Tag: DRAMA

THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING (2021)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Gaysorn Thavat
Written By: Sophie Henderson
Story By: Gaysorn Thavat, Sophie Henderson and Gregory King
Cinematography: Ginny Loane
Editor: Cushla Dillon

Cast; Essie Davis, Thomasan McKenzie, Lively Nili, Birdie Sisson, Amelie Baynes, Erroll Shand 

A triumph over adversity tale about women fighting their way back from the bottom of society.

This is a sad melodrama that seems to drag its main character down. Every chance she gets. There seems to be very little reason why. Even when it gets more explained toward the end.

The film has nothing truly wrong with it. Except you feel like you have seen it all before. Dealing with material one would usually witness from television star trying to get a big screen career going, or one from the 1980’s who couldn’t get a big screen film getting talked into a television movie from the studio she works for.

Either way, the spotlight when it comes to this film belongs to Essie Davis. Who goes above and beyond in her performance as the lead. She is phenomenal. You can’t take your eyes off of her. She is truly what saves this film.

It’s a shame as this is an example of a performance that deserves a better film around them. She Has layers of depth that the film seems to lack in the long run. She is truly the only reason to watch this film. Unless you want to see her reunite with Thomaszin McKenzie her co-star From TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG. Who is also the only other recognizable name and the only other character who gets significant screen time.

The film does touch on unfortunate subjects such as parents caring more about their romantic relationships and partners than their children. Especially when It’s obviously said partner isn’t behaving right. Yet is the alpha and brings in the money. So the parent becomes more submissive and stops thinking for themselves. That issue is what causes the major downfall of the lead character. Who has never had much luck it seems in the first place.

Though who always shows much love and caring. Not to mention work ethic. The film unfortunately in the end for all the emotions it tries to evoke. Comes across more as a time-killing tear-jerker.

Grade: C+

JACKNIFE (1989)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: David Hugh Jones
Written By: Stephen Metcalfe (Based on his play STRANGE SNOW)
Cinematography: Brian West 
Editor: John Bloom

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Ed Harris, Kathy Baker, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Pais, Gabrielle Carteris, Elizabeth Franz, Louden Wainwright III, Jessalyn Gilsig

Two Vietnam vets search for the strength to face up to their horrific war experiences, but their friendship begins to splinter when one becomes romantically involved with the other’s sister.

I always remember the trailer and poster for this film above all. Seeing it play in theaters. It struck me how wild Robert DeNiro looked in his long hair and baseball cap. (Which was the poster image) Then all of a sudden dressed in a white tuxedo. It always mystified me how well he cleaned up. 

I only recently got around to finally watching the film. If I had seen it at the time it would be my first time seeing Ed Harris in a movie. He truly didn’t become known at least in my film atmosphere until the movie JUST CAUSE. The only other major role I might have seen him in would have been THE RIGHT STUFF a movie at the time I had certainly heard about, but had no interest as it didn’t register it my stratosphere.

The film seems like it wants to go to some deeper places but feels too slick and determined to make it a romantic love story of sorts. 

The film builds as much as we get to know the characters. Who are all damaged in their own way. 

If not for the cast wouldn’t be held in such high regard as they make it work more than it should 

Robert DeNiro comes across at first due to his looks as the more deranged or troubled character. Whereas Kathy Baker and Ed Harris look more normal and suburban. Though each character has their own problems. Ed Harris proves to be the most damaged amongst them and DeNiro the most well-adjusted though through therapy. 

The prom hallway scene is the pinnacle of the movie where all is let loose. 

Directed By David Hugh Jones, whose style comes across here with the depths of a television movie made into a theatrical feature film. It’s Simple and Thought lacks a finesse that makes everything come across as basic visually. He brings little to the table other than competence. However, it does make sense that this began as a play before becoming a feature.

It revolves around the 3 characters and is always more indoors. The film attempts to make it more open by adding more scenery and having scenes be more outdoors and in various locations. 

At a certain point it feels like DeNiro’s character steals the booty, so to speak. He romances his friend’s sister and ends up getting intimate with her. Then after a few friendly dates and finally getting through to her brother. Tries the old “this can’t work” and is ready to leave town. She has gotten all that he wanted. So he kind of works as an early version of the saintly character. Who is there to help and advise the hero while spouting wisdom. This is usually reserved for African Americans characters in movies in a more mystical way, but leaving them with very little to actually do or be as a character. Luckily here the film comes through for a happy ending. Which also allows DeNiro’s character to feel real and be more full-blooded.

Grade: B- 

A BLUEBIRD IN MY HEART (2018)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Jeremie Guez
Based on the novel “THE DISHWASHER” By: Dannie M. Martin 
Cinematography: Dimitri Karakatsanis 
Editor: Dieter Diependaele 

Cast: Roland Moller, Veerle Baetens, Lola Lelann, Luba Azabel 

Attempting to lead a quiet reformed life, an ex-con finds refuge in a motel run by a single mother and her daughter Clara. The peace and freedom he has found in this safe haven disappears when Clara is assaulted, forcing him to face his old demons

The predictable this film manages to make you care and stay interested throughout. As it maintains an intensity as much as the main character seems to have who we never quite learned about when it comes to his past, but we are given enough to interpret.

It’s simmering mostly, but there are two scenes. The film truly lets loose with action, though low scenes are short and one quite torturous.

This is a movie more about characters and emotions. It’s actually quite plain and simple, It sticks to the point at under 90 minutes and gets started in no time. 

In the beginning, you can feel the uncomfortable nature that eases up as the walls the main character does 

As well, as you can see the symbolic relationships and placeholder that he becomes for the people around him, mostly female.

He has a  rough, dangerous nature, but a gentle side, when it comes to them. That stays very simple and small scale.

The film is a revenge tale in the end as he takes revenge and in doing so sets up a situation where the victim of his revenge has people who need to take revenge for him especially when their first attempt goes awry 

This is a well-acted hidden gem of a movie that while might be predictable in some aspects feels like an introduction, not necessarily to buy the story, but more through characters that you care about 

It stays small scale but packs a lot of heart and you know it’s a French Film because every character seems to smoke. 

Grade: B-

BORDERLINE (1980)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Jerrold Freedman
Written By: Jerrold Freedman and Steve Kline 
Cinematography: Tak Fujimoto 
Editor: John F. Link II

Cast: Charles Bronson, Bruno Kirby, Ed Harris, Bert Ramsen, Wilford Brimley, Michael Lerner, James Victor, Kenneth McMillan, John Ashton, Karim Murcelo, Enrique Castillo 

Jeb Maynard is a patrolman guarding the U.S.-Mexican border, whose partner and buddy Scooter has just been murdered. Maynard knows that a smuggler of illegal aliens is responsible for Scooter’s death, but the feds insist that drug dealers committed the crime. If this villainous smuggler is going to be caught, Maynard is going to have to do the dirty work himself.

While this film doesn’t present anything new. At the time it was a social issue that was gaining more and more interest in popularity.

What is a Charles Bronson movie if you are looking or expecting an action epic you will be disappointed as well. The film does have scenes of action. There aren’t many more plays out as a crime drama.

The film is full of naughty character actors who have supporting and small roles. At the heart of the story is just trying to investigate the death of a border agent and an innocent, immigrant teenager and finding justice for them.

Throughout the tale, Charles Bronson is gentlemanly, and just generally a good guy. The film put a face to the villains in the organization they weren’t for, and the systematic way in which this business is lucrative for them.

We also see all the dangers and perils of the immigrants, trying to get into the country, what they lose, what they risk, and the general manner in which they are treated. During a section of the film, Charles Bronson’s character even goes undercover as an immigrant to try and catch and experience what most of them have to go through, and hopefully confront or come face-to-face with the perpetrators

The film offers something different than expected and entertains throughout her house and gives us the overview to see the perpetrators and we just wait to see how Charles Bronson & company will eventually hopefully bring them down.

This is the kind of film that is not really talked about when it comes to Charles Bronson but definitely should be. This film works on his decency and charisma throughout even when it lacks action and shows what he can be capable of when he doesn’t have a gun in his hand.

Grade: B-

DECISION TO LEAVE (2022)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Park Chan-Wook

Written By: Park Chan-Wook & Chung Seo-Kyung

Cinematography: Kim Jo-Yong

Editor: Kim Sang-Beom

Cast: Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung-Hyun, Go Kyung-Pyo 

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

One of the most romantic movies ever or at least in quite a while.  It is more of a romance where the lead characters absolutely can’t be with one another yet works as a romance.  where they try to deny their feelings while falling even harder maybe because of the lack of total communication but constantly watching each other.

It’s almost like dating with a constant mind game and never a full revelation of feelings, but there is something there. They keep not only bringing themselves together, but circumstances at times force them to and to kind of chase each other. 

Though here not trying to fall in love and that is usually when it finds you or you find that one that makes you feel it. 

So that like early in love any moment or chance you get seems mystical, magical, and has meaning. 

There is plenty of lust there but it seems to be more about longing.

Now put all of that and surround it in a detective story a film noir with stylish touches and a little violence but no sex, eroticism, or even any real action. Like the characters the film and story are so restrained it almost feels like a period piece. Though the camerawork and direction are top notch. 

It feels like a thriller but one with more emotions. You wonder if she is only trying to seduce him to get away with her crimes and that for the detective she is not only an escape but a mystery herself that he can’t figure out which is a challenge and slowly makes him lose it. 

But you feel destroyed by the end as you want the two characters to be together. So that it stays fully captivating. Though like a good story and a good book it moves at its own pace. Sometimes faster than you expect but also slower. Never quite a constant.

The film is like poetry, you recognize the beauty but it’s hard to explain. As hopefully you just feel it.

Grade: A-

AS TEARS GO BY (1988)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Wong Kar Wai

Written By: Jeffrey Lau and Wong Kar Wai Cinematography: Andrew Lau

Editor: Bei-Dak Cheong and Kit Wai Kai

Cast: Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Jacky Cheung, Alex Man, Ronald Wong 

Mid-level gangster Wah falls in love with his beautiful cousin, but must also continue to protect his volatile partner-in-crime and friend, Fly.

Melodramatic as it has a bit of the story of the movie MEAN STREETS mixed with a crime thriller. MEAN STREETS Also dealt with a coming-of-age story and a romance that seemed clandestine yet forbidden. While also being involved in a crime syndicate of sorts with a hot-headed friend who seems to always get them both into hot water. 

Just like Martin Scorsese, you can see director Wong Kar Wai’s Style breaking out. Yet a little stuck with a mainstream Story to get more of an audience to watch. The crime thriller elements will be exciting but the heart of the film Is more in the romance and it allows the lead to be tough and sensitive. 

Watching this film is like watching an artist trying his skills in a more conventional Mainstream Movie. He certainly Raises the material higher than it deserves.

The film is definitely of its time period. The 1980’s represented mainly on the soundtrack as usual.

Wai Chooses a familiar American song TAKE MY BREATH AWAY and gives it new depth in a Cantonese version.

Like his later Films there is a love story thrown in that ends up being the film’s heart. Not to mention ensures an emotional investment. As after all within most stories, there is that element instead of focusing on the more violent side of life. Instead, he is interested in showing relationships and what drives them. To show where strength and honor lie.

The film is a cautionary tale on one end and nihilistic. It takes both main characters’ relationships seriously and gives them the same depth. Only one is physically intimate. The other one is loving but troublesome. 

As he is more successful in romance and moves further. On the other end That is how deep into Trouble he And his little brother get into until It gets to the point of no return the third act has to do with proving oneself and machismo  That is Almost like a reminder. This is supposed to be a gangster film

Grade: B-

THE YOUNG SAVAGES (1961)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: John Frankenheimer 
Written By: J.P. Miller and Edward Anhalt 
Based on the Novel “A MATTER OF CONVICTION” By: Evan Hunter
Cinematography: Lionel Lindon
Editor: Eda Warren

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Shelly Winters, Telly Savalas, Dina Merrill, Edward Andrews, Vivian Nathan, Larry Gates, Pilar Seurat, Jody Fair, Stanley Kristien

A district attorney investigates the racially charged case of three teenagers accused of the murder of a blind Puerto Rican boy. He begins to discover that the facts in the case aren’t exactly as they seem to be.

This takes you back to an era where movies could still be police procedural episodes basically. Only with more star power and elongated with a more personal connection. To the central character. Here is Burt Lancaster. Not to mention directed by the legendary John Frankenheimer in his prime. 

At least the film is based on a novel, an adaptation. So it’s not some run-of-the-mill story. That failed at being an episode of a court show that week. 

Once upon a time they could build a whole film’s narrative around a crime story that seems pretty simple but gets complicated as it goes along. As the deeper Lancaster dives the more that is revealed that has quite a few twists and turns.

Showcasing the supposed dog-eat-dog nature of the slums and the racial unrest. Here between Italians, Irish, and Hispanics. While also managing to be a youth In Jeopardy movie.

The case in the film showcases the political implications that the case causes.

The film is an uneasy watch as it tries to be liberal in its politics. It still feels a bit racist and definitely stereotypical. At times it tries to throw back at both sides and show that no one is perfect and we all have our flaws. Does someone deserve to lose their life over it? 

It also tries to save one of the Caucasian characters as an innocent. A good kid in bad surroundings. Most of the characters could be, they all just learned to adapt to survive.  While the innocent victim gets trashed in court almost like he deserved it. It also doesn’t exactly answer all the questions the case presents.

Every character here is corrupt or criminal. It’s disturbing that the ones of color are the ones shown more thoroughly in that manner. Though get more screen time. 

The subject matter is tawdry but handled in a clean way. As the film goes with what was expected at the time. So an audience can blame the times for the way this movie comes across. As a kind of historical artifact.

There was also the way the film felt. As one is watching it seems like the camera or film was speeding up. To make things happen or appear to happen faster.

Grade: C+

BRUTE FORCE (1947)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Jules Dassin
Written By: Richard Brooks 
Story By: Robert Patterson
Cinematography: William Daniels
Editor: Edward Curtiss 

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles Bickford, Yvonne De Carlo, Ann Blyth, Ella Raines, Anita Colby, Sir. Lancelot, Jeff Corey, John Hoyt, Roman Bohnen 

At overcrowded Westgate Penitentiary, where violence and fear are the norm and the warden has less power than guards and leading prisoners, the least contented prisoner is tough, single-minded Joe Collins. Most of all, Joe hates chief guard Captain Munsey, a petty dictator who glories in absolute power. After one infraction too many, Joe and his cell-mates are put on the dreaded drain pipe detail; prompting an escape scheme that has every chance of turning into a bloodbath.

This was certainly an eye-opener. It tries to live up to its title as it was definitely that way when it was made and might be considered light for today’s times, but shocking that it was made when it was. 

One of the films where Burt Lancaster definitely seems mroe engaged and it lets him use his physicality more. 

One of the more violent Black and white movies the type of film used makes it timeless. As it will always going to be the same. In prisons and for anyone watching the film. 

No one is innocent but still don’t deserve the brutality that they endure.  We see their pasts that got them stuck in prison, from time to time so we also get to know the characters along the way. The camaraderie that exists and how they bond. So that we get to care about them, their demise is all the more shocking And heartbreaking like a horror film. 

Hume Cronyn as the main villain is absolutely brutal and scary. Though he also seems so finely tuned. Not a bloodthirsty psychopath. Not even is he physically intimidating. He’s more threatening and cerebral.

The strength of the film is that we are introduced to the characters mroe in the middle of something larger and as the film goes along it builds in intensity and pressure. Until the end where it finally blows in a well-orchestrated ending. 

It’s Beautifully filmed you can constantly feel the claustrophobia in the prison more than in the cells. Just as the prisoners try to feel like they are still on the outside, busting themselves to pass the time Cronyn’s character wants to not only own and be in Charge with them but remind them where they are and keep them small. 

It’s a film that is captivating but has a sadness hanging over it. It has a fluidity to it. So that it keeps moving even when it has its moments with the characters 

Grade: B

NIGHT AND THE CITY (1950)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By Jules Dassin
Written By: Joe Eisinger 
Based on the Novel By: Gerald Kersh
Cinematography: Max Greene
Editor: Nick Deamaggio & Sidney Stone 

Cast: Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Google Withers, Herbert Lom, Mike Mazurki, Charles Farrell, Hugh Marlowe, Francis L. Sullivan, Stanislaus Zbysko, Ada Reeve 

A small-time grifter and nightclub tout takes advantage of some fortuitous circumstances and tries to become a big-time player as a wrestling promoter.

The film ends up more of an ensemble than expected. As the main character at the center of it all. Though the secondary characters are added in and ends up feeling like so many gears going all at once at the same time.  

So that it keeps the audience mesmerized and engaged. Watching how the narrative tightens and converges and affects one another like a chess match. They are feeding into one another as the stakes are raised and the challenges get more prominent. 

The film is full of love stories and triangles with jealousy and revenge. None were quite sturdy except for one.

This is a thriller centered around a wrestling promotion. Showcasing the business and dramatics involved even back then. As we watch it all come apart. While men are all trying to be the alpha full of bravado and machismo.

Richard Widmark’s performance is filled with manic energy and intensity. Where his character goes through so much intensity. Though always with a Whiff of anger the untrustworthy glamorous bad boy who dresses up as a gangster though is truly a two-bit hood and hustler. Very wiry and athletic he overshadows everyone else in scenes with him. As you can tell he is always thinking and scheming. He has to line up the dominos of making a deal keeping all the parts moving just like in this film.

Keeping the production a well-oiled machine. Luckily Leaving it not all that predictable. While showcasing dynamic examples of shadows and light. Showcasing this tale as a film noir. 

The film has an excitement in the filmmaking. That is assured yet takes its time. Leaving one surprised that the tale takes place in England. Seeing these descriptive old-time faces and tough guys that seem more New York City old school. Then they start talking and you realize where you are once you hear the accents. 

Director Jules Dassin was in the middle of being blacklisted and the studio’s head Daryl Zanuck told him this might be the last film he ever made. This might be why this film is so strong as he seemed to put all his energy and vision into it. 

Like so many classic films It’s partially in the grain. As there is a richness in there that is rare yet all-encompassing. Making it seem timeless yet feels nutritious. As we watch it grow. 

The audience marvels at it. As it’s an example of the best that seems shared with us. A recipe that works better than expected or just right. Where the dialogue feels like lines of scripture. As these are stories to illuminate. 

The film does offer a comeuppance. Even in all these dark stories and corners. Judgment and themes said simply that feed the shadows.

Grade: B+

DREAM LOVER (1993)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Nicholas Kazan 
Cinematography: Jean Yves Escoffier 
Editor: Susan Cruthcher and Jill Savitt

Cast: James Spader, Madchen Amick, Bess Armstrong, Larry Miller, Frederic Lehne, Kathleen York, William Shockley, Carl Sundstrom, Clyde Kusatsu

Ray is young, charming, successful, and the owner of a prosperous architecture company. However, he has recently gone through a very painful divorce. His friends try to cheer him up by showing him the positive sides of being single but for Ray marriage and stability are just too important. But when he meets Lena his gloom is quickly forgotten. She is beautiful, sensual, and mysterious and he is drawn to her like a moth to a candle. They marry quickly, have their first child and Ray lives in total bliss. But then strange incidents occur which shed some light on Lena’s background. Ray slowly realizes that he hardly knows anything about her at all. Who has he really married?

A movie that I have read about and cursed my oath many times but never drank the Kool-Aid to watch it.

Now watching g ti for the very first time it is very much of its time in the early 90’s as it feels like it has some holdovers from the 1980’s the wardrobe, score, and setups. The film seems to go for Glamour shots while trying to protest a certain reality 

The one thing that shines above all else is that it’s rare to see James soarer mroe as the person being taken rather than the villain. Though this is Madchen Amick’s movie truly. As she is a femme fatale who truly plays her prey like a piano

The movie seems Buck convention as it feels like an earlier version of the recent release DEEP WATER directed by Adrian Lyne.  where the lead wants to get to know his wife’s Past and the more he does it becomes an obsession once she lets him find out she openly Lies to him and he is so much in love he wants to believe it as it fulfills his fantasy about her and gets to stay with her. She is his fantasy and everything he wants and so desperately wants to believe even if it goes against his happiness ultimately or maybe this is all his fetish

The movie already hit his mental fragility with scenes at a circus in his dreams. Which feels like it’s trying to be too artistic. 

Again Madchen Amick is the reason to see the movie overall coming off of Twin Peaks at the time. Her character is cold, sexy, smart, and calculating. With a chic wardrobe, she would be a screen legend in this role only the film fails to really support her or rise to her level.

The film at times tries to be sexy and erotic but only she truly is in the end. Even as the film tries to be sexual quite a few times.

James Spader is perfectly cast also as he is handsome but has something off-putting about him as the character. Who seems to overthink except when it comes to the things and people he should. 

Though the character’s fascination as well as the film and audience is what is the battery of this film. This is a polished film but not one that is beautifully put together.

If you are a fan of movies you can see what is going to happen from the beginning. You just watch to see how it will happen and what exactly is the end goal. No matter what she can provide the receipts. Though a last-minute reveal that is never shown only talked about comes across as weak.

The ending feels right, but also feels a bit too complex and comes across as it thinks it’s smart too much. While simple it is also brief. 

The film might have been stronger if we saw this whirlwind romance as romantic in the first place or too good to be true and then started to wonder if this Is a con or if is it all in his head.

The film also comes across as a little too wasp-ish. It’s absolutely whitewashed. As there is very little real passion. It just seems like everyone is going through the motions. No matter how much I wanted to like it. It feels a bit melodramatic and thrilling.

This neo-noir takes place mostly in the daytime. Leaves itself to be too transparent at times. 

Grade: C