Displaying items by tag: LaKeith Stanfield

DIE MY LOVE

US, 2025, 119 minutes, Colour.

Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek, Nick Nolte, LaKeith Stanfield, Kasmere Trice Stanfield.

Directed by Lynne Ramsay.

As the audience watches Grace in this disturbing drama, and thinking about the title, it would seem better as “Destruct, My Love” or, more accurately, “Self-destruct, My Love”.

This film offers a portrait of a woman breaking down, initially seeming in control of her life, arriving with her husband at their new home, her relationship with her husband, passionate, emotional. She is played by Jennifer Lawrence in a performance which becomes more and more intense as the film progresses. Her husband, Jackson, is played by Robert Pattinson, in love with Grace, their both rejoicing in her pregnancy, the birth of their child.

Then the film fills in some background about Jackson’s family, his father, ageing, touches of dementia, a cameo with Nick Nolte. His mother, Pam, offers a welcome performance by Sissy Spacek, ageing, living her memories, but disturbed, sleepwalking, but understanding and encouraging of Grace, caring, offering to mind the baby.

But, soon, erratic behaviour on Grace’s part, yet always devoted to the baby, carrying it, feeding it, constant care. We begin to see her mentally falling apart, isolated in the house away from neighbours, lonely with Jackson away for his work, craving his physical presence, but subject to mood swings, dreams and fantasies (especially for a neighbour who zooms past on his motorcycle and is later seen with his wife at a garage, the audience wondering whether he is real or exists in her imagination).

And Jackson brings home a dog who barks and barks and barks and whines – intolerable for the audience and intolerable for Grace. But, all the time the closeness between mother and child, even clutching the baby.

There are some flashbacks to Grace and Jackson courting, the wedding ceremony and even early indications of Grace’s erratic behaviour during the dance, leaving the wedding, strange behaviour back at the hotel…

Jennifer Lawrence has given some very strong performances over the years and is fully committed to portraying Grace, as a person, as a woman, as wife and mother, as lonely, experiencing post-partum depression, relationship with her husband becoming edgier, deteriorating. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance exposes Grace’s disturbed psyche, and at the end of it Grace is naked, laid bare, fulfilling the title, leaving the audience emotionally alarmed. A film for a female audience, a probing of the depression after birth. A film for a male audience understanding and empathy. And always disturbing.

1. The title and expectations? Something of a “Destruct, My Love, Self-destruct, My Love”?
2. The rural setting, the house and interiors, parents’ house, the countryside, flat open spaces, the roads? The town? The musical score?
3. The impact for the film for a female audience? Pregnancy, post-partum depression? The impact for the film for a male audience, understanding, empathy?
4. The introduction to Grace and Jackson, their age, the relationship, the house, looking it over, their passion for each other, manifestations? The pregnancy?
5. The flashbacks to their meeting, the proposal, the wedding, Grace at the wedding itself, the ceremony, the dance, her frenzy, going out, signs of what was to come? The wedding night, the hotel and her behaviour? The flashbacks in the light of the development of her pregnancy and after birth?
6. The background of the family, Harry, his age, memory, his death? Pam, the relationship with Harry, as Jackson’s mother, the gatherings, the other relations and their comments? Pam, concerned about Grace, her own sleepwalking, waking, dreams? Understanding Grace, visiting, the discussions, care of the baby? Audience response to Pam?
7. The focus on Jackson, in the forefront, in the background, in himself, in the light of his relationship to his mother and father, his work, away from home? Love for Grace, concerned? The birth, love for the baby? The issue of the baby’s name? His absences, returning home, Grace and her more erratic behaviour, trying to understand, his patience, impatience?
8. Grace, the complexity of her character, her mental health, when she married, the manifestations at the marriage and wedding night? Settling into the house? The birth and its effect? Her love of the baby, forever with it, carrying, tending, feeding it? Her plans for writing, the writer’s block, the visit to the party, the sympathetic comments, her reactions? Her wanting to be by herself? In the fields, crawling along the ground, her sexuality and masturbation? The distancing from Jackson? His exasperation? Her moods, behaviour, the hitting of the horse and the consequences? His bringing the dog, its continued barking, whining, on her nerves, eventually the confrontation, shootings, Jackson burying it? Driving, open the door of the car to get out?
9. The cumulative effect for the audience of this portrait of Grace and her experiences?
10. Her help from Pam? Having the rifle?
11. The neighbour, Karl, and his motorbike, passing, seeing him with his wife, the approach, the sexual encounter, reality or fantasy?
12. The final deterioration, naked, her past attitude towards her body, going into the forest, Jackson following, the flames (and the flames and forest fire at the beginning of the film)?
13. The impact of seeing a person mentally and physically deteriorating – understanding, sympathy?

ROOFMAN

US, 2025, 100 minutes, Colour.

Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelssohn, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple, Emory Cohen, LaKeith Stanfield, Melonie Diaz, Lily Collias, Tony Revelori, Jimmy O.Yang, Uzo Aduba.

Directed by Derek Cianfrance.

Roofman was the nickname given to man who burglarised a number of franchises, especially McDonalds, 45 times, by digging through the roof and stealing whatever cash was available. And, the film is based on a true story – with some photos of Jeffrey Manchester, the Roofman, and information that he is still in jail.

This is a kind of night out entertainment although it does provoke some thought and some conscience-checking because Jeffrey Manchester is not your ordinary criminal, robbery, yes, but a genial and kind disposition, liking people and wanting to be liked. So, with a variation in the song from The Sound of Music, “what do we do with a problem like Jeffrey?”.

And the main aspect of the problem is that Roofman is played in a pleasantly likeable fashion by Channing Tatum.

When we first meet Jeffrey, he has been discharged from military service, successful action, with the gift for accurate observation, praised by his fellow military friend, Steve (LaKeith Stanfield). Jeffrey is married with a young daughter and younger twin boys, but separated from his wife. What is he to do to support them! Well, we see him dig through the roof of McDonald’s, confront the staff, putting them in the freezer though giving his coat to the manager who forgot to wear his and is cold. 44 McDonald’s robberies later, Jeffrey is arrested at his daughter’s birthday party and off to 45 years in jail. That does seem a bit harsh because while he took the money, he was always considerate to the staffs.

Prison. He is compliant and helpful. But, out he goes, a skilful escape, hitchhikes, and, for a large part of the film, after digging through the roof of the local Toys R Us store, conveniently settling in to a hiding place and establishing a routine, roaming by night, eating M&Ms, disastrous for his teeth, pawning DVDs to pay for treatment, observing all that was going on in the store. Then he ventures out, attracted by one of the staff, Lee, played sympathetically by Kirsten Dunst.

So, a charming life outside the store, off to church with Lee, the sympathetic pastor played by Ben Mendelssohn, relationship with Lee, trying to relate to her daughter’s, including a harum-scarum road trip to buy a car to win over the older daughter.

The tantalising thing is that we are wondering what will happen to Jeffrey, now using a false name during the day, the police still searching for him, possibility of a relationship with Lee and the daughters, a plan to pay his friend Steve for a false passport and flee the country, more robberies to pay for the passport, $50,000, and some violence and arson on Jeffrey’s part.

So, an entertainment, sometimes serious, frequently humorous, touch of romance, a thief’s method in derring-do - and often checking ourselves about our approval and disapproval of Roofman, and wondering why we like him.

1. The title, based on a true story, the final photos in the credits, the final information about Jerry Winchester?
2. The comic tone, sentiment, story of a thief, fraudster, but kindly, conscience issues?
3. The portrait of Jerry Winchester, Channing Tatum’s presence and performance, genial even while criminal? The opening, the McDonald’s, through the roof, confrontation with the staff, into the freezer, the manager cold, Jerry giving his coat? Taking the money? His motivations, his military career, success, capacity for observation? End of service, friendship with Steve? His wife, his young daughter, the twin boys, the separation, contact with them? The need for money? Another 44 McDonald’s robbed?
4. His daughter’s birthday party, the candles and wishes? His arrest?
5. In court, the McDonald’s staff, 45 years, in prison, friendly, work, useful, accepting his fate? The possibility for escape, the truck, the board concealing him under the truck, the escape, in the bush, the driver relieving himself, Jerry’s escape, getting rid of clothes, hitchhiking, coming to Charlotte? Trying to contact his wife and daughter, the refusal?
6. Seeing the Toys R Us, in through the roof, his finding the secure place to hide, settling in, the bed, the M&Ms, the effect on his teeth and the dentistry and the pawning of the DVDs to pay for it? Roaming the store, the toys, washing, the comfort of the night and settling in? Observing the manager, his strictness, observing Leigh and the other workers, sympathy for Leigh, single mother, asking for some time off, the manager refusing? His altering the security system? Security cameras not working? His own screens and his surveillance of the manager and the workers? His prospects? The police still after him?
7. Coming out of the security, his new name, the encounter with Leigh, the returned toys and his donation, in the church, pastor Ron and his wife, singing? The further encounters with Leigh, the relationship, her invitation, at home? Her two daughters? His friendship with Dee, Lindsey hostile, their suspicions, harshness, close of only with Dee, the car and driving, the reckless ride, the reaction of the salesman, bonding with Lindsey? A future with them all?
8. At the church, the pastor’s wife, the organisation of the meal with the single women, the flirting and his charm?
9. Steve’s return, the issue of the passport, Steve’s girlfriend and her reactions, needing the money for the passport, the robbery, digging into the wrong shop, breaking down the wall, the alarms? Getting away? The dental records, starting the fire, the destruction of the premises?
10. The episode of the shower, seeing the naked man, the police, the presumption that it was a homeless person?
11. Jerry, the decision to go, the plan, the plane ticket, in the store, the episode with the manager, the money, the spray from the cash, his concern, phoning for the ambulance, arranging for Leigh to be absent, her arriving, recognising him, his escape?
12. Driving to the airport, the phone call, his decision to return, Leigh giving him up, the arrest? What might have been?
13. In prison again, the information of two further escapes, still in prison at the making of the film? The visiting? Her comments? And the photos during the credits?

THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

US/Italy, 2023, 129 minutes, Colour.

LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, R.J.Cyler, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Micheal Ward, Caleb MacLachlan, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Eric Kofi Abrefa, James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chase Dillon, Nicholas Pinnock.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel.

The Book of Clarence can be recommended for all kinds of reasons, first of all, that it is nothing like what we might expect! It has been written and directed and musical score, by British musician, Jeymes Samuel, stage name The Bullits. His previous film was The Harder They Fall, a strong Western, a focus on black Americans in the 19^th century, victims, dominating, urging the audience to look again at their familiar image of the American West.

The Book of Clarence is billed as a comedy biblical adventure! And it is. And, even though the focus is on Clarence, this can be seen also as a very strong Jesus film, though in plot terms, he is a supporting character.

Once again, the cast is either African-American or of West Indian descent. A glance at the cast indicates popular names like Omar see, David or no, Alfre Woodard, Marianne Jean Baptiste. The exception being Benedict Cumberbatch, playing Benjamin the beggar in the early part of the film and then being transformed, actually by Jesus himself, and making points about false Messiahs at the end of the film. James McAvoy leads the white cast of obnoxiously Roman soldiers.

But, back to Clarence, played engagingly by the very talented LaKeith Stanfield. In fact, the film opens with a kind of Ben Hur chariot race variation, introducing Clarence,  avery 21^st-century, in fact, in the Jerusalem neighbourhood, the Jerusalem “hood”. He is something of a con man, is in debt to a local loan shark, though in love with his sister, into drugs, but also more often into bad luck.

But, impressed by Jesus and his followers, especially since it turns out that Clarence is, in fact, the apostle Thomas’s twin brother (who is mentioned but not named in the Gospels). Clarence actually applies to the apostles to be the 13^th but is turned down, Thomas himself very disdainful of his brother, and Judas urging Clarence to prove his worth by going to a gladiator school and freeing the gladiators – which means that we have besides Ben Hur, homage to Spartacus and gladiator.

But, what makes the Jesus connection even more interesting, and Jesus does appear very sympathetically at various times throughout the film, Clarence is impressed by acclaim for Messiahs and so sets himself up with his friends, refused baptism by John the Baptist, but nevertheless going around preaching, organising fake miracles, profiting highly.

But, can it last? There has been a spoiler right at the beginning of the film with Clarence being crucified. And in suffering, he parallels Jesus, and antagonistic young fellow actually help him carry the cross to Calvary. Clarence does have a conversion experience, compassion, charity beyond himself, some redemption.

It is then that Benjamin emerges, Jesus having giving him money, and a gift for multiplying money which Benjamin spreads around, Benedict Cumberbatch looking like a traditional image of Jesus, but self-seeking and a false Messiah.

The film ends very respectfully of Jesus, a visit to Clarences tomb, and hope of resurrection.

Not what we might have been expecting, but always interesting, entertaining, and, certainly, thought-challenging.

1. Title, striking, biblical overtones? The work of the director, writing, directing, music, race issues?
2. The locations for Jerusalem, the Italian town of Metairie and its presence in other biblical films? The vistas, buildings, the roads, the sea?
3. The first century A.D. variation on Boys in the Hood, the Jerusalem Hood, drugs, gangsters, gambling, debts? Vengeance?
4. The musical score, the range of songs, the final credits?
5. The three chapters for the Book of Clarence? The introduction, Clarence and his mission, the crucifixion? The beginnings of the parallels with the Gospel story of Jesus?
6. The acknowledgement of Roman Empire films, Ben Hur, gladiator…? The influence of biblical films, Jesus films? In the central character and Brian in the Life of Brian?
7. The opening race, introducing Clarence, Mary Magdalene and her defiance, Elijah as Clarence’s friend? The chariot race in Ben Hur, the excitement, the Gypsy area, the intervention of Cabbage and his domination, the crashes, taking Clarence’s coat? The bond between a lighter and Clarence, as brothers, his reaction to the loss? The visit to Jedediah, the confrontation, Clarence and his attraction to Marigny, Jedediah’s sister? Her reticence, shyness? The banter between Clarence and Jedediah? The time limit?
8. Thomas the apostle, called Didymus, the twin, in the Gospels? The imaginative interpretation of Thomas and his twin? Thomas, leaving their mother, following Jesus, stern, loyal to Jesus, 10 minutes older, but deriding his brother, a nobody, doomed to failure? Their various encounters? Clarence and his challenge, Thomas’s reaction to Clarence’s behaviour? Clarence and his visit to the apostles? His suffering and Thomas coming to apologise, reconciliation? Clarence and the scenes with his mother, his debts, after the race, her encouragement, smelly? Her reflections on his life, on Thomas? Encouragement on the way of the cross, at the crucifixion?
9. Clarence and his fascination with Jesus, the significance of the visit to Mary and Joseph, Mary and her explanations, Clarence and the mistaking of the Immaculate Conception for the virgin birth, Mary and her convictions about God’s presence? Joseph, his presence, supporting Mary, calling Clarence a dumb ass?
10. Clarence and his need to raise money, his observing of Jesus, the failed Jesus walking through the on guard, the claim of Messiah? Clarence, not believing in God, defying belief? His theory that knowledge was more important? But his idea of impersonating a Messiah, with the help of Elijah? His paralleling of Jesus miracles, raising the dead, curing the sick…, Elijah performing? The taking up of the collection from the crowd gathering? Believing him as a Messiah? His preaching, the effect on him, those collection of money?
11. His visit to the apostles, the encounter with Judas, Judas and his taunts, urging him to go to the gladiator slaves, confront the torturer, get the release of the prisoners? Clarence going, the reaction of the torturer, singling out Barabbas, the challenge to the fight, Clarence and his moves, Barabbas and his reactions, the torturer allowing Barabbas to go? Barabbas joining the troop of the wood-be Messiah?
12. The encounters with the Romans, white, their arrogance, the reaction to Barabbas, the officer and his javelin is, throwing them out Barabbas, Barabbas and his defiance, escaping, and his nickname of Immortal?
13. Clarence, the effect on his charade, the slaves, getting a conscience, taking the money and buying back the slaves, freeing them? Judas and his response?
14. The encounter with Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the adultery, the parallel of John chapter 8, Jesus and the stones, is suspending them in the air, their falling, defying the authorities, letting Mary go free, the friendship with her?
15. Jedediah, the party, with Varinia, declarations to her, the upset, his feeling betrayed by her?
16. The presentation of the Last Supper, acknowledgement of da Vinci’s painting? The two issue with Judas, betrayal, the scenes with the Jewish authority in the 30 pieces of silver, Judas and the promise of betrayal, at the supper, the issue of Mary’s gravy, the taste, his going out?
17. Jesus, knowing he was betrayed, waiting for the moment, accompanied by Mary?
18. His arrest, the Romans, the encounter with Pontius Pilate, Pontius Pilate and his manner, racial superiority, arrogance, interrogation, the sympathy with Clarence, Clarence and his commitment, defiance, the parallels with Jesus before Pontius Pilate? Condemned to be crucified?
19. The visuals of the way of the cross, the Jesus parallel, the defiant crowds, his mother in the crowd, encouraging him, Elijah and the encouragement? On Calvary, the vivid nailing to the Cross, raised, Henning, hanging, the presence of Benjamin, the past encounters with Benjamin and his spurning him, not recognising him, Benjamin and his worldly defiance? The Romans, the decision to pierce Clarence’s side? Again the Jesus parallel?
20. Benjamin, the begger, spurned by Clarence, the later scenes of his banking, the encounter with Jesus, the money, his clean himself up, becoming like the traditional portrait of Jesus, his gift of being able to multiply the money? His arrest, a false Messiah accusation, being crucified?
21. Clarence, the burial, the stone, the breaking up of the stone, Jesus entering, tender with Clarence, raising him to new life? Immortality?
22. The overall effect of the film, the serious, the comic touches, the criticisms of blasphemy, the Christian defences against accusations of blasphemy? The enjoyment of a biblical epic? Jesus figure treated seriously and with respect? And Clarence paralleling Jesus and becoming a Christ figure?

THE HARDER THEY FALL

US, 2021, 139 minutes, Colour.

Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beeta, Delroy Lindo, Dion Cole, Michael Beach, R.J. Cyler, Edi Gatghegi, DeWanda Wise, Damon Wayans Jr, Danielle Deadwyler,

Directed by Jeymes Samuel.

The strong Western, using the various conventions of the American West, outlaws, violence, rivalries and politics. What makes it more significance is that it is a film which focuses on African-American characters in the West, very few white characters to be seen. And, as been written Jeymes Samuel, a British writer, producer, director, but also a songwriter and musician. And music featuring significantly throughout this film.

There is a very strong opening, in version of a home, parents and their child, the death of the parents, the leader of the troop, the carving the boy’s forehead – and moving 20 years forward.

The star of the film is Jonathan Majors as the boy growing up, leader of his own group, involved in robberies, but also a journey of vengeance, and his relationships with various members of his group.

The other central character of the film is Idris Elba as the gunfighter who carved the boy, was freed from prison, involved in money dealings, taking over a town, ousting the Mayor, and his followers. And, at the end, quite a revelation about the relationship of the two men.

There is a very strong cast indeed, a range of key actors, African-Americans. There are significant male actors like Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Damon Wayans Jr. But, it is even stronger, the African-American women, Regina King, Danielle Deadwyler, Zazie Beetz.

With seeing as a western, is a picture of the characters in the white American West, playing on the conventions, heroes and villains, and ambiguities of characters and behaviour.

1. The title, in the context of the West?
2. The settings, the western locations, action?
3. The cast, African-American cast? Africans Americans in the 19^th century West?
4. Nat Love story, as a child, parents, the attack, their deaths, the carving on his forehead, the passing of 20 years, his new life, associates, killing Cortez? The robbery? The news about Rufus block? Nat and his relationship with Mary Field?
5. The portrait of the supporting characters, in themselves, their Association with Nat Love, with Rufus Buck? Loyalties, betrayals, shootouts?
6. Rufus Buck, at the opening, 20 years later, prison, pardon, the stolen money, his relationship with Trudy Smith, Cherokee Bill, the escape from the train? Killing the corrupt guards?
7. Redwood City, wily escape, the mayor, buck whipping him? Escape and the money?
8. Marshall Reeves, the arrest, capturing Love, the issues of revenge? The relationship with Cuffee? Mary, the proposal, the refusal? The buying of the saloon?
9. The action, the to-ing and fro-ing, between Nat story, Rufus Buck’s story, the deals, the love for Cuffee?
10. The wagon, the friends and betrayals, the money, the shootouts? Tesco’s death?
11. The confrontation between the women, their fighting?
12. Rufus Buck, with Love, the revelation about their father, his abuse, their being half-brothers, the shooting of the revenge? That killing Buck?
13. The end, Marshall Reeves, in control, Cuffee in support? The grave? The death of Buck, the freedom for Nat Love?

HAUNTED MANSION

US, 2023, 123 minutes, Colour.

LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chase W .Dillon, Jarrod Leto, J.R.Aducci.

Directed by Justin Simien.

This review has been very much influenced by the experience of watching Haunted Mansion at a media preview, reviewers present but also a great number of children with their parents, youngsters.

At the end of the screening, the critics dismissed the film, seeing little value in it, finding it tiresome. And, that is confirmed by a number of reviewers and, checking the bloggers on IMDb, so many dismissing it as boring, unfunny, trite, seen it all before…, critical of Disney for remaking the story.

However, the experience of watching the film was for this reviewer quite different. Quickly becoming conscious of the youngsters in the audience, their responses of delight, especially with the ghosts, the hauntings, the struggles with the ghosts. This was made easy because one of the central characters is a nine-year-old boy, his father dead, his mother wanting to start a new life, their going to the mansion and immediately being haunted and terrified, fleeing, but the ghosts continually dragging them back to the mansion. There were several jump moments which seemed to delight the young audience.

The other thing noted about the young audience was its response to the jokes, to the funny lines, to the humour. Reviewers and bloggers dismiss this as being old hat, obvious, not very funny. But, it would seem that the young audience found these jokes very funny, a lot of out-loud laughter. While the adults may have heard the lines before, maybe this was the first time for the youngsters and they found it all quite funny.

In fact, the film has a strong cast, a very sympathetic LaKeith Stanfield as the sad widower, physicist, dragged into photographing the ghosts with a camera he had been working on. Rosario Dawson is a nice mother and Chase W. Dillon, an engaging nine-year-old. And the film has the comic skills of Danny DeVito as an ageing professor, Owen Wilson as an unconventional (emphasis on the con) priest, Tiffany Haddish as a loud medium and, rather surprisingly, Jamie Lee Curtis as a medium ghost from the past. An unrecognisable Jared Leto is the villain. The director, Justin Simien, has a reputation for satirical film and television, especially Dear White People.

So, an entertainment, PG rated, geared especially for children from 10 to 15 or so who can be accompanied by the parents who may be pleased that the young ones are actually enjoying the haunted mansion and the ghostly hijinks.

1.     The Disney theme park? Various film versions? Bringing the theme park ride alive?

2.     The Louisiana setting, city of New Orleans, ordinary life, the visualising of the mansion, exteriors, interiors, the ghosts, the special effects, the mansion and surroundings? The visit to the city, the police, the University…? The Crump mansion? The musical score?

3.     The focus on Ben, his personality, reticent, science, optics, the encounter with his wife, discussion about ghosts, her tours? Transition to his being down and out, crusty, the tourists, his comments?

4.     Gabby and Travis, the U-haul, the mansion, entering, the darkness, Travis and the room, the ghosts, their escaping back to the city?

5.     Father Kent, an Owen Wilson character, clerical, deadpan humour, challenging Ben? The offer of the money? Ben going, his camera, pretending to take photos and notes, driving away?

6.     The ghosts, appearances, pursuing the characters, forcing them to return to the mansion? Camping in the mansion, the experiences after midnight?

7.     Harriet, the medium, dress and style, reputation, self-promotion, conducting the seances, the strange phenomena, the pen and the writing? Her leaving, having to return? The story of Madame Leota, her reputation, wanting to get in touch, finding her head in the globe after unpacking the trunk? Contact with Madame Leota? The silence, Harriet not affected, then entering into the other world?

8.     Bruce, age, reputation, never having been to the mansion, wanting to go, his heart condition, the repartee with Father Kent? The discussions, the documents, Father Kent stealing them, Bruce coming to the mansion, trapped?

9.     The back story, gradual uncovering, William Gracey, the portrait, suicide, the death of his wife? The gradual revelation about Crump? The change of perspective on the ghosts, 999, their being trapped, Crump needing one more willing human to become a ghost?

10.  The seances, Ben and his experiences, the pursuits, getting advice from Gracie, getting onside with the ghosts and their support? The advice of Madame Leota?

11.  The human story, Travis, wanting contact with his father, Ben as a father figure, relationship with his mother? Bonding with Ben? Aiming to protect him, his going down the hall, retrieving the hat, in the car, coming out, his involvement? Gabby, her love for her son, protecting him?

12.  The stunt work, the chases, the transforming mansion, the ghosts?

13.  Father Kent and the truth about his identity?

14.  The buildup to the confrontation with Crump, his appearance, hat in the box, diabolical, Ben, his grief, memories of his wife, telling the sad story of her death, his being willing to sacrifice himself? Then turning against Crump, defying him, Crump gradually going down into the grave?

15.  The range of personalities of the ghosts, their being onside, helping, the old captain and taking him back to the sea, Gracey and his collaboration?

16.  The popularity of the Disney ride, on screen, the target audience of families and youngsters?