Tag: Stanley Tucci

THE ELECTRIC STATE (2025)

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Directed By: Joe Russo & Anthony Russo

Written by: Christopher Markus And Stephen McFeely

Based on the Graphic Novel By: Simon Stalenhag

Cinematography: Stephen F. Windon 

Editor: Jeffrey Ford 

Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Colman Domingo, Jason Alexander, Ke Huy Quan, Holly Hunter, Woody Harrelson, Billy Gardell

the story takes place in a reimagined version of 1997. With humans isolated in their VR helmets and a continuing battle against a strange breed of monstruous drones in the wake of a technological meltdown, a teenage girl named Michelle and a robot travel the West Coast of the U.S in search of the girl’s missing brother.

Why does a film about freedom and living life to the fullest and the power of human connection. Feel so stale, lifeless abd boring. Though has very impressive special effects. We can see where the money went into this $320 million Prodcution, but was it worth it? 

Do the Russo brothers just look at budgets rather then scripts. Then look for the gimmick. As they seek like filmmakers from the 90’s given chances for modern times. Pure Hollywood  filmmakers even with their independent films. 

They seem to be Artists for the businessmen running studios. Only their interests are different than what audiences want except for THE AVENGERS movies. 

The electric state feels like their attempt at a big budget amblin film that even spielberg would say is too artificial and JJ Abrams would reject. As there is not enough mysterious elements 

Chris Pratt is pretty much lead by the paychecks he gives his performances but in films, No one really wants to see or more of the same. The spark is there but the material isn’t and he’s not convincing enough for people to watch just for him

Just as Chris Evans seems to be a prostitute for Netflix ok an escort. As he seems to Find his fit in the film world . Though seems to be a down to earth human being.

Millie Bobby Brown seems desperate to find a better role and Wanda will not have her type cast and allow her to break out of her biggest role so far which is playing 11 on Stranger Things. Unfortunately this was not the right one. As it gives her little to truly sink her teeth into even as the lead 

This film tries to come up with emotions with a tale that feels familiar and tired. Though it comes across hollow. Only here to sbowniff the effects. As this film seems to beleivenrhe old mantra “IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME” unfortunately not enough came.

This is perfectly set I a lenas a family film, but for something that is such a big production. It shouldn’t feel this disposable and shallow. Nor as always does it really need to be as long as it is. 

One can be all for exploring a world but it diesn’t have to go this deep where we are jistbtrying to show off instead of moving the story forward. 

The film has no sense of pacing and in general just feels bloated and lazy as it doesn’t really make itself quite clear and wants to be 1 million different things but never decides on any as well as there being no dramatic pacing 

it seems to just copy the graphic novel, and whatever it lacks, the filmmakers can blame it on the source material.

The Film seems to only offer an alternative history because in that way he can bring back 90s nostalgia for a certain audience that seems to be in currently

In other words this feels like the typical Netflix original movie with star power and figuring that will be enough and come  together with a simple high concept idea. It’s like the blockbuster filmmaking of the 1990’s. Taking a big and expensive gamble. Right out of the gate rather then building up to it or up on it.

Grade: D

CONCLAVE (2024)

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Directed By: Edward Berger

Written By: Peter Straughan 

Based on the book By: Robert Harris 

Cinematography: Stephane Fontaine 

Editor: Nick Emerson 

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Brian F. O’Byrne, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz 

When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

This film is continually fascinating as it should be about a simple subject, a priest trying to pick who will be the new pope. It becomes more like a political thriller, full of intrigue and double-crosses, as well as its fair share of twists and turns.

It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next and the film manages to stay dialogue-heavy but be purely beautiful in a visual sense also.

As you watch all these men of Faith who have different ways of viewing and incorporating the religion they follow and are all supposed to be about the greater good quietly betray not only one another but seem to scheme and believe themselves to be holier than thou.

Some do actually try to keep closer to the religious tax and dogma and quarrel with their faith if anything, the film is identifiable as these men have taken a vow and spreading the word in which they believe, but acknowledge that they are only men and have Their weaknesses, fables and fails, but still try to stay as close as they do what they preach.

The film is not afraid to take on subjects that have plagued the Catholic Church and priests over the years and the way that they have tried to resolve solved deny the charges.

The film has strong and powerful moments and asks if certain things are forgivable for the greater good. It’s not a totally clean movie and has kind of a monkey wrench of an ending it shows there’s not always a clear answer. The film can be enjoyed by people of faith and those who might not.

Everything in this movie is excellent. The acting performances, script, visuals, production design, and costume design now it seem like it would of course be an Oscar because of when it came out but overall it’s just such a powerful film that seems to come out of nowhere that you wouldn’t expect that deals with religion, one of the strongest stay strong and thrilling and a PG-rated film

This is definitely a must-see film. if even you don’t like the subject matter just the masterful craft of filmmaking is something to behold.

A film is best seen on the big screen. 

Grade: A 

FEAR, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION (1989)

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Written & Directed By: Todd Solondz 
Cinematography: Stefan Czapsky 
Editor: Peter Austin, Emily Paine & Barry Rubinow

Cast: Todd Solondz, Max Cantor, Alexandra Gersten, Jane Hamper, Stanley Tucci, Anne De Salvo, Jill Wisoff, Kathleen Gati

Ira is a nervous playwright waiting and hoping to succeed with his art, which he takes it very seriously. But following his dreams and ambitions isn’t something easy to do, especially when he has to consider the points of view his family, his artist friends and his girlfriend will provide to him whenever he exposes his incomprehensible works of art.

Finally got a chance to see writer/director Todd Solondz’s long-lost (for me) first film. This Great white whale of mine 

He has disavowed the film Claiming he felt like creative control was taken away from him.

One might enable to see why. Even though it isn’t a train wreck. It is actually entertaining in a goofy, surrealistic way. It still has the same themes as his later films. Exactly what the title lets you know. 

Only here he is the star as with his early Short films. It’s hard not to think that these films are autobiographical. As this ends a one of era again and he never appears in any of his films ever again.

As in future films, there seems to either be surrogates or he just writes more for ensembles and wanted to make films about characters and less making it seem about himself. 

This film obviously Comes out Indebted to Woody Allen as his character is definitely like one of Woody’s, a man who seems to be romantic and constantly Full of anxiety, nebbish, and strives for more. Who isn’t happy in his current life and then once he loses it realizes how good he had it. 

Though not as grand in scope this film reminds me of a lower-budgeted I HEART HUCKABEES more for its zany surreal comedic bits at times and its lightness and bitter comedic tone.

As most of the characters talk about being real artists but are aloof and pretentious and either needy or predatory.

Junk is the perfect femme fatale. As she lets you know what she is all about but the lead character stays enamored of her for her looks and what he eyes as tough attitude when she is just rude. Though He thinks her mysterious as she is the type of person he has never encountered. So she is all new to him. Treating him badly but he keeps coming back for more.

While he treats a woman who is head over heel for him badly the same way junk treats him.

He is a character. Struggling play-write who constantly seems to lose while those around him keep seeming to become successful. Like a high school friend who decided to write as a hobby become the toast of Broadway. While he gets a bad review in the village voice that everyone seems To read.

Or his best friend who hates his writing but encourages him. Who always seems To date or seduce whoever he seems to be interested in or pining for.

Even when junk Offers herself to him sexually he Messes it all up before he can go through with the deed. Or when he gets the girl

Of his dreams how she seems to Tolerate him but still Pine for her asshole ex. He seems to bring this misery at times upon himself.

Though no matter what it never becomes completely depressing as the film Keeps the mood and material goofy and silly. Even though it offers up a sad ending it ends with a little hope. That includes a rare happy ending.

So while a sadder woody Allen-Ish film a pleasing one and fascinating to see where his career began and see the seeds of future films and style.

The film also has a nice look at classic New York around 1989 mainly Greenwich village before it Became so gentrified 

I can identify with him and his films as I feel like what I write is similar and that most of my Early films or projects usually

Are more extensions of daydreams or exaggerated feelings and my self-consciousness put out there. Not to mention having humor about and bringing up uncomfortable subjects that are a part of life that involve characters trying to be good but are awkward in their own skin especially socially. 

As they have Consciences here everybody seems to get by seemingly normal without realizing at times how ridiculous or Cruel they are naturally

Grade: C+

JOLT (2021)

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Directed by: Tanya Wexler
Written By: Scott Wascha 
Cinematography: Jules O’Loughlin
Editor: Michael J. Duthie & Carsten Kurpanek

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Laverne Cox, Jai Courtney, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, Ori Pfeffer, David Bradley, Lewis Bray 

A bouncer with a slightly murderous anger-management problem that she controls with the help of an electrode-lined vest she uses to shock herself back to normalcy whenever she gets homicidal. After the first guy she’s ever fallen for is murdered, she goes on a revenge-fueled rampage to find the killer while the cops pursue her as their chief suspect.

This film Has a high concept but isn’t very inspired nor does it feel like it has many high stakes. 

It might remind the audience of the recent female-driven action film GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE. While both are over the top in places. This film feels like it has less waste and is less flashy. 

As it is not as intense and is smaller scale, but enjoyable. Even if it comes off as more common and less ridiculous. It offers plenty of action that is of the hand-to-hand quality more.

As the film is driven by a mystery only the lead seems to care about. Though we in the audience don’t understand much. It seems more needed just for the story to move forward. 

Also with this message film, each bigger name or recognizable cast member actually has something to do and a reason to be here. In other words, less like money is being thrown at whatever problems the film might have to distract from its shortcomings. 

There is nothing too memorable in the film. It’s good popcorn entertainment. Not necessarily polished and pretty basic. Though it tries to add intrigue. 

Happy to see Kate Beckinsale in an action-oriented film again. Though this film works with fewer weapons and firepower. As well as giving the character a problem that works as a superpower but keeping the film from going down that road.

A sustainable high concept modest action movie with a central star performance and vehicle for them. 

Grade: C

KISS OF DEATH (1995)

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Directed By: Barbet Schroeder
Written By: Richard Price
Based on the Original Screenplay “KISS OF DEATH” By: Ben Hecht & Charles Lederer
Based on a story By Eleazar Lipsky
Cinematography: Luciano Tovolli
Editor: Lee Percy

Cast: David Caruso, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Ving Rhames, Stanley Tucci, Helen Hunt, Michael Rapaport, Kathryn Erbe, Jay O. Sanders, Hope Davis, Anthony Heald, Philip Baker Hall, Paul Calderon, Anne Meara, John Costelloe 

A reformed convict goes undercover with the help of an angry detective to ensnare a psychotic mobster.

When I saw the trailer I knew I had to see this film as soon as possible. I had seen it on the show COMING ATTRACTIONS on the E! Channel when it used to be more devoted to film and film lovers. Not so much gossip. This trailer had me hypnotized so much I taped it and would watch it over and over again. Keep in mind this was before the internet. 

One of my favorite trailers at the time. The cast was seductive so I ended up watching it on opening weekend. 

I know this is a remake but i haven’t seen the original. Which unknown was noteworthy for Richard Widmark’s giggling hitman. There are no signs of that here. Even though Nicolas Cage steals the show as the villain here. Though that might be due to the script trying to make him come off as memorable as Richard Widmark.

This film is supposed to be a thriller though most of the time plays like a dark comedy. One that is central To New York’s character types. Even as it has More thriller elements and framework. 

Everybody seems to speak way too loudly throughout and every sentence or word seems to end and be with an exclamation point. 

This is a modern remake for the 1990’s with what would end up being an all-star cast in the middle of their careers and some just been naming their hot streaks. 

The film seems to borrow part of the cast of PULP FICTION. As the dialogue also tries to be loose and have criminals have odd yet funny conversations emblematic of that  film. It even has a few actors from that movie in it’s cast but it has an overall style of cool. A violent cool with bits of dark comedy thrown in. Where it again always feels like the characters are playing types more than real human beings for the most part.

This movie was supposed to help make a movie star out of David Caruso after being a lifelong character actor and being on a hit Television show. Which pulled him to fame and leaving that show after two seasons to be a movie star. Here is a role he was used to just not being at the center of attention.

Nicolas Cage here is off-kilter as always. Muscle bound and hilarious. As he plays an over the top mobster’s son who Caruso is trying to take down or more like the cops are forcing him to. He is murderous yet childlike at instances 

In the end the most despicable character and true villain of the film is Michael Rappaport who causes all this trouble and is taken down early and quickly.

While the film tries to feel realistic. You are always aware that it is a production. As it even feels thoroughly always like cinema. Never like any kind of reality or relatable. 

For all the violence and tough talk by the end it seems a little too cut and dry. Where it ends up feeling lightweight by the end. No matter how far it has taken us. 

GRADE: B- 

MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (2014)

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mrp

Directed By: Rob Minkoff
Written By: Craig Wright, Michael McCullers, Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant
Based on Characters Created By: Ted Cay
Editor: Michael Andrews
Music Score By: Danny Elfman 

Featuring the voices of: Ty Burell, Ariel Winter, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Denis Haysbert, Stephen Tobolowsky, Allison Janney, Patrick Warburton, Stanley Tucci, Lake Bell, Mel Brooks, Tom McGrath, Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant

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