When I heard of a live action attempt of Winnie the Pooh, it intrigued me a little bit. Sitting through Christopher Robin today, it was not something I was expecting. It is surprisingly good despite the tone and the somberness.
It starts off with a farewell for the young Robin and all his friends as he prepares for boarding school. The film doesn't waste too much time getting to the adult version, but we do get to see certain pivotal moments of his life. One thing I'll give Disney credit for is not intervening with the very brief World War II scenes, especially when they have an explosion in it. Robin works at a luggage company and must deal with potential cuts and he has a weekend to figure things out and can't go to the childhood cottage with his wife and daughter.
As it gets to that, Pooh finds his way to London and Christopher Robin thinks it's all a dream when he meets his childhood friend. With that, it kicks off a big adventure that contends with the human trying to save his and other people's jobs, while dealing with his past, present, and potential future in the form of his family and friends. They don't sugar coat anything regarding the situations. Combined with the look of the Hundred Acre Woods and the somber color and lighting, it paints a good picture of what you would not expect out of this film. The special effects are surprisingly well done. Even though these are stuffed animals (at least I think), they come off very real and they don't get overboard or cute with using the effects.
It's very much in the vein of a drama, though it does have a few slapstick and comedy moments. Ewan McGregor plays a wide range of emotions and doesn't ham it up or act over the top as Christopher Robin. It comes off very authentic as someone who is stressed out and cracks a little bit. Hayley Atwell is great in her screen time as the wife, Evelyn. Like McGregor, her character is authentic and gives off some good tones and emotions The actress that plays the daughter is solid as well. Jim Cummings is still a good performer for Tigger and Pooh despite being 65 years old. The rest of the animals put off very good performances. Overall, it's acted quite well. Even some of the characters at Robin's job put up solid efforts.
If I have a minor complaint, it is a little slow in the middle part of it. The somberness is a little overboard at times, but it doesn't overwhelm the movie to the point of losing its purpose, which is about not forgetting your childhood and the simple things in life 30 years later. Other than that, it's a pretty good movie. If it's still playing in your local theater, try and see it. Sometimes, Disney can surprise you and Christopher Robin is a prime example of it. A little bit of Pooh isn't always a bad or scary thing.
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Won't You Be My Neighbor? Review
Before I get into this review, this movie might not be in your theater. Despite coming out nationwide last week, it didn't come to my theater until this past weekend, so grin and bear it if it hasn't and you want to see it. There will be some spoilers, so caution is needed here.
One of Sundance's notable films this year has been Morgan Neville's Won't You Be My Neighbor?, a look at Fred Rogers and his television show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It takes a look at life before, during and just after its 33 year run from 1968 until 2001. You wouldn't think of this as being anywhere good, but it's a great documentary and captures the intentions of what Rogers had.
A lot of these interviews come from members of the Rogers family, people that played characters on the show, crew members, people involved in public television. It's amazing how many people they found to do this, especially for ones that are really old. They look at Rogers as a big pioneer and he was. He was a guy that thought being genuine to children was a lot more rewarding than just doing slapstick comedy like other kids shows back then.
One thing also is that Rogers tackled big important issues in his own way that could be related to actual incidents. When the show debuted in 1968, Vietnam was all you heard on the news. PBS over a year away from becoming a thing. The fact that they also immediately tackled assassination following the killing of Robert Kennedy says a lot. He was able to convey that sense of vulnerability that children might not understand and help them learn something very valuable that you will know in the end.
Then there is the testimony Rogers gave to the Senate in 1969 in regards to PBS getting 20 million dollars for funding. Long story short, he was the face of the network, not Sesame Street. And looking at what he was doing, he didn't change a thing and that's why he is one of most beloved figures for public and educational television. Of course, they go into him being the subject of parody like Saturday Night Live, Johnny Carson, and In Living Color. I wonder how much it really bothered him, because he really is an easy target to do for comedy. That didn't stop him from doing he did.
I'm not going to go too much farther into it, but the legacy he left behind should be one that needs to be cherished. They do show certain stuff late in his life of the wrong messages he may have sent and that he ruined kids. That seems to be nothing but hogwash. They also talk briefly about what would Rogers think about today's world. In this age of Trump's mouth, liberals, and everything inbetween the social media landscape, I think it would have been hard for him to show his message. I don't think he would have given up as some of the people interviewed said as well.
There is still some good to be had and I think we can learn a thing or two from Mister Rogers. This is a great documentary. Try and see it in the theater if it has come to your town. It shows us the efforts of his use of television and how it paid off to be a beloved figure and a big alternative to other programs.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
One of Sundance's notable films this year has been Morgan Neville's Won't You Be My Neighbor?, a look at Fred Rogers and his television show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It takes a look at life before, during and just after its 33 year run from 1968 until 2001. You wouldn't think of this as being anywhere good, but it's a great documentary and captures the intentions of what Rogers had.
A lot of these interviews come from members of the Rogers family, people that played characters on the show, crew members, people involved in public television. It's amazing how many people they found to do this, especially for ones that are really old. They look at Rogers as a big pioneer and he was. He was a guy that thought being genuine to children was a lot more rewarding than just doing slapstick comedy like other kids shows back then.
One thing also is that Rogers tackled big important issues in his own way that could be related to actual incidents. When the show debuted in 1968, Vietnam was all you heard on the news. PBS over a year away from becoming a thing. The fact that they also immediately tackled assassination following the killing of Robert Kennedy says a lot. He was able to convey that sense of vulnerability that children might not understand and help them learn something very valuable that you will know in the end.
Then there is the testimony Rogers gave to the Senate in 1969 in regards to PBS getting 20 million dollars for funding. Long story short, he was the face of the network, not Sesame Street. And looking at what he was doing, he didn't change a thing and that's why he is one of most beloved figures for public and educational television. Of course, they go into him being the subject of parody like Saturday Night Live, Johnny Carson, and In Living Color. I wonder how much it really bothered him, because he really is an easy target to do for comedy. That didn't stop him from doing he did.
I'm not going to go too much farther into it, but the legacy he left behind should be one that needs to be cherished. They do show certain stuff late in his life of the wrong messages he may have sent and that he ruined kids. That seems to be nothing but hogwash. They also talk briefly about what would Rogers think about today's world. In this age of Trump's mouth, liberals, and everything inbetween the social media landscape, I think it would have been hard for him to show his message. I don't think he would have given up as some of the people interviewed said as well.
There is still some good to be had and I think we can learn a thing or two from Mister Rogers. This is a great documentary. Try and see it in the theater if it has come to your town. It shows us the efforts of his use of television and how it paid off to be a beloved figure and a big alternative to other programs.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
Uncle Drew Review
It's been over a week since Uncle Drew came out and with it still somewhat in my mind from seeing it last week, here is my take on it. Before this, it was a series of commercials for Pepsi who did produce this film with Kyrie Irving being the spokesman portraying the 75 year old character. I didn't see an ad for this until around its debut in theaters. I'll tell you this. Your expectations will be either exceeding or disappointing you.
The premise is this guy putting a team together to compete in a street basketball tournament in hopes of winning 100 thousand dollars. In the midst of this, he loses his team to a high school rival played by Nick Kroll and is kicked out of his house by his girlfriend. Desperation comes in as he searches for anybody that can play for him and one day he sees Uncle Drew and sees the talent. Ultimately, it becomes a search for his former teammates from way back in the 60s and to show the new generation a thing or two about how to play basketball.
You wouldn't think it would be truly funny, but it is. Especially with them casting Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, and of course Irving. It's a weird group to consider, but they show themselves that they can be hilarious but also show the skills that they have had for a long time, even after retiring from pro basketball. Some expense comes at some of the nods of their careers, and it's subtle.
It gets its plot across at a good pace and doesn't come off as a rushed product compared to some of these projects involving sports stars. A little slow in the middle of the film, but the basketball scenes come off authentic despite these athletes in tons of makeup and made to look 75. Overall, it's a good film that you wouldn't think would be good, but it is. Hilarious all around, try and find it before it leaves theaters.
Score: 7 out of 10
The premise is this guy putting a team together to compete in a street basketball tournament in hopes of winning 100 thousand dollars. In the midst of this, he loses his team to a high school rival played by Nick Kroll and is kicked out of his house by his girlfriend. Desperation comes in as he searches for anybody that can play for him and one day he sees Uncle Drew and sees the talent. Ultimately, it becomes a search for his former teammates from way back in the 60s and to show the new generation a thing or two about how to play basketball.
You wouldn't think it would be truly funny, but it is. Especially with them casting Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, and of course Irving. It's a weird group to consider, but they show themselves that they can be hilarious but also show the skills that they have had for a long time, even after retiring from pro basketball. Some expense comes at some of the nods of their careers, and it's subtle.
It gets its plot across at a good pace and doesn't come off as a rushed product compared to some of these projects involving sports stars. A little slow in the middle of the film, but the basketball scenes come off authentic despite these athletes in tons of makeup and made to look 75. Overall, it's a good film that you wouldn't think would be good, but it is. Hilarious all around, try and find it before it leaves theaters.
Score: 7 out of 10
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Tag Film Review
The premise for Tag is not a bad idea. It's idea comes from adults who have played the game for such a long time, and this is a movie take on a group that takes the game seriously for one month every year.
It's five guys who have played for 30 years the same game of tag. One of them has never been touched and considered it and he is looking to retire after getting married. With that, the other four try to find ways to tag him. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. For a comedy, it's not as bad as you think. They work around the one that has never been it as someone who is a lot smarter and has a lot of tactics to not get touched. The methods the other four do come very close, but he is one step ahead of them every time.
There isn't much substance to the plot as it is very simple. Not really any side plots outside of a part with two of the group trying to win over a woman that they dated in high school. The focus is tagging and the methods. One thing I am a bit surprised is that the women that are watching this unfold are not fazed or angry. In fact, one of them at times gets crazy about the game and wanting to see the one finally get tagged.
I don't know what else to say. It's not as bad a film as you think, though your mileage may vary. There are some monotonous moments around the mid late part, but it's consistent in being funny. This isn't one I would recommend fully, but if it is still playing in your theater, it's not a bad choice to see.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
It's five guys who have played for 30 years the same game of tag. One of them has never been touched and considered it and he is looking to retire after getting married. With that, the other four try to find ways to tag him. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. For a comedy, it's not as bad as you think. They work around the one that has never been it as someone who is a lot smarter and has a lot of tactics to not get touched. The methods the other four do come very close, but he is one step ahead of them every time.
There isn't much substance to the plot as it is very simple. Not really any side plots outside of a part with two of the group trying to win over a woman that they dated in high school. The focus is tagging and the methods. One thing I am a bit surprised is that the women that are watching this unfold are not fazed or angry. In fact, one of them at times gets crazy about the game and wanting to see the one finally get tagged.
I don't know what else to say. It's not as bad a film as you think, though your mileage may vary. There are some monotonous moments around the mid late part, but it's consistent in being funny. This isn't one I would recommend fully, but if it is still playing in your theater, it's not a bad choice to see.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
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