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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.
Artemis Fowl (Disney+)
Starring: Ferdia Shaw, Josh Gad, Colin Farrell, Nonso Anozie, Lara McDonnell, and Judi Dench
Synopsis: This film was originally going to be one of the big releases in theaters this summer, originally slated for Memorial Day weekend. It's been highly anticipated, based on the novels from Eoin Colfer and directed by Kenneth Branagh. It also boasts a high-profile cast, including Gad, Farrell and Dench. But given the current situation, it was moved to Disney+ for release instead and, in fact, that might be doing it a favor. This film it seems was meant to be the kick-off for a potential franchise. It is, however, criminally dull and hard to watch. Even though it's only about 90 minutes, it feels like a slog. There was likely some potential here, but it just doesn't work. It's hard to imagine this being the start of a franchise. It felt like a big get for Disney+, and it will likely draw plenty of views there, but this movie doesn't live up to the hype.
Rating: PG for fantasy action/peril and some rude humor.
Verdict: One star out of four.
Starring: Ferdia Shaw, Josh Gad, Colin Farrell, Nonso Anozie, Lara McDonnell, and Judi Dench
Synopsis: This film was originally going to be one of the big releases in theaters this summer, originally slated for Memorial Day weekend. It's been highly anticipated, based on the novels from Eoin Colfer and directed by Kenneth Branagh. It also boasts a high-profile cast, including Gad, Farrell and Dench. But given the current situation, it was moved to Disney+ for release instead and, in fact, that might be doing it a favor. This film it seems was meant to be the kick-off for a potential franchise. It is, however, criminally dull and hard to watch. Even though it's only about 90 minutes, it feels like a slog. There was likely some potential here, but it just doesn't work. It's hard to imagine this being the start of a franchise. It felt like a big get for Disney+, and it will likely draw plenty of views there, but this movie doesn't live up to the hype.
Rating: PG for fantasy action/peril and some rude humor.
Verdict: One star out of four.
Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)
Starring: Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis, Jonathan Majors, Chadwick Boseman, Mélanie Thierry, and Jean Reno
Synopsis: This latest film from Spike Lee is an interesting tale of a group of Vietnam veterans who head back to the site of the war to search for the treasure and comrade they left behind. There were five originally, and now the four remaining (Lindo, Peters, Whitlock, Lewis) head back to find the gold they left in the heat of battle, and their colleague (Boseman) who never made ti home. This film features a lot of historical context from the time and also features some connections to the present, something that Lee has done with a number of his recent films. It also features some very strong performances. Netflix has made a big step up in film production in recent years. Last year it produced two Best Picture nominees and a number of films that garnered nominations. This year, with the state of films even more in flux, Netflix might be an even bigger player. And that's in large part thanks to attracting great content creators, like Lee. He directed this film, and clearly poured himself into this as he worked on the script as well. It's a film that's not only powerful, it's timely given what is going on in our country right now. It's not an easy story to watch at times, and it rides a delicate balance of a lot of different narratives going on. But what helps sell it is the performances. Lindo is the standout thanks to his work and the material he's given. But this is a strong and exceptional cast. I've enjoyed Peters and Whitlock since their work on "The Wire," Boseman is quite good in his flashback sequences and Majors and Lewis do a nice job in their roles as well. One thing I also enjoyed with this film is they didn't got to great lengths to de-age their stars, as was the case with "The Irishman" for Netflix last year. I liked how it was handled here, and I liked the way the film was put together. This is one worth finding and checking out.
Rating: R for strong violence, grisly images and pervasive language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
Starring: Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis, Jonathan Majors, Chadwick Boseman, Mélanie Thierry, and Jean Reno
Synopsis: This latest film from Spike Lee is an interesting tale of a group of Vietnam veterans who head back to the site of the war to search for the treasure and comrade they left behind. There were five originally, and now the four remaining (Lindo, Peters, Whitlock, Lewis) head back to find the gold they left in the heat of battle, and their colleague (Boseman) who never made ti home. This film features a lot of historical context from the time and also features some connections to the present, something that Lee has done with a number of his recent films. It also features some very strong performances. Netflix has made a big step up in film production in recent years. Last year it produced two Best Picture nominees and a number of films that garnered nominations. This year, with the state of films even more in flux, Netflix might be an even bigger player. And that's in large part thanks to attracting great content creators, like Lee. He directed this film, and clearly poured himself into this as he worked on the script as well. It's a film that's not only powerful, it's timely given what is going on in our country right now. It's not an easy story to watch at times, and it rides a delicate balance of a lot of different narratives going on. But what helps sell it is the performances. Lindo is the standout thanks to his work and the material he's given. But this is a strong and exceptional cast. I've enjoyed Peters and Whitlock since their work on "The Wire," Boseman is quite good in his flashback sequences and Majors and Lewis do a nice job in their roles as well. One thing I also enjoyed with this film is they didn't got to great lengths to de-age their stars, as was the case with "The Irishman" for Netflix last year. I liked how it was handled here, and I liked the way the film was put together. This is one worth finding and checking out.
Rating: R for strong violence, grisly images and pervasive language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.
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