Tag: Ving Rhames

THE WILD ROBOT (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Chris Sanders

Based on the book by: Peter Brown

Cinematography: Chris Stover 

Editor: Mary Blee

Featuring the voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Bill Nighy, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara 

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

This film shows what can be done by a true independent individual spirit and not doing what you have been trained or necessarily program to do, but interestingly also teaches you that by doing that you might learn not only to be your own person, but humanity and itself as well as to help those around community or culture you might find yourself and that is different from yourself how to assimilate into that culture and find your own friends and family but also if you have to, you can simulate into what you’re supposed to be but still at heartbeat who you need to be and who you are

I can truly say I wasn’t expecting much from this film and figured it would be. You know a typical moralistic tail and it seems like it’s going to be that way, but then it takes so many broad strokes or subverts what you’re used to and a different way that you can’t help but get emotional watching it and especially around the third act, or truly showcases the bond between parent and child and appreciation and the length of love between them where your downright willing to sacrifice yourself for them and vice versa how they sometimes have to take care of you when you’ve given it all you got

That is when the film is at its strongest and most powerful. It’s cute and previous scenes, and can be funny and ferocious. It’s perfect for kids and families like because I believe whoever sees this film will get something out of that,  that is strong and meaningful to them. 

I don’t watch those animated films sometimes, other than the artwork. It feels like more of the same, but I can truly say that this one affected me more than I expected to and it’s truly something special. I can see why it has so many fans, such that seem to come from nowhere.

Grade: A- 

WENDELL & WILD (2022)

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Directed By: Henry Selick 
Written By: Henry Selick and Jordan Peele
Based on A Book By: Clay McLeod Chapman and Henry Selick 
Cinematography: Peter Sorg
Editor: Robert Anich, Jason Hopper, Mandy Hutchings and Sarah K. Reimas 

Featuring the voices of: Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Ving Rhames, Natalie Martinez, Sam Zelaya, Tamara Smart, Seema Virdi, Ramona Young 

Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living.

Henry Selick is a master of his craft it is unfortunate that we rarely get to see or experience his projects, but when we do, you are certainly in for a good time. His projects should be looked forward to, as most audiences do for a new Pixar film. 

This film feels fresh and is full of diversity which Is rare in animation, especially in films of this kind. Where here the lead character is female and celebrated for her gumption and tenacity. 

The one weakness the film has overall is that while it seems deemed to be short and simple. It could have used more enrichment when it came to the characters’ stories. Especially for a film supposedly based on Selick’s unpublished children’s book.

Now of course some parents might not agree with the film being so dark and having a more supernatural and underworld motif. Though really it is advertised on the poster.

As a person with a weakness for song and dance, it might have been more full overall go there was a musical number or music somewhere. 

It also offers a reunion of Keegan Michael Key and his comedy partner Jordan Peele (who co-wrote and produced the film) in animated form and with the same Chemistry and hijinks. In Fact, the title is the character’s names 

The film has subtle satire about capitalism

And prison industrial complex. As well as a family message for those with and without. How you are not your parents and to be open to your children’s ideas. Especially if at heart they are trying to update something for you.

It makes sense why this came out around Halloween. As it makes a perfect film for the season and a good film to watch with the family. 

I was expecting a different marvel than this but also better than expected. 

Grade: B

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- 

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY (2007)

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nowpronounce

Directed By: Dennis Dugan
Written By: Barry Fanaro, Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Based on a screen Treatment By: Lew Gallo
Cinematography By: Dean Semler
Editor: Jeff Gourson 


Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Nicholas Turturro, Ving Rhames, Rob Schneider, Allen Covert Dan Aykroyd, Richard Chamberlin, Steve Buscemi, Blake Clark, Rachel Dratch, Nick Swardson, Mary Pat Gleason, Jamie Chung, Rob Coddry, Robert Smeigel, Richard Kline, Gary Valentine, Dave Matthews, Lance Bass, David Spade, Peter Dante, Jonathna Loughran 


Two straight, single Brooklyn firefighters pretend to be a gay couple in order to receive domestic partner benefits.

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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION (2015)

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Written & Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie
Story By: Christopher McQuarrie & Drew Pearce
Cinematography By: Robert Elswit
Editor: Eddie Hamilton 


Cast: Tom Crusie, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hollander, America Olivio

CIA chief Hunley convinces a Senate committee to disband the IMF (Impossible Mission Force), of which Ethan Hunt is a key member. Hunley argues that the IMF is too reckless. Now on his own, Hunt goes after a shadowy and deadly rogue organization called the Syndicate.

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