The Wild Robot

My headcanon is Roz became the robot in Castle In The Sky. Somehow.

I kinda forgot about this film ain't gonna lie. I saw the poster, absolutely zero trailers, and only until about 2 days ago added it to the calendar. I didn't even know it was based on a book until end credits. So basically walking in blind as a bat, how was it? Pretty good actually! The premise does grab your attention from the start, this helper robot who without any memory of what transpired before finds itself on an isolated island with no humans as it tries to follow it's programming. That is a really cool premise! But then a thought occured to me, will the animal inhabitants talk? Depending on the person you are that could be a good or bad thing, but the answer is yes. I feel that would have been way too experimental to have a robot speak but nothing else does and this is a family film from Dreamworks after all so what can you do. So we follow the odyssey of this robot as she learns the language, adapts, and quickly finds a purpose in raising a baby goose. Honestly when the goose grows up it starts hitting more clichéd writing, and indeed some would even argue that the movie gets a little too kid friendly and leans hard in the sentimental department. I had no severe issue and did still find myself emotionally invested but it certainly was something to take note of. I feel I could counter that claim however with how much death is in the movie, there is a clear difference between a Kid's Movie and a Family Film, family films have casualties in them! But anyway, onto performances. I'm a bit of a mark for Lupita Nyong'o, and I'll be damned I have a big heart for robots but she dang near takes the cake putting a lot of cheer and humor into Roz nailing the emotional punch throughout the entire picture. I was all in on her and never have I seen a machine go through so much physical abuse, so I got a bit defensive of her. Pedro Pascal of all people plays a gluttonous fox named Fink who pretty much takes the patriarchal image of this oddball family unit, I honestly couldn't tell it was him and I'm just thrilled they didn't pull no liar revealed trope with his character. Kit Connor as the runt of the litter goose Brightbill is a character we have seen time and time again, the acting was just fine no strikes against him, I do just wish we had a better story for him to play in. But whatever shortcomings the story has the animation almost makes up for it entirely, infusing 3D animation with water color backgrounds and rich color, this is a cool looking movie. It has moments even of just pure art! Dreamworks you may have landed face first with The Bad Guys but you did strong work here! Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Is it worth seeing? I would say yeah. It's been a good while since I saw a new animated movie so I'm happy. I give it 3 stars, 8/10, and you know what next month is but probably not what we're starting with.

In Retrospect: Everything Everywhere All At Once

I'm such an emotional mess.



Did this film just get better than it already was on repeat viewing?? Yep. We're 2 for 2 now with me being fucking speechless after witnessing all this again. I genuinely cannot find words to encapsulate my love and immense appreciation for a film like this. Oh sure I can try, but it all kinda falls flat for me. It's just such a dissection of life or more importantly the emotions and relationships formed through life, altruism versus nihilism, generational gaps, happiness, and the clear acceptance that life and the universe is finite. We just kinda needed a film with such a positive message in this day and age. Some people I'm sure say, Dude you're too optimistic. You're too forgiving. You're not critical enough. You find something positive in almost every film you review. What's the alternative I ask? There is an abundance of negativity and more often than not about things that quite frankly don't matter much. There are much more serious things to get pissed off at than a movie or a show I assure you. But this film brings such a mix of feelings and thoughts that boil to the surface to where it's just jumbled emotions and words, as humams truly are. I mean obviously the writing is stellar but the punch to it, the impact it leaves behind on you after the fact, comes from Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan. Can we just fucking stop and appreciate the shit out of Stephanie Hsu in this picture? Yeah sure, Michelle Yeoh is the bomb no question or doubt but Stephanie is the root of why this movie is as great as it is in my eyes. The emotion, the ideological stance, the tribulations she feels are what set the plot into motion yes, but there's much more to it than that. I've flat out seen individuals who hail from different cultural backgrounds praise the movie for touching on generation gaps and how the relationship between parents and their kids needs to change, have changed, should continue to be changed for the better. It strikes a chord in my heart seeing this story play out to where it's getting to the point where tears are being held back just so I can see what I'm typing. Ke Huy Quan is the heart, the optimism, the love that eventually saves the day, and I know people almost seem to be disgusted or at least apathetic towards positivity and happiness these days, something to be admonished or considered used for ulterior motives so it must be dismissed. But I know for a fact compassion is not weakness. The fact that it takes a stand in such a realm when faced with a quite literal embodiment of nihilistic and zero shits given about life, the universe, and everything, showing how optimism is not only necessary but encouraged to face life and all it's difficulties even when things are at their worst. My personal stance on that is, if human beings were never meant to be happy in the first place we wouldn't be able to compose the chemicals in our brain to feel so. It's just an uplifting story with a pro-life choice (not of the political sphere value but just to enjoy and revel in life while you have the time to do so). I can't nitpick it. I can't hate it. Is it the best movie I've ever seen in my life? Well, I certainly have more favorite films....but at the same time I'm not saying no am I? Beautiful, that's how I'd describe it. Totally fucking gorgeous. A must own movie in my estimation, in all my counter culture, open minded, optimistic point of view. 5/4 stars, 20/10, gold sticky stars abound.

Everything Everywhere All At Once

I think I just saw the best movie of the year.

I was heavily upset when I couldn't see this movie last week, it took some time to fully release, so the wait was well worth it. I really don't want to say anything, watch the trailer and go see the movie. Now that's not too much of a review but the trailer sets the plot up, with Evelyn a normal everyday mom thrown head first into the deep end of the concept of multiverses and alternate realities as a cross dimensional threat enters her universe and she amongst billions is the one to beat it. It was f***ing brilliant, it was f***ing wild, absolute class, this is what film was made for, the end. Michelle Yeoh who is still phenomenal as ever plays the part perfectly cause we know as little as she does so it's a perfect window into the story, and God bless that woman is still stunning, I loved her so. Ke Huy Quan is easily the heart of the cast, being a very optimistic and sweet emotional crux of the story that some people might say it's too sugary sweet but I wouldn't have it any other way. Stephanie Hsu...just wow. First thing I've seen her in and what an impression, I know she was going to have some solid standing in terms of plot but it got cranked to 11 and the whole dynamic/dilemma of the relationship between mother and daughter is explored creatively. I love how they explain the branching paths and different universes, where someone can tap into another life and gain their abilities and memories but because worlds are colliding and the barriers are fracturing, actions carry over into the other world. So if you bump into a wall or trip, the other you would do the same thing regardless of surroundings. It's appropriately mind bending but it's a good kind of what the hell is going on, where you want to see more, you want to learn about it, it almost surpasses all boundaries and genre of cinema. The conflict is handled beautifully and I know some people will roll their eyes and compare the movie to an episode of the Care Bears but some problems you just can't fix with a fist. The movie takes a incredibly nihilistic and caution free stance, and yet fully embraces an optimistic and positive frame of mind about life. And I think the reason why I liked that so much is because that is my view on things, everyone's gonna die, we're just one planet among trillions, nobody really knows anything, but who says you can't enjoy life? It's a tremendous film that does a lot but never loses track of itself or it's message. I loved it beyond words, and I hope others do too despite the fact it is a lot to take in. 1,600 years ago everyone knew the Earth was the center of the universe, 600 years ago everyone knew the Earth was flat, and 2 hours and 19 minutes ago I thought I was someone else. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow. 4 stars, 10/10.