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Arts & Life
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- Written by: Tim Riley
‘WAKE UP DEAD MAN’ ON NETFLIX
The prolific British murder-mystery writer Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, the central character of apparently half of her innumerable novels, is one of the most iconic figures, on par with the brilliant eccentric Sherlock Holmes and hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe.
The 2019 film “Knives Out,” written and directed by Rian Johnson, created Benoit Blanc as an oddball private detective with a Southern drawl and a sharp mind who resembles a modern-day Hercule Poirot figure.
Poirot and Blanc have in common the ability to unravel intricate family secrets and crimes. For the third film in the “Knives Out” franchise, Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc will be summoned to upstate New York to solve the murder of a clergyman.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” sets the whodunit in a Catholic Church, where Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a firebrand preacher whose demeanor at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude holds sway over a diminished number of faithful parishioners.
Meanwhile, change is coming to the small parish in Chimney Rock when young Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), previously a powerful street boxer who killed a man in the ring, is dispatched by Bishop Langstrom (Jeffrey Wright) to work with Monsignor Wicks.
Despite anger issues which caused him to punch a church deacon, Father Jud is given a second chance partly because nobody liked the deacon and the Chimney Rock parish is in decline and in need of a fresh face.
The bishop is no fan of Monsignor Wicks, observing that he’s “a few beads shy of a full rosary” and a very unpleasant person whose flock is shrinking. Saying “Christ came to heal the world, not to fight it,” the young priest might be the tonic to fix the church.
At the rural church, the Wicks legacy runs deep with buried secrets. The monsignor’s grandfather Prentice Wicks promised Jefferson’s mother Grace an inheritance if she remained with the church, but then she was left empty-handed upon his death.
Flashbacks reveal that Grace (Annie Hamilton) exacted revenge on the church by overturning statues, destroying religious paintings, and desecrating the crucifix, and then beating up adolescent Martha, who would later become the church secretary in adulthood.
During fiery sermons, the monsignor has a knack for driving away unsuspecting visitors who drop in for a Catholic Mass. What’s left of the congregation are mostly sycophants, especially the devoted church lady Martha (Glenn Close) and groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church).
Not shying away from a theological debate with Wicks, Father Jud disapproves of the fire and brimstone sermons that resonate only with what few parishioners cling to a blind loyalty to the monsignor.
Upon his initial meeting with Wicks, Father Jud is asked to take his confession, which starts with his sin of envying the wealth and power of others, before veering off into too much detail about sexual self-gratification.
The confession looks like Wicks is playing mind games, and then makes it clear the church belongs to him and that Father Jud is just an upstart sent by Bishop Langstrom, who obviously has his own agenda.
Trying to offer a counterbalance to Wicks’ preaching, Father Jud convenes a prayer group of the most loyal congregants with the mission to break down walls between members of the church and Christ, before confessing his own transgressions in his youth.
The coterie of congregants assembled by Father Jud include local doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), an alcoholic since his wife left him; Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), an excitable attorney with family secrets; and Simone (Cailee Spaeny), a cellist confined to a wheelchair due to an accident.
Vera’s illegitimate brother Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack) aspires to a political career and obsesses over social media to chronicle his interactions; and Lee Ross (Andrew Scott) seeks to regain acclaim as a writer but now obsesses with conspiracy theories.
Rounding out the prayer group is Martha, the reliable mainstay of Wicks’ ministry. When the parishioners find out that the monsignor had not been aware of Father Jud’s meeting, they abruptly leave, voicing their displeasure with what they deem a deception.
When the monsignor is mortally stabbed in a vestibule during church service, Father Jud’s volatile past as a boxer renders him a prime suspect. At this point, 40 minutes into the film is when Benoit Blanc arrives on the scene.
For Police Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), the evidence, however circumstantial, which includes video of threats to the monsignor, points to Father Jud as the likely culprit.
The master sleuth Blanc has his doubts that the young priest is guilty and sets his sights on finding the real killer. In his iconoclastic approach, Blanc is the champion of the disadvantaged and can’t be swayed by public opinion.
“Wake Up Dead Man,” to be true to Blanc as the skeptic who eventually finds the truth, takes an interesting turn in that Father Jud, for all his faults, is the most fascinating character for this entertaining twisted mystery story.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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‘MERV’ Rated PG
The holiday season continues into the new year if one desires to catch up on films with a Christmas backdrop, if not an outright yuletide theme, that are running on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In Amazon Prime’s “Merv,” set during a wintry holiday season in freezing Boston, the titular character is a wirehaired terrier (played by Gus). Other dogs named Gus have been entertainers, but not one with the famous acclaim of a Houston rescue dog.
Dogs are inherently lovable for the most part, and the story of Gus the dog, an abused mixed-breed canine rescued in 2018 who survived torture that caused massive swelling of his head, ends with a feel-good story of adoption by a caring owner.
Fortunately, “Merv” is not one of those tearjerker movies with a tragic fate for the dog. What’s interesting here is that Merv has a range of emotions that eclipse those of his loving owners, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox), who have split from living together and have agreed to joint custody.
“Merv” is upbeat despite the discord affecting the humans, and that’s due to the dog’s uncanny ability of showing expressive glances and doing simple things like sitting still in bath water with soap bubbles crowning his head. He looks like a dog that would be easily picked at a shelter.
The film opens in Russ’ untidy apartment littered with dirty dishes, pizza boxes, Chinese takeout cartons, dog toys, among other detritus. Russ is snuggling with Merv on a sofa that looks like it was rescued from a dumpster.
However, today is a sad one for Russ, since his week of guardianship has come to an end. For his part, Merv exhibits signs of depression as he’s apparently not keen on being shuttled back and forth and would prefer a reunion of his parental figures.
Given snowy conditions, Merv is dressed in a doggie parka and makeshift booties to make the trek to Anna’s. Unlike Russ’ unkempt abode, Anna’s apartment is more welcoming, but Merv can’t hide his disappointment of shuffling between broken homes.
Meanwhile, back at his place, Russ is viewing videos of happier times on Facebook and checking his Instagram account of The Mervinator, where his photos of the pooch are superimposed on a dinosaur, martial artist, flying eagle, and Mount Rushmore.
An elementary school teacher, Russ has great rapport with his students, who know a lot about the Mervinator and are inquisitive about his personal life, wondering if he’s married or dating someone.
The school’s Vice Principal Desmond (Chris Redd) also takes an interest in Russ’ personal life, suggesting that he grab a beer with his mortgage broker, while observing Russ has been a miserable jerk lately for not joining him at a game and missing out on birthday pizza.
As an eye doctor, Anna treats patients who are equally probing, with an elderly lady asking about a planned vacation with her handsome boyfriend in a picture frame that was once on her desk.
On a blind date at a trendy restaurant, Anna meets a pretentious lug who can’t even correctly pronounce the name of his supposedly favorite wine and insufferably suggests they should either split a few appetizers or go straight to dessert.
When the blind date says her sharing custody of a dog is a red flag, that is an immediate warning sign, which is followed by Anna asking him about the one thing he would save in his burning condo, and it turns out to be his safe rather than a pet or a loved one. Good riddance to this loser.
Like nervous parents, Anna and Russ take Merv to the vet because he’s sad and listless, only to find out he’s healthy. That the dog has been mopey all the time makes no sense to his guardians because of the notion they hold that Christmas is the dog’s favorite holiday.
Maybe a change of scenery will improve Merv’s spirits. To that end, Russ decides that his week with the dog will be spent at a beach resort in Florida that caters to canines with all sorts of dog-centric activities.
Not to be left out of the fun, Anna decides to surprise Russ and Merv with an impromptu visit to the resort. By this point, you would be thinking that Merv will be the catalyst for the couple getting back together.
This being a romantic comedy, a twist is thrown into the equation when Russ meets attractive single dog parent Jocelyn (Ellyn Jameson) on the beach and gets invited to her dog’s birthday party.
While “Merv” has lovable characters with Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox as the couple that look cute together, the movie does not rise above being a formulaic romantic comedy that we’ve seen many times before.
The appeal of this film is probably for dog lovers only, given how Merv’s cuteness and charisma carry “Merv” for light-hearted entertainment that will likely soon be forgotten.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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‘SONG SUNG BLUE’ Rated PG-13
Just in time for the height of the holiday season, the musical drama “Song Sung Blue” being released on Christmas Day does not necessarily make it a “Christmas movie” but the compelling story of a musical act experiencing success as well as heartbreak to overcome hardship seems fitting for the time.
The musical journey of Milwaukee husband and wife Mike and Claire Sardina (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, respectively), when they form a Neil Diamond tribute band, is an incredibly moving love story of the unpredictable joys and sorrows for the challenges they must face.
What adds to the fascination of “Song Sung Blue” is that it is based on a true story that came to the attention of writer and director Craig Brewer when he saw the 2008 documentary of the same title about the working-class couple who underwent pain and loss in their lives but found love and salvation in singing.
At its core, as Craig Brewer reportedly observes in the press notes, “Song Sung Blue” is about rooting “for underdogs because their struggle is our song. We need to see real people triumph over adversity – not just superheroes in capes.”
A recovering alcoholic and Vietnam vet, Mike is a small-time musician on the gigging circuit. He moonlights as an auto mechanic to support what he really loves most, performing in dive bars, carnivals and restaurants, even before an unresponsive audience.
A single mom to teenager Rachel (Ella Anderson) and precocious adolescent Dayna (Hudson Hensley), Claire makes ends meet as a hairdresser but suffers periods of depression that are alleviated to some extent by honing her skills as a singer.
Also divorced, Mike’s teenaged daughter Angelina (singer-songwriter King Princess), who is from Florida where she lives with her mother, ends up bonding with Rachel after sharing a joint.
Mike and Claire meet at the Wisconsin State Fair as part of the entertainment for a Legends tribute to artists ranging from Elvis and Barbra Streisand to Willie Nelson and Buddy Holly, the latter being portrayed by Michael Imperioli’s Mark Shurilla, the event promoter.
With this group of impersonators, Mike is tasked with going on the show as Don Ho, the Hawaiian pop musician, to sing his best-known song “Tiny Bubbles.” Rebelling at the thought of debasing himself to sing a shopworn classic, Mike abruptly quits the show.
However, Mike is intrigued by Claire’s impersonation of country and western legend Patsy Cline and proceeds to exchange banter that soon inevitably leads to a fast romance and marriage. For her part, Claire wants Mike to perform Neil Diamond songs.
Sporting long hair and a sparkling overcoat, Mike insists on his rock persona of “Lightning,” and lets it be known that he’s not a Neil Diamond impersonator. He prefers to be referred to as a “Neil Diamond interpreter;” a distinction that’s mainly semantics.
As Mike and Claire kick around ideas for their musical act, Mike suggests that his partner take on the moniker of Thunder to his Lightning and thus is born the “Lightning & Thunder” tribute band backed up by musicians known as The Esquires.
Show promoter Mark Shurilla joins them on guitar, as he decides that impersonating Buddy Holly, who died at the age of 22, is a hard act to keep up when one is already thirty years older.
Mike’s dentist, Dr. Dave Watson (Fisher Stevens), serves as the band manager, for what looks like pro bono work that’s only reward is being part of the music scene. Meanwhile, show booker Tom D’Amato (Jim Belushi) promises gigs at casinos.
An engagement at a venue for motorhome enthusiasts turns disastrous when the audience turns out to be bikers, who could care less about a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” as they probably want to hear Guns N’ Roses or Black Sabbath.
Not a fan of heavy metal or rebellious anthems, Mike insists on starting an engagement with the soulful, mystical Neil Diamond song “Soolaimon,” a spiritual mantra that’s not exactly what the audience is expecting as the opener.
Nevertheless, Lightning & Thunder perform on the Midwest circuit and develop a following that leads to a big break when Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith) reaches out with a request for them to be the opening act for Pearl Jam in Milwaukee.
While their career is taking off, sudden tragedy strikes in a horrific accident that sidelines Claire, who sinks to a level of despair affecting her mental health. Just to keep things going, Mike sings and host karaoke nights at a family restaurant.
“Song Sung Blue” turns into a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, with Claire eventually returning to the fold for a big reunion concert, only to find that Mike has his share of physical problems consistent with a heart condition.
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson have great chemistry, which shines with the revelatory power of their characters’ love for music and each other. Appreciation of Neil Diamond’s repertoire is a bonus for this musical tribute.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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CHRISTMAS MOVIES ON HALLMARK CHANNEL
With the final days of the holiday season upon us, the Hallmark Channel continues its non-stop run of Christmas-themed movies geared to family entertainment.
When “Christmas Above the Clouds” finds workaholic CEO Ella Neezer (Erin Krakow) trying to skip Christmas by flying to Australia, she’s in for the flight of her life. Haunted by her past, present and future, Ella is forced to confront the choices that led to her success yet left her flying solo.
With the help of three quirky spirits and a surprise reunion with her ex (Tyler Hynes), Ella might just rediscover the magic of Christmas and the love that she thought she’d lost.
Hunter King’s Liv and Evan Roderick’s Daniel star in “A Make or Break Holiday,” hosting their families for the first time this Christmas and stress is at an all-time high.
When unspoken irritations within their relationship finally reach a boiling point, Liv and Daniel find themselves at odds and decide they need to take a break from each other.
However, relaying this news to their families will most certainly ruin Christmas, so they decide to move forward with their original plans and will pretend to be a happy couple while the relatives are under one roof.
Navigating the complexities of their respective families, they work together to create a memorable holiday celebration. Liv and Daniel begin to rediscover what they love about each other and may not have to pretend much longer.
“A Suite Holiday Romance” is set during Christmas week when Sabrina Post (Jessy Schram) arrives at an iconic hotel in New York City, ready to accept the ghostwriting position for the memoir of a famous art dealer.
As a struggling writer, Sabrina can’t believe her luck: a paycheck and a stay in her own suite at the hotel. She feels like the heroine from her favorite series of children’s books.
A perfect week gets complicated when she meets Ian Turner (Dominic Sherwood), a handsome British visitor, at the hotel bar. When Ian assumes Sabrina is another wealthy guest, she does not correct him.
Sabrina thinks Ian is a member of the British aristocracy, but it turns out he’s the personal secretary of a British lord. Ian is in town to oversee an exhibit of royal jewels at a museum.
As the week unfolds, Sabrina shows Ian how New York celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the two start to fall for each other.
In “She’s Making a List,” the premise of a child falling on Santa’s Naughty or Nice list used to be a call made by Santa and his elves. But with the number of kids worldwide skyrocketing, Santa has outsourced the job to a consulting firm.
The Naughty or Nice Group has cornered the market on determining a child’s niceness thanks to an airtight formula. As a top inspector with the group, Lacey Chabert’s Isabel makes the tough calls, by assessing the children on her list and assigning a verdict.
When she is tasked with evaluating a mischievous 11-year-old Charlie, she expects a routine case. But things get complicated when Isabel unexpectedly falls for Charlie’s widowed father, Jason (Andrew Walker), and begins to question the rigid rules of the job.
As Christmas approaches, Isabel must choose between following the holiday algorithm or following her heart. You can probably guess how this will go.
With cameo appearances by country musicians, “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” stars Nikki DeLoach as Gentry Wade, daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade – half of the famed fictional duo Winters & Wade.
Gentry abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father’s legacy following his tragic accident 30 years prior.
When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories.
Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995.
Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Kristoffer Polaha), a country music talent manager, finds himself notionally time traveling as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father.
In this reunion, Gentry attains creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father for the last three decades.
“The More the Merrier” finds Alice (Rachel Boston), an emergency room doctor at a rural hospital, always volunteering to work the Christmas Eve overnight shift and going the extra mile to make the holiday merry for patients and staff.
When the hospital gets snowed in, Alice and Brian (Brendan Penny), the newly hired cardiologist, find themselves in the middle of a bona fide baby boom when three women go into labor on the rarest birthday of the year.
Though they may have different approaches to medicine and life, there’s a spark between them and it’s clear this may be the Christmas Eve that changes them both forever.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.