Hello there, everyone! I know it’s been a while but there’s been nothing of note lately in theaters, and you know how I hate wasting your time with trivialities. But this weekend there are couple of items I’d like to point out to you. They may not appeal to everyone, but at least you’ll be informed of what’s hot in entertainment!
BIRDS OF PREY
Oh yeah. The (dazzling) woman in the joker’s arsenal has her own flick! Whatever flaws may exist in the feature, this is a fine accomplishment. And Margot Robbie is quite the entertainer as the psychotic shrink who’s long since given up her day job for a career of crime.
You all probably know what a crappy reception Suicide Squad received. This offshoot is a great diversion from that memory, in it’s great R-rated comedy that simply does not want to take itself too seriously. It’s like DC is trying to distract us from the bad rap Suicide Squad got. And it does work… kinda.
Harley Quinn and the Joker have broken up, and Quinn celebrates by blowing up ACE Chemicals – the birthplace of their romance. But now that her protector is gone, her enemies converge, and the worst of that lot is gangster Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor). In an effort to save herself, she tells him she’ll find him the missing 30-carat diamond that holds the clue to a hidden empire. The diamond has been swallowed by teenage pickpocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco). But the bounty Sionis is offering has attracted some serious monsters, even if there are some nicer folk determined to save the girl as well – such as sweet lounge act Dinah Laurel Lance (Jurnee Smolett-Bell), detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), and a crossbow-wielding Huntress named Helena Bertinelli (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).
The movie does have all the elements for a fun ride, but the problem lies in the fact that there is no real sense of danger. And with that goes the chance to make any real emotional impact. Also, the constant narration can get pretty annoying at times. The overall feminist vibe may irritate some (hey we love all our readers! Everyone’s welcome). But, if you go into the theater seeking just some unrestrained R-rated (if violent) fun, you’ll come out with a smile on that face.
Check out the trailer:
THE (TORTURE) REPORT
There are two types of horror flicks. One is the sort that’s very popular: paranormal horror like Insidious and the like. Then there’s the other sort, which portrays real-life events… events breathtaking in depth and scope of brutality and deception. This Amazon-produced flick is the latter kind.
It shows the Senate intelligence committee review of the CIA’s detention and enhanced interrogation program (created due to 9-11). In 2005, after the New York Times published a report that the CIA had destroyed tapes on these interrogations, the Senate Intelligence Committee tasked analyst Dan Jones (Adam Driver) to review CIA documents to find out what was on those tapes. What he and his team discovered was horrifying – especially when you consider the fact (substantiated amply through three wars) that torture is a useless, unreliable tactic. I skipped the interrogation scenes—they seem truly nightmarish. Like, no horror movie has anything on this—and I’m not talking just about the brutal techniques they used. This is some seriously dark s***. The screenplay is brilliant, and the acting, outstanding. Annette Bening plays Senator Diane Feinstein. There’s also Corey Stoll (who can forget Senator Russo from Netflix’s House Of Cards) as pricey lawyer Cyrus Clifford, Jon Hamm as Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Ted Levine as John Brennan, Maura Tierney as CIA lackey ‘Bernadette’ and Sarah Johnson as an investigation team member, among others.
There are some who think this flick somewhat clinical, but I’m not sure I agree, especially since its scenes of resounding horror resonate ominously throughout the entire viewing time. Not to mention, the deception and manipulation practiced with impunity by folks we trust and deeply respect. Anyhow… I cannot forget this movie, so naturally I must ask all of you to see it 😊 and share in my melancholy. Please see it. It’s absolutely and completely worth two hours of your time (feature available only through Amazon). In fact I dare you to see it and come away unchanged. On another note, it will be interesting to see if the Academy grants this flick any awards – if it cares in any way, shape, or form about freedom and truth, it should, and generously.
Here’s the trailer:
And that’s the best of it for now. Have I been living under a rock? Perhaps. I challenge you to tell me off here or on Twitter. But all I care is, will I ever see you again… here?
