Spider-Man: No Way Home

 

Based on the comic series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man: No Way Home revolves around the titular character/Peter Parker who deals with the events following some incidents in Europe as his identity had been exposed where he turns to Doctor Steven Strange for help where they had unknowingly opened the multi-verse where other villains from other universes go after Parker. Directed by Jon Watts and screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film is an exploration of a young man who had become a pariah following a series of lies where he hopes to keep his real identity a secret only to open a multi-verse where other villains who battled different versions of Spider-Man are going after with Tom Holland reprising his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Steven Strange. Also starring Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Benedict Wong, J.K. Simmons, J.B. Smoove, Tony Revolori, Angourie Rice, Hannibal Burress, Rhys Ifans, Thomas Haden Church, Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, and Willem Dafoe. Spider-Man: No Way Home is an enthralling and heart-wrenching film from Jon Watts.

The film picks up where its predecessor left off where Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man has been unveiled leading to him to trouble where he turns to Doctor Strange for help only for the spell be botched by Parker leading to the opening of the multi-verse where other villains from other universes try to kill Parker. It is a film about this young man who is just trying to finish his senior year in high school and go to MIT but his friends are affected by their chances as they too know about Parker’s identity as does his aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). Parker feels responsible as he wants to be a normal person where he asks Doctor Strange in casting a spell that would allow the world to forget that he’s Spider-Man yet there’s people he cares about that still wants him to know that he’s Spider-Man. The film’s screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers is ambitious in terms of not just the idea of the multiverse and the many foes that Parker has to deal with but also in themes of responsibility and redemption.

Past films about Spider-Man did involve multiple villains in different iterations where they often become bloated and messy but McKenna and Sommers manage to find a structure but know when not to do too much. The first act is about Parker dealing with his identity being known as he is seen by many as a murderer with the Daily Bugle leading the charge as its reporter J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) instigating the matter which makes Parker’s life worse but also affect the chances of his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and their friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) to go to MIT. He goes to Doctor Strange who is dealing with issues at his home as well as the fact that he’s no longer the Sorcerer Supreme due to being blipped as Wong (Benedict Wong) is now filling that role. The second act is about Doctor Strange’s botched spell and what got unleashed in these villains that all want to kill Parker but they all realize that he’s not the Parker they’re going after. Dr. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Dr. Norman Osborn/the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Dr. Curt Connors/the Lizard (Rhys Ifans), Flint Marko/the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and Max Dillon/Electro (Jamie Foxx) all have issues as Doctor Strange manages to traps them in the hope of sending them back to their universes but Parker realizes that they’re fated to die as he hopes he can help them as the script manages to show that these men weren’t villains from the start but rather men who made mistakes or were slighted in some way.

It does play into the theme of redemption as it relates to a scene where Osborn in his lost state meets with May knowing that he is mentally-unbalanced as it allows Parker this idea of wanting to help him with Ned and MJ’s help though Doctor Strange does have valid concerns for not wanting to. Parker’s actions in trying to help is what leads to this third act as it doesn’t just play into the theme of responsibility but also how to overcome guilt as it does lead into more ideas of a multiverse and how those from other universes would help Parker.

Jon Watts’ direction is definitely grand in scope and in setting up the multiverse but it is also grounded in this human story of a kid that is a superhero but is aware of what he can do but also knowing that he can do more. While it is shot mainly in Atlanta at the Pinewood Studios in Duluth, GA as Queens and parts of New York City with some additional shots in the New York City area. Watts does manage to make the city a character in the film from the opening scene in Times Square where Parker’s identity as Spider-Man is revealed where he and MJ run from the authorities as it has some amazing scenes of Spider-Man and MJ swinging to avoid the news and such as the usage of close-ups and hand-held cameras add to that chaos. Watts would also keep things grounded for some of the humorous and dramatic scenes with close-ups and medium shots such as Happy, May, MJ, Ned, and Parker all being interrogated by the FBI as May and Parker would lose their home and move in at Happy’s apartment with the AI mini-crane that Tony Stark created. There are bits of humor that Watts put in as it play into the interactions between characters but also in how it plays into some of the absurdity of the multiverse.

There are also some wide shots to play into some of the fights such as Parker’s first interaction with Dillon where Parker unexpectedly gets help from Marko of all people as it really showcases a lot of the complexities into the people Parker is dealing with. Especially as Dr. Octavius, Osborn, Dillon, Dr. Connors, and Marko are all different villains who do have issues with Spider-Man in their respective universes but they also learn about their own fates as it definitely adds a lot of dramatic weight. The sequence of Strange and Parker fighting over an object that Strange created to send the villains back to their respective universes is among one of the most surreal as it play into Strange’s pessimism against Parker’s own belief about second chances for these men as his experiment would show that even people who lost their way can be redeemed.

Yet, this idea would be challenged once again for its third act where Watts showcase not just some intensely dark moments that Parker has to face but also the outcome and how it affects those around him. Even as there are those who feel that they either couldn’t be redeemed or are eager to want something more rather than go back to who they used to be. It would play into the film’s climax where Watts does create this grand moment that has a lot of callbacks to the other Spider-Man films but also an aftermath that is about responsibility and what Parker had to do for himself and for those he cares for. Overall, Watts crafts a rapturous yet emotionally-investing film about a young man trying to reclaim his identity as well as take action for his own mistakes and help those who had been lost in their own rage.

Cinematographer Mauro Fiore does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography as its usage of vibrant colors for a few scenes at night including the usage of red and blue lights help broaden a mood for those exterior scenes at night along with the natural approach to scenes in the day. Editors Leigh Folsom Boyd and Jeffrey Ford do excellent work with the editing as it is stylish with its usage of jump-cuts, fast-cuts, and other rhythmic cuts to play into the action as well as some straightforward cuts for some of the dramatic moments. Production designer Darren Gilford, with supervising art director David Scott plus set decorators Rosemary Brandenburg and Emmanuelle Hoessly, does amazing work with the look of the Sanctum Sanctorum and its basement as well as the look of Happy’s apartment and the design of the Statue of Liberty for the film’s climax. Costume designer Sanja Milkovic Hays does fantastic work with the costumes in the different designs of the Spider-Man suits including the Iron-Spider suit with its nanotech as well as some the casual clothing from the other characters including some of May’s stylish clothing.

Special effects supervisor Daniel Sudick, along with visual effects supervisors Kelly Port and Chris Waegner, do wonderful work with the visual effects in the design of Octavius’ claws, some of Electro’s powers, the look of the Lizard, and other visual effects as it does have an air of realism and a lot of detail into the villains but also in the overall presentation during the film’s climax. Sound designers Chris Diebold, Tony Lamberti, and Ken McGill, with sound editor Steve Ticknor, do superb work in the sound as it play into some of the sound effects in Spider-Man’s web shooters as well as some of the weapons the villains have as well as other objects in the film. The film’s music by Michael Giacchino is incredible as it is a major highlight of the film with its bombastic orchestral score but also some soaring themes involving strings that include some of its quieter moments while music supervisor Dave Jordan creates a soundtrack that features themes from other Spider-Man films by Hans Zimmer, James Horner, and Danny Elfman as well as music from Talking Heads, De La Soul, Odyssey, Liquid Liquid, the Beastie Boys, and Antonio Vivaldi.

The casting by Sarah Finn and Chris Zaragoza is marvelous as it features notable small roles from Angourie Rice as classmate/school reporter Betty Brant, Hannibal Burress as the gym teacher who is convinced that Parker is a murderer, J.B. Smoove and Martin Starr in their respective roles as Parker’s teachers Julius Dell and Roger Harrington who side with him, Paula Newsome as a MIT administrator Parker is trying to meet for Ned and MJ, Arian Moayed as a government official who interrogates Parker and his friends/associates, Mary Rivera as Ned’s Lola who has a hilarious interaction with a couple of characters in a key scene, Tony Revolori as classmate Flash Thompson who tries to use Parker to sell a book as a way to suck up to Parker while sporting a hilarious new look, and Benedict Wong as Wong who warns Strange about the spell he is to cast as he is trying to clean-up the Sanctum Sanctorium and do his duties as the Sorcerer Supreme. Rhys Ifans and Thomas Haden Church are terrific in their respective roles as Dr. Curt Connors/the Lizard and Flint Marko/the Sandman as two villains who aren’t sure about Parker’s plans with Dr. Connors being unwilling to be cured and Marko unsure if he can be redeemed.

J.K. Simmons is fantastic as J. Jonah Jameson as the host of the controversial news organization The Daily Bugle who is convinced that Spider-Man is a villain as he spreads a lot of fake news and is willing to incriminate Spider-Man any way he can. Jon Favreau is excellent as Happy Hogan as the head of security for Starks Industries who helps out Parker and May while letting him live at his apartment as he is in love with May. Marisa Tomei is amazing as Parker’s aunt May as she is someone who is aware of what is going on as well as what Parker is trying to do knowing that these men aren’t bad while giving her nephew some important lessons on responsibility knowing that he is just trying to redeem himself. Jamie Foxx is brilliant as Max Dillon/Electro as a former Oscorp engineer who is given electric powers where his arrival gives him a more normal look as he has his own issues while is intrigued by the idea of having more power to use. Jacob Batalon is incredible as Ned Leeds as Parker’s best friend who is trying to help him in figuring things out as well as being one of the few who knew about Parker’s identity.

Zendaya is remarkable as MJ who is Parker’s girlfriend who is one of the few that knows his identity as she is also aware of what he’s doing while also making some funny comments including some towards Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch is great as Doctor Steve Strange as a master of the mystic arts who agrees to help Parker while dealing with the severity of the spell he created as he is also unconvinced that the villains in the universe can change. Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe are phenomenal in their respective roles as Doctor Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus and Dr. Norman Osborn/the Green Goblin as two villains who both have issues with Spider-Man as the former is someone who is the first to realize something is up while is unconvinced that he can be cured while the latter is more convinced despite his bipolar personality where he acts evil as both Molina and Dafoe bring a lot more nuances to their characters as well as showcase why they were among the best villains in the Spider-Man film series.

Finally, there’s Tom Holland in a spectacular performance in the titular role/Peter Parker as the young superhero who deals with the consequences of his actions as he tries to fix them only to make things worse while wanting to do what he can to help everyone. Holland adds this maturity to a character that is in transition from being a young man to becoming an adult as he deals with his actions but also what he has to do to be a hero as it is his best performance as the famed web-slinger.

Spider-Man: Now Way Home is a sensational film from Jon Watts that features a tremendous leading performance from Tom Holland. Along with an ensemble cast for the ages, dazzling visuals, a mesmerizing music score, themes on responsibility and redemption, and action set pieces including an unforgettable climax that manages to do so much more in its grand scale. The film isn’t just one of the best entries in the Spider-Man film series and its related franchises but also a superhero film that isn’t afraid to tackle major themes while also being ambitious with a story that is grounded in reality and its exploration of human nature. In the end, Spider-Man: No Way Home is a spectacular film from Jon Watts.

Jon Watts Films: (Clown (2014 film)) – Cop Car

Spider-Man Films: Spider-Man - Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man 3 - The Amazing Spider-Man - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - (Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse)

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers

Phase Two: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man and the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Eternals - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels - (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

© thevoid99 2021

Spider-Man: Far from Home

Based on the Marvel comics series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man: Far from Home is the sequel to the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming in which Peter Parker/Spider-Man deals with the aftermath of the Infinity Wars as he struggles with expectations of being a superhero while wanting to be a normal teenager who goes to Europe with his friends as they encounter mysterious beings known as Elementals. Directed by Jon Watts and screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film is the final film of the Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Parker copes with its aftermath as he teams up with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Quentin Beck/Mysterio to face off against the Elementals in Europe as Tom Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man with Jake Gyllenhaal as Quentin Beck/Mysterio. Also starring Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jacob Batalon, Angourie Rice, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, J.B. Smoove, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Spider-Man: Far from Home is an adventurous and riveting film from Jon Watts.

Five years after the events where people had disappeared only to reappear suddenly five years later known as the Blip, Peter Parker goes to Europe for a school trip with friends as he is hoping to woo a classmate yet they would all encounter mysterious beings known as Elemental as Parker is aided by S.H.I.E.L.D. and a hero named Quentin Beck/Mysterio who claims to be from an alternate version of Earth. It’s a film that play into events where Parker has to once again put on the suit and other variations of the suit to fight against these mysterious beings yet is overwhelmed with his duties as he just wants to be a normal teenager. The film’s screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers follow the events of the Blip where kids who didn’t die of the Blip would deal with those who survived the Blip as they have age better as well as be more mature. It’s a new reality that some of Parker’s classmates such as Ned (Jacob Batalon), MJ (Zendaya), Betty (Angourie Rice), and Flash (Tony Revolori) are dealing with as Parker’s attempts to woo MJ is being challenged by another classmate in Brad Davis (Remy Hii).

The first act isn’t just about this new reality and Parker’s trip to Europe but also the overwhelming expectation of taking on the mantle as the new Iron Man as Parker isn’t sure if he wants to follow in Tony Stark’s footsteps. Upon arriving in Venice, Italy after blocking phone calls from Nick Fury, Parker finally meets with Fury after an incident involving a water Elemental where Parker would also meet Mysterio. The script does play into Parker’s resistance to help out as well as Fury’s increasing paranoia over what is happening while Beck acts as a mediator of the two while helping Parker dealing with growing pains. Beck is a fascinating figure as someone who has these mysterious powers to fly while wearing a fishbowl helmet to help unleash his powers against the Elementals. There is also some intrigue about Beck during the second act in why he’s so powerful as he and Parker work with each other during a mission in Prague as it would also involve a few of Parker’s classmates including MJ who would make a major discovery about the Elementals. The film’s second half doesn’t just play into some revelations over what MJ found but also a pair of glasses called E.D.I.T.H. (voice of Dawn Michelle King) Parker would inherit from Tony Stark that reveals a lot of information including some insight about the Elementals. The script doesn’t just play up the stakes of what Parker is facing but also so much more that would alter his own reality.

Jon Watts’ direction does have some elements of style but much of its compositions and setting are grounded in reality and remains straightforward. Shot on various locations in Prague, London, Berlin, Croatia, and parts of New York City and Newark, New Jersey, the film does showcase Spider-Man being part of a world that is bigger where Watts allows Parker to feel overwhelmed by his surroundings as he just wants to be the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man from Queens New York. The new surroundings that Parker encounters does allow him to find new ways to face off foes as well as save people as he is aware of his role but the monumental power of the Elementals isn’t enough for him to save people which is why Beck is there to help him. Watts’ direction has a looseness in terms of what Parker and his friends are doing in Europe including some moments of humor that includes a subplot of Ned and Betty being a couple as well as one of the chaperones in Julius Dell (J.B. Smoove) believing that all of these Elementals appearing are from some source of witchcraft.

Watts’ usage of wide and medium shots manage to get great coverage of the locations and its sense of geography of where the Elementals would pop up but there are also some close-ups and moments that is more about characters interacting as well as developing relationships such as the one between Parker and MJ. The film’s third act with its grand set pieces and revelations about who is the mastermind of the Elementals as well as that person’s motivations does add a lot of intrigue as well as these moments that are thrilling and exciting. Even as it add to the stakes of what Parker is facing as well as what he would have to endure in the aftermath as it play into what is to come for Parker and other allies along with a few twists of those Parker would encounter. The film also has Watts relying on past films that add to the dramatic revelations in the third act as it all play into Parker trying to live up to someone’s legacy when he just needs to be himself. Overall, Watts craft an exhilarating and evocative film about a young superhero dealing with mysterious forces as well as expectations to be the next big superhero.

Cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography as it is largely straightforward to play into the different colors of the cities that the characters go to including some of the neon lights at night for the carnival at Prague. Editors Dan Lebental and Leigh Folsom-Boyd do excellent work with the editing as it is straightforward with some stylish cuts for the action including moments where let shots linger on to establish what is happening. Production designer Claude Pare`, with supervising art directors Grant Armstrong and Jann K. Engel plus set decorators Tina Jones and Delia Picirilli, does amazing work with the look of some of the places the characters go to including the dilapidated hotel in Venice, the opera house in Prague, and a few other places in and around Europe. Costume designer Anna B. Sheppard does nice work with the costumes as it is largely straightforward with the exception of Mysterio’s costume and the variation of Spider-Man’s suits.

Hair/makeup designer Peter Swords King does fantastic work with the look of Beck as well as the new beard that Happy Hogan has. Special effects supervisors Roy K. Cancino, Pasquale Catalano, and Andy Williams, with visual effects supervisor Janek Sirrs, do incredible work with the film’s visual and special effects with the design of Mysterio when he’s flying as well as the Elementals and a sequence that play into the idea of reality and fantasy. Sound designers Chris Diebold, Andy Sisul, and Steven Ticknor, with co-sound editor/re-recording mixer Tony Lamberti, do superb work with the sound as it play into the effects of how the Elementals sound as well as some gadgets and how music is presented on a location or at the carnival in Prague. The film’s music by Michael Giacchino is great as it features some flourishing orchestral themes and some somber pieces as it help play into the drama and sense of adventure Parker would endure while music supervisor Dave Jordan creates a fun music soundtrack that feature an array of music from Whitney Houston, Umberto Tozzi, the Go-Gos, the Jam, the Specials, Caterina Valente with Werner Muller and his Orchestra, Mina, Marcela Laiferova, Flipbois, the Matadors, AC/DC, and the Ramones.

The casting by Sarah Finn, Jina Jay, and Maya Kvetny is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from Numan Acar and model Toni Garrn as a couple of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the quintet of Zach Barack, Zoha Rahman, Yasmin Mwanza, Joshua Sinclair-Evans, and Tyler Luke Cunningham as classmates of Parker’s who are part of the European trip, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Betty’s fellow school newscaster Jason Ionello, Peter Billingsley as a former Stark tech employee in William Ginter Riva, Dawn Michelle King as the voice of the A.I. glasses tech E.D.I.T.H., and Remy Hii as Parker’s rival for MJ’s affections in Brad Davis as a kid who survived the Blip to go from nerd to hunk as he would endure some funny moments. Martin Starr and J.B. Smoove are terrific in their respective roles as the school chaperones in the academic decathlon teacher Mr. Harrington and Mr. Dell as the former is baffled by the upgrades he received while the latter believes these events are from some form of witchcraft.

Tony Revolori and Angourie Rice are superb in their respective roles as Flash Thompson and Betty Brant as two of Parker’s classmates as the former is hilarious in his attempts to film everything for his vlog while the latter finds herself in a European romance with Ned that provides some sweet and funny moments. Jacob Batalon is fantastic as Ned as Parker’s best friend who finds himself in a romance with Betty while being one of the few to know Parker’s true identity as Spider-Man. Marisa Tomei and Cobie Smulders are excellent in their respective roles as Aunt May Parker and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill as the former is helping others who were killed by the Blip and later revived find new homes while the latter helps out Fury with the growing threat as well as be a voice of reason.

Jon Favreau is brilliant as Happy Hogan as Tony Stark’s bodyguard/Parker’s aide who watches over him as he understands what Parker is dealing with while he has a funny subplot as it relates to a possible relationship with Aunt May. Zendaya is amazing as Michelle “MJ” Jones as Parker’s classmate who is often filled with sarcasm and witty humor which is a disguise of sorts for her own shyness while being someone who gets to know Parker as well as make key discoveries over the Elementals and where they come from. Samuel L. Jackson is marvelous as Nick Fury as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. who is asking for Parker’s help as other members of the Avengers and fellow allies are unavailable as he is asking a lot from Parker while also acting more paranoid than usual.

Jake Gyllenhaal is incredible as Quentin Beck/Mysterio as this man from an alternate version of Earth who is battling the Elementals as he has powers but is also trying to help Parker with growing pains as there’s also many layers to what Gyllenhaal brings to the character that makes him a total standout in the film. Finally, there’s Tom Holland in a remarkable performance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man as someone that is trying to retain his youth and wanting a break from being a superhero as he copes with not just loss and responsibility but also the need to be someone he’s not as Holland brings that grounded realism to the performance but also a youthful exuberance that is Peter Parker and showcase who Spider-Man really is as someone that understands his role and what he needs to be for himself.

Spider-Man: Far from Home is a sensational film from Jon Watts that features top-notch performances from Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, and Zendaya. Along with its ensemble cast, dazzling visuals, amazing visual effects, a soaring music score, a fun music soundtrack, and a story about expectations and responsibility. The film isn’t just another winning entry in the Spider-Man story but it also serves as a fitting touchstone for the Infinity Saga storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as set up for new adventures to come. Even as the film manages to be a lot of things but also so much more than just a typical superhero film but also a film about growing pains and responsibility. In the end, Spider-Man: Far from Home is an incredible film from Jon Watts.

Jon Watts Films: (Clown (2014 film)) – Cop Car

Spider-Man Films: Spider-Man - Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man 3 - The Amazing Spider-Man - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - (Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse)

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers


Phase Two: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man and the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2019

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Based on the Marvel comics series by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spider-Man: Homecoming is the story of Peter Parker dealing with his life in high school as he’s part of a decathlon team while trying to learn the ropes in being a superhero as he faces off against a mysterious enemy who has a grudge against towards Tony Stark. Directed by Jon Watts and screenplay by Watts, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers from a screen story by Goldstein and Daley. The film is an exploration of Peter Parker trying to be Spider-Man due to the new suit he’s given created by Tony Stark as he also deal with the bad guys as Parker/Spider-Man is played by Tom Holland and Stark/Iron Man is played by Robert Downey Jr. Also starring Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Angourie Rice, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Donald Glover, Jon Favreau, and Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes/Vulture. Spider-Man: Homecoming is an exhilarating yet whimsical film from Jon Watts.

Set two months after working with Tony Stark in dealing with Captain America, Peter Parker deals with a new enemy while trying to be a regular kid as he struggles to balance his role as himself and Spider-Man. It’s a film with a simple story as it shows Parker adjusting to the new suit he’s given created by Stark as he wants to be part of Stark’s inner circle and hopefully become part of the Avengers. Yet, he would encounter a series of strange events involving a man named Adrian Toomes who lost his job in collecting scraps for money as he seeks revenge on Stark by stealing the Chitauri technology that happened during the Avengers’ first battle with them some years ago. The film’s screenplay doesn’t just explore Parker trying to maintain his identity a secret but also wanting to find out more about these arm deals as he tries to contact Stark and Stark’s longtime assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) about his discoveries.

The screenplay doesn’t just explore Parker trying to balance that life of superhero and as a normal teenager being part of the school’s decathlon team. It’s a script that also explore growing pains as Parker is eager to prove to Stark that he can be part of the Avengers but he’s only a 15-year old sophomore that is dealing with all of the things in high school. The only other person that knows his identity as Spider-Man via accident is his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) who would keep asking questions but also would make some discoveries of the suit. Much of the film’s first act is about Parker trying to prove his worth in his discovery of the weapons deal and his first encounter with Toomes’ secret identity in Vulture. There are also these little moments of Parker dealing with high school life as he’s falling for the popular senior Liz (Laura Harrier) as well as bearing the verbal humiliations of the popular nerd Flash Thompson (Tony Revolori) and witty comments of Michelle (Zendaya). At the same time, Parker is trying to keep his identity a secret from his aunt May (Marisa Tomei) whom he really cares for and doesn’t want to stress her out.

The film’s second act involves Parker learning more about the Chitauri technology he found during an encounter with some of Toomes’ henchmen as well as Parker attending the national decathlon in Washington D.C. These moments in the second act play into Parker’s development as a character as someone who is very eager to get into these dangerous moments as it can be overwhelming as Stark is constantly watching him in the hope that Parker does better. The film’s antagonist in Toomes isn’t a conventional villain but someone who feels slighted by the system during a prologue where he loses his job as he makes his own discoveries of the Chitauri technology for his own usage. All of what he does is to provide for his own family and he sees Spider-Man and Stark as threats that need to be eliminated.

Jon Watts’ direction definitely has some elements of style as it owe a lot to some of the cinematic style and humor of John Hughes but it also play into the ideas of modern-day society. Shot mainly in Atlanta as the Queens borough in New York City with some shots set in New York City, Washington D.C., and Berlin. The film does play into Parker’s own excitement into being a superhero which starts with this opening sequence of him documenting everything including the events before he was to face Captain America. Yet, Watts would keep the film grounded in reality as it has Parker just trying to explore his new powers through the suit Stark has designed for him as Watts explore the mistakes that Parker would do as it has this very natural approach to the humor. While Watts would use some wide shots for some of the locations, he would favor more intimate shots in the close-ups and medium shots to play into Parker trying to be just a regular kid as it include some comical moments as well as a few dramatic moments.

The direction has Watts create some intense moments involving the action that includes this massive set piece in a ferry where Spider-Man battles the Vulture and gets himself into trouble where it is an ode to films of the past but also become this key moment that would make Parker realize how over his head he’s in. It has Watts maintain some grounding into the growing pains that Parker is dealing with where as much as he wants to be a superhero, save the world, and do good. He’s still a young kid with so much going for him as he also needs time to be a kid as it’s something he needs to fight for against someone like Toomes/Vulture who has his own reasons to fight which is for the well-being of his family. Overall, Watts creates a fun yet engaging film about a young kid becoming a superhero and learn what it means to be one.

Cinematographer Salvatore Tino does excellent work with the film’s cinematography as it has a lot of gorgeous colors for many of the locations in the daytime with unique lighting moods for the scenes at Toomes’ workshop. Editors Dan Lebental and Debbie Berman do fantastic work with the editing with its usage of jump-cuts, montages, and other stylish cuts to play into the action and humor. Production designer Oliver Scholl, with supervising art director Brad Ricker plus set decorators Lauri Gaffin and Gene Serdena, does superb work with the look of Toomes’ workshop as well as the interior of the schools and some of the places Parker goes to. Costume designer Louise Frogley does brilliant work with the look of the Spider-Man suit as well as the clothes Parker wears casually as well as the clothes of his classmates.

Visual effects supervisors Theodore Bialek, Doug Spilatro, and Dominik Zimmerle do amazing work with the visual effects from the way Spider-Man would use his webs to move around or the way some of his tech would appear as well as some of the scenes involving Vulture. Sound editor Steve Ticknor, with sound designers Tony Lamberti and Eric A. Norris, does terrific work with the sound in capturing some of the atmosphere of the few parties that Parker goes to as well as some of the massive action sequences at the Washington monument and in the film’s climax. The film’s music by Michael Giacchino is great as it features this soaring orchestral score that plays into the action and humor with some very melodic themes while music supervisor Dave Jordan provides a fun soundtrack with music from the Rolling Stones, Spoon, the Ramones, the English Beat, Yello, A Flock of Seagulls, Traffic, and a few other tracks from hip-hop, EDM, and indie artists.

The casting by Sarah Finn is incredible as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from Kerry Condon as the voice of Iron Man’s AI F.R.I.D.A.Y., Jennifer Connelly as the voice of the A.I. in Spider-Man’s suit, Garcelle Beauvais as Liz’s mother, Hemky Madera as a local bodega owner that Parker knows, Logan Marshall-Green as a henchman of Toomes, Martin Starr as the decathlon coach/teacher, Hannibal Burress as the school gym teacher, Kenneth Choi as the school principal, Angourie Rice as the school news reporter Betty Brant, Tiffany Espensen as one of Parker’s decathlon teammates in Tiffany, Bokeem Woodbine as a henchman of Toomes in Herman Schultz who would also be known as Shocker, and Tyne Daly as a U.S. department head for damage control who would ruin Toomes’ life. Tony Revolori is terrific as Parker’s high-school nemesis Flash Thompson as he’s this rich nerd that likes to verbally humiliate Parker as he is quite funny while Laura Harrier is wonderful in a somewhat underwritten role as Parker’s love interest Liz who is baffled by why Parker never shows up for things.

Donald Glover is superb as the criminal Aaron Davis as a guy trying to buy the weapons Toomes is selling as he realizes something isn’t right where he would provide some information to Spider-Man later on. Zendaya is fantastic as Michelle as a classmate of Parker who is this quiet observer that makes some very snarky comments as she provides a lot of the film’s funnier moments. Jacob Batalon is excellent as Ned as Parker’s best friend who is one of the few people that knows about Parker’s identity as Spider-Man as he provides some funny moments as well as be useful for the film’s third act. Jon Favreau is brilliant as Happy Hogan as Stark’s bodyguard who watches over Parker as he is annoyed by Parker calling him for any special assignments. Marisa Tomei is amazing as May Parker as Peter’s aunt who is wondering what her nephew is doing as well as helping him with some of his growing pains.

Robert Downey Jr. is marvelous as Tony Stark/Iron Man as Parker’s mentor who is trying to make sure that Parker is being responsible as he’s dealing with his own things as he knows when he has to step to lecture Parker. Michael Keaton is remarkable as Adrian Toomes/Vulture as a scrap-metal collector who loses his job due to Stark as he would steal and use Chitauri technology to create weapons as a way to give himself and his family the life they wanted as it’s a role with some charm as Keaton doesn’t make him a total villain but someone that is determined to do whatever to protect his family. Finally, there’s Tom Holland in a phenomenal role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man as a 15-year old kid that is trying to deal with the gifts he’s given as well as try to be a normal kid as Holland has this air of exuberance and humility that provides the right balance to play both Parker and Spider-Man in making him vulnerable but also provide the maturity he would gain later on in becoming the superhero.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a sensational film from Jon Watts that features great performances from Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, and Robert Downey Jr. Along with its amazing ensemble supporting cast, thrilling action sequences, and the need to not take itself seriously or rehash anything previous films about the character that audiences already knew. It’s a film that knows what it needed to do while providing something fresh to the beloved character in a setting that isn’t explored and have fun with it. In the end, Spider-Man: Homecoming is an incredible film from Jon Watts.

Jon Watts Films: (Clown (2014 film)) – Cop Car

Spider-Man Films: Spider-Man - Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man 3 - The Amazing Spider-Man - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - (Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse)

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers

Phase Two: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Thor: The Dark World - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2017

The Big Short

Based on the novel by Michael Lewis, The Big Short is about the financial crisis in 2007 and 2008 and how a small number of individuals knew it was coming and tried to salvage what they would be lost. Directed by Adam McKay and screenplay by McKay and Charles Randolph, the film is an unconventional take on the crisis with its mixture of humor, drama, and moments that break down the fourth wall. Starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei, Rafe Spall, Finn Wittrock, Hamish Linklater, Jeremy Strong, Melissa Leo, and Brad Pitt. The Big Short is a gripping and chilling film from Adam McKay.

Set in the mid-2000s just a few years before the world economy would collapse in such a massive way, the film follows the lives of a few different men who would make a discovery that would lead to its collapse. Told through three different narratives, the film follow the events of these men who wouldn’t just discover loans and bonds that would cause the housing market to become unstable but also do whatever they can to survive and profit from this upcoming financial collapse. The film’s screenplay by Adam McKay and Charles Randolph weaves through these multiple narratives as the storyline of the different individuals who would be part of this catastrophic event would all effect one’s narrative and such. Even as there’s moments where a character from one storyline is in the same place with other characters from that storyline but none of them really meet each other.

The character Dr. Michael Burry (Christian Bale) is this oddball hedge fund manager who is socially-inept as he would start the whole story going when he would look into numbers involving high-risk subprime loans as he decides to make a bet against market-based mortgage-based securities by using a credit default swap. Dr. Burry’s plans had bankers laughing thinking he would fail as his actions wouldn’t just get the unwanted attention of his mentor Lawrence Fields (Tracy Letts) but also the attention of a low-level salesman for Deutsche Banks in Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling) who is the film’s narrator. He would learn about what Dr. Burry is planning where he joins forces with Front Point hedge fund manager Mark Baum (Steve Carell) after one of Baum’s employees called Vennett by accident as the two analyze what Dr. Burry has found. From a prospectus that Vennett created, two young investors in Charlie Geller (John Magaro) and Jamie Shipley (Finn Wittrock) would find that prospectus as they would take part in the plan to buy credit default swaps with the advice of a former securities trader in Ben Rickert (Brad Pitt).

The film’s narrative would cross-cut through all three different storylines as well as explore all of the traits of these characters as Vennett is a man that is vain and interested in getting the money from the fallout that is to come while Baum is a man just trying to make sense of the world he’s working for as he’s also dealing with his brother’s suicide. The duo of Geller and Shipley are just two guys that wanted to be rich as they get the help of Rickert as they would make a move that would be big but there comes a moral price over what had happened as it would be a discovery that would make Baum not just uneasy but also realizing the large scale of what is to come. Each act opens with a quote as it play into these men making a discovery and see what would happen and then realize the massive scale of the risk as almost everyone in the financial world is against them. Yet, it’s a risk that is would showcase not just the sense of arrogance and indifference of these people in finance but also those who would be seriously affected by this crash.

McKay’s direction is definitely quite engaging for the way it explores the world of finance in all of its complexities and finding a way to make it accessible for anyone who has no clue about bonds, stocks, securities, or anything in the world of finance. Shot largely in New Orleans with some of it shot on other locations such as New York City and Las Vegas. McKay would create something that is grand in some scenes but maintain some intimacy in his usage of close-ups and medium shots as it relates to the drama. Especially in the usage of hand-held camera for these scenes while giving each storyline a different tone as the Dr. Burry storyline is often set in an office building while the stories involving Venette/Baum and the trio of Geller, Shipley, and Rickert also have different presentations though there is that one scene where the two groups are in the same sequence through an intricate tracking shot.

Since the idea of finances and all of the things that go on are considered very complex to anyone that has no idea about these things. McKay would use a few celebrities like actress Margot Robbie, singer/actress Selena Gomez, famed chef Anthony Bourdain, and the economist Richard Thaler to provide some comical expositions to reveal what is a mortgage-based security, a subprime loan, a collateralized debt obligation, and a synthetic CDO. McKay would also showcase images and footage of what was the culture of the world was like in the mid-2000s as people are unaware of what is happening as its third act is quite dark. Notably in the sense of immorality that is happening in the financial world and the people who really lose it all which makes characters like Baum and Rickert uneasy. Especially as it once again play into this air of cynicism and what often happens in the financial world on who is saved and who is left in the dust. Overall, McKay creates a haunting yet evocative film about a group of individuals who would make a discovery that would shake up the financial world in the late 2000s.

Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd does excellent work with the film’s cinematography from the usage of natural and low-key lights for the scenes at Dr. Burry’s office as well as the lighter look of the scenes at Baum’s office as well as some of the stylish yet low-key lights for some of the scenes in Las Vegas. Editor Hank Corwin does brilliant work with the editing with its usage of jump-cuts, freeze-frames and other stylish cuts to help find ways to create smooth transitions for the different storylines as well as using montages to play into the growing sense of time. Production designer Clayton Hartley, with set decorator Linda Lee Sutton and art director Elliott Glick, does fantastic work with the look of the different offices as well as the garage office that Geller and Shipley work at and the home of Rickert. Costume designer Susan Matheson does nice work with the costumes as it’s mostly casual with the suits that the men wear as well as shorts and t-shirt look of Dr. Burry.

Visual effects supervisor Paul Linden does terrific work with some of the film’s visual effects which is essentially set-dressing to play into the period of the mid-2000s. Sound editor Becky Sullivan does superb work with the sound as it play into the world of parties and meetings where it can be raucous but also quiet. The film’s music by Nicholas Britell is wonderful for its low-key electronic score that play into the drama while the soundtrack features an array of music from rock, hip-hop, and pop music.

The casting by Kathy Driscoll and Francine Maisler is incredible as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from Rudy Eisenzopf as the mortgage-backed security creator Lewis Ranieri, Max Greenfield and Billy Magnussen as two young mortgage brokers who con people into getting bad loans, Byron Mann as a CDO manager Baum talks to in Vegas about synthetic CDOs, Karen Gillian as the ex-girlfriend of Shipley’s brother who meets Shipley in Vegas who dismisses him as she had just quit the SEC, Adepero Oduye as Baum’s colleague Kathy Tao, Tracy Letts as Dr. Burry’s mentor Lawrence Fields who is aghast over what Dr. Burry did, Melissa Leo as a Standard & Poor’s employee who make some revelations to Baum about some of the dark aspects of the financial industry, and Marisa Tomei in a terrific small role as Baum’s wife Cynthia who is trying to help him with his own revelations as well as the loss of his brother.

John Magaro and Finn Wittrock are superb in their respective roles as Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley as two young investors who discover Vennett’s prospectus as they try to take advantage of their discovery in the hopes they would get a chance to be part of the elite in finance. The trio of Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, and Hamish Linklater in their respective roles as Baum’s three employees in the optimist Danny Moses, the rash and impulsive Vinny Daniel, and the reserved Porter Collins as three men who help Baum in figuring out numbers as well as discovering how much would be lost. Brad Pitt is excellent as Ben Rickert as a retired securities trader who helps Geller and Shipley with their discovery as it’s a very low-key yet humorous role as a man who reluctantly returns to the world of finance but what he discovers would make him uneasy.

Christian Bale is brilliant as Dr. Michael Burry as a hedge fund manager who would discover the instability of mortgage loans as this oddball that loves to listen to heavy metal as a man who is great with numbers but awkward when it comes to people as he tries to profit everything and ensure the trust of his investors. Ryan Gosling is amazing as Jared Vennette as a low-level salesman for a powerful bank who would discover Dr. Burry’s report and take advantage of his discovery while teaming with Baum to make some money as Gosling’s performance is funny in display his air of arrogance. Finally, there’s Steve Carell in a marvelous performance as Mark Baum as a hedge fund manager for a financial company who would team up with Vennette in betting against the market as he would make a startling discovery of what is going to happen that consumes him with guilt as Carell has this air of energy and anger in his performance that is coupled with humility and sadness.

The Big Short is a spectacular film from Adam McKay. Featuring an inventive script, an incredible ensemble cast, and witty views of financing with stylish moments of exposition that prove to be helpful. It’s a film that explores a moment in time where the world’s finance industry was hit by their own stupidity and those who saw it coming and tried to warn them. In the end, The Big Short is a phenomenal film from Adam McKay.

Adam McKay Films: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - Step Brothers - The Other Guys - Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - (Backseat) - The Auteurs #63: Adam McKay

© thevoid99 2017

Love is Strange

Directed by Ira Sachs and written by Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias, Love is Strange is the story of a recently-married gay couple who are forced to live separately due to financial issues as they each deal with their new surroundings. The film is an exploration into same-sex marriage where two men who want to be together find themselves being forced to live apart and find homes with the aid of family and friends. Starring John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Charlie Tahan, and Cheyenne Jackson. Love is Strange is a touching and engaging film from Ira Sachs.

The film plays into two men who finally marry after being together for 40 years as they’re forced to live apart when one of them loses his job and financial issues would force the situation where the two would live among family and friends. It’s a film that plays into the world of two men who love each other as circumstances beyond their control force them to move out of their apartment and live with other people while trying to find a new home. There, the separation takes a toll on not just these two men but also the friends and family that give them a place to live. The film’s screenplay explores the dynamics of two men in different living situations as the painter Ben (John Lithgow) would live with his nephew Elliot (Darren Burrows) and his family while the music teacher George (Alfred Molina) would live with neighbors in a couple of gay cops.

It’s a situation that isn’t just tense but also quite strange as Ben finds himself chatting with Elliot’s wife Kate (Marisa Tomei) while rooming with her teenage son Joey (Charlie Tahan) who is going through growing pains. For George, living with Ted (Cheyenne Jackson) and Roberto (Manny Perez) becomes uneasy as Ted and Roberto often hold parties where George just wants something quiet. It creates not just a world where two men really long for each other but are hoping to adjust to their living situations hoping that it is temporary until they can find an affordable home. It’s a script that doesn’t have a lot of plot but rather rely more on characters and the environment they’re in as Ben and George are just two men who have been through a lot and aren’t sure if they can take another lifetime of just not being together.

Ira Sachs’ direction doesn’t feature a lot of stylistic shots but does contain some very interesting and mesmerizing compositions. Shot largely on location in New York City, Sachs goes for something that is very intimate as it’s more about the story rather than a certain landmark that is often seen in New York City. With a lot of close-ups and medium shots, Sachs maintains something that starts off lively until George’s firing where it becomes a bit more serious with some low-key humor. Sachs knows where to frame his actors for scenes which would play into the tension surrounding Ben and his nephew’s family where Ben feels like he is intruding. The scenes involving George living with his neighbors show a sense of awkwardness into how old he is and how young his neighbors are where Sachs knows where to place the camera. The scenes of Ben and George together do show a spark of life such as a scene late in the film of the two at a bar which definitely says a lot about their relationship without really saying anything. Overall, Sachs creates a mesmerizing and compelling story about a gay couple struggling to live apart.

Cinematographer Christos Voudouris does excellent work with the cinematography to capture the look of the outside exteriors in the day including a skyline that Ben is trying to paint. Editor Affonso Goncalves and Michael Taylor do terrific work with the editing as it‘s very straightforward with a few stylistic cuts including a montage of George talking about his firing to his former students. Production designer Amy Williams, with set decorator Kendall Anderson and art director Steve Grise, does fantastic work with the look of the different apartments from the quaint look of the old apartment Ben and George lived in to the more spacious but unsettling home that Ben would live in with his nephew and his family.

Costume designer Arjun Bhasin does nice work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual with the exception of a few stylish clothes that Ben and George wear. Visual effects supervisor Lucien Harriot does good work with the minimal visual effects as it relates to the view that Ben is painting. Sound designer Kent Sparling does superb work with the sound to create some montages for George‘s letter to his student as well as creating something that feels natural though there‘s moments where some of the music on location does overwhelm the dialogue. Music supervisor Susan Jacobs creates a wonderful soundtrack that includes contemporary music as well as classical pieces by Chopin and Beethoven as much of it is played on location and on set.

The casting by Avy Kaufman is amazing as it features some notable small performances from John Cullum as George’s former boss who would fire him, Harriet Sansom Harris as a lesbian cop friend of Ted and Roberto, Christina Kirk as a family friend named Mindy who has a home in upstate New York, Christian Coulson as a young man George would meet at a party, Eric Tabach as Joey’s friend Vlad who would befriend Ben, and Manny Perez as the gay cop Roberto. Cheyenne Jackson is terrific as Ben and George’s neighbor Ted who is also a gay cop that would introduce George to Game of Thrones as well as his world of parties that George isn’t comfortable with. Darren Burrows is superb as Ben’s nephew Elliot who copes with the new situation as well as his son’s growing pains while often being away at work.

Charlie Tahan is excellent as Elliot and Kate’s teenage son Joey who copes with the living situation as he starts to act out while dealing with his own growing pains. Marisa Tomei is fantastic as Elliot’s wife who adores Ben and George but becomes annoyed with the living situation as she tries to get her own work done while helping Ben in finding a home for him and George. Finally, there’s Alfred Molina and John Lithgow in remarkable performances in their respective roles as George and Ben. Molina provides a melancholia as George who copes with his own living situation while dealing with the loss of his job as a Catholic school music teacher as Molina maintains a low-key yet evocative performance. Lithgow provides a liveliness to the role of Ben as a painter who is trying to cope with being separated as well as getting old where Lithgow displays some humility and the ability to be the quiet observer as it relates to his own family.

Love is Strange is a marvelous film from Ira Sachs that features great performances from John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. Along with a great supporting cast led by Marisa Tomei, the film is a delightful and heartwarming comedy-drama that explores the relationship of two men as they cope with being apart due to a very complicated situation. In the end, Love is Strange is a sensational film from Ira Sachs.

Ira Sachs Films: (The Delta) - (Forty Shades of Blue) - (Married Life) - (Keep the Lights On)

© thevoid99 2015

2012 Cannes Marathon: Welcome to Sarajevo

(Played in Competition for the Palme D’or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival)

Based on Natasha’s Story by Michael Nicholson, Welcome to Sarajevo is about a British reporter who is reporting the war in Sarajevo where he encounters an orphanage as he hopes to save the life of a girl he meets. Directed by Michael Winterbottom and screenplay by Frank Cottrell Boyce, the film is among one of the first features film to be created about the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. Starring Stephen Dillane, Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Fox, Goran Visnjic, and Emily Lloyd. Welcome to Sarajevo is a chilling yet mesmerizing film from Michael Winterbottom.

It’s 1992 as the Serbians try to wreak havoc on Sarajevo where ITN reporter Michael Henderson (Stephen Dillane) and his cameraman Gregg (James Nesbitt) are covering the battle where an American reporter named Flynn (Woody Harrelson) walks in the middle of the battlefield. While Henderson is joined by producer Jane Carson (Kerry Fox) and reporter Annie McGee (Emily Lloyd), he still has to contend with the competitive Flynn for a story where they gain a local named Risto (Goran Visnjic) to translate and drive them through town. There, Henderson comes across an orphanage in ruins where he meets a nine-year-old girl named Emira (Emira Nusevic) who is among the many orphans who are lost in the war.

Feeling compelled to tell reveal what is going on in Sarajevo, Henderson makes the orphanage his story as he wants to help save the children. When a United Nations aid worker named Nina (Marisa Tomei) arrives, she reveals that she can only help some of the kids to be transported to Italy. Henderson makes a deal to have Emira be part of the bus transport as he and Gregg join Nina on the treacherous journey to the boat that will evacuate the children to Italy. Though the journey was tough due to an encounter with a group of Chetnik troops who end up taking some of the children back. Though the remaining group was able to reach the ship, Henderson decides to take Emira to England to live with his wife (Juliet Aubrey) and children as he returns home.

Months later, Henderson receives a call from Carson about Emira’s mother (Vesna Orel) who is still alive and wants Emira back home. Henderson returns to Sarajevo to deal with the matter with help from Risto and a hotel concierge named Zeljko (Drazen Sivak) where they meet Emira’s uncle (Vladimir Jakanovic) who reveals what had happened. Though Henderson was able to find Emira’s mother, he wonders if giving Emira back to her mother would be the right thing as Sarajevo is becoming more undone by war.

The film is essentially a war drama where a news reporter covering the Bosnian war as he encounters an orphanage where he goes beyond the role of a reporter to save the life of one child. Screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce creates a story that is about a war where a reporter is among a group of many trying to tell the world what is going on. Though it feels new and the world doesn’t seem to understand what is happening, his discovery of an orphanage that is in the frontline of this battle has him telling the world what is going on prompting the United Nations to get involved though things eventually become complicated due to political issues. At the center of this story is a reporter who feels that something has to be done as he would end up encountering more disturbing images of war. Boyce’s script does play to that drama while bringing insight into the chaos that is happening for the characters to be involved in.

Michael Winterbottom’s direction is truly engaging for the way he creates the film as if he is reporting what is happening as he utilizes news footage, video camera looks, and other stylistic shots to display what is going at a hotel in Sarajevo. Shot on location in Sarajevo and parts of Croatia, there is an added realism to the way Winterbottom presents the film as he always have the camera center a world where it looks like it’s the worst place in the world. With some hand-held camera work to display some of the film’s intense moments, Winterbottom always maintain suspense to let it play out as if something is going to happen. Notably the film’s opening credits sequence where an upcoming wedding ceremony is marred by gunfire as it definitely sets the tone for the film. Overall, Winterbottom creates a truly intense and hypnotic war drama that reveals the chaos that was happening in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 1990s.

Cinematographer Daf Hobson does excellent work with the film‘s very vibrant and colorful cinematography for many of its exterior settings while creating a more low-key look for the film‘s interior scenes at the hotel as well as video-camera look for some of the news footage that is shot. Editor Trevor Waite does incredible work with the editing in utilizing rhythmic cuts for some of the film‘s battle scenes along with inter-splicing news footage with the fictional footage shot in the film. Production designers Mark Geraghty and Kermal Hrustanovic, with set decorator Constantin Nikolic and supervising art director Terry Pritchard, do wonderful work with the look of some of the hotel interiors including Ritso‘s apartment that is filled with lots of records and books.

Costume designer Janty Yates does nice work with the costumes as a lot of it is casual while some of it includes uniforms that soldiers wear. Makeup/hair designer Anne Oldham does good work in the look of Emira from her more short-hair look in Sarajevo to a more girlish look once she starts to live in England. Sound editor Peter Baldock does amazing work with the sound to capture the sense of terror that occurs in battle from the gunfire and explosions to the way it’s sound at the hotel. The film’s score by Adrian Johnson is superb for the way it plays out the sense of ruin that happens through its low-key orchestral score. Music supervisors Laurence Kaye and Steve Lindsey create a soundtrack that is a wide mix of music ranging from a darkly-comic use of Bobby McFerrin‘s Don‘t Worry Be Happy along with a compelling use of Remo Giazatto’s Adagio in G Minor for a poignant moment in the film The rest of the soundtrack features a wide mix of music from acts like Blur, the Stone Roses, the Happy Mondays, Teenage Fanclub, and Massive Attack to play out the music of the times.

The casting by Simone Ireland and Vanessa Pereira is fantastic for the ensemble that is created as it includes small but notable appearances from Juliet Aubrey as Michael’s wife, Vladimir Jakanovic as Emira’s uncle, Vesna Orel as Emira’s mother, Drazen Sivak as the friendly hotel concierge Zeljko, and Gordana Gadzic as the orphanage manager Mrs. Savic. Other noteworthy small roles include Emily Lloyd as a fellow reporter who uncovers some dark secrets about the war, James Nesbitt as a comical yet thrill-seeking cameraman, and Marisa Tomei in an incredible performance as a sympathetic United Nations aid worker who tells Michael Henderson about what he’s doing for Emira is illegal.

Emira Nusevic is wonderful as the child Emira who is just trying to deal with the chaos of her home as she seeks a way to leave. Kerry Fox is terrific as producer Jane Carson who tries to deal with all of the stories that needs to be told as she also becomes very friendly with Ritso. Goran Visnjic is great as the Bosnian Ritso who guides Michael into the world of Sarajevo while revealing the increasing dangers that is happening when Michael returns from Britain. Woody Harrelson is excellent as the brash American reporter Flynn who revels into the world of danger while bringing some humor to the situations in the film. Finally, there’s Stephen Dillane in a marvelous performance as Michael Henderson who decides to go beyond his role as a reporter to save a child’s life due to everything he encounters in this horrific war.

Welcome to Sarajevo is an extraordinary yet harrowing film from Michael Winterbottom. Armed with an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Stephen Dillane, Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Fox, Emily Lloyd, James Nesbitt, and Goran Visnjic. It’s a film that really goes into deep into the terror that was happening during the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. It’s also a film that really serves as a great historical piece to explain some of what was happening and why the fighting occurs from an outsider’s perspective who know little about this war. In the end, Welcome to Sarajevo is a wonderfully stylish yet compelling film from Michael Winterbottom.

Michael Winterbottom Films: (Rosie the Great) - (Forget About Me) - (Under the Sun) - (Love Lies Bleeding) - (Family (1993 TV film)) - (Butterfly Kiss) - (Go Now) - (Jude) - I Want You - (With or Without You (1998 film)) - Wonderland (1999 film) - The Claim - 24 Hour Party People - In This World - Code 46 - 9 Songs - Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story - The Road to Guantanamo - A Mighty Heart - Genova - The Shock Doctrine (2009 film) - The Killer Inside Me - The Trip (2010 film) - (Trishna) - (Everyday) - The Look of Love - (The Trip to Italy) - (The Face of an Angel)

© thevoid99 2012