The Man Behind Pee-wee

Actor Paul Reubens has passed at 70. His alter ego Pee-wee Herman exploded on late night talk shows and feature films like Pee-wee's Big Adventure (Tim Burton's feature debut) and a sequel. He had bit roles in comedies like Cheech and Chong's Next Movie and The Blues Brothers Movie and did straight roles in films like Blow and Mystery Men while more recent TV guest spots included 30 Rock, The Blacklist, and Pushing Daisies. His biggest hit was TV in the late 1980s with Pee-wee's Playhouse for several years winning multiple Emmy Awards. To know Pee-wee, one only has to say, "I know you are, but what am I?" 

Inner Horror in TALK TO ME

 

Brothers Danny and Michael Philippou have directed their first feature, Talk to Me, a highly effective, low budget indie with references to The Sixth Sense and Hereditary, which may be the best horror film of the year.

A young man’s violent attack on his brother shifts to a group of teens who gather and participate in a chilling challenge with a creepy, petrified hand that causes the person to experience something unworldly. What starts as a fascinating novelty becomes an unholy thing.  When Mia (Sophie Wilde), who grieves over the tragic loss of her mother, tries the hand, it has a profound effect on her and others close to her.  Her obsession with its power and guilt over her mom’s memory risks losing those she loves and her sanity.  

This has the makings of a coming of age comedy/drama (like Carrie) until the hand appears, and the story takes a decidedly dark, traumatic turn.  Questions arise about the hand’s origins and whether its powers actually connect with spirits or worse.  It’s like a malevolent, addictive drug which may or may not possess its participants.  Is it evil?  Is Mia cursed as her behavior becomes more irrational?   The mystery builds an unbearable tension that becomes an ominous, nightmarish descent into madness (see Smile) causing Mia to question her reality with her disturbing visions.  This Australian production displays striking, handheld camerawork and disturbing sound effects. There are moments when you know something bad is coming, and the film does not skimp on graphic imagery.

With a brave performance by Wilde, this terrifying film (a trim 93 minutes) leaves a fascinating, open ending that begs for a follow-up.  The Philippous make a bold statement as a duo to be reckoned with in the future.   

****1/2 of ***** stars (for horror fans)

Opposites Attract in ELEMENTAL

 

Disney and Pixar have never failed to focus on meaningful stories and characters to care about. In that tradition, Elemental is about finding one’s own path in life amid responsibility and blossoming love.  It’s a sweet tale with imaginative animation.

In the city of Element, residents represent basic elements of nature such as water, air, and fire.  Ember is a fiery young female who yearns to fulfilling her dreams despite her family’s business.  She has a temper and still has much to learn about simple kindness and relating to her customers.  When she accidentally causes a water leak, it draws an inspector, Wade Ripple, who takes a fancy to her, but her fire and his water aren’t supposed to mix creating an awkward situation further complicated by their respective families.  As the leak triggers a potential disaster, Ember and Wade try to save their city and find a way to come together.

The film, filled with good natured humor and cute puns, has an emotionally engaging narrative that, like Encanto, focuses on tradition and family values.   These characters serve as metaphors for the real world by reflecting discrimination and acceptance.  As the central character, Ember has to grow up and find the courage to take a chance on life and relationships particularly in trusting Wade, her supposed opposite.  In doing so, she learns something about herself while connecting with her roots. 

The animators create a totally believable, fantasy world.  This well paced film, with its message of the importance of family and how kindness and love can triumph over adversity, has some beautiful, touching moments toward the end where it leans into sacrifice and commitment.  It may not be among the best Pixar titles, but it comes close. (Preceded by CARL’S DATE, another sweet Pixar short from the world of UP.)

****1/2 of ***** stars

BARBIE and the Meaning of Life

 

Director Greta Gerwig (Little Women) and her partner Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story) have adapted a classic toy doll into a wildly entertaining comedic adventure in Barbie.

From her origins, Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives and plays in a Utopian world called Barbie Land with pink buildings and clothing befitting a patterned lifestyle of uncomplicated bliss. There are all kinds of other, inclusive Barbies, all of whom have different careers.  There is also Ken (Ryan Gosling) who yearns to be with Barbie in a world where there are other Kens (including Simu Liu).  When Barbie begins to experience an identity crisis, she seeks answers that can only come from travelling to the Real World where she discovers some truths about herself and the universe.

Gerwig (and Baumbach) have accomplished the near impossible.  Their incisive, witty (at times hysterical) screenplay explores Barbie’s existential moment and fish out of water scenario (not unlike Elf or The Truman Show).  The film is bursting with gorgeous, eye filling production design and colorful costumes which create a wholly realized world.  (Mattel is destined to sell a ton of related merchandise.)  Just when you think it is losing steam, the story finds inspiration to keep going including a lavish, over-the-top musical number.  There are references to pop culture and self-empowering messages, and amazingly, the film makes a not too subtle commentary on sexism and womanhood.

As the iconic Barbie, Robbie is sensational, while Gosling is totally convincing as Ken. The cast (including Kate McKinnon and Will Ferrell) is delightful, and even Helen Mirren, as the lively narrator, gets a showstopper line.

The film also gives an opportunity to amusingly pay tribute to every incarnation of discontinued ‘friends’ of Barbie and Ken.  It’s a smart, ultimately thinly veiled metaphor for our times wrapped up in an imaginative, dazzling film. 

****1/2 of ***** stars

OPPENHEIMER and the Power of Nolan

Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception) is a director who draws audiences and the finest acting talent.  Oppenheimer, his most mature film, is the culmination of his career much as Schindler’s List was Steven Spielberg’s pinnacle.  Based on the Pulitzer winning biography, American Prometheus, it’s a deeply engrossing account of the man who helped create the atomic bomb.

On the brink of World War II, theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) is recruited by the U.S. military led by General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) to oversee building an atomic bomb before the Germans do. Set in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the Manhattan Project amasses a who’s who of the brightest scientific minds under a strict veil of secrecy.  However, Oppenheimer’s past relationships including a lover (Florence Pugh) and his ties to the Communist Party will haunt him and his wife (Emily Blunt). As the bomb’s test approaches, he struggles with its implications and how it will change the world forever.

Told from the subjective, first person in alternating color then black and white sequences and flashing back and forth in time (a Nolan trademark), the story also explores Oppenheimer’s moral concerns about an arms race with the Russians and internal power struggles amid the specter of McCarthyism.  This enormous production, beautifully shot in IMAX, features a pulsating score and brilliant use of light and sound that not only helps recreate an atomic explosion without CGI, but projects Oppenheimer’s nightmarish visions.  The film’s complex screenplay (not for everyone) moves at a rapid pace trying to fit as much of its intense narrative into three hours.  

For a film loaded with future Oscar contenders, Murphy is outstanding with strong support from Robert Downey Jr. (as adversarial Lewis Strauss) while Blunt and Damon shine.  Pugh is effective in her limited screen time, and when was the last time a film featured three lead Oscar winners (Rami Malek, Casey Affleck, and Gary Oldman) in supporting roles? 

Here was an historic, tragic figure whose greatest accomplishments were challenged by his conscience and concerns which reverberate to this day. Nolan’s wildly ambitious epic imparts a devastating, cumulative effect and is a filmmaking triumph, flaws and all.  

***** of ***** stars 

 

A Class Act

 

Singer Tony Bennett has passed at 96. This legendary crooner who Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business," won 20 Grammy Awards and every major accolade from his profession. From his first recording in 1947 to his final one in 2021, his recordings were the ultimate interpretation of songs from giants like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin to new hits like his signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Rags to Riches, The Good Life, and many more. Bob Hope helped discover him and even gave him his stage name. He performed live constantly and later produced albums featuring duets with the greatest singers of our time from Barbra Streisand to Bono to Lady Gaga, resulting in new generations of fans. He was amusingly parodied on SNL and had a memorable send-off at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga in 2021. He was classy all the way.

Choose To Accept This MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE

 

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, seventh in the film series, elevates the action genre to exhilarating heights, and validates Tom Cruise as the top action star. 

When a Russian submarine sinks under mysterious circumstances, it’s just the opening machinations of a powerful, sentient, artificial intelligence known as The Entity coveted by every foreign power including the U.S.  More importantly, there is a key that controls The Entity which attracts buyers including a deadly assassin, Gabriel (Esai Morales), and a skilled thief, Grace (Hayley Atwell is marvelous). The Entity represents the ultimate villain in a brave new world and, with its ability to mimic or obfuscate reality, proves formidable to Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his Impossible Missions Force (IMF) making it to resort to unconventional methods.   Determined to stop The Entity, Ethan goes after the key which leads to a wild pursuit across Europe as he is confronted with an unthinkable scenario and forced to improvise and outwit a coldly efficient enemy with the fate of the civilized world in the balance.

Cruise and the filmmakers continue to find ways to thrill audiences with incredible stunts and elaborate action sequences that go way beyond the norm.  The story, which leans into science fiction, methodically builds as a mystery especially in an expanded prologue, and from there, the tension never lets up. Old faces return with surprises and betrayals that result in sacrifice and loss in an already convoluted narrative that continually raises the stakes culminating in a head spinning climactic set piece aboard a runaway train.

At 163 minutes, this film never lags and boasts impressive production values all working in concert with an intricate screenplay by cowriter/director Christopher McQuarrie to make a thoroughly engaging adventure/action/thriller of the highest order.  And it’s only Part One!

***** of ***** stars

Building a Legend in AIR

 

As a drama based on the remarkable, true story of Nike’s efforts to capitalize on future basketball star Michael Jordan, Air is a winning combination of writing, direction (Ben Affleck) and performances led by Matt Damon and Viola Davis.

In 1984, Nike is desperate to branch out (from being simply known as a shoe brand for joggers) to pursuing basketball player endorsements where the competition is fierce from Adidias and Converse. Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) comes to realize the potential greatness of newly drafted Michael Jordan and risks everything to secure him for Nike, whose leadership (Affleck and Jason Bateman) has serious doubts and budgetary limits. However, Sonny is determined to land the account and takes an unorthodox approach by reaching out directly to Jordon’s mother (Davis is terrific) in a bold maneuver to win the deal.  In doing so, it has enormous consequences, and he not only risks his future but that of Nike.

The excellent screenplay (Alex Convery) is filled with snappy dialogue and funny lines which propel a well-paced story that amounts to be a race against time with last minute negotiations and moments of creative inspiration while injecting some marvelous interplay particularly in the scenes between Damon and Davis (who was hand-picked by Michael Jordan himself). Providing a strong period flavor with its contemporary, pop soundtrack, the film convincingly portrays Sonny as a determined individual with an unwavering power of belief.  

On the surface, this may seem like a glorified commercial for Nike, and despite the public knowledge of how things developed, it’s so much more, as the journey of how this came to be emerges as a fascinating, engrossing tale, one worth telling.  It’s about real people who were willing to take extraordinary risks against overwhelming odds.

****1/2 of ***** stars         on Amazon Prime