Raya and the Last Dragon

 

Raya and the Last Dragon is Disney’s animated fantasy film about a princess in search of a dragon that can help her save her people.

I thought that the plot was interesting and easy to follow. The story did a good job being relatable to kids as well as adults. There were wonderful themes, which were prevalent throughout, around family, forgiveness and having faith in yourself was well as others.

Although a good chunk of the characters were one dimensional there was strong character development for Raya so it was easy to root for her. I also enjoyed seeing strong female characters that were leaders. Some of the character voices I didn't recognize at first, but it turned out there were famous actors like Gemma Chan as Namaari, Benedict Wong as Tong, and Sandra Oh as Virana, who did a really nice job bringing this fantasy to life.

As always, this was yet another great Disney action adventure film highlighting diversity and female empowerment. Although a bit predictable, it still managed to have me tearing up a bit at the end. If you are looking for an enjoyable family friendly ride, this one might be for you.

The Power of the Dog

 

The Power of the Dog is a psychological drama adapted from the novel of the same name by Oscar and Golden Globe winning director Jane Campion. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee and is the story of a man who uses his powers of intimidation to ruin the lives of his family.

This 1920s western-adjacent drama had a score was erie and really taps into that western vibe. The editing and cinematography were great at showing the unease of situations and the anxiety of the characters, which the director, Campion, did an expert job in forcing the audience to sit in those uncomfortable situations. The vast, wide, dusty, lonely landscapes also helped to reflect the isolation of the situation. The themes of bullying, jealousy, sexuality, toxic masculinity and the psychological impacts of gaslighting where also prevalent throughout.


The character development was strong. The script did a great job in showing how each of the leads was either a representation of the past, present or future of an evolving era.

The casting was Oscar worthy. The performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee were impeccable. Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank was a man who was stuck in the past, a man who was resistant to change. He was feared, he was controlling, manipulating, overtly masculine and cruel. However, once you start to peel the layers, you begin to see more to this misunderstood man, who is fighting his own demons. Dunst as Rose Gordon did an amazing job portraying the innocence of a woman and what can happen to someone when they are placed in an unbearable and isolating position. Plemons as George Burbank did a great job showing what it is like to be the brother of a psychological terrorist. A man who is also lonely, looking for love, with kindness in his heart and optimism through it all. A man who looks to the future, who embraces the evolutions of the world of technology. Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon did well as the wallflower, the underestimated quirky character, confident in himself when no one else was.

For those who didn’t read the book, like me, you will find that this film, though slow moving, is unpredictable, full of content, and ends with a bang. Even though I am not a fan of the comments of late from the director, Jane Campion, she is a trailblazer in being only the third woman ever to win the award for Best Director, which I do feel was well deserved.

Being the Ricardos

 

Being the Ricardos takes place over the course of one week in 1952. The stars of I Love Lucy, real life husband and wife, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, face challenges in their personal and professional lives, that have the potential to destroy their happy marriage, vibrant careers, and hit television show. Starring Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem and J. K. Simmons.

I liked the plot and thought that it moved well. The hair, makeup and costumes did a great job in helping to transport you to the 1950s. I didn't know much about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz before watching this movie. I knew of I Love Lucy but never watched a full episode and never knew the impact it had on television as a whole. This film did a great job in showing the innerworkings of filming the show with a live audience, along with all of the stressors behind the scenes.

Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are well deserving of their acting nominations this season. They had strong chemistry and did a great job showing the complicated nature of Lucy and Desi's relationship. Nicole got the voice down and really embraced the aura of Lucy. As her she was the star of the show, a confident woman, a woman ahead of her time in many ways, but also, because of that, a woman who was perceived as difficult to work with. Javier Bardem was perfect casting. As Desi he was able to show the duality of this imperfect, groundbreaking man. He was a true showman that was hardworking and creative. During a particular downturn for Lucy, he was the one took charge and did what needed to be done to protect his wife. He was likeable but at times also partook in salacious hobbies. 

Being the Ricardos, although a slow burn that took me a couple of days to get through, was well worth the time in the end. This biographical drama lead not with action or intense sequences, but more with superb dramatic acting from star studded casting and a bit of comedy. Therefore, I'd say for those willing to take the ride, don't give up on it, because it was worth it. 

The Tragedy of Macbeth

 

The Tragedy of Macbeth a thriller based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It is the story of a Scottish general who receives a prophecy from witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. This foretelling, plus the encouragement from his wife, if acted upon, will soon change their life forever. The film stars Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and Bertie Carvel.

The tone was artsy with the film being shot entirely in black and white. The cinematography of the sets and lighting were full of symbolism. The themes around mental health, specifically obsession, greed and the physical and mental effects of guilt were prevalent throughout.

The script is Shakespearian so it’s a bit hard to understand, it was as if this was pulled straight from the original play. Its historical context was loosely based on king Macbeth of Scotland whose reign was from 1040–1057. So one of my major critiques is that no one had a Scottish accent.

This type of drama appears to be Denzel’s wheelhouse. This is his second film adapted from a Shakespearian play and at least the third that he has had the lead in; the first two being A Solider’s Story and Fences. And just like with Fences, he is being praised for his work as Macbeth, with a number of acting nominations, which I do feel he is worthy of. He did a fantastic job showing the evolution of this man from a loyal servant to the crown to a paranoid tyrant.

Overall I appreciated the effort from an artistic standpoint, but this wasn’t really my kind of movie. If you are someone who enjoys a traditional storytelling from a Shakespearian perspective, this could be the movie for you.

Spencer

 

Spencer is an eccentric view of Princess Diana’s last Christmas with the Windsor’s before she made the choice to file for divorce from Charles, Prince of Wales. This psychological drama stars Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris and Sally Hawkins.

This is the second historical drama of a well-respected woman that director Pablo Larrain has taken on; it’s predecessor being 2017’s Jackie. I think that in Spencer liberties were definitely taken in the story but through this exaggerated lens you could really understand Diana’s desire for control in her life, you could also see her paranoia, depression, isolation and loneliness, some of which did come out as accurate later down the line.

The film was very artsy and utilized the classical score as a way to evoke the range of emotions that Diana was going though which I thought was clever. The plot was interesting and the 90s hair, makeup and costumes were beautiful and spot on. Especially those of Diana’s. There was a regal and vintage feel to everything she wore.

Stewarts portrayal of Diana is being deemed Oscar worthy. I’m not sure I would go that far but she did nail down the accent and was able to portray an interesting, more psychotic version of Diana. Jack Farthing is not my favorite Charles, Prince of Wales. He didn’t really give me the typical look nor did he sound like him. He also came off more stoic and cold than previous portrayals of him. The lack of dialogue didn’t help either. I recognized Timothy Spall who played the fictional Equerry Major Alistair Gregory from his role as Wormtail in the Harry Potter franchise. I was interesting to see him excel in something completely different than was I was used to seeing him as.

The character development for the most part just centered on Diana, even Queen Elizabeth was more of a background figure. If nothing else, I wish they would have done some further development with her children, William and Harry, and with Charles.

Although I wouldn’t call Spencer a “masterpiece” as some are saying, I did think it was well acted and thought provoking.

The Fallout

The Fallout is teen drama written and directed by first timer, Megan Park. The story follows Vada Cavell, a high school junior who is the victim of a horrible tragedy at school. In the aftermath of that event you see how it affects her mental health and relationships. The movie stars Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler.

The plot was realistic and full of strong character development for the main character, Vada. Ortega did a great in the leading role as her. She managed to show the roller-coaster of emotions that one would feel after experiencing the horrible situation she went though. Ziegler who plays Mia Reed, who had been more known for her starring roles in Sia’s music videos, gave an impressive performance. While the rest of the cast was not as strong in the character development, I was still impressed with her range given the limited context. There were also quite a bit of diversity in the casting which I appreciated and there were few surprise actors that I enjoyed including John Ortiz as Carlos Cavell, Julie Bowen as Patricia Cavell and Shailene Woodley as Anna

Overall I found this film to be an honest portrayal of high school aged young adults going through trauma. It gave me indie vibes with the cinematography, it was very relevant in the screenplay and was well-acted and emotionally charged. The genera of this film is definitely more niche so it won't be for everyone but I still thought it was well made.

Little Women

 

Little Women is the seventh film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel of the same name. It is a 19th century semi-autobiographical period drama that accounts the lives of the Jo March and her sisters Meg, Amy, and Beth. 

The screenplay was well written. It was a slow burn, full of context and depth. The themes around womanhood, marriage, finding a purpose in life and death were all shown throughout the story. There was strong character development for the majority of the cast so you really felt connected to the sisters. Although set in Concord, Massachusetts, during and after the Civil War, there wasn't much talk about the war which I felt was an opportunity missed.

Originally the casting was a bit confusing. Emma Watson, who played Meg is supposed to be the oldest but Jo, played by Saoirse Ronan actually looked much older than her due to the hair, clothing and makeup choices. Also when the script would jump back in time, there wasn't much of a difference in each of the characters looks. I felt like they should have casted younger people or done a better job in the makeup department aging the young women. There was also a huge lacking in diversity which was a bit of a disappointment, but given small community they were apart of I guess I could see why. With all of that being said I still think that all four women, Ronan, Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen, were strong leads, all unique in their personalities and they worked well off of one another. You really felt the sisterhood. Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep also helped to top off this impressive ensemble cast.

My only other critique was the usage time. There was a lot of back and forth in the decades, to give more context to scene, but at times it was hard to tell what era or timeline we were in. I feel like the story would have been equally effective if they just ran it beginning to end without all of the time jumps.

Overall Little Women is an engaging coming-of-age story that was heartfelt and at times heartbreaking. This was definitely worth the watch.

The Batman

 

The Batman is the latest incarnation of the DC superhero, set two years into his crime fighting work, starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright and Colin Farrell.

Although this plot has been played out before, with these same villains, it was still an interesting take on the caped crusader’s need for vengeance and desire to bring peace to Gotham city. The script was well written and definitely touched on themes that are relevant today like corruption in the police force and the dangers of manipulating impressionable people. I was informed that the monologue usage is a nod to the comics, so this made for a more authentic script, however I still felt like it was a bit too much.

The cinematography was well done. It was consistent in the colors of reds and yellows in the filter and the sets which were primarily dark, wet and rainy; which helped give that gritty feel to the film. It also had a very late 80s/early 90s Batman inspiration to it. I also liked how they used the weather to create the blurry edits that we sometimes see from Batman’s perspective, which made it feel more real. Additionally, the score was also a contributing factor to the grungy vibe of the movie. It was very reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.

I thought that the fight choreography was sharp and well-arranged. I particularly enjoyed that Catwoman had as equality great if not better fight sequences than Batman himself.

In the beginning I thought that the Robert Pattinson choice was an interesting one. I have seen him in other roles besides Twilight so I was willing to give it a shot. Thankfully he didn't disappoint and he managed to put his full range on display. Because of Bruce Wayne's traumatizing childhood, you could see in his eyes how deeply broken he was. Still trying to figure out his purpose in life. There was also an anti-social and self-isolating nature to him. Which in turn was quite a different performance than that others have played where Bruce Wayne was more of a social playboy philanderer.

I appreciated the diversity in the rest of the casting. Zoë Kravitz is by far the best Catwoman to date. She brought a confidence, athleticism, independence, style and resourcefulness to the role. This was also the most in depth character development I’ve seen for Catwoman on the big screen, so it was easy to connect to her character. Jeffrey Wright was refreshing as an early Lieutenant Gordon, before he becomes Commissioner. A man of integrity and justice. Colin Farrell was unrecognizable as Penguin, a man not yet at the top of his game, but waiting in the wings for his chance to seize the opportunity. Farrell, along with his makeup artist, who deserves an Oscar, brought a stellar performance to screen. Paul Dano presented a completely different energy to the Riddler. Instead of being over the top and extra loud in his clothing and vocalizations, like the Jim Carrey version, he was more subdued and calculated in his mannerisms and language. He was quirky yet still very creepy, and at times unhinged, which made for the perfect mix for this new aged version of the villain. 

The Batman is almost 3 hours long but for the majority of the film it doesn’t feel like it. There were bits and pieces that I felt like could have been cut out but for the most part, the movie was high action and entertaining. There is a lot of room for growth for these characters so I look forward to the sequels to come.

Marry Me

Marry Me is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, Maluma and Owen Wilson. On the night of her high profile wedding/concert, in front of her fans, pop star, Kat Valdez, played by Lopez, is distraught by the release of the her fiancé’s cheating scandal. In an act of defiance and impulsivity, Kat picks a stranger in the crowd, played by Wilson, and marries him in front of everyone. Now that the ink is dry, this unlikely pair must decide if this spontaneous coupling can spark true love or fizzle in front of the world.

I thought that the plot was not entirely realistic but still cute with a unique concept. The script was well written and funny but still a well within the predictable rom-com formula.

Jennifer Lopez is the queen of the romantic comedy. Her choosing this role seemed a bit ironic given her past relationships, but I was there for the self-deprecation. She was once again the star of this show bringing her likeability factor full force. Her hair, makeup and costumes were always beautiful and spot on for the role. She and Wilson had great chemistry. They both at this point have been typecast but I still liked what they presented. Lopez, as the always the down on her luck, hard working, affable one looking for love and Wilson the slightly quirky, nice guy next door.

I liked the diversity of the rest of the casting as well. Chloe Coleman is fairly new to the scene but I’ve liked her since she was in My Spy with Dave Bautista. At her young age, I'm actually impressed with her ability to deliver such a compelling story. She's probably one of the better actors in this film. I also enjoyed watching Sarah Silverman. Any fellow typecast actor who played the funny sidekick. I could have, however, used a lot less Jimmy Fallon in the movie. This version of himself was more rude than funny. I kind of wish they would have mixed up the hosts a bit more and used different people throughout the movie.

Another critique I had was for the music selections during the film. There was maybe only one good original song in the entire movie and unfortunately that version didn't even make it to the post-movie soundtrack.

Overall the movie okay. It won’t go down as my favorite Jennifer Lopez rom-com but it was still enjoyable to watch.