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The Munsters (2022)
Turn your TV to Black and White (The Way Zombie Intended)
The first thing I want to say about this film is this is in the same spirit at the TV Series. I don't know if people remember it with rose tinted glasses and forget it's a low budget, heavily stylized, lots of make up and prosthetics. It wasn't a deep allegorical commentary on our society like Star Trek.
Second point, Rob Zombie wanted to film this in BLACK and WHITE. Universal wouldn't let him. They refused to find the project unless he did it in color. So the heavy green and purple lighting was an artistic choice he did to make up for the colorization because he felt if this took place in the real world, it wouldn't look right. So please, find the "color" settings on your TV and crank it down to "0" and watch it the way it was intended. It looks amazing in black and white. The harsh colors become well lit faces and objects. It gives it the right "feeling".
Final point, this is a family comedy. To those complaining about the jokes and dialogue, to watch a "Family" movie made by Disney, Sony, or WB in 2022. This is like the "Godfather" by comparison. Not to compare, but put it next to "Hocus Pocus 2" on Disney+... at least this was intentionally corny. I feel they actually tried and failed with the latter film.
All in all I'm giving this an 8/10. The production designs are next level. The cast looks like they are enjoying the hell out of making this, especially Herman Munster and Igor. It is exactly what a Munsters remake should be, not a modernized 2022 version with a fresh coat of paint, and allegorical plots about modern problems we face in the U. S. and a reflection of our political ideals. It's just a fun, entertaining Halloween gem. My 12 year old son loved it, we had a blast watching it.
Snow Steam Iron (2017)
WB Doesn't Deserve Zack Snyder
I'll start with my review of this short film. It's very noir in it's style and disturbing in it's imagery. Shouldn't art stick with you? Cut you emotionally? That's what Snyder does, he makes art not entertainment. It can be both if you have the taste for it. This revenge plot 'feels' deep, the pain our hero endures is raw. It stings. She exacts her revenge, or is it her only way to survive? I interpret the catfish as a prisoner. A fish out of water. She couldn't live that way anymore, she can either let the world kill her, or she can take control and go out her own way, much like his daughter's suicide. I'm sure there's a parallel here.
As far as Snyder's work at WB. Every time he makes a "Director's Cut" its infinely superior to the studio cut. WB didn't deserve this artist. He needs a studio that will let him spread his wings. Snyder doesn't need 100M dollars of VFX. He lives in the wrong time. He did this with practical effects and no money with an iPhone. Snyder doesn't make films to entertain you, he's making art that will last. I've seen all the MCU films once and never remember them or watch them again, they don't stay in my mind days later. Snyder's films cut your soul and whether you hate them or love them, you don't forget them. That's art.
DuckTales (2017)
Woo-oo! This is how you Reboot! (Spoilers)
The small details, Scrooge McDuck is so cheap he still uses a flip-phone. The cameo of Roxanne, Max's Girlfriend from "A Goofy Movie" the heart of the story is the same.
They've updated the boys to give them a more modern "feel" which is how you connect with the kids. Huey, Dewey, and Luey are the characters kids see the show through, so you give them modern cartoon humor. Scrooge McDuck and Donald are the same (which is who the adults are watching through). The adventure in the first episode is witty, there is actual depth. Instead of pure adventure, you see Dewey early on overhearing Scrooge say family is nothing but trouble, then in part two we see Dewey try and get past the booby traps alone. He's learning to trust his uncle, and his uncle learns to teach the boys, rather than just let them tag along.
The humor for adults and kids are on point. Adults who grew up with "Ducktales" (1987- 1990) and kids today will love it and watch it together.