MOVIE REVIEW: THE WILD ROBOT

 

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.

Director: Chris Sanders

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for action/peril and thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

The Wild Robot is simplistic in its storytelling, but its eye-catching visuals and emotional punch makes it one of the most impressive, animated film from Dreamworks in a longtime.  Chris Sanders' film has a dreamlike look to it thanks to an impressionist animation style for the backgrounds and non robot characters.  Its visually impactful throughout as there's nary an inch wasted onscreen as the island vibrantly brought to life.  There's an impressive efficiency to it all as he gives you a sense of the geography as we're introduced to the colorful cast of anthropomorphized animals.  The character designs are naturalistic which serve in contrast to the shipwrecked robot at the center of the story Roz.  Her slinky arm and legs give the character a fun sense of motion, particularly as she emulates the varied wildlife she encounters.  Her large camera lens eyes paired with wonderful voice work from Lupita Nyong'o really make the character live and breathe.  Nyong'o has an ability to bring a sense of humanity and authenticity to all her performances and it serves this film as the beating heart of story.  It makes the character's emotional arch as a surrogate mother even more impactful which makes certain moments, especially in the final act, primed to elicit waterworks from even the most cynical viewer.  The supporting cast is solid, particularly Pedro Pascal, but its Nyong'o that holds it all together from start to finish.  It helps that the story is unafraid to show all aspects of the circle of life in an honest way that doesn't pander the way some animated films.  There are hints of Wall-E, especially as we are exposed the futuristic human world that exist outside of the island.  Much like that film, there's an elegance to The Wild Robot's story and overall production that set it a cut above most animated family films.  

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FIRST OMEN

 

A woman starts to question her own faith when she uncovers a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate in Rome.

Director: Arkasha Stevenson

Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sônia Braga, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy, Maria Caballero, Nicole Sorace

Release Date: April 5, 2024 

Genre: Horror

Rated R for violent content, grisly/disturbing images, and brief graphic nudity.

Runtime: 2h 

Review:

The First Omen is a surprisingly well constructed religious horror throwback that delivers plenty in the way of atmosphere and shocks.  Arkasha Stevenson shows an impressive confidence behind the camera in her big screen debut as she delivers a series of wonderfully crafted visuals which leave an impression.  Additionally, she's able to capture the style and pace of 70s era horror films with an emphasis placed on characters faces during conversations which allows the actors to really shine.  Stevenson draws inspiration from a variety of places initially using Richard Donner's idyllic filter from the originally before leaning more into Polanski's more hallucinatory approach from Rosemary's Baby which fits the story well while also managing to include a sequence that's sure to make fans of 1981 Possession smile.  Of course, it’s all deadly serious from start to finish in this slow burn which thankfully avoids an over reliance on cheap jump scares while keeping the focus solely on the central character and story.  Its a methodical approach that's very similar to those old school horror films so those looking for something faster might be disappointed.  It’s a measured approach that lets its cast do the heavy lifting lead by a strong turn from Nell Tiger Free.  She brings a believable naivety to the role that slowly unravels as the mystery unfolds.  Free manages to keep it all ground even as the story takes some convoluted turns in order to get to its predetermined destination.  Her supporting cast boast some familiar faces Bill Nighy, Ralph Ineson, Sônia Braga and Charles Dance who all bring an air of gravitas to fairly one dimensional characters.  Maria Caballero and Nicole Sorace manage to leave an impression in limited roles as a fellow nun and orphan respectively with the latter begging for more screen time.  The First Omen proves to be one of the more pleasant surprises from a resurrected franchise showing that it's possible to deliver a quality product in the right hands.

B+

Cindy Prascik’s Review of I, Frankenstein

Dearest Blog, with the possibility of snow-derailed plans hanging over my Saturday, I hopped out to the movies on opening night for I, Frankenstein. I'd been looking forward to it far too much for far too long to risk a weather delay. (You can stop laughing anytime.) Never worry, though, dear reader(s), I was on my way OUT as the Friday-night teens were on their way IN.

Spoiler level here will be mild-ish, nothing you wouldn't know or have guessed from the trailers.

In the present day, Victor Frankenstein's creation lands in the middle of a centuries-old war between supernatural species.
If you were online for three minutes before happening upon this blog, you've probably already seen an item or two saying how terrible this movie is, or how ridiculous...or probably both. Here I shall provide you the counterpoint.

Yes, I, Frankenstein is cheesy and offers one of the most obvious reveals in the history of movie reveals, but it's also got a likable, recognizable cast, some groovy effects, and one especially well-choreographed fight scene that I'll probably watch ten times in a row as soon as I put my hands on the DVD. Typically for this sort of film, there's a Randomly Hot Dude I've never seen before who has two lines and dies in the first 20 minutes...but now I have a crush and have to spend $100 picking up all his terrible old movies on Amazon. It also has the occasional nod to the title character's iconic nature, and, unlike your friendly neighborhood Best Picture nominee, is smart enough not to wear out its welcome.

Aaron Eckhart has long since proved himself capable, and he's an easy watch in the lead. If the movie takes an extra moment to linger gratuitously on his perfectly sculpted abs, well...no complaints here! It goes without saying Bill Nighy is overqualified for his role, but he's supremely entertaining and the movie is better for having him. (Somehow I couldn't stop picturing his and Gary Oldman's agents fistfighting over these easy-money parts...Gary gets Robocop, Bill gets Frankenstein!) Miranda Otto and Yvonne Strahovski are fine in predictable female roles. Best surprise was the delicious Aden Young turning up in a small but important part.

I, Frankenstein clocks in at a tight 93 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of intense fantasy action and violence throughout."

I will respectfully but emphatically disagree with anyone who trashes this movie. It's a terrific bit of escapism from the so-bad-it's-good school, and, for my money, is destined to become a cult classic. Of a possible nine Weasleys, I, Frankenstein gets seven.

Until next time...



Hey, Doc, next time you're making these, don't forget mine, m-kay?

[Trailer] Wrath of the Titans

Being overshadowed by the massive new of The Dark Knight Rises trailer’s release, the sequel to the redux of Clash of the Titans has released its first trailer.

Personally, Clash of the Titans was one of my least favorite remakes of recent memory. It just seemed to get everything wrong on so many levels.

This one looks a bit more promising, probably because of the higher amount of CGI and hair conditioner, and the trailer gives off a noticeable God of War video game feel.

They might deliver a more enjoyable experience, especially since they are removed from the first films requirement to adhere to part of the originals plot.

Then again it might just be more garbage….