twisters & fly me to the moon
TWISTERS
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung
In 1996 director Jan de Bont, hot off his modern action masterpiece SPEED, somehow struck lightning twice and gave us the original TWISTER. With its massive movie star charisma, incredible supporting cast of character actors and some of the most iconic set pieces ever put to film, it was a massive hit. INDEPENDENCE DAY the only other movie to make more money that year in the states.
So here we are nearly 30 years later for the in name only sequel. Plot beats and story are exactly what you’d except and you can pretty much predict what will happen as the movie progresses. Nothing can compare to the charm of OG actors Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, but our lead played by Daisy Edgar-Jones (don’t ask me, I have no idea who she is) is giving one of the worst performances I have ever seen in a major Hollywood blockbuster. Completely devoid of charisma or energy, we are supposed to care about and root for her despite being pretty unlikable throughout. Supporting actors such as Anthony Ramos and a bizarre Maura Tierney do not fare much better. Lead actor Glen Powell who is on a hot streak right now absolutely playing the modern movie star game beautifully single handedly carries this movie with his charm and charisma. Serving face face face in cowboy hats and wranglers as the popular YouTube “redneck storm chaser”, he is putting in the work. Unfortunately, once the story becomes more focused on the very halfhearted romantic tension with Edgar-Jones, it grinds to a halt.
But you don’t care about that right? A movie like this you go for one thing and that’s state of the art special effects and some crazy tornado destruction. Thankfully this is where the movie excels with some excellent edge of your seat set pieces. One set piece, ending in an empty swimming pool had me completely rapt. Buildings, cars, people get sucked up over and over again and each time it’s thrilling to watch. Turn your brain off and see it on the biggest screen possible, just don’t expect to care.
2 and a half out of 4 stars
FLY ME TO THE MOON
Directed by Greg Berlanti
One must wonder what exactly is going on over at Apple Studios and the films they are producing. Earlier this year they gave us the truly abysmal ARGYLLE, the action spy comedy came and went with a flutter after being destroyed by critics and audiences alike.
Now we have FLY ME TO THE MOON, a one hundred-million-dollar production described as a rom-com set against the space race of 1969. Fellow readers, Apple Studios is now 2 for 2 in releasing one of the worst movies of the year. Completely flat and lifeless filled with performers strolling in and cashing an easy paycheck. Channing Tatum (sleepwalking and completely uncommitted) plays the launch director working on getting Apollo 11 to the moon. Scarlet Johansson (on total autopilot) is the top marketer hired to sell the American people on NASA and the space race. Guess what? They don’t get along at first! What ensues is often boring, painfully unfunny and clearly going for some of the fun screwball comedy energy of the 60s and failing hard. The movie thinks it’s giving DOWN WITH LOVE but doesn’t come anywhere near that movies fun tone and actor chemistry.
All the 60’s period setting details are shot and lit like a modern car commercial with most of the characters putting no effort in trying to sell that it is 1969. Rival movie studios can breathe an air of relief, if this is what Apple Studios is focusing on then the Great Streaming Wars are coming to an end. Avoid this movie at all costs.
NO STARS - IT STINKS
