Reese Witherspoon

You’re Cordially Invited

/ / Home Video
  • Title: You’re Cordially Invited
  • IMDb: link

There’s a concept at the heart of You’re Cordially Invited which could have produced an okay film. This is not that film. Through the first, of many, contrivances, two families book the same small wedding venue on the same weekend. Oddly, it’s neither the bride nor groom of either side as the main characters but the father (Will Ferrell) of one of the brides (Geraldine Viswanathan) and the sister (Reese Witherspoon) of the other bride (Meredith Hagner).

While at first agreeing to work together to make the best of a bad situation and share the venue, conflicts arise (mostly through more contrivances rather than reasonable actions by any character) leading to each actively trying to destroy the other wedding (but in mostly lame ways as anything truly bad that happens is always accidental).

…

You’re Cordially InvitedRead More »

You’re Cordially Invited Read More »

Sing 2

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Sing 2
  • IMDb: link

The sequel to 2016’s fun, but largely forgettable, animated musical returns the core cast (Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Saunders, Tori Kelly, Taron Egerton, and Nick Kroll) to follow their dreams again, this time to the big city where the execs (Bobby Cannavale and Chelsea Peretti) are only interested in them if they can get legendary rock star Clay Calloway (Bono), who no one has seen in 15 years since the loss of his wife, as part of the show. Joining them this time around are street-dancing lynx (Letitia Wright) who teaches Johnny, an elephant ice-cream vendor (Pharrell Williams) who catches the eye of Meena, and a self-centered yak (Eric André).

…

Sing 2Read More »

Sing 2 Read More »

A Wrinkle in Time

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: A Wrinkle in Time
  • IMDb: link

A Wrinkle in Time movie reviewI don’t know if writing the original story required heavy doses of LSD, but I have a hard time believing that there wasn’t some serious drug use putting this film together. Based on Madeleine L’Engle‘s 1962 novel of the same name, A Wrinkle in Time stars Storm Reid as troubled teenager who, along with her younger brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), heads of on a fantastical adventure with three total strangers (Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling) who inform the children that their missing father (Chris Pine) is alive, trapped in a far off world, and needs their help. Oh, and Meg’s classmate (Levi Miller), who isn’t really even a friend, comes along as well. Because why not?

The film’s strengths lie in its overabundance of CGI and young stars. While somewhat emotionally empty, the settings which Meg finds herself in are visually appealing (even if it appears there’s little actual thought put in to how things work). While the various adult actors appear to be having fun making a kid’s film, all the emotional weight is left for Reid to shoulder. And McCabe succeeds in jumping from quirky to downright creepy when required.

…

A Wrinkle in TimeRead More »

A Wrinkle in Time Read More »

Sing

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Sing
  • IMDb: link

Sing movie reviewIn a year without a true standout animated feature it seems fitting that Sing, an animated film as average as they come, closes out 2016. With a paper-thin plot to allow various characters multiple opportunities to perform popular songs and dance around, Illumination Entertainment offers up a film version of American Idol by offering one lucky contestant fame and fortune. Of course the fact that the person offering it can’t actually deliver does through a wrench into the plans of the would-be stars.

With an impressive cast including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Tori Kelly, Taron Egerton, and Nick Kroll, directors Christophe Lourdelet and Garth Jennings deliver a film that is neither more nor less than you would expect. When the story allows the characters to burst into song the movie works well enough. However, when there are stretches without musical performances, where the real-life troubles (family issues, boyfriend issues, daddy issues, money issues, and so on) of the individual performers get in the way of training for their big night, the movie stalls.

…

SingRead More »

Sing Read More »