Film Review: "Nightmare Alley" (2021).

From the director of The Shape of Water comes Nightmare Alley. This neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Guillermo del Toro, adapted by del Toro and Kim Morgan, and based on the 1946 novel of the same title by William Lindsay Gresham. An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.

In December 2017, del Toro revealed that he would be attached to write and direct a new film adaptation of Gresham's novel. The film marks a departure for del Toro, as it contains no "supernatural" elements, as opposed to his previous films. Del Toro considered this to be a new standalone adaptation of Gresham's novel, as opposed to a remake of the 1947 film version. In April 2019, Leonardo DiCaprio entered negotiations to star in the film. However, DiCaprio opted out when negotiations fell through due to not reaching a financial agreement. In June 2019, Bradley Cooper entered early negotiations to replace DiCaprio. By mid September, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn, Holt McCallany, Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson and Jim Beaver rounded out the cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early December. Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Buffalo, New York. In March 2020, Del Toro himself shut down production on the film after rising concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Production resumed in September. The film was originally scheduled for a December 3, 2021 release date, but was rescheduled to December 17, 2021.

The film stars Cooper, Blanchett, Collette, Dafoe, Jenkins, Mara, Perlman, Steenburgen, Strathairn, McCallany, Collins Jr., Nelson and Beaver. Cooper delivers a terrific performance as a natural conman whose charming veneer shatters as we're introduced to his ever-escalating schemes in the most brutal fashion. Cooper's commitment to such a morally detestable character displays a fearlessness that is rarely seen in cinema today.

Horror Maestro, Del Toro, has got closer than most to the bleak spirit of his film's source - Gresham's 1946 novel. No mean feat. The film's depth of darkness and amorality that grips. Definitely not for all, especially those easily disturbed by sheer, raw violence. Del Toro is all about commentary and debate and this vicious character study attempts to strip away the fable of the American dream. Fascinating, but not for the squeamish. This is compelling and challenging cinema, punctuated with genuinely shocking moments, by a director and a cast of actors who are right at the top of their game. Sometimes works, sometimes scores a near-hit and sometimes doesn't work at all, but is invariably fascinating throughout. Like much of Del Toro's genre-hopping, this venture into film noir fits him surprisingly well the first time he slips it on; though it could still do with a few alterations. If in the end it doesn't fully capture the malignant brilliance of its source...there's enough Gresham in it to make Stan Carlisle a guy worth spending a couple of hours with.

Simon says Nightmare Alley receives:

Also, see my review for The Shape of Water.

Series Review: "The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman" (2022).

A jaw-dropping story of one of the world’s most audacious conmen, Robert Hendy-Freegard, comes The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman. This documentary series directed by Sam Benstead and Gareth Johnson. This chilling series explores the story of Robert Freegard, who, over the course of two decades, controlled, conned and fleeced at least seven women and one man out of almost one million pounds, with his devious charm.

Born in Dronfield on 1 March 1971, and started his career as a barman and car salesman, British conman and impostor who masqueraded as an MI5 agent, Robert Hendy-Freegard would meet his victims on social occasions or as customers in the pub or car dealership where he worked. Having met the victims, he claimed to be an undercover agent, working for MI5, the Special Branch or for Scotland Yard. He applied pressure and psychological stress to his victims, claiming they were threatened with assassination by the IRA, to coerce them into following his demands. Having won his victims over, he coerced money out of them and pressured them do his bidding, including cutting off contact with their family and friends; performing "loyalty tests"; and living alone in poor conditions. He seduced five women, claiming that he wanted to marry them. Initially some of the victims refused to cooperate with the police because he had warned them that police would be double agents or MI5 agents performing another "loyalty test". In January 2022, it was reported that Hendy-Freegard was living in Berkshire with one of his victims, Sandra Clifton, whose two children had not seen her since 2014.

The lesson to be learned here is that if a person claims to be an MI5 agent, you really should obviously be sceptical. It's a ripping ride but it's the final episode in which, among other things, we come face to face with the hunted man, that the series really delivers its sucker punch. Sometimes you don't have to meet a genius to feel taken advantage of; just a person who knows how to recognize what you want and haven't ever had. At best it's an odd confluence of true crime, documentary tropes, and visual artistry. The familiarity of this situation that makes the series watchable if not indispensable. There's a fascinating kind of danger rolling across the British landscape in this three-part documentary. Stunning re-enactments add to the documentary feel. The series hangs together much better than any of 2020's popular documentary series. There's barely any flab in these three hours as the story takes progressively weirder, more surprising turns. As twisty and juicy as the story here is, the series keeps threatening to slip through your fingers, which makes it a bit like Robert Hendy-Freegard, if you're into that sort of mirroring. Though the series settles for the basic TV-procedural, true-crime side of the story, leaving the material - as juicy as it is - conspicuously short-changed. Ultimately, the series will take you to some emotionally dark places, especially as more and more victims begin to surface. You need a week-to-week break.

Simon says The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman receives:

Film Review: "The Tragedy of Macbeth" (2021).

From the director of No Country for Old Men and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs comes The Tragedy of Macbeth. This historical thriller film adapted and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. A Scottish lord becomes convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next King of Scotland. His ambitious wife will do anything to support him in his plans of seizing power.

In March 2019, it was announced that Joel Coen, in a rare solo effort, was set to write and direct a new take on Shakespeare's classic play. By early February 2020, Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Corey Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Melling, Moses Ingram, Ralph Ineson and Stephen Root were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late July. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California. In late March, filming had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed in late July. In April, Coen announced that the film will officially be titled The Tragedy of Macbeth. The film was shot in black-and-white.

The fim stars Washington, McDormand, Hawkins, Gleeson, Melling, Ingram, Ineson and Root. The film presents powerhouse performances, especially from Washington as the troubled Prince and McDormand as the devious Princess. Washington has all the makings of a terrific Macbeth - the intensity, the towering melancholy, the warrior attitude and physique - and he duly delivers, as does McDormand as his partner in medieval crime.

Joel Coen's effort with Macbeth should be honored. The merits are obvious. But his film has great moments which repay a visit. The graphic intensity of Coen's black-and-white film of one of Shakespeare's legendary plays, then, isn't merely for show, but a carefully considered symbolist staging for screen, meant to complement the Bard's immortal poetry. There is force in this rough, hasty rendering; the sheer speed of the pacing gives it a quality of crushing delirium. A familiar story in a more traditional setting, but still manages to bring forth a new, bolder version of Macbeth that Michael Fassbender does a brilliant job delivering. Even if it stumbles somewhat over its historical appreciation of Shakespeare's drama, this Macbeth, at its best, conveys a genuine sense of the corruption and barbarism of our own times. What catches the attention in the film is how it can become extremely theatrical and, at the same time, imposingly cinematic. Performance, setting, look, and sound successfully come together to generate the drama and monumental scale required of Coen to do justice to Shakespeare's work. One cannot fault the outstanding cinematic style of this Macbeth, which succeeds admirably in creating mood. Coen have adapted Shakespeare's text intelligently and agree or disagree with their various elisions and interpretations, it is good to see the boldness of their decisions. Fashioning an aesthetic which is both highly stylised and naturalistic, Coen crafts a rich banquet of a film (intended!). One of the director's most personal creations, it's a courageous experiment with a craggy barbaric splendor all its own.

Simon says The Tragedy of Macbeth receives:

Also, see my review for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Film Review: "Scream" (2022).

"It's Always Someone You Know". This is Scream. This slasher film directed by Radio Silence, written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, and based on the characters created by Kevin Williamson. Though billed as a relaunch of the franchise, the film is a direct sequel to 2011's Scream 4 and serves as the fifth installment of the Scream film series. Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.

In 2011, before the release of Scream 4, Wes Craven confirmed he was contracted to work on a fifth and sixth installment, if the fourth film was successful. Williamson also confirmed he had contractual obligations for Scream 4, Scream 5 and Scream 6. In May 2011, after the release of the fourth film, Harvey Weinstein confirmed that a sequel was possible as he was happy with the fourth film's box office gross. However, in February 2012, Williamson stated at the time that he did not know if it would be made. In late June 2015, Weinstein firmly denied the possibility of a fifth installment or any further continuation of the film franchise. Following Craven's death on August 30, 2015, and the closure of The Weinstein Company in the wake of numerous sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the fate of the Scream franchise was in limbo. Until... in November 2019, Spyglass Media Group acquired the rights to make a new Scream film. It was unknown at the time if it would be a sequel, reboot, or remake, and that if Williamson would return. In December, it was announced that the film would feature a new cast but could possibly feature appearances from previous main cast members. In March 2020, it was announced that Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett were hired to direct the fifth film. In May, Vanderbilt and Busick were hired to pen the installment. In June, it was reported that the film was set to be distributed by Paramount Pictures and was initially aiming for a 2021 release date. By late September, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Marley Shelton and Roger L. Jackson were confirmed to reprise their roles. Dylan Minnette, Jack Quaid, Jenna Ortega, Mikey Madison, Kyle Gallner, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Melissa Barrera rounded out the film's cast as newcomers. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in mid November. Filming took place in Wilmington, North Carolina. The production was originally scheduled to begin in May 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus delayed the film's release date to 2022. In late November, Williamson revealed that the film's official title is Scream.

Unexpectedly entertaining performances were given by the cast, both new and old. However, everybody is still a suspect and everybody is still a victim, but narrowing down our Ghostface has become easier than ever.

Despite being not as prescient as the original, the film is a marvelous return to form for the franchise with some razor-sharp commentary and thrilling bloodshed. Welcome back, Scream.

Simon says Scream receives:

Also, see my review for Ready or Not.

Film Review: "The King's Man" (2021).

From the director of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle comes The King's Man. This spy action film directed by Matthew Vaughn, written by Vaughn and Karl Gajdusek, and based on the comic book The Secret Service by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. It serves as a prequel to 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service and is the third installment in the Kingsman film series. As a collection of history's worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King's Man.

In June 2018, Vaughn announced that a prequel film was in active development, stating that the plot would take place during the early 1900s and would depict the formation of the spy agency and that the project would film back-to-back with "the third regular Kingsman film" which was scheduled to be released in 2021. By late January 2019, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, Charles Dance, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alexandra Maria Lara, Valerie Pachner, August Diehl, Stanley Tucci and David Kross were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place throughout the United Kingdom and Italy under the working title of The Great Game. The film was originally scheduled for a 8 November 2019 release date, but was pushed back first to 15 November 2019, then to 14 February 2020, and then to 18 September 2020. The release date was again pushed back by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures to 26 February 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the delay of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four films, the film was moved up two weeks to 12 February 2021, before being moved again to 12 March 2021. In January 2021, the release date was delayed again to 20 August 2021. In March 2021, it was further delayed to the December 2021 date.

The film stars Fiennes, Arterton, Ifans, Goode, Hollander, Dickinson, Brühl, Hounsou, Dance, Taylor-Johnson, Lara, Pachner, Diehl, Tucci and Kross. With a few too many villains and seemingly wasted big stars, the cast still puts a fun spin on the spy genre.

As Merlin once said, this is whiskey compared to single-malt scotch. It'll give you a slight buzz at times, but that doesn't mean it was distilled with enough time or care. Apparently, Vaughn is working on a third installment. At this point, I'm not sure whether to be excited or irritated by that. He's a good filmmaker, and he can absolutely do better than this. Think of a film like The Hangover and then remember how its unfunny sequels actually made the first part seem less funny in retrospect. If you enjoyed the first, then the film won't disappoint you. It's just as fun, even if its shiny shoes have been slightly scuffed. Overall, fans of the original will find more than enough to like here, and even casual moviegoers are likely to get a couple kicks from it.

Simon says The King's Man receives:

Also, see my review for The Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Film Review: "The Addams Family 2" (2021).

"Unhappy to see you again." This is The Addams Family 2. This computer-animated supernatural black comedy road film co-directed by Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon, Laura Brousseau and Kevin Pavlovic, written by Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, and Susanna Fogel, and based on the characters created by Charles Addams. Morticia and Gomez are distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with "scream time." To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation. Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, It, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?

In mid October 2019, following the 2019 film's successful release, it was announced that a sequel to the film was scheduled for an October 22, 2021 theatrical release date, and that Tiernan and Vernon would return to direct the film. At the same time, most the original cast; Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler and Snoop Dogg, were confirmed to reprise their roles. However, Finn Wolfhard could not reprise his role due to his voice changing, so Javon Walton replaced him. Bill Hader, and Wallace Shawn rounded out the film's voice cast.

The film stars the voice talents of Isaac, Theron, Moretz, Kroll, Walton, Midler, Dogg, Hader, and Shawn. All the casting here, like the film itself, feels too marketing driven, and the latter is obviously an excuse for a bad hip-hop remix of the classic TV show theme song. However, the cast repeat some of the first film's favorite schtick without wearing out their welcome, and they sustain much more exuberance than a sequel might be expected to have.

Somehow, the new production fails to sustain the creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and altogether ooky visual sweep that held the first film together. Though this sequel probably has more creative energy than its predecessor, the constant stream of one-liners and sight gags is very much hit or miss. Like the first of the Addams chronicles, this is an essentially lazy movie, too often settling for easy gags and special effects that don't come to any really funny point. If you haven't yet seen the first film, rent that instead, or, better yet, go pick up a volume of the original Addams cartoons. A few sparkling performances and funny moments save this from being a complete waste of time, but it's not a promising way to start the Halloween movie season. We are left with a decent cutesy film that expands the Addams' universe, but does little to help it progress towards something greater or new. The film's simplistic and episodic plot put a major dampener on what could have been a welcome breath of fresh air for family animation. It has monsters doing/saying weird things and humans acting like huge jerks but when that's all you've got for ninety-three minutes, the novelty quickly wears thin.

Simon says The Addams Family 2 receives:

Also, see my reviews for The Addams Family.

Film Review: "House of Gucci" (2021).

"A legacy worth killing for." This is House of Gucci. This biographical crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott, written by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna, and based on the 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden. When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.

In June 2006, Scott was set to direct a film about the downfall of the Gucci family dynasty, with Andrea Berloff penning the script, despite the family's dismissal of the project, with Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio rumored to star as Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci respectively. However, in February 2012, Scott's daughter Jordan Scott had replaced him as director and was in talks with Penélope Cruz to play Reggiani. However, in November 2016, Wong Kar-wai took over as director, with Charles Randolph hired to rewrite Berloff's script and Margot Robbie now considered to play Reggiani. In November 2019, Ridley Scott was once again set to direct the film, with Bentivegna penning a new script, and Lady Gaga set to star. According to the Gucci CEO, Marco Bizzarri, the fashion house cooperated with the production and gave them full access to their archives for wardrobe and props. In April 2020, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired the rights to the film. By August, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Jack Huston entered negotiations to round out the film's cast. In addition, it was reported that the filming was expected to begin when Scott completed production of The Last Duel (2021). In early February 2021, Leto said that the film was still in the pre-production phase and they would start shooting it in Italy in the coming weeks. By late February, Driver, Leto, Pacino, Huston, Jeremy Irons and Salma Hayek were confirmed to round the film's cast whilst De Niro had exited the film. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in early May. Filming took place throughout Italy. For her role, Gaga explained that she took into account how her long-time friend Tony Bennett "feels about Italians being represented in film in terms of crime", and aspired to "make a real person out of Patrizia, not a caricature." To achieve that, she studied Reggiani's vocal cadence and attitude. She stayed in character for eighteen months, speaking with an accent for nine months during that period. She also adlibbed many of her lines.

The film stars Gaga, Driver, Leto, Irons, Pacino, Hayek and Huston. The cast's, especially Gaga's, performances are the film's key. At face value, it seems too florid for effectiveness; they beguile you with their delivery and like a heavy mist they completely envelope you.

The film is not only thrilling, but it's a fabulous cautionary tale, reflecting the impact of money, the legacy of family, and how far a woman would go to conquer the world.

Simon says House of Gucci receives:

Also, see my review for The Last Duel.