Killer Car Chases... "Baby Driver"

Baby Driver (2017)

Rated R

Starring Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Eliza Gonzalez, Jamie Foxx,

Written and Directed by Edgar Wright

The Story:

Baby (Elgort) is the getaway driver for a crime boss (Spacey). He's trying to work his way out of debt, one job at a time, hoping to buy his freedom. But when his girl (James) needs medical attention, Baby's got to go back to the one thing he was good at. Maybe with one more job, he'll finally be free, and can be with his true love again. Of course nothing can be that easy, right?

I love a good heist film, possibly more than many others do.

However, Baby Driver and I never really clicked.

Perhaps I listened to all of the other critical hype that made this out to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Meh.

:)

It was alright.

You know how in most movies, during a certain scene they'll give you a killer soundtrack to lay over the action?

Imagine that is done with every scene of the film, for 90 minutes.

Granted, yes, there are breathers in between the musical interludes, but that seemed to be the selling point of this movie:

We will make an action film that every action scene will have a cool song attached to it. We'll also do the same for much of the narrative as well.

Gotcha.

Now, don't get me wrong: the car chase scenes in this film are phenomenal.

However, once everyone is out of the car... that's when the attention begins to wane.

Or more specifically, when the supporting cast isn't featured, and it's just Baby and Debora.

Sorry,  again, just calling it like I saw it.

I also will not be one of the cool kids in the corner that's conflicted over this movie because Kevin Spacey is in it.

Kevin Spacey the actor is, was, and always will be, amazing.

Kevin Spacey the human being, he's got some problems.

I figure if I'm not going to overly praise a critical darling, I may as well go all in with my review.

:)

Final Grade: B-

I Promise It Will Not Leave You "Sleepless"

Sleepless (2017)

Rated R

Starring Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Scoot McNairy, Dermot Mulroney, T.I., David Harbour, Gabrielle Union, Octavius J. Johnson,

Directed by Baran bo Odar

The Story:

Vincent (Foxx) is an undercover cop who appears to be on the take with his partner Sean (T.I.). However when the drugs they stole turn out to belong to the mob, well let's just say they want their product back. If that isn't enough heat on his back, Internal Affairs is also coming after him because they think that he's a dirty cop.

Release this spring, if you blinked, you probably missed it.

However, in the grand scheme of things, that's probably okay.

Foxx is far removed from his glory days of Ray (2004) and Django Unchained (2012), but I'll never begrudge an actor from making a living.

I mean if Seagal, Van Damme and the like can still put out direct to DVD fare, who am I to judge?

That said, this feels like a direct to DVD release with a great cast bogged down with a pointless script that elicits too many unintentional laughs for the thriller it was trying to be.

Piling on to that was the "oh wait, let's throw a twist that they won't see coming" moments that are scattered throughout the film, it just becomes an exercise in willpower to stay to the end.

It's watchable, sure, but you can, will, and have seen better.

Much better.

Final Grade: C-

The Remake Will Come Out...Tomorrow... "Annie"

Annie (2014)

Rated PG

Starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Quvenzhane Wallis, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale

Directed Will Gluck

The Story:

You all know the hard-luck life story of Annie (Wallis). Well, bringing her from the depression of the 30s into the 21st century, now Annie is going to find her Daddy Warbucks in the form of entrepreneur Will Stacks (Foxx) who has decided to run for mayor. His campaign manager (Cannavale) swears that taking this kid in will boost his campaign through the roof. 

We'll see.

History of the movie from my point of view:

Announced - eyes rolled.

Trailer viewed - opinion changed.

Movie viewed - it was alright, it had its moments.

The update, overall, was not bad. The annoying red-headed girl is gone (except for a brilliant cameo at the beginning) as the story centers on a different Annie under the care of Hannigan (Diaz) and the other charges.

Some of the familiar songs are here, it wouldn't be Annie without them, and they get an update courtesy of the films producers like Jay Z and the like.

More of the film works than it doesn't, and the production looks like they had a pretty good time romping through a musical.

Wallis does great as the unknown who has to shoulder the burden on carrying 90% of the film, and she does a great job. She's cute, but not in an overly precocious or annoying way.

Foxx winds up with most (but not all) of the best lines and moments, but he plays very well opposite Wallis and the two share a wonderful bond onscreen.

Overall, if you like the story and want to see an update, you'll be pleased.

If you hate musicals, you'll probably want to stay away.

Though come on, Hard Knock Life is a great song.

Final Grade: C+

We've All Had Some "Horrible Bosses 2"

Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, Christoph Waltz

Directed by Sean Anders

The Story:

Nick (Bateman), Kurt (Sudeikis) and Dale (Day) return, but this time they have invented a product and they are going to be their own bosses! They pitch it to billionaire Bert Hanson (Waltz) and he loves the idea and orders a boatload of them. The boys get down to business creating the product, all on their own dime, but when they take the product to Mr. Hanson, he declines, having already created a similar product. The guys plot their revenge, and that involves taking Hanson's son (Pine) hostage and ransoming him so they can save their company. Of course where these guys are concerned, nothing ever goes according to plan.

Having been pleasantly surprised at how funny the original Horrible Bosses turned out to be, I was eagerly anticipating the sequel, and hoped it wouldn't be a disappointment.

Long story short, if you liked the first one, there is little doubt that you will enjoy this follow up.

It's rude. It's crude.

But hey, that's where half the charm lies.

Sudeikis is manic, and his delivery is just killer. Listening to him deliver his lines simply kills throughout the film.

Day was a revelation for me from the first film, as I don't believe I had seen him in anything prior to that. As the exasperated one of the trio, he and Sudeikis provide a whirlwind of emotions and delivery that allow Bateman to be "the sane one" in a series of insane moments.

This works, and doesn't make Bateman have to do all the heavy lifting like he does in some other movies.

It provides a nice balance between the 3 stars.

Aniston and Spacey return in brief, but memorable parts that help drive the narrative.

I could think of worse things to endure than the prospect of a third go-round with this group.

Final Grade: B

Does Whatever A Spider Can... "Amazing Spider-Man 2"

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Sally Field

Directed by Marc Webb

The Story:

Peter Parker (Garfield) returns to graduate from high school and move on to college.  After the events from the first movie, he feels that it is time to say farewell to Gwen Stacey (Stone) before something bad happens to her.  Ah, but fate is fickle, and with the changing of the guard at Oscorp, and a tragic incident involving Max Dillon (Foxx), Peter wishes he was only facing the Lizard this go round.

I don't get all the hate directed towards this installment, or this reboot.

I stand by my assessment that Marc Webb has created a much more coherent universe for Spidey to swing around in.

Garfield and Stone are head and shoulders more invested into their characters than Maguire and Dunst ever managed in their trilogy.

I've heard complaints that there were too many villains and the plot was too convoluted to follow, and again I must shake my head and wonder if I was watching a different movie.

Now, was it perfect?

No.  Marvel Studios had superhero perfection locked down this year with Cap 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Even the X-Men franchise got collectively better this summer.

A minor quibble, I've never cared for the Electro redesign or what they did with his powers.  I like the yellow and green costume, but that didn't totally derail the film.

So what went wrong with Spidey 2?

Here's my guess, and spoilers for those that haven't gotten around to seeing the movie yet, or have zero knowledge of what happened in the comics back in the 60s...

Gwen died.

It was haunting and poetic the way they worked it into the movie, and in the end it was indeed very well done.

However...

When you own the characters and are already able to diverge from the comic continuity to tell a great story...

Webb and the writers could have EASILY not killed Gwen, at least in this installment.  After all, it was nearly a decade in real time before Gwen died at the hands of Norman Osborne.

So as you see: 1) There was no rush to kill Gwen.  2) Norman's death immediately changed history so that Gwen did not have to get bumped off so soon, if ever.

This death would have been better served when it was time for Stone (and Garfield) to move on from the franchise.

This franchise had "date movie" potential for a superhero movie and by the 2nd of a planned trilogy, the rug is pulled out from under that idea.

That's just my opinion.  What's done is done.

Either way, I'll be back for the next installment.  I'm still digging this reboot way more than I ever did with Raimi's installments.

Final Grade: I'm still sticking with a B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'll pick it up one of these days.

Your Spoiler-Free Review: "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Rated PG-13 for comic book violence

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx,

Directed by Marc Webb

The Story:



Peter (Garfield) and Gwen (Stone) graduate and are ready to move on in the world.  But things between the two keep getting complicated, especially as Peter digs deeper into the mystery of what happened to his parents.  Before the movie is over, secrets will be revealed and the stage is set for the biggest battle Peter has ever faced.

In 2012, I reviewed the reboot of the Spider-Man franchise: Amazing Spider-Man  So impressed, it would wind up being the second-best superhero released that year, and # 2 on my Top 10 List of the movies of 2012.

Fast forward to 2014, and poor Spidey...

He's currently the 2nd best superhero movie of the year, behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Worse still, there's several more superhero movies on the horizon!

Bad news for Spidey...

Good news for comic book movie fans!

:)

So, if like me, you enjoyed the first Amazing Spider-Man, you're going to enjoy this sequel.

If you didn't, then I can't think there's any reason you'll want to see the sequel.  I mean, what movie fan goes back to watch sequels to movies they didn't really care for?

Myself excepted, of course. ;)

The main criticism I've read/seen on the latest installment:  "There's too many characters (I'm assuming bad guys) in this one".

My response...

Uh, no.

This plays out just like the comics.  We cut to different characters, different sub plots as the main story chugs forward to conclusion.  In comics, especially Spidey, he's enjoyed possibly the greatest gallery of supporting characters and villains of any franchise.  If you would argue Batman, that's about the only other franchise with the depth and greatness that I would concede on this matter.

This sequel reaches several logical conclusions in the continuing story in the life of Peter Parker.

It also sets up the inevitable sequel(s), to include the Sinister Six movie that is being mentioned around the web.

I can honestly say that my least favorite part of the film was the lack of Electro's costume.  I was a fan of the green and gold original.

Andrew Garfield continues to impress as Peter/Spidey.  Emma Stone is simply wonderful as Gwen Stacey.  Their chemistry is amazing. 

The effects are outstanding.

However, unlike Marvel Cinematic Universe offerings, you don't need to stick all the way through the credits.

Once you see the oddly placed X-Men clip... feel free to go.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'll be buying this one for Christmas and enjoying it with the family.

Today's Review Is Designed To Fly Under The Radar... "Stealth"

Stealth (2005)
Rated PG 13 for Language

Starring Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Sam Shepard

Directed by Rob L. Cohen

The Story:

The Navy has developed a fighter jet with an artificial intelligence running the show.  Teaching it the ropes are three of the Navy's best, Lt's Gannon (Lucas), Wade (Biel) and Purcell (Foxx).  But when lightning strikes the jet, the A.I. malfunctions and decides it must take out all hostiles.  Can the 3 humans talk some sense into their computerized counterpart before World War III starts?


Remember War Games and Short Circuit?  Mash the two together, and there you go.

:)

Okay, not quite, but that might have been more interesting than what we got.

And really, this film isn't really that bad...

It just wasn't as good as it should have been.

Josh Lucas does fine as the leading man, and perhaps of the 3, is the most believable as a great Navy pilot.

Does This Flight Suit Make Me Look Fat?

Biel suffers a similar fate to Denise Richards in a Bond movie, and she just doesn't seem that believable as a fighter pilot.

Then there's Jamie Foxx who rebounded from this one to snag an Oscar for Ray.

Does This Flight Suit Make Me Look Like An Oscar Winner ?

Shepard plays the human villain role, but his is more from a misguided duty than pure evil.

Most disappointing were the cheesy special effects.

No offense, but when a jet smacks into a mountain, don't go slow motion, it just really destroys the credibility of your movie.  Better to just hit it with an explosion than show a really poor model crumbling into a ball.

This is the 2nd time I've seen it since it was released.

I think I liked it better the first time I saw it and thought I would purchase it in the future.

Now?

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, future me has talked myself out of it. ;)

Tatum To The Rescue! "White House Down"

I get a feeling of deja vu...

The Story:

Cale (Channing Tatum) is a Capitol Service policeman attached to the detail of the Speaker of the House (Richard Jenkins).  But Cale is dreaming of working security for President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) to impress his daughter (Joey King).  Of course on the day he takes his daughter to the White House for an interview, well that's the day that some really bad guys decide to take over Washington D.C. and take the President captive.

And they might have gotten away with it, if only they would have left Cale's daughter out of it.

But they didn't, and now he's mad.

And he's going to get his daughter back!

Welcome to 2013, when terrorists taking over the White House is not the subject of one Hollywood movie, but two!

First was Olympus Has Fallen, previously reviewed right here on this very spot! http://talesfromthequeue.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-step-by-step-guide-to-overthrowing-dc.html  It's now also streamable on Netflix if you still haven't seen it, or would like to watch it again.

If that was "Die Hard in the White House", then I guess this go-round we're going for "Lethal Weapon in the White House".

It's the buddy cop formula as Tatum and Foxx team up for most of the movie trying to stay alive and one step ahead of those dastardly fiends that are trying to catch the President.

There was some good stunts, some funny lines, and there's nothing inherently wrong with this take on taking out the White House.

However, there's nothing really memorable here either.

In fact, this one actually makes Olympus Has Fallen seem better than it may have been in retrospect.

This one's a little too long, and a little too reliant on the daughter for too many plot devices, than it should be.

Probably streaming on Netflix in about 6 months, but for now you'll have to rent or buy it.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch it again, but wouldn't go out of my way to do so.  If it comes on cable or something and the remote is too far... ;)

Jamie Foxx as a Leading Man? Will Viewers Take the "Bait" ?

Not an Oscar Winner...

The Story:

Small-time crook Alvin Sanders (Jamie Foxx) is doing time next to a big-time robber (Robert Pastorelli) who stole some gold.  He's hidden it, and won't tell the Feds or his partner (Doug Hutchison) where it's hidden.  However, as he's suffering a heart attack in prison, he passes a message about the possible whereabouts of the gold.  Agent Clenteen (David Morse) decides to free Alvin from jail, and using some high-tech dentistry, he now has some bait out on the streets to either lead him to the gold, the partner, or preferably both.

A star was born.

Okay, technically, Jamie Foxx showed he could be a star in Any Given Sunday, but Bait was his chance to shine as the leading man...

And he does an admirable job.

He is solid as an actor, and he tosses off his one-liners with the best of them, keeping a light edge to an otherwise gritty thriller.

It is amusing watching him frustrate the Feds with his decisions as they use him as an unwitting accomplice.  He makes decision after decision that literally drive them crazy, and they pretty much want to kill him as much as the bad guy does.

Foxx has come a long way since then with his Oscar winning performances in Ray and his outstanding work in Django Unchained.

Want to go back and see where it all began 13 years ago?  Give this one a whirl again.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nothing earth-shattering, but it was fun to revisit after over a decade.  Holds up pretty well.

What In The Wide Wide World of Sports Is "Django Unchained" Doing Here?

How the South Was Won...

The Story:

Django (Jamie Foxx) is a slave who is rescued by Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a bounty hunter.  He needs Django's help identifying three bounties, and offers to give him some of the reward.  The two get along quite well, and Schultz takes him under his wing.  Django proves to be rather adept at being a bounty hunter, and asks for Schultz's help to find his wife ( Kerry Washington) who has been sold to a southern plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio).  The two pull off an elaborate scheme to get to attempt to buy her freedom, but there's a good chance not everyone will walk away from this plan unscathed.

Dear Quentin Tarantino-

I apologize to you on behalf of all of the things I've ever said about your movies.

I didn't enjoy Pulp Fiction, I'm not even sure I finished it, and was unimpressed with Kill Bill.

So I believe I added him to the short list of directors whose work I do not like, and therefore will avoid.

Then I watched Inglourious Basterds, and rather enjoyed it.

So I'm now in a conundrum, has Tarantino's work shifted over time, perhaps showing me a growth in his work?
Was I simply missing out on the greatness that people profess of his work, or was I just not feeling that great when I watched Pulp Fiction?  I do remember being sick that day...

Or do I only respond well to genre films from him, From Dusk till Dawn (horror), Inglorious Basterds (WWII) and now Django (Western) ?

I'm not sure.

But I really enjoyed this film.

Jamie Foxx did a great job as the slave turned gunslinger, and owned the role.  I read that it was designed for Will Smith, but he turned it down because he thought Django wasn't the main character, or because he doesn't kill the bad guy (DiCaprio) at the end.

First, I'm glad that Will Smith didn't take this role.  It would have been too hard to see the guy who grinned his way through Wild Wild West try and become a hardline bounty hunter.  While he can go dramatic, I think he's seen too much as the fun actor to bring the edge that's needed to this part.

Plus, he's wrong.

The REAL bad guy of this film is not DiCaprio.  It's Samuel L. Jackson's character.  Take him out of the equation, and everyone walks out of this film alive.

Never have I rooted for a character to get killed more in a western, and his death was spectacular, and well deserved.

Jamie Foxx works well as the star of the film by allowing everyone else to overshadow him, something that I don't think Will Smith's ego would allow.

One of those, Christoph Waltz is simply amazing in his role as Dr. Schultz.  This is his second Oscar under Tarantino's hand, and he deserved both, as he was the most mesmerizing character in both of those films.

DiCaprio goes full on Johnny Depp mode as the bad guy, and I think he really plays well as the bad guy.  It's a role very unlike him, and I think Tarantino brought out the best in his actors.  Reading the background of the film, they say he used a real glass and actually cut his hand in one scene so that real blood and anger were on his face.

Method actors, gotta love 'em!

: )

Finally, I would be remiss to say that I would like to thank Mr. Tarantino for balancing out two of the most gruesome scenes ever filmed (The Dog and the Mandingo Fight) by trimming their grossness, but also by putting in two of the funniest scenes not in a Western by Mel Brooks.

1) The first big shootout in Candie Land.  The guy screaming in pain as he was shot repeatedly by accident... sorry, that was just hilarious.  That whole gunfight was epic and well done.
2) The Regulators getting to ride, but first discussing their masks.  Hahahahahaha... that was so politically incorrect, it was awesome.


My hat is off to you sir, thank you for an excellent movie.

I may have to revisit your catalog and see if my initial opinion was wrong, or if we've just both changed over the years.


Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could be persuaded to do either.  Be advised, the film is rather lengthly (nearly 3 hours) but sure doesn't drag like it's 3 hours.