Film: Wolfs

 

GENRE: Crime Action
RATING: R for violent content and language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 48 minutes
PLATFORM: Apple TV+
STARRING: George Clooney (Ocean’s 11, Michael Clayton, Syriana)
Brad Pitt (Ocean’s 11, Fight Club, Babel); Austin Abrams (Paper Towns)
DIRECTOR: Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home)
WRITER: Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
PLOT: Two rival fixers need to work together to cover up an accident.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: I like seeing these guys work together.

STORY STUFF: This film has a strong start. I like fixers getting information and performing a spotless clean-up (reminding me of Mr. Wolf in Pulp Fiction). Things start to unravel half way through the film where they get the real low-down and end up at a wedding reception. I am not sure what time of night this is supposed to be as there are lots of people around at some points and the streets are pretty empty around the same time. In the end, I was not too invested on how the film would conclude. That’s a problem. It’s too bad given the great beginning.

ACTING STUFF: You can tell that Clooney and Pitt just enjoy working together even if they are sniping at each other throughout. They play up their age nicely as they grunt almost every time they have to bend down or crouch. Not sure how Abrams has the energy he does in a chase scene but does a decent job acting alongside Clooney and Pitt.       

ARTISTIC STUFF: There is a fun slickness to the film that I enjoyed. Watts amps up the humour whenever he can. There’s not much else to say here.  

VERDICT: Three and a half stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You like seeing Clooney and Pitt have fun on film.
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Joker: Folie a Deux

2024 Emmy Awards Recap

 

There were some genuine surprises for the 76^th Emmy Awards, I’ll get to those in a bit. Father and son duo, Eugene and Dan Levy did an admirable job hosting. Their banter was light and they kept the proceedings going. Like last year, the Emmys honored TV history with representatives from family and occupational TV archetypes. They also brought back actors for the anniversaries of Happy Days and West Wing, which was nice.

There’s not much to write about the presenters and speeches. There was a bizarre Johnny Walker Blue sponsored entrance for a couple actors that was mega-awkward. I did enjoy Candice Bergen’s comments about her old days fighting with the VP and comparing that to today. Unfortunately, her glittery dress was lighting up the bottom of her face like a flashlight during campfire horror stories. I also enjoyed the touching tribute given to Greg Berlanti (along with Joshua Jackson shaking his head while entering to the Dawson’s Creek music). Berlanti also gave a good speech as the winner of the Governor’s General Award. Okay, maybe there was a bit to write about the presenters and speeches.

The biggest shock of the night was Hacks beating The Bear for Best Comedy Series. I love The Bear but Hacks is the funnier show and was super deserving. Them beating The Bear for writing as well was surprising since The Bear episode was “Fishes” with their intense family dinner. I was so happy when some of my favourites defied odds and won against the predicted winners. Ripley and Slow Horses winning made me shout for joy. The other long shot that made me grin from ear to ear was Lamorne Morris winning for Fargo, he’s come along way from New Girl.

The couple awards that annoyed me a bit was Daily Show winning despite the fact that Jon Stewart is only on one night a week. I also thought that Liza Colon-Zayas was more deserving of her Emmy for The Bear’s next season and not season two – were the voters confused which season they were voting for?

Anyway, here were the winners:

THE WINNERS:

Drama Series: Shogun (Predicted)

Comedy Series: Hacks

Limited Series: Baby Reindeer (Predicted)

Talk Series: The Daily Show (Predicted)

Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Predicted)

Lead Actor [Drama]: Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun) (Predicted)

Lead Actress [Drama]: Anna Sawai (Shogun) (Predicted)

Lead Actor [Comedy]: Jeremy Allen Shite (The Bear) (Predicted)

Lead Actress [Comedy]: Jean Smart (Hacks) (Wanted)

Lead Actor [Limited]: Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer) (Predicted)

Lead Actress [Limited]: Jodie Foster (True Detective) (Predicted)

Supp. Actor [Drama]: Billy Crudup (The Morning Show) (Predicted)

Supp. Actress [Drama]: Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown) (Predicted)

Supp. Actor [Comedy]: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) (Predicted & Wanted)

Supp. Actress [Comedy]: Liza Colon-Zayas (The Bear)

Supp. Actor [Limited]: Lamorne Morris (Fargo) (Wanted)

Supp. Actress [Limited]: Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) (Predicted)

Directing [Drama]: Shogun – Crimson Sky (Predicted)

Directing [Comedy]: The Bear – Fishes (Predicted & Wanted)

Directing [Limited]: Ripley (Wanted)  

Writing [Drama]: Slow Horses – Negotiating with Tigers (Wanted)

Writing [Comedy]: Hacks – Bulletproof

Writing [Limited]: Baby Reindeer (Predicted)  

2024 Emmy Award Predictions

 

The Emmys are this Sunday. It’s weird because the last Emmy Awards were in January thanks to the strike. This also means a lot of changes in the nominations. The Crown is the only returning drama. I’m not expecting much surprises: The Bear for comedy (despite its clearly dramatic content), Shogun for drama and Baby Reindeer for limited series. I hope they spread the love. I’m praying for some Slow Horses and Ripley love. Anyway, here are my predictions:

Outstanding Drama Series
3 Body Problem | Fallout | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Shogun | Slow Horses | The Crown | The Gilded Age | The Morning Show
WILL WIN: Shogun (The production value is really quite high)
WANT TO WIN: Slow Horses (I have become a huge fan of this show)

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Hacks | Only Murders in the Building | Palm Royale | Reservation Dogs | The Bear | What We Do in the Shadows
WILL WIN: The Bear (Season 2 was awesome)
WANT TO WIN: The Bear (Though it would be fun if Curb won)

Outstanding Limited Series
Baby Reindeer | Fargo | Lessons in Chemistry | Ripley | True Detective
WILL WIN: Baby Reindeer (Haven’t seen it but has some Emmy love)
WANT TO WIN: Ripley (Beautifully shot and acted and full of suspense)

Outstanding Talk Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live | Late Night with Seth Meyers | The Daily Show | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
WILL WIN: The Daily Show (Though Jon Stewart's only on one night a week)
WANT TO WIN: Late Night with Seth Meyers (He is the best interviewer)

Outstanding Scripted Variety Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | SNL
WILL WIN: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (No surprise here)
WANT TO WIN: SNL (49 years and still a fan)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Hijack: Idris Elba | Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Donald Glover | Fallout: Walton Goggins | Slow Horses: Gary Oldman | Shogun: Hiroyuki Sanada | The Crown: Dominic West
WILL WIN: Hiroyuki Sanada (Appreciate the diversity but love Oldman)
WANT TO WIN: Gary Oldman (His character is gross, smart and fun to watch)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The Morning Show: Jennifer Aniston | The Gilded Age: Carrie Coon | Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Maya Erskine | Shogun: Anna Sawai | The Crown: Imelda Staunton | The Morning Show: Reese Witherspoon
WILL WIN: Anna Sawai (From what I saw, she was pretty good)
WANT TO WIN: Imelda Staunton (I enjoyed her Queen Elizabeth)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
What We Do in the Shadows: Matt Berry | Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David | Only Murders in the Building: Steve Martin | Only Murders in the Building: Martin Short | The Bear: Jeremy Allen White | Reservation Dogs: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
WILL WIN: Jeremy Allen White (No doubt about this one again)
WANT TO WIN: Steve Martin (for his quick singing)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary: Quinta Brunson | The Bear: Ayo Edebiri | Only Murders in the Building: Selena Gomez | Loot: Maya Rudolph | Hacks: Jean Smart | Palm Royale: Kristen Wiig
WILL WIN: Ayo Edebiri (Can’t say she’s funny though)
WANT TO WIN: Jean Smart (She had a bunch of funny stuff this season)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Fellow Travelers: Matt Bomer | Baby Reindeer: Richard Gadd | Fargo: Jon Hamm | Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Tom Hallander | Ripley: Andrew Scott
WILL WIN: Richard Gadd (I’ll be sad if Andrew Scott loses this one)
WANT TO WIN: Andrew Scott (He is quietly riveting in this limited series)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
True Detective: Jodie Foster | Lessons in Chemistry: Brie Larson | Fargo: Juno Temple | Griselda: Sofia Vegara | Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Naomi Watts
WILL WIN: Jodie Foster (She had lots to do in this season)
WANT TO WIN: Juno Temple (She was so fiery and rocked Fargo this season)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Shogun: Tadanobu Asano | The Morning Show: Billy Crudup | The Morning Show: Mark Duplass | The Morning Show: Jon Hamm | Shogun: Takehiro Hira | Slow Horses: Jack Lowden | Slow Horses: Jonathan Pryce
WILL WIN: Billy Crudup (He just plays slimy so well)
WANT TO WIN: Jack Lowden (I like the effort he gives his character)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The Gilded Age: Christine Baranski | The Morning Show: Nicole Beharie | The Crown: Elizabeth Debicki | The Morning Show: Greta Lee | The Crown: Lesley Manville | The Morning Show: Karen Pittman | The Morning Show: Holland Taylor
WILL WIN: Elizabeth Debicki (Everyone still loved Princess Di)
WANT TO WIN: Christine Baranski (She’s just fun to listen to)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
The Bear: Lionel Boyce | Hacks: Paul W. Downs | The Bear: Ebon Moss-Bachrach | Only Murders in the Building: Paul Rudd | Abbott Elementary: Tyler James Williams | SNL: Bowen Yang
WILL WIN: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (His “Forks” episode should be enough)
WANT TO WIN: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Though I like Bowen Yang as well)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Palm Royale: Carol Burnett | The Bear: Liza Colon-Zayas | Hacks: Hannah Einbinder | Abbott Elementary: Janelle James | Abbott Elementary: Sheryl Lee Ralph | Only Murders in the Building: Meryl Streep
WILL WIN: Hannah Einbinder (She plays really well with Jean Smart)
WANT TO WIN: Hannah Einbinder (See above)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Fellow Travelers: Jonathan Bailey | The Sympathizer: Robert Downey Jr. | Baby Reindeer: Tom Goodman-Hill | True Detective: John Hawkes | Fargo: Lamorne Morris | Lessons in Chemistry: Lewis Pullman | Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Treat Williams
WILL WIN: Robert Downey Jr. (For star power)
WANT TO WIN: Lamorne Morris (I loved his honest cop)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Ripley: Dakota Fanning | Under the Bridge: Lily Gladstone | Baby Reindeer: Jessica Gunning | Lessons in Chemistry: Aja Naomi King | Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Diana Lane | Baby Reindeer: Nava Mau | True Detective: Kali Reis
WILL WIN: Jessica Gunning (She is pretty disturbing to watch)
WANT TO WIN: Kali Reis (She was pretty good in True Detective)

Directing for a Drama Series
Mr. & Mrs. Smith • First Date | Shogun • Crimson Sky | Slow Horses • Strange Games | The Crown • Sleep, Dearie Sleep | The Morning Show • The Overview Effect | Winning Time • Beat L.A.
WILL WIN: Shogun-Crimson Sky (There is a lot of love for this show)
WANT TO WIN: Slow Horses-Strange Games (Though the next episode is more exciting)

Directing for a Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary • Party | Hacks • Bulletproof | The Bear • Fishes | The Bear • Honeydew | The Gentlemen • Refined Aggression | The Ms. Pat Show  • I’m the Pappy
WILL WIN: The Bear-Fishes (These one seems like another hands down win)
WANT TO WIN: The Bear-Fishes (This intense episode never lets up)

Directing for a Limited Series, Anthology or Movie
Baby Reindeer • Episode 4 | Fargo • The Tragedy of the Commons | Feud: Capote vs The Swans • Pilot | Lessons in Chemistry • Poirot | Ripley | True Detective: Night Country
WILL WIN: Baby Reindeer- Episode 4 (It well shot but very disturbing)
WANT TO WIN: Ripley (This series is just so well made)

Writing for a Drama Series
Fallout • The End | Mr. & Mrs. Smith • First Date | Shogun • Anjin | Shogun • Crimson Sky | Slow Horses • Negotiating with Tigers | The Crown • The Ritz
WILL WIN: Shogun-Crimson Sky (They are highly favoured)
WANT TO WIN: Slow Horses-Negotiating with Tigers (Great dialogue)

Writing for a Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary • Career Day | Girls5eva • Orlando | The Bear • Fishes | Hacks • Bulletproof | The Other Two • Brooke Hosts a Night of Undeniable Good | What We Do in the Shadows • Pride Parade
WILL WIN: The Bear-Fishes (Another easy win)
WANT TO WIN: The Bear-Fishes (Lots of fun overlapping dialogue)

Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special
Baby Reindeer | Black Mirror • Joan is Awful | Fargo • The Tragedy of the Commons | Fellow Travelers • You’re Wonderful | Ripley | True Detective • Part 6
WILL WIN: Baby Reindeer (It’s the Beef of this year)
WANT TO WIN: Ripley (Love myself an artistic suspense)

Let’s see how I do. I’ll post after the Emmys with the results and commentary. 

Film: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

 

GENRE: Dark Comedy
RATING: PG-13 for violent content and language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 45 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatres
STARRING: Michael Keaton (Batman, Birdman, Spotlight, Beetlejuice)
Winona Ryder (Little Women); Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream VI)
DIRECTOR: Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Beetlejuice)
WRITERS: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Shanghai Noon, Smallville)
PLOT: The Deetz family returns for a funeral but end up needing Beetlejuice after a family member makes an uninformed choice.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: Usually apprehensive of legacy sequels.

STORY STUFF: That was a mixed bag. There are some very fun parts of this film but way too many plot threads. The stuff with Beetlejuice is awesome and the Deetz family stuff is okay, although Justin Theroux is to hammy. Willem Dafoe’s actor cop is completely unnecessary as is Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s ex-wife who is trying to track him down. There are some nice callbacks to the first one along with a rousing musical number near the end. I do miss the Harry Belafonte tunes though. There is a snippet of an eighties ballad lip-synch that made me laugh out loud in the theatre. I also was thankful that the film was short and sweet being under two hours – how refreshing.    

ACTING STUFF: Keaton commands the screen once again as Beetlejuice – he brings the energy, the sounds, the voice and grossness. Ortega is along to pull in the younger viewers but does a great job as Lydia’s daughter. Catherine O’Hara falls back into her role seamlessly but Ryder is a little clunky at times but that could be because she’s with Theroux who I found annoying. The shrunken head people are fun but the stand out is Bob.       

ARTISTIC STUFF: Because Jeffrey Jones is behind bars, they kill off his character early and tell the story of his death using Claymation. Then they have the top half of his body missing for the rest of the film – pretty clever. While I didn’t see the need for Monica Bellucci’s role, I did enjoy the special effects of stapling her back together as she gets introduced. I was surprised the exposed brain of Dafoe’s character was not more grotesque; it just looked really fake, like they didn’t care. There are some odd song choices in the film that are very un-Burton like. Also, I get the gimmick of the Soul Train but are there this many disco nuts dying or do they just keep filling the platform and train on repeat? I guess I’m not supposed to think about that though.

VERDICT: Three stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You liked the original and are up for a legacy sequel
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Wolfs, Joker: Folie a Deux