The Brilliant Rebel of SciFi Is Gone

Science fiction author Harlan Ellison has passed in his sleep at 84. He was a prolific, brilliant writer whose at times abrasive personality and opinions could elicit controversy. He burst into TV with a couple Outer Limits classics, Soldier and Demon with the Glass Hand which bear more than a passing similarity to the Terminator films, whereby Ellison sued and won credit for. He wrote the greatest Star Trek Episode, City on the Edge of Forever. Some of his talent was wasted on standard TV fare, but he lent his consulting voice to the classic Babylon 5 and the glorious Twilight Zone revival in the 1980s while he loved the X Files.  He was not afraid to express his opinion on a myriad of topics.

I met him at a book signing 20 years ago for Harlan Ellison's Watching and as much as he dominated his line of fans, he could be gentle and playful with kids as he offered them peeps candy.
This winner of 8 Hugo SciFi awards and countless others including the Writers Guild of America has been silenced, yet his words live on mightily.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Hits the Right Notes

Solo: A Star Wars Story, a spinoff film in the Star Wars series, focuses on the origins of the legendary Han Solo. Scripted by original screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son, Jonathan, with last minute substitute director Ron Howard, the final result is an entertaining adventure that connects the dots of this character’s beginnings.

Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) is a young thief in the criminal world who lives by his wits and cunning.  When he falls in with a group of smugglers and its leader, Beckett (Woody Harrelson), for a major heist, there are enormous consequences that reverberate for all.  Along the way, he meets a charming gambler, Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover almost steals the film), and a giant, hairy warrior named Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) before becoming pilot of a certain iconic spaceship. 

With good action scenes and a dark tone akin to Rogue One, the film has moments that ought to register more, but it’s hard to recapture the Star Wars magic in a bottle.  It’s like a good joke that works but not quite as well as it should.   

Ehrenreich does not mimic Harrison Ford’s take on Solo but rather compliments it nicely with cocky, self-assuredness. While Harrelson is always a joy to watch, I wish there was a bit more of Thandie Newton as Beckett’s partner in crime. Emilia Clarke plays Solo’s romantic interest with a secret, and Paul Bettany registers as a menacing crime boss.

There are a couple surprises here for fans and Easter egg references sprinkled throughout.  With a storyline that builds to a strong finish and loyalties tested, this film is a nice addition to the Star Wars mythology. Director Howard gets the save here.

*** of **** stars (add ½ star for Star Wars fans)

The Excess Fun of DEADPOOL 2

Actor/producer Ryan Reynolds was vindicated by his filmic reinvention of the Marvel comic rogue hero of a different cloth in Deadpool and has pushed the boundaries of bad taste, graphic violence, and profanity in Deadpool 2, a wild journey of redemption.   

When tragedy strikes close to home, Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is at a crossroads.  He befriends a reclusive boy and meets a mysterious figure named Cable (Josh Brolin) who is on a quest. Meanwhile, Wilson embarks on a desperate mission with a little help from his friends.

The film has a good storyline and a touching love story to boot, while its theme about family bond resonates.  Sometimes the dialogue is sloppy and vulgar, but the laughs and puns come fast and furious (sometimes at the expense of DC and Marvel Comics).  Wilson may be nasty at times and hopelessly foul mouthed, but he has a heart.  

Plenty of humor is mixed with serious action scenes, not an easy trick, and there are some amusing moments like recruiting some mutant heroes that leads to outrageous results.  We also meet a cool mutant female named Domino and some fun cameos. Then there sight gags such as Wilson’s self-healing prowess and ability to regenerate his body that leads to some hilarious visuals.

From its James Bond homage, opening credits, pop culture references, and a cool soundtrack, the film exudes confidence and hipness. Consistently entertaining, and regularly breaking the fourth wall by directly addressing its audience, those who are game for an offbeat take on Marvel heroes, will be rewarded.  Reynolds has done it again. The mid credit sequence is one of the best for any Marvel film and a gift for true Deadpool fans.

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

Margot Kidder Soared with Superman

Film and TV star Margot Kidder passed away at 69 in her sleep. Hers was a story of tragedy and triumph. I remember seeing her in the Hitchcockian thriller Sisters from 1973 and then she broke out with the blockbuster Superman in 1978 as a definitive Lois Lane; I was there opening weekend waiting in a huge line! As her star faded and she suffered from bipolar disorder, she made a comeback on the big and small screen (winning an Emmy Award). I met her at Horrorfind Convention in 2009. Such a sweet person and still a beauty. She will always be soaring with Christopher Reeve's Superman as John WIlliams' "Can You Read My Mind" plays forever.

The Beginning of the End in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Avengers: Infinity War, the culmination of a master plan of Marvel comic film adaptations begun ten years ago, is a remarkable achievement; no movie has ever been so ambitious with epic, parallel storylines and major characters since The Longest Day and It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, but neither film had the benefit of complex story threads from multiple films.  Under the guidance of Marvel’s ‘keeper of the flame’, producer Kevin Feige, directors Joe and Anthony Russo (who proved Captain America: Civil War was no fluke) and scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have fashioned a very entertaining, crowd pleaser with game changing implications for the future.

The evil Thanos (Josh Brolin) is on a quest to gather six Infinity Stones to annihilate life in the universe.  As the Avengers and other heroes assemble across the globe and throughout the galaxy, Thanos becomes more powerful with each stone and becomes virtually invincible. 

This film is one huge experiment cross matching heroes, and part of the fun is watching them interact with each other for the first time and their action scenes that achieve comic book nirvana. The film deftly balances humor (with some really funny dialogue) with heroic and emotional moments of sacrifice, while retaining the persona of each familiar character; each has a moment to shine (at a brisk 2 hours 40 minutes)!  An all-star roster of Marvel heroes features The Avengers’ Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), The Guardians of the Galaxy, and many more.  This is essentially Thanos’ story; he is ruthless, but by adding layers to his background, he becomes one of the most compelling villains in Marvel films. 

The stakes are incredibly high as the film takes on Shakespearean tragedy (The Empire Strikes Back comes to mind) and changes trajectory to set up the next Avengers film for a potentially grand finale and a more crowded field!  (Yes, Stan Lee has his cameo, and the end credits scene is significant.) While there might be a couple films in the Marvel canon that may be as good, this one is a pleasure to watch again and again. Don’t spoil any surprises for anyone!

**** of **** stars

Pre-Opening day Avengers: Infinity War April 26, 2018

Ok, I saw Avengers: Infinity War, and yes it was very entertaining, serious, action packed and gives fair time for every character. It is a crowd pleaser with some surprises and has The Empire Strikes Back kind of vibe. You are definitely going to want to see the followup which cannot come soon enough! A full review is coming but I wanted to give an initial, spoiler free first impression. There are a couple films that may be better in Marvel but the fact this comes off well is remarkable. Definitely worth watching. 2 hr 40 min goes by fast. End credit scene is important.

The Simplicity of A QUIET PLACE

With a simple premise, A Quiet Place is a horror film that plays on fear of the unknown in a novel way. Directed by actor and co-screenwriter John Krasinski, the film is a tightly wound tale of a family’s fight for survival in an apocalyptic setting.  It delivers the goods.

A global catastrophe decimates humanity, and no one dares to make a sound because that is how mysterious creatures find and kill you. What happened is a mystery with scant clues amid empty streets, newspaper clippings and notes on a white board. The Abbotts know the dangers first hand and rely on a survival lifestyle including the use of sign language as their new normal while living at a remote cabin.  The parents (Krasinski and real life spouse Emily Blunt) are resourceful and care for their hearing impaired daughter and younger son.  When an accident occurs, it’s the start of a threat that builds to a breathtaking last stand.

This is pure cinema with basic situations including excruciating set pieces (like a pregnant mom) where the slightest sound can mean death.  The novelty of the absence of sound works to the film’s advantage and becomes another character, and the audience becomes so conditioned, that the introduction of sounds can become downright jarring. The unseen and unheard are devices that double the potential terror.

The film never forgets to show the Abbotts as a loving family even as it places them in precarious, heart stopping situations.  It becomes a funhouse of horror where the filmmakers wisely keep the creature’s appearance hidden early on. 

A lean 90 minutes, it’s just a well-executed, straightforward narrative that delivers its fair share of jolts.  Krasinski shows he is the real deal  as a director when given a strong script even one bereft of dialogue; expect great things from him in the future.  For this film, ‘silence is golden’.

**** of **** stars

The Tragedy of CHAPPAQUIDDICK

Truth mixes with conjecture in Chappaquiddick, a recreation of the events leading up to and the aftermath of the accident that forever changed the political fortunes of ‘Ted’ Kennedy and claimed the life of a Kennedy staffer.

On July 18, 1969, as the country’s attention was on the first moon landing, Senator Edward Kennedy (Jason Clarke), the last surviving Kennedy brother, has aspirations to run for President.  That evening, at a party for volunteer staffers, Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne (Kate Mara) take a late drive and their car falls off a bridge into water. Kennedy saves himself, but Kopechne is trapped in the car and drowns. He makes his way back to the party, and several hours pass by before the accident is reported and the police investigate.  As Kennedy’s team strategizes to counter misstep after misstep, it begins to tear his family apart.

It is remarkable how quickly the events unfolded in a matter of days, and while they are faithfully recreated, one wonders how much of the movie is accurate.  The film is at its best when it shows how it comes down to a choice between doing the right thing and saving a political career. 

Clarke is convincing as the beleaguered senator with the weight of family legacy on his shoulders, but the material does not provide enough substance. The real star here is Ed Helms in strong support as Kennedy confidant and adoptive brother; the talented comedian has a bright future in dramatic roles.

More questions are raised than answered (like why did Kennedy wait hours to report the accident?), and the screenplay never delves deeply into events nor do we learn much about Kopechne.  Instead we get some interesting facts and possibilities, but nothing more than any TV special would reveal. 

*** of **** stars

The Pleasures of READY PLAYER ONE

Hi tech effects galore ramp up the fun in Ready Player One, a best seller adaptation by Steven Spielberg and an entertaining adventure in virtual reality featuring more Easter egg references than any movie in history.

Set in Ohio, 2045, The Stacks is a congested city of trailer homes literally piled upon one another where the only recreation is escape in a complex game of virtual reality set in The Oasis by recently deceased creator, Halliday (Mark Rylance), who leaves as his legacy, a supreme scavenger hunt challenge to locate three keys to win the game and inherit untold wealth and control of The Oasis.  Wade (Tye Sheridan), a teen whose avatar is a top competitor in the games, meets other gamers including a mysterious female competitor (Olivia Cooke), and together they try to decipher clues and archival footage of Halliday to solve the game and beat an evil corporation led by Sorrento (Ben Mendelson). 

Part of the fun is picking out the many pop culture references that are integrated into the plot as Easter egg visuals and sounds, with everything from King Kong to TV’s Batmobile, the Iron Giant to a big homage to Stanley Kubrick, and many references that lean heavily on 1980s icons. There are thematic influences of The Matrix, Wargames, Inception, and even a bit of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

This film is like cotton candy, sweet and satisfying fun with not too much substance.  But that’s ok.  It never loses sight of its storyline and throws in so much eye and ear candy along the way, this film will be watched repeatedly for its obvious and hidden treasures. Probably worth owning. 

*** of **** stars (Add ½* for pop culture fans!)

A WRINKLE IN TIME and a Missed Opportunity

Ava DuVernay (Selma) directs from an adaptation (Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell) of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved children’s classic, A Wrinkle in Time.  It is entertaining at times with likable performances, but the result is a mixed bag. 

The Murrys are a bright, loving family, but when scientist father Mr. Murry (Chris Pine) disappears, it creates an unsolved mystery and a hole in the lives of the children, Meg (Storm Reid quite good) and younger, brilliant Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe).  Three magical witches, Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) appear and help the kids (and friend Calvin) find their missing dad by guiding them via The Tesseract to another world and dimension ruled by a menacing evil called ‘It’.  But who can they trust, and how can they rescue Mr. Murry? Meanwhile, the evil of ‘It’ spreads across the universe.

While the film does a decent job of creating a colorful world with bizarre characters, the depiction of ‘It’ is disappointing (differing from the novel).   I wish the filmmakers had trusted in their characters more (as in portraying Meg as an outcast and heroine on a journey of self-discovery) and developed its theme of the power of love. At times, the film feels disjointed and awkward; some scenes are poorly shot and edited.

The ingredients are here for a good film with its talented cast, but the problem with this film is that it does not execute consistently.  It is possible audiences who have not read the novel may like the film version.  It’s one-half of a good film, but in the end, the book is better. 

**1/2 of **** stars (subtract ½* for fans of the book)

The Beauty and Horror of ANNIHILIATION

Told in a series of flashbacks, Annihilation is a science fiction tale of curiosity and terror with a strong female cast guided by talented director/writer Alex Garland (Ex Machina) who takes some new twists with the source novel as he continues to build a strong portfolio of wondrous, disturbing science fiction. 

A meteor crashes in the everglades near a lighthouse, and a mysterious shiny bubble called the Shimmer surrounds a section of the glades with potentially dangerous effects.  Is it an alien being or a weapon or invasion force? Why is it here, and what are the ramifications as it slowly grows?  Lena (Natalie Portman), a bioscientist whose husband (Oscar Isaac) ventured into the shimmer and has been missing for a year.  Desperate to understand what has happened to him, she leads four scientists and soldiers to find answers.  Each team member has her reason for going on what could be a suicide mission.  Venturing deeper, they encounter strange phenomena and the Shimmer’s effects on biological life and ultimately themselves.  As evidence of previous missions confirms their worst fears, the film takes a decidedly ominous tone as the group fights for survival even as the raw beauty around them masks a horrifying secret.   

The film takes its time unfolding its deliberately paced narrative as it shares its DNA with Alien, The Thing (1982), and the influence of David Cronenberg.  For purists, it plays like a big budget version of a classic Outer Limits TV episode.

By film’s end, it deals with the mysteries of love and the meaning of humanity and leaves room for more stories.  It’s a fascinating, imaginative piece of science fiction with an element of viciousness.

***1/2 of **** stars (add ½* for scifi fans)

THE FLORIDA PROJECT and Its Microcosm of Survival

The Florida Project, a low budget independent film with heart by director/cowriter Sean Baker, features genuine performances by a young cast anchored by the wonderful Willem Dafoe.

Kids living in a rundown motel on the outskirts of Disney World, find ways to cope and survive as they form a bond in a community amid hopelessness.  The nearby, colorful retail stores form an ironic backdrop, a counterpoint to the poverty. Bobby (Dafoe), a harried manager with a conscience, keeps the motel running; he is the voice of reason and tries to bring order to the chaos.  He chastises the kids for mischief and yet protects them when a potential pedophile approaches them.  Little Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her mom, Halley (Bria Vinaite) make the best of their situation. Halley loves her daughter and tries to shield her from the harsh realities of life even as she desperately cons, flimflams, and tricks her way to make a buck.  When social workers confront her mom and threaten to uproot her life, Moonee searches for a source of salvation.   

Much of it seen from the kids’ point of view, it’s a revealing look at this microcosm of a world with its myriad of unusual characters and situations.  Prince and Vinaite are very convincing as daughter and mom, but it is Dafoe who shines in support of the whole cast. It’s his best role in years.

The final, emotional scene is an inspired moment of fear, desperation, and one of hope. It elevates a very good film to greatness much as Places in the Heart and Planes Trains and Automobiles have final, transforming scenes.  Why this film was not nominated for Best Picture Oscar is a mystery.  Unforgettable.

**** of **** stars

Director Forman Tackled Adaptations to Acclaim

Director Milos Forman passed away at 86, and although he made a relatively limited number of films, he will always be remembered for his films of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Amadeus which won Best Picture and Director at the Oscars. In fact he took on the challenge of adapting other challenging source materials including Ragtime and Hair.

I remember there was a call for extras on the DC Mall for  the climactic shot in Hair. Hosted by comedian Robert Klein and music highlighted by Bonnie Raitt, my friends and I saw them film a musical scene that was actually used the film, and then we participated in the final crowd scene-so maybe, just maybe I am in there somewhere. The film was shown at our UMCP theater to great response; although not a big hit in general, college students loved it as did I. Great memories.

2001:A Space Odyssey Celebrates 50th Anniversery

It was April 2, 1968, when Stanley Kubrick's scifi masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered  at the Uptown Theater in Washington DC! Since my dad was an astrophysicist, he got an invite with his family! I was a mere nine years old, and this was not like any movie I had ever seen. I was so confused and even bored by its meticulous visuals and unorthodox lack of dialogue and structure. By the time the film stopped for intermission, (yes big films often had intermissions back then), I was dumbfounded. So we went back for the second half, and I was even more confused through the wild ending. It was not until I got the novelization of the screenplay (which ironically was based on an original book by Arthur C. Clark called Childhood's End), that I finally understood the film with its well researched science, imaginative themes, and Oscar winning special effects that helped make films like Star Wars and Alien possible and influenced a generation of filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. When I got to college and helped run the film program, 2001 was a regularly programmed staple on the midnight circuit.

The fact that fifty years later, the film still impresses with its visuals and does not seem dated, (a testament to Kubrick's vision), says a lot and is championed by such directors as Christopher Nolan. At a recent MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention, I had the pleasure of meeting the two stars of 2001, Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.  As we celebrate a movie milestone, it really is amazing how far films have come, and what a landmark 2001 has become and has played important moments in my life. 

2001 article