Well two new releases to note this week for home viewing.
One ....just average. The other pretty good. Interesting that both releases this week star women.
MEGAN LEAVEY
Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Screenplay by Pamela Gray; Tom Lovestedt; and Annie Mumolo
Starring Kate Mara
This is the true story of a marine corporal Megan Leavey (Mara) whose has a unique connection with a military combat dog. Together they saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.
I really liked this film on many levels:
1-INTERESTING:I found the whole training of Rex fascinating. Also, that a bomb sniffing dog and the dogs handler are so dangerous to the enemy, that often they have a target on their backs. The enemy actually try to pull them out to shoot them down. The film does not overwhelm us with special effects. They just told the story. They just stuck with the story of Megan and Rex...though the film is a bit choppy, the film lets us see the each level of their relationship...from the beginning where Megan is a bit lost in the world...to the introduction of their relationship...too the many live they saved... too their retirement. Just an interesting story.
2-SUSPENSE: For a film that does not overwhelm us with an abundance of fire fights it still is suspenseful. I mean it is quiet... Leavey and Rex are walking through a field as Rex keeps finding bombs under the ground. It is crazy. Then throw in ...Rex going through a car that can be loaded with explosives. It is quiet............ yet full of suspense.
3-Emotional: This is what makes this film a little odd..... Leavey (Again, well played by Mara) is not that likable. She is cold, she is not good with people, she does not play well with others. Yet as the film moves on we find her softening, all because of Rex. If you have a dry eye at the end, you are cold blooded.
It is a nice little film...4 out of 5 stars for Megan Leavey. Megan and Rex are true heroes. Watch credits to see film of the real Rex and Megan.
ROUGH NIGHT
Directed by Lucia Aniello
Screenplay by Lucia Aniello and Paul W Downs
Starring Scarlett Johansson; Kate McKinnon: Zoe Kravitz; Ilana Glazer; and Jillian Bell
Things go wrong for a group of friends at a bachelorette party after they hire a stripper.
It is a very odd film. I understand what they are trying to do...like The Hangover and Bridesmaids...they are trying to be over the top funny, at the same time throw in some emotion.
Sadly the film seemed off. Like it had no rhythm. The funny was not that funny and emotion seemed fabricated to give the film meaning or a purpose and that fails miserably.
Was it funny? Sometimes. But not often enough.
Did it have good performances? No. The leading ladies seemed to have good chemistry, however individually not one of the ladies seemed real. Johansson seemed lost. Jillian Bell was more annoying than funny. Then you have Kate McKinnon who is suppose to be from Australia, but her accent keeps going in and out. Its kind of painful to watch her. Zoe Kravitz and Ilana Glazer we never seemed to get to know much about them really. In fact we never really get to know much about any one of the characters except Jess (Johansson). A missed opportunity.
Positives:
-Even though the story is came across as choppy (Like this review). The situation that the characters
were in keeps your attention. You hope all ends up well for these ladies.
-Oddly, here is a comedy about four ladies, but the funniest person is Paul W Brown as Peter, Jess's fiance. The only person that had me laugh out loud. He is really good.
-Demi Moore WELCOME BACK!!
Well 2 1/2 out of 5 stars for Rough Night. I really think it deserves a look at home.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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