Magic Camp

8/10

Magic Camp is about Andy (Adam Devine) a once promising magician fallen on hard times who ends up as a counselor at his childhood magic camp. 

This movie was supposed to be released theatrically in 2018 but got pulled till now and put on Disney+. 'Course this is often a warning sing. Looking at previous cases: Noelle was weak and Artemis Fowl was a failure. I'm pleased to say this isn't the case here. It looks more like an issue of Disney just not being confident that this would be attractive enough to get butts in seats. The movie is very predictable, the traditional has-been or never-will who's forgotten their passion and becomes the mentor of a ragtag group of kids story. But, it's a competently told one, and I was entertained.        

This is a safely made movie. The plot doesn't take any big chances. Cinematography and sets and scenery are basic. (Not to say that the magic camp looks shabby. The place iss nice; it just won't leave an impression.) However, the dialogue has energy has energy and positivity. The movie doesn't skimp on the magic tricks featuring a healthy amount of pleasing props.   

The kid characters are all composed of tropes, such as the girl whose parents are always working and the boy whose father expects him to follow in his footsteps, but the actors are mostly pretty good. The one that stands out most is Isabelle Crovetti as Ruth, a girl who's unhealthily obsessed with and overworked about rabbits. The weak link is unfortunately the head kid Nathaniel McIntyre. He just isn't as strong an actor as the others.    

Devine makes for a good lead. Yeah, his character's more selfish moments can be weak and feel a little too reminiscent of his self-serving characters from such films as Final Girls and Mike and Dave Get Wedding Dates. However, the movie never leans too hard on this. Devine and his character really shine when they're acting off of others. Jeffrey Tambor does a great job as the head of the camp. (I'm appreciating the performance, not addressing the allegations against the actor in real life. This was filmed before or during when they came out.) He makes a fine wise eccentric, and the movie uses the character to poke some light jabs at the predictableness of the mentor trope.

Gillian Jacobs is Darkwood, Andy's successful former partner. She's a good actress and being a Community fan, I was pleased to see her in this. Unfortunately, she's pretty stale here. In fairness, the script and editing makes it look like the creators didn't quite know how to handle the character. There is also a bully in this played by Hayden Crawford. The character was the only painfully predictable element in this. He's just so basic, being the type who immediately goes after the main gang without any logical provocation or reason. He, being the character and not Crawford, who played as intended, adds nothing to this.  

This probably works best as one of those films for the family to watch. It doesn't break the mold, but it's a nice way to spend time.

Doom Patrol- Season 2

9/10

Season 2 continues the exploits of the Doom Patrol as they deal with more weird villains and personal issues as well as the unbridled power of new young member Dorothey Spinner (Abigail Shapiro). I continue to love this show!     

Doom Patrol continues to amaze, remaining one of the most creative shows currently out there. One of the things I like best about this is how the writers will make changes to the already out-there characters and ideas that always manage to knock it out of the park.  

Dorothy continues the show's history of sculpting tragic, multifaceted tragic characters. Though the show has stories for all the characters, her story is the main backstory. (I'm keeping things vague because it is an interesting tale.) Shapiro, who is actually twenty with  cleidocranial dysostosis allowing her to play younger, does a really good job playing as an eleven-year old. Unlike last season, we get Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton) full time here. Dalton has always been a great actor, but this may be the performance of his career. Caulder is such a complex, fascinating character, and Dalton nails every emotion. The other Doom Patrol members and their actors remain strong. I still love Brendan Frasier as the voice of Robotman/Cliff Steele doing the perfect delivery for the character's comical and uncensored reactions to the sheer insanity going on around him. 

Despite my praise, I liked the first season a little better than this due to the characters arcs having some issues. The first season perfectly balanced the light and the dark. This season felt at times like it was trying a little too hard to put the characters through the emotional ringer. Don't get me wrong, there is some pretty good material. (The show still does a better job of juggling light and dark than Titans or Stargirl ever did.) However, I worry that the show may eventually go down the Once Upon a Time path and rely too much on flashbacks and having to invent more and more past trauma. Cliff and Larry's issues that weren't resolved and carried over from last season worked well. However, Rita's issues were wrapped up and her new doubts this season feel created in the name of having every character have drama. It doesn't help that Cliff is written a little too dumb sometimes and Rita (April Bowlby) too over-the-top comical.       

A couple things to bare in mind: COVID hit before the last episode was fully filmed, so expect a cliffhanger to what was supposed to be a self-contained story. Though villains are picked from throughout the comic's various run, emphasis is still put on the Morrison years. If you were waiting to see any of the Doom Patrol's five-or-so quirky major rogues from its original run, you'll still be disappointed. 

The show is still a great visual feat, though I think the budget was cut a little so don't expect exactly the quality of last season. (The main threat looks like it could've been more polished.) I'm still impressed how they manage to visually adapt some of the fantastic characters from the comics. They actually chose to tackle the helmet of Dr. Tyme, one of the goofiest and weirdest appearances in comic book history, and got it to work.  

Overall, I really, really, really recommend this. My criticisms were in comparison to the first season. It's still more original and better written than most of the shows out there. 

Stargirl- Season 1

6/10

Stargirl, on DCUniverse and the CW, is about teen Courtney Whitmore (played Brec Bassinger) who finds out her new stepfather Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) used to be the sidekick to superhero Starman (Joel McHale). She ends up becoming the new owner of the hero's Cosmic Staff. The show really fluctuates from pretty darn good to painfully frustrating.

I'll go with the pros first. Stargirl is an homage to silver age comics, often evoking a sort of modern retro feel. The writers are willing to go a little more high concept out there than other superhero fare. The show is jampacked with Justice Society and Injustice Society members providing a wide range of distinct characters. Heck, they even include the Gambler (Eric Goins), probably one of the least used ISA villains in comics and media these days. 

The cast is all good. Bassinger does a convincing job with the character's optimism and earnestness. Though the best one in this is Wilson. His Pat is completely believable as someone who would've been a 40's-style sidekick with an "awe-shucks" kindness and desire to do the right thing.  

The budget isn't shabby, featuring some pretty good fights and CGI creations. (Though it seems to go only so far, and there is a fair amount of talking in the middle.) The Americana-style town this takes place in looks pretty good.

Now for the problems. The superhero stuff is really good, but the teen drama parts are sooooo cookie-cutter and basic. I mean really, really basic; one of the most uninspiring I've ever seen. The teen dialogue sounds very "TV" and not natural at all. Including the worse "mean girl" dialogue I've ever heard. Also, this mines parent-issue tropes way, way too much. It's depressing and frequently too obvious. I mean why are bad parents all the rage these days. I mean if you had lousy ones, I understand it is nice knowing your not alone in the world, but there is just so much of this these days. It feels like a crutch now. The tone in general can be pretty bipolar.

Although I liked Stargirl in this, there are several moments, where she can be maddeningly thickheaded, especially one dogged assumption she makes based on very little evidence. I mean she's a teen, and teens do dumb things, but as mentioned the dialogue doesn't feel natural in the slightest. The villains also do some stuff that cross the line between practical evil and forced evil-for-the-sake-of-evil.

The worse stuff happens in the middle. the beginning and end are pretty darn good.  

This is hard decide to recommend or not. I rotated between loving and hating Stargirl. I will still be watching, because I hope to see more of the good stuff and there's the hope for improvement.

The Alienist: Angel of Darkness (Season 2)

9/10

This second season of The Alienist, which feels more like a sequel and is based on the book sequel Angel of Darkness. Psychiatrist Laszlo Kreizler (played by Daniel Brühl), John Moore (Luke Evans), now a reporter, and Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), now a private detective, reunite to hunt down a baby killer. I think I liked this more than the first.

The length was cut down from ten episodes to eight and I think that really helped with the pacing. Subplots and the mystery don't feel dragged out like last time did a little. 

Brühl, Evans, and Fanning remain a powerhouse acting triumvirate. The personal subplot of Kreizler, whose storyline last season was wrapped up, feels undercooked. Moore and Howard, whose romantic tension carries over from last season, have a lot more to work with.

The character of former police commissioner Thomas Byrnes is greatly improved here. Ted Levine gave a good performance last time, don't get me wrong, but the character felt a little thin. Here, he's given more to do and is written more nuanced. You understand him more and he's an interesting morally ambiguous character. One of his highpoints this season is his many behind-the-scenes scheming sessions with William Randolph Hearst (Matt Letscher), which is one of the best additions this season.

The antagonist here is more interesting than last time.

The show continues to do a great job working with the historical setting, including the topics of Hearst's yellow journalism and the climate just before the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Visually, the show's depiction of 19th century New York still looks really, really good, especially considering this is for cable television. My hats off to whoever designed Fanning's outfits. They are all so unique and expertly compliment the character and the actress' distinct features.

Be forewarned that like last season, this show goes DARK. Although, I'm pleased that this season didn't feel like it crossed the line and pushed things too hard like they did with that one scene with Moore last time.

I did feel that there were too many "blatantly uncaring establishment" characters shoved in the audience's face. Also, there is an element in the show that is big at first but suddenly feels completely and unsatisfactorily abandoned by the end. 

Overall, if you liked or kind of liked the last one, I recommend this slicker version. 

American Pickle

 

8/10

American Pickle, now on HBO Max,  is about Herschel Greenbaum (Seth Rogen), a Jewish Russian immigrant who falls into a vat of pickles and is preserved for a hundred years to today, where he meets up with his descendant Ben (also Rogen). This is a unique, fun little film. 

I'm pleased to say that this one surprised me. The trailer made this look like a basic fish-out-of-water movie, but what transpires is something you definitely couldn't predict. (I know this review is vague, but I don't want to spoil anything.) The movie is a fun mix of goofy humor with some satire and a message about familial and religious roots. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments.

The main attraction here is Herschel. Rogen, who's usually known for playing a type, delivers what may be his best character work. Herschel is an interesting mixture of traits. He can be quick to temper and single-minded but also hardworking and determined. Whereas a lot of fish-out-water movies involve the character reacting to stuff, Herschel refreshingly just barrels through.  

There are a few things that aren't deal-breakers for me but could be for others. The film does a deliberative, comprehensive job of introducing Herschel and Ben, the former gets a really strong and touching backstory, but the first act might be considered too slow for some. Also, understand that the movie is basically about just Herschel and Ben with all other characters being ancillary. So, if you can't get into them there isn't a whole lot else. Lastly the movie tries to give the characters legit moments of emotional pain, while also going with a lot of over-the-top/out-of-bounds-of-reality bits. (This movie as well as the short story it was based on was written by Simon Rich, creator of Man Seeking Woman and Miracle Workers, which may give you a clue as to the style of comedy.) The disparity between the two could be jarring. 

I recommend American Pickle with the warning that this isn't exactly your traditional fare. Even in the moments where the movie isn't at its best, it's still creative. 

Retroactive review- Wonder Woman (1974)

7/10

The 1974 Wonder Woman movie was a made-for-TV production/unsuccessful pilot for the first attempt at the Wonder Woman series. It's no 2000's Wonder Woman movie, but it has its seventies charm.     

The plot is no grand achievement. Wonder Woman (Cathy Lee Crosby) mostly follows the villains from one locale to another, occasionally trading words and fists. There a few trip-ups. The intro to Wonder Woman's origin feels rushed, a plot point entered at the beginning of the third act feels really wedged in, and the heroine doesn't apprehend the villains at first when she gets the chance. However, what the film lacks in depth, it makes up for pure uninhibited fun. The traps and the villains' tricks of the trade are rather stylish or creative ideas. One trap has this unique look you could only find pre-80's.    

Another thing helping the movie is that we've got a game cast playing colorful, engaging characters. (Except, maybe a couple of henchmen in this, but they are visually interesting for what it's worth.) Cathy Lee makes a fairly charming superhero and has chemistry with anyone she's on-screen with. Her outfit doesn't look anything like the traditional one, but I'm not hating it. It looks more practical and the character is finally wearing pants.

We are also treated to a pretty fun group of villains. Ricardo Montabalm (Fantasy Island/Star Trek II) is great as the main villain, a charming, clear-headed professional. Part of what makes the movie work is his back-and-forth with his resourceful and clever, but treacherous and violence-prone right hand played by George Calvin.  

I don't know if this is a must-watch, but it's definitely escapist fun if that's what you're after. At an hour and thirteen minutes, it won't take up much of your time.

Pokemon Sword- Isle of Armor expansion

8/10

NOTE: I have only played this expansion using Pokemon Sword version. From what I understand,the major difference between playing this on Sword or Shield is the rival you fight and probably some differing Pokemon available as is usually the case with these games.

This new expansion, part of Pokemon Sword/Shield's season pass, gives you a new area to explore. I'm pleased to say this is one of the better DLCs I've played. (Admittedly, I don't purchase DLC that often.) 

I'm pleased to say that the Isle of Armor offers a lot to do. It is a pretty wide area, larger than any other in the main game. It takes the concept of the wild open area to a much grander scale. It is smack dab full of Dynamax battle points and Pokemon to fight and capture. This includes a buttload of Pokemon that weren't available in the main game. 

The Isle has a lot of room for exploring. There are plenty of nooks and crannies you can check, including several tiny islands located to the side of it. Once your bike can travel on water, you can actually travel into the ocean, which adds a little sense of epicness to the whole thing. 

Visually this is the best looking of Sword/Shield. Though the main game looks nice, I've always thought it wasn't as visually arresting as Sun/Moon. The designers and concept artists really kicked things up a notch. (Might be my imagination, but the sky is prettier here.) Feels like there is a lot more visual detail, especially due to the how the island merges from one area to the next.

As for the story and missions, it is basic side story fare. You join a Pokemon dojo and participate in it's various trials and fights. This may not sound the most ambitious, but you do get some pretty varied things to do. The most unique thing you get to do here is that there is emphasis on training one specific Pokemon, Kubfu, as part of the story. You do kind of develop an attachment to the guy as you go through a journey and several steps to power up and evolve him. However, this element does feel too stretched out. In order to reach Kubfu's main challenge, the game recommends you to raise his experience to a pretty high number. (At least, at the end of the game (level 70),. The level of the Pokemon you face depends on what level yours are on.) Though the Dynamax fights are quick sources of EXP items and you are given places to visit, so as to not make it you just walking around randomly looking to level up, this can feel a little tedious.

The game also has some sidequests you can handle. There are some fun ideas here. However, completing a couple of them will take some time and not everyone will have the patience for them.  

Besides offering more Pokemon and the brand new Kubfu, the game also makes it easier for you to access Gigantamax Pokemon.

Overall, I had a good time. The Isle alone felt substantive (unlike some DLC that are way too short and insubstantive; looking at you Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind.) and considering that this is only the first half of the season pass (the second area is coming in November) I think you are getting your thirty bucks worth.