Tag: Julian Clarke

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER (2023)

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Directed By: Andre Ovredal

Written By: Bragi Schut Jr. And Zack Olkewicz

Based on Log Of The Demeter “DRACULA” By Bram Stoker

Cinematography: Tom Stern 

Editor: Julian Clarke, Patrick Larsgaard and Christian Wagner 

Cast: Corey Hawkins, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchain, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Walley, Jon jon Briones, Stefan Kepicic, Martin Furland 

A crew sailing from Varna (Bulgaria) by the Black Sea to England finds that they are carrying very dangerous cargo.

This is not a bad film, but it does feel like a lost opportunity where the audience keeps thinking how much better it could be if it used practical effects so there wasn’t so much CGI. Also if the movie was filmed on actual film and not digital, it wouldn’t look so dark and feel more of the period. And if it had been made in the 1980s, it would feel more like either an adaptation or a surprise filled with more imagination, and a studio would maybe Mohr put its full weight behind it either in theaters or even if it was a movie that was faded to end up straight to home video.

As it stands now, it feels too slick and not quite sincere enough to be a success which it should be. 

This is another film, directed by Andre Ovredal. Who adds a black lead to a supernatural historical tale. Which does add excitement and some color to the proceedings. Though here The film remains predictable.

I have seen some audience members attack the film because of the beginning And readers of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel, which lets us know what happens or the fate of the crew and characters, but truthfully, that is what most slasher and horror films are guilty of we watch for the how wise and who’s we most likely what will happen? We just come to see how it happens, though. The same can be true of action films and sequels. Especially with stars and specialized starring in those types of films and playing virtually the same character or the same type. So picking on this film for the same reason feels like low-hanging fruit that you know coming in what it would be like and most likely that would be predictable. 

At least the screenwriters and filmmakers offer to flash out that chapter of the book and use their own imagination to ramp up, not only the characters and suspense but, ultimately their fates also try to create a claustrophobic atmosphere on the ship.

Stay entertaining, filled with characters that could have easily failed as this film obviously has passion and quality behind it.

Unfortunately, it comes off as a well-intentioned B-movie. With competing and battling accents among the actors to see who can be the most authentic to a certain rogue or region.

The film has a cast, and Cory Hawkins deserves more leading roles. As well as Aisling Franciosi who always seems to play characters who are surviving in pain.

Though the film seems to be trying to offer an origin to a franchise. we know unfortunately isn’t coming or the beginning of a fruitless search for justice. It’s a shame as the film has all the right ingredients. It’s just that the meal or main course isn’t as tasty as it should be. 

Grade: C

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (2019)

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Directed By: Tim Miller
Written By: David S. Goyer, Justin Rhodes & Billy Ray
Story By: James Cameron, Charles Eglee, Josh Friedman, David S. Goyer & Justin Rhodes
Based on characters Created by: James Cameron & Gale Anne Hurd
Cinematography: Ken Seng
Editor: Julian Clarke

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna, Tom Hopper, Fraser Jones 

A young female Mexican worker, Dani Ramos, is hunted down by a virtually indestructible terminator from the future called a REV-9. However, she is protected by an enhanced human named Grace who is also from the future. They flee from the unstoppable terminator and, out of the blue, Sarah Connor helps them on the road. All three head to Laredo, Texas, where Grace has the coordinates of possible support and where they meet a T-800 who is living in an isolated location with his family. The group teams up to try to destroy the REV-9.

When it comes to this franchise. We are back at the well. Which once again feels I needed but does provide impressive action sequences and special effects throughout.

This film doesn’t have as much star power as the recent additions. It seems that is what the filmmakers choose to emphasize. 

Though this sequel does add some diversity. You can’t help but wonder if it more of a marketing decision. Rather than a natural addition of more people of color.

While this is a welcome return for Linda Hamilton’s character to the franchise and being more female-oriented in the middle of the action, Then in films past.

For a film that is over two hours, the film starts off the action pretty quickly. 

As this is a franchise they keep trying to continue. It reminds one of the line from MEAN GIRLS “Stop Trying to make fetch happen” especially if no one is requesting more of these movies. Instead of creating its own mythology of different timelines that makes the series feel like a choose your own adventure story. Depending on when you came into the franchise. Though the first film and T2 seem to be holy scripture for the franchise.

At least this time as usual they try a new film only after it seems special effects technology has been updated. Unlike a few of the sequels especially the last 2 and the third film. It feels like after the third film it’s the same book or tale rewritten by a different author.

This story Could easily be seen as a metaphor for an attack on women’s reproduction. Though not the government. As the main character is targeted for bringing up/birthing a child though the sides are changed with the villains wanting the child aborted.

Maybe it lasts as though it is an action film with some scientific elements. It works as a slasher film of sorts with a recurring final girl. Always on the run against an impossible assailant who will kill anything in its path. Just to terminate one person. We watch just to see how it will happen and the kills involved. Though usually see them coming. There is usually the element of surprise which also brings in an element of horror.

Especially with this fin as the body count rises with efficiency. It feels more violent as gorier as most of the deaths are by impalement.

Though at least this sequel feels less monotonous and more entertaining. Even with a lot less humor until Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up. As he always does. These films usually somehow also involving Arnold Schwartzenegger’s terminator in some form. Only one of the sequels didn’t have his total involvement.

So his appearance here is not shocking. This also relies a lot less on John Connor. As he is iconic in the role of the terminator. These films will always rise and fall with his involvement not giving credit to the lesser sequels weakens the better ones. This is the one that should have come after the second or third film.

This is where all of the budgets went as scenes outside of it come off small scale. Simple but also feels the most relatable.

The film also seems like the simplest out of all the films in the franchise. All the films feel epic in scope. Though This one seems to focus more on the action sequences. So that there already less questions about the plot and the story.

It still seems to have all the central roles. Only here they are all mostly switched to female characters. Who seem to serve the same purpose as when it was male characters.

This film Still feels like a bit much. Though at least while trying to impress you. It makes its Mark. It gives you a lot for your investment. That is its own reboot though as we are all familiar it doesn’t feel as fresh or advanced.

Grade: B-