Superman is a comic book brought to life! James Gunn doesn’t shy away from his signature flair and it works incredibly well. All of the flash, action, and adrenaline you’d expect from a superhero film is present and exceptionally well-balanced with the most grounded, relatable Clark Kent ever portrayed on the big screen.

Our new Superman isn’t perfect, dark, or melodramatic. He is vulnerable, grounded, and compassionate. Gunn understands the source material and the result is the best Superman movie since Christopher Reeve graced us with his presence back in 1978. David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult are casting home-runs and their chemistry oozes through the screen.

The new DCU has finally found its footing and I can confidently say with the success of Peacemaker and now Superman, the future is looking bright!

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Empathy is a Superpower

After years of cynical and dark superhero stories, James Gunn’s Superman returns to the themes and messages that embody the true spirit of the genre. Superman loses battles, struggles with his identity, and doesn’t see himself as a savior.

Corenswet really shines in the film’s most personal moments and the result is a Superman that feels authentic, yet fresh and relevant. Like most Superman stories, the central theme of this movie is Clark Kent’s struggle to find purpose in a world that actively dismisses him as alien. As he struggles with the complications of his legacy, Kent is also at odds with the evil Lex Luthor and is juggling his passionate but intricate relationship with Lois Lane.

Rather than dismiss these internal struggles, Superman goes on a journey to save Metropolis all while confronting his shortcomings. Gunn understands it is this vulnerability that makes the character special.

Gunn’s Superman has the strength and fortitude you’ve come to expect, but teaches us that the most important superpower is when you lift others up rather than serve yourself. This is a welcome and necessary return to Superman’s true heritage after Zack Snyder’s dark stories with a futile attempt for character growth.

That is not to say the old way is the wrong way, but when the goal is to reboot an entire intellectual property, this version of Superman offers a far more interesting and relatable dynamic.

The story is hopeful and Superman’s journey ultimately reminds us that it is important to be an empathetic person. As the DCU expands, these morals will likely come to a head with Batman and other Justice League members to create compelling conflict. Gunn has written the ideal Superman for the moment.

A Casting Homerun

Superman has a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes and it genuinely flies by. This results in quite a few scenes that I wish had more screen time. Most of these moments are a testament to the film’s excellent casting and their on-screen chemistry.

I’ll start with the scene where Clark shares a moment with his dad outside their farm house. Man, did I want to stay here a little longer. The vulnerability in Superman’s voice is brought out by the comfort of Johnathan Kent. It made for a very touching moment.

It is here you see the physical embodiment of Clark’s monologue to Lois and it was deeply moving. I don’t think we’ve seen a Superman this self-aware and it goes a long way. Johnathan and Martha Kent come across as humble, but worldly. It is rewarding to see where Superman’s ideology originates.

Nicholas Hoult may be the best Lex Luthor I have ever seen. He’s the definition of a scene stealer! Too many comic book films create arbitrary villains that we have to just accept as evil with little cause. Not here. Not under this director. Gunn goes out of his way to emphasize Luthor’s villainy.

Whether it be through the vicious cold-blooded murder of innocent people, the kidnapping and torturing of a dog, or calculated monologues aimed at the movie’s protagonists, Gunn writes Lex Luthor’s immorality to be something you can’t get enough of despite your distain for him.

I walked out the theater dying for more Lex because of how well he brought out the Clark “Kentness” of Corenswet’s Superman. The two worked harmoniously in their own polar opposite ways.

Speaking of actors having an obvious rapport, this review wouldn’t be complete without mention of Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s budding relationship. Like the scene pictured above, each time Corenswet and Brosnahan are on screen together, fireworks (or dimensional imps?) light up the sky.

Their love and energy is infectious and beautiful, but they also aren’t afraid to be real with one another. This sincerity makes the bond of two extraordinary people feel visceral, human, and dare I say, ordinary.

There is no doubt these two will be the faces of the DCU for years to come and it warms my heart that we will have such a relatable love story to keep coming back to.

Final Thoughts

James Gunn’s Superman is a thrilling retelling of a classic superhero story that embodies all of the cheesy humor, uplifting themes, and heavy action sequences reminiscent of comic books of the past. Actors with palpable on-screen chemistry complement a well-written, sometimes busy, screenplay that tells a moving story extremely relevant to the times.

After years of directionless leadership, the new DCU has finally found its footing. Gunn’s savvy casting signifies a bold, but unified creative direction moving forward.

Most importantly, Superman teaches us to lead with kindness and empathy. A thesis the entire world could use a little dose of right about now.

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What I am watching, listening, and reading this week.

The Life of Chuck

The Life of Chuck is a wonderful thought-provoking experience with a superb cast. Mark Hamill was an absolute blast!

Stick

Owen Wilson is the man! Stick is nothing new in the world of sports dramadies, but it is a fun time nonetheless. Sometimes a feel-good story is what you need to close out a day.

F1 Original Score

Without this score, F1 would be a shell of itself. This music is the perfect complement to the racing scenes in the film and even goes well with a tough workout. I was bumping to this on my run this morning!

Project Hail Mary

I saw the trailer for this while waiting for Superman and started rereading the novel that night. Project Hail Mary is one of my favorite sci-fi stories ever written and if The Martian was any indication, it should work really well as a motion picture adaptation.

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Why? Sometimes the best stories and character arcs are driven by awful dads. (That and I have an unhealthy obcession with Star Wars so any time I can write about it, I will. Spoiler alert.)

#3: Darth Vader (Star Wars)

The best villain in movie history comes in at #3. Let’s start with the obvious. He killed his pregnant wife. So there’s that. He also cut off his own son’s arm and then asked him to join him like nothing happened. If dismembering your own child isn’t enough, he also tortured his daughter and blew up her entire home planet.

In Vader’s defense, he fell victim to the temptations of the dark side during all of this. Emperor Palpatine was a master manipulator. Darth also didn’t know that Leia was his daughter at the time of destroying Alderaan. His immensely satisfying redemption arc sees him ultimately defeat the higher evil and see the light. For that, the chosen one is spared a higher spot on this list.

#2: Clifford McBride (Ad Astra)

If you haven’t seen Ad Astra yet, do you yourself a favor and watch it. Very few films are as thought-provoking and introspective.

The film follows astronaut Roy McBride’s search for his estranged father, Clifford, who just so happens to be responsible for sending life-threatening radiation back to Earth from his remote space station orbiting around Neptune.

Roy is attempting to save Earth from his father’s unexplained experimental radiation, but is also motivated for answers from his estranged father. Roy has not seen Clifford since he was a child and when he finally makes contact, he learns that his father murdered his fellow crewmates and wants to sacrifice all of Earth in an attempt to find alien life. If that’s not bad enough, Clifford tells his son (who just traveled across the solar system to find him, mind you) that the real reason he became an astronaut was to get away from his family. He found life with his wife and Roy to be incredibly boring and unrewarding. Ouch.

#1: Daniel Plainview (There Will Be Blood)

One of the most powerful characters in the history of film is also my pick as the worst dad in the history of film. Daniel Plainview’s story is a harrowing examination of the detrimental effects power and greed can have on a man. And in this case, a father.

Plainview uses his deaf adopted son, H.W., as a prop in his larger game to acquire as much wealth as possible. Appearing as a family man helps grow his business and fortune, but that comes at the expense of H.W., who we learn was essentially abducted by Plainview with only money on the mind.

There are moments when Plainview attempts to be a good father, but those uplifting moments become increasingly scarce as the film progresses and all comes to blows in the final act when Planview disowns H.W. in a drunken tantrum. It is a heartbreaking end to a doomed father-son relationship and leaves a terrible taste in your mouth.

What do you think of my list? I’d love to see your top-3 worst fictional dad lists in the comments. Also shoutout to James Earl Jones, Tommy Lee Jones, and Daniel Day-Lewis for their incredible performances. I bet all of them are/were fantastic dads in real life.

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Happy Father’s Day to all the good dads out there!

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Celine Song uses conventional rom-com glitz and glamour as a hook and then proceeds to deliver one of the most authentically human stories of the year. Materialists examines the artificiality of modern dating in an increasingly shallow world. It is not without some quirky fluff and stale humor, but there is a rare sense of realism in Song's depiction of contemporary relationships that I believe many people will find solace in.

This is not a genre-defining film like Song’s 2023 directorial debut, Past Lives, but Materialists still feels very human. Its biggest flaw is that it is marketed and structured as a romantic-comedy when in reality it just isn’t. The little humor that is present is not very funny and despite what the trailer and poster may lead you to believe, there is no love triangle or juicy spats between the male leads.

When you approach Materialists for what it truly is - a romantic drama - I think it is easier to appreciate the message and purpose behind Song’s sophomore film.

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This is Celine Song Coded For Better or Worse

Dakota Johnson plays a professional matchmaker, named Lucy, who depersonalizes people to their superficial traits, such as height, weight, race, and salary in an attempt to find suitable matches for her clients. The film uses her character to drive a commentary about modern relationships and how dating apps and social media have created a cold, cruel over-analytical approach to courtship.

The beginning of the film depicts a Paleolithic couple who we eventually learn represent the very first people to get engaged. This couple is a constant callback throughout the story and serves as a metaphorical reminder that love, at its very core, may be the one thing that has not advanced with the rest of society. Song suggests that modern romance is far more complicated now than it ever has been with the introduction of dating services and apps.

Materialists modernizes classic stories about class and social dynamics, such as Romeo and Juliet and Pride and Prejudice, and blends that together with today’s almost formulaic approach to dating that often discourages real connection.

By the third act, the shine and polish you’d expect from a traditional rom-com is substituted for an imperfect yet authentic resolution that most films of this genre would avoid out of fear from deviating from the norm. If you expected run of the mill romance and comedy, you may walk home disappointed, but I think there is no denying that this is a story rooted in something many people will find touching.

Too Much Fluff, Not Enough Chris and Pedro

My biggest gripe with the film is its mismanagement of its three stars. You have some of the most charismatic actors of this generation in Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal yet the three them get very little screen time as a trio. One of the men is always coming or going and in the small scenes when they are together, there is no real vibrance to the moment.

The result is a finished product that feels stagnant and lacking in chemistry. The themes and undertones I discussed above are interesting, but they lack emphasis as a result of the structure.

I don’t think the performances were poor and I even found each character’s flaws rather interesting, but there was an unrealized layer of depth that I can’t stop thinking about. Had they given us more love triangle and less of the repetitive, dull matchmaking and workplace drama, I think the leads would have come across as much more relatable.

This leaves me frustrated because I greatly appreciate Song’s messaging and willingness to divert from the exhausted rom-com blueprint. However, the characters are just not that compelling on their own. Ironically, I’m now convinced that the departure from traditional comedy hurts Materialists rather than helps it. If there was a better balance for both elements, I think this would be a far more positive discussion.

Final Thoughts

Materialists is a relatable story with a relatable message that suffers from rather unrelatable characters. There is a endearing and personal touch to its truthful commentary on modern dating that would better excel with improved writing and depth for its leads. I appreciate Celine Song’s willingness to push the limits of the rom-com genre and her commitment to telling authentically modern love stories. I cannot wait to see what she does next.

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What I am watching, listening, reading, and playing this week.

Hidden Figures

Despite director Theodore Melfi's obsession with some rather cliché moments that we know twist the truth, Hidden Figures is very moving. I am not sure you could cast a more talented, charismatic trio than Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. I loved every second of this. Iconic.

Adolescence

A truly thought-provoking experience. There is nothing else on TV like it. You will get to witness some of the best acting and cinematography ever put on screen.

GNX

Since his Super Bowl halftime performance, I haven’t been able to get enough of Kendrick Lamar’s GNX. It is an album that listens like a story with a tremendous amount of symbolism and meaning.

Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games prequel about my favorite character Haymitch has been a very fun read. I do not think this is nearly as good as the original books, but fans of the series will enjoy this and all its callbacks. The upcoming film has great potential considering The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was a better film than read!

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

The best Indiana Jones story of the last few decades comes in video game form. The Great Circle features a captivating story full of the same emotion and action the original Indiana Jones films executed so well. I have been loving this single-player experience!

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Captain America: Brave New World succeeds when Harrison Ford and Carl Lumbly are on screen and disappoints when they’re not. Ford’s performance is so strong that it almost feels out of place with the rest of the film.

While there are small moments that are reminiscent of the truly fantastic Captain America movies from the MCU’s phase 1, the majority of this film suffers from a lackluster plot and underwhelming action sequences.

The most exciting moments from Brave New World are the world-building elements that set up the direction of the next few Marvel films coming later in 2025 and 2026. Adamantium and the multiverse will likely be a big player for this new era of stories and I imagine the backstory we get in this film will be very important moving forward.

Anthony Mackie put great care into his role as Sam Wilson. He didn't try and be a Steve Rogers 2.0 and instead made it his own with good depth and personalty.

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Great Performances

Harrison Ford definitely steals the show with his usual brilliance, but Carl Lumbly and Anthony Mackie also deserve their flowers.

Ford is powerful, emotional, and compelling. Whenever he is on screen, he commands your attention. This is a trait that works very well in blockbusters like this. We saw it in Star Wars and Indiana Jones; when a story relies on the struggle between good versus evil and the action sequences that follows, a strong on-screen presence is essential to furthering the plot.

Lumbly was also great and added a really important layer of depth and meaning to his character. When it was all said and done, his character was the one I resonated the most with. Given his limited screen-time throughout most of the second and third acts, that is an impressive achievement.

Last but certainly not least, Mackie did a great job not trying to live up to the incredibly lofty standards set by Chris Evans and his iconic portrayal of Steve Rogers. Instead, he made Sam Wilson his own. And that is okay. I can only imagine the pressure Anthony felt to follow such an iconic character that has become engrained in pop culture forever, but I think he did a good job.

Rather than try and emulate Evans’ Steve Rogers, Mackie brought to life new and unique struggles, strengths, and conflicts to Cap. He still embodied that classic Captain America spirit, but did a great job differentiating the two people. He made sure that we, as an audience, understand this is not going to be a basic reincarnation of Steve Rogers. Keeping things fresh and uncertain is how you rebuild interest in the MCU, especially given their recent struggles in the box office.

Lackluster Story and Underwhelming Dialogue

Unfortunately, the film’s talent cannot overcome what is simply a mundane plot. Frankly, there is not much to this story and I feel like it was at least in part due to Marvel’s marketing strategy for this movie.

I get that seeing Harrison Ford turn into Red Hulk in the trailers puts butts in seats, but I can’t stop thinking about how electric the theatergoing experience would have been had they kept that a secret. Imagine the shock. Imagine the genuine excitement. I feel like Marvel has been in desperate need of a moment like that and this was a missed opportunity. It was yet another decision to prioritize money over trusting your lead actors and pushing good, unsuspecting storytelling in the marketing department.

At the end of the day, revealing big twists like this beforehand hurts the film no matter how you try and shape it.

Additionally, there were a few moments throughout the story where I genuinely could not believe certain characters and their decision making. Superhero films tend to make it slightly easier to overlook plot holes and corny tropes than other genres, but even Mackie and Ford couldn’t make some of the writing easier to digest.

Marvel’s Multiverse Saga Has Great Potential

As I mentioned at the start, Brave New World’s world-building was the film’s biggest positive. I think fans who are excited for Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic 4, and the upcoming Avengers movies will leave with even more anticipation. I am not sure if that is a good thing for people who really wanted to love this Captain America movie, but it does bode well for Marvel as a whole.

That is a testament to the writers room for making sure to provide important details about the element Adamantium and including purposeful cameos that actually drive forward interesting stories that will be present in future films.

Part of the appeal of the MCU is this interconnected feeling fans leave with every time they watch a new release. Brave New World doesn’t shy away from rewarding hardcore fans in that way. While that doesn’t necessary make for a great individual movie, it is definitely something that should be celebrated in this particular genre.

Final Thoughts

Wonderful performances from Anthony Mackie, Carl Lumbly, and especially Harrison Ford do not hide Captain America: Brave New World’s obvious plot holes and underwhelming story. That said, its interesting world-building leaves much to be excited about in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years to come.

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Additional Reading

What I am watching, listening, reading, and playing this week.

Philadelphia

An incredibly moving story with two generational performances. The pre-trial scene when the entire Beckett family is gathered around to show support for Andrew is beyond powerful. It is a moment that everyone in the world could use a rewatch of in today’s climate.

Severance (Season 2)

The best show on television right now is back for season 2! If you are not watching Severance, you are missing out on a generational story that will go down in history as one of the best all-time. Get refining!

GNX

Since his Super Bowl halftime performance, I haven’t been able to get enough of Kendrick Lamar’s GNX. It is an album that listens like a story with a tremendous amount of symbolism and meaning.

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson is one of the best fantasy/sci-fi writers today and you will absolutely adore his writing in Tress of the Emerald Sea. I was new to his work and this book will open up a massive range of series, standalone novels, and novellas to enjoy in the same universe.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

The best Indiana Jones story of the last few decades comes in video game form. The Great Circle features a captivating story full of the same emotion and action the original Indiana Jones films executed so well. I have been loving this single-player experience!

Thank you for reading Blitz’s Backlot! If you enjoyed this, please consider sharing the publication to other film and tv lovers. I greatly appreciate your support.

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I’ve long said that some of the best films of all-time are adapted from incredible books. The Wild Robot is no exception. Based on the beloved children’s book by Peter Brown, there hasn’t been an animated feature film in over a decade that feels as important as The Wild Robot.

With an art style that will be leave you dumbfounded by its beauty combined with a brilliantly voice-acted story about love, acceptance, survival, and fitting in, The Wild Robot will tug on your heart strings in all of the right ways.

The film majestically transports you into a world that will have you laughing, crying, and hurting for its characters. You’ll be unable to resist listening with a different part of yourself… both with your ears and your heart. That is, after all, what Roz would tell you to do.

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Do yourself a favor and listen to my favorite song from the film’s soundtrack as you read the rest of this. It is called Kiss the Sky by Marren Morris.

Breath of Painted Fresh Air

As I’m sure many of you can relate, I have grown tired of animation studios constantly recycling their existing IPs. Don’t get me wrong, there is always going to be a place in my heart for Kung Fu Panda 4 and Toy Story 5, but perhaps more than any other medium, this genre has been in desperate need of something new. Something that feels fresh and unique. Something that can define animation of the 2020’s.

Fortunately, The Wild Robot, fills that void and then some.

The animation style brings me back to the most beloved movies, cartoons, and video games of my childhood. Referred to as “hand-painted” animation, you’ll see shades of Bambi, The Jungle Book, Spirited Away, and The Iron Giant all over The Wild Robot.

Impressionistic animation is obviously nothing new, but because modern cinema has departed from this style, its return in The Wild Robot is both refreshing and familiar. The film’s sci-fi and futuristic themes deliver a color palette and style new to the genre.

You’ll walk away feeling like you’re back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, but at the same time feel like you’ve never seen anything like it. What does that remind you of? Oh yeah… take it away, Luke Skywalker.

Like I said, it is fresh. It is unique. It is special.

A Unique Message

The most heartwarming and simultaneously gut wrenching moment in the film is when Roz’s baby goose, Brightbill, learns to fly in order to join the flock’s annual winter migration.

Coming of age stories are commonplace in “Rated E for Everyone” films, but The Wild Robot flips that narrative on its head.

There is a moment when Brightbill feels rejected by his peers for being different and rather than go to his mother for solace, he blames her. He takes his frustration out on the person who loves him the most. Not only is this scene relatable, but it also brilliantly conveys the sacrifice good parents make for their children. A sacrifice that often goes unappreciated. That is where the narrative is flipped. Rather than solely focus on Brightbill’s struggles since he is the kid, we also focus on Roz’s.

Despite her complete ignorance to the island, geese, or motherhood, Roz did her best and raised Brightbill to be an intelligent, strong goose. He had all the tools to succeed and ultimately did.

You’ll walk away wanting to call your parents and say thank you after seeing this movie. The Wild Robot teaches that it is okay to make mistakes, it is okay to be different, and it is okay to mess up when you’re a kid and an adult.

This leads me to the one element of the story that I felt was missing. We do not get enough of that critical moment where Brightbill and Roz discuss their feelings. We are left to infer that Brightbill learned from Roz the same way Roz learned from Brightbill.

I think this was a missed opportunity because that conversation would have added an even deeper layer to the already well written main characters.

Colorful Score

The vibrant, lively animation of The Wild Robot would be incomplete without its exceptional score. In a rare feat, Kris Bowers managed to convey the sound of the wilderness using a groovy, percussive tone that highlights the adventure and freedom of the wild.

This score is one of those you’ll find yourself humming along to. It is a scene stealer! There are at least 10 moments from the film off the top of my head where the score makes the moment. It is perfectly in sync with the tone, pace, and art style of the movie.

I highly recommend a listen to the score in its entirety. Something tells me Kris Bowers has a real chance to steal the show this awards season.

Final Verdict

The Wild Robot will win Best Animated Feature Film and should at least be nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Score at this year’s Academy Awards. It is a movie with a beautiful message, unique animation, and purposeful themes. Roz, Brightbill, and Fink are well-written and impeccably voiced characters with depth, complexity, and relatability. This is a memorable movie that, no matter your age, will impact you in more ways than one.

The Wild Robat is in theaters today. What did you think of the film? Let me know in the comments. I look forward to our discussion!

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My Recent Articles

What I am watching, listening, reading, and playing this week.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Perhaps my favorite RomCom of all time, Crazy, Stupid, Love. is filled with hilarious moments that you’ll never forget. During a very stressful time of year, I highly recommend giving this a watch to take a breather from the world.

The Diplomat (Season 2)

Keri Russell’s brilliant political thriller is back for season 2 on Netflix. This show is riveting and very timely. Give it a try if you haven’t already.

Paradise State of Mind

Foster The People’s new album, particularly Lost In Space, has been on repeat for weeks now. Check it out!

Project Hail Mary

Currently being adapted as feature film starring Ryan Gosling, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a dramatic sci-fi with great characters and hilarious humor. It has been one of my favorite reads this year. Weir is the same author who wrote The Martian.

Baldur’s Gate 3

This is one of the most robust and detailed role-playing games I have ever played. It has been a joyful experience that I cannot get enough of. Anyone who loves RPGs, fantasy, or adventure games will fall in love with BG3.

Thank you for reading Blitz’s Backlot! If you enjoyed this, please consider sharing the publication to other film and tv lovers. I greatly appreciate your support.

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A Zemeckis film through and through. Here is quirky and has some very charming moments, but suffers from a rather mundane plot, underdeveloped characters, and pretty dodgy de-aging technology.

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Legendary director Robert Zemeckis’ newest film, Here, is a Forest Gump reunion with Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. A trio that is sure to excite many. I’ve been counting down the days because I am a simple man. If Hanks is in a new movie… I watch.

Unfortunately, I left underwhelmed. I found that both Hanks and Wright do not shine nearly as bright as they usually do.

That is through no fault of their own, however.

The film’s quirk is that it is shot on a single camera that never moves, depicting how the same space evolves over time. An undeniably cool concept, and one that makes this movie memorable, but, at the same time, also serves as its biggest hindrance.

(Un)Emotional Breakdown

With many of the scenes taking place back by the window and couch that you can see in the image above, some pretty pivotal moments are not captured up close. This creates the illusion that we, the audience, are merely flies on the wall in this ever-changing room. An interesting stylistic choice, sure, but one that often removes a necessary amount of emotion from the on-going story.

I found the lack of close-ups and natural restrictions on movement that come with shooting an entire movie in one room to be compelling at first, but eventually tiresome and unrealistic.

It felt as if something was missing. A something that is usually never missing when you have these two incredibly talented people on the big screen.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I never want to knock something for being creative. On the surface, an entire feature film shot on one camera that never moves is right up my ally. You add Tom Hanks and Robin Wright to that equation, and 9 times out of 10, you’re eating real good. I’ll be the first one to tell you that we need more abstract concepts in modern Hollywood.

But that is exactly why I left disappointed. Despite everything Here had going for it, It just didn’t work all together. There was a lot of nonlinear storytelling going on when it probably didn’t need to be. For all the time we spend with the families that lived in the home before and after Tom and Robin’s characters, that could’ve been more screen time dedicated to their romance, relationship, and family.

All that to say, the film had some very strong themes that I will always remember. Because you get to watch average people age in real time, the movie does an excellent job reminding you of the importance to live life in the moment and pursue the things you want to pursue. Otherwise, time will pass you by, literally.

De-Aging in Reverse

Speaking of aging, the de-aging technology in Here was very shotty. I get that it will never be perfect, especially when you are de-aging generational actors who’s younger faces are very recognizable, but I just couldn’t help comparing this to the exceptional work done with Luke Skywalker in the recent Star Wars tv shows.

Some shots were better than others depending on the angle of the actor’s face and lighting, but there was an undeniable waxiness to many of the de-aged scenes. Granted, in the Star Wars shows they got to compose their shots however they like and had the unlimited budget of Industrial Light & Magic at their disposal, but there is still no denying that this is another example of how the single camera concept hurt the movie instead of strengthening it.

I can get over all of that, however.

What I can’t get over and was far more jarring were the de-aged voices. 20-year old Tom Hanks sounded like 60-year old Tom Hanks. An unfortunate oversight that really takes you out of the moment. What made de-aged Mark Hamill so convincing in Star Wars was that he both looked and sounded like the Mark Hamill of yesterday. They took sound bites from his younger years to reconstruct his voice. Zemeckis had plenty of material to do the same for Hanks and Wright, but didn’t execute to the same level.

This technology mishap really hurts the younger scenes. I found the older scenes more emotional and lifelike, no doubt a result of the characters being the same age as the actors playing them.

Rating

Zemeckis definitely deserves his flowers for his boldness and willingness to take a risk. You’ll never see me fault anyone for doing that. Here has a lot going for it. Important lessons and themes about life are convincing and relatable. Unfortunately, the story and the characters are not as robust as they could be. Coupled with de-aging technology that can ruin the moment, the film is solid, but leaves more to be desired.

Here is in theaters today. What did you think of the film? Let me know in the comments. I look forward to our discussion!

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My Recent Articles

What I am watching, listening, reading, and playing this week.

Gladiator

I had to revisit this Ridley Scott classic to get ready for Gladiator II in a few weeks. It might be my most anticipated film of 2024 after Dune: Part 2.

Shrinking (Season 2)

One of the best dramadies on TV is back and I couldn’t be more excited. This exceptional story about loss, grief, and community has touched me in a way few shows have in recent memory. Season 2 of Shrinking adds Brett Goldstein to its already star-studded cast and the first 3 episodes have delivered. If you haven’t seen this yet, how could you say no to a show with Harrison Ford playing a therapist?

Faceoff: Inside the NHL

The new Amazon Prime hockey show has been such an enjoyable experience. Fans of the sport will revel in the show’s unprecedented access and new fans will start falling in love with the league’s superstars. If you enjoy Drive to Survive, Full Swing, or Break Point, Faceoff is made by the same people.

Sable,

Bon Iver never fails to deliver and his new EP, SABLE, has been on repeat for the last week. I highly recommend a listen.

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson is one of the best fantasy writers alive and Mistborn has been a joy to read each night. If you like fantasy, magic, and a little bit of politics, you’ll really fancy Sanderson’s work.

FC 25

It is not EA’s best iteration of this iconic franchise, but if you love the world’s game, then you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time playing FC 25 like myself.

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Two breathtaking performances by Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh combine with strong nonlinear screenwriting to create a story that feels incredibly authentic and human.

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Garfield and Pugh treat us to a phenomenally acted romantic drama in We Live in Time. The two of them take a step back from their usual blockbuster roles for a grounded, emotional story about a couple grappling with the grief of a serious cancer diagnosis to Pugh’s character.

They have an undeniable on-screen chemistry that makes the story and couple’s dynamic feel real, or regular. It is this authenticity to normal life that is special. If you’ve witnessed a loved one or friend go through something similar, not only will you relate to this, but you’ll see yourself in these characters.

On the surface, you may think a story of this nature would be overwhelmingly depressing and sad. It certainly has those moments, but We Live in Time is far more lighthearted and uplifting than you’d think. Director John Crowley achieves this through strong dialogue and what I thought was a highly effective use of nonlinear storytelling. For example, right after you are presented with a hard hitting scene about a cancer diagnosis, the movie jumps back to a happy scene of the couple getting to know each other after meeting for the first time.

This style is not for everyone, but I found the nonlinear elements both unique and purposeful. Instead of being presented with everything all at once, the film forces you to assemble its story like a puzzle as you go. This left me both intrigued and committed through the very end.

The nonlinear plot also creates some pretty powerful dichotomies in the story. The impact of seeing a despondent scene back-to-back with a humorous one effectively conveys the movie’s most important themes. It is only after you watch, therefore, that you will fully appreciate the film’s title.

Garfield and Pugh are really good in this. If nothing else, you’ll walk away fully convinced that they are both the present and future of Hollywood. They shine the brightest in the scene depicting the birth of their child. Not only was this moment a unique combination of moving, emotional, and humorous, as someone in healthcare, I can vouch for how realistic and accurate it was.

Pugh’s character, named Almut, was full of depth and emotion. Garfield’s character, named Tobias, though no fault of his own, was a little less developed than I would have liked. While enriched with stories about Almut’s childhood and past, Tobias’ history was more vague. I think a little more emphasis on his upbringing and previous marriage would have even further strengthened the story.

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We Live in Time is available to watch in theaters today. What is your rating of the film?

What I am watching, listening, reading, and playing this week.

Gladiator

I had to revisit this Ridley Scott classic to get ready for Gladiator II in a few weeks. It might be my most anticipated film of 2024 after Dune: Part 2.

Shrinking (Season 2)

One of the best dramadies on TV is back and I couldn’t be more excited. This exceptional story about loss, grief, and community has touched me in a way few shows have in recent memory. Season 2 of Shrinking adds Brett Goldstein to its already star-studded cast and the first 3 episodes have delivered. If you haven’t seen this yet, how could you say no to a show with Harrison Ford playing a therapist?

Faceoff: Inside the NHL

The new Amazon Prime hockey show has been such an enjoyable experience. Fans of the sport will revel in the show’s unprecedented access and new fans will start falling in love with the league’s superstars. If you enjoy Drive to Survive, Full Swing, or Break Point, Faceoff is made by the same people.

Sable,

Bon Iver never fails to deliver and his new EP, SABLE, has been on repeat for the last week. I highly recommend a listen.

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson is one of the best fantasy writers alive and Mistborn has been a joy to read each night. If you like fantasy, magic, and a little bit of politics, you’ll really fancy Sanderson’s work.

FC 25

It is not EA’s best iteration of this iconic franchise, but if you love the world’s game, then you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time playing FC 25 like myself.

Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think of We Live in Time and be sure to share what you’ve been watching in the comments. I look forward to our discussion!

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Sebastian Stan’s performance as a young Donald Trump is so convincing and so strong that it makes sitting through this film almost as unbearable as his 4 years in office.

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The Apprentice is a film about the rise of a young Donald Trump in New York City. The story centers around Trump’s relationship with infamous closeted lawyer turned mentor Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Cohn was like a father-figure to Trump and was a key player in Trump’s early New York real estate empire. The movie also details the budding romance and eventual nasty ending of Trumps marriage with his first wife, Ivanna, played by Maria Bakalova.

This film is at its best when Stan and Strong are together. Their performances feed off of each other and add an interesting nuance to the characters. I found it almost scary how much Sebastian Stan looked, sounded, and acted like Trump. Stan transports you back in time.

Maria Bakalova is also brilliant and delivers a compelling performance, especially during the shocking scene in which Trump tells Ivana he no longer loves her and subsequently rapes her. A true story that Ivana revealed under oath during their 1990 divorce, this scene and the entirety of the third-act will leave viewers absolutely horrified by what they just watched.

The Apprentice is hard to get through. This is not because it is a bad film, but because you have to watch the “birth” of the nasty, ruthless, and greedy human being that has affected us all right before your eyes. Sebastian Stan is so good at playing Donald Trump, it is really mind-bending.

The story would have benefited from more time focusing on Trump’s marriage with Ivana and his relationship with his late brother, Fred Trump Jr. I found both of those relationships fascinating and believe more emphasis on them would have made the overall plot that much more intriguing.

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The Apprentice is in theaters today. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. Let me know your thoughts on the film in the comments below. What is your rating?

Carried by its strong cast and acting, Fly Me to the Moon is a feel-good take on a classic piece of American history. It is hard not to feel nostalgic about the 1960's after watching this film.

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This is a RomCom through and through. It is cheesy and corny, but in all the good ways. Director Greg Berlandi takes a familiar story that we all know, the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, and puts a fun little twist on it. All of that is highlighted by strong performances from Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. They play two very different people who come together and find love through unlikely circumstances.

There are laugh-out-loud moments, melancholy moments, and happy moments… all the typical themes you look for in a movie like this. The biggest surprise, and highlight, was Woody Harrelson. His classic dry and snarky humor rounded out the dynamic between Johansson and Tatum really nicely.

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This movie is the perfect choice for a cozy night in with the family or friends. It is the perfect balance of funny, silly, and heartwarming. While the story is nothing to write home about, you will undoubtably have a good time.

Fly Me to the Moon is available to watch today on Apple TV+. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. Let me know your thoughts on the film in the comments below. What is your rating?

The magic of seeing a good movie on the big screen never gets old. Some stand outs from the last ten years are Interstellar, The Force Awakens, Top Gun: Maverick, Barbenheimer, and Dune: Part 2. The immersive sound, blacked-out lights, and massive IMAX or Dolby screens deliver an unparalleled experience that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.

In a time where streaming has taken over the media world and changed how we will forever consume our movies, tv, and music, Twisters storms onto the scene with its gripping action, stunning visuals, and genuine humor to give movie theaters everywhere a rare victory over our favorite subscription-based services. It has rightfully earned itself a place on the list above.

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Visually, Twisters deserves to be seen on the big screen. The arial shots of the vastness of Oklahoma as well as the brilliantly produced tornado scenes cannot be fully appreciated unless seen on the biggest scale possible. Combine that with strong sound production and a catchy soundtrack, the theater experience is well worth your time.

What Twisters does best, however, is nail its casting. Glen Powell has solidified himself as not just the man of the future in Hollywood, but the current man of Hollywood. He proved his RomCom chops in Anyone But You, his comedic chops in Hitman, and now his blockbuster/drama chops in Twisters. He clearly can draw an audience and this is only the start for him. Daisy Edgar-Jones is also really talented and has fantastic on-screen chemistry with both Powell and Anthony Ramos. She is very clearly meticulously dedicated to her craft and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in more Oscar-type roles in the not too distant future.

Blockbusters are rarely known for having perfect stories and screenplays, and Twisters is no exception. Even though the story is exciting and I seldom found myself anything but engaged, it was rather predictable. That is not always a bad thing, and in this case it isn’t, but it does make the final act’s payoff slightly less rewarding.

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Sometimes all you need is a thrilling summertime blockbuster flick and Twisters delivers the goods on that front. It is not a life changing experience by any stretch of the imagination, but beautiful cinematography and exceptional casting make this one of the most fun and exciting films of 2024.

Twisters is in theaters today. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. Let me know your thoughts on the film in the comments below. What is your rating?

It is a familiar plot and a familiar ending, but there is no denying all three of Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, and Joey King deliver strong performances. In what is a rarity for Netflix lately, this RomCom was pretty fun and enjoyable despite its obvious creative flaws.

"This is madness, right?”

“Yeah, this is your mom and your boss, who you hate. It’s weird."

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A Family Affair is available to watch today on Netflix. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. I am not affiliated with any news outlets. These are just my honest, concise thoughts as a film and TV enthusiast. Hope you enjoyed!

The Bikeriders’ biggest strength is that it is narrated by a character that is not a member of the rider's club. Jodie Comer's brilliant performance is a great narrative tool because it allows the audience to have an inside look at the riders, but at the same time maintains a level of separation and distance from them. This creates a very unique aura about them. You are not supposed to relate to them, but you are supposed to understand them. That is powerful.

Tom Hardy was the standout for me. He was fantastic and I found myself most emotionally attached to his character. Austin Butler was also great and the two of them had strong on-screen chemistry. The film is definitely worth a watch just because of that. In addition, the set design and costumes were top notch. Jeff Nichols beautifully captures that era of American mid-western culture. I have a feeling leather jackets are going to make a resurgence because of him. I even found myself doing a bit of reckless late-night shopping after watching this film.

At times, the film's pacing felt a bit off for me. I think the story could have been 15-20 minutes shorter. It is less about an overarching plot and more about showing you what the era was like. That is not a style for everyone. That said, the time we do get to spend with these characters highlights the surface level glamour yet deep-sided sadness that came with that kind of masculinity in the 1960's and 1970's. The Bikeriders is visually stunning and a very unique style of filmmaking. I recommend it as a nice summertime moviegoing experience.

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The Bikeriders is in theaters today. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. I am not affiliated with any news outlets. These are just my honest, concise thoughts as a film and TV enthusiast. Hope you enjoyed!

Just wow. It lives up to all the hype and then surpasses it! I genuinely feel like this is a film that will be seen as revolutionary. Denis Villeneuve has created something that is epic beyond proportions. I believe this can justifiably be called a masterpiece and will be mandatory learning in film classes for generations to come. It is easily a top-25 film of all-time for me.

Within the first 15 minutes, I immediately knew that this was something special. The scene where Paul and Jessica are hiding from the Harkonnen warriors and you can feel and hear their bodies thumping one-by-one to the ground was so intense that I felt like I was there. This sound design is worthy of every award there is. It was a highlight for me. 

The film then settles in as we meet the Fremen, headlined by the extremely talented and laugh-out-loud funny Stilgar, brilliantly played by Javier Bardem. The religious conflict between his sect and Chani's sect was not only extremely important to the plot, but also added another level of complexity to an already extremely captivating story. It just worked so well.

The best moment in the film for me was undoubtedly the worm-riding scene. This was already immensely emotional as we felt the necessity for Paul to be accepted as the Lisan al Gaib. The score, visual effects, and the contrast between the Paul's quiet focused mind and the loud, disruptive sandworm took that emotion to another level and had me tearing up. It was an incredibly moving moment. 

The final act was so gripping. It just flew by. The fight scenes felt immense, but also intimate and emotional. In fact, that is a theme throughout this film. Villeneuve has the special ability to emit a sense of vastness while also making the audience feel close and intimately tied to the action. It is truly a one of a kind talent. The final confrontation with Austin Butler's Feyd-Rautha and the sacrifice Paul and Chani's relationship must take is as equally exhilarating as it is heartbreaking.

Part 1 is that much better now that Part 2 is here, and this legendary novel finally has a worthy motion-picture counterpart. Villeneuve has definitely earned the right to complete this trilogy with Messiah and give Paul, Chani, the Fremen, and House Atreides their proper send-off.

What a moment in cinematic history. I am so happy we get to share it together.

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Dune: Part 2 is available to watch today on Max. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. I am not affiliated with any news outlets. These are just my honest, concise thoughts as a film and TV enthusiast. Hope you enjoyed!

Hitman's dichotomy between its intense yet endearing love story mixed with the dark and thrilling tropes of murder and mystery is not only unique, but also incredibly fresh in an era where there seems to be a lack of creativity in this genre.

Richard Linklater continues to push the envelope and show why he is one of the most unique minds in film today. Glen Powell and Adria Arjona both show off their exceptional range and have impeccable on-screen chemistry. Powell was also a writer on this film, which allowed him to curate a role that he connected to more than most in his filmography.

Hitman is easily one of the best films to release this year and immediately enters itself into the discussion for one of the best "romantic dramadies" in recent memory.

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Hitman is available to watch today on Netflix. You can check out all my other reviews at Blitz’s Backlot. I am not affiliated with any news outlets. These are just my honest, concise thoughts as a film and TV enthusiast. Hope you enjoyed!