I went in with mediocre expectations for Shaft and that is because Samuel L. Jackson already starred in another Shaft film directed by John Singleton back in 2000. This Shaft movie is directed by Tim Story and is not all that good. Now, I am not someone that completely bashes a movie if I really dislike it.  I am, however, someone who will elaborate on what to expect and explain why I believe a movie is poorly done. This Shaft movie does have the music, the raunchy language, and the right filming location, but honestly the film is just silly. Jackson does stay in character playing the son of Shaft Sr. (played by Richard Roundtree who is the true Shaft actor), but no one can play him as well as Roundtree could. Still, I am glad that Roundtree is still in the game with the movies (even though they are not all that great). Then there is JJ Shaft (played by Jessie T. Usher) and he plays the son and grandson of both Shaft Jr. and Shaft Sr. He does well in this film, but it doesn’t make up for the movie’s overall low quality.

The plot involves JJ Shaft playing a data analyst for a FBI branch in New York. He has a good buddy that dies due to gang activity and wants to figure out what happened to his friend. JJ comes to realize that since his father is Shaft Jr., he may be able to use him for support. While they have been estranged from each other for a long time, they decide to get back in the game. However, JJ is not like his father at all. He tries to avoid violence and offensive language, but his father is all for that and so is his grandpa. This film basically becomes a search party with the Shaft guys involving plenty of drugs and criminal behavior.

Now, I did find myself laughing throughout most of the movie.  Upon reflection, I determined that my laughter was more for the offensive language than the violence. I find that this Shaft movie was trying to be too much like other cop comedies ranging from The Other Guys (2010), 21 Jump Street (2012), 22 Jump Street (2014), and a variety of other quirky authority comedies. This one, however, is just at the bottom of the list for me. Mainly because it does not feel original. The 1971 Shaft was unique and watch-worthy, but this one drags with very few memorable moments.

In conclusion, I am giving Shaft the star rating I believe it deserves on my scale of stars ranging from one to four.  I rate this Shaft film at two stars. That is because I found some clever moments in it, but it still lacked in the overall plot and relied too heavily on using the old 70s Shaft language and music. This film was trying too hard to make it feel like we were watching Shaft way back from 1971which I look forward to watching again soon.

From director Jim Jarmusch, The Dead Don’t Die is a film that contains many of Jarmusch’s filming elements including moments of silence, places of solitude, and people who are wrapped up in aggravation. The Dead Don’t Die is a clever, witty, and creative dark comedy that features characters who are trying to get by with the zombie apocalypse around them. Now, the movie is not like those zombie movies with tons of shootings like Dawn of the Dead (2004), Zombieland (2004), or Land of the Dead (2005). The film is Jarmusch’s Paterson (2016) just with some zombies thrown into the mix of the main conflict. In fact, the characters act like the zombies roaming the places where they live is normal. The lack of suspenseful music and the quiet tone makes the movie unique in the zombie genre in which most zombie movie fans expect violence and suspense related to a struggle to survive.

The Dead Don’t Die features Cliff Robertson and Ronnie Peterson (played by Bill Murray and Adam Driver) who portray police officers in a fictional town called Centerville. They are both quiet and are bored with being police officers. That is until they come to realize that some zombies are in town, and that they can pose danger to those that live around Centerville. However, everyone views the zombies to just be an annoyance which disturbs their peace. We are introduced to Farmer Miller (played by Steve Buscemi) and he is someone who is negative and impatient. Later, Hank Thompson (played by Danny Glover) comes into play and he is someone that is just a local. Finally, there is Zelda Winston (played by Tilda Swinton) and she views herself as a sensei and has a samurai sword. Each character that Jarmusch has chosen to be in The Dead Don’t Die has a rather strange hobby or habit that is incorporated throughout the movie. The pro side to the strange hobbies or habits is that they can hopefully keep them safe in the zombie war ahead of them.

Now, I have read many reviews and some have said this movie is boring.   Well, it may be for some, but if people know Jarmusch, they would understand why he made the film the way it is. He is not a man about blockbuster hits, he is someone that is big into the independent movie scene. The Dead Don’t Die it is probably one of the first zombie movies to be this mellow. I found the mellow moments in the movie to be an element which can help viewers understand the types of attitudes the main characters portray outside the zombie apocalypse. Some are just normal people with a solid life, and some have odd hobbies. The funny part about all of that is they are not concerned that their world is reaching the end when it comes to zombies. That is how most zombie movies are although over the years different directors have tackled a variety of different plots with zombie films.

I figured that The Dead Don’t Die would not appeal to everyone and that people are probably going to have mixed opinions about this zombie movie. I enjoyed it and am glad that it was not a film trying to be the Dawn of the Dead films or anything like that. It is a film in its own setting, but with zombies being treated like they are regulars or pedestrians, and the way to avoid them is either by killing them or ignoring them. Jarmusch went from directing a film about a bus driver who writes poetry and transitioned his artistic filmmaking in a similar quiet style to a movie with some zombies thrown in.  I give The Dead Don’t Die three and a half stars, because it is both creative and unique instead of being overly violent and filled with offensive language like most zombie movies.

I am fond of movies that gear on the world coming to an end, especially when the goal of the film is to be heartfelt, witty, and silly. The Tomorrow Man is that movie with those exact three qualities. The film has an odd premise, a boring environment, and focuses on a man who is not on board with the advanced technologies that people are using today. The film’s focus is on Ed, played by well-known actor, John Lithgow. Lithgow is mellow, funny, and laid-back as he usually is in his films or shows. The Tomorrow Man is not very memorable, but it is a charming flick about a man in fear of the world ending one day while he is still alive.

During the movie, Ed spends his days gathering food and supplies for a disaster that may never happen. He is in solitude almost all the time, but that changes when he meets Ronnie (played by Blythe Danner). Ronnie works in a store and is not sure what she wants in life. Ed makes a connection with Ronnie, and they start to become close friends and invite each other into their lives. They watch movies, go on small dates, and share their lonely lives together. However, Ed is still holding onto his belief that a disaster may occur and that he needs to be ready for that. Ed also has some estrangement issues with his son Brian (played by Derek Cecil). Ed and Brian have had many problems over the years. Most stem from Ed’s OCD behaviors related to his belief that the world is coming to an end and how Ed believes to an extent that the way the world operates is wrong. Both father and son have very different opinions about why they feel they are right. Ed does not give up on his family, even though he is obsessed with the world ending. He wants to make things right with both Brian and Ronnie. In The Tomorrow Man, the world ending is not the primary focus, but actually is on connecting again. It is centered around what sitting in solitude can do to an individual (especially one that lives in a small town).  Throughout the movie (even though it does tend to drag), Ed begins to slowly rebuild his social life. He does so by visiting stores and making friends with people in public in addition to building his relationships with Brian and Ronnie.

For Lithgow, it is always enjoyable to see him as someone who displays a positive message and is rarely angry. In the Tomorrow Man he has some mixed emotions but still wants to show that he has confidence with his own self and those he cares about. Even though it may seem people in his family resent him for his beliefs, he does not act rebellious or mean about that. In those moments, he is heartfelt and genuine. Lithgow plays a man that wants to live his life, but not let it impact others. Danner’s character is the same way, but she is more social than Ed is. That is because she interacts with people in a store most of the time. Lithgow’s character only goes out when he needs to get something done, or if he wants to. Lots of his time is spent in his home being introverted.

For Noble Jones, this is the second movie that he has directed. His first one was 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads (a documentary that focuses on music). After directing his first documentary, he was a second unit director for David Fincher’s The Social Network (2010). Jones has a bright future ahead of him. Now I would not define The Tomorrow Man as brilliant, but it is a dark comedy that is thought-provoking.  It depicts what it is like for people who withdraw from society due to obsessions or fear.  During The Tomorrow Man I laughed at many moments, yet there were other moments that I almost wanted to cry.  This was due to the outstanding performances by Lithgow and Danner.  Through their roles, they send messages about how to appreciate life and not envy others, but instead to be be thankful for the positive  aspects of our own lives.

The Tomorrow Man is good for those who are looking for something that will bring some happiness to their day. It is a ninety-minute ride of despair turning into something wonderful. People are let down and eventually come to their senses for forgiveness. People are opinionated and come to realize that their opinions have impacted the ones they love.  And, Lithgow and Danner find a real and meaningful connection. The Tomorrow Man has a door waiting to be opened for its viewers that is remarkable. Therefore, I give it three stars.