Film Review: “The Batman”

 

  • THE BATMAN
  • Starring:  Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright
  • Directed by:  Matt Reeves
  • Rated:  PG 13
  • Running time:  2 hrs 55 mind
  • Warner Bros.

 

 

 

Hey everyone, guess what?  Batman is back!  Only now he’s THE Batman.  He’s a lot meaner this time around, but you’ll be happy to know that he’s still the brooding loner we’ve come to love.

 

It’s Halloween night in Gotham City, a few days before the city elects it’s next Mayor.  A raspy voice tells us that it’s only been two years since he began donning the cowl and dealing with the scum of the city.  He is referred to in the media as “the Vigilante,” but we know him as Batman.  Or, rather, THE Batman.  Whatever you call him, his presence is embraced by Detective James Gordon (Wright), who angers his superiors by giving the Caped Crusader access to crime scenes.  After all, he IS the World’s Greatest Detective!

 

A local politician has been brutally murdered and a calling card has been left on the body in the form of a riddle addressed to the Batman.  This sets up the next chapter in the revolving Batman saga.

 

Dark, both in theme and presentation, “The Batman” is the latest attempt to bring the character into the 21st Century.  Director Reeves thankfully spares us his vision of the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents, apparently assuming that everyone knows that Thomas and Martha Wayne were murdered in front of their young son, thereby creating the impetus that makes him a crime fighter.  Of course, with a running time of almost three hours, perhaps Reeves shot the scene but cut it for time.  Thank you. 

In this Gotham City the sun rarely shines, it constantly rains and the best way to see ANYTHING is with a flashlight.  If I lived there I would be the very wealthy proprietor of a chain of FLASHLIGHT WORLD stores.  The darkness spills over into the tone of the film.  This Batman reminds me of the character from the 1940s comic books, someone not afraid to brutally punch a criminal in the face until his arm gets tired, or kick one off a roof for being naughty.  “I’m Vengeance,” the Batman remarks early in the film.  He isn’t kidding. 

The film is full of familiar characters with slightly different spins, including Selina Kyle (Kravitz), Alfred (Andy Serkis) and Oswald Copperpot, played by a brilliant and unrecognizable Collin Farrell.  It also has some much needed humor, something that was sorely missed in the recent Zack Snyder/Ben Affleck incarnation.  The humor helps offset some of the more darker moments.  The action scenes are intense and well choreographed, but the film eventually falls victim to its own running tine.  Sometimes too much is…well…TOO MUCH. 

 

The cast is fine, with Pattinson adding his own touch to a role now undertaken by six different actors in the past 30 years, seven if you go back to Adam West and the original television show of the 1960s.  If you only think of Pattinson as Edward from the “Twilight” series you are selling a very talented actor short.  The supporting cast is equally engaging and the new character arcs are a nice change. However, I think the film could have dropped 45 minutes and created a much tighter story, which is why I’m not as high on the film as I’d like to be.     

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Enter to Win a DVD/Blu-Ray/Digital Combo Copy of “House of Gucci”

 

Media Mikes is giving away to one random reader a DVD/Blu-ray/Digital Combo Pack of the film “House of Gucci,” starring Al Pacino and Lady Gaga.

To win it, all you have to do is let us know in the comments below what your favorite “House” movie is.  Is it “House of Dark Shadows?”  “Animal House?” How about the 1980’s horror-comedy :House,:” starring William Kaat and George /wendt?

This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm on Monday, February 28, 2022.  At that time, one random comment will be selected.  The person selected will be contacted by email for their shipping information.

“House of Gucci” is now available on home video.

GOOD LUCK!

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“Power of the Dog” leads the 94th Academy Awards Pack

 

“Power of the Dog” lead the pack when the nominations for the 94th Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning.

 

Among the films nods:  Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay – both for Jane Campion, and acting nominations for Benedict  Cumberbatch (Actor) and supporting performances for Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Other films earning multi-nominations include “Dune” with 10 and “Belfast” and “West Side Story”, which each received 7 nominations, including Best Picture.  Other Best Picture nominees:  “CODA,:” “Don’t Look Up,’ “Drive My Car,” “Licorice Pizza” and “Nightmare Alley.” 

Though it received 10 nominations, “Dune” failed to earn a nomination for director Denis Villeneuve.  First time nominee Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car) joins previous directing nominees Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza) Jane Campion (Power of the Dog), and Steven Spielberg (West Side Story) in that category.  Of the nominees, only Spielberg has won the award – twice – for “Schindler’s List” and “saving Private Ryan.”

 

Unlike last year, many of this year’s nominees were from more mainstream, studio pictures, including “West Side Story” that, while it didn’t do the box office predicted, was a return to the glory days of the big Hollywood musical.

 

Here is a complete list of this year’s nominees:

 

Best Picture

 

  • “Belfast,” Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, producers 
  • “CODA,” Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, producers
  • “Don’t Look Up,” Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, producers 
  • “Drive My Car,” Teruhisa Yamamoto, producer 
  • “Dune,” Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, producers
  • “King Richard,” Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, producers 
  • “Licorice Pizza,” Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, producers 
  • “Nightmare Alley,” Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, producers 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, producers
  • “West Side Story,” Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, producers.

 

 

Best Director

 

  • Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”)
  • Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”) 
  • Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”) 
  • Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”)
  • Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”)

 

Best Lead Actor

 

  • Javier Bardem (“Being the Ricardos”) 
  • Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Power of the Dog”) 
  • Andrew Garfield (“Tick, Tick … Boom!”) 
  • Will Smith (“King Richard”)
  • Denzel Washington (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”)

 

Best Lead Actress

 

  • Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) 
  • Olivia Colman (“The Lost Daughter”)
  • Penélope Cruz (“Parallel Mothers”)
  • Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”) 
  • Kristen Stewart (“Spencer”)

 

Best Supporting Actor

 

  • Ciarán Hinds (“Belfast”) 
  • Troy Kotsur (“CODA”) 
  • Jesse Plemons (“The Power of the Dog”) 
  • J.K. Simmons (“Being the Ricardos”)
  • Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”)

 

 

 Best Supporting Actress

 

  • Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”) 
  • Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) 
  • Judi Dench (“Belfast” 
  • Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”) 
  • Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”)

 

 

Best Adapted Screenplay

 

  • “CODA,” screenplay by Siân Heder 
  • “Drive My Car,” screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe 
  • “Dune,” screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth 
  • “The Lost Daughter,” written by Maggie Gyllenhaal 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” written by Jane Campion

 

Best Original Screenplay

 

  • “Belfast,” written by Kenneth Branagh 
  • “Don’t Look Up,” screenplay by Adam McKay; story by Adam McKay and David Sirota“King Richard,” written by Zach Baylin 
  • “Licorice Pizza,” written by Paul Thomas Anderson 
  • “The Worst Person in the World,” written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier

 

Best Cinematography

 

  • “Dune,” Greig Fraser 
  • “Nightmare Alley,” Dan Laustsen 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” Ari Wegner 
  • “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Bruno Delbonnel 
  • “West Side Story,” Janusz Kaminski

 

Best Animated Feature Film

 

  • “Encanto,” Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer 
  • “Flee,” Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie 
  • “Luca,” Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren
  • “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht 
  • “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

 

Best Animated Short Film

 

  • “Affairs of the Art,” Joanna Quinn and Les Mills 
  • “Bestia,” Hugo Covarrubias and Tevo Díaz 
  • “Boxballet,” Anton Dyakov 
  • “Robin Robin,” Dan Ojari and Mikey Please 
  • “The Windshield Wiper,” Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Best Costume Design

 

  • “Cruella,” Jenny Beavan 
  • “Cyrano,” Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran 
  • “Dune,” Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan 
  • “Nightmare Alley,” Luis Sequeira 
  • “West Side Story,” Paul Tazewell

 

Best Original Score

 

  • “Don’t Look Up,” Nicholas Britell 
  • “Dune,” Hans Zimmer 
  • “Encanto,” Germaine Franco 
  • “Parallel Mothers,” Alberto Iglesias 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” Jonny Greenwood

 

Best Sound

 

  • “Belfast,” Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri 
  • “Dune,” Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett 
  • “No Time to Die,” Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb 
  • “West Side Story,” Tod A. Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson and Shawn Murphy

 

Best Original Song

 

  • “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” music and lyric by Dixson and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter 
  • “Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto,” music and lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda 
  • “Down To Joy” from “Belfast,” music and lyric by Van Morrison 
  • “No Time To Die” from “No Time to Die,” music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell 
  • “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days,” music and lyric by Diane Warren

 

Best Documentary Feature

 

  • “Ascension,” Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy and Nathan Truesdell 
  • “Attica,” Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry 
  • “Flee,” Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie 
  • “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein 
  • “Writing With Fire,” Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

 

Best Documentary Short Subject

 

  • “Audible,” Matt Ogens and Geoff McLean 
  • “Lead Me Home,” Pedro Kos and Jon Shenk 
  • “The Queen of Basketball,” Ben Proudfoot 
  • “Three Songs for Benazir,” Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei 
  • “When We Were Bullies,” Jay Rosenblatt

Best Film Editing

 

  • “Don’t Look Up,” Hank Corwin 
  • “Dune,” Joe Walker 
  • “King Richard”, Pamela Martin 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” Peter Sciberras 
  • “Tick, Tick…Boom!” Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum

 

Best International Feature Film

 

  • “Drive My Car” (Japan) 
  • “Flee” (Denmark) 
  • “The Hand of God” (Italy) 
  • “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” (Bhutan) 
  • “The Worst Person in the World” (Norway)

 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

 

  • “Coming 2 America,” Mike Marino, Stacey Morris and Carla Farmer 
  • “Cruella,” Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon 
  • “Dune,” Donald Mowat, Love Larson and Eva von Bahr 
  • “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh 
  • “House of Gucci,” Göran Lundström, Anna Carin Lock and Frederic Aspiras

 

Best Production Design

 

  • “Dune,” production design: Patrice Vermette; set decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos 
  • “Nightmare Alley,” production design: Tamara Deverell; set decoration: Shane Vieau 
  • “The Power of the Dog,” production design: Grant Major; set decoration: Amber Richards
  • “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” production design: Stefan Dechant; set decoration: Nancy Haigh
  • “West Side Story,” production design: Adam Stockhausen; set decoration: Rena DeAngelo

Best Visual Effects

 

  • “Dune,” Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer
  • “Free Guy,” Swen Gillberg, Bryan Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis and Dan Sudick 
  • “No Time to Die,” Charlie Noble, Joel Green, Jonathan Fawkner and Chris Corbould 
  • “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” Christopher Townsend, JoeFarrell, Sean Noel Walker and Dan Oliver 
  • “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

 

Best Live Action Short Film

 

  • “Ala Kachuu – Take and Run,” Maria Brendle and Nadine Lüchinger 
  • “The Dress,” Tadeusz Łysiak and Maciej Ślesicki 
  • “The Long Goodbye,” Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed 
  • “On My Mind,” Martin Strange-Hansen and Kim Magnusson 
  • “Please Hold,” K.D. Dávila and Levin Menekse

 

The 94th Academy Awards will be presented on March 27th.

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Film Review: “Jackass Forever”

  • JACKASS FOREVER
  • Starring:  Johnny Knoxville, SteveO,, and Chris Pontius
  • Directed by:  Jeff Tremaine
  • Rated:  R
  • Running time:  1 hr 36 mins
  • Paramount

 

 

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS?

 

OK, since we have younger readers, the word HATS is code for something else.  A place on the body that many men, this one included, consider very special.  Thankfully the group that make up the JACKASS gang have different feelings, and their pain is our laughter.

 

It’s been almost 20 years since Johnny Knoxville and his band of idiots amused viewers with such harmless pranks as sneaking up on someone and shaving part of their heads, or blowing an air horn at a fancy golf course during people’s backswings.  My how the times have changed.

“Jackass Forever” is exactly what you think it is.  A group of friends hanging out and doing all kinds of things to each others, and some times their own, private parts.  And as unusual as that may sound, it’s truly mesmerizing.  It’s like when people slow down to look at a car accident but in this case you’re stopping to  to watch someone wearing only a protective cup take a direct hit from a soft ball, an NHL player’s slap shot or even a pogo stick.

 

With some of the Jackass gang getting up there in age, a majority of the pranks are done by a new generation of pranksters, including one who answers to the name “Poopies.”  There is also a father/son team who seem to put their fears aside (anyone want a giant spider crawling on their heads?) in order to spend some quality time together.

 

Is it fine art?  No.  But it’s hilarious.  This is probably the hardest my wife and I have laughed since “BORAT.”  As the credits rolled my wife said to me, “everybody needs to laugh like this…especially now.”  My thoughts exactly.

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Film Review: VAL

 

  • VAL
  • Starring:  Val Kilmer
  • Directed by:  Ting Poo and Leo Scott
  • Rated:  R
  • Running time:  1 hr 49 mins
  • Amazon Studios

 

Let me say here at the beginning that I have been a Val Kilmer fan since“Top Secret.”  Couple that performance with his role of Chris Knight in“Real Genius” and he was, by far, one of my favorite actors of the 1980s.Over the years he has been a part of some wonderful films, and has created

Such iconic performances as Jim Morrison in “The Doors” – hey Academy, I’m still waiting for you to explain why Val wasn’t nominated for his work – and, of course, “Doc” Holiday in “Tombstone.”  But there is a lot more to Val Kilmer than you or I think we know and the documentary “VAL” gives us a true look at the artist and his processes. 

 

The film begins with a quick montage of Mr. Kilmer’s work, then a voiceover begins the story.  I was taken aback when I heard that Mr. Kilmer had dealt with throat cancer which had ruined his speaking voice.  We then learn that, though the words were penned by Val, the narration is coming from his son, Jack, who sounds amazingly like his father.  Val does talk some during the film, but his voice is so raspy that subtitles are often required to fully understand his comments.

Will the real Lizard King please stand up? (Jim Morrison is on the left)

Mr. Kilmer informs the viewer that he was one of the first people he knew to own a video camera.  As a youngster, he and his brothers used to make their own takes on popular films, among them “Jaws.”  (how could I not love this guy?)  Outgoing and popular, he becomes the youngest person ever accepted into the acting program at Julliard and heads to New York.  There he strives to learn everything an actor needs to know for a successful career.  We see early footage of he and his classmates working on shows.  We also learn that an actor’s job is humbling.  Signed for the lead in his first New York theater production, young Val is soon asked to play a lesser role because Kevin Bacon is available.  Things get even worse when, a week later, he’s asked to take an even lesser role to accommodate Sean Penn. 

 

As his career takes off we are taken behind the scenes of several of his Films, including “Top Gun,” “The Doors” and, most interestingly, “The Island of Dr. Moreau.”  The last film is legendary for all of the mishaps that beset it during production.  From replacing the director to script changes, there is plenty of blame to go around.  Most of the stories I’ve heard centered around Mr. Kilmer’s alleged indifference to the project and his temperament.  Maybe.  But from the footage shared it look’s like Mr. Kilmer’s dream of working with Marlon Brando became a nightmare for all involved.  In one funny clip, Mr. Kilmer and co-star David Thewliss are talking about Brando when the actor comes on the set in full costume.  Only after studying the man do the two actors realize that isn’t really Brando   Further investigation reveals, it is a guy named Norm, who is filling in for Brando. 

 

One thing I enjoyed learning is that, when submitting audition tapes for roles he’d like to play, instead of just reading lines Mr. Kilmer would make short films, His takes on prospective roles in “Full Metal Jackeet”  and “Goodfellas” are quite inventive.  He shares a lot of thoughts on how he got the role of Jim Morrison in “The Doors” as well as how he took over for Michael Keaton in “Batman Forever.”  His words ring true when he says that every boy wants to be Batman.  Amen, brother. 

Something else I found fascinating is that Mr. Kilmer toured in a one-man show where he portrayed Mark Twain.  There are a few clips included and he’s marvelous.  Move over, Hal Holbrook. 

 

Of course, with a career like Mr. Kilmer’s, some films get glossed over.  I would love to know his thoughts on “Real Genius,” “Willow,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, “ Wonderland” and others.  But, to paraphrase Spencer Tracy, “what there is is cherse.”

 

Mr. Kilmer is slated to be in the upcoming “Top Gun: Maverick,” which was originally slated to be released in 2020.  Can’t wait to see the Iceman again.  He can be my wingman anytime! 

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Film Review: “tick, tick BOOM!

 

  • tick, tick…BOOM!
  • Starring:  Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens
  • Directed by:  Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Rated:  PG 13
  • Running time: 1 hr 55 mins
  • NETFLIX

 

It’s sad when you don’t see your hard work come to fruition…to not see the impact it had on the world around you.  One example is Steve Gordon, the writer and director of the film “Arthur.”  He passed away shortly after the film came out and, though he had a chance to see how his work was embraced, he never lived to see “Arthur” become a true classic film.  Then there’s Jonathan Larson. 

 

Larson created one of the most beloved musicals of all time, RENT, which won pretty much every award possible.  Sadly, Larson never got to see how his work was embraced, passing away the night before RENT had its first public performance.  But there was more to Larson’s life, and “tick, tick…BOOM!” gives us a musical look at the man behind the music. 

 

Jonathan Larson (an AMAZING Andrew Garfield), is about to workshop the new musical he’s written.  He’s gotten good feedback from everyone whose heard it, from his friends to the great Stephen Sondheim (Bradley Whitford), But Larson feels he needs one more song to, in the words of the late, great Mr. Sondheim, “Put it all together.” 

 

What do you do after you’ve written two Tony-award winning musicals, including the brilliant “Hamilton?”  If you’re Lin-Manuel Miranda you make your feature film directing debut with a musical about one of your peers.  Miranda is a true genius and I can’t think of another modern  director who could bring all of their knowledge of musical theater and translate it to the silver screen.  I say modern because this film would have been right up Bob Fosse’s alley.  The musical numbers are brilliantly staged while the more quiet moments are framed to convey the most powerful of emotions.

Miranda is aided by a top-notch cast, including the aforementioned Mr. Garfield who, besides being one of the best young actors working today, displays a strong singing voice.  The cast is peppered with a who’s who of theater talents, including Joel Grey, Judith Light,  Judy Kuhn and Roger Bart.  I think I even caught Lin-Manuel Miranda as a singing kitchen worker. 

 

As the film progresses, we follow Larson though his daily routine, and as he deals with his daily struggles and those of his friends, we begin to see the first sparks of what will one day become RENT. 

 

“West Side Story” has garnered most of the attention this year as THE movie musical to see.  And that attention is well deserved.  However, as the Jets and the Sharks learn, there is always room for one more.  BOOM!

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Film Review – “Spider-man: No Way Home”

  • SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME
  • Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya and Bennedict Cumberbatch.
  • Directed by:  Jon Watts
  • Rated:  PG 13
  • Running time:  2 hrs 28 mins
  • Columbia Pictures

 

Let me say right here at the outset of this review that I am not going to give any spoilers away.  Thank you for your attention.

 When we last saw our friendly, neighborhood web-slinger in “Spider-man: Far From Home,”  he, and the rest of the world, were shocked when Mysterio announced to the world that young Peter Parker was Spider-man.  Those of us in the audience knew it but now EVERYONE knows it.

So now, along with the pressures of starting his senior year of high school, worrying about what college will accept him – he has his heart set on M.I.T. – he has to deal with hundreds of people taking photos of him or hovering in a helicopter above his apartment building.  As things progress Peter discovers that his two best friends, M.J. (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Babalon) are having their lives disrupted simply because they are close to Peter.  Hoping to make things better for his friends, Peter pays a visit to Doctor Strange (Cumberbatch) and asks him for a spell to make everyone forget he’s Spidey.  Well, not everyone.  The spell goes horribly wrong and the adventure begins.

 What you’ve read so far can easily be gleaned from the film’s coming attraction, so I haven’t given away any secrets.  And I won’t.  But DAMN, what a great film!

 

Though I enjoyed the earlier depictions of Spider-man by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, they always seemed a little too mature for the Peter Parker I grew up reading in Marvel Comics.  Tom Holland hit the nail on the head.  He gives both Peter and Spidey a certain innocent bravado, showing their best faces even when the doubt inside is eating away at them.

 As the film progresses, Peter/Spider-man not only have to deal with the police, the press and the public, but also with some villains quite familiar to fans but unknown to him.  Welcome to the Multiverse. 

As in the case of most films in the MCU, the cast is outstanding.  As I’ve already mentioned, I love Holland in the roles of Peter/Spider-man and he is equally matched by Zendaya and  Babalon.  I will admit here that Ned is one of my favorite characters in the series, his love and loyalty for Peter know no boundaries.  The rest of the cast is strong as well, from Cumberbatch to Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May to a variety of familiar faces from the Spider-verse. 

 The script is the perfect combination of humor and action, with a few emotional moments thrown in to remind us why we care for these characters.  The film is well paced by director Watts, and the 2 ½ hours of action seem to fly by.

 The MCU has had more gems than rocks over the years, with pretty much each hero (“Iron Man, Thor) hitting an occasional bump in the road.  Not Spider-man.  To me his series of films is head and shoulders the best of the stand-alone films.

 

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Kansas City Concert Review – James Taylor/Jackson Browne

  • JAMES TAYLOR w/ JACKSON BROWNE
  • December 5, 2021
  • T-mobile Center – Kansas City, Missouri

 

James Taylor and Jackson Browne have been major parts of the soundtrack of my life.  I played Taylor’s “JT” album repeatedly in my youth and, after saying “I do” to each other my wife Juanita and I walked back up the aisle while my best friend Matt played Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To be Loved by You).”

 

As for Mr. Browne, I’m dating myself here by saying that “Running on Empty” was the first album I owned on cassette, vinyl, 8-track and compact disc.  In that order.  And yes, I had an 8-track player in my sweet 1969 GTO.  You know you love something when you make sure you have it with you ALWAYS.  When I play along with the Facebook post that asks, “If you were going to be stranded on a desert island, what 10 albums would you take with you?” “Running on Empty” is always near the top of the list.

 

Loving these two amazing artist’s music as much as I do, I was overjoyed when I heard they were coming to Kansas City in one amazing show.  And amazing it was.

Mr. Browne took the stage first, opening with his hit “Somebody’s Baby,” which was featured in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”  He was in great voice and his band was tight. 

 

For the remainder of his set he mixed in some popular classic songs (“Late for the Sky,” “Doctor My Eyes”) with a selection of songs from his new album – which I heartedly recommend – “Downhill From Everywhere.”  During one song from the album, “The Dreamer,” he was joined on stage by singers Tiffanie Cross and Alethea Mills.  Together the trio had the crowd in the palms of their hands with their harmonies.  Taylor surprised the audience by coming on stage on joining Browne in a fine rendition of “The Pretender” and the set ended with a lively singalong to “Running on Empty.”

The second half of the show began with a short video highlighting the music of James Taylor.  He took the stage to a loud round of applause and he and his band kicked off the set with a country-tinged medley of “Fiddle and Drum/Country Road.”

Like Browne, the set was a well divided combination of newer material and classic songs.  As he notes in “That’s Why I’m Here” – one of my favorite JT tunes, sadly inspired in part by the tragic death of John Belushi (a neighbor of Taylor’s on Martha’s Vineyard), people “Pay good money to hear Fire and Rain again and again and again.”  Before the break Taylor and his band did a rousing “How Sweet It Is” causing my wife and I – and a lot of others – to slow-dance in the aisles.

When everyone returned to the stage, Jackson Brown came with them and the two combined for a mellow version of “Take it Easy,” a song Browne co-wrote with Glenn Frey and was a hit – gulp – nearly 50 years ago for the Eagles.

 

As the show concluded, Taylor led the audience in a moving rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend,” which inspired the crowd to hold their lit cellphones high above their heads (where have you gone, Bic disposable lighter?).

To sum it all up, it was a great night of great music – one I highly recommend you take in when they come to your town. 

 

SET LISTS

 

JACKSON BROWNE

 

Somebody’s Baby, Barricades of Heaven, Long Way Around, Fountain, Downhill from Everywhere, TheDreamer (with Tiffanie Cross and Alethea Mills), Until Justice is Real, Doctor My Eyes, Late for the Sky, The Pretender (with James Taylor), Running on Empty.

 

JAMES TAYLOR

 

Fiddle and Drum/Country Road, Copperline, That’s Why I’m Here, Mexico, You Make it Easy, Line ‘em Up, Steamroller, Rolling Off, Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, Carolina, Shower the People, How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You), Shed a Little Light, Take it Easy (with Jackson Browne), You’ve Got a Friend, Close Your Eyes

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: browne, cith, concert, james, kansas, review, ...

Film Review – “West Side Story”

  • WEST SIDE STORY
  • Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno
  • Directed by:  Steven Spielberg
  • Rated:  PG 13
  • Running time:  2 hrs 36 mins
  • Warner Bros

 

FULL DISCLOSURE:  I worship Steven Spielberg.  He made, in my opinion, the greatest film ever  – JAWS – and has produced so many favorites of mine that if I tried to make a list it would stretch longer than this review.  That beings said, when I learned he was putting his spin on “West Side Story,” a film that won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, SIXTY YEARS AGO.  A film that was based on a show that was nominated for 6 Tony Awards, winning two (surprisingly, “The Music Man” was named Best Musical that year), I was a little confused.  Why, I wondered?  If he wanted to do a musical, why not give “Hamilton” a try?  When the first trailers for the new film were released, I saw nothing in them that made me think “this is going to be amazing.”  Mr. Spielberg, my sincere apologies sir.  This film IS amazing!

 

Inspired in part by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the film tells the story of New York City in the late 1950s.  Immigrants are flocking to America in one particular neighborhood the local residents are not fond of their new Puerto Rican neighbors.  Two gangs – the Jets (white) and the Sharks (non-white) constantly battle for control of their “turf.”  Their’s is not a pretty neighborhood, with the ancient brownstone apartment buildings scheduled to be demolished to make way for new high-rises. 

 

When tensions get too high, Riff (Mike Faist) tells the gang that he will challenge Bernardo (David Alvarez) to a rumble at the school dance being held that evening.  Also attending the dance that night are Tony (Elgort), co-founder of the Jets and Riff’s best friend and Maria (Zegler), Bernardo’s sister attending her first dance.  Sounds pretty innocent to me…what could possibly go wrong?

 

Faithful to the original film while also bringing the story to a new generation, ‘West Side Story” is a masterpiece of film making.  From an outstanding cast to the memorable music to the production design, this is a film to be seen on the biggest screen possible and taken in frame by frame.

 

Fans of the 1961 film will find the story a little darker than they remember.  Here Tony is on parole, having served a year in prison for almost beating a boy to death in a rumble.  The city is grimy and dusty and, with the exception of at the dance, the gang members wear threadbare and dirty clothes, a far cry from the pressed and pleated pants there wore previously.  Also, as expected, the Sharks and their associates speak a lot of Spanish, sans subtitles, though I found it easy to follow along with the conversations. 

The cast, led by Elgort and Zegler, is out of this world.  Both are fine in the dramatic scenes and have a true chemistry when they get close.  And they both have excellent singing voices.  This can be said about the rest of the cast, with special mention of Mr. Faist, Ariana DuBose, who plays Anita, Bernardo’s girl and the immortal Rita Moreno.  Ms. Moreno won the Supporting Actress Oscar for “West Side Story” sixty-years ago and very well may do it again with her performance here.  The rest of the supporting cast is equally good and I want to put a spotlight on Iris Menas, who plays Anybody’s.  She doesn’t have a lot of screen time but she is the emotional heart of the film when she is on-screen.    

 

The music is timeless, and even if you’ve never seen the original film you are certainly aware of the many songs the show and film made famous.  Sadly, lyricist Stephen Sondheim passed away a couple of weeks ago but his words will live on forever.  The choreography is well crafted, with the original ideas of Jerome Robbins being folded into a new, more frenetic style.

 

With a few weeks left in 2021, “West Side Story” is looking to be the best film of the year.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: film, review, side, story, west

Film Review: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”

 

GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE

Starring: Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace and Paul Rudd

Directed by: Jason Reitman

Rated: PG 13

Running time: 2 hrs 5 mins

SONY Pictures

 

 In the summer of 1984 I began my career as a movie theatre manager in Baltimore. One of the first films shown in my theatre – “Ghostbusters.” The film has a special place in my heart for this reason and I went into “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” hoping it would not disappoint. It sure didn’t!

 

A man runs horridly through a corn field, careening this way and that, trying to outrun a seemingly invisible enemy. He makes it to his front porch, throws a large switch and relaxes. He’s safe. Right?

 

A great throwback to the 1980s, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” picks up decades after the events in “Ghostbusters II.” Like “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” “Jaws 3-D” and 2016’s all-female film – which I enjoyed – the series seems to be ignoring the third films in their respective series. You’ll get no argument from me.

 

Callie (Carrie Coon) and her two childrent, Trevor (the always fun to watch Finn Wolfhard) and his younger sister Phoebe (Grace) have come to a small town in Oklahoma to settle the estate of Callie’s estranged father. While Trevor is mischievous and looking for excitement – in a town that is pretty much befeft of it – Phoebe is very serious and scientific. While Trevor tries to hang with the cool kids, Phoebe investiages the house and finds some odd looking scientific equipment. When she takes it to school her teacher, Mr. Gooberson (Rudd) comments on what a great “replica” she has brought in. Confused by the comment, she asks Mr. G to explain and he fills her in on the massive ghost activity that took place in New York City in the early 1980s. Intrigued by the story, and what she has found, Phoebe begins a search to learn who her grandfather was and why he had all of these amazing toys.

Co-written and directed by Jason Reitman, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is just fine as a stand alone story but if you are a fan of the earlier films, you will be overwhelmed by the various “Easter Eggs” Reitman has hidden for you to find. Reitman’s father, Ivan, directed the first two films in the series and services as a producer on this one and it’s obvious he has shared his love for the project with his son.

 

But this is not your father’s “Ghostbusters.” It is a lot darker than the earlier films, and people hoping to introduce their kids to the series should be aware of that. Reitman keeps the pace moving and the visual effects – which I thought were the weak part of the film in  1984 – are spectacular. Or, if you will permit me, “Spooktacular!”

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: afterlife, film, ghostbusters, review

Win a Blu-ray Copy of the New Film “Caveat”

 

Media Mikes is giving two random readers a chance to win a Blu-ray copy of the new film “Caveat.”

All you have to do is comment below what film you are most looking forward to seeing this holiday season.  Two random comments will be chosen and they will each receive a Blu-ray copy of the film.  Pretty simple!  This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm EST on Thursday, November 18th.  Good luck!

Written and directed by Damian Mc Carthy in his feature directorial debut, CAVEAT stars Ben Caplan (“Band of Brothers”), Jonathan French (The Anniversary), Leila Sykes (“Missing Something”), Inma Pavon (Felicidad) and Conor Dwane (Christmas at Draculas).

SYNOPSIS: In desperate need of money, Isaac accepts a job looking after his landlord’s niece, Olga, for a few days. But there is a catch. He must wear a leather harness and chain that restricts his movements to certain rooms in order to protect Olga’s extremely frail mental state. Once left alone with Isaac, Olga exhibits erratic behavior, while Isaac makes horrific discoveries in the house that trigger a deeply buried, traumatic memory.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: bluray, caveat, copy, film, win

Win a Blu-ray/DVD copy of “RESPECT”

 

Media Mikes is giving one luck reader the chance to win a Blu-ray/DVD copy of the bio-pic about the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin,, RESPECT, starring Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson.

All you have to do is let us know in the comments below which person you would like to see a movie about?  Lots of great choices and, I’m sure, there will be lots of great suggestions.

This giveaway ends on Monday, November 15th at 4:00 pm EST.  At that time a winner will be chosen from all of the entries.  Winner will be notified by email.  GOOD LUCK!

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bluraydvd, copy, respect, win

Win A DVD or Blu-ray Copy of Season One of “Kevin Can **** Himself”

 

Media Mikes is pleased to be able to offer to our readers the chance to win either a DVD or Blu-ray Copy of the first season of the AMC series “Kevin Can **** Himself,” starring Emmy Award winner Annie Murphy.

To win you just need to do two things:

  1.  Let us know in the comments below what television series you would like to see get a home video release.
  2. Your preference of format, DVD or Blu-ray.

Two random entries (one for DVD, the other for Blu-ray) and those chosen will receive their preferred copy of the series.

This contest runs through Sunday, November 14 at 3:00 pm EST.  GOOD LUCK!

 

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: bluray, copy, dvd, kevin, season, win, ...

Film Review – “The Eternals” (SPOILER FREE)

  • ETERNALS
  • Starring:  Gemma Chan, Richard Madden and Selma Hayek
  • Directed by:  Chloe Zhao
  • Rated:  PG 13
  • Running time:  2 hrs 37 mins
  • Walt Disney Pictures

 

In the beginning…..

 

This is how “Eternals,” the latest adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, opens.  Actually it opens in 5,000 B.C. when a group of highly talented costumed individuals show up to protect the local Mesopotamians against a horde of creatures known as Deviants.  That is their mission, and it continues still today.

 

Very busy, but quite entertaining, “Eternals” lets you know it is a part of the MCU  when, after a global earthquake rocks Earth, reporters speculate if it may have been caused by “the blip.”

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you are about three phases and twenty-three films behind. 

 

The “Eternals” – the group of people, not the film, spend their days protecting the Earth and, as time goes on, attempt to put mankind on the right path.  Some are more zealous than others, trying to gift mankind with a steam engine but being convinced to settle for a common plow.  They all have their own personal lives, with their own personal issues.  But, as we have come to expect from these films, soon they will be called upon to…..sorry, no spoilers!

 Let me say right here that whoever decided to hire the director of “Nomadland” to helm this film was a genius!  This film is over 2 ½ hours long and,  while it is a little “busy,” it is never boring.  The running time is necessary to introduce each character and their little peccadillos.  My personal favorite was Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) who, because an Eternal never ages, has been able to work as a Bollywood star for decades.

 The rest of the cast is equally impressive, giving life to what could easily be one-dimensional characters.  The script has plenty of great one-liners and the special effects are, as one would expect, breathtaking.  Is there anything that CAN’T be done on screen these days?

 To sum it up, “The Eternals” – the third film in the Fourth Phase of the MCU –is another fine addition to the series that may itself be eternal.

 

 

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: eternals, film, free, review, spoiler

Win a “Stillwater” Prize Package

 

Media Mikes is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a Blu-ray/DVD prize package to celebrate the home video release of the film “Stillwater,” starring Matt Damon.

All you have to do is, in the comment space below, let us know what you think is Matt Damon’s best performance.  He got some great reviews for “Stillwater,” but maybe you prefer his work in “Good Will Hunting” or “The Martian.”  It’s you choice so let us know.

One random comment will be chosen and that person will receive the Blu-ray/DVD prize package.  The winner will be chosen at 10:00 pm on Friday, November 5th and will be notified by email.  GOOD LUCK!

Take a sneak peek HERE!

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: package, prize, stillwater, win
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