Flash Reviews: The Disaster Artist, Molly's Game, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle & The Greatest Showman

I’ve been a little behind with posting some of my film reviews lately, but you can blame Christmas and Disneyland Paris for that. Speaking of which, I’ll be posting on that magical experience in the next few days too. For now, check out some flash reviews from December, which takes us right up until the last film I saw in 2017, The Greatest Showman. And don’t forget to check out my podcasts too, where I’ve already reviewed all of the following.

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The Disaster Artist

James Franco lends Oscar-worthy talents in this hilarious true story about the otherworldly Tommy Wiseau, director, writer and star of the now-cultural phenomenon (though of course for all the wrong reasons) The Room (2003), and his journey in making it alongside Greg Sestero (Dave Franco), who wrote the book upon which this film is based. As well as serving up flawless renditions of memorable scenes from the film, The Disaster Artist is undeniably-uplifting, proving that no matter who you are, you can make your dreams a reality - so long as you’re irreversibly-delusional and have a bottomless pile of cash.

Molly’s Game

Jessica Chastain plays Molly Bloom in this true story also adapted from a book of the same name. Years after a spinal injury destroys her career as an Olympic skier, Molly establishes the most exclusive poker club in the world, which includes celebrities and mobsters. But after disclosing the story in her biography a decade on, Molly faces the FBI and hires defence lawyer Charlie Jafrey (Idris Elba) to help her. Chastain doesn’t just bleed likeability and invite empathy here, she’s also bursting at the seams with charisma, and is suddenly an actress who’s at the top of her game.  

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

This semi-sequel to 1995 classic Jumanji stars Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart, who play the avatar-versions of four teens who become trapped in the game - now a video game console. Funny, action-packed and inventive, Welcome to the Jungle is a fun ride, but the problem is that it isn’t just enormously different in tone to Jumanji – it’s of a different genre entirely. And the irony is that, like with the original, board games will live on decades from now, whereas video game consoles – or Friday night movies - just don’t have as long a lifespan.

The Greatest Showman

Hugh Jackman plays real-life showman P.T. Barnum who, determined to give his family the best, creates a theatrical show featuring people with unique physical abnormalities. As the show gains popularity - but not without attracting angry mobs who consider its stars “freaks” - Barnum turns his efforts to a renowned singer in an attempt to impress the upper class community, all the while pushing his real family and circus family away. Like 2017’s La La Land, this uplifting musical spectacle will leave you going into the New Year with plenty of optimism – and not without a fair share of earworms.

Don’t forget to bookmark Curious Rookie or “Like” the Facebook page for updates. And be sure to check out my podcasts on the above link too – as they’re usually a step ahead of me with film reviews! In the next few days, I’ll be taking a look at last year’s best films and also its worst – which is always more fun. In the meantime, stay tuned and stay curious.