Directors Ned Castle and Matt Day collaborate with producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter for a good old-fashioned in-the-crowd pleaser in the documentary All You Hear Is Noise. The screenplay crafted by Castle and Day successfully balances audience appeal while abstaining from the typical stereotypes and oversimplifications frequently portrayed in media representations of intellectual disability.
Director Michael Oblowitz delivers another stinker with his latest film, Confidential Informant from Lionsgate. The director pens the screenplay with Michael Kaycheck and Brooke Nasser. Tom Moran (Dominic Purcell) and Mike Thornton (Nick Stahl) are war veterans turned cops on the beat in the Big Apple.
Iconic film star Harrison Ford returns as the man with the hat for one last adventure in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny from Walt Disney Pictures. James Mangold, an Academy Award nominee, has now taken over the film series previously directed by Steven Spielberg.
Acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson assembles another all-star cast for his eleventh feature film, Asteroid City, from Focus Features. The film starts perplexingly in the titular fictional town in the late fifties.
After making a promising debut with Monster, director Anthony Mandler returns with his sophomore feature, Surrounded from MGM. Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas pen the film’s screenplay.
A popular comedy sketch receives the full-length feature film treatment in The Blackening from Lionsgate. Tim Story directs the film from Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins.
Literary horror legend Stephen King sees another one of his properties come to the big screen in The Boogeyman from 20th Century Studios.
Director Steven Luke continues his admiration for war films in his latest feature, Come Out Fighting from Red Box Entertainment. Set during WWII, in this military adventure, a small, specialized squad of U.S. Army African American soldiers are sent on an unofficial rescue mission behind enemy lines to locate their missing commanding officer.
Collaborative directors Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote bring an ass-kicking minor back to the big screen in The Wrath Of Becky from Quiver Distribution. The Wrath Of Becky is the sequel to the 2020 Summer box office hit Becky, released theatrically during the height of the pandemic.
Camille Delamarre follows up his failed attempt at rebooting The Transporter franchise with another action flick in Assassin Club from Paramount Global Content Distribution. Thomas Dunn pens the film’s screenplay.
Review content Director Bill Holderman brings four legendary actresses back together in Book Club: The Next Chapter from Focus Features. In addition to directing the film, Holderman penned the screenplay with Erin Simms, who wrote the first film.
It’s been four years since we last saw the characters Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen), and Carol (Mary Steenburgen). When we last left the ladies, Diane’s daughters had accepted her relationship with pilot Mitchell (Andy Garcia), Vivian decided to commit to her flame Arthur (Don Johnson), Sharon was hopeful about online dating, and Carol had reignited the passion in her marriage to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson).
After navigating through the challenges of the global pandemic and other personal matters, the group of female friends decide to let loose and have some fun. Excited by the news of Vivian’s engagement, they plan a girls’ trip to Italy, which they had always wanted to do. However, unexpected events reveal secrets, turning their tranquil vacation into an unforgettable journey across the country.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was nowhere in the primary demographic for a film like Book Club. However, the first film had tons of heart and excellent chemistry between the legends. Witnessing the fun between four iconic actresses as they portray a story centered on sex and the art of enjoying it to the fullest, you couldn’t help but smile.
The sequel may give off cash-grab vibes for some, but its intended audience will enjoy it. I will say that the film’s opening moments feature a voice-over from one of the characters asking what would make “a woman in her seventies get married”? I thought about the route the film was going to take. When the film was announced, and the plot was revealed, I thought the characters jumping the broom would surely be Diane and Mitchell. So I was pleasantly surprised when the trailers showed that it was Vivian and Arthur.
Book Club: The Next Chapter hits all of the necessary plot points; a sequel of this sort requires. Thankfully the film’s screenplay avoids culture clash jokes and lets the ladies enjoy their time on vacation without any overtly embarrassing situations just for the sake of the laugh. Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen all have moments to shine in the film, and we genuinely believe in their friendship.
Kudos to the script for handling the characterization of the ladies’ love interests. Andy Garcia, Craig T. Nelson, and Don Johnson are having as much fun as the ladies. There were moments in the film that established that Arthur, Mitchell, and Bruce have a friendship, and I wouldn’t like some deleted scenes that show the trio hanging out and just interacting.
Book Club: The Next Chapter does have some clichés, but I was so busy watching these ladies enjoying their time together I’ll allow it. Expanding on the charm that made the first film a winner, Book Club: The Next Chapter is a harmless sequel.
Final Grade: B
Book Club: The Next Chapter hits theaters on May 11th.
I’m still on a musical high after seeing Janet Jackson in concert last night, so of course, she will get some more love. I decided to revisit her ninth album, 2006’s 20 Y.O., for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
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