5/17/18

Deadpool 2

A couple of years ago Ryan Reynolds surprised Hollywood suits with the unexpected success of his R-rated Superhero comedy. Naturally they have been eagerly awaiting another surprise. Directed by former stuntman David Leitch ("Atomic Blonde") working from a script by a committee of writers, this R-rated sequel only goes to disprove that old adage about the impossibility of catching lightning in a bottle. This lightning is vulgar, profane, irreverent, violent, bloody and rude, and yes, they've caught it.

Part of Leitch's cast:
  • Ryan Reynolds ("The Hitman's Bodyguard") Wade / Deadpool has hit bottom once more but that seems to be where he works best. Although he still fights for what's right, he insists that he is NOT X-Man material.
  • Josh Brolin ("Infinity Wars") Nathan Summers / Cable has his own Terminator-type agenda. Look out!
  • Morena Baccani ("Gotham") Vanessa is back, although not in the way Wade wants her.
  • Zazie Beetz ("Atlanta") Domino has a superpower: it's Luck, although she agrees it isn't very cinematic.
  • Terry Crews ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine") Bedlam has what it takes to cause waves.
  • Leslie Uggams ("Empire") Yes! Blind Al is back and Wade needs her help once more.
  • T.J. Miller ("Silicon Valley") Weasel runs the bar where Deadpool does his strategizing. This actor has elevated "Geek" to an art form.
  • Julian Dennison ("Hunt for the Wilderpeople") Russell is in deep trouble for a crime he has yet to commit.
Maybe I don't know what bottom looks like, but I think it's pretty bad. Let's see what this one offers: Vehicular mayhem? Check. Fisticuffs? Check. Profanity? Check. Blowie uppie stuff? Check. CGI? Check. Yep, it has everything we hoped for.  Reynolds says the first "Deadpool" was about romance, this one is about friendship.  See for yourself.

A brief caveat, if you have hearing problems, the one-liners, the referential humor, and the clever asides to us in the audience are better enjoyed if you know exactly what is said. I recommend closed captions!
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Here is a trailer:
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Book Club

This book club is NOT about Jane Austen. Trust me! Instead we have four women "of a certain age" who are attempting to age gracefully together. But only Vivian knew their next reading assignment would be "50 Shades of Gray." Eek!

Writer/director Bill Holderman, working with writer Erin Simms, gives us a giddy comedy anchored by four war horses (PLEASE do NOT tell them I said that!) who bring decades of experience to the silver screen.

Part of Holderman's cast:
  • Diane Keaton ("Hampstead") A DATE? Diane hasn't a thing to wear, but it shouldn't be too casual.
  • Jane Fonda ("Grace and Frankie") Vivian thinks this book will be as uplifting as her favorite plastic surgeon; and reminds herself she doesn't date any man she LIKES.
  • Candice Bergen ("Home Again") Judge Sharon knows she would send the man in that book to JAIL for his actions. She insists that no one who has a life has a motto. No one delivers an acerbic line better!
  • Mary Steenburgen ("Orange is the New Black") Carol is pretty sure she can learn plenty from this book, but her husband doesn't seem motivated. (Although when we hear him describe his classic motorcycle...)
  • Andy Garcia ("Bent") Mitchell says he must be a pilot, they gave him a hat!
  • Don Johnson ("Vengeance: A Love Story") Arthur can't believe how long is has been since he proposed. By the way, Don Johnson's daughter Dakota is the co-star of the "50 Shades..." trilogy.
  • Craig T. Nelson ("Parenthood") Bruce may never drink another beer! (See the preview.) This actor gets the "Good Sport Award!"
  • Richard Dreyfuss ("Madoff") George is always willing to try for at least one kiss.  Oh my!
At the time of the screening, this film was not yet rated but judging by the double entendres and the emphasis on mature sex, I'm rating it R. Based on the packed house for the screening, I suspect this one will do very well. I hope so. The screening audience (and I) laughed out loud many times.
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See the trailer:
https://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi876328985
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5/5/18

Overboard - 2018

Back in 1987, my granddaughter convinced me to see a romantic comedy called "Overboard" with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. To my delight, I loved it. (Its not Art, it's Entertainment!)

I was a bit skeptical when I saw plans for a remake until I saw who was in it: Anna Faris ("Mom") and Eugenio Derbez ("Under the Same Moon" which I recommend and "Instructions Not Included" which I HIGHLY recommend). Director Rob Greenberg ("How I Met Your Dad") has taken the update and offers us another chance to see a spoiled, entitled snob get some well-deserved comeuppance and learn the satisfaction of a job well done.

Part of Greenberg's cast:
  • Eugenio Derbez ("How to Be a Latin Lover") is Leonardo, learning some facts of life the hard way. He admires Speedy Gonzalez and has never held a job....
  • Anna Faris ("Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs") Kate is a single mom, stretched beyond reason, so when she grabs an unreasonable solution, we can scarcely blame her. She needs time to study for her tests to become a nurse.
  • Swoosie Kurtz ("The Dangerous Book for Boys") Grace planned to babysit her three granddaughters but the theater in Eugene needs someone to step in and her audition was pretty good....
  • John Hannah ("Agents of Shield") Colin is a loyal butler and an observant employee. (He has the role Roddy McDowell played in the original.)
  • Eva Longoria ("Jane the Virgin") Every woman needs a friend and co-worker like Teresa, she has the BEST ideas.
  • Cecilia Suarez ("El Cesar") Magdalena sees her brother's disappearance at sea as her best chance to take over the family business.
  • Maria TreviƱo ("Club of Crows") Sofia is a third-rate musician, but her heart is in the right place. She doesn't want her self-serving sister to take over the family's multi-billion dollar empire.
This is a silly, nonsensical outing, rated PG-13, and I love it. Although there is some profanity, you will see no vehicular mayhem, hear no gunshots, and you will see a rude, officious jerk learn some humanity. Many of the scenes are line for line duplicates of the 1987 original, in fact the story takes place in Elk Cove again and some of the locals remember an earlier case of amnesia ("in the 80s") that seems similar... ...smile...

I've watched Eugenio Derbez since 2007, but he was a well-established star in Mexico before he took a shot at the American market. His English is remarkable and he is more than willing to subject himself to situations where his character is humbled or humiliated. I look forward to his next effort, he hasn't let me down so far.
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Here is a trailer:
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