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Tabari McCoy

Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme Arrives on the Big Screen in Magic Fashion

November 4, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

“This window needs to be cleaned … But I ain’t gonna be the one to do it!” Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the titular character in a scene from director Steve Derrickson’s take on Marvel’s “sorcerer supreme,” DOCTOR STRANGE. Credit: Jay Maidment © 2016 Marvel Studios. All rights reserved. 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



 

 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chitewel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel MacAdams and Benjamin Bratt

WRITER(S): Jon Spaith, C. Robert Carghill and Steve Derrickson (screenplay); Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (Comic book characters on which the film is based)DIRECTOR(S): Steve Derrickson 

WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/doctorstrangepremiereHERE’S THE STORY: The first “new” character (not new if you are a fan of the comic book) in Marvel Studios Phase Three plan, Doctor Strange stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Steven Strange, a renowned neurosurgeon. Working alongside his on-again, off-again girlfriend Christine (Rachel McAdams), Strange is as skilled as he is full of himself – which is to say very. 


Then, he crashes his expensive sports car in an accident that shreds his divine tools (his hands) to pieces, leaving both his career and his life in shambles.


Desperate to save his life’s work, Strange seeks out treatment from just about everyone he can think to no avail, each attempt leaving him more bitter and broken. It’s only then that he happens to hear about and then seek out Johnathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt), a once paralyzed man who miraculously is not only no longer paralyzed, but back to playing pick-up basketball at a local park. Pangborn tells him about a mysterious place in Nepal that may be able to help him, leaving Strange to spend his last dime to travel there in search or refuge. But once he’s there, Strange discovers just how strange the place he has come is compared to anything he has ever encountered before.


Meeting up with a bald woman known simply as “The Ancient One” (Tilda Swinton) and her main assistants Wong (Benedict Wong) and Mordo (Chitewel Ejiofor), Strange undergoes a major transformation that, while it does not affect his hands in the way he foresees, affects his understaning of the world and his place in it forever.


And that’s a good thing, especially since Kaecillius (Mads Mikkelsen) – a.k.a. The Ancient One’s former apprentice – has taken his knowledge of her teachings and plans to apply them for a very nefarious purpose …  

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Benedict Cumberbatch fans; people who will enjoy the Inception-like scene shape shifting; those who generally enjoy Marvel films

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Those who feel the film is a bit “whitewashed” or, ironically, too ethnically diversified given the actors playing certain roles in the film that were not those ethnicities in the comic; religious people who feel the film dives too much into things like the black arts, etc.

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A Marvel origin story film that actually focuses on developing its lead character well to the point you almost crave some more information about the secondary characters, Doctor Strange is another win for the premier comic book movie studio.


Cumberbatch fully throws himself into the character of Steven Strange, giving him a complete evolution, if you will, as man who goes from arrogant, self-serving should-be hero to humbled, thrust into action actual hero. While that story in and of itself is nothing new, Cumberbatch delivers a needed mix of ego, humor and disbelief along his journey, which makes his character’s eventual 360 transformation believable, honest and most importantly given his character’s nature, smart. His responses to his situation are completely normal, a factor which is important in making the character believable and both heroic as he does progress. While Swinton and Ejiofor deliver solid performances in their supporting roles as the guides of Strange’s journey – Wong, however, is hilarious in his role – it is Cumberbatch who succeeds in channeling the story through him in a fashion that thoroughly works. This is a movie about a man’s journey on the road to becoming a hero, not a good guy vs. bad guy movie and the film plays out that way. While one could argue all superhero origin stories are that way, Doctor Strange digs deep into its protagonist’s life with the action sequences only existing when feeling necessary and not because he quote-unquote “kicks ass.” 


While the beginning of the film may have a bit of a slower pace atypical of most Marvel films, Director Scott Derrickson deserves a good amount of credit for making the mystical world of Doctor Strange accessible for the non-comic book viewer, breaking down the things that need to be for the casual observer while leaving enough insider nods for the die hard fan. While the talk of magic, mystic arts and the like might be a bit much at first, the strength of the tale told under Derrickson’s director will start to hook you before eventually delivering a satisfying cinematic experience. 


Then again, Marvel’s been making movie magic with that formula now for years, so why would they stop doing it now?
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: benedict cumberbatch, Doctor Strange, Marvel Studios

McCoy on Movies: The Girl On The Train

October 7, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

 

“Man, I should have just taken an Uber to work … But then again, ‘The girl in the Uber’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it!” Rachel (Emily Blunt) peers out as she passes the home of the seemingly perfect couple … Only to discover something completely unexpected in a scene from director Tate Taylor’s take on the best-selling novel THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. Credit: DreamWorks Pictures © 2016 Storyteller Distribution Co.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:






KEY CAST MEMBERS: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, Lisa Kudrow and Laura Prepon

WRITER(S): Erin Cressida Wilson (screenplay); Paula Hawkins (based on the novel by)DIRECTOR(S): Tate Taylor

WEB SITE: http://www.thegirlonthetrainmovie.com/HERE’S THE STORY: Based on the book of the same name, The Girl on the Train stars Emily Blunt as Rachel, a divorcee who still not over her ex Tom (Justin Theroux), who has since moved on to marry and have a child with Anna (Rebecca Ferguson). A recovering alcoholic, Rachel has been staying with her friend Cathy (Laura Prepon) for the past 2 years trying to get back on her feet, which mostly consists of her riding the train from the suburbs into Manhattan Monday–Friday.


The most exciting part of Rachel’s existence, though, is the part of her train ride that passes by a seemingly perfect couple of Scott Hipwell (Luke Evans) and his wife Megan (Haley Bennett). Seeing Megan embrace Scott on weekly if not daily basis, Rachel is fascinated by the woman she sees as still having the life she lost in her divorce, a part of herself she can’t imagine ever getting back. Then, one day, she sees Megan kissing a different man who turns out to be Dr. Kamal Abdic (Edgar Ramirez), who also just so happens to be Megan’s therapist. Becoming more and more obsessed with Megan while trying to deal with losing her old relationship, Rachel finds herself in a precarious position once she sees Megan walking one day into a tunnel, determined to confront her about her apparent affair. 


But what Rachel doesn’t know is while she thinks the woman she has been obsessing over has such a perfect existence, the truth of Megan’s life is revealed one moment at a time … All of which comes to a head the moment Rachel decides to follow her into the tunnel …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of thrillers; Emily Blunt fans; those who enjoy watching films that delve into the lives of damaged characters and watching how to they try to piece together their existence; people who like stories with twists

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Recovering alcoholics; women in abusive relationships; depressed people who obsesses over strangers; people who hate films that have slow pacing; anyone who can’t buy into the film’s story 

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film that could be best described in some way as a spiritual cousin to Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train is a thriller that delivers emotionally-strong performances to satisfy those looking for twisty “what’s going on here” tale … Even if there are times the film’s slow pace and twisty tale.


Blunt captures the essence of Rachel with skilled acumen, a necessity in a film of this type with so many slow reveals. Weaving between the present and the past, The Girl on the Train requires an actresses able to not only showcase the best and worst of times in Rachel’s life but also how she is unable to cope with her own life when she knows she’s being self-destructive. Blunt truly shows her skill as an actress in revealing and showing all of these various aspects of Rachel to bring out sympathy and empathy to her character as she tries to make sense of the world around her. 


Likewise, Bennett does an extraordinary job at stripping away the supposed perfect image that Blunt’s character constructs, bringing the “the grass is NOT always greener” cliché out to full blossom. While possessing all the physical attributes Rachel rambles about and wishes she still possessed, Bennett brings out a sadness in her character that shows how much in common the two women have. Of course, this helps act as fine balancing line between the two to keep the film’s emotional undercurrent steady. While Ferguson’s performance accomplishes what needs to be done to move the story forward, it isn’t exactly as memorable as Blunt or Bennett’s, which provide an emotionally necessary juxtaposition. The guys in the film fit in like jigsaw pieces to fill in the bigger picture, but they fit into the story well enough to hit all the necessary beats. 


The only problem is sometimes the beats take a bit too long to get to under director Tate Taylor (The Help, Winter’s Bone) as there are some scenes that feel a bit jumbled in terms of the timeline and fitting into the big reveal of the text. Other than that, the film hits more often than it misses and delivers tension, emotion and intrigue. If nothing else, The Girl on the Train will make you think twice about your daily commute, the people you see and the lives you believe they may or may not live.


It will also make a lot of dudes think twice about not protecting their passwords.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: emily blunt, The Girl On The Train

McCoy On Movies: The Magnificent Seven

September 21, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt star in director Antoine Fuqua’s take on one of the most revered Westerns of all-time … But does the 2016 version of The Magnificent Seven live up to its name?

“All right, enough with the Mr. Ed jokes, fellas – just ride the doggone horse!” From left to right: Byung-hun Lee, Ethan Hawke, Manual Garcia-Rulfo, Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D’Onofrio and Martin Sensmeier star in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s and Columbia Pictures’ THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. Credit: Sam Emerson. © 2016 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures Industries. All rights reserved. 
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Byung-hun Lee, Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Peter Sarsgaard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Haley Bennett, Matt Bomer and Luke Grimes

WRITER(S): Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni (based on the original screenplay by); Richard Wenk and Nic Pizzolatto (screenplay)DIRECTOR(S): Antoine Fuqua

WEB SITE: http://www.mag7live.comHERE’S THE STORY: A multi-cultural remake/re-invisioning of the 1960 classic – itself a remake of the Japanese film Seven Samurai – the 2016 edition of The Magnificent Seven stars Denzel Washington as Sam Chisholm. Chisholm is a bounty hunter with government certification who finds himself in the sights of Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett). Cullen is the wife of Matthew (Matt Bomer), who is one of the victims of Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), a gold mining magnate of the most villainous degree. And in 1879, a man of Bogue’s stature is one that one generally does not mess with, at least not without knowing that retribution will be swift and definitely coming. 


Seeing her husband and her town of Rose Creek suffering under the vise-like grip of Bogue, Cullen sets out to find someone that might be able to help stop his reign of terror – and that’s where Chisholm comes in. For he is the man Cullen tracks down to help her save Rose Creek, but he knows he can’t do it alone.


This is why he recruits a team of randy soldiers to help him in battle. This includes: gambler/card trickster Joshua Faraday (Chris Pratt), gentle mountain man Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), wanted Mexican outlaw Vasquez (Maneul Garcia-Rulfo), reformed Confederate soldier Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke) and his Asian partner in gun – and knife fights – Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee) and Native American warrior/raw meat enthusiast Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier), who was told by his elders that “his path is different.” Knowing they only have a week to train before Bogue returns from Sacramento to attempt to wipe out the whole town, Chisholm and his men try to get the town – and much to his chagrin, a very determined Mrs. Cullen – ready to fight.


Considering they will truly be in a fight for their lives, they’re going to need all the help and training time they can get. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt fans; people who like action films that focus on story development and strong female characters; those who enjoy well-done good vs. evil stories even if they are somewhat predictable at times.

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who hate remakes; people who can’t get buying into the film’s multiracial cast being set together in 1879; those who dislike excessive violence, which this movie has in spades; those who feel like they are over Washington’s cool, calm and collected thing and Pratt’s boyish charm thing

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? The cliché says you are never supposed to judge a book by its cover, or, in a movie’s case, by its trailer and cast. Then again, given how many clichés one can find in the western genre, you could possibly be forgiven for doing that in the case of The Magnificent Seven. 


For when a project is done as well as director Antoine Fuqua’s affair is, the first glance is the right glance if it makes you think it is a pretty magnificent movie.


Seven isn’t one of those remakes that tries to re-invent the wheel as much as it attempts to simply nails each one of its beats exceptionally well to the point that if you are not a die hard fan of the original – it is in the Library of Congress’ film preservation archive, after all – this one will suit you quite nicely.Washington does his usual superb job of bringing his subtle-yet-focused swagger to the role of Chisholm, a man whose motivations for accepting the job are not fully detailed until the film’s climatic moments. Likewise, Pratt wields his boyish/devilish charm to the hilt, making his upbeat yet skilled gunslinger effective as needed to balance out Washington’s unflinching demeanor. You get exactly what you anticipate from the two leading men in leading men roles, fortunately without any cliché-in-a-non-entertaining-because-it-just-doesn’t-feel-organic fashion moments.

The rest of our would be heroes likewise hit their marks, adding a unique flavor to the mix that never feels as forced as one might fear it may, Sensmeier and Lee especially as each plays their role with nothing but a stoic pride, reverence and relevance. While their characters are supposed to be a rag-tag group of fighters, there is nothing that feels unnatural about their work together. When you have badasses that know they are badasses, it’s much better to have them simply show they are badasses than to have them repeatedly say they are (think every 80s action movie starring men now in their 60s).

Bennett shows a solid turn as a strong female character, exhibiting a balance between wife pushed to her limits and woman in a harsh time (and even harsher environment). While there are times she almost feels a bit too put upon, but she does her best to rise above the near one-note (but somewhat needed) nature of her character. Sarsgaard turns in his finest villainous turn to date because he does the thing many actors fail to do in villainous roles: Embrace the fact they are the pure embodiment of pain, torture and despair that will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals. Instead of being an after thought that fails to live up to his ominous presence, Sarsgaard makes sure that you know there will be no stopping him and that he has not one ounce of remorse in his being – and that’s what a good villain does.

Director Antoine Fuqua of course deserves credit for making all of his moving pieces fit together, which, given the star power involved, was obviously not an easy task. As stated above, each actor makes the most of their moment en route to reaching their individual destinies, which is just all you can ask (other than doing something remarkable that takes the performance to another level). The scenery stays within the tradition of what one associates with the Old West from the dusty, life-worn roughnecks of saloons to the unrelenting beauty of the frontier. Save for possibly replaying a copy of Red Dead Redemption, Seven combines modern drama with the classic Western tale exceptionally under Fuqua’s watch, the battle and gunfight scenes showcasing excellent tension creation in slow, steady builds before bombastic, grandiose all out violence.

Whether or not the Western as a genre comes back into vogue remains to be seen; if Hollywood delivers more immersive experiences like The Magnificent Seven, though, there’s a good chance they might ride again.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 
 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Chris Pratt, denzel Washington, the magnificent seven

McCoy on Movies:The Light Between Oceans

September 1, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Derek Cianfrance has adapted and directed a best-selling novel into a major motion picture.

“Hold me … This turtleneck is itchy and I am about to lose it!” Isabel (Alicia Vikander) and Tom (Michael Fassbender) embrace in a scene from director Derek Cianfrance’s take on M.L. Steadman’s best-selling novel THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS. Credit: Davi Russo © 2016 DreamWorks Pictures. All rights reserved. 




WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HE

 

 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Florence Clery, Jack Thompson, Leon Ford and Bryan Brown

WRITER(S): Derek Cianfrance (screenplay); M.L. Steadman (novel on which the film is based)

DIRECTOR(S): Derek Cianfrance

WEB SITE: https://dreamworkspictures.com/films/the-light-between-oceans
HERE’S THE STORY: Based on M.L. Steadman novel of the same name, The Light Between Oceans stars Michael Fassbender as Tom Sherbourne, a man looking for a refuge – both physically and mentally – following his military service in World War I. He finds it in Janus Rock, an island off the coast of Australia where a lighthouse keeper job has just opened up. It is at his interview where he ends up meeting Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), a young woman who takes an instant liking to Tom despite his seemingly dark and solitary tone.


Once married, Tom and Isabel seemingly have the best of times, and look forward to starting a family of their own. Then, tragedy strikes, leaving them both – Isabel especially – devastated. So, when a dead man and a crying infant wash ashore out of nowhere, Tom and Isabel face a moral dilemma they had not anticipated: Report the dead man and take care of the baby until the authorities alive or simply tell no one and raise the baby as their own since people know they had been trying to start a family and haven’t seen the couple in weeks.


So why then, is the presence of Hannah Roennfeldt (Rachel Weisz) on the mainland so threatening to Tom? Because he knows that if Hannah ever finds out the secret doesn’t know, it could shatter his, Isabel’s and little Lucy’s (Florence Clery) idyllic life together.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who enjoy period dramas with moral dilemmas; Michael Fassbender fans; those who like emotionally wrought stories and are in the mood for one

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who hate movies where the story feels dragged out and slow to develop; those who find moral dilemma dramas where the characters place themselves into trouble problematic; anyone who watches the trailer and finds the film’s story as coming off to dry 

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film that is very well-acted but a bit long in its proverbial tooth, The Light Between Oceans is a well-executed drama … That you may likely never want to watch again after it’s over.


Back in the year 2000, a lot of things were different. We didn’t have the constant threat of terrorism in our collective conscious quite yet, Livestrong bracelets, trucker hats and popped collars were in vogue and this song and singer’s hair hadn’t yet been played to the point where it would become a punchline in the annals of music history. I bring that up because that is also the year the movie Requiem for a Dream (which I argue was and remains the finest acting work of a then young Marlon Wayans career) was released. An emotionally devastating piece of work also starring Jennifer Connelly and a “you mean to tell me THAT guy is going to play The Joker one day?!” Jared Leto, Requiem was once dubbed by a friend of mine as “the feel bad movie of the year.” That turn of phrase has stuck with me ever since as one I frequently cite when describing a film that, while having many positive attributes as a film, is one that may be hard to digest unless you are just in the mood to, well, be sad or contemplative.


The Light Between Oceans fits this mode to the proverbial “T” as you watch Fassbender and Vikander struggle with both their own individual and collective personal tragedies, moral dilemmas and general sadness as they try to push through. You will feel and understand each emotionally wringing moment they endure and every moral dilemma they face as they continue to try to push through and in turn, roll your eyes and go “noooo!” once one of them starts to go a bit off the rails. Likewise, as Weisz’s character suffers through the pain of discovering the Sherbournes’ secret and then the disconnect she experiences as a result.  


However, unlike the previously mentioned Aronofsky work, Oceans doesn’t have that long-lasting quality that  grips you emotionally as much as it keeps you interested enough to see what will happen. The characters are wrought with distress, grief, guilt and pain, but not so much that your empathy rises to match your level of sympathy. Likewise, the long, drawn out pace of the film wears on your attention span/interest level; fortunately; the story does not play out in stereotypical fashion but a much more realistic sense, which keeps the film from falling into overproduced Lifetime movie status. 


Whereas Fassbender plays the moral glue of the story, Vikander proves herself extremely adept at portraying a woman so desperate to enjoy an element of life she cannot, she will go to an extreme to do it. Anyone who has a young child or that has lost one will easily be able to understand her actions, even if they (hopefully) don’t agree with them, which is a testament to her commitment to her performance. Young Florence Clery deserves a good deal of credit for her performance as 4 year-old Lucy, as the words “oh she’s so cute!” or “oh that’s so sad!” will ring in your head every time she’s on screen.) Writer/director Derek Cianfrance sets all of his cast again picturesque backdrops and uses the environment effectively in telling his story … It’s just a story that thanks to many moments might seem better suited for this woman than the average movie goer.


But should you choose to go, you’ll find there is a lot of darkness in The Light Between Oceans but not enough to keep it from having some shining moments of dramatic expression.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton

Suicide Squad D.O.A. or destined for greatness?

August 5, 2016 By Tabari McCoy


“In the 90s, hip-hop had the Hit Squad, the Flipmode Squad, then the Def Squad … What should we call our group when we drop our mixtape?!” L to R: Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Deadshot (Will Smith), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) and Katana (Karen Fukuhara) in Warner Bros. Pictures’ comic book-based action-adventure SUICIDE SQUAD. Credit: Clay Enos © & ™ 2016 Warner Bros. Pictures and Ratpac-Dune Entertainment LLC. All rights reserved.

 

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:

 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Viola Davis, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Shailyn Pierre-Dixon, Ike Barinholtz, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Joel Kinnaman, Karen Fukuhara, Scott Eastwood, Jim Parrack and Adam Beach

WRITER(S): David Ayer (Screenplay); John Ostrander (Comic book on which the film is based)DIRECTOR(S): David Ayer

WEB SITE: http://www.suicidesquad.com/HERE’S THE STORY: Following up on the events of Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad finds Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) looking for a way to deal with the new “metahumans” that have been discovered on earth. For while Superman was on the humans’ side of doing the proverbial right thing, the next one, Waller warns, might not be. And to protect the United States against such a terrorist threat, she advises it might be wise for the government to allow her to enact her top secret project idea: Task Force X, a group of the worst of the worst criminals/metahumans/flat out lunatics already in prison that can take on the worst missions … And be thrown under the bus if something goes wrong.


This “Suicide Squad” includes Floyd Lawton a.k.a. Deadshot (Will Smith), an assassin-for-hire who’s weakness is his love for his 11 year-old daughter (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon). There’s Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), formerly known as psychologist Harleen Quinzell before falling in love with one of her patients at Arkham Asylum. Next up is Chato Santana a.k.a. El Diablo (Jay Hernandez), a literal human barbecue of former gangbanger given his inherent ability to cause damage with fire and Digger Harknesss a.k.a. Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), an Australian bank robber/assassin who never met a safe he didn’t want to steal.


Rounding out this merry mess are Waylon Jones, the “Killer Croc” who has the worst skin condition ever since no amount of ProActiv is going to reduce his reptilian features or cannibalistic nature and Dr. June Moore (Clara Delevingne). An archeologist in her past life, Moore’s body has since been inhabited by the Enchantress since she went and played Lara Croft in a cave tomb she shouldn’t have tried to raid. With Waller controlling the Enchantress’ heart, Commander Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) – the soldier assigned by Waller to lead the Task Force X team – has no choice but to look out for More’s heart since he is and has been in love with her for a long time. At least Flag has Katana (Karen Fukuhara) to watch his back with her mystical sword. What makes it mystical, you ask? Nothing other than the fact it traps the souls of everyone it kills, like that of her husband when he was killed with it by the man Katana obviously took revenge upon. 


Offering each member of Task Force X time-off from their lengthy prison sentences if they agree to report for duty – and certain death if they disobey Flag or Waller at any time – it should go without saying many of our anti-heroes are reluctant to sign up. But once a major threat reveals itself, Task Force X is pressed into battle.


Whether or not they are prepared for the enigmatic lunatic known as the Joker (Jared Leto) – a.k.a. Harley Quinn’s “pudd’n” – when he comes to spring her, however, remains to be seen …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? D.C. Comics fans who loved the film’s first trailer; Harley Quinn/Margot Robbie fans; Will Smith fans longing for him to do some lighter fare; those looking for strong female characters in a traditionally male dominated genre; anyone who found Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice overly hated unnecessarily; pop music fans

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Die-hard Marvel fans who flat out dislike D.C. and some of its properties that are too similar to Marvel ones; Heath Ledger fans who cannot accept anyone else playing the role of the Joker; Suicide Squad comic fans who will crave more from Katana; people who never used to like Will Smith during the early days of his movie career; people who find Viola Davis’ character to be too over-the-top in terms of her exhibiting authority; people who have issues whatever they may be with Robbie’s and Cara Delevingne’s character’s costumes, sexual natures and/or acting;

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? Given the overall response to its predecessor Batman Vs. Superman and that wave of less-than-stellar reviews from other outlets that don’t matter as nearly as much as this one, one might think Suicide Squad might be an aptly and unfortunately named prediction of your viewing experience at the theater. Fortunately, I can tell you that is the furthest thing from the truth. 


Suicide Squad, which features the star-making turn from Robbie her supporters have long been waiting for in addition strong performers from Davis and Smith – is the most fun you’ll have at the movies this summer.


Writer/director David Ayer (whose last film was the forgotten 2014 Brad Pitt war-epic Fury) and his cast have seemingly done the impossible with Squad, creating a story that fits the conventional comic book canons while being accessible and enjoyable enough you don’t have to be this guy to enjoy it. And if you are that guy, you won’t hate it, either, thanks to a mix of humor, intense action, precisely inserted serious character backstories and music that all comes together for one fantastic fireball of an anti-hero story. 


Robbie steals nearly every scene she’s in, delivering the definitive live-action Harley Quinn performance much like Heath Ledger did for the Joker in The Dark Knight. Knowing how to channel the parts of Quinn that are equally sexy, funny, lunatic and violent, Robbie is dynamite in making sure her character’s lovesick school girl goes beyond just a playful smile and adoring affection of the Joker. From her laughs and quirks to outbursts and combat skills, Robbie’s performance is a memorable one that will be remembered long after the final credits. While many people will come in wondering about Leto – who does a fine job with his cyberpunk Sid Vicious-style turn as the Joker (he’s not trying to be Ledger, thankfully, as much as he is just being his own insane version of the character) – they’ll leave thinking about how well he works with Robbie instead.  


Likewise, Smith gives a great performance as the assassin-for-hire Deadshot, mixing in his Independence Day-style humor and quips while splicing in the dramatic tone and physical presence found in his more serious work such as Ali and Concussion. Smith plays off Kinnaman’s overwhelmed Flag and Davis’ strong-jawed Waller well, providing a great agitator (both verbally and in terms of skill level) to both while keeping the story moving along. Smith’s interactions with Pierre-Dixon – who delivers a strong performance in her own right – are priceless, proving once again just how well he works with kids … Save for that After Earth movie.


The actor who gives their character the deepest emotional connection to the audience, however, comes from Jay Hernandez. Hernandez gives El Diablo – who could easily be a one-note, forgettable character in the story – a significant sense of a fully-rounded character as the only member of the team who hates their abilities because of all the personal pain he has caused. Hernandez’s commitment to making you feel his character’s grief and personal turmoil only makes his overall increasing role in the story that much greater, leading to a perfectly-paced payoff that comes together in a blaze of glory (pun intended). While some fans will no doubt clamor for more from Fukuhara and Courtney’s characters, Hernandez more than capably illustrates why it’s not necessarily to give everything away at once and how great it can be once a side character finally gets their moment.   


Then again, this all falls back upon the strong script and environment delivered by Ayer, who makes sure every moment of Squad means something to the overall package. From clever and well-placed music selection that become as much as part of the environment as the characters their selves to special effects that actually are, Ayer may have many fans longing for him to do every D.C. Comics movie for the foreseeable future. Make no mistake: This film isn’t exactly kids stuff despite its PG-13 rating as there are plenty of bullets, knife/sword fights, kicks, punches and foul language to make even Tony Stark blush. However, if you are looking for a film that truly embraces its lunacy and invites you to do the same, Suicide Squad will be a Blu-Ray worthy addition to your movie collection once you’re done enjoying it on the big screen.


While Marvel remains the king on top of the comic book movie mountain, Suicide Squad gives hope to long-suffering D.C. Comics’ fans their favorite superheroes and villains may finally get the justice (ok, that time the pun wasn’t intended) they deserve. 
 
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Suicide Squad

McCoy on Movies: Jason Bourne

July 28, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Matt Damon is back in most famous solo role … But does Jason Bourne have enough fight left in the tank to deliver a hit?

“Now, for the last time before I start breaking things, explain the ending of No Country For Old Men so that I understand it!” CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) gets confronted by an old nemesis (Matt Damon) when the titular character comes looking for answer in JASON BOURNE. Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon © 2016 Universal Pictures. All rights reserved.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:





KEY CAST MEMBERS: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Riz Ahmed, Ato Essandoh, Scott Shepherd, Bill Camp and Julia Stiles

WRITER(S): Paul Greengrass and Christopher Rouse (screenplay); Robert Ludlum (characters)
DIRECTOR(S): Paul Greengrass

WEB SITE: http://www.jasonbournemovie.com/
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Picking up a decade after the events of The Bourne Ultimatum, Jason Bourne begins with showing just how far off the grid the titular character (Matt Damon) has gone, since he earning a living as an underground fighter in Greece. So, when he sees former Treadstone operative Nicolette “Nicky” Parsons (Julia Stiles) only to discover she has information for him … And this information could end up causing Bourne to ask more questions with answers he may not ready to handle.


Meanwhile, CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) is alerted to Nicky’s activities when an old laptop goes off and cyber intelligence agent Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander) alerts him to the problem. Now about to launch a program more intense than the Treadstone one that birthed the CIA’s prodigal son, Dewey can’t afford to have Parsons and Bourne popping up causing trouble. Thus, in addition to have teams ready to track him around the world, he has a man simply known as the Asset (Vincent Cassel) ready to strike at a moment’s notice to take care of the problem. But since he’s working very closely with Aaron Kalloor (Riz Ahmed), a Mark Zuckerberg-like head of a company called Deep Dream on its latest software release, Dewey has bigger fish to fry.


That is, if Bourne doesn’t end up frying him and everyone connected to Treadstone and the CIA’s latest Black Ops program first.

WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Matt Damon fans; Alicia Vikander fans; Edward Snowden enthusiasts; People that enjoyed the previous Bourne films (not including that one starring a current Avengers-alum we shall not speak of)

WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Those who are starting the notice all the similarities between the Bourne movies in terms of story and scenes; Julia Stiles fans; Those growing tired of following all the twists and turns as Bourne fills in the gaps in his backstory. 
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? A film that personifies the mantra “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” Jason Bourne is fine action movie that will satisfy fans of the Bourne series … Even if they’ve seen a LOT of it before. 


Over time, film franchises develop certain traits that become the selling points of their existence. In Jason Bourne, director Paul Greengrass (who also co-wrote the script) makes sure all the tentpoles are present so there’ no mistaken what film you’re watching. Unfamiliar with the Bourne movie staples checklist? It includes: 

  • Jason Bourne will ALWAYS disappear into a crowd and only one person, either his latest attempted assassin or the woman trying to possibly help him will see him right before he turns out of sight;
  • The government official in charge – in this case, Tommy Lee Jones’ Dewey – will ALWAYS have a secondary backup plan in the form of an assassin designed to take Bourne out and be willing to sacrifice the first line of defense to get them into position to kill him;
  • There will ALWAYS be a male assassin that has either a personal connection to Bourne and/or seems to be his equal since they went through similar training that he must fight in a really crowded room or underground space;
  • If you get close to Jason Bourne, you’re going to die … Or at the very least, have to go into hiding;
  • Any cell phone in a Bourne movie will at least be used once or twice to feature a U.S. government official making a veiled or direct threat that will eventually but certainly blow up in their face;
  • Bourne will suffer a series of flashbacks that will only become clear right before his final confrontation sequence;
  • The government official he is set to face off with will always try to convince Bourne he needs to “give in” to being Bourne and forget anything about being David Webb (his birth name in case you forgot);
  • Bourne will ALWAYS learn he was lied to even more than he already had learned he had been lied to before; AND
  • Bourne is ALWAYS gonna leave someone a message to let them know that if they pursue him, he’s one step ahead of them AFTER everything above happens.
Now, while all of the above sounds formulaic … Well, sorry. That doesn’t make it any less true. It also doesn’t make Jason Bourne any less entertaining once things really get rolling after a somewhat slow start.
Looking every bit like a man who has had the government trying to kill him for more than a decade (and a very in shape but definitely 45 year-old man), Damon proves himself more than still capable of making you believe in the mystique that is his character: Calculated, skilled, confused and trying to make sense of it all. When it’s time to punch, kick and/or shoot, he does. When it’s time for him to be surprised by a new revelation that the audience may or may not see coming, he’s surprised and conflicted. And everything else pretty falls into place.
Likewise, Jones plays his role like many of his male predecessors before him: Cold, calculating and calm under pressure with Cassel doing what an assassin with a vendetta against our protagonist would. Jason Bourne isn’t attempting to reinvent the wheel by any means, just make sure it is shiny and still looks good. Per her usual, Alicia Vikander is able to make her character have more meaning (both in terms of her significance to the story and her actions) than one might expect. Doing both of those things is vital to the story working, but without Vikander exhibiting skill in doing so, the film would largely fall apart, so she deserves credit for making sure that not only does not happen, but makes you wonder how her character will evolve in the Bourne universe.
In short, Jason Bourne ultimately proves you’ll remember his name … Even if you remember a little bit of this story because you’ve seen bits and pieces of it before.

RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: Jason Bourne, matt damon, tommy lee jones

Who You Gonna Call?

July 15, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

The most controversial movie of the summer is here … But is the 2016 all-female lead version of Ghostbusters as good, better or worse than the original? The answer lies within

 

“If this was the 90s, one of us would bust out rapping at any second …” Abby (Melissa McCarthy), Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), Erin (Kristen Wiig) and Patty (Leslie Jones) prepare to stare down evil inside the haunted Mercado Hotel in a scene from Paul Feig’s reboot of GHOSTBUSTERS. Credit: Hopper Stone. © 2015 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved.
 

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Matt Walsh, Michael K. Williams, Neil Casey, Ed Begley, Jr., Karan Soni, Zach Woods and Michael McDonald 

WRITER(S): Kate Dippold and Paul FeigDIRECTOR(S): Paul Feig

WEB SITE: http://www.ghostbusters.com/HERE’S THE STORY: Possibly the most controversial movie of the summer, Ghostbusters is a reboot of the beloved 1984 film that now stars Kristen Wiig as Erin Gilbert, a professor at Columbia University thisclose to obtaining her tenure. Problem is, her old friend Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) has just put the old book they co-authored together up on Amazon.com. That wouldn’t be so bad if the book didn’t propose the presence of ghosts and other spirits in our world, which Erin knows might make her look like a crackpot and ruin her tenure chances. 


But once Ed Mulgrave (Ed Begley, Jr.) comes calling to Erin to let her know about the presence of a ghost at a nearby museum, Abby and her assistant Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) reluctantly rope her along for the ride to investigate – which turns out to be an experience they will never forget. For not only do they see a ghost, the ghost sees them – which leads to a rather nasty encounter for Erin and her dry cleaning.


Meanwhile, subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) is simply doing her job when chasing an aspiring graffiti artist leads to her discovering a ghastly figure of her own and eventually contacting Abby, Holtzmann and the now-fired Erin. And as a series of similarly otherworldly events unfold, the foursome decide to go into business, eventually settling on the name Ghostbusters (much to Erin’s chagrin) and hiring Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) as their secretary … Even though the only thing he knows how to do well it seems is make Erin’s heart aflutter with his good looks.


But why are all these ghosts starting to suddenly pop up in New York City? No one knows for sure … Except maybe for Rowan (Neil Casey), that is …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Feminists; Kate McKinnon fans; Leslie Jones fans; those who like modern sitcom comedy; Chris Hemsworth fans; those who don’t have an affinity for the original 1984 film 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Dedicated fans of the 1984 film; people who generally don’t like franchise reboots/remakes; Melissa McCarthy fans looking for her to do something different; people who come to the movie expecting the humor found in Feig’s previous best-known works like Bridesmaids or Spy

SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? Much safer and played broad for laughs than it should be, the new Ghostbusters movie is about as polarizing as Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump. And unless you’re 100 percent on board with one of those candidates, you’ll realize that is a choice that might make many people want to abstain from electing it as their choice over the original. First, while the well-documented online backlash about the film’s female leads was in many instances ridiculously misogynistic, one thing that it was somewhat valid was the fact that the move was gimmicky. And not just because of the casting of four female leads. For one, while it’s no secret executive producer Dan Aykroyd had been pushing for years to get a third Ghostbusters movie made, neither is the fact that by casting four female leads the production team knew they were going to have a built-in talking point. Despite the success of women like Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Samantha Bee, Jessica Williams and more recently Nikki Glaser, etc., the debate over whether or not are women funny has long since been settled. Because they are. And Ghostbusters co-writer and director Paul Feig’s 2011 female comedy magnum opus Bridesmaids is a prime reason that has since been settled to all but the usual Internet trolls. 



In the case of Ghostbusters, though, once you get past that issue, you have to examine the actual film itself. And in doing so, the flaws start to become more and more detectable by each frame. Whereas Leslie Jones’ character was looked to be made a fool in the trailer – another source of deserved and preventable controversy – she actually makes her character fit into the mix … But for every one person that will see her actions as funny and fitting, there’s the distinct chance others will see her as the loud black female that is usually the loud black male role in a comedy with a predominantly white cast. Feig and Jones’ have defended the character in recent interviews, but depending on what you see (or more accurately, want to see and focus on), it’s going to be hard to tell either side of that argument they are wrong. 



It has its fair share of laughs, to be sure, and the acting – even that of Leslie Jones (which was among the many beleaguered elements of the film’s debut trailer) – is not horrible and works for the characters. McKinnon essentially steals the show with her character’s super wackiness (this is her on Saturday Night Live turned up all the way to “10”); then again, her character is so wacky and off the wall that she might be too intense for some people. (Harold Ramis’ character was weird but subdued; McKinnon’s is NOT subdued to put it mildly.) But other than Jones and McKinnon, the biggest laughs are generated from Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of an ultra-dimwit male secretary – a not-subtle-at-all dig on gender roles. Despite their comedy pedigree, Wiig and McCarthy’s characters are so one dimensional they are under utilized. While the chemistry among the four female leads is clear, that chemistry isn’t matched with the material as the jokes – for a film that is attempting to flip its haters on its ear – is often to broad and doesn’t go big enough. Often fed with a “here comes the joke!” setup, the 2016 Ghostbusters always make sure you are two steps ahead of them, which hurts the enjoyment of the film. 



While men in the film are often the patsy of the joke, the lead male villain portrayed by the relatively unknown Neil Casey (an actor/contributor to several hit comedy shows in recent years including Kroll Show, The League and Saturday Night Live) is, well, not good – both in terms of as a character and in Casey’s portrayal of it. This is no Gozer or Vigo the Carpathian here, he’s not even a Zuul – he’s just … Corny. Likewise, despite Dan Aykroyd’s self-serving boasts, this version of Ghostbusters, no matter how you slice it, is NOT funnier or scarier than the original. The graphics look better, but that doesn’t make it better. Still, that is not the biggest problem the film has …


No, the biggest problem with this version of Ghostbusters has is the one that was the easiest to prevent: The only thing that is original about it is the casting of the four female leads. For JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE FEELS LIKE THEY TRIED TO MAKE THE FIRST FILM OVER WITH NO NUANCE TO MAKE IT STAND ON ITS OWN. (Sorry for yelling.)

Cast-wise, it’s the same except you’ve got two passive, somewhat simple scientists (the Dan Aykroyd character) instead of one, the wacky scientist (the Harold Ramis character) … And the non-scientist black character (the Ernie Hudson character) – but no Bill Murray character, which was so essential to the first one. Likewise, there’s the delusional I will be the leader of the ghosts character (see the first two films), but no Walter Peck EPA villain that was perfectly snarky to deal with nor any other really intriguing side characters save for some extremely quick cameos from the likes of Matt Walsh and Steve Higgins.

What? Surprised I didn’t mention the cameos from the original cast? That’s because they really aren’t that good – Aykroyd has the best joke of any of them and it’s now in the film’s opening week TV commercials. (It is nice to see Annie Potts in a movie again, though … And the subtle tribute to the deceased Ramis was kinda nice.) There’s also a rehash of Slimer and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but they are little more than meaningless nostalgia meant to appease fans of the original – and the usage of one of them makes even less sense. I mean, the original theme song is used and then presented with a lame modern remix for heavens sake – how much more of an homage are you trying to make?!

Therein lies the failed opportunity of a movie that many will say is fine but many more will likely say never needed to exist: It fails to outdo the original, placate many of its detractors (although one must admit they likely may not have ever been placated) and give its four female leads the vehicle worthy of their talent to overcome the monumental task ahead of them. If the mission was to craft a movie worthy of a girls’ night out – sorry again, Mr. Feig – and/or create a simple cinematic diversion for the mainstream, then mission accomplished.

If the mission was to create a film that could be considered as beloved as the original, well, I’m sorry – the question isn’t who ya gonna call, it should have been why did the call to get this version of Ghostbusters get answered.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: Ghostbusters, Kate McKinnon, kristen wiig, Leslie Jones, melissa mccarthy

McCoy on Movies: THE CONJURING 2

June 8, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

The world’s most famous paranormal investigators return and head to England for a supernatural sequel that’s actually super.

“Hey – I thought I returned that Halloween costume back to the rental place last week. Oh wait – that ain’t no costume!” Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) comes face to … Mirror with an otherworldly presence in a scene from James Wan’s THE CONJURING 2. Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures © 2016 Warner Bros. Pictures and Ratpac-Dune Entertainment. All rights reserved. 



WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
 


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe, Frances O’Connor, Simon McBurney, Lauren Esposito, Benjamin Haigh, Simon Delaney, Patrick McAuley and Franka Potente

WRITER(S): Carey Hayes, Chad Hayes, James Wan and David Leslie Johnson (screenplay); Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes and James Wan (story) 
DIRECTOR(S): James Wan
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Based on a true* (more on that in a minute) story, The Conjuring 2 like its predecessor stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren. Who are the Warrens? Just the married paranormal investigators who looked to see if there really were demonic forces at play that inspired Ronnie DeFeo to commit the crimes that would eventually become known worldwide as “The Amityville Horror.” The case takes such a toll on Lorraine that she tells Ed she really needs a break with no new cases.


Across the Atlantic Ocean, 11 year-old Janet Hodgson (Madison Wolfe), her sister Margaret (Lauren Esposito), two brothers Johnny (Benjamin Haigh) and afflicted-with-a-slight-stutter-Billy (Patrick McAuley)  and their mother Peggy (Frances O’Connor) are dealing with their new life … After Peggy’s husband left to start a new family without them. Getting busted for doing something naughty at school she actually didn’t do, Janet finds herself in a bit of trouble one night and decides to pass the time playing with an ouija board. And then after a bit of weird noises, sounds and and incidents in the presence of the entire family, their neighbors and the police, Ed and Lorraine are eventually asked to come to the scene to investigate on behalf of the Catholic Church.


As one might imagine, things take a steady downturn once our favorite married non-caped crusaders arrive on the scene …
WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Fans of the first film; people who believe in ghosts, spirits and our ability to communicate – positively and negatively – with them; those who enjoy smart supernatural horror/thriller movies; movie fans who enjoy films that have a slow burn to a climax 

WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Atheists and people who don’t believe in ghosts/spirits/demons; people who get annoyed with British accents; those who want the film to dive more into the authenticity angle of the events; anyone who scares easily but doesn’t like it when that happens
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? As a movie critic, I am not here to debate the existence of ghosts. Nor am I here to examine any issues of faith. Thus, if you want someone to dive into a detailed, thorough analysis of the facts vs. what may or may not be true in regards to what the Hodgson family did or did not experience. For that, a simple Google search will suffice, unless you’re extremely lazy and then you can go here or here or even here.  


So, if we’re not here to debate the existence of ghosts, demons and/or the supernatural, the only thing left to ask is whether or not The Conjuring 2 is a “good” movie. And in terms of of a supernatural thriller that is based on a true story, it is good … Very good, indeed.


There are several things happening at once under director James Wan’s eye in The Conjuring 2: [1] You are witness to a love story between a husband and wife who believe in the same things and are bolster in that by their belief in each other; [2] You are watching grown adults attempt to struggle with whether or not they believe what they are experiencing is real and, if so, what that means to their lives on this planet and [3] You are watching a supernatural thriller which doesn’t go for cheap thrills and instead works to scare you on multiple levels. 


Wan has come a long way from his torture porn Saw days (I have it on good authority to never use the words “torture porn” to him, by the way) and The Conjuring 2 is the proof. The story is a told in proper storytelling fashion where characters are allowed to figure things out and make sense of it all in their own mind; instead of doing irrational “horror movie” things (see just about any horror movie made between 1979-1994), the characters reactions feel real, the pacing feels organic and the story unfolds to the point where everything – whether real or not – is enticing. You feel every bump in the night that the Hodgsons and Warrens experience because as well as Wan sets the scenarios up, the cast equals in execution. Farmiga and Wolfe are the true shining stars in the piece as each makes every horrifying moment jump out of the screen, Wolfe in particular as she does that thing that is key to making any movie with a child work: Showing acting talent to the point it doesn’t feel like she’s acting at all. 


Other than that, there’s not much else one really needs to know about The Conjuring 2 save for simple praise. The special effects work without every feeling corny or dumb, the cast avoids doing stereotypically stupid things (for the most part) and the scares build well to the point you will feel at least a little creeped out lying in your bed alone at night … Or at the very least make you want to go church.


That’s probably the highest compliment I can give any supernatural/horror film – and that’s based on true events.
RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: THE CONJURING 2

McCoy on Movies: POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING.

June 1, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

The Lonely Island continues to skewer modern music with hilarious Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping


“Yes, I stole these pants from the unfinished live action Monsters Inc. movie – what of it?!” Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) performs to his adoring fans in a scene from POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING. Credit: Glen Wilson © 2016 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. 



 


WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
 

 


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Sarah Silverman, Tim Meadows, Chris Redd, Imogen Poots And a bunch of cameos you may or may not expect …

WRITER(S): The Lonely Island a.k.a. Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone
DIRECTOR(S): Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Written, directed and starring the comedy rap/R&B trio that had its breakthrough on Saturday Night Live as The Lonely Island, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping stars Andy Samberg as Conner4Real, a pop star music sensation. Growing up, Conner a.k.a. Kid Conner was best friends with Lawrence a.k.a. Kid Brain (Avika Schaffer) and Owen a.k.a. Kid Contact (Jorma Taccone), the duo with whom he formed the rap trio known as the Style Boyz. Once they got signed to a major record label, the trio blew up thanks to hit songs like “Donkey Roll.” 


But, to all those who he would consider part of his “Contourage” fan base, it was clear that Conner was true star of the group, leading to his debut album “Thiller, Also,” a 4 million record selling smash. Sure, Lawrence may be mad at him for never giving him credit for any of the Style Boyz success and moved to Colorado to become a lonely farmer, but Owen has settled in nicely as Conner’s DJ, willing to do whatever he can to help his best friend be a star and enjoy a part of the success.


Then, Conner drops his second album, CONNquest – and it bricks. HARD.


Now faced with a conscious of both crisis and concert ticket sales, Conner and his team – which includes Owen, his manager Hank (Tim Meadows) and publicist Paula (Sarah Silverman) – try to figure out ways to stop his fall from grace, only to see one disaster seemingly follow the next. But if there’s one thing Conner knows – as every true pop star knows – it’s that you never stop never stopping … 
WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Longstanding Lonely Island fans; people who are current with today’s music and pop culture trends and what is being both paid tribute to and lampooned viciously here; people who like grade school, lunchroom table jokes done in excess
WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? People who are unfamiliar with and/or hate pretty much everything mentioned in the previous section. 
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? If you are familiar with the docu-style films artists like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry have released in recent years, the world that seemingly exists in its own TMZ bubble and/or the actions of artists like Justin Bieber and other like him, you will find Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping to be a hilarious send up of it all with some of the craziest songs and “I didn’t see that coming!” raw material in years.


If not, you’re probably not gonna like it. At all. But that doesn’t mean you’re right as much as it does you are simply not the audience for this movie. Because what it does well, it really does well to the point you won’t be able to help but truly, as this generation of musicians and its fans would say, LOL from all the OMG and WTF moments throughout its 87 minute running time. 


If you are familiar with The Lonely Island from their not safe for work ditties like this or this or this or even this, you likely already know what to expect what you’re going to get in Popstar: A collection of crazy songs that show you just how crazy certain elements of the modern world are, especially when they are set to music with clever lyrical skill, pitch and cadence and focus as if they were dead serious (which in turn makes them hilarious). What you might not fully appreciate until you see the movie, however, is how they perfectly and expertly capture the essence of not only how many actual pop stars today come off in interviews, how they fall victim to so many silly scandals and bad promo ideas and the stories that permeated just about every Behind the Music VH1 ever aired – or will. 


Whereas Samberg and his Lonely Island crew nail all the lack of self awareness many pop stars have before showing their sensitive-yet-still-unaware sides, the rest of the film’s cast does a great job at doing the same in this mockumentary. Littered with celebrity cameo appearances, everything from the insatiable for headlines and unaware of their own lunacy nature of TMZ to artists talking about how inspired they get by others is on display in Popstar, all to hilarious effect. Be it Conner’s tabloid relationship with Ashley Wednesday (Imogen Poots), his friendship/rivalry with budding rap star Hunter the Hungry (played brilliantly by stand-up comedian Chris Redd channeling what seems to be his inner Odd Future/Tyler the Creator – link VERY NSFW and must be watched till the end to get the full effect of what he is doing/lampooning/paying homage to) or his rocky relationship with his team, Popstar leaves no pop music stone unturned.


Now, if you HATE most of modern pop music and cannot find the humor in it with all of its outrageous characters, explicit lyrics, social commentary and/or general silliness, you may have trouble finding the humor/genius in Popstar. For then, the film will just be a barrage of immature behavior, nudity, crazy sounding beats and commentary on social issues that you may mistakenly find insulting instead of lampooning just how uncomfortable we are talking about them.  


But don’t let that stop you from checking it out for yourself and seeing on which side of the equation you fall …

RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:

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Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING.

McCoy on Movies: Alice Through the Looking Glass

May 25, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Alice Through the Looking Glass may make anyone who’s hit puberty want to look away for a better family-friendly film

 

“That watch is NEVER gonna fit on my wrist!” Alice (Mia Wasikowska) gets a look at the Grand Clock of time in a scene from ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. Credit: Disney Pictures. All rights reserved. 

 

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Lindsey Duncan, Matt Lucas, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry, Rhys Ifans, Leo Bill and the late Alan Rickman
WRITER(S): Linda Woolverton (screenplay); Lewis Carroll (original novel on which the film is based)
DIRECTOR(S): James Bobin
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Loosely inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass stars Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh. Now grown up, Alice has spent the last few years at sea as the captain of her late father’s boat. Returning to London, Alice comes across a magical looking glass (hence the title) – and of course, she steps in only to find herself returned to the Underland. And once she’s there, she’s reunited with her old friends the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Absolem (the late Alan Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and
the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp). But the Mad Hatter is not himself – for he has lost his muchness and no one seems to know why, save for perhaps the Hatter himself. For he is convinced his family is alive, which prompts Mirana the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) to send Alice on a new mission: Find the Chronosphere from Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen) and see what she can do to help save the Hatter’s life. For the Chronosphere will allow Alice to travel throughout time and – while she cannot change the past – she might learn something that may help figure out how to save his life.But of course, if Iracabeth the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) wasn’t involved in the story, Alice’s quest wouldn’t be the same now, would it?

WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Johnny Depp fans; Helena Bonham Carter fans; people who enjoy easily digestible fantasy tales; those happy to see a strong female character presented in a film 
WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Those “over” Tim Burton style movies; adult males who despite the film having a good, strong female lead character will be bored by the story’s somewhat plodding pace and predictable story; those who don’t enjoy children’s fare when it’s strictly kiddie business
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? Alice Through the Looking Glass is a movie that could have been better and honestly should have been better … But given just how well, boring, the finished result is, it would have been better likely being re-done before it hits theaters this week. 


Alice Through the Looking Glass looks like it should be good. After all, the cast is solid, the visuals are good and there is enough of a pedigree present to make this Tim Burton-produced (he didn’t direct this one; that task fell upon James Bobin of Muppets Most Wanted infamy). Likewise, Wasikowska does a formidable job as Alice, making her a convincing lead character that is equal parts courageous and courteous, strong and yet sensitive. And Bonham Carter delivers a very enjoyable performance as the Red Queen, delivering much needed humor that doesn’t feel as zany (but not out of place, mind you) as that as delivered by Baron Cohen as the embodiment of time as a half human, half machine creature.


There’s just one – well, more than one, but that’s not the expression now is it? – problem: Alice Through the Looking Glass is boring, suitable mostly only for children (ages 12 and younger) from start to finish and is fairly predictable for far too long before it garners any intrigue. I don’t say this because I found myself fighting sleep for the first 40 minutes of the film … But because the guy next to me at the screening I saw DID fall asleep … As did the guy behind me. Throw in the fact the women next to me offered up an “eh” shoulder shrug at the end of the film and the claps that were to be heard quickly faded into the larger surrounding silence and you’ll come to the same conclusion I did: This paint by numbers feature isn’t exactly a fabulous fairy tale after all.Does Alice Through the Looking Glass add anything to the tale of Alice in Wonderland or the Tim Burton 2010 release? No, not in particular. Is it horrible? No – it’s just slooooooowwww. Too slow. And the whole Chronosphere time travel device thing never comes together as it should; sadly, while Sacha Baron Cohen plays his over-the-top character in fine over-the-top fashion, the lack of defintion of the character becomes some one note that each tick-tock feels longer than the last. Poor Anne Hathaway looks lost – literally – for most of the picture, so it’s no wonder her character feels like an add-on when she is supposed to be an important cog in the overall story.

If it seems like I’m having a hard time articulating the disappointment of the experience of watching the film, it’s because the film should be so much better than it is. Instead, it comes off so heavy-handed that it’s hard to become engrossed in it when the paint-by-numbers nature of it that feels like it was aimed at nothing BUT a pre-puberty audience. Sure, there are some good moments, but they rarely feel organic and come too few and far between. Sorry, James Bobin, but your lackluster Muppets misadventure has now tagged another would-be franchise with too many lame jokes, outlandish episodes and missed opportunities.

In short, instead of going through the looking glass, poor Alice should have seen that nothing that was as good as it could, should and would have been better if maybe she came back later instead.

 
RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Alice Through the Looking Glass, Tabari McCoy

McCoy on Movies: The Nice Guys

May 24, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

 

“What do we have here … It looks like … A script!” Holland March (Ryan Gosling, left), Jessica (Daisy Tahan, next to Gosling), Holly (Angourie Rice) and Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe, far right) take a gander in a scene from co-writer/director Shane Black’s action-comedy THE NICE GUYS. Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2016 Nice Guys, LLC.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:


 

 


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Beau Knapp, Matt Bomer, Yaya DaCosta, Daisy Tahan, Jack Kilmer and Kim Basinger
WRITER(S): Anthony Bagarozzi and Shane Black
DIRECTOR(S): Shane Black
THE STORY AS BEST WE KNOW IT: Set in the sleaziest of times of 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys stars Ryan Gosling as Holland March, a private investigator who is more apt at taking gullible clients’ money than he is at actually solving cases. Raising his precocious daughter Holly (Angourie Rice) by himself after the death of his wife, Holland stumbles upon the wrong case when Mrs. Glenn (Lois Smith) asks him to find her niece, adult film star Misty Mountains (Murielle Tielo). 
Unfortunately, Misty died in a massive car crash a few days ago. And the girl that might know something, Amelia (Margaret Qualley), does not want to be found – which is why she has hired Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) – to do what he does best: Send a “message” (via a physical assault) to stop Holland from checking up on her. 
What Holland and Jackson both don’t know, however, is why Amelia is trying to make herself so scarce. But once two thugs (Keith David and Beau Knapp) start showing up and the head of the Justice Department (Kim Basinger) gets thrown into the mix, one thing becomes clear: Amelia’s life is clearly in danger and our unlikely tandem is about to get involved WAY over their head.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? Ryan Gosling fans; people who love the 1970s and all its over-the-top (or at least as depicted in movies) excess; people who can appreciate when a child actress steps up in a big way to not only add to a story, but be an integral part of it; people who like it when characters in films meet ends that seem fitting 
WHO WILL HATE THIS MOVIE THE MOST? People who hate the 1970s and all its over-the-top (or at least as depicted in movies) excess; people who hate when a child actor is an integral part of a story no child should be mixed up in; those who hate watching a lighthearted character in fatal situations; those who can’t buy in to the film’s premise
SO IS IT GOOD, GREAT, JUST ALL RIGHT OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? For a film that on the surface looks like it could be just another mismatched homage to a bygone era, The Nice Guys is actually a very entertaining adventure that allows its cast to use their collective range to the audience’s enjoyment. 
Co-writer and director Shane Black’s 1970s send up is equal parts comical and dramatic while making sure to never let one extreme become too extreme for the film’s own good. While the premise of the film seems a bit outlandish to say the least once you’ve figured out how all the moving parts work together, Black does a stellar job of making sure you understand why they fit within the world he’s created. Never trying to emulate too much a Boogie Nights vibe or imitate other ‘70s crime stories, he keeps The Nice Guys balanced but making sure each scene fits in the overall mix to add as things go back and forth from comical to (somewhat) dramatic. You get your laughs, you get some unexpected surprises and – while he never leans in on making the film have a truly serious tone – you get enough of a semblance of reason to keep you involved in watching his characters progress.
Speaking of the characters, Ryan Gosling is hilarious as the sleazy-yet-sensitive Holland March, proving himself proficient at being both the comical butt of the joke time and time again whilst others get to deliver the (in many cases) literal punchline. His take on the role of the private investigator never falls into the stereotypically stupid department, instead teetering on the line between clever and corny quite well throughout the film’s near 2 hour run time. Likewise, Crowe plays the straight man with artistic ease, using all his off-screen bravado to channel a very simple character into one you enjoy rooting for thoroughly. 
The biggest scene-stealer, however, is by far any of those that happen to feature Angourie Rice as Holly. A classic WAY-too-beyond-her-13-years-of-age character, Rice accomplishes the rare feat of not only making her character essential to the story, but also so likable you nearly forget she shouldn’t be so good – both as a character and an actress. Black gets the most out of his cast by continually placing them into wacky scenarios, but be it one where she needs to help out her dad or provide a sensitive moment, Rice comes out as the biggest winner. While Black and his fellow co-writer Anthony Bagarozzi deliver enough of a story to keep you intrigued with its various twists and not-so-predictable turns, the cast’s ability to run with it is what ultimately makes The Nice Guys as enjoyable as it is. 
And what it is is a pretty nice way to enjoy something different at the movies. 
 
RATING OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN:
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Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, The Nice Guys

McCoy on Movies: Captain America

May 5, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Marvel’s first Avenger returns for another spectacular superhero adventure in Civil War

“… And we say, we like Pepsi better than Coke! What?! ‘Dem’s fighting words!” L to R: Black Panther/T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Vision (Paul Bettany), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), and War Machine/James Rhodey (Don Cheadle) prepare to square off against their fellow superheroes in a scene from CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Credit: Film Frame..© Marvel 2016.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Chadwick Boseman, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Martin Freeman, Emily VanCamp, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie with Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Marisa Tomei, Daniel Brühl and John Kani.

WRITER(S): Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (screenplay); Mark Millar (comic book); Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (characters) 

DIRECTOR(S): Anthony & Joe Russo

WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/captainamericapremiere
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): Following up after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War does something most Marvel movies don’t do: Flashing back in time to 1991 to find Joseph Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes in the control of Hydra agents being read a seemingly innocuous series of words that have a very specific purpose: Triggering the “Winter Soldier,” a near-unstoppable one-man killing machine capable of crimes on command.


The Avengers, however, have their own problem in the modern world: The Sokovia Accords, a document that 117 countries have come together to sign in favor of get the team under control given all the collateral damage they have done in New York, Washington, D.C., Sokovia and most recently Lagos in dealing with Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo), which has earned the ire of King T’Chaka (John Kani), ruler of Wakanda (the African nation where the vibranium comes from. If you don’t know what vibranium is, you’re watching the wrong movie. Anyway …)


Iron Man’s human alter ego Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) knows which side he is on. It’s the same one his best friend James “Rhodey” Rhodes a.k.a Iron Patriot (Don Cheadle), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the Vision (Paul Bettany) and now Secretary of State Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) is on: Putting the Avengers in check and signing off on the document. Unfortunately, Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America (Chris Evans) is not – and neither is Wanda Maximoff a.ka. the Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Sam Wilson a.k.a. the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) nor the now-retired Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner). But despite their objections, the countries are going to sign the document, making it a foregone conclusion that the world’s protectors must play by the rules or be subjected to the law lie anyone else when they wantonly break it. 


Then there’s a bombing in Geneva the day the accords are to be signed, which kills King T’Chaka, much to chagrin of his son T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). And to make things worse, the Winter Soldier is believed to be the culprit. So now, with the world placing blame on the Avengers for even more trouble, the suspected bomber being Steve Rogers’ former best friend Bucky Barnes who’s been on the run since the events of the last Captain America film. So now, Captain America is trying to protect his friend and fight off the Sokova Accords, while Iron Man is trying to bring Cap in before the government does – and not in a nice fashion. And therein lies a bit of a conflict in terms of how far will someone go for friendship and does the end justify the means when people are dying in the process?


And that would be bad enough … But since no one is quite sure what in the world Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is up and why, Captain America is going to have his hands full if he is to prevent the world from falling apart. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of just about every other Marvel movie; Chris Evans fans; Robert Downey, Jr. fans; Chadwick Boseman fans; people who were worried about how Black Panther and Spider-Man would fit into the mix; people who love Stan Lee’s cameos 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Pretty much anyone who still thinks D.C. makes better movies than Marvel and/or anyone who doesn’t like superhero movies 
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? OK, show of hands – How many of you would have picked the Captain America franchise to be the one to turn out three terrific (dare I say classic) superhero films when you heard about Marvel Studios’ plans to make films centered around its core Avengers characters? Exactly. For while Captain America might be the oldest, he certainly was never considered to be the coolest of the bunch in the comic book world. 


Now, not only is Captain America an essential part of the Marvel Universe, he’s possibly its on-screen MVP, with Civil War being another top notch on his belt – or shield, as the case may be. 

Say what you want about superhero movies; there is no way – and if I was to channel my inner Dwayne Johnson, no way! – Civil War would work without the actors behind the characters layering and committing their respective selves to their roles as well as they do in the movie. Fortunately, directors Joe and Anthony Russo and their cast continue their excellent precedent set in The Winter Soldier by ACTING AS IF THEY ARE ADJUSTING TO THE WORLD and NOT AS IF THEY ARE ACTING IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE. If you’ve seen last summer’s disastrous Fantastic Four reboot, you know exactly what I mean. Instead of acting like they are doing something heroic, Evans, Downey, Jr. and company are simply trying to do what each thinks is best to secure the world. Yes, there are moments of cracking jokes and some really dynamic action sequences, but none of it would matter if the characters were not presented in a fashion were you felt their highs, lows and the relationships between them felt as real as possible. Civil War delivers on all those fronts to the point where you are emotionally invested in their individual outcomes, which is enhanced by the storytelling which never drags, features major incomprehensible sequences (looking at YOU, Batman Vs. Superman) and manages to tie up most if not all of its loose ends well. 


Thrown in the grand introduction of a major character seamlessly into the mix and the interpolation of the one that many fans wanted to see in the main Marvel universe and Civil War hits high marks at every turn. Instead of being a typical good-vs-evil story, this is a battle of principles that turns high stakes and adds to the overall Marvel canon. Evans holds the Captain America mantle with ease and aplomb as the moral center while Downey, Jr. serves as the hotheaded-even-though-he’s-calmer-and-less-impulsive perfect adversary (even though both should be concerned with someone else). Meanwhile, Bettany brings the Dr. Manhattan-like (yes, I DID mention a D.C. Comics character in a Marvel review in a positive sense!) nature of the Vision to life better than he did in Age of Ultron and Boseman does a strong job of establishing the man you can now look forward to seeing in two years in his own solo flick. 


While the film is fairly serious in tone, subject matter and its battles, Civil War does feature some great joke exchanges of near Deadpool like quality (but NOT subject manner and language!) Rudd delivers “giant” comic relief as Scott Lang (a.k.a. Ant-Man) and Tom Holland may have found a way to master a role that some may have thought near impossible for another actor to make his own.  To say much more about that would ruin how well things are tied together and excel … And that would be enough to cause a war between myself and anyone who reads this review.


But if you’re still reading this, you likely haven’t figured out you need to just go see the movie, I’m not sure what I can say that will. For Captain America: Civil War is another great Marvel flick – and one worthy of your time and interest … If you’re into that sort of thing.


OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Captain America, Jr., Marvel, obert Downey, scarlett johansson

McCoy on Movies: Keanu

April 28, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Visionary sketch duo offer up laughs (but in a less-than-purr-fect) big screen feature debut

“Whaa … Comedy Central was gonna give us the money Dave Chappelle didn’t take if we stayed on the air longer? Son of a …” Clarence (Keegan Michael-Key) and Rell (Jordan Peele), with the titular character, get some new information in a scene from director Peter Atencio’s action-comedy KEANU. Credit: Steve Dietl. © 2016 Warner Bros. Pictures and Ratpac-Dune Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved. 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Keegan Michael-Key, Jordan Peele, Method Man, Tiffany Haddish, Will Forte, Jason Mitchell, Luis Guzmán, Anna Faris, Rob Huebel and Nia Long

WRITER(S): Jordan Peele, Alex Rubens

DIRECTOR(S): Peter Atencio

WEB SITE: http://keanumovie.com/
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): The first feature length offering starring the two leads behind Comedy Central too short-lived hit sketch series Key & Peele, Keanu stars Jordan Peele as Rell, a man who has just been dumped by his girlfriend and is down in the emotional doldrums as a result. Fortunately for Rell, his cousin Clarence (Keegan Michael-Key) is determined to cheer him up with his can-do attitude … And love of George Michael. But before Clarence can reach Rell, his cousin gets an unexpected visitor in the form of an adorably cute kitten which Rell names Keanu. And it blossoms into a beautiful relationship which uplifts Rell’s spirits in a tremendous – some might almost say dangerously obsessive – fashion.


Then Rell and Clarence go out one night – and come back to Rell’s home to discover that the place has been ransacked and Keanu is gone.


Checking with his drug dealer/neighbor Hulka (Will Forte), Rell learns that Keanu might be in the hands of the 17th Street Blips gang, run by a notorious drug kingpin named Cheddar (Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan fame). And once they realize their initial plan of going in to ask for the kitten back won’t work, Clarence and Rell launch a hair-brained scheme on the fly that just might work: pose as the notorious Allentown hitmen (also played by Key and Peele) that just shot up a rival drug dealer’s church hideout. In exchange for their service, Cheddar agrees to give the duo the kitten back, provided they show his crew – Hi-C (Tiffany Haddish), Trunk (Darrell Britt-Gibson), Stitches (Jamar Malachi Neighbors) and Bud (Straight Outta Compton‘s Jason Mitchell) – how to do things like real gangsters.


Now all Clarence and Rell have to do is survive … And prove that when it comes to the drug game, they are the cat’s pajamas. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Key & Peele fans; Luis Guzman fans; people who can enjoy a silly comedy; kitten lovers; PETA; anyone looking for something … Different … At the movies this Spring.

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who hate movies with silly plots; people who don’t like Anna Faris; people of all races uncomfortable with the use of the “n” word (don’t like you don’t know what I’m talking about) for comedic purposes; those who like comedies that don’t spend an extended period of time setting up the remainder of the movie.
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film that is not what even the most die-hard Key & Peele fan would expect, Keanu is a ridiculously silly film about a man’s love for his cat … That more often than it does not hits with entertaining jokes. 


As anyone well-versed in Key & Peele’s five season run on Comedy Central (or, prior to that, their respective time on the under-appreciated MADTV), the duo was prone to find humor in just about anything (and I do mean, anything) – but their best work was unquestionably in exploring different racial constructs and deconstructing various avenues of African-American/ethnic culture, such as the East-West college football game, their formerly-of-an-inner-city-school-and-now-in-the-suburbs substitute teacher, the world’s two biggest Liam Neeson fans and of course, President Obama’s anger translator. Keanu, however, really doesn’t do that as much simply present the duo in roles that in anything other than a really silly (and in turn, mostly fun for the audience) situation and watch them work their way out of it. ‘


Now, when I say silly, I mean “silly” with a capital “S.” This is a story of a grown-ass man. Who goes into the nest of a drug dealer. And gets his cousin to go along with him. To rescue a kitten. If you cannot get past that idea because it is admittedly too silly, you should stop here. If you are willing to look past that and just go with it, however, you will eventually be treated to a mix of physical and situational humor that will feel like (or at least, what I assume) a comedic acid trip is like thanks to plays on traditional action movie staples like gun battles, what villains act like and getting out of sticky situations. It will, however, take a moment to get to those moments as for a 1 hour, 38 minute film, Keanu drags a bit for the first half of the film with a lot of needless filler that could be wrapped up quicker (see the Anna Faris scene … Or rather, just see the latter half of it, anyway). 


Other than that, there’s not a whole lot else you need to know about Keanu – stand-up comic Tiffany Haddish does a decent job in her role as do Method Man and Will Forte, but this is really Key and Peele’s show (no pun intended). The duo expands upon their abilities to play things comedically by playing them out as if they are simply just regular guys dealing with extreme circumstances while staying true to the nature of their characters (and in turn, their respective selves).


And if you’re expecting me to end this on a “they’re the coolest cats in the comedy game” bad joke, well … I’m not. But they have laid an interesting foundation that should make comedy fans interested to see what they do next. OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: Jordan Peele, Keanu, Key & Peele. Keegan Michael-Key

McCoy on Movies: EVERYBODY WANTS SOME

April 22, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

The “Spiritual Sequel” to Dazed & Confused offers up plenty of funky outfits, music and fun despite a lack of emotional depth

“Yeah, boy – let’s rock these horrible 80s pastels & get busy, fellas!” Plummer (Temple Baker), Roper (Ryan Guzman) and Jake (Blake Jenner) get ready to rock the disco in a scene from writer/director Richard Linklater’s “spiritual sequel” to Dazed & Confused, EVERYBODY WANTS SOME. Credit: Van Redin © 2015 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved. 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, J. Quinton Johnson, Glen Powell, Juston Street, Tanner Kalina, Forrest Vickery and Wyatt Russell

WRITER(S): Richard Linklater 

DIRECTOR(S): Richard Linklater 

WEB SITE: http://www.everybodywantssomemovie.com/

60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): The “spiritual sequel” to his beloved (by many) 1970s opus Dazed & Confused, Everybody Wants Some begins by introducing us to Jake (Blake Jenner), a 1979 second team high school all-star baseball player preparing to enter his first year in college in his native Texas. Moving into one of the two off-campus houses the baseball team occupies, Jake meets a cast of colorful characters within minutes of each other. 


This includes Roper (Ryan Guzman) and Finnegan (Glen Powell), the unofficial leaders and ladies men of the house who are always down for a good time; Reynolds (Tyler Hoechlin), a strong, Mike Schmidt-styled mustachioed power hitter; Jay Niles (Juston Street), a Detroit-born pitcher who tells everyone who will listen that the “raw dog” is a top pro prospect; resident knuckles game champ Nesbit (Austin Amelio), Dale (J. Quinton Johnson), the resident cool black guy/second baseman; heavy sleeper Coma (Forest Vickery), fellow freshman outfielder Brumley (Tanner Kalina); Willoughby (Wyatt Russell), a California transfer who’s got many tricks up his sleeve and Beuter (Will Brittain), Jake’s country roommate who has very strong opinions on following the coach’s rules. And over the course of the next three days, Jake and his newfound cast of merry men will party hard and often now that they are away from home with no direct adult supervisor to lord over them.


And Beverly (Zoey Deutch) is an alluring young woman on her own … But where could she possibly fit into Jake’s newfound world of beer, babes and baseball? The weekend is young – and he’s got plenty of time to figure that out. 
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who enjoyed Dazed & Confused; those who enjoyed the 70s portion of Boogie Nights before they hit the 80s second act; children of the late 70s/early 80s; people who like upbeat, coming-of-age stories filled with nostalgia; those who enjoyed 70s-era disco and country music and fashion; anyone in search of a light-hearted romp that is more focused on the fun aspects of youth than truly “growing up” 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Those looking for a direct Dazed & Confused link in terms of tone or character development; people who find 70s/80s nostalgia a bit over-romanticized; those who wish the film dived into deeper levels of what it meant to grow up during the time period depicted 
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film that is essentially a 2 hour party on film that celebrates all the debauchery, care-free spirit and optimism of being young and male at the onset of the 1980s – as well as how guys become friends – Everybody Wants Some is a fun diversion of a film … Even if it doesn’t say or represent nearly as much as it could. 


Whereas Dazed & Confused had a feeling of “this is how many kids in the 1970s felt about growing up and being on the verge of adulthood,” Everybody Wants Some essentially has one vibe: It’s time to party – and party it does. For if there has been a film that has embraced the mantra of letting the proverbial good times role more than Linklater’s 117 minute homage to bad 80s fashion, Smokey and the Bandit-style hair and the national pastime, you’d be hard to find one that has as much fun doing so. Jenner does a strong job presenting Blake as just a guy – not a bad guy, not a good guy but a decent guy – venturing out into the world on his own for the first time.


Much akin to the fashion that Steve Carell’s character was embraced in The 40 Year-Old Virgin by his co-workers, Jake is quickly swept under the tutelage of his newfound chums, each of which adds their own unique element to the mix, save for a few oddballs that add their own sense of humorous lunacy to the proceedings. Whether its Glen Powell channeling his inner Brad Pitt/Matthew McConaughey while spouting off romantic and/or philosophic witticism, Johnson being the cool black guy who isn’t defined by his melanin or dual butts of many jokes Austin Amelio and Juston Street being, well, the butts of many jokes, everything works well together to add to the fun. 


This makes Everybody Wants Some much more of an outright comedy than Dazed ever was, but in turn fails to give it as much impact on your conscious. (You won’t leave the theater pondering anything other than how much time did it take to get those clothes and get the actors’ hair to have that perfect fall 1980s look.) While Deutsch adds a nice balance that adds a little depth to both the film and Jake as he discovers meeting someone who at first is your opposite but may be the perfect person for you once you get to know and realize your commonalities, Everybody Wants Some isn’t here to be deep.


It’s here for you to have fun – and if you’re looking for some, this is what you and everybody you’re going to the movies with should want.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Reviews Tagged With: Dazed & Confused sequel, Everybody Wants Some

McCoy on Movies: THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR

April 21, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Unexpected prequel/sequel to Snow White & The Huntsman turns in an entertaining, estrogen-filled experience

 
“I’m gonna hold your face real still … Now work that celery out of your teeth!” Sara (Jessica Chastain) embraces her fellow huntsman – and husband – Eric (Chris Hemsworth) in a scene from THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR. Credit: Giles Keyte. © 2016 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Rob Brydon, Alexandra Roach, Sheridan Smith and Sope Dirisu

WRITER(S): Evan Spiliotopoulos, Craig Mazan (screenplay), Evan Daugherty (characters)

DIRECTOR(S): Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

WEB SITE: http://www.thehuntsmanmovie.com/#!/
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): A prequel AND a sequel at the same time, The Huntsman: Winter’s War once again stars Chris “I’m more than Thor!” Hemsworth as Eric, a.k.a. the Huntsman who once helped save and then fight alongside (a mostly absent for this go-round) Snow White against the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron). But that’s not where this story starts.


No, it goes back in time a few years earlier when Ravenna was the unquestioned ruler of the land after the unfortunate passing of the king. Her younger sister Freya (Emily Blunt), however, was not as concerned with ruling as she was in love with William (Sam Clafin), who her sister correctly predicted would bear her a daughter. But, as Ravenna also predicted, he would not – despite his promises – break off his engagement with the woman he was supposed to marry for Freya, leading Freya to have an epic breakdown that transformed her into “the Ice Queen.” Leaving Ravenna before her demise, Freya would head to the north and encapsulate the entire land into a frozen wasteland where the children she would “save” would grow into a powerful army for her and live, provided they never broke one rule: Letting their hearts be open to the idea of love – which is what turned Freya into a woman so feared they were afraid to speak her name – was forbidden.


Fast forward a few years later and Freya is now on the warpath to take the one thing she has never tried to before: Snow White’s kingdom. And to do so, she seeks the one thing that Snow White has cast out of her kingdom: The mirror that once belonged to Ravenna, hence the reason Eric and his dwarf sidekicks Gryff (Rob Brydon) and Nion (Nick Frost) are out tracking – or hunting, if you will – where it could be since someone (or something) has stolen it in hopes of finding it before Freya does.


There’s just one little thing that none of the trio counted on getting in their way: Sara (Jessica Chastain), the female huntsman Eric thought was dead … That also just so happened to once be his wife. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fantasy film and cosplay enthusiasts; films where female characters drive the story; those looking for a date night activity that will have enough to keep the attention of both sexes (or those in the LGBT community – this is not an exclusionary review!) by catering to traditional male and female story elements of interest; people who enjoyed the more serious, straightforward tone of the first film but wanted a bit more humor at times to balance out the swordplay

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who were not that enthused with the first Huntsman movie; those who are “too grown” to watch a long adaptation of a story based on a fairy tale and/or simply aren’t interested in the subject matter … And anyone who suffers from Achondroplasiaphobia (look it up for yourself; I took the time to type that in correctly!)
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? The original Snow White & The Huntsman was a surprisingly entertaining tale that did what little thought could – or perhaps, more accurately, should – be done: Put a new spin on a told-to-death (no pun intended) story. That being said, one could be forgiven for wondering who (besides Universal Pictures given the previous installment’s success) was actively clamoring for a follow-up, especially one that serves as both a prequel in its first half and a sequel for the second act.


Well, if you were among those who in fact was in that camp, I have news that once again may be surprising as it was the first time: Winter’s War is a fairly entertaining tale that manages to wrap itself up happily ever after. 


For a film that delves more into the Huntsman’s background, Winter’s War is essentially a feminist power movement … That just so happens to be draped in a world of goblins, fairies and mystical characters. For while Hemsworth character does pretty much everything you’d expect – be charming, smile and be self-deprecating while exhibiting powerful strikes and just enough emotion to let you know he’s likable like John Cena at his non-movie day job. However, Hemsworth’s character is not really so much the star of Winter’s War as much a necessary component of a story that dives into a tale that explores sibling rivalry, relationships and the good ol’ element of good vs. evil – all of which is essentially driven by Winter’s War‘s female characters. 


Whereas Chastain plays alongside Hemsworth as his equal and personal protagonist, Blunt and Theron work as extremely well as the films’ overarching villains. Chastain provides a great personal rival for Hemsworth to keep him in check in regards to both his past and present as they work through their respective issues without ever feeling hokey. Whereas you can feel the emotion crack in Blunt’s character’s psyche, you can feel the pure, unabashed and unflappable evil flowing out of Theron with each sneer, calculated body movement and verbal spear. The biggest scene stealer, however, is Sheridan Smith as Mrs. Bromwyn, a fellow dwarf who sparring sessions with Rob Brydon’s Gryff are at times the best parts of the film. The four ladies really produce a nice spectrum of a range of talent in the film that makes things enjoyable and interesting, which is something that most things pertaining to the words “Snow White” are absent for just about anyone over the age of 13 (or at least should be). But back to what matters …


This is not to suggest Hemsworth is capable in his role by any means; it’s simply to acknowledge just how much Winter’s War smartly uses its female stars in ways that showcase their talent and make them integral as much more than any typical damsel in distress. Whereas the roles of women in film is still something of constant debate – just look at the online scuttlebutt regarding Hemsworth’s upcoming other summer film, the all-female Ghostbusters reboot – Winter’s War is another example that quality acting is quality acting, which is all that ultimately should and does matter at the box office. Yes, the film isn’t perfect– there are a few fairy tale staples that are easy to foresee – but thanks to the well-paced melodrama and special effects as executed under the direction of first-timer Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Winter’s War is a welcome addition to the spring movie season.


Feel free to bite this apple with no worries of a poisonous aftertaste. 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Reviews Tagged With: The Huntsman: Winter's War

McCoy on Movies: The Jungle Book

April 14, 2016 By Tabari McCoy

Rudyard Kipling’s beloved collection of short stories gets brought to life in grand fashion in Disney’s latest offering

“Please … For the love of everything … Don’t make this a horror movie and eat me!” Mowgli (Neel Seethi) shares a moment with his adoptive wolf mother Raksha (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) in a scene from director Jon Favreau’s live-action adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic THE JUNGLE BOOK. Credit: © 2015 Disney Enterprises. All rights reserved.
 



WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:





KEY CAST MEMBERS: Neel Seethi, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o, Giancarlo Esposito, Garry Shandling, Brighton Rose, Scarlett Johansson, and Christopher Walken

WRITER(S): Justin Marks (screenplay); Rudyard Kipling (novel on which the movie is based)

DIRECTOR(S): Jon Favreau

WEB SITE: http://movies.disney.com/the-jungle-book-2016
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): Based on part of Joseph Rudyard Kipling’s best-known collection of short stories, the live action version of The Jungle Book stars newcomer Neel Seethi as Mowgli. Mowgli is a “man-cub,” a boy raised by wolves in the jungle after being discovered by Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley), a black panther who discovered him all alone in a cave. While serving as a mentor of sorts, Bagheera turned the young boy over to Raksha (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) and Akela (voiced by Giancarlo Esposito), a pair of wolves who in turn raised him as one of their own. And all is well.


That is until Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), a tiger with burned face, lets Akela and Raksha that he wants Mowgli turned over to him at once – or face dire consequences. 


Doing what they think is right, Akela and Raksha ask Bagheera to lead Mowgli out of the jungle, which is a tough moment for the young man-cub since he doesn’t want to leave the only mother and father he’s ever really known. But once he’s out on his own, Mowgli will discover a side of the jungle he’s never known, full of characters from the slithering Kaa (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) to the lazy but ingenuitive Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray) and the loquacious King Louie (voiced by Christopher Walken), all of which may make the man-cub have to face a decision he never anticipated:


Is he a man-cub or a man – and if so, what does that mean for him in regards to his place in the only home he’s ever known.  

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who enjoy films with gorgeous visuals; those who enjoy live action films where the the story moves at a snappy pace; those who felt that the animated version of The Jungle Book is a bit too over-the-top happy/sappy; people who want some realistic “edge” to a tale that should, by its very nature, inherently have some. 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People that find animals talking creepy and/or weird; anyone who believes older, revered films shouldn’t be remade for any reason; those who find the action scenes a bit too intense for young children (or his or her self); anyone who feels a more “hard-edged” Jungle Book is not needed
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film that brings a maturity to a coming of age tale that by its very nature needs to embrace its animalistic nature, The Jungle Book is a very well done tale that brings its subject matter to life in a way where the call of the wild is answered loudly and vividly.


Child actors are a very mixed lot; while some make a breakthrough performance in their debut film (see Osment, Haley Joe), others often go on to fail to live up to and/or embrace the talent they show in that role thereafter (see Osment, Haley Joe) or worse (see Lloyd, Jake for a recent example). Newcomer Neel Seethi doesn’t do anything remarkable to show superstar potential as the man-cub of the jungle, but he does a very competent job in bringing the essence of Mowgli – a young boy in a world that is clearly not his by birth but becomes his by his actions and spirit – to life. 


What really makes the movie, however, is the synchronicity between the vocal performances of the film’s animal stars and the animation under director Jon Favreau (Iron Man, Elf, the big guy from Swingers and Chef – don’t get mad at me; he was heavy in both movies!) Whereas Nyong’o brings heart, depth and a mother’s love to her role as Raksha and Kingsley adds a stern, old world father sensibility, Murray brings a terrific sense of humor to Baloo that makes the character lovable at each turn while Walken brings a fantastic balance of blowhard and boyish enthusiasm to his role. 


Still, what brings everything together so well is the coordination of the action, emotion and humor under Favreau’s watch, all of which makes for a wonderfully entertaining package enjoyable for adults and children alike. The intense scenes are truly intense, the heartfelt ones are touching without being sappy and the humor comes at the right times without ever being insulting to your intelligence, no matter your age.


And as far as remakes of films you never thought you’d ever want to see go, The Jungle Book delivers a wild and wonderful romp through the jungle with moralistic undertones of which Kipling himself would likely be proud.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Filed Under: On Screen Dayton Tagged With: McCoy on Movies, The Jungle Book

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There will be free flying pancakes and plenty of fun to be had at MetroParks' Bike to Work Day Pancake...

Free
9:00 am Recurring

Hot Yoga & Reiki

May 16 @ 9:00 am Recurring

Hot Yoga & Reiki

Come join us for hot yoga class Fridays at 8:00a!!! $25 Drop-In; yoga packages and memberships available! We're going to...

$25
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hamvention 2025

May 16 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hamvention 2025

Hamvention, the world's largest amateur radio gathering at Greene County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Hamvention boasts over...

9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Par-Tee Around Cross Pointe

May 16 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Par-Tee Around Cross Pointe

Travel around Cross Pointe Centre, visit these 9 stores, play mini golf and after 9 holes turn in your score...

Free
9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Topped and Loaded

May 16 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Topped and Loaded

10:30 am - 2:00 pm

La Orangette

May 16 @ 10:30 am - 2:00 pm

La Orangette

Acai Bowl Acai berries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, blended with banana. Topped with granola... $13.00 Smoothie Bowls All Natural Smoothie...

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Scarlett Trust: Well-Balanced

May 16 @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Scarlett Trust: Well-Balanced

Scarlett Trust is an interdisciplinary artist who recently received her MFA from CalArts and lives in the Dayton region. Trust’s...

Free
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Recurring

Sisters: A Cyanotype Series by Suzi Hyden

May 16 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Recurring

Sisters: A Cyanotype Series by Suzi Hyden

The Dayton Society of Artists is pleased to present Sisters, a cyanotype series by our member Suzi Hyden. This show...

Free
+ 11 More
7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Tie Dye 50K

May 17 @ 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Tie Dye 50K

John Bryan is the most scenic state park in western Ohio. The 752-acre park contains a remarkable limestone gorge cut...

$45
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

34th Annual Furry Skurry 5K

May 17 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

34th Annual Furry Skurry 5K

Unleash the adventure at the 34th Annual Furry Skurry 5K – a paw-some day of heroic fun alongside your four-legged...

$40 – $80
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

What the Taco?!

May 17 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

What the Taco?!

Chipotle Chicken Taco GRILLED CHICKEN, SHREDDED LETTUCE, PICO DE GALLO, CILANTRO SOUR CREAM & MONTEREY JACK $10.00 Ground Beef Taco...

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Yellow Springs Farmers Market

May 17 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Yellow Springs Farmers Market

For over 20 years this market has been made up of a hardworking group of men, women and children, dedicated...

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Corvette Cars and Coffee

May 17 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Corvette Cars and Coffee

Calling all Corvette lovers! This cruise-in will have classic and modern models on display from all over the Miami Valley....

Free
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Greene County Farmers Market

May 17 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Greene County Farmers Market

The outdoor Farmers Market on Indian Ripple Rd. in Beavercreek runs Saturdays, 9-1 even during the winter months. Check out...

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Recurring

Hamvention 2025

May 17 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Recurring

Hamvention 2025

Hamvention, the world's largest amateur radio gathering at Greene County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Hamvention boasts over...

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Spring Fest Parade

May 17 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Spring Fest Parade

Parade sign ups are now live on burgspringfest.com! This year’s Spring Fest theme is Burgchella! Think Coachella festival vibes- flower...

+ 21 More
8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Good Neighbor 5k

May 18 @ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Good Neighbor 5k

Lace up for our Good Neighbor 5k on Sunday, May 18! Together with our friends at locally owned and operated...

$20 – $25
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Plein Air Paint Out

May 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Plein Air Paint Out

Calling all artists…here is your chance to paint or draw on a property protected by Tecumseh Land Trust. We supply...

Free
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Recurring

Hamvention 2025

May 18 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Recurring

Hamvention 2025

Hamvention, the world's largest amateur radio gathering at Greene County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Hamvention boasts over...

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Goal Hike for Women-Owned Business

May 18 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Goal Hike for Women-Owned Business

This isn't your average networking event—we're hitting the trails for a morning of fresh air, real talk, and creative inspiration....

$20
10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Drag Me to Brunch

May 18 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Drag Me to Brunch

Art Central Foundation is pleased to welcome the incomparable Rubi Girls back to the stage of the historic Sorg Opera...

$30 – $45
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

The Grazing Ground Market

May 18 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

The Grazing Ground Market

Welcome to The Grazing Ground Market, your local destination for farm-fresh eggs, seasonal produce, and handcrafted items. We take pride...

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Raptor Photography

May 18 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Raptor Photography

May 18: Join us in the Baldwin Pond meadow for an opportunity to capture stunning pictures of hawks,owls, and falcons...

$50
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Recurring

Dayton Spring Home Expo

May 18 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Recurring

Dayton Spring Home Expo

FREE ADMISSION This free event is the perfect opportunity for homeowners to save BIG on all home improvement projects and...

Free
+ 12 More
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