Tag: Andrea Risenborough

PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE (2022)

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Directed By: Amanda Kramer

Written By: Amanda Kramer and Noel David Taylor

Cinematography: Patrick Meade Jones 

Editor: Benjamin Shearn

Cast: Andrea Risenborough, Harry Melling, Demi Moore, Karl Glausman, Ryan Simpkins, Jaz Sinclair, Dana Ashbrook, Mary Lyn Rajskub, Alisa Torres, Cole Escola

Newlyweds Suze and Arthur become the dangerous obsession of a greaser gang that awakens a sleeping quandary into the couple’s sexual and gender identities.

This film is certainly original. It plays like an homage to biker movies of the 1950’s a bit with the gangs of WEST SIDE STORY and THE WILD ONE thrown in. Though the film Dwells on the homoeroticism of the times while being a send-up and satire of them. That offers the characters not as misunderstood but actually very violent and unrepentant.

As the story of the film is a throwback that works. As a kind of lgbtq west Side Story 1950-inspired set. Though supposedly modern. That seems to be more about repression and a bit of fetishization. As well as being free of gender norms. Though showing the hardships of dealing with it in a supposedly repressed society. 

Where everyone seems to be doing it in the shadows themselves. While also seeming to take a look at and send up the time it depicts. Making it more of a camp romp. Though it seems like a farce it tackles these subjects head-on and in a brave and revelatory way. That goes a long way for representation and not as a fetish of any kind. 

We are with a couple who are witnesses to a murder by a street gang. Who seem to invade their lives and territory more and more. It awakens a wanting feminization for the male in the couple and more of an aggressive masochistic side in the female of the couple. 

Demi Moore has an extended cameo that comes out of nowhere but adds to the action. As her character becomes very important overall.

The film is exciting as you watch it. As the audience never knows what is going to show Next. So we are on our toes. The film is campy and avant-garde at the same time. As the film seeks to say something, but the message always seems a bit off. Yet never quite reaches a level of true awe. 

Grade: B-

ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL (2022)

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Directed By: Matthew Warchus 
Screenplay By: Dennis Kelly
Based On The Stage Musical By: Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin 
Based On The Book By: Roald Dahl 
Cinematography: Tat Ratcliffe 
Editor: Melanie Ann Oliver 

Cast: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Risenborough, Sindhu Vee 

An adaptation of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

I will admit to having a bias when it comes to this film. As I saw it on Broadway during its run before it became a movie.

I will also admit that I have only watched the Danny Devito-directed non-musical version in bits and pieces. Ever from beginning to end. 

Watching this film it sticks to the same beats as the Broadway musical. Which is only a bit more impressive because of what they managed to do with only a certain amount of space. 

The film itself is wonderful, dramatic, and fun and encourages children and adults with it’s

Positivity, focus on storytelling and literacy, and the power of imagination. 

The film stays colorful, entirely surreal, and a little grotesque, but amazing in its Songs that are uplifting and positive messages to never forget. The choreography is amazing and tight.

Truly a famous movie that has something for everyone. Though most of the cast are children who are more full-fledged characters. As the adults seem usually over the top and caricatured. At least the bad ones are. It is also heartwarming even in the end. Her parents who have treated her horribly actually show emotions for her.

I will admit towards the end it starts to falter and isn’t as strong as before. Where you wonder where it is going and wish for maybe a little stronger direction in the form of the surreal and fantasy, as Danny Devito’s Direction and less conventional direction in this version. 

The theme of the film Will leave you with a smile on your face and Emma Thompson shows she is having fun playing the main villain in the film, as the headmaster who is a former curling champion. Here at least she gets to play the villain and not necessarily the hero as in her NANNY MCPHEE films. It is a delight to see her in this film.

Grade: B