Good film has dried up for the most part. Only every now and then do you get some real quality work, and it’s usually the same directors doing it so you have to wait a few years for their next release.

Studios being risk adverse? Um, someone might want to call Disney then. Some of their recent crap has bombed financially, multiple releases in a row. And their stuff is already produced down to the lowest common denominator to the point where I just can’t watch any of it any longer, it’s that bad. Pretty soon these studios are just going to release straight cheese and hope they make their money. Awful remakes, reboots, they are out of ideas. It’s the writing that has gone south, big time, in films. With woke hiring practices well the chickens have come home to roost and this is the product you get.

And this is why so many films are failing now. It’s because they are all playing it too safe and the films are awful. Until you reintroduce some originality, and take some risks, then all you are going to get is shit like this.

Was this film necessary?

I grew with the 70's film, Wilder I thought was well cast mainly because he understood subtly and understatement without saying a word; he didn't have to go into Jim Carrey-like physical comedy or, base-level gags like today's humor. Depp's portrayal in the Tim Burton version I thought was ok, while trying to capture that Wonka mysteriousness, I thought Depp's portrayal was wooden, not very interesting. Chalamet is good actor but, he doesn't come across as a man from London during the Industrial Age, he's still too youthful in appearance for such a role. Wilder was 38 when he played the roll and Depp 42, Chalamet is 27...a baby-faced 27.

My understanding is Dahl's published work was somewhat dark and fantastical, what was Dahl's story with Wonka....is there a 'backstory' and sequels?

Saw this at the theater last night and it was surprisingly good!

Keegan-Michael Key (of Key & Peele fame) was hilarious as the corrupt Chief of Police.