Tag: Cleopatra Coleman

COBWEB (2023)

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Directed By: Samuel Bodin 

Written By: Chris Thomas Devlin 

Cinematography: Philip Lozano 

Editor: Kevin Greutert and Richard Riffaud 

Cast: Woody Norman, Cleopatra Coleman, Anthony Starr, Lizzy Caplan 

An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him.

This film feels like Stephen King because it takes place in what looks like a small town suburb and its primary location for most of the movie is the boy’s house now of course adventures outside of it but yeah, that’s a little rare in the film 

That is also the reason why I might be a little bit M night Shymalan as again set in a small town but there by choice. Not to mention the secrets you can hide in plain sight. 

The film has a bit of the vibe of the movie PARENTS, a movie that I don’t think gets enough love. It’s a movie that scared me a lot as a child with the possibility of an overactive imagination and horrors not even contemplated. While through the eyes of a child.

There is a reason it is being called the 2023 version of BARBARIAN, as it reminds you of that film and the others I have previously named this far.

I’m not going to lie here and say that it’s one of the greatest films, but it’s one of those that for me well remembered because it gave you a child’s point of you. It scared the heck out of me as a kid it builds tension slowly, and while it was more of a dark comedy, it did add that element of you’re supposed to trust your parents, but can you in certain times or what is with these mysterious things that they do that might to the world be perfectly innocent but you seem like there’s a deep, dark secret or something wrong is happening. A lot of those same aspects are on display here only stronger and a lot more obvious.

Dealing with parents who are supposed to guide you, but at turns seem evil or even way too mean. Though they say it’s for your own good. Yet keep obvious secrets from you. Then tell you it’s all in your head whatever conspiracy. While your friends not ally is a nice teacher. Who can only help you so much, without l getting in trouble themselves. Though like your parents they are supposed to be your guiding light. Thought at times can be one of the major problems.

As it goes along, you think oh, this is the worst that could happen, then raise the stakes as that it’s like oh another scenario where you think oh now this is the worst that can happen. Then it gets worse again, and so on, and so on. 

It manages a lot in under 90 minutes and that is including the fact that it starts off slow.

This is one of those films you think about more after you watch the film as it stays on your mind.  As while you are watching you are busy reacting.

The film works best the less you know and is scarier when they hint at things instead of completely revealing them. 

Grade: B- 

INFINITY POOL (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Brandon Cronenberg 
Cinematography: Karim Hussain
Editor: James Vandewater

Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Mia Goth, Cleopatra Coleman, Thomas Kretschmann, Jalil Lespart, Adam Boncz, Amanda Bruegel, Jeff Ricketts, John Ralston, Caroline Boulton, Anita Major

James and Em Foster are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation in the fictional island of La Tolqa, when a fatal accident exposes the resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence, and surreal horrors.

When it comes to the films of Brandon Cronenberg so far at least for me is that I like his films but I believe I like the concepts more than the follow-through.

So far they have focused on body horror usually through some kind of transaction, rather than a natural occurrence. That helps you to believe that the characters bring it on to themselves.

This film is not really any different. Though it seems to speak to more positions of class. Through its twists and turns, as well as double crosses it is like a more disturbing version of the movie THE GAME without a happy ending.

Mia Goth is good in her role, one that she seems perfect for. As her character is more alluring, and seductive than in X Or PEARL. Though in those movies her characters had more of innocence. Here she always knows what she is doing and is in command.

Cleopatra Coleman is good here, I only wish the film had more for her to do. As she is such an onscreen presence. Though there seems to be no room for her here. As the film gives her the responsible kill-joy companion. 

WARNING There are spoilers ahead 

The film is a good example of showing class and how it works. As it has a seemingly well-to-do couple mixing with another that is rich or more the haves in a third-world country resort.

An accident happens when they break the rules in a car that was procured illegally and outside of the resort grounds which results in death. In this country, they have a choice whether they can be sentenced to death or a long prison term or if can pay the price. They will clone you and your clone is dealt the punishment for you.

After the first occurrence, it gives the main character is a failed writer who has married into money. A kind of second lease on life and he ends up meeting all these other wealthy characters. Who has had the same experience and now they form a little club where it quickly becomes hedonistic and unlawful. Believing they can do anything because they have the money.

At first, he is appalled and then joins in, but things get more dangerous and he gets pulled in more erotically and narcotically. Soon not only does he not know what is real and what is not. He begins to question who he really is, an original or a clone. Also is he with them or against them. As the group seems to feel a certain ownership of him.

By the end they do win him because they have done this so much their new game or jollies is getting someone who believes they are one of them and putting them through the wringer for their own entertainment and treating them almost like a pet or newly found toy and breaking them. 

Then by the end treat them like vacation friends like nothing happened. Asking if they are going to come back next year. Now they are more part of the group and the next year they can indoctrinate another new person into the group. 

Even in trying to get him under their thumb, they use and abuse or downright kill so many innocents. That they know they can get away with it because they have money. Those who they hurt are not seen as on their level. So they can be victims and never thought of as anything more than that. 

Which can also be seen as an allegory to what has happened in modern politics. Where you get a base of people riled up and fighting for the things you say. Making them believe that they and you are the same, but then once they have done the dirty work for you sell them out to a degree. 

The film is provocative in that way. As it pushed along the idea and story. While touching on many subjects vaguely. If it wasn’t so hardcore in Its material it would be a more accepted science fiction classic. 

Grade: B

THE ARGUMENT (2020)

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Directed by: Robert Schwartzman
Written By: Zac Stanford
Cinematography: Michael Rizzi
Editor: Max Goldblatt

Cast: Dan Folger, Emma Bell, Tyler James Williams, Maggie Q, Cleopatra Coleman, Danny Pudi, Karan Bear, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Mark Ryder, Marielle Scott, Charlotte McKinney 

A couple gets into an argument at their cocktail party that escalates until it brings an abrupt end to the festivities. They and their guests decide to re-create the entire night, again and again, to determine who was right.

This is a film that just keeps building as it goes along. The energy starts to lick up and so do the laughs. 

The film starts off funny then becomes a screwball comedic free for all by the end. As it continuously keeps raising the stakes. As the film stays unpredictable so It really comes up to speed in the second act. As the first is needed to set up the story and relationships.

As in each iteration, we get more information even though they are trying to recreate everything all over again there are different interpretations, inflections, and deliveries.

One can identify with overly examining events, words said, and themes. Pulling back another curtain offering another reveal which dissects the situation to offer more insight.

Though the cast is all great,  Actress Cleopatra Coleman is a comedic highlight throughout. As she goes from being sexy, funny, insecure, drunk, over the top, emotional 

The film is clearly an absurd farce at times that deals with egos and also examines the nature of memory relationships, body language, and things left unsaid. 

It turns a bit obscure and even making a play in itself. Allowing real participants to be able to examine themselves. Not to mention what others might think and drag even more people into it. This time actors who are so and that it becomes comedic in itself and even them picking up on some subtle relationships and offering theories themselves.

It is also a film that offers up a commentary on entitlement. As each of the characters tries to be humble and some think themselves lowly when actually they have plenty of what others would envy. Which really comes into play during the third act. 

Grade: B