“She Said” stars Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Jennifer Ehle, and Samantha Morton. Released on November 18, 2022, the film has two journalists breaking the story of the allegations against a movie producer. The film was directed by Maria Schrader, who also directed “Meschugge”, “Love Life”, “Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe”, and “I’m Your Man”. It is based on the 2019 novel by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. There have been many stories that shocked the world of Hollywood. Some of them did that for the wrong reasons. However, none of them, not even the worst news, are as shocking as the truth behind one of the most successful movie producers in the world: Harvey Weinstein. For those unaware of the situation, 2017 saw the release of several allegations of sexual misconduct by Harvey Weinstein. He was accused of sexually harassing actresses and female employees at Miramax and The Weinstein Company for three decades. These allegations brought upon the end of Weinstein’s career as he was sentenced to 23 years of imprisonment, with another trial occurring as of this writing. This, along with financial troubles, resulted in The Weinstein Company becoming defunct. On the other hand, Miramax continues to live under the beIN Media Group and Paramount umbrella after the fiasco. More importantly, it gave birth to the “MeToo movement”, which allows other women to tell their experiences of sexual harassment, for better or worse. The brave heroes responsible for revealing the truth were the journalists from The New York Times: Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor. Their journey was showcased through their novel, which has now turned into a movie for everyone to experience it themselves. So was the film able to capture the emotion and impact of this shocking event? Let’s find out. The movie’s story reflects the dramatization of the New York Times investigation that shook the world. The events are told from the perspectives of journalists Megan Twohey (Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Kazan). When they overhear a confession from an actress about movie producer Harvey Weinstein (Mike Houston), the journalists investigate further, only to discover that Weinstein is accused of sexually harassing other women in the industry for decades. As a result, Twohey and Kantor set out to expose the producer’s heinous acts, even though their process could bring them closer to being silenced for good. I only remember hearing about these accusations through the news and social media, and much like everybody else, I was shocked. These actions were the norm back in the day, with nobody batting an eye. However, when the victims start to come clean about their experiences years later, we suddenly realize how sickening sexual abuse is. Even worse is how the accused attempt to cover their actions up in the most despicable way, including making the victims fear losing their jobs if they speak out. It shows how much society has changed regarding the treatment of women. It also got me curious about how these heroic journalists brought down one of the most powerful people in the film industry with just one newspaper article. Usually, I would read the book to find out what happened, but I figured its film adaptation would suffice. After watching this movie, I felt nothing but sadness and anger toward the events onscreen. It was saddening to see what these women went through mentally after their horrible experiences with Weinstein. It also left me feeling frustrated that people like Weinstein would do something horrific to cover the accusations up and manage to get away with it, mainly threats. At least until they were exposed for their misdeeds. These emotions are the norm whenever I watch something based on a tragic or frustrating topic. Usually, it means a film did something right in portraying the raw emotion and honesty of its commentaries and themes. “She Said” happens to be one of those movies. Yes, reliving these emotional experiences is uncomfortable, but they’re essential in helping us make a difference and prevent more of these incidents from happening to anyone else. As a bonus, “She Said” is a well-crafted and highly compelling journalism drama that effectively relies on dialogue to maintain its suspense and discomfort. The story offers a straightforward examination of Megan and Jodi’s investigation that led to the publishing of Weinstein’s sordid history towards his female workers. However, I also realized that the movie delivered something much more than that. It’s also an honest representation of the truth being silenced by a corrupt system, especially in the film industry. It showcases how dangerous people with power can be when they’re willing to lie or even threaten their victims to maintain their success. With the perspectives only set on the journalists and the victims, it makes the scenario even more unsettling when it forces me to imagine these events. It’s what I would call the “tell, don’t show” narrative in which the movie explains the experiences through dialogue. Most films and shows display this tool very well, and “She Said” is another superb example. This is due to the film’s direction and screenplay. Director Maria Schrader delivers a simple yet effective approach to exploring the sense of realism and heartache through the eyes of these characters. She doesn’t go all-out with the drama or show any depictions of sexual abuse. Instead, she provides a series of subtle, dialogue-driven sequences where the only obstacle the characters face is the system. They may sound boring at first, considering it’s a movie about journalism, but they found a way to be engaging thanks to its solid pacing and the actors onscreen. I would even say that Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s screenplay was strong in adapting the novel to the screen with its dialogue and sense of honesty. My only issue is that it can be repetitive after a while since it’s nothing but one interview after another. However, it’s not enough to silence the movie, as it has the cast and a satisfying third act to compensate for it. Not only was the film well-made regarding its direction and cinematography, but it’s also a remarkable showcase for the actors. Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan were fantastic in their roles as Megan and Jodi, respectively. With Megan and Jodi being the center of attention, the main actresses had to ensure they honored the real-life journalists through their performances and magnetic appeal. Unsurprisingly, they managed to do that with ease. It’s hard to tell whether they’re enough to get noticed in the Oscar race, but I know that Mulligan and Kazan were excellent regardless of the result. Patricia Clarkson also did a great job with her performance as Rebecca Corbett, as did Andre Braugher as Dean Baquet. I would also acknowledge the rest of the cast as the victims of Weinstein’s abuse, including Jennifer Ehle as Laura Madden, Samantha Morton as Zelda Perkins, and even Ashley Judd as herself. All of them were great in portraying the authenticity of the characters’ emotional states. Overall, “She Said” is a compelling and thought-provoking representation of the story that sparked the movement. Through its strong direction, screenplay, and cast, the film delivers an honest and highly engaging tribute to the courageous women who stood up against the corrupt system and the rich dirtbags running it. It’s another movie that can be uncomfortable for people who experienced the events themselves. However, it’s also an important lesson to learn to make changes for the better. Not just for us but also the other industries themselves. If they want to continue making money and providing jobs, they must take the accusations seriously instead of ignoring them. That’s the only advice I can give them based on the movie. If you’re a fan of dramas involving journalism, this film is worth checking out. A-
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"Enola Holmes 2" stars Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Adeel Akhtar, Susie Wokoma, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, David Thewlis, and Helena Bonham Carter. Released on Netflix on November 4, 2022, the film has Enola Holmes traveling across London to search for a young girl's missing sister. The film was directed by Harry Bradbeer, who directed episodes for television shows like "Fleabag" and "Killing Eve". It is a sequel to the 2020 film, "Enola Holmes", which was also directed by Bradbeer. It is also based on the young adult book series "The Enola Holmes Mysteries" by Nancy Springer. If there's a mystery that needs solving, there's one person to call. Well, obviously, the easy answer would be the great Sherlock Holmes, but what if he isn't available to tackle a case? Lucky for us, he's got a backup plan that isn't related to his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson. Netflix introduced its viewers to a fresh and light-hearted world of the famous detective from his young sister's perspective in 2020, which was just the thing to keep us sane during our darkest hour. I'm talking about "Enola Holmes", a mystery-comedy film centering on the title character solving a case while searching for her mother. The movie was a surprise hit for the streaming service, earning positive reviews and becoming one of the most-watched original films ever. So it's no mystery that a follow-up was inevitable in hopes of expanding Millie Bobby Brown's career outside of "Stranger Things". I really enjoyed the first movie, mainly for its creative direction and Brown's portrayal of the titular character. So there's no doubt I was curious to see if the sequel could copy its predecessor's success. Was this latest mystery worth solving with the up-and-coming detective? Let's find out. The story once again centers on Enola Holmes (Brown), the sister of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes (Cavill). After solving her first case, Enola decides to follow in her brother's footsteps and open her own detective agency. Unfortunately for her, people aren't ready for a female detective-for-hire to solve their mysteries. As Enola's about to close shop, a penniless matchstick girl named Bessie Chapman (Serrana Su-Ling) arrives and offers Enola her first assignment: to find the girl's missing sister Sarah (Hannah Dodd). As Enola travels across London to search for Bessie's sister, she uncovers a deadly conspiracy that could spell doom for her hometown. Enola will have to rely on the help of Sherlock and her friends to solve her biggest case yet. If you watch "Enola Holmes", you'll know what you're getting in "Enola Holmes 2", mainly its presentation. One of the elements that made its predecessor a joyful mystery is its style. Most adaptations of "Sherlock Holmes" offers a dreary old-fashioned background to match the puzzles the titular character is solving. "Enola Holmes" has a similar background, but it's surrounded by a stylish, energetic, and upbeat flair, with Enola occasionally breaking the fourth wall to speak to the viewers. This presentation made "Enola Holmes" a refreshing and entertaining perspective of the detective's world. Unsurprisingly, the sequel is no different, which will likely satisfy its predecessor's fans, including yours truly. While this mystery doesn't top what the first film delivered, "Enola Holmes 2" packs a punch in its entertainment values and gleeful charm. The movie takes a curious direction for its narrative. Instead of adapting one of Nancy Springer's novels, "Enola Holmes 2" takes real-life inspiration from the matchgirls' strike in 1888, in which female workers take action against a match factory's poor conditions. So there's definitely some originality in the plot compared to the other film adaptations of "Sherlock Holmes". The story uses this inspiration to portray the reflection of corruption and mistreatment in a work environment, mainly for female employees. Additionally, it showcases the importance of teamwork, with Enola striving to solve her first case without help. Unfortunately, her reliance on working alone causes more harm to herself than good, resulting in her learning that it's okay to ask others for assistance. Some of its moments feel corny regarding its themes. However, since director Harry Bradbeer managed to maintain the film's balance of entertainment and inspiration, I was willing to forgive this minor issue. Another element I enjoyed about the sequel was its charismatic cast. Millie Bobby Brown's portrayal of Enola in its predecessor proved that the young actress could carry a major project as the leading lady. In "Enola Holmes 2", the "Stranger Things" star has now proven to me that she's capable of leading a potential franchise like this. Once again, Brown delivered a satisfying performance that reflects the character's spunk and her fearless yet flawed personality. But, of course, she's not the only one who can carry the movie easily. Her co-star, Henry Cavill, offers enough moments in his role of Sherlock to catch up with Brown's energetic persona. David Thewlis and Louis Partridge were also decent as Grail and Tewkesbury, respectively. Additionally, Helena Bonham Carter continues to shine in her performance as Eudoria Holmes despite her brief screen time. It's elementary to see that the film's identity is described by its presentation. However, it can also be described by its production design and costumes. Like the first film, the production design in "Enola Holmes 2" resembles the 1800s Victorian-era setting and the hardships that accompany it. It also has that Holmes-like vibe that many fans of the iconic detective would be familiar with, but with enough zest to get newcomers invested in the Holmes universe. I'm also impressed with the costume designs, which are just as authentic as the movie's background. As for its flaws, the movie fumbled its enticing mystery for a bit due to one of its twists. There's this one reveal involving one of the supporting characters that I saw coming way before its third act. I won't spoil who it is if you haven't watched it, but I thought the buildup towards it could've been handled better. However, the one after that did take me by surprise. Another issue I had was its runtime. The movie's length was only seven minutes longer than its predecessor, which perfectly fits Hollywood's "longer follow-ups" rule. While it's far from boring, thanks to its pacing, the sequel did show signs of being a bit too bloated by the finale. The editing was also a bit choppy during a few scenes, especially the action sequences. Don't get me wrong. The fight scenes were as entertaining as the ones in the first film. I just wish they take it easy with the quick cuts. Overall, "Enola Holmes 2" solves the mystery of how to make a sequel as delightful and appealing as its predecessor. It does feel a bit overlong, and some of the twists weren't as clever as others. However, they're quickly overshadowed by its irresistible charisma and Bradbeer's innovative style. It's another sequel that took what made the original a hit and applied them to its plot without being anything different, which is obviously for the better. From its wonderful cast to its fun action and suitable production design, this Netflix sequel is another case worth solving. B"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Dana Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett. Released on November 11, 2022, the film has the people of Wakanda protecting their nation from invading forces. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler, who also directed "Fruitvale Station", "Creed", and "Black Panther". It is the sequel to the 2018 film, "Black Panther", and the 30th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase Four of the MCU has been an interesting journey for us Marvel fans regarding its films and shows. Some have been great, like "Shang-Chi" and "Spider-Man: No Way Home", while others have been divisive when considering their quality and direction. In the end, its latest phase has shown us that we all handle grief differently. The people of Wakanda are no exception, as the final film in Phase Four sees them tackle their biggest change yet: losing their king. "Black Panther" was a cultural phenomenon for displaying African representation in the superhero genre through its direction, script, cast, and so much more. As a result, it became the first superhero film to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and placed Chadwick Boseman in the spotlight. A sequel was in development with director Ryan Coogler and Boseman returning, but the plans were quickly changed when the world heard the shocking news about the actor. After Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020, the studio decided not to recast his role of T'Challa and have the film center on Wakanda without their beloved king. This move was unexpected because the MCU is known for recasting its characters. But considering how much Boseman meant to the cast and crew, it seemed to be the right choice at the time. Unfortunately, it was also a lose-lose situation where any choice they made with the character would result in backlash from the fans. Don't you just love fanbases? Regardless of this painful decision, I was excited to see the latest Marvel sequel because of the talent involved and my undying love for its predecessor. With that said, let's return to Wakanda and see if it can conclude the franchise's fourth phase with a poignant bang. The story centers on the people of Wakanda, the advanced technological nation of Africa. They are grieving over the loss of their king T'Challa, especially his sister Shuri (Wright) and Queen Ramonda (Bassett). While attempting to find a solution to move forward, the kingdom encounters a threat by Talokan, an ancient civilization of underwater-dwelling people led by King Namor (Huerta). Namor's personal goal jeopardizes Wakanda's future, forcing the kingdom to take action. With the help of Nakia (Nyong'o), M'Baku (Duke), the Dora Milaje, and a genius inventor named Riri Williams (Thorne), Shuri and Ramonda fight to protect their home and the legacy T'Challa started. As I mentioned earlier, the franchise usually recasts its Marvel characters like James Rhodes and Bruce Banner due to reasons. So it's surprising that it won't do the same for Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa. Since Boseman's performance as the titular superhero is so iconic, I don't blame Coogler and the crew for making that decision. However, it does create a challenge for them to make a follow-up that honors both T'Challa and Boseman and their accomplishments that positively affect our society. More importantly, it also has to match the predecessor's combination of superhero action and ambitious storytelling. Fortunately, they had no problem showcasing the brilliance of the fictional nation and world-building, especially with its African traditions and locations. So all that matters now is whether the story lives up to the legacy. The film's plot features the usual superhero sequel trend of raising the stakes for the threats and characters. In this case, we see Wakanda protecting the vibranium resources from the other kingdoms that want them for their own purposes. However, it also focuses on the grounded reflection on grief and loss and how they affect the people in Wakanda, mainly Shuri and Ramonda. So the film carries over from its predecessor by continuing to reflect on the themes that made "Black Panther" inspiring and hopeful. As a result, "Wakanda Forever" is a satisfying and suitably thoughtful love letter to T'Challa's legacy and, unsurprisingly, Chadwick Boseman. Additionally, it's another superhero sequel that came close to matching the heights of its predecessor regarding its emotional depth, action, and ambitious plot. One of the things that kept it from being better than the original is that it follows some parts of the formula from the other MCU movies. The primary example of this is the third act, which offers another round of CG superhero spectacle that never fails to dazzle the crowd. However, regarding the tone it's going for, it can leave those wanting something completely different feeling a tad disappointed. Another issue I had with the movie was the runtime. While the story has enough moments in its world and characters to keep me engaged, the film does take a bit too long to get its poignant point across. Even the pacing looked a bit off when it transitioned from one sequence to the next during a few scenes. Aside from those flaws, I appreciate the effort displayed in its presentation both as a superhero movie and as a eulogy for Boseman. It's easy to see that Ryan Coogler understands the importance of the late actor and the legacy introduced in "Black Panther". Because of that, he successfully displays a near-perfect balance of emotional heartbreak and superhero flair without overdoing its tear-jerking scenes. Part of that is due to his direction, which emphasizes the scope and majesty of its sceneries and characters. There's also his screenplay which he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole. Despite some tiny restrictions here and there, the script worked well in fleshing out the themes and providing some bold decisions. With these elements coming together smoothly, it's no wonder Coogler remains one of the most talented filmmakers working in Hollywood, especially considering his perspective on African American culture. The cast had plenty of work ahead of them to carry the sequel without their beloved friend/actor, which made me curious and nervous. Thankfully, they managed to pull it off with ease. Letitia Wright delivered another strong performance as Shuri, who's gone from being a supporting character to one of the film's central leads. She offered a compelling showcase that reflects Shuri's inner conflict on where her path lies following T'Challa's death. Angela Bassett was also fantastic in providing raw emotion in her performance as Ramonda. Bassett is another actress that always demands my attention whenever she's on screen, and I can't help but love every second of it. Then there's Tenoch Huerta, who makes his MCU debut as the film's antagonist, Namor. He did a great job portraying the king of Talokan, but I also appreciate how the character is written. Namor is another character who's far more than just a super-powered bad guy who wants to take over the world. He only strives to protect his people from harm and will do what is necessary to fulfill his understandable motives, even though some of his actions seem wrong. It shows that an interesting villain can be as engaging as their heroic rival. Finally, we have Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne. My first impression of her was admittedly good, with Thorne putting a respectable amount of effort into her performance. That's more than enough to get me curious about her upcoming Disney+ series. But, of course, I can't forget about the aspects that create the world of Wakanda. Like the first film, "Wakanda Forever" excels in combining its fictional nations with authentic cultural traditions, especially regarding the production designs and costumes, which looked stunning. The score by Ludwig Göransson also continues to rock with its African-type music for the heart-pounding action and the emotional scenes. The fight sequences are also entertaining to watch, with a good amount of tension to keep my eyes peeled. Overall, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" was faced with the challenge of moving forward without Chadwick Boseman and even T'Challa. However, it accomplished this difficult task by delivering a satisfyingly effective sequel that's action-packed and suitably thoughtful. It's not enough to dethrone its predecessor due to its formula and runtime. Still, it successfully built upon what worked in the first movie, making it one of the better movies in the franchise's fourth phase. Thanks to its engaging cast, Coogler's ambitious direction, emotional weight, and fitting tribute to Boseman, the movie proves that the future of Wakanda is in good hands, both on the screen and off. Additionally, it serves as a great conclusion to the grieving phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let's see if Phase Five can bring us back to the epicness when "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" releases in February. B+“One Piece Film: Red” stars Mayumi Tanaka, Shuichi Ikeda, Kaori Nazuka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ōtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi, Kazuki Yao, Chō, and Kenjiro Tsuda. Released in Japan on August 6, 2022, the film has Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates attending a live concert. The film was directed by Gorō Taniguchi, who also directed "Jungle Taitei - Yuki ga Mirai o Kaeru" and "Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection". It is based on the manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. Throughout the past several months, I experienced superheroes, demons, and even "Super Saiyans" from the world of anime on the big screen. While they're far from perfect, they generate plenty of fanfare for me and their fans to enjoy. This weekend sees me continuing this trek by visiting the realm of the pirates. Sadly, Jack Sparrow won't be joining me on this quest, but we do get someone better: a boy with an elastic body. It has been years since I discovered "One Piece", which is on its eye-popping 20th season as of this writing. How long will it take for this guy to accomplish his dream of becoming "king of the pirates"? I remember watching the 4Kids version of the show on television when I was in middle school. I can still recall its "Pirate Rap" song on the back of my head, for better or worse. After that, I eventually gave up on the show in favor of the ones that caught more of my attention. However, I did keep track of the franchise ever since the release of its 12th film, "One Piece Film: Z". I even got the chance to view some of the movies on Netflix recently in preparation for "Red". So maybe my experience with its new installment would give me the courage to revisit the franchise, mainly its films? With that said, let's set sail and see if this latest adventure can satisfy its fans and newcomers. The story centers on Monkey D. Luffy (Tanaka), a young man with elastic abilities due to eating a devil fruit known as the Gum-Gum Fruit. He's also the leader of a crew of misfits known as the Straw Hat Pirates, with the members including Roronoa Zero (Nakai), Usopp (Yamaguchi), and Nami (Okamura). Their latest journey has them attending a special concert on the island of Elegia, where a famous singer named Uta (Nazuka) will reveal herself to the world for the first time. Uta is known for having a unique singing voice, which helps provide peace to humanity. More importantly, she's also the daughter of Red-Haired Shanks (Ikeda) and Luffy's childhood friend. When Uta's actual plan comes to fruition, Luffy and his crew band together to save the day. With the story taking place during the "Wano Country" saga, "Red" has the task of winning over audiences outside of the fanbase. Unsurprisingly, the film will appeal to people who've been following the series since the beginning. However, some of them didn't even bother to get into the franchise, and I honestly don't blame them. Twenty seasons is a lot to unpack, even in more than one sitting. It's like Pokemon. The ride never ends as long as it maintains its popularity. So the film has to provide something in its plot to make it easily accessible for casual moviegoers. Other anime-based films like "Jujitsu Kaisen 0" and "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" did well in making their cinematic adventures easy to understand for audiences regarding their world-building. So I had high hopes that "Red" would do the same, and it did. The story delivered exactly what you'd expect from "One Piece" regarding the energetic action and its world. But, more importantly, it's another accessible installment that doesn't require endless hours of recap for regular audiences. In other words, everyone can join in on the singing, dancing, and even some plundering if that's your thing. But the vital question that needs answering is how I feel about the plot. Well, it goes without saying that I enjoyed the heck out of it. It offered plenty of fun and colorful moments in the film's action, light-hearted humor, and soundtrack. However, it also delivers the sincerity of its message and characters to make it the most heartfelt installment in the long-running franchise. Part of it is due to some of the characters' history, mainly Luffy, Uta, and Shanks, Luffy's childhood idol. Because of their shared history, the film provides a compelling chemistry that makes the story more than just an extended episode of the show. It also fits well with the movie's central theme of reality vs. fantasy, which is surprisingly well-timed with the events we're in now. The real world sucks regarding the depression caused by violence and cruelty, and we all wish we could live in a world full of never-ending happiness and freedom. However, no matter how much we want it, we can't deny the good moments that come with the bad in the real world. Dang, I didn't expect a show about a boy made out of rubber to have something this deep, and I haven't watched it in years. While there were specific moments that were far from fantastic, the storytelling is quite inspirational amid the franchise's usual anime shenanigans. Then, there's Uta herself, who happens to be the film's main antagonist regarding her powerful ability and personal agenda. I've only seen a couple of "One Piece" movies so far that feature a villain doing many horrendous things that pose a risk to humanity or even something personal to the Straw Hat Pirates. Those villains tend to make me wish that they deserve no mercy. However, "Red" changed that part of the formula by making Uta more sympathetic. Uta is another character who believes they're doing something right for the people but winds up unintentionally bringing them more harm than good. What makes it better is that she has an understandable reason for her actions. Of course, there are also a couple of reasons why I really liked Uta as a character, including the soundtrack. Japanese singer Ado provides Uta's singing voice and performs seven songs in the movie, including "New Genesis", "Backlight", and "Tot Musica". Long story short, the songs were absolute bangers to listen to, whether they were energetic or heartwarming. As usual, I decided to review the film with the English dub, like my previous experiences with other anime movies. Please don't ask me why I keep watching these dubs; my only answer is because I felt like it. Plus, I prefer to avoid being distracted by the subtitles when there's so much going on onscreen. The cast for the English dub did a decent job with their vocal performances, including Colleen Clinkenbeard as Luffy. Clinkenbeard has been voicing the character since the beginning, and I can understand why. She provides plenty of energy and range into Luffy's charming personality, whether he's excited, stubborn, or enraged. It might not impress those who've grown annoyed by his voice, but it'll likely satisfy his fans because of it. Amanda Lee also did pretty well with her own performance as Uta. Finally, the film's piece of resistance is the animation. "One Piece" is another anime that's well-known for its visual appeal and matching the manga's detailed art style. The same should be said for its movies, where the animation is upgraded a bit to match their cinematic approaches. "One Piece Film: Red" is another anime movie that perfectly fits that description. The animation is a breathtaking sight filled with busy colors and imaginative details. The best uses of its style are not just the action sequences but also Uta's musical scenes. With its carefully-placed combination of 2D animation and CGI, these scenes are a never-ending blast of vibrancy and vitality. Although it can slowly turn into an eyesore after a while due to its runtime, that's close to two hours. Other than that, the movie further proves that the anime world remains a beast regarding its 2D animation. Overall, "One Piece Film: Red" is a consistently entertaining and suitably heartfelt installment that'll have everyone's hearts singing with glee. It does run a bit too long regarding its runtime, and the story was far from a game-changer. However, it delivers a highly welcoming storyline that's as action-packed and funny as it is tender-hearted and dazzling. From its cast of characters to its vibrant animation, the movie showcases that the popular franchise isn't going to sink anytime soon. It's hard to say whether it's enough to make me rewatch the show or not (probably not), but I will point out that I was glad to experience this part of my childhood again with my adult eyes. If you're a fan of "One Piece" or enjoy watching anime movies, "One Piece Film: Red" is definitely the treasure worth seeking. B+"Wendell & Wild" stars Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Lyric Ross, Angela Bassett, James Hong, and Ving Rhames. Released on October 21, 2022, the film has a teenager encountering two scheming demon brothers. The film was directed by Henry Selick, who also directed "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "James and the Giant Peach", "Monkeybone", and "Coraline". It is based on an unpublished book by Henry Selick and Clay McLeod Chapman. Many people warn us never to make deals with demons. However, if the demons happen to be Key and Peele, then it would be okay to make one deal with them. The comedy duo that rose to fame with "Key & Peele" reunite for the first time since the sketch comedy show ended with the latest stop-motion movie on Netflix. Considering how successful they are together and individually, this reunion seemed somehow appropriate. More importantly, it also features the long-awaited return of stop-motion expert Henry Selick, who's known for combining creepy imagery and family-friendly fun in his filmography. Although, his first movie since "Coraline" seemed to be a bit more mature than his previous animated movies. Hopefully, it'll serve as another reminder that animation is not just a "made for kids" thing. The film is an automatic sell for me because I love some of Selick's works, and I appreciate Key and Peele's talents in front of and behind the camera, mostly Peele for his take on the horror genre. But are they enough to deliver a spooky and dazzling experience for me and its audience? Let's find out. The story centers on Kat Elliot (Ross), a bitter teenager who's gone in and out of juvenile hall after her parents died. She's later enrolled in an all-girls school in her hometown of Rust Bank headed by the greedy Father Bests (Hong). Meanwhile, two demon brothers, Wendell (Key) and Wild (Peele), dream of making their own hellish fairground like their father, Buffalo Belzer (Rhames). They eventually encounter each other, with Wendell and Wild promising Kat they could revive her parents if she summons them. As the brothers' plan slowly comes to fruition, Kat comes across the shocking truth about her parents' deaths and her hometown. Stop-motion has been one of my favorite animation styles since I was introduced to "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and many others. It's not just because of the effort put into this painstakingly long process but also the artistic and entertainment values in the projects' storytelling and animation. Plus, it emphasizes the creepy factor in the character designs and imagery regarding the horror genre. Selick's previous stop-motion entries, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Coraline", have proven that point despite the PG rating. However, with "Wendell & Wild" having a PG-13 rating, Selick was allowed to go beyond the limit with the narrative and horror elements. So keep that in mind before you choose this for your next family movie night. Regardless of the rating, the movie has the task of providing similar vibes from Selick's earlier works while delivering an entertaining story involving an orphaned girl and demons. Unsurprisingly, it accomplished that objective with a darkly fun and visually appealing piece of stop-motion art. It's what I would imagine from the combined minds of Selick, Key, and Peele regarding its bizarre macabre tone, and I couldn't be happier with the final result. Although, when compared to Selick's previous outings, the film fell a bit short of being the next stop-motion classic. The story offers the wackiness and spooky charm Selick is known for, with enough creativity and finesse to envision a bizarre yet fascinating world of greed and demons. More importantly, it isn't afraid to be ambitious with its themes. "Wendell & Wild" is a darkly amusing ride that balances its humor with scary imagery and understands the aesthetic of its classic form of stop-motion. However, the movie is also about grief and the guilt that consumes us due to our past actions. We see Kat Elliot feel isolated and bitter towards others because she believes she's responsible for her parents' death, and she's been carrying that guilt ever since. The story depicts her journey to overcome her own demons and come to terms with her past while battling the other demons she unleashed. It's a clever and heartfelt take on the process of grief and acceptance that can be a bit unsettling for young kids but also essential for their parents to help them understand. One of my only issues with the film's story is the pacing. There were moments when the movie flew by without allowing me to take the time to appreciate the craft and the narrative's emotion. Additionally, the film has too many fade-to-black transitions, with some of them feeling unnecessary and ruining the narrative flow. It's fine for keeping the young viewers' attention since it's 105 minutes long, but its inconsistency is as soul-crushing as Buffalo's torture fair. The movie's world-building was also a bit underwhelming regarding the underworld and its dark comedy, but everything else managed to make up for its limitations. One of them is the cast, particularly Key and Peele as the titular characters. Despite not watching "Key & Peele", I had a blast watching these two put on one hell of a show in "Wendell & Wild". It felt like a skit that would've belonged in the sketch series for the right reasons. The chemistry between the two is infectiously entertaining, and their energetic charm is an absolute delight. Lyric Ross from "This Is Us" also did a solid job with her performance as Kat. It seemed like a challenge for Ross to share the spotlight with the talented comedians, but she managed to hold her own effectively whenever the demon brothers were absent. Angela Bassett and Ving Rhames were also decent in their roles of Sister Helley and Buffalo Belzar, respectively. But what about the animation, you ask? Well, to no one's surprise, I thought it looked great. I don't want to go into full detail on how amazing the animation is, but I will say that this is exactly why I admire this art form. The movie offers the usual old-fashioned look and feel of stop-motion, along with a couple of sequences involving silhouette animation. Not only were they creepily dazzling in the film's tone and locations, but they're also quite imaginative with the character designs, especially the demonic creatures. Most of the characters are unique in their physiques and facial expressions, like they're from paintings at an art museum, emphasizing the appeal of classic stop-motion animation. Overall, "Wendell & Wild" is an amusingly spooky treat that's also admittedly ambitious and visually imaginative. While it's far from Selick's best work regarding the pacing and world-building, the movie is nonetheless a solid return to form for the stop-motion filmmaker. More importantly, it showcases the fascinating talents of Key and Peele and the amazing effort put into stop-motion compared to CGI and 2D animation. It may not top "Nightmare Before Christmas" as my favorite film from Selick, but "Wendell & Wild" left me excited to see what the director is cooking up next. I wonder if the demon brothers can help make the wait shorter. B |
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