Deal: Get American Pie (Unrated) in HD for $3.14!

Early Pi Day Deal!  You can get American Pie (Unrated) to own in HD for only $3.14 from Microsoft as a special Pi Day deal.  This title is Movies Anywhere compatible, so it will port to your linked Amazon, VUDU, iTunes, FandangoNOW, and Google Play accounts.

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Thanks to Slickdeals for the original information!

Review: I Still Believe

Release date: March 13, 2020
Running time: 115 minutes
Starring: Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Melissa Roxburgh 

I Still Believe is based on the early life of Christian music star Jeremy Camp.  It starts with Camp's (Apa's) early years at college and how he met Melissa Henning (Robertson), someone who had a significant impact on his faith and music.  The two start a whirlwind relationship that is met with lots of love, humor, and challenges that no one their age should face.  How the two deal with this forms a huge part of the movie and is where a lot of the faith-based message comes from.

I Still Believe does have a lot going for it.  First and foremost, K.J. Apa is fantastic as Jeremy Camp.  He is talented (doing about 85% of the vocals in the film and playing guitar) and funny, really highlighting what is special about the famous singer.  And, most importantly, he has fantastic charisma with Britt Robertson.  The relationship that these two share really drives the story and the underlying message of the film, and the clear connection the two have really shines through on the screen.  Additionally, although the movie is definitely a faith-forward film, it does ask some really tough questions and provide reasonable answers to those.  They're not all sunshine and overly optimistic, there are some bad times depicted in this film.  And, most importantly, the responses from the characters aren't always idealistic; I appreciated when some realistic answers were given to tough questions and situations. 

However, although this film follows Camp's life and his relationship with Melissa, this film is only based on a true story.  Although the main events and challenges of the film do seem to have happened, a lot of the journey between those points was tweaked and supplemented for Hollywood.  Specifically, how Jeremy Camp got his first break, how Jeremy and Melissa met, and an influential friend seem to have been tweaked for the purposes of the movie.  It is an amazing story as is, so it is a little disappointing that it was retooled for Hollywood.  And one thing that really struck me was the lack of diversity in the cast.  I'm sure that this was accurate for the community at Camp's college and maybe some of his concerts, but in re-crafting the story, I feel like the filmmakers should have added some diversity to the movie.  If they are going to rearrange aspects of his life, why not add additional characters that can speak to a broader movie audience?  And, although this is not a surprise for faith-forward movies, some of the lines were overly corny, though as I mentioned I appreciated that this film does have realistic responses to many tough questions.

I Still Believe tells an amazing story with solid performances by its two leads and an inspiring message that was tweaked a little too much for Hollywood in the wrong ways.  

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Review: First Cow

Release date: March 6, 2020 (DC Area March 13, 2020)
Running time: 121 minutes
Starring: John Magaro, Orion Lee, Rene Auberjonois 

I can't tell you how many odd looks I got when I told people I was going to a movie about a cow in the American frontier.  However, First Cow is so much more than simply a movie about livestock.  Cookie (Magaro) is in Oregon where he meets King Lu (Lee) who is on the run from some violent individuals.  The two become fast if awkward friends--each person complementing the other--and go into business together.  Cookie has the skills for the business but Lu has the vision and drive to make it a success.  How the two go about growing their business in early America, and what life was like in that pioneer time, forms much of the story of this film.  

First Cow is set in the Oregon frontier at the time when the first settlements were forming and man was still trying to conquer the wilderness.  The film does a great job of depicting this lifestyle, with amazing looking settlements, clothing, and utensils to highlight life on the frontier.  Seeing how Cookie uses his skills for the business with time-appropriate tools is a lot of fun to watch.  The film is so authentic; the world seems at times cold and muddy, and at other times wondrous and warm.  This setting goes beyond the great set and costume design.  First Cow also depicts the atmosphere without overtly pointing to it.  Frontier life was at time was isolating and brutal, and First Cow does a wonderful job showing this without resorting to holding the viewers hands.  This type of dedication is rare to see and I am glad that the director, Kelly Reichardt, committed to this.  

Much of what makes this film such a fantastic experience is the wonderful writing and dialog.  The characters, especially King Lu, have some thoughtful and funny lines that help move the story along.  There are so many quotable things here that you will constantly be writing them down.  And the film definitely showcases this by shooting at a 4:3 aspect ratio, making the characters front and center to any scene.  And to pull it all together, First Cow has a catchy and appropriate soundtrack.  What sound like banjos or guitars are used to give each scene the right mood.  Scenes that are supposed to be light-hearted and whimsical have appropriate music, and serious scenes likewise change the musical accompaniment.  If there is one critique of the film, is that the film takes its time getting to where it is going.  This is definitely a choice by the director and one that I did not mind at all.  But it might be too slow and lackadaisical for some viewers.  However, those that want something wonderfully different that will milk each scene for all its worth will be in for a treat with First Cow.  It is a really great experience to experience this time through this unlikely friendship and this unusual bovine.

First Cow is an udderly charming film; those hoping for something wonderfully different will enjoy the fantastic characters, writing, and setting, as well as how the film milks each and every shot. 

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Review: The Hunt

Release date: March 13, 2020
Running time: 89 minutes
Starring: Ike Barinholtz, Betty Gilpin, Emma Roberts, and Hilary Swank

The most controversial film of last year is finally getting a release in early 2020.  The movie was originally set to release in September 2019, but following the shooting at Walmart in El Paso, the film was delayed due to its depiction of violence and its controversial subject matter.  The Hunt is a satirical movie where politically correct liberal elites kidnap and hunt regular individuals plucked from conservative America, whom the elites often refer to as "deplorables." 

One of the reasons the movie was pulled was because of its gruesome depiction of violence, and this is definitely true.  The film has some gory deaths, however, the depiction is over the top and at times can border on ridiculous with the level that is shown.  However, the film is also satirical, so a lot of the violence does have a comical aspect to it: the violence often does have a humorous aspect or a funny comment made before it happens.  The film's depiction of the liberal elites is likewise over the top, but it has some very funny aspects.  Some of the comments they make to be politically correct hit at just the right time, and some of their statements as they are participating in the hunt elicit chuckles.  Likewise, the conservatives are caricatures of many of the common conservative stereotypes, however, their depiction is more level than the more extreme liberals.  

However, although the film definitely has some laugh out loud moments and cringeworthy violence and dialogue, the movie doesn't seem to have much to say.  Satire generally tries to comment on the world, and although this movie depicts the extremes of both sides of America, it doesn't have much to say on top of that.  It feels like it switched these roles simply to have a comic vehicle for the movie.  And sometimes, it does feel like writing is trying too hard to take a jab at one group or another, but honestly this happened less than I expected it to.  But don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy the film.  It has a decent amount of action, some suspense, and a really funny performance by Betty Gilpin.  Her performance really drives a lot of the movie, and her character is quirky but fun enough to keep the audience entertained.  And, what has become a rarity in many action movies, the final fight in this film is appropriately epic and entertaining.  It builds up and then lives up to that billing.  

Aside from the controversy, the Hunt's over-the-top violence, exaggerated performances, and laugh-out-loud moments make for an enjoyably different experience.

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Review: Bloodshot

Release date: March 13, 2020

Running time: 109 minutes

Starring: Vin Diesel, Eiza González, Sam Heughan

Vin Diesel returns to the big screen but this time it isn't about cars or family but revenge. Based on the best selling comic book by Valiant Comics, Bloodshot is the story of Ray Garrison (Diesel), a fallen elite military soldier who is given a rare second chance. After his body was donated by the military to Rising Spirit Technologies (RST), he was put into Project Bloodshot where he received an advanced soldier nano-technology blood transfusion. Unlike any other test case before he survived, giving him super human strength and fast healing. With this procedure came temporary memory lost about his past. But as his memories start to return, he realizes that his wife has also been killed, causing Garrison to seek out the person responsible for it.

This movie wasted no time with its action and special effects. Even before the title screen was shown, it takes it viewers in the heart of war with a well done shootout sequence complete with slow motion effects. Watching this movie in IMAX was truly a treat as it totally enhanced the the audio, visuals and helped experience the good CGI.  The advanced warfare technology was an interesting touch, and seemed to take a lot from similar movies in this vein (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and even Terminator), but adding its own spin to that trope.  And this action isn't limited to the opening sequence; the longer the movie progresses the more the action piles on!  That final fight sequence truly is the icing on the cake!  Wait till you see how the explosions are handled with the nano tech/overclock rebuild!

Outside of the expected Vin Diesel performance, no one else but Lamorne Morris was truly a standout or even memorable. Morris's character was that stereotypical hacker who we seen over and over but somehow Morris still found some magic in it. The plot had issues; the vast majority of it seemed far too convenient and placed there to tie things together even if it didn't make sense.  Additionally, for a movie that is supposed to be filled with experts, a lot of the actions of the characters felt amateurish, which was hard to overlook. All in all, this movie ticks some nice boxes for action, and is vintage Vin Diesel, but it has enough issues that it should be enjoyed at home.  

For this movie to be the introduction of a franchise I felt it just didn't do enough to get people wanting for more. With good action and effects, but sub-par performances and plot, this is something you can wait for.

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News: Tokyo Godfathers NY Show Will Have Voice Actor Introduction

GKids is releasing a new version of the classic Tokyo Godfathers, with a new restoration of the film and a new English Dub.  For those heading to the New York showing at the Metrograph, the Saturday, March 14 at 1:15PM showing will feature a special introduction by actress Shakina Nayfack, the voice of “Hana.” This theatrical re-release showcases a new English-language dub produced by GKIDS and NYAV Post with the voices of Jon Avner (Just Cause 3), Victoria Grace (Mirai), and Shakina Nayfack (“Transparent,” “Difficult People”). Saturday, March 14, 1:15PM EST The Metrograph 7 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002 CLICK HERE TO VIEW A CLIP OF ACTRESS SHAKINA NAYFACK

In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika), written by Kon and Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. GKIDS and Fathom Events also presents special fan screenings of TOKYO GODFATHERS on March 9 and March 11. The March 9 screenings were in the subtitled version, while the March 11 screenings will feature the new English-language dub. All fan preview screenings of TOKYO GODFATHERS will screen at 7:00 p.m. local time. Additionally, the film will be released on Friday March 13th at the Metrograph Theater in New York and the Lumiere Music Hall in Los Angeles.

Review: Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Release date: February 14, 2020
Running time: 122 minutes
Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami

Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautiful, understated period drama about a painter, Marianne (Merlant) tasked with painting an elusive subject, Héloïse (Haenel), for a portrait to send to Héloïse's fiancee.  Marianne approaches this task by befriending the elusive subject, and the relationship that develops between these two forms the crux of this film.

The thing that struck me during this film was how understated it is.  The film takes place in a single manor, with three main characters, and dialogue that is pointed and sharp.  The film does not need much else, as the story and acting really drive this.  The interactions between the characters take up most of the film, and their growth really fuels the narrative.  As I mentioned, there isn't a lot of dialogue but that is a good thing.  The writers did not need to spell everything out for the viewer, nor did they feel a need to fill empty space with speech.  The words are carefully chosen, like each brush stroke in a painting, and are only included when needed.  

And one of the most amazingly understated aspects of this film is the stellar sound, or lack thereof.  This film has almost no music, and no music that is just there to fill in background for a scene, so Portrait of a Lady on Fire must use its wonderful sounds to set the mood and tone in the movie.  From creaks of an old manor, to the howling of wind or crashing of waves, to the crackling of a roaring fire, they are all beautifully reproduced and that much more effective because they are the auditory focal points of the scene.  The crackling fire was particularly effective, as it would roar up in scenes where tensions were rising.  One thing that this film highlights is the struggles of women at this time.  But the struggles and camaraderie that are exhibited are just as relevant now as they were back then.  Themes such as societal expectations, doing what one wants versus what is expected, and the support that is needed to succeed are all present here.  And in telling this story, the film conveys some very strong and conflicting emotions perfectly.  

However, this film being understated is both a blessing and a curse.  The movie has so much subtle action but it also takes a while to get going.  This film feels like it doesn't actually get moving until about an hour into it.  Like a painter painting its subject, it needs time to trace out the area before diving in.  Additionally, there are some strange aspects that don't really make sense, like a vision that one of the characters continues to have.  And for a movie that develops so wonderfully, the ending is unsatisfying and feels like it comes too quickly.  

Portrait of a Lady on Fire is an understated masterpiece, with wonderful acting, superb sounds throughout, and a story that will paint a wonderful movie picture for you.  

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