West Side Story (2021)

9.5/10

This is the second film adaptation of the popular 60's musical which itself was based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. It follows two star-crossed lovers associated with the rival gangs the Puerto Rican  Sharks and the Polish Jets.  

I didn't see much of a need for remaking one of arguably the most well known movie musicals of all time and an Oscar winner. This isn't one of these musical adaptations where the original Broadway story was altered or some of the good songs were cut (to the best of my knowledge this is one of those rare examples where all the songs were kept). The trailers made this feel like it wasn't doing much different fromm the original. I'm pleased to say how wrong I was.    

This is directed by THE Steven Spielberg and he brings everything's he's got into this. This is arguably the best film he's done since Saving Private Ryan. (In fairness, I've never seen War Horse, Munich, or Lincoln.) The movie is amazing to look at. The sets and locations are wonderful. The editing works so smoothly and this has some of the best shot musical numbers I've seen in a while. Spielberg avoids heavy switches between clips allowing everything to flow smoother. Visually, an insane amount of effort went into every camera angle, detail, and character movement.

This includes the classic songs from the original, which are pretty much all great without trying to update them and messing with the formula. These may be old-fashioned for some, but that's their only issue. I'm especially pleased that Spielberg didn't bother adding a new song in order to qualify for an Oscar nomination (like so many movie musical adaptations do.)

Acting is FANTASTIC all across the board. The one most likely to get an Oscar nomination is Ariana DeBose as the girlfriend of the leader of the Sharks. She doesn't seem to be acting but living her character. Rita Moreno, who was in the original film and won an Oscar for it, plays a shopkeeper in this. What could've been just stunt casting is also a pretty strong performance for her. (She could also get an Oscar nomination, though I don't think she has a chance in beating DeBose.)

The story follows the same beats as the original, but manages to do the dialogue and scenes differently enough that it becomes its own thing. The script adds more gravitas and modern sensibilities to what's going on. Characterization is definitely improved. Chino (played by Josh Andres Rivera) who was basically just a living plot point in the first film is given an actual personality in this.

The movie makes the interesting choice of not having the Spanish dialogue subtitled. (It's not that much and you can infer from context what's going on. Don't worry about it.) Brings a real world feel into it and I applaud it.

This is an interesting mix of 60's and current storytelling. Some visual choices, the songs, and the comedy particularly feel old fashioned, but other subject matter is handled more strongly than they could do in the 60's. Again, the old-fashioned stuff could take people out of the movie, but I also think it really balances with the darker side of it. If you're completely unfamiliar with the original, this is ultimately not about happy stuff. You may have seen pop culture humorously depict West Side story as the one where gangs dance and snap their fingers but there is a lot of pretty serious material. There is one moment in particular, that is arguably the darkest moment, may not be for everyone, and is handled even more intensely than the original film. If you're walking into this expecting a fun musical, be forewarned. 

Admittedly, this does suffer from adhering to the story beats too much and embodies the flaws of the storytelling of West Side Story's original decade. The romance happens and forgiveness is given to characters way too quickly.  

Overall, this is such an excellently done film that has that classic Spielberg magic and is reminiscent of classic film-making. Highly recommended.

South Park: Post-COVID

8/10

This is the first of the South Park movies being made for Paramount+. (Feels more like a special; it's only 59 minutes long and the animation doesn't seem any different from the show. But, they're calling it a movie, so alright.) Taking place forty years after the show where COVID has just ended, the characters reunite when a tragedy occurs and they become embroiled in a mystery.

The humor really pops here. The setting of the future is really used to its full comic potential. They do something particularly creative and amusing with what adult Cartman's life is like. 

The one weak spot is that like a lot of recent South Park episodes this film features a little too much of Stan's dad Randy (voiced by Trey Parker). Show creators Parker and Matt Stone seem too enamored of their creation. The basic assumption seems to be "Randy being dumb and selfish" = "Funny." Randy is simply overextended by now and his bits definitely feel like more of the same.

Overall, this is one of South Park's more solid entries and fans of the show should like this. It's definitely fun to see the kids as adults.

Beebo Saves Christmas

7.5/10

In this animated CW Christmas special starring Beebo (voiced by Ben Diskin), the toy who's appeared in the show Legends of Tomorrow, the titular fuzzy character gets a form letter in reply to his letter to Santa. Fearing that something is wrong he goes to find Santa Claus (voiced by Ghostbusters' Ernie Hudson).

This was a rather well made Christmas special. Not one of the greatest of its kind, but it definitely gets the job done. Script is lighthearted, and most importantly, smartly written. You think the special may go down the path of the traditional tropes of people getting too caught up in the modern age and forget the importance of Christmas, but I was pleased to see this have a less suspected endgame. 

Beebo makes for a pleasant lead. They make him upbeat and optimistic but never naive or simple-minded, so when he reacts to things he never feels cutesy or saccharine.   

Strong vocal cast, including some experienced actors. LoT alumni Victor Garber lends his rich voice to the position of narrator. I don't think anyone's really pictured Hudson as Santa, but he lends a fresh take on the Yuletide figure.

Only weak point of this are the songs. They're not particularly strong.

Recommended. This is something that can entertain and is appropriate for the whole family. It's too bad this didn't get much advertising from the CW. This definitely deserves more attention. 

Annie Live!

8/10

If the name didn't tip you off, this was a live filmed presentation of the popular musical Annie, about orphan Annie (played by Celina Smith) whose life changes when she meets billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Harry Connick Jr.).  

To the best of my knowledge, they don't change much from the original music. I've forgotten how pretty simple the story is but that is rather its strength. Annie has a rather nostalgic quality to it: an unrestrained innocence and optimism.

Musical contains all the original songs except "You Won't be an Orphan for Long," which to be fair is no one's favorite. After two theatrical films and one made-for-TV, I'm so pleased to see a filmed adaptation of Annie not cut out "We'd Like to Thank you Mr. Herbert Hoover." It's a pretty fun number. Annie Live includes a few songs created for the original Annie movie as well. (Sorry if you're a fan of "Dumb Dog" or "Let's go to the Movies," you're out of luck.)

Great cast in this, especially the main trio of Smith, Connick, and Nicole Scherzinger as Warbuck's assistance Grace Farrell. Smith definitely has the pipes and brings the traditional determination associated with the titular orphan. Scherzinger brings the expected class and warmth to her character. I don't think anyone thought of Harry Connick Jr. when they think of Warbucks, but man does he nail the character's self-determination and controlled businessman personality. (He's no Albert Finney, but who is?) The only weak point is Taraji P. Henson as orphanage manager Miss Hannigan. She's too cartoonish. Every line is delivered as a high with no mediums or lows. She does do a great job with the singing, I'll give her that.

The whole thing was performed solidly. This isn't one of those live musical performances like Grease or Hairspray that got ambitious with what it was trying to do (which is completely understandable given the COVID situation); it's a modestly made production. I liked how they handled it. This used a larger stage than your traditional theatrical production and made good use of the wide are by being able to switch between backdrops and movable set pieces. The dancing and ensemble players all did well, too.

Recommended, it doesn't do much new when it comes to Annie but does it well and is just a genuinely fun way to spend a few hours.

Army of Thieves

7/10

This Netflix prequel to Army of the Dead tells how safe/safecracking enthusiast Sebastian Schlencht-Wohnert (played by Matthias Schweighofer, also the director) would become professional safecracker Ludwig Dieter. Not a perfect movie, but I had a fun time.

I like that this is a very different film than Army of the Dead and is trying to be it's own thing. (Say what you will about how Zack Snyder handles films, but I've realized from interviews that when it comes to him creating shared universes he always gives complete respect to the other directors' visions and in case of the zombies' verse gives ample control of other director's films to the director.) The zombies are barely referenced (this takes place in Europe far from the outbreak in Las Vegas). The kills in Amry of the Dead that are gone. This isn't an action horror/ heist film, this is a pure heist comedy movie.

As for the plot itself, it's generally entertaining. There's nothing that original about it, but it's fun and confidently directed. The middle act could've been shorter. The film's major strength and weakness is Sebastien. Promoting supporting comic relief to a lead role always has the risk of the character being overextended and becoming tiresome. (I think most of us agree that Fat Amy pulled focus in Pitch Perfect 2 and 3. The original worked because of the ensemble not just her, gosh darn it!) That's kind of the issue here. The character and the actor's performance proves that Sebastien is interesting and likable enough to take center stage. However, way too many lines are given to the guy. If Schwighofer (man, the names were a pain to spell this time around) just exercised restraint, this would've been a stronger work.

Kinda recommended. This is a nice way to spend your time, it's just not something you have to see immediately.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

9.5/10

In the third installment of the original Ghostbusters universe, Callie (played by Carrie Coon) and her two kids move into the house of her late, absent father. There they find his link to the titular ghost trapping team.

I'm pleased to say that this is the best Ghostbusters film since the original. (Not to knock the other two. They were entertaining but had their flaws.) It understands what worked for the first two films (which the reboot didn't understand): great humor juxtaposed with a serious threat and a sincere dedication to the backstory of said threat. (This is directed by original director Ivan Reitman's son Jason who clearly is doing his all to be reverent toward the franchise).

But this film also realizes that changes needed to be made. The biggest mistakes of 2 and the reboot were just recycling the story beats. After 3 whole films where the characters have to start or restart their careers while going up against skeptics, this movie refreshingly skips that. I mean, we're here to see people fighting ghosts and not having to sit through the minutiae. We also finally get a film happening someplace other than New York. And you can't do much more different than the large city than a small country town used here. The rustic landscape looks really good. (Also, it's got to be a lot more cost effective to film in the county than than the city.)

The best change about this is that it's more character-driven and sentimental than the other films, tackling character emotions with a depth never before seen. The movie also provides an excellent nod to Egon, whose actor Harold Ramis sadly passed away. There are three characters that standout: smart, but socially awkward Phoebe (McKenna Grace), the Egon of the film, talkative podcaster Podcast (Logan Kim), and good-natured science teacher Gary Guberson (Paul Rudd). Phoebe and Podcast make the film as both their actors nail their delivery. They have excellent chemistry together and sell being two eccentrics whose friendship is built on neither being judgmental of the other.  Rudd excels in being goofy and charming.  

Love the cinematography and special effects for this. I don't think I've seen a movie come so close to feeling like it was made during the 80's. Also, the opening and ending to this are so excellently done. The former in particular is something you could show in film school on how to properly shoot a scene.

I do admit the editing could've been better. This is one of those films where it's definitely clear more stuff was shot, but it got cut. There's a few characters in this that feel like they were supposed to have more to do then barely show up. There is one person in particular, whose usage is so disappointing, it probably would've been easier if he or she was cut. Though I do like the finale, I do admit it ends abruptly. 

Even before I saw the movie, I heard complaints that there were too many nostalgia throwbacks. When I watched the film, I thought "Huh, I'm not seeing it." Then the third act hits and you're hit by a flood of references, like the reference dam opened. However, I still wouldn't call this a dealbreaker. There's too much to enjoy in this for the nostalgia baiting to bring it down.

Highly recommended. I think this is the type of Ghostbusters that people have been waiting for for a long, long time.

Home Sweet Home Alone

5.5/10

In the 6th Home Alone installment streaming on Disney+, Max Mercer (played by Archie Yates) predictably finds himself home alone for Christmas when his family and extended family misses him when they go on a trip. He ends up protecting his house with the usual HA traps from couple Pam and Jeff McKenzie (Rob Delaney and Kimmy Schmidt's Ellie Kemper) who are trying to retrieve a valuable doll he took from them.

HSHA suffers from being a rather basic children's film, which like all the sequels just couldn't quite match the magic of the original. (To be fair, I think HA3 is underappreciated.) Though this definitely has a bigger budget and cast behind it than the last two made-for-TV versions that you may not have even known existed, this movie still has a very-made-for-TV feel to it. It doesn't help that Max is a straight up rude brat, not simply rough around the edges like the original Kevin McCallister. 

To make it clear, I'm not saying this is a downright bad movie, just mediocre. I see a lot of people online hating this, but I think it's fault is being unable to make the material sparkle rather than bad writing. This is written by SNL actor/writer Mikey Day and College Humor alumni/SNL writer Streeter Seidell (they co-wrote the popular David S. Pumpkins sketch) and it feels like they were trying. There are some fun lines in this and one laugh-out-loud moment near the end. Also, the movie does have a sweet scene in this that actually manages to fill the expected HA touching moment quota without falling into the hole of simply replicating the misunderstood old man moment that 2 and 3 did. 

I'll give the writers this, they definitely knew how to handle the setup. Rather than predictably spend a lot of time watching Max getting frustrated with his family like in the first film, they go through it quickly, because we all know how this goes. (Admittedly, we barely get a feel for what Max's father is like.) I'm also pleased that this avoids the bullying older sibling trope that appeared in the first three films. The script also does a surprisingly valid job of explaining why Max isn't picked up by the cops when his parents realize he's missing. 

The best part of this are definitely the foils the McKenzies. Of all the pretenders to the Wet Bandits' thrown, I've got to say that these are probably the franchise's best home invader replacements. (Not to knock the quartet from HA3, again underrated, who weren't half bad themselves.) The movie breaks from formula by making them sympathetic and not villainous crooks like in previous entries. Heck, a lot more time is spent on the McKenzies and their family than Max. Which I prefer because they're more interesting than the lead and have the best lines. (Though, I admit that the subplot about Jeff's brother's family visiting for Christmas wastes time and could've been cut.) They're practically the protagonists, and Max is kinda the antagonist. Delaney does a good job as a guy who's slightly awkward, and Kemper is even better as she brings her traditional energy to the more driven half of the couple.    

The slapstick and traps in this isn't half bad if not as memorable as the first film, especially considering that you just can't go as violent as you could in the 90's.

The movie features a pleasant number of guest appearances from established comedic actors. (Say what you will about this but casting's not it's weak point.) Kenan Thompson shines as a real estate agent. They link this movie to the original with a brief appearance from Kevin McCallister's brother Buzz (Devin Ratray) (I'm not spoiling anything; he's in the trailer) and his role fits in organically, plus he's fun. 

Overall, this isn't a must see. However, your kids will probably like it, and there's nothing disagreeable with the film. If a family member was watching this or it's decades later and my memories have gotten hazy, I'd probably watch it again. If you're a Rob Delaney and/or Ellie Kemper this will probably be up your alley.