Tag: Sigourney Weaver

MASTER GARDNER (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Paul Schrader 

Cinematography: Alexander Dynan 

Editor: Benjamin Rodriguez Jr. 

Cast: Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quintessa Swindell, Esai Morales, Eduardo Losan, Victoria Hill, Amy Le, Matt Mercurio, Erika Ashley, Jared Bankens 

A meticulous horticulturist is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate and pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager.

This is a strange film not in a bad way. It just feels strangely paste like everything feels slow but it also feels stately like it’s taking its time for everything to take effect maybe because it’s about gardening in the first place. It’s trying to set its seed and let it grow throughout the film. So that you finally will see what it grows into. 

It definitely feels like a Paul Schrader film especially his more recent work or later career work because it feels like each film takes a bit of the one before it and then either adds something to it and then the next film has things from the previous two films, and adds to it in its own way as I mean throughout pulse trader’s career. Most of his main characters have been journal enthusiasts. It gives us a way to have narration that is more of an inner monologue for the character.

As most of his films are character studies either way also, you know, they seem sad and their ways, because usually their older characters who have lived life and are now seeming to come towards the end of it, but they live by a strict set of rules codes until someone makes them break it for whatever reason Sometimes it’s usually revenge or if not revenge some kind of defense of someone they care about this film is no different

The only thing that is really different from his previous films is how there are a lot of unspoken matters at hand, and there is kind of a thriller element, the violence threat of the film. It seems comes from characters are just so minor that you’re never truly scared of them and you know that the League character can handle them very easily, but then again, that might be where it tries to be reality whereas most of the figures that were scared of in life are not the ones you would ever think of being big bags are villains and not to mention just because their small scale doesn’t mean that they can’t cause big problems or troubles Especially for the main character who is in hiding for the most part

Another strength of this film that ends up developing is his romance with his assistant, who happens to be African-American, which kind of messes up the ongoing relationship. He has with Sigourney Weaver, who already has a problem with his assistant and the way she talks to her, and now seemingly believes that she has taken his heart, and taken him from her bedroom Though, at times, it feels like Weaver’s character even though upper crust an upper class also might have a little change of racism herself when it comes to her granddaughter, as well as age jealousy

The reveal of the lead actor being a white supremacist gang member lets us know that he has a dangerous past and how he ended up where he is but it also lets us know as in the words of Liam Neeson. He is a man of certain skills even though it seems like when he was back with the gang he was drinking and drugging and reckless, and now he’s clearheaded And not reckless but can be dangerous and it feels sort of like he’s paying for his sins, especially as he works around a diverse crew and takes a shine, especially to an African-American young lady

Joel Egerton is excellent in the role of the master gardener. I just wish that the movie had more for him to do or more to challenge his character with because, by the time the third act comes around happily, this isn’t a film that is a thriller or has any real kind of action it’s more about consequences and decisions that are made, which is different for a modern film and dealing with the complexities of that but it also feels like a film that you’re waiting around to get started and it never quite does instead, you just flow with it.

And it’s own way. It feels more literary than visual, even though it is a film, and the dialogue isn’t always sparkling. 

It might also throw a little off that the granddaughter character comes across as so young and not that Egerton’s character is old, but noticeably older that it feels a little odd and cringe-inducing you’re glad that their characters have made this connection but also in the back of your mind, you’re wondering since he was separated from his family is this in its own way him taking her as a surrogate daughter, but then things turning sexual and romantic

I can see why Paul Schrader originally wanted Zendaya to play. The role is also another big name in the film and a less extreme version of her character on the show EUPHORIA, but she gets to stretch her dramatic muscles on the big screen that didn’t happen but she might’ve had more of a present as a character in the film, whereas Quintessa Swindell in the film, because you’re not quite sure where she’s really supposed to fit in other than being a new element into the ecosystem, that is this garden and household. Though it gives the actress the chance to show she can hold her own.

He might seek to put some seeds in her so that they can grow and have a new family. as the ending of this film is pretty cut and dry simplistic, and not as violent haphazard, or convoluted when it comes to the characters as some of his previous films and their characters by the end.

The film is perfectly fine and seems to survive in its own space though it’s not the most exciting movie it deserves to watch, but don’t expect that much 

Grade: C+

YOU AGAIN (2010)

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Directed By: Andy Flickman
Written By: Moe Jelline
Cinematography: David Hennings 
Editor: David Rennie And Keith Brachman

Cast: Kristen Bell, Odette Annable, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber, Betty White, James Wolk, Kristin Chenowith, Kyle Bornheimer, Christine Lakin, Patrick Duffy

When a young woman realizes her brother is about to marry the girl who bullied her in high school, she sets out to expose the fiancée’s true colors.

There was once upon a time when studios were still making romantic comedies and they kept casting Kristen bell in these movies even though I knew them not to be my particular cup of tea. I kept watching them as I am a fan of hers. At least this film has a stacked cast of names 

This is what I would call disposable cinema. As it is good in the moment and easily forgettable. Never leave too much of a lasting Impression. It’s good at the moment when you need to see something new. 

Now if anything one would hope that this film inspires not to make such simple films. Unless the mediocre is what inspired some. The film shows the talent of the actors. Who tries to make the thin material work.

The film seems like a holdover from the 1980s when there were a lot of these types of disposable entertainment hyped up. Films that had simple premises. Though somehow some of them were able to carry some kind of identity for themselves. By either the talent in front of or behind the camera. 

Director Andy Flickman knows how to make things look excellent and appealing.

The cast list has some surprisingly big male talent for a film that seems more like a paycheck only for most.

It’s nice to see a film like this as it has a good spirit and good intentions. It does what it sets out to do, not subtlety. Yet it’s elementary but I think you know that going in. So you can’t hold it totally against the film.

The acting in the flashback sections of the film is bad. As it comes off as too over the top but also just bad.

Most of the cast know better and have done better films and work but both of the female leads Kristen Bell and Odette Annabale need better roles offered to them. As these roles might look good and maybe even easy on paper. It might even be a surprise hit and up their star power, but most likely it will leave them open to making this same kind of similar film. It would be ok if they had little to no talent but they have proven that they do. 

GRADE: D+

SNOW WHITE: A TALE OF TERROR (1997)

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Directed By: Michael Cohn 
Written By: Tom Szollosi & Deborah Serra
Based on the story “SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS” By: Jacob Grimm & Wilhelm Grimm 
Cinematography: Mike Southon 
Editor: Ian Crafford 

Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Monica Keena, Gil Bellows, David Conrad, Brian Glover, Anthony Brophy

In this dark take on the fairy tale, the growing hatred of a noblewoman, secretly a practitioner of the dark arts, for her stepdaughter, and the witch’s horrifying attempts to kill her.

Interesting telling and reversal of the well-known fairy tale. Here it is much darker.

Though made on a low budget makes it appears to be an affordable production of the tale. Where much of the budget seems to have gone into costumes and set design.

Sigourney Weaver is the only truly interesting performance in the film. They give her character an exciting arc. She blames Snow White for the deterioration of her wedding To her new husband by acting like a brat. Then causing the death of her unborn child. So she takes all of her rages out on Snow White. Getting revenge so that Snow White must flee to survive. She even seduces Snow white, intended..

It would have been interesting if the director decided to pull the film into a genre. Such as horror, action or even just plain old thriller, but he decides to keep it dramatic. 

Making the film seem more theatrical only on location. This brings no thrills to the film at all and ends up making it rather dull than anything else. 

Considering most of the audience knows the story. It would have been wise to add something surprising other than a fuller backstory for a character’s motivations. 

The film is in desperate need to entertain the audience and throw them off guard. As it seems to attempt that then gives up after that one twist. 

GRADE: F

RAMPART (2011)

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Directed By: Oren Moverman 
Written By: Oren Moverman & James Ellroy 
Cinematography By: Bobby Butowski 
Editor: Jay Rabinowitz 

 CAST: Woody Harrelson, Robin Wright-Penn, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Anne Heche, Ben Foster, Cynthia Nixon, Ned Beatty, Jon Foster, Jon Bernthal 


Set in 1999 Los Angeles, veteran police officer Dave Brown, the last of the renegade cops, works to take care of his family, and struggles for his own survival. 

Woody Harrelson does what is called for, he seems natural in the role. The film just fails him as it gives us plenty of his background but doesn’t give us a compelling story to follow him through.

I will admit though I was more impressed by his performance in the film THE MESSENGER.

While there is a riveting story and a character study buried in here. It is never utilized to allow a greater more elaborate performance. The film seems misdirected while trying to go natural.

Then all of a sudden artsy camera movements and angles. It’s like the director didn’t know how exactly to set up shots for the best quality of the scene. So he cut together various bad ones. Considering the film is co-written by James Ellroy.

It gets the grittiness correct. As well as the political and inner workings of the L.A.P.D. But half of the bigger name actors seem only to be here in glorified cameos. They seem to only be in the film because they were attracted by the prestige. There is one scene of true originality.

When the chips are down and Woody’s character goes on a bender to an underground Club. Where sex and debauchery are going on all around him. Drunk and on any numerous narcotics. He walks through the club when the screen goes blank and over the next few minutes there are flashes of action bathed in the red light of what is going on in the club. It sneaks up on us and plays like his character going in and out of consciousness. So we are with him throughout the experience. The rest of the film is so unfulfilling that it pushes Mr. Harrelson’s performance to seem great otherwise compared to the rest of the film. Like a consolation prize.

The film shows that he seems to be living the role and reacting to what is thrown at him. Most of the other roles are underwritten and just woven into the tapestry to shape and show unspoken subtle things on the fringes. There are the makings of a great film here.


It’s a shame the film has good actors who seem stuck and misused in film.


GRADE: D+

THE ASSIGNMENT (2016)

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Directed by: Walter Hill. Written by: Walter Hill & Dennis Hamill Cinematography: James Liston. Editor: Phil Norden

Cast: Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shaloub, Anthony LaPaglia, Ken Kirzinger, Caitlin Gerard, Zak Santiago, Anthony Griffith

After waking up and discovering that he has undergone gender reassignment surgery, an assassin seeks to find the doctor responsible.

In the past this films plot might have been considered high concept, but now while a kind of interesting idea. It ends up becoming more of a who cares situation. That other then it’s

Story the rest feels heavily cliched and hard hitting just to go through the motions. Where after awhile you don’t care about anything happening.

it’s a shame Michelle Rodriguez finally Seems to have found the right role. Even with a well known action director Walter Hill. As she seems to be more interested in action roles in her career and ends up usually being a supporting player. Here she has the lead role.

Though it offers her nothing new or that strong as far as material or quality.

As for the sex change her character goes through. Even before she looked like she was in. Make drag and had a supposed chiseled chest and body hair. Once she has the sex change in the movie it just looks like she shaved and grew a chest. Which makes the scene when she meets up with an old conquest who barely recognizes her all the more u intentionally funny.

It seems interesting in these films the worse punishments the main characters go through is to be forced to love life as a female. The film tries to present that as only cruel considering the character but the movie seems to have that attitude.

The film plays somber and never seems to have enough energy to keep the audience interested. As it tries to have a jazzy mood but comes off as more a typical straight to streaming thriller.

The progressions which are animated to make us beleive they are in bigger major Cities and locations seems inspired by the dvd cut of his move THE WARRIORS. Which have animated inserts during scenes.

The film Seems to want to be a frantic character price with a thriller impact but feels tone deaf. That tries to be different and wants to say something but feels so misguided

Michelle Rodriguez speaks liek she is InnA 1940’s gangster film which only shows that the film is aspiring for many things and is making no sense and not in a bar shit crazy way but in an embarrassingly bad way.

Sigourney Weaver seems to be a one not villain whose beliefs and actions seems there only because there has to be a reason for all of this and writing it off as an experiment seems so trivial.

Largely, the film s boring as when there are action sequences they go by so quick and without any excitement. Even towards the end, With such an esteemed cast one would expect better.

Grade: F

HAPPILY N’EVER AFTER (2006)

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happily-never-after

Directed By: Paul Bolger, Yvette Kaplan, Greg Tierman & Dino Athanassiou
Written By: Robert Moreland & Doug Langdale
Based on a story Idea By: Andre Sikojev
Cinematography: David Dulac
Editor: Ringo Waldenberger 

Cast: (Voices) Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, George Carlin, John Dimaggio, Andy Dick, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Sigourney Weaver, Wallace Shawn, Patrick Warburton, Jon Polito, Rob Paulsen 


As the story begins, an alliance of evil fairy tale-doers, led by Frieda, looks to take over Fairy Tale Land and take control of. But when Ella A.K.A. Cinderella realizes her own evil stepmother is out to ruin her storybook existence, she takes a dramatic turn and blossoms into the leader of the resistance effort.

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