Book To Film

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

When it comes to 1970’s cinema, there was a sense of exploration, discovery and reflection that hasn’t been found in Hollywood since that decade. The filmmakers had a lot to get off their chests, and their way to process what they were seeing and feeling was through their moviemaking.  One of my favorite films from that decade was 1975’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with this 4K release. I’ve always connected with films which have a powerful message and leave a lasting impression on me as a viewer long after the viewing experience has ended. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is one of my favorite films of all-time, and one I find myself returning to often as a viewer.

I must confess that one of the reasons I connect with the material is because I’ve battled with mental illness for a good majority of my life, and I’ve also spent time in a psychiatric hospital. When you have a mental illness and tell people about it, they usually look at you sideways and they handle you with care. They think if they do something to upset you, rub you the wrong way, or make you unhappy, you are going to end up back in the hospital again. Friends and family “proceed with caution” when they are around you.  It’s frustrating and challenging. In Miloš Forman’s film, written by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman, it challenges you to expect more out of yourself, not be put in a box, and to live and be free despite your mental illness.

But I digress. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) ends up in a mental institution after having one too many brushes with the law. In his mind, instead of facing further punishment, it’s better to claim insanity and spend time in the mental institution.  Even though he’s a criminal, he’s no dummy. He’s charming, funny and charismatic, which immediately makes him enemies with Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who is colder than a mother-in-law’s heart with her treatment of the patients at the hospital. She knows they probably do not have the strength or energy to fight back, and she’s going to take full advantage of that.

Randle shows up, and he gives them a sense of purpose, an identity, and a reason to live. He encourages them to think for themselves, stand up for themselves, and not let their mental illness define them. The cast of actors is filled with Hollywood legends such as Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif and Danny DeVito. They all make their presence known with their performances without being too showy or over-the-top. In a film about people in a mental institution, it would have been easy to be loud, goofy, or to act like a complete loon. Instead, they are nuanced and unique. Another standout is Chief Bromden, played by Will Sampson. He’s a deaf-mute who is clearly processing a lot in his head, and Randle is determined to get through to him.

Another reason “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” speaks to me is the idea of standing up to authority.  I’ve always been someone who doesn’t like being told what to do, doesn’t like following rules which don’t make any sense, and likes to challenge outdated notions. If you tell me I can’t do something, I want to know why and not just be told, “Because I told you so. These are the rules.” I want to understand the rules and why they are in place, and if they don’t add up, I’m going to speak up on that issue. I’ve never been one who likes to be silenced. This was the way of 1970’s cinema. It was about being confrontational and in-your-face without apologies or excuses.

The great movies in Hollywood have been those which stand the test of time because they strike a chord with the audience. The screenplay for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.  The performances, top to bottom, are amazing. For my money, this is Jack Nicholson’s best performance of his legendary and storied career. From his facial expressions to the way he delivers his lines, his performance is a masterpiece. You can’t take your eyes off him when he’s on screen. It reminds me of the old line from the legendary wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Just when you think you have the answers, I change the questions.” Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched is perfect to play opposite Jack, as she shows no emotion. She’s cold, matter-of-fact, and unflinching. She knows she has all of the power, and she’s not afraid to wield it. She enjoys being the puppet master.

If I’m lucky enough to live another 50 years, I’ll still enjoy “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” It’s a perfect example of old-school Hollywood craftsmanship. There is a reason why it is one of only three films to win Oscars in the major five categories (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay). This is a flawless piece of cinema, and it fuels me with energy, enthusiasm and passion. I’m going to sound like the old man shouting at the cloud here, but this is how Hollywood used to make movies.  This is a movie about people dealing with emotions, challenges and problems.  We are with them every step of their journey, and we are invested in them. When we are watching the movie, we forget we are watching characters.

* * * * out of * * * *

4K info: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The film has a running time of 133 minutes and is rated R for language and violence.

4K Video Info: I love the way 4K HDR enhances the picture quality but still keeps the integrity of the film alive. The picture is crisp and clear, but it also knows when to be dark and moody depending on the scene and the mood.

4K Audio Info: The DTS-HD Master Audio track comes with subtitles in English, Spanish, and French. The audio track is more subdued throughout the film, as it’s in a mental hospital, but it’s not so subdued that you have to turn it up or can’t hear it.  It also knows when to make the soundtrack more powerful and intense during the impactful moments of the film.

Special Features:

Conversations on Cuckoo: Group Therapy (NEW)

Conversations on Cuckoo: Moviemaking Memories (NEW)

Completely Cuckoo

Deleted Scenes

Should You Buy It?

I would hope after reading my review, you would know the answer is a resounding HELL YES. If you haven’t picked up on that, I haven’t done a very good job in my review. The film also comes with a pair of fun new special features, with my personal favorite being the one that includes conversations with vital cast members about the casting process they went through fifty years ago. Warner Brothers is one of the few big studios that is not only releasing classic films on 4K, but they are also taking the time and effort to include some new special features as well. The film has never looked or sounded better than it does with this 4K release. You can buy the 4K in either a slipcover version or a steelbook. The film itself is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time. This has been one of my favorite releases of 2025.  As a film lover, you owe it to yourself to add this film to your collection.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Daniel Franzese Talks About ‘Bully’ at New Beverly Cinema

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

On August 12, 2025, New Beverly Cinema presented a Larry Clark double feature of two of his films: “Bully” and “Another Day in Paradise.” Before “Bully” unfolded on the silver screen, actor and filmmaker Joel Michaely brought out a special guest: Daniel Franzese who played Derek Dzvirk. “Bully” was Daniel’s film debut, and it quickly earned him his SAG card. Daniel thanked Joel for being there and remarked how he killed Joel once in a horror movie entitled “Cruel World” where he shot him in the head.

Daniel said “Bully” was the first time he ever got to hold a screenplay in his hands, and he talked about meeting the casting director, Carmen Cuba, at his audition.

Daniel Fransese: She was like, “Do you wanna see who you are going to play?” I said okay, and she opened up the true crime novel (written by Jim Schutze), and I looked exactly like the guy. And I was just like, oh shit! I can actually get this! So, it was very scary and nerve wracking.”

Rumors are that the set of “Bully” was a crazy one, and being that this was Daniel’s first film as an actor, you can understand and appreciate his feelings at the time.

DF: I’m a pretty easy-going guy, and I am also a theatre guy and a standup comedian. I’m used to being around other people, and I am good at getting along with different personalities. But this movie was next level. we are getting ready to do fittings and start our first day of this movie, and Larry (Clark) is screaming because Brad (Renfro) was in jail for trying to steal a boat. He’s screaming, “This was three years of my life! This kid’s not going to ruin it!” He’s throwing papers and I was like, whoa! That was day one and you can just imagine how the stress level got worse from there.

From there, the discussion went to the late Brad Renfro who played Marty Puccio in “Bully.” Brad first gained worldwide attention at the age of 12 years old when he was cast as Marcus “Mark” Sway in Joel Schumacher’s cinematic adaptation of John Grisham’s “The Client.” Like many people on this planet, let alone actors, he died at far too young an age He was only 25 years old, when he passed away after a drug overdose. Daniel talked about working with Brad.

DF: Brad was great. I think he was like one of those golden retriever type people. Not evil, but dangerous. We were doing the table read for the first time, and Brad showed up wearing a white tank top completely soaked in lighter fluid. He came in saying, “I’M TRYING TO GET THE BARBECUE TO GO!” It was like, whoa! He was from Knoxville and had like that “Jackass” sensibility where you didn’t know what he could do, but I don’t think he ever had a mean bone. His intentions were always nice. If anything, he partied too much, and he once told me that at 12, he made hundreds of thousands of dollars to do “The Client,” and he was getting a lot of his drugs and stuff from family members as a kid. I don’t think he got a fair shot. If anything, the reason why I advocate for younger people in Hollywood or talked about my experiences on this movie which were crazy, I was never speaking from a victim place. I was speaking from a place of advocating for people like Brad who didn’t have anyone saying anything for them. I just think, we’re making art. It doesn’t have to be that crazy. We don’t have to be stealing boats or going nuts on sets to produce good material.

After “Bully,” Daniel went on to appear in many films, but he may still be best remembered for playing high school social outcast Damian in 2004’s “Mean Girls.” Like Joel and myself, I wondered what it was like going from an independent film to a studio movie where everybody is expected to be on their best behavior.

DF: I just don’t think the 2000s will be looked upon as a time where it was easy for people on movie sets. I really don’t. People always ask me all the time how to get their kid in Hollywood, and I say don’t. I waited until I was at least in my 20’s (before going to Hollywood), and that’s the only thing which might have saved me. A lot of our contemporaries are not around with us anymore or are in a crazy state. It was a rough time. I can’t say it was easier or better, but I think it’s better now.

Regardless of the crazy set, Daniel made it clear to the New Beverly audience what the experience of making “Bully” was like, and of how the filmmakers strived to capture the spirit of the true story it is based on.

Bully (2001) Directed by Larry Clark Shown in foreground: Bijou Phillips

DF: On a positive note, though, this movie was awesome. It was so fun to make. Larry was cool, the people I was working with were all like people from Thrasher Magazine, it was just like bad ass people. They did shoot in the real locations; it was the real apartment complexes, and it was the real Pizza Hut (we shot in).

Daniel also made it clear how he was the only local hero for hire in Larry Clark’s “Bully.”

DF: They were scouting locations for the gay clubs, and I was just a young kid just figuring that stuff out and performing at the clubs with people I was in musical theatre with and stuff like that. They were like hey we’re making a movie, and I’m like I’m an actor! I had no idea it was going to turn into this. Carmen Cuba, she discovered a lot of people, and I give her all the credit for plucking me out of obscurity and putting me with these people.

An audience member told Daniel that he was from South Florida, and this led Daniel to talk about when he worked at The Gateway Theater in Fort Lauderdale as a kid. a year later, “Bully” premiered there. Daniel found his road from being an usher to a working actor to be honestly insane.

DF: I was there at the theater going, would you like the popcorn combo? I am a movie lover. I worked at Blockbuster (Video), I worked at movie theaters, that’s all I did. Until I was able to support myself as an actor, I was either an usher in theatre or worked at movie theaters. It (“Bully”) was shot in Fort Lauderdale and the whole crew got their premiere at the movie theater where I worked at. So, whoever served me popcorn today, keep writing your scripts.

Like many, Daniel Franzese considers New Beverly Cinema to be one of his favorite places in Los Angeles, and that it was extra special for him to see “Bully” being screened there on 35-millimeter film. To see films presented there in their original format, something often not available to movie buffs in most places, means a lot to him.

‘A Working Man’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

At 57-years-old, Jason Statham has made quite a career out of playing the Jason Statham character. Some might say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, I think it’s reached the point where it’s starting to become quite tedious and laborious to see him simply spinning his wheels with his film choices. Do his characters even need names or backstories? You can just call them, ‘The Jason Statham character’. His latest film, “A Working Man,” was directed by David Ayer, who collaborated with him on 2024’s “The Beekeeper.” While “The Beekeeper” was good fun, there isn’t a whole lot of entertainment value in “A Working Man.”

Statham stars as Levon Cade, a man with a background in the Royal Marines. After the death of his wife, he’s now working in construction for the Garcia family in Chicago. He is looking to keep a low profile, keep his head above water, and also spend some time with his daughter. She’s currently staying with his father-in-law who is not a fan of Levon.  As a matter of fact, he blames Levon for the death of his daughter, as she passed away while he was in combat. He’s trying to get more time with his daughter, but his father-in-law is not only extremely rich, but he’s fueled by anger and bitterness. He looks at Levon as someone who can’t control his anger and thinks violence is the only answer.

Arianna Rivas, Michael Peña and Jason Statham star in the film “A Working Man.” (OSV News photo/courtesy Dan Smith, Amazon MGM Studios)

One night, Jenny Garcia (Arianna Rivas), the only daughter of Joe and Carla (Michael Peña and Noemí González) goes missing when she goes out to celebrate an academic achievement. They suspect foul play is involved, so they look to Levon Cade for help, as they get a feeling that he has a background that might lend itself to helping them out. At first, Levon is hesitant to get himself involved in anything, as he says he’s a different person now. He decides to help them out because he’s having a battle for visitation rights over his daughter and he’s fiercely loyal to the Garcia’s who have helped and been patient with him during a difficult time in his life. 

From this point forward, you have a paint-by-numbers revenge flick where Statham is bound and determined to find the men and women responsible for Jenny’s disappearance. On paper, this might sound like a fun flick to sit back and relax while you shut off your brain. This would be true if we hadn’t seen this countless times over with Statham. Let me put it this way—Pizza is great, but if you start to have pizza every night of the week, it starts to make you feel sick. The bad guys in the film are these cheesy, over-the-top Russians who are laughable and can’t be taken seriously. You know what’s going to happen, but it takes almost two hours to reach our destination. I was long checked out of this film mentally by the time it was nearing its conclusion. 

I’m a fan of movies that are so bad, they’re good, but make no mistake about it, “A Working Man” is just bad. This film is all about the action sequences, the kills, and the explosions. I can’t sit through another Jason Statham film unless he plays against type, which I don’t see happening anytime soon.  I’d be happy to be proven wrong, but “A Working Man” is only for diehard Statham fans who want to seek out his entire filmography.  For everyone else, like me, who is feeling extreme fatigue from another Statham film with no imagination, bland kills and a lazy plot, you’ll be wise to skip this one.

* out of * * * *

4K Info: A Working Man is being released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 116 minutes and is rated R for strong violence, language throughout and drug content. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.

4K Video Info: The 4K HDR transfer is incredible. The picture is clear, vivid, and full of color and life.  Even though the film isn’t much to watch from an entertainment perspective, it looks stunning in 4K.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track really pops on this release as well, as it brings the film to life in your home theater.

Special Features:

NONE

Should You Buy It?

“A Working Man” is an A+ movie when it comes to the audio and visual aspects of this 4K release.  It looks mesmerizing, and it also sounds terrific.  Sadly, it’s a D movie.  Moving forward, unless Jason Statham makes a real effort to think outside the box with his film choices, I’m going to politely decline his future projects. I went into this movie with low expectations, as I thought it would be harmless fun, but instead, it’s just a dull, lifeless, and listless movie. Even though I enjoy the style of director David Ayer, this screenplay, which was co-written by Sylvester Stallone, is dead on arrival. The characters here are so vanilla and one-note. The writing is absolutely terrible. I don’t know if these were real Russians in the film or not, but they came across as fake and phony villains. They spend about 15 minutes setting up this plot and the rest is all in the chase, but I didn’t care about the chase because I barely had time to get to know these characters.  I know you might be tempted to seek this film out, as a late-night quality pleasure, but make no mistake about it: This film is only for fanatical Statham fans. 

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Exclusive Interview with Mel Rodriguez on ‘The Residence’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

There is always a wealth of original content being dropped on Netflix from one month to the next, and one of the latest additions to its streaming service is a miniseries called “The Residence” which I watched all the way through in just one day. A murder comedy mystery created by Paul Williams Davies, based on Kate Andersen Brower’s novel “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” and produced by Shondaland, the amazing television empire overseen by Shonda Rhimes, it tells the tale of the White House Chief Usher, A.B. Winter (Giancarlo Esposito), who ius found murdered in one of America’s most secured locations, the White House. Into the crime scene comes Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), a consultant with the Metropolitan Police Department and an avid birdwatcher, who is determined to find the culprit responsible. The problem is, there dozens upon dozens of suspects to consider, be it those with quite the public presence or the staff who works behind the scenes. Suffice to say, it proves to be one very long night for everyone involved.

Among those suspects is engineer Bruce Geller, an engineer who succeeds in getting the water pressure in the United States President’s shower just right after far too many tries. Bruce is played by Mel Rodriguez, a native of the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida, and a graduate of SUNY Purchase (State University of New York Purchase) which has produced unforgettable actors like him, Melissa Leo, Edie Falco, Wesley Snipes, and Ving Rhames among so many others. Mel’s most memorable appearances include playing Nurse Patsy de la Serda on the HBO comedy “Getting On,” Ernie Gomes on the Showtime drama “On Becoming a God in Central Florida,” Marco Pasternak on “Better Call Saul,” and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Hugo Ramirez on “CSI: Vegas.” Suffice to say, he is a character actor who continues to find work in an industry which is notoriously hard to break into, and more power to him.

I was lucky enough to interview Mel about his role of Bruce Geller in “The Residence,” and it was a lot of fun talking to him about this Netflix miniseries and about other things. Those things included what he learned as a student at SUNY Purchase, why the scripts for this show were among the best he had ever read, and his memories of the late Andre Braugher who was originally cast as A.B. Winter before he unexpectedly passed away.

“The Residence” is now streaming on Netflix, and it is highly recommended by The Ultimate Rabbit as it is highly entertaining and wonderfully intricate. Please check out our interview with Mel Rodriguez down below.

‘Mickey 17’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Studio movies seem to be falling into two categories these days—they are either inspired by other movies or they are looking to do something unique and different. “Mickey 17” falls into the latter category. Even though it is based on the novel “Mickey7” by Edward Ashton, it is a rather unique and “out there” movie. It is a science fiction comedy with big ideas, over-the-top characters and representations. I can’t compare it to any other movie out there, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s cinema. So often, when you watch a movie, it reminds you of one or two others that have already been released. Franchises, sequels and reboots are also becoming far too common. Original ideas, even if based off books, are infrequent visitors in the cinematic landscape of today.

“Mickey 17” is directed by the Academy Award-winning director of “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, and it follows the story of Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson of “Twilight” fame. After Mickey and his buddy Timo (Steven Yeun) fall into debt because their macaron business falls apart, they are out of options. This leads them to joining a spaceship crew where they hope to blend in and avoid getting murdered by flying under the radar. While Timo becomes a shuttle pilot, Mickey decides to become an “expendable,” which is a job where he is in charge of dying over and over again in order to find answers for various problems in society.

Mickey Barnes is sheepish, dopey, and painfully shy.  However, he enjoys his new lease on life because of his relationship with an agent named Nasha, played by Naomi Ackie. They are madly in love with each other, and she helps Mickey deal with the fact that dying is not a whole lot of fun. Even though he is brought back to life because of a process called “reprinting,” it doesn’t make dying any easier for Mickey as he is, in many ways, a human guinea pig. With his work, they are able to come up with vaccines that will save lives. 

One day, his life is turned upside down when his life is spared by a group of critters known as Creepers. This leads to him being turned into a double, so while he is Mickey 17, there is also a Mickey 18, a version of him that is confident, self-assured and fearless. Nasha doesn’t mind having two Mickey’s, as it is more fun for her to fool around with two versions of her boyfriend. On this expedition, there is a leader named Kenneth Marshall, played by Mark Ruffalo, and it’s hard not to draw comparisons to Donald Trump with his performance. I had to look this up after watching the movie, and I’m not the only one who felt this way, even though Bong Joon Ho and Ruffalo say that was not their intention. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. Kenneth’s wife is played by Toni Collette.

“Mickey 17” is a film high on ambition and ideas, but it doesn’t have a sense of direction, and its pacing is all over the map. One of the most frustrating aspects of this movie is the fact it has a lot to say and there is a lot going on, but it falls apart because there is no sense of where they want to go with all of this. Is it a love story? Is it a commentary on there being two versions of yourself? Is it a commentary on self-sacrifice? Is it about abuse of power? It’s all of those things and a whole lot more, but without a clear and concise vision, not all of these ideas have the time to be fleshed out, even though the film is two hours and seventeen minutes long. The film is wildly uneven and frustrating.

Another big issue with the film is Pattinson and his bland and uninteresting performance. He’s not a good actor, even when he is given good material. I understand he’s trying to be taken seriously as an actor, but he doesn’t have the chops to carry the comedic scenes, and he also struggles with the more serious material as well. This is another problem with the film—it’s in search of a tone. Since it’s trying to do so much at once, it doesn’t know how to balance its themes or tones. It’s also way too long, and it needed a good trip to the editing room.

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Mickey 17” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running time of 137 minutes and is rated R for violent content, language throughout, sexual content and drug material. It also comes with a digital copy that can be redeemed on most digital platforms.

4K Video/Audio: “Mickey 17” gets the Dolby Vision/Atmos treatment, and it’s a remarkable release.  The color palette really pops on this 4K release, and the Dolby Atmos audio track is also perfect for your home theater setup.

Special Features:

Behind the Lens: Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17 (11:32)

Mickey 17: A World Reimagined (9:44)

The Faces of Niflheim (8:00)

Should You Buy It?

“Mickey 17” is a film that might end up gaining a cult following in years to come, but it also might be a film that falls flat with a lot of audiences. I do think it is worth checking out because it is entertaining at times and has individual moments which stand out in a positive way. It’s just too inconsistent for its own good, and it needed better performances from its cast.  I absolutely hated the Mark Ruffalo character, but it probably wasn’t in the way they intended for me to hate the character. After spending a little bit of time with him, I wanted him off my TV, and I would audibly groan when he would reappear. The film does have some good special features and from an audio and visual aspect, it looks and sounds great. The movie is just a jumbled mess, but it’s rarely, if ever, boring. I’d recommend you watch this one first before you decide to add it to your collection.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

“The Outlaw Josey Wales” was directed by Clint Eastwood, and it was adapted from the book, “Gone to Texas” by Forrest Carter. Eastwood is also the lead actor in the film, and he’s certainly in his wheelhouse when it comes to the Hollywood Western. When it comes to certain Clint Eastwood Westerns, some of them stand out more than others.  This film was released in 1976, and it was Eastwood’s second time directing a Western after first directing “High Plains Drifter.” He would return in 1985 with “Pale Rider” before putting his finishing touches on the genre with “Unforgiven” in 1992. For my money, “Unforgiven” is not only one of the best Westerns Eastwood ever directed or starred in, but it’s also one of the best Westerns of all time.

“The Outlaw Josey Wales” is set during the American Civil War, and it opens with the wife and son of Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) being murdered by Captain Terrill (Bill McKinney) and his group of Union militia. Now, Josey Wales will stop at nothing to seek revenge for the death of his wife and son.  Throughout his journey, he stumbles upon a group of unique and eccentric characters who can either help him or get out of his way. Eastwood plays Josey Wales as subdued, determined, and unflappable. If he gets his pound of flesh, will he be satisfied? He’s on a mission, and he isn’t going to let anything or anyone slow him down or get in his way.

One of the more interesting characters that Josey Wales meets is Lone Watie, played by Chief Dan George. They have had an “Odd Couple” type of relationship, as it’s hard to get a read on Josey whereas Lone Watie is quite chatty. Along the way, they come in contact with various gunmen, and we quickly learn that Josey is not someone to be trifled with when he’s in a battle of life or death.  There are also quiet and reflective moments when the threat of violence isn’t in the air.  The film is shot with a keen eye by Eastwood. He’s always been a skilled and talented director, especially when he’s shooting Westerns. He makes even the mundane look spectacular and mesmerizing.

When I was watching “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” there wasn’t anything happening on screen from a plot or character perspective which drew me in or kept my attention.  I recently reviewed “Pale Rider,” which was done after “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” and that was a film with a strong pulse and interesting characters. I have seen Eastwood portray this character before, and it feels like he’s simply spinning his wheels with this performance. There is not a whole lot going on with this character of Josey, and there isn’t a whole lot going on with the majority of the story either.

I can only get lost in the scenery and the beautiful sights and sounds for so long before I eventually start to get bored.  Make no mistake about it, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is a beautiful film from a filmmaking perspective.  There is a ton of skill on display, and it’s a quiet and unassuming film.  The problem is it also feels bland and flat. I didn’t feel as though the film did anything to differentiate itself from a host of other Westerns which have been directed by Eastwood in the past. It’s OK for his character to not be showy, loud or outspoken, as we don’t expect that in an Eastwood Western. However, at times, it looked and felt like he was in a medically-induced coma.

As I was watching this film, I kept waiting for it to spring into action and come to life on screen. After you have seen him take out the bad guys time after time, it begins to become repetitive and it loses its luster the more you see it happen. This is a movie which is a little too focused on its sense of time and place but not focused enough on creating a captivating story.  This is a problem when you have a film that is a little over two hours long. I didn’t hate watching “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” but I didn’t particularly enjoy the experience. It left me feeling very underwhelmed.

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Outlaw Josey Wales” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It comes in either a 4K slipcover edition or a 4K steelbook. The film has a running time of 135 minutes and is rated PG. The film also comes with a digital code to redeem.

4K Video Info: The 4K of this film is absolutely magnificent.  Westerns, in particular, were made to be released on 4K. You just don’t get this type of viewing experience on Blu-ray or DVD with Westerns. The HDR on this film presents an epic picture that is utterly flawless.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos audio track also brings the film to life in your living room with a soundtrack that is big and bold. Subtitles are included in Spanish, English, and French.

Special Features:

Commentary by Richard Schickel

An Outlaw and an Antihero – NEW

The Cinematography of and Outlaw: Crafting Josie Wales – NEW

Clint Eastwood’s West

Eastwood in Action

Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – Reinventing the West

Should You Buy It?

I had the pleasure of reviewing three Clint Eastwood 4K’s over the past week: “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Dirty Harry,” and “Pale Rider.” “Pale Rider,” without question, was my favorite of the three. With “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” I admired but didn’t love them.  I felt like I was missing something when I was watching them.  Both films are well-made and they are not terrible, but they didn’t entertain or grab me emotionally. However, I’m well aware that many people out there who love both “Dirty Harry” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” When it comes to “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” if you are a fan of the film, you need to add it to your collection as soon as possible.  It looks and sounds out of this world on 4K, and there is a boatload of special features here to enjoy, especially a few new ones as well. I just put this film under the category of, “It wasn’t for me.” If it is for you, you can’t ask for a better physical media release than what they have put together at Warner Brothers for this one.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Virginia Madsen Reflects on Portraying Maya in ‘Sideways’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

I was lucky enough to attend an anniversary screening of Alexander Payne’s “Sideways” at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center in Santa Monica, California. I remember and watching and loving this film back when it was released back in 2004, and now it has reached its twentieth anniversary which just scares the hell out of me. This screening was followed by a Q&A with some of the film’s participants as well as the authors of the recently released book “Sideways Uncorked,” Kirk Honeycutt and Mira Advani Honeycutt.

But make no mistake, the real star of the evening was Virginia Madsen whom everyone who loves “Sideways” was truly thrilled to see. She portrayed Maya, the divorced waitress who captures the attention of the ambitious but very depressed Miles (Paul Giamatti), a writer who just might be about to publish his novel for the world to see. Madsen deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her unforgettable performance here. Cate Blanchett ended up winning it that year for her work in “The Aviator,” but there is no forgetting what Madsen did, especially after Maya’s speech about her love of wine.

Before “Sideways,” Madsen was best known for her work in movies like “Candyman,” “Electric Dreams,” “The Prophecy” and “The Rainmaker.” Around the time it came to audition for this now classic film, Madsen openly admitted her career was not doing well and that the odds were against her in playing Maya.

Virginia Madsen: There was talk about getting someone who had a bigger name, but I got the audition and I was working with a coach, so I was really, really ready. They weren’t giving us the whole script though, and then I said, well, can I just have a couple of more scenes, and they just sounded like me.

In addition, she was very familiar with the Santa Inez valley and the other areas which “Sideways” takes place in as she considers them her weekend getaway. Also, this film marked the first time Payne made a film outside of Omaha, Nebraska.

Virgina Madsen: I lived about an hour from there. I didn’t ever go wine tasting. I just went there to sort of be a hippie and climb trees and have this beautiful sense of serenity, so I knew what I felt like when I was in the valley. So, I just went to play myself.

And we can all agree that Madsen’s greatest scene in “Sideways” was when she talks to Miles about her love of wine as it seduces us every bit as much as it seduces Miles. As a result, this made her meeting with Paul Giamatti all the more agonizing.

Virginia Madsen: I loved the part where I talked about wine in that scene with Paul, so I just got this one chance in the room with him. So, I said I just love this screenplay, I love this role, and I love when she talks about the life of wine. I went into the monologue, which you were not supposed to do for the audition. He went, “would you like to do the monologue?” I said, “Yes, sure.” I was so prepared. The tone in the writing changes in that scene. And when it was over, we just looked at the casting director and he said, “You know, we should have everyone do that monologue!” He (Giamatti) wanted me, but it took a while to hear a yes. I knew who Paul was as an actor, and I knew we would have chemistry. I am never wrong about that.

Then there came the time when Madsen met up with Payne about “Sideways,” and he offered her the role of Maya at the Chateau Marmont, something any actor or actress loves to be given the role of a lifetime at. But this also resulted in something actors might be reluctant to agree to.

Virginia Madsen: We met at the Chateau Marmont, and he said, “I want to ask you, would you do me the honor of playing Maya in my film ‘Sideways?’ And I was like, “Oh, well.” And he said, “I have one request though, are you willing to do this movie without makeup?” And I said, “Well Alexander, I’m not wearing makeup now, and that’s what I mostly do.” I did that in three films before that, and the greatest thing about that is you don’t have to get up quite so early. The only request I made back to him was, as long as I can wear mascara and some lip gloss on the date because, if a woman goes on a date, she’s just gonna do a little something, and he agreed to that. It seems to be nowadays more than ever this effort to make people look real, and they kind of look like hell, and that’s also distracting.

After all these years, “Sideways” has lost none of its power to entertain, be it in comedic or dramatic ways. Some films are quickly undone by time, but this one never will as everyone can relate to it and its characters in various ways. And when it comes to Madsen’s performance, she will make you fall in love with Maya every single time.

‘Constantine’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

Back in 2005 (I realize I’m aging myself by opening with that), I used to go to the movie theater just about every weekend to see the latest releases with my best friend at the time. For some reason, “Constantine” did not find its way onto our radar. I also skipped the film during my weekly visits to Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video. At the time, I was an avid viewer of Ebert and Roeper, formerly Siskel and Ebert, and Roger Ebert named it one of the worst films of 2005. I imagine this had a lot to do with me ignoring the film because growing up, their weekly review program was something I took to heart. When I heard “Constantine” was being released on 4K in honor of its 20th anniversary, I figured it was finally time to sit down and check out the film for myself.

“Constantine” follows the character of John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves, and he’s an expert in the occult.  He believes there is a “balance” happening in the world between the souls of those who are walking the earth. Essentially, their souls are up for grabs. In his mind, it is up to him to make sure the evil souls are where they belong in hell, and the good souls stay on the straight and narrow. If John can perform enough good deeds, he hopes he can save his own soul because he has lung cancer and doesn’t have a lot of time left on this earth. However, he has a complicated past, so it might be too little, too late for him.

John meets a detective named Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who is looking for answers after her twin sister’s suicide. Angela knows her sister did not commit suicide, and she believes something sinister is at play with her death. This falls back in line with John’s thinking, which is that the souls on earth are being influenced by evil bidders who are looking to bring them to hell. Because Angela’s family is religious, she is concerned her sister will not be able to make it to heaven because of her suicide.

On the surface, I liked the concept of “Constantine” as it reminded me of the films in “The Conjuring” universe with its views on demons and the occult. It also had a mystery element as well, which appealed to me.  I wanted to know the answers to some of the questions raised in the film.  I thought the first hour was captivating, intriguing and intense. I was interested in seeing how it was all going to play out, and I was along for the ride. Somewhere along the way in the latter half, it started to really lose my interest and also my patience with its story.

One of the biggest issues with the film is its lead actor, Keanu Reeves. I found his performance and the writing of his character to be silly and goofy. He has these terrible one-liners which are painfully unfunny, and he also delivers his lines in such a morose and blasé way. It really took me out of the film at times.  The Shia LaBeouf cab-driver character was also completely unnecessary and added nothing to the film. I did think Rachel Weisz gave a really good performance here as she is smart, tough and driven.  She is looking for answers when it comes to her sister, and she is not interested in playing any games. Weisz gives a serious and committed performance.

I would have liked it if they had written John Constantine’s character with the same level of seriousness and intelligence. I’m not against some comedic relief in a supernatural film like this, but it felt like he was Freddy Krueger with some of the silliness he was reading on screen. I really didn’t like it, and it made me wonder how this film would have turned out if they had hired an actor like Brad Pitt for this role as he can play cocky, charismatic and funny without trying too hard. Reeves needs the right role in order to show off his acting chops, and I didn’t think this film was in his wheelhouse. He seemed unaffected by a lot of what was happening on screen.

Another issue is when the demons come out to play. They are not that interesting as sparring partners for our main characters. I found them to be rather lackluster in terms of how they were written, and how they came across on screen. Tilda Swinton is a terrific actress, and I wish she had more to do and say here. Peter Stormare is over-the-top in a very uneven way, and I didn’t connect with his performance. Overall, this is a film with some thought-provoking ideas, and it’s directed with terrific style by Francis Lawrence, but the screenplay is wildly uneven. It needed a better performance from its leading man or a different leading man all together.

* * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Constantine” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. There is an insert inside, which includes a digital copy of the film as well.  The film has a running time of 121 minutes and is rated R for violence and demonic images.

4K Video Info: The film is treated to a Dolby Vision transfer, and it’s simply stunning. I haven’t seen the film in any other format as this was my first time watching it, but I found the color palette to be bold when it needed to be, and also dark when the material was shot at night.  The image is clean, crisp and vivid.

4K Audio Info: There is also a really solid Dolby Atmos track included here too with subtitles in English, Spanish and French. This is a soundtrack that is consistent and level throughout the duration of this movie.

Special Features:

NEW Feature – Two Decades of Damnation

Audio Commentary featuring Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman

Audio Commentary featuring Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello

Channeling Constantine

Conjuring Constantine

Director’s Confessional

Collision with Evil

Holy Relics

Shotgun Shootout

Hellscape

Visualizing Vermin

Warrior Wings

Unholy Abduction

Demon Face

Constantine’s Cosmology

Foresight: The Power of Pre-Visualization

A Writer’s Vision

Deleted Scenes + Alternate Ending

Should You Buy It?

It seems as though this film has gained a cult following in the twenty years since it has been released, which shows the importance of physical media.  While I don’t think it’s as bad as the late, great Roger Ebert said it was in his initial review, I also don’t think it’s a cult classic either. I fall somewhere in the middle with “Constantine.” I wanted to like it, and I was enjoying the hell out of it for the first sixty minutes of its running time, but it lost me in the second half. I wanted to see a satisfying resolution to what was presented in the first half. This film looks and sounds great on 4K, and they even introduced a new special feature here as well, which I’m sure is going to make fans very happy. For now, I’d recommend you check it out first if you haven’t seen it before, and then decide if you want to buy it. You can rent it on many digital platforms for the low price of $3.99 and then, if you do like it, you can pick up the 4K. If you are a fan of this film and have been waiting for its 4K release for a long time, you have an awesome looking slipcover version, or you can pick up the 4K Steelbook instead.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘Paddington in Peru’ is a Wonderful Adventure Not Just for Kids, But the Whole Family

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

I initially avoided the “Paddington” movies upon their initial release. Watching the trailer for the first one had me under the belief that the filmmakers were determined to dumb down the classic works of Michael Bond as I watched the beloved bear clean out his ears with toothbrushes and almost eating what was on them. Yuck! Plus, Colin Firth, who was originally supposed to voice Paddington, dropped out of the original film during post production, and this did not give me a lot of hope for the final version which was eventually going to be unveiled before a worldwide audience.

Alas, I was proven wrong with not only “Paddington,” but also with “Paddington 2” which proved to be an even better film than the original. “Paddington 2” also earned a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for a time before some bastard critic made the blasphemous decision to give it that one negative review. I would shudder to call them kid movies as that would simply mean they were meant for a certain age group and only that one group. Truth is, these are movies for the whole family, just like the best Pixar films are, and they have something for every age group to enjoy. Hollywood does not make enough movies like them these days, and they threaten to become a rarity now more than ever before.

The same goes with “Paddington in Peru,” the third movie in this beloved franchise which arrives to us seven years after “Paddington 2.” After watching this marmalade loving bear and the only creature, animal or human, who can make a red hat look cool these days, brave the adventures London has thrust upon him, he now returns to Darkest Peru where he once grew up. This time, it’s personal! Granted, that last sentence was the tagline for “Jaws: The Revenge,” one of the worst films, let alone sequels, ever made, but it seems inescapably appropriate to use here.

His sudden exodus from London comes when he is told that his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, and no one can find her. Joining him on this expedition is the Brown family: Henry (Hugh Bonneville), Mary (Emily Mortimer), Judy (Madeleine Harris), Jonathan (Samuel Joslin), and Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters). Through thick and thin, the Browns have had Paddington’s back even as this bear’s adventures have proven to be as exasperating as they have been thrilling.

What I really love about the “Paddington” movies is how wonderfully realized the human characters are. Just when I expected they would be rendered as one-dimensional doofuses, they prove to be more complex than the average family movie would allow them to be. I also love how the kids have evolved from then to now as this is not always the case in movies, let alone sequels.

And like any good sequel, “Paddington in Peru” does take the time to introduce new characters into the mix. Among them is Hunter Cabot, a tour guide and treasure hunter played by Antonio Banderas, who is clearly having the time of his life in this role. In addition, he gets to play many members of Hunter’s family from generations before him, and it results in one memorably hilarious moment after another.

But even better is the ever so brilliant Olivia Colman who steals every scene she has here as the Reverend Mother who oversees the Home for Retired Bears. She makes a grand entrance singing a song which almost turns “Paddington in Peru” a musical along the lines of “The Sound of Music,” and when she finished, the need to applaud her efforts was quite justified. Also, I love how her voice says one thing, but her eyes are quick to say something else. Seriously, watching Colman’s eyes dart back and forth is a wonderful delight throughout.

Hugh Bonneville remains an entertaining presence as Henry Brown who always goes from being an uptight dad to a loving and risk taking individual even when a tarantula presents an unwelcome presence in his life. I also love how Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin continue to grow into their roles as Judy and Jonathan, and watching them traverse the perils of adolescence into adulthood is a welcome sight for me. As for then lovely Emily Mortimer, she does a lovely job of stepping into the role once inhabited by Sally Hawkins of Mary Brown to where calling her a replacement would be insulting and unfair to both her and Hawkins.

And at the center of it all is Ben Whishaw who once again voices Paddington to where it would be unthinkable to consider anyone else in this role. Right from the start, Whishaw has given this bear we all want to look after a solid dignity and politeness which might seem far too easily manipulative in the hands of any other actor. Some will be quick to say that the computer did all the work for Whishaw here, but he adds to the visual effects in an immeasurably way to where when Paddington gives an adversary that hard stare, he makes that stare even harder than it already is, and we should all be expecting that at some point here.

Of all the “Paddington” movies to date, “Paddington in Peru” is the least of the three. I don’t say this to degrade it in any way as saying the least does it more justice than calling it the worst as doing so would be a grave insult. Granted, this one threatens to be a more formulaic adventure movie as we watch Paddington go from unfamiliar surroundings to more familiar ones, but this sequel still proves to be a wonderful adventure for all ages, and that is saying quite a bit in this day and age.

And, as always, I leave you with the immortal words of Michael Bond which continue to speak volumes:

“Please look after this bear. Thank you.”

Also, when it comes to the online attacks Tony Farinella and I continue to get, I feel the need to add this:

“Please look after this film critic. Thank you.”

* * * ½ out of * * * *

Spike Jonze’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Deserves Another Look

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

Back when I saw it in 2009, Spike Jonze’s take on Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” proved to be one of the few movies which I felt really dealt with real kids instead of the cliched ones which inhabit far too many motion pictures. Here, we get a young boy who has quite a vivid imagination which he retreats to when the real world becomes too scary to deal with, and who comes from a broken family where the father is not present. It was nice to see kids, one in particular, treated as intelligent and capable of learning more than they knew, and it combines them with things which are real, imaginary and, of course, wild.

The kid here is Max, and he is played by Max Records in one of the best performances I have seen from a child actor. Seeing him build an igloo out of a snow pile or making a spaceship in his bedroom with his stuffed animals as willing passengers brought back great memories from when I was a kid. But reality rears its ugly head when other kids thoughtlessly destroy his igloo, not thinking of what it meant to him. Then we see him in elementary school as his teacher explains how the sun will die one day. This is one of the funnier moments as the teacher just can’t stop talking about all the different ways our planet will die. Granted, this won’t happen for another billion years, but when you’re a kid, this can feel like it is just around the corner.

Everything comes to a head as Max becomes very resentful of his mother (the always terrific Catherine Keener) when she brings home a new boyfriend (played by Mark Ruffalo). The bond Max shares with his mother is very strong, but when he is no longer the center of her attention, he rebels and ends up biting her on the shoulder. Horrified at what he did, Max runs away from home and sails to a distant island where he does indeed come across the Wild Things of the title, and this is where the rumpus truly begins…

The Wild Things are a combination of puppetry and CGI effects, and it makes them all the more real as a result. The visual effects are used to give them facial expressions which vividly captures their happiness and sadness. As a result, it never ever felt like I was just watching a whole bunch of special effects. It really felt like I was watching creatures I could actually interact with.

Of all the monsters, the one with the most recognizable voice is the late great James Gandolfini who plays the most prominent Wild Thing, Carol. We first see Carol destroying some dwellings he had just built. For Max, breaking things has a wonderment to it, and Carol links on to this with the upmost enthusiasm. Gandolfini is wonderful, and at times truly heartbreaking as he takes Carol from utterly enthusiastic highs to downright angry lows. This is not him doing Tony Soprano as if he was all covered with fur. Also, Carol’s last scene is one which really choked me up, and Gandolfini sells it for all it is worth.

Among the other voices are Catherine O’Hara’s, and she plays Judith, the one monster who is very mistrusting of Max. Paul Dano plays the ever so sensitive Alexander, and he captures the painfully shy nature of this monster in a very truthful way. Forest Whitaker portrays Ira, and I barely recognized his voice here which is pretty impressive. Lauren Ambrose voices KW, and the moments she shares with Max form some of the movie’s best moments.

You know the saying of how we have met the monster, and the monster is us? Well, that is very much the case here. The Wild Things clearly represent the different parts of Max’s personality, and he soon comes to see himself in all of them. As a result, Max manages to see things a little more clearly in relation to his own family, and especially his mother. By becoming the monsters’ king, he realizes he has become much like his mother.

I really mean it when I say Records gives one of the best child actor performances I have ever seen. The whole movie really rests on his shoulders, and that is a lot to put an 11-year-old through. Jonze really lucked out getting him to play this part as the young actor makes his character’s transition from being just a kid to someone who is more mature and understanding very believable, and this really shows in the movie’s last half.

Jonze shot a good portion of the action with handheld cameras to give the proceedings more of an immediacy, and he thankfully does not overdo it. Some filmmakers fail to reign this camerawork in a lot of times to where it is hard not to feel sea sick. This was only his third movie as a director, following the creative triumphs of “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation,” and his directorial vision remains a very original one.

“Where The Wild Things Are” was originally supposed to be released in 2008, but Warner Brothers had considered reshooting the whole thing. It turned out Jonze’s vision was a lot darker than they expected it to be for something they thought would be an average family movie. The fact that Jonze’s take on this classic children’s book did make it to the silver screen and was not buried in a deep dark dungeon like “Batgirl” feels like a miracle. While it was not the box office hit the studio hoped it would be, it continues to have a long shelf life.

It also has a wonderful soundtrack done by Karen O and the Kids. It’s one of those soundtracks which has really great songs which are never easily forgotten, and it adds vividly to the strong emotions generated throughout.

Is this movie appropriate for kids? Well, it depends. If they are 6 years or younger, you may want to see it before they do. I was sitting near a boy and his mother, and the boy did get a little freaked out at times. Still, it is nowhere as traumatic as “Watership Down” or “The Neverending Story” was. If your kid can handle “Bambi,” they can handle this one as well.

One of my favorite scenes comes when Max and the monsters are jumping all over the forest, and Carol was creating big dust clouds when he landed. This all leads to a wonderfully heartwarming moment where the wild things pile on top of each other and fall asleep. Seeing Max befriend the somewhat alienated KW is especially great because their individual differences just evaporate at that point. These are two who can relate and sympathize with one another as they both come from worlds where they feel like outcasts.

If there is one weakness to be found here, it is that the plot does not always hold together. There are some moments which drag, and it takes a bit for the pace to recover. Then again, this movie is based upon a book that is only ten sentences long. The fact Jonze and co-writer Dave Eggers were able to craft a story for a feature length movie out of it is pretty amazing. But when you read or re-read the book, I think you will find that there is more to it than its simplicity of story might imply.

There was a bookstore next to the theater I saw the film at, and I dashed in there to read the book. I can’t even remember the last time I read this Caldecott award winner, and there is a lot of different ways you can look at it. You can see it as a story of how kids do not easily separate from their parents, and of how the further away from home they get, the more they realize the importance of a home. Or maybe you will see it as a story of the one person who becomes king and gets what he wants, but then finds it deeply unfulfilling and bereft of love and family which we largely thrive upon.

I think Jonze saw “Where the Wild Things Are” as a story which clearly take in a child’s point of view. Just about everything in this movie made me feel like I a child again, and of how we become shaped by the things which make us happy and sad. It is not meant to break down the imaginary worlds we create for ourselves, but of how they can make us understand the world around us and the people who figure most prominently in our lives better. Max comes to see why his mother treated him the way he did, and he grows up a lot quicker than most others his age do in the process.

For me, this film was something of a godsend when I first watched it. We see kids treated like real kids, and there is a wealth of genuine imagination and emotions throughout. While it doesn’t always hold together, it is a much more accomplished film than many others which get passed off as “family entertainment.” Too many movies then and now are dumbed down for audiences, and they often don’t treat children like the intelligent creatures they can be,

Indeed, no one could have brought this classic book to the silver screen the way Jonze did. And after all these years, it is definitely worth another look.

* * * ½ out of * * * *