TV REVIEW: THE PENGUIN - Season 1

4/5

The Emperor's New Clothes

8 Episodes. Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Theo Rossi, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Kelly & Mark Strong. Showrunner: Lauren LeFranc. On: HBO.

Top billing on this fall T.V schedule, goes to the gloomy streets of Gotham, with something darker than winter coming. Beating all the 'Game Of Thrones' ('House Of The Dragon') and 'Lord Of The Rings' ('Rings Of Power') spin-off shows is Lauren LeFranc's 'The Penguin', showcasing the side-streets of Matt Reeves' 'The Batman' with Robert Pattinson (no, he doesn't show up...and he doesn't need to). Besting 'The Old Man' and even the witches road of the Marvel and DC war with 'Agatha All Along' this Halloween gone, the real drama about Oz waddles to victory, just waiting for its monocle and cane. Donning the Penguin suit again is an unrecognizable, but undeniable Colin Farrell, who has been the don ever since the first time he met The Bat ("woah, take it easy, sweetheart"). Devoted like the great Danny DeVito and Robin Lord Taylor. Just don't say his name, because his vengeance spits venom. Not to mention fire and brimstone with some gruesome, graphic moments where there will be hell to pay.

Disney movies. Watching them was the only that could save the Irish, 'Banshees Of Inisherin', 'In Bruges', 'The Lobster' and 'Daredevil' Bullseye actor from the darkness of delving into the murky waters of Oswald Cobb, as HBO took this miniseries to the max. Getting himself more than a gun and his Tony Soprano on. An outstanding origin story that pays attention to the street corners of Gotham's underworld, a long way away from Wayne manor. Depths that go deeper than even the Batcave, this Home Box Office maker would even make for the best video game story as the lunatics are running the fringes of Arkham Asylum. As you see through the eyes and the coming of age of Rheny Feliz (a Marvel 'Runaway'), you really feel it, and what could be this good fella's make or break in a cold world with strings pulled by godfather's. His performance is powerful, just like the claw clutches of the ones he can't escape. This city, that will worm its way through you like a rotten apple if you don't make your way out.

Farrell is formidable, with the darkest offers that you can't refuse since 'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer'. And if you thought those were stakes, just wait until Barry Keoghan is holding all the cards. Although James Gunn has nixed the rumours that a Joker series is next on deck. 'The Penguin' has been drawing rave reviews, whilst the misunderstood 'Folie à Deux' has facing rotten cabbages and tomatoes. What people thought Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn (still quintessential) would be, we get in a new born star and queen-pin in Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone. A true show stealer, if there ever was one, in a series where she should share top bill. Falcone is a force of nature and nurtured evil. As cruel as the calloused hands of the goons that work their fingers down to the bone, so the crime families can live in the lap of a luxurious life. The 'Fargo' actress shows Leonardo DiCaprio (got to raise that age limit, bro, you gone 50, and that's where the gold is) really fumbled in 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'. And that's how villains are made, as the magnificent Milioti restores order.

Gotham (that was a great show too, by the way), has never looked so cinematic, even on the small screen. And all the players deserve their ball for this top hat production. Props to the costume department too, not only for turning Colin Farrell into Richard Kind, but whoever made the wig for the bald identity of Mark Strong. Best hairpiece since Corey Stoll in 'West Side Story' (face it, that was almost as bad as how his (still great) M.O.D.O.K. looked). I need their number. Strong arms up as Carmine Falcone after the great John Turturro stepped down due to the violence. We were going to say did you see what he did in 'The Batman', but after seeing how one point goes way too far, he has a point, and we respect that. Strong makes his mark amongst an even stronger cast that includes Carmen Ejogo, 'Highlander's' Clancy Brown, 'Daredevil's' Theo Rossi, 'House Of Cards' and 'Jack Ryan' star Michael Kelly, and 'The Promises's' Shohreh Aghdashloo (all amazing). But it's the mothering of Deirdre O’Connell who really gives 'The Penguin' its wings. Showing us just how deep the cruelty of crime touches us all, as it leaves its mark. 'The Penguin' is more than a superhero spin-off. It's a dark drama about those roads in the heart of men, that lead to places you can't turn back from. Don't end up sleeping with the fishes. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Batman', 'The Sopranos', 'Gotham'. 

REVIEW: RED ONE

3/5

Red Notice

123 Mins. Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt, Nick Kroll & J. K. Simmons. Screenplay: Chris Morgan. Director: Jake Kasdan. In: Theatres.

Christmas has come early here in the Far East, with the game 'Red One' from 'Jumanji' reboot director Jake Kasdan. And what more could you expect, here in Japan, with a land that changes its Halloween decorations to Christmas ones, the minute we stop asking, "trick or treat", in time for the next rising sun? All whilst pumpkins lay rotting on porches across the United States, through fall. Tested in other territories before its North American release, 'Red One' is not to be confused with the 'Red Notice' Netflix blockbuster Dwayne Johnson starred in alongside 'Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot (although, she does get a hilarious mention here) and 'Deadpool' Ryan Reynolds. Although Chris Evans, blazing after that fantastic cameo, does a good job of bringing that type of heat to these festive proceedings by the fireplace. Roasting everybody's chestnuts.

The naughty and nice pair of Captain America and Black Adam must save Santa before it's too late this Christmas Eve. Just as 'Fast & The Furious' franchise star and 'Hobbs and Shaw' spin-off wheel man Dwayne Johnson got everyone to stop using "The Rock" in the middle of his name, the all action hero in a Schwarzenegger mould seems to be wrestling with the problem that his films aren't making bank any more. If that wasn't enough, it seems his character is losing the festive spirit in a naughty age that refuses to play nice. Let's hope this all changes with his 'Jingle All The Way', as the ever likeable eyebrow raiser has always known that real action men know how to poke fun at themselves, doing so with the wand of 2010's 'Tooth Fairy'. And as self-serious as this Yuletide hit to the frosty jugular is, Johnson is still rocking and rolling around the Christmas tree. Having as much fun as Macaulay with cardboard cut-outs of Michael Jordan and more mannequins than a Kim Cattrall movie. In a few Christmases time, this will be a festive favourite when you're home alone, and you want to leave your brain at the door with the blow torch.

Armed in green and red, hell for leather, turning Hot Wheels into anything but Micro Machines with some tech straight out of Hank Pym's 'Ant-Man' toy collection, this former DC hero is a marvel in what looks like a 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' ensemble, assemble. Be it, with its giant talking polar bears, reindeers, minus the real red one, and a mythological agency looking to take control of its own multiverse of headless horseman madness. Just when you think nothing could get you in the festive spirit, Steve Rogers in a Star-Lord jacket is here to save the day. We all know the inspired integrity Chris Evans had as Cap (he has a Bucky Barnes looking kid here), but he was Johnny Storm before all that. A comic-book 'Loser' with so many hilarious overgrown frat-bro credits to his name. Whether it be 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World', 'Not Another Teen Movie', or a Marylin Manson video...although we now know who the real douche is. I'm too old to be talking about "eras", but if this was back in time, like these movies, we'd be in his Human Torch one. With this, 'The Gray Man' saving villain, and so much more in store. Like Avenger action figures this Christmas.

Filling your stockings with wish upon a star power, an angel of Charlie, part Bosley, part Black Widow, is also on the case, as it's great to see Lucy Liu back and killing it on this bill. She's seriously good, as is 'Rain Man', 'Beethoven', 'Jerry Maguire' and original 'Jumanji' legend Bonnie Hunt as Santa's better half. Although she is almost as underused as Goldie Hawn in the first 'Christmas Chronicle'. Speaking of the angel in a red dress, aside from many festive treats and Xmas cameos, not to mention a delightfully deranged and daft Nick Kroll, it's the big fella himself who gets all the cookies for this film that's milking 'tis the season for all it's worth. Kurt Russell, Tim Allen, David Harbour, Bryan Cranston, Paul Giamatti, Richard Attenborough, the late, great James Earl Jones. The list of actors that have played Father Christmas is longer than Santa's one. But Academy Award-winning, 'Whiplash' actor J.K. Simmons is whip smart as a protein shake Nick (what else could you expect when you have The Rock to spot?). Placed under your tree for the eve of a Christmas franchise from screenwriter Chris Morgan ('Fast & Furious', 'Wanted') Amazon MGM, Seven Bucks and The Detective Agency, will we see a 'Red Two' like the great Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren? Let's keep notice to which list this makes. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Fred Claus', 'Violent Night', 'Tooth Fairy'