Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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I am a big fan of the first Fantastic Beasts movie.  First of all, Eddie Redmayne is delightful as Newt Scamander, the wrangler par excellence of all kinds of unusual and delightful creatures.  The romance between Queenie and Jacob Kowlaski was fresh and just plain cute.  There were a number of interesting subplots and the viewer could actually follow the story line. But I did not enjoy this movie as much as the previous one, and it has to do with the things I love about the first one.  This time around, Newt is not in search of fantastic creatures.  He still has the lovable Bowtruckle with him and the Niffler; and we do see a few visually resplendant creatures, but all too briefly.  Queenie is seen to act in very inexplicable ways; such as putting a love charm on Jacob, who she knew was already in love with her in the first movie!  That whole scene seems forced and unnecessary.  On top of that, Queenie and Jacob have very little to do – they spend alot of time just acting as window dressing.  They are almost lost in the convoluted and rather confusing plot.  Gellert Grindelwald escapes his imprisonment in a rather cliched “bad guy changes places with an apparent good guy” way, and procedes to look for Credence Barbones, who we were introduced to in the first movie.  Grindelwald isn’t the only one searching for him – so is everyone from young Dumbledore (a waste of Jude Law)  to Leta Lestrange to Newt.  Why the interest?  Credence is thought to be a very important person named in an ancient prophecy.  There is a very shocking revelation about Credence at the end of the movie; but it is a murky, disjointed road getting there.  Johnny Depp as Grindelwald is not that menacing. In fact, his performance is sort of bland. The introduction of  Credence’s family tree and how he orginally got to the U.S. makes absolutely no sense.  On the other hand, the visual effects are stupendous.  I especially enjoyed Newt’s ride on a truly fantastic creature, the bucket portkey and any time Jacob Kowalski is on the screen.  I understand that this movie is setting up the next one, but I could have done with a little less set up and a little more heart.  All in all, If you liked the first movie, you will really need to see this one, to be ready for the third  if nothing else.  Let’s just hope that one is a little more interesting!

Murder on the Orient Express

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I started reading Agatha Christie murder mysteries in fifth grade and have been enamored ever since.  I saw the 1974 movie version and have read the novel several times.  In fact, knowing that the movie was coming out, I decided to reread the novel once more.  Kenneth Branaugh has made a worthy vehicle for Christie’s great who-done-it.  He also stars as  Hercules Poirot, the little Belgian detective with the fastidious mustache  who uses his grey cells to outwit and catch killers.  In order to appreciate a movie like this, you need to know going in that there will be no explosions, car chases, romance or sex (or innuendo for that matter).  You will get, however, an entertaining movie as you try to figure out who killed the despicable Mr. Ratchett, played by a remarkably restrained Johnny Depp.  The cast is chock full of acting talent,  You have relative newbie Daisy Ridley all the way up to the venerable Dame Judy Dench as suspects in the crime.  Other notables include Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Gad, Leslie Odom, Jr. and two of my favorite British actors, Derek Jacobi  and Olivia Coleman.  I heard Mr. Branaugh say in an interview that they built a replica train for this movie and it is quite something to behold.  In fact, they have done a superlative job of recreating the mystique, glamour and elegance of an era now fading from memory. The set (the train, really) and the scenery from Egypt to the snowy Balkan mountains, are breathtakingly realistic.  If you enjoy movies like Gosford Park or television shows like Downton Abbey, I think you will enjoy Murder on the Orient Express.

Pirates of the Caribbean:Dead men Tell No Tales

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What can you say about a movie that is the fifth in what is becoming a rather repetitious franchise?  Well, my favorite part of this movie was a cameo by Paul McCartney who  plays a cousin of John Depp’s Jack Sparrow.  He was refreshingly funny and even had a few good lines.  Too bad he wasn’t in more of the movie.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Johnny Depp and his cadre of kooky characters.  I guess the main reason I enjoy his inventive interpretations so much is that each one is unique and unexpected.  Unfortunately, his Jack Sparrow is no longer fresh.  In fact, I found him unfunny and down right boring.  Don’t be fooled by Orlando Bloom’s brief appearance, he is in this movie for a total of maybe five minutes.  You see him at the beginning and briefly at the end where he is reunited with Keira Knightly.  She had the good sense to be seen for about a minute, collect her paycheck, and leave.  The special effects are very good and were enhanced by seeing them in 3D.  I think kids who are under the age of 12 may find some of the action amusing, but adults will find it hard to watch without dozing.    If you do go, don’t forget to stay to the end of the credits!  I hear Johnny Depp is going to play the Invisible Man in the new Dark Universe franchise being produced by Universal and also featuring The Mummy, Frankenstein, and Jeckyl and Hyde.  I am looking forward to seeing Mr. Depp play  a fresh and interesting character.  Hopefully,  someone will put a stake through the heart of Jack Sparrow and may he Rest in Peace!

Alice Through the Looking Glass

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I am a fan of Johnny Depp.  I loved him in Ed Wood, Chocolat, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeny Todd and Pirates of the Caribbean, just to name a few.  I liked his character in Alice in Wonderland.  So, why I didn’t I enjoy this movie?  First of all, it is visually quite stunning.   But CGI does not a whole movie make!  The story itself though, was very thin and preposterous.  Yes, I know this is a fantasy, but seeing grown up Alice as the commander of her own  ship was pretty silly.  Also, the Queen of Heart’s reason for having a big head and her hatred of The Mad Hatter strained credulity.  Why not go after The Hatter himself instead of his family?  I must admit here that the whole Queen of Hearts character creeps me out; kind of like a scarey clown.  As for  Johnny Depp, I am not sure if I enjoyed him in this movie as he really didn’t have that much to do except look miserable and sad.  The only reason to go see this in a theatre might be for the 3D version.  Otherwise, if you must see it, wait for the DVD; it might have a good gag reel!