Don't Get Mad...Get Even! "Going In Style"

Going In Style (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Dillon,

Directed by Zach Braff

The Story:

Joe (Caine), Willie (Freeman) and Albert (Arkin) are three lifelong friends who are heading through tough times, about to get tougher as their pensions are about to dissolve due their company being bought out. Desperate, and realizing they truly have nothing to lose, these 3 seniors decide that the best revenge would be to earn back what is being stolen from them by robbing a bank.

So I never saw the original from 1979, so there will be no comparison with that film here.

I will simply say that I quite enjoyed this film.

Absolutely love the three leads, and they are endearing and a joy to watch on the screen.

Whether the boys will get away with their scheme, you can't help but root for them.

I think there's more to it than just the characters.

There's enough distrust by the American people of banks and big business, you really don't mind seeing them get what is proverbially coming to them.

Of course, they'll have to also deal with a dogged FBI Agent (Dillon) who is hot on their trail and looking for any way he can nail the people responsible.

I had a great time, and I'm happy to give out a higher than average grade for this one.

Final Grade:  B+

Look Who's Back... "Now You See Me 2"

Now You See Me 2 (2016)  

Rated PG-13

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Jay Chou, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine,

Directed by Jon M. Chu

The Story:

The Horsemen (Eisenberg, Harrelson, Franco) are in hiding. Rhodes (Ruffalo) is doing his best to keep the FBI at bay, but with the Horsemen down a man, he sends a new recruit (Caplan) to join the team. Of course with Thaddeus Bradley (Freeman) vowing revenge from behind bars, it appears that the walls are closing in, and the Horsemen may have performed their final trick.

Well, that was fun.

I quite enjoyed the original Now You See Me a few years back, and it wound up being one of my favorites of 2013.

As with most sequels, it does not quite reach the lofty heights of the original, and NYSM 2 is no exception.

It's good, and if you enjoyed the first one, there's nothing that's going to stop you from enjoying this return engagement.

The illusions are fun, and even if you know how they pulled the trick off, they are executed very well and are fun to watch.

The cast is great, and while I'm not a big fan of Jesse Eisenberg, he meshes well with this group.

Caplan is a breath of fresh air to the team as she tries to fit in and find her role with the team.

Probably my biggest complaint is the double-duty of Harrelson in the movie. I think I would have simply preferred that he have a brother rather than a twin. There was no identity swapping required, so it seemed silly to me.

But still, good times, and I enjoyed it.

While this one won't make the best of the year, it was still enjoyable and I will likely add it to the library down the road.

Plus, if rumors are to be believed, there will be a Now You See Me 3.

I look forward to it.

Final Grade: B

Incorrect Title For The Start Of A Franchise... "The Last Witch Hunter"

The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Vin Diesel, Michael Caine, Elijah Wood, Rose Leslie, Julie Engelbrecht

Directed by Breck Eisner

The Story:

Kaulder (Diesel) led his men on a quest to kill the Witch Queen (Englebrecht) during the Dark Ages. With her dying breath, she granted Kaulder immortality so that he would be forever apart from his wife and children in the afterlife. Centuries later, there is a truce among the witches and humanity and Kaulder is the agent that hunts down rogue witches who would do evil and banishes them to a prison run by the witch council. But when his Dolan, # 36 (Caine) is attacked, Kaulder enlists # 37 (Wood) and a reluctant witch (Leslie) to help him save #36's life and stop the resurrection of the Witch Queen before it's too late.

It's nothing spectacular, but it's kind of fun.

Vin Diesel brings forth the beginning of another possible franchise and I already like this one more than the Riddick movies.

It seems to follow in the similar footsteps of The Brothers Grimm and Van Helsing, but takes the events more seriously than either of those films did.

That's not to say there isn't humor or a little heart to be found in the proceedings.

This time, instead of the usual vampires or supernatural monsters of the night, the focus turns to witches.

The movie will flash back to Kaulder's events centuries earlier, and even a few flash forwards to show what the world might be like if the Witch Queen isn't stopped.

Witches have been on the short end of the supernatural stick for some time, losing favor to the vampires and werewolves over the years, but this movie does a good job of showing what a formidable character witches can be.

It's a step in the right direction, and much better than watching sparkly vampires in love.

Final Grade: C+

Now That's A Spy Movie! "Kingsman: The Secret Service"

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Rated R

Starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson,

Written and Directed by Matthew Vaughn

The Story:

An underground spy network needs to recruit their newest member when one of their own perishes. Harry Hart (Firth) chooses Eggsy (Egerton), the son of the man who saved Hart's life years earlier. Eggsy is very rough around the edges, and not the gentleman spy that typically serves as a Kingsman, but Hart has high hopes. As the process of choosing the newest member moves forward, so does a credible threat from a multi-billionaire (Jackson) with nefarious plan to extinguish much of society.

I thought the film looked pretty good from the trailer.

It exceeded any and all expectations that I had, and will wind up on my Best of the Year list when all is said and done.

This one even gets a nod from the Mrs. as she not only watched it the first night, she sat through it again the next night when the kids moaned about having missed it.

That tells you the film must be pretty good.

And I have an extremely odd taste in what can be considered a family movie!

:)

Thoroughly British, utterly enjoyable, it's an updated take on the spy game that takes a lot of Bond and adds a dash of Bourne and spits out a wonderfully fresh and fun look at the world's 3rd oldest profession.

Give or take.

An amazing cast that has a blast with the material they are given is on display from the very opening of the film. If you think Colin Firth is only a dramatic or comedic actor, get ready for a revelation of Colin Firth: Action Star!

Seriously, he pulls if off in a way that defies any expectations you have of him.

Samuel L. Jackson appears to be having a blast as the villain of the film, and is both frighteningly evil and hilariously funny at the same time.

That said, hats off to Taron Egerton who gets to carry much of the film when Firth and Jackson aren't doing their things.

The franchise, should they choose to turn this into one, is his to enjoy for the next decade or more.

Vaughn, who notoriously stays away from writing or directing sequels to his work, is actually onboard for at least a second chapter of Kingsman.

Works for me!

Final Grade: A-

Much Ado About Nothing... "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Rated PG

Starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine

Directed by Frank Oz

The Story:

 Lawrence (Caine) is a big-time con man who lives on the Riviera, preying on the rich women who fall for his cons and shower him with riches. Into his life, and town, comes Freddy (Martin) a small-timer who has big dreams of conning his way across the Riviera. He tries learning from Lawrence, but the two just cannot get along, so they instead attempt one last con, and the loser must leave the beautiful town they are in.

Meh.

Surprisingly, I had never seen this film.

Released in the 80s, Steve Martin as star, you'd have thought I would own this one and watch it repeatedly.

However, you would be wrong.

Never got around to it.

Couldn't really tell you why, something about this movie never clicked with me.

So I see it available to stream this weekend, and think, now's the time!

Then boredom set in.

There's no denying Caine or Martin's presence in the film, but really, there just isn't anything that grabs me and makes me want to keep watching.

By the time they get ready to star the competition, nearly an hour has drug out, and there's still an hour to go.

I'm guessing that if you loved it then, you still love it.

As I have no affection for it, it strikes me as indifferent.

Ah well, c'est la vie.
 
Now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I waited a quarter of a century to watch it. It will be much longer before I do so again.

What Could Have Been... "Mr. Destiny"

Mr. Destiny (1990)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring James Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Jon Lovitz, Michael Caine

Directed by James Orr

The Story:

Larry Burrows (Belushi) is having a bad day.  As he is set to celebrate his birthday, upon taking stock of what his life has amounted to up to this point, he realizes that maybe it wasn't just a bad day, it's a bad life.  As he commiserates with a mysterious bartender (Caine) about what could have been...

He finds he's about to find out exactly how different his life would be if he would have made that game winning hit when he was just a little kid.

No matter how bad your life is, it could always be worse.

And sometimes your bad life, isn't nearly as bad as you could imagine.

Yep, it's another variation of It's A Wonderful Life.

And, it's a good one.

Yes, go back in time to an era when Jim Belushi was headlining movies, and you'll find this little gem of a romantic comedy/fantasy.

Larry begins to realize that many of the ordinary things that he takes for granted, like his wife (Hamilton) and best friend (Lovitz) would have been lost to him had he made that fateful game winning at bat.

Yes, he would have been rich, but he never would have been happy.

Sobering thought really, and very nicely done.

One of my favorites.

Closing in on 25 years, it still holds up and is still an enjoyable film to watch.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Absolutely adore this little gem.  It gets a spin every other year or so.

Not The Worst Television Remake Of All Time..."Bewitched"

Bewitched (2005)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine,

Directed by Nora Ephron

The Story:

Jack Wyatt (Ferrell) is on the ropes with his movie career.  He's had a few bombs, so he is hoping that a trip to the small screen in a remake of the beloved 60s sitcom Bewitched will be just the ticket.  But Jack wants to make sure he's the star, so the plan is to find an unknown to play Samantha and that way Darrin can be the focus of the show.  When he meets Isabel (Kidman), Jack realizes that she is perfect.  He's smitten, and she's cast.  However, what Jack doesn't know is that Isabel really is a witch, and she's got some ideas of her own.

So where did this one go off the rails?

Nearing the 10th anniversary of this film, and I gave it a spin again recently.

It was still cute.

No, it's nothing to set the world on fire or change cinema forever...

But come on, it wasn't that bad.

Perhaps it had a built-in hatred from audiences even before it was released?

After all, people complain about the bankruptcy of Hollywood ideas and the constant recycling and remaking of old properties.

Then you advertise that you are remaking Bewitched, and audiences hated it on principle alone.

Of course, it arrives with a twist, it's a remake within a movie, so it's very clever in NOT being a remake.

Add to that the clever notion that Isabel and her family are witches, and it should have been enough to appease the haters, but it failed.

Why?  Hard to say.

Ephron gave it her best as writer and director, and the cast is first-rate.

Kidman gives a spunky, humorous performance as Isabel/Samantha.  Even down to the nose twitch, she plays the part well.

Ferrell plays the ego-centric but mostly harmless Jack with his usual goofy, everyman charm.

MacLaine vamps it up as an aging Hollywood diva and Michael Caine plays pretty much himself.

Don't forget the delightful cameo by Steve Carell channeling his best Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur, and this was a movie that should've been better than it was.

It should've been better received and remembered.

Final Grade: C+/B- Range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: It's cute..it's sweet..it's harmless.  Perfect movie to watch on a slow night.

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Twelve: "The Muppet Christmas Carol"

There goes Mr. Humbug...

The Story:

The classic tale of Christmas redemption as written by Charles Dickens... with a Muppet twist!  Charles Dickens (Gonzo the Great) and Rizzo the Rat narrate the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) who is haunted by the ghosts of his dead partner(s), Jacob and Robert Marley (Waldorf and Statler).  Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and is haunted by what he sees.  Will it be enough to change the heart of one so miserly as Scrooge?

Well yes, yes it will.

Is it wrong that this is my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Unless you count Scrooged.

:)

But back to this version, yes it  has Muppets...yes it has singing...yes it has Gonzo and Rizzo  working narration...

But. It. Works.

It's magical, and I can't help but think of the tremendous legacy that Jim Henson left us when he passed away.

This, the first feature after his death (and the passing of Richard Hunt - Scooter) showed that the Muppets were in good hands with son Brian Henson at the helm.

And poor Steve Whitmire, welcome to the Muppet Family, please voice Kermit as Bob Cratchit in the first film since the voice of Kermit has passed away.

How's that for tremendous job pressure for your first gig??!!

Yes, the voice is different, how could it not be?  But it's still Kermit, the heart of the green frog we grew up with is still there.

From 1992, now 20 years later, this movie is still magical, and it gets watched at a minimum of once a year around this time.

I probably shouldn't like it more than my kids, but I do.  I grew up on the Muppet Show, so they are very much a part of my childhood, and I still love those guys.

It doesn't hurt that the storyline that the Muppets are tackling is one of the best stories, Christmas or otherwise, ever committed to paper by an author.

The deviations in the story that they take are either to make it work for the story or choice of Muppet (Waldorf & Statler) and the inclusion of Dickens and Rizzo was a stroke of storytelling genius that allowed for comic banter in an otherwise somber (and sometimes frightening!) story.

The musical numbers are all well done, and if you've only seen the version WITHOUT "When Love is Gone", then you haven't seen the film yet.

It's hauntingly beautiful, and you can't help but feel for Scrooge as you watch his heart break when he realizes what a mistake he has made in his life.

I could argue that it's Michael Caine's best performance, yes, ever, in any movie he's ever done.

Some would disagree and cite this movie or that...

But he nailed Scrooge, and I would rank his performance up against anyone who has taken on the role.

Don't let singing Muppets fool you, this is a great adaptation for the whole family.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it, and I have the version that includes the song. I hesitate to upgrade to Blu Ray until I know for certain that scene is in there, and not just included as a Deleted Scene extra.

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Underrated Gem of the Year? "Now You See Me" Fits The Bill!

Look closer...

The Story:

Four magicians (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco) all receive a mysterious summons.  One year later, the group, now known as the Four Horsemen are about to pull off an amazing trick in Vegas:  They're going to rob a bank.  Naturally, when they succeed, they incur the interest of the FBI (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol (Melanie Laurent).  If that wasn't enough, a former magician, now magic debunker (Morgan Freeman) is watching to see how they do it, and to prove that it's fake.

Got all that?

Good.

Sorry, this movie is flat out fun and entertaining.

I will not reveal much more than I already have, because what's the point of spoiling a movie about magicians?  Then you would lose all of the magic.  ;)

I was sold when the answer to the first magic trick in the movie was the same answer I said outloud.

I knew it was going to be fun after that.

All of the actors in the film do a great job.  Eisenberg and Harrelson take top honors as two of the Horsemen, but don't overlook the fine performance of Ruffalo as the one step behind FBI guy who is determined to solve the puzzle before the last act.

Also, don't underestimate the joy of having Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman working together in a non-Batman film either.  Both actors are in fine form and have some rather pivotal scenes throughout the movie.

I'll mark this one down as one of the more fun and enjoyable movies I've seen this year.

Let's hope the recently announced sequel is just as good, or better.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  At it's heart, it's a heist film.  I love a good heist film.  I hope to add this one to the collection!