By Adann-Kennn J. Alexxandar

“Mickey 17” (Dark Comedy/Science-Fiction: 2 hours, 17 minutes)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette

Director:  Bong Joon Ho

Rated: R (Violent content, strong language throughout, sexual content and drug material.)

Movie Review:

Robert Pattinson stars as the titular character under the direction of Bong Joon Ho, who masterfully directed “Parasite” (2019), which received the Best Picture Oscar in 2020. “Mickey 17” is an adaptation of Edward Ashton’s science-fiction novel “Mickey7.” It is an eccentric treat for moviegoers wanting something different.

An impressive Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes, a man down on his luck on Earth. He takes a gig as an “expendable,” a disposable crew member on a critical space mission to colonize the ice planet Niflheim. As an expendable, Barnes does the dangerous tasks because his body can be re-cloned if his body dies or is severely injured. A new body is replicated with his memories intact. All is well until a mishap with the seventeenth incarnation of Mickey Barnes occurs.

“Mickey 17” is a different type of movie than Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” which also garnered the moviemaker a Best Director Oscar. However, the photoplays are similar in that they have the same quirkiness that makes them enticing entertainment.

Think of “Mickey 17” as “Groundhog Day” (Director Harold Ramis, 1993) meets “Starship Troopers” (Director Paul Verhoeven, 1997). It has unconventional characters, comedy, action and plenty of adventure through a science-fiction lens. The problem is the comedy is rarely funny. Comedic moments can exist in sci-fi movies, but comedy and science fiction rarely mix well. A movie should primarily be one or the other to resolve this duality.

Otherwise, “Mickey 17” is an enjoyable movie. It takes one to a new place through imaginative means. Additionally, Pattinson is pleasing to watch. He inspires one to care about Mickey and his grueling profession.

Grade: B- (17th time is the charm.)

 

“Queen of the Ring” (Sports Drama: 2 hours, 20 minutes)

Starring: Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, Tyler Posey and Gavin Casalegno

Director: Ash Avildsen

Rated: R (Violence, including domestic violence, strong language and suggestive material)

Movie Review:

“Queen of the Ring” is another good wrestling movie following “The Wrestler” (2008), “Fighting with My Family” (2019) and 2023’s “The Iron Claw,” the latter two being biographical sports movies like “Queen of the Ring.” Director Ash Avildsen’s resume just improved with “Queen of the Ring,” a well-acted and energetic.

Mildred Burke (Rickards) is one of the first women to wrestle professionally when the sport is only legal for men in the United States. The small-town single mother improves her muscle mass and techniques in the ring, becoming the first woman million-dollar athlete. Her path to the championship belt is not easy, especially dealing with her abusive husband Billy Wolfe (Lucas), who doubles as her manager. Burke grapples with the issues and remains persistent in achieving success.

Ash Avildsen (“American Satan, 2017) keeps the movie’s focus mostly in the ring. The athletic moments are good, but Mildred Burke’s actions outside the ring impress more. Here, Emily Bett Rickards shines in this role. Her physical skills are good, but she is better with the dramatic roles outside the ring. If only the writers and Avildsen spent more time there, “Queen of the Ring” drama could be more impactful.

Grade: B (She is regal in the ring.)

 

“Ex-Husbands” (Drama: 1 hour, 39 minutes)

Starring: Griffin Dunne, Miles Heizer and James Norton

Director: Noah Pritzker

Rated: NR (Strong language, sexual references and thematic elements)

Movie Review:

The title “Ex-Husbands” sums up the plot of this movie by director-writer Noah Pritzker (“Quitters,” 2015). It is about a group of men, from senior citizens to age 30, who are exes. The movie turns into a nice drama about the bond between fathers and sons, led by Griffin Dunne, who first gained major attention for his roles in “An American Werewolf in London” (1981) and “After Hours” (1985).

“Ex-Husbands’” opening scene takes place in a cinema with Manhattan dentist Dr. Peter Pearce (Dunne) counseling his father, Simon Pearce (Richard Benjamin), recommending the elderly man not divorce his wife of 60 years, who is Peter’s mother Eunice (Marcia Kurtz). Six years later, Peter’s wife of 35 years (Rosanna Arquette) leaves him. Peter enters a midlife crisis mode. To cope with depression, Peter books a trip to Tulum, Mexico, unaware that his sons Nick (Norton) and Mickey (Heizer) are going there for the Nicks’ bachelor party. The brothers do not want their father at the festivities for fear. He would turn the event into a pity party about his divorce from their mother. However, their days in the coastal city become an eye-opening experience for the three men that strengthens their familial bonds.

Rarely do movies show multiple male perspectives during breakups, especially as a family affair. “Ex-husbands” does. While not all men in this family are married, their separations leave them without the women they love. Only one of the men, Simon, is happy about leaving his wife, although his son Peter objects.

Interestingly, we only see Eunice, Peter’s mother and Simon’s wife, briefly during the opening scene. More appearances may help the audience understand the elderly couple’s relationship more. Simon’s reason for ending the relationship is dubious. Viewers can see that Simon appears to have aged better than Eunice. However, an octogenarian talking about returning to the dating game is comical, although this is really a drama. Peter and Simon’s conversation inspires humor, not because it is meant to be funny but because of the circumstances that life delivers to all. This trend carries throughout this photoplay.

Again, this is a solid drama and a subtle comedy. It is like real life. It has unexpected moments of both joy and sadness. Despite all of this, “Ex-Husbands” is appealingly uplifting, despite depressing moments throughout its runtime. The good performances of actors Griffin Dunne, Miles Heizer and James Norton make one care about their characters even after the collapse of love.

Grade: B (Even your ex should appreciate this.)

 

“Night of the Zoopocalypse” (Animation/Horror: 1 hour, 31 minutes)

Starring: Gabbi Kosmidis

Directors: Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro

Rated: PG (Action/peril and scary images throughout.)

Movie Review:

“Night of the Zoopocalypse” is an energetic and adventurous animated horror movie for younger audiences. Its inspiration is an adaptation of the short story “ZOOmbies” by horror master-filmmaker Clive Barker (“Hellraiser” and “Candyman” series)

Seven zoo animals led by Gracie (Kosmidis), a wolf, and Dan (Harbour), a mountain lion, must survive the night after a meteorite causes a virus that turns some animals into zombies. The zoo animals of Colepepper Zoo thought that being a zoo made them safe. Now, they realize they are trapped with no means of exiting their captive home.

“Night of the Zoopocalypse” is a captivating movie for families looking for a children’s movie that offers some thrills. A very straightforward, conventional plot turns into an entertaining ride that leaves this zoo feeling like an amusement park.

Grade: B- (Visit this zoo, but remember it is not a petting zoo.)

 

“In the Lost Land” (Action/Adventure: 1 hour, 41 minutes)

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista, Amara Okereke and Arly Jover

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Rated: R (Violence and language)

Movie Review:

“Into the Lost Land” is lost on good storytelling although based on short story by the famed George R. R. Martin. The main characters have no chemistry in Constantin Werner and Paul W. S. Anderson’s screenplay. This feels cheap like one of those adventure movies on the Syfy Channel. You watch them because they appear intriguing, but when done you have to question why you wasted hours watching.

A queen (Amara Okereke) seeks a mystic power to achieve love. To retrieve it from the dangerous Lost Lands, she approaches the powerful witch Gray Alys (Jovovich). The witch grants wishes for a price and grants the queen’s request. Gray Alys then hires the brave hunter Boyce (Bautista), who is knowledgeable of the Lost Lands, as a guide. Gray Alys is ruled a heretic by the church is hunted by merciless missionaries of The Church led by The Enforcer (Jover), so her task with Boyce to achieve her task will be treacherous. They must survive murderous religious zealots and demons.

Paul W.S. Anderson once again directs his muse, wife Milla Jovovich. This movie feels like their “Resident Evil” movies, where Jovovich runs and fights in cyclical scenes. Jovovich is good in these action roles, but most of their collaborations are run of the mill B-movies.

Although based on the written work of George R. R. Martin, “Lost Lands” is a shabby story that concentrates more on action than a good story. The plot seems at the narrative’s midpoint. Elements of something fascinating exist within this narrative, but it remains lost far offscreen.

Grade: D+ (Wayward lands.)

 

“Rule Breakers” (Drama: 2 hours, 01 minutes)

Starring: Nikohl Boosheri Amber Afzali, and Mohamed Bentaleb

Director: Bill Guttentag a

Rated: PG (Thematic material and violent content)

Movie Review:

Angel Studios presents another movie based on a true story. This one is inspiring, despite some formulaic biodrama aspects.

Roya Mahboob (Boosheri) is an Afghanistan woman who runs programs to help girls in her country computer programming and robotics. Despite obstacles from a male-dominated society, she puts together a team of teenage girls who become the Afghan Dreamers. They are a robotics team that competes in robotics tournaments around the world. The team’s quest to gain recognition is constantly in flux as Afghan men and some foreign governments bombard them with barriers. Still, these young women remain vigilant and achieve their goals.

The script by director Bill Guttentag and cowriters Jason Brown and Elaha Mahboob gives one a chance to know the characters in this inspiring movie, yet the tougher cultural aspects touched on are rushed. Still, this is a good movie debut on the weekend of International Women’s Day.

Grade: B- (Movie Rule: Take a break and see this encouraging drama.)