Film Review: "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018).

"Never tell him the odds" in Solo: A Star Wars Story. This space opera Western film directed by Ron Howard, written by Lawrence and Jonathan Kasdan, based on the character Han Solo created by George Lucas. It is the second Star Wars anthology films following 2016's Rogue One. Young Han Solo finds adventure when he joins a gang of galactic smugglers, including a 196-year-old Wookie named Chewbacca. Indebted to the gangster Dryden Vos, the crew devises a daring plan to travel to the mining planet Kessel to steal a batch of valuable coaxium. In need of a fast ship, Solo meets Lando Calrissian, the suave owner of the perfect vessel for the dangerous mission - the Millennium Falcon.

Before Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, development on a young Han Solo film began in 2012 with George Lucas. Lucas hired Lawrence Kasdan to pen a script, and was later joined by his son, Jonathan just before he left to work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Later, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were hired to helm the film. In January 2016, a shortlist of actors considered for the scruffy-looking nerfherder was revealed to include: Dave Franco, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Miles Teller, Nick Robinson, Leo Howard, Tony Oller, Chandler Riggs, Hunter Parrish, Rami Malek, Landon Liboiron, Ed Westwick, Tom Felton, Joshua Sasse, Logan Lerman, Ansel Elgort, Jack Reynor, Colton Haynes, Max Thieriot, Scott Eastwood, Chris Pratt, Emory Cohen, Taron Egerton, Jack O'Connell, Blake Jenner, and Alden Ehrenreich. Ultimately, Ehrenreich won the role. Lord and Miller said that while they liked a lot of the other actors they read with, they increasingly said, "The first guy we saw was the best for the part." By late July, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Thandie Newton, Joonas Suotamo, and Michael K. Williams rounded out the cast. In February 2017, Principal Photography began, locations included Pinewood Studios in London, England, the Dolomites, Veneto, Italy, and the Canary Islands. In June, shortly before filming was to be completed, Lord and Miller were fired by Lucasfilm due to "creative differences", and a new director was "to be announced soon." Shortly there after, Ron Howard was hired to take over the director's chair over Joe Johnston and Kasdan. In October 2017, production wrapped, and it was reported that Howard had re-shot more than 80% of the film, with Williams' role removed, and Paul Bettany was cast. With an estimated budget of at least $250 million, it is the most expensive Star Wars film ever made.

The film stars Ehrenreich, Harrelson, Clarke, Glover, Newton, Waller-Bridge, Suotamo, and Bettany. The cast gave terrific performances despite riddled with archetypal cliches and predictable character motivations associated with the genre.

Though the cast, including Alden Ehrenreich, give their all, they can't help Solo: A Star Wars Story overcome a cliche-ridden script and a horrendously compromised vision. It's a mediocre Star Wars movie that tells the early story of the titular smuggler and attempts to make it climax in a perfect coupling with the start of the known trilogy.

Simon says Solo: A Star Wars Story receives:

Also, see my reviews for Inferno and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Series Review: "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia" (2016-18).

"From Emmy and Academy Award winning creator Guillermo del Toro comes" Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia. This computer-animated fantasy television series created by Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel of the same name by Del Toro and Daniel Kraus, and produced by DreamWorks Animation and Double Dare You Productions for Netflix. After uncovering a mysterious amulet, an average teen assumes an unlikely destiny and sets out to save two worlds.

Initially, del Toro envisioned the idea as a live-action television series; however this was deemed impractical due to budgetary concerns, and as a result he instead turned the idea into a book. DreamWorks then planned to turn the book into an animated feature film. The feature film was going to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and Rodrigo Blaas. Eventually DreamWorks decided to instead turn it into a TV series with Netflix. Rodrigo Blaas became an Executive Producer and Supervising Director on the series. Del Toro modeled the show's sensibilities after shows he grew up with such as Johnny Quest (1964-65). To this end, he sought to make the main character of Jim "in that '70s mold," and "really a very good boy" with del Toro noting that this was a constant struggle for him to express to both writers and actors. Eventually he came across Anton Yelchin, who embodied those qualities although by del Toro's estimate it still took him a few sessions to fully understand the character. When creating the show's narrative, del Toro noted that he wanted a "bittersweet journey" for the main character dealing with issues that most such "power fantasies" failed to address. The show was one of Yelchin's final projects as he died shortly after recording most of his character's dialogue. Del Toro refused to replace his recordings, which del Toro noted was a challenge for the show's recording engineers. Del Toro added that his experience as a father and Yelchin's young age were also factors that led to the decision. The first season was released worldwide on Netflix on December 23, 2016. The second season premiered on December 15, 2017, and the third and final season premiered on May 25, 2018.

The series features the voice talents of Anton Yelchin, Emile Hirsch, Jonathan Hyde, Kelsey Grammer, Ron Perlman, Steven Yeun, Clancy Brown, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Anjelica Huston, Lena Headey, Tom Kenny, David Bradley, Tatiana Maslany, and Diego Luna. The show, thanks largely to its spectacular cast, has managed to do what so few children shows even today have: assemble a cast of characters that depicts the world as it is, with a range of identities and experiences. Which brings depth and believability.

Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia is a must-watch, it is an adventurous, exciting, and occasionally moving children's show. It's smartly-written, beautifully animated, engaging, well-thought-out, and meaningful. It's greatest asset is the show's emotional authenticity and how it exposed very young viewers to darker subject matter while giving them a framework for understanding these issues. One of the most well animated programs (children's or adult) in a long time.

Simon says Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia receives:

Also, see my review for The Strain.

'Once Upon a Time in Canada' Chapter 41.

Sigh… Just once I’d like something to go as planned, you know? Life keeps trying to screw me over. Well… life hasn’t always been fair. So I’ll amend that: I think life is trying to screw me over. Okay, enough self-pity. I’m not doomed. Things will never always go according to plan. All I have to do is just go with the flow and just hope for the best, sometimes. And I’ve still got a long way to go.

I worked my ass off the day before doing the SAME OLD S***, dealing with the SAME OLD SHITTY GUESTS. If I can’t have a good day at work, I’ll try to have a good day on my day off. But even on my days off, I’m vulnerable to have something go off the rails. For the time being, I’ve done all the chores I needed to do without any problems whatsoever. I didn’t anything unexpected or extra to happen without warning. I’m not exactly receptive to any kind of surprises, especially shitty ones at the worst of times, but that’s not entirely up to me. As I mentioned, things will never always go according to plan. I thus work around these bumps on the road. That works sometimes. I need it to.

Problem is, that kind of stuff happens when I least expect it most of the time. The evening, luckily, didn’t have any problems that interfere with the photo shoot of the fireworks. Well… that’s according to the photos I took.

See what I mean? All told, there were a lot of fireworks; most of them were really loud and pretty. There were short but explosive. The biggest and loudest one was saved for last. I had my camera ready to capture the moment. In the end, I didn’t as much as I would love to. But that’s okay, the small amount of shots were spectacular. That’s what happens on a photo shoot (even a film shoot). There I was reminded of that very important life lesson.

Also, see Chapters 40 and 42.

Film Review: "Deadpool 2" (2018).

"He's not coming alone" in Deadpool 2. This superhero film directed by David Leitch, written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is the eleventh installment in the X-Men film series, and a direct sequel to Deadpool (2016). After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry's hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the Yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor - finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World's Best Lover.

Plans for a sequel was announced 3 days before the film's release, and were confirmed in February 2016.  The original team of Reynolds, Reese, Wernick, and director Tim Miller were set to return for the sequel. However, in October 2016, Miller left the project due to creative differences with Reynolds. Miller later stated that he left the sequel because he "didn't want to make some stylized movie that was 3 times the budget", and wished to create the same kind of film that made the first one a success. After Miller's departure, Rupert Sanders, Drew Goddard, Magnus Martens, and Leitch were considered by the studio to replace Miller. Ultimately, Leitch was chosen to direct. In the same month, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Lizzy Caplan, Kerry Washington, Sienna Miller, Ruby Rose, Mackenzie Davis, Kelly Rohrbach, Eve Hewson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Sigman, Sylvia Hoeks, and Janelle Monáe were considered for the role of Domino. Zazie Beetz was ultimately cast, which was met with backlash from fans. In March 2017, an extensive casting search took place for the role of Cable that included Dolph Lundgren, Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman, Pierce Brosnan, David Harbour, and Josh Brolin. Brolin was ultimately cast. Filming began in May and concluded in October, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The production wrapped on the same day that X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) wrapped it's production. Originally scheduled to be released on June 1 2018, the release date was pushed forward to May 18 2018.

The film stars Reynolds in the title role, alongside Brolin, Beetz, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, and Jack Kesy. The original cast gave another round of solidly entertaining performances that expands upon the first film, with Reynolds' being the strongest, comical, and surprisingly emotional. The new cast members are a welcome addition who injected new flavour into the already colourful ensemble.

Although the film itself succumbs to overly-outrageous cartoonish antics, Deadpool 2 is one superhero movie that manages to stay true to the original while expanding its universe. It features some larger-than-life action sequences, absurdly comical references and jokes, and new colourful characters.

Simon says Deadpool 2 receives:

Also, see my reviews for Deadpool and Logan.

Film Review: "First Reformed" (2017).

"The kingdom come undone" in First Reformed. This drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader. Reverend Ernst Toller is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities and 5,000-strong flock. When a pregnant parishioner asks Reverend Toller to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past, and equally despairing future, until he finds redemption in an act of grandiose violence.

Schrader was motivated to write the script based on his despair at the effect of climate change on the planet. Films of Ingmar Bergman, Robert Bresson and Andrei Tarkovsky served as influences. Principal photography took place throughout New York, over the course of twenty days, with a budget of $3.5 million. Schrader also said he was inspired by Paweł Pawlikowski's film Ida (2013) to shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio as he liked the way it framed the human body. Schrader also liked the sense of claustrophobia that the framing suggests. He said: "It...drives the vertical lines, so you get more of the human body in the frame."

The film stars Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles, and Michael Gaston. The powerful performances by Hawke and Seyfried make the film well worth a look, even if they are part of a less-than-developed whole. Hawke could have based his oddly sympathetic performance on the image of a sick animal scrounging for food and shelter along deserted country roads as his character is searching for spiritual meaning in a desolate modern world.

First Reformed stands as one of Schrader's finest efforts, who tells a small story with universal implications and explores the devastating affliction of violence between men. It's like watching the disintegration of a psyche under a microscope as cracks in Toller's facade erupt into tremors of violence. Well acted by Hawke and Seyfried, Schrader's strongest film in years is a powerful reverie on spiritual yearning, how incontrollable violence and lawlessness is tolerated throughout God's world. Rarely has the dynamics of violence been portrayed on the screen with such grim and palpable power. It is a powerful, bleak drama about a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor's search for redemption through violence. A terrifying film that faces the truth of violence and its everlasting results. Schrader has made his reputation revealing the scarred psyches of American men. In the film, he creates his most poignant and powerful work. It takes itself seriously and has no pity, regrets, or agreements. The film is one of Schrader's most subtle and confident films, and damn hard to shake off. If you want a personal, compelling tale with a touch of intrigue, let the film haunt you for a couple of hours. Simply one of the best films of the year.

Simon says First Reformed receives:

'Once Upon a Time in Canada' Chapter 40.

I’m amped up. I’m amped up big-time. There’s another photography meetup today. I had a fun time that might stick with me. I started my day around 10am, same as always; I got into the shower and got my breakfast from Tim Hortons. It’s a nice breakfast once in a while, like I did today. After finishing my breakfast and washing the dishes, (hey, I can’t just leave it in the sink), I got on with whatever I had to do. It was the same as yesterday and the day before. It’s either work, blog and/or watch a movie, or two. Repeating the routine day-by-day until bedtime.

At 12, I got started with blogging. Back in the writing zone, which I enjoy and wrote for some couple of hours (I honestly can’t remember, I don’t keep track). Then I took a break for the day. At 4 my time to head out had finally come, I almost didn’t realize at the time. The worst moments in life are heralded by small errors. For example, the time you thought it was one thing is no longer the case. Coming to the realization that you might be late for whatever it is you have planned sucks. Anytime you do realize, it’s “oh shit!” For me, it was when I got too relaxed with my break, and looked at the time when it reached past 4. Only twenty minutes earlier, it would have been ok. I would even be a bit late. But I wasn’t too worried. Worst-case scenario; I would only be a couple of minutes late, and the group waits for about ten minutes. But when I got on the subway, and then bus, it was busy. The traffic wouldn’t even budge an inch. The amount of people on the subway and the amount of cars on the road meant it was that time of day. A quick glance through the window showed the traffic is during rush hour. So there was no real solutions or problems. I checked my phone, and sure enough, there was still some time left, not a lot of course. I guess the worrying was a little too much. No big deal. I got there just a couple of minutes past 6 and got to Edward Gardens. The location seemed great and I was ready for the photo-shoot.

Now, the subject of today’s meetup is a botanical garden located on the southwest corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East. It is also the site of the Toronto Botanical Garden, a private not-for profit organization. It is a former estate garden that features annuals, roses and wildflowers. The garden is one of several parks located along Toronto’s ravines, many of which are connected to the shores of Lake Ontario. The park’s manicured lawns and flowerbeds make it a popular destination for parties and events, especially weddings.

All that stuff whilst getting there doesn’t like a big deal, right? I certainly didn’t think so after I got there. I finished my day at 9 after two hours of shooting and dinner at Leaside Pub. Better than yesterday, But I had some trouble in all honesty.

Also, see Chapters 39 and 41.

Film Review: "Fahrenheit 451" (2018).

"Knowledge is a dangerous thing" in Fahrenheit 451. This dystopian drama film directed by Ramin Bahrani, adapted by Bahrani and Amir Naderi, based on the literary classic of the same name by Ray Bradbury. The film follows on Montag, a young fireman who struggles with his role as law enforcer as he battles his mentor, fire captain Beatty, and Clarisse, an informant caught between the competing interests of Montag and Beatty. Simultaneously, Raven, a tabloid reporter, tasked with spreading propaganda and broadcasting the firemens' book-burning raids.

In the 1990s, Mel Gibson was planning to direct a remake of Fahrenheit 451 (1966), with Tom Cruise in the lead role, but the project was eventually abandoned due to scheduling conflicts with Gibson and Cruise. As early as June 2016, Bahrani had been developing a modern adaptation of Bradbury's literary classic. In April 2017, Michael Shannon and Michael B. Jordan were cast in the film, with Jordan also assuming an executive producer role. By July, Sofia Boutella, Khandi Alexander, Lilly Singh, Martin Donovan, and Keir Dullea rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and took place in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario Canada.

The film stars Jordan, Shannon, Boutella, Alexander, Singh, Donovan, and Dullea. Giggling at the absurdities and inconsistencies is part of the fun. But the talented cast alone will keep you watching, as will the fight scenes. The film succeeds primarily because of Jordan's uncanny ability to project the awakening soul of the character he portrays. Shannon makes it all frighteningly real. And lots of fun.
The film feels like a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies. It would be a mindless dystopian drama picture, except that it has a mind. It doesn't do a lot of deep thinking, but unlike many futuristic combos of sf and f/x, it does make a statement. It is a dreary sci-fi drama movie set in a dystopia where knowledge is forbidden and and the burning of literature. Despite often being preposterous and heavy-handed, there are enough slick visuals to offset the overall silliness, and the displays of burnings provide some blistering action scenes. Though ultimately silly, the film's shopworn but stylish synthesis of ammo and ideas is surprisingly engrossing. An entertaining but unspectacular film. Pretty goofy at times - but the slick and gleefully self-indulgent violence will not disappoint the action fan. Borrows from so many other literary and cinematic sources that this future world feels absolutely deja vu. It is hard to say whether the film is a sensational total waste of time (and talent) or gloriously (and derivatively) over-the-top kitsch fest. You could rant at me for hours all the reasons it sucks, and I'd probably agree with most of them -- but the point is, I had fun. It's a long way from Bradbury's dark, intelligent warning cry to the empty stud knockabout of the film, and what once was conviction is now affectation. A lackluster exercise in derivation almost completely free of fresh ideas.

Simon says Fahrenheit 451 receives:

Film Review: "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word" (2018).

"Hope is a universal message" in Pope Francis: A Man of His Word. This documentary film directed by Wim Wenders and written by Wenders and David Rosier. The film is a personal journey with Pope Francis, rather than a biographical documentary about him. The pope’s ideas and his message are central to this documentary, which sets out to present his work of reform and his answers to today’s global questions. From his deep concern for the poor and wealth inequality, to his involvement in environmental issues and social justice, Pope Francis engages the audience face-to-face and calls for peace.

On 17 December 1936, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (or better known as Pope Francis), was born. In 1958, after recovering from a severe illness, he was inspired to join the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina. He became the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Throughout his public life, Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility as pope, concern for the poor and commitment to interreligious dialogue. He is credited with having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palaceused by previous popes. Francis maintains the traditional views of the Church regarding abortion, clerical celibacy, and the ordination of women, but has initiated dialogue on the possibility of deaconesses and has made women full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia. He maintains that the Church should be more open and welcoming for members of the LGBT community, and favors legal recognition of same-sex couples. Francis is an outspoken critic of unbridled capitalism and free market economics, consumerism, and overdevelopment, and advocates taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and supported the cause of refugees during the European and Central American migrant crises. Since 2018, he has been a heavily vocal opponent of neo-nationalism. He has faced criticism from theological conservatives on many questions, including admitting civilly divorced and remarried Catholics to communion with the publication of Amoris laetitia.

Wenders showcases his work while giving him a platform to express his philosophical and religious views. The doc benefits from a subtly affecting use of music. Wenders introduces us to an intelligent, rigorous man who thinks hard about the structures that impose hardship on the faithless.

Simon says Pope Francis: A Man of His Word receives:

Also, see my review for Submergence.

Film Review: "Tully" (2018).

"See how the mother half lives" in Tully. This drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. Marlo, a mother of three including a newborn, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.

The film marks the third collaboration between Reitman and Cody after Juno (2007) and Young Adult (2011), and and Charlize Theron's second collaboration with Reitman and Cody after Young Adult. In late September 2016, principal photography commenced, and took place in Manhattan, New York and Vancouver, British Columbia. For the role, Theron gained 50 pounds. She adhered to an excessive diet of junk food, processed foods, In-N-Out Burger, and milkshakes. Theron would eat macaroni and cheese at 2 a.m. to help keep on the weight. Theron said that her youngest child had mistaken her for being pregnant, given the extensive weight gain, and that it took a year and a half for her to shed the weight. The film's release date was pushed back a week to avoid competition at the box office with Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

The film stars Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, and Ron Livingston. Theron is a comic force of nature, giving her character considerable density and humanity. And Mackenzie Davies deserves cheers as Tully, a nanny who pops into Marlo's life with heart-warming honesty. Her warmth with Theron is funny, touching and vital. Theron and davis' performances as a pregnant woman and nanny automatically encourage the audience to like them. The character of Tully makes the film easy to process. As I absorbed it, I realized what a poignant character study it is. If, by the time the film's credits roll, you don't think that Theron and Davis are the best thing since tinned custard then you're either sick, in heavy denial or you've choked to death on your overpriced popcorn. Theron and Davis deliver two of the most impressive performances of the year. Theron and Davis deserve every ounce of notice they're getting for their performances.

Despite its somewhat dour approach, Tully is a funny and ultimately radical no-holds-barred examination of motherhood, thanks largely to a convincing performance by Charlize Theron. Surprisingly beautiful as a good blind date and as warm as a loving mother's hug, Tully shrouds its brilliant, brave and breathtakingly human heart in the expected blandness of an indie drama. Here is a film that could have been cliched but is so carefully nuanced that it is one of the most satisfying of the year. There is a raw honesty here rare in movies, and it's very funny too - excruciating at times. Although, there is not much to admire with the film in terms of originality in cinematography or production design. The film may be one of the year's most engaging movies, as well as one of the year's most feel-good movies.

Simon says Tully receives:

Also, see my review for Men, Women & Children.