MOVIE REVIEW: WONKA

 

Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, young chocolatier Willy Wonka manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.

Director: Paul King

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman,  Hugh Grant

Release Date: December 15, 2023

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical

Rated PG for some violence, mild language and thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 56m

Paul King's Willy Wonka prequel, Wonka, is an utterly charming film that brings a wonderful sense of whimsy and wonder that's hard to deny.  King's musical confection is a wonderful assault on the senses with a series of well staged albeit old fashion, song and dance numbers.  Its a visual feast for the eyes and ears that's like a lovely elixir that guaranteed to put people in a good mood.  King's film is light and airy with a palatable sense of infectious optimism that fits perfectly with a younger Wonka who hasn't become the more cynical and scarier version of himself from the Gene Wilder classic.  Timothée Chalamet is perfectly suited for this version of the character with his boyish looks and general charm.  He mimics some of the mannerisms and movements of Wilder's take but plays him with more wide eyed optimism and naiveite.  Its works well for this film and story even though some looking for bits of the character slightly sinister side will be left wanting.  The supporting cast delivers equally strong work with fun turns from Olivia Colman and an impressive film debut from Calah Lane.  Paterson Joseph, one of the handful of Peep Show alums, chews up every bit of the scenery as the film's villainous chocolatier.  Likewise, Hugh Grant is clearly having a ball playing a CGI Oompa-Loompa so much so that you wish he'd be given a slightly larger role.  It all makes for an undeniably fun film which fit more with the beloved original than the Tim Burton remake which is sure to please plenty of fans.

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A-

MOVIE REVIEW: PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH

Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll: he has burnt through eight of his nine lives. Puss sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives.

Director: Joel Crawford

Cast:  Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, John Mulaney, Wagner Moura, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Anthony Mendez

Release Date: December 21, 2022 

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

Rated PG for action/violence, rude humor/language, and some scary moments.

Runtime: 1h 40m

It’s rare that a sequel, much less to a spinoff of another franchise, would still pulse with the energy of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.  This newest entry into the Shrek spinoff is surprisingly vibrant onscreen which paired with a sharp script makes for a pleasant surprise of a family film.  Kids and adults will find plenty to enjoy here as the story tackles such heady issues like enjoying every moment of your life in the face of your own mortality.  If it sounds like a rather heavy topic for a kid’s movie it is but the script has the right balance of emotional resonance and fun to keep things enjoyable for the younger members of the audience.  Cleary, the film's biggest assets is its collection of stars voicing the collection of fantasy characters onscreen.  Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek's interplay drives the film with the kind of chemistry few couples have shared even behind animated characters.  They both bring so much fun and authenticity to their characters that the adults may forget they are watching fairy tale cats on an adventure.  Harvey Guillén joins the couple as an orphaned but kindhearted dog who looking for friendship.  Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone and Samson Kayo have just as much fun bring Goldilocks and Three Bears to life by giving their classic fairytale newfound resonance and meaning by the time the film ends.  John Mulaney is solid as the primary villain, but Wagner Moura's Big Bad Wolfe is impressively creepy, probably too much for very young children, as the embodiment of death.  Puss in Boots: The Las Wish could use a few trims here and there but overall, it’s the kind of family film that doesn't feel the need to pander to its audience while delivering and meaningful experience for children and adults alike.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES

 

Young Katie Mitchell embarks on a road trip with her proud parents, younger brother and beloved dog to start her first year at film school. But their plans to bond as a family soon get interrupted when the world's electronic devices come to life to stage an uprising. With help from two friendly robots, the Mitchells must now come together to save one another -- and the planet -- from the new technological revolution.

Director: Michael Rianda

Cast: Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph, Rianda, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Blake Griffin, Conan O'Brien

Release Date: April 30, 2021

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Rated PG for action and some language

Runtime: 1 h 53 min

Review:

The Mitchells vs. The Machines is a light breezy animated family film that has heart to spare.  Michael Rianda’s film has a bright and appealing visual style that’s distinctive enough to separate it from other animated films.  The story is a nice hybrid of a standard family film and a fun sci-fi story.  Neither is particularly groundbreaking but it hits the sweet spot where it finds a meaningful story to tell with engaging characters.  The primary family play off standard tropes but the script is smart enough to give them enough depth to make them engaging and interesting.  The entire thing wouldn’t work if the voice cast didn’t deliver strong performances, thankfully they do in spades.  Danny McBride delivers one of the more restrained performances of his career and it works well for this role.  McBride’s performance is sincere and heartfelt throughout which is a great change of pace for him.  McBride and Abbi Jacobson have believable chemistry as the father daughter duo who are at the heart of the story, as such they are the driving force of the film.  The supporting cast is rounded out with Maya Rudolph, Michael Rianda, Eric Andre and Olivia Colman with each getting their time to shine.  Colman in particular seems to be having a ball as diabolical AI who can’t deal with rejection.  The Mitchells vs. The Machines also delivers a hefty amount of laugh out loud moments that are sure to keep young and old entertained for the better part of its runtime.  There are portions of the film that feel like they could have been trimmed because there really no reason for the film to be nearly 2 hours long, regardless it’s strong family film that works on multiple levels.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FATHER

 

A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.

Director: Florian Zeller

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Olivia Williams

Release Date: February 26, 2021

Genre: Drama

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, and thematic material

Runtime: 1 h 37 min

Review:

The Father is a twisty poetic character study of a man experiencing dementia from his point of view.  Florian Zeller, adapting his own stage play, builds his film with a disorienting structure which works wonderfully by putting the audience in the main character’s mind.  Events are replayed or rerun with slight variations that leave you questioning which version of reality is actually real.  This is the type of film that benefits from its structure but is carried by its performers.  Zeller provides Anthony Hopkins a stage and he runs with it by delivering one of the best performances of his storied career.  Hopkins runs a master class in acting from start to finish.  There are multiple moments where he moves through a series of emotions with such ease and authenticity that you have to marvel at his talents.  It’s the type of the performance that will be used in acting classes for years to come.  The supporting cast is made up strong actors who are more than capable at holding their own on the screen with Hopkins.  Olivia Colman gets the largest portion of the load and she does well, always keeping everything grounded and painfully real. There are a bevy of these type of prestige films that pop up every year with varying results, Florian Zeller’s The Father works on multiple levels while providing a showcase to a legendary living legend.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FAVOURITE

In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, James Smith, Mark Gatiss

Release Date: November 23, 2018

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language.

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

At some point during Yorgos Lanthimos cynically funny film, you might get the sensation that you are watching a mash up of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and Milo Foreman’s Amadeus.  That’s hardly a bad thing but as the film moves on its genuinely funny script and biting wit take hold, carried ably by the top notch cast.  The three leads share the sort of chemistry that’s rare to find.  It’s instantly recognizable and they make you care about these fairly terrible human beings.  Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are all in top form with each being given multiple moments to shine.  It’d be criminal not to mention Nicholas Hoult who finds a way to standout in supporting role.  The Favourite is truly a fun ride through and through filled with top notch performance and stellar camera work that’s sure to be iconic as the film ages. 

A

TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7

TV SHOW REVIEW: PEEP SHOW Series 1-7

ON DVD / STREAMING VIA NETFLIX



Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.

Creators Andrew O'Connor, Sam Bain, Jesse Armstrong

Starring David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Matt King, Isy Suttie, Paterson Joseph

Like a perverse “The Odd Couple” Peep Show is the kind of show that is sure to offend plenty of people and make every more people, like me, break into laughter just at the mention of it. It’s a series that’s so incredibly well written and performed that the comedic timing on display is truly something impressive to watch. Its distinctive point of view style, it decreases to a certain extent as the series goes by, gives it a fresh feel throughout. It’s the kind of show that feels very familiar but not at the same time. Its characters are all fairly dislikable and do terrible things to each other but like Seinfeld and its Always Sunny in Philadelphia it’s not off putting. Instead you are sucked into these characters lives and hilarious inner monologues as they go through the mundane minutia of their lives. David Mitchell and Robert Webb make a fantastic comedic duo, further proof can be found in the equally awesome “That Mitchell and Webb Look”, who just live and breathe their characters throughout the series. Mitchell has that frustrated repressed office drone persona down with Webb playing a perfect slacker foil. The supporting players are equally impressive and memorable. If shows like Arrested Development, Spaced, Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia or The IT Crowd make you laugh then Peep Show is required viewing.

A-