The Fantastic Four (2025)

 

The Fantastic Four (2025)

As a kid, the Fantastic Four was my go-to comics. So, I looked forward to this film. Also, this is one of the best F.F. movies in the series. Including this movie, there have been five iterations in the series.  Two of them were pretty bad, and the other two were watchable, which sets a low bar for this movie to exceed, which it does.

The cast is excellent and they work well together. Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic). He was not my first choice, but he won me over. Vanesa Kirby is Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman. Ebon Moss-Bachrach ( from the Bear) is Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing. Since his character is laden with orange stones, his performance is done mainly via motion capture. Lastly, there is Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, portrayed by Joseph Quinn. This cast is true to the comic books, and they play well together. As to be expected in a comic book movie, there are some fantastic plot twists, but in this film, there are some tender moments that make the film appealing to a more general audience. Another important character is the Silver Surfer, portrayed by  Julia Garner. She is the herald of Galactus, the arch villain, destroyer of worlds. The plot is straightforward to follow.

The focal point of the movie is baby Franklin, born to Reed and Sue, and Galactus wants the baby. He said if he gets the baby, he will spare the earth. This is the moral imperative that the F.F. face. With or without fantastic powers, their reaction is that of any parent.

The setting of the movie was New York City in the late 50s and early 60s. This throwback is an interesting element of the film. This period was about the time the original comics came out.

 I think this is a very good movie. If you are not into comic book movies, this is not for you. You may want to steam it when it becomes available, if you are interested. It received an 87% score from Rotten Tomatoes, and from a budget of $200m+ it has earned $475m. This almost guarantees a sequel. We will see what baby Franklen can do.

 

Superman

 

Superman-2025

Why does a seventy-three-year-old man go to see a Superman movie? Nostalgia. In the 1960s, I watched Superman on our black-and-white TV set. The best special effect was Superman, played by George Reeves, lying on a table with outstretched arms and legs, with a fan blowing on him to make him appear to be flying.  Superman 2025 is the latest iteration of this franchise and has its unique stamp on the legacy.

David Corenswet is Superman. He does not have the heft of Henry Cavill or Christopher Reeve. Despite his super strength, he is frequently beaten up throughout the film. It is a bit disconcerting, but it makes him more relatable on a human basis. His superpowers are on full display, saving lives from collapsing buildings and vanquishing a giant monster, saving Metropolis.

The film features the standard characters in a Superman movie: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and the villainous Lex Luthor.  What is unusual about this film is that Lois Lane knows Clark Kent is Superman, and they are open about their romance. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson get the most airtime.

In Superman’s battles against Lex Luthor, he is assisted by the Justice Gang, comprising of the Green Lantern,  Hawk Girl, and Mister Terrific. Much of the movie's action revolves around these characters. In these battles, Superman needs the assistance of the metahumans.

Lex Luthor is played by Nicholas Holt with a shaved head. He plays mean very well, but not over the top, and not like the clownish performance of Gene Hackman. The plot is somewhat chaotic, with Lex attempting to start a civil war in a foreign country while simultaneously battling Superman. He is maniacal in his attempt to destroy Superman.

This film features Krypto, the Superdog, who Superman is dog-sitting for his cousin, Supergirl. Krypto provides some of the best comic moments of the movie with his misbehavior.

With a budget of $225 million, it has already generated $272 million. It needs to clear about $337.5 million to make a profit. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% rating. If you are a superhero movie fan, this is the movie for you.

 

 

Formula One

 

Formula One

Formula One is a high-energy movie of competitive motor racing. It is also a movie of redemption and a budding buddy movie. Brad Pitt plays Sunny Hayes, a former Formula One driver recruited by the racing team Apxgp to return to the sport. Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, is the rookie driver on the Apxgp team. He is brash,  overconfident, and not welcoming of Sunny Hayes. They are on the same team, but for the better part of the movie, they compete against each other. As the film progresses, the relationship evolves from rivals to teammates.

Brad Pitt portrays Sunny in his signature cool, self-assured manner. He displays some wear and tear from his nomadic lifestyle, which lends him a certain charisma.  Joshua Pearce does not think much of Sunny and is open about it. They must overcome this hostility because Formula One racing is a team sport.

Sunny also has a love interest with the team's technical director, Kate McKenna, played by the wonderful  Irish actress Kerry Condon. Her character is a combination of confidence, smarts, and leadership. Their scenes are funny and light-hearted in contrast to the technical automobile jargon.

Javier Bardem is the owner of Apxgp and recruits Sunny to join the team. He is frustrated by the team's performance and Sunny’s lack of teamwork.

There are exciting racing scenes. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris trained in Formula One racing, reaching speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Just a technical note regarding Formula One racing. There are races in different countries throughout the year. Given your poll position in a particular race, you get a certain number of points. At the end of the season, the driver with the most points wins the Drivers’ Championship.

The film has few surprises, except for Sunny’s background. Outcomes and relationships are predictable. If you enjoy Formula One racing and are a fan of Brad Pitt, see this movie.

 

The Brutalist

 

The Brutalist

This is an excellent, rich film in its construction and acting. Adian Brody plays Lazlo Toth, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to America. He is also a renowned architect but unknown in America. When he is discovered, he is shoveling coal in Pennsylvania. This is a tribute to the immigrant journey. New home, start over.

Brody’s character, Lazlo, affords Brody a range of emotions that he brilliantly performs. In the beginning, he is destitute, taking menial jobs to survive. His performance conveys the pain of an artist denied his talent. His fortune changes when he meets Harrison Lee Van Burn, played by Guy Pearce, a millionaire who knows his talent. Their relationship is complicated. Lee Van Burn’s wealth gives Lazlo a new opportunity to create architecture. Lee Van Burn assumes a superior attitude because of his wealth, but he is no match for Lazlo’s talent. To equalize this disparity, Lee Van Burn seeks to dominate Lazlo. The inequality of social class underlies the film.

Guy Pearce gives a tour de force performance. His tense face and clipped speech project his resentment of Lazlo’s talent; his wealth cannot compete. Guy Pearce knows how to use his body ( 2000 film Memento), and here, his posture is unbending, just like his character.

Felicity Jones is Lazlo’s wife Erzesbet, whom he had to leave in Hungary after the war. Her performance is sublime. After meeting Lee Van Burn and his dinner guests, they asked where she learned her English. Oxford, she replied.

The rest of the cast is wonderful. The cinematography gives the film a unique perspective.

n.b.-The term Brutalist refers to architecture as a style of building that uses exposed materials and geometric shapes to create a minimalist, angular, and bulky look. The term comes from the French word brut, which means "raw" or "untreated

 

Sinners

Sinners-Prime Videos

Sinners is a unique vampire movie. It has all the standard vampire clichés, but it also tells a story of family and community.  Michael B. Jordon plays a dual role as twins, Smoke and Stack, who are gangsters returning to their hometown from Chicago. They have plenty of money from their  Capone employment, and the premise of the story is set up a jute joint in their Mississippi hometown. The entire film is a drama that unfolds over one day and night. Jordon plays the role (roles) with just enough swagger to saddle the role of a gangster and a budding club owner. In one scene, he shoots two locals, one in the ass and the other in the knee, who look too closely into the cargo of his truck. But then he turns around and gives cash to a friend to have them patched up.

There is gore towards the end of the film, but for the most part, it is the story of a main character named Sammy. Sammy is the cousin of the twins and is a blues prodigy. A benefit of the film is that it has some great blues music. There is one dance number that transcends place and time. Dancers include a Zaouli dancer, a Juke joint blues performer, or a Jukin, as well as modern-day hip hop and ballet. It is an anthology of African American dance. With its blues and dance numbers, this film stands out from the typical vampire movie. The climax of the film is a showdown between humans and vampires. Many of the friends, lovers, and family have been bitten and transformed into vampires. The battle goes on until sunrise, when the vampires are vanquished by sunlight.

An interesting element of the film is that there is a Chinese couple who are friends with twins. In Western movies, there has not been enough credit given to the role that Asians have played in the West.

The film is worth seeing. If you see it, do not skip over the end credits. 

Anora

Anora-Amazon Prime

Anora is a low-budget film ($6m) that tells the heartfelt story of a working girl from Brooklyn who finds herself in a place she could not have imagined. Anora, or Ani as she prefers to be called, is a stripper and sometimes prostitute from Brooklyn. She is introduced to Russian clients at the club since she speaks Russian. This is what sets the film in motion. She is introduced to Vanya, the son of a Russian oligarch who comes from extraordinary wealth. Vanya is a hedonist with the mind of a horny fifteen-year-old in the body of a horny twenty-one man. His sexual exploits are comparable to a rabbit in heat.

Ani is overwhelmed by extravagant wealth. She is Cinderella from Brighton Beach. Vanya lives in a mansion with an ocean view. It is an endless party. The apex of this perpetual partying is a trip to Las Vegas for a quick marriage. From here, the dream turns on Ani.  

Mikey Madison plays Ani. She does an excellent job balancing vulnerability and toughness. As much as she wants to believe in this dream, she is too street-smart to know it will last. Besides her beauty and willowy body, she is a fighter, taking on fellow strippers and the henchmen Vanya’s parents send. She delivers an outstanding performance in this little film.

Mark Edelstein plays Vanya. He is Russian, and so is his accent. He is the stereotype of the uber-self-centered, irresponsible twenty-four-hour party boy. He showers Ani with one extravagant experience after another. Coming from Brooklyn, this is a different reality.

The movie takes a turn when Vanya’s parents send their henchmen to bring Vanya back to Russia. These are not the brutal Russian criminals portrayed in films like Eastern Promises; they are more bumbling. It is enjoyable how Ani kicks their ass and makes their lives miserable.

If scenes of copulation, nudity, or creative use of the F words offend you, this is not your movie.

This film received Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and won the Cannes Palm d’Or in 2024. It received a 94% score from Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not bad for Brighton Beach. The film cost $9.99 to watch. Hey, why not?

 

 

 

Gladiator II

 

Gladiator II-Prime Videos

Gladiator II is a typical Ridley Scott spectacle: action-packed, impressive special effects, and a great cast. It continues the first Gladiator movie sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius's death, but this film stands on its own. The story is specific to the gladiator revolt. The movie's prime theme is the liberation of the gladiators and the deposition of the corruption of the twin emperors.

Paul Mescal has the lead role.  He is the hunk of the month, rubbing shoulders with Austin Butler and Glen Powell. He acts as good as his looks. His motivation is revenge and justice. He does not falter from this theme throughout the film, which adds cohesiveness. He is passionate about revenge.

Pedro Pascal is the decorated general who is the target of Mescal’s revenge. Pascal plays a pivotal role in the film, but his role is all too short. His role is mixed as a conquering general, and a conspirator in overthrowing the emperors. His performance is effective in both roles.

Connie Nielson plays Lucilla, a coconspirator against the emperors. She has other vital roles, but if I revealed them, I would be accused of being a spoiler. Her role is pivotal to the plot.

The twin emperors are self-indulgent despots. They stage brutal gladiatorial games for entertainment. Today, they would be considered two spoiled homicidal slackers.

Denzel Washington is a scene stealer. He plays against type; he is evil. He transforms slaves into gladiators. His method is brutal and bloody.  His role is pivotal to the movie, and he relishes the role.

Derek Jacobi briefly appears as a senator. I did not know that he was still alive.

The special effects are impressive, and the reproduction of Rome is authentic. Ridley brought the Colosseum to life, where the gladiator battles take place. The battles are unique, with a charging Rhino and battling gally ships. He threw  in sharks for effect

This is a brutal movie with copious carnage. If bloody scenes bother you, this is not your movie. The movie's box office helped save 2024.