Movie review: First Man

Based on the book by James R. Hansen, First Man tells the story of the Apollo 11 mission from the perspective of Neil Armstrong. The struggles of Neil, his family, and even the country are expressed in this engaging biopic.

Ryan Gosling (Neil), Claire Foy (Janet), Jason Clarke (Ed), Kyle Chandler (Deke), Corey Stoll (Buzz), Patrick Fugit (Elliot), Christopher Abbott (Dave), Ciaran Hinds (Gilruth), Pablo Schreiber (James), Shea Whigham (Gus).

First Man is the story of the Apollo 11 mission and moon landing told from the perspective of Neil Armstrong. While there is a fair amount of depth here around the effort to get to the moon, this film really is more about Neil and the impact on his family. The story is well told, while also being surprising. The impression the film gives is that Neil was somewhat disconnected from his family, and others. It would seem he had little sense of humor or social skills. Not at all what we would have expected for someone in his position.

Acting was good here for the most part. Gosling felt a bit dry and lacking emotion in an emotional role, but that may have been intentional. Foy was solid, delivered well, and seemed to work well with Gosling and others.  Clarke was good, as was Chandler and Stoll in his more antagonistic role which was another surprise. The remainder of the cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all very well done with nice use of archive footage and CGI. Effects were well done leaving the film feeling very solid and realistic. Dialogue was good and explained events well. Sound and soundtrack are enjoyable.

Overall First Man is an enjoyable flick, if you engage with the understanding it is a biopic. It is the story of the first man to walk on the moon from his perspective rather than being about political or technical struggles, or even the emotion of the mission.

With some foul language and a scene with blood, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 6.6.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, History, Biography, Dramas based on Books, Biopics

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Extraction

When the son of an imprisoned international crime lord is kidnapped he calls mercenary Tyler Rake to retrieve him. Now a pawn between two crime lords Rake finds the boy, Ovi, trapped inside a dangerous city making the mission near impossible.

Chris Hemsworth (Rake), Bryon and Ryder Lerum (Rake's Son), Rudhraksh Jaiswal (Ovi), Shivam Vichare (Sachin), Piyush Khati (Arjun), Randeep Hooda (Saju), Pankaj Tripatyhi (Dad).

Extraction begins with the kidnapping of Ovi, an imprisoned international crime lord's son, by an opposing crime lord becoming a pawn between the two. Rake, a mercenary tough guy, is brought in to find and retrieve Ovi from a dangerous city. Beneath that, Rake is fighting some personal emotional demons leaving him lacking the fear of death. While that sounds good the film is really little more than a reason to see Hemsworth in an action flick.

Acting was okay but nothing really special. Hemsworth delivered as an action hero fairly well. Jaiswai also did nicely. I am unable to put names with characters beyond that, but most in the film did a decent job.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are pretty good with a dusty, dirty, authentic feel. Action scenes were interesting to say the least with heavy CGI integration of normally not-CGI action, such as gunshots. That said, the action was pretty good with solid intensity and impact. Dialogue was mediocre and did little but interrupt Hemsworth beating on someone. Sound and soundtrack are typical fodder.

Overall if you enjoy seeing Chris Hemsworth as a tough guy, you should enjoy this one. If you enjoy action flicks with little substance, you should also enjoy this one. If however you would prefer a plot with depth and engagement beyond violence, you may be disappointed here.

Bonuses include mild sexuality, violence, gore, more violence, foul language, some more violence, and intense scenes, so older teens and above are fine.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 6.2.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Action, Action Thriller, Crime Action

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Arthur (2011)

In this remake, Russell Brand stars as Arthur, a philanderer forced to decide between true love and an inheritance of millions.

Russell Brand (Arthur), Helen Mirren (Hobson), Greta Gerwig (Naomi), Jennifer Garner (Susan), Geraldine James (Vivienne), Luis Guzman (Bitterman), Nick Nolte (Burt), Christina Calph (Tiffany), Evander Holyfield (Trainer).

Arthur begins nicely by showing us his immaturity, or his love of life, one of the two. The theme continues as character introductions are made leading us to realize the theme of this movie actually is maturity. From there the humor launches as Arthur's alcoholism and lack of impulse control is explored. The film culminates with Arthur forced to choose between love, two actually, and money. Billed as a remake, this one deviates a fair amount from the original while keeping to the storyline fairly well.

Acting was mixed here. Brand did well in his role as an idiotic alcoholic, almost too well. Mirren was well cast and delivered very well as always. Gerwig was interesting and fit well with Brand. Garner was silly fun and very enjoyable, as was Guzman, Nolte, and the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done with some lavish sets and solid technical work. Effects were minimal but good. Dialogue had a nice amount of humor with a secondary focus on drama. Sound and soundtrack are nicely done throughout.

The original Arthur is a Romcom that delivers the laughs and the drama equally well. This remake measures up fairly well with a bit less of the drama. Those who enjoy a good romantic comedy should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, mild violence, and a few foul words, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2011
Reviewed: 6.2.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Remakes, Classics

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Hotel Artemis

 

 Injured criminals need a place to hide and recover. In a near-future riot-plagued Los Angeles that place is the exclusive and secret Hotel Artemis run by Nurse. But only if your dues are current.

Jodie Foster (Nurse), Sterling Brown (Waikiki), Sofia Boutella (Nice), Jeff Goldblum (Niagara), Brian Henry (Honolulu), Jenny Slate (Morgan), Zachary Quinto (Crosby), Charlie Day (Acapulco), Dave Bautista (Everest).

The Hotel Artemis is a secret, members-only, criminal hospital run by Nurse with help from Everest, an Orderly. Following Nurse on a single night, riots fill the hospital with guests including two thieves who have stolen millions in gems from a crime boss. Others include an assassin, a spoiled rich boy, a cop, and you guessed it; the crime boss who happens to the assassin's new target. As Nurse tries to help her patients and enforce the rules of the hotel characters find depth while we enjoy bits of humor and excitement along the way.

Acting really made this film. Foster can still bring the energy and did well. Henry was on it with is role, as was Boutella in a role that fits her perfectly. Goldblum, Quinto, and Day were all good as well. Bautista was a ton of fun here, delivered wonderfully, and added some nice depth. The remainder of the cast was also good.

Camera work was good, but sets and backgrounds really drew attention from steam-punk style devices to nice integration of augmented reality. Action scenes were solid without pushing the detail envelope. CGI, again, was nicely done and blended well technically and thematically. Dialogue was good with bits of humor pushing the drama and tension. Sound and soundtrack are good quality.

Overall Hotel Artemis is an entertaining and interesting story with solid technical work and acting. With several parallel plotlines and unusual humor , the film has nice depth but is slightly quirky enough in most aspects that some may be turned off.

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

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.23.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Crime Thriller, Action Thriller, Sci-Fi Thriller, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel