MOVIE REVIEWS Hosted by the THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS Asheville Movie Guys EDWIN ARNAUDIN BRUCE STEELE [email protected] [email protected] Douglas Lucas HHHHH = MAX RATING Davidson McKee STARTING FRIDAY preaches that love, protection and trust JUST ANNOUNCED are innate while hatred is taught. While the central trope of opposites- The Grudge (R) forced-to-work-together is a bit tire- The latest English-language some, the rest of the film feels fresh on remake of the 2003 Japanese the narrative, character development horror film, about two detectives who investigate a haunted house and humor fronts. Still, some nagging that passes on a supernatural questions go unanswered (e.g., how can curse to those who enter it. an agent on the run use his personal spy gear without getting tracked by his CURRENTLY IN THEATERS former bosses?), but these are minor quibbles compared to the amount of fun you’ll have watching Walter’s vari- 63 Up (NR) HHHHH ous pacifist tools in action. A Beautiful Day in the When it comes to picking a film to Neighborhood (PG-13) HHHH watch over the holidays, know that Black Christmas (PG-13) HS you’re in good hands with agents Sterling and Beckett. Even if the out- Bombshell (R) HHHH come is obvious (it is a kid’s film, after Cats (PG) H all), there are still a great deal of sur- prises within that will induce laugh- Ford v Ferrari (PG-13) HHHHS ter and tug at the heartstrings. Most importantly, it creates an opportunity Frozen II (PG) HHS Spies in Disguise to discuss the true meaning of the holi- Jumanji: The Next Level day season: love for all and peace for (PG-13) HHHS HHHH all. For no matter our differences, all Knives Out (PG-13) HHHHH we want to do is keep our loved ones safe. Choose hugs, not fists. Little Women (PG) HHHHH DIRECTORS: Nick Bruno and It’s disgusting, but not in a low-hanging REVIEWED BY DOUGLAS DAVIDSON Parasite (R) HHHHH Troy Quane fruit, gross-out kind of way. It’s played [email protected] PLAYERS: The voices of Will Smith, straight, and Smith’s consistently engag- Richard Jewell (R) HHHH Tom Holland, Rashida Jones ing vocal delivery sells the absurdity. Spies in Disguise (PG) HHHH ANIMATED/ADVENTURE Then there’s tech genius Walter Xpress reviewers’ (Pick of the Week) RATED PG Bennett (Tom Holland), a brilliant kid Top 5 films of 2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker What if James Bond were a pigeon? whose idealism often gets in the way of (PG-13) HHHHS That idea might sound crazy, but it works engaging with the world. The audience Michelle Keenan is set up to laugh at the situations Walter Terminator: Dark Fate (R) HHHH as the premise for the animated feature, 1. Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood Spies in Disguise. finds himself instead of laughing at him, — Boosted by epic performanc- Toy Story 4 (G) HHHHS In their adaptation of Lucas Martell’s including when he convinces himself he es from Leonardo DiCaprio and Uncut Gems (R) HHHHH short film, Pigeon: Impossible, directors can do parkour by recognizing it’s just a Brad Pitt, Quentin Tarantino has Nick Bruno and Troy Quane have craft- physics problem. That moment is hilari- never penned a better cinematic ed a tale that’s a straight-up spy flick ous, as is its outcome, but it’s significant — love letter than this revisionist with a heart — specifically the message and refreshing — that neither Walter nor Hollywood tale. of “hugs, not fists.” Considering the state Lance are diminished or humiliated in any 2020 2. Parasite — Korean writer/director of the world at the moment, we’d all be way, a filmmaking choice that allows the Bong Joon Ho delivers this year’s well-served to remember this message, work to be far more than a goofy comedy. most memorable cinematic experi- especially around the holidays. The film Wellness Spies in Disguise is full of entertaining ence with his brilliantly dark socio- pulls audiences in with a silly premise Issues homages to classic espionage films — and economic fairy tale. and then gives them something both adds to this rich lineage its own thrilling 3. 1917 — With captivating cinematog- action-packed and sweet, anchored by a set-pieces. But what sets it apart from raphy from Roger Deakins and bril- strong vocal cast. liant direction from Sam Mendes, Because Spies in Disguise is an ani- its genre peers is its focus on “hugs, not fists.” A spy may use his or her talents to this “single-take” WWI epic trans- mated film, there’s a certain expectation of ports the viewer to an apocalyptic, prevent global annihilation, but there’s silliness — which the film delivers. You’ve war-ravaged French countryside. no reason why spycraft can’t be focused got physical comedy emanating from the 4. Jojo Rabbit — Taika Waititi’s irrev- on protection. More pointedly, the film is transformation of super cool spy Lance erent humor and satirical wit won’t Sterling (voiced by Will Smith) into a critical of violence perpetuating a cycle of be to everyone’s taste, but this clev- Coming Jan. 29th & Feb. 5th pigeon, such as when he suddenly feels the violence, necessitating stronger good guys erly told story of Jojo, an enthusias- 828-251-1333 x 100 compulsion to eat food left on the ground. to combat bigger bad guys. It also nobly [email protected] 44 JAN. 1 - 7, 2020 MOUNTAINX.COM.