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Spirited (2022)
Hilarious Re-Imagining
I never thought I would see a more hilarious version of A Christmas Carol, then I saw Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. Both are genius comedic actors in their own right, but who knew they could sing? I mean Ferrell has sung some before, but it wasn't Broadway good, Spirited was Broadway good. Ryan Reynolds is excellent as Clint, a driven businessman bent on making it to the top despite hurting others. Is he really unredeemable like they say?
Behind the scenes of how the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future work to make mankind better; the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) has his own secrets. Lots of twists & turns, tons of singing and even a dash of romance happens between Christmas Present and Kimberly, Clint's business partner. Can anyone change their ways? Does it only take one night and three ghosts? Only Dickens knows for sure!
Spirited was a good production of Apple+, but too many people are going to miss this gem because it's only available on the one streaming service. If there was only a round, plastic disc to watch movies on, they could put the movie on that particular format and sell it for profit.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Sweet Home Romantic Comedy
Who doesn't love Reese Witherspoon? She was extremely popular at the beginning of the 21st century, but her star power has waned in recent years, a product of Hollywood ageist culture. However, that never really stopped her co-star Candice Bergen (shes been popular among audiences for more than 50 years). Bergen's role is a diverse one, her character is the New York City mayor and mother to a playboy bachelor. Patrick Dempsey plays her son Andrew, who is set to marry the famous clothing designer Melanie Carmichael, played by Witherspoon.
True to the title, the film is set mostly in Alabama, with the Lynyrd Skynyrd song 'Sweet Home Alabama' taking it's place amongst the soundtrack. Josh Lucas (who could easily be mistaken for Matthew McConaughey) plays the down home country boy Jake Perry, Melanie's first love. The problem, Melanie and Jake are still married. The solution, Melanie needs a divorce from Jake in order to marry Andrew. Chaos ensues while she's on her mission.
This is a wonderful romantic comedy that can be enjoyed by most viewers, if age appropriate. Definitely for a mature audience that understands the hardships and heartbreaks of love.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Try As They May, But Will Never Live Up To Home Alone or Home Alone 2
Disney acquired the rights to the Home Alone franchise when they subsequently purchased 20th Century Fox in 2019, in of the biggest mergers in Hollywood history. Of course Disney wasn't going to waste an opportunity milking the franchise, but this installment does rate somewhat better than previous releases, like Home Alone 3. The writers of this film were creative enough to add some subtle links to the Chris Columbus helmed films of the 1990s, which is fun if you're a fan. But the subtleties are so quick, you may not notice them.
The other downside of Disney owning the franchise rights now, and this film being released to Disney+, you have to be a Disney+ subscriber in order to see the movie. Unless you know someone! Disney could make a bundle of money if they released to disc some of the content they have on their streaming platform.
Anyway, the story isn't completely original, a rehashing of the 'thieves stealing from a kid who sets up traps' mantra. The best parts are the tidbits linking the McAllister family. But it will never live up to the original Home Alone, or the superiority of Home Alone 2 (which was a masterpiece of casting and creativity).
Julie & Julia (2009)
Bon Appetit Julia Child!
Before Gordon Ramsey and before Emeril, Julia Child was who most people saw cooking on television. From the 1960s until the 1990s, Julia Child was very well known to the world. She was a national treasure, adored by millions the world over, but she wasn't in the spotlight for the game, she just loved food and enjoyed eating. I like that Nora Ephron explores Julia's early life with Paul, spliced with the modern time of Julie Powell, it gives a great contrast to the two women. Had it been just a biography of Julia Child, it would have still been interesting, maybe even better.
The modern story of Julie Powell is interesting, but it wasn't the main reason I originally watched this film. I had always been a lifelong fan of Julia Child, and enjoyed her cooking shows. Like Julia Child, I too felt that Julie Powell wasn't being entirely honest or truthful with her blog, but it gained popularity and gained Child a new generation of fans. There's more than one point of view, and two sides to the story; it can be seen through Julia Child's eyes or Julie Powell's eyes. Or perhaps you can agree to disagree and learn from them both.
Whether you agree or disagree with Julie Powell and Julia Child, I think you will agree that Julie & Julia is a wonderful film by Nora Ephron, probably one of the best she's made. The film is best viewed while sitting down to a delicious meal of your own. Just don't do what Dan Aykroyd did when he parodied Julia Child on SNL and cut yourself!
Bon Appetit!
Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure (1989)
Real Life Drama
Watching this made for television movie about the true life story and rescue of Baby Jessica is rather nail-biting at times, even though it's been thirty-seven years since the events took place. Even knowing that she was eventually rescued, the filmed version is still heart wrenching to watch. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the responders on scene, except that it must have been awfully stressful with news cameras and onlookers in every direction watching their every move.
A young Beau Bridges leads the cast alongside Pat Hingle as the chiefs of police and fire who must devise a plan to save the little girl before time ultimately runs out. Bridges and Hingle both turn in fair performances as their respective characters. The story ends positively enough at least, with Jessica being rescued after more than two days underground.
Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby (1993)
Cutesy Flintstones TV Flick
These next-generation Flintstone television movies can be compared in similarity to The Brady Bunch television sequel, The Brady's. Much like that show, the kids from the Flintstones show from the 1960s are grown up and now control (to some extent) their own lives. Married and living in Hollyrock (Flintstones version of Hollywood), Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm are expecting. Of course, Fred and Barney are going to get involved and because they love their children, they usually cause havoc in their wake. Betty and Wilma are always trying to make everything better.
The movie plays out like a soap opera of sorts, with misunderstandings and crying and fighting. Come to think of it, it sounds a lot like the plot of the Steve Martin version of Father of the Bride Part II. You might recognize some of the voice actors. Jerry Houser is the voice of Bamm-Bamm, and ironically was also a character from the Brady Bunch TV sequel, The Bradys as Wally Logan. Brad Garrett also lends his talent to the film as a character named Big Rock. Even Mark Hamill is part of the cast.
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
Great Film
Mr. Holland's Opus is a wonderful film that was released by Walt Disney Studio's sub-studio Hollywood Pictures in 1995 to attract a wider, more mature audience. Starring the talented Richard Dreyfus as the eponymous Glenn Holland, a musical artist who reluctantly takes a "fall back" job as a high school music and band teacher.
Olympia Dukakis is extra charming as Principal Helen Jacobs, who is seen by Holland as strict but fair. The there is William H. Macy who plays the villain of the story, vice principal Wolters, a rather conniving foil to Holland. I rather liked Jay Thomas in this film and wish he had been in more films to showcase his talents. Glenne Headley, who plays Iris Holland however, I can't say I was really that impressed by her performance.
As for Jean Louisa Kelly, she was stupendous in her role of Rowena Morgan. Kelly is a great singer, and I loved the Gershwin review scenes she shares with the football player/dancers. Speaking of music, the films soundtrack is full of great hits from Ray Charles, John Lennon and even Classical music like Johann Sebastian Bach.
The film also makes people more aware of a community that's all around them that they may not be aware of, the deaf community, which the film deals heavily with. The main characters son, Cole is hearing impaired, and Mr. Holland has to come to terms to deal with the irony because he is a music teacher. The film also shows how hearing impaired children learn and speak differently with ASL, which is used throughout the story. Marlee Maitlin makes a cameo appearance as a deaf teacher.
The film spans a 30 year time period from just after John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 to the mid 90s and is done with amazement by Stephen Herek who had previously only worked on horror and comedy films. This was Herek's first drama. The film is coming up on its own 30th anniversary, and many of the stars have sadly passed on. The only main star left is Richard Dreyfus.
Bowfinger (1999)
Hilarious Must See
This was another one of those sleeper hit films that everybody thought was just another dumb comedy movie. It's one of the best Steve Martin comedy roles by far. You also get to see Eddie Murphy playing multiple characters again, like he did in The Nutty Professor films. And Eddie's absolutely outrageously funny as both Kit and Kip, two brothers who have absolutely nothing in common. Murphy's character Kit is an overworked Hollywood actor who is paranoid by just about everything. Kip just wants to make friends.
Then there is Bobby Bowfinger, a man with a dream, a dream to make a Hollywood movie for around $1,000 cash. That's what they all cost, right? Or so he thinks! Bowfinger is played wonderfully by the talented Steve Martin. Together, with his cohorts, he takes advantage of Kit's situation and starts making a masterpiece.
Making a cameo in the beginning of the film is Robert Downey Jr as Jerry Renfro, a Hollywood executive that Bowfinger (Martin) pretty much scams. Then, there's Heather Graham in her early days as Daisy, the girl who will do anybody or anything to be an actress. Jamie Kennedy also has a small role in the film as a guy who works on a real studio lot and has access to a van. Oddly, this film is directed by Frank Oz, the man who gives Yoda in Star Wars his voice. He did a great job directing a film within a film. And he's great with comedy, because he also helmed What About Bob? In 1991, and that's a classic.
Black Dog (1998)
Swayze and Travis in Black Dog
Black Dog is probably one of the most underrated films that Patrick Swayze ever made during his film career. It's actually a pretty good action film, and Swayze has Randy Travis along for the ride as a sort of sidekick thats the opposite of his real life persona. In the film Travis is a horrible singer and songwriter, which I'm sure was fun for Travis to play and poke fun at himself. The storyline for the film is not bad either, it's well written. The film itself just seems really short at only 88 minutes.
Another singer appearing in the film is Meatloaf as Red, a southern boy who recites the Bible and acts almighty, but that just seems to be a cover. You get to learn about each character during the duration of the movie, which makes you either like or hate them. And each actor plays very well off of the other, which makes it convincing that they have a history beyond the story and gives a realistic feel. Randy Travis does add to the soundtrack of the film with his deep country music, which is very befitting to the locations where they filmed.
There is comedy relief written into the film as well between FBI agent Ford (played by Charles Dutton) and ATF agent McClaren (played by Stephen Tobolowsky). It gives the film lightheartedness that it really needs, especially when things get dramatic or suspenseful. This back and forth plays throughout the film and gives depth to their character.
The Presidents (2005)
Quintessential Series on American Presidents
The quintessential series on the history of the number one job in the United States, being President. From George Washington to George W. Bush, we get to learn about the ups and down & ins and outs of every office holder, as narrated by the late Edward Hermann. This is a very educational series and should be shown in every highschool across the country, especially during years of presidential elections because every American kid should learn about their leaders and especially more about the founding fathers and what they did to shape the the United States.
With interviews from the top presidential scholars of the time, each episode is full of history and facts. While President Jimmy Carter is the only former leader who makes an appearance himself, others are shown in news footage and past election coverage. Each episode is split into different eras, spanning 28 to 40 years, and it's not a biased documentary series against any one political party or particular president, which is nice.
It's one of my favorite documentaries on the subject of Presidents, but if you are to buy a personal copy of the series on dvd, there are two different versions available. In one version, the final episode is re-edited to include Barack Obama, who wasn't elected until 2008, and that episodes narration is also redubbed not to include Edward Hermann. The original version with Hermann's narration is the better version.
The Dancing Pumpkin (2000)
Oddly Obscure and Weirdly Different
This was one of those films that I just happened upon while doing some shopping at the flea market one time, and the artwork looked just strange enough that I had to pick it up. At the time, my son was about three years old and he was absolutely enthralled with the movie. I was rather surprised upon watching it with him that it was actually a good little movie. Even as weird as the animation was, and it's nothing like the quality of a Disney or Pixar film, it still looks like the work of a high school art student.
The music and story itself are pretty campy and corny, which I guess kids will love, but parents might find somewhat an annoyance, especially if kids want to watch the movie on repeat, which sometimes they like to do. I watched it just once and that was enough to stay in my memory for the past twelve plus years. Apparently, they ended up making a sequel, but I have yet to see that one.
Showgirls (1995)
Guilt By Association
I never could understand all the hate surrounding this film. It's really no worse than some of the other mainstream films that have been released in recent years, like the 50 Shades trilogy for instance. Maybe Showgirls was just ahead of its time, or maybe it was the attached NC-17 rating that the film didn't really deserve, but at the time it was made, there was a far more conservative MPAA board that didn't want this film to have any positive qualities whatsoever. And that's exactly what happened.
Director Paul Verhoeven paid the ultimate price, losing out on other projects after the negative fallout; Showgirls was meant to have been a huge success for him, but his career never fully recovered. The same can be said for Joe Eszterhas as well, his career also slumped after this film; and he had a long career of hits that included Flashdance and Basic Instinct. As for star Elizabeth Berkley, Showgirls was supposed to be her big thrust into stardom, but the backlash forced her to take secondary and smaller roles in mostly lower budget films until her semi retirement in 2009.
Because of all the publicity, negative or otherwise, the film now has a cult following. Somehow, it even got a sequel some years back, but what movie in Hollywood doesn't have a sequel nowadays. It was mostly for a cash grab, I'm sure, because it was panned worse than the original.
The Castaway Cowboy (1974)
Aloha Cowboy
The Castaway Cowboy, a western film in the Disney tradition is a family film about Texan Lincoln Costain, played by James Garner. While in California, he gets shanghaied and jumps ship just off the shore of the Hawaiian islands. While there, he works on a ranch run by Henrietta MacAvoy, played by Vera Miles and comes face to face with a major problem. The problem is that wild cattle are destroying her crops, causing her to be further behind on her bank note. And the banker, Calvin Bryson couldn't be happier because he's got his eyes on Henrietta and her farm.
The problem is, Calvin is devious and dubious and will do anything, legal or not to get his hands on the property. If that even includes a little sabotage or murder, he feels he's above the law. He doesn't count on Lincoln Costain's no holds barred Texas approach on solving problems. Eventually, Henrietta and Costain are able to convert the farm from cash crops to cattle, which in the long run will net Henrietta with more income if they can successfully pull off how to load the cows onto a boat.
This is an interesting film, it shows a part of Hawaiian history prior to its statehood in the United States, a time when it was still being colonized and before it was completely commercialized. It's also one of only two films that James Garner made for the Disney company, the other being One Little Indian.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
A Sleeper Hit
The Nightmare Before Christmas didn't have a lot going for it back in 1993 when it was originally released, the Walt Disney company didn't even want to put its name on the production at the time. Instead, it was originally released under their Touchstone pictures label, because it was deemed too dark for a Disney film and seen as a failure. A lot of the animosity also had to do with a bad history with Tim Burton's previous employment with Disney in the 1980s, and his subsequent firing. However, he was only a producer and writer this time and Henry Selick directed the film.
The film was a massive hit though, bigger than the Disney company could have considered. It was huge on VHS at the time, and when it was later released on DVD, Disney rebranded the film as Disney to cash in on the film's popularity. This film even made a working environment between Disney and Tim Burton possible. Along with him, Burton brought long-time collaborators Danny Elfman and Catherine O'Hara. Elfman not only composed the musical score for the film, but also did voiceover work for when Jack Skellington sings.
Since it's release, the film has achieved cult status, and is one of the biggest merchandise money makers for Disney between the holidays of Halloween and Christmas, and is also a symbol of the emo community. And if it weren't for the success of this film, Henry Selick's James and the Giant Peach and Coraline, or Burton's own Corpse Bride may not have been a reality.
Herbie Goes Bananas (1980)
Ocho and Paco
This is the Herbie movie that was more aimed at a children's audience than any of the previous three films, which is why I believe they have Herbie being owned by a little boy named Paco. The film takes place in various countries across South America, on a cruise ship and even in a bull fighting arena. Meanwhile, a gang of thieves is after Herbie and Paco in order to steal ancient Aztec treasures. It's your basic Disney family crime caper.
With an all-star cast including Cloris Leachman as Aunt Louise and Harvey Korman as Captain Blythe from the cruise ship. A young Charles Martin Smith also appears as D. J., one of the two friends picking up Herbie. John Vernon (of Animal House) and Alex Rocco (of The Godfather Part II) are along as two of the bad guys after Herbie and Paco.
For younger viewers, this might have been the first place you learned the Spanish word for the number eight, which is ocho; which is what Paco names Herbie because 5 and 3 makes 8. This was the last theatrical released Herbie until 2005's Herbie Fully Loaded with Lindsay Lohan, which was nothing special and none of the charm of the original four films.
Cobweb (2023)
Cobwebs are Really Freaky
If you weren't freaked out enough by spiders already, you will be after you see this film. This sure was a wild one, with twists and turns everywhere that I never expected. It seems like one of those stories about suspected child abuse and a really over caring teacher getting involved, which don't get me wrong, is usually a good thing. But oh my, not here! The little boy is pulled out of school and he starts hearing weird sounds. Is that the sound of the spider? What's behind the tiny locked door behind the dresser you ask?
Turns out that the spider is not at all what it seems to be, and that maybe hidden family secrets should stay hidden for a reason. This is a pretty good horror film that'll get you on edge and get your blood pumping. And it's actually set around Halloween time, with a pumpkin patch also hiding its own dirty little secrets. But I won't tell! It's all in the Cobweb.
Stuart Saves His Family (1995)
An Uproariously Yet Surprisingly Uplifting Film
Out of the nearly two-dozen films that were spawned from Saturday Night Live skits over the last 50 years, there have only been a few of them worthy of watching, and this is one of those. Stuart Saves His Family is great satire, well written by seasoned writer Al Franken who also played the character of Stuart better than anyone else could have played. The supporting cast couldn't have been better either. A young Vincent D'Onofrio plays Stuart's brother Donnie, while Harris Yulin plays their father. They are a dysfunctional family that try to make it work.
I believe the reason the whole film works so well is that it was directed by Harold Ramis, an actor and director known for his long history of exceptional comedy films like Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack and the 1983 Vacation film. It was a winning combination that sadly was not repeated with other Saturday Night Live feature films.
This probably could be considered a borderline dark comedy films since much of the content deals with death and despair in a comedic way. Not that any of that should be taken lightly in reality. It's also meant to be uplifting, which is what the Stuart Smalley character was meant to do in the first place when he was created. With Stuart's famous quote, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
How Well Did It Age?
It's hard to believe that the original Ace Ventura is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and how far Jim Carrey has come as an actor and comedian since then. It was also an early film for Courteney Cox as well, just before she landed her longtime role as Monica on the NBC hit television show Friends. Funky Cold Medina rapper Tone Loc also has a small role as a policeman and friend of Ace.
And it's also crazy to think that this film was aimed at a younger audience in 1994 despite its rating and some of the films content. I never realized as a kid all the adult themes and suggestive content that this film contains. But with the way our society is now with sensitivity and the recent METOO movement and LGBT equality, this film may not have aged too well. The film went on to spawn a direct sequel the following year, a cartoon series and a reboot sequel years later called Ace Ventura Jr.
The other stars of the film are Snowflake the dolphin, the mascot for the Miami Dolphins football team which Ace has been hired to locate, and Dan Marino, the best known player from the team. The film is basically like a Super Bowl holiday movie since Ace essentially saves the game by saving Snowflake and Dan Marino. Ace is a great lover of animals and he does whatever is needed for their sake; whether that be drugging people, almost getting killed by a man eating shark or killed by a deranged former football player named Ray Finkle.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)
Better Than Given Credit For
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is much better than it's given credit for, especially by Jim Carrey. He hated working on this film so much that he swore off any more sequels again until Dumb and Dumber To, and that is much worse in my opinion.
When Nature Calls has its very comedic moments. For instance, the scenes in which Carrey improvised because he forgot his actual lines are priceless, such as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang song that he sings, or when he's on the plane and imitates a scene famously played by William Shatner from the Twilight Zone. Or who could forget the Monopoly guy sequence, or when Ace is stuck inside the mechanical rhino?
Honestly, I enjoy this Ace Ventura adventure better than I did the first. I don't understand how Jim Carrey can consider this film a failure in his career when he has had some other films that were far worse.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
A Favorite Adaptation
The Muppet Christmas Carol probably wouldn't be on the top of any major lists for best Christmas films to watch every year, but it has always been a favorite of mine. It's a fun and interesting way to introduce children to the annual story of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge, without scaring them with the live action versions that are frankly, a bit dark. And who wouldn't like to see Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, it's probably one of the best roles he's ever played in his entire career. He nails every scene and is likeable.
The Muppets have their respective roles as characters from the story as well, with Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit. And then, you have Gonzo and Rizzo telling the story and narrating from the sidelines, which makes for its own funny moments and mishaps. Sam the Eagle as one of Ebenezer's schoolteachers in a flashback, and Fozzie Bear as Fozziewig, Ebenezer's old boss.
Even the musical numbers are catchy and you'll want to sing along with each one. If you didn't like a Christmas Carol before, you will after you see the Muppets give their rendition. It truly is a marvelous work, and you'll realize it's not just for children, even as an adult, it can be enjoyed and cherished and passed on to the next generation.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Say It Three Times!
With absolute certainty, Beetlejuice is the best film that Tim Burton has ever given us, and we appreciate that. They say original is always the best, and Beetlejuice is a timeless classic of gore and lore. It's funny, scary, dramatic and you can't help but sing along and feel nostalgic watching the film nearly 40 years later. And it's hard to believe it's been that long!
Everyone in this film was so young in 1988. Michael Keaton, who played Beetlejuice himself, had already been around and in various movies by the time he was cast. Geena Davis was a rising star and overshadowed Alec Baldwin, which would never happen today. Winona Ryder is still around. So is Catherine O'Hara, but she's a Tim Burton favorite and also well known as Kevin McAllister's mother from the Home Alone films. Of course, Jeffrey Jones has become infamous for reasons of his own undoing and no one speaks his name, he's essentially the Voldemort of Hollywood.
Anyway, Beetlejuice was and still is a huge success. It was so popular into the early 1990s that an animated series was created for children, much like the Real Ghostbusters. There were rumors and talk of a sequel ever since this film was released in 1988, but nothing ever came to fruition until the early 2020s, then it became serious. Even Michael Keaton was up for a sequel and by the time a sequel was greenlit, he was in his early seventies.
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
An Unexpected Hit
My Cousin Vinny was an unexpected hit when it was released in 1992, an no one expected a comedy to garner an academy award nomination, much less a win for Marisa Tomei. This film essentially launched her career and made her a sex symbol for years to come. Joe Pesci was great in the movie too, he shows his comedic side well, playing the snarky Vinny from New York.
The movie is full of character actors, both old and new, including Fred Gwynne who plays Judge Chamberlain; he was known as Herman Munster on TV to the previous generation. And Lane Smith as Prosecutor Jim Trotter is no stranger to the screen either, he was in a slew of comedy films during the 1990s, both with Eddie Murphy and Pauly Shore. Of course there's Ralph Macchio as Vinny's cousin Bill, but most people know him best from his time with Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid.
Director Jonathan Lynn definitely has a knack for picking out a great script and cast, and then putting the two together to create some real honest to goodness Hollywood magic. My Cousin Vinny is a true modern comedy classic that even Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, The Stooges or even the Marx Brothers would have been proud to call a favorite.
270 | Two Seventy US Election (2018)
Great Educational and Learning Tool
Two Seventy isn't just a game, it can be utilized as a great tool of education and learning, especially for those who are uninterested in politics or the process of presidential elections in the United States. This is a very regional game, and anyone outside the United States probably wouldn't understand the election process, but it's still a fun strategy game nonetheless. And that's basically what the game is about, strategy and where to spend your campaign dollars for the most votes and beat your opponent to become the President of the United States.
This is a free to play game, but you are able to purchase extra characters to use as your preferred candidate of choice, or you can do a monthly subscription for a small fee and have every eligible candidate available. Other than the real candidates running for election in 2020 and 2024, the developers have also added Betty White, Santa Claus and even Frosty the Snowman to name just a few. In theory, you could run an election with John Quincy Adams opposing Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Who will win?
Download today and find out who will win 270!
Wonka (2023)
Quite Different To Say The Least
Finally saw Wonka and I have to say that for the first five to ten minutes of the film I just couldn't get into the story. Then it began to get more interesting. I knew going in that it was a prequel to the Gene Wilder led film from 1971, and I also knew that it could never live up to the standards that Wilder set for Willy Wonka. It's just impossible.
Try as he may, but Timothee Chalamet just isn't as charming or as whimsical. Creating an origin story for a character like Willy Wonka, I'm sure was no easy task, as it rarely ever is for works of fiction that's beloved. The musical numbers and dancing were also a detour from the original film. The tone of Wonka is lighter and more family friendly than the original, and less frightening than the Tim Burton version.
Overall, the story was decent and the depiction and delivery were good. The sets were beautifully done, and the special effects were on par. I was amazed that Hugh Grant played the Oompa Loompa.
BeamNG.drive (2013)
Awesome Simulator
If you're looking for a car game or you like simulator games, this is one of the most realistic in terms of damage and real time. The only downside at the time of this writing is that the game is only available on PC, and not on console. And you have to have a high end graphics card and plenty of CPU to play the game because it takes some memory, but it's worth it.
The game was first released in 2013, but even in 2024 is still one of the most popular games for PC, and is very highly rated on Steam. It does have game controller support through Steam with Xbox or Sony gamepads connected with Bluetooth, which makes the game mechanics easier to use.
There are a lot of vehicles to use in the game as is, but there are also mods that can be downloaded and used. There is talk of a career mode, but you can do missions within the game, even in free roam. The location maps are quite expansive, and there are about ten that come standard, including deserts, cities, beaches and forests.