What the HELL Did I Just Watch? – Winter’s Tale

GameStop, Inc.

Winter's Tale 1

Based on the 1983 book by Mark Helprin, Winter’s Tale focuses on the energy of the universe and a battle between good and evil. All people have a miracle within them reserved specifically for one person, and it is their destiny to perform it. Collin Farrel plays Peter Lake, a common street thief who falls desperately for the beautiful (and conveniently wealthy) Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay). Lake, however, is not some ordinary street rat. After betraying the demonic lord he was raised by, Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe), Lake is running for his life. Beverly and Peter’s love can’t be simple of course; she is dying of consumption and must be kept at a cool temperature to avoid the fever killing her. Pearly has a demonic vision and discovers that he must stop Peter from assisting a redhead and thus performing his miracle. However, the redhead he is trying to destroy might not be Beverly and with a little finagling with time, Lake is able to save a different generation.

The first thing you have to realize about this movie is that you cannot look for logic or answers. Once that’s in place, your brain will hurt a heck of a lot less. The concept works as a book. Within a book, there is room to maneuver, develop characters, and describe images that might just look stupid in live action. Heck, this concept may have even worked as a miniseries if given enough time and character work. However, due to the short confines of the film, ideas are shortened to the point where they are easily missed or misunderstood. Somehow the film is equally too short and too long. It’s too long to keep the attention of the audience and far too short to makes sense. Even worse is Beverly’s exposition of almost every scene where little to nothing is occurring. She explains energy, light, good and evil, but it commits the great sin of cinema; telling and not showing.

There is a reason Will Smith is uncredited in this film. I can’t imagine anyone willingly wanting to associate their name with either Lucifer or the poorly plotted portrayal in Winter’s Tale. The film jumps back and forth between wanting to be religious and wanting to be as secular as possible. Lucifer is called out by name, but the only glimpses we get of the other side are a white horse with wings and a pasty faced underling that agrees to help Pearly take out Beverly. We get a few images of Pearly pulling out his demon face and getting all chaotic.

Visually the film is stunning. Beverly’s costumes are Edwardian perfection and the coloration of the film is pleasing to the eye. The soundtrack is strong and romantic, swelling at all the right moments. Collin Farrell is even attractive and fun to look at. The film as a whole, just doesn’t work. If Downtown Abbey, Supernatural and The Fountain had an unplanned orgy and then a séance, their offspring would be Winter’s Tale. This movie will likely go over well with fans of Twilight and other films where romance is the key aspect and plot doesn’t matter.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...