45/19
A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on a Stephen King short story, it follows three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and David Dastmalchian all appear in the film. Marvel Cinematic Universe, though none of them share scenes together. Hiddleston is Loki, and is most associated with the Thor (2011) films and the Loki (2021) television series, Gillan is Nebula and Verndarar Vetrarbrautnarin (2014), Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from the Doctor Strange (2016) films, while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first 2 Ant-Man films and Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderated by Perri Nemiroff (2024). In summary: Mike Flanagan has made a deep, multi-layered, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s very hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t waste a shot. There is narration throughout the film, but right from “Act Three.” everything you see and experience unfolds perfectly in ‘Act One.’ Ejiofor & Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if The Life of Chuck is going to be nominated for anything, it has to be the sound. From the cosmic elements in ‘Act Three’ to ‘Act Two & One,’ Flanagan did an exceptional job of incorporating the sound. Of course, everyone focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even mentioned that it was really a team effort in Act Two, along with Annalise Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in Act Two, and Taylor Gordon. who is The Pocket Queen), plays the busker, all three of them with their choreographers Mandy Moore & Stephanie Powell really sing the dance scene. Taylor Gordon is a talent in his own right in his short but excellent role, which surprised me given how good the first act was with young Chuck, and no one talks about how excellent the kids were. Their performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not better, when young Chuck gets a very haunting monologue from his grandfather (an incredible Mark Hamill) about certain life decisions. The first act really helps to put together the puzzle that was Act 3, where the cosmic elements are determined, but it all serves a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says that Chuck’s life is one of the good ones. The spirit and energy are palpable from start to finish, and the performances on board are top notch, and Flanagan continues to cement himself as one of the greatest directors of his time, Chuck’s Life is dedicated to Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in Chuck’s Life, but Scott’s inclusion really tugged at my heartstrings. It’s a great film.