I’ve been forgetting to let you know when the podcast is out, so my bad. That said, this week’s podcast is filled with the James Dean Controversy – oh, you don’t know about that? Oh, you’re in for a treat – the trailers for The Invisible Man, Bad Boys for Life, and Pixar’s newest film Soul. The casting of Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell in The Batman and some good news for Potterheads.
The podcast can be heard in multiple places like Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and Stitcher. So, if you have a preferred listening site, take your pick by following the link and clicking on that.
Writers: David S. Goyer, Justin Rhodes and Billy Ray
Cast: Natalia Reyes, Mackenzie Davis, Linda Hamilton, Gabriel Luna, Diego Boneta, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Synopsis: Sarah Connor and a hybrid cyborg human must protect a young girl from a newly modified liquid Terminator from the future.
*Reviewer Note: This will be a spoiler free review.*
Set in 2020, and ignoring everything after Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator: Date Fate sees a world where Sarah Connor (the returning Linda Hamilton) saved humanity. However, unbeknownst to Sarah, something more sinister has come from a different future, and has set its sights on a young Mexican woman, Dani (Natalia Reyes). Thankfully for Dani, Grace (Mackenzie Davis) has come from the future as well, to protect her from the nearly indestructible Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna), who will stop at nothing to get his target.
Dani and Grace then meet up with Sarah, who has been killing Terminators since we last saw her, and three head out of Mexico, with the Rev-9 hot on their trail. Eventually, the two get help from Sarah’s old nemesis, the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who agrees to help fight the Rev-9 and keep Dani alive. What follows is an epic conclusion with a massive fight for survival against all odds.
Look, the Terminator franchise has gone through A LOT since Judgment Day. When Dark Fate was announced with creator James Cameron and Linda Hamilton herself was coming back to play Sarah Connor, I put this on top of my must-watch list – being the movie optimist that I am anyway. Now, were here, and thankfully Dark Fate wasn’t that bad. I’ll take the stance that Dark Fate is the best Terminator movie to have come out since Judgment Day, but that’s honestly not saying much considering the sequel and reboots we’ve gotten – although, I’m in the small camp of people that probably enjoyed Terminator Salvation.
The movie itself isn’t anything too new as it takes bits from the previous films and updates them for a modern take. Davis’ Grace isn’t a Terminator herself, but a human with enhancement to give them a fighting chance against the deadly Rev-9s. Sarah has matured since the last time we saw her, and her arc was a rather surprising one if I’m being honest, but makes some sense. Reyes’ Dani is basically the new Sarah Connor, although, she not completely a new Sarah which is great, because you can’t replicate too much of the same thing.
Sticking to the cast, Mackenzie Davis does a pretty great job as Grace. Her determination to protecting Dani never feels forced, and she plays the kick-ass action star very well. Natalia Reyes as Dani has her moments, but she feels like the weak link in the cast. Gabriel Luna’s Rev-9 has a lot of charisma, which makes his Terminator a little more scarier than previous versions. The Rev-9 has the T-1000 liquid metal exoskeleton covering the machine skeleton underneath, but when it comes to trying to find Dani, he’s able to put on a smile and talk normally with anyone that can get him to her, right before he kills them. Luna has a great balance of being “friendly” and determined to get to his target.
Hamilton and Schwarzenegger already have a handle on their characters, again, Hamilton’s Sarah is a little different from the last time we saw her, but for good reason. Schwarzenegger’s T-800 also has an interesting story here, but thankfully, he’s not in the movie too much. He appears right before the third act of the movie, and that’s enough since the movie really doesn’t need him too much. The movie really is more about our three women in Dani, Grace and Sarah.
Of course, being a Terminator movie we need to talk about some of the action here. Personally, I think the action isn’t really that bad. The first real big set-piece is Grace saving Dani and her brother Diego (Diego Boneta) from the Rev-9, which leads to a highway chase. The action in-between is fine, and it picks up at the end with the showdown between all parties. The CGI also isn’t that bad, although there are moments when the Rev-9 jumps to high spots where he’s clearly a little too rubbery.
All in all, Terminator: Dark Fate is a worthwhile sequel to the franchise with some great moments scattered throughout, and some nice homage’s to the previous movies. The movie isn’t without its faults, with some spotty CG and a few weird story choices, but overall, it is the best Terminator movie since Judgment Day, which again, isn’t saying too much considering what we’ve gotten since then.
Happy Early Thanksgiving! It’s now at the point that we have a great film or films coming out every week and some that will for sure divide films fans. Now let’s jump right into the fray and see what’s coming out!
1st
Arctic Dogs – Entertainment Studios Motion Picture, AMBI Group
Swifty the Fox (Jeremy Renner) discovers a devious plan by Otto Von Walrus (John Cleese) to drill beneath the Arctic surface to unleash enough gas to melt all the ice. With the help from his friends – an introverted polar bear, a scatterbrained albatross, a crafty fox and two paranoid otters – Swifty and the gang spring into action to foil Otto’s plot and save the day. The voice cast also includes James Franco, Heidi Klum, Laurie Holden, Alec Baldwin, Omar Sy, Michael Madsen and Anjelica Huston.
Harriet – Focus Features, Story Gold Features, Martin Chase Productions, New Balloon
The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s (Cynthia Erivo) escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Harriet co-stars Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Clarke Peters, Deborah Ayorinde and Janelle Monae.
Motherless Brooklyn – Warner Bros., Class 5 Films
Based on the novel by Jonathan Lethem, and directed by Edward Norton; set against the backdrop of 1950s, Lionel Essrog (Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette’s Syndrome, ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Motherless Brooklyn co-stars Willem Dafoe, Leslie Mann, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Kenneth Williams and Alec Baldwin.
Terminator: Dark Fate – Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Skydance Media, Lightstorm Entertainment, Tencent Pictures
Directed by Tim Miller (Deadpool), Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and a hybrid cyborg human (Mackenzie Davis) must protect a young girl (Natalia Reyes) from a newly modified liquid Terminator (Gabriel Luna) from the future. Dark Fate co-stars Diego Boneta, Edward Furlong and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Thoughts: The Terminator franchise doesn’t have the best history since the release of Judgment Day, but everyone is touting that Dark Fate is getting the franchise back on track. Of course, that’s studio people, it’s really all about the fans, and from the looks of it…they could be right. It helps that Linda Hamilton is back as Sarah Connor for one, and it’s going back to its rated-R roots (which may or may not help who knows). It can’t be as bad as Genisys right? RIGHT?
8th
Limited Release – Honey Boy
Written and starring by Shia LaBeouf – it is a semi-autobiography of his life – a child actor works to mend the relationship with his hard-drinking, law-breaking father. Honey Boy stars LaBeouf (as his father), Noah Jupe, Lucas Hedges, FKA Twigs, Maika Monroe and Clifton Collins Jr.
Playing with Fire – Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Nickelodeon Movies, Broken Road Productions
A crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids. Playing with Fire stars John Cena, John Leguizamo, Keegan-Michael Key, Tyler Mane, Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery, Finley Rose Slater and Judy Greer.
Thoughts: What is this movie!?
Last Christmas – Universal Pictures,
Directed by Paul Feig, and co-written by Emma Thompson – Kate (Emilia Clarke) is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions. Her last date with disaster? That of having accepted to work as Santa’s elf for a department store. However, she meets Tom (Henry Golding) here. Her life takes a new turn. For Kate, it seems too good to be true. Last Christmas co-stars Thompson, Patti LuPone and Michelle Yeoh.
Midway – Lionsgate, The Mark Gordon CompanyD
Directed by Roland Emmerich, the story of the Battle of Midway, told by the leaders and the sailors who fought it. Midway stars Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Woody Harrelson, Aaron Eckhart, Keean Johnson, Alexander Ludwig, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss, Nick Jonas, Ed Skrein and Dennis Quaid.
Doctor Sleep – Warner Bros., Vertigo Entertainment, Intrepid Pictures
Based off the novel by Stephen King, years following the events of The Shining, a now-adult Dan Torrence (Ewan McGregor) meets a young girl with similar powers as his and tries to protect her from a cult known as The True Knot who prey on children with powers to remain immortal. Directed by Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Gerald’s Game, Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House), Doctor Sleep co-stars Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Chelsea Talmadge, Cliff Curtis and Bruce Greenwood
Thoughts: A sequel to one of the most popular horror films, maybe ever, Doctor Sleep looks like it’s going to be a healthy mix of nostalgia and being its thing. It also helps that the film is directed by the very talented Mike Flanagan. So yeah, Doctor Sleep could potentially be one of the best movies of the month.
15th
Limited Release: Waves
Written and directed by Trey Edward Schults (It Comes at Night); Traces the journey of a suburban African-American family – led by a well-intentioned but domineering father (Sterling K. Brown) – as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. Waves co-stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie, Renee Elise Goldsberry and Clifton Collins Jr.
The Good Liar – Warner Bros., New Line Cinema,
Based on the novel by Nicholas Searle, and directed by Bill Condon; career con artist Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) can hardly believe his luck when he meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren) online. As Betty opens her home and life to him, Roy is surprised to find himself caring about her, turning what should be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most treacherous tightrope walk of his life. The Good Liar co-stars Jim Carter, Laurie Davidson and Russell Tovey.
Charlie’s Angels – Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Brownstone Productions,
When a young systems engineer (Naomi Scott) blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie’s Angels (Ella Balinska and Kristen Stewart) are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all. Charlie’s Angels co-stars Elizabeth Banks, Djimon Hounsou, Sam Claflin, Noah Centineo and Patrick Stewart.
Thoughts: I wasn’t completely sold on the new Charlie’s Angels movie, but I’ll admit the FIRST trailer at least had me in for the idea of the reboot. This second trailer though, oof.
Ford v. Ferrari – 20th Century Fox, Chernin Entertainment
Directed by James Mangold (Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, The Wolverine, Logan) – American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Ford v. Ferrari co-stars Caitriona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe and Tracy Letts.
Thoughts: This one has been in the works for a while, and it’s finally here and it looks pretty solid. The film already has a great backstory so hopefully that will bring people out to watch.
22nd
Limited Release – Dark Waters
Based on a real story and magazine article by Nathaniel Rich; A corporate defense attorney (Mark Ruffalo) takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution. Dark Waters co-stars Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper, Bill Pullman, Bill Camp, Victor Garber and Tim Robbins.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – Sony Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Tencent Pictures, Big Beach Films
Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks) and journalist Tom Junod. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood co-stars Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson and Chris Cooper.
Thoughts: You ready to cry? I’m not ready to cry. Because we’re going to cry.
Thrust into a citywide manhunt for a duo of cop killers, NYPD detective Andre Davis (Chadwick Boseman) begins to undercover a massive conspiracy that links his fellow police officers to a criminal empire and must decide who he is hunting and who is actually hunting him. During the manhunt, Manhattan is completely locked down for the first time in its history – no exit or entry to the island including all 21 bridges. 21 Bridges co-stars Sienna Miller, Taylor Kitsch, Stephan James, Keith David and J.K. Simmons.
Frozen 2 – Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Anna (Kristen Bell), Elsa (Idina Menzel), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad) and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom. Frozen 2 voice cast also includes Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown.
Thoughts: You ready for the next “Let it Go” to be played over 100 times? ARE YOU?
27th
Queen & Slim – Universal Pictures, BRON Studios,
A couple’s (Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith) first date take an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over. Queen & Slim co-stars Indya Moore, Chloe Sevigny, and Bokeem Woodbine.
Knives Out – Lionsgate, Media Rights Capital, FilmNation Entertainment, Ram Bergman Productions
Written and directed by Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), a detective (Daniel Craig) investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. Knives Out impressive cast includes Chris Evans, LaKeith Stanfield, Ana de Armas, Toni Collette, Katherine Langford, Riki Lindhome, Jaeden Martell, Don Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Plummer.
Thoughts:Knives Out has gotten a lot, A LOT, of love in the film festival circuit, so Knives Out looks to be one of those movies that you’re going to need to watch opening weekend.
Movies with Chris 