Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! was a hit Broadway musical featuring the music of Swedish musical group ABBA. In 2008 a film version of the hit show was released theatrically. It became a Summer box office smash hit over night. A decade later, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (2018), a sequel to the first hit film, sometimes called: Mamma Mia! 2, was released. Below are the reviews for the two films.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

C – 108m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! The Movie
Dir.: Phyllida Lloyd
Writer (Music Book and Script): Catherine Johnson
Exec. Pro.: Tom Hanks, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Rita Wilson
Music by: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Heather Emmanuel, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

A bride to be tries to find her real father; featuring the songs of the hit 1970’s group ABBA. Arguably the feel good movie of 2008! The film was a box office smash and it is easy to see why. Streep, Seyfried and the rest of the cast are in fine form and the music is fun. Note: Notice the music swells when Brosnan sings. 

Trivia:

Pierce Brosnan signed onto the film knowing only that Meryl Streep was set to star and that it would be filmed in Greece. The cast members performed their own singing. Streep recorded the vocals for her rendition of, “The Winner Takes It All,” in one take. The, “Slipping Through My Fingers,” song scene features Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried laughing in a short clip. The crew blasted heavy metal music to get that footage. At the start of, ‘Dancing Queen,” the mirror next to Streep’s bed features Seyfried’s professional head shot and at the end of, “Our Last Summer,” Streep is holding a real baby picture of Seyfried. Several scenes such as “I Have A Dream,” were shot during the day but changed to evening or night in post–production. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya but turned it down. She would go on to be in the sequel film: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018). And: The Colin Firth line, “I’m Bright, Harry Bright,” is a spoof of the, “Bond, James Bond,” line in the 007 films; hence his delivery of it next to Pierce Brosnan.

Golden Globe nominee for: Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Meryl Streep.

Followed by: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018).
Rated: [PG–13] – Some Sex Related Comments
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! 2
Idea Originally Conceived By: Judy Craymer
Based On The Music By: Catherine Johnson
Story By: Richard Curtis, Ol Parker and Catherine Johnson
Screenplay By: Ol Parker
Exec. Prod.s: Benny Andersson, Richard Curtis, Tom Hanks and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Dir.: Ol Parker
Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Cher, Julie Walters, Jeremy Irvine, Andy Garcia, Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
Music By: Benny Andersson, Anne Dudley and Bjorn Ulvaeus

Sophie learns about her mother’s past while pregnant herself. This was a step down from the mega hit a decade earlier. It is contrived to say the least and it shows in the “story” of the film. However the songs are fun, the cast is fantastic and the visual and audio aesthetics are perfect. So why complain too much. The stronger acting is done by the now seasoned actors: Streep, Seyfried, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Firth, Baranski, Walters, Garcia, Cher and Cooper, but the actors playing the younger versions of Streep, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Baranski, Firth and Walters show great promise. Pierce Brosnan performs a particularly touching scene in the film when he quietly warbles S.O.S. while looking at a picture of the younger Streep character. This may not be the caliber of the first one, and at that may still be of little to no interest of some people, but if given a chance, there is still a spark of warmth to it that a lot of films, released around the time of this one, don’t have. For that reason alone, it is worth watching.

Trivia:

This film was released exactly 10 years after the first one. Meryl Streep (Donna in this film series) filmed all her scenes in one week. Julie Walters was given a day off from the Shepperton Studios filming in November 2017 so she could attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she was made a Dame Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Cher, who played Meryl Streep’s mother and Amanda Seyfried’s grandmother in this film, was actually only 3 years older than Meryl Streep. ABBA member, Bjorn Ulvaeus, makes a cameo during the number: “When I kissed The Teacher”. ABBA member Benny Andersson appears as a University Chancellor during young Donna’s graduation. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya in the first film but turned it down. A decade later she took a role in this film. Cher also handpicked Andy Garcia to play Fernando out of a bunch of selected actors. The film choreographer is the same choreographer who worked with the traveling Mamma Mia! North American Farewell Tour. The reveal of Bill Anderson’s twin was referenced in the first film with the line: “You’re not going to tell me you have a twin sister, are you?”

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Suggestive Material
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Post (2017 / 2018)

The Post (2017/2018)

C – 116m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Untitled Steven Spielberg Pentagon Papers, The Pentagon Papers, The Papers, ‘Nor’Easter
Pro. – Dir.: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Michael Devine, Walter Cronkite, Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy.
Music By: John Williams

A cover–up spanning four presidents drive the first female paper publisher and her editor to fight the war between the government and the press. This reviewer must say up front that this film has the same issue as Steven Spielberg’s Bridge Of Spies (2015) in that the first half hour or so of dialogue is useless to the story. Unlike Spies, this one recovers nicely and delivers the goods over–all. Performances are good and the script, pertaining to the main story – sans the first half hour or so deviation, is well plotted. This film was nominated for six Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Steven Spielberg, Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, Best Original Score – John Williams and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Meryl Streep. It also won the AFI Award for Best Film Of The Year. One trivia note: Meryl Streep adlibbed the line, “Glad I never have to go through this again.”

Rated: [PG–13] – Language & Brief War Violence
Available on 4K Blu–ray, Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Manchurian Candidate (1962 & 2004)

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

B&W – 126m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen (MGM Blu–ray) / 1.75:1 – Widescreen (Original Depending on Source & Criterion Collection Format)
Novel By: Richard Condon
Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Dir.: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Henry Silva, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, Lloyd Corrigan, Paul Frees and Colin Kenny.

A former prisoner of war (POW) is brainwashed to be an unwitting assassination in an international Communist conspiracy. Arguably one of the best political thrillers of all time this film holds up splendidly many years after its original release. The wonderful talent on both sides of the camera, are to be praised for this achievement. The film is haunting and heart racing never letting up.

Trivia: Frank Sinatra broke the little finger of his right hand during a fight scene with Henry Silva. Due to the film schedule he was not able to get it bandaged and allow for time for it to heal. As such it was never set properly and was crooked for the rest of his life, often causing him discomfort. Most of the scenes involving Frank Sinatra are from the first take. Only if there were something that went wrong with a take, would an alternant take be used. And finally: It has been widely reported over the years that Frank Sinatra requested that this film be withdrawn from circulation after the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) along with his other political assassination thriller, The Manchurian Candidate (1962). The Sinatra family went through great lengths to make it known that Frank Sinatra made no such request. However, the films were out of circulation for many years. It was discovered in the 1980’s that Sinatra had the legal right to restore them to public circulation (see his interview with Larry King for more details), and they were.  

Oscar® nominated for: Best Supporting Actress – Angela Lansbury and Best Film Editing. Angela Lansbury got a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her performance. John Frankenheimer was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Director.

Rated: [NOT RATED] – Original Release
[PG–13] – Rerelease Rating
This is Out Of Print on VHS but available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through MGM. It is also available on Blu–ray and DVD through The Criterion Collection.

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

C – 129m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Novel By: Richard Condon
Original Screenplay By: George Axelrod
Screenplay By: Daniel Pyne and Dean Georgaris
Dir.: Jonathan Demme
Producers: Jonathan Demme and Tina Sinatra
Starring: Jeffry Wright, Anthony Mackie, Dorian Missick, Denzel Washington, Live Schreiber, Bill Irwin, Kimberly Elise, Al Franken, Jon Voight, Meryl Streep, Roger Corman, Zeljko Ivanek, Ann Dowd, Obba Babatunde, Harry Northup, Sakina Jaffrey, Simon McBurney, Charles Napier, Vera Farmiga, Dean Stockwell, Miguel Ferrer, Tracey Walter and Sidney Lumet.

In the midst of the Gulf War soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed via chips in their heads for sinister purposes. This reviewer must admit outright that upon seeing this film in the theater he was repulsed by it. Upon viewing it years later, the film is actually a smart updating of the classic, though it holds no candle to the original. Fine performances by the talents on screen here, and Jonathan Demme was in good form as a director. Worth a look, if only for comparison’s sake…

Trivia: Jane Fonda turned down the role originally played by Angela Lansbury, Meryl Streep here, because she didn’t want her Hollywood comeback to be as a villainess. Though many believe Meryl Streep was playing Hillary Clinton here, she cites: Peggy Noonan, Condoleezza Rice and Dick Cheney. And finally: Brian De Palma was considered as a director for this film. 

Rated: [R] – Violence & Some Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Danny Collins (2015) & Ricki And The Flash (2015)

Danny Collins (2015)

C. – 106m
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 - Widescreen
A.K.A.: Imagine, Idol
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer, Katarina Cas, Melissa Benoist, Josh Peck and Scott Lawrence.

An aged Rocker’s manager finds a letter to his client from John Lennon and shares it with his client. The rocker then decides to reconnect with his family. Inspired by a true story, this film is not exactly a feel good film but it has an interesting story. What it lacks in subplot plot points it makes up for with heart and good performances. This film should be on a double bill with the very similar film Ricki And The Flash (2015).

Trivia: Al Pacino agreed to do the movie but only if Bobby Cannavale played his son in the film. Originally Sir Michael Caine was cast in the role of the manager but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. And in a deleted scene Gene Simmons taught a group of background actors how to sing backup vocals.

Rated: [R] – Language, Drug Use & Some Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ricki And The Flash (2015)

C. – 101m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ricki & The Flash
Dir.: Jonathan Demme. Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield, Ben Platt and Diablo Cody.

An aged rocker who is in a complicated relationship moves in with her ex-husband temporarily to help her daughter get back on her feet during her divorce after finding her just married husband cheating on her. While the premise sounds depressing, the film is actually intelligent, funny and moving. The material brings Diablo Cody back into the swing of things after her 2013 clunker, Paradise (2013). Everyone is in top form form here! Would be good on a double bill with the similar Danny Collins (2015).

Trivia: Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer are mother and daughter in real life too. This was Jonathan Demme’s final film before his death in 2017.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material, Brief Drug Content, Sexuality & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.