REAL MOVIE NEWS: 2022

A Fish in the Bathtub Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Joan Micklin Silver
Actors ‏ : ‎ Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Mark Ruffalo, Jane Adams, Missy Yager
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Anamorphic
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 38 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022

Along with belonging in a group of 1990s independent comedies that feel like mild imitations of Woody Allen, often set in New York and involving partner-swapping without veering into melodrama, A Fish in the Bathtub also has the feeling of a sitcom. This is not just because the cast is made up of several actors who have played parents in memorable half-hour comedies, but also because the narrative is highly episodic and has a resolution which restores everything back to the way it began, much like the formula of nearly every sitcom. It can make A Fish in the Bathtub feel slight and irreverent, but that may be the point of enjoyment for some.

The Ballad of the Sad Café Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Simon Callow
Actors ‏ : ‎ Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Carradine, Rod Steiger
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Film
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Anamorphic, Blu-ray
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 41 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 6, 2022

Not every story works in all formats. While I am certain there is something about Carson McCullers novella that worked, possibly even adapted well to the stage play written by Edward Albee, I found it difficult to ever get on board with the film adaptation, The Ballad of the Sad Café. While the novella must have had the benefit of the author’s narration and the play must have had dialogue to tell the story, the film directed by Simon Callow relies almost entirely upon imagery, but this often leaves the audience with little insight into the internal world of the characters.

The Loneliest Boy in the World Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Martin Owen
Actors ‏ : ‎ Max Harwood, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Evan Ross, Ben Miller, Ashley Benson
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 31 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 20, 2022

Even though the inspirations behind The Loneliest Boy in the World are fairly obvious, it is a film with an identity crisis. The tone oscillates between gruesomely disgusting and sickly sweet, with both often actively working against each other. Even more confused is the sense of space, with a setting that is intended to be America despite being shot in a gloomy UK city. Having the story set during the 1980s for no discernible reason just adds to the confusion of the overall experience.

The Roundup Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Sang-yong Lee
Actors ‏ : ‎ Don Lee, Sukku Son, Gwi-hwa Choi
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Mpi Home Video
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 46 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022

While Hollywood has been preoccupied with an endless stream of superhero films, South Korea has found its most successful blockbuster since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in a franchise-making sequel to The Outlaws. The Roundup, like the film before it, is a crime action-comedy that feels like something Hollywood would have made in the 1980s or ‘90s. And I mean that as the highest compliment. The emphasis is on a solid story bolstered by engaging characters and grounded (for the most part) action. There is no need for heavy CGI or a world-ending final battle. It is enough to let South Korean movie star Ma Dong-seok (or Don Lee, as he’s billed in the US) swing his mighty fists at a ruthlessly vicious villain.

The Ambush Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Pierre Morel
Actors ‏ : ‎ Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Khalifa Al Jassem, Mohammed Ahmed, Abdulla Saeed Bin Haider, Saeed Alharsh
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ United Arab Emirates
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 52 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022

The fact that The Ambush is a United Arab Emirates co-production with France may lead some to make assumptions about the quality and level of the filmmaking, but The Ambush has the polished look of a Hollywood film. Much of this comes from the level of the production values and director Pierre Morel, best known for large-budget Hollywood films like Taken and From Paris with Love, not to mention the impressive French action film, District B13. The Ambush is a much more serious film, however, tracing the true events in a military conflict between the UAE military and armed militants who ambush three Emirati soldiers on patrol in hostile territory.

The Woman King 4K Ultra HD Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Gina Prince-Bythewood
Actors ‏ : ‎ Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Producers ‏ : ‎ Julius Tennon, Cathy Schulman, Maria Bello, Viola Davis
Studio ‏ : ‎ Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.40:1
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ Portuguese, Spanish
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Portuguese, Spanish
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Media Format ‏ : ‎ 4K, Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 15 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022

For those who want more realism in their action than the CGI-filled silliness of Marvel films, The Woman King is a good option. At the same time, for a film about female warriors, the action is surprisingly sparse. Instead, the film veers into melodrama territory, complete with a severed mother/daughter relationship. There is also a tragic romance in the film. Even with some solid action choreography and an impressive performance by Viola Davis, it is a little disappointing that a female-led action movie spends so little time with the action and instead chooses romance and tear-jerker subplots to fill much of the run-time.

Ticket to Paradise Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Ol Parker
Actors ‏ : ‎ George Clooney, Julia Roberts
Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2

MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)

Release date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2022

If only because of how rare it is to see a theatrically released romantic comedy these days, not to mention one directed at an older demographic, Ticket to Paradise is a small victory. The reason why the film works is because of stars George Clooney and rom-com legend Julia Roberts. This is apparent in the fact that the gag reel at the end of the movie is entirely made up of them, despite an ensemble cast of supporting actors. The film would not work without these two, and it is only because of their charming movie star performances that all of the film’s flaws are forgivable. And as charming as they are, there are plenty of flaws.

The Good Boss Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Fernando León de Aranoa
Actors ‏ : ‎ Javier Bardem, Manolo Solo, Almudena Amor
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.39:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2022

My expectations were quite high when I heard that The Good Boss earned a record-breaking 20 nominations at the 36th Goya Awards, winning six of them including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay. While the filmmaking is undeniably solid, I was somewhat disappointed by the overly familiar path the narrative took in satirizing big business and the upper class. It is well done, but also contained little that hasn’t already been covered in many films before this one. If you don’t mind narrative tropes being recycled, however, The Good Boss has a lot to offer audiences onboard with a comedic take on bad behavior, both personal and in business.

Entre Nous Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Diane Kurys
Actors ‏ : ‎ Isabelle Huppert, Miou-Miou, Guy Marchand, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Daniela Rocca
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Film Collection
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.35:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ France
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 51 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 29, 2022

Entre Nous is a biographical film from director Diane Kurys (Peppermint Soda) based on her parents’ relationship and the woman that came between them during her childhood. The dedication to events sometimes hinders the film, jumping forward in time periods quickly and without developing major events, starting with World War II. This abbreviated recounting of events is also primarily focused on a potential lesbian romance which never develops, which may have seemed groundbreaking when Entre Nous was released in 1983 despite feeling underdeveloped nearly forty years later.

A Knife in the Head Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Reinhard Hauff
Actors ‏ : ‎ Bruno Ganz, Angela Winkler, Heinz Hoenig
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Media Group
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Anamorphic
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 54 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 29, 2022

Part political thriller and part character-driven drama, the 1978 German film A Knife in the Head is difficult to pin down. It doesn’t adhere to a traditional narrative structure and the film’s themes are directly tied to a specific time and place. For those familiar with the politics and history of the country during this period, A Knife in the Head may be easier to understand, but there is also an ambiguity to the plot that may be off-putting for some. Even though I appreciated dissecting and analyzing the film, the lack of resolution made the viewing experience slightly unfulfilling.

Alienoid Blu-ray Review

MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ South Korea
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 6, 2022

For those who think that Hollywood is the only film industry to capitalize on big, dumb, spectacle-driven films, Alienoid is solid proof that this isn’t true. Not only is this South Korean full of overblown action sequences, tons of special effects, and cheesy humor, it is also a cliffhanger with the sequel already filmed and planned for future release. Because the sign of a successful blockbuster is no longer a stand-alone film but the potential for a franchise, Alienoid could be seen as accomplishing this assuming audiences are interested enough to return for the continuation of the narrative. Personally, I found myself underwhelmed. Then again, I have had the same experience with a majority of thriving Hollywood franchises as well.

Monsieur Hire Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Patrice Leconte
Actors ‏ : ‎ Michel Blanc, Sandrine Bonnaire, Luc Thuillier, André Wilms, Eric Berenger
Studio ‏ : ‎ Cohen Film Collection
Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 2.39:1
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 19 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ October 25, 2022

Based on the novel Les Fiançailles de M. Hire by Georges Simenon, Monsieur Hire is a 1989 French crime film directed by Patrice Leconte with a precise touch. The simplicity of the story is layered with excellent filmmaking that only improves with repeat viewings. The characters are complex and layered with ambiguity, leaving audiences with something of a puzzle even after all has been revealed. Comparisons to Hitchcock are not undeserved.

Emergency Declaration Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Han Jae-Rim
Actors ‏ : ‎ Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Nam-gil, Yim Si-wan
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ South Korea
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 27 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 29, 2022

It wasn’t that long ago that Hollywood made movies like Emergency Declaration, with big budgets and spectacle involving everyday people put in extraordinary situations. Nowadays it seems like all of those budgets and spectacle are directed towards fantasy films, primary in the superhero subgenre, so it is a welcome change to see South Korean cinema providing some variety. Although the film was made prior to the Covid pandemic, Emergency Declaration has themes that perfectly encapsulate the current paranoia about public spaces, especially when traveling in a confined space like an airplane.

Hansan: Rising Dragon Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Kim Han-min
Actors ‏ : ‎ Park Hae-il, Byun Yo-Han, Ahn Sung-Ki, Son Hyun-Joo, Kim Sung-Kyu
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 10 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2022
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Following up The Admiral: Roaring Currents, Hansan: Rising Dragon is a prequel and the second in a planned trilogy about the naval battles led by Joseon Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (Park Hae-il). Given the massive box office success of the first South Korean historical epic, Hansan wisely does not try to reinvent the first film’s structure, but instead just recreates another famous military battle at sea. While there is action and spectacle to satisfy the audiences, Hansan also has a meticulous eye for historical accuracy in every aspect of the storytelling, similar to Ron Maxwell’s American Civil War films, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

The Witch 2: The Other One Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Park Hoon-Jung
Actors ‏ : ‎ Shin Sia, Park Eun-Bin, Seo Eun-Soo, Jin Goo, Sung Yu-Been
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
Studio ‏ : ‎ Well Go Usa
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ South Korea
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Subtitled, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 18 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2022

For many years we could see the impact of cinema on television, with sitcoms shifting from the staged three-camera theatrical set-up to the open style of single-camera shows and the finality of limited series. In more recent years, it has also felt like television has had an impact on movies, with loose ends intentionally left for sequels and opening up possibilities for cinematic universes. This sequel to The Witch: Subversion has this impact, beginning a new strand of the narrative rather than continuing the original story. The Witch 2: The Other one adds more to the existing universe, but audiences may be disappointed to find that the primary purpose seems to be setting up the next film.

No Escape Blu-ray Review

Director ‏ : ‎ Martin Campbell
Actors ‏ : ‎ Ray Liotta, Lance Henriksen, Ernie Hudson, Stuart Wilson, Kevin Dillon
Studio ‏ : ‎ Unearthed Records
MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
Media Format ‏ : ‎ Anamorphic, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 58 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ October 18, 2022

Perhaps it’s a sense of nostalgia, or fatigue over the CGI-laden blockbusters being released today, but No Escape is a perfect example of the underappreciated action films of the 1980s and ‘90s. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is a fun and predictable bit of entertainment with committed actors and practical effects. I would take this over a majority of the blockbusters released in recent years.

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