At The Movies

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny & Past Lives

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" is the fifth and presumably final installment in an adventure series that began way back in 1981. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano talk about the history of that series and what it's like to now have Harrison Ford as an 80-year-old Indy Jones; and yes, they also talk about the computer-generated de-aging that shows him as a much younger man in the film's prologue. They agree that this movie works as a cinematic theme park ride. Marie and Mike also discuss a very different film, "Past Lives," about childhood friends in Korea who grow apart and then reunite after 24 years. Marie and Mike both really admire how well this film comments on the nature of friendship and the what-if aspects of relationships.

The Little Mermaid & Spider-Verse

Disney's 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid" was an instant classic and so it is not surprising that the studio has now released a live-action remake of it. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano share their mixed response to it. For one thing, so much of it is computer-generated that there is more animation than genuine live action here. Also, while they like the performance by Halle Bailey as the mermaid Ariel, they have various reservations about the storyline. Marie and Mike also talk about the animated "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," about which they have, yet again, a mixed response. They like the relatable quality in the film's 15-year-old protagonist, but think the plot is overly busy.

”Fast X” and ”Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

The "Fast and the Furious" franchise has been around for 22 years, and so you could say that the latest installment, "Fast X," is just spinning wheels. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that fans of the series will enjoy yet more physics-defying car chases by Vin Diesel and company. However, Marie and Mike both think the film's constant thematic references to the importance of family are a bit much. As Mike puts it, Vin Diesel is best when he sticks to the driving. Also discussed is "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3," which Marie enjoyed more than Mike did. They do agree, though, that the various critters are well-voiced by the likes of Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt and, yes, Vin Diesel.

”Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” and ”The Chevalier”

The beloved writer Judy Blume's 1970 novel "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is given a very satisfying adaptation in which the story about a girl entering her teen years is handled with comic ease. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that Abby Ryder Fortson as young Margaret, Rachel McAdams as her mother and Kathy Bates as her grandmother are all delightful, and the 1970s detail really captures that era. This film is a real winner. Marie and Mike also talk about "Chevalier," in which a polymath Black composer (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is making a name for himself in 18th century Paris. Although they admire how the film makes this real historical figure better known to modern audiences, Marie and Mike think that the film takes an overly conventional approach to what must have been an extraordinary life.

”Beau Is Afraid”/”Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant”

Sometimes a movie is just too long, and goodness knows that is the case with "Beau Is Afraid." In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree that they liked director Ari Aster's previous film "Midsommer," and they also like the premise in his new film about Joaquin Phoenix as an anxiety-ridden man who takes a journey from his city apartment to reconnect with his mother out in the countryside. However, "Beau Is Afraid" has a running time of 179 minutes. Although individual scenes work as surreal comedy, it's ultimately all too much. Marie and Mike also discuss "Guy Ritchie's The Covenant," in which a director known for making violent films with a comic edge turns his action-oriented skill set to the more serious purpose of a drama about the connection between a U.S. army veteran (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his Afghan interpreter (Dar Salim). The script has some overly obvious speeches, but the story itself works really well.

Reviewing ”Air” and ”Mafia Mamma”

A tennis shoe associated with NBA great Michael Jordan is the subject of "Air," which is all about the invention and marketing of that shoe in 1984. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano trade observations about footwear as they discuss this enjoyable movie, which features Matt Damon, Ben Affleck (who also directed), Viola Davis and Chris Tucker.  Marie and Mike also talk about the Toni Collette-starring mob comedy "Mafia Mamma." Avoid this terrible movie. 

”Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and ”A Good Person”

It helps if you have a background as a gamer in watching "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves," but HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano basically found it visually diverting enough to hold their attention. In this podcast episode, they observe that it is fun watching dragons, wizards, druids, sorcerers and other things they don't encounter in their daily lives, and it's also enjoyable to watch actors including Chris Pine and Hugh Grant. Marie and Mike also discuss a very different movie, "A Good Person," whose story about the drug-addicted survivor of a disastrous car accident is convincingly depicted and for that very reason often difficult to watch. Strong performances by Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman anchor this redemption-oriented drama.

”John Wick: Chapter 4” and ”Inside.”

"John Wick: Chapter 4" is a very lengthy chapter indeed, with a running time of 2 hours, 49 minutes. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano agree during this podcast episode that it's a lot to watch, but it moves in such a relentlessly fast way that it's usually fun to watch Keanu Reeves as he fights bad guys at scenic locales around the world. Although Mike ultimately found it all rather tiresome, even he thought some of the logic-defying sequences are exciting. Marie and Mike also talk about a film with a totally different premise. "Inside" finds Willem Dafoe as an art thief who finds himself trapped inside a luxury apartment. He has no place to run and no way to get out. Marie loved this film while Mike, ever the curmudgeon on behalf of narrative logic, had quibbles that left him liking the film less as it went along. Our critics are happy to share their disagreement with you.

”65”/”Shazam! Fury of the Gods”

In case you're wondering what the title "65" means, it's 65 million years ago and an unlucky astronaut has crashed on planet Earth. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano discuss the non-stop adventures of astronaut Adam Driver as he dodges dinosaurs and, yes, even quicksand.  It's one thing after another, and our critics concluded that the film lacks much genuine tension. Marie and Mike also talk about "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," an otherwise very different movie that is also relentlessly busy. Although this sequel is bursting with body-switching characters, gods, parents and even a wizard, its frantic nature does include some visually neat sequences.