Tag: MGM Amazon

MY OLD ASS – Review

As we enter into the Fall movie season, it’s time for an intimate lil’ “indie” that explores a theme that several blockbusters have also explored, time travel. Now this one isn’t focusing on the travel and his gadgets and gizmos aplenty, so we don’t get those “Pym Particles” or even that super-charged DeLorean. The intriguing premise presented here is a spin on “what if”, namely the Twilight Zone dream of getting a “drop in’ from your future self. And somehow this “out there” idea meshes with a coming of age dramatics, and a “rom-com”. It’s a challenging “balancing act” that is somehow propped up by a crude and quirky cellphone contact entered in as MY OLD ASS, and we’re not talking about a donkey.

Rather than starting in a long-ago time, this story is set in the modern day, just across the Canadian border. Elliot (Maisy Stella) is your basic free-spirited eighteen-year-old woman. This means that she’s occasionally self-absorbed and a bit inconsiderate. Rather than join her family for a big pre-college departure celebration meal (with a decorated cake ‘n’ everything), she decides to take her two best GFs on an overnight camping trip on an island in the big lake near town. Ah, but this evening will be special as Ro (Kerrice Brooks) has scored some mushrooms, which they’ll brew into a potent tea. It affects Ro and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler) quickly though it seems to be “bupkis” for Elliott. That is until she starts a batch of s’mores and is joined by a stranger who emerges from the darkness. Elliot is “freaked”, but unprepared for this lady’s proclamation that she is her future self, 39-year-old Elliot (Aubrey Plaza). But it seems legit as they share a couple of body scars. As her friends drift away. the two Elliots share her tent. Young Elliott pleads for a bit of advanced “intel’ and later Future E finally relents and tells her to avoid a “Chad”. When Y E drifts off, F E grabs her phone and puts in her number, entering it as “My Old Ass”. When dawn breaks Y Elliott is alone, and believe she had a very weird “trip”. But then, as she skinny-dips, she encounters a young man named Chad (Percy Hines White). She’s perplexed until she discovers that new phone contact and dials it. And F E picks up. The warnings about Chad continue, but Y E feels a strong connection to this sweet charmer. And then it’s “radio silence” with “MOA”. Elliott tries to focus on strengthening her bond with her mom, pop, and two younger brothers while trying and failing to avoid Chad, who is working at the family cranberry biz. Should Elliott keep her distance from the beguiling Chad? And will she speak to her feature self once more? Maybe she needs some more ‘shrooms…

And speaking of the future, in a few years we’ll look back at this film as the breakout performance of Ms. Stella, her ‘calling card”. She confidently brings a fresh spin to the often cliche “teen at a crossroads”, making Elliott full of quirks and contradictions, but also capable of great warmth and kindness. And she can really ‘sell” the jokes while also tugging at our heartstrings. Now, it’s true that there’s little resemblance to Ms. Plaza as her future self, the duo does share a comedic “kinship”. Of course, Plaza “kills” in her limited screen time, but she also gets to “tug at the tear ducts in the emotional final act. Ditto for the compelling work of White as the affable and often baffled (why the agita from Elliot) Chad who wants to continue his mellow life, but is drawn to this offbeat lady. Kudos also to the energetic supporting work from Brooks as the most understanding of “sistas”, and to the two young actors playing Elliott’s siblings, Seth Issac Johnson as the golf-obsessed montone Max and pre-teen Carter Trozzolo as the manic Saorise Ronan-obsessed Spencer.

This is the second feature from a true “triple threat” (or more of a “hat trick talent”), actress/writer/director Megan Park who has a keen “ear” for family dynamics, and strong friendships. The gentle teasing intercut with harsh truths feels natural and never forced. Plus Ms. Park has given us a compelling heroine in Elliot who goes through an engaging and unexpected ‘character arc”. It’s a delicate ‘tightrope’ walk as Elliott has a passionate ‘fling” in the opening scene with a slightly older female “crush” and decides to ‘go for it” as college is looming. She doesn’t dismiss these feelings when Chad steps up, but rather she allows herself to be open to different relationship possibilities. Park also creates a unique backdrop in the sleepy lakeside burg and the bucolic family home/farm (it feels like a cranberry-flavored slice of Heaven). More importantly, Park goes for the big emotions and connects without us feeling emotionally over-manipulated. Even with the fantasy elements of meeting your twenty-year-old version, the story and the reactions feel honest. Even though saying the title to the ticket may feel awkward, MY OLD ASS is more than worth it.

3.5 Out of 4

MY OLD ASS is now playing in select theatres

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT – Review

BITB_15372_R (l-r.) Thomas Elms stars as Chuck Day, Tom Varey as Johnny White, Bruce Herbelin-Earle as Shorty Hunt, Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, Luke Slattery as Bobby Moch and Wil Coban as Jim McMillin in director George Clooney’s THE BOYS IN THE BOAT An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo credit: Laurie Sparham © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

As promised the onslaught of 2023 sports films marches, or in this case paddles, on. Hot on the heels of last week’s historical sports drama, comes this one based on a popular book from a few years ago. It’s not about wrestling, like Friday’s flick, but it is set in the past, though nearly fifty years before the Von Erichs. But there is an Olympic connection. This one concerns a larger team of young men defying the odds and overcoming hardship to go for the gold, rather than fame and fortune. Yes, the idea of “team” as in teamwork is essential to them as this particular sport depends on all those involved acting and reacting “in sync”. Otherwise, it’s a splash into the murky depths (or a nasty collision) for THE BOYS IN THE BOAT.


Actually, this film begins in the 1980s with a brief prologue of a grandpa’ advising his grandson on the nuances of canoeing. Cue the “fade out/dissolve” to the 1930s at the heart of the depression. In a junkyard next to a makeshift camp (perhaps they were still “Hoovervilles”), eighteen-year-old Joe Rantz (Callum Turner). studies for his college courses by lantern light in the back of a beat-up old jalopy which is now his home since he lost his mother after his father ran off. He’s doing well at the University of Washington, getting good grades, making friends, and even attracting the attention of a cute co-ed named Joyce (Hadley Robinson). Joe is somehow adept at hiding his homelessness until the college bills catch up to him. Due to the Great Depression, jobs are truly scarce. Then a buddy informs him that he can defray some costs by being part of the rowing team. At the tryouts, Joe and the other freshman are put through “the paces” by tough veteran head coach Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton). Joe barely makes the team as Coach Al pairs the “junior squad” with a somewhat rebellious coxswain. Though Al is an inspiration, Joe forms a close bond with elderly boatbuilder George Pocock (Peter Guinness), more of a father/son relationship rather than a student/mentor. Slowly Joe and the team ‘click, and Al shocks the school by sending them to the big meets instead of the senior team. Despite their inexperience, they have a shot at competing in the Summer Olympics in Germany. But after barely scraping together enough money for the trek, will they take home the gold and glory when one of the team is stricken by an unexpected illness?


As the affable, stoic everyman at the center of the story, Turner gives real dignity and strength to the hardworking Rantz, making his intimacy with his mentor and girlfriend into powerful scenes in which he exhibits his vulnerability and inner heartbreak (the little boy inside still yearns for his folks). Edgerton is every inch the tough taskmaster as Coach Al, who is careful not to overpraise “his boys” but expresses his doubts and hopes in private with his assistant Tom Bolles (the engaging James Wolk) and his gorgeous wife Hazel (played with sexy humor by Courtney Henggeler). As Joe’s gal Joyce, Robinson is an energetic flirt as she tries to “wake him up” to notice her charms, then slowly becomes the rock of support he needs when the past catches up to him. But the film’s warm beating heart might be Guinness as the wise nurturing woodworker who gently passes on his knowledge and his way of living to the somewhat aimless young Rantz, acting much like a carpentry Yoda or Mr. Miyagi.


The film’s real coxswain. and head coach is director/co-producer George Clooney who captures the bleak look of a downtrodden 1930s America intercut with old-style mahognay-tinged academia. He’s most adept at telling the story with few cinematic flourishes, giving it the feel of a film from that era. But that’s part of the film’s problem as this true tale feels as though it’s been presented so many times and teeters on “inspirational sports film” cliches. There are the underdogs from RUDY, along with its “last chance at glory” coach from HOOSIERS, mixed with training montages right from CHARIOTS OF FIRE. It doesn’t help that the “big show’ at the 1936 Olympics seems tacked on scenes from 2016’s RACE with a fleeting cameo from Jesse Owens and flimsy Fuhrer imitator. Yes, since it’s based on a true story (and a best seller) we know the outcome, but even if it was fiction there are few surprises and little suspense (no virus is going to topple this team). Oh, the team members aren’t defined characters other than Joe and a shy guy who is a musical wiz. This all resembles a fairly glorified basic cable movie ( or a “special event” broadcast network “sweeps” flick). The look of the Northwest of 85 years ago feels authentic but it is not enough to send THE BOYS IN THE BOAT over the cinematic finish line.

2 Out of 4

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT opens in theatres everywhere on Christmas Day 2023