Tag: Naomi Ackie

MICKEY 17 (2025)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment


Written & Directed By: Bong Joon Ho

Based on the novel “MICKEY 7” By: Edward Ashton

Cinematography: Darius Khondji

Editor: Jimmo Yang 

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Anamaria Vartolomei, Holliday Grainger, Patsy Ferran, Thomas Turgoose, Steve Park 

Adapted from the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, this stars Robert Pattinson as an “expendable” – a disposable crew member on a space mission, selected for dangerous tasks because his body can be reprinted if he dies, with his memories largely intact. With one regeneration, though, things go very wrong.

At heart I try to be a film enthusiast but sometimes I have to not only say but share what’s On my mind. So if you choose to go on that path with me this time. I will share my feelings and observations when it comes to this cinematic release. 

What gave me serenity watching the film might’ve been went with friends, who enjoyed it first time at a new theater that is more for film fans and also one of the few films unfortunately that I have seen in theaters in the last few months.

I want to, of course promote and encourage many to seek out auteurs. As many times as they can and any chance they get to make new works it feels like a Time to rejoice.  Though some time to time get so full Of themselves or come across pretentious it’s hard for them to stick to the landing. Other times they crash or it makes it safe which is good but seems to lack a memorable experience we are used to from them. Which seems to be the case when it comes to this latest film. 

The problem Is not with the film it’s with me I seem to ah e this old man disease of feeling like most movies are too long or bloated these days where it’s over two Hours at times feels too much to time. 

Though With the current price of movies for your money you should get a show. Which even the younger me wanted. As I used to refuse to watch movies under 90 minutes in theaters feeling i wasn’t getting my money’s worth, with movie theater attendance down now. It’s like when you find a bar you like. Not too popular you can be there and not get bothered but what good is that if it doesn’t do business and has to close. Which is the current state of movie theaters and films.

As I prefer my entertainment on the movie screen. Especially if done by a skilled and talented artist. For the more popcorn entitled blockbuster even if it has the right amount of ridiculous to stay entertaining, but lazy brain dead movies. I can wait for on streaming but then you are not seeing the picture for how it was made. On smaller and smaller screens of course ItMs going to be mroe disappointing but then again indinMt think there is a right screen for a film such as RED ONE. At least for me present company excluded 

This film gets that, a science fiction epic that has a wild imagination and visuals that for some reason. Feel mroe cinematic the. Epic but still feel ls Independent even with a billion in price tag of $118 million it still manages to feel a bit small Scale.

Now with that price tag it feels impossible

For it to turn a major profit especially as ItMs not a franchise film. Nor an awards bait film. So that it is going to have to survive on reputation and conversations. As it will always be seen financially as a failure maybe not a big one, but not something that inspired It’s Studio to trust another mroe auteur lead dream project 

As nothing seems to work. At the box office currently continuations of ip are failing and originals are making some Profit but not enough that was initially spent on the project in the first place.

Which is why I am hoping this brings back the days of the mid-budget project. Rather then studios keep having big dick contests and wanting to be seen as dependable high rollers.

Sometimes it’s Just nice to gamble but not go crazy with the money. It’s ok to be a somewhat responsible gambler. 

The film even has all the ingredients of a blockbuster film. You could easily make a toy tie in of all the different Mickey’s and try to encourage owning the whole set of them. Each different in whichever way they died. You could easily make a plush toy out of the alien creatures. Who are both scary and cute. Maybe a limited edition toy versions. Which could also help make some money back.

While one doesn’t mind the satire and the depictions against capitalism even if mroe broad here’s where as if they weren’t they would be too on the nose and made to be taken out. As that is not what the film is supposed to be about 

Though For a simple story it feels very bloated 

As usual Robert Pattinson does an excellent job in the roles. Not to mention his acting choices re inspired. I really wish more audience members would give him a chance to live past his TWILIGHT films and only see him as that restricted an actor. Though that might be the inspiration of why he tries so hard with each new role. You truly believe him in playing two separate characters for the most part throughout the second half of the film. Making them each distinct. 

This seems more obvious a comedy with science fiction elements. So not as hard hitting as Director Bong Joon Ho’s previous films PARASITE or even SNOWPIERCER It’s as dark as those films can be but luckily not as bad or disappointing as OKJA but just as silly and cute at times.  

What some might find as a problem with the film is that It’s just ok. Not great, not bad but jsit fine. Which should be good but now we treat good films as a high water mark as that has been the somewhat increasingly Disappointing quality in some films. Though when a master filmmaker or auteur comes out with something just ok. while It’s Average and better than most. It still feels like a disappointment as you expect mroe from them. It’s like a gifted student not doing their best but good enough to get by. Which hurts especially when noted director of photography Darius Khondji is on the job.

So while some might truly think this is exceptional. it might be more in name only. For director Bong Joon Ho, Rather then earned totally and feel like his is the best we have currently. Rather than holding them to a higher standard or a usual standard for them. 

The Studio cut, tested higher, it was shorter and got ten points higher in test screenings. Though this is the directors cut as he had that in his contract. So the studio had no choice. This version is indulgent and seems wanting to stay and live in this world little longer.

Though released by a big studio this feels like the artistic version of a time Waster perfectly fine to watch and be entertained by. Though not much sticks with you after. Though at least it has imagination and ideas. That might not add up to to too much but at least you see them

Being creatively being used 

A long winded way of saying the film is very wish washy. As it never seems to have . Any edges everything feels More Well Rounded and like it bumps along. So nothing takes a stand or really hits you. 

As even the so called dangerous villains a played by mark Ruffalo and toni Colette in this film come Off more as Cartoons who seem descended from the evil characters in HUDSON HAWK or BRAZIL

Worst of all while every director has their common themes. Here doesn’t really try challenging himself. As he is staying in His comfort zone only truly noticed by those who have followed his work over the years. This is jsit his latest update 

Where as one wants to be like everyone else at the magic show and watch in wonder and amazement, but I have to be one of the people saying I have seen you do these tricks before. You are jsit using a different presentation which is nice but at this point I am starting to see the strings a bit too much. 

Grade: B- 

EDUCATION (2020)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Story By & Directed by: Steve McQueen 
Written by: Alastair Siddons 
Cinematography: Shabier Kirschner
Editor: Chris Dickens & Steve McQueen 

Cast: Naomi Ackie, Kenyah Sandy, Jade Anouka, Nigel Boyle, Daniel Francis, Sharlene Wyte 

Education is the coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley, who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster’s office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he’s being sent to a school for those with “special needs.” Distracted by working two jobs, his parents are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women takes matters into their own hands.

This is part of Director Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series of films. A kind of miniseries of five films that showcase stories of the struggles of the Caribbean and black citizens in the United Kingdom. Shining a light on them and usually who they have been abused and mistreated by the system 

This film seems to be more about a subject than a character. Though it is played out through characters, a central family mainly and the women activists. Who strive to help them and other families left in the same predicament.

The film focuses on a young boy in a working-class family. Who is disruptive and has a hard time reading. In his school his acting out is met harshly where he is routinely insulted and more put out by teachers who have no time for him and find him more of a distraction for other students. He is quickly removed from the school and sent to a new school for special children 

Throughout we find out that this new school is barely a school that offers an education. As the kids are left to their own devices most of the time and when there are teachers around they seem more like they don’t want to be bothered or do whatever they want to do like play songs and consider that teaching.

These schools are obviously more like holding dens for children the proper schools want to deal with and don’t want to help or give proper attention to.

The crux of the film is educating the parents of children sent to Jesse schools as to what is happening and Kingsley’s mother really paying attention to it all and doing something about it as she searches for answers and resolutions to the growing problem. Which seems to target minority children and immigrant children.

As the teachers seem to not want to nurture these kids and are setting them up for no future. These ladies eventually set up Saturday schools meant to teach the lessons these children are missing and nurture them to want to learn and believe in themselves and most of all encourage them.

It shows you the caste and class system that still exists and the roots of education where it can take you and lead you and most of all how important it is to a child that you show attention and faith in them as much as a study has faith in you.

It ends open-ended but it is one that definitely ends with hope and an all-around happiness even if abrupt. It offers an answer and hopefully a promise.

Grade: B

LADY MACBETH (2016)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed by: William Oldroyd

Written By: Alice Birch

Based on the book “ LADY MACBETH OF MTSENSK” by Nikolai Leskov Cinematography: Ari Wegner

Editor: Nick Emerson

Cast: Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, Paul Hilton, Naomi Ackie, Christopher Fairbank, Golda Roseuval, Anton Palmer, Bill Fellows 

Rural England, 1865. Katherine is stifled by her loveless marriage to a bitter man twice her age, whose family are cold and unforgiving. When she embarks on a passionate affair with a young worker on her husband’s estate, a force is unleashed inside her, so powerful that she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

This movie features Florence Pugh in a star making performance and also one of the all time great cold femme fatales on screen.

The title makes you believe this Will be a take on Shakespeare’s Play.  Only focusing on one main character from their point of view, but this is based on “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” by Nikolai Leskov 

That might have served as inspiration for the play and the title just happens to deal with the same machinations, manipulations, and themes as that character and play

Though some will see this from a modern context of a female asserting herself in a suppressed time. That she is sticking up for herself and choosing to use her strengths and power. As after all she comes off as a mastermind even though motivated more by being dumb in love. If she wasn’t so selfish she might have been a strong female role model. Though she might still end up being one to some audience members 

The film allows us to see how she comes upon her decisions. How as soon as she gets there she is mistreated by her husband who refuses to actually consummate the marriage and then disappears leaving her feeling bored and degraded. Even when not suffering the disdain of her father in law.

Once she spies the help trying to sexually assault her handmaiden and sticks up for her she feels an attraction and passion for the

Young field worker who originated it and begins to flirt with him until he comes to her bedroom And is aggressive with her and she fights back but also accepts his demands. Once started the affair intensified and anything or anyone who stands in the way she is willing to sacrifice.

She does so coldly, but to a certain extent, you can understand why. Until the third act when she goes to far. Even shocking the audience as well as her lover. 

Throughout it is easy to not feel sorry for the male characters in her life. They don’t necessarily deserve death, but they are also not the most sympathetic characters. The film also makes it seem like the lover will eventually use her but in the end. He is more a pawn as she loves him And tries to prop him Up as more respectable. Though he can be expendable if he chooses to betray or cross her.

The most sympathetic character is her handmaiden Anna, who witnesses everything and goes mute from shock. While still being made to serve her and seemingly punished by her from time to time. What she is put through and where she ends up is just cruel. It’s Disappointing though not shocking.

Since the character is African American she more seems like a slave so watching her being mistreated is not all that shocking and while it’s nice to see people of color in the film. While being historically accurate it does get on the nerves or brings the audience to a dark place to be reminded of this time In history. Especially as in the end classism And racism stand supreme. Even when the one who so thought to be more privileged is the one who has done the worst and should have a bad reputation 

The film also manages to be quite sexual though not quite erotic. 

The film is quite a surprise from what you might think the film will be about or go to. It is actually richer even if also more cerebral and remote, with beautiful backgrounds. 

I really enjoy this film and am only recently becoming a bit of a fan of period pieces. 

GRADE: B+