Aug 9 2019

The Art of Racing in the Rain

A personified and senior golden retriever named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) reflects on his life with his owner, Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver. Using racing as a metaphor for life Enzo and Denny must both learn how to manifest their own destiny and react to life on their own terms, after all, none of us are here for a long time, hopefully just a good time. Directed by Simon Curtis with Screenplay by Mark Bomback based on Garth Stein’s novel this Hallmark-esque nod to dog lovers everywhere is sure to pluck at least one heart string; but lacks the emotional depth in character development and the narrative richness to tell a compelling story with an ending that’s already telegraphed its punch far in advance. Still, positive marks to Ventimiglia for his efforts and abilities to sell the drama, despite the story’s downfalls. Ultimately the film sits comfortably in the rental category, or in line for a Saturday matinee on the Lifetime channel. The Art of Racing in the Rain is rated PG.


Aug 2 2019

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

Heavyweight lawman, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), and Cockney badass, Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), both answer the call to the CIA’s most pressing need, the recovery of the world’s deadliest virus, which is also being hunted by a cyber-genetically enhanced super bad guy (Idris Elba). Globetrotting and kicking ass, this unlikely pair will have to mend their differences to flex their collective muscle and stop a globally minded crime syndicate, tick tock tick tock boys, the end is nigh! Directed by David Leitch and Written by Chris Morgan this humanized Wile E Coyote and Roadrunner action beast is two hours and fifteen minutes (including multiple end credit scenes, yes stay alllll the way to the end) of big and bigger stunts, poorly crafted alpha male dialogue, and even more ridiculous skull crushing kicks, punches, and smashes, all for the sake of Dominic Toretto’s (not present) favorite mantra, family, the lowest common denominator of plot driving devices. That is to say, this is NOT a smart film, and, thankfully it’s smart enough to admit that…mostly. Instead audiences are exposed to an all out bludgeoning of the senses, perhaps in search of some sort of absolution of the Fast and Furious franchise altogether, alas no, there is no solace in this work– just another round of kicks to the head and bricks to the chest. Bottom line, it’s bigger than ever action and dumber than ever writing, which means….it sits on the shelf right next to the rest of its Furious co-horts, nutritional value of 0. Did you really expect more than that? Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw is rated PG-13.