Rapid Reviews: Fist Fight and The LEGO Batman Movie

When It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was renewed for another two seasons back in April of 2016, it marked a milestone by ensuring that the comedy series would become the longest running live-action sitcom in television history. And while Charlie Day has successfully transitioned from sitcom star to big-screen actor in films such as Pacific Rim and the Horrible Bosses franchise, he hadn't been handed the lead role in a major motion picture. Finally, Day serves as the main protagonist in Richie Keen's new comedy, Fist Fight.

When one teacher's volatile actions land him and fellow instructor, Andy Campbell (Charlie Day), in the principal's office on the last day of the school year, Andy must choose between ratting out his colleague or losing his job. And with baby number two set to arrive any day now, Andy responds to this tenuous situation by telling the truth. Consequently, Strickland (Ice Cube) is fired for his actions and it prompts him to challenge Andy to a fist fight in the school parking lot after the school day ends.

There are laughs-a-plenty scattered all throughout Fist Fight, because hilarity is inevitable at the hands of comedic figures such as Tracy Morgan, Workaholics' Jillian Bell and Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani. But despite all of the film's riotous R-Rated humor, a flimsy screenplay and weakly constructed characters make for a soulless centerpiece. Leading man Charlie Day delivers many of the same mannerisms as his iconic character on the hit show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Consequently, it begs to question his range as a performer. He stays within his comfort zone and it makes for a rather uninteresting onscreen persona. Fist Fight offers a few sporadic moments of legitimate laugh-out-loud comedy, yet Keen's intentional jab at the education system is too glossed over to make a profound statement. The rest is mediocrity.

Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C

If I'm being honest, I wasn't the least bit amused by 2014's The LEGO Movie. I fully acknowledge the outpouring of love for the Oscar-Nominated film, both critically and in box office ticket sales, and it became apparent that many sequels would be sure to follow. Fast forward a few years and the LEGO universe returns with the Batman-centered spin-off that gives Gotham City a LEGO makeover.

Will Arnett once again lends his voice as Bruce Wayne, a Gotham tycoon by day and a caped-vigilante by night. And after foiling another plot by The Joker (voice of Zach Galifianakis), Batman's ego gets the better of him as Gotham's newest Commissioner (voice of Rosario Dawson) requests he work in tandem with the police. But when The Joker masterminds a new plan to unleash other-worldly evil on the city, Batman learns he can't win every battle on his own.

Clearly a step above its predecessor, The LEGO Batman Movie channels its inner Deadpool (minus the vulgarity), with a sarcastic and self-aware style that caters well to the adult crowd. The film's plot is all over the place, however well-crafted and timely humor overshadows its deep-rooted flaws. Moreover, the latest LEGO movie incorporates a meaningful message of teamwork and strength in numbers that's shoe-horned into the Batman universe we all know and love. The film recognizes its source material and even pokes fun at the history of Batman on the big-screen, making for a comical joyride that's well worth the occasional bumps and bruises.

Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-

The Glass Castle

Destin Cretton is anything but a household name. Yet, the gifted filmmaker turned heads with his massively overlooked 2013 drama, Short Term 12 . The effort bridged together Cretton's singular story and vision with the remarkable acting talents of Brie Larson. Since then Larson has gone on to win an Academy Award ( Room ), but her career comes full circle in her latest collaboration with Destin Cretton in the adapted film The Glass Castle . Told non-chronologically through various flashbacks, The Glass Castle follows the unconventional childhood of gossip columnist and eventual Best-Selling author Jeannette Walls (Larson). Prior to her career as a writer, Walls grows up under the dysfunctional supervision of her alcoholic father (Woody Harrelson) and her amateur artist mother (Naomi Watts). But as Jeannette and her siblings begin to mature and fully comprehend their squatter-lifestyle and impoverished upbringing, they must work together to escape the clutches of their deadbeat par

FILOSOFI KOPI 2 : BEN & JODY (2017) REVIEW : Revisi Nilai Hidup Untuk Sebuah Kedai Kopi

Kisah pendek yang diambil dari Dewi Lestari ini telah dibudidayakan menjadi sebuah produk yang namanya sudah mahsyur. Selain film, produk dari Filosofi Kopi ini diabadikan menjadi sebuah kedai kopi yang nyata. Dengan adanya konsistensi itu, tak akan kaget apabila film yang diarahkan oleh Angga Dwimas Sasongko ini akan mendapatkan sekuel sebagai perlakuan selanjutnya. Tentu, kekhawatiran akan muncul karena cerita pendek dari Filosofi Kopi pun hanya berhenti di satu sub bab yang telah dibahas di film pertamanya. Sayembara muncul ditujukan kepada semua orang untuk membuat kisah lanjutan dari Ben dan Jody ini. Sayembara ini sekaligus memberikan bukti kepada semua orang bahwa Filosofi Kopi tetap menjadi film yang terkonsentrasi dari penonton seperti film pertamanya. Yang jelas, Angga Dwimas Sasongko tetap mengarahkan Chicco Jericho dan juga Rio Dewanto sebagai Ben dan Jody. Angga Dwimas Sasongko pun berkontribusi dalam pembuatan naskah dari cerita terpilih yang ditulis oleh Jenny Jusuf s

DVD Outlook: August 2017

It appears August is rather barren with new DVD and streaming options ( July's suggestions ). Thankfully, a hot slate of diverse theatrical offerings such as The Big Sick , Dunkirk , War for the Planet of the Apes , Spider-Man: Homecoming and so much more, you can find a worthwhile movie to enjoy no matter what your personal preference may be. Either way, here's a look at what's available on DVD and streaming services this month. Alien: Covenant - 3 stars out of 4 - ( Read my full review here ) Earlier this year Ridley Scott returned to his storied Alien universe once again with the follow-up to 2012's Prometheus . In the latest installment, Scott and company shift their efforts from cryptic to visceral and disturbing with a bloody and twisted affair that feels immensely more horror-based than its predecessor. While on a colonizing mission to jump-start the humanity on a distant planet, crew members of the Covenant are awoken from their hibernation state following

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

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