The COARD: Yesterday

Yesterday was one of the summer films that our guys were looking forward to the most. Brand new movies with unique ideas can be a rarity in Hollywood these days. So when one pops up, your guys at The COARD make sure not to miss it. The question is.... Did it disappoint? 

Roy: *Breathes deep. Takes another drink of his iced tea. One more breath. Here we go.*

I'm going to try and be cool about this... No I'm not. That was amazing. Simply amazing. I'm going to be transparent here. I'm a bit of a musician, add to that the fact that I'm a music nerd. I discovered The Beatles in my early 20s and fell in love with them hard and fast. What can you say about The Beatles that hasn't already been said? They are arguably the greatest band to ever exist. These four gentlemen wrote music that will live on forever. If there is one thing this movie does, is make you realize just what they accomplished. As a massive Beatles fan, I found myself struck dumb as I walked out of the theater with my wife. I didn't know what to say. I was overwhelmed at the catalog of music these men have given us. Yes. I am aware that I've written a paragraph on The Beatles and not Yesterday. But that's the thing. You can't separate one from the other. Because the whole point of the movie is, "What if The Beatles never existed?" Danny Boyle tackles that question and gives us an excellent movie along with it. Cody, you need to cut me off or I'm just going to keep on going...

Cody: Well if you expect me to bring any rain to this parade, you're sorely mistaken. This was just an absolute joy ride of a movie. I can't remember the last time I smiled so much. Yesterday definitely features strong comedic element, including Ed Sheeran's solid supporting role. It's more than just the humor, though. This movie just makes you feel good. You're probably on the right track, Roy, that no small part of that good feeling is coming from The Beatles. The acting surrounding the two leads, Himesh Patel and Lily James, deserves a lot of credit, as does the directing of Danny Boyle. It genuinely feels like the world is experiencing The Beatles music for the first time, and the childlike giddiness is completely infectious. Ultimately, though, this is a romantic comedy centered around Patel and James. Patel shows strong emotional range in his debut, while James continues to be completely charming in everything she does. So while this movie lives split between the fantasy world of its premise and the more traditional rom-com elements, both sides are good enough to keep you smiling.

The look of a meddling genius about to ruin Hey Jude forever

Roy: I'm glad you brought up Sheeran. His role in this film is pivotal while showing off his ridiculous talent as well. Forgive me if I'm heading into spoiler territory here but I have to say something. There was a scene where Ed challenged Jack (Patel) to a friendly song writing contest, it was one of my favorites in the whole film. Sheeran writes a beautiful little song and we are punched in the face with his talent. Cut to Jack who pretends he wrote The Long and Winding Road in 10 minutes and Sheeran plays the scene perfectly. A star, fully aware of his talent and used to the fact that he resides on top of the mountain, gets destroyed in front of our eyes. He does an excellent job at playing a character who is both happy and sad that he discovered Jack. Sheeran discovered gold, a priceless gem, but because of that his light has been dimmed. It was a powerful moment which highlighted Jack's main struggle. The world needs this music. But he's wildly uncomfortable taking the credit when all he is doing is singing other people's music. The art is on display, but he changed the authorship. Would it be right to deprive the world of this beauty? It definitely is not okay to do what he is doing, however. It was an issue I wrestled with the entire film.

Cody: If there is one theme for the entire movie, it's "the world needs this music." Probably the greatest accomplishment here is that they took a subject on which a billion words has been written, The Beatles, and came up with a way to make it feel fresh and unique. You could argue that the premise should have been explored with a little more depth, but that doesn't feel like the point of the movie. This is a romantic comedy serving as a Beatles appreciation film. And if there's one thing you'll feel after leaving this, it's an appreciation for The Beatles. There are so many fun little moments along the way, though.

Spoilers ahead!! Turn back now if you have plans to see this and don't want to know any more details.

Cody: The big surprise plot addition that worked every single time it was brought up is that it isn't only The Beatles that disappeared from existence. The initial shocked anguish from Patel as he learns that Oasis is gone as well slowly turns to something like resigned bemusement as he learns more and more things have disappeared, right up until the very end of the movie when a Harry Potter reference goes right through Lily James with zero recognition. Yesterday does such a stellar job involving the audience at every turn with the music we've talked so much about, but also the moments where Patel is so alone in his frustration with the other characters' lack of understanding. When he is interrupted a dozen different ways while trying to unleash Let it Be into the world for the first time, you want to yell at the screen for people to shut up, a feeling usually reserved for particularly dopey horror film characters. You live the movie through Patel, and it's so natural empathize throughout.

Roy: I loved the scene where they were recording the Beatles early work on Jack's first album and they had so much fun doing it. Before the fame inevitably hit Jack like a freight train. I also loved how they brought an underrated classic to the forefront like Back to the USSR when Jack played his first real gig in Moscow. It was cool moment. However, every time James was on the screen the whole place lit up. She played the girl reluctantly residing in the friend zone perfectly and we, along with everyone else couldn't understand what Jack was waiting for when it came to Ellie.

Adorable
 -adjective: See -James, Lilly

Cody: It might be a slight flaw in the movie that it made so little sense that he wouldn't be with her to begin with. She didn't undergo some major transformation of character, either physical or personality. Though, I guess the point was that it took the fame for him to see the importance of what he had all along. Another small moment I loved: Jack is confronted by two people who also remember The Beatles. This is the moment you've been waiting for. The inevitable scratch on the record player as Jack is found out and things come unraveled. Instead, true to the charming uniqueness of itself, Yesterday swerves as the two thank Jack profusely for bringing the music back into the world. I loved this because of the unexpectedness, but also because it just heaped further guilt onto Jack. It was at this point you could tell he would be glad to be relieved of the choice of whether to keep up the facade or not. Instead, that choice continued to rest firmly on Jack's shoulders until he finally admitted it to the world on his own volition (with a little help from a still alive, at peace, and wise John Lennon). Once Jack revealed his secret to the world, the movie hastily wrapped up. It sort of felt like a novel that ended in 20 pages when 50 would have been better. I wish they could have given us a little more on the fallout of his decision, what is happening with The Beatles music now, etc. But like I said, the movie really is a rom-com at heart, and what we got was a happily ever after for Jack and Ellie. I'll take it.

Roy: When Jack was playing Life Goes On for a school assembly I just assumed that he would continue to grow the Beatles catalog and release free music to the world as it came to him. But that could have been what I wished to happen as opposed to what the story meant to convey. I also loved having a moment with John Lennon, even if it was completely fictional. This movie has sky-rocketed to the top of my favorite rom-coms. And I think Gosling and Stone will be alright sharing the top with Patel and James.

The COARD: Toy Story 4 & The Dead Don't Die

24 years. 4 movies. It all comes down to this. Is it good? Bad? Both? Do toys drive actual cars in this one? Roy and Cody had all of the same burning questions. This weekend they braved the crowds of tiny children and exhausted parents to find out. In addition we have our 2nd double feature review in as many weeks! Stick around to see what the guys thought of The Dead Don't Die.They knew you weren't going to see it. They did it for you.

Roy: Pixar struck gold way back in 1995 with their first film, Toy Story. I was 15 and I saw it with my family on Thanksgiving. It was the first of its kind. Computer animation for a feature film. My whole world changed. In the interest of full disclosure, I was dragged to that film. I didn't want to go. I was above such ridiculous-baby-type-movies. Of course I left the theater surprised and happy. A week or two later I took my girlfriend to see it. It was Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. It was funny. It had heart... No matter how many films Pixar gave us throughout the years, no matter how nervous we got every time they announced yet another Toy Story sequel, this series has always delivered. It's why I wasn't surprised that Toy Story 4 was excellent. How does this keep working? Simple. Good humor, heartfelt moments, and character development. Every new installment leads our favorite characters through a new lesson of poignant self-discovery. It's why each addition to the series feels fresh.

Cody: Rocky. There. It was hard work, but I did it. I've listed every franchise that's managed to have a fourth installment that rivals what Pixar just did with Toy Story 4. I wouldn't say I walked into this completely nervous, but I was nonetheless surprised by just how excellent it was. First of all, it was hilarious. There are laughs from start to finish in this thing, and the jokes feel fresh! In the fourth movie! Second, it didn't take me longer than three minutes to tear up for the first time, and I say first time because it was not the last time either. You see, I was a wee child when Toy Story got its start, residing in the exact demo for the ridiculous-baby-type-movie. I've grown up with these characters. I don't really know at what point I formed such a deep emotional connection with inanimate objects, but here we are. I cried hard at the end of Toy Story 3 and evidently nine years has done nothing to dampen that connection. These writers have shown that it is possible to not only maintain but evolve characters over a long period of time in a way that serves new narratives while also respecting what has come before. You don't need to just suddenly flip a switch and have a character burn down a city to alter their arc. Not that any self respecting writer would do that.

Roy: Part of what kept this so fresh was the bravery they showed in allowing Buzz Lightyear to be a secondary character and giving us so much time with the new guys. Tony Hale always delivers when he's given an odd character to inhabit. Forky allowed us to experience life as a toy through fresh eyes. Christina Hendricks did not disappoint as Gabby Gabby, Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key stole every scene they were in as Bunny-Ducky, and let us not forget John Wick  -er... Keanu Reeves as Canada's greatest stuntman, Duke Caboom. Interacting through this new cast of characters triggered old habits for Woody and gave him and us one final lesson about learning to accept change. While I didn't cry (barely), I had children who did. It was an emotional story... about toys. Go figure. Pixar did it again.

Cody: We know that Key and Peele improvised several minutes of singing for one of their scenes, but their rapport and style made me wonder if they somehow wrote all their characters' lines. It's a testament to the writers that the characters so clearly matched the actors. On that same vein, it's important to give them credit for their handling of strong female characters. The tide of feminism has hit movies in a big way in the last few years. Like all movies, there have been good results (Booksmart) and some bad results (I'm looking at you, The Hustle). In Toy Story 4, male and female toys share the screen and responsibilities. It isn't forced, nor it is unbalanced in either direction. It is just natural. There are characters to relate to and believe in for any type of kid, I guess probably even including Forky, the scared scrawny kid who deep down thinks he's just trash.

Below you can find specific details from this movie. If you don't want to see those then you should stop reading now.... but really you should skip down to the next review.

Roy: I spent a good portion of this movie being irritated with Woody, four movies in and he is still dealing with the same issues he had in the first movie. He is willing to risk everyone, everything to do what he thinks is right, regardless of what his friends are trying to tell him. He has remarkable tunnel vision. Then I put some more thought into it all. People rarely change, and especially if it's a core issue they have never let go of. Woody defined himself as a toy that brings joy to a child. That was his entire identity, and if he couldn't do it by playing with the little girl, he was going to safeguard her favorite toy. It was well done, and he eventually realized that he had to move on, stop being a toy that belonged to someone and become a lost toy. It was a tight story. And was pulled off flawlessly.

You are a toy...You are a child's plaything!

Cody: The story of learning to let go is nothing new, but making it work so well with animated toys is a highly impressive feat. As Pixar always does, they found a way to marry story for both adults and children. While Woody was being forced to adapt and evolve his view of his role in the world, Forky was learning that he had a place in it at all. I loved the quick mid-credits scene showing that everything has come full circle with Forky having the confidence to educate a new arts and crafts toy on its purpose in Bonnie's room. Forky also consistently provided the best laughs in the movie. The montage of the spork based toy trying to throw itself in the trash over and over again was nonstop gold. Tony Hale, or Buster Bluth as some of us better know him, was brilliant throughout but never better than exclaiming as almost a question, "Trash!?" My girlfriend and I have been regularly yelling, "trash" at random moments since basically minutes after walking out of the theater. Forky wasn't just a trash spork turned toy. He was the best part of the movie.

Roy: Woah. If you are sitting here and telling me that Forky was easily the best thing about Toy Story 4 and not arguably the best thing... I need to remind you about Canada's greatest stuntman/daredevil Duke Caboom. I laughed at everything he did. Keannu Reeves was perfect. Really, the casting director should take a bow. I have to admit I thought maybe the greatest bit of the film was Bunny-Ducky getting lost in their plans that turned into the same murderous one over and over.

Cody: While I stand by my Forky assertion, you're right that it's worth the debate. You left out the running bit about Buzz believing his preset action phrases were in fact his conscience speaking to him. Bo Peep expertly using her three headed sheep for any and all utility needs. They did an excellent job giving each character its own set of moments to shine. Given how much time we've spent on the subject, I feel like I'm obligated to point out here that technically the toys did in fact drive a human car. However, they did so in secret, and the humans thought the car was on the fritz or quite possibly haunted. There were no octopuses in the drivers seat on an interstate, no rabbits on the steering wheel. They did what they had to do, but they also stuck to their code. Official ruling on toys driving in secret: allowed.

Roy: I've been thinking about this a lot. The Dad was in the driver's seat the entire time. Were the toys affecting the outcome of the performance of the vehicle? Yes. Were they in the driver's seat? No. In fact a great joke was Buttercup constantly trying to get Dad thrown in jail as a stall tactic. Then it almost happened because there was no evidence that Dad wasn't driving the car. This is acceptable. This is what Toys have always done in this universe. I accept your official ruling.

Bonus Review: The Dead Don't Die

What follows is a spoiler review. This might ybother you. It shouldn't. Mainly because you probably already missed your chance to see it. And admit it, you didn't really want to see it, you actually just wanted to want to see it. Plus it's hard to spoil a movie that is devoid of any kind of plot.

Roy: I liked this movie. I didn't love it. It was funny... well, not ha-ha funny. But amusing funny. Ok. Sometimes it was ha-ha funny, for example finding out that Hermit Bob did indeed steal the chicken produced a laugh from me. This film was made well, but wasn't made for you -or me. It was made for Jim Jarmusch. He wrote and directed this zombie comedy unapologetically. You don't have to like it, because Jarmusch is happy with it, and everyone else can die a horrible zombie death for all he cares. The interesting thing about this fact is, that doesn't reflect negatively on the movie.. He made bold and unique choices, which was fun to watch in its own right.

Cody: I'm never opposed to taking a dip in the independent film pool, but you never really know how smooth those waters will be. Jim Jarmusch is as close to a consistent experience as there is. I'm no Jarmusch acolyte by any stretch, but I've always been a fan of the deadpan comedic delivery that marks his films. One of my favorite moments came when Adam Driver finally admits to Bill Murray that he's been saying things won't end well the whole movie because Jim let him read the script, all delivered with a perfect nonchalance. The Dead Don't Die isn't all meta references and spaceships, though (yes, a presumably purposefully generic spaceship comes to pick up Tilda Swinton, who understandably wants off the planet). Jarmusch incorporates not-so-subtle sociopolitical messaging throughout, but it doesn't come off as pretentious or overly preachy. A lot is left to the interpretation of the individual viewer. For instance, while the zombies certainly exhibit the requisite taste for human flesh, their brains carry just enough juice to draw them toward the material things they sought in life (such as coffee or chardonnnaaayy as one zombie groans before Driver takes several chops with a machete to behead her). One could see this as a direct judgment of American consumerism. The message that will stick with me, however, is the importance of prioritizing balance and meaning during one's limited time. Perhaps a well adjusted person wouldn't be an undead wandering the streets muttering WiFi. I'm with you, Roy, in that I wouldn't say I loved this, but it was a refreshingly unique trip to the theater.

Roy: I once saw the original Night of the Living Dead, I remember being struck at how little plot was involved. People turn into zombies, people hide from zombies, people die. That was basically it. The Dead Don't Die followed the same pattern. Once Murray and Driver realized what was going on, they had no idea what to do, so they decided to patrol the streets, because that was their job. It felt like Jarmusch was trying to grab that same feeling from the old zombie movies. If that was his goal, he was successful. This film is about a zombie outbreak and people failing to survive it, with meta moments plugged in to bring us along with the story. Whether it was the theme song constantly playing throughout the movie and being referenced as the theme song by Driver, or the fact that his character had a Star Destroyer key-chain. A wink to the audience was never too far away. So Cody, quick question. Was Tilda Swinton a human who wanted off planet? Or was she an alien just visiting and needed to leave when things went south?

Things got a bit carried away in World War Z

Cody: I also got serious Night of the Living Dead vibes from this, which was completely welcome. Not every zombie movie needs to be World War Z with it's superhuman zombies. To answer your Tilda Swinton question (worth noting her character name of Zelda Winston, another wink-wink to the audience), I'm going with a visiting alien who gave one big "nope" to the whole zombie situation and decided to head home. I made a whole big point about how this movie left things to interpretation, so I'm picking the more fun version and sticking to it! Speaking of fun, that's clearly what every actor on this project was having while making it. It's no coincidence that Jarmusch enlisted a who's who of stars from his former films. People really like working with the guy, and these actors clearly all liked working together too. Their familiarity and camaraderie are what make this particular brand of deadpan humor work as well as it did. I'd like to be in the next Jarmusch project if that's not too much to ask.

Roy: Do I see myself sitting through this movie again? Most likely not. But I'm glad I saw it. The Dead Don't Die reminded me why I love movies. Sometimes you get something completely unexpected, which turns out to be the majority of why it was fun. Plus, how many more opportunities do we have to see Bill Murray? He is extremely selective in the projects he says yes to and is always a delight. I won't pass up any opportunity to see him in anything. Not everyone will enjoy this film, but if you belong to that particular group of cinephiles who crave something different, gear up with something sharp and keep your head on a swivel. Once the zombies swarm you it's game over.