Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016) Movie Review

During game seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals this year, Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors (who was losing at the time), pulls his best player Stephen Curry to the side and says, "You're doing too much." I feel like at some point during the production of Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, someone should have had a sidebar with director Nicholas Stoller and conveyed the same message. Starring a hefty majority of the cast from the original movie along with some new faces, this film had way too many swings-and-misses for me to recommend seeing it in theaters.

The Radners (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) have lived in their neighborhood for long enough to survive a rowdy frat and raise their 2 1/2 year-old daughter. New problems (well, newish) occur for them as a sorority moves in next door while the Radners are in the process of trying to sell their house. They have thirty days to either get the sorority to keep it down or get them kicked out of the house altogether.

The situations these rivals find themselves in are not only ridiculous but flat-out preposterous. I kept asking myself repeatedly, "Why aren't these people calling the cops?" I can think of at least eight felonies the head sister Shelby (Chloe Grace Moretz) committed alone. Yet, for the sake of advancing the plot, the sorority's actions became a hodgepodge of one unfunny shenanigan after the other. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for suspending my disbelief while watching a movie. However, when over-the-top becomes just-plain-stupid, I'm over it. Maybe my mindset would have changed had the movie been funnier. Or even somewhat original for that matter. Instead of dealing with a bunch of frat boys that love to party and cause a scene, instead you're now dealing with sorority girls that love to party and...well, you see where this is going. Where's the creativity? I would have been more interested had something like a carnival moved next door. Or maybe a daycare from hell. Anything but what you've already done.

At the end of the day, the film suffers from terrible motives. While I wasn't necessarily in love with the motive behind Shere Khan's desire to torment Mowgli in The Jungle Book, it wasn't enough to destroy an otherwise quality movie. In Neighbors 2, on the other hand, things escalate way beyond where they need to be. In a scene fairly early on in the movie, the Radners go over to the sorority house to politely ask the sisters to keep it down for thirty days as they are in the process of selling their house. Shelby declines because, well, it's a sorority house and that's what sororities do: party. But thirty days, though? Even eighteen-year-olds are more reasonable than that.

On the upside, there are some quality funny moments that make for big laughs. Unfortunately, they just come too few and far between. It's with regret that I have to fairly score this movie at a 46.

The Jungle Book (2016) Movie Review

The Jungle Book transports you into a beautiful world filled with incredible set-pieces. If director Jon Favreau's intent was to have each location create a shift in mood, he wildly succeeds. The rocky stomping grounds of the wolfpack creates an air of lightheartedness. Once Mowgli sets foot on the watering hole or trudges through the open plains of high-grass, you instantly get a feeling of uneasiness, like something bad is about to happen. Go further into the jungle depths and it will make your skin crawl as you await the dangers that are seemingly lurking around every corner. All of these set-pieces are not only distinct, but succeed independently of animal interaction. I was nervous for young Mowgli's safety inside the Monkey Temple long before King Louie showed up.

The characters make up the other half of the movie's successful equation. Each animal, originally done in their own right, dominate their respective scenes while advancing the story. Even the smallest parts, like the giant squirrel played by Sam Raimi, are completely unique and help flesh out the jungle world. My favorite character, Ikki the porcupine (played by Garry Shandling) had a minute role but made me smile the entire time he was on screen.

Mowgli the "man-cub" has been raised in the wild by a family of wolves. While the wild is all he has ever known, his parents know that eventually he is going to have to insert himself into human life. Bagheera the panther, Mowgli's mentor, decides now is as good a time as ever to take Mowgli to human society as the man-cub suddenly finds himself being hunted by Shere Kan the vicious tiger. While the film is plenty enjoyable, it definitely isn't without its faults.

Disney's movies, Pixar in particular, are particularly good at stirring up emotion within the audience but there were moments in The Jungle Book that missed the mark for me. There is one particular pivotal moment in the film that occurs that should have been a very moving moment, but it happens...and nothing. I'm not sure if emotional conveyance is the proper terminology, but if it is, this film could have used more of it.

I was also a bit thrown off by the motive of the antagonist Shere Khan. Shere Khan wants Mowgli gone from the jungle because he is a man-cub and men only bring danger and destruction to the life around them. I get that part. What I didn't understand, however (spoiler alert?), is why Shere Khan continued to be so persistent after Mowgli tried to leave the wild. Why not, I don't know, just let it go? Most animals, when threatened, move on once the threat has seemingly been eliminated. While I did appreciate Khan's bad-assness, I wasn't quite sold on his necessity of pursuit.

Finally, I want to take a moment to bring up Neel Sethi's performance as Mowgli. Though nothing stellar by any means, I thought it was a decent performance. I actually liken his performance to that of Jake Lloyd when he played young Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace. I find it a bit funny that, while Sethi's performance was lauded, critics came down extremely hard on Lloyd's acting. At the end of the day, they're kids and they shouldn't be expected to have the same chops as Sean Connery or Liam Neeson. Lloyd wasn't the problem in The Phantom Menace just as Sethi's ok performance in The Jungle Book doesn't make the movie any less enjoyable. 

The Jungle Book is a good family movie that's just as much beautiful as it is fun. I give it an 80.

The Nice Guys (2016) Movie Review

I wanted a little more. Don't get me wrong, The Nice Guys is a darn good movie and the things it does, it does fairly well. The action, the comedy, the intrigue, all of it was great. Just not quite exceptional. Memorable to a fault. What can I say, I was in a greedy mood today. The plot progression was also a bit slow at points, but those are my only quips.

Still in all, The Nice Guys plays out like a smooth ride to a familiar place with welcome pit-stops that are a little less recognizable. Ryan Gosling plays private investigator Holland March, a single father who spends more time drinking then he does putting actual clues together. He has been tasked by an endearing old lady with solving the mystery of what happened to her niece who just happens to be a pornstar by the name of Misty Mountains. As he is tracking down key witnesses he is confronted and roughed up by muscle-for-hire Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe). Throw in a couple of happenstance events in between and Healy and March find themselves partnering up to get to the bottom of things once and for all.

Crowe and Gosling work extremely well together and here's why: They are two entirely different personalities and their chemistry is far from instant. March's motto seems to be, "Some work but more play" while Healy wants to get the job done at all costs. Both stand to gain something different from success. March's reward is money, but, more importantly, the approval of his daughter while Healy gets pleasure just from being a knight in shining armor. While their partnership is awkward at first (think Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker via Rush Hour), you come to quickly appreciate and enjoy their many moments on screen together. It's like eating the Elviswich at Which Wich--The ingredients may seem like a strange combo, but somehow it works.

The style is fun with a 70's flare. Comparing this vibe to that of Everybody Wants Some!!, it amazes me how two films portrayed in the same decade can manage to capture two totally different feels. In The Nice Guys you get a taste of the chique 70's city life, an LA town bustling with hip life, drop-tops, and bell bottoms. You feel like you're at the heart of the party having as good a time as everyone else present.

I always throw in a few extra bonus points for things that elevate a film's potential from good to great and there were a couple of scenes in The Nice Guys that were completely memorable and original. One particular scene involving smog protestors had me cracking up. Now that I think about it, maybe the greedy part of me wanted more because I enjoyed all the great aspects of this film so much. All in all, I give it a solid 89.

Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) Movie Review

I've seen a lot of movies which means I've witnessed characters pass off and on the screen time and time again. In the grand scheme of a two-hour plus movie, some characters get lost in the shuffle as they were only meant to serve as a filler or to move the story along. Most characters are forgettable, even the ones that make you smile a time or two. I can honestly say that, after watching Everybody Wants Some!!, each and every one of those characters will stick in my mind for years to come. They were just that darn good and played by some pretty darn good actors.

Exhibit A: Ryan Guzman playing the role of Roper. Roper is supposed to be more of a sidekick role, there to kind of back up the rest of the crew. It's not long before he hits you with a quick one-liner followed by another hilarious quote a few minutes later. Before you know it, he has integrated himself into most portions of the film and you find yourself laughing at him just as equally as the rest of the group.

It doesn't stop there. From Roper right down to the lowest man on the totem pole, no one is left out. Not only are each and every one of them funny for their own reasons, their personalities are so distinctly perfect. In a movie that centers around a baseball team (yet is not at all about baseball), the conception of "team" is captured perfectly: a bunch of unique people that come together to make a solid unit. They love and respect each other for who they are, not in spite of it. Not only is it believable but you'll leave the film jealous that you couldn't be a part of this wrecking crew.

In the midst of this character piece are subtle nuances of meaning. Big enough to be there, but small enough to never derail the movie in the least. The parts that make you think subject this film to more brownie points than your average run-of-the-mill comedy. It's hard to be funny then turn on a dime and get serious. This film doesn't do that, rather it takes you down a road, brings you to a quick stoplight, then you're off to the races again.

The overall vibe is excellent and the 1970's setting is captured perfectly. You like old school hip-hop? Classic disco and Motown? Country? Punk rock? Are you an artsy person? This film welcomes all comers. The fact that it has a little something for everyone makes it that much more enjoyable.

My one small gripe: I would love to have seen them actually playing baseball a little more. The one scene where they were on the field wasn't a long one, but it left me cracking up and hoping to see it again later on in the film. Unfortunately, it never came. Very reminiscent of Finding Forrester in that sense, another great movie.

The plot? This is a film about absolutely nothing. Not kidding in the least. However, director Richard Linklater has done a phenomenal job of making every scene meaningful and you honestly can't say that about a lot of films that have actual structured storylines. Everybody Wants Some!! takes you on a fun-filled journey that feels like a smooth Sunday drive. I give it a 97.

Captain America: Civil War (2016) Review (Spoiler-Free)

There's not a whole lot to dislike about Captain America: Civil War. I do think the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has a way of making Captain America appear corny at times with little nuances here and there like the patriotic music playing when he's tearing through bad guys. To be fair, super strength and vibranium shield aside, Cap is about as plain as oatmeal. Even when he's going against the grain, he's doing so for all the right reasons. It's enough to drive you nuts or at least make you roll your eyes a time or two. You can't really give a guy an edge when he's never had one to begin with.

In the case of Civil War, even if you're not a fan of Captain America, there are so many other characters to feast your eyes on, it'll put you in a state of fanboy heaven. The gang's all here save for Hulk and Thor who are replaced by Black Panther and Spider-Man. New characters require new storylines to answer "how did you get here?" and no one is doing that better than Marvel right now. The intros are not only brief but seamless and are incorporated in the midst of answering why Cap and Iron Man are going at it in the first place. It's definitely a delicate juggling act, one that I had a lot of questions about going into this film, and I can say with complete satisfaction that not one ball was dropped. As much as I knocked Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice for the sheer lack of effort in fleshing out characters and story, I found myself applauding Civil War for doing so masterfully. Even now, I'm shaking my head because it's hard to believe Marvel can keep this run so fresh after so many years and so many movies.

Not only were the new characters introduced seamlessly, they were just plain awesome on screen. I loved Spider-Man and thought young Tom Holland did a great job of capturing the essence of why we like this character so much. His blundering innocence will make you smile over and over even as he is squaring off against the good guys. Yes, he was phenomenal and, yes, you get more than just a tiny peek. In spite of Holland's great performance, I thought there was even more to love about Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther. The three-way, on-foot highway chase between Cap, Panther, and Winter Soldier was easily one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

The comedy was subtle and comes at exactly the right moments. It's sprinkled lightly throughout the movie, never forced and never taking your eyes away from the bigger picture. The punchlines are like swift jabs that regain your focus and remind you you're having a good time. I won't bore you by spending an exorbitant amount of time discussing the action save for a few things: 1. It's grand. Everything you want and then some; 2. The numerous trailers don't even scratch the surface of what you'll get to see; and 3. Expect some cool surprises that I would never forgive myself for if I ruined for you. 

With movies like these, especially when they're done particularly well, I have to take a step back and allow myself time to let the fanboy vision fade away. After three days of this movie stewing in my mental, I have to say that I am still very much impressed at what I'm calling the best Captain America movie yet. I give it a 93.

I'll end with a quote from my wife: "Take notes, DC."

Sing Street (2016) Movie Review

There are some that feel that music is contextual, that in the right moment at the right time, any song can have an impact on you. I've always felt the opposite, that you like what you like and that's the end of it. I have felt that way until, that is, I got a chance to watch Sing Street. Motorhead. Duran Duran. The Cure. Hall & Oates. These are all names that I didn't grow up with. However, it wasn't long after the credits hit that I had the entire soundtrack in my possession. That's how good this film was.

It's 1980-something in Dublin, Ireland and fourteen-year-old Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is starting at a new school. It isn't long before he meets a girl he likes. He asks her to be in a music video for his band. The only problem: There is no music video planned. There isn't even a band.

Zero. That equals the number of things I found wrong with this movie. Now that we've gotten the cons squared away...

This movie is about a band so it's only fitting that I start with the music. The soundtrack always finds itself in the right place at the right time. Director John Carney does an awesome job of letting the music manage the mood. The balance is perfection. "Drive it Like You Stole it" will have you bouncing along on a musical high while "To Find You" makes you pause in reflection and consider the struggles of young Conor who not only wants to win the girl, but keep her.

Sing Street manages give every character their own flair while also making them significant in their own way. From the kid wearing vampire teeth because he thought it was cool to the random black guy in the group added for the sake of having a random black guy (no, seriously), these characters were neither boring nor one-dimensional. Every single one of them had a purpose and that, in and of itself, has got to be a dreadful challenge to undertake and accomplish. This film stresses that everyone has a purpose and that's it never too late to achieve that purpose. It also maintains people are the way they are for a reason and it's not always merely cut and dry.

Of course these characters couldn't be portrayed without phenomenal acting and Sing Street holds its own in this sense. Walsh-Peelo and his love interest Raphina (Lucy Boynton) have great chemistry on set together. It's a relationship you ache to see succeed. Not only did the main actors fare well, but the smaller parts succeeded as well. My personal favorite was Percy Chambruka playing Ngig aka The Random Black Guy.

Sing Street is one of those movies you recommend on a movie night with the confidence of knowing every single person in the room, black or white, hip hop or country, is going to love it. It's a sneaky favorite done perfectly. That's why I'm giving it a perfect 100.