Howe's World of Film and TV

Fast and Furious 9 – Trailer Reaction

The extra long first trailer for “F9” has finally dropped and it is completely bonkers, and certainly attention grabbing.

Some of the action looks so implausible and over the top that it’s almost unmissable, but it’s the narrative decisions that really interest me.

Dom’s brother is introduced as the villain of the film, played by non other than John Cena, and he seems to be teaming up with Charlize Theron’s villain Cipher.

We also see the return of Jordana Brewster as Mia, but no mention of how they will explain where ‘Brian’ is.

Additionally, we finally get the return of Lucas Black as Sean (the lead of Tokyo Drift, who is surely going to have a hell of a reunion with a certain someone in this film).

There is also no Dwayne Johnson or Jason Statham, although Helen Mirren does show up briefly.

However, all of this isn’t even the craziest part of the trailer, as right at the end it is revealed Han is alive. It is a great moment but feels slightly like a cop out for all those asking for ‘Justice for Han’ to just miraculous bring him back, but I will withhold judgment until I see the film.

While this all seems totally ridiculous, I will absolutely be there opening weekend.

The Rhythm Section (2020) – Review

A Paramount Picture, Written by Mark Burnell, Directed by Reed Marano.

A “spy film” from the producers of James Bond, directed by Reed Marano, and starring Blake Lively should be a huge deal, especially to the people who are always clamouring for a ‘female bond’. However, the film was poorly marketed and the final product is lacklustre.

This is much more of a character study about a woman’s breakdown following the loss of her family and how she chooses unusual methods to do so, than an action film. It is a far cry from the sexy and kick ass heroines of films like Red Sparrow and Atomic Blonde, which happened to be much better films that I hope someday get follow ups, and it would’ve been ok if the had been executed better anyway.

The structure of the film just feels simultaneously rushed and yet drags, with the story feeling cliched in many ways. The scene of Lively in ‘disguise’ attempting to kill someone and the impressive long take car chase are the two real moments that made me wonder what could’ve been.

I still look forward to what the clearly talented Marano does in the future, and I hope people start to back spy films starting female leads instead of just asking for male characters to be turned female, especially if they are as good as Atomic Blonde or Red Sparrow.

Blake Lively is absolutely the best thing here (despite some of the ridiculous wigs and hairstyles she is given) and she shows yet again that in the right role she is very talented and a real movie star, and I hope she gets a strong follow up role.

Rating = 2.5/5

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019) – Review

A Sony Picture, Written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster, Directed by Marielle Heller.

This film could quite easily have been a run of the mill biopic about a famous American idol. However, what we get is an inventive story about Mister Rogers, and more specifically about how his brand of kindness is something we should all strive towards.

The film uses the framing device of the story being told as though it is a extended episode of Mr Roger’s show, detailing how Mr Rogers helps our protagonist Lloyd to finally confront his issues with his father and finally be the family man he wants to be, and through this we are also able to get a deep understanding of Rogers.

He is a constantly kind and thoughtful man, but it is made very clear that this is an active choice. He strives to be kind every day, battling some of his natural instincts, and it isn’t something he is easily able to do, but he is a better man for it.

Marielle Heller is proving herself to be a incredibly versatile and exciting director. She makes some great visual and narestive decisions here, just like she has done in her previous films, and she really makes this film stand out.

Matthew Rhys is really good as the lead of the film, and does a good job walking the line between being haunted by demons but still being likeable enough for us to want him to get better.

Chris Cooper has some of the most important and powerful scenes in the film, and he proves time and time again what a great character actor he is.

There is truly only one man who could’ve played Fred Rogers, and that is one of America‘s most loved sons, Tom Hanks. He gives off such kindness, while also showing us glimpses of his inner struggle, making him a real character and not a cliche. He deserved his Oscar nomination.

“To die is to be human”

Rating = 4/5

BAFTA Predictions

The BAFTAs are the final major awards show before the Oscars and are the most prestigious awards ceremony in British film. While they often reflect quite closely what the American academy will do, there are usually some notable differences, with obvious preference to British film. I have made some bold predictions (especially supporting actress) but this is how I think the BAFTAs may play out.

Most Predicted Wins – 1917 – 6

Best Film

Predicted Winner = 1917

Main Challenger = Parasite

Outstanding British Film

Predicted Winner = 1917

Main Challenger = For Sama

Best Direction

Predicted Winner = Sam Mendes – 1917

Main Challenger =Bong Joon-ho – Parasite

Best Lead Actor

Predicted Winner = Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

Main Challenger =Taron Egerton – Rocketman

Best Lead Actress

Predicted Winner = Renee Zellwegger – Judy

Main Challenger =Saoirse Ronan – Little Women

Best Supporting Actor

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

Main Challenger =Anthony Hopkins – The Two Popes

Best Supporting Actress

Predicted Winner = Florence Pugh – Little Women

Main Challenger =Margot Robbie – Bombshell

Best Original Screenplay

Predicted Winner = Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Main Challenger =Han Jin-won and Bong Joon-ho – Parasite

Best Adapted Screenplay

Predicted Winner = Anthony McCarten – The Two Popes

Main Challenger =Greta Gerwig – Little Women

Outstanding Debut by a British Director, Writer or Producer

Predicted Winner = Waad Al-Khateab (Director/Producer) and Edward Watts (director) – For Sama

Main Challenger =Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director) and Kate Byers, Lynn Waite (Producers) – Bait

Best Foreign Language Film

Predicted Winner = Parasite

Main Challenger = Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Best Documentary Film

Predicted Winner = For Sama

Main Challenger = Diego Maradona

Best Animated Film

Predicted Winner = Toy Story 4

Main Challenger = Klaus

Best Editing

Predicted Winner = Le Mans 66 (Ford v. Ferrari)

Main Challenger = The Irishman

Best Cinematography

Predicted Winner = 1917

Main Challenger = Le Mans 66 (Ford v. Ferrari)

Best Production Design

Predicted Winner = Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Main Challenger = 1917

Best Costume Design

Predicted Winner = Little Women

Main Challenger = Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Make Up and Hair

Predicted Winner = Bombshell

Main Challenger = Judy

Best Original Score

Predicted Winner = 1917

Main Challenger = Joker

Best Sound

Predicted Winner = 1917

Main Challenger = Le Mans 66 (Ford v. Ferrari)

Best Special Visual Effects

Predicted Winner = The Lion King

Main Challenger = 1917

Best Casting

Predicted Winner = Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Main Challenger = Joker

Rising Star

Predicted Winner = Kaitlyn Dever

Main Challenger =Awkwafina

Fellowship

Kathleen Kennedy

The Good Place Season 4 (2019/20) – TV Review

The Good Place has proven over its four year run to be one of the most genuinely kind hearted, inventive, and well written shows on TV. We live in a very divisive and often unpleasant world right now, and yet this show is able to really tap into the core of what it truly means to be a good person, without ever seeming preachy.

The first three seasons of this show featured some of TVs best and most unexpected twists, which meant the show kept constantly keeping itself fresh. While I didn’t think the fourth season totally lived up to what came before, it was a very fitting and powerful end to the show.

Mike Schur and his team of writers not only make some of the best pop culture/film industry jokes as anyone else, they also take us on a deep exploration of humanity and it’s many forms. The final season firmly established these notions and tied up all loose ends, showing that people aren’t periods for but if they are willing to learn, they deserve another chance, and that the only reason that life is so special is because it ends one day, and we need to make the most of it while we are here.

The whole cast, especially the lead six (Bell, Danson, Jamil, Carden, Jackson Harper, Jacinto) have been absolute revelations, creating a core group of characters that are all markedly different and yet find that their true soulmates are each other.

The particular stand outs from this particular season were Kristen Bell, Ted Danson and D’Arcy Carden, all bringing great humour but also great depth and heart to the characters.

“Everything Is Fine”

Rating = 4/5

Dracula (2020) – TV Review

The legend of Dracula is one of the most well known and frequently adapted stories in the history do literature, and I truly believe this will stand up as one of the best.

You can tell it is from Moffat and Gatiss as it has their distinct style, whilst also mixing well with the classic elements of the story. It is a bloodbath, drilling in atmosphere and gothic beauty, which is exactly what you hope for from this story.

The first two episodes especially play out like the ultimate gothic horror, with romance, sex, murder and everything else taking centre stage.

The third episode is the weakest but still very enjoyable, especially the stunning scenes of Whitby and the abbey, they very location that is thought to have inspired Bram Stoker to write the story’s.

The absolute best parts of the show is the casting of the two leads, both are absolutely perfect in their roles.

Dolly Wells is truly remarkable as Agatha Van Helsing. She brings charisma, humour, and a no nonsense edge to this update on the legendary vampire hunter.

As for the man himself, Claes Bang makes for a stunning Count Dracula. He is truly wicked, absolutely hilarious, and looks and sounds exactly like I have always imagined the character would.

The ending suggests we won’t be getting a further season which is a shame, but the show can go down as a real success and one of the best every adaptations of the legendary story.

Rating = 4/5

The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020) – Review

A Searchlight/Lionsgate Picture, Written by Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell, Directed by Armando Iannucci.

Based on one of the most loved stories of all time, with one of the most acclaimed comedy writer/directors of our time, and with a who’s who of acting talent, this should’ve been an absolute home run, and while I did enjoy parts, the film really didn’t work for me.

While I think the cast are absolutely brilliant, with Dev Patel, Peter Capaldi, Morfydd Clark and Ben Whishaw in particular standing out.

However, for me the way the story is told just didn’t connect for me and especially the first half of the film really dragged for me.

Everyone involved is incredibly talented and the film has mostly received good reviews, but for me personally this just didn’t work.

Rating = 2.5/5

Honey Boy (2019) – Review

An Amazon Studios Picture, Written by Shia LaBeouf, Directed by Alma Har’el

For many people this was one of the big omissions from awards season this year, and I mainly agree that it was snubbed. It isn’t perfect but it is an incredibly cathartic, honest, and well made film.

While it isn’t explicit in the film, this is very obviously a re-telling (from his own script) of Shia LaBeouf’s child hood and it pulls no punches, offering a telling insight into his complicated childhood and going some way to explain how he turned into the man he is.

The story isn’t told exactly like a traditional biopic which allows it to be a bit more adventurous, and director Alma Har’el proves to be a real find, and I really look forward to what she does next.

The films cast is very strong, with FKA Twigs making a very tough character seem kind and interesting in the few scenes she had. Lucas Hedges has proved over the last few years what a force to be reckoned with that he is, and he does the best he can in his limited role.

Noah Jupe is the lead and shows he is a real talent, even at such a young age, and seems set to have a long career.

The one part of the film I truly believe should’ve been recognised in this awards season is Shia LaBeouf. His performance as his own father is remarkable, it is brutally honest, funny, unnerving, and eventually heartbreaking.

Rating = 3.5/5

Doctor Who – The Return to Must See TV

*Spoiler Alert for Doctor Who: Fugitive of the Judoon

Whether you have enjoyed series 11 and the part of 12 we’ve had or not, there is no denying that in recent years Doctor Who has lost its ‘must see TV’ status since the Tennant/Smith era.

However, in my opinion and the opinion of the internet, tonight may have changed all that.

What was seemingly a standard mid season episode set in Gloucester, turned into one of the most eventful and shocking in the entire shows history.

We got the amazing return of fan favourite John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, who was one of the best parts of early ‘new Who’ and his appearance here really brings an energy back to the show, and I can’t wait for the future Ep where he will surely reunite with the Doctor at last.

However, that wasn’t even the biggest surprise. The reason the Judoon were on Earth was tracking another version of THE DOCTOR. Although originally known as Ruth, the woman later reveals herself to be the time lord, in a startling revelation that the characters themselves cannot make sense of and is sure to impact this season and the entire show for a long time.

Who is the lone cyber man? Is this new doctor past, future, or alternate reality? Are there even more time lords out there? What does Jack know? What is coming for the Doctor? Who is the timeless child?

Finally the show has a fascinating story arc again and I can’t wait to see where it all goes next. Chris Chibnall, who I met a few months ago and who promised a huge scale season, you certainly have my attention…

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 (2020) – TV Review

Part 3 of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is certainly a bold season of TV, with large tone decisions and story moments that will effect the show forever. It is probably my least favourite of the 3 seasons so far, but it does have some good elements too.

The older cast all have less to do than usual but Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis, Michelle Gomez and Richard Coyle all do a good job, and hopefully they all have more to do going forward.

The young cast are all very charismatic again, but the majority of them had less development this season and were much more just there to service Sabrina’s story. There has been much talk about ‘Nabrina’ but I am of the less popular opinion that Harvey and Sabrina are best together, and Ross Lynch and Kiernan Shipka just work so well as a duo.

One of the most interesting relationships, especially in the first half of the season, is between Ambrose and Prudence. They were like sexy witches hunting evil, and unfortunately faded off into the background in the later part of season.

The whole show increased the sex factor, which is something I imagine will continue in further seasons as the cast ages up. It had strong vibes of certain elements of Riverdale (which I hope it doesn’t become an alternate version of) including the odd character development and the awkward musical numbers.

Sabrina herself is a fascinating protagonist. Kiernan Shipka is so perfectly cast and she brings a striking visual look, great charisma, and a rebellious spirit to Sabrina. While I really like the character and understand she is a good person deep down, she constantly makes selfish and reckless decisions that put the people she ‘loves’ in real danger (which is probably a good reflection of what would happen if a teenager had such power) and I hope part 4 will really delve into the consequences of her actions.

Nothing this season matched up to the ‘Straight to Hell’ music video they launched to advertise the season. However, I am really looking forward to where this undeniably fun show goes next.

Rating = 3/5