'Motherless Brooklyn' - A Hearty Neo-Noir Detective Story

Edward Norton caps off this decade by writing, directing, and starring in a film about a detective with Tourette's syndrome named Lionel Essrog, who dares to solve the murder of his mentor, Frank Minna. Adapted from Jonathan Lethem's novel Motherless Brooklyn, Norton attempts to bring Lethem's characters into a different period, giving it a neo-noir comedic treatment re-setting in 1950's New York.

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Equipped with his creative mind and only with a few clues, Lionel untangles closely confidential secrets that hold the fate of New York from one Burrough to another. He fights corruption, thugs, and one of the most dangerous and powerful men in the city to honor his deceased friend and save a woman who could be instrumental to his own sanity.

Norton obviously poured his heart and soul into this project. It's ambitious from its overall style and his distinctive portrayal. He noticeably wants to give the best-selling book justice. For one, he makes Lionel incredibly likable whose quirks could easily be defined as identifiable and adorable. His portrayal of Tourette's syndrome could be seen as over-the-top but it's an eye-catching performance overall.

Motherless Brooklyn's thorough neo-noir vibe is also very believable. It's a gimmick that could either go wrong especially with the wrong material, but its detective storyline pretty much suits the atmosphere Norton created. And it's not as simple as solving a murder mystery. It goes beyond a more serious matter surrounding New York. It even tackles race against the city's biggest businessmen. But the film got me hooked not because of its spectacle. It's Lionel's life as a detective and as a human that is more outstanding.

Norton's character, Lionel, shows persistence in pursiing his career under the circumstances. He understands his condition and how it would be perceived by others but that doesn't stop him from doing his job. What's even more touching is that there are people around him that would completely embrace him as he is. From Bruce Willis to Gugu Mbatha-raw, and finally Edward Norton, they bring out the humanity in a big material like this. Their hearts and even humor outshine the complicated and serious subject of the film.

'Jumanji: The Next Level' is an Avatar-Swapping Adventure

Like any other modern video games or video game app, Jumanji gets an upgrade. This time with new and improved characters, different strengths and weaknesses, harder tasks, and surprisingly, more heart. But The Next Level still finds the four teenagers from Welcome to the Jungle trapped in the world of Jumanji. Only they're joined by Spencer's grandpa, Eddie, played by the funny Danny DeVito and his old business partner-turned-nemesis, Milo, played by Danny Glover. Awkwafina also joins the fun as a new avatar, Ming, a pickpocket whose one weakness is pollen.

Photo: Columbia Pictures

As always, the game and the world of Jumanji is never easy to navigate. And since this is the 'next level', the game is fighting back even if it's broken. This means more stampede and harder levels which also means big action, magnificent visual effects, vast locations, and other unexpected twists.

The main avatars, Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), map expert Dr. Shelly Oberon (Jack Black), zoologist Mouse Finbar (Kevin Hart), fierce woman Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan), and Seaplane (Nick Jonas) are still available. It's only a matter of which human is going to inhabit them. And that's where the fun begins.

The Next Level is hilarious mainly because the cast gets to play around with their avatars slash characters. Even better, there's a new feature in the game where they can swap avatars that perfectly suit their strengths and weaknesses. This enables each of the cast to show their range as actors. The result is a riot, especially when they get to portray a character that is the opposite of their other roles.

Jack Black shines the most especially when he gets to portray Bethany, a nice and sophisticated friend of Spencer. But pretty much everyone delivers. Even Awkwafina whose roles vary from a heartbroken teenager to an old cranky grandfather, showing yet again her range as an actress. Its body-swapping component is definitely the film's strongest suit.

But Jumanji is not Jumanji without the chaos. The Next Level still has the thrilling obstacles that these characters have to overcome--including arid sand dunes filled with a flock of angry ostrich, to treacherous canyons, to a setpiece with hanging bridges full of angry monkeys, and to a winter fortress as the last level where everyone becomes heroic. In the end, this film has them coming to terms with who they are and how the game has changed them.

Lastly, beneath the comedy and the challenges, its heart is in the relationships of the group. There are no villains. They are one in competition against a game, and throughout the game, there are mended relationships, a second chance at friendship and a romantic reconciliation. It is hilarious, and to top it all, it is good-natured. It's a feel-good movie despite all the exhilarating stress in between.