'Sinners' Sequel Update, Reviews of 'How To Train Your Dragon' and 'The Four Seasons,' + Screening Invites.
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REVIEW: ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ Is What Every Remake Should Aspire To
Usually, I hate remakes. Live-action adaptations of animated classics often feel like hollow cash grabs that lack creativity. They rarely justify their existence and, frankly, tend to make us feel a little old. That why the retelling of ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ comes as such a refreshing surprise. It’s a faithful and heartfelt take on the beloved animated film that honors the original while standing confidently on its own.
Of course, the story and much of the dialogue is similar to the original. Hiccup, a misfit Viking who struggles to live up to his dragon slaying dad and peers, befriends an adorable dragon named Toothless. Their unlikely bond takes them on an adventure that challenges the views of his village and changes the relationship between Vikings and dragons forever. There are minor changes here and there, but overall the premise is the same. The narrative beats and much of the dialogue will feel familiar to longtime fans. But this version doesn’t just rehash - it enriches.
What makes this remake more additive than redundant is how it deepens the characters and expands the scale of its world. Original ‘Dragon’ writer and director Dean DeBlois revamps the story to make it feel like a different experience than what we encountered 15 years ago. Characters are fleshed out on a deeper level, thanks to charming turns by Gerard Butler, Mason Thames and Nico Parker. The outstanding visual effects give this film a sense of wonder and awe that animation, for all its beauty, simply can’t replicate in the same way. You feel the roar of the dragons, with their towering presence transporting you right onto the island of Berk. And, thanks to the work of veteran cinematographer Bill Pope (no relation), when Hiccup is riding through the sky on the back of Toothless, it’s as if you’re breezing through the clouds too! ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ brilliantly captures the magic of the original while offering something that feels fresh. This is what every live-action remake of an animated classic should aspire to.
‘Sinners’ Won’t Get A Sequel. That’s A Good Thing!
When I spoke with Ryan Coogler, off-the -record, at the after-party for ‘Sinners’ Chicago premiere, I had one burning question on my mind: “Will we get a sequel?” I mean - the film had a post-credits scene!
His response was what has now been reported, on the record, to Ebony magazine: No.
“I wanted the movie to feel like a full meal: your appetizers, starters, entrees and desserts, I wanted all of it there. I wanted it to be a holistic and finished thing,” Coogler said. “That was how I was asked all about it. That was always my intention.”
This may surprise you, with ‘Sinners’ just becoming the highest-grossing original film in North America in the last 15 years. But during our panel conversation, Coogler expressed fatigue and frustration with franchise filmmaking, which requires a constant build toward more sequels, spin-offs and world building.
This is great news - hear me out! There are so many films that started out as really cool ideas, only to have their legacy mired by capitalistic interests (Jurassic Park and Star Wars come to mind). Yes, sequels make a lot of money! That’s why studios greenlight them. But eventually, audience fatigue can set in as quality dips while quantity maximizes. The ‘Sinners’ story, both on the script and beyond it, is a triumph. It deserves reverence for years to come as a cinematic classic, not a legacy watered down by new entries that don’t have much else to say. Sometimes, it’s ok for a story to end. And ‘Sinners’ was one of the greatest of all-time.
Join Me For An Advanced Screening Of ‘28 Years Later’
Tuesday, June 17, in Chicago, be my plus one for an advanced screening of ‘28 Years Later.’ Here’s how:
Make sure you’re subscribed to “Screening Room”
Share the newsletter or a post and tag me, bpopetv
Winner will be selected Monday, June 16 at 6pm central time
Advance Screening: ‘40 Acres’ Starring Danielle Deadwyler (One Of My Favorite Actresses)
EVENT DETAILS
Date: June 19, 2025
Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: AMC RIVER EAST 21
Address: 322 E Illinois St. Chicago, IL 60611
SYNOPSIS
After a series of plagues and wars leaves society in ruins, the Freemans are surviving — even thriving — on a farm in the middle of nowhere... so long as they repel the occasional raiding party. Former soldier Hailey (Danielle Deadwyler) and her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) fled the collapse along with their children, training them to fight (and, yes, kill). But now Hailey’s eldest Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor) is a young man, and when he meets a young woman (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) in the forest beyond the fence, his need for human contact could place the whole family in jeopardy.
REVIEW: ‘The Four Seasons’ Is A Five Star Premise, One Star Experience
Rich people on vacation is quickly becoming one of TV’s favorite genres. Sadly, Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ is no ‘White Lotus.’ I checked in early for some of the best character actors in the world: Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte. I checked out after 5 episodes.
The lackluster modern take on the 1981 Alan Alda film follows three couples on vacation together. The trip is shaken up by a surprising divorce announcement. What ensues is some typical married couple angst, surprisingly few funny moments, and no clear purpose or direction. With all these characters, none are truly given much development or depth. It makes the show feel as if it’s chewing up its runtime instead of telling a compelling and funny story. And with no strong justification for why these couples have the relationship they do or reason to care, the shocking twist at the end (which is skipped ahead for) feels hollow and unearned.
It’s not bad. It’s not good. It just exists. ‘The Four Seasons’ is an unmemorable waste of its talent and proves having a standout ensemble can’t salvage a boring story.
‘Toy Story 5’ Details - A kid’s Lilypad tablet will be the villain, who has a different worldview of what’s best for Bonnie than the toys. Brain rot as an antagonist seems like a perfect way to keep the franchise relevant.
New ‘Wonder Woman’ Movie - James Gunn has greenlit a new film for the Amazonian as part of his DC Studios universe, which kicks off with Superman on July 11. Who would you cast?
‘Incredibles 3’ Is A Go - Brad Bird will return to pen the script, but Peter Sohn (‘Elemental’) hops into the director’s chair this time. I’ve got high hopes.
Kaitlyn Dever Will Lead ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 3- This will come as no surprise to fans of the video game. Season 2 ended with a major cliffhanger, and Abby will take center stage. Will the show survive without Pedro Pascal?
Apple TV Is Changing Their Economic Model - The streamer will tie talent pay to performance metrics like subscriber growth. Here’s a great write up exploring how this could change the game.
You lasted longer than I did on Four Seasons, Brandon—I barely made it to the end of episode three, and that was only because I mistakenly assumed there were only four episodes and thought I’d power through. If there’s a surprise ending, maybe I’ll go back and watch the last episode…sometime when the world isn’t on fire and there’s nothing else to do.
I'm so very happy to read your elongated "hot takes". They are needed in this age of binge watching and selective movie-goers