Movie Review Madness - Aquaman

 Aquaman is eye-popping entertainment and cheesy fun. Jason Momoa is a big man with a big heart, a head of wavy hair, and a twinkle in those eyes. He’s in on the joke and has a smashing good time underwater or on dry land. It’s time for him to rise above his mortal means and join in to help Atlantis. It’s been his destiny all along.  In back story, we see him learn swim skills, trident skills, and more from Willem Dafoe. It was summer camp for the kid. He also is loyal to his mortal father and honors the memory of his mother (a fishy Queen Nicole Kidman).

Other members of the cast – Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren – offer a swimming stew of friendship, revolt, power struggles, jealousy, and more. The key to survival for underwater Atlantis and the surface world is the Trident of Atlan. Aquaman’s quest to find it and put it to good use is fun and the plot weaves in and out of seaweed, fish, and seahorses carrying underwater knights.  The movie effects are well done as life bobs along in the water – bubbles, waves, and more.

Jason Momoa carries this movie and is a worthy addition in the DC pantheon. He swaggers, grins, and can hoist a Trident above all others. No need to hold your breath for too long. Treat yourself to a huge tub of popcorn and dive into Aquaman, the movie. 

Movie Review Madness: A Most Wanted Man

A Most Wanted Man is based on a John Le Carre book. I should know by now – it’s going to be slow, ploddingly methodical, and well-acted. Did I mention slow? I don’t think I’ve ever made it through a whole Le Carre book. He’s a famous author and they keep converting his books into movies, but they are rather boring, in my humble opinion.  Hamburg, Germany is the setting and the sun never seems to shine. A secret group of German spies are following a rich Muslim man – they are convinced he’s moving money from legitimate charities and businesses to a sea freight company that is a front for terrorist work.  

Then a Russian/Chechnya man named Karpov shows up in Hamburg. His history is one of prison and possible terrorism. Somehow Rachel McAdam as a lawyer takes him as a client. Her goal for the social service she represents is to get him asylum. He wants to give away his late father’s money that’s housed in a German bank – Bruhe Brothers. Willem Dafoe as Thomas Bruhe is approached by the spy group to manipulate Karpov and ultimately get the goods on the Muslim man. Sound convoluted? It is.  

And the whole time, the head spy, Gunther (played brilliantly by Philip Seymour Hoffman) sighs deeply, lights cigarettes, pours whiskey into his breakfast coffee, and tries to stay ten steps ahead of the Americans (an always sharp Robin Wright) and the regular German authorities. Gunther, so disheveled, plays the spy game well and wants to work a legitimate deal. He learns to believe in McAdam’s work and is convinced that the young Karpov is not seeking trouble. He wants to be free to begin his life anew. But it takes a long time to establish the cross, double cross, and WTF climax.  

That’s the problem with A Most Wanted Man. You want to know what’s going to happen. You enjoy the acting (the late Hoffman is just so good and you feel sorry he’s gone),  and yet you look at your watch, waiting…..and waiting…and then, poof, it’s over. Spy work is slow, plodding methodical, and sloooooooooow.

Movie Review Madness: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green has been a young adult fiction phenomenon. The movie version starring Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster and Ansel Elgort as Gus is a worthy film. It’s sharp, sad, plucky, gutsy, and the key to these teens’ lives is to not just be oblivion. They want to matter and they don’t want their cancer to define them. Yes, these kids have cancer. No, that’s not the point of the movie. The point is ultimately teen love, heart, and sheer living with every fiber.  

Shailene Woodley continues her streak of tremendous acting. She’s so smart and so real – her Hazel is snarky, wise, and a passionate girl who has lung issues that can kill her. Gus – so wise, full of soul, and yes, he’s darn cute – has a bone cancer that took his leg. But he’s strong and sees the glow of Hazel. My review is gushy because this is such a great movie. Lots of laugh out loud lines and moments. Even during some tough breathing times for Hazel, she’s spunky. That’s the key. While her mother (played by a very good Laura Dern) tells Hazel to make friends, it’s only out of concern. The mom wants Hazel to be sorta “normal”, and embraces Gus. He infuses Hazel with energy and indeed some normalcy.  

Hazel and Gus are obsessed with a book by a Peter Van Houten called The Imperial Affliction. It’s like a defining cancer fiction story. Gus uses his “make a wish” to take Hazel and her mother to the Netherlands to meet Van Houten. He (played by Willem Dafoe) is a total jerk, but that’s rather key to the movie. It strengthens the kids’ relationship and also defines the issue of living with cancer. They also visit the Anne Frank home and that’s very powerful as Hazel lugs her oxygen up a zillion teeny steps. 

All in all, the movie is a faithful rendition of the book. Bring tissues. I won’t say more about the plot. The Fault in Our Stars has depth, great acting, and lessons that don’t pound you over the head, but should be embraced.  See the movie, sniffle a bit, and then enjoy life, breathe deep, run, love, and avoid oblivion.