Tag Archives: Film reviews

Unfrosted Review


Directed by and starring Jerry Seinfeld, Unfrosted is one of those clever and sarcastic comedies that dives into ambitious aspirations in a quirky way. A film where the revolutionary days of sweets and profits meant a lot more competition. It’s approached from a storytelling angle. The film jumps right to the events within the title itself. As one who has been fascinated by cereal products from a young age, Unfrosted felt like a comic book experience of heroes and villains fighting for first place in a creative race to the top. It is a wonderful delight and a bizarre adventure. The quirkiness works well with the pairing of two comics of lighthearted humor in Seinfeld and Gaffigan.

The invention of the Pop Tart brings a universe of comical corruption. The film reaches back to a time where marketing and logos were all that mattered. Think about the series Mad Mendiving deep and blending with bits of Seinfeld and a whole lot of fancy commercialism. This is a colorful trend of comedic motions that keeps landing its punchlines and delivering witty outcomes, and there are plenty of them in Unfrosted. Finding the frosting is the essence of the film’s mission in Unfrosted. POP-TART in all caps is what finally sells Unfrosted. The minds of Gaffigan and Seinfeld coming together use their talents as successful comedians to create a pure adrenaline experience of solid fun.

The two focuses of the film are Bob Cabana and Edsel Kellogg III. Seinfeld is Bob, and he has a fascination with creating a breakfast recipe that sells and hits the spot. Jim Gaffigan is Edsel, the head of the cereal empire. Both Bob and Jim are business partners at Kellogg. Their competitor is Post. A film that is purely in the comical mind of Seinfeld, Unfrosted works to find the sweetness with having the layer of being quirky. Its context of silliness dives deeply, especially when Bob and Edsel team up with Donna Stankowski, played by Melissa McCarthy.  Donna works with NASA. The search for success and creating a brand of celebratory food is all about diversity in ingredients and delivering a new and appealing product in Unfrosted.

The rival between Bob and Edsel is Marjorie Post, played by Amy Schumer. The comedians dive into the competitive mode in a universe where food commercialism matters. The writing inthe film is pure in the sense that it wants its audience to keep humor in the back of their mind throughout. Gaffigan and Seinfeld deliver their lines much like they are performing, like there should be an outbreak of laughter after each punchline. It may seem silly and overrated, however, deep-down it is acreation of a comedy that is different and unique—it is truly heartfelt. Hugh Grant is truly endearing playing a mascot for a cereal. Grant plays Thurl Ravenscroft, and his performance is like seeing someone who would normally do Shakespeare looking like they needed a break or some extra money The joy of the dynamic of the film is how the audience does not have to take any of the characters seriously and still have a wonderful time.

For Seinfeld as a director, this is the type of film he would direct. Even though it went back and forth for me, it serves as a film that I find to be a nice change-of-pace for many audiences. A film that makes its viewers think back to the days when having breakfast foods with sponsors served a bigger purpose. The competition side though, is a bit over-the-top. Overall, I found the film to be pleasant, despite how mediocre it could be at times. Still, it is a joy in the positive mood and humor it brings to the screen. The fight between Kellogg and The Post is challenged with humor, egos, and quirky adventures. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Unfrosted.

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2024: Sing Sing Review


Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kweda, soars with empathy and is a film in which turmoil finds courage. In the initial tone of the movie, it may appear that all is lost. However, there is lightwhen inmates have a chance to feel restored through doing stage performances. 

Sing Sing is the name of the prison in this true story. The main character is John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield (played by Colman Domingo). He is in prison for a crime he is falsely accused of and faces good and bad days. He builds connections with other inmates, such as D Dan (played by Sean Dino Johnson) and Clarence Maclin (played by himself). John shares the disconnect in this life of turmoil. This begins to change with the help of Brent Buell (played by Paul Raci) who provides the voice of inspiration for these inmates. They all act together in a theatrical group. Their fascination with the arts is where they find their voices again.

Sing Sing is about letting go and finding fulfillment. With strong writing by Maclin, the real John ‘Divine G” Whitfield, this true story displays realistic and humanistic qualities which add to the depth of Sing Sing.  By exploring the process of finding rewardsin the present, a powerful message is delivered.

There is value in Sing Sing as it effectively portrays how theperformance arts can create spellbinding achievements. Adrenaline of appreciation went pulsing through my chestduring the film due to my background in the arts, I rememberedhow much the stage meant to me. A heartfelt love for the arts makes for memorable connections with Sing Sing. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

The Idea of You


Anne Hathaway plays a mother in this film with the same and laid-back personality type from her days as a teen actress. The Idea of You is a lighthearted romance film where there is an emphasis on meaning.  Hathaway’s role is the main point of interest of the film. The Idea of You challenges love at first sight, but also makes its audience consider the risks with any other type of relationship. Especially when one of the individuals is very high profile. Hathaway fits the role of an innocent and wonderful mom extremely well in The Idea of You.

Hathaway plays Solene, a single mother who owns an art gallery. Her daughter is Izzy (played by Ella Rubin). Solene mostly keeps to herself and thrives in her life of art with her studio. One day, she is forced to go with her daughter to see a boy band called August Moon, as her ex-husband couldn’t make it and she must fill in for his absence. While there, Solene steps into a random trailer, and runs into Hayes Campbell (played by Nicholas Galitzine). Hayes is the lead singer of August Moonand is extremely famous at this point in life. From there, a relationship of love and connection develops rapidly. Solene is in her forties and Hayes is twenty-four. The age-gap in therelationship is emphasized with enticing music as a backdrop to it all. However, the high-profile life of Hayes is where risks can come around for both Solene, Hayes, and others around them. Does their relationship truly have a form of connectivity? What is the benefit for Solene? What is the benefit for Hayes? Despite, the consequences, it is an adventurous love where boundaries are out the window.

Despite all of the deep consequences of this love affair, there remains a sensible side of appreciation in The Idea of You. The thrill of new love, the risks, and the many types of attention surrounding the age-gap of the relationship create a feel-good film with groovy thrills. Audiences want goodness in Hathaway’s and Galitzine’s performances. The “groovy thrills” come with the age-gap, the celebrity vibes surrounding the questionable relationship, and the love both have for one another…despite the uncertainty of where it will lead them.

When it comes to how moving parts play out in the heat of this unconventional relationship, The Idea of You paints an honest portrait of how this type of situation really goes. The fact of Hayes getting with a lady who is much older than him will impact his image and fame, and this same situation puts a label on Solene. There is a boiling point where their relationship becomes too hard to  maintain as a hidden one. The disruption ofdaily routines and the impact of general uncertainty of the future draw the line in The Idea of You as the lover’s grapple with the question of what takes precedence—fame or love?

With all the mixed feelings coming to a boiling point in The Idea of You, the seriousness of true connectivity is spot-on. Hathaway’s performance is on the most heartwarming level I have seen in a while. Her tone of empathy is seen in her brilliant eyes as she says, “I’m too old for you.” That quote emphasizes that despite knowing what the hearts wants and cannot have, it still craves a form of feeling love…no matter how big or small.

The overwhelming aspect throughout the film remains in thefact that Hayes has tons of fame. His is a life of wealthiness in a world of talent and contracts. A world where many are obsessed with him, and he has more money than he can spend. Does he get enough individualized attention? No, he does not.  This is what Solene provides for him when she is in his presence. It is something all of his money and fame cannot buy him. Falling in love, keeping a secret, having turmoil, and reconnecting—that is the pattern of relationship and resilience in The Idea of You. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.