The Eyes of Tammy Faye

By: Andrew Wing

The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a 2021 American biographical drama film directed by Michael Showalter (he directed the critically acclaimed The Big Sick), based on the 2000 documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder. 

The film tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, who is played by Jessica Chastain (The Help, Zero Dark Thirty, Molly’s Game), from her humble beginnings growing up in International Falls, Minnesota through the rise and fall of her televangelism career and marriage to Jim Bakker, who is played by Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge, Silence, Tick, Tick… Boom!). Cherry Jones (The Village, Succession) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Daredevil) also star. The screenplay is written by Abe Sylvia, while Chastain is also one of the film’s producers.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021 and was released on September 17, 2021, by Searchlight Pictures. The film became a box office bomb, grossing $2.7 million after its initial release in theatres. Regardless of that, for her role in the film, Chastain won a SAG Award and received nominations for the Golden Globe Award and Critics Choice Award. The film received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Actress.

THE GOOD

Wow, the time has finally come. Despite only being a month or two, it feels like The Eyes of Tammy Faye has been on my list forever ever since I saw that it was streaming on HBO Max. Being a big fan of the Oscars and other notable award shows I knew that I had to check this film out and review it for one reason, and one reason only, and that was the performance of Jessica Chastain. She has been getting nominated for almost every acting award one can get nominated for her performance in this, and with how crazy the Best Actress category has been, she has as good a chance as any to take the cake at the Academy Awards later this month. With all that said, was Chastain’s performance alone enough to make this an overall good film? Keep reading to find out!

Both of the lead performances we get here from Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield are absolutely what I would call going-for-it. Director Michael Showalter just let them have the floor to themselves for two hours and it did not disappoint. They were both so committed to these weird characters, but it’s only right that we start with the star of the show, Jessica Chastain. She is simply the main reason to see this movie and maybe even the main reason it even got any Oscar nominations. Chastain is absolutely extraordinary in this, and it might be her best performance ever which says a lot. It might feel like it’s over-the-top, but I was just eating it up and I didn’t think for a second that it was too much. Her portrayal here was perfect as she shows how extroverted and effusive Tammy Faye was. I also loved how Chastain pays tribute to Tammy rather than make fun of her. She did such a good job that she somehow makes us like a character that I felt conflicted with at times, but that’s ultimately the actor’s job, to make us sympathize with any character, and Chastain aced it. Her performance alone moved me to tears at a couple of different parts of the film as she was incredibly powerful at times. She just played her character with so much empathy and compassion, and not a single note of it ever felt disingenuous.

Continuing with Chastain, this is definitely what you would call a transformative performance. She fully-humanized Tammy Faye Bakker as she dived so deeply into her as a character by always giving so much energy and soaking everything up. Now let’s get into the fun part, her Oscar chances. This movie and her performance in it is top-tier Oscar bait as the entire movie felt like an Oscar clip for her. Part of me really wants Kristen Stewart to win for her role in Spencer (see my full review here), but I have no problem with Chastain winning. She deserves it because her performance is honestly the most acting I’ve ever seen. She cries, has both a funny and weird laugh, has a funny voice, sings pretty damn good, and she wears pounds on top of pounds of makeup. She just does everything in this performance that you need to do to win an Oscar and I think she will. I mean I just don’t know how she doesn’t win for this, and she also has all the momentum after winning the SAG. It really is such a close race though, and it’s very fun and exciting, and I can’t wait to see who wins the Oscar come March 27th.

Next up when it comes to performances is the man who had himself one hell of a year in 2021, and that is Andrew Garfield. He had this obviously, he had Tick, Tick… Boom! (see my full review here) for which he got nominated for Best Actor, and he also put the red spandex back on again in Spider-Man: No Way Home (see our full review here). Wow. But back to The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Garfield was freaking excellent in this. I had no idea how much I was going to like his character in this just with him being listed as a supporting performance, but he is basically a secondary lead in this and I loved it. He is downright hilarious in this film and he goes so far with his performance. I completely bought him as he played Jim Bakker, and I bought it about as much as I bought Chastain and that says a ton. His character Jim Bakker is the one who really gets put on the hot seat here, more than Tammy Faye, and he puts his wide range of emotions on full display. I really think this is one of Garfield’s best performances also, and I have a hard time swallowing the fact that he didn’t get nominated for Best Supporting Actor. WTF!

Since we are talking about Oscar nominations, we might as well discuss the film’s second category it got nominated for aside from Best Actress, and that would be for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. I mean I knew from the second I saw this trailer that it was a lock to get nominated, but after seeing it, I think it could win. The cheeks on both lead characters were prevalent, but they were just absolutely wild on Chastain. They were sticking far out and it was very very well done. More than the cheeks though, they also did an incredible job at aging from the graying of the hair to just the wrinkles in their skin. It all looked super real, so overall the makeup was really effective.

Other things I liked in The Eyes of Tammy Faye include the production design, the supporting performances from both Cherry Jones and Vincent D’Onofrio, and also the inclusion and modern spin on all of the old archival footage. In conclusion, this movie was just a good time. It was an easy movie to enjoy and digest, thanks in large part due to the funny and extremely weird tone it had. All of the accents were crazy, and it was honestly cool too because we don’t get characters like this in film often because they are inherently unlikable to most audiences, but if this film tells us one thing, it is that these characters were quite likable.

THE BAD

As enjoyable as this film was, there was one problem that held it back, and that would be the screenplay. The biggest problem with the screenplay was that it kind of lets the character of Tammy Faye off the hook too easily considering all the terrible things she and her husband did back then while they were televangelists. More than that though, I just think this film could have gone further into some bigger issues at play during all of this such as the sort of Christian Capitalism and also how all of this intertwined into politics. I just would have liked to see these issues more on center stage. This isn’t to say that this film is never critical of her because they are, but the film is ultimately a portrayal of her personality rather than her misdeeds, and it dares to celebrate the qualities of Tammy Faye.

Another critique here is that it definitely falls into some of the trappings and tropes of biopics. It had this more funny and campy tone to it. It was also overlong as it dragged at times, and it just felt for the last thirty minutes of the film like it needed to wrap up faster than it did. And I say all that despite its really good ending. Other than that, I thought the direction here was pretty standard as the story didn’t go that deep as I have already discussed, but I had a good time with this overall, and that’s what matters most.

THE VERDICT

Thanks to a potentially Oscar-winning, deeply committed lead performance from Jessica Chastain that takes the film to another level, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a really enjoyable and occasionally moving biopic on the rise and fall of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband Jim. The makeup and hairstyling here are second to none, and Andrew Garfield’s performance as Jim Bakker only adds to the entertaining and engaging feel of the film that made it endlessly watchable.

My only quip with the film is that it was maybe a little too innocent when it came to how it portrayed the broader problems at play here such as Christian televangelism among other issues. The movie just leaves you more interested in the character rather than the terrible economic practices that actually happened during this time period, and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it definitely took some points off on my end.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.6/10

The Eyes of Tammy Faye is now available to watch on HBO Max. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Batman

The Batman is a 2022 superhero film based on the iconic DC Comics character Batman. Produced by DC Films, 6th & Idaho, and Dylan Clark Productions, and set for distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a reboot of the Batman film franchise. The film is directed by Matt Reeves, who wrote the screenplay with Peter Craig based on the characters from Bob Kane. Reeves, the man who brought us Cloverfield (2008), Let Me In (2010), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), has been quoted as saying this will be the scariest Batman film yet, and that it could even be considered a horror movie in many ways.

When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.

The cast includes Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman, alongside Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell.

Ben Affleck, who portrayed Batman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), was set to direct, produce, co-write, and star in The Batman in 2014, but in 2017 he chose not to write or direct due to his dissatisfaction with the script. Reeves was hired to take over and reworked Affleck's story to focus on a younger Batman. He sought to emphasize the detective side of the character to a greater extent than previous Batman films and was inspired by the comic books "Year One" (1987), The Long Halloween (1996–1997), and "Ego" (2000). The story is said to be a gritty detective story, described in many ways as a crime thriller with a dark overtone. Two sequels are planned, and two spin-off television series are also in development for HBO Max.

The Batman is set to make its official debut in theaters on March 4th, courtesy of DC Comics and Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

I consider myself to be a huge fan of most superhero content, movies and shows included. I’m not a comic book guy so I guess you could say I’m not hardcore in that sense. So for that reason, you won’t catch me criticizing a storyline in one of these superhero films or shows just because they stray from the original stories. As we all know, Marvel has been sticking it to DC Comics as of late, in large part thanks to the Avengers films, as well as the stand-alone Spider-Man movies since Tom Holland started wearing red spandex. But, as far as DC is concerned, Batman is another story altogether. Speaking of DC content, I’m also currently obsessed with the James Gunn HBO Max series Peacemaker starring John Cena, but that is a story for another day.

Batman first made an appearance on-screen in 1943 thanks to late actor Lewis Wilson, followed by Robert Lowery in 1949, and Adam West in 1966. After a 17-year hiatus, Michael Keaton stepped into the role as Batman from 1989 to 1992, in the capable hands of the talented director Tim Burton. Three years later in 1995, Val Kilmer took a crack at the role, with the legendary actor George Clooney throwing his hat into the ring in 1997. I realize most of this background may seem like pointless babbling, but it also may be interesting to those who want to learn more about the origin of Batman.

I graciously offer this history lesson for one reason, and one reason alone, so that I can talk about my guy Christopher Nolan. Nolan is undeniably one of the most talented directors working today, and his decision to give Christian Bale an opportunity to lead the way was just perfect. Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) were without question the best versions of Batman, hands down. Nolan’s Batman was dark, gritty, and hard-hitting in every way. I mean, this is a character who witnessed his parents getting brutally murdered as a kid, and decides it is up to him to clean up the city of Gotham. He is a vigilante hero fueled by anger and disdain for those who prey on the weak and innocent. This brings me to the latest deep dive into Gotham City from director Matt Reeves, with actor Robert Pattinson stepping into the role as Bruce Wayne for the very first time. Needless to say, expectations couldn’t be any higher, especially after the epic trailers for the film.

With all that said, I of course had to see The Batman at the early release Fan First Premiere showing at my local IMAX theater, but was it worth the massive amount of hype?! Keep reading to find out!

You know that feeling when sky-high expectations come to fruition? It’s a great feeling, right? Yeah, well that basically sums up The Batman for me. I was beyond ready as I sat down in my powered recliner staring at that massive IMAX screen, and the next 3-hours were worth the price of admission, and then some. From the opening scene, I could tell this was going to be a different sort of Batman movie, and I mean that in the best way possible. From the camera work to the emphasis placed on the soundtrack/score, right down to the cinematography, Matt Reeves’ vision quickly took hold as Gotham city came to life. Once we were officially introduced to the imposing new and improved Batman, I was basically giddy in my seat.

As the Dark Knight made quick work of the cities hoodlums, I just wanted to clap after each brutal punch. It was nothing short of fantastic. From a badass-looking suit to an intense gaze sure to intimidate the most hardened criminals, Batman looked the part. The movie itself also has a rough around the edges feel to it, never seeming to be very bright which is fitting. Plus, people seem to forget that Batman is very much a detective with an eye for details, and this movie reminds us of that element of his character.

The story is undoubtedly a driving force for The Batman, as it should be. I talked a little bit about the cinematic history of the character earlier in the review, but the fact of the matter is he has been portrayed in a bunch of different ways. When you sit down and really think about the origin of the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman, the story itself is rooted in trauma and heartbreak. This is ultimately a kid who witnessed the senseless murder of his parents. I mean sure, the Wayne family was incredibly wealthy and his father, Thomas Wayne, was a prominent political figure, but it is still tragic. So I ask, why would we be surprised that the story would be dark and gritty? Well, we shouldn’t be because, at the end of the day, the legacy of Bruce Wayne/Batman is dark and gritty.

He didn’t join the fight against crime and corruption in the city of Gotham just to feel like he was making a difference, although that is certainly part of it. He did it as his way of giving some sense of worth to his existence, being more than just the lost soul he seems to be deep down. Matt Reeves made it clear that he wanted to add layers of depth to this character well beyond anything we have seen in the past. Every little detail matters, for example, Batman has eye black around his eyes underneath the mask to help conceal his identity, but in prior films when he removed his mask it was always gone. Reeves thought changing that would be a small thing that would make a big difference and I love little details like that. At one point during the film, and I promise this is not a spoiler, Batman removes his mask and has this eye black running down his face and I swear he reminded me of Brandon Lee in The Crow. Such a powerful image. That is just one of the many nuanced details that make The Batman so unique and really put it in a league of its own.

One specific scene at the beginning of the film hit me like a ton of bricks emotionally and had me entirely invested in this new Batman and his quest for vengeance right away. I don’t want to give anything away so I will speak vaguely, but this was such a powerful moment in the film that connects Batman to exactly why he puts on the mask in the first place. It exposes all of the pain and anger that he has built up over twenty years in a matter of 30 seconds. It was honestly surreal as I felt like this scene stood still somehow. The Nirvana song “Something In The Way” is playing during this specific scene, and this song in many ways serves as the heart of the soundtrack for The Batman. I can’t wait to see this movie again just so I can experience this moment one more time.

The Batman is very much a true character study of the iconic caped crusader. It’s a deep dive into the psychological toll the tragedy in his life has had on him. As Batman, he is confident, resourceful, and dangerous. As Bruce Wayne, he is reserved, antisocial, and honestly just sad. In many ways, he thrives as his alter ego, and is a shell of himself when he takes off the mask. It’s not like he took the time to sit down with a therapist and work through his issues, instead, he buried that pain deep down inside and took on the moniker of vengeance, which is of course fitting for many reasons.

I personally loved his character because it felt raw and real, he was never anything but himself. He refused to put on a show to please others, even if he was viewed as a freak or an outsider. After watching The Batman, I feel like I understand the character better than I ever have before, and that is really saying something. I also really liked how they took the approach of having Bruce Wayne/Batman narrate the story, which for me added another intimate layer to the film.

I keep hearing people talk about the fact that there was no way Robert Pattinson could play Batman, mostly because all people would see is his role as Edward Cullen in the popular Twilight franchise. But if you can’t separate an actor from a franchise that ended a decade ago, that sounds a little bit like a YOU problem. I mean really, Pattinson has been in a ton since that franchise concluded, most recently starring in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, as well as the Netflix thriller The Devil All the Time, just to name a few projects.

But, a movie of his that seems to fly under the radar is the 2017 crime thriller Good Time, where Pattinson stars alongside Benny Safdie and Jennifer Jason Leigh. For me, this was the defining career moment for Pattinson, where he proved he can play that gritty and complex role that not every actor is capable of taking on. Interestingly enough, director Matt Reeves was quoted as saying that film (Good Time) was a big reason why Pattinson quickly became the frontrunner for him to get the role of Batman in his mind. He said that his character in Good Time fit the mold as far as what he was looking for, which was an actor who can play a character filled with rage and violence but is also able to display a wide range of emotions. He also felt like Pattinson had that Kurt Cobain feel to him, meaning he looked like a rockstar but beneath it all he kept to himself.

Pattinson’s Batman is everything we want the character to be; physically imposing, extremely angry, and relentless. He is bigger than everyone else, and he is stronger than everyone else. During the more intense fight scenes, the bad guys aren’t attacking one at a time, they are coming all at once with weapons and guns, but Batman holds his own. During several scenes, he makes his appearance slowly as he comes out of the shadows, starting with viewers hearing only his footsteps until he enters the frame which is some incredible foreshadowing. The film also has it raining during a number of scenes, and they take full advantage of those scenes as well by having Batman walk with such force through the pounding rain. I guarantee you that if you had any reservations about Pattinson prior to watching The Batman, you will be singing a different tune once you reach the end credits.

Zoë Kravitz is the best Selina Kyle/Catwoman to date, and that is just not up for debate. Kravitz, who is currently dating my man Channing Tatum, is an amazing actress in general, and I applaud her for her willingness to take on roles in indie films, as well as big-time blockbusters like The Batman. One of which is the just-released HBO Max original film Kimi, which Andrew actually did a review for which you can find here, and the 2014 drama thriller Good Kill, alongside Ethan Hawke. It’s crazy to think her acting career started in 2007 with the romantic comedy No Reservations, and the intense crime drama The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster.

The fact that Kravitz began her career with two films that are such opposite genres is fitting for someone who has developed into such a versatile actress. Her portrayal of Catwoman is just perfection, from the look to the way she carries herself, she added so much value to the film. I also really liked how she fit into the story, and appreciated the fact that compared to prior actresses who took on this role, she was much more even-keeled and down to earth in terms of her personality. Also, the chemistry she had with Pattinson was massive. Even though she is crucial to the story, her character arch never feels overpowering and works more in tandem with the events unfolding in the film. Reeves actually said one reason why he chose Kravitz was because she already had an established relationship with Pattinson and knew they would work well together, and to say the two shared some very intense scenes would be an understatement.

Colin Farrell is unrecognizable in his role as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin. Unless you went into the movie knowing it was him, there’s zero chance you’d piece it together on your own. From the “fat suit” to everything they did with his face, he looks and sounds like a different person. I read that in between scenes Reeves would have conversations with Farrell, who would stay in full character during the interactions, which didn’t surprise me at all considering Farrell’s pedigree and commitment as an actor. I just can’t say enough amazing things about his performance. It just came across so natural and easy for him. I really enjoyed his character, and one particular scene towards the end of the film was extra enjoyable (no spoilers, of course). John Turturro was also amazing in his role as Carmine Falcone, which really should surprise nobody. The man who once starred as Jesus Quintana in the cult classic The Big Lebowski, is a hell of an actor which is why he plays a very important role in The Batman. I can’t picture anyone else playing this role better, and he just plays off the other characters extremely well.

Paul Dano is next level intense in his role as The Riddler, and like Turturro, I honestly can’t think of anyone who would have played that role better. As an actor Dano is extremely underrated, but after the world sees him in this role, he will become a household name. Dano actually has quite an impressive filmography despite being just known for supporting roles. He did have a gut wrenching performance in the film Prisoners. One of his films that always stands out for me is the very unique comedy drama Swiss Army Man, where he stars alongside Daniel Radcliffe. It will likely be one of the weirdest movies you have ever seen, but it is very much worth a watch. It is available On-Demand and is streaming on Showtime. Back on track, Dano is exceptional in his role as The Riddler and he couldn’t have been more believable. The dark elements of the film start with him, and boy oh boy does he deliver. I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth or anything, but his character is the only thing that comes close to Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight. Reeves actually said that his character was partly inspired by the infamous serial killer Zodiac.

It is crazy think that this is the first time The Riddler and the Penguin have been on-screen in a live-action capacity in quite some time, with the Riddler last appearing in Batman Forever (1995) in the form of Jim Carrey, and the Penguin last appearing in Batman Returns (1992) in the form of Danny DeVito.

I am a big fan of actor Jeffrey Wright, who was amazing in the HBO series Westworld. In The Batman he takes on the pivotal role of James Gordon, Batman’s ally and direct link to the Gotham Police Department. I felt like Wright was really good in this role and was able to effectively translate how important of a character Gordon is to the story. His chemistry with Pattinson was great, and you really felt like he was one of the only people that believed in what Batman was doing and understood him which was why he entrusted him on cases. I did read that Reeves had considered Mahershala Ali for the role of James Gordon, and although admittedly I may have preferred him just in terms of his overall abilities as an actor, Wright is still an asset to this film.

Andy Serkis was also awesome as usual. This guy is great in pretty much any role he takes on, whether it’s the Planet of the Apes films, or his incredible portrayal of Ulysses Klaue in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Black Panther. He is just a stud. In The Batman he plays Bruce Wayne/Batman’s trusted confidant Alfred Pennyworth, who has been by his side since the beginning. After the murder of his parents, Alfred stepped in as Wayne’s only remaining family, meaning he also served as a reminder of everything he lost. He has been a constant in all of the Batman films proving his value and the simple fact that you cannot have a Batman film without his character. I was pleased that they chose Serkis, who is one of the more youthful actors to play Alfred which will be helpful going forward with what should be another couple of films at least.

Director Matt Reeves is truly talented and deserves his credit for the success of The Batman. He was very clear in terms of the direction he wanted to take things from the outset, from who he wanted to cast right down the overall feel and inspiration for the film, and everything seemed to fit together seamlessly. You never once felt like he was borrowing ideas from Christopher Nolan or anyone else for that matter. His willingness to essentially start from scratch as far as how he viewed Batman was risky, to say the least and the fact that the studio gave him so much creative control speaks to their trust in him. Prior to Ben Affleck leaving the project as he was originally going to direct and star in the film, he had a script that the studio liked and Reeves himself admitted to liking it as well, comparing it to the feel of a James Bond-style of Batman film. But when it was all said and done, Reeves decided he wanted to go with more of a noir detective-driven story. He made this movie his own, and he should be damn proud of the final product.

On the technical side of things, oh man where do I start?! Seriously, they went all out with this movie. I will try and touch on each element the best I can without digging too deep into either one, but there’s lots of meat on this bone, let me just say that.

What stood out to me right from the jump was the camera work, and the in-your-face feel that you will be treated with throughout the film. During one particular sequence that in many ways sets the tone for the film, we are following James Gordon along a hallway seemingly to a crime scene as each police officer he passes looks back at us in a POV (point of view) that made the audience feel like the focal point. We soon realize that the camera is from the view of Batman who immediately draws the attention of every person he crosses paths with. During various scenes when Batman was on his motorcycle the camera was either attached to the side or attached to his helmet, giving viewers the feel of actually being on that motorcycle with him.

The cinematography was exceptional and was without a doubt a centerpiece for this film. Greig Fraser, who recently worked on Dune (check out our full review here), is a true talent. Right from the beginning I was in awe of the noir look and feel, and just the great shots of Batman and the city of Gotham. As with many other Batman films, he is constantly meeting James Gordon when he sees the bat signal in the sky, and they made great use of this aspect in the film. They meet at a spot high above the city with the camera looking over Gotham with Batman and Gordon sharing the frame, and each time I just wanted to take in the look and feel of the scene. Later in the film, we get a few similar shots with Batman and Catwoman, and they are equally as amazing. For me, The Batman is in another galaxy when it comes to cinematography compared to other Batman films, and I honestly feel like it deserves a few nominations.

I am a sucker for a good soundtrack and score, and The Batman brings down the house when it comes to that. Composer Michael Giacchino is credited with the music as he teams up with Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, and Lorne Balfe as composers. All three have composed for both the Batman franchise and the Mission: Impossible franchise, and all but Balfe have composed Spider-Man films as well. The action scenes and the more emotional scenes are fueled by the soundtrack and the score, and it just felt like such a crucial element of the film from start to finish. You just can’t achieve that truly gritty feel with a combination of effective soundtrack and score, and similar to the cinematography, I feel like a few nominations are in order.

THE BAD

I’ll be honest with you, this is a difficult film to criticize. Before going to see The Batman, I was back and forth on whether or not I should watch some of the previous films to get me ready. Personally, I am a huge fan of the Christopher Nolan trilogy, consisting of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises, with The Dark Knight easily being my favorite (RIP Heath Ledger aka The Joker). But I came to the conclusion that I should just hold off as it was likely that director Matt Reeves was going with something unique in more ways than one, and I was right.

Some people may criticize certain elements of the film out of preference, most notably the shift from Playboy Bruce Wayne to more of the introverted reclusive version, but for me, it fit the overall feel of the film. This is sort of a weird thing to complain about, but Batman is such a beast in his suit but when he is Bruce Wayne, he just seems a bit frail in comparison. I mean they tried their best to make him look muscular with some creative camera work, but at the end of the day, that is just not Robert Pattinson. Again a small knock on the film itself, but still worth mentioning. In conclusion, this is a new take on Batman showing a willingness to take some chances, and I applaud Matt Reeves for doing just that as he really knocked it out of the park.

THE VERDICT

A dark and gritty noir detective story that brings director Matt Reeves’ unique vision and propensity for character-driven storytelling to life, The Batman is an immersive and raw look at the caped crusader now known as vengeance, and you will never look at him the same way again. Batman has never been so vulnerable yet so dangerous, so resourceful yet so reliant on his allies and those close to him. The world that is created within The Batman feels real to the point where you can’t help but be invested in everything that happens. This movie just has it all, a great story, incredible acting, stellar cinematography, and a soundtrack and score that brings it all together. Another very important takeaway I should also mention is this does not feel like a 3-hour movie, as everything flows exactly the way it is supposed to. I honestly never thought I would say that a director not named Christopher Nolan made a superior Batman film, but that is exactly what happened.

The energy at the sold-out IMAX theater for the exclusive Fan First screening was infectious, and the entire theater clapping as soon as the screen went black was absolutely the icing on the cake. I will be seeing The Batman again in the next few days and will see it in theaters at least three times when it’s all said and done. Robert Pattinson signed on to do three movies, so fingers crossed we get our trilogy and I personally cannot wait for what’s to come next. Be sure to see The Batman for yourself as soon as possible so that you can feel as giddy as I do.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.2/10

The Batman will debut on March 4th only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Flee

By: Andrew Wing

Flee (Danis: Flugt) is a 2021 Danish animated docudrama film directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen. It follows the story of a man named Amin Nawabi, who shares his hidden past of fleeing his country for the first time. Riz Ahmed (Venom, Sound of Metal) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones, Shot Caller) serve as executive producers.

The film had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 28, 2021. It was released in theaters in the United States on December 3, 2021, by Neon and Participant.

The film was selected as the Danish entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, where it received a nomination, along with nominations in the Best Documentary Feature and Best Animated Feature categories, becoming the first film to be nominated in all three major categories, simultaneously.

THE GOOD

Flee is one of those films that has been on my radar for a long time. It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival where it got great reviews, and as I say in the intro, it also had an excellent turnout at the Academy Awards. Ever since getting big into movies a couple of years ago, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for both documentaries and animated films, and Flee is both. Aside from the incredible true story that gets hinted at in the trailer, the main selling point for Flee with me was how unique of a film it is being a documentary that uses animation. With that said, I was ecstatic when I saw it was streaming on Hulu so I immediately checked it out. But now it’s time to find out if it was as groundbreaking as people are making it out to be, so let’s get into the review!

First things first, this story is incredible. It tells the story of Amin, a refugee from Afghanistan, who eventually ended up in Denmark. It’s a harrowing, gripping, thrilling journey from beginning to end. It’s a first hand account from Amin, and we follow him from his early life to where he is now. This film will have a lasting impact on you as it has on me, and it really makes you think about how different certain countries treat refugees and how we could all handle this crisis differently. This movie just shows how these refugees ultimately want somewhere they can call a home, rather than always having that ripped away from them and constantly having to worry about where to go next to keep from being murdered in their own country. There was just so much to take away from this, and I have a hard time thinking anybody won’t come away enthralled by Amin’s journey.

The animation is unbelievable here. It is used to literally illustrate the story for you. For the most part, the animation in this is stylized in a way that really tries to hone in on the emotional experience Amin is on and the intensity of every situation. We got a little bit of archival footage of certain times and places to help paint the picture too which I thought was a nice touch. All in all though, it’s content is thematic and the animation was an incredibly effective way to tell the story, and I’m extremely glad it got nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. It likely won’t win though with Disney’s Encanto (see my full review here) being the heavy favorite, but it’s really remarkable to have a foreign documentary film even nominated for that category.

In conclusion, just a round of applause for the director Jonas Poher Rasmussen. He truly gives us a piece of art that expertly discusses it’s very prevalent subject matter. I’m very happy for him and the fact that he will forever be attached to the first film that broke barriers by collecting those three Oscar nominations simultaneously. Also, I need to honestly say thank you to Amin Nawabi (who uses an alias for protection) for having the courage to share his story. He allowed us to get a piece of him as he tells us everything through narration. Amin is very open and honest about how this experience impacted him as an individual. Flee also has great LGBT representation as Amin, a homosexual man, had to hide his identity every time he became a citizen of another place, and so he shares how he grappled with all of that in the film. Lastly, Flee made me feel incredibly grateful that I’ve never even come close to dealing with something like this. It made me fully aware and thankful of the privilege that citizenship gives us, and it took a film like this for me to fully realize that.

THE BAD

There is absolutely nothing “bad” about this film. It’s hard to critique a documentary just because of what they are, but the only critical thing I can say about this is that I wanted more time focused on a certain storyline. It carries a lot of weight early on in the film, and then you don’t hear much about it until right before the end credits roll. Also, and I’m putting this out not as a critique but rather a warning to anyone that’s going to watch this, the film is Danish, so the entire film is in subtitles. Other than that though, this was just an amazing film that I think everybody should check out.

THE VERDICT

Flee is an incredibly powerful true story of one refugee’s life that perfectly blends animation and documentary filmmaking. It’s no surprise that this is the first film to be nominated at the Academy Awards for the three major categories simultaneously: Best International Feature, Best Documentary Feature and Best Animated Feature, as it is just a groundbreaking and unforgettable feat of storytelling that had me completely blown away.

TED TAKES RATING - 9/10

Flee is now available to watch on Hulu. Check out the latest trailer below.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 2022 horror slasher film, directed by David Blue Garcia, with a screenplay by Chris Thomas Devlin, from an original story co-written by Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues. It is a sequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and the ninth installment of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (TCM) franchise.

After nearly 50 years of hiding, Leatherface returns to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town.

The cast includes Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Nell Hudson, Mark Burnham, Jacob Latimore, Moe Dunford, Olwen Fouéré, Alice Krige, and Jessica Allain.

After the release of Leatherface in 2017, Lionsgate had plans for five more films in the franchise. However, the studio lost the rights due to the time it took to release it. Legendary acquired the franchise's rights, with Álvarez and Sayagues serving as producers alongside Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and Kim Henkel who co-wrote the original film.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre released on Netflix February 18th.

THE GOOD

Whether it be Friday the 13th, which is my all-time favorite slasher franchise, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, or Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I am what you would consider to be a slasher fanatic. I love the genre and all of it’s campy glory, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that the attractive clothing optional females helped lead me to the promise land early on in life. I have been watching slashers for as long as I can remember, and I currently have quite the collection of Blu-rays including the full Friday the 13th set, not to mention the authentic Jason mask I have in my closet. Not weird at all. I even appreciate the lesser known stuff like the Hatchet films for example, which is essentially the story of Leatherface living on the bayou. So yeah, this genre is my bread and butter so I was excited to hear that the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre was coming to Netflix. I refused to let my expectations get away from me and anxiously awaited February 18th. So, was it a waste of my time or a solid entry in a storied slasher franchise? Keep reading to find out!

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a fun visit from the legendary Leatherface, well at least its fun for those of us watching from the safety of our couch. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but instead concerns itself with massively gory kills and a killer we can root for. Plus, at just under an hour and a half, this is a very easy watch that moves along nicely once things get going.

You will watch this movie to see Leatherface do what he does best, which is murder annoying Austin, Texas bred hipsters in rapid succession. That is one of the unique things about slashers, even though the killer is very clearly the bad guy, you still root for them. Growing up watching the Friday the 13th franchise I was never scared of the movies because I looked at Jason as a badass, and in my mind if you stayed away from Camp Crystal Lake you were safe. It wasn’t his fault these idiots wouldn’t leave him to spend time with his mother’s severed head in peace. Sorry if that’s a spoiler. So yeah, you will for sure root for Leatherface throughout the film, and will even have a smile on your face during some of the more brutally violent scenes, especially a scene that takes place on a bus and involved social media and cancel culture. It might be my twisted sense of enjoyment but I was smiling ear to ear during that scene, and felt like that alone is worth the price of subscription. Streaming pun, you’re welcome.

From a technical standpoint, I was genuinely impressed with the cinematography. Early on it was very meh, but once we encounter Leatherface in all of his wearing someones face as a mask glory, things really get going. I loved the shot where we are staring at a field and suddenly he appears, and proceeds to walk through the frame as we get a great shot of the field and the sky. He is the focal point throughout the film as expected, and I just thought that they included so many powerful shots to really please fans. Plus, the look was absolutely spot on. He looked the part right from the start, and for me that was huge. The makeup and special effects team deserve a ton of credit. All of the kills were fantastic and very creative which was huge for me. Not to give anything away, but the first unlucky contestant on the Leatherface gameshow is murdered by his own fractured wrist. To be fair, he did grab his hand in a very forceful manner and we know he does not like that. But seriously, the kills were great and he puts his trademark chainsaw to good use as well. For a 70+ year old hillbilly who walks like he could die at any moment, he is pretty damn deadly.

THE BAD

Okay so where do I start, first things first, Texas Chainsaw Massacre does not live up to its billing as far as franchise expectations. Sure its a sequel and you can’t expect it to be groundbreaking, but it just misses the mark more often than it should have. The biggest and most glaring issue is the screenplay as it relates to the overall storyline and the characters. I mean, I get that they wanted to make it feel cool and hip and current blah blah, but in the process the final product was basically trash. Plus the story is full of holes and inconsistencies that hardcore fans will pick up on right away, plus the timeline is a mess. It just felt lazy and too much like the easy route to take, almost like they didn’t care about the story and instead wanted to focus on the gore, which does show up in a big way. Now all is not lost and the movie is still worth watching, but if you are expecting some sort of eye-opening experience to carry the legend of Leatherface forward, you will be very disappointed.

The acting is mediocre at best for the most part, but when you’re casting for a slasher you are less concerned with traditional acting ability. You are more concerned with how good these people are at getting brutally murdered, or how attractive they might be, ideally both of those things. Which brings me to my next point which in my mind is absolutely a knock on the film and a ridiculous misstep. Now I’m not sure how to say this without sounding like a complete douche, so I will just come right out and say it, the cast was lacking that key slasher element which is a very attractive character, male or female. I mean this is a must, even if they die right away which they often do, you still need this character to exist. The babe or hunk if you will, someone that really gets that fire burning.

Look at the most recent Friday the 13th film for example, pretty much that entire cast is straight from a GQ photo shoot. Are they great actors? Not quite, but they are good enough, and the fact that they are so easy on the eyes helps make it so viewers will overlook certain things they might not otherwise. The cast of Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a C at best when it comes to level of attractiveness, and it hurts the movie. Simple. Nell Hudson (pictured above) deserves an honorable mention, but she’s no Julianna Guill of Friday the 13th (2009) fame. Plus, I couldn’t get over how much Sarah Yarkin looks like Arrested Development and Search Party star Alia Shawkat’s stunt double. For some reason, that really annoyed me.

THE VERDICT

Although lacking in quality storytelling or characters with any substance whatsoever, Texas Chainsaw Massacre still kicks it into high gear with lots of exciting kills and unlimited gore delivering to fans the Leatherface they know and love. Much of the first half hour was a cringeworthy lesson of “woke” culture, but once bodies start to drop the slasher feel is in full force. Fans will be frustrated that Texas Chainsaw Massacre could have and should have been so much better, but I still enjoyed it and felt satisfied by the ending that is sure to bring with it a follow-up film. Plus, at less than an hour and a half, it is a quick watch by todays standards.

Bottom line, when it comes to this new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie, the good outweighs the bad as far as entertainment value, and that’s really all you can ask for. This is just straight forward slasher fun with any semblance of story placed on the backburner, yet I plan to watch it again. Honestly, I had a hard time scoring this movie, mostly because I try to rate based on genre and the slasher genre is unique in many ways. Plus, this has me really wanting another Friday the 13th movie which I will hopefully get at some point in my lifetime. Its been 13 years already, so I won’t hold my breath.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.9/10

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the latest trailer below.

Home Team

By: Andrew Wing

Home Team is a 2022 American sports comedy film directed by Charles and Daniel Kinnane, written by Chris Titone and Keith Blum, and starring Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups), Taylor Lautner (The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, The Twilight Saga film series), Rob Schneider (The Animal, The Benchwarmers), Jackie Sandler (Adam Sandler’s wife who frequently stars in Happy Madison films), and Tait Blum.

The film, although a comedy, is inspired by actual events, the film tells the story of New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton who coached his 12-year-old son’s football team during his one-year suspension from the NFL due to his involvement in the Bountygate scandal.

Home Team was produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and Kevin James’s Hey Eddie Productions and filmed in Edgard, Louisiana from May to June 2021. It was released on January 28, 2022, by Netflix.

THE GOOD

Where do I start? When I saw this trailer for the first time I was just left in disbelief. I love me some Kevin James, there is no debating that. He is a comedy legend having played Paul Blart, but he also showed with one of his more recent films, Becky, that he can also legitimately act as he plays a Neo-Nazi in that action thriller film. But despite my fandom, I would be lying if I said I was pumped to see him play longtime NFL head coach Sean Payton. Nevertheless, I put all those terrible reviews for this film I’ve been seeing on the back burner for an hour and a half and went ahead and pressed play, so now it’s time to see if this movie was really as bad as some are making it out to be, or if it’s actually worth the watch. Keep reading and find out!

We might as well start with the head of the snake here and address Kevin James’s performance here. Quick spoiler, but I will get to his actual portrayal of Payton in the bad section, but just to discuss James’s acting here, I don’t think it’s really that bad. I mean it’s Kevin James. The man is funny, and anybody who says he isn’t in this film is just lying to you. There were multiple times when he cracked me up with jokes and banter with all the 12-year-old kids on the football team he is coaching. Throughout the film, he also has these running gags with Rob Schneider’s character and also Adam Sandler’s nephew Jared, who plays this dumb clerk that works at the hotel where Payton is staying and those are pretty good. I don’t know if I’ll ever get tired of Kevin James and Rob Schneider going back and forth, it’s just a treat.

Now onto the other big name attached here, Taylor Lautner, who plays Troy Lambert, the head coach of the middle-school football team. Seeing Lautner in this trailer was easily the best part of it, at least for me. Being someone who grew up watching The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl literally every night before going to bed, I am just a fan of his. And I hate to admit, but I was also Team Jacob during the dark days of cinema with The Twilight Saga film series. Enough of that though, I honestly think this is the best performance of his career. Now his filmography isn’t very long and there isn’t a ton of competition when it comes to his past performances, but I was really impressed with what we got from him here. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s getting older and might only have a six-pack of abs rather than a shredded eight-pack, but it was nice to see his acting skills on display here and I hope we see more of him in the future!

Before getting to the bad, there are a couple of other things that I liked about the film worth mentioning. One, and their acting wasn’t particularly great, but I was overall pleased with the group of kids that play on the middle-school team here. They did a good job at highlighting a few of the kids and giving them backstories, and they certainly all have their own unique personalities. And second, it’s sort of becoming second nature when it comes to Sandler's Happy Madison films, but there are a couple of great cameos in Home Team that will surely put a smile on your face and give you a good laugh.

THE BAD

Alright, here we go. I think it is easy to tell if you just watch the trailer, but the biggest problem here is the fact that Kevin James doesn’t resemble Sean Payton in the slightest. Not only does James not look like Payton in the face, but the accent he tries here and the mannerisms he uses are just bad. But what is worse than all of that is the fact that those in charge of the film aren’t even trying to make it a bit, they are legitimately trying to have Kevin James portray Payton as much as possible and it just gets a big fat F from me. Now I still had a little fun with it and I laughed a decent amount, but whenever I remembered that what I was watching was based on a true story and that James was playing Payton, I just got more annoyed and it definitely took some points off.

Another thing that was frustrating here was just me trying to wrap my head around why this movie got made. Now don’t get me wrong, this is a really cool story about how Payton spent his time during his one-year suspension and I can see how it translates to the big screen, but why did it need to be a comedy? For example, I honestly think this story would’ve been better served if it took the American Underdog (see Ted’s full review here) route. Because in that, we see Kurt Warner’s amazing true story brought to life on the big screen, and I think it would’ve been cool to see how Payton spent his one-year suspension coaching a middle-school football team, but more importantly how he developed and strengthened his bond with his child during what was, I’m sure, a very stressful time in his life.

There were a couple of other things that were tough to ignore when it came to Home Team. The first is that I was not a fan of the performance we got from Tait Blum as Payton’s son, Connor. His character is given some of the more dramatic moments in the film as Connor and his father have a rocky relationship, but they just didn’t do it for me, and I was pretty disappointed in his performance. Second, and this is small, but why do Rob Schneider’s characters in films always have to be such oddballs who are incredibly weird? I am just curious. And last but most definitely least, the projectile vomiting scene in this that is shown in the trailer is just so stupid. Like that is so outdated and not funny, and I really am lost trying to find a reason why anyone involved in this thought that would be a good scene to include.

THE VERDICT

While it most definitely won’t be winning any prestigious awards, Home Team will be making some noise at the Golden Raspberry Awards, which if you are unaware, is a parody award show honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements. There is just a lot wrong with this movie from Kevin James’s portrayal of Sean Payton, its mixed-messaging, to its god-awful projectile vomiting scene. Nevertheless, it’s still a comedy film featuring Kevin James if you are looking for a laugh, and it also features a surprisingly solid performance from Taylor Lautner in his return to film after taking a six-year hiatus.

TED TAKES RATING - 3/10

Home Team is now available to watch on Netflix. Check out the latest trailer below.

Dog

Dog is a 2022 buddy comedy drama co-directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin. It is the directorial debut for Tatum and his longtime friend and collaborator Carolin. Carolin, a 6’6 Lake Forest, Illinois native, co-wrote the screenplay for Dog, and also wrote the screenplay for Magic Mike (2012), and Magic Mike XXL (2015). He is currently working on the screenplay for another Magic Mike film, with Steven Soderbergh returning as director.

Two former Army Rangers are paired against their will on the road trip of a lifetime. Army Ranger Briggs and Lulu (a Belgian Malinois dog) buckle into a 1984 Ford Bronco and race down the Pacific Coast in hopes of making it to a fellow soldier's funeral on time. Along the way, they'll drive each other completely crazy, break a small handful of laws, narrowly evade death, and learn to let down their guards in order to have a fighting chance of finding happiness.

The cast includes Channing Tatum, Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Q’orianka Kilcher, Ethan Suplee, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Nicole LaLiberté, Luke Forbes, and Ronnie Gene Blevins.

Dog made its debut in theaters on February 18th, courtesy of MGM Studios

THE GOOD

When I first watched the trailer for Dog however many months back, I knew I was all in within 5 seconds. I mean, Channing Tatum and a heartwarming story about a man bonding with a war hero dog? Yeah, that is cinema gold in my book. But seriously, it's been a bit since we have seen Tatum in a leading role, but it seems like 2022 might just be his year with this movie and the upcoming action comedy The Lost City (preview and trailer here), where he stars alongside Sandra Bullock. That film is due out on March 25th, only in theaters. But just like rain is wet and snow is cold, if Tatum is in a lead role, you best pay attention. So, is this the film Channing Tatum deserves? Keep reading to find out!

Okay, spoiler alert. I loved this movie! I am a sucker for an experience that makes me feel something, and Dog is definitely a very emotional film. But don’t expect full on tears on the level of A Dog’s Purpose, or something along those lines. The reason being this is a great balance between comedy and drama, and in many ways it is a coming-of-age story, for a man, and for this incredible dog. With that being said, it does delve into some very difficult themes, including veteran suicide which is a significant problem in this country, which is just such a heartbreaking issue that needs to be talked about. Sorry to get all real with you guys, but I promise I will talk more about the cinematic experience that is more than worth the price of admission.

Dog tells a story that matters and needs to be seen, but above all else it never fails to be entertaining. Thanks to Channing Tatum and his ability to win over viewers no matter what the circumstance, and a dog you can’t help but root for, you will be reassured right away that you made the right decision seeing this movie. The opening scene is Tatum serving someone in a generic version of Subway as he gets treated like just any other slacker working an entry-level job. But Tatum’s story is unique, he is an accomplished Army Ranger who has been left in the lurch after suffering a head injury. He wants nothing more than to prove that he can still be of service, and it is made clear very early on that he desperately needs financial stability. One thing is for sure, his character is driven and relentless above all else. Although at first it seems he may be out for himself, we soon learn that this man has a big heart, and he has a lot to offer. What hit me the hardest with Dog is just the hard-hitting reality that we have a broken man and a broken hero dog, thrown into the trash pile by everyone else, who find each other and become the saviors they never realized they needed.

As I said, Dog is an action comedy with the emotional element mixed in, but trust me when I say, you will be laughing your butt off. The fact that Tatum is capable of developing such genuine on-screen chemistry with a dog, should not be overlooked. I read in an interview that during the scenes where the dog wouldn’t look at Tatum, instead of immediately going for a retake, he would take the route of “oh go ahead don’t even look at me” to make things feel that much more authentic. I mean, whether it is the dog ripping a water bottle out of Tatum’s mouth or ripping apart the upholstery in his sweet 1984 Bronco. I hate to date myself, but that bad boy was manufactured the year I was born, which is one more reason why I love this movie so much. So yeah, Dog is entertaining from start to finish, and is just such a fun yet important movie.

As far as the acting is concerned, Dog is headlined by Channing Tatum, and a dog. I mean they get easily 80% of the screen time, which is not a bad thing. The bread and butter of the film is the unbreakable bond that is created between these two, but you also get some fantastic interactions along the way as the duo takes a few planned, and unplanned, detours as they head to their intended destination. One of my favorites is between Tatum and actor former wrestler Kevin Nash, who plays a character known only as Gus. Nash, a brooding 6’11 former D1 basketball star for the Tennessee volunteers, is known for his humor. His chance encounter with Tatum’s character starts off dicey to say the least, but I could watch these two hangout and chat all day long. Nash is exactly what you think of when you hear the term “Gentle Giant”. Even though he doesn’t get a ton of screentime, Ethan Suplee plays a pivotal role in the film. He is a character that is most connected to the man who is the reason this trip is happening, and he also helps to really bring home the films focus on veteran suicide awareness, and just the struggles in general our veterans deal with post-combat for a number of reasons.

Channing Tatum is simply masterful in his performance. I’m not ashamed to say I am a huge Tatum fan, I mean he is a great looking guy, incredibly fit, and I mean we have all seen Magic Mike. But what people seem to forget all too easily is he is a great actor, and has such an infectious presence on-screen. I mean, for the majority of this film it is Tatum talking to a dog, yet I was all in from start to finish. The reality is, very few actors can pull that off and win over viewers the way he does. Tatum is incredibly genuine in his love for animals, should come as no surprise as he is a dog lover himself. He actually lost a dog to cancer a few years ago, who was also named Lulu, the name of the dog in the film.

Let’s take this opportunity to talk a little bit about Channing Matthew Tatum. Born in the small Alabama town of Cullman, 50 miles north of Birmingham, he is arguably one of the most multi-talented actors working today. The 41-year old who stands at an even 6’0, was offered a full scholarship to play football in West Virginia after high school, before dropping out of college. Not only is he a physically gifted athlete, he is an incredible dancer. He was an absolute force in the 2006 film Step Up, and continued to prove his abilities in the Magic Mike franchise. Bottom line, Tatum is for real, and his resume of 65 acting credits, many of which hit films, speaks for itself. I like to think that if it is a thing to have an actor spirit animal, Channing Tatum is mine. Plus, he is currently dating the equally talented Zoë Kravitz, otherwise known as Catwoman in the upcoming surefire blockbuster, The Batman (preview and trailer here). Mark my words, this is Hollywood’s newest power couple, so move over Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From a technical standpoint, Dog is a beautiful film in many ways. I really enjoyed the sights along the road trip, making you feel like you were along for the ride. The film takes full advantage of the scenery available in Santa Clarita, CA, which had me ready to plan a vacation. Dog also serves as a reminder not to visit Portland, Oregon, unless perhaps you need a nice sweater made from 100% hemp. I mean yeah I see the “Keep Portland Weird” signs, and trust me, it's going to stay weird for the foreseeable future.

THE BAD

You’ll be hard pressed to poke holes in this movie, unless perhaps you hate dogs or emotion, or perhaps both. Maybe you are anti-war? Okay, well the film examines all positions as far as that goes. But, if you are hoping for a ton of war film action sequences, that you will not get. Even though the story in itself is rooted in the effects of war, we are shown what it’s like for these veterans once they return home and are essentially written off. The majority of the film is Channing Tatum bonding with a dog, and if that doesn’t sound appealing to you, you might want to just move along. So yeah, you won’t catch me bashing this movie.

THE VERDICT

A powerful story of struggle and perseverance when the odds are stacked against you, Dog is an emotional journey that will stick with you long after you leave the theater, and is easily the most impactful role of Channing Tatum’s career and one heck of a directorial debut. You will be laughing hysterically one minute, and in tears the next. The balance of humor and real-life drama is so incredibly seamless, making it clear that the writers and directors of the film share an obvious personal connection. The more I think about this movie the more I appreciate it, and I personally cannot wait to see it again. Dog will not only appeal to all audiences, it will start a conversation of awareness as it relates to our military veterans, and for me you just can't put a price on that.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.9/10

Dog is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Uncharted

Uncharted is a 2022 action adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer, from a screenplay by Rafe Judkins, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, with a story by Judkins. Fleischer is best known for 30 Minutes or Less, Gangster Squad, Venom, and Zombieland: Doubletap. 

Street-smart Nathan Drake, is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter, Victor "Sully" Sullivan, to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.

Serving as an origin story and prequel to the Uncharted videogame franchise created by Amy Hennig, the film stars Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg as his mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan, along with Sophia Taylor Ali, Tati Gabrielle, and Antonio Banderas in supporting roles.

Uncharted premiered in theaters and IMAX 3D on February 18th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing.

THE GOOD

First off, I feel like I should preface this review by saying that I’m a huge fan of the Uncharted video games the film is based on. I have always felt like they in many ways bridged the gap from the Tomb Raider franchise, which I grew up playing, and had that rejuvenated Indiana Jones feel to them. They always felt similar with the style of play, and the immersive story and environments. Once it was announced that they were in talks to release a movie based on the games, I was pumped. They went back and forth with a number of actors rumored to take on the leading roles of Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan, finally landing on Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, which needless to say, was more than fine by me. As you can imagine, I was going to see this movie on opening night. So, did it live up to my sky high expectations? Keep reading to find out!

Listen, don’t shoot the messenger on this one because I’m sure you have seen some of the early reactions, but Uncharted is a damn good movie. Full disclosure, I let some of the nonsense seep into my brain as well wondering if they botched yet another video game to film adaptation, but that couldn’t be further from the case here. First and foremost, Uncharted caters to the fanbase, and I’m talking shrimp cocktail and lobster rolls, not pigs in a blanket and deviled eggs. Fans of the video games will be fighting the urge to leave the theater and go fire up their Playstations, or at the very least will guarantee that's what they will be doing once they get home. Unless of course they have a movie review to write, but don’t worry I know what I will be doing later. Fans will also notice that the film draws quite a bit of inspiration from the newest Uncharted game, A Thief’s End, which according to Tom Holland is his favorite game in the series.

When you take the time out to visit the movie theater, you want an experience that will keep you engaged and entertained from beginning to end, and that is exactly what you get with Uncharted. The story and the characters are interesting and relatable, the pacing is great and it has a nice balance of action while slowing down when necessary, and it also has a very clear identity from the beginning. The origin story element sets the stage nicely and sprinkles in just enough background for the main characters to ensure everything makes sense. I also loved the back and forth banter between Holland and Wahlberg, and felt like both delivered a ton of great one-liners. Holland was pretty funny for the majority of the film, even finding ways to keep it light while having his butt kicked pretty good. Uncharted has it all in my opinion, a fantastic cast which I will talk about more later, great characters, an immersive storyline with plenty of emotion and intrigue, and enough action to keep you locked in throughout.

As I already touched on earlier in the review, one of the biggest strengths of Uncharted is its ability to stay true to the video games. I mean, we all know how hard it is to turn a video game into a movie, but to do that successfully and in such an authentic way, that’s one hell of an accomplishment if you ask me. I watched the movie with my brother who is also a huge fan of the games, and we were constantly nudging each other over the abundance of fan service found throughout the film. It was great! The fight sequences and big action scenes felt like a video game, and oftentimes even the way some of the enemies were standing felt like a video game. The Uncharted games are known for their fantastic cutscenes, and in many ways this movie felt like one long cutscene which is very much a compliment. I also really enjoyed the cinematography from Chung-hoon Chung, who recently did the horror thriller Last Night in Soho (check out our review here). He took full advantage of the magical sights thanks to filming taking place in Spain.

As promised, lets talk about the cast for a bit. I mean, even if you have zero attachment to the video games, the cast alone will surely fill the seats. Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles, with Antonio Banderas as a quality bad guy with a cool accent? Yeah, you know damn well you are interested in everything about what I just said. Holland fits the Nathan Drake mold perfectly, that is evident from the start. The breakout actor has seen his career skyrocket after landing a role as Spider-Man, but he has also proven he can act outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with films like Cherry, or The Devil All the Time, to use just a few examples. He is an a-list actor in every sense of the term, and I couldn’t be more pleased about him taking on this role.

Now Mark Wahlberg, who is definitely one of my favorite actors, felt a bit out of place in his role as Victor Sullivan, better known as Sully. At first anyway. But as the film progressed he started to become the character, and by the end I completely agreed with the casting decision. Plus, the movie is supposed to be an origin story/prequel so it makes sense why Sully would seem on the younger side compared to the video games.

According to some light research I did, before Wahlberg was given the role, other big names such as Bryan Cranston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson, were all considered. That gives you an idea of the allure surrounding this film. Antonio Banderas is fantastic as usual in his role as Santiago Moncado. I also really enjoyed Sophia Ali as Chloe Frazer, another character from the video games. She is as beautiful as she is untrustworthy. Tati Gabrielle was a badass in her role as Braddock, a real thorn in the side of Drake and Sully. I won’t give anything away, but one specific cameo in the film is simply EPIC, and the real ones will get it. That is all I am going to say about that. So yeah, just see the movie!

THE BAD

I’m not going to sit here and act like Uncharted is free of any warranted criticism, because that would be a bold faced lie, and I’m a pretty honest guy. Most of the time, anyway. But seriously, you can poke holes in several elements of the film if you look at it from an outsider's perspective, and what I mean by that is someone with no insight or appreciation of the video game franchise it is based on. Is the action extremely exaggerated and over-the-top at times? Sure it is. Are the fight sequences not quite as brutal as we might prefer, yes again. 

But, if you have been paying attention during this review, one primary contributing factor keeps coming up, and that is the fact that at the end of the day this movie is based on a video game. I mean, need I say more? And I’m not talking about a video game with a mature rating, this is in the realm of a T (Teen 13+) rating, which might explain the abundance of children chaperoned to the theater by their ever so generous and caring parents. It also avoids feeling corny, which is a difficult balance if you ask me. I just can’t sit here and drop criticism when I feel like the ultimate goal was accomplished. If you feel otherwise, feel free to let us know in the comments section.

THE VERDICT

Action-packed, hilarious, and just an absolute blast right up until the end credits, Uncharted is undoubtedly one of the best video game to film adaptations to date. By the end the chemistry between Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg is bursting at the seams, and I personally cannot wait for the next movie which is surely inevitable. If you are a fan of the games you will love this movie without question, but you will still be more than pleased if you come in without any idea of what to expect. Do yourself a favor and check out Uncharted in theaters sooner than later, and be sure to stick around for both post-credit scenes as well.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.2/10

Uncharted is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Titane

By: Andrew Wing

Titane (French: [titan], lit. ‘Titanium’) is a 2021 body horror film written and directed by Julia Ducournau. The French-Belgian co-production stars Agathe Rousselle (French journalist, model, and also the co-founder of feminist magazine Peach) in her feature film debut as Alexia, a woman who, after being injured in a car accident as a child, has a titanium plate fitted into her head. Vincent Lindon (won Best Actor at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film The Measure of a Man), Garance Marillier (known for her role in Ducournau’s previous film Raw), and Laïs Salameh also star.

The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on July 13, 2021, where Ducournau became the second female director to win the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top award, as well as the first female filmmaker to win solo. It received critical acclaim and was selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, but did not make the shortlist. At the 47th César Awards, it was nominated for four awards, including Best Director for Ducournau and Most Promising Actress for Rousselle. At the 75th British Academy Film Awards, Ducournau received a nomination for Best Director.

THE GOOD

The movie that really made me fall in love with film was Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite. I honestly think it’s arguably the best movie ever made, but before actually watching it for the first time, I remember hearing about how well it did at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the Palme d’Or. Now as I have gotten more into the world of film, I know how big of a deal winning that award is, so when I saw that Titane won it at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, I knew I had to check it out. Also, it had a perfect trailer in my book as it shows you a ton, but still doesn’t tell you too much about the plot, so I was amped for it. With that said, let’s dive into this review and find out if it was worthy of winning the Palme d’Or!

Trust me when I say this, remember the name Julia Ducournau. This is only the second feature film from Ducournau, her first being Raw. Raw is also a body horror film that was recently streaming on Netflix, but it was certainly a movie unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Like with Raw, Titane is also unlike anything I’ve ever seen as we get a ton of unusual fetishes, extreme violence and a handful of moments that will make you squirm. It took me until about the opening scene for me to realize that this was definitely a step up from Raw. It really felt like Ducournau further defined what makes her one of the most unique voices in cinema right now which is all the more impressive considering this is only her second time doing this. Her direction is remarkable here as this film is so confidently executed. It is magnificently unique, daring and one of the most batshit experiences I have ever had with a film. It is one of those movies that doesn’t come around very often and I treasured that so much that I loved this movie.

Not only did Ducourneau direct, but she also wrote the original screenplay for the film. I absolutely loved the screenplay as this movie is ridiculously insane. The screenplay is amazing. As insanely violent and gnarly as it can get at times, and sometimes cynical in the first-third, the film actually has a surprising amount of heart, believe it or not. It’s even wholesome in a sense as it’s a story of these two tortured souls connecting in a strange way. There is even some dark comedy in the film that works so well in some scenes. It really tied together the movie as a whole and Ducourneau was fully aware of the right dose of comedy that was needed to make this movie feel a tad self-aware. Continuing with her excellent screenplay, the majority of the fun with this film is not knowing what to expect and all the surprises you get. I am not going to discuss the plot more in depth because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say the ending is a perfect ending in my book. It was exactly how this movie was supposed to end.

I am a critic who has seen a ton of movies, but I would be lying if I said I fully understood all the ideas going into this movie and I don’t even have words to describe it. Despite me not knowing everything she was going for, I still have to give props to Ducournau for pushing the envelope with the themes she went for here. The film is about brutality, sexuality, and even gender identity, and I’m sure there are even more genres at play here that I might not even know about or missed. And with the Academy Award nominations that came out last week, I was a little bit disappointed. I would’ve loved for the Academy to go outside the box and nominate her for Best Director or Best Original Screenplay because her craftsmanship here was outstanding and one for the ages. All of her sensibilities were absolutely on point from the tone, to the flow of the story, and everything was in such good hands.

Yes, Titane is gripping, entertaining, and fascinating, but what makes it what it is is the fact that this movie is just beautifully acted. So with that said, it’s about time we talk about the two lead performances because holy s**t. First with the star of the show, actress Agathe Rousselle. I was blown away at the fact that this is her feature film debut as an actress. Her performance was perfect as she plays a character that lacks humanity, and I honestly couldn’t imagine another person in this role. The number of emotions she conveys with so much silence was unfathomable as she barely even speaks in this movie. Now to her co-star, Vincent Lindon. Vincent Lindon is amazing in this. His character is so aggressive, desperate, and damaged and his chemistry with Rousselle was flawless. He even has some scenes that might make you shed a tear or two. Oh and one more thing, the man is incredibly jacked.

Lastly, I loved the look of Titane. The cinematography we got here from Ruben Impens was top tier. It was so well shot, so much so that it was very tough to look away from at times. Add in his brilliant camera work and the lighting choices, I felt like I was watching this thing wide-eyed the entire time. And I can’t forget to mention the music. Oh, the music! I loved every choice made by Jim Williams, and trust me when I say there are some songs in this killer soundtrack that’ll start making you bop your head.

THE BAD

Simply put, this movie is fu**ed up! It is extremely gruesome and violent at times and just be prepared that there is a lot to stomach here if you are going to take my suggestion and check it out. You will know in the first third of the film if you are going to be able to stomach it or not, but if you can, definitely do it because it is truly exhilarating. Also, as I say in the good section, there is no denying that I didn’t have a full grasp on this movie and everything it was going for, and you might not either. Yes, it was frustrating at times, but I honestly felt thankful to be watching a movie so challenging because it gave me a memory with how wild of a ride Titane is.

And last thing to note is that this is a French film. Therefore, the film is entirely in the French language, so if you are someone that can’t do subtitles, then this isn’t the movie for you.

THE VERDICT

Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winning film Titane is a bonkers, WTF movie that I had one hell of time watching! Ducournau delivers one for the ages as she perfectly executes her multi-layered and uncompromising vision behind her purely cinematic direction and unbelievable screenplay. It also features some masterful, deeply-committed performances from both Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon.

I have it coming in at #3 for my best films of 2021 behind Licorice Pizza (see my full review here) and Dune (see my full review here). I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, but if you consider yourself a cinephile and are prepared to have your mind blown, you just have to see this one! Now streaming on Hulu!

TED TAKES RATING - 9.7/10

Titane is now available to watch on Hulu. Check out the latest trailer below.

Marry Me

By: Andrew Wing

Marry Me is a 2022 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Kat Coiro (fourth feature film), with a screenplay by John Rogers (co-wrote The Core, Catwoman, and co-wrote the story for the film Transformers), Tami Sagher (was a staff writer on How I Met Your Mother), and Harper Dill. It’s based on the graphic novel of the same name by Bobby Crosby, it stars Jennifer Lopez (Selena, The Wedding Planner) as Kat Valdez, a pop star who decides to marry a stranger, Charlie Gilbert, who is played by Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris), holding a “Marry Me” sign after learning that her on-stage partner Bastian, who is played by Maluma (Columbian singer and songwriter), has been having an affair. John Bradley (Game of Thrones, Moonfall), Sarah Silverman (School of Rock, Wreck-It Ralph), and Chloe Coleman also star in supporting roles.

The film was announced in April 2019, with Lopez and Wilson set to star and Coiro joining the project as director. Universal Pictures acquired the film distribution rights in July 2019. Principal photography took place in Manhattan in October and November 2019. A soundtrack album of the same name by Lopez and Maluma was also produced. The lead single, titled “Pa’ Ti”, was released on September 24, 2020, and debuted at number nine on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs, marking Lopez’s highest chart debut in the United States since 2017.

Marry Me premiered in Los Angeles on February 9, 2022, and was released in the United States theatrically and simultaneously available on Peacock Premium on February 11. It was delayed twice from an original February 2021 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE GOOD

I won’t lie, when I saw this trailer for the first time, I was shaking my head. One because of its extremely silly premise. And two, because it’s yet another romantic comedy film starring Jennifer Lopez, only this time with one of my favorite actors, Owen Wilson. Yes, he is one of my favorite actors, but I didn’t love the thought of his on-screen chemistry with Lopez. I just didn’t see it working. Add in the fact that it had a February release and that it would be premiering on Peacock the same day, I set the bar very low. Well anyways, I still ended up reviewing it, so keep reading to see if Marry Me was exactly what I thought it would be, or if it was actually something completely different!

So yeah, as I just said, the only thing that got me to press play for this was the inclusion of Owen Wilson. I have just always loved him as he is somebody I grew up watching a lot of. I remember actually watching Wedding Crashers at the young age of seven and instantly saying that it was my favorite movie ever because of how funny it was. And yes, you read that right, my parents let me watch Wedding Crashers at seven, but hey, I’d like to think I turned out okay. Nonetheless, I have continued to love Owen Wilson even more after seeing all of his roles in Wes Anderson’s films, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, and recently as of last year, his role in the Disney+ series Loki. But enough about his past roles, let’s talk about his performance in this. I thought he was really good, to be honest. He plays Charlie Gilbert, a divorced math teacher, and he is just so good at playing a normal, everyday kind of guy. I loved his casting as the math teacher too, mostly because it allowed for some hilarious math puns that made me laugh audibly. He was even solid in some of the more dramatic scenes towards the final third of the film. It was just another above-average performance under his belt and he made the movie for me.

Yes, Owen Wilson is great, but there is no denying this is J.Lo’s movie. It has been a couple of days since I watched this, and I really am having a hard time grading her performance. I think because I can’t tell if she is truly acting or just playing herself because watch the trailer and any joe schmo can tell you that her character in the film, Kat Valdez, is basically just Jennifer Lopez. Despite that, I think she was good overall, and it was definitely one of her better performances that I’ve seen. Definitely wasn’t as good as she was in Hustlers, a 2019 film that I really enjoyed, where she really put her acting skills on full display. But even if it wasn’t her best, it’s okay because J.Lo is certainly a singer first, and her singing in this was superb. For the rest of her acting career, she might as well play characters that sing because it’ll put people in the seats just because of how amazing her voice is.

The music as a whole in Marry Me was top-notch. This was the first I’ve heard of Maluma, the actor that plays Kat Valdez’s partner Bastian, and his voice is phenomenal. I’d be lying if I said his and J.Lo’s song “Marry Me” hasn’t been stuck in my head the past couple of days because of how catchy it is. A couple of other things I liked about Marry Me include pretty much all of the supporting performances, specifically John Bradley and Sarah Silverman. I loved Bradley as Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones, and he definitely has a future in comedy films like this, and it was just a treat getting to watch him and Owen Wilson go back and forth sometimes. As for Silverman, I am a big fan of hers as she is always able to crack me up. Lastly, I got to give some love to director Kat Coiro and also the screenplay we got here. This film really could’ve been bad, but the people in charge clearly knew what they were doing and they produced one of the better romantic comedies of recent memory.

THE BAD

First things first, this film will not be winning any big awards come awards season, but that’s okay. At least for me, films like this with ridiculous premises tend to have a certain ceiling on them and I would argue they ultimately hit theirs. This film was made for a specific audience and I think most people will be pleased, but with this being “The Bad” section, I just need to highlight some flaws here.

First, I was not a fan of the editing in this. I know we are living in the social media age, but I was getting quite annoyed by every other scene having either an Instagram story or Snapchat story being on the screen so we can see it from whoever is filming’s perspective. Just got tired of it after a while and I don’t think it was necessary. And second, similar to me saying films like this have ceilings as to how good they can be, I also think they should have a limit on how long they can be. This clocks in at just under 2 hours with its 112-minute runtime and I would say it should be right around the 90-minute mark. It definitely dragged at some points and I was checking the time on my phone occasionally, but I was ultimately pleased with the ending so I guess I can’t critique how we got there.

THE VERDICT

Despite my low expectations and its silly premise, Marry Me is actually one of the better romantic comedies of recent memory. It’s such an easy and enjoyable watch as it is light and cheesy, but still harmless and sweet at the same time. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson’s chemistry and charm in this as they both give good performances.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.1/10

Marry Me is now in theaters and available to watch on Peacock. Check out the latest trailer below.

Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile is a 2022 mystery thriller film directed by Kenneth Branagh from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. Produced by Branagh, Ridley Scott, Judy Hofflund and Kevin J. Walsh, the film is a follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express (2017).

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.

The cast includes Branagh returning as Hercule Poirot, along with Tom Bateman (also returning from the first film), Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright round out the ensemble cast. The film is the third screen adaptation of Christie's novel, following the 1978 film and an episode of the television series Agatha Christie's Poirot broadcast in 2004.

Death on the Nile released in theaters on February 11th, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

THE GOOD

Okay so I feel like I need to start this review by admitting something that I’m not proud of, when the trailer for Death on the Nile made it’s debut, I really wasn’t all that excited. It had nothing to do with the quality of trailer itself, but instead more to do with the films predecessor, the 2017 crime drama Murder on the Orient Express. I went to see that movie in theaters with high expectations, and I was bored for the most part, even dozed off a few times. So even though several elements of Death on the Nile peaked my interest, I refused to get my hopes up. Were my concerns realized or did the magic of cinema break through?! Keep reading to find out!

Don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging, this was a damn good movie! Death on the Nile was everything I wanted Murder on the Orient Express to be, and then some. I mean, where do I start?! The setting, the story, the cast, it all comes together in such a way that reminds us why we love the movies so much. Kenneth Branagh is a national treasure, and he really brought the larger than life persona of famed detective Hercule Poirot to life. The late Agatha Christie would be proud! Poirot and his unwavering confidence is given a dose of compassion, and the result is sheer perfection. I’m a big murder mystery fan in general, and one of my favorites as of late was the 2019 film Knives Out (full review here), which was nothing short of incredible and I can’t wait for the sequel. Death on the Nile is similar in many ways as it brings together a stellar cast capable of bringing to life this unique and intriguing story.

The story was incredible, as it pulled me in from the start and kept me guessing throughout. I never once thought I knew who the killer was, and the tension continued to build each time we got closer to figuring it out. The characters are so well-developed that anyone could be guilty. I have yet to read the book the film is based on, but from the research I have done the majority of the characters in the film are altered versions of the characters from the novel to make for a smaller overall cast of characters, and in turn a less confusing plot.

I really enjoyed the extra backstory we get on Poirot’s character that allows audiences to really relate to him beyond this persona of his. I felt like his character was a bit flat in Murder on the Orient Express, mainly because we are expected to just know who he is. As someone who does enjoy a good book, I have yet to read a single Agatha Christie novel, so my exposure to the Hercule Poirot character is limited to these films. Death on the Nile added layers to his character, and even though he is unmatched in the world of solving murders, he is still an emotionally fragile human being like the rest of us. He has suffered immense heartbreak in his life, sending him down the path of obsession when it comes to his work which is something that allows viewers the ability to see him in a different lens. The Hercule Poirot we get in Death on the Nile has guaranteed that I will be reading an Agatha Christie novel sooner than later. I will note that in my research I have learned that much of the backstory on Poirot presented in the film was created for the film specifically, and Christie did not dig much into his character’s backstory in her novels.

The cast is without a doubt a selling point for Death on the Nile. I mean, we all know that Kenneth Branagh is going to bring it as Hercule Poirot, but we are treated to many other great performances. Gal Gadot, who really needs no introduction at this point in her career, is fantastic as one of the titular characters in the film. Beautiful and immensely talented, her name alone can fill the seats these days. Gadot shares the screen with Armie Hammer, who has become quite a controversial guy as of late. Weird hobbies aside, Hammer is a great actor and once again earns his keep here. I really enjoyed Tom Bateman’s character, who is also the only character to appear in this film and Murder on the Orient Express. Russell Brand, who is best known for his comedic roles (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek), impressed me with how much he brought to his character. I also really liked Emma Mackey’s performance, who plays a controversial and often misunderstood character. It was great to see Letitia Wright get another opportunity to showcase her acting talents. Sophie Okonedo was awesome as well, and I really liked the unique on-screen chemistry she shared with Branagh.

The costume design was nothing short of excellent, ensuring that the film felt true to the time period. The setting is mesmerizing, and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, who recently worked on Belfast with Kenneth Branagh, takes full advantage of the Egyptian setting. Pretty much every shot will leave you in awe, especially those that take place on the outside of the boat. I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as visuals, but I got my moneys worth and then some. It was clear that Zambarloukos wants to tell a story with each shot, and he is very successful in doing so. I felt like the setting with the pristine backdrop and what felt like a different world separating those on the shore and the rich aboard this boat, contributed as much to the overall effectiveness of the story as the script and the cast. The music was spot on as well as we are treated to yet another gem from talented composer Patrick Doyle. Just amazing.

THE BAD

I had very few issues with this film, mainly because it far exceeded my expectations. The pacing was great, never once feeling boring or like it was dragging. Each character felt like they belonged, and the ending had the payoff I was hoping for. I mean if you want to try and pick this apart be my guest, but it satisfied my thirst for quality cinema.

THE VERDICT

Packed to the brim with twists and turns, terrific acting, and an immersive feel throughout thanks to stunning cinematography, Death on the Nile is a worthy Agatha Christie adaptation and an absolute treat for fans of famed detective Hercule Poirot. Kenneth Branagh rolled up his sleeves for this one, and he deserves more than a few pats on the back. This is just quality cinema from start to finish, and has me beyond excited for the next epic Poirot adventure. Be sure to see Death on the Nile in theaters sooner than later, you will not be disappointed.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.7/10

Death on the Nile is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Kimi

By: Andrew Wing

Kimi (stylized as KIMI) is a 2022 American thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s trilogy and film franchise, Logan Lucky) and written and produced by David Koepp (also wrote Spider-Man and You Should Have Left). The film stars Zoë Kravitz (X-Men: First Class, Mad Max: Fury Road) and Rita Wilson (Sleepless in Seattle, Jingle All the Way). It was released on HBO Max on February 10, 2022.

The film follows Angela Childs (Kravitz), a tech worker with agoraphobia, who discovers recorded evidence of a violent crime, but she is met with resistance when she tries to report it. Seeking justice, she must do the thing she fears the most: she must leave her apartment.

THE GOOD

Believe it or not, Kimi is the first film to be released in 2022 that I have seen. I have been doing a lot of catching up lately on 2021 films I missed, but once I saw the trailer for this, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I mean, it features Zoë Kravitz in the lead role, and I think she is an extremely underrated actress, so I was excited to watch her put her talents on full display. She also puts on display some pretty fresh blue hair if I say so myself. Also, if there is one thing you know going into a Steven Soderbergh film nowadays, it’s that you are going to get an intriguing story that will keep you entertained at the very least, and that was just the case here.

No need to keep you waiting, this movie was well worth the watch. I really like Soderbergh, and I like even more how he just keeps pumping films out left and right. His most recent being No Sudden Move, which came out last year that I actually reviewed (see full review here). But seriously, he is just a prolific filmmaker. His films are so unique as they employ an avant-garde arthouse approach with his unconventional film formats that center on themes of shifting personal identities, vengeance, and many other things that he shows us in Kimi. His direction in this is just top-notch if you ask me, as he somehow combines classic anxiety-driven suspense through the medium that is the agoraphobic character, with relevant topics ranging from surveillance technology (similar to Amazon’s Alexa) to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was just really impressed with this film and it was another pleasant surprise from Soderbergh.

Speaking of things to be impressed by, now is about time to start discussing Zoë Kravitz’s performance in this. I mean it when I say I feel she is underrated. Yes, the majority of her roles so far in her career have been in supporting roles, but I have enjoyed everything I’ve seen of her, and I really think she is about to take off. It helps my case that she is playing Catwoman in Matt Reeves’ upcoming film The Batman, but I believe her performance in this will be the one we look back on years from now when is winning awards. For real though, is just *chef’s kiss* in this role. She is on screen for literally 90% of the film and she dominates every second. It was clear as day when watching that she was laser focused when giving this performance as a person with agoraphobia, because I was absolutely buying it. She had humor in some scenes, and she was solid in the dramatic scenes, but she really shines in the final third when she goes full John Wick mode. I hope that doesn’t spoil anything, but she was a badass. I obviously am looking forward to seeing her play Catwoman, but I am more excited to just see where she goes from here because she shows all of us with this performance that she’s legit.

Another thing I enjoyed about the film was just the overall look and feel of it. It was shot by Soderbergh under his alias “Peter Andrews”, and I don’t know about others, but it had a sort of Hitchcock vibe to it in my opinion. It reminded me a lot of one of all-time favorites Rear Window with the way that Kravitz’s character, because she can’t leave her apartment, is always looking out windows, going through her streams, and just doing the same thing over and over again just like James Stewart’s character does in that. I also liked Rita Wilson’s performance in this, and it was strange to see her play a “bad” character because she is always playing nice/friendly characters, usually opposite her husband Tom Hanks, in most films. Lastly, Derek DelGaudio has a small role in this as the CEO of the Amygdala Corporation, and while I’m sure most don’t know who he is, you should. He has apparently gone into acting now, but he is primarily known for being a performer and a magician, and you should do yourself a favor and go check out a film version of one of his performances, In & Of Itself, which is streaming on Hulu! You won’t regret it.

THE BAD

There is no denying that this film is an overall pretty dang good one. The only thing you could say is that the story might have been aided by a slightly longer runtime than it’s 89 minute one. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more from the bad guys in the film who are trying to keep Angela from reporting the crime, but it checks every box once you get to the end, and the end delivers marvelously. Also, there is a sort of suspension of disbelief going on in the movie with Angela’s agoraphobic character apparently being someone who can kill with no hesitation. That is really where I think a longer runtime might have helped by maybe showing us some of her character’s past/background to know more about why she is the way she is, but I had a blast with this film so I’ll just shut up now.

THE VERDICT

From the acclaimed and prolific filmmaker Steven Soderbergh comes Kimi, a housebound thriller with a 21st century spin that just offers a warm welcome to the digital age. This was just another banger from Soderbergh as he continues to reaffirm why he is one of the best in the game today. It also affirms that Zoë Kravitz is no joke as she gives an outstanding performance that I feel is the first of many for the uber talented young actress. Definitely worth the watch, so go check it out right now on HBO Max.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.6/10

Kimi is now available to watch on HBO Max. Check out the latest trailer below.

Being the Ricardos

By: Andrew Wing

Being the Ricardos is a 2021 American biographical drama film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7), about the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, Big Little Lies) and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall) star as Ball and Arnaz, while J. K. Simmons (Spider-Man films, Whiplash), Nina Arianda (Goliath, Stan & Ollie), Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep), Alia Shawkat (Search Party), Jake Lacy (The White Lotus), and Clark Gregg (best known for playing Agent Phil Coulson in the MCU) appear in supporting roles.

The film takes place during one production week of I Love Lucy – from Monday table read through Friday audience taping – all while Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face a series of personal and professional crises that threaten their show, their careers, and their marriage.

Being the Ricardos received a limited theatrical release by Amazon Studios in the United States on December 10, 2021, prior to streaming worldwide on Prime Video on December 21, 2021. For Kidman’s performance of Lucille Ball, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. Also, Kidman, Bardem, and Simmons all received Academy Award nominations for their performances.

THE GOOD

Before getting into the review of the film, I have to come clean and say that going into this, I didn’t really know anything about the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. I have obviously heard of I Love Lucy, but I have never watched an episode of the show. With that said, the main selling point here to me was Aaron Sorkin writing and directing and the fact that both Kidman and Bardem were starring in it. Add in the fact that it’s a biopic made to be an awards contender, and I was chomping at the bit. So without further ado, let’s dive into my full review on Being the Ricardos!

With any biopic that gets reviewed, you have to address the elephant in the room first. The elephant is the performances, and the lead performances we got from Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem were equally fantastic. First with Kidman as she plays the star of stars, Lucille Ball. As I said, I am no expert about Lucille Ball and I Love Lucy, but it was extremely clear that Kidman just transformed into Ball for this film, and I found the physical resemblance to be decent if I say so myself. It was less of an impersonation like we see in other biopics, but more of a fully realized characterization. Kidman did well at expressing her humor in ways Ball did for the show that we see in the black-and-white scenes, but I thought Kidman really shined in the more dramatic parts of the film. In the parts of the film where she is dealing with both the personal and professional crises, Kidman is outstanding at reminding us there were not one, but two Lucys. Now Kidman has already won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama, and she has as good a shot as any to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, which would be her second. And while I’d prefer to see Kristen Stewart win for her performance she gave in Spencer (see my full review here), I wouldn’t mind seeing Kidman win as it would be very deserving.

Now onto the performance from Javier Bardem. I have brought this up in past reviews, but I think Bardem is responsible for the single greatest performance in a film ever, and that would be for his portrayal of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men. That just goes to show how talented I think he is as an actor, and he put his talents on full display in this. Bardem, a native of Spain, plays Desi Arnaz who was a Cuban-American, and while Bardem might not look a lot like Arnaz, he sounded just like him. His accent was flawless to me, and it was extremely impressive. He also did a good job at conveying and capturing Arnaz’ charismatic stage presence, business acumen, and also, his deceptive ways with the ladies. Also, similar to Kidman, he shines in the more dramatic moments, especially at the very end of the film. And with yesterday’s Academy Award nomination announcements, Bardem was nominated for Best Actor and it is obvious why he was after watching him in this. I’d be shocked if he won though because of Will Smith’s performance in King Richard (see my full review here), and also Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of the Dog (see my full review here), but anything is possible.

Continuing with more performances, not only do Kidman and Bardem shine in their lead roles, but the entire supporting cast brings something to the film. J. K. Simmons was the best of the bunch though. Similar to Bardem for No Country for Old Men, Simmons is responsible for one of the best supporting performances of all time in the 2014 film Whiplash. He is just unreal in that film and he is just one of the best when it comes to supporting roles and he strengthens his case even more in this. Simmons plays actor William Frawley, who plays the landlord Fred in I Love Lucy, and he was just awesome. His character is really funny with his constant wise comments and facial expressions, and I am very happy that he got nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Tony Hale and Nina Arianda were also great in more dramatic supporting roles, while Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy brought numerous laughs with their neverending back-and-forth banter with one another.

This is only Aaron Sorkin’s third feature film as a director because he has definitely been a writer first throughout his career. He served as a writer for critically acclaimed films The Social Network, Moneyball, and Steve Jobs, but he is most known for creating and writing The West Wing. And if there’s one thing you know for sure with any film that Sorkin is attached to, it is that it’s going to have a great original screenplay that’s heavy on dialogue, and that is absolutely the case here for Being the Ricardos. I will just never get tired of the fast-paced dialogue and extended monologues that all take place while walking, which are referred to as “walk and talks.” Everything I just mentioned is only aided by the film’s superb editing done by Alan Baumgarten, and I just really liked how Sorkin decided to make the film take place just during one week of the show. I’m honestly shocked his original screenplay didn’t receive an Oscar nomination.

Lastly, just some other things that I enjoyed about the film that are worth mentioning. First, the production design was super cool. I am just a sucker for these films that take you back in time with their production sets, especially when they deal with movie/production studios where the show was shot. It’s production reminded me of the Coen brother’s film Hail, Caesar! that takes place in MGM studios. Second, I loved the original score from Daniel Pemberton. Maybe I’m biased because Pemberton provided the original score for one of my all-time favorites Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but I was just vibing with the score here from start to finish. In closing, I just got to discuss the film ultimately not receiving a Best Picture nomination. Yes, I would’ve liked to see it get nominated because it is deserving, but 2021 was just jam-packed full of amazing films, so it is what it is.

THE BAD

I honestly have a hard time believing that somebody might not enjoy this film. It is a great watch boosted by some incredible performances, but there were definitely some minor flaws. First, and while it is so incredibly minor, Javier Bardem really doesn’t look a lot like Desi Arnaz. It is just a fact, and at least on my end, it looked like they tried some sort of de-aging process in some of the flashback scenes and they just distracted me more than anything. With that said, Bardem still kills his role, and I am happy he was the one to play the character despite no physical resemblance.

Also, the film has a runtime of 131 minutes and it did get slow at times for me. But it is a biopic at the end of the day, and good luck finding a biopic under 2 hours long! Lastly, the end just sort of comes out and smacks you in the face. Again, it is a dramatic biopic and it’s not their fault that Ball and Arnaz’s relationship didn’t have a happy ending, but I just would’ve liked it handled differently. Maybe in a way that would’ve had viewers leaving with smiles on their faces rather than the face I had when the credits began to roll. Despite all that though, it was still a solid film in my book.

THE VERDICT

Being the Ricardos is the third feature film from Aaron Sorkin as a writer-director, and it was just a blast from start to finish as it follows the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz with Sorkin’s trademark fast-paced dialogue. Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem star as Ball and Arnaz and they both give brilliant performances that were both Oscar-nominated. Speaking of nominations, J. K. Simmons is great again in his supporting role. All in all, it was just an engagingly fun film throughout and I think it is Sorkin’s strongest directorial effort yet!

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

Being the Ricardos is only available on Amazon Prime Video. Check out the latest trailer below.

Moonfall

Moonfall is a 2022 science fiction drama film co-written, directed, and co-produced by Roland Emmerich. Spenser Cohen and Harold Kloser also contributed to the script. Emmerich is a sci-fi legend of sorts, having previously directed Universal Soldier (1992), written and directed Stargate (1994), Independence Day (1996), Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and the list goes on.

A mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler is convinced she has the key to saving us all – but only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper and a conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman believes her.

The cast includes Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Michael Peña, Charlie Plummer, Kelly Yu, and Donald Sutherland. The film was shot in Montreal with a $140 million budget, making it one of the most expensive independently-produced films of all time.

Moonfall made its debut in theaters on February 3rd, courtesy of Lionsgate.

THE GOOD

Moonfall has been shredded by critics for the most part after pre-release screenings, which to be quite honest didn’t necessarily surprise me when the first reviews came out. The trailer reeked of a B-movie box office disaster, and I couldn’t help but think that someone would be losing their their job over this mess of a movie. After a few more reviews began to come out, it started to sound more like a Roland Emmerich movie which of course added some intrigue. As I touched on above, Emmerich knows his way around a movie that is simply meant to be experienced on the big screen. So, was Moonfall the train wreck I initially anticipated it was going to be or did it send me home with a smile on my face? Keep on reading to find out!

Okay so first and foremost, I did not hate this movie. Its been awhile since I have seen a movie from Roland Emmerich, but he definitely has a signature style. He likes outlandish storylines that lead to a massive spectacle of a finale sure to have audiences on the edge of their seat, and Moonfall is no different. For the majority of the film the acting takes a back seat to the CGI and the overall technical elements of the film, but that somehow evens itself out by the end. Emmerich wants to make you think, but he also wants you to be in awe wondering just how far he is wiling to take things. Admittedly his vision requires you to look beyond several flaws, but you will be rewarded for your efforts.

If you are worried that Moonfall will force you to wait until the final 10-minutes for the action to start, you can rest assured that is not the case here. As a director Emmerich is like your toddler who insists on dumping out every single tote of toys as soon as he wakes up as if he is planning on playing with all of them. Before you know it, buildings are collapsing, everything is underwater, and every business is abandoned. This approach ensures audiences will not be bored, offering a ton of disaster movie joy to the just over 2-hour runtime. To be completely honest, I applaud Emmerich for his willingness to make movies that fit his vision, even if they may be met with a great deal of criticism from those who will pick it apart. He is surely a man who goes to the beat of his own drum.

Now I’m not trying to make excuses for Moonfall, but it faced several obstacles during production that may have shelved many movies indefinitely. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular created quite a few issues considering Emmerich began getting the ball rolling for the film in 2019, which of course was pre-pandemic. The cast was impacted as Stanley Tucci was replaced last minute by Michael Peña due to traveling restrictions keeping Tucci from reaching the production site. Filming locations were extremely limited, forcing the construction of over 130 different sets to be utilized on location in Montreal. They were also forced to expedite principal photography because of the pandemic related issues.

It is also worth pointing out that Emmerich made the push for Moonfall to be an independent film as he wanted to have the majority of creative control, heading to Cannes Film Festival for financial backers. Eventually the roughly $140 million budget consisted of contributions from Huayi Brothers, Lionsgate, and Germany. Emmerich got the idea for the film after reading the novel Who Built the Moon?, which debates the possibility that the Moon was artificially constructed. He worked on the script for four years, and apparently actual conspiracy theory exists arguing this is an actual possibility. Who knew.

Although this is a far cry from their best work, Moonfall offers up a very talented cast. I won’t go too deep into their specific performances yet but I will talk about them a bit later in the review. I’m a big fan of the great Halle Berry for obvious reasons (for some reason her role in Swordfish always comes to mind), and she was fantastic in the 2019 crime thriller John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (full review here). I enjoyed her character in this film overall and felt like she was a solid addition to the cast.

I really like Patrick Wilson as an actor who has been investing a good majority of his time in the Conjuring franchise, most recently The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (full review here). Wilson has good chemistry with Berry and the rest of the cast, and in my opinion he earns his spot as a leading man yet again. John Bradley, who is best known for his role as Samwell Tarly in the HBO drama series Game of Thrones, won me over by the end of the film with his character and he also provides the majority of the comic relief, getting quite a few laughs from the audience. I also enjoyed seeing Michael Peña who is an actor that always impresses me in his roles. Charlie Plummer, who was fantastic in the coming of age drama Words on Bathroom Walls (full review here), takes on a small supporting role as the son of Patrick Wilson’s character. He was a bit dull for the majority of the film but I was happy with his character by the end.

THE BAD

Bare with me, this may take a while. I went into the theater knowing what the initial criticisms were but I was more than prepared to form my own opinions. If you follow my reviews I consider myself to be unbiased and willing to appreciate a movie for what it is mean to be. Well, first and foremost, Moonfall is without a doubt riddled with issues, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a horrible movie. I will now do my best to touch on the “cons” of the movie.

Okay, so the first thing I noticed is the acting. Now we are dealing with a cast consisting of some very decent to upper echelon acting talent working today, ranging from Halle Berry, to Patrick Wilson, right on to my guy Michael Peña. Donald Sutherland is in the film as well, but he plays such a limited role I feel wrong even mentioning him. Now I will start with the headliners, Berry and Wilson. Both very solid in their craft no question about that, but in Moonfall they are both just meh. I honestly can’t put my finger on it, but the majority of their lines feel about as flat as a 2-liter of Coca-Cola left out without the cap for a few hours. They just seemed uninspired and bored.

Michael Peña felt the same once he made an appearance, which made me realize these are not isolated incidents. Even Charlie Plummer felt like he was lacking energy. After doing some research on all of the issues the film faced during production which I touched on above, I think it is fair to say that the quality of the acting took the biggest hit. If you are rushing the non-action scenes due to time restrictions, the quality will suffer. Oddly enough, I felt like Game of Thrones actor John Bradley was the most consistent of the bunch. But before I sit here and trash the acting, once the final act comes around, everyone kicks it onto another gear and reminds us of why they are some of the best Hollywood has to offer.

Another odd issue I had with Moonfall was the technical element, specifically the special effects. At one point Patrick Wilson’s character is riding his motorcycle to a speech he is late for and the green screen work is just BRUTAL. I mean, the background isn’t even anything extravagant and it seems like he is riding around in low budget Blade Runner. For some reason or another this happens often throughout the film, where it seems as though the character is in two places at once. Now I understand this is commonplace for a low-budget film, which this really isn’t, but what is most odd is the fact during the hardcore CGI scenes, things are on point for the most part. For example, when we are given a glimpse of what is essentially perceived as the “enemy”, it looks fantastic. And the other big time action sequences and in particular the final act, are a joy to experience. This is part of why it is so hard to fully criticize this film.

THE VERDICT

If you can ignore the more glaring issues especially early on, Moonfall brings enough Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow action to the table to warrant a trip to the theater, while offering a satisfying final act sure to please audiences willing to give it a chance. Is this movie incredibly flawed in all of the most important categories that can make or break a movie? Absolutely. But for all of it’s downfalls which I talked about at length above, this is still an entertaining movie that is best to be seen in theaters. The negatives seem to fade into the background by the end of the movie, and for me, that is a win. With the last month or so lacking in worthwhile theater releases, it may be worth ignoring the consensus from critics and giving Moonfall a try so that you can form own opinion. Just do what I did and go in with tempered expectations.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.3/10

Moonfall is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Shiva Baby

By: Andrew Wing

Shiva Baby is a 2020 comedy film written and directed by Emma Seligman. An international co-production of the United States and Canada, the film stars Rachel Sennott (Ayo and Rachel Are Single) as Danielle, a directionless young bisexual Jewish woman who attends a shiva with her parents, Joel and Debbie, who are portrayed by Fred Melamed (A Serious Man, Hail, Caesar!) and Polly Draper (mother of young actors Nat and Alex Wolff) respectively. Other attendees include her successful ex-girlfriend Maya, who is played by Molly Gordon (Booksmart, Good Boys), and her sugar daddy Max (Danny Deferrari) with his wife Kim, played by Dianna Agron (I Am Number Four), and their screaming baby. It also features Jackie Hoffman, Deborah Offner, Rita Gardner, and Sondra James in supporting roles.

The events of the film take place almost entirely in real-time and at one location as Danielle explores her romantic and career prospects under the intense watch of her family, friends, and judgmental neighbors.

Adapted from Seligman’s own 2018 short of the same name, Shiva Baby premiered online at the 2020 South by Southwest film festival, while its first public screenings were at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released in theaters and streaming on April 2, 2021.

THE GOOD

Talk about a film that flew under my radar. It was added to HBO Max a few months back and after doing some research and after seeing all the accolades it was receiving from film festivals and critics associations, I went ahead and added it to my list! However, as jam-packed as the last couple months of 2021 were with the awards-contender level films, I didn’t get to it until now, but boy was it worth the wait!

I really enjoyed this film! Right from the start, I was vibing with it as I instantly became a fan of the lead character, Danielle. Maybe it’s because I am around the same age as Danielle is in the film and also because I am starting to go through some of the things her character is enduring in the film. Things such as finishing up college and looking toward life after college, which is pretty stressful, to say the least. Or maybe it’s simply because of the performance we get from Rachel Sennott as Danielle. She absolutely crushed this role and I was blown away by how good she was with this being only her second feature film role. She just brought so much to her character and she made her feel so real. It’s no surprise that she is already getting attached to some bigger projects coming soon, such as an upcoming A24 slasher film titled Bodies, Bodies, Bodies that is currently filming. Let’s just say she has a very bright future ahead of her!

Obviously, Rachel Sennott was the standout in this, but the whole cast was freaking great if you ask me. Danielle’s parents were so funny as they continually made Danielle feel uncomfortable at the shiva by talking about her future and how she has all these great opportunities lined up for, and that just wouldn’t have been the case if it weren’t for the actors portraying them, Fred Melamed and Polly Draper. I was familiar with Melamed, but this was the first time I had ever seen Draper, and I loved her performance in this. Those two were just perfectly cast and they brought so much to the film. Another performance that needs to be mentioned is that of Molly Gordon who plays the ex-girlfriend. She is quickly becoming a name to keep an eye out for when it comes to supporting actresses in comedy films after both Booksmart and Good Boys (two great films), and obviously this. Her comedic delivery is so good and it seems when watching that it just comes so naturally to her. She is another one to keep an eye out for down the road!

The performances in this were fantastic, but the movie would be nothing without the direction from Emma Seligman. It is just bonkers that this is her feature directorial debut. It is even more bonkers when you realize she is only 26! She better win some awards for best first film, that’s all I’ll say. She also wrote the screenplay for the film, and I absolutely loved it! The movie is a comedy, and it definitely delivers some hilarious moments, but it also was very dramatic at times. Seligman did an excellent job at drawing up the tension at key times throughout the film, and that says a lot about the director considering the film takes place almost entirely in real-time at one location. I was just blown away by her direction for this. Period.

Lastly, I loved the film’s representation of both bisexual and Jewish people. It’s great to see the progress being made in the film industry, and hopefully, it keeps moving in the right direction so that things like this just become commonplace. Yes, it represents both of those groups I mentioned, but it is also a very accessible and easy film to watch and enjoy for people like me, who are not a member of said groups. I also can’t forget to shout out the musical score we got here from Ariel Marx. The score almost felt like something you’d get in a horror film as it effectively conveyed this sort-of anxiety-inducing claustrophobia if that makes sense.

THE BAD

I am going to have to stop referring to myself as a critic if I continue to not actually criticize the films I review, but I guess I just keep lucking out with good ones. There is nothing wrong with this film in my opinion. The only, and I mean the only thing you could say is that the film is really short with only a 78-minute runtime. But at the same time, it is most definitely a low-budget indie film and it also didn’t feel rushed at any point throughout. Every storyline wrapped up nicely in my book and I loved the ending to this!

THE VERDICT

Emma Seligman’s feature film debut Shiva Baby is just awesome. It takes place over the course of a single anxiety-filled day and it is both hilarious and extremely tense at the same time. Seligman’s screenplay is strong as it captures the behaviors of all the characters in a short runtime and also shines a light on the bisexual and Jewish communities. Also, all the performances were great, but Rachel Sennott takes the cake as she plays the lead character, Danielle.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.7/10

Shiva Baby is now available to watch on HBO Max. Check out the latest trailer below.

Pam & Tommy

Pam & Tommy is a 2022 biographical drama miniseries based on Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and actress Pamela Anderson’s whirlwind romance that started with them marrying after only knowing each other for 96 hours in 1995. The story centers around a sex tape from the couples honeymoon that is stolen and leaked to the public.

Directed by Craig Gillespie with Robert D. Siegel serving as showrunner, the series is based on the Rolling Stone article Pam and Tommy: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Infamous Sex Tape, from L.A. based journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis, who also serves as a writer for the series.

The cast includes Lily James (Cinderella, Baby Driver) and Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The 355) as Anderson and Lee, and also stars Nick Offerman (Parks and Rec), Seth Rogen, Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black), and Andrew Dice Clay.

Pam & Tommy made its streaming debut on Hulu February 3rd.

THE GOOD

So far Hulu has only released the first three episodes of the new series Pam & Tommy, but I felt inclined to binge them and report back on my thoughts. I mean, in many ways this is my childhood in a nutshell. I can’t even think about Playboy without picturing the great Pamela Anderson. Is she the source of my problematic obsession with blondes? Perhaps, just don’t tell my wife who is a brunette. Okay so what am I liking about this series so far? Keep reading to find out!

Where do I start?! Based on the Rolling Stones article I mentioned above, the screenplay for Pam & Tommy is simply superb. It sets the stage in such a way that viewers are immediately immersed in the story whether you lived it or not. The characters are introduced perfectly and all given an equal amount of depth to give the story enough weight to feel relatable, even though it takes place over 25-years ago (wow, time flies!). If you grew up in the 90’s you were obsessed with either Pamela Anderson or David Hasselhoff, or maybe even both, thanks to the immensely popular drama series, Baywatch.

I can’t get enough of the 90’s era, and just the fact that during this time most people didn’t even know what the internet was! Boy does that sound like a good time. I very vividly remember my own unhealthy obsession with American Online (AOL) during the latter years of my elementary school journey. Kids these days will never appreciate the dial up sounds that opened us up to a world of opportunity. My dad still has an AOL e-mail address, “You’ve got mail!”.

The story of Pam & Tommy is wild in every way, no question about it. During the entire three episodes I bought into every single emotion from the characters, from the despair to the elation, it all felt so real. I loved how certain shots were held a little longer or slowly panned back to carry more weight, specifically right as an episode was ending. I mean everything depicted in this series was monumental as far as how much of a significant impact it had on pop culture back in the 90’s.

As I was watching the show I couldn’t help but think how much the chance encounter of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee literally changed the trajectory of pop culture in so many ways, especially as it relates to the porn industries foray into the World Wide Web. This story has everything you could ever want; endless sex appeal, fame and fortune, drama, crime, and endless intrigue. And as one of my former co-workers during my high school days would always say, sex sells, and boy was he right.

The performances are nothing short of exceptional. Lily James and Sebastian Stan aka The Winter Soldier are unreal in their portrayals of Anderson and Lee. Personally it didn’t take long before I forgot who they were and started to not see beyond the roles they were playing. From their facial expressions to their mannerisms, right down to the way they talked, you could tell they were 110% immersed in these characters. Can you even come close to comprehending a bigger transformation than James going from Cinderella to Pamela Anderson?!

The energy Stan brings to the off-the-rails Tommy Lee is out of this world. I bet he had to take a nap after each one of his scenes, I definitely would have. Seth Rogen takes on another pivotal role in the series as he portrays the character of Rand, a man we are all forever indebted to as he is the reason the infamous sex tape was released.

Rogen has built himself quite a career starring in some of my favorites comedies, as well as one of my all-time favorite comedy drama’s in 50/50, yet he is so good in this I can’t even see beyond his character either. Everything he does feels so authentic, and his character is very relatable as he falls victim to someone who treats him like a lesser because he has fame and fortune. But as the story goes, he gets his revenge. I also have to talk about one of my favorite actors, the underrated and honestly underappreciated Nick Offerman. I mean sure, Parks and Rec fans know him as Ron Swanson and love him for that character, but he has been in a ton of other great films, as well as the Fargo series. Few actors take hold of great dialogue quite like Mr. Offerman, and I will watch anything he is in.

The technical element of Pam & Tommy is surprisingly impressive. They could have easily gotten away with just flaunting a half naked Pam Anderson 90% of the time, or even Tommy Lee running around in his trademark thong, if you’re into that sort of thing, but they did not stop there. First and foremost, the soundtrack is pure 90’s fire. From the 69 Boyz hit Tootsie Roll, to the upbeat Steal My Sunshine from Len, the soundtrack helps to keep the energy for the film fast & furious.

From the start the soundtrack crammed me into a time machine and set the date to the mid-90’s, and I was not mad about it. I was also very pleased with the cinematography, as it blended extremely well with some creative camera work. The scene towards the end of the third episode with a straight 90’s Nick Offerman, fanny pack and all, walking through the airport like a straight boss is part of the reason why I love television and movies. So good!

THE BAD

To be honest I have very few issues with this series, mainly because they did such a great job taking me back in time while providing details that 11-year-old me overlooked thanks to, well, Pam Anderson in Playboy. Now if I had to point out a gripe that I had during the first 3-episodes, it would probably be that the timeline can be confusing at times. I mean we are given the year and all that during some of the more pivotal moments, but certain sequences seem to jump back and forth a bit too “willy nilly” if you catch my drift. A good example would be when we are shown how the relationship between Seth Rogan and Taylor Schilling’s characters developed. I actually had to rewind (nice VHS reference there) to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but maybe its just me.

THE VERDICT

Whether it is the 90’s setting or the burst of nostalgia taking me back to my advantageous journey into puberty compliments of the tantalizing Pamela Anderson, Pam & Tommy is an immersive and thoroughly entertaining series showcasing a defining moment in pop culture. Serving as another opportunity for the great Nick Offerman to put his acting talents on full display, the series is really an acting clinic for the entire main cast. You simply cannot cast a series based on true events better than this, it’s just not possible. Ten minutes into the premiere I knew I wasn’t leaving the couch until I finished all three debut episodes, and it was time very well spent. This series brings to the forefront one of the most defining moments of the 90’s, and if you don’t take the time to experience it for yourself, you’re simply doing life wrong.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.2/10

Pam & Tommy is now streaming on Hulu. Check out the latest trailer below.

Zola

By: Andrew Wing

Zola is a 2020 American black comedy crime film directed by Janicza Bravo (Gregory Go Boom, Lemon) and written by Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris (known for his plays “Daddy” and Slave Play). It is based on a viral Twitter thread from 2015 by Aziah “Zola” King and the resulting Rolling Stone article “Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted” by David Kushner.

It stars Taylour Paige (White Boy Rick, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) as Zola, a part-time stripper who is convinced by her new friend Stefani, who is played by Riley Keough (Magic Mike, The Devil All the Time), to travel to Tampa, Florida, in order to earn money, only to get in over her head; Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead, Euphoria, If Beale Street Could Talk), Nicholas Braun (Succession), and Jason Mitchell (portrayed Eazy-E in Straight Outta Compton) also star.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020, and was released in the United States on June 30, 2021, by A24, following a year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zola received positive reviews from critics, earning nominations in numerous awards shows including seven nods at the 37th Independent Spirit Awards, among them Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

THE GOOD

The main selling point for me when it came to this film was simply the fact that it comes from A24. Also the actors that I liked, but ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I love everything from A24. I had absolutely no familiarity with this true story about the Twitter thread the film is based on that took place in 2015, but I guess the fact that this film is based off of a Twitter thread is pretty cool and unique. However, was the interesting true story enough to make Zola an overall good film in my opinion? Keep reading to find out!

First things first, I was very impressed with the direction we got in this from Janicza Bravo. It was clear that the director took this opportunity to create a film that is extremely stylish and modern. She did this by incorporating some internet isms, such as the constant Tweet sounds and also a black frame in the edit whenever someone took a selfie. There were just a ton of interesting stylistic choices in the movie with the editing and I thought they did a pretty good job with it. Continuing with Bravo who wrote the film with Jeremy O. Harris, I was a big fan of the screenplay. The screenplay is obviously interesting given the crazy nature of the true story, but it was surprisingly funny too. Ask Ted, I love love love black/dark comedy films and there are plenty of dry humor moments that might make you cringe and I was a fan of all of those. Those moments came thanks in large part to someone who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors, Nicholas Braun. His comedic delivery is truly second-to-none and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t checked out Succession yet because his character Greg in that is legendary.

Onto the performances we got. First with Taylour Paige as she plays the titular character “Zola”. I thought she was good in this film as the only level-headed and calm person in their group. I will get to it later in “The Bad” section, but I wanted more from her character as ultimately there was no character arc with her. Despite that, she is definitely a name to keep an eye out for in the future. Next with Riley Keough, she just dives head first into the crazy nature of the story with her character. Her accent in this is wild and she stole the show for me. She had a role that could’ve come off as over-the-top, and maybe it was, but I felt that she was trying to be a human being at the end of the day with some of the more emotional scenes she had. Also, Colman Domingo is amazing in this. He has this double accent thing that comes out and it was easily one of the funniest things in the movie. But for real, whenever I watch Domingo in anything, I want to see more of him and I predict that he will win an Oscar in the next five years because he is just that good.

I loved the film stylistically as I said earlier, but it can’t go unsaid how great the cinematography is. It was done by Ari Wegner, who actually might win an Oscar this year for Best Cinematography because she shot The Power of the Dog (see my full review here). It has a distinct grainy film texture that I appreciated and all the shots of the pink Florida sunsets we got were pretty. It also contains a solid score from Mica Levi. The score was enticing as it had both organic sounds and also a hypnotic quality with some digital sounds. I look forward to becoming more familiar with her work after I watch two other films she scored that are on my watchlist, Under the Skin and Jackie.

THE BAD

Don’t get me wrong, the events that take place are interesting and the Twitter thread it is based on is bizarre, but it just didn’t overwhelm me as much as I thought. Going into this I thought I was going to have similar feelings when watching as I had when I watched Uncut Gems for the first time. However, I didn’t because none of the more intense scenes moved the needle for me. It kind of felt like an extraordinary story was told in an ordinary way if that makes sense. I also thought the character building was underwhelming given how great the cast was. Maybe that added to the ordinary feel I discussed, but I felt there was something missing. I thought the ending fell flat too and I just never got the big payoff I thought I was going to get with a story as crazy as this one.

Also, here is a spoiler warning: the movie is weird and unique and it carries that A24 vibe that all of their films have. It’s definitely one of the weirdest A24 films I’ve ever seen, probably since The Lighthouse, but I loved that film as it went full throttle into the craziness, where this one didn’t and I think that’s ultimately what held it back.

Lastly, given that the premise of the film is about two strippers who travel to Florida for the weekend to make some extra money, just be prepared for some nude scenes and other inappropriate scenes. Just choose wisely who you watch this around if you end up taking my suggestion to check this out.

THE VERDICT

Despite some underwhelming character building and an ending I thought fell flat, Zola is a bold, stylish, wacky true story that will surely give you some good laughs with its dry humor. I was very impressed with Janicza Bravo’s direction here and I look forward to seeing what she does next. Also, I loved the technical elements too in this and all the performances we got were awesome.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.3/10

Zola is now available to watch on Showtime. Check out the latest trailer below.

Mass

By: Andrew Wing

Mass is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by Fran Kranz (known for having prominent acting roles in The Cabin in the Woods and Much Ado About Nothing) in his directorial debut and starring Reed Birney (Morning Glory, The Hunt), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, Hereditary), Jason Isaacs (The Patriot, Harry Potter film series), and Martha Plimpton (The Goonies, The Good Wife).

The film follows two sets of parents: Jay (Isaacs) and Gail Perry (Plimpton) are parents grieving the death of their son, a victim of a school shooting. Richard (Birney) and Linda (Dowd) are the parents of the perpetrator. Six years after the tragedy, both couples agree to meet and talk.

Mass had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021, and was released on October 8, 2021, by Bleecker Street.

THE GOOD

The time has finally come! I have been patiently waiting for Mass ever since I saw how well it did at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival! The trailer hooks you right in with its extremely real and emotionally intense story that is all too familiar given the tragic events of the past 20+ years. With that said, I was just eager to see how this story would be brought to the big screen, so keep reading to find out my thoughts!

As I said earlier, this is the debut film from Fran Kranz. Kranz is an actor who has appeared sporadically with supporting roles in movies, but I got a feeling he will be a household name as a director after this. His screenplay here is phenomenal. The story is ultimately about families that are struggling to find some sort of healing in the wake of a school shooting. I loved how the way he went around dealing with the tragedy didn’t feel forced at any point. He never showed flashbacks to the day which was good because that might have pushed things too far. He made it able for the audience to explore the issue in a way that wasn’t too heavy-handed. It’s a drama about the healing process, and the writing was so great that we got to have all four main characters fleshed out so we got to see them all heal in their own unique way. It’s definitely one of the best screenplays of the past couple of years, and it’d be an atrocity if this didn’t get nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

Not only is his screenplay deserving of praise, but his overall direction should not be overlooked. I liked how Kranz decided to make this a sort of chamber-piece by having it all take place in one room. Despite it only taking place in one room, it still felt cinematic because you can feel the tension in the room and the details of all the performances. It just felt appropriate and very real. It honestly felt like this had been adapted from a play with the way it is shot, but the editing and cinematography were exceptional, and I can’t say enough for Kranz’s filmmaking here.

Onto the four performances, and I kid you not, they were all extraordinarily strong. I will start with the performances we got from Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton who play Jay and Gail Perry, the parents of the victim. They played characters who have experienced the worst loss imaginable, the loss of a child. We really get a deep sense of who they are and how they have dealt with the tragedy in their first few minutes on screen. Plimpton and Isaacs both gave their career-best performances in my eyes, and their scenes are just stunning and they will most certainly make you cry. They do an excellent job and their performances are so real that you feel everything they feel by watching. They are so good in this that they deserve to both be nominated for every award they can be, and I hope this is just the beginning of seeing them in more leading dramatic roles in the future.

Next when it comes to the performances are Reed Birney and Ann Dowd who play Richard and Linda, the parents of the perpetrator. Ann Dowd is probably the most recognizable name in this film from starring in The Handmaid’s Tale, whereas Reed Birney will be unknown to most audiences as he has really only done Broadway plays. They were both superb in this, and I would say that Dowd gave the best performance of the four, but they were all perfect. Dowd dominates every second she is on the screen, and she is quickly becoming one of the best supporting actresses in the business right now. I would say she is the one most likely to be nominated for awards, and if she doesn’t, I will be floored. As for Birney, he plays the most conservative of the bunch and you don’t think he will break down, but when he does, it just gets you. I hope we see him in more films after this, because the man is very talented.

THE BAD

There is absolutely nothing “bad” about this film. The only thing that stuck out was that it was kind of exhausting at times because of how heavy the subject matter is. The movie is just under 2 hours long, and I think it might have been better suited as a 90 minute one. With that said though, every moment in the film was so impactful and valuable, so I wouldn’t want to take away too many moments from it as a whole.

THE VERDICT

Fran Kranz’s Mass is one of the most powerful and precise examinations of grief and forgiveness that I have ever seen. Kranz’s directorial debut is one of the best of the past few years as he approaches an extremely sensitive issue in a careful, and ultimately cathartic way. It also has some of the best writing and acting of 2021 as the four performances from Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney are all awards worthy.

TED TAKES RATING - 9.2/10

Mass is now available for rental and purchase On-Demand. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Lost Daughter

By: Andrew Wing

The Lost Daughter is a 2021 psychological drama film written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal) in her feature directorial debut, based on the novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. The film stars the Academy Award winning Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Father, The Crown) in the lead role, and also features Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades film series, The Peanut Butter Falcon), Jessie Buckley (Fargo series, I’m Thinking of Ending Things), Paul Mescal (Normal People), Dagmara Domińczyk (Succession), Jack Farthing (Spencer - see my full review), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Haunting of Hill House, The Invisible Man), with Peter Sarsgaard (Dead Man Walking, An Education) whom is married to director Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Ed Harris (Apollo 13, The Truman Show, Westworld) in supporting roles.

In the film, the lead character, Leda (Colman in the present & Buckley in the past), discloses that she is named for the woman in the W. B. Yeats poem “Leda and the Swan”, which Yeats based on the Leda story of Greek mythology.

The Lost Daughter had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2021, where Gyllenhaal won the Golden Osella Award for Best Screenplay. It began a theatrical limited release in the United States on December 17, 2021, prior to streaming on Netflix on December 31, 2021.

THE GOOD

This movie really snuck up on me. 2021 was just jam-packed full of movies and I just totally forgot that this was hitting Netflix on the final day of 2021. The film has been receiving widespread acclaim from critics obviously praising the three lead actresses in it which is expected, but most of the acclaim has gone to Maggie Gyllenhaal in her directorial debut. Everyone knows her brother Jake who is one of the best actors in the industry today, but Maggie is also a very talented actress in her own right. She is definitely most known for playing Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight opposite Christian Bale, but some other great performances of hers include Secretary, Crazy Heart, Won’t Back Down, and Frank. But now she is in the director’s chair, and keep reading to find out how I think she did in her directorial debut.

I think she did just about as good as a first time director can do. I was very impressed to say the least with every decision she made here. What’s more impressive is the fact that she wrote the screenplay for it too which is adapted from a novel of the same name. As I said earlier, Gyllenhaal won the Golden Osella Award for Best Screenplay at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, and after watching, it made complete sense why she and the film did. The adapted screenplay here is very good. I will discuss more later how I didn't really like the main character, but nonetheless I was impressed that Gyllenhaal was more worried about making the character relatable as opposed to making her likable. There are a ton of films about parenthood out there, but The Lost Daughter is different from anyone I have ever seen. This movie, thanks to its screenplay, tackles the downsides of parenting and the toll that it can take on someone with brutal honesty. It is definitely one of the better screenplays of the year, and I would predict with confidence that Gyllenhaal will get a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

A screenplay is nothing without a talented cast, and this film has three of the bigger actresses from the past few years headlining it and they all showed up and showed out by giving some of the best performances of the year. Starting with Colman because she is the star of the show, she continues to deliver at the peak of her game. She is undoubtedly one of the best actresses in the business right now, and she was just superb in this. What’s most impressive about Colman as an actress is that everything she does feels completely natural. That even goes for when she’s contemplating stuff from her character’s past that might have zero relatability to her personal life. She just knows how to present every emotion on her face and she gives us easily one of the best performances of 2021. You can lock her in for a Best Actress nomination and following the recent surprises in this category from other awards bodies, you never know, she could even win. She’s that good!

As for the supporting women, Dakota Johnson gave what I would say is the best performance of her career. She found a way to be both very subtle yet still extremely expressive which is a hard thing to do and I would love to see her get a Best Supporting Actress nomination. It’d be pretty amazing if she did because just a couple years ago she was constantly tabbed as being one of the worst actresses following the Fifty Shades trilogy. It’s just cool to now see how talented an actress she is after being removed from those terrible films that somehow my mom liked. Anyways, the actress probably more likely to get nominated is Jessie Buckley. She brings a lot of pain, anger, and frustration to her character and her performance really surprised me.

I also really liked the look of the film and how it was shot. I loved how Gyllenhaal used a lot of close ups. The close ups were aided by the film’s aspect ratio so the face just took up the entire screen. I don’t know, it just added another level to the film for me as we got to see these women repressing their sadness through these close-ups. The cinematography by Hélène Louvart was really good too, and it was shot in Greece which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so I’m sure that helped in terms of visuals!

THE BAD

There is no denying that I liked the film overall. However, there were two things that just kept me from loving it. One, I didn’t really like Colman’s character in the end. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her performance, but the character itself was one that I had a hard time rooting for. It’s weird because the film doesn’t really tell us what to think or feel about her, and the ending doesn’t help us answer that question. Speaking of the ending, I wasn’t in love with how the story was resolved. There is one storyline where Colman’s character does something very odd and I thought for how much time they spent on it, we would’ve got a better resolution to why she did what she did. I know the movie is one of those “show-not-tell” kind of films, but I just wanted a better explanation I guess.

Also, while it was very clear what was at the core of this film, I don’t think I grasped every single thing it was going for just given the fact that it is slower and there are a lot of moving parts. For example, there were some other supporting characters that we spend a lot of time with and we do not get anything close to a payoff or even a conclusive moment that wrapped them up. That said, it just makes me want to watch it again to see if I can pick up on anything I might have missed. This is definitely one of those films that could get even better on subsequent viewings.

THE VERDICT

The directorial debut from Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter, did not disappoint as we got three of the year’s best performances from Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, and Jessie Buckley. I didn’t think the end was the greatest and there were just some other things I wanted resolved a little better, but it is still an extremely thought provoking psychological drama that grapples with some emotionally complex feelings that will warrant another viewing.

It’s pretty crazy saying this, but Maggie Gyllenhaal has already really put herself on the map as somebody to look out for, and I just can’t wait to see where she goes from here!

TED TAKES RATING - 8.3/10

The Lost Daughter is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the latest trailer below.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

By: Andrew Wing

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a 2021 American historical thriller film written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers (Fargo, No Country for Old Men) without the other’s involvement. The film stars Denzel Washington (Malcolm X, Training Day, Fences) in the lead role as the titular Macbeth, Frances McDormand (Fargo, Nomadland) who also produced the film alongside her husband Joel Coen, Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell (Suburbicon, The Red Sea Diving Resort), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton, In the Heights), Harry Melling (Harry Potter films, The Old Guard), Kathryn Hunter, and Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter films, In Bruges).

The Tragedy of Macbeth had its world premiere at the 2021 New York Film Festival on September 24, 2021. It had a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2021, by A24, before hitting streaming on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2022. It also was named one of the top ten films of 2021 by the National Board of Review and American Film Institute.

THE GOOD

Just a little PSA before getting into this review, I am not and will not pretend to be an expert on Shakespeare. Outside of reading Romeo and Juliet in my sophomore English class and doing a quick SparkNotes read on Macbeth, Shakespeare is foreign to me. Nevertheless, this was easily one of my most anticipated films of the year. Why you might ask? The Coen brothers are probably right up there with Denis Villeneuve as my favorite directors, but this specific project was so enticing because it is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers (Joel) without the other’s (Ethan) involvement. Also, the two headliners for the film are arguably the best actor and actress living today in Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. So I guess you could say I was pretty pumped for this one, but now let’s find out if it met my high expectations!

There are only one or two Coen brother’s films I have yet to see, but everyone I have seen I have greatly enjoyed. Fargo and No Country of Old Men are two of my all-time favorite movies, and I just love everything they are as filmmakers. It was so crazy to see that the two weren’t going to be working together on this, but with that said, Joel absolutely knocked it out of the park. I loved how he decided to highlight and draw attention to the darker and more surreal aspects of the play unlike other film adaptations I have seen about Macbeth. You could tell instantly by watching that Joel Coen has an immense passion for Shakespeare, so much so that he actually realized Shakespeare’s Macbeth in a more true way than we have ever seen before. Joel Coen just continues to cement his legacy of one of the greatest living filmmakers alive today.

It was very easy to expect greatness from the two big names attached to this in Washington and McDormand, and yes they were great, but their performances were also extremely compelling. Denzel as Lord Macbeth was just very impressive and as an actor, he continues to surpass expectations. He was magnificent here, even in moments I didn’t know exactly what he was saying, I was still compelled by how he was saying things. I really liked how we got to see his character's vulnerability because Macbeth is someone who has a conscience, and we see that after betraying his conscience, it eats him alive. As for McDormand, she was also remarkable in what is her first film role since winning Best Actress for Nomadland (see my full review here). McDormand plays Lady Macbeth as this very down to earth person, but still as fierce as you can imagine. Her screen time wasn’t nearly as much as Washington’s, but she still gives us so much from every little facial expression and every line of dialogue throughout. This movie is definitely a Denzel Washington-Frances McDormand show, and it did not disappoint!

As for the supporting performances, Kathryn Hunter was the one who really stood out as she played the three witches and also an old man. Her voice is just so maniacal and the physicality of her performance was kind of scary. It was just such an odd performance that worked perfectly for this movie and she just steals the show in every scene she is in. Speaking of maniacal voices, Harry Melling was good in this in small bits as he just continues to play characters most viewers aren’t going to like (dating back to Dudley from the Harry Potter films). Corey Hawkins was also good in this as Macduff, but he just doesn’t stand out as much given his limited screen time.

This was one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. There was just a lot of cool stuff with the visuals and the film just had its own atmosphere with the flawless black and white cinematography from Bruno Delbonnel. It was absolutely beautiful and the minimalist production design kept me more than engaged from beginning to end. It’s crazy to say that it was minimalist when the set for the film was just massive, but it really is. The lighting also helped the film’s surreal feel and it was just obvious to me as a viewer that this was expertly crafted. I also liked all the use of mist in this movie and how they used mist as transitions into the next scene. Joel Coen and Delbonnel just created their own world in this movie and boy oh boy, was it a beautiful one.

As for this film’s Oscar chances, Denzel Washington is an absolute lock to get nominated for Best Actor, and Frances McDormand could too depending on whether she gets run as lead or supporting. Joel Coen should also get some nominations for both directing and his adapted screenplay given that it is Shakespeare. The cinematography is also locked in to get nominated and I really think it should win. Delbonnel is also very due given his past works that got nominated but came up just short: Amélie, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Darkest Hour. The production design is also quite possible because despite it not being too over the top, it just holds a huge presence in the film and it is the best use of production design I’ve seen this year if I am being honest as it just added so much weight to the film.

The sound in this movie is also brilliant with all the knocking, so maybe it’s possible it could get a sound nomination. Carter Burwell’s score is really good too as they blended the score into the film, but there have just been so many good scores in 2021 that I don’t think it’s possible. In conclusion, I really liked this movie anyway, even in moments where I was kind of lost in what exactly was being said, and I would like to see it sneak in as one of the ten nominees for Best Picture. However, I think it probably misses because Shakespeare isn’t enough people’s “thing” which is unfortunate.

THE BAD

There is nothing “bad” about this movie. It’s got everything from the technical side of things to the biggest names from the film world attached, but at the end of the day, it is hard core Shakespeare. Every line of dialogue in this film is Shakespearean English through and through. A lot of people will have a hard time with that, just as I did, but once you get over that mental block, you will follow the movie very well and realize just how masterful a film it is.

Also, the film is completely shot in black and white, so there is another warning before deciding to check it out. You really should check it out though because it is some of the most incredible cinematography I have ever seen, and that is saying a lot as I have watched way too many movies.

THE VERDICT

Despite the film’s Shakespearean dialogue from start to finish that will come across as a barrier to most viewers, The Tragedy of Macbeth is absolutely worth the trouble! For the first time without the involvement of his brother Ethan, Joel Coen brings Shakespeare’s Macbeth to life in a thrillingly modern and dark way that is a striking cinematic work of art with Bruno Delbonnel’s flawless black & white cinematography.

It also features great performances from two living legends of the film industry in Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Denzel will most likely be getting his seventh Best Actor nomination as he just commands the screen with anger and torment from start to finish, and McDormand’s fierce portrayal of Lady Macbeth is also nomination-worthy.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.8/10

The Tragedy of Macbeth is now streaming only on Apple TV+. Check out the latest trailer below.

Sing 2

By: Andrew Wing

Sing 2 is a 2021 American computer-animated jukebox musical comedy film produced by Illumination (Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets franchises) and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is the sequel to Sing (2016), and the film was written and directed by Garth Jennings, co-directed by Christophe Lourdelet, and stars the ensemble cast consisting of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Peter Serafinowicz, Jennifer Saunders, Nick Offerman, and also the director, Garth Jennings, reprising their roles from the first film.

The sequel also features new characters voiced by Bobby Cannavale, Pharrell Williams, Halsey, Chelsea Peretti, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Adam Buxton, and Bono. Like the previous film, Sing 2 features songs from many artists, most of which are performed diegetically. The story is set after the events of the previous film, where Buster Moon (McConaughey) and his group put on a show in Redshore City while working to impress an entertainment mogul (Cannavale) and enlist a reclusive rock star (Bono) to perform.

Sing 2 had its world premiere at the AFI Fest on November 14, 2021, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 22, 2021, in RealD 3D, by Universal Pictures.

THE GOOD

Prepare to have your mind blown, but unlike most, I never saw Sing back in 2016. I actually didn’t end up watching it until a few weeks ago just around the time Sing 2 was being released in the U.S.. Nevertheless, I really liked Sing a lot. As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I am a sucker for musicals and Sing had some amazing musical sequences. It also was just a very fun and charming movie with an absolutely loaded cast, so it was just common sense that there would be a sequel considering the original film’s success at the box office and also with critics. With that said, it is now time to find out how the sequel matches up to the original, so keep reading to find out!

Just to get this out of the way, this review isn’t going to be a deep analysis or anything like that because at the end of the day it’s an animated musical comedy film about animals that is trying to put a smile on the faces of all ages. And for me, it did just that! I had a smile on my face throughout the film, and it didn’t take me long to grow attached to all of the characters. All of the main characters are just so easy to root for, and my favorite would probably have to be Johnny the gorilla who is voiced by Taron Egerton. And don’t worry, the film is also a comedy so trust me when I say you will have your fair shares of laughs just as I did while watching. All the characters have numerous funny scenes that will get you, but no character is funnier than Gunter the pig, who is voiced by Nick Kroll. Ask my girlfriend who I saw it with, but literally every line of dialogue Gunter had made me laugh out loud. He is just so funny, and Kroll’s voice just makes the character into a fan favorite.

I was also pretty impressed with the story we get here in the sequel. I don’t think it’s an overall better story than what we got in the original, but it is just about as good a story as you’ll get in a sequel. I really liked how it picks up soon after where we left off in the original, and I was also a big fan of their plan on getting the reclusive rock star to perform again as we get to know more about that character’s emotional past. As for the animation, similar to what I said about Disney’s animation for Encanto (see my full review here), it is just top notch.

Disney has been around much longer than Illumination so they definitely have the edge, but Illumination’s animation hasn’t really missed yet. I was blown away by the animation for Sing 2, in particular the animation of Redshore City (basically comparable to Las Vegas in our world) and just all the vibrant colors that made up the city. Lastly, the music is obviously very good to nobody’s surprise. With it being a jukebox musical, you’ll get a ton of classic songs that you know and love, so those are all great, but the best song I thought was actually an original song, “Your Song Saved My Life”, which should be in contention for an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

In conclusion, I was very pleased with Sing 2 as it was just a really good time. I would love to see it get nominated for Best Animated Feature, but similar to Sing back in 2016, I think it might just miss out due to the competition which is unfortunate.

THE BAD

I hate to break it to you, but I am not going to be that guy who trashes an animated musical comedy movie ultimately made for kids. I wouldn’t even say there was anything “bad” about it, but I will say that was a little slow at times for me anyway and also I would have to say that the original is still the overall better film in my opinion, but not by much.

THE VERDICT

Despite me finding it to be just a hair below the original in terms of score, Sing 2 is still a very enjoyable second installment in the franchise. If you’re looking for some singing, dancing, and animated fun for the whole family, rest assured this will not disappoint as we get the whole gang back together for another fun adventure that will prove endearing to audiences of all ages.

TED TAKES RATING - 8/10

Sing 2 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.