Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

It 2

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The endearing members of the Losers’ Club are back and all grown up in ‘It 2.’ The long awaited sequel, though not quite as good as the original, is still a very good movie!  The movie begins 27 years after the young Losers vanquished the dancing clown, forever they thought. They nearly all leave town and in leaving, forget everything that had happened.  But now, with the town of Derry experiencing, yet again, a spate of killings and child disappearances, the one remaining friend must act.  Mike (Isiah Mustafa) has never left the town and has spent the last 27 years researching the history of the murderous clown. He believes he has discovered a way to destroy Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) once and for all.  Mike calls all of the friends, who now can’t remember much of what happened all those years ago, back to Derry.  There is ill-fated Stan (Andy Bean), wise-cracking Richie (Bill Hader), novelist and now stutter-free Bill (James McAvoy), Ben (Jay Ryan) who has grown into quite a stud, thoughtful, hypocondriac Eddie (James Ransone) and kind hearted Bev (Jessica Chastain) who all must stand together to face their fears and save their town – and perhaps themselves.  The adult versions of the charactters are not as endearing as their younger selves, but they all bring heart to their roles.  I was especially impressed with Bill Hader.  He is definitely growing as a dramatic actor. Those of you who have read the book, may be disappointed that some of the events do not make it into the film; but even at 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie could not possibly have included it all. But what it includes is frightening and suspenseful. As in Part One, the production values are excellent and the atmosphere suitably foreboding. I won’t say anything about what changes! However, I am not spoiling the movie by telling you that Stephen King does have a pretty good cameo in this one.  I found this movie terrifying, so much so that I had to close my eyes during a few scenes.  But in the end, isn’t that what makes a good Stephen King novel, and movie?

Glass

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If you liked M. Knight Shyamalan’s “Split” and “Unbreakable,” you are probably going to like “Glass,” even though it is not as good as either one.  That being said, it was nice to see some of these characters return.  I especially enjoyed Bruce Willis as David Dunn, the very reluctant super hero who uses his free time to find bad guys, and provide a little justice.  But he most notably is looking for  James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb.  As the story begins, Kevin, and his many personalities, have kidnapped some female cheerleaders, and some of the personalities are warning the young women that ‘The Beast’ is coming soon.  We know that bad things will happen when The Beast arrives.  Just in time, enter David Dunn, and before you know it, the authorities – who’ve been watching for the two of them – have them both in custody.  Things get murky from here on.  Kevin Crumb has some 30 personalities, and James McAvoy is so spot on as he plays each one to perfection.  At some points, he flips from one to another with such facility and realism that you will be amazed that he is playing them all so quickly and believeably.  Samuel L. Jackson is back as the very breakable Mr. Glass, but I found his character too one-dimensional and unbelievable..  It wouldn’t be an M. Knight movie, though without some twists, which I will not spoil of course.  Part of the problem with this movie that keeps it from being really good is the character of Dr. Staple  played by Sarah Paulson.  She gets way too much screen time as a shrink trying to prove that the three main characters are not the super heroes they seem to believe they are.  The addition of the characters of Glass’ mother, Dunn’s son and the one cheerleader who escaped Kevin’s earlier attentions spread out the plot points, but not always to best advantage.  They are essential to a resolution that is essentially unsatisfying and a touch of that M. Night weak-ish resolution we all know. These parts of the movie lag, and it gives you time to notice many plot holes that you wouldn’t have otherwise bothered looking for.   But there are not a lot of great movies playing out there right now, so if you want to see some great acting by James McAvoy, the return of Bruce Willis, and a scene-stealing twitch, this is the movie for you!

Atomic Blonde

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I will cut to the chase, this kind of movie is just not my cup of tea.  I am not a fan of unrelenting violence.  This is  saying something as I religiously watch Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, so I am no shrinking violet. However, the violence, for me, gets in the way of a story that I found somewhat interesting.  Charlize Theron plays an elite MI6 British spy who uses her considerable skills in Berlin right before the Berlin Wall is demolished.    She is sent into Berlin and makes contact with another spy played by James McAvoy.  The plot also involves  a search for a missing list of double agents, a ruthless espionage ring, nudity and enough blood to fill a bathtub or two.   Even though this movie is not my kind of movie, that is not to say it is bad.  If you like John Wick, Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher, I think you will enjoy seeing a woman playing this kind of character.  Plus, she looks good in all of those different costumes and can do one thing all of those other characters can’t do; fight in and with three inch heels!  Plus, any movie that throws in John Goodman and Toby Jones can’t be all bad.

Split

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It is nice to see M. Night Shyamalan directing a movie that rises above some of his recent movies, like “The Last Airbender.”  “Split” harkens back to some of Shyamalan’s earlier movies like “Sixth Sense” and “Signs” and the more recent “The Visit”.  This is a well-done thriller that keeps you guessing.  The tour de force performance of James McAvoy would be compelling even in a movie of lower calibre.  His character has 23 (or perhaps 24) distinct personalities all trying to materialize and dominate the others.  Whether he is playing nine year old Hedwig or refined Patricia, McAvoy is compelling and creepy.  The plot revolves around three abducted girls who are being held by one of the personalities.  In the meantime, the original personality is being treated by Dr. Fletcher, played as somewhat dimwitted (she makes some poor decisions in my opinion) by Betty Buckley.  Of course Mr. Shyamalan will appear in a small role, but the surprise is the cameo at the very end of the movie.  No spoilers, but you will not understand the cameo if you haven’t seen some of M. Night’s earlier works.  If  you like psychological thrillers, I recommend you give this one a try.