Tag: Sydney Sweeney

IMMACULATE (2024)

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Directed By: Michael Mohan

Written By: Andrew Lobel 

Cinematography: Elisha Christian 

Editor: Christian Masini 

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tobasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Alavaro Morte, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano, Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi, Giampiero Judica 

Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.

This film came out at an interesting time. It seemed to be on the heels of the similarly themed THE FIRST OMEN. Though at least this can be considered more an original than a prequel.

This one despite having a rising star in the main role and own in a supporting role. Comes across as more heartfelt ultimately. However, what truly makes it memorable is the surprising and somewhat brutal third act

Though the film offers violence here and there in act two. It seems like there is a lot of build-up going Along the way keeping scenes just intriguing enough. To keep you interested until it finally becomes more than what you expected.

Though the third act is very dark which might disturb some viewers and the reasoning behind some decisions and plans. Seems either silly or like it would only exist in a movie.

Sydney Sweeney is convincing in her leading role. She stretches her acting muscles and is not really dependent on her looks or body as much.

As the film is directed by Michael Mohan who has collaborated on the film THE VOYEURS from a few years ago and the show EVERYTHING SUCKS. Which is where this reviewer first saw her. So this offers her a big screen leading role and a director she trusts. 

This makes sense as this film comes off as a starring role. Made to appeal to the audiences’ fandom of an actor or actress and seemingly written for them or someone of that magnitude. Rather than truly a character role. 

The film offers exactly what you might expect and gives enough scares and violence to keep the horror audience happy. Other than a good ending it doesn’t offer anything that rises above basic.

Though a smaller production, it does feel a little more like a breath of fresh air as this film doesn’t go for campier or trashier aspects of similar material and more recent films.

Grade: C+

ANYONE BUT YOU (2023)

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Directed By: Will Gluck 

Written By: Will Gluck and Ilana Wolpert 

Story By: Ilana Wolpert 

Cinematography: Danny Ruhlmann

Editor: Kim Boritz-Brehm and Tia Nolan

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Glenn Powell, Gata, Alexandra Shipp, Charlee Fraser, Bryan Brown, Dermont Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Joe Davidson, Darren Barnet 

After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s fiery attraction turns ice-cold–until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.

A sexier romantic comedy that plays like a sex comedy. Only lacking any truly carnal action, but flirts around with it, In a more innocent manner.

The whole movie is of course a will they or won’t they. Where they feel like they are fooling their friends and their friends feel like they have the upper hand over them.

The film tries to breathe life into a tired staple or genre. The results aren’t terrible. As the film stays entertaining fluff. That you will forget about soon after watching. 

It is a bunch of beautiful people in impossibly lush locations and privilege-loving fantasy lives. So it plays like a fantasy for the audience. 

the film keeps trying to make Sydney Sweeney into a more physical comedian and less an object of desire but never goes fully into quite embarrassing humor or anything truly juvenile. 

Luckily the movie focuses more on the comedy and less on the romance until it is needed. 

Hollywood keeps moving Glen Powell into being a star for good reason. As he is a movie star handsome and charming. Though you might find yourself obsessing about his hair throughout as it is usually perfect and never movies but doesn’t look stiff. 

It’s an across-the-board film as it is diverse and includes every kind of demographic a mainstream film could aim for. 

It’s nice to see Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths on the screen again and clearly having fun Even if the movie casting seems all over the place. Though definitely filming in Australia as most of the supporting cast seem to be natives and we see all the popular sights. 

Not to mention while you can understand Powell’s character being tempted by his ex. Played by Charlee Fraser, As she is gorgeous and it’s flattering she needed such a good-looking guy to replace him and get over him. Sydney Sweeney’s ex in the film played by Darren Barnet is there in appearance but gets nothing to do or any real character Arc. Really he’s the only character who really has nothing to do but is just there. 

This seems like the movie the Justin Timberlake movie FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS was supposed to be, only here the leads are likable and insistent like it is chasing any trends or trying to be cool. Instead, this movie just remembers to be sexy. 

This seems a starter movie for both the stars here, trying to see how much box office power they have with them as the main stars.

Grade: C

REALITY (2023)

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Directed & Based On The Play By: Tina Satter
Written By: Tina Satter & James Paul Dallas 
Cinematography: Paul Yee 
Editor: Ron Dulin And Jennifer Vecchiarello 

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Merchant Davis, Benny Elledge

Profiles the arrest of 25-year-old Air Force linguist and NSA contractor Reality Winner for leaking classified information pertaining to Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential election to the press. Adapted from the 2019 stage play, with dialogue pulled directly from Reality Winner’s FBI interview.

This film is expertly executed, but that is the strength of the film. End of itself is the execution of replaying and sticking to the transcripts of what actually happened, and then in their own way, the performers breathe life into the characters in the situation. 

Which from a technical standpoint is amazing but from the audience’s point of view is intriguing, but not necessarily entertaining. Your interest in the film will be in either. How much you already know about the story or how little you know about the story.

As if you don’t know, it does build a cell that you keep wondering where this is leading to and why the FBI agent’s attitude and demeanor are play for one second and then Serious in the next, and every time she tries to make light of the situation or joke around they become severe, but every time she becomes timid then all of a sudden they’re so conversational and willing to joke around.

This started as more of a theatrical piece before being adapted into a feature-length film. It seems that it might be more interesting as a theatrical piece as in the film it cuts in and out of the actual transcript of the movie to pictures of the real-life reality winner in the character. That will take place in essentially one location found and does excel at opening it up so that it doesn’t feel claustrophobic even as they close in on her and see the trap of her and More and More Corners.

It’s more intimate than a documentary could be as it presents the facts and leaves you to come up with your own conclusions. The actors are all excellent and the performances are strong. 

It comes across as simple and quick. Those serious in fact base it feels light. 

Grade: C+

NIGHT TEETH (2021)

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Directed By: Adam Randall 
Written By: Brent Dillon
Cinematography: Eben Dolter
Editor: Dominic LaPerriere 

Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry, Raul Castillo, Alfie Allen, Megan Fox, Sydney Sweeney, Marlene Forte, Ash Santos, Jaren Mitchell 

A college student moonlighting as a chauffeur picks up two mysterious women for a night of party-hopping across LA. But when he uncovers their bloodthirsty intentions – and their dangerous, shadowy underworld – he must fight to stay alive.

This feels like a film that is more interested in being cool and having street credentials. Rather than being good or at least entertaining.

Even when it is good, which is rare, it feels like it wants to be stylish over everything. One of the film’s few saving Graces is that style. Not to mention a likable cast.

Which includes a familiar cast as well as two cameos for no real reason but pads the cast list with some more recognizable names.

The story tries to do modern updates and add action. While also having a dive-read cast that makes it become more urban and offers an Us Vs. Them outlook. As the vampires are usually European in lineage and caucasian. Also, the differences seem more upper crust and prejudice against others, not of their lineage.

Whereas the vampire hunters are more people of color but also made more to look like gang members. Even though they are more the heroes of the film.

The film’s story is kind of a horror movie version of the film COLLATERAL. While the film is heavy on the action at times that seems more focused on the horror aspects. The film also feels more inspired by BLADE overall but not quite as good or original as that film. Maybe trying to offer one for a new generation of sorts to claim as their own.

The villain of the film played by Alfie Allen seems more like a brat and not as dangerous. Due to us more being told how bad and dangerous he is but rarely seen. Especially as he barks orders and threatens. Rather than take any Action.

The film seems to show more strength for a character who can only come with power overall. As it plays into too many Hollywood and nightlife cliches of hipness 

In the end, the film feels like a time waster with barely a point other than everyone looks good. While also planting an obligatory love story.

Grade: D 

NOCTURNE (2020)

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Written & Directed By: Zu Quirke CInematography: Carmen Cabana
Editor: Andrew Drazek

Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Madison Iseman, Julie Benz, Rodney To, Jacques Colimon, Ivan Shaw

An incredibly gifted pianist makes a Faustian bargain to overtake her older sister at a prestigious institution for classical musicians.

You have seen this so many times before that this feels more like something that could have been wrapped up in an anthology episode.

While the film presents Itself with a character who cares what everyone else thinks too much, doing it in an artistic ambition might be the only original aspect. As it presents a character too shy and who has worked all her life only to be considered second best or even slightly above average and whose main competitor is always her sister who she naturally takes a backseat to. The film shows that with age what might be special when you get diminished with age if you haven’t done anything. With it or are still in the same place 

It plays off more like an episode than a full-length movie. As it seems like there is some padding used more to dive deep into psychosis. Rather than furthering the story making it come off more dramatic and a character study of one character where all the others come off as one-note.

As the film comes off more like a drama that uses a kind of supernatural element to make the film come off as a thriller that reveals itself to maybe be some kind of psychosis and mental illness eating away at the character or all because of some kind of supernatural curse. It can also be seen as an obsession passed on from one to another that causes madness or preys on their weaknesses and allows them to interpret their weaknesses into some kind of mythology and allows them success. 

The film also feels like it was only really made because they had an up and comer in the lead Sydney Sweeney and this film gives her a chance to star in a more genre-leading role and see what her potential is as a lead and if it had made it to theaters the box office, but with her in it. It helped secure funding. 

This is a sibling rivalry tale that takes it to another level. Even though really it is only one sibling jealous of the other and the more successful one turning petty when the tables are turned. As she is not used to losing.

In the end, this feels like a very special episode of a series rather than a shocking thriller.

Grade: C