Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report readers. I make no secret that my favorite
actress is Angela Bassett. I have watched the majority of her films.
Recently she unleashed a very creative slice of sardonic comedy,
aimed squarely at the Sex in the City crowd. I hear the murmurs in my
readers why the flying hell would I review a chick flick? Ha, well I
mean it is R rated and rather raunchy and stars three excellent lead
actresses.
The
story begins on a Mother's Day in which the three friends decide it
is best to just go up an surprise their kids in NYC by driving in
from upstate NY, without telling them. It starts out like a road
journey but, they did not really start by showing their adventure
getting there. Angela Bassett's son is probably the most interesting
as he writes for a magazine called “All Balls”. Ha, he has a good
job and is rather successful. One son is basically an unsold author.
Some hilarity ensues and no topics are taboo even as one of them
catch her son having sex.
The
moms are pushy, kind of turning the tables on their kids, like they
were to them when they were young. Actually I was pleasantly
surprised watching this. Felicity Huffman scandals aside, is pretty
damn funny the release was delayed amid the college admissions
scandal, and like a true adult she admitted wrongdoing. Patricia
Arquette is a pro actress, and played her tole a bit more subdued and
sophisticated, then suddenly a quip is uttered and it is very funny.
Angela Bassett really let her hair down and danced the night away,
and hangover included hah, knowing that Ms Bassett is the exact
opposite to her character makes it funnier!
I
recognize comedy, but for the average guy, I will say it will take a
bit of intellect and 'All Balls” to watch, Modern Family executive
producer Cindy Chupack, really brings her A game and crafts a great
screenplay for Otherhood. I like the fact she takes the time to tell
a backstory on all the central characters and their children.
My
favorite of the kids was Angela Bassett's son Matt Walker played by
actor Sinqua Walls. His acting is literally all balls just like the
magazine. To be able to share many scenes with a legendary and
academy award nominated actress obviously shows. I mean who wouldn't
be surprised if Angela Bassett shows up at your apartment,
unannounced while a rather young lady is there? I respect a man who
writes poetry as well, I dabbled in that in my 2os.
It is
nice to see leading ladies Huffman and Bassett involved in
production as Executive Producers. I agree, the old adage is you want
something done right, do it yourself and create.. Otherhood gets very
serious at the end, as issues of moms feeling like their sons do not
even need them. Many serious issues arise., including Angela Basset
telling her son to move on from her. Otherhood is quick, biting and
real. The audience is of course limited to women for the most part,
Don't listen to the low rating, Otherhood is a solid 7 out of 10, a
must Netflix watch. Www.netflix.com
Above: Main poster for Wu Assassins (C) 2019 Netflix
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers, FINALLY
Netflix has an A one king sized action property! Wu Hoo, or shall I
say WU ASSASSINS! Today was the binge and purge! Although a Dr.
appointment derailed a full 10 episode purge, I mean who puts out a
show Thursday? Oh Netflix! You forced me to binge in the Dr waiting
room, I mean nothing like fights and F bombs in a quiet setting!
This
will be a no spoiler review, a big FU to those who spoil the fun!
Essentially I do a likes and dislikes, point out some elements, you
all know about the series, just watch it and decide for yourself.
The
ten episode series at 45 minutes and episode is a perfect length to
get the ball rolling. With a variety of directors, using their own
take on the script, I was ready to be more critical of one than the
other, and now I know why they are used. Of particular note is the
way each fight sequence is filmed. Director Roel Reine opts for a
clear close quarters sequence is episode three involving JuJu Chan's
character Zan. In other episodes, there are more shadow fights,
dimly lit on purpose as doubles had to be used, not a bad thing of
course, and necessary.
Above Lewis Tan Lobby Card (C) 2019 Netflix
Watch
for the fight action, so many things to love about it. Iko and his
team, and the various stunt people used, craft a great action piece.
Naming names Dan Rizzuto is a blade master, the knife sequences and
weapons were killer! The very versatile Megan Hui taught and
basically worked with Celia Au and Li Jun Li to craft some excellent
action. Megan worked on the choreo with JuJu then they had some fun
sparring and learning from each other. Kimani Ray smith brought
supreme safety and creativity to the action, boom. Stunt pro Steven
Chang and Marc Dacascos kicked some ass, all I have to say is
#Standupforstunts! The stunt coordinators can win an Emmy not an
academy award, come on now and Kimani needs an Emmy nomination for
this one for this show!
John
Wirth, the man behind Terminator Sarah Conner Ironical and many other
cool shows brings in all the the elements of his past, and pays
homage to the elements like in the movie 5th Element.
There
are supernatural aspects of the show that cannot be spoiled but let
us just say things are not what they seem. Shape shifting,, fights,
gun play, this hard driving show will blast your senses.
Above JuJu Chan as the evil Zan (C) 2019 Netflix
I make
no secret in general as to my rather distaste for wrap music, but
alas it totally works here, case in point every single lyric tells
part of the story if you listen to it, plus it is aggressive and
angry. Of course I am a huge Snoop Dog fan so of course, he has a
style and flow. The music by Jeehun Wang sets a high tech wave when
need be, suspenseful when need be, soft when need be, it all works,
It is very hard to lay a musical bed for an entire series all at
once, basically Wu Assassins could have been a theatrical trilogy
dropping all at once.
Pointing
out specifics is hard without spoiling anything, there is a diner
fight that is quite entertaining. I really liked Tzi Ma's character
he basically plays a grocer who knows all and sees all, but
interjects his own unique humor, A bit of levity in this ultra
violent entity. Celia Au kills as the Obi wan, yep, she is a teacher,
and she speaks in prophecies and in riddles, I am assuming, or I hope
she will be back in the next season!
Of
course Iko and Katheryn Winnick are absolutely amazing, the two have
to go through a complete transformation and a myriad of emotions in
this series. Lewis Tan is amazing as well, I mean action
notwithstanding there is emotion throughout. The directors gave
proper direction and the pro actors followed it, and I am sure gave
their own ideas, Kudos to Iko and Katheryn for putting their own
stamp on this investment!
Of
course there is massive two part season ender, what happens, well it
plays out nicely. Will there be a season 2? Hmm I think so, if not, I
am sure the creators will make a limited movie for Netflix, I think
that is a logical move to pic one of the directors Roel, can use the
IMAX camera and boom, you have a theater film for WU!
The
minor downsides are only two, Wow were the CGI and rendering effects
very sub par, my issue here is they had so much time to properly
render the supernatural elements why could not they take the time or
hire the people to get them to be epic, not B movie level. Two, I
realize Summer Glau was kind of a last minute add on but hot damn,
why not use her more, or is that planned for the second season! That
is all I got to say I did not like.
Celia Au is the OG of Wu!(C) 2019 Netflix
To end
this dissertation on a positive note, I will point out this is
perhaps one of the best ADR on a Netflix series, I hear each
character loud and clear, regardless of setting, and scenery. ADR and
mixing is a damn hard job. I was a radio DJ back in my College days
and as students we were taught to talk loud and clear on the air, and
when merging tracks I had to splice tape ha! Today it is all digital,
but the trick is everyone has access to the same software, so real
skill is needed to get a show that has many different inside and out
settings sounding nearly flawless, yes it is that good! Even the
internet trolls will cower in fear at the screams and vocal epicness
of Wu!
I am
detracting a rating point for the dodgy CGI, but Wu Assassins rates a
rather epic 9 out of 10 on the fun scale, The 7 hour series time wise
needs to absolutely be binged and binged again, If you do not binge
this dearies Zan will find you and take out her metal blade steel
heel and kill yeah, (it is in the trailer no spoilers) If all goes
well throughout 2019 we will be doing various articles and interviews
on Wu Assassins!
If you
do not own Netflix, spend the 10 dollars, drop cable if it is too
expensive, get Hutu as well and go hard you have The Irishman coming
out, and many other epic stuff on the horizon. Www.netflix.com
As a
final statement with regards to Wu Assassins and the ever changing
landscape of TV:
Netflix
aims to replace the Iron Fist series and create their own legend,
remember all of the Marvel series will be off the network by 2021,
the last being Jessica Jones. It will be interesting to see how they
are going to position the series, aimed more for teens or adults.
With several established action stars like Iko, Mark Dacascos,
Katheryn Winnick, Lewis Tan and Summer Glau, the show aims squarely
at not only the action crown but the comic book fans as some of the
characters have some sort of powers beyond human.
Various
directors are taking over duties sharing episodes. Of particular note
is Roel Reine, Roel directed Scott Adkins in Hard Target 2, He
directed the IMAX episodes of Marvel's Inhumans, and an epic film
Redbad and has a brand new film airing on Discovery channel for Shark
Week, called Capsized: Blood In The Water. Check out this kick ass
photo below of Roel, from IMDB working on Wu Assassins! He will be
directing Episodes 3 and 4! I love the idea of various directors
sharing roles!
In
Addition, although the video is bit old, it is important to look at
the CSA and IKO team stunts that worked on the project. The first
video was a periscope video detailing the initial phase of working
out the fight sequences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-E1-3ojr2I
For
Netflix and action fans, it is VERY important that this series is
successful, especially the sheer number of action shows like Sensi8
and others that have either become too expensive to produce or
Netflix has lost the rights to.
The
absorbing of FOX by Disney leaves a huge question mark with regards
to R rated and TV MA franchises. I am assuming since essentially
Disney is purchasing Hulu, or a majority stake, they will retain the
R rated Marvel series properties as part of their extended library.
A very interesting note is that Although Terminator: Dark Fate is R
rated, Disney will do a huge number of the global release platforms,
check this link out!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6450804/companycredits?ref_=ttfc_ql_4
meaning, yep, the house of mouse, is evolving! Hopefully by 2022 we
will see our R rated Blade film!
