I Have No Idea..."November Criminals"

November Criminals (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Ansel Elgort, Chloe Grace Moretz, Catherine Keener, David Strathairn

Directed by Sacha Gervasi

The Story:

When Addison's (Elgort) black friend is gunned down while working, the police suspect possible gang activity. But Addison proclaims from the rooftops that his buddy wasn't into drugs, wasn't in a gang... and he begins his own investigation as to what really happened. All the while, he becomes closer and closer with Phoebe (Moretz) and she assists on his crusade for the truth.

Well, the trailer didn't seem that bad, so I figured why not?

Man, this movie wasn't sure what direction it wanted to go.

It's the most agonizing coming of age murder mystery angsty teen romantic dramedy you're likely to see.

But really, there's nothing to see.

I may have not been wowed with Elgort's big break, Baby Driver, but I would definitely watch that one again before ever bothering to try and get through this one.

It's a movie that continues to push the limits of suspension of disbelief every few moments, and each reveal just makes you shake your head like, "really"?

Great cast hampered by a movie that derails itself trying to be some ambitious movie that's about something, and ends up being nothing at all.

If you've got Amazon Prime, it's now streaming.  I'm pretty sure you can find something better to do with your time though.

Final Grade: D

Heed The Warning..."Get Out"

Get Out (2017)

Rated R

Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Marcus Henderson, Betty Gabriel, LilRel Howery,

Written and Directed by Jordan Peele

The Story:

Rose (Williams) is taking her boyfriend Chris (Kaluuya) on a weekend getaway to meet her parents (Keener & Whitford). There are a few odd things around the house that cause Chris concern, but even he is unprepared for the horrible fate that awaits him unless he can...

Get. Out.

Okay, I'm sorry, but this was not a horror film.

A thriller? Maybe suspense film?

Absolutely.

But when I think horror, this is not at all what I think of in a film.

There's a few parts that make you jump, but no, I'm going to have to say I was sold a bill of goods for one movie, and presented another.

That's fine.

It's like being told a movie is a comedy, and then not laughing.

As long as the film is a good one, I can adjust, no harm, no foul.

Just bad advertising.

That's where I'll put Get Out.

It's a movie I'm deliberately talking around, because I hate to spoil films for anyone that may not have seen it yet, even though I'm usually the last guy watching something.

:)

Otherwise, really good movie. Jordan Peele does a great job as first-time (I believe) writer-director for a movie that isn't a comedy.

Though yes, there is some humor to be found in the movie.

Kaluuya is phenomenal carrying the movie as pretty much 95% of the entire movie centers directly or indirectly around him.

Oh yeah, and not to scare anyone away, but the movie does tackle some weighty issues such as racism and classism, but not in nearly the "we have to hit you over the head with it" way that many films try and portray things.

Which makes this film the best kind of 'ism' film, escapism.

Final Grade: B-

"Enough Said" About This Relationship

Enough Said (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Catherine Keener

Written and Directed by Nicole Holofcener

The Story:

Eva (Dreyfus) is a divorced, single parent who works as a masseuse. She meets Marianne at a party, the two connect, and Marianne becomes her next client, and they actually becomes friends as well. Marianne does like to complain about her ex husband, a lot.  At the same party, Eva met Albert (Gandolfini) as well. No real attraction, but the two went on a date and began seeing each other, and they really seem to like each other's company.

Stop me if you can see where this is going.

:)


Now, just because we know who everyone is, doesn't mean that Eva does.

At least, not at first.

However, once she meets Albert's daughter and then sees her again at Marianne's house, well the truth is now revealed to Eva.

And once she knows the truth, Marianne's words begin to slowly poison Eva's relationship with Albert.

Will the two find true happiness, or are they as doomed as Albert's first relationship?

Great chemistry from Dreyfus and Gandolfini, and the relationship seems "real" thanks to the efforts of Holofcener to make the two seem like real people, having real conversations.

Kind of refreshing.

Final Grade: B-