Rian Massaro

A simply delightful and magical film to bring you cheer! *spoiler review Wonka is the spiritual prequel to the 1971 masterpiece and family-classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This film is hyper focused on the backstory behind the wacky, eager and joyous chocolatier as he returns from a seven-year excursion and attempts to make his way in the world as the most renowned chocolate maker. Throughout the film, Wonka is faced with the success and failure of a candy-maker, while meeting a group of captive workers in a launderette, most notably a young girl named Noodle, who follow him on his journey to attaining his dream and facing the Chocolate Cartel trio consisting of Slugworth, two other well-known chocolate makers, as well as the police force. It is, in essence, the companion to the 1971 film and illuminates the humble beginnings of the titular character in a way we never thought we would see. Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Willy Wonka is brilliant. Timothée, throughout the film, is able to capture that aurora we all felt watching Gene Wilder play the quirky and fun candy maker. His mannerisms, temperament, humor, wittiness, and enthusiasm is unmatched, cementing himself as the Willy Wonka we know and love in Gene Wilder. As first, many seemed skeptical of how well he would perform, but undoubtedly, Timothée Chalament is simply wonderful. Another charming performance is that of Calah Lane as Noodle, the orphan worker Wonka meets in the film. Her companionship matched with Chalamet’s well-natured character, displays such emotion and hope. Lane’s character is confused and silenced initially, but through Wonka, she finds herself and then builds the confidence to become wholesome while tagging along with him. The last performance that was quite impressive and exciting was Hugh Grant as Lofty, a cunning, ill-humored, and persistently annoying Oompa Loompa bent on making Wonka pay for his crime of stealing from Loompaland. Hugh Grant is hysterical, even though his appearance in the film is short of just half an hour in segmentation. Though his screen time was limited, Hugh Grant’s performance as an Oompa Loompa is both comical and entertaining. He really does capture the disposition of the Oompa Loompa’s from the 1971 film and even sings in the original riddle-like voice and rhythm from the 1971 film too! The additional and supporting cast are exceptional as well. Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, and company just add that much more laughs and interest to the film. The music accompanying the film is beautiful. Just like the original film, the score and compositions add such wonder to this story and even contain subtle clues of songs you may have heard in the Mel Stuart film! Such light-heartedness and beauty give the music such importance and depth, truly encapsulating the movement and tone of the film. The CGI, practical effects, scenery, and more were outstanding as well. Everything was on the dot and seemed real to the point that it will leave you feeling that making chocolate that can make you fly or coming across little orange men with green hair can actually exist! Overall, Wonka is the perfect film, not only because of its simplicity, but how it is representative of establishing the backstory of both literature and cinema’s most iconic character. Though Gene Wilder is sadly no longer with us, he would be proud of Timothée‘s performance and the charm presented by every bit of time and effort put into the making of this film. A must see film is you love Willy Wonka or if you generally love this type of film!

The absolute crux of Christmas. This film is unexplainable because of how fantastic it is. A Christmas Story is the best light-hearted, coming-of-age, Christmas film to exist and is the long-standing tradition of Christmas for me. Watching this film and being able to see Christmas through Ralphie’s perspective is both comedic and emotional. Peter Billingsley is just phenomenal in his role of Ralphie. The plot of following Ralphie in his desire to get a BB gun for Christmas and the adventure that is to come, such as his antics with his friends Flick and Schwartz, getting bullied by Scut Farkus, and his time with his dysfunctional yet loving family consisting of his annoying little brother Randy, his overly protective mother, and the hysterical Old Man, is just the centerpiece for the best holiday film imaginable. This film is timeless and is an absolute classic. I cannot wait to see Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, Zach Ward, and R.D. Robb reprise their roles in the upcoming HBO Max sequel! It’s unfortunate that we have lost Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillion retiring from acting, but both, alongside with the original cast, will always be remembered for being a part of the most magical Christmas film that has been cherished and loved among families for decades and will continue to be for generations to come.

As someone who grew up in the late 2000’s, Toy Story is the best Pixar film franchise to me and it has been ever since. Toy Story 4 was an emotional close to this franchise and I hoped Disney would possibly elaborate on Toy Story even more in the future and when Lightyear was announced, I almost fainted. Chris Evans is the most remarkable talent and his performance voicing Buzz Lightyear is absolutely brilliant. During the film, I really thought I heard Tim Allen voicing him because he is that definitive with the character. Supporting cast Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, James Brokin, and company add even more thrill, excitement, comedy, and suspense to this film. I know this film has stirred criticism as the plot was not something many gravitated toward. Even though many think it was unnecessary, Toy Story 2 did not serve much justice in delving within the backstory of Buzz and his nemesis/father, Emperor Zurg. Ever since I watched the original Toy Story, I had pondered how the character/action figure Buzz Lightyear within the Pixar universe came to fruition, and this film was excellent in delivering his backstory. Remember: this film is about Buzz Lightyear the astronaut, the basis of what will become Buzz Lightyear the toy in the Toy Story franchise. It’s not too legitimate to scrutinize the film because of its plot, nor because it’s about the human Lightyear. This film was what I had been waiting for ever since I watched the Toy Story franchise. The story of Lightyear, along with his partner Izzy Hawthorne and a rag-tag team of colonel defense troops, trying to get back home while facing Zurg to save the universe was incredible. This film really delivered and it has become one of the top Pixar films for me. Kudos to you Disney!

James Gunn has created a cinematic masterpiece. This movie has so many twists and turns. It leaves you hanging on your seat. He has executed and brought the atmosphere of John Ostrander’s comic run of Suicide Squad to life with his own unique vision. Such incredible and talented actors/cast playing these characters, marvelous sound design and visuals, and an interesting plot that will leave you shellshocked. This has now become one of my favorite movies ever. It is a monumental cinematic project in connection to DC Comics. Incomparable artistry. Outstanding job to everyone who was involved in this film.

Marvelous. Stunning. Nostalgic. There is no way to describe the sheer brilliance of this modern-day 1980’s drama. Tom Cruise does not disappoint and his work on this film does not go unnoticed. I cannot express how immeasurably talented Tom Cruise is and what fun this must have been to produce as well as star in. He continues to amaze me and he always will. Dare I say this film is even better than it’s predecessor. The plot, emotional depth, character development, callbacks, music/score, cast, action, and more will enrich the audience. The dynamic between Cruise and fellow co-star Miles Teller will hit you right in the heart. The constant recall of the previous film is something you can’t get away from. There is something around every corner. The supporting cast including Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, and more make this film even more exciting. Tom Cruise should be proud of this project. This is the best film to be released during 2022 and it will remain as a cult classic in my opinion.

An absolute masterpiece of comedy and drama. This is the centerpiece of Robin Williams’ career. I cannot express how hysterically funny and emotional this film is. Anytime this film airs on television, I immediately must watch the entire thing. Every human on the planet should know the legendary comic Robin Williams and his exceptionally unique talent. This film definitively highlights that talent and his transition from loving but self-employed father to the illustrious and graceful Mrs. Doubtfire is something to behold. The brilliant Sally Field is also an absolute delight in this film. I must say that even though this film is mainly centered on the character of Mrs. Doubtfire, I can help but express how there is some dynamic present between Robin Williams and Sally Field’s characters. It’s something that will make you feel warm-hearted every time they appear on the screen. Supporting cast Mara Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, and more add to the joy and comedy of this film. Like I mentioned before, many could debate it, but this is the staple of Robin Williams’ film career. I cannot sum into words how fantastic this film is. A must watch and timeless family classic.

Thor: Love and Thunder is the MCU film people have been anticipating since it has been announced. Ever since Jane Foster became the Mighty Thor in 2014, fans of the MCU have been waiting for Natalie Portman to get the opportunity she deserves of wielding the hammer and title. We have also been dying to know what has become of Thor since his personal expedition seen in Avengers: Endgame. The beauty of this film is how outlandish and unique it is, since it is directed by the genius and artistry of Taika Waititi. Recently, it has been noticed that the MCU fan base have not been too pleased with the direction of past-released films, such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. What people fail to understand is how Marvel is trying to develop an experimental/textured genre, and this film is no exception. Taika Waititi has created a film that is the perfect amalgamation of the superhero genre with subtle hints of 1980’s rom-com. It reflects the new direction Marvel is heading into and it is unbelievably fantastic. In this film, after some time of Avengers: Endgame, we follow Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on an adventure in which he is traveling on an internal journey of conflict. After spending sometime with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor is forced to take up his mantle after discovering gods are being slaughtered by a rampant killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale). Meanwhile, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and is seeking treatment to cure her deteriorating health. With no effective outcome using science, Jane decides to seek help from Thor and the Asgardians. Upon reaching New Asgard, Jane finds Mjolnir, which grants her newfound powers of the God of Thunder and temporarily cures her. With Gorr on the loose killing innocent gods, Thor decides to assemble his own elite group of warriors consisting of himself, Foster, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Korg (Waititi) to find and stop the God Butcher before it’s too late. I can’t express enough how excited I was for this film and how it met and better yet exceeded my expectations. Chris Hemsworth continues to play the role of Thor with such finesse, showing bits of comedy, drama, and romance. The beautiful and absolutely brilliant Natalie Portman is the highlight of this film. Her talent is flawless and I have been waiting so long for her to finally garb the mantle of Thor, and I was flabbergasted. Seeing the Mighty Thor’s debut on the big screen is something to behold. I cannot fathom how talented Natalie Portman is and how breathtaking her performance was. Christian Bale is also another actor to acknowledge. Christian Bale’s performance in this film is almost frighting in some connotation. He plays the role of Gorr the God Butcher to his own originality that it is almost impossible to recognize him. This is his absolute best work since the release of The Dark Knight in 2008. The supporting cast including Thompson, Waititi, Russell Crowe, Jaimie Alexander, and more are second-to-none an exceptional ensemble to be a part of this film. This film is nothing short of a masterpiece. Like I mentioned before, Marvel is starting to discard its traditional route. With remarkable directors like Waititi, Marvel has, is, and will be capable of producing some of there best work. This film is a must see for any Marvel fan and let me tell you, it will not disappoint. An absolute favorite of mine and will continue to be. Good on you Marvel!

Halloween Kills is an astounding cinematic sequel in the Halloween franchise. Picking up right where Halloween (2018) left off, Halloween Kills is taken into a direction that will blow you away. This movie is filled with sensational kills, a phenomenal array of actors, breathtaking shots, and appropriate bits of suspense as well as comedy. The stunning Jamie Lee Curtis nails her role as Laurie Strode to the tea once again and returning veterans such as Kyle Richards, Nancy Stephens, Charles Cyphers, the newly cast Anthony Michael Hall, and the Shape himself, Nick Castle, add even more excitement to this highly anticipated film. The cast from the 2018 film, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, and more, are also a fantastic bunch who add to the thrill. The continuation of the Halloween franchise lives strong, and this sequel is no exception. This is my favorite movie of the year 2021 and this will go down as the best follow-up in the Halloween franchise.

If you are a fan of the John Wick franchise, this is a must for the watchlist. Director Ilya Naishuller, writer Derek Kolstad, and producer David Leitch have created something solitary to only their genius. This action thriller is like no other. The uncertainty and suspense in the plot, the fight/stunt choreography, the cast, and Bob Odenkirk’s stunning performance highlight just how incredible this movie is. At 58, Odenkirk never fails to impress and has also created the definition of the new “action hero” in this modern age. From RZA, to Christopher Lloyd, all the way down to Connie Nielsen and Michael Ironside, this movie is just unlike any other. Dare I say, this movie is just above John Wick. In it’s own right, Nobody is the staple of 2021’s movie releases. Phenomenal movie.

Marvel has outdone themselves. This is the quintessential MCU film to date. The layout and execution of the plot is phenomenal. Raw emotion, returning actors of immeasurable talent, the action, visual effects, and character development make this film so enjoyable. I dare say that Tom Holland has definitely become the true Spider-Man within the storyline. This film also offers such an incredible extension to past villains such as the remarkable Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, the brilliant Willem Da foe’s Green Goblin, the ecstatic (no pun intended) Jamie Foxx’s Electro, Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman, and Rhys Ifans’ Lizard. Returning cast such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and even (spoiler alert) the previous Spider-Men Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield themselves! Overall, this is hands down the best MCU film to be released to date. Jon Watts has created something unique that can only be experienced through the glimpse of the audience.