Tag: Elisabeth Moss

GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2010)

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Written & Directed By: Nicholas Stoller 
Based on Characters Created by: Jason Segel
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman 
Editor: William Kerr & Michael L. Sale

Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Sean Combs, Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss, Colm Meaney, Aziz Ansari, Kali Hawk, Nick Kroll, Carla Gallo, Ellie Kemper, Jake Johnson, Davone McDonald, T.J. Miller, Neal Brennan, Kristen Schaal, Lindsey Broad, Carlos Jacott, Pharrell Williams, P!NK

A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.’s Greek Theater.

I remember loving this movie when it came out in theaters and being surprised at Its risqué drug humor at the time. That now seems to come along once in a while when a movie wants to be more lowbrow and challenging.

Recently rewatching this film. It still doubles down on Its shocking humor, but even as hard as it tries to be provocative. Now it seems more than ever to be reaching it. if letting it happen naturally. Which kind of weakens it.

It does stand up as a perfect time capsule of the trends of the time especially when it comes to the music industry. The film tries to make Russell Brand’s character more of a classic rock star but he still comes across as more of a forgettable star of the time period. Which only makes the film feel like a more artificial lake

This is one of the two Russel Brand performances that really took hold at the time. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL is the other. Where his character Aldous Snow from this film was only a supporting character. Whose outrageous character stole the show. So this is his spin-off and the movie was supposed to make Brand a big comedic star In America. 

This film more shows his character’s downfall though ultimately was Brand’s one big hurrah at the box office. As he did a remake of the film ARTHUR and some smaller film roles and seems to have retired from comedy and acting.

Here his character seems inspired by brand’s public persona at the time and previously. Living a kind of debaucherous hedonistic extravagant exhibitionistic lifestyle. Which he has changed, now to a cleaner and focused one. So once again a time capsule to a precious time. 

Sean Combs does a serviceable job in his role as the record company owner. It’s nice to see him having fun with his public image and showing a sense of humor. Making the film even more meta. Though he still comes off stiff. It feels that if a more experienced actor had played the role. It feels as if the character would have more opportunities to be outrageous and unhinged, no holding back.  

Even as you would expect combs to be more natural. As he is playing a version of himself under a different name. Though he does bring more of an audience to the film. Who has come to see him be comedic.

The film leaves Jonah Hill with little to do to make an Impression other than playing the nebbish straight man and worrywart. Who ends up being punished for most of the film for the shenanigans of others. This comes off more like an acting performance than a comedic one or even having a comedic persona. 

This is definitely a hard R Rated film that shockingly holds back in showing anything that would feel exploitive but still a little shocked of the material used in such a mainstream aimed film. Mostly drug-related and sex Jokes but barely any real sex scenes and when there is they are obscured and no nudity.

There is plenty of inspired humor and shocks but somehow anytime it seems to aim for audacious. It ends up mediocre. It comes off that way. So that it feels watered down or at least played by numbers at times. It also comes off as a film where you want to live out the film rather than watch it. As it seems to offer wishes it just can’t grant.

This is a film that is probably better and funnier under the influence. 

GRADE: B-

THE KITCHEN (2019)

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Written & Directed by: Andrea Berloff
Based on the comic book series created for DC Vertigo by: Ollie Masters & Ming Doyle
Cinematography: Maryse Alberti
Editor: Christopher Tellefsen

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elisabeth Moss, Tiffany Haddish, Common, Domnhall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Brian D’Arcy James, Bill Camp, Margo Martindale, Annabella Sciorra, Jeremy Bobb

The wives of New York gangsters in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1970s continue to operate their husbands’ rackets after they’re locked up in prison.

Adapted from a graphic novel and it feels that way. As there is a lot of posturing on screen, but nothing ever feels real or organic. It feels like everything happens because the story says so.

None of the characters or their motivations feel real they are understandable but never feel heartfelt. Leaving the film to feel empty to a degree.

It’s Entertaining but you can always feel it turning the wheels forward and when characters turn about face or there is a double cross and a plot twist. It never quite hits as hard because it already feels like a free for all. As to what will shake up the audience.

You never understand why 2 of the characters would be with their husbands until it is explained later and you still don’t know why it wasn’t obvious to their characters or a it one else throughout.

It might be that this storyline has been used before in the Televison mini-series BELLA MAFIA amongst other films and television shows. This just feels like the latest retread and whole all involved give it their all.

It gives each of the actresses room to stretch their dramatic muscles Tiffany Haddish has the juiciest role and it gives her a chance to flex her more dramatic muscles and she comes across with flying colors as the most ambitious. 

Elisabeth Moss tries soenthing new in playing a woman constantly abused. Who ends up becoming the most violent and ruthless out of the three. As she finds true love and freedom through finally striking back at those who would try to harm her or them.

Melissa McCarthy comes across as the leader and most open. As well as the most kind who has to learn to toughen up and who she can trust and can’t 

The film Gives most of the cast of recognizable character actors a chance to revel in their 1970’s wardrobe and stereotypes. As their costumes and style do most of the work. 

It never quite feels as strong as it should and comes across as rather empty overall. As even the sets and costumes are more obviously fake then lived In.

GRADE: C-

HER SMELL (2019)

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hersmell2019_feature

Written & Directed By: Alex Ross Perry
Cinematography: Sean Prince Williams
Editor: Robert Greene 


Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Dan Stevens, Cara Delevigne, Ashley Benson, Agyness Deyn, Gayle Rankin, Virginia Madsen, Dylan Gelula, Hannah Gross, Eric Stoltz, Amber Heard, Keith Poulson, Kentucker Audley, Alexis Krauss 

A self-destructive punk rocker struggles with sobriety while trying to recapture the creative inspiration that led her band to success.

Now with a film such as this one the title will either turn away potential audience members who might end up really digging this movie or attract others intrigued by what the title could mean.

This film takes place over 5 important days in a band’s life and career all after they have made the big time. As an all female independent band. Basically we watch them in the middle, them in the studio which is also their break up. Her meltdown before a concert. Her trying to get better and a kind of reunion of the band.

As we go through each of these days there are little hone video snippets of the good times when they are just beginning. Each day except really Recovery are all claustrophobic as they are usually in the studio it backstage all on top of each other with plenty of close up’s so that even when the camera roams it is on someone or is following someone. So that we are always with a character and can never escape or really back up.

Elisabeth Moss gives another stunning performance in this movie as an addicted rock star acting out all her emotions it seems all at once. She shows all sides of the character and is fearless. As she is not afraid to look and or show the monstrous side of this character. While her performance is overshadowing and great. The rest of the cast is strong and memorable also.

What is so powerful about the film is that this is a story we have heard about with various bands but here we are given unlimited access to all of the emotions and breakdowns as well as some music. It’s a film where the story could have taken over but instead the characters carry the film and all feel true to life. Which is usually one of the strengths of writer/Director Alex Ross Perry’s films. That whole they might be easy to breakdown in a story sense that comes across more as generalization. They are usually powered by the characters and the decisions made by them and often don’t end up with necessary happy endings or even with everything resolved. Though they manage to always be felt and leave some kind of impression on you.

The Recovery scene is certainly a change of pace where it slows down the intensity of the movie and grazes for a bit while still being true to itself and staying strong in it’s rhythm. Though being light in it’s process. It is revelatory and keeps her performance from being too one note. Or just repeating the same ones.

The film is hard to summarize completely though it is an experience that is braining but feels worth it by the end. As nothing is tied up in a neat bow but also doesn’t give off false promises that some films of this nature can offer up. Though by the end you feel like you are at the completion of a journey.

The music in the film fits the times and the types of bands that are featured. So it feels authentic but also nostalgic

Also feels like a film that could only have been made after those times. As it offers a window but also a bit of nostalgia. As people of a certain age can imagine any of the bands they remember who might have suffered the same fate due to an unstable center and/or lead singer who is a legend to the audience but a wreck to all of those around them. As they believe all the hype about themselves and are dealing with issues never really revealed.

The film feels like classic filmmaking that seems renegade but gives it’s all to an experimental style that is technical from but also feels challenging in trying to get the most out of the form and actors. Where it feels like Elisabeth Moss’s character is going through her own REPULSION performance only instead of being alienated and alone. She is surrounded by others and we get to know each of the characters point of view and their dealings with her, but no matter how off the wall she acts. She never becomes a caricature and we slowly get to know her and her circumstances.

This movie is so raw in It’s emotions.

It’s really different and an accomplishment from Alex Ross Perry whose films have been hyperverbal and full of unsavory characters and dispicible injured leads but here there is a sense of loss, pain and hurt and feels dramatic and has a certain depth we might not have seen him use before or explored previously

This is not a film that can easily be tied into a bow but it is definitely effective and something original. Though some might have a tough time sitting through. Think of The Julianne Moore Character from MAGNOLIA and build a film around her as the lead and those who have to deal with her from a sense of dependence, duty and love.

Grade: B