REVIEW: WONDER WOMAN - 1984

 

4/5

It's A Wonderful Life. 

151 Mins. Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright & Connie Nielsen. Director: Party Jenkins. 

"I've known a few women like you", Ben Affleck's brilliant and brutally bracing Bruce Wayne tells Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman before her theme music plays for her epic intro to 'Batman v Superman' that was really her 'Dawn Of Justice'. All before her superior solo debut that sang for heroic equality even before the late, great Chadwick Boseman's 'Black Panther' (his Wakanda forever) and the M.C.U.'s 'Captain Marvel', truly changed the game. The great Gadot was even the one wonder of the much maligned 'Justice League' assemble, although HBO is about to take it to the Max this first quarter with Zack Snyder's cult sought-after cut. Even if directing titans like 'The Dark Knight's' Christopher Nolan and 'Dune's' Denis Villeneuve aren't happy with their big-screen, cinematic classics being broadcast on people's phones. Fair point, but what do they expect in these COVID-19, cinema collapsing times where every other seat is up in social distance, quarantined like streaming services at home? Even if 'Wonder Woman 1984' (wait...there's been 1,983 of these?) like Nolan's terrific 'Tenet', this Christmas is the only thing in cinemas this season, or calender with Pixar's 'Soul' with Jamie Foxx even belonging to Disney's streaming service +, as Bugs and Mickey go to war over the family turkey these holidays at home. After all these years of cancel culture (even to those who didn't deserve it) now EVERYTHING is cancelled. Happy now? Careful what you wish for! Gal Gadot has received her unfair share of flack this year. Even after the former 'Fast and Furious' actress raced to a future franchise and became one of the world's most famous faces and heroic role models in Vogue or Vanity Fair like the runaway train that is the 'Murder On The Express' Agatha Christie adaptation sequel 'Death On The Nile' that she is set to star in even if corona has derailed that too. But then during the planets pandemic of socially isolated, stay at home times she received social media backlash for trying to 'Imagine' a John Lennon cover with her celebrity friends like her '1984' co-stars and everyone from soul musician Leon Bridges to 'Anchorman' Will Ferrell. I know we were all angry during these times like we have been this year, but I feel she was harshly picked on when no one else in this multi-duet on an amateur 'Live Aid' scale was (did anyone stop to ask of this was for charity?). Sure she came up with the idea, but after all she was just trying to help. Now the Israeli actress is the latest Scarlett Johansson, 'Black Widow' actress to face a whitewashing backlash for 'Cleopatra' conveniently on the eve of her 'WW1984' release. It makes you wonder. Sure she may not be the best choice for this role, but there's a lot more people that out this in to power than her. Plus as she pays the due respect and honor to the original 'Wonder Woman' before what could have really been her most iconic role, they never said this sort of stuff about Elizabeth Taylor. A different time sure, but we live in one now we're Julia Roberts gets hate for a producer suggesting she should play Harriet Tubman. Horrendous yes, but it's the producers that suggested that, not Julia. Get at them, not those not involved with that ignorant thought process. Gal may end up backing out of this iconic, Egyptian role before the weeks out, but why should she have to face even more scorn whilst doing so. Taking it back to theatres and '1984' reminds you just how much of a wonder this woman really is. As she says back to Ben, "oh, I don't think you've ever known a woman like me." 

Orwellian in nature like anything this brave new world tries to come up with in these dystopia times, Patty Jenkins 'Wonder Woman 1984' set a year before this writer was born may not save the world, but it really takes us back to a better one like rolled up sleeves and 'Miami Vice', fast and furious cereal box cars that fly down the streets like a flock of seagulls. Or hair that reaches sprayed heights even Superman couldn't reach, in this phone booth changing decade that moves to a Gary Numan jukebox soundtrack here in your car. 'Monster' and forthcoming 'Cleopatra' and 'Star Wars: Rogue Squadron' director Patty Jenkins gave us the power of the woman in the first eternal movie. In this sophomore soaring and swimming through the ocean of clouds, 'Breakfast Club' (you see the photo-op homage?) sequel she gives us the world in all its power. For better or worse, richness and health, the have and the have nots. Big brother and little children playing like they think their men. Greed is never good no matter what 'Wall Street' tells you and in this year of coronavirus, this mirror to society like George Orwell, '1984' shows us this disease of more in all its all consuming consumerism. It's a master move from one of the mainstreams great directors that whips you into society defying shape like a lasso of truth. Gal Gadot's 'Wonder Woman' fashioning her own statement in her opening time in '1984'. Closing down a mall of America like a Starcourt one fresh out of the fellow July 4th, 1985 year later of 'Stranger Things 3' on Netflix as she rounds up some outlaws and squeezes their pistols to shards of chambers. "I don't like guns" she says a wink and nod of acknowledgement to this time of control and silencing it all. All before running down the road of Washington D.C. like the war to end all war trenches of the first movie. Making capital exclamations after sacrificing it all in truly felt emotion, as she Tom Cruise's her way to the White House like she could run through a wall. And just wait until she starts roping up the Oval Office better than the Nightcrawling operatic acrobatics of another stellar sequel in 'X2'. All before blink and you'll miss it spinning around some epic Wonder Woman legacy Easter Eggs and suiting up in a gold standard set of eagle armour that could even hold back '300' of the dark designs of executive producer Snyder's best men, as we mask up in cinemas. This takes wing and does everything in the DC extended universe justice, we're glad this 151 run-time that feels as quick as the way this Queen, Diana Prince moves isn't cut. Put your wrists together in salute as the theme plays along with Hans Zimmer's iconic piano score from the Dawn. This new day in '1984' is here to stay. Hear this woman roar as we can all do it too. Every woman. Every girl. 

DC in D.C. To the wonder again. Exhilarating, euphoric, epic emotion like an electric lasso, this superhero escapism really has a pull. Like the big-screen beautiful moment of neon above the stars where sat in the crowds, scraping the skyline, Gal Gadot and Chris Pine are surrounded by nothing but Independence Day fireworks. Wait...what?! Chris Pine?! Well, spoiler alert this is no new news. I guess Pine's Steve Trevor's wish for more time came true like his Steve Rogers Chris alias years later in the defrosting of Marvel's modern day. The parallels between Pine and Evans' characters are like many a Marvel and DC alternate (check the 'I'm Chirs Pine' SNL song complete with chart and pointing wand). Reuniting with Jenkins again after their 'I Am The Night' magnificent miniseries, Pine's pilot is on Prince's six again armed with a fanny-pack...but we won't tell you how. Even if many a trailer spoiled what would have been the reveal of the year. What we can say is Pine is perfect as per. Whether the 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' and 'This Means War' actor is helping take out a military convoy on a sandy, Egyptian freeway, or simply showing the compelling chemistry his charisma has with Gadot's charm. Chris' classic character will leave you feeling warmth, coming home for the holidays. You may question why Trevor's soul is here, but you won't doubt his heart. Pine is all-time. Helping the great Gadot through the hurt of what is this movies meditative look at the poetry of love and longing lonelinesses grieving process in all its denial and acceptance, which we're sure Marvel's 'WandaVision' will be. Now don't adjust the static on your sets as your T.V. dinner cools. That is Mando. Michael Douglas, Gekko reptilian, slicked back with flop sweat and a NBA player in the early 2000's dump truck suit that is pinstripe, put on with a shovel too big for him as he's coming apart at the seams, Pedro Pascal is incredible as a villain as bad as his greed, but with even more layers of complexity than he has fake tan sprayed from a can like cheese on demand. And we are so here for his gold watch versus Casio, Star Wars vs Star Trek fight with Chris Pine, as The Mandalorian and Captain Kirk throw down in the White House. This is the way. Energize. Punch it. We know Mandalorian's aren't meant to take off their hoods, but what the 'Game Of Thrones' and 'Narcos' actor Pedro reveals here as Max Lord is nuanced in all its power corrupts absolutes. Whip smart against the lasso wielding Diana, this electric and eclectic 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' villain Pascal passes the bar. Still, when it comes to villains its 'Bridesmaids' and 'Ghostbusters' (another film and female cast talent to task unfairly on Twitter in this Trump hate age...try to see them get away with it now) star Kristen Wiig who like a leopard changes her comedy spots as she becomes the iconic Cheetah. Simply slaying in 80's rock rebellion like a Sex Pistol. With a geeked out origin story as hair perm static as Jamie Foxx's Electro from 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' whose soul is about to be recharged, she's a spark. She's as live as Saturday Night as like...um...Penelope...she has better powers than Diana now...she can throw a guy across the road...so...yeah. Just don't call her Blondie. All these women of wonder and we are even taken back to the wonderful island of Themyscira that could rival Wakanda for its vibranium and a vibrant, outstanding opening that sees a game for the throne that could even dunk over the magic of Harry Potter's Quidditch. As we even get treated to classic cameos from 'Gladiator' mother Connie Nielsen and even 'House Of Cards' (don't let Spacey spoil her incredible, presidential turn), 'Blade Runner 2049' and 'Forrest Gump' Legend Robin Wright for this young princess wanting to become more than a bride. In this extremely extended DC Universe, Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar winning 'Joker' truly has reshuffled the deck but also given this film franchise family a winning hand against the M.C.U. But it was Gadot's 'Wonder Woman' that truly saved them from the snake eyes with her roll of the dice. Affleck's acclaimed Batman has been replaced with the 'Twilight' of the terrific 'Tenet' Bruce Wayne audition actor Robert Pattinson, time may outrun 'The Flash' movie and we have no idea if Henry Cavill is still the 'Man Of Steel', but they will all be back for Snyder this March before the cut. Especially Gadot, as hater free her 'Wonder Woman' is here to stay. From '1984' to forever more. Freedom is no longer slavery. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Wonder Woman', 'Justice League: The Snyder Cut', 'Stranger Things 3'.

REVIEW: THE MIDNIGHT SKY

3.5/5

Midnight Special. 

122 Mins. Starring: George Clooney, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demian Bichir, Ethan Peck, Sophie Rundle, Kyle Chandler and Introducing, Caoilinn Springall. Director: George Clooney. 

'Gravity' defying in Oceans of space. Last year Brad Pitt had the acclaimed 'Ad Astra'. Whilst Matt Damon in decades past has been both 'The Martian' and an inspired 'Interstellar' cameo like all his Marvel ('Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Deadpool 2' like Brad) ones that are way past spoiler alerts now. But when it comes to George Clooney, he has his pop out for some popcorn and you'll miss it portion in Sandra Bullock's descent to earth, the cerebal, cinematic solitude of 'Solaris' and now this. 'The Midnight Sky' on Netflix. The stellar streaming service that has plenty on its space slate. 'The Space Between Us' like 'The Wandering Earth' of 'Another Life'. 'Destination 10' or their 'Lost In Space' reboot and 'Space Force' serieses. 'Away' and cancelled with Hilary Swank after just one season (huh?). And of course who could forget, even though they wish they could, 'The Cloverfield Paradox'? That after the outstanding, original found-footage original and the different but dynamic direction of the haunted house horror sequel turned into some 'Thing' else...and we're talking 'Addams Family' not a Kurt Russell 80's cult amalgamation like 'Big Trouble In Little China'. "Da, da, da, da"...doesn't work. David Oyelowo who plays his part perfectly here was in that space mess hall mess. As a matter of fact all aboard here have previous experience out of this world here for this movie with a grounded and earthbound in beard Clooney. So much so they should send their resumes to NASA (and how about that 'Challenger' docu-series?). There's the 'Star Wars' of 'Rogue One' Felicity Jones (not to mention the 'Star Trek' of Ethan Peck), Oyelow who was a 'Rebel' himself for some animated 'Star Wars' aswell as a briefer time in 'Interstellar' than Damon, Demian Bichir was aboard the 'Alien: Covenant' and even the 'Super 8' film of Kyle Chandler, who also helped Ryan Gosling's 'First Man' in Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. But with these more simple steps, awash in a sea of midnight black that is the night sky above us. Is this final frontier from leading man/director Clooney boldy energizing, simply set to stun, or in need of being beamed up and out of here? In the cold steel of a microwave dinner solitary and isolated outpost in space no one can hear you scream...or yawn. 

Cosmonaut compelling however this character study is worthy of the science...even if you may fall asleep in class. Sure, quarantined and locked up like we are locked down this thing sure takes itself seriously...but what doesn't in this terrible 2020? Although you may wish you had just streamed the isolation of 'Home Alone' or even the sky scaling and scraping 'Die Hard' as the festive movie debate goes on this Christmas eve. Or maybe even the classic Cary Grant like Clooney, Rat Pack like Sinatra singing Christmas songs about needing some loving this December 25th with fellow old Oceans, 'Monument Men' Bill for Sofia Coppola's 'A Very Murray Christmas' (and how about Bill Murray and Coppola's second reunion 'On The Rocks' for one of this years best movies in an industry as title such?). It's a 'Catch-22', 'The Midnight Sky' sure looks the part (it's a shame, despite the Netflix deal it looks so cinematic and set for a theatrical run like 'Wonder Woman' this '1984'), but so does the lonely hotel setting of Sofia's 'Murray Christmas', "for a soundstage in Queens", George remarks as Cyrus sings. There's plenty of silent nights to be had here when all is white snow bright. Wolves are lurking from all corners like bite of the frost-bit cold, or the venom of a virus familiarly linking in like your distanced social network. Here come the 'Tenet' masks. We can all sure relate to this one, no matter how plodding and pondering it is flicking peas. As a bearded and bedraggled Clooney sips Irish tea in the mirrors reflection of a window starring out to nothing. Self medicating himself on whatever is at prescriptionless hand in this scientist's laboratory or junkies playground. Fixing it all with two fingers and a singer as his Jack like company singing about Tennessee whiskey like it was the warm embrace of a woman. There's a moment in the movie were the Canada goose beard of Clooney has to 'Wind River' shotgun someone crash landed in something that looks like 'The Mountain Between Us' and that Universal Studios set from Tom Cruise's 'War Of The Worlds' (who recently had a COVID war of the words) out of their misery. Some audience members (audience...pah of what?! Our living rooms) will want for the same fate. Others will realize this fever dream like movie which might actually help you slow down the longest year that has still had you climbing the walls even with nothing to do at home but stare into space (seems apt), and recognize this as the spiritual sequel to 'Solaris', or maybe even its great, greying grandfather. Someone will recognize the science behind the astronauts akin to the 'Tomorrowland: A World Beyond' actor's (who last made a movie a half decade ago with fellow 'Oceans' icon Julia Roberts in fellow 90's one Jodie Foster's 'Money Monster') 2007 to 2010 period of prominence. When 'The Ides Of March' descendant and actor/director made slow burning classics like the political fix of 'Michael Clayton', the frequent flying solo miles on the lonely soul of 'Up In The Air' and the cold steel silence of an assassin assembling the very weapon that may finally take him out on the sleepy Italian streets of 'The American'. As also cerebral as his brother Brad's 'Ad Astra' in a career year for that 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood' Best Supporting Actor. This belongs with them, in a different time. A time were we were more involved instead of a time were we scrolled. 

Midnight yearning for some clarity, you may find it in these friendly skies however as for the all star, class cast that is on Netflix labor cost/Hollywood sales budget here it's the "introducing" actor that really inspires. Isn't that just the way it always goes? Coming of age before our eyes, Clooney chose Caoilinn Springall because her eyes told stories he couldn't. And you can really see it in this young pupil. So much so she moves us without a word in this world that moves so slow it needn't have a sound. Stealing the show all the way to a food fight that lines up both child like sides of this mature young actress and the ageing Hollywood heartthrob, settled down and married, but still known to saran wrap toilets for pranks like back in the stethoscope salad days of 'ER', County General in Chicago with Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle and 'The Good Wife'. A recent as compelling as the 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction' Letterman episode interview in GQ. Magazine with Mr. Gentleman's Quarterly himself revealed that George Clooney gave 14 of his best friends a million dollars in a Tumi bag (I'd have been happy with just the bag and a a Nespresso maker...what else?), because "why wait" (I think the same thing George)? To which Newsdesk reporter Fadel Allassan hilariously remarked on Twitter, "imagine being George Clooney's 15th best friend" (sorry Matt Damon...but I think you'll be alright). Still, the man whose done more for this world-let alone his closest-breaks off some of Hollywood's elite with the Franklin's too. All for his cause to continue the industries influenced voyage into space. This Christmas Eve playing like the EVE of an atmospheric space-based, massive multilayer you can persistently play for life in a whole new world. There's a fantastic Felicity Jones. Fresh off 'The Theory Of Everything' and 'On The Basis Of Sex' 07-11 Clooney like run. A subtly outstanding Oyelowo. A quiet actor of serious 'Syriana' Jeffrey Wright restrained passion who played Martin Luther King Jr. in 'Selma' so glory worthy perfectly, you forgot it was him. Tiffany Boone of 'The Chi' and Al Pacino's Nazi 'Hunters' in the Amazon, breaking out to her own moment and groundbreaking space walk scene that rivals the pull and taut tension of 'Gravity'. The underrated and incredible 'A Better Life' and 'The Hateful 8' actor Demain Bichir with beautiful heart like the "ba, ba, ba, baaa" of 'Sweet Caroline'. And the steady hand of the versatile and always reliable, 'Friday Night Lights', 'Manchester By The Sea' and the one straight and narrow character in Scorsese's debauched, 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' actor, Kyle Chandler. Being moved to the projector core virtual involvement of time gone by family moments have never been this lump in the throat inducing since Tom Cruise medicated himself with this sort of longing in replay for Spielberg's 'Minority Report'. Let's not forget the emotional catalyst of 'Peaky Blinders' sister Sophie Rundle either, who gets to the heart of a young Clooney. But forget CG! Who else but the grandson of Gregory Peck, Ethan Peck to find his mark and man and play a young Clooney's Augustine so aesthetic and note perfect? And you thought this Spock was good. Speaking of Vulcans, was that Tuvok from 'Voyager'? How's this for a 'Dicovery' that will live long and prosper? It's not been done this good since Josh Brolin played a young Tommy Lee Jones in 'Men In Black III'. Tune in to this Quaid like 'Frequency' of Clooney playing Ed Harris (like that actors 'Gravity' Easter Egg vocal cameo) to this 'Midnight' skies Tom Hanks 'Apollo 13' and you'll feel the emotional tone right off the dust jacket of Lily Brooks-Dalton's 'Good Morning, Midnight' book it was based on. Even if you want to say goodnight by the last look of the moon. Some stars burn away and fade just as fast (welcome to the extensive library that is Netflix everyone! 'The Trial Of The Chicago 6' anyone?), but that doesn't mean they don't shine bright. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Solaris', 'Ad Astra', 'Gravity'. 

BOOK REVIEW: MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY - GREENLIGHTS

 

4/5

All Write, All Write, All Write. 

NOTE TO SELF! Give me the 'Greenlights' like Legend and 3000. Matthew Mcconaughey runs like 'Forrest Gump' or Tom Cruise until he can't run no more. Screaming with lactic acid, euphoric joy in the middle of nowhere. Howling like a wolf. Pointing at the full moon in thanks like when his Jake Brigance 'A Time To Kill' character (the Atticus Ross to John Grisham's Harper Lee 'To Kill A Mockingbird' like courtroom drama) found his lost dog after the Klan burnt down his house. He just got the part in his first big budget movie after future 'True Detective' partner in fighting crime Woody Harrelson's 'Natural Born Killer' was too close to the bone for Grisham...but this is not where our story begins. Dazed and confused? Alright, alright, alright! Let's take it from the top. In fair Austin, Texas is where we lay our scene. Let the man tell it himself. As this amazing autobiography can only be audiobook read and heard in his signature syrupy Southern drawl. It's the only way for your memoirs memory. Besides you can get work done whilst you listen. Your hands are free. Not to do what his 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' character tells you to do a couple times a day, one before lunch. But to work on your dreams, 'Greenlight' goals and life ambitions. The kind that come (no pun intended) to McConaughey in the form of a wet dream (yep, you read it right. You ain't going blind). Or you could just work out as this man in a few quips gives you more exercise tips than influencers Instagram's. You can even read...or well listen whilst "taking a deuce", or I don't know...playing a banjo. It also seems like fans taking the piss at the guy who recently starred in Ritchie's British gangster flick, 'The Gentlemen' are coming up with their own audiobook versions in impression (guilty), which has lead for a game for a laugh McConaughey launching an Instagram story competition for the best, "alright, alright, alright". It's all for a good cause as the man who looks to run for public office just keeps living y'all. And with this hilarious, heartfelt, stream of compelling consciousness memoir that could even bother the noise in Steven Tyler's autobiography (one rocking story from a one-of-a-kind icon deserves another) going head-to-head. Especially with movie autobiographies in general being more rare than steak in a vegan restaurant...or hey, even cinematic releases these days. We need stories like this that inspire these days and are like no other. Let this book of Matthew be your spiritual guide. Take it as gospel. 

BUMPER STICKER! Giving us his life script and time entwined with the Hollywood sign, McConaughey has had more than 'Time To Kill' this quarantined year of COVID-19. He's been working on this 'scribe for years. NOTE TO SELF. I watched the platinum rom-com classic, 'How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days' for the first real time just over a week ago (he's not ashamed of his romantic comedy years and neither should you like the 'Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past' this Christmas). We almost made it to 7 minutes before he took his shirt off. This is more than the movies, but he gets down to the bare essentials for some stripped down stories here. Talking about this 'Larger Than Life', 'Lone Star's' 'Glory Dayz'. Making 'Contact' with Jodie Foster for what ignorantly the industry back then called the "girl role". All before all those rom-com's and 'Failure To Launch' that wasn't his flightplan like...well, Jodie Foster. The man who once buzzed his trademark curls after a close shave with baldness (tell me your secret Matt) for 'Reign Of Fire', headbutting Christian Bale in a close shave ended up turning down 14 Mill to turn his career around. All before 'The Lincoln Lawyer' and Carrey carried on Lincoln commercials changed his life like the 'Mud' of 'Killer Joe'. Than there was the skinny on the muscle bound Hollywood hunk playing Ron Woodroof (a man who suffered from AIDS but changed the medical game) in 'Dallas Buyers Club' and the rest is Best Actor at the Oscars history. One that lead to big pictures on an 'Interstellar' level and slept on indies like his most recent 'White Boy Rick'. But the 'Magic Mike', 'Dark Tower' and underrated 'Gold' like 'Serenity' star who chest thumps so much to get in character that DiCaprio told Scorsese to put it in his 'Wall Street' lunch really had us when he's talking about his most iconic role to date in a one shot. All for the small screen and the Woody to his Buzz in 'True Detective'. How he tells it that he saved the premiere for watching with his wife on home every Sunday like the rest really shows who he is. At the end of the day like all us brothers and sisters, he's just one of us. Just keeping on and living. 

PREEEEESCRIPTION TIME! Even with President Barack Obama's 'Promised Land', rock God, Lenny Kravitz letting love rule in memoir to the release of his debut album, or Alicia Keys showing 'More Myself' in her 'Journey', this is the book you want to find under your tree this Christmas sent from a distance. With 'Notes To Self', 'Bumper Stickers' for your Texas haul em's and 'Prescription's' for you from this actual Professor that is just what the doctor ordered, then what more do you want aside from, 'How To Lose A Guy In 11 Days' (you heard it here first)? Now back to California dreams the reason McConaughey used to wake up with sheets that you could throw against a wall has nothing to do with the fact that he's done multiple movies (call it a couple) with Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner and Anne Hathaway. More so they were dreams about faraway places beyond even this stars head in the clouds that simply said, "come here". Again no pun intended. He'll travelogue these for you in a guide as gregarious as he or maybe even Paul Rudd is. But from Africa like Toto to saying, "G'day" to a room in Australia, there's nothing like the Texas sun of where he came from like Leon Bridges down this yellow brick road. Strewth! And Matthew will tell you all about his upbringing, from fighting in bars to pissing contests with your dad that could pole vault clear most Olympic Stadiums if we had them here in Tokyo this 2020 which he offers advice for as we look for a way out the abyss. This whole "approach" book that this man wrote in a 52 day electricity exile like only he could or would isn't just like the good friend you asked for, but the coolest one you wish you had. Especially during these trying times. One that began at age 14, writing about these "people and places" in poem and prayer form, from the scraps of his notebook and diary entries. Navigating through his life like that car commercial that still cuts him checks, expect these pages to turn into receipts, but the real gift here is one that you can't take back. Wisdom not knowledge. Inspiration not influence. The man not the actor. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Not alright, alright, alright. Got it? Alright? TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

REVIEW: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

 

4/5

Bottom's Up.

94 Mins. Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo & Michael Potts. Director: George C. Wolfe. 

"I got my time coming to me." 2018. Panther power. The world got a vibranium suit absorbing jolt of energy it could sure use again right about now. Just when you thought Marvel couldn't do it again with avengance. After turning the tin can of Iron Man into box office soup, liking Hulk when he was Mark Ruffalo angry, having some hammer time with Thor and even turning the old fashioned stars and stripes of Captain America into something that felt as good as warm apple pie, they did one better. By taking us to the fictional motherland of Wakanda for the full feature debut of Chadwick Boseman's iconic, game changing and comic genre redefining 'Black Panther' after his classic cameo in the 'Civil War' of Team Rogers versus Team Stark putting up their dukes. Crossing his arms across his chest in an all inclusive 'Wonder Woman' like salute for heroes that no longer had to be white males for Hollywoodland, the man who played many a black icon in his still too short career (Hall of Fame baseball legend and home run barrier breaking, Jackie Robinson in '42', the Godfather of soul James Brown in 'Get On Up' and the courtroom and poetic justice of Thurgood 'Marshall'), had us all shouting "WAKANDA FOREVER" in salute. 2020. What a truly terrible and tragic year, we needed Chadwick. Following the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter GiGi and their friends and their families to start this downfall of a calendar in January the world stopped and went into a quarantined lockdown at a social distance. People are still losing their livelihoods and lives and they wonder why Tom Cruise went off at his 'Mission: Impossible 7' film crew for breaking COVID-19 rules and regulations. This isn't like Christian Bale dressing down someone on the set of 'Terminator: Salvation' because of the f##### lights. But he could have put it differently. And then if that wasn't bad enough police brutality put a knee in the neck when that same force would question why a still to this day NFL blackballed Colin Kaepernick would take a knee in peaceful protest. What national anthem? What "United" States? Well the one in more than a million men union that women and children saw a movement that told us 'Black Lives Matter'. Now and forever. But what better symbol could shine a spotlight for us than the man who played T'Challa and all those legends of black excellence like himself? We needed him like a New Yorker shouting to an AWOL Springsteen after 9/11 for 'The Rising'. Then one morning months ago we saw that classic charming and compelling smile that always shone bright even in black and white. "Hey, Chadwick's posted something on Instagram" we thought. Then we read the caption...how could it be? He's gone. Like King James said you know it's the worst when, "you lose the Black Mamba and the Black Panther in the same year". Just when we needed his salute like that Mamba Mentality. Making his final scene in Spike Lee's 'Da 5 Bloods' this year that much more powerful and poignant. But just when you thought the man who bravely worked on all those Avenger movies and classic 90's like action thrillers from the Russo's ('21 Bridges') and Netflix ones ('Message From The King'), all whilst battling colon cancer had done enough. Netflix have one more final curtain for his last dance. Thank God for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. Chadwick, or as the cast and crew affectionately refer to you here, Chad. "This be an empty world without you." 

Gramophone ready. "A one. A two. A you know what to do", as the great Colman Domingo of 'Selma' says. After wining Tony's and staging Oscars with his award winning 'Fences' co-star Viola Davis, executive producer and icon of black excellence Denzel Washington stage to screen adapts another amazing August Wilson play with love letter to the blues perfection. Like the studio stage attention to detail with not a clip left on the cutting room floor in single take perfection. Viola not only reuniting with Washington, but Boseman too (after she played the Godfather of souls mother in 'Get On Up'), could also reunite with Oscar as the mother of blues here. She's taught us 'How To Get Away With Murder', but there's no half steppin' or measures getting away when it comes to how the acclaimed Viola Davis acts. More than 'The Help', or even her "what about me" 'Fences' win, the 'Doubt', 'Prisoners' and 'Suicide Squad' actress who gave Steve McQueen's 'Widows' its peak, gives her every role her everything. Blood, snot and tears. And here is no different in a sweaty Chicago recording session 1927, where tensions are as high as the temperature on bending and warping wax as we drop the needle once again. Take six, as she demands the glass bodice of a Coca Cola out a brown paper bag from the corner store whilst her nephew with a stutter tries to hit the right note in time. She's sass, N.F.G. N.S.F.W brass and bravado and we f###### love it! "We'll be ready to go when Madame says we're ready to go. And that's the way it goes round here," she leans in to say, walking away. One fur and hat put on looking back whilst being looked down on at a restaurant will go next to her 'Murder' walkway GIF in her fight like a girl swagger Hall of Fame. Viola Davis is one of the greatest role models for young girls everywhere, black or white. Ma Rainey was one of the greatest blues artists of her time...or all-time. Putting on a De Niro 'Raging Bull' weight to play and then impressively Instagram shedding it with a personal trainer in what seems like weeks, Davis gives her all to a woman who sang and spat fire through silver grilled teeth rappers in the early 2000's would kill or pay Paul Wall for. All the way until she sees Oscar gold we're sure. "I try to take that emptiness and fill it up with SOMETHING" she says in 'Angels In America: Millennium Approaches' and 'Bring In 'Da Noise/Bring In 'Da Funk' Tony Award winning director George C. Wolf's amazing adaptation and executive Denzel Washington's (who in a 10 picture deal from HBO to Netflix and what might be the most important thing this multi-Oscar winner with as many movies as fellow 90's golden era great and 'Philadelphia' co-star Tom Hanks, is bringing all of theatre poet Wilson's work and 10 play cycle to the fore) perfect production of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', named after the song they cut in '27. One that aesthetically feels like a play from its one studio setting like the fences of a backyard and shows this fall that August was just as important and real world in a depression inspirational as the 'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' of 'A Streetcar Named Desire', great American writer Tennessee Williams. Showing the other side of America in all its moral complexity, black and blue bruises and lumps. Unsettling yet unflinching. Showing way before today that black lives matter and what happens in their lives matters even more. As this showcase of black excellence from a James Baldwin like pioneer and game changer shows there's more to the black experience than stereotype and discriminatory themes. Let the opening scene in concert show you where two young men running in a forest surrounded by flames are really running to. 

Black Mamba. Black Panther. Earlier this year, Chadwick Boseman angel wingspan out, posed as Kobe Bryant back on the STAPLES scorers table after winning the 2010 NBA championship against their storied rival the Boston Celtics. It was a tribute to number 24 from 42, photographed by former Houston Rocket champion and current NBA on TNT analyst Kenny 'The Jet' Smith. Who would have known that this man paying tribute to a fallen legend would become one himself mere months later? Sadly and heartbreakingly this man probably did. Suffering, but fighting the good fight against cancer, Chadwick probably knew his time was coming. Painful poignancy yet again. For all the perfect players backing Ma beautifully in this movie. A heart-warming and breaking turn from 'Super 8', 'The Wire' and 'House Of Lies' actor Glynn Turman who with his 'Leftovers' soberingly steals the show here like he did in the film of Ben Affleck's alcoholic basketball coach finding, 'The Way Back' this year. The ever as brilliant as he is underrated 'Selma', 'The Butler', 'If Beale Street Could Talk' (you want to talk about underrated? How did Barry Jenkins' James Baldwin adaptation not sweep the Oscars like 'Moonlight'. Did someone get the wrong envelope?) and forthcoming 'Candyman' star Colman Domingo who needs his name said and in lights. Leading this pack and films narrative with his behind the scenes, but never in the shadows, always in the forefront presence that knows what to do like one, two. And of course the beautiful bassline that underplays and scores it all perfectly in 'Book Of Mormon', 'Wire' and 'True Detective' star Michael Potts. All that and more, but it's Chadwick who gets the people going, getting the band together and making this money like M.J. in his last dance on Netflix. Chadwick always acted like there was no tomorrow. Like this was his last role. And even though this sadly in the end was and it was revealed that he WAS acting like there was no tomorrow, you just know this actor who gave everything to his craft like the shoes he runs across the road for here would of always acting like this regardless of his diagnosis. We just wish we could have seen more of the consistent, never fails, note perfect same from him until the day WE die. Because he should still be here, especially in this horrendous year. But he is...he is. In spirit. As he looks to the heavens and deals even more life and death quotations and statements with lump in the throat and heart, too cruel pathos. "COME ON!" He shouts, looking to the Lord and pointing a switchblade. "COME ON MOTHERF#####!" When his character Levee breaks, so does everything including the waterworks and a new ground for Boseman's brilliance that looks like liquid gold and like Heath Ledger's Joker, something worthy of award and not because he's passed...but because he passed the bar. The fact that he's no longer here just means the Oscar will be a fitting tribute to a man who just in a half decade (but one brimming full of brilliant biopics and superheroes who birthed a nation of inspiration) became one of the greatest actors of all-time. "You don't know what kind of blood I got, what kind of heart I got in me" he screams at his band in unison. Wrestling control of this picture from Viola (with respect) like his character does Rainey. From the epic enthusiasm and excitement of his young shooting stars, foot stepping hubris. To a moving monologue that no words can do justice to, from August's ink to Chadwick's deliverance. A completely stage left turn scene that swipes at you from all directions. And a conclusion that we can't begin to say, or spoil, but will stay with you long after the final curtain, or close of the Netflix laptop lid, quarantined at home. All for something truly powerful from a powerhouse performer in his final bow that will leave as many tears as rose petals. Giving his all to this role, playing his horn for real like his character knows how to write his own music. How can you not trumpet a guy that learnt how to play this instrument, whilst filming all these Marvel movies, WHILST battling colon cancer...in secret? This might just be the G.O.A.T's greatest performance yet. Worthy of more than an award. We may have gone to the bottom this year, but in 'Ma Rainey', Chadwick shooting for the heavens he now rests in takes us to the top. We know what kind of heart this man had...the biggest. Rest peacefully King. For you. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Fences', 'Mudbound', 'Get On Up'. 

TV REVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN - Season 2

4/5

This Is Still The Way.

8 Episodes. Starring: Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Rosario Dawson, Ming-Na Wen, Bill Burr, John Leguizamo, Timothy Olyphant, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito & Baby Yoda. Creator: Jon Favreau. 

The way this still is. Yeah...it's still Baby Yoda. Just sayin'. Whatever you choose to call The Child, it's still Baby Yoda. Nothing can beat that like nothing can beat the hilarious, heartwarming scene of him using the force to steal some space cookies from a schoolboy in class...and wait until he gets hands in the air, high off this foil packet supply. A lot happens this season for a series that throws everything at you in the name of fan service too. But we've already said too much as we try to tread carefully like an AT-AT being lassoed up. "Ba-do". If 'Iron Man' director and Marvel M.C.U. franchise kickstarter Jon Favreau's first season of 'The Mandalorian' saved the 'Star Wars' kingdom from being in a galaxy, far, far away from its fans. What the live action 'Lion King' director chef cooks up in Season 2 is chrome dome, Bescar armour plated like Mando has just come out the shop. Having this show stunting and spinning like rims. They have spoken. From the food truck reunion, John Leguizamo, one eye blink and you'll not recognise him cameo on Chapter IX to a 'Justified' Timothy Olyphant bringing the worms out in this wild west, this really is a western for an out of this world space opera that always had those themes like the darksaber samurai ones. Mando even calls 'The Child', "the kid" as the theme to this show whistles like Clint Eastwood's 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'. It's the quick draw with a man who once faced off a Terminator, shot first saloon to 'Star Trek's' great space voyage. And you can catch the latest 'Discovery' on the Disney streaming service rival Netflix every Friday too. As the two legendary Schwarzenegger and Stallone franchises of the final frontiers and far galaxies of space defy the binge era with their weekly anticipation (just imagine how huge 'Daredevil' Season 2 would have been if you had to wait seven days like Sting for each weeks punishing cliffhanger conclusion), 'Flash Gordon' like releases. Still, it's the one that shoots first that wins. 

This is not the way. One episode of 'The Mandalorian' gave me arachnophobia. This is her way. 'Jurassic World' and 'Black Mirror' star Bryce Dallas Howard returns with one of the best and an epic and beautiful 'Apollo 13' Easter Egg homage to her directing father Ron Howard. It only gets better from there on out. Happy days. That's when Apollo Creed himself, Carl Weathers knocks it out the park so much the clouds may storm with his own directed episode and ship to ship, final round K.O., free falling to the canvas. Even bringing back the epic, muscular boom clap handshake with Arnie from 'Predator' when a grey Greef and silver Mando meet and reunite. The 'Predator' close up now turned GIF bicep bulge of brotherhood was such an iconic and underrated moment for blurring color lines and bringing people together before its time...even if he did end up losing an arm that still shoots like a bounty for it. This is the shake. But do you want to know how cute The Child is? Do you want to know how cute this kid is? He's so cute this writer was almost late for work he was replaying all his bite sized, cookie cutting cute clips and scenes until he was sick the night before. Talk about a milk and cookies for Santa hangover this Christmas. Clips like eating eggs he shouldn't, or shocking us with his handyman (handy-Yoda) work on the ships electrics. And how about Mando using the spit and polish of his bounty hunter hero's cape to bib clean this kids sick? That's how much he loves him. He told you he cares about him, "more than you could ever know" as we shed a tear and try to play off like it was just something in our eye, or a glitch in the hologram. This show is our only hope to this awakening force of a rebooted franchise that turned into the knives out that came with 'Looper' and the best LCD Soundsytem video ('Oh Baby') that looks like an episode of 'Black Mirror', or Philip K. Dick's 'Electric Dreams' starring David Strathairn and Sissy Spacek director Rian Johnson's 'The Last Jedi'. OK that and another 'Solo' feature (how about the 'Lando' stand-alone series being the light saber highlighter of a galaxy worth of new shows adding a plus to Mickey Mouse's magic kingdom. Please tell me it's Donald Glover. Or Billy Dee. Or hey, how about...both). But that's none of my business like Baby Yoda eating cookies nonchalantly whilst Mando wraps up a tie fighter for the new Kermit the Frog sippin' tea meme. And then like 'Dude Where's My Razor Crest', just when you thought they couldn't take it any further out this world, they leave us in space dust like "a long time ago" before the credits and classic concept art roll in closing.

Social spoiled moments we just don't have the heart to. The iconic character Rosario Dawson was born to play like she looks the part and her redefintion. The ultimate cameo in the Robert Rodriguez episode as Grindhouse grandiose and classic as the left turn Stormtroopers can't take, as we are now petitioning to change the "fish" in, "like shooting fish in a barrel" to these iPod plastic pieces of cannon fodder. And if all that wasn't enough like the 'ER' emergency of an 'Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D' then how about Bill Burr? A pulled 'Chappelle Show' may not be returning to Netflix anymore but this classic comedian is back and there's not much to laugh at when this actor actually acts like a thesp. This is the Emmy. "I'm sorry...I just couldn't resist", Django. Now if only we could just see under the hood, because 'Game Of Thrones' star Pedro Pascal deserves his recognition. The electric, eclectic, whip-smart 'Kingsman' sequel anti-hero, who is about to show 'Wonder Woman', HBO Max and cinemas '1984' and Gekko hair and 'Wall Street' suits, sits atop his chrome throne. Like showing just how well he can act and communicate humanity and grace (even as a hired hand) without even an expression under the hood like Casey Affleck under a 'Ghost Story' sheet. Or just how well (or not so well) someone would operate and move under these robotic conditions like an underrated Arnold Schwarzenegger showing us the machine head of 'The Terminator'. Or like Morgan Freeman said in 'The Dark Knight' whilst measuring Christian Bale's body changing Bruce Wayne for a new suit, "you'd like to be able to turn your head". Hey, it makes making your way round the galaxy in a Razor Crest easier...backing out of the docking bay. Still his heart and the heart of the series belongs with The Kid. For all the cast of characters and cameos, from X-Wing pilots (sorry not Oscar Isaac) to a 'Haywire', ultimate fighting, fast and furious Gina Carano bringing out the big guns as Cara Dune who deserves her own ser...wait. All leading to the Solo like showdown with Paul Bettany's visionary dark character that we see with Giancarlo Esposito's lord breaking bad with a real dark, illuminating sword, now he's not sitting on his ass like Thanos for the best part of two seasons. It's all to play for in 'Ant-Man' director Peyton Reed's beautiful and classic conclusion. For all these amazing appearances that click like Josh Brolin, but we still won't spoil and vocal callbacks, it's Baby Yoda who steals our heart. Beating 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' nipper Baby Groot in the cute stakes and defying the CGI laws with the gravity of his animatronics thanks to German composing legend Werner Herzog telling the cast and crew to compose themselves and not be cowards when it comes to prop craftmanship versus computer generated imagery. Baby Yoda is so much about Mando and what this show is about he deserves to be in the title ('The Mandalorian and The Kid' anyone for a real sounding Western?). Or at least his own Disney + kids show. Educational, wisdom and fun that would be. Give him the ball like the joystick as we unscrew the cap on this one, because he really is the most adorable, amazing force. But lets stop gushing, for all the Star Wars shows that are coming out that wouldn't even be let out of the gates without this one. 'The Mandalorian' spin-offs ('Ahsoka' and those 'Rangers Of The New Republic' (wait until you see their way)), the animated 'Bad Batch' for your Clone Wars. Diego Luna reprising his 'Rogue One' role for 'Andor'. The 'High Republic'. Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor taking the high ground and reuniting for 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. Your favourite 'Droid Story' (sorry BB-8). Of course 'Lando' and the 'Visions' of some amazing anime. Not to mention a 'Rogue Squadron' movie from 'Wonder Woman: 1984' director Patty Jenkins and something we can't wait for from 'Thor: Ragnarok' redux and first season finale director Taika Waititi and more. And we've not even got into Disney brother franchise Marvel's 'WandaVision', 'Loki', 'Hawkeye', 'Ironheart', 'Moon Knight', 'She-Hulk', 'Ms. Marvel', 'Secret Invasion', 'Armor Wars', or what could come with 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'. 'What If'. This is the one. This is the way Star Wars fans always wanted it to be. For Jeremy. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Star Trek-Discovery', 'Solo: A Star Wars Story', 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'.