Month: November 2023

Wish (2023)

Just as I was a few minutes away from the theater to see Wish (the 62nd animated feature from the company), I thought to myself: How many times has that word been used in their past films?

Songs that came to mind include “I’m Wishing” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), “A Dream is a Wish your Heart makes” from Cinderella (1950), and, of course, the king of all Disney songs, “When you wish upon a star” from Pinocchio (1940). If one were to make a word cloud of the dialogue (and songs) in Disney films, “Wish” would most likely turn up more than any other word (with the possible exception of “Dream”). With that logic, it seemed a movie like Wish would be inevitable to be released on the centennial of the most known movie studio in history.

Tags Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Disney, Encanto, Fantasia, Frozen, G, Moana, Pinocchio, Rated G, The Lion King, Victor Garber, Wish

3 Stars Movies

Napoleon (2023)

Try as I might, my prior knowledge of Napoleon Bonaparte heading into the latest movie based on him is considerably less than normal (I was going to make a height joke here, but couldn’t think of one).

Aside from knowing him as one of the greatest generals in history, being considered short, and having a complex named after him, I knew nothing more (unless you count him being a fan of water slides thanks to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure). Even still, it seems to make sense that director Ridley Scott, equally as fearless as Bonaparte (and in his mid 80s, no less) would make a film about the historical figure, which results in the film Napoleon.

Tags 2023, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Joaquin Phoenix, Napoleon, R, Rated R, Ridley Scott, Vanessa Kirby

4 1/2 Stars Movies

The Holdovers (2023)

There is a strong argument that can be made that we have been undervaluing Paul Giamatti.

My earliest recollection of him must have been his small parts in 1998’s Dr. Dolittle with Eddie Murphy and the war classic Saving Private Ryan (the same year). It was then in 2003 he got deserved claim in American Splendor and then his big break a year later in Sideways (two movies I have needed to revisit for some time now).

For some baffling reason, the only Oscar nomination of his career came in 2005 with Cinderella Man. Of course, he has been in his bad share of movies, but (at least from the ones I have seen) has yet to give a bad performance.

Tags Alexander Payne, Coming of Age, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa, Dramedy, Paul Giamatti, R, Rated R, THe Holdovers

2 Stars Movies

The Marvels (2023)

The increasing gaps between film releases in the MCU is becoming apparent.

This can be due to many factors, including the now (thankfully) ended SAG-Aftra strike. Yet the quality in the films (not to mention most of the TV shows) in the MCU have been dipping in the last year or two. True, the last movie we had, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, had its moments, but that was back in May. Since then, the only true good thing we have gotten was a second season of Loki, which arrived the same time as the newest film, The Marvels. It should be no wonder why the only MCU film to be released next year will be the long awaited Deadpool 3.

Tags 2023, Brie Larson, Chloe Zhao, Eternals, Iman Vellani, Marvel, MCU, Nia DeCosta, PG-13, Rated PG-13, Samuel L. Jackson, Teyonah Parris, The Marvels, Zawe Ashton

3 1/2 Stars Movies

Priscilla (2023)

It’s been a little less than a year and a half since we got Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic with Austin Butler.

At first glance, one could easily assume it is poor timing to have another film about the king of rock n roll, but that is not the situation. The title of the film itself should prove that the film is not about Elvis, but his wife Priscilla.

Tags Ari Cohen, Austin Butler, Baz Luhrman, Baz Luhrmann, Cailee Spaeny, Elvis, Jacob Elordi, Movie Reviews, PG-13, Priscilla, Rated PG-13, Sofia Coppola