At the Movies with Kane and BN

[Kane52630]

Vivarium

A solid scifi thriller that would've been an excellent episode of The Twilight Zone. It's also oddly appropriate right now because of how it deals with isolationism and repetition. The movie pretty much tackles domesticated life in the suburbs as a horror movie and it only gets weirder from there like a David Lynch film. Jesse Eisenberg was great, but Imogen Poots really sells the movie. There's also a child in the movie and it's by far the most horrifying child since Anthony Fremont. Where the movie ends is such a Twilight Zone fashion and even though I kinda saw it coming, it was still pretty satisfyingly.
3.5/5

 

[Kane52630]

My Spy

Surprisingly not bad. For a family movie, it's formulaic as hell, but charming enough to keep your interest. It kinda falls in line with a lot of the 90s/early 2000s kid movies that had a bit of an edge to them (even more so considering it's PG-13), and it's also got a bit of Kindergarten Cop going on. Bautista, Kristen Schaal, and Chloe Coleman were great together and more of the jokes landed than not. Overall, it's a movie that could have been way worse and far more obnoxious, but it's fairly decent all things considered.
3/5

 

[Kane52630]

Trolls World Tour

I suppose it's a movie that kids will like. It's more or less what the last movie did, only this time it expands the world like The Lego Movie or Game of Thrones. I was entertained enough when they were exploring the different genres of music, but after a while it got stale. I guess the cast were having fun with it, some of the songs worked and others clearly didn't. There was also some sort of message this movie was trying to get at, but it was never clever enough to pull it off. Overall, it's just meh.
2/5

 

[Kane52630]

Sweetheart

A solid isolation creature feature that does a great job setting up the main character and the monster. It was great to see J. D. Dillard grow as a director from his last film and get a bigger budget to play with. Not to give it away, but the movie is like Cast Away meets Predator. It's also a showcase piece for Kiersey Clemons who's always great and delivers a great performance. It's also got a stellar 80s synth score that elevates everything. Overall, it's a shame this went to Netflix because it's definitely a movie worth seeing in a theater. Highly recommended for any junk food cinema junkies out there and it would make for a great double feature with Arctic.
4/5


@StarLord @Black Narcissus @flickchick85

 

[Kane52630]

The Jesus Rolls

Totally aimless yet kinda interesting. Big disclaimer, this isn't really a real spin off to The Big Lebowski and John Turturro clearly wasn't interested in doing so. So instead, he remade an old French film called Going Places and retrofitted the Jesus character into the movie. I will say it's shot and directed really well and while the plot is all over the place, it's clearly French influenced. Despite some problems I have with the story and characters, it's got some charm to it and the performances aren't bad. Overall, it's a unnecessary romp of a film.
2.5/5

 

[Kane52630]

Never Rarely Sometimes Always

A truly phenomenal drama that tackles the struggles of a teen trying to get an abortion. It sets asides aside the religion and politics of it all and only focus on the main character's journey and thought process. While it's mostly heavy hitting stuff, it becomes more of a road movie into NYC with two girls trying to survive. Sidney Flanigan (who reminds me of a younger Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Talia Ryder were incredible in this and the fact they haven't really acted before was really impressive. It's also a great job by the director, Eliza Hittman, who manages to make this feel and look like Lost in Translation. Overall, it's easily one of the best movies of the year (though it's not saying much) and worth checking out if you want a real life drama that doesn't feel artificial and trite.
4.5/5

 

[Black Narcissus]

Little Women

I must admit to not having seen the 90s flick, so I went in blind. I want to get this out of the way, but Greta was not snubbed for director, I can easily think of five more worthy nominees, easy. Having said that, I did like this, but will never rewatch it again. I also admit to not being a fan of Timothee Chalamet acting. He instantly take me out of the flick. I just can't buy him in the roles I've seen him in so far, hell, I think he was trying his best to do a Phoenix impression at times, with a bit of DDL from "The Age of Innocence' mixed in. I just don't bloody like him. He is the main reason I'm not all excited about DUNE, but gotta trust the great Villeneuve in that one, but a topic for a different thread, eh. Ronan and Pugh as always are great. I could see them do anything. You just can't take your eyes away from them, which only makes Emma Watson stand out as how bland her acting truly is. Gotta give her agents cred for getting her this role tho, she manages to be in a successful flick, while being literally taken to the finish line by her much better co stars. The actress who played Beth, which didn't have as much screen time did more with her character, which only makes things worse when the original casting choice was Emma Stone. Gerwig did a good job with mostly everything, but from what I read, it would've been a hard job to mess up the original material. This is like EMMA in terms of quality to me, I can admire the set design, it was shot good etc, but it just wasn't for me, but EMMA would be a rewatch, if I had to choose, and either can't hold a bloody candle to The Favorite.

6/10

 

[Black Narcissus]

Kill List

I'm going through some Ben Wheatley flicks. His previous two flicks weren't for me, but his earlier stuff is more my jam. He can often be a bit frustrating for me, here we get two contract hitmen, which get involved with some satanic cult. The build up to all that is bloody slow, but worth it by the time we get to the end. I also now believe there is no damn way Ari Aster didn't take inspiration from this for both Midsommer and Hereditary, at least for some moments, just no bloody way. Wheatley sure as hell used most of his limited budget for the final half tho, the rest is kinda cheap looking, but not in a bad way, just more out of need. MyAnna Buring is so talented, always felt she needed better roles, at least more folks will now know her from Witcher. I think this could've been more with a lot more budget, but the story is there and this still works.

A solid 8.

 

[Kane52630]

Like a Boss

It's yet another stale studio comedy that is built on bad improv and lazy storytelling. Many of the jokes just falls flat and it doesn't really have much going on. That being said, the only thing holding this movie together is the relationship between Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish who were both trying and with a better script, it would have been something decent. Jennifer Coolidge, Billy Porter, and Karan Soni did have a couple of scenes that worked. And even though the character was flimsy, Salma Hayek looked like she was having fun with it. Overall, it's a dud with a couple of bright moments.
1.5/5

 

[Kane52630]

Seberg

Embarrassing and tone deaf. It's a movie that's supposed to be about Jean Seberg and her time with the Black Panther movement and the FBI investigation, but the movie isn't smart or clever enough to juggle all three. You can tell this was made by a bunch of white producers. It has a white savior complex, because for a movie dealing with the Black Panther movement, they try their best to keep that as an afterthought and have the movie be just about the white characters (Kristen Stewart and Jack O'Connell) and their struggles. On top of that the movie has some bad pacing issues and it's got a cookie cutter script. All that being said, the performances aren't bad I guess, Kristen Stewart and Anthony Mackie are the two that stood out the most. Overall, it's no wonder why this got dumped, it's a total misfire that was sadly trying to get some award recognition.
1.5/5

 

[Black Narcissus]

Portrait of A Lady On Fire

Adèle Haenel plays a reluctant bride to be and Marianne played by Noemie Merlant must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, and paints her portrait secretly. Both leads here are equally great, but Haenel is the one who mostly takes our attention, we watch her as Merlant's character does so.

'Little Women' and Greta got more of the narrative of being ''snubbed'' and whatnot, but this film not having noms for either leads and director is a bloody crime. Céline Sciamma directs this with such a masterful hand, I place it on par with any recent Scorsese or Tarantino when it comes to directing, that damn great. It kinda sucks that it took this long to get a digital release and when it was in limited release, it was even more difficult to find near me. Easily would've gone in my top ten list. Also, often we see complaints of the male gaze and most of it is rightfully on the money, but here, if it were a dude doing it, it wouldn't be out of place. Still, it was done with care.

9/10

We've had legit great films about women these past years. At the very least a great unofficial trilogy of sorts. All directed by wonderful masters.

Blue Is The Warmest Color
The Handmaiden
Portrait of A Lady On Fire

 

[Kane52630]

Bad Trip

I may be biased, but I thought it was hilariously good. It pretty much takes the Bad Grandpa and the Impractical Jokers movie formula. It's basically the outdoor pranks Eric Andre used to do on his show with a plot that features Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, and Michaela Conlin. They do a great job elevating each prank as it goes along and the plot they have with the cast actually makes sense to why they're on the road going state by state. The gorilla prank might be the grossest one out of all of them and the Chinese finger trap prank was probably the riskiest prank they did. Overall, I thought it was fun. If you're remotely a fan of the Eric Andre show then it's a must see.
4/5

 

[Kane52630]

Wendy

A phenomenal reimagining of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan done by Benh Zeitlin who made Beasts of a Southern Wild. If there's a movie that this reminds me of, it's Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are. It takes the core foundations of the Peter Pan story and made it a contemporary story that feels real even though there's fantasy elements. It mostly focuses on the Wendy character played by Devin France who is absolutely incredible in this. Yashua Mack plays their version of Peter Pan and while I wish they give him more to play with, they do enough to make the story work. The cinematography is what really levels up the movie and it's similar to Beasts only with a much bigger budget. Overall, it's easily of the best movies of the year. It's one of those movies where I don't think the majority of critics saw what this movie was trying to do.
4.5/5

 

[Black Narcissus]

Elizabeth Harvest

The perv version of Ex Machina with many other recycled plots before it. Abbey Lee is a good actress to me, so I was already on board. She looks damn good with red hair. Ciaran Hinds could've played this role in his sleep, but he still did a good job. Carla Gugino with somewhat of a thankless role, but the director was damn smart to give us the viewer scenes of her walking around in her panties and moments where she is just naked. MIlf! I don't know if I wasn't paying attention to some moments, but did not see the other twist coming.

7/10

Edit/

looked up the director and he is married to Gugino. Bless him for giving her these scenes.

 

[Kane52630]

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

Eh, it was fine. It's basically a cheesy and gory animated feature that is only made for the fans. It focuses on Scorpion's origins as well as redoing the tournament plot with the newer characters and changing some of the dynamics. They also got the fatalities from the later games and just all around ultra violence. There's also some easter eggs thrown in which was nice. That being said, the dialogue and story for the most part was extremely stiff and bland, which I guess is on point for the games. It has no interest in trying to be something more than what it is and that is fan service. Overall, it could have been better, but it was somewhat decent. It's only worth checking out if you're remotely a fan of Mortal Kombat.
3/5

 

[Kane52630]

Swallow

Loved it. If A24 (or in this case IFC) made a movie about My Strange Addiction, it would probably look like this. Loved the direction and cinematography, it's some of the best of the year. Haley Bennett does a fantastic job playing a superficial 50s era housewife that has some problems to say the least, it's easily her best work yet. The movie also does a great job tackling gender roles and mental heath issues. Once it gets to the 3rd act, everything pretty much clicks in terms of story. Overall, it's one of favorites of the year.
4.5/5

 

[Black Narcissus]

Swallow

Loved it. If A24 (or in this case IFC) made a movie about My Strange Addiction, it would probably look like this. Loved the direction and cinematography, it's some of the best of the year. Haley Bennett does a fantastic job playing a superficial 50s era housewife that has some problems to say the least, it's easily her best work yet. The movie also does a great job tackling gender roles and mental heath issues. Once it gets to the 3rd act, everything pretty much clicks in terms of story. Overall, it's one of favorites of the year.
4.5/5

Bennett should be a shoe in for an oscar nom, but won't happen for obvious and many current reasons. I always knew she had great potential back when I first saw her in 'Hardcore Henry'.

 

[Kane52630]

Yeah I think I've seen every film she's been in since Hardcore Henry... I do think she's got a shot for an Oscar in the future. Also maybe it's me but I put Haley Bennett in that pokemon evolution chart meme with Jennifer Lawrence and Katherine Waterston.

 

[Kane52630]

The Quarry

Eli Thompson and Van Alden reunited once again. It's a solid slow burn neo western drama that mostly deals with guilt, retribution, and stolen identity. It checks off the boxes of a lot of the western cliches, but they were done well enough. Shea Whigham and Michael Shannon are two of my favorite character actors and they were brilliant as always. Catalina Sandino Moreno also delivered a solid performance and it was interesting how they used her character in the story. As much as I was enjoying the movie, I do wish it had a bit more to chew on. Overall, it's worth checking if you're a fan of westerns or a fan of the cast.
3.5/5

 

[StarLord]

The Quarry

Eli Thompson and Van Alden reunited once again. It's a solid slow burn neo western drama that mostly deals with guilt, retribution, and stolen identity. It checks off the boxes of a lot of the western cliches, but they were done well enough. Shea Whigham and Michael Shannon are two of my favorite character actors and they were brilliant as always. Catalina Sandino Moreno also delivered a solid performance and it was interesting how they used her character in the story. As much as I was enjoying the movie, I do wish it had a bit more to chew on. Overall, it's worth checking if you're a fan of westerns or a fan of the cast.
3.5/5

The director Scott Teems also co-wrote Halloween Kills, so I might have to give this a watch.

 

[Kane52630]

The Call of the Wild

Expected a lot worse, but it's just barely passable. Unpolished CGI aside, it's a very traditional family adventure film that isn't afraid to get a little dark. It's got some nice moments between the dog and Harrison Ford as well as with Omar Sy. Dan Stevens plays a classic mustache twirling villain and it's honestly the only thing that kept me interested. As far as the CGI dogs, it's kinda works when there's no people present, but otherwise, the mocap definitely shows the human motions which was kinda disturbing. Overall, it's just okay. I feel like this movie would have been better suited in animated form.
2.5/5

 

[Kane52630]

Extraction

Not as bad as I was expecting. It's far above your average action flick that you'd see that goes straight to video or even in theaters. It's clear they put a lot of money into this and that one long continuous shot scene is really well done. Where they kinda falter is there's some paperthin plot and characters (mainly Chris Hemsworth) that you'd see in a lot of Netflix movies. It only exist to get you to the next action set piece. Also the movie goes on for a bit too long. I thought Randeep Hooda and Golshifteh Farahani were great in this. I'll give credit that despite the slight white savoir complex, they were able to give a lot of south asian actors some valuable screen time that otherwise would've probably been cut or recast for white people if this was a mainstream Hollywood movie. Overall, I mostly dug it. I've seen a lot worse than this.
3.5/5

 

[Kane52630]

The Banker

A mostly bland and paint by numbers biopic that doesn't even try to do something different. The first half of the movie where Anthony Mackie goes into real estate is so cold and calculating in trying to be that uplifting black struggle movie. It almost felt like a computer made it. Once it got to the banking part of the movie and the scheme they're planning with Nicholas Hoult's character, it got a little better and bit more interesting. Samuel L. Jackson pretty much plays himself and he's the only one that keeps this from going extremely stale. Overall, it's a movie could've been something special with a more nuanced script, but it's just a bland "Netflix movie of the week".
2/5

 

[Kane52630]

Blue Story

Painfully cheesy all around. Andrew Onwubolu, who wrote and directed it, thought he was making Boyz n the Hood meets Top Boy, but he ended up making a rated r after school special about the gangs in south London. It's got a bizarre structure as well. Every act ends with Onwubolu showing up, breaking the 4th wall, and rapping to what just happened with the plot. Half of the time it feels like a bloated on the nose music video. I will say the actors and the sets do feel authentic even though they got to deal with a phony script. Overall, it's a heavy handed movie that tries to send a message, but it ends up being basic and unremarkable..and kinda odd.
1.5/5

 

[flickchick85]

Portrait of A Lady On Fire

Adèle Haenel plays a reluctant bride to be and Marianne played by Noemie Merlant must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, and paints her portrait secretly. Both leads here are equally great, but Haenel is the one who mostly takes our attention, we watch her as Merlant's character does so.

'Little Women' and Greta got more of the narrative of being ''snubbed'' and whatnot, but this film not having noms for either leads and director is a bloody crime. Céline Sciamma directs this with such a masterful hand, I place it on par with any recent Scorsese or Tarantino when it comes to directing, that damn great. It kinda sucks that it took this long to get a digital release and when it was in limited release, it was even more difficult to find near me. Easily would've gone in my top ten list. Also, often we see complaints of the male gaze and most of it is rightfully on the money, but here, if it were a dude doing it, it wouldn't be out of place. Still, it was done with care.

9/10

We've had legit great films about women these past years. At the very least a great unofficial trilogy of sorts. All directed by wonderful masters.

Blue Is The Warmest Color
The Handmaiden
Portrait of A Lady On Fire

Just watched this. What a goddamn masterpiece. I can't believe France submitted that basic Les Miserables movie for the international Oscar instead of this. I mean, Parasite would've won anyway, but still. Idiots.