Time To Enlist..."Dad's Army"

Dad's Army (2016) 

Not Rated

Starring Bill Nighy, Toby Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Gambon, Bill Paterson, Tom Courtenay, Blake Harrison, Daniel Mays,

Directed by Oliver Parker

The Story:

The small town Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard is patrolling their town and keeping everyone safe from Nazi intruders during the closing of World War II. Under the leadership of Captain Mainwaring (Jones) and Sgt. Wilson (Nighy) they keep their motley band as ship-shape as possible. However, with the threat of a Nazi spy infiltrating their town at the same time a lovely journalist (Zeta-Jones) arrives, the crew will have to really mind their manners if they don't want to spoil the D-Day mission!

As I was completely unaware that this is a remake of the beloved late 1960s BBC comedy of the same name, I have no comparison with which to make between this movie and that show.

Which means, unlike that segment of the audience, I quite liked this film.

Those that were familiar, well, they pretty much savaged the very existence of this one, whether it seems they saw it or not.

So apparently Americans aren't the only ones who hate remakes of their childhood favorites.

:)

Anway, the movie is humorous, not gut-bustingly funny, so plan your viewing accordingly.

It's a slow, deliberate build and you can pretty much figure out what is going to happen and when, but it's still an enjoyable experience.


Final Grade: B-

"I, Frankenstein" Brings You Up To Date On The Creature

I, Frankenstein (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Bill Nighy, Jai Courtney

Directed by Stuart Beattie

The Story:

The Creature (Eckhart) is immortal. He buries Dr. Frankenstein in a graveyard but is attacked by demons. He is rescued by Gargoyles who are actually angels on earth to help keep the demons at bay. They ask him to join their ranks to fight evil, but the creature refuses. Centuries pass and now the demons are working on perfecting Dr. Frankenstein's formula to create an army of the immortal dead. It's time for the creature to choose a side.

Well, that was something alright.

You think you're getting a tale of the Creature, and he falls smack dab into a centuries old battle of good vs. evil with demons and angels.

Not a bad direction, really.

It's reaching for the stars and trying to tell an epic tale.

However, it plays it too straight to be B-Movie horror fun yet not epic enough to be a sweeping fantasy tale.

It winds up as an average film that fine for a viewing, but the odds of watching it again or hoping it's the start of a franchise diminish before the credits are over.

But, at least I went the entire review without commenting on Jai Courtney's lack of charisma.

Oops.

:)

Available to stream on Amazon Prime as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

It's Franchise Time! "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tina Desai, Celia Imrie, Tasmin Greig, Richard Gere,

Written and Directed by John Madden

The Story:

Sonny (Patel) returns with his sights set on marrying Sunaina (Imrie) and expanding the hotel to a second location. Naturally, before he can get the kind of funding to be backed by a chain, they need to send an undercover inspector to the hotel to see what the Exotic Marigold is like. However when two guests arrive (Greig & Gere) mistaken identity ensues and Sonny runs the risk of losing everything, including the woman he loves.

And really, this is Sonny's movie.

Where he was the heart that held the first (and superior) Exotic Marigold together by weaving in and out of the stories of the retirees that came to his hotel to spend their golden years, his story now takes center stage and the rest of the cast is given a little to do, but nowhere near the substance they enjoyed in the first film.

The biggest conundrum, you want Sonny to succeed in both the hotel and the wedding, so the conflict they have to foist onto the story seems almost eye roll worthy. Sonny is too likeable and Sunaina too sweet for them not to be together, so you never really worry that the wedding could fall apart.

The question is simply how will Sonny get the other hotel, and you'll probably figure it out before he does.

Not as good as the first, but not a bad revisit with some old (ha!) friends.

My advice though, never put the words "Second Best" in your movie title.

You're simply asking for trouble at that point.

Final Grade: B-

It's About Finding Love... "About Time"

About Time (2013)

Rated R for language

Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

Directed and written by Richard Curtis

The Story:

Tim (Gleeson) learns from his dad (Nighy) that the men in their family have the ability to travel back in time.  Tim attempts to do just that, and finds that yes indeed, his dad was right.  So Tim is out to find true love, when he meets Mary (McAdams).  It will take some doing to get that meeting just right because like any time travel story, if you tinker just a little bit, you face repercussions.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film.

Curtis has given us Notting Hill and Love Actually among others.

So yes, a good romantic comedy was probably coming.

And it is.

But so much more.

As the film unfolds, subtly, it becomes about a love between a father and son.

When Tim learns of the limitations of what time travel can do, it sets up an emotional finale that will put the proverbial lump in your throat.

McAdams and Nighy do their usual perfect roles, but I was impressed with Gleeson.  This is the first starring role from him that I am familiar with.  He comes across as very charming and fun.

He's the new Hugh Grant.

Yes, that's a great compliment.

I also thought to myself as I watched it, that while I don't watch the show, this guy seems like he would make a great Doctor Who someday.

We'll see.

My only real complaint with this film was the rating.  I think the overall audience and reach of this film could have been greater with a PG-13 rating and dial the language back a notch.

Just my take.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would be willing to watch it again.