Destroyer

★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

Many crime dramas have tried to be more subversive lately, with mixed results. While films such as Drive & Good Time have reinvented the crime genre, other films such as Gotti & White Boy Rick have failed in their attempts.

Destroyer, while showing some promise, ultimately fails to do anything fresh or intriguing. The film follows Erin Bell (played by Nicole Kidman), a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department. The years have taken a toll on Erin, as she is an alcoholic that is also overworked, which has led to a rift in the relationships between her, her ex-husband Ethan (played by Scoot & her daughter Shelby (played by Jade Pettyjohn).

One day, Erin comes across a John Doe murder, & tells the responding officers that she knows who the victim is, but doesn't tell them. When she returns to the police station, Erin finds an envelope with a $100 bill stained from a dye pack. After tracing it back, she realizes that the $100 bill is from a bank robbery committed when she was undercover infiltrating a gang. Erin believes that this is proof that the leader of the gang, Silas (played by Toby Kebbell) has returned.

Flashbacks reveal that Erin & her former partner Chris (played by Sebastian Stan) were both infiltrating the gang, eventually starting a romantic relationship & planning to take some of the robbery money for themselves.

In the present, Erin is led to DiFranco (played by Bradley Whitford), a lawyer laundering money from the original robbery. After dealing with him, she finds Silas' girlfriend, Petra (played by Tatiana Maslany). Nothing will stop Erin in her mission to find Silas.

The cast is amazing. Nicole Kidman is unrecognizable, & has so much intense command in her performance. Sebastian Stan & Tatiana Maslany are the most notable of the supporting performances, but this is definitely Kidman's film.

Karyn Kusama's direction is mediocre. Kusama knows how to build tension, but she rarely delivers on actually reaching a powerful climactic moment.

And the screenplay by Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi is a mess. The plot is way too confusing, the characters aren't fully realized, & some of the dialogue is badly written.

This is a major disappointment. Although the cast is excellent, especially Kidman, that's just about the only positive thing in this film.

Destroyer was seen by me at the MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 in Troy, MI on Friday, January 18, 2019. It is currently in 2 theaters in the Detroit area: the MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 in Troy, MI; & the Emagine Royal Oak in Royal Oak, MI. Its runtime is 121 minutes, & it is rated R for language throughout, violence, some sexual content & brief drug use.

Ben Is Back

★★★★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

The opioid crisis has only continued to get worse in America. From the inner-city to the suburbs to the rural farmlands, it has impacted us all.

Ben Is Back is one of the most gripping & emotional films in recent memory to tackle the opioid crisis. The film follows Holly Burns (played by Julia Roberts), a well-to-do mother in New York. She is lovingly married to her second husband Neal Beeby (played by Courtney B. Vance), & they have two young kids together: Lacey (played by Mia Fowler) & Liam (played by Jakari Fraser), along with two kids from Holly's first marriage: Ivy (played by Kathryn Newton) & Ben (played by Lucas Hedges).

On Christmas Eve, Holly & the kids drive home to discover Ben in the driveway. Ben has been in rehab for a few months for his drug addiction, & he is not supposed to be home yet. However, Ben's sponsor suggested that he go home for Christmas. Due to his rehab stint, Ben has been clean for 77 days. Although Holly, Liam & Lacey are happy to see him home, Ivy & Neal are more wary about his reappearance. Holly tells him that he can stay for 24 hours while not leaving her sight, then he must go back to rehab, to which Ben agrees.

While shopping for clothes for the Christmas Eve church service, Ben sees someone from his past who looks at him in a manner that shows that he is coming for Ben. This sets the stage for a 24 hours the family will never forget.

The cast is phenomenal. Julia Roberts gives one of her best performances in recent memory. She has so much maternal instinct & tenacity in her performance that it's unlike any other performance of a mother in recent memory. Lucas Hedges gives the best performance of his career, portraying a young drug addict so realistically. And the rest of the cast, especially Newton & Vance, provide great supporting performances.

Peter Hedges' direction is excellent. Hedges directs the film with a quiet, subdued touch for the first half, then slowly builds the tension in the second half, all while never making the material feel preachy or didactic.

Peter Hedges' screenplay is amazing. The plot feels incredibly fresh, the characters feel like regular people, & the dialogue is astoundingly human.

Stuart Dryburgh's cinematography is terrific. The camerawork is very subdued, letting the events unfold before our eyes, & the color palette is dominated by blues & grays, adding to the bleak tone of the film.

And Dickon Hinchcliffe's score is impeccable. The score is driven by mournful violins, adding to the somber tone of the film.

This is one of the best films of 2018. It's a hard watch, but its talented cast, subdued direction & realistic writing is well worth the emotional rollercoaster.

Ben Is Back was seen by me at the Emagine Novi in Novi, MI on Saturday, January 12, 2019. It is currently in 10 theaters in the Detroit area, including the AMC Forum 30 in Sterling Heights, MI; the AMC Fairlane 21 in Dearborn, MI; the MJR Brighton Towne Square Cinema 20 in Brighton, MI; & the AMC Star Great Lakes 25 in Auburn Hills, MI. Its runtime is 103 minutes, & it is rated R for language throughout & some drug use.

On the Basis of Sex

★★★½ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an American icon. She has always stood up for those who have been marginalized, being a champion for women's rights for many decades. And at 85, she continues to inspire.

On the Basis of Sex, while not fully living up to its subject, is a good biopic. Set between the 1950s & 1970s, the film follows Ruth Bader Ginsburg (played by Felicity Jones), a first-year student at Harvard Law School. Ruth is married to Martin Ginsburg (played by Armie Hammer), a second-year student at Harvard Law School. When Martin is diagnosed with testicular cancer, Ruth not only continues her classes, but goes to Martin's classes as well, while taking care of their daughter Jane (played by Cailee Spaeny).

When Martin gets a job at a law firm in New York, Ruth requests to finish her Harvard law degree at Columbia University; however, Dean Erwin Griswold (played by Sam Waterston) declines her request. She eventually transfers to Columbia & receives her law degree, finishing at the top of her class, but no law firm will hire her since she is a woman. As a result, she finds herself teaching The Law & Sex Discrimination at Rutgers University.

In 1970, Martin tells Ruth of a tax case in Denver: Charles Moritz (played by Chris Mulkey), a single man, was denied a tax deduction for his hiring of a nurse to take care of his invalid mother. The law says that only women, widowers, & men whose wives are institutionalized or incapacitated qualify for the tax deduction. Ruth sees this as a challenge to the age-old stereotype that men work while women are the caregivers. If Ruth sets a precedent with the case, it can be used in cases of discrimination against women. With the help of Martin, Jane, ACLU advisor Mel Wulf (played by Justin Theroux) & activist Dorothy Kenyon (played by Kathy Bates), Ruth might just be able to win this case.

The cast is amazing. Felicity Jones is magnificent as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Armie Hammer is terrific. And Cailee Spaeny is the standout of the talented supporting cast.

Mimi Leder's direction is great. Although there are some moments that executed in a fashion that is too sentimental, Leder is able to get the message across in a palatable, crowd-pleasing manner.

And Daniel Steipleman's screenplay is very good. Although the plot is predictable & the characters outside of Ruth, Martin & Jane are a bit flat, the dialogue is the saving grace.

This is a solid film. Although it doesn't quite end up being as extraordinary as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, it hits much more than it misses.

On the Basis of Sex was seen by me at The Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township, MI on Saturday, January 5, 2019. It is in theaters everywhere. Its runtime is 120 minutes, & it is rated PG-13 for some language & suggestive content.

Die Hard

★★★★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

Until a short while ago, I had never seen Die Hard. Yes, I know: shocking. I'm a film person, yet I haven't seen what is widely considered to be the best action film of all time, & also the best Christmas film of all time.

Well, I'm happy to report that both of those things about Die Hard are true. Based on the 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, the film follows John McClane (played by Bruce Willis), a detective with the New York Police Department. McClane has arrived in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to win back his wife, Holly (played by Bonnie Bedelia), who has moved to Los Angeles with their children, Lucy (played by Taylor Fry) & John Jr. (played by Noah Land), to work for the Nakatomi Corporation. He plans to get her back at the Nakatomi Christmas party on the 30th floor of Nakatomi Plaza.

However, these plans are quickly thwarted when German terrorist leader Hans Gruber (played by Alan Rickman) & his 12 henchmen: Karl (played by Alexander Godunov); Theo (played by Clarence Gilyard); Tony (played by Andreas Wisniewski); Franco (played by Bruno Doyon); Alexander (played by Joey Plewa); Marco (played by Lorenzo Caccialanza); Kristoff (played by Gerard Bonn); Eddie (played by Dennis Hayden); Uli (played by Al Leong); Heinrich (played by Gary Roberts); Fritz (played by Hans Buhringer); & James (played by Wilhelm von Homburg) come for $640 million in bearer bonds, taking the partygoers hostage. Their terrorist acts are merely a distraction from the heist. The only people in the building who are not held hostage are McClane & his young limo driver Argyle (played by De'voreaux White), who is trapped in the garage, oblivious to what is happening.

With the help of Sgt. Al Powell (played by Reginald VelJohnson), McClane tries to fight off all 13 terrorists. The terrorists & many of the hostages doubt his ability to fight them off. But they've never met anyone like John McClane.

The cast is amazing. Bruce Willis was born to play this role. He has the perfect amount of charisma & coolness for the role. Alan Rickman, in his first role, is devilishly menacing. And Reginald VelJohnson is terrific in his small role.

John McTiernan's direction is excellent. McTiernan delivers on the tension, but never quits making this an absolutely fun ride.

The screenplay by Jeb Stuart & Steven E. de Souza is brilliant. The plot is thoroughly intriguing, the characters are fleshed-out, & the dialogue is perfect.

The editing by Frank J. Urioste & John F. Link is superb. The film is very fast-paced, making the runtime feel like a breeze.

The sound design is impeccable. From the continuous gunshots to the various explosions, the sounds are loud & in-your-face.

And the visual effects are stunning. The effects, especially the explosions, are very well-done, feeling completely timeless.

This is one of my new favorite films. It is wildly fun, gleefully violent, & incredibly iconic. Yippie-ki-yay, indeed.

Die Hard was seen by me at the MJR Marketplace Digital Cinema 20 in Sterling Heights, MI on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. It is on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD. Its runtime is 132 minutes, & it is rated R.

Instant Family

★★★½ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

The foster care system in America is incredibly flawed. Over 400,000 kids are in the foster care system, with many of them failing to get the support that they sorely need, & they face an incredible amount of problems when trying to get approved for certain things.

Instant Family definitely sin't perfect, but it's an endearing look into adoption. Based on a true story, the film follows Pete (played by Mark Wahlberg) & Ellie (played by Rose Byrne) Wagner, a married couple in California. Although they are happily married, they feel that there is something missing in their lives. They would like to have children, but Pete is pretty old to be a father of a newborn child. Ellie brings up the idea of adoption, but Pete isn't up for it. However, Pete eventually warms up to the idea.

Pete & Ellie then begin an 8-week foster parenting class led by Sharon (played by Tig Notaro), who is more reserved; & Karen (played by Octavia Spencer), who is more outspoken. They eventually get their foster parenting licenses, & go to an adoption fair to see what kids they may be interested in. One of the teenage foster children, Lizzie (played by Isabella Moner), lets them know that they know that foster parents aren't really interested in the teenagers. However, this interests Pete & Ellie, & when they ask about becoming Lizzie's foster parents, they are told that Lizzie has two younger siblings: Juan (played by Gustavo Quiroz) & Lita (played by Julianna Gamiz). Pete & Ellie decide to take in all 3 of the kids, which meets mixed reactions from Pete & Ellie's families: Ellie's mother Jan (played by Julie Hagerty) is more hesitant about their decision, while Pete's mother Sandy (played by Margo Martindale) is more welcoming.

Although the initial few weeks with Lizzie, Juan & Lita in their house are great, it starts to become hectic for Pete & Ellie, as Lizzie is bratty, Juan is overly sensitive, & Lita will only eat potato chips. But although Pete & Ellie are not ready for what will follow, but they think they'll be alright in the end.

The cast is amazing. Mark Wahlberg & Rose Byrne have such great chemistry here. Tig Notaro & Octavia Spencer are hilarious in their small roles. But the standout is Isabella Moner, who truly shines here. And Gustavo Quiroz & Julianna Gamiz also shine.

Sean Anders' direction is great. Although there isn't much that stylistically differentiates Anders from other directors, he is able to overcome that with a warm-hearted sensibility & a personal touch, as the true story is Anders' true story of adopting 3 kids.

And the screenplay by Sean Anders & John Morris is very good. Although the plot is formulaic & the narrative is predictable, the humorous dialogue sticks out, & the screenplay isn't afraid to tackle the racial issues of the adoption.

This is a good comedy-drama. Although it's definitely too sentimental at times, the film is saved by a cast filled with great, warm-hearted performances.

Instant Family was seen by me at the MJR Marketplace Digital Cinema 20 in Sterling Heights, MI on Sunday, December 30, 2018. It is in theaters everywhere. Its runtime is 118 minutes, & it is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, language & some drug references.

If Beale Street Could Talk

★★★★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

With his 2016 breakout film Moonlight, Barry Jenkins became one of the best directors in independent cinema. His subdued style of direction focusing on everyday beauty evokes reminders of the films of Wong-Kar Wai, & his affinity for closeup shots of his characters brings flashbacks to the films of Jonathan Demme. And I personally consider Jenkins to be one of my favorite directors of the decade so far.

If Beale Street Could Talk builds off of Moonlight, & is the best film in Jenkins' young career. Based on the 1974 novel If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin, & set in 1970s New York, the film follows Clementine "Tish" Rivers (played by KiKi Layne), a 19-year-old girl living with her mother Sharon (played by Regina King), her father Joseph (played by Colman Domingo), & her sister Ernestine (played by Teyonah Parris) in the Harlem neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. She is in a relationship with Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt (played by Stephan James), a 22-year-old sculptor living with his mother, Alice (played by Aunjanue Ellis), his father Frank (played by Michael Beach), & his sisters Adrienne (played by Ebony Obsidian) & Sheila (played by Dominique Thorne). They also live in Harlem.

In their relationship, Tish & Fonny encounter various people, including Pedrocito (played by Diego Luna), Fonny's friend who is a waiter at a restaurant; Levy (played by Dave Franco), a landlord who owns an apartment block where Tish & Fonny are looking to live in; & Daniel Carty (played by Brian Tyree Henry), a longtime friend of Fonny who has been very negatively affected by his time in prison due to the harsh treatment he received.

One day, Fonny is arrested for the rape of Victoria Rogers (played by Emily Rios). Although the rape did occur, Fonny was not the person that did it, as he was with Tish & Daniel at their apartment. Fonny was likely arrested not because of testimony, but because of the mindset of racist cops, especially Officer Bell (played by Ed Skrein). Victoria was probably misled by Bell & others to believe that Fonny was her rapist through loaded questions. As a result, Fonny is being wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit.

Despite help from Hayward (played by Finn Wittrock), Fonny's lawyer, the fight to free Fonny is a tough fight, as Victoria had left New York for her home of Puerto Rico & for her friend Pietro Alvarez (played by Pedro Pascal), due to stress & trauma from the assault, despite some pleas for her to return. But things get tougher, as Tish is now pregnant with her & Fonny's child. Although this news receives happiness from Tish's family & Frank, it receives scorn from Alice & Fonny's sisters, who consider themselves to be superior to Tish & her family, brushing off their child as a product of "sin," as Alice calls it, since Tish & Fonny were not married. The road to free Fonny will only get rougher from this moment on, as Tish must fight to free Fonny before the birth of their child.

The cast is phenomenal. KiKi Layne gives one of the best feature film acting debuts in recent memory. Stephan James is a knockout. Regina King gives the best performance of her career. And the rest of the cast is perfectly cast down to the smallest of roles.

Barry Jenkins' direction is incredible. Jenkins oversees the film with a calm, subdued mentality & a visual style that is so simple yet so luminous.

Barry Jenkins's screenplay is superb. Jenkins does a terrific job of adapting the humor & heart of Baldwin's writing, populating the film with fully 3-dimensional characters that you could encounter any day of your life on the street.

James Laxton's cinematography is gorgeous. Laxton's camerawork is just a marvel to look at, with his bright hues of greens, oranges, yellows, & browns, & his spectacular lighting, especially in the nighttime scenes that gorgeously light up Harlem.

The editing by Joi McMillon & Nat Sanders is excellent. McMillon & Sanders let the events slowly unfold before our eyes, & there is not a single jarring edit throughout the film.

Caroline Eselin's costume design is amazing. The costumes are very simple, but very lovely & very accurate to the 1970s.

Mark Friedberg's production design is fantastic. The attention to detail is impressive here, as the sets transport you into 1970s New York.

And Nicholas Britell's score is beautiful. Led by a piano & violins, Britell's score perfectly underscores the beauty of the film.

This is one of the best films of the year. It's a flat-out masterpiece filled with such stunning beauty. I definitely can't wait to see what Barry Jenkins does next.

If Beale Street Could Talk was seen by me at the Landmark Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, MI on Friday, December 28, 2018. It is currently in 2 theaters in the Detroit area: the Landmark Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, MI; & the Emagine Riviera in Farmington Hills, MI; it will expand into more theaters on Friday, January 4, 2019 & Friday, January 11, 2019, before going into wide release on Friday, January 18, 2019. Its runtime is 119 minutes, & it is rated R for language & some sexual content.

The Mule

★★★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

Clint Eastwood is 88 years old. He may quite possibly never get the opportunity to act in or direct another film. If this were to occur, then I'd say it would be nothing short of a very exemplary career for him.

The Mule does have its flaws, but it's easily Eastwood's best film of this decade. Based on the 2014 New York Times article The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule by Sam Dolnick, the film follows Earl Stone (played by Clint Eastwood), a horticulturist & Korean War veteran. Earl has become estranged from his wife Mary (played by Dianne Wiest), his daughter Iris (played by Alison Eastwood), & his granddaughter Ginny (played by Taissa Farmiga), as he decided to prioritize his job over his family.

One day, Earl receives a solicitation to deliver packages for some people. He is shocked to discover that he has become a drug mule. However, he decides to continue with this occupation, as his house has been foreclosed, & the drug business is very lucrative.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, DEA Agent Colin Bates (played by Bradley Cooper) has been sent by the DEA Special Agent in Charge (played by Laurence Fishburne) to investigate the cartel deliveries to Chicago that have been led by the boss Laton (played by Andy Garcia). Bates & Agent Trevino (played by Michael Peña) are sent to close in on the deliveries. Eventually, the path of Earl & the path of Bates will cross.

The cast is excellent. Clint Eastwood is still enigmatic at 88, & this is one of his best performances in recent memory. Bradley Cooper also does a great job, especially in one scene with Eastwood. And the rest of the cast provides great support. But this one belongs to Clint Eastwood, as he runs with it the whole way through.

Clint Eastwood's direction is amazing. Eastwood directs the film with a subdued quality unlike any other film of his in a while, & it does wonders here.

And the screenplay by Nick Schenk is great. Although the characterization is a bit thin outside of Eastwood & Cooper's characters, the plot is always intriguing, & the dialogue is very well-written & also very poignant.

This is a very good film. Although it does have some issues, it's nevertheless quietly entertaining, & if this were to be Clint's sendoff, then it would be nothing short of a great sendoff for one of Hollywood's biggest screen legends.

The Mule was seen by me at the MJR Marketplace Digital Cinema 20 in Sterling Heights, MI on Thursday, December 27, 2018. It is in theaters everywhere. Its runtime is 116 minutes, & it is rated R for language throughout & brief sexuality/nudity.