Ultimate Odd Couple of DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE

Third in the series, Deadpool and Wolverine marks a dream pairing of two of the most popular Marvel Comic heroes.  The result is a rowdy adventure with some surprises along the way.

Wade Wilson AKA Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) yearns to prove himself to his girlfriend and be an Avenger, but most of all, when he learns from the Time Variance Authority that his timeline is doomed, he must somehow save it with the help of Logan AKA Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).  It means facing a powerful entity in The Void and a conspiracy that threatens all timelines. It also means two meta humans who are constantly at odds, bickering and fighting.  Can Deadpool and Wolverine make a difference and save the universe against overwhelming odds?  They might need the help of some very special friends.

With a soundtrack laced with pop tunes, this film is more fun if you’re familiar with earlier Marvel releases since there are surprise appearances of various iterations of past Marvel heroes and villains.  Deadpool constantly breaks ‘the fourth wall’ addressing the audience directly with his irreverence and profanities. Sure, there’s an abundance of graphic violence and over-the-top battles (amid a convoluted, multiverse storyline), but watching the delicious chemistry between the two leads (Reynolds and Jackman are fantastic) as their love hate relationship evolves is well worth it.

The theme of redemption has Deadpool wanting to find his purpose and giving meaning to a cynical, bitter Wolverine, and though not all the rapid fire gags and jokes work, some hilarious moments do register.  The film finally coalesces and flourishes with an ending that touches the heart.  There are better Marvel films but few that have the magic of this duo interacting in a wild, raunchy joyride. (There is one end credit scene.)

****1/2 of ***** stars (for Deadpool fans and Dogpool)

 

Deadpan Master

 

Comedian Bob Newhart has passed at 94. Arguably one of the most popular entertainers ever, he scored three Grammy Awards for his comedy albums beginning in 1960, and his was the first comedy album to make it to number one on the Billboard charts. His low key, deadpan delivery was his trademark, and he made numerous standup performances in clubs, TV and films like Elf. He starred in two of the most successful TV series with The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, the latter which ended with one of the greatest surprise finales in TV history. He finally won an Emmy Award for one of his guest appearances on The Big Bang Theory. He and Don Rickles were the best of friends, and I'd like to think they are bringing down the house wherever they are.

'Shining' Star

 

Actress Shelley Duvall has passed at 75. She gained notoriety as one of Robert Altman's repertory company of actors in films like Brewster McCloyd, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Popeye, and two breakout films, Nashville and 3 Women. She was featured in other popular films like Annie Hall, Time Bandits, and Roxanne. Her biggest role would be as the terrified wife in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. She would later produce and host a series of children's tv shows often with major stars. She was a unique, gentle soul. 

The Script Doctor Extraordinaire

 

Writer and Director Robert Towne has passed at 89.  In addition to directing and writing major Hollywood films like the thoughtful sports film, Personal Best, he did screenplays for such films as The Last Detail and Shampoo which were both nominated for screenwriting Oscars. He wrote the screenplays for Days of Thunder, The Firm, and Mission Impossible. He won an Oscar for the classic screenplay of Chinatown. Now what do the following films- Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, The Parallax View, Marathon Man, Heaven Can Wait, Reds, and Crimson Tide all have in common? He was a script doctor who worked on the screenplays without credit. He is considered one of the truly great screenwriters ever.

Trauma in A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE

A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel to A Quiet Place, depicts the initial alien invasion on a much bigger scale.  With an interesting, personal story, this is an effective, at times touching film for those who enjoyed the first two films.

Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), a cancer patient with past trauma, is in hospice when mysterious objects hurtle into New York City and terrifying alien monsters emerge, drawn by the slightest sound, and begin to savagely attack people.  Isolated and on the run with her cat Frodo, she comes upon a scared man, Eric (Joseph Quinn).  Together, they learn to help each other and evade the aliens, and as they approach possible safety, Sam makes a momentous decision. 

This is one big funhouse of horror turned inside out as death is seconds away at the drop of the slightest sound.  There are harrowing scenes in a flooded subway and the pandemonium on the streets of New York where the film, with bigger production values, recreates the invasion in a grander setting but smartly keeps its focus on Sam. Not just a story about survival, a significant theme is about recalling Sam’s past and how it affects her actions in the present and future. It’s also about compassion and sacrifice amid desolation and hopelessness.  (It does have a tie in with the past films having a common character played by Djimon Hounsou.)  

Although we don’t learn much more about the aliens than in previous films and Eric has virtually no background history, the film boasts an affecting performance by Nyong’o and a special, adorable cat who becomes a supporting character worth rooting for. It’s a pretty good film (not too graphic) that elicits empathy for its characters and should satisfy fans of the series.

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