Howe's World of Film and TV

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn (2020) – Review

A Warner Bros Picture, Written by Christina Hodson, Directed by Cathy Yan.

All the talking is over and Birds of Prey is finally here, and the result is something not even me, who was really looking forward to the film, could’ve anticipated. This is truly one of the best and most unique comic book films of all time.

This is not your usual comic book film, this is a genre film with comic book characters. It is a expletive filled, non-linear, gory, female led crime caper with a twist, being told through the eyes of our narrator, Harley Quinn.

Cathy Yan, who directs here with superb energy and a really specific style, invokes the style of early Tarantino and of European art-house cinema to provide a neon soaked world for our characters to inhabit which allows the film to stand out from anything that has come before it.

The Gotham City that Harley and co inhabit is very different to the one that we are used to Batman squaring off in, and that works for the best, as here with have a gritty and yet vibrant place for the eclectic crew to live in.

It isn’t the perfect movie, with the story itself being quite standard, but the way it is told really makes up for that and the dialogue is sharp and often hilarious, so a lot of credit should also go to screenwriter Christina Hodson, a quickly rising star who is also due to write both The Flash and Batgirl for Warner Bros.

There has been some talk about how this film isn’t ‘sexy’ enough, and while that isn’t remotely the point of the film and doesn’t need to be a factor, there is absolutely no denying that watching Robbie, Smollett-Bell, Perez, and Winstead kick ass like they do is sexy, and if you can’t see that, you’re simply coming to the film for the wrong reasons.

The soundtrack is brilliantly put together and strikes the right tone with the film, and is utilised brilliantly throughout, adding real impetus and energy to certain moments in the film, especially the action and fight scenes, which are all choreographed and performed remarkably well.

Margot Robbie has been trying to get this film made as a producer for years, and she should be incredibly proud of the end result. From an acting stand point, she is undoubtedly the lead here and delivers what I truly believe to be one of the best acting performances I have seen in a comic book film. She provides real depth to Harley’s darker moments, thrives on the comedic aspects of the characters, and brings an infectious energy to the whole film, and I can’t wait to see her play this character for years to come.

Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Rosie Perez both have key roles here and bring their best to the characters, and provide some of the other stand out moments of the film. There is a lot more that can be explored with each character, but they have definitely got the right people to play them for the foreseeable future. Mary Elizabeth Winstead makes for a surprisingly funny and absolutely bad ass Huntress, but she only really features in the second half of the movie and has the least to do. The scene at the end of the film promises that this trio are going to have plenty more adventures going forward, and I can’t wait to see it.

Ewan McGregor is an absolute triumph as Black Mask, he is charismatic, menacing, and hilarious, often all at the same time. He is another key reason this film works and while he’ll certainly be different, I really hope we get to see more of him in future films because he is already one of my favourite villains.

Ella Jay Basco does a solid job as ‘Cass’ although this isn’t the Cassandra Cain many fans are used to. Chris Messina also leaves a lasting impact as notorious villain Victor Zsaz.

I knew I was going to enjoy this film as soon as the animated opening sequence came on, and I had such a great time all the way through to the end. I really hope this is a box office hit as well as critical success so that we can explore much more of this world and hopefully get to see Robbie’s Harley finally interact with Poison Ivy (Harley is confirmed as bisexual in a blink and you’ll miss it moment) and a potential Gotham City Sirens film directed by Cathy Yan would be right at the top of my list if I was a Warner Bros executive.

This movie is incredibly fun and I just can’t get enough of “Harley F***ing Quinn”!

Rating = 4.5/5

Pain and Glory (2019) – Review

A Sony Picture, Written and Directed by Pedro Almodovar.

One of the bigger surprises for this years Oscar nominations was the inclusion of Antonio Banderas in the Best Actor category, and after watching this film, I totally understand why he was.

The melancholy and sense of yearning he brings to the role is incredibly powerful, and his ongoing collaboration with director Pedro Almodovar is producing some of the finest works of cinema of their respective years.

Penelope Cruz, another long term Pedro Almodovar collaborator, is very strong in the key supporting role and is big reason why this works.

There are some great developments in the story, and the film is shot with some great visual flourishes that work to compliment the overall mood and feeling.

Rating = 4/5

The Farewell (2019) – Review

An A24 Picture, Written and Directed by Lulu Wang.

The Farewell is one of the most emotionally devastating and yet cathartic films I have seen in a long time, made even more remarkable as this is based on the real life of its writer/director Lulu Wang.

The moral debate of whether someone should be spared knowing a terminal diagnosis is one I had never considered and is very fascinating. However, the real story here is the love of families.

In particular, the relationship between Billi and Nai Nai is truly heartwarming, and yet tinged with sadness as we know something one of the characters does not.

It felt very personal and made me think of loved ones I have lost, and also of loved ones I still have, and it reminds you how much you need to cherish them.

Lulu Wang is a huge talent and I absolutely cannot wait for the next project she takes on, as it’s sure to be impressive.

Both Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen are outstanding here, bringing heart, humour, sadness, and realism to their roles, and absolutely carrying the film.

Rating = 4.5/5

Final Oscar Predictions

These are officially my final predictions for this years Oscars, with the ceremony taking place on Sunday night. These predictions take into account months of awards shows that have been leading up to this, as well as how the academy has previously worked and how I believe the industry is currently leaning. This looks set to be a tough to predict year at the Academy awards, but I have done my best, and we will find out in a few days how well I have done…

Top Predicted Winners

1917 – 5

Parasite – 5

Best Picture

Predicted Winner = Parasite (Neon) – Kwak Sin-ae, Bong Joon-ho

Main Challenger = 1917 (Universal) – Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougal

Best Director

Predicted Winner = Sam Mendes – 1917

Main Challenger =Bong Joon-ho – Parasite

Best Actor

Predicted Winner = Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

Main Challenger =Adam Driver – Marriage Story

Best Actress

Predicted Winner = Renee Zellwegger – Judy

Main Challenger =Scarlett Johansson – Marriage Story

Best Supporting Actor

Predicted Winner = Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Main Challenger =Joe Pesci – The Irishman

Best Supporting Actress

Predicted Winner = Laura Dern – Marriage Story

Main Challenger =Scarlett Johansson – Jojo Rabbit

Best Original Screenplay

Predicted Winner = Bong Joon-ho, Han Jin-won – Parasite

Main Challenger =Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Adapted Screenplay

Predicted Winner = Taika Waititi – Jojo Rabbit

Main Challenger =Greta Gerwig – Little Women

Best Animated Feature

Predicted Winner = Klaus (Netflix) – Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh, Marisa Román

Main Challenger = Toy Story 4 (Pixar) – Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen, Jonas Rivera

Best Documentary Feature

Predicted Winner = For Sama – Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts

Main Challenger = American Factory – Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, Jeff Reichert

Best International Feature

Predicted Winner = Parasite – South Korea

Main Challenger = Pain and Glory – Spain

Best Cinematography

Predicted Winner = 1917 – Roger Deakins

Main Challenger = Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Robert Richardson

Best Film Editing

Predicted Winner = Parasite – Yang Jin-mo

Main Challenger = Ford v Ferrari – Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Predicted Winner = Bombshell – Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan, Vivian Baker

Main Challenger = Joker – Nicki Ledermann, Kay Georgiou

Best Original Score

Predicted Winner = Joker – Hildur Guonadottir

Main Challenger = 1917 – Thomas Newman

Best Original Song

Predicted Winner = “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” (Rocketman) – Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Main Challenger = “Stand Up” (Harriet) – JoshuahBrian Campbell, Cynthia Erivo

Best Visual Effects

Predicted Winner = 1917 – Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, Dominic Tuohy

Main Challenger = The Irishman – Pablo Helman, Leandro Estebecorena, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Stephane Grabli

Best Production Design

Predicted Winner = Parasite – Lee Ha Jun, Cho Won Woo

Main Challenger = 1917 – Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales

Best Costume Design

Predicted Winner = Little Women – Jaqueline Durran

Main Challenger = Joker – Mark Bridges

Best Sound Editing

Predicted Winner = 1917 – Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate

Main Challenger = Ford v. Ferrari – Donald Sylvester

Best Sound Mixing

Predicted Winner = 1917 – Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson

Main Challenger = Ford v Ferrari –Paul Massey, David Giammarco, Steven A. Morrow

Bonus –

Best Live Action Short Film

Predicted Winner = The Neighbor’s Window – Marshall Curry

Best Animated Short Film

Predicted Winner = Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry, Karen Rupert Toliver

Best Documentary Short Subject

Predicted Winner = Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) – Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva

The BAFTAs 2020 – Winners

Most Wins – 1917 – 7

Best Film – 1917

Best British Film – 1917

Best Director – Sam Mendes – 1917

Best Actor – Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

Best Actress – Renee Zellwegger – Judy

Best Supporting Actor – Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actress – Laura Dern – Marriage Story

Best Original Screenplay – Parasite

Best Adapted Screenplay – Jojo Rabbit

Best Foreign Language Film – Parasite

Best Animated Film – Klaus

Best Documentary Film – For Adams

Best Debut – Bait

Best Cinematography – 1917

Best Editing – Le Mans 66 (Ford v. Ferrari)

Best Production Design – 1917

Best Costume Design – Little Women

Best Score – Joker

Best Make-Up and Hair – Bombshell

Best Sound – 1917

Best Visual Effects – 1917

Best Casting – Joker

Best Short – Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If you’re a Girl)

Best Animated Short – Grandad Was a Romantic

Rising Star – Michael Ward

Contribution to Cinema – Andy Serkis

Fellowship – Kathleen Kennedy

The BAFTAs – Reaction

I will do a full post breaking down each winner tomorrow, but for now I wanted to cover some of the big moments of the night.

In the screenplay categories, Parasite and Jojo Rabbit seem to now be our front runners, but don’t rule out Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or Little Women just yet.

The acting awards are absolute locks and went as expected, with Joaquin Phoenix’s scathing attack on the industry’s internalised racism being a particular highlight.

When it comes to director and picture, they both went to 1917 here, which is clearly the front runner in both categories, but don’t rule Parasite out yet either.

Overall, Sam Mendes’ epic war film dominated in the place you would expect it to most, Britain. It went home with a stunning 7 awards and looks to be the one to stop for the Oscars next week.

Harriet (2019) – Review

A Universal Picture, Written by Gregory Allen Howard, Kasi Lemmons, Directed by Kasi Lemmons.

This is a solid and well made biopic about one of the most important people in American history. I couldn’t help but get the feeling that this film didn’t properly show the full impact this woman had and the amount of lives she saved.

It is told in a very standard manner and while this gets the job done, I wish there had been a bit more imagination put into it to create something truly special.

The supporting turns from Leslie Odom Jr, Joe Alwyn, and Janelle Monáe are effective, but the film is carried entirely on the back of Cynthia Erivo, who is very good here.

She also stands a chance of becoming the youngest EGOT in history due to her song ‘Stand Up’ (she has no chance in the acting race) and it would be interesting to see such a piece of history.

Rating = 3/5

Uncut Gems (2019) – Review

An A24 Picture, Written by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Directed by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie.

Uncut Gems is undoubtably a unique piece of cinema and exactly the sort of indie film that I hope continues to be made.

It is totally a singular vision, and absolutely thrilling, with the style of the Safdie bros shining through to create a truly anxiety inducing price of cinema.

The editing and sound teams deserve to be in awards contention this year as they are some of the best I have seen in a long time.

The whole cast is amazing, with the mix of real people and actors truly adding to the feel of the film. Kevin Garrett as himself and Idina Menzel do good jobs, while Lakeith Stanfield continues to prove he is one of our best character actors.

In her debut role, Julia Fox delivers one of the performances of the year. She brings amazing charisma to every scene and truly makes your root for her. She has a particular scene that has got everyone talking and rightfully so (it is incredibly memorable) but she is amazing throughout. She has a unique and stunning visual presence, as well as genuine acting talent. I really wish she was in the best supporting actress consideration this year.

The man who absolutely carries this film is Adam Sandler, proving yet again what a remarkable actor he can be when he pushes himself. This is a very tough role to pull off and he does it with ease, showing what a talent he can be and I truly hope he continues to take on these sort of roles, even though he never got any awards attention for this film.

Rating = 4/5

Miss Americana (2020) – Review

A Netflix Original Picture, Directed by Lana Wilson.

Taylor Swift is one of the biggest selling, highly decorated, and most talked about celebrities of the 21st Century, and this documentary allows us behind closed doors to get a better understanding of who she is.

This is less a story about how a country girl managed to rise to the top of a male dominated industry, and more about the person herself.

We see how famous incidents have effects her (the shocking and indefensible Kanye moment in 2009, the Kim vs Taylor feud, her finally making a political stand) and it gives context to these moments we all saw play out from the outside.

On an interesting side note, Swift has a very powerful speech about being a ‘nice girl’, which really made me think of the ‘cool girl’ speech from Gone Girl, so if there are any Amy Dunne fans watching this, I’m sure that will amuse you too.

She makes it clear that for much of her life she put her happiness in the hands of people liking her, which is something many people can relate to, and it is great to see her healthy growth in how she feels about herself and how she lives her life in her own way.

The way she deals with her sexual assault case and her eventual step into politics is commendable, and she seems determined to support the fans and the people who have got her where she is. Taylor Swift is now “un-muzzled” (as she herself puts it) and ready to fight for what she believes in.

I will say that while this is clearly a stage managed documentary, so it is not possible to get the full picture and unflinching understanding of who she truly is, I do believe this shows us a lot and makes one point very clear to me.

Strip away all the fame and fortune, and Taylor Swift is a good person, who is actively trying to educate herself so she can continue to be an ally to those who need her the most.

Rating = 3.5/5

Bojack Horseman Season 6: Part 2 (2020) – TV Review

We have finally reached the end of one of televisions most stunning achievements. What started as an amusing animation that lovingly made fun of Hollywood and it’s inhabitants, quickly became one of the most startling examinations of the human condition ever put on screen.

The whole show, throughout its 6 season run, has dealt with depression, trauma, sexuality, self destructive behaviour, sexuality, racism, and most importantly, our experience as humans. It has done this through a unique and unflinching lens that has allowed true growth for its characters and for some real lessons to be learned by its audience.

Despite all this, it has also managed to be a genuinely hilarious show, with much of the humour so cleverly skewering Hollywood and the pop culture landscape in a loving yet skeptical way, that I am convinced this show was written specifically for me.

The whole supporting cast have become characters we truly love, especially Diane, Princess Carolyn, Todd, and Mr PeanutButter (one of TVs greatest good guys/boys). The voice work on these characters has been exceptional and in this final season, while they all take a real backseat to Bojack, they certainly have arcs that feel right and natural for them.

The final season deals head on with the ‘Me Too era’ in one of the most authentic and well done ways I have seen so far, and it also presents us with Bojack’s reckoning and his battle between his self destructive tendencies and his desire to live as a good man.

The show ends on a touching and yet not preachy note, and this final run of episodes really felt like a time to reflect on not just the lives of the characters, but ourselves.

There was once a marketing campaign for a season of the show where a poster said “Soprano. Draper. Underwood. Horseman” jokingly putting Bojack in the same boat as those iconic tv anti-heroes. However, as the years have gone on, the character and the show have proved they truly belong alongside those icons of the peak TV era.

There have been very few shows like Bojack Horseman, there will be very few like it in the future, and I am just glad I got to experience this show when I did.

“Back in the 90s, I was in a very famous TV show”

Rating = 5/5