Tag: Aaron Morton

THE FIRST OMEN (2024)

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Directed By: Arkasha Stevenson 

Written By: Arkasha Stevenson, Tim Smith and Keith Thomas

Story By: Ben Jacoby

Based On Characters Created By: David Seltzer

Cinematography: Aaron Morton 

Editor: Amy E. Duddleston and Bob Murawski 

Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson, Tawheek Barhom, Maria Caballero, Bill Nighy, Charles Dance, Nicole Sorace, Ishtar Currie-Wilson, Andrea Arcangeli 

A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church but encounters darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

I give this some credit it’s better than it should be as it seemed at first like it was going to be a rebooted sequel that’s a prequel cash-in on the original. 

By the end, it’s a well-put-together thought-out horror film that makes sense and takes its time to tell its tale. Though I wonder if that is why people give it so much credit as they weren’t expecting much and came out with an actual good movie

This film came out at the same time as the Sweeney film IMMACULATE, which to me kind of looks the same except that you had a more recognizable actor in the forum, Sydney Sweeney, but watching the trailers, one would often get what was supposed to happen to confused what came to actually watch the films. as it seemed kind of like the phenomenon that would happen years ago, where two studios that have competing films with the same theme, think ARMAGEDDON and DEEP IMPACT. Or VOLCANO and DANTE’S PEAK.

this film is longer than the original film. The OMEN and there are some recognizable actors. Most of the cast is character actors. it seems like every horror or fantasy film must have a cameo from Charles Dance these days as a requirement. Not to mention even though Bill Nighy has a bigger role. He seems to be barely in it really I can only recall three scenes.

The film takes its time again as it builds slowly but once it gets rolling, it really gets interesting as there is a central mystery and we’re getting clues left and right, things are getting put together and we realize what is happening so that the film puts itself together quite nicely

Even if from the beginning, the nuns always seem a bit suspect and mean. 

there is a scene where it seems like they try to homage Isabelle Adjani’s infamous scene from POSESSION. only here it happens after a car crash and certain details are revealed that the main character has their own scene of revelation, and her reaction is similar as far as you can go in a more mainstream film.

What’s interesting is that this film though it is a prequel leaves room for a sequel that could be done as a side story that is kind of intersex with the original film or maybe even THE Omen Two or could be a direct sequel to them if they choose to jump that many years 

The film is never quite scary, but it does have a sense of unease. That will keep you guessing and offers the required terrifying images without quite reviewing all so while it shows it also sets your imagination to something that is probably worse to fill in the picture which movies try and fail but actually works here.

Director Arkasha Stevenson definitely has the talent. Hopefully, he continues to make memorable and noteworthy films. Look what he accomplished with an almost-forgotten franchise 

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 

SPONTANEOUS (2020)

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Written & Directed By: Brian Duffield
Based on the novel by: Aaron Starmer
Cinematography: Aaron Morton
Editor: Steve Edwards

Cast: Katherine Langford, Charlie Plummer, Yvonne Orji, Hayley Law, Piper Perabo, Rob Huebel, Chris Shields, Marlowe Percival, Laine MacNeil 

Get ready for the outrageous coming-of-age love story about growing up…and blowing up. When students in their school begin exploding (literally), seniors Mara and Dylan struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last.

This film starts off seeming like a typical teen film with a darkly comedic cynical side. Though as the film goes along it gets deeper and gives the film actual depth.

The film takes the audience on a ride while dealing with a morbid subject. As we in the audience feel something and experience the sorrow. 

Especially in the third act where a character we have grown close to becomes a victim. Even as the film tries to humanize most of the victims somewhat. So that there is something felt as each one meets their fate.

This film is Like most teens, rebellious on the outside but sensitive and emotional the more you get to know them and the deeper they decide to open up. 

The film offers a little thriller element as to wonder who will be next but that ends up giving the movie energy and vitality that seems to give each scene a certain edge.

Writer/director Brian Duffield is becoming a favorite and expert in these genre teen films. This is his directorial debut but he previously wrote THE BABYSITTER. While this is more dramatic he is good at making genre films serving teenagers and making them exciting and yet believable as far as characters and having nightmare scenarios turn out into great on-screen fantasies.

The film gives off a romantic message but also one that is about to live life to the fullest while you can and embrace the experience for it might be one of your last. 

While doing that is another aspect it shows that time can be precious and how those close to you might feel neglected while caring for you. You choose to focus on your current crush or love and make others feel left out. 

The film also seems to want to show the unknown when growing up and graduating from a firm teenager to adulthood more responsibilities where your actions have much more important and can inhabit your future.

It also shows the unpredictable nature of life and even first love. How you can be thrown into a loop when things change, especially through no fault of your own and like the title says spontaneously and rather suddenly.

This film offers a fun but more cynical and violent look at it. 

The film hits especially strong during these pandemic times. 

Grade: B+