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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider STREAMING REVIEWS: Arnold does comedy and the world of remakes

STREAMING REVIEWS: Arnold does comedy and the world of remakes

Published May 29, 2023 02:31 pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger in 'FUBAR'
Here are two new drops that are dripping with nostalgia. One has a grizzled Arnold morning comedy in a Limited Series, while the second turns remakes into a Hit or Miss affair. FUBAR (Netflix USA) - Ask me what my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movies are, and you may be surprised to hear me say that Kindergarten Cop and Twins would figure in my Top 3. Sure, the Terminators and Predators can take home the box office revenues, but I’ve enjoyed how Arnie goes completely against type and succeeds in giving us gruff, but effective comedy. It doesn’t hurt that he’s doing so with his Austrian-accented English leading the way. So yes, he may be playing a soon-to-be-retired CIA agent in this Limited Series, and they may be putting him through the motions over several action scenes - that are expertly edited so you don’t have to watch him literally do the stunts, but I eventually liked this series for its comedy. Monica Barbaro, who we watched in Top Gun: Maverick, plays Emma, the daughter. And it soon turns into a hailstorm of secrets in the family, and how both father and daughter have been deceiving each other, and yet end up on the same side. The dynamics between the two leads carry the film; and it’s most enjoyable when they’re both in the frame, trading barbs and arguing, while still getting things done. The bad guys, the other CIA agents; they’re all playing straight man or fall guy for the jokes and insults of the two. Over the course of the eight episodes, it does become rather uneven, characterized by highs and lows. It never quite achieves the right balance of family dynamics vis-a-vis action and suspense sequences. Still, it’s good to watch Arnold back in comedy form. And can you guess what the expression FUBAR stands for?

A scene from 'White Men Can't Jump'


White Men Can't Jump (Disney+) The original 1992 basketball film starred Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, directed by Ron Shelton, and had an easy charm about it. It was about two hustlers taking street basketball to a new level of scam and chutzpah. The banter between the two lead stars also helped bring this film to cult status and made it an easy favorite for those looking for films that blended character development with well-choreographed sports/basketball scenes. So this was a film ripe for a remake, given the global popularity of basketball today. Plus in terms of release timing, that the NBA playoffs are going on right now, wouldn’t hurt it’s chances in finding an audience. This remake stars white rapper/actor Jack Harlow as Jeremy, and Sinqua Walls as Kamai. Lance Reddick is Benji, the father of Kamai; who in the prologue, takes on a character inspired by LaVar Ball - father of Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo. Laura Harrier plays Tatiana, and Teyana Taylor is Imani. There’s a little bit too much of trying to say ‘Hey, this is a remake, and look how we’ve changed the narrative to reflect the up-dating’. So much, to the point that it now looks like a snapshot of a specific time, and feels dated.. ironically. Harlow is charming enough and there is some chemistry going on with his scenes with Walls; but unlike the first film, there’s once again this forced hand of trying too hard to make us like the Jeremy character, and it just falls flat. Entertaining in bursts, but not much is sustained to make us forget the first edition.
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