TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Review: Prime Video's "CANDY CANE LANE" is an Unexpected Delight

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 52 of 2023 (No. 1941) by Leroy Douresseaux

Candy Cane Lane (2023)

Running time: 117 minutes (1 hour, 57 minutes)

MPA – PG for language throughout and some suggestive references

DIRECTOR: Reginald Hudlin

WRITER: Kelly Younger

PRODUCERS: Brian Grazer, Charisse M. Hewitt, Karen Lunder, and Eddie Murphy

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Newton Thomas Sigel (ASC)

EDITORS: Kenny G. Krauss and Jim May

COMPOSER: Marcus Miller

COMEDY/FANTASY

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Madison Thomas, Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, Robin Thede, David Alan Grier, Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Danielle Pinnock, and D.C. Young Fly

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

I watched “Candy Cane Lane” on a lark, and I did not expect much from it. Boy, am I surprised. It is so shockingly charming and endearing that this must be some kind of Christmas magic.

Eddie Murphy is quite good in family-oriented films, and even his fans who don't ordinarily like Murphy's family films will probably find something to like in “Candy Cane Lane”

The story is ridiculous at times, but “Candy Cane Lane” is the best Christmas movie I have seen in a long time. I recommend it without reservation.

Candy Cane Lane is a 2023 comedy, fantasy, and Christmas film directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Eddie Murphy. The film is an Amazon “Prime Original” that began streaming December 1, 2023. Candy Cane Lane focuses on a man who is so determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest that he makes an unwise pact with a rogue elf.

Candy Cane Lane introduces Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy), a husband and father who crafts his own hand-carved Christmas decorations. Every year, a local television station hosts the “Candy Cane Lane Spectacular,” a contest to judge the best decorated house. Chris has never won, and he is jealous of his neighbor, Bruce (Ken Marino), who has won several times.

Shortly before Christmas, Chris' employer, the industrial plastics firm, Sydel Twain, lays him off. When Chris learns that this year's Candy Cane Lane prize is $100,000, he becomes desperate to win the money for his family, although he wife, Carol Carver (Tracee Ellis Ross), has a very good job. Chris is also oblivious to the lives of his two older children, Joy (Genneya Walton), a high school senior and track star, and Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson), a tuba player and budding musician.

Looking for Christmas decorations and supplies, Chris and his youngest child, daughter Holly (Madison Thomas), stumble across “Kringle's,” a mysterious Christmas shop filled with all kinds of beautiful decorations, including model buildings, ceramic figures, and a strange Christmas tree. Chris is so enchanted by all that he sees, believing that these decorations could help him win Candy Cane Lane. He unwarily signs a deal with Kringle's eccentric shopkeeper, Pepper (Jillian Bell). However, Pepper is more than she seems, and so is the receipt Chris signs. Soon, he will need all the help he can get from his family and from a trio of diminutive new friends in order to keep himself out of Pepper's clutches. And he also has some Christmas lessons to learn.

Audiences first came to know and love Eddie Murphy from his stand-up comedy career; his stint as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” (1980-84); and his R-rated comedy films, such as 48 Hrs (1982), Trading Places (1983), and Beverly Hills Cop (1983). Much to the chagrin of the those fans, Murphy's film career as an A-list star eventually led him to make innocuous family-friends films, especially Dr. Doolittle (1998), Shrek (2001), and Daddy Day Care (2003).

Those fans will not be pleased with Candy Cane Lane. It is a family movie, an absurd fantasy film, and a Christmas movie full of holiday lessons to learn. For me, Candy Cane Lane is one of the best absurd movies that I have ever seen. Its concepts and ideas are as imaginative and as inventive as they are ridiculous and preposterous, yet I find the film endlessly lovable. Every time I tried to dismiss it, I found myself drawn ever deeper into its delicious, addictive fluffiness. Candy Cane Lane is a true feel-good movie. It shouldn't work, yet it works to perfection. Considering director Reginald Hudlin's past directorial efforts, I was (and still am) shocked that he could pull of this kind of Christmas movie, which is, for the most part, a warm cup of cocoa. If anything, Candy Cane Lane suggests that screenwriter Kelly Younger is certainly inventive.

Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, and Robin Thede are a delight in their voice roles, and David Alan Grier is sly and smooth in his surprise role. Jillian Bell is nearly perfect as Pepper, except for a few moments that are too over the top. I think Madison Thomas needed more screen time as Holly Carver, and Timothy Simons and Danielle Pinnock are a winning pair as TV co-hosts, Emerson and Kit.

Eddie Murphy barely breaks a sweat as Chris Carver, and neither does Tracee Ellis Ross as Carol Carver. Still, they work well together as a screen couple at the center of this delightful family fare. Despite what some fans may think, Eddie Murphy has the magic touch when it comes to family films. Murphy passes on the lessons that Chris has to learn with a knowing wink and a nudge, and I was willing to buy it all. I think I'll be watching Candy Cane Lane again, if only because, for two hours, it made me believe in that Hollywood bullshit called “Christmas magic.”

B+

7 of 10

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, December 10, 2023

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Saturday, December 9, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Dec. 1st to 9th, 2023 - Update #24

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety: Director Denis Villeneuve says that there are "words on paper" for a Dune Part Three.

MOVIES - From Deadline: The site has a first-look at "Hurricanna," a biopic about the late TV personality, model, "Playboy Magazine" centerfold, and actress, Anna Nicole Smith. The project is currently filming.

From Deadline: A heist moving starring Ryan Reynolds is a hot pitch. There reportedly seven "big bids" for what is being described as a high-concept ensemble action comedy.

STREAMING - From Deadline: The third season of Max's "And Just Like That" (a follow-up to "Sex in the City") will arrive in 2025.

MUSIC - From Time: Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Taylor Swift, has been named "Time" magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2023.

AMAZON - From Deadline: The Eddie Murphy Christmas-themed holiday movie, Candy Cane Lane, is is the number one film globally on Prime Video. It is also Amazon MGM Studios is the most watched film. "Candy Cane Lane" debuted Dec. 1st.

From Deadline: Prime Video has lined up an all-star guest cast for its eight-episode series, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine and based on the 2005 Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie action comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Newly announced guests include Sarah Paulson, Ron Perlman, and Alexander Skarsgard, to name a few.

CELEBRITY - From THR: Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx makes his first public appearance since his "medical event" back in April (2023). Foxx attended Critics Choice Association's "Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements" where he received the "Vanguard Award" for his performance in director Maggie Betts' 2023 legal drama, "The Burial."

MOVIES - From Showbiz411: The recent Barbie, Margot Robbie, and Ken, Ryan Gosling, will reunite for an "Ocean's 11" prequel. Robbie and Gosling will play the parents of Danny Ocean of the George Clooney trilogy: Ocean's 11, 12, and 13. They will also be the parents of Debbie Ocean of "Ocean's 8," of which I am not that familiar, so Debbie is apparently Danny's sister.

DISNEY - From Deadline: Ryan Murphy will reunite with one of his "American Horror Story: Delicate" stars, Kim Kardashian, for a "high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural" set in Los Angeles. The series is bound for Hulu.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 12/1 to 12/3/2023 weekend box office is AMC Theatres Distribution/Variance' "Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce" with an estimated take of 21 million dollars.

From Variety: With its gross now north of 14.36 million dollars, "Godzilla Minus One" is now the highest-grossing live-action movie in North America.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: HBO Films has optioned the rights to Mark Chiusano’s new book, "The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos" (which was published on November 28, 2023), as part of its plan to develop a film about disgraced former U.S. Congressman, George Santos.

AMAZON - From Deadline: Amazon has renewed "Jack Reacher" for a third season, although Season 2 doesn't make its debut until Dec. 15th.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: HBO has released the first teaser trailer for "House of the Dragon" Season 2, along with some information on new cast members and plenty of first-look images from the upcoming season. The new season is set for Summer 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline: If you want to read the "Killers of the Flower Moon" screenplay, Deadline has a copy.

DISNEY - From Variety: James Cameron says "Avatar 3" is in a hectic two years of post-production and is due Christmas 2025.

OBITS:

From Deadline: Film and television actor, Ryan O'Neal, has died at the age of 82, Friday, December 8, 2023. He received a "Best Actor" Oscar nomination for his role in the 1970 romance, "Love Story." His other most famous films include "What's Up, Doc" (1970), "Paper Moon" (1973), "Barry Lyndon" (1975), and "The Main Event" (1979), to name a few. Before he took up acting, O'Neal was an amateur boxer.

From Deadline: Television writer and producer, Norman Lear, has died at the age of 101, Tuesday, December 5, 2023. TV pioneer, icon, and legend, Lear produced, wrote, created, or developed over 100 TV shows. His best known TV work occurred in the 1970s and include "All in the Family" (1971-79), "Maude" (1972-78), "Sanford and Son" (1972-77), "The Jeffersons" (1975-85), and "Good Times" (1974-79), to name a few. He was nominated for 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and won six, including the three he won for "All in the Family" as "Outstanding Series - Comedy." Lear was also known for his political activism and support of liberal causes and politicians and for founding the advocacy organization, "People for the American Way."

From Deadline: In a photo gallery, the site offers "Norman Lear's Career in Pictures."

From Deadline: English rock musician, guitarist, and songwriter, Denny Laine, has died at the age of 79, Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Laine was a rounding member of the English rock band, "The Moody Blues," with who he performed from 1964 to 1966. In 1971, he joined Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney to form "Wings" (also known as "Paul McCartney and Wings"). He remained with the band until it disbanded in 1981. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Class of 2018 - as a member of The Moody Blues. Laine received four Grammy Award nominations as a member of Wings and won two of them.

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AWARDS:

From AwardsWatch: The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced. "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch: The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch: "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association). The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline: At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

From Variety: The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced. "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023." Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety: The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th. Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Review: Phoenix is the Man in Woody Allen's "IRRATIONAL MAN"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 51 of 2023 (No. 1940) by Leroy Douresseaux

Irrational Man (2015)

Running time: 95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)

MPAA – R for some language and sexual content

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Woody Allen

PRODUCERS: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, and Edward Walson

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Darius Khondji

EDITOR: Alisa Lepselter

COMEDY/DRAMA/MYSTERY/ROMANCE

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey, Joe Stapleton, Nancy Carroll, Betsy Aidem, Ethan Phillips, Jamie Blackley, Nancy Giles, and Tom Kemp

Irrational Man is a 2015 comedy-drama, romance, and mystery film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film focuses on a college professor who finds the will to live after committing the act of murder and the young student who falls deeply in love with him.

Philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) arrives in Newport, Rhode Island with some acclaim. He joins the faculty of (fictional) Braylin College where he will teach “ethical strategies.” Abe is depressed, is experiencing an existential crisis, and sees no meaning in his life. He drinks excessively and considers suicide.

Despite his tormented state, Abe catches the attention of two women. The first is chemistry professor, Rita Richards (Parker Posey), and the second is Jill Pollard (Emma Stone), one of his students. Each is crazy about him in her own way. Abe's relationship with the two really goes nowhere … at first.

Abe hatches the idea of murdering Judge Thomas Augustus Spangler (Tom Kemp), an unethical family court judge who is plotting to take the custody of her children away from a woman. Plotting and committing murder has given Abe's life a sense of purpose that he has not felt in ages. For various reasons, however, both Rita and Jill suspect Abe of Judge Spangler's murder.

Coup de chance, the film Woody Allen says will likely be his final directorial effort, was released in France in September (2023). Because of the controversies surrounding Allen the last few decades, especially the last five years, the film may not get a U.S. theatrical release. In anticipation of seeing Coup de chance, I have decided to watch the recent Woody Allen films that I missed, beginning with the most recent that I had not seen, Irrational Man.

Some of Woody Allen's films have previously focused on a lead character who is involved in murder or commits murder. Examples include Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Match Point (2005). Having murder as subplot gives Allen's films an edge they don't normally have. Irrational Man seems to drift with no purpose until Abe Lucas actually commits murder, and suddenly this film seems like a totally different movie from what it was during its first half. Frankly, Irrational Man seems to be asleep for at least half its runtime.

I find myself entirely sympathetic with Phoenix's Abe Lucas. Of course, I would feel differently if this were a real murder victim that was friends or family to me. As it is, I find myself really liking the post-crime Abe Lucas, and I found his later, darker turn to be a bit alluring.

Phoenix gives life to a character that Allen does not develop very well. As the narrative moves towards its conclusion, Phoenix makes Abe feel richer, and the character might have improved even more with a longer runtime, more because of what Phoenix would do rather than what Allen would not. Emma Stone is whiny and unlikable as Jill Pollard, but Parker Posey makes the best of horny Rita Richards. I wish Rita had more screen time.

Irrational Man is strictly for Woody Allen fans, although Phoenix is the one who saves this film and uplifts it. So Joaquin Phoenix fans may find something in Irrational Man to like, also.

6 of 10

★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Comics Review: "ARCHIE Christmas Spectacular" is Filled with Holiday Cheer

ARCHIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR #1 (2023)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Tom DeFalco; Frances Bonnet; Dan Parent; Bill Golliher

PENCILS: Holly G!; Bill Galvan; Dan Parent; Bill Golliher

INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Steven Butler and Lily Butler with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024; on-sale December 6, 2023)

Rating: All-Ages

“Christmas Chaos!”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics frequently publishes holiday themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”). The latest is the Archie Christmas Spectacular. It features one new story and four reprint stories. Entitled “Christmas Chaos,” the new story introduces Archie Comics' newest characters: Jangles, Sourplum, and Grumpus. The story is written by Tom DeFalco; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and the Gang in “Christmas Chaos”:

The story opens at Riverdale High where Archie, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang are decorating the gym for the annual big Christmas party, “the Riverdale Holiday Happening.” They are waiting for the arrival of their friends, Jingle the Christmas Elf and Sugar Plum the Christmas Fairy.

However, the two have mistakenly teleported inside the “Eyegor Estate,” and now, they are the prisoners of Grumpus. In their stead, Grumpus sends Naughty Christmas Elf Jangles and Sour Plum to Riverdale High. Will the mischievous pair keep the Holiday Happening from happening, or can right magic make everything right again?

THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time. For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review. Archie Christmas Spectacular is the latest.

I like Archie Christmas Spectacular, especially because there is a bit of pop Gothic in this story, especially that one panel that features the Eyegor Estate. The story has a sweet Christmas slash Happy Holidays ending. I can like a comic book that makes me jealous because I can't attend its admittedly fictional party, but damn, the Riverdale Holiday Happening looks like a blast.

The rest of this issue features reprints of classic-style Archie Christmas and holiday stories. Dear readers, I will always recommend classic-style Archie, especially when it comes in Christmas packaging – anytime of the year.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie Christmas Spectacular.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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Comics Review: "BIG GAME #5" Brings in the Big Names

BIG GAME #5 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Pepe Larraz

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Pepe Larraz with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

52pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (November 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Big Game is a five-issue comic book event miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz. Big Game is a crossover event series that pulls together all the franchises that are part of Millar's company/imprint, “Millarworld.” That includes Kick-Ass, The Magic Order, and Wanted, to name a few. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series' creative team.

Big Game is a sequel to the first Millarworld comic book miniseries, Wanted (2003-04). The stars of that series, The Fraternity, the super-villains that secretly rule the world, defeated their superhero adversaries in 1986. Now, this entity is concerned about the reemergence of superheroes, so it unleashes it new superhero killer, Nemesis (from Nemesis: Reloaded), on a hero-assassination spree.

Big Game #5 opens in Singapore, Moscow, and New York. It is in these places that Diabolos the Sorcerer makes his announcement on behalf of his master, King Morax (Empress). Diabolos has traveled millions of years from Earth's deep history in order to speak to the planet's true leader, Wesley Gibson, the secret Lord of the Earth (Wanted).

But for all the flexing Wesley and Diabolos will commit in front of each other, everything hinges on Hit-Girl/Mindy McCready (Kick-Ass). Can she stop Nemesis' superhero murder spree before it starts … again? Guest-starring the stars of The Ambassadors, Huck, Night Club, Starlight, and a surprise.

THE LOWDOWN: I have been receiving PDF review copies of Netflix/Millarworld's comic book titles since late 2021. Big Game #5 is the latest.

Big Game #5 is the end of, what is for me, the most readable comic book crossover event of the last fifteen years. I have read some event series that started off grand and ended with a whimper (Marvel's recent Heroes Reborn). I have read some that are full of sound and fury signifying nothing but perpetual noise (DC Comics' Dark Metal).

Writer Mark Millar and artist Pepe Larraz offer a satisfying ending that brings together all the elements, hooks, and twists from throughout Millarworld, although I will say that Big Game #5 doesn't have the big game of previous four issues. This conclusion leaves me satisfied, and I am anticipating what comes next.

Millar seems to promise a brave new Millarworld going forward, and I want to be there. So, dear readers, perhaps you should get that Big Game trade paperback for some good reading. Add it to your gift list.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and especially of his Millarworld titles will want to read Big Game.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

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Review: First "MORTAL KOMBAT" Film Has Not Lost its Immortal Charm

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 50 of 2023 (No. 1939) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mortal Kombat (1995)

Running time: 101 minutes (1 hour, 41 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for non-stop martial arts action and some violence

DIRECTOR: Paul Anderson

WRITER: Kevin Droney (based on the video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias)

PRODUCER: Lawrence Kasanoff

CINEMATOGRAPHER: John R. Leonetti (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Martin Hunter

COMPOSER: George S. Clinton

MARTIAL ARTS/ACTION

Starring: Robin Shou, Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto, Trevor Goddard, Chris Casamassa, Francois Petit, Keith H. Cooke, Steven Ho, Gregory McKinney, and the voices of Frank Welker, Ed Boon, and Kevin Michael Richardson

Mortal Kombat is a 1995 martial arts and action fantasy film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. It is the first film in the Mortal Kombat film franchise, and is based on the video game series, Mortal Kombat, which began in 1992. Mortal Kombat the movie focuses on three martial artists who find themselves entered into a martial arts tournament that will decide the fate of Earth.

Mortal Kombat opens in the dreams of Liu Kang (Robin Shou), a former Shaolin monk. Kang dreams of the death of his brother, Chan (Steven Ho), at the hands of Shang Tsung (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a powerful sorcerer. Now, Kang is determined to avenge his brother's death, and to do this, his most enter the tournament, Mortal Kombat.

Mortal Kombat is a martial arts tournament that is held once every generation between the representatives of the realms of Earth and Outworld . There have been nine previous editions of the tournament, and the realm of Earth has lost all of them. If the warriors of Earth lose this tenth tournament, the realm of Outworld and its Emperor will invade the realm of Earth.

Although Kang's former comrades in “the Order of Light” are reluctant to have him represent them in the tournament, Lord Rayden (Christopher Lambert), the god of thunder and defender of the realm of Earth, believes Kang is the right choice. In addition to Kang, Rayden has chosen two other entrants, Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), a movie star who wants to prove that his martial arts skills are legitimate, and Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), an American special forces operative, who is hunting another entrant in Mortal Kombat. That would be Kano (Trevor Goddard), a criminal allied with Shang Tsung.

Kang, Cage, and Blade travel to Shang Tsung's island where they meet Princess Kitana (Talisa Soto), the Emperor's adopted daughter, who wants to ally with the Earth warriors. With its strange rules, Tsung's weird warriors, and lurking danger, Mortal Kombat will test the warriors from the realm of Earth to their limits.

I first saw Mortal Kombat when it was initially released to theaters in August 1995. I liked the movie, but at the time, I was not overwhelmed by it. I do remember it fondly because I saw it with coworker who was a fellow college student and also a dear friend for many years. Since then, I have grown fond of Mortal Kombat, and I have wondered why over the years.

The Mortal Kombat video game and subsequent film adaptation are hugely influenced by the legendary Bruce Lee's classic 1973 martial arts film, Enter the Dragon. There seems to be some kind of mental and dream time connection in my mind and imagination between this first Mortal Kombat film and Enter the Dragon, which is one of my all-time favorite films. [However, I have only watched the 1997 sequel, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, in its entirety once, and I have not seen the 2021 franchise reboot, Mortal Kombat.]

Mortal Kombat is by no means perfect. Some of the dialogue is stiff, and is made stiffer by the actors' deliveries, especially in the case of Bridgette Wilson as Sonya Blade and Linden Ashby as Johnny Cage. However, the two aren't always bad, and I find them rather likable. Christopher Lambert is unfortunate as Lord Rayden, I'm sad to say; everything about his character is forced and contrived. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is over the top and melodramatic as Shang Tsung, but I really dig his performance and his character. I think there isn't enough of Tagawa's Shang Tsung.

The two best things about Mortal Kombat 1995 are Robin Shou as Liu Kang and the film's soundtrack. Shou, an underutilized Hong Kong-born actor, is magnetic as Kang, and Shou is the one that makes the film more than just a standard martial arts/action-fantasy film. Mortal Kombat also features The Immortals' single, “Techno-Syndrome,” with its signature yell of “Mortal Kombat!” It lifts this movie any time a few strains of it are played, and the music certainly creates a sense of anticipation for me.

So Mortal Kombat is by no means a great film; it may even be a mediocre film. For me, however, it seems to get better each time I watch it. I think I hear the opening notes of “Techno-Sydrome” now. “MORTAL KOMBAT!”

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Monday, December 4, 2023

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Monday, December 4, 2023

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OCT230185 ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD #1 BSE VAR DEL MUND $24.99

OCT230087 ORCS THE GIFT #1 (OF 4) CVR A LARSEN $5.99

OCT230088 ORCS THE GIFT #1 (OF 4) CVR B HENDERSON $5.99

OCT230083 RANGER ACADEMY #3 CVR A MERCADO (C: 1-0-0) $3.99

OCT230084 RANGER ACADEMY #3 CVR B CHARACTER DSN MI-GEYONG (C: 1-0-0) $3.99

OCT230096 SPACE BETWEEN #2 (OF 4) CVR A LUCKERT $4.99

OCT230097 SPACE BETWEEN #2 (OF 4) CVR B OLIVETTI $4.99

OCT230058 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES SLAY RIDE #1 CVR A FRANCAVILLA $7.99

OCT230059 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES SLAY RIDE #1 CVR B FRISON $7.99

OCT230060 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES SLAY RIDE #1 CVR C HOMAGE VAR MERACDO $7.99

OCT230061 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES SLAY RIDE #1 CVR D GLOW DARK FRANCAVILLA $9.99

OCT230062 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES SLAY RIDE #1 CVR E GLOW DARK FRISON $9.99

SEP239713 ZAWA #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG DIALYNAS $4.99

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