Category: Movie Review

PIECES OF APRIL (2003)

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Written & Directed By: Peter Hedges 

Cinematography: Tami Reiker

Editor: Mark Livolsi 

Cast: Katie Holmes, Derek Luke, Oliver Platt, Patricia Clarkson, Alison Pill, John Gallagher Jr., Alice Drummond, Sisqo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Sean Hayes, Lillias White, Adrian Martinez 

April Burns invites her family to Thanksgiving dinner at her teeny apartment on New York’s Lower East Side. As they make their way to the city from suburban Pennsylvania, April must endure a comedy of errors – like finding out her oven doesn’t work – to pull off the big event.

The problem with this film is that for all its earnestness feel-good moments. It feels emotionally manipulative and I’m sure there are families and similar situations but the story development and characters feel more or less calculated than Flesh and Blood Real.

The hurdles everyone must get over just feel poured on a bit too much all at once. Especially for a film that takes place in one day. I could understand if this all happened over a weekend but all this emotional and physical baggage in one day is a bit too much. 

That having been said, the film is enjoyable, It is more of a warmer, tailed Indie film, especially since by the end not everything is solved, but there is at least peace. not offering total care or answers for everything. 

The film is a heartwarming story that tries to add an edge to certain situations and characters but finds itself going back to its emotional roots. It’s a downtown tail told about a bunch of outsiders. That gives it the feel of a lost recent error of the time.

This feels like a good novella stretched to its limits as it tries to make itself different like a teenager going through self-discovery. At first, it wants to be special, so it goes about trying to be different. Then it looks at itself in the mirror and comes to the realization That it must be true to itself. That is what will make you stand out.

The film is low budget with a big name, cast for its budget, who are all good and throw themselves into their roles. I even recognize many of the locations from my days working downtown at Tower video. They even filmed in one of my coworkers’ buildings, which gave me a strange strange connection to the film.

The stand out in the cast is the assured performance of Katie Holmes in the lead role. That easily could have been a stepping-stone film that revolved around her. So even though the title character. The film is more of an ensemble effort 

I wish she would have kept doing roles such as this one. She would’ve had a more respectable and maybe bigger career because underneath what appears to be blandish she surprised you with a powerful skill that peeks out at times. You see that glimmer.

The film put a spin on your typical family dinner film for the holidays. It succeeds due to some sly humor and a playful cast. 

Watching it recently puts me in mind of a certain time and place in my life. Which surprisingly makes it a nostalgic reminder of a certain time and place in my life. 

Grade: B-

NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Brian Duffield 

Cinematography: Aaron Morton

Editor: Gabriel Fleming

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Zack Duhane, Lauren Murray, Dari Lynn Griffin, Dane Rhodes, Geraldine Singer

An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who’s found its way into her home.

This is quite an inventive film, because just when you think you know where it’s going to go it manages to surprise you, as it starts off, as pretty much a movie that is good that it works like a silent film, as there is little to no dialogue throughout the film, but sounds a score And effort it sounds like a gimmick just to get you interested, but it manages to tell a strong story and uses this little challenge to its advantage that makes it a lot deeper and less common. It feels a bit experimental in that way. Though I am sure some will compare it a bit to A QUIET PLACE. Only this film is more singular and not as violent or bleak.

Kaitlyn Dever is excellent as always in the lead role as she’s almost in every scene and most shots and manages to be a believable character who is ostracized as an outcast in town so you can understand why she’s used to her loneliness 

Even though at first, we are not sure why the townspeople stare or treat her with so much anger, they essentially throw out this alien invasion film. We get to know more about her as she gets to know more about how strong she can actually be, and strangely, this is therapeutic for her, though it does offer an ending that no one could forget. 

Which also helped set this film apart and is definitely a conversation starter I congratulate writer, Brian Duffield on this amazing film, only the second film he’s directed, but he has written plenty others most in the Dean horror and sci-fi genre here this film is just as inventive, but more grounded he still build strong and memorable characters. This film just feels more, and I am not trying to insult his work, more mature than the others.

There is a certain nostalgia factor for some of the audience, who might remember the Steven Spielberg Produced show AMAZING STORIES. This feels like it could be an entry into that as there is action there is also developing character work here obviously sci-fi, a home invasion, film, and an alien invasion film that lasts more than one night and is not in real-time And takes place in a small town

So that it’s not so much Independence Day type, alien invasion film, where it’s more action and dealing with various characters. This is one woman trying to survive on her own with no one really to run to and her experience in this alien invasion. She’s not out to kill the horde she’s just trying to survive and Stay safe 

There’s a reason why he has so many films out there or in production as after this, one can’t wait to see what he’s working on next. No matter what you might think of some of his previous Scripted films and directed you can never say that any of them are basic or stupid. Which of these days especially for a studio blockbuster or popcorn entertain me filmmaker is a rarity.

Grade: B

SPOILERS

The end can be seen as anti-woke as spoiler alert. She gets to be the only one who stays by herself due to what she’s been through and her bravery after the aliens have pretty much gone through her brain to study her. They have decided to give her everything she could want where everybody is nice to her and happy to see her. They’re all under alien control yet she is still the same person allowed to be normal And she likes it that way for everybody is pretty much kowtowing to her.

Seeming, like the aliens, understand her, or respect her for all that she has done and been through, so this is their way of honoring her in their own way 

65 (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Salvatore Totino 

Editor: Josh Schaeffer and Jane Tones

Cast: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman, Nika King 

After a catastrophic crash, pilot Mills quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on an unknown planet. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills must make his way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.

Adam Driver truly puts himself through the wringer in this movie. Which rises above the material and keeps it watchable. As he is definitely inspired by something throughout.

I only wish as an audience member we could feel the same way. 

The film is disappointing even though it seemed to come out of nowhere when released. 

The audience should expect more from the writers of A QUIET PLACE. Who wrote and directed this film. You want a little more originality or at least try to put an original spin on the material. This just feels like a lost 1980s science fiction, B-movie with modern special effects.

Understand that this is a starter film for the screenwriting duo, to show what they were capable of, but you would hope there was something better. As this seems like a film that was either lying around or that they were brought in to salvage and failed. 

The film tries to world-build and gives us glimpses of this new planet or terrain that Adam Driver is exploring. At first naturally then as he tries to survive against dinosaurs and repair his ship. 

Though pretty soon this feels like a movie that owes itself more to those special effects than making an entertaining movie. This feels more like it could have easily been more of a video game.

Worst of all it Comes across as basic. Most of the audience has seen this type of film before. Only here it’s presented in new wrapping.

Grade: C- 

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND (2023)

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Directed By: Sam Esmail 

Based On The Book By: Rumaan Alam 

Cinematography: Tod Campbell 

Editor: Lisa Lassek 

Cast: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Marashala Ali, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Charlie Evans, Farrah Mackenzie 

Amanda and Clay’s aspirational vacation with their teenage children is interrupted by the arrival of a middle-aged man and his daughter who own the holiday home and who have fled an unprecedented blackout in the city. When the internet, television, and radio stop working, as does the landline, they have no way of finding out what is happening. As strange sonic booms shatter the peace of the countryside, and animals start to migrate in strange ways, the physical and mental health of the families begins to disintegrate. The renters are upscale and White; the owners are upscale and Black. The issues of race clash and become distractions to the more alarming things that are happening all around them.

I don’t know what it is with Netflix and taking these big movie stars who mostly were in romantic comedies in the 90s and 2000s and then putting them in these doomsday apocalyptic movies on their streaming service. One can understand It allows them some range and shows them in a new light, but you know is starting to feel like a certain concoction or formula.

By the end, the film feels like it kind of trolling the audience, especially when it comes to the daughter’s storyline in a way it’s not a bad episode of the show BLACK MIRROR, but one that’s more disappointing because it has so much potential and ultimately, that is what this film feels like it has so much potential, but it feels stale to a certain extent.

Throughout the film, you know every scene is practically filled with tension, especially once the oil tanker hits the beach, so it always makes you feel uncertain. But throughout the film, there seems to be so much stuff that’s unresolved and we really don’t get to know too much about the stories of any of the characters.

I understand we’re being introduced to them pretty much as they introduced to each other but there still could’ve been some kind of development for the character’s past.

Even when it comes to Mahrshala, here is this good gentleman but it always seems like he is hiding something which is a payoff, but not in the way that we thought it would be. And the film only truly comes alive when Kevin Bacon makes his kind of cameo in the film.

You know, we have the characters on a different kind of plot thread or character finally development for Julia Roberts, who starts off the film with his big monologue about how she dislikes people which is supposed to be shocking I guess especially when you used to be America, sweetheart, and then, by the end we see how much she actually does care and misses humanity, after being mean spirited for no reason throughout most of the film.

At times, they hint at racism, and some prejudices, which could also be easily seen as judgment of character. No, ultimately nothing really comes of it. It just seems there to be a kind of tease or to add attention in the audience is mine to the situation.

There feels like there could’ve been more done when it comes to Race relations with the characters in the movies, especially considering it is supposed to be Mahrshala Ali‘s house and yet he’s being made to feel like a visitor in his own home. 

Myha’La seems only there to be kind of the whiny daughter trying to empower her father and also a bit of eye candy just to add another character to the mix.

We’re never quite sure what is going on and even by the end we’re still not we’re a little more informed, but we still it’s a mystery as to what exactly is happening kind of ambiguous, but it also seems a weird way to want to set up a more action pack sequel.

I guess one would expect more considering the film is written, and directed by Sam Esmail you know adapted from a novel, but he is the mastermind behind the show Mr. Robot amongst other shows so while he got the thriller elements right, it seemed like the characterization might’ve been like that show where it comes in bits and pieces but again he had multiple seasons when it came to that show with this movie you’ve only got a 2 1/2 hour running time And you know we care about the characters cause they’re the protagonists. We barely know anything truly about them which works for the thriller elements, but the dramatic elements kind of feel like they drop the ball.

Like, why should we care about other human beings? The film works as an apocalyptic tale in minutiae.

Grade: C

THE BIG 4 (2022)

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Directed By: Timo Tjahjanto

Written By: Timo Tjahjanto and Johanna Wattimena

Cinematography: Batara Goempar

Editor: Dinda Amanda

Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Lutesha, Arie Kriting, Kristo Immanuel, Marthino Lio, Michelle Tahalea, Michael Kho, Donny Damera, Budi Ros

A by-the-book detective investigates the death of her father and follows a clue to a remote tropical island, only to find out his true identity as a leader of a group of assassins. Now hunted by his enemies, she has to team up with the crooks her father had trained – four retired, down on their luck assassins itching to get back in the game.

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, like Director Gareth  Evans they bring beauty and energy to their Jaw-dropping and brutal action sequences. You generally know you are going to have a good time. 

You can never go wrong with either of them as director and as always promise an exciting Experience. You can tell the directors are having fun in their presentations and are thankful they get to keep making movies. 

Wish they would be allowed to make more projects with bigger budgets. Then again that might dilute their aesthetic and take away from Their inventiveness and originality. 

Timo Tjahjanto seems almost like a best-kept secret amongst film fans. Especially action die-hard fans 

As long as Netflix keeps showcasing him he is in for a good ride. His films have great stories and characters to go with them 

Action films for some like me come off as not as emotional. Except for base reactions that provide motivation for the characters or their reactions. Emotions are expressed In These films as an overall bonding experience of action dreams that the audience wishes they could experience with excitement, adrenaline, and hero worship like they were there. As they are like a rite of passage, a shared adventure. 

This film is the most intentionally comedic of all of his films thus far. The storyline might be dark for some. Though This is his most mainstream or as close as he has come so far and designed it seems to appeal to a broader audience with action and a bunch of comedy thrown in as well as a revenge tale. 

As this is an action film, jungle adventure, and island getaway all in one. That is openly comedic. The cliches are here yet updated and funky. 

The drugged high scene is amazing for how physically actress Putri Marino transforms herself and her demeanor 

The ultimate villain Might remind some of Takia Wahtiti’s Performance in the movie FREE GUY only here, actually physically dangerous. Though jsit as impeccably styled and over the top ridiculous that showcases how dangerous he can be.

It Makes you wonder sometimes If the assassins make so many mistakes because they have never seen or don’t realize they are in an action film. So they keep falling for diversions, tricks, and traps.

This film feels like a live-action comic book. It’s full of greatness and sees itself up for a sequel. 

Definitely more of an impressive PG-13 movie except for the graphic violence 

Grade: B

BALLERINA (2023)

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Written & Directed by: Chung-Hyun Lee

Cast: Jeon Jong-Seo, Kim Ji-Hoon, Park Yu-Rim

Grieving the loss of a best friend she couldn’t protect, an ex-bodyguard sets out to fulfill her dear friend’s last wish: sweet revenge.

This is not the JOHN WICK  Spin-off that people are anxiously awaiting with Ana de Armas starring but a South Korean action revenge tale.

Went in expecting more of an action film which it is but this one is backed more by a dramatic story 

It’s meant to make the action more personal and feel more as if the storyline includes a conspiracy or her taking down more of a small bit of a larger enterprise. 

Should have expected that when the film stars, Jeon Jong-Seo. who is more known for her dramatic work. Here she is playing an action-oriented role. She is believable and it helps her. As most of the other characters expect her to be weak.

Most of the male characters are in on this conspiracy and repulsive throughout. Showcasing the film to be more female-oriented and justified. 

The action sequences are well done. It includes the use of a flame thrower which is always a plus. 

The movie is unfortunately mostly typical to average with a colorful shaded filtered motif throughout. 

Though the film truly becomes more impressive and noteworthy in the final 15 minutes which it builds up to and seems to truly come alive in its somber tone. After all that build-up. 

In the end a revenge tale plain and simple 

Grade: C+

LUCY (2014)

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Written & Directed By: Luc Besson 

Cinematography: Thierry Arbogast 

Editor: Julien Rey

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-Sik, Analeigh Tipton, Pilou Asbaek, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Jutt 

A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

The film starts off as a Eurotrash crime story. That becomes an action-adventure revenge story then goes to a full Science Fiction movie.

So that it feels like an excessive superhero movie, before trying to be something more. Which eventually Makes little to nonsense or becomes philosophical though feels too convenient. As her needling abilities come to use anytime. In an impossible situation or fight.

The film tries to put in a mystery we learn and wonder with her through these situations and events. She is forced to be a drug mule and the compilation of drugs in her system allows her to strike back. 

The film is diverse as it has an international cast and seems to be the beginning of Scarlett Johansson as an action star. Again this leaves a stunning young lady as a Warrior amongst the chaos. Who never loses her beauty or a fight it seems In a Luc Besson production. 

The real social terror of drug trafficking and sex slavery internationally. The film tries to use the horrors of these social Issues and add into it an action-fantasy element. That borders also on a revenge story. Only she gets past the revenge and her enemies just want to destroy her after she has mostly forgotten about them. 

It seems to also be a retaliation against not only dumb blinders allusions but also skinny helpless damsels. Showing they can take care of themselves and then some and all the while gaining consciousness and awareness. 

To keep the film from being a typical action film shoot ‘em up it seems like that is the only reason the consciousness theme was thrown in. Also as an ultimate dream that taking enough drugs leads to spiritual bliss.

Entirely written by Luc Besson. He actually decides to direct this film also. He usually writes and produces these films and leaves a newcomer or protege to direct. While the film is sharp considering he decided to direct it. It should be a lot better than the final product. 

In the end, the film seems to be about finding consciousness and enlightenment and rising above it all. 

Grade: C

HOLY SPIDER (2022)

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Directed By: Ali Abbasi

Written By: Ali Abbasi and Afshin Kamran Bahrami 

Cinematography: Nadim Carlsen

Editor: Olivia Neergaard-Holm and Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Alice Rahimi, Soraya Helli, Arash Ashtiani, Mehdi Bajestani, Sohaib Quista, Forouzan Jamshisnejad, Maryam Taleb 

Female journalist Rahimi travels to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad to investigate a serial killer targeting sex workers. As she draws closer to exposing his crimes, the opportunity for justice grows harder to attain when the murderer is embraced by many as a hero. Based on the true story of the ‘Spider Killer’ Saeed Hanaei, who saw himself as on a mission from God as he killed 16 women between 2000 and 2001.

This Is a film that is better to go into blind and then read this review. It discusses a lot of subjects in the film and this is the type of film. You will want to talk about it afterwards.

Drama and tension-filled, what is more disturbing is the fact that it is based on a true story. 

The film begins with a typical night for one woman. As she puts her child to end after feeding them and washes for her night out. As we see her make her rounds as a prostitute. How she is treated. We are made to believe she might be our lead character. Then she is attacked and we hope after spending this time with her she will survive, but she quickly becomes a victim. (Sort of like the SCREAM films only with no celebrity and no excitement in the kill.)

This allows us to see her killer. So that the mystery is cut short and in his hands now. 

The mystery is when or if he will get caught and how as it seems only two reporters are on his tail and seem to care. As the film continues we see the female reporters attempt to interview and find the Killer. We get to know more about his personal home life. Around his kids and wife which is relatively normal except for some outbursts and his fanatical extremism.

The film does show him hunting, picking up, and killing the prostitutes. As well as a scene that shows him having sex with his wife and with one of his victim’s bodies hidden in the room before he can dispose of it. How he gets turned on while watching the dead body a few feet away. Which only he can see.

The film offers many close calls. As we hope each time the next victim will escape and survive. Even when the bodies are discovered the reporters are at their front and center and he is in the background.

Even once the culprit is eventually caught. It shows that many men especially approve of his crimes and might inspire some to commit the crimes themselves in the future. That is one of the scariest parts of the film and the people involved. As most around him supper him Even after he is arrested.

As even after he is arrested it seems like all the work in hunting him down and getting him arrested after a reporter barely survives an attack by him. 

Luckily the film isn’t cut and dry. It doesn’t end with his arrest. We go through the short trial and also get interviews with victims’ families. As well as his own after. 

The ending offers some kind of justice turning tables to show him whimpering and fighting against his decided fate just as much as his victims fought for their lives.

The film shows the scary chauvinistic attitude and misogyny that exists in men. As even the desk clerk. Who at first didn’t want to let her have a room by herself. First son tries to hit on her and then when rejected not only threatens but finds it necessary to demean her.

In the end, it still shows a majority of the male characters inadvertently seem to hate women or at least consider them second class while holding them on a pedestal. Yet still try to exploit them for the crime in their heads of attracting them. 

GRADE: A +

A HERO (2021)

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Written & Directed By: Asghar Farhadi

Cinematography: Ali Ghazi and Arash Ramezani

Editor: Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Amir Jadidi, Mohamed Tanabandeh, Sahar Goldie’s, Faresheteh Sadorafaei, Ehsan Goodarzi, Sarina Farhadi, Maryam Shahdaei, Alireza Jahandideh 

Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don’t go as planned.

This story and film show that one lie inevitably leads to another. How he can stain or destroy all those clothes or who chooses to believe in you or it.

As we go through the film, the lead character is Denver entirely likable. He seems to blame others for his own failures and still feels he is owed. Even if at times, you can see his side to things, and that his punishment might be a little excessive, he does himself no favors.

We see how people treat him and turn on him. Something simple. Seems like it’s on a stack of dominoes, falling all in a Row one behind another.

Attention, as usual, is thrown out for something that seems so simple but cuts to the very heart of us all morally which is the strength of filmmaker Asghar Farhadi

Most of his films rely on moral dilemmas, that are easily identifiable for most of us where empathy can only go, so far before we are truly challenged to make choices

As with this film, it all boils down to honesty, survival, and ego, as well as responsibility and exploitation, and how no matter our intentions, how well-meaning they may be if not honest or honorable police can leave behind a certain stain, not to mention take on a life of their own

The film is more of a character study that involves many who are all affected by the actions of the main character.

This film shows the worst that could happen behind a good deed, and that the world is cynical that there might be Cash behind good honesty, but also if it helps you out or you take advantage of the outcome. It asks if is it still as honest.

What the film does honor and many can appreciate is that there can be many truths.

GRADE: A

ABOUT ELLY (2009)

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Written & Directed By: Asghar Farhadi 

Story By: Asghar Farhadi and Azad Jafarian

Cinematography: Hossein Jafarian

Editor: Iman Rahimi and Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Sajjad Dolati, Merila Zare’i, Mani Hachighi, Peyman Moaadi, Ra’Na Azad, Ahmad Mehranfar, Saber Abbar 

A group of friends leave Tehran for a long weekend on the Caspian Sea. A young kindergarten teacher named Elly is invited along to join the good friends and family. The reason is soon made apparent: she’s being set up with a recently divorced man. Over an easy-going holiday, tensions rise until a crisis point is triggered, and Elly goes missing.

This film is tricky as eventually, it becomes a mystery, though at first, it seems more like a reunion drama.

It quickly becomes melodramatic as friends come together and celebrate a vacation that brings a newcomer. Eventually not only is her feet under investigation but also who she was.

This all begins to tear, not only the friends apart, but also the couples and relationships. As she might have been there for some ulterior motives, that only Sam knew about.

We learn about her as most of the characters do as they keep getting pulled in Dever, as it goes along and more is revealed

This film is full-scale storytelling surrounding events in the friend’s fall out, As questions are slowly answered plenty of mysteries are introduced and still remain

The film is a morality play from different points of view, which is what the Director Asghar Farhadi, excels at painting, a full picture and making sure that you are paying attention to all the little details in focus

Not necessarily, a murder mystery, but a mystery nonetheless, as lies and secrets lead to more trouble it’s not as melodramatic as one, I think as it stays sharp and we become more invested trying to see where it will go 

The film mostly takes place in a single location that while small becomes epic 

This all leads to a haunting and haunted, ending, showing the damage of their lies, and what it has done to their lives, which would also allow for answers

Grade: B