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A Complete Unknown

If you said “hmmmmm, I’m not sure about that” when you heard that Timotheé Chalamet had been cast as Bob Dylan, your can rest your fears and rejoice because the young star is excellent as the legendary singer/songwriter. He nails Dylan’s nasally mumbling speech patterns and he also sings and plays guitar with style and passion in the new film A Complete Unknown. For music fans, it’s a “must see.”

Chalamet and director/co-writer James Mangold do a nice job of contrasting the raw rookie Dylan of the early 1960s with the very different Dylan of 1965. The early Dylan who rolls into New York is aware of his own talent but needs audiences. One of his first is Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy) who is bedridden in a New Jersey sanitarium. 

It’s there he meets folk music icon Pete Seeger who give his young friend a strong leg up. Dylan’s relationship with Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) which goes from warm to icy, as Dylan gears up to take his music to a new level, is one of the film’s key conflicts. Here was the young savior of folk music who did the traditional folk songs as well as his own compositions in the style of the folk legends of the day. Would he follow Pete’s will and stay within the strict boundaries of the Newport FOLK Festival?

Dylan had bigger dreams. As fans know, he had a prolific period in 1965 and 1966 which saw him release three new albums (one of those a double album) in just over a year. He also had his first hit single which introduced him to America via Top 40 radio and contained the lyric that gives this movie its title. Those three albums were not like the ones that had come before. One of the cool scenes in the film is Dylan and his band playing the song Highway 61 Revisited—complete with police siren whistle!—in a recording studio. 

The 1965 version of Dylan in the movie is cool, detached, arrogant. He’s made some money, rides a motorcycle and is surrounded by adoring fans. He has an attitude.

Another of the film’s conflicts is the hot and cold relationship Bob has with Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). Their songs together are among the film’s top musical moments, not unlike the memorable duets in Mangold’s 2005 biopic Walk The Line between Johnny Cash and June Carter (Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon). More conflict: Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie (Elle Fanning) has enough of Bob and Joan and departs Newport just before the film’s climax. And, by the way, Cash (Boyd Holbrook) was a few moments in this film.

Looking back six decades later, it doesn’t seem that Dylan’s “going electric” was that big a deal. More like just another event in the rapidly changing pop culture scene of that tumultuous decade. But—at the time—it was a big deal. And it’s the crux of Bob Dylan’s evolution and the next step in the dawn of the folk/rock era as presented here.

A Complete Unknown is the best kind of biopic because it doesn’t try to cram decades of its subject’s life into a couple of hours. It focuses instead on just two distinct periods in the early years of this musical icon. And like the best movies that include music, the music is just as vital to the film as the story. Maybe even more vital. The songs provide the film’s most magical moments.

Not that it matters, but A Complete Unknown has already received awards nominations and more are sure to come. Chalamet, Norton, Barbaro and Mangold could be holding trophies soon. And even though the Dylan songs in the film are too old to be considered for new awards, wouldn’t it be cool to have Timotheé Chalamet perform a Dylan classic or two on the Oscars telecast?

Among my feelings after seeing A Complete Unknown is a desire to rewatch the movie Inside Llewyn Davis a 2013 Coen brothers film about a talented young folk singer in New York in 1961 who keeps making missteps and running into bad luck. That film, like this one, recreates the era beautifully even if the fictional tale is not so beautiful. 

To be sure, there are many more Dylan stories to be told and Dylan songs to be sung. Would Chalamet and Mangold want to tackle those in a future film? Is it completely insane to suggest such a thing even before this movie has been released? Maybe a romantic film focusing on Dylan and Joan Baez in their times together in California and upstate New York? Would that work?

Sorry for thinking too far ahead. Let’s just enjoy this superb movie A Complete Unknown right now and not worry too much about what may be blowing in the wind. 

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Wicked

Wicked… there’s a lot to like here!

Ariana Grande. She’s cute, she’s funny, she can sing and dance and now she’s blonde. She lights up the screen in her role as Galinda in the new film Wicked. She’s made great music and music videos for years. Done some cool things on SNL. And now she gets her big star turn in this big movie and she nails it.

Also delivering a killer performance is Cynthia Erivo in the title role. She’s Elphaba and as Kermit proclaimed decades ago, it’s not easy being green. Hers is the less likable role but she’s the necessary spice to make the movie fly. She and Galinda are roomies at Shiz University and their many contrasts are the crux of the narrative.

Erivo, too, can sing a bit. Her excellent rendition of the song Defying Gravity puts a capper on the film’s proceedings in Emerald City and sets up the next act of the Wicked story. Part 2 comes next November after a yearlong intermission.

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible is another highlight. She’s the one who instructs Elfaba in sorcery. Hers is a role that she handles with a cool, understated delivery. 

Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard is, well, he’s Jeff Goldblum with his trademark mid-sentence pauses and his often bemused expressions. 

Many of the film’s dance numbers are stunning. With dozens of dancers and more space and depth than a theater stage allows, Wicked matches many of the best dance sequences you’ve ever seen on film. The dance bit in the library with its clever cylindrical bookshelves is classic.

One scene with Elphaba singing while running appears to be an homage to a classic movie musical scene from the 1960s. IYKYK, as they say.

Great to see and hear Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel, the women who starred as Galinda and Elphaba in the original Broadway production, get a bit more than a momentary cameo in the film. They show up when the new Elphaba and Galinda travel to the Emerald City.

Other cast members worth a mention: Jonathan Bailey as hunky romantic interest Fiyero, Marissa Bode as Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, SNL’s Bowen Yang as Pfannee and Peter Dinklage as the voice of the goat Professor Dillamond. 

A few questions that need to be answered:

Is the film too long? No. It clocks in at two hours and forty minutes. But there’s a lot of stuff going on here! Could it have been more tightly edited? Maybe, but you can say that about most any long movie. (Would Titanic have been better as a two-hour movie instead of a three-hour film?)

Does one need to have seen Wicked on stage to appreciate the movie? Absolutely not. You may want to sample some of the show’s songs on Spotify or Youtube before you go to the theater. But it’s also possible that you’ll be humming a song like the catchy tune Popular afterward even if you’ve never heard it before.

Is Wicked too much of a girlie movie for a guy to enjoy it? There’s no denying its female appeal but Wicked is a fun movie that a male can dig as well and still hang on to his man card.

When will Wicked be available to stream? Not soon. The guess here is that Wicked fandom will generate multiple repeat viewings of the film on the big screen, delaying its appearance until deep into 2025. (Unless Universal gets desperate for a Peacock subscriber bump.)

Is Wicked okay for little kids? Ah, that’s where the parental guidance comes into play! There are a couple of intense bits that may be rough for the youngest.

As for awards, expect several for costuming, art direction and other tech categories. Director John Chu is likely to receive serious consideration for his vision and guidance.

The decision was made months ago to slot Cynthia Erivo in the Best Actress category and Ariana Grande in the Best Supporting Actress category. The guess here is that Grande is more of a sure bet for a nomination. (FWIW, she goes by Ariana Grande-Butera in the closing credits.)

Sometimes a film comes with huge hype and huge expectations and falls short. The tedious Deadpool and Wolverine movie last summer, for instance. Wicked lives up to its expectations and it delivers… with a big wallop!

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A Real Pain

A Real Pain is a sweet little movie about two cousins who travel to Poland together via funding from their late grandmother. On the trip they explore grandma’s homeland, their Jewishness and their relationships with one another.

David is played by Jesse Eisenberg who wrote and directed the film. He’s the straight arrow, married with a kid, working in marketing in NYC. He has anxiety but controls it with meds.

Cousin Benji is the title character, played by Kieran Culkin. He’s a mess. One might easily conclude that he is “on the spectrum,” based on his erratic behavior and his responses to certain elements of their trek.

Shortly after they arrive in Warsaw, they meet up with their entourage including recent divorcee Marcia (Jennifer Grey!) who Benji pals up with, though not in a romantic way. There’s also an older couple from Cleveland. And, interestingly, a black man from Wisconsin, who escaped genocide in his native African land and became interested in Judaism from a support group in the U.S.

The tour leader is an Englishman who narrates the group’s visits to a war memorial, a cemetery and a concentration camp. David and Benji break off from the group to see the place where grandma lived.

The film’s soundtrack is primarily Chopin piano pieces which, like anything that’s overdone, become tedious after a while. Of course, it’s entirely appropriate to use his music as he is a Polish icon. Heck, the Warsaw airport is named for him!

Benji lives in Binghamton so he and David haven’t spent much time together recently. Their interactions with each another and with the travel group are often uncomfortable as the cousins revisit their family histories and try to understand each other’s current life situations.

For fans of Kieran Culkin’s work on the recent series Succession, A Real Pain is a must-see. His performance is the spice that gives the story some necessary conflict and helps showcase his range as an actor. Some folks have suggested that his work here may even be award-worthy. TBD.

A Real Pain clocks in at just under 90 minutes. It is rated R for language and drug use, mainly weed. 

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Twisters

Is it okay for a movie about something as terrible as tornadoes to be… fun?

Twisters has its share of perilous moments and amazing depictions of the devastation a tornado can cause. But it also has a Hallmark-like rom-com element and a Dukes of Hazzard quality as well. 

One Hallmark Channel boilerplate plot has a young woman leaving her small town for the big city, coming back for a visit, meeting a man who initially rubs her the wrong way. But as they keep encountering each other, attraction ensues.

In Twisters, Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones), now working for the National Weather Service in New York, had a frightening tornado experience years ago but is lured back into the plains of Oklahoma to test a new tornado tracking system. She soon partners with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) a reckless storm chaser who posts his storm videos on social media channels. And off they go!

Will they find tornadoes? Um, if they don’t, there’s no movie here. Will they become a romantic item? Um, if they don’t, there are gonna be lots of disappointed folks when the movie’s over. 

How hot is Glen Powell? Well, he’s hot in that he’s a good looking guy with a great smile and good hair but he’s also hot in that he’s had significant success in movies in the last couple of years. And his work in this film will only add to his appeal to casting directors, not to mention it will add to his future paydays.

How hot is Daisy Edgar-Jones? She’s gorgeous. Cute in a wholesome, Hallmark babe kind of way. (She starred as Kya in the 2022 film Where The Crawdads Sing.)

How good are the effects? While this new movie doesn’t have the money shot of flying cows that made the 1996 Twister buzzworthy, there are numerous scenes that are frightful AND make you wonder… how did they make it look so real? Objects and people do go flying through the air. Minor spoiler: a gigantic blade from a wind turbine plummets to the ground. Yikes.

Just like your computers and cell phones have made gigantic advances in the past 28 years, so have CGI and other movie making magic tools. You may not gasp in amazement at everything but you will enjoy the ride.

When Tyler is introduced, the film’s cool country music soundtrack kicks in. When he drives his pickup truck off road through rough terrain, you may be reminded of the Duke boys and their reckless driving in the General Lee. A rodeo scene lets Tyler inform Kate that he was once a bull rider. And Kate’s down home roots are confirmed when she goes home to the farm to see her mother (Maura Tierney).

Unlike many of the potential perils presented to audiences in movies, tornadoes are real and often catastrophic. I recall videos of the monster that hit Tuscaloosa AL in spring 2011 and then driving through the area of impact a few weeks later. Wow! Just a month after Tuscaloosa was hit, Joplin MO was pounded by an enormous twister that cut a huge swath through that town.

Why do people chase tornadoes? Is it for the adrenaline rush? The urge to tempt fate? Why do any of us do risky things? Twisters director Lee Isaac Chang says, “There’s a contradictory element to tornadoes. They’re so destructive, yet we all want to see them.” Twisters provides all the vicarious tingle I need without exposing me to danger. 

Plus the film has two lead characters who have great charisma and chemistry. It’s rated PG-13 so you can take most all of your family members. It clocks in right at two hours with nary a wasted frame. And, yes, it is a fun movie.

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Fly Me To The Moon

First, the good news: ScarJo looks terrific in the new film Fly Me To The Moon. She rocks a sort of Jill St. John vibe in snug-fitting fashions with a cool late 60s coiffure and, at times in the film, red lipstick. Not to mention her million dollar smile which she flashes frequently.

Now, the bad news: Fly Me To The Moon misfires on many levels. As a romcom, the romance is tepid and the comedy is not that funny. Its dramatic elements are out of sync with the rest of the movie, which is mainly light-hearted. But don’t blame Scarlett Johansson or her co-star Channing Tatum who does a good job in an odd, badly written, role.

Kelly Jones (Johansson) is recruited by Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson) to promote NASA and the moon mission. Berkus claims he’s a liaison to the president. On arriving at Cape Kennedy, Kelly encounters Cole Davis (Tatum) who is in charge of the launch. After a “meet cute,” he and she are soon at odds about her methods of getting coverage for the event.

The film’s gimmick is a top-secret fake moon landing on a sound stage. To be shot as a backup. That shoot is directed in the movie by Lance Vespertine (Jim Rash), a flamboyant gay man who has no charm whatsoever. Not sure if the blame for this role goes to the actor, the writer or the casting director. Or all of them. The fake landing offers many opportunities for laughs and amusement but that segment fails miserably.

In a nifty bit of scheduling, Fly Me To The Moon’s release comes as America notes the 55th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, the mission that put our first men on the moon. In what is usually a slow month for news, the story of the moon landing always gets repeated by media because it is one of the high points of recent American history. So, a fictional movie centered around that event might seem to be a good idea.

In addition to the tension in Mission Control as the Apollo 11 launch occurs, the film references Apollo 1’s fire which resulted in the deaths of three astronauts. Davis not only visits the memorial to the crew daily, he loses his cool when an interviewer presses him about his role in the tragedy. This effort to insert a bit of gravitas in what is otherwise a generally unserious story seems gratuitous. 

The efforts of the film’s production crew to present references to 1969 are admirable. A huge collection of vintage cars shows up in multiple locations. Kelly’s assistant Ruby (Anna Garcia) has a wardrobe of colorful outfits like those often seen in photos of young women from the late 60s and early 70s. Eastern Airlines and TWA have signage in the airport. And it was great to hear the forgotten soul classic Slip Away by Clarence Carter in the soundtrack. 

Is Fly Me To The Moon a horrible film? No, that’s not the right word. But it could’ve and should’ve been better. It runs a bit too long—2:12. It wastes the talents of Ray Romano whose impact is negligible. And it inaccurately posits that the country was not that excited about the moon mission. 

According to Wikipedia, “the film was initially slated to be released direct-to-streaming but was redirected to theatrical following strong test screenings.” Hmmm. 

Directed by Greg Berlati. Script by Rose Gilroy from a story by Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn. Rated PG-13. 

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Dune: Part Two

Timothée Chalamet is the top-billed star of Dune: Part Two. But, make no mistake, this is director Denis Villeneuve’s movie. 

As with other Villeneuve films (notably Bladerunner 2049 and Arrival, plus the 2021 Dune Part One) stunning images are a given. The desert landscapes and gigantic structures offer opportunities for compelling scenes that may or may not be have computer-generated elements but they look awesome.

The battles, big and small, employing high tech and low tech, involving thousands of souls or just two, the menacing desert worms (who provide a cool mode of transportation), the military aircraft that resemble mosquitos, that goofy sandwalk. One epic battle is staged in black-and-white to great effect. And it all proceeds at a good pace because there’s so much story to tell within a run time of 2:46.

Hans Zimmer, whose soundtracks are rarely subtle, charges in with low-pitched signatures that accompany key moments and fuel anticipation. This may be the loudest movie since Oppenheimer.

Because this film’s predecessor was released during the pandemic in October 2021 AND was made available to streaming at the same time as its theatrical release, many folks (including me) saw Dune: Part One on a small screen. Seeing Dune: Part Two on a large screen is, by comparison, overwhelming. It’s often said of films “see this movie on the biggest screen possible.” That suggestion applies here.

Is it necessary to have seen Dune:Part One to appreciate Dune: Part Two? No, but watching the first one or at least reading a plot synopsis provides context. 

Does Timothée Chalamet have the heft to portray a valiant warrior leading a classic quest? He is a slim man with a youthful countenance and cute curly hair. In the first film he is shamed by Jason Mamoa’s character for not putting on muscles. But, yes, he does manage to fill the heroic role ably because he is a talented actor. 

How do the Dune movies compare to the Star Wars films? There are similarities but the Dune movies lack the light-hearted moments and characters that populate the Star Wars universe. Villeneuve takes his sci-fi a bit more seriously.

The main plot: Paul Atriedes (Chalamet) leads a mission to the planet Arrakis to avenge the death of his father and to secure control of “spice,” the crop that fuels this future universe. He has the support of the planet’s persecuted Fremen who include his love interest Chani (Zendaya) and tribal leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem). 

The saga from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel includes mythic and religious hopes seen in modern Christianity and Islam. Is Paul the Chosen One? The Lisan al-Gaib? The Mahdi? Some of the Fremen believe him to be a messiah.

Returning from the first Dune film are Paul’s mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Gurney (Josh Brolin), Baron Harkonnen (an enormous Stellan Skarsgård), Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) and Reverend Mother (Charlotte Rampling). New characters in D2 include Feyd-Rautha (a menacing looking Austin Butler), the Emperor (Christopher Walken) and his daughter Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh).

Dune: Part Two is, on one hand, totally satisfying. A visual treat, a classic tale of good versus evil. On the other hand, there are a few elements of the story yet to be resolved. How soon will talk about a Part Three begin popping up? TBD.

But before that happens, don’t miss Dune: Part Two. It’s a must-see. As mentioned, strap in and see it in a theater. Rated PG-13.

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Argylle

Argylle is an action-packed thrill ride. It’s the kind of movie the world needs right now. There’s your pull quote. 

Bryce Dallas Howard is terrific as a spy tale novelist who quickly finds herself doing many of the wild and wooly things her books’ central character Argylle (Henry Cavill) does. 

Argylle is clever, funny, sometimes silly, colorful and, oh yes, violent. But much of that shooting and punching and kicking and exploding is of a comic nature—just as fantastical as the stuff in John Wick films but with a wink from the filmmaker. Argylle doesn’t move nearly as fast as the quick cut preview trailer does, but there are few slowdowns once it kicks off.

Director Matthew Vaughn, whose film Kingsman: The Secret Service (released here nine years ago) was filled with surprises and dekes and feints, brings similar turns and twists to Argylle. Vaughn also directed two Kingsman sequels, an X-men film and the 2007 fantasy Stardust, taken from a Neil Gaiman tale. 

When Elly Conway (Howard) finishes her fifth book, she sends her mom (Catherine O’Hara) the manuscript. When mom offers a critique, Elly takes a train to visit her mother in person. On the train she encounters Aidan (Sam Rockwell) who tells her his occupation is espionage. She notices he’s reading one of her Argylle spy novels. 

In short order, a fracas occurs on the train, starting Elly and Aidan on their adventure that takes them from somewhere in the western U.S. to London and on to the south of France where they visit a vineyard tended by Alfie (Samuel L. Jackson). Ah, but growing grapes is not Alfie’s real mission—he’s guiding spy missions from his man cave. 

Alfie is also the name of Elly’s cat who rides along in her backpack and looks out through the backpack’s round window. He’s not just along for the ride; he gets into the action at a couple of key moments.

Elly and Aidan’s travels take them to an oil tanker where a long battle occurs with a couple of ridiculously creative scenes that scriptwriter Jason Fuchs and Vaughn have crafted to provide some neat visuals.

Also in the film’s cast are Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Dua Lipa and Ariana DeBose. 

You’ve probably noticed a generally tense mood in the nation and the world in recent months. It’s not necessary to list the reasons why in this review. 

But it is necessary to tune out the world occasionally. Argylle provides a healthy dose of escapism with an engaging story, an array of memorable characters, an energetic soundtrack and one cool kitty. If you could benefit from a couple of hours of fun, you might like Argylle. It’s rated PG-13.

In theaters now, coming to Apple TV+ at a yet-to-be-announced date.

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2023 Movies… Favorites and others

It was great to get back into theaters this year and see movies on the big screen!

I’ve put the movies I saw this year into three groups:

MOVIES I LIKED A LOT…

John Wick Chapter 4. Not just an orgy of violence, it is ballet. The cast, the stunts, the locations, the story… wow! Keanu Reeves and company deliver one of the best action movies I’ve ever seen.

The Holdovers. Clever story and script, strong performances, some good laughs and a big dose of humanity make this a perfect movie for grown-ups. Paul Giamatti is excellent as usual.

American Fiction. A comedy about white guilt and those people who exploit it—both black and white. It’s also a family story with Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown as siblings and Leslie Uggams as their mom. Opens in St. Louis in January.

Oppenheimer. Big movie. Loud. The physicist’s life is divided into two parts: pre-bomb and post-bomb. Director/writer Christopher Nolan crams a lot of narrative into three hours. Robert Downey Jr.’s explosive performance likely to be among this film’s award winners. Not only was this film a critical success, it did huge box office numbers too.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. More fun with this odd cast of characters, each of whom is developed more fully here. Loved the art direction and the song choices. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. With references to previous Indy movies and lots of entertaining chase scenes. The use of time travel as a plot device is weak but the movie checks most of the boxes we’ve known and loved in the Indiana Jones series. Welcome back, Dr. Jones!

The Burial. Jamie Foxx is excellent as a personal injury lawyer who takes funeral home owner Tommy Lee Jones as a client. 

MOVIES I LIKED SOMEWHAT…

Dumb Money. Better job of telling its story than expected. Paul Dano is great, as usual. 

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. Weird time of life for all kids, especially girls. Classic teen book finally gets the screen treatment it deserves.

Champions. Woody Harrelson in a movie with heart. He coaches a basketball team of developmentally challenged kids. 

Cocaine Bear. Silly, goofy, fun. And Ray Liotta!

The Last Voyage of the Demeter. A slow build horror film. Nicely executed.

Book Club: The Next Chapter. Basically a raunchier version of a Hallmark movie with bigger stars. Candace Bergen is the standout among the four senior actresses.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. Effects and stunts triumph over story and characters. I was more impressed by the Rome chase than the dangling train bit.

Napoleon. Has its moments. Spectacular battle scenes. 

Priscilla. Her side of the story. The woman in the title role (Cailee Spaeny) did a nice job but that whole relationship was creepy. 

The Exorcist: Believer. Some good scary moments. And Ellyn Burstyn’s return.

No Hard Feelings. Jennifer Lawrence has charisma and range. Several good laughs.

The Flash. Highlight of the film is Michael Keaton’s return as Batman.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Chris Pine is good but what the heck is Hugh Grant doing in this movie?

MOVIES I DID NOT LIKE…

Asteroid City. Wes Anderson overload. Pointless.

Five Nights at Freddy’s. Not scary. Josh Hutcherson’s overacting gets tedious.

Strays. Cute idea, dumb execution.

The Boys in the Boat. Sports movie clichés aplenty. I was bored.

Renfield. Nic Cage is fun but this horror flick had little charm for me.

Can’t wait to see what 2024 has to offer!

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