WONKA (2023)

Directed & Story By: Paul King

Written By: Paul King & Simon Farnaby

Based on Characters Created By: Roald Dahl

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Mark Everson

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Olivia Colman, Keegan Michael-Key, Sally Hawkins, Tom Davis, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Jim Carter, Natasha Rockwell, Kobna Holbrook-Smith, Rakhee Thatkar, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Freya Parker, Matthew Boynton, Rich Fulcher

Willy Wonka is the mastermind behind some of the most delicious and innovative chocolate creations the world has ever seen. But before shaking up the chocolate industry and making a name for himself as a confectionery genius, the ambitious young creator had to defy all odds. As a result, Willy transformed his wildest dreams into reality with a bold vision, determination, and unexpected help from new friends. After all, hard work and a dash of magic can make anything happen. Because, as Willy already knows, it only takes a dream to make a difference.


One thing I can definitely say about this movie is that it has its charms it won’t. It doesn’t erase the memory of the first WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY but it still feels more pure and miles above Tim Burton, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY  doesn’t feel as predictable. Nor as made by the committee.

The film is a musical, which was a bit unexpected, but makes sense, and it does use a few of the original films’ classics throughout, though in quite a different way that does instill nostalgia, but also tries to make it its own. 

At times, it does feel like a big Broadway musical, but under a greater production and a grander vision, you could easily see this making its way the reverse way and going from a movie into a Broadway show.

The film perfectly fits Director Paul King’s style as it feels like a fantasy and a living storybook come to life. It’s as big and silly as the two PADDINGTON films that he has directed so this one is a little less comedic, even with all of its outrageousness. Though no nightmare scenes as the previous two films had.

Can’t help, but put a smile on your face in Timothee Chalamet actually works in the lead role, even though he is tasked with pretty much always being happy no matter what throughout even when disappointed. he’s not as iconic as Gene Wilder Daffy goofy, but ultimately wise and quirky Wonka but again we’re at the origins of Wonka as a character so he has a happier disposition, and is still full of hope at the beginning of his career.

This is a film that is fun for the whole family. It’s pretty much an offensive and feels magical throughout. It literally is another generation’s version of Wonka, or as this is more of an original story than an actual remake or reboot, which is refreshing, even if it is still Dealing with an existing IP.

Hugh Grant is here as comedic relief as an Oompa Loompa, and he mostly works as this is the most we’ve ever really heard an Oompa Loompa speak other than singing. The film is full of quirky characters that feel straight out of a children’s book, and have outrageous looks to follow. though again, he seems to be relishing and playing a more comedic supporting role just as he did, and PADDINGTON 2 only here he is, isn’t the villain

The production design and visual effects are excellent. The songs are catchy, but not as memorable as the originals again, I say this now, but at heart eventually, time will tell, and also the fandom of this film, if there will be one as great as the classic film in which men grew up with.

It’s a film that is definitely worth checking out. It won’t leave you mesmerized, but if this is your type of movie, you won’t leave sad or disappointed. 

Grade: B 

BONES & All (2022)

Directed By: Luca Guadagnino
Written By: David Kajganich 

Based on the Novel By: Camille DeAngelis
Cinematography: Arsani Khachaturen 
Editor: Margo Costa 

Cast: Taylor Russell, Timothee Chalamet, Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlberg, Andre Holland, Jessica Harper, Chloe Sevigny, Sean Bridgers, David Gordon Green, Ellie Parker, 

A story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, an intense and disenfranchised drifter, as they meet and join together for a thousand-mile odyssey that takes them through the back roads, hidden passages and trap doors of Ronald Reagan’s America. But despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and to a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their otherness.


This is a film where you can watch and read into what you believe. As that seems to be its purpose. 

As it shows what can be the life of an addict. As the characters aren’t exactly junkies as they can go through periods of time without feeding but they know sooner or later they will have to feed to an extent and can’t quit and it can’t go away. So you can look at it as a story of addiction to a degree. 

This would explain why most are drifters and look trashy.

Though it is also a story of loneliness as they can detect one another and seem to need or desire to be around one another. Though the can’t completely trust one another. Though for little excursions they aren’t completely monsters or even vampires because at least as a vampire you have an epic weakness but it comes with supernatural powers. A kind of trade-off and a slice of life.

Though also as a predator and getting closer to their victims they have to play roles and have to invent and invest themselves in their lives. So that they get a glimpse into other’s lives as do we in the audience and have something to take away from it all, but also living a certain life and adventures for a while.

It’s no surprise the film is based on a young adult novel. At heart, it is a coming-of-age story of a girl who is 17 and is introduced to a world she has no training in and has to survive for herself through. Discovering the world is only a different one than most of us are used to. She also meets her first love and for a chunk of the film, we see their romance. Where they need one another to survive and she learns from him how to manage that life 

It’s another film for director Luca Guadagnino to present a forbidden love story or an unorthodox one here. 

It doesn’t eroticize violence or even sex. While there are both in the film. There isn’t an abundance of either. There are plenty of emotions and plenty of stand-alone scenes of suspense. As this film works in that way. There are some great scenes and the rest of the film is what you have to go through to get to them and inform them more.

The whole cast is superb and as always Mark Rylance Steals the movie. As the closest to a villain, the film has thought he comes across more as disturbed, sad and lonely. Though a one-scene cameo from Michael Schulberg is also a show stopper.

Though at times it does feel less random when it comes to the supporting cast and more like scenes that have been designated for guest stars that are important for the overall story, but still a little glad standing or too planned and it 

The two leads Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet impress as a kind of 1980’s lovers on the run in the Midwest that might remind some of BADLANDS for all the landscapes and relationships. Only they aren’t that vicious. As the first half of the film at least gives some direction as she searches for information about her mother. Though after that the film isn’t aimless but focuses more on trying to figure out a future.

It’s a film of a certain time period but not about the time period. As it explores some of the cultures of the time without it being dependent purely on pop culture or exploring the events of the time period when it takes place 

I can’t say I loved the film, but it is a film That challenges an audience not necessarily with shocks or endurance, but by not giving them what they want or stowaway. Not what they expect and offering a different point of view rather than the popular or most obvious one 

Which one tends to be a fan of as sometimes you feel like you are in on it. If you know what to expect or an experience that you know will challenge or upset others around you. Only they have no ideas what they are in for 

How we all long to make connections and how when we do it feels so special and one of a kind as we have the same afflictions, passions, and desires that no one else can understand.

The way it is presented finds a kind of beauty in a type of the ordinary and mundane of middle America. How something. So ordinary has extraordinary Bart things about it be it sights, land, mentality 

This is a film That if you pay close attention you will be able to find some kind of meaning for yourself and what the director is trying to present. Like the film purposely Challenges the audience It’s not cookie-cutter and is daring in It’s own right 

I give director Luca Guadagnino credit for trying to find beauty and substance throughout instead of making a typical or stylish horror film which it could have easily been. 

Grade: B-