Drive-Away Dolls-Weird Yet Good-Hearted

 

French release poster of Drive-Away Dolls. Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Hey, everybody. Media Mastermind, a.k.a. William Beavers, at your service.

This Monday, a coworker friend and I saw Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls, starring Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan. Qualley and Viswanathan played lesbian friends who took a road trip to Tallahassee, Florida for a New Year’s Eve hookup, and accidentally got mixed in with some gangsters and went toe-to-toe with them and eventually, a crooked politician played by Matt Damon.

It was a decent movie. While I’m no complete fan of vulgar or graphic language, there were a few laughs with the buddy moments between Qualley and Viswanathan. And though I said Drive-Away Dolls was "weird", I felt the film was good-hearted in showing that the lead girls, despite their clashing personalities, with Qualley’s free-spirited outlook and Viswanathan’s bookish and uptight mannerisms, just wanted somebody to love and connect with. It was funny with some Western music and psychedelic and lava lamp colors mixing in throughout the film, as well.

Though I got some vibes of Rush Hour and Beverly Hills Cop, I felt the film could use some more action. Even so, you've truly lived when you take down tough guy Matt Damon and find love all at the same time.

All in all, Drive-Away Dolls was worth a 7/10.

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Missed the Mark

 

Hi, everyone. Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

I watched Lisa Frankenstein today. In it, Kathryn Newton from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania plays a high school senior who bonds with Cole Sprouse playing a dead guy brought back to life in a Frankenstein esque manner. Though there were some good moments between Newton’s 80s gothic fashion sense, Sprouse’s funny struggles at re-adapting to humanity, and some new wave, pop or soft-rock music, I give the film a 5.5/10. That’s because I didn’t like Sprouse’s character being silent and turning into some crazed psycho killer-type boyfriend. I’d have liked it better if Sprouse got to be shared with Newton’s school and got to restart his life. Seemed like more horror than comedy if you ask me, and not the kind that would give you a rush like The Beekeeper or something. With respect to the cast and crew, do something different next time, or show what footage got cut.

As for the audience, I don’t recommend the movie. But I am open to comments from those who have seen it.

Ava DuVernay's 'Origin' Was Heartbreaking Yet Uplifting

 "Caste is a system that decides one kind deserves more freedom than another." 

"You should love who you love and go where you want."

Isabel Wilkerson, first woman of African-American heritage to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism, and author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Photo courtesy of isabelwilkerson.com

Ava DuVernay's 'Origin' stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson. Photo courtesy of Neon.

The above quotes were paraphrased from Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor's portrayal of Pulitzer-winning Isabel Wilkerson in Ava DuVernay's 'Origin'. They were denouncing the harsh caste system against races all over the world, and favoring that we should get to be with who we want to love and live our lives without anyone or thing tearing us down.

'Origin' is about Wilkerson's journalistic journey to understand the why behind the murder of Tray'von Martin (whose birthday is today) and the racist caste systems against African Americans and different ethnic groups all over the world, namely the Jews during the Holocaust and Indians.

'Origin' was heartbreaking to me particularly when Wilkerson had to go through some family losses while writing her future book, 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Though discomforting to see people of my race and opposite races suffering to enhance someone else's financial and social credit, it was uplifting to see another person (Wilkerson) dedicated to calling a time-out on silencing the dark history of the world and inspiring other people, colored and not, to do the same and get their justice and liberation.

Kris Bowers' score seemed reminiscent of piano and violin work from 'The Theory of Everything.' Given the drama of the whole film, it wasn't very uplifting to me. But that came in the form of Stan Walker singing "I Am" in the end credits.

I give 'Origin' a 9/10 for showing that even if we can't change the past, working together to change the racism in our present is what will unite this world. I admire Ellis-Taylor's performance. Her undying dedication to protecting the world, her family and others' families could be an inspiration to a lot of people, particularly writers or just plain idealists.

'Argylle'-Convoluted yet Confident

Even though the plot was convoluted, Matthew Vaughn’s 'Argylle' was a good watch. I said the plot was convoluted because the tricky spy life--i.e. not knowing who’s the true protagonist or villain from the get-go-- and a few twists left me puzzled. But what it lacked in a plot to keep up with, 'Argylle' made up in great acting led by Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell, well-executed fighting and dancing choreography, wily production design, and blazing pop or disco music.

Thrills come in the form of super-spy Sam Rockwell and author Bryce Dallas Howard in Matthew Vaughn's 'Argylle.' Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

'Argylle' is like 'Central Intelligence' in that a mild-mannered career person, this time an author played by Howard, unwillingly gets sucked into high-octane action, with her crazy guide being laid-back yet effective agent Rockwell. Once Howard managed to flip the script and get some action in her blood, I was impressed. I also liked her skating through danger and looking fabulous in spy dresses while doing it.

I know Rockwell won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and I haven’t seen much of his films besides G-Force, Iron Man 2, and The Sitter, but I thought this was one of his greatest performances. I liked his casual comic relief and going all Johnny Lawrence when the moment called for it. And I enjoyed his and Howard’s action dance in the final third of the film. It was beautiful and powerful.

Though I was caught off-guard, Bryan Cranston and Catherine O’Hara proved to be pretty crazy criminal masterminds in contrast to what I saw of them in Malcolm in the Middle and Home Alone.

Bryan Cranston is ready to come out and play in 'Argylle'. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Catherine O'Hara's not your typical housewife in 'Argylle'. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

The score by Lorne Balfe seemed like Henry Jackman back in 'Kingsmen', but it still worked well in highlighting the danger and thrills. Some disco and pop rock music really undercut the tone in the fight scenes.

Aside from the plot, I felt like despite the billing, Henry Cavill, John Cena, and Ariana DeBose were all underused for the film, i.e. not enough screen time.

In conclusion, great chemistry with Howard and Rockwell, and great acting, script flipping, music and choreography. Just give others some more fair screen time next time, Mr. Vaughn, and if there’s a way to make spy life less confusing, fix that. Final rating for Argylle: 7/10. Thank you.