When it comes to remakes, I found the french version “The Intouchables” (2011) slightly better than “The Upside.” “The Intouchables” was a film that stuck well to the actual story between a quadriplegic and his caregiver. “The Upside” is the same but is made more to be a Blockbuster film and cares much more about the comedic moments instead of the importance of the story. “The Intouchables” is also much more realistic than “The Upside” because it was a very independent film made on a low budget. That low budget aspect (I believe) is something that serves as a value to the “The Intouchables” successful box office record overseas because that is generally an element that makes directors focus on to make their films successful. “The Upside” had a high budget, which is not surprising because of it stars Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, and Nicole Kidman. This remake does not really ruin the true story of the actual quadriplegic and his caregiver, it just makes viewers appreciate “The Intouchables” more.

The film focuses on a man named Dell Scott (Hart) who is divorced with a son, has tons of financial problems, and is desperate for a job. He comes across a job opportunity with a quadriplegic billionaire named Philip Lacasse (Cranston). Lacasse wants someone to help him with his daily routines. Lacasse and his assistant Yvonne Pendleton (Kidman) review Scott’s background, and with it being kind of messy and all over the place, Pendleton is against the idea of hiring Scott. Lacasse takes the chance and hires Scott anyway. Lacasse does not feel his life is worth living, and even though in the beginning Scott and Lacasse do not get along, they come to realize that there is more positivity in life than they think.

I did enjoy “The Upside” but like I said earlier, I feel that it is not as faithful as “The Intouchables.” I remember “The Intouchables” did not really heavily focus on the life outside of the caregiver, its primary focus was the caregiver being with the quadriplegic man he is hired to take care of. “The Upside” I felt was too made for Hollywood because of how it has common relationship problem setup as most dramas in blockbusters have. That drama is one parent trying to prove they are worthy to their kid and fighting for them. Then after there is some reconciliation, then there is another problem, and eventually a climax. Just as I was watching “The Upside” I felt part of the film was predictable and kind of trying to repeat some but not all of “The Intouchables.”

Now to try and focus on positive elements of “The Upside” I felt it was heartfelt and touching at moments. It does do a good job at showing why it is important to establish positive connections with other people we come across in our lives. Also how to experience to the fullest despite our challenges. Hart and Cranston are quite talented at playing people that come to realizations of mistakes they made in life. These mistakes are elements viewers can find out about if they decide to watch “The Upside.”

I felt that for Kidman that this role was a good change of pace for her. She generally does a variety of roles, but it was nice to see her perform in a charming comedy, because I think it has been a while since she has done a film like this. Generally, I am use to seeing her play darker roles in her films. For Cranston, I felt it was a different, but good character for him to play as well. He was not the crazy Walter White running around cooking up drugs in trailer parks in this one, Cranston was someone  who has anger in this film, but cannot express it physically based on playing a quadriplegic. Finally, Hart was average for the role, I feel he can do a whole range of movies. I will say this was probably the first movie I have seen him do where it is a dark comedy, because literally all of his films are either slapstick comedy or of course him taping his stand-up specials and putting them into cinemas.

I am not saying avoid “The Upside” but I will say watch “The Intouchables” before checking this one out. That is because “The Intouchables has also more Oscar-worthy performances and top-notch acting, and “The Upside” is (I might have explained this earlier in this review) typical and obvious. “The Upside” is not bad whatsoever, just there was more added to this story for blockbuster value, but that is how I feel. Overall, I will say two and a half stars for “The Upside.”

Keanu Reeves performs his roles very well, but his choice in movies that can be slightly better. “Replicas” is not a garbage movie, but it is just very cheesy. I felt like I was watching “Ex Machina” (2014) meets “Premonition” (2007). There is a tragic incident, and tons of experiments to bring people back to life after death is what the main character sees the resolution to be. Yes, it had my attention, but a majority of the time, I was just thinking to myself that a majority of the film is typical science crap including robots, chemicals, and all other kinds of fancy technology that does not really add up that well. For Reeves, this type of movie just makes me more excited for his next “John Wick” installment.

Ok, so I will give a brief description of the plot (even though I really was not fond of this movie). Reeves is Will Foster (a scientist) and him and his family is abound for a vacation by driving. All of a sudden, there is a car accident and he survives, but the rest of his family does not (his wife and two kids). Now he should call an ambulance and such, but he does not. Instead he has his colleague Ed (Thomas Middleditch) help him out with using his scientific crafts, technology, and knowledge to try and bring his family back to life. However, with doing this type of experiment, both Will and Ed can get themselves with the law in terms of government-controlled technology.

As the film progresses on with the experiments for Will to bring his family back to life there are realizations that do not make sense. I will not explain what they are, because I believe people should watch “Replicas” to see what I mean by that. Just the science behind Will’s theories of how certain elements are the answers to getting his family back seem to not be explained or shown properly. That is why, when I was watching “Replicas” I would ask myself, “What just happened again?” It is a film with many unanswered questions.

I feel though, for Reeves, that “John Wick” is basically his successful series that fans are going to remember him for the most after “The Matrix” films. That is because I find most of his previous films (including “Replicas”) to be quite forgettable. They are that way because most of his films recently have just been poor ridiculous. I am only going to give “Replicas” one half star.

I felt Alfonso Cuaron went above and beyond with technical elements with “Gravity” in 2013. “Roma” is brilliant with its technical elements as well. “Roma” can be found on Netflix instantly, but that is not the way to experience “Roma” (I think). “Roma” should be experienced in 70 millimeter projection at cinemas that offer that still. At Music Box Theatre of downtown Chicago, I experienced it there. Immediately, as the film opened I was immersed with its print and breathtaking imagery  that captures Mexico City in the 1970s. The film is a dark, but moving drama that has elements that may be disturbing, but very attention-grabbing.

The film focuses on a woman named Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) who is a maid to Sofia and Antonio (Marina de Tavira and Fernando Grediaga) and their four children. Cleo does tons of work for the family by doing chores, cooking, running errands, and being on top of the household. Cleo is somewhat in thought that the relationship between Antonio and Sofia is strained. This is because Antonio keeps finding reasons to go out of town. However, Cleo starts to gear on her own relationship with Fermin (Jorge Antonio Guerrero). From that point on, there are catastrophes that happen in “Roma.” The issues start to come into place in family conflicts and issues with Mexico city in the time frame. The big issues though, is Cleo is pregnant.

What came to my mind about “Roma” was its color of being black and white. It has been a while since I have seen a 70 millimeter movie in black and white. Now Cuaron makes some intense movies definitely, and some are fairly gruesome. I feel in certain key moments of suspense, the black and white element on 70 millimeter heightens the moments of violence because it leaves its viewers to wonder how disturbing something might actually be in color. Also there are moments of continuity where the 70 millimeter concept feels very inviting and that is because the format takes up the entire screen, where as digital takes up half the screen.

I found “Roma” to have many connections to Cuaron’s “Y Tu Mama Tambien” (2001). That film also takes place in Mexico and contains just an equal amount of tension between its characters as “Roma” does. However, the conflicts take place in different time periods, but in the same country. In most of Cuaron’s movies, the conflicts are somewhat obvious, but not very much in “Roma.” “Roma” challenges its viewers to try and put the pieces together towards figuring out which character or which event has led to uncomfortable situations.

At times when Cleo and Fermin seem to be not on the best terms, Cuaron creates most of the tension by having Fermin be more self-centered. It is like the tension moments in “Y Tu Mama Tambien” but without the spanish narrations. I remember that “Y Tu Mama Tambien” would have an event, a new chapter to tell, or a fact, and there would be narrations in Spanish when those moments served an element of importance. “Roma” identifies its the feelings of its characters through their thoughts and dialogue.

With Cleo being pregnant, that play suspense in “Roma.” Cleo’s pregnancy is at a bad time for herself, for her job, and she is not sure if it will work with her boyfriend or on her income. This is like the problem in Cuaron’s “Children of Men” (2006) which is a futuristic film where the world is going insane because women have become infertile. However one girl is all of a sudden able to get pregnant and one man agrees to take her to a sanctuary. I remember that movie being suspenseful because of someone being pregnant more because its in a time frame of violence and corruption. “Roma” is somewhat suspenseful because of Cleo’s pregnancy but more suspenseful for financial and mental health reasons for Cleo.

Overall, “Roma” is worth the viewing, but I highly suggest experience it in 70 millimeter to remember its vast cinematography. Cuaron is becoming quite talented at making his films visually moving. He was visually moving with almost all of his movies and with “Roma” being his eighth film, he is definitely stepping up his game with using cinematography and lighting to make his work be inviting for his fans. “Roma” was very inviting for me and was well worth the time at a location that has 70 millimeter projection. This is definitely one of the best films of 2018, and I hope it receives tons of more press. Four stars.