Tag: 2020

SPREE (2020)

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Directed By: Eugene Kotlyarenko 
Written By: Eugene Kotlyarenko & Gene Mchugh 
Cinematography: Jeff Leeds Cohn 
Editor: Benjamin Moses Smith 

Cast: Joe Keery, Sasheer Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton, Frankie Grande, Sunny Kim, Jessalyn Gilsig 

Thirsty for a following, Kurt Kunkle is a rideshare driver who has figured out a deadly plan to go viral.

A kind of modern-day take on the French film MAN BITES DOG. That was about a documentary crew following a serial killer that blurs the lines in the last act but filled with dark humor.

This film is kind of like that only obviously more modern, American and has fewer victims and chooses to have no real responsibility. Where as it shows the horrible nature of his crimes we don’t wallow as much or feel as much sympathy for the victims.

This is a film like the recent thriller NERVE that is candy-colored and neon that plays everything as almost a game. That shows desperation to be popular.

A film that tries to condemn online Culture and social media. By showing how most of us have a dependence on it. What it might inspire. How far you might be willing to go for followers. How you feel like you don’t exist or matter.

How the main character has a dependence on it as he has no real friends or outlet and the few he does have are more popular and make fun of his desperation. So this is his way of fighting to be noticed and considered. So he can feel like he matters. Creating a happy go lucky sociopath. Who is egged on by some mysterious follower who promises him fame as he goes along and follows his instructions.

The film’s humor is dark but tries to keep a cheerful tone. As the film is full of energy and tries to stay inventive.

The film tries to make the lead less hateful and maybe a little likable by having his first kills be more unsavory characters. We won’t like so their deaths are more anticipated by the audience. If we aren’t already looking forward to them.

Though slowly the victims become a bit more innocent. Really only a few are sympathetic. The fishes seem to get what they deserve or at least a brand of karma catching up to them in it’s most lethal. Luckily? The more innocent character’s deaths seem to happen off-screen with only some of the aftermath shown.

This film shows that most of the characters are synch phonic and all are dependent on social media and at heart are bastards themselves to a degree.

The movie seems to think itself clever though while it talks a bunch. It never makes a clear point. It seems most of its points are to be cynical and take us on a joyride. While at the end the film presents an apology of an artist achieving fame they sought so hard for coming true only in the afterlife. While offering a meta ending.

The film does have a lot of energy but never quite goes as deep as it could and while offering more comedy. It does manage to hold your interest even in scenes where there is no death or killing. As the character seems to go on a suicide mission where part of the irony is that barely anyone is watching. So while he is practically sacrificing himself and randomly praying on other just to get viewers it backfires for the most part

Grade: C+

THE TAX COLLECTOR (2020)

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Written & Directed by: David Ayer
Cinematography: Salvatore Totino
Editor: Geoffrey O’Brien

Cast: Bobby Soto, Shia Lebouf, George Lopez, Cynthia Cardona, Jose Conejo Martin, Cheyenne Rae Hernandez, Cle Sloan, Elpida Carrillo, Lana Parilla, Neomi Gonzalez, Gabriela Flores

David Cuevas is a family man who works as a gangland tax collector for high ranking Los Angeles gang members. He makes collections across the city with his partner Creeper making sure people pay up or will see retaliation. An old threat returns to Los Angeles that puts everything David loves in harm’s way.

This film is very disappointing and it didn’t have to be. As the filM has some good elements the cinematography and the violence is over the top and brutal.

Though the story is typical and the characters are very thin and so is the story. They are more skit there to connect the things the film Seems More interested In The violence and more the machismo and rules of the streets.

Which at this point Writer-director David Ayer has made his career off of though on other projects the street code seemed more to go with the film. Here he more chooses to bathe the whole film in it. Even though it might not be as necessary except to tell a kind of gangster tale told more by the characters who are enforcers more than the boss.

It gives Shia Lebouf a role to play vicious and threatening as he does come off as imposing but it also feels very punched up. As we see how intense he is and even how threatening he is a bit we rarely see his character actually be violent and dangerous. It also feels like he is more chewing the props in as far as he calls attention to himself in the movie.

There is a scene with him dragging a body and him in a hazmat suit that takes place in the ost and is supposed to show how much of a butcher and mad man he is. We only see him dragging a body and smoking afterward. It seems there for no real reason or at least makes no real impact maybe if it was an imitation or done on the day’s events it would have made one. 

It boils down to where is this character is supposed to be memorable if not iconic but we never see him actually do what seems promised eventually. So that there is all this build-up and no real follow through a tease. Which is how this movie also comes off.

He seems to be maybe a David Ayer stand in as a caucasian who grew up around people of color and was taken in by them so he comes across as one of them and has similar characteristics. As David Ayer has said in the past he has. Though lebouf is not the stR of the movie and more comes across as a name star to put in the movie and help get funding. As it works he gets to stretch as an actor and only ends up being a smaller supporting role rather than the lead and it doesn’t rest on his shoulders. He is shocking at first int he roe bit settles Down.

The film Doesn’t offer anything you haven’t seen before. It does offer representation but unfortunately, all the characters are gangsters or work for them in an illegal manner. So there is very little positive here except that the lead character is religious and a man of god. So he does have a belief system that is practically spelled out in the beginning.

The film feels like a big waste of time. If it had been more structured or offered something different or original the film Might be worth it, but it is bathed in cliches and things we have seen way too much. The closest it gets to different is by having stand up comedian George Lopez play a dramatic role as a street boss. 

The first half of the film plays more like a gangster tale the second half plays more like a revenge tale. Now if that is what you are looking for plain and simple this is the film For you. As this is David Ayer making. A smaller-scale project after SUICIDE SQUAD and BRIGHT. As this is more in the vein of HARSH TIMES. These are the films he seems to prefer to make. At least there aren’t as many cops as he usually has in his films usually. As this is a straight-up organized crime only. 

Again do this offered something different this would be welcome but all this ends up being. Is an action gangster tale. Nothing more nothing less other than some credible cinematography and tough talk and brutal violence.

Either way somewhat entertaining as you watch though might have some problems

With it and once it is over quickly forgettable.

Grade: C-

LA ORIGINALS (2020)

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Directed by: Estevan Oriol
Written by: Brian Maya & Omar Quiroja
Cinematography: Francisco Pugliese
Editor: Sofia Belgeri, Guille Gatti & Jonathan Smeke

Featuring: Mister Cartoon, Estevan Oriol, Brian Grazer, Cypress Hill, Eminem, Scott Caan, Snoop Dogg, Michelle Rodriguez, Travis Barker, Clifton Collins Jr, Theo Rossi, Terry Crews, Wilmer Valderama, George Lopez, Danny Trejo, Paul Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant, Ryan Philippe, Eva Longoria, Shepherd Fairey, Paul Rosenberg, Mark Hoppus

Photographer Estevan Oriol and artist Mister Cartoon turned their Chicano roots into gritty art, impacting street culture, hip hop and beyond.

Seeing the culture grown around the two subjects and being part of it. Allows you to constantly feel like an insider throughout this documentary.

As we watch and get to know them as they earn an education. Traveling and getting to see the world. While being backstage with rising hip hop artists. Where we are not supposed to have access to. So this is a rare glimpse. 

Luckily they seem to have taken plenty of pictures and videos to archive it all and through this and their talent that became an art they were able to find fortune and fame. Through their raw natural Talents. As well as become style Gurus and artists themselves. Even bigger than some of the ones they worked for. 

They never had to sell out. They might have had to travel outside of their comfort zones, but they built a business while there and bring others from there to their own comfort zone and made then travel and pay to be there. If not part of it shone somewhat on them to be part of the culture. As they make Keep making money off of the beauty and art of their own culture around them. 

Giving back somewhat, but finding Their way in the world through what they enjoy doing.

Traveling outside of their comfort zone seeing the world. They end up helping each other out from being trapped mindset. Letting them then see beyond their environments as they come up.

Even if they found more access exposing their surroundings and showcasing beauty in the every day and gritty. That there is an amazing art in places some choose not to look.

Mister Cartoon helped tattooing from being a niche into a true art form and given a sense of pride. Helping it more become part of the mainstream. 

He finds fame because of his art and access to rappers who show off his handiwork as he provides original pieces on Their skin. Which ends up becoming his canvases and starts a fad and provides a need. So that it is a rag to riches story. Directed by one of the subjects.

So some subjects are glossed over like Estevan’s drug addiction. Which is more mentioned then delved into. As this is more a congratulatory glossy documentary. The success we see we their loved ones but again never get too deep into those relationships.

There are plenty of celebrities throughout. Some are surprising like producer Brian Grazer who we never know why or what his connection with them or any of the story.

Feels like you are enjoying their company. Though they are tight-lipped you more see and hear about their actions. 

Luckily Estevan seems to have had the Vision to film everything early. This is what helps put them on the map and luckily for us get to see this archival footage from backstage and onstage as we know can’t be there but can witness as he seems to get the best shot each time. We wonder how. 

It’s dramatic and meaningful how many you have to go through to get that perfect one. That you won’t find out there Perfectly addressing the handling, maintenance, and control of their business 

It also shows that they might have helped start gentrification of their neighborhoods by setting up shop there and giving access to more and more young hip crowds of people who decided to start buying up cheaper properties around them. As they helped build up the neighborhood. 

It also shows How they try to give back and help less fortunate around them.

Grade: B 

THE WRONG MISSY (2020)

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Directed By: Tyler Spindel Written By: Chris Pappas & Kevin Barnett Cinematography: Theo Van De Sande Editor: Brian M. Robinson 

Cast: David Spade, Lauren Lapkus, Nick Swardson, Jackie Sandler, Geoff Pierson, Rob Schneider, Molly Sims, Sarah Challe, Chris Witaske, Jorge Garcia, John Farley, Jonathan Laughton, Bobby Lee, Vanilla Ice, Allen Covert 

Tim thinks he’s invited the woman of his dreams on a work retreat to Hawaii, realizing too late he mistakenly texted someone from a nightmare blind date.

Let me just say this right off the bat. I am usually a sucker for a David Spade film. Won’t call them good, but for me usually at least entertaining and funny. Especially when he is playing more quick-witted, sarcastic jerks who people usually like unless playing the villain or nemesis.

His career seems to follow the trajectory of a professional sidekick or side character who made it to the big time. Finally playing more leads to minimal success but usually funny at least.

I will say this is his funniest starring role since THE DO-OVER which before that his best was THE ADVENTURES OF JOE DIRT. (unless you too have a weakness for the film DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR or are you more a LOST & FOUND fan)

Here he plays not as smarmy and while still open to embarrassing himself. He is looking older than usual here. The film leaves him with little to no sarcasm. Which is one of his main strengths? Here most of the time he seems more the straight man to everyone, but mainly…

Lauren Lapkus who is hilarious as she is funny, energetic and gives it her all. Especially physically as she seems to have no fear in her role. One only wishes the material and the cast all around her were on the same level. She gives a star-making performance throughout and is the main reason to watch this film.

Rob Schneider is here in a small role for no real reason. As he doesn’t really add anything to the film or overall, especially laughs.

The film has more sexual humor than expected though seems to pop up more in recent David spade starring movies for HAPPY MADISON productions.

The set prices are inspired and funny. As well as gorgeous looking like a film made just to use the location and female it feels like a vacation (something Producer Adam Sandler has been accused of with a bunch of his movies and which he openly will admit to)

The film feels like a SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE skit movie. Where the sketch character becomes the star. As the actual SNL star and character isn’t the true star only the name to get you to watch the film. 

The film never truly explains why Spade’s Character and his ex broke up. The film introduces her character and shows she chose a jerk and fellow coworker of his over him and she is open to readily clear on her husband. Yet never explains why she choose him in the first place. Also, we see him cheat on her partially and never is found out. But this is not their movie so these little details are not deemed important. As this isn’t exactly a film that deals with rationality not being detail-oriented.

The film truly lets loose in the third act. By the end the film it all comes off as energetic, sweet, and ridiculous. 

Grade: C-

THE HUNT (2020)

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Directed By: Craig Zobel
Written By: Damon Lindelof & Nick Cuse
Cinematography: Darran Tiernan
Editor: Jane Rizzo

Cast: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Ike Barinholtz, Glenn Howerton, Amy Madigan, Wayne Duvall, Sturgill Simpson, Reed Birney, Macon Blair

“Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are — or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, ruthless elitists gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport. But their master plan is about to be derailed when one of the hunted, Crystal, turns the tables on her pursuers.

This movie is full of action and a rather surprising amount of violence. Though keeps a dark sense of humor throughout and flips the script a little. 

As the victims trying to survive the hunt are more Americana types who are usually villainized on social media and the hunters are emote the liberal elites who seem to find everything somehow insulting and must be corrected. 

The film doesn’t seem to take any side but shows there are good and bad in both and this is all taken to the extreme. The second scene is great as far as setting the tone. As we see familiar actors and types of characters who we assume will be the hero and then we see some of them taken down and through the first 30 minutes, we are never quite sure who to follow, trust, or believe. 

We are kind of put into the similar mindsets of the hunted characters constantly questioning what is going on. So enough our hero or anti-hero played by Betty Gilpin who stays a badass throughout and whose character had the same kind of sarcastic swagger that most male Action heroes have. Luckily at no point does her look or attractiveness has anything to do with her survival or getting the upper hand. This is a tar making role and she handles it well.

The film is over the top violent that after a while it becomes a joke itself as well as feels ridiculous at times.

Though there is mention of minorities. The film still doesn’t have any amongst its cast which is a lost opportunity the film seems to want to avoid. As that may make the film Have to more make a decision. Though it might have also given more of a point of view. 

Hillary swank as the villain would have been more interesting seeing her in the heroic role but that might have been too expected. It’s nice to see her in movies again. I only wish she was getting bigger roles. Though her hand to hand fight with Gilpin is the third act and one of the best action sequences in the Film. 

The film never quite slows down. As when it comes to the ending it feels like barely any turn has passed. So that this film feels like a breath of fresh air. 

Directed by Craig Zobel is shocking as his films are usually more humanistic dramas and comedies. This is the first more action-oriented mainstream movie he has made and he passes with flying colors. Showing himself to be more a journeyman director. 

The fact ironies in this movie are Intentional. As showing how all of this started. This is a worst-case scenario of what it seems like is going on in the world when it comes to personal politics. This is more a satire that fits in with movies such as BATTLE ROYALE, THE PURGE, MAYHEM, and THE BELKO EXPERIMENT. Though this film not as dark in the spirit, it might more remind or be a companion piece to THE RUNNING MAN or SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

Grade: B-

EXTRACTION (2020)

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Directed By: Sam Hargrave
Written By: Joe Russo
Based On A Story By: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo & Ande Parks
Based on the Graphic Novel “Ciudad” By: Ande Parks
Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel
Editor: Ruthie Aslan & Peter B. Ellis

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Rudhraksh Jaiswal

In an underworld of weapons dealers and traffickers, a young boy becomes the pawn in a war between notorious drug lords. Trapped by kidnappers inside one of the world’s most impenetrable cities, his rescue beckons the unparalleled skill of a mercenary named Tyler Rake, but Rake is a broken man with nothing to lose, harboring a death wish that makes an already deadly mission near impossible.

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UNCORKED (2020)

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uncorked

Written & Directed By: Prentice Penny
Cinematography: Eliiot Davis
Editor: Sandra Montiel 


Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Courtney B. Vance, Niecy Nash, Sasha Compere, Matt McGory 


Elijah must balance his dream of becoming a master sommelier with his father’s expectations that he carry on the family’s Memphis BBQ joint. Seeing African american characters as successful business owners and treated as classy. Is rare in modern cinema. So it is a Welcome change and sight.

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COLOR OUT OF SPACE (2020)

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coloroutofspace

 

Directed By: Richard Stanley
Written By: Richard Stanley & Scarlett Amaris
Based on the Story By: H.P. lovecraft
Cinematography: Steve Annis
Editor: Brett W. Bachman
Original Score: Colin Stetson 


Cast: Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeline Arthur, Elliot Knight, Tommy Chong, Branden Mayer, Julian Hilliard, Q’Orianka Kilcher 

A secluded farm is struck by a strange meteorite which has apocalyptic consequences for the family living there and possibly the world.

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SELAH & THE SPADES (2020)

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selah

Written & Directed By: Tayarisha Poe
Cinematography: Jomo Fray
Editor: Kate Abernathy 

Cast: Lovie Simone, Jharrel Jerome, Celeste O’Connor, Ana Mulvoy Ten, Jesse Williams, Gina Torres, Nekhebet Kum Juch, Evan Roe, Francesca Noel, Henry Hunter Hall 


Five factions run the underground life of the prestigious Haldwell boarding school. At the head of the most powerful faction – The Spades – sits Selah Summers. By turns charming and callous, she chooses whom to keep close and whom to cut loose, walking the fine line between being feared and loved.

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