State From The Top #6

        Howdy all, well we survived a pretty tumultuous year, and we survived by having a good six month supply of movie reviews. Quite frankly, I didn't expect to keep going this far on my creative endeavor. I felt I was limited with my Blu-Ray collection but managed to buck up and review any film in streaming services and yes, dipping into my collection to tell you how I felt about it. Throughout this process, I feel that anyone can review movies. It's not limited to having a pretty expansive education of filmmaking. but just having an opinion on if a film is good or bad. Elaborating on the aspects that can make or break the film. There are more ways than say I like it and I didn't like it. 

        I have been kicking around on what exactly to review for January. I thought I should review films that are great, but I want to delve deep into the ones that I truly dislike. Ones where I can compare one slate with another. With that, I will review the DC Extended Universe films. Mind you, there are two great films in there, but it's inundated with terrible films that are just appalling and offensive to the superhero connoisseur. With all that out of the way, here is the January Slate. 

Man of Steel 1/06/2021

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 1/09/2021

Suicide Squad 1/13/2021

Wonder Woman 1/16/2021

 

Justice League (2017) 1/20/2021

Aquaman 1/23/2021

Shazam! 1/25/2021

Birds of Prey 1/27/2021

Wonder Woman 1984 1/29/2021

The Post Review

 

        It was a chilly night that me and my friend were hanging out around Laredo that we decided to watch a movie in the theater. Out of all that were showing in the marquee, I saw that The Post was showing. We were both hesitant, but I remembered that Steven Spielberg directed the film and he could do no wrong. After we left, we both loved it, I believe it was us willing to watch something that we wouldn’t normally watch. With that, The Post is one of Spielberg’s best films in terms of historical dramas. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        The film takes place during the Vietnam conflict. We follow Dan Ellesburg who is typing about the progress of the war for Robert McNamara. On the plane back, Dan tells Robert that any chance of success isn’t going anywhere. As they land in the tarmac, McNamara lies to the press and it really rubbed Dan the wrong way. Later, as Ellesburg is now a civilian he alongside others copy the documents that show U.S. interests in the Vietnam era dating back to the Truman administration.

 

        Years later, Katherine Graham played by Meryl Streep is now the head of The Washington Post and has to take on the responsibilities of taking the paper to public but is bullied by the shareholders who try to restrain her next moves. Meanwhile, McNamara tells Graham that a story about him will pop up in The New York Times that will paint him badly. A court order immediately shut down the Times’ story on the leaked documents. 

        From then on, The Washington Post is gifted a partial set of the documents and begin to write about them. Ben Bradlee played by Tom Hanks, oversees the progress and is thrilled that something as massive as the documents are in front of him since he wants to grapple stories that shake down the political system. The rest focuses on Bradlee and Graham’s actions about publishing the stories as well as dealing with the friends they made that are involved in politics. 

2. Historical Films 

        Aside from the usual summer blockbuster films Spielberg is known for and creating, he nails the historical dramas to the dot. There is a level of authentic respect for the time that makes the audience feels like they are in the time zone wherever his historical films take place. Right down to how the look of the film is, with the old school cars and how The Washington Post looked back in the early 70s. 

        Like the actor who plays McNamara Bruce Greenwood looks like him. I think it’s a testament to have historical films be like looking at an authentic play since people think it didn’t happen or they just don’t care. How Spielberg makes the films engaging is by using the stakes like President Nixon trying to stop the newspaper from publishing the government secret. To me, it’s engaging since I like history and I was not aware that this thing actually happened. 

        One bit that I liked that doesn’t involve the drama is the actual printing process the newspaper does. It’s very kinetic and something about is interesting that I would want to stay in that room and just watch the papers being published. I have no clue if that process is still being used but it represents the overall authenticity that Steven is trying to go for in the film. 

3. Meryl Streep is a Queen who slays

        I feel like as the film goes on, it’s really more about Streep’s character attempting and trying to wrestle authority over her control of the paper. With the newspaper being cavalier with reporting on the secret documents. Katharine Graham has to really challenge her friendship with McNamara by telling him that lying to the people about the war is wrong and her paper has a justification to publish the documents. I really like the moment where in the beginning one of the shareholders is talking to her in Graham’s office. The low angle that is behind Streep’s character shows that he is domineering to her.

        As well as the reverse shot that is in the opposite point of view that communicates that as well. 

Eventually she manages to stand up to the shareholders and really assert her control by giving Hanks’ character to go ahead with the paper. This is one of Streep’s best performance other than playing Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada. Obviously there’s supposed to be an empowerment moment when she finally asserts herself but I think it works well since she tries to muster enough courage to speak out since we’re told she never had a chance to. 

4. The Post: Free publicity

        The movie explains that the paper is no longer the local paper, I feel that in one way the film is a big advertisement for the newspaper. The whole bullpen of writers and editors were willing to write about this damaging story that they bunked in Bradlee’s house to comb over the documents and pump out the story before the deadline. 

        I feel that it shames The New York Times as not being good enough to release all of the data, but I can understand that they were doing it by an issue release. One of things that Graham stressed about the Post is that it has to be were good reporting happens. That’s enough for any up and coming news reporter that wants to be employed by the paper. Regardless, The Washington Post gets free publicity and earns a place in history with evoking the 1st amendment.

5. Overall

        Steven Spielberg continues to pump out quality historical films. This one is no exception and it earned the academy award nominations even though it didn’t win any. Aside from the blockbusters that defined his career, his historical dramas is the ones that facilitate his success since anyone can watch them without the need to have any background knowledge. The Post feels like a prequel to the 70s classic All The President’s Men. And that’s a good thing. 

The Post gets a four out of five. 

Die Hard Review

 

        You can’t go anywhere in a big box store and not see a Die Hard film with a cover that looks like an ugly Christmas sweater. For as long as I remember, this is a quintessential action film of all time. It wasn’t until later that some critics and viewers declared that this film is the best Christmas film of all time. It always perplexed me how exactly an action film with blood and high intense thrills represents Christmas. With that, it’s now one of my favorite films of all time. SPOILERS will be in the review. 

1. Story

        Plot wise, the film is very simple. John McLane played by Bruce Willis, travels to Los Angeles to see his wife. He is a police officer who lives in New York City. Holly played by Bonny Bedella works in the technologically advanced Nakatomi plaza. They visit when the company throws a Christmas party.

        Meanwhile, terrorists storm the building led by Hans Gruber played by Alan Rickman. He and along with others crash the party and hack the vault to steal money from the CEO Joseph Tagaki played by James Shigata. As the terrorists take over, John hides from them, using the shafts to navigate the building and slowly pick off the extremists. 

        As that’s going on, he uses the radio from the dead killers to voice for help. He contacts a police office named Al played by Reginald VelJohnson. John updates Al on his progress and soon a wave of police and FBI attempt to storm the building. As McLane fights back the international rebels and attempts to get his wife back from Hans. 

        A lot of people including myself didn’t realize that this film is based on a book. It’s astounding how many great films are based on books. The novel “Nothing Lasts Forever” by Roderick Thorp is a sequel to the book “The Detective”. The film is loosely based on the book and some moments such as lines and scenes of action are lifted from the book.  

        I feel that the only complaint is the stuff that happens in the news channel. I feel that since the events that's happening in the Nakatomi plaza, the whole scenes with the snobby reporter go nowhere since we know what's going on. Like we have three things happening, do we really need this of all things to break the action? It's a small complaint and I love the comeuppance the snobby newscaster gets in the end. 

2. John McLane 

        As I mentioned in the Lethal Weapon review, the 1980s were littered with tons of action movies. It became clear that John McLane was different from his contemporaries like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. He isn’t muscle bound or incredibly gifted as a shooter. McLane is just a regular guy caught in between an extraordinary circumstance. 

        He manages to hold his own against the terrorist. What I really like is just him talking to Al about what’s happening inside the building. John doesn’t sugarcoat anything and is just an honest person. His overall bluntness when he’s talking to the 911 dispatch or the police chief is never exaggerated since they have no clue what he’s dealing with. 

        The absolute best moment is when he finally meets Hans. Throughout the film, McLane and Gruber talk on the radio and Hans being annoyed when the American keeps interfering. When both of them finally meet in person, Hans tries to act like a hostage. John goes along with it and gives Hans a pistol. When he points the gun to our hero, Gruber fires but its empty. McLane knew Hans was full of shit. 

3. Best Christmas Movie?

        So, yeah how exactly is Die Hard the best Christmas movie? Any countdown and any Blu Ray release always tie it with the holiday. Yes, it does take place around Christmas since the action takes place at night in the morning of the actual day. I just see it as a prime example of a great action movie. I think it’s blown up since it has to be agreed upon that I would want to see an action movie take place in other holidays. 

4. What Makes it Good 

        Everything feels grounded and authentic in the film. There’s never a moment where the action takes you out of the movie. There’s real stakes and the action can get gritty. Such as when John is running around barefoot. During one of the shootouts, Hans tells his accomplices to shoot the glass, McLane escapes but has glass shards on his feet.

        More so is that John is just a guy. Every explosion that happens around him, he reacts by saying Jesus’ name. When he messed up with his wife, he talks to himself by saying he could’ve done a better job than that. John McLane is just a likeable guy since he is a regular guy. He’s not muscled up and improvising his next move, he’s just a cop. The overall camaraderie when he talks to Al is the best moments since he’s being real. It gives him a humanity that makes him endearing as opposed to John Rambo or anything Schwarzenegger is in. 

5. Legacy

        As I said earlier, this is considered the best action film and it says a lot since the film is 30 years old. It spawned four sequels but where varying since it’s impossible to replicate the same success as the first one. Die Hard put Bruce Willis on the Hollywood radar as the next action star. Other than the video games and various pop culture merchandising, the film is part of an ever growing genre of action. 

6. Overall

        With all that said, this film is now one of my favorites. I knew the expectations for the first one is big due to the high popularity it has, and it blew me away. I think the Christmas element is blown to high heaven but as it is, it’s a good action film that happens to take place in the holidays. 

        Die Hard gets a five out of five. 

Lethal Weapon Review

 

        In the 80s, there were loads of great action films. Such as but not limited to Aliens, Commando, and They Live to name a few. This is the third Richard Donner film that I have seen other than Superman: The Movie and Scrooged. I know that he directed other acclaimed ones like The Goonies but I can attest that he is like the Steven Spielberg of action films. Lethal Weapon as far as I know may have started the sub-genre buddy films. It laid the foundation of how to do it perfectly. Only 21 Jump Street can be seen as a generational successor to the buddy cop films. SPOILERS will appear in the film. 

1. Story

        Right from the start it’s a Christmas film. “Jingle Bell Rock” plays which already tells us that the film takes place during the holiday season. Anyway, a woman jumps from a high-rise hotel. An old police officer Roger Murtaugh played by Danny Glover, investigates about the crime scene but realizes that the woman is related to a veteran friend. Meanwhile, we see Martin Riggs played by Mel Gibson, be a narc to some coke dealers. He manages to end the operation but there’s a mean streak about him. 

        In the police department, Murtaugh is given a new partner Riggs and they have a difficult time to adjust to each other’s style. As they continue to run in to criminals associated with the deceased, Riggs realizes that a member from his military past is the one pulling the strings in the drug racketeering. The overall film isn’t really about the investigation of the women’s death, but more so on how Murtaugh and Riggs figure out and stop the drug lords from bringing their brand of cocaine.  

2. Murtaugh and Riggs

        These two make the film. From the beginning, we get to see how exactly and literally different they are. We get to see that Murtaugh has a big family. It was kind of weird that they sing happy birthday to him while he is relaxing in the bathtub. On the beach front, we see Riggs be almost suicidal. The film and himself explain that he is crazy. We see why since he misses his deceased wife and tries to kill himself.

        I think the shot that symbolizes their personal lives is when Roger invites Martin to have dinner. While Murtaugh and his wife are in the kitchen, Martin doesn’t step in and sees the family with their kids. It’s a brief moment, but it just highlights that their personal lives are so different from each other. I feel that the main reason why Riggs is so crazy is that it’s a way to deal with his wife’s passing. 

        Riggs and Murtaugh are the quintessential buddy cop duo that has been shown in cinema. Many others have come along throughout the years such as Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the Rush Hour trilogy and Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in the Jump Street films. What those duos in their films have done is add a fresh comedic spin in the sub-genre that work. Riggs and Murtaugh work since it’s the cop who is by the book grouped with a cop who is a few screws loose. 

3. How does Christmas Fit In?

        So you may be wondering, how exactly does Lethal Weapon have to do with Christmas? Well, to be honest as I mentioned earlier it takes place during the holidays. You can see the various Christmas lights and trees in the film. Where we see Riggs first appearance is when he is a narc in a coke deal that takes place in a Christmas tree yard. I’m really stretching here but I noticed that family is a recurring thing that pops up in the film. We know that Murtaugh has a big family and his daughter gets wrapped up in the bad guy’s scheme. More so when Riggs’ only family is his pet dog collie who we see in the beginning. 

        When the duo investigate more into the crime. The woman is associated with Murtaugh’s friend. Michael Hunsaker played by Tom Atkins pleads to Roger to kill the people who killed his daughter. I feel that one specific thing is probably the only Christmas related motif that makes Lethal Weapon a Christmas film in a limited sense. 

4. Overall

        Lethal Weapon is a fun action film that came out before Die Hard. There are elements where there is comedy but it’s ostensibly an action film. It did spawn three sequels which I haven’t had the chance to see. More so a television show on FOX that ran for three seasons. It’s influence is shown in the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia when the main characters create their own films of the hypothetical sequels. Since they’re all white, one of them had to be Murtaugh. It’s hilarious in an idiotic way.

        Lethal Weapon gets a four out of five.  

A Christmas Story Review

 

        12 years ago while in New Mexico, in the hotel room the tv was tuned into the channel TBS. Playing was the classic A Christmas Story, while I was watching the film, it was almost done. It interested me since I haven’t seen it before and what I could gather was a man remembering his youth. Little did I know that the channel was airing a whole days rerun of the beloved film. Looking at it now, it’s another classic of the holidays. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        As I mentioned earlier, the film is about an old man reminiscing on his Christmas time when he was young. The narrator is played by Jean Shepherd. He actually wrote the book the film is based on “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash”, which is a collection of fictional stories based on childhood. I found it was sort of meta that the author would voice the older character in the movie. 

        With that, the film is about the young boy Ralphie played by Peter Billingsley. Throughout the film he wants a bb gun. Not just any toy gun, he explicitly wants an “official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock”. Time and again he is told by his mother, teacher, and a mean-spirited Santa Claus that he’ll shoot his eye out. 

        The whole film has a very nostalgic feel to it. Since it takes place in 1944 in a fictional town in Indiana. It feels authentic with the old cars and Ralphie listening to the radio when his show was playing. All of it feels quaint and I think that was the whole point of it. You know it has that feel to it when the young boy uses a thing called a decoder ring.

2. Ralphie

        This kid is the star of the film. His face is plastered in the cover when anyone buys the film on Blu-Ray or in any medium. The actor does a good job with playing the character. Other than wanting the elusive toy gun. We see Ralphie in school and hanging out with his friends. Among them, he talks with swears sprinkle in. It’s authentic since people think that kids are sweet when in reality they mimic words they hear from their parents. 

        He does have a bully he faces. I find it funny where he talks about the bullies eyes being yellow when they are sort of squint like. Ralphie does go through a character arc, meaning he grows up. My favorite scene is when he actually stands up to the bully and beat him up repeatedly. What prompts him was when he gets hit by a snowball. Before that, his teacher gave him a C+ on an essay about what he wants for Christmas. 

        What makes him endearing is that he is a kid. Ralphie lies and swears like any kid. He lies to his mom when he uses his friend Flick when she asks where he heard the f-word. As well as saying that word when he helps his Dad fixing a flat tire. It would be one thing to have him be a good kid but he’s just a kid. His older self narrated saying he regrets doing it, but you can’t really blame his younger self for doing it. 

3. The Leg Lamp

        When talking about the film, I got to talk about the lamp. Other than being something that the Dad adores, for obvious reasons I think it means a lot more. When the Dad sets it up, the mom is utterly mortified by it. Right down to turning it off when the family goes tree shopping. To put it bluntly is that she does not like it. I find it odd that she has concerns when Ralphie wants the elusive bb gun. 

        I think the film is talking about the idea of disappointment. Bear with me while I explain exactly what I mean. When the Dad sees the lamp in pieces, he blames the mom since he thinks she was jealous. He tries to put it together but it can’t hold. The same thing with Ralphie when he gets the gun. Throughout the film, he fantasizes of using it against intruders, to act like a Lone Ranger type hero. 

        Eventually he gets the gun, he shoots at a target. The pellet ricochets and hits him. Making it worse is that he accidentally steps on his glasses. He avoids telling his mom the truth and lies about it. What I think all of those two sequences have in common is just being disappointed. The snap back in reality that the Dad and Ralphie go through fits the theme.  

4. What Makes it Good

        With any countdown lists of best Christmas movie, this one is usually in the top five. What makes it good is that utilizes nostalgia. The narrator is remembering his childhood in what could be his best Christmas he had. Before that, a lot of events happened that the older Ralphie comments on that had some significance in his life. It can be relatable to a lot of people since it’s the time where when they were little is probably the best because they got the things they asked for. 

        It worked with me since I had a real good time with my family during the holidays. With the film, most of the focus is on the entire family and not just Ralphie. Like seeing his little brother Randy being bundled in layers and Ralphie commenting the whole process as being ready to dive underwater. Which felt like that when I encountered snow in New Mexico. I feel that the childhood aspect is intrinsically tied with nostalgia. It doesn’t go and romanticize the time but keeps it to the family and wherever Ralphie goes. 

5. Legacy

        When it came out, it was considered a sleeper hit. What that means is that the film wasn’t successful but becomes a hit in the long run despite having very little publicity. Then when it became available on video, Ted Turner bought a majority of MGM Studios film library before 1986, which the film was part of the slate. It was from there that channels associated with Ted Turner such as TBS, TMC, and TNT started to air a 24-hour rerun of the film on Christmas day. 

        I think it was the airing that many people started to see the film for the first time. The merchandising has been everywhere as well. The horde of merchandizing is comparable to Star Wars. Around this time, you can’t expect to see anything associated with the film since it’s everywhere. 

        Little did people know was that it started a film series. Albeit with different seasons of the year. Such as a family vacation and a summer vacation. Most of the sequels are based on the same book. Now, I have to admit, 30 years later a literal sequel was based on A Christmas Story. It dares to have a number 2, I’ve seen the trailer and it looks terrible. Just an abomination to be honest, and I haven’t seen it. 

6. Overall

        This is one of the most beloved films involving Christmas. It is easily relatable since it taps into the childhood memory of Christmas. Most of the characters are enjoyable and they do their part good. If it wasn’t for Ted Turner, I wouldn’t have heard of this film or seen it. In terms of ranking this film in a countdown, it’s without a doubt a number one. 

        A Christmas Story gets a five out of five. 

Gremlins Review

 

        This would be the third time that I have seen Gremlins. Released in 1984, the literal same time as Ghostbusters¸ Gremlins is an interesting holiday film that mixes the holidays with touches of horror and comedy. One would think it would be a family film, considering what I have reviewed prior to this one for the month. In fact, it was this film and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom that created a new rating. We know it today as “PG-13”. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        In the beginning of the film, the Dad played by Hoyt Axton, is narrating how exactly he got the creature called the Mogwai. I thought for a moment he was a grown-up main character, but he reveals he is the father. He buys a Mogwai at a Chinatown antique shop. Albeit, behind the owner Mr. Wing’s back. The seller is a young boy who tells the Dad three rules to avoid: Don’t expose it to light, don’t let it touch water, and don’t feed it after midnight. 

        The film then begins, it has a cheery tone to it. We follow the main character Billy played by Zach Galligan, walking to his job as a bank teller. He brings his pet dog with him. Unbeknownst to him is that the old lady Mrs. Deagle scolds him after his dog ruined a Christmas decoration. She is so cruel that she threatens to take away the dog and send it to get euthanized. Deagle gives off a Wicked Witch of the West vibes from The Wizard of Oz. Don’t worry though, she gets her comeuppance. 

        We learn that Rand is an inventor and his entire family uses his inventions, even though they malfunction. He gives Billy the Mogwai and he is surprised that it’s like a new pet. The Dad names the creature Gizmo and it’s cute. Throughout the film, Billy shows a neighborhood kid what the Mogwai is, but accidentally spills water. From there, we learn that water makes the creature spawn more creatures that are mean. Soon, the mean mogwai turn into gremlins and wreak havoc across the town. 

2. The Gremlins

        The title characters steal the entire film. I like how they are evil but are simply crazy creatures. I feel that they suppose to represent us that let their animalistic tendencies get control. The scene where the gremlins are in the bar, they all each have personality. It would be one thing where they are just like monsters. They mimic humans such as a few playing cards and one acting like a woman exercising from the 80s. 

        The whole creatures are a combination of puppetry and animatronics. It gives a very authentic look that would be ruined if it was done using computers. What’s interesting is that after Gizmo sees what he spawned, he feels bad. I think we can get interpret that he experienced this happening. Especially when it starts over. 

        One tidbit that I found out was that it was an inspiration for the old toy Furbees. I remember how they looked like small flightless birds that talked gibberish. I saw some semblance just thinking about it. To be fair, The Child in The Mandalorian looks like Gizmo.

3. What Makes It Good

        Another thing that this film does so well is mixing with genres. This is actually a sub-genre called holiday horrors. Gremlins is one of those Christmas films that works since with the tenacity of the creatures acts like an anarchic holiday film. Another example is 2015’s Krampus and Black Christmas from 1974. The film isn’t exclusively a horror film since it has bits of comedy. Such as when Mrs. Deagle being launched out of her house by her stair master is such a satisfying death scene. 

        So why have horror films take place during the holidays, especially in Christmas? What can be inferred is that it can be interpreted as a bit of irony. Or a lesson to be learned during the holidays. That happens when Mr. Wing chastises Billy’s family for creating more mogwai and saying that the western civilization corrupts nature. The film isn’t entirely preachy but it fits with the overall comeuppance angle the sub-genre is aligned with. 

4. Legacy

        The film is a gem of the 80s. It’s one of director Joe Dante’s best, really only this film in his filmography. It did spawn a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch which is a completely different film in terms of the first one. In some lists, it’s considered one of the best sequels, due in large part of poking fun at the first Gremlins and just being self-aware. 

        Unfortunately, it’s getting an animated series, 40 years after the fact. I don’t know how I feel about that. More so on another film to establish a trilogy of films. To be honest, I feel that it’s really just desperation from the Warner Bros. to make an easy profit. It could be good, but I believe that in the event of the film not being good, it could invite viewers to see the first and second film. So there’s that. 

5. Overall

        The film is a ride, definitely. It’s stark that of all the films that are holiday related this one joins a list of experimental films to blend to genres that shouldn’t work, but work. Gizmo is one cute creature and the characters are enjoyable especially the mother. Who actually gets three kills in the film. It belongs in the pop culture, and I’m glad that I was exposed to it when I was in the elementary. 

        Gremlins gets a four out of five. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas Review

 

        Growing up around the time of middle school, I would see my classmates wearing merchandise for the Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas. I would spot the shirts and other apparel at the store Hot Topic. It would be years later to finally sit down and watch this stop motion classic. Although Tim Burton’s name is attached to the title, he didn’t direct it. His classmate at CalArts took over director duties while Burton was busy filming Batman Returns for Warner Bros. Regardless, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic animated Disney film that has made an impact to many. SPOILERS will appear in the review.

1. The musical numbers

        The main highlight of the entire feature is the musical numbers. The first one “This is Halloween” is such a catchy tune and immediately introduces the world of Halloweentown. The animation is entirely stop motion with a few traditional animated segments that are just ghosts flying around. Every citizen in the town have a lyric in the song and it shows how bustling the town is. 

        All of the music is written and composed by Danny Elfman. He even lends his voice when Jack Skellington is singing his songs. I feel that with the approach that the film had, it felt very Broadway. Meaning that the entire film is dominated with songs and having a minority of the film be just dialogue. Which is the overall vibe I got when sitting down to view it. There’s really so much to talk about the music that the best songs are the ones involving Jack. 

2. Jack

        This character has been marketable machine for Disney since his face is seen in a graphic t-shirt or Halloween decoration. One would think that Danny Elfman would act but he only provides the singing voice. The character is actually voiced by Chris Sarandon. His voice somewhat matches Elfman’s that whenever he goes into a song number, the transition isn’t very stark.

        Despite being called the Halloween King, he actually is bored with the title since he wants to do something different. The moment where he makes it to Christmas Town is where he decides to do something different. I love the moments where he tries to figure out what he saw such as him reading books about Christmas. Having absolutely no clue what the holiday is about. He gets everyone involved with Christmas but putting a scary spin to it.

3. What Makes It Good

        Aside from the main points, I think something that gets overlooked about this film is just the overall message it has. It happens when Jack fails to be Santa. He sings about having failed and switching his mood by saying he was good being the Pumpkin King. It’s different from the overall approach with the film’s contemporaries in animation. For one thing, it uses Aesop’s fables with a twist. 

        With most of the Disney animated films, the overall idea of the character is to be whoever they want to be. Or dream who you want to be and it will happen. Here though, it’s the opposite. Jack learns that although he wasn’t a good Santa, as he got shot down by cannons. He learns that he was good in his original position and decides to do good.

        It’s different and kind of unique for its time. There hasn’t been a film that I am aware that has that morale or lesson that it’s okay to fail. Since there’s a level of expectation that having to fail is not good and looked down upon. Here though, is pretty endearing to have Jack acknowledge that he did fail. 

4. Overall

        One of the good things is that there hasn’t been a sequel to this film. While there have been video games that are supposed to be sequels, are mostly just non canon. I haven’t had the faintest idea of why many kids or teens are drawn into the film. Perhaps it’s the way the characters look like or the music since it’s not a midnight film. I enjoyed it, the film is quirky and heartfelt. It has an audience and I can appreciate that it’s sort of like the Rankin Bass productions of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with the stop motion animation. It’s another great addition to Disney’s ever-growing catalogue of animated features. 

        The Nightmare Before Christmas gets a four out of five. 

Elf Review

 

        The film that cemented Will Ferrell’s comedic acting career and one of the most beloved films of the 2000s is Elf. Directed by Jon Favreau, who directed Iron Man and is showrunning Star Wars’ The Mandalorian, Elf is a once in a generation holiday film that anyone can enjoy regardless if they celebrate the holiday or not. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        At first, I thought the story was going to be read like a story book. During the opening credits, stop motion animals appear that are reminiscent of the Rankin Bass productions like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The narrator played by Bob Newhart, explains how Buddy played by Will Ferrell was raised as an elf. From there, we catch up to Buddy being grown up and having papa elf explain to him that he isn’t an elf but a human.  

        Santa then tells Buddy that he has a real Dad. The only problem is that he is on the naughty list. We get to see that Walter played by James Caan, is a washed up worker for a children’s publication company. Buddy decides to meet his father by going to New York City. The whole approach is the classic fish out of water story. By having Buddy be defamiliarized about the goings on in the normal world.

2. Buddy

        Easily, Will Ferrell steals the whole movie. He is very innocent when he is portraying Buddy the Elf. As I mentioned earlier, he reacts to the world in a playful manner. It comes off as a defamiliarization since he presses the entire floor buttons on the elevator and gets into an argument about Santa Claus. 

        I really like that throughout the film that he has an impact with the characters around him. Such as with the love interest Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel. She is a stick in the mud worker who is put off by Buddy’s personality. Although he encourages her to sing since he hears her singing while she is taking a shower. 

        Most of the comedy works with him being a complete goof. None of it comes off as annoying of just tired in its execution. He is just a likeable character due to having him being an innocent person. We do find out why he acts that way. When Walter takes his son for a DNA test, the doctor explains that he may be experiencing some regression as a coping mechanism. It’s justified since we see him interacting with things as any kid would. 

3. The Best Christmas Film of the 2000s

        With all that out of the way, what makes it so beloved. Well, looking at some of the films that director Jon Favreau has done, there appears to be a recurring motif that stands out. It’s that there’s an idealism meeting cynicism. With all his films, the main characters are optimistic but are usually met with a cynic world that tries to put them down. It’s evident in Iron Man and in Chef to name a few.

        With Buddy, his endearing character is met with a father who doesn’t want nothing to do with him. As well as a world that is literally different from Santa’s workshop. With his influence that I mentioned earlier, he has help with understanding the world. Like when he warms up to his brother Michael who helps him get a date with Jovie. He even decorates his parents’ apartment with Christmas decorations and the toy department in the store Gibbels.

        I feel that it’s something that every generation needs to see. Since people have a cynic view of the world. Here comes a movie to show a more positive side and to have a belief in the Christmas spirit to be uplifting. Lastly, in the beginning in Santa's workshop, most of the scenes with Buddy was shot in a forced perspective. They used optical illusion to give Will Ferrell obvious difference when he is with the elves. 

4. Overall

        There’s only so much to gush about the film that isn’t talked about. Elf is one of the quintessential films of the early 2000s. It’s beloved by all and is easily one of Jon Favreau’s and Will Ferrell’s best film in terms of looking at their best films. A must watch for the holiday’s that is enjoyable by all. 

Elf gets a five out of five. 

The Santa Clause Review

 

        For as long as I can remember, I always thought that Santa Claus always had an “E” in the end. Due to this film, I have been spelling Saint Nick’s name wrong. This is one of those good Disney live-action films in the 90s. To put it into context, Disney had a dry spell of terrible live action films that resulted in movies based on classic television shows. The Santa Clause and Straight Story are a few exceptions to the good Disney live action films. It’s another holiday classic that manages to put a spin on the Santa Claus myth. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        The film stars comedian Tim Allen playing toy salesman Scott Calvin. He is a divorced man who sees his son Charlie for the holidays. His ex-wife tells him that Charlie needs to start phasing out the belief in Santa. Scott objects by saying he wants to be involved and not left out. While Charlie and Scott are asleep, the boy hears a noise. Scott checks it out and startles Santa causing him to fall. 

        Scott is apprehensive about it since he thinks the Santa is a crazy person. He picks up a business card and wears the suit while Charlie tags along. Scott does a terrible job but enjoys it and the reindeer take the father and son to the north pole. They are greeted by the elves and the head elf Bernard played by David Krumholtz, who explains what Calvin unintentionally agreed to. 

        Throughout the film, Charlie begins to tell his Mom and stepdad about his adventure to the north pole. While Scot slowly turns into Santa Claus. This movie belongs in a very elusive film list of good Santa Claus films such as Miracle in 34th Street and The Polar Express.  Where the main idea is having the belief of Santa Claus’s existence. I’ll explain more on why the motif makes the film great.

2. Seeing is Believing 

        Throughout the film, the overall theme of belief is a recurring one. Since it’s about the myth of Santa Claus and how much he means to the children, the film does put in a unique spin of it. With Scott Calvin, he lies a lot to his son about believing in the figure. The whole ordeal is treated as a strange dream since Scott wakes up back at his place but wearing the pajamas one of the elves had gave to him. 

        When Charlie starts to tell everybody, people are skeptical about it and just laugh it off. Scott tries to tell Charlie to say that it was just a dream until he changes it by saying it’s a secret. The whole moment is interesting since we get a reason as to why Charlie’s Mom and new Dad stopped believing. By saying that they wanted a specific gift but never got it, thus prompting them to not believe anymore. 

        Eventually, the Mom and stepdad decide to get the police involved which results in Scott to embrace his role as Santa Claus and inevitably reveal to everyone that he is real. The overall arc of Scott Calvin is unique since he doesn’t embrace his role until realizing that he can’t change his hair or try to lose the fat. He is convinced by his son that he is Santa. While it’s not that deep, it has a child-esque sense of belief.

3. What it got right

        The overall simplicity and playing it straight is what makes the film great. The film isn’t bogged down with multiple subplots that don’t go anywhere. It’s just about Scott having to deal with him being the new Santa. A small detail that I’ve noticed is that the a few elves live among the humans. The times that I saw them was in the beginning and when Charlie is in school. I think it can be interpreted as they are looking for candidates or making sure which kid is naughty or nice. With that, why did the sequels get progressively worse?

4. Why make a sequel?

        Before I watched the film, I watched the sequels that was playing on TV. What I saw was just what was lost in the succeeding sequels. Most of them didn’t have that very simple approach to Christmas. They showed more of the North Pole, but I feel that it should’ve just been limited to the workshop. More so that they added more to the Clause by adding that Santa needs a Mrs. Clause. 

The third one, it’s just bad. That one involved time travel and Alan Aarkin just being not interested at all. It’s just bad. 

5. Overall

        The Santa Clause is one of those films that somehow manages to work. Tim Allen does a good job and looks like a Santa Claus with the prosthetics in his body. The film has heart with the themes of belief and just the joy of Christmas. It’s an enjoyable Christmas film that has the hallmarks of a Disney movie. 

The Santa Clause gets a four out of five.

Home Alone Review

        It’s finally December, all this month you guys will get a double dose of holiday movies that I will review. To kick things off will be my take on Home Alone. Directed by Chris Columbus it had become the highest grossing comedy movie for a generation. As well as establish Macauley Culkin’s acting career. The idea that this film is beloved and be 30 years old is a testament of just how much a great film it is. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Kevin 

        To begin with, the main star is Macauley Culkin. He plays young boy Kevin having been accidentally left by his family in their house. Kevin doesn’t start to be the honest innocent some think of now, he begins by being a little shit. He complains that his family doesn’t listen to him. It escalates when he tackles his older brother Buzz played by Devin Ratray, for eating his specialty pizzas. 

        He is inevitably sent to sleep up stairs by his Mom. Both really argue about Kevin wanting no one in the house. I feel that his Mom got too ignorant or just dumb to add fuel for the boy’s relative spiting. In terms of portraying the character, Culkin did a good job. He adds a three dimensional performance in a way where he isn’t a total pain. There are moments where he gets excited and does stuff he’s not supposed to do. 

        When the film continues, he slowly comes to grips that he misses his parents and wants to undo his “wish”. There’s a specific scene of him that I will discuss. Lastly, I think it’s the first time where the kid breaks the fourth wall. Meaning, he talks directly to the camera at us. By and large, it’s a kids film and the various angles of Kevin looking up at the weird neighbor and when he’s anywhere emphasize just how the film has a child-like feel to it. 

2. Traps

        The second half is when the film gets good. We’re introduced to the Wet Bandits, the duo house robbers played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Joe Pesci plays a cop who visits Kevin’s house, looking around and giving the Mom and Dad a literal false sense of security. I like the buildup when the duo meet Kevin in various places, all having the house be the final showdown. 

        In that confrontation is the traps. The whole approach feels like a Tom and Jerry cartoon by having the traps be elaborate. We do see how Kevin lays it out like him dousing the stairs with a slippery substance. It would be hard to believe to have no shots of the kid laying the traps and having the robbers go through the pain and have our suspension of disbelief be thrown out. For one thing, I’m glad we do get shots. The idea of having the traps be unrealistically and too detailed would’ve ruined it. Just like what happened in the sequels. 

3. What Makes it Good

        With each entry, I’m going to talk about how each movie is beloved in terms of the holidays. With Home Alone, it’s Kevin coming to grips of him missing his family. The Mom also racing back to the United States to make sure his son is safe. The emphasis is on the former since the whole holiday is predicated on seeing family we normally wouldn’t see in a daily basis. 

        I feel that it’s a classic since it’s an underdog story of Kevin attempting to survive house robbers and seeking to find redemption or forgiveness of what he got himself in. I feel that each film has to deal with the family angle or with anything that isn’t explicitly tied with Christmas but something that is very human. A notion would be in a cliché holiday film would be too stupid or materialistic. No lesson learned and just not being a feel good story. 

4. My favorite scene

        So here’s my favorite scene in the film. When Kevin meets a fake Santa who blows him off about having a wish be undone, he visits a nearby church. He sits in the pews and spots his weird neighbor. Before that happens, Kevin, his brother and I think cousin, hear a story from the older brother about the neighbor. With Buzz saying that the neighbor was a killer. The neighbor named Marley sits with Kevin and they talk. 

        Kevin asks why he is there, and Marley says that his granddaughter is singing in the choir. He says that he never has a chance to see her since he doesn’t speak to his son. Kevin responds by saying to try to reconcile but Marley is hesitant. Other than having the scene where the boy and the neighbor get to know each other, it’s a heartwarming scene since it shows what Kevin could become.

        He ultimately learns his lesson and it could be a way for him to ask for forgiveness for what he asked before. It’s not shown in any holiday film and it feels like a fresh air for anyone who watches the films back to back. The whole scene in general is good with the choir singing and the shots of Kevin looking up at the church in his point of view. 

 

5. Overall 

        This is without a doubt, one of the 90s best holiday films in that decade. It’s an absolute must watch for anyone who wants to get a Christmas fix or have a good romp of comedy. I know that it eventually spawned sequels which are inferior especially parts 3 through 5, those didn’t even have Culkin. Why would they since he would’ve been too old. It’s a perfect example of striking when the iron is hot or milking it to the last. Bottom line, it’s a beloved classic and one of John Hughes best films, even though he didn’t direct it. 

        Home Alone gets a four out of five. 

State From The Top #5

     It's almost the end of the year, 2020 will be remembered where the Spring, Summer, and Fall when historical and significant events have occurred. One of them being my film blog, not to stroke my ego, but I feel that this created an outlet where I can give an honest opinion about film where it can be an elaboration of saying a movie was good or bad. Since it's December, I feel that I should review holiday movies. That's exactly one area, though a feel good would certainly wrap up this turbulent year. More will happen, this year will be in the history books. 

With all that, here is the slate.

Dec. 2- Home Alone

Dec. 5- The Santa Clause

Dec. 9- Elf

Dec. 12- The Nightmare Before Christmas

Dec. 16- Gremlins

Dec. 19- A Christmas Story

Dec. 23- Lethal Weapon

Dec. 25- Die Hard

Dec. 31- The Post

Documentary Showcase: The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?

 

        Picture this, Nicolas Cage as Superman. Or Tim Burton directing a Superman movie. Two people who you would not expect to don the big red ‘S’ and another having a filmography focusing on dark macabre imagery directing the most idealistic hero in pop culture. Superman Lives could have been a great movie or a bad one. This documentary focuses on the making of and fall of an ambitious take on the man of steel. Since this is the first time I have reviewed a documentary, I’m mostly going to talk about the main ideas of it and not divulge on the overall aspect of it. 

1. Death of Superman

        The whole framing story of the film was to be loosely based on the storyline “The Death of Superman”. Director Kevin Smith was brought on to do his version of what Warner Bros. had wanted to do with Superman. He mostly based it on the Superman story line and it managed to win over the execs. Eventually he was let go from the production due to director Tim Burton wanting to do his version of the film, but being told to keep aspect of Smith’s script. 

        The  making of part of seeing the death of Superman play out was really intriguing due to the number of concept art they had. Many artists were brought in to design the fight between the villain Doomsday against Superman. It would be years later through animation that the fight and story line was to be adapted. I feel that it would have worked since it was in the public conscious since it was news that DC Comics had decided to kill off their cash cow.

        Also, the resurrection of the hero was indeed intriguing due to having a companion helping Superman be reborn. The art I believe was the main highlight, especially the costume test of how Nicolas Cage would look like as the man of tomorrow. I’ll delve more on the what if aspect since it’s the main idea of the documentary.

2. Jon Peters

        This producer is something else. The documentary touches on how exactly he got work in Hollywood. By being a hair stylist for Barbara Streisand and being associated with award winning films. The first time I have heard of him is when Kevin Smith was talking about his time working on Superman Lives. It may have hampered my experience with seeing the film since his description of Jon Peters is exactly what I saw. 

        Just how the production crew talks about him, Peters comes across as a literal asshole. Such as when he has an artist in a headlock to show off his guests. His overall thought process was odd since Smith, described that the producer didn’t want Superman to fly, wear his suit, and having to fight a giant spider creature. Jon had an idea of wanting Nic Cage in the film since he wanted the casting to be something people didn’t expect. For instance, he picked Michael Keaton as Batman when everyone complained about the move. Now, he’s a beloved Batman actor. 

        With how the movie never happening, he may be entirely to blame. Peters wanted the film to be grand in scale and to be a very out there film in terms of dealing with the psychology of Superman. Tim Burton also wanted to tackle with that angle since his entire filmography grappled with that theme. Overall, his personality and thought process with the film was one of the reasons why we will never see Nicolas Cage be the caped hero. And no, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies doesn’t count since Nic Cage voiced Superman. 

3. What If?

        What enticed me to watch it was the whole what if angle the documentary was going for. The late director Jon Schnepp had everyone involved give their account on how the production went before the premature cancellation. The only downside was him being the one to be next to the writers, artists, and designers which felt like him self inserting for ego. Just them giving their voice of what happened was enough. 

        There are only glimpses of what the film could’ve been just through the many art, costume test and Tim Burton along with Nicolas Cage figuring out how to make their ideal Superman. The documentary does include the interconnected reasons as to why the film was cancelled but it squarely rested on Warner Bros. Studio. I won’t go into detail the reasons as to why, but if you watch it, you can’t really blame them for pulling the plug.

        In my own opinion, had the film been made, it would’ve been interesting since we’ve never seen a film go in depth psychologically about Superman. We do see it in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, but it was an unmitigated turd. Like Nicolas Cage could’ve been a good Superman but it may conflict with how people perceive the hero as a chiseled hero and not a person who you would never really think of. 

4. Overall

        This type of documentary is very interesting to me since it deals with the making of a cancelled film and highlights the bureaucracy of Hollywood. I feel that it’s a must see for comic book fans and for curious people who want to see the making of a Nicolas Cage film. More so on how people who want to see the background thinking of how Hollywood works in terms of making or cancelling a film. The entire production team are the stars as well as the art to make an interesting Superman film. 

        Death of ‘Superman Lives’: What Happened? gets a four out of five. 

Sunset Boulevard Review

 

        Never thought I would review this classic film noir in my film blog. I was actually exposed to this one by having to write a paper about it for my Intro to Film Analysis class at Texas A&M. Without a doubt, this is considered one of the best film noir films that I have seen and in many countdown lists. Perhaps in the future I might review more but, for the moment I want to give this classic the spotlight it deserves for a new generation. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        I don’t want to give away too much because this is such a classic film, but I will talk about it. It begins with a shot of a dead body in a pool in a mansion. The narrator describes how that body made it dead on arrival. We later realize that the body is the narrators. Played by classic actor William Holden, he portrays the washout writer Joe Gillis. After being hounded by debt collectors looking to repo his car, Joe goes to Paramount Studios to pitch his new script. 

        As he is pitching his script, a young script doctor named Betty played by Nancy Olson arrives and gives the producer her opinion about the script. Unbeknownst to her that the writer is sitting in front of the producer. Joe leaves and tries to contact other studios but reaches the same answer. He spots the collectors and evades them by hiding his car in what appears to be an abandon mansion. Gillis recognizes the tenant who was a silent movie actress Norma Desmond played by an literal former silent film actress Gloria Swanson.

        Norma tells Joe that she wants to make a comeback by drafting her own script in which she had wrote. Gillis decides to work with Desmond, thinking that if he uses her, Joe can get a real job in Hollywood. The whole movie as I said is told in a nonlinear style. Somewhat similar to Citizen Kane, but where the main narrator has the whole authority since he’s retelling his death. I feel that it’s really a first time any film does that since a traditional movie has a standard story formula. Here though, it’s part of the story formula that is mostly seen in the film noir sub-genre. Which I will get into. 

2. Film Noir

        So what exactly is Film Noir? Well, to put succinctly it’s a sub-genre of Hollywood crime dramas. They typically deal with dramas that an ordinary person gets into usually by a women called the femme fatale. Having studied the genre for the class, most of the films including this one are dynamic enough to be distinct with each other. 

        With Sunset Boulevard, I feel that the whole framing story is sort of a meta perspective of finding a job in Hollywood. The two main characters unintentionally come across each other in hoping of finding a way to get back to their main profession. Norma Desmond for instance was a silent film star but has become jaded of how everything in the Hollywood system has changed such as introducing sound.

        She becomes the femme fatale when she wants Joe to help her fix her script. It’s interesting how this connection works in tandem with Joe using her to get a job and vice versa. The ultimate irony is that she believes that a director who worked with her wants to do a movie with her. Although, the fictionalized Cecil B. DeMille says to a producer that her script is trash and the real reason someone called is that they want to use her old car. 

3. Hollywood

        If you would allow me, I want to expand more on the Hollywood aspect since I feel that the point of the film is one of the brilliant things about it. The overall main idea of the film is that Hollywood is cruel, they move on. For Joe, he can’t produce a good script where the producer wants to alter it completely. Norma can’t understand that no one wants to work with her due to her prior experience of being difficult to any director. 

        I feel the only example of Hollywood allowing the new stars is with Betty. She can be interpreted as Joe’s earlier years being an ambitious screenwriter. While Joe is a complete cynic with her script when she elaborates more with his scripts. I think that Joe can’t stand anyone who challenges him or suggests a better idea than his. It has to do more with the jaded being jealous with the more up and coming talent arriving. 

        To be honest, it’s radical that Paramount allowed this type of self awareness to be shot and shown. There is an idea of Hollywood that is mostly any bright eye talent would instantly become washed out is something that no one wants to admit but is evident here. It’s commendable since Hollywood was at an age to have the idea of the stars become popular and to recognize just how far the silent film stars had lost. Albeit, for the purposes of the film, Norma is disillusioned by her prospect of being a star for the talking films. 

4. Overall

        This is another short review. I feel that I left out most of the good aspects due to wanting anyone who reads this to experience the film. Yes, it is black and white, but that should not be a turn off to anyone who wants to give this movie a shot or watch something they normally wouldn’t watch. It’s one of my favorites and I may include it with my next slate of favorite films. 

Sunset Boulevard gets a five out of five. 

Ready Player One Review

 

        In 2011, Ernest Cline published Ready Player One. It became a New York Times’ Best Seller, it was the first book to have a celebration of all things geeky and pop culture. Later, it was optioned for a film adaptation and Steven Spielberg was helmed the keys to direct the adaptation. Ready Player One the film is the 21st book to film adaptation that Spielberg has done, including others such as: Jaws, The Color Purple, and Jurassic Park to name a few. The recent adaptation is an okay version of the book and not one of Spielberg’s strongest film, which is saying a lot since, he’s Steven Spielberg. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        Since the movie is a loose adaptation of the book, the overall plot is the same, slightly. In 2042, the whole world is plugged into playing a virtual reality game called the OASIS. We follow the main character Wade Watts/Parzival played by Tye Sheridan. He and a few players called Gunthers, are attempting to find the creator’s Easter Egg. The creator James Halliday played by Mark Rylance creates the avatar Anorak, who composes three keys that will unlock and give the player the Easter Egg and control of the game. 

        Along with Wade is his friend Aech. The duo meet other players such as Art3mis/Samantha played by Olivia Cooke and Zhou/Sho and Toshiro/Daito played by Philip Zhao and Win Morisaki respectively. Meanwhile, the malevolent IOI CEO Nolan Sorrento played by proven antagonist stand in Ben Mendolsohn. He wants to get the egg to spam the OASIS with ads. Alongside the player i-Rok played by Tim Miller, they and the IOI workers called the sixers plan to stop Wade and his friends from getting the prize. 

        As far as adaptations go, it’s just okay. Some of the stuff that is missing is mostly just how the challenges are presented for the quest to get the keys. For instance, Wade gets the first key by beating a guardian in the arcade game Joust. And him traveling across the country to rescue Art3mis and working for IOI. I feel that it’s necessary to trim and change certain aspects of the book since, for readers who did indulge themselves with the book, they don’t want to see what happened in the big screen as it happened in the book. 

2. OASIS

        What sold me on the book was the entire world. Dubbed the OASIS, it’s an entire realm where schools and anything fun or informative merge. Watching the film, we see only glimpses of the world such as a whole world dedicated to the video game Minecraft. It would’ve been interesting to see the characters interact in other realms, even it’s just a few minutes. What we do see is the racetrack to the first key. It was exciting in the teaser trailer. Seeing it play out, it’s too cluttered and busy. The cars are crashing and it’s hard to track just what’s happening. 

        The other world we see takes place in the film The Shining. It looks impressive that the whole set, digital mind you, looks like an interactive screenshot of Stanley Kubrick’s film. The level was exciting since the elevator blood and the decomposing woman corpse turned into obstacles to get the second key. I felt that is when it was a real challenge since just two characters had no clue if the movie was a horror film. 

        Overall, most of the OASIS is just an okay concept. It’s populated by mostly original characters and IP characters that Warner Bros. owns like the DC Super Heroes and an assortment of video game characters like Halo and Overwatch to name a few. I feel that with the characters they had, they could’ve made there appearances more individual since we see just how the characters are portrayed. Like, there’s a group of Halo players that have the same color scheme, they could’ve have different colors or different look to differentiate themselves. 

3. Wade Watts: Or how to NOT make an interesting character

        The biggest downside of the film and is the most important aspect for a film, is lack of interesting characters. No character goes through an arc. Especially Wade Watts since he’s the hero in the film. The one thing I will give him is that he’s different in the real world and OASIS. He tries to impress Art3mis and is a pro with the creator’s background. In the actual world, he’s a very too himself person, when he is arguing his aunt’s boyfriend, he can’t defend himself. 

        The others suffer the same thing, there just stand ins for Wade. Like, none of them have any stake to help Wade or have ambitions with what they would do if they get the reward. They just help him since it’s the right thing to do. Wade’s the only one to have ambition with what he wants to do but its mostly materialistic. 

        I feel that Nolan’s character could’ve been more in depth than what we’re led on. I feel that he should have his own reasons to get the Easter Egg. Possibly, want to destroy it and focus on the big issues that’s plaguing the planet. Or get rid of it because he’s petty since he worked for James Halliday. Anything would’ve worked but we’re hampered with him being a stand in for corporate scum instead of seeing the character be more dynamic in terms of motive.  

4. Missed Opportunities

        Additionally, the biggest missed opportunity is the overall messaging of the film. There’s an underlying message of seeing someone for who they are. The OASIS acts like a cover of someone. We see this play out when Aech tells Wade that Art3mis can be a dude and Wade doesn’t really know her. The whole thing doesn’t go anywhere since it’s wrapped up quick when Wade sees Samantha and being okay about her looks. 

        The Curator played by Simon Pegg could’ve been way more than just a sassy curator. We later learn that him and Halliday’s co-founder Ogden Morrow are the same person. It’s a dead giveaway since anyone who knows film knows Simon Pegg and the illusion is gone since we can infer that the Curator is Ogden when Wade points something out in the archive footage of Morrow and Halliday and the Curator getting mad. I feel that he should’ve just told Wade who he was and just got personal. 

        Like I mentioned earlier, the characters could’ve have more depth than just supporters for Wade. There are not enough character moments for Wade to really contemplate or just to have him by himself. I-Rok could’ve have been just a stereotypical basement dweller who prides himself with having the most armor earned in the OASIS. Like when he gets eliminated, it would’ve been funny to have him be a teenager having to do chores or a worker getting fired on the spot. 

5. Overall

        As far as Spielberg films go, it’s just okay. There are moments where the director shines. Most of the CG is good and it’s a good ride. I feel that I was overhyped to see the movie that I thought it was going to be a gamechanger. On its own its just okay, but a if you like the book its good but if you’re just a casual audience it’s just fine. There is a sequel for the book that is coming out later this year, maybe the eventual film will be better but I feel that the characterization and the message has to be stronger than the first. 

        Ready Player One gets a 3 out of 5.

Underrated Gems: Upgrade

 

Upgrade is the perfect example of being an underrated film. I’ve heard of it since seeing the trailer that was attached to the comic book film Deadpool 2. The whole idea looked very interesting, especially since it came from Blumhouse Studios and an up and coming director Leigh Wendell. It took a long time to finally have a chance to watch it since it wasn’t showing in my respective hometown’s theater. Black Friday rolled around the Best Buy and I finally had a chance to watch it. Bottom line, I love it. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        Since the film takes place in the not too distant future in an unnamed city. A mechanic named Grey Trace played by Logan Marshall-Green is fixing up an old Pontiac Thunderbird to deliver to an industrialist. He has his wife Asha help him deliver the car. We learn that Grey is very hesitant on technology. Grey and his wife meet the customer named Eron played by Harrison Gilbertson, who is so socially maladjusted that he probably has autism. 

        When they go back home, their automatic car takes them in a different direction. Grey tries to take control but the car crashes in the homeless part of the city. Three assassins kill Asha and paralyze Grey, making him a quadriplegic. He is gifted mechanical arms in his house to help him. Grey tries to kill himself and is sent to the hospital. Eron visits him and tells him he has something that can help him. 

        The young inventor calls the chip STEM which can help Grey regain control of his limbs. We later learn that STEM has a voice and helps Grey find the killers who murdered his wife. The film is very straightforward and kind of short. It never drags in certain areas and has an interesting world that is reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s film Minority Report. Logan Marshall-Green does a great job of the main character. Although, the artificial intelligence steals the show. 

2. Stem

        This plucky and inquisitive A.I. steals the show and is the surprise villain of the film. Voiced by Simon Maiden, STEM is sort of like Jarvis in the Iron Man and Marvel Cinematic Universe films, where he can access info on the fly. It gives the impression that Grey can access his limbs. What is interesting is that the program follows through with Grey’s plan at revenge. 

        As the film goes on, it learns self-defense. Such as killing a hired murderer by slicing his jaw. The whole relationship is very symbiotic since Grey needs STEM to help him. As well as STEM giving Grey instructions to lie to detective Cortez played by Betty Gabriel. The whole shots of STEM gaining control is very interesting. The camera is focused on Grey but its very fixed. Especially when the action scenes happen and when Grey ducks, the camera tracks him.

        What I didn’t see coming is that it slowly took over Grey’s conscious and mind. It became apparent that STEM told Eron to find Grey as a potential host. It’s very Twilight Zone-esque, with the overall approach being a monkey’s paw. It’s even more messed up by having STEM send Grey’s conscious to a altered reality where his wife survived. While the program controls his body.

3. Control

        With all being established, the whole film is about control. I feel that the word should be at least an alternate title to the film. For one thing, Grey wants to have revenge for his wife’s death but he doesn’t actually want to kill anyone. STEM tells him that it can kill the murderers while Grey looks away. 

        Earlier, it’s established that Grey is very apprehensive about automation since he likes having control with what he does. He is seen driving a vintage Pontiac Thunderbird and is very apprehensive with the Tesla like car. I think it’s a general fear since with everything being high tech, anything can happen and we wouldn’t know what to do. It’s shown that as Grey is being spied on by Cortez, STEM hacks an autonomous car that it controls the vehicle to crash to the police detective. 

4. Upgrade v. Venom

        I think the damning thing is that an inferior film such as Venom, which came out later in 2018, outperformed Upgrade. Having seen the other film, it’s based on an established character in Spider-Man comics, but overall is just not a good film. I think the reason why the former underperformed was that it wasn’t shown everywhere. 

        It never even gotten a TV ad. As a reminder, I only saw a trailer in the summer. I think it’s a big problem that not a big studio got the distribution rights of the film. Or not enough money to shell out its marketing to get many general audiences to see the film. The main thing is that an established character that is an inferior film beat out a slightly original film with a neat story by a large margin. 

5. Overall

        This film is one of the definitions for being an underrated film. It’s an interesting action revenge film that focuses on the technology and loss of control. Director Leigh Wendell is an up and coming director and he nailed this film. Just earlier, he directed The Invisible Man, which is one of 2020’s best horror film. He is slowly becoming the next big director at the rate of success he’s maintaining so far. Upgrade is a pleasant surprise and I hope people will see this great film more. 

        Upgrade gets a four out of five.