Movie Night With Bdan

Friday, June 24, 2016

Movie Night- The Neon Demon

6/24/2016

The Neon Demon

Welcome to Movie Night with Brandon, which is basically my excuse to discuss and review any film I feel like. Whether it's a brand new film or an older one, it's whatever I feel like doing. With all that out of the way, let's talk about some movies.

Going into this movie I knew only three things; It was booed at Cannes, it has a 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it's written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Needless to say, I was very excited while walking into the theater. Drive is one of my favorite films of all time and I also really liked Bronson. When Only God Forgives came out, people seemed to resent it while I thoroughly enjoyed. It's not by any means flawless, but it's very misunderstood and in my opinion overly hated. It's seems that once again, I possess the same un-popular opinion with The Neon Demon because I really liked this movie.

The Neon Demon stars Elle Fanning as a girl named Jesse, who is trying to make it in Los Angeles as a model. She instantly rises to the tops and the competition feels very threatened by her. I have to stress this now like I do frequently in my reviews but this is absolutely not a film for everyone. Without getting into spoilers I have to say that this film goes places a standard audience wouldn't like in my opinion. Thats one thing I loved about the movie is the guts it has to go there. Nicolas Winding Refn makes films he wants to make. He doesn't cater to standard expectations as a film-maker and I admire him for that. I was also in a theater where the audience completely ate it up and also seemed to like it as well.

This film boasts the most dazzling cinematography I've seen all year. The shots and general lighting in this film are masterful and deserve Oscar recognition. Another plus to the film is the exceptional soundtrack. I loved the score so much, first thing I did when I got home was searched for it on iTunes. The acting in the film is also really well handled. Elle Fanning and Abbey Lee both do exceptional work. While they're never performances that demand your attention through flashy caricatures, they instead subtly entice you through their genuine talent. But by far the best actress of the film is Jena Malone who steals every scene her character occupies. Another thing I want to discuss which is a major positive for me while it can be a negative for others is Nicolas Winding Refn's direction. While this is mostly a style over substance movie, I love his style and it's what made me love him as a director in the first place. His style is so unique that it's hard not to become transfixed on every shot and scene he directs. While I hate comparing directors in reviews, the third act of this film felt very much like a David Lynch movie, and it was damn awesome.

I have a few issues with the film, one of them being the ending. Not the actual ending itself but the pacing of the third act felt a little bit unfocused. It could've been stream-lined much better to make for a more powerful ending. I also wish some other characters had more to do and other sub-plots had more of a conclusion. One character in particular had been completely forgotten in the last half hour and I wish there would've been some conclusion to where that part was going.

Overall, The Neon Demon is a polarizing movie that some will love and some will hate, I happen to be a part of the former. This movie is still lingering in my brain and I really desire to see it again as soon as possible. It is definitely a film that needs to be watched a few times to comprehend some of it's metaphorical elements. It is visually brilliant, contains one of the best soundtracks all year, and has great staying power though excessive yet mature depravity.

8/10

Monday, June 20, 2016

Movie Night- Finding Dory

6/20/2016

Finding Dory

For those of you who are un-aware, I consider myself a fairly big Pixar fan. I don't love all of their works but they have made not only some of the best animated films of all time, they've also made some of the best films of all time in general. I don't let nostalgia glasses get to me too much, but of their films that I love, I love dearly. Finding Nemo was one of the films that I loved, especially as a kid. When I re-watched it as an adult I seemed to have appreciated some of it's moments a little more. It at times was very emotional, but not overly emotional. The best Pixar films have the perfect balance of fun and excitement, while also delivering emotional moments where it's hard not to cry. Unfortunately in my opinion, Finding Dory doesn't leave what I think will be a lasting impression. I did very much like the film and it is without a doubt an enjoyable story, but it feels almost mediocre in the crowd of Pixar films.

The story of Finding Dory is a simple premise; Dory starts to remember her past as well as her parents. She then barks on an adventure to find her parents to reconnect with them. I have no problem with the plot of the movie, in fact it could be a very involving story if handled right. The film never feels as if it's taking risks or trying to tell a interesting story however. It feels like it was playing it very safe which makes it suffer a bit in my opinion. The film also felt very short as well, clocking in at only one hour and forty-five minutes. It only needed an extra fifteen to twenty minutes to help flesh out other characters or help the story flow better. While there are emotional moments in the film, the rushed run time doesn't make you feel very invested in the story too much. Everything in the movie feels like it was hurried and never fully reaches it's intended emotional impact. While I wish to get into specifics, I don't want to spoil the film for those who haven't seen it yet.

On a positive note, the voice cast was great being led by Ellen DeGeneres once again nailing it as Dory. Her character absolutely has the caliber to carry her own film even though I thought the execution of the story was not as great. The rest of the voice cast also does an incredible job from Albert Brooks, Ty Burrell and Ed O'Neill who's character I wanted to know more about. The animation is of course beautiful and ground-breaking like all of Pixar's other work. I also thought the film had some very funny moments. While it was never side-splitting funny, I did find myself chuckling a lot throughout the film.

Overall I did like Finding Dory, but it never made me fall in love with it. Just because I say I didn't love the film doesn't mean it's a bad picture, because it's definitely not bad. Not even close. I think majority of the problems I have with the film is in the screenplay and a few directorial choices. While it's not necessarily a film that will make my top ten of the year, you should definitely check it out for yourself.

7/10

Monday, June 13, 2016

Movie Night- Love & Friendship

6/13/2016

Love & Friendship

I have to eat some crow here, I was completely wrong in my judgment of this movie. I thought that based on the trailer that this film was your standard Jane Austen adaptation. I don't dislike Jane Austen's writing but they have just never been stories I liked very much. I thought this film was going to be mediocre and forgettable. But as I walked out of the theater, I realized how wrong my judgments were. This movie was flat-out great.

This film genuinely surprised my with how much I enjoyed it. The story follows a recently widowed Lady Vernon, played excellently by Kate Beckinsale, as she tries to find a new suitor for herself. While it's not a story that can be spoiled necessarily, I don't like getting too far into details. The entire cast completely nailed their roles. Kate Beckinsale has never wowed me since the work I've seen from her is usually very mundane, but she is superb in this movie. Her screen presence is incredible and she delivers her lines with the perfect amount of charisma needed for the part. All the other cast is very good as well, but none stand out as much as Tom Bennett. He was the most enjoyable part from the film and left me in tears I laughed so hard. While this film focuses on Beckinsale and she does an amazing job, Tom Bennett absolutely steals every scene he's in. His comedic timing and delivery is genuinely masterful.

The cinematography is very plain in the film, but it works because that's not what the film is going for. It completely stands on the strength of the directing and the screenplay. While I've never seen work from director Whit Stillman prior to this, he directs his actors and actresses very well in this film and has a great hold on the film. His adaptation of the Jane Austen story is where his talents are mostly present though boasting an Oscar-worthy screenplay. The film constantly feels fresh and never has a dull moment. If I had but one complaint is that the film wraps up very abruptly, leaving me desiring more.

Love & Friendship is the biggest surprise of the year so far, as it blew me away with it's presentation. This film made me laugh harder than any movie has in years and it was a very fun film to watch. Although I wish the film was a bit longer, the run-time is very accessible and contributes to the films fantastic pacing.

8/10

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Movie Night- The Lobster

6/7/2016

The Lobster

I am so glad I finally got a chance to check this movie out. For those of you who don't know, this film is just now getting it's release in the US, thanks to the acquisition of the distribution rights by A24. While it was released in seemingly every other country last year, I finally had the pleasure of checking this film out.

The Lobster is a film set in a near, dystopian future where being single has been outlawed. When you become single, you are taken to a place called "The Hotel", where you are given 45 days to find a suitable mate. If you fail to do so, you are then transformed into an animal of your choosing. I don't want to give anything else away because the twists and turns this film takes are genuinely interesting and takes you to some cool places. Once again I have to declare in this review that this is not a film for anyone. It is a very different film and it did receive a walk-out in my screening. While I think films like this deserve your attention and you should always remain open-minded while watching a movie, don't say I didn't warn you.

I have to say, while this isn't the film I was expecting based on the trailer, I liked a lot more than I had anticipated. This movie felt so original and unique that it was hard not to admire it. The entire cast of the film was spectacular in their performances and everyone felt very unique in their own way. Colin Farrell giving some of the best work I've ever seen from him in years, he gained 40 pounds just for the role. While I don't think gaining weight is impressive by itself, but that coupled with his performance makes for a very commendable achievement. Rachael Weisz, Léa Seydoux, and John C. Reilley all give excellent performances as well.

This film also manages to blend very drastic tonal shifts seamlessly. Going from funny to uncomfortable without feeling tone deaf is a very challenging thing to accomplish and this film does it very maturely. The deadpan delivery creates for an authentic feeling of this strange world this film creates, while also contributing to some very funny moments. Yorgos Lanthimos directs this film with absolute precision, taking a concept that can be very ridiculous and turning it into a very interesting satire on the current state of dating and how 21st century has interpretation love. The cinematography in this film is also immaculate, showcasing beautiful scenery which is a stark contrast to the dark story the film is telling. Another thing I want to mention is the score of the film which is truly fantastic, coinciding with the film. It contributes to the film, but is never emotionally manipulating its audience.

This is only the second film so far this year that I have loved this much. It's very original story alongside is unmistakably dazzling craftsmanship creates on of the best films I've seen so far this year. It will grip you into it's world and characters and the ending of the film will stick with you for days afterword.

9/10

Monday, May 23, 2016

Movie Night- The Nice Guys

5/23/2016

The Nice Guys

Welcome to Movie Night with Brandon, which is basically my excuse to discuss and review any film I feel like. Whether it's a brand new film or an older one, it's whatever I feel like doing. With all that out of the way, let's talk about some movies.

The Nice Guys is a film I had been anticipating since it was announced later last year. I'm a huge fan of the cast, Ryan Gosling in particular. While I have not yet seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shane Black wrote the first three Lethal Weapon films which I adore. I also love the setting of this film, taking place in 1970's Los Angles. So going into this screening I had pretty high expectations.

I was surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this film. It had a lot of expectation to deliver on, and it surpassed all of it. The film is about a tough-guy for hire played by Russell Crowe and a Private Investigator played by Ryan Gosling. When their paths cross while investigating a case, they find themselves working together to find out how a dead porn-star and a girl named Amelia are connected.

The first thing I have to praise in this film is the screenplay. The dialogue and set-pieces these characters are given are written with such precision that it kept me laughing through the entirety of the run-time. There are moments where I found myself laughing myself to tears, which films rarely do since I'm such a stickler when it comes to the comedy genre. Another thing I have to mention is the amazing chemistry between Crowe and Gosling. They work so well on screen together and Gosling in particular nails comedic timing as well as psychical comedy. Russel Crowe's character is more of a straight forward character which he executes perfectly, even adding his own element of humor. The two characters as well as Gosling's daughter in the film all play off of each others performances so well it really lends to the realistic feeling of the characters. Even the action sequences were handled very well, which I did not expect from this film.

While the story isn't very groundbreaking or original, the film still manages to feel very fresh. The setting of the film feels very authentic as well, which is crucial for a film set in the 1970's. I can't tell you how important it is for a film to feel seamless in this way. It never breaks immersion due to awesome costume and set design. The tone of the film can be a little choppy at times but it's never enough to hinder the film completely. Certain scenes in the second act felt a little too serious out of nowhere and it felt a bit rushed.

Overall, The Nice Guys feels like a refreshing piece of cinema that felt very authentic with a lot of laughs to offer. It is one of the funniest movies I've seen in the last couple of years and it manages to do this while also telling a fun story with great and realized characters. I can very easily see this film spawning a franchise of "buddy-cop" movies with a lot to offer to the genre. While the film's tone does suffer at times, The Nice Guys is still one of the best films I've seen so far in 2016.

8/10

Monday, May 9, 2016

Movie Night- Captain America: Civil War

5/9/2016

Captain America: Civil War

I know you think this review is a little late, but I wanted to see the film twice before I gave my full thoughts about it. Although seeing a film like this opening weekend is fun, I like seeing them again with a quiet, less enthusiastic theater so I can think about as a film, not an event. Don't get me wrong, I liked this movie a lot and I'm on the verge of loving it, but there are a few things that keep me from completely falling in love with it. After I give my review and final grade I will discuss some spoilers, so read after the review so we can go into some specifics.

First lets discuss the things I liked about Civil War. Once again, Marvel nails the casting of it's heroes. I'm assuming you want to know what I think of the new Spider-Man and our first on screen look of Black Panther right out of the gate. Chadwick Boseman did a great job with the role of Black Panther and really sold me on his character. I didn't know much about the character beforehand because I never read one of his comic books, but now I am interested to read some and I'm really excited for his solo film. If anyone knows me they know I love the character of Spider-Man and he is my favorite comic book hero. So I'm delighted to say that Tom Holland's interpretation of the character is my favorite live-action version to date. He's quippy, funny, and has excellent line delivery which is crucial for the part. While he isn't in the film for long, he's one of my favorite aspects about it. All of the returning cast once again knocks theirs respective roles out of the park. The entire reason the Marvel Cinematic Universe has became the phenomenon that it is, is because of the stellar cast.

Another huge plus to the film is it's incredibly gritty direction from the Russo brothers. Coming off the highly successful Captain America: The Winter Solider, they once again do a great job of realizing the characters and give us awesome action complete with incredible stunt work. The Russo brothers know how to craft and action film that not only has good action, but gives you a story where you care about the characters outside of the action. All of the special effects in the film are also great, which is no surprise considering it is a Marvel film. Considering this film is also just under two and a half hours long, the film never seems to drag. I also really enjoyed a lot of the themes of this movie and the questions it presents. It gives the audience some genuine reasons why you'd pick one side over the other in the beginning of the movie.

Now it's time to discuss things I didn't like or had flaws with in Civil War. Some character motivations at times feel forced and out of character. I will go into greater detail in the spoiler section but the movie has too many moments of conveniences that felt a bit too much. Another small problem I had was the character of Zemo. While his motivations are very understandable and Daniel Bruhl was amazing in the role, he felt almost rushed in. I feel like the film could've played out almost in the same way without his character. There is also a decision made at the end of the film that I wished they had done differently. The film also suffers from a few pacing issues and tonal shifts that sometimes feel jarring. Once again, I'll get specific in the spoiler section.

I really liked Captain America: Civil War but it fell just short of perfection for me. It is still currently one of my favorite movies in the MCU and I'll thoroughly enjoy watching it many more times. It boasts some of the coolest segments of any comic book film ever, but it's few flaws make me hesitant to give it my highest grades. While I do highly recommend you check it out, which you probably have already, I cannot say it is perfect for the genre.

7/10

SPOILERS!

Okay, now to discuss some things in greater detail.

-The character motivations of Iron Man and Black Widow felt at times very unlike their character. While I do like and agree with how Iron Man first came to the decision to sign the Accords, I felt like a five minute conversation with Captain America would've helped change his perspective and his mind.

-The films pacing also suffers because of strange tonal shifts. The first half felt very straight-forward and realistic, but the middle section felt too fantastical and happy. Especially since the final act of the film was so dramatic, the pacing suffered because of it's middle section.

-I found there to be a few too many coincidences in the film as well. How did Zemo get out of Germany so fast after his interrogation with Bucky? How did Zemo know Iron Man would be at the Winter Solider headquarters in order to show him the video of his parents being killed? Basically I felt like Zemo was a little bit omnipotent because the script required him to be.

-By far my biggest disappointment of the film is that no one died. I know that sounds like I am blood thirsty or something but these films lack tension. If Rhodes would've died instead of just being paralyzed, that would've made for a more emotional moment. Instead it's just an excuse for him to get some Tony Stark Robo-Legs. And personally, if the last fight in the film had a death at the end, I would've loved this movie even more. There was no dramatic payoff at the end of the fight since the characters walk away with hardly a scratch on them. If Steve Rodgers would have died, it would've made for this huge scene that would've left such an impact on the franchise and given it some dramatic tension for future films. Instead they play it safe and even end the film with Tony and Steve on almost speak able terms.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Movie Night- When Marnie Was There

5/2/2016

When Marnie Was There

Welcome to Movie Night with Brandon, which is basically my excuse to discuss and review any film I feel like. Whether it's a brand new film or an older one, it's whatever I feel like doing. In this series, I won't be giving grades because I don't feel that they're necessary for this particular series. With all that out of the way, let's talk about some movies.

I first heard about this film a few months ago and I was interested to check it out. I had not previously seen a Studio Ghibli film before and I was curious to check this one out. So when I saw the Blu-Ray was on sale at Best Buy I decided to buy it and check this film out, and I am extremely glad that I did. This movie genuinely left me entranced and it captivated my thoughts for days afterword. I once again have to strongly, strongly recommend this film immediately even before the rest of the review because this film desperately deserves your attention. Even if you are not a person who likes Anime films, please give it a shot. I made my mother give it a shot and she seemed to really like it as well and she doesn't find Anime all that appealing.

At the start of the film we get introduced to Anna. A shy girl with asthma who doesn't seem very happy. She doesn't have many friends and she is emotionally distant from her adopted mother. When she has an asthma attack at school, Anna's doctor recommends that she stay with her guardians relatives. They live in a more rural area where the air is cleaner which they believe will be beneficial to her. While she is staying there she discovers a house on the edge of a marsh that she becomes obsessed with. I will the the synopsis there because it is a film better experienced with no more knowledge than that.

I have completely fallen in love with this film. I have seen it three times now and I desire to watch it again soon. The animation in the film is always stunning with beautiful landscapes that completely engage the audience. Hand drawn animation seems to be becoming less and less prevalent in today's films, but that also helps this film feel a little more timeless in turn. The music is also always fitting with the story with very alluring instrumentals. The voice casting is also very good, the only flaw being John C. Reilly not blending well with the film. Hiromasa Yonebayashi's direction of the story is always spot on, exploring mature themes that children can relate to and crafting an ending that packs a formidable emotional punch.

Where the film is strongest for me is in it's characters, particularly that of Anna. I relate to her character immensely in the film. I am a fairly introverted person and I have trouble with connecting with people at times. So as the film goes on and you go on this journey with Anna, you become emotionally invested in where she is as a person. You become so attached to her character because of how real and grounded she feels. This made for one of the most emotional film finales for me as I cried like a child. With the exception of a few Pixar films like last years incredible Inside Out, children's films don't really explore these deeper and more serious emotions. While a fun kids movie is enjoyable now and then, these films are imperative to see as well because they are so much more profound and send a much greater message.

When Marnie Was There was a magnificent animation film with believable characters and beautiful visuals. Like all films in this series of Movie Night reviews, this should absolutely be on your watch list especially if you have kids. It is a film that will leave you breathless and make you fall in love with it's astounding story.