suspended judgement until I could spend some time with it.  

I approached, hoping it could help me do my job better and make me a better writer. As a communications professional, I must admit it still makes me nervous. I am fearful of the change it will unleash. A new concept has emerged that could impact our economy, how we interact with information, and international relations.. With these thoughts, the latest iteration of the Mission: Impossible franchise gives us a terrifying glimpse into our future and yet one more AI challenge to consider.

Dead Reckoning Part One raises the stakes to impossible heights.. Ethan Hunt and his team must pursue a key that unlocks an AI system called “The Entity.” Possessing the power to attack truth, mislead governments, and give enormous power to whomever holds it, we quickly understand that no one person or nation should have this sort of power. Of course, any bad actor or state welding such a device could hold a power not seen since the Manhattan Project. For Ethan (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team, this means an all-out pursuit for the key and The Entity.  

With a simple mission before us, a massive chase unfolds for a woman in possession of one half of the key. Through the streets of Venice and onboard a runaway train, Tom Cruise performs death-defying stunts couple with some of the best cinematography I have ever witnessed in an action movie. The pace, speed, violence, and sheer bravery of these scenes only heighten the need to reach the key first.  

Beyond the stunts and cinematography, this film also excels as a genuine spy thriller. You will encounter misdirection, betrayal, and scenes that make you second-guess around every corner of this movie. As Ethan gets closer to bringing the two halves of the key together near the film’s end, this sort of work pays dividends (which, of course, is not something I will spoil).  

As the credits rolled on this film, I found myself in shock. After seven films, this franchise still delivers. The stunts feel bigger. The stakes feel loftier. The threat feels more aware of our worst fears. As I exited the theater, I felt in awe of the moment. None of us know where artificial intelligence will lead society. It is a tool, and like all tools, there are unintended consequences. This tool will improve lives. People will lose jobs and bad actors will pursue power blind to those they hurt. If this movie wants us to reflect on potential harm, then I think it successfully fulfills its purpose.

Be good to each other,  

Nathan 

Cinephile No. 1,023 “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME  

Plot: “The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom.” -IMDB 

Review: It was Christmas of 1987. Somewhere around 4 AM, I walked out into the living room. I didn’t know it, but my parents had been in bed for only a few hours. There, underneath the Christmas tree, sat a brand-new Nintendo Entertainment System. “Santa Claus must have dropped it off while I slept,” I thought. 

Unable to control my excitement, my parents heard me from their bedroom. My mom exited her bedroom, checked the clock on the mantel, and told me Christmas would not begin for a few more hours. She commanded me back to bed. For four sleepless hours, I laid there dreaming of what the future would bring.  

Since 1987, I have owned every Nintendo system. In that time, I have spent countless hours in the Mushroom Kingdom saving Princess Peach and defeating Bowser. When the first trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie dropped, I knew I had to see it.  

Featuring a straightforward story about two plumbers dropped into a mysterious world. Separated from each other, much of the film is about Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) working to find each other and return home. But it is also a film about a powerful ruler, Bowser (Jack Black) attempting to steal Princess Peach’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) kingdom and her hand in marriage or the plot to the game, Super Mario Odyssey.  

The film has two primary audiences: kids and those of us who grew up with these characters. With a PG rating, it more than delivers on the promise of family friendly entertainment. With countless Easter eggs hidden throughout the story, there is plenty to keep a loyal adult audience engaged.  

For myself, it was not the funniest animated movie I have ever watched, but it uses music in clever ways. It also introduces the mechanics of the world in wonderfully creative ways. Somehow, the story of two plumbers fighting alongside a princess to defeat a giant turtle and his minions makes total sense in the world the storytellers have constructed.  

If the film has a fault, it is an over enthusiastic desire to include so much from the Mario story. In over 90 minutes, we get glimpses from Luigi’s Mansion, Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, Super Mario Odyssey, and much more. For someone new to this world, it can be overwhelming. Even for me, a longtime fan, it was a bit much.  

In my estimation, I easily forgave this because of a couple of decisions. First, Princess Peach is anything but helpless in this story. She is powerful and the master of her domain. Second, the final showdown with Bowser is everything I wanted. Sure, it is predictable, but it was engaging, enthralling, and put the biggest smile on my face.  

The Super Mario Bros. Movie gave me everything I wanted and more that I never expected. I have spent considerable time with these characters and their never-ending story. In the end, I wanted a joyful story true to the games I so dearly love. I got exactly that.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

The Cinephile’s Journey: 12 Years a Slave

Recommendation: 5/5 Stars  

The Cinephile’s Journey is an attempt to watch and review every film that has won The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscar for Best Picture.  

Plot: “In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.” 

Review: In conversations about the film, 12 Years a Slave, I often hear some variation of the same sentiment. “That was a great movie, but I will never watch it again.” On the surface, there is nothing easy about the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Bearing witness to brutality and inhumanity is never easy. But I believe it is necessary to bear witness to his tortured story. The cruelty that visits him and his fellow slaves is a pain we must confront.  

With this review, I would like to make an argument for choosing to revisit this film. Watching this movie for this series of reviews marks my third time. Each experience has delivered a different outcome. The first time forced a reckoning with the privilege I possess as a white man in America. My second viewing was with my mom, who was a child and a teenager during the height of the civil rights movement. After the third viewing, all I could think about was Florida.  

Across our nation, political leaders and well-organized groups are attempting to whitewash history. They want to pretend as if such historical cruelties, like those portrayed in this film, never occurred. They make up stories about the root causes of what ails us and work tirelessly to convince us it has nothing to do with race. Most egregiously, they are working hard to ensure our children can learn nothing from the sins of our nation.  

They throw “woke” around like it is some insult. If acknowledging the lasting damage of slavery, genocide, denying women the right to vote, Jim Crow laws, exclusionary acts, xenophobia, internment, red lining, denial of basic freedoms, Islamophobia, and an insurrection, makes me “woke,” then I wear the word with pride. Acknowledging our sin does not make me love my country any less. Witnessing the pain and anguish of Solomon makes me more human. It firmly puts our country’s destiny in my hands.  

Spending time with this story and these characters presents an opportunity to learn and question. In Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), we see that a master cloaking himself in God’s word does not absolve you from the sins of slavery. We know this is true, because Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), Solomon’s second “master,” wraps himself in the same religious fervor but uses it as a weapon to treat his property as he sees fit.  

Counter to these performances, we see Solomon, stolen from freedom, do all he can to push against the forces of hopelessness. Finally, in Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o), we witness firsthand the cruelty of slavery.  

Watching the performances of all four actors, my mind still drifts to thoughts of Florida. No matter what their governor says, there are no positives to be garnered from the act of owning, enslaving, and torturing another human being. History should never judge those who did kindly.  

Slavery was a glaring ember of betrayal. It betrayed ideals we hold dear. If there are bright spots to be found in this film, they are in witnessing Solomon’s willingness to return home to his family. We can also find them in the actions of men like Bass (Brad Pitt), who risked it all to right a wrong.  

As painful as this film might be, I urge you to revisit it. We are far from finished washing the stench of this sin from our American skin. Others might be hellbent on rewriting the story, but after spending some time with this film, I find myself just as determined to stand in their way.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

The Cinephile’s Journey: The King’s Speech

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars  

The Cinephile’s Journey is an attempt to watch and review every film that has won The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscar for Best Picture.  

Plot: “The story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.” -IMDB 

Review: I love countless things about the artform of cinema. My favorite thing might be its ability to take something as simple as a king’s war-time speech and build an entire world around it. If you were a British citizen listening on the radio that day, you might have never known the challenge associated with King George VI’s speech. By pulling back the curtain, cinema reveals a beautiful story of friendship and leadership..  

In moments of great national turmoil, people need to hear from their leaders. We crave honesty, transparency, and reassurance. If a leader can’t do this effectively, then steering a nation or a kingdom through trying times is nearly impossible. For King George VI (Colin Firth), who suffers from a stammer that makes public speaking a harrowing challenge, this most basic leadership skill is simply out of reach.  

Knowing this, we meet the other two characters who hold this film together. Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). When we first meet Elizabeth and George, they have not yet ascended to the throne. With an older brother, George has no genuine hopes of wearing the crown. Knowing public speaking will always be a part of his life, the Prince and Princess pursue various speech therapists with little luck. Then the princess stumbles across Lionel, who possesses an unorthodox approach. Together, George, Elizabeth, and Lionel go about the work of training a prince for his public life.  

In the sessions and conversations, we get intimate glimpses into the life of a prince and his kingdom’s expectations. We also uncover the trauma that may serve as the root cause of George’s stammer. These scenes stand out as some of the strongest in the film. They humanize the soon-to-be king in a way the public would never experience.  

 Outside of the therapy sessions, trouble brews as George’s brother abdicates the throne. Choosing love over service, the impossible becomes reality as George takes his seat on the throne. This unexpected turn of events, coupled with the rise of Hitler, intensifies the dread in this film. The only question left to be answered is will the newly minted king be able to rise to the moment and address his people when they need him most?  

For the answer to that question, give this film a chance. I adored it when it was first released. I may love it even more now. I think it has powerful things to say about friendship, expectations, and service.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan

Cinephile No. 1,069 “The Flash”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM 

Plot: “Barry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without superheroes, forcing him to race for his life to save the future.” -IMDB 

Review: The Flash deserved better. It deserved a star whose off-screen antics did not spell disaster for the hero he represented. It deserved a studio that was less concerned with the competition and more focused on telling great stories. It deserved to be told methodically, independently, and with an unflinching desire to tie rich characters to a broader world. It deserved leaders who understand what the story and all the stories spanning the DC Universe mean to the audience.  

On its own two feet, it is a fine film with an interesting plot and a unique take on the established world. But its cameos and introductions to new characters feel dirtier than fan-service. They can feel like an apology for everything the studio got wrong. Seeing Michael Keaton reprise his role as Batman or the introduction of Super Girl feels like an olive branch I am not ready to receive.  

I adore the stories and characters of DC. These comic books were foundational to me. They unlocked my imagination and made me fall deeply in love with the written word. The opening scene of this film, which features The Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman working together, is the joy I should have been feeling when we were first introduced to Superman all those years ago. The emotional weight of Barry Allen’s (Ezra Miller) origin story and reason for being is something that should have been ever present. This has not been the case. Since the introduction to the Snyder-verse, the films have felt like knock-off handbags mimicking the best of Marvel..  

And the timing could not have been worse. After years of disappointment and Marvel seemingly stuck in a phase without direction, DC introduces us to their version of the multiverse in this film. Flash tries to undo the loss of his mother by going back in time, but the concept doesn't feel as nuanced as when it was read on the page. Once again, DC could not get out of their own way.

Again, The Flash deserved better, and it is apparent to me that fans are punishing it because of past mistakes. I hope the leadership at Warner Bros. and James Gunn are paying attention. If you want my unsolicited advice, slow down, make thoughtful decisions, pull this world together with joy and emotional weight as a centerpiece. Also, treat your fans with respect.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan 

Cinephile No. 1,006 “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, Showtime  

Plot: “Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon, Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what they previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their home.” -IMDB 

Review: I haven’t returned to the world of Pandora since they released the original Avatar back in 2009. In all honesty, I haven’t given this film much thought outside of discussions concerning the highest grossing films of all time or news of delays in developing the sequel. I felt indifferent about returning to this world and exploring it further.  

So, why this review? Months after this film’s release and thousands of reviews and published thought pieces, what is something new I can offer the discussion? Because this film defied my expectations. Simply put, if James Cameron can create a third installment of this series with as much heart and understanding of man’s inclinations, we will have a trilogy that rivals the original episodes of Star Wars. With the promise of a third and fourth installment, Avatar possesses the potential to be the greatest science-fiction series committed to film. Only time will tell if this is true, but let me explain myself.  

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is now a family man and a leader amongst the Na’vi people. The brutality of the “Sky People” is always a possibility, but for now, relative peace is a reality. When confrontations with invading forces are a must, they meet their end swiftly. By centering this film on Sully’s family, it instantly possesses a greater emotional anchor. This is important, because the invaders have a new talent. Using the DNA of Sully’s nemesis, Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and his men walk among the Na’vi people as Avatar clones.  

Forced with a decision to stay and fight or protect his family, Sully seeks refuge among the sea clans, hoping to escape a potential showdown. From this point until the credits roll, this film is predictable. We know Sully cannot hide forever. War visiting the islands is inevitable. We also know that a climactic showdown between our two leaders is unavoidable. If these things are easy to predict, what makes this film an even better film than the original?  

Underneath the surface of this action, fantasy, science fiction film, is a lot to unpack. As an American and a global citizen, it gave me a lot to ponder. In the film, the Earth is dying and becoming uninhabitable. Pandora presents an opportunity to begin again, but instead of learning to coexist with the race of people who already call this planet home, the Sky people see the Na’vi as something to be conquered. To them, Pandora is destiny. The exploitation of resources and people smells ripe with colonialism, manifest destiny, and genocide. These are major themes for a film such as this to tackle, but it never shies away from the challenge. It is always there underneath the surface.  

This is also one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. Every frame drips with beauty and intrigue. Without a doubt in my mind, it will pull the entire industry forward and change the game once again. The underwater visuals alone rival the beauty of the natural world.  

Finally, this film is wonderfully imaginative. It is a breath of fresh air despite being a sequel. Existing as something not based on published source materials such as a book, prior film/television show, or comic books is astonishing at this moment in cinema. This is especially true when one considers the level of detail and world building. 

In the end, this is a piece of cinema that stands on its own. It is an engaging and enthralling action film. It wants us to understand our history. It also entertains and impresses with its visualizations. It is too early to tell how the world judges the entire collection of films, but for the first time since 2009, I am really looking forward to returning to Pandora.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan   

Movie Review: "Bottoms"

My Grade: A-, currently playing in theaters

Plot: Two unpopular queer high school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation. -IMDB

Review: High school is not the easiest experience for most people. A large part of that is contributed to just being a teenager, which is a heightened experience. One where we explore our identity and figure out our place in this crazy world. If you happen to also be unpopular, that only adds to the struggle of surviving the brutal social landscape of the high school experience. PJ (Rachel Sennott, who also co-wrote the screenplay) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) find themselves in this predicament in the latest comedy, Bottoms, from writer/director Emma Seligman. The fact these girls are also queer is inconsequential, but it also doesn’t help their cause. Their crushes on two particular cheerleaders, Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), becomes the impetus to start a fight club, in order to hook up with their infatuations before heading off to college.

Seligman and Sennott take their sharply satirical script and turn it into a hilarious takedown of high school tropes seen in many movies. Seligman, as a director, has a great eye for visual gags that help punctuate the outrageous tone of the movie, while also keeping the movie grounded in the friendship between PJ and Josie. Seligman is clearly influenced by teen comedies from the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s. The movie comes off as a mix of Fight Club, Mean Girls, American Pie, and Heathers, all rolled into one. The clever part of the movie is that Seligman and Sennott take the familiar premise of teens wanting to lose their virginity and flip it with a queer female perspective, without resorting to self congratulatory speeches. The focus is always on the humor and they way they can subvert what a high school movie can be, leaning into the absurdity of the situations.

The performances are excellent from top to bottom, Sennott and Edebiri are comic forces and make a terrific pair, with Sennott being the more outrageous one and Edeiri being more subtle and sly with her comedic timing. Their chemistry as friends feels natural and believable. These two are hilarious throughout and make you wish to see them team up again in future projects. Nicholas Galitzine is a comedic delight as the jock Jeff. Galitzine goes full tilt with the silly humor and never wavers. Marshawn Lynch might be one of the biggest surprises as Mr. G, a teacher who doesn’t behave like a typical one. His dry sensibility to comedy evokes some of the biggest laughs in the movie. Ruby Cruz is also wonderfully awkward and funny as Hazel, the only voice of reason among the wild teens. Liu and Gerber round out the supporting cast and are hilarious in their foolish observations, but also display surprising depth as well.

At 90 minutes, the movie is briskly paced and never loses momentum, thanks to the non-stop jokes and visual set pieces. The music by Leo Birenberg and Charli XCX effectively helps punctuate key moments with energetic purpose. Seligman doesn’t shy away from portraying the complexities of female friendships. She allows her characters to be messy and flawed, which gives the movie a grounded nature, despite the over-the-top tone of the humor. There are also some surprising moments of violence, which adds to the insane nature of the story, but audiences will be laughing from the bruising humor to notice too much. Seligman and her talented team have delivered one of the funniest and best comedies of the year by creating a high school experience both familiar and new.

See you at the movies!

Cristian Barros

Musical Thesis (The Ten): December 2022

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it means we are nearing the final chapters of 2023. Before we do, I wanted to take a look back at 2022 and the songs I revisited most often. 2022 was another year of transition, but it also found me settling into a new reality. In fantastic ways, the collection of songs below reflect that mood. As always, I would love to hear where they land for you.

To listen to the entire playlist, click here.

Baby I’m Coming Home by The Black Keys

Look Outside by Broadcast

One Is One by Delta Spirit

Ghost of Caddo by Delta Spirit

Love We Make by The Head and The Heart

Help Me Along by Jack White

Honey by The Lone Bellow

Where We Are by The Lumineers

Let by Pinegrove

Losers by Ryan Adams

Be good to each other,

Nathan