Wonka

Wonka (Paul King, 2023)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Musical, Comedy, Family, Based on Book

I am a HUGE fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from 1971, starring the incomparable Gene Wilder, so when I heard that there was going to be a prequel film about Willy, I was skeptical. With Timothee Chalamet? OK, I'm more interested... and other comedians I love (like Rich Fulcher and Keegan-Michael Key)? More interested... I always try to keep an open mind with any film, despite how difficult it seems to compare to another--after all, I firmly believe that each film stands on its own and is individual, and should be given a chance regardless if it is an adaptation or a reinterpretation. That being said, I liked Wonka. I liked it because it was cheerful, fun, and heart-warming. I liked it because it was an escape that I enjoyed being immersed in. I liked the winks and nods it gave to its predecessor and the music it made--it felt like a self-aware musical, with some of the numbers verging on parody. The cast and crew of Wonka knew what it was up against and didn't back down, in my opinion. If anything, they went all-out in full, Mel Brooks fashion. The writing was punchy and silly and zany, and I burst out laughing at a few gags and lines.

Of course, Timothee Chalamet is no Gene Wilder and his singing felt overly auto-tuned, but I believed that he could be a young Willy. Despite many reviews I read, I thought choosing to play him as an ultra-optimist with energy to spare fit perfectly. And the supporting cast felt like they were pulled directly out of a Roald Dahl book--extreme/one-dimensional characters worked here.

So, I was satisfied. Not epic or brilliant or particularly noteworthy, but very solid and fun. I will watch it again, for sure.

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The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki, 2023)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Drooling

Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=4, Scale R=4, Scale S=4

Animation, Coming of Age, Grief and Coping, Fantasy, Adventure

I had never managed to see a Miyazaki film in the theater when first released. And I never thought I would be able to until I heard that the master filmmaker's (likely) final film, The Boy and the Heron, was finally complete.

There is so much emotion in this film and I can feel the finality of this one--from the topic/storyline to the urgent pace, and the many meanings. Miyazaki is the sage imparting his final words of wisdom on us in each moment. This story is a swirling, twisting dream-like adventure that grapples with very real and difficult questions. How do you grieve and cope? Why is life full of pain? What is the purpose of living? And the broadest one, from the novel referenced in the story and the Japanese title, How do you live? This is not a light film. There are a few cheerful moments and some occasional light-hearted humor, but it is ultimately a serious story. I will need to watch this again and again to notice everything and to understand all that is going on. I don't think Miyazaki meant for this tale to be entirely comprehensible on the first or even second viewing. Like the philosophical questions the characters seek to answer, the film viewer (and the director, too) must search in lots of places and ways to find the answers. And that takes time. A whole lifetime, maybe.

A beautiful film that I will watch many times again, I'm sure.

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Loki Season 2

Loki Season 2 (Michael Waldron, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Marvel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Complex Relationships

I had high hopes for the second season of Loki, mostly because I was so surprised at how good the first season was. Season 1 brought us a new take on Marvel, with an emphasis on artistry and vibrancy that harkened back to the traditional comic books. I was again surprised by Season 2--while the show was still vibrant and visually intriguing, the emphasis impressively shifted to telling a very philosophical story about time, destiny, and the meaning of life. This is not what I would ever expect of the new MCU universe that usually chooses flashy and escapist fantasy over narrative depth. Loki Season 2 is a time travel adventure, but it is dark and deep. It's even a religious allegory, at times. Loki, as well as the other characters, must grapple with his "glorious purpose." There are hard choices, difficult realizations, deep philosophical conundrums. And all of this in serious urgency--the fate of the entire universe... needless to say, I was quite impressed by this one. 

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Napoleon

Napoleon (Ridley Scott, 2023)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Biopic, 19th Century, Historical, France

I went in to the theater with no expectations, but I had seen the very mixed reviews about Ridley Scott's latest film. I knew that the French were upset and disappointed, that much was not historically accurate, and that Joaquin Phoenix's performance was...different. That being said, though, I had an open mind.

Napoleon is a beautiful, epic cinematic experience. The visuals are stunning and leap from the screen, the battle sequences are phenomenal and immersive. There are moments that are breathtaking. The costume design and art direction are mesmerizing--like being in an exquisite and intricate oil painting. But the story of one of history's most mythologized and famous (or infamous) leaders is, quite frankly, flat.

I don't know how it is possible for Scott to make a story that is simultaneously intriguing yet also boring, but somehow he manages to do that. We are shown Napoleon as a general and as a rather annoying and boorish husband. We see him as an emperor, too, but in all these situations we know nothing about him. We see his citizens and soldiers following him without blinking, but we don't know why. Why? What did he do that makes you adore him so? We don't know. We aren't shown. What makes him tick, what interests him? What is his background? And what did he do for France besides fight battles? And the part that is confusing is that we know this information--he was a real figure. Why not show us Napoleon the leader--building up the economy and making reform? Why not show us that he was intelligent off the battlefield, too? That he had...a personality?

Phoenix's portrayal is interesting, I rather enjoyed it but there was so much missing. Not necessarily his fault, though, he worked with what he had--a very lackluster script.

One thing I will say: I would watch it again and enjoy it again. And I will be watching more Napoleon films from the past, as I'm aching to see a performance of him with more depth.

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Ahsoka Season 1

Ahsoka, Season 1 (Dave Filoni, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Wow. I had high expectations for Ahsoka, mostly because I am such a fan of Rebels and Clone Wars. I knew going in that this was probably going to be Rebels season 5, and that was perfectly OK with me. I was right and not disappointed in the least.

Ahsoka starts slow, but that pace works well for me. I like the reminder that Ahsoka is much older than when we last saw her (chronologically speaking) and much wiser. She is meditative and deliberative. While the show is named for her, Ahsoka is only one of many main characters in the show. In some ways, this a show about reunion: reunion of family, friends, master and Padawan. It's a reunion of ideals and shared purpose. And what a delightful reunion it is. Since I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that certain characters and moments of the show had me grinning from ear to ear. This is the show for Star Wars nerds, for sure.

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Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan, 2023)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Biopic, World War II, Physics, Philosophical

Breathtaking, absorbing, poignant, philosophical, full of conflict. Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan's masterpiece and this story is one of the most well-crafted and important to be told in quite a while. It doesn't hurt that Cillian Murphy portrays the conflicted, complicated, and brilliant physicist astonishingly well (plus he's my favorite actor) and is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast. 

This story wrestles with disturbing US political history, with the tragic and haunting consequences of knowledge and invention, war and death -- serious and real topics. Nolan manages to make a film that is active and fierce while still being somber and dialogue-driven. He shows us Oppenheimer in "reality" as others see him and as he interacts with people, scientists, politicians. But we also see into his troubled and stirring mind, his reality. Nothing shows this more clearly than the climactic scene of Trinity when we see a lifetime of research and work and possibility explode in a fiery cloud of death in the dark desert. We watch as Oppenheimer watches, just his breathing and complete awe. It is beautiful filmmaking.

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The French Dispatch

The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson, 2021)

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Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Newspaper, Writing, 1960s, Art, Politics, Crime

I had somehow missed Wes Anderson's 2021 film, who knows why, but I finally watched it after seeing the newest piece Asteroid City. The French Dispatch is a collection of vignettes (another film that has stories within stories) but all of them are quirky and funny and overly-dramatic. There are some fantastic performances from Timothee Chalamet, Benicio Del Toro, and Lea Seydoux (and many others). While I liked the film and truly enjoyed the concepts and aesthetic, as always, this one wasn't as captivating for me as some of the others. I'm not sure why, perhaps because it was three independent stories... nevertheless, it is beautiful filmmaking and worth watching!

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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (James Mangold, 2023)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Indiana Jones, Adventure, 1960s, Archaeology, History, Time Travel

The last Indiana Jones film? Well, if it is this is a lovely way to finish the saga. I went in expecting nothing special and was pleasantly surprised by the action, concepts, and the nostalgia. I wasn't thrilled with the main female character--Phoebe Waller-Bridge performed well, I just didn't like the character. I was also hoping for more Marion and Sallah but what we got was very appreciated. There are some interesting ideas in this story and the setting works. Mads Mikkelsen is brilliant (he's so good at being evil) and I was fully immersed in the action and adventure. A great escape.

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SPECIAL: Mel Brooks Films Part 1

These past few months I've been watching and re-watching all movies directed by Mel Brooks. It's been a blast revisiting favorites and discovering classic comedy I hadn't seen before. Rather than wait until the whole list has been watched and reviewed, here are the first 6 films with a few comments. 

The Producers (1967)

Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ
Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

The first film is always notable and The Producers is classic. Impressively, it has a whole new generation of fans due to becoming a Broadway musical success. But the original film has always been a love-hate relationship with me because its such a comedy of errors (I can't handle them, usually). Leo Bloom is a wonderful character, by the way...Gene Wilder is magnificent.

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The Twelve Chairs (1970)
Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ
Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

I'd never seen this film before and found it amusing in many ways, though it doesn't have the same spark as other later films. I did enjoy watching Dom DeLuise having hysterical fits.

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Blazing Saddles (1974)
Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Still probably my favorite Brooks film and one of my favorite comedies of all time. There are so many glorious comedic moments in this movie and brilliant satire. The comedians are having so much fun and you can tell. I learned--not sure how I didn't know--that Richard Pryor co-wrote this script. I love it even more now knowing that.

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Young Frankenstein (1975)

Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

This film is arguably the best comedy film of all time. It still holds up for me in every way. Favorite line: "My grandfather's work is doo-doo!"

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Silent Movie (1976)

Rating: Q=6, P=7 / Can't Get Enough
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

I had never seen Silent Movie before. Why, I can't say, because it is hysterical. So much zaniness and random cameos from Paul Newman to Marcel Marceau. I highly recommend this one that doesn't get enough love.

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High Anxiety (1977)

Rating: Q=6, P= 6 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Another film I hadn't seen before, which is very weird to me since this is a spoof on Hitchcock films. For a whole semester of my life I watched almost nothing but Hitchcock movies... this homage/parody is hilarious and has great references for Hitchcock fans. Not my favorite Brooks film, but it is still very fun.

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Asteroid City

Asteroid City (Wes Anderson, 2023)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Whimsical, 1950s, Science Fiction, Grieving, Philosophical

I love Wes Anderson's aesthetic and his quirky stories (here is my post where I rank all of them), so I was excited to see yet another of his meticulously crafted fantasies. To me, Asteroid City is the perfect "story within a story" film (which Wes Anderson loves) and probably Anderson's most philosophical tale. The audience watches both the players of a play and the play they are performing. The lines blur between which one is reality and which one is fantasy--which isn't an original concept but the execution of this concept is brilliantly executed. It is also very timely. This film is full of grief and overwhelming topics--nuclear war, loss of life/grief, depression, isolation. It is poignant after a pandemic that changed so much of how we humans operate together and alone. 

Asteroid City is also just so visually beautiful--the over-saturated/artificial colors made so much sense in the story and was mesmerizing to see. The music was also my favorite soundtrack/score of all his films so far (close behind is Darjeeling Limited). There is so much going on in every respect and I'd definitely watch it again.

Here's a fun article, too.

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Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness (Ruben Ostlund, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Satire, Drama, Comedy, Philosophical

Wow. What did I just watch? Ruben Ostlund has created something very interesting, strange, poignant, and...depressing. Triangle of Sadness is a film about structures and dichotomies--beautiful vs. ugly, those who get vs. those who serve, capitalism vs. socialism, etc. It is also the truly sad story of how society and structures human beings have created imprison us all. I've seen the film compared to the masterpiece Parasite, which I think is very apt. The films share many of the same themes and plot devices. There are many other satires out there that critique the elite and wealthy in our world, but unlike most of them Triangle of Sadness offers no conclusions, no resolve. And the story takes so many turns so quickly...it's fascinating. This is a hilarious, disgusting, filthy, sad, intricate, wild film.

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The Mandalorian, Season 3

The Mandalorian, Season 3 (John Favreau, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I was so excited for The Mandalorian Season 3. So much was packed into this season and it ended with probably my favorite battle sequence in all of Star Wars. Unlike season 1 and 2, this installment focused less on our beloved duo and more on the Mandalorian creed itself. We learn more about Mandalore, return to characters and scenes from earlier seasons, and see a lot of wrestling with what is truth vs. myth. Grogu is not the only one growing up (when is he going to speak?!)... While this season has a resolved ending, I'm not sure it's truly the end. I have a feeling that the Star Wars universe will keep overlapping and crisscrossing shows and characters so we'll be seeing more of everyone.

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Women Talking

Women Talking (Sarah Polley, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Drama, Religion, Based on True Story, Complex Relationships

I don't know how it would feel to grow up and live isolated and away from other people, perspectives, and ideas. To only know one, extreme way of life where being a woman meant your voice and thoughts don't matter and have no place. But I know this is the reality for many. I can't imagine the turmoil and trauma of being brutally and repeatedly attacked by men you raised and love. And worse, seeing your children also be attacked. Women Talking is a powerful film. It shows us that strength comes from discussion, conflict, and reasoning. It shows us that challenges can be overcome, it just takes the strength to act. From strength comes solidarity. And, most importantly, from solidarity comes hope.

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni, 2023)

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Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

I was expecting season 2 of The Bad Batch to launch right into where we left off from season 1, but instead we got some fun little side stories that explored the Bad Batch family. This was nice but I was worried that we wouldn't get answers or feel the same tension and suspense that season 1 had. By half way in, though, we returned to the main storyline and plenty of new information was revealed. I really enjoyed the new episodes and Omega's growth. While it was a little less engaging, season 2 still offers gorgeous animation and dramatic situations. And, of course, the finale left me wanting more. Why must we always have cliffhangers!

Click here to see how I rated Season 1.

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The Banshees of Inisherin

The Banshees of Inisherin (Martin McDonagh, 2022)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Complex Relationships, War, Mental Health, Ireland, 1920s, Dark Comedy

There aren't many films being made today that can pull off a gut-wrenching, serious drama and also makes you laugh and cringe. Martin McDonagh does this masterfully with The Banshees of Inisherin. He has captured the stark, lonely, and also beautiful setting of Inisherin and shows us how isolation and the often mundane human experience can lead to unending wars. 

This film is about battles--civil war, a fight between two men, a struggle between family and independence, a war between father and son, and the hardest battle of all: the crisis of age and impending death. With so many battles humans often forget why they are fighting... this film will stay with you for days. Incredible performances by Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Masterful cinema.

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Animation by Don Bluth and Others

An American Tail (Don Bluth, 1986)

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Rating: AQ=6, AP=6 / Comfy Combo

Scale O=3, Scale P=3, Scale Q=2, Scale R=2, Scale S=2

Animation, Immigration, Coming of Age, Adventure

I had never actually seen this film until now, strangely. I enjoyed it--a lovely sketchy quality to the art. The storyline and the flow was a little too fast, but it was still charming.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (Phil Nibbelink and Simon Wells, 1991)

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Rating: AQ=6, AP=6 / Comfy Combo

Scale O=3, Scale P=3, Scale Q=2, Scale R=2, Scale S=2

Animation, Immigration, Coming of Age, Adventure

A fun little escape. The art felt less whimsical than the original film, but the story was maybe more fun. 

The Land Before Time (Don Bluth, 1988)

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Rating: AQ=6, AP=8 / Comfy Combo

Scale O=3, Scale P=3, Scale Q=3, Scale R=3, Scale S=2

Animation, Coming of Age, Adventure

I love this film in so many ways--so nostalgic. The characters are endearing and the setting and artwork is lovely.

The Brave Little Toaster (Jerry Rees, 1987)

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Rating: AQ=8, AP=9 / Drooling

Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=3, Scale R=3, Scale S=3

Animation, Adventure

Of all the non-Disney animated films during the 1980s, the Brave Little Toaster has by far the best artwork and the most dramatic and interesting story. It is no wonder that those who worked on this film later went on to found Pixar. I love this hand-drawn animation so much more.

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Oscars 2023: The Results

And the winner is... Everything, Everywhere, All At Once! And in so many other ways. I'm so happy that long-time actors and writers finally got validated for their work!

The Fabelmans

The Fabelmans (Stephen Spielberg, 2022)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Memoir, Family, Coming of Age, 1950s-1960s

What a beautiful story about Stephen Spielberg's childhood and adolescence. This story is much more than just a love lotter to cinema, as many reviewers have phrased it. This film is about independence, confidence, passion, conflicts of art vs. family and love vs. duty. It resonated so much with me despite being such a different experience from my own. This is what movies should do!

Movies and the moviegoing experience can be so personal and leave such an impact. I loved watching Spielberg's journey and how making movies helped him connect with his family, friends, communities, and himself. I can't praise this film enough--go see it!

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Elvis

Elvis (Baz Luhrmann, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Biopic, Music, Race, 1950s-1970s

All films are a product of the time when they were created--even historical dramas or biopics. It's impossible not to have some contemporary elements or sensibilities seep in. Baz Luhrmann always impresses me with his ability to make a film that showcases this. His films both overtly and subtlety blend classic stories with today. He is a master of adaptation.

To make a film about Elvis seems perfect. I would argue that Elvis is Luhrmann's best film yet, and definitely his best adaptation. Everyone knows who Elvis is and knows his music. And most people understand the significance of his music and actions on both the musical world and American culture. But Luhrmann is able to show the magnitude of Elvis's impact through unique scripting (plot devices and choices) and editing and a powerful score/soundtrack. The film mimics its subject in so many ways.

There is also a nod to the world of the carnival and films like Nightmare Alley. Elvis is a tragedy, telling us how one of the first great American icons/heroes became a sideshow geek...

Mesmerizing film, amazing performances, brilliant musical choices.

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Alpha

Alpha (Albert Hughes, 2018)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Adventure, Coming of Age, Pre-History

What a stunning film! Awe-inspiring scenery to match an epic journey. Alpha is the story of the first dog, but also a brutal journey of one young man and the bond he makes with another. It is about survival, resilience, trust, and loyalty. There aren't many films set in pre-history that imagine what life was like and don't feel too much like documentaries. This one is special--the constructed language, the clothing...I will watch this again and again.

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Everything, Everywhere All at Once

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Philosophical

I've often thought about what my life could have been like IF I had gone away from home for college, IF I had not gone to Australia to study abroad, IF I had not met certain people, etc. And also about how the little, seemingly unimportant decisions could have made a difference, too: what IF I had walked one the other side of the street or chosen to put my socks on before my shirt... Everything, Everywhere All at Once is a fantastic voyage into this world of "what ifs" and it plays with the multiverse theme (which has kind of gotten out of hand recently) in a new way that I found refreshing and wonderful. This film is mesmerizing and chaotic and lightning fast. It is hilarious and poignant and beautiful. It is the perfect representation of what our human lives really feel like--a miraculous and ridiculous mess.

At the heart of this action-packed, fantasy sci-fi story, is reality. Evelyn and her family are real people with real problems, however mundane or typical. They live a noisy life that's pulled them apart and left them unhappy. In those moments of unhappiness, people wonder what they've missed or what they could have been in different circumstances or by making different decisions. If I had only done this I would be happier now... wrestling with these thoughts, diving head-first into the emotions can help bring us back. This film definitely leaps into our heads and pulls out the thoughts and daydreams right before our eyes. It's spectacular.

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Oscars 2023: The Nominations

It's that time of year again...The Oscar nominated films were released today! It's no longer an Oscar Dash for me, though, but I do hope to watch all the films eventually. And I do plan to post about each one, so watch for those throughout the year and beyond. And don't forget to watch the big even on March 12, 2023!

Here are the nominees for best picture:

All Quiet on the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

 
The Banshees of Inisherin

Elvis

Everything Everywhere All at Once

The Fabelmans

 

Tár

 

Top Gun: Maverick

Triangle of Sadness

Women Talking

Summer Magic, Revisited

Summer Magic (James Neilson, 1963)

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Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Comedy, Family, Coming of Age, Uplifting

I had only watched Summer Magic once and only really remembered some of the songs. This time watching was lovely--it was heartwarming to watch Burl Ives (as Osh Popum) and James Mathers (Peter) sing about caterpillars and see Michael J. Pollard (Digby) hide his adorable smiles when talking about venturing out of his small hometown. It's nice to live in a world with so much charm and light-heartedness for a few hours :)

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Pollyanna, Revisited

Pollyanna (David Swift, 1960)

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Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Comedy, Family, Coming of Age, Uplifting

Winter tends to make me nostalgic and I like returning to uplifting Disney classics. So, I've been re-watching all the animated feature films in chronological order, throwing in a few live action favorites. It had been some time since watching Pollyanna, and I'm glad I decided to watch again. Such a lovely, cheerful story! And much funnier than I remembered it. Hayley Mills is charming, Agnes Moorehead's Mrs. Snow is hilarious, and the story is timeless and brings a tear to your eye. Worth watching every so often, especially when you need a reminder that life is precious and beautiful. Hope, good cheer, and love for your fellow human beings can absolutely change everything.

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Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (Sam Wanamaker, 1977)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2 Scale 4=2

Adventure, Fantasy, Based on Book

Another weird story about Sinbad...stranger even than The Golden Age of Sinbad and more 1970s. It was still a fun escape, but overall felt over the top. I enjoyed watching Sinbad (who looked a lot like Barry Gibb) sale the icy Northern seas and also seeing a young Jane Seymour.

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Willow Season 1

Willow, Season 1 (Jonathan Kasdan, 2022-)

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Rating: DSQ=8, SP=5 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=2, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=2

Fantasy, Adventure, Epic

I have fond memories of first watching the film Willow. It was one of my sister's favorite films growing up and made a strong impression on us both--the fantasy, the goofy humor, the possibilities. So, I was very much excited that a show set 20 years later was coming. The show started out OK and definitely had some misses in the middle, but ultimately I felt it was a fun, average show and one I hope will continue. Many of the characters are just now getting interesting. Not surprisingly, there was a barrage of negative reviews at the start (and still), as all shows and films that are nostalgic seem to have. My biggest issue with the show was the writing--many of the lines felt forced and the plot felt all over the place/up and down. Modern music choices, also, did not work for me. The best part, for sure, are the visuals and some of the character dynamics.

Here are my 0-4 ratings of each episode:

"The Gales" 3/4

"The High Aldwin" 3/4

"The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb" 2/4 had some very strange character and plot choices

"The Whispers of Nockmaar" 2/4

"Wildwood" 3/4

"Prisoners of Skellin" - 2/4 very mixed episode

"Beyond the Shattered Sea" - 3/4 the best episode, in my opinion

"Children of the Wyrm" - 3/4 a (mostly) good ending

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The Golden Age of Sinbad

The Golden Age of Sinbad (Gordon Hessler, 1973)

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Rating: Q=4, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Adventure, Fantasy, Based on Book

I love all stories about Sinbad--a favorite film is the The 7th Voyage of Sinbad from 1953. But The Golden Age of Sinbad was...weird. While it had the escapist tone and the Ray Harryhausen visuals, it definitely felt like Sinbad in the 1970s. The story was a little outlandish and some of the characters a bit stereotypical or flat, but it's still a fun little adventure.

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Kings of the Sun

Kings of the Sun (J. Lee Thompson, 1963)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Continuing on our journey through adventure movies of the 1940s-1960s, Kings of the Sun is an interesting film. It is a story of cultures and philosophies during the time of Chichen Itza in Mesoamerica. The visuals and color are beautiful and some average performances by Yul Brynner and George Chakiris. The film isn't especially grand and the story isn't amazing, but it still left a good impression and the world was fun to delve into for a few hours.

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The Thief of Baghdad

The Thief of Baghdad (Berger, Powell, Whelan 1940)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Adventure, Fantasy, Based on Book

I'm not entirely sure why I hadn't watched this film until now. A fantastic adaptation of the 1001 Arabian Nights story and a marvel for 1940. This film won many awards for its innovative cinematography and art direction. It may feel a bit goofy today, but the tone and vibrancy of this film still holds up, in my opinion. I love the music and the acting is great. I felt immersed in a world far, far away and that's exactly what I want.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Happy 2023!

Happy 2023, everyone! This year's film watching was a lot of fantasy, adventure, and some truly amazing series. Probably my favorite film I saw this year was The Northman (closely followed by The Batman), favorite show was Andor: Season 1.

Other highlights were finishing my all-time favorite drama series, Peaky Blinders, an epic Season 4 of Stranger Things, Obi-Wan and Boba Fett--wow, what a year of excellent shows!

I'm hoping to keep watching new and old films in 2023 and doing a few more marathons: Mel Brooks films, revisiting Hercule Poirot BBC series, and a list of good films/shows about sailing/navigation (starting with the Horatio Hornblower series). I'll also be watching lots of classic 1940s-1960s adventure films I haven't seen before.

Best wishes!