Tim joined Jordana Green Tuesday to review the original streaming series “What If …?” (Disney+) and “Modern Love” Season 2 on the “Paul and Jordana” show on WCCO-AM. Click to listen below. The segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show” with Tom Barnard on KQRS-FM, “Paul and Jordana” with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on WCCO Radio, “It Matters with Kelly Cordes” on WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “Let’s Talk Movies with Tim Lammers” with Tim Matthews on KRWC-AM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere, and reviews streaming programming on WCCO Radio’s “Paul and Jordana” as well. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on NBC affiliate KARE on the news program “KARE 11 News at 11”.
In a year blessed by the movies about Queen, Elton John and The Beatles, it’s turn for The Boss’ music to get its due on the big screen with “Blinded by the Light.” Far from a biopic like “Bohemian Rhapsody” or musical fantasy like “Rocketman,” the film is more like “Yesterday,” except it’s based on the remarkable true story of how the tunes of Bruce Springsteen inspired a Pakistani teen in the late 1980s to transcend the hatred around him and defying the conventions of his culture, all while pursuing his dream of being a writer.
“Blinded by the Light” is based on the formative teen years of Sarfraz Manzoor, who’s presented in the film as Javed (Viveik Kalra), who is fighting xenophobia as a Pakistani immigrant in Luten, Bedfordshire, in the southeast of England amidst his own identity crisis. Not only does struggle the taunts of Brits who hate him simply because of his lineage, he’s also rejecting his preordained path of following in the cultural footsteps of his hardworking father Malik (Kulvinder Ghir), and mother, Noor (Meer Ganatra).
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Blinded by the Light” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Instead, Javek wants to go his own way, and he’s not quite sure where that is until he finds his salvation and identifies with the lyrics by a troubadour born in the U.S.A. It happens like a flash of lighting, when Javed’s life instantly transforms when his schoolmate, Roops (Aaron Phagura) borrows him two Springsteen cassette tapes (it is the ‘80s, after all). Captivated by all things Springsteen (he even copies the rocker’s blue collar look), Javed most importantly realizes the parallels between his life and The Boss’ stories. In turn, the power of Springsteen’s music enables Javek to put his feelings down on paper, which catches the attention of his caring English teacher (the always great Hayley Atwell), who in turn urges him to write more.
While “Blinded by the Light” isn’t a note-for-note account of Manzoor’s life story, the heart and passion that drove him to become a successful journalist for such publications as the UK’s Guardian and a documentarian for the BBC is definitely present in the movie.
Directed by “Bend it Like Beckham” filmmaker Gurinder Chada, “Blinded by the Light” presents Springsteen’s music in a way you have never experienced it before, and to top it off, it blends in moments of light humor, serious heartbreak and a little romance that creates a unique and wonderfully entertaining story.
Anchored by passionate performances by Kalra, Ghir, Ganatra, Phagura and Nell Williams, who plays Javed’s first love, “Blinded by the Light” is easily one of the best films of the year, and it’s capped off by an ending that will make Springsteen fans love The Boss forever. The movie will no doubt make you tap your toes to the soundtrack, but laugh, cry and perhaps sob.
Perhaps the greatest revelation of “Blinded by the Light” is that you don’t have to necessarily know the music of Springsteen to be engaged by the film. Diehard fans will no doubt find deeper meaning in the rock icon’s music, while casual fans will look at the New Jersey native in a completely different way. As for those few who are completely unaware of The Boss, get ready to experience something akin to what Manzoor’s character Javed, did, when his buddy Roops borrowed him the cassettes of “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Darkness on the Edge of Town.”
It’s truly wonderful how Javed’s happens upon “The Boss’ music in the first place, as the writer’s serendipitous path begins with a mild collision between the conflicted teen and Roops in a high school hallway. Picking up his friend’s cassette off the floor, Javed asks Roops, “Who is The Boss?” to which Roops responded, “He’s The Boss of us all.”
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Blinded by the Light” with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO-AM. Segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Of course, that’s a pretty bold claim to make, whether it refers to the music of the 1980s or the music of today, but this much is certain: At least for the 1 hour and 57 minutes Chada raises the curtain in the darkness to reveal “Blinded by the Light,” the music of Bruce Springsteen rules.
Prepare to be inspired and look at life in a whole new light, and not in a blinding sort of way. Springsteen’s message has never been so clear.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,” WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
The bear of very little brain indeed shows his big heart in “Christopher Robin,” a magical family tale about Winnie the Pooh and his grown-up human friend Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor). As Disney’s latest original live-action adaptation from its stable of animated classics, “Christopher Robin” works on every level with its perfect blend of humor and heart.
“Christopher Robin” begins in the familiar setting of the Hundred Acre Wood, where the young Christopher (Orton O’Brien) says goodbye to his friends Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, possibly forever when he leaves for boarding school. While Christopher has a hard time at first adjusting to his new setting and absence of old friends, his memory eventually fades as he gets married to Evelyn (Hayley Atwell) and goes off to serve in World War II. When Christopher finally returns home, he is greeted by Evelyn and his toddler daughter, Madeline, who was born when he was serving in the military, and he’s having a hard time bonding with her and readjusting to time with Evelyn because of the overbearing pressures of his job at a luggage company, which faces huge cutbacks.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Christopher Robin” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show.” Segment begins 2 minutes in.
Meanwhile, 30 years have passed in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Pooh awakens one day and he can’t find his friends. In hopes Christopher will help him, Pooh leaves the Hundred Acre Wood for London, where he surprises his old friend. The problem is, Christopher is on a tight deadline to come up with a plan to save his co-workers’ jobs, he overcomes his reluctance to help and discovers that, thanks to stuffed friend, he’s missing out the innocent joys of life that he once had as a child.
A family-friendly film with a PG rating, “Christopher Robin” works both for children familiar and new to the adventures of Winnie the Pooh with its simple yet engaging storyline, and adults, not only for the nostalgia factor, but the carefully layered-in messages of priorities and the importance of family.
Set the 1940s, “Christopher Robin” perfectly captures the nostalgic era with its look and feel, which of course enhanced by the magical tone of the film realized by director Marc Forster. A courtyard park bench setting is particularly poignant, since it marks the reunion of Christopher and Pooh, and harkens the emotional ending to his 2004 classic “Finding Neverland,” which chronicled the creation of “Peter Pan” by playwright J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp).
The great thing is, that magical atmosphere is present throughout “Christopher Robin,” which is made complete by the voicework of long-time Pooh voice actor Jim Cummings (he voices Tigger as well), and the whimsical baritone of Brad Garrett as Eeyore, among others. Their presence helps to match the tone of the Winnie the Pooh animated films and features, which, despite their stuffed animal looks, feel like real characters with real emotions. All told, “Christopher Robin” is one of the best films of the summer, if not of 2018 to date.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Listen to Tim’s review of “Christopher Robin” and “Goodbye Christopher Robin” on the “Paul and Jordana Show” on WCCO-AM Radio. Segement begins 9 minutes in.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
Film fans are about to take another trip back to the Hundred Acre Wood, but thanks to the magic of technology and the magical filmmaking sensibilities of director Marc Forster, they’re about experience Winnie the Pooh like they never have before with “Christopher Robin.”
Ewan McGregor stars in the title role in “Christopher Robin,” a new, live-action take on the famous A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepherd characters that finds Christopher as a working-class adult. Overwhelmed by his adult responsibilities, Christopher is suddenly revisited by his childhood friend, Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings), who once again helps him enjoy the wonders and joys of life.
Hayley Atwell also stars as Christopher wife, Evelyn, and in a post-production interview, the star of the “Captain America” movies and “Agent Carter” TV series said the film version perfectly captures everything fans loved about the animated tales of Pooh, his animal pals and of course, his human friend Christopher.
“It’s very true to the tone of Winnie the Pooh and has what we love about Winnie the Pooh, as how it represents the naivete of childhood that allows us to play with an open mind,” Atwell said.
Atwell sang the praises of Forster, who as the director of the 2004 Best Picture Oscar-nominated film “Finding Neverland” told the enchanting tale of how author J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) was inspired to write “Peter Pan.” Before that, Forster directed Halle Berry to her Best Actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball.”
“Mark is such of a unique filmmaker in how he can go from something like ‘Monster’s Ball’ to Winnie the Pooh, and I love that,” Atwell enthused. “I think the way he can tell stories is really interesting.”
Atwell also loved working with McGregor, who she called a “natural, charismatic leader” for the project.
“He plays the grown-up Christopher Robin, and like most of us when we grew up, he wonders what’s going on with the world and gets a little bit cynical because of it. That sometimes can be healthy and sometimes not, like when we focus too much on the things that shouldn’t really matter, like money or status,” Atwell said. “At the heart of the story is what Winnie the Pooh can teach us, even as adults.”
“Christopher Robin” opens in theaters nationwide on Aug. 3.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
