Tag: Brian Duffield

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+

THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN (2020)

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Directed By: McG
Written by: Dan Laguna, McG, Brad Morris & Jimmy Warden
Based on characters created by: Brian Duffield
Cinematography: Scott Henriksen 
Editor: Martin Bernfield

Cast: Judah Lewis, Jenna Ortega, Emily Alyn Lind, Bella Thorne, Andrew Bachelor, Robbie Amell, Hana Mae Lee, Ken Marino, Chris Wylde, Leslie Bibb, Samara Weaving, 

Two years after Cole survived a satanic blood cult, he’s living another nightmare: high school. And the demons from his past? Still making his life hell.

I was wasn’t expecting this but there was a part of me that was expecting this movie. Now while I enjoyed the first film in this franchise a lot more than expected. I didn’t know if it really had legs for more sequels.

This film is just as fun as the first film but a lot dumber than the first film. This film seems to know what type of film it is and goes full tilt with its own distractions and humor. No matter how stupid or illogical it could be.

If you are a fan of these types of films and want to have a good time and be entertained then this film is for you. As it seems to continue In Director McG’s wheelhouse of horror and sci-fi films for Netflix that have teenagers or preteens at the center of everything. Though this film and the first babysitter film feel more money he works or inspired by director Joseph Kahn(DETENTION)(BODIED) who has more of visual flair and quicker cuts when it comes to editing.

As this film seems to be missing a certain element. Maybe the dynamic of having Samara weaving on screen more made the film a little more believable and watchable if even just for her charisma in the role.

Here it is almost a repeat of the first film only at a different and bigger location and a twist in the story that seems there to make room for a new character and leading lady for the main character. Though we have the same characters returning from the dead to try to sacrifice the main character for a blood ritual that will make them Immortal.

This is an interesting premise, but as they return they are just as easy to kill as in the first film. So again they are dispatched in a similar manner only here more gruesome and grotesque.

The new main villain is just as close as the babysitter was int he first film and the film tries to also sex her up more in tight and revealing clothes which is the first amongst other clues in the film before the big reveal that they have become evil. What is interesting is that at least they kept the new leading lady Jenna Ortega cute but dressed normally and sarcastic but a hard ass. So she is the opposite of the villain though has the dirtier look.

We see How the original crew was recruited which offers a distraction. Visually but seems like they were recruited in the 1980s more even as the film and the last one was more modern. This just seems out there as a stylistic choice but then also disrupts the continuity of what we know from the original film, but then again this isn’t the type of film to take seriously.

Though most of the cast from the original returns. It is actually nice to see them and their characters. As they remain hilarious and it is nice to catch up with them and learn a little more about them and their pasts.

The film never takes itself seriously and doesn’t expect the audience to either. As the film constantly shows or uses inspiration from the past or other movies to power scenes and the soundtrack. 

This movie feels lien CRANK 2 where it takes all that was from the first film And cranks it up as more for a spectacle that while not going to make any cinematic elitist lists is a fun time and a proper guilty pleasure. That you wish was just a bit better though that might take away the charm. 

The film tries but doesn’t come close because it seems to kind of pander to what it believes the audience wants more of rather than have more of a clear plan and structure. 

So it becomes kind of what it is parodying. Where you can tell when someone is trying to be something or someone that they aren’t to try and impress and while it’s entertaining at first it becomes sad and obvious quickly. Whereas if maybe it was itself from the get-go the audience would come and get to k ow it and appreciate it for it’s sincerity and truths. Though if you are a fan of splatter and gore in your horror. You have come to the right place.

Samara weaving does return for this film in more of an extended cameo. The film needed more of her. As whenever she comes on screen she seems so smooth and takes over her scenes. That when she is gone it only exposes how hard others are trying to just be as good and memorable.

It seems like in most teen horror films I see Bella Thorne always has a death scene. It would be nice to see her survive in a horror film. As here yet again she seems typecast.

The title seems to imply there is a queen when in fact it just seems to have that title as either claiming Samara Weaving’s character is a queen of the kill or tied into the and Queen’s recent popularity or trying to imply that this film is full of campiness. While the film is full of humor, sarcasm, and cynicism. Nothing is truly campy in this film 

Grade: C