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McCoy on Movies: Men In Black International

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“Hey … Is that a green, incredible-looking hulk of a man over there?!” Agent M (Tessa Thompson) and Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) survey their surroundings in Morocco in a scene from director F. Gary Gray’s MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL. Credit: Giles Keyte © 2019 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Tessa Thompson, Chris Hemsworth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Rafe Spall, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Ferguson and Larry and Laurent Bourgeois DIRECTOR(S): F. Gary Gray

THE BACK STORY: As a child, Molly (Tessa Thompson) and her parents saw an alien creature … But when the two men in black suits showed up to neuralize her mom and dad, they didn’t know she saw the alien, too, so she never forgot it. Fast-forward 20 years later and Molly has spent her whole life preparing to join the mysterious agency that tracks the ultimate foreigners to earth – which is why she jumps at the chance to prove herself to Agent O (Emma Thompson) once she discovers the Men In Black (MIB).For her first assignment, Molly – now known as Agent M – is paired up with Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) at MIB’s London office. Trained by his superior officer/London office head High T (Liam Neeson), Agent H is as reckless as he supposedly is heroic, a man that likes to party as hard as he sometimes works. Tasked with entertaining an alien from a planet that could destroy earth, things take a turn for the worse when two beings that may be from “The Hive,” a shape shifting alien race that can basically crush anything in its collective path, shows up on the scene. And now, to avoid an intergalactic incident, it’s up to a rookie agent and a philandering agent to save us all.

THE REVIEW: Me, before the screening: “You know, watching the trailer, it doesn’t seem like Hemsworth and Thompson have any chemistry in this movie.”Friend who shall remain nameless, looking almost taken aback by my comment as if it were absurd: “They were fine together in Thor: Ragnarok.”

Me, nearly two hours after the credits began to roll: “This is NOT Thor: Ragnarok.”

Friend, looking as bored as I was with disappointment in their eyes: “Yeah.”

Chris Hemsworth is NOT Will Smith nor should he ever try to or desire to be as his career up to this point has been pretty phenomenal all things considered. Likewise, Thompson’s star has seemed to be on the up-and-up in recent memory with hits both inside and out of the Marvel Universe to her credit. However, after witnessing the tedious, boring and “let’s go through the very familiar motions without any real emotion for the most part” affair that is Men In Black International (MIBI for short), both Hemsworth and Thompson might be wise to call up Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige and ask if there are any chances to cameo in Disney’s upcoming Loki streaming series. For MIBI is a largely flat, soulless affair that would be better served being left in a galaxy far, far away.

As Thor, Hemsworth has found a great way to portray a powerful individual who can be charming, heroic, serious, focused and at times a childlike jerk that has to be coaxed into doing the right thing/learning how to step up and embrace his destiny. As Agent H, however, he comes off as just a boorish, pretentious, dare I say dumb lout of an individual who you can’t believe in any capacity. H is stale from start to finish, which may not all be Hemsworth’s fault as he isn’t given much at all to work with. It could be worse; Neeson looks to be on site to simply collect a check a’la Michael Caine in Jaws: The Revenge. Tommy Lee Jones (or even Josh Brolin in MIB 3) he is not. To watch Hemsworth and Neeson turn in such poor performances is just mind-numbing, both literally and figuratively.

Thompson, for her part, tries to play things very smart, very smooth and very seriously … Which fails due to an incredibly dull script with plenty of “we’ve been here before!” moments that attempt to capture old magic that just isn’t there. Whereas Smith has moved on to bluer pastures as the scene-stealing genie in the equally underwhelming (but still better) live action remake of Aladdin, Thompson is asked to drive a car down a course we’ve all scene before – this time with a LOT less bells and whistles or even scenery to keep you entertained, or at the very least, distracted.

Sure, her encounter with arms dealer/H’s ex Riza (a very game Rebecca Ferguson) adds a little life to the festivities, but MIBI is loaded with so much bland dialogue and ho-hum action sequences Thompson kind of comes off like the best player on an 0-16 NFL team. Kumail Nanjiani adds some humorous commentary as Pawnee, the helpful little creature that serves as the Frank the Pug to Thompson’s Agent M, but the old “let’s have the cute little creature get involved” routine feels more like a desperation move than essential storytelling. And that’s just it: For a film franchise that pumped out three quality stories, MIBI has zero charm, zero captivating effects and a dearth of heart, emotion or even interesting storytelling to enthrall you.

If it weren’t for Thompson and the small doses of Nanjiani’s character, MIBI might serve as a great cure for insomnia as you could be asleep in the first 40 minutes. Even the nods to the past MIB films feel flat; given how lame the movie is, though, NOT reminding fans about the past is probably for the best. The convoluted, uninspired storytelling under director F. Gary Gray – F. Gary Gray of all people! – is additionally saddening. Why is The Hive so deadly? What is their motivation? How does it tie in to Men In Black? Why aren’t these questions answered better so I can give you a better review?!

You can watch Men In Black: International if you wish … But given how long and tedious it is to build to a very anti-climatic climax you may just wish a neuralizer was real to wipe the movie from your memory as a result.

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

Liam Neeson’s Latest Thriller “The Commuter” Reviewed

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Liam Neeson takes a familiar ticket to ride with latest action movie entry

“Hold on – this workout is phenomenal for your core!” Michael (Liam Neeson, in suit on right) tries to help a train conductor separate passenger cars in a scene from THE COMMUTER. Credit: Jay Maidment © 2018 Lionsgate Publicity. All rights reserved.

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WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE: 

 


 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth McGovern, Andy Nyman, Sam Neill, Colin McFarlane, Shazad Latif and Ella-Rae Smith

WRITER(S): Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (screenplay); Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell (book, The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made on which the film is based)

DIRECTOR(S): Jaume Collett-Serra

 
WEB SITE: https://www.thecommuter.movie/HERE’S THE STORY: Michael MacCauley (Liam Neeson) has had a very rough day at work. Sure, he did get to hang out with his old police partner Alex Murphy (Patrick Wilson) for a bit, but with the news he gave him, it wasn’t exactly a happy occasion. But at least it will all be over soon, for all he has to do is catch the train so he can get home.


There’s just one problem – a mysterious woman (Vera Farmiga) has just given him a curious hypothetical question to ponder: Would he help find a person on the train named Pryn in exchange for $100,000. There’s just one other little problem if he does – that person is likely going to be in a lot of trouble. 


Thus, once Michael realizes the question isn’t hypothetical and the mysterious woman has now threatened his family’s safety, is watching him at all times and already exited the train, he is left with no choice but to do what she says … Unless he can find a way out.

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Die-hard Liam Neeson or 80s/90s action movie fans; people who like whodunit movies 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who thought the messing with Liam Neeson’s family train (no pun intended) should have stopped with Taken 3

SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? At this point in his career, you can watch about 30 seconds of a Liam Neeson trailer and nine times out of 10, you will come to the same conclusion: This is a Liam Neeson movie where Liam Neeson does Liam Neeson things – especially if someone has messed with his family. Don’t believe me? These guys immortalized Neeson before going they’re separate ways onto bigger and better things. 


And there you have just about everything you need to know about The Commuter – for it is simply the latest entry into the world of movies that prove illustrate the mantra “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” … Even if the formula may finally be at its breaking point as it the time may have come for Neeson to move on to something else. 


Neither Neeson nor director Jaume Collet-Serra try to reinvent the cinematic wheel at any point in The Commuter; instead, they just try to hit the usual beats in a movie of its ilk as best they can without being too insulting to the audience to try to keep most of its plausibility somewhat plausible. Neeson does his best to make Michael a classic put-upon figure forced into an impossible, damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t-situation. He’s in disbelief at first, then desperate before launching into eventual “now you’ve done it – I’m not playing your games!” mode. (He even says the line in the film, for goodness sake).


Essentially a paint-by-numbers action movie, The Commuter doesn’t make waves, it just rides along its familiar tracks for its in-and-out journey before arriving at a climax that is rather anti-climatic, all things considered. It’s not horrible by any means; it just is everything you’d expect it to be. It’s like riding a cinematic bike – even if there are times it feels like the training wheels need to come off. 


It’s one thing for Liam Neeson’s action movies to be immortalized in a Key & Peele sketch; it’s another thing for his movies to almost feel like they have become a parody of their selves. Thus, while the ride isn’t quite bumpy, it’s not quite that smooth, either … That is, unless, you’ve become so accustomed to it all you care about is getting home at the end of the day.

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

 

Star-Studded THIRD PERSON Opens Friday at THE NEON

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MV5BMjAwNTk0OTczNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNTI3NDE2MTE@._V1._CR29,29,953,1442_SX214_AL_Hello Everyone,

We had a lot of fun this weekend with A HARD DAY’S NIGHT. Audiences applauded after each screening, and some folks even admitted to having cried tears of joy during their revisit with The Beatles. If you’d still like to see it, Thursday will be your last chance at THE NEON. Thursday will also be the last day for the ground-breaking film OBVIOUS CHILD. On Friday, we will open the new film from Paul Haggis – THIRD PERSON. SNOWPIERCER (which had a terrific opening weekend) and CHEF will stick around for another week. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for THIRD PERSON: “THIRD PERSON tells three stories of love, passion, trust and betrayal, in a multi-strand story line reminiscent of Paul Haggis’s earlier Oscar-winning film CRASH. The tales play out in New York, Paris and Rome: three couples who appear to have nothing related but share deep commonalities: lovers and estranged spouses, children lost and found.” Starring Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Adrien Brody, Olivia Wilde, James Franco and many other well-known actors.

There’s been a locally-initiated tugg request for the film NO ORDINARY HERO: THE SUPERDEAFY MOVIE on July 23 at 7:30, and the event will only proceed if 62 tickets are purchased by July 14. (If the threshold isn’t met, your card will not be charged.) “When a deaf actor who plays a superhero on television looks beyond his cape to influence a deaf boy to redefine what ‘being normal’ means, he also finds inspiration to transform himself.” Visit the official LINK to watch the trailer and to reserver your ticket.

On Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30, The Evangelical Immigration Table will host a one-time screening of the documentary THE STRANGER. “This film was produced to motivate evangelical Christians to take a stand for immigration reform. The film tells the story of three families caught in our broken immigration system. The film is a stark reminder that immigration isn’t just a political issue, and it certainly isn’t a liberal or conservative issue. It is an American issue, and it is a spiritual issue. Tickets are $5 (available starting July 11 at THE NEON’s Box Office) and all proceeds will go to local refugees served by New Path Outreach, a ministry of Ginghamsburg Church. Watch the film. Then call your Congressman.” (taken from press notes) A panel discussion will be held after the screening.

On Thursday, July 31 at 7:30, 4 Paws For Ability would like to screen the documentary LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT. This is a tugg screening…which means that 62 people need to reserve tickets by July 20 for the engagement to move forward. “LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT weaves together the uplifting true stories of individuals who have overcome devastating obstacles, unselfishly given to the community, and embraced their inner superhero because of their love of Batman.” Follow this LINK to find out more about the film, watch a trailer and reserve your ticket.

Thanks so much for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, July 11- Thursday, July 17:

THIRD PERSON (R) 2 Hr 17 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday: 2:20, 5:10, 7:50
Tuesday: 2:20, 7:50
Wednesday, Thursday: 2:20, 5:10, 7:50

CHEF (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

SNOWPIERCER (R) 2 Hr 6 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 8:00
Monday: 2:50, 8:00
Tuesday: 2:50
Wednesday, Thursday: 2:50, 8:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

TBD – IDA
TBD – WORDS AND PICTURES
July 18 – LIFE ITSELF
Aug 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO

FED UP and SUPERMENSCH Open Friday at THE NEON!

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supermensch-the-legend-of-shep-gordon-187783-poster-xlarge-resizedHello Everyone,

Once again, we’re holding onto BELLE and CHEF this week, but we’re also going to start two new documentaries. FED UP is one that several of you have been asking about…and it’s currently only slated to play for one week (one screening per day). Hurry down if you need to see it! In addition, we will play a documentary that many of you have seen advertised before our current two hits – SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON, directed by Mike Myers (you may have seen Shep Gordon on CBS Sunday Morning a couple weeks ago or even on David Letterman last night).

Synopsis for FED UP: “Far more of us get sick from what we eat than anyone has ever realized. This potent expose uncovers the food industry’s dirty secrets. This exploration reveals how, in the wake of media attention, public fascination with appearance and government policies pushing for change, generations of Americans will live shorter lives.” “For the past 30 years, everything we thought we knew about food and exercise is dead wrong. FED UP is the film the food industry doesn’t want you to see. From Katie Couric, Laurie David (Oscar winning producer of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH) and director Stephanie Soechtig, FED UP will change the way you eat forever.” (taken from RADiUS-TWC) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Synopsis for SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON: “Shep Gordon is the consummate Hollywood insider. Though he isn’t a household name, Gordon has become a beacon in the industry, beloved by the countless stars he has encountered throughout his storied career. Shep is known for managing the careers of Alice Cooper as well as stints with Blondie, Luther Vandross and Raquel Welch, among others – a career that began with a chance encounter in 1968 with Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. He even found time to invent the “Celebrity Chef.” Though the chef as star is part of the culture now, it took Shep’s imagination, and his moral outrage at how the chefs were being treated, to monetize the culinary arts into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Personal friends with the Dalai Lama through his philanthropic endeavors with the Tibet Fund and the guardian of four children, Gordon’s unlikely story will be told by those who know him best, his pals, including Alice Cooper, Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Murray, Willie Nelson, Emeril Lagasse and more.” (RADiUS-TWC) Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official facebook page.

Don’t forget about Start Freedom Dayton’s screening of TRICKED on Thursday evening at 7:30. More details can be found on our website – www.neomovies.com.

The Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is hosting a screening of FOOD PATRIOTS this Saturday, June 21 at 3:00. “Touched by their teenage son’s battle with a foodborne superbug, filmmakers Jeff & Jennifer Spitz document their family’s struggle to raise backyard chickens, grow food, and transform into Food Patriots. FOOD PATRIOTS features people from all walks of life who are trying to change the way Americans eat and buy food, and educate the next generation of consumers.” Admission is free and open to the public – to save a spot, please RSVP to Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or bradforde@mcohio.org

On Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30, THE NEON is happy to host a one-night screening of the new documentary TO BE TAKEI. This is part of Dayton PRIDE’s month-long LGBT Pride celebration. “Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband Brad on this star’s playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love. Best known for playing Sulu on the original Star Trek TV series and six movies that followed, George Takei is unlikely social media royalty. Unofficially dubbed the King of Facebook, he counts over 5 million fans in his online empire – including Trekkies, Howard Stern listeners, and the LGBTQ community – who devour his quirky mix of kitten jokes, Star Trek references, heartfelt messages, and sci-fi/fantasy memes…” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $8 each, are now available at our box office.

On Thursday, June 26 at 7:30, we will host a preview screening of the new short film FOR FRANCIS. “When Matt Flynn (David Beck) discovers that his son Francis’s second grade teacher Ms. Walker (Kathy Patterson) gave his son a dress to wear, Matt becomes enraged and confronts the school. This very special preview screening on June 26th is in large part for donors in the Dayton area who contributed to the FOR FRANCIS fundraising campaign last fall. The film has already captured the attention of many prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Emmy Award Winner Tim Gunn, who is one of the film’s Executive Producers. The character of ‘Ms. Walker’ in FOR FRANCIS is inspired by David Beck’s junior high English teacher, Denise Walker, of St. Charles School, in Kettering, Ohio. Although a work of fiction, the story of FOR FRANCIS is inspired by the real life Mrs. Walker’s positive influence on David’s life. Please RSVP to davidGbeck@gmail.com for free tickets. Donations are welcome, and walk-ins will be accepted for $7. The donations will be used to help cover the cost of theater rentals and festival submissions.” (taken from Press Notes)

Ryan Benner will premiere the 4th installment in the SAVOR THE FLAVOR series (locally produced roller-blading videos) on Saturday, June 28 at 10pm. Ticket, $5 each, are available now at THE NEON’s box office. “Featuring blading from: Aaron Pyle, Tri Tri-Rudolf, Reed Huston, Andrew Thompson, Dan Mikesell,Alex Papalios & Ryan Benner.” In addition, Benner will also screen Hawke Trackler’s CRUISIN’ 4 A BRUISIN’ – featuring Kyle Wood, Ben Poling, Stefan Brandow, Jimmy Spetz, Matt Lyon, Jesse Soda, Hawke Trackler, Greg Preston, Cody Reffner & Bradley Wilson.” (taken from Benner’s Press Notes)

Things aren’t looking good for the potential screening of STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS – tentatively set for Sunday, June 29 at 5:15…only 5 tickets have been reserved. If 50 tickets aren’t reserved by this Friday, the screening will not move forward. If you want to see this film screen at THE NEON, click this official LINK to reserve your ticket…and please help spread the word. “STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS tells the story of Ricky, a 13-year old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who gets lost one day in the New York City subway system. While his mother frantically searches for him above ground, the sensory-sensitive Ricky is exposed to the cacophony, eccentricity, and menace found in New York’s underground (including some scenes shot during Hurricane Sandy, which came to figure into the film’s story), resulting in a truly authentic view into both the wonders and the horrors of what lies below.”

I’m so glad to announce that we have added IDA to our “Coming Soon” list. This little gem of a film was one of the best films I saw at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival – right up there with 12 YEARS A SLAVE and PHILOMENA. Next time you’re in, I’ll hope to have trailers running.

Thanks for your continued interest and enthusiastic support.

We hope to see you soon!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, June 20 – Thursday, June 26:

BELLE (PG) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:50

CHEF (R) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:40, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 2:40, 7:20
Monday & Tuesday: 5:10, 7:30
Wednesday: 5:10
Thursday: 5:10, 8:30

SUPERMENSCH (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday: 1:00, 3:00, 7:15, 9:15
Saturday: 1:00, 7:15, 9:15
Sunday: 1:00, 3:00, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:30

FED UP (PG) 1 Hr 32 Min
Friday – Thursday: 5:15

FOOD PATRIOTS (NR) 1 Hr 14 Min
Saturday: 3:00

TO BE TAKEI (NR) 1 Hr 34 Min
Wednesday: 7:30

FOR FRANCIS (NR) approx. 30 Min.
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
June 27 – OBVIOUS CHILD
June 27 – JODOROWKY’S DUNE
July 4 – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
TBD – IDA
TBD – WORDS AND PICTURES
July 25 – THIRD PERSON
Aug 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug 29 – LAND HO