Tag: Taika Waititi

Geekscape Movie Review: Jojo Rabbit

by MCDave

Philadelphia’s annual Film Festival brings elite Oscar-destined content to the tri-state area every October and this year was no exception. One awards season contender generating some serious buzz at year’s event is Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, a polarizing and relentlessly hilarious endeavor that, despite some early mixed reviews, continues to ride a wave of momentum following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. There, Waititi’s film captured the prestigious People’s Choice Award, an honor known for translating into legitimate Oscar success. And although Jojo Rabbit’s future seems inevitably bright, there remains a stubborn and steady critical backlash against Waititi’s effort. Yet, it’s a superficial and irrational sensitivity stemming from the film’s satirical spin on Hitler’s reign and Nazi Germany’s disgusting place in world history. But such complaints are wildly misplaced, as Jojo Rabbit delivers a tender and earnest coming-of-age story that spreads a message of love, compassion and acceptance at a time when it’s most needed.

The film follows 10 year-old Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis), a young and impressionable Nazi-fanatic whose most loyal companion is his imaginary friend Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi). But despite Jojo’s blind love and admiration for the real-life Führer, deep down he just doesn’t have the makings of a ruthless Nazi soldier. So when Jojo discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish teenager named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in their home, he becomes torn between his love of country and a strange new friendship.

Photo by Kimberley French. © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved

In an age of filmmaking riddled with unrestricted run-times and blatant over-extension, Taika Waititi provides a refreshing reminder that it’s possible to tell a sincerely funny, emotionally heartbreaking and morally uplifting story in both a fun and energetic way. Jojo Rabbit keeps a brisk cadence with hard-hitting and never-ending laughs that help navigate Waititi’s poignant tale. As writer, director and co-star, Waititi’s complete commitment and unwavering dedication to the film also prove to be the bloodlines of its effectiveness. Furthermore, Waititi’s wildly animated portrayal of Adolf Hitler is brewed with a wackiness and absurdity that always allows this emotional roller-coaster to circle back to its comedic roots. In the vein of The Great Dictator, a clear source of inspiration for Waititi’s vision, Jojo Rabbit boasts a fearlessness with its script and its performances that shouldn’t be overlooked. Waititi rounds out his cast with elite talent like Academy Award Winner Sam Rockwell and the always dazzling Scarlett Johansson. But most impressive are the turns provided by youngsters Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin McKenzie, whose performances are perhaps most vital to the film’s success. McKenzie put her acting chops on full display in last year’s Leave No Trace, and proves it was no fluke by backing it up with another exceptional onscreen display. On the other hand, Roman Griffin Davis is an unknown who takes this first opportunity and makes the most of it. Countless performers in the film deliver the “Oscar goods”, so don’t be surprised if multiple cast members make an awards season splash. In addition to a well-rounded screenplay and brilliant ensemble, Jojo Rabbit’s cleverly worked soundtrack includes spectacular German covers of popular rock songs that help add even more layers to this well-rounded feature. The entire package is there, neatly wrapped in a pulsating and energetic exterior that solidifies Jojo Rabbit as one of 2019’s most enjoyable cinematic experiences and a bona fide Oscar contender.

GRADE: 4.5/5

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Thor: Ragnarok

by MCDave

Personally, I needed Marvel’s latest inclusion, Thor: Ragnarok, to redeem its title character’s overlying franchise. After 2012’s The Dark World dragged the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to an all-time-low, the God of Thunder quickly transformed into one of the MCU’s most uninspiring characters. And while critics and audiences alike have heaped praise onto new director Taika Waititi’s first go-around with Thor, let’s be clear that Ragnarok isn’t nearly as impressive as you’ve been made to believe.

When Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to Asgard, he finds Loki (Tom Hiddleston) posing as Odin and learns of his father’s self-imposed exile. As Thor and Loki venture to find and confront their father, Odin’s first-born and demonically powerful daughter Hela (Cate Blanchett) returns to claim the throne of a vulnerable Asgard. Meanwhile, Thor and Loki find themselves trapped on a planet of outsiders where they form a special team that returns to Asgard and battles Hela in order to save their home.

To varying degrees of success, Ragnarok‘s campy delivery pokes fun at the formulaic approach used widely within the MCU. This hyper-exaggeration leads to a whole new level of comedic absurdity that, fairly stated, comes with a nearly equal share of hysterical hits and hokey misses. Thankfully, though, Ragnarok also incorporates a more stylish vibe, courtesy of new helmer Taika Waititi, and this refreshing overhaul to one of Marvel’s least interesting Avengers brings edginess and excitement to a spin-off desperately in need of a boost. Chris Hemsworth benefits from this complete redirection of his character and he’s joined by the towering talents of Cate Blanchett who illuminates a strong villainous foe to the story. And while Ragnarok’s reemergence of Mark Ruffalo’s the Hulk is both bold and spirited, in a gladiator-esque battle scene that’s worth the price of admission all on its own, the introduction of Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie character proves a far-less compelling addition. Consequently, Ragnarok comes with its ups and downs, but the film also places Thor back on track and propels him into the spotlight as the MCU gears up towards its highly anticipated Infinity War.

GRADE: 3.5/5

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The Geekscape ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Special With Ian Kerner!

by Jonathan

‘Thor: Ragnarok’ has arrived and it is glorious! Crammed to the gills with action, humor, massive set pieces and wonderful character moments, Thor’s 3rd solo film is widely regarded as his best yet. Do we agree? I sit down with Ian Kerner for another Geekscape special to discuss the cameos, Thor VS Hulk, Hela’s status as one of the best villains in the MCU, the adaptation of ‘Planet Hulk’, how ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ fits into the wider MCU, what it means for ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and so much more! You know Ian is going to bring the knowledge and there is a LOT to talk about this film so listen up and enjoy!

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Exclusive Interview With ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Director Taika Waititi; Is He Worried About The Critics?

by AllieHanley

Marvel is leading the way when it comes to super hero films, not only in box office receipts but also critic and fan admiration. While at the same time, rival DC / Warner Bros. is struggling.  Undoubtedly, DC most likely wishes they could claim the same success Marvel has had with the super hero universe but with the double whammy of box office failures of “Suicide Squad” and “Batman V. Superman,” the pressure, regardless of studio to deliver a quality film that can appease critics, fans and ultimately the box-office, is no easy matter.

However, the new director of Thor: Ragnarok, in an exclusive interview with Geekscape doesn’t seem to be feeling the pressure to deliver.

Discussing his latest film “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” which has an astonishing 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes (unheard of for a comedy), and the pressures of directing Thor’s next outing, I spoke with the New Zealander via phone;

taika-waititi-xmen

Allie Hanley: You really gained a lot of notoriety for your directing/writing/acting for the film “What We Do In The Shadows” which is a hilarious mockumentary about the day in a life of a vampire. Your latest film, “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is completely different. It’s essentially a comedy with heart. It’s a buddy film that features a superb performance from Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) and takes place in the wilderness. Though both films are hilarious, they are also very different. What was the draw of “Wilderpeople” for you?

Taika Waititi: Well, I don’t know… just been interested for a long time. I like films that are both funny and from the heart that have a grounded-ness to them as well. Even though “What We Do In The Shadows” was a ridiculous film about vampires it was also a film about people who are completely out of touch, -stuck; they can’t move-on otherwise; And those are the kinds of films I want to make. Even though this film is essentially a buddy film <Wilderpeople> it’s about two guys on the run who are also looking for family, connection and looking to go home when they don’t even have a home… I will always have a mixture of comedy with sort of heart in them to varying degrees and the subject matter varying in ridiculousness.

AH: Currently “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” has an 8.4 score on IMDB from MetaCritic and 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty spectacular. How much attention do you pay those scores as a writer?

TW: I don’t really. -I don’t know, people tell me and I feel very proud of that. I don’t know about that. There are different movies that I love that probably got a lower rating, actually a really much lower ratings. What is great though, is that it’s always validating when you get good reviews and it’s a hard thing because you want people to go and see your film, so it does make a difference. But if you listen to all of them, all that stuff, -all of that noise  before you make a film, you can’t be worried about all of that stuff.

AH: You have a lot of comedy in your resume as an actor and a director including “Flight of the Conchords,” and the TV version of “The Inbetweeners.” Are you having much opportunity to instill that in your next film “Thor: Ragnarok?”

TW: Well, I am not sure if it will be like any of that stuff. This is a big super hero movie, so I want to do justice to the genre it is, and be authentic to that. It’s going to be very entertaining, and fun.

AH: The Marvel universe and the list of the movies that have come from them has received a very high caliber of praise from fans and critics. Does that put any kind of pressure on you?

TW: Nah! I don’t feel any of that kind of stuff. I am a very relaxed person, I am very confident, and I am also really smart and good looking. I also think I dress really well and have excellent taste in trends and people. I mean just listening to me, you must begin to understand the level of confidence I have and obviously that’s going to be infused deeply into this movie that I am going to make; this level of confidence that I keep talking about.

I am very relaxed kind of person, and I know what I like, and I know what I think is dumb and what’s good in a movie… and hopefully that will happen and what I am trying do in this film. (He’s being comedic) <laughing>.

AH: In all seriousness, there is a concern though that since you were an actor on the “Green Lantern” film that it could have ramifications on this film. (Green Lantern, from DC,  drew a lot of mixed reviews, and Taika by coincidence had a role in the film as an actor)

TW: What! How could that even be a concern? Who’s concerned?

AH: I’m just joking with you! <now I am laughing>

TW: <Laughing> I was gonna say!; well I bet there are people who are like “No way!” Well, I am having some fun with some of the staunch, comic-book obsessed people out there… who I hear from now and then on Twitter. I have a lot of fun sometimes reading some of the comments from there like “Can you please put his pink boots from issue 789 into the movie because the die-hard fans would really appreciate that.” I am like well, those darn boots are cool, but ahhhhh, not for this.

AH: So Hulk will be in the new movie, will he being wearing armor this time?

TW: <Laughing> I get this all the time. I don’t know, ask Hulk.

***************

For the record, DC should take some notes… the decision makers over at Marvel couldn’t have selected a better director for this new Thor film. The first film that had Kenneth Branagh directing was really solid because he paid attention to the genre, the heart of the story, and included comedic touches. In the same thought, Taika Waititi will do it justice. The track of all the comedic bits that have played well in all the Marvel films, especially “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Ant Man,” have laid a foundation that Taika will undoubtedly play up, and his short that played at Comic Con showing what Thor was up to on vacation in Australia is just a hint of what is to come, we are indeed in wonderful hands under his direction.

Also; Screenrant reported recently that they think The Warriors Three will be in this 3rd Thor film. I’d like to note that last January I did interview Ray Stevenson (for his work on Starz’s “Black Sails”  and asked him about reprising his role. He responded that he hadn’t been contacted in anyway about reprising his role. It’s been 7 months and that could have changed. His co-star Jaimie Alexander (Lady Sif), is listed as currently filming “Thor: Ragnarok.” My gut feeling is that he’s not in it, even though Lady Sif is. He’d have it listed on IMDB at this point more than likely.

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is now playing in select theaters. Seek it out.