WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (2025)

December 10, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. The phrase ‘Third time’s the charm’ loses impact when the first two times were also charmed. Such is the case for writer-director Rian Johnson and his ‘Knives Out’ trilogy (so far). The filmmaker has really tapped into the joy of whodunits for those of us who are big fans of the genre. This third one has a darker tone and feel than the first two, but many of the elements remain in place – including a stellar ensemble of well-known actors, some whom only appear briefly.

Rising star Josh O’Connor plays troubled young Priest Jud Duplencity. If you are unfamiliar with O’Connor, I highly recommend REBUILDING (2025) and EMMA. (2020). After a physical confrontation, this Priest gets reassigned to Chimney Rock, where arrogant Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) rules over his loyal flock which includes devoted assistant Martha (Glenn Close), depressed Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), stressed out lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), best selling sci-fi author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), cellist Simone (Cailee Spaeny), groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), and ambitious politician/social media influencer wannabe Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack). As I previously stated, it’s quite an ensemble … and it also includes Mila Kunis, Bridget Everett, Annie Hamilton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Faulkner.

Having this set at a church with two rival Priests make ‘The Good Friday Murder’ one for the Knives Out pages. When superstar detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)  arrives on the scene, he calls it “The Holy Grail” of murder and a “perfectly impossible” crime. A ‘closed room’ murder with all suspects seated in the church pews – except Priest Duplencity, who is front and center at the altar, creates quite a conundrum for Blanc and the Priest. Of course, that’s where the fun comes in for Rian Johnson and his writing. He excels at weaving a tapestry of confusion sprinkled with just enough witty humor to prevent the mood from sinking too low.

A secret that’s been held for 60 years leads to another contemporary secret, as well as a few more between characters. Eve’s Apple and the religious inserts are a welcome addition, and mostly this is designed as yet another fun treat for the ‘Knives Out’ fan base. There’s even Tom Waits singing “Come On Up to the House” to close things out.

Opens on Netflix on November 12, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

Leave a Comment » | Thriller | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

PATTI CAKE$ (2017)

August 23, 2017

 Greetings again from the darkness. A gritty, New Jersey based story of a blue-collar white girl trying to make it in hip-hop sounds like the makings of a film festival favorite – especially since it’s the first feature from its director and features a star-making turn from an unusual leading lady. After being warmly received at Sundance and Cannes (and other festivals), the only remaining question is, will mainstream audiences show the love?

The obvious comparison here is Eminem’s 8 MILE, but there is also a touch of ROCKY, THE COMMITMENTS, and most all other sports and music movies featuring the dreams of those from ‘the other side of the tracks’. Writer/director Geremy Jasper has a nice feel for setting and actors, and it’s only the (at times) formulaic nature of the script that keeps this one in the crowd-pleasing category rather reaching a level of greatness.

Australian native Danielle Macdonald plays Patti Dombrowski, also known as Killa P, and most every other cruel nickname (Dumbo, White Precious) one might pin on a plus-sized Anglo girl found street rapping. As you would expect, her tough outer visage masks an all-too-familiar inner insecurity borne from a larger than life mother who blames her daughter for every misery in life. Bridget Everett plays the mother Barb, a hard-drinking, hard-singing, hard-blaming type who gives such sterling mother advice as ‘lose the top button’ for that job interview. Mother Barb, providing proof of her distance from reality, refers to herself and daughter Patti as “the Dombrowski sisters”, whom she claims are “setting the world on fire”.

The tenuous mother-daughter relationship is at the core of the film, and these two actresses (and the movie) are at their best in their scenes together. On the music side, Siddarth Dhananjay plays Jhen, Patti’s eternal optimist-pharmacist-music partner, while Mamoudou Athie is Basterd, a self-proclaimed anti-Christ anarchist. The three form a band called PB&J (Patti, Basterd, Jhen) which provides friendship, a creative release, and, mostly, a reason for existence. Their band, and especially Patti, gets a boost from Nana (a remarkable Cathy Moriarty) on vocals and the CD cover. Ms. Moriarty is now 56 years old (playing older here), and was only 19 when she made her stunning screen debut in RAGING BULL. Other supporting work is provided by MC Lyte, Wass Stevens and Sahr Ngaujah.

The neighborhood is Bayonne New Jersey (see CHUCK), an area where lines such as “blood is thicker than Jager” actually make sense. A 23 year old would-be rapper can work as a bartender and caterer, and still find time to hone her musical skills. It’s the land of misfits and music that only sounds sweet to a few ears – where dreams don’t consist of owning yacht, but rather “making it across the bridge”. Crowd-pleasing movies are quite welcome these days, and filmmaker Jasper has joined with dynamite actresses Macdonald and Everett in delivering just that. Expect all to reach greater heights over the next few years.

watch the trailer:

Leave a Comment » | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson