TV REVIEW: MARVEL ZOMBIES - Season 1

4/5

World War Z.C.U.

4 Episodes. Starring: Iman Vellani, Dominique Thorne, Hailee Steinfeld, Kerry Condon, Kenna Ramsey, Todd Williams, Kari Wahlgren, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Randall Park, Feodor Chin, Wyatt Russell, Rama Vallury, Elizabeth Olsen, Hudson Thames, Paul Rudd, Greg Furman, Adam Hugill, Daniel Swain, Sheila Atim, Tessa Thompson, F. Murray Abraham & Zenobia Shroff. Created By: Bryan Andrews & Zeb Wells. On: Disney +.

Halloween has come early, like the horror special of 'Werewolf By Night' for Marvel Television, with Marvel Animation's 'Marvel Zombies'. Continuing their episodic 'What If...' comic book adaptation of the undead graphic novel legend, fresh-off the 'Eyes Of Wakanda' in August, after the likes of 'Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man' and the 'X-Men '97' redux, flipped the script pages for Phase Six of the M.C.U. And we sure hope this four-part miniseries from Bryan Andrews and Zeb Wells sees a second season, like a 'Born Again' Daredevil in a classic calendar for Kevin Feige, featuring the big-three of 'Captain America: Brave New World', 'Thunderbolts*' and the 'Fantastic Four: First Steps. All as a horde of a vocal cast (Iman Vellani, Dominique Thorne, Hailee Steinfeld, Kerry Condon, Kenna Ramsey, Todd Williams, Kari Wahlgren, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Randall Park, Feodor Chin, Wyatt Russell, Rama Vallury, Elizabeth Olsen, Hudson Thames, Paul Rudd, Greg Furman, Adam Hugill, Daniel Swain, Sheila Atim, Tessa Thompson, F. Murray Abraham and Zenobia Shroff) makes for a zombie land universe in the M.C.U. with more bite.

No longer champing at the bit, after the madness of many multiverses, although Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda is back on it again with Maximoff effort, the comics are getting cohesive again, as if Jeffrey Wright was watching. This horror superhero zombie apocalypse allows for more things from the cells that the CGI of the green screen would simply end up making look like M.O.D.O.K. in this 'Quantumnaia', as hilarious, albeit underrated, as that was. Case in point, when the walking dead run free in San Francisco, grander than the Golden Gate Bridge, thanks to an explosion of Pym particles. You're going to need more than ten rings for that in the comic crossover we've been waiting for in California. That's right, your favourite karaoke duo of Simu Liu and Awkwafina reunite and from a 'Mad Max' meets 'Fast and Furious' band of road warrior rebels that also features favourite Randall Park and Feodor Chin. Hitching a familiar raft, they meet Baron Zemo and his American Agent, Wyatt Russell. But before all that, we have a few more Thunderbolts with an asterisk to assemble now Iron Man has a plush teddy bear for a head and Captain America is a Skrull minus the 'R'.

The big-three of Captain Marvel's Iman Vellani (fresh off 'The Marvels'), Dominique Thorne (booted up after her 'Iron Heart' hot girl Summer) and Hailee Steinfeld (continuing the undead theme after starring with two Killmongers in this year's 'Sinners') form a superfriends group worthy of The New Avengers. But it's when they meet Florence Pugh and David Harbour's new family team that things get really interesting. Especially when we finally get to see Blade, aside from Wesley Snipes' cameo last calendar. No, star of the development hell and undead delayed movie, Mahershala Ali does not voice the cool character, but it's his likeness, and the hand-to-hand combat will have you cracking your knuckles for more. His Blade Knight mix with the moon of F. Murray Abraham's Khonshu is a nice mix and twist, too. This epic ensemble dystopia also features Tessa Thompson, Paul Rudd and Kerry Condon's F.R.I.D.A.Y. Even 'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' Hudson Thames crosses over in the absence of Tom Holland, currently having a 'Brand New Day'. They have an Infinity Hulk, nods to Marvel movies with a "what if" twist, and even a fitting tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman. Marvel lore and legend forever. It remains undead across the multiverses. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'What If...?', 'Eyes Of Wakanda', 'Werewolf By Night'.

TV REVIEW: KAIJU NO. 8 - Season 2

4/5

Kaiju

12 Episodes. Starring: Masaya Fukunishi, Asami Seto, Wataru Kato, Fairouz Ai, Kengo Kawanishi & Yuuki Shin. Screenplay: Ichirō Ōkouchi. Directors: Shigeyuki Miya & Tomomi Kamiya. On: Netflix, Disney +, Crunchyroll & more.

Godzilla, and the Goliath's monster signature theme, have become as much a part of Japanese legend, as anime itself. And the massively popular manga 'Kaiju No. 8', adapted into an anime, continues that attack on Tokyo trend and this Japanese artistic metaphor for the atomic bomb and nuclear fallout. The second season closing in on a formidable finale, like the 'Exit 8' like walls of Japanese band Sakanaction's hugely successful 'Kaiju' music video. Just wait until you see a kaiju try to crash a wedding like Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, in the powerhouse ultimate episode of this dozen epic episode, doubling-up series. And with so many upgrades to give even Marvel movie's nanotech bugs, you'll be forgiven for thinking like a security camera tapping Jeff Goldblum in 'Jurassic Park'. Now, eventually you do plan to have Kaiju No. 8 on your, on your, 'Kaiju No. 8' show, right? Hello! *Rubs and breathes on glass*.

Perhaps it's all being set for a terrific third season to stream on Netflix, Disney Plus and Cruncyroll amongst others, like 'SpyxFamily' favourites or the 'Cats Eyes' who are seeing the French feeling anime road again after the nostalgia of the 80s. The Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya show, off a script from Ichirō Ōkouchi brings back all the soldiers like Masaya Fukunishi, Asami Seto, Wataru Kato, Fairouz Ai, Kengo Kawanishi and Yuuki Shin to the fore of this force. Battling the likes of the great 'Attack On Titan' as they slay demons like 'Chainsaw Men' with tech straight from the 2025 SAC years of a Major 'Ghost In The Shell'. All to the tune of the digital AURORA's 'You Can't Run From Yourself' and the closing colourful pallet of OneRepublic's 'Beautiful Colors'. Set to do for the 'Apologize' singers in Japan what 'Kaiju' did for hometown heroes, Sakanaction. All before, the hilarious and kawaii Hoshi Night Nippon Radio show gives you some cute character levity from the destruction left in all the kaijus wake.

This monster mash, making its jump from Shueisha's Shōnen app, is something parasitic that just won't quit. Taking 'Ultraman' influence off of all the tokusatu media that came before, it sets its own path down the streets of this concrete jungle and battle of the beasts, flanked by Tokyo Tower and SkyTree. This science fantasy adapted from Naoya Matsumoto's light novels mixes amazing action with felt heart and earned emotion. A Production I.G. favourite, like 'Godzilla Minus One' himself, a video game is set to upload next (October 1st) for the 18 million selling, Eisner Award nominated manga. But in this second season, we even had a bonus episode to tease us with 'Hoshina's Day Off', the serious soldier, who seems to have developed a lighter side, and a tail, this season. Elsewhere, we get ants ruining this picnic, Kikoru's tragic family backstory, kaijus racking up in number, and a new weapon to wield. Not to mention a Defense Force that holds firm. This eight wonder of a show has so much more in store under its neon skeleton as it transforms. Are you ready to really hear it roar? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Attack On Titan', 'Chainsaw Man', 'Demon Slayer'. 

REVIEW: I SAW THE TV GLOW

3.5/5

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

100 Mins. Starring: Justice Smith, Jack Haven, Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Conner O'Malley, Emma Portner, Ian Foreman, Fred Durst & Danielle Deadwyler. Screenplay: Jane Schoenbrun. Director: Jane Schoenbrun. In: Theatres.

Thank you for reading. Emma Stone and her husband Dave McCary were on to something when they turned to each other and said, 'I Saw The TV Glow'. The double Oscar, Bafta and Golden Globe winner and comedian husband serve as executive producers to this Jane Schoenbrun written and directed movie starring Justice Smith and Jack Haven. Far from an idiot box, you'll be stuck to this epic emitting from the boob tube, not to mention the YA TV show ('The Pink Opaque') that the two leads in this surreal and unnerving psychological horror drama are addicted to, every week at 10.00pm. So much so, when you are passed stickers of the series, ready for your lockers, laptops and guitar cases, before going to see this film, you'll think it's the real deal. Penning the logo to your neck like a tattoo. At least nuanced in nostalgia. All as another gem from A24 finally finds its way on the big-screen here in Japan, a calendar after you were crossing off the dates with a red marker.

Static shocks from the concave eye of the couch's best friend, there's no need to adjust your sets under the aerial. This is as weird and wonderful as it gets. Although, it's twinged with an unbearable sadness that subtly comes at you and then floors when you when finally realize what this mediation on lost idols, youth and life is really all about, and in turn, because of that, just how outstanding this offbeat movie really is. This Fruit Tree company and Hypnic Jerk, Smudge Film concerns warped realities and fluid identities all on a path to self discovery, we still might be riding on our kid bikes as the streets of the suburbs tell us "there is still time" in pink pastels, like the graffiti that scrawls across the screen. Schoenbrun (the forthcoming 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' in post-production) gives us their second entry to their Screen Trilogy, preceded by the film 'We're All Going To The World's Fair' and before the upcoming novel, 'Public Access Afterworld'. This opaque cult hit, like 'The Pink', already garnered five nominations, including Best Feature, at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards, as well as critical acclaim. It clearly connects, like the reflection of the original black mirror.

Justice ('Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom', 'Detective Pikachu') is just brilliant as an isolated teen finding inspiration and solace on the screen and a new friend that glows from it. The 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' player ups his every emotion to the ante of this epic. Owning his Owen character and honouring every strive and setback that harnesses or haunts him. His vocal and physical delivery aches with angst and the longing for and to feel like you're more. Our teenage salad days of dressing like that are not so stranger as we think, and after just turning 30, Smith can still play a youth in his own personal revolt with compelling confliction and conviction. It's Jack Haven's Maddie, mind you, who's the real enigma in this amazing allegory of gender identity and transitioning through the transmissions on television. The 'Atypical' star has found a new haven for their star shine, feeling like an icon for this generation who will assign their own individuality and identity to the world as they see fit. Just like the vital voice of Jane, the director, who made this movie three months after undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

Alex G provides pure grungy music of nostalgia in this love letter to our youth, ourselves, the TV shows that made us feel more like that, and God love it, the great Springsteen state of New Jersey (see the new 'Marvel Zombies' animation for more). There's also a cool cameo from amazing artist Phoebe Bridgers, playing in the Boygenius star's old high-school band, Sloppy Jane. Not to mention a cool cover of the Smashing Pumpkin's 'Tonight, Tonight' by Snail Mail. The real guest feature, however, might be the almost recognizable, blink at the TV, and you'll miss him, antagonist acting by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst. Among Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Conner O'Malley, Emma Portner (as Mr. Melancholy, and others in this rogue gallery) and Ian Foreman, he makes his mark. Yet it's rising star Danielle Deadwyler ('The Harder They Fall', 'Till', 'The Piano Lesson'), in this supporting cast, whose moving mothering will really stay with you as you vomit static. This psychic plane of pocket universes and nervous breakdowns strikes a chord to any feeling you once had of wanting to break free. And that's what makes you and me not that different, no matter our identity, searching for solidarity. See your own glow. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Donnie Darko', 'All Of Us Strangers', 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'.

REVIEW: LAST BREATH

4/5

My Next Breath

93 Mins. Starring: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Bobby Rainsbury, Mark Bonnar & Cliff Curtis. Screenplay: Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson & David Brooks. Director: Alex Parkinson. In: Theatres.

Survival thrillers come thick and fast in Hollywood. 'Cast Away', 'The Martian', 'The Revenant'. Even the 'Alien' franchise, back down on 'Earth'. But it's when the stories are true that they strike a deeper chord. 'Apollo 13', 'The Finest Hours', 'Alive'. 'All Is Lost' starring the late, great icon Robert Redford (rest peacefully). They will always breathe life into movie scripts pitched. Right before corona, in 2019', the 'Last Breath' documentary made waves telling the true story of three deep sea divers, and their boat and crew, facing a recovery mission of impossible peril. Chris Lemons, Duncan Allock and David Yuasa, a team of saturation divers, were maintaining undersea gas lines in the North Sea when disaster struck. Transported 300 feet below sea level in a pressurized diving bell, Lemons and Yuasa worked on an undersea gas line manifold. Heavy seas caused their vessel above sea level to veer off course, dragging the diving bell, with Allock inside, with it. As Lemons and Yuasa scrambled to get back, Yuasa told Lemons (who he couldn't reach) to switch to his back-up oxygen supply because his umbilical line was about to snap, and he'd be lost under the sea. And then it did.

Pitch black depths then engulfed Lemons, who previously described to his fiancée that his job was like being in space, but underwater, as he had to find his way back to the top of the manifold, or else Yuasa would not be able to find him again. And if you thought that was bad, he only has ten minutes of emergency oxygen left to breathe. Making 'Last Breath' not just a movie, based on a documentary, but a true story no one wishes they were told by the fickle fingers of fate. After quarantine, director Alex Parkinson ('Lucy The Human Chimp') amazingly adapted his own documentary into a feature film, working on a script with Mitchell LaFortune and David Brooks. This is what makes this tense and taut thriller of survival as real and as raw as it gets. An epic, emotional journey that won't leave a dry eye in the pressurized contained house as everything spills over with heart and soul. Maintaining gas lines may sound like mundane work, but it's one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and it's also what provides you with heating and hot water in the freezing winters. So, all sorts of respect is due. Not only for their survival, but for maintaining our own one.

Besides, you only have to watch the underwater, slow burning thrilling scene of this year's 'Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning', to see this sort of movie premise can just be as blockbuster exciting as chases via planes, trains or automobiles for your cinematic candy. But even the great Cruise couldn't stunt like this. This is what makes 'Last Breath', not just one of the most underrated movies of the year, but also one of the fittest when it comes to survival ones. Closing credit footage of the men will make you want to watch the 2019 documentary of the same name, but in this breath, the big-three of Chris Lemons, Duncan Allock and David Yuasa are honoured and played perfectly by Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu and Finn Cole. Cheers to Harrelson, as the 'True Detective' and 'Champions' veteran star is at his hallmark best, with fun and fond feelings. Whilst superhero Simu, of 'Shang-Chi' and 'Barbie' blockbuster fame, offers more nuance, no nonsense depth to his acting with focussed feeling. But it's 'Peaky Blinders' brother Finn Cole ('F9'), and his relationship with Bobby Rainsbury, who you'd literally go to the ends of the earth for. Even amongst a commanding Cliff Curtis and a moving and brilliant Mark Bonnar. Don't let this dive into a forgotten film. These three men deserve their story to be told in a movie, and now it has been...twice. It breathes on. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Guardian', 'Deepwater Horizon', 'Last Breath (2019 Documentary)'.

TV REVIEW: ALIEN - EARTH Season 1

4/5

Battlefield Earth

8 Episodes. Starring: Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille, Moe Bar-El, Adrian Edmondson & Timothy Olyphant. Created By: Noah Hawley. On: Hulu & Disney +.

The real threat to earth as we know it may just be what had you cancelling your Hulu and Disney Plus accounts last week, but 'Alien: Earth' is worth sticking around, like a face-hugger, for a little bit longer. Created by 'Fargo' and 'Legion's' Noah Hawley, this science fiction horror legend is the first TV series in the 'Alien' franchise and you best believe, it won't be the last. No matter if it's strange to see the brutal and brilliant brainchild of legend Ridley Scott on the small screen, like it is to see the iconic Xenomorph rocking around earth and literally crashing pretentious parties. The eight part wonder of the FX show has just concluded and is a calendar fresh-off of the 'Alien: Romulus' hit that brought the franchise back down to earth, before this literal one, after years of 'Prometheus' like pondering and 'District 9's' Neil Blomkamp rumours and then disappointment. And besides, if anime worked for its 'Predator' versus partner with 'Killer Of Killers' earlier this year, before the 'Prey' following 'Badlands' to come, you just know anything the dreadlocks can do, this ugly mother can do better.

Back to basics, like 'Romulus', this earthbound Alien makes the franchise that much more legendary, like Sigourney Weaver about to star in 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' for 'Star Wars'. You feel like you're back in the good old days of acid blood reign and the milk of androids. Even if after all this time and plot points, this franchise should really be called 'Aliens and Androids' like some sort of 90s alternative rock act. Yet how scene-stealer Babou Ceesay and the great Timothy Olyphant (fresh off of his 'Terminator: Zero' anime voicing) apply themselves even one-ups last year's big picture. The lead, mind you, is Kyle's daughter Sydney Chandler, with no nepotism to her name. Delivering the second best "run".  Leading an ensemble cast that also features Alex Lawther, Essie Davis and Samuel Blenkin playing a prized prick of a rich genius, morally bankrupt and ready to sink his own ship with all the power that corrupts in these absolute times. Erana James, Lily Newmark, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille and Moe Bar-El also make their mark, as cast and literal crew, but it's Adarsh Gourav's tortured manipulation that really stays with you. Even next to greats like Adrian Edmondson in a CEO like commanding role.

The soundtrack is great, and as throwback as it comes. The credits often close with alternative rock that takes you back, like the Smashing Pumpkins, coincidentally one week before I saw them play live in Tokyo. It's all still relevant, like the 'Strange Brew' of the opening theme from creator Hawley and Jeff Russo that is truly jarring and a great way of showing you what previously happened on the show without a need for the skip recap tab. Keeping everything open, the meat and potatoes of this old school human buffet line is the best thing to consume before the animated 'Marvel Zombies' take over. The scary and stylish signature slow burner has a perfect premise as the opening type gives us three destinies for the immortality of mankind, which we might need, right now, no red or blue pill about it in this matrix. The first is cybernetically enhanced humans. The second, artificially intelligent beings. And the third, synthetic beings with downloaded human consciousness. Or cyborgs, synths and hybrids for short. We told you, that was a lot of androids dreaming...and there's wild sheep chases too in this electric epic. But you know what the planet's biggest threat is though, and this monster trumps them all. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Alien: Romulus', 'Prometheus', 'Predator: Killer Of Killers'.

REVIEW: THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME

4/5

Absolutely Wes Anderson 

101 Mins. Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, F. Murray Abraham, Willem Dafoe & Bill Murray. Screenplay: Wes Anderson. Director: Wes Anderson. In: Theatres. 

Scheming socials seem to say Wes Anderson is done. Or at least his special signature style, which is an actual art-form in itself, is getting old hat. Yet, we must tip our cap. They've been saying this since 'The French Dispatch Of The Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun', but that was just after COVID, people can be forgiven for being cranky. The same people who turned his cinematic celluloid canvas into an Instagram internet sensation, 'Accidentally Wes Anderson', with their own personal photos that turned into a worldwide unofficial museum exhibition for your art galleries. I mean, did they not see what he did with Roald Dahl's work for Netflix recently? 'The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar', 'The Swan', 'The Ratcatcher', the powerful 'Poison'. All stunning shorts. Even the out of this world 'Asteroid City' saved me after a bad breakup. Taking sweet solace in the simple statement that turned into a closing cut from the pulp of Jarvis Cocker. "You can't wake up if you don't fall asleep!"

Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, F. Murray Abraham, Willem Dafoe and Bill Murray. I mean really we shouldn't spoil the amount of stars in any Anderson picture, the benefit of living in Japan with movie posters being written in kanji, but they are revealed in the outstanding and classic opening credits, tiled to a bathtub that it's leading man leans out of in instant iconography. And may we say what a joy it is to have the great Benicio del Toro starring in both a Wes Anderson movie (like he did 'The French Dispatch') and a Paul Thomas Anderson one (as Leonardo DiCaprio's sensei in 'One Battle After Another') in the same summer. Those two directors neck and neck (if only Wes shot Haim videos), as Anderson stacks Criterion closet like classics like he does big names. 'The Royal Tenenbaums', 'The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou', 'The Darjeeling Limited', 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', 'Moonrise Kingdom', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. At this point, we're practically listing them all. OK, 'Bottle Rocket, 'Rushmore' and 'Isle Of Dogs'.

Whether Anderson lifers (Murray, Dafoe, Cranston), or new frequent fliers (Hanks, Johansson, Wright and Ayoade), 'The Phoenician Scheme' soars with its brand of offbeat humour and amazing aesthetic. Cue crashes and caught arrowheads, as the rumours of del Toro's lead's demise have been greatly exaggerated...multiple times. Bandaged up like Owen Wilson over tea, Benicio is brilliant in one of the roles of the 'Che', 'Inherent Vice' and 'Sicario' star's life. We're with him to the end of the line like someone in a Marvel movie. Oh...he's collected roles there too, alongside 'Star Wars' for a Disney plus...but we should probably avoid that territory if we're feeling lucky. Never mind, we'll head for the cornfields, where Benicio's schemer is handing out grenades like pineapples because that's kind of him. Magnificent. MAGNIFICENT! This espionage black comedy, coined and conjured up by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, like the last couple, concerns a 1950s arms dealer and industrialist who cheats everyone like he fiddles death (not literally, that's one way to get into heaven), albeit with some trips to the amazing afterlife in black and white in-between. A man who is part Gatsby, part Frank Abagnale Jr. Did Benicio take notes off of Leo?

Swindling and looking to split the pieces of the pie of his Phoenician scheme, Toro takes his tin tube across the globe for a glorious and gorgeous movie shot in Germany. Riz Ahmed oozes royalty and grandma style in a bawdy and brilliant game of basketball with Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston. Now, you know I just loved this. Best celebrity pick-up game since along came Ben Stiller and the late, great Phillip Seymour Hoffman to the "ICEMAN" court party. 'Munich' and 'Quantum Of Solace' star Mathieu Amalric is just fabulous in a fez. And the revolutionary Richard Ayoade has finally found the director to take his amazing talents to the next level. Finding a home, just like Jeffrey Wright, whose been here since narrating the final act of 'French Dispatch' like the Watcher that he is. Whereas a gonzo, chameleonic Cumberbatch has never looked this strange. Yet for all the Wes reunions, like Johansson and Friend after this summer's 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' and amazing appearances from Hope Davis, Stephen Park and F. Murray Abraham. It's the big-three that really bring it home. Benicio, Michael Cera at his 'Youth In Revolt' best in years, and the scene-stealing Mia Threapleton becoming a serious star. Because in the end, like 'One Battle After Another', this is all about a father's love, like the dedication to Anderson's in-law, Lebanese engineer Fouad Malouf. That's the real plot afoot. No game or scheme about it. A rich delight. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Asteroid City', 'The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar', 'One Battle After Another'.

REVIEW: LILO & STITCH

3.5/5

Stitched Up.

108 Mins. Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee, Amy Hill, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis & Maia Kealoha. Screenplay: Chris Kekaniokalani Bright & Mike Van Waes. Director: Dean Fleischer Camp. On: Disney +.

Stitches get stitches? Not quite. But the lovable alien Stitch is so lovingly rendered in CG, down to the hairs of his baby blue fur, you'll be forgiven for thinking that this 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' like mix of animation in live-action is real. It looks like this crazy creature, giving comfort, is actually here, hugging Lilo as she tenderly kisses his nose in a touching moment. The amazing animation 'Lilo & Stitch' was an instant classic back in 2022, even hot off the Andy heels of the Pixar, digital age of Disney. Walt's wonders proved they could still hit your heart from the cells. And this love letter to Hawaii and Elvis Presley (not to mention his movies there) was as successful as 'The Princess and the Frog' (itself a love letter to the Mardi Gras of New Orleans). Now, this remake shows the live action time of Disney are no dog days, spitting up the hairball of all the hate they received for 'Snow White' and the rest of the Disney princesses. No wonder a sequel is on deck. Charmed, you'll be sure. 

Stitch incoming. Even the out of this world beginnings of Stitch, before he crashes down on the island where he meets Lilo, do not feel alien to us as Disney pulls it off perfectly. Especially when it employs the comic styling of Disney frequent flyer Billy Magnussen (absolutely hilarious) and the great Zach Galifianakis (between some playful fern references) as its henchmen, with another trick up their long coat sleeves. However, the real star of the show, aside from incredible voice actor Chris Sanders' (the original movie's writer and director) Stitch, is the inspired introduction of Maia Kealoha. Cute as a button and a star of the future alongside the sisterly mothering keeping of a sensational Sydney Elizebeth Agudong (a sensational singer and young actor). In support, 'Ted Lasso's' Hannah Waddingham gives us a commanding voice and the great Courtney B. Vance shows up in the perfect suit. Even original voices Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee and Amy Hill are here in different, but dynamic roles in this live-action reversal.

Now this Dean Fleischer Camp ('Marcel The Shell With Shoes On') movie (with a script from Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes) finds a streaming and surfing home, pitching a tent on Disney Plus. And before you Kimmel cancel your subscription, you should too for this big-budget, blockbuster hit, in-between binging new episodes of 'Alien: Earth' and the latest season of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez's 'Only Murders In The Building'. If not just to see Stitch crash a wedding with Bruno Mars (he's not actually here, don't get excited...he's almost out of debt) like Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. You'll laugh, you'll cry like there's sand in your eye, and you may even hula dance in this tribute to Hawaii like the great Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' for Gabby. This science-fiction comedy classic is the real successor to the 2002 movie that spawned more sequels and spin-off shows than 'The Lion King' or 'Aladdin' (which family guy could forget "Jaffa Needs Glasses"?). This Memorial Day, billion dollar, second-highest-grossing film of 2025 and highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid in history, hit doesn't forget or leave behind the traditional animation either. Why? Ohana. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Lilo & Stitch (2002)', 'Moana', 'Aloha'.

TV REVIEW: WEDNESDAY - Season 2

3.5/5

Stranger Thing

8 Episodes. Starring: Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Isaac Ordonez, Evie Templeton, Billie Piper, Steve Buscemi, Victor Dorobantu, Luis Guzmán & Catherine Zeta Jones. Created By: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar. On: Netflix.

There's something about 'Wednesday' that just clicks. Da, da, da, da, ba-dum-tss! As this supernatural, murder mystery comedy has Halloween coming early, the Netflix show is one of the streaming service's most popular...ever. Taking centre stage alongside the South Korean phenomenon 'Squid Game' and the paranormal power of 'Stranger Things', coming this fall, at this year's first, comic-con like, 'TUDUM' showcase. In Netflix's big-three, the aforementioned others have just, or are about to see their final, swan song seasons. Yet, 'Wednesday' is still going strong like hump day in the middle of the week. The second season, split into a streaming service signature and traditional two separate-parts, was teased at 'Tudum' with the sixth sense of its first six minutes and a monster musical performance from second series addition, Lady Gaga, following in the footsteps of her movies with Bradley Cooper and a hungover Joker. Yet, the real born star is Jenna Ortega, staying in straight face character the whole time, as the 'Scream' franchise face has become even more iconic than her meme and TikTok ready dance in season one.

Frown all you like, but Jenna Ortega has made 'Wednesday' and the titular character, Wednesday Addams, her own. Woe is her. So much so, even the great Christina Ricci had to show up and pay her respects. And she's not the only old friend that Easter Egg shows up to add value to these, mostly, Tim Burton directed episodes, but we simply won't spoil the broth. This may be Wednesday's show, but the whole family created by Charles Addams is home, even if we want to be left with more lurching than if we actually sat down to eat with this family dynamic. Doing brilliant 'Ballerina' owner Anjelica Huston and the late, great Raul Julia proud, modern day legend Catherine Zeta Jones and the great Luis Guzmán honour Morticia and Gomez with kisses up the arm. And the stripey Isaac Ordonez finally gets his moment to eat as Pugsley. But that Thing you do, Victor Dorobantu is nothing short of iconic. Clicking like the scampering of a new N I.D. Reminding me of when I pitched to an ex, who had a little Ortega in her look, that if she put her hair in pigtails for a Shibuya Halloween, I'd wear an all black bodysuit, covering everything except my right hand. Wait...is that why she left?

Moving on, there's a 'Wicked' dorm-room dynamic with Jenna and a scene-stealing Emma Myers, who will leave you howling, especially when things get freakier than a Friday reunion between Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Even if Evie Templeton, showing up out of the blue more than Moaning Myrtle, is slime green with show stopping envy. Joy Sunday is also exactly her first name on 'Wednesday' with her siren song. Georgie Farmer may turn you to stone too (don't tell him his mum was my biggest childhood fear) in a cast of classmates, we need to be careful of taking roll for, to avoid spoilers. The same goes for some of the guest stars...although most have been woken up on the undead social media. 'Doctor Who's' Billie Piper is here. As is the great Steve Buscemi saying, "how do you do, fellow kids" as the new principal after the incredible presence of Gwendoline Christie. But it's when creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar keep it in the family that things get real interesting. Fond, Fred Armisen is an amazing Fester. And the legendary Joanna Lumley who is absolutely fabulous. As for Gaga, before you're tapping on the screen like Jeff Goldblum in 'Jurassic Park' she shows up for a spell. And we'd love to see more, like the charm of a third season. Then, the dead will really dance. Woe! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Addams Family (1991)', 'Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children', 'Wicked'.