Warwick Showcase

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE
* * ½
(Gimmicky, Gadgetry, Ghostly)

Capitalizing on a gimmick, The Ghostbusters return once again with all their gimmicks and gadgets,  featuring a new generation and an appearance from the originals.

If you like this sort of thing, which apparently two full houses of the younger set seemed to, then go see this noisy, cluttered gobbledygook of a movie.

It opens with scenes of the 1904 Firehouse being frozen in place, followed by a current ghost-chase through the streets of New York City, where more than the ghosts are destroyed, to endless attempts to stop the world from being frozen, to one big final battle, where the original ghostbusters join Paul Rudd and his new family to defeat evil and restore NYC (That which they didn’t destroy) to normalcy.

WILLIAM SHATNER: JUST CALL ME BILL
* * *
(Bill’s Thoughts and Recollections)

You’ve got to love William Shatner. At 93 years old, he still performs, still ranting philosophically, and still marveling at being the oldest human to fly off into space.

This documentary centers completely around Shatner sitting in his chair, telling his life story, and commenting on everything from masks actors wear to loneliness and death.

In the background we see photos of his acting career from the early years, through Star Trek, through Boston Legal (I’m Denny Crane) to some of his latest stage appearances.

Although there are chapters specifying certain topics, Bill tends to ramble a bit as he lets you know what he thinks about life.

If you are a Shatner fan, you’ll love it.

NETFLIX

SHIRLEY
* * * *
(Important History Lesson)

This well-made, important history lesson should be seen by every high school civics student.

Regina King plays Shirley Chisholm with all the integrity and passion of the first black woman to win a seat in Congress who runs for president in 1972.

She campaigns with little money, a green staff, and lacking the support of her Democratic contenders for the office.

The film concentrates on her attempt to gain the necessary votes at the Democratic convention, where it is politics as usual as fellow candidates use familiar tactics to gain the number of votes needed to be put on the ballot.

It was also the year that 18 year olds were given the right to vote.

Shirley bucks the system, disagrees with her advisors, fights for her beliefs and eventually is beaten down, but not before opening the doors for other Black women to follow.

Was she before her time?

Unfortunately, yes, but she did remind people what was possible.

The movie is well constructed, acted, and directed.

Not only should it be shown in the classroom, but those of us who lived through the Nixon years should see it.

AVON

PERFECT DAYS
* * *
(Psychological Study)

This charming little film from Japan is about a public toilet cleaner who lives a simple  routine existence.

He wakes daily at the same time, brushes his teeth, drinks coffee from a machine, and cleans toilets. In fact, the first 15 minutes shows him meticulously cleaning a variety of the structures throughout the city.

Unexpected visits from his past disrupt his routine, but his beautiful attitude leads him to a peace of mind few people have found in their lives.

Simple? Yes. But beautifully portrayed by Koji Yakusho.