Tag: Timothy Simons

SHORTCOMINGS (2023)

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Directed By: Randall Park 

Written By & Based On The Graphic Novel By: Adrian Tomine 

Cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez 

Editor: Robert Nassau 

Cast: Justin H. Min, Ally Maki, Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Jacob Batalon, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons

Follows a trio of young, Bay Area urbanites–Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim–as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.

This film is an anti-romantic comedy that is a breath of fresh air. As it is a movie after my own heart. Adapted from a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine 

The film offers a character-driven slice of life. That possesses a dry sense of humor. As it presents situations in the main character’s life. So that it feels more like a hangout movie. As we explore the character’s world, more witness his relationships.

How he complains and believes himself to be the victim always. Closing himself off from others and feelings in general. How he becomes his own worst enemy and slowly alienates others. Who actually wants to like him.

That ends up becoming a story of a kind of redemption or how a jerk finally wakes up to himself and his negative aura.

To give you an example of the main character imagine the worst film snob and magnify it as a personal outlook on most things. 

The film hits home as it is a reminder of sorts for one at a younger age. One would want to believe not as bad but plenty of aspects are personality. Though he is more successful relationship-wise and has more friends around him.

The film is dark-humored like a young Asian unsuccessful Larry David. Who you don’t root for or agree with. As we watch him go through interactions and her cross over and come to a head. 

The lead character is so Insufferable. Half of the entertainment is watching him fall off his high horse constantly. Especially as he starts to build any chances of hope. Then usually sabotages himself or his partners. Wake from any kind of charm ornament attention he was giving them.

This is the type of character who usually seems to be the hero of most relationship dramedies made by twenty-somethings. Whereas the world revolves around them and everyone else has the problem, not them.

Sherry Cola almost steals the whole film. Her character is reminiscent of her character in the film JOYRIDE only with more depth and sarcasm here. 

It’s nice to see the film take on racial politics but not be all about it and offer Asian American characters’ points of view and let them be more diverse and full.

Grade: B

CANDY CANE LANE (2023)

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Directed By; Reginald Hudlin

Written By: Kelly Younger 

Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel

Editor: Kenny G. Krauss and Jim May

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jillian Bell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Riki Lindhome, Trevante Rhodes, David Alan Grier, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, Danielle Pinnock, D.C. Young Fly, Catherine Dent, Stephen Tobolowsky, Penatonix, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Lombardo Boyer

A man is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win–and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.

The film has a lot of goodwill, but it also has a bunch of familiar tropes. They are dressed up and try to feel fresh and for the most part, fit the season and set-up. 

The film tries to stay inventive but then falters under the weight of its own predictability and plays it way too safe and familiar.

The film isn’t necessarily good but it’s entertaining and keeps you invested. Even though star Eddie Murphy goes through the motions. He even has his moments to flex an original comedic lie here and there. Unfortunately for the most part it also feels like he is playing a role any actor or star could have played easily. That is how bland it is written. Though as always it is always in his strengths when his character is under pressure and his reactions can be priceless, Just not here

It does bring the audience back to when he was making more family films for better or worse. Though when they were just passing.

What works within this film is the spirit and the fact that his family in the film all get a chance to shine and be the hero throughout and come together when needed. Reminding the audience of the importance and need of family and enforcing the holiday spirit.

Though those looking for laughs might be hard-pressed to find any genuine comedy throughout.

Directed by Reginald Hudlin, it leaves you expecting more. Even though it does have a great production design. The less said of Santa Claus. Huggy bear ,velvet suit the better.

In the end, it’s a film that fits the holidays but isn’t the triumph you are hoping for when it comes to an Eddie Murphy film. 

Grade: C

JOY RIDE (2023)

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Directed By: Adele Kim

Written By: Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsaio 

Story By: Adele Kim, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsaio 

Cinematography: Paul Yee

Editor: Nena Erb

Cast: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Timothy Simons, Ronny Chaing, Lori Tan Chinn, Annie Mumolo, David Denman, Desmond Chiam, Meredith Hagner, Daniel Dae Kim

Follows four Chinese-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers.

The film does feel like the same kind of humor as the television show BROAD CITY only abroad in the east. Instead of two roads, it’s four though there is a main contingent of two in the middle. 

It seems like it strives to be like the movie GIRL’S TRIP to a degree. It has that same type of energy but has way more set-ups for there to be madness. 

Just Like that film though everyone seems to get their moments and is on Equal footing as there is no real star and while in that film Tiffany Haddish became the standout. Here there isn’t one really as again they all have their moments and especially more on the shocking Side. As the film is raunchy. 

It’s Nice to see it break the wall if it is a female-driven comedy and an Asian American leading ladies. Who break the mood of the stereotypical roles they usually are portrayed or cast. Going at it with full gusto.

While it makes its points about culture and points out some issues. It also is more about entertainment. 

It’s A Nice follow-up for actress Stephanie Tsu coming off her recent Academy Award best-supporting actress Nomination with another memorable noteworthy role. Though Not for its dramatics 

It feels a bit like the first AMERICAN PIE for that summer shocking comedy for a specific audience that grows bigger than Its demographic. That seems to come from nowhere. Yet charms and excites the audience. Even when at times you can see where it is going.

Grade: B

YES, GOD, YES (2020)

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Written & Directed By: Karen Maine
Cinematography: Todd Antonio Somodevilla
Editor: Jennifer Lee

Cast: Natalia Dyer, Timothy Simons, Donna Lynne Champlin, Wolfgang Novogratz, Alisha Boe, Francesca Reale, Susan Blackwell, Parker Wierling

After an innocent AOL chat turns racy, a Catholic teenager in the early 00s discovers masturbating and struggles to suppress her new urges in the face of eternal damnation.

A star vehicle of sorts for actress Natalia Dyer of the television show STRANGER THINGS. That seems a little controversial but by the end might be shocked at how human and tame it ends up being.

The film is short but makes it presence filled just enough.

This presents itself as a kind of teen comedy about sex or at least puberty and feelings of sexuality and masturbation in particular. 

Though the film is small scale and feels a lot more Personal. As it presents a bunch of different problems for the characters but doesn’t offer all the answers. As the ones it does provide can be seen as right or wrong depending on the individual.

It takes it’s time but doesn’t offer much in the form of energy. As it plays more dramatic at times and has it’s own moments to ponder and take into account what has just happened.

Not a typical teen coming of age comedy. As the characters have a Hypocritical nature but you can understand the characters somewhat and see that they mean well 

What is honorable about the film is that not every character is good or evil. They are not right or wrong. They go with what they believe is the truth even if not living by those rules.

They live by what they believe is best for all. They aren’t doing it to be cruel just to help in their own way. 

The characters are allowed to be flawed and not totally good or evil. Though some might be more annoying and some just don’t know any better. Even the ones who are going to have it all together and know what they are talking about and strong, in the beginning, prove to be weak by the end. 

Finally what works is that even though some of the events come off as cynical throughout the film like it’s lead character never seems to go that route. They have faith and belief that they stick to despite it all throughout and by the end have their own kind of acceptance.

Grade: C+