Film reviews

Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice Review

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A long title and too many mentions of the name Nick…with mediocrity. A clever premise is attempted, but it is dry from the start. Written and directed by BenDavid Grabinski, the title itself has the characters in order. However, their dynamic feels like the writing was being done just as the filming was completed. I only say this, because so many moments seem like the characters are trying to establish themselves. The conflicts go on, and the film continues to jump back and forth in a blur. With just enough chemistry, the film still drags. Vince Vaughn plays Future Nick/Present Nick, James Marsden plays Quick Draw Mike, and Eiza Gonzalez plays Alice. The setup is an underworld of criminality going awry, and much of that is out of place.

The plot of the film is trying to find a rat—someone who has uncovered information, putting a criminal in jail. The two main criminals are Sosa (Keith David) and Jimmy Boy (Jimmy Tatro).  Mike, Nick, Nick, and Alice are also gangsters; however, they fly below the radar. The utilization of the other Nick and a time machine presents a conflict from within. Other than that, the film goes back and forth with trying to figure out who is responsible for causing an interruption in the organized crime-scene. The puzzle is witty along with the chemistry of Vaughn and Marsden, but the execution keeps missing its hoops to score.

The film is a suspense and a comedy that is entirely misconstrued. The setup keeps flowing back to Vaughn playing two different Nicks. That part is what tested my patience with Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, primarily because I thought there was going to be more to the mystery aspect. It ended up relating back to trying to find comedy in betrayal while at the same time, the continuity continued to be flawed. Marsden is probably the savior of the film, primarily because his humor and nice guy vibes are what kept on creating some promising elements to the film.

In a fair context, I felt like the film was Collateral meets The Hangover, as it has lots of violence and some gritty moments, but at the same time, it tries to party. Unfortunately, this “party” is a mess. Vaughn playing two versions of himself, a poorly written underworld concept, and too many holes leading to incomplete notions. It was still fun and comedic, but also just out and out poorly done. It does not know when to stop.

Mike &Nick & Nick Alice is not terrible, but it does bring on the boredom. The fun is primarily from the humor of Vaughn and Marsden, but it is not enough to save this film. The characters as the film’s title capture the attention, but then audience enters a door of unknowns.  Some may find joy in this espionage type-comedy depending on how open of a mind they have. I for onewas not sold though. I do give it credit for keeping up the quirkiness of having Vaughn as two Nicks. “Two Nicks” leads tothe rating of two out of four stars for Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice.

 

Film reviews

Palestine’36 Review

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Written and directed by Annemarie Jacir, a profound surrealism is conveyed with Palestine’36. A film about a heavy topic that explores every angle for its conflict. The politics, the different religions, ethnic groups, regions—they all collide in a world of opposing obstacles. With the setting in year 1936, the stellar and invigorating tone is in the drama that fuels the fire. The focus is on the British Empire taking control. It does not put forth efforts to calm conflict down. The struggle is for power and control, and those who are innocent fight to have power as well. The writing is where the context of Jacir is spellbinding with Palestine’36, as it strongly imparts the theme of never giving up.

I was invigorated from the start of the film. It begins with archived footage of Palestine, delivering the message that there are unsettled conflicts–many of which continue today. The presence of hardship and lands in agony stirred my mind. The film’s main character is Yusuf, and he is played by Karim Daoud Anaya. Yusuf travels to the cities in hopes that he can have better opportunities, because his home continues to be impacted by conflicts. The British Empire impacts his people, continuously harassing his family, and everyone around it. The politics surround the Jewish and the Muslims and those closest to the center of Palestine where there is the majority of unrest. The unfairness and suffrage are surreal in their portrayal from the mind of Jacir. She is not afraid to present how damaging the hardship is to this society.

With all the unfairness of lands and politics, there is one man that sees the lands as opportunity for resources. That man is Thomas, and he is played by Billy Howle. Thomas consistently insists that the land should be used for its natural riches. Sadly though, this leaves him in the middle. With him being British he is linked to the British Empire and its interests. The faith of Yusuf and his family do not have high hopes with Thomas. He may be saying the land can be of good use, but that also means displacing or eliminating more individuals who live there. Ownership comes with a cost for Yusuf’s family, but so does Thomas and the teams he associates with.

The diversity aspect is one that seems to be two-sided. In a context that shows that faith is not strong with all that surrounds Palestine’36. It creates an atmosphere of chaos for good reasons because those who live on their land have their livelihoods thereas well. The big boss on British end of it all is High Commissioner Wauchope, played by Jeremy Irons. His performance is one that has a hierarchy that feels untouchable, as he goes by the rules of his regime. Segregation is the powerful component here. That does not stop Yusuf from fighting for land that is continuously shrinking.

A vivid and compelling portrait of the Middle Eastern setting is one that is just jaw-dropping. Faith and restoration find their angles. Overall, Palestine’36 is a film that may be hard for some viewers; however, it paints the portrait to not hate. It also paints a portrait of an understanding of why governments made harsh choices. Triumphant and exhilarating. I felt overwhelmed, but my faith kept being restored in Yusuf’s continuing journey in the film. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Project Hail Mary Review

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A breathtaking space adventure that will blow the audience’s minds. An audacious book adaptation that feels like a new world of spectacular elements. Project Hail Mary is glorious with vibrant motions and beautiful colors. The experience is best had in IMAX. Based on the novel written by Andy Weir, the film is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They put theirminds together and succeeded in making space look captivating. There are many themes that are hard to dismiss in Project Hail Mary. Especially given the focus on astronauts, the world in space is clearly different than the world below. In the end, the film comes down to science and persistence.

Project Hail Mary is aimed at a science teacher named Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling. He wakes up in a space shuttle many miles away from home after being in a coma for years.His mission is to find a substance that is a threat to the sun. The threat is also a danger to the earth. Throughout the spacecraft he utilizes every inch of scientific resources. His life as a teacher is one of solitude filled with diverse challenges.

For Ryland, going home will take time. The direction of Project Hail Mary creates the sense that the space shuttle is the central environment. The cinematography and lighting have angles that make the atmosphere seem real. This film has the brightest and most shining space artistry that I have seen in a long time. The story and the subject of disconnect blended with science reinforces the realism of the film. The primary message in Project Hail Mary is to never lose hope. Faith does emerge in the adventures experienced in the story.

With scientific issues and other complex aspects being thrown into the mix, there is an unexpected element of surprise. Ryland befriends an alien-type creature who he gives the name Rocky. Actor Jamie Ortiz gives voice to Rocky. Ryland and Rocky work together to get home.  Their special friendship sold me. Finding a friend in space to travel with over many miles while creating memories was heart-warming. The confidence to make it home showcases the power of a wonderful friendship in Project Hail Mary.

Gosling is the king of space in this movie. He has a dramatic acting style which enables him to  play someone unprepared who is able to execute what looks to be impossible. Failure is not an option for Ryland in Project Hail Mary as he struggles through extreme hardships. Overall, this movie is a winner in terms of writing, science, and technology. The way it is presented makes the experience feel real. It is an incredibly audacious and vivid film that made me feel like I was floating into a new world of voyeurism. The IMAX experience enhanced the scenes in space and transported me to new world where I forgot everything else, but what was happening on the big screen. The vivid landscape was simply out of this world. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Project Hail Mary.

 

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