Movie review: Zoom

 

Jack, a superhero who lost his powers and became a mechanic, is called back to service and is tasked with training the next generation of superheroes at a private facility.

Tim Allen (Jack/Zoom), Courteney Cox (Marsha), Chevy Chase (Dr. Grant), Spencer Breslin (Tucker/Mega-Boy), Kevin Zegers (Connor/Concussion), Kate Mara (Summer/Wonder), Michael Cassidy (Dylan/Houdini), Ryan Newman (Cindy/Princess), Rip Torn (Larraby).

Former superhero Jack, aka. Captain Zoom, is called back to work to train the next generation of superheroes when an imminent threat is detected. At a private academy he molds the children with comical results along the way. Adding in some drama, the story finds a bit of depth that keeps things interesting through the Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was interesting if nothing else. Allen does a decent job as usual, though it is feeling less like a job and could use a bit more energy. Cox was silly fun and fit the film well. Chase was a surprising and enjoyable addition and delivered well. Breslin, Mara, Cassidy, and Newman all did nicely and were fun. The remainder of the supporting cast was enjoyable as well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are pretty good with a nice big screen feel. VFX were good for a kids film without taking over completely. Dialogue has some decent laughs to go along with the light drama. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Zoom is a mild but solid action comedy that younger viewers should enjoy. The film would make a good choice for family movie night as well.

Violence and very mild foul language is all comedy based and this one should be fine for preens and above.

Released: 2006
Reviewed: 1.27.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Comedy, Adventure, Action Comedy, Family Movies

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Magnolia

 

 On a rainy day in California, the lives of an unusual cast of characters are wound together through chance and divine intervention. In parallel storylines, two men estranged from their children and about to die reach out in their final moments.

Tom Cruise (Frank), Philip Hall (Jimmy), William H. Macy (Donnie), Philip Hoffman (Phil), Jason Robards (Earl), Julianne Moore (Linda), John C. Reilly (Jim), Thomas Jane (Young Jimmy), Benjamin Niedens (Young Donnie).

Magnolia is a quirky and unusual story of two men both estranged from their children and about to die. The film presents their histories, showing how their lives and the lives of those around them are intertwined, leading to their reaching out in their final moments. This reveals more connections and eventually a strange weather related ending that almost feels overly graphic in relation to the rest of the film.

Acting was incredibly solid with most of the experienced cast delivering quite well. Cruise fit his role perfectly and executed very well. Reilly also delivered a solid emotional, yet quirky, performance. Hall was well cast, as was Hoffman and Robards who all did nicely. Moore, Jane, and the remainder of the supporting cast were very enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and a solid feel. Effects were good but mild and fitting for the film. Editing was very well done and made sense of this nonsense story. Dialogue included a lot of drama, but also a few laughs. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Magnolia is an unusual, but very interesting film. While the storyline may feel a bit confusing, quality acting and technical work do a lot to keep audience interest. This will definitely be a mix with some loving it and others hating it. If you enjoy something different, give Magnolia a shot.

With some sexuality, brief nudity, violence, gore, and a ton of foul language including objectification, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 1999
Reviewed: 1.27.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Indie Drama, Quirky

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Ghost Rider

 

 Motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze sells his soul to the Devil for his father's life transforming him into the Ghost Rider. Now hunting down sinners for the Devil, years later Johnny sees an opportunity to reclaim his soul.

Nicolas Cage (Johnny/Ghost Rider), Peter Fonda (Mephistopheles), Brett Cullen (Barton), Donal Logue (Mack), Eva Mendes (Roxanne), Wes Bentley (Blackheart), Sam Elliott (Caretaker).

Ghost Rider begins with some backstory showing us a bit about how Johnny grew up, and what drove him to sell his soul for his father's life. Shifting gears, we are introduced to Johnny's long lost love, Roxanne, adding another dimension to the film. About that time Ghost Rider shows up and things get more interesting. Add a few laughs, a couple of plot twists, and things stay fairly interesting through the Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was interesting if not enjoyable. Cage delivered a decent, over-the-top, performance once again. Fonda added an unexpected element and some depth, as did Elliott. Bentley was a decent antagonist and seemed to work well with Cage. Mendes was enjoyable as always, as was the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good but VFX is what makes this film. The Ghost Rider effects were decent most of the time, overdone at other times, but fit the film pretty well. Dialogue is good with nice depth and a few chuckles. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

In the end Ghost Rider can feel a bit campy at times but is, if nothing else, at least somewhat unique. Add in a decent cast and you have an action fantasy flick that is reasonably entertaining and a solid choice for family movie night with the preens.

With some violence, gore, frightening sci-fi images, and a bit of foul language, this should be fine for preens and above.

Released: 2007
Reviewed: 1.21.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy, Adventure

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Joker

In 1980's Gotham City, comedian Arthur Fleck realizes a lack of regard for society due to his mental issues and mistreatment by society. His resulting spiral into the world of crime reveals his alter-ego; the Joker, in this DC Comics' origin story.

Joaquin Phoenix (Arthur), Robert De Niro (Murray), Zazie Beetz (Sophie), Frances Conroy (Penny), Brett Cullen (Thomas), Shea Whigham (Det. Burke), Bill Camp (Det. Garrity), Glenn Fleshler (Randall), Leigh Gill (Gary).

Joker begins with some fairly extensive background around Arthur and his mental decline. As his issues grow, so does his connection with his alter-ego; the Joker. While the story involves some bits of humor, it is fairly dark but fitting with plenty of connections to other characters in the DC world. Something we enjoyed quite a bit. The film finishes with Arthur embracing his new identity and preparing us for a sequel we look forward to seeing.

Acting from Phoenix was wonderful and he is perfectly cast as Joker. Physically his transformation is impressive while his emotions and delivery were spot on adding great depth to the character. De Niro was enjoyable in his role and also added nicely. Conroy was another great casting choice, fitting her role well. Cullen, Beetz, and the remainder of the supporting cast did quite nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good and fitting for the film. Action scenes were solid with good energy and fit. Dialogue was pretty dark at times with a few bits of humor to break things up. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Joker is a wonderful origin film that seems to be consistent with the Joker storyline. Visually the film may not be as impressive as other high action entries in the franchise, which is more than made up for by the acting. Joker fans in particular should enjoy this one.

With some intense violence, nudity, foul language, more graphic violence, disturbing images and adult situations, save this one for older teens and above, if you can.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 1.9.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comic Books and Superheroes, Crime, Crime Thriller, Drama, Thriller

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 6 Underground

 

 Now they are off the grid with the world believing they are dead, a team of 6 agents sets out to fight crime and change the future.

Ryan Reynolds (One), Melanie Laurent (Two), Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (Three), Ben Hardy (Four), Adria Arjona (Five), Dave Franco (Six), Corey Hawkins (Seven), Lior Raz (Rovach), Payman Maadi (Murat).

6 Underground begins with One explaining the overall plot of the film to us before beginning character introductions. Once completed, the main plot is delivered so we all know where we are going. Along our journey there is plenty of action and comedy quips we have come to expect with Reynolds. The film finishes with mild ending that is gone from our minds as soon as the credits finish.

Acting was okay with Reynolds not quite delivering the performance we have seen from him in other films. Laurent was fitting and fun, as was Rulfo. Franco and Hawkins were fun as usual. Hardy, Arjona, and the remainder of the supporting cast were did fairly well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all nicely done and the film has a nice big budget, big screen feel. Action scenes are numerous, intense, well done and fitting for the film. Dialogue was okay though there was a lot less humor than expected and even the included humor didn't quite land every time. Sound and soundtrack are mediocre.

Where we have come to expect great humor and quality from Ryan Reynolds films recently, this is not one of them. If you want depth, head somewhere else. If instead you want to turn off your brain and be entertained by action and comedy quips, check this one out.

With some nudity, sexuality, graphic violence, blood and gore, foul language, some more gore, and disturbing adult situations, save this for older teens and above. Though with Reynolds popularity right now good luck keeping teens and above away.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 1.2.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Action & Adventure

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Perfection

 

 Musical prodigy Charlotte is a rising star but leaves the music world to care for her ill mother. Returning to music years later she befriends Elizabeth, the rising star at her old music school, sending the two down a new path together.

Allison Williams (Charlotte), Steven Weber (Anton), Alaina Huffman (Paloma), Logan Browning (Elizabeth), Christina Jastrzembska (Aunt), Glynis Davies (Aunt), Milah Thompson (Young Liz), Molly Grace (Young Charlotte).

The Perfection begins with a bit of background explaining why Charlotte left the music world but is now ready to return. Finding her way back to her old music school, she befriends her replacement and rising star, Lizzie. The two quickly bond but that is where things also start to get a bit strange as the two set out on an overseas vacation together. The remainder of the film is a strange but engaging horror thriller with some nice surprises.

Acting was well done with Williams delivering a nicely disturbing performance and seeming to work well with Browning who also did quite well. Weber was well cast in a creepy role that suited his skills perfectly. Huffman was also entertaining, as was the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all nicely done and the film has a solid, big screen feel. Action scenes added the horror aspect in this one and fit perfectly. Dialogue was good with nice depth throughout. Sound and soundtrack are well done with some nice tracks that fit well.

While The Perfection may sound like a mild drama, the film is in fact a nicely done horror thriller with added aspects of alternative relationships and disturbing psychology. Those who enjoy a horror thriller that is a bit different than most should enjoy this one.

With some nudity, sexuality, violence, gore, disturbing images, foul language, and adult situations, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 1.2.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Drama, Psychological Thrillers, LGBTQ Movies

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel