Movie review: Drunk Parents

Frank and Nancy are trying to hold things together but once their daughter is off to college, the drinking begins. So do the crazy schemes they come up with to hide their financial difficulties from her and their friends.

Alec Baldwin (Frank), Salma Hayek (Nancy), Jim Gaffigan (Carl), Joe Manganiello (Bob), Treat Williams (Dan), Michelle Veintimilla (Rachel), Natalia Cigliuti (Betty), Colin Quinn (Ryan), Will Ferrell (Bum).

Frank and Nancy are just about broke but trying to hide the fact from their daughter, Rachel, until she is moved off to college. With Rachel out the door, the two begin drinking to soften the reality of their situation, which is when the crazy schemes show up. Along the way the two miss at least one opportunity to fix things, expose their strangely dysfunctional relationship, and deliver a fair amount of laughs. As with most films of this type, the story is never really explained and the plot is secondary to the humor.

Acting was over the top and ridiculous from just about everyone. Baldwin and Hayek delivered well and seemed to work well together. Gaffigan was surprisingly pretty good and in a role that seemed to fit him well. The remainder of the supporting cast was a mix but fit the film.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were mild but good with nice fit with the story. Action scenes were mild but enjoyable. Dialogue was pretty good with some decent laughs. Sound and soundtrack are nice.

Overall Drunk Parents is a reasonably done adult comedy. Sadly, it feels like a poor copy of a storyline that has been used many times and adds nothing new to the genre. Baldwin, Hayek, or adult comedy fans may enjoy this one.

With some mild sexuality and foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 8.26.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Adult Comedy, Romantic Comedy

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Uncut Gems

 

 

With debt collectors closing in New York City jeweler Howard doubles-down on the bet of a lifetime to fix all his problems. But with a serious lack of faith plaguing him, Howard's debt collectors would rather get a piece of a small pie than see him place another bet.

Adam Sandler (Howard), Keith Richards (Phil), Tommy Kominik (Nico), LaKeith Stanfield (Demany), Eric Bogosian (Arno), Judd Hirsch (Gooey), Julia Fox (Julia), Idina Menzel (Dinah).

Uncut Gems shows up like a strange smell in the refrigerator you can't quite identify. The film starts with a bit of backstory before jumping to Howard and his problematic life. Somehow he acquires a potentially valuable stone which he hopes to use to place a once-in-a-lifetime bet that will solve all his problems. Unfortunately his debtors get wind of this and go after Howard in hopes of collecting something from him before it is gambled away. In the meantime, Howard is somehow able to maintain an extravagant lifestyle without breaking a sweat.

Acting was a miss on just about every point. Sandler felt out of place, like he was overacting much of the time, and lacking any kind of sincerity. How he received so many awards and nominations for this one is beyond me. Stanfield was okay in his role, though he felt like a one-trick pony with nothing but an attitude. Bogosian was underused in his role which could have added some depth. Same with Hirsch. Fox had a couple of shining moments, as did Menzel and a few others.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are okay with an almost realistic feel. Action scenes were mild but decent. Dialogue was weak and flat much of the time and paired with horrible accents, difficult to follow at times. Sound and soundtrack were pretty good.

Overall Uncut Gems, like some uncut gems, was not the happy surprise we all had hoped. The film feels unstable from the start and never settles down, nor does the acting. The result is a high energy mess that feels thrown in your face rather than asking for your attention.

With some sexuality, nudity, violence, gore, foul language, drugs and alcohol, adult situations, and adult stupidity, use this to punish older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 8.24.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime Thriller, Crime Drama, Crime, Thriller, Drama

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Jojo Rabbit

 Having joined Hitler's army, Jojo soon after discovers his single mother hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. With help from his imaginary best friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo confronts his nationalism and beliefs in this World War II satire.

Roman Davis (Jojo), Thomasin McKenzie (Elsa), Scarlett Johansson (Rosie), Taika Waititi (Adolf), Sam Rockwell (Capt. Klenzendorf), Rebel Wilson (Fraulein Rahm), Alfie Allen (Finkel), Archie Yates (Yorki).

Jojo Rabbit begins with some plot setup, character introductions, and a look at Jojo's life thus far. The humor comes quickly when Adolf and Jojo's mother, Rosie, are introduced. Soon after, Jojo discovers Elsa living in the attic with his mother's blessing. From there the story follows along as Jojo explores his conflicted feelings with help from Adolf, his idiotic imaginary friend. The story and the laughs continue through and amusing ending.

Acting was solid with Davis doing a very good job. McKenzie also delivered a solid performance and worked well with Davis. Johansson was enjoyable with good delivery as usual. Waititi fit his role nice, as did Rockwell and Wilson, and all three added nicely to the film.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are enjoyable and fit the film well. Effects blended well throughout. Dialogue was good with nice laughs and depths. Accents were reasonable to understand most of the time. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Jojo Rabbit is a fun little film with a nicely done comedic approach to a rather unique storyline. Acting and technical work are solid with the film moving at a nice pace with some nice chuckles. Those who enjoy a good satire should enjoy this one.

With a bit of sexuality, violence, foul language, and adult situations, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 8.10.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Spoofs and Satire, War, Drama, Dark Humor

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel