Directed, Cinematography & Editor: Richard Wong Written By: Erik Linthrost
Cast: Grant Rosenmeyer, Hayden Szeto, Ravi Patel, Gabourey Sidibe, Janeane Garofolo, C.S. Lee, Jennifer Jelsema
Three young men with disabilities hit the road with a jaded nurse driver to a brothel in Montreal catering to people with special needs. Remake of the acclaimed Belgian film ‘Hasta La Vista’.
First off yes this is a heartwarming film that is predictable focusing on a road trip of ill-gotten but understandable means.
This is a rare film that focuses solely on characters with disabilities that seems to only come along every so few years. Even though most of the actors aren’t disabled they sell it through their actions.
Whereas even when it comes to their parents they have to prove their gaining of independence.
While the film does the obligatory scenes of showing them as normal human beings with the same desires as most. Then have to prove to others who are prejudiced against them that they can do things like jokes. The film offers a diverse cast
This is also a film that is a little lightweight and while it has its little adventures. The strength of this movie is the characters and their different personalities. They eventually charm you so that you are forging for them and want to see what kind of calamities they get into next.
It’s episodic in brute but as the film goes along the characters grow on you. So that while they might begin as stereotypes. They eventually grow into well-rounded characters. Who you grow to appreciate.
The film even has an unexpected romance. It truly is an unexpected hidden gem. That gets by More on Emotion than filmmaking.
Directed By: Fernando Meirelles Written By: Anthony McCarten Cinematography: Cesar Charlone Editor: Fernando Stutz
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Luis Gnecco, Christina Banegas, Renato Scarpa, Sidney Cole
Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.
What one would think would be a more theatrical two-hander if discussions ends up being bigger and luckily more spacious. That still involves a meeting of the two grand actors, but the films. Space is filled in with their backstories, decisions, and actions before the meetings. Even a past romance is Hinted at and a strong sense of music.
The film just feels comfortable. We get two sides of the same issues only with different insights and different ways of believing and dealing with the issues.
The common man manages the royal assessment when it comes to the views. The film takes on issues. If not the causal conversations, ones that you wish actually happened. Which helps explain policy and gives a behind-the-scenes look.
Going in you think it is going to be more satirical but it stays more dramatic and truthful to a degree.
In the end, this is an earned film. Whose heart is in the right place, but still feels like a prestigious film above all else.
Shocked that it is directed by Fernando Meirelles who is usually more of a visual director. Though he does make a film that could have easily been dull. Seems more alive and vivid. It feels full of life that makes you appreciative of the small details of life
This film comes across as informative. You watch to learn more about the Pope’s practices and process, but more are here to see the performances by the two lead actors.
Though it offers a character study, a tale based on true events. That also has world events as a backdrop
Directed By: Clint Eastwood Written By: Billy Ray Based Upon the article “American Nightmare: The Ballad Of Richard Jewell” By: Marie Brenner Based Upon The Book “The Suspect” By: Kent Alexander & Kevin Salwen Cinematography: Yves Belanger Editor: Joel Cox
Cast: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Ian Gomez, Nina Arianda, Mike Pniewski
During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, security guard Richard Jewell discovers a suspicious backpack under a bench in Centennial Park. With little time to spare, he helps to evacuate the area until the incendiary device inside the bag explodes. Hailed as a hero who saved lives, Jewell’s own life starts to unravel when the FBI names him the prime suspect in the bombing.
A film about a man who at first was a national hero than a suspect. Shows how fast admiration can turn on a person.
While this film is an interesting investigation and feels stronger than a television movie. It still feels like the handiwork of one just with better talent. It oddly also feels rushed throughout.
What saves the film is the tremendous cast. Especially Paul Walter Hauser in a more dramatic role than the comedic ones we are used to. This is the time where someone is more seen as a character actor. Gets a chance to not only star in a film but show they have the right stuff to play a lead in the movie.
This is a film about a man who has been raised to believe in the American dream. Only for it to turn its back on him and despite it all. While he is seen increasingly as a suspect and mistreated he still believes in due process and only seems to help incriminate himself.
Olivia Wilde is over the top in the role as a reporter who seems out to ruin Richard Jewell. In her performance, she feels like she came from another movie. The film also treats her character as misogynistic. As she seems to use sex and sex appeal to get her stories more than research and talent.
She also stands out, as most of the film and the characters come off as subdued and she comes off like a shining bright light comparatively.
The film Is at least fright forward in its telling there is no fat here. It gets straight to the point.
Again Paul Walter Hauser gives a strong performance that could be seen as both comedic as Dramatic. as this is a sad character whose world falls around him but still believes in law and order despite it all. He has bravado but proves to be quite delicate. Not necessarily likable especially these days but quite identifiable.
As this is a character who could easily come off as slow or more comedic but Hauser gives him heart and a presence. Where he deserves more respect than most give him.
Sam Rockwell’s character is a kind of frustrated standoffish type lawyer, but believes in Richard and ends up being his closest and true ally. Even if he seems ornery or distrusting most times.
The film feels like a thorough truthful docudrama. As there is little grandstanding. No overly dramatic scenes though based on a true story there is an end but not necessarily any closure or satisfying nature or narrative.
The film gives Jon Hamm’s character motivation to basically try to hide his leaking of info and trying to quickly close the case by trying to find a patsy who fit the Bill and to be a hero himself by solving the case as this crime happened on his watch.
This comes across as Another story of the people of the Midwest for director Clint Eastwood. Where the characters are more salt of the earth and face their destiny abs have to deal with the aftermath. As this film is a dramatization of a more recent evening witch hunt. Where the film villainized the press as the government to a degree. Showing the common man no matter how overzealous to be a pawn rather than letting them live their lives naturally and non-corrupt.
It also shows Eastwood’s passion to show a dying Americana from which he believes in and comes. Though his politics are old school and tricky. He’s not above showing the atrocities of those in power, but also like John Ford with his wearers where they showed the disappearing plains and modernization taking over. Eastwood does the same only with it seems American culture and values
Directed By: Sophia Takal Written By: Sophia Takal, April Wolfe & Roy Lee Cinematography: Mark Schwartzbard Editor: Ben Baudhuin & Jeff Betancourt
Cast: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Brittany O’Grady, Cary Elwes, Caleb Eberhardt, Simon Mead, Madeline Adams, Zoe Robins, Ben Black
Hawthorne College is quieting down for the holidays. One by one, sorority girls on campus are being killed by an unknown stalker. But the killer is about to discover that this generation’s young women aren’t willing to become hapless victims as they mount a fight to the finish.
Not exactly a remake but it does involve a serial killer around Christmas when the college is empty stalking Mostly women.
The plot is Changed a bit here as it is almost an original film that might have kissed off fans of the movie. Where it seems like an ideology or a kind of feminist ideology took over more than the plot.
That is ok if it still makes a thrilling movie but it comes off as weak. As it seems more interested in making a statement which is fine but the way it tries seems empty especially when Trying to fit it into a more blockbuster film. I applaud the message though it comes off as off-centered eventually.
As well. As the reveal of who the killers are and why with a kind of supernatural goo that I am guessing reading up On the film is toxic masculinity dripping through their veins as a kind of reaction to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings.
The metaphors feel too spot-on as they are not very subtle. The film has nerve but it also needs a bit more polish.
One can see that the film was made for a certain audience to feel represented and to show empowerment for the female audience by watching it and can applaud the film for that point but as far as watching it and being entertaining. It had many problems and weaknesses that seems random and more ambiguous and random
Which might be me and certain audience members might not be the right audience for this film as we were expecting something different and what is here doesn’t speak as strongly to us
The film certainly comes off with no frills to feel more homegrown and a little more natural. The film’s style seems to have very little of it. This almost comes off as an episode of a horror television series where.
There is a message in its heart but it seems to take over the narrative. Which would work better if not necessarily trying to be subversive. Instead burying it turns the audience off from what they were expecting and mad at what they have been served. Maybe if it was better overall I wouldn’t mind.
Though in the end. just as Off point as the message of the film. So is the filmmaking which seems less interested in horror and more uninterested and going through the motions when it comes to that aspect of the film.
Which feels like it has gone far off from what it was aimed at. That it feels silly and far fetched. In essence, it didn’t mix well and got too preachy.
Written & Directed By: Nora Fingscheidt Cinematography: Yunus Roy Imer Editor: Stephan Bechinger & Julia Kovalenko
Cast: Helena Zengel, Albrecht Schuch, Gabriela Maria Schmeide, Lisa Hagmeister, Melanie Straub, Maryam Zaree
She is small but dangerous. Wherever Benni ends up, she is immediately expelled. The wild 9-year-old girl has already become what child protection services call a “system crasher”. And she is certainly not looking to change her ways. Because Benni has one single goal: to be back at home with her mommy. But Bianca is scared of her own daughter. Mrs. Bafané from child protection services is trying her best to find a permanent placement for Benni. She hires the anger management trainer Micha as Benni’s school escort and suddenly there is a seed of hope. Will Micha be able to succeed where all others despaired?
At first, wasn’t sure what to expect from this film. Seems basic at first watching a girl go through the Foster care system, but she is particularly violent and disruptive.
The film soon starts to show its hand with a character new to the case and situation. Who is tough yet caring but like the main character can’t seem to save her from herself. Even as he continuously tries and makes progress.
When it comes to this film what is so heartbreaking is that every time it looks like the young female main character will be saved. Circumstances end up making the situation worse.
Where it happens so many times it could almost be a running joke. Though each time it is presented it seems to be at a different level of desperation and rising emotional unraveling.
She is the major problem most times in all of these situations, but she is just a child, but more than A handful and violent who can’t seemingly calm down or manage her emotions. She is more a product of her environment and where she has been pushed by the adults in her life.
We see what maybe inspires her. In her mother’s overwhelming false promises and keeps on taking in the obviously wrong men. Who seems more important to her than her kids.
This movie takes you on a journey with her, an emotionally raw one by the end you feel worn out and exhausted.
The only Person she bonds with is her Walker who had an anger problem himself and after some success, she eventually becomes too much for him a grown man. Though we learn more about her through their time together. He is constantly trying to protect her though he isn’t that conventional himself
Throughout the film, it is a wild ride. As always there seems to be hope and some peace. Through a parent or savior, something goes wrong, usually through the behavior of the child. That she ends up living up to the title of the movie as her file. Where despite the many phases and programs for different types of children meant to save her. She fails through them all and is too young for others even the rock bottom last resort she seems too strong for.
Even though she can be innocent and charming. Like with her school walker’s wife. Soon enough she presents her scary angry side. This ends up leading to one of the more nail-biting scenes of the soon
The film presents an ending that is ambiguous but seems like she will never stop or learn her lesson. As what starts out as a tantrum shows she kind of takes joy in causing trouble.
Directed By: Patrick Brice Written By: Sam Bain Cinematography: Tarin Anderson Editor: Christopher Donlon
Cast: Demi Moore, Ed Helms, Jessica Williams, Karan Soni, Nasim Pedrad, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jennifer Kim, Calum Worthy, Martha Kelly, Dan Bakkedahl, Leland Orser
Team-building trips are the work of the devil. And if you think that’s not true, try telling it to the staff from the edible cutlery company run by the self-centered Lucy Vanderton, sent on a day-trip that ends with all of them trapped in a cave; an ideal scenario for labor unrest to literally lead to cannibalism.
The cast is better than the material and this feels like SUPERSTORE the movie is only way darker and with a smaller cast.
It reminds me of a failed cynical web series combined into a feature that never got a chance
Maybe I liked it as it is a Film that feels sitcom-ish and has the right cynical attitude that while it doesn’t quite work as a satire of that was its aim but shows the pettiness of a group who do manage to at first turn on one another but form a group synergy by the end. Out of necessity.
Seeing Demi Moore tackle Comedy is a welcome fix that she hasn’t ventured too often and while she fails to impress she is game and has fun with the role. As it is called upon for a star and outlandish. Sharon stone was originally supposed to play the part and she would have fit the role better but with Demi Moore is mroe unpredictable and off-center which prepares you for the film really
Though it is to the film’s benefit that she is here as the star. She draws an audience and plays the role broad. You trust her to pick good quality material and considering the cast is recognizable as talented yet no superstars yet. She takes center stage as kind of the leader even if she is an albatross as we come to see her but the others shine around her while orbiting around her
While Ed helms is one of the bigger names attached in the cast he isn’t In It for long then the movie is just shy of 90 minutes.
Not recommending this movie for everyone but I had fun With it and believe most audiences will too. As It isn’t the most energetic but a film that entertains
Written by Sam Bain of the British sitcom PEEP SHOW fame (Which I will admit to being a fan of) it has that funny yet dark sensibility of characters who appear normal at first but are secretly selfish and petty who let that show once there are no rules. Kind of the same attitude he brings to the film FOUR LIONS screenplay.
It also helped lift me out of a bad mood. In the end, this film amounts to A broad comedy in a small space. that is more low-key.
Written & Directed By: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore Cinematography: Ben Kutchins Editor: James Thomas
Cast: Adam Devine, Rose Byrne, Alexandra Shipp, Ron Funches, Charlyne Yi, Michael Pena, Wanda Sykes, Justin Hartley, Kid Cudi
Phil has a major dependency issue – he’s addicted to his phone. He has no friends, he has a job writing pop culture “Top 10” lists, and his love life is non-existent. But his Facebook status is about to change. When he is forced to upgrade his phone, the latest model comes with an unexpected feature… Jexi – an A.I. life coach, virtual assistant, and cheerleader. With her help, Phil begins to get a real life. But as he becomes less dependent on his phone, Jexi’s artificial intelligence morphs into a tech nightmare determined to keep Phil all to herself, even if it means ruining his chances of finding success.
Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, known to make comedic free for all films. Some that work and are quite funny and some that don’t, but while this one is scaled back it still has the chaos and anarchy run amuck in Certain scenes
This is a comedy film that feels a little late to the party. As it seems to want to lampoon technology and the growing need of people to live by it.
It also provides a movie that has a high concept story and comes off as simplistic as possible, but also trying to have a certain hipness to sell itself to a willing audience.
It feels like a script where it was better to pitch and spitball. Trying to build a Whole film around the concept. That was more fun in thinking about rather than in execution.
As it still ends up feeling out of place to a degree like a 1990’s comedy. Even as the film is supposed to be more dependent on cutting-edge technology. Where it showcases the danger of technology, limiting it more and the rewards of living life and experience.
Though the film Also shows what can happen when someone who is the center of your attention loses interest or has no dependence. How vengeful they can be in that loneliness.
It also in its own way shows what an addiction can do to us. Therefore love your life for your own enjoyment.
The cast all seem to give it they’re all. As every character seems over the top to a degree. Adam Devine is a funny and able leading man, but needs to find better scripts than these subpar romantic comedies of the Netflix variety.
Alexandra Shipp is attractive as the love interest but is given nothing to really do rather than show independence early on day then fall into romance and be the most understanding cool, beautiful girl in the movie.
Though the late romantic square becomes awkward and doesn’t exactly work. Nor is it explained why Jexi is the way she is.
In the end, it was a perfectly ok time waster. As long as you know what you are getting into and don’t expect much.
Directed By: Danishka Esterhazy Written By: Jed Blinoff & Scott Thomas Cinematography: Trevor Calverlay Editor: Michael P. Mason
Cast: Dani Kind, Steve Lund, Celina Martin, Finlay Wojtak-Hissong, Sara Canning, Romeo Carrere, Maria Nash, Naledi Majola
A family attends a live taping of The Banana Splits television series, but are forced to survive as soon as the characters go haywire and start a killing spree around the studio.
You know what you are going to get from this type of film. Then again you might not of expecting this to be an exact big-screen version of the television show. Anyone going into this film can’t complain too much. As for how good or bad quality did you really think it would be?
As this is more a kind of reinvention. we have the characters more or less going on a murder spree. This is explained but seems a rather thin reason.
At first, the characters who are killed are generally unlikeable so you pretty much know they are going to be victims and the film doesn’t try to hide that fact, but then some rather likable and innocent characters start to get off.
The most enjoyable aspect of this film is the kills. The violence which like the show is very over the top and impressive in a ridiculous way. Keep in mind this Film was made to premiere in the Syfy network. Though bathes itself in gore.
The film plays like a dark comedy the only problem is that it really has no style. It just leaves the audience waiting for the kills. Then at first seems like a more demanding black comedy that at first is a revenge movie of sorts. Then just becomes a horror film. That flirts with killing children but then backs away from the edge that it tries to push us over.
There is an interesting part of the movie when a character cracks and becomes a totally different type. One that actually might relegate a sequel.
Though the film ends up being pretty predictable and comes off as a rushed Canadian horror feature. That is generic except for its pop-culture tie-in. That seems the best way to use the characters as we have already had a kind of animatronic live-action feature film in WILLY’S WONDERLAND
It doesn’t seem anyone including a studio was interested in trying to update it into a Family Comedy. So this seems an inventive way to go or at least a way to make a quick dollar for the franchise and bring them up to date maybe even be slightly subversive.
Written, Directed, Edited and Cinematography By: Quentin Dupieux
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Adele Haenel, Albert Delpy, Coralie Russier, Marie Bunel
A man’s obsession with his designer deerskin jacket causes him to blow his life savings and turn to crime.
Another tale of a possessed object of sorts
The film could easily be seen as analogue to trying to make a film or in following your dream that seems impossible above all else but you do it anyway. Especially when you try to do it all alone and the crazy situations and deals you find yourself having to manage
Only here though there is filmmaking involved it’s about the destruction of every other jacket in the world and the means he goes through on the way to this impossible task.
While his only confident other than talking to his jacket is hiring a local bartender to edit his films and also since by her to help fund his expenditure.
Though once he goes extreme in his quest it goes overboard but truly by that point it has no more place to go
As even his weapon fo choice is oversized and ridiculously absurd though it does lend itself to showing how a serial killer might think and in his own mind regulate his actions in her make sense to himself
Maybe i just don’t understand french
When it comes to the The films of Quentin Dupieux
I love his style and loved his first film runner and I guess I keep coming back to his films so that there will be another unorthodox one like that but I have also noticed that was his most mainstream and genre film.
His films that have coen after that have stayed absurdist and have elements the to have enjoyed the closest to come to enjoyable since his first has been WRONG. As the other films do far I have found elements of the fun and entertaining but as a whole hasn’t enjoyed the films. A usually there is funny material done awkwardly
Here the lead character is so loathsome in his obsession that is also absurd but half the fun of the fil. Is watching the lengths he will go to achieve his obsession that makes him the singular comedic character while all around are mroe in reality. So it becomes funny to a pony watching his schemes as they get deeper and more outrageous. Though even for a film so short it starts to feel monotonous. Luckily something happens usually to doing them up a bit.
Though there is also that his soundtracks are eclectic and electrifying and the best parts of his films.
The jacket can be seen as his souvenirs/evidence of his kills as well as the reason.
Though also when on This quest for a dream to meet someone who believes in your vision. So that you are. No longer alone. Usually, you attract more people to achieve and believe in the dream but here it becomes so gonzo all it becomes is a team trying to make a great movie that they both believe In.
There is a comeuppance in the end that results in a sequel of sorts or continuation of story, that will not die as easily.
It has a good premise but feels like it falls short maybe because it is small scale.
Not everything is as it seems for Cristi, a policeman who plays both sides of the law. Embarking with the beautiful Gilda on a high-stakes heist, both will have to navigate the twists and turns of corruption, treachery, and deception.
A calm and composed film noir that is a slow burn throughout. That involves quite a bit of players even though it starts out more intimate. It grows with each new detail.
It’s a neo-noir that is not as comedic as presented within the trailers. While it has dark humor it is more a thriller.
The film plays out non-linear at first but is presented and put together with different timelines as we flash forward, back, and then sometimes current time. Told lien this for the audience to get more intrigued and keep the story moving forward in a way that adheres to what the audience is familiar with.
The film comes alive in the third act with twists and turns that allow for some surprises, but still never quite speeds along or leaves details by the wayside.
The film does offer a femme fatale abs one hell of a seduction scene. Even though other than that scene. It never quite explains why the two characters bond enough to overly look out for one another, especially her considering her position.
The film offers more of a character study of sorts. Even though with so many characters it offers quirk in the language being studied abs used for this caper. Though seems more there to explore the situation and relationships more than being integral to the plot overall.
Though at first the film might be light shearers but have a tough attitude. It soon shows itself to be violent and dangerous also. Where no one Is truly safe or can be completely trusted.
As everyone has their own agenda here including the so-called good guys. While the film offers style it also seems at times to be overly artistic for such a simple premise.
Though we never quite get any answers for why the lead is so tightly wound or got so involved in the first place. As for its many introductions, the film seems only interested in the lead mostly. Who only really changes more out of circumstances. Not organically or emotionally compelled to.
The film is a great jaw-dropping modern interpretation of femme fatale in the form of actress Catrinel Martin still some questions or connection and plans of characters.
She has a great and strong entrance. Where she is illustrious and iconic, but through the rest of the film, he becomes more of a background character losing the Great strength she was shown as having only to become revitalized by the end.
Definitely an inspired film. Not the action Oriented kind. Yet it keeps you invested.
Cut To The Chase 