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‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

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

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is an ambitious film to say the least. It’s a musical, a courtroom drama, a character study, a love story, and a thriller all-in-one.  Before I even put the film in my 4K player, I was well aware of how poorly it was received by critics and audiences alike.  I was also well aware that some people considered it a misunderstood masterpiece. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle with “Joker: Folie à Deux,” as I thought there were individual moments in the film which were powerful, well-acted and intense.  There were also moments where I was shaking my head and wondering what the hell was going on, and why they decided to go in this particular direction.  Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but I would say there is more bad than good in here.

I was a big fan of 2019’s “Joker” which surprised me, as I’m not usually a fan of comic book films.  I liked it because it didn’t feel like a comic book movie, and it was more of a character study.  I know film critics and fans like to criticize and call it a “Taxi Driver” rip-off, but I thought it was an impressive film with a standout performance from Joaquin Phoenix.  I was excited to watch the sequel, even with all the negative press it had received, because I thought the character was interesting, layered and complex. I wanted to see what they would do next with Arthur Fleck/Joker and what he’s been up to since we last visited him.

When “Joker: Folie à Deux” opens up, we see Arthur adjusting to life in Arkham State Hospital. He’s become a local celebrity because of the TV movie on his life, and the guards and fellow patients alike are fascinated by him.  While in the heavily guarded hospital, he’s awaiting trial for the five murders he committed.  Arthur’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart, played by Catherine Keener, is not exactly sure what to make of him.  Her case is going to center around the fact that she believes Arthur suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which means his Joker persona is responsible for the murders. I found this part of the film to be the most intriguing, especially when Arthur is interviewed by a reporter, played by Steve Coogan.

One day, Arthur meets Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga), and it is love at first sight.  They connect over their love of music, and she’s also a fan of Arthur.  She tells Arthur she’s watched the TV movie about his life twenty times and reveals they have a lot in common. Arthur is smitten with Lee, and they hit it off right away.  This gives him new life as he prepares for his upcoming trial.  He trusts anything that comes out of Lee’s mouth and believes she knows what is best for him. His lawyer, on the other hand, is looking out for Arthur’s best interests and warns him to keep his guard up.

Let’s start with the positives—”Joker: Folie à Deux” has a lot of big ideas.  I enjoyed the exploration of mental health.  I thought the way they presented it was done in a way that was compelling and multifaceted. I also liked the way the film dealt with how society becomes obsessed with fame and how villains and killers are worshipped by the public. I thought the film had a terrific cast.  The performances were nuanced and believable. All of this made this sequel even more frustrating because there are true moments of brilliance on screen from the actors and the people behind the scenes.

Whenever the film started to get interesting or capture my attention, it would seem to have a moment where it felt like the director and the screenwriter were messing with the audience. It was almost as if we entered another film. I didn’t understand why they didn’t have the conviction and nerve to just make this a straight-up sequel without all of the random musical scenes and gimmicks. I have nothing against musicals, but these scenes made me lose my focus because they didn’t add to the story and instead took away from what was happening on screen.  Again, I felt like the director and the screenwriter were just messing with the audience and playing games.

Overall, I can’t recommend “Joker: Folie à Deux” because the film is all over-the-place and wildly inconsistent.  It’s even more infuriating because, like I stated previously, there are some really, really powerful and well-acted scenes throughout. However, they are not in the film nearly enough to recommend it.  Lady Gaga, for example, is great, but she doesn’t have enough screen time.  I was hoping she would have just as Phoenix did, but she’s in and out of this film far too often.  This is one of the most disappointing films of 2024.  I didn’t hate it, but I sure was disappointed by it.

* ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Joker: Folie à Deux” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. The film has a running-time of 138 minutes and is rated R for some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.

4K Video Info: Much like 2019’s “Joker,” this is a top-notch visual experience.  It is crystal clear from start-to-finish.  The film also has deep blacks which really set the moody and atmospheric tone of what unfolds. From a visual standpoint, this film gets an A. The Dolby Vision transfer is perfect.

4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is also perfect. This is a theatrical movie in every sense of the word, and the audio is perfect. It’s perfect for your at-home theater set-up.  Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.

Special Features:

Everything Must Go (Four Part Longform Documentary)

   – Can I Have a Cigarette?

   – Finding Lee

    – A Hundred Films in One

    – King of Nothing

The Character of Music

Live! With The Joker

Colors Of Madness

Crafted With Class

Should You Buy It?

This is going to be a hard pass from me unless you loved the film and thought it was brilliant.  I know John Waters and Quentin Tarantino have praised it, and it has been a source of controversy in the film community. Overall, I didn’t think it was great, and I also didn’t think it was one of the worst films of the year either. I think it’s below average, but it’s watchable, despite its lengthy running time. Joaquin Phoenix gives another top-flight performance as Arthur Fleck, and it’s hard to keep your eyes off him on screen. As mentioned earlier, I wish they would have given Lady Gaga more to do, as I thought she was fantastic when she was on-screen.  Overall, I’d say watch it on Max and see how you feel about it. If you do like it, you will be very happy with this 4K release.

**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.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

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

When the sequel to “Beetlejuice” was announced, movie fans all over the world were excited for its release. The original 1988 film has long since become a Halloween classic and required viewing every October. I thought the original “Beetlejuice” was okay, as the style and the tone of the film didn’t always connect with me as a viewer.  With “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” one thing fans will have a difficult time accepting is the lack of screentime for Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton returns as Beetlejuice, but he’s more of a supporting character here. If fans are going to a “Beetlejuice” movie expecting to see more of the main character, they will have to adjust their expectations.  I, on the other hand, thought this made the film more enjoyable and entertaining as it opened up the door for other characters to shine on screen.  It added some much-needed heart and humanity to the story.

Our film opens by showing us Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) hosting her own supernatural talk-show called Ghost House.  She’s not exactly thrilled with this gig, but it comes with some nice perks.  She’s also in a relationship with the show’s producer, Rory, played by Justin Theroux. He’s looking to latch onto Lydia and exploit her for all she’s worth. Lydia is having a difficult time reconnecting with her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega).  They have trouble being on the same page because Astrid wants to know more about her father who passed away.  Lydia is not sure how to process the death of her ex-husband, and Astrid wants to know why her mother can’t use her ability to connect with the dead to reach out to her father. Astrid has more questions than answers about her father, and she is looking for some closure.

After Lydia’s father passes away, Lydia, Astrid, Rory, and Lydia’s stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara) meet up in Winter River, Connecticut for his funeral and to help sell his house. Throughout this whole ordeal, Lydia can’t help but feel the presence of Beetlejuice. At first, she wonders if all of this is just in her head, or if there is some truth to her suspicions.  Beetlejuice has his own problems in the Netherworld as he’s being chased by his ex-wife, Dolores (Monica Bellucci), who is a cultist and a literal soul sucker.  There is also Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe), a former actor who has now become a detective in the afterlife. He’s trying to piece together what is going on with Dolores and Beetlejuice.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a better film than the original because it’s more grounded in reality.  Of course, there are elements of the usual Tim Burton wackiness here.  This time around, he uses those moments effectively without turning the film into a gimmick. Because of this, they are far more effective when they do happen.  The heart and soul of this film is the relationship between Lydia and Astrid.  I thought Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega had such a strong bond and connection on screen as mother and daughter.  The good movies make you care about the characters and what happens to them.  You become emotionally invested in seeing them find happiness and peace of mind.

I also thought the way the film used Beetlejuice was effective because he only comes on screen when he absolutely needs to be there.  They don’t overuse the character. This is a film which deals with grief, loss and the inability to process feelings and connect with family.  It’s a really brainy film, and I did not expect it to go in that direction.  With that being said, I think fans of the first film might be disappointed by the choices that Burton made as a director. I thought it was necessary for the story and the characters to evolve. The performances from the cast, from top-to-bottom, are terrific. They understand what they signed up for in this film, and they are more than up to the task.  Burton put together a fantastic cast.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is one of the biggest surprises of 2024 for me. I did not walk into the film with the greatest of expectations, considering how I felt about the first film.  I walk into every film with an open mind, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was looking forward to certain films more than others.  With “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” I thought they would up the ante with the gimmicks, the silliness and the in-your-face set pieces.  While those scenes are in the film, they aren’t done so much to where they irritated me.  This is a story about people trying to figure out their place in the world.  They just happen to be occupying a world where strange and weird things are happening all around them.

* * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is being released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  It also comes with a digital copy of the film. The film has a running time of 104 minutes and is rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material, and brief drug use. You can either buy the 4K slipcover or the 4K steelbook.

4K Video Info:  The Dolby Vision transfer of this film is really eye-popping and stunning. The film looks great on 4K with a striking balance of dark blacks and bright, vivid colors. Tim Burton’s wacky and crazy world really shines on this format.

4K Audio Info:  The same can be said for the Dolby Atmos track here with subtitles in English, Spanish and French.  This is a movie with a lot of unusual and unique sounds, and they are all enhanced on this audio mix.

Special Features:

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” Commentary by director Tim Burton

The Juice is Loose! The Making of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

The Ghost with the Most: Beetlejuice Returns

Meet the Deetz

Handbook for the Recently Deceased

Shrinkers, Shrinkers Everywhere!

An Animated Afterlife: The Stop-Motion Art of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”

‘Til Death Do Us Park

Should You Buy It?

This is a tough one for me, as I’m not really the audience for this film. I didn’t love the original, so I imagine, because I enjoyed the sequel, fans of the original might feel differently than I do.  In the end, there is a lot to like about “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The performances from Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega are outstanding, as they are filled with life and love.  You understand where both of them are coming from and you root for them to work it out.  From an audio and visual standpoint, this is a mesmerizing 4K viewing experience. I ended up having a blast with this movie, and it put a smile on my face.  At times it did drag a little bit, and certain scenes could have been edited out, but this is a good flick.  I’d recommend you rent it from a digital retailer first and then decide if you want to buy it.  I think it’s worth owning on physical media because Warner Brothers released a tremendous 4K of a surprisingly good flick.

**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.

‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ – Yes, It Is That Disappointing

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

After spending too much time watching its critic and audience scores sink like stones on Rotten Tomatoes, I took the time to check out “Joker: Folie a Deux” at my local movie theater. Regardless of its horrific reception and the fact it is now one of the biggest box office bombs of 2024, I had to see it for myself as, and I am in agreement with Tony Farinella, the original was one of the very best movies of 2019. Surely it could not be as bad as many were making it out to be, and perhaps its Cinemascore grade of a D might prove to be a badge of honor. And perhaps it may be a misunderstood masterpiece which will only grow in stature like other box office debacles have in the past. Anything is possible.

Well, in the meantime, I have to be honest and say “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a tremendous disappointment. In its attempt to retain the anarchic spirit of its predecessor, it instead becomes a miserable and lifeless spectacle which many have described as being inert. This reminds me of some dialogue uttered by Hal Williams in “Private Benjamin:”

“Beware, there are mine fields out there. Most of them are inert. However, some are ert.”

Well, this sequel could use way more of those ert moments.

We catch up with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) two years after the murders he committed, and he is in custody at Arkham State Hospital, the place where all DC Comic villains end up residing in at some point. While he awaits trial where he is expected to answer for his crimes, his lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener) looks to prove he suffers from dissociative identity disorder and that his alter ego of Joker is far more responsible for the heinous acts he has committed.

While passing by a musical therapy session, Arthur catches the eye of Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga), a patient who becomes instantly smitten with him. From there, these two form an unshakeable bond as they revel in one another’s chaos and fight against a society which seems infinitely determined to break them down in any and every way. But can this love affair survive the legal ramifications Arthur may have to answer to?

The big question many have about “Joker: Folie a Deux,” as I do, is this: is this sequel really a musical? Ever since the commercial failure of Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” and the underperformance of the movie version of “In the Heights,” Hollywood has been shy about declaring any of its upcoming releases as being anything resembling a music video, let alone a musical. I can easily imagine a conversation between a film buff and a movie executive sounding something like this:

“Is this film a musical or not?”

“Well… it has music in it…”

When it comes down to it, “Joker: Folie a Deux” has a number of musical moments where Arthur and Harleen sing and dance to such tunes as “What the World Needs Now is Love,” “For Once in My Life,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “That’s Entertainment” among others. Some are rehearsed to where the actors are not expected to be as well-rehearsed as the average Broadway actor, and others prove to be more theatrical in ways I expect from someone like Lady Gaga. Regardless, I felt this sequel did not engage the musical form in any kind of enthralling manner. It’s like it wanted a musical, and then it didn’t want to be as it went straight into a courtroom drama which simply regurgitated the events of the previous film.

This is a real shame as there is a lot to admire about “Joker: Folie a Deux.” The cinematography by Lawrence Sher is truly Oscar worthy, the production design by Mark Friedberg is impressive, and Hildur Guðnadóttir, who won an Oscar for her work on the previous film, gives this installment strong musical compositions. As for the actors, Joaquin Phoenix remains one of the best working in movies today, Lady Gaga remains an amazing talent, and we get terrific performances from infinitely reliable actors like Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan and Zazie Beetz throughout.

And let us never forget Leigh Gill who returns as Gary Puddles, Arthur’s former clown co-worker whose life he spared despite very brutal, not to mention horrifically bloody, circumstances. Seeing Gary testifying against Arthur is quite painful as he is testifying against a former friend and one who was always kind to him when no one else was proves to be moving and painful, and also one of the few moments this sequel has with any kind of invigorating emotion.

But as “Joker: Folie a Deux” reaches its final act, I became completely bewildered at what unfolded before me. We watch Arthur Fleck, decked out in his Joker makeup, apologize for his murderous actions to where he renounces his Joker persona. The problem is, “Joker” dealt with all the forces and a cruel, unforgiving Gotham city which turned Arthur into the menace he became to where it acted as an indictment of a society which renders his mental health a minute concern. By that film’s end, Arthur has fully embraced his alter ego to where his former life is just a memory, and he no longer feels any shame forced on him. But here, it is almost like the first film is treated like a joke when it never should have been.

Todd Phillips described the first “Joker” film as being an origin story, but not the  origin story of this particular villainous DC Comics character. To him, these two films were based on an idea of this character not actually being the Joker, but instead being an inspiration for the Joker. This is an interesting idea, but he doesn’t do a good job of communicating this idea to us. Instead, I came out of it feeling like the rug was ripped out from under me, and its conclusion left me feeling as emotionally wrung out as the one from “Alien 3” did, and that one made me want to shoot myself.

I don’t know; perhaps time will be kind to “Joker: Folie a Deux.” It was released the same year as Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” and, like that one, received a terrible critical and commercial reception. It pains me to think this will be the last time in a while where a filmmaker will have unchecked power when making such a big-budgeted motion picture. While Coppola has the excuse of self-financing his passion project, Phillips is not so lucky as a major film studio backed him on this one, thinking they had another billion dollar hit on their hands. This feels like an implication that future movies like this one will be rendered more formulaic and safer in the process. That sucks, doesn’t it?

For what it is worth, “Alien 3” has grown on me a lot since its theatrical release, and maybe this one will too. Then again, it doesn’t have Marc Maron whose character survived the last one. Could the man with the WTF podcast have saved this one? Okay, that’s wishful thinking,

* ½ out of * * * *

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ – Oh What a Glorious Epic!

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

There is a quote near the beginning of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” which still haunts me long after I first witnessed George Miller’s thrilling and gloriously epic prequel.

“As the world falls around us, how must we brave its cruelties?”

This particular quote struck me hard as I do not need to live in a post-apocalyptic to understand it. The world is a deeply unfair place, but this fact hits Furiosa more than most as we watch her as a child who is forced to grow up a lot sooner than any youth should, even if it is in a radioactive hellhole.

“Furiosa” is a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and we come to meet young Furiosa (played at the film’s start by Alyla Browne) at a time where her life is disrupted in a devastating fashion. While living in the Green Place of Many Mothers, she is kidnapped by members of the Biker Horde, and they present her to their leader, the warlord Demetrius (Chris Hemsworth). From there, she is forced to witness horrible atrocities and survive the awful violence which threatens to be perpetrated on her and others in what comes to be known as the Wasteland.

Now whereas “Fury Road” was an all-out chase movie, this one has a bigger story to tell as it looks at the origins of Furiosa and of the events which turned her into a real bad ass. She is given a full character arc as she is forced to improvise ways to escape a painful and helpless servitude and prevent anyone from discovering the “land of abundance” where she came from. When she comes to the moment where she proves to be a bad ass warrior, it feels truly earned.

To my surprise, we don’t see Anya-Taylor Joy until an hour into this film. Instead, we get Alyla Browne who plays her as a girl, and she previously worked with Miller in the criminally underseen “Three Thousand Years of Longing.” This young Australian-Estonian actress does fantastic work in making you believe a child of so young an age can be quick to defy her captors, escape those about to do serious physical harm to her, and to slip away ever so cleverly to where she is not just another piece of property.

When Anya-Taylor Joy arrives, Furiosa has been toughened up to a large extent and has disguised herself as a mute boy who is good with fixing cars and operations around the War Rig. While it is a bummer that Charlize Theron could not return as Furiosa, Joy makes this role her own and commands the screen to where her male counterparts can only play catch up. Seriously, she has a glare which shoots lasers right through your eyes and punches a hole out the back of your head. Not once is she ever less than riveting in this role.

Then we have Chris Hemsworth as the warlord Dementus, a man who only thinks he’s as badass as Thor. He’s a hoot to watch here as he simply lets loose and chews up the scenery with sheer abandon. He is an actor possessed with a fury as Dementus has the appearance of someone successful, but who has no idea how to wield power in a successful or profitable way (sound familiar?). But moreover, Hemsworth gives Dementus an inescapable vulnerability as he reveals himself to Furiosa as someone who has been equally wounded as she has. Both have suffered tragedies and want to get back to the lives they once had, but this apocalyptic world has robbed them of their hopes and dreams and leaves them with only one mission, to survive. This all leads one of the big questions this film has for us and its characters; how do you go through life when everyone and everything around you has been laid waste?

Seriously, however, the real star of “Furiosa” is George Miller. After all these years, he still knows how to create a post-apocalyptic future like no one else. I would love to get inside his head to see how he comes up with all these visuals and cars. And while some might be saying this prequel is “Fury Road” all over again, they are wrong. He does revisit familiar territory and characters here, but he still has new tricks up his sleeves as he expands the world he brought us into years ago and gives it even more visual and thematic depth. Can another filmmaker give you such Wasteland splendors like the Citadel, the Bullet Farm and Gastown? I think not.

And yes, there are glorious action set pieces to be found throughout. Among my favorites are when Furiosa stows away in the War Rig undercarriage while Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) drives through the war-torn field while being attacked by rogue raiders. It is one of the most thrilling sequences I have seen in a film so far in 2024, and Miller is aided by the propulsive music of Tom Holkenborg (a.k.a. Junkie XL), the amazing cinematography of Simon Duggan, and the brilliant editing job done by Margaret Sixel and Eliot Knapman. This sequence plays even better in 4DX as you feel like you are at a rodeo that never lets up.

Now as I write all this up, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is failing at the box office which depresses me. This is a film meant to be seen on the biggest silver screen in your neighborhood and not one to await on streaming. I’m sure there are understandable reasons as to why this prequel is underperforming around the world, but you are really missing out if you don’t see it at a theater near you. This is one of the most visually spectacular films you can hope to see this year this side of “Dune Part II.” I find it hard to believe I will have a more exhilarating cinematic experience in 2024 than I had here.

I do have to say, however, that the big chase sequence featuring the War Rig gave me some PTSD memories of when I worked at Disneyland. I had a commute of 35 miles one way, and it did bring out the Immortan Joe in me. Traffic in California was hell back then, and it is still quite hellish today.

* * * * out of * * * *

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

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

I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Jason Momoa as an actor. I’ve never walked away from a movie of his and been impressed or blown away by his performance.  He has the look of a movie star, but he doesn’t really stand out in his film roles.  He’s merely just a buff dude on screen. Of course, we have seen jacked up actors in the past such as Dwayne Johnson, John Cena and Dave Bautista, but they have charisma, personality and charm. Momoa, on the other hand, strikes me as someone who is trying way too hard to be funny. He’s not a very natural actor. He has screen presence, but when he’s asked to dive deep into a character, it falls flat.

I have not seen 2018’s “Aquaman,” which was also directed by James Wan, the man behind such films as “Saw,” “Insidious,” “The Conjuring,” “Furious 7” and “Malignant.” I’m a big fan of his directorial style, and I think he brings a lot to the table from a visual perspective. Because of this, I went into “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” with some hope he would be able to make an interesting, unique and outside-the-box superhero film. Sadly, he can’t even save this clunker.  I really don’t think it would have mattered if I had seen the original or not.

This sequel takes place four years after the first film, and we see that Aquaman (Jason Momoa) has become the king of the Atlantis.  He’s now married to Mera (Amber Heard) and has a child with her as well. He’s struggling to adapt to parenthood while also dealing with the responsibilities of being king.  There are some truly cringe-worthy gags where their child is constantly peeing in the mouth of Aquaman.  Even worse, Momoa sells it with these weird and contrived faces which only makes it even more unfunny.  He also must contend with David Kane /Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is looking to avenge the death of his father. David Kane’s scientist sidekick is played by Randall Park in a thankless and one-note role. He’s basically a scared geek.

In order to make sure that David Kane doesn’t cause any further damage, Aquaman must enlist the help of his brother, Orm, played by Patrick Wilson. From here, the film turns into a bromance action flick with Wilson and Momoa bouncing one-liners off one another.  At times, the film is too silly and stupid with its attempts at humor. During other scenes, it is deadly serious.  This is a film in search of a tone, and it never really finds one. Wilson is great and dependable as usual, but even he can’t make it work with the uninteresting and bland Momoa.  Overall, this film was a complete mess from the word go.

I know there has been a lot of drama surrounding the film’s production and the usage of Amber Heard in the story.  She’s barely in the film, and it seems odd at times that Aquaman’s wife would have such a minor role in his life, especially considering they share a child together.  I understand they wanted to focus on the two brothers and their whacky relationship together, but it would have been nice to have a bit of an emotional tone to the proceedings.  When Heard does appear, it feels forced and out of place because the writing doesn’t give her a whole to do.

The stakes just don’t seem very high in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”  The film is also doomed because it doesn’t have a charming or engaging leading man.  The story feels very, very thin.  This feels like a sequel which was only made for the money based on the fact they made very little attempt to really do anything out of the ordinary with Aquaman.  I understand they couldn’t change actors as Momoa was in the first film, but I did leave this sequel wondering what it would have been like if Wilson was paired with someone other than Momoa who is not a natural comedic actor. While Momoa seems quite pleased with himself, his jokes fall flatter than four o’ clock.

I want to go back to the story of this movie again, as this is where the majority of the issues are in addition to Momoa’s dead on arrival performance. There is an outline for a good movie here.  I would have liked to have seen more of with Aquaman attempting to juggle life at home and also life at sea.  There is too much time spent at sea, and it turns into a full-blown action film.  The action scenes would have been effective if the story took its time to really build up the relationship between Aquaman and Mera.  They rush through all of that, and they go straight to the comedic relationship between Aquaman and Orm. When the jokes on the page are not funny, the actors are doomed.

I did like the film’s message about everyone doing their part and sticking together to make the world a better place.  However, it doesn’t really resonate or land on screen when we have been dealing with bad comedy, mindless action scenes and a plot which moves at a glacial pace. This is a prime example of a movie that really did not need to be made in the first place.  I understand it made money, but from a quality perspective, this film was what I call a “watch movie.” I kept checking my watch over and over again, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

* out of * * * *

4K Info: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 124 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some language and sci-fi violence. There is a digital copy of the film included with this release as well.

Video Info:  The Dolby Vision transfer on this film is simply breathtaking.  It’s a visual feast for the eyes.  I only wish the film was as good as its Dolby Vision transfer.

Audio Info:  The same can be said for the Dolby Atmos audio track.  It’s sharp, vivid and very impressive.

Special Features:

Atlantean Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Should You Buy It?

Unless you are a completist and enjoyed the first “Aquaman,” I don’t see any reason why you should add this film to your collection. It really was a disappointment, especially considering the director behind it. That being said, when he doesn’t have a great leading man or a great screenplay in front of him, there is only so much he can do.  The 4K transfer looks out of this world, and it was the only thing that kept me glued to the screen. After a certain point, I was more immersed in the visuals than the story or the action, which says a lot about the final product. This film is really a dumpster fire. I’m glad I watched it, as I had interest in checking out what James Wan would do in this universe, but I have zero interest in revisiting it or checking out the first film.  This film is strictly for people who enjoyed the first film. It will not win over any new fans, and it will probably even frustrate fans of the original.

**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 Color Purple’ (2023) Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

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

It wasn’t that long ago when I had the pleasure of reviewing 1985’s “The Color Purple” on this very website, and I absolutely adored the film.  When I heard there was going to be another adaptation, I was eager to see how it was going to turn out, especially because it was going to be a musical.  Musicals are tricky, as they need just the right amount of music to make it work.  The music needs to really lend itself to the scenes instead of taking over the film entirely. If it’s one song after another without any time to let them breathe, it can take away from the performances on screen. I’m happy to report “The Color Purple” has all of the right ingredients to succeed with flying colors.

The film follows two sisters, Celie and Nettie Harris (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey) who are stuck living with an angry and abusive father named Alfonso, played by Deon Cole. He’s especially hard on Celie, who has two children after being raped by her own father.  He separates her from her children, which causes her much distress and agony. It isn’t long before the two sisters are separated after their father gives away Celie to a man by the name of Mister, played by Colman Domingo.

Mister is a farmer who already has three children of his own, and he’s equally as rough on Celie as her father.  She’s basically doing everything for him, and she feels defeated from the years of abuse from both her father and her current husband. In addition to this, Mister is also hiding all the letters she receives from her sister Nettie, so they have no contact with one another.  Between not being able to see her children or her sister, she feels like life is nothing but misery and pain for her each and every day.

As Celie gets older, she is played by “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino.  She definitely has the emotional range as an actress to pull off this incredibly demanding performance. When it comes to the musical numbers, it is second nature to her.  Along the way, she gets to know Sofia, played by Danielle Brooks. She is married to Mister’s son, Harpo (Corey Hawkins), and she is not afraid to whip him into shape.  This is the first time that Celie has seen a strong female in her life.  She is used to women having to take everything from their husbands without being able to defend themselves.  It is certainly not the case with Sofia.  One day, Celie hopes to be as strong as Sofia.  She also meets another strong and confident woman in Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), a jazz singer who completely captivates Mister.

During this film, we see a journey which starts in 1909 and goes all the way until 1947, and it’s one of two sisters who are bound and determined to meet up with one another again, no matter what it takes. Along the way, even Sofia deals with some hardships of her own and feels defeated and drained by her new circumstances.  Celie learns to grow and finds out how to stand on her own two feet.  Heck, even Mister learns a thing or two about himself and how he needs to modify his own behavior.  Everyone’s character arch is worth watching throughout the course of the film’s two hour and twenty-minute run time. 

This is a film that never feels boring, stale, or repetitive because these are fleshed out characters whom, as an audience, you care about and root for throughout the course of the story.  For the most part, the film is pretty true to the original 1985 film in terms of its major moments.  As a whole, it works on so many levels. It starts with this tremendous cast of actors and actresses from Fantasia Barrino to Taraji P. Henson to Danielle Brooks to Colman Domingo to Corey Hawkins to Gabriella Wilson ‘H.E.R.’. Everyone brings their heart and soul to the project in addition to their lungs. They were very diligent about putting this cast together from top-to-bottom. Ciara also appears as an older version of Nettie.

“The Color Purple” is ultimately a story about sisterhood, resiliency, strength, and the human spirit. I don’t think it’s fair to compare the two films as they are trying to accomplish the same thing while going about it in completely different ways. The music enhances the story and adds a different take to the material while also keeping the essence of Steven Spielberg’s original film alive and well.  For my money, this is a perfect film.  I was emotional during it, I laughed at the appropriate moments, and the songs stayed with me as well.  I wanted to listen to the soundtrack as soon as the film was over, and I played it on repeat.

Remakes of popular films are tough to pull off, especially when it’s from a novel, a nearly forty-year-old film, and a successful Broadway musical as well. However, when the new version is a fan of the original film, you have what is known as a labor of love.  If you enjoyed 1985’s “The Color Purple,” you will certainly enjoy 2023’s “The Color Purple.” It is about perspective, though.  I believe this film needs to be seen as its own entity.  If you are able to do that, you will enjoy the heck out of it. 

The filmmakers know the audience cares about these characters, knows them, and wants to see them succeed.  It takes you on an emotional journey from start to finish with a tremendous payoff in the end which is very satisfying. You very much live through these characters. You feel their pain, their happiness, and you root for them to succeed. Along the way you laugh, you cry, and you never lose hope.  That, in my opinion, is the beauty of a great film like “The Color Purple.”  There is a reason why this story has stayed with people for so many years and still resonates with viewers to this day.

* * * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Color Purple” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. It has a running time of 141 minutes and is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, violence and language.

Video Info:  There is a beautiful Dolby Vision transfer on the film here, and it looks magnificent. This is a film filled with life and color, and it’s on full-display with this flawless transfer. The HDR really brings out the richness of the picture quality.

Audio Info:  We are also treated to a pitch-perfect Dolby Atmos soundtrack here which allows us to enjoy each and every single song the way it was intended to be heard.  It stays at just the right bass and volume throughout the film, as it’s never too loud or too soft.

Special Features:

Creating The Color Purple: A Bold New Take on the Beloved Classic

Hell Yes! The Iconic Characters of The Color Purple

In the Flow: Creating The Color Purple’s Biggest Musical Moments

 A Story For Me: The Legacy of The Color Purple

Should You Buy It?

If you enjoy the power of cinema, do yourself a favor and pick up “The Color Purple” on the day of its release.  It is worth every penny, especially with the special features that are included here along with a Dolby Vision transfer and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.  This is also a terrific film that really tugged at my heartstrings.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I put this movie in my 4K player and sat down to watch it.  However, I was blown away by its high-energy, its music, the intense drama, and the phenomenal performances. This version of “The Color Purple,” which was directed by Blitz Bazawule, is the kind of movie I wish Hollywood made more of these days.  It’s an adult drama that invigorates the spirit and is good for the soul.  “The Color Purple” on 4K comes highly recommended as a day one purchase.

**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.

‘Wonka’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

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

Confession time: I have not seen any of the live-action films based on the Roald Dahl novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”  I have not seen “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” or the aforementioned “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I do think this puts me in an ideal position because I have no frame of reference when reviewing this film, “Wonka.” I’ve often said any film that has source material attached to it should be able to stand on its own two feet and appeal to an audience which has no history with the characters or the story itself. Ideally, you are looking to make a film that will appeal to those who have seen the other films and read the novel, and also to those who are going into it with fresh eyes. That’s the main goal.

Willy Wonka is played here by Timothée Chalamet in a brilliant performance which is able to portray both the sweet and eccentric side of the main character. If he went too far into the latter, it would have been rather off-putting and too peculiar. However, he does a great job of balancing the tender side of the character and also the quirkiness. It’s a great performance. Wonka has many skills in his arsenal (magic and innovation), but the skill he is most proud of is his ability to create chocolate that is creative, delicious, and brings people together.  He’s looking to start up his chocolate empire, but he’s met with strong resistance by what is known as the Chocolate Cartel.

The Chocolate Cartel is a group of three men who have a monopoly on the chocolate industry, and they are not looking to share it with Mr. Wonka anytime soon. The group includes Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Gerald Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Felix Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). Once they catch wind of his arrival, they want to do whatever it takes to put an end to his budding chocolate industry.  Luckily for them, Wonka finds himself stuck in a terrible contract due to his inability to read.  Because of this one-sided contract, he must spend 27 years and 16 days at Mrs. Scrubitt’s (Olivia Colman) laundry house, which she runs with her evil goon Bleacher (Tom Davis).

While working in the Wash House, Wonka befriends an orphan named Noodle, played by Calah Lane. Together, they hope to help each other out, as Noodle is looking for information on her family, and Wonka wants to make his chocolate store a reality, which was inspired by his close bond with his late mother, played by Sally Hawkins. There is also a bookkeeper in the Wash House named Abacus Crunch (Jim Carter), Lottie Bell (Rakhee Thakrar), a telephone operator, Piper Benz (Natasha Rothwell), a plumber, and a former comedian Larry Chucklesworth (Rich Fulcher). They have also fallen prey to the evil contracts doled out by Mrs. Scrubitt. If they can work together, they might be able to turn things around and get out from not only their contracts, but also from the Chocolate Cartel as well.

Another thing the Cartel has going for it is the chief of police (Keegan-Michael Key) has a strong addiction to chocolate, so it’s quite easy to pay him off and keep him from doing his job with any sense of dignity or honor.  They must also contend with Lofty, an Oompa Loompa, played brilliantly by Hugh Grant. At first, Noodle is hesitant to believe he actually exists, as the idea of a little orange man with green hair is hard to fathom.  However, Lofty believes he was wronged, so he will do whatever it takes to get what he believes he is owed from Wonka. Hugh Grant makes the most of each and every scene he’s on screen with this deadpan timing and delivery. It’s a treat whenever he’s on screen.

“Wonka” is a film I ended up enjoying a lot more than I thought I would when I started watching it. I think it helped that I really had no idea what to expect or any type of preconceived notions, whatsoever. I found the film to be absolutely delightful.  They did a great job in casting as, top-to-bottom, this is an all-star cast of actors.  It really starts with Timothée Chalamet as Wonka, however.  If he came across as too goofy or too silly, the film would have failed. However, this is the best performance I’ve seen from him in his young career. It also helps that there is a tremendously sweet friendship between his character and Noodle. The way their friendship grows and blossoms is moving and genuine.

“Wonka” has a lot going for it. The musical aspect of the film is top-notch, and there are memorable songs that come in at just the right moments, whether they are used to brighten up the mood and make you laugh or whether they are used during a more introspective moment.  The bad guys are deliciously evil and a lot of fun.  The friendships come together organically. Much like a great bar of chocolate, all of the ingredients here are working together as one. It also helps that the film takes its time in allowing the audience to get to know the characters and their intentions.  Everyone serves a purpose here.

This is a patient film, as mentioned. and it is better because of it.  We get to go along on the journey with Wonka and all of the characters who inhabit this world. I enjoyed every single character and actor for what they brought to this project.  This could have easily been a throwaway film where it was done just to make a profit without paying attention to quality. There is a lot of craft and love here, and it shows on screen.  “Wonka” warmed the cockles of my heart.  It’s sure to put a big smile on your face, just like it did it for me.

* * * ½ out of * * * *

4K Info: “Wonka” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  The film has a running time of 116 minutes and is rated PG for some violence, mild language, and thematic elements.  It also comes with a digital code for the film.

Video Info:  We are treated to a beautiful Dolby Vision transfer on this release of “Wonka.” This is a bright and beautiful film with eye-popping visuals that really lend itself to the 4K format.  I was very impressed with the colors and the level of detail on this transfer.

Audio Info:  We get a Dolby Atmos audio track here as well, which sounds terrific. Considering this film is a musical, we want to be able to enjoy the music to the fullest. We are able to do that here thanks to audio which is clean and very vibrant.

Special Features:

Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King’s Vision

The Whimsical Music of Wonka

Welcome to Wonka Land

Hats Off to Wonka

Wonka’s Chocolatier

Should You Buy It?

If you enjoyed the “Paddington” films, which were directed by “Wonka’s” Paul King, you should definitely buy this 4K release of “Wonka” as soon as it’s released.  It’s very clear by now that King is a British director who knows how to make films that are going to appeal to children and adults, which is very difficult to pull off.  He has it figured out and it’s on full display here with this nearly perfect motion picture. Film, to me, is at its best when I’m able to feel something emotionally and also laugh in equal measure.  From an audio and visual perspective, the 4K gets an easy A here.  We also get a few special features as well.  So far, 2024 has been a slow year for 4K releases, but “Wonka” has set the standard early on for this year.  This one comes highly recommended!

**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.