Tag: Andrew Weisblum

WOLFS (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Jon Watts

Cinematography: Larkin Seiple

Editor: Andrew Weisblum

Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, Richard Kind, Poorna Jagannathan, Zlatko Buric, Sergio Cota Jr. 

Two rival fixers cross paths when they’re both called in to help cover up a prominent New York official’s misstep. Over one explosive night, they’ll have to set aside their petty grievances and their egos to finish the job.

This is George Clooney and Brad Pitt making another buddy comedy together and involving crime. This should have been a slam dunk and while the film Has its Moments. They are far and few in between. 

This is another film that seems like they are having more fun than the audience is watching it. As it tries to be formulaic and offer surprises and slights of hand. That by the end will Make the audience think the film Is smart and has an ace up It’s sleeve. Like the OCEAN’S TRILOGY the stars have been in before, but if that movie is calculus this is math 102.

It doesn’t help that the movie stays small scale

Throughout. Which would be great with lesser stars but keeping it small hinders the film and shows how thin the screenplay is. As we have to not only stay with the characters and their various arguments, but somehow find humor, charm and tension. Which the film doesn’t really Offer.

So it comes off as muddled and not a bad recipe, but like someone followed the recipe and shorted some ingredients and added too much of other ones to make up for it. 

Watching the film also makes one come to understand why these movies aren’t Memorable. You have a big name cast, a big name director Jon Watts (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME) and yet it feels stale, Small Scale and basic, because while it has locations and action. These films obviously are Made For streaming and they have little if any visual Flair and feel compacted. Director Watts even seems to include an inside joke of a Spider-man eque stunt by a young man for those in the know. Though it also leave you

Wondering was this film an audition for an ocean’s sequel. 

The stature seems shrinked then one would expect. Like making a feature film but with the limits of a television movie. Not to mention the villains are all stereotypical with an added dance sequence. 

This is similar to what the Russo brothers 350 Million movie THE GREY MAN with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans felt like any other Netflix movie. Other then a basic script, but the directors aren’t Trying to be subtle or visually Brilliant. They are doing just enough to tell the story and do what it takes without any passion or extra Effort. Sort of like assembly room and like weathermen there are Consequences or punishments.

So it just keeps happening. As Apple+ is no better or worse then any other streaming service. Except they are newer and this feel like when the studio DREAMWORKS SKG. Everyone wants to work with them and they have stars at their disposal and seem to green light anything. As long as a big star is attached, but never seem

To bother to read the script or develop them to be better. So that they come off as basic and the only pull is the stars.

George Clooney hasn’t truly starred in a good movie in awhile. Nor has he made a hit but is still

Treated like an A-lister. When he does choose to be in a film.

Leaving the audience to only marvel at Austin Abrams. Who is the only one in the film Who feels alive and like he is trying.

It feels like the film is disrespectful to the audience by going them, but so much and not giving it their all and feeling like just enough is what the audience deserves and should be honored to get. 

As the leads seem more interested in being cool. The filmmaker seems to want to offer some kind of polished grit. That tries to make things more serious, dangerous, dark and action packed. That never comes across other than polished and dark. Nor does the screenplay come off as smart as it thinks nor as cute. 

Grade: C- 

CAUGHT STEALING (2025)

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Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

Written By: Charlie Huston (Based on his Novel)

Cinematography: Matthew Libatique

Editor: Andrew Weisblum

Cast: Austin Butler, Zoe Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, Bad Bunny, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Carol Kane, Griffen Dunne, Action Bronson 

Burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.

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This is one of those films that is perfectly serviceable and entertaining yeah, there isn’t much that makes it feel too special and might be one of those films that because it’s of quality and there might be such low quality offerings that it might sometimes be over praised.

This is Austin Butler really getting his first chance to play a lead in a film since his Oscar nomination for Elvis so this film seems like it’s a true test of his box office potential.

tfilm feels like a throwback to where it is set late 80s early 90s New York City.

as even though it’s an adaptation of a thriller novel, it also seems to play as a throwback for its director Darren Aronofsky of the New York of his youth, and also may be a playing ground for his memory of setting such a crime story not only in New York City and getting to explore it in a more underground way, but also the various characters that were around and made up the city

as it is being pushed currently as a starring vehicle for Austin Butler and a high octane thriller it plays more like a surprising, more laid-back thriller, that is more about the characters in the circumstances more than necessarily the story or plot 

now, while it’s not the filmmaker‘s fault, the film seems like it’s gonna be more of a thrill ride when you see the trailer then it actually ends up being which is more of a contained thriller that while unpredictable doesn’t offer anything new in fact, it might be one of the most commercial films next to NOAH from Director Aronofsky. Though this proves to be a return to his roots. Not as surrealistic or artistic. Though still gritty that feels a bit manufactured but hits hard enough. This film ends up Showcasing him as more of a journeyman director 

Which is fine as the film stays entertaining and vivid while you watch it, but don’t know how much will stick with you once you’re finished and walk away from the film. In other words it’s cute a little noteworthy impossible, though I don’t know if it’s all that memorable. 

It feels more like a production then one might say naturally lived in as all of the actors are clearly having fun and giving their all which is kind of infectious for the audience.

The most surprising part of this film is how cruel it is, and it’s execution of characters and violence. They never quite marches to the beat of its own drummer. It always seems like it’s on plan on a plan. 

luckily Austin Butler doesn’t embarrass himself even if his backstory is one of the I guess cheesy parts of the movie but does explain how a lot of people come to New York to forget their past. Begin a new and be just another body or person going in and out and surviving from day-to-day 

One of the more memorable pieces of the film and its own game is Zoe Kravitz, and her performance in the film. As she is sexy, sweet and Street wise, she brings a certain knowing element to the film, which also offer her her most impressive and realistic performance to date. When she is not in a film, it’s felt and you can understand why, but it also loses one of the factors that had going for it.

Now of course when you have cinematographer Matthew Libatique. You know the cinematography is going to be beautiful and gritty, especially when dealing with the streets of New York, where he seems to be the go to cinematographer.

Like then, helps explain the emotional range of the main character also.

This is a crime comedy with colorful characters to distract the audience from the more strait laced lead. Who has to get freaky or colorful to survive. 

It’s wild that this film is set in the early 90’s, yet plays more a film from the 1970’s or 80’s. Dark yet fun.

in the end, the film isn’t bad and it’s perfectly entertaining, but it’s not as wild as many might believe or had hoped it’s strangely at times play it safe even for the times when manages the shock and be a bit heartless and hard edged that was needed more.

Grade: B- 

MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

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Directed By: Wes Anderson 
Written By: Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola 
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman
Editor: Andrew Weisblum

Cast: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Bob Balaban, Lucas Hedges 

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, as a young boy and girl fall in love they are moved to run away together. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.

This film has quite a strange mix as it is more of a children’s tale as they fill out the cast but it also has some rather risqué scenes and material involving them. That fits the rebellious nature of the characters and the film. General,  it also as the film has an innocence and wholesomeness that is timeless. You never quite feel that there are any dastardly hidden levels or messages. It is all on the up and up. As the film is full of characters who all have character. 

As even the few villains that might be in the film. Aren’t malicious, they are just doing what they are supposed to despite the various facts and factions that might require them to abandon the rules.

As the film tries to be an ensemble it feels like the characters are in a dollhouse of sorts. Where they are all connected and there is melodrama but the film never gets bogged down and stays quite lively. Even if it feels at times mroe that everyone is on a playground and they have a connection. So that they constantly affect one another like dominoes being set up. When one falls it falls into another and changes its trajectory.

So while we have the young adult couple as the leads. We see how running away affects the status quo and the adult characters.

That rebellious nature is through the film as it offers some new wave filmmaking influences, moments, and obsessions. which are radical while it focuses on the first love between the main characters. Especially as two outsiders who find solace in each other at random. 

Though luckily for all of the influences on display here. The writer/director manages to make them his own original 

The movie is beautifully filmed. Which makes the scenes simple yet effective with constructed shots and angles. With sharp attention to detail and the time period are amazing, but are a few of the things writer/director Wes Anderson’s films are noted for.

As the film feels like a storybook throughout. As we constantly feel like we are in a fantasy or dream of a child. Even as the films show some maturity and a bit of sexuality. Which is dealt with so simply and carefully that thankfully it. Ever feels exploitive.

The film tries to give a view of the disappointments and sometimes tragedy of adulthood. Like you are missing something or have lost a certain perspective and quality of yourself. As the world is still cruel, but you Don’t know how to deal with it. You don’t challenge it or morph it to your sensibilities. It has morphed you and you realize it as you try to rational ways to deal with or distract from that revelation. 

The film is filled with whimsical cuteness. From a cast that seems more willing to let the harder edges of their performances that they usually bring and let themselves go and be softer and gentler. Surprisingly Bruce Willis is the most memorable in the supporting cast. One of his last memorable movie performances before returning due to health issues. 

The novice performances add to the innocence of the characters and situations. Even as they act older than they are, but are still kids at heart. Which makes their story a little more romantic and the adult ones are messy and sad. Yet can’t totally understand or are more envious and want to break it up. As if they can’t have one, why should they? 

The more you watch this film the deeper the appreciation of it begins. 

In the end, the film is charming and offbeat as it offers the hope and magic of romance. Dependent and understood only by the two involved. A belief that anything is possible when powered by love. As it is the two of you against the world and how relationships are adventures in of themselves even if just emotionally. Only here it is done more physically 

Grade: A+