[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Mike Peros reviews The Rip, Marty Supreme, Sinners and Anniversary.
The Rip
It’s January, which means the pickings are slim, except on Netflix, which coincidentally is where you can find The Rip, the latest crime thriller from Joe Carnahan, and noteworthy for its reteaming of long-time friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, cast this time as long-time friends—who happen to be cops. More specifically, they work for the Tactical Narcotics Team, a unit that has been rocked by the murder of their Captain (Lina Esco, seen mainly in flashbacks). Part of their job involves searching houses for illicit drug money, and as the cops’ reputation has been tarnished by allegations of theft, a huge complication/temptation is thrown their way when they discover over $20 million in cartel cash. Along with this money is the house’s sole occupant (Sasha Calle), who advises them to leave, as someone (drug cartel? crooked cops?) may be right around the corner. This poses a logistical problem (as I discovered watching this film, there is a protocol one must follow, such as they must count the money at the scene), and of course, a moral one (do they keep some/all the money?). And of course, there is some question about everyone’s loyalties (fellow cops and associates include Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Kyle Chandler), since the murderer of their Captain is yet unknown, but there are strong suspicions—mainly aimed at second-in-command Damon. I thought the film worked well, with plenty of tension and shifting allegiances, especially in the first half. Writer/director Carnahan does a good job of keeping you guessing, and there are a few clever twists. All the actors are in excellent form, with especially good work from Damon, Affleck, Calle and Yeun—my only caveat is the somewhat protracted climax, followed by a disappointing coda. But it’s still far better than your everyday January release.
More info on The Rip>>
Some other thoughts on recent Oscar bait—that in most, but not all cases, has been hooked:
Marty Supreme
Timothee Chalamet is on his way to the Oscars again, in writer/director Josh Safdie’s fast-paced and highly entertaining tale, set in the 1950s, starring Chalamet as Marty, a self-confident, fast-talking and rather abrasive shoe salesman who would much rather be in England competing for the table tennis championship than selling shoes for his uncle. To get to England, he employs some questionable means, and when it all goes south at the championships, Marty decides he has to go back the following year to redeem himself, whomever and whatever it takes. The road to Japan, where the finals take place, will prove to be rather circuitous and always eventful, what with a scheming uncle (Larry “Ratso” Slomin), a cunning and influential mogul ( Kevin O’Leary), his wife, a faded actress making a comeback (Gynneth Paltrow), Marty’s pregnant, crafty, and very married girlfriend (Odessa A’zion), and dog-loving criminal (Abel Ferrara) providing occasional support, but mainly obstacles along the way. There’s a lot ot like about the film, from the “anything goes” spirit that permeates the film to the supporting performances (especially Paltrow and A’zion), the offbeat casting (like Ferrara and Penn, of Penn and Teller), and the exceptional Chalamet. He is terrific throughout and despite his unlikable character…you do want him to succeed, even when he can’t get out of his own way. His scenes with Paltrow are the closest where you see some vulnerability, as well as the cracks in his confident façade, which progressively seem more of a veneer. The only flaw: the ending, and what it seems to suggest about his character. All I’ll say is…I think the fella will only be happy playing table tennis.
Where to watch Marty Supreme>>
Sinners
Sinners from writer/director Ryan Coogler: Finally, a movie that combines the blues, Jim Crow South, the Ku Klux Klan, and vampires—singing and dancing, yet. It’s 1932, and twin brothers “Smoke” and “Stack” (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown in Mississippi with plans to open a juke joint (funded by ill-gotten gains) for the local Blacks. Over the course of a busy day (and night), the brothers rekindle some family ties, open their place, and become aware of two threats: One is that the Klan will probably swing by soon to “teach them a lesson.” But the more immediate threat comes from some blues-loving vampires led by the sly, menacing Remmick (Jack O’Connell), who is taken with the playing and singing of the twins’ protégé, Sammy (Miles Caton). So much so that Remmick and his vampires want in—only they have to be invited (it’s the rules of the game). And of course, they’re never invited and everyone lives happily ever after. Well, not quite, as you’ve already seen (or may yet see). Overall, I liked Sinners (Sixteen nominations worth?? Hmmm), especially the nominated Delroy Lindo’s turn as an old blues man with integrity about the music and about living, Wunmi Mosaku’s Annie (Smoke’s wife) and O’Connell’s rogue with a brogue. There’s a poignant, wistful ending (during the credits) that raises more questions than it answers, but give it a try.
More info on Sinners>>
Anniversary
Anniversary, directed by Jan Komasa and written by Komosa and Lori Rosene-Gambino, was thrown away by its distributor and ignored by the Academy, but it’s a thought-provoking (and rather bleak) fable that follows an initially close-knit family led by liberal professor Diane Lame and restaurant owner Kyle Chandler through several occasions. Of course, the togetherness falls apart after the failed novelist son (Dylan O’Brien) becomes involved with a former student of Lane’s (Phoebe Dyvenor) who has authored The Change, a book that suggests that overturning democracy and substituting it with a like-minded, intolerant, and decidedly authoritarian regime is the way to go. Much to everyone’s surprise (and regret), the book—and the movement—take off, so that the America two years down the road (in the narrative) is an America that doesn’t tolerate dissent, demands conformity, hunts down and persecutes those who speak out against the government (like Madeine Brewer as daughter Anna, a comic), and places people who resist in almost untenable positions. The film was made a few years ago, but it is perhaps as current as they come—which makes it all the more frightening. All the actors are fine, especially Lane and Chandler as the anguished, conflicted parents, O’Brien as an increasingly arrogant son, Dynevor’s steely, calculating new member of the family, and Zoey Deutch as the daughter who is pretty sure the present world is not a fit one for future children.
More info on Anniversary>>
Here are more Mike Peros TV and movie reviews>>