Sorry for the delay on this Reel Recap. I wasn't ready to share it before the tail-end of my Oscar coverage, so I figured I'd postpone, and then wanted to put adequate distance between it and my reviews for Birds of Prey and Sonic the Hedgehog. In January, I mostly rewatched films I'd already seen as opposed to recent releases. Going forward, I plan on including any older movies I watch in Reel Recaps since this Spring looks like it'll be very light on new releases.
Reel Recap: January 2020
Dolemite Is My Name - Watched January 5, 2020 (Netflix)
Synopsis: Performer Rudy Ray Moore develops an outrageous character named Dolemite, who becomes an underground sensation and star of a kung-fu, anti-establishment film that could make or break Moore.
Runtime: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive language, crude sexual content, and graphic nudity)
Who should see it? Adults who are interested in the story behind Rudy Ray Moore.
Directed by Craig Brewer with a screenplay from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Dolemite Is My Name explores the origins of a 1970s blaxploitation phenomenon, Dolemite, akin to The Disaster Artist. In Dolemite Is My Name, style often matches the subject. The colorful costuming and soulful soundtrack seem to reminisce on blaxploitation flicks of the era in addition to echoing the eccentric personality of the film's protagonist. On that note, Dolemite Is My Name represents a return-to-form for Eddie Murphy. Rudy Ray Moore feels like a role he was destined for, which plays to his strengths as a comedian and an actor. Wesley Snipes and Da'Vine Joy Randolph serve as stand-outs amongst the supporting cast while the remaining ensemble often strained the point of believability. Rude, crude, and ridiculous, Dolemite Is My Name champions the spirit of its namesake for better or worse. I didn't always vibe with its wavelength, but I can't deny I wasn't at least mildly amusing for the majority of its runtime.
Film Assessment: B-
Goldman v Silverman - Watched January 16, 2020 (Vimeo)
Synopsis: Rod Goldman and Al Silverman are street performers who work the tourist scene of Times Square. Goldman gets no respect, and Silverman is the first one to make sure of that.
Runtime: 7 minutes
Who should see it? Fans of the Safdies.
Goldman v Silverman sees Adam Sandler re-team with the Safdie Brothers on their latest short (which you can watch at the Vimeo hyperlink). At seven minutes long, there's not much to dissect, but the short serves as another reminder for the Safdies' affinity for the Big Apple. This time around, they're offering the unique perspective of Times Square's street performers and the oddly competitive nature of their "occupation." The short quickly immerses viewers in New York's streets and displays the struggles these individuals face daily. Though not nearly as exquisite as the precious metals found in its title, Goldman v Silverman proves to be a worthwhile watch due to its craftsmanship and efficiency.
Film Assessment: B-
The Gentlemen - Watched January 25, 2020
Synopsis: A British drug lord tries to sell off his highly profitable empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires.
Runtime: 113 minutes
MPAA Rating: R (for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content)
Who should see it? Adult fans of Guy Ritchie and crime films.
Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, The Gentlemen represents the filmmaker's return to lower-budgeted, high-energy crime capers. It takes time adjusting to the story's jumbled chronology and the reliability of its narrator (a private investigator who's written a screenplay about the events). But once you're settled in, Ritchie whisks you away for an unruly adventure. The characters are frankly a disreputable bunch, so their thoughts go unfiltered. It's worth knowing that much of the dialogue could be construed as understandably offensive. I, myself, was taken aback by the sheer magnitude of racial stereotypes in a 2020 release. That said, the tasteless yarn spun by Ritchie is admittedly a compelling one communicated with wit and bravado. The all-star ensemble featuring the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant bring their A-game to a motley crew of crooks and curmudgeons. Notable stand-outs from the lesser-known supporting cast include a fiery Michelle Dockery, an understated Jeremy Strong, and a confident Henry Golding. Contrary to the widely-accepted definition, The Gentlemen aren't very gentlemanlike. Ritchie's latest flick is a riotous good time, with no regard for etiquette.
Film Assessment: B-
What Did Jack Do? - Watched January 30, 2020 (Netflix)
Synopsis: Elusive short in which a detective is seated at a table interrogating a talking monkey and suspected murderer named Jack.
Runtime: 17 minutes
Who should see it? Those interested in watching David Lynch interrogate a talking monkey.
What Did Jack Do? is a seventeen-minute black-and-white short film that's written, directed, edited, and stars David Lynch interrogating a talking monkey. Oh, and the monkey occasionally shouts vulgar obscenities. That's really all there is to it, and that description alone will be enough for you to decide where you should bother adding it to the bottomless depths of your Netflix queue. What Did Jack Do? is really ridiculous, and I loved every second of it. That said, the short doesn't really have a point aside from being brief absurdist entertainment, but I love it for that nonetheless!
Film Assessment: B-
Underwater - Watched January 30, 2020
Synopsis: A crew of aquatic researchers works to get to safety after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory. But the group has more than the ocean seabed to fear.
Runtime: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi action and terror, and brief strong language)
Who should see it? Teenage and adult fans of sci-fi horror.
Nearly lost forever in the shuffle of the Disney/20th Century Fox merger, Underwater was released in the studio dumping ground of January almost three years after principal photography completed. Helmed by William Eubank with a screenplay credited to Brian Duffield and Adam Cozad, Underwater plunges Alien's story framework to the depths of the Pacific. Despite a tired premise and subsequent release delays, I remained optimistic it might surprise me. Underwater seemed like a B-movie ripe with potential, and there were fleeting moments of brilliance sprinkled throughout. Eubank and his crew convincingly realize the horrors of being stranded near the bottom of the Mariana Trench. However, this adherence to atmospheric tension often prompted murky visuals. There's a severely lacking sense of clarity to the oceanic terrors, and it's difficult to be genuinely unsettled by something you can't clearly see. Kristen Stewart and Jessica Henwick stood out most among the cast for their character's reactions to the harrowing life-or-death scenarios. In the event you haven't seen Underwater already, I'd advise you postpone the deep-sea dive.
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