Film & TV

The same MAGA audience that tuned out of late-night TV a decade ago did not do so for South Park. The creators are making the most of it by airing out their grievances with President Trump, in a form of American political satire akin to Charlie Chaplin’s 'The Great Dictator,' which saw the most famous comedian of the time indicting Nazism a year before America joined the war efforts.

The main cast all put in good performances, with John Cena, Danielle Brooks, and Freddie Stroma standing head and shoulders above. Their chemistry is what gives the show so much heart. Interviews and the official podcast make it clear that the cast love working with one other.

The film progresses to the city of Sacramento, where we follow our protagonists becoming more daring and violent, especially Beverly Hills, who learns she is pregnant, and in her mind, sidelining her from the revolution. Cut to 16 years later, where we meet our former revolutionaries, now living as burnouts, who realize their lives are in grave danger as Capt. Lockjaw returns seeking retribution.

“Eleanor the Great” is only 98 minutes, but feels longer. Scenes could have been tightened. Anguished dialogue might have been toned down. A few over-the-top emotional scenes might have been subdued to good effect. No one else but Johansson sat in the director’s chair, so it was her call.

Bdoor Mohammed is fantastic in her role. She’s able to shift emotional gears in her performance quickly and in a believable way. The betrayal and pain she feels in Khalid finding a new wife are evident in her performance. This is balanced with quieter moments, as Amani must still be a mom for her teenage daughter, Noor.

We can’t talk comedy without mentioning the screwball genre. Since this 'His Girl Friday' was released in 1940, it lacks today’s progressive mindset. Russell and Grant were true movie stars, and director Howard Hawks was an expert at pacing. If you aren’t familiar with this genre or cinematic era, add this one to your list. You may get hooked.

Cloud presents the story of Ryosuke Yoshii, an online reseller/ scalper who also works at some sort of garment factory. From the start, the movie makes it clear that Yoshii’s deals aren’t always as simple as buying low and selling high. He rips people off while knowing, in some cases, that doing so will put the seller in financial danger.

Didi and Cliff are emotionally appealing in distinct ways: she, buttoned-up, terse, a workaholic trying to overcome her ex-husband’s emotional abandonment; he, a failed comic, a loser at love, alcoholic, an unsuccessful suicide, hapless, and often befuddled in a cuddly sort of way.