Chicago (2002)

There are reasons that I have missed out on watching certain films over the years and that is because I am not crazy about musicals. Usually, I will avoid them at all costs unless there is a reason for me to watch, but for today I needed to know what was the big deal behind the 2002 film adaptation of the Broadway hit Chicago which was directed Rob Marshall (Into The Woods). The film stars Renée Zellweger (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation) as Roxie Hart, a girl that has been dreaming about hitting the stage ever since she made it to Chicago. The only problem for Roxie is the guy who she is hooking up had promised her a shot at the stage, but when she finds out he lied she ends up killing the guy. Now, Roxie has to rely on a hot shot lawyer and a few tricks up her sleeve to hope that she can get off before she's hanged for her crime. The film also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones (The Mask Of Zorro) as Velma Kelly, Richard Gere (Primal Fear) as Billy Flynn, Queen Latifah (Taxi) as Matron Mama Morton, Dominic West (Rock Star) as Fred Casely, Taye Diggs (Set It Up) as bandleader, John C. Reilly (The Little Hours) as Amos Hart, Colm Feore (The Chronicles Of Riddick) as Harrison, and Chita Rivera (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Club Hearts Band) as Nickie.

One of the things that I loved most about this film is the way they handled the Broadway like musical numbers in between the more serious parts of the film. Every time Roxie would dream or daydream during the film is when they would go into the musical numbers and I loved that because they felt like daydreams because as soon as you snap out of it, it's back to the lonely existence we all live sometimes. It also shows how obsessed she is with wanting to be a singer on stage that it almost seems as if she is writing out her own story as she daydreams and sings along. I honestly think knowing that made the film more tolerable, but if I am being perfectly honest with you, it was actually a pretty enjoyable film about how if you can't get famous then be infamous like the tag line suggests. The film shows you how desperate some people will be just to be infamous because they feel they need love and attention constantly by others that they will go to certain lengths. I thought the acting overall in the film was quite well, but the star of this one is none other than Richard Gere who just steals the show every time he steps out on screen as the hot shot lawyer and in one of my favorite scenes as the puppet master. If you like musicals or you're kind of on the fence about it, then this is definitely one to watch because it's actually a pretty good story, the talent is obviously in this film, and it's enjoyable to watch as well. That is why I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade because it won six Oscars for a reason (Best Picture, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best supporting actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones).

The Little Hours (2017)

To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of the film that I chose for today, but it featured a really good collection of a cast that I couldn't resist watching it. Back in the 14TH century, Giovanni Boccaccio wrote a collection of novellas that has been restored to it's original form in the book The Decameron and director Jeff Baena (Life After Beth) decided that he would write the script and turn it into a film called The Little Hours. The film stars Dave Franco (The Disaster Artist) as Massetto, a guard for a wealthy Lord who gets into something he shouldn't have and now he is on the run. Massetto by chance runs into a priest by the name of Father Tommasso (John C. Reilly) who agrees to take him in under one condition, that he pretends to be a mute. That will prove to be challenging when the nuns in the convent begin tempting him. The film also stars Alison Brie (How To Be Single) as Alessandra, Kate Micucci (The LEGO Batman Movie) as Ginevra, Aubrey Plaza (Ingrid Goes West) as Fernanda, Molly Shannon (Wet Hot American Summer) as Sister Maria, Fred Armisen (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy) as Bishop Bartolomeo, Jemima Kirke (Girls) as Marta, Nick Offerman (Bad Times At The El Royale) as Lord Bruno, Adam Pally (The Mandalorian) as Guard Paolo, and Paul Reiser (Mad About You) as Ilario.

Have you seen the collection of actors in this film in the above paragraph? That alone should be the sing that you are actually about to watch a really good film. Now I will warn that there is a lot of sexual content in the film because that is what the story was based around in that no matter what we do sometimes even the holiest of people can give in to sexual desires. These are women that are training to be nuns so that they can make their families proud because I guess back in those days it was the noble thing to do. Today we want our kids to go to college and get a great job and back in the 14TH century it was I would like my son or daughter to be a priest/nun. At one point in the film, I wanted to be frustrated with how over the top Audrey Plaza was as she acted like herself, but then again I said this is a comedy after all so I believe it fits the context of what they are doing. Dave Franco deserves all of the honors in the film as he did such an amazing job in the film. I mean John C. Reilly was simply John C. Reilly and that equals great, but Franco deserves some credit as well for everything he had to do. Alison Brie and co were fantastic as well and big props to Molly Shannon who held her own as well. I loved the chaos of the film especially during the witchcraft scenes because it added something different to the film and I loved the cinematography and imagery of it. I definitely think the film is worth checking out and you can find it on Netflix as we speak. I am going to give the film an B+ for a final grade.

The Sisters Brothers (2018)

I look at genres of film and sometimes I like to think of them like genres of music. For example, I think of comedy as pop music, horror as heavy metal, action films as rock music, and Westerns is country music. It takes a unique kind of taste to be into Western, but sometimes Western stars are held in the same regard as Country legends, but there are westerns being made today that are interesting enough like The Sisters Brothers which was written and directed by Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone). The film stars Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) and John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) as The Sisters Brothers, a couple of Oregon hitmen for hire that are tasked with bringing back someone who has a key to finding Gold, but what happens when a familiar face to the brothers is on the side of their hunt. The film also stars Jake Gyllenhaal (Bubble Boy) as John Morris, Riz Ahmed (Venom) as Hermann Warm, Rebecca Root (Last Christmas) as Mayfield, Carol Kane (Addams Family Values) as Mom, Richard Brake (3 From Hell) as Rex, the late Rutger Hauer (Hobo With A Shotgun) as Commodore, Patrice Cossonneau (The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc) as Blount, and Ian Reddington (Highlander) as The Father.

One thing is definitely for sure and that is the film definitely had an amazing cast behind it and they all did a wonderful job from Gyllenhaal all the way to Riz Ahmed. It was this story of two brothers who have to cope with the fact that there time as hitmen should end before they ultimately do. They may seem like they have it all together, but that couldn't be further from the truth in this film as you will see when you watch it. It's kind of a coming of age story for one man and that is John C. Reilly's character of Eli Sisters. He starts off just like his brother Charlie being all gung ho about the job, but as the film progresses so doesn't his character. I would have included Gyllenhaal's character in this category, but what happens to him in the film is just awful. If you are into westerns, I definitely think that this is one worth checking out because the acting is great as you'll see, but the cinematography is where it's at with the natural scenary and the sets. The funny thing is that the movie was filmed in Spain and Romania, but it worked for what they needed it to be. Phoenix and Reilly made a great onscreen duo that I wouldn't mind seeing again in the future. Check out the film yourself right now on Hulu, but for now I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade.