Movies

from Scottsdale North News, December 2018

by Independent Newsmedia Inc., USA

Real Estate

MOVIE REVIEWS

By A.D. Beal

OVERLORD A group of American soldiers discover a secret lab underneath a German radio tower, where they discover experiments to reanimate the dead.

Overlord is a crazy, entertaining movie. It delivers on the exciting grindhouse-like action and monster effects you expect from the trailers, while delivering two great leads with Jovan Adepo and Wyatt Russell. The dynamic they have together is not only interesting, but it leads t s e s r rising t e es r t e fi t at going lower than your enemy in order to win. It’s i ressive and a es t e fi t at c re engrossing. Nothing revolutionary, but it’s one not to miss.

ROMA Roma shows us a year in the life of a family and their nanny as the father is away on business.

Empathy, that’s the word to describe Roma. You feel nothing but empathy for Cleo and the family she works for. The actors, many of whom are fi rst ti ers earn it eca se t ey are a a ing - especially Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo. Alfonso Cuaron also impresses not only with his direction, but also his work as his own cinematogra er it t e fi eat ring severa ng ta es t at t y int t e r d i e t e fi i e seen y any n Net i t e s nd design is fantastic and must be experienced in theaters. It captures every raindrop, car and person walking by, and it’s absolutely immersive, and must get a nomination from the Academy.

NOTE: Roma will only be playing in select t eaters and i e avai a e n Net i n December 14.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY The story about the rise, fall and resurgence of Freddie Mercury and Queen.

Every biopic has to take some creative liberties it ist ry t at s nderstanda e t e mian Rhapsody crosses many lines. The depiction of Freddie Mercury being the only diva of t e and i e rian ay ger Tay r ere perfect friends that just wanted to help is rather disturbing, mostly due to the fact that the latter two were heavily involved in the making of this movie. And if you’re wondering why John Deacon isn’t listed in that, well that’s because not only is he not credited like May & Taylor, but e is c nstant y s a ted in t e fi essentia y relegated to just “the fourth member of Queen” (the man doesn’t even get a proper introduction scene). There are plenty other moments I could bring up, but I think the fact that the big emotional scene towards the end, where Mercury reveals his AIDS diagnosis is the worst example. T e fi de icts t is as a ening st e re Live Aid in 1985, when in reality Mercury was not diagnosed until 1987. It’s REALLY bad en y r ig tear er er it as t e a sifi ed

T is c d e rgiven i e ian a s dy was at least interesting, but it basically follows every musical biopic trope to a T and isn’t even shot or edited interestingly outside a sparse few moments. That’s really unfortunate given how extraordinary of a band Queen was. Rami Malek’s amazing performance as Mercury, which captures all his mannerisms and traits while rarely feeling like an imitation, couldn’t save this movie.

SUSPIRIA A dance academy secretly run by a coven of witches prepares for an upcoming ritual as a psychotherapist searches for a missing student.

This is how you do a remake. Keep the spirit of t e rigina fi i e a ing y r n at and Luca Guadagnino does that. Creepy, beautiful, and terrifying, Suspiria will never make you leave its world until the credits roll. Thom Yorke’s score is breathtaking, experimenting with different types of music not expected in a rr r fi A great cast a ar nd t Da ta Johnson, Mia Goth, Tilda Swinton and “Lutz Esberdorf” are the greats. And don’t even get me started on the cinematography. A word of warning though: if you have a weak stomach, this might not be for you.