Movie review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

 

 Months after her daughter's brutal murder, Mildred is fed up with the lack of progress by the local police department. In hopes of motivating the investigation, she puts up three billboards questioning the small town's incumbent and popular police chief.

Frances McDormand (Mildred), Caleb Jones (Red), Sam Rockwell (Dixon), Darrell Britt-Gibson (Jerome), Woody Harrelson (Willoughby), Zeljko Ivanek (Sergeant), Amanda Warren (Denise), Kerry Condon (Pamela).

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is the story of a mother's fight to find her daughter's killer in the face of small town politics and prejudice. Mildred puts up three billboards outside her small town questioning Chief Willoughby's motivations when the investigation stalls, but her attack on the well liked Chief creates a new set of problems. Add in years of history that is unrolled slowly and the film gains nice depth despite a host of characters that don't quite make sense.

Acting was very good with McDormand and Rockwell both delivering wonderful performances. Harrelson was enjoyable as well delivering solid emotion throughout. Ivanek, Jones, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid and interesting.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds using natural scenery are well done and fitting. Action scenes felt realistic and moved the plot along well. Dialogue was interesting and helped add depth. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

In the end it is the acting that makes Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri such an enjoyable film. The plot is interesting but the film dwells on outdated character stereotypes that make little to no sense at all. For example, a brutal bigoted cop who suddenly becomes a humanitarian?
Those who enjoy acting as much or more than a solid plot or flashy effects should enjoy this the most. Others who focus on plot continuity or realism will likely be disappointed.

With some sexuality, graphic violence and foul language, and gore, save this one for the most mature teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 4.24.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime Drama, Dark Crime, Suspense

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Beyond Skyline

 

 A suspended cop retrieving his son from an L.A. jail finds himself smack in the middle of an alien invasion. Teaming up with other survivors, Mark's only thought is of rescuing his son from captivity inside an alien warship.

Frank Grillo (Mark), Bojana Novakovic (Audrey), Jonny Weston (Trent), Callan Mulvey (Harper), Antonio Fargas (Sarge), Pamelyn Chee (Kanya), Jacob Vargas (Garcia), Iko Uwais (Sua). Lindsey Morgan (Capt. Rose).

Beyond Skyline is not really a sequel, but rather a parallel storyline to the original. The film begins well introducing some characters and the main storyline; an alien invasion. From there Mark steps up to save the world, and his son, from aliens. Teaming with other survivors, they fight back against the aliens in a long cat-and-mouse story of action interrupted by some less than entertaining dramatic moments that are never fully explained.

Acting was disappointing compared to the original. Grillo does okay but I doubt anyone could believe him as a cop for very long. Weston played the angry child well but just didn't feel he fit. Novakovic was okay but again, didn't feel like a fit for her role. Nor did Vargas. The remainder of the cast was tepid at best.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds feel fairly consistent with the original, and realistic. CGI, action scenes, and aliens were enjoyable and over the top only infrequently. Dialogue was choppy and left more than a few holes. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Sadly Beyond Skyline doesn't quite measure up to the original. The plot lacked originality and had more than a few holes. Acting was lacking while technical work just made the grade. Those who enjoyed the original may be slightly disappointed, along with those who like a solid Sci-Fi Action flick.

With foul language, violence, mild sexuality, and disturbing images, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 4.23.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Action

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Tale of Tales

 

 

 Three unusual fairytales inspired by Giambattista Basile are woven together in this unusual anthology. The bitter quest of a Queen, two strange sisters who ignite the passion of a King, and yet another King obsessed with a giant flea tickle our imaginations in disturbing ways.

Salma Hayek (Queen of Longtrellis), Vincent Cassel (King of Strongcliff), Toby Jones (King of Highhills), John Reilly (King of Longtrellis), Shirley Henderson (Imma), Hayley Carmichael (Dora), Bebe Cave (Violet), Jonah Lees (Jonah), Christian Lees (Elias).

Tale of Tales is a blending of three disturbing fairytales about obsession inspired by Giambattista Basile. The tales begin well enough but each takes a dark turn and eventually all three are somewhat tied together. The stories are told in fragments, which can be mildly confusing at first, but fit together in setting and theme. And it feels as if only one of the stories was actually finished.

Acting was solid with Hayek delivering disturbingly well as the Queen. Jones also fit his role nicely and fit the film well. Cassel was enjoyable and brought a touch of humor to things. Henderson, Carmichael and the remainder of the supporting cast were enjoyable.

Camera work was good, while sets and backgrounds were even better with a fitting feel for the period. CGI and effects were nicely done with a realistic feel. Dialogue was enjoyably with decent depth. Sound and soundtrack are mild but appropriate.

Tale of Tales is an unusual horror flick that engages mentally as well as physically. Those who enjoy unusual tales or mild horror should enjoy this one. Others hoping for more intense horror or action may be disappointed.

With a fair mount of nudity, sexuality, intense gore, and disturbing images, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 4.19.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Drama, Fantasy, International Horror, Dark Fantasy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Art of Loving

 

 The Art of Loving is the story of Michalina Wislocka. The most famous and recognized sexologist of communist Poland, the film follows along as she struggles against oppression and patriarchy to get her book published and change how people view intimacy.

Magdalena Boczarska (Michalina), Karolina Gruszka (Patient Karolina), Kamila Kaminska (Abortionist), Piotr Adamczyk (Stach), Justyna Wasilewska (Wanda), Danuta Stenka (General's wife), Artur Barcis (Censor), Eryk Lubos (Jurek).

The Art of Loving follows the life of famous polish sexologist Michalina Wislocka as she fights oppression and patriarchy to get her book published. Her dream is to enlighten people, women initially, about the beauty and freedom of intimacy. Along the way she engages in some interesting relationships which keep the film moving along. Eventually she finds it is the power of women together that will help her realize her dream. The film does a decent job of showing how difficult it was for her to overcome those who fought against her book.

Acting was pretty good with Boczarska delivering a solid and interesting performance. Adamczyk was solid, as was Lubos who both seemed to work well with Boczarska. Wasilewska was interesting, as was Stenka and the remainder of the cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds feel a bit bland though that fit for the period. Dialogue is Polish so be prepared to use subtitles. Or learn Polish, your choice. That said, dialogue could have used a bit more depth and less assumption. Sound and soundtrack are appropriate.

The rumor of alternative relationships in the film is what drew me in but sadly they aren't represented well. Rather than ethical, they look convenient and experience substantial difficulties. As the story of Michalina's book however the film does a good job and is somewhat interesting. Those hoping for a solid, in-depth biography may be disappointed.

With substantial graphic sexuality and nudity, save this for adults and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 4.19.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Biography, Drama, International Drama, Biographical drama, Dramas based on Books

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel