I never read the novel that this movie is based on, and after seeing the movie, I really don’t want to. “Where’d You Go Bernadette” is billed as a comedy/mystery/drama; but it really wasn’t funny, the drama was more like drama queen and the mystery wasn’t really a mystery. It was all quite contrived, and I actually found it quite boring. Bernadette is an architect who at first was considered a wunderkind, but who hasn’t worked in twenty years – mainly because she had a failure and she can’t get over it. Through a series of events (I think these were supposed to be funny), Bernadette is seen to be mentaly unstable and her husband considers having her committed. There is a ridiculous FBI agent and investigation that really don’t add a thing to the story. When she learns of all this, through a psychologist/FBI ‘intervention,’ Bernadette disappears. However, the audience, and even her family, knows where she is. So there is no mystery there. Despite this, Cate Blanchett gives it as good a try as she can as Bernadette, but the character is kind of annoying and really not very believable. Even more annoying is Kristen Wiig’s turn as the most obnoxious social climbing, controlling, PC, helicopter mom and neighbor as you’d ever hate to know. I can’t recommend this, and I am sure you can find better things to watch.
Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4 is everything you want in a Toy Story movie. Of course, Sheriff Woody (so endearingly voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (enthusiastic Tim Allen) are back. So are the usual gang, Bo Peep, Jessie, Hamm, Rex, Slinky and The Potato Heads just to name a few. The new characters introduced, really too many to mention, are all well-acted and well-animated for that matter. One of the standouts is Forky, as voiced by Tony Hale, who thinks he is trash but learns to accept his destiny as a toy. The other standout characters are Ducky and Bunny as voiced by the hilarious Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. The story is funny, heart-warming, has an unexpected twist, and even brings a tear to your eye at the end. Add in music by Randy Newman and you have a movie that people just can’t complain about. Everyone will enjoy. I brought my 82 year old Mother who had never seen the other ones and she loved it! Kudos to everyone involved to create a movie that everyone can go to and still enjoy!
Yesterday
There are so many movies out there that are remakes or updates or that just rehash the same old plot over and over that it is refreshing when someone can put a new spin on a tired formula. In this new romantic comedy, there is an original twist that I found intriguing. The premise of “Yesterday” is that a world-wide blackout, that only lasts twelve seconds, has somehow changed some small parts of history so that a few pop cultural phenomena have completely disappeared from memory, or even existence! People not only don’t remember them, but there is no trace of them ever having been. The most well-known is The Beatles! Except for… Enter Jack Malik (played winningly by Himesh Patel). Jack is a struggling songwriter, who has an accident at the exact same moment the blackout occured. This causes him to incredibly be the only person (or so he thinks) who knows who the Beatles were, and who knows their songs. This gives him the perfect opportunity to pursue his career, get rich and famous, and perhaps win the girl of his dreams – school teacher/ manager Ellie (Lily James). As you might expect, things don’t happen the way Jack is hoping they will. Along the way, Jack hooks up with Ed Sheeran, who gives him advice on the song “Hey Jude,” and helps launch his career. One thing I loved was the riffing on all things Beatles; like why some of their album titles just wouldn’t work today, for example. I loved this movie; but then again, I am a big Beatles fan. Their songs (especially some of the lyrics) really make you think. MINOR SPOILER ALERT: There will be an appearance by one of the Beatles. I totally did not expect that. As written by Richard Curtis (who also wrote “Love, Actually”) you know there is going to be a sweet, “happy” ending. My advice: Go see “Yesterday” tomorrow.
Long Shot
The premise for this romcom sounds a little preposterous to say the least. Charlize Theron plays a beautiful and very popular Secretary of State, Charlotte Field, for a president (Bob Odenkirk) who was elected because of his popularity on televison (sound familiar?) Odenkirk’s character decides not to run for reelection, leaving the door wide open for her to run and become the first woman president. Along comes Fred Flarsky, played by Seth Rogen. He is a struggling journalist for a failing newspaper that has just been bought out by a Rupert Murdoch-esque sleaze. He is considered something of a nerdy pest, but believes strongly in free and honest journalism, so he quits the paper rather than sell out. An old friend, Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr) tries to help him out and cheer him up. Fred resists until Lance tells him they will be going to an event where Boyz II Men are going to perform. Charlotte is also going to be there, and It turns out the two were childhood friends, and Fred has had a crush on her since she babysat for him. They meet at the event and reconnect after an embarrassing mishap (Fred ends up being an Internet sensation). I am spoiling nothing by telling you that this is the most unlikely on screen pairing since Esmerelda and Quasimodo. However, there is an unlikely, but likeable, chemistry between the two – and it is fun watching them and their compatriots on their political path. Long Shot offers both romance and humor. In a surprise part, look for Andy Serkis. I won’t tell you which role this acting chameleon plays but see if you recognize him. All in all, the movie demonstrates that the romantic comedy might not be dead after all.
The Upside
“The Upside” is based on the true story of a wealthy French aristocrat who was paralyzed in a paragliding accident, and the ex-con who becomes his caretaker. This new American version changes up some of the details, but the basic concept of a man and his assisstant remains. Emmy winner Bryan Cranston plays Phillip, a quadrapelgc who is despondent and angry that he wasn’t allowed to die after the accident happened. He is in the market for a new caretaker and this is where Kevin Hart makes his appearance. He plays ex-con Dell, who has an exwife, a kid who he never sees, and a ton of back child support payments. He is about to be sent back to jail unless he can prove he is seriously looking for work. Dell stumbles upon the interview, thinking he is there for a janitorial position. Phillip seizes this opportunity to hire the worst prospect for the job and hopes that Dell won’t know how to take care of him properly and he can finally join his dead wife. This is a very stale premise that has been overdone in movies and television, and yet in this movie it works. I give a lot of credit to the chemistry between Bryan Cranson and Kevin Hart. The are very good together. Dell helps to mellow Phillip and give him many reasons to want to live and enjoy life. In return, Phillip gives Dell a steady job and the seed money to venture out on his own. I notice that many critics gave this movie a low rating, but don’t listen to them. This is funny and heartwarming and I think you will enjoy it. My favorite scene had to do with a painting that a pretentious rich guy thinks was painted by Banksy. This movie doesn’t have a deep message like “Green Book” or a ground-breaking performance like “Bohemian Rapsody” but it is entertaining and satisfying. I suggest you give it a try.