MOVIE REVIEW: MAXXXINE

 

In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. However, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

Director: Ti West

Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon

Release Date: July 5, 2024

Genre: Crime, Horror

Rated R for strong violence, gore, sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

Ti West closes out his Mia Goth lead horror trilogy with Maxxxine, a film bathed in every bit of imaginable 80's sleaze and clichés found in those low rent VHS thrillers such as 1984's student/hooker flick Angel.  West manages to capture the look and feel of those kinds of films impressively much like he did by recapturing the 70's grindhouse slasher aesthetic in X.  Its over the top but perfectly suited for the story being told as we follow Maxine's fight tooth and nail to survive and be a star.  Baked into the script a playful sense of meta humor as plenty of subtle references to previous films pepper the dialogue and visuals.  Its a clever wink and nod to what the series and its singular star have created in this surprising trilogy.  Sadly, the story isn't quite up to the level of the previous two film as it veers into downright goofy territory, especially in its final act, either intentionally or unintentionally.  At the very, least it brings the character's story full circle and allows to Mia Goth to shine throughout.  This entry isn't as showy as Pearl but Goth manages to communicate the level of dogged determination and her innate ability at self preservation baked into her character's DNA.  This turn is more nuanced and subtle throughout but doesn't make it any less engaging and engrossing.  A handful of familiar faces appear in supporting roles with Kevin Bacon leaving the biggest impression as a New Orleans PI on Maxine's trail.  Bacon gleefully chews up scenery every time he shows up on screen which make his and Goth's scenes together all the better.  Giancarlo Esposito is a bit more reserved as Maxine's agent/lawyer/fixer but he brings just enough of that Gus Fring energy to make you wish the film had utilized him more effectively.  Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Moses Sumney and Lily Collins all are given one dimensional supporting characters which could have been more impactful as well.  Elizabeth Debicki is given a bit more to work with as the horror film director with higher aspirations that serves as a bit of a role model for Goth's Maxine especially once the film comes to a close.   Maxxxine maybe the weakest of the three films but that doesn't keep it from being a well crafted showcase for Goth who made the series something special.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: KINDS OF KINDNESS

Three stories revolve around a man who tries to take control of his own life, a policeman whose wife seems like a different person, and a woman who searches for someone with a special ability.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, Hunter Schafer

Release Date: June 21, 2024

Genre: Comedy, Drama 

Rated R for strong/disturbing violent content, strong sexual content, full nudity and language.

Runtime: 2h 45m

Review:

Yorgos Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness isn't going to be for everybody with the anthology's trio of twisted tales dissecting a series of overarching themes such as obsession, self actualization, amongst others, with pitch black humor and a bleak worldview.  There's a fairly transparent sense that the cast and crew are well aware they aren't making something for general consumption as the stories veer into decidedly weird areas occasionally done for simple shock value with others presenting something more substantial to the proceedings.  Each segment sets ups a very specific story but the script only provides some scant, basic details to get the audience acclimated to the plots and characters but very little outside detail beyond that.  The abrupt endings give the film a whole disorienting feel throughout as you're given little to no time to digest what you've seen before moving to the next one.  The stories leave plenty of unexplained plot points which are sure to frustrate plenty of people.   At the very least, the film manages to burrow itself into the audience's mind as the cast and crew gives them plenty of leeway to make their own determination about what each section represents.  The core ensemble made up of Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau and Mamoudou Athie are clearly committed to Lanthimos's vision throughout.  Plemons gets the lion’s share of the screen time across all three segments delivering strong work in each as he showcases his versatility.  Emma Stone gets bigger spotlights in the second and third segments with Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley & Hong Chau mostly serving as supporting players across all three.  The group works well together but really is most effective in the middle segment where the performances and oddity of it all coalesces into the film's most effective moments.  Ultimately, Kinds of Kindness is a niche film that could be dissected as easily as its exalted depending on personal taste. 

B+