By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times
April showers bring lots of new movies. Some are good; others, not so much. Here is the breakdown.
“The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1”
This faith-based series has been tearing up the box-office reports since it started, and, in spite of the “Part 1,” I finally decided to step into the fray to see what this is all about. The first thing I noticed was the level of filmmaking. It was really well done and extremely elaborate. The cast was huge, and, for the most part, everyone did a good job. It was a long film and, at times, felt like a long film, but it was still well done, and the audience seemed enthused. Grade: B+
“The Friend”
Bill Murray makes fleeting appearances in this movie that is really a Naomi Watts movie. Murray’s character is barely in the movie, but his presence is what drives it. He leaves a Great Dane to a friend (Watts), and we watch her navigate with that animal through the film. This is one of the best movies Murray has given us in 20 years. The interesting side note is that the dog in the film actually lives in the Des Moines area, and Murray himself was in town a few weeks ago at a screening of the film. Grade: A-
“A Minecraft Movie”
While I have heard of this video game, I had no idea as to what the film was about. That was true going into the film but also true as I was leaving. I can best describe it as a confusing mess. Jack Black stars in it, as does Jason Momoa. They go into a portal, where there are some of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. This is clearly not a movie made for a 67-year-old man. I sat confused for more than an hour and then politely excused myself from the theater. Grade: D
“Eephus”
Those of you who are not baseball fans should know that Eephus is a pitch that is thrown from the mound, but, instead of throwing at the plate, it is thrown high in the sky and it comes down over the plate, fooling everyone. We played with this pitch in Little League for years, as the kids (and parents) find it to be great fun. I went in to this movie cold, expecting maybe a documentary about the history of this unique pitch. What I got was a (too long) movie about a group of old men playing their last game together before their field is torn up and replaced by a major construction plan. Grade: C
“The Amateur”
Rami Malek plays a government intelligence office analyst. When his wife goes overseas on a business trip and finds herself in the middle of a terrorist attack, she is killed. Malek’s character takes things into his own hands and goes overseas to track down and punish the people responsible. While not a great film, Malick is such an engaging actor that you find yourself drawn in and cheering for his revenge. Grade: B+
“Adolescence”
This popular Netflix series is both heartbreaking and devastatingly sad. A young woman has been killed, and a classmate is suspected as the murderer. This is a powerful film that will tear your heart out and stomp on it. You will remember this series as one of the saddest you have ever seen. Grade: B+
“Warfare”
Based on true events, we see a platoon of Navy Seals on a dangerous rescue mission in Iraq. It is about as intense and harrowing of a movie as a person can take. The fact that it is a true story makes it even that more powerful, and ultimately, that much sadder. Grade: A-
“Sinners”
Writer/director Ryan Coogler has successfully worked with Michael B Jordan in several excellent movies including “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed” and the “Black Panther” films. Those movies alone brought me to “Sinners” with high hopes. Those hopes were dashed. Jordan plays both twins who return to their small southern community to open a honkytonk bar. They are flush with cash and will do what they need to do to make their dream a reality. Admittedly, it is a great set-up. Unfortunately, at that point the movie turns into a horror film — a very intense and bloody horror film. Also at that point, I mentally checked out of the movie but stayed to watch it spin out of control and into a literal bloodbath. This is not what I was expecting and not what I wanted to see. Grade: D
“The King of Kings”
In an effort to cleanse myself from the “Sinners” experience, I saw “King of Kings,” an animated film about the life and times of Jesus Christ based on a Mark Twain story. With major talent behind the microphone and unique animation, this is just what I wanted to see during the Easter season. What a great way to introduce kids to “the greatest story ever told.” Grade B+
I’ll be back next month with more reviews including “Accountant 2,” “The Thunderbolts,” “Lilo and Stitch,” “The Last Rodeo” and a little film titled “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.”
Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.