Three Sequels and a Prequel
El Camino
Breaking Bad's finale is probably one of the most satisfying TV endings in recent times. We already knew Jesse escaped, but knowing how with El Camino is a nice surprise for us who miss the series.
And we've already seen Mike in Better Call Saul, so it's great to see other familiar characters popping up on the screen. The flashback of Jesse and Walter sombrely captures the relationship between the two. And OMG, how still great at being creepy Todd Alquist is? Killing someone and calling it Monday, casually waiting for the body to be thrown from the second floor because efficiency, happily singing in the car and driving the said body to be disposed like he's driving to his grandmother's house? Then there are the resident legal and recycling expert Old Joe; the stoic Ed played by Robert Forster, whose performance is so impactful you forgot that he only appeared once in Breaking Bad; and, of course, the ever-loyal sidekicks Skinny Pete and Badger, who I think are unfortunately underutilized in the movie.
We are also being treated again with the creative details of the franchise, which can never be imitated, yet always look like they were effortlessly executed by the people behind them.
I'll watch a Jesse's spinoff in Alaska, and he doesn't even have to make drugs there.
Downton Abbey
This could be another TV episode, and I'm ok with it either way.
The entire world of Downton Abbey is enjoyable for watching. Because if you couldn't care for the characters, you won't get past the elaborate lifestyle and rules. Connecting it with the politics and the history of its real-life counterparts will make it worse. Seriously, if you could root for Walter White, you could root for people in tiaras and gowns who time their conversations with the people on their left and right during dinner.
The movie carries the familiarity from the TV show -- the sense of bonding, duty, and pride in the institution -- and expands some stories. Violet is still sassy despite the news at the end of the movie, Molesley steals the show, and I don't think Barrow has ever had this sweet, heartening moments before. You watch it for the joy, humour and optimism. You can come out feeling good watching this.
Toy Story 4
Toy Story already had a good ending with its third installment, so I'm not surprised that some people are mad it did not end after all. But you've got to understand where Disney's coming from here aka NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR CLOSURE! The company collects $1b from this movie!
But are we really mad? Sure the long line of new and some really mean characters need a little getting used to, but we're already hooked to Woody and friends, the animation is beautiful, and its pace is brilliant. Even if Disney decides to build a factory for this -- one that prints $1b cash every year -- will it really be a surprise if we keep watching it?
Joker
And speaking of "keep watching it" because we are all too hypnotized to say no, sashays in Joker.
I love Joaquin Phoenix, and I also don't get this movie. Why does it feel too-simplified? Man gets offended, then man shoots the offender? I'm sorry that Arthur Fleck's life is just one pain after another, but the movie is so dark, it leaves no path for me to root for anything or anyone. Do I focus on how good the cinematography is instead? Because this is 2019, any movie worth its billion-dollar salt should get that covered with no question.
So, you can have huge talents, characters, marketing machine, and franchise -- and you can also produce this. (But $1b, no one cares.)
Image: Netflix, Universal Pictures UK, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
Breaking Bad's finale is probably one of the most satisfying TV endings in recent times. We already knew Jesse escaped, but knowing how with El Camino is a nice surprise for us who miss the series.
And we've already seen Mike in Better Call Saul, so it's great to see other familiar characters popping up on the screen. The flashback of Jesse and Walter sombrely captures the relationship between the two. And OMG, how still great at being creepy Todd Alquist is? Killing someone and calling it Monday, casually waiting for the body to be thrown from the second floor because efficiency, happily singing in the car and driving the said body to be disposed like he's driving to his grandmother's house? Then there are the resident legal and recycling expert Old Joe; the stoic Ed played by Robert Forster, whose performance is so impactful you forgot that he only appeared once in Breaking Bad; and, of course, the ever-loyal sidekicks Skinny Pete and Badger, who I think are unfortunately underutilized in the movie.
We are also being treated again with the creative details of the franchise, which can never be imitated, yet always look like they were effortlessly executed by the people behind them.
I'll watch a Jesse's spinoff in Alaska, and he doesn't even have to make drugs there.
Downton Abbey
This could be another TV episode, and I'm ok with it either way.
The entire world of Downton Abbey is enjoyable for watching. Because if you couldn't care for the characters, you won't get past the elaborate lifestyle and rules. Connecting it with the politics and the history of its real-life counterparts will make it worse. Seriously, if you could root for Walter White, you could root for people in tiaras and gowns who time their conversations with the people on their left and right during dinner.
The movie carries the familiarity from the TV show -- the sense of bonding, duty, and pride in the institution -- and expands some stories. Violet is still sassy despite the news at the end of the movie, Molesley steals the show, and I don't think Barrow has ever had this sweet, heartening moments before. You watch it for the joy, humour and optimism. You can come out feeling good watching this.
Toy Story 4
Toy Story already had a good ending with its third installment, so I'm not surprised that some people are mad it did not end after all. But you've got to understand where Disney's coming from here aka NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR CLOSURE! The company collects $1b from this movie!
But are we really mad? Sure the long line of new and some really mean characters need a little getting used to, but we're already hooked to Woody and friends, the animation is beautiful, and its pace is brilliant. Even if Disney decides to build a factory for this -- one that prints $1b cash every year -- will it really be a surprise if we keep watching it?
Joker
And speaking of "keep watching it" because we are all too hypnotized to say no, sashays in Joker.
I love Joaquin Phoenix, and I also don't get this movie. Why does it feel too-simplified? Man gets offended, then man shoots the offender? I'm sorry that Arthur Fleck's life is just one pain after another, but the movie is so dark, it leaves no path for me to root for anything or anyone. Do I focus on how good the cinematography is instead? Because this is 2019, any movie worth its billion-dollar salt should get that covered with no question.
So, you can have huge talents, characters, marketing machine, and franchise -- and you can also produce this. (But $1b, no one cares.)
Image: Netflix, Universal Pictures UK, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
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