TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (2019) - Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna, MacKenzie Davis

Director:     Tim Miller

Writers:      Screenplay:  David Goyer, Justin Rhodes + 1

Story By:  James Cameron, Charles H. Eglee, + 3

I love this return to the original “Terminator” franchise.  The writers have done a magnificent job melding the old story with this new one, and director Tim Miller sews it all together into a totally believable story. 

However, it’s Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger who make it a brilliant, epic return.  Despite the many excellent versions of the “Terminator” concept, including a television version, nothing engaged me like the first one, written and directed by James Cameron, co-written by Gale Ann Hurd.  

There is such an iconic implacability about the Schwarzenegger Terminator (“Carl”), I can’t help but love him and I’m so glad he’s a “good” guy in this latest version.  When Sara Connor steps into frame, my heart swelled with relief… I just knew she would save the day.  Neither of these actors are in their prime physical shape now, but, ultimately in the end, they prove it’s not “muscles” or “skills” which get things done; rather, it’s pure unrelenting, unforgiving, unmistakable commitment to their cause.

Natalia Reyes is adequate as the new Savior-of-the-World, and I suspect she will eventually rise to fill her heroic shoes.  MacKenzie Davis is effective and wonderful as the new version Protector-of-the-Heroine.

Implacable as all Terminators must be, Gabriel Luna makes a formidable foe because he has the same commitment as Sara and Carl, but he doesn’t prevail because he lacks the fuel Sara and Carl have in abundance.  That fuel is love.  Make no mistake, Carl has “learned” this concept well enough to act it out.  Whether a cyborg can really “feel” it… well, I don’t even think it’s relevant in this brilliant return to the original franchise.

I predict a successful new franchise arising from this movie version.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6450804/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Dark Fate, Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron, David Goyer, Terminator, MacKenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna

 

CHERNOBYL (2019) - Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard, Emily Watson

Creator:     Craig Mazin       

Actors:       Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard, Emily Watson

This HBO limited series won 10 Emmys and had numerous other nominations for excellence.  Still, despite the accolades, I didn’t really want to watch people going through the horror of radioactive contamination.

But I was curious, so I made myself comfortable in front of the TV and watched it.  What an experience!  Folks, this story is not about the resulting horrors of a nuclear blast.  Rather, it’s about how humans, no matter their livelihood, age, ethnicity or character, step up to the plate and become heroes during times of inescapable danger.

After the Chernobyl nuclear explosion, the Russian government decides not to reveal the potential horrible outcome of the blast. Meanwhile, people begin to die.  It is an ugly, painful way to die.

Three people decide they will do whatever it takes to expose the true story behind the explosion, not so much for the sake of truth itself, but because other countries must be warned of a flaw in the system which will ultimately result in an explosion.  The area is so contaminated that staying in the blast vicinity for any period of time is guaranteed contamination.

Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard and Emily Watson portray the three people who are determined to get the true story out. As each episode reveals more and more of the real danger, we see how each character accepts the inevitable truth of the situation.

 For the volunteers who go back inside the building to prevent an even greater blast, it’s a suicidal act for which their families will only receive a few dollars as compensation.  For the miners who agree to strengthen the building’s foundation to withstand pressure buildup, it’s a guaranteed case of death by radiation.

This is a beautifully written story about the depths and heights people reach when disaster strikes.  People make heroic choices every day.  What kind of coward would I be to deny myself the chance to honor it?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Chernobyl, Stellan Skarsgard, Emily Watson, Jared Harris, Johan Renck, Craig Mazin

THE LION KING (2019) - Voices: Donald Glover, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, John Oliver

Released:  2019

Director:     Jon Favreau

Writers:      Jeff Nathanson (screenplay)  

Voices:      Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones, John Oliver, Alfre Woodard, Seth Rogen, Beyonce, JD McCrary

What a charming, delightful version this is!  The animation technology has advanced so much that the animals are as real as African wildlife featured on any TV documentary.  Then, there’s JD MCCrary (as young Simba)  whose voice and style sound so much like Michael Jackson, it’s downright chilling.

Disney certainly knows how to make movies.  This one features animals in the leading roles, but make no mistake… this is an educational experience about how to be an ethical, responsible and loving human being.  Kudos to director Jon Favreau and all the actors for making it so real.

James Earl Jones’ voice is perfect for Mufasa, Simba’s father.  Integrity, honor and love resonate whenever he speaks.  Alfre Woodard’s voice, so tender and soft, becomes a powerful surge when she raises her voice to challenge villainous Scar.  Basically, image and voice are so well aligned, you forget this is just-pretend reality on a screen.

What I congratulate most about this movie is that it isn’t afraid to show the harsh realities of life.  Animals prey on other animals.  They kill and eat other animals.  Children watching this do need to be aware that loved ones die and it’s important to honor their passing, but it’s just as important to learn how to move on.  The song “Hakuna Matata” is so joyous we get that it’s a matter of “life” and not burying our pain to avoid dealing with it.

All in all, this is a fun, educational and emotional adventure.  The children of yesterday who saw the first version should definitely bring their own children to enjoy this movie now.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6105098/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1
TAGS:  LION KING, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, Beyonce, Jon Favreau,  Jeff Nathanson, JD McCrary, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Seth Rogan, Donald Glover

 

LEAVING NEVERLAND - 2019 (HBO TV - 2-part Documentary)

Director:     Dan Reed

Cast:          Wade Robson, Jimmy Safechuck, Michael Jackson Footage

This documentary focuses on two men who now admit during a filmed interview that Michael Jackson sexually abused them. 

What makes this film so powerful and credible is that it doesn’t focus on Michael, the pedophile.  It focuses instead on the experiences of two men who survived the abuse and who, to this day, are recovering from the trauma of their experiences.

Kudos to director Dan Reed who uncovers the truths in this film with respect and dignity.  It makes clear that at the time the two boys were actively involved with the superstar, what they felt for him was overwhelming love and loyalty.

Michael’s charisma was so powerful even the boys’ families fell under his spell.  Watching the footage of Michael’s interaction with them, we see proof of his generosity and kindness.  We hear Michael’s voice ending his conversations with, “I love you.” 

Today, it’s hard to imagine why a mother would allow her young son to share a bedroom with Michael Jackson.  It becomes a little more believable when we see how Michael so sincerely cares about them.

As Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck, now fathers of young sons themselves, honestly share their experiences with us, we see their pain, vulnerability and bewilderment.  They KNOW Michael’s love for them was genuine, but the confusion and trauma of being loved, then rejected and discarded… that too is real.

As fathers whose sons are now the same age they were during their time with Michael, they see the vulnerability and innocence of young boys. They understand the ultimate cruelty of planting seeds in a garden made of Michael’s type of inappropriate “love.”  They know now that seeds thrown into that type of garden create plants which are psychologically and emotionally malformed. 

This is a difficult film to watch.  Nevertheless, its hard-core truths present an important aspect of reality which all parents should understand for themselves. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9573980/?ref_=nv_sr_2?ref_=nv_sr_2

TAGS:  Michael Jackson, Wade Robson, James Safechuck, Dan Reed, Neverland

MARY POPPINS RETURNS (2018)

Director:     Rob Marshall

Writers:      David Magee, Rob Marshall, John DeLuca

Actors:       Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Ben Wishaw, Dick Van Dyke, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Emily Mortimer

This is saga which brings us to the time when the original Banks children have grown up and now have challenges of their own.  Mary Poppins returns to help the family, bringing with her all her delightful and magical presence.

It’s not the same, though.  When the original came out, many of us had no clue as to the possibilities of CGI effects, and so what was magic then becomes routine now.  The “ah” and “wow” factor have disappeared because we are now conscious that certain “magical” things on screen are simply a techno effect.

We are no longer a caveman mentality mesmerized by light turning on at the flick of a switch.  We take electricity for granted now, so it’s no longer magical.  The talented Emily Blunt is a talented, powerful actress, and while I was thrilled at seeing her toes-out figure zooming in from the clouds, it wasn’t the heart-stopping gasp I experienced when Julie Andrews did it.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is also talented and competent, but he just didn’t tickle my heart into the delightful energy Dick Van Dyke brought to his role.  In fact, the two who succeeded best at bringing back the joyous magic of the original movie were Meryl Streep and Dick Van Dyke. 

Having said all that, this is an excellent movie, with excellent actors and scenes, and it was time to revisit all the wonderful charms of Mary Poppins.  Unfortunately, as a young girl whose eyes popped out and heart expanded in magical wonder at the original, I can’t help making the comparison to the original, and, unfortunately, this new version is diminished in that comparison.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028340/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Mary Poppins, Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Emily Mortimer, Ben Wishaw, Dick Van Dyke, Julie Walters

THE MULE (2018)

Director:     Clint Eastwood

Writers:      Sam Dolnick, Nick Schenk

Actors:       Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Manny Montana, Dianne Wiest, Andy Garcia, Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne

Hooray for Clint Eastwood! What an honest, self-deprecating actor and director he reveals himself to be in this movie.  Those of us in the “senior” generation remember him as a beautiful specimen of a movie hero who could even carry a tune.

In this movie, he plays a 90-year-old horticulturalist who is guided into a life of "muling" drugs on behalf of a Mexican cartel.  His walk is slow and measured now, his voice trembly when he sings, but he is as he always has been – a stubborn, strong-willed man who has his own codes of what’s right and wrong in life.

As he did in his younger days, he depicts a heroic man who will not be steered away from his goal.  In a way, I suspect this is his personal exclamation point that, yeah, he’s no longer the hunky superhero, but he still hasn’t veered from his path of being true to himself.  

This movie is filled with surprising charm.  I giggled and cried and loved him as I always have.   As director, Eastwood knows how to bring out the humanity in his cast.  Eastwood even imbues the “bad guys” -- the cartel boss and his minions – with a certain amount of likability factor.  All the supporting cast acquit themselves competently.  Dianne Wiest, as always, captures the essence of gentleness beneath her tough exterior.

What I loved most about this movie is the honesty of life’s evolutionary journey, one containing mistakes, anger, hate, love, evil, and so many pitfalls.  Yet, throughout the journey, you can only do it “your way” since, after all, you are the one who reaps the ultimate consequences.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7959026/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  The Mule, Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Manny Montana, Dianne Wiest, Michael Pena, Andy Garcia, Laurence Fishburne

AQUAMAN (2018)

Director:     James Wan

Writers:      David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Will Beall

Actors:       Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson

The CGI effects are wonderful in this movie!  The set designs, the vision of Atlantis and costumes are eye-popping.  Heard, Dafoe and Wilson acquit themselves believably. Kidman, as always, brings class and power to her role. 

What falls short of my expectations is Aquaman himself as depicted by Jason Momoa.  I’ve seen Momoa in other movies and he knows how to be an actor.  Unfortunately, the words coming from his mouth in this movie, meant to be bad-ass and ironic, don’t fit his character.  Mamoa is gorgeous and physically perfect for the role, but since all characters are filtered through the soul (eyes) of the actor, his inherent tenderness should have been written into the fabric of his character.   As it was, as portrayed by him, Aquaman’s bad-ass words felt “off” to me.

Robert Downey (Iron Man) can say those things and get away with it because he brings the grief-ridden ruthlessness to his character which makes his sarcasm and irony funny.  Momoa’s soul is simply too tender.  I wish he had brought playfulness rather than tough-guy mockery to his character.

I think if the writers had shaped Aquaman with Momoa’s inherent tenderness in mind, this would have been a more successful movie to me.  His essence depicts it, so no new action sequences are needed, but that tenderness should have been exploited in his dialogue and how he was directed. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477834/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Aquaman, Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, James Wan, Will Beall, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick