“Velvet Buzzsaw” Movie Review

    Sometimes it can be hard to decide what to watch before bed, especially if you want to watch something you haven’t seen before.  Fortunately, Netflix makes life a little easier in that regards.  Unfortunately for me, Netflix usually doesn’t have the highest quality of films.  That being said, I remembered Netflix ‘released’ a film earlier this year that looked interesting and I just had to remember the name.  After a few minutes and some exploring, I happened to find the film I was looking for, “Velvet Buzzsaw”.  With a name like that, it had to be interesting, right?

    The film follows art critic Morf Vanderwalt as he rekindles a relationship with Josephina.  Josephina works for an art gallery owned by Rhodora Haze before she is terminated for being late after discovering the dead body of her neighbor Vetril Dease.  As it turns out, Dease had an apartment full of his paintings he asked to be destroyed after his death.  Josephina steals the paintings and when the art community sees them, they go crazy for them.  Morf agrees to write a book about Dease to gather the art more attention in exchange for a few pieces.  Strange happenings begin to happen to people associated with the art and it turns out there may be something supernatural to the paintings.

    Let me start by saying I am torn by how I feel about this film.  The film is interesting and does sort of pull you in but, for the most part, the characters are unlikeable and I wasn’t invested in their fates (though the actors really do a fabulous job despite not playing emotionally accessible characters).  I know the movie is a bit of a satire of the art community and how pretentious artists and critics can be, but it is hard to relate to the characters as a result.

    The cast was solid and they were all convincing in their roles, perhaps too convincing at times.  Jake Gyllenhaal delivered a great performance and his character was the most likable in the film.  Gyllenhaal gave a delightfully unhinged performance he hasn’t given since “Donnie Darko”.  It was also nice to see Rene Russo deliver a solid performance in a lead role.  Russo is a talented actress and this film proves she is still an awards worthy performer.  My only complaint is that the great John Malkovich was severely underused in this movie.

    Writer and director Dan Gilroy developed this film years ago while working on Tim Burton’s “Superman Lives” (which you can actually see him do an interview on that subject in the movie “The Death of Superman Lives”).  I enjoyed the film’s successful transition from a look into the current art scene into a supernatural suspense thriller.  In some respects, this film very much reminds me of “Eyes of Laura Mars” in both subject matter (art) and genre (horror/thriller).  I wonder if Gilroy was a fan of that film or if it just happens to be a coincidence.

    “Velvet Buzzsaw” is an interesting experience and a film I recommend watching around Halloween.  The film is a step up for Netflix in my opinion.  While I wish the film’s characters were more likable, the film is fascinating enough on it’s own to make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Grade: B-

“The Toys That Made Us” Television Review: To Binge or Not to Binge

    I freely admit that I am a massive toy collector and while I am currently trying to pair my collection down, I still have a ton of toys and they still temp me to this day.  While many people grow up and leave their toys behind, some of us embrace our inner child with nostalgia.  Remember the sense of wonder you had playing with an action figure?  Remember how much imagination went into playtime with your dolls?  Why do adults like myself still collect toys?  Some of us find inspiration in our childhood playthings, some people find them to be interesting display pieces, and others are still just kids at hearts.  Regardless the reason, this show is dedicated to everything regarding toys.

    The show is a documentary focusing on different toy subjects each episode.  Episodes range from Star Wars to Barbies and showcase how each toy line has changed and evolved over time.  You will hear interviews from toy developers and collectors to get a better sense of the complete history of each line.

    This series success far better than most other documentary style shows because it has fun with it’s subject and can be very funny at times.  I found myself fascinated with episodes involving toy lines I have and never will have any interest in.  When an episode about Barbie or Hello Kitty can hook me for a hour, you know the show is something special.

    The show perfectly captures what drives collectors crazy about toys.  Though some adults just see mounds of plastic, collectors see a gateway to their childhood and a way to show their fandom.  This show depicts collectors as a form of fun loving historians which isn’t far off.

    What I love most about the show is how it details the history of each toy production.  The show’s focus on the development of each toy line helps show why each brand has managed to stay relevant over decades.  The format Netflix embraces is perfect for this series.  This show once again proves that while Netflix’s original movies still need a lot of work, it’s television shows are still a step above a lot of network television currently airing.

    “The Toys That Made Us” will make you feel like a kid all over again.  It’s worth a watch at any age and you will want to learn the history of every toy possible.  Who knew learning could be so fun!

Overall Grade: A

To Binge or Not to Binge Verdict: BINGE

“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” Movie Review

    The television show “Breaking Bad” became a hit and a critical darling for a good reason, it was well written and crafted.  Once the story of “Breaking Bad” ended, the franchise continued with the prequel series “Better Call Saul”.  It seemed like the story of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman concluded with the finale of the show until the development of this movie was announced.  Thanks to “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie”, we finally have an epilogue to the series which follows the fate of Jesse Pinkman after he escapes captivity.

    The movie primarily focuses on the character of Jesse Pinkman after he escapes from Todd Alquist.  Arriving at the house of Skinny Pete and Badger in Todd’s El Camino, Jesse cleans himself up and sets off to start a new life.  Jesse must first find Todd’s stash of cash and ditch the El Camino before he can afford to pay for a new identity and start fresh somewhere else.

    All the aspects that made “Breaking Bad” a rousing success are present here in this film.  The great acting, writing, and character development help elevate this film above most other current Netflix films.  Writer and director Vince Gilligan caps off his saga in a satisfying and hopeful way.  While “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” isn’t an entirely needed film, it is definitely still a treat to it’s fanbase.

    Aaron Paul once again delivers an excellent performance as Jesse Pinkman.  Paul does a good job depicting the trauma Jesse is put through in the film.  The supporting cast is made up primarily of extended cameos from actors who previously appeared on the show.  Some of the cameos worked better than others, with Bryan Cranston’s glorified cameo being both a highlight and also somewhat disappointing with how short it was.

    What might be a bit of a letdown to some is that the majority of the film is largely told via flashbacks.  I personally think it worked since the film was largely a character study, but some audience members might want to see more of what happens with Jesse Pinkman after the “Breaking Bad” finale.

    As far as the feel of the film, despite some interesting camera work from Vince Gilligan, it still has an episodic feel due to it’s story structure.  With that being said, “Breaking Bad” had always had a more cinematic feel to it so perhaps the show just spoiled me.

    “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” is ultimately a good film that is almost handicapped by it’s excellent pedigree.  Fans of “Breaking Bad” will enjoy the film but the few people who aren’t aware of the show will likely feel lost.  I enjoyed the film but I am also a fan of the show, I would be curious to see how well the movie would go over to people who have never seen the show.

Grade: B-

“In the Shadow of the Moon” Movie Review

    I am pretty sure it isn’t much of a shock to say a good chunk of Netflix films aren’t particularly good since a lot of their original films are obtained just for content rather than quality.  Still, I always hope I find the rare gem among the bulk of forgettable films dumped on the streaming service.  After reading the description of “In the Shadow of the Moon” and seeing the cast, I had high hopes that this film might possibly be one of those rare gems but there was only one way for me to find out so I started watching it and ended up wanting to discuss this film more than I thought I would.

    The film starts off in 1988 and follows Officers Lockhart and Maddox as they discover a possible link between a few strange deaths one night.  When the toxicology report seemingly can’t identify the chemical that caused their deaths and all the victims having the same pattern mark on their necks, the police department officially declares the deceased to be murder victims and quickly gets a lead on the killer.  After Officers Lockhart and Maddox happen upon the suspect and give chase, only Lockhart is able to keep up as she tries to escape at a train station.  After Lockhart attempts to detain the mysterious woman, she jumps in front of a train and kills herself.  Nine years later, the police department gets a tip on a copycat killer and Detectives Lockhart and Maddox now take point on the case.  When Lockhart confronts the copycat, his world is turned upside down when he discovers that the copycat killer isn’t a copycat at all, she is the same killer who committed suicide nine years earlier.  Lockhart must now discover how any of this is possible while trying to catch this murderer all over again.

    Needless to say, the premise of this film is super interesting so it is easy to see how it got me hooked.  Perhaps I should have thought logically and wondered why it wasn’t picked up by a major studio because it unfortunately didn’t turn out too good despite an interesting premise.  To be fair, I feel like it would be near impossible for any film to live up to the story set up in the film.

    ::Possible Spoilers::  This film deals with time travel (which I am sure is easy to guess) and the film has a lot of tonal issues as a result.  The film tries too hard to stay a police drama even after the element of time travel is thrown in.  It is difficult to balance the science fiction elements of the story when the movie tries so hard to be taken seriously.  I know the filmmakers probably hoped that the heightened drama would make the time travel ‘twist’ more shocking, but time travel is sort of setup from the first scene so I am not exactly sure what the filmmakers were thinking on that front.  The film was just executed poorly in my opinion which is a shame because it had a lot of potential.

    The film sometimes looked very beautiful with interesting camera angles and mesmerizingly shot scenes.  Then there are other times the film has a very made for television feel.  Much like the Netflix film “The Dirt”, it feels as if the production ran low on (or out of) money as the film neared the end of it’s production.

    The movie was carried by Boyd Holbrook and he did a pretty good job with what he was given.  I have never been a huge Holbrook fan but if this movie is successful of anything, it succeeded in making me realize how gifted Boyd Holbrook can be as an actor.  I have to admit I was disappointed by Michael C. Hall in the movie.  I loved his work in “Dexter” and “Six Feet Under” but felt like he was completely wasted in this film.  I hope he at least got a decent check.

    This film proved to ultimately be disappointing but no worse than a lot of other Netflix ‘originals’.  It is just a shame this film turned out to be so forgettable despite it potential.

Grade: D

“The Addams Family” (2019) Movie Review

    “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky, The Addams Family”...or my family, but that isn’t how the song by Vic Mizzy goes.  Yes, in case you haven’t guessed, I got a chance to watch the new animated adaptation of “The Addams Family” the other day and I now finally have time to write my thoughts down about it.

    The film tells the story of the formation of the Addams family and their dream of finding a place that accepts them after being driven out of ‘the old country’ (which I would assume be Romania due to it’s horror ties).  After arriving in New Jersey, newly weds Gomez and Morticia settle down in a secluded haunted house and raise a family together.  Years later, their ‘happiness’ is threatened with the development of a new town.  Will the Addams family be driven from their home again or will things finally change for them?

    I am going to start this review by saying I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would.  I am a fan of “The Addams Family” (particularly the John Astin led series) but the previews for this animated film didn’t exactly wow me either.  It looked cute but the previews also made it seem a little dry in the humor department.  Thankfully there are plenty of moments to chuckle at in the film.

    The film has a great voice cast with every actor filling their roles perfectly.  Their performances range from funny to charming.  I would actually argue that much of the success of the film comes from the cast (which just goes to show how important voice acting can be).

    I enjoyed the character designs as well and thought they were faithful and eerily adorable.  The designs are completely faithful to Charles Addams original ‘The New Yorker’ cartoons.  That being said, I realized something while watching the movie and that is the Addams family were very much products of their time and aren’t as ‘shocking’ as they were even twenty years ago.  The movie even sort of unintentionally points this out when one of the ‘normal’ girls befriends Wednesday Addams and adopts a Gothic style to her fashion choices.  The Gothic look has become so popular and accepted over the years that the Addams family really don’t seem as bizarre as they probably did in the 1930s or 1960s or even the early 1990s.  Times and styles have changed in favor of (or partly due to) the title family.

    The beginning of the film starts a little clunky but settles in fairly quickly.  The story isn’t anything complicated and is fairly predictable but it is a family film after all so that is to be expected.  It does teach an important lesson about being yourself and not worrying about fitting in.  Individualism is an especially important issue for children to learn and grow to be okay with in a society that constantly pushes them to conform to other’s expectations and standards.

    I didn’t mind the production design but I did feel like they played things a little too safe to appeal to kids.  Especially in animation where everything is typically exaggerated, things needed to be bumped up a notch.  Instead, it felt sort of Tim Burton lite instead of a film inspired by his work.

    As it stands, this adaptation of the classic cartoon is an entertaining family film but isn’t as unique or quirky as the other adaptations that came before it.  If you do see it, I recommend seeing it in 3D because the film really embraces the format.  I would recommend this film overall, I just wish it was more in line with it’s theme song.

Grade: B

“Deadwood: The Movie” Movie Review

    Before “Game of Thrones” became a cultural phenomenon and the biggest hit HBO ever produced, the cable channel had several critical hits under it’s belt including one of my favorite shows, “Deadwood”.  The show was gritty and unusual with a huge talented ensemble cast.  The dialogue was interesting because while characters cursed like sailors, they would do so with a poetic flair that made every line of dialogue feel both dirty and beautiful at the same time.  Sadly, “Deadwood” was cancelled after it’s third season with no resolution to some of it’s key storylines.

    The film takes place ten years after the finale of “Deadwood” and we most of the characters have remained in the town of Deadwood, chiefly U.S. Marshal Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen.  The town has settled down for the most part since we last left it and South Dakota is in the process of entering statehood.  The town’s peaceful existence is put at risk when George Hearst, now a United States Senator, returns to Deadwood and seeks to purchase Charlie Utter’s land (and get payback on Trixie for shooting him a decade ago).

    I had long given up hope for a film follow up to the series years ago.  There were talks of a film concluding the series for years now but after a few years, talks of a movie died down (along with talks of a movie following the events of “Rome”).  The show ended more than a decade ago and most of the cast went on to other successful shows and films.

    The movie was a worthy successor to the show and it was nice revisiting the characters.  The only problem I had with the film was that the end felt a bit rushed in my opinion.  Maybe I just wish their was more “Deadwood” on the horizon.  I feel like they left the ending a bit open ended deliberately in case David Milch ever decided to revisit the series again at some point (which I would be down for).  At the end, it supplied a more satisfying ending than the series did and it was nice to get a sense of closure.

    It is a bit refreshing to see a western these days, especially one so well written and performed.  The thing I love about David Milch is that his scripts are almost Shakespearean.  The characters are far more articulate than characters in other shows.  I enjoyed having some of the events from the series briefly shown via flashback because I hadn’t had a chance to revisit the series before I watched this (plus I wanted to test the movie and see how accessible it would be to first time viewers).

    I adored seeing Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane return as Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen and the pair were amazing.  Gearld McRaney also proved to be the perfect antagonist as George Hearst.  McRaney is a very underrated performer.  It was also amazing seeing Paula Malcomson, John Hawkes, Molly Parker, Kim Dickens, Brad Dourif, and Anna Gunn all reprising their roles.

    Director Daniel Minahan managed to capture the tone and spirit of the series in a way I didn’t think possible.  He also managed to get some of the best performances I have seen from actors I have seen this year.

    “Deadwood: The Movie” is a satisfying finale to the epic HBO series.  New viewers may feel a little lost but should enjoy the film for it’s overall quality.  As a fan of the series, I was happy to see this.

Grade: B+

“Joker” Movie Review

    When “Joker” was first announced, I sort of wondered what the reasoning behind green lighting this film before other DC property was.  After reading that it was separate from the new DCEU and after watching the trailer, I understood “Joker” was envisioned as DC Comic’s prestige picture.  My suspicion was quickly verified when the film premiered at film festivals to praise and awards.  It seemed like critics were all going to love this film upon it’s release.  Things didn’t turn out so clear cut though.  While many critics still praised the film, some decided to take issue with the reflection it takes on society.  You can’t please everyone but with more and more critics (and some audience members) raising this criticism, I wondered how I would feel when I finally watched “Joker”.

    The film revolves around a man named Arthur Fleck who has multiple serious mental illnesses and is struggling to get by in Gotham City.  Arthur lives with his mother and dreams of making it as a standup comic but his crippling laughing disorder makes it impossible for him to succeed.  Arthur slowly descends into madness more and more as he tries to discover the truth about his father and his past in general.  As Arthur is pushed more and more, he is reborn into the iconic Joker we are all aware of.

    I sort of loved this movie far more than I expected I might, especially the third act, and I was pleasantly surprised by how sympathetic the film made the Joker seem.  What makes this film feel different is the realistic approach the filmmakers took in telling the story of a man suffering from a mental breakdown. Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness is both tragic and frightening.  It should also be noted that this film does not follow the comic books, since Joker has no official origin, but draws a lot of inspiration from “The Killing Joke” and “The Dark Knight Returns” graphic novels.

    I enjoyed the many themes of the film including class warfare and the importance of helping those suffering from mental illnesses and how issues like those can become intertwined.  The class warfare aspect seems especially timely in today’s troubled economic times.  I also appreciate how they approached the struggles of mental illness and how seriously they treated the subject matter.

    Of course a lot of the strength of the film came from the amazing performance of Joaquin Phoenix.  Phoenix elevates an already strong script into something akin to high art.  While I personally still feel Heath Ledger was the best Joker, Phoenix plays a different version of the character that is equally strong and definitely gives the late Ledger a run for his money. Phoenix is just fascinating to watch on screen.  I would be completely shocked if Joaquin Phoenix isn’t nominated for an Oscar for this role.

    As good as Phoenix was, he also had some great supporting actors around him.  Robert De Niro actually gave a great performance as Murray Franklin, a Johnny Carson like late night television host who Arthur sees as almost like a father figure.  De Niro’s addition to the cast was also perfect since much of the film was inspired by “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy” which both starred De Niro.  I really liked Frances Conroy as Arthur’s mother Penny.  Conroy gave a more restrained unhinged performance that is getting largely overlooked but I loved it.  I do want to mention that I liked Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne but I think the original actor cast, Alec Baldwin, would have owned the role a little more.  Baldwin ended up passing on the role because he thought the role was too similar to his Donald Trump character on “Saturday Night Live”.

    I was surprised by how well Todd Phillips managed to craft this movie and I was completely blown away by his directing choices.  I was never a big fan of “The Hangover” films (although I have a soft spot in my heart for his “Starsky & Hutch” remake) so I didn’t expect a lot.  True to the influence, Phillips invokes Martin Scorsese unlike any one else I have seen recently.  I also liked the gritty feel of the film which reminded me of the Christopher Nolan “Dark Knight” trilogy.

    The film itself looked amazing with the cinematography and score being a highlight.  The film was beautifully shot and the string music gave it a slightly off putting feel.  All the foreshadowing and Easter eggs made the film extra special for fans of the Batman comic books.

    As a film lover, I enjoyed that the theater at the end was playing the movies “Excalibur” and “Zorro: The Gay Blade”.  “Zorro: The Gay Blade” is a nod to “The Mark of Zorro” which is the film young Bruce Wayne was watching with his parents the night his parents were killed.  It was also a comedic take on Zorro which seems fitting with this take on the Joker origin.  Lastly, “Excalibur” was the film featured in the opening credits of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.  It could also be a reference to King Arthur seeing as the main character was Arthur and became the new king of crime by the time the film ends.

    “Joker” is a masterpiece and will likely change the way superhero or super villain films are told for years to come.  I can not recommend this movie more.  This film is the definition of ‘must see’.

Grade: A+