Danny Tamberelli – Cut To The Chase

Written & Directed By: Jane Schoenbrun

Cinematography: Eric Yue

Editor: Sofi Marshall

Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman, Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Danielle Deadwyler, Fred Durst, Amber Benson, Michael C. Maronna, Danny Tamberelli

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

I loved this film and I can’t recommend this film highly enough. It’s a film where not only about the filmmaking but the experience. As afterward it feels like a religious experience..

This film Destroyed me and made me feel devastated in a good way. Had me deep in thoughts afterward still thinking about it. I don’t know if I can ever do this film Justice in writing or talking about it. As I know emotionally or even intellectually I can be right or express my feelings exactly about this masterpiece.

I purposely tried to know very little about it so that I knew only a few details and didn’t know where it was going or what to expect? But was willing to go wherever it took Me, come what may

This film feels aimed At any outsider or misfit who felt or feels misplaced like they didn’t belong. Who is struggling in life and most importantly in an Identity? For anyone Made to feel like every move and decision is a mistake and there is something not quite right about you. Never seem To fit in with any crowd even the ones it seems like You should. How others seem to be on a different wavelength than you. Who just doesn’t Or can’t get it.

This film might not be for everyone, but it’s Beautiful and full of heart and tragedy. Full of emotion.

The film is alive with so many questions, theories, and realities. Almost every shot is filled with imagination, depth, style, and creativity. Thought and passion have obviously been put into each facet, Every moment felt filled with emotions.

Another masterpiece from writer/director Jane Schoenbrun whose previous film, WE ARE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR. Which was just as strong and surprising.

No spoilers, it’s a film to go into blind and to experience. Any further reading after this point, there is nothing but SPOILERS.

Almost every shot in this film is filled with imagination, depth, style, and creativity. Thought & passion have obviously been put into each facet & detail. Every moment felt filled with emotions.

The film is about so many things but what it spoke to me and I’m sure many others. It seems to be about Regretting your decisions. Then Living with the aftermath. That might be a kind of existence but also In a way the death of your dreams and any real hope of happiness. Where it feels what seems like a certain suicide might have been better than Your current existence.

it explores how some shows or forms of entertainment can be an escape for some to Get lost in. as they provide an escape but hope of a different reality with The themes and characters. That can become not only nostalgia eventually but also help them cope with the reality that sometimes is better. Eventually, one can get confused and can get lost. As it’s own wonderland or closely resembles your own struggles only in a more fantastic and world-ending manner.

Also how one can get stuck in an identity that seems tight, but you let the scare control you. Convincing you that could be better for you than what is expected of programmed into you. Finding your own identity. How you can be trapped in an identity. That you are never comfortable in and force yourself to stay. Even though never quite happy and slowly killing you from the inside out.

It also is about identity sexual and physical. As it is a film that has themes and experiences that might speak to a transgender audience and individuals. As well as the lgbtq community but can easily be understood by a Universal audience who are willing to be open to it.

A beloved, lived-in fantasy seems better than anyone in reality as it is filled with so much imagination that anything can happen the same with reality but in fantasy, it stays better and more fantastic. whereas in life there can be long stretches of punishment, sadness, and boredom that feel like torture. How you can get lost in that fantasy. As it feels more rewarding and real. As you live vicariously through characters you identify with. So their victories feel like yours. Even though there is nothing to show for it. Like sports fans in a way.

Where one parent seems more like a scary phantom who you can’t communicate with but is always around and the other truly loves you, but you still can’t seem to connect or communicate with them fully though they wish you would and love you endlessly and they are that may keep you grounded and you stay around for their sake. How that parent you are scared of might be the one who physically holds you back and makes sure you never escape. While the loving one bows out, you feel a sense of guilt and want to take care of them before their eventual exit.

What could have been a story of triumph that feels like a tragedy of not following your way out being boring, responsible, and paying for it. Escape seems like the craziest idea. Haunting creating their own worlds and inviting you In to explore. The film is Unique mesmerizing and sincere. While leaving the audience in instant unease and astonishment.

How you can look back at something that seemed so important and strong almost life changing and once you get older you look back and it seems foreign to you completely different from how nostalgia can play tricks on you you can be embarrassed or seen like a different existence

It will also exist in nostalgia itself. There are quite a few cameos from people who were popular and recognizable to those who came of age in the 1990s. a haunting reminder of ghosts from a previous time. Here as a reminder for some in the audience. As well as the pop culture display and definitely the soundtrack

How television or pop culture can bond us to others we never would have thought to approach or ever talk to. That can be lifelong friendships where shared interest is only the beginning.

Through all of this, the film stays true to the pop culture that is influenced by a mixture. That is very detail-oriented. Using the same fonts, images, and storyline episodes of them. Even the grains of aging tapes and quality degradation. As you can tell this is personal and very powerful.

It doesn’t even feel like I have made a scratch on the surface of this film. That is how deep it is. A similar feeling for some of the people who first saw STAR WARS who were not only amazed but wanted to tell everybody about it. Not to mention knowing how much it would eventually mean to others. (not as on as grand a scale audience-wise) but waiting for others to see it to discuss and lay in wait as others discover it and claim it as a future favorite. Though you were one of the early adopters.

Grade: A

Directed By: Tyler Taormina
Written By: Tyler Taormina & Eric Berger
Cinematography: Carson Lund
Editor: Kevin Anton

Cast: Haley Bodell, Audrey Boos, Sam Hernandez, Gabriella Herrera, Adam Torres, Lori Beth Denberg, Danny Tamberelli, Aaron Schwartz, Dan Jablons

A bizarre rite of passage at the local deli determines the fate of a generation of teenagers, leading some to escape their suburban town and dooming others to remain.

This is a strange little movie that is a gem. As with anything strange and at times spare. Not to mention otherworldly seeming this can be seen as inspired by David Lynch

As it starts off like a young teen dazed and confused with an ensemble. Though as the film goes Along it gets stranger. Like a continuous dream filled with moments that bleed into one another in a perfect symphony

As at first, it seems like a hang-out movie before it becomes more of a mystery. That has plenty of little moments and detail that make it feel both awkward, yet believable and offers up some kind of fantasy. Even though there is no magic seen. The film feels magical in its own way. Even if there is no real trick to it.

As these kids seem to be going to a party that is a kind of party with a full lunch and dancing. Where a party game that seems like an almost spin the bottle where the kids pair off and go off

Until it reaches a peak halfway through and after that the film pretty much deals with the aftermath. As it showcases how it affects the adults and other kids.

A third of the film feels familiar before slowly going off the rails into the weird where you wonder if it is going to just be an unorthodox view of the world through teenage eyes on the verge of adulthood that is hilarious and alienating

As the film Goes from Light to dark at the midway point. That feels like a deep look I to suburbia and rites of passage before the second half where the film seems to explore loneliness of characters who seem trapped and disappointed as they come off as rejected and stuck there in the humdrum.

The film comes across as timeless as its style and fashions are of the past but shows some modern technology and inventions of over the years

By the end, nothing is fully explained but it is open to interpretation. You could look at it as those who weren’t part of that passage of growing up

Sort of being left behind and feeling a certain alienation as the others around them their friends have gone forth without them. Coupled up in a way and now they are alone. Like they are stuck in their youth. While others have gone off wherever but to something new and far away

It seems like the adults might also be either in Arrested development as they knew they were going and now don’t know what to do with themselves or that maybe they themselves are among those who never moved on and are stuck. Which would explain why they seem so much down in despair.

Even the other kid who is left behind. His mother took him to eat looks embarrassed as others look at her and him. Then she kind of abandons him. It can be seen as when parents realize that their child might not be popular or who they want them To be are embarrassed and here it is more physically abandoning rather than emotionally and spiritually.

As at the end the girl left behind is looking. At the next generation of kids enjoying themselves. Not knowing what is coming in the future so enjoy themselves while they can.

One of the joys of the film is a scene of the adults sitting around sad and then seeing cameos from Nickelodeon kid actors of the past cameo. As the film already feels like a demented fairy tale taking place in the THE ADVENTURES OF PETE AND PETE episode universe.

Though through it all it seems like there is mroe going on beneath the surface, it keeps you captivated.

Grade: B+

Tag: Danny Tamberelli

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