Displaying items by tag: Jack Black

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE

US/France/Japan, 2026, 98 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Donald Glover, Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, Keegan-Michael Key, AnyaTaylor-Joy, Jack Black, Luis Guzman, Issa Rae, Glen Powell.

Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc.

For 40 years the Super Mario Bros and entertained generations all around the world. They are identified with Nintendo and computer and video games. There was a live-action feature in the 1990s, not well received or reviewed, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo.

However, the games and the programs developed, with special appeal to younger players and audiences, and, as the years pass, happy memories of now adults and parents. 2023 saw the first feature length animated version of Super Mario action.

The present film serves as something of a movie icon worldwide with its immediate success on release, breaking records, audiences flocking to see it, millions of dollars.

One might say that the production is hyper-spectacular, the range of animation figures, humans, creatures, spacecraft, castles and builders, action in space.

While the two brothers, plumbers in their overalls, are ordinary characters, Mario forceful, Luigi of less effective, they are presented as ordinary heroes in extraordinary galaxy adventures and rescues. But, there is a strong female presence, especially in Princess Peach, definitely coming to the rescue. The three are voiced by Chris Pratt, Charlie Day and Anya Taylor-Joy. And, for so many of the multi-varied characters, a wonderful array of voices which adult audiences will be enjoying, Glenn Powell, Jack Black, Brie Larson…

And, while there are heroics, there is also the money, and ambitions for not only world power but Galaxy power. Ambitious Bowser at one stage says to his son, in Jack Black’s voice, “I want to stand on the ashes of the world…” (And, at the time of its release in early 2026, Donald Trump was offering similar sentiments about Iran.)

So, excitement for the younger audiences, experiencing it in the cinema, experiencing the big wide screen and heightened sound, an invitation to come to the cinema more often. Extraordinary the way that animation films have developed over recent decades.

But, adults accompanying the children might find that this one is more than enough for them, Super Mario comedy and drama all over the galaxies.

ANACONDA

US, 2025, 99 minutes, Colour.

Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello, Ione Skye, John Billingsley, Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez.

Directed by Thomas Gormican.

Once upon a time, well, in fact, 1996, there was a famous snake-adventure-thriller, set in the Amazon, about a company making a film about an Anaconda. And the stars were Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Eric Stoltz. It was one of those films which many considered so bad that it is good and enjoyable. And, there were some attempts at sequels and spin-offs.

Almost 30 years later, here is an ambitious rebooting with explicit reference to the original. And, with Jack Black and Paul Rudd as the stars, it has strong comedy intentions. And, audiences have enjoyed it, accepting all the silliness in the ideas and execution, looking for the parallels, and lots of visual and verbal jokes. And, even Ice Cube turns up again – and an unexpected but hoped-for cameo right at the end!

Stole satiric American comedies might remember filmmaking and the comedy, Tropic Thunder.

The presupposition is that two young boys, growing up together, had a love for horror films and made one together, along with another friend who is a photographer. But, life has not turned out quite as expected. Jack Black makes videos for weddings, even to incorporate some touches of horror conventions. He has a nice wife, family, but has not succeeded as he hoped for. Paul Rudd is seen as an actor who has not quite achieved what he hoped for, rehearsing a few lines for an audition, a variety of renderings – and then being fired. Steve Zahn is a local friend, problems with drugs and drink, the photographer, working on the wedding videos but being fired.

The proposition is that the actor says he has the rights to Anaconda and would love to remake it with his friends, raising some money, very limited, joining with a friend from the old days, played by Thandiwe Newton, setting out for the Amazon (with Queensland scenery standing in for the Amazon), and finding a local who has a talent for managing Anacondas (an amusing turn from Selton Mello). But, in the meantime, without the film crew’s knowledge, there are issues between goldminers, smugglers and local police.

Put everything in the mix, stir, complications with the police and the smugglers, many shots of the filming, pratfalls and mess ups, action with the Anaconda, some personal falling out and jealousies…

But, there is much more to come, especially when an actual film company passes them on their way to locations for shots. And, then, an enormous Anaconda who can swallow people whole and regurgitate them (and some close-ups of this!). In the jungle, smugglers and the authorities, and refugees from the film company, fleeing from and then conquering the Anaconda.

So, some desperate situations, rescues and survival, some footage of the film – and a screening at the Buffalo International film Festival where they all come from. Much of this version of Anaconda may not stay in the memory, but it is amusingly silly while we are watching.

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

US, 2025, 101 minutes, Colour.

Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, Jared Hess.

Directed by Jared Hess.

It seems that there are nearly 170 million monthly active players of Minecraft. And, Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time, over 300 million copies sold. Now that means a potential audience, worldwide!

In fact, on its opening day in the US, including $10 million in previews, the box office was  $157 million

Which means, in terms of potential audiences, a review is probably not necessary. However, there are the other hundreds of millions who are not familiar with Minecraft and will be wondering what it is all about. It is a video game, players having the opportunity to explore different worlds, or, of course, set up competitions and rivalries, chases, the good defeating the bad.

The film defines itself as “A” Mine craft movie, so there are all kinds of possibilities for more. This one starts in the real world, introducing the character, Steve, a young boy forbidden to go into mines, then an adult bored with his desk job, going into the mine, and finding a blue-glowing cube with extraordinary powers. But what enlivens all this is that Steve is played by Jack Black, extrovert and exuberance personified, with that overwhelming  manic energy he has shown over so many years. And he has the opportunity to do some of his Tenacious D singing.

And, then what happens with the cube, opening up a whole world of magic and mystery…

While the action opens in the real world, especially with the gaming champion of 1989, Garrett, he played by Jason Momoa, towering but then playing against type, at times, something of a loser and even some sook moments! There are two youngsters, the very intelligent Henry, Sebastian Hansen, and his protective sister, Natalie, Emma Myers, along with Dawn, Danielle Brooks (the exuberant singer in the musical version of, The Color Purple).

There is also the Overworld, bright and sunny, with all kinds of combination cube characters, intriguing, friendly, especially a dog called Dennis. But, there is the Netherworld,, ruled over by the evil Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House) with her minions and an army of pig-like soldiers. Steve enters the Overworld with zest, but is imprisoned by Malgoshat. He sends Dennis to get help – and that means the motley group finding the cube, banding together, found by Dennis and beginning their adventures both new worlds

Lots of adventures, spectacular action and stunts, dangers galore, heroism, using wits, discovering Steve. Plenty to keep the younger audience excited – and remembering the ways they have played Minecraft.

If non-playing parents and grandparents accompany the youngsters to the movie, something of this background will help them to adapt – and even to enjoy. They will have the extra bonus of seeing Jennifer Coolidge the school principal, doing her now-familiar and popular comic thing – even during the final credits.

Future researchers on the history of video games, cultural symbols of the early 21^st century, will be intrigued.

DEAR SANTA

US, 2024, 107 minutes, Colour.

Jack Black, Robert Timothy Smith, Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howie, Hayes MacArthur, Post Malone, P.J.Byrne, Jaden Carson Baker, Kai Cech, Ben Stiller.

Directed by Bobby Farrelly.

Seeing Jack Black on the poster as Santa Claus, there might be a few moments of scepticism!

This is a film from the Farrelly brothers who for more than 30 years have enjoyed making all kinds of satire from There’s Something about Mary too Shallow Hal…

This is a Christmas film with a difference. It opens, perhaps expectedly, a family grieving the loss of a child in an accident, moves with the remaining child to a new town, trying to settle in, parents blaming each other, and the young boy, Liam, Robert Timothy Smith, dyslexic. And he believes in Santa Claus.

He writes a letter to Santa but misspells, sending the letter to Satan. Which, of course, is where Jack Black fits in well, Satan trying to be Santa Claus, giving Liam three wishes  demanding his soul after the wishes.

There is entertainment in the wishes, Satan persuading a sympathetic young girl at school to be interested in Liam, even to the extent of their going to a concert by a Post Malone, overcome by Satan and unable to remember the concert afterwards), Liam going on stage and performing with the singer, and it all filmed. Meanwhile, at home, his parents wanting him to see a counsellor played comically by Keegan-Michael Key.

Liam has a young friend, African-American, who has protruding teeth – fixed with the second wish.

Liam argues with Satan against the wishes but, overhearing his parents seemingly squabbling but actually reconciling, he wishes for the reconciliation, Satan then urging him to be his forthright self – which he does, with the bully and the pompous teacher.

Then a twist. Jack Black is only a minor Demon, on probation, and reprimanded by the real Satan, an uncredited Ben Stiller. He then does the right thing in telling Liam the truth and rewards everyone by resurrecting the dead brother. While audiences might be taken aback  at this reality/in reality, there is a final twist because the young girl admires Liam because of his devotion to his dead brother. How will he explain the resurrection to her!

1. Title, expectations, Santa Claus, happy Christmas themes? Ironies?
2. The American town, the family moving after the death of their son, settling in, the home, the conflicts between husband and wife, the effect on Liam, school, dyslexia, taunts, Emma’s support, believing in Santa Claus? His mother supporting him, his father wanting to tell the truth?
3. Liam, age, character, quiet, the dyslexia, taunted, supported by Emma, his strong friendship with Gibby, not telling his parents? His parents and their fighting? The accidental death of his brother? Mutual blame, blaming themselves? The effect on Liam? The issue of Santa Claus and truth?
4. The decision to write to Santa, the misspelling, posting the letter, Satan receiving it, the decision to act?
5. Jack black as Satan, his screen persona, comedy, touches of mania, the touches of mean-mindedness? The appearance, the misunderstanding, Liam thinking he was truly Santa, Satan playing along, the repartee, Liam’s responses, the issue of the three wishes?
6. The reality/fantasy in the screenplay, Liam and his wish, Emma and her support, at school, in the classroom, the fussy teacher, Dickens, self-important, (and the later scenes, the bike riding, diarrhoea, the encounter with the level crossing guard, her abrasive personality, her course and training?) the bully and taunting Liam?
7. Satan arriving at school, his behaviour at school, appearance, changing appearance, the change for Emma, her support? At home, the parents and their concern, Dr Finkelman, the discussions, the sendup of the counsellor? The arrival with the tickets, going to the concert, the best seats, backstage, the status of Post Malone as an entertainer? His being transformed, Liam going up onto the stage, the performance, the effect on Emma, the effect on Gibby and his disappointment? The filming and it spread on social media?
8. Gibby, the second wish, his teeth fixed? Post Malone unable to remember anything about the concert when interviewed).
9. Liam, changing his mind about the wishes, the discussions with Satan, hearing his parents and their reconciliation, misinterpreting, his wish that they be reconciled? And his being prepared to give Satan his soul? Satan and his encouraging Liam, to be forthright, the attack on the bully? The confrontation with the teacher? Emma and her change of heart?
10. Satan, the revelation, half-Demon, the true Satan calling him to account, the reprimands, punishment?
11. The effect on Liam, Satan’s explanation, the third wish nullified because the reconciliation happened without him?
12. The credibility of the final wish, the brother coming alive again – but the final twist that Emma likes Liam because of his devotion to his dead brother, how would he explain?

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.

KUNG FU PANDA 4

US, 2024, 93 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronnie Chieng, Seth Rogen.

Directed by Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine.

It is already 16 years since we were introduced to the large Panda, Po, genial but not the brightest, working in his father’s noodle house, but becoming a chosen one, especially under the guidance of the Guru, Master Shifu, and destined to be the defender of his place and the assorted population, animals of every kind.

The animation is bright and colourful, the action, especially the martial arts combats, always lively. And the voices came from a large number of prominent Hollywood talent, starting with Jack Black enjoying himself as Po, with Dustin Hoffman voicing Master Shifu. There were the five champions of the region, there were villains. And there was combat, despite Po and his initial limitations.

Since his first film, there have been quite a number of short features with the his for Panda, more recently 42 episodes of a television series. And, for the theatres, there was one 2, Kung Fu Panda 3 now, eight years since the last movie, Kung Fu Panda 4.

Looking back over the synopses of the previous three films, we realise that the plot is virtually the same every time, Po, genial and awkward, taking his responsibilities seriously most of the time but often lackadaisical, confronting a variety of villains that turned up each time. And, it is much the same here. However, there is a challenge for Po, Master Shifu urging him to find and train a successor. But, Po enjoys his life and mission too much.

A lot of the previous villains are now in some kind of eternal dimension. So, here we have Chameleon and, shape shifting, absolutely sinister, power-hungry. In a variety of shapes and reverting back to her Chameleon shape, she is voiced by Viola Davis.

In the meantime, Po encounters the little Zhen, voiced by Awkafina, tantalising, quick in combat, continually challenging him.

Plenty of combat sequences, building up to Po versus Chameleon in an extended confrontation, the rising from their eternity of so many of the characters of the past, vanquished and imprisoned by Chameleon. And there is always the mischievous Zhen, freeing herself from the power of Chameleon – leading to who knows where, even a sequel!.

Po must be getting old because he does decide on his successor as he moves on to greater wisdom and responsibility (we hope!).

1. The popularity of Kung Fu Panda? Films, television, the characters, the settings, colour, action? The musical score? The strong voice cast?
2. The location, the Valley of Peace, the creatures, living in harmony, the noodle store, countryside, the mountains, the city by the sea and its interiors? Atmosphere?
3. The same plot is the other films, the focus on Po, personality, size, weight, eating, martial arts skills, his role as defender? The combat sequences? His relationship with his 2 fathers?
4. Master Shifu, his role of advice, the challenge to Po, wisdom, choosing a successor (and the comic sequence of the range of possible successors and their style)? His unwillingness?
5. The 2 fathers, the store, the chatter, care for Po? The range of characters in the town? The opening, the creatures, the oppression, the enemy, the battle?
6. The character of Zhen, small, cheeky, challenging, a skill with martial arts, the encounters with Po?
7. The rising danger, Chameleon, her appearance, her voice, the shape shifting, becoming monstrous? Power hungry? Imprisoning the characters from the past and taking their power? Her power over is in? Zen and her rebellion? Siding with Po?
8. The buildup to the confrontation, the elaborate battle, the shape shifting, the support of the older creatures, their past with Po, the support of him? The vanquishing of Chameleon? Master Shifu and his encouragement to fight?
9. The future, accepting his destiny, the advice that he would know when he found his successor – and the challenge for Zhen?