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Movie-a-Day Challenge: The Flash (2023)

By Roger Hyttinen / November 6, 2023

This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE

Hey Flash Fans and Pop Culture Pals,

Buckle up, because I just experienced a whirlwind adventure on my couch, where I watched “The Flash (2023)” on Max (formerly HBOMax)—quite possibly the wildest ride in the DC Extended Universe. And when I say wild, I’m not just talking about the on-screen antics.

First off, the elephant in the room: Ezra Miller. Yep, the lead actor has had more headlines for off-screen drama than for any on-screen heroics. Legal troubles and personal controversies have been following them like a shadow, and let’s be honest, it adds an odd layer of meta-tension to watch them as Barry Allen. It’s like, can we enjoy the Flash’s super-speed while the actor’s been… well, less than super off-set? It’s a bit of a conundrum that’s hard to shake off as the opening credits roll. But…. it seems like Miller’s been laying super low recently. No news, no drama, no headlines—a welcome change, to be honest. It’s like they’ve tucked themselves into their own personal Speed Force to dodge the limelight. And you know what? The silence is golden, especially with a movie that’s loud in every other conceivable way.

But onto the movie itself—holy moly, folks, “The Flash” is a big, steaming bowl of crazy with extra nuts. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill superhero flick; it’s a full-on, time-twisting, reality-bending extravaganza with a dash of heartwarming moments that hit you faster than a bolt of lightning.

The plot? Think less “save the city” and more “save the fabric of reality itself”. The plot zigs, zags, and does loop-de-loops through the multiverse, smashing through dimensions like they’re made of wet tissue paper. You’ve got alternate realities, different versions of characters we know and love (and some we’re meeting for the first time), and enough twists to make a pretzel jealous.

The visuals are nothing short of an acid trip at light speed. We’re talking about sequences that would have Salvador Dali going, “Whoa, dial it back, buddy.” It’s a feast for the eyes—if your eyes can keep up, that is. The special effects team must have been given one directive: “Make it weird.” Mission accomplished, because every moment of super-speed shenanigans is a trippy treat.

Visually, this movie is a stunner. It’s like every frame is shot with the intention to make you feel the speed force itself. There are sequences that are so beautifully crafted, you’ll swear you can feel the wind in your hair. The special effects team deserves a raise, a medal, and maybe a vacation because the speedster’s powers have never looked cooler.

Now, the supporting cast does what they can to anchor this hurricane of a movie. There’s chemistry, there’s pathos, and there are moments that make you remember these gods among us are also human. And yes, there are cameo appearances that’ll make hardcore fans squeal and casual viewers go, “Huh, neat!” Character-wise, there’s chemistry, camaraderie, and just enough comedy to keep things from getting too dark (I’m looking at you, every DC movie pre-2018).

But it’s not all smooth running. The pace is frenetic, and not in the “exciting thriller” way, more in the “I think the film’s on fast forward” way. And for all the spectacle, the emotional beats sometimes feel as hurried as Barry on his morning jog—which is to say, they don’t stick around long.

But…amidst the breakneck speed and mind-bending visuals, it’s worth pumping the brakes to talk about the heart of “The Flash” because this movie, believe it or not, tugs at the heartstrings when you least expect it. Yes, even with all the multiverse mayhem and timeline turbulence, “The Flash” packs an emotional punch that can hit you like a freight train out of nowhere.

There’s a poignant undercurrent running through the chaos—the essence of Barry Allen’s journey. The film explores themes of loss, belonging, and the ever-relatable search for identity in a world (or worlds, in this case) that seems too vast and complex to navigate. There are moments that remind you Barry is more than his speed; he’s a person with deep ties to his past and an uncertain future, trying to make sense of it all.

The connection Barry has with his mother is central to the storyline, and it’s where the film hits you right in the feels. It reminds us that beneath the suit and the lightning is a man driven by very human emotions and desires. These tender moments between the high-octane action sequences lend the film a depth that superhero flicks sometimes miss.

Even the interactions among the different characters Barry meets within the multiverse add layers to the story. Seeing alternate versions of characters we know reflects the “what could have been” and the “what still could be,” making us invest in not just the fate of the world(s) but in the personal stakes for our main character.

So yes, “The Flash” might be a spectacle of the weird and the wild, but it’s also a tapestry woven with threads of raw and genuine human emotion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for a tissue between the bursts of laughter and gasps of surprise. Because, when all is said and done, even superheroes need a moment to just be human.

So, the big question: is “The Flash” worth strapping on your cinema shoes for? If your movie taste buds crave the peculiar, the perplexing, and the plain old ‘what did I just watch?’—absolutely. It’s a sensory overload that doesn’t skimp on spectacle.

Just remember, it’s a strange, strange ride, but hey, it’s The Flash—would you expect anything less?

Catch ya in the speed force,
Roger

P.S. I didn’t mean for this blog post to be so long — can you tell that I’m kind of a Flash fanboy?

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Movie-a-Day Challenge: Beautiful Creatures

By Roger Hyttinen / November 5, 2023

This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE

Hey Film Buffs and Bibliophiles!

Guess who finally got around to watching “Beautiful Creatures”? Yep, yours truly – the last person on earth to see this supernatural romance flick, or so it feels! I know, I know, the movie’s been out for ages (since 2013, if we’re counting), but in my defense, my “To-Watch” list is about as long as the Great Wall of China. But enough about my procrastination skills; let’s dive into the mystical world of Gatlin, South Carolina!

First off, let’s talk about the Gothic Southern atmosphere – it’s like stepping into a humid, sultry daydream with a side of sweet tea and secrets. There’s a small-town charm in “Beautiful Creatures” that’s hard to miss, and it does a bang-up job of setting the stage for a tale of witchcraft, dark curses, and teenage angst.

The story follows Ethan Wate (played by Alden Ehrenreich), our all-too-human protagonist with a voracious appetite for books and a gnawing desire to escape the mundanity of his hometown. Enter Lena Duchannes (the ethereal Alice Englert), the new girl with the permanent storm cloud above her head (quite literally, at times). She’s not just any high school outcast – she’s a “Caster” (don’t call her a witch, it’s passé), and she’s counting down the days to her sixteenth birthday, when her powers will be claimed for either the Light or the Dark.

The chemistry between Ethan and Lena is like a live wire, full of sparks and the promise of young love – but with a supernatural twist. They’re the heart of the film, and their relationship offers a cozy respite from the typical teen love saga. Sure, we’ve seen the “forbidden love” trope a zillion times, but there’s something genuinely sweet about their bond that makes you root for them, despite the looming, possibly apocalyptic, obstacles.

Can we talk about the supporting cast for a sec? Emmy Rossum vamps it up as Ridley, Lena’s siren cousin, bringing all the deliciously wicked fun every time she struts into a scene. And then there’s the powerhouse duo, Jeremy Irons and Emma Thompson, who chew the scenery as mysterious Caster patriarch Macon Ravenwood and religious zealot Mrs. Lincoln, respectively. Viola Davis as Amma is the glue that holds the mortal realm together, and her presence alone gives the film a gravitas that it leans on heavily.

The film takes some creative liberties that deviate from the beloved book by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, which might ruffle some feathers if you’re a die-hard fan of the series. The essence is still there, but like any adaptation, some of the nuances get lost in translation from page to screen. But hey, it’s Hollywood, right? Changes are part of the package deal.

Director Richard LaGravenese gives us a visual feast with some pretty slick CGI, from spinning dinner tables to mystical libraries that made the book nerd in me squeal with joy. However, sometimes the special effects felt like they were compensating for a script that lacked a bit of the book’s depth.

Overall, “Beautiful Creatures” is a cinematic comfort food. It’s got romance, magic, and a dash of Southern Gothic flair that’s as rare as a blue moon. It might not be the most original film under the sun (or the moon, in this case), but it’s a fun ride if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the magic.

So, grab your popcorn and maybe a spell book (just in case), and settle in for “Beautiful Creatures.” It’s a bewitching tale that reminds us that the real magic is, sometimes, just allowing yourself to enjoy the ride.

‘Til next time, keep those reels rolling!

Peace & Popcorn,

Roger

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Streaming Movies (or not)

By Roger Hyttinen / August 6, 2021

I’m kind of a meticulous list-maker — or should I say, activity tracker. I keep lists for all sorts of stuff: the book I’ve read, the movies I’ve seen, the beers I’ve tried, places I want to visit, etc. But when I opened my list book (Bullet Journal) the other day, I was kind of surprised by what I found — or should I say, what I didn’t find.

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I recently streamed the film “A Star is Born.” So when I went to make the entry into my “Movies I’ve Seen” list, I was surprised to note that there were only three other entries for this year: In the Heights, Hamilton, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. I thought, “This doesn’t seem right — there must be some I’d forgotten to written down.” So I racked and racked my brain and eventually had to come to the conclusion that yes, I’d only seen three movies this entire year.

This is super unusual for me as by midsummer, I typically would have seen between 20-40 movies. I mentioned previously that I used to go to the movies every weekend (sometimes more) to see an opening film, so that would have been probably around 30 movies alone. But when the pandemic hit, I told myself that I’d just stream movies from home rather than going to the cinema.

Yet strangely enough, I have not. It’s not like I don’t have access to movies, given that I subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney, AppleTV, and HBO Max. Although, now that I think about it, it’s kind of odd that I subscribe to so many services given that I don’t watch TV all that much (though my spouse watches much more than I do). I also subscribed for a year to a couple of them when they were running specials, which ended up costing me around $4 to $5 per month. Oh, I almost forgot about subscribing to Starz (via Amazon Prime), which I subscribe to only to see American Gods (I’m a huge Neil Gaiman fan here!).

It’s also not like I don’t enjoy watching movies because, again, as I mentioned above, I used to see a movie every week, something I’ve done for years. However, I guess during the pandemic and lockdown, my interests have shifted to other things. I’m definitely reading more books than previously, and I started learning piano a while back, so I’m spending more time on that as well.

But after realizing that I’d only seen a couple of films this year, I’ve set a goal for myself to try to watch at least one, maybe two movies every week. I have a ton of films in my various watchlists that I want to see, so it’s not like there isn’t anything interesting that I want to watch. I guess viewing movies kind of just slipped my mind this past year as time somehow got away from me and old schedules drifted away. I’ve always considered myself a movie buff, but it appears as though I haven’t been living up to my reputation.

So we’ll see how my new movie viewing resolution goes. I’ll share my experiences with you on this blog as a way of keeping myself accountable. If I continue not to watch movies, I’ll have to reconsider some of my streaming subscriptions when they come due — though, to be fair, I do have a couple of television shows that I watch. I’m just not sure if it’s enough to justify all those streaming services.

How about you? See any good movies lately?

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A chat about A Star is Born

By Roger Hyttinen / August 5, 2021

Last night, I sat down and streamed the film “A Star is Born,” the 2018 version starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I, unfortunately, missed it when it was at the movie theaters, and I’ve been meaning to watch it for quite some time. I really enjoyed it (for those of you who are wondering), but then again, I’m a fan of both Gaga and Cooper, and in this movie, the chemistry between the two of them was captivating. I thought they did a phenomenal acting job, and I adored the music. Actually, this won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Music for Motion Pictures and won a Golden Globe award (Best Original Song – Motion Picture) for the song “Shallow.”

I was also happy to see that the director didn’t simply rehash the previous versions of the film but created something modern, unique, and compelling here. Though they stayed true to the original story, the changes made were worth the retelling and what we end up with is a mesmerizing (and at times, painful) love story about stardom, addiction, love, and tragedy that’s both relatable and fresh. Additionally, I felt that the pacing was perfect — there were no lulls or boring bits at all (in my opinion), and the two-plus hours flew by.

I also have a soft spot for this movie because when I was sixteen, I saw the prior version in the theaters when it was released in 1976. That one starred Barbara Streisand and Chris Kristofferson in the leading roles. Truth be told, I loved this version so much, and it touched my heart to such an extent that I went to the cinema to see it at least six times (I was kind of a weird teenage boy in that Barbara Streisand was one of my favorite singers at the time).

Of course, this was when movie tickets weren’t $12 a pop. Now, it wasn’t all that unusual that I saw this numerous times because when I was a teen and up until my early 20s, I often would go to the movies to see a film that I liked six or seven (or more) times. These days, however, I usually only see a film once as there are so many available that I want to see.

However, these two versions were not the only ones of the film. The original film was released in 1937 and starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, and interestingly, Dorothy Parker wrote the screenplay. The film was then redone in 1954 and starred Judy Garland and James Mason. I haven’t seen either of them, but I would like to. I’ve always meant to at least see the Judy Garland version but never seemed to have gotten around to it. I’ve also heard it said that the 1937 version is absolutely brilliant, the best of all of them. So now I’m a tad tempted to see the other two and to compare all four versions.

Maybe that’ll be a fun project for winter.

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Mary Poppins Anyone?

By Roger Hyttinen / January 5, 2019

There’s been a lot of Mary Poppins in my life recently.

A friend and cinema-buddy of mine is a huge…and I mean HUGE…fan of Disney movies. This meant that he would no doubt drag me to see the new Mary Poppins movie, Mary Poppins Returns.

Now I don’t mind Disney films. In fact, I quite enjoy them. There was only one problem with me going to see the new Mary Poppins film. Only one. And that is….I had never seen the original Mary Poppins movie (GASP!). Yes, it’s true.

I was a Mary Poppins virgin.

So when I informed my friend about this little-known tidbit, he immediately suggested we rent the original (1964) movie and watch it together. So we did.

And I absolutely loved it! Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were both phenomenal and it was quite a magnificent movie for its time. The acting was excellent, the songs were catchy and it was a visually enjoyable movie. If you, by some chance, haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. It is quite an impressive film.

So now that I had an original Mary Poppins under my belt, I was ready to witness her return on the big screen. So we went to see the new movie starring Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins and while it was good, it wasn’t quite the same. That initial magic just wasn’t quite there. I thought that Blunt was a lot more serious, more no-nonsense and a lot sterner than Julie Andrews’s vision of Poppins. She felt a tad distant and unapproachable to me – almost cold, actually.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did enjoy the movie and would give it a solid B. I found it interesting how the plot paralleled the first film. That being said, I enjoyed the storyline and the cinematography. The songs were okay though they weren’t as catchy and memorable as those in the first film. After we had rented the first film, I had those damn songs stuck in my head for days (especially “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”).

So do I think the movie is worth seeing? Yes, as long as you don’t expect it to be as good as the first one. But of course, that is my own opinion. Perhaps I was biased given that I saw the first film only a week before this one and it was still fresh in my mind.

But regardless, Mary Poppins Returns is a solid, entertaining film that I’m glad I saw.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

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Review of Jupiter Ascending

By Roger Hyttinen / February 11, 2015

The other night I went to see Jupiter Ascending, a movie that I hadn’t heard all that much about. Truth be told, I didn’t have high expectations for the film given most blockbusters don’t typically open in February. I was pleasantly surprised however and found the film to a fun and satisfying sci-fi adventure.

The Story

Jupiter Ascending tells the story of Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), a young unassuming Chicago maid who becomes the target of the Abraxis family, a powerful and ruthless monarchy from a distant galaxy. On the verge of being killed by one of their hitmen, she is rescued by Caine (Channing Tatum), a dangerous genetically engineered lycantant wearing flying boots, who swoops in just in the nick of time and whisks her off to safety. Thus begins her adventure. She is subsequently kidnapped and taken to another planet where she eventually, she learns the royal family’s horrible secret – a secret that threatens not only her life but the entire human race. She also discovers that she is not the simple woman she originally thought but is much, much more.

In this action-filled space opera, we learn of an entirely different reality – an alternative universe with technology advanced enough to create human-like lifeforms from animal DNA such as Caine (wolf) and Stinger (bee) as well as the ability to live milleniums without aging. But as we learn in the film, such technology comes at a steep price.

The plot is akin to a classic sci-fi fairytale – it’s the good guys against the bad guy and for the most part and it worked – although I felt that the story did get a bit bogged down at times by especially lenthy fight scenes.

The Performances

Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum gave, in my humble opinion, excellent performances and the chemistry between them worked well on the screen. Given that the two main characters are easy on the eyes, it’s not surprising that we saw several scenes featuring a shirtless Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis in skimpy, revealing outfits.

As the central character, Mila Kunis did an excellent job of portraying Jupiter Jones – a normal everyday girl who is forced by elements out of her control into a situation for which she was completely unprepared. Her character was likeable, sometimes sassy but always engaging. Likewise, I felt that Channing Tatum was quite convincing in the role of the heroic and athletic Caine, as was Sean Bean who played the role of Stinger, Caine’s rugged and reliable former comrade-in-arms.

The antagonists in the movie stood out due to their stellar performances – the enigmatic Abraxis family. Handsome and talented Douglas Booth played the hedonistic and shrewd Titus with expertise. Tuppence Middleton (seen recently in “The Imitation Game”) was quite evoquative in her portrayal of the extremely vain and eternally-youthful Kalique and Eddie Redmayne (who recently protrayed Steven Hawking in “The Theory of Everything”) gave an over-the-top performance in his portrayal of Balem, the power-hungry main antagonist. While his larger-than-life chilling performance as a vilian was effective, I found the back and forth between him whispering..and then shouting…and then whispering again a bit strange and off-kilter.

Breathtaking Visuals

Spaceship fights, explosions, flying boots, hoverboards, buildings blowing up, impressive new worlds, breathtaking cities, edge-of-your-seat chase scenes – there was no lack of eye candy in this fast-paced film. The visual effects as well as the CGI in the movie were top notch and eye-catching. Visually, this film was beautiful. While watching it, I regretted not being able to see it on our local theater’s super-large Ultra Screen because the effects were simply amazing.

Verdict

Jupiter Ascending was simply a fun movie! Though a tad over the top at times, the premise of film was believable and well-developed. The setting was breathtaking, the acting excellent and the exciting actions scenes got my blood racing and I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat. There were funny moments, riveting moments as well as moving, heartfelt scenes (the scenes with Jupiter and her family as well as several tender scenes between Jupiter and Caine come to mind).

If you enjoy fun sci-fi adventures or action films with a touch of humor – and perhaps a bit of tongue-in-cheek as well, then Jupiter Ascending is definitely worth a view. Recommended!

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Dracula Untold – The Origins of Count Dracula

By Roger Hyttinen / October 14, 2014

I’m a sucker for a vampire movie, especially one having to do with our not-so-friendly Count Dracula. When I was a kid, I saw all of the Dracula movies with Bela Lugosi, Jack Palance, Christopher Lee and others. I subscribed to the monthly comic book “The Tomb of Dracula” and later on, the short-lived Dracula Magazine entitled “Dracula Lives”.

But there was always something missing – and that was the origin story of our Count. Nobody ever delved into his past, what he was like before he became a vampire. Not until now, that is. Needless to say, I was excited when I heard that the new film directed by Gary Shore, Dracula Untold was just that – the story of how and why Vlad Tepes became a vampire.

Truth be told, I was a tad hesitant because some of the reviews I’d read were on the lukewarm side. I personally loved the film and felt that the writers came up with a very good Dracula origin story.

The Story

In the 15th century, Vlad Tepes, played by Luke Evans, and Vlad’s young family live in Transylvania, where he rules as a Prince. We learn that as a child, he was given to the Turkish Sultan and was tortured, trained and then forced to kill in the sultan’s army, during which he became known as Vlad the Impaler. Given his freedom, he has been allowed many years of peace between the two kingdoms.

Then one day, things turn to hell. Messengers from the new Sultan, played by Dominic Cooper, turn up and demand a thousand boys – including Vlad’s own son – for the Turkish army. Vlad refuses, knowing that this decision will ultimately lead to war between the two kingdoms – with the enormous Turkish army and Vlad’s non-existent army.

Out of desperation, the kind-hearted prince Vlad makes a decision with a dark and ancient supernatural force in order to protect his kingdom…and we all know how that turns out.

The Acting

I couldn’t think anyone more suited for this role than Luke Evans. Dracula Untold is not a happy film and Evans’s dark and brooding yet sophisticated portrayal of Dracula was more than impressive. The prince’s struggle to protect his kingdom and his family – and his willingness to tamper with a terrible, dark power in order to do so was brilliantly portrayed, as was his transformation from hero to anti-hero.

During the movie I sympathized with the prince’s plight – and cringed as the situation worsened for him. Evans’s performance was not only believable, it was smooth and brilliant, and I felt that he was the perfect embodiment of the character of Vlad Tepes. He also did an excellent job at balancing his human and monster characteristics.

The chemistry between Vlad and his wife, played by Sarah Gadon, was outstanding as well and added a touch of sweet romance to this otherwise dark, angsty tale.

What We Didn’t Get

Many people who were disappointed in this film expected a classic vampire story, complete with the maniacal count drinking blood and attacking young maidens.

This was not the purpose of the film. This is not a vampire film. This is not even a horror film. Rather, it portrays the agonizing decision that Vlad had to make in order to protect his kingdom – and the price he had to pay for such a decision. It was about one man’s transformation from being good…. to being…not quite so good.

While the battle scenes were brutal, they were not gory. There was very little bloodletting and needless gruesome violence. That’s not what this film was about. Rather, it’s an origin story of the infamous Count Dracula, how he lost everything to save his kingdom and the ultimate sacrifice he had to make to save his family.

The Visuals

The story was dark as were the visuals (alas, no sparkly vampires here!). The effects were quite good however (loved the bats!), with the battle scenes appearing realistic without unnecessary gore. Rather, the director took an artistic approach to this film leading to some quite stunning visuals.

I felt this reboot of the Dracula story was beautifully executed with the visuals successfully drawing in the audience into the story. The film’s pace was perfect, with a nice mix of action scenes and slower, contemplative scenes.

The Verdict

Loved it! This stylish, well-plotted, innovative film was a delight to watch and provided a fresh perspective on Vlad the Impaler aka Count Dracula. This original story reinvents the evil Count Dracula as a tragic hero who loved and lost, a tale of hope versus despair. All in all, I felt it was an excellent story and left me wanting more.

The ending of the movie left an opening for a sequel so perhaps we will get more. If so, I’ll be first in line.