Movie Jibber-Jabber Vol. 8: Catch-Up 2016, Sausage Party, News Items!
Let's Jabber.
News Item
The new trailer for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" debuted last night. I think "Rogue One" has a lot of potential, telling the tale of the Rebel Alliance capturing the Death Star plans just before the events of “Star Wars.” You’ve probably already seen the trailer; if you haven’t, head over here.
Things I like to see: Star Destroyers in-atmosphere. AT-ACT walkers depicted as gigantic and terrifying (a continuation of director Gareth Edwards' magnificent work on “Godzilla” in 2014). The fact that Jyn Erso, the lead character, is another woman leading the Rebel Alliance. For a story about boys, the “Star Wars” saga is mostly women women motivating galactic civil change while men waste time, and I'm glad they're emphasizing that in the newest movies. "Rogue One" doesn't have to do much to be more interesting than "The Force Awakens," but I'm hoping it is as excellent as the trailer makes it seem.
News Item
"Bad Boys for Life" is the new title of "Bad Boys 3," the long-awaited third film in the action franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. I enjoy the first two — they're among the best of Michael Bay's work — and I'm excited at the prospect of another. This time it will be directed by Joe Carnahan, bringing a different but equally interesting style to the movie.
Evan's Review of the Week:
My only real review is: See "Sausage Party." See this now.
“Sausage Party” is the most recent comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and their first animated movie (from the co-director of "Shrek 2"). Once again, it infuses pot-smoke ideas with doses of genuine heart. I’ve never been a huge fan of their previous efforts, but "Sausage Party" is one of 2016’s best movies. It’s essentially"Toy Story"-style "What if insert-inanimate-object-here were sentienet?" but in a grocery store, and the Woody is a wiener, erm, hot dog.
Yes: There are considerable sex jokes. But you've never seen anything like it. What you don't expect going in is that it also manages to be one of the most clear-eyed, non-cynical social commentaries of the year as well. I'll say no more. Don’t watch the trailers. Don’t read any spoilers. Just buy a ticket and see this movie. As one person said leaving the theatre, laughing, “I feel violated!”
The Great Catch-Up 2016:
According to Letterboxd, my buddies have seen considerably more movies released in 2016 than I have. I did a tally last Friday and found I’d only watched 28. Yikes. Unacceptable. So I went about remedying it, and watched a solid 10 last weekend. I thought I’d do a quick run-down of what I watched.
Batman: The Killing Joke - I started off the weekend with the newest release from DC Animation. I have a love-hate relationship with their most recent products, which have taken on a lazy anime style that irks me. The draw of "The Killing Joke" is that it's a seminal '80s Batman / Joker story, perhaps one of the best there is, and this movie features Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker, respectively, reprising their roles from the classic animated series. Most Joker stories written since "The Killing Joke" borrow heavily from it, including previous "Batman" animated stories, so hearing Hamill, in particular, perform the dialogue from the story is a big draw. Unfortunately, the movie just isn't interesting beyond that simple pleasure. "The Killing Joke" is a strong story because it's short, punchy, disturbing and to-the-point. The movie adds an extra half-hour plot line to flesh out the character of Batgirl (who is crippled during the events of the story), but unfortunately doesn't actually succeed. This is a good entry for fans of the story or fans of the animated series who are familiar with it. Otherwise, there isn't much to recommend "The Killing Joke." 3 / 5 Yaps.
Nine Lives - You can read my review here.
Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party - You can read my review here.
Keanu - One I had hoped to see in theaters, but just never made the trip. I'm kind of glad I didn't. I thought the beginning was funny, but as it progressed I found my attention wandering. It remained goofy and consistently funny, but ultimately didn't do much for me. 2.5 / 5 Yaps
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - I did not like this movie. 1 / 5 Yaps.
Zootopia - I had heard about "Zootopia's" socially woke storyline about race and why you shouldn't be racist. I was surprised at how strongly told it was. Maybe one of this year's best movies, given the maturity with which it mixed important themes and all-ages humor. 4 / 5 Yaps.
Midnight Special - The kind of movie that smells like cold weather and warm, dark beer. "Midnight Special" is in my top-five for the first half of 2016, but I didn't think it was great. The first act, with the developing situation of desperate father Roy (Michael Shannon) and his mysterious son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), escaping an apocalypse cult centered around Alton's abilities, is fascinating, interesting and intense. But as the film drags on, the mystery of where Alton's abilities come from grow less compelling. The eventual conclusion is both visually arresting and goofy — and not in a good way. Still, Jeff Nichols' style is so excellent at conveying environment, atmosphere and tone that I have to recommend it. Worth watching, just not the seminal science fiction story of 2016. 3.5 / 5 Yaps.
Eddie the Eagle - A pretty standard sports drama with ample changes from the true story. I loved every minute of it. Taron Egerton AND Hugh Jackman are outstanding as Eddie and his (fictional) trainer, respectively. Their chemistry, humor, and general goodness keeps the film moving along at a great clip. Definitely worth the Redbox fee. 3 / 5 Yaps.
London is Falling – I didn't finish this movie because it sucks complete ass. N/A
Reviews
Nick Rogers tells us why Sausage Party had him doubling over in his seat.
Richard Propes presents a balanced view of last week’s Suicide Squad.
That's it for the Yap this week, folks!