Hi friends! The last few weeks have been a bit of a dry period when it comes to new releases at the cinema but that should change quickly as summer movie season is soon to be upon us (hopefully this year is better than last year’s disappointing run of blockbusters.) I just have one to quickly report on and 2 classic films I had the joy of seeing in the theater last week.
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL-
First up I had the great pleasure to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail in cinemas in honor of its 50th anniversary. They had an intro from all of the Python guys and shared some fun behind the scene details (evidently the shoot was muddy and cold but they were good sports about it. ) I can’t think of a movie that is more quoted and part of the cultural zeitgeist that more holds up to its reputation than Holy Grail. Usually that kind of repetition wears out a comedy but not the case here. It was funny then and it’s still funny today.
My favorite gags are the brave Black Knight and the Knights that Say Ni! It was so much fun to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail with a crowd. Highly recommend if you get the chance.
Smile Worthy (obviously)
JULIET & ROMEO-
If anyone should be designed to love Juliet & Romeo it should be me. I love romances, especially musicals and don’t mind a new take on a classic story. Unfortunately this bloated and mediocre production makes for one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had a movie theater in some time.
I think there might have been a salvageable work here as a Disney Channel Original Movie or even Hallmark at around 80 minutes with the bland pop ballads and young leads but this new take on Shakespeare stretches out to a punishing 122 minutes and almost nothing works. The leads are bland, the songs are forgettable and the modern dialogue is cringeworthy (why change the dialogue when you have Shakespeare right there and then keep it in Elizabethan times?) To make matters worse they change the iconic ending and even advertise for a sequel at the end. Give me a break!
If only all involved had a little bit of fun with the material. For example, I enjoyed Journey to Bethlehem because it had a little bit of camp factor and didn’t take itself so deadly seriously despite being a Biblical story. This is just plodding and a real bore.
Frown Worthy
WOLF CHILDREN-
This year on Mother’s Day I had the chance to see the anime film Wolf Children by animator Mamoru Hosoda. This is not only the perfect film to see on Mother’s Day but one of the most beautiful animated films of the last 20 years. I love the authentic and raw portrayal of motherhood it shows with such humanity and heart.
In the film, Hosoda tells the story of Hana a young woman who falls in love with a man who is a wolf-man. She then has 2 children who are wolf children as the title suggests. The movie then chronicles the highs and lows of Hana’s journey trying to raise these unique children. In this struggle she is fearless but not in a cliche way. In many ways she is shy and sweet but willing to do anything for her children.
While watching Wolf Children I realized there aren’t very many good movies about motherhood. Every once in a while we will get a Nightbitch or Tully but considering how universal of an experience it is we don’t see it portrayed often. In this sense Hosoda’s film is even more special and unique. I love everything about it from the beautiful animation, to the unforgettable sound design and music to the moving story. It’s just fantastic. If you can see Wolf Children in theaters I highly recommend it.
Smile Worthy