Snow Day. Movie Day. (Back a few weeks)
"Heartthrob"
starring: Aubrey Peeples, Keir Gilchrist, Peter Facinelli, Jimmy Bennett, Taylor Dearden, Ione Skye, Felicity Price
written and directed by: Chris Siverston
I had seen Keir Gilchrist play the teenage boy main character with Asperger's in the Netflix show "Atypical" and thought his portrayal was great (and I look forward to the second season). He must have signed a deal to appear in other projects because this is another Netflix original film. This time around Gilchrist is playing the male version of psychotic characters we've seen in films like "Swimfan" and most famously "Fatal Attraction" (and many many more) where the female character is crazy and scorned, usually. No one really seems to bat an eye or shake a finger at that type of character, but here we can stir up a bit of controversy, especially in the tense tone of our culture right now in terms of male dominance and sexual assault, harassment, etc. coming down the pipelines in almost every single industry where men have dominated and abused their power towards women for decades.
It's about teenage romance gone very wrong between the popular girl at school and the shy, wallflower-type guy, who suddenly becomes popular as their "friendship" quickly blossoms into a romantic relationship. Gilchrist's character says and does all the right things, but hook the girl (played by "Nashville" star Aubrey Peeples). Peeples is underused here as simply a vehicle for Gilchrist's desire and anger. The film had an opportunity to say something else and I think it missed its chance.
............................................................................
"Blackway"
starring: Julia stiles, Anthony hopkins, Ray liotta, Alexander ludwig, Lochlyn munro, Hal holbrook
written by: Joe Gangemi
directed by: Castle Freeman Jr.
Revenge tales are based served cold. Women on a mission make for great films, as long as it's a strong lead character and the right actress in the role. One of the best revenge-type films I've seen in recent years was "Winter's Bone" which also happened to be our introduction to Jennifer Lawrence. She was absolutely perfect in the role. Julia Stiles, on the other hand, I can not really see in the same type of role. I mean, this is the girl from teen movies like "Save the Last Dance" and "10 Thing I Hate About You," among many more, and unfortunately, that's how I see her. So, right away, I was a bit skeptical. If you fall into the same camp as me here, proceed with caution.
After moving back to her hometown and inheriting her late mother’s property, Lillian starts to be harassed by a local man named Blackway. What started off as unwanted attention at the diner she worked at soon develops into visits to her property and the decapitation of her beloved pet cat. Frightened by what he might do next, Lillian visits the sheriff who’s no help at all. He suggests she employ the help of a local logger Scotty but upon her visit to the logging community, is frustrated to find that Scotty is out of town and that no-one wants to help her, suggesting she should move back to Seattle to escape him. However, elder logger Les and young colleague Nate decide to help the young woman in need knowing that Blackway is a menace to their community and that something must be done about him before he intimidates and attacks anyone else.
As the story slowly unfolds of how Blackway, played by an intimidating Ray Liotta, has a stranglehold over the small Pacific Northwest town and who, if anyone, will stand up to such a creation and, if they do, will they succeed? With a disregard for decency, Blackway won’t stop until gets what he wants which frightens the women of the town. Also brutally handy with his fists, Blackway strikes fear into the hearts of the male contingent of the town who’ve crossed paths with him. When Les (Anthony Hopkins) and Nate (Alexander Ludwig) decide to help Lillian (Julia Stiles), everyone thinks they’re stupid and foolish but with hearts of gold, they’re ready for a fight should it come to it and won’t see Lillian harassed any further.
I would skip this one and maybe just watch "Winter's Bone" again. Or, if you haven't seen that one, what the hell are you doing right now?!
.............................................................................
"The Incredible Jessica James"
starring: Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Lakeith Standfield, Noel Wells, Taliyah Whitaker, Will Stephen, Zabryna Guevara, Eric Loscheider
written and directed by: Jim Strouse
This is a great vehicle for Jessica Williams for showcase her leading lady and comedic talents all in one compact, perfectly paced, witty, Netflix-original film. Williams has otherwise been seen on "The Daily Show," but like many of her predecessors, she clearly wanted to use that time as a stepping stone to larger roles.
In an otherwise easy-to-follow and thus predictable script, Williams shins as Jessica James, with her fresh quick-wit and funny lines that allows her to elevate the film from mediocre to decent. Jessica James (Williams) is a confident woman on the outside, displaying her sassy assertiveness in all her scenes, especially with men, but it is made clear through her interactions with friends that it is only a mask for her insecurities- why else would she want to be an actress/playwright.
Jessica’s self-assured side comes through loud and clear right in The Incredible Jessica James’s first scene, in which she verbally dresses down her Tinder date, calling him out on what she views as his hypocrisy in trying to go through the motions of looking for a serious relationship when his messages suggested he just wanted to hook up. And yet, Williams also projects the sense of a character wielding this no-nonsense persona as a defense mechanism, using a welter of brutal honesty to shield her vulnerabilities. This is made especially clear when, on the date, she brings up how she hasn’t gotten over her recent breakup with Damon (Lakeith Stanfield).
Looking at the contradictory gender character of Aziz Ansari's male character in "Master of None" (another Netflix original), each character seems to be struggling with very similar flaws and it's interesting to see them through two different pairs of eyes, but ultimately they are saying that we are the same, when it comes to navigating relationships and insecurities.
As a character study, the film generates a lot of dramatic mileage out of the tension between Jessica’s hilariously frank demeanor toward others and her professional and personal doubts. Williams is game to allow Jessica to occasionally come off as too blunt and needy in order to get at the woman’s complications. Jessica finds a match in Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who’s receptive to her brand of straight talk, and who’s himself still pining for an ex when they meet on a date set up by Jessica’s best friend, Tasha (Noël Wells).
This is a great film that Jessica Williams carries on her own very capable back and each actor/actress that she shares scenes with carries their own weight just as well. It was great to even see Noel Wells in another secondary role as she seems to be fleshing out her own career path and getting the necessary side roles.
...............................................................................
"The Pack"
starring: Jack Campbell, Anna Lise Phillips, Katie Moore, Hamish Phillips, Kieran Thomas McNamara
written by: Evan Randall Green
directed by: Nick Robertson
I have really grown to love, enjoy, and appreciate foreign horror films because they take their time developing the stories and characters before "revealing" the true horror/villains in the story. I like to call this the Stephen King-effect. In other words, they practice the art of restraint. It's not all about blood and gore and how much of it the filmmakers can put on the screen in order to achieve the age-old "jump scare" from the audience. It is more about the feeling of horror. The anticipation.
This film takes its time, makes you wait for the "good stuff," and then delivers the shock in a powerfully effective fashion at the climax.
Speaking of Stephen King influence, these filmmakers very clearly read and digested his novel "Cujo" in order to influence their film, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. They achieved their goal, in my opinion. This is a great dark thriller/horror, especially towards the end with the pack of dogs roaming the house looking for their victims.
.................................................................................
"No Men Beyond This Point"
starring: Patrick Gilmore, Bronwen Smith, Tara Pratt, Kristine Cofsky, Adanna Avon, Morgan Taylor Campbell, Mackenzie Craddock, Dakota Guppy
written and directed by: Mark Sawers
Here's an interesting topic for a mockumentary in sort of the same vein as "Spinal Tap" and "Best in Show" but not as expertly crafted-
What if men no longer served any purpose on Earth? That’s more or less the hook of the mockumentary No Men Beyond This Point, which presents an alternate universe where, in the 1950s, women suddenly gained the ability to reproduce asexually (it’s called parthenogenesis, as one of the talking heads explains). As the years went on, and the population of women kept increasing (since they’re reproducing asexually they only use the X chromosomes, meaning no more males being born), men eventually became of no use. No Men Beyond This Point starts in the present day, where the documentary crew follows 37-year-old Andrew Myers (Patrick Gilmore), now the youngest man in the world.
There are many standard documentary techniques in this mockumentary including, talking head interviews, archival footage (made up, of course) and black-and-white reenactments in his look at what the world would/could be like if the gender-domination somehow scientifically switched one day and our male-dominated societies and rules and ways of living/ideas changed for a female-dominated society. In some ways, we discover, the females now in a dominate role of power seem to think and say and do things much the same way as males. Is it a dystopian or a utopian society? That is the question, and I suppose the answer depends on who you ask.
Aside from playing out his big “What if?” scenario through social and political contexts, Sawers also focuses on Myers and his situation as the youngest man in the world. With the World Governing Council—a new body of government running the planet—sending men off to sanctuaries across the world to live out their remaining days, Myers manages to get a job as a servant for partners Terra (Tara Pratt) and Iris (Kristine Cofsky). Eventually, Andrew and Iris being showing an attraction for each other, and Sawers uses their flirtations to delve into the messier aspects of his universe.
This is a film designed as a mockumentary but it seems to take itself a bit too seriously and doesn't get the laughs when I think it wants them or thinks it should, which unfortunately makes it fall flat instead of be successful. It's a bit too deadpan for its own good, but it's a step in the right direction for these first-time filmmakers.
starring: Aubrey Peeples, Keir Gilchrist, Peter Facinelli, Jimmy Bennett, Taylor Dearden, Ione Skye, Felicity Price
written and directed by: Chris Siverston
I had seen Keir Gilchrist play the teenage boy main character with Asperger's in the Netflix show "Atypical" and thought his portrayal was great (and I look forward to the second season). He must have signed a deal to appear in other projects because this is another Netflix original film. This time around Gilchrist is playing the male version of psychotic characters we've seen in films like "Swimfan" and most famously "Fatal Attraction" (and many many more) where the female character is crazy and scorned, usually. No one really seems to bat an eye or shake a finger at that type of character, but here we can stir up a bit of controversy, especially in the tense tone of our culture right now in terms of male dominance and sexual assault, harassment, etc. coming down the pipelines in almost every single industry where men have dominated and abused their power towards women for decades.
It's about teenage romance gone very wrong between the popular girl at school and the shy, wallflower-type guy, who suddenly becomes popular as their "friendship" quickly blossoms into a romantic relationship. Gilchrist's character says and does all the right things, but hook the girl (played by "Nashville" star Aubrey Peeples). Peeples is underused here as simply a vehicle for Gilchrist's desire and anger. The film had an opportunity to say something else and I think it missed its chance.
............................................................................
"Blackway"
starring: Julia stiles, Anthony hopkins, Ray liotta, Alexander ludwig, Lochlyn munro, Hal holbrook
written by: Joe Gangemi
directed by: Castle Freeman Jr.
Revenge tales are based served cold. Women on a mission make for great films, as long as it's a strong lead character and the right actress in the role. One of the best revenge-type films I've seen in recent years was "Winter's Bone" which also happened to be our introduction to Jennifer Lawrence. She was absolutely perfect in the role. Julia Stiles, on the other hand, I can not really see in the same type of role. I mean, this is the girl from teen movies like "Save the Last Dance" and "10 Thing I Hate About You," among many more, and unfortunately, that's how I see her. So, right away, I was a bit skeptical. If you fall into the same camp as me here, proceed with caution.
After moving back to her hometown and inheriting her late mother’s property, Lillian starts to be harassed by a local man named Blackway. What started off as unwanted attention at the diner she worked at soon develops into visits to her property and the decapitation of her beloved pet cat. Frightened by what he might do next, Lillian visits the sheriff who’s no help at all. He suggests she employ the help of a local logger Scotty but upon her visit to the logging community, is frustrated to find that Scotty is out of town and that no-one wants to help her, suggesting she should move back to Seattle to escape him. However, elder logger Les and young colleague Nate decide to help the young woman in need knowing that Blackway is a menace to their community and that something must be done about him before he intimidates and attacks anyone else.
As the story slowly unfolds of how Blackway, played by an intimidating Ray Liotta, has a stranglehold over the small Pacific Northwest town and who, if anyone, will stand up to such a creation and, if they do, will they succeed? With a disregard for decency, Blackway won’t stop until gets what he wants which frightens the women of the town. Also brutally handy with his fists, Blackway strikes fear into the hearts of the male contingent of the town who’ve crossed paths with him. When Les (Anthony Hopkins) and Nate (Alexander Ludwig) decide to help Lillian (Julia Stiles), everyone thinks they’re stupid and foolish but with hearts of gold, they’re ready for a fight should it come to it and won’t see Lillian harassed any further.
I would skip this one and maybe just watch "Winter's Bone" again. Or, if you haven't seen that one, what the hell are you doing right now?!
.............................................................................
"The Incredible Jessica James"
starring: Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Lakeith Standfield, Noel Wells, Taliyah Whitaker, Will Stephen, Zabryna Guevara, Eric Loscheider
written and directed by: Jim Strouse
This is a great vehicle for Jessica Williams for showcase her leading lady and comedic talents all in one compact, perfectly paced, witty, Netflix-original film. Williams has otherwise been seen on "The Daily Show," but like many of her predecessors, she clearly wanted to use that time as a stepping stone to larger roles.
In an otherwise easy-to-follow and thus predictable script, Williams shins as Jessica James, with her fresh quick-wit and funny lines that allows her to elevate the film from mediocre to decent. Jessica James (Williams) is a confident woman on the outside, displaying her sassy assertiveness in all her scenes, especially with men, but it is made clear through her interactions with friends that it is only a mask for her insecurities- why else would she want to be an actress/playwright.
Jessica’s self-assured side comes through loud and clear right in The Incredible Jessica James’s first scene, in which she verbally dresses down her Tinder date, calling him out on what she views as his hypocrisy in trying to go through the motions of looking for a serious relationship when his messages suggested he just wanted to hook up. And yet, Williams also projects the sense of a character wielding this no-nonsense persona as a defense mechanism, using a welter of brutal honesty to shield her vulnerabilities. This is made especially clear when, on the date, she brings up how she hasn’t gotten over her recent breakup with Damon (Lakeith Stanfield).
Looking at the contradictory gender character of Aziz Ansari's male character in "Master of None" (another Netflix original), each character seems to be struggling with very similar flaws and it's interesting to see them through two different pairs of eyes, but ultimately they are saying that we are the same, when it comes to navigating relationships and insecurities.
As a character study, the film generates a lot of dramatic mileage out of the tension between Jessica’s hilariously frank demeanor toward others and her professional and personal doubts. Williams is game to allow Jessica to occasionally come off as too blunt and needy in order to get at the woman’s complications. Jessica finds a match in Boone (Chris O’Dowd), who’s receptive to her brand of straight talk, and who’s himself still pining for an ex when they meet on a date set up by Jessica’s best friend, Tasha (Noël Wells).
This is a great film that Jessica Williams carries on her own very capable back and each actor/actress that she shares scenes with carries their own weight just as well. It was great to even see Noel Wells in another secondary role as she seems to be fleshing out her own career path and getting the necessary side roles.
...............................................................................
"The Pack"
starring: Jack Campbell, Anna Lise Phillips, Katie Moore, Hamish Phillips, Kieran Thomas McNamara
written by: Evan Randall Green
directed by: Nick Robertson
I have really grown to love, enjoy, and appreciate foreign horror films because they take their time developing the stories and characters before "revealing" the true horror/villains in the story. I like to call this the Stephen King-effect. In other words, they practice the art of restraint. It's not all about blood and gore and how much of it the filmmakers can put on the screen in order to achieve the age-old "jump scare" from the audience. It is more about the feeling of horror. The anticipation.
This film takes its time, makes you wait for the "good stuff," and then delivers the shock in a powerfully effective fashion at the climax.
As you may have guessed from the title, The Pack is about a pack of feral dogs who stalk, surround, and absolutely terrorize an isolated outback household. To their credit, first-timers Nick Robertson (director) and Evan Randall Green (screenwriter) opt for the deliberate slow build as opposed to a non-stop chomp-fest, and the result is a rock-solid “animals attack!” thriller that recalls coldly intense indie features like Open Water (2003) and Backcountry (2014).
What The Pack lacks in body count, it more than makes up for in mood, suspense, and the basic “believability” factor. We’ve all had a few unpleasant run-ins with dogs, and we’re well aware that a pack of feral canines is a plainly horrifying prospect — so now all we need are a few compelling characters to complete the equation. Adam (Jack Campbell) and Carla (Anna Lise Phillips), as a farming family who live well off the beaten path with their feisty teenage daughter Sophie (Katie Moore) and little boy Henry (Hamish Phillips), fit the bill quite nicely. The Pack takes its time developing the plain but likable Wilson family before letting the dogs run loose, and it’s this attention to character that raises the stakes and allows us to actually care about their plight once all hell breaks loose, dog-wise.
Speaking of Stephen King influence, these filmmakers very clearly read and digested his novel "Cujo" in order to influence their film, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. They achieved their goal, in my opinion. This is a great dark thriller/horror, especially towards the end with the pack of dogs roaming the house looking for their victims.
.................................................................................
"No Men Beyond This Point"
starring: Patrick Gilmore, Bronwen Smith, Tara Pratt, Kristine Cofsky, Adanna Avon, Morgan Taylor Campbell, Mackenzie Craddock, Dakota Guppy
written and directed by: Mark Sawers
Here's an interesting topic for a mockumentary in sort of the same vein as "Spinal Tap" and "Best in Show" but not as expertly crafted-
What if men no longer served any purpose on Earth? That’s more or less the hook of the mockumentary No Men Beyond This Point, which presents an alternate universe where, in the 1950s, women suddenly gained the ability to reproduce asexually (it’s called parthenogenesis, as one of the talking heads explains). As the years went on, and the population of women kept increasing (since they’re reproducing asexually they only use the X chromosomes, meaning no more males being born), men eventually became of no use. No Men Beyond This Point starts in the present day, where the documentary crew follows 37-year-old Andrew Myers (Patrick Gilmore), now the youngest man in the world.
There are many standard documentary techniques in this mockumentary including, talking head interviews, archival footage (made up, of course) and black-and-white reenactments in his look at what the world would/could be like if the gender-domination somehow scientifically switched one day and our male-dominated societies and rules and ways of living/ideas changed for a female-dominated society. In some ways, we discover, the females now in a dominate role of power seem to think and say and do things much the same way as males. Is it a dystopian or a utopian society? That is the question, and I suppose the answer depends on who you ask.
Aside from playing out his big “What if?” scenario through social and political contexts, Sawers also focuses on Myers and his situation as the youngest man in the world. With the World Governing Council—a new body of government running the planet—sending men off to sanctuaries across the world to live out their remaining days, Myers manages to get a job as a servant for partners Terra (Tara Pratt) and Iris (Kristine Cofsky). Eventually, Andrew and Iris being showing an attraction for each other, and Sawers uses their flirtations to delve into the messier aspects of his universe.
This is a film designed as a mockumentary but it seems to take itself a bit too seriously and doesn't get the laughs when I think it wants them or thinks it should, which unfortunately makes it fall flat instead of be successful. It's a bit too deadpan for its own good, but it's a step in the right direction for these first-time filmmakers.
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