Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Film Strip: Outcry against ‘Jem’; ‘Last Witch Hunter’ Might be Last

TV series Jem and the Holograms.
TV series Jem and the Holograms.

*”Jem and the Holograms” have totally missed the boat” and left a generation of “Hologram” fans still waiting to see their 80s icons favorably portrayed on the big screen.

For starters, the animated TV series had a mysterious and mystic side to it, duh—the hologram—that was completely dismissed by the filmmakers. Jerrica Benton, when she wanted, could always be whisked into Synergy’s AI world of Jem and perform with her Holograms.

In “Jem and the Holograms,” Synergy is reduced to a puzzle solving, fawning daddy dearest machine that portrays her father as only loving and showering affection on Jem and totally dismissing his younger daughter.

Besides all the plot holes, and nothing really noteworthy about the project, there is the insidious casting. The old adage “the more things change, the more they remain the same,” could not be more true than here. Whatever happened to the black Hologram? Obviously not adhering to Shana’s original depiction. Read more on this subject at: https://madamenoire.com/423678/hollywood-whitewashing-jem-holograms/  and https://www.refinery29.com/2015/10/95337/black-actresses-casting-jem-and-the-holograms#.90yesq:uB1P

Jem and the Holograms in recently released film.
Jem and the Holograms in recently released film.

The film stars Audrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau and Hayley Kioyoko.

Also opening this week is “The Last Witch Hunter,” and it may well be the last. It is another lackluster movie that fails to move, with a questionable storyline. Witch Hunter Kaulder (Vin Diesel) killed the all-powerful Witch Queen and she cursed him with immortality. Some would love to kill for that kind of curse and consider it a blessing.

But wait! She isn’t dead. The Witch Queen has been resurrected and she wants to take back her curse. Not frightening at all, the Witch Queen just looks nasty and muddy. Elijah Wood and Sir Michael Caine try to help mesh out this story, but it’s to no avail.

Opening in wide release is “Steve Jobs.” A story about a brilliant man happens to also be a brilliant film. What works most here is not so much the man Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender), but his relationship with Joanna Hoffman (Kate Winslet). The narrative is enhanced with performances by Jeff Daniels, Seth Rogen, and being under the helm of Danny Boyle.

If you want to get your scare on, check out “Crimson Peak.” Guillermo del Toro is once again responsible for a reign of terror that, this time, is in the form of ghostly mansion called “Crimson Peak.” For more on “Crimson Peak” check out these links: https://eurweb.com/2015/10/the-film-strip-going-to-the-dark-side-in-crimson-peak-took-a-toll-on-jessica-chastain/  and https://eurweb.com/2015/10/the-film-strip-master-of-the-macabre-and-crimson-peak-says-humans-are-the-real-horrors/

Leaving “Bridge of Spies” the opinion is that Steven Spielberg can do no wrong. Who would think that a film about an American attorney who negotiates the release of a U-2 spy plane shot down over Russia at the height of the Cold War could keep audiences transfixed to the screen and engaged in the narrative, but this is the case. You can never go wrong with a great story, impeccable writing and a fantastic cast. Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, and Amy Ryan star.

Syndicated Entertainment journalist Marie Moore reports on film and TV from her New York City base. Contact her at [email protected]

 

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