VIDEO: Watch Tim review “A Star is Born” and “Venom” with Ellery McCardle on KARE 11.
“Venom” (PG-13)
Tom Hardy takes his career to dizzying new heights with “Venom,” his second comic book movie role after playing the ominous Bane in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” In “Venom” he plays Eddie Brock, an investigative reporter who gets a bit too close to the story of a corrupt scientist (Riz Ahmed) and encounters an alien substance that bonds with him and creates this monstrous alter-ego.
Directed by Reuben Fleischer (“Zombieland”), “Venom” marks the second time we’ve encountered the Marvel Comics creation on the big screen, 11 years after critics and fans blasted Topher Grace’s version in “Spider-Man 3.” Here, though, there’s no Spider-Man to be found and instead of being a villain, Venom is more of an anti-hero that audiences can get behind, mainly because the bad guy is battling an even-worse guy.
There’s no question that “Venom” is trying to capitalize on the irreverent tone of Ryan Reynolds’ “Deadpool” movies with its humor, and for the most part it works thanks to the brilliance of Hardy, who delivers yet another strikingly original performance opposite the always great Michelle Williams.
And while the film isn’t nearly as polished as his eccentric Marvel cousin and plays it safe with a PG-13 rating, “Venom” is still very entertaining and leaves the door open for more, as teased by the film’s end credits scene.
Lammometer: 7 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
In the age of spoiler alerts (or sometimes the lack thereof) for blockbuster movies on social media, you always must be careful what link you are clicking on, so not to stumble upon important details of a movie before you get to see it in a theater. But to “Ant-Man and the Wasp” star David Dastmalchian — who reprises his role of one of Scott Lang’s crew members, Kurt, from the first “Ant-Man” — making a big reveal about what happens in the sequel doesn’t seem to matter.
“The one spoiler that everyone has agreed that’s OK to tell people is that Kurt is definitely the hero of the film,” Dastmalchian said, laughing, in a phone conversation from Los Angeles on Tuesday. “Kurt is definitely the bravest, the most dashing and the most charming. His hair is the best and his voice is the sultriest. That’s a spoiler that I’m comfortable with you breaking out.”
OK, maybe that’s not exactly how things pan out for Dastmalchian’s character in “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” the hotly anticipated sequel to 2015 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, but there’s no doubt fans will be delighted by the actor’s natural gift for comedy — and maybe even surprised. After all, Dastmalchian is the same actor whose frightening debut as the Joker’s henchman Thomas Schiff in Christopher Nolan’s landmark 2008 film “The Dark Knight” was followed by serious roles in such films as “Prisoners,” his semi-autobiographical addiction drama “Animals” and “Blade Runner 2049,” as well as TV series guest turns in “Gotham,” “The Flash” and “MacGyver.”
In “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” though, director Peyton Reed encouraged Dastmalchian to improvise some of his scenes after the original scripted material was shot, and as a result, the actor provides easily one of the funniest bits of the movie. To give any details of the scene would spoil the fun, but it’s safe to reveal that it deals with Kurt’s beliefs in Russian folklore and how he manages his anxiety when he first sees the villain Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) for the first time.
“I don’t always get to explore opportunities in the world of comedy, and I feel with what Peyton has done so masterfully with this film is capture all the hilarious nuances of comedy with these different characters,” Dastmalchian said.
While “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has everything that fans could hope for with action, dazzling visual effects, loads of comedy and a creative narrative that drives the sequel forward, Dastmalchian believes it’s the relatable theme of family in the film that will resonate most with moviegoers the most. At the heart of the story is not only Scott’s (Paul Rudd) bond with his young daughter, Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson); but also Hank Pym’s (Michael Douglas) and Hope van Dyne’s (Evangeline Lilly) drive to enter the Quantum Realm to find Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) — 30 years after the wife, mother and original Wasp went subatomic while on a dangerous mission with her husband.
The rescue, however, can’t be completed without Scott’s help, and naturally, he must bring his crew of ex-cons-turned-legitimate businessmen Luis (Michael Pena), Dave (T.I. Harris) and Kurt in on the plan because he knows they are the people he can count on the most.
“The film is about the importance of family and why we fight for our family, and why we need to keep our family together, even when divorce happens, or the Quantum Realm happens,” Dastmalchian observed. “Some people in the film aren’t even blood family. They’re what I like to call ‘found family,’ like the wombats — the ex-cons. We’re not blood brothers, but we found each other through circumstances and now we’d do anything for each other. So, I’m really proud to be a part of this. I’m glad that the film is touching a lot of hearts, which is something we could all use right now.”
Gratitude is what no drives Dastmalchian, who battled and conquered heroin addiction before his breakthrough role in “The Dark Knight” — and life has especially been joyful for the actor and writer in the last four years, since he and his wife, Eve, have started their family.
“I’m so blessed to have the family that I have. My wife is such an awesome support for me and she’s such a great champion for me and she’s my best friend and now we have these beautiful children,” Dastmalchian said. “I’m really grateful for so many things. I’m grateful for my journey in sobriety, I’m grateful for the fact that I’ve really been down pretty low, as far as a person can get when it comes to life circumstances because it probably has enhanced how much I appreciate the things that have grown to matter to me.”
Having been in touch with Dastmalchian in the past four and a half years since I first interviewed him, it’s not only exciting to see his career continue to rise but heartening to witness just how crazy in love he is with his family. And while “Ant-Man and the Wasp” is no doubt another wonderful professional achievement for the Kansas native, it’s clear to see that it’s Dastmalchian’s family that defines his passion for life and is far and away more important than anything he could achieve as an actor.
“I could be at the best red carpet to the best film to the best premiere to best you name whatever thing you can think of, and those things are so awesome, and I love that I get to be a part of them,” Dastmalchian said. “But my favorite thing in life, and this is so silly, is going to the grocery store — me, Eve, Arlo and Penny — and getting a cart, that’s among the best moments I’ve get to experience as a human being. I’m really blessed, and I hope these kids don’t grow up too fast on me because it’s already going by too quickly.”
Once in a while, Dastmalchian’s professional and personal lives merge and he gets to experience the best of both worlds, like last week in Hollywood when he and Eve attended the world premiere of “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” and once again Monday night when they caught the film at a cast and crew screening.
Monday’s event was extra special for Dastmalchian because accompanying him and Eve to the screening were several members of the Born to Act Players, a theater company the actor has been volunteering his time for since he moved out to the West Coast following his big screen debut in “The Dark Knight.”
Dastmalchian said his involvement with the Born to Act Players — a unique company made up of actors with and without disabilities — began when he had seen a play written by his friend, Angela Bernliner, who cast a Down syndrome actor in the production. Dastmalchian said he was so moved by the actor’s performance that contacted the company’s founder, Mary Rings, and said he’d love to work with the actors, and has been doing so every week since.
“I get a million times more out of being there with that group than they do having me there,” Dastmalchian said, humbly. “It’s one of the blessings in my life and thankfully I found them because every single one of those actors are my angels in my life.”
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
Following the grim ending of “Avengers: Infinity War,” Marvel Studios has lightened their cinematic universe considerably with the “Ant-Man” sequel “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” an insanely entertaining sequel to the 2015 hit that’s much different in tone and style to the studio’s early summer blockbuster. Once again starring the always hilarious Paul Rudd as Ant-Man and ass-kicking Evangeline Lilly as the Wasp, the film is fast, funny and has plenty of heart to win fans of the franchise over.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp” begins with Scott Lang (Rudd) under house arrest following his capture under the guise of Ant-Man in the big showdown during “Captain America: Civil War.” Since he went into the battle using Ant-Man’s suit without the knowledge of Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) or Hope van Dyne (Lilly), Scott’s arrest soured his relationship with the duo, which particularly stings because it put the Pym and his daughter on the run from federal agents. Making matters worse, the arrest caused a major rift in the romance between Scott and Hope, and from a professional point-of-view, Hope is miffed because she insists Scott wouldn’t have been busted during the events of “Civil War” had he asked his then-girlfriend – who since assumed the identity of the Wasp – to take part.
AUDIO: Listen to Tim’s review of “Ant-Man and the Wasp” on “The KQ Morning Show.”
The trio reunite, however, when Scott has what he thinks was a dream, but it turns out to be some sort of visual implant Hope’s long-lost mom and Hank’s wife, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), put into the Scott’s head when he Ant-Man ventured into the Quantum Realm at the end of the last film. Gone for 30 years, the “antenna” Janet has placed in Scott’s mind is essentially providing a road map to where Hank and Hope can find her, but much to the chagrin of Hank, they need the help of one of his old rivals, Dr. Bill Foster (Laurence Fishburne) to help get there.
But Hank and company aren’t the only ones who have an interest in the Quantum Realm: A shady, high-tech parts dealer, Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) sees the mysterious inner space dimension as a gigantic business opportunity; while the literally unstable Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) needs the energy that Janet has amassed in the Quantum Realm if she is to avert certain death.
The third release from Marvel Studios this year, “Ant-Man and the Wasp” is much different in tone than “Black Panther” and “Infinity War.” Like the first “Ant-Man,” the sequel plays more like a caper and chase film, and while the stakes are high – Scott, Hank and Hope are essentially trying to save Janet’s life – the narrative doesn’t have world-ending implications like the carnage that consumed several of the Avengers and half the universe in “Infinity War.”
“Ant-Man and the Wasp,” as a result, arrives with a lighter mood, not only thanks to Rudd’s comedic gifts, but the amusing extra dynamic that Scott’s crew – Luis (Michael Pena), Kurt (David Dastmalchian) and Dave (Tip “T.I.” Harris) – bring to the film. Capitalizing on the hilarious dialogue and sight gag in the first film, director Peyton Reed ingeniously finds a way for Luis to spin another tremendous yarn (this time about how he met Scott), while Dastmalchian is given ample opportunity to show his comedy talents when gets to playfully demonstrate the nervous superstitions of his Russian hacker character.
Like “Ant-Man,” Reed once again has an expert handle on the direction of “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” achieving the rare feet of equally if not topping the original film with a perfect blend of action, dazzling special effects and humor. Most importantly, though, it has a relatable narrative that keys in on the importance of family from all aspects, whether through the ties that bind Hank, Janet, Hope and Scott together; as well as Scott and his daughter, Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), and Scott and his fellow ex-con crew members.
Like previous Marvel films, fans need to make an appointment to stay until the very end (after the very inventive cast credits), where the separate narratives of “Infinity War” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” come together. And while the future is uncertain for all The Avengers from here on out, but hopefully Marvel will find a way to bring back Ant-Man, the Wasp and everybody else in the film for a third solo movie, since “Ant-Man and the Wasp” once again proves that the best presents come in small packages.
Lammometer: 9 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
Twice as crazy, twice as funny and overall twice as entertaining as the insanely entertaining first film, Deadpool 2 is double the fun of the original 2016 blockbuster — and 20 times more daring than any superhero movie out there. Even with the monstrous weight of expectations on his shoulders, Ryan Reynolds has unleashed the beast of Rob Liefeld’s eccentric Marvel comic book character and not only does he smash those expectations, he’s created what is easily one of the best movies of 2018.
“Deadpool 2” begins with Reynolds’ Deadpool/Wade Wilson skewering Hugh Jackman’s Logan/Wolverine, his far more serious, R-rated counterpart in Twentieth Century Fox’s decidedly more graphic Marvel movie universe. Jackman and Logan are merely the first targets, however, of Deadpool’s offbeat, take-no-prisoners humor, as he savages all-things pop culture and topical during his latest superhero mission – to save a young and rebellious mutant, Russell (Julian Dennison) from the crosshairs of Nathan Summers/Cable (Josh Brolin), a time-traveling mutant who comes back from the future, hell-bent on eliminating him.
AUDIO: Listen to Tim’s review of “Deadpool 2” on “The KQ Morning Show” with Tom Barnard (segment begins 1:30 in).
Loaded with one-liners, political incorrectness and self-aware humor, Deadpool is laugh-out-loud hilarious throughout, as Reynolds injects his quick wit into almost every turn. The great thing is, Reynolds realizes he’s a team player, allowing for returning characters like Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), Weasel (T.J. Miller), Colossus (voice of Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Breanna Hildebrand), as well as new characters Cable and the lucky mutant Domino (Zazie Beetz) time to shine. It’s a perfect marriage of madness made complete by the return of Morena Baccarin as Wade’s true love Vanessa, whose presence looms over the film even though her role is of the smaller, supporting variety this time around.
Naturally, the film has a couple of end credits sequences, so anxious moviegoers are urged to sit patiently as the scenes unfold. The last end credits scene, which obviously won’t be revealed here so not to spoil the fun, may in fact be the best stinger ever to grace a superhero movie. Yes, it’s that brilliant, as is the entire movie to precede it.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
