REVIEW: “The Bad Batch” Season 3

May 13, 2024 by Keith Garlington

Expectations were high heading into the third and final season of “The Bad Batch”. Creator and showrunner Dave Filoni along with the wizards at LucasFilm Animation had set the bar high after two strong seasons. To no surprise Season 3 didn’t disappoint. That doesn’t mean we aren’t left with questions. In fact, I could write a lengthy essay focused solely on the many things left to ponder following the show’s final episode. But to be honest, that’s a big part of the fun when it comes to Star Wars.

Set shortly after the events of the feature film “Revenge of the Sith”, the Bad Batch set out to take a deeper look at the clone soldiers who were created solely to fight for Emperor Palpatine and his fledgling Empire. The series explores what happened to the clones once Palpatine deemed them to be expendable and took his cloning experiments to more sinister depths. And it’s all brought to life through the eyes of Clone Force 99, a small squad of defective yet genetically altered clones, each with their own unique combat specialties.

Clone Force 99, or the “Bad Batch” as they were affectionately known, found themselves on the the run from the Empire after rescuing and taking in Omega, a young unaltered clone from the top-secret laboratory deep inside Mount Tantiss. Omega proved to be an invaluable piece to the well-hidden experiments happening under the direction of Palpatine’s chief scientist Royce Hemlock. On their journey, the Bad Batch and Omega experienced their share of danger and loss which all helped set the table for the third season.

Taking place in the wake of the sinister Order 66, the Bad Batch’s story has offered all kinds of connecting tissue that helps bring the post-prequel trilogy story together. Season three goes even further, not only filling in gaps from the past but reaching ahead to the sequel trilogy. But at its core, the story revolves around the growing connection between Omega and her brothers/father figures. Every episode feeds on their relationships and the writers do an incredible job nurturing it as the season progresses.

Once again, the animation is spectacular throughout. And with a couple of exceptions, the episodic storytelling is terrific. But you can’t talk about The Bad Batch, especially Season 3, and not mention the extraordinary voice work. A special industry award should be made just for Dee Bradley Baker. He voices every Bad Butch member, imbuing Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, and Crosshair with their own unique personalities and qualities. And if that wasn’t enough, he also voices nearly every other clone in the series, much as he did in ”The Clone Wars”. It’s truly mind-boggling talent.

But also good is Michelle Ang as the voice of Omega. Throughout the series Ang chronicles Omega’s journey through various stages of her life. She brings such warmth and sincerity while capturing the qualities that make Omega such a joy. Season 3 sees Omega’s early naïveté replaced by a maturity forged from her ever-changing and often perilous circumstances. At the same time, Ang’s performance brings out the empathy in Omega which proves to be a crucial part of the character.

In addition to the main cast, Season 3 brings back a number of Star Wars favorites. They include Tarkin (once again voiced by the superb Stephen Stanton), the notorious bounty hunter Cad Bane (Corey Burton), the cool and calculated Fennec Shand (the indomitable Ming-Na Wen) and the mysterious yet deadly Asajj Ventress (a returning Nika Futterman). This is just a sample-size of the many heroes, villains, and in-betweens who pop up and add heft to Season 3.

Helmed by the directing trio of Saul Ruiz, Nate Villanueva, and Steward Lee, “The Bad Batch” Season 3 does an exceptional job bringing this highly entertaining and unexpectedly moving Star Wars story to a close. LucasFilm Animation once again raises the bar in visual storytelling while Dave Filoni and his team of creators continue to expand the galaxy far, far away in exciting new ways. Star Wars remains in capable hands. And for fans who love the franchise’s ever-growing mythos, “The Bad Batch” is a satisfying three-season entry full of warmth, thrills, and plenty of surprises. “The Bad Batch” is streaming exclusively on Disney+.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS

Movie Poster Spotlight: “A Quiet Place: Day One”

May 10, 2024 by Keith Garlington

Now here’s a movie I’m really looking forward to that’s just around the corner. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the two Quiet Place movies, the wonderfully original horror thrillers from John Krasinski. This summer the third installment hits theaters, “A Quiet Place: Day One”. It’s a spin-off prequel set in New York City on the very day of the alien invasion that saw society crumble. An exciting (and mostly new) cast are set to tell this nail-biting survival story, led by the always absorbing Lupita Nyong’o.

With its release a little over a month away, Paramount Pictures is ramping up their marketing with a killer new poster to go hand-in-hand with the exhilarating new trailer. Check it out below and let me know what you think.

DIRECTOR – Michael Sarnoski

WRITER – Michael Sarnoski

STARRING – Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, Alex Wolff, Eliane Umuhire,

RELEASE – June 28, 2024

New on Home Video: “Dune: Part Two” on 4K Ultra HD and Digital

May 9, 2024 by Keith Garlington

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment is bringing the blockbuster box office hit “Dune: Part Two” to home video. This phenomenal star-studded sequel to the 2021 Oscar-winning first film sees director Denis Villeneuve continuing his venture of bringing Frank Herbert’s classic science-fiction novel to the screen. In addition to the incredible Dolby Atmos sound, this new home video release provides stunning 4K resolution and is loaded with special features. And you won’t have to wait long to get your own copy. Read my full review of the film HERE.

This 4K Ultra HD and Digital Copy edition of “Dune: Chapter Two” arrives in stores on March 14th. See below for a full synopsis and release information including special features.

About the Film:

Year: 2024

Runtime: 165 Minutes

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Screenwriter: Denis Villenueve, Jon Spaihts

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Lea Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some suggestive material and brief strong language.

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Villeneuve is again collaborating with his Dune creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.

Special Features:

“Dune: Part Two” Premium Digital Ownership contains the following special features:

Filmbooks: House Corrino
Filmbooks: The Reverand Mother
Filmbooks: Water
Filmbooks: Lisan-al-Gaib
An Ensemble for the Ages
Chakobsa Training
Creating the Fremen World
Finding the Worlds of Dune
Buzz Around the New “Thopter”
Worm-Riding
Becoming Feyd
A New Set of Threads
Deeper into the Desert: The Sounds of the Dune
Inside Dune: The Spice Harvester Attack
Inside Dune: Gurney Hallaeck’s Revenge
Inside Dune: The Fight for the Imperial Throne

Dune: Part Two 4K UHD and Blu-ray contain the following special features:

Chakobsa Training
Creating the Fremen World
Finding the Worlds of Dune
Buzz Around the New “Thopter”
Worm-Riding
Becoming Feyd
A New Set of Threads
Deeper into the Desert: The Sounds of the Dune

REVIEW: “The Last Stop in Yuma County” (2024)

May 8, 2024 by Keith Garlington

Writer-director Francis Galluppi is all set to helm a new installment in the long-running and wickedly fun Evil Dead franchise. But before that he’s turning back the clock with “The Last Stop in Yuma County”, his tense, gritty, and wildly entertaining feature film debut that at different times reminded me of everything from “The Petrified Forest” to “Jackie Brown” to the pulpy B-movie thrillers of the 1970s. That mash-up alone was enough to win me over.

There are also early Coen brothers vibes that emanate from every pore of this gripping neo-western that’s set mostly within a single location. It’s a character-rich crime thriller laced with black comedy that strategically builds suspense on its way to an inevitable powder keg finish that you’ll never see coming. And Galluppi presents it all with such panache, capturing a distinctly Southwest flavor and shrewdly commanding the film’s tricky tone in a way that brings the film’s many influences to light.

You won’t find an ounce of fat on Galluppi’s lean and taut story. Clocking in at a swift 90 minutes, “Yuma County” wastes no time cranking things up and kicking into gear. Set in the early 1970s, the movie opens with a traveling knife salesman (Jim Cummings) driving across the parched Arizona desert on his way to his daughter’s birthday party some four hours away. As he drives, news of a bank robbery comes across the radio – an early hint of what’s to come.

In need of gas, our unnamed salesman stops at a station in the middle of nowhere to fill up his tank. But the attendant, Vernon (Faizon Love) informs him that he’s all out and the fuel truck hasn’t yet arrived. With the next station 100 miles away, the salesman has no choice but to wait. So he heads to an adjacent diner where a waitress named Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) is just opening up for the day. After some small talk he slides into a red leather booth with a cup of coffee and the crossword puzzle from a day-old newspaper.

A few minutes later, two shady looking brothers, Beau (the always captivating Richard Blake) and Travis (Nicholas Logan) pull up in a green Ford Pinto matching the description of the getaway car from the aforementioned bank heist. They enter the diner and take a seat in the corner, also waiting for the fuel truck to arrive. Soon after others filter in including a neighborly elderly couple, Robert (Gene Jones) and Earline (Robin Bartlett), two movie-loving Bonnie and Clyde wannabes, Sybil (Sierra McCormick) and Miles (Ryan Masson), and a friendly local cowboy named Pete (Jon Proudstar). And just like that Galluppi light’s the fuse that slowly burns towards the film’s combustible ending.

The cast is superb, bringing personality to what is an eclectic blend of characters, each feeling perfectly at home in the rural Americana setting. Blake is especially good, conveying pure menace through his piercing line delivery and ice-cold stare. Cummings is also terrific playing an antsy observer who’s thrust into a nerve-racking mess. The great Gene Jones is always a treat and Donahue adds a charming yet smart and resourceful presence. We also get a really good performance from Michael Abbott Jr. as Charlie, the local sheriff and Charlotte’s husband.

Throughout “The Last Stop in Yuma County” Francis Galluppi shows instincts and control not often found in first-time directors. His keen storytelling doesn’t waste a second and he never tips his hand, leaving us in a constant state of suspense. Meanwhile Mac Fisken’s sun-bleached cinematography melds with the tunes of Roy Orbison, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and The Grass Roots to immerse us in a setting so vivid and well defined that you’ll feel the summer heat and taste the rhubarb pie. “The Last Stop in Yuma County” releases May 10th in theaters and on digital.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

REVIEW: “The Idea of You” (2024)

May 7, 2024 by Keith Garlington

Based on actress Robinne Lee’s 2017 debut novel of the same name, “The Idea of You” is a rather routine romantic comedy saved by a soulfully authentic Anne Hathaway. The movie mostly follows the tried-and-true romcom blueprint – the sweet meet cute, the simmering storybook romance, and of course that second half conflict that drives a wedge between our two star-crossed lovers. It has its share of cheese and sitting through the boy band performances can be a challenge. But Hathaway anchors the film and ultimately makes it work in spite of itself.

“The Idea of You” is directed by Michael Showalter who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Jennifer Westfeldt. Their story sees Hathaway playing Solène, a single mother quickly approaching her 40th birthday. The bulk of her time is spent raising her teenage daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin), running her art gallery, and tolerating her obnoxious ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) who never shies away from expressing how wonderful his new life is.

**Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios**

After Daniel flakes out of taking Izzy and her friends to Coachella, Solène steps in to chaperone. Through a rather goofy mishap she meets the considerably younger Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), a member of her daughter’s once favorite boy band, the mega-popular August Moon. I’m not 100% sure how, but sparks do fly and sets the table for a cheesy romance which quickly turns into the Lifestyles of the Rich and Pretty as the two embark on a world tour of love and lavish living.

With Izzy away at summer camp, Solène casts aside her initial hesitations and accepts Hayes’ invitation to join him in New York City and eventually on the group’s European tour. The age gap between the 40-year-old single mom and the 24-year-old pop star provides some initial tension leading them to keep their relationship a secret. But that proves impossible in an age of the paparazzi, internet, and social media. Soon Solène is forced to weigh the consequences of her own happiness.

At times “The Idea of You” seems caught between being a run-of-the-mill corny romcom and something deeper and more thoughtful. It teases interesting things about society’s expectations of middle-aged womanhood and later takes a more serious-minded look at being thrust into the modern spotlight. But the romance itself is a wobbly mix of endearing and saccharine. And the globetrotting fantasy takes away from some much-needed character work that could have given their relationship more depth.

Throughout its numerous ups and downs, the movie maintains one constant – Anne Hathaway. Her smart and grounded performance takes a fairly thin character and makes her interesting. She brings an authenticity to Solène that the story desperately needs. Galitzine is less convincing but solid enough (minus the fake tattoos and boy band bopping). If only the writing took their relationship further. Instead it never goes deep enough to fully shake the ick factor and it never goes beyond teasing themes that would have set it apart. “The Idea of You” is now streaming on Prime Video.

VERDICT – 2.5 STARS

REVIEW: “Something in the Water” (2024)

May 6, 2024 by Keith Garlington

The bluntly titled “Something in the Water” hearkens back to those good old days of perusing the horror section of my local mom-and-pop video store, carefully examining the VHS boxes of movies I’d never heard of, in search of some fun late-night entertainment. For better or worse, “Something in the Water” plays a lot like some of those weekend rentals that teenage me would pick out and watch.

First-time feature film director Hayley Easton Street takes the reins for what is essentially another shark thriller. Most of these movies follow a similar path – something goes wrong while out at sea and our unfortunate protagonists find themselves fighting for their lives against man-eating sharks. “Something in the Water” is no different. To her credit, Street does try to cook up some side drama. But the one-dimensional characters and their lightweight relationships don’t give us much to cling to.

It all takes place in the Caribbean where five friends gather at a swanky beachside resort for a weekend wedding. Meg (Hiftu Quasem) arrives and joins the hyperactive Cam (Nicole Rieko Setsuko), the thoughtful Ruth (Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart), and her former partner Kayla (Natalie Mitson) to party with their buddy and bride Lizzie (Lauren Lyle). The movie tries to give them each their own personality but there’s nothing that makes them stand out. The only real sense of drama involves Meg and Kayla who haven’t spoken since a traumatizing event split them apart one year earlier.

**Image Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films**

One afternoon Cam rents a rust-bucket boat and whisks the ladies away to a remote island well off the mainland. But what’s meant to be a fun and leisurely day on the beach quickly goes south after a shark bites a chunk out of Ruth’s leg while she’s playing in the water. Unable to stop the bleeding, the girls load their friend into the boat. But in their panicked rush back to the mainland, their boat strikes a reef gashing a hole in the bottom. And just like that the five friends are stranded in the middle of the ocean. And as you can probably guess, it doesn’t take long for that pesky shark to reappear.

It all makes for a harrowing scenario and Street squeezes out some pretty good tension, at least early on. But as it moves forward the film has trouble sustaining any real sense of terror or suspense. And it quickly begins to run out of gas despite clocking in at under 90 minutes. There are a couple of good character moments that earn the emotions they’re going for. But outside of that the movie sputters on its way to a silly ending that it could have done without.

“Something in the Water” is a competently directed first feature for Street who does her best with a thin story and fairly modest budget. The setting is beautifully shot and the performances are solid enough. But the story (written by Cat Clarke) doesn’t have the dramatic heft, suspense, or self-awareness to make it into any of the several movies it could have been. It’s moderately entertaining but falls victim to its generic characters, rather routine storyline, and a lack of energy to push it across the finish line.