Charlie's 😇 / 🚙 V 🚗 / The Good 🙊 / and 🌊

Nov 13, 2019

GUESS THE QUOTE
"You have bewitched me body and
soul, and I love, I love, I love you."

The Report, Amazon's Adam Driver movie about the investigation into the United States' torturing of prisoners is also getting a limited release this weekend. Reviews say it's a well done political thriller, though a tad unsure if it'll get too many people excited beyond the crowd who just got excited when they read "political thriller."

Not featuring since it'll be on Amazon Prime in short order (Friday November 29th), but do take a look if you're still shaking from reading "political thriller."

Cutoff? Go here, click "most recent edition."

CHARLIE'S ANGELS

AKA
"culturally progressive POPaganda"

PG-13 / 1 hr 38 mins

Action-Comedy / Sony

WHAT'S THE DEAL

In One Line: Update to the famous trio of female spies, this time with a female writer / director (Elizabeth Banks).

Charlie's Angels in modern culture is kinda of " a thing." Even if you've never seen the original show or the 00's movies starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, you mostly know what it is. Which is women spies, who are also pretty hot, doin spy stuff, while showin' off their hotness.

Except that's what it was. Because this is a new Charlie's Angels, finally being told from the perspective of *shock* another woman (Elizabeth Banks who wrote / directed). And here Banks recruited Kristen Stewart and two pals (Naomi Scott who played Jasmine in the live action Aladdin & Ella Balinska in her first movie) to try and switch things up a little. But not entirely, because hey, this is still an expensive Hollywood movie; so they're still doin spy stuff and looking fantastic while doing it (of course). But instead of doing only that, they'll be pointing out some of the shittiness that may have existed in previous iterations and still exists in society at large - but mostly with a wink a cute smile.

Note: Patrick Stewart also stars, both he and Banks play "Bosleys" as there are multiple handlers now because there are multiple sets of spies in this new world of Angels.

REVIEWS

Not everyone is stoked on the new take, NY Times said it "tries to sell stale goods with a sheen of empowerment," but another take from The Wrap's Elizabeth Weitzman, "The real asset Banks brings to the movie, though, is her own perspective. She builds the whole project on a scaffolding of sisterhood that feels so natural, it highlights Hollywood's historic failures in this regard."

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
(43 reviews @ publish)

WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?

For: you like some sugar coated action with your desire for cultural progress

(Not): doesn't matter what it's trying to say, spy movies are spy movies, and you don't like em. harumph

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FORD V FERRARI

AKA
"easiest way to avoid talking to your pops
for two hours over Thanksgiving"

PG-13 / 2 hrs 32 mins

Drama-Action / Fox (Disney)

WHAT'S THE DEAL

In One Line: Matt Damon and Christian Bale car movie that's actually for a wider audience than those who change change their own oil.

What is it that's so uncool about bein a dad? The common attire? The dancing? The inherent responsibility of creating and caring for another living being? Well, whatever it is, when you want to make something super uncool, just ascribe "dad" as an adjective - Bod? Check. Jeans? Indubitably. Movie? Righto chap.

So while Ford v Ferrari will very likely be loved by dads the world over, we hesitate to call it a "dad movie," for fear of turning off those of you who may enjoy it regardless of its inherent dadness. Because you very well may (see reviews). Yes, it's a story not only about cars, but car racing. And sure it's set in the 60's and stars two white guys near 50 who are total dads themselves (Matt Damon & Christian Bale), and made by James Mangold, the director of some of the most dad action movies around in 3:10 to Yuma and the last two Wolverine movies, including Logan (though he did make... Girl, Interrupted??). But it's also apparently a well told story, which regardless of your dad credentials, most people appreciate. There's the underdog aspect, the competitive tone driving the narrative and the complicated friend dynamics that nearly everyone can empathise with. So yeah, it may seem on the surface a bit specific in its audience, but we'd encourage you take a second look if you wrote it off.

Although, if you do go, maybe latch onto your dad's trip to theater just so you don't lose any cred "Yeeeaaaah, I had to go see it with my dad. But I mean, I didn't hate it...."

REVIEWS

While plenty mention its overall appeal to the purveyors of cringe worthy jokes, the bigger narrative is its solid storytelling and great acting.

"Somehow, Mangold has made a two and half hour movie out of this rather dry-sounding source material, and most pleasingly, it's entertaining even to someone with absolutely no skin in the racing game." Hannah Woodhead, Little White Lies

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
(123 reviews @ publish)

WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?

For: ahem, "dads," of course and those trying to catch all the movies likely to be nominated for Oscars (but secretly want to see it)

(Not): Dads, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandmas, whatever the familial moniker, you can't stand when a movie runs over two hours

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THE GOOD LIAR

AKA
"Not Selena Gomez!"

R / 1 hr 29 mins

Drama-Suspense / New Line (Warner)

WHAT'S THE DEAL

In One Line: That feisty lookin battle of wits (and acting skillZ) between Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren.

Helen Mirren is a very good actor. Ian McKellen is also a very good actor. They star in a movie together, where they are the stars of the movie. No offering sage guidance to some dunce who can't get their shit together in their 30's because #ISSUES. On the face of it, this shouldn't be odd.

And yet, it is.

See, McKellen is *gasp* 80 years old and Mirren is *shock* 74. So to see them do some tet a tet that's more expected from George Clooney and Julia Roberts at their peak popularity it's rare, and kind of exciting. Because it's not some On Golden Pond jerker, this is a straight suspense movie, with like scheming and lying (duh) and plenty of other things people don't expect out of octogenarians (and near) as McKellen tries to separate Mirren from a few million quid - although Mirren seems to have other plans. Now, it has to work as a movie of course, whiiiiich, it seems mostly to (see below), but sometimes the unique context surrounding a movie can help elevate it. You'll have to decide how much. :)

Note: made by Bill Condon, who directed McKellen in the excellent Gods and Monsters and the well liked Mr. Holmes

REVIEWS

"As a movie, "The Good Liar" is just so-so, but as a master class in performance and star quality, it's a pleasure." Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
(31 reviews @ publish)

WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?

For: watching really good acting is good enough for you

(Not): you'd be fine with McKellen and Mirren as long as they were octogenarian super heros (sequel?)

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LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
WAVES

AKA
"one of the strongest forces on earth"

R / 2 hrs 15 mins

Drama / A24

WHAT'S THE DEAL

In One Line: Third movie from director Trey Edward Shults and third movie of his to get very good reviews, this time he deals with complicated family dynamics.

In stark contrast to the "dadness" we referenced in discussing Ford v Ferrari, Waves is a movie that in part deals with what it means to be a father. Which is the same as being a dad, technically, and yet, feels different (Kurt Cobain said it well). Even saying "father" vs "dad" out loud (try it) connotes this feeling of weight and connection vs familiarity and the quotidien. It's a father's responsibility to protect his children, to push his children and make sure they're better off than he was... right? But what happens when a father, Sterling K. Brown (This is Us), tries to help his children, and specifically his son (Kelvin Harrison Jr. from the recent Luce), to be the best they can be, to achieve a standard so high it pushes them to the point it becomes a problem. Not just for father and son, but for the entire family, for Brown's daughter (Taylor Russell), for Harrison's gf (Alexa Demie from HBO's Euphoria), for lots of people.

The family has to try and come together, to move forward, right? But what happens when it's those closest to you who are the cause of the fracture, can you forgive them? Can you move forward? Maybe you should watch Waves and find that out. Pro tip: wear a comfy long sleeve shirt to cry into.

Note: score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

REVIEWS

"A deeper and more profound film than your average character drama, a masterpiece that's hard to walk away from without checking your own grievances and grief." - Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
(68 reviews @ publish)

WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?

For: you're a part of a family...

(Not): ..and it won't break you to watch another family potentially do the same

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ALREADY IN THEATERS + BOX OFFICE
(3-Day Weekend / Domestic Total - $ = millions)

1) Midway ($17.9) NEW
Big budget action take on WW II battle
42% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

2) Doctor Sleep ($14.1) NEW
Sequel to The Shining (book & movie)
76% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

3) Playing With Fire ($12.7) NEW
Dopy firefighters battle kids
22% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

4) Last Christmas ($11.4) NEW
Khaleesi & Crazy Rich Asians star meet cute
51% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

5) Terminator: Dark Fate ($10.8 / $48)
Straight sequel to T2: Judgement Day
70% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

6) Joker ($13.5 / $299)
Dark origin story for smiling bat nemesis
69% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

7) Maleficent: Mistress of... ($13.1 / $85)
Angelina Jolie Sleeping Beauty sequel
40% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

8) Harriet ($7.5 / $24)
Biopic of the real life superhero
73% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

9) Zombieland: Double Tap ($7.4 / $59)
More nutting up and not shutting up
68% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

10) The Addams Family ($8.3 / $85)
Animated take on the macabre family unit
43% RT - Trailer - Showtimes

FROZEN II

Be careful. It's the movie set to make kids heads, and/or your eardrums, ESPLODE (yes, esplode) with excitement.

WATCH THE TRAILER

A BEAUTIFUL DAY
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

A story about your friendliest neighbour and a journalist he took an interest in. Reviews have been praising it effusively so far.

WATCH THE TRAILER

21 BRIDGES

Chadwick Boseman goes after cop killers (and cops?) in Manhattan.

WATCH THE TRAILER

LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
DARK WATERS

Mark Ruffalo switches from (super extra jacked) scientist to schlubby corporate lawyer that has a change of morals. Directed by Todd Haynes (Carol).

WATCH THE TRAILER

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
February 14, 2020

A whole new Sonic after fans revolted and Paramount had to redesign the blue speedster. It actually looks... better? Not just the character design, but the whole movie. But the bar was set real low.

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