{editors note: Wilders Willy Wonka* was my absolute favorite childhood movie. Its still a personal all time favorite. Endlessly Wonderful, Rewatchable, and Untouchable. As for Burton/Depps take on the subject...i find it a cinematic abomination...literally loathe every frame. So while i try to go into every movie with an open mind, i was pretty sure this one wouldnt be for me and was more or less predisposed to not like it......}
This movie blew me away.
One of the funnest times ive had at the theaters in forever.
It feels like an adapted stage show from some super successful production. The songs are wonderful. The premise is great. And the ensemble cast of lesser mainstream actors is a PERFECT choice. I dont wanna give anything away so i wont delve into the plot but its VERY sweet and entertaining. Chalamet surprised me...he is not trying to "do" Wilder (which is smart) but rather comes across as a bit of a wide eyed innocent dreamer with occasional glimpses of genius and humor. The flick works surprisingly well as an origin story with nods to the original and nice setups but still feels like its own movie and story. If you like musicals then i highly suggest seeing this one. Its a feel-good time at the movies which is o-so-rare these days.
Peace .n. Pure Imagination
Mashke
(*In the 'before times' (before cable, vcr, etc) Willy Wonka would only come on TV a few times a year..i would regularly check the TV guide that came with the local paper and await each viewing excitedly. It was an event.)
(AHHHH!!!!! So as a huge fan of british comedies i made an observation during Wonka in that it stars two of the side characters from the incredible Mighty Boosh TV series. Theres even a scene where Rich Fulcher (brilliant as always) pretends to be working at a zoo which HAD to be an intentional callback to his Boosh character.
So doing some research this morning ive found out that the other of the two actors, Simon Farnaby, co-wrote Wonka. AND the movie director and other co-writer, Paul King, directed all episodes of the Boosh!!!! This is sooooo cool and probably explains partially why i connected so strongly with it).
The Mahoning Drive-In starts its season every April with a double feature of WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and THE WIZARD OF OZ. I attended it back in 2018. (The years are going by now.)
We're finally watching THE BEAR! It both makes me homesick for Chicago and also tense as hell and ALSO I need someone to FedEx me a beef with jus immediately. Nobody makes them here in Richmond.
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (2024) What I liked: Momoa, Wilson are totally dialed into their characters, and there are some moments of real visual razzle-dazzle. But then, the action was too busy and CGI-y, and the humor fell flat for me. A mixed bag.
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996) Similarly, the serious parts of this movie worked for me, but the humor doesn't. Have enough years passed for someone else to take a crack at adapting this story?
BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) "Look! There's a rhythmic ceremonial ritual coming up!"
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005) I actually don't hate this. Nobody liked giving Willy Wonka an origin story, but it does end up tying the story together by the end.
DIE HARD (1988) Sock it to me, Nakatomi!
MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) Any time spent with the Muppets is a good time. But... the version on Disney Plus isn't the one with "When Love Is Gone." To watch that version, you have to find it under an extras menu. (Some of us are sticklers for these things.)
Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023): this is funny stuff. It has a strong Lonely Island vibe, which is not surprising because they also work on SNL. It's weird, barely make sense, and is the most fun i've had at the movies for a while
Dream Scenario (2023): Nick Cage does it again, playing a character that everybody hate, but he does it so well. I do think the movie had one too many sequence at the end, but it doesn't make the movie bad.
Who's Harry Crumb? (1989): i remember liking it back in the days. Now, i'm not sure i care about it. I was kinda bored, which is a shame because i miss John Candy
John Candy was a childhood favorite. I cannot remember how many times I watched The Great Outdoors on TV back in the day. Looking back at his career, it is hard not to notice all of the mediocre films he was in.
Woot! glad you dug the Foggy Mountain flick! i had lots of fun with it. Definitely check out their youtube SNL videos if you havent, they are legit hilarious.
FAMILY MAN (2000) This movie is slow by todayʻs standards but Nic Cage is so watchable.
BOY (2010) Rewatched this and cried A LOT. I think Iʻm getting sappier with age.
DENNIS THE MENACE (1993) Rewatch. This movie is so effing good. Walter Matthau IS THE Mr. Wilson and I cried when he was sad at the end :( Sappy sappy. I became a HS SPED teacher last school year and now, as I have a lot of boys with ADHD and they act like this 5 year old - like exactlyyyy sometimes, I have a whole different experience with this movie. The truth is I find this rascal a little more endearing.
THE COLDEST GAME (2019) During Cold War, Bill Pullman is a math genius professor who gets recruited to play a big chess game, which is really a spy-mission-thingy. Bill Pullman is awesome and entertaining, as usual. The movie is really spooky. I have to say it does feel very propaganda-y and parts of it were heavy handed. Heavy handedness is one of my least favorite things in a movie - my pet peeve. Itʻs like showing how the trick is done and just...makes me feel less smart. I like to feel smart when watching espionage films! When the Russian was describing American "democracy" it was just too much. But it was spooky, which was fun.
I want to wish a happy new year to everyone. Hopefully 2024 is full of some good movie-watching.
For the Christmas season, I got into the spirit with some seasonal movies. HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949) was one the few classic Hollywood Christmas films I had not seen before now. It certainly was a change of pace from the exploitation I watched lately. This is a romantic film with Robert Mitchem and Janet Leigh as the main couple. It is cute at the same time as the story explores the emotional scars of the World War II experience. The next watch was CHRISTMAS EVIL (1980), which I first saw almost a decade ago, so it was ripe for a re-watch. In the beginning it is more of a character study than a horror film, which seems to test the patience of some viewers. I do not mind it. The black comedy and melancholy (Harry is a really sad case) work perfectly for me. Watch out when Harry goes into full Santa mode! Black Christmas and this have a similar pace and atmosphere.
There were a few other watches, mainly films going off of streaming services next week.
THE MAD FOX (1962, dir. Tomu Uchida) on Mubi – In medieval Japan, there is a violent struggle to possess a scroll. The Mad Fox draws on the Japanese folklore of shapeshifting foxes and the traditions of Japanese theater. With that emphasis on theatricality, there is no pretense to trying to making the narrative the focus. The aesthetic becomes paramount. As an aficionado of Japanese cinema, I appreciated the film more than I liked it. It blended cinematic and theatrical storytelling in ways that classics like Kwaidan and Double Suicide do better.
X.Y, AND ZEE (1972) on Prime – Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, and Susannah York create an uncomfortable ménage à trois. Caine is a philandering jerk, the most unsympathetic character I have encountered in a while. Taylor (Zee) is his conniving wife, twisting a knife into him at any available chance about his affair with York, by far the most likeable of the group. This film undoubtedly comes from Liz Taylor’s period of adventuresome roles. There are also some crazy 1960s fashions on display.
THE LAST OF SHEILA (1973) – A real treat. A manipulative Hollywood producer (James Coburn) invites several industry acquaintances to his yacht for a Mediterranean cruise. Ostensibly it is about playing one of his elaborate games, but it also might have something do with the death of his wife. Some of the guests include Raquel Welch, James Mason, Ian McShane, and Dyan Cannon. Cynicism surrounds almost every action from them. Definitely a film that is best not knowing much about beforehand. There are some interesting names attached to the production, too. Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins wrote the script, and Joel Schumacher was the costume designer.
I sought Last Of Sheila after listening to an interview with Rian Johnson where he was listing his inspirations for The Glass Onion. I was not disappointed
I recorded The Last of Sheila off Turner Classic Movies this week after intending to watch it for a couple of years. I am surprised that it is not better known. It is a solid mystery with a great cast for the period.
DUDE!! i did the same thing after listening to that Rian Johnson podcast...tracked down several of his suggestions. Last of Shiela was by far my fav (i ended up buying a dvd as it was really hard to find). Just rewatched Glass Onion this week, which is a hoot, and there's TONS of Shiela influences within. (ie: the group photo!)
(PS: some Shiela trivia: it was co-written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins (aka Norman Bates). It is Perkins ONLY writing credit for movies and one of very few for Sondheim. The got the plot premise from the fact that they used to host murder/mystery game parties. )
Question: do you ever feel like the universe is sort of pushing you to watch a flick? Because randomly lately ive come across a bunch of references to Tombstone. Turns out it was a pretty rocky production with director replacements and, apparently, Kurt stepping up beyond acting for the production. Figured it was time for a rewatch:
Tombstone (1993 Blu)
I tend to get long winded with my reviews so allow me to delve into a 2,000 word dissection of this movie....hahahhaha just kidding....
Wishing each of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ReplyDeleteWonka (2023, IMAX)
{editors note: Wilders Willy Wonka* was my absolute favorite childhood movie. Its still a personal all time favorite. Endlessly Wonderful, Rewatchable, and Untouchable. As for Burton/Depps take on the subject...i find it a cinematic abomination...literally loathe every frame. So while i try to go into every movie with an open mind, i was pretty sure this one wouldnt be for me and was more or less predisposed to not like it......}
This movie blew me away.
One of the funnest times ive had at the theaters in forever.
It feels like an adapted stage show from some super successful production. The songs are wonderful. The premise is great. And the ensemble cast of lesser mainstream actors is a PERFECT choice. I dont wanna give anything away so i wont delve into the plot but its VERY sweet and entertaining. Chalamet surprised me...he is not trying to "do" Wilder (which is smart) but rather comes across as a bit of a wide eyed innocent dreamer with occasional glimpses of genius and humor. The flick works surprisingly well as an origin story with nods to the original and nice setups but still feels like its own movie and story. If you like musicals then i highly suggest seeing this one. Its a feel-good time at the movies which is o-so-rare these days.
Peace .n. Pure Imagination
Mashke
(*In the 'before times' (before cable, vcr, etc) Willy Wonka would only come on TV a few times a year..i would regularly check the TV guide that came with the local paper and await each viewing excitedly. It was an event.)
(AHHHH!!!!! So as a huge fan of british comedies i made an observation during Wonka in that it stars two of the side characters from the incredible Mighty Boosh TV series. Theres even a scene where Rich Fulcher (brilliant as always) pretends to be working at a zoo which HAD to be an intentional callback to his Boosh character.
DeleteSo doing some research this morning ive found out that the other of the two actors, Simon Farnaby, co-wrote Wonka. AND the movie director and other co-writer, Paul King, directed all episodes of the Boosh!!!! This is sooooo cool and probably explains partially why i connected so strongly with it).
Iʻm glad you loved it, Mashke! Always nice to hear about a big awesome theater experience these days.
DeleteThe Mahoning Drive-In starts its season every April with a double feature of WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and THE WIZARD OF OZ. I attended it back in 2018. (The years are going by now.)
DeleteThanks Meredith! Cheers!
DeleteWe're finally watching THE BEAR! It both makes me homesick for Chicago and also tense as hell and ALSO I need someone to FedEx me a beef with jus immediately. Nobody makes them here in Richmond.
ReplyDeleteOOOO ive been saving this show. Think ill start soon.
DeleteNow..the big question...WHICH beef!?! Portillos? Buona? Mr Beef? Other!?!
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (2024) What I liked: Momoa, Wilson are totally dialed into their characters, and there are some moments of real visual razzle-dazzle. But then, the action was too busy and CGI-y, and the humor fell flat for me. A mixed bag.
ReplyDeleteTHE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996) Similarly, the serious parts of this movie worked for me, but the humor doesn't. Have enough years passed for someone else to take a crack at adapting this story?
BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) "Look! There's a rhythmic ceremonial ritual coming up!"
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005) I actually don't hate this. Nobody liked giving Willy Wonka an origin story, but it does end up tying the story together by the end.
DIE HARD (1988) Sock it to me, Nakatomi!
MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) Any time spent with the Muppets is a good time. But... the version on Disney Plus isn't the one with "When Love Is Gone." To watch that version, you have to find it under an extras menu. (Some of us are sticklers for these things.)
Is that extras menu on Disney+??
DeleteYeah. You click on the movie, and then before you press play, there are a couple of other options. One is "Extras." Hope this helps!
DeleteOhhhh, yes it doess, thank you.
DeletePlease Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023): this is funny stuff. It has a strong Lonely Island vibe, which is not surprising because they also work on SNL. It's weird, barely make sense, and is the most fun i've had at the movies for a while
ReplyDeleteDream Scenario (2023): Nick Cage does it again, playing a character that everybody hate, but he does it so well. I do think the movie had one too many sequence at the end, but it doesn't make the movie bad.
Who's Harry Crumb? (1989): i remember liking it back in the days. Now, i'm not sure i care about it. I was kinda bored, which is a shame because i miss John Candy
John Candy was a childhood favorite. I cannot remember how many times I watched The Great Outdoors on TV back in the day. Looking back at his career, it is hard not to notice all of the mediocre films he was in.
DeleteWoot! glad you dug the Foggy Mountain flick! i had lots of fun with it. Definitely check out their youtube SNL videos if you havent, they are legit hilarious.
DeleteFAMILY MAN (2000)
ReplyDeleteThis movie is slow by todayʻs standards but Nic Cage is so watchable.
BOY (2010)
Rewatched this and cried A LOT. I think Iʻm getting sappier with age.
DENNIS THE MENACE (1993)
Rewatch. This movie is so effing good. Walter Matthau IS THE Mr. Wilson and I cried when he was sad at the end :( Sappy sappy. I became a HS SPED teacher last school year and now, as I have a lot of boys with ADHD and they act like this 5 year old - like exactlyyyy sometimes, I have a whole different experience with this movie. The truth is I find this rascal a little more endearing.
THE COLDEST GAME (2019)
During Cold War, Bill Pullman is a math genius professor who gets recruited to play a big chess game, which is really a spy-mission-thingy. Bill Pullman is awesome and entertaining, as usual. The movie is really spooky. I have to say it does feel very propaganda-y and parts of it were heavy handed. Heavy handedness is one of my least favorite things in a movie - my pet peeve. Itʻs like showing how the trick is done and just...makes me feel less smart. I like to feel smart when watching espionage films! When the Russian was describing American "democracy" it was just too much. But it was spooky, which was fun.
FAMILY MAN is a December staple for me!
DeleteWe've watched it a lot in our house this month!
DeleteI want to wish a happy new year to everyone. Hopefully 2024 is full of some good movie-watching.
ReplyDeleteFor the Christmas season, I got into the spirit with some seasonal movies. HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949) was one the few classic Hollywood Christmas films I had not seen before now. It certainly was a change of pace from the exploitation I watched lately. This is a romantic film with Robert Mitchem and Janet Leigh as the main couple. It is cute at the same time as the story explores the emotional scars of the World War II experience. The next watch was CHRISTMAS EVIL (1980), which I first saw almost a decade ago, so it was ripe for a re-watch. In the beginning it is more of a character study than a horror film, which seems to test the patience of some viewers. I do not mind it. The black comedy and melancholy (Harry is a really sad case) work perfectly for me. Watch out when Harry goes into full Santa mode! Black Christmas and this have a similar pace and atmosphere.
There were a few other watches, mainly films going off of streaming services next week.
THE MAD FOX (1962, dir. Tomu Uchida) on Mubi – In medieval Japan, there is a violent struggle to possess a scroll. The Mad Fox draws on the Japanese folklore of shapeshifting foxes and the traditions of Japanese theater. With that emphasis on theatricality, there is no pretense to trying to making the narrative the focus. The aesthetic becomes paramount. As an aficionado of Japanese cinema, I appreciated the film more than I liked it. It blended cinematic and theatrical storytelling in ways that classics like Kwaidan and Double Suicide do better.
X.Y, AND ZEE (1972) on Prime – Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, and Susannah York create an uncomfortable ménage à trois. Caine is a philandering jerk, the most unsympathetic character I have encountered in a while. Taylor (Zee) is his conniving wife, twisting a knife into him at any available chance about his affair with York, by far the most likeable of the group. This film undoubtedly comes from Liz Taylor’s period of adventuresome roles. There are also some crazy 1960s fashions on display.
THE LAST OF SHEILA (1973) – A real treat. A manipulative Hollywood producer (James Coburn) invites several industry acquaintances to his yacht for a Mediterranean cruise. Ostensibly it is about playing one of his elaborate games, but it also might have something do with the death of his wife. Some of the guests include Raquel Welch, James Mason, Ian McShane, and Dyan Cannon. Cynicism surrounds almost every action from them. Definitely a film that is best not knowing much about beforehand. There are some interesting names attached to the production, too. Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins wrote the script, and Joel Schumacher was the costume designer.
I sought Last Of Sheila after listening to an interview with Rian Johnson where he was listing his inspirations for The Glass Onion. I was not disappointed
DeleteI recorded The Last of Sheila off Turner Classic Movies this week after intending to watch it for a couple of years. I am surprised that it is not better known. It is a solid mystery with a great cast for the period.
DeleteDUDE!! i did the same thing after listening to that Rian Johnson podcast...tracked down several of his suggestions. Last of Shiela was by far my fav (i ended up buying a dvd as it was really hard to find). Just rewatched Glass Onion this week, which is a hoot, and there's TONS of Shiela influences within. (ie: the group photo!)
Delete(PS: some Shiela trivia: it was co-written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins (aka Norman Bates). It is Perkins ONLY writing credit for movies and one of very few for Sondheim. The got the plot premise from the fact that they used to host murder/mystery game parties. )
DeleteQuestion: do you ever feel like the universe is sort of pushing you to watch a flick? Because randomly lately ive come across a bunch of references to Tombstone. Turns out it was a pretty rocky production with director replacements and, apparently, Kurt stepping up beyond acting for the production. Figured it was time for a rewatch:
ReplyDeleteTombstone (1993 Blu)
I tend to get long winded with my reviews so allow me to delve into a 2,000 word dissection of this movie....hahahhaha just kidding....
Its a perfect film.
{end of line}
I need to rewatch Tombstone
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMerry new rotation around the sun guys! 😁
ReplyDeleteThinking about it today, I realized that we are almost at the halfway mark of this decade. It has gone by quickly.
Delete