Caught between The Rock and a hard no place
GUESS THE QUOTE
"Dead or alive,
you're coming with me."
Quick note: even though we didn't feature Don't Worry He Won't Get Far on Foot in the indie"ish" section, it's still noteworthy. Directed/written by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk), stars Joaquin Phoenix & Jonah Hill - Phoenix plays a man who with alcoholism who becomes paraplegic and recovers with help from writing darkly comic cartoons.
Also, last week's indie"ish" feature, Sorry to Bother You, is expanding a bunch, so all y'all not in LA/NY, take a look at your multiplexes.
Gettin cutoff? Go here, click "most recent edition."
SKYCRAPER
AKA
"aaaaarrrrgggghhhh"
PG-13 / 1 hr 43 mins
Action-Adventure / Universal
WHAT'S THE DEAL
The Rock recently starred in a movie version of Rampage, the video game where animals destroy buildings. Two months later, he's in Skyscraper, a movie about him saving people from a crumbling high-rise. Coincidence, or the most expensive meta art project ever fathomed? The Rock did have a gorilla friend in Rampage and it is SkyscrAPEr. Just sayin...
While we wait for further evidence, what we do know is that the latter is essentially a much less fresh, but way more CG explosiony, version of Die Hard starring The Rock (Neve Campbell too).
If you're often the person who responds to other people who point out plot holes with "come on, it's just fun, you can turn off your brain," this, our friend, is your time, and your movie.
REVIEWS
About as good as you'd imagine, which isn't as good as you'd hope.
Hollywood Reporter - "Skyscraper is one of the most idiotic action movies to come down the pike in some time. It's also a lot of fun if you're willing to go with it..."
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%
(56 reviews @ publish)
OUR TAKE
Look, we like Mr. The Rock, he can pull off what few can. But we wish he'd start shootin a tad higher than "it wasn't that bad."
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HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3:
SUMMER VACATION
AKA
"Ho-tel, mo-tel, Holidaaaay...end, please end"
PG / 1 hr 37 mins
Comedy-Family-Animation / Sony
WHAT'S THE DEAL
The fact they didn't subtitle it Summer Vacay shows some restraint. Do not expect that to hold much throughout a viewing.
These are the flicks that make people think animated movies are for kids only. Which is to say, the jokes come fast, they're mostly action based, the depth is top soil level and "harmless" will be used in abundance in describing them.
For those unaware, this series is driven by Adam Sandler (he plays Drac, the family patriarch) and he brings his normal crew (David Spade, Kevin James etc.) to tell jokes involving a cast of friendly monsters who get into hijinks - this time on a boat.
REVIEWS
Getting some endorsements, if you consider "There are worse ways to keep your kids busy on a rainy afternoon" an endorsement.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%
(27 reviews @ publish)
OUR TAKE
There are just too many better options out there, even if those options include watching any Pixar movie (excluding the Cars movies of course) for the 7th time.
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INDIE"ISH" SPOTLIGHT
EIGHTH GRADE
AKA
"where in the hell did that hair come from?"
R / 1 hr 34 mins
Comedy / A24
High school has a tendency to get cited most often as a time period people couldn't wait to end, but that's probably recency bias.
Middle school is the real shit. You've got increasingly annoying parents, new "urges," old friends becoming enemies and for modern kids, the decision of whether to vlog or not. Tough stuff.
And that's essentially Eighth Grade, all of that awkwardness filmed in a "snapshot of life" kind of way. But with a sense that everyone goes through it so we can all laugh (along with a twinge of knowing pain in our guffaws).
Take note its an A24 flick, whose choices have been spot on recently.
REVIEWS
Very good. Appreciating the "this could be real" feel of it.
AV Club - "A lovely, truthful comedy about the pure nightmare that is junior high."
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
(44 reviews @ publish)
OUR TAKE
Into it. Makes us think of Boyhood where it shows a more honest look at life experiences, albeit slightly more traditionally narrative driven.
Certainly not going to be for everyone though.
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ALREADY IN THEATERS + BOX OFFICE
(3-Day Weekend / Domestic Total - $ = Millions)
1) Ant-Man and the Wasp ($75.8) NEW
Big problems need small heros
86% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
2) Jurassic World: Fallen... ($28.5 / $333)
The island goes buh bye
51% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
3) Incredibles 2 ($28.4 / $504)
A family affair, of the superhero kind
94% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
4) The First Purge ($17.4) NEW
Origin story time for the wicked night
54% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
5) Sicario: Day of the Soldado ($7.6 / $36)
Drug war gets (even) nastier
64% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
6) Uncle Drew ($6.6 / $30)
Pepsi ad goes full length
66% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
7) Ocean's 8 ($5 / $127)
This time the women get sticky fingers
67% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
8) TAG ($3 / $48)
You're it
55% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
9) Won't You Be My Neighbor ($2.6/ $12)
Doc on the nicest guy around
99% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
10) Deadpool 2 ($1.7 / $315)
Green Lantern in a red suit w/ foul mouth
82% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
THE EQUALIZER 2
Denzel Washington gettin his action movie workout in. Expect lots (and lots) of killing and Mr. Prez being a badass.
MAMMA MIA 2:
HERE WE GO AGAIN
It's a prequel sequel. But Abba knows no year, so expect lots of the palindromic band's hits throughout.
UNFRIENDED:
DARK WEB
Another from Blumhouse, the producer of Purge series, Get Out, Happy Death Day & more. Sequel and all takes place on screens.
INDIE"ISH" SPOTLIGHT
BLINDSPOTTING
Police shooting in Oakland + race + identity + a changing neighborhood is... funny? Yup, but also dramatic. Reviews be real solid so far. Stars Daveed Diggs who played Marquis de Lafayette in original production of Hamilton.
LIFE ITSELF
Sept 21, 2018
From Dan Fogelman who created TV show This is Us. Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde in love story that's bigger than just their story... somehow.
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COLETTE
Sept 21, 2018
Yes, Keira Knightley is in a period piece, but don't move on too quickly. Based on true story of female author who ghostwrites for her husband & books become a BFD, all while she deals with her identity. Really good early reviews too.
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GOOSEBUMPS 2:
HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
October 12, 2018
Sequel, but none of the original cast, i.e. no Jack Black. Bummer. Doesn't look like they put the same effort (or dollars) as they did into the first.
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THE FAVOURITE
November 23, 2018
Teaser. Next movie from director of The Lobster. Looks similarly darkly comedic. Rachel Weiz and Emma Stone via for love of the, slightly mad, queen (Olivia Colman).
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WONDER PARK
March 15, 2019
Teaser. Girl is drawn to run down park where her imagination can bring it back to life.