Category Archives: Film

Movie review: J-Lo hype aside, ‘Hustlers’ fascinating true-life tale of greed

“Hustlers” (R)

Jennifer Lopez is getting all the pre-release buzz, but it’s “Crazy Rich Asians” star Constance Wu who steals the show in “Hustlers,” a fascinating, true-life tale of how a group of ex-strippers turn the tables on greedy Wall Street executives after the financial crash of 2008.

“Hustlers” kicks off in 2007, when big time Wall Street traders were living large, spending big cash in, among other places, high-buck strip clubs. Destiny (Wu), however, finds it tough to make a living on the stage and in private dance rooms, until she’s taken under the wing of and forms a partnership with Ramona (Lopez), an experienced and saavy erotic dancer who teaches her young protege how to maximize her talents — and profits.

All goes well for a year for Destiny and Ramona in their new partnership, that is until the bottom falls out of Wall Street and with it, the clubs go belly-up, too.  Longing to get their old lives back, Ramona, along with Destiny and fellow strippers Annabelle (Lily Reinhart) and Mercedes (Kiki Palmer), concoct a plan to fleece their former clients out of thousands of dollars — money the men will be reluctant to report missing given the manner in which they lost it. With the women’s illicit activities, however, comes the same sort of greed that blinded the ambitions of the people the women were stealing from, putting the hustlers’ operation in peril as a result.

Written and directed by Lorene Scafaria (“Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”), “Hustlers” unfolds like a magazine story, which not coincidentally is the source material for the film. That narrative is accomplished by Destiny telling her story a journalist named Elizabeth (Julia Stiles), who gathers the brings the incredible true tale to light.

Under the sure-handed direction of Scafaria, “Hustlers” masters the tricky balancing act of broaching the sensitive subject of the exploitation of women without being exploitative. Yes, she shows the degrading situation strippers have to put themselves in, but with that, we also feel the painful emotions they go through as these women struggle to live and provide for their families, making the characters more than faceless people being objectified.

Ultimately, “Hustlers” is a story of female empowerment, albiet a complicated one. While their scheme to drug and steal money from rich executives is morally wrong and no doubt illegal, Scarfaria examines the question of whether or not these women should feel guilty for their actions. After all, they say in justification, the Wall Street scum they are stealing from effectively ruined the lives of countless people before the financial bust by being greedy themselves — but should they all be painted with the same with a broad brush?

“Hustlers” has already earned Oscar buzz, namely for Lopez in what could be described as a large supporting role. And while Lopez captures your attention (she’s as stunning as ever at 50), perhaps the buzz is premature as her acting is slightly above average at best. Perhaps the production should through their weight behind Wu, who shows a wide range of emotions as a woman trying to keep up in cesspool loaded with sharks.

One big side note: While rap star Cardi B is prominent in the film’s marketing materials, her appearance in “Hustlers” is a classic instance of a bait-and-switch. Her appearance in the film is brief at the begining (and Lizzo, who also receives top billing, is featured even less), with only one memorable scene before she exits the film for good. Fans expecting more — and they’ll want more after her entertaining appearance — are bound to be disappointed by how little she appears in the film.

Lammometer: 7 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,”  WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).

Copyright 2019 DirectConversations.com

Tim Burton Book 2
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‘IT: Chapter Two’ reviews: Tim’s reviews on radio, TV

Here’s a look at Tim’s reviews of “IT: Chapter Two” on video and audio, on KARE 11 at 11, “The KQ Morning Show” with Tom Barnard on KQRS-FM, and WCCO-AM’s “Paul and Jordana,” where Tim appeared as an guest for the first hour with Jordana Green. Both radio segments are brought to you by  Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,”  WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).

Copyright 2019 DirectConversations.com

Tim Burton Book 2
Click book cover for info on how to buy!

Movie review: ‘IT: Chapter Two’ every bit as thrilling as 2017’s first chapter

“IT: Chapter Two” (R)

One of Stephen King’s most ambitious novels has finally been given its due with “IT: Chapter Two,” the monstrously thrilling second half to the first chapter of “IT” in 2017. Yes, it will feel long to some audience members with a 2-hour, 49-minute runtime (it’s more than a half-hour longer than the 2017 original), but for those enamored with the details of King’s source material, there’s plenty more story to revel in.

The great thing is, not only is this chapter told from the standpoint of the adult versions of The Losers’ Club, it melds in many more pages from the stories of the young Losers in flashback, which naturally involves more nightmare scenarios with the ghoulish Pennywise the Dancing Clown.

“IT: Chapter Two” picks up where the 2017 film left off in 1989, where a group of adolescent outcasts – after they seemingly defeated Pennywise – make a blood oath to return to their hometown of Derry, Maine, and reunite to fight the embodiment of evil once again should he resurface. Just as the Pennywise legend foretold, the demented clown returns to Derry and begins to claim more victims 27 years later in 2016, and its up to traumatized adults to not only muster up the courage to stand united in the hometown they left behind, but carry out a tribal ritual that will rid their town of the creature they call IT once and for all.

Starring an impressive cast almost entirely made of young teens in the 2017 film, “IT: Chapter Two” is twice as good from an acting standpoint, as we not only get the adult versions of the Losers’ Club (including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader), the young cast returns as well in flashback scenes that expand their storylines. As for Pennywise, Bill Skarsgard is back and even more frightening than the original, appearing in not only creepy clown form (which is scary enough), but as an assortment of nightmare-inducing creatures that will make you jump, squirm, turn away in disgust and laugh at the same time. It’s a howling great time and bloody brilliant follow-up to the 2017 blockbuster.

Lammometer: 8 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,”  WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).

Copyright 2019 DirectConversations.com

Tim Burton Book 2
Click book cover for info on how to buy!

Movie review: Gruesome ‘Ready or Not’ hits horror comedy spot

“Ready or Not” (R)

The horror film genre is taking a welcome roll of the dice with “Ready or Not,” a creepy horror comedy with a unique enough plot to keep you occupied for its brisk, 95-minute runtime. With hints of “The Most Dangerous Game,” it’s not a groundbreaking film by any stretch of the imagination, but it also doesn’t rely on conventional horror film fare, either. What it excels in is establishing a foreboding, Gothic tone where danger lurks around every corner, which is a good thing considering the protagonist for the greater duration of the film is trying to avoid a family filled with homicidal maniacs.


AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Ready or Not” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment is brought to you by  Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.

Samara Weaving, whose had some training in the horror comedy genre with a three-episode stint on the under-appreciated series “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” is terrific as Grace, a new bride who weds her fiancé Alex (Mark O’Brien) on his filthy rich family’s sprawling estate. Before Grace can become an official part of Alex’s family, though, she must participate in bizarre midnight ritual where she plays a game with his eccentric family that earned its fortune as the inventor of famous board games.

To begin with, Grace must draw a card from a mysterious box, which reads “Hide and Seek.” But it’s the worst possible pick the new bride could have made, since that game involves every family member hunting Grace down to kill her before the sun rises. If she makes it through the night — and this new bride is no pushover — Grace wins and the family faces a grim payback.

While “Ready or Not” is billed as a horror comedy, there’s definitely more blood and guts involved than there are laughs. That’s not to say the film doesn’t have its fair share of comedy, though, particularly when the laughs arise of cringe-inducing horrific situations. Otherwise, when the film goes for straight-up comedy, the setups sometimes feel forced, which leaves gaping holes where the audience is wondering whether they should laugh or gasp.

Co-written and co-directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the biggest thing “Ready or Not” has going for it is the Gothic atmosphere they create in the film’s gorgeous but creepy mansion, and the bizarre characters they populate it with.


AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Ready or Not” with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO-AM. Segment is brought to you by  Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.

Henry Czerny and Andie MacDowell are wonderfully weird and whimsical as Alex’s mom and dad, while Alex’s older brother, David (Adam Brody), is the only sane one in the bunch, as he wallows in guilt and remorse for participating in the game after witnessing as child a potential new family member losing the game in a cruel manner. All of the family members, though, harbor an even more troubling secret, which rears its ugly head as the game nears its conclusion at dawn.

While “Ready or Not” is far from perfect, there’s no question that it ends with a bang, featuring an explosive, laugh-out-loud funny final act which makes the whole film worthwhile. Fair warning, though: being it’s a horror film, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that involves a lot of blood, so some audience members are bound to get queasy. But given that filmmakers clearly intended to make an R-rated gorefest, why play around?

Lammometer: 7 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,”  WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).

Copyright 2019 DirectConversations.com

Tim Burton Book 2
Click book cover for info on how to buy!