Series Review: "Kitz" (2021).

From Germany and Netflix comes Kitz. This German teen drama series created by Nikolaus Schulz-Dornburg and Vitus Reinbold. Seeking revenge on the girl she blames for her brother's death, a Kitzbühel waitress infiltrates the glitzy world of a group of wealthy Munich teens.

The series stars Sofie Eifertinger, Bless Amada, Valerie Huber, Zoran Pingel, Ben Felipe, Krista Tcherneva, Felix Mayr, Florence Kasumba as Regine Forsell, Souhaila Amade, Tatjana Alexander, Andreas Pietschmann, and Johannes Zeiler. The show boasts an ensemble cast that looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch ad come to life, which means the students may appear wholesome in their expensive clothes, but each also exudes the erotic appeal of a magazine centerfold. I must admit that I didn't really buy Lisi and Dominik's infatuation with each other, but their storyline definitely made the show way more interesting (and 10 times hotter). Plus, the actors' intense chemistry made up for any logic leaps. Yet despite this relative paucity of what one might traditionally consider sympathetic characters, the show pulls off one hell of a trick in the writer's room. It makes you care about everyone. Lisi's character growth over the six episodes shines the brightest and surprisingly has me rooting for her towards the end.

It's twisty and sexy, teeming with clandestine crimes and clandestine rendezvous, but the show is also genuinely interested in the psyche of the ambitious teen-ager. The show is not pushing new boundaries in television. In spite of that - or more likely because of it! - its commitment to breakneck melodrama is undeniably enjoyable. The show, full of nuance in its discussions about class, privilege, and sexuality, doesn't have to be relegated to yet another guilty pleasure. Just, please: Watch it with subtitles. This new German series is excessive, yes, but it is well directed and has such a great technical approach as well as being very, very entertaining. We're intrigued with the love vs. personal mission story angle of the show, but we're wondering if that's going to be buried under an avalanche of privileged teens acting badly. Naturalistic and gripping, this German import transcends the cliché it could have been and becomes something more unusual: a teen drama that actually feels like it could be telling a true story. Discovering who really killed Lisi's brother is only one of many insane moments in a season full of twists and deceit and people professing their love while wearing a harness. It's sexy, salacious and utterly ridiculous - but six episodes in, the show has pulled off the surprising feat of keeping its central characters grounded in reality. And that's what makes it such a compelling show. The show is deliciously trashy and gloriously glossy. The show straddles the line between being an all-out soap opera about unruly sexual desires and a socially conscious, nail-biting thriller about wealth inequality. Nevertheless, an overly familiar setup and some terribly leaden dialogue notwithstanding, there's potential in the show. There's a sense of escalating despair and a believable degree of chaos that begins to erupt once the secrets start to spill out.

Simon says Kitz receives:

Series Review: "Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer" (2021).

"A playground of pleasure. A killer on the loose." This is Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer. This documentary series directed by Joe Berlinger. In 1970s New York City, the "Torso Killer" preys on women to fulfil his grotesque fantasies while eluding police.

Between 1967 and 1980, American serial killer from New Jersey, Richard Francis Cottingham (born November 25, 1946), perpetrated murders in New York and New Jersey. He was nicknamed The Torso Killer and Times Square Torso Ripper after his dismemberment and decapitation of two victims on December 2, 1979 in a hotel on West 42nd Street and Tenth Avenue in the vicinity of Times Square. He tortured and murdered sex workers Deedeh Goodarzi, age twenty-two, and a still unidentified teenage victim, severed their heads and hands, and set their torsos on fire. Cottingham fled the scene with the severed heads and hands, which were never recovered. On May 22, 1980, he was eventually apprehended in a New Jersey motel in the act of torturing a teenage sex worker, Leslie Ann O’Dell, age eighteen, he had lured and driven to the location from New York City. From 1981 to 1984, in a series of trials in New Jersey and New York, Cottingham was convicted of five murders, two in New Jersey and three in New York, plus multiple charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. In 2010, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the 1967 murder of Nancy Vogel, age twenty-nine. He confessed under immunity to the murders of New Jersey school girls Jackie Harp, age thirteen; Irene Blase, age eighteen; and Denise Falasca, age fifteen, between 1968–1969 in Bergen County, New Jersey. In 2021 he confessed and pleaded guilty in the double abduction rape/murders of Lorraine Marie Kelly, age sixteen and Mary Ann Pryor, age seventeen. Officially, Cottingham killed eleven people, but he claims to have committed between eight-five and one-hundred murders. Cottingham is currently serving a life sentence and is incarcerated in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, New Jersey.

While the series is the story of a bright, adventurous young woman going on holiday and never coming home, it's also a mediation on the true crime genre itself. The series is beautifully shot and structured so uniquely that it almost feels like an actual suspense/thriller movie rather than a documentary. Berlinger somewhat overdoes it with the creepy dramatic re-enactments, but the series benefits from a raft of solid talking heads and a central whodunit that proves continually intriguing. An effortlessly bingable, yet uniquely melancholic true crime documentary saga that plays with audience expectations of the genre. Sophisticated, gripping, and full of perspectives usually absent in the genre, the series is an expertly-paced mystery and a thought-provoking discussion on classism, mental health, and the ethics of true crime. If you don't know the story of the Torso Killer, this is sure to keep you guessing from beginning to end. If you do, you will probably still learn something from this show.

Simon says Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer receives:

Also, see my review for Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel.

Film Review: "The Matrix Resurrections" (2021).

"It's been another life, beyond the one..." in The Matrix Resurrections. This science fiction action film directed by Lana Wachowski, written by Wachowski, David Mitchell and Aleksandar Hemon, and based on the characters created by The Wachowskis. It is the sequel to The Matrix Revolutions (2003) and the fourth installment in The Matrix film series. Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.

In late August 2019, it was officially announced by Warner Bros that a new sequel was in development with Lana Wachowski returning as sole director, with Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss confirmed to reprise their roles. Lilly Wachowski was not involved with the film due to work on the Showtime series Work in Progress (2019-Present), but gave her blessing to those involved to come up with a story even "better than the original". By early February 2020, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson and Daniel Bernhardt were confirmed to reprise their roles. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff and Priyanka Chopra Jonas replaced Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving and Tanveer K. Atwal. Weaving was originally approached to reprise his role as Agent Smith, but he had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts with other films. Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Ricci were cast as newcomers. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early November. Filming took place in San Francisco, California USA and at Babelsberg Studio in Berlin, Germany under the code name Project Ice Cream. In mid March, production on the film was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid August, Reeves confirmed filming had resumed in Berlin. In September, Warner Bros. confirmed that Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer would score the film. The film was originally set for a May 21, 2021 release on May 21, 2021 release date. However, the film was postponed to April 1, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was then moved back to December 22, 2021. The film is set to be the final film from Warner Bros. Pictures to have a simultaneous release on the HBO Max streaming service for one month as part of the studio's plans for all of its 2021 theatrical films.

The film stars Reeves, Moss, Abdul-Mateen II, Henwick, Groff, Harris, Chopra Jonas, Smith, Wilson, Bernhardt and Ricci. The film somewhat comes together nicely as the actors breathe vulnerability, fallibility and personality into their roles, with Reeves still being quite the commanding presence.

We waited almost twenty years for the same basic story? Hmpf. At least it looked good and had the original cast. Without that, we'd all be crying ripoff. The mediocrity of the film is not the fault of the audience, but people need to demand more. This is simply not serious or challenging filmmaking, even in the action genre. This latest installment of fandom's favorite mongrel pet is a poorly paced MacGuffin-chase plot, ginned up with groan-inducing spoonful doses of pro-war imagery and its attendant rudimentary vocabulary.

Simon says The Matrix Resurrections receives:

Also, see my review for Sense8.

Film Review: "Sing 2" (2021).

"Where will your dreams take you?" in Sing 2. This computer-animated jukebox musical comedy film written and directed by Garth Jennings and produced by Illumination. It is the sequel to the 2016 film Sing. Buster has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita, rocker porcupine Ash, earnest gorilla Johnny, shy elephant Meena and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter - have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal. In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway. Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife. Even worse, Buster has failed to realize that Mr. Crystal is an egocentric gangster who would rather drop somebody off the roof of a building than be lied to. As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Rosita’s leading role in the show gets ripped away and handed to Mr. Crystal’s spoiled daughter, Porsha, played by Grammy-nominated artist Halsey. Desperate to save the show, and his life, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage.

In late January 2017, Universal Pictures and Illumination announced a sequel to its 2016 animated hit was in development. Jennings returned to pen and direct the film with Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Nick Kroll, and Tori Kelly reprising their roles. In December 2020, Bobby Cannavale, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti, Pharrell Williams, Bono and Halsey were added to the voice cast. Additionally, composer Joby Talbot returned to compose the score. Nick Offerman, Jennifer Saunders and Peter Serafinowicz rounded out the film's voice cast. Work on the film shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was done remotely following the temporary closure of Illumination Mac Guff. The scope of the theatre in the finale was a major stepping tone to take over ten-thousand animals for the crowd department, old and new ones designed by longtime Illumination artist Eric Guillon who not only worked on Sing but have designed the new characters in the sequel like choreographer Klaus and the Minionesque mouse lemurs. Fashion brand Rodarte designed some of the costumes used in the film. The film was originally scheduled for a December 25, 2020 release date, but it was pushed to December 22, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vocal talents are so good, the only things you really wish for through the film are better lines, a few more sight gags.

The film highlights the power of teamwork, perseverance, and overcoming fear. It's a wonderful family movie that both adults and kids can enjoy together.

Simon says Sing 2 receives:

Also, see my review for Sing and The Secret Life of Pets 2.

Film Review: "Don't Look Up" (2021).

"Based on truly possible events." This is Don't Look Up. This satirical comedy science fiction film written and directed by Adam McKay. Kate Dibiasky, an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem - it's on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate. With the help of Dr. Oglethorpe, Kate and Randall embark on a media tour that takes them from the office of an indifferent President Orlean and her sycophantic son and Chief of Staff, Jason, to the airwaves of The Daily Rip, an upbeat morning show hosted by Brie and Jack. With only six months until the comet makes impact, managing the twenty-four-hour news cycle and gaining the attention of the social media obsessed public before it's too late proves shockingly comical - what will it take to get the world to just look up?

In early November 2019, it was announced that McKay would write, direct and produce a new film under his Hyperobject Industries banner and would be distributed by Paramount Pictures. In late February 2020, Netflix acquired the film from Paramount. Additionally, it was announced that principal photography would commence in April 2020. However, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By late November, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Cate Blanchett, Himesh Patel, Melanie Lynskey, Michael Chiklis, Liev Schreiber, Sarah Silverman, Chris Evans and Meryl Streep were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late February 2021. Filming took place throughout Massachusetts.

The film stars DiCaprio, Lawrence, Morgan, Hill, Rylance, Perry, Chalamet, Perlman, Grande, Mescudi, Blanchett, Patel, Lynskey, Chiklis, Schreiber, Silverman, Evans and Streep. DiCaprio and Lawrence lead an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. The standout, however, is DiCaprio and Lawrence's righteously paranoid Dr. Mindy and Kate. Carell was primarily known as a comic actor, but he's been moving towards drama for a while now.

Both annoying and effective as McKay manages to simultaneously inform and talk down to his audience. Though presented as a jet black, indeed a cold-hearted, satire, it's concerned with reminding American audiences in particular just how close they can come to Armageddon. It manages to illuminate how the political and social failure occurred with scathing wit and highly-stylized editing that keeps you on your toes. Even a talented cast cannot make this labyrinthine topic fully understandable unless the viewer is already modestly familiar with the subject matter. The film could have been a subtle, restrained procedural drama. Instead, it's a confused clusterfuck of cinematic tropes piled atop a good yarn. McKay's comedic instincts serve him very well here, keeping what could be a very dry subject always feeling wry and engaging, while the facts in turn provide structure and substance.

Simon says Don't Look Up receives:

Also, see my review for Vice.

Film Review: "Being the Ricardos" (2021).

From the writer and director of The Trial of the Chicago 7 comes Being the Ricardos. This biographical drama film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. During one production week of I Love Lucy - from Monday table read through Friday audience taping - Lucy Ball and Desi Arnaz face a series of personal and professional crises that threaten their show, their careers and their marriage in this behind-the-scenes drama.

In September 2015, the project was first announced with Sorkin penning the script and Cate Blanchett to star as Lucille Ball. In August 2017, the film would be acquired by Amazon Studios. Production was originally given a tax credit to film in California in November 2019, and producers were revealed to be meeting with directors in January 2020. However, by January 2021, Blanchett had dropped out of the project, with Nicole Kidman was cast to replace Blanchett, Javier Bardem was cast to portray Desi Arnaz, and Sorkin was ultimately hired to direct. The casting of Kidman was met with some controversy on social media, to which Lucie Arnaz spoke out in defense of Kidman's casting. After seeing the movie, Lucie Arnaz released a video on her YouTube Channel, in which she called the movie "freaking amazing." She complimented Sorkin for making a great movie that really captured the time period and had wonderful casting. She also said that Kidman "became my mother's soul." She also said that Bardem didn't look like her dad but "he has everything that dad had. He has his wit, his charms, his dimples, his musicality." By late March, J. K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat, Jake Lacy, John Rubinstein, Linda Lavin, Ronny Cox, Clark Gregg and Christopher Denham rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in May. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California.

The film stars Kidman, Bardem, Simmons, Arianda, Hale, Shawkat, Lacy, Rubinstein, Lavin, Cox, Gregg and Denham. Sorkin has always been an actor's writer, and Kidman revels in his dense-but-flowing dialogue. Her performance is the key to the film's success. Sorkin and Kidman managed to convey what it is like to have integrity and drive in equal measure as a woman in a world designed by men.

Despite the irritating editing choices, it's difficult to dismiss the design of the characters - and the exceptional performances by Kidman and Bardem. When it peaks, the film provides a thrilling, tension-filled glimpse into the glamorous and complicated world of I Love Lucy. It's unfortunate the film ends with a fizzle, not the pop it deserves. The film is a brisk, energetic, engrossing work, and even in those moments when it isn't, Kidman keeps things interesting. There are no Jedi, no Avengers, simply an intelligent story told from a very specific point of view. You feel like Hollywood doesn't make that kind of thing any longer? Go see the film, and you'll see that they never stopped.

Simon says Being the Ricardos receives:

See my review for The Trial of the Chicago 7.

Film Review: "West Side Story" (2021).

"Celebrate the greatest love story of all time" with West Side Story. This musical romantic drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, adapted by Tony Kushner, and based on 1957 stage musical of the same title conceived by Jerome Robbins, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which is based on the book by Arthur Laurents, which in turn was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It is the second feature-length adaptation after 1961 film adaptation. Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks -- two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.

In March 2014, Spielberg first expressed interest in directing a new adaptation of West Side Story. This prompted 20th Century Fox to acquire the rights to the project. In July 2017, it was revealed that Kushner was hired to pen the adaptation, and that the story would be closer to the original stage musical than to the 1961 film. In January 2018, it was announced that Spielberg would likely direct the film following completion of filming for a fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. However, by July, the fifth Indiana Jones film was pushed back, allowing Spielberg to begin pre-production on West Side Story. In September, Justin Peck was hired to choreograph the film, with Ansel Elgort cast in the film as Tony. In January 2019, newcomer Rachel Zegler was cast in the lead role of María. By July, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Brian d'Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Jamila Velazquez, Yassmin Alers, Jamie Harris, Andréa Burns, Curtiss Cook and Rita Moreno rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late September. Filming took place throughout New York and New Jersey. The production did not attempt to recreate the choreography used in most productions of the stage show and in the 1961 film. However, Peck and the creative team were mindful of Robbins' choreography, and occasionally reused Robbins' choreography for nostalgia. Spielberg initially approached his frequent collaborator John Williams to serve as the film's music director. Williams instead suggested composer David Newman and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Newman arranged and adapted Bernstein's original score for the film. Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic during the film's recording sessions in 2019, with additional recording by the Los Angeles Philharmonic done during the COVID-19 pandemic the following year. Williams served as music consultant. The film was initially scheduled for a December 18, 2020 release date by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the 20th Century Studios label. However, in September 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney delayed the release date to December 10, 2021, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the release of the 1961 film.

Filled with great performances, including Elgort, Zegler, DeBose and Alvarez, that will be talked about a lot come award season.

Despite the film is treading familiar ground in terms of its storytelling, it still proves to be effective due to its outstanding talents, in front and behind the camera.

Simon says West Side Story receives:

Also, see my review for Ready Player One.

Film Review: "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021).

"The Multiverse Unleashed" in Spider-Man: No Way Home. This superhero film directed by Jon Watts, written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and based on the titular Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It is the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and is the 27th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For the first time, our friendly neighborhood hero's identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

By August 2019, after the release of Far From Home, development on two new Spider-Man films had begun with Sony hoping Watts and Tom Holland would return for both. By then, Marvel Studios and its parent company The Walt Disney Studios had spent several months discussing expanding their deal with Sony. McKenna and Sommers were hired to return to pen the script for the third film. By late September, thanks to Holland's involvement, Sony and Disney announced a new agreement, which would allow Marvel Studios and Feige to produce another Spider-Man film for Sony with Amy Pascal, scheduled for July 16, 2021, keeping the character in the MCU. In June 2020, Watts was confirmed to return as director. By early November 2020, it was announced that Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Marisa Tomei, J. B. Smoove, Martin Starr, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, Angourie Rice, and Charlie Cox, would reprise their roles from previous MCU projects, with Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Rhys Ifans, J. K. Simmons, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprising their roles from previous Spider-Man films. However, Maguire and Garfield's return was the subject of intense speculation, and Sony and Marvel attempted to conceal their involvement ahead of release. Additionally, Michael Giacchino was confirmed to return to score the film. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late March 2021. Filming took place in New York City, New York and Atlanta, Georgia under the working title Serenity Now. The film was previously set for a July 16, 2021 release date, but was pushed back to November 5, 2021, before it was further shifted to the December 2021 date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holland once again excels as the titular character. He manages to bring just the right mixture of innocence, charm, and uncertainty. But the best parts of the film are Foxx, Molina, Dafoe, Church, Ifans, Maguire and Garfield, whose characters single-handedly elevate the movie from a C to a B+.

A standard superhero movie, but introduces a few new elements I haven't seen in a Spider-Man film and would like to see explored more.

Simon says Spider-Man: No Way Home receives:

Also, see my reviews for Spider-Man: Far From Home and Eternals.

Film Review: "The French Dispatch" (2021).

From the director of The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs comes The French Dispatch. This anthology comedy film written, directed, and produced by Wes Anderson. The film brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in a fictional 20th-century French city.

In August 2018, it was reported Anderson would write and direct an untitled musical film set in France, post World War II. By November, it was confirmed that the film was no longer a musical. Additionally, Benicio del Toro, Tony Revolori, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Bob Balaban, Henry Winkler, Lois Smith, Denis Menochet, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Christoph Waltz, Cécile de France, Rupert Friend, Alex Lawther, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Liev Schreiber, Willem Dafoe, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Elisabeth Moss, Jason Schwartzman, Griffin Dunne, Anjelica Huston and Owen Wilson were cast. Initially, Kate Winslet was also part of the cast, but had to exit the project to prepare for her next role in Ammonite (2020). At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in March 2019. Filming took place in Angoulême, Charente, France and was shot on 35 mm film using Kodak Vision3 200T 5213 for the film's color sequences, and Eastman Double-X 5222 for the film's black-and-white sequences, as well as shot in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio, also known as Academy ratio. The film was set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2020, and get a wide release on July 24, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was cancelled and the film was pulled from the schedule on April 3, 2020. The film was rescheduled for release on October 16, 2020, before being pulled from the schedule again on July 23, 2020.

 

The film stars an ensemble cast that includes del Toro, Revolori, Brody, Swinton, Seydoux, Balaban, Winkler, Smith, Menochet, McDormand, Chalamet, Khoudri, Waltz, de France, Friend, Lawther, Wright, Amalric, Park, Schreiber, Dafoe, Norton, Ronan, Murray, Moss, Schwartzman, Dunne, Huston and Wilson. Amongst the whole spread of frequent Anderson collaborators, it is del Toro, Chalamet and Wright, in the spotlight, who make the most of every second they have on-screen. The end result is a flurry of cotton candy feelings.

It is a gorgeous movie; both comedic as well as emotional until the very last moment. Another great film by Anderson. There's a tantalising darkness just beneath the surface of Anderson's trademark whacky whimsy in his latest offering, the film, making it one of the year's most unforgettable films. Those of you who worship at the auteur altar of the director, who have long embraced his fastidious, meticulous style of studied nostalgia and to-the-inch symmetrical specificity, need no prodding. Anderson's particular aesthetic can sometimes serve to keep the audience at arm's length, but here it achieves something deeply beautiful, even warm and inviting. The sometimes erratic tone and plot machinations mean it may not be perfect, but ignore your reservations and enjoy the film.

Simon says The French Dispatch receives:

Also, see my review for Isle of Dogs.

Film Review: "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021).

"Discover the Past. Save the Future." This is Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This supernatural comedy film directed by Jason Reitman, written by Reitman and Gil Kenan and based on the characters created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It is the sequel to Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), and the fourth film in the Ghostbusters franchise. When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

In January 2019, it was announced that a new film, connected to the original two films, was in development with Jason Reitman hired to direct and pen the script with Kenan, while Reitman's father would serve as a producer, and with a July 10 2020 release date. By mid July, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Logan Kim and Celeste O'Connor were cast, with Bill Murray, Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver reprising their roles. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late October. Filming took place in Calgary, Alberta under the working title of Rust City. Sony Pictures Releasing originally scheduled the film for a July 10, 2020 release date, but it was delayed to March 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In late October 2020, Sony pushed the film once again to June 11, 2021, then later in January 2021 shifted the release to November 11, 2021. In September 2021, the film was once again delayed to November 19, 2021.

The film stars Coon, Rudd, Wolfhard, Grace, Kim and O'Connor, with Murray, Aykroyd, Hudson, Potts, and Weaver reprising their roles. It's fun thanks to some fantastic performances by a very talented cast, who are the new Ghostbusters.

The Ghostbusters are back, and while they may not look the way some fans would like, Jason Reitman has assembled a terrific new cast with the potential to launch a franchise well worth investing your time and money in. The film isn't as good as the original, but there's no shame in failing to reach the level of a classic. It's still a fun and funny film with plenty going for it particularly a wildly talented cast that is pretty obviously having a ball. Ghostbusters isn't as tight as the original but it does have flourishes of real subversive comedy. The cast and filmmakers really play with audience expectations but unfortunately they do not fully realize the potential of what they can do. Whether on its own fearless terms or as an update of a zeitgeist-charged smash, here's a pop-culture popcorn picture designed to raise spirits in more ways than one. Nostalgia weighs heavily on Jason Reitman's sequel, but the film's talented cast - particularly Grace, Wolfhard and Kim - and clever writing prove more than capable of shouldering the burden. For everything that doesn't work, there's so much more that does. These Ghostbusters are solid, and this film effectively riffs on the original and creates its own thing.

Simon says Ghostbusters: Afterlife receives:

Also, see my review for The Front Runner.

Film Review: "Petite Maman" (2021).

From the director of Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la jeune fille en feu) comes Petite Maman. This French drama fantasy film, written and directed by Céline Sciamma. Nelly, an eight-year-old girl, has just lost her beloved grandmother and is helping her parents clean out her mother's childhood home. One day, her mom abruptly leaves, and Nelly meets a girl her age as she's building a tree house in the woods.

In November 2020, it was announced Sciamma would write and direct a new fantasy drama film. Additionally, Joséphine Sanz, Gabrielle Sanz, Stéphane Varupenne, Nina Meurisse and Margo Abascal were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place in Cergy-Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France.

The film stars Joséphine and Gabrielle Sanz, Varupenne, Meurisse and Abascal. As with her debut, Sciamma has a knack for getting amazing performances out of her actors. Particularly, Joséphine and Gabrielle Sanz are a revelation. Their portrayal of a mother and child at the same age is touching and deeply felt.

Sciamma's fifth film as a director, to me seems as a subtle and very emotional coming-of-age portrait of childhood and self-acceptance. The film is a lovely reminder that the French have long been famous for a quite different sort of film-about children. Far from surprising at any point, the film nonetheless holds one's attention though its sheer force of observation. The director's low-key approach to such a seemingly complex topic really illuminates the subject in both very basic and rather profound ways. This exquisite film is as pure as you can get; it's observational, it's minimalist, there's no intrusive music except where it is part of the action. Sciamma's capturing of children at play is disarmingly accurate, perfectly showing the freewheeling nature of childhood in all its glory. The film's greatest accomplishment is Sciamma's stunning ability to draw natural, believable performances from her cast, who never hit a false note in this moving film. Sciamma pictures the story in dappled sunlight and wooded fields that, though not far from dull apartment blocks, have an out-of-time seductiveness. The film captures a delicate moment in time before issues of childhood so much more complicated and calculated. The film reveals a side of childhood rarely (if ever) depicted on the big screen, yet it never feels like a curiosity piece, nor is Nelly portrayed as an outsider from a troubled home. Sciamma deserves great praise for what she has accomplished with a simple film addressing a complex subject. Against a backdrop of overly programmed 'issue dramas,' this superb movie is notable for its strong foundation in character and wholesale investment in psychological motivation, rather than salacious plotting. Quiet and naturalistic in the best way, the film rolls out a tale of malleable childhood identity with a marked absence of sensationalism. Sciamma is a filmmaking force to be reckoned with in the coming years. Her story-writing ability, deft hand at directing and understanding of her young actors makes her someone to watch.

Simon says Petite Maman receives:

Also, see my review for Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la jeune fille en feu).

Film Review: "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" (2021).

From the director of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle comes Venom: Let There Be Carnage. This superhero film directed by Andy Serkis, written by Kelly Marcel and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. It is a sequel to Venom (2018) and the second film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Eddie Brock is still struggling to coexist with the shape-shifting extraterrestrial Venom. When deranged serial killer Cletus Kasady also becomes host to an alien symbiote, Brock and Venom must put aside their differences to stop his reign of terror.

In August 2018, ahead of Venom's release, Tom Hardy confirmed that he had signed on to star in two sequels. In late November, Sony gave an October 2, 2020, release date to an untitled Marvel sequel that was believed to be Venom 2. A month later, Venom writer Jeff Pinkner confirmed that a sequel was happening, but he was not involved in writing it at that point. In January 2019, Marcel signed a "significant" deal with Sony to write and produce the sequel after also working on the script for the first film. Hardy, Woody Harrelson and Michelle Williams were also expected to return for the sequel. No director was confirmed for the film, with Sony considering replacing Fleischer due to his commitments to Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), though he still intended to be involved in Venom 2. In late July, Sony hoped for filming to begin that November and had met with several candidates to replace Fleischer as director since he was still completing work on Zombieland: Double Tap at that time; Rupert Sanders, Travis Knight, and Rupert Wyatt were considered before Serkis was hired to direct in August. Serkis was hired partly due to his experience working with CGI and motion-capture technology as both an actor and director. The film is primarily inspired by the comic book story arc Maximum Carnage (1993) and the Spider-Man: The Animated Series story arc The Venom Saga (1996). By mid November, Hardy, Harrelson, Williams and Reid Scott returned to reprise their roles, with Naomie Harris and Stephen Graham rounded out the film's cast as newcomers. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in February 2020. Filming took place at at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire and London, England, as well as San Francisco, California, under the working title Fillmore. The film was originally set for an October 2, 2020 release date. It was delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moving to June 25, 2021, September 17, September 24, and then October 15, before being moved back up to October 1.

The film stars Hardy, Harrelson, Williams, Scott, Harris and Graham. Hardy has never been better as he throws punches in all directions and his comedic skills are spot-on.

It's far from perfect, but works extremely well in its corner of the cinematic universe as the antidote to the run of the mill superhero entry.

Simon says Venom: Let There Be Carnage receives:

Also, see my review for Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle and Venom.

Film Review: "Last Night in Soho" (2021).

"A Murder in the Past. A Mystery in the Future." This is Last Night in Soho. This British psychological horror film directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

In 2007, Wright first conceived of the idea for the film. He pitched the plot to producers Nira Park and Rachel Prior before the start of filming for The World's End (2013), describing it as a "dark Valentine" to London and the Soho neighbourhood. Wright cited Don't Look Now (1973) and Repulsion (1965) as influences for the film. Wright was first introduced to Wilson-Cairns by Sam Mendes. In 2016, on the night of the Brexit vote, the pair went on a bar crawl together through the basement bars of Soho, ending up at a bar called Trisha's, where Wright pitched her the story of the film. In December 2017, after the press tour for Baby Driver had concluded, Wright felt pressure to begin working on a sequel immediately, but decided instead to go in "a radically different direction" for his next film. He phoned Wilson-Cairns and asked if she wanted to co-write the screenplay for the film with him. Wright and Wilson-Cairns wrote the first draft of the script in six weeks, before she had to leave to begin work on 1917 (2019) with Mendes. The film was originally titled Red Light Area and then The Night Has a Thousand Eyes. The title originates from a 1968 hit single by the English pop band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and a conversation Wright had with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. By late May 2019, Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Sam Claflin, Rita Tushingham, Jessie Mei Li, James and Oliver Phelps, Margaret Nolan and Diana Rigg were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late August. Filming took place throughout London, England, including Soho. The film marks the final film appearances of Rigg and Margaret Nolan, who both died in 2020. The film was originally scheduled for a 25 September 2020 release date, but was delayed to 23 April 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before being delayed again to October 22, then again to the following weekend.

The film stars McKenzie, Taylor-Joy, Smith, Stamp, Claflin, Tushingham, Li, James and Oliver Phelps, Nolan and Rigg. McKenzie and Taylor-Joy give performances so unsettling and so precise, I can barely believe they grew into such confident screen presences.

The film is far more shocking, in fact, than anything Hitchcock or De Palma ever made, because it can produce in the spectator the added shock of self-recognition, the hallmark of a real artwork. The film takes us on a deeply disturbing, hallucinatory trip into McKenzie's mental breakdown in this British psychological thriller.

Simon says Last Night in Soho receives:

Also, see my review for Baby Driver.

Film Review: "Eternals" (2021).

"The end was just the beginning" in Eternals. This epic superhero film directed by Chloé Zhao, written by Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo, based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name created by Jack Kirby, and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

In April 2018, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said that the studio was actively developing a film based on the Marvel Comics characters created by Kirby, to release as part of their Phase Four slate of films. In May, Marvel set Ryan and Kaz Firpo to pen the script, with their outline including a love story between the characters Sersi and Ikaris. In June, Feige said Marvel was interested in exploring the "ancient aliens kind of sci-fi trope" by having the Eternals be the inspiration for myths and legends throughout the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Marvel's director search for Eternals narrowed to a shortlist that included Nicole Kassell, Travis Knight, and Cristina Gallego & Ciro Guerra before Zhao was hired to her the film in September. In February 2019, Feige reiterated that Marvel was interested in the Eternals due to Kirby's epic, century-spanning story, with the film version spanning seven-thousand years and exploring humanity's place in the cosmos. By July, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, and Bill Skarsgård were cast. Charlie Hunnam, Alexander Skarsgård, Armie Hammer and Sam Heughan were considered before Madden was cast. Keanu Reeves, Luke Evans, Rami Malek and Ian McShane were considered before Keoghan was cast. Ana de Armas, Eiza González, Gina Rodriguez and Naomi Scott were considered before Hayek was cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early February 2020. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, as well as Oxford and London, England and the Canary Islands under the working title Sack Lunch. The film was originally set for a November 6, 2020, before it was shifted to February 12, 2021, and then to the November 2021 date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film stars Chan, Madden, Nanjiani, McHugh, Henry, Ridloff, Keoghan, Lee, Harington, Hayek, Jolie, and Skarsgård. Neither one of the cast, all of them fine actors, can prevail against the relentless scale and movement of the production.

The film is something quite rare in the comic-book and MCU-dominated pop culture landscape - an unbelievable disaster. The film is the equivalent of a forced near three-hour walking tour of a wealthy Hollywood's elitist's living room. It fails so completely that you might suspect Zhao and Feige sold their souls to the devil to obtain the success of The Avengers films and the Devil has just come around to collect.

Simon says Eternals receives:

Also, see my reviews for Nomadland and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Film Review: "The Last Duel" (2021).

"The true story of a woman who defied a nation and made history". This is The Last Duel. This historical drama film, directed by Ridley Scott, written by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, and based on the book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager. Carrouges is a respected knight known for his bravery and skill on the battlefield. Le Gris is a Norman squire whose intelligence and eloquence make him one of the most admired nobles in court. When Carrouges’ wife, Marguerite, is viciously assaulted by Le Gris, a charge he denies, she refuses to stay silent, stepping forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuing trial by combat, a gruelling duel to the death, places the fate of all three in God’s hands.

In July 2015, a cinematic adaptation of Jager's book of the same name was announced with Francis Lawrence and Shaun Grant originally hired to direct and pen the script. No further development was announced, and the film rights lapsed. In July 2019, it was announced that Scott was hired to direct with Affleck and Damon set to star, as well as pen the script with Holofcener. In October, Jodie Comer was cast as the female lead. In November, it was confirmed that Driver had replaced Affleck after the latter opted to play a different supporting role in order to avoid a scheduling conflict with Adrian Lyne's Deep Water (2022). By mid February 2020, Harriet Walter, Nathaniel Parker, Sam Hazeldine, Michael McElhatton, Alex Lawther, Marton Csokas, Željko Ivanek, Clive Russell, Adam Nagaitis and Bosco Hogan rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in mid October. Filming took place throughout France and Ireland. In mid March, Disney, after the Disney-Fox merger, announced that the studio had to delay the shoot indefinitely amid concerns for the cast and crew in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as travel restrictions in Europe. During the suspension, Driver was cast in Scott's next film House of Gucci (2021), and the two reunited to begin shooting their second movie together only four months after the completion of this film. Filming resumed in late September 2020. The film originally scheduled for a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2020, before going wide on January 8, 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release date was delayed to October 15, 2021. The film will play exclusively in theaters for 45 days before heading to digital platforms.

The film stars Damon, Driver, Comer, Affleck, Walter, Parker, Hazeldine, McElhatton, Lawther, Csokas, Ivanek, Russell, Nagaitis and Hogan. The excellence of the performances given, especially by Damon, Driver, Affleck and Comer, along with the richness of Scott's visuals and the depth of the themes, make this film a minor masterpiece in Scott's body of work.

The film was an ambitious undertaking for veteran filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott, whose established filmmaking styles are more than evident even in this effort.

Simon says The Last Duel receives:

Also, see my review for All the Money in the World.

Series Review: "Money Heist" ("La casa de papel") (2017-21).

"The Perfect Robbery." This is Money Heist (La casa de papel). This Spanish heist crime drama television series created by Álex Pina. Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves inside the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan.

In 2016, after finishing their work on the Spanish prison drama Locked Up (Vis a vis), Pina and director Jesús Colmenar left Globomedia to set up their own production company, named Vancouver Media. For their first project, they considered either filming a comedy or developing a heist story for television, with the latter having never been attempted before on Spanish television. Along with former Locked Up colleagues, they developed Money Heist as a passion project to try new things without outside interference. Pina was firm about making it a limited series, feeling that dilution had become a problem for his previous productions. Initially entitled Los Desahuciados (The Evicted) in the conception phase, the series was developed to subvert heist conventions and combine elements of the action genre, thrillers and surrealism, while still being credible. Pina saw an advantage over typical heist films in that character development could span a considerably longer narrative arc. Characters were to be shown from multiple sides to break the viewers' preconceptions of villainy and retain their interest throughout the show. Key aspects of the planned storyline were written down at the beginning, while the finer story beats were developed incrementally to not overwhelm the writers. The beginning of filming was set for January 2017, allowing for five months of pre-production. The narrative was split into two parts for financial considerations. The robbers' city-based code names, which Spanish newspaper ABC compared to the colour-based code names in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 heist film Reservoir Dogs, were chosen at random in the first part, although places with high viewership resonance were also taken into account for the new robbers' code names in part 3. The first five lines of the pilot script took a month to write, as the writers were unable to make the Professor or Moscow work as narrator. Ultimately, Tokyo was chosen as an unreliable narrator. Flashbacks and time-jumps increased the narrative complexity and made the story more fluid for the audience. The pilot episode required over fifty script versions until the producers were satisfied. Later scripts would be finished once per week to keep up with filming.

In late 2016, casting took place, spanning more than two months. The characters were not fully fleshed out at the beginning of this process, and took shape based on the actors' performances. Casting directors Eva Leira and Yolanda Serrano were looking for actors with the ability to play empathetic robbers with believable love and family connections. By January 2017, Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño, Pedro Alonso, Paco Tous, Alba Flores, Miguel Herrán, Jaime Lorente, Esther Acebo, Enrique Arce, María Pedraza, Darko Perić, Kiti Mánver, Roberto García Ruiz, Fernando Soto, and Juan Fernández were cast for Parts 1 and 2. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in August. Filming took place throughout Madrid, Spain. The episodes were shot in order and the actors only received the scripts for each episode as they were shooting, so they also did not know what their character's fate would be. By late July 2017, Corberó, Morte, Ituño, Alonso, Tous, Flores, Herrán, Lorente, Acebo, Arce, Pedraza, Perić, Mánver, Ruiz, Soto, and Fernández were confined to reprise their roles. Hovik Keuchkerian, Luka Peroš, Belén Cuesta, Fernando Cayo, Rodrigo de la Serna, Najwa Nimri, Diana Gómez, Patrick Criado, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre were cast as newcomers. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in mid May 2021. Filming took place in Madrid, Spain, Copenhagen, Denmark, Florence, Italy and at Pinewood Studios, London, England; as well as throughout Panama and Thailand. In December 2017, Netflix acquired the exclusive global streaming rights for the series. Netflix re-cut the series into twenty-two episodes of around fifty minutes' length. Cliffhangers and scenes had to be divided and moved to other episodes, but this proved less drastic than expected because of the series' perpetual plot twists. The first part was released on 20th December 2017 without any promotion. The second part was released on 6th April 2018. Without a dedicated Netflix marketing campaign, the series became the most-watched non-English language series on Netflix in early 2018, within four months of being added to the platform, to the creators' surprise. Following the show's success on the streaming platform, Netflix approached Pina and Atresmedia to produce new chapters for the originally self-contained story. In mid April 2018, Netflix officially renewed the series for the third part with a considerably increased budget. Part 3 was released on 19 July 2019. Part 4 was released on 3rd April 2020. In late July 2020, Netflix renewed the show for a fifth and final part, which would be released in two five-episode volumes on 3 September and 3 December, respectively.

The series stars Corberó, Morte, Ituño, Alonso, Tous, Flores, Herrán, Lorente, Acebo, Arce, Pedraza, Perić, Mánver, Ruiz, Soto, Fernández, Keuchkerian, Peroš, Cuesta, Cayo, de la Serna, Nimri, Gómez, Criado, and Silvestre. The solidly constructed plot gets stretched far with smart, nonlinear weaves and a masterful cast crowned by the ever diverse cast and their ever diverse characters from both sides of the law. There are good performances all around as the show veers to its ironic, almost absurdist climax. In addition to his clever plotting, Pina has given his cast sharp, acrid, sometimes witty dialogue.

While it borrows generously from a number of other films, the way Pina structures his heist crime action thriller drama is a breath of fresh air. If one considers this initial work as it is, a stamp made from a storyteller just getting started, the show maintains its strength and vitality. All of which are improved by the UHD experience. Pina hit a home run with his feature debut, and television, as well as streaming, would never be the same.

Simon says Money Heist (La casa de papel) receives:

Also, see my review for White Lines.

Film Review: "No Time to Die" (2021).

"The mission that changes everything begins" in No Time to Die. This spy film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, written by Fukunaga, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Phoebe Waller-Bridge and produced by Eon Productions. It is the 25th film in the James Bond series, as well as Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as the fictional British MI6 agent. Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

After the release of Spectre (2015), producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stated that they felt reasonably confident that Craig would return for this movie. However, Craig has said that he would retire from the role of James Bond if he felt he was too old to play the character. In March 2017, Purvis and Wade returned to pen the script. In July, Craig had a "verbal agreement" that he would return for this Bond movie. In February 2018, Danny Boyle was hired to direct and John Hodge was hired to pen a new script. However, in late August 2018, it was announced that, due to creative differences, Boyle and Hodge had decided to leave Bond 25. In September, Fukunaga was ultimately hired to replace Boyle. At the same time, Purvis and Wade were brought back to start penning a new script. By February 2019, Paul Haggis and Scott Z. Burns were hired to rewrite Pervis and Wade's script. By late April 2019, Waller-Bridge was hired as a late addition to polish the script. At the same time, Craig, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes and Rory Kinnear were confirmed to reprise their roles, with Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Ana de Armas, Billy Magnussen and David Dencik cast as newcomers. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late October. Filming took place in Italy, Jamaica, Norway, the Faroe Islands and London, including Pinewood Studios. In July 2019, Dan Romer was announced to compose the film's score. However, in January 2020, Hans Zimmer replaced Romer due to creative differences. At the same time, it was announced that Billie Eilish would write and perform the film's theme song. The film was originally scheduled for a November 2019 release date, but was postponed to February 2020 and then to April 2020 after Boyle's departure. In October 2020, the film was delayed again to 2 April 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, the film was rescheduled to 8 October 2021.

Surrounded by a talented and stellar cast, Craig gives a fitting and beautiful swan song of a performance that has come to define James Bond for the 21st century.

The film gives the finish James Bond deserves, but to say it reaches the heights of its predecessors is predictably hard.

Simon says No Time to Die receives:

Also, see my reviews for Maniac and Spectre.

Series Review: "The Beatles: Get Back" (2021).

"Experience the 3-part event." This is The Beatles: Get Back. This documentary series directed by Peter Jackson. The series takes audiences back in time to the band’s January 1969 recording sessions, which became a pivotal moment in music history. The docuseries showcases The Beatles’ creative process as they attempt to write fourteen new songs in preparation for their first live concert in over two years. Faced with a nearly impossible deadline, the strong bonds of friendship shared by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are put to the test. The docuseries is compiled from nearly sixty hours of unseen footage shot over twenty-one days, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969, and from more than a hundred and fifty hours of unheard audio, most of which has been locked in a vault for over half a century. Jackson is the only person in fifty years to have been given access to this Beatles treasure trove, all of which has now been brilliantly restored. What emerges is an unbelievably intimate portrait of The Beatles, showing how, with their backs against the wall, they could still rely on their friendship, good humor, and creative genius. While plans derail and relationships are put to the test, some of the world’s most iconic songs are composed and performed. The docuseries features – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles’ last live performance as a group, the unforgettable rooftop concert on London’s Savile Row, as well as other songs and classic compositions featured on the band’s final two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be.

The series employed film restoration techniques developed for Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old. Sixty hours of film footage and over a hundred and fifty hours of audio stemming from the original Let It Be film project were made available to Jackson's team. In reference to the long-reported acrimony surrounding the original Get Back project, Jackson wrote in a press statement that he was "relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth ... Sure, there's moments of drama – but none of the discord this project has long been associated with." Jackson spent close to four years editing the series. It was created with cooperation from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the widows of John Lennon (Yoko Ono) and George Harrison (Olivia Harrison), as well as music supervisor Giles Martin (son of George Martin and a regular producer of Beatles projects since 2006). The series was intended to be released theatrically in 2020 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the release of Let It Be (1969) and its accompanying album. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the release date to be pushed into 2021. The film was subsequently repurposed as a three-part mini-series and released on Disney+. Disney was persuaded by the filmmakers to allow for the inclusion of profanity, with viewer discretion warnings at the start of each episode.

This is an extraordinary experience which has rightly earned plaudits around the world. Jackson has used modern post-production techniques to bring alive The Beatles in all of their wonderful glory.

Simon says The Beatles: Get Back receives:

Also, see my review for They Shall Not Grow Old.

Series Review: "Dig Deeper: The Disappearance of Birgit Meier" ("Dig Deeper - Das Verschwinden von Birgit Meier") (2021).

From the writer/director of Above and Below comes Dig Deeper: The Disappearance of Birgit Meier (Dig Deeper - Das Verschwinden von Birgit Meier). This German true crime documentary miniseries written and directed by Nicolas Steiner. After Birgit Meier vanishes in 1989, police missteps plague the case for years, but her brother never wavers in his tireless quest to find the truth.

In 1989, Birgit Meier disappeared. Initially, investigators suspected that she had died by suicide or had been killed by her husband, but they later focused the investigation on Kurt-Werner Wichmann, who was working as a gardener at the Lüneberg cemetery. Wichmann was interrogated, and despite the flimsy alibi of being with his wife and walking the dog, he was not checked closely. He also concealed the fact that he was on sick leave at the time of Meier's disappearance, but the police did not inquire further. Only with the establishment of a new prosecutor in Lüneberg did further investigations begin. In 1993, charges of suspected murder in Birgit Meier's case were brought against Wichmann, and the police searched his house. Investigators found two small-caliber rifles, a converted sharp gas pistol, stun guns, mufflers, handcuffs, sedatives and sleeping pills, as well as a secret torture room with a soundproof door, which only he and his brother were allowed to enter. There was a buried, red Ford sports coupe in the backyard, with blood on its back seat. Body-tracking dogs were used several times to search the property, but no bodies were found. Wichmann fled and was arrested in Heilbronn when he was involved in a traffic accident; weapons were found in his vehicle. Ten days after his arrest, Wichmann hung himself in the Heimsheim Prison. He had attempted suicide previously. He left strange farewell letters in which he asked, among other things, his brother to clean the gutter. After his death, the murders in the woods around Lüneberg ceased, and further investigation was discontinued. His vehicle and the items found in it were disposed of by police. In 2017, Birgit Meier's remains were ultimately recovered under the concrete floor of a garage of a house on the outskirts of Lüneburg that Wichmann had previously occupied. On 19 January 2018, it became known via an autopsy report from the Hannover Medical School that Birgit Meier had been shot. Lüneberg Police President Robert Kruse stated that the perpetrator was a serial killer who may have killed beyond Germany. He announced a thorough review of old cases, with Wichmann being considered as a possible suspect. As a result, analysts from the State Criminal Police Office of Lower Saxony filtered out twenty-four unsolved cases, in particular homicides and missing persons.

Steiner certainly sought out a sickening true crime story on a decades long disappearance and while the filmmaking has an extended Unsolved Mysteries quality to it the storytelling is engrossing and heartbreaking. The series starts off like so many other true-crime stories of its ilk, but soon finds its moral footing and lands in a more moving, profound place.

Simon says Dig Deeper: The Disappearance of Birgit Meier (Dig Deeper - Das Verschwinden von Birgit Meier) receives: