Tag: Amy Landecker

MISSING (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Nick Johnson & Will Merrick

Story By: Sev Ohanian and Aneesh Chaganty

Cinematography: Steve Holleran

Editor: Austin Keeling & Arielle Zakowski 

Cast: Storm Reid, Nia Long, Ken Leung, Megan Suri, Amy Landecker, Joaquim DeAlmeida, Tim Griffin, Daniel Henney, Lauren B. Mosley, Jasmin Savoy Brown

After her mother goes missing, a young woman tries to find her from home, using tools available to her online.

This film is a good mystery, and will especially be a pleasure for homes loose in the audience. Especially true crime podcast audiences, who get shoutouts, and the film makes you feel like you are experiencing one of them.

It’s all about the reveals, but letting us know just enough information to see if we can get there first. 

The first film, SEARCHING, was about learning all about who the father-daughter was, different from who he thought she was, and a kind of race against Time. Which this film offers similarly to an extent. Both films are told through modern technology. This one has more at its disposal. As we have gotten more innovations over the years  

This film seems to be more about things at once, buried from the past coming to light and seeking revenge. Also comes across a bit more smooth and streamlined yet not as shocking as the first.

This film is perfect for these days as it is innovative while keeping that procedural feeling and getting to know the lead character along the way 

It also offers to show the appeal for older audiences getting to know the technology used so much so that shocked that it didn’t have cross-promotion with Apple to help sell because there is plenty of product placement 

It also offers a new  friendship for the main character to bounce off of who helps along the way 

We are given glimpses throughout, yet we are taken on by putting this puzzle together in front of us yet it offers a chance for us to put it together before being explained so that it feels more interactive

The third act feels a little far-fetched and reaching 

The film is a crowd pleaser and better to watch at home not necessarily the theater as it might feel a little more realistic, watching it on the screen 

The film is satisfying, which is becoming rare these days. As even though this film has a gimmick, it still focuses on character and story whereas it seems at times a lot of films get lost in the gimmick, or promote the gimmick and sacrifice the other things that would make the film, satisfying or even good 

This film is definitely a product of its time in the modern era. It’s over the top but lets you know what to look for in a modern-day mystery. 

Grade: B

I LOVE MY DAD (2022)

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Written & Directed By: James Morosini  Cinematography: Steven Capitano Calitri Editor: Josh Crockett

Cast: Patton Oswalt, James Morosini, Claudia Sulewski, Amy Landecker, Lil Rel Howery, Rachel Dratch, Ricky Velez, Sarah Helbringer 

A hopelessly estranged father catfishes his son in an attempt to reconnect.

This film is supposedly based on a true story and if that is a fact. This Is either a brave admission that I am sure has been somewhat exaggerated to a degree or a rather genius demented dark comedy. 

The film sounds interesting to most until they actually see how it is affecting both characters. Sure it’s helping the son and the father-son relationship, but It’s built on lies and bad communication that isn’t malicious. It’s more desperate and misdirected though for a reason.

So that towards the end you care for everyone involved even the ones affected inadvertently. We are allowed to see glimpses of play out. As you know that they’re nice the truth comes out and it must. It will feel more like a horror film.

An aspect that one admired about the film above all else, is the way that it integrates the text conversations into seemingly more face-to-face conversations. So that the audience isn’t left exclusively trying to read the screen during half of the film. Allowing the scenes and scenarios an extra dimension and a new level of compatibility for the characters. As well as comfort.

As it also gives us a glimpse into inner thoughts. While reminding us how disturbing the situation is. Like when sexting owns another. 

Though it might be that new filmmakers who grew up with texting being practically second nature have figured out how to creatively make it work and have it especially work for them

As with most dark comedies it does end with hope. Even though most of the film, there is discomfort.

It’s nice to see Patton Oswalt in more of a leading man role again. That actually seems to fit him. As with him, you believe everyone in their roles. 

You have to believe James Morosini, as he is the writer/director that this all happened to supposedly in real life. So essentially playing himself.

Makes you wonder what he will have next up his sleeve or is this a one and done and just wanted to get his personal story out there. 

Some little tidbits you are left to wonder like was the son socially awkward before going to the Mrs tap hospital or just after his breakdown and is it directly due to not having a male figure around? 

The film even with its freaky subject matter is never mean-spirited and offers more of a gentle touch. As this might remind some of the movie WORLD’S GREATEST DAD though that film has Its Strengths. Most of the characters in that film were unlikeable and had an agenda at some point. So that it came off as cynical. It would make a good double feature with it though. 

Here this film has its own identity and tries to be rough but offers some hope. Where the main character of the father admits to his mistakes and is not delusional, but suffers a connected series of events. Where he continuously digs himself deeper.

So that it becomes truly a comedy of errors.

Grade: B-

SHITHOUSE (2020)

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Written & Directed by: Cooper Riaff Cinematography: Rachel Klein

Editor: Autumn Dea & Cooper Raif

Cast: Cooper Riaff, Dylan Gelula, Amy Landecker, Logan Miller, Juan Wolf, Olivia Welch, Joy Sunday, Abby Quinn

Among thousands of kids trying their best to make college work, Alex feels alone and depressed. Home is 1500 miles away and he’s struggling to find a reason not to go back. Maggie, Alex’s sophomore RA, has been crushing college since day one. Today though, Maggie is dealt an unexpected loss. After a party at Shithouse, Maggie wants some company and finds it in Alex. Two young people raised in very different households, Alex and Maggie challenge each other and grow up together.

This film is Personal but feels universal definitely something those who have experienced going away to college can identify with and about being young and away from. Home and making. Your way in the world alone. I

As well as a film that offers a follow-up to movies where you spend a great night with a person and make a connection. You just can’t help but care about these characters. 

The film moves naturally. Where it deals with being new in a new place and situation trying to relate with strangers when you are naturally shy and introverted. Then once you do meet someone new and make a connection and hook up. The day after Or the aftermath of what happens when someone doesn’t feel the same way or avoids it all Together When you Might feel that it was more then it was to the other oerson

As at times you can be more open to strangers you just met and not have to worry about being judged as much Metaphorically when he decides to finally clean his room. He is cleaning up his life and his problems.

The film is awkward and sincere and speaks in the way only someone that age and still there and knows the territory can. It might be a singular piece of sorts though can definitely be identifiable for those who are lonely at any age only here through the filter of a young male alone at college. The film and the lead are not afraid to humiliate themselves for an honest emotional moment or reveal.

Though shows growth and not one-sided I was hoping maybe that we would see her side more like the first half of this tale the second half her’s. The film kept taking turns that were more unexpected 

Doesn’t make himself necessarily look the coolest. But actually oversensitive and gets the girl in a woody Allen Esque way. Where as he is more emotional and sentimental and her guarded but when she listens to her feelings she actually falls for him but slowly More as a fondness then as a comfort, then romantically

I didn’t want to believe the hype when it came to this film but was totally charmed by this film as maybe I could relate at this age. The fantasy of this dream comes true. As it isn’t a hard-hitting drama but the type of story and characters that an audience can relate to in some kind of way. As either somewhat personal or know somebody like them.

This reminds me of the indies from my youth (the 1990s) where you would hear the heavy buzz about a film and then go to the theater to see it and it feels more like a privilege to see more than anything. Like someone showing you something personal or sharing their journal or art

It’s not the first time or the last we will see a movie like this. it feels all the more genuine done by not someone looking back in nostalgia at it but by a filmmaker who experienced it more recently and trying to tell the tale.

Even if many his age or film students are making films like this one feels the most sincere. Look forward to more films from writer/director/star Cooper Riaff

As it seems as he develops and gets more experiences. So will his films and body of work. 

Grade: A-

PROJECT POWER (2020)

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Directed By: Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman

Written By: Mattson Tomlin

Cinematographer: Michael Simmonds 

Editor: Jeff McEvoy

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Rodrigo Santoro, Courtney B. Vance, Colson Baker, Amy Landecker, Tait Fletcher, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Kyanna Simpson 

When a pill that gives its users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes hits the streets of New Orleans, a teenage dealer and a local cop must team with an ex-soldier to take down the group responsible for its creation.

The film tries to distinguish itself from other superhero films. That tries to preach against having absolute power and also how drugs can be dangerous to you and leave you being out of control and hurting those you never planned to.

Then the movie shows that the only way to fight fire is with fire. Where the heroes aren’t junkies but need these powers to defend and defeat those who do.

While also trying to be a little more gritty and somewhat realistic over other hero tales. That tries to be a little thriller dressed up with minor fantasy elements.

The film tries to be more realistic and show the danger of too much power and how it can feel like a drug or like an addiction either way corrupting those who use it too much.

The film comes across as more conspiracy driven throughout. While also being overly stylish. It throws you off with the realism but then once the fantasy elements come in they then feel too outlandish.

Jamie Foxx doesn’t use the drug until the end when it is convenient and has this omega power that is stronger than most. 

The film set up a villain only for there to be another few more actually who are rather weak after the one we are introduced to and aren’t as engaging. They actually come off more as random.

The film feels derivative as it is obviously made mroe for a younger urban audience. It lacks a moral or lesson that most superhero films have and worse it feels by the numbers and convenient most of the time.

In the end it rubs rather basic except for it’s more rundown surroundings than I try to give the film more personality as well as attitude. Though at least it tries to have a positive ending. 

GRADE: C