Unicorn Store (2019)

Directed by Brie Larson

Written by Samantha McIntyre

Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford

This film originally premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and didn't reach the public eye until it hit Netflix in early 2019, and I think there is a reason for that. For a film to open at TIFF and then skip theaters and go to Netflix isn't necessarily a bad thing, with Netflix producing many good movies now-- but Brie Larson's directorial debut unfortunately is not one of those quality Netflix products. 

Unicorn Store is about a woman named Kit (Brie Larson) who is a kid at heart. After Kit is dismissed from art school she moves back in with her parents (played by Bradley Whitford and Joan Cusack), where she decides to join a temp agency and work at an office job. At this job she is tasked with pitching a campaign for a new vacuum cleaner, when she receives a mysterious invitation to "The Store" where she meets the salesman (Samuel L. Jackson). He tells her that she can make her childhood dreams come true and be the proud new owner of a unicorn, if she follows a few demands first. 

I wanted to like this movie so badly, considering how much of a Brie Larson fan I am. After her monster of a great performance in Room and other great movies like Short Term 12 and Trainwreck, I had high hopes for her starring role in this as well as first time directing. This movie wants to be a quirky, weird coming-of-age story but it doesn't achieve that. Most of the time it's really corny and just a little awkward, frankly. Half the time I was confused wether this was supposed to be a kids movie, because of how much it really focused on glitter and unicorns. 

The characters don't have much depth either. Kit is a young women who doesn't want to grow up, and is obsessed with glitter and wacky outfits and getting a unicorn. She's not your average character from a coming of age movie who just does not want to grow up, she's just immature and we never really get to know where that personality came from. However, that isn't a negative testament to Larson's acting performance in the film. Kit is a young-spirited, optimistic women and that is definitely portrayed throughout the movie. Larson gets a chance to show her comedic skills off a bit with her acting in this movie. The supporting performances were just okay. Seeing Sam Jackson in a pink suit, afro with strings of glitter, and selling unicorns was a bit out of character for him. A little too tacky for me, to be honest. But, you can tell how much fun he and Larson had making this, so that makes it better. Cusack and Whitford do well as Kit's parents too. 

Unicorn Store isn't an all bad movie. It has some funny moments, mostly from Brie Larson. It has some fun, aesthetically pleasing outfits and sets. The sub-plot of not wanting to grow up, and everyone having a little magic in them, is definitely a unique one. Just the delivery of it all is a little sub-par for me. 

4/10

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts 

Written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly and John Gatins 

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and John C. Reilly 

     Once again, King Kong has risen from his figurative cage and roared and banged on his chest at the big screens. This time however, it wasn't for another re-make of the original movie. Kong: Skull Island, is a completely different story and time period (the 70's to be exact), where that film-crew from the original movie, never entered the island. This time instead of a film crew, its a scientific investigation of the never before inhabited, mysterious: Skull Island. With the same amount of monster fights (if not more), shooting guns, running through the jungle, and a big hairy ape with a thing for blonde women as the original- this is a fresh new story with all our favorite aspects of the first Kong story. All the more reason to love it. 

     This time around, the story begins with a government backed group of scientists, fronted by Bill Randa (John Goodman). He has his eyes and heart set on getting to the mysterious, Skull Island, so he and his team can explore. Bill and his team believe that this island could hold manners of wonder, perhaps beyond human imagining. Once they get the go-ahead to fly into this dangerous island, they embark on the mission with military assistance led by Lt. Col. Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and his unit. Also along for the ride on the dangerous mission is the feminist, anti-war photographer, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), and the world's most handsome mercenary, James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston).  Once the team penetrates the thick storm clouds which surround Skull Island, they come face to face with the gigantic, famous Kong- who, to the shock of some, isn't the real monster to fear. Skull Island is crawling with much creepier, more menacing, and just as big beasts that don't show as much mercy as Kong. After being swatted down in their helicopters by the mighty Kong, the team is scattered on the island- forced to face the many creatures this island has to offer-while they all venture to the opposite side of the island in attempt to be rescued. Of course they have some help from a local islander played by John C. Reilly- however I won't get into much detail on his character to spare everyone from potential spoilers. 

     It wouldn't be a Kong movie without incredible set and monster design- which this movie exceeds in. With the time period of the film being post Vietman war, they actually did most of the filming in Vietnam, thus providing for a realistic looking set. So sure, this movie may have most of the cliche monster movie attributes like the intense battle to the death between two building high monsters- but this kind of action is what the audience eats up with their popcorn, so to not include it wouldn't be fair. It's hard to criticize the cliche's however when they're so beautifully done. The special effects are so incredible, the monsters are so big, the noises are so loud- you can't not enjoy it. 

     Step aside Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts, Kong has a new doll, and she's certainly feistier than her predecessors. Larson's character may be a photographer, but its more than her camera that she is pointing and shooting. Her and Kong may not have as close of a relationship as he and his other gal pal's had- however they do share a lot of sympathetic glances throughout the movie. Samuel L. Jackson plays the character that the writers make you hate. Haven't we seen this before? Though he may not be the handsomest cast member (that goes to you Tom), Reilly has the most significant role bringing lots of humor to this action packed flick. 

     Aside from nailing an all-star cast including two oscar nominees, an oscar winner, and a former Taylor Swift boyfriend- the film succeeds on many levels. 

I give Kong: Skull Island a...

8/10