Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Will Disney ruin our childhood with its adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time?

trailer review


If you read Madeleine L'Engle’s fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time as a child (or even as an adult for that matter), then chances are that your mind’s eye probably didn’t conjure up an image of Oprah Winfrey in a blonde wig whenever the character of Mrs Which appeared in the story. And if you were to come up with a fantasy casting for a movie adaptation of the 1962 classic, then, once again, blonde Oprah probably wouldn’t have been the first person you pictured in that role. But that, somehow, is exactly what we’re getting in the upcoming adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, Disney’s second film based on the popular children’s book (which was previously turned into a television film of the same name in 2003).

The story revolves around a young girl, Meg Murray (Storm Reid), who goes on a fantastical journey to search for her missing physicist father (Chris Pine). Along with her prodigious younger brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), and their friend Calvin (Levi Miller), the misfit Meg finds herself on a magical ride across the universe – powered by three astral beings, Mrs. Which (the aforementioned Oprah in all her majesty), Mrs. Whatsit (an instantly winsome Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Who (a less convincing Mindy Kaling) – to unravel the mystery of her father’s disappearance.

First impressions based on the trailer? Decidedly mixed.

The most striking and instantly noticeable thing about this project, of course, is the diversity of both the talent in front of and behind the camera. The cast is wonderfully diverse; it’s especially nice to see a young black girl lead the ensemble. Plus the film reportedly makes director Ava DuVernay the first woman of colour to direct a blockbuster with a $100 million plus production budget, and with the praise she has received for her work so far – particularly for the film Selma (2014) and the documentary 13th (2016) – it does feel like she has the talent to bring this enchanting tale to cinematic life.

On the other hand though, it seems a little too much like The Chronicles of Narnia meets Tomorrowland by way of Alice in Wonderland. And the few glimpses the trailer has given us of the film don’t dissuade the concerns that the story may have been overly Disney-fied and turned into a bright, CGI-drenched fantasy escapade where the adults look like they’re dressed for cosplay.

One thing’s for sure though: this isn’t what most of us pictured when we thought of the film adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time. Whether that’s a good thing or not … we’ll just have to wait till March 2018 to find out.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blogs - 22nd November, 2017 *

Friday, November 17, 2017

The immaculate cat

cover story

Fluffy, king of the garden
Cats are awesome, and they know it. They are so amazing, in fact, that they were even worshipped as deities in ancient cultures (and if you’ve ever met a cat, then you know this historic divine status is something that the feline has never forgotten). But popularity breeds haters, and that is exactly what has happened in the case of these magnificent furry creatures. There are some misguided – and, let’s face it, clearly quite envious – humans who have been levelling completely baseless accusations against our feline overlords companions, calling them things like annoying, aloof, fickle, and – excuse me while I gasp – useless. But that smear campaign ends today, for not only are cats cute and cuddly and altogether adorable, but they also happen to be the most selfless, hardworking, and useful creatures that have ever set paw on planet Earth. That’s right; the cat diligently serves many functions in various capacities all around us, tirelessly toiling all day long just to help others. All you need to realize its many roles in our lives is a little bit of love (and a lot of imagination).

Renovation instigator
You are lazy. That’s ok, I’m not judging you. But we both know that if it were up to you, you’d never bother to renovate your living space and would just end up with the same curtains and sofas and blankets and carpets for a decade. Left to your own devices, your life would be stagnant. Thankfully though, the cat is always there to help you, slowly nudging you on by shredding your drapes and using your rugs as his own personal scratch pad, all in the hopes of inspiring you to give your house an overhaul. The cat isn’t doing any of this for himself; the cat is doing this all for you. Because he loves you and cares about you. You’re welcome.

Alternative interior decorator
If you are a human being, then i) I’m sorry for your luck, and ii) chances are you keep all your possessions inside cupboards/drawers or on tables. O ye of little imagination! We humans are bound by mental constraints revolving around things like “order” and “arrangement”, but unlike us, the cat is not afraid to think outside the box. “What would everything look like if it was on the floor?” the cat wonders, before promptly throwing everything on the ground. Because changing the way the room looks has a positive impact on the mood, of course. Sure you may not be very pleased that your porcelain doll has parted ways with its head and your favourite coffee mug is now in pieces, but that’s just a small price to pay in order to enjoy the cat’s creative decorating skills.

Kitty in a tree
Nature documentary participant
The majestic cat moves with impeccable grace. Ain’t she a beauty! Suddenly, she sees a sparrow in the distance. She slowly, stealthily moves towards the unsuspecting bird. Crikey! She jumps at her prey, lunging towards the sparrow … and promptly smacks straight into the window between her and the bird that she had failed to take into account!
Cats are funny.

Comedian
See: nature documentary participant.

Gardener
Digging? Check!
Grass pruning? Check!
Applying fertilizer? Check!

Jolly performing a balancing act
Gymnast
The cat is an acrobat and the world is her circus. The consummate entertainer, the feline gymnast will swing from trees, climb to vertigo-inducing heights, make astounding jumps, and (cat)walk on impossibly thin beams, all in a noble attempt to keep us humans amused.

Financial advisor
The cat keeps meowing. I think she’s saying she wants something to play with. I should get her some toys. ($10)
Aww, doesn’t the cat look cold? Time to buy her a little cat house. ($15)
Yikes! The cat is coughing. I should take her to the vet ($50)
Oh no, we’re almost out of dry cat food. Must get some more. ($25)
Almost forgot, also need to get the wet cat food. ($25)
Might as well pick up some treats while I’m at it. ($10)
Doesn’t the cat seem like she could use some…
Wait, why am I suddenly broke?!

Motivational meower
Yes, you better not lose your job or the cat is going to have you for dinner. Work harder, human! The cat needs those fancy yumyums!

Alarm clock
The cat is nature’s alarm clock, guaranteed to wake you up in the morning. And by morning I obviously mean the middle of the night at a completely random time of her choosing. The cat knows that spontaneity makes life more exciting. Dependable digital alarm clocks that wake you up at a time of your choosing – where’s the fun in that?

Paradox generator
Just ask Schrödinger.

Lee proving that chairs are redundant
Innovator
Humans invented chairs.
Cats discovered that humans are idiots who come up with redundant inventions, because if people had the slightest common sense, they would’ve figured out that just about everything can be used as a chair.
Cats are clearly smarter than humans.

Muse
The cat has been the muse for many artists, writers, and filmmakers, dutifully inspiring them to produce some iconic works that would have simply been inconceivable without the feline.
Just think about it.
Would people have flocked to the cinemas to watch That Darn Hyena? I think not.
What would have become of Puss in Boots? Dog in Clogs just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?
The Cat in the Hat simply wouldn’t have worked without our furry friend, because The Dolphin in the Beret doesn’t even rhyme!
And Lewis Caroll would’ve been in a real pickle if it weren’t for the cat. The Cheshire Carp? Cheshire Caribou? Cheshire Cassowary? Cheshire Cormorant? Cheshire Chamois?! That’s just madness, I tell you, madness!

Uggy striking a very elegant pose
Model
Aware of its natural beauty, the cat is always gracefully catwalking and striking a pose to give you a chance to capture its gorgeousness in photos, which is a good thing because otherwise you wouldn’t know what to do with your smartphone camera.

Internet content provider
As we all know, the Internet was invented so that we could share cat photos and videos with each other. If the cat were to suddenly disappear, the World Wide Web would turn into a barren, desolate wasteland, with tumbleweed blowing down its fake news streets filled with depression and despair. But that will never happen, not on Lil Bub, Maru, Colonel Meow, Venus, and Tardar Sauce’s watch!

Jolly, always there to help when I'm working
Bookmark
The cat makes a very effective bookmark. When you’re reading something, there’s a very high chance the cat will sit on it. WHILE you’re trying to read it.
Also quite effective as a paperweight.
Come to think of it, the cat is not just a bookmark and paperweight but, in fact, a full personal assistant, personally assisting you no matter what you’re working on by helpfully sitting on whatever it is you’re working on. Always so helpful.

Lucky the brave explorer
Explorer
Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, and, of course, our good friend felis catus – some of the world’s greatest explorers who have boldly partaken in brave and daring expeditions all in the name of discovery.

Food critic
That thing you just spent an hour chopping, shredding, mixing, boiling, cooling for the cat? Yuck. Discarded. Because your cooking sucks.
That thing the cat found lying on the ground that had been sitting out there, getting coated in dust for a week? Yum!

Christmas tree ornament
Aussie, my friend Anny's beloved cat, displaying how to be a Xmas tree ornament

Fur donor
Real fur is cruel and fake fur looks, well, fake. But don’t worry – the cat knows how weary you are of both fox and faux fur. That is why it very helpfully leaves a layer of fur on all your clothing. Now you too can be posh and trendy and proudly walk around with a real fur covered top or sweater, cruelty free and prepared for you with love by your very considerate feline friend. See? The cat gives and it gives…

Hitler impersonator
Hitler, pensively wishing I had named him Chaplin instead
Hail Kitler! Because we must remember the past so as not to repeat it in the future. Or something.

Friend filter
What kind of a person doesn’t like cats? Block, delete, buh bye!

Fitness trainer
Like we talked about earlier, you’re lazy. Don’t worry, still not judging you. But laziness isn’t good for your health. That’s why the cat is worried about you. And since he only wants what’s best for you, he has made it his life’s mission to keep you on your toes. No need to join the gym when you are owned by a feline, because the cat takes his responsibility as your fitness trainer very seriously. Yes, he has you running around doing chores for him all day, but that’s just because he wants you to get some exercise. And when he goes missing and makes you frantically search for him all over the neighbourhood, it’s because he wants you to get that extra cardio.

Social interaction initiator
Speaking of frantic neighbourhood searches…
In a tech obsessed world that is leaving many of us increasingly isolated, where our messed up priorities have ended up trapping us in the 24 hour news cycle… we somehow seem very pleased with ourselves for knowing what’s happening in a random place on this planet a million miles away, yet have no idea what’s going on with our own neighbours. The cat realizes that this needs to chance. That’s why she keeps coming up with different ways to get you out of the house and socialize with the people around you. The cat wants you to know your neighbours, and for your neighbours to know you too, so that the next time they see you, they can think “ugh, there’s that insane woman who keeps showing up at our house looking for one of her five million cats. Quickly hide before she sees us and comes over again and starts jabbering away about how great cats are. Oh no, too late…”

So yes, cats are awesome, and they know it. And it’s about time everyone else knew it too.

- By a crazy cat lady Sameen Amer

Us Magazine, The News - 17th November, 2017 *

Sunday, November 05, 2017

Simply Complicated - a candid look at the life of Demi Lovato

documentary review

Achieving fame (and its accompanying fortune) at a young age may seem like the ultimate dream, but, in reality, childhood stardom is precariously fraught with troubles. Wading through the waters of fame at an early age while growing up in the public eye can be a tricky business, and Demi Lovato is one of the many child stars who have experienced this phenomenon first-hand.

The American singer and actress stepped into the entertainment industry at the tender age of 8, getting her first prominent role in the children’s series Barney & Friends (2002 – 2004) before gaining global recognition after joining the Disney Channel roster in 2007. Starring roles in the short show As the Bell Rings (2007 – 2008), the Camp Rock television film series (2008 – 2010), and the sitcom Sonny with a Chance (2009 – 2011) as well as a nascent pop music career soon made her a household name. But the then-teenager subsequently found herself facing a number of personal struggles that threatened to derail both her life and her career.

The 25-year-old has now opened up about the many issues that she has had to deal with in the first two and a half decades of her life in her new documentary Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated, a candid look at her tumultuous past and her current endeavours.

Released on video streaming platform YouTube, the film serves as both an intimate, confessional piece about her life and a promotional tool for her latest album, Tell Me You Love Me (2017).

Directed by Hannah Lux Davis (who has previously directed music videos and is making her full-length debut here), Simply Complicated finds Lovato opening up about her drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorder, depression, anger issues, and love life. Also included in the documentary are snippets from interviews with her family members, close friends, and management team, which help shed light on her various battles and triumphs.

The ‘Skyscraper’ singer reveals heart-breaking details of being severely bullied at school where at one point a “suicide petition” got passed around saying that she should kill herself. She looks back on how she ended up becoming a star in her teens, the impact of her early success, and what transpired behind the scenes as her personal life unravelled. Lovato details her long road to recovery from cocaine addiction and alcoholism – which she blames in part on her biological father’s choices and her search for why he found drugs and alcohol so fulfilling that he chose them over his family – and how she still struggles with bulimia.

Her relationship with Wilmer Valderrama also comes up in the documentary, and the singer makes it fairly obvious that she is still in love with her former beau even though they broke up last June. She admits that she is open to a “human connection” irrespective of gender and is still looking for love, using a dating app to find potential suitors.

But candid discussions about her life aren’t all that this film is about. Simply Complicated also attempts to showcase Lovato’s vocal talents. Her performances are complimented as she records songs in the studio while creating her sixth album, Tell Me You Love Me. The film doesn’t quite give you a full picture of Lovato as a pop star and working musician, nor do we get a proper sense of her creative process, but there are enough musical pieces thrown into the proceedings to nudge the viewer into potentially purchasing her songs.

It’s this combination of commercial and confessional that doesn’t always gel and, at time, undercuts the overall impact of the documentary. The blend of promotional and revelatory isn’t as seamless as you’d hope, and ends up serving as a reminder that the film wasn’t created just to explore the singer’s life but also to promote the artist and her latest project. That said, the overall focus of the documentary mostly remains on her personal ups and downs, and her raw honesty ultimately wins you over. Lovato really does reveal a lot about some of the darkest moments from her past, and it is inspiring to see the progress this young woman has made in overcoming her demons over the last few years. Her fans, who are obviously the primary audience for this piece, will surely appreciate her candour, but the film is also likely to fascinate anyone else who is interested in an exploration of the highs and lows faced by a child star turned popular artist in the world of show business.

- By Sameen Amer 

Instep, The News on Sunday - 5th November, 2017 *

Friday, November 03, 2017

I, Tonya - a darkly comical biopic powered by Margot Robbie's charm

trailer review


Sports rivalries can add excitement to games by raising the stakes and making the experience more intense and thrilling for both the participants and viewers. But there is also a dark side to such rivalries, especially when they get out of control and turn ugly as overzealous fans or over-competitive athletes take things to dangerous levels. That is exactly what happened in the case of American figure skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, when the former went too far in her attempt to surpass the latter in a shocking 1994 incident. The story of this scandal and the woman at its centre is now being brought to the big screen in the film I, Tonya.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, the biographical sports black comedy is based on the real life of Harding (portrayed by Margot Robbie), who rose to infamy because of her involvement in the attack on her fellow skater.

The trailer suggests that the film takes a look at various stages and aspects of Harding’s life. The movie sheds light on her tough upbringing – the wonderful Mckenna Grace plays the protagonist as a child, while Robbie portrays the former U.S. champion as an adult. Also explored in the biopic is her relationship with her eventual ex-husband Jeff Gilooly (Sebastian Stan), who, along with her bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt (Paul Walter Hauser), hired an assailant to break the leg of her competitor, Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver), to keep her from competing at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Robbie seems like a good choice for the lead role. The Australian actress has already proven that she is great at putting comedic and crazy together in her terrific performance in (the otherwise disappointing) Suicide Squad. While her character in I, Tonya is completely different from Harley Quinn, Robbie seems to be bringing the same charm and pizzazz to this performance, which will hopefully make for an enjoyable viewing experience. The other standout actor in the trailer is Allison Janney, who is very well cast in the supporting role of Harding’s strict mother, coldly pushing the young girl both on and off the rink.

I, Tonya combines an interesting real-life tale with an impressive cast. The film seems to posses all the major component that make a movie compelling and entertaining, and the trailer definitely leaves you looking forward to its release this December. It remains to be seen if Steven Rogers’ script is as sharp as the project deserves, but from its first few glimpses, this sports comedy sure looks like it could potentially be a winner.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blogs - 3rd November, 2017 *