Alfre Woodard

Summer Camp (2024): Shelter Yourself Away from This Average Comedy

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Summer Camp” is written and directed by Castille Landon (After We Fell, Perfect Addition) and stars Diane Keaton (Book Club, The Godfather), Kathy Bates (Misery, The Waterboy), Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, Memphis Beat), Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vaction, Entourage), Nicole Richie (The Simple Life, Great News) Josh Peck (Drake & Josh, Ice Age: The Meltdown), Betsy Sodaro (Duncanville, Disjointed), and Eugene Levy (American Pie, Schitt’s Creek). This film is about three childhood companions who reunite at the summer camp where they’ve bonded in their youth.

If you are asking why in the universe I, a 24 year old male, spent my time watching “Summer Camp” in a cinema, please note that if I were alone, I probably would have skipped this movie. But I was with other people and it seemed to be a fair equalizer. It has comedy, it has stars, and it is on the shorter side. It’s basically the same thing as “Anyone But You” all over again except this movie clearly does not have people close to my demographic as part of the target audience.

Was I looking forward to “Summer Camp?” Not really. But as MJ says in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Expect disappointment, and you will never get disappointed.” That said, I cannot say I was disappointed with “Summer Camp” given my low expectations. But I also cannot say I was quite thrilled with it either because I did not find the movie to be that great. Is it better than I thought it would be? Sure. Maybe a little. But it is not saying much.

What did I like about this movie? While the overall structure of the film is somewhat predictable, there’s no real gaping holes in the story that threw me off. Everything in the movie makes sense to a certain degree and all the characters had their moment. Not only did they have their moment to shine during the movie, but the story effectively pays off its characters’ arcs. I thought each outcome the characters individually achieved were genuinely earned. The ride this movie takes me on is quite bumpy, but it ends on a note that I would consider to be a highlight. In fact, despite noting the characters being well constructed, I cannot say there are any performances in this film that really stand out. Sure, the main trio is “good enough” for the film to steadily progress and not have things falter significantly. But if anything, this film seems to rely on star power. Granted, not stars that a ton of my generation would generally recognize or care for.

Nevertheless, you have Diane Keaton, who’s had a storied career in her real life and is playing someone who’s trying to maintain a storied career in this film. There is also Kathy Bates, whose performance here is neither a titanic powerhouse or a complete and utter misery. She is doing her part to bind things together. You have Eugene Levy, who serves halfway decently as this movie’s aged boy toy. And… Yeah, that seems to be the entirety of his purpose, other than spewing wisdom or something. I am actually surprised they got a younger star like Josh Peck, who seems to maintain a nostalgia factor for gens y and z. I do not think this is going to get the younger audiences in. But then again, he was in “Oppenheimer,” which almost made a billion dollars at the box office. The characters themselves in this movie are not broken. For the most part anyway, there are some fantastical elements to their background or personality that I have trouble buying into. Speaking of their background, it sometimes feels surface level. We know their problems, but the movie is a bit rushed for those problems to have a semblance of depth.

As mentioned, this movie is a bumpy ride. One of the biggest problems that comes to mind with “Summer Camp” is that it feels inconsistent. At one moment it tries to be a comedy. In another instance, it tries to be a drama. Unfortunately, the tones this movie offers appear to clash a bit. And as a comedy, this movie honestly could have been funnier. Granted, there are no moments looking back where I put both my hands on my face to relieve myself of the cringe that I witnessed, but there are no jokes in the movie that truly sold me either. At best, the comedy is middle of the road. A lot of the comedy, and honestly, looking back at the trailer for the film confirms this for me, feels been there done that. There is another scene, also in the trailer, where a food fight breaks out. A scene like this one could conceptually come off as comedic, but when I watch it, the only things it comes off as just so happen to be forced and unrealistic.

I do like the themes this movie tries to highlight. The movie tends to tell its audience that life is short, and we should do whatever we can to make the most of it. If there is a hurdle in your life, you can overcome it. Life is not all work, all the time. You should also make some time for play. These are ideas that are well executed throughout the film. And given the target audience this film seems to be aiming for, it will probably sit well with them, despite this movie feeling rather disposable. It surprises me how much substance seems to have been delivered in a movie like this. If anything, I thought it was going to be a complete goof-fest. Again, the tones do clash, but there are highlights even when said tones butt heads. As far as the whole “elderly women friends” get together and find themselves experiencing shenanigans sub-genre, if that’s a thing, goes, this is, given time to marinate, a step up from “80 for Brady.” Unlike that film, “Summer Camp” seems to have more stakes and fewer conveniences. I actually felt like I was watching a movie as opposed to a random compilation of events and tired comedy gags.

Well, okay, there were tired comedy gags. Plenty of them in fact. I am not saying this movie is Shakespeare, but when you compare it to “Madame Web,” it is definitely watchable in parts. There are parts I would rather forget. Although to be real, I could forget this entire movie and be okay with it. But having seen the movie, I enjoyed what I saw. This is not the worst movie of the year. It is likely going to entertain some people and turn others off. As far as I go, I am somewhere in the middle.

In the end, “Summer Camp” is not going to win any awards. But I don’t think this movie deserves to be cast into a fire. At worst, maybe it deserves to be in the Walmart $5 bin when it comes out on DVD. It is not that funny, but I never found it to be overly annoying. It is harmless. At times, the movie is preposterous and utterly ridiculous. But cannot say it makes me wish to put a gun in my mouth. Maybe a water pistol. At least I’ll hydrate from that depending on what’s inside. “Summer Camp” tries to do several things at once, but I cannot really say it does any of them to such a masterful level. This is not the worst movie of the year, but it is by no means a summer spectacular. I am going to give “Summer Camp” perhaps one of the most generous 4/10s I have ever given. Part of me wanted to give it a 5, but between the overly fantastical backgrounds certain characters have, the varied depth some of them maintain, product placement, and the tonal inconsistency, I just cannot do that. I do not know. That could change. But for now, it is a 4.

“Summer Camp” is now available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Young Woman and the Sea.” Stay tuned! Also, look forward to my reviews for “Inside Out 2,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Thelma,” “Daddio,” and “A Quiet Place: Day One.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Summer Camp?” What did you think about it? Or did you ever go to summer camp in your youth? Tell me about your experiences in the comments! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Gray Man (2022): Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, and Chris Evans Team Up to Deliver Some Expensive Mediocrity

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Gray Man” is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (You, Me and Dupree, Avengers: Endgame) and stars Ryan Gosling (Blade Runner 2049, First Man), Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame, Knives Out) Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out), Jessica Henwick (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Matrix Resurrections), Regé-Jean Page (For the People, Bridgerton), Wagner Moura (Elysium, Narcos), Julia Butters (American Housewife, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Dhanush (3, Vada Chennai), Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, St. Elsewhere), and Billy Bob Thornton (Armageddon, Goliath). Based on a 2009 Mark Greaney book of the same name, this film is about a man who goes by the name of Six. Years after Six is let out of prison under the condition that he works for the CIA, he uncovers dark secrets. This results in a former colleague putting a bounty on his head and an international manhunt.

“The Gray Man” is the latest film from the Russo Brothers, These two are in-house Marvel directors known for their work on the latest “Captain America” and “Avengers” titles. In addition to Joe Russo’s respective screenplay credit, the film also happens to be written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. These two have handled writing duties for tons of Marvel fare including “Thor: The Dark World,” “Agent Carter,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and the “Captain America” trilogy. It is nice to see these two join forces to write one of the most expensive Netflix movies ever made. It feels weird to say that in a circumstance like this because when I think Netflix, I think of television, and I think of movies that are more likely to be seen on the smaller screen. But this film is not cheap, as it did cost $200 million to make. This is $50 million less than “Thor: Love and Thunder,” Disney and Marvel’s latest blockbuster movie to hit the big screen. This leads me to my first compliment. As weird as it is to confirm, I think “The Gray Man” looks better visually than “Thor: Love and Thunder” does at times.

But believe it or not, Netflix has put out a decent amount of big budget movies over recent years. Some have been good, like “The Irishman.” Some have been bad, like “Red Notice.” I’ll get straight to the point. “The Gray Man” is in between.

I went to go see “The Gray Man” in a movie theatre. The best thing I can say about “The Gray Man” is that it uses every bit of its big budget wisely to deliver one of the best-looking films of the year. There is a scene where people are ringing in the new year that totally popped. Despite having some occasional vivid and eye-dilating images, it is all given within a script that tends to rely on clichés.

“The Gray Man” is a marketable film for sure. Big action, big stars, and for some, it comes with the perk that you can pause and go to the bathroom without missing anything. I was sold with the campaign because the stars of the film are bankable. I dig Ryan Gosling, I love Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas may be on track to be one of the greatest thespians of her generation. It should not surprise me that this trio has solid chemistry all around. Because De Armas worked with both of these actors in the past. Therefore, not only are we getting a reunion behind the camera between the directors and writers, but in front of the camera as well with the leads.

Essentially, “The Gray Man” is this year’s “Red Notice,” because it is another action film that has notable clichés and a globe-trotting plot. Both even star a sexy Canadian Ryan! But the difference between “The Gray Man” and “Red Notice” is that I would rather watch “The Gray Man” a second time. …Barely. “The Gray Man” is “Red Notice,” except in this case, “The Gray Man” does more than get big names. They utilize those big names to greater potential.

Ryan Gosling is well-directed by the Russos and happens to be given plenty to do in the film to make it as watchable as it can be. But his character of Six does not have much dimension to him. He feels like a less suave, perhaps less emotional Ethan Hunt. Gosling is a great actor who has done a fantastic series of roles in recent years in movies like “La La Land” and “Blade Runner 2049.” He has a knack for picking well-developed, enchanting, defining scripts. What got him into this movie? Who knows? Everyone probably needs a paycheck every now and then. When it comes to Gosling’s library, this is probably on the same level of quality as the kind of forgettable “Gangster Squad.”

The scene stealer award in this case goes to Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen. Chris Evans gives one of my favorite performances in a recent action film. He continues to demonstrate his range as a performer. He not only can vary up his performance style, but do it well. Whether it means being patriotic and kind-hearted as Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or a complete moron as Ransom Drysdale in “Knives Out.” Here, he unsurprisingly channels more of the latter’s traits. Out of everyone in the film, Evans brings an energy to his performance that every other actor can only hope to evoke out of their own.

Even though I say there are clichés, it does not mean that there is no entertainment to be had in the movie whatsoever. As I have said in the past, clichés can be good if they are done effectively. Why do you think the “hero’s journey” structure gets repeated time and time again? In this story of familiar happenings, there is a slight glimmer of fun or emotional weight here and there. One of the best story elements of the film is between Ryan Gosling’s character, Six, and a kid played by the young and talented Julia Butters, Claire. Not only do both actors play off each other brilliantly, but they are given some of the film’s best exchanges of dialogue. By the end of the film, Claire became one of my favorite characters and her story wrapped up satisfyingly.

Also, random fact I found out as I was doing this review. Apparently this film was in development hell for years. The earliest this project was announced happens to be 2011, with James Gray once set to direct. Between swapped actors, swapped studios, and so on, the project never found its footing until now. Was it worth the wait? Hard to tell. It’s a cliché film with familiar storylines, so it does not add much to the table. Although it could get some watches on both big and small screens for now. As for how well it will age, that is for the audience to decide.

In the end, “The Gray Man” is in a word, fine. The star-studded cast got me in the door. Not only are they capable of bringing charisma, but delivering on talent. They do their best with the ordinary writing. Ryan Gosling delivers the goods in the acting department, but I will not remember his character as much as say K in “Blade Runner 2049.” I would love to see Ana de Armas in more thrillers and action fare as I think she has done a good job not only in this film, but also “No Time to Die.” She is attractive, joy-inducing, and skilled at her craft. She is everything you can want in an actress. Chris Evans continues to show his range as a performer, but if I had to rank his filmography for the year, I would prefer “Lightyear.” It is a completely different movie for another audience perhaps, but if you want to know which movie does a better job at accomplishing its goals, “Lightyear” is that movie. “The Gray Man” is fun to look at, but does not deliver much that is new. I am going to give “The Gray Man” a 5/10.

“The Gray Man” is now playing in select theaters and is available on Netflix to all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! If you like this review, why not check out some of my other ones? If you are in the Netflix mood, check out my review for another recent Netflix movie, “Hustle!” Want something more recent? Feel free to take a glance at my thoughts on Scott Derrickson’s new horror film, “The Black Phone!” Also, be on the lookout for my thoughts on “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” and “Nope!” If you want to see more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Gray Man?” What did you think about it? Or, if you could put three actors in one action movie together, who would they be and why? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!