Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton
Week of April 13, 2020
Trolls World Tour
Rated PG for some mild rude humor
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Available for streaming
Several movies recently have decided to forgo theatrical runs, or at least head to streaming early, but this sequel to the very popular Trolls film is the first major tentpole to do so and they are counting on a very large audience shelling out $20 to rent from home. Will it work? Who knows. But is it worth it? That’s what I’m here to discuss. The story takes place after the events of the last film where Princess Poppy discovers that there are five other Troll tribes, all with differing types of music from her pop (funk, country, techno, classical and rock). So she goes on a journey to find the princess of rock to make friends. But the rock princess wants to take over the other tribes and make all music rock, forcing a weird war of color and musical variety. First off, this has the look and feel of a big film, which is strange to watch first at home, but it is the times. The animation is absolutely mesmerizing to look at and admire. Also, the story is whacky and unpredictable, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a way that feels like they are making it up as they go along. But at least the jokes are frequently funny and the voice talent is top notch. That being said, the plot around the six strings is ridiculous and while the very heart of the story revolves around music being different and the need for acceptance and appreciation of different musical cultures, in the end, all of the music is pop. It’s one thing to play Ozzy Osbourne (who also voices the king of rock), but if it sounds like Kidzbop – something went wrong. Then again – the main audience is kids so not only will they not care but they might just be singing along with you in the car next time you turn on Crazy Train or Barracuda. So in my mind, it is well-worth the $20 rental – but do it right. Turn off the lights, put away the phones, get a ton of soda and popcorn and make an evening out of it! B
Just Mercy
Rated PG-13 for thematic content including some racial epithets
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Available on Disc and Streaming
One film that should have been an awards contender last year is this true story about a talented young Harvard-educated lawyer (Michael B. Jordan) who moves to Alabama to defend wrongly-condemned prisoners who were not afforded proper representation. When he discovers a death row inmate (Jamie Foxx) who might be innocent, he puts his practice and his very life on the line to give him the defense he deserves. If you are into legal dramas or films about social injustices, this is a great one. From start to finish, the story is riveting as it makes a great case for reform within our legal and correctional systems. On top of that, the A-list cast is tremendous as is the storytelling. My only guess on why Warner Brothers dropped the ball on promoting was that it was too busy touting Joker and Richard Jewell and Just Mercy was unfortunately the odd man out. But whatever the reason it got overlooked, this is an important story worth checking out now that you can watch at home. A-
The Rhythm Section
Rated R for violence, sexual content, language throughout, and some drug use
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28%
Available on Disc and Streaming
Blake Lively stars as a woman on the road to self-destruction after her family is killed in a plane crash. But after she discovers that the crash was a terrorist attack, she trains to be an assassin, determined to kill the people responsible. I have to admit that I’ve been impressed with Blake lately and she has proven worthy of headlining material like this. And with a supporting cast including Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown, the acting is obviously isn’t the problem here. What doesn’t work is that the story proves to be one let down after another as you meander until the bitter end. It just doesn’t capture the attention to the level needed, and by the end it is just too easy to become apathetic. It was a good try, but a failed shot. C