Red One (2024)

Genre: Christmas / Comedy / Fantasy
Directed by: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu
Running Time: 123 minutes

 

On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus is kidnapped by a black ops team. Callum Drift, head of North Pole security, has to team up with hacker and bounty hunter, Jack O’Malley, to locate the jolly man before its too late and December 25^th is ruined for the whole world.

This is such a fun movie. Sure, there is some silliness, but the filmmakers did a good job marrying the comedy and fantasy genre, sprinkling it with Christmas spirit in the process. It is entertaining. The cast is solid. Johnson and Evans especially make for a good on-screen team. Enjoyed this one very much.

Rating: ««««

Heretic (2024)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East
Running Time: 111 minutes

 

On a trek to find new converts, two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, enter the home of Mr. Reed, a recluse Englishman. Soon after entering his home, they realize that he might not be as nice of a man as they first thought.

I enjoyed this psychological horror movie very much. It is very effective in setting a mood and stirring up emotions in the viewer. And the dialogues are also well done. All the chatter about religion and beliefs is quite thought-provoking. It dragged in a few places, but, overall, very well done.

Rating: ««««

1995 (2024)

Genre: Franco / Biographical / Comedy
Réalisateur: Ricardo Trogi
Distribution: Jean-Carl Boucher, Sandrine Bisson, Claudio Colangelo
Durée: 120 minutes

 

À l’âge de 25 ans, Ricordo Trogi voit sa vie artistique basculer quand il est choisi comme participant à la Course destination monde, une émission de Radio-Canada qui l’amènera à voyager partout dans le monde pour produire de petits films. En Égypte, son périple sera ardu et le verra tout tenter pour tourner un film sur un sujet pas très évident : l’excision.

Ce film se veut la suite de la trilogie biographique réalisée par Ricardo Trogi : 1981, 1987 et 1991. Dans ces films, Trogi raconte son histoire à différents moments de sa vie. À mon humble avis, ce quatrième opus est son mieux réussi.

Vraiment, 1995 est un film solide. C’est drôle, c’est touchant ; on traverse toute la gamme des émotions en 2 heures. En plus, je suis à un moment de ma vie qui me permet de comprendre bien des nuances dans cette œuvre. Alors, disons que ce film tombe pile pour moi.

Note: «««««

Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Jason Hehir
Cast: Billy Corgan, Darlene Love, Baz Luhrmann, Priscilla Presley, Jerry Schilling
Running Time: 90 minutes

 

This documentary covers the rise to fame of music legend Elvis Presley, with the help of manager Col. Parker. It also delves into how, after having to go to Germany for military service, Elvis came back to a career of subpar musical movies and less-than-stellar songs. Then came the 1968 Comeback Special, on NBC, that would revitalize Elvis’ career. For once, Presley trusted his instincts. He was motivated and performed in the legendary way he was capable of when pushed.

This is certainly not the first documentary on any aspect of the career and life of Elvis Presley. That being said, it is one of the best ones in my book. It left me thinking: Man, what could have been, if the man had been better surrounded.

It was cool to hear from people who were close to Elvis, like his ex-wife Priscilla, friend Jerry Schilling and former work colleague Darlene Love. It was also interesting to hear from well-known fans, such as Billy Corgan, Bruce Springsteen and Conan O’Brien.

Jason Hehir did a solid job bringing all these people together to tell a very compelling story about this man who died almost 50 years ago, but that none of us have forgotten.

Rating: «««««

American Pie 2 (2001)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: James B. Rogers
Cast: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Natasha Lyonne
Running Time: 100 minutes

 

The five friends from the first American Pie movie have now been through their first year at college. As they come home, they realize that things have changed and that it is now hard to hold on to the past. In a quest to move forward in their lives, they rent out a Lake Michigan beach house for the Summer, with plans to close out the season with a massive bash.

This sequel is loaded with laughs, sexual shenanigans and crazy situations. I had not seen it in years, and it was really fun to revisit. It is a great movie to turn your brain off and relax. Watching it again has reminded me how much Eugene Levy is an absolute national treasure. The man is so funny as Jim’s dad.

Rating: ««««

The Warriors (1979)

Genre: Action / Thriller
Directed by: Walter Hill
Cast: Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh
Running Time: 115 minutes

 

A street gang known as The Warriors has to travel by various means from The Bronx to their home turf of Coney Island after getting framed for the murder of a popular gang leader named Cyrus. With a lot of angry gangs on their tale, and the cops, the Warriors have to find their way home.

This film is based on Sol Yurich’s novel of the same name. While it is a bit cartoonish and unrealistic, The Warriors have gained a cult following over the years, and with good reason. It is an entertaining flick. It is kept short. It is action packed. Some of the fight scenes are cool. Not bad.

Rating: «««

Of Mice and Men (1992)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Gary Sinise
Cast: John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Ray Walston
Running Time: 111 minutes

 

During the Great Depression, George Milton and Lennie Small are two farm workers travelling the country from job to job. George is quick-witted, while Lenny is big and strong, but mentally disabled. The best friends have a hard time keeping jobs, as Lennie, without any ill intent, always gets them into trouble.

This is the second cinematic adaptation of the John Steinbeck novella of the same name. It does a good job telling the basic story of the Steinbeck story, though a few liberties are taken in the film. The cast does a proper job. Everyone is truly believable. A fine little piece of cinema.

Rating: ««««

Conclave (2024)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Edward Berger
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
Running Time: 120 minutes

 

After the death of the Pope, the College of Cardinals has to go into seclusion for the papal conclave. Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence is put in charge of the proceedings, and, as the process wears on, he finds himself having to look into scandals and secrets, as personal ambitions are rampant among these men of faith.

This is a very smart film inspired by the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. The pace is slow and deliberate, but the film pulls you in if you let it. I loved how, with little cinematic touches, the filmmakers made these men of God feel so human.

Absolute kudos to Ralph Fiennes on his performance as Cardinal-Dean Lawrence. From his physiognomy to his posture, to his whole performance, he brought this character to life and made it feel real. A brilliant film that I loved very much.

 

Rating: «««««

Smile (2022)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Parker Finn
Cast: Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner, Jessie T. Usher
Running Time: 115 minutes

 

After witnessing the bizarre suicide of a patient while at work, therapist Rose Cotter starts experiencing the same supernatural presence her patient was complaining about before killing herself.

This supernatural horror film does a very good job setting a mood and an atmosphere. It almost lost me there towards the end, but, still, all the way through, I was hooked. Good acting and good directing.

Rating: ««««