Tag: Brent White

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR (2025)

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Directed By: Paul Feig

Written By: Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis 

Based upon the characters created by: Darcey Bell 

Cinematography: John Schwartzman 

Editor: Brent White 

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Alex Newell, Bashir Salahuddin, Taylor Ortega Aparna Nancharla, Andrew Rannells, 

Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson reunite on the island of Capri, Italy for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman, which is interrupted by murder and betrayal.

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This phone is OK considering it didn’t feel like the first film really needed a sequel as this truly could’ve gone either way it stays in the spirit of the first film, though this feels more like a buddy mystery comedy.

Whereas the first film felt generally like a suburban mystery with twists and turns. this film has decided to take the characters and go international. Sonthat it feels like it’s following the trend of the KNIVES OUT murder mystery franchise, finding corpses of the past no matter where these characters go. We get a whole new set of supporting characters played by recognizable faces.

Even though in the first film, they were friends and rivals,  in this film where are forced to believe that they have buried the hatchet so to speak and become friends,  uneasy ones, but eventually, ones who seem to have made peace with one another.

Anna Kendrick’s character seems to only go along with her to help her book sales which are lagging. Henry Golding is in the film and for all the sex appeal he had in this film. He seems like an insufferable jerk and clown.

I won’t say that this film is predictable, but the twist and turns seem more melodramatic or almost out of a TeleNovella rather than a solid story. 

Not to mention for a film that is supposed to take place more internationally. One would think that the location and lush is this film would look more lavish. it has its moments, but from the looks of things of could’ve been everywhere and just added some color.

Whereas the first film felt like it had deeper stakes and was set in a reality you recognize. This film just feels like it’s a slapstick comedy and the deaths aren’t really that deeply felt or even respected. they’re just like part of the plot. It’s a shame as some characters we know some characters are new to us, but they are treated more Flagrantly than deeply

Which only helps make our leads look all the more guilty. Even though we in the audience know they’re not and give them a reason to be on the run.- while sidelining any supporting characters from the first film other than the stars to cameos 

The film is fun and a guilty pleasure way whereas it’s not rushed, it also didn’t need to be made, it still wants to keep its acid tongue, humor, and cynical, as well as try to be a bit campy 

All the actors do what is required of them and they are really what makes this film work and makes it at times fun though corny bits that kind of overcrowd the film too or also cliché moments and characters that don’t need to be there, but are it doesn’t hurt.

Luckily Paul Feig returns as the director as without him this would most certainly fail, but he brings his skills and panache with the actors to craft quite a meal from scraps

If you are a big fan of the first film, you will probably enjoy this one but know that it’s not as sharp as the first film it’s not dull, but it just doesn’t quite as deep as well as the first film and leaves itself open for another sequel for this to be a franchise 

Grade: C+

JACKPOT! (2024)

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Directed By: Paul Feig 

Written By: Rob Yescombe 

Cinematography: John Schwartzman 

Editor: Brent White

Cast: Awkwafina, John Cena, Simu Liu, Sam Asghari, Ayden Mayeri, Becky Ann Baker, Michael Hitchcock, Leslie David Baker, Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly), Seann William Scott, Dolly De Leon

In the near future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot.

This film feels like a live-action version of Michael Jackson’s SPEED DEMON, a music video only here with more details. Which should tell you how random and cartoonish this movie is throughout.

If you can get past the ridiculous setup, you find yourself in a film that is never boring and has entertaining popcorn fare. 

That seems to throw some action and comedy into each new scene that comes along.

Truthfully, you will probably forget most of this film after you finish watching it.

a film directed by noted director Paul Feig who keeps things moving, but offers many scenes that would be memorable if they were just a bit stronger at heart.

The cast is strong as both Awkwafina and John Cena seem to be Hulu channel original stars as each seems to have a movie or two come out on the channel each year and are usually a buddy comedy. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, and Ryan Reynolds seem to be Netflix original stars to mix and match throughout their productions. It seems the scripts and stories come later than the big names they can get to be attached.

This is the same kind of high-concept 1980s script that comes across as basic and could have made it to theaters but might leave many disappointed if they had to pay to see it. Even though what you see is what you get from the trailers alone.

Aquafina while funny gives a good performance. It feels like the role could’ve been played in any way it doesn’t give her room to do anything special or new.

John Cena always seems enthusiastic in his performances and his hair usually tells you all you need to know about the characters he plays and where it might be going.

Ayden Mayri is a stand-out amongst the supporting cast. As she is hilarious, deadly, and believable.

The comedic cameos throughout don’t hurt the film, but they don’t help much except for the audience to take them in and be done with them, just as fast as they appear. 

What helps the film coast along is in a pleasurable way is that the action sequences are so good while also managing to be organically funny.

Grade: C+

SPY (2015)

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Written & Directed By: Paul Feig
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman 
Editor: Melissa Bretherton & Brent White 

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Allison Janney, Morena Baccarin, Carlos Ponce, Peter Serafinowicz, Bobby Cannavale, Michael McDonald, Sam Richardson, Zach Woods, Katie Dippold, Richard Brake, 

Susan Cooper is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner falls off the grid and another top agent is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global crisis.

This is for me so far the best comedy Melissa McCarthy has starred in. This doesn’t feel like one of her assembly line films that seem almost cranked out back to back, before the power of streaming made this a common occurrence for most stars. Though I give her credit for keeping trying original Comedic characters.

Luckily here her character is more identifiable for the audience and not so much mentally challenged. 

The film worked as a spoof comedy and an actual spy thriller where you care about what happens and you care about the characters. Who are actually memorable. As we in the audience are like the main character constantly wondering who we can trust.

The over-the-top villains and international characters are filled with so many strange details. It Is such a delight to watch.

Jason Statham is actually hilarious throughout. Having a kick for making fun of his previous roles. While doing what needs to be done action-wise. Which is what gives the film its energy is the constant duality of the actors, characters, and film. 

The film keeps you on your toes with Its surprises. As well as having a shocking amount of violence that is graphic. While  At heart the film is an action comedy. 

Everyone seems to give their character a certain spin. So it feels more like everyone has their own motivations, agenda, and trust issues. Yet all share a certain world and reality. 

This is a tight film but everyone feels loose and free. So that they get their moments to shine 

Grade: B+