SPARK
DECEMBER 2023
8
Movie Reviews The Lost King (2022) Fought in 1485, the Battle of Bosworth Field marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England. Tradition held that after he was struck down, his body was unceremoniously dumped in the River Soar by the victorious Tudor forces who considered him a usurper. 500 years later, doubts fueled by incongruous historical sources concerning that event and the reputation of Richard III in general remained. The Lost King is the mostly true story of the correction of that narrative. Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) stars as Phillipa Langley, an unassuming Englishwoman who falls in with The Richard III Society, a group of enthusiastic amateur historians dedicated to setting the record straight. Phillipa swiftly demonstrates a talent for research and as she becomes increasingly invested in the life and humanity of King Richard, she begins to see and even converse with his ghostly apparition (Harry Lloyd). Balancing family and her newfound obsession, she navigates the worlds of dismissive academics and eccentric enthusiasts as she methodically zeroes in on the site which she believes to be the final resting place of Richard III: a parking lot on the former grounds of a Franciscan Priory. Charming, optimistic, and broadly appealing, The Lost King is a wonderful reminder of the value of self-determination and the challenging of assumptions. – Submitted by Patrick J.
Elemental (2023) On the surface, Elemental shares similar concepts with several previous Pixar films. Like Inside Out’s emotions, the film’s elements are personified characters. As with Turning Red’s lead character Mei, its central protagonist Ember (nimbly voiced by Leah Lewis), a fire element, creates family drama with her temper flares. What’s more, Ember’s budding interest in water element Wade (hilariously voiced by Mamoudou Athie) opens her up to family rejection and societal judgment, as explored in Luca. What adds new depth is director Peter Sohn’s personal history growing up as the son of immigrants. Serving other fire elements, Ember’s family’s business struggles for survival, as other elements are disdainful. During his inspection of business damage caused by an Ember-induced accident, Wade’s presence stirs up prejudices among her own family. As these unlike elements come together to save the business (and beyond), a romance grows, providing unexpected answers to the question of whether or not fire and water can mix. All this plays out against backdrops featuring some of the most colorful and intricate animation Pixar has yet produced. With the studio’s magic chemistry intact, Elemental’s unique properties make for a fresh feature among the compound of Pixar classics. – Submitted by Karl K.
Reviews submitted by Ryan Gage. These great titles and others are available at the Kalamazoo Public Library.
