Keanu (Rated C)
Cast: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Method Man
Genre: Comedy
Dwight's Rating: 2.5 Stars

Forget "Year of the Monkey"! 2016 is shaping up to be a "Year of Overhype" -- especially when it comes to comedic films.
We saw it with "The Boss," a complete and utter disappointment. "Zoolander 2" was a massive turd. And I'm willing to bet that the upcoming, heavily promoted "The Nice Guys," with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, will likely be a big dud. (Has any film been as excessively advertised in the last couple years? There's been an ad for it in nearly every commercial break on television since seemingly March (it opens May 20). That's never a good sign.)

And now here's "Keanu." Over the past several weeks, you could see ads or "special previews" for it during every sporting broadcast, major television event, or even minor TV show. Add to that the omnipresence of its stars -- the incredibly talented Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key (of the late Comedy Central TV sketch show "Key & Peele"). From commercials for completely different and unrelated products -- from Toyotas to the travel site Booking.com -- to talk shows promoting their new movie, Peele and Key were everywhere.

Plus, with the actual ads for "Keanu" quoting some very excitable (but also never of) movie critics claiming it's the best comedy in years, it would be hard for anything to live up to that kind of hype, right?

Unfortunately, "Keanu" cannot and does not. It tries. And is for the most part enjoyable. But diminished expectations would probably be useful.

In case you didn't know, the Keanu here refers not to the actor Reeves, but instead, a kitten. Recently dumped by his girlfriend, slacker Rell (Jordan Peele) finds some happiness when said kitten (whom he names Keanu) winds up on his doorstep. After a heartless thief steals the cat, Rell recruits his cousin Clarence (Keegan-Michael Key) to help him retrieve it. They soon learn that a thug named Cheddar (Method Man) has the animal, and he'll only give it back if the two men agree to work for him. Armed with guns and a gangster attitude, it doesn't take long for the hapless duo to land in big trouble.

First of all, the kitten (or kittens, apparently) playing Keanu --adorable! For some, that alone may make the film worth watching. Both Peele and Key are enthusiastic and entertaining in their performances. Method Man is also interesting as the main antagonist. And a bizarre scene with Anna Faris playing herself is memorable (but more disturbing than actually funny).

For better or worse, the movie is just like their TV show, "Key & Peele" -- uneven. There are very high highs, with touches of brilliance. But otherwise, it's just passably amusing, with a number of misfires. It is laugh at loud funny at times, but not as often as one might have hoped.

It tries its hand at social commentary on racial stereotypes, with especially Key's character Clarence defying, yet also feeding into them. Some of these are quite humorous observations, but others feel drawn out for far too long.

The greatest challenge for me, though, was a sense of familiarity. I couldn't help but think this was eerily similar to "Date Night", the hilarious 2010 comedy starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, who played a married couple taking on different personas when they get mixed up with some dangerous criminals.

So, the cute kitten is really the only original or unique element of the whole production. Shockingly, this won't be the only cat comedy this year; two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey will find himself trapped inside the body of the family cat in "Nine Lives" this August. (Dear God!!)

With "Keanu" though, you're likely to see much better and funnier material on "Key & Peele". Again, it's not bad. It just can't get over that massive hype mountain, or even the talents of its stars.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ben Affleck, left, and Henry Cavill in a scene from "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice".

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Rated T)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg
Genre: Action Adventure Fantasy
Dwight's Rating: 2.5 stars

The good news: It's better than my extremely low expectations could have imagined.

The bad news: It's nowhere near as good as it could have been!

That's my take on the heavily promoted new blockbuster "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice".

I went into this movie expecting the worst. Regular readers of this column know I am quite sick-and-tired of the seemingly endless and repetitive parade of comic book-based superhero movies.

Additionally, and most importantly, I was none too thrilled with the thought of two of the greatest superheroes -- supposedly the good guys -- going up against each other. (And we can expect even more of that foolishness in this month's "Captain America: Civil War", with the titular hero and some of the Avengers warring with Iron Man and the rest of the Avengers. Oh joy!)

Thankfully, the reasons for the battle here are reasonably well explained. Other issues, however, are not so effectively resolved. The story is set two years after Superman (Henry Cavill) had a colossal battle with his enemy General Zod from his home planet Krypton. As they are two super-beings with only one weakness (kryptonite), the city of Metropolis is almost completely destroyed in the wake of their fighting.

The loss of life and collateral damage has left many feeling angry and helpless, including crime-fighting billionaire Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck). Convinced that Superman is now a threat to humanity, Batman embarks on a personal vendetta to end his reign on Earth, while the conniving Alexander "Lex" Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) launches his own crusade against the Man of Steel.

"Batman v Superman" is a direct sequel to "Man of Steel", the 2013 film starring Cavill that featured that epic battle that has earned Superman the ire of Batman. That fact alone should give one great pause; for me, "Man of Steel" represents a low point for action films this decade, and one of the very worst in the comic-book superhero genre.

Despite an interesting cameo from Russell Crowe, I struggled through watching that film, and have despised it ever since, primarily because of those depictions of destruction. It is one of the loudest, most violent and ridiculous movies in years, with two beings who cannot feel pain in the human sense, impervious to bullets, missiles, asteroids, or anything, fighting each other for almost all of the nearly two-and-a-half-hour movie. Yes, these are only fictional comic-book characters, but what a waste of time!

Refreshingly, this is one of the major themes in "Batman v Superman". And it's good to know that I was not the only person disgusted by the actions of Superman and his fellow Kryptonians. One wonders now if that it was always part of the plan for "Man of Steel" -- to be a great setup for an epic sequel. Or is "Batman v Superman" just benefitting from convenient hindsight and spin-doctoring.

In an interesting twist, Superman is also concerned about the underhanded methods of "The Batman". What follows is almost James Bond-esque as Wayne/Batman and Clark Kent/Superman investigate each other.

The movie can be divided into three acts. Act one explores this aftermath of the destruction issue, the most fascinating aspect of the whole production. However, this part is indeed low on action, and I suspect it would be considered boring to many fans of the genre. Unfortunately Act two blows any goodwill, and takes on all of usual overused comic book tropes.

There's the silly villain: Jesse Eisenberg ("The Social Network") in one of the least satisfying interpretations of Lex Luthor I've seen. Eisenberg plays Superman's number one human nemesis a bit too close to the late Heath Ledger's amazing Joker from "The Dark Knight".

There's also the dumb fight scene. To say any more would be to reveal too much about the plot. But suffice it to say that with this, "Batman v Superman" becomes as ridiculous as the progenitor, almost as loud and destructive, and this time in both Metropolis and Gotham!

But Act three really takes the cake, though. I had always wondered why this movie was scheduled for release at this time of year, and not the summer -- which would seem like the most natural fit. Well, it seems the Easter weekend release was intentional, and on Good Friday no less.

Again, without spoiling it, the film displays a level of heavy-handedness that some might quite possibly find insulting. (Semi-spoiler alert: did anyone else notice the two "crucifixes" during that scene near the end?)

Others may see "Batman v Superman" as aspiring to a level of deeper introspection than what is usually required of comic-book filmgoers. And there are some very interesting elements and surprises.

But for the most part, it's over-the-top and reaching.

On the positive side, despite the eye rolling, teeth gnashing, and grumblings at news that Ben Affleck would be Batman, Affleck does a reasonably good job as the caped-crusader. He's not the best ever in the role, but certainly not the worst. Cavill is pretty much the same as last time as Superman -- which means, largely devoid of personality.

The introduction of Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman is interesting. And it's clear we're about to see the launch of DC Comics' version of rival Marvel Comics' successful X-Men franchise.

Unfortunately, the new film is exposing a problem with Superman films in this post-Christopher Reeve era. The Man of Steel has too few weaknesses, and he and his alter ego Clark Kent are far too dull, especially if he's made to share the screen with the darkness of a Batman or the mystery of a Wonder Woman.

That said, "Batman v Superman" makes for a better Superman movie, but a so-so Batman flick. It's much better than "Man of Steel", but miles away from "The Dark Knight" -- still atop the podium for all films of this genre. (Though "Batman v Superman" is much less tedious than "The Dark Knight Rises".)

And you may leave the theater feeling a bit used and like a sucker (no spoilers!). But again, most will breathe a sigh of relief knowing it could have been a whole lot worse.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

The Haven Awards

Presented by

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Pictured: Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director of Bahamas International Film Festival and
Todd Beneby, International Private Banker, Scotia Wealth Management

Scotia Wealth Management & Bahamas International Film Festival presents The Haven Awards for the following categories:

Filmmaker Excellence Award

Nominees are:

Calvin Harris
Celi Moss
Charlie Smith
Gina Rodgers-Sealy
Jason Evans
Jennie Cyril
Julian Lord
Lance Knowles Sky High Media
Lavado Stubbs
Moya Thompson
Neville Smith
Ryan Lightbourn
Travon Patton
Utah Controversy Taylor Rolle
Vijay Subramanian

Best Short Film

Best Director

Best Human Interest Story

Nominees are:

STONE SHACKS
directed by Tyrone J. Burrows

EXUMA
directed by Colin Ruggiero

EVERY BOY COUNTS
directed by Wendy Loten

ISLAND DREAMS
directed by Toby Wosskow, Dean Jacobs

SHARK LION
directed by Florian Fischer

THE WISH
directed by Vijay Subramanian

BAD BOY DILEMMA
directed by Moya Thompson

THE DINNER
directed by Moya Thompson

THE ADJUSTMENT
directed by Moya Thompson & Celi Moss

Haven Award Jurors

Pictured: Kevin Taylor, Isabella Astengo, Jerome Miller, Theresa Haven and Loredana De Lama Boboli

Kevin Taylor
writer, director

Isabella Astengo
writer, director, producer

Jerome Miller
visual artist, fashion designer & hair stylist

Theresa Haven
attorney & film enthusiast

Loredana De Lama Boboli
writer, director, producer

On the same evening there will be a Tribute Ceremony to actress Cicely Tyson, (Roots, Sounder, The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes, Showing Roots) Ms. Tyson will be on hand to receive the 1st Sir Sidney Poitier Tribute Award taking place Saturday, March 19 at Humidor, Graycliff

Cicely Tyson

to receive the 1st Sir Sidney Poitier Tribute Award

Cicely Tyson                                                         Sir Sidney Poitier

Presented by:

Tickets available

BIFF Office
4th Terrace Collins Avenue
(242) 698-1800

For more information about
Bahamas International Film Festival
visit our website

Cast: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy
Genre: Drama
Dwight's Rating: 4 STARS

Yes, FOUR stars!!

"Room" is the first film to receive that rating since "Reel to Real" began reviews in 2014. It is simply excellent, and quite possibly the very best movie of 2015, and one of the most amazing movies I've seen in years.

This timely and unforgettable story touches on so many of our human fears and emotions. It excels on all levels, including spectacular performances from all of its amazing cast members. The premise is quite simple. Held captive for years in an enclosed space, Joy (Brie Larson) and her 5-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) finally gain their freedom, allowing the boy to experience the outside world for the first time.

The story takes viewers on what is bound to be an emotional rollercoaster. From anger and sadness with the disturbing experience of Joy and Jack's life inside this tiny "room", to anxiety with the story's seamless transition into an edge-of-your-seat thriller - as exciting as any blockbuster popcorn flicks seen last summer. Then "Room" delves into analyzing the impact of this trauma, from every character's perspective. It is a powerful experience, leaving no stone unturned.

Amazing in its simplicity, with no special effects or gimmicks, "Room" is great storytelling. That we get a talented cast along with this beautifully written and directed drama is icing on an already delectable cake.

Brie Larson, who played Amy Schumer's sister in "Trainwreck", gives a star-making performance as Joy. She has been earning rave reviews and winning awards left, right and center, including the Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Awards. She's also up for the British BAFTA, Screen Actor's Guild (SAG), and of course, the Academy Award, and she is the frontrunner in the Best Actress race.

Larson is indeed great. But for me, it is Jacob Tremblay who really is the star here. This 9-year old Canadian is simply amazing from beginning to end. It's unfortunate that he has not received as much award recognition. He did win the Critic's Choice Award for Best Younger Performer, and is up for a SAG award for outstanding performance in a supporting role, and will compete against big name actors including Christian Bale ("The Big Short"), and Idris Elba ("Beasts of No Nation"). But alas, there was no Oscar love.

Nevertheless, you will likely never forget this youngster's heartbreaking and heartwarming performance, or that of any member of the cast. You would have to have frozen ice water in your veins to not be moved by some part of this film.
I watched "The Revenant" and "Room" on the same weekend, and was certain that the art of filmmaking was in as strong and healthy a state as ever in its history.

Unfortunately "Room" has not made it to local theaters as yet. And theatergoers need to lobby hard for this exceptional work of art to be seen here. It is a film not to be missed. The definition of excellence!

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.