QUEER (2024)

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Directed by: Luca Guadagnino

Written By: Justin Kuritzkes

Based On The Novel By: William S. Burroughs 

Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom 

Editor: Marco Costa 

Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Ariel Schulman, Andra Ursata, Omar Apollo, David Lowery

In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his late forties leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.

This is director Luca Guadagnino’s second film released this year and while not making its mark as strong as his previous film of the year CHALLENGERS. It does offer another look into relationships and the destructive characters within them. It’s also another random adaptation for the director. Making a film from a legendary cult writer and book.

It was like going on a trip that ends up more as a journey and never quite knowing where it will Lead. Then being a guest in this limited epic. While witnessing a love story you want to see work, but ultimately see the cracks and the doom, but still holding out hope.

This film seems to be like the author of the book William S. Burroughs’s writings that could be episodic linear more stream of consciousness at times and little short stories that didn’t really have plots and were more like chronicles, but with all the names changed.

As the film works in different stages, either way, we get to know the lead character played by Daniel Craig, and the fact that he just seems lonely in various ways he tries to rectify that through the company of others, both physically emotionally, and socially. With excessive alcohol and always a pistol by his side, truly his only constant companion. He is also a functioning junkie in the first part of the film. We see his romance with a young man and all his longing for this young man and how it plays out it’s truly beautiful how he tries to court him when we see vague images of what he wishes, he could do to him alone like touching his face in a movie theater or stroking his hair.

The next part of the film seems to focus more on the drug addiction of the character. Now he has fallen in love with this young man, and the young man seems somewhat interested in him, but is emotionally absent to him that’s deepening his drug addiction. 

The next part is when they decide to take a trip together on the search for an elusive flower, and that journey into the jungles and Amazon, and how once it does, it provides quite a unique experience that deepens both of them, but also the rest of the film is more Jumps around and it truly starts to get into the more surrealistic images and hallucinogenic images where it goes more for the visuals and at this point either you’re with the film or you’re not.

This is an easy film to try and break down and explain you can bring up certain plot points, and things that happen and still never quite get to the point of the film or what you’re watching those films as an audience member you have to experience it and come out with your own meaning like it or not. As with its author and his writing, it’s not easily explained.

The film just seems to go along on its own journey, never rushed and never quite on the path you expect but at heart it is a love story that no matter what is timeless and easily identifiable.

The soundtrack includes a lot of the music of NIRVANA and PRINCE. One wonders if it is partially because of the past collaborations between the author of the book and the film is based upon William S. Burroughs and NIRVANA lead singer Kurt Cobain, but also a way to show they art can be timeless. Especially if it evokes a certain mood and atmosphere that is personal, identifiable, and universal in a sense.

Just like the title most of us know what Queer means to most, but here while it has its brushes with what most believe. It also goes out of its way to not be easily definable. It can be a title but never quite an entire identity. As so many have their own definitions of it. So just like the characters this film refuses to be one thing or ride along one wavelength. 

Grade: B 

PARACHUTE (2023)

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Directed By: Brittany Snow 

Written By: Brittany Snow and Becca Gleason 

Editor: Henry Hayes and Matthew L. Weiss 

Cast: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Kid Cudi, Dave Bautista, Joel McHale, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Westfeldt, Kathryn Gallagher, Lukas Gage 

Follows Riley, who has recently been released from rehab after struggling with addictions to food and body image. She meets Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between love and a new addiction.

This film is the directorial debut of actress Brittany Snow and it’s a very accomplished debut as you think it’s going to be a typical twenty-something romance, It reveals itself to be much more.

As there is a romance, it’s also a character piece. That deals with damaged characters throughout and the person who chooses to be with this character and it helps, but it’s not the healthiest relationship for either.

As the film goes along, we see what might have helped to cause Riley the female lead character  problems, and issues, and throughout we see her getting better, but also how she kind of sabotages herself and how the man who is in love with her might actually be hurting her and himself by enabling her

It seems like they might be good for each other, but at the wrong time and in helping each other, they’re only digging themselves deeper into their own problems as their romance is never defined though obvious to all.

We also see how her problems affect those around her friends, family, and even associates.

As what starts off as typical slowly reveals its depths and though it might only offer sketches of certain side characters, it does offer a reality and a look at all of their lives and how they affect one another 

The film is more nourishing than one might expect as you come for something lighthearted, and you get something quite heavy, and the performances of the leads are just so devastating Eaton. This is the first time that I remember her in a leading role and quite strong and affecting and Thomas Mann , who I remember from many teenage or of age films really steps into his own as an actor and his lead in the leading role of the suitor who buries his own misery, trying to help others, but only sinks himself, and the others even lower by not truly allowing himself to be happy. Teaching the power of letting go.

This is definitely a film to check out and really live with as it’s not typical even the ending isn’t typical, but it feels true and Its Own Way, Earnest with ambiguity and hope.

Grade: B+

WE BROKE UP (2023)

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Directed by: Jeff Rosenberg 

Written By: Jeff Rosenberg and Laura Jacqmin 

Cinematography: Andrew Aiello

Editor: Stephanie Kaznocha 

Cast: William Jackson Harper, Aya Cash, Sarah Bolger, Tony Cavalero, Peri Gilpin, Azita Ghanizada, Kobi Libii, Larisa Oleynik, Eduardo Franco 

Longtime couple Lori and Doug break up just days before Lori’s little sister Bea’s wedding to Jayson. In order to not disrupt the fun, they decide to pretend they’re still together until the weekend is over.

This is The second movie I have watched with William Jackson Harper about an African-American breaking up with a white woman, but also played by a good underrated actress here played by Aya Cash. both of them can pull off this material in their sleep.

We’ve seen this type of story and film before a comedy-drama with romance where a couple is forced to attend a wedding and act like nothing happened to say face in front of family and friends and for the special occasion 

Like most relationships, the same in many ways, but are significantly special in the details, locations, and structures of their own

Going through the break up with one another, and so close to the time was all already sudden we are watching them deal with the ramifications and emotions while being forced to be around one another

The film is artistically, directed, and pasted while going for comedy or humor, but not too outlandish at times

It’s a joy to either of the actors and anything as they have shown their versatility and can be quite charming.

As it’s actually more enjoyable than expected, and it gets deeper as it goes along and offers a mature look at relationship relationships they will admit it is filled with sitcom situations and humor at times.

It’s a satisfying watch that will ring true for some viewers as it is the cast that pulls it across the finish line and makes it somewhat memorable.

Grade: C+

CRAZY EYES (2012)

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Directed By: Adam Sherman 

Written By: Adam Sherman, Dave Reeves and Rachel Hardisty 

Cinematography: Sharone Meir 

Editor: Sam Bauer 

Cast: Lukas Haas, Madeline Zima, Jake Busey, Tania Raymonde, Ray Wise, Valerie Mahaffey, Moran Atias, Ned Bellamy, Laura Piro, Regine Nehy 

Zach is guy for whom the party never ends. But when he meets the girl he nicknames “Crazy Eyes,” the inability to have her, combined with family matters, are signs that his idle life might be due for a change.

This seems like it’s supposed to be a romantic tale. While it has a good cast, by the end you dislike most of the characters.

It can be seen as one man’s journey to find the truth. He’s so unlikeable that it’s hard to truly feel sympathy or feelings for him.

The main character is a trust fund kid. Who is also a player and an alcoholic. Who knows and believes that all around him are only after him to support or pay for them. Which the movie shows to be true for the most part.

The film mainly revolves around his fascination with a woman who goes on dates, makes out with him, and constantly sleeps with him. Though there is no sex involved.

Which he seems to be determined to do. Though not above sleeping with other women while he tries to get her. She is a major drinker herself and seems to have mental problems. Though never clearly defined. They seem to support one another from their bad decisions to the next impulse.

They each have friends that revolve around them. Who are there only to bounce thoughts off of and show they know others who might be worse off than they are. A bartender and lingerie designer. Who seems more interested in the lead to find her dreams and lifestyle.

There is even a character who just seems to be here as eye candy and temptation but doesn’t come too much. As she is just another unlikeable character in the mix. We do get to meet his parents which offers some depth and a bit of an explanation. 

there is a kind of twist by the end that somehow makes all the characters seem worse and justifies the lead somewhat. Though leaves it open-ended as to what has changed if anything in his life. It offers one of the most unfortunately downtrodden and realistic endings. 

If it weren’t for the cast I don’t know if I would have bothered finishing the film. As it seems so far teaching and kind of like a tangent against Los Angeles and its bar culture to a degree. As well as relationships. The film is very misogynistic and angry. Even though it tries to seem laid back.

The directing is all over the place and dark. The lead always wants to go to the bar or for a drink as his come-ons seem a bit much and overbearing. Though while not against drugs his character mainly indulges in alcohol. This film feels like a lighter version of BARFLY. Without any of the charm.

Luckily for a film that seems focused on sex, there is very little of it or any nudity. Though that might be disappointing to some. At least it would serve as a distraction from what we have to sit through. It would also offer a release which this film seems dedicated to not delivering on any of its points. 

What is truly disappointing is the movie has the goods and talent to be a better film but seems like it’s so indulgent that it seems doomed to fail.

One wishes the movie was more about Madeline Zima’s character. 

Grade: D

TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN (2024)

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Directed By: Hannah Marks

Written By: Elizabeth Berger and Issac Aptaker

Based On The Novel By: John Green

Cinematography: Brian Burgoyne 

Editor: Andrea Bottigliero

Cast: Isabela Merced, Cree, Judy Reyes, Felix Mollard, Maliq Johnson, J. Smith-Cameron, Poorna Jagannathan, Tim Gooch, Hannah Marks, Debby Ryan 

Aza Holmes. It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying… trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope in the face of her mental illness.

A nice coming-of-age story that deals with mental health primarily OCD.

Though at times the film does feel a little wish fulfillment It does feel a bit more real emotionally than some of its peers.

What I really enjoyed is that the film starts off introducing the characters and giving us what looks to be a mystery and investigation and uses it as an introduction to take us on a different journey and a different type of film and story and then kind of bring it back to our initial adventure that closure but also further the other story that was in the middle.

It’s refreshing that all of these issues and drama are tackled with a cast. That is the verse, but the main characters are mostly of Hispanic origin so there are more people of color within this film.

One thing I have to credit is that this film is based on the book by John Green and I have not read this book. I have seen most of the film adaptations of his books and each one while summer better than the others. They have all been heart-wrenching and heartbreaking and well done and I feel it because his books are a wealth of material that is easily identifiable and have an everlasting ring of truth in tragedy is still uplifting and romantic.

One has to give Director Hannah Marks great as she is an actress and Director, and for someone so young has knocked it out of the park with the films that she has directed usually our stories are always so well acted quirky, and memorable that she is a great talent that deserves to recognize more.

No, it does show that maybe I’m getting older as the lead character’s best friend I found it continuously annoying and was glad half the time when she wasn’t in scenes, but by the end, her character is so so endearing that I couldn’t imagine the film without her character without her.

As these films used to be catnip for me, and I used to be one of the first people, crying and being emotional over these films and while it still gets to a part of me, I don’t find myself as emotionally invested as I used to. I still these types of films. 

What I appreciate is that there was no big cure at the end there’s an ending that works, but there’s also the truth about the condition and the characters in that it may never be solved. Simply, you have to keep living your life and deal with it as it comes.

It’s also the first time that maybe I’ve noticed where a romantic comedy kind of looks at the male love interest through a female gaze as they’re not the center of the story, but more towards the side and are unbelievably helpful and good-looking and are there to provide moral support and the film goes out of its way to make them just the perfect love interest for the character where they’re tall their good looking they’re rich they give them what any woman would want. 

The only thing in the way is the female character and confidence. So the male here is more in the role of the dream partner in the flesh and willing and waiting. While only having eyes for them.

Grade: B

FIRSTBORN (1984)

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Directed By Michael Apted

Written By: Ron Koslow 

Cinematography: Ralf D. Mode

Editor: Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Peter Weller, Christopher Collet, Teri Garr, Corey Haim, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Gartin, James Harper, Josh Hamilton, J.D. Roth

Because he’s the oldest, Jake has been the man of the house, since his parents divorce. When Mom starts seeing Sam, who always seems to be trying some new way to get rich quick, and declares he’s the man of the house now, Jake puts up with it. Until he discovers Sam’s illegal activities.

Though I’m sure it was gripping when it came out watching this film now it isn’t bad, but it does come across more as an after-school special. That is a little bit more adult than the ones that played at the time. 

Times have changed as in the past films like these could be big dramatic films to make it to the big screen rather than being relegated more to television, movies, fair, or overly melodramatic lifetime movies now.

The film has plenty of great dramatic moments and slowly shows how the dysfunctional situation of this young man whose home is invaded by her mom’s drug-dealing boyfriend and who slowly destroys each member of his mom becoming more and more junkie his striking out in anger and becoming much more reclusive as he never wants to be at home. The young man himself slowly starting to lose his composure and his laid-back mentality. 

it’s fun to see Peter Weller in this role as you can understand his allure and how at first he seems kindhearted,  youthful, and A big talker. Slowly, we see him deflate, and how full of it he is he spends most of his days asleep watching television on their couch while their mother goes out and works. 

We also see her attention when it comes to common responsibilities. Like Cooking and cleaning paying bills on time, and being around. It’s ending is too tidy, but at least it shows or handset what went into all of the character’s decisions where the mother was dating a perfectly nice guy, but met this bad boy who is a little bit more exciting and has all these plans he has and is much better and I believe a bit younger Especially coming on the heels of her ex-husband getting remarried.

That is the only hard part of the film that it takes to believe and completely shows how out of the loop the ex-husband is that he’s always traveling and he calls his sons and cares about them to check up on them. It’s still distant by only phone he never physically comes to check up on them or hears of them and their problems at school. 

For the most part, the film does keep your interest as you want to see where it goes and how bad is it gonna go and in the third act you want to see how is it going to relieve itself? It never goes over the top in the violence or the dramatics, it keeps itself at a low simmer most of the time there’s nothing that really boils over until the end and even then it’s not as over the top as you would expect.

It’s nice to see Peter Weller, in an early dramatic role. The handsome troublesome hustler is just the wrong element in all of this.

Is the film debut of future teen idol, Corey Haim, and even in this role he’s got the dramatic goods and comes across his believable even if it’s a troubled child it’s a troubled child role. Even Robert Downey Jr. has a small role in this film as more of the flamboyant and punk friend of the lead character group.

Christopher Collet stayed in the lead and had a pretty good acting career, though this was one of his rare leading roles, he carried the film quite believably for the time. For a film that took place in a suburban area could call it a team with adult themes, but I guess you could also call it a troubled family film.

Not Too many surprises it’s worth a look looking for a more dramatic, overture, and film that is more hidden film than it is popular as I constantly got this film, confused with the more exploitative film SCREAM FOR HELP. This is more respectable and better made. Of course, for most audiences, there might be a feeling of having been there and done that while watching 

It doesn’t come across as anything special about the film though it’s a solid watch

Grade: C+

THE CHUMSCRUBBER (2005)

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Directed By: Arie Posen 

Story By: Arie Posen and Zac Stanford 

Written By: Zac Stanford

Cinematography: Lawrence Sher 

Editor: William Scharf And Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Lou Taylor Pucci, Rory Culkin, Glenn Close, Carrie Anne Moss, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Lauren Holly, Caroline Goodall, William Fichtner, John Heard, Allison Janney, Rita Wilson 

a dark comedy about the lives of people who live in upper-class suburbia. It all begins when Dean Stiffle finds the body of his friend, Troy. He doesn’t bother telling any of the adults because he knows they won’t care. Everyone in town is too self-consumed to worry about anything else than themselves. And everybody is on some form of drug just to get themselves through the day. After Troy’s death, local drug dealers at the school run out of their stash. They convince Dean to get Troy’s stash or they are going to kill his brother that they kidnapped, but they grabbed the wrong kid.

This show is an intriguing failure that seems to be some sort of statement or satire on disaffected teens coming apart at the seams in suburbia after tranquilizing themselves on recreational drugs for so long that they seem to be scared of their own emotions. I wish the film played and explored more of what I just described.

Instead, the film seems more interested in the adult characters, who are not as deep and as types. This only makes their stories seem melodramatic or the product of a soap opera. Which makes one wonder how the film got such a powerful cast for a film that feels more like a desperate Housewives spin-off

The film seems to shy away from too much depth to focus more on the quirks and offbeat comedy.

The film is all surface but tries too hard at times to seem deep almost like a pretty girl reading an intellectual book and you notice over weeks each time you see her she is on the same page as she only does it for the attention or seems smarter than she might actually be

The ending feels too. The end feels too clean cut which one could see if this was based on pre-existing material but as it is an original production, it could’ve been worked on a bit more. It feels too self-serving, trying to please an audience instead of going for emotional truth.

It ends up playing more like a studio version of an independent coming-of-age film. With the parents so busy with themselves, they never pay attention to their own kids, even after one commits suicide, which might be blatant science for attention and help or even subconscious ones.. though the adults seem to anodize themselves with Work and each other as a form of hiding.

The film tries to tighten it like video games and not feeling real trying to achieve a numbness or doing things so that they can feel something. Not fall into the same traps and behavior as their parents, though it seems they easily follow suit.

Has a good score which other than the cast seems to be the most accomplished thing about it.

Grade: C

ONE OF THEM DAYS (2025)

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Directed By: Lawrence Lamont 

Written By: Syreeta Singleton 

Cinematography: Ava Berkofsky 

Editor: Kim Boritz-Brehm And Tia Nolan 

Cast: Keke Palmer, Sza, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Maude Apatow, Katt Williams, Patrick Cage, Lil Rel Howery, Gabrielle Dennis, Janelle James, Amin Joseph 

When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

At first, this film Feels like it’s Going to be the female version of FRIDAY. It’s not so much a hang-out movie as the characters keep running around the city. Though like that film there are plenty of colorful characters.

The humor is also a little More Lightweight and goofy. as at times it feels like it could go further but it keeps holding itself back to be less wacky and a bit more Realistic. 

The film is entertaining and likable enough. Though the comedy there is. Nothing exceptional except Again it’s nice to see two female Characters in a comedy. They get into all sorts of adventures and shenanigans and aren’t necessarily Portrayed as angels, but as good at heart.

Especially one staring at two African American females that are as smart as it is silly and doesn’t feel like it’s Talking down nor above the audience. 

The Film Stays fun throughout. Though both the leads are way better than the material they make it work with their chemistry and energy. Keke Palmer deserves better scripts and roles. She clearly is having the time of her life.

One admires her for her natural charisma On Screen and has usually been solid in her roles. As she is a former child Star has kept working over the years and only recently started getting recognized for her talent and getting bigger and better roles. As here she is the more responsible of the duo.

Sza plays the second lead the more free-spirited of the duo. Also the more comedic one and she makes a memorable acting debit 

As always in comedies some Of the best things about the film And script are the supporting characters those who are predictable and unpredictable.

The only part that could have been worked on or tighter could have been the third-act villain out of nowhere. 

It’s a film that moves fast and isn’t too deep keeps Up the momentum, and never slows down 

Grade: B- 

ABIGAIL (2023)

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Directed By: Melissa Vitello 

Written By: Gunnar Garrett

Cinematography: Bryan Ricke

Editor: Michael S. Ojeda 

Cast: Ava Cantrell, Tren Reed-Brown, Gene Farber, Hermione Lynch, Karina Westbrook, Yanni Walker, Trace Talbot, Patrick Hilgart, Meredith Vivian 

In 1976 a troubled teen befriends her bullied neighbor, seeking revenge on his tormentors, but her obsession turns deadly.

The Film starts off as a coming-of-age film that seems like it will be about revenge before it takes several turns and becomes something totally different not outrageous but a little bit harder to label. At first, it seems like it could be more of a backwoods BECKY type of film. Only with less action and more horror.

This is an odd little film. It starts off as a revenge tale of Justice, and then there are several twists and turns by the end you were wondering, if the title character is truly an antihero or truly just a sociopath and psychopath, even though the film tries to hint at her maybe just being misjudged. 

As throughout the victims in the film, I’m not going to say they’re the greatest people, but it does feel a little excessive for what is doubt to them by logic. Maybe that’s justified though there is truly only one innocent victim. It seems and the film seems to have no sympathy for them. 

luckily, the movie gets to the point very fast and maybe it’s just my nature but there just seems to be some kind of element missing as the story is a bit more original than you would expect and there’s nothing wrong with the follow-through but there’s like little things that mess with the mixture like there’s really no reason why this film is set in the 1970s except maybe they wanted an absence of technology, but considering it takes place in a small southern town, it could’ve been modern and the characters didn’t have certain amenities

And in its own way you could call this a slasher film that takes its time where we get to know the slasher not necessarily their origins, but we see their kind of upbringing or a little bit after their start.

The film isn’t necessarily gory, nor does it involve any nudity or sex, so you can’t exactly call it exploitative even though when it’s DNA, it has the makings of one. There are several times where it does feel a bit campy sometimes on purpose other times not necessarily and the acting isn’t always the best but it’s good enough to keep your interest while it plays. 

Grace: C

THE NEW KIDS (1985)

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Directed By: Sean S. Cunningham 

Written By: Stephen Gyllenhaal

Story By: Stephen Gyllenhaal and Brian Taggert 

Cinematography: Steven Poster 

Editor: Rita Roland 

Cast: Shannon Presby, Lori Loughlin, James Spader, Eric Stoltz, Eddie Jones, John Philbin, Tom Atkins, Brad Sullivan 

Newly orphaned siblings Abby and Loren McWilliams arrive in a small Florida town to help their Aunt Fay and Uncle Charlie run a family-owned amusement park, and they find that the town is terrorized by a local street gang.

This is definitely a film of its time. A film that is mostly a thriller towards the end turns into an action film in a small town. 

It has James Spader as a southern redneck, a gang leader in Florida, who is a Sharp dresser and has died beach, blonde, hair and eyebrows that almost make him look like an albino. You wonder why his character would hang out with them whom his gang seems to be made up of as they come off more southern redneck stereotypes than he does.

The title gives it away that this story is about a brother and sister, whose parents passed away and who move in with an uncle who may or may not be using them for labor and money to open up his own amusement park. They try to fit in the school, but the local gang takes a liking to the sister and begins to harass her, and when her brother tries to defend her, he becomes their other.

Throughout the film, each of them gets back at one another and ups the ante until the inevitable finale when the gang takes it too far and the brother and sister have to defend themselves against them and any hope of the police getting involved seems absent as there is a sheriff, but he seems to be the only cop we see throughout the film And the teachers seem to turn a blind eye to everything.

The film isn’t bad it it sometimes feels a little ridiculous, but it stays entertaining and seems perfect for its teen audience as long as no one asks too many questions. The film could be easily forgettable and typical of its time, though it has some ridiculous curveballs that keep the audience interested. It is not truly a time capsule of time and genre.

It stays away from being exploited though at times it seems like it’s going that way, and part of the fun is seeing well-known actors playing supporting roles in this film.

It’s definitely a film that has a certain audience, though you can enjoy some more absurd elements that make it a perfect popcorn movie to look back upon. 

Through it all this is more a film to watch for James Spader‘s strange performance amongst the other absurdities. as it is so random yet so captivating a hint of things to come in a showcase a bit of his range. Though also for a villain, he seems to be filmed like a heartthrob more than even the heroic character of the film

Grade: C