Guy Steele

The film is an interesting look back on the social politics that enveloped Covid. Eddington, NM serves as a microcosm of the big cities, where Antifa activism and identity politics tried to hide behind our First Amendment. Joaquin Phoenix is, as always, spectacular. The story sprawls but never runs amok. In the end, it does what it set out to do: allow us to think without proselytizing.

Unfathomable how warped and horrid this movie is, and not just because it shamelessly disrespects the original and its legacy, but because it is— in its own right mind-numbingly stupid. Everyone associated with this catastrophic failure needs to accept what will surely be either a public boycott, an industry-wide blacklisting, or a forever unpaid leave of absence. And guess what— you all deserve it. Epic flop.

Would love to have a successful, critically acclaimed, one-hour network episodic series showcasing Hawaii. We had the classic Five-0 and its reboot, Magnum PI and its reboot, Lost, and CSI Hawaii. We have two state of the art studios just waiting for something with traction. But, sadly, this is not it. It takes time for a series to find its footing, yes. But this is just too mind-numbing to hold out any hope. This is what happens when a concept is rushed and casting/direction gets tossed to the wind. Dead On Arrival. PLEASE… someone… bring in Dick Wolf… or bring back the Ghost of Leonard Freeman!

This film is amazing. It starts with his no-frills childhood and swiftly covers his acting career and the roots of his disdain for communism: Reagan's tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild. A failed marriage and a fairy book marriage motivated and inspired the Great Communicator to become a popular California Governor and, later, a legendary US President. But it was the perfect triumvirate of Reagan, Thatcher, and Gorbachev that would rid the world of the very real threat of World War Three. Reagan was a master speech-giver and his plan to defeat the Soviet Union without firing a single shot was rooted in a brilliant chess match-- the checkmate of which was pure bluff: the Strategic Defense Initiative, a..k.a., "Star Wars". Reagan is magnificently recreated by Dennis Quaid. The debate moments, press gatherings, and State of the Union Addresses are plucked directly from archived transcripts. This is not a cheesy Right Wing reimagining. It is not a propaganda film. It is as accurate as a documentary but crafted as a seamless biopic. I saw the premier with a largely Democratic (Hawaii) audience and every seat was taken. Nobody walked out. In fact, most stayed through the credits and there were many moments of laughter and tears. What a noble way to honor a truly great man. Now that it is in wide release, I'm going to see it again. GREAT MOVIE! ENJOY IT!

Horrible. I did not care about a single character in this film. Movies are for escapism; a lesson learned; emotional investment; titillation. This one was— in a word— irritating. And NOT because the message or director’s interpretation of the story was intended to inflict irritation. No. It was because the movie lacked a message and the director failed to entertain or enlighten. That’s what was irritating! The close-ups were annoying and exhausting, and completely unnecessary. This was a dull, droning, stare-at-the-exit-sign exercise in futility that cost me $29 and two hours that would have been better spent standing in the rain, waiting for a tooth extraction. I actually apologized to my date after the movie.

The movie is seamless— a to b to c in its docu-like chronology. Not exactly innovative, but something can be said for linear storytelling. Performances range from compelling (Jordan’s mother) to cartoonish (Jordan’s agent). “Air” is half ESPN 30 for 30 and half Nike promo reel. But the theme is as old as Greek tragedies: greed. While greed may have been good for Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” in the ‘80s, it’s rather cringey in 2023. Are we actually supposed to be inspired by countless billions earned off the backs of sweatshop laborers and working class parents forking out $200 a pair so their kids can look cool? If only Jordan’s mother had insisted that $10 from each sale go to children’s hospitals or feeding the homeless. Instead, $18 goes to His Airness. ($400 million a year in what the movie refers to as “passive income”.) Director Afflec didn’t create a tribute to the greatest basketball player in history. Or even the greatest basketball shoe. He created a tribute to avarice disguised as apparel.