All posts by Tim Lammers

Film, Movie Reviews

Movie reviews: ‘The Nice Guys,’ ‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’

Leave a comment

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in 'The Nice Guys' (Warner Bros.))

“The Nice Guys” (R) 3 stars (out of four)

“Iron Man 3” writer-director Shane Black is back and firing on all cylinders with “The Nice Guys,” a smart and funny action buddy comedy starring the likeable duo of Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Set in Los Angeles in 1977, Crowe and Gosling star as a pair of bumbling private detectives trying to unravel the sprawling mystery behind the death of a porn star and people connected with her, and the disappearance of the adult daughter of a high-ranking Justice Department official.

While “The Nice Guys” is certainly a breath of fresh air amid the mostly stale comedies polluting theaters today, it’s actually similar in tone and structure to Black’s far superior 2005 action buddy comedy “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer. “The Nice Guys” is worthy of attention in theaters, but fans definitely need to mine the brilliant Black, Downey and Kilmer gem to get the best the genre has to offer.

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

“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” (R) 1 1/2 stars

Seth Rogen is entrenched deeper than ever in his comedy rut in “Neighbors 2,” a dreadfully unfunny sequel to the dreadfully unfunny comedy hit from 2014. Once again co-starring Zac Efron and Rose Byrne, “Neighbors 2” once again heavily leans on stoner jokes, cracks about body parts and other college party shenanigans, with the only difference being the neighbor frat boys from the first film have now been replaced with sorority girls.

There are only a handful of laughs in “Neighbors 2,” and apart from some layered-in social commentary on the sexist culture of fraternities on college campuses, the film is a complete dud. Chloe Grace-Moretz co-stars as the leader of the sorority and the thorn in Rogen and Byrne’s side.

Film, Movie Reviews

Movie review: ‘Money Monster’

Leave a comment

Sony Pictures

By Tim Lammers

“Money Monster” (R) 3 stars (out of 4)

Director Jodie Foster gets a big return on her investment in George Clooney and Julia Roberts with “Money Monster,” an intense hostage drama clearly inspired by the hype and hysteria surrounding real-life “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer and the hypothetical effects his advise has on would-be investors.

The stakes are higher in Foster’s cinematic Wall Street world, however, as blue-collar working stiff Kyle Budwell (Jack Reynor) pulls a gun on and attaches a bomb to “Money Monster” host Lee Gates (Clooney) during a live broadcast. With his thumb on a detonator, Budwell isn’t interested in recouping his $60,000 investment in a tech company that disappears overnight in a shady, high-frequency trade deal; but simply wants to know how his and other investors’ money – to the tune of $800 million – could go “poof” due to a technical glitch. Not only does Budwell want answers from Gates, but from megalomaniac trader Walt Camby (Dominic West), who’s mysteriously MIA during his company’s most dire hours.

While Clooney, Reynor and Roberts (as Gates’ producer who tries to navigate her boss out of the hostage crisis) are impressive in the leads, the true star of “Money Monster” is Foster, who in her fourth turn behind the camera expertly constructs a sharp thriller that finds balance with unexpected bits of humor throughout. While “Money Monster” is far from a perfect movie – the plot becomes far-fetched, if not silly as it unfolds – it’s an entertaining film nonetheless.

Film, Interviews

Interview: Hiddleston, Olsen ponder Loki, Scarlet Witch ‘Civil War’

Leave a comment

Disney Marvel

By Tim Lammers

Just because the Loki isn’t in the latest Marvel superhero movie chapter “Captain America: Civil War,” it doesn’t mean that Tom Hiddleston can’t have a little fun contemplating a one-on-one battle between the God of Mischief and say, someone like Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) at some point in the movie saga.

Hiddleston and Olsen, who recently co-starred in the Hank Williams biopic “I Saw the Light,” appeared to like the suggestion offered in recent interviews with the actors.

“It would be interesting because both have magic powers,” Hiddleston told me, laughing. “I’d love to play Loki’s freak-of-nature arrogance in the company of Scarlet Witch. I think Loki would be incredibly patronizing towards her, and probably would be wrong-footed a couple times by her deftness and subtlety. It’d genuinely be fun.”

MORE: Marvel Scarlet Witch Marvel Sixth Scale Figure

Loki Marvel Premium Format(TM) Figure

Olsen said there would be no hesitation on her part for such a big-screen matchup.

“I honestly had such a great time working with Tom in ‘I Saw the Light’ that I wouldn’t mind working with him whenever possible,” she enthused.

Scarlett Witch is at the center of the incident that kicks off the narrative of “Captain America: Civil War,” now playing in theaters nationwide.

Hiddleston, meanwhile, will reprise Loki for “Thor: Ragnarok,” set for a Nov. 3, 2017, release.

Tim Burton Book 2
Click book cover for info on how to buy!
Film, Movie Reviews

Movie review: Captain America: Civil War’

Leave a comment

Disney Marvel

By Tim Lammers

“Captain America: Civil War” (PG-13) 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)

Marvel’s “Avengers” series takes a new and exciting turn with “Captain America: Civil War,” a brilliant mix of action, emotion and effective storytelling that’s not undermined by the film’s thrilling visual effects. It’s the third film (and best) in the “Captain America” movie arc, and arguably one of the best in the entire “Avengers” saga.

Expertly directed by brother Joe and Anthony Russo, “Civil War” is grounded in real-world storytelling that infuses contemporary issues. Following the fallout over collateral damage by the superheroes during a mission in South Africa, the story finds Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) at odds over an international accord that would impose government oversight on the Avengers’ actions. Cap doesn’t think the team needs policing, while Iron Man signs the accord after a personal encounter with the mother of a victim of the Sokovia tragedy (in “Age of Ultron) that rocks his fragile psyche.

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

“Civil War” features the return of virtually every character from “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (sans Thor and the Hulk), and introduces Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who are both terrific in their Disney Marvel debuts (Spidey is on loan from Sony). Those going into the film with a fear it will be overstuffed with superheroes will be happy to know that all the members of Team Cap and Team Iron Man only occupy the screen together for about a half-hour, but in an epic battle royale that easily ranks among the best scenes in film series.

Completely different in tone, “Civil War” is far and away better than “Batman v Superman,” showing off a sense of humor in the midst of the madness that the DC “Justice League” intro film sorely needed. It’s an invigorating shot of adrenaline the superhero genre sorely needed following the lukewarm reception to Marvel rival’s answer to the “Avengers” series.

Loki Marvel Premium Format(TM) Figure