My, how time flies. We’re halfway through the Summer and half-way through 2023. This has been an unusually busy Summer at the movies with so many franchise films and some big budget films that didn’t perform as expected. Having three big summer films end on cliffhangers was frustrating. It feels like the studios are milking the audience and diluting already shallow stories.
The surprise hit of the year, and biggest box office so far, has been the animated “Super Mario Bros.” My favorite film of 2023 so far is “Past Lives”. My favorite summer action film also has one of the biggest budgets: “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One”. The film is well worth your time and should be seen on the big screen. Far more creative and intriguing than the final Indiana Jones film–though “The Dial of Destiny” is a must-see for Indy fans.
It seems that most of America is excited about this Barbenheimer weekend. The bubblegum pink, “Barbie” directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is posed to make a gazillion dollars. There’s cocktails with Barbie and Ken names like Think Pink martinis and lots of people have been dressing up to go see the movie in groups. I love it.
The other half of the name refers to: “Oppenheimer” from director Christopher Nolan. That’s the more serious, Oscar-buzz film shot partially in IMAX. The juxtaposition of these two big-budget, star-studded films opening on the same weekend will be interesting to watch.
If you’ve watched Tom Cruise run, jump, and take a beating already in Mission Impossible, and you’re avoiding the opening weekend Barbenheimer crowds, you may want something else to watch at home. Here in the Philly suburbs where I hail, there was a theatrical pre-release of the Netflix film, “They Cloned Tyrone”. It debuts on Netflix streaming this Friday, July 21, 2023.
If you’re a fan of Blacksploitation films (“Foxy Brown”, “Shaft”), this film uses that 70’s time frame and flair. “They Cloned Tyrone” (writer/director Juel Taylor) is a murder mystery where the central character is the murder victim back from the dead. The tagline used throughout the film is a whore, a drug dealer and a pimp have joined forces to find justice for Tyrone.
With a pulpy, science fiction vibe, there’s a conspiracy underfoot that no amount of Nancy Drew knowledge can untangle. The characters are compelling and well-cast. British actor John Boyega plays Fontaine (Tyrone). Boyega has been on a roll with many films and tv shows of late, including the Star Wars spinoffs. The foxy Yo-Yo is played by Teyonah Parris (“The Marvels”) and she’s very funny. Jamie Foxx steals the show as the pimp Slick Charles. The combination of humor and harrowing misadventures keeps the plot careening toward a dramatic reveal. There’s a surprise star that gives the whole conspiracy plot an ironic twist.
The soundtrack was muddy in sections in my theater screening; that’s not likely an issue for the streaming version. The costumes are campy and fun, and the performances are nuanced as well as funny. If you enjoy the work of filmmaker/social commentator, Boots Riley (“I’m A Virgo”, “Sorry to Bother You”), this film has a similar tone and message. Being a Black person in America may not involve a conspiracy of underground scientists, but your life is still a challenge.
Drinks With Films rating: 3 Forties of Old English 800 malt beverage (out of 5)
Drinks with films 