Movie review: Sausage Party

After falling from a supermarket cart Frank the wiener and his food friends must race back to their proper aisles before the Independence Day sale. Though there is danger on every shelf, the journey may just be a revelation as well.

Seth Rogen (Frank/Sgt. Pepper), Salma Hayek (Teresa), Maryke Hendrikse (Loretta Bun/Cherry/Plum), Jonah Hill (Carl), Bill Hader (Firewater/Tequila/El Guaco), James Franco (Druggie), Nicole Oliver (Sally Bun), Edward Norton (Sammy), Scott Underwood (Gum/Twink/Pizza), Kristen Wiig (Brenda).

Sausage Party is absolutely hysterical, if you like crotch humor. It is also entertaining, if you enjoy animation. The plot is amusing, if you enjoy irony. From Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Sausage Party is a silly look at the life of food in a supermarket and how that food, were it conscious somehow, could have a twisted perception of the world. Though this film may not be for everyone, you have to admit a story that examines the philosophy of food is somewhat unique.
The film begins well with some nice crotch humor, which it then builds upon as the plot expands. Though it is easy to dismiss the storyline as ridiculous, some slight examination reveals the irony and provides a bit more entertainment. Oh, and Stephen "Gum" Hawking was hysterical!

Voice work was a lot of fun in this one with some well experienced actors lending their talent. All did very well and were enjoyable throughout.

Animation work was fairly simplistic and elementary, but solid and fitting for the film. Dialogue was consistently funny and focused persistently on sexuality. Sound and soundtrack were enjoyable with a couple of good tracks.

While Sausage Party may not be for everyone, and is certainly not for minors, the story is silly, simple, and fun. Those who enjoy late night comedy should enjoy this one while those who are easily offended probably won't make it past the first 15 minutes.

With plenty of foul language and animated yet somewhat graphic sexuality, violence, drugs, and more foul language, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 11.11.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Late Night Comedy, Adult Animation

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang

Follow the rise of artist Cai Guo-Qiang from his childhood in China to the realization of his lifelong dream, the Sky Ladder.

Guo-Qiang Cai, Wen-You Cai, Wenhao Cai, Ben Davis, Jeffrey Deitch, Phil Grucci, Thomas Krens.

Cai Guo-Qiang, a child in Mao's China, has become an art world superstar with fireworks and pyrotechnics his favorite medium. Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang follows the artist from his childhood to stardom and the realization of his lifelong dream, the Sky Ladder. Building a sky ladder out of fireworks sounds almost impossible, and in the film Cai thought so as well at one point, but he delivers once again with a spectacular show. If you have an interest in how fireworks are created, why, and in seeing leading-edge displays this is a great start.

As a documentary there really isn't much acting here. That said, Cai and others in the show presented pretty well.

Camera work must have been a challenge with this one. Good use of drones and footage from multiple locations, at a variety of speeds, did a nice job of capturing the fleeting images. Dialogue was pretty good, though you should be okay with subtitles if you are going to watch this one. Sound and soundtrack were just fine.

Overall Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang is a very nicely done documentary both from the perspective of a biography and as exploration of explosion art. Cai's fireworks displays are simply incredible.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 11.8.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Documentary, Social & Cultural Documentaries, Fireworks

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Heat

Ashburn is an uptight, ambitious FBI agent hoping her insistence on protocol and procedure will land her a promotion. In Boston to hunt down a Russian gangster, she finds herself paired with local cop Mullins and her strong dislike for protocol and procedure.

Sandra Bullock (Ashburn), Melissa McCarthy (Mullins), Demian Bichir (Hale), Marlon Wayans (Levy), Michael Rapaport (Jason), Jane Curtin (Mrs. Mullins), Spoken Reasons (Rojas), Thomas Wilson (Capt. Woods).

The Heat begins by showing us what a great cop Ashburn is, and how strongly she is focused on following the book. Next we get to see what a great cop Mullins is, despite her strong disregard for everyone and everything, including rules. The story then puts the two of them together, assigns them to taking down a Russian gangster, and the rest is a string of laughs as the two poke at each other through the bitter end. While there are some good laughs here, the plot and storyline are really pointless in relation to the humor.

Acting was decent from both Bullock and McCarthy, and the two seemed to work well together. The two delivered some decent comedy along with the rest of the cast despite some slow spots. Bichir was good in a smallish role, as was Wayans, Rapaport, Curtin and the remainder of the cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were reasonably well done if somewhat plain and minimalistic. Action scenes were decent and usually added nicely to the humor. Dialogue was campy, corny, and about as expected. The reliance on foul language was a bit disappointing but did generate some laughs. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

If you enjoy a mild, late night comedy check out The Heat. If on the other hand you are easily offended, pass on this one. Likewise if you are looking for a solid, detailed plot.

With plenty of persistent foul language, violence, and drugs save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 11.6.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Action Comedy, Late Night Comedy

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Heartbreak Kid

After being burned in his last relationship, Eddie jumps into his next with both feet. On his honeymoon he begins to think he made a mistake which is only made worse when he meets his perfect match.

Ben Stiller (Eddie), Malin Akerman (Lila), Michelle Monaghan (Miranda), Jerry Stiller (Doc), Rob Corddry (Mac), Carlos Mencia (Tito), Scott Wilson (Boo), Polly Holliday (Beryl), Danny McBride (Martin).

The Heartbreak Kid begins with some backstory and character introductions before Eddie and Lila meet and the humor jumps up a notch. On their honeymoon, Eddie begins to realize Lila is a bit different than most women. When he meets Miranda though, he knows he has finally found his perfect match. But it seems life may have other plans for Eddie. The rest of the film is one laugh after another through the Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was good with Ben Stiller doing a nice job with his usual delivery. Akerman was hysterical and kudos to her for the variety of situations in which she did so well. Monaghan was enjoyable and seemed to fit with Stiller well. It was nice seeing Jerry stiller in this one, along with Mencia, both of which did well. The remainder of the cast was solid and did nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done with a nice, quality feel. Action scenes were fun and funny at the same time. Dialogue had some great laughs and moved things along at a good pace. Sound and soundtrack were well done.

Fans of Stiller, the Farrely brothers, or late night comedies should enjoy this one. While there is a romantic aspect to the film it really takes back-seat to the humor.

With strong sexual content, nudity, foul language, and more fairly graphic sexuality, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2007
Reviewed: 11.4.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Late Night Comedy, Romantic Comedies

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Dazed and Confused

High School Seniors and incoming Freshmen collide on the last day of school in 1976. Parties, pot, girls and the requisite Freshman hazing are on tap along with the beer.

Jason London (Pink), Joey Adams (Simone), Milla Jovovich (Michelle), Shawn Andrews (Pickford), Rory Cochrane (Slater), Adam Goldberg (Mike), Anthony Rapp (Tony), Marissa Ribisi (Cynthia), Ben Affleck (O'Bannion), Parker Posey (Darla), Matthew McConaughey (Wooderson).

Dazed and Confused is a fun, campy story following High School Seniors and incoming Freshman on the last day of school, May 1976. As the Freshman hazing swings into full tilt and the last day of school celebrations commence, the humor really gets moving. From there the film is a silly, fun journey through teen sexuality, drugs, alcohol, and troublemaking with a few moral and ethical situations thrown in to keep things real.

Acting was amazingly good and fun in this one. London was solid throughout as was Adams. Cochrane was absolutely hysterical while Goldberg showed his acting skills haven't changed in many years. Affleck and McConaughey were both easy to spot with their trademark presentations. The remainder of the well known cast was enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were nice with a realistic feel throughout. Action scenes and the numerous muscle cars were great to see. Dialogue was campy but fun and kept the film entertaining to the end. Sound was good, and the soundtrack was a delight with some great, appropriate classic rock.

Dazed and Confused is quite simply a lot of fun. Those who came of age in the late 70's or early 80's should enjoy this one quite a bit.

With some mild sexuality and references, violence, hazing, foul language and plenty of drug use, this should be fine for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 1993
Reviewed: 11.4.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Late Night Comedy, Cult Comedy

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Glitch

Called to the local Yoorana cemetery in the dark of night, Sr. Constable James Hayes discovers six people that have risen from the dead in seemingly perfect health. Knowing this will shock the small Australian town of Yoorana, James decides to keep things under wraps, but a second discovery may change his mind.

Patrick Brammall (James), Genevieve O'Reilly (Elishia), Emma Booth (Kate), Emily Barclay (Sarah), Ned Dennehy (Paddy), Sean Keenan (Charlie), Andrew McFarlane (Vic), Daniela Farinacci (Maria), Hanna Monson (Kirstie), Aaron McGrath (Beau), Rodger Corser (John).

Glitch launches right into the story with local cop James responding to a call at the local cemetery. Finding six people have risen from the dead in perfect health he enlists Elishia, the local doctor, to help him keep the six hidden, fearing for their safety. The rest of this original series, six episodes in all, does a great job of delivering small revelations in each episode building good depth. The only problem is that the series is short and ends as a complete cliffhanger with no answers.

Acting was good with Brammall delivering well and working exceptionally well with Booth and Barclay, who both also did very well. O'Reilly was enjoyable with good delivery, as was Dennehy. Monson was appropriately annoying, and Corser delivered perfectly. The remainder of the cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work was solid throughout. Sets and backgrounds were simple and plain with an apparent use of natural scenery and fit the film nicely. Action scenes were good with help from costuming and makeup. Dialogue was enjoyable even with a few difficult accents. Sound and soundtrack were reasonably good.

Glitch is so good and so short with a cliffhanger ending that the series almost feels like a cruel tease. The storyline, acting, and technical work are all good and we would love to see more, including answers to some of the questions left open. Those who want a complete story should avoid this one.

With blood, gore, violence, nudity, and mildly disturbing adult situations, this should be fine for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 11.2.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: TV Horror, TV Mystery, TV Drama, TV Series

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Pyramid

A team of archaeologists using satellite imaging has found a buried Egyptian pyramid which may be the oldest ever found. Entering the pyramid in a rush, the team quickly realizes it is unlike any pyramid they have seen before.

Ashley Grace (Nora), Denis O'Hare (Holden), James Buckley (Fitzie), Christa Nicola (Sunni), Amir K (Zahir), Faycal Attougui (Corporal Shadid).

The Pyramid begins nicely as a camera crew joins the archaeologists at the pyramid site with plans to join them inside. Racing into the pyramid due to an Egyptian government shake-up, the explorers quickly find it designed to trap something, unlike other pyramids. Searching for a way out, the group realizes there are other creatures inside, and they are hungry. The remainder of the film is a journey of horror, tension, and discovery through to the end, which was quite fitting.

Acting was decent with Grace putting forth a nice lead role performance. O'Hare did okay for the most part but missed the mark on a few scenes. Buckley was enjoyable, as was Nicola, both of which fit the film well. Amir K was enjoyable in a smallish role, as was Attougui. The remainder of the cast was solid.

Camera work, a challenge when trying to present a dark space like a pyramid, was pretty well done. The first-person footage was rough and slightly overused, but fit the theme. Sets and backgrounds were decent and it felt like a pyramid. Or a cave, which it was as well. Action scenes were decent but CGI creature effects were somewhat lacking and obvious, for which we dropped a star. Dialogue was good and moved along well. Sound and soundtrack were reasonably well done.

While The Pyramid is an enjoyable entry-level horror flick, that is all it is. The depth here is shaky, acting decent, and technical work a bit rough at times. Those looking for a mild horror flick should enjoy this one, while those wanting consistency or depth may be disappointed.

Violence and gore are the only things to limit audience age in this one, which should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 11.2.16
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Supernatural Horror, Action, Adventure

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel