Author: Mike Smith

• REMARKEDLY BRIGHT CREATURES
• Starring:  Sally Field, Coln Meany and Lewis Pullman
• Directed by:  Olivia Newman
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 51 mins
• NETFLIX

Our score:  4 out of 5

I don’t know what it is about the Octopus.  Beautiful creatures that rather swim along then bother people.  Ringo Starr knows what I’m talking about.  So does the new film, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures,” which is narrated by an octopus named Marcellus.

Tova (Field) spends her nights alone, cleaning the local aquarium.  It’s a boring job but it gives her quiet time to think.  When not scraping gum off the floor, she is constantly tracking down Marcellus, an octopus who has found a way to get out of his tank and explore the dark corners of the museum.  Though she hasn’t told her friends, Tova is considering selling her home and moving to a retirement community.

Cameron (Pullman) is a musician on the road.  When his van breaks down he finds himself needing a job to pay for the repairs.  The town mechanic (Meany) suggest the museum and soon Cameron finds himself being trained by Tova, who insists that things be done the right way.  No shortcuts.  Both Tova and Cameron are dealing with personal tragedies and as their story intertwines they discover more about each other then either one knew was possible.

Full of charm, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” is a film about life, loss and the power of love.  Field must deal daily with the whispers of townspeople who gossip about her loss while Cameron, a young man with low self-esteem, finds himself kicked out of his band, really the only family he has.  Like Tova, Cameron shares his thoughts with Marcellus, who turns out to be a great listener!  Like the title character in “My Octopus Teacher,” we are drawn to Marcellus and upset him as a true member of the cast.  The scrip, by director Newman, John Whittington and Shelby van Pelt, is sharp and captures the small town feel necessary to embrace the story.  Field is her usual strong/spunky self, making you imagine what Norma Rae would have been like in her later years.  Pullman, the son of Bill, plays well off of Field, giving the two a genuine friendly chemistry.  And I must give kudos to Alfred Molina, who provides the “voice” of Marcellus.  He handles each moment beautifully, making what could have been standard narration come alive.

On a scale of zero to five, “Remarkedly Bright Creatures” receives ★★★★   

• MARTY:  LIFE IS SHORT
• Starring:  Martin Short, Steve Martin and Eugene Lelvy
• Directed by:  Lawrence Kasdan
• Rated:  TV-14
• Running time:  1 hr 39 mins
• Amazon Studios

Our score:  5 out of 5

As a generation we have been blessed to have been introduced to some truly wonderful people.  People that are not only extremely talented but radiate goodness.  One of those people is Martin Short and director Lawrence Kasdan sat down with the important people in Shot’s life to document the man and his life.

My first memory of Martin Short was on the television series “SCTV.”  It used to run on PBS every Sunday night when I was growing up and made up an amazing block of television when it was coupled with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”  It was on “SCTV” that now-legendary characters like Ed Grimley took shape.  After leaving the show Short was asked to join “Saturday Night Live,” where he quickly became a star.  Films followed.  Then Broadway.  But despite all of his successes, Short quietly and with dignity had to deal with tragedy.  And that is the heart of this film.

Through interviews with family members, and such long time friends as Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, John Mulaney, Paul Shafer and others, we learn that, to Short, his best accomplishment was his family.  Through archived interviews with his late wife, Nancy, we learn that the only spotlight Short relishes is that of husband and father.  Though not mentioned in the film, Short’s compassion for others shone brightly in 2012 when, not realizing that Nancy had passed away two years earlier, Kathy Lee Gifford asked Short about the strength of his marriage.  Rather then embarrass Gifford, Short replied that they were still madly in love!

Sadly, tragedy has once again recently found Short as both his dear friend, Catherine O’Hara and his daughter, Katherine.  The film is lovingly dedicated to them both.

On a scale of zero to five, “Marty:  Life is Short” receives ★★★★★   

• THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2
• Starring:  Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci
• Directed by:  David Frankel
• Running time:  1 hr 59 mins
• 20^th Century Studios

Our score:  3 out of 5

Ah, sequels.  Hollywood has made a killing by continuing familiar and popular stories on screen.  In my book “Jaws 2: the Making of the Hollywood Sequel,” I quote my friend, Oscar nominated filmmaker and screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, who notes that the only sequel that loses money is the last on.”  Some film franchises (“Fast and the Furious: (10),” “Jurassic Park” (7)) have more films then your some theatres have screens, with the 11^th “Fast and Furious” film due this summer.  In fact, if you look at the list of the Ten Highest Grossing films of all time, (9) of them are either sequels or the origin film that spawned the sequel.  But don’t fret…I’m sure someone will come up with a “Titanic 2” someday.

In “The Devil Wears Prada 2” we find the heroine of the first film, the hard-working Andy (Hathaway) at a highpoint in her career.  She is about to receive an award for her hard-hitting journalism.  However, that highpoint suddenly crashes when she learns that the publication she writes for is folding.  She is convinced to return to “Runway” magazine, where she is once again paired with the hard-to-please editor Miranda (Streep).  Once again, conflicts arise as each has their own ideas on how the future of the magazine will progress.

If you liked the first film you will no doubt like this one.  I say that because the story and the conflicts are so similar you may have trouble discerning between the two films.  I will say that if you are a fan of fashion and glamour, you’ll love this one, as it spends a lot of time on montages of glamourous people wearing glamourous clothes.  The film plays like an extended episode of “Sex in the City” without the sex.

The films saving grace is the cast, with both Streep and Hathaway returning to characters they obviously enjoy playing and giving them new life.  The supporting cast is also strong, though how can you ever go wrong when Stanley Tucci is in your film?  His Nigel is the film’s most fleshed out character and the film picks up whenever he is on screen.  As one might expect, the production values here are beautiful, giving a true shine to an already glamourous world.

On a scale of zero to five, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” receives ★★★   

• TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN:  GHOST WAR
• Starring:  John Krasinski, Sienna Miller and Wendell Pierce
• Directed by:  Andrew Bernstein
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 45 mins
• Amazon/MGM Studios

Our score:  4 out 5

Fun fact – before he became a best-selling author, Tom Clancy was a insurance salesman who loved the Orioles and hated the Redskins.  More on this later.

The film begins with a mission obviously going bad.  The worse.  Then it ends. Badly.

While out for a jog, Jack Ryan (Krasinski) finds himself being pursued by mysterious SUV’s.  Despite his best efforts he is caught and summoned to meet with his friend, James Greer (Pierce), now Deputy Director of the CIA.  He is entrusted with an assignment that, like many of the ones Ryan is given, holds serious consequences.  And cue the action!

While I don’t watch the current Amazon Prime Jack Ryan series, I am a big fan of the previous films and I will say that you don’t have to be a fan of the series to enjoy this new adventure.  All of the Ryan trademarks are there:  using his wits when he has to but not afraid to use his fists.  As the adventure travels literally around the world, the stakes, and the action, get bigger.

One thing I’ve noted in the nearly 40 years of Jack Ryan’s existence.  He has gone from a book-smart analyst afraid to speak up to a true action hero.  Not sure if this is because the various actors who played the role (Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine previously) brought some of their on-screen personas with them or just the way the character was intended to evolve.  Krasinski plays Ryan as a combination of Baldwin and Ford – doing his best to be one step ahead mentally but still able to protect himself, and others, when the time comes.  As Greer, Pierce maintains the gravitas, mixed with sly humor, that James Earl Jones portrayed in the films.  The action set-pieces are well staged and the film moves quickly.

Back to my opening sentence.  I had season tickets for the Orioles  when I lived in Baltimore and would often find myself chatting with Tom Clancy, whose seats were near ours.  After the film of “The Hunt for Red October” came out I asked him what he thought and he was very complimentary.  One thing he told me was that, when he was writing the book, he always pictured Tom Selleck playing Ryan.  I could see hat.  Krasinski has a mischievous side to himself, similar to Selleck’s Thomas Magnum.  I can see what Clancy was looking for and Krasinski brings the character back to the way it was envisioned.  I enjoyed the portrayal so much I may have to start watching the series!

On a scale of zero to five, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan:  Ghost War” receives ★★★★   

• PRESSURE
• Starring:  Brendan Fraser, Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon
• Directed by:  Anthony Maras
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 40 mins
• Focus Features

Our score:  3.5 out of 5

On the most recent episode of our “Back in the Day” podcast the crew and I took a look at some of the greatest war movies ever made.  In doing my research I learned that there have been more then 5,000 feature films dealing with World War II alone.  5,000!!  Some of them are regarded as some of the best films ever made (The Best Years of Our Lives, Patton, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan) while others I’d never seen.  As Memorial Day rolls along this year we are treated to another one:  Pressure.

The film opens on the aftermath of what can only be called a horrible tragedy.  Overlooking the carnage, General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Fraser) can only curse.

Jump ahead six months where we meet British meteorologist James Stagg (Scott).  Awaiting the birth of his child, he is summoned to meet with Eisenhower and his staff to forecast the weather conditions that will be taking place during an operation they are calling “D-Day.”  Stagg continually butts heads with Colonel Krick (Chris Messina), whose method of predicting future weather from past events is not a practice Stagg embraces.  The two continually clash, much to the chagrin of an increasingly agitated Eisenhower.  Doing her best to keep the peace is Lieutenant Kay Summersby (Condon), Eisenhower’s aide and buffer.  It’s not an easy job.

Well presented with an outstanding attention to detail, Pressure could be looked at as the prequel to Saving Private Ryan, which opens with the invasion of Normandy, while this film looks at the events leading up to that day.  The cast is strong, with Fraser at his best when going head to head with British General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), whose “gung – ho” attitude robs Ike the wrong way.  It doesn’t help that “Monty” keeps referencing that, unlike others, he has battlefield experience.  He also throws “Exercise Tiger,” easily Eisenhower’s worse military chapter, out when it suits him.  (NOTE:  For those unaware, Exercise Tiger was basically a practice run for D-Day, with young soldiers taking place in a military exercise.  However, due to poor communications, live ammunition was used and nearly 1,000 soldiers and seamen were killed.)

The film has it’s dramatic moments but it’s also anti-climactic because, while they continually stress that the invasion will take place on June 5^th, anyone with any knowledge of history knows D-Day was June 6^th.  So when Ike asks if everything is good for June 5^th, you want to shake your head and tell him “no, sir.”

That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the film.  I did.  When I was born, Eisenhower was president – JFK would be elected two months later.  And it was a genuine treat to be sitting in the theatre with some of Eisenhower’s great grandchildren.  It lent a nice historical aspect to the screening.

On a scale of zero to five, Pressure receives ★★★  ½

• EPiC:  ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT
• Starring:  Elvis Presley
• Directed by:  Baz Lurhman
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 36 mins
• NEON

Our score:  5 out of 5

In 1976 a neighbor of ours asked me if I wanted to pick up a little money on Sundays.  He worked at the Ramada Inn near Tampa Stadium and needed help valet parking cars from fans who would park at the hotel and walk to the game.  Having just gotten my drivers license I jumped at the chance.  One Sunday a smartly dressed man pulled up in a brand new Cadillac.  As I gave him his valet ticket he said, “put it where you can watch it, son.”  I immediately moved the VW bug that was directly in front of my station to the rear of the building and parked the Caddy in its place.  A few hours later the man returned.  As he got in the car he handed me a 5-dollar bill (in those days that was a movie ticket PLUS a large drink and popcorn) and got in.  He then asked me, “do you like Elvis, son?”  I replied “yes” and he handed me two tickets.  Two months later, on February 14, 1977, I found myself at Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg about to attend my first concert.  ELVIS

Director Baz Luhrman, whose 2024 film “ELVIS” introduced the King of Rock and Roll to a new generation of fans, only scratched the surface in presenting the energy that fills the room when Elvis Presley was on stage.  In “EPiC” that energy is felt a thousand times over.  Using behind the scenes footage as well as some unseen concert footage, Luhrman takes the audience front row center as Elvis literally gives his all to please his fans.  Using archival footage, the film is “narrated” by Presley and also features conversations with many of the important people in his life, including wife Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie and bandmates like Red West and James Burton.

Using footage from two MGM concert films released 50-years ago – “Elvis:  That’s the Way it Is” (1970) and “Elvis on Tour” (1972), the film also shows the toll performing took on Presley.  The weight gain is noticeable in the latter footage, as is the clear exhaustion he often drove himself too, but the voice and the swagger is still there.  As the film progressed the audience in the theatre with us began clapping along to songs.  One yelled out, “I love you, Elvis,” something I’m sure the King heard dozens of times while on stage.  One fan, who came with his daughter, clad in a white jumpsuit, got up in the aisle and began to gyrate.  The audience loved it!

Whether you’re a big fan of Presley’s music or not, “EPiC” will take you back to a time when one man with a microphone could hold 20,000 people in the palm of his hand.

On a scale of zero to five, “EPiC” receives ★★★★★

• CRUST
• Starring:  Seah Whaslen, Daniel Roebuck and Rebekah Kennedy
• Directed by:  Sean Whalen
• Rated: Not rated
• Running time:  1 hr 42 mins
• Meztek Studios

Our score:  3 out of 5

Vegas (Whalen) is having a bad time.  Once a popular child star, he now runs a quiet laundromat in obscurity.  With no romantic prospects on the horizon, Vegas finds himself goig through a lot of socks, tossing them on a plie when finished.  When that pile comes to life, fortunes change for Vegas, both romantically and professionally.

I’ve always been a Sean whalen fan.  Most people remember him from his now classic “Got Milk?” commercials and his work in such films as “The People Under the Stairs,” “Twister” and “That Thing You Do.”  An award winning producer/writer – I urge you to check out his 2024 film “Finding Nichole” – Whalen makes his feature film directing debut here and shows himself as comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it.

You would think a pile of old socks couldn’t be very frightening but when they become protective of their owner all bets are off!   When we first meet Vegas we learn that a reboot is planned of his old television series…a series with a tragic story.  Nearly everyone in the original cast has either died or had a serious misfortune.   Vegas is on that path until “Crust” begins to look out for him.  He finds love (Kennedy) as well as a new appreciation for his long-time friend (Roebuck), who works as the laundromat’s maintenance man.  Yes, the iron is that these dirty socks are operating in a laundromat, but that also adds to the film’s charm.

The script, co-written by Whalen with Jim Ward, is fun and Whalen wisely keeps most of the action inside the laundromat, allowing the audience to spend a solid 90 minutes in the same environment Vegas does, seeing and hearing what he does.  With this freshman feature Whalen proves himself more than capable behind the camera.  Can’t wait for his next one!  

On a scale of zero to five, “Crust” receives ★★★

A BLIND BARGAIN
Starring: Crispin Glover, Jake Horowitz and Lucy Loken
Directed by: Paul Bunnell
Rated: Not Rated
Running time: 1 hr 35 mins
Vitagraph Films

Our score: 4 out of 5

I’ve said it in the past but it bears repeating: the best part about being a film critic is when you discover a film you may have never seen if not for the job. One such film is “A Blind Bargain,” a film that not only pays homage to the great American International and Hammer Horror films of the 60s and 70s but also to classic horror from the 1920s.

1970. Dominic (Horowitz) has just returned from Vietnam and is having trouble adjusting back to the world. Finding himself in money troubles and living with his mother (Amy Wright), a silent-era film actress, he is constantly harassed by the social worker who constantly checks in on his mother. He is sent to the Gruder Institute for treatment and there he meets a pretty nurse (Loken). Dominic is told his money troubles could be over due to the results of his blood test. All he needs to do is… Sorry. No spoilers here!

With an excellent cast and amazing production design, “A Blind Bargain” takes you back to 1970. No detail is left out. From the vehicles to the clothes – I’d forgotten how many sweater vests I used to wear – there isn’t a false note in the film. Crispin Glover excels as Dr. Gruder, a role that, in the 1960s would have been played by Vincent Price. Like Price, he is a very talented actor who has found a niche in which he excels. And it’s a tribute to Glover that he so easily steps into a role that was originated in 1922 by none other then the great Lon Chney. The supporting cast is equally strong, with special shoutouts going to Jed Rowan, who plays Logos, Dr. Gruder’s assistant. Logos is a huge fan of Dominic’s mother’s work and, when he’s not talking about her films, he’s busy sharing his dream – to build the best swimming pools available! Also worth special mention is actress Annalisa Cochrane. Again, no spoilers here, but her performance is as strong as she is beautiful.

On a scale of zero to five, “A Blind Bargain” receives ★★★★

• MICHAEL  (2026)
• Starring:  Jafar Jackson, Nia Long and Colman Domingo
• Directed by:  Antoine Fuqua
• Rated:”  PG 13
• Running time:  2 hrs 15 mins
• Lionsgate/Universal

Our score:  4 out of 5

September 21, 1984.  RFK Stadium, Washington D.C.  That night my then girlfriend, myself and 89,998 other people waited anxiously.  The show, referred to as “The Victory Tour,” featured the Jackson brothers from Gary, Indiana.  But the one person everyone was there to see was the man who had taken the music world by storm.  His name was Michael.

A well-crafted, but sanitized look at the King of Pop, “Michael” tells the familiar tale of a young man touched by talent and the people that would take advantage of it.  Even if you’re just a casual fan, you know a lot of what the film tells you.  Father Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo in an award worthy performance, is a bastard.  Tough and seemingly uncaring, Joe groomed his boys to become the musical stars they became, discipling them with a whipping when they did not please him.  Mother Katherine was a saint…the voice of reason and compassion in the family.  And then you have sister LaToya and the brothers:  Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Jackie.  Unexplainedly missing:  daughters Janet and Rebe and little brother Randy.  And then there’s Michael!

The nephew of the late star (he’s the son of Jermaine), Jafar Jackson becomes Michael Jackson before our eyes.  He not only has the look but the voice and the moves as well.  An amazing breakout performance.  The supporting cast is also strong, including Miles Tenner as Michael’s promoter, Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy and Mike Meyers, who has found a second career playing pushy record company executives.  Special shout-out as well to young Juliano Valdi, who plays Michael as a child.

The film was produced in association with Jackson’s brothers and children, so it’s more like a musical love letter then an in-dept look at his life.  We get the familiar:  Michael never really being able to be a child, his love for animals and their friendship and, of course, his music.  Several major parts of his life are recreated, including the shooting of the “Beat It” and “Thriller” videos as well as the 25^th Anniversary Motown Special.  And here is where the movie excels.  If you’re a fan of the music, you will not be disappointed here.

On a scale of zero to five, “Michael” receives ★★★★

• PROJECT HAIL MARY
• Starring:  Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller and James Ortiz
• Directed by:  Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  2 hrs 36 mins
• Amazon Studios/MGM

Our score:  5 out of 5

There’s a great line in “The Hunt for Red October” where Jack Ryan, after having given a briefing to the powers that be, mumbles to himself “next time Jack, write a G.D. memo.”  I’m guessing high school teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling) never saw that film.

Beautifully shot, with a true stand-alone performance from Gosling, “Project Hail Mary” tells the story of the possible threat to Earth from an unknown subject and the mission to prevent it from happening.  Grace is a one-time, and disgraced, former NASA employee, whose name is well known in the scientific world, just not for anything good.  Now teaching high school science, Grace is approached by a former colleague to discuss the current situation and ask for his assistance.  Grace looks forward to the day when everyone involved is trained and he can just walk away.  But, as often happens, fate steps in and soon Grace finds himself with a new, but unusual, friend.

Leave it to the team behind the amazing “The Lego Movie” to create a film as exciting as “Star Wars” and as beautiful as “2001.”  The film is buoyed by an award-worthy performance from Gosling who, with the exception of some flashback scenes, pretty much carries the film.  I was going to say “carries the film alone,” but Dr. Grace makes a friend with the oddly shaped alien he names “Rocky.”  As voiced by Mr. Ortiz, Rocky is a friendly type who has been trying to get back to his family for years.  Creating a device to let both understand each other, Grace and Rocky seem resigned to their fate as they both work to solve their mutual problems.

Visually the film is stunning, with the filmmakers using the opportunity to show places in the galaxy never before portrayed on screen and using their imagination to make them extraordinarily wonderful.  The script, by Oscar nominee Drew Goddard (“The Martian””) and the book’s author, Andy Weir, is both dramatic and funny, with nary a false note on either side.  The musical score, by Best Song Oscar nominee Daniel Pemberton, is the perfect accompaniment for the on-screen adventure.

I know the year is young but I’m sure by year’s end “Project Hail Mary” will still be considered one of the year’s best.

On a scale of zero to five, “Project Hail Mary” receives ★★★★★ 

• CRIME 101
• Starring:  Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry        
• Directed by:  Bart Layton
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 20 mins
• Amazon Studios/MGM

Our score:  4 out of 5

First off, even though this film features Thor, the Hulk and Storm, “Crime 101” is not the latest entry into the MCU world.  What it is is a tightly made, action packed crime thriller bolstered by fine performances and great action scenes.

Davis (Hemsworth) is living the good life.  A beautiful house on the beach, wonderful cars and, when he needs money, the ability to pull of high stakes robberies with very little trouble.  His trademark: no violence.  However, when his benefactor gives what should have been his last job to the wrong person, Davis must use all of his skills to not only save himself but others close to him.

The story starts out with three main chapters that eventually come together.  There’s Hemsworth’s Davis, calm and, as the late Stuart Scott would say, “cooler then the other side of the pillow.”  Balance him against a rumpled Mark Ruffalo, who plays a police detective that has been on the hunt for Hemsworth for years, failing to convince his superiors that he is the one person responsible for the string of burglaries  that have plagued the area.  With his hair askew and choice of clothing, Ruffalo reminds one of the popular Lieutenant Columbo from the 1970s, played to perfection by Peter Falk.  Berry is an insurance broker, worried about her career path and the possibility of being replaced by a younger version of herself.  Once everyone’s paths cross, the action begins to ramp up to a fever pace.

Credit the films’ director and co-writer, Mr. Layton, for keeping the film moving and finding inventive ways to make what could have been a standard Hollywood car chase a true rollercoaster ride for the audience.  Lots of practical effects here and they are greatly appreciated when achieved.  Action fans will not be disappointed.

On a scale of zero to five, “Crime 101” receives ★★★★