Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Zombieland : Double Tap

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Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin are back in fine form as our favorite zombie killers (Yes, I love Walking Dead, Shaun of the Dead, and even Night of the Living Dead, so no disrespect).  This time our intrepid companions face some new versions of old threats.  There are still the slow-moving, dumb zombies – the Homers. But there are mutated quicker and smarter zombies – the Hawkings and even worse, the Ninjas, nicknamed the T-800, who are smart and relentless.  If that weren’t enough, Columbus (Eisenberg) has caused Wichita (Stone) to leave when he professes his love for her.  Then Little Rock (Breslin) runs away with a peace-loving hippy named Berkley (Avan Jogia).  This causes Wichita to come back and with Tallahassee (Harrelson) they drive off on an expedition that takes them from their comfy home in the White House to Graceland to the hippy paradise of Babylon.  On their way, they meet some new characters. One is played by Zoey Deutch as Madison, the blonde (of course) dim bulb who has survived the apocalypse by living in a freezer. Rosario Dawson is Nevada, and runs the Hound Dog Hotel near Graceland which holds all the Elvis memorabilia from his old homestead. But Abuquerque and Flagstaff ( Luke Wilson and Michael Middleditch) earn a New Character award from me as two partners at the hotel who have an uncanny resemblance to Tallahassee and Columbus. And they haven’t even gotten to Babylon yet! Are you a little confused? Don’t worry. There is so much action, you just have to see it to get it. Once you get into the flow, it will all be clear. This movie is everything that made the first Zombieland so endearing.  If you loved the first one, you will not be disappointed. Stay for one of the best post-credit scenes ever and you will be pleasantly surprised by a great cameo.  Not only that, but there is a very short after all the credits scene that is just fun.  Zombies might be gross, disgusting and undead, but Zombieland is anything but.  A real treat!!

Solo: A Star Wars Story

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It can’t be easy to play a beloved character like Harrison Ford’s Han Solo.  I saw my first Star Wars movie in 1977, so  I have been in love with this character for over forty years and was very ambivilant about seeing somone else in the role.  However, since this is a prequel, and Alden Ehrenreich is playing a young Han, I decided to give it a try.  I was pleasantly surprised.   Ron Howard’s directing is competent and he doesn’t stray from the formula that has made the Star Wars movies so popular.  Alden does a decent job as the young Han, but I had more fun with the supporting players.  Woody Harrleson was great as Tobias Beckett, a smuggler always warning others not to trust anyone (does that include him?).  I also loved Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian,  who has a smaller but crucial role.  Interesting how he loses his prized Millenium Falcon in a card game…  But just as Han has his Chewie, Lando doesn’t pilot the Falcon on his own. What Star Wars movie would be complete without a sassy android?  This one is no exception.  Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays a combination C3PO – sidekick with an attitude, who incites other droids to throw off the shackles of human domination a la Westworld.  I also enjoyed all of the little origin tidbits like why Hans last name is Solo, how he meets Chewie, what the Kessel Run was all about and how the story gets to Mos Eisley on the backwater planet called Tatooine.  Emilia Clarke is also fine as Hans first love, who may have a dark secret or two.  Cue Paul Bettany as a delightfully evil Dryden Vos, gentlemanly but vicious head of a vicious criminal cartel. There is enough action to keep everyone happy although I did feel the movie was too long.  For a summer popcorn movie though – this isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon!

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

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You may not have heard of this movie, but when the academy award season hits, I think you will find some nominations going to this little gem.  Frances McDormand gives a first rate performance in this dark drama, with hints of comedy, which is quirky in a Coen Brothers way.  In fact, I actually laughed out loud during this movie more than I have during some of the so-called comedies I’ve seen lately.  McDormand plays Mildred Hayes, a hard edged, uncompromising woman who is still reeling from the brutal unsolved murder of her teen aged daughter. The easy going, somewhat bucolic, police department seems to her to have forgotten all about her daughter, which causes her to do some drastic things, which build and lead to unintended consequences.   Mildred pays for three billboards that she hopes will motivate the local cops to take notice and do something to solve the crime.   These billboards spark various acts of violence and even civil disobedience that end in a lesson in what happens when people let rage and anger dictate their actions.  Woody Harrelson is fine as the sheriff, but the surprise gem in this movie is Sam Rockwell, as a seemingly dimwitted, rather crass police officer who lives with his mother, lets anger get the better of him; but who finds redemption in the end.   I would not be surprised if he gets an Oscar nod for his performance.    If you want to get away from super hero movies and big budget special effects, I highly recommend seeing this movie.

War For Planet of the Apes

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I went into this movie assuming I wasn’t going to like it.  I grew up with the original movies from the sixties, which featured older technology and unrealistic looking apes; but were naively entertaining.  My idea of a talking ape is the famous Koko, the gentle giant who uses sign language to communicate.  Boy was I wrong!  This is one engrossing movie!  Andy Serkis deserves an academy award, if not for this performance, than for his body of work as a whole.  From “Lord of the Rings” to “King Kong” to the “Planet of the Apes” movies, Andy Serkis and his motion capture acting make these creations seem so real and life-like.  Not only does Andy Serkis give a great performance, but this movie in a not so subtle way touches on issues of slavery, forced labor, civil rights and what constitutes humanity.  This movie definitely won’t be for everyone.  There was too much killing and war effects for my taste, for instance.  The first half of the movie is rather slow, but the second half is definitely worth it and packs an emotional punch.  Also, this not a happy, fun movie.  I would say if you saw the previous two movies, you would definitely want to see it, and won’t be disappointed.

Now You See Me 2

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I am a big fan of magic.  I love to be amazed by card tricks, illusions,  and magicians such as Penn and Teller.  My favorite unit to teach my sixth graders is a unit on Harry Houdini.  I liked the first “Now You See Me” and looked forward to seeing this sequel.  Unfortunately I was disappointed.   The plot was okay, if confusing, and the actors are all very likeable.  Daniel Radcliffe even gets to play a bad guy!  The special effects are great – but that is the problem for me.  The special effects magic looked contrived and unconvincing.  I would love to see more  realistic looking illusions like we saw in the first movie.   There is a silly subplot involving Woody Harrelson  playing his original character and his goofy twin brother.  With the talents of Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco,Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Lizzie Caplan  and  Michael Caine, I expected a great movie, not just an adequate one.