The Call Sheet: A disappointing classic and a tremendous video game adaptation
Jan. 19, 2023 | Vol. 1, Issue 3 | The Last of Us, a disappointing Godfather Part II experience and Titanic take center stage.
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The Last of Us, a disappointing Godfather Part II experience and Titanic take center stage.
The Last of Us starts strong
On my living room’s entertainment center is a copy of The Last of Us, widely considered to have the best video game narrative of all time. While I can’t speak to that—I received the game for Christmas and haven’t yet had a chance to break it out—I can tell you that if it’s even half as good as the adaptation now on HBO Max, I can’t wait to try it out.
Until recently, the only zombie flicks I’d really seen (or had interest in) were the Zombieland films—and, truth be told, I love both of them. But The Last of Us is far superior in every way, evoking emotions I didn’t know I could feel in watching a television show, chief among them: crippling fear and unwavering love. As a whole, the show takes a fascinating look at what happens when the world falls apart, released in an era after the world (at least to an extent) did in fact fall apart for a little while. It gives a different perspective to things.
Through its first episode TLOU is absolutely terrifying in not only its execution, but also its premise: A fungus adapts to be able to infect humans, and it takes its hold quickly and without compromise, bringing the world to its knees. I both love and hate everything about that, from a story standpoint. But more importantly, it’s executed in a way that is far more effective than any other video game adaptation I’ve ever seen. It makes you care about characters quickly, but deeply. Likewise it has a sense of foreboding—particularly in its first half—that itself is intriguing and untired, and it makes me yearn to know where the story goes next.
The show is already a hit among fans (including myself), racking up 10 million views in its first two days and becoming HBO’s second biggest debut in the past 13 years (after Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon). Needless to say, it’s of the horror genre and there’s plenty of violence and gore to go around, so it won’t be for everyone. But even if you are more interested in strong storytelling and relationships than the undead and apocalyptic events, it’s something I encourage you to give a try.
Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us episode two premieres on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22.
If you like the show and are interested in after shows in which plot points are discussed, I've got two suggestions:
The official companion podcast from HBO
The John Campea Show aftershow
My review of The Godfather Part II
On Tuesday, I had an opportunity to experience one of the most celebrated films in cinema history on the biggest screen in Indiana, with the Indiana State Museum’s screening of The Godfather Part II. I watched the original The Godfather for the first time last February—also at a theater, for the film’s 50th anniversary—and loved it.
Unfortunately my experience with the sequel was a bit different, even though there were many moments in the film that I loved. Don’t get me wrong: I can see why many people have such a deep love for this movie, and I respect that, but it’s not something I can claim to share.
I’ll summarize my takeaway with the following blurb:
The glimpses of greatness throughout this nearly three-and-a-half-hour spectacle are mostly fleeting. That’s largely because the film’s most dramatic and damning moments are outweighed by a meandering and exposition-heavy tale that, much like Michael Corleone himself, has a strong notion of what it wants to be, but no interest of informing onlookers of the full picture.C
Despite my disappointment, I’m still going to give Part III a try in the coming months. Likewise, I’m going to try and track down The Godfather Saga, which purportedly puts things together in a much more concise and understandable way.
You can read my full review here.
Stories worth reading
Actor Jeremy Renner has returned home from the hospital, three weeks after he was critically injured by a snow plow while helping someone stuck in severe weather. While full details of his injuries have not yet been fully disclosed, Renner said in a tweet that aside from some brain fog, he is recovering well from the accident and has been able to watch the season two premiere of his Paramout+ show, Mayor of Kingstown. Variety’s Zach Sharf has more on Renner’s condition.
Former DC movies helmer Walter Hamada, who exited from the role with Warner Bros. Discovery last October, has launched a new studio focused on horror films, 18hz Productions. One of his first moves for the movie house, which will be based on the Paramount lot, was two hires: Nathan Samdahl, who made the 2022 horror hit Smile, as a senior vice president, and New Line Cinema’s Nick Romano as a creative executive. The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit shares the details on the new studio, which seem part of a larger concerted effort by Paramount to expand on its recent theatrical success.
An activist investor is making a push to join the Walt Disney Co. board, and he’s backed by a familiar to the company in Ike Perlmutter. The investor, Nelson Peltz, has been pushing Disney for a board seat for months, first with former CEO Bob Chapek and now with Bob Iger. It’s among the many uncertainties that Disney now faces as it looks for a (new) successor to Iger over the next two years. The Hollywood Reporter’s Kim Masters and Alex Weprin take a smart and deep dive into Peltz’s challenge and what it means for the House of Mouse.
The price of a no-ad subscription to HBO Max—perhaps the best-value streaming service out there right now—has gone up, marking its first bump since launching in 2020. Such a subscription will now cost $15.99 per month, an increase of $1. Deadline’s Dade Hayes has more on the increase, why it’s happening and what it could mean for subscribers.
There’s a lot of talk about bundling in the entertainment world these days, whether it’s Disney’s Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+ bundle, Apple’s partnership with Major League Soccer, YouTube TV’s deal for NFL Sunday Ticket (a price for which hasn’t been finalized, but is speculated to be around $300 per user), or the other various partnerships on the docket over the next few years. But what’s on the horizon for Amazon, particularly as the company continues to invest in live sports (unlike its contemporary, Netflix, which inexplicably says it sees no value in live sporting events). Julia Alexander of Puck News, in a new paywalled story, breaks down Amazon’s options in a changing landscape.
At the box office
Five movies earned more than $10 million at the weekend box-office—the first time for such an achievement since the pandemic began. The Hollywood Reporter has a full breakdown of the earnings, but here’s an overview (with links to my reviews for each film):
Avatar: The Way of Water, $32.8 million ($1.9 billion worldwide)
M3GAN, $18.31 million ($97.6 million)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, $14.47 million ($257 million)
A Man Called Otto, $12.83 million ($39.5 million)
Plane, $10.27 million ($14.5 million)
Latest review
A Man Called Otto
Blurb: “Hanks’ performance as Otto is my favorite so far this year, as it’s both heart-wrenching and heartwarming; so deeply in need of a kind, listening ear—and maybe a hug, too—but too caught up in the minutiae of daily life to let someone be there for him. In many ways, the character feels like the antithesis to that of Hanks’ portrayal of Fred Rogers from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019), and I’m here for it.”
Full review → | Reviews from others →
Sound off!
Director James Cameron’s iconic Titanic film (currently the fourth highest-grossing movie of all time, at $2.2 billion) will be re-released next month to celebrate its 25th anniversary, just in time for Valentine’s Day. It’ll be in theaters for one weekend only, and there’s even a new trailer that’s been put out to mark the occasion. As someone who has never seen the film—either on the big screen or at home—I’ll be making the most of the move. Are you going to the theater to see it?
What’s next
Movies
Alice, Darling, in theaters now: “Pushed to the breaking point by Simon, her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Alice rediscovers the essence of herself and gains some much-needed perspective while on vacation with two close girlfriends. However, Simon's vengeance is as inevitable as it is shattering, and once unleashed, it tests her strength, her courage, and the bonds of deep-rooted friendships.” Starring Anna Kendrick. Trailer →
The Son, in theaters now: “Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby. This is thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.” Starring Hugh Jackman. Trailer →
Missing, in theaters now: “When her mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June's search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it's too late. However, as she digs ever deeper, her digital sleuthing soon raises more questions than answers.” Starring Storm Reid. Trailer →
Television/Streaming
That 90s Show, now streaming on Netflix: “The show centers on Leia Forman, the teenage daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti, forming bonds with other teenagers as she spends the summer of 1995 with her grandparents, Red and Kitty in Point Place, Wisconsin, fifteen years after the events of That '70s Show.” Starring Debra Jo Rupp; Kurtwood Smith; Callie Haverda; and Ashley Aufderheide. Trailer →
In case you missed it…
Iconic director Francis Ford Coppola is having some issues launching his newest project, Megalopolis, due to massive increases in its budget and several key crew departures. The Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 9
Action flick director Michael Bay is facing accusations that a pigeon was killed during the Italy-based production of 6 Underground in 2018. The Wrap, Jan. 12
The Flash star Ezra Miller has pleaded guilty to a trespassing charge in Vermont as part of a plea deal that includes probation. The plea is the first of many points of accountability within the legal system that Miller faces for a string of accusations last year. The Associated Press, Jan. 13
Meryl Streep is joining the third season of Only Murders in the Building, a dramedy from Hulu that stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. Streep joins the cast alongside Paul Rudd. The Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 17
A new Michael Jackson biopic is in the works from Lionsgate, with Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua set to direct. Deadline, Jan. 18
Alec Baldwin is one of three people charged in the fatal shooting on the set of Rust in October 2021, alongside the film’s armorer and a first assistant director. Variety, Jan. 19
Parting thoughts
Thank you for your patience in the delays with this week’s edition—it’s been a busy several days and I wanted to make sure I took the time that I feel you all deserve on this newsletter. I should be back to regularly scheduled delivery on Sunday. If you have any thoughts or comments on the newsletter that you’d like to share, please comment or email me directly at mickeyatthemovies@gmail.com.
All the best,
Mickey
Coming up…
In Sunday’s edition, I’ll offer my predictions for the Oscars nominees, which will be officially announced on Jan. 24 at 8:30 a.m. ET on ABC’s Good Morning America.