Puss In Boots: The Last Wish - Lands on its Feet Like a Boss

 

Streaming on Peacock 

For Rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, and YouTube 

    It's unsurprising that Puss In Boots would be the one character from the Shrek series to receive his own spin-off. A dashing adventurer with an uncertain past who just happens to be a Cat with a penchant for fine Cream. Not to mention being voiced by one of Hollywood's coolest-sounding performers, Antonio Banderas. What is somewhat surprising is that the folks over at Dreamworks would use this character to tell a compelling, thoughtful, and mature story exploring themes of mortality and Death, often ignored in works aimed at younger audiences. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish may not be the best-animated film aimed at kids exploring these themes, but it is a wonderfully crafted and well-told story that delivers more nuance than one might have expected. Despite a few tired and unnecessary hiccups here and there, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish is a delight in every way. This is one fairy-tale adventure worthy of your excitement. 

    The story follows the legendary fearless hero Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) enjoying his life of adventure and laughing in the face of Death. But when he finds himself on the last of his nine lives and literally faces Death himself (Wagner Moura), the fear of his own mortality finally catches up to him. After hiding for a while, he learns of a magical star in the dark forest with the power to grant one wish. Puss In Boots decides to seek out the star to wish for more lives. Along the way, he runs into his old fling Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and makes a new friend Perrito (Harvey Guillén), an orphan puppy with ambitions of becoming a therapy dog. Together, they will journey to find the wishing star and, along the way, make some unexpected & profound discoveries about the many wonders right before them. 

    This movie is astonishing! It's the kind of film that makes you think it's going to be one thing and then pulls the rug out from under you, making you think, "oh, you're really going there, aren't you?" If there was ever an animated feature to come out of the Hollywood system in recent years that showcased the possibilities of animation as a medium, this would be one of them. 

    Speaking of the animation, it is absolutely stellar! Everything from the character designs to the various motion styles offers an incredible presentation. One particular style to note is the change in framerate during the action scenes, properly lifted from Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse. The visuals also make beautiful use of colors and unconventional animation styles. While it may come off as occasionally fast-paced, it's never to the point of annoyance. The film maintains a decent pace throughout. 

    The script is sharp and surprisingly nuanced. It is on par with the likes of Mad Max: Fury Road in terms of quality. With everything fine-tuned well enough to be perfectly utilized with nothing wasted. 

    The voice acting is stellar. Antonio Banderas delivers his expected romantic charm to his performance while also delivering a strong sense of vulnerability. His talents do not go to waste here. Salma Hayek also provides much of the film's wittiest moments and maintains her presence as a beautiful force of nature. 

    The MVP Awards go to two characters: Death and Perrito the Dog. 

    Death is, hands down, one of the best villains in recent memory. This is the kind of villain we don't see too often anymore, and it's always a treat when they make their return. Wagner Moura provides a vocal performance teaming with a gleeful yet ominous presence. The character design alone is a beautiful demonstration of visual storytelling. 

    Perrito is the heart of the film! Everything from his backstory, design, goals, and personality, all the way to Marvey Guillén's performance, makes for a beloved character that I initially thought I would despise. Most of the time, side dog characters in animated movies are relegated to the annoying comic relief that is neither comedic nor relieving. Perrito provides the proper amount of comedic relief (well delivered) while retaining a sympathetic presence throughout the story.

    Puss In Boots: The Last Wish is a fantastic watch with great characters, stunning visuals, and superb storytelling, which are incredibly hard to come by from the broken Hollywood system. If you haven't already, give this one a watch. It is unquestionably worthy of your time. 

    Now I can't wait to see how many Death cosplayers will appear at conventions this year. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Meow! 

What Makes a "Real" Movie?

 

    Some time ago, I was asked by a good friend of mine why I had sour feelings toward the film Manchester by the Sea but unrelenting praise for the film Ordinary People. Both are incredibly similar in genre, narrative, quality of performance & execution. This question caused me to take more time to examine and evaluate what made me have this seemingly conflicting opinion about two different yet undeniably similar films. Then, after careful deliberation with myself, I think I finally found the reason for my position regarding these two films: 

    One film takes advantage of the fact that it's a movie; the other does not. 

    What do I mean by that? Both films portray a realistic and human story about loss, guilt, and self-loathing. I admit it is hardly an uplifting subject, but it is worthy of a compelling narrative. Especially if the storytellers have something important to say about it all. While that is the case with both films, one unspoken element sets these two stories apart and renders one of them (at least, in my opinion) a better presentation overall. And it can all be summarized in a single word: style. 

    If I may use an analogy for a moment, consider Russel Crowe's unusual performance in the musical film adaptation of Les Misérables. Many critics and audiences felt his singing was out of place and terrible. I partially disagree with this sentiment, though I understand their origin. The problem wasn't that Russel Crowe couldn't sing; he was using the wrong style. Russel Crowe is trained in rock & folk style, which is subdued and naturalistic. Musical theater, on the other hand, is traditionally grand and heavily stylized. Musical theater typically demands a grandiose and extravagant style that most others don't possess or prefer. While audiences and critics were wrong in proclaiming Russel Crowe to be a terrible singer, they were not wrong about his talents feeling "misplaced." 

    Let's examine Manchester by the Sea from 2016, which earned writer/director Kenneth Lonergan his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. 

    

    While I am not a fan of this film, I recognize and appreciate much of the quality that went into its conception and production. Technically, the film is beautifully performed and decently crafted. However, what makes it less enjoyable to me personally is its choice of style. The film tries incredibly hard to feel as "real" as possible, relying too heavily on performance and apparent improvisation to capture reality on film. It spends little to no time utilizing its other attributes (camera language and the like) to further sell its illusion. This reliance upon performance is better suited for live theater, where a dose of reality is constantly present and feels more tangible, purely because of the shared presence in the room. In other words, it's not a movie; it's an elaborate video recording of a theater performance. 

    Cinema, by its very nature, is entirely artificial! Even the most naturalistic and realistic looking & feeling scene can't ever be authentic because it's still nothing more than a captured moving image of a subject projected onto a screen. To sell the illusion, making cinema feel completely tangible and honest requires firing on all cylinders. In other words, good performances alone do not make a compelling film; utilizing every element at your disposal does. 

    Now consider the film Ordinary People from 1980, which earned Robert Redford his Oscar for Best Director and won Best Picture. 

    While the performances are one of the film's highlights, it's not the only aspect that succeeds in selling the illusion. Every aspect of the film gives the presentation a sense of life and agency. The lighting draws your eye, the editing creates a sense of motion, and the framing broadcasts the characters' emotional states. Not to mention the sharp and articulate writing, timed and planned precisely to deliver the story's progression and arc. While it may not be an entirely uplifting story, at the very least, it knows how to utilize all aspects of its presentation and does so with astonishing results. 

    Even though others like myself will likely have entirely different justifications for their tastes and preferences, the ultimate truth is that art does not exist in a vacuum. Any conflicting arguments one could have are just as valid as my own. Because art is, and always shall be, subjective. There can never be one correct answer to it all; only the answer that speaks to you the most. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

The Ritual Killer - No magic Spell Can Save This Atrocity

 

For Rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, and YouTube 

    There is an unofficial sub-genre of films I often refer to as "Tax Returns." Movies of inexcusable low quality with a high-profile talent who is likely accepting a quick paycheck to afford their taxes for the year. These movies are more often than not plagued by terrible writing, bonehead direction, and lackluster performances from the supporting cast. Some examples include Money Plane featuring Kelsey Grammer and Bloodrayne with Sir Ben Kingsley. 

    Today's subject, The Ritual Killer, is no exception. A terrible by-the-numbers cat & mouse style murder mystery attempting to skate by with the presence of the typically reliable Morgan Freeman. And while he does his usual powerhouse excellence despite the incompetent material, it's still not enough to save what may very well be, at this moment, the worst film of 2023. 

    The story follows Mississippi-based detective Lucas Boyd (Cole Houser) on the hunt for a vicious killer with a penchant for the elaborate and ceremonial. His investigation leads him to seek the guidance of Dr. Mackles (Morgan Freeman), a professor in African cultural studies. Dr. Mackles surmises that the killer is likely performing ancient black magic commissioned by wealthy clients seeking seemingly supernatural means of acquiring their deepest desires. With a better understanding of the killer's nature, they must now use their knowledge to find the killer before he strikes again. 

    Setting aside the potential racism of the plot, nothing about this film is competent, clever, or even creative. It's a colossal collection of clichés teamed with plot holes, nonsensical scenes, and middle-school-grade performances. 

    Five writers apparently penned the script, which is already a terrible sign. Too many writers often cause uneven tones, jarring character beats, and an extreme lack of narrative cohesion, all of which is present and accounted for in this movie! 

    I could go on for another few paragraphs about this film's terribleness, but I have already given this film too much of my time. Nothing is redeeming or unintentionally entertaining about this trainwreck. Save your time and money. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Animals Are People Too (sort of) - Separating Fantasy from Reality

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."

-Marcus Aurelius      

    Recently, I reviewed the unique cinematic work known as Cocaine Bear: a horror/comedy (sort of) based on actual events in which a Black Bear consumed a large amount of drugs and, in the movie at least, goes on a murder rampage. In my review, I found the movie to be a decently crafted and silly romp that doesn't ask too much of the audience or take itself too seriously. It has a silly idea and plays with it to its fullest potential, which I appreciate and enjoy (ironically, sometimes). 

    However, upon publishing that review, one of my readers brought up something that made me feel uneven for not considering it before. That is the movie's potential (either deliberate or accidental) for influencing extra violence toward Bears and other animals. For example, the reader mentioned the Steven Speilberg classic Jaws from 1975, the movie featuring a killer Shark that was partially responsible for creating and popularizing the summer blockbuster. It was also cited as an influence for extra violence towards Sharks shortly after its release, causing an uptake in random and needless Shark hunting. 

    While I understand and appreciate (for want of a better word) where this particular reader is coming from and remain deeply grateful for the wisdom imparted from those comments, it does raise an often overlooked aspect of cinema: its influence and inspiration towards people's behavior and actions. It goes without saying that cinema has a profound and incredibly nuanced power to inspire, encourage, and even demand specific ideologies and philosophies through elegant simplicity. They can range from simple and harmless (like fashion choices) to potentially dangerous and incredibly harmful (like propaganda). The question is, at what point do you draw the line between harmless fun and reckless endangerment? 

    Separating art from the artist and, by extension, fantasy from reality, regardless of any external factors and influences, whether deliberate or not, is one of my primary practices as an artist and a critic. Most of the time, I make great efforts to judge the work independently. When I watched and reviewed Cocaine Bear, my opinions formed therein were purely based on the movie...as a movie! In recognizing it as nothing more than a wacky (albeit gory) bit of schlock with no real purpose other than to provide a bit of controlled insanity for entertainment value, I didn't see any cause for alarm. And right there is the heart of the potential issue that is far too easy for people like ourselves to overlook: the ability to appropriately separate fantasy from reality. 

    Of the many changes to our existence on this piece of solar driftwood in the 21st century, the most egregious and dangerous is the alarming number of people who don't know how to separate fantasy from reality. Even worse, some have worked or currently work in the government. I shouldn't point out anyone, specifically, *cough* Donald Trump *cough* Marjorie Taylor Greene *cough*. Still, these people are so disconnected from reality it has caused and continues to cause deadly repercussions for the rest of us. Once more, these people are easily manipulated and overly influenced by the wrong sources of information and inspiration. 

    While you and I are more likely capable of recognizing art as a subjective medium, separating fantasy from reality and enjoying the silliness of it all, the unfortunate fact is that there are far too many people out there who have yet to learn this all-important discipline and, in all likelihood, never will, either due to a lack of internal motivation or negative reinforcement from too many loud external sources. I'm looking at you, FOX News! 

    While I stand by my initial appraisal of Cocaine Bear as a silly romp, I also recognize that it's not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, nor is it best suited for all audiences. This is a point I mentioned in my review, though not as strong as I should have, in all fairness. I do not regret finding some level of enjoyment from the movie. I do, however, regret that there are too many people out there who do not share my discipline of separating art from reality and will likely use their improperly placed inspiration to cause significant harm to others, in this case, other Bears who are otherwise just living their lives in no direct conflict with anyone. 

    Moving forward, I will be more mindful of this and other mind-bending aspects of our reality in my reviews and discussions here on my blog. I may not be able to control how people are influenced by a movie, but I can at least make it abundantly clear what kind of inspiration they should likely consider the most. Remember to take everything you see, hear, read, and witness with a grain of salt. Because someone has to. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Cocaine Bear - Meme The Movie

 

Streaming on Peacock 

Rent on Google Play and YouTube 

Purchase on Apple TV

    In 1985, a would-be drug smuggler airdropped multiple duffle bags of cocaine over a Georgia National Forest before falling to his death, most likely due to a parachute malfunction. Upon further investigation, a Black Bear was found to have consumed over twenty million dollars worth of the substance, having likely overdosed and suffered cerebral hemorrhaging and heart failure. None of the cocaine has ever been recovered, and no other victims have been identified. In fact, the only other noteworthy thing to come out of this event is this meme:

    Then, at some point, newcomer screenwriter Jimmy Warden wondered, "what if the bear didn't die from the cocaine?" That thought experiment formed a screenplay, which then found its way into Universal Studios. It was then green-lit and made into the unbelievably silly and entertaining romp known as Cocaine Bear. A man vs. nature horror/comedy that isn't ashamed of its bombastic nature. While some may take offense to the graphic violence and crude humor, it is a movie that is entirely aware of what it is and chooses to have a blast. It's an excellent demonstration that just because you don't have to do a good job doesn't mean you shouldn't. 

    The film is a series of interconnected vignettes brought together by the shared interactions with a drugged-up apex predator. While the B-stories are standard fair, they are still well told and decently integrated into the film. The movie doesn't have a main story so much as it has a singular plot element that brings all the human fodder together for the central attraction. That, of course, being the well-integrated CGI Bear, the not-so-silent star of the show.

    A fair warning for the potentially squeamish is in order. With a concept as out-there as a Bear high on cocaine, it's unreasonable not to expect graphic violence, and the film does not shy away from the effects a rampaging animal can have on the human body. At the very least, it stays within its welcome and is utilized with just enough taste to maintain its intended impact. 

     Aside from a few questionable editing choices and one or two off-beat character moments, Cocaine Bear is a silly and entertaining cheese-fest that, while not for everyone, will provide some unexpected laughs, decent scares, and a reminder of one of the most essential guidelines to filmmaking. There is no such thing as a bad idea for a movie, only bad executions of ideas. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Lackadaisy - A Tommy Gun Drum Full of Delight

 

Streaming on YouTube 

    The animation creators are some of the most unsung heroes of the early stages of the pandemic. When traditional live-action film and theater-going was no longer safe for anyone, animators picked up the slack, practically keeping the entertainment industry afloat. Sadly, rather than receiving well-deserved recognition for their efforts and artistic integrity, most simply relegated them back to the outdated (and stupid) perception as a genre strictly for children rather than an artistic medium. When Acadamy Award Winner Guillermo del Toro has to argue this very case at multiple award ceremonies, you know that not enough people are listening. 

    In the West, animation is only recognized as "adult" or "mature" if it's outrageously vulgar or mindlessly graphic. Meanwhile, studios allow unpolished turds like Norm of the North a wide theatrical release for no sound reason other than terrible apathy. 

    So, imagine my delight and pleasant surprise when I stumbled upon Lackadaisy: a pilot for an animated series starring anthropomorphic cats set in the Prohibition era with all that would entail. Make no mistake; this is not a children's series, nor is it yet another vain attempt to emulate the success of "adult" cartoons like Family Guy. This is, without a doubt, a serious drama with a perfect balance of mature storytelling and lighthearted levity that aims to put the closed-minded Western perception of animation to rest. It is also a labor of love, a gorgeous demonstration of hand-drawn animations' beauty, and a fresh take on a classic genre. 

  As much as I would love to discuss this further, I want you to stop reading and see this incredible work for yourself. You can find a link to it below and a link to the creator's website. Please see this fantastic creation for yourself and give the creators as much love and support as possible. We need more animated entertainment like this! 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Lackadaisy on YouTube

Creators Website

The Last of Us (Full Series Review) - Loving it the Way it Wants me to

 

Streaming on HBO Max 

    I have commented many times before on this blog about the state of video game adaptations, both good and bad. I've seen once-funny comedians fail miserably to pay homage to the glory days of gaming's past. I have seen filmmakers ignore a game's identity in favor of inappropriate "artistic license." I have only seen one decent film adaptation of a video game property merely because the director took the time to understand the material. Having watched and enjoyed the HBO Max adaptation of one of my favorite video games, I can add another to my list of adaptations to succeed in every possible way. 

    The series faithfully adapts the game's story to the screen and adds extra layers of texture that further enhance the characters and narrative themes. It's incredible for those who haven't played the game and more so for those who have. The times when it deviated from the source material turned out to be for the better and proved themselves to be more fantastic than I could have believed possible. I found no aspects of this glorious adaptation unnecessary, unfounded, or unworthy of my total and undivided investment. 

    Based on the video game title from developer Naughty Dog and writer/creator Neil Drukmann (who also co-developed and co-wrote the series), the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where an aggressive species of cordyceps (a brain-altering fungus that turns its hosts into mindless drones) has wiped out over 60% of the world's population. Our "hero" is an old man named Joel (Pedro Pascal), who lost his young daughter in the initial outbreak and has been surviving by any means necessary ever since. Things take an unusual turn when he encounters a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who is mysteriously immune to the fungus. Suddenly, Joel is tasked with transporting Ellie to a research facility across the country where a group known as The Fireflies hopes to develop a cure using Ellie's biological information. With the fate of humanity's future riding on their shoulders and with a world as dangerous as this one, they might discover what survival really is. 

    The series follows the story of the original game nearly beat for beat, deviating in areas where it better serves the story in the adaptation. Much to my delight, I found these deviations incredibly welcoming, and even some of them better than their original counterparts. While I will not spoil any details as to what some of these deviations are (that is for another blog entry), I greatly appreciated the discipline in not insisting on remaining entirely faithful to the source material. Finding exciting new possibilities and expanding upon them is one of the many aspects of this show that make it incredible, and I could not have been happier with the outcome. 

    The performances from the entire cast, especially the two leads, are astonishing. Pedro Pascal's and Bella Ramsey's chemistry highlights most of the show. Further enhanced by their apparently positive on-set friendship. While some may find Ellie's character a bit overboard and "trying too hard," I can assure you that it is intentional and vital to her development and growth throughout the story. It may take a while to warm up to her antics, but it will be well worth it once you do. 

    The cinematography is breathtaking. Despite the occasional overly dark scenes here and there, the images maintain a sense of contrast. Action scenes are filmed with just enough handheld-style movement to create a sense of immersion without compromising comprehension. Two aspects of cinematography that need to be improved in the modern age of digital filmmaking. 

    While some may object to the violence depicted within the story, this is one of those cases where it is in service to the story and not for mere violence's sake. Yes, one or two moments may make keeping your eyes on the screen challenging, but just like the original game, they are strictly for narrative development and do not overstay their welcome.

    I am pleased to report that this series has made me glad to renew my HBO Max subscription. Here's hoping more quality content like this continues to fill the services catalog. However you can, I highly encourage you to watch this series post haste. It is a remarkable adaptation and a stunning examination of the human condition in the face of devastation & survival. Also, a touching story about two people who might find solace in each other. 

    Unquestionably worth your time! Also, in case you're wondering, episode 3 (Long, Long Time) is my favorite. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.