Displaying items by tag: Seth Rogen

LIKE FATHER 

US, 2018, 96 minutes, Colour.

Kristin Bell, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Rogen, Jon Foster.

Directed by Laura Miller Rogen.

The continuation would be, like father… like daughter rather than son! And this time the father is Frazier, Kelsey Grammer, and daughter is Veronica Mars, Kristin Bell. And, in the supporting cast, Seth Rogen whose wife, Laura Miller, is the director.

This is a comedy with serious intent. It is about workaholics, the daughter almost symbiotically attached to her phone, even during her wedding ceremony. Then she discovers her estranged father at the wedding, their drinking together, discussing together, decision to go on a Caribbean cruise together – where they meet some couples.

There are all kinds of misunderstandings, a continued dependence on the phone, clashes between father and daughter, the discovery that he was a workaholic but is now bankrupt, her suspicions about him.

But, many workaholic audiences will be able to follow the details of the interaction with some empathy – and discover that some kind of understanding and reconciliation is possible.

1. Usually, like father, like son? Now like father, like daughter?
2. The television popularity of the stars, Veronica Mars? Frazier?
3. The touch of romantic comedy, the passengers thinking Rachel and Harry were married, rather a living reconciliation between father and daughter?
4. Rachel, her world, business, ambitions, the cheesemakers and the interview, her boss? Always on the phone, the deals? The engagement, to Owen, the buildup to the ceremony, bass officiating, everyone at the altar, Rachel and her phone, putting it in the bouquet, its falling out? Her hesitation, confronting Owen, leaving? Upset, the honeymoon cruise booked? Her drinking?
5. Harry, his presence at the wedding, Rachel seeing him, the clash, his absence from her life, the marriage, her birth, the early years, his being busy, absent, not returning? Disappearance? Her resentment? They drinking together?
6. On the ship, waking up, her planning to leave, the air ticket? Being persuaded to take part in the ship entertainment? Yet her continually being on the phone?
7. The friends of the table, the gay couple, their plans for adoption, friendly? The newly married divorcees, African-American, cheerful? The elderly couple and their golden anniversary, cheerful? At the table together, the conversations, at the entertainments, the games, the eventual karaoke?
8. Harry, genial, gradually revealing his story, Gabe as his friend, working together, the house, Gabe and his illness, his death? The ashes? Wanting to reconcile with Rachel?
9. Rachel, some happiness with Harry, the compere and the games, listening to the story, her changes of moods, realising the pressures on her life, the continued phone calls? Rehearsing the karaoke, the elaborate performance, crowned?
10. Jamaica, the tour, the scenery, happiness?
11. Her finally accepting the truth, Gabe’s ashes? The gay couple calling their adopted child Gabe?
12. Back at New York, her going to the office, going home, taking time off? Harry and his return to California, the couple helping him move? Rachel turning up, and happy reconciliation?

GOOD FORTUNE

US, 2025, 97 minutes, Colour.

Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogan, Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, Stephen McKinley Henderson.

Directed by Aziz Ansari.

In a disturbed 21^st-century world, even in the divided United States, what really is Good Fortune? Here is a satirically-challenging response to the question.

In the aftermath of World War II, Hollywood asked this question for Americans in what is now the classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life. With the popularity of the film over the decades, it provided a Christmas message of hope, that despite all the difficulties, there would be some angel who could guide a troubled hero through all kinds of difficulties, financial, family, personal, and that there would be a very happy – wonderful – New Year.

Which means that Good Fortune is something of an attempt at It’s a Wonderful Life for the 2020s.

The film has been written, directed, starring role, by stand-up comedian, Aziz Ansari (multi-episodes of TVs Parks and Recreation). He plays Arj, Indian background, father with high expectations, but not managing practically with jobs, lining up for benefits, sleeping in his car, being moved on, the car impounded… It’s a Miserable Life.

But, just like the eager angels in Wim Wenders’ classic, Wings of Desire, with angels standing on buildings overlooking Berlin, ready to intervene, here we have the Los Angeles equivalent, each angel, hovering with holy intent, with various responsibilities, some ready to help lost souls but, our focus is on Gabriel, black coat, long black hair as if posing for a portrait of Jesus, comparatively small wings on his back, and it is Keanu Reeves. And Gabriel’s modest task is to save drivers who are texting – and the salutary collage of his saving these reckless textures, including Arj.

Gabriel takes pity on Arj and would like to save his lost soul but is warned off by Angel Martha, Sandra Oh. Gabriel hovers, watching, worrying. In the meantime, Arj has met an active union worker, Elena (Keke Palmer), but is too caught up in himself and his miserableness. But, then he has a delivery to an extravagant venture capitalist,Jeff, living in a luxury mansion, spending his day preoccupation with affluent trivia. His played by Seth Rogen.

So, poverty meets affluence and, with Gabriel’s messy intervention, what better than role reversal, Arj living the high life (and, in general without scruple, he does) and Jeff coming down to earth, trying to keep his job, discovering the realities of the day by day cost of living. And all complicated by Gabriel being rebuked and losing his angelic status and becoming human, lots of dishwashing jobs, discovering the taste of hamburgers and shakes, the exhilaration of dancing with the Latino community…

The three stars do enter their characters with quite some zest.

Well, it doesn’t take a prophet to foretell the ups and downs of what is going to happen, but, of course, the question is how is it going to happen? Will Arj recover his conscience? Will Jeff discover that there is such a thing as conscience? Will Elena and Arj be able to form a union in the workplace? Will Gabriel get back his wings?

For the time being, It can be a Wonderful, Good Fortune, Life.

1. An It’s a Wonderful Life for the 21^st-century? 21^st-century open and frank style?
2. The work of the writer-director, stand-up comedy, satire?
3. The story of Arj, Indian background, his father, his successful cousin (and the later revelation of tax evasion), talking to his young cousin about the future? His jobs, hard work, lining up for support, upset, in the diner, sleeping in his car, being moved on, and prospects, the factory, the encounter with Elena, her union work, conversations with her?
4. The fantasy of the angels, appearing with wings, images of Wim Wenders’ angels over Berlin, Gabriel, the Jesus’ appearance, his wings, watching? The collage of saving people while texting? His wanting more, to save the lost souls? The discussions with Martha, her control, wanting him? His interest in Arj, wanting to save him?
5. Arj, the deliveries for Jeff, Jeff and his wealth, house, lifestyle, hampered, trivial preoccupations, the discussion with Arj, Arj and deliveries and answering him back, offering to employ him, successfully, giving the card, the dinner with Elena, on Jeff’s recommendation, use of the card, Jeff attacking him, dismissing him?
6. Gabriel, his intervention, the discussions with Arj, the change with Jeff? Arj, adapting to the lifestyle, enjoying the luxuries? Jeff, going to work, hard? Gabriel, the reprimand from Martha? Gabriel made human, the work, washing up, Jeff and the food, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, tacos, milkshakes?
7. The situation with the three, the interchanges? Jeff allowing Arj to have three days? Arj, enjoying his style, extravagant, taking over Jeff’s birthday party, the dancing, the guests? Elena, the proposal for going to Paris, her conscientiousness and refusal?
8. Arj, involved in the accident, coma? Jeff’s reaction? Out of coma, pretending not to remember? The effect on Jeff? Jeff’s learning the hard life?
9. The situation, Gabriel making friends with the Latinos, the club, Elena? The discussions?
10. The conscience issues, Arj and having to face them, his father, prospects, ordinary life, with Elena? Jeff, the experience of hardship, back to normal? Gabriel, becoming an angel again, after all human experiences, even drinking, drugs…?
11. The reversal, Arj conscientious, working with Elena, the previous vote, the second vote, the walk off, social justice? Jeff, and his meetings, the scornful executives, Jeff and his laying down the law?
12. An allegory for the 21^st-century?

MUFASA: THE LION KING

US, 2024, 120 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Blue Ivy Carter, John Kani, Mads Mikkelsen, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Thandiwe Newton, Lenny James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Donald Glover, Beyonce.

Directed by Barry Jenkins.

In the 1990s, the Disney studios produced a succession of striking animation films, 1989 in The Little Mermaid, then Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin. 1994 introduced The Lion King who has stayed popular and in our consciousness ever since, leading to a Broadway musical, some sequels, of live action re-making 2019. And, now, the prequel in the early life of more far so and his becoming the Lion King.

Technically, Mufasa is significant in its re-creation of the range of animals, the pride of Lions, the hostile White Lions, Rafiki the storyteller and the meerkat, Timon, and the warthog, Pumbaa and a whole range of African plains animals from elephants to giraffes. There is plenty to delight audiences who enjoy seeing these animals.

But, the significant aspect is that they speak, the manipulation of their mouths to make this sound authentic, and a range of voice cast led by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr as Mufasae and his friend Taki who, we know, will become his brother then his enemy, Scar. There are also other well-known voices, especially Mads Mikkelson as the hostile King of the White Lions, contrasting with John Kani as the the storyteller (reprising his role from the 2019 film) and, unexpectedly, lots of chatter and cheeky references, even to the musical, with Seth Rogen voicing Pumbaa and Billy Eichner, Timon.

In the present, so to speak, Simba’s daughter, Kiara (voiced Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter), is anxious as her father leaves for a meeting. The wise Rafiki is prevailed upon to tell the story of Mufasa, his childhood, his relationship with Scar, his becoming the Lion King. And Rafiki has the chorus commentators. At key moments during the film, the narrative returns to the present and some episodes with Kiara and the storytellers.

At the beginning of Rafiki’s tale, Mufasa and his parents are isolated, drought, dangers, and the pursuing dangerous White Lions, hoping for a peaceful further valley and their making their way towards it. But, tragedies, Mufasa is lost, encountering other lions but considered an outsider, a stray. However, he makes a good impression – but, at the expense of his father’s love for his son, Taki, who has rescued Mufasa from crocodiles.

On the one hand, there are many playful sequences and family affectionate moments to delight. On the other hand, there are many fearsome moments with the pursuit of the White Lions, Taki and his betrayal of Mufasa, his sinister behaviour and an ultimate confrontation.

We are anticipating the happy ending when Mufasa will be recognised by all the animals as the leader, he being modest and self-deprecating, but responding to the acclaim and ascending to the sloping cliff to take his iconic stance.

1. The long popularity of The Lion King, animation film, Broadway musical, sequels, the 2019 live action, this prequel?
2. The range of voices, African-American voices?
3. The musical score, the range of songs, Lin Manuel Miranda, lyrics?
4. The style of the film, special effects work, the range of animals, action, voices and the credibility of their mouth movement and speaking? Layout and backgrounds?
5. The setting, Simba, audience knowledge of the future, Rafiki and his telling the story, the gathering of the animals, the Circle of Life, Timon and Pumbaa, the original film, comedy, the wisecracks, the references to the film and musical, the comic chorus? Kiara, apprehensive, wanting to hear the story of Mufasa? The flashbacks and the continued returning to the storytelling and the comments?
6. The situation, Mufasa and his parents, difficulties, the terrain, the dry, the outside alliance and her persecutions, the vision of the future beyond the sunrise, the tragedy, Mufasa and his being lost, in the river, the crocodiles, his being pulled out to safety by Taki?
7. Mufasa as lost, not astray, Taki’s father rejecting him, the mother compassionate, the bonding of the two young lions, their adventures together, hopes and joy? (And the audience knowing that Taki would become Scar?)
8. The pursuing lions, the fights between the young lions, the death of the white lion, the anger, his father, the blame on Mufasa, Taki and is avoiding responsibility? The consequences, the pursuit, Mufasa fighting the white lion, Taki, his fears, betrayal, leaving the marks for the white lions to pursue?
9. Taki and his father, the race, Mufasa winning, the challenge to Taki, his father’s disapproval, sending him away?
10. The themes of friendship, fear, betrayal, self-protection, the friend becoming a victim?
11. The range of adventures, the falling over the cliff, surviving, underwater, the rescue? The continued travels, the rain, the floods?
12. The other animals, the giraffes, the comments, the fears of the pursuing lions, the well being of Mufasa and Taki, their mother?
13. The arrival of the white lions, the confrontation, the revelation of the truth, Taki and his scar, the fights, Mufasa winning?
14. The acceptance of all the animals, his modesty, the qualities of a king, the acceptance, scar and his exile? And Mufasa are going to the cliff, the visual emblem always of The Lion King?

DUMB MONEY

US, 2023, 105 minutes, Colour.

Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Myha'la Herrold, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Seth Rogen, Talia Ryder, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Kate Burton, Clancy Brown, Larry Owens, Dane de Haan, Olivia Thirlby.

Directed by Craig Gillespie.

Unless you are very well versed in the details of the financial world, the business world, stock exchange, familiar with the language of shares and trading, you may find it somewhat difficult to follow this story in detail. There has been quite a long tradition of American films about the financial world, even before the 1980s and Wall Street. We have seen the back rooms in Margin Call, the higher-life exploiters like The Wolf of Wall Street, a number of television films about the financial crisis of 2008, ironic pictures like The Big Short. Dumb Money is in this vein.

Most of us may have missed this true story from 2020-2021, particularly American (and we may have been more preoccupied with pandemic issues and limitations). But, as promotion tells us, this is something of a David and Goliath story. And it is a true story – and, after we have been both alarmed and exhilarated looking at these characters and the financial dealings, there is some satisfaction/alarm in seeing photos, videos, testimony with the actual people during the credits.

For those not in the know, so many of us, the phrase Dumb Money refers to funds invested by smaller individuals and groups, those whom the high flyers would generally despise and, probably, ignore. One of these is Keith Gill, a family man, a job, but in his spare time very interested in finance, stock exchange movement, investments, profits, hedge funds… He becomes interested in a particular company, GameStop, which does not seem to be doing well, invests, but Keith is also an influencer, with his own online program, quite a following, students, employees in shops, who have interest in finance and are looking for opportunities to invest. And, his followers trust him, and as long as he does not sell, they don’t. The value of the company rises, as they say, exponentially (or even more so).

Keith Gill, whose online tag is Roaring Kitty, is from Brockton Massachusetts, working on his computer in a back room, but thorough and meticulous in his research and communication. He is played by the very versatile Paul Dano, his wife by Shailene Woodley. And there are a number of younger character actors playing the range of investors, including Anthony Ramos and America Ferrera. And there are a lot of home scenes to balance the financial world, Keith and his interacting with his offhand brother, Kevin, comically played by Pete Davidson.

But the film also takes us into the high life of the hedge fund entrepreneurs, the powerful men who can draw on billions at beck and call, who are so confident, unspoiled, that they take no notice and then underestimate the financial David’s of this story. And, strong cast here with Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, Vincent D’Onofrio, Sebastian Stan.

On the one hand, there is the comic atmosphere of Keith Gill’s home life, especially family sequences with his parents (Clancy Brown and Kate Burton), his interchanges with his carefree brother. On the other hand, there is the tension of movements on the stock exchange, holding to one’s convictions, not selling, hugely increasing profits, the danger of their being targeted and falling. And, in the background, government investigations about manipulation of the money market.

Keith Gill testified before Congress committee – as did the high flyers, Keith with a strong prepared statement – well accepted, the high flyers replying on subterfuge – and failing.

(There is a lot of coarse language throughout the film – and this is something of an understatement – as well as some particularly crass lyrics of songs which are playing throughout the action. The Australian classification notes: Strong coarse language.)

1. The title, the tone, the judgement about investments?
2. The 2020 setting, the background of Covid, the financial world dealing with the epidemic? The role of the Internet? Companies, games companies, networks, shrewd observers and investors, their moves?
3. Homes and characters, offices, online activity, official meetings, finance, politics, legal?
4. Keith Gill, life at home, scenes with his parents, his wife and her support, his job? Online, visiting the sights? You Tube and advice, “Roaring captivity”? His relationship with his brother, Kevin and his mocking his brother, the borrowing of the car?
5. 2020, the games company, the investments, difficulties, reading the signs, Keith and his savings, advice for the friends and the online supporters? Success?
6. The portrait of the big finances, Gabe Plotkin and his company, threats, sales, plans? Confidence, manoeuvres, discussions amongst themselves, the contacts and advice?
7. Keith and his followers, Marcos and his work in the store, Rin and Harmony and their life together? Jennifer and her savings? The tension for them, investments and risks, there watching U-tube, they’re trusting Keith? Tested?
8. Selling, waiting, finding the right time, Keith and his wife, the followers, selling, buying again? The complexities?
9. The US House Committee on Financial Services, the interest in the case, a subpoena for all the main people, the heads of the companies, the interrogations?
10. Keith, his being interrogated, his stances, convictions, legalities?
11. The results, Keith and his security, his relationship with his brother and parents, the car for Kevin? The followers online and the success and security?