Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the remake of the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This film has a tremendously different tone than the first film, but I like that it has its own identity. Johnny Depp truly is phenomenal as Willy Wonka as his performance is unlike anything he has ever done before. The film definitely has a very Tim Burton feel and I enjoyed that because the whole Chocolate Factory and the person that is Willy Wonka is mysterious and somewhat of an enigma. Some will not enjoy the change of tone from the original film and that is fine, but I suggest viewing this film with an open mind. It is a different take from the original film for sure, but a successful remake of the Roald Dahl tale nonetheless.
Reviews
40 Reviews
Pure Creativity
26 December 2023
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is as creative a film as it gets. It is weird, it is fun, it is everything a movie should be. Pure Imagination perfectly sums up this film and its chocolate factory. This movie as well as Gene Wilder's performance, as the eccentric Willy Wonka will live on forever. It will be watched by both kids and adults of all ages and everyone will find something to enjoy. This is an undisputed classic with an excellent set-design, wonderful music and terrific performances by the entire cast. Roald Dahl's story is a pure gem that will live on for years and years to come.
Eyes Wide Shut
(1999)
Excellence
17 December 2023
This is a film that is an experience. It is to be watched with full attention and appreciation. It leaves you feeling a variety of different emotions and it also strangely leaves you wanting more despite the nearly three hour runtime. This is just excellence in filmmaking. It has a distinct style with tremendous cinematography and a terrific score. Tom Cruise is at his best when playing dramatic roles and that is on full display here. Nicole Kidman is outstanding as well as always. It is a complex film with many layers, but it is a great film nonetheless. It may take some time to fully appreciate this film, but once you have fully taken in and understood what it is, you will realize its greatness and excellence.
Back to the Future Part III
(1990)
All-Time Great Trilogy.
4 July 2023
Back to the Future Part III is the conclusion to this fantastic trilogy, and it ends with a bang. Once again, Marty McFly and Dr. Brown bring the fun. This time they travel back to 1885's Old West. The clever spins on the characters continue, which is always a joy. Of the 3 films, this one is not my favorite, however it is most definitely still worth the watch, especially if you've already seen parts I & II. Overall, this trilogy is among the best ever in my opinion. Every film of the three is an absolute hit and it is a blast watching each one. I absolutely recommend this trilogy and guarantee you will have a good time watching it.
Back to the Future Part II
(1989)
Very Fun
4 July 2023
Back to the Future Part II is just a fun movie. Picking up right where Part I left off, this is a wild ride of a film. Going back and forth between present, past and future, Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown are back at it again. Biff plays a huge role in this film and the cat and mouse game that is being played between the characters is just great. I did miss Crispin Glover in this film, but the callbacks to the original clips were a great addition. Elizabeth Shue takes over the role of Jennifer in this one, and she was a nice addition to the cast as well. Pretty amazing they were only one year off on the Cubs World Series prediction. They predicted a Cubs sweep of Miami in 2015. Cubs were swept by the Mets in 2015 NLCS, however went on to win the World series the following year. Another interesting note, Miami had no baseball team when this movie came out, but the Cubs eventually played the Marlins in the 2003 NLCS, which resulted in a Florida win. Just a bunch of wild and trippy fun and an overall fitting sequel to the brilliant original.
Back to the Future
(1985)
One of the Great Ones
4 July 2023
Back to the Future will live on forever. It is clever, it is funny, it is everything you would want a movie to be and more. Michael J. Fox is excellent as Marty McFly, as is Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown. Crispin Glover is perfection as George McFly as he nails every comedic cue. The rest of the supporting cast is also fantastic. It is very difficult to find something negative to say about this film. It is simply perfection. The music is also on point as it provides a number of iconic and memorable moments. This is a movie that will never get old and always be considered a classic. Films don't get much better than this and it is a joy to watch each and every time. Fantastic all-time great film.
Class of '09
(2023)
Class of Confusion
21 June 2023
Class of '09 jumps back and forth between three different time periods following a class of FBI agents. I was interested in this show, because of Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara, who are two great and somewhat underrated actors. The show itself, was a bit underwhelming to me. It explored some intriguing topics, but overall felt a little flat. I think it suffered from not having any characters that were likable. The guy who played Poet's love interest was particularly unlikable, which was unfortunate considering he was one of the four main characters. The scenes which depicted the friendship between Mara and Henry's characters were probably the best scenes of the show, since both actors are so great and enjoyable to watch. Unfortunately, most of the time Poet (Mara) and Tayo (BTH) were acting in separate storylines. The Poet love triangle was a waste of time in my opinion, it wasn't very interesting or necessary and it took up a lot of time as it was a main plot point of the series. I was often confused by some of the plot lines in the show, because of all the bouncing back and forth. It was just a little hard to follow at times. Honestly, I had a hard time paying attention to the show at times, which probably added to my confusion, it was just to dry at times. A positive note, the visuals of the future timeline were pretty cool as well as the production design. I think that if the show had been 12 episodes instead of 10 it could have been better in terms of pacing. I also feel that if the three time periods were presented in chronological order rather than a zig zag order, it could've been more enjoyable. Maybe 3 sets of 4 episodes dedicated to each time period. Overall, nothing special in my opinion, but I am not someone that has ever really been interested in this genre, so it was as I expected. I definitely think there is an audience for this series, but unfortunately the series fell a little flat for me.
The King of Staten Island
(2020)
Signature Moment for Davidson
12 June 2023
Pete Davidson has always been a bit of a wildcard, so I did not know what to expect with this film. With that being said, it's safe to say that Davidson and Apatow knocked this one out of the park. This film is simple, funny, heart-warming and it is not trying too hard in being these things. The supporting cast of: Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, Maude Apatow and an understatedly brilliant Steve Buscemi were all on point throughout the film. The music selections and score by Michael Andrews was also excellent. This is just a lovable film that was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise and a huge accomplishment for Pete Davidson. In the 3 years since this movie has been released Pete's career has really taken off, with his own show, Bupkis being released plus another underrated coming of age film, Big Time Adolescence. All of his projects have similarities, but they never feel old and repetitive. Pete Davidson is one of the most exciting comedians of today and will perhaps be known for being one of the most memorable names in comedy of the 2020s.
Jury Duty
(2023– )
Fantastic Show
27 April 2023
Originality is lacking in television these days. A lot of shows just feel repetitive, but Jury Duty is new and exciting. This show is hilarious, it is well casted, it is smart, and in the end it is surprisingly heart warming. I don't often get emotional while watching TV or movies, but the finale had me fighting back tears. Ronald is an absolute home run of a casting decision. He is incredibly easy to root for and I felt bad for him, but the ending made up for it and was incredibly satisfying. James Marsden was the cherry on top of the cake. He should honestly get an Emmy nom for his performance, because he did not miss a single beat. Mekki Leeper is also outstanding as Noah. I can't possibly recommend this show enough. I loved it. I wanted more. Easily one of my favorite new series of 2023. A+
Good Will Hunting
(1997)
Brilliant
14 April 2023
I cannot say enough great things about this movie. It is everything that a film should be. It has a story that is innovative and original and it will leave you with a smile on your face at the end. It has funny moments, it has sad moments, there are scenes of great intensity, with heart warming scenes as well. The dialogue is fantastic for which the Oscar for best original screenplay was awarded to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck who went on to give one of the greatest Oscar speeches of all time. The whole backstory of this film plus the story on the screen and the success it went on to have plus the success it still has today is beyond inspirational. Damon and Affleck are brilliant. Robin Williams gives one of the greatest supporting acting performances I've ever seen in my life, for which he received an extremely well earned Academy Award. Minnie Driver gives a nice understated performance as well, which led to a well earned Best Supporting Actress nomination. Best Picture nom and Best Director nom for Gus Van Sant were also incredibly well deserved. This movie is a gem and will live on forever. Pure Film Brilliance.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(2023)
Good Fun Plumbing
13 April 2023
This is just a fun movie. The animation was terrific and was a pleasure to watch. By no means is this anything out of this world when it comes to filmmaking, but it is everything that you can hope for. The big positive for me was that this film was not trying too hard to be funny, which is something that I have found to be a major turn off with some other animated films in recent years. I was afraid that this film would contain some cringe moments, but I didn't feel this way at all. It is for all ages and it is just fun to watch. Some of the casting choices were not my favorite, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the film. Super Mario Bros is a fun watch and I look forward to the sequel!
Air
(I) (2023)
Just Risk It
13 April 2023
Matt Damon & Ben Affleck are without question among the greatest film duos of this generation and Air further cements that. What sounds like a potentially boring film on paper, turns into a very interesting story on the screen when you have the phenomenal cast that this one has plus the great screenplay by breakout writer, Alex Convery. Matt Damon pours everything into his portrayal of Sonny Vaccaro as does Ben Affleck in not only his strong directing, but his portrayal of Nike CEO, Phil Knight. Jason Bateman gives a very understated performance with a lot of heart as does Viola Davis who is always a force on the screen. Overall, this is a very well done film and is for all audiences, not just those interested in basketball and shoes. The 80s backdrop is very fun and the music selections are spot on. There are some interesting editing choices that I also enjoyed, on a more minor note. With all this being said, Air is a slam dunk of a film and a must watch for all sports fans.
The Edge of Seventeen
(2016)
Whenever You're Feeling Down
12 February 2023
As a fan of coming of age films, this movie hits all the right notes. It is funny, it is sad and everything in between. Hailee Steinfeld is just perfection as Nadine and has tremendous on screen chemistry with every character she interacts with throughout. Hayden Szeto as Erwin Kim is one of the most lovable film characters that I can remember and he steals the show whenever he is on the screen. Woody Harrelson gives a very good, very understated performance and his scenes with Hailee Steinfeld are just brilliant. This movie is just great and I think that it is for everyone as well. This is not a girly film by any means, no matter who you are you will find something in Edge of Seventeen that you can relate to, laugh at and cry at. Excellent film all the way around.
Infinity Pool
(2023)
Skarsgård Everywhere All at Once
2 February 2023
What a bizarre film. I'm not a big fan of the genre, however I respect this film and it's creative storytelling. Alexander Skarsgård gives an absolutely phenomenal performance as James Foster, and his performance alone is worth seeing this film for. Mia Goth is chilling and great as usual, as she portrays an extremely annoying character in the best way possible. Cleopatra Coleman also gives a very good understated performance. I will say that this is a very graphic and unsettling film and it should be avoided if you are not used to this type of film. Overall, Infinity Pool is a well done and aesthetically pleasing film that continues an impressive streak of critically acclaimed horror films in the past year.
Knock at the Cabin
(2023)
Judgment Day
31 January 2023
M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin is a solid concept and is filled with thrilling suspense, however I just felt that there was something missing. The acting was particularly good with some breakout performances from Ben Aldridge and Kristen Cui. It was an aesthetically pleasing film which was also a plus, but it was the story that just didn't add up. I felt that I left the movie with more questions than answers and an overall feeling of un-fulfillment. I think that audiences will enjoy this film for the most part, but the potential for a more satisfying conclusion will leave viewers feeling disappointment in my opinion. Still worth watching though.
Little Miss Sunshine
(2006)
Heartwarming and Perfect
29 January 2023
I dare anyone to watch this film and not have a smile on their face by the time the credits roll. This movie is an absolute home run. The cast is truly phenomenal with great actors that all have a distinctive and important role in the story. The score perfectly fits the mood of the film at all times and there are some beautifully crafted shots throughout. This may not be what you would expect to see when you think of Best Picture nominees, but this was a very well earned nomination, and Abigail Breslin getting the nom was also just perfect. The original screenplay win was right on the money and Alan Arkin's win for supporting actor was a nice reward for a great career. If you were to make a list of the most heartwarming films of all time, this would be towards the top of the list every time. Few movies never get old for me and this is one of them. It is just a non stop joy and it is perfect in every way. Little Miss Sunshine is simply the best.
Paul T. Goldman
(2023)
Interesting
22 January 2023
I think the best word that can be used to describe Paul T. Goldman would be: Interesting. When I say that it is interesting, I do not mean that in a good way or a bad way. In fact, I don't know whether I loved the show or was disgusted by it. However, I will say that this show is very unique and unlike anything else you will see on TV, so that is a huge plus for the series. It is definitely out of the box, but if that is what you are in to you will most likely enjoy this show. I didn't know how to feel about the subject matter most of the time, but through it all, I still found myself intrigued and interested enough to keep watching till the very satisfying finale. This series has its flaws in my opinion, but overall I think that it is worth the watch due to how unique and innovative it is. There were times where I was even questioning if Paul T. Goldman was even a real guy or if he was just some famous actor in disguise pulling a prank, and honestly if that where true, that wouldn't have even been as surprising as some of the other plots in this show. With all this being said, all the mystery and ambiguity is what makes this show work and I think audiences will enjoy Paul T. Goldman if they give it a chance. (Also, what does the T in Paul T. Goldman stand for?)
Avatar: The Way of Water
(2022)
Sea World
15 January 2023
Avatar: The Way of Water was a long time coming and it was certainly worth the wait. If you are a fan of the first film from 2009, you will certainly enjoy this newest installment in the franchise. If you have not seen the first film, I would suggest watching it before hand, as it is necessary in watching this film. In general, I would suggest watching the first one again to anyone seeing this one, just to jog your memory being that it was 13 years since the last one debuted. The visuals were stunning yet again and it is a film franchise like no other. James Cameron has done it again and I can't wait for Avatar 3!
80th Golden Globe Awards
(2023 TV Special)
8/10 for the 80th Globes
11 January 2023
Award shows are a polarizing event for sure, but they are fun to watch if you love movies and tv shows like the ones that were nominated and won at the 80th Golden Globes. I wasn't sure how the globes would be this year after the controversy that caused the awards not to be televised last year, but this year's return to TV marked for a very enjoyable show. Jerrod Carmichael had his moments, he certainly has a strong stage presence, even if all his jokes didn't land. The highlights were speeches by legends such as Steven Spielberg and Eddie Murphy, recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award, who provided by far the best joke of the night at the end of his speech. Jeremy Allen White's win for The Bear as well as a Best TV Drama win for House of the Dragon were great to see. In the end the right film won too, as Steven Spielberg's fantastic semi-autobiographical film The Fabelman's took home Best Picture-Drama, hopefully the first of many Best Picture wins for The Fabelmans which might be the most obvious Best Picture frontrunner in years in my opinion. Nice return overall for the Globes. 8/10.
Jerry Maguire
(1996)
Heart Warming in Every Way
9 January 2023
It is hard to find a negative thing to say about Jerry Maguire. This movie will fill you with so much joy, it is the epitome of a feel good film. This very well might be Tom Cruise's best performance of all time and he has flawless chemistry with Renée Zellweger. The script by Cameron Crowe is great as well as his direction which led to a well deserved Supporting Actor Oscar win for Cuba Gooding Jr. With all this being said, the star of the film is Jonathan Lipnicki playing the lovable Ray Boyd. I challenge anyone to watch this movie without having a smile on your face throughout, as it is just such a terrific movie. Cameron Crowe is the king of the feel good movie, and Jerry Maguire is a clear example of this. Human connection is the theme of the film and in watching it you will find yourself evaluating your life and what matters to you and what you want in life. A joy from start to end.
Dickinson
(2019–2021)
Unique & Creative - Fun
27 December 2022
Dickinson is a very underrated series from Apple TV+. The show is carried heavily by Hailee Steinfeld, who gives a phenomenal performance as Emily Dickinson. It is a shame that she did not receive an Emmy nomination for this show, because she truly deserved it. I can see this show being a polarizing show for many, as it uses a lot of current songs and language for a show that takes place in the 19th century, but I think that is what really makes this show work. It is the uniqueness of it and the creative writing which make Dickinson so much fun to watch. Lastly, the first two seasons were very good, but the third and final season was not as enjoyable in my opinion, but overall, this is a very well done show that should be more recognized.
60% of the time this movie is always funny
27 December 2022
Anchorman is a very silly movie, but that is why it is so enjoyable. If you have no sense of humor you shouldn't watch this movie, but if you like comedy, this movie is for you. It really is a great movie. It's not an Oscar worthy film, but that does not define the success of a film. Ferrell, Rudd, Carell and Koechner work together tremendously well and Christina Applegate's performance as Veronica Corningstone is also terrific. There are so many iconic lines and scenes and nearly twenty years after it was first released, this film still holds up. This movie is everything a comedy movie should be, and it even has a Grammy worthy performance of Afternoon Delight midway through. Anchorman is the epitome of a classy comedic film.
Soul
(2020)
Finding a Spark in Simplicity
27 December 2022
You can never go wrong with Pixar. Soul is a beautiful film and it is filled with touching moments. Anyone that watches Soul can find themselves in this film. We spend our lives chasing something and when we reach it, it's not good enough for us or we want more and in the process we are ignoring all the beauty in the simplicity of everyday life. Meaning and purpose are words that we are consumed by, but what we really need to do is just live our lives. The best part of Pixar films is that they are for all ages. Sometimes these films feel like they're more for adults than kids. For all the kids that watch this movie, it will be a great film to watch again when they are older to see how their view of it changes. Soul is for everyone, we all have Soul. In watching this movie, hopefully we can all remember that we have Soul and embrace it.
The Santa Clause
(1994)
Top Tier Christmas Film
25 December 2022
The Santa ClausE is everything a Christmas film should be. It is certain to get you into the Christmas spirit. When thinking about the all time great Christmas films, this absolutely needs to be in the conversation. This movie might even be on the Mount Rushmore of Christmas movies. It's funny and it's not just for kids. All ages will enjoy this film. Tim Allen is great as Scott Calvin and the young actor that plays his son, Charlie is tremendous, he delivers every line very convincingly, which can sometimes be hard for child actors, but not here. The Santa ClausE will almost certainly get you into the Christmas spirit and will make you believe in Santa Claus again and again.
Home Alone
(1990)
Home Alone Will Never Grow Old
21 December 2022
Some movies age poorly, Home Alone is not one of those films. This movie has aged exceptionally well, in fact I like it more now than I even did as a kid. It goes without saying that Macaulay Culkin's performance as Kevin McCallister is one of the most iconic film performances of all time. There is something about this film that just provides a level of comfort during the Christmas season. In terms of where this film ranks against the other great Christmas movies, I think it has to be in consideration for one of the top Christmas movies of all time. In my opinion this is in the Mount Rushmore of Christmas movies, which is saying a lot.
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