Author: DamianLevy

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem' (2023) Review: Ninjas With Attitudes For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The four reptilian rapscallions have been a presence in film and television for decades, and have collected their fair share of tropes along the way. With such history it would be easy for a modern adaptation to phone things in, falling back on the tried and true tricks of the characters. Instead, Mutant Mayhem offers up a fresh take on classic characters.They are still the turtles you know and love, but with some simple effective adjustments. Mutant Mayhem makes a point of hiring teenagers to play teenagers. As obvious a move as that may be, the results are undeniable. Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, and Brady Noon, bring a camaraderie and a chemistry to Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael.While all relative newcomers, the cast is rounded out by some heavy hitters. Ice Cube’s menacing Superfly, and Ayo Edebiri’s passionate April O’Neil being standouts as well as Jackie Chan’s overprotective Master Splinter. The performances are top notch, and humour in the script is grounded and relatable. Several characters are mutants with grotesque and eccentric designs, but they couldn’t feel more human.When it comes to the design, the animation in Mutant Mayhem is a triumph. It’s yet another portrayal of 3D animation with a hand drawn aesthetic. It further builds on the style with…

'They Cloned Tyrone' (2023) Review: Netflix’s Modern Classic Black escalades in a dimly lit street. An elevator that only goes underground. A fried chicken obsessed community. These are just a few of the strange happenings plaguing The Glen in Juel Taylor’s ‘They Cloned Tyrone’, available on Netflix. Being that they’re happening in a place no one cares about, there’s no investigation to speak of. Except for John Boyega’s Fontaine, Jamie Foxx’s Slick Charles, and Teyonah Parris’ Yo Yo.The mysterious plot unearthed in ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ is surreal and hilarious. The movie is a dark comedy that’s steeped in the absurd while still maintaining a grip on reality. By not leaning too far afield, ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ manages to keep its humour constant, while never losing its dramatic impact.The draw is with the film’s main trio. The weird and whimsical things they come across are punctuated by them taking it all in. John Boyega plays the rugged stoic with understated pathos. Teyonah Parris has the radical indignation as the world is falling apart. Jamie Foxx reminds the world why he’s the ultimate performer.As a cast, they’re well balanced and it takes true skill to pull off dialogue like this. ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ has a way with words that makes almost every scene a brain busting laugh riot. In a way, being engaged with the film’s humour is essential, just to follow along as the movie throws sci-fi concepts at you with little regard…

'Barbie' (2023) Review: Bravely Brilliant The Barbie movie is not what you think it is. Droves of audience members may be familiar with the iconic doll, but the film adaptation is an unexpected adventure. As stereotypical Barbie, Margot Robbie brings the blonde beauty to life living in the paradise that is Barbie Land. Every day is perfect, as was the day before, and all the days to come. The only problem is Barbie's sudden and inexplicable feeling of anxiety, and thoughts of her impending doom.It’s a high concept for a movie about a doll, and it’s only the film’s basic premise. Several times in the movie you’re faced with ideas that feel like the kind of thing that wouldn’t make it past an initial pitch. As Barbie ventures into the real world, she’s faced with misogynistic comments, and a lack of agency. An opposite to the reality she’s known where she and her Barbie counterparts make up the Supreme Court and the Presidency of Barbie Land.Barbie may have centre stage, but Ken has plenty of material himself. Ryan Gosling commits to playing the ultimate himbo. His worship of Barbie is boundless, and is more like a satellite in her orbit than a planet to himself. The film deals with the psyche of a walking talking accessory, brashly taking on ideas he was never meant to encounter.With Barbie and Ken suffering existential crises, the film’s subject matter seems at odds with Barbie’s signature…