GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (2024)

Directed By: Adam Wingard

Written By: Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater and Terry Rossio 

Story By: Adam Wingard, Simon Bennett and Terry Rossio 

Cinematography: Ben Serensin

Editor: Josh Schaeffer

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen, Rachel House, Ron Smyck 

The new installment in the Monsterverse puts the mighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal deadly threat hidden within our world that threatens the existence of their species and our very own, as well as diving deep into the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond. Delving straight into the origins of Hollow Earth, this film will explore the ancient Titan battle that brought man and monster together forever.


Just as this film has an excruciatingly long title they couldn’t just go by the latter to remind you of who is in it and why you might want to see it.

There has to be another type of genre for films like this other than special effects movies. Most of this film is digital and practically animated with some live action. That is advanced but feels like WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT only not as good and not an intentional comedy.

This is typical summer fare that is a popcorn movie and if you are into it can see why these are made and audiences rush to see them. As modern monster b-movies, but as each new one is made it also feels like the quality goes down. As they have to stretch the believability for a new one. That seems to chronicle another new step in these creatures’ lives. I can understand the continuing adventures and humans discovering new lands and dimensions.

Though again it feels dumber but obviously expensive as even the returning cast

The list gets slimmer and slimmer and the leads while Respected actors. They are not as widely known as the previous leads and less big box office names. Which helps their careers with bigger films and nice paychecks. Even if the quality is off.

No matter how much the film tries to be interesting it feels pretty basic and that you have seen it before and for as long as they are you know you are here more for the fights or action rather than the backstory that leads up to them or the big reveal of whatever monster they have come together to fight and worse of all these films feel like the promise of two big stars interacting then by the end spend only a scene or two together and that is where the magic happens and truly interesting parts of the film 

It has been shown with GODZILLA MINUS ONE. You can make a monster film With live action that has emotional depths and can live co-current in different genres. I wish this film had the same strength but again this is playing to the audience of the previous Godzilla and Kong movies so you know what you’re gonna get and what you see is what you get.

Basically, this film feels here to introduce mothers again into the mix  and little Kong for the kids and the knowledge of what it’s Like being a parent which is also expressed by the Indigenous girl and the main scientist in human form

While All this Destruction and damage is going on the humans are collateral Damage which we see running and panicking Sometimes. So that we are like the vermin or instruct maybe animals of the world that outnumber these beasts and monsters who try to help but are generally barely thought of until afterward and that is only by the film, not the main characters who are the beasts 

just as there is no blood really in this film even when killing a mutant rat wolf in the beginning and ripping it apart there is green goo, not blood that fills the screen. Though I can’t imagine why he would want to eat it after as it seems like it is filled with toxic 

It seems Godzilla just wakes up to take care of the monster problem in this world like It’s a job and King Kong just wants a quiet place to roam.

Grade: D 

VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA (2008)


Written & Directed By: Woody Allen 
Cinematography By: Javier Aguirresarobe 
Editor: Alisa Lepselter 

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn, Zak Orth, Chris Messina

 

Sexually adventurous Cristina and her friend Vicky, who is bright but cautious, holiday in Barcelona where they meet the celebrated and wholly seductive painter, Juan Antonio. Vicky is not about to dive into a sexual adventure being committed to her forthcoming marriage. But Cristina is immediately captivated by Juan Antonio’s free spirit and his romantic allure is enhanced when she hears the delicious details of his divorce from fellow artist, the tempestuous Maria Elena. 


This is a partially unusual film for Woody Allen maybe it’s because it is set in Spain and the country is both artistic and romantic and sensual. This film is one sexy movie now all the leads are of course good looking and have been in tons of other films. Where they have been sex symbols and objects and that is what most films are there to do to make the actors look the best they can but in this film, they practically sizzle the film shows them at their best. 
 

Now in the Woody Allen canon of movies, it’s not the best but it is better than some of his others but it still seems slight this one as usual revolves around artists and muses and the philosophy of relationships. As Rebecca Hall’s character goes to Barcelona to finish her thesis and is engaged she brings her friend Scarlett Johansen who is a flight sexy beauty and they meet Javier Bardem and both end up falling for him though Rebecca Hall tries very much not to so Scarlett Johanssen ends up staying with him trying to find her own identity but problems soon arise as his ex played by Penelope Cruz comes back into his life.  

This is pretty much Penelope Cruz’s movie even though her character comes is not in the film until halfway in. She is talked about so much that when she finally shows up she is everything you expect and worse. Javier Bardem is good as the lothario with sex appeal. Which he should be since Woody specifically wrote the role with him in mind and had no other choice lined up to play the role. 


Scarlett Johansen gives a good experience but she still suffers from the Rosario Dawson syndrome. Where a star actress is always stuck in the girlfriend role. Only here Scarlett is sexy given tons of screen time but not too much to actually do other than be almost a prop in the background always she isn’t given a real character to play. On the other hand, Rebecca Hall makes a deep impression maybe it’s because she is in a way playing the Woody Allenish character the nebbish only this time female. The film is the best-looking cast Woody has ever worked with. 

This is a film that shows the bohemian ideals that seems to be at war with the nouveau riche the establishment represented by Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn. Clarkson’s character is a romantic dreamer who always wonders what if she would have run off with a poor lover years ago. She imagines her life could have been more exciting and fulfilled, Whereas now she has money but is bored she loves her husband, but he doesn’t seem to return the favor he cares more about business than objects. He views her as just another possession I don’t know if that was intended but that is how I felt watching the film. 


 In essence, this is a film about the What If. The ideals and problems you could have by running off with that smooth talker. It is also the nightmare story of the ex-girlfriend who never leaves and haunts and stalks you who takes things to the extreme to try and get you back and intimidate your new girlfriend. Though the film doesn’t go the thriller way it chooses to be a little more realistic in a dramedy romantic comedy way.


The film is a good movie to watch it is a good time waster. I’d say it is worth buying if it was 14.95 and would be a lot more interesting if Woody Allen gave a commentary just to see what his thought process was since this is such a big departure from his other films around that time. Which at that point was an improvement. 

 GRADE: B

EVERYTHING MUST GO (2010)

EverythingMustGo

 

Written & Directed By: Dan Rush
Based on the Short Story “Why Don’t You Dance” By: Raymond Carver
Cinematography By: Michael Barrett
Editor: Sandra Adair 


Cast: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher C.J. Wallace, Laura Dern, Michael Pena, Stephen Root, Glenn Howerton

After Nick is fired from his sales job, mostly because of his penchant for alcohol, he comes home and finds that his wife has kicked him and all of his stuff out of the house and onto the front lawn. He is pretty intent on just sitting in his chair, drinking beer, on the lawn. His cop friend, Frank Garcia, thinks he should at least pretend to have a yard sale to make it legal. He slowly starts making friends with a neighborhood kid who needs something to do, and a pregnant wife who has just moved in across the street, and Nick finds himself moving on and selling all his stuff.

Continue reading “EVERYTHING MUST GO (2010)”

MIRAI (2018)

mirai

Written & Directed By: Mamoru Hosoda
Editor: Shigeru Nishiyama 

Cast: Voice Actors: Rebecca Hall, Daniel Dae Kim, John Cho, Crispin Freeman, Koji Yakusho, Jaden Waldman, Victoria Grace, Kumiko Aso, Masaharu Fukuyama 

The movie follows a 4-year old boy who is struggling to cope with the arrival of a little sister in the family, until things turn magical. A mysterious garden in the backyard of the boy’s home becomes a gateway allowing the child to travel back in time and encounter his mother as a little girl and his great-grandfather as a young man. These fantasy-filled adventures allow the child to change his perspective and help him become the big brother he was meant to be.

Continue reading “MIRAI (2018)”

TEEN SPIRIT (2019)

teen-spirit

Written & Directed By: Max Minghella
Cinematography: Autumn Durald
Editor: Cam McLauchlin 


Cast: Elle Fanning, Agnieszka Grochowska, Archie Madekwe, Zlatko Buric, Millie Brady, Vivian Oparah, Rebecca Hall 


Violet is a shy teenager who dreams of escaping her small town and pursuing her passion to sing. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a local singing competition that will test her integrity, talent and ambition. Driven by a pop-fueled soundtrack, Teen Spirit is a visceral and stylish spin on the Cinderella story.

Continue reading “TEEN SPIRIT (2019)”