Kiss of the Spider Woman 2025/2026 by AverageMansReviews

Kiss of the Spider Woman 2025/2026 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/components of the rainbow community/bodily functions/torture/burning/drugs/shooting/animal cruelty/medical/references to suicide and I hasten to add anything I say about sexuality is based on the confines of this film, meaning I am not actually saying it; it is just how is in the film

Argentina 1983: briefly; we meet Valentin Arregui Paz/other character [Diego Luna:] he is a political prisoner, that holds information about the revolution and Luna as his character has a strong belief in what he is standing up for, which consequently translates into a strong performance from him, but I digress; Paz meets his cellmate a feminist individual by the name of Luis Molina/other character [Tonatiuh:] he is in here for basically practising homosexuality and to help pass the time he tells Paz of this musical movie The Kiss of the Spider Woman starring the icon Ingrid Luna/other characters [Jennifer Lopez:] as the lead role of this movie

Generally speaking: the storyline/script, framework and pacing of this 128 minutes film/movie uses the forgotten art/outlay of storyteller popularised by such films as The NeverEnding Story 1984 or/and The Princess Bride 1987 just to name a couple, but the only difference is; they were books at this is a musical movie [I was thinking I would just point that out; and for someone got there before me,] I mean it does need some time to settle down like perhaps between 15 to 20 minutes where, even I was struggling to keep awake, but after this; it was and is a really lively affair.

Character developments, art and action; as I was just saying broadly speaking this film is essentially split down into prison life and the storytelling of Molina of the film musical The Kiss of the Spider Woman would acts clearly as a form of escapism from their dreary location. So artistically this film should be seen on either a cinema screen or the biggest screen you have in your position, because as it is a musical it really obviously has been given the glamour be it light or/and dark of a musical/on stage musical and everything that is best associated with this art form and outlay; Lopez put in a shining performance during these musical numbers, you can tell that she is taking her on stage concerts performances and just use those skills and brought them into this performance, but it has to be said and I won't be taking any marks off for this; the person and I that I watch some of this content with came to the same conclusion that Lopez doesn't look right as a blonde; this film is truly a treat for the eyes and without giving too much away but also because we don't have too much in the way of action; action as a standalone component, the action coinciding in the art and character developments is outstanding.

Character developments, performances and comedy; as we have multiple performers being multiple characters; they smoothly switch roles and put themselves into the perspective of that character at that point in time; so the actual character developments are beautifully spot on and executed with class and sophistication, the trio of performers that this entire film relies on to work properly; Luna, Lopez and Tonatiuh; or put in spectacular performances including singing; but a special mention has to go out to Tonatiuh; because he does have excellent range as a performer which you will see in this performance and on reflection is somewhat a little bit uncomfortable to watch based on he does have the calibre and range and standard of somewhere between Brandon Lee and Heath Ledger; for the younger generations that may or may not be aware both of these iconic performers are both dead; they died relatively young under individually tragic circumstances; hence why a little bit uncomfortable; because I recognise Lee or/and Ledger's on-screen performance/presence in Tonatiuh; which he does also from time to time make this film light and breezy with comedy for an example he put him in a massive shopping list request to make this part of the film believable.

This film receives: 10/10, this film is top-notch entertainment; yes it does need some time to find its own rhythm, but after that; it is a powerful piece of cinema that amongst many things as proven that there is still a place for the storyteller outlay perspective in this modern world and beyond; this so far by absolute miles is my film of 2026 to the point where, it is going to be incredibly difficult to beat, because it offers so much high-quality, but as of this content being first created it seemingly has a poorer reception at the box office just taking $2 million against the budget of $30 million, where it has been out for coming up to a week officially, it did get a release in early 26/01/2025; but that was for Sundance, it should be nowhere near this low after 6 days that is all I am saying, and yes we do have some extra bits and pieces such as an ongoing sequence underneath the first ending credits and later on these old school ending credits with colourful outlay. Which this should be no surprise, but this film has some awards accredited to its name such as 7 Winners which include but not limited to Austin Film Critics Association 2025 Special Honorary Award Diego Luna Tonatiuh Jennifer Lopez For dual threat and 16 Nominees which also include but not limited to GLAAD Media Awards 2026 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding Film - Wide Release

 

Metallica: I Disappear; Music Video 2000 by AverageMansReviews

Metallica: I Disappear; Music Video 2000 by AverageMansReviews

Related content: Limp Bizkit: Take a Look Around 2000 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2025/10/limp-bizkit-take-look-around-2000-by.html

Review Time

Warning: there are assassination attempts and suicide

I Disappear; by Metallica: this music video goes on for roughly 5 minutes; the storyboard I think, which means I could be wrong of course; but we have Metallica performing this track on what they tried to put across as the same one as Ethan Hunt [Tom Cruise] find in the opening stages of the sequel a.k.a. Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah, but when Hunt gets there they have disappear, because they have faced their own individual situations in this music video; yes I am aware they have used some elements of this opening to incorporate into this music video.

Action, art, character developments and performances; but away from this these individual scenarios such as for James Hetfield [lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist] is trying to out run this wave of destruction behind him in his car and/or Lars Ulrich [drummer] is trying to out run this same wave of destruction, but he is on foot, in a building and eventually he is going to run out of ground: then we get brought back to this band member performing with the band as it is a sneak peek into their individual futures; so these character developments and performances are all good

This film receives: 9/10, this film is excellent; roughly almost 26 years later as of this content first being created; this music video hasn't aged minus Metallica obviously from the perspective of as I have already referenced almost 26 years later, so I have decided to award an extra mark; this film has some awards accredited to its name; such as 6 Nominees which include but not limited to MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) 2000 VMA Best Rock Video Metallica and from iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards 2000 MuchMusic Video Award Best International Video Metallica

 

Wicked: For Good 2025 [alternative name Wicked: Part II] by AverageMansReviews

Wicked: For Good 2025 [alternative name Wicked: Part II] by AverageMansReviews

Previous instalment/Related content: Wicked: Part I 2024 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2025/10/wicked-part-i-2024-alternative-name_5.html and Average Extra of: Ariana Grande and/or Cynthia Erivo Problems for Wicked: For Good 2025 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2025/10/average-extra-of-ariana-grande-andor.html

Review Time

Warning/Disclaimer:. there is flashing effects/colourful effects/transformation/squashing/animal cruelty/ritual/burning/melting/immigration/burning/environment/torture/slavery/chopping/reference to racism. Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional so any advice suggested is just that and in passing, if anything should go wrong I will not be held responsible for that.

The hunt continues: briefly; Elphaba Thropp/other name [Cynthia Erivo:] she is trying to bring the truth to Oz, meanwhile Galinda "Glinda" Upland/other name [Younger Glinda: Scarlett Spears/Older: Ariana Grande:] has become a public figure to Oz as she tries to bring a civil conclusion to the land of Oz to begin with.

Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 137 minute film is... well it uses the reliable outlay of storyline then musical number or vice versa, but it is very much depending on where you are in the film; it is a bit sticky as it relates to swing of things, but then again much later on it finds itself so there is that.

Art and action; what is clear to see is once again is outstandingly beautiful landscape/set designs of Oz there is always something to see and experience such as the building of the yellow brick road [I should very quickly point out I am specifically talking about brick laying, the machine and in no way shape or form am I talking about the animal cruelty aspect of it,] Elphaba's wardrobe/accessories and hideout with her torn cape thing or this tree surroundings this little highly imaginative and/or detailed and of course we have the musical numbers aspect: " Wonderful" sung/performed by the trio of Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz: he is a fraud that has instigated this witchhunt for Elphaba amongst other things, Glinda/Grande and Elphaba/Erivo: basically the song is about the Wizard knowing the he is a fraud, but then again the people of Oz are going to believe, what they are going to believe: this is a very colourful musical number and much later on we have for another example "No Good Deed" sung/performed by Elphaba/Erivo: basically this song is about her trying to save somebody, but eventually coming to the realisation that whatever she does she will always be seen as evil, so if that is the case so be it she is evil: Erivo's performance is one power and excellent range and she can actually sing. Elphaba on a broomstick all of these sequences are quick paced good fun and of course when we have Glinda and Elphaba having a little tussle

Character developments, performances and voice performances; for me this is where this sequel loses so many marks, because without giving too much away some of the character development is best described as tenuous, which is lazy, because if you are really desperate you can go and watch the first instalment again to see if they did any other ground work for this character developments or even just re-live this moment that they make reference to, but I am not that sad to watch the first instalment again and consequently it makes one of the other key characters look incredibly dumb, as it takes them what seems minutes for the penny to drop on what is actually happening here, it would have been quite funny if it didn't take this character is such a long time to realise, basically we the audience are doing the equivalent of people standing around whistling waiting for the penny to drop in this moment, so consequently we get this crash course in this newly found couple; they have good chemistry, but it does feel a little bit rushed, the most of a character developments are all good.

I am just going to come out and say it... Grande you can't act, sure you can be a popular character, you can play the fake character, you can even play the crying character, but basically anything other than out of the circle of shallow, tedious character, I would say keep to the day job but then again you can't sing either her vocals are like nails on a chalkboard, I mean the only time you are palatable is when you are singing with somebody

Erivo; well I had a feeling they might have taken this approach in this sequel, what they have tried to do is marry up both of their lead characters, because in the previous instalment Elphaba/Erivo was an all-round strong character/performance and Glinda/Grande was anything but by comparison, so here they have attempted to and failed spectacularly, but still attempted to bring up Glinda/Grande to somewhere in the middle and taken bit of Elphaba/Erivo to bring her down, but at this point you made guest it just didn't work in fact on reflection it was like history repeating itself where Elphaba/Erivo was much better on her own or with other characters/performers and it is worthwhile mentioning that the person I want some of this content with really don't like these two performers as they find them annoying and to be fair I can see why as this is a partnership has this really grating on screen chemistry and presence, Elphaba/Erivo has better chemistry with everyone else and for the rest of the cast of performers and voice performers they are reliably good.

This film receives: 5/10, this film is mixed; I mean as you can tell it does hurt problems, but for the artistic outlay and musical numbers this is on one hand the biggest component/components to this film by absolute miles, before I continue I would like to state that I am not body shaming, but can I just say that there are some in this cast that has clearly lost too much weight and full disclosure I knew this before going in, but having to be reminded of that weight loss for roughly 137 minutes of a film, is something that I can't just sit silent about; these individuals have a responsibility to the next younger generation to promote on average a decent way of life, if you are having a issue with your food consumption in one way or another please go and see the right medical advice, so this is why I eventually settled on the mark they have, because yes roughly the further you go through this sequel the better it gets, but I had to think of a mark which summed up the entirety of this sequel on every single level. This film also has some awards accredited to its name such as 4 Winner which include but not limited to Heartland Film 2025 Truly Moving Picture AwardTruly Moving Picture Award Jon M. Chu (director) and The Queerties 2025 Queerty Next Big Thing. 7 Nominees would also include but are not limited to Astra Creative Arts Awards 2025 Astra Award Best Costume Design Paul Tazewell and from the same award ceremony/event Best Marketing Campaign

Limp Bizkit: Take a Look Around 2000 by AverageMansReviews

Limp Bizkit: Take a Look Around 2000 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: there are mature themes throughout

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/bodily functions

Take a Look Around; by Limp Bizkit: briefly; this music video goes on for roughly 5 minutes and Limp Bizkit have been given his mission to; go into this diner and their mission is to take possession of this disc which is in his briefcase and give it to them.

The storyboard is essentially split into 3 sections; this mission, the band on this track and scenes; on a rotation/split-screen: this seems like a good point to point out the Director for this video is Fred Durst: the front man/vocalist for Limp Bizkit.

Comedy, action, character developments and performances; with have Wes Borland [lead guitarist for Limp Bizkit:] dressing up as a waitress and breaking-the-fourth-wall: looking at the camera giving the impression of I look meh, but this is not the only time they use this outlay of comedy; Borland does it again but this time around to simply indicate this food smells evil and a little time later this agent has to run to the bathroom with this briefcase; Durst like the rest of the band is dressed up to fit into this location waits against this wall for this agent to come through this gangway so that Durst can drop plates and things like this on him within this bowl; they have a scuffle/tassle everything gets chaotic this briefcase accidentally opens this disc end up in the division of at first glance from Durst's mindset this disc end up in the position of another criminal, but at the second glance it is the manager of establishment handing Durst telephone with another message, so for the character developments and performances they are both good; I don't know what else to say here really, they had a clear idea of what they were going for and achieve that.

This film receives: 8/10, this is excellent; I decided to award another mark, based on at the time of 2000 this song was a smash hit mainly across Europe reaching number 1 in Iceland and Portugal and reaching single digits in this region of the world as well, alongside I Disappear by Metallica really did take the Mission Impossible from the 1990's into the 2000's to say that as a franchise we are re-galvanised and we have plenty more mileage in the tank. Now you will find this underneath Mission Impossible II 2000 and not this music video/song, but as it is related to this music video I have no choice but to put it here; this film has 1 Negative award accredited to its name; The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards 2000 Stinker Award Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or Its End Credits Limp Bizkit "Take a Look Around"

I am going to dedicate this content to Sam Rivers: the bassist for Limp Bizkit that sadly is no longer with us as he passed on Saturday 18/10/2025 aged just 48 years old; RIP Sam Rivers 1977-2025.

The Blues Brothers 1980 by AverageMansReviews

The Blues Brothers 1980 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/religion/racism/swastika/shooting/vehicle crash/vehicle hit/bodily functions/animal cruelty/reference to homosexuality

Save the orphanage: briefly; "Joliet" Jake Blues [John Belushi:] he is being released from prison today after serving three years of a five-year stretch, his brother Ellwood Blues [One of the Writers of this film: Dan Ackroyd:] is picking up Jake today, before they know it they get a task to do and that is safe the orphanage where they grew up legally, where Jake gets a message from God to put the band back together; The Blues Brothers band to raise the money they need which is $5000.

Generally speaking: the storyline/script, framework, pacing and art; the framework and pacing of this 133 minutes film; followers a very simple yet effective outline of purpose, adventure action, comedy and musical; where we the audience rotate between basically the storyline and the musical numbers and the rest are well-placed throughout in one way or another such as for an example; Soul Food Cafe Owner/Mrs. Murphy [Aretha Franklin:] she is less than happy with her man going back on the road again with The Blues Brothers, so she asks her man to "Think" Franklin performs her song "Think" released in 1968: where for those younger generations you can forget Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and  Beyoncé when Franklin sang as the younger generations would say she gives it boss like energy hence why she is called "the Queen of Soul, " [before I forget; yes we even see a picture of Franklin in Elwood's bedsit/room on the wall] and she doesn't disappoint here either, for the rest of the set designs, wardrobe and etc ; this also shows marvellous individualism as every musical number stand out, the wardrobe and accessories and etc are smartly placed.

Action and comedy; Jake is not best pleased by the change of vehicle one reason or another, so Elwood shows him what this vehicle can do, by comfortably racing over a bridge that is going up [to possibly let a boat go through,] Jake made reference to the vehicle lighter needs fixing, our two brothers are in the presence of Sister Mary Stigmata a.k.a. The Penguin [Kathleen Freeman:] she is the head of this orphanage that the brothers got brought up in, she is incredibly intimidating and strict for an example she will not tolerate any profanity in her presence, because if you do you will receive a rap around the knuckles with this giant ruler, as we will get to see as the brothers go and see her and they are in a position; where if you are old enough you will know this from your school days; they are sitting in these all in one chairs and desks; where they discuss things using profanity and she begins to hit them to be fair relatively hard to begin with anyway, but as this progress, she just hits them hard and all over the place; as she really does not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

Now consistently through this movie we have this lady actively attempting to kill our brothers, correction she is trying to kill Jake and Elwood just happened to be there; she is a mystery woman [Carrie Fisher:] all I can tell you is Jake has overwhelmingly angered her and now is seeking her wrath by using handheld hardware or/and explosives, but the funny thing is I like how our two brothers just dust themselves off and carry on as if nothing had happened and this does include surrounding characters that also get caught and when it is appropriate the contraction which will turn into destruction is smartly executed chaos such as this vehicle chasing sequence through this mall as on top of this we have these two brothers talking about essentially how great this location is.

Character developments and performances; the character developments are really, very spot on for what they wanted to do in this movie and be it spoken or sung likewise they were/are spot on; there is faultless chemistry throughout this cast: now for those observant of you; you may have noticed I did something by design and that is I have marked out three in their own ways strong female characters and likewise performances; I feel that is important to highlight this; based on it was very near the beginning of the 1980's and yes I am fully aware that this could have been coincidental, but as things are to have no one but three strong female characters/performances regardless of screen time is a big thing nonetheless and finally the chemistry between Jake/John Belushi and Elwood/Dan Ackroyd is priceless; because hypothetically if this film was going to struggle in any way it was going to be on them to carry this film, but back in reality; they are very much just became these two iconic characters individually and together.

This film receives: 10/10, this film is top-notch entertainment; it should definitely be seen once in your lifetime I don't like using this expression, but in this case I will this is one of those films that you need to see before you die; it does truly have so much to offer, but I would most definitely also highlight that this film has a certificate of UK standards of a 15 for a reason, in no way shape or form am I disrespecting this film, but then again it does come from the 1980s, yes there is an ongoing sequence in the ending credits to begin with and very finally this film does have some awards accredited to its name; such as 2 Winners which include but not limited to Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA 1981 Golden Reel Award Best Sound Editing - Sound Effects and 1 Nominee Turkish Film Critics Association(SIYAD) Awards 1984  SIYAD Award Best Foreign Film 4th Place

 

Paramore: Decode 2008 by AverageMansReviews

Paramore: Decode 2008 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/animal hunting

["I caught myself"] Decode; by Paramore: this music video goes on for roughly 4 minutes; the storyboard is; the band are in the woods of Forks [from the Twilight universe] where they are performing this track: with fusion of the band being involved and individually segments of the film they are a part of the soundtrack: Twilight 2008: where at the end of this video the band are backing in a circle to indicate they are possibly being hunted by the 3 vampires that come to Forks: the band are elegantly placed to perform this track.

This track encapsulats this entire film; as it relates to Bella Swan [Kirsten Stewart:] she is a newcomer to Forks, that is quiet that is intrigued by this Cullen family specifically Edward Cullen [Robert Paterson:] he is a vampire, in fact they are all vampires: Edward save Swan's life.

This track is beautifully sung by Hayley Williams [lead woman/lead vocalist for Paramore:] as the song covers that Swan and Edward shouldn't be together, because it is going to be extremely complicated and on top of that extremely dangerous for their two worlds to collide, but without one another they may as well be dead as they feel alive around each other and they are each other's missing part, as they seek good in one another, but at the same time they knowledge their relationships may have gone too far: where Williams sings softly and pushing up her vocals on "How did we get here?"

This film receives: 10/10, this film is top-notch entertainment; it does everything that it is meant to do in not only a visual manner but also an alternative music manner as well, it also has some awards accredited to its name 2 Nominees in total; MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) 2008 VMA Best Rock Video Paramore and you will find this under Twilight 2008 and not as track for some strange reason: but I will this here so it looks as if I am not withholding an achievement or information Grammy Awards 2010 Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Josh Farro Hayley Williams Taylor York [members of Paramore] For the song "Decode".

 

 

 

Wicked: Part I 2024 [alternative name Wicked] by AverageMansReviews

Wicked: Part I 2024 [alternative name Wicked] by AverageMansReviews

Related content: Average Extra of: Ariana Grande and/or Cynthia Erivo Problems for Wicked: For Good 2025 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2025/10/average-extra-of-ariana-grande-andor.html

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/burning/ritual/transformation/childbirth/melting/animal cruelty/references to racism

Let's start at the beginning at Shiz University: basically; Galinda Upland/other name [Ariana Grande-Butera:] she is a very popular student at this University, she meets and shares a dorm room with Elphaba Thropp/another name [Baby: Unknown name/Younger: Karis Musongole/Older: Cynthia Erivo:] she on the other hand is unpopular and different, but eventually these two become friends and eventually Thropp gets invited to Emerald City to meet  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz [Jeff Goldblum:] legend says he is a great and powerful wizard, but sometimes legends can be wrong, but we have Thropp and Upland heading off to Emerald City: which I do hope everything goes okay?

Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 160 minutes film is good, well let's be honest Disney have very much gone back to what they know with a very reliable and fruitful outlay of this project; of script, musical number and so on and so forth; even though let's talk about the elephant in the room this film may be long but it doesn't feel like it because there is more than enough happening in one way or another and as I have just indicated the rotation between script and musical number is a useful variety to your have, but it does have some negatives which I will discuss later. But for here and now the framework and pacing has nothing for me to criticise.

Art and action; it is very clear on where I am going to start; they have done a outstanding job bringing this landscape/world to life in all of its glory, including but not limited to the wardrobe and I can see a certain miniature model landscape [that is as much as I am going to tell you; when you see it you will know what I mean] being turned into a Lego set [I mean if it isn't it should be] and moving on from that as I just touched on the musical numbers where mostly beautifully performed and in this first film it does feel like we only really begin to scratch the surface of the action sequences towards the later stages of this film; but at least what we see of them; they are excellent.

Character developments, performances and voice performances; the character developments ranged from really in-depth and well rounded, to reliably good version of what they are meant to be to predominately really shallow and even when they have some character developments; they still come off as phoney to a certain extent as even when this individual has proof in front of them, they still are okay to take another path. So let's start with the glowing positive to this film Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp/other name; she really does grasp this lead role opportunity and makes her performance as this character her very own; as she is a strong woman that knows herself and does come across as someone that wants to do right, but every time she tries to put yourself out there she ends up getting scorned in one way or another, she can also sing with excellent range and confidence; she should hopefully at the very least be nominated for an Oscar for this performance, but however there is just one thing I didn't like that much; and there was the reference to skin colour as her reminiscences is African-American and she is green so she basically points out; this relative is the right colour. But it is delivered in such a way that; as an Englishman understanding the subtext; I can see and smell on the surface in our context is based on the film, but underneath getting ready sense and feel; is she making reference to real life? It most definitely felt more was being implied here then just on the service, because there is just too much of a punch here.

The rest of the character developments are good versions of what they are meant to be and smoothly fit into the chemistry of the casting now we come onto Barbie Oh apologies I meant to say Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda Upland/other name; I can't stand these character developments, I mean I get them, I understand them, but that we have done hit the typical popular high school girl character types so hard? Like I said there is some growth at some point, but even after this there isn't much friction or anything, I mean a little bit of friction would have been nice to see that these two women in a character's sense have rubbed off on one another just a smidgen and for me hell no can Grande-Butera sing and if you're wondering the duets are smoothly synced and in beautiful harmony, but Grande-Butera no thank you and the voice performances are all good as well.

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; I think I have made myself clear about this film, it should be noted that person I watch some of the content with doesn't think too highly of Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda Upland/other name; as this individual felt she was very plastic, but obviously we are still going to say that the sequel. It has some awards accredited to its name such as 3 Winners that includes Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2025 Virtuoso Award Virtuoso Award Ariana Grande and Critics Choice Awards Celebration of Cinema & Television 2024  Actress Award for Film Black Cinema & Television Cynthia Erivo. 5 Nominees that includes Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) 2024 HMMA Award Best Song - Onscreen Performance (Film) Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Song: "Defying Gravity" and from the same award ceremony/event Best Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical Jon M. Chu Marc Platt & David Stone

Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues A Rockumentary by Martin Di Berg 2025 [alternative name Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues] by AverageMansReviews

Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues A Rockumentary by Martin Di Berg 2025 [alternative name Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues] by AverageMansReviews

Previous instalment: This Is Spın̈al Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Berg 1984 [alternative name This Is Spinal Tap] Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2025/08/this-is-spnal-tap-rockumentary-by.html

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/animal cruelty/choking/medical/references to sexism, burning, burning, bodily functions, drugs and rainbow community

The Boys are back for one last performance: briefly; this filmmaker Martin "Marty" Di Bergi [partly Writer/Director: Rob Reiner:] he is back with Spin̈al Tap after 15 years [in this movie's timeline: but in ours it has been roughly 41 years.] They even have a new drummer; after asking Chad Smith [Red Hot Chili Peppers] and Lars Ulrich [Metallica] in fact they suggested one another, but sadly they declined, but step forward Didi Crockett [Valerie Franco:] she is delighted to join the band, but she is fully aware of this history with this band and its drummers.

Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 83 minutes film is good; the outlay is roughly start at the end of them go back to the beginning with this countdown of days to this concert: as you can imagine as this film is 83 minutes long, it doesn't have time to mess around.

Character developments, comedy and art; the character developments are very interesting for an example Nigel Tufnel [Christopher Guest:] he was/is one of the lead guitarists/vocalist of Spin̈al Tap: but nowadays he is a owner of a cheese and guitars shop with his girlfriend:  Moira [Nina Conti:] she is the understanding and supportive partner: where in this shop you could trade in your guitar for its weight in cheese: highly imaginative and creative design on this guitar having this secret department and for another, comedy and artistic vision: we do have Stonehenge back with us as well, where yes Spin̈al Tap do perform this song track with a very special guest.

Character developments, performances and art; the newcomers and returning cast members; be it character developments or performances slot in and gel fluently as everyone returning or/and new; knew what this sequel had to be and got on with it; with sport on chemistry and camaraderie and yes everyone can still sing and perform as Spin̈al Tap; with or without special appearances or very special guest.

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; it is still lots of fun, even though it has the same mark as its predecessor, I would say the original is the stronger of the two instalments. What I am about to say next is not in any way shape or form a criticism of this film. But as of this content from a budget of well under $23 million it has made just $3 million at the box office, which is just wrong. But then again it dawned on me: as I have already referenced it has been over four decades since the original and times have very much changed, meaning comedy styles/outlays change, so what may seem subtle, elegant and consequently highly comical to someone like myself as of this content being first created I am in my early 40's and seen many different styles/outlays of comedy be it obviously in films and etc including live, but broadly speaking I have learnt/observed that the modern generations, the modern comedy films usually have to be of the outlay of feeding their audience, so other relates to this film the younger generations may just see it as these old guys being three stages of dimwits which I get, but there is so much more here than just that. I mean based off this financial indication I am now slightly concerned about Spaceballs 2: yes I clearly understand that they are very different genres and so on and so forth, but the sentiment is the same from the perspective of it has been many years since Spaceballs 1987 so this sequel could fall into the same predicament, hopefully not actually I am sure of it, but this could've been a potential warning though nonetheless and finally there is a long sequence of events when the ending credits start rolling.

 

Fiddler on the Roof 1971 by AverageMansReviews

Fiddler on the Roof 1971 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: this is animal cruelty/references to domestic violence and Russia and if you are of the Jewish community, I should give you a warning that this film will depict Jewish people being forced on some level out of their land.

The 3 oldest daughters of of Anatevka: briefly; we meet this man by the name of Tevye [Chaim Topol:] he is a hard-working dairy farmer that has a wife: Golde [Norma Crane:] she is homemaker, where her husband is more of the comedian out of the two of them, she is the straight talking one: they have 5 daughters and this film focuses on the 3 oldest daughters and traditions are changing.

Generally speaking: the framework; well the outlay of this movie is of a theatre production musical, so we the viewers get storyline then musical or vice versa with an intermission as well, this film also goes on for a massive 187 minutes, so even if the outlay/structure and now pacing of this film is good; you will still feel that you have been through a marathon with this film, so I am trying not to be too harsh here, but this is definitely one of those films where I could only see it once or at a push may be again at some point way off in the future, but to am not going to lie here it is most definitely once in a lifetime: on a quick side note I have recently in 2025 seen a live theatre production of this musical where they made it safely under 3 hours with one intermission.

Art, character developments, comedy and action; I very much like the set designs, landscapes and wardrobe; it really does invite its viewers into the community, the only thing I didn't like was when our lead role Tevye was thinking about things and how he was talking through these things with the characters originally being in close proximity to him in real-time and then when he went in to contemplating they away and when he was finished deliberating the scene would go back to normal; I would have preferred a freeze frame approach, until you figure out what is happening it is by and large very disorienting, we have these guys performing this dance at a wedding with drink bottles on their hats: this looks good, the musical numbers aspect: my favourite musical numbers "Prologue/Tradition" sung by Tevye and Company [meaning cast members:] this sets the tone down for the entire film as it covers broadly speaking how this community is run and what is to be expected and likewise "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" sung by Tzeitel/Rosalind Harris, Hodel/Michele Marsh,Neva Small/ Chava, Shprintze/Elaine Edwards and Bielke/Candy Bonstein: 5 daughters of Tevye and Golde and another that explores character developments [yes in hindsight I am aware that these musical numbers cover character developments for the vast majority of them, I am just putting some references down/in,] "Do You Love Me?" Sung by Tevye and Golde: a husband-and-wife that were chosen to be married roughly 25 years ago  Tevye wants to know if Golde loves him and of course much earlier on in the film we have this musical number: "If I Were a Rich Man" sung by Tevye: he isn't a greedy man even though he suggests some strange things; the origins of come from a hard-working man that has spent many hours working long hours, so his mindset is not based on greed, but fun or/and funny.

Tevye breaks-the-fourth-wall or/and has many conversations with God and obviously whenever it is appropriate we do have some comical bits and pieces in the musical numbers as well and after Tevye's is unable to do his job it leaves Tevye pulling this cart around now and again.

Character developments and performances; the character developments are a an excellent blend of traditions, community and pushing back on those traditions: so everyone put in naturally fluent performances to create this sense of community: they did all excellent jobs: but a special mention has to go to Chaim Topol as Tevye: because in a non-arrogant way he is the driving force behind this community and with that kind of role: comes with a certain level of expectations and responsibilities such as I know it sounds drastic but it is very, very true his entire performance is either going to be why this film fails or is a complete success of this title: so not too much pressure there then. So luckily it was the latter as this film went on to have great success.

This film receives: 7/10, this film is good; yes it does have some negative as I have already alluded to, but on the whole I had to award another mark because on reflection it just felt a little bit low and I wanted to give a little bit more based on the lead performance of Chaim Topol as Tevye, it just seems fair and reasonable. Yes it also went on to win some heavyweight awards such as 10 Winners which includes but not limited to Academy Awards, USA 1971 Oscar Best Cinematography Oswald Morris, Best Sound Gordon K. McCallum David Hildyard and Best Music, Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score John Williams and 14 Nominees which also includes but not limited to from the same award ceremony/event Best Picture Norman Jewison, Best Actor in a Leading Role Topol and Best Actor in a Supporting Role Leonard Frey as Motel Kamzoil: he is a good man, he is a trailer that eventually marries Tzeitel [altogether this film has 5 Oscar nominees to its name.]

This Is Spın̈al Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Berg 1984 [alternative name This Is Spinal Tap] by AverageMansReviews

This Is Spın̈al Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Berg 1984 [alternative name This Is Spinal Tap] by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/burning/drugs/references to racism and homosexuality

I would hate to be a drummer in this band: briefly; this filmmaker Martin "Marty" Di Bergi [partly Writer/Music/Director: Rob Reiner:] he is following this band known as Spin̈al Tap on their latest tour with a new album entitled Smell The Glove: lead vocalist/lead guitar: David St. Hubbins [partly Writer/Music: Michael McKean:] he is predominantly the brains of the band, but the bar isn't set too high, Nigel Tufnel [Christopher Guest:] he is the lead guitarist/support vocalist and he sees the world slightly differently to everyone else, Derek Smalls [partly Writer/Music: Harry Shearer:] he is the basis and a support vocalist, he is the rock that just goes with the flow but when the other two and occasionally speaks and says things, Mick Shrimpton [R. J. Parnell/Ric Parnell:] he is the drummer for now, you see this band has a voodoo as it relates to dramas at some point or another they all end up dying and Viv Savage [David Kaff:] he plays keyboards, he plays video games and we don't see much of him but if they had to categorise him, I would lean towards the slightly dark creepy member of the band.

Generally speaking: the script and framework/outlay is of the style of mockumentary comedy, you will see Di Bergi asking questions and with his film crew recording this journey and the pacing for this 82 minutes film is good, but let's just say it needs time to warm up to find its own rhythm

Comedy and art; so at one point or another reference Di Bergi the history of deaths in this band [it is very much a recurring comedy theme] or pointing out common sense as it relates to these amplifiers that go to 11 as their maximum level, when Di Bergi's point out to Tufnel broadly speaking; why don't you just make 10 louder? Tufnel's response is: because 11 is a higher number or/and at one point or another we have problems on stage with Smalls unable to get out of this stage design of basically a pod with the stage hand eventually having to use heat to get it to open or much later on this clear issue with Stonehenge replica: which on both counts , I should really point out that the comedy style is of a very British and dry delivery, I am not criticising this, just simply pointing it out adds to work artistic visions of this film and now including the music aspect if you are into rock; you will like this style of music.

Character developments and performances; broadly to begin with the cast of characters and performances are very good, with a very smooth and natural chemistry throughout, but what with our four main characters/performers in: Reiner as Di Bergi, McKean as Hubbins, Guest as Tufnel and Shearer has Smalls: all for of these performers/characters are spot on as these performers are these characters and vice versa, you really couldn't come out with a sequel without them as luck should have it this is actually happening a lot sooner than you think  Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 2025 [12/09/2025]

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; as I referenced earlier it does need some time to find its own rhythm, but after that, it just gets down to business and less than a couple days ago I watched this film at the cinema for its 41st anniversary and the person I watch some of this content with did fall asleep for a little while at the beginning stages, but after it got going they stayed awake, so you may want to watch this film if you haven't seen it before or if you have you may want to see it again just before the sequel comes out and yes there is an ongoing sequence underneath the closing credits. This film also has some awards accredited to its name such as 3 Winners that include but not limited to DVD Exclusive Awards 2001 Video Premiere Award Best DVD Audio Commentary Christopher Guest Michael McKean Harry Shearer For the Special Edition and 2 Nominees would also include but not limited to and from the same award ceremony/event Best DVD Overall Original Supplemental Material Jeffrey Schwartz (producer) For the Special Edition.

My Fair Lady 1964 by AverageMansReviews

My Fair Lady 1964 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is torture/burning/references to hanging, sexist and domestic violence

The bet is on: briefly; Colonel Hugh Pickering [Wilfrid Hyde-White:] he has physically recently met Professor/Mr. Henry Higgins where in a nutshell he supposes this bet. Where Professor/Mr. Henry Higgins [Rex Harrison:] he is a professor in essentially languages and he is very much a male chauvinist pig: but he just has 6 months to turn Eliza Doolittle/other character [Audrey Hepburn:] she is a common flower woman which likewise speaks just as common, she originally came to Professor/Mr. Higgins anyway for language lessons, but as you can see things escalated and on a quick side note I usually wouldn't put Professor and Mr. but I have been doing this long enough to know if I don't put both here as both get used throughout this film someone would eventually pulled me up on it so I have both.

Generally speaking: the framework, pacing, art, comedy, character developments, action and performances of this 170 minutes film is always mobile and moving forward; this film project moves exactly like a theatre production, so it is very much a case of storyline, musical number and rotate with characters/performers setting up the scene just before moving the movie, we even get an equivalent of an intermission as well. The set designs, costumes, accessories and etc are of a very high quality: going to ascot for the horse racing, this happens to be one on my favourite sequences and this would be the first time I have seen this film; it is a high quality of fair with everyone putting on, it is the first run out/tryout of Eliza's new language skills, where she makes a number of faux pases none bigger than when she gets excited about her horse; this just shows you can take a woman off the streets, but you can't take the streets out of the woman, these horse racing sequences are done elegantly as we can hear horse racing, but it isn't actually there, so it is done by performers mimicking as if these sequences were/are genuine: excellently performed here.

Character developments, comedy, performances and art; broadly speaking they are on both counts for the vast majority all very good; but a lot of the work comes from Hebburn, Harreison, Hyde-White and  Stanley Holloway as Alfred P. Doolittle: he is the father of Eliza, that tries to do as little work as possible, he has the outlook of a dustbin man by Professor Mr. Higgins labels him as: as there is all minus Hyde-White as Colonel Hugh Pickering: as on reflection he is a genuine good man that players a vital role as he seems to be the anchor to this film, so character wise he doesn't have to significantly change even though I am sure he is richer for this experience, but for the rest they all go through changes at one point or another; okay, I should point out that it does on the surface kind of implying that Professor/Mr. Higgins hasn't developed much as a person, but then again he is a very guarded prison anyway, I am not using that as an excuse, but to give him the benefit of the doubt a bit; without giving too much of the film away I think at minimum he gets it into his head/like scratching the surface; that he cannot treat Eliza too harshly anymore, but on top of that as we all the generations would understand this; having said all this I wouldn't expect miracles, but he is going to try. The comedy and performances; well the vast majority of the comedy comes from Eliza speaking cockney/for those people that don't know what this is: it is a London dialect/language and how it irritates him learning to speak proper English Professor Mr. Higgins and methods such as for one example of Eliza repeating her vowels and for the performances of these for performers; they have excellent chemistry throughout either between themselves or/and the rest of the cast; they all have spot on synergy; the musical numbers/singing; my favourite pick is: "Just You Wait" – sung by Audrey Hepburn (partially dubbed by Nixon) and Charles Fredericks: broadly Eliza is very angry and she sings about as the title would suggest "Just You Wait" as she can't wait to prove Professor/Mr. Higgins wrong that she didn't do this and that some point this musical number becomes either a daydream or we are back in the room now this kind of transitional switches: if you want to know when things become out of this moment?: If you're old enough or even from my generation of the 1980's you would know when things become mental imagery/dream: in this case we have this whole fuzzy effect around the edges of a scene: when you come across it you will now notice it if you are from a younger generation.

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; after everything is said and done I have decided to award another mark to this title, I mean if you have never seen this film? It is well worth a watch for at least once-in-a-lifetime, it very much depends if you have 170 minutes to sit down and watch this film really: it also has some awards accredited to its name such as 26 Winners that include but not limited to Academy Awards, USA Oscar 1965 Best Picture Jack L. Warner, Best Actor in a Leading Role Rex Harrison Rex Harrison dedicated his Oscar to "two fair ladies": Julie Andrews: Harreison and Andrews worked on the Broadway version and Audrey Hepburn: this film version and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color Gene Allen Cecil Beaton George James Hopkins [in total it Wins 8 Oscars altogether.] 13 Nominees which includes but not limited to; straight back to this event/ceremony; Best Actor in a Supporting Role Stanley Holloway, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Higgins: she is the mother of Professor/Mr. Higgins, she has no problem telling her son what she thinks and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium Alan Jay Lerner [in total it has 4 Oscar Nominations to its name.]

 

The Wizard of Oz 1939 by AverageMansReviews

The Wizard of Oz 1939 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/transformation/melting/environmental/burning/squashing/animal cruelty/chopping/medical

“Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore”: briefly; Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto [Judy Garland and Terry Cairn Terrier Dog:] have a journey in front of them to go to Emerald City to ask The Great and Powerful Oz; The Wizard of OZ/other character [Frank Morgan:] as his title/name would suggest he could have the whole to send Gale and Toto back home. Their journey will not be easy but they will meet some friendly faces on their way.

Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 102 minutes film is good; it is one of those outlays that smoothly knows what it is doing from beginning to end and just gets on with it

Art, character developments, comedy and action; obviously in one way or another from an artistic perspective; be it the visual representation of the scenery be it when Gale and Toto being in this house in this tornado heading towards the magical land of Oz where she is strangely enough nice and safe able to watch things go past in this light brown and white section of the film; it is highly creative as many different things go past. Now in Oz [in colour] everything is striking bright and colourful; the yellow brick road to the scenery on a journey and the musical numbers from the characters that Gale and Toto meet on journey as it relates to what these characters are lacking as individuals; the best out of three of them would be the first one; Scarecrow/another character [Ray Bolger:] obviously he is a scarecrow, but doesn't scare the crows and wants a brain to be smart, often has problems walking and/or keeping himself together which is comical, but sadly he is an easy target for the Flying Monkeys later on in this film as they don't exactly leave him in one piece.

Character developments, performances and voice performances; I think the best way for me to describe the character developments broadly speaking; they are solid yet well rounded versions of their characters and/or the performances and/or voice performance reflects those character developments; which altogether makes in-depth versions of these characters that have been entertaining people for decades now. But I know now if I can still say this word by today's standards but I'm going to say it anyway, because in the context of the film I'm not saying anything wrong; I do have one little problem it would be the munchkins' voices in some cases when they sing they really do hit the high notes and consequently because I have good hearing it goes right through my head.

This film receives: 7/10, this film is good; it tells of the original plot of this musical adventure. I mean if you are into this kind of musical adventure takes a look at this film; it is one of those projects that you need to see once in a lifetime and I had the pleasure of watching this film at a cinema on a big screen, the person I watch some of this content with really did enjoy Toto and was the best performing in it. This film has some awards accredited to its name such as 13 Winners that includes; Academy Awards, USA 1940 Oscar Best Music, Original Song Harold Arlen (music) E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) For the song "Over the Rainbow" and from the same award ceremony/event Best Music, Original Score Herbert Stothart. 14 Nominees again from the same award ceremony/event Best Picture, Best Art Direction Cedric Gibbons William A. Horning and finally Best Effects, Special Effects A. Arnold Gillespie (photographic) Douglas Shearer (sound)