Displaying items by tag: Jack Black

DEAR SANTA

US, 2024, 107 minutes, Colour.

Jack Black, Robert Timothy Smith, Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howie, Hayes MacArthur, Post Malone, P.J.Byrne, Jaden Carson Baker, Kai Cech, Ben Stiller.

Directed by Bobby Farrelly.

Seeing Jack Black on the poster as Santa Claus, there might be a few moments of scepticism!

This is a film from the Farrelly brothers who for more than 30 years have enjoyed making all kinds of satire from There’s Something about Mary too Shallow Hal…

This is a Christmas film with a difference. It opens, perhaps expectedly, a family grieving the loss of a child in an accident, moves with the remaining child to a new town, trying to settle in, parents blaming each other, and the young boy, Liam, Robert Timothy Smith, dyslexic. And he believes in Santa Claus.

He writes a letter to Santa but misspells, sending the letter to Satan. Which, of course, is where Jack Black fits in well, Satan trying to be Santa Claus, giving Liam three wishes  demanding his soul after the wishes.

There is entertainment in the wishes, Satan persuading a sympathetic young girl at school to be interested in Liam, even to the extent of their going to a concert by a Post Malone, overcome by Satan and unable to remember the concert afterwards), Liam going on stage and performing with the singer, and it all filmed. Meanwhile, at home, his parents wanting him to see a counsellor played comically by Keegan-Michael Key.

Liam has a young friend, African-American, who has protruding teeth – fixed with the second wish.

Liam argues with Satan against the wishes but, overhearing his parents seemingly squabbling but actually reconciling, he wishes for the reconciliation, Satan then urging him to be his forthright self – which he does, with the bully and the pompous teacher.

Then a twist. Jack Black is only a minor Demon, on probation, and reprimanded by the real Satan, an uncredited Ben Stiller. He then does the right thing in telling Liam the truth and rewards everyone by resurrecting the dead brother. While audiences might be taken aback  at this reality/in reality, there is a final twist because the young girl admires Liam because of his devotion to his dead brother. How will he explain the resurrection to her!

1. Title, expectations, Santa Claus, happy Christmas themes? Ironies?
2. The American town, the family moving after the death of their son, settling in, the home, the conflicts between husband and wife, the effect on Liam, school, dyslexia, taunts, Emma’s support, believing in Santa Claus? His mother supporting him, his father wanting to tell the truth?
3. Liam, age, character, quiet, the dyslexia, taunted, supported by Emma, his strong friendship with Gibby, not telling his parents? His parents and their fighting? The accidental death of his brother? Mutual blame, blaming themselves? The effect on Liam? The issue of Santa Claus and truth?
4. The decision to write to Santa, the misspelling, posting the letter, Satan receiving it, the decision to act?
5. Jack black as Satan, his screen persona, comedy, touches of mania, the touches of mean-mindedness? The appearance, the misunderstanding, Liam thinking he was truly Santa, Satan playing along, the repartee, Liam’s responses, the issue of the three wishes?
6. The reality/fantasy in the screenplay, Liam and his wish, Emma and her support, at school, in the classroom, the fussy teacher, Dickens, self-important, (and the later scenes, the bike riding, diarrhoea, the encounter with the level crossing guard, her abrasive personality, her course and training?) the bully and taunting Liam?
7. Satan arriving at school, his behaviour at school, appearance, changing appearance, the change for Emma, her support? At home, the parents and their concern, Dr Finkelman, the discussions, the sendup of the counsellor? The arrival with the tickets, going to the concert, the best seats, backstage, the status of Post Malone as an entertainer? His being transformed, Liam going up onto the stage, the performance, the effect on Emma, the effect on Gibby and his disappointment? The filming and it spread on social media?
8. Gibby, the second wish, his teeth fixed? Post Malone unable to remember anything about the concert when interviewed).
9. Liam, changing his mind about the wishes, the discussions with Satan, hearing his parents and their reconciliation, misinterpreting, his wish that they be reconciled? And his being prepared to give Satan his soul? Satan and his encouraging Liam, to be forthright, the attack on the bully? The confrontation with the teacher? Emma and her change of heart?
10. Satan, the revelation, half-Demon, the true Satan calling him to account, the reprimands, punishment?
11. The effect on Liam, Satan’s explanation, the third wish nullified because the reconciliation happened without him?
12. The credibility of the final wish, the brother coming alive again – but the final twist that Emma likes Liam because of his devotion to his dead brother, how would he explain?

BORDERLANDS

US, 2024, 102 minutes, Colour.

Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Edgar Ramirez, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Mjnteanu, Gina Gershon, Haley Bennett, voice of Jack Black.

Directed by Eli Roth.

Borderlands is based on the very popular videogame. It is an adaptation by writer-director, Eli Roth (horror films like hostel, fantasies like if the House with a Clock in its Walls, the very effective crime drama, Thanksgiving). On the whole, there are critical response in the box office response has been poor.

It has the usual science fiction ingredients, distant planets, conflict in the universe, power-hungry rulers, a tough bounty Hunter, common tree from a scientist, a young girl at the centre of the conflict. The film depends on its cast, special effects, complex sequences, chases, fantasy imaginings.

It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall at the discussions with the casting director. The main desire would be a strong tough female figure, warrior type, muscles and force rather than feminine grace, more of a martial arts champion. And the choice was made for Cate Blanchett who is too subtle a screen presence to be persuasive as the bounty Hunter, more convincing in the final transformation to be the saviour of the world. The next question then, a tough warrior, tall and strong, able to resist all comers. And the choice of a for Kevin Hart noted for his wisecracking performances and not the tallest of actors. And what about a scientist, a kind of wisdom figure, able to articulate what is going on in terms of the planets, civilisation, a hidden vault with secrets of the universe? The choice of Jamie Lee Curtis who has a strong history of being a strong woman in difficult situations.

And the other main asset of the action is a one wheel robotic machine whose every thought is voiced allowed, and is also full of wisecracks. Actually, Jack Black fits the role perfectly. And, for this reviewer, one of the more enjoyable aspects of the film.

And, the rest of the cast is strong, Ariana Greenblatt (65, Barbie) is the precocious young teenager who seems to the key of the quest for finding an opening the vault. Edgar Ramirez, Hispanic instead of a British villain, is the power hungry father.

So, that is the cast, the origin of the film is so computer game, the expected action strange planets. Indications, one hopes, for whether Borderlands is a film to see or not.

KUNG FU PANDA 4

US, 2024, 93 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronnie Chieng, Seth Rogen.

Directed by Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine.

It is already 16 years since we were introduced to the large Panda, Po, genial but not the brightest, working in his father’s noodle house, but becoming a chosen one, especially under the guidance of the Guru, Master Shifu, and destined to be the defender of his place and the assorted population, animals of every kind.

The animation is bright and colourful, the action, especially the martial arts combats, always lively. And the voices came from a large number of prominent Hollywood talent, starting with Jack Black enjoying himself as Po, with Dustin Hoffman voicing Master Shifu. There were the five champions of the region, there were villains. And there was combat, despite Po and his initial limitations.

Since his first film, there have been quite a number of short features with the his for Panda, more recently 42 episodes of a television series. And, for the theatres, there was one 2, Kung Fu Panda 3 now, eight years since the last movie, Kung Fu Panda 4.

Looking back over the synopses of the previous three films, we realise that the plot is virtually the same every time, Po, genial and awkward, taking his responsibilities seriously most of the time but often lackadaisical, confronting a variety of villains that turned up each time. And, it is much the same here. However, there is a challenge for Po, Master Shifu urging him to find and train a successor. But, Po enjoys his life and mission too much.

A lot of the previous villains are now in some kind of eternal dimension. So, here we have Chameleon and, shape shifting, absolutely sinister, power-hungry. In a variety of shapes and reverting back to her Chameleon shape, she is voiced by Viola Davis.

In the meantime, Po encounters the little Zhen, voiced by Awkafina, tantalising, quick in combat, continually challenging him.

Plenty of combat sequences, building up to Po versus Chameleon in an extended confrontation, the rising from their eternity of so many of the characters of the past, vanquished and imprisoned by Chameleon. And there is always the mischievous Zhen, freeing herself from the power of Chameleon – leading to who knows where, even a sequel!.

Po must be getting old because he does decide on his successor as he moves on to greater wisdom and responsibility (we hope!).

1. The popularity of Kung Fu Panda? Films, television, the characters, the settings, colour, action? The musical score? The strong voice cast?
2. The location, the Valley of Peace, the creatures, living in harmony, the noodle store, countryside, the mountains, the city by the sea and its interiors? Atmosphere?
3. The same plot is the other films, the focus on Po, personality, size, weight, eating, martial arts skills, his role as defender? The combat sequences? His relationship with his 2 fathers?
4. Master Shifu, his role of advice, the challenge to Po, wisdom, choosing a successor (and the comic sequence of the range of possible successors and their style)? His unwillingness?
5. The 2 fathers, the store, the chatter, care for Po? The range of characters in the town? The opening, the creatures, the oppression, the enemy, the battle?
6. The character of Zhen, small, cheeky, challenging, a skill with martial arts, the encounters with Po?
7. The rising danger, Chameleon, her appearance, her voice, the shape shifting, becoming monstrous? Power hungry? Imprisoning the characters from the past and taking their power? Her power over is in? Zen and her rebellion? Siding with Po?
8. The buildup to the confrontation, the elaborate battle, the shape shifting, the support of the older creatures, their past with Po, the support of him? The vanquishing of Chameleon? Master Shifu and his encouragement to fight?
9. The future, accepting his destiny, the advice that he would know when he found his successor – and the challenge for Zhen?