Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton's 1988 cult classic that reunites Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara, joined by Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe. Decades after the original, adult Lydia Deetz faces a family tragedy and returns to Winter River with her teenage daughter, Astrid. When Astrid accidentally opens a portal to the Afterlife, Beetlejuice's chaos threatens to return.

The sequel leaned heavily on nostalgia, offering numerous callbacks to the original film which captured the essence of its predecessor, but it struggled to bring fresh ideas to the table, leaving a strong desire for more originality.

Burton's direction maintained the visual flair and dark humor that made the original a success. However, the film's structure suffered from juggling two parallel plotlines. The main story focusing on Lydia and her family felt more cohesive, while the secondary plot involving Monica Bellucci's character Delores seemed underdeveloped and at times distracting from the core narrative.

One notable improvement in Burton's typical all White casting was the inclusion of Jenna Ortega, adding a touch of diversity to the ensemble. He also cleverly navigated the absence of Jeffrey Jones, who played Charles Deetz in the original film, by reimagining the character in creative ways which added an unexpected layer of humor to the sequel. However, the film stumbled in its representation, particularly in the Soul Train sequences, which featured predominantly Black dancers in a way that felt tokenistic rather than meaningful.

In the end, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could not reach the heights of its predecessor. Fans of the original may find the nostalgia enjoyable but for me it didn't quite conjure the same magic that made the first film so memorable.

Joker: Folie à Deux

Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning 2019 Joker, continues the story of Arthur Fleck, now incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. This psychological drama-musical follows Fleck as he grapples with his dual identity and forms a relationship with Harley Quinn.

Director Todd Phillips returned to helm this ambitious project, but the result was a marked departure from the original's tone and atmosphere. While the first film captivated audiences with its dark, gritty, and edgy portrayal of a broken society, Folie à Deux took a surprisingly lighter approach. Despite tackling serious themes such as abuse of power and mental health, the sequel lacked the tension and real-world feel that made its predecessor so compelling. The storytelling felt disjointed at times, with noticeable gaps that felt like a lack of full commitment from the writers and director.

Phillips' decision to transform the sequel into a musical was a bold risk that yielded mixed results. The reasoning behind this choice was understandable, but it created a stark contrast to the original film's tone. The musical numbers, while catchy and fitting for the 1970s setting, often felt oddly placed and overly long, disrupting the flow of the narrative.

Despite these shortcomings, the film had strong performances from its lead actors. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga demonstrated excellent chemistry. They had depth and nuance to their respective roles as Arthur Fleck and Harley Quinn but unfortunately no other cast members were memorable or fully development.

Visually, Folie à Deux did a nice job with its attention to detail in lighting and makeup. However, some creative choices, such as mixing men and women in the same prison, questioned the credibility of the film and further distanced the film from the grounded realism of its predecessor.

In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux was a bold but uneven sequel that struggled to recapture the magic of the original. While it offered strong performances and impressive visuals, its tonal shift and musical elements were divisive with a less cohesive experience than its predecessor.

Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2, is the highly anticipated sequel to Pixar's 2015 hit. It takes us back into the mind of Riley as she navigates intricate maze of adolescence that threatens to upend the delicate balance maintained by Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust.

This animated coming-of-age dramatic comedy once again proves Pixar's mastery in storytelling, blending humor, heart, and profound insights into the human experience. The introduction of Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui brought fresh challenges and hilarious complications to Riley's inner world.

The storytelling is engaging and relatable, capturing the essence of teenage struggles with remarkable accuracy in tackling complex themes with sensitivity and humor. At its core, Inside Out 2 explored themes of self-discovery, emotional complexity, and personal growth. It did a great job of emphasizing how our experiences shape who we become. It sends a powerful message about embracing one's true self and understanding that personal evolution is a natural and necessary part of growing up.

One of the film's strengths lied in its diverse cast of voice actors, which nicely reflected the on-screen characters. Returning favorites Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black were joined by newcomers Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, and Ayo Edebiri, among others. This blend of familiar voices and fresh talent brought depth and nuance to the expanded emotional roster.

The visual artistry was stunning, with the animators outdoing themselves in bringing Riley's inner world to vibrant, colorful life.

In the end, Inside Out 2 was a heartwarming tear-jerker that was thought-provoking. It tackled the complexities of teenage emotions with Pixar's signature blend of humor and poignancy. It's a must-see for fans of the original, offering valuable lessons about self-acceptance, emotional growth, and the importance of embracing all aspects of oneself, both the joyful and the challenging.

Inside Out

Inside Out is an animated Pixar produced coming-of-age dramatic comedy. The story goes inside the mind of 11 year old Riley as she navigates the challenges of moving from the Midwest to San Francisco. The film's premise explores the inner workings of Riley's emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - as they grapple with a new city, house, and school.

The star-studded voice cast included Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black and Mindy Kaling. They did a great job in bringing these vibrant characters to life. They had depth and complexity which made them likeable and easy to root for.

As expected from a Pixar production, Inside Out tugged at the heartstrings while expertly tackling complex emotional themes like depression and mental health with sensitivity in a way that would resonate with children and adults alike. The exploration of the importance of all emotions working together, not just the positive ones, was one of this film's greatest strengths. This approach to emotional health offered valuable lessons for viewers of all ages. 

In the end, Inside Out was more than just a children's movie; it was a sophisticated exploration of the human psyche, a testament to Pixar's storytelling prowess. It offered a fresh perspective on the inherent difficulties of growing up, exploring what makes us uniquely ourselves. It's a film that offered a unique and memorable cinematic experience with its creative story and perfect balance of humor and heart that will cement its place as an innovative, modern animated classic.

Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday is a romantic comedy, released in 1953, directed by William Wyler. It is a story of a bored princess who escapes her royal duties for a day of adventure in Rome.

This charming film drew inspiration from the real-life romance between England's Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend, a relationship that captured public fascination during the early 1950s. This connection added a layer of intrigue to the film, as it explored themes of love, duty, and personal freedom against a backdrop of royal expectations.

The film's greatest strength lied in its ability to balance comedy and drama seamlessly. The script did a great job in taking viewers on an emotional journey that was authentic and heartfelt. It was more than just a romantic comedy; it was a coming-of-age story.

Audrey Hepburn delivered a stunning performance in her American film debut as Princess Ann. Her portrayal was captivating, combining grace, wit, and vulnerability that immediately endeared her to the audience. Hepburn's natural charm and elegance shined through, making it easy to see why she became a beloved Hollywood icon and fashion inspiration for generations to come. Gregory Peck, who played Joe Bradley, had palpable chemistry with Hepburn which helped to create a romance that felt both genuine and bittersweet.

Rome itself became a character in the film, with William Wyler's direction and Frank F. Planer's cinematography beautifully showcasing the Eternal City's landmarks and charm. The on-location shooting added a layer of authenticity that transported me as a viewer to a magical day in Italy.

While some aspects of the film felt dated, such as its portrayal of Italians and lack of diversity, the core themes of independence, self-discovery, and the conflict between duty and personal desires remain relevant today Which, in the end made it easy to see why Roman Holiday has been regarded as a timeless classic.

Blink Twice

 

Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut, Blink Twice, is psychological thriller that stars Naomi Ackie as Frida, a struggling cocktail waitress who finds herself swept into the glamorous world of tech billionaire Slater King, played by Channing Tatum. The story unfolds as Frida and her friend Jess, played by Alia Shawkat, are invited to King's private island for what appears to be a dream vacation. However, as the serene getaway progresses, strange occurrences begin to unsettle Frida, forcing her to question the reality of her surroundings.

Blink Twice delves deep into issues of power dynamics, gender politics, and societal expectations placed on women. Kravitz's script, co-written with E.T. Feigenbaum, explores these themes through a thriller lens, drawing comparisons to Jordan Peele's Get Out mixed with vibes reminiscent of The Stepford Wives or Don't Worry Darling. The film didn’t shy away from addressing the absurdity of demands placed on women in society, including highlighting the pressure to smile through pain and the use of non-verbal communication when feeling unsafe.

While the plot was not entirely unique, Kravitz's direction infused the film with a fresh perspective and palpable tension. The movie's climactic scenes were particularly noteworthy for their brutal honesty and refusal to pull punches. She demonstrated remarkable skill behind the camera, creating a visually stunning world that slowly revealed a darker nature.

The casting was diverse and played well off of one another. Naomi Ackie delivered an outstanding performance as Frida, skillfully portraying a wide range of emotions as her character navigated the increasingly bizarre and threatening situation. Channing Tatum gave his best performance to date. He brought a charm and lethal coolness to the role of Slater King. The supporting cast shined as well; Adria Arjona as Sarah, a reality television celebrity who won "Survivor," and Alia Shawkat as Jess both deliver superb performances that showcase their impressive range and depth.

In the end, Blink Twice stood out as a testament to Kravitz's talent as a filmmaker, successfully blending elements of thriller, social commentary, and horror to create a compelling and thought-provoking experience. It's a film that not only entertained but also did a good job show showing viewers the uncomfortable truths about power, control, and the expectations placed on women in society.

Deadpool & Wolverine

 

Deadpool & Wolverine is the third installment in the Deadpool franchise and is its first venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Ryan Reynolds returning as the titular “Merc with a Mouth”, and Hugh Jackman, reprising his iconic role as Wolverine. The story kicked off when Deadpool's mundane existence is disrupted by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), who recruit him to help protect the multiverse.

The film was packed with references, Easter eggs, and cameos that spanned the entire history of Marvel cinema. These nods to the past were fun additions that felt organic. This premise cleverly tied the film to the broader MCU, particularly echoing themes from the Loki Disney Plus TV series. The pacing and constant stream of jokes kept me engaged throughout the 128-minute runtime. True to form, Deadpool & Wolverine did not hold back on its R-rated sensibilities. The film packed in vulgar humor, sexual innuendos, and over-the-top violence that fans of the franchise have come to expect.

Reynolds' Deadpool brought his signature wit and fourth-wall-breaking antics to new heights. The chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman was a highlight to the film. Their banter and odd-couple dynamic provided some of the film's biggest laughs. While Reynolds and Jackman were undoubtedly the stars of the show, the supporting cast held their own. Emma Corrin shone as the villainous Cassandra Nova, bringing a cold and calculating presence to counterbalance the heroes' chaotic energy. Matthew Macfadyen also impressed in his role as a TVA bureaucrat, adding a touch of dry humor to the proceedings.

In the end, Deadpool & Wolverine was a wildly entertaining, meta-filled adventure that managed to honor its roots as a unique, boundary pushing film in a more conservative MCU superhero landscape. It served as a love letter to Marvel fans and a satisfying continuation of the Deadpool franchise. While it may not have been for everyone due to its crude humor and violence, those who appreciate Deadpool's unique brand of chaos will find themselves thoroughly entertained.