Destination Wedding, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder’s comedy/drama about two unpleasant wedding guests who develop a mutual affection, despite themselves, is just as delightful as the trailer suggested.
The beautiful destination, the way the dialogue posed some of life’s key questions and how it was all so engaging throughout. These are the things I liked most about director Victor Levin’s movie. My favourite moment, if I had to pick one, is the scene when Ryder’s character gets carried.
In my mind, Destination Wedding can probably be likened to a dark and funny cousin of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (1995).
In conclusion, watch it because it’s misery, but fun. Fun that stars many ‘props’ and two engaging characters.
The action sequences in Fallout are impressive, well-choreographed physical feats. You know, because it’s a Tom Cruise movie.
Yet, there was one moment at the beginning, in the scene with the plutonium, that felt too obvious as an action movie plot device. Specifically, due to its execution. Unfortunately, it was a moment that made me feel less enthused about the rest of the film.
As the story progressed, I was adequately engaged, but concluded that I probably need to give this franchise a break. That way, when I return, some years from now, it will feel fresh and new again.
In comparison, I definitely had more fun with Rogue Nation. The good news is that Fallout is still a worthy movie. It’s likely telling that what stood out most to me about it is the truly great face Rebecca Ferguson has, rather than a specific, memorable scene or moment of dialogue.
Watch Mission: Impossible – Fallout because it’s good. Who knows, it may even be your favourite.
For most of Incredibles 2, it is Elastigirl who is out doing all the superhero work and dealing with a new villain, Screenslaver, while Mr Incredible is at home taking care of the Incredible children.
As far as the superhero action sequences go, I enjoyed Elastigirl’s rather thrilling second solo pursuit of Screenslaver. Overall, though, my favourite scenes in Incredibles 2 are not the moments when members of the Incredible family are in their trademark superhero attire, facing off with villains.
The biggest highlights for me are the scenes with all or most of the Incredible family together at home. I particularly enjoyed the humour and universal family dynamics during these moments. I also especially adored every scene that featured baby Jack Jack, ‘the most adorable symbol of animated cuteness,’ since the Minions (2015) first became a big deal. I can definitely sense that you agree. Yes, I know you do.
Watch Incredibles 2 because it’s good. Enjoy all the undeniable cuteness and cleverness of the creation that is Jack Jack. Definitely make time for the fun that the scenes with Jack Jack at Edna Mode’s residence will deliver.
Written/directed by Brad Bird; Incredibles 2 stars Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Catherine Keener and Samuel L. Jackson.
Three Identical Strangers (2018), David Kellman, Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland
Three Identical Strangersis the extraordinary story of three complete strangers who discover by chance that they are identical triplets who were separated at birth.
It all starts from the day the first triplet is mistaken for someone else. A ‘someone else’ whom he soon finds out is his identical twin brother. The next hour or so of the film goes on to reveal plenty, including the circumstances that led to the separation of brothers David Kellman, Robert Shafran and Eddy Galland.
Featuring photographs, reenactments, video footage and interviews with the brothers and those who know/knew them best, the end result is a well-structured Tim Wardle-directed documentary. One with a fair amount of detail about what actually happened after the brothers were born.
I really haven’t watched nearly enough documentaries in 2018 but I’d recommend Three Identical Strangers as one not to miss. It’s an unfortunate story that’s as engaging, astonishing andheartbreaking as one might imagine, and more, bringing to mind the age-old debate of nature versus nurture, among other complex issues.
My hope by the end of this film is that such cruel separations are far less likely to occur today than they were decades earlier.
Watch Three Identical Strangers because it’s good.
Atomic Blonde, an action/thriller about an undercover MI6 agent on a mission to investigate the murder of a fellow agent, and recover a missing list of double agents is arguably an adequately thrilling experience.
Starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, what stood out most for me about director David Leitch’s film is the style – and by ‘style’ I mean the general look and feel, the colours, clothing, the exciting fight sequences, the way specific moments are shot at a particular angle, making for a more satisfying visual experience. One such example would be the way Leitch captures the scene near the start when McAvoy’s character walks up to the car that just crashed with his colleague (Theron) inside.
Watching a very capable, well-dressed female character in charge of herself and her surroundings was fun. It was an inspiring vision that quickly brought to mind another fictional character with impressive abilities and great style. Namely Sylvia Hoeks’s highly memorable work as Luv in Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
Atomic Blonde is a movie you watch for the thrilling action and mystery. It likely won’t have you with a megaphone in hand, post-viewing and trying to gather everyone to watch it immediately. Nevertheless, by the end, you may, like me, find yourself thinking, ‘yeah, that wasn’t terrible. Nor was it exceptionally memorable either, yet I have no regrets.’
Lastly, when it comes to the question of Theron’s British accent, I don’t think that she did terribly. However, my ‘expert ear’ did notice a few inconsistencies. Nothing too laughable, mind you. Thank goodness.
Watch it for the colours, fights and style. It’s even possibly, more than a little fun.
