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: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMOUNG THIEVES

 

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a long lost relic, but their charming adventure goes dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Cast: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant

Release Date: March 31, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rated PG-13 for fantasy action/violence and some language

Runtime: 2h 14m

Review:

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fun, if inconsistent, adventure comedy that works mostly because of the energetic charisma of its ensemble cast.  Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein do a solid job of setting up the world and its light goofy tone early on.  Chris Pine is a perfect shepherd for this fantasy romp by using his natural onscreen charisma to great effect.  Pine makes the whole thing far more accessible than it should be since the script throws a bevy names and locations which longtime fans of the game will probably appreciate but will fly over the general public's head.  The action set pieces are large impressive mostly CGI creations with a graveyard and arena sequence being the best of the bunch.  Thankfully, the story never takes itself overly serious even as we traverse the Lord of the Rings style world as the group of misfits assembles.  This allows the rest of the ensemble their moments to shine typically through a series of extended flashback which flesh out their backstories.  Michelle Rodriguez is perfectly cast as the barbarian and Pine's platonic partner.  Justice Smith is appropriately award and unsure as the less than stellar sorcerer whose hopelessly in love with Sophia Lillis shapeshifting druid.  Lillis is a fun counterpoint to Smith with her natural poise and self confidence.  Regé-Jean Page and Hugh Grant both make the most of their screen time but you get the sense that the film could have made better use of the performers and characters.  It’s a strange sort of film that's far better than it deserves to be mainly because of the cast is able to rise about the film's script with is filled plenty of clunky dialogue.  The surprising thing about Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is that amongst all the goofiness it's got a good amount of heart at the center of the story.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GENTLEMEN

Mickey Pearson is an American expatriate who became rich by building a marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he's looking to cash out of the business, it soon triggers an array of plots and schemes from those who want his fortune.

Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant

Release Date: January 24, 2019

Genres: Action, Crime

Rated R for violence, language throughout, sexual references and drug content

Runtime: 1h 55min

Review:

The Gentlemen is a fun return to the genre that made Guy Ritchie a name back in the early 2000s.  It’s easy to forget how fun his older films like Lock Stock and Smoking Barrel and Snatch were because his subsequence films have fallen into a general blandness that’s made unmemorable.  That’s not to say that certain films like his Sherlock Holmes movies or his underrated The Man from U.N.C.L.E. aren’t fun but they felt way too polished and glossy.  The Gentlemen is a film that’s far better than it deserves to be.  The plot isn’t quite as clever as it thinks it is but the cast of characters and actors make the film so incredibly fun and watchable that you can overlook some of those failings.  Each of the cast delivers performances that make it clear that they are having the time of their lives in this film.  McConaughey gives us a solid mix of charm and underling menace with Charlie Hunnam delivering one of best film work thus far.  The supporting cast shines throughout with Hugh Grant, playing against type with great gusto, and Colin Farrell leaving the biggest impressions.  The story drags here and there but when the cast is clicking it’s the kind of throwback that makes you remember why people noticed Guy Ritchie’s type of filmmaking in the first place instead of something like Aladdin.

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Gentleman

Yesterday it was off to the pictures for back-to-back screenings of Guy Ritchie's the Gentlemen.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

The kingpin of Britain's largest marijuana enterprise attempts to ease into retirement and finds there's nothing easy about it.

Dear reader(s), it's important for me to note that I saw the Gentlemen twice yesterday. While I often see movies more than once (hey there, Jack Sparrow!), seldom do I see them more than once before I write about them. In this case, it made a difference of a half to a full point improvement on the film's final Weasley score, so that's material enough to warrant a mention.

The Gentlemen is a rollicking tale that's as clever as it is crass. A wordy script is liberally seasoned with swearing and slurs, weaving its way from twist to unexpected turn. The movie gets off to a bit of a slow start (which I found much less noticeable the second time around), but once it gets rolling, it is ROLLING, through a tense, violent, funny, and often surprising tale. The Gentlemen is blessed with a cast that is perfect in every way. Matthew McConaughey is crafty, dashing, and just the right amount of menacing as the mogul with an eye on retirement. Hugh Grant is hilarious as a sleazy PI looking out for number-one, while Henry Golding impresses as an up-and-comer with his eye on the prize. Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery holds her own with the guys, no refined Lady Mary, this one, but, per usual, it's Colin Farrell who steals the show with a smart, funny turn. Annnnnnnd...to my Charlie People (and all you future Charlie People): this is a GREAT role for Charlie Hunnam. He gets just about the most screen time of anyone in the terrific ensemble, and he absolutely nails it. One of the reasons I'm proud to call myself a Charlie Person (and why I continue to evangelize new Charlie People) is because, despite his obscenely good looks, Charlie Hunnam has never traded on that commodity. He takes interesting roles in interesting projects, almost always aiming higher than he really has to. As McConaughey's smart, stoic, sweatered wing man, Hunnam is given a great opportunity to shine in the Gentlemen, and shine he does. One of my favorite performances from him to date.

The Gentlemen clocks in at 113 minutes and is rated R for "violence, language throughout, sexual references, and drug content." (I really, really feel like the "drug content" should be first there, but oh well.)

The Gentlemen is a humorous, exciting, well-crafted, and perfectly-cast film that takes viewers on a wild ride and effectively corrals an almost impossible number of moving pieces.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Gentlemen gets eight. Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: PADDINGTON 2

Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear is a popular member of the community who spreads joy and marmalade wherever he goes. One fine day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop -- the perfect present for his beloved aunt's 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy's big celebration.

Director: Paul King

Cast: Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Sally Hawkins, Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville

Release Date: Jan 12, 2018

Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor

Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Review:

The first Paddington was a surprisingly fun adaptation of the classic children’s book.  It was the rare film that actually captured the spirit of the character instead of just mining the source material for a quick buck.  Having lighting strike twice seemed like a long shot but Paul King’s lovingly made sequel continued the first film’s legacy.  It’s nearly impossible not to be charmed by the story from the start.  It’s the best kind of kid’s film, one that never panders to its audience and has a tangible heart beat.  Ben Whishaw is just a perfect in this sequel as the titular bear, making him endearing and lovable.  The returning cast members like Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins are solid throughout with Hawkins getting more to do in the second half of the film.   Hugh Grant is clearly having a ball as Phoenix Buchanan, the villain in this chapter.  Buchanan’s character is a lot more memorable than the first film’s adversary which is to the sequel’s benefit.  Add in a fun supporting turn by Bredan Gleenson and you’ve got the rare kids sequel that improves on original while never losing the spirit of the characters.        

A

Cindy Prascik's Reveiws of Pete’s Dragon & Florence Foster Jenkins

Dearest Blog, yesterday I decided to leave Sausage Party to the grownups (my blog partner Daniel!) while I headed off to Marquee Cinemas for the inoffensive pairing of Pete's Dragon and Florence Foster Jenkins. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. First up: Disney's remake of Pete's Dragon. 

An orphaned boy survives in the wild with help from his best friend...who happens to be a dragon. Dear Reader(s), I have not seen the 1977 version of Pete's Dragon. I like to think that leaves me free of nostalgia that might unfairly bias my opinion of this remake, but, sadly, I am still underwhelmed. My first issue is that the dragon looks awful, resembling a jungle cat with wings more than anything else. 

The movie attempts to imbue him with pet-like mannerisms, but doesn't come close to the excellence of How to Train Your Dragon in that regard. Both television and film have set a pretty high barre for dragons these days, and a picture with a titular dragon cannot afford to fail on that front. Filmmakers have loaded the movie with an environmentally-conscious message, cookie-cutter good and bad guys, and moody pseudo-folk tunes, but none of that is any help to this dull rehash of a tired tale that's been told a thousand times before, with only the details varying. 

There's an unintentionally hilarious moment where two adults, first faced with the dragon, hide behind a child (really??) and, despite having nothing else to date the movie outside a few older-looking vehicles, everyone in Pete's Dragon still uses a land line. 

I found that even more unbelievable than dragons! Having said all that, even the worst movie has its positives, and Pete's Dragon boasts some gorgeous scenery and dizzying aerial shots. 

It's also worth noting that "Forest Ranger" Bryce Dallas Howard has learnt her lesson from Jurassic World and is at least wearing sensible shoes to run around the wilderness this time. Pete's Dragon runs 102 minutes and is rated PG for "action, peril, and brief language." Pete's Dragon is a weak effort from Disney that has very little to recommend it. Maybe take the kids to see Secret Life of Pets again instead. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Pete's Dragon gets three. Fangirl points: Robert Redford. Karl Urban. 

On the same screen. I nearly swooned myself to death! Next on the agenda: Florence Foster Jenkins, a.k.a. This Year's Meryl Streep Oscar Nomination. 

The true story of a a wealthy heiress who, encouraged by her husband, pursues a singing career despite a notable lack of talent. 

There's no hiding the fact that Florence Foster Jenkins' primary function is the annual throwing of Meryl Streep's hat into the Awards Season Sweepstakes. She is her usual magnificent self here, expertly playing both the comedy and the tragedy of Jenkins. Jenkins was a terrible singer who believed (or was led to believe) she was actually good, and Streep tackles her performances with the earnestness of a woman who not only believes in herself, but is making a genuine effort to learn and improve. 

On the surface, there are sadder aspects of her story (a chronic illness and an unfaithful husband, for starters), but to me none of it seems any more tragic than being the butt of a joke of which everyone but her is aware. 

It makes the character sympathetic, bordering on pathetic, and makes the movie almost too uncomfortable to watch at times, though its saving grace is it's never mean spirited. Hugh Grant is charming as Jenkins' enabling husband, and Simon Helberg is delightful as her young accompanist. His reactions to her caterwauling are some of the movie's funniest moments. 

Like Eddie the Eagle before it, Florence Foster Jenkins presents viewers with some awkward questions: To what point can devotion and enthusiasm substitute for talent and skill? Is it better or more kind to destroy a loved one's dream than to let him make a fool of himself? If a good movie is one that leaves you thinking about the points it raises, then Florence Foster Jenkins certainly fits the bill. 

Outside of Streep's extraordinary work, the film probably isn't special enough to create much of a stir come awards time, but if you love music more than anything else (as I do, and as Jenkins did), you're going to feel this one in your very soul. Florence Foster Jenkins clocks in at 110 minutes and is rated PG13 for "brief suggestive material." Florence Foster Jenkins is a delightful, if sometimes awkward, story that's bolstered by strong performances and likeable characters. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Florence Foster Jenkins gets seven. 

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik''s Reviews of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Mr. Holmes

Dearest Blog: today it was off to the pictures for a pair of highly-anticipated (at least by me) titles: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Mr. Holmes.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

An American C.I.A. agent and a Russian K.G.B. agent reluctantly team up to keep a nuclear bomb out of dangerous hands.

Ladies and gents, it will surprise exactly no one when I say I know nothing about the original Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV series, aside from the fact it's where Ducky from NCIS got his start. If you're looking for comparisons between this big-screen outing and its small-screen ancestor, I fear you'll have to look elsewhere.

On its own merits, the big-screen Man from U.N.C.L.E. feels like it can't quite decide what it wants to be. It's amusing, but not nearly funny enough to be called a comedy. It's a little too silly to sell its attempts at drama. There's some nice action, but none of the big stunts we've come to expect from great action pieces. In other words, it's a lot of "what might have been."

Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are as good-looking a pair of guys as you'll find anywhere, perhaps cinema's most dashing double-leads since Newman and Redford. Unfortunately, Cavill has all the charisma of a used lunch bag, and Hammer (whom I adore, for the record) has been shoved into a role that never seems to fit. They have a few genuinely good moments together, but overall it seems a waste of two capable leading men.

Female lead Alicia Vikander is absolutely stunning and absolutely unremarkable in every other way. It's only when Hugh Grant turns up you feel like you've got someone who knows what to do with a feature film. As mentioned, the action is good fun at times, but nothing very exciting or new. There's espionage and double-crosses and triple-crosses and none of it is ever much of a surprise. Some of the locations are almost as pretty as Cavill and Hammer, but if I had to name the one thing I actually really, really loved about The Man from U.N.C.L.E., it'd be Daniel Pemberton's fantastic score.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. clocks in at 116 minutes and is rated PG13 for "action violence, some suggestive content, and partial nudity."

It's a passable couple hours of brainless summer fun, but, to be honest, if your cinema is still playing Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation, you'd do better just to see that again.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. gets six.

Next on the docket, Mr. Holmes.

An elderly, failing Sherlock Holmes is haunted by a past blunder.

Dear Reader(s), every once in awhile, even *I* need a break from car chases and explosions, and this weekend my cinema was kind enough to accommodate with this well-regarded showcase for Ian McKellen.

Mr. Holmes is a pretty slow-moving vehicle; in the interest of making that not sound like a negative, we'll call it "deliberately paced." This movie is in no hurry to get anywhere, but that's not to say there's not plenty going on. A couple of old cases nag at the edges of Holmes' fading memory, and his declining health adds its own drama. McKellen and Laura Linney are expectedly great, but it's the youngster Milo Parker who steals the show, comfortably holding his own opposite his two decorated co-stars. It's a quietly intense film that will have no trouble holding your attention from start to finish.
Mr. Holmes runs 104 minutes and is rated PG for "thematic elements, some disturbing images, and incidental smoking."

A nice respite from shoot-em-up summer blockbusters, of a possible nine Weasleys, Mr. Holmes gets seven.

Until next time..

Somebody get me in the middle of that...STAT! :-)

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo's only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.

Release Date: Aug 14, 2015

Rated: PG-13 Action/Violence, Some Suggestive Content and Partial Nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 56 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Director: Guy Ritchie  

Cast: Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, Alicia Vikander, Hugh Grant, Jared Harris

Review:

The Man from U.N.C.L.E isn’t breaking any new ground and it borrows heavily from other better filmmakers but that doesn’t keep it from being a fun little romp.  Guy Ritchie’s film moves at a steady pace throwing 60’s fashion, good looking people and funny little quips throughout.  His trio of stars are all game and they all share great chemistry together.  Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are clearly having a ball indulging in their characters.  Alicia Vikander is a perfect as the female lead.  Her and Hammer have plenty of fun scenes together while Cavill is filling out his tailor made suits elsewhere.  It’s never deep or thought provoking and it probably overstays it’s welcome by about 15 minutes but that doesn’t keep it from being fun.  

B