Saturday Night

For a show that was actually doomed to fail out the gate, "Saturday Night" was and has been an amazing success considering it has lasted 49 years. As this film unfolds, it becomes difficult to believe that this show would last a year, much less approximately 5 decades. Unfortunately, the show has suffered through the years where a different cast hasn't served the producers well.

At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians, including Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O'Brien), John Belushi (Matt Wood), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris) and others and writers changed television--and culture--forever. "Saturday Night" is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. With the creator and producer Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) at the helm, or trying to be, it's 'all hell breaks loose time wondering if this show will ever air. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn't, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!".

Others to round out the cast are Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Emily Fairn as Loraine Newman, Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Finn Wolfhard as NBC page, Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson, Andrew Barth Feldman as Neil Levy, Nicholas Podany as Billy Crystal, Tommy Dewey as Michael O'Donoghue, Jon Batiste as Billy Preston and J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle. 

This was brilliantly directed with frenzy and raw humor by Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking" '05, "Juno" '07, "Up in the Air" '09, "Young Adult" '11, "Labor Day" '13, "Men, Women & Children" '14, "Tully" '18, "The Front Runner" '18, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" '21) plus TV, shorts and a video. As with his "Thank You for Smoking", this is a dark comedy which Reitman surely excels well with. Considering he hasn't a plethora of experience, considering his years in the biz, he obviously chooses his projects carefully and this has served him well. His late father, the famed director Ivan Reitman definitely passed the directing baton to Jason since this filmmaker is assuredly a consummate pro. His ability to sequence his work is phenomenal, and the way he directed this with a frenetic feel certainly added to the amazement of this show and how it ever got off the ground. It was creatively written by Gil Kenan ("Ghostbusters: Afterlife" '21, "A Boy Called Christmas" '21, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" '24) and Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking" '05, "Up in the Air" '09, "Labor Day" '13, "Men, Women & Children" '14, "The Front Runner" '18, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" '21, "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" '24) plus shorts. Again, Jason Reitman received that writing gene from his father, Ivan since Ivan Reitman also wrote a fair amount of his films. He has written many films with Gil Kenan so they are basically a writing team. Other than a couple of very small slow places in script, this screenplay soared. It was humorous, frenetic, irreverent (these artists had many issues) and concise, all in a well thought out story. 

Certainly if you're a SNL fan, you'll love this since it leads its audience, in real time, how this show was able to get off the ground and become the iconic show it has been for almost 50 years. With all the chaos, star stroking, writing, sound, set and time restrictions, you'll see it all if you can only get through all the frenzy involved!

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                        Rated: R                                         109mins.

 

Piece by Piece

When the first 'Lego' movie was released back in 2014, I actually thought it was going to be terrible. Well, after viewing it, I was hooked! It was a great film. Well written, directed and just downright entertaining. Well, several sequels later, and now we have "Piece by Piece", a documentary produced in a 'lego' format which certainly makes it a very interesting and original documentary. 

This is an unparalleled motion picture experience that captures the magic and brilliance of Pharrell Williams' creative genius, one LEGO brick at a time. Uninterested in making a traditional film about his life, Pharrell set out to tell his story in a way that would set audience's imaginations free. Developed from his singular vision, "PIECE by PIECE" defies genres and expectations to transport audiences into a LEGO world where anything is possible. Certainly making this documentary in a Lego format is original yet entertaining. 

Others to round out the cast are Morgan Neville, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Pharoah and Carolyn Williams, Helen Williams, Missy Elliott, Chad Hugo, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Iovine, Jon Platt, Shae Haley, Tammy Lucas, Rob Walker, Nigo and ItzKiff.

This was culminated thoroughly by director Morgan Neville ("Shotgun Freeway: Drives Through Lost L.A." (documentary) '95, "Shakespeare Was a Big George Jones Fan: 'Cowboy Jack Clement's Home Movies" (documentary) '05, "The Cool School" '08, "Troubadours" '11, "20 Feet from Stardom" '13, "A Fighting Chance" '16, "Won't You Be My Neighbor" '18, "This Is Not a House" '23, "The Saint of Second Chances" '23) plus other films, TV, TV movies, videos and a TV short. What truly made this documentary was the fact that Neville and Williams incorporated a LEGO format throughout the film which definitely made it more original and captivating while experiencing this. The documentary was enhanced also by Williams' absolute love for his craft...music, and it shows in the way that he has produced many different types of music which reminds me that he is a true artist. It was painstakingly well written by Morgan Neville, Oscar Vazquez, Aaron Wickenden and Jason Zeldes. These writers know Pharrell very well--worked with him for many years, and this expose in written form only showcased this. It was 90 plus minutes of exhaustive research into the life of this artist and family man. There were a couple of places of slightly slow places, but truly nothing to detract from this amazing film, so I'm not going to be picky. And, what can I say about LEGO? The makers of Legos are amazing and can simply make a story out of any base--whether fictional or fact. 

Certainly if you like the LEGO movies and Pharrell Williams, you'll love this! I'm not expressly into

his music, however after viewing this, I have a whole new appreciation and respect for the man and his love for his craft. Take note: this IS a documentary, not a fictional story, so even if it is in a LEGO format, the kids may not have the same appreciation for this. But for all others, is quite the experience! 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                  Rated: PG                                          93mins.

 

Joker: Folie a Deux

When "Joker" was released back in 2019, with all that's happened in this world, it seems like an eternity ago. Certainly Todd Phillips brought us a complicated and delineated version of Joker that was very effective. However, with this follow up, we have "Joker: Folie a Deux" that gives us a musical slant to a story that clearly doesn't scream musical. 

This follow up to "Joker" finds Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes--murders as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love--another patient there, Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga) who later becomes Harley Quinn, he also finds the music that's always been inside him. Arthur continues to have graphic dreams that accentuates his dual identity issues which between that and Quinn's bad influence only causes Joker to become stronger. 

Others to round out the cast are Brendon Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan, Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart, Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond, Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers, Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent, Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles, Ken Leung as Dr. Victor Lui, Bill Smitrovich as Judge Herman Rothwax, Jacob Lofland as Ricky Meline and Sharon Washington as Debra. 

This was directed with the intensity and grit as the original by Todd Phillips ("Road Trip" 2000, "Old School" '03, "Starsky & Hutch" '04, "School for Scoundrels" '06, "The Hangover" '09, "Due Date" '10, "The Hangover Part II" '11, "War Dogs" '16, "Joker" '19) plus other films, a TV movie and a video. As with the original, Phillips was able to extract the intense emotions, especially that of Phoenix, in order to convince the audience that these characters have been delineated precisely. He has a tendency to direct with a somewhat dark style, but this certainly can make him stand out that much more. It was interestingly written by Scott Silver ("Johns" '96, "The Mod Squad" '99, "8 Mile" '02, "The Fighter" '10, "The Finest Hours" '16, "Joker" '19) and Todd Phillips ("Road Trip" 2000, "Borat" (story) '06, "Due Date" '10, "The Hangover Part II" '11, "War Dogs" '16) plus other films, a TV movie and video, based on the DC comics. Where "Joker" excelled with its screenplay, this film fell short. First of all, the original wasn't a musical--for a reason, but this film was, simply missed the mark, and secondly there were too many places where it became confusing where the dreams ended and real life took over and visa versa. Both of these writers are seasoned--Phillips and Silver wrote the original, however I'm not sure what happened--bad day at the laptop? And Lady Gaga shouldn't have been cast as Harley Quinn--someone like Margot Robbie would've been a better choice. Maybe Robbie was involved in another project or maybe not interested, but this needed another choice. Was it a wash? Certainly not--the acting by Phoenix was amazing as was the directing and the photography by Lawrence Sher asc. 

If you must see this, it truly needs to be on the large screen for the grandiose effect--it's even presented in an IMAX format, but be prepared for a musical, albeit in dream sequences, but a musical and a script that is not cohesive and concise. 

Out of 4 Stars: 1.5                                     Rated: R                                            138mins.

Monster Summer

Every generation seems to bring forth a rites of passage film that includes several young preteens in the hope to uncover something sinister going on in the neighborhood. We've seen "Stand By Me", "The Goonies", "It", "Super 8" among the few. Now we have "Monster Summer" in the offing to sink our teeth into. 

Martha's Vineyard 1997. When a mysterious force begins to disrupt their big summer fun, Noah (Mason Thames) and his friends, including Ben (Noah Cottrell) and Sammy (Abby James Witherspoon), team up with a local retired police detective, Gene Carruthers (Mel Gibson) to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island. Between the town not believing Noah since he's only a kid and a retired detective since he IS retired, these individuals have an incredible time attempting to convince the local police in whet they believe that's going on and it is definitely sinister and the children of the town are disappearing. What IS going on ?!

Others to round out the cast are Lorraine Bracco as Miss Halverson, Patrick Renna as the umpire, Lilah Pate as Ellie Evans, Spencer Fitzgerald as Ronnie Harlow, Julian Lerner as Eugene, Kelly Collins Lintz as Deb Harlow, Gavin Bedell as Kevin and Kevin James as Newspaper editor. 

This was directed with intensity by David Henrie ("This Is the Year" '20) plus shorts. This relative newcomer behind the camera was actually right on with his direction--he knew how to encourage his actors to dig deep and convince us that there are monsters among them. His pacing and staging was effective and considering he is also an actor, this certainly served him. He should receive more work behind the camera. It was effectively written by Cornelius Uliano and Bryan Schulz ("The Peanuts Movie" '15) plus TV and shorts. These writers are apparently a team in their work,and even though they are new to writing, penning scripts as a team certainly can be more effective. Considering they are relative newcomers, this script was sequenced well and it was able to build the intensity so as to keep the audience on the edge of their seats wondering what's going on and who is it that's causing such havoc? There were a few places where certain things weren't explained and a couple of places of choppiness, but otherwise the story kept the audience's attention. 

If you like 'rites of passage' films, you'll like this. It's a great way to spend an hour and a half to simply sit and go into another world so as to escape. It has some nifty visual effects and the with a twist, it should take one by surprise. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                         Rated: PG-13                                      98mins.

White Bird

Stories produced in Hollywood centering on WWII, and more to the point, the hiding of Jews due to the rise of Nazism through Adolf Hitler, are sobering films at best, and need to be shown ever so often as to not forget about a horrific time. As with "Schindler's List", "Sophie's Choice" and "The Pianist", "White Bird" is no exception.

Struggling to fit in at a new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) is visited by his Grandmere Sara Blum (Helen Mirren) and is transformed by the story of her being a young Jewish girl, Sara (Ariella Glaser) and her being hidden by one of her classmates, Julien Beaumier (Orlando Schwerdt) and his family, mother and father (Gillian Anderson) and (Jo Stone-Fewings) respectively, and her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during WWII. As she was hidden for more than a year, Julien and her became best friends along with his family. 

Others to round out the cast are Priya Ghotane as Rahmiya, Teagan Booth as Dillon, Selma Kaymakci as Mariann, Jem Matthews as Vincent, Stuart McQuarrie as Pastor Luc, Mia Kadlecova as Sophie, Laura Hudeckova as Sara (age 5 & 8), Ishai Golan as Max Blum and Olivia Ross as Rose Blum. 

This was brilliantly directed with amazing pathos and heart by Marc Forster ("Loungers" '95, "Everything Put Together" 2000, "Monster's Ball" '01, "Finding Neverland" '04, "Stay" '05, "Stranger Than Fiction" '06, "The Kite Runner" '07, "Quantum of Solace" '08, "Machine Gun Preacher" '11, "World War Z" '13, "All I See Is You" '16, "Christopher Robin" '18, "A Man Called Otto" '22) plus TV, a short and a video. By his very resume, this filmmaker is a chameleon in that he can't be pigeon-holed. He's done it all: comedy, drama, espionage, fantasy, sci-fi, and with this film, he has put a whole new slant on the holocaust days of Nazi Germany. The intensity and grit was immense as was the heart and sobriety captivating. It was equally penned well by veteran writer Mark Bomback ("The Night Caller" '98, "Godsend" '04, "Live Free or Die Hard" '07, "Deception" '08, "Race to Witch Mountain" '09, "Unstoppable" '10, "Total Recall" '12, "The Wolverine" '13, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" '14, "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" '15, "War for the Planet of the Apes" '17, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" '19) plus TV, based on the book by R.J. Palacio. This is written as a series of flashbacks from the beginning whereas Grandmere is confronting her grandson, Julian about his improper treatment of Jews. And as she tells her story, we are brought back to WWII and Nazi-occupied France, and then goes back and forth from 1942 and back to present. The writing was sequenced well, concise, cohesive and knew how to capture the audience's heart. Everyone was effective in their respective roles especially that of Helen Mirren, Orlando Schwerdt and Ariella Qaser. 

If you like the films that chronicle the horror of war, especially that of the Nazi WWII era, you will find this captivating, yet sobering. With anti-semitism on the rise today, it's shocking that we haven't learned our lesson in how we treat Jewish people or anyone that one may have an issue with. We need to grow up as a society and learn and retain the horrific past memories and rid of these prejudices once and for all. This film was amazing and should be required viewing in any high school. You be the judge. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                           Rated: PG-13                                            121mins.