Displaying items by tag: Ariana Greenblatt

NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T

US, 2025, 113 minutes, Colour.

Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Rosamund Pike, Morgan Freeman, Lizzy Caplan.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer.

Surprisingly, given the popularity of the original, this third part of the series comes 12 years after the first Now You See Me. Then there was the sequel two years later. And it has taken most nine years for this episode.

Fans will probably agree that it has been well worth the wait!

The attraction of the film is that it is about magicians and magic, sleight of hand, I deceptions, creation of illusions. And, with 21^st-century special effects, there is no lack of magical turns, creative use of special effects, a whole range of deceptions.

The original team is back again, led by Jesse Eisenberg, so often primly determined. Woody Harrelson is also back with his laid-back charm. And, Dave Franco as well as either Fisher. And Lizzy Caplan, who joined the team and the second film, also returns.  And, once again, the power behind the team, Morgan Freeman in his mid-80s.

While it is important to highlight the familiar team, the film actually opens with some very clever impersonations by a new young team, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt. They make quite an impression – but they also do impersonations of the original team, taking on the teams mantle of seeking justice, exposing criminals, taking them down. So we are treated to quite a spectacular performance, and we are deceived into thinking that it is the main team in action. But…

Jesse Eisenberg’s Atlas is not impressed and seeks out the young group. But, it emerges that some kind of overseer has sent cards to assemble everyone. They gather, and find that the villain of the piece is relic, daughter of a South African mogul, about to option a diamond. And, surprisingly, she is played by Rosamund Pike, rather relishing the role of a kind of evil femme fatale.

If this sounds intriguing, the two teams combining to confront Veronica, to steal the diamond, to pretend to destroy it, to try to trap her in her guilt, travelling around the world, from the Emirates to France, then audiences will be delighted to be intrigued.

While there are quite a number of spectacular magic episodes, we enjoy meeting the old team again but are trying to make out whether we like the new team, especially Dominic Sessa who is full of himself often able to justify his self-satisfaction with his skills. Justice Smith plays the very nice member of the group and plays a very interesting role in the final solution.

So, we know what to expect, more or less, and there is more rather than less. Already the rumour is around that there will be a fourth episode. And, in light of having two teams now, why not?

1. The popularity of the first two films? The nine year gap until this one? The plausible explanations?
2. The popularity of the cast, the characters? The appeal of magic? The portrayal of various magic tricks? Special effects and the lighting? Has part of the plot? The musical score?
3. The past history, of the Four Horsemen, their performances, their skills, the team work, interactions? The role of Thaddeus and control? The presence of Dylan Roads? The breaking up of the group? Reassembling? The addition of Lula?
4. The opening, the reassembling of the Horsemen, their personalities, on stage, the arrogance of the young man and his friends? The introduce introduction to Bosco, Charlie and June? Their jobs, behind-the-scenes, June at the bar, pickpocket? Confrontation with the young men, Merrick and his capacity for putting people to sleep, Bosco on stage, the sleep, the rest of the Horsemen and the confrontations, the money and the denunciation, the angry young man? And the Horsemen disappearing?
5. The three friends, personalities, age, their talents? The appearance of Daniel, the confrontation? The magic, their show, using lanterns and projections, their achievement? Daniel’s criticism? Charlie, agreeable, June and friendly, Bosco and his surly attitudes and behaviour?
6. Daniel and his proposition, joining with the trio, the master command, The I, planting cards for the others, their all coming together? Building on the old personalities and past stories? Daniel and his touch of arrogance, Merrick and his humour, heavily returning to the group, Jack and his genial presence? Exercising all their magic abilities?
7. The situation, Veronica Vandeberg, her story, her father, the diamonds, his wife and her suicide, the housekeeper and his relationship with her, the quizzing his fortune to Veronica? The scenes in South Africa, Veronica and her personality, dominating, her bodyguard, her entourage, the plan to option the diamond, her shady contacts? Her performance to the public?
8. The group, working together, the plan? The social, her wanting the photographs? Hiring the photographer with his arrogant manner? The magic tricks of the group, unit and her pickpocketing ability getting all kinds of passes, Charlie and his blending into the work background, Bosco impersonating the photographer? The photo shoot, and wanting to photograph the diamond with Veronica? The revelation of Charlie and the alternating of the cases, in and her manipulation, Bosco and the photographs, the presence of Daniel and his confrontation, the tricks with the opening of the glass case, the diamond, the substitute, smashing it? Confusion?
9. The personalities of the group, their working together?
10. The mystery of the cards, Charlie and the cards, the map, finding the location, the vast house, the encounter with Thaddeus? Memories of the past, his encouraging, the mystery of who had organised the action? The attack, the siege of the house, Thaddeus and his dying, his encouraging the group? The mystery of the house, revolving rooms, the confusion of the police attack? Finding Veronica’s client list? The arrest of gives one, in the police station?
11. The police station, Veronica confronting Merit, his abilities with her, telling her story, the truth about her mother, contriving her death? The father’s relationship with the mistress, her death? The arrival of Muller, her collaboration with Merit, the escape for June? Merit imprisoned, and the possibility of a bargain, the diamond for The Release of Merit?
12. The Emirates, the location for the driving exhibition, Veronica and the vehicles, the drivers? The arrival of the group, infiltration, Bosco and impersonations and driving the vehicle, Charlie and June in the background, the tasks?
13. The driving and the display? Bosco the crashes? The rounding up of the four Horsemen, trapped underground? Veronica and her superiority, the sand coming into the basement? The discussions, using their wits, the idea of water and the sand, Jack and his using the wrench, the water, heavily using her ring to break the glass, there are escape?
14. Veronica, the mysterious caller, challenge her about the diamond?
15. The escape, Veronica and the confrontation by her brother, the revelation of Charlie, the revelation of the truth, his being her brother, the role of their father, his mother and her death?
16. Veronica on stage, trapped, the revealing of the true story, the diamond?
17. Charlie revealed as Peter, his intentions, his masterminding the whole plot, his time in the US, studying magic, befriending Moscow Bosco in June, planting the cards to entice the horsemen to help him with his plan to unmask Veronica?
18. Peter, his decision, distributing his wealth to those in need? Fulfilling the aims for the Horsemen and justice?
19. The postscript, the intervention of Dylan Rhoades, the achievement – and the future?

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN

US, 2025, 90 minutes, Colour.

India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazzi, Katherine Waterston, Lily Taylor, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, David Iacono, Darren Baker, Ella Rubin.

Directed by Matt Palmer.

A further instalment in the Fear Street franchise, based on the many Young Adult novels by prolific author R.L.Stein (even more Goosebumps novels). It follows three Fear Street features which range from the 17^th century to the 20^th century.

This is a very straightforward film. The focus is on a school, having something of a disreputable reputation but aiming higher. It is final year and the preparation for the 1988 Prom, six students vying to become Prom Queen. It highlights each of the characters, their friends, especially boyfriends, the principal of the school who is dominated by the vice principal played by Lily Taylor.

There are class sequences, some mocking of the teacher, and even further mocking of one of the students, Lori Granger, played by India Fowler. She is at the centre of the film. She has been the object of ridicule because of the death of her father and the explanation of his being murdered by her mother who was found not guilty. Gossip and shame remain.

Lori has a good friend, fond of horror, does some recreational drugs, some mocking touches, especially towards the click vying for prom Queen.

Audience sympathy is for Lori, the sympathetic character, tensions with her mother, but her wanting to become Prom Queen to make some amends, even vengeance, for her mother who lost Prom Queen because of the death of Lori’s father.

As expected, there is a dominating character, very much pushed on by her mother and father, with the jock boyfriend – but whose eyes often roam towards Lori, some pleasant gestures towards her, especially in the diner where she works.

One of the contestants is murdered by a masked and hooded character. Then, on the night of the prom, a whole lot of background of the film given to the choosing of dresses for the prom, the star, Tiffany, helping her girlfriend whom she dominates, Melissa, and mocking and threatening Lori. Four of the girls before a Stars & Stripes dance number, edging Lori off the stage.

Then, four others of the girls and their boyfriends are killed in grim and gruesome manner, some gory touches for horror fans.

Ultimately, there is a threat to Lori and her best friend, pursuits, the masked character entering into the hall after Lori is named and crowned Prom Queen. The character attacks, threatening Lori’s friend, Lori attacking him in the face with her crown.

For this reviewer, the masked character was not on the list of suspects! Police arrive, complications, Lori escorting her rival, Tiffany, home to keep guard for her.

Then, some more, perhaps unexpected, mayhem, explanations of the murder of Lori’s father, some more gruesome killings – and a Young Adult version of Stine’s story, very much geared towards teenagers, especially girls identifying with the characters, and comparisons being made by Prom Night aficionados for the film of that name.

BORDERLANDS

US, 2024, 102 minutes, Colour.

Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Edgar Ramirez, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Mjnteanu, Gina Gershon, Haley Bennett, voice of Jack Black.

Directed by Eli Roth.

Borderlands is based on the very popular videogame. It is an adaptation by writer-director, Eli Roth (horror films like hostel, fantasies like if the House with a Clock in its Walls, the very effective crime drama, Thanksgiving). On the whole, there are critical response in the box office response has been poor.

It has the usual science fiction ingredients, distant planets, conflict in the universe, power-hungry rulers, a tough bounty Hunter, common tree from a scientist, a young girl at the centre of the conflict. The film depends on its cast, special effects, complex sequences, chases, fantasy imaginings.

It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall at the discussions with the casting director. The main desire would be a strong tough female figure, warrior type, muscles and force rather than feminine grace, more of a martial arts champion. And the choice was made for Cate Blanchett who is too subtle a screen presence to be persuasive as the bounty Hunter, more convincing in the final transformation to be the saviour of the world. The next question then, a tough warrior, tall and strong, able to resist all comers. And the choice of a for Kevin Hart noted for his wisecracking performances and not the tallest of actors. And what about a scientist, a kind of wisdom figure, able to articulate what is going on in terms of the planets, civilisation, a hidden vault with secrets of the universe? The choice of Jamie Lee Curtis who has a strong history of being a strong woman in difficult situations.

And the other main asset of the action is a one wheel robotic machine whose every thought is voiced allowed, and is also full of wisecracks. Actually, Jack Black fits the role perfectly. And, for this reviewer, one of the more enjoyable aspects of the film.

And, the rest of the cast is strong, Ariana Greenblatt (65, Barbie) is the precocious young teenager who seems to the key of the quest for finding an opening the vault. Edgar Ramirez, Hispanic instead of a British villain, is the power hungry father.

So, that is the cast, the origin of the film is so computer game, the expected action strange planets. Indications, one hopes, for whether Borderlands is a film to see or not.