Talking Movies: Don’t Look Up, Mixtape and Made in Italy
Spling reviews Don’t Look Up, Mixtape and Made in Italy as broadcast on Talking Movies, Fine Music Radio. Listen to podcast.
TRANSCRIPT
Good morning – welcome to Talking Movies, I’m Spling…
This week, we’re talking about a satirical disaster dramedy, a coming-of-age music comedy drama and a comedy drama romance.
Starting off with a film now on Netflix…
DON’T LOOK UP
Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.
Writer-Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep
– The first thing you’ll notice about Don’t Look Up is its stellar cast including: Cate Blanchett, Mark Rylance, Timothée Chalamet and Jonah Hill.
– Directed by McKay whose credits include Anchorman and The Other Guys, his most recent work includes: The Big Short, Vice and now Don’t Look Up.
– Now going for Academy-level comedy, the filmmaker’s attracted some heavy-hitters who flex with full-fledged performances.
– It’s a chocolate box assortment… from Hill’s regression, Blanchett’s bombshell, Rylance’s quiet thunder to Streep’s surprisingly comfortable take on the President of the United States.
– Beyond the performances, Don’t Look Up is a timely and scathing commentary on present day social norms and American politics.
– Riding on society’s tendency to sweep the bad news under the carpet and focus on who’s saying it rather than what’s being said, the film uses an impending world-ending event to poke fun at the response to Covid-19.
– This edgy inside joke allows it the space to deride current power structures, especially in the United States, overlapping seemingly toothless agencies with the real power brokers – influential bigwigs who have built digital empires and media powerhouses.
– While the charm of the wink-wink performances and star power give Don’t Look Up clout, it’s a long-running joke that does overstay its welcome at 140 minutes.
– Always entertaining and constantly sniping, it’s a brash and difficult-to-love political satire that uses TV attention-grabbing amusement to carry out its payload.
A solid 7 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________
Moving on to a film now on Netflix…
MIXTAPE
When a young girl accidentally destroys the mixtape that belonged to her mother, she sets out to track down each of the obscure songs on the cassette.
Director: Valerie Weiss
Stars: Gemma Brooke Allen, Julie Bowen and Nick Thune
– Mixtape is a fun conceptual coming-of-age comedy drama that plays like Sing Street meets School of Rock.
– Downgrading teenage angst to the realm of tweens, Mixtape probably would’ve worked better if the characters were slightly older.
– While this cute factor makes it more family-friendly and less disillusioned with the world, it’s escalated by its party like it’s 1999 pre-millenium Y2K panic.
– Mixtape starts off a bit uneasy but soon finds its stride as our sweet lead assembles her motley crew.
– The young girl tries to track down songs from The Kinks to The Stooges as she reconnects with her past giving it a punk edge.
– It’s great to see Modern Family’s Julie Bowen tackling a film role as a young grandmother and postal worker, while Nick Thune blends John Cusack and Jack Black from High Fidelity.
– Mixtape doesn’t hit the same high notes as some of its influences, yet remains an entertaining, humourous and spirited film about identity, memory and legacy.
– Some of the story’s interchanges and transitions could have used a bit more spit ‘n polish but this gentle delight is heartfelt and amusing enough to carry over.
– There aren’t any big name stars to sell this story, making it a team effort as the characters schism and then begin to grow on us.
A solid 7 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________
And finally a documentary on …
MADE IN ITALY
A bohemian artist travels from London to Italy with his estranged son to sell the house they inherited from his late wife.
Writer-Director: James D’Arcy
Stars: Micheál Richardson, Lindsay Duncan and Liam Neeson
– Made in Italy is a holiday movie in every sense of the word, allowing you to be transported without becoming a challenge.
– It’s set against the most spectacular backdrops of Italy where a winding road or lone spire juts out to remind us we’re not in heaven.
– Contrasting these idyllic vistas against a dreary London, it’s as alluring as a well-timed travel brochure.
– Starring Liam Neeson and his biological son Micheál, the experiment mostly pays off as the two leverage their history and familiarity.
– The film could have been made in order to justify an actual renovation but is impassioned and entertaining enough without arousing too much suspicion.
– Loosely drawn and leaning on some cliches, like an artwork, it’s best viewed from a few paces back for the best effect.
– Using the central theme of restoration, Made in Italy does verge on melodrama but is still enjoyable enough to keep watching.
– The film could have used the talents of its stars better but gives the impression this platform was designed for Richardson to spread his wings.
– Made in Italy may not be a great movie but its rich themes, moody settings, upbeat pace, pastoral lifestyle, familial warmth and message about rebuilding after tragedy give enough resonance to connect and entertain.
A satisfactory 6 on the splingometer!
_______________________________________________
So just to wrap up…
DON’T LOOK UP… an all-star cast of oddballs enhance this dark, entertaining, timely and reflective social satire and disaster movie… A solid 7!
MIXTAPE… a fun, emotive concept and charming performances compel this sweet, upbeat and entertaining music comedy drama… A solid 7!
MADE IN ITALY… good pacing, beautiful vistas, stark contrasts and a warm holiday mood compel this loosely drawn yet enjoyable comedy drama romance… A satisfactory 6!
For more movie reviews, previous Talking Movies podcasts and upcoming Bingeing with Spling watch parties visit splingmovies.com.
And remember, Don’t WING it, SPL!NG it!
_______________________________________________