No Time To Die [2021] ★★★½
It’s been 15 years since Daniel Craig made his 007 debut in “Casino Royale”. Now 5 movies later, it’s time to bid farewell to one of the finest actors to ever portray James Bond (I think we’ve settled this after “Skyfall”). And what an ending it was. Action-wise, the film’s a masterclass in pulse-pounding sequences, brilliantly staged by director Cary Joji Fukunaga, who truly gives it his very best. But fans are in for something more, much much more. Looking for a villain? Try Ramy Malek’s delicious performance as Lyutsifer Safin, a mysterious killer with an agenda of his own. We learn right from the start that Bond has left active service following the events of “Spectre”. But it doesn’t take long for him to get right back in the game, for one last hurrah. No spoilers here, since we already know that this will be Craig’s final outing. But the sendoff is fitting, and, might I add, quite emotional. How? I won’t say. But I will tell you that at 163 minutes, this is the longest 007 film to date. I will also tell you that you’ll be glued to your seat from start to finish. Much like “Casino Royale” and “Skyfall”, “No Time To Die” delivers spectacular sequences, worthy of the best Bond movies. Credit Craig for being one hell of a 007 since 2006. A few bumps on the road made “Quantum Of Solace” and “Spectre” less than great movies. But Craig gives it his absolute best in “No Time To Die”, and die-hard fans of the franchise will be grateful for that. I don’t know what the future holds for Bond, but I do know that Craig’s tenure was truly unforgettable. Same goes for this movie.
With so many streaming platforms at the palm of our hand, I’m always on the lookout for the next series worth binging. But having been a huge “Karate Kid” fan for over two decades now, I tend to take my precious time with “Cobra Kai”, savoring every second until I move on to the next big show. Season 1 and 2 were both incredible to begin with, so my expectations were more or less high for this newest season, now streaming on Netflix. And I’m happy to report that it was everything I was looking for, and then some. If you recall, last season ended on a dramatic note, with Miguel ending up in a hospital bed after the huge school fight. Here, all the characters are looking for some sort of redemption, including Daniel LaRusso, who travels all the way to Okinawa to reconnect with Mister Miyagi’s roots. It’s one hell of a season, and as usual, you can expect a lot of surprises here and there, especially if you grew up with the original trilogy. More good news is that season 4 is already in the works, which means the terrific cliffhanger at the end won’t be in vain. I won’t reveal more, except to say that if you’ve enjoyed what this series had to offer so far, you’ll absolutely love the new season. It’s a total blast from start to finish and easily one of the best things on TV right now.
Simply put, “Another Round” is one of the best films I’ve seen in 2020. Mads Mikkelsen has been one of my favorite actors for many years now, and he has delivered yet another sensational performance here, playing a high school teacher who isn’t satisfied with his life anymore. We can quickly see that the man needs some kind of change, any change, and he’s about to get it. How? Without spoiling too much, I will say that his three colleagues suggest that if he can maintain a 0.5% alcohol level, he can function better and live a happier life. The consequences of this life-changing decision are vividly felt, because these are real people with real problems. Mikkelsen has previously teamed-up with writer-director Thomas Vinterberg and co-writer Tobias Lindholm on the superior 2013 movie “The Hunt”, and it’s safe to safe that they’ve done it again. “Another Round”is an exceptional drama that left a huge impact on me. It also offers Mikkelsen another chance to prove that he’s one of the finest actors alive today. Needless to say, he has managed to pull it off. I cannot recommend this movie enough.
No surprises there: Disney/Pixar just delivered yet another knockout. This wonderful movie from the same people who gave us “Up” and “Inside Out” have done it again. “Soul” is a masterclass in animated features, a deeply touching journey that will resonate with adults even more so than kids. In true Pixar fashion, we follow the story of a Jazz musician (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who seemed to have lost his “spark”. Then an “out of body” experience happens, which leads to a series of unpredictable events. I’ve deliberately kept this review as spoiler-free as possible. Much like “Inside Out” and other superior Pixar features, it’s best to experience “Soul” with a fresh eye. But there is a reason why these movies stand out as much as they do: no one else puts such thought, care and research into their work. What the people behind this unforgettable film have achieved is beyond anything you’ll see in animation this year. I don’t know how kids will respond to it, but a movie like “Soul” will most certainly touch the heart of grownups. In these troubled times, that’s a gift.
I haven’t seen many great films this year, but “Mank” is certainly one of them. For one, it paints an evocative picture of old Hollywood, circa 1940, a time where Orson Welles was preparing for his next feature: “Citizen Kane”. For that, he’s going to hire an unlikely candidate to write the script: screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz aka “Mank”, a man with demons of his own. In true Citizen Kane fashion, the film takes us back and forth in time to understand how the story of Charles Foster Kane came to be. It’s fascinating, to say the least, and you couldn’t ask for a better cast to bring it to life. Gary Oldman gives yet another Oscar-worthy performance as Mank himself, and he’s surrounded by a first rate cast that includes Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Charles Dance and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. David Fincher directs with an incredible eye for detail; you can basically smell the air of old Hollywood, which makes it so easy to get lost in its irresistible charm. You can credit cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt for his gorgeous black & white shots, but all of this wouldn’t mean a thing without a great story, and “Mank” has it all. It encapsulates everything we go to the movies for, making it a perfect candidate for award season. How can Oscar resist?
I have been a huge fan of Netflix’s “The Crown” for almost 3 years now. The show has been consistent right from the start, and it gave us plenty to cheer for: lavish sets, beautiful costumes, terrific acting, and a masterful direction. Now that season 4 is finally here, I can happily report that the show has never been better. And you’ve guessed it: this season mostly focuses on the rocky relationship between Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) and Lady Di (wonderfully played by Emma Corrin) and its consequences on the royal family. We also get to see Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson, never better) in action, as England goes through recession and rising unemployment in the early 80’s. Whether you know your history or not, there’s no doubt that the show is still a treat to watch, thanks to brilliant writing and unforgettable performances. Olivia Colman commands the screen once again as The Queen herself, and the supporting cast has never been more colorful. Criticism? Aside from one forgettable episode, this season has been absolutely phenomenal and will most certainly satisfy fans of the show. I don’t know if we’ll ever seen anything quite like “The Crown” again, produced on such a lavish scale over decades’ time. There are two more seasons to come, but so far, the show has maintained its ability to dazzle me from start to finish. It’s one of Netflix’s best and most important productions.
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