Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

(2 Hours 40 minutes)

Quentin Tarantino can do no wrong. Much like the Coen Brothers, his movies are always great, and among my all-time favorites. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood only adds to his legacy. I just love his writing and directing, and the way he uses elements from ‘60’s and ‘70’s pop culture and music in his films. He uses cuts and skips to create the feel of the old drive-in movies. His eye for details adds yet another layer to the story. We see DeCaprio’s character on the cover of TV Guide, MAD magazine and other publications.

This one takes place in Hollywood during the ‘60’s, with Leonardo DeCaprio as a former superstar actor Rick Dalton who is no longer on the A-list. Brad Pitt is his constant companion, stunt man, and assistant Cliff Booth.  

Margo Robbie (Harley Quinn) is excellent as Sharon Tate. Not to mention hot! The movie is filled with actors portraying celebrities including Cass Elliott and Michelle Phillips; Steve McQueen; Lulu; Roman Polanski; Squeaky Fromme; Bruce Lee and more, all blended into this alternate universe story of the Manson gang and the Sharon Tate story. In this universe, Sharon Tate lives.

Bruce Dern is at his best as real life character cranky old George Spahan, whose Alzheimer’s prevents him from remembering old friends. He owns the Spahan ranch where all of the Manson following hippies have moved in and taken over, but he could care less. He just wants to sleep.

When the hippies break in with the intention of killing, Brad Pitt’s character Cliff kicks ass big time, and unleashes his pet pit bull on the intruders to top it off.

The star-studded cast also includes great performances from Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning  and Al Pacino as well as Luke Perry in one of his final roles before he passed away. Damon Harryman (Justified) portrays Charles Manson for the second time, also playing the mad man in an episode of Mindhunter earlier this year.

Best line in the movie. “Don’t cry in front of the Mexicans.” See the movie and you’ll agree. Tarantino has another hit to go along with Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Django Unchained and the others.

FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

-Michael Buffalo Smith

ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP

Woody Harrelson is hilarious. In fact, all of the actors are great. Abigail Breslin, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenburg, Zoey Deutch and Rosario Dawson are all terrific. Hey, Luke Wilson even shows up for a bit part! As good as the original Zombieland movie was, I dare say the sequel is even better. It’s certainly funnier. It had me laughing so hard my sides hurt. It’s quite a pallet cleanser after being a huge follower of the Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. As Heath Ledger’s Joker would say, “Why so serious?”

This time around, the zombies are mutating into stronger, faster killing machines, think Terminator. (Except for the “Homers.” No spoilers. Watch for yourself.) Zoey Deutch is perfect as the ultimate dumb blonde. (At the White House, she says, while standing in it, “So this is the oval office. Why do they call it that?”)

Emma Stone is as cute as a bug as always, even when brandishing an automatic machine gun, and Harrelson is at his good ol’ boy best, from the Earnhardt “3” painted on the side of his truck to his love of Elvis and disdain for hippies.

This is one hilarious flick. Especially if you like Walking Dead or George Romero movies.

Five of Five Stars

-Michael Buffalo Smith

JOKER

What I expected was simply a movie about the Joker. I figured they’d try and one up Heath Ledger’s incomparable performance in the role (by far my favorite Joker of all time), but I had no idea just how disturbing this movie would be. I mean, I absolutely loved Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, so I figured he had the acting chops hands down. Although the trailers left me cold, the makeup looked a bit too Ringling Brothers or Bozo, and not insane like the smeared greasepaint of Ledger. Heck, it didn’t even resemble Joker from the comics. But once I got into the movie, Phoenix’s performance had me in its psychotic grip.

More than a villain, this is the story of a mentally ill young man, tortured and abused by his own mother, who goes through life feeling worthless while attempting to forge a career as a stand- up comic. The only thing is, he isn’t funny. He’s pitiful.

The film created quite a bit of controversy, but anything new and different these days will do that, however, this Joker truly feels that killing is fun.(And funny)

I could not believe how skinny Phoenix had gotten for the role. In scenes where he is shirtless, he looks positively emaciated. His rib cage sticking out like an exoskeleton. The physical acting as well as his method help to make his performance truly Oscar worthy. Is it possible there could be two Oscar winning Jokers? (Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor)

It’s a great performance in an okay movie. Prepare to be disturbed. His laugh will haunt your dreams.

Four and One Half Out of Five Stars

-Michael Buffalo Smith