Jess Hallock – Google

This is my favorite movie. I enjoy Wes Anderson’s films in general, but this one I like the best because it has a splash of Agatha Christie—and I’m a sucker for that. The acting is fantastic, the sets are lovely, and I just love how he tells stories. I personally think it might be one of his more accessible films if anyone is new to Wes Anderson films. It’s a great story and I love Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori‘s performances.

I’ll start by saying: I like Barbies, played with them, watched all the (old) fairytale movies—it’s definitely the kind of movie that is more enjoyable if you or the people you’re watching with like/love Barbies or grew up playing with them. Margot Robbie is a great Barbie. Ryan Gosling is hilarious as Ken. The references are so fun. We watched with our Mom who was in the back of the room shouting, “My sister had an Allan! And he had that shirt!” The first half of the film was great, a wild ride, and hilarious. That said….how did my sister phrase this……..it’s a little (lot) like reading the first draft of a freshman’s paper…we’ll say second semester freshman’s, maybe a new sophomore. The ideas a really good, the set pieces are great, but it’s all crammed in there and the thesis is lost among all the side wanderings. Greta Gerwig could really use a better editor, or maybe she just needs more practice doing only directing instead of both writing and directing. She has such good ideas, but she seems to get distracted by ALL the ideas and doesn’t yet have the expertise to know what she should cut in order to make a great film. And because of this, she misses the mark with some of her ideas, which is unfortunate because they could be done so well. I wish it was better. It could’ve been so good, cause the set and acting was fantastic. We enjoyed it, despite our qualms, but if you’re not into Barbies and/or renting the mood for philosophical rambling, it might not be for you.

This reminded me of a few movies from childhood, like Matilda and Nanny McPhee and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in which the characters are weird and wonderful and odd in a world that doesn’t make complete practical sense. I think it captures how many of Roald Dahl‘s books feel, but maybe happier. It’s certainly a different characterization of Willy Wonka than the book (who frankly is a little [totally] crazy), but he’s a Wonka who is familiar and was in all those commercials for Wonka Candy. It was a fun and sweet film, very enjoyable, and the performances and music makes me wish I could see it on a stage. Not perfect, but very enjoyable to watch!

Just finished watching Lightyear, and while I love Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story Franchise, the TV show, and here with Chris Even as the voice of Buzz, the movie itself is lacking. The most interesting parts are space, and those are over at the near the start, and Buzz and his Cat—everything else was just sort of bland, like a try at Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy that was shoved unceremoniously into a pleasant Pixar movie. We found ourselves wishing the side characters would go away so we could just watch Buzz and his Cat (who was the absolute best character). Mostly, the Tagalongs of their ragtag team were far more frustrating than enjoyable. We laughed, mostly due to the Cat and robots. Otherwise, it was a little boring for a lot of the middle. Buzz and the Cat were the best part of the movie. Pixar can do better.