Wonder Woman 1984 - Review

 

DC fans hoping for the ideal present on Christmas day end up finding nothing but coal in their HBO MAX queue. 

FAST FACT

REPORTED BUDGET:$200 million

BOX OFFICE: $85.4 million

ROTTON TOMATOES CRITICS / AUDIENCE SCORE: 62% / 73%

CINEMA SCORE: B+

END CREDIT SCENE: Yes. There is a mid-credits scene

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

DC tries to build upon the success of their first Wonder Woman film with Patty Jenkins returning as the director and Gal Gadot reprising her titular role. They also add Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva and Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord. 

Chris Pine also returns as Steve Trevor, which may confuse some viewers due to his death in the first movie. While they do explain his appearance fairly early in the film, it may frustrate some people. 

Wonder Woman 1984 certainly leans on the eighties feel with fashion, showing some styles that could only be considered desirable in that particular era. That being said, a true highlight of this film is seeing Chris Pine with a fanny pack. The movie also highlights some technological changes from the first movie, which was set during World War I. 

I won't complain about seeing Gadot and Pine in a feature film, and I'm very happy about Kristen Wiig getting a big role in a superhero flick. However, this movie never really rises to the heights of its predecessor. Lackluster dialogue, mediocre action, and a story that never quite captures that sense of awe that is needed in a heroic epic. 

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

I was never able to fully buy into this film. I kept questioning decisions that were made by characters and filmmakers throughout my viewing. I viewed this via the HBO MAX stream, and I'm aware it may be better in a traditional theater setting, but I wasn't impressed by the action sequences either.

My Rating: C-

This movie felt like a cheesy Saturday morning cartoon instead of live-action feature film. I don't blame any of the actors because I truly believe they did the best they could with what they were given. After watching Wonder Woman 1984, my overwhelming thought was: I miss the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

SPOILER REVIEW 

Wonder Woman 1984 begins with some comically low-level rescuing. For example, Wonder Woman, aka Diana, saves a woman from being hit by a car in a crosswalk and then intervenes in a mall heist. I'm pretty sure Robin, Batman's young sidekick, would be able to handle either, but I digress. 

The mall heist ultimately ends up being important because the movie centers around a magical artifact which was taken by the thieves. The artifact is a stone that grants those who touch it with one wish, which of course comes at a cost. After being confiscated by the FBI, the stone lands at the Smithsonian to be researched by Diana and Minerva. Meanwhile, Maxwell Lord, a down-on-his-luck oil businessman, tries to steal the object for his own well-being.   

The stone sets the basis for our story as every character who comes into contact with it makes a wish. Diana wishes for her past lover, Steve, to return from the dead, Minerva wishes to be more like Diana, and Maxwell Lord wishes to become the stone itself (this eliminates the stone and Max is imbued with its powers). 

As the effects of the wishes become more evident, our story solidifies. Diana meets the soul of Steve in another man's body (although, despite him being in another body, we only see Chris Pine's appearance). Minerva slowly realizes she has new found abilities. Max begins granting wishes to everyone he meets, but he is able to phrase it in ways that allow him to manipulate the individual's wishes for his own personal benefit. For example, he'll say to his driver, "Don't you wish that traffic would part like the red sea wherever you go?" Max then touches the driver as he responds in order to enact the wish. He also takes advantage of the cost associated with each wish. For example, if he gets the President of the United States to wish for more nuclear deterrents, Max would grant the wish with the stipulation that he gains all the power and sway of a U.S. President. 

As you might imagine, things begin to spiral out of control. Diana eventually realizes the only way to set the world straight again is by having everyone who made a wish recant that wish. This proves seemingly impossible given Max's wide range of wish granting throughout the movie, but fret not; while Max meets with the President, he notices that plans are inexplicably laid out in plain sight that detail a mass communication system.

Max initially uses this system to reach even more people for wishes. However, Diana eventually uses it to communicate with people all over the world. Eventually, and somewhat unbelievably, everyone recants their wish (even Max). This sets the world back to normal and life can go on as if nothing ever happened. 

In between the events of the main plot, Minerva (who is most definitely Cheetah, but is never once referred to by that name) has two rather mediocre fights with Diana. Diana randomly learns the magic to make objects (in this case, a plane) invisible, and there are references to a legendary Amazon warrior whose armor happens to be in Diana's apartment. The legendary Amazon warrior shows up in the mid-credits scene, saving a random woman in a marketplace. 

As for the rest of it, the movie has me questioning a lot of the choices made by the filmmakers. I believe the movie would have been stronger if they had just focused on the dynamic between Diana and Minerva. I love Pedro Pascal in the Mandalorian and in Game of Thrones, but I think his story was unnecessary to Diana's overall arc in these DC movies. 

Giving Minerva more depth and focusing more on the two female leads might have been a better path to take. Unfortunately, we can't know for sure, and we are left with what is left on our streaming queues. Warner Brothers and DC have already greenlit a third Wonder Woman movie. Hopefully, DC can find their groove and consistently make stronger films going forward. 

Soul - Movie Review

 

Can Pixar continue the run of emotionally charged excellence that has led to trophy cases full of Oscars? The answer is most certainly yes, yes it can. 

FAST FACTS

REPORTED BUDGET: $150 million

BOX OFFICE: N/A

ROTTON TOMATOES CRITICS / AUDIENCE SCORE: 97% / 90%

CINEMA SCORE: N/A

END CREDIT SCENE: No (although a character does appear to tell you to stop watching at the very end of the credits)

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Co-directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers have viewers contemplating the meaning of life in this quintessential Pixar film. Soul is adorably cute for the kids, incredibly thought provoking for adults, and full of laughs for adults and kids alike. 

The movie follows Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) as he is on the cusp of accomplishing his life mission by playing music professionally. An unfortunate accident befalls him the day of his big break, and he eventually meets 22 (voiced by Tina Fey). 22 is a soul that has yet to be placed on earth and is not in a hurry to experience life. The pairing will go on a journey of self-discovery, learning what life is really all about. 

Graham Norton (Moonwind), Angela Bassett (Dorothea), Daveed Diggs (Paul), Alice Braga (Counselor Jerry), and Richard Ayoade (Counselor Jerry) are some of the other voices of note in this film. 

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

Since the movie follows the life of a jazz musician, you can expect exquisite music throughout the film. While I'm aware Pixar is (and has always been) at the forefront of animation, I couldn't help but be awed at how they're able to light scenes and bring drawings to life in such realistic and emotionally charged ways. Soul really is another stellar addition to the Pixar family of films.

My Rating: A+

The Oscar buzz is mounting for this Disney+ production. It has even been rumored to be in the Best Picture race. Whether you're invested in awards talk, love animation, or enjoy heartwarming and thought-provoking films, Soul is certainly worth your precious viewing time. 

SPOILER REVIEW

The movie opens with possibly the worst rendition of a Disney classic (When You Wish Upon A Star), but we see that it is our protagonist, Joe, teaching a music class. While the students are not taking the music seriously, we do witness one star pupil who seems to lose herself in the music, setting the stage for the events of the movie.

Joe receives a full-time job offer at the school, which is at odds with his dream of playing music professionally. Although his dream seems highly unlikely, he miraculously receives the call of a lifetime from a former student who offers him an opportunity. In his excitement, Joe loses his grasp on his surroundings and falls into a pothole. 

Joe finds himself in this strange place, slowly gliding towards a white light. Panicked by his current state, he frantically tries to fight his way off of the path to "The Great Beyond." Somehow, Joe manages to escape the path, finding himself in a place called "The Great Before." This is where souls are born and given their personality traits before heading to Earth.

Joe is given a mentorship of a particularly challenging soul, 22. 22 has been around for thousands of years and has had a variety of acclaimed mentors throughout the years, including Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and Muhammad Ali amongst many others. The purpose of the mentorship is to find the missing part of 22's personality that unlocks her Earth pass, allowing her to live her life. However, 22 is convinced that it is better to remain in The Great Before, thinking life is nothing but "soul crushing." 

Joe and 22 meet someone named Moonwind in the land of lost souls who claims he can return Joe to his body. Just as Joe succeeds in finding his earthly body, both him and 22 fall into the portal. 22 ends up in Joe's body while Joe finds himself in a therapy cat next to his body. 

This begins an entertaining journey of 22 discovering what life really entails through the eyes of Joe, and Joe is free to observe his life from an outsider's perspective. Joe and 22 end up finding a way to set things straight and return Joe to his body, but 22 delays the process in the hopes of finding the spark needed to gain her Earth pass. 

After a period of enlightenment from Joe and depression from 22, each character finds their purpose for existence. Joe realizes that life is a gift and every day is precious no matter what that day brings. He learns to love life, whether it means performing professionally or inspiring children in a classroom. 22 discovers the final piece of her pass that is missing is the desire to live and not a specific characteristic. 

The perspective of each character throughout this journey reinforces the importance of life. People may interpret this message or this film differently, which further strengthens meaning behind the film. Life is so precious, wide-ranging, diverse, and encompassing that people with all kinds of hopes, passions, and personalities can find happiness and fulfillment. All one has to do is be open to the possibilities life offers. 

Understandably, this might be a bit of a complicated concept for some children to comprehend. That's OK. There is plenty for small children in this film to be entertained by, and as they grow up and mature, they'll learn to appreciate the more advanced aspects of the film. That is what makes a movie like this beautiful. It can be appreciated by different generations for different reasons and remain relevant for years to come.  

It's hard to differentiate between the greatness of the various Pixar films. Each brings its own individual greatness to the audience, and they each impact the viewer uniquely and personally. For me, Soul impacts me mentally and emotionally, similarly to other movies Pixar has released, but what sets Soul apart is the consistency with which it delivers its message from start to finish. 

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Movie Review

 

Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, James Brown, and the Black Panther are just a few of the iconic roles that Chadwick Boseman has portrayed on the big screen. While he might not play a larger-than-life character in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Chadwick's performance may be the best of his stellar career. 

FAST FACTS

REPORTED BUDGET: $20 - $30 million

BOX OFFICE: N/A

ROTTON TOMATOES CRITICS / AUDIENCE SCORE: 99% / 81%

CINEMA SCORE: N/A

END CREDIT SCENE: No

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Based on a play by August Wilson, this film focuses on a day in the life of southern blues singer Gertrude (Ma) Rainey (played by Viola Davis) and her band as they record some songs in a Chicago studio in 1927. 

Ma gives lessons on doing business as a black woman in a white dominated industry, while Levee, a young trumpet player played by Chadwick Boseman, tells the story of a young, talented, ambitious, and frustrated man dreaming of prosperity.

For those that don't know, Ma Rainey was a real person. She is credited as the "mother of the blues" and recorded many songs during the 1920s and 1930s. She was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. 

Viola Davis does sing briefly in the film, but most of the singing is done by a trained vocalist they brought in to mimic the iconic songstress. If you're wondering about Boseman, he does do his own singing, and he also learned cornet for the role. Below is a 1927 recording of Ma singing the title track from the movie. Check it out!

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

Both Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman have garnered a lot of Oscar buzz. Davis researched Ma extensively to do the blues legend justice on the big screen embodying the legendary blues singer. Boseman brings an impassioned enthusiasm to his final role, making one think and feel deeply. 

My Rating: A

This movie is only ninety-four minutes long. I highly recommend spending the time watching these great performances and learning a bit about music history. 

SPOILER REVIEW

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom takes place over the course of a single day in 1927 as Ma and her band record music in a Chicago recording studio. The film focuses on two distinct characters: Ma and Levee. 

Ma is a known phenomenon in the South as the predominant voice in blues music. Despite her fame, she still struggles with racial biases and blatant racism, which fuels her business sense. Most of her story line is centered around dealings with her white manager and music producer. While her manager is genuinely on her side, trying to increase her popularity, the producer is solely interested in making money off of her talent. Knowing this, Ma is exceedingly difficult to work with in order to assert her position in this racial power dynamic. Acutely aware that her talent is her power, she utilizes every chance to assert it.

Levee is a young and talented musician who has dreams of his own. He writes his own music, hoping to someday lead his own band. His day is spent mostly with his other bandmates in the basement of the recording studio. They chat about life, love, and race. While two of the other musicians have important and meaningful monologues, it's Levee that steals all of the spotlight. 

Levee details painful memories of his mother being attacked by white men while his father was away. He then explains that his father's response to the attack taught him how to properly deal with white people. Levee also vents about religion and the presence of God. Essentially, how could God possibly exist if such horrors are allowed to exist in the world? The argument about God reemerges later in the movie.

The two monologues delivered by Boseman are some of his finest acting in a career filled with tremendous performances. Heart-wrenching and passionate, one cannot take their eyes away from him - a sentiment shared by his fellow actors, who were all awed during these scenes. 

Eventually, the time comes for them to record Ma's music after several disruptions and delays. Ma dislikes Levee's desire for attention and fires him from the band. Finally free from the confines of Ma's band, Levee attempts to record his own music with the producer. Unfortunately, Levee is told his songs are not good enough but will get five dollars a song for his trouble. Later the movie returns to the studio to find an all white band playing Levee's music. 

Once Levee is dismissed by the producer, he returns distraught to the band's basement to collect his things. The emotional instability that you get glimpses of during his previous two monologues comes to a climatic head as Levee stabs a member of the band for stepping on one of his new shoes. In another display of Boseman's wonderful grasp of a complicated character in an even more complicated time, Levee cradles the corpse, muttering and mumbling as he unravels completely. 

The movie ends somewhat abruptly without resolution to Levee's predicament, but the story that was told is powerful and captivating. After some photos of the original Ma Rainey and her band, there is a wonderful dedication to Chadwick Boseman.

This was the final film of Boseman's career. Admittedly, his untimely death was not lost on me while watching his outstanding monologues, making them even more impactful. Some may make the comparison of Chadwick and the character he so excellently portrays: two young and immensely talented men whose stories end far too soon. 

If you are a fan of Chadwick Boseman, I highly encourage you to watch this movie as well as his other movie of 2020 (Da Five Bloods), which I reviewed here.

Mank - Movie Review

Explore the life of a screenwriter in 1930s Hollywood as he composes his masterpiece. If you're interested in movies about old Hollywood or just want to watch every Oscar hopeful, then Mank is the movie for you. 

FAST FACTS

REPORTED BUDGET: $20 - $30 million

BOX OFFICE: $99,772

ROTTON TOMATOES CRITICS / AUDIENCE SCORE: 87% / 72%

CINEMA SCORE: N/A

END CREDIT SCENE: No

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

This David Fincher directed flick is centered around the life of Herman Mankiewicz, aka Mank (played by Gary Oldman), offering a behind the scenes look at the events leading up to the creation of what many consider to be the greatest movie of all time, Citizen Kane.

The movie features some other major players of early Hollywood, which include: Marion Davies (played by Amanda Seyfried), Louis B. Mayer (played by Arliss Howard), Orson Welles (played by Tom Burke), and William Randolph Hearst (played by Charles Dance) among others.  

If you are not aware of who some of these people are, then allow me to provide some historical context. 

Herman (Mank) Mankiewicz was a prominent writer who is credited with ninety-five films on IMDB.  

Marion Davies was a well known actress in the 1920s and 1930s who was most famous as a comedic silent film star. 

Orson Welles was a man of many talents, but is primarily know for producing The War of the Worlds (a radio broadcast that fooled many people into thinking the world was actually in peril). He also co-wrote, directed, and acted in Citizen Kane.

Louis B. Mayer made large sums of money showing films on the east coast before partnering with Samuel Goldwyn and Marcus Loew to form MGM Studios, which is still a prominent producer of films today. 

William Randolph Hearst may be the greatest name in the newspaper industry, but he also had interests in movies and politics. Involved romantically with Marion Davies, he was a major power player in California. Citizen Kane is primarily based on Hearst. 

Now that you've been caught up on the background of some of these legends of a older era, you're ready to enjoy the movie. 

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

The movie offers an intriguing glimpse to both the politics of the day as well as the politics of Hollywood in a beautifully shot black and white setting. The graphics and transitions will give you a sense of being transported back in time. Gary Oldman will certainly garner an Oscar nomination for his leading role, and I also expect the film to be nominated for Best Picture. There may be some technical awards as well considering the aesthetic of the movie.

My Rating: B

While this movie will surely be an Oscar darling due to its topic matter and artistic flare, the movie can be a bit slow at times for my taste. If you're interested in this time period or genre, you'll love it. If not, then it may struggle to keep your attention. The movie is streaming on Netflix.

SPOILER REVIEW

 The movie frequently flashes back to earlier moments in Mank's life as it tells the story of how his masterpiece was made. Mank introduces you to a cavalcade of early Hollywood elite as he transverses through movie sets and studio offices. Set between World Wars and during the Great Depression, politics are featured quite prominently. Talks of Hitler and the growing German threat, Socialism vs. Communism, and the plight of struggling studios and their employees during a time of financial hardship sound familiar to today's news cycle with our political climate and the reality of many theaters being closed indefinitely. 

Mank suffers from an all too familiar vice: alcoholism. Although it is not a secret, there are still moments where it stands out and threatens to end his filmmaking career. Orson Welles actually hired someone specifically to keep Mank sober during the writing of Citizen Kane. Another hindrance to Mank's career was the fact that he was quite cynical about Hollywood and despised a lot about the culture, which is made evident by some of his interactions with Mayer, Welles, and Davies. 

Mank's contempt for William Randolph Hearst fuels inspiration for his greatest work, which he wins a coveted Oscar for in 1942. While Mank would end up being nominated for an Oscar the following year, his career was coming to an end. He would die at the young age of fifty-five, just eleven years after the release of Citizen Kane.

Although Orson Welles is the more well-known name, no one can deny Herman Mankiewicz's impact on Hollywood. His legacy will live forever as his movies are discussed and taught in film classes for the foreseeable future.