Category Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

The Iron Claw Review

Leave a comment

The legacy of wrestling is displayed in the strong elements of a true story in The Iron Claw. Written and directed by Sean Durkin, this faithful adaptation is about the life of a family that built a wrestling franchise based upon discipline, honor, and commitment. The film is a monumental and emotional achievement in which the characterizations glisten with brilliance. The story of the Von Erich brothers is one for the ages. In The Iron Claw, Zac Efron is Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White is Kerry Von Erich, Harris Dickinson is David Von Erich, and Stanley Simons is Mike Von Erich. Their parents are played by Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich, and Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich. The entire cast delivers outstanding performances portraying a family that sticks together no matter what the cause.

The film takes place in an era when wrestling is beginning to have competing divisions. Fritz has trained his boys to become pro wrestlers, win championships, and accomplish what he could never accomplish. Not only do his boys win, but they also gain media attention. Kevin Von Erich is the strongest of the four brothers and despite plateaus has some title shots. Kerry has failed as an Olympic athlete which is why he joins his brothers’ group in hopes of fame. David is the brother that stands on the sideline as a spectator, but also dreams of fighting in the ring. Finally, there is Mike, the brother with more artistic than physical talent. Fritz pushes his boys to adopt the mindset that they are undefeated. However, they begin to feel drained and defeated by this mentality not only in the ring but in life. One of the messages in The Iron Claw is that choosing battles in life has consequences.

With the intense focus on championships and glory, each brother finds himself falling into a pattern of despair. Kevin feels he must be a leader to fulfill his father’s dreams. Kevin must also think about his wife Pam (played by Lily James), and what his future with wrestling will look like. Kerry sees wrestling as his biggest fallback, because of errors while being an Olympian. Kerry’s ego is at the root of his problems. David finds himself making brotherhood and reputation a priority. However, his fame gets ahead of his performance. Finally, Mike is the brother with the least athletic talent. Each brother falls into patterns which drain their energy, impede their success, and have irreparable consequences. The expectations of their father causes them to feel like they can never give up. The Iron Claw displays that the Von Erich brothers were so focused on their fame and glory, they never truly thought about the impact wrestling would have on them.

The pressure of achieving fame leads to despair in The Iron Claw. The writing is strong in portraying human sadness as the family navigates through the pressures of their franchise. Their trademark is the movie’s title and their signature move, i.e., The Iron Claw. In this riveting tale, the concept of giving up does not seem to be an option.

As a fan of wrestling, I found the division in the film to be similar to All Elite Wrestling which is more realistic and followsold school rules. The other division, World Wrestling Entertainment, is more commercialized and scripted. The Iron Claw is more faithful to the tone and sportsmanship of All Elite Wrestling. The matches are more real, like they were in the days of the Von Erich family. The combination of realism and old school rules are where the jam of wrestling lies as a form of entertainment that has an enthusiastic fan base.

With the various setbacks faced by the family in their pursuit of fame, the film weaves a nostalgic historical trail. This is enhanced by tying in the fame of wrestlers Ric Flair (played by Aaron Dean Eisenberg) and Harley Race (played by Kevin Anton). The early days of wrestling display how competition in the ring was meant to be a riveting event for the world to experience. With the Von Erich brothers always striving to impress their father, the bigger names in wrestling served as their competition. Sadly, a loss would mean a reckoning and additional mental hardship for them. The Iron Claw shows that the ring of fame is not always a center of fulfillment but is often a reality check of the challenges faced by each brother individually. The film is unforgettable and riveting. Four out of four stars for The Iron Claw.

Film reviews

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Review

Leave a comment

I was much younger get when the first Chicken Run film opened in the summer of 2000, but that film made me realize how enthralling stop motion animation can be. Twenty-three years later Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget still made me gasp and jump out of my seat numerous times. The legacy of the franchise holds true in its faithful brilliance to the brand and the invigoration of its animation technology. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is a family film for both children and adults, and it has joyfulness that flows throughout the film.

The plot of the film begins on an island. Ginger (voiced by Thandiwe Newton) is back with Rocky (voiced by Zachary Levi). Ginger and Rocky have a daughter, Molly (voiced by Bella Ramsey). The other fun chickens are back ranging from Bunty (voiced by Imelda Staunton) and Mac (voiced by Lynn Ferguson), to Ferguson (voiced by David Bradley). The chickens have escaped the Chicken farm that was run by the wretched Mrs. Tweedy (voiced by Miranda Richardson) and have made a home for themselves many miles away from the farm. But Molly has her parents’ adventure gene, and the troubles return. Molly escapes the island and finds herself on a new type of chicken farm—one with huge high-tech air fryers! Ginger and Rocky must do what they can to save Molly, but the worst part is that Mrs. Tweedy is back and the War of the Chickens versus Mrs. Tweedy is on for a second time. Fortunately, the chickens are smarter than they previously were when Mrs. Tweedy tormented them for ages. But have they learned enough to make it out alive?

I love animations that have a semi-serious premise but know how to keep the funniness in tune. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget has that in spades. The creators know how to portray danger that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat while also keeping them rolling in the aisles with laughter. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget stands to bring the success of the franchise to new heights in this long-awaited sequel. Despite the long time between films, the writing of this film is faithful to the brand and the world they created is evolving of many wonders.

So finally, after far too long, the classy animation returns … and it makes for a rollicking fun time. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is a journey where the impossible becomes possible. The chickens are even more savvy than before, making the film suspenseful, enthralling, and filled with laughter for all ages. Mrs. Tweedy still has her evil side, but it doesn’t prevail because although she’s still a psycho, she’s an absent-minded psycho. So twenty-three years after the first film, the chickens continue to be heroes. Three out of four stars for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

Film reviews

The Color Purple Review

Leave a comment

The Color Purple opens with the poetic themes of love, friendship, and encouragement—all of which will go through ages of neglect and abuse. There is a saying in the outset of the film, “Good Lord works in mysterious ways,” and it seems to ring true in The Color Purple. Faith, passion, and empathy remain important motifs as the film follows the story of a loving and lasting friendship. The Color Purple is joyful, but not as solid as the original from 1985. This one goes for a more blockbuster approach, but the music and story still soar in many moments.

The film takes place in the early 1900s in Atlanta, Georgia. The two main characters are Celie (played by Fantasia Barrino) and Nettie (played by Ciara). The true story is seen in the younger characters that play both women. Young Celie is played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Young Nettie is played by Halle Bailey. A friendship torn apart in an era of slavery. Celie spends her life with Mister (played by Colman Domingo). He is a harsh landowner that beats and neglects her for many years of her life. Celie’s happiness is always found around her friend; however, Nettie ends up leaving the picture because Mister scares her away. The film effectively uses musical inspiration to enhance its many characters, settings and situations.

Hard moments transition to songs—the steppingstones of a touching masterpiece. The film’s songs display a message of staying strong, especially for Celie. Relationships of abuse negate Celie’s purpose and inspiration to find Nettie, yet Nettie remains in her heart. The spirit of Celie never losing hope is in the music, conjuring the feeling that simply being alive is something to be grateful for. The Color Purple is a journey where laws and boundaries do not exist.

The portrayal of racism and segregation goes too deep into a Hollywood mode. The downfall is that there is over exaggeration in the dramatics that do not serve a proper purpose or a form of realism. The Color Purple is rather frustrating in the sense that it seems made to sell rather than authentic. The music is terrific though. It attempts to be a fulfilling flick through itscontinuity, acting and story, yet it falls short of attaining trulyjoyful vibes. It is an experience where boredom will come sooner than expected in its time length of two hours and forty minutes.

Despite the film’s slow approaches of being inviting there is more to the film to add sense of positivity. Celie meets Shug Avery, and she is played by Taraji. P Henson. She is the leading celebrity of the town. She has a big soul and an open heart and feels Celie’s pain. With the support of Shug, does Celie have more hopes to have a new life? Are there hopes she can find Nettie? Can she get away from Mister? Her hopes and prayers go a long way. Color Purple paints a portrait of how life can be when one deals with abuse physically and mentally every day.

With all of the joyful elements, the dynamic of the film is cursed because it takes place in an era of non-acceptance at intolerable levels. The Color Purple displays a raw, riveting and inspirational experience that will warm many hearts. It is also a musical experience that is driven to test boundaries to find light in the darker places of life. The film just lacks some realistic qualities, relying rather on over-the-top dramatics and ironies. This remake just does not make it. Two out of four stars for The Color Purple.