Paddington: AKA Marmalade, The Solution To All Of Life’s Problems

‘Paddington’ is a live-action animated comedy film based on the adventures of the iconic Peruvian bear. The plot this time around is an origin of sorts, in many ways a soft reboot of the franchise, it explains who Paddington (Ben Whishaw), is and details his first encounter with the Brown family.

‘Paddington Bear’ is a quintessentially British character, he has been a popular feature of media in our fair isles for well over 50 years as such he was bound to end up on the big screen sooner or, later. It pleases me to tell you that this is a fantastic reboot for the character reintroducing him to modern audiences, while still showing all the reasons he remains such a beloved character.

Paddington himself is handled in the same animated live-action way as something like Pikachu, in 2019’s ‘Detective Pikachu’. I believe that this is a good move as the animation always looks convincing, as in it looks like he is really there on screen with the other characters. However, the joy of this style of animation is that they can have this while still keeping the wacky over the top slapstickness of the character as well, a real best of both worlds situation. Ben Whishaw does a great job voicing Paddington, managing to capture the charm and, the innocence of the character, making him very lovable.

The human cast around the titular bear is like a who’s who of famous British actors including Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi. Each character has their own moment to shine whether it is Capaldi’s characters redemption or, Bonneville’s character growing to love Paddington over time. All of these individual moments are well done and, have a lot to offer the wider world of the film.

The standout for me amoungst the human cast is Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown. As the mother of the family, Mary gives off more warmth than the sun; she loves Paddington from the moment she sees him, the surrogate mother-son relationship they have is incredibly heartwarming.

My one fault with the film is that it never does much with its villain Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman), her motivation is that she is resentful because her family have become a laughing stock after having a run-in with Paddington’s family years prior. As such she seeks to kidnap Paddington so she can stuff him. There a few scenes where she is mildly threatening, but as the main antagonist, she is given very little to do.

Overall a stellar reimagining that brings Paddington lovingly into the 21st century.

Pros.
Paddington Himself.
The Animation.
Sally Hawkins.
This Being An Actual Good Reboot.

Cons.
Wasted Villain.

4.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

Little Women: Oscar Bait In Its Most Obvious Form

‘Little Women’ is a coming-of-age, drama, period film based on the book of the same name. The plot follows the lives of the March’s a family of young women who live with their mother while their dad is fighting in the Civil War. We see it all from sisterly pranks and hijinks to death and, mourning.

As someone who has read the seminal novel, I had an idea where the film was going and, a lot of the surprise reveals were not all that surprising to me. However, the two things I will give this film and Greta Gerwig props for are that they nailed a lot of the key scenes from the novel: they capture the emotion perfectly, this is in no small part thanks to the performances but, I will come back to those later. The second thing I will give this film credit for is that the new additions to the narrative help to make the film feel more rounded and, whole.

The performances for me were a mixed bag Saoirse Ronan was terrific as Jo, proving once again that she is an aspiring actress to watch out for. Likewise, Florence Pugh was equally as good as Amy, the often overlooked sister, I found that her character captured the love-hate relationship sometimes found between sister really well. The rest of the cast didn’t do much for me, Emma Watson was fine, but I believe any actress could have played her role and, the rest of the cast including Laura Dern and, Meryl Streep is mostly wasted. Timothy Chalamet is also in this film and, I still don’t understand why people like him or, think he is a good actor.

I had several issues with the film, the most egregious of which is how in love with itself this film seems to be. ‘Little Women’ has a very smug sense of self about it, it seems to think that it is high art and, is worthy of all the awards simply for being I found this off-putting. This is reflected in how this film is paced, often scenes will feel drawn out, trying to play up their importance, when nothing has actually happened. The third act of this film is definitely too long in the tooth as there are multiple times you will find yourself saying, “is it over yet”.

A final thing I find odd and, distracting about this film is the non-linear way it chooses to tell its story, the scenes don’t follow any kind of pattern and, will generally be out of sync. An example of what I mean is in the second act a character dies and, there will be a scene of the family mourning the loss and, then another scene of this character alive and well. There is nothing wrong with telling a story like this, but the film doesn’t make clear what is a flash-forward, what is a flashback and, this makes for a jarring viewing experience.

Overall this is a solid effort from Gerwig however, it pails in comparison to her debut effort, with some of the stylistic and, editing choices in the film really ruin vast sections of it for me.

Pros.
Captures The Emotion.
The New Stuff.
The Performances.

Cons.
The Editing.
The Pacing Issues.
How Smug It Is.

2/5

Reviewed by Luke

The Babysitter: What Goes On After You Go To Bed.

‘The Babysitter’ is a teen horror-comedy film the plot follows Cole, (Judah Lewis), as he stays up to see what his Babysitter Bee, (Samara Weaving), gets up to when he goes to bed; what he finds out chills him to the bone. Bee and her friends are devil worshipers and, they are using Cole for his blood. Cole and Bee then enter into a showdown to the death that only one of them can walk away from.

For those of you who read my reviews and, follow me on social media, you know that I find Samara Weaving incredibly annoying; it’s her scream. However, this film does something I didn’t think was possible it made me like her, she was charming and, funny and easily the highlight of the film; throughout the film, you think she is going to turn back to the side of the light, but no she is evil through and, through.

The showdowns between Cole and, his perusers are all excellent they are very reminiscent of, ‘Home Alone’ all of Cole’s weapons are improvised and the deaths are spectacularly gory. They manage to capture the tension of the situation while also remaining comic. The comedy in this film is quite good, it will bring a smile to your face and, warm you, towards the characters.

This film is very stylised think Zack Synder or, Edgar Wright, but turn it up to 100; every chance to have a graphic or, do a cinematography trick is taken. The issue with this is that a lot of the time it takes you out of the film, there was a sequence where the camera was moving around, but also supposed to be doing a POV shot and, the effect is incredibly jarring. There is nothing wrong with a film having style, but if anything this film is overly stylised.

Another thing about this film is that it is completely predictable, but that is okay as this film knows what it is, a pulpy horror B movie homage, and it plays to that. Viewing this film through the lens of it being a homage to horror B movies, makes it a much better film than it actually is. As I don’t think it is a horror B movie homage deliberately.

Overall ‘The Babysitter’ feels like something out of a bygone age, it is over stylised and, it seems to be doing all this to overcompensate for the fact that it isn’t very original. However, it is a nice piece of horror movie junk food and, Samara Weaving is excellent.

Pros.
It’s Good Horror Junk Food.
The Genre Diehards Might Find Something To Like.
Samara Weaving is excellent.

Cons.
It Feels Very Dated.
Overly Stylised.

3.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Grinch Is Coming For Your Presents

‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ is a Christmas fantasy comedy-drama film based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. The plot of the film follows The Grinch, a character who has removed himself from the town of Whoville and, now lives in a lair up in the mountains. The Grinch hates the town’s people for laughing at him years ago and, the townspeople fear The Grinch because he is not like them. This mutual ill will comes to a head and, The Grinch plans to steal all the presents from the people of Whoville to teach them a lesson; effectively stealing Christmas from them.

Now before we get into the review in earnest, I want to say that I have never liked anything related to Dr. Seuss I find the need to have nearly everything rhyme off-putting, I feel likewise about the strange character designs. As such I never grew up with these stories, so before I watched this, I was unaware of who The Grinch was; yes I understood what he was in passing from pop culture, but I had never seen his film before.

The issues that I had mentioned before with the character designs and the need to constantly be rhyming are in full effect in this film, which lessens my enjoyment with it, but I have to say a near-perfect performance by the one and, only Jim Carrey wins me over.
Carrey plays the titular Grinch and, he is going full Carrey, by that I mean he is giving this his everything, all of his manic energy and, it really pays dividends.

The film works as a Christmas film in that it has a nice positive message of not judging other people and, that everyone can have a chance of redemption no matter how wicked; this film did make me feel the Christmas spirit. Not only does it works as a Christmas film but, also as a comedy film as it is quite funny at times, the musical number being an example of this, it should generate a chuckle or two.

My one issue with the film is the same issue I have with a lot of others, excluding The Grinch himself the rest of the characters aren’t developed at all, even Cindy Lou, (Taylor Momsen), who is a leading character isn’t given much to do except drive The Grinch’s character development along.

Overall, despite my own personal feelings on Dr Seuss, I can see why so many people love this film, Carrey is fantastic and, it is genuinely sweet and funny at times; it even managed to win round a Seuss hater like me.

Pros.
Carrey
The Spirit Of Christmas

Cons.
The Annoying Rhyming
The Weird Character designs.

3.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

It’s A Wonderful Life: Everyone Needs A Guardian Angle

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is a Christmas fantasy drama film, the plot follows George Bailey, (James Stewart), throughout his life as he endeavors to do good and, keep Bailey Savings and Loan afloat. The drama of the film comes when 8000 dollars goes missing and, George looks to be arrested, at this point George is on the edge of committing suicide, but when things seem bleakest he meets an Angel called Clarence, (Henry Travers), who shows George what the world would be like if he was never born.

This film very much like ‘A Miracle On 34th Street’ is widely regarded as a Christmas classic and, that is for a good reason.
The feel-good message that everyone, no matter your circumstance, can have a huge impact on the world by showing kindness to others is incredibly seasonally appropriate. It is a message that reminds us that we should always be happy with what we have and, that though cliche the greatest joys in life don’t come from wealth or things, but rather the people around us.

The acting in the film is all well done Stewart and, Travers are excellent as the two main characters, but there are also a lot of fantastic side and, background characters that have moments to shine. My one issue with this is that though they have their moments to shine these side characters often feel very one note, very much an afterthought.

The dramatic elements are strong in this film as George’s life is very up and, down and, he is put through the wringer. At no point do these dramatic moments feel manipulative or, melodramatic rather they hit the nail on the head and feel genuine and earnest; striking an emotional chord with us the audience.

My other and, more significant issue with this film is that it has quite severe pacing issues. The part of the film wherein George wishes he was never born and, meets Clarence and, goes to the alternative world doesn’t happen until about 50 minutes into the film. Therein for me lies the problem, I understand the need to set the scene and, introduce the characters, but 50 minutes seems like a bit much and, it really makes this opening section of the film feel too dragged out and, too long; feeling almost overindulgent at times.

Overall despite some minor faults, its too long and, the side characters aren’t developed enough, this still captures the real meaning of the season better than any other film and, is worthy of the title of a Christmas classic.

Pros.
Meaning For The Season.
Impactful Drama.
Good Leads.

Cons.
Underdeveloped Characters.
Pacing Issues.

3.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

Bad Santa 2: Santa Is Back In Town

‘Bad Santa 2′ is a Christmas black comedy, crime film. The plot this time around follows on from that of the first film, after an undetermined amount of time, Willie, (Billy Bob Thornton), is back at the end of his rope, quite literally, and the thing that saves him is getting a call from his old friend Marcus, (Tony Cox), offering him a chance to make 2 million dollars. The job this time around sees the pair stealing from a charity, what’s more seasonally wholesome than that, which is run by Diane, (Christina Hendricks) and her Husband Regent, (Ryan Hansen). The pair are also joined on this job by Willie’s mother Sunny, (Kathy Bates), who has a strained, to say the least relationship with her son.

This film isn’t as good as the first film, don’t get me wrong I still like it, but like many other needless belated sequels this film doesn’t ever really justify its existence, Moreover, though the new characters provide for some good laughs, Hendricks’ especially, they water the film down to a degree; spreading it too thin.

The carrying over relationships from the first film are expanded upon here, Willie and Marcus are still warring brothers this time around both being there for one another and, also prepared to double-cross the other at every turn. Marcus gets his own subplot this time around about him trying to sleep with security guard Gina, (Jenny Zigrino), which makes for interesting viewing and, a few good humorous scenes. Also, Thurman, (Brett Kelly), returns he is now grown up and, seemingly unable to live his own life; literally moving halfway across the country to find Willie and, then proceeding to live at a homeless shelter because Willie won’t put him up. The ending of this film gives us a nice happy resolution for the pair as Willie basically adopts him and, finally sees Thurman as family; which is sweet.

In terms of the newer characters, not a whole lot is done with them, Kathy Bates is mostly wasted, she gives a little bit of colour to Willie’s earlier life and, then in a twist everyone saw coming ends up being the real villain of the film. Hendricks, on the other hand, is charming and, funny as a wife in a loveless marriage who starts sleeping with Willie on the side, if they did a third film which it looks like they won’t, but if they did it would be nice to see her return.

Overall this film is still the same charming, black-hearted, Christmas comedy film that the first one was, but maybe to a lesser degree. The newer characters seem short-changed but, the returning characters get satisfying resolutions.

Pros.
Hendricks.
Tieing Up The Character Arcs From The First Film.
Still Hilarious.
Still Has A Strong Heart.

Cons.
The Newer Characters Are Mostly Short Changed.

4/5

Reviewed by Luke

Bad Santa: Santa Claus Is Drunk Driving To Town.

‘Bad Santa’ is a Christmas Black Comedy film revolving around Willie, (Billy Bob Thornton), a depressed alcoholic, who stopped giving a damn about anything a long time ago; every year him and, his friend Marcus, (Tony Cox), poses as a Santa and, Elf duo all in the effort to rob blind the mall they’re working at that year.

‘Bad Santa’ is the perfect film for people who don’t like Christmas, I know that term is thrown around a lot, but it is really true here; Willie is the embodiment of everyone who have ever given up on life and, simply said F it. Thornton plays the role with real charm too, never does his performance become grating or, annoying instead Willie is very likeable and, as the film goes along and, you learn more about him you root for him even more. There is also a sad vulnerability to Willie and, Thornton manages to capture this perfectly as you can see on a deep level how damaged he is and, this helps us the audience empathise with him.

Another thing this film does really well is forging relationships and, then making you care about them. Willie and, Marcus are a good example of this they argue a lot and, Marcus even betrays Willie at one point, but you know deep down they are family; the second film even says as much. The banter between Thornton and Cox is also incredibly strong making for a lot of great laughs and memorable scenes.
The real heart of this film is the relationship between Willie and, a little boy called Thurman, (Brett Kelly), who meets “Santa” at the mall and, takes a shine to him letting him come and stay at his house. The reason this relationship is so endearing is that you can see over time Willie grow to care about Thurman, even going so far as to basically adopt him in the second film, and it suggests that there might still be hope for Willie to find happiness after all which gives the audience a warm feeling inside.

Overall this film succeeds in every respect, it is funny and, the humour never falls flat, it has real heart, the relationship between Willie and Thurman especially in the film’s third act can’t help but, bring a tear to your eye and, as a Christmas film as this film more than any others made me feel festive; reminding me of the reason for the season.

Pros.
Thornton is Excellent.
The Humor Is Fantastic.
The Relationship between Willie and, Thurman is endearing.
It succeeds as an Anti-Christmas film.
Cons.
The Humor might be a little blue for some.

4.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

The Princess Switch: The Hudissance Begins!

The Princess Switch is a Christmas romantic comedy film serving as part of the wider Netflix shared universe existing with the likes of ‘A Christmas Prince’ and, to a lesser extent, ‘The Knight Before Christmas. The plot of the film revolves around Stacy DeNovo, (Vanessa Hudgens), a young baker, who is invited to take part in a baking competition oversees, while there she crosses paths with The Dutchess of Montenaro, also played by Hudgens, and, the Dutchess seeing Stacy as a way to escape her royal responsibilities, talks her into switching lives.

As you can probably guess this film is chocked full with over the top romantic melodrama, the Dutchess is supposed to marry Prince Edward, (Sam Palladio), but she doesn’t really love him. Stacy hasn’t allowed herself to fall in love, after a personal tragedy, which is almost beat for beat the same as her other film, ‘The Knight Before Christmas’ although the reason is slightly different. Stacy is also oblivious to the fact that her fellow baker Kevin, (Kevin Richards) is in love with her; spoiler she doesn’t love him back. Can you guess what the resolution to all this drama is? Yes, Stacy, the baker ends up falling in love with the Prince and, marries him, with the weird if you still feel this way in a year rule from ‘A Christmas Prince’ coming back. The Dutchess, on the other hand, gives up the royal lifestyle and, falls in love with Kevin.

There will be plenty of people out there who will tell you that these films are trash and, to an extent they’re right but, the reason why I like them, this one especially, is because they throw any kind of logic out of the window and, random things happen and, you have to go with it. It is like a beautiful disaster you know you should look away but you can’t.

I truly believe that Vanessa Hudgens is in the midst of a career renaissance this and, ‘The Knight Before Christmas’ could both be so bad but, her performance saves both. She is lovable and, warm and easy to root for she places the every-woman incredibly well. What’s more she is convincing as both Stacy and, the Dutchess so much so that after a while you forget that both are Hudgens; you see them as entirely different characters. She is the heart a soul of these films.

Overall this film is more fun than it has any right to be, a great performance by Vanessa Hudgens and, throwing logic out of the window make this film surprisingly good.

Pros.
The Ridiculousness
Vanessa Hudgens
The Wider Shared Universe

Cons
It is drunk or, hungover trash viewing, but you knew that

3.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

A Christmas Prince, The Royal Baby: A Scroll, A Curse And, Two Families

‘A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby’ is a Christmas romantic comedy as well as the third instalment in the franchise and, as you can guess centres around the birth of now, Queen Amber, (Rose Mciver) and King Richard, (Ben Lamb) first child. The plot this time around seems to go in the complete opposite direction to the last entry, serious and lacking in whimsy, being once again over the top and, ridiculous much like the first film; hell not to spoil anything but, ghosts and a curse play a part in the plot this time around.

I think this third instalment is a return to form for the franchise, going back to its trashy over the top roots, and I think the film as a whole benefits from this; there are not multiple subplots that are all boring and, trying to take away from the main narrative in one way or, another, everything is relatively straight forward this time around.

*There is one subplot about Melissa, (Tahirah Sharif), Amber’s best friend who has been a background character, thankfully, for most of the series thus far, questioning her relationship with Simon, (Theo Devaney), Richards’ cousin. Simon has quietly become my favourite character in the series over time, but he works well in small doses both the first and second film seemed to understand that but, this film gives both he and Melissa far too much screen time. I have never cared for Ambers’ friends in these films they’re forgettable and, throwaway so to see Melissa get a subplot of her own made me groan. All of these scenes drag on and, on and feel like the film trying to buy itself time; what makes it worse is the acting and, the plotline itself could and, have been done better in a soap opera.

I think the film greatly benefits from suddenly remembering what it is, a trashy, made for TV movie people might watch when they’re drunk. By throwing any sense of seriousness or, sense out of the window it allows the film to be what it once was again, fun. The idea that if they don’t find the missing scroll by midnight Richard and, Ambers’ baby might be cursed is wonderfully silly and, daft. I appreciate and, applaud this film for not taking itself too seriously, as that was my issue with the second film.

Overall I think this should be the last entry in the ‘A Christmas Prince’ franchise as I don’t see where they can take it from here. This film is a high note for the series being just as good as the first film and, being made that much better by embracing the wackiness and, not taking itself too seriously; definitely good drunk viewing.

3.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

Christmas With The Kranks: A Neighborhood Obsessed.

Christmas With The Kranks is a Christmas comedy film, the plot follows Luther,( Tim Allen) and Nora Krank, (Jamie Lee Curtis), as a couple who decide to skip Christmas and, go on a tropical getaway instead; this runs them afoul of a lot of people in their neighborhood who try and, get them to change their mind.

Narratively this film is a mess it makes absolutely no sense what so ever, whenever the film seems to be going one way it goes the other, almost as though it is trying to be perplexing; this means you can’t invest in the characters or, anything that is going on as you don’t understand and, therefore don’t care.

The characters and, their motivations range from strange to downright bizarre an example of this would be Dan Aykroyd’s character, Vic. Vic seems to have something about Christmas he is obsessed with it he wants Luther and, Nora to celebrate it so much he breaks several laws trying to force them into it. If this is supposed to be funny, it doesn’t come across that way; it is more like creepy and unsettling.

However, it wasn’t only Aykroyd’s character that is done a disservice here, most of the characters are intensely dislikable and, I get it this film is the mean spirited sort of Christmas comedy, but even still these are just the worst sort of people, self-obsessed, no regard for others, trying to enforce their personal world view onto other people and, worst of all our protagonists fall into these sort of character traits as well; making them very hard to root for.

As I said before this film is mean spirited through and through if you view it through the lens of what does it say about Christmas? Does it have a nice message? Then this film stands out drastically from a lot of the more wholesome fare, a lot of the film suggests the most important thing in the world is doing what you want, other people be damned. However, in the film’s third act it does try and, cram in that wholesome festive message, but the issue is that the rest of the film is so tonally opposite to this that the final Christmas message almost feels like a bad joke; cheap and meaningless.

Overall this film doesn’t make me feel any Christmas cheer if anything it makes me question the meaning of the season. Jamie Lee Curtis is trying her best but, not even she can save this mess of a film. This goes to show that the bar for holiday entertainment is set perilously low.

2/5

Reviewed by Luke