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“The Matrix Resurrections”
To being with, I was a big fan of the original “Matrix” film released in 1999. However, the new movie directed by Lana Wachowski is a reminder that the film’s unique concept was exhausted by the two sequels, both released in 2003.
Other than an engaging plot focusing on Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) recognizing their love for each other, I found the film confusing beyond words. It didn’t help that the movie lasted a prolonged 2 hours, 28 minutes.
While both our stars were maintained in pods as they lingered near death, they were transported out of the Matrix by the evil Analyst (Neil Patrick Harris). Neo, now known as Thomas Anderson, designed video games while Trinity lived with an apparent husband and two children.
After they had coffee, which served as the best emotional moments in the film, things began to change. A talented cast led by Priyanka Chopra (Sati), Jessica Henwick (Bugs), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Morpheus) and Jonathan Groff (Agent Smith) thankfully distracted your attention from your growing boredom.
Quite honestly, the film made me think that I got up to use the bathroom at a critical moment of the movie, returning to find that I stupidly lost its central meaning. The problem was I never got up!
Let me close with noting one of this movie’s central flaws. Our heroes were repeatedly chased by a large group of law enforcement goons where thousands of shots were fired. Not only did Neo’s allies never run out of bullets, but they were never, and I mean never, wounded.
Need I say more?
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”
First of all, I saw this movie with my good friend Dr. Kleinman. He studied Shakespeare in depth as part of his education as a young man, and he embraced this film from beginning to end.
As for me, I must admit that the Shakespearean dialogue left me struggling throughout the film. Combined with having to wear hearing aids, I felt at times like the deaf parents in “Coda,” where they couldn’t hear their daughter sing in a high school production.
But what you don’t miss is a tremendous production by Joel Coen and Frances McDormand that includes great scenery and marvelous performances. Denzel Washington and McDormand are phenomenal as a married couple violently seizing the Scottish throne only to have it lead to their destruction.
Please keep in mind that the film functions as a college dissertation. If you only needed a C to pass the course, you will probably quickly forget this cinematic experience.
But if you are seeking to pursue someone who received an A, then find a way to date a male or female equivalent of Dr. K. I’ve already warned him.
“Sing 2”
This film is a perfect example of why you should not trust movie critics. While they praise lackluster films like “The Power of the Dog” and “Licorice Pizza,” critics like Peter Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com describe “Sing 2” as being filled with “sheer laziness” and with humor that “is little more than noisy slapstick.”
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. With or without kids (I saw it alone), this is a fun, engrossing film that left me teary-eyed near its conclusion. Filled with great music, it joins “Encanto” as the best animated film of 2021.
In summary fashion, writer/director Garth Jennings brings us a story of how a koala, voiced by Matthew McConaughey, leads a singing group to a Las Vegas-type city to put on a lavish show at a spectacular entertainment complex. The problem is that it is owned by a nasty tycoon voiced by Bobby Cannavale, and trouble starts from day one.
On top of that, their show will never open if they don’t bring a retired rock star (a lion voiced by Bono) out of seclusion. You will adore the ensemble that includes two pigs (Reese Witherspoon and Nick Kroll), a thoughtful porcupine (Scarlett Johansson) and a stumbling gorilla (Taron Egerton) and his talented instructor (Letitia Wright).
This is a creative story filled with some great songs and wonderful special effects. It is a hit at the box office for a good reason. Trust me, as you are likely to leave the theater saying, “I liked this little film.”•
• Robert Hammerle practices criminal law in Indianapolis. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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