Tag: Steven Spielberg

‘West Side Story’ is reborn better than before | movie review
West Side Story gets an update from Steven Spielberg with Rachel Ziegler and Ariana DeBose taking over the iconic roles of Anita and Maria in this classic musical

Steven Spielberg remakes the 1961 film West Side Story with (mostly) new stars, new screenplay, and a fresh take on the classic. Featuring star is born performances by Ariana DeBose and Rachel Ziegler, this new version may even surpass the original.

Steven Spielberg took on two daunting tasks with his version of West Side Story. First, as a remake of a movie many consider to be one of the best ever made — it also has ten Oscars to back it up. Second, as a movie musical. An art that many of tried and nearly just as many have failed at producing in our modern age (*head slowly turns to Dear Evan Hansen*). Yet somehow he succeeds on both fronts and simultaneously delivers his best movie in years.

The original 1961 film, which was co-directed by the director of the stage version Jerome Robbins, feels like it’s adapting a stage musical to the screen. The staging, even on the streets of New York, feels like musical staging in three dimensions. Spielberg has a grander vision for his new version. Rather than feeling tied to one “stage,” Spielberg allows numbers to cut and move and take up the entire world rather than just one small part of it.

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A perfect example is the restaged “America,” inarguably the most iconic song and number. In the original, Anita, played by Rita Moreno who returns in a new role in this version, dances on the rooftop along with the Sharks and their girls in choreography that honors Robbins’ original vision. The camera is simply there to caption the action.

In this new version, Anita takes to the streets. She weaves through the city, into traffic, through stores, surrounded by onlookers who are just as much a part of the number as the dancers. It’s a grand old Hollywood musical number elevated by the new cinematic language — the camera cuts and pans and stays ahead of the action as much as it follows it. It also helps that our new Anita Ariana DeBose delivers the number with as much, if not more, high-flying feisty energy as Moreno.

And that goes for the film as a whole. While the 1961 version is clean and polished, Spielberg infuses the story which much-needed grit that is appropriate for 50s era New York. The new sensual and dark energy makes this tragedy all the more tragic while still maintaining the hyper-stylized magic needed of a musical.

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Spielberg uses moments of surrealism like the lights dimming when Maria and Tony lock eyes for the first time in a way that blurs movie and musical without completely alienating those who might be more musical-averse in the audience. However, that doesn’t mean he shies away from extravagant over-the-top musical numbers. His staging of “Office Krupke,” which always felt like a dead spot in the original, feels like an intricate Broadway staging.

You’ll notice that I almost went through this entire review without talking about the leads of the story, but that’s because Maria and Tony have always been the least interesting part of West Side Story. However, Kushner’s screenplay recenters the story on Maria in a way that makes us buy the relationship. It helps that newcomer Rachel Ziegler gives a shining star is born performance despite her less-than-stellar costar.

West Side Story is a classic and depending on who you ask classics should not and cannot be touched. Spielberg and Kushner said, “hold my beer.” This revamped version proves that you can have reverence for your source material while updating with new cinematic sensibilities to create something that stands entirely on its own.

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Hey! I’m Karl. You can find me on Twitter and Letterboxd. I’m also a Tomatometer-approved critic.

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December 9, 2021
HBO Max: 10 Great Movies Now Streaming (July 2020)
Here is a running list of some of the best movies streaming on HBO Max this month!

From HBO originals to the DCEU to the Studio Ghibli back catalogue, HBO Max is a film geek’s haven. Here are some of the best movies streaming this month.

Ad Astra (2019)

Here’s what it’s about: Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) goes on a cross-solar system mission in search of his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) to prevent the destruction of the planet.

Why you should watch it: Although its premise sounds like an action-packed sci-fi epic, Ad Astra is more of an internal journey. Director James Gray uses space travel—and all its dangers and unknowns—as a kind of therapy for Pitt’s character. As he explores space, he also explores his own morality and inner traumas.

Alien (1979)

What it’s about: Commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. However, after an encounter with a mysterious alien egg, they find themselves fighting for survival aboard their ship.

Why you should watch it: A masterclass in horror and suspense, Alien remains one of the best science fiction and horror movies ever made. In addition to its lived-in vision of space travel, director Ridley Scott created a cast of iconic characters led by Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley. She is still one of cinema’s great heroes.

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Blood Simple (1984)

Here’s what it’s about: Marty (Dan Hedaya) suspects his wife Abby (Frances McDormand) and his employee Ray (John Getz) are having an affair arranges to have them killed. However, after a series of misunderstandings chaos ensues.

Why you should watch it: The directorial debut of lauded director duo The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple is simply one of the best first features ever made. A western neo-noir filled with suspense and the Coens’ famous dark humor, its tight plotting and rhythmic pacing make it an entertaining breeze of a watch.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Here’s what it’s about: Based on a true story. Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is just 19, but has already been a Pan-Am pilot, doctor, and attorney. He’s also the world’s greatest con man. But FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is on his trail.

Why you should watch it: The directorial debut of lauded director duo The Coen Brothers, Blood Simple is simply one of the best first features ever made. A western neo-noir filled with suspense and the Coens’ famous dark humor, its tight plotting and rhythmic pacing make it an entertaining breeze of a watch.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Here’s what it’s about: On her 13th birthday, young witch Kiki ventures out to find a town to complete her training. However, when she settles on a town, she learns that fitting in isn’t as easy as it seems.

Why you should watch it: Kiki’s Delivery Service is quintessential Hayao Miyazaki. He hides complex coming-of-age themes in a fantastical, entertaining, and heartwarming narrative that uses its lack of stakes and adversity as a point of strength and hope.

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The Nice Guys (2016)

Here’s what it’s about: A down-on-his-luck private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is hired to investigate the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles. Along the way, he crosses paths with muscle-for-hire Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe). Together, they uncover a deeper conspiracy that takes them through the LA criminal underbelly.

Why you should watch it: Director and writer Shane Black has a very specific sense of humor. It’s sharp, a little bit dark, a little bit silly, but it always catches you off guard. The banter between Gosling’s March and Crowe’s Healy is already reason enough to watch it. It’s the classic odd couple dynamic that’s amplified by both actors’ performances. Gosling, in particular, is a riot as a bumbling alcoholic that can never seem to catch a break. Plus, no other actor can scream or fall as hilariously as Gosling.

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

What it’s about: Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and his best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) are struggling through the transition from silent films to talkies in Hollywood. Especially since his on-screen co-star Lina (Jean Hagen) has a shrill voice. With the help of Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), they make movie magic.

Why you should watch it: Watching Singin’ in the Rain is like the feeling of a warm embrace of a memory—even if you never watched it before. Filled with bright and brassy musical numbers, hilariously memorable characters, and a Hollywood ending like no other, it’s easily one of the most delightful movies ever made.

Unfriended (2015)

Here’s what it’s about: Six friends gather for a video call on the anniversary of a classmate’s suicide. When they receive a message from her from the grave, a sinister game begins.

Why you should watch it: Unfriended is a movie I believe we’ll look back on and see an underrated horror classic. Taking the classic slasher format and giving it a modern update by making the setting a skype conversation on a laptop screen, it gives us the spooks and scares we crave by turning our mundane everyday lives into a horror movie. [Full review]

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More movies, less problems
Hey! I’m Karl. You can find me on Twitter and Letterboxd. I’m also a Tomatometer-approved critic.

💌 Sign up for our weekly email newsletter with movie recommendations available to stream.

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July 8, 2020