Murphy back in form so 'Dolemite' delivers; 'PG' violence harms 'Maleficent'
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| A flamboyant Murphy easily fills the screen in the title role. |
All kinds of positive cliches come to mind while watching "Dolemite is My Name," a Netflix original that knocked 'em dead at the 44th annual Toronto International Film Festival last month and starts streaming Oct. 25 after opening at a few theaters. (In NE Ohio, the Cleveland Heights-based Cedar Lee starts showing it today.)
Certainly Murphy soars as nightclub-MC Rudy Ray Moore, the ever-confident, equally raunchy movie-star-to-be in a truth-based story that stays on point from start to finish. That almost makes the screenwriters as important as its star and, since their names, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, happen to be the same ones that penned 1994's magnificent "Ed Wood," you can be reasonably sure their grasp of the subject matter remains firm and funny.
Meanwhile, Craig Brewer, the helmer and writer behind 2005's equally memorable "Hustle & Flow," the tale of a pimp in trouble, seems a perfect choice to direct here. After all, the fictitious "Dolemite" is the action-anxious procurer that Moore turned into the hero of a surprisingly successful '70s-era film franchise.
Of course, a likable lineup of Dolemite pals and co-stars dot this amusing and -- at times-- affecting adventure, too, including Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Mike Epps, Tituss Burgess, the sparkling Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and a few other surprises.
One very small and parochial quibble: Though it certainly doesn't have any bearing on the movie's success or failure, the fact that the real Moore began planting his comic and blaxploitation roots in Cleveland at the young age of 15 is never addressed.
After Moore's very early years in Arkansas (which is noted often enough in the film), it was in our fair town that he started singing, dancing and telling enough funny stories to get him thinking about relocating to L.A. and his ultimate stardom. Moore died 11 years ago in nearby Rittman, Ohio, where he had moved to be close to his daughter, who still survives him.
Rated "R": pervasive language, crude sexual content and graphic nudity; 1:58; $ $ $ $ out of $5
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| Jolie is surrounded by Fanning and Riley on the way to meeting the in-laws. |
Though very little blood is spilled, the ease in which the evil side of the story tries to wipe out an entire civilization -- with both weapons and what amounts to chemicals -- plays a bit much in a supposed "PG" movie, as in "parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suited for children."
Well, thank you, Captain Obvious! I mean, the 5-year-old in our bunch covered her eyes repeatedly, particularly when all those cute little pixies and fairies struggle with life in this revisionist telling of the "Sleeping Beauty" tale. (By the way, everyone got upset during a later, more maternally involving sequence.)
Otherwise, those aforementioned effects do rule here, and so does Angelina Jolie, back again as the tough title character with all those special powers. Elle Fanning, as the fabled Aurora, returns, too, and so does a fine Sam Riley, as Maleficent's good-humored henchman. As is usually the case here, we won't spoil the rest, even if almost every other reviewer -- and Disney trailer -- already have.
Rated "PG": intense sequences of fantasy action and violence, including frightening images; 2:00; $ $ $ out of $5
