Bored_Dragon

Prequel - origin story to the famous "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" from 1971 and its remake "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" from 2005. The positive aspects include the choice of actors and their performances (I wouldn't single out anyone in particular, as they're all good), and it's visually striking, although nowhere near as impressive as the one from 2005. But the script is mediocre at best, lazy, full of clichés, illogicalities, and loopholes, and, while probably good enough to hold the attention of children, I found the film on the verge of boring. Neither is the story of sufficient quality to carry two hours of film, nor are the visuals spectacular enough to cover up the flaws of the script. And the music isn't that great either. Listenable, watchable, and nothing more. While the original is remembered half a century after screening (and Depp's version deserved several rewatchings), I will forget this one by the weekend.

6/10.

Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles, then still married, filmed this classic noir not out of inspiration, but out of desperate necessity. Orson urgently needed a hefty sum to rescue the sinking theatrical production he was staging, so he struck a deal with the head of Columbia Pictures, offering to create a film in exchange for immediate financial relief. When a film is driven not by creative passion but by the cold motive of money, it shows-and such works rarely become masterpieces. Yet, with Orson Welles as screenwriter, director, and star, failure seems impossible. "The Lady from Shanghai" is good, but not great, and the only thing that really stands out is the final showdown in the mirror room, a cult scene that has been copied by many and turned into a cliché to this day. But back then, it was new and original, and it saved this achievement from falling into oblivion.

7/10.

A couple of years ago, I discovered the "Minuscule" series with my family, and we were instantly hooked. We devoured the five-minute episodes and replayed them countless times. Although the film retains all the characteristics of the series, almost ninety minutes is still a bit too much for something like this. The story and humor are somewhat stretched and diluted, and the overall impression is not as strong as when watching the short episodes.

Nevertheless, the adventures of our little friends are visually flawless. The combination of animated insects in the real environment is enchanting, and the sound effects are equally effective and often hilarious as in the series. Many moments in the film were clearly and unambiguously inspired by Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. As a fan of Tolkien and the film adaptation, recognizing the scenes was a great source of fun and nostalgia for me. All in all, highly recommended for all ages.

8/10.