REVIEW: FIRST REFORMED

4/5

You Preachin' To Me?

113 Mins. Starring: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried & Cedric Kyles. Director: Paul Schrader.

My hands shake as I write these lines. 'First Reformed' may be one of the greatest movies of the generation...let alone this calender. With a hallowed, powerhouse performance read from Ethan Hawke that takes you to the pulpit. Incendiary to the flesh, De Niro's 'Taxi Driver' fare writer (yeah we're talkin' about Paul Schrader) goes all Travis Bickle, old testament with the grace of God who art in heaven. As haunting as the lines wrote below Hawke's eyes, this film is as spiritual as it is lyrical. But there's a light to be shone amongst all this decaying darkness. As this modern classic takes it all the way back to the sacred text of kingdom come, Hollywood greats. Straight from the old fashioned opening credits as silent as the movies that predated all this talk. A dense, polaroid picture 1:37:1 aspect ratio kindred spirit to last years greatest and most underrated movie in 'A Ghost Story', starring Academy Award alumnus Rooney Mara and 'Manchester By The Sea' Best Actor Oscar winner Casey Affleck under a white sheet with holes cut in it. What more could you expect from the new best production company in cinema today A24? One that's Troy McClure brought you such films as, Scarlett Johansson's acclaimed alienation in the Scottish streets of Glasgow, 'Under The Skin'. Leading, leading man and leading, leading lady Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain's anti-gangster in a world of 'Goodfellas' and 'Godfathers', 'A Most Violent Year'. Colin Farrell's animalistic 'Lobster' follow-up on a biblical scale, 'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer'. Willem Dafoe's Oscar overlooked, not even an orange, worthy of a slice, 'The Florida Project'. And one certain envelope read one you might know (unless you're Warren Beatty) as 'Moonlight'. Firstly 'First Reformed' concerns the past of Ethan's pastor character. The veteran actor plays a retired military man who turns to the clergy and priesthood for answers he could never provide as a father who encouraged his son to carry on family tradition an enlist in the Iraq war. One that sent him back a folded flag and divorce papers. Now looking to improve his inspiration impoverished life by providing light and God's guidance to those in the black he encounters a young couple actively involved in protesting the war we wage on the environment daily by any radical means necessary. And that's where everything changes in a film that takes climate change, terrorism, religion, spirituality and our basic humanity to task in this church in the wild.

Hawke is harrowingly good as the white-collared, forlorn father in a small town looking to take blue collar dollars away from the working class. But he's right on the collection plate offering here. What more could an actor of Hawke's visionary calibre afford? Copping his first of two Fuquoa roles alongside Denzel Washington, he survived one hell of a 'Training Day', before becoming part of the gun-totting legendary, new 'Magnificent Seven'. Whilst linking with Linklater he literally aged across the three hours and 12 years screen-time of 'Boyhood'. Not to mention the 'Sunrise' to 'Sunset' love life of the beautiful 'Before' trilogy. And lets not forget his latest greatest, like his Chet Baker, smoky jazz biopic 'Born To Be Blue' in 'Miles Ahead' kind. The futuristic bar stool storytelling of the self aware and very human 'Predestination', past repeating itself circle of life. And the modern, maddening warfare, behind the 'Eye In The Sky' console of a Las Vegas, Nevada to Afghan desert, deserted 'Good Kill'. But this is the most vulnerable Ethan has been since 'Dead Poets Society' with the late, great, Captain my Captain, Robin Williams. Anguish stricken and awash in guilt, grief and whiskey. Chased in 'Clockers' like pink Pepto-Bismol, mixing with the purple polluted skies of apocalypse. Pissing razor blades and recording all his thoughts, whether in prayer or despair (or one and the same) in a jotted journal which will be burnt in effigy before this year of sacrifice is out. His narrating voiceover shows Schrader's script could write a novel out of all this. Barbed wire coiled in tension, Hawke gets his claws into this cassock cloaking darkness. Living alone in the casket like solitary confinements of his one bedroom, one chair in the room apartment as coldly chilling as that box in the loft of his 'Sinister' home movies. You should hold a candle for a man whose only light comes from that waxwork wick John. His voice breaks as he recites the word to his creaking and cracking congregation. And as this man in the mirror takes a long, hard look at himself and his truth to power, you'll see shaved shades of a Bobby's Bickle ready to take matters of the whole world into his own hands. In what is as spiritual a sequel to Scorsese's cabbie as 'Jurassic Park' really is to Spielberg's 'Jaws'. But even as he casts stones, Ethan's very human spirit knows he too is not without sin. For what praise be should be considered his best work and word yet. Please rise.

'First Reformed' is a traditional, humble offering about to coronate 250 years of service. But it's big brother doner upstate, "Abundant Life" is either ironic or right on the nose in this confused, dual desire duelling world of dichotomy. Bible verses larger than life are concrete engraved on parking lot like structures for the mass masses. Ordained to all this is an at his best ever, Cedric Kyles. Cedric's government title doing for him what 'Call Me By Your Name' did for Lacoste. Bringing his original self back from what made him who he is today. The classic Def comedian dropping the 'Entertainer' name-tag, but still providing all that. Despite being a serious chapter and verse away from his fun-loving, all-dancing 'Man Of The House' church character. Talk about casting the first stone ("it slipped"). Oil-greased here, his good intentions have a tendency of looking the other way when someone slides a few bills between the pages of the good book he seems to quote more than he reads. It's a good job Hawke has an eye for John 16:33. As this shepherd needs to tend to his lost flock bathed in the blood of the lamb like a scoring pitch perfect choir in chorus here. Take note as he looks upon the youth that he's lost that have the whole world ahead of them and what he says to that in kind. But it's an amazing, standout Amanda Seyfried who is on her scripted best since her play in the cinematic staged, 'Les Miserables' adaptation. Pregnant with new life and old anxieties, Seyfried is an actress who says more with those wide eyes of expression than she does in a days worth of dialogue. This is just how amazing an actress known for her 'Mamma Mia's' and 'Mean Girls' funny side Amanda really is in serious salvation. But next to Hawke's clawing desperation it's Schrader's nerve shredding script and on your radar locating direction that really get to the heart of matters and the soul at stake of this very world we live in. Take a lovingly, levitating 'Tree Of Life' cosmos like, 'Taxi Driver' out of body experience tour through this beautiful but eroding planet with Ethan and Amanda, in a 'La La Land' like interlude that almost plays like 'Aladdin' showing you the world and you will really see what this film is talking about. One offbeat, outstanding moment that takes you to a higher power in a fabled film that communicates Christianity in reference to names and numbers of significance. Outkast Andre 3000 vibrating higher really said it best when he said "mother######! And I do mean mother######. As mother earth is dying and we continue to f### her to death". If you think Hawke's perplexed priest is slowly destroying his temple from within, then look at what we are putting into our own world with this suicide by pollution. With no conscience or hope of consequence on earth as it is in heaven. This is a hard truth we must face before we one day will anyway that makes some of the controversial themes and topics in this all too current affairs film relatable, if not at least debatable right now. And if you tend to agree then forget talkin' to me. You must be preaching to the choir. In hopes to deliver us from the evil we do. Forever and ever. Amen. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Taxi Driver', 'A Ghost Story', 'The Tree Of Life'.

REVIEW: SICARIO-DAY OF THE SOLDADO

4/5

Hell Or High Border.

121 Mins. Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabella Moner, Jeffrey Donovan, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Shea Whigham, Matthew Modine & Catherine Keener. Director: Stefano Sollima.

Gauntlet gripping. Thanos' collection is on full display here. And a galaxy guardian heading to a war for infinity with avengance can feel 'Goonie' Josh Brolin with his boot in 'Usual Suspect' Benicio Del Toro's chest. But in this reality we are in the middle of "Knowhere", as a giant purple Brolin is asking a white haired, Ziggy Stardust like Benicio, complete with eye shadow about some stone. Because in this said scenario Del Toro is Marvel's Collector. Whilst Josh is the Mad Titan, that is the ultimate Marvel big, bad boss in this contest of champions, Thanos. That's when the M.C.U. villain isn't moonlighting as anti-hero Cable for hire in 'Deadpool 2'. Yep...it's been one hell of a blockbuster month for 'Jonah Hex'. Let alone scorching, Summer season. Or the 2018 he owns with a couple of cut checks signed, 'Mr. Marvel'. But in 'Sicario-Day Of Soldado' it's Del Toro's time. His world across the border. Even if Brolin can order a humanity crippling, 'Eye In The Sky' devastating air strike with that signature click of his fingers, as he trades in his flip-flops for some comfortable Crocs as he interrogates with an intimidation more suffocating than waterboarding. Last time his all-American Bravo, granite jaw was growling about dramatically overreacting. But this time as oil slick as his 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' crooked character there is no rules as he gets as dirty as Gekko lizard, Douglas dollar money. It's war on everyone. And his big three, month, season and year is all the better for it, even if 'Sicario's' big-three is as M.I.A. right now as kings in Cavalier land. But on this side of the jurisdiction who else do you need to know but Benicio? Apart from that he gives the worst wet willies in the world. The hitman whose his own bodyguard, capable of silencing even a family dinner for the head of the cartel table. Right after being a backseat rifle driver on a border patrol tenser than those coming off some red eyes. And this time he's no passenger as he rides shotgun again on some terrific and terrifying traffic jam ups. And this Academy Award worthy 'Che' is revolutionary in part two as a now, instantly iconic, hardened hitman for C.I.A. hire with more humanity and heart than those who take the safety off from behind the desk comfort. One scene communicated in an entirely different language is particularly and profoundly moving. A devil with sympathy. Pure presence in symphony. A beguiling Benicio is 'Sicario', from the first "look at me" trigger finger, rapid fire execution, to the final door shutting, "adios"!

Blunt force trauma drove the first film home like a knee to the neck. But even with the dull ache of some of yesterdays big names not making it to the 'Day Of Soldado', this is still 'Sicario'. Dripping with dread from every shred of nerve frame. The expanse of this border is as compellingly claustrophobic as 'Alien'. With the iconic, drone descending, sinister score on a 'Jaws' horror scale. Even if this years 'The Quiet Place' standout star Emily Blunt doesn't get to take her service weapon out and make noise this go round. Blunt was so good showered in blood, but clean despite being cloaked in corruption in 'Sicario'. Yet the 'Edge Of Tomorrow' heroine doesn't get to 'Live.Die.Repeat' here. We can only hope that if this Mexican Godfather does make it to trilogy territory that she gets her own deserved conclusion, like the gratifying end to this satisfyingly stellar sequel. Even her perfect partner 'Black Panther' rising star Daniel Kaluuya was told to get out this time. The first film had so much firepower under the trunk of this road crossing to another world. Even a punishing cameo from Frank Castle himself, Jon Bernthal like all good Sheridan script scribes (see the most heartfelt to harrowing scene on the wild 'Wind River', Taylor made and directed by Sheridan). But they are all milk cartons here like the departure of 'Arrival' director Denis Villeneuve. Who fuelled this original classic and then passed on a sequel to make a long awaited '2049' follow-up to some science-fiction film called 'Blade Runner'. At least its still wrote up with classic conviction by the aforementioned Sheridan (the modern standard for neo western folklore). Who after penning the best two pictures of 2015 and 2016 (with the original 'Sicario' and the neo-western hick heist of 'Hell Or High Water'), gave us one of last years greatest with his directorial debut (the Winter wave of 'Wind River') and attempts to give us a calender contender here with his dynamite dialogue and simmering to a boil storytelling tension. Forget setting a scene this modern day Cormac McCarthy needs to write a novel as everyone goes by his book.

Turn the page however and you'll see a new day from director Stefano Sollima and it's a bright one amongst all the darkness, illuminated by the helicopters searchlight that patrol the plains at nighfall. The slick 'Subbura' (the Italian film that featured a Benicio lookalike) director keeps 'Soldado' solid and soldiering on in the eye of the day of the dead. But there's even more front cover, big names that make footnotes in this chapter. The Buddy Holly shooting spectacle of 'Changeling' and 'J. Edgar' supporting star Jeffrey Donovan is back to backpack, back-up and partner-up when duty calls for it. And even go-to character actor Shea Whigham (is there a film he isn't) comes for a business meeting dinner over whiskey and 'copter chasers in a critical scene. While greats like 'Capote' and 'Being John Malkovich' twice nominated Best Supporting Actress Catherine Keener and 'Full Metal Jacket' and 'Stranger Things'' Matthew Modine as the Secretary of State make a real veteran impression here. Inked like matching fingerprints that point to corruption at the highest level. Still from the dust dusk to a carpeted, rug pulling dawn, 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'Murder On The Orient Express' rider Manuel Garcia-Rulfo's star studded future glows and gleams in the corners and the crevices of his shadowy character. But for all the grown up, big names here adding to the force of this formidable filmography, it's 17 year old 'Transformers: Last Knight' actress Isabella Moner who has the most influence. Threatening to steal the show from Toro any chance she gets to make us forget about Blunt. Not only is she the crux and the catalyst for everything that thickens in this plot. She's also the critical crutch that keeps this film walking towards its crossing destination whenever the pace hobbles on one foot. Struggling to make it to the other side like a flat tyre. With a different dynamic, all in all she makes this new ensemble just as epic as the old. And this modern masterpieces second coming irrigates the immigration debate and takes apart Trump's wall brick by brick to shows us what lies behind the side of the border they should ignore no more. In 'Soldado', 'Sicario' hasn't had it's day. It's targeting a trilogy. And you best believe it will make it's mark before it meets its maker. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Sicario', 'Traffic', 'Narcos'.

REVIEW: UNCLE DREW

3/5

Grey Got Game.

103 Mins. Starring: Kyrie Irving, Lil Rel Howery, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, Aaron Gordon, Erica Ash, Mike Epps, J.B. Smoove, Tiffany Haddish & Nick Kroll. Director: Charles Stone III.

Ball up young blood. Now if you want to make it at the Rucker this Summer you best bring your A-game...or team. And just 'Wright', like Mike, 'Uncle Drew' looks to take on the 'Space Jam', 'Teen Wolf', 'Semi-Pro', 'Hoosiers', 'Glory Road', 'Coach Carter', 'Blue Chips', 'Above The Rim', 'White Men Can't Jump' and 'He Got Game' classics (yeah there's a roster load of them) to be one of the best basketball movies of all-time. And it's all love and basketball as this sticking to the script playbook takes a former favourite Pepsi commercial standout almost as iconic as Nike's Lil' Penny to the max, without selling out to product placement like this last comment just did. You won't see Mark Wahlberg crash a 'Transformer' into a beer bottle spilling Bud Light truck. Only to pop the cap off of one on the car door of the man who just got into a fender bender with him and take an arrogant swig, intimidatingly infront of his as confused as us face here. Just the family friendly, fun frolics of a hoop heaven sent hustler with heart, 'Uncle 'Drew' looking to school you on how the old playgrounds taught us how to play the game. Taking your change at the same time as eating a sandwich, as you hold his nuts. And this rock on the concrete cinema courting game, brought to you from Bernie Mac baseball 'Mr. 3000' director himself Charles Stone III, isn't just out of the park and on the money. 'Drew also affords due respect to the street game and fame, paid in full. From legends like Pee Wee and the logo himself Jerry West in a funny faux, ESPN '30 For 30' opening shot, to the actual NBA greats he turns into superstar actors. So lets take a look at your Harlem Money roster. Cha-ching money Ma$e.

Starting at Point Guard. From the storied Boston Celtics, which are about to set off the next historic Lakers rivalry with former Cleveland teammate King, LeBron James. A man rolling down the lane in a Mystery Machine like throwback truck with seventies soul and of course a "Boom, Boom Room". Kyrie Irving is Uncle 'Drew. At Shooting Guard, recently retired little man come big, a former Slam Dunk Contest champion who jumped over Superman himself in St Patricks Day, New York Kryptonite green. The only thing that hits higher is his Einstein like hair as smart as what he conveys in silent wisdom, without so much as a word. Playing in the same damn pair of Converse like Chuck Taylor didn't make enough pairs for the feet of every other person you see walk down the street. Nate Robinson is Boots. Your Small Forward. A former clutch Knick killer who has game, but apparantly doesn't know who Spike Lee is. A former Indiana Pacer who now needs a pacemaker to go along with those Kareem googles. He was everyone's favourite villain you loved to hate, but actually loved anyway.  The gloves are on and he's about to shoot out the bulbs. You miss 100% of the shots you don't see. Good! It's time for Reggie Miller as Lights. Now can I get an amen? I said CAN I GET AN AMEN?! Starting at Power Forward. He knows the playbook like he knows the good book. Faster than a Washington Bullet...back in the day. A Golden State Warrior before Curry and Durant...and former Sacramento Cousins. A King before LeBron. With Josh Brolin hair this guy with a click of his fingers won't have you feeling so good too like bad cholesterol. Taking you to church in more ways than one. Chris Webber is Preacher ladies and gentlemen of the congregation. God is good. And last but by oh no, no means least. You may know him as the Man of 'Steel'. You may know him as 'Kazaam'. If you've been to his dojo you may even know him as 'Shaq-Fu'. The Big Aristotle. Kobe knows him as the guy not to pass to. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL IS...the Big Fella.

Off the bench who could forget your Sixth Man...pardon me woman? Arguably the greatest WNBA player of all-time this side of Skylar, Taurasi, Parker and Bird, Lisa Leslie. The Los Angeles Sparks legend who was the first player to plug a dunk...and appear on 'The Simpsons'. Lisa is perfect as the preachers wife so much so we need nore than another amen for the funniest church cheerleading this entertaining since Cedric in Tommy Lee Jones 'Man Of The House'. And your coach of this hoop dream team?! One of the funniest men with a dry-erase. Pine time star of 'Get Out'. Former T.S.Motherf######.A agent Lil Rel Howery. Like overhead luggage as secure as an upright tray table he carries this picture, even if he doesn't fly like an eagle. Like all the other acting stars in this games bracket. Despite all the basketball ones like Orlando Magic dunker Aaron Gordon's rim haunting Casper character proving they're entertainers in more ways than one. No matter the 'Blue Chips' or Nas producing credits for the record. 'The Big Gay Sketch Show' and 'Survivors Remorse' comedian/actress Erica Ash is on phoenix sun hot form. Whilst 'Girls Trip' star of the moment Tiffany Haddish truly is one as a hilarious ex-girlfriend who makes Rosie Perez's 'White Men Can't Jump' girlfriend of Woody look like someone hasn't even pulled the cord out her back yet. And how funny is Nick Kroll? No matter how insufferable a character he plays he makes it all worth it with his cocky charisma. This guy literally (and boy do I mean literally) played a Douche in his meal-ticket stealing of Seth Rogen's 'Sausage Party'...and he pretty much plays another one here in this geriatric, take the blue pill fest. Everyone gets to play here in the cut. From Harlem barbershop bantering, comic legend Mike Epps and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' L.D. show stealer J.B. Smoove. To classic cameos from rappers like Rick Ross and off the court basketball legends like my man and 'scribe inspiration Scoop Jackson. But with real Harlem hoops, hip-checking hilarity and even some helpings of heart that may even leave you crying buckets...and not with laughter (you can save that for the challenge of an epic dance off...it always is with Shaq), 'Drumline's' Stone III has more than a big three in Kyrie, Reggie, Nate Rob, C-Webb, big Shaq and Lisa Leslie. Kyrie is such a wise, weary wonder you'll believe the world is flat. In the age of superteams, superstars and heroes don't get much greater...or greyer than this. And if you love this game, you'll love your 'Uncle 'Drew' 'till the last shot wins. Check ball. Swish! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Space Jam', 'Jackass Presents...Bad Grandpa', 'Kazaam'.