Male Strippers & Marvel at the Movies

by Chris Narloch

If you have access to HBO and Peacock, you have probably been watching the gripping apocalyptic series “The Last of Us” and also “Poker Face,” an oldschool murder mystery streamer starring the wonderful Natasha Lyonne.

I love Lyonne, with her wild hair and that raspy voice, and the third episode of “The Last of Us,” with Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as a devoted gay couple, was one of the best episodes of any TV show ever. At the movies, another month, another Marvel movie, but this time I enjoyed myself. Paul Rudd brings the multiverse back to the multiplex, and Magic Mike brings his pecs and abs to the big screen one last time. I also write about a feature film from Belgium that is vying for an Academy Award, plus this year’s Oscar-nominated short films.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Not all Marvel movies are created equal, and in the absence of a visionary director like Ryan Coogler (the “Black Panther” films), I prefer my Marvel movies to be wild and wacky like the “Thor” movies or “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Bill Murray even turns up briefly this time out, to keep the mood light (and attract older viewers like me?).

Paul Rudd returns as the title character and is supported by a classy cast that includes Michael Douglas and a surprisingly large role for the great Michelle Pfeiffer. You also need a strong villain to make a Marvel movie work, and the quietly intense Jonathan Majors really foots the bill.

Every time the characters started babbling about the multiverse, I just ignored the pseudo-scientific mumbo jumbo and took a super-quick catnap. Before long, something wonderful would show up, like the futuristic-looking floating head with the little arms and legs, or the cascading mountain of millions of Paul Rudds.

The movie’s CGI is surreal and sensational. In wide theatrical release.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance

The lovely and talented Channing Tatum has gotten considerable mileage out of his male stripper past, but it looks like the actor has decided to hang up his G-string for good -- if the title of his latest film is accurate. I love the fact that Tatum isn’t ashamed of his former career, but it was time to call it a day, especially considering the mediocrity of this latest sequel.

The sometimes-great director Steven Soderbergh should have known better than to sign on for the silly script, about a wealthy woman (sexy Salma Hayek Pinault) who hires Magic Mike to create the ultimate male stripper extravaganza in London.

Tatum has two unbelievably hot dance routines – one with Hayek Pinault at the start of the film and one with another actress at the climax of the movie –but in between those two sexy sequences, “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is nothing but corny cliches and dumb dialogue for days. In wide theatrical release.

Close

This incredibly moving film is deservedly Oscar-nominated this year in the Best International Feature category, and it boasts a fantastic performance by a young Belgian actor named Eden Dambrine as a teenager whose best friend commits suicide after the two boys are teased by classmates for being such close friends.

“Close” is about survivor guilt and how bullying can lead young people to feel as if they have no way out except to end their lives. The movie features fine work by its entire cast, and the urgent subject matter is handled with the utmost care.

Oscar Shorts

For the 18th consecutive year, ShortsTV presents the Oscar-nominated short films, with all three categories offered – animated, live action and documentary. This is your annual chance to predict the winners (and have the edge in your Oscar pool).

A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s superb selection of shorts. The Academy Awards telecast takes place Sunday evening, March 12th.

“Close” and the 2023 Oscar-nominated short films were still playing at Sacramento’s Tower Theatre as we went to press. Visit: www.angelikafilmcenter.com/tower