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Film reviews

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget Review

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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

Leave the World Behind Review

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Netflix is starting to make end-of-the-world films with a clever premise and where the world finds itself in chaos. Leave the World Behind is in that category. With how much I loved Don’t Look Up back in 2021, I thought that Leave the World Behind was going to be my type of film, and it didn’t disappoint. In addition to the clever premise, it also has a stellar cast, including Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la Herrold, and Kevin Bacon.

Leave the World Behind is set at a remote rental beach cabin on Long Island in New York. The film first introduces us to Amanda and Clay Sanford (Roberts and Hawke). To escape the stressors of their life they decide to take a family getaway with their kids, Rose (played by Farrah Mackenzie) and Archie (played by Charlie Evans). Amanda works in advertising and Clay is a professor, and they need some time to refresh. But this vacation is far from refreshing. Instead it becomes what Clay called a “vacation from hell!” First a freighter runs aground on the beach in front of their place, the place where they’re staying loses its internet and cable, and then the owner of the cabin, G.H. Scott (Ali), shows up at the door unexpectedly with his daughter Ruth (Herrold), and he gives Amanda and Clay a strange explanation for why they left the city to come there. From that point the film only gets stranger and more inviting.

The central conflict of Leave the World Behind is that a cyberattack is causing total disruption of the world’s operations. There are warning crawlers on television, airplanes are crashing, and many more strange events come at the characters in the film. The only one who seems prepared for the calamity is a stranger named Danny (Bacon) who shows up at the cabin. Although Danny decides to go solo, so he’s not in the film very much.

The political angles and description of the conflict that such a massive technological failure causes sold me on Leave the World Behind. Its characters are placed in a global disaster, totally unprepared, and slowly the disaster hits turmoil. The personalities of the various characters results in some moments of laughter. But the film manages to keep its seriousness while also adding in a humorous side. Hawke’s portrayal of the father heightens the suspense, and Roberts plays a mother who is infuriated by the situation—and her anger only gets worse.

I was totally hooked on Leave the World Behind. There is no hiding from the reality of the uncharted territory the characters find themselves in. The film is presented in stages that develop at just the right pace and point its audience toward excitement with suspense. A family vacation could not get any more treacherous than Leave the World Behind. But will they make it out alive? Catch Leave the World Behind and find out. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Maestro Review

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The musical direction is strong, the artistic direction is unique and relevant, and Maestro is simply one of the most audacious and vigorous experiences from the mind of director, writer, producer, and lead actor Bradley Cooper.

Maestro will take viewers deep into thought as the film captures many captivating moments in the life of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and his relationship with his wife, Felica Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (played by Carrey Mulligan). Bernstein had a lot to live for, but it came with many struggles as well. Maestro is simply majestic in its stellar experience of grandeur and musical galore. It is also a story about emotional distress that eventually finds light.

As Leonard gains success with his music and composing, the stress of fame and his devotion to his craft begins to take a toll on his relationship with Felicia. The film weaves musical moments with many interesting dynamics between Leonard and Felicia. The film finds its sinking points of saturated black and white cinematography in the beginning, and then lights up as it progresses. Cooper’s use of this technological form enhances the richness of the film while emphasizing the darkness and turmoil that was hidden within Leonard.

The authenticity of Maestro shines within the eyes of Leonard and Felicia. Felicia is not fond of Leonard’s behavior or the reputation he is gaining, and she lets it be known. He is a brilliant conductor-composer, but he isn’t always the husband or father that he would like to be. Their children begin to have problems and, ultimately, Leonard must find what is right. In interviews during that time period Leonard talks about not seeing much positivity as a composer, and he makes it clear he is depressed. But can he turn despair into hope? Does he want to build a positive reputation and be an icon who inspires? Time will tell.

The film’s development of the relationship between Leonard and Felicia in Maestro is daring, brutal, and emotional. Cooper and Mulligan are a revelation together, and they both deliver Oscar-worthy performances. My only issues with the film centers around the very dramatic, almost disturbing at times, portrayal of Leonard’s mental struggles. The plus side though, is that the realism is almost poetic. It just felt very eerie at times.

Overall, though, Maestro is an unforgettable and alive experience with great cinematography, great acting, and a strong storyline. The story of Leonard Bernstein lives with purpose and beauty in the film. It reminds us of why life is important and what a person can accomplish when they have talent and passion, and they find their joy in their craft. Leonard certainly had those traits, and Bradley Cooper has them as well in his portrayal of Leonard. Maestro will leave its audience with feelings of glory and sensitivity. Three out of four stars for Maestro.