A Reel Opinion: The Top 10 Best Revenge Films

The film to see in theatres right now is Robert Eggers’ Viking revenge flick THE NORTHMAN (read Reel Speak’s review HERE). The blood-for-blood tale of vengeance has entered the discussion of the best revenge movies of all time, which brings us to Reel Speak’s first crack at the topic. 

 

The dictionary tells us that revenge is a retaliation; to inflict injury or death in return, and the movies have told us that revenge is a dish best served cold.  Cinema has made careers out of revenge stories that have crossed every genre, including Westerns, sci-fi, superheroes, and crime. Classic films such as THE CROW (1994), and Martin Scorsese’s CAPE FEAR (1991), and GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002) have capitalized on it, horror flicks such as CARRIE (1976) have spilled more than once of blood in return, and Charles Bronson had a second career in his DEATH WISH franchise. STAR WARS had a film based around payback in REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005), and in recent years the JOHN WICK franchise has proved to be very popular. The best films about revenge are the ones that best use vengeance as a driving force in the plot, and takes the time to see how the thirst for blood effects the characters. Other factors to be considered is that the film must be good (of course), and have a fair amount of longevity.

 

 

So, let’s get some payback…

 

 

 

 

 

10. THE LADY EVE (1941)

Director Preston Sturges is one of the founders of the cinematic screwball comedy, and THE LADY EVE is one of his best. Barbara Stanwyck plays a con artist who falls in love with a man she’s trying to swindle (played by Henry Fonda), and tries to get back at him after he discovers her ruse. The film has several ups and downs as the two fall in and out love and get back at each other after one betrayal after another. It’s not nearly as dark or bloody as most revenge flicks that we’re used to, but it shows that payback can be fun, too. 

 

 

 

 

 

9.  KILL BILL VOLUME 2 (2004)

Quentin Tarantino’s two-part crusade is a masterstroke in understanding the need for revenge. VOLUME 1 from 2003 could easily have been selected here, but where the first film was a full-throttle bloodbath, the sequel hit the brakes and dug into the characters for a surprising character study…getting into the depths of those who do the killing. Uma Thurman as the vengeful Bride is electric, and her showdown with Bill (the late great David Carradine), turns the tables on how we expect final battles to play out. 

 

 

 

8. PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (2020)

Winner of Best Original Screenplay at the 93^rd Academy Awards, this Emerald Fennell-directed drama sees Carey Mulligan (who earned a Best Actress nomination), playing the long-game as she gets revenge against predatory men. Full of twists and turns, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN makes darn sure that we are on the side of the wronged, topped off with a shocker of an ending. 

 

 

 

7. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (1968)

Arguably the best Old West yarn from Sergio Leone, which sees a hired gun doing battle to gain control of a frontier town. Hollywood legends Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Claudia Cardinale lead the cast, and the best part about the film is that it isn’t revealed as a revenge story until the very end…making the slowly unfolding plot worth every one of its 166 minutes. 

 

 

6. THE NORTHMAN (2022)

The only reason this doesn’t rank higher is because it hasn’t had the test of time put to it yet, and the years may see it rise or even fall, but for now it deserves to be here. Robert Eggers, in only his third feature film, fashions a masterpiece which sees an exiled prince-turned-Viking (Alexander Skarsgard), seeking revenge against his own uncle. Brutal and bloody with fantasy elements that sends our heads spinning, THE NORTHMAN is surprisingly intimate and keeps close to our main character to make sure he doesn’t lose his humanity in his quest for blood. 

 

 

 

5. V FOR VENDETTA (2005)

The Wachowski Siblings produced, and James McTeigue directed this adaptation of the popular and iconic graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Hugo Weaving dons the mask and hat of the mysterious “V”, who plays the long game in getting even with the fascist and authoritarian government who ruined a country and took away his life and many others. What makes it special is that V’s mission isn’t just for himself but for others, making this vengeance tale about more than just one man. Weaving is backed by excellent performances by Natalie Portman and a towering John Hurt in this film which has become a cult classic and a new symbol for resistance in today’s age. 

 

 

 

4. OLDBOY (2003)

This neo-nor thriller directed by Park Chan-wook sees a man (Choi Min-sik), seeking revenge against his captor of 15 years…a path that leads him into a deep tangle of conspiracy and violence topped off with one of the most shocking twists ever in cinema. Often regarded as one of the best films of the 2000’s, OLDBOY shows us that revenge can be the hardest on those seeking it.

 

 

 

3. GLADIATOR (2000)

Sir Ridley Scott’s Best Picture winner about the Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe), who loses his rank and family and enters a life of slavery and gladiator-battles to get back at the Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix), who did the taking. Epic in scale and in the telling, Maximus also plays the long game in his quest for payback, and his chilling monologue of “I am Maximus…” is the essence of revenge. 

 

 

 

2. CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982)

John Milius introduced the world to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who donned the sword and muscle of Conan in this adaption of the literary hero. Conan is on a mission of revenge against Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), the man who murdered his parents and razed his village. CONAN is not as deep as most revenge tales go, but its larger-than-life characters, dialogue, and battles make it iconic and towering over any film that swung a sword. 

 

 

 

1. STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982)

We’ve spent a lot of time with the heroes getting payback, but what happens when the bad guy gets a shot at it? For the second big-screen voyage of the Starship Enterprise, director Nicholas Meyer dove into STAR TREK’s rich TV history and dug up the superior intellectual and iron-strong Khan, reprised by the late great Ricardo Montalban. On mission of payback against Admiral James T. Kirk, Khan slits throats, hijacks Starships, puts creatures into crew members bodies, and most importantly, he inflicts a wound into Kirk that lasts throughout the rest of his life. In this tale of payback, the bad guy actually wins, and his actions would set a new standard that all STAR TREK, and nearly every cinematic villain, has been measured by since. This is cinematic revenge that is wide-reaching, brutal, bloody, and cold. And as Khan told us, revenge is a dish best served cold. 

Reel Speak's Top 10 Best Revenge Films

1. STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN
2. CONAN THE BARBARIAN
3. GLADIATOR
4. OLDBOY 
5. V FOR VENDETTA
6. THE NORTHMAN
7. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
8. PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
9. KILL BILL VOLUME 2
10. THE LADY EVE

A Reel Review: THE NORTHMAN

The first two films from writer and director Robert Eggers are modern classics; starting with his Puritan-era horror flick THE WITCH (2015), followed up by his Oscar-nominated, imposing mind-twister THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019). Here in 2022, Eggers takes all that he has learned in his short career and put it into his Viking-era epic tale of revenge in THE NORTHMAN. 

 

The year is 895 BC. King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), is murdered by his brother Fjolnir (Claes Bang), who takes his queen Gudrin (Nicole Kidman), as his own wife. Left for dead, Aurvandill’s son and rightful heir Prince Amleth (Alexander Sgarsgard), enters a life of self-exile while plotting his revenge. 

 

Loosely based on the Scandinavian legend Amleth (which later inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet), THE NORTHMAN sets itself up as a basic revenge flick; avenge the father, save the mother, reclaim the kingdom. But this tale of bloody payback takes several twists and turns and smashes expectations by going to many unexpected places. While in exile, Amleth becomes a Viking plunderer, wrestling with his own humanity while raping and pillaging hapless villages. Once he discovers the location of his traitorous uncle, he disguises himself as a prisoner of war and manages to secretly infiltrate Fjolnir’s camp…where he lives out a life of slavery while befriending Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), and plotting his vengeance. 

 

In his past two films, Eggers found ways to dig deep into his characters and drag out their innermost thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Here, Eggers saturates his film with Norse folklore, introducing Amleth to mystical visions and otherworldly characters; speaking to seers, battling a walking skeleton for the right to claim a special weapon, and chatting with the loose head of an old ally. These creepy moments can be jarring, but they provide the vital steps Amleth needs to achieve his goal while revealing character. While THE NORTHMAN is certainly all about getting revenge, the true question is if Amleth can hold on to his humanity while doing so. 

 

This is, after all, a Viking movie…and the expected battles with swords, axes, and spears deliver ten-fold. The large-scale battles and raids are stunningly executed on a grand scale with breathtaking, endless tracking shots. As he has done with his previous works, Eggers brings out a realism that immerses the theatre; every character and place-setting feels genuine. Shot on location in Ireland, the film looks gorgeous, and the haunting and tribal score by Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough adds to the atmosphere. 

 

Acting is tremendous. Alexander Sgarsgard is a hulking figure who looks awesome while whipping around his sword, and his character’s inner-struggles are never in doubt. It’s a testosterone-filled film with many grunts and yelling, but despite that…the women steal the show as Nicole Kidman and Anya Taylor-Joy are excellent. The supporting cast of Willem Dafoe and Bjork are perfect. 

 

After all the twists and turns, battles, and bloodshed…the film climaxes the only way possible; by two naked men sword fighting on the top of an active volcano. It’s a final stamp on a film that is epic in every way; in story, acting, cinematography, and fine attention to Viking lore and humanity. Robert Eggers has completed his trifecta, delivering another modern classic. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

A Reel Preview: Everything You Need to Know About THE NORTHMAN

This week, one of the most anticipated films of 2022 arrives in the form of THE NORTHMAN. Here in this preview, is everything you need to know before voyaging to the theatre. 

 

 

What is this about – THE NORTHMAN is a Viking-epic starting in the year 895. It follows Prince Amieth, who sees his father murdered by his own uncle and his mother kidnapped. Amieth then sets out on a tale of revenge and destiny. 

 

 

Who is behind the camera – THE NORTHMAN is written and directed by visionary director Robert Eggers. Eggers has delivered two critically acclaimed films so far; the horror film THE WITCH in 2015, and the Oscar-nominated THE LIGHTHOUSE in 2019. 

 

 

Who is in front of the camera – The role of Prince Amieth is held down by Alexander Skarsgard (son of Stellan). Skarsgard has been seen in THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (2016), and GODZILLA VS. KONG (2021). On TV, he earned several awards for his work in BIG LITTLE LIES, and has recently played the demon Randall Flagg in miniseries THE STAND. Skarsgard is joined in THE NORTHMAN by Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Bjork, and Willem Dafoe. 

 

 

Random Facts – Willem Dafoe appeared in Eggers' THE LIGHTHOUSE, and Anya Taylor-Joy appeared in THE WITCH * Filming of THE NORTHMAN went nearly five months across locations in Ireland * The film begins in the year 895, but then moves to the year 914, during an age of the early settlement of Iceland * This is Robert Eggers’ longest film to date, at 137 minutes * The story is loosely based on Amleth, a figure in medieval Scandinavian legend * Alexander Skarsgard’s father, Stellan, has appeared in two films based on Marvel Comics’ Thor, which has roots in Viking mythology * 

 

What to Expect – Looking at the stunning trailers released so far, THE NORTHMAN seems to channel elements from John Milius’ classic sword-and-guts flick CONAN THE BARBARIAN from 1982. Eggers has admitted in interviews that he has drawn inspiration from that film, so we could be looking at a next-generation CONAN…and that is a very good thing as we are long overdue for some epic, sword playing filmmaking. Behind the screen, Eggers has directed only two films so far, but both have been masterpieces in visuals and storytelling, and backed by tremendous acting. Add all that together, and we could be looking at the first great film of 2022.

 

THE NORTHMAN opens in limited release April 21^st, with full showings April 22^nd. 

A Reel Review - FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE is the mid-point of a planned five-movie series, spun off from the HARRY POTTER franchise that ran from 2001-2011. Set decades before Harry was born, the series got off to a charming start in 2016 with its quirky characters and magical creatures. The second film, THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (2018), started to veer off in one too many directions, and set the stage for this new entry. 

 

Dark wizard Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelson), is looking to take control of the Wizarding World. Standing in his way is his former friend and lover Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law). Unable to confront Grindelwald directly, Dumbledore recruits a group of wizards and non-wizards to thwart him; including magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), and his muggle friend Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). 

 

Directed by David Yates, THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE picks up plot threads from the previous films that are still hanging around, including the troubled young Credence (Ezra Miller), who lives with a dark magical parasite inside of him, and may (or may not be) a part of the Dumbledore family. Meanwhile, hapless Kowalski is heartbroken after his former fiancée Queenie (Alison Sudol), followed Grindelwald to the dark side. The bigger plot at hand is Grindelwald looking to hijack an upcoming election by using a bewitched creature…which would set him at the head of the Wizarding World. 

 

The stakes of the film don’t seem very high, as it all boils down to Grindelwald trying to steal an election. Grindelwald isn’t seen doing very many bad things, so it’s hard to care if he gets into office or not…and we just have to trust the many characters telling us over and over again how evil he is. The rest of the film suffers from the same issues the 2018 film did with too many characters and too many half-baked plots with flimsy resolutions. The use of a magical creature to “select” a worthy candidate seems to be there just to justify Newt’s involvement…who still seems ill-equipped to handle an upcoming wizarding war. The sub-plot of Kowalski and Queenie is useless in the grand scheme of things, and both characters could have been omitted from this film and it would not have affected anything.

 

There is still much to love in DUMBLEDORE for long-time fans of the Wizarding World. The magic and the fantastic beasts are wonderfully realized, and the trips back to beloved locations such as Hogwarts and Hogsmeade alone make it worth a trip to the theatre. The place-setting of late 1930’s (or early 1940’s, the film isn’t’ clear on that), is wonderfully realized, and plenty of easter-eggs for Potter fans are there for the finding. 

 

The cast does an admirable job with the slightly convoluted script, and although no one is terrible, no one seems to fully understand what they’re talking about. Eddie Redmayne is still excellent in his role, even though his character blends in here and doesn’t stand out. Dan Fogler is once again a blast and brightens the screen every time he appears. 

 

After all the wand-pointing, spell-casting, globe-trotting, and dealings with adorable and deadly magical creatures, DUMBLEDORE doesn’t resolve very much, and lives up to its assignment as a middle-chapter and simply sends a lot more down the line for more movies. This Wizarding World backstory is being stretched thin, and it’s exhausting to think there’s two more to go. THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE has its magical moments, but falls short of fantastic. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it 

A Reel Preview - Everything You Need to Know About FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

The major theatrical release this week is FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE; the 11^thfilm in the Wizarding World franchise, which began way back in 2001 with the first HARRY POTTER film. Here is everything you need to know about this magical movie. 

 

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? – THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE is the third film in the FANTASTIC BEASTS series, which began in 2016. The second film, sub-titled THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, arrived in 2018. This third film continues the adventures of magical zoologist Newt Scamander (reprised by Eddie Redmayne), assisting Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), in an opposition against dark wizard Gellart Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). The time period is several years after the events of the second film. 

 

WHO ELSE IS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA? – In addition to returning cast members Redmayne and Law, they are joined by Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Callum Turner, Katherine Waterston, and Jessica Williams. Mads Mikkelson takes over the role of Grindelwald from Johnny Depp, who played the character in the first two films. 

 

WHO IS BEHIND THE CAMERA? – This third entry is directed by David Yates, who has directed every Wizarding World film since HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX in 2007. The script is written by HARRY POTTER founder J.K. Rowling, and Steve Kloves. Kloves has written all of the POTTER films.  

 

RANDOM FACTS – At 2 hours and 22 minutes, this will be the longest film in the Wizarding World franchise * Mads Mikkelson played Hannibal Lecter on TV’S HANNIBAL, making him the fourth actor from that franchise to appear in the Wizarding World. The others are Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, and Rhys Ifans * Katherine Waterston is the daughter of actor Sam Waterston, who gained fame in TV’S LAW AND ORDER * The film is set in the 1930’s, with the story leading up to the wizarding world’s involvement in WWII and exploring magical communities in Bhutan, Germany, and China * DUMBLEDORE is the third of a planned five films in the FANTASTIC BEASTS mini-franchise * 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT - The first thing we can expect is excellent performances by the cast; the casting on this mini-franchise has been excellent so far, in particular Eddie Redmayne and Dan Fogler, so our characters will be well-served. Behind the camera, David Yates has a long-standing relationship with creator J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros., and this has led to a pattern of correcting mistakes from previous movies. The second film, THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, had many issues including way too much crammed in. If lessons are learned, we can hopefully expect some streamlining and back-to-basics storytelling. The FANTASTIC BEASTS series was originally announced as five films, but the amount of story crammed into GRINDELWALD gave the feeling that deal has been altered. If that be true, DUMBLEDORE just may serve as a trilogy-capper. The last two films have spent ages of time on the Obscurus storyline (a magical, deadly parasite), and it would be a step in the right direction (and a relief), to see that put to bed and onto other magical worlds. 

 

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FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE opens April 14th in limited showings, and full release on April 15th. 

 

A Reel Review: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

For decades, movies based on video games did not fare well with fans, critics, or the box office. The reasons for the many failures are debatable and can go on forever, but all that changed in 2020 when SONIC THE HEDGEHOG raced into theatres and finally delivered, earning a claim to the crown of the best of the genre. That film was an origin story of-sorts, and now that all the set-up is out of the way, the path is clear for some true video-game fun. 

 

After banishing the evil Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to another planet, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), is using his supersonic-speed powers to be a hero. When his caretakers Tom (James Marsden), and Maddie (Tika Sumpter), leave for a destination wedding, Sonic is left alone before being visited by a helpful ally in Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and then a vengeful Robotnik and his new ally, Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba).

 

Directed by Jeff Fowler, SONIC 2 begins with a youthful Sonic who, despite all the fun he is having trying to be a hero, is still trying to find his true place in the world. Meanwhile, Robotnik and Knuckles are causing chaos in their quest to find the legendary Master Emerald, a source of great power that Sonic holds the key to finding. The film moves into a race around the world, bouncing around locations from Siberia to Hawaii to keep the gem away from evil. In a rare feat, Fowler and his team of writers makes SONIC 2 not only a fun movie that stays true to its video game origins, but a true character study as well. Sonic has a terrific arc as he goes through the paces with his enemies and new allies, and the final battle in the third act is packed with a lot of heart. 

 

As it should be for a Sonic film, the pacing is brisk, the action scenes are a blast, and deep pulls from the vast video game history of SONIC appear in all the right places. Visual effects are dazzling; Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails look great…and their blending into their live-action environments is seamless. The script is witty and sharp but has a few bumps: the destination wedding sub-plot has an excellent twist but spends too much time resolving itself and the film goes sideways for what seems like forever, and the sudden appearance of an adversarial character seems to be missing a set-up scene. 

 

The entire cast is excellent, and everyone seems to be having fun, especially Jim Carrey who is off the chain and back to his early 1990’s zany comic roots. Ben Schwartz is perfect as Sonic, as is Idris Elba as Knuckles. Natasha Rothwell nearly steals the show. 

 

One of the many reasons video game movies bomb so hard is that they stray too far away from their roots. SONIC 2 avoids that and manages to tell its own story that’s relevant and works for modern audiences and fans of the games from 30 years ago. When the first SONIC rolled into theatres, we were crowning it as the best of its genre. That movie has now been dethroned. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

A Reel 20: MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING

“My family is big and loud, but they’re my family.”

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. 

 

An Academy Award nominee and sleeper hit that would become the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, GREEK WEDDING tells the story of Fotoula “Toula” Portokalos; a middle-class Greek American woman who balances her love life with the demands of her very traditional Greek family. The film’s origins go back to 1997, when it was a one-woman play written by and starring Nia Vardalos. The play gained the attention of Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, who decided to produce a film version. 

 

With the play and screenplay based on Vardalos’ life and marriage, she was a natural fit as the lead actress and author of the script. On screen she was joined by John Corbett as her love interest and fiancée, Lainie Kazan as her mother, and the late great Michael Constantine as her father. The rest of the cast would include Andrea Martin, Louis Mandylor, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, and Ian Gomez. Director Joel Zwick, who had a TV career in directing episodes of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY, BOSOM BUDDIES, PERFECT STRANGERS, and FULL HOUSE, would be brought on to direct. Filming would take place in Toronto and Chicago. 

 

GREEK WEDDING was initially released in the United States in April of 2002 before moving to a wide release worldwide in the summer. It was a sleeper hit and grew steadily during its theatrical run. Despite never hitting the number one spot, it would become one of the top romantic films of the 21^st century. It would finish as the fifth highest-grossing film of the year in the U.S. and Canada, and 9^th worldwide. At the 75^th Academy Awards, it would be nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and would earn top nominations at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Producers Guild, and Writers Guild. The film would span a sequel and short-lived TV series. 

 

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In the Spring and Summer of 2002, this Blogger was busy seeing blockbusters in the theatre such as STAR WARS, SPIDER-MAN, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS…and simply did not have the time to see a romantic comedy. It wasn’t until a few years ago, when my wife-to-be had me watch it…and it was love at first sight. It didn’t take long to see why the film earned accolades for its screenplay, as the witty, funny, and to-the-point writing fully captured not just Greek culture, but the family dynamics that we all go through during a new romance and a wedding. From wedding decisions to the eccentricities of family, GREEK WEDDING captures it all, and has a little bit of everyone in its story. 

 

“In the end, we’re all fruit!” 

 

A Reel Opinion: To Rescind or Not to Rescind

Should Will Smith be stripped of his Oscar? That is the burning question and debate surrounding the embattled actor, just over a week after he smacked Chris Rock at the 94^th Academy Awards. Smith collected his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in KING RICHARD less than an hour after the incident, and even though the 53-year-old actor has resigned his Academy membership, there are many circles who believe that his Oscar should be rescinded. 

 

There are many twists and turns and points-of-view in this headline-grabbing incident that won’t seem to go away, and every time this Blogger turns it over in his head, a different conclusion seems to come. Should he lose his Oscar? Let's look at it from a simple equation: The Academy has made it clear for the last 94 years that they award Oscars based on a person’s merit on the screen and not on their actions elsewhere. If that be true, then how can they turn around and say we’re taking your Oscar away not based on your screen merit but for your actions elsewhere. It simply doesn’t make sense. 

 

Stripping his Oscar based on his actions off the screen is a slippery slope that the Academy likely does not want to go down, because it would make them less about film and more about a Conduct Police. There are many past Oscar winners out there who have misbehaved, broken laws, fled the country, and jailed for their actions: Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Mel Gibson…for starters. Heck, even Nic Cage and his bizarre behavior could be lumped into this group. Now, I’m not sure if the Academy bylaws state that a person must represent the Academy at all times, but it’s doubtful…and again, if they want the Oscars to be all about the movies and not about behavior, politics, or clean records…then it needs to stay that way. 

 

But, in one of the many twists in the story, Smith is the only one in this mentioned group of troublemakers who actually committed his offense during Academy time; the rest of those guys misbehaved on their own time…and that fact gives fuel to the idea of taking Smith’s Oscar away. It’s a fair point, but the smack, as sickening and inappropriate as it was, still has nothing to do with his performance in KING RICHARD. At that point in the ceremony, he technically already had the Oscar won, as the votes were already counted and the envelopes had been printed, and it was just a matter of waiting on the announcement. Awards that are rightfully earned should not be taken away unless the process to obtain said award was tainted, and that did not happen here. 

 

 

Smith’s resignation from the Academy means he will lose his voting privileges, but he will still be eligible to be nominated for Oscars. This Blogger feels that the best solution would be to make him ineligible. Maybe not lifetime, but perhaps five years which means we wouldn’t see him on the stage or at the ceremony until at least 2028. If his offense happened during the ceremony, then punish him by keeping him away from the ceremony. Let time pass and let the movies do what they do best: speak for themselves. 

 

 

 

A Reel Review: MORBIUS

For complicated legal reasons, the kids at Sony Pictures own the rights to several of Marvel’s super-villains and heroes. When they decide to play nice and let the mighty Marvel Studios help them, we get cinematic magic such as SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME from last year (which is still making box office dollars after three months). But when Sony is left on their own, we get hot messes such as VENOM faking their way as Marvel. Here in 2022, the children are back at play, on their own with MORBIUS, the living vampire. 

 

Doctor Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), a brilliant doctor who endeavors to cure his own debilitating blood disease, fuses his DNA with the DNA of vampire bats, which grants him deadly powers. 

 

Directed by Daniel Espinosa, MORBIUS is an origin story of the character and not much else. Dr. Morbius has been suffering from the disease his whole life alongside his best friend Milo (Matt Smith), and looks to cure them both. Once his vampire-powers kick in, he needs blood to survive or else he withers back to his old, crippled self. Once Milo figures this out he takes the new serum himself (how he does this by himself is not explained), and has no issues with taking blood from people to feed himself (Morbius himself conveniently sticks with blood bags). 

 

Working on getting MORBIUS off the ground is all the movie is good for. The film feels extremely rushed; Morbius gains his abilities quickly, which he learns quickly, and Milo is off and running with fangs before we have time to digest what happened. The script is paper-thin with no depth whatsoever, and overall feels bland and by-the-numbers. At only 104 minutes, the film feels like a pilot episode for a TV show. 

 

Director Daniel Espinoza puts together some decent action scenes, including one or two that feel like they came out of a straight-up horror film. The CGI is overdone during the fight scenes, although the effects used to make Morbius go from nearly emaciated to muscular are very well done. The script is often too blunt with characters exclaiming to the world what they’re about to do, which feels like a shortcut in the film’s rush to get to the finish line. MORBIUS also shows no shame in borrowing from other places. The facial-disfigurements on the vampires are right out of TV’S BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and Jon Ekstrand’s score lifts music-cues from BATMAN BEGINS (2005). 

 

Acting is mixed. Jared Leto does fine with the very little he is given to work with, but has no room to stretch. Matt Smith gets to play a little unhinged and it’s a delight. Adria Arjona comes in as a fellow doctor and love interest and is very good. Tyrese Gibson and Al Madrigal appear as FBI men investigating all the blood-drained bodies they keep finding, who are both useless and accomplish so little in the film they feel like they are in there to pad the running time. Jared Harris also stars and is under-utilized. 

 

For the duration of MORBIUS, the character is a good person who clings to his ethics, and wants only to heal and not kill. But in true Sony Pictures dumbass fashion, all that is thrown out and contradicted with not one, but two post-credit scenes that are awkward, clumsy, and flat-out stupid. Both scenes are living proof of what happens when the adults leave the room. If it says Sony Pictures, then it’s a fake Marvel movie. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Fuck it