Happy Saturday From Megalopolis

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Happy Saturday, friends. It’s been a big week in our world with “Megalopolis” finally reaching theaters. Alonso and I reviewed Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi epic — which he’s been working on for decades and spent $120 million of his own money to produce — and have wildly mixed feelings about it. 

Adam Driver stars as an ambitious architect who has visions of a gleaming, futuristic metropolis in the midst of the decadent, decaying New Rome (which is essentially New York City, a place where Driver’s character lives in the top of the Chrysler Building). I like a big swing, and admire Coppola’s sincerity. But while “Megalopolis” can be quite striking visually, it’s a mess tonally, with various members of his massive ensemble cast giving vastly disparate performances. It’s never boring, though, that’s for sure. Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman and Laurence Fishburne co-star. If you see the film — especially in IMAX — I’d love to hear about your experience.

We discussed lots of other films this week on our Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast. If you haven’t subscribed yet, we’d be delighted to have you:

• THE WILD ROBOT. The latest from DreamWorks Animation is breathtakingly beautiful and features tremendous voice work from Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor and Catherine O’Hara, but it spells out its themes toward the end in a way that’s frustratingly clunky. Still, a great choice for the whole family. In theaters.

• WOLFS. Brad Pitt and George Clooney re-team in a breezy action comedy that coasts on their considerable, A-list charm. They co-star as rival fixers forced to work together in an all-night adventure. Writer-director Jon Watts’ film looks better than it needs to, set as it is in a glowing New York City at Christmastime. A perfect airplane watch. In select theaters and streaming on Apple TV+.

• WILL & HARPER. We loved this documentary, which follows Will Ferrell and his longtime friend and collaborator, comedy writer Harper Steele, as they drive across the country after her transition to live as a woman. I commented in our review that it feels like an inverse “Borat.” Several of their fellow “Saturday Night Live” alumni show up, including Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Tim Meadows and Molly Shannon. Josh Greenbaum’s film is very funny and genuinely emotional. In select theaters and streaming on Netflix.

Also this week, I appeared on both NPR shows where I do film reviews. It just sorta shakes out that way schedule-wise a lot. You can hear our discussions here on FilmWeek on LAist with Larry Mantle and here on Press Play With Madeleine Brand on KCRW. I feel so lucky that I get to chat with so many smart, thoughtful folks about the subject I love.

We lost an absolute legend this week with the death of Dame Maggie Smith at age 89. Her career has been so substantial and enduring, she’s someone who always seemed like she’d be around forever. If you only know the British actress as the withering Dowager Countess from “Downton Abbey,” or her biting supporting roles in the “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” movies, or as Professor McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” franchise, here’s a great opportunity to delve into her rich filmography. She was so sharp-witted, and her delivery was often so inspired. My former AP colleague Jill Lawless does a lovely job of summarizing Smith’s life and legacy in this obituary. And we’ll pay tribute to Smith with October’s Off the Menu poll on our Breakfast All Day Patreon, so keep an eye out for that. What is a weekend, indeed.

And while we’re looking ahead on the schedule, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The next Lunch Date for our Patreon friends is this Monday, Sept. 30 at Noon Pacific. If you’re a member at that level, you should have received your link. If not, please let me know. And if you’d like to join us for these monthly live chats, you can find out more through the membership tab. I always look forward to these meet-ups — it’s a warm, welcoming group.

• We’re doing a LIVE spoiler discussion about “The Substance.” So much happens in this insane Demi Moore movie that we knew we had to dig into it separately once folks had a chance to see it. Come meet up with us at our YouTube channel on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Noon Pacific. Until then, here’s our spoiler-free review.

• Come hang out with us in person as we host a screening of “The Fog” at The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, CA. We’ll be there, showing John Carpenter’s 1980 horror classic, on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2pm Pacific. The Frida does such cool, eclectic programming, and we’re psyched to be part of their spooky October lineup. Tickets are available here.

Thank you so much as always for sharing a part of your weekend with me. I’d love to know what movies you’re seeing, especially now that we’re getting into the really juicy fall offerings. If you’ve found value here, I’d be honored to have you pass along my newsletter to a friend or family member. Have a great week, and I’ll see you back here next Saturday.