TV REVIEW: LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS ❤️❌🤖 - Volume 3

4/5

'Til Death Do Us Parts.

9 Episodes. Starring: Josh Brener, Greg Anthony Williams, Kate Lowes, Troy Baker, Mackenzie Davis, Holly Jade, Joel McHale, Seth Green, Gabriel Luna, Rosario Dawson, Jason Winston George, Craig Ferguson, Dan Stevens, Joe Manganiello, Christian Serratos, Jai Courtney & Girvan 'Swirv' Bramble. Created By: Tim Miller & David Fincher.

'❤️☠️🤖' returns to Netflix for a third volume of valentine, skull and death metal. All as most are more concerned with scrolling through emojis on their phone than giving their heart to the war that's upon us. But the bolts of this biting satire will repair all of that. David Fincher and Tim and Jennifer Miller's 'Love, Death + Robots' are back on the streaming service and so are those lovable 'Three Robots' (Josh Brener, Greg Anthony Williams and Kate Lowes) from eons ago. This time looking at the 'Exit Strategies' we has a human race tried to run before we became extinct. It's hilarious in its comedic pokes and haunting in its COVID jabs. It's the end of the world as we know it...and we don't feel the need to wear a mask? That's the kind of 'Bad Travelling' that goes with Fincher's Moby Dick like expedition, led by Troy Baker. One that gives you a whale of a time with a beasty that tried to take down Captain Jack Sparrow. Now, reflecting the hallucinogenic 'Fish Night' bowl of the first volume comes 'The Very Pulse Of The Machine' and this highlight of Vol. 3. With 'Black Mirror', 'Terminator: Dark Fate' and 'The Martian' star Mackenzie Davis, lost on Mars without Holly Jade and going more Matt Damon in 'Interstellar' than the aforementioned movie they co-starred in. But here as always, she's all-time and all-in on a lava lamp of volcanic and solar visuals for your system, seeing stars and the dark side of many moons. 

Still don't believe we're at the brink? Then why not look upon the 'Night Of The Mini Dead' from that high horse of escapism on what looks like a miniature museum reenactment of how it all went down and the best undead bite since Flanders was a zombie. The set-up too is as hilarious as the "epic" end in this amazing animation. And that's all before the 'Kill Team Kill' gang of mercs (Joe McHale, Seth Green and a ghost riding Gabriel Luna against another Terminator set to make skulls out of them) with necks redder than all day snoozing in the sun with no sunscreen go up against a bear (part Winnie the Pooh honey, part Winter Soldier) like how it wipes its ass on a tree, that makes the one that clawed DiCaprio's 'Revenant' look like Paddington. Making more mess than an Uber Eats delivery of marmalade sandwiches. A 'Swarm' of beautiful alien life and brutal human nature with Rosario Dawson and Jason Winston George will really get into your mind and restart a conversation after this conservation. Whilst down on the farm a colony of rats led by a colonel, versus a hobo looking farmer (late night host Craig Ferguson) with a shotgun will give all new meaning to pest control in this droll drone warfare (Dan Stevens giving the city corporate hard sell to this field mouse). But it's the powerhouse penultimate episode that really packs a wallop, 'In Vaulted Halls Entombed'. Like a catacombs graveyard the waiting dead have some real creepy crawlies on their back. As an elite unit need all the helmets, bullets and proof vests they can get. Joe Manganiello taking the lead of a team that features the likes of Christian Serratos and Jai Courtney and some amazing A.I to go amongst the artifical resistance of this battalion of brothers and sisters who are about to suffer real arachnophobia like that episode of 'The Mandalorian', with no Baby Yoda to eat them. It will capture your eyes. 

Eyes rising from the sheen depths of an 'Apocalyse Now' war like Coppola though, 'Love, Death' plus those machines saves the best for last like 'The Buried Giant', 'Zima Blue' or a Vanessa Williams song with the Girvan 'Swirv' Bramble starred, siren swan song 'Jibaro'. With real and raw shades of 'The Witness' of Volume 1 and predatory male themes, this close to the bone animated story is so textured in truth, you'll be forgiven for thinking it's not fake. It's message surely isn't too. As an army of knights descend on the solitary female form of what looks like the first volumes witness, decorated in more jewels and treasure than a pirates chest. But as these pillaging men are sent to the pitchforks. One deaf horseman is immune to her 'Dune' Bene Gesserit like call. It almost looks like love amongst the slaughter that runs the rivers red in these woods. But the jarring mix of inaudible rings and clattering coins amongst the songs of screams soon goes through you and wakes you up to the true nature hidden within this stirring story. If they're giving out awards to these robots then this one will compute in all its love and death. A fortnight ago, in the same week the new Netflix anime 'Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045' Season 2 came out in all its digital animation, these bots of amore and destruction came off the assembly line for a third time. Giving character clues to each episode like the O of the 'Ozark' logo. Right before last Friday's first volume of the final season of 'Stranger Things' went to baseball bat ("the one with the nails") with the sabers of Disney + and Star Wars' new 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. But for all the cult classics out there in a geeks dream. This Fincher and Miller show now storied has its time next to an acclaimed anime, the best show of the moment taking it back to the wonder years of the 80's and the greatest science fiction told of all-time. Man, take a look at this ghost in the machine and see what it all means. X marks the heart. All you need is love, death and robot wars. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Black Mirror', 'Robot Chicken', 'What If...?'

REVIEW: TOP GUN - MAVERICK

4/5

Skies Of Thunder.

131 Mins. Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Charles Parnell, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis, Manny Jacinto, Bashir Salahuddin, Ed Harris & Val Kilmer. Director: Joseph Kosinski. 

36 years! That's how long we've had a need for speed again since the first 'Top Gun' movie came out in 1986. I was one year old. My parents probably got my grandparents to babysit me and my sis as they watched the biggest blockbuster of the year that soared through the skies like 'Days Of Thunder', not needing roads. Now we go back to the future in the same Memorial Day weekend were we get the fourth and final season (volume one) of Netflix's nostalgia trip 'Stranger Things'. As the ageless Tom Cruise (making Keanu look like Clint) pushing 60, is in control of the danger zone again. All in the same week his leaked new 'Mission: Impossible' trailer ('Dead Reckoning'...Part 1, baby) is released one year before it's set to scorch screens next Summer. "Yeah that's right...prick!" In the last mission of a series with no sign of self destruction that you just have to accept, Cruise had Henry Cavill laughing before he put Superman down. He was reeling off 'Top Gun' quotes in the air like '86 was yesterday. But that aforementioned one were he pulled-up helicopter side-by-side with Supes and that moustache belongs in his hall of fame. From 'Suits' to 'How I Met Your Mother' this classic 80's movie is just that quotable. Even if some critics dismissed it as an Uncle Sam like vehicle for naval enlistment propaganda promotion (it wasn't). But what other franchise and face of it could come back over three and a half decades later, fresher than ever, slipping into the slipstream? We've even had a Charlie Sheen 'Hot Shots' and a 'Part Deux' since then. 

Taking off with the original typography, titles and naval mantra that feels like it's own 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" on the same Friday we get a new 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Star Wars series. This superior sequel does not disappoint. Even if those rumors of Cruise playing a version of Iron Man in 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' didn't come true (yet). The massive Marvel movie was still chock full of many a classic cameo. This fantastic flight with the alpha that toyed with planes, hung off them like many a meme and even got back in one for the underrated and undeniable true story of 2017's 'American Made' (which may have just propelled the real pilot back this way) inspired so much. From making call signs cool as couples coordinated them for their weddings, to making beach volleyball a thing for those who spend 24 hours at Anytime Fitness when they're not 'Playing With The Boys'. It even rolled out pop powerhouse Kenny Loggins and his 'Danger Zone' chart-topper out more times than Rick Astley. Never giving it up, here in Japan (were I missed the premiere of the movie in Yokohama. Only the city I live in, on my day off and the place I always go to by the bay. 'The Last Samurai' star follows me on Twitter. You would have thought he would have told me), convenience store Family Mart has a 'Top Gun-Maverick' coffee campaign. And they log Loggins number more times than the first film did. Here, Hans Zimmer also brings it right back, along with his own version of the 80's babies signature score. And it soars. Like perfectly cast for the soundtrack, Lady Gaga's powerful theme ('Hold My Hand'). Who else but the 'Shallow' singer and Oscar winner to take this one to the edge of glory for a top track we saved for the cinema like Billie Eilish's 'No Time To Die'. Its been an even longer time for this movies moment. Being pushed back more times than Bond as COVID-19 shook and stirred it like 007. But now with no time to die like the present, it more than sticks the landing. Especially with a Maverick like Dallas, Cruise at the helm. Tinkering under the hood of his plane in a garage. Talking about "one last ride" as he almost takes off to space like this need for speed was fast and furious. 

Tom is top. In billing and bragging rights. Even bringing some earned emotion to this epic. Reminding us of the time the action hero and science fiction star ('Oblivion' and 'Edge Of Tomorrow' capping off one hell of a run around the globe) acted with the best of them in 'Rain Man', 'The Color Of Money', 'Born On The Fourth Of July' and 'A Few Good Men'. Critics can't handle that truth. Although the genuine excitement he feels when his chopper flies alongside a jet taking off is not acting. Trust that. It's never risky business with this box office bank as he makes all the right moves from his veteran cockpit to his ace acting. But in captaining this crew, there is so much more on this flight deck. Like a 'Whiplash' and smart Miles Teller. One of this generations best, who if you've seen the trailer or not is clearly playing Goose's son (you can't deny that moustache). 'ER' legend Anthony Edwards' characters spirit still takes wing in this sequel, like the real legend of late, great first film director Tony Scott (who paid 25 grand to turn a warship around). But you can tell Teller's Rooster is cock and locked like Cogburn with his own true grit as this father and wayward son like relationship that won't make it easy on you also brings us some Costner and Kutcher feelings from the air rescue of 'The Guardian'. It's a shame not to see Kelly McGillis (she still owns the best line in reaction to Mav's name) back, just like the fact that a Meg Ryan cameo is M.I.A. But the great 80's 'Labyrinth' legend Jennifer Connelly is real refreshment here, fresh off the icey tundra of her 'Snowpiercer' series. Add 'Mad Man' Jon Hamm. So good at playing an a##hole ('Richard Jewell', 'The Town') and 'The Rock' of 'Apollo 13' legend Ed Harris, who has had skin in this game for so long you'll be forgiven for thinking he was in the first film. But it's decorated Charles Parnell and comedian Bashir Salahuddin as Hondo who really steal the show amongst a great battalion of pilots in a beautiful barroom scene (Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman (Bill's son on his own 'Independence Day'), Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis and Manny Jacinto) who all earn their wings on some edge of your ejector seat amazing aerial assaults, never seen on screen like this. Worthy of the IMAX or Dolby Atmos whose taking off sound wasn't around, gunning back to the original movie that topped the charts. But for all these guns, nothing tops the classic cameo of Val Kilmer. Beautiful like his personal 'Val' documentary. Dealing with his deteriorating health problems with grace and grit and a stirring scene that really helps this move find its voice. Taking another legendary character off ice. It's a salute to this Admiral and an amazing actor who's still fighting the good fight. Always your Huckleberry. A man with a legendary line in this franchise that didn't even need words as he chomped at Cruise back when they took to the skies as rivals. And together they end it all on a perfect note. Iceman's iconic status like Kilmer killing it speaks for itself. Salute! 'Top Gun-Maverick' truly lights up the screen in all its action. What more could you expect from Joseph Kosinski known to resurrect franchises without a reboot like the futuristic 'Tron'? Now how's that for a legacy? The 'Rocky' of the skies and this is its 'Creed'. Goodness gracious. It takes your breath away. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Top Gun (1986)', 'American Made', 'Whiplash'. 

TV REVIEW: ATLANTA - Season 3

4/5

This Is Atlanta.

10 Episodes. Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield & Zazie Beetz. Created By: Donald Glover.

Reparations, French sticks harder than baseball bats and classic cameos complete with a special set of skills. Season 3 of 'Atlanta' is like nothing you've ever seen before. But what more would you expect from a show that nothing compares to like Prince? And this lamponing European vacation isn't even set in the A. Amsterdam, London and Paris are just a few of the postcard spots that mark the territory of this new series that ends on the high note of pissing excellence with the gold of the Iron Lady herself, the Eiffel Tower watching in all her middle of the night glory glow. Now THAT'S an eye full. Spotted way back in Season 1, Episode 9 on the shelf, Childish Gambino's genre defying and world changing classic, 'Awaken My Love' and its amazing artwork made a cameo appearance that you can call an Easter Egg or product placement. And genius Donald Glover tells us that these ATL seasons are like albums. So following the sophomore one that was anything but a slump comes the trilogy maker, before the concluding season comes to end this year and the show completely, like Netflix dividing two 'Ozark' parts or volumes of 'Stranger Things' next week. And what a way to go in a month of those shows Disney Marvel 'Moon Knight's' and Star Wars 'Obi-Wan's (also next week) and HBO taking it to the Max with 'Tokyo Vice' and the 'Winning Time' Showtime 'Rise Of The Lakers'. It's been a long four years since 2018 (REALLY long), but the fourth season this fall will be the final. You wait years for your favourite show to come along like a bus and then two seasons come at once before that's it. 

Hard to Earn like Gang Starr, gangster rapper Paper Boi, Darius and Van, we hardly got to know them. But inside the almost half decade since their absence in FX. Brian Tyree Henry had been making paper as a mobster in 'Widows' whilst showing his marvellous, barrier breaking talent belongs with the 'Eternals', when he's not riding on 'Bullet Trains', or messing with a 'Joker' like 'Child's Play'. Oh, and he also made a podcast about 'Godzilla vs Kong' too. Zazie Beetz has been moving to her own drum was the luck of 'Deadpool 2', and all the spots as Domino. Also tweening between Marvel and DC, also in 'Joker' with Henry. A 'High Flying Bird' for another Netflix hoop dream before becoming as epic as the ensemble on the streaming service's black western, modern classic 'The Harder They Fall'. Also with LaKeith Stanfield who also made his mark in 'Get Out', 'Sorry To Bother You' and the 'Death Note' live-action Japanese anime remake. Not to mention voicing the first black samurai 'Yasuke' on Netflix's Manga adaptation. Oh, and he also scored and Academy Award nomination for his powerful, powerhouse of a performance in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'...as the Judas. As for Glover, getting back into the directors chair with longtime friend Hiro Murai like they did on the Amazon amazing 'Guava Island' with Rihanna, the 'Community' star has a network of shows. Playing Lando Calrissian in the criminally underrated 'Solo' Star Wars story like no one else could (solo movie, PLEASE!). Playing Simba himself in the live action 'The Lion King' with Beyoncé as his queen. And tweening himself between 'Spider-Man Into The Spider Verse' and Peter Parker's own 'Homecoming' as what will be The Prowler (Miles Morales' (who he once voiced) uncle), whilst trying to write an animated 'Deadpool' with Murai. Oh and he also changed the music game again and made the most monumental music video since 'Thriller', telling us 'This Is America', before giving us the best 'Summertime' anthem since DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince in 'Feels Like Summer' that meant more to the world. 

Afro-surrealism at its finest all the way down to Alim Smith's seriously powerful (and beautiful) promotional poster artwork. From crying memes to the canvas of what all this means. Or the hilarious, self aware bios of each episode (for example, for episode 9, "Black and white episode. Yawn. Emmy bait. Why do they hate black women so much") from the man who polarisingly interviewed himself for the Andy Warhol art pop founded Interview magazine. Glover and his crew with the gloves off are just incredible. From his gravitas to Stanfield's Douglas's third eye open on a world looking to sell out to the "highest" bidder. Henry's Paper chase on a euro trip and your that even sees him try to best the shows greatest episode and his most personal to date, channeling the love for his lost and dearly departed mother. Or Beetz saving her best for last in a Van led classic conclusion that is just ooh, la, la. Especially when she gets all John Wick with a breadstick (but we've already said waaay too much and you know we like entering spoiler territory as much as we love entering the big boy territory of the gym). But as amazing as the principal cast are and just how magnificent the Murai directed episodes are it's when the fantastic four aren't featured and Glover fits back into the directors chair that things get real interesting and influential with a hunting Jordan Peele like 'Get Out' inspiration for 'Us'. Especially in the unsettling and overwhelming opener. These separate "bottle" episodes that grab us by the neck are really epic and come out of nowhere like that fishing boat moment that will scare the straight s### out of you like 'Hereditary' headbanging. There's reparations more on point than a 'Chappelle Show' satirical sketch that will have a 'Hangover' star feeling like he wished they just left him on the roof. A death at the funeral of cultural awareness in an episode that will have you thinking "they really got this guy to take to piss out of himself, maybe without even knowing it". And something so pointed in black and white like 'The Artist' that really might be an impressionist piece with the jokes on you know who. Consider it a privilege to be able to point your remote and press play on a show like this that makes a point at showing people up who have spent too long prodding their fingers. The push back is real and as raw as Murphy leaving you delirious. Or a famous A-lister dancing to Ashanti like nobody's watching when everyone is. Oh, baby. You've got to hand it to them. This might just be the surrealist and best season yet. The genius of this show is unparalleled. "No horizontals either" like they tweeted back. No one puts it down like the A town. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Fleabag', 'Insecure', 'Guava Island'. 

TV REVIEW: OZARK - Season 4 (Part 2)

4/5

Out Of The Woods? 

7 Episodes. Starring: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Charlie Tahan, Lisa Emery, Jessica Frances Dukes, Joseph Sikora, Damian Young, Adam Rothenberg, Alfonso Herrera & Felix Solis. Created By: Bill Dubuque & Mark Williams. 

Even though more characters have dropped like flies in your home at the end of Summer. Every time someone bites the dust in 'Ozark' (and we still won't spoil), we still don't believe it. "They're OK. It's just a flesh wound." They're literally dragging him into the crematorium...it's not a flesh wound. Even a fond flashback to someone not to be spoilt has us holding out a hope falser than stories that fly for the Byrde gang. This is all just a dream like who shot J.R. Flapping from the silver tongued, devil-ish lips of Jason Bateman's smooth talking, "good salesmen". As the sins of the father descend all the way down to the Ozarks. Season 4. Part 2. Lost in the woods and those cryptic opening clues, by four. But as this opening epic episode rides out to some 'Illmatic' by Nas and a killer Killer Mike cameo that represents for those who Run the Jewels and really gets into the meaning of Queensbridge's finest, one time for your mind. It ain't hard to tell that this show is 'Stillmatic' and magic. Even with new episodes of 'Russian Doll' opening up along with 'Stranger Things'' two part swan song finale this month. Expect Netflix to see a hike in their subscribers after losing more than a Langmore. Julia Garner again reinventing herself like she did on 'Inventing Anna' for Netflix. The world is hers. She's the best thing about this show, stealing. Number one with a shotgun. Even if that Justin Timberlake N*Sync era hair meme is still hilarious. And how about that moment were she almost acts as the eyes and ears to a character on top of her trailer in the rain, with a rifle like 'Jurassic Park'? An apex predator heading down the drive like 'Jaws'. Two middle fingers up in salute! Her life may be a Greek tragedy, but this is redneck Shakespeare.

The Laundromat for Netflix keeps churning like Meryl Streep. Especially in a month were we see the conclusion of four fantastic shows and this favourite. HBO's 'Tokyo Vice' and 'Winning Time-The Rise Of The Lakers'. 'Atlanta' (in its own final recording contract) on FX. And Marvel's 'Moon Knight.' But there is nothing that pulls us back in quite like this. Just when we thought we were Pacino 'Godfather' out of this empire that has more drama in the living room than Al falling all over himself in the kitchen like, "hoo ha". This will throw the sink at you just to make sure no charges stick. The FBI. The cartel. The actual wannabe Kennedy family themselves. Who's the most corrupt as darkness touches everything and everybody in this series and nothing or nobody comes out clean? Except those first season released bobcats that missed a trick in the final frame, despite our previous prediction. But how about the last shot in the closing credits as Bateman bates us like a 'Psycho' motel in a glass shattering callback? All for this hell of a show with heaven sent omens that welcome you with one open arm and something else being hidden in their other one, held behind their back. In this world of 'Mad Men' where we routinely expect too much and get 'Game Of Thrones' disappointed, or 'Sopranos' perplexed by season and series final finales, this one despite dividing fans is not pandering in its service, but still satisfying in the questions and debate it leaves fading to black. Of course without giving any of the scope away. What else did you expect for a series that is willing to dispatch of anyone like the heads that roll when Winter comes all in the name of family? Keep your hand in the cookie jar all you like. But ashes to ashes and dust to dust, this show kills it once again in one last hit. Much more than the car crash you thought you saw coming. Sending a chill down your already taught and twisted spine like the cool of the lake of the Ozarks at night in the midst of all this mist fading away.

Haunting like that incredible score that slices through your veins like cold blood. This shows is exactly the American nightmare it wakes up in a dream gone dark. One upon a time in Mexico and the cellar that dwells in the most unsettling episode ever in all this pure evil poetry. Even a moment of raw road rage in reflection for the family will have you questioning your own morals and motives if you can relate. Hey, we've all been there. And yep, that song has always f#####g sucked like the Wendy that Laura Linney ever so Emmy ready plays, says. And Jason's signature sarcasm is on pointed polite point here. But bailing them out in juxtaposition, despite Bateman's boundless brilliance and Linney's legacy re-making legend, it's a simmering Sofia Hublitz (not to mention Garner's great impression of her) and the coming of season Skylar Gaertner (give him his 200 bucks) who show how much this series has seasoned. Maturing and being compromised through crime and the blood money that can't be washed like crimson hands. The tell is all for them. The show is all about what this does to them. Even in a cast of complex characters including Three maturing in four. A P.I. treading the thin blue line like he was walking on the eggshells of broken glass, everywhere. A hitman so cool at being ice cold you won't believe it's him in the behind the scenes (the sweet ode of the documentary 'A Farewell To Ozark', standard Netflix fare). Sympathy for the cartel (the undeniable Felix Solis. Even owning things chained to a desk). And so many more sold down the river, only to be lost in the woods. Breaking all sorts of bads, now we as viewers finally get out the 'Ozark' for better or worse, you are looking at one of the greatest and darkest TV shows the small screen has ever seen. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Breaking Bad', 'Succession', 'Reinventing Anna'. 

TV REVIEW: MOON KNIGHT - Season 1

4/5

A Knight's Tale.

6 Episodes. Starring: Oscar Isaac, May Calamawy, F. Murray Abraham & Ethan Hawke. Created By: Jeremy Slater. 

The dark Knight of Marvel rises. Dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight...or at least acting as his avatar in the air bending year were we finally see a sequel to the 2009 mega movie that only 'The Infinity Saga' could turn to dust, this fall. Complete with a logo like, handheld weapon, crescent chestplate like a Pattinson 'The Batman' batarang. Wrapped up in ivory bandages, but anything but a white knight. Bandaged up with white hot, glowing eyes that could mummify the bad guys under the hood, when he's not playing cockney wide boy (or vanilla Deadpool as the fans are calling it), in a sharp suit and two "what are these poles for?!" It's moonrise kingdom now like Wes Anderson as your local London museum gift shop worker is moonlighting as an Egyptian superhero. The formidable force of a fun finale for 'Moon Knight' premiering the same day as the big-screen release of 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' that is finally changing the superhero genre and comic book Marvel formula like this one. A timeline and M.C.U. hopping spell featuring Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch in a comic crossover that classic cameo wise may just be as good as the 'No Way Home' from Spider-Man whose web led to this. This sixth part series being the best of Marvel's six Disney + shows since the original 'WandaVision' that everyone tuned in for. Refreshing, real and raw through the sands of time and a race against the hourglass to save not only the world, but their sense of self too. 

Entombed with the man in the mirror. Split between two personalities that are much more than a classic Jekyll and Hyde as you wonder what's trying to get out of the sarcophagus. Marvel, who after years of missteps are really getting it right with representation (see their refusal to cut America Chavez out of 'Doctor Strange' for the madness demanded from some territories like Saudi Arabia) and this look of D.I.D (dissociative identity disorder), are not only real, but respectful too. Cape fear not for this franchise usually more associated with dungeons and dragons than the trials and tribulations of every day. And the great, personal 'Inside Llewyn Davis' and blockbuster new 'Star Wars' trilogy X-Wing pilot Oscar Isaac rebounds from his 'Apocalypse' with 'X-Men' and shows us that acting that had made him arguably the most underrated and best leading man we have, working this hard today and for around a decade now. Card counting and hot off the heels of his 'A Most Violent Year' reunion with this year's Oscar winning Best Actress Jessica Chastain ('The Eyes Of Tammy Faye') with the Emmy ignored, but undeniable 'Scenes From A Marriage' for HBO. One for you and one for him like Marvel's best Easter Egg now being their reference to Oscar Isaac's blade licking home video, acting debut as a kid (see his SNL monologue). Going day and night like Kid Cudi on the trailer with a mind that switches back and forth like a Rubix cube that you just can't solve. All for a punctuated performance of pain and perplexion in the powerful penultimate backstory episode for this origin story. Not to mention Oscar's Academy acting that is still on the cutting room floor according to refreshing director Mohamed Diab of this Jeremy Slater creation, who has no problems telling us like it is (see his comments on 'Wonder Woman 1984's' "representation" of Egypt). It's "laters 'gators" too for anyone that has a problem with the "dodgy" accent. Isaac was inspired by Peter Sellers, the original 'Office', 'Stath Lets Flats' and Karl Pilkington as told to The New York Times. Don't call him a plonker. There's reason to this rhyming slang and all will be revealed. But you know the score...not from us. It's a master move, ace in the hole, up the sleeve of the man who just played one of his best hands with 'Taxi Driver' writer Paul Schrader. Summon that suit! 

First reformed with Scharder for his best work too, Ethan Hawke is here with God like power in this land of Lords and monsters. Having the indie great to Oscar's best leading man on screen together has this fanboy of both acting like the pair did on their reaction video to the teaser trailer, when 'Moon Knight' was giving something out of straight out of 'Stargate' what for in a bathroom stall for the comic character introduction (more of this please, Marvel). Armed with a cool, cruel cane, a great hair day and some scaly ink that is perfectly balanced in the way that someone like Thanos thinks all things should be, Ethan is epic here, in the lead with a cult following. No matter how many fans think the 'Boyhood' and 'Before' trilogy actor is going against type. Perhaps the 'Training Day' breakout star, no stranger to cult science fiction ('Gattaca' and the perfect 'Predestination') was inspired by his daughter Maya Hawke scene stealing the last season of 'Stranger Things' with a Scoops Ahoy like she was there all along. We're just glad the 'Daybreakers' star bumped into Isaac that day in a New York coffee shop by chance during the pandemic and ended up talking about wearing even more masks. Because the 'Sinister' streak that goes up and down like scales and canes of justice will have your eyes darting back and forth to another twist and turn of character we'd love to talk about, but can't even begin to get into. All we'll say as this torment forges us is that we could watch this Hawk-eye on the bow back of Clint's arrow series, monologue in this theatre all day. Especially when the tone of his words traverses more meaning. And there's more, Wong. Despite the brief trip of mumbling something that definitely wasn't Mandarin, as Shang-Chi himself pointed out. And we're not just talking about 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Amadeus' great F. Murray Abraham voicing Khonshu with booming gravitas. Even with Isaac and Hawke at the helm, the show is stole by 'Ramy's' own May Calamawy, who feels like her own superhero in the making. Worth her wait in Egyptian gold and a real representation that matters, exactly how it looks. And that is bold and beautiful. Just like Marvel's tribute to late, great model and actor Gaspard Ulliel. Cameoing here in a posthumous role after we lost him to a tragic ski accident at the beginning of this year. Or the major move of a mere mention and acknowledgement of the Armenian genocide that is still being ignored. Shut out like they did to Isaac's incredible movie regarding it, the powerful picture of 'The Promise'. They tried to review bomb and bury that too. But you can't hide genocide. And they can't show the dark side of the moon to this pyramid scheme. Not when the Marvel machine is behind it. Throwing everything it has at you like sand in the eyes. Lizards, 'gators and hippos, oh my! TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'WandaVision', 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness', 'X-Men: Apocalypse'. 

REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

4/5

Strange New Worlds.

126 Mins. Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg & Rachel McAdams. Director: Sam Raimi. 

When you're Strange, not only are you going grey in the coolest way (hair envy). You also get to play father figure to some teens in need of one direction like Harry Styles of power, responsibility and all that jazz in New York. And from Baker Street to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Bleecker Street, now fellow 'Sherlock' Robert Downey Jr. took his homecoming last charge as Iron Man in the 'Endgame', following the holding up of that one finger. Benedict Cumberbatch's Steven Strange is playing pops. From "Scooby Doo-ing this crap" spider's who were 'Far From Home', but now have 'No Way' (and we STILL won't spoil, just like this movie won't in reference to what came before (well played)). To teens who represent America so much it's actually their last name as they punch a hole through this 'Multiverse Of Madness' with a denim studded jacket star power surge looking like a whole new shield, Cap. After Jared Leto's 'Morbius' in a Sony CGI coffin of the early 2000's played in the sandbox with the timelines even more for this post-Spider verse, Strange days take center stage again as things are getting that Doctor's surname way like Netflix in Hawkins this month. You won't just be wondering 'What If...?' like Jeffrey Wright. You'll be living it as you go through more strange new worlds than the time Rocket and Yondu looked like their eyes were trippin' off some real Fleetwood Mac in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2'. One of the good Doctor's variants and a blink and you'll miss it time-jump isn't the only thing that confirms it's all connected and animated like the walking dead of Marvel zombies. This 'Multiverse' brings it all to the roundtable for all those cameos taking their seat in a classic moment that will have you gasping for air and grasping for the arm next to you. Madness? This. Is. Marvel! 

Maverick aviators! Those who wished upon a rumor that Tom Cruise himself would be playing an Iron Man variant of Tony Stark who keeps Thanos' head in a pickled mason jar, don't hold your Zero G breath. Just wait for his long awaited 'Top Gun' sequel coming at the end of this month after the first film came out...WHEN THIS ALMOST 40 YEAR OLD WRITER WAS ONE YEAR YOUNG! Don't waste the whole 126 minute runtime of this movie waiting in anticipation. You've been  35 years patient for the other thing. This is the one we will spoil, because it will your enjoyment if you expect him to make a landing here (trust me). Don't Goose yourself! Turns out this was as much as a joke as that faux credit roll that had so many big names in it, it descended into the farce of Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto (but he is Groot) and the rest of his 'Fast' family (well...maybe not Justin Lin). The cameos are just as good as all that. If not better. Especially a post-credits one before the final  frame with a cult cameo is on some 'Deadpool' or detention, jokes on you message....and NO! It's not Ryan Reynolds or Chris Evans. We won't reveal who exactly has a seat at the table. Even if the Internet has broke all that along with official trailers of familiar voices and Superbowl spots of superhero sightings. All we can say is if we're just going off names along and not the heart that we got 'No Way Home', this even webs up all the cameos in the last massive movie from the Marvel machine. The next phase from the M.C.U. in this Multiverse of madness is set to stun. Just book your seat before some troll on social media kicks the back of it by talking too much. Waiting a month in Japan for 'Spider-Man' had the rumoured reveal (see how we're still not biting? Watch and learn "reputable" review sites) ruined literally on the eve of its Far East. Having this one strangely a day early felt so refreshing. And the epic entertainment was enjoyed even more. Excelsior like the Japanese café! Now that's something you should Google if you don't know. 

Classic cameos don't even distract from the sublime story, even if the last paragraph of this review did. Bleecker Street's finest has a lot more to deal with than his spells looking like he's wondering who ordered these two pepperonis. But turning his Catherine Wheel, sparkling orange wizard fairy dust into a circular saw that cuts the tentacles off a seeing eye monster of an octopus out of a Beatles garden is the coolest thing this side of the 'The Secrets Of Dumbledore', in this month of a whole new wizarding world, following the latest 'Fantastic Beasts' featuring former Strange foe Mads Mikkelsen. Squid games indeed. Complete with something that has as much character as his cape too that still deserves an acting credit. Disney and Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme (well...not yet) has more alter-ego's (one of them looking like 'Bro Strange') than Oscar Isaac's 'Moon Knight' and having 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' premiere on the same day as the final episode of the refreshing Disney + show is real as both big pictures take that tried and tested Marvel formula and add some fizz and bang. That's what happens when legendary 'Spider-Man' trilogy director Sam Raimi (a master ahold of the dark arts) adds the 'Evil Dead' of his haunted horror elements to a Mickey Mouse movie you really should see for yourself before you choose to bring your children. Real Sorcerer Supreme Benedict Wong is back after stealing the show in 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' last Summer with a karaoke number (even that one. We refuse to reveal. It's just the best post-creds scene ever) and this time unlike 'Infinity War', 'No Way Home' and 'Shang-Chi', he's not just pissing off in a portal again, but getting in on the amazing action. "Is that everyone?" "What you wanted more?!" Even with all the cameos? OK...here you go. It's been a long time since Scott Derrickson's (the original director of this sequel and now an executive producer credit) 'Doctor Strange' (2016) and those wanting to know what happened to '12 Years A Slave' legend Chiwetel Ejiofor's turncoat character will finally be satisfied with more than fan service and a pretty awesome new look. Rachel McAdams also gets her due with even more involvement following her heartbreaking 'What If...?' episode. The most moving and meaningful of the set. Even Michael Stuhlbarg (whose 'Call Me By Your Name' speech still mends and breaks our heart all over again) takes a pew. It's Elizabeth Olsen though, fresh off last year's first and best (and there's been six of them now) six part Marvel miniseries 'WandaVision', who appearing here like Strange in 'Spider-Man' or those crossover comics is the beating and bruised heart and soul of this story. In her Scarlet witching hour to the letter, to wonder on Wanda and to reveal more like who it was all along would be as much as a disservice as ruining those cameos. Even if you have your fan theories. But even with her crux catalyst, it's 'The Bay-Sitters Club' member Xochitl Gomez who steals the show here as America Chavez. A star and superhero who here has her own movie. Let alone (we hope) the Disney + teen show she deserves like 'Ms. Marvel'. With Wong standing by her side stating the fan hate was wrong and shameful as it is after she responded to it with such grace. No matter if this movie has been banned in territories like Saudi Arabia after Marvel refused to cut out the scenes in references to Chavez's mothers (good job) like the 'Fantastic' relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald being nixed by China. This is America and like it or not, she is here to stay. No matter who she loves. And this is the way it should be for him, her, they, them and anybody who wants to be exactly who they want to be. In this multifaceted world we live in where everyone has their own story and right to tell it. It's not strange. It's marvelous. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Doctor Strange', 'WandaVision', 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'. 

REVIEW: BUBBLE

4/5

The Bubble Girl.

100 Mins. Starring: Jun Shison, Riria, Alice Hirose, Mamorou Miyano, Yuki Kaji & Tasuku Hatanaka. Director: Tetsurō Araki. 

Glowing orange emits from Tokyo Tower like it does at night, but something looks like it's drawn into its now orb like middle. Just like tons of tourists during the country's national holiday, Golden Week, right now. Although on closer inspection the skeleton of this structure has more than a few broken bones. Looking like it has been worn away under the sea like all the trains that still run down there (is that the Shonan-Shinjuku line?). All as reeds and grass grow in gullies like fern. Sprouting up amongst Shibuya crossing. Giving it a whole new post-apocalyptic iconic look for this new modern classic anime in the leagues of 'Weathering With You' or 'Your Name'. One whose ante is up with the freewheeling and free running amongst Akihabara of the parkour players that turns this digital world into a real video game like the reality of 'Ready Player One' in this concrete jungle, rooftop-to-rooftop footrace. On your marks, get set. Go watch this amazing new Netflix anime that is the picture of the world famous Tokyo. Real 'Bubble' talk. All the way to the perfect postcard photographs that are worth sticking around for in the post-credits like all Japanese politely do in cinemas. Even when they're not watching the latest Marvel movie in this multiverse of madness. A mix of animation and real world like the 'New Legacy' of LeBron's 'Space Jam', for this movie in a Bubble like the NBA in Disney World. All the way to the real life banners and billboards you can see dotted around Shibuya right now between all the Gucci and Chanel. Like people at the crossing on their cells not realising the light has turned green. Can I go? 

Green days in 'The Garden Of Words', otherwise known as the perfect park that is Shinjuku-Gyoen, that frame-to-frame match-up perfectly from anime to reality. Google it and tell me if you can Pepsi and Cola tell the difference. The steps of 'Your Name' that fans make a cult like pilgrimage to on the Instagram story daily. So many more legendary animes from a Ghibli studio to a 'Tokyo Ghoul:re' manga reply. They all capture Tokyo in artwork cinematics that are as close to the truth as an artists rendition sketching from memory can get. The only thing that looks more convincing is HBO's 'Tokyo Vice' based on Jake Adelstein's book, taking it to the max. But this? This is something else entirely like the post New York times of Will Smith's (we're still sticking by him, not what he did and not shutting him out) 'I Am Legend' garden square that the illuminated Coca-Cola and Samsung billboards turned into just down the road from the basketball Eden of MSG. And then of course there's bubbles. Lots of bubbles. Like the ones you blow on a Spring Day, so good BTS sang a song about it. 'バブル' from Wit Studios and Tetsurō Araki (who gave us something that towers above even Tokyo in the legendary 'Attack On Titan'), is a really fleshed out story for a streaming service losing subscribers, in need of a pick-up boost. The director from Saitama who also gave us 'Death Note' is in a Super Arena of his own. Tetsurō...or should we say Mochizuki Saburō, gives us a beautiful, boundless anime of bubbles for his alias. One that will have you floating in a fever dream of hallucinogenic, before it pops and breaks your heart like soap on the tip of your nose from a childhood memory of the first time you washed up. Your arms soaked in suds like the muse here. 

Life is the bubbles for this anime that takes the concept of Hans Christian Andersen's Disney turned fairytale 'The Little Mermaid' and swims with it, waaaay under the sea like a borrowing 'Arrietty'. But without swallowing too much seawater. Making a splash like Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, even without a tail. This Shōnen Jump+ manga adaptation that debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival this February was wrote by 'Psycho-Pass' screenwriter Gen Urobuchi and features moving music to the "ha, ha, ha, ha" (and that's not laughing) haunting harmony that will stay with you from the soundtrack of Hiroyuki Sawano with scores to his name ('Titan', 'Blue Exorcist' and so many, many more). But it's the classic character designs from Takeshi Obata ('Death Note', 'Hikaru no Go') that really soar as the jump around the city and its gravity anomalies like Mario over mushrooms. Watanabe Entertainment's Jun Shison voices Hibiki in his Beats By anime headphones with more than just hearing ultrasensitivity for a movie sensitive to disability like 'A Silent Voice', a year after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Surfing on suds and climbing the tower because he swears he can hear a women's voice. That song comes from new classic character for the movie medium Uta. Voiced by the equally enigmatic star of the future that also goes by just one name. Riria. The brains of the operation Makoto (Alice Hirose, creating a family dynasty with sister Suzu), Mamoru Miyano's Shin and Kai by Yuki Kaji round out the team. As 'Yu-Gi-Oh's' own Tasuku Hatanaka voices a Denki Ninja in this race against the Morticians or Undertakers that's a must win, even if it kills them. Now before the Eve (no, not that one) themed 'Bubble' floats with the swan song from Riria herself that says 'See You, Catch You Later' (or should we say 'Jaa ne, Mata ne' (じゃあね、またね)), you'll float too. It's time to get on this 'Bubble' before it bursts. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Little Mermaid', 'Your Name', 'Weathering With You'.