Hi friends! I have some quick updates to give you and then will be writing my longer review of Dune: Part 2 in the next couple of days. If you want to see my out of theater reaction click here:
Drive Away Dolls-
As an esteemed moviegoer and film critic I have a confession to make. I am extremely mixed on the Coen Brothers especially their comedies. Of course, they have their classics like Raising Arizona and O Brother, Where Art Thou? but especially some of their more recent stuff really falls flat like Intolerable Cruelty, Hail, Caesar! and Burn After Reading (I know these movies have their fans. I am not one of them.) Now we have Drive Away Dolls which is just from brother Ethan Coen and it’s another big comedic misfire. I was pretty excited going into this raunchy comedy having enjoyed the trailer and left feeling really disappointed.
The main couple played by Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan have their moments and could have chemistry in another film but most of the jokes felt really played out and often only included for shock value, which becomes less shocking as they are repeated again and again. In many ways this felt like a movie of favors. Lots of famous people come in and out of the story but aren’t given much to do with few laughs being delivered. It feels like Ethan called up his friends but then the creativity stopped there and I frankly would rather hang out with my own friends than spend time with these people. For my more sensitive readers this one is a hard R but they don’t do much that’s exciting or creative with that raunchiness. It was just not for me…
4 out of 10
Frown Worthy
Upgraded-
I’m always happy when I see a new rom-com is coming out even if it is just for streaming (this one to Amazon Prime which released my favorite movie of last year Red White and Royal Blue.) Upgraded is a pretty basic The Devil Wears Prada copycat but it’s pleasant enough for fans of the genre. Camilla Mendes plays Ana, a young art gallery assistant who is trying to make a name for herself in New York City. She gets a job with Marisa Tomei and then they are zipped off to London where she meets handsome William (Archie Renaux.)
A little of Tomei’s character goes a long way and we get a lot of it and most of the work related stuff feels very played out; however, Renaux and Mendes are charming and it’s fun seeing London. This is no masterpiece but I smiled while watching it. If you like the genre give it a try.
5.5 out of 10
Smile Worthy
Ordinary Angels-
I always try and judge films for both my overall enjoyment and how well does it succeed in being what it’s try to be. In other words, if the movie is clearly geared towards little kids than does it meet those audiences expectations. Sometimes I have to guess what that audience will enjoy (especially when watching horror movies for example) but I at least try to put films in their proper context.
With Ordinary Angels the team behind it includes the Erwin Brothers who have the strongest resume of faith-based films working today as well as director Jon Gunn who made solid genre entries like I Still Believe, American Underdog and Jesus Revolution.
Fortunately you can count Ordinary Angels as another win in their filmography. This is a very satisfying faith-based film that is honestly pretty light on the faith aspects and presents compelling characters with a story that is easy to root for. Hillary Swank leads the film playing Sharon a woman who becomes determined to help a little girl get the medical care she needs. Alan Ritchson is also strong as the little girls Dad as are all the child actors involved.
Of course, it has its cheesy moments but that’s to be expected in this type of film. I just appreciate it had flawed characters that we see learn and grow and the evangelisms is kept to a minimum. If this is the future of the faith-based genre sign me up! It’s definitely a step in the right direction.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
So there you have it! If you’ve seen any of these let me know what you think and happy moviegoing!
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