Author Archives: Keith Garlington

New on Home Video: “Wonka” on 4K Ultra HD and Digital

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Warner Brothers Home Entertainment is bringing one of 2023’s biggest surprises to 4K Ultra HD. The delightful musical fantasy feature “Wonka” from director Paul King tells the origin story of author Roald Dahl’s famed inventor, magician, and chocolatier, Willy Wonka. Timothée Chalamet gives his most endearing performance to date as the dream-driven young Wonka who arrives in Europe to establish his chocolate shop at the renowned Galéries Gourmet. It features a terrific ensemble and rousing musical numbers on top of fabulous costume and production design.

This 4K Ultra HD and Digital Copy edition of “Wonka” will be available to own on February 27th. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

About the Film

Year: 2023

Runtime: 116 Minutes

Director: Paul King

Screenwriter: Simon Farnaby and Paul King

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter

Rating: PG for Some Violence, Mild Language and Thematic Elements

From Paul King, writer/director of the “Paddington” films, David Heyman, producer of “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Barbie” and “Paddington,” and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the “Paddington” films, “Jurassic World: Dominion”) and Luke Kelly (“Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical”), comes an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor. 

Synopsis

Based on the extraordinary, iconic character at the center of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how a young chocolate-maker, armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.

Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, as he becomes the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker.

Special Features

“Wonka” 4K UHD and Digital Copy contain the following special features:  

Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King’s Vision

  • Revered director Paul King takes you on a deep dive into his experience adapting the beloved story of Wonka.

The Whimsical Music of Wonka​

  • Composer Joby Talbot and songwriter Neil Hannon take you into the studio to illuminate the craft behind the wondrous songs of the film.

Welcome to Wonka Land ​

  • Production designer Nathan Crowley and the rest of the “Wonka” crew discuss creating the magical sets that transport audiences to the worlds of the film.

Hats Off to Wonka

  • Costume designer Lindy Hemming breaks down the inspiration and intention behind each of the character’s wonderful costumes.

Wonka’s Chocolatier ​

  • Chocolatier Gabriella Cugno provides an in-depth look at the creatin of the beautiful chocolates seen in “Wonka.”

New on Home Video: “Contagion” on 4K Ultra HD and Digital

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Warner Brothers Home Entertainment has announced the release of Steven Soderbergh’s acclaimed 2011 medical disaster thriller “Contagion” on 4K Ultra HD for the very first time. This smart and tightly-plotted nail-biter follows the outbreak of a highly contagious and deadly virus, the growing death toll, and the courageous efforts of those desperately working to identify and contain it. It features a star-studded ensemble that includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, Elliott Gould, and John Hawkes.

This 4K Ultra HD and Digital Copy edition of “Contagion” will be available to own on February 27th. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

About the Film

Year: 2011

Runtime: 106 Minutes

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Screenwriter: Scott Z. Burns

Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, Elliott Gould, Sanaa Lathan, John Hawkes, Chin Han

Rating: PG-13 for Disturbing Content and Some Language

Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic”), “Contagion” features an all-star ensemble cast including Academy Award winner Marion Cottilard (“La Vie en Rose”), Academy Award winner Matt Damon (“Good Will Hunting”), Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with it”), Academy Award nominee Jude Law (“The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “Cold Mountain”), Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow (“Shakespeare in Love”), Academy Award winner Kate Winslet (“The Reader”), Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner Bryan Cranston (“Trumbo”, TV’s “Breaking Bad”), Tony Award winner Jennifer Ehle (Broadway’s “The Real Thing,” “The Coast of Utopia”), and Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan (“A Raisin in the Sun”).

Synopsis

An international traveler reaches into the snack bowl at an airport bar before passing her credit card to a waiter. A business meeting begins with a round of handshakes. A man coughs on a crowded bus… One contact. One instant. And a lethal virus is transmitted.

When Beth Emhoff (Paltrow) returns to Minneapolis from business in Hong Kong, what she thought was jet lag takes a virulent turn. Two days later, she’s dead in the ER and the doctors tell her shocked and grieving husband (Damon) they have no idea why. Soon, others exhibit the same mysterious symptoms: hacking coughs and fever, followed by seizure, brain hemorrhage… and ultimately, death. The numbers quickly multiply as the contagion sweeps across all borders, fueled by the countless human interactions that make up the course of an average day. A global pandemic explodes.

As the death toll escalates and people struggle to protect themselves and their loved ones in a society breaking down, one activist blogger (Law) claims the public isn’t getting the truth about what’s really going on and sets off an epidemic of paranoia and fear as infectious as the virus itself.

Special Features

“Contagion” Ultra HD Blu-ray disc and Digital contains the following previously released special features:

  • The Reality of Contagion – Featurette
  • The Contagion Detectives – Featurette
  • Contagion – How a Virus Changes the World –Featurette

“Borderlands” Gets New Character Posters Courtesy of Lionsgate

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Yesterday Lionsgate released the first trailer for their upcoming sci-fi action comedy “Borderlands”. Based on the popular video game series from Gearbox Software, “Borderlands” follows a ragtag group of misfits as they take on the countless dangers of planet Pandora in an effort to save the daughter of a powerful crime lord. Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and others make up its wacky ensemble.

To help get us ready for the film’s near future release, Lionsgate has also released a series of killer character posters for “Borderlands”. Take a look….

REVIEW: “A Chance Encounter” (2022)

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It may be tempting to instantly dismiss “A Chance Encounter” as another warm and fuzzy romance, especially after the meet-cute between the film’s two protagonists, elegantly framed by the scenery of the gorgeous Italian countryside. While there is undoubtedly a tender component to its story, writer-director Alexander Jeffery steers clear of the overly sweet and syrupy. His interests lie elsewhere, namely in his two wandering artists and their struggle to find the courage to believe in themselves.

Hal Flynn (Paul Petersen) is a talented writer who owns a print shop with his brother in Iowa. He’s an aspiring poet but his lack of confidence in his own abilities leads him to keep his work to himself. After being left a sizable sum of money by his late mother, Hal decides to travel to Sicily in hopes of finding inspiration and to help cope with his loss.

In the cozy tourist town of Taormina, Hal has the titular ‘chance encounter’. He meets a fellow American named Josie Day (played by singer Andrea von Kampen in her acting debut). Josie is a famous-ish folk singer from Minnesota who’s having a hard time putting together songs for her sophomore album. So she strolls through town with her Martin acoustic guitar, singing and playing whatever comes to mind.

I won’t spoil the details of their meeting but there is clearly some chemistry between them. The two meet up several times over the next few days, just walking and talking (think Richard Linklater but with lighter and less existential musings). As they do, Jeffery treats us to a buffet of captivating locations including historical landmarks, quaint parts of town, and stunning vistas that highlight Italy’s beauty.

The more time Hal and Josie spend together the more they begin opening up to each other and us. We learn they both have secrets that they’re not quite ready to share and insecurities that are weighing them down like an anchor. Yet they find solace in each other’s company. Things really accelerate after Josie invites Hal to come stay with her in her lavish villa. Nothing romantic she insists. “A writer’s retreat.”

Of course we can tell they’re avoiding the obvious. Jeffrey (who co-wrote the script with Peterson) lures us into wondering if the same lack of confidence that keeps them from pursuing their art will also keep them from admitting their feelings for one another. To his credit he avoids the temptation to go the conventional route. And there’s something refreshing about a relationship that remains mostly platonic, which allows the characters to grow naturally rather than by some by-the-book genre blueprint.

The story gets needlessly complicated by the introduction of another American tourist whose sole purpose seems to be a hurdle. There are also times where the lack of acting experience from the two leads is pretty evident. But there’s so much to like in this sincere and engaging indie drama. Von Kampen’s soulful original music, the choice to shoot on location, the willingness to explore a relationship beyond what we have come to expect from these films – just some of the strengths that make this such a treat to watch.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS

First Glance: “Borderlands”

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Video games have a history of not translating well to the big screen. But that hasn’t stopped gaming studios from taking their cinematic swings. The latest to try is the popular action looter-shooter “Borderlands” from Gearbox Software. This wacky looking adaptation is directed and co-written by Eli Roth and features a truly bonkers ensemble. There’s certainly lots of potential. But much like the video game series, there’s also a lot of question marks.

Set within a space-Western sci-fi fantasy world, “Borderlands” follows a ragtag team of misfits that includes Cate Blanchett as a bounty hunter named Lilith, Kevin Hart as a mercenary named Roland, Jack Black as wisecracking robot named Claptrap, Jamie Lee Curtis as a mad scientist named Tannis, Ariana Greenblatt as an explosives guru named Tiny Tina, and Florian Munteanu as Tina’s musclebound protector Krieg. They set out to rescue the daughter of a gangster (Edgar Ramirez) on the most dangerous planet in the galaxy. Again, lots of potential, but just as many ways for it to go off the rails.

“Borderlands” is coming soon to theaters. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

REVIEW: “Lisa Frankenstein” (2024)

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There’s a morbidly funny idea hidden somewhere inside of “Lisa Frankenstein”. Unfortunately it never rises to the surface in what turns out to be a messy, rhythmless, and forgettable horror-tinted romantic comedy. Pulling from the Mary Shelley literary classic and countless teen comedies that came before it, “Lisa Frankenstein” attempts to meld its multiple inspirations into something playful, ghoulish, and original. But the movie flatlines early and never is able to gain any kind of momentum.

The film is the feature-length directorial debut from Zelda Williams who shows off some occasional flash. But the bigger surprise (or should I say disappointment) is that it’s written by Academy Award winner Diablo Cody. This is Cody’s first script since 2018 and it’s a far cry from the much lauded work that launched her career. In fact, it’s the script that weighs things down. Williams makes some vain attempts to energize the movie. But the story sputters, the characters go nowhere, and the humor consistently falls flat.

Among the few bright spots is lead actress Kathryn Newton. She does what she can with the character Lisa Swallows, a socially awkward outcast trying to fit in at a new high school. Many of her problems stem from her difficult past, most notably her mother being killed by an axe murderer. In the years since, her father Dale (Joe Chrest) has remarried. Lisa’s insufferable new step-mother Janet (Carla Gugino) gave her a new stepsister, the shallow, sometimes snobby, but oddly sympathetic Taffy (Liza Soberano).

To find solace, Lisa spends her free time in the old abandoned Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery where she takes a special liking to a young man’s Victorian-era grave monument. But then something happens that alters the course of Lisa’s life. Lightning strikes the young man’s grave somehow reanimating his corpse (science I guess). In a number of ways that defy belief, Lisa keeps her new zombie beau (played by Cole Sprouse) hidden, slowly growing closer to him in the process.

I suppose there are a few paper-thin coming-of-age themes and the movie has a little to say about self-discovery. But those kinds of things feel like afterthoughts. The film has no real convictions of any kind. It has nothing much to say about anything. You could make a case that it tries. But its efforts are so lackadaisical that any message is easily lost as you slog through the unfunny antics, the flat dialogue, and the uninspired characters. Lisa (thanks to Newton) is the exception. She’s someone we really want to root for, but unfortunately the material doesn’t let us.

“Lisa Frankenstein” wraps up with a truly awful ending that falls somewhere between crude absurdity and lazy predictability. It pretty much kills any sympathies you may have held onto. It’s the final straw for a movie that never seems sure of itself, wastes so much potential, and squanders a gothic horror-comedy idea that could have been a slam-dunk. It even fails to tap into the nostalgia of its late 1980s setting. Altogether it left me with a lot of frustration and one big sigh of relief once the final credits started to roll. “Lisa Frankenstein” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 2 STARS