Champions is the new movie from Bobby Farrelly (Me, Myself, and Irene and There’s Something About Mary), in his first solo directing debut since his brother Peter won the Oscar for best Picture in 2019 for Green Book. The two have since embarked on solo careers since their comedy duo directing heydays. Despite its respectable (especially for a comedy) $5MM plus box office debut, it seems to be flying under the radar with little buzz.
Being a kid of the…
Watched at TIFF Bell Lightbox opening night with the director, cast, co-producer, and editor in attendance for a post-show Q&A moderated by programmer Norm Wilner for a packed screening in Cinema 2 (one of the big ones).
Abridged: Full review
I like Movies is the feature debut of writer/director Chandler Levack who worked as a film critic before moving behind the camera. Levack's keenly observed writing demonstrates a knack for revealing character and emotional stakes through her dialogue. The film…
Re-watch again in IMAX at the inferior one 'cause the good one was too packed. I became much more aware of the Sergio Leone influence from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" on this watch. Of course, it was evident on the first watch. I just didn't sense it is as prominent as it is. It's particularly tied to Shamier Anderson's character, Mr. Nobody. At the end of the Osaka scene, he even does a classic gun twirl. Accompanying…
A paint-by-numbers doc that's an excellent primer for those not entirely versed in the history of Kael's many hot takes whom the receivers of which mistook for personal attacks. How could you not? When it tanks your career. Ridley Scott holds her accountable for decimating Blade Runner. She obviously had several personal axes to grind and seemed to relish taking on the old guard of macho directors in a battle for who had the bigger balls, them or her.
She…
The visuals and the sound design definitely deliver in the back half. It’s a shame about the whole no story, no believable characters thing for the first half. It feels like nothing actually happens until we get into fulfilling the visual promise inherent in alien abduction. Even though there are very promising visuals and thrilling sequences that use IMAX cameras to their fullest potential, It’s a head-scratcher that character and story were not considered with any depth.
Kaluuya’s chip on his…
The Maverick of 2023 arrives at the cusp of spring in the form of John Wick 4, an incredible action movie we can all get behind. Pure bliss. My first five-star rating of the year. There's even a De Palma overhead one-er in the third act (Snake Eyes, anyone?). I mean, come on.
The action set pieces are jaw-dropping, gravity-defying, and exceptionally choreographed with beat-by-beat realism and character logic, displaying astonishing attention to detail. Each one tops the next with…
