The Hollars (2016), Sharlto Copley, John Krasinski
Directed by John Krasinski, The Hollars is a comedy/drama about a son returning to his small town after his mother falls ill. This may not be the most obvious premise for comedy but there are laughs to be had with Krasinki’s latest directorial effort.
Besides the good humour, especially courtesy of Sharlto Copley’s character, I enjoyed the film’s portrait of family, sibling dynamics and all the good performances from the cast.
Written by Jim Strouse who also wrote one of my favourites, People, Places, Things (2015), Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Richard Jenkins, Margot Martindale and Randall Park also star.
The Hollars is fitting for when you’re in the mood for a relaxing drama/comedy with a little splash of romance and nothing too taxing, emotionally.
Finding Dory is a movie you watch because you love the characters in Finding Nemo (2003), and want to spend more time with them. You will certainly have a good time. Nevertheless, the original will likely remain number one in your heart, and very little about Finding Dory is going to feel fresh and new.
One of the things about Finding Dory that does feel quite different comes in the shape of Frank the octopus, a smart and fun, red/orange creature. I also particularly enjoyed the ‘Where’s Frank’ game at the very end.
Another highlight involves a truck and the sea. It’s a beautiful, moving scene that feels reminiscent of a memorable moment in Inception (2010).
Watch Finding Dory for the nostalgia and because it’s not a bad sequel as sequels go.
Sausage Party (2016), Seth Rogen – Frank (Voice), Michael Cera – Barry (Voice)
Finding out the truth about one’s existence isn’t just a journey important for humans. Frank the sausage from Shopwell’s supermarket has heard some extremely disturbing news about what happens after he and his fellow food product friends are chosen. Selected and taken out of Shopwell’s and into ‘the great beyond,’ where the mad food horror/comedy/adventure that is Sausage Party, the latest from writing partners Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg truly begns.
Starring Rogen, Michael Cera, Kristen Wiig, Nick Kroll, Jonah Hill, and many more, I found Sausage Party entertaining and definitely filthy. It’s the clever and well-written wordplay that makes the experience for me.
The film’s general look and animation style is another personal highlight. I particularly love the walks of Teresa Del Taco and Frank’s girlfriend, Brenda. Yes, we’re talking about animation here, but the sexiness is truly undeniable. Then there’s the villainous Douche who is very well played by Nick Kroll (probably my favourite of his roles, ever).
There’s no writing about Sausage Party without mentioning the, let’s say… ‘good times’ that happen towards the very end. WOW! That’s a great word for it.
Sausage Party (2016), Salma Hayek – Teresa Del Taco (Voice)
After the thought, ‘How on earth are they going to end this?’ crossed my mind a few times as the movie played, I’m not mad at what actually happens at the very end – because how else could they have wrapped it up, really? Especially since food is ultimately for eating, potatoes need peeling and, we can mostly if not all agree that no one should ever take ill treatment.
In terms of the things I was at odds with, Sausage Party features some commentary on religion that feels a little odd and out of place, even though it kind of makes some sense, as we’re dealing with a world where our food both talks and thinks.
Watch this moviefor the smartly written, filthy, fun dialogue and the general madness of it all.
Training Day is not a movie you watch if you’re looking for a relaxing film experience. The protagonist through whom we’re introduced to the world in which everything takes place is Jake (Ethan Hawke). And because Jake is comfortable at no point in Training Day, you absolutely won’t be either.
With that important truth out of the way, Training Day is a movie worthy of your time. Not just because of the undeniable talent both in front and behind the camera, it’s a well-written crime thriller that will likely leave you grateful that you get to experience the world of the characters only on screen.
Training Day (2001), Denzel Washington
David Ayer (Suicide Squad – 2016) is responsible for the screenplay while Antoine Fuqua (The Magnificent Seven – 2016) directs. I’m convincedthat Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke could not have played their roles any better. Perhaps even more than the great performances, it’s the way the story comes together that I love most. From the effective shooting style to the way events unfold overall, I had an uncomfortable (in a good way) and definitely positive experience.
If I had to pick something that maybe could have improved my overall experience, I’d point to the musical score which left me a little wanting. By no means is it as awkward as the score for John Q (2002), but awkward is a word that fits – in parts.
Watch Training Day for some Denzel Washington/Ethan Hawke magic and for the smart way everything comes together.
Lastly, would I call Training Day my favourite buddy cop movie? It’s close, but End Of Watch (2012) still has that title.
What’s your favourite buddy/cop movie? Feel free to share in the comments below.
The trailer for Suicide Squad, a.k.a. DC Comics’s answer to The Avengers (2012) is one of my favourite movie trailers of 2016. Fast forward to the first hour of actually watching Suicide Squad and I’m thinking… ‘Why does this feel like such a big mess?’
After my surprise at my initial reaction, the movie does thankfully become a little more watchable, after the first hour. Though certainly not enough to make Suicide Squad a particularly great experience.
A sizeable part of my issue with director David Ayer’s film is linked to the fact that, unlike Marvel’s TheAvengers, stand-alone movies for most, if not all of the characters in Suicide Squad, don’t previously exist. This adds to the already gargantuan challenge of weaving a well-constructed and engaging story featuring all the numerous players, something this film fails to do. I didn’t realise how much Marvel’s approach made a lot of sense until, as a non-reader of comic books, I watched Suicide Squad.
Additionally, I know that superhero movies aren’t real but something about Suicide Squad was even more unbelievable than any other superhero movie I remember watching. I must admit that Cara Delevigne’s portrayal of Enchantress didn’t help matters. ‘Ridiculous’ is unfortunately the word that came to mind most times I saw her character and heard her speak.
Suicide Squad (2016), Viola Davis
As for the characters I did like, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) is cool but I found that I didn’t identify with her as much as I thought I would. The fact that all members of the Suicide Squad are hardcore criminals, I’m sure has something to do with it.
Deadshot (Will Smith) is another favourite because he too has that cool factor, thanks in large part to the nature of his particular set of skills. That, combined with how his story is shot is part of what kept me watching. Harley Quinn and Deadshot’s dynamic also helped hold the story together, where possible.
‘Is Jared Leto’s Joker going to be as arresting as Heath Ledger’s brilliant work in The Dark Knight (2008)?’ This was a question I wanted the answer to and I kind of got it… but not really, because The Jokeris barely seen in this movie. And even though he is one of the better-known characters before this film – thanks to Batman, Joker’s stand-alone movie really should have come before Suicide Squad.
Overall, Suicide Squad is a movie you watch if you’re curious enough. It’s just not as good as it should have been.
Last but not least,I didn’t want to have to say that ‘Marvel’s The Avengers did it better‘, but I’ve never really been very good at lying to myself.
The Movie My Life 