MOVIE REVIEW: AMSTERDAM

 

Set in the '30s, it follows three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldaña, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Swift, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alessandro Nivola, Rami Malek, Robert De Niro

Release Date: October 7, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Drama, History

Rated R for brief violence and bloody images.

Runtime: 2h 14m

Review:

David O. Russell's star studded Amsterdam is a strange amalgam of a convoluted storyline that's nearly offset by energetic turns from its cast.  The film itself is impeccably shot with a glossy look that gives everything an air of Norman Rockwell nostalgia brought to life.  The visuals keep things interesting while the plot's expansive and overly busy story threads start unfurling.  This is the type of film that's in no hurry to get anywhere as it relishes in setting up scene and sequences which allow his cast to shine.   Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington make up the primary trio carrying the film and each of them brings a specific sort of energy to their characters.  Christian Bale's Burt is a collection of idiosyncrasies in a hunched over, emaciated, battle scarred body.  It’s a showy role, the type Bale loves sinking his teeth in and does so with his usual gusto.  John David Washington's character is the opposite side of the coin, and he delivers a turn that's confidently cool and authentic. Margot Robbie brings a nice mix of bohemian and manic energy which is an old hat to her by this point in her career.  All three make their characters incredibly likable which makes the film's unfocused story more palpable and enjoyable.  The supporting cast is a cavalcade of well known actors gleefully chewing up scenery as an assortment of quirky characters.  Amsterdam is the type of film that allows actors to dig into their characters, unfortunately the story doesn't meet the challenge leaving it an uneven experience where the performances are far better than the mystery laid out.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: BLONDE

 

A look at the rise to fame and the epic demise of actress Marilyn Monroe, one of the biggest stars in the world.

Director: Andrew Dominik

Cast: Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, Julianne Nicholson

Release Date: September 16, 2022

Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance

Rated NC-17 for some sexual content

Runtime: 2h 46m

Review:

Marilyn Monroe is one of those cultural icons whose story has been told ad nauseam by this point.  Tackling this subject matter requires that a director makes the well worn material feel fresh and interesting.  Andrew Dominik's film Blonde does this by delivering a glossy, visually impressive horror show that feels more like Passion of the Christ than Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.  Dominick's film relishes in delivering scene after scene of pain and torture to it's central subject.  There's nary a sequence that doesn't involve some sort of degradation, trauma or abuse piled on.  Its a disquieting and unsettling exploration of the starlets life which leaves the character with very little agency or depth outside of her PSTD as she's beat around like a platinum pinball.  Ana de Armas, for her part, is fully committed to the role and delivers an impressive performance even with the razor thin characterization she's given.  Armas captures the breathy woman child persona with relative ease even though her Cuban accent does manage to  peak thru a handful of times.  The script gives her painfully few moments for Armas to delve deeper into the character's inner turmoil much less any semblance of happiness.  The character is written and played as a gorgeous punching bag beaten to a bloody pulp on multiple levels by the time the film ends.  Blonde isn't the biopic for fans of the iconic actress, instead it's more like an arthouse horror show.  

D

MOVIE REVIEW: SMILE

 

After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

Director: Parker Finn

Cast: Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn, Rob Morgan

Release Date: September 30, 2022

Genre: Horror 

Rated R for strong violent content and grisly images, and language.

Runtime: 1h 55m

Review:

Parker Finn's debut film Smile, based on his 2020 short film Laura Hasn't Slept, is a capable and effective entry into the horror genre.  Smile is very much in the vein of recent horror films like It Follows and The Ring as an unseen terror tormenting our lead.  It's well worn territory even for the casual horror fan but Finn manages to deliver enough unsettling imagery and scares to make it work even if there aren't many surprises in store.  Thematically, the crux of the story deals with the trauma of loss in an interesting manner even if its more armchair psychiatry than any sort of deep dissection of the subject matter.  That being said it's an intriguing enough take to make it engaging for the better part of the film's runtime.  At the center of the film is Sosie Bacon who delivers a memorable performance which drives the story.  The plot doesn't take much time with Bacon's character before the curse takes hold as such we watch as her nerves and mental state disintegrate in rapid succession.  Outside of a few bits and pieces about the character's background, there isn't a ton of depth on the page but she makes the character engaging enough to maintain your attention.  The supporting characters are even more thinly drawn but the story doesn't really ask much them outside of being plot devices.  As Smile turns into its finale, it hard to ignore the fact that there are few moments that could have been excised to deliver a more efficient thriller and conclusion.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: PEARL

 

Trapped on her family's isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she's seen in the movies, Pearl finds her ambitions, temptations, and repressions all colliding in this origin story of X's iconic villain.

Director: Ti West

Cast: Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, Emma Jenkins-Purro

Release Date: September 16, 2022

Genre: Horror 

Rated R for some strong violence, gore, strong sexual content and graphic nudity.

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

Ti West's X was one of the biggest and most welcome  surprises of the year.  It was the first modern film to truly capture the feel of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre before going on it's own path in the final act.  Incredibly, West and Mia Goth plotted out, wrote and shot a prequel right after finishing up X.  The speed of it all can make wonders if they would simply rehash the same material in a different time period but thankfully Pearl is very much it's own thing and stands on its own two feet.  This entry is more of a character study that allows us to witness the gradual decent into madness the central character goes through.  West's film is beautifully shot with plenty of nods and visual cues to classic filmmaking especially The Wizard of Oz even though I don't recall Dorothy dry humping the Scarecrow.  The film's aesthetics are wonderful and the story's slow burn approach gives the audience more time to appreciate it and a particularly impressive performance from it's central star.  Mia Goth turns in a simply amazing performance as the titular Pearl.  She drives the film from the opening sequence straight through an incredible 10 minute monologue in the final act that should be shown in acting schools.  Goth dominates the screen but she's aided by an equally impressive turn from Tandi Wright who plays Pearl's imposing and domineering mother.  Wright and Goth share a wonderful sequence together that just sizzles with incredible energy as it builds to a fiery finale.  West and Goth have truly delivered something special that somehow works with the original even though its very much something different and original.      

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WOMAN KING

 

The Woman King is a 2022 American historical epic film about the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centuries. Set in the 1820s, the film stars Viola Davis as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies.

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Cast: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, John Boyega

Release Date: September 16, 2022

Genre: Action, Drama, History

Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity.

Runtime: 2h 15m

Review:

The Woman King is a bit of a throwback to old fashion historical epics.  Gina Prince-Bythewood's film hits the standard beats by delivering a handful of well done action set pieces in between quieter moments that make up the larger part of the actual film. She keeps a keen focus on the characters and she gives the audience time to get to know a handful of them.  Viola Davis's General Nanisca gets the lion share of the attention and for good reason. Davis's world-weary façade and imposing physicality make her tailormade for the role.  She's the perfect actress to capture the ferocity of the role while balancing the quieter more vulnerable moments.  Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim both deliver solid supporting roles as warrior and confidants to Nanisca with each getting plenty of screen time to leave a memorable impression. John Boyega isn't asked do much outside of sound and look regal which he accomplishes with general ease. Thuso Mbedu plays a young woman given to the female troop with her sub plot increasing in importance as the film moves on.  Mbedu does her best, but she feels miscast since she's never able to believably exude the strength her character is supposed to have.  It doesn't help that the script is thin on characterization, giving each character a few traits but very little else in terms of depth. Additionally, there are pacing issues that pop up especially in the final act where the film noticeably drags in spots making it feel much longer than its 2 hour and 15 minute runtime.  Even with its faults The Woman King is a solid addition to the genre anchored by a strong central performance.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: DON'T WORRY DARLING

 

A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.

Director: Olivia Wilde

Cast: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, Chris Pine

Release Date: September 23, 2022

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Rated R for sexuality, violent content and language

Runtime: 2h 2m

Review:

Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling, which has been mired in offscreen drama before its release, is glossy, intriguing in parts, but ultimately little more than a rehash of well-worn tropes.  Wilde, for her part, delivers well-constructed shots which take advantage of the gorgeous sets and wardrobing on display intercut with some cinematic tricks to give it all an unsettling feel.  Unfortunately, there is a lack of subtly right from the start which kills the majority of tension from the central mystery.  That's not to say there aren't twist and turns throughout its overlong runtime but it never takes the material into new thematic territory.  The film's saving grace is Florence Pugh who carries the film with a committed and engaging turn as a wife who feels the walls of reality closing in on her, sometimes literally.  Pugh's authenticity shines through here making you care about her character even though the endgame is fairly obvious.  She's always the most interesting person onscreen especially the script doesn't bother to give any of the supporting characters much depth if any.  Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll and Chris Pine are saddled with one note characters since the film seems content with them serving as nothing more than high end eye candy.  Populating a film with this much talent only to let it go to waste is a huge miss for the film since it could have added far more nuance to its story especially in its increasingly nonsensical final act.  Don't Worry Darling may feel fresh to people unfamiliar with its cinematic forebears like The Stepford Wives, The Truman Show, Pleasantville or Dark City but if you are then it's nothing more than a hollow rehash.  

C+