Movie Reviews
Movie Review | Old emotions make new frenemies in excellent sequel
Remember at the end of 2015’s acclaimed “Inside Out” when the emotions operating within a 12-year-old girl were introduced to a mysterious button on their big, new control console marked “Puberty”?
Early on in “Inside Out 2,” as Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust sleep within newly minted teenager Riley — Anger is, of course, fighting someone in his dream — a beeping sound begins to emanate from the button.
Then a full-blown siren.
This is not a drill, people, er, emotions!
Yes, Riley, now voiced by Kensington Tallman, enters into that confusing — and highly emotional — time in a young person’s life in this excellent sequel from Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios.
Riley’s still a good kid when “Inside Out 2” begins, which is a source of pride for Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear, voiced, respectively, by returnees Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black and newcomers Liza Lapira and Tony Hale. She loves her mom and dad (fellow “Inside Out” alums Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan) and playing hockey with besties Grace (Grace Lu) and Bree (Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green), with whom she collaborates on the winning goal in a championship game.
That triumph is followed by the trio being invited to a three-day hockey camp that will be populated by players from the high school level. If they impress the coach (Yvette Nicole Brown), she may offer them spots on the team!
The morning the camp starts, that siren is blaring within Riley. As her emotions try to gently tap the right buttons on the console, Riley unleashes on her well-intended mother before entering into a bout of sadness.
Oh boy.
It is then that Riley’s quintet of emotions realizes they have a newcomer among them: Anxiety (Maya Hawke).
She’s, well, a lot — and she’s not alone, bringing with her Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos). (The latter is described as a mix of “boredom, disdain or this feeling of blase” by director Kelsey Mann in the movie’s production notes, and Ennui does her job, lazily, via smartphone from a nearby couch.)
As if the new emotions aren’t enough for Riley to deal with, she realizes — in a well-executed scene in which emotions inside different friends examine the way each looks at the other — that Bree and Grace are hiding something from her. When they spill the beans that they’ve been assigned to a different high school from hers for the next school year, Riley — driven by the extremely assertive Anxiety — decides to shut them out and try to impress the older girls, especially her idol, the talented Valentina “Val” Ortiz (Lilimar Hernandez, credited as simply Lilimar).
The old guard of emotions, Joy especially, doesn’t like any of this, and those emotions soon find themselves literally bottled up — suppressed emotions! — thanks to Anxiety, who is increasingly out of control as she tries to navigate Riley through the camp.
Written by Meg LeFauve (“Inside Out,” “Captain Marvel”) and Dave Holstein (“Kidding,” “Weeds”), with the story credited to Mann and LeFauve, “Inside Out 2,” like its predecessor, is chock full of clever concepts for the world within Riley, such as the Stream of Consciousness and, most praise-worthy, the Sar-Chasm. (It’s so, so clever.)
Making his directorial debut, Pixar vet Mann takes over the directing reins from Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Doctor. The latter had a daughter of about Riley’s age while making “Inside Out,” and the former has two teens, so the handoff feels appropriate.
Mann and company have improved upon the formula from the first movie by having more emotions working in concert throughout the adventure, the actions of the newcomers driving Riley’s increasingly questionable choices. Led by Joy, the old gang sets about the important — and dangerous — task of restoring Riley’s Sense of Self. In the process, Joy asks much of the less-than-confident Sadness who finds a kindred spirit in the large but very much not-in-charge Embarrassment, who frequently pulls his hoodie over his eyes when around the others.
Hawke (“Stranger Things”) is terrific as the odd-looking bundle of nervous energy that is Anxiety, while Poehler’s work as Joy is, appropriately, the emotional center of “Inside Out 2.” One of the film’s myriad third-act impactful moments is Joy beginning to wonder if a person simply experiences less joy when he or she gets older.
For as strong as it is from its first few minutes, “Inside Out 2” truly does save the best for last, with everything coming to a highly and believably emotional climax at the camp-concluding scrimmage.
“Inside Out” was a box-office hit and the 2016 winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but, honestly, we were a little underwhelmed, feeling it didn’t quite deliver on its admirably ambitious concept. That is not the case here, with the puberty angle providing very fertile ground for this format.
And now we’d welcome an “Inside Out 3.” After all, what happens when a cute boy enters Riley’s world?
We’re gonna need a few more emotions, to be sure.
“Inside Out 2” is rated PG for some thematic elements. Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes.
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Movie Reviews
The Forge Movie Review (with Spoilers)
If you are looking for a good movie to watch during these cold winter days, I suggest The Forge.
Before providing an explanation for my recommendation I must warn that this review does contain spoilers. Therefore, do not read the rest of this article if you intend to watch the film.
The Forge
A Brief Summary
Under the direction of Alex Kendrick, The Forge is a faith-based movie emphasizing the importance of discipleship. Actors such as Priscilla Shirer, Cameron Arnett, and Aspen Kennedy bring this theme to life with a passion for God that exudes beyond a typical acting role.
Their passion manifests through the story of Isaiah Wright, a young adult struggling to find direction in life. He focuses on playing video games, hanging out with friends and not handling his responsibilities.
His mother scolds him for his lackadaisical habits but a transformation does not occur until he meets Joshua Moore. Joshua Moore, the owner of Moore Fitness gym, offers Isaiah a job.
Little does Isaiah know, this opportunity will not only change his financial status but help him draw closer to God. God uses Joshua Moore as a mentor who gives Isaiah professional and personal advice to help him mature.
Over a short period of time, Isaiah decides to stop resisting God and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. After hearing the news, Mr. Moore disciples Isaiah and invites him into fellowship with other Christian men.
This maturation helps Isaiah apologize for past mistakes, forgive his father and become a courageous young professional.
The Forge concludes with Mr. Moore issuing a challenge to his forge (and viewers) to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Relatable to the African American Community
Brokenness & Fatherlessness
Along with a compelling message to go make disciples for Christ, The Forge also highlights themes relatable to the African American Community.
One theme was Isaiah’s brokenness due to the absence of his father. This may seem like a negative depiction of black families because some media platforms associate fatherlessness with African Americans.
However, I see this as a positive since it confronts the realities that many young adults of various ethnic backgrounds face.
Pain Drawing People Closer to God
Another theme Christians in the Black community can relate too is painful situations drawing them closer to God. For Isaiah, pain occurs through fatherlessness and the inability to find direction for his life.
But after surrendering his life to God, Isaiah transforms into a new creation.
For Mr. Moore, tragedy happens through a car accident resulting in his son’s death. Mr. Moore is so distraught, his marriage almost ends. Thankfully, yielding his anger to God helps him become a dynamic mentor for other men.
Ownership & Excellence in Business
One way Mr. Moore serves as a dynamic mentor is by discipling his employee Joshua. Mr. Moore has the freedom to share his faith with Joshua since he owns Moore Fitness Gym.
This same freedom appears as Joshua’s mom prays with her employees and friends at Cynthia’s (her hair salon).
In addition to a gym and hair salon, the film features a black owned coffee shop.
Seeing positive representations of African Americans in business through this film is encouraging for two reasons.
First, this positive representation shows all Christian’s how we can use employment to glorify God regardless of our job title. Second, this film shows there is a strong sense of work ethic, unity, teamwork and business savvy in black families.
Hopefully, this inspires more Christians to start black owned family businesses that will make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Impact of Discipleship
One way to make a lasting impact in any community is by investing in people. Mr. Moore this by establishing the forge and discipling countless men who then disciple others.
Through these personal investments, men not only grow spiritually, but in every aspect of their lives. They also gain a health support system that allows them to function in community the way God intends.
Imagine what our churches, families and society will look like if more men accept the responsibility of discipleship.
3 Things You Might Have Overlooked
The Power of Prayer
The displays of discipleship prevalent in this film could not be possible without prayer. Isaiah’s mom asks her forge to pray for him on a few occasions.
Prayer is also evident during Isaiah’s conversion experience as well as Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s daily affairs. These examples prove we can not draw closer to God or help others in their relationship with the Lord without prayer.
This is why Paul uses scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:8 to illustrate the importance of prayer.
An Excellent Use of Scripture
Along with illustrating the importance of prayer, The Forge does an excellent job of using scripture in its proper context. This is seen as Mr. Moore quotes or references the following scriptures to make key points
- Matthew 28:19.
- Luke 9:23.
- Galatians 5:13-14.
This factor stands out to me because I have seen other films use scripture and biblical principles out of context.
Being contextually accurate with scripture is essential because someone who does not fully understand a scripture may be susceptible to false teachings. God will hold filmmakers who intentionally misuse scripture accountable for making others stumble.
A Reminder About Sin
Thankfully, instead of making me stumble, The Forge offers a helpful reminder about sin. Sin is not just acts like using drugs, embezzling money, or committing adultery which are typical in many films.
Instead, The Forge reminds viewers that holding grudges, selfish ambitions, and not consulting God in every decision are also sins. I appreciate this reminder because it’s easy for believers to think they are in right standing with God if they do not commit sins others find unjustifiable.
However, God also takes offense when we act in ways that suggest he is not the Lord of our lives. We must strive to live by Luke 9:23 daily in order to be sincere disciples for Christ.
How do you feel about The Forge? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated!
Movie Reviews
Movie Review: Robbie Williams has always lived to entertain. In ‘Better Man,’ he’s still doing it
“I came out of the womb with jazz hands,” pop star Robbie Williams recounts in “Better Man,” his new biopic. “Which was very painful for my mum.”
Badum Dum.
But also: Wow. What an image, to illustrate a man who, we learn, agonized from early childhood as to whether he had “it” — the star quality that could make him famous.
Turns out, he did. Williams became the hugest of stars in his native Britain, making 14 No. 1 singles and performing to screaming crowds And whatever else we learn from director Michael Gracey’s brassy, audacious and sometimes utterly bonkers biopic, the key is that Williams’ need to entertain was primal – so primal that it triumphed over self-doubt, depression and addiction. It should surprise nobody, then, that this film, produced and narrated by Williams , is above all entertaining.
But wait, you may be saying: Five paragraphs in, and you haven’t mentioned the monkey?
Good point. The central conceit of Gracey’s film, you see, is that Williams is represented throughout by a monkey — a CGI monkey, that is . This decision is never explained or even referred to.
There’s a clue, though, in one of Williams’ opening lines: “I want to show you how I really see myself.” Gracey based his film on many hours of taped interviews he did with Williams. He says the pop star told him at one point that he felt like a monkey sent out to entertain the masses — particularly in his teens as a member of the boy band Take That. It was Gracey’s idea to take this idea and run with it.
We begin in 1982, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Young Robert Williams is bad at football and mercilessly taunted. But there’s no football in his DNA, he explains. There is cabaret.
He gets the performing itch from his father. When Sinatra appears on telly singing “My Way,” little Robert jumps up to join Dad in singing along. But Dad cares more about performing than parenting, and one day just leaves home for good. Robert is raised by his mum and his adoring grandmother, who assures him he’s a somebody, not a nobody.
At 15, flailing in school, Robert auditions for Take That, the boy band, and somehow makes the cut. The band first covers the gay club circuit — until it emerges that girls go wild over these young men.
Director Gracey, who helmed “The Greatest Showman,” is quite the showman himself, never more obviously than in a terrific musical sequence that chronicles the band’s journey to success. Filmed to Williams’ hit “Rock DJ” on London’s Regent Street and featuring some 500 extras, the number starts with the boys hardly noticed by passersby, representing the start of their career. Gracey illustrates their rise to fame with explosive choreography, pogo sticks, scooters, London buses — all ending in a flash mob with hundreds dancing on the famed street.
And now, Robert is forever Robbie – his name changed by the band’s shrewd manager, Nigel. “Where’s my Robert gone?” asks his grandmother , bewildered by the hype. “I’m a pop star now,” he replies.
But fame brings all sorts of trouble for Robbie. Later, he will note that when you become famous, your age freezes – so he never graduates from 15. He sinks into depression and develops alcohol and cocaine habits.
But when the band kicks him out, his competitive fire is stoked: He’s going to have a “massive” solo career. A woman overhears him saying this to himself at a New Year’s party; she turns out to be Nicole Appleton, of the girl band All Saints. Another of Gracey’s grand song and dance numbers covers their troubled relationship, including an abortion.
Nicole ends up leaving Williams , part of a miserable time for the singer, who manages to destroy most of his relationships. But he reaches a career pinnacle, performing at the storied Knebworth Festival to some 375,000 adoring fans.
Gracey punctuates shots of Williams performing with a violent, medieval-style battle between the singer and his demons — other versions of him, essentially. It’s another over-the-top sequence that makes this biopic radically different than most — if also a tad indulgent .
But, hey, it’s all in service of one thing. “Let me entertain you,” Williams seems to be screaming through every scene. Mostly, he succeeds.
“Better Man,” a Paramount release, has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association “for drug use, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some violent content.” Running time: 135 minutes. Three stars out of four.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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