TV REVIEW: SQUID GAME 2

4/5

Challengers

7 Episodes. Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-shim, Choi Seung-hyun, Lee Seo-hwan, Park Gyu-young & Gong Yoo. Showrunner: Hwang Dong-hyuk. On: Netflix.

Circle. Triangle. Square. Let the games begin again. Trying to avert your eyes from spoilers for 'Squid Game 2' on Facebook, X and Instagram's Threads is like trying to avoid liking the wrong ones on Bumble, Tinder and Hinge. It's all a damn game...and it's time to play again this New Year, just when you resolved not to. If you believe the rumours, like you should the hype, American Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio may join the third and final season of the South Korean super smash like the pop acts of BTS and BLACKPINK! Although our 45.6 billion won is on the numbers on his green tracksuit, not venturing too far out of the twenties. That iconic look, countered by the pink boiler suit and black fencing mask, changing of the guard has become a popular Halloween costume, especially for couples, since 'Squid Game's' 2021 release, taking over the fellow planet pandemic saving K-Drama, 'Crash Landing On You'. The second season of a 'Silenced' Hwang Dong-hyuk's showrun special also plays around with that in a sensational second episode after the epic first.

As divisive as the nature of this battle royale is controversial (really, it's just holding up a mirror to real life's reflections), 'Squid Game 2' has been met with "mehs" by some critics quick to write game players off when they're a little seasoned. Speaking of which, even forever young NBA G.O.A.T. LeBron James said he didn't like the end of the last season. Well, we don't like the way his Los Angeles Lakers trades away perfectly good points called Russell, if we're just saying. But admittedly, we weren't a fan of player 456's red hairdo by the end of season one. Rest assured, two years later, it's gone. None of this has stopped the seven seals of 'Squid's' second season, that came out on Thursday the 26th of December's Boxing Day (we don't binge, we enjoy things), beating 'The Addams Family' value of 'Wednesday's' Netflix first-week streaming record with 68 million views. Not to mention obliterating the streaming service competition of Marvel's 'What If...?' released over the festive period on Disney +. The Halloween thing with a Mona Lisa smile will get the chance to get her own back, although we have no idea when 'Squid Game 3' will come out this year, just a doll faced teaser. Red light!

Green light! The first time the Shaq sized doll turned around, 'Squid Game' turned decorated South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae into a 'Star Wars: Acolyte' actor, who learnt English just for that part. Just like it turned show stealer model, making her amazing acting debut, Jung Ho-yeon into a global megastar like Rosé, who sings karaoke with The Weeknd. Sadly, she's not back, aside from a headshot, but Jung-jae is, weathered and worn, but even better than before as he tries to take the game down from the inside in a show that takes cues from everything from 'Prison Break', season by season, to the red and blue pill choice of 'The Matrix'. Stick that one up your a##! He's also joined by the 'Midnight' of Wi Ha-joon's compelling cop character and the man in the plastic mask reveal of the great Lee Byung-hun's ('Joint Security Area', 'Inside Men' and Hollywood's 'Terminator: Genisys' and 'The Magnificent Sven' remake) frontman, who like a Trojan Horse is so much more with what's in store this season. Although for all the recruitment, it's the opening act of 'Train To Busan' star Gong Yoo that steals this show, playing even more deadly games with you than the ones by the train tracks. Think 'The Deer Hunter' and '187' meets outstanding opera and epic emotion. Played perfectly in palpable fear by Kim Pub-lae and Jeon Seok-ho. 

Not to mention the kind of kindness this world needs right now, in the last place you'd expect to find it. Moments of classic camaraderie come together in a rooting interest across the board. This second show is amazing before you even begin to make it with the man in the arena. But these children's games are anything but a children's story, in this show that takes shots at the ultra-violence we inflict on each other, whether physical or psychological. Not to mention the mental masochism we do to ourselves. Addictions like gambling, whether playing the horses or the crypto coin game (ZE:A's Im Si-wan buys into all of that). Class disparity and capitalism are also at war in this dystopian survival thriller that features even more compelling characters and strands of plot that twist and turn and thrill and (blood) spill. The military marine core minds of best friend Lee Seo-hwan and Kang Ha-neul give more strength to those voting X, circled by sharks. Whilst Lee Jin-wook's reason for being in the games will break your heart. Especially with the complication of Busan's own Park Gyu-young's character reveal in this Seoul story. Offering the most cruelly conflicting turn of this hit series with more nuance than Hollywood could hope for.

Click your fingers like Thanos, before this endgame, and T.O.P. rapper Choi Seung-hyun is one of the top, and most annoying characters this season. Signs of a great rapper/actor. Singer of Korean/Japanese group Iz*One, Jo Yu-ri keeps the K-Pop to K-Drama link alive like the baby her character tries to keep secret in her stomach. Meanwhile, controversy has come from Park Sung-hoon playing a transwoman (not to mention a pornographic post about a blue 'Squid Game' movie). Still, in conservative Korea, this revelation of a role is real progress. From Netflix's 'Squid Game: Unleashed' mobile game, to the Front Man's 'Fireplace' you can watch for an hour, or repeat for the whole night on the streaming service, N is milking this squid for all its ink, like the black blood that runs the same. Yet the second season might be inspired by the diluting real life reality show of 'Squid Game: The Challenge', when it comes to Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim's moving mother and son. There's even more bankable stars to mingle with and fill up the plastic piggy bank, as this all turns, but Dong-hyuk's wonderful writing does more than scrawl a signature on their cheques. You can't vote against this. Rock, paper, scissors, this hit is a cut above the rest. The best pentathlon in the year of Paris 2024 (terrific track teaser, by the way). The games have changed. And there's so much more to play for. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Playing: 'Squid Game', 'Squid Game: The Challenge', 'Squid Game: Fireplace'.

TV REVIEW: WHAT IF...? Season 3

4/5

Avenger Fiction 

8 Episodes. Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Anthony Mackie, Mark Ruffalo, Teyonah Parris, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Oscar Isaac, Kathryn Hahn, Kumail Nanjiani, Dominic Cooper, James D'Arcy, Laurence Fishburne, America Ferrera, Kat Dennings, Seth Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth, Michael Rooker, Josh Brolin, Dominique Thorne, Emily VanCamp, Tessa Thompson, Hailee Steinfeld, Wyatt Russell, Walton Goggins, Hayley Atwell, Devery Jacobs, Alison Sealy-Smith, Natasha Lyonne, Karen Gillian, Taika Waititi, Fred Tatasciore & Jason Isaacs. Created By: A.C. Bradley. On: Disney +.

'What If...?' This was it? Broken glass...everywhere. Phasing through four and five like Vision does walls. Marvel's best animation since 'X-Men' (and it's ''97' return, this year), and next before the comic accurate 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man', is coming to an end in this multiverse of madness that even the TVA of 'Deadpool and Wolverine' prunes with puns. One last watch for the third and final season of A.C. Bradley's 'What If...?', narrated by 'American Fiction' star Jeffrey Wright, who needs his own live-action look at The Watcher. And that's the truth, like the fact that his bald identity, now joined by the "Time. Space. Reality" of his Eminence, Jason Isaacs in this non-linear path, could play the 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' "ooga chaka" 'Ally McBeal' like "dancing baby", in a robe that just stands around and looks. Thanos (Josh Brolin is here, too) could have at least lent him his throne.

Gundam may be gunning for the Mech Avengers in the epic episode one that goes to war with a kaiju like Hulk, not to mention, some Godzilla griping cribbing, like this was a 'Pacific Rim' uprising in 'The Black' of this amazing animation. Again, make a mech movie, STAT, Kevin Feige. This is born for the big blockbuster. Just like the wartime 'Agent Carter' (she shows up with a shield again...later) era of Old Hollywoodland, complete with Dominic Cooper and James D'Arcy, is perfect for 'Agatha All Along' star Kathryn Hahn, who also voiced a different Doc Oc 'Into The Spider-Verse'. Fresh off her Halloween show with the 'Eternal' Bollywood beauty of Kumail Nanjiani in the power of an episode that pops like flashbulbs. After episode one, David Harbour and Sebastian Stan also reunite in Vegas for the sphere of the perfect precursor to the 'Thunderbolts' movie. Featuring more of Laurence Fishburne's 'Ant-Man' legend and Academy Award nominated 'Barbie' star America Ferrera. 

The next 'What If' will really leave you saying "what the", as early 2000s generational stars Kat Dennings and Seth Green get character married. Which, top billing, would be anything but quackery, if one of them wasn't a damn duck like Donald (happy 90th). Still, it's a match made in heaven, and what it births next, you'll never forget. This episode even gives us a great second strand of Tom Hiddleston's frosty Loki (best Norse God of Mischief since Jim Carrey put on 'The Mask'). When he's not holding timelines together, he's got a nice time-share for you. This Avenger anthology of Marvel mutants and capes that crusade, like the other guys, even takes it to the wild west, as the rings of Simu Liu, meet the deadeye shot of Hawkeye's Hailee Steinfeld. Ringing the bell and a quick draw with a hood that will reveal even more in Marvel lore.

Yet, from 1872, to the Emergence, and voices from everyone from Walton Goggins to Fred Tatasciore, it's the assemble of Hayley Atwell, last season stealer Devery Jacobs and 'X-Men' Storm star Alsion Sealy-Smith that's the real treat. Especially when they're joined by the bird of 'Russian Doll' and 'His Three Daughters' star Natasha Lyonne making her Marvel debut with a truly animated character we'll surely see live on the big-screen. In these days of alternate timelines like a future's past, what if we could watch more? Dropped over Christmas, one episode at a time, this is Disney's Christmas card up their sleeve that could play with the brilliant Boxing Day box-office of Netflix's 'Squid Game 2'. If you're a fan of collecting comics, then these marvellous Marvel moments are compelling ones to corral for your collection, no question. What a run! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

More Multiverse: 'Agatha All Along', 'Thunderbolts', 'X-Men '97', 

REVIEW: NUTCRACKERS

3.5/5

Meet The Jansons

104 Mins. Starring: Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson, Arlo Janson, Toby Huss, Edi Patterson & Tim Heidecker. Screenplay: Leland Douglas. Director: David Gordon Green. On: Hulu & Disney +.

'Drive' with Ben Stiller this weekend, and we'll finally hear the long-awaited 'Lana' 'SOS' deluxe from SZA, with the 'Dodgeball' and 'Night At The Museum' actor starring in the lead single's lip-syncing music video, tuning his radio in to some real carpool karaoke. Drive with the 'Meet The Parents' actor and New York Knicks superfan (who really needs to direct a documentary on the comeback trail of the NBA team with some of his Madison Square Garden courtside iPhone filmed shots), in a yellow Porsche to the farmland, and you'll find 'Nutcrackers' under the tree. A perfect 'Greenberg' meets 'Uncle Buck' movie that's more in line with the 'Zoolander' actor and 'Tropic Thunder' director's work on the likes of 'The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty', 'While We're Young' and 'The Meyerowitz Stories' on Netflix. An offbeat and outstanding ode to family, just in time for Christmas. Yet this nutcracker and the four busting his balls, is not just the Ben Stiller show. No matter how fondly he brings the family feeling, off the beaten track and with no Hollywood fluff. 

This is all about the Jansons...and the kids are more than alright. Despite their characters losing their mother, as uncle Ben steps in. Introducing the inspired, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson and Arlo Janson. Four fantastic boys, two terrific twins, who are all stars of the future. Especially when it comes to Homer's odyssey. One part, 'Billy Elliott', all dancing in honour for the ladies in his life. The first crush, who he wants as his first kiss. His late mother, who he still knows, is watching every step. "The holidays can drive you nuts", the classic Christmas poster of 'Nutcrackers' say, but these children are cracking good fun as they tie Stiller up in fairy light knots. Chasing chickens and busted baubles from a fallen tree as the always amazing Linda Cardellini's ('Dead To Me', 'ER') social worker looks on with a Christmas cap, clutching documents she hopes Ben adopts. But is there more there with the 'Daddy's Home' and 'Hawkeye', Christmas special star? After all, that's what the holidays are all about.

Premiering on Hulu and Disney Plus, November 29th (yeah, we're a little late wrapping this gift of a film up, thank SZA for the reminder to get it done like 'The Cable Guy'), after opening the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, this David Gordon Green ('Pineapple Express', 'The Sitter') directed delight (with a script by Leland Douglas) also features nice turns from Toby Huss, Edi Patterson and Tim Heidecker. Especially when it comes to the fuss at the Huss house, away in a manger, no ice cream cone crib for a bed. Gordon Green is one of the most versatile directors in the game. Nic Cage in 'Joe'. Al Pacino in 'Manglehorn'. A 'Stronger' Jake Gyllenhaal. The horrors of a 'Halloween' trilogy, co-wrote with frequent collaborator and 'Your Highness' (now, that's truly terrifying) star Danny McBride, but he hits the sweet spot here. From the Windy City of Chicago, to rural Ohio, you'll want to foster this one, people. This comedy drama dance really is the better nutcracker. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Nutcracking: 'Meet The Parents', 'Uncle Buck', 'Greenberg'.

TV REVIEW: DREAM PRODUCTIONS - Season 1

3/5

The Life Of Riley

4 Episodes. Starring: Paula Pell, Richard Ayoade, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Diane Lane & Kyle MacLachlan. Created By: Mike Jones. On: Disney +.

Dream on, Disney and Pixar. Even with 'Moana 2' hitting shores this fall, like a 'Mufasa' 'Lion King' spin-off clawing it's way to Christmas, summer smash sequel (and the sensational sar-casm) 'Inside Out 2' is still the biggest blockbuster of the year. Take that, steak knives and the chimichanga chopsticks of 'Deadpool and Wolverine'. Not to mention, one of the most successful animations of all-time. So you just know Pixar had to shine a lamplight on it even more, like the seriously sweet short 'Riley's First Date'. In the same vein, or workplace, of the 'Monsters Inc' spin-off 'Monsters At Work', we get the 'Dream Productions' of what happens in Riley's dreams, with no monsters behind the door nightmares, when the emotions take a break like lifeless toys when Andy comes back in the room.

Joy to the world, this Christmastime. Amy Poehler's star of the show shows up, alongside legendary parents Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan, and other emotional cameos for your emoticon responses. Although the Maya Hawke, new teenage dreams of angst are left on the cutting room floor...too many cooks and all that pushing the red button. The main character in Riley's story, apart from her autonomy, is actually Paula Pell's same named Paula Persimmon, a jellybean of a dream director, who wants to turn Riley's R.E.M. into as gold a spectacle as the ones under her Ronald McDonald meets Grimace hair (hey, I'm just jealous). But when her dreams feel flat as an old hat, and her best friend can't take it any more, she finds herself forced to work with the turtleneck of an insufferable auteur director (his glasses probably don't even have lenses) in Kenny "Xeni" Drewberry, played perfectly by 'The IT Crowd' and Disney voice regular, Richard Ayoade.

Life is but a daydream from there on out, from this Mike Jones ("who?" No, not that one) production from the world of 'Inside Out'. Four fantastic episodes streaming on Disney Plus, full of Easter Eggs and unicorn rainbows. The reason we don't have anxiety, worry not, is that this is an interquel (say what now?), set between 'Inside Out' and 'Inside Out 2'. The next big tween-dream from showrunner Jones, who earnt his credit co-writing 'Soul' and 'Luca', watched together runs like a movie in itself at 82 minutes long. Bringing in even more big stars like the boss of Maya Rudolph, who, speaking of this time of year, wowed 'A Very Murray Christmas' with her rendition of 'Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)', not many people knowing she's the daughter of the great Minnie Riperton. Anyway, back to it, will we see more 'Dream Productions' for a season two, like 'Monsters At Work' was given the greenlight? Only in Hollywood. With the biggest animated opening since Marvel's 'What If...?', we can only dream. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Inside Out 2', 'Riley's First Date', 'Monsters At Work'.

TV REVIEW: THE SIMPSONS - O C'MON ALL YE FAITHFUL

4/5

Ding Doh! Merrily On High

45 Mins. Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria & Harry Shearer, with special guest stars, Derren Brown, Patti LaBelle & Pentatonix. Directors: Debbie Bruce Mahan & Matthew Faughnan. Created By: Matt Groening. On: Disney +.

'Tis the season to be okily-dokily. Just over two calendars ago, I decided to watch an episode of 'The Simpsons' every day, on the train to work (it takes exactly 24 minutes, animes), from season one onward...knowing that I fell off around about the time J. Cole said Kendrick Lamar did ("O C'mon!"). This Christmas, recently adding Matt Groening's 'Futurama' to my future return journey plans (a 'Disenchantment' of a Netflix series will have to wait), I hit series seventeen, with a long way to go. The yellow family falling through more couches than remote controls recently put up series thirty-six on the chalkboard. And best believe people still are reading and watching this. With even more spin-offs than their sister shows, Lisa, Maggie, Bart, Homer and Marge also have given us some special editions of late for their Star Wars and Marvel, Mickey Mouse share house. 

Last week, Disney Plus streamed 'The Simpsons Funday Football' from last week's headlining games between the Bengals and the Cowboys (I guess Homer did buy them after all. And this one, after 'Frasier' Kelsey Grammar's Sideshow Bob gave us 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' at the villainous Halloween, really is the season, as two years after The Simpsons met the Bocellis for 'Feliz Navad', we get 'O C'mon All Ye Faithful' under our bursting tree. Directed by Debbie Bruce Mahan and Matthew Faughnan, 'The Simpsons' bring all the old favourite's back, like animation's Beatles. Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer. Joined in guest star lore by Great British illusionist Derren Brown and soul icon Patti LaBelle, duetting with the powerful a cappellas of the powerful Pentatonix powerhouse for one 'Silent Night' you'll be singing until New Year, as all is bright yellow.

Do you still believe in Santa Claus? C'mon! Forget milk and cookies. It's time to leave a Duff and donuts out for Homer...and Ralph Wiggum can stick the carrot up his nose like a candy cane. You know, episodes of 'The Simpsons' usually play out between the God like clouds. The first ten minutes are a funny set-up of crazy calamity, before the rest of the episode and the real story takes hold. Well, in this double forty-five minute special (the first ever, and maybe a short sign of things to come), the first half has everybody believing Homer is Santa, thanks to Derren Brown's British accent and Homer's Hanks in 'Cast Away' beard (kudos to Ralph's elf with hair thinner than mine and the best fart joke ever). Meanwhile, the second searches for the true meaning of Christmas as Ned Flanders of all people struggles with his faith like that time he lost it (I'm close, Neddy). I guess that's what happens when you SPOILER ALERT lose two wives (wait...what...WHO! I'm not there yet!). But alas, spreading the holiday cheer for all to hear on the 35th anniversary of the first Simpsons Christmas special roasting on an open fire, you'll believe in a miracle on Evergreen Terrace. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Faithful: 'The Simpsons: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year', 'The Simpsons Meet The Bocellis In Feliz Navadad', 'The Simpsons Funday Football'.

STAND-UP REVIEW: RONNY CHIENG - LOVE TO HATE IT

4/5

Hawaiian Punchline

65 Mins. Starring: Ronny Chieng. Director: Cameron Barnett. On: Netflix.

It's been five years since an 'An Asian Comedian (Destroyed) America' (the perfect way to spend my first night after moving to Japan), and yet I'm still reviewing Ronny Chieng shows (I guess I didn't listen and take not to 'Speakeasy' two years back). Just like Netflix is still a joke, falling for the end of year laughs from the likes of Ali Wong ('Single Lady') and Jamie Foxx telling everybody 'What Had Happened Was...', to tears of more than just laughter. After a year dominated by John Mulaney's own return in 'Everybody's In LA' (which Chieng was a guest on), not to mention the greats, like 'The Dreamer' of Dave Chappelle and the Ricky Gervais 'Armageddon', it's time to give Ronny his flower necklace too. Getting off the plane for a Hawaiian special, 'Love To Hate It', directed by Cameron Barnett. Just don't give them to his mother.

You must be filled with all kinds of hate if you don't love this show dedicated to his dear Dad, who, upon learning about his gig on 'The Daily Show' (via a Twitter refresh), discovered his son was "just a sidekick". Yet he and we all really know that the 'Shang-Chi' star is much more of a marvel than all that. Especially when he poses for fans with his arms well and truly tucked and folded. Chieng will tell you like it is when it comes to the idea that his own son may want to take up his microphone one day. But how his boy will make it here in the first place is an origin story worthy of an ESPN 30 For 30 the way he beats the buzzer with one shot you don't want right between the eyes. But this is far from the last dance of Ronny and his lovely wife (who we get to see in the Cadillac drive opening to the theatre) of almost a decade. They've still got plenty of years to enjoy life, before they get like their friends who, "look like s###!"

And maybe think like it too, as the razor-sharp comedian tells us he has a few friends whose preference for baseball cap colours stray a little too close to a Los Angeles Angel. No Shohei. Dodge this, all you want, but a few of your own closest friends might have opinions even closer to the bone. He sees their point too, although he still knows how to poke fun, all whilst prodding the cancel culture crowd with some real clickbait. He says all men are Jordan Peterson closer to that awful way of thinking when algorithms take us from dumbbells to dumba##es. With America destroying himself, this stand-up guy who speaks anything but easy tells us we should do like the Koreans and enjoy life. Even when we're 'Squid Game' killing each other, like the Western reality show version of the landmark TV show, whose second season comes this Boxing Day. This genius monologue, like his taxing one on the US, is more of a Netflix and K-Pop plug than Taika Waititi's 'The Boy & The Octopus' short is a Disney one, but at a plus, it still reaches you like anime in the face of a reserved Japan. Can't hate on that. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: Ronny Chieng - 'Speakeasy', Ronny Chieng - 'Asian Comedian Destroys America', Ali Wong - 'Single Lady'

SHORT REVIEW: THE BOY & THE OCTOPUS

4/5

Octopus's Garden

4 Mins. Starring: Solomon Horta & Solaya Sang. Director: Taika Waititi. On: Disney +.

'Tis the season to be squishy? Studio Ghibli's 'The Boy and the Heron' has some competition this year with the short-round of 'Thor-Ragnarok' and 'Jojo Rabbit' director Taika Waititi's (who last gave us, 'Next Goal Wins') 'The Boy & The Octopus', on streaming service Disney Plus, just in time for Christmas. From under the sea, to under the tree, Solaya Sang ('St. Baptitste's') can't believe it, as her son (newcomer Solomon Horta with more to come) emerges from the ocean, back on the beach, with the cutest octopus on his head.

The lifeguard can't do a thing about it, after lifting one tentacle. Stuck to his head, the boy and octopus are one. Talk about a "host" family for this festive season. So, Solomon learns to live with it...for the next four minutes. The boy makes a fond new friend in the cutest CG that will stay with you long after the decorations come down on twelfth night. They laugh and play together, even having lightsabre battles for the forthcoming 'Star Wars' director. This sweet short is a real marvel, between touching tinsel and baubles, to hinting at more Disney property than a short from 'The Simpsons' (who also have a new festive treat with the Derren Brown hypnotic Christmas double-episode, 'O C'mon All Ye Faithful').

Playing like the best John Lewis commercial, you will cry and feel as warm as all that. Even at all the not so subtle product promotion. But how does Mickey Mouse feel about having his own merchandise desecrated for the sweet spot? Feeling like something between 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' and 'The Snowman', 'The Boy & The Octopus' is another Waititi wonder (like the underrated 'Love and Thunder') that finds itself next to the beautiful Yuletide stop-motion of the girl and the owl in 'An Almost Christmas Story'. All as 'Mufasa: The Lion King' looks to do the 'Moana 2' sequel business this weekend. Get your tentacles into this. But remember, an octopus is for life, not just for Christmas. Put da takoyaki DAOWN! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Boy', 'Next Goal Wins', 'An Almost Christmas Story'.