Film reviews

Arthur the King Review

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A film with Mark Wahlberg doing what he can to fulfill a dream is one that resembles a role that fits him faithfully in Arthur the King. With Wahlberg (in real-life) as one who works out consistently and so multiple times a day, the perseverance path of success is the enthralling fragment of Arthur the King. Its foundation has moments of repetition and faith along the lines of athletics and being a winner. The other half of the film tends to fall to a blur. The personality of Wahlberg’s character, determined and frustrated for achievements remains in staying persistent in Arthur the King. The film does have inspiration in terms of personality. It is just the pattern of connection in achieving a dream is not as patriotic.

The film is based on the non-fiction novel Arthur-The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home. Wahlberg plays Mikael Lindnord. Mikael is set to establish a dream of completing a race that is over four-hundred miles long along the Dominic Republic. A race of obstruction of treacherous dangers. Mikael believes that he can do this race. His wife Helena (played by Juliet Rylance) supports Michael’s dream. With Michael’s past of not having the best race results, sponsorship begins as a struggle for him. With luck though, his friend Liam (played by Simu Liu) teams up with Mikael and they do embark on this perilous adventure of a race—a competition of physical damage and many loops to complete. With the race having its moments of hardship and aggravation, a dog follows Mikael. The dog saves Mikael and his team from moments of dangers the dogs alertness keeps the endurance of Mikael to accomplish his ethics. Mikael names the dog Arthur. That is why the film is titled Arthur the King.

Once the dog enters the theme of the film, there is that interpretation that the dog is the full-on hero of the race. That is true in some circumstances. The approach of Arthur though, does not enter the film until later in the film…much later that the film even makes its audience forget that it is the title is geared on a dog. The film goes through the hurdles of the rough terrain of competition than emphasizing Arthur. The moving parts of adrenaline and endurance navigate the faith of winning over Arthur’s presence. Expect a lot more excitement from Wahlberg’s performance over having empathy for Arthur the dog.

The film is in the context of a race for sacrifice, and a race for connection. There Mikael finds empathy for Arthur in the moments of the dangers of the competition. I felt more empathy for Arthur over the film’s main character. That is more because I felt sorry by the lack of presence that is put into the focus of Arthur in the film. Too much Wahlberg finding his moments of achievement over the dog being the hero. The hero of the film is the neutrality of how its continuity flows. That is because with the lacking characterizations I found there must be praise for both the dog and Wahlberg.

The film does leave the trail of deep thinking. Who is more important? Mikael or Arthur? Who is a true hero making it to the finish line properly? There is not much of a king premise, more of a get through a situation premise. One that finds its components to think poetically and is rushed for an empathetic path. It does not do justice, but there is inspiration in the eyes of Wahlberg’s performance. Two out of four stars for Arthur the King.

Film reviews

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Review

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is one which crosses the line into mediocrity, yet somehow manages to nostalgia alive. A follow-up from Ghostbusters: Afterlife, this installment steps up the game of evil lurking through artifacts by employing loads of CGI. The characters loved by fans are back, and include Callie (played by Carrie Coon), Grooberson (played by Paul Rudd), Trevor (played by Finn Wolfhard), Phoebe (played by Mckenna Grace), and Lucky (played by Celeste O’Connor). These characters arenow considered alumnus of the franchise since their appearance in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The old-school alumnus (who add much necessary humor and quirks to the experience) are Peter Venkman (played by Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (played by Dan Aykroyd), Winston Zeddemore (played by Ernie Hudson) and Dana Barrett (played by Sigourney Weaver). Surprisingly, even with a cast this impressive, the movie has flaws which make it difficult for it to be memorable.

The film consisted of four writers including the director, Jason Reitman.  Joining him as contributors were his father, Ivan Reitman, Gil Kenan, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. I guess the compilation of writing is why the film is not as straightforward and nostalgic as I would have expected. The film begins in 1904 in New York. This introduction is familiar to the films in this franchise. It then jumps to the present where the family hunting ghosts returns. The team of Grooberson, Callie, Trevor, and Phoebe are all ghost hunters which causes some misbelief with their reputation due to their dynamics as a team.The newest trend with the ghosts features ice and snow. When an old artifact is discovered, it’s time to call Ghostbusters! With Peter, Ray, and Winston making appearances, the team has grown, but is skillful enough to take on the monsters of the snow? The film lacks in establishing a quality foundation, but manages to finds a way to detail the situation moderately well.

Philosopher Dr. Hubert Wartzki (played by Patton Oswalt) is part of a backstory which explains how the new monsters of ice and snow have come into the city of New York. Also, a third-party seller, Nadeem Razmaadi (played by Kumail Nanjiani), is also part of the puzzle. Many of his collectables are artifacts, but much of his collection hold secrets related to ghosts as well. Ray’s character and his experience with ghosts does help add to the story. The various moving parts are fascinating but tend to drag the movie down and cause boredom before the excitement of ghost hunting swerves into the picture.

The scenes with quirky humor boost the nostalgic feel of this film. The CGI also adds more in-depth visual interest to the film’s adventure of stopping one giant ghost. Truly, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is not amazing…partly because the lines of understanding seem unnecessarily blurred. The nostalgia provided by Murray, Aykroyd, and Hudson is where the film has its most memorable moments. As always, the ghost hunting is when this franchise shines. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

Film reviews

Road House Review

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Directed by Doug Liman and written by Anthony Bagarozzi, this remake of Road House begins its introduction with a promising setup. The film opens with the initiation of a fight scene. It takes place in a club with street fighting. Carter, played by singer/rapper Post Malone, is in the ring.  Dalton, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is his opponent.  Dalton is the new Patrick Swayze in this different type of remake of the 1989 version of Road House. Gyllenhaal and Malone are retro street fighting in Road House. Dalton may be a bouncer, but he has a past, an ego and a lot of attitude.

Dalton is the main character, and he is offered a job as a bouncer by Frankie (played by Jessica Williams). Franke is the owner of a bar called The Road House. Dalton is a former UFC Fighter, and accepting this job puts him in a place where he realizes his territory of risks are not as promising as they seem. The settingis in the Florida Keys, a place where paradise meets a questionable habitat. The luxury environment sets the stage forlaunching into uncharted territory…it is a lot for a new bouncer. Dalton begins to realize how his new situation leaves him opento all kinds of abuse from many strange characters.

The Road House is disorganized and unorthodox—a bar with frequent conflicts and a lack of positive energy. There is one who says, “It’s like the morgue in here,” and indeed it may be. That is because Dalton has got some vengeance with an attitude that is hidden. There is a conflict with gangsters where Dalton asks, “Before we start, do you have insurance?” That question is the voice of a man with a giant ego and a hardcore vision of destruction for a better cause…Gyllenhaal is superb. His other question after the first one is, “Is there a hospital nearby?” The hospital question leads to a climax where the audience will hope there is a hospital for its characters to get to. This outcome leads Dalton to meet Ellie (played by Daniela Melchior). She is fascinated by Dalton’s personality and traits of enthusiasm.

This version of Road House is one where there are always conflicts of dynamics…not only at the bar, but all around the Florida Keys. Soon, Dalton is the new talk of the town. His mainchallenge are the crime bosses, and they are Ben and Knox (played by Billy Magnussen and Connor McGregor). Dalton begins to realize how he encourages others around him to stand their ground more firmly with the odd characters throughout the town. This is a frustration for Ben and Knox, because they want to take over much of the property surrounding the bar.

The first arena of danger was in Missouri in 1989 where Swayze was the hero. The new territory is in the edgy paradise setting of the Keys with Gyllenhaal. Dalton says, “People seem a little aggressive around here,” and those words hold true throughout the film’s many moments of treachery. The storyline follows the good and bad times of this chosen lifestyle—a journey into both aspects that thrive vividly. To an extent, it is very blockbuster-like with its writing and continuity—it keeps going in the route of heroism, and that leads to much of the film feeling habitual. Gyllenhaal’s performance is eloquent—his role as a bouncer is mellow, soft-spoken, and he displays intensity. Magnussen’s performance is out of his league—he plays a criminal that thinks he has got power. However, it is not enough to take on someone like Gyllenhaal as the new bouncer and a popular newcomer to town. Knox though, is the most lethal enemy.

The gangster atmosphere is what sold me with Road House—no matter where Dalton goes, there is always a treacherous trap awaiting. Are Dalton’s hidden days of being a pro-fighter enough to protect the ones around him? I do give the film credit for its suspenseful dynamics, it just does not execute them withthe brilliance one might expect. Gyllenhaal played a boxer in Southpaw in 2015 and returns to a role of a former boxer turned bouncer…with a lot more vengeance to release. The criminalelement is a blur, with the use of overrated actors that do not fit the theme of harsh bad guys. However, Gyllenhaal in roles with a boxing background is where his dramatic characterizations give his performance the fulfilling impact of unfettered rage. Basically the story of a bouncer in a world of mayhem that continues to feel rhetorical. Two out four stars for Road House.

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