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  • Movie Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

    April O'Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) April O’Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Striking animation and its rapid dialogue make ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ a fun watch in theaters. The heroes in a half-shell take on the powerful Superfly while juggling their desire to fit in with the human world in the latest animated feature by Paramount.

    In ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ teenage turtle brothers Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo are sheltered within the sewers of New York, longing to be like normal teenagers. They meet April O’Neil, an inspiring journalist who asks for their help in taking on a mysterious crime syndicate. They soon realize there is a much more dangerous threat that could bring harm to New York City.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

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    Initial Thoughts

    One of the most eye-catching elements of this movie is the animation style. It resembles the style we see in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ mixing 3D animation and 2D hand-drawn design. It’s very distinct and perfect for the quippy dialogue and fast-paced action scene. The film includes plenty of references for dedicated Turtle fans, yet it is modern and hip for the new and younger audience as well.

    Story and Direction

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.
    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ director Jeff Rowe.

    The film is directed by Jeff Rowe and Kyle Spears and gives the iconic turtle teens a fresh start. Opening the movie with an introduction to scientist Baxter Stockman and his work with mutation, the agents of T.C.R.I storm Stockman’s lab in order to steal his research. Stockman’s mutated fly fights back to in order to protect him, resulting in the lab being destroyed and some of the mutagen leaking down the sewer. This quickly establishes the antagonist, later named Superfly, as well as other well-known mutants such as Bebop and Rocksteady. This also builds the foundation for the inevitable battle between the Turtles and Superfly.

    While long-time fans are familiar with the origin of the turtles, there will be new audiences who are just meeting them for the first time. The film quickly sets up the dynamic of the brothers through their wisecracking banter and their undeniable bond. Although we know the Turtles to be crime fighters in past iterations, the movie doesn’t have the brothers battling villains right off the start. It focuses on the “teenager” part of the movie title and shows that although they don’t complain about running basic errands for their dad, they also long to stay above the sewers to enjoy normal things like a drive-in movie or see a concert, which gets them in trouble with Splinter who often warns them about the humans.

    Through a quick and hilarious exposition montage by Splinter of his and the Turtles’ origins, we understand why Splinter often cautions the brothers against being among the humans. Reluctantly, the brothers stay hidden in the shadows, away from humans and the world they long to be a part of.

    Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    (L to R) Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Past ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ movies and TV shows often cast adult actors as the leads, but in ‘Mutant Mayhem,’ the voice talents behind the four brothers and April O’Neill are, in fact, teenagers. This provided the characters with an authentic youthful energy. Combined with their use of modern lingo and endless references to pop culture, this energy carries through the entire film, making the movie quite fast-paced.

    The first two acts of the movie doesn’t focus too much on Superfly, even though he is the villain of the story. Instead, it focuses on the Turtles’ desire to be a part of the human world and do normal teenage things like go to high school. It also tells the story of why Splinter is so strict about the Turtles being seen by the humans, as he recollects his bad experience of being shunned and chased by humans. Aside from the awesome action sequences, the larger story is about the desire to fit in and be accepted for who you are.

    Related Article: Ice Cube Talks Playing Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’

    Easter Eggs And Pop Culture References

    Ice Cube as Superfly in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,' which opens in theaters on August 2nd.
    Ice Cube as Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which opens in theaters on August 2nd.

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtes’ has been around since the 80s, starting out as a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Since then, many iterations have been created, from animated series to live-action movies. Fans heading into ‘Mutant Mayhem’ will need to keep their eyes and ears peeled for easter eggs and references. A segment of the “Ninja Rap” from 1991’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II’ can be heard in one of the scenes. Other familiar phrases like “Cowabunga” can also be heard in the movie.

    This animated film also includes many modern references, as the Turtles long to be a part of the humans and learn what they can through social media since they can’t interact with humans. The brothers referred to current musicians and media such as Beyonce, BTS, ‘Attack on Titan,’ the ‘Avengers‘ movie, and more.

    Final Thoughts

    The movie’s vibrant animation and hilarious writing make this an entertaining watch. The witty and rapid banter between all the characters keeps the energy high and the laughs coming throughout the whole movie, though at times, some jokes were repeated too much that it grew tiresome. Seeing the Turtles somersault between building and hitting their iconic poses will take you down nostalgia lane. This movie gave the well-known franchise a fresh start without erasing the good of the previous movies and series.

    ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies Present ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies On Amazon

  • New Trailer for Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ Spinoff ‘Gen V’

    An official teaser trailer for ‘Gen V’ has been released. As a spin-off for the superhero Prime Video series ‘The Boys’, the trailer gives us a look at what we can expect from the upcoming show ahead of its September 29th premiere. The spin-off will follow a group of new students attending Godolkin University – a school named after John Godolkin, where the superpowered can train and learn more about their abilities. Setting the scene, the teaser opens up with familiar faces of A-Train, Queen Maeve, and Homelander, followed by quick flashes of things going terribly wrong.

    Just like ‘The Boys,’ the teaser trailer for ‘Gen V’ promises the same amount of blood, gore, and strong language with images of blood, guts, and violent action sequences. While a school welcome announcement calls the university “a safe space to thrive,” the teaser shows just how competitive the students can be. Lead character Marie Moreau who dreams of being the first Black woman in The Seven is told she could be the top-ranking freshman in the history of the school, but given the competitive nature of the school, it will also place a target on her back.

    It seems there’ll be more than just a group of highly competitive superpowered students doing the damage in the series, as there’s a line in the trailer alluding to more, “There are dangerous, evil people at that school.” Clancy Brown’s Richard “Rich” Brinkerhoff (also known as Coach Brink) ominous line of “Being a hero is not about glory, it’s about sacrifice,’ hints that not everyone will graduate from Goldolkin University. And from the looks of it, aside from the blood and gore, we’re getting dismembered puppets as well.

    The series is set to premiere with three episodes, with subsequent episodes airing weekly.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘The Boys’ Season 3

    Who Is In The Spin-off Series?

    Jaz Sinclair as Marie Moreau in Prime Video's 'The Boys' spinoff, 'Gen V.'
    Jaz Sinclair as Marie Moreau in Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ spinoff, ‘Gen V.’

    The series is led by Jaz Sinclair, who plays Marie Mareau, a blood-bender. The series also stars Chance Perdomo as Andre Anderson, Lizze Broadway as Emma Meyer, Maddie Phillips as Cate Dunlap, Derek Luh as shapeshifter Jordan, Shelley Conn, London Thor, Asa Germann, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sean Patrick Thomas, Marco Pigossi, Clancy Brown, Alexander Calvert, and Jason Ritter. The spin-off will also feature guest appearances from ‘The Boys’ cast, such as Jessie T. Usher, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit, and P.J. Byrne.

    Showrunners for ‘Gen V’ are Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters. Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Neal H. Moritz, James Weaver, Ori Marmur, Pavun Shetty, Ken Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Craig Rosenberg, Nelson Cragg, Zak Schwartz, Erica Rosbe, and Michaela Starr also serve as executive producers.

    Prime Video's 'The Boys' spinoff, 'Gen V.'
    Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ spinoff, ‘Gen V.’

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    Buy ‘The Boys’ On Amazon

     

  • ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Interview: Ice Cube

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    Opening in theaters on August 2nd is the new computer-animated superhero film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which was written and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (‘Superbad’), and directed by Jeff Rowe (‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’).

    What is the plot of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    After years of being sheltered from the human world, the four Turtle brothers (Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon) set out on a quest to be accepted as normal teenagers by the people of New York City through acts of heroism. With the aid of their new friend April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), the brothers go on a hunt for a mysterious crime syndicate, but trouble arises when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor and musician Ice Cube about his work in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ joining the popular franchise, his love for the Turtles, playing the villain Superfly, the recording process and bonding with his co-stars.

    Ice Cube stars in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Ice Cube stars in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Ice Cube, Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, and director Jeff Rowe.

    Moviefone: To begin with, were you a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before joining this project and what does it mean to you to be a part of this franchise?

    Ice Cube: Oh, yeah, a big fan. I’ve been checking them out since the ’80s and I took my kids to the movies and dealt with the lunch pails, the bedspreads, the action figures and all that. Remember when Kevin Durant went to the Warriors and they was already champs? It’s kind of like that. It’s like joining a championship franchise and getting a chance to make a difference. So, it was a dream come true for any actor.

    MF: How would you describe Superfly in your own words and was it challenging finding the character’s voice?

    IC: Superfly is the King of New York. Everything that’s bad, you’ve got to run through him. You’ve got to check in, for sure. But he has a heart. He don’t want to be an ugly Superfly. He wants friends. He wants acceptance. He just wants people to like him. He just wants to go to happy hour and eat his bowl of sugar and smoke a cigar, man. You know what I mean? It’s one of those things where he’s a guy you can understand, and if you don’t give him that, he tears up New York.

    Ice Cube as Superfly in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,' which opens in theaters on August 2nd.
    Ice Cube as Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which opens in theaters on August 2nd.

    MF: I understand for this film, the recording process was done differently than on other animated movies as you actually got to work with the other actors you were performing with. Can you talk about that process and what was that like for you?

    IC: It seemed like all animation should be done this way. You get a different kind of performance when you’re in the room with other actors who can match your timing, and you guys can kind of bounce off each other. It’s why the film feels so real and natural, and it doesn’t feel like the standard animation where you can tell somebody’s in a pristine studio, and they’re by themselves, and they’re trying to make it sound like they’re part of a group. This is the way to do it.

    MF: Finally, did that process allow you to bond with the four actors playing the Turtles, and what was it like for you working with them?

    IC: Very cool. All of them have great energy. All of them have great voices. When you think of animation, you think of people with amazing voices. How do you have a voice that’s perfect for a cartoon, especially when they’re young? I’m always amazed at these perfect voices that are chosen in animation, not just ‘Ninja Turtles,’ but most animation, they find the people with the most unique sounding voices that’s usually perfect. So, I like listening to them talk.

    'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.'
    Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies Present ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies On Amazon

  • ‘Cobweb’ Exclusive Interview: Lizzy Caplan

    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

    Opening exclusively in theaters on July 21st is the new horror thriller ‘Cobweb,’ which was directed by Samuel Bodin, and produced by Seth Rogen (‘Superbad’) and Evan Goldberg (‘This Is the End’).

    What is the plot of ‘Cobweb’?

    Eight-year-old Peter (Woody Norman) is plagued by a mysterious, constant tap, tap from inside his bedroom wall – a tapping that his parents insist is all in his imagination. As Peter’s fear intensifies, he believes that his parents (Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) could be hiding a terrible, dangerous secret and questions their trust. And for a child, what could be more frightening than that?

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Cobweb’?

    ‘Cobweb’ stars recent Emmy-nominee Lizzy Caplan (‘Fleishman Is in Trouble,’ ‘Now You See Me 2’) as Carol, Woody Norman (‘C’mon C’mon’) as Peter, Cleopatra Coleman (‘Infinity Pool’) as Miss Devine, and Antony Starr (‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’) as Mark.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Lizzy Caplan about her work on ‘Cobweb,’ the screenplay, her character, working with Woody Norman and Antony Starr, her love for the genre, collaborating with director Samuel Bodin, and taking on her iconic role in Paramount+’s ‘Fatal Attraction.’

    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and did the horror elements jump off the page or did you have to find those moments on set?

    Lizzy Caplan: I think the sad truth about making horror films is that there’s really nothing scary about it when your boots on the grounds making it so you see all the spit and scotch tape. So that’s one thing that I suppose you sacrifice by being in it, is that it probably won’t be scary to anybody actually involved in the making of the thing. But when I read the script, I thought there was a lot of opportunity to take this to a very odd and weird place, and that was exciting to me. Honestly, the biggest draw was getting to work with Sam, our director, because I was a huge fan of his Netflix show, ‘Marianne,’ which I thought was so scary and so visually unsettling. I was just itching to work with him.

    MF: What was your experience like working with director Samuel Bodin and collaborating together on set?

    LC: He’s the loveliest. I adore Sam. It was a very unique set in that we shot it in Bulgaria at the height of COVID with a full Bulgarian crew, and Sam is French, so there were many languages being spoken and we somehow managed to make the movie altogether, which I think is one of the most fun ways to do it because you have to rely on different ways to communicate. But they were a great crew and Bulgaria was great.

    Director Samuel Bodin of the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    Director Samuel Bodin of the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Jun Michael Park.

    MF: How would you describe Carol in your own words and what was your approach to playing the character?

    LC: I only know what we were doing on set, which got progressively more unhinged with each take. Antony and I were competing for who could make it weirder, and I really hope that some of that strangeness made it into the final cut because that was the most joyful part of making the thing for me. But the parents are the villains until, I guess, maybe there’s more to the story by the end of the film, but it was really exciting to play somebody who you’re not really sure what side she’s on, and if you should be rooting for these parents in any way whatsoever. I like that. I appreciate that gray area.

    MF: What was it like working with actor Antony Starr on Carol and Mark’s relationship?

    LC: Yes, I think that he was a great partner for this project. I think he’s a spectacular actor and really can go to very dark places while also feeling an underlying mischievous grin beneath it all, and I found that totally fun to work opposite.

    Lizzy Caplan as Carol and Antony Starr as Mark in the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    (L to R) Lizzy Caplan as Carol and Antony Starr as Mark in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

    Related Article: Jessie Eisenberg and Claire Danes Talk FX’s ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’

    MF: Can you talk about Carole and Peter’s over-protective mother and son relationship?

    LC: Yes, she’s a very protective mother. That’s a nice way to put it. I do think that her intentions are good and come from a protective and loving place, but they’re clearly a bit misguided. I always think I’m drawn to characters that seem difficult to like and difficult to get behind, and I try to figure out how to make the decisions that they are making feel like the only decisions that character could make, and hopefully while doing that, garner some empathy from the audience. Again, I do believe Carol was just doing the best she could like all mothers. Well, maybe not like all mothers.

    MF: Can you talk about working with Woody Norman, and did you have to take any extra precautions working on the violent scenes with such a young actor?

    LC: It was really fun to chase that kid around with a knife, I will say. Woody is very talented and he’s got an incredible face. He’s this very special young talent, and he’s got a very cool mom, which doesn’t always happen with young actors, so that probably helps. But yeah, he was fine and he was mature beyond his years. He knows more about music and literature than a lot of people I’ve spoken to who are my age, so I wasn’t too worried about scaring him. I remember after chasing him around a few times, we would always have a laugh after we cut just to make sure he knew I wasn’t actually trying to stab him.

    Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    Woody Norman as Peter in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

    MF: Is it fun making a horror movie and what do you like about the genre?

    LC: Yeah, it is. It’s really fun. I would definitely love to make more horror films. I’m a big fan of them, and it was a blast. There’s a few different sub-genres within the horror umbrella, and they’re the ones that are trying to say something, that are sneaking a message about the culture and society into a story that’s maybe more easily digestible to the masses. So you can introduce really interesting ideas like abuse or addiction, and there are countless examples of those types of horror movies. Then there are just the really fun ones, the popcorn ones that are there for the jump scares, and I think people are drawn to horror movies because we like feeling scared when we know it’s safe to feel scared. As scary as a movie can be, you know that you’re just watching a film and it’s not actually happening, and I think people are really drawn to that. We’re excited by those feelings of fear, especially if we know that it’s not totally real. It’s like roller coasters and horror movies, people love that stuff. So I that we weaved in some subtext about abuse and just familial trauma.

    Joshua Jackson as Dan Gallagher and Lizzy Caplan as Alex Forrest in 'Fatal Attraction' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Joshua Jackson as Dan Gallagher and Lizzy Caplan as Alex Forrest in ‘Fatal Attraction’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Monty Brinton/Paramount+

    MF: Finally, what was it like for you as an actress to take on Glenn Close’s iconic role of Alex Forrest for Paramount+’s ‘Fatal Attraction’ series.

    LC: I mean, it was both daunting and very fulfilling and it was the second half of a very strange year where I did ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’ in the first half and then moved directly into doing ‘Fatal Attraction,’ and I really wanted that challenge to see if I could do two completely different characters that close to each other. I don’t know if I would necessarily want to do it like that again, but the notion that I got to scratch multiple creative itches over the course of one 12 month period is something that I feel very grateful for.

    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, 'Cobweb,' a Lionsgate release.
    Lizzy Caplan as Carol in the Horror/Thriller film, ‘Cobweb,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Vlad Cioplea.

    This interview was accomplished prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

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    ‘Cobweb’ is produced by Point Grey Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, and Lionsgate. The movie is scheduled to release in theaters on July 21st, 2023.

  • Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    In theaters now, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ brings the world of the Nintendo icon to the big screen for the second time.

    There is a great movie a little cynically based on a famous IP that features the voice of Chris Pratt. Unfortunately for this, it’s called ‘The LEGO Movie’, which took the basic building blocks of the popular plastic toy, and in the hands of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (plus a lot of other talented types) became a wild and dazzling mix of knowing pop culture gags, smart goofiness and genuine heart.

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is looking to channel some of that energy, but focused more on entertaining little ones, it never reaches the same level. Which is not to say it’s devoid of entertainment value.

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    What’s the story of ‘Super Mario Bros.’?

    While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world under threat from the powerful Bowser (Jack Black). But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi. With the assistance of a Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario taps into his own power.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Nintendo was a solid basis

    Given the sheer amount of games, worlds, characters and situations in Nintendo’s catalogue, there was certainly enough material already present to spin something fun. Instead, the gaming backdrop is largely the source of a whole basket of easter eggs drawn from a variety of titles.

    And there are one or two deep cuts that only true Nintendo fans will recognize (full disclosure, this writer has played a few of the games but didn’t catch everything). One or two sequences, such as an early chase played from the side, and the training process that Mario goes through, will give gamers a shiver of pleasurable recognition, but those are few and far between.

    Some of the heavy hitters, such as Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and father Cranky Kong (Fred Armisen) are given key roles in the story, though some of the voice choices are confounding –– while some roles feel like they’ve been well matched with talent (such as Key’s Toad and Peach’s Taylor-Joy) –– others, particularly Rogen, are more of a mystery. The Canadian funnyman has admitted that most of his animated characters tend to just sound like him, so why not give one of the most important roles to someone who doesn’t bother to really come up with a new voice?

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Related Article: Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch Talk ‘The Terminal List’

    Voice-wise, Pratt is also a surprise, and fairly generic (especially given how much spirit he brought to ‘LEGO’s Emmett).

    You can see (or rather hear), though, why the filmmakers might have preferred not to have the traditional Mario voice through an entire movie. And when you meet Mario and Luigi’s family early on, you understand further (original Mario voice actor Charles Martinet has one of his two cameos in their scene), and honestly? It’s a stereotypical gathering that will offend more people than it charms.

    Pratt and Day have decent chemistry as brothers, though the movie falls down some cliched warp pipes as it explores their backstory and when they’re separated, Luigi is all but ignored until the end.

    Once they’re drawn into the Nintendo world, there’s a lot of exposition to get through, but at least it’s delivered in decently entertaining form. And let’s all be honest –– like the recent ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, this is starting from a point where the last cinematic adaptation of the source is considered a big miss. Here, that would be 1993’s ‘Super Mario Bros.’, a confusing mélange of gritty and fantastical that went the live-action route but felt like it was a David Lynch fever dream. At least the bright, breezy animation feels like a better fit. But it’s not perfect.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    Style over storytelling

    The biggest issue to be found with the movie is in its script and story. While there are some beautifully designed and animated shots to be found here, with plenty of detail and some faithful recreations of certain elements, you do wonder why the same level of craft put into making Mario’s overalls look right wasn’t given over to the humor.

    Most the jokes here fall flat, and the ones that do hit are likely to be chuckles rather than anything else. Credit, then, to Black, who makes Bowser an actually funny character (we won’t spoil his agenda besides the usual domination, though if you know what he often gets up to in the games, you can probably figure some of it out). There are serious shades of the actor’s Tenacious D personality (particularly when Bowser gets musical), but he melds it into something that doesn’t feel like a wholesale repeat.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

    It’s busy and loud in places and will appeal more to younger viewers than the sort of four-quadrant charmer that Nintendo and movie producers Illumination might prefer, but then aiming at the youthful crowd has worked well for the latter in the past, given the box office success of the ‘Minions‘ in particular. It’s just a shame that their formula vacuum took in a hugely iconic source material with such promise and churned out a broad movie that features your average hero storyline, a lot of talk about saving kingdoms and more confusingly given the target audience, a load of needle drops that will fly straight over their heads (“Holding Out for a Hero”, for example, or “Take on Me”).

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is not a bad movie, exactly, it’s just more of a missed opportunity to do something as fresh and inventive as some of the best out there.

    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie receives 5 out of 10 stars.

    'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.
    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ will open in theaters on April 7, 2023.

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    ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is produced by Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo. It is set to release in theaters on April 5th, 2023.

  • Movie Review: ‘The Fabelmans’

    (L to R) Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), Mitzi Fabelman (Michelle Williams), Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano), Natalie Fabelman (Keeley Karsten), Reggie Fabelman (Julia Butters) and Lisa Fabelman (Sophia Kopera) in 'The Fabelmans,' co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    (L to R) Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), Mitzi Fabelman (Michelle Williams), Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano), Natalie Fabelman (Keeley Karsten), Reggie Fabelman (Julia Butters) and Lisa Fabelman (Sophia Kopera) in ‘The Fabelmans,’ co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    Opening  in theaters in limited release on November 11th (ahead of a wider screen count around Thanksgiving), ‘The Fabelmans’ marks Steven Spielberg’s most autobiographical film to date. And it’s a masterclass in digging out emotion from the smallest moments while also serving as a pean to the power of cinema.

    The director has never been shy about infusing himself, particularly his youthful inspirations, into his movies. ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, for example, is he and George Lucas pouring their obsession with classic serials into a new adventure series.

    Other movies, such as ‘E.T.’ channeled divorce trauma, while ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘Munich’ see him interrogating aspects of his Jewish background.

    But none of them are quite as close to the filmmaker’s actual background than ‘The Fabelmans’, which sees Spielberg making a rare foray into also co-writing the script with regular collaborator Tony Kushner.

    Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fabelman in 'The Fabelmans,' co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fabelman in ‘The Fabelmans,’ co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    Inspired by Spielberg’s own childhood and young adulthood in Arizona, the movie kicks off initially in New Jersey, where young Sammy Fabelman (with Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord playing him at age seven before Gabriel LaBelle takes over for his troubled teenage years) has his eyes opened and his mind slightly blown by 1952’s ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’.

    Though he’s also scared by the experience, it leaves a stamp on his soul and he becomes fascinated with recreating the train crash from the movie. It’s a passion that is indulged by his mother Mitzi (Michelle Williams), a pianist who has put her own dreams on hold to support her husband (Paul Dano’s Burt) and who realizes that her son has a giant creative streak that mirrors her own.

    Burt, meanwhile, a successful, genius computer engineer, sees his son’s cinematic focus as a hobby that should be put aside alongside other childhood things as Sammy grows up. And the clash between art and science is one that only intensifies, especially when Burt moves the family to Arizona so he can take a big new job.

    Uprooted and in a new school, Sammy goes through some familiar life moments – he falls for a girl, is a nerd bullied by jocks and starts to figure out who he should be. His love of moviemaking only grows, and in the recreation of some of Spielberg’s own youthful experiments, the movie comes truly comes to life. Showing both the process and the result, the home movies boast more impressive filmmaking than some of the blockbusters in theaters this summer.

    (L to R) Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano) and Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle, back to camera) in 'The Fabelmans,' co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    (L to R) Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano) and Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle, back to camera) in ‘The Fabelmans,’ co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    Which is not to say that the family drama is shortchanged. Far from it; with established actors such as Williams, Dano and Seth Rogen surrounded by a well-cast supporting group of largely young newcomers, the Fabelmans are a compelling brood.

    Burt is quiet and logical, while Mitzi is wild and dramatic, passionate and driven, but also haunted by addiction issues and depression. It could all come across as cliché, but Spielberg and his cast dig into the real feelings that swirl.

    And despite the surface appearance of domestic bliss, this family has deeper problems – Mitzi is in love with Burt’s best friend Bennie, who serves as a de facto uncle to the kids. She lobbies to have him move with them to Arizona, but it’s Sammy’s home movies that eventually reveal the truth.

    His camera skills also come into play towards the end of the movie, where Sammy is tasked with filming his high school year’s “ditch day” at the beach, which once again brings him into contact with his primary antagonist, Logan (Sam Rechner), a jock who ruthlessly torments young Sammy and is confused – and therefore upset – when Sammy lionizes him in the ditch day film shown at their senior prom.

    Michelle Williams as Mitzi Fabelman in 'The Fabelmans,' co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    Michelle Williams as Mitzi Fabelman in ‘The Fabelmans,’ co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    After a clash, Logan stalks away, and Spielberg offers probably the heaviest wink towards this being his story, as Sammy offers that it’s not like he can’t make a movie to have the last laugh. Which is just what Spielberg has done.

    There are plenty of laughs to be found in ‘The Fabelmans,’ but the director is also unafraid to probe deeply into the trauma too. While some might have used a movie like this to lionize themselves and their family, Spielberg instead focuses on the pain that surrounded the wonder.

    Dano and Williams are, of course, excellent, the latter handed the juiciest role while the former does a lot with the quietly logical father figure whose influence continues to resonate through his son’s career.

    LaBelle, as our primary focus, is also impressive, carrying the weight of this complicated character ably, no easy task when you’re bringing to life a version of the director guiding your performance. You can only imagine the pressure he must have been under, even with a good-natured sort such as Spielberg.

    Seth Rogen as Bennie Loewy in 'The Fabelmans', co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    Seth Rogen as Bennie Loewy in ‘The Fabelmans’, co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    Yet his Sammy is a watchable protagonist, and you’ll experience the highs and lows in his life right alongside him.

    Rogen, meanwhile, in a smaller role as Benny, nevertheless delivers a funny, emotional role fairly far removed from his usual gross-out work.

    And talking of smaller roles, a cameo by Judd Hirsch as Sammy’s estranged great-uncle, Boris appears for roughly two scenes but dominates every moment he’s on screen with magnetic, cranky energy. “Family, art, life – it will tear you in two,” Boris, who claims to have his own film world experience, tells Sam. “It will tear your heart out and leave you lonely.”

    ‘The Fabelmans’ might not quite tear your heart out, but it will certainly engage it. And it’s infused with a real love of the cinema in way that another upcoming release – Sam Mendes’ ‘Empire of Light’ – never quite reaches.

    Steven Spielberg has (mostly) laid his life bare in a way that many in Hollywood wouldn’t dare, and though the result doesn’t boast giant dinosaurs or alien spaceships landing (well, except on a slightly cheaper scale), it’s definitely one of his best.

    Gabriel LaBelle and co-writer/producer/director Steven Spielberg on the set of 'The Fabelmans.'
    (L to R) Gabriel LaBelle and co-writer/producer/director Steven Spielberg on the set of ‘The Fabelmans.’

    ‘The Fabelmans receives 4 out of 5 stars.

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  • First Trailer for Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’

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    Steven Spielberg is, by any definition, among the masters of modern moviemaking. Able to switch between popular blockbusters and Oscar-winning dramas the way other people change shoes, he’s been responsible for some of the most famous and beloved films in the last few decades.

    And now he’s back with a movie that aims to (partly) explore how he himself fell in love with films and filmmaking. The semi-autobiographical new drama ‘The Fabelmans’ had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, and the first trailer is now online.

    Co-written by the director and regular collaborator Tony Kushner (who earned Oscar nominations for ‘Lincoln’ and ‘Munich’), the basic story for this one is as follows: “Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, a young man named Sammy Fabelman discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.” Of course, there’s a lot more to it than that – there’s tension between his artistic mother Mitzi (Michelle Williams) and his more straightlaced, scientific father Burt (Paul Dano). Mitzi encourages her son’s creative side, while Burt wishes he’d keep his eye on more practical matters.

    Gabriel LaBelle, seen in movies such as ‘The Predator’, plays Sammy, who is essentially Spielberg’s stand-in here (though that “semi” in “semi-autobiographical” gives the director plenty of wiggle room).

    (L to R) Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle and Michelle Williams in Steven Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans.'
    (L to R) Paul Dano, Gabriel LaBelle and Michelle Williams in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans.’

    The cast also includes Seth Rogen as Bennie Loewy, Burt’s best friend and honorary “uncle” to the Fabelman children, and Judd Hirsch as Mitzi’s Uncle Boris, Julia Butters as Sammy’s sister Reggie, Robin Bartlett as Sammy’s maternal grandmother Tina Schildkraut, and Keeley Karsten as Sammy’s sister Natalie. There’s also a cameo from fellow director David Lynch.

    “When COVID hit, we had a lot of time and we had a lot of fear,” Spielberg said at the premiere. “I don’t think anyone knew in March or April of 2020 what was going to be the state of art or the state of life even a year from then. As things got worse and worse, I felt that if I was going to leave anything behind, what was the thing that I need to resolve and unpack about my mom, my dad and my sisters?”

    As well as that solid cast, Spielberg recruited a typically solid line-up of collaborators for this one, including John Williams on score duty, Janusz Kaminski bringing his painterly style to the visuals, and costume design by Rick Carter.

    “It was very spooky. It was terrifying,” LaBelle said at the premiere. “You get on set and you’re surrounded by masters. Writing, directing, acting, producing, cinematography, costumes, props, music, editing, everything. Just masters of this art. And there’s me. I’m that kid with the good audition.”

    ‘The Fabelmans’ will be in select theaters from November 11th before opening wide on November 23rd. So if you need something to distract your family on Thanksgiving this year, why not spend time with a version of Spielberg’s?

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  • ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ in the Works

    2008's 'Kung Fu Panda.'
    2008’s ‘Kung Fu Panda.’

    If there’s one thing we know about DreamWorks Animation, it’s that the company is not one to let a successful franchise venture off into the sunset.

    We’re not surprised, then, to see that the ‘Kung Fu Panda’ movie series will be coming back – but not until 2024.

    So far, all we really know about the movie is the fact that it’ll be out on March 8th, 2024 as Universal and DWA stick a pin in that release date, which right now only has ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ and the new ‘Panda’ could well serve as family-friendly counterprogramming to the expansion of Paramount’s creature feature franchise.

    No director or even a confirmation of the voice cast has been revealed about the latest ‘Kung Fu Panda’, but since the studio was confident enough to announce a release date, we can reasonably assume that production is underway, even if it’s still at an early stage. These movies, after all, usually take between three to five years to make.

    We can reasonably predict that Jack Black will be back as Po, and since these job only involve turning up to a recording booth (or, in this pandemic world, setting yourself up in a closet or room of your home) a few times, the rest of the star cast are likely to be back alongside him.

    What will Po face this time? That’s still a mystery, but it’ll be something to test his bravery and skill as ever.

    The franchise, in terms of movies alone, has earned more than $1.8 billion since its launch in 2008.

    Jack Black in 2008's 'Kung Fu Panda.'
    Jack Black in 2008’s ‘Kung Fu Panda.’

    ‘Kung Fu Panda’, which was directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson, kicked off the story of Po (Black), a wide-eyed panda who is mostly known for being lazy and having a huge appetite. He’s also a massive fan of martial artists and dreams of fighting alongside the legendary Furious Five.

    No-one is more surprised than he, then, when he’s selected as the hero who can defend the Valley of Peace.

    Under the patient tutelage of Master Sifu (Dustin Hoffman), Po learns kung fu and meets the Five – Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Mantis (Seth Rogen).

    He’ll need everything he’s learned and the help of those formidable warriors for help when the scheming snow leopard warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) escapes prison and wreaks havoc on the valley.

    Since then, Po and the Five have been on various adventures across the three movies and their stories have also spread to TV.

    Nickelodeon has ‘Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness’, which features a different voice cast, while Netflix’s ‘Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight’ boasts the talents of Black, James Hong (as Po’s adoptive goose father, Mr. Ping) and Rita Ora.

    And they were just the tip of the iceberg, as Po and co. have been plastered over toys, video games, books and theme park attractions.

    2008's 'Kung Fu Panda.'
    2008’s ‘Kung Fu Panda.’
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  • Seth Rogen Developing a Comedy About United Nations Employees For CBS

    Seth Rogen Developing a Comedy About United Nations Employees For CBS

    Showtime

    We’ve had workplace comedies set at offices, bars, TV show, and even police squad rooms. How about unhappy UN employees?

    Seth Rogen and Lionsgate TV are developing “UNprofessionals,” a single-camera comedy series about unappreciated workers at the United Nations.

    That’s a backdrop more often used for thrillers like Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” and the 2005 drama “The Interpreter.” Can we expect Hitchcock send-ups along the lines of Mel Brooks’ “High Anxiety“?

    Andy Schwartz  of “Scrubs,” along with brothers Randy and Jason Sklar, will write and Jay Chandrasekhar (“Arrested Development,” “New Girl”) will direct.

    The Sklar brothers, who act as well as write, hosted “Cheap Seats” from 2004-2006 on ESPN Classic. Their more memorable guest star turns include conjoined twins on “Grey’s Anatomy” and the owners of a music shop on “Better Call Saul.”

    Rogen’s TV producing credits include “Preacher,” “Black Monday,” and Amazon’s “The Boys.”

    [Via The Wrap]

  • Get a Closer Look at ‘The Lion King’s Pumbaa and Timon in New Clip With Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner

    Get a Closer Look at ‘The Lion King’s Pumbaa and Timon in New Clip With Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner

    Disney

    In the jungle, the mighty jungle, Pumbaa and Timon enjoy fresh, locally sourced, extra crunchy insects, as seen in a new TV spot for Disney’s remake of “The Lion King.”

    Both Seth Rogen (who voices warthog Pumbaa) and Billy Eichner (meerkat Timon) posted the clip to social media. It provides the most extended footage of the two characters so far.

    “We do as we please,” Pumbaa tells young Simba (JD McCrary) as the duo welcome the lion cub to their vast jungle abode. Though, if he’s going to stay with them, “You have to eat like us.” Time to feast on some insects!

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    As the clip continues, you can hear the strains of the iconic song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” in the background.

    “The Lion King” opens in theaters July 19.