Category: 2024-2025

“Gladiator II” (2024) starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, & Fred Hechinger

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SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read this post if you haven’t seen, or don’t want to know, details from the movie Gladiator II (available on VOD).

After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people. -Synopsis

This sequel directed by Ridley Scott (and one of the most anticipated movies of 2024) is a hot mess! As we saw in promos/trailers, Paul Mescal (who plays the lead- Lucius) and Pedro Pascal (Gen. Acacius) do indeed look hot (esp. w/ those added muscles). However, as time went on, I got worried; Napoleon (2023) was also written by David Scarpa (pls get a new job)! I saw Gladiator II about 2 wks after its theatrical release; I’d planned to go during Thanksgiving break (but screenings were mostly full).

I re-watched Gladiator (2000) in mid-NOV; I was entertained (joke intended), though the SFX didn’t hold up. Crowe owned that role, as a LOT of critics/viewers noted (over 20+ yrs). As Maximus, he had a movie star presence/charisma and confident line delivery. FYI: The script was weak when filming began and there was much improv from the actors. As for the baddie, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) was a strong foil to Maximus (the man he felt usurped his role and his father’s love).

Macrinus [to Lucius]: You will be my instrument!

IF you’re a big fan of Denzel Washington (like me), you MAY enjoy some of this movie; the veteran actor plays Macrinus (a wealthy/charming owner of gladiators). He’ll remind you somewhat of Proximo (Oliver Reed) from the 1st movie; the actor (an alcoholic) died before filming ended. Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Gracchus (Sir Derek Jacobi at aged 85- wow) are the only returning characters; Crowe appears in flashbacks (archive footage). Pascal and Joseph Quinn (Emperor Geta) will also be seen in MCU’s Fantastic Four as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Johnny Storm (The Human Torch). Quinn was cast after Barry Keoghan dropped out to work on an indie film instead (smart move).

The gates of hell are open night and day;

Smooth the descent, and easy is the way:

But to return, and view the cheerful skies,

In this the task and mighty labor lies.

-Lines from John Dryden’s 1697 English translation of Vergil’s epic poem Aeneid

The acting is ALL over the place; it’s as if Scott gave totally different guidance to each of the cast! Washington, Quinn, and Fred Hechinger (Caracalla- 2nd of the twin emperors) are having a fun time w/ their (scenery-chewing) acting. These twins don’t have strong motivations for why they act as they do (unlike Commodus); they act like crazed/drunken frat boys. Pascal is taking it all V seriously; Acacius comes off as weary, morose, and disillusioned w/ military life. I know some ppl liked his portrayal, BUT I wanted to see some charm. Nielsen doesn’t have a LOT to do (yet more than in original); I felt something was missing from Lucilla, though that mostly comes down to the writing. As for Mescal, it takes time for him to grow into his role, so that made me wonder ask: why didn’t Scott allow for more takes? As for the “rage” that Macrinus keeps mentioning, we don’t see much of that from Pascal. Was he miscast here (some have wondered)?

This sequel follows much too close to the original; there is even a graphic depicting key moments from that story in the opening credits. In the 3rd act, Maximus is referred to as Lucius’ father many times- I had to roll my eyes. Some fans wondered: since Maximus was so big on “honor,” why’d he cheat on his beloved wife (w/ whom he had a son nearly the same age as Lucius)!? For such a pricy movie, I expected the SFX to be much better! Many were cringing (or laughing) re: the (unrealistic) baboons, BUT that’s NOT the only case of shoddy effects work. The one-on-one fighting scenes, esp. the one w/ Mescal and the super-sized warrior in the emperors’ tent was V impressive. If anyone disses you for saying that The Last Duel was well-made, just point them to his epic disappointment!

Lucius: Know this: where death is, we are not. Where were are, death is not! By my sword, strength and honor!

There is some BTS controversy to explain, as those of you (like me) who’re always online MAY know. In May of 2023, Variety reported that Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy had been cast. Deadline Hollywood reported that Calamawy’s character would be V important to the story; Scott did a broad search before she was finally cast. She was featured in the official trailer, BUT for unknown reasons, she ended up w/ a non-speaking background role. Calamawy is NOT credited in the end credits and wasn’t part of the promo tour. Contrary to gossip on social media, she wasn’t replaced by Israeli actress Yuval Gonen, who plays Arishat (wife of Lucius).

[1] There seems to be a trend these days when making follow ups to beloved classics that you need to add more. More characters! More action! But that doesn’t always equal better. It’s almost like filmmakers these days think we’re stupid and want more of everything but all this does is sacrifice quality.

What made the original such a classic was the relatively simple plot, a protagonist you cared about and action that felt earned and impactful.

This one is so overstuffed it feels rushed. The plot feels like a lazy retread of the first but I didn’t care about any of the characters. Paul Mescal was so wooden it sounded like he was reading his lines. If this is how he acts, I really don’t see what all the fuss is about with him. Am I missing something?

[2] I approached this movie truly trying to give it a fair change on its own by not holding and comparing it too much to its original, But this movie just pulls of A Force Awakens and has 80% just recycled nostalgia bait its impossible to not compare them.

It recycles quotes, plot, narratives, even very same camera shots.

And yeah, alas, the first did absolutely everything, every single aspect better to much better and most definitely story/drama character wise. […]

This movie definitely looks glorious and expensive and had a big grandeur (although some CGI looked comically fake), but it fails to have a coherent driven plot.

[3] The “games” in the Colosseum are superbly presented and yes, exotic animals and water battles were really fought there in Roman times. The twin Emperors are superbly crazy… […] I was initially disappointed with Paul Mescal’s performance, but in hindsight I now wonder if it’s character rather than his performance that was disappointing. Hanno is no Maximus – no leader of men, no charismatic warrior – in fact he tells as much a number of times in the film. But maybe that’s Scott’s point this time? Even a simple soldier can achieve great things?

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” (2024) starring Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, & Sam Worthington

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The story of a nation unsettled. -Tagline

Hey y’all, can you believe it’s already SEPT (Fall)? Also, can y’all believe I wasted 3+ hrs. watching this Western (streaming on Max)!? It took me 2 nights to get through it last wk; I think this could be a cure for insomnia. As on viewer put it so clearly: “It felt like it belonged on TV as a miniseries in the late ’90s.” Actor/director/co-writer Kevin Costner reportedly spent a LOT of his own money to make this $100M movie. There are 2 more chapters being made; it’s NOT certain that those will get theatrical releases. I have to admit that I find Costner to be a limited actor (though I liked No Way Out and Bull Durham); I’ve also never seen his recent Paramount+ series- Yellowstone.

There a 3 or 4 separate groups (so far) that we meet in this sprawling/epic mess. The settings are several Western states in the time period of 1861-1865. The opening act is quite tense/exciting (I have to admit); Costner’s teen son (Hayes) plays a role. The 1st set of characters we meet incl. a mother, Frances Kittridge (Sienna Miller), her teen daughter Elizabeth (Georgia MacPhail), and a regiment of Union Army officers lead by Lt. Trent Gephart (Sam Worthington). I know what y’all are thinking: whoa, Worthington works outside of the Avatar franchise! The 2nd group are an Apache tribe going through division/conflict; 2 sons of a chief have differing views on how to deal w/ the White settlers (who are growing w/ each day). The 3rd grp incl. a horse trader, Hayes Ellison (Costner); he doesn’t ride into the story until 1 hr. goes by. He comes to a small mining town and meets a prostitute, Marigold (Abbey Lee), who is taking care of the baby of Ellen Harvey (Jenna Malone), while she goes on some business w/ her hubby (Michael Angarano). The 4th grp. is a wagon train heading to the (fictional) town of Horizon; these settlers are lead by Matthew Van Weyden (Luke Wilson). No, that is NOT a joke- they expect us to believe that Wilson belongs in a historical piece! There are 2 British/snobby/clueless marrieds who are objects of humor.

There are maybe 3 scenes which carry some interest, thanks to Danny Huston (a Union general), Michael Rooker (a Union officer), and Jamie Campbell Bower (a gunslinger/son of a crime family). Bower also the only actor who looks like he’s having fun w/ his baddie role. Huston seems to be a fan of Westerns; he recently played the mayor in The Dead Don’t Hurt (2023). Most of the dialogue here is SO cliched that it’d make a HS English teacher cringe. There is little to no character development, so we end up caring nothing re: the plight of these folks. Worst of all is the the editing; it is disjointed, so creates confusion in the audience! The music is TOO grand in scale for such a lame movie.

[1] Sorry, Mr. Costner, I cannot recall seeing a more disjointed 3-hr saga in my life. There’s no opportunity for character development or story continuity, and to be able to keep track of where all the characters are (some go missing without explanation) nope… You might need a spreadsheet to keep track.

[2] The US Army parts felt a little too modern. The use of the word “indigenous” just did not sound right for that time. Also we have never been shown US Army compassion from that time period before.

The playful addition of African Americans seems very modern as well. No doubt they were there, but living harmoniously with whites is hard to believe.

[3] I was particularly irritated by the inappropriate loud glorious/triumphant music played during the Indian village massacre and several more minute at the end. It really upset me they would play such music over the top of the horrific depictions of violence against innocent women and children. It was like they were celebrating it.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“The Dead Don’t Hurt” (2023) starring Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, & Danny Huston

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The Dead Don’t Hurt is a portrait of a passionate woman determined to stand up for herself in an unforgiving world dominated by ruthless men. -Excerpt from synopsis from Shout! Studios

I saw an online ad for this feminist Western drama recently; it was written/directed by Viggo Mortensen. He also composed the musical score- wow, talk about wearing many hats! Though this story is set in the 1860s (Civil War era), it asks Qs that men and women are facing today. At the center is this issue: How does one navigate a romantic relationship w/o losing one’s own personality and independence? To add weight here, the leads are already mature (middle-aged) and have lived according to their own wishes for some time. In an NPR interview, Mortensen (who plays Holger Olsen) said that Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) is partly based on his (French-Canadian) mother: “As w/ her time, she was a mother and a housewife. But she was not going to let anyone tell her how to think.”

Mortensen did NOT intend to act in the film, BUT “late in the game,” the actor who’d originally been cast left to work on a different project. Krieps (originally from Luxembourg; based in Berlin) suggested he take the role himself. Olsen was then aged up and made Danish (like his own father). The war which Olsen fought in was presumably the First Schleswig War (1848-1851) in which Denmark fought the German Federation for control of the regions of Schleswig-Holstein; Denmark was the winner. As he noted on The Late Show, the knight that appears in young Vivienne’s dreams carries a familiar sword: Anduril- Aragorn’s sword from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

The film has some beautiful landscapes/scenery; it was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia and Mexico (w/ a mostly Mexican crew). Four languages are heard: English, French, Spanish and Danish; in some scenes, languages are mixed w/in the same line of dialogue. Y’all immigrants and 1st gen Americans will relate to that! The cast is international: in San Fran, we see “old money” gentleman Lewis Cartwright (Colin Morgan: Irish); in the Western town, Mr. Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt: American) is the powerful businessman; his son Weston (w/ a strong resemblance to Dillahunt- Solly MacLeod) is a newcomer from Scotland seen in S1 of House of the Dragon); and Mayor Schiller (Danny Huston: American/son of John Huston). These men are on the taller side (close to/over 6 ft.) Fans of Deadwood (HBO) will recognize two characters played by W. Earl Brown and Ray McKinnon.

I thought that there was great (natural) chemistry btwn Mortensen and Krieps; you really buy them as a couple! Krieps is slim and tall (5’9″), so well-matched physically w/ Mortensen. The film takes time to get going w/ its plot; we get to know the characters. There are time jumps, BUT I didn’t think those posed any problem. The main issue is its pacing; otherwise, I was impressed w/ the film as a whole. I look forward to seeing more of Mortensen’s directing!

Spoiler-Free Reviews: Summer 2024

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Civil War

Don’t watch it- to be brief! I saw this (on VOD) b/c I loved writer/director Alex Garland’s earlier movie- Ex Machina. Woo boy, it this a (disappointing) departure! The dialogue (aside from one tense/interesting scene) is predictable, the characters (played by Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, etc.) have V little development, and there is almost no plot. The setting is a dystopian future, though NOT too far from our present. Garland is a Brit, so perhaps doesn’t have the broadest view of the US and its politics; I think he was given TOO much freedom w/ this movie.

Inside Out 2

This is a good time for ALL ages; I think kids who are 10+ would understand the story (centered on the changes that become when we enter our teens). I went to see this sequel w/ a handful of gal pals (incl. a therapist/former social worker) at Alamo Drafthouse (Arlington). We saw a LOT of parents w/ elementary school age kids. Some of my friend’s clients related to it, so she was eager to see it also. There are a few new voice talents, incl. Maya Hawke (who plays Anxiety).

A Quiet Place: Day One

I went to see this at my local theater during 2nd wk it was out. I’m a fan of the 1st movie in this cinematic universe; the 2nd one wasn’t V memorable. Here, we see that Lupita N’yongo is FAB (as some of y’all already know); this sequel will also make you appreciate (British up-and-comer) Joseph Quinn. The actor (who burst onto the scene in Stranger Things) is having quite the year; he’ll be seen as an emperor in Gladiator II and is currently filming Marvel’s Fantastic Four. There is NOT much dialogue after the 1st act, BUT the actors do a LOT w/ their eyes and facial expressions. Also, cat owners will be pleased by the (fine) feline acting!

Twisters

Do you like Glen Powell and/or (another British up-and-comer) Daisy Edgar-Jones? Were you a fan of the (original) movie- Twister– and enjoy SFX? Then, I recommend this movie to you. Otherwise, I don’t think you’ll care too much. Most of the characters (many who are fresh faces) are drawn w/ a broad brush. Some commented that Anthony Ramos’ hairstyle and (toned down) charisma didn’t work for them, though they liked his previous work. The new Superman actor, David Corenswet, plays a one-note character. The directing (by Lee Isaac Chung) is quite good; this will put the (indie) Korean-American veteran director in the mainstream.

“Challengers” (2024) starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, & Mike Faist

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SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read this post if you haven’t seen, or don’t want to know, details from the movie Challengers.

From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – “West Side Story”), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – “The Crown”) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win? -Synopsis (MGM)

Tashi: You don’t know what tennis is.

Patrick: What is it?

Tashi: It’s a relationship.

Patrick: Is that what you and Anna Mueller had today?

Tashi: It is, actually. For about fifteen seconds there, we were actually playing tennis. And we understood each other completely. So did everyone watching. It’s like we were in love. Or like we didn’t exist. We went somewhere really beautiful together.

Grab a snack (banana, breakfast sandwich, or churros) and watch this film from Italian director Luca Guadagnino and 1st time screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes (a playwright/hubby of Celine Song)! Josh O’Connor recently explained that Patrick taking a bite of Art’s churro was unscripted; he was starving (it was his 1st time eating churros). This movie was completed in April of 2023, but was delayed until April 26, 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. There are time jumps, BUT I didn’t find them hard to follow; the characters age from 18 to 32. While the two men are in love w/ Tashi, she’s more in love w/ tennis! After her injury in college shatters her dreams, she lives vicariously through Art.

Zendaya (who is also an EP) spent 3 mos. working w/ Brad Gilbert (former coach to Andre Agassi). On a break w/ family in Ohio, Faist decided to take tennis lessons for 4 wks. (before officially starting work). The trio had 3 wks. to rehearse in Boston w/ their director (V rare for today); this also helped create chemistry. Each actor worked out V seriously (as tennis players are quite fit athletes); they also had tennis doubles. The majority of the balls hit are CGI, as it was too difficult to achieve the cinematic style using real balls. You may wonder: Is that sweat (prominent in the movie) all real? According to O’Connor, the sweat on Faist was all his (as he worked out hardest on/off the court).

Art: Where does your swagger come from? I mean, you come in here swinging your dick around like I’m suppose to be afraid of it, but… Do you realize how embarrassing is that you are here right now?

Patrick: Not quite as embarrassing as you being here.

Art: I’m just stopping by, man. This is where you live.

Wow, what a burn (above) from Art! In the sauna scene before the (low stakes) Challenger event, Art gets the (rare) upper hand on Patrick. Though I thought all three co-leads did a FAB job, my fave was Patrick (the bad boy), and NOT just b/c of the curly/dark hair and amazing physique. Patrick is charming, self-deprecating, and (maybe) a better player than Art. However, Art is V disciplined w/ the way he lives his life; he lets Tashi steer his career. Back in the dorm room breakup scene btwn Tashi and Patrick, he exclaims: “I’m your peer!” So, he’s NOT the type of man who’s easy to influence/control. I’ve seen some of O’Connor’s movies/shows; he transforms himself for each role!

This feels/looks like a V modern film; it’s playful, sexy, and- sometimes- funny. There is V little nudity, BUT this movie is hot (one viewer was reminded of erotic thrillers)! Zendaya has a “no nudity” clause in all of her contracts. The score of this film (composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) is V effective, it contributes to make viewers tense (as if watching a thriller). Even though I’m NOT into this style of music (electronic), it really fit here!

[1] Wow, “Challengers” is the visual definition of a modern film. The rhythm of the scenes, the change of pace, the editing, the use of the score, the match camera, the variation of the time line. All of this merges into essentially two core concepts: Energy and aesthetics.

[2] Exhilarating. Energetic. Excellent.

Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” is a riveting, pulse-pounding, thrilling sports romance-drama that blew my mind. I loved, loved, LOVED “Challengers” – didn’t know what to expect, and walked out of the theater totally buzzing. It’s smart and sophisticated while still poppy and propulsive.

[3] …as usual, Guadagnino’s direction is a tour de force of exciting choices that push his actors to the limits of expression, presented to us against the backdrop of visually arresting aesthetics. The standout performances are definitely those of Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, but all three protagonists have an intense, seductive chemistry with one another that reads as so authentic, so fervent, so genuine, that the love scenes (which really only extend to kissing) caught me off guard.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews