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Reviews
How Deep Is the Ocean (2023)
Olivia Fildes Owns this Slice-of-Life
Actress Olivia Fildes brings a tremendous amount of charisma and empathy to her role of Eleanor - a drifter with no roots but with a desire to find love and community. From the moment she enters the frame, we want to know more about her, invest ourselves in her journey of self-discovery, and ultimately see to it that she finds what she seeks.
The movie wisely never treats Eleanor like a helpless victim nor a pathetic loser. It chooses to simply follow her through her many episodes of friendship, love, and ultimate heartbreak, allowing us to see ourselves in her situation. When the final credits role, we feel that we have been with Eleanor throughout her journey and feel a mix of sorrow and hopefulness that she will find a place to plant her roots at the end of the road.
Big credit also goes to director Andrew Walsh for his shot selection, often choosing to keep the camera at a distance with minimal cutting, allowing for a naturalistic environment for the actors to create the scene.
See it for Olivia Fildes. She has so much to offer.
Til Death Do Us Part (2023)
Natalie Burn and Cam Gigandet Bring the Fun Factor
This is a movie you can tell the makers had a good time and it shows in the final product.
Natalie Burn is 100% watchable in the lead role, displaying a subtle vulnerability beneath a warrior's veneer. You like her and want to keep watching her as she comically takes down a cadre of assassins on her wedding day. She makes for a worthy, charismatic action heroine who never comes across as forced or manufactured. You believe her when she manages to worm her way out of impossible situations and that's a big credit to Natalie Burn's performance.
Cam Gigandet also brings a lot of fun, spice, and energy to the film, gleefully throwing himself into a deliciously over-the-top performance as the lead assassin with no sense of self-preservation. It was nice to see.
The night cinematography from Pablo Diez at the cabin location, with his use of subtle red lights and nicely placed shadows, help to elevate the film among other low-budget action films in its camp.
See it for Natalie Burn. She's got the chops and charisma.
AVA: A Twist in the Road (2021)
A Study in Grief
"AVA: A Twist in the Road" offers a refreshing study in grief that focuses on the type of woman we do not often get to see on screen: a middle-aged woman dealing with the death of her husband and all the challenges that come with the pain.
Catharane Skillen carries the film and exudes both confidence and vulnerability and its hard not to root for her to find her way. Much credit to her for writing, directing, and starring in the film. Not an easy task.
The movie also wisely explores the impact a marriage can have on a spouse, the need for the other, while emphasizing the importance of independence and finding your own way once the connection has ended. A lesser film would have given a more heavy-handed message with little nuance.
Micks Out (2022)
Compassionate, Nuanced Portrayal of an American Crisis
I saw dozens upon dozens of shorts throughout my tour on the film festival circuit last year and "Micks Out" stood among the best. Be it the acting, writing, directing, cinematography, the movie delivers an 18-minute cinematic experience that surprisingly offers nuanced, three-dimensional characters.
Much of that should be credited to the actors, all of whom bring their A-game as they walk the tight-rope between slice-of-life and tragic drama. Actor Joe Coffey carries this film from start to finish and I hope to see more of him in films to come.
When touching on the immigration crisis, the movie wisely stays away from politics or polemics, choosing instead to focus on the characters and their multi-faceted dilemmas. There's really no "good" guy or "saint" or "demon" to point at, just people with different paths intersecting and all the pain that brings.
The Stalker (2020)
Fun '80s Slasher Throwback
"THE STALKER" plays like a love affair to 80s slasher films, from its electronic synth score (John Carpenter would be proud) to its dark lighting and precisely-chosen shots to conceal the killer's identity. If you love the 80s, most especially if you love 80s slasher movies, then you will definitely love this callback to 80s slasher movies.
I also give the movie credit for not overstaying its welcome. So many films released today just go on and on, never knowing when to quit, but "THE STALKER" knows exactly what it is and moves at a brisk 60 minutes. It seeks to entertain and entertains no pretentious vibes.
Fighting Olympus (2023)
Gritty Criminal Underworld Movie
"Fighting Olympus" certainly understands the importance and power of relationships necessary for a buddy cop movie and the two leads - Leslie Jones and Devinair Mathis - readily put that on display. You sense a real chemistry between the two and they never felt forced.
From the opening shots over Echo Park to the sweeping aerials of inner-city Los Angeles, the director understands the mood and feel of the city.
I love a good Los Angeles cop movie and "Fighting Olympus" offers something unique by plugging a little Greek mythology into the mix as our heroes plunge into the depths of a violent criminal underworld.
Solid Rock Trust (2022)
Keeps You Interested with a Terrific Lead Actress
Koko Marshall holds "Solid Rock Trust" together as she switches between various accents and juggles a range of emotions all at once. You like watching her and you definitely have no idea what tricks she holds up her sleeve.
Virtually the whole movie takes place in a single location as a hacker orchestrates a bank heist from a warehouse, but the director keeps changing up the pace to keep the audience interested and he throws in a nice twist toward the end that you do not see coming.
One particularly fun sequence is when Koko Marshall switches between two different voices and basically has a conversation with herself to impersonate two people, a creative choice from director Rick Ives.
Not a wasted 96 minutes.
Misery Loves Company (2012)
Charming Little Film
The locations serve as a nice love letter to New York State - the parts we don't often get to see onscreen.
I especially liked the dialogue exchanges between the lead actor and his romantic interest, who is played by a very likable actress that I would love to see more of.
Though the main character works as a projectionist instead of a record store, I was reminded of "High Fidelity," especially in its themes about dealing with breakups and growing from heartbreak. I also appreciate how the filmmakers wrap up the relationship. I won't reveal spoilers, but let's just say they don't go the traditional "Hollywood" route and that's refreshing.
Hustle (2022)
A Bit Boilerplate but Entertaining
Let me just say that I am loving this era of Adam Sandler's career. First "Uncut Gems" and now this fun, traditional sports film about an 76ers talent scout who finds a diamond-in-the-rough out in Spain.
The movie works because of Sandler and his relationship with Juancho Hernangomez. You like them both and want them to succeed in the end, however predictable that storyline might seem.
Often, the movie feels like a healthy mix between a "Jerry Maguire" and "Rocky" with basketball (the makers even throw in a training sequence with a sprint up a steep hill) and the blend works rather seamlessly.
See it for Adam Sandler and hope he keeps this streak up.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
A Masterpiece in Blockbuster Filmmaking
I have loved this movie since a child and my love has never died. Every few years, I take the opportunity to clear my schedule one Friday or Saturday night to watch this movie and experience it again. I get something new every time.
I do believe that this represents the Apotheosis of James Cameron's career and he will likely never approach these heights again. From its story to its action to its character development (especially Sarah Connor), the movie achieves near perfection as an action blockbuster - a once in a generation type of film.
(SPOILER)
If there is one squabble I have, I do wish Cameron had set up the T-1000's weakness earlier in the film. It did not require much, just a simple line from Schwarzenegger about how it can be melted and a basic plan to lure it to a steel mill or something like it. Less than 30 seconds of screen time. Despite that, Cameron delivered and I have always been grateful for this film.
Gisaengchung (2019)
Not My Best Picture, but a Great Picture
Bong Joon-Ho delivers greatness with this exploration of class warfare in South Korea.
What I love most about this film is how the director does not preach to us a trite message about greed, envy, and inequality. In fact, neither the rich nor the poor in this film are treated like demons or saints - just people intersecting from their opposite ends of the social spectrum and all the chaos that comes with it.
Mid-way, the film takes a crazy turn that you do not see coming and it becomes something else entirely. I will not give it away, but Bong Joon-Ho certainly knows how to keep the audience interested in what could have been a low-hanging fruit story about "social justice."
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Improvement over the first film while missing that '80s charm
First, let me say that "Top Gun: Maverick" delivers on what it promises. Exciting action, expertly crafted character development, and a gripping story, albeit fairly boiler plate.
Tom Cruise returns to form as "Maverick" and his performance demonstrates exactly why he deserves the lost title movie star. Miles Teller also shows that has has the promising talent for a bigger and better career. Jeniffer Connelly stuns as always and I'm glad they cast a love interest closer to Tom's age.
As the headline indicates, "Top Gun: Maverick" is a better film than the original by every metric, but for some inexplicable reason, the original has a charm that just cannot be replicated. In many ways, the original represents a peek into the the Reagan Era American mindset that will always be captivating regardless of the film's overall quality, which I agree is just slightly above average (slightly).
Either way, "Top Gun: Maverick" lives up to the hype and deserves its praise and accolades.