Tag: Fantasy

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Movie Review

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2021) Movie Review

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon – ABC Film Challenge – Catch-Up 2022 – K – Kate Hudson in Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon – Movie Review

Blood Moon

Director: Ana Lily Amirpour

Writer: Ana Lily Amirpour (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Kate Hudson (Almost Famous)
  • Jeon Jong-seo (Burning)
  • Craig Robinson (Hot Tub Time Machine)
  • Ed Skrein (Deadpool)
  • Evan Whitten (Destroyer)

Plot: A girl with unusual powers escapes from a mental asylum and tries to make it on her own in New Orleans.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon starts when Mona Lee (jong-seo) escapes from an asylum. She has an unusual power to control people, this is what she used to escape. As she travels through New Orleans, she continues to use her powers to get around the city.

Mona clashes with Officer Harold (Robinson) that wants to solve the problem without hurting her. While exotic dancer Bonnie (Hudson) uses Mona to help make money. This leads to people all over the city hunting for Mona as she looks to finally escape.

Verdict on Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is a stylish fantasy mystery. It follows a woman with unusual powers travelling around New Orleans learning to adapt to the city. The city offers her plenty of mystery to uncover, and she uses her powers to navigate the area.

This is movie feels like a trademark for director Ana Lily Amirpour, by giving us a strong female character adapt to a new environment. It makes for wonderful viewing with the colourful characters pushing Mona through different mindsets throughout the journey. This keeps you wanting to learn more about the city discovering as Mona does. It might not completely dive into any sinister side to the powers, it keeps us wanting more.

The performances in the film are brilliant too. Jeon Jong-seo shines as the lost woman in the city, Kate Hudson shines as the exotic dander keeps her character feeling shine. Craig Robinson is great to watch as the police officer trying to understand what is happening.

Final Thoughts – Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon is a wonderful fantasy movie that keeps us wondering where things will go next.

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Movie Review

Slumberland (2022) Movie Review

Slumberland – Movie Review

Slumberland

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writer: David Guion, Michael Handelman (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Jason Momoa (Aquaman)
  • Marlow Barkley
  • Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids)
  • Kyle Chandler (Argo)
  • Weruche Opia

Plot: A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.

Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Slumberland starts when Nemo (Barkley) loses her father Peter (Chandler), who gets lost at sea. She moves in with her estranged Uncle Philip (O’Dowd) to start a regular life. That night Nemo gets visited in her dream an outlaw named Flip (Momoa), who uses dreams to search for a treasure.

Nemo forces Flip to take her with him, as she searches for a dream of where her father will be in. Entering into a massive dream world, passing through other people’s dreams, as she deals with her own grief.

Verdict on Slumberland

Characters

Nemo is a young girl that has lived off the map in a lighthouse with her father. She has been taught life lessons until one day he is lost at sea. Nemo is forced to move in with her estranged uncle and start living a more traditional life. Only for her to get a visit in her dreams from a mysterious outlaw. She is guided through the dreams as she looks to learn to deal with the loss in her life.

Flip is a colourful outlaw that visits Nemo in her dreams. He guides her through the dream world while looking to avoid Agent Green tracking him down. Flip has been stuck in the dream world for years now, being an example of not knowing who he really is to escape.

Philip is Nemo’s uncle that has been hiding from the world, he lives alone and hasn’t been involved in her life before the incident. He is trying his best but his social skills are holding him back. Peter is Nemo’s father who has raised her alone at a lighthouse. He goes missing at sea forcing Nemo to deal with the potential of losing her father.

Performances

Marlow Barkley is great in the leading role of the movie, she has a lto to deal with. From the adventurous side to the emotional side to her character. Jason Momoa is filled with charisma for his role, he steals the scenes with his performance. Chris O’Dowd is fun too, even though his performance is held from his usual comedy levels.

Story

The story follows a young girl who loses her father. She moves in with her uncle and struggles to adjust to the new life. This sees her finding solace in her dreams with an eccentric outlaw who guides her through the dream world.

The story throws us into a fantasy world, one where it gets to show the dream world that people can create to escape life. However, it does include a serious side, one that gets to explore the emotional change in life for a young girl. The two sides of the story are held together well, giving us an enjoyable story.

Themes

Slumberland is an adventure fantasy movie. It takes us into a dream world created by Nemo and others around the world. This gets to show how people create a host of different dream sequences. It is filled with wild ideas despite the massive green screen moments.

Where to Watch: Slumberland is available to watch on Netflix now.

Final Thoughts – Slumberland is a massive fantasy dream-filled adventure balancing amazement and emotional punches.

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Movie Review

The School for Good and Evil (2022) Movie Review

The School for Good and Evil – Movie Review

School for Good and Evil

Director: Paul Feig

Writer: David Magee (Screenplay)

Writer: Soman Chainani (Book)

Cast

Plot: Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil.

Runtime: 2 Hours 27 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The School for Good and Evil starts as best friends Sophie (Caruso) and Agatha (Wylie) from opposite sides of town. They dream of a better life. When Sophie’s wish becomes a reality when the pair get taken to an enchanting school. Sophie gets taken to the school of evil under Lady Lesso (Theron), while Agatha ends up in the school of good under Professor Dovey (Washington).

Believing they have been sent to the wrong schools, they look for an escape. This only leads to them learning more about the schools and the endless battle between good and evil.

Verdict on The School for Good and Evil

The School for Good and Evil is a fantasy adventure. The story follows two best friends that find themselves taken to a fantasy school for good and evil. It takes us down the path of seeing them feeling out of place and wanting to get back home before it is too late. 

In a similar vein as many fantasy movies, it looks to create a mindset that everyone only sees the two. There is a focus on the pair trying to break down the barriers and show that people can be both good and evil. Where this movie struggles with the overly typical school politics.

We have an amazing cast including Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington and Michelle Yeoh. Only it is the young stars Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie that are the standout performers in the movie. This movie could easily be a TV show, it feels like there is plenty more to explore in the movie and by the end of it, not enough gets a chance to be unleashed.

Where to Watch:  The School for Good and Evil is available on Netflix.

Final Thoughts – The School for Good and Evil feels more like a TV show environment that crams too much into a movie.

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Movie Review

Kratt (2020) Movie Review

Kratt – Movie Review

Kratt

Director: Rasmus Merivoo

Writer: Rasmus Merivoo (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Mari Lill
  • Nora Merivoo
  • Harri Merivoo
  • Elise Tekko
  • Roland Treima

Plot: Children are left at grandma’s house without their smartphones. Real life seems boring until they find instructions for kratt – a magical creature who will do whatever its master says. All they need now is to buy a soul from the devil.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Kratt starts when Mia (Nora Merivoo) and Kevin (Harri Merivoo) are sent to their grandma’s (Lill) for the summer. With strict rules about no phones or internet, the pair get restless quickly.

When the siblings make new friends in the small town, they learn about the Kratt. The Kratt is a magical creature that does whatever its master asks, and it takes the soul of their Grandma. They put the Kratt to work, completing all their problems in everyday life.

Verdict on Kratt

Kratt is a fantasy horror comedy that sees a group of children accidentally release a dangerous magical creature. It sees the siblings starting to enjoy their summer with the freedom created until they run out of ideas for the magical creature. Elsewhere, there is a battle between locals and a businessman who wants to take their sacred areas.

When it comes to the kid’s side of the film, there is plenty of fun with what they get to possess. It feels like a natural set of events they would use a slave creature for. When it comes to the cult side of things, it takes a different tone, which becomes almost too serious for the rest of the film.

In the performances, we get the wacky characters that come together, where the performances make everything even better.

Final Thoughts –Kratt is a fun wacky fantasy horror comedy.

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Movie Review

Rainbow (2022) Movie Review

Rainbow – Movie Review

Rainbow

Director: Pace Leon

Writer: Javier Gullon, Paco Leon (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Dora Postigo
  • Rossy de Palma
  • Hovik Keuchkerian
  • Carmen Maura
  • Carmen Machi

Plot: Modern-day Dorothy (Wizard of Oz inspiration) faces the challenges of being a teenager nowadays.

Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rainbow starts when Dora (Postigo) wants to know more about her mother, but her father doesn’t want to give her the truth. Dora runs away with her beloved dog Toto. Dora goes in search of her mother, which sends her down a disturbing journey of self-discovery.

This journey sees Dora meet a host of new people along the way. each with their own flaw and each searching for something for themselves.

Verdict on Rainbow

Rainbow is a fantasy drama journey that follows in the footsteps of the Wizard of Oz. It shows a lost teenager going on a journey where she meets three different people who all have their own problems. One isn’t the brightest, another is broken-hearted, while the third is hiding his true self from the world.

By taken versions of the previously created iconic characters in a modern world, works very well. It brings the real problems of the modern world to life, which helps make this journey even more enjoyable to watch. Despite some of it looking bleak, the two sides blend together perfectly for a unique movie.

Dora Postigo in the leading role is wonderful to watch, taking to modern Dorothy to the levels we needed. The supporting cast is great too, helping the story flow so nicely.

Where to Watch: Rainbow is available now on Netflix.

Final Thoughts – Rainbow is a fascinating spin on the Wizard of Oz.

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Movie Review

Anikulapo (2022) Movie Review

Anikulapo – Movie Review

Anikulapo

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Writer: Kunle Afolayan, Shola Dada (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Kunle Remi
  • Sola Sobowale
  • Bimbo Ademoye
  • Hakeem Kae-Kazim
  • Dele Odule

Plot: It tells the story of Saro, a man seeking for greener pasture, but unfolding events and his affair with the king’s wife, he encounters his untimely death and with Akala, a mystical bird believed to give and take life.

Runtime: 2 Hours 22 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Anikulapo starts when a craftsman Saro (Remi) arrives in the Oyo kingdom. He is looking to start his own craft when he gets welcomed in by one of the King’s wives Arolake. As the two get close, Saro finds himself in a difficult position, one which goes against the king.

When the King learns of the betrayal, he orders the execution of Saro. This is until Akala a mystical bird gives him life again. Saro goes on the run with Arolake, hoping they can start a life together.

Verdict on Anikulapo

Anikulapo is a fantasy drama that dives into Nigerian folklore about the mystical Akala bird. The bird can give or take life depending on whether it sees you need another chance in life. It shows what happens to a man that is selected by Akala to get another chance after he was condemned to death.

This takes its time leading up to the mystical side of everything. This is easily the most interesting side of the film, as it offers up the change in Saro. The build-up to the betrayal takes way too long. Once things start getting into the deeper side of what Saro can now do, we see the change in mindsets welcoming the once outed man.

The performances in the film are strong, with Kunle Remi in the leading role shining the most.

Where to Watch: Anikulapo is available on Netflix

Final Thoughts –Anikulapo is a very ambitious movie with a fascinating story.

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Movie Review

Stardust (2007) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 2000s Movies – Y – Stardust. Under Y because of the character Yvaine.

Stardust Poster

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Writer: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn (Screenplay) Neil Gaiman (Novel)

Cast: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Robert De Niro (Hide and Seek), Henry Cavill, Michelle Pfeiffer

Plot: In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

Runtime: 2 Hours 7 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Stardust starts when young man Tristan (Cox) desires leaving the small town known as Wall. Wanting to win the heart of his love Victoria (Miller). He looks to follow in his footsteps on his father, entering the magical land.

When the king (O’Toole) dies, he leaves his children to search for a fallen star. The one that would take his place on the throne. This draws out witches lead by Lamia (Pfeiffer) who wants the stardust for herself and sisters. Tristan finds himself in the middle of a daring adventure, where he finds Yvaine (Danes). The vessel the star created, as he learns who he really is.

Thoughts on Stardust

Stardust is a fantasy adventure movie taking us across a new version of the world. The story brings us plenty of fantasy elements, mixed with the chase for destiny. We see the sides come together for a showdown, bringing the characters from different world together.

It is a world that feels massive, one we could easily have spent more time within. The unique creations behind the abilities and deaths created are going to be remembered. This comes off like one of the more interesting, brave and unique fantasy movies.

Having an all-star cast helps make the movie stand out. Michelle Pfeiffer as the evil which like figure, uses her beauty to make her become a real threat in the movie. Robet De Niro in the supporting role that goes against everything we know from him works well for a few laughs along the way. Even the early role from Charlie Cox shows him to be the rising star.

Overall, this is a wonderfully fun adventure fantasy movie. One that can be put upon the best of all time.

Final Thoughts – Stardust is wonderfully entertaining movie.

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Movie Review

Strawberry Mansion (2021) Movie Review

Strawberry Mansion – Movie Review

Strawberry Mansion

Director: Kentucker Audley, Albert Birney

Writer: Kentucker Audley, Albert Birney (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Penny Fuller
  • Kentucker Audley
  • Grace Glowicki
  • Linas Phillips
  • Reed Birney

Plot: In a future where the government records dreams and taxes them, a dream auditor gets caught up in the dreams of an ageing eccentric.

Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Strawberry Mansion starts as we dive into the world where dreams are taxed, auditor Preble (Audley) is assigned to look into eccentric older woman Bella’s (Fuller) dreams. As Preble sees the massive collection of dreams that Bella has captured over the years, he sees his work is going to take long.

Preble dives into the dreams where he sees the dreams of a younger Bella (Glowicki), as he starts to understand how she operated in her dreams. Once inside Bella’s dreams, he discovers something much more disturbing going on with the dream business.

Verdict on Strawberry Mansion

Characters

Preble is a dream auditor; he travels around to make sure people are paying the tax on their dreams. He gets to travel into the recorded dreams to see which parts need to be taxed. Preble’s latest job is one of the biggest he ever undertook, needing to go through decades of dreams from an elderly woman. What he finds in the dreams takes him on an adventure he never imagined, one where he must test his own reality.

Bella is the lady being audited; she has kept her dreams in an outdated system. She is seen as eccentric but the reason for this is discovered in her dreams, with her younger self. Her dreams are odd and imaginative, as she guides Preble through them.

The supporting characters have their own plans for the dreams. They interfere with Preble’s work or characters met within the dreams.

Performances

Kentucker Audley is brilliant in the leading role, he brings the calm side to his character that gets thrown into the unknown through the dreams. The performance shows the uncertainty he is going through and the changes he goes through along the way.

In the supporting cast, Penny Fuller and Grace Glowicki do a great job as the two versions of Bella. They bring the same charm to the character on the journeys.

Story

The story follows a dream auditor that travels into the dreams of his latest client, only to discover an amazing world of dreams that he finds himself getting caught up within.

This is a fascinating story, first because of the idea that dreams are taxed. Secondly, seeing how dreams are recorded and placed into a world where people can audit them. Finally, the idea is that you can experience other people’s dreams and how they can change your outlook on life.

Seeing the world created in this story shows pure imagination and takes us to a place we could only dream of. This is a story you can see so much more than you thought and one you want to see more from.

Themes

Strawberry Mansion is a fantasy adventure that takes us into the dreams of people. The dreams can go in any direction, opening the door to the endless possibilities which the effects build upon. In the effects, we get creations only dreams could make possible, with the style of shooting the movie only adding to this part of the film.

Bulldog Film Distribution presents Strawberry Mansion in select cinemas and on-demand on 16 September

Final Thoughts – Strawberry Mansion is an amazing journey into the fantasy land of dreams.

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Movie Review

Incredible But True (2022) Frightfest Movie Review

Incredible But True – Frightfest Movie Review

Incredible But True

Director: Quentin Dupieux

Writer: Quentin Dupieux (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Alain and Marie moved to the suburb house of their dreams. But the real estate agent warned them: what is in the basement may well change their lives forever.

Runtime: 1 Hour 14 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Incredible But True starts as Alain (Chabat) and Marie (Drucker) move into a suburban home. The real estate agent warns them about something in the basement. As Marie starts getting obsessed with what is in the basement, Alain starts to worry about his wife’s mental health. Meanwhile, Alain’s boss Gerard (Magimel) is going through his own crisis, which is being solved in a very strange way too.

Verdict on Incredible But True

Incredible But True continues director Quentin Dupieux journey into the weird and wonderful stories, following on from Mandibles, Rubber and Deerskin. This does create an interesting concept about what can be used to change lives.

While this creates an interesting discussion, it doesn’t seem to give enough to chew on, when it comes to the consequences of what is happening. This is because we as the audience can look to discuss what we would do, but not enough comes from one side of the married couple’s discussion.

The performances in the film are strong, with each performer getting a chance to show the quirk behind their character.

Final Thoughts – Incredible But True is a strange and quirky movie.