Tag: Maya Rudolph

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM (2023)

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Directed By: Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears 

Written By: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Jeff Rowe, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit 

Based on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES characters, Created By: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

Head Of Cinematography: Kent Saki

Editor: Greg Levitan

Voice cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ice Cube, Jackie Chan, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Rudd, Post Malone, Hannibal Buress 

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtles set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. But they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

Over the years, there have been many reboots of this franchise as well as ongoing, animated television shows. There were even two live-action films after the initial live-action trilogy of films.

I have to say that this animated film is the best of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise since the original animated series and also the first two live-action films which are near deer to my heart. I saw them in theaters and the first one I kept trying to see in theaters and I think, I tried five times to see it in theaters and it was always sold out. This was before you could buy your tickets online so when I finally did get to see it, it was so magical and felt so worth it.

This film emphasizes the teenage part of the title as the characters do have fighting skills, but they are also still teenagers at heart growing up and wanting to belong but also wanting to have fun and not necessarily so mission-focused.

With it being more about teenagers, it prepares you to have patience with that aspect as an adult, though it’s a perfect family film that feels a bit more funky and fun than any of the films have before. It’s a film for a younger audience though older fans can’t enjoy it.

Here’s a little bit reimagined with a more urban feel in a different villain than the nemesis usually the villain Shredder.

The film is a lot more fun and emphasizes a bit more humor than action.

The star voices don’t add too much more of a hay isn’t that such and such factor that would work with or without them, though it is nice to see here, the familiar voice does at times the danger of taking you out of the film, especially when it comes to certain beloved characters.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, take over the franchise or the ideas for the story here and rework it, just as they have others that they either produce or create shows like THE BOYS and PREACHER amongst others. At least it seems like the stuff that they are behind that RIP that they were fans of from the beginning so while they are making it a little more hip, they know what the fans like. Enjoy and want.

The film is an original story at heart. It’s closer to the more blockbuster material of the animated cartoon than the previous live-action movies that starred Megan Fox. 

It’s a reboot for a franchise that continues to reinvent itself while sticking to the same premise, yet never venturing into the dark original world of the cult comic book from which it came.

Grade: B+ 

WINE COUNTRY (2019)

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Directed By: Amy Poehler
Written By: Liz Cackowski & Emily Spivey 
Cinematography: Tom Magill 
Editor: Julie Monroe 

Cast: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, Tina Fey, Jason a Schwartzman, Maya Erskine, Cherry Jones, Liz Cackowski, Emily Spivey, Jay Larson, Kate Comer 

During a vacation to Napa Valley, a group of long-time friends reunite and revisit past choices in this hilarious and heartfelt comedy. 

This film had me with the cast alone. Though while entertaining I can’t say that this film has too much to feed on.

As it is a middle-life crisis movie for women. That stays hilarious throughout but it also feels very lightweight and More of a reunion for ex-female SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast members. Though it does allow them more of a showcase than usual.

As each major cast member gets their time to shine and a major plotline. Some are just not as serious as others. When commonly cast men Evers in other films are relegated to memorable cameos. Here they get to shine.

The film is light entertainment that feels more like fluff but stays funny and entertaining throughout.

Though even the so-called normal characters end up being zany or skewed in their own way. 

Everyone is good but Maya Rudolph is a particular delight and comes off as the MVP. Not to mention she is the only character whose story comes close to being actually dramatic.

Like the liquor, it celebrates in the title. This movie goes down like a fine one. 

The characters seem more like types or come across that way at times. Though it’s not central it feels like it is about empowerment to a certain degree and watching women who are successful in some ways fall apart in others where their personal weaknesses lie.

The film even takes a look at generational differences. All in all, it is just a fun hang-out movie without too many stakes but plenty of funny scenes and characters. Who are relatable 

The film wants the audience to watch but also take part in the fun times. Where it almost feels like a hangout movie. 

Grade: C+

LOVE, GILDA (2018)

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Directed By: Lisa D’Apolito  


With: Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer, Bill Hader, Chevy Chase, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Lorne Michaels, Maya Rudolph 

In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern day comediennes, LOVE Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. 

There is nothing wrong with the film as it gives a pretty full portrait of actress/comedienne Gilda Radner’s slice and careers us by excerpts from her journals and other personal writings and a bunch of colleagues and family are interviewed as well as footage from her performances and personal home movies.

There is no sadness except when You know the end is coming and the documentary more shows highlights from her life and the sadder stuff while mentioned is given short shrift.

Though rather than have that be a mark against it. Sometimes it seems if a documentary is more of a happy affair it is though more real Or white-washed when it might be that while we all have troubles and problems in life they don’t have to be marketed or shown to be more real. Just as in Life some people’s lives are more focused on the positive while acknowledging the tougher aspects. It doesn’t need to necessarily focus on it. Unless it is information that has to be mentioned to get a fuller picture.

As it seems in Gilda’s life her happiness cake from entertaining others around her and Her audiences. The film seems to try to showcase and celebrate that aspect of her and focus on that.

The documentary uncovers a few things, Some might not have known as well as giving important collaborators of her life like writer Alan swivel a chance to reminisce and for one me Who is a fan of his a chance to finally see him in the flesh so to speak on the screen

If you are a fan the film doesn’t reveal anything you might not already know but allows for more personal insight from her.

By the end, you wish the film felt more full, but then you realize how little time we had with Gilda before she was gone. She had a lasting career but it was brief and has a spectacular beginning that defined her but never got a chance to get beyond that to a greater work. Considering how many she inspired and entertained we realize just like her family and friends she and we were robbed of her presence way too soon and it leaves a lasting impression but also leaves a hole of sorts. She never got to get the recognition not the best of her never really got a chance to come through.

Though what she left behind was wonderful

Grade: B

HUBIE HALLOWEEN (2020)

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Directed By: Steven Brill

Written By: Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler 

Cinematography: Seamus Tierney 

Editor: J.J. Titone, Brian Robinson & Tom Costen

Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Ray Liotta, George Wallace, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark, Colin Quinn, June Squibb, Jackie Sandler, Noah Schnapp, Paris Berelc, Karan Brar, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, China Anne McClain, Kym Whitley, Allen Covert, Lavell Crawford, Mikey Day, Peyton List 

Despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem (and its Halloween celebration), Hubie Dubois is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something is going bump in the night, and it’s up to Hubie to save Halloween.

While I can admire the film for being strictly for kids with a star-studded cast. It is purely for them as it comes off as silly and pretty stupid, but at least not another vacation comedy for Sandler. Who does seem to put in an effort here. 

Though it pretty much has his typical storyline. This one feels more like one of his earlier films only In the fact that he plays mroe of a loser man-boy who eventually must learn to grow up. Though still has a very attractive woman in love with him for the thinnest of reasons.

While the film has very few laughs if you give yourself over to it. One can see why surprisingly many people are giving this movie mroe the benefit of the doubt. Again as is more innocent than some of his mroe recent films and it feels like a film we need more of these days in these trying and cynical times.

Ultimately this feels like Adam Sandler making. Up another character with a strange voice to show his inner child never left. That feels like his CANTEEN BOY character from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE not only grown up but with a Halloween theme.

This is another film where the cast is filled with mostly his friends and former co-workers. Where half the fun is seeing what roles they will play and when they will pop up.

This seems like a film where the cast had more fun cracking each other up more than bringing too many laughs to the screen. 

It feels like the script was written from the point of view of two parents wanting to make a film for their kids and putting in all the clean pubs they could for reacting to this generation and trying to keep it clean and immature but with a child’s view of the world. While not necessarily what I was expecting which might have lead to a personal disappointment. 

This film might be what you need for kids seeking something with more of an edge and cute and not having to worry if it is too offensive. As plenty of jokes will go over their head

The film is mostly silly overall and aimed at a kid audience. Using the stars more to lure adults in and watch some respected actors act silly.

Grade: D+

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS (2018)

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Directed By: Brian Henson
Written By: Todd Berger
Story By: Todd Berger & Dee Austin Robertson
Cinematography: Mitchell Admunsen
Editor: Brian Oids 


Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Leslie David Baker, Michael McDonald, Joel Mchale, Cynthy Wu, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Gaul, Ben Falcone 


A murder mystery set in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, but puppets are viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an ’90s children’s TV show begins to get murdered one by one, a former cop, who has since become a private eye, takes on the case.

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SISTERS (2015)

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Directed By: Jason Moore
Written By: Paula Pell
Cinematography By: Barry Peterson
Editor: Lee Haxall 


Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Samantha Bee, John Leguizamo, Bobby Moynihan, James Brolin, Diane Wiest, Greta Lee, Heather Matarazzo, Kate McKinnon, Jon Glaser, Chris Parnell, Paula Pell, Dan Byrd, John Lutz, Brian D’arcy James

Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.

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