Dog’s Movie House: “Hotel Artemis,” “Ocean’s 8” This Week!

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog with reviews of “Hotel Artemis” and “Ocean’s 8!”

Jeff Goldblum and Jodie Foster in “Hotel Artemis”

We have another week to go before the blockbuster summer movie season goes into full swing with “The Incredibles 2” but that doesn’t mean they’re aren’t some intriguing films out there this week.  There are a couple of relatively low-key yet entertaining films that can serve as an effective antidote to the usual child oriented summer fare.  I present for your consideration “Hotel Artemis” and “Oceans 8.”

“Hotel Artemis” is a film about a special hospital that caters exclusively to criminals.  Run by a harried yet intelligent woman simply known as The Nurse (a severely de-glammed Jodie Foster) and her massive orderly Everest (Dave Bautista in another delightful performance).    The film is set in 2028 in Los Angeles in the midst of water riots.  During this unrest, a heist lead by two brothers (Sterling K. Brown and Brian Tyree Henry) goes south, necessitating the need for a visit to the Hotel Artemis.   In the meantime, a legendary crime lord (Jeff Goldblum) and his hot-tempered son (Zachary Quinto) are coming to the Artemis in force in an attempt to get treatment for said crime lord, who just happens to own the hotel.  Add an assassin (Sofia Boutella), a scummy arms dealer (Charlie Day) and an accidental theft of some valuable property owned by the powerful crime lord and you’ve got a potentially explosive situation on your hands.

I first thought this film was going to be a ridiculously over-the-top exercise in stylistic violence, but I was way off.  “Hotel Artemis” is a slow burn crime thriller that only blasts into Actionland in the latter third of the film.  It’s the performances and atmosphere that carry the day here rather than action set pieces.  All of the characters are named after the rooms to which they are assigned (to maintain discretion, of course) so very few of the characters real names are actually revealed.  Brown, a rising star, is quietly magnetic as Waikiki, a man who has missed chances in life because he’s constantly looking after his screw-up of a younger brother.  Foster’s Nurse carries a jittery anxiety (related to a subplot that reveals a few small surprises) combined with the confidence of a professional in her element, allowing her to face down gangsters without a firearm while at the same time fighting the fear of going just a few feet outside the building.  Bautista continues to impressive, lending a combination of quiet humor and earnest dignity to his role as Everest.  It also helps that Bautista is friggin’ huge, giving him a physical presence that allows him to dwarf  the other characters.  Day is fun playing an arrogant, profane ass who thinks money can buy him anything, a Goldblum is gold in his brief role as the criminal ruler of Los Angeles.

Although made on a low budget, “Hotel Artemis,” like “Upgrade” the week before, does a credible job of showing a futuristic but relatable world.  In fact, both films could conceivably share the same universe in terms of tech and atmosphere.  I would have liked a little more action throughout the film as my expectations for a “John Wick” type of experience were quickly dashed.  But as I said before the characters and performances carry the day even though the script by writer/director Drew Pierce is a little on the thin side when it comes to actual character development (save for The Nurse, of course.)  Overall, “Hotel Artemis” delivers the goods in a somewhat muted fashion that nonetheless manages to entertain.  3 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer!

Next up we have “Ocean’s 8” a female version of the “Ocean’s 11” series.  Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, the younger sister of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean, who has just completed a five year stretch in prison.  Like her brother, Debbie doesn’t waste any time get back into the con game after being granted her parole, having five years to come up with the perfect plan to not only get her rich, but to get revenge on her former partner who put her in jail (Richard Armitage).    Her plan involves robbing a priceless diamond necklace from the neck of celebrity Daphne Kluger (a wonderful Anne Hathaway) during a museum gala in New York.  To do this she needs a team including her old partner (Cate Blanchett), a jewel counterfeiter (Mindy Kaling), a fence (Sarah Paulson), a hacker (Rihanna), a pickpocket (Awkwafina) and a designer to get close to Kluger (Helana Bonham Carter).   Writer/director Gary Ross (“The Hunger Games”) then proceeds to spin a tale of double-crosses, double switches, and misdirections in the true “Ocean’s” tradition.

This film is entertaining enough but has a little trouble getting its motor running.  The first half of the film featuring the team coming together has very little of the smooth bouncy banter of the previous Ocean’s films despite the very good chemistry between Bullock and Blanchett.  The setup happens so fast and so quietly that I had a hard time keeping my attention on the screen.  Fortunately when the heist begins, “Ocean’s 8” picks up the energy in a big way.  The mechanics of the heist are fun and engaging, and the performers are really able to bring life to their roles.  Bullock is a solid anchor as Debbie, all confidence and determination.  She will simply ensure the success of this job through sheer will.  Blanchett is good as her anchor Lou, pointing out potential flaws in her plan while continuing to support her friend.  Hathaway is a hoot as Kluger, an somewhat arrogant star who is more than she appears.  Bonham Carter is also very good as the frazzled designer who manages to get close to Daphne in order to make sure the scheme goes off without a hitch.  The other players a fine but somewhat limited by their roles, although they all get a chance to shine during the very entertaining climactic heist.   One wonders if “Ocean’s 8” does well the moviemakers will consider further installments.  I, for one, wouldn’t mind another dose of Debbie Ocean myself.   3 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer!  So Sayeth The Kendog!