BIRDS OF PARADISE (2021)

Written & Directed By: Sarah Adina Smith
Based on the Book by: A. K. Small
Cinematography: Shaheen Seth 
Editor: David Barker

Cast: Diana Silvers, Jacqueline Bisset, Kristine Froseth, Eva Lomby, Caroline Goodall, Daniel Camargo, Osiel Gouneo, Nassim Lyes, Stav Strashko 

Two girls at an elite Parisian ballet academy have their bond and bodies tested as they compete for a contract to join the company of the Opéra National de Paris.


This film is an adaptation of a novel. So that it’s not quite the Junior League BLACK SWAN rip off. that many have dubbed it.

Black Swan, for instance, seems to delve more into a kind of psychological breakdown, mixed with what might be supernatural. Here though it does deal with mental strength and breakdowns everything seems to stay in reality.

The film lends itself more to surreal imagery and scenes, though it keeps its feet and head on the ground. As the characters are dealing with many different issues from weight loss to the pressure of competition, deaths, and family, trying to prove themselves, and so on.

While we focus on the two main female characters who bond and our enemies at the same time. Where they are trying to each bond, yet have the upper hand while keeping secrets from one another that it becomes downright shocking who actually betrays who.

As they truly share everything even a bed, as there is only one in their room soon it is lovers’ feelings, emotions, truths, revealing themselves to each other, physically, and mentally sexually

Sure we have seen this before but somehow the film the state captivating Wild, never really reveals too much except about its two subjects.

As they seem to be the only warmth in the cold atmosphere of their situation, and the film. One character, who is warm, learns how to be cold, and the other who starts out cold, learns to become themselves, and thus thaw out.

Soon the film also becomes about identity and knowing oneself. As they both are on their own similar journeys in opposite directions, one ends up in a more purely sexual relationship, and the other ends up in route one that is not as sexual as usual for her, and involves more emotion.

It has beautiful dance sequences throughout and does not shy away from showing the physical cost of that and somewhat financial costs. It also helps that most of the cast is very eye-catching. Luckily, they are also all believable.

The film keeps her interested as it seems too deep. Every time you think you’ve gotten it figured out, even though there is still a ticking time clock on the ending. 

The ending doesn’t quite stick to the Landing, even though this is an anti-buddy drama.

That while it stays captivating, it just doesn’t have that cutthroat feeling enough to keep you enraptured.

Grade: C+

AVA (2020)

Directed by: Tate Taylor
Written by: Matthew Newton
Cinematography: Stephen Goldblatt
Editor: Zach Staenberg

Cast: Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common, Colin Farrell, Ioan Gruffund, Geena Davis, Jess Weixler, Diana Silvers, Joan Chen 

Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.


The film offers an interesting character where you wish she had a more exciting tale to go with it. So that it feels like you have a good lead character looking for a better film.

Jessica Chastain is full of energy here. Though the film and character strength are not too much of a challenge for her. 

The film soon gets to the point and stays there. Where you have no doubt what will happen. Even though for a film that is supposed to be an espionage tale it feels more small-town gritty. Like more of a mob tale

The filM comes across at times as mroe domestic drama and not as interesting as it thinks it is. With some action scenes that take place In Interiors particularly small rooms. Make the film more small scale yet fits the Netflix action aesthetic. 

The casting of Geena Davis playing the mother to a character similar to the assassin Charli Baltimore she played in THE LONG KISS GOOD NIGHT. Which makes it feel a bit like stunt casting. 

Unfortunately, this is another middling movie from director Tate Taylor that sounds mroe interesting and fun than it actually is.

The film includes a strange romance that doesn’t seem like it would hav been that exciting even if it had made it to theaters.

The film tries to be different by offering a mroe domestic story, but it feels like I needed melodrama. To make you identify snd care more about the characters. Especially the more supporting ones 

Nothing really sets this movie apart from average and familiar. Though it does leave itself open to sequels that hopefully would flesh it out especially the supporting characters. Who gets no chance to shine here it seem to be set up for greater things later in the film Only for nothing to really happen.

Sort of like the movie FASTER which left itself open to spinoff sequels but wasn’t quite as popular that was expected. So this is most likely a solo effort. Though a sequel Would help improve on the material.

This film seems like it could have been more fleshed out and given for room. Especially with it’s more recognizable cast. Who all end up here for a paycheck more than anything.

GRADE: D+

MA (2019)

ma

 

Directed By: Tate Taylor
Written By: Scotty Landes
Cinematography: Christina Voros
Editor: Lucy Donaldson & Jin Lee 

Cast: Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, McKalley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis, Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Missi Pyle, Allison Janney, Gianni Paolo, Dante Brown 

A lonely woman befriends a group of teenagers and decides to let them party at her house. Just when the kids think their luck couldn’t get any better, things start happening that make them question the intention of their host.

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