Now Playing

 It was a busy week for new films, including the biggest new release of the year so far. Below is a look at the new movies I saw this week and my take on them. You can follow everything I’m watching on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

André is an Idiot (Theaters)
Synopsis: It can be hard to get a bad health diagnosis. When it’s Stage 4 Cancer, a death sentence, it can hit like a ton of bricks. There are a lot of different responses to news like that, but it’s fair to say we’ve never seen a response like that of André Ricciardi. In the new documentary André is an Idiot, he shares his story. And it begins with a simple, painful, and embarrassing truth. But what follows is something deeply personal and deeply emotional. It’s a profound story worth seeking out when it opens in theaters on Friday. André never thought getting a colonoscopy was important. His friend asked him to go, but André blew him off. When he finally did go a year later, they discovered he had Stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver. There was no coming back. Even though it is a treatable form of cancer, André’s delay in detection cost him his life. Rather that wallowing in his pain and frustration, André decided to share his story. Armed with an incredible sense of humor and a chaotic energy. His history in advertising and content creation helped fuel him to tell his story and stay true to his character. Over the course of a few years, we see as André receives treatment, connects with his family and friends, and tries to make a difference. Rather that wallowing in pity, he uses his story and his experience to help reach people and make a difference for others. Documentaries, at their best, inform and reach you emotionally. That’s certainly the case with André is an Idiot, which moved me deeply. André’s story impacted me deeply, too. Like André I’ve been skeptical of the need to get a colonoscopy. I’m just about approaching that age and I’ve made some jokes about preferring the cancer to getting the procedure. This shook me out of that mindset. Many people who went through what André went through would withdraw and hide from the world. And yet, he was brave enough to share his story. And he does it with such honesty and pathos. It’s an impactful and emotional experience. We walk with him through this process of more than three years. It’s also quite a testament to his family, particularly his wife, who share their stories as well. Director Tony Benna captures it all in a vibrant and engaging way. I was deeply moved by the story and I think everyone that sees it will feel the same. This is well worth your time to seek out. And don’t be like André, get your preventative care.
Rating: NA
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Project Hail Mary (Theaters)
Starring: Ryan Gosling
Synopsis: If the world was threatened, and you could help, would you step up? What if you knew it would cost you your life? That’s the question posed to Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling) in the new film Project Hail Mary, which opens nationwide on Friday. The answer turns out to be one of the most fun and heart-warming films of the year so far. The film is based on the novel from Andy Weir, the author behind The Martian. This is another story set in space that moves in some unexpected directions. It is scripted by Drew Goddard and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, creating something exciting and memorable that is the best film of the year so far. In the film, Grace wakes up in deep space. He’s shaken and confused. He doesn’t remember who he is or how he got there. And it turns out he’s all alone. The others on the ship—the pilot and the engineer—didn’t survive the journey. All that leaves Grace trying to remember how he got there and what to do on this mission in deep space. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn the answers to those questions. A discovery made from a probe to Venus discovered a mysterious force feeding on the Sun—and other stars in the galaxy. That puts a timeclock on Earth. But there’s hope. There’s a star in deep space that seems to be resistant. How is it resisting, and can that be applied to Earth, is a question scientists have to answer. Grace is a talented scientist whose approach and theories made him an outcast. But it makes him a perfect person to work on this project and seek these answers. Eva (Sandra Hüller), the leader of a coalition from around the world seeking a solution, cajoles Grace into helping take on this mission. Back in space, Grace comes across a creature from another planet, Rocky (James Ortiz), whose taken on a similar mission. Together, these strangers have to come together and answer the question of how to save the galaxy.  I really enjoyed The Martian. It is a solid novel that was translated into a fun and entertaining film. That film was scripted by Goddard, who plies the same talent to this story from Weir. It is similarly fun and entertaining—though it feels like it has a completely different spirit. This film actually has a greater sense of comedy. That comes in part thanks to Gosling, who is the perfect actor to slot into this role as Grace. But it’s also a credit to Lord and Miller. The duo gave us 21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, and Into the Spider-Verse. By contrast, this film is more serious and has more pathos. It also feels more ambitious in crafting a big, science fiction epic. But it has that same sense of humor and emotional intensity that keeps you hooked to the story on the screen. This film has a great look and feel. The crafting of the ship for Grace and Rocky gives it a fascinating visual look. So, too, does the work to create deep space and distant planets and stars. The visuals add to the intensity and the look of the film. But this comes down to the story, and the unexpectedly beautiful friendship between Grace and Rocky. Gosling is great in the lead role. He brings a sense of humor and also a great balance of emotions. He plays beautifully off Rocky, voiced by Ortiz, in some crucial and emotional sequences. The flashback sequences also provide context and balance to the story and help tie it all together. Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they’re just ordinary scientists that get roped into a mission they never expected and never wanted. Grace is a hero. Rocky is a hero. And their journey together is engaging, fun, and heart-warming. Project Hail Mary is the best film of the year so far and well worth the trip to the theater.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some thematic material and suggestive references.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (Theaters)
Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood, and Sarah Michelle Gellar
Synopsis: Back in 2019, Radio Silence—led by directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett—teamed to deliver a fascinating original horror film in Ready or Not. The film, led by Samara Weaving, featured a bride who, on her wedding day, learns her new family is harboring a dark, dangerous secret. And she learns she has to play a game with some deadly stakes. It was a fun, original film that turned out to be a hit. The directors parlayed that into helming back-to-back Scream films and the original vampire thriller Abigail. But now, they’re back with a new installment of that original film. Weaving is back in the lead, and there’s a whole new game leading to a bigger world. But does it have the same appeal? Let’s dive in. We pick up where the first film left off. Grace (Weaving) has just survived the night, but she nearly dies in the ambulance. When she wakes up, she finds she’s handcuffed to the bed—accused of murder. That’s when her estranged sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), arrives. But it isn’t long before things take an unfortunate twist. While Faith doesn’t believe Grace’s wild story, when they’re kidnapped by a lawyer (Elijah Wood) and find themselves prisoners at an evacuated resort, she realizes she’s now part of a game involving devil worshipping families that are all vying for control. Grace has a chance to be the last woman standing if she can make it through the night—again. This time with her sister by her side. This is another fun film that expands the world and adds some interesting twists. It’s also populated by a fun cast, with those families vying for control including twins played by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy, a gun-wielding Nestor Carbonell, and a feisty Kevin Durand. The film even features David Cronenberg in a small supporting role. All of it adds up to the same kind of fun and chaotic formula that worked well in the first film. There isn’t a surprise twist in the same way, but there are some fun wrinkles in the mythology. And it’s fun to see Weaving, now teamed with Newton, continue to make her way through these challenges. Weaving is great in the lead. She brings a charm and some grit to this role. You can’t help but root for her and admire the resolve that she brings to Grace. That’s part of the charm and the fun here. I enjoyed Newton and the supporting actors, too. Gellar and Wood in particular were fun and making the most of their scene chewing opportunities. But one of the things that stood out for me with the first film was the sense of humor. It was infused in the action and gave the whole thing some bite. This film didn’t have the same bite throughout. And owing to the expansion of the world, there was a little more bloat that slowed it down a touch. Still, if you were a fan of the original film, this sequel will work well enough for you. It’s a fun ride that’s worth it just to cheer for Weaving’s beleaguered bride Grace.
Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, pervasive language and brief drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Tow (Theaters)
Starring: Rose Byrne and Dominic Sessa
Synopsis: The new drama Tow opens with a statistic—between 1 and 3 million people at any given time live in their vehicle. Homelessness, in its various forms, is a big struggle for many across the United States. These are stories of people fighting to carve out a daily existence despite big obstacles. The film is based on a true story. It follows the journey of one woman who refused to give up and refused to be abused by the system. It’s a powerful story, and a powerful look at the journey of her and others like her. In the film, Amanda (Byrne) is a recovering alcoholic who is living apart from her daughter (Elsie Fisher) and is trying to get her life together. She’s gotten her Vet Tech certificate, and she’s seeking work in Seattle. While she does that, she’s living in the only thing she owns—a 1991 Toyota Corolla. After a successful interview where she lands a job thanks in part to having a vehicle, she returns to discover her vehicle has been stolen. Amanda files a police report and is forced to sleep on the street. A day later, her vehicle is found. But when she goes to the yard where it was towed, she finds that she’d have to pay $273 just to get it back. Amanda doesn’t have the money. So, she files a suit against the tow yard to get her property back. After waiting more than a week, she succeeds in court. But when she returns with a court order, her car has already been sold at auction. Amanda, out of a job and running out of options, struggles to find a way to get back what is hers. She finds a shelter to call home and a lawyer (Sessa) who is willing to help her fight. She struggles for more than a year to earn a day in court and make it right. Amanda’s story is tough. Her journey was tough. But, in the end, it’s inspirational. This film even concludes with a look at the real Amanda, her daughter, and the lawyer that helped her fight this fight. But it still doesn’t feel like justice. There is no magical ending here, just a woman who persevered and fought like hell for a small piece of dignity—the return of the vehicle that never should have been taken. Stories like this are more common than we’d like to admit. We’ve seen similar stories of struggle in the past, but the way this is put together by director Stephanie Laing is compelling. And it works in large part thanks to the strong lead performance from Byrne. She sinks into the role and gives it her all. It’s not an easy journey, but she makes it compelling. The film also has a strong supporting cast. In addition to Sessa, Octavia Spencer, Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, and Simon Rex all play supporting roles. All do a nice job in helping to build out this world and shine a light on the struggles of people like Amanda, who find a way to persist despite the odds going against them. This is a solid drama and an inspirational story in its own way. It’s worth seeking out for those who are looking for a little inspiration at the theater.
Rating: Rated R for language and some sexual references.
Verdict: Three stars out of five