Mike Goes To Movies

The Old Guard (2020) TLDR: Immortal and yet still unable to elevate this one past your standard run-of-the-mill action flick. Netflix's newest romp-and-stomp, The Old Guard, based on the comic series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, may give you that temporary adrenaline fix you crave but, ultimately, it is fairly standard fare that will likely come and go like so much other contemporary content. The Old Guard is about a small group of immortals who, throughout history, have acted as a for-hire squad. The team is led by Andy (Charlize Theron), the oldest (and most badass) of the four. The film centres around a plot by a business man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who seeks to expose the group's incredible power so that another more-cruelly minded business man may distill and capitalize the group's immortality. At the same time, the group becomes aware of a brand new immortal (Kiki Layne) whom they attempt to integrate into their way of life. The concept - while not en...

The Sandman (Audiobook) (2020) TLDR: One of the best graphic novels of all-time has just become one of the best audiobooks of all-time. Here we go again, venturing into new and ominous directions. As you can see, this is not a review of a film or series, but of a new audiobook. I will admit that, going into this I was not unbiased however. The Sandman graphic novel series, written by Neil Gaiman, and published by DC/Vertigo through the late 80's into the early 90's, is one of my favourite works of fiction ever. Yes, that is a strong statement, but I  wholeheartedly stand by it. I will try not to delve too deeply into the majesty of the specific graphic novel series here, and, instead, try to focus on the audiobook that has just been released by Audible that adapts the first three books of the series. The Sandman is a dark fantasy series that rivals almost any other work of fiction in its grand and daring scope. While it technically takes place in the DC universe, it...

Hamilton (2020) It's no news that, for the past number of years, Lin Manuel-Miranda's Hamilton has been the hottest show on the Broadway circuit. Taking a very 'white' story of the Founding Fathers of America -  particularly Alexander Hamilton - and giving it a contemporary edge through a racially-diverse cast and a fusion of hip hop, R&B, rap and other music genres, was an absolute winning formula for greatness. And now, thanks to the House of Mouse, many of us no longer need to spend our life savings to see the show live! What a treat it was - Hamilton was pretty much everything it was hyped up to be: fantastic music, great performances, a moving story, and a lively theatrical production! LMM's magnum opus tells the life of Alexander Hamilton (whom he plays in the show) right from Hamilton's early days in America, his important role in the Revolutionary War, his personal and family life with , and then his time with Aaron Burr, and the other Foundin...

Palm Springs (2020) TLDR: An entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining sto -- While not the first and definitely not the last take on the 'time loop' story, Palm Springs succeeds as a contemporary rom-com due to the strength of the two leads, the film's consistent laughs and shocks, and an underlying and compelling depth at the heart of the story.  Palm Springs is yet another highly-recommended indie film that gives new life into a well worn genre and premise. The time loop setup has been attached to pretty much every type of story at this point from action to horror, drama to rom-com. Of course, one of the originals, Groundhog Day, may be the most similar to Palm Springs in its somewhat kitschy romantic comedy. However, Palm Springs has contemporary stylings in its honest and flawed characters, its edge and bouts of crudeness/violence, and its tendency to ve...

Cinema Paradiso (1988) Cinema Paradiso is a film that has been on my watchlist for as long as I can remember. A short while ago, I finally had the chance to watch it and, what I can say is that, for any true movie lovers and those looking for an utterly heartwarming story, this is a film to watch. Writer/director, Giuseppe Tornatore's classic is a poignant ode to the magic of cinema and the nostalgic and important place it holds in so many of our lives.  The film is told in a series of flashbacks, depicting the early days of the young and troublesome Salvatore 'Toto' in a small town in Italy shortly after the end of WWII. In the town of Giancaldo the main place of entertainment is the Cinema Paradiso - a local movie theatre, that shows classic films from all around the world. It is clear that the theatre holds a special place for the town, when, every evening, the building is backed to the brim with the town's residents and, across the board - from young childre...

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) The Coen brother's Inside Llewyn Davis may be one of the filmmakers' most underrated gems. The story of Greenwich Village folk singer, Llewyn Davis, never seems overly profound or layered, however, under the surface of the film lies a poetic folk tale about one man's struggle to break out of the cyclical struggle of his life and also about the momentous shifting of the world of folk music in the early 1960's. It would not be surprising for many viewers to be slightly put-off by the film's underhanded nature but this classical tall tale (a common theme throughout Coen brothers filmography) is rife for dissection, enjoyment and multiple viewings and listenings.  The story of Llewyn Davis (portrayed marvellously by Oscar Isaac) unfolds organically; he is a talented folk singer who had a string of hits with his former singer partner but, at the start of the film, he is down on his luck and trying to restart/maintain his career. The pie...

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) On paper, the Eurovision Song Contest is a perfect vehicle for a classic Will Ferrell comedy romp. The long-running and immensely popular real-life contest has that same oddball and quirky charm that Ferrell exudes in all of his successful films. Having him star as an Icelandic wannabe-pop star that allows for him to sing has a lot of inherent potential (for a retrospective, see his rendition of Por Ti Volare in Step Brothers). However, the film ultimately lacks the pieces that have led to Ferrell's beloved classics. Despite its promising premise, Eurovision is devoid of consistent laughs, its plot ambles and runs too long, and many of its cast seem a tad too out-of-place to sell the vision of this contest. Lars (Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) are a singing duo/best friends/possible siblings who have their sights set on the Eurovision contest, and, after a string of lucky mishaps the two get their shining opportun...