Disney’s Snow White
Disney’s Snow White: A Live-Action Remake Embroiled in Controversy
Disney’s latest live-action remake of its iconic 1937 animated classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, has been mired in controversy. The casting of Rachel Zegler, an actress of Colombian heritage, as Snow White sparked backlash from some quarters, with critics objecting to the departure from the traditional depiction of the character. Zegler faced further criticism for her comments on the original film, describing the prince as a “stalker,” which some fans found disrespectful.
Additionally, Peter Dinklage criticized the portrayal of dwarves in the original story, calling it “backwards.” The remake’s decision to replace the dwarves with CGI characters has also been met with skepticism, with some critics, like Stuart Heritage, panning the design as “arguably the ugliest thing ever committed to screen.”
Despite these challenges, the remake boasts new songs by acclaimed composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a screenplay co-written by Greta Gerwig, known for her work on Barbie. This modern take on the classic fairy tale could potentially strike gold, offering a fresh perspective that appeals to both old and new audiences. The film is set to hit international cinemas on March 21.
Death of a Unicorn
If you’re a fan of twisty satirical thrillers set in the exclusive worlds of the super-rich and eccentric, A24 has two intriguing offerings this month. Death of a Unicorn, starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, takes a darkly comedic turn when a car crash in a nature reserve reveals that unicorns are real, and their magical properties are highly sought after. The wealthy family involved, including Richard E. Grant and Téa Leoni, becomes obsessed with exploiting these properties, leading to a chaotic and absurd series of events.
Meanwhile, Opus, releasing on March 14 in the US, follows Ayo Edebiri as a young journalist who uncovers the dark secrets behind the mysterious return of a reclusive rock star, played by John Malkovich. This film blends horror with pop elements, creating a thrilling “psychosocial game of cat and mouse.” Death of a Unicorn will hit US theaters on March 28 and UK theaters on April 4
Black Bag
Steven Soderbergh Returns with “Black Bag,” a Gripping Spy Thriller
Just two months after the release of his previous film, Presence, the prolific director Steven Soderbergh is back with Black Bag, a spy thriller penned by David Koepp, the acclaimed screenwriter behind Jurassic Park. The film stars Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as a sophisticated British couple who lead double lives as secret agents. Their seemingly perfect marriage is put to the test when the wife is accused of treason, forcing the husband to navigate a complex web of loyalty and deception.
Soderbergh conceptualized Black Bag by imagining a spy thriller version of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, where George and Martha are intelligence operatives. “I thought it might be interesting to make Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, but with George and Martha in the intelligence community,” he explained. “What would that be like? So it’s a very specific take on people in the intelligence business with complex personal and emotional lives.”
The film boasts an impressive cast, including Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, and two former James Bond regulars, Pierce Brosnan and Naomie Harris. Black Bag is set to hit international cinemas on March 14, promising a thrilling ride filled with intrigue and suspense.
The Alto Knights
“The Alto Knights” Brings a Legendary Team to the World of 1950s Mob Rivalries
In the gripping crime thriller The Alto Knights, director Barry Levinson (Bugsy) and screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas) join forces to tell the story of two Italian-American mob bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, who evolve from close friends to bitter enemies in the tumultuous underworld of 1950s New York. The film boasts an impressive cast, with Robert De Niro taking on the dual role of both Costello and Genovese, thanks to clever prosthetic makeup that distinguishes the characters.
Levinson’s decision to cast De Niro in both roles was inspired by the idea that the two men were once inseparable, only to become sworn enemies. “As kids, they were very much the same,” Levinson explained. “Two guys were almost one, then they suddenly not only divide, but ultimately become enemies.” This unique casting choice offers viewers the rare treat of experiencing two De Niro performances in a single film.
The Alto Knights is set to premiere on March 21 in the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland, and Spain, promising a thrilling ride through the complex world of mid-century organized crime.
Mickey 17
Bong Joon Ho Returns with “Mickey 17,” a Sci-Fi Adventure Five Years After “Parasite”
It’s been five years since Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite swept the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. Now, the acclaimed Korean writer-director is back with Mickey 17, an English-language science fiction caper based on Edward Ashton’s novel. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey, a lowly laborer on a spaceship bound for an ice planet in 2054. Mickey’s existence is marked by frequent death, but he is always “reprinted” with his memories and personality intact.
However, the story takes a dramatic turn when a mistake leads to two different incarnations of Mickey being alive simultaneously. Critics have offered mixed reviews. David Ehrlich of IndieWire praises Mickey 17 as Bong’s “best and most cohesive English-language film,” describing it as a “wry, delightful, and resoundingly sweet mega-budget space adventure.” Conversely, the BBC’s Hugh Montgomery found it to be a “serious disappointment,” highlighting the film’s lack of coherence despite its ambitious themes and performances.
CHAOS: The Manson Murders
Unraveling the Dark Legacy of Charles Manson: From Book to Documentary
The horrifying story of how Charles Manson brainwashed his followers to murder innocent people in 1969 has been told in many dramas and documentaries: Quentin Tarantino even included it in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood. But Chaos, a book by Tom O’Neill with Dan Piepenbring, argues that there is more to the story than the official version of events. According to Elisabeth Garber-Paul in Rolling Stone, the book ponders: “the links between one of America’s most notorious criminals and the government’s super-secretive mind-control program MKULTRA”, and asks some disturbing questions: “What explains the similarities between government funded, LSD-fueled mind-control experiments, and Manson’s techniques? And why were there so many people in his orbit who seemed to have ties to the CIA?” Now this investigation, which consumed 20 years of O’Neill’s life, serves as the basis of a documentary by Errol Morris, the legendary director of The Thin Blue Line, The Fog of War and The Pigeon Tunnel.
Released on 7 March on Netflix internationally
The Electric State
The Russo Brothers’ Latest Sci-Fi Epic: “The Electric State”
After collaborating on cinematic behemoths like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, directors Anthony and Joe Russo, along with writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, are back with a visually stunning science fiction film, The Electric State. Based on Simon Stålenhag’s illustrated novel, the movie is set in a dystopian alternate 1990s where humanity has emerged victorious in a war against robots. The remaining robots are confined to a desert exile known as the Exclusion Zone.
The film follows Millie Bobby Brown as a teenage orphan who embarks on a perilous journey across the Zone in search of her missing brother. She is joined by Chris Pratt, who plays a seasoned war veteran. However, the movie’s narrative diverges significantly from the original novel, which has left some fans of Stålenhag’s work disappointed. “Fan expectations are complicated,” Joe Russo noted in an interview with Digital Spy. “There are characters directly from the graphic novel and others that are entirely invented, inspired by it.”
The Electric State premieres on Netflix internationally on March 14, promising a thrilling ride through a hauntingly beautiful yet desolate world. Despite the creative liberties taken, the film remains a testament to the Russo brothers’ ability to craft visually stunning epics.
The Penguin Lessons
“The Penguin Lessons”: A Heartwarming Tale of Transformation
This month, The Penguin Lessons joins The Friend as one of two comedy dramas centered around the life-changing impact of an unexpected pet. Based on Tom Michell’s memoir, this poignant film is directed by Peter Cattaneo, known for his work on The Full Monty. Steve Coogan stars as Tom, a British teacher who takes what he believes will be a comfortable job at a boys’ school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1976. However, his plans are quickly derailed by two unforeseen challenges: the country is on the brink of a military coup, and he rescues a penguin covered in oil from a beach, only to find the bird won’t leave his side.
Despite the initial chaos, the penguin’s presence in Tom’s classroom surprisingly motivates his students, and it may just teach Tom a few valuable lessons about life. Isabella Soares of Collider praises the film, noting that Cattaneo’s latest project is “delightful and meaningful,” thanks to Coogan’s charming performance and the script’s ability to find humor amidst turmoil. The Penguin Lessons is set to release in the US on March 28, offering a heartwarming story of personal growth and transformation.
