"Till" stars Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, and Whoopi Goldberg. Released on October 14, 2022, the film has a woman searching for justice after the lynching of her son. The film was directed by Chinonye Chukwu, known for directing "Clemency". This weekend would've been a great time to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year. However, I figured today would be an excellent time to get into some history amid the thrills and chills. Everyone, including myself, knows about the tragic and inhumane event involving a teen named Emmett Till. He was brutally murdered and thrown into the Talahachee river by white supremacists in 1955. The reason? He was accused of whistling at a white shopkeeper named Carolyn Bryant. Times were tough back then, and from the looks of it, they still haven't changed. Till's death became a crucial part of the civil rights movement, which called for equal rights for the African-American community, and it has remained a part of our lives ever since. The person responsible for starting this movement was his mother. Emmett Till's tragedy has been showcased in plays, books, and television. However, it hasn't been displayed as a feature film until now, which is a good reason for me to be curious about how it'll appeal to a broader audience. With that said, let's see if this latest depiction is as heartbreaking as the event itself. The story centers on Mamie Till (Deadwyler), a single mother raising her son Emmett (Hall) in 1950s Chicago. Mamie sent Emmett to spend the summer with his cousins in Money, Mississippi. Unfortunately, Emmett's peaceful summer comes to a tragic conclusion when he's accused of inappropriately interacting with a Southern shopkeeper named Carolyn Bryant (Bennett). As a result, Emmett was beaten and shot to death by the white supremacists, and his body was thrown into the river. After hearing about the painstakingly awful news, Mamie seeks to take action by showcasing Emmett's lynched body to everyone and pursuing justice for his death. The events in "Till" are told from the perspective of Mamie Till, with Emmett's murder being heard instead of shown to make it accessible for everyone. This isn't the first time we have this perspective displayed onscreen, as it was previously showcased in "Women of the Movement", a miniseries that recently premiered on ABC in January. Sadly, I haven't watched the series yet, but I have heard good things about it. That alone might be enough to put it on my watchlist for later. The murder of Emmett Till is one of the events that are extremely challenging to talk about despite their significant impacts on history. It's as painful to remember as the four black girls getting killed in a church bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attack. What makes it hard for us to swallow is that Till was fourteen years old at the time of his death. In other words, killing teens and children, regardless of color, is a crime against humanity, and those who perform it should have their hearts eaten by karma. So it's a little surprising that the film got a PG-13 rating regarding the disturbing topic. Luckily, despite the rating, it was met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction from critics and audiences since its release. After experiencing the movie for myself, I'm pleased to say that the hype is real for this astounding piece of biographical filmmaking. "Till" represents the heartbreaking tragedy through a mixture of grief, drama, and more grief. With that much sorrow in this two-hour-plus movie, it would've been unwatchable for specific viewers. However, I think it was intended for the film to provide this emotion. It's supposed to remind people of the frustrations, sadness, and fear of living in the 1950s as a black person, especially considering the politics during the period. Many films about the community showcase this lifestyle, with some succeeding in combining it with their cinematic and storytelling aspects. "Till" is another superb example of this, with Chinonye Chukwu expressing a strong understanding of the community and its topic regarding her direction. This was my first experience with Chukwu's direction, and based on what I saw, it won't be my last. The movie provides not only an emotionally compelling depiction of a mother's grief but also a well-paced courtroom drama that sees her seeking justice for her son despite Mississippi's law system. Both elements work exceptionally well in delivering a consistent balance of heartache and frustration. More importantly, they are portrayed through Chukwu's direction, impeccable cinematography, and a screenplay that's contained, thoughtful, and honest. At its core, the movie mainly serves as a remarkable representation of how a mother's love sparked the need for change because, let's face it, there's nothing more endearing than the love between a mother and her son, at least from my standpoint. Despite its two-hour runtime, the film's storytelling got me hooked from its joyful beginning to its bittersweet conclusion, thanks to its pacing and ambitious narrative. Danielle Deadwyler didn't catch my eye that much, as I've only seen her in supporting roles, including "Gifted" and "The Harder They Fall". "Till" puts her front and center to kick off the next chapter of her career, and the result is undoubtedly a sight to behold. Deadwyler delivered a stunning performance that reflects Mamie's pain, sorrow, and fear of being separated from her son, with a touch of frustration that strays away from being far-fetched. She embodies the mental suffering a mother would go through if something similar happened to them. Danielle Deadwyler proved to be a shining star in her breakout performance, and I hope to see more of her in the future. The rest of the cast was also outstanding in sharing the spotlight with Deadwyler. Jalyn Hall, known for playing Dillon James in "All American", did a great job with his performance as Emmett Till. He only appeared in the film's first act, but that's enough to brighten my mood with his cheerful and innocent personality before being brutally murdered. Frankie Faison and Whoopi Goldberg were also fantastic as Mamie's parents, John and Alma Carthan. Seeing Goldberg in "Till" makes me glad that she's still working in the movies outside of "The View" since I haven't seen much of her besides the iconic talk show. Overall, "Till" resembles a highly compelling and emotionally thought-provoking depiction of one of history's important and horrific events. From the historical and filmmaking perspectives, the movie succeeds on both fronts by delivering an exceptionally well-crafted presentation that matches the tragedy's impact. From Chukwu's direction for its emotional topic to the tremendous cast, mainly Deadwyler, this is another film that met my expectations in more ways than one. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that there's more work to be done to achieve equality for everyone. It might not win over people who don't want to relive this traumatic experience, which is understandable. However, it's still worth a recommendation as both a movie and a crucial learning tool for every school on Earth. I don't know about elementary schools, but any school above that level should be okay with watching it. A
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“Black Adam” stars Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, Noah Centineo, Bodhi Sabongui, and Pierce Brosnan. Released on October 21, 2022, the film is about a powerful being encountering the Justice Society of America during his rampage. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, who also directed films such as “House of Wax”, “Orphan”, “The Shallows”, and “Jungle Cruise”. It is a spin-off from the 2019 film “Shazam!” and the eleventh film in the DC Extended Universe. Many people from across the globe have gained superpowers following the tragic events that affected their lives. Those ranged from losing a loved one to getting hurt in an accident. Most people use their unique powers to change people’s lives and their own for the better, while some use them for vengeful and violent purposes. One person uses them to wreck stuff up, no matter who’s good or bad. 2019 saw the DC Extended Universe introduce moviegoers to Shazam, a superhero who’s actually a boy that can transform into a man by just saying his name. Long story short, the result is better than most DC movies regarding its critical and financial successes. Three years later, the struggling superhero franchise is introducing us to his nefarious counterpart. For people who haven’t picked up a comic, Black Adam is the darker and more violent equivalent to Shazam, who also gains god-like powers from the original Shazam. He often clashes with Shazam in different types of media, like comic books and television. However, they have never encountered each other on the big screen, mainly because Shazam will be busy fighting Atlas’s daughters in his follow-up next year. Until that happens, we’ll embrace the fact that a movie featuring Black Adam exists thanks to Dwayne Johnson. Regardless of how troubling the cinematic universe is now, I’m always looking forward to seeing the DC characters on the big screen. This film is no exception, mainly due to Johnson’s promise that it’ll “change the hierarchy of the DC Universe”, along with a few extra surprises that I won’t spoil. So was the film able to deliver on that promise and provide some superhero entertainment, or was it another visual-bloated mess that hinders the franchise’s potential for greatness? Let’s find out. The story centers on Teth-Adam (Johnson), an enslaved person held prisoner in the ancient city of Kahndaq. He’s eventually bestowed the powers of multiple Egyptian gods from an old wizard and uses them for revenge, resulting in his eternal imprisonment. Five thousand years later, Teth-Adam was unleashed upon the world by a university professor named Adrianna Tomaz (Shahi). He flies around modern-day Kahndaq, causing havoc using his own way of justice. His threat to humankind attracts the attention of a superhero team known as the Justice Society of America. They’re like the Justice League but smaller. Led by Carter Hall (Hodge), aka “Hawkman”, the JSA sets out to stop his rampage. Meanwhile, a criminal organization called Intergang, led by Ishmael Gregor (Kenzari), emerges with a dastardly plan to rule the world using the Crown of Sabbac. This forces Black Adam and the Justice Society to put aside their differences and defend the planet from Ishmael. The movie was supposed to be the cinematic debut of Johnson’s interpretation of the DC antihero. However, that title surprisingly went to the recently released “DC League of Super-Pets” via a post-credit scene. There’s nothing to say about that scene, as he’s only a quick appetizer before the main course. However, I did enjoy the pleasant little surprise in the genuinely fun animated take on the DC universe. That, and seeing Adam being carried off to Pluto by his canine companion (also voiced by Johnson). So now we have the actual debut of the character in his live-action and more serious self in the latest installment in the DCEU. As far as movies about antiheroes go, some, like 1997’s “Spawn” and “Catwoman”, failed to provide the same impact as the superheroes onscreen. Although, a few like the “Deadpool” films prove that making them as empathetic as the traditional heroes can work with the proper execution and the right amount of care put into them. “Black Adam” has the potential to be not just another example of the latter but also a strong starting point in DC’s new direction for the franchise. However, that potential was sadly out of reach regarding its execution, but it’s not without a few enjoyable moments to keep it from losing its spark. Regarding the storytelling, most of the installments in the DCEU missed a few opportunities to balance it with the superhero spectacle. Some movies wound up being fun and stylish rides despite their flaws, like “Aquaman” and “The Suicide Squad”, while others, like 2016’s “Suicide Squad” and “Wonder Woman 1984”, failed to impress even the hardcore DC fans. In the case of “Black Adam”, I would say it’s somewhere in between. “Black Adam” works well as simplistic popcorn entertainment for audiences who need escapism. It’s flashy, energetic, and undoubtedly fun. Unfortunately, when it tries to combine those traits with its plot and characters, that’s where the movie struggles. One of the things that made the story interesting for me was its themes. “Black Adam” not only explores the Middle East community and what it means to be a “champion” but also examines people’s beliefs in justice. Many people see justice differently, with some, like Teth-Adam, believing that killing bad people is the only solution to earn it. Others, like the Justice Society, only serve justice without murder. The line between hero and villain always grabs my attention in superhero movies, including “The Batman”. “Black Adam” is no “The Batman” regarding its tone, but it’s also not the superhero masterpiece it wants to be. The film’s narrative isn’t without a few moments that were both promising and entertaining. One of them is Teth-Adam. Like “Deadpool”, the movie delivers on making its main character empathetic despite depicting him murdering people out of rage. It gives us an understanding of why he was in that position, even though it’s something we’ve seen many times before. Plus, the twist in the third act works well in providing a different perspective of Adam. These character traits were miraculously brought to life by Mr. Dwayne Johnson himself. While he’s known for playing highly charismatic and funny characters, his performance as Black Adam further proves he can also effectively portray badass characters while maintaining his usual charm. Whether the movie is good or not, I can say he’s one of the best parts of the experience. The other element I enjoyed was the action. Many DC films are known for providing visual spectacle in their superhero violence. Some of them are intense and violent, like “Man of Steel” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”, while others are fun and somewhat brutal, like “The Suicide Squad”. “Black Adam” belongs in the category that offers undeniably enjoyable fight scenes that are also a bit savage. It’s not as grotesque as the violence in “The Suicide Squad” since it’s teen-rated, but it does have some scenes that may be too much for anyone under five years old. It also has some slow-motion effects similar to the other DCEU films from Zack Snyder, so if you enjoy those, there are plenty of them for you to like in this one. The last thing that makes it worth checking out is the cast. As mentioned earlier, Dwayne Johnson did a great job portraying the titular antihero through his convincing performance. But what about the rest of the actors on screen, you ask? Well, I can only say that they’re admittedly entertaining, but not enough to make them standouts like Johnson. Sarah Shahi was decent in her role as Adrianna, a professor and resistance fighter in Kahndaq. Although, I can’t say the same for Bodhi Sabongui, who plays Adrianna’s son, Amon. There were times when Sabongui tried way too hard to make Amon compelling that it came off as corny, especially during the third act. As for the actors playing the Justice Society, I thought they did pretty well in delivering a solid first impression of the superhero team. Aldis Hodge was good as Hawkman, and Noah Centineo delivered some suitable laughs as Atom Smasher. Sure, some of the humor was a bit forced, but all that matters is whether I laughed at them or not, and boy, did I laugh at some of those humorous scenes. But, of course, I can’t forget about Pierce Brosnan, who’s just as terrific as usual regarding his performance as Doctor Fate. Despite those lovely things that Johnson and the crew gave us, the film doesn’t exactly have the proper storytelling to make its themes and superhero formula work in its favor. Part of that is due to the supporting characters. With Adam in the spotlight, the other characters have the opportunity to share it with him with their own moments, including the Justice Society. Unfortunately, while they mostly succeed in delivering that promise, especially the humor, they’re hardly something worth writing home about. One character I didn’t like the most was its antagonist, Ishmael, played by Marwan Kenzari, who’s known for playing Jafar in the 2019 remake of “Aladdin” and Joe in “The Old Guard”. Kenzari did what he could to make the most out of his character regarding his performance. Sadly, it’s not enough to elevate Ishmael’s by-the-numbers persona, making him another forgettable villain in the world of superhero cinema. Another reason is the pacing. Whether it’s regarding the narrative, the action, or both, the pacing and editing felt inconsistent in exploring specific aspects of the film, resulting in an uneven mess that’s a bit more tolerable than the other movies with similar flaws. Overall, “Black Adam” showcases the usual superhero spectacle we’d expect, but its narrative aspect falls short of maintaining its intriguing spark. It’s another superhero origin film that falters in its storytelling and themes but accomplishes its goal of being an enjoyable and visually impressive experience for DC fans and general moviegoers. In cases like this, that’s all we could ever want out of a superhero movie, especially one from the DC Extended Universe. Dwayne Johnson’s performance and the film’s entertaining action are enough to punch its way out of its narrative flaws, including the characters, formulaic elements, and pacing. I would also give it credit for getting me interested in the change in direction that could play a role in the franchise’s future. What matters now is whether it’ll help DC compete with Marvel regarding their cinematic universes. If you don’t care much about the story and want to see Dwayne Johnson fight people with his lightning powers and super strength, this movie delivers on that promise and nothing else. C+"Hocus Pocus 2" stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Doug Jones, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Sam Richardson, and Tony Hale. Released on Disney+ on September 30, 2022, the film has a group of high-school students battling the wicked Sanderson Sisters. The film was directed by Anne Fletcher, who also directed films such as "Step Up", "27 Dresses", "The Proposal", and "Hot Pursuit". It is the sequel to the 1993 film "Hocus Pocus". Disney delivered some creepy movies alongside its harmless cartoons back in the day. Some may frighten young children until they peed their pants, but they tend to provide some fun into their scariness without leaping over the adult-rated zone. One of those movies was 1993's "Hocus Pocus", a fantasy comedy about three witch sisters from the guy behind "High School Musical" and "Descendants". While the critics were mixed on the film, which lost money for the studio, its annual airings on television and spike in home media sales during Halloween transformed it into a cult classic. Around three decades after the movie's release, Disney is reviving the sinister sisters for another round of spooky silliness and stealing children's souls. With how popular the film is, it seemed inevitable that Disney wanted to bring these three witches back for some extra cash. I did a classic review of the first film two years ago in time for Halloween. Despite some issues with the story and characters, I was entertained by the chemistry between the Sanderson Sisters and the movie's spooky charm. So I was both excited and worried about its follow-up on Disney+. It's got the same main actors from the original, along with some fresh blood for them to encounter. However, it's part of a long line of long-awaited sequels to their cult classics that have been hit-and-miss so far. So I was hoping this film doesn't mess up the magic that made "Hocus Pocus" a gleefully spooky treat for families to watch every Halloween night. With that said, let's return to Salem and see if this sequel can cast a spell on me and the original film's fans. The story occurs twenty-nine years after the first film and centers on high school friends Becca (Peak) and Izzy (Escobedo). They're on the verge of preparing for Halloween in Salem and Becca's sixteenth birthday. The teenage friends visit a magic shop run by Gilbert (Richardson), who gives Becca a candle for their annual birthday ritual. Unfortunately, they discovered too late that the candle was a Black Flame Candle, resulting in them resurrecting the Sanderson sisters again. Now in the year 2022, the sisters, Winnifred (Midler), Mary (Najimy), and Sarah (Parker), continue their quest to achieve power and steal children's souls to maintain their youth. With Salem in danger again, Becca and Izzy must send the sisters back to their graves before it's too late. Like I did with "The Invitation", I saved "Hocus Pocus 2" for when October hits because, knowing me, I prefer watching scary movies around Halloween, both light-hearted and violently dark ones. Plus, my mother also wanted to see it since she enjoyed the original as much as I did. So that's the only reason it took me this long to talk about the long-awaited sequel. Well, that and my busy schedule. So I do apologize for me being late to this wickedly glorious party. The original "Hocus Pocus" film holds a place in people's hearts, including mine, because of how it combines its creepy tone with family-friendly shenanigans. Sure, some may say that its storytelling bogs it down, but in the end, it retains the magic spell that's as ever-lasting as the Black Flame Candle. Like the other sequels to nostalgic classics, "Hocus Pocus 2" was tasked to recapture the original's cheesy charm and spooky tone and reintroduce it to a new generation of fans with a story set in modern times. A few like "Top Gun: Maverick" pass with flying colors, while some crash hard like a drunk witch who drinks and flies despite its entertaining moments. "Hocus Pocus 2" lands in the middle, closer to the latter. It conjured the same spells that helped its predecessor captivate audiences for nearly 30 years, resulting in it being a creepily joyful trip down memory lane. Unfortunately, it also conjured some familiar spells that prevented the original from being a wicked masterpiece. The biggest drawback of "Hocus Pocus" was the story. While it wasn't without a few enjoyable elements, including the visuals, the original film was a fundamental and silly ghost tale that would delight many kids instead of those wanting an award-winning classic. Sadly, the same can be said for the sequel, which offers the same plot as before, but it's more modern. We have the characters who accidentally summoned the Sanderson Sisters, and they need to stop them from wreaking havoc. It's simple to a fault, but it's also entertaining to watch, especially when the sisters are on screen. The film easily falls in line with the original regarding Anne Fletcher's direction for its gleeful tone. It won't win over anyone who isn't a fan of the original, but it does accomplish its task of providing a fun yet flawed modern take on the 29-year-old horror comedy classic. Another issue that plagued the film was the characters who aren't the Sanderson Sisters. Instead of two teenagers and a little girl in the 1993 film, "Hocus Pocus 2" has three teenage girls going up against the witches. Although, like the story itself, the film still didn't fix its potion to make the main characters as memorable as the wicked antagonists. Becca is a high school student who aspires to become a witch, with her friend Izzy helping her out, while alienating herself from her former friend, Cassie Traske (Buckingham), the Mayor's (Hale) daughter. The good thing about these teens is that they're not as unbearable as I thought. Sadly, it's not enough to provide something more outside of their formulaic traits. There are also a couple of moments that would've been more believable if writer Jen D'Angelo had expanded on those elements more in her screenplay, especially Becca during the third act. Although, I will give D'Angelo credit for attempting to provide some empathy for the Sanderson Sisters. Regardless of how the characters are treated, the cast made a noticeable effort to provide entertaining performances. But, of course, the best part of the movie regarding the cast is the sisters themselves, played by Midler, Parker, and Najimy. I'm thrilled these actresses returned to the roles that made them famous because it's hard to imagine someone else playing the iconic witches. It's like these characters were made only for the three actresses alone, and it has every right to be. Midler, Parker, and Najimy were fantastic here as they were in the original regarding their chemistry, charm, and humor. Also, Sarah Jessica Parker still cracks me up as Sarah. Whether this movie is good or not, the sisters are the only reason you should get a Disney+ subscription. Aside from the sisters, the rest of the cast did well in carrying the movie without the show-stealing enchantresses. Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo were pretty decent in their roles as Becca and Izzy, respectively. Tony Hale makes another attempt at providing an entertaining performance in a family film, this time as Mayor Jefry Traske. To his credit, the actor's been keeping himself busy with these types of roles. All I can say about him is that he's a bit better here than his performance in the Clifford movie. Sam Richardson also did a solid job delivering some comical moments as Gilbert, especially when he's with Billy Butcherson, portrayed effectively by Doug Jones. The latter also reprised his role from the original. Overall, "Hocus Pocus 2" is a wickedly entertaining sequel that's constantly bogged down by the flaws that plagued its 1993 predecessor. It has plenty of nostalgic moments that'll cast a captivating spell on the original's fans, including the diabolically fun sisters and the film's tone. Sadly, it forgot to gather some new potions to make a powerful spell in its narrative cauldron. Regarding its plot and characters, the Disney+ sequel is far from a bewitching return of one of Disney's horror-themed treasures. However, like its predecessor, it's enjoyable enough to make it another Halloween tradition for families and people who loved the original. C+"Halloween Ends" stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Will Patton, Rohan Campbell, and Kyle Richards. Released on October 14, 2022, the film has Laurie Strode attempting to kill Micheal Myers for good. The film is directed by David Gordon Green, who also directed films such as "Undertow", "Pineapple Express", "The Sitter", "Stronger", and 2018's "Halloween". It is the thirteenth installment in the "Halloween" franchise. People say that all things must come to an end. However, when it comes to Michael Myers, that phrase seems to be invalid. Seriously, that guy doesn't know when to give up and move on. Luckily for us, the latest installment in the slasher franchise may change that for the better. You read that right, horror fans. After 44 years of terror, murder, and trauma, Myers' rampage is finally reaching its conclusion, with him making his final stand against his enemy, Laurie Strode. That is unless Hollywood continues the franchise with another reboot. The 2018 installment of "Halloween" put the slasher film series on the right track with a thrilling back-to-basics thrill ride featuring one of Jamie Lee Curtis' best performances. While its follow-up, "Halloween Kills", doesn't reach some of its predecessor's heights, it's still enjoyable for its kills and plot. Now, we have the latest chapter that brings the nightmarish story that started in 2018's "Halloween" to a close. But is it satisfying enough to please the franchise's fans, or is it further proof that Michael should've stayed hidden? Let's find out. The story is set four years after "Halloween Kills", where the masked figure Michael Myers (Courtney/Nick Castle) has remained hidden after his previous killing spree. Meanwhile, Laurie Strode (Curtis) is left to take care of her granddaughter Allyson (Matichak) following the death of her daughter Karen. With Michael out of the picture, Laurie has the opportunity to embrace life instead of living in fear. Unfortunately, her peaceful life is interrupted again when the psychotic madman returns to the scene. Additionally, Laurie encounters a young man named Corey Cunningham (Campbell), who's accused of killing a boy he was babysitting three years ago. With the town in danger once more, Laurie must end her nightmare once and for all by killing Michael, leading her to the ultimate battle that would determine her fate. "Halloween Ends" has plenty to work with to bring this horror trilogy to a fulfilling end. While "Kills" had its moments, it also had a few flaws that rubbed most of the franchise's fans the wrong way. The final chapter sees David Gordon Green attempting to improve its predecessor by providing an exciting closure for Laurie while giving fans the usual slasher elements they expect from the previous "Halloween" films. Given how bloody and horrifying Myers' kills were in the last two installments, the latter shouldn't be much of a problem for Green to handle. The narrative, on the other hand, is where things take a curious turn. One of the things that made the new "Halloween" trilogy stand out for me was not the brutality of Michael's kills. Instead, it's the commentary that lies within the murders. 2018's "Halloween" explored the essence of trauma and how it affects the survivor (mainly Laurie) and those closest to them. All while the characters were being haunted by a man in the mask. "Halloween Kills" expanded upon the dangers of trauma by showcasing people's unhealthy desire to kill Michael. Finally, we have "Ends", which examines how it influences their behavior towards others physically and mentally. While these movies are far from masterpieces, their central theme helped elevate the tension and realism of their scenarios rather than throw blood and guts at the screen every few minutes. But does it balance well with this film's storytelling? The short answer to that question is a yes. The long answer is yes, but it might not satisfy everyone like the previous installments. The one crucial detail to know about Green's direction in "Ends" is that it's more contained and character-driven than "Halloween Kills". The majority of the first half shows the aftermath of the events in "Kills" and how they affect people's paranoia, while the rest of the movie plays off like any other "Halloween" movie we've seen. People criticize others based on their past actions, with those that caused the incidents being judged the worst, mainly Corey. It felt more like a drama than a full-on slasher movie, which almost caught me by surprise. This is an interesting gamble that Green has pulled, with a greater risk of losing the fans' trust. From my perspective, I thought this gamble paid off well, as the movie offered another well-acted and tense chapter in the ever-lasting film series. The movie does have its share of familiar tropes we've seen in other films from the slasher and drama genres. Additionally, there's a party rave sequence that's extremely excruciating to my eyes with its flashing lights that appear every couple of seconds. Even worse is that it overstayed its welcome by a few minutes. However, "Halloween Ends" provided enough tolerance in the narrative to prevent them from being a nuisance, especially regarding its themes and surprises. The dramatic scenes were compelling and suitably haunting, and the horror aspects were pretty gruesome, even if they didn't match what the previous movies delivered regarding the kills and scares. Regardless of how violent it is, the story offers a decent amount of horror entertainment while painting an unnerving metaphoric portrait of humanity's dark side. In addition to its plot, the film also took an opportunity to express the cast's worthy talent on screen. Jamie Lee Curtis is once again outstanding in her final appearance as Laurie. Curtis has been one of the main highlights of the trilogy due to how much she knows her character. She understands Laurie's pain and suffering from the past that traumatized her, and she infuses it with her acting abilities. The result is simply impossible for me to look away from. If it's really her last time playing Laurie, I'm happy to say that her farewell performance was as satisfying as the film's closure. Andi Matichak was also decent in her role as Allyson, and Rohan Campbell delivered a good mixture of fear and anger in his performance as Corey. Overall, "Halloween Ends" brings the horrific journey that started with 2018's "Halloween" to a brutal and rewarding close. While it has some familiar flaws that may make Michael's final rampage far from memorable, the film provides enough tension in the horror and thematic aspects to deliver an entertainingly creepy finale. More importantly, it wasn't afraid to take some risks with the franchise's usual formula, which is something that may not please many fans of "Halloween". However, if you want to see something different from the franchise, you might get something good out of "Halloween Ends", even if it's not one of the high points of the iconic film series. B"Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" stars Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley, Scoot McNairy, and Brett Gelman. Released on October 7, 2022, the film has a family discovering a singing crocodile in New York City. The film was directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, who also directed "Blades of Glory", "The Switch", "The Power Inside", and "Office Christmas Party". It is based on the 1965 children's book of the same name by Bernard Waber. New York offers many things that make this city one of a kind. It's got the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and...a singing crocodile? It's no surprise that New York is the place to go to discover some strange occurrences in the movie world, whether it's a web-slinging hero or a group of mutant ninja turtles. This latest family comedy is no different, as a beloved children's book about a crocodile in New York City finally sings its way to the big screen. That's right, "sing". The movie adaptation of the book is a musical, just to make the concept more fun for the kids. Since the rest of the month will be filled with action and horror (mainly the latter), it makes sense that we get at least one harmless film for the children to watch while the adults see the return of Michael Myers. Fortunately, the same goes for me while I wait for the big boy movies to come out. So was the film able to hit the right notes in the live-action/CGI scale? Let's find out. The story centers on the Primm family adjusting to their new life in New York City. Unfortunately, their young son Josh (Fegley) is the only one struggling to make new friends and adapt to his new surroundings. One day, while exploring his new home, Josh discovers a saltwater crocodile named Lyle (Mendes) living in the attic. He later realizes that Lyle's no ordinary crocodile, as the reptile can dance and sing. This discovery makes Josh's new life a whole lot better, but it's later threatened by his family's neighbor Mr. Grumps (Gelman), who's suspicious of his unwelcome guest. With the help of Lyle's owner, a magician named Hector P. Valenti (Bardem), the Primms set out to prove to the world that Lyle's more friendly than he appears to be. With the rest of this month's lineup full of creepy and violent movies, "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" has a big task of having enough good notes in its scale to make itself a recommended choice for families. Of course, there's also the latest "Minions" movie as their other choice, but as far as quality goes, it can only go so far as to entertain those outside its target audience. This movie falls in line with the other live-action/CGI adaptations of source materials aimed at kids. While some were somewhat suitable for distracting the kids, they often get bashed by critics for their stories, visuals, and their abundance of pop culture references. But with the proper execution, especially with a trustworthy crew and talented cast, some of them may turn out to be more tolerable and even more enjoyable than the rest. Just look at the "Sonic the Hedgehog" films and try to prove me otherwise. You know you want to. Fortunately, "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" also fits that description. Its pitches were far from perfect, but it does offer some decent family-friendly entertainment out of its musical reptile. Unlike the titular character, the story is nothing too miraculous or out of the ordinary. It puts itself on autopilot as it dances past the usual storytelling elements from other family movies. You have a family moving into the big city, a child as a fish-out-of-water character, and an unusual discovery that changes that family's new lives for the better. It's like screenwriter William Davies uses a list made for the previous fish-out-of-water-type movies to craft its plot, checking off every element on the list as he writes. By the way, Davies was also responsible for writing the "Johnny English" trilogy and a couple of DreamWorks Animation films like "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Puss in Boots". So if you're looking for an award-winning story out of a children's film about a tuneful crocodile, it's pretty evident that you'll be disappointed with the result. However, what really matters to me is the execution. Even if the story is derivative, a movie often compensates for this flaw with its entertainment values, energy, and charm. If they don't have enough of those things, what's the point of bringing your children to it, let alone having an adult like me watch it alone? Thankfully, this film delivers on those aspects, along with its acceptable balance of kid-friendly humor and appealing shenanigans. Aside from the movie being seven minutes too long, the story is both harmless and genuinely adorable, with a message about true friendship heartfelt enough to get kids and even grown-ups like me to tap their toes in delight. Will Speck and Josh Gordon seemed like odd choices to helm a movie like this since they're known for directing comedies aimed at an older crowd. However, I was surprised to see how well their direction was regarding its light-hearted nature. It's not groundbreaking, but it is still a good change of pace for the filmmaking duo's style. The cast also did a solid job delivering some entertaining performances. One of the highlights, in particular, is Javier Bardem, who dazzles his way into my heart as Hector. Considering Hector's charismatic and humorous personality, Bardem is a great choice to embody these traits flawlessly. Constance Wu is also delightful as Katie Primm, while Winslow Fegley continues to impress me during his journey to fame regarding his performance as Josh. I also enjoyed a couple of moments involving Brett Gelman from "Stranger Things" fame as the Primms' grumpy next-door neighbor. But, of course, I can't forget about the real star of the show: Lyle, voiced by singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes. It's no surprise that Mendes is a great singer, so it makes sense why the filmmakers chose him to give a crocodile a heavenly voice. Since Lyle can only sing, it felt like Mendes had the easiest job in voice acting history. All he had to do was sing, and that's it. No talking or acting is required. It's probably a better option to prevent him from getting criticized for his acting like Harry Styles. On a serious note, I thought Mendes did a fantastic job as Lyle, no doubt about it. Another element I should mention is the movie's songs. In case you can't tell already, the film is a musical, similar to the 1987 animated adaptation that aired on HBO. The original songs made for Mendes were written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the same guys who wrote the music for "La La Land" and "The Greatest Showman". I enjoyed these films for their music, so it's not surprising that I also have the same feeling about this one. Were they good enough to earn some award nominations? Not really. However, they're still fun to listen to, with "Top of the World" being one of my favorites. In addition to the story and runtime, my other issue is the visuals, mainly for the animals. It's not to say that they're terrible, but they do take me out of the film sometimes. The only good part of the CGI effects was Lyle himself regarding the facial expressions and movements. The other animals, including the other crocodiles, were slightly off-putting compared to the titular crocodile. Another example was Mr. Grumps' pet cat, who's entirely 100% CGI. It didn't even use the real cat for the simplistic and less dangerous stunts. I understand why they went down this route to avoid any lawsuits, but at least make the visuals more convincing. Overall, "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" may not be a singing sensation, but it is a decent tune to listen to regardless. It's an endearing and heart-warming family film that hits almost all of the right notes in its charm and musical numbers. Its formulaic story may not win over everybody, and the CGI can be distracting in specific moments. However, it will undoubtedly delight its target audience with its likable cast, humor, message, and enjoyable songs. It might even attract fans of Shawn Mendes if we're lucky. If they didn't recognize Mendes through his other music, they would definitely remember him as the voice of a singing CGI crocodile. If you're looking for something to watch with the kids or are familiar with the source material, this movie's one of the better options for you to check out. B- |
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