Wolf Review: A Strange, Surreal, and Uniquely Wild Experience

Release Date: December 3, 2021
Running Time: 99 Minutes
Writer/Director: Nathalie Biancheri 
Producers: Jessie Fisk, Jane Doolan 
Cast: George MacKay, Lily-Rose Depp, Paddy Considine, Eileen Walsh, Fionn O'Shea

WOLF is a surreal and mysterious tale of self-discovery. Jacob (George MacKay) is convinced that he is a wolf trapped inside a human body and lives his days as he believes a wolf would. When he’s sent to a “curative” clinic for treatment, Jacob is determined to escape his confines -until he meets the beguiling Wildcat (LilyRose Depp). As their relationship deepens, Jacob quickly realizes that he must choose between being himself and staying with the only person who’s ever understood him. 

Wolf is not going to be for everyone, but it has so much going for it for those that are interested.  The acting and transformations of the actors into their animal form is very impressive, even if it can look silly at times.  Especially George MacKay’s change into the wolf.  When he is in his wolf form he looks very different: changing his movement, his mannerisms, and contorting his body to achieve a wolf setup.  You can tell he is fully invested and it shows.  Lily-Rose Depp as wildcat is also good, but not as transformational as George MacKay is.  The other animals are different levels of successful but together they form this wonderful animal menagerie.   And the wild nature of these kids and their animal forms are further enhanced by the sterile setting of the film.  It is a perfect foil to what is going on inside these kids, and it also is thoughtfully done with a wilderness environment just outside the doors of this hospital.  But inside it had this manufactured, clean look.  Everything in the hospital looked sterile and cleansed, down to the fake forest inside.  But just outside you can always see this amazing nature surrounding it. 

And Wolf also has some good music that underlies some of the animal transformations.  It's an interesting otherworldly music that evokes a sense of wonder and calm, with a little bit of wild.  And some scenes will have this overpowering music that evokes a sense of dread when something unsettling is going to happen.  And later there is this amazing, terrible 80s happy song that makes one of the most chaotic scenes perfect.  But it’s also the sound of the animals, of the wilderness, of everything that contributes to this wild feeling within this sterile world.  

And for better or worse, Wolf is weird.  I loved the strangeness and the overall idea, but this is not going to be for everyone.  The slow build up was a wonderful experience, but if you're not into the general concept or at least a little bit of strangeness, you're going to be in for a long night.  If you’re not feeling this early on, it won't get better for you.  I loved this but this is just a strange movie.  

Wolf is a wholly uniquely experience with distinctive characters, amazing transformations, and a slow building story that compares modern life with the wild of nature.

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Wolf is in theaters on December 3, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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The Pebble and the Boy Review: Sacha Parkinson Shines And Overcomes A Moody Main Character

Release date: November 16, 2021
Running time: 100 minutes
Writer/Director: Chris Green
Cast: Patrick McNamee (Our Girl), Sacha Parkinson (Coronation Street), Max Boast (Sex Education), Patsy Kensit (Lethal Weapon 2, Shelter Island), Ricci Harnett (Rise of the Footsoldier) and Jesse Birdsall (Hollyoaks)

A boy, his Dad's ashes and a Lambretta scooter.  John embarks on a journey from Manchester to Brighton, the spiritual home of the Mods, to scatter his late father’s ashes.

The Pebble and the Boy is a touching road trip / coming of age journey.  I really liked the main characters, who were quirky enough to add some flavor to this story.  Although John is not the most interesting protagonist,  thankfully, those around him can be there to add some enjoyment to the overall film.  I especially liked Sacha Parkinson for her carefree character.  She was the main drive in the film, while also adding plenty of humor to the movie.  And another member of the road trip, Max Boast adds some additional strange but entertaining energy.  His character is abrasive at the start but he grows on you. 

And the journey of self discovery is a fun one to go on.  I really liked the characters we met along the way and the soundtrack to the journey.  The film has a wonderful mix that will get your blood flowing and transport you back to this time period.  The music is amazing even if you don't know the bands; the infectious soundtrack will make you a fan.  The film is also a good introduction to mod culture and the type of ridiculous scooters that these can inspire.  There are some very interesting ones represented here as well as plenty of smart fashions on display.

However, despite me generally liking this film, I liked it in spite of the main character.  No offense to Patrick McNamee, but John is just not a likable character.  He seems to treat his friends poorly, he is surly, and just doesn't appreciate all that those around him are doing for him.  This changes later in the film, but at least initially it was tough to like this character.  And the journey itself is a little slow, with not a lot happening for large portions of it.  But if you can get past these, you have a heartwarming adventure with some interesting characters and a deep dive into mod culture.

The Pebble and the Boy's infectious soundtrack, love of mod culture, and quirky characters highlighted by Sacha Parkinson make this a road worth taking. 

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Apex Review: Bruce Willis Battle Royale With Cheese

Release date: November 12, 2021
Running time: 93 minutes
Directed By: Edward Drake
Written By: Edward Drake and Corey Large
Starring: Neal McDonough (“Yellowstone,” Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City), Bruce Willis (Die Hard, The Sixth Sense), Lochlyn Munro (“Riverdale”), Megan Peta Hill (Open Water 3) and Trevor Gretzky (Spiral)

Serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, ex-cop Thomas Malone (Willis) is offered a chance at freedom if he can survive a deadly game of Apex. Six hunters pay for the pleasure of hunting another human on a remote island, but once Malone arrives all hell breaks loose. Laying traps and playing mind games, Malone tries to turn the tables and fight for his life and his future.

Apex really does feel like a video game, and I wondered if the battle royale inspired Apex Legends wasn't partly responsible for this movie.  The film has over the top weapons, mysterious, aggressive characters, and enough tech here and there to feel like it was plucked out of your favorite console.  The film also has a nice combination of low tech and high tech; there are definitely high tech devices like teleporters, holographic communication, and others, but most of the movie takes place in the forest so the indie film doesn't need to overexert its budget.  But despite the indie nature of this, the cast of Apex is impressive.  I really liked seeing them in this film, and especially liked that Bruce Willis had a more substantial role than I expected for a big star.  

And the film builds slowly, with plenty of fun bravado from the contestants and a steady stream of deaths and accidents along the way.  These characters expire with a combination of poor choices and quick gun battles, though there are some larger encounters later on.  And despite the indie nature of the film, the action is enjoyable and consistently feels like it is punching above its weight class.

However, despite the fun build up, the movie does kind of go off the rails after the start.  What begins as a careful, measured hunt turns into a free for all at the end.  And despite the movie generally having good effects, there are some instances that look low budget.  Not enough to really break your disbelief, but there is enough that just looks off that you notice it.  But that being said, Apex is just a lot of fun.  It is a ridiculous setup with a good cast and an enjoyable role for Bruce Willis to be in.  And like any good video game, there are several Easter Eggs for eagle-eyed viewers to notice. 

Apex has a smart use of technology and a great cast, using both to create a bizarre, gory, and overall fun battle royale. 

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Julia Review: A Recipe For Success

 

Release date: November 19, 2021 (DC Market)
Running time: 95 minutes
Directed By: Julie Cohen & Betsy West

JULIA brings to life the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child's 12 year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, and her rapid ascent to become the country’s most unlikely television star. It’s the empowering story of a woman who found her purpose – and her fame – at 50, and took America along on the whole delicious journey.

Julia bills itself as a documentary about the iconic chef, but it is so much more than that.  It starts with a frank and eye opening look at America's food culture before Julia Child's brand of energetic and easy to follow recipes helped show people what food could actually be like.  The historical perspective was insightful as it really does show just how different America's food landscape was before Julia and after Julia. It shows everything that you've seen in clickbait Facebook stories: Jello salad, marshmallow salad, and everything in between.  And it shows how the meals she showed on TV helped to show people that not only can you make these meals, they are worth it.

But after the historical perspective, the film gets into the woman herself.  She has a much more interesting and eventful life than I had anticipated, and she basically had an entire life and career before becoming her iconic television personality.  And the documentary also showcases how Julia Child was ahead of her time in many ways.  From her drive and ambition, to the way that she broke barriers for women in television, and to her own relationship with her husband, Julia Child was someone who changed not only the food landscape, but America's perception on women.  I really loved seeing the sections on Julia and her husband Paul.  The two had a lovely relationship and seeing the love between the two and how much he supported her career at a time when that was an uncommon characteristic in a partner was heartwarming to see.  

And the film looks at Julia Child's influence on America this through an exploration of everything Julia Child did that was not in the interest of her career.  Once she became the personality that she was, she still spoke out for and supported causes that were important to her.  I loved seeing how she held to her convictions regardless of what that would mean for her career.  Having that courage of conviction is exceedingly rare these days, so seeing it in this film was a welcome reminder of someone who had their cake and ate it too.

Julia is a fascinating documentary that looks at an influential and ahead of her time personality, and her effect on America's food landscape and society as a whole.

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They Say Nothing Stays The Same Review: An Idyllic Setting For A Slow Burning Film About Life And Change

Release date: November 12, 2021
Running time: 137 minutes
Written and Directed by: Joe Odagiri
Cast: Akira Emoto, Ririka Kawashima, Nijiro Murakami, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Jun Marakami, Yu Aoi, Tadanobu Asano, Takashi Sasano, Mitsuko Kusabue, Haruomi Hosono, Masatoshi Nagase, Isao Hashizume

In the debut directorial feature by actor Joe Odagiri, THEY SAY NOTHING STAYS THE SAME follows an old ferryman in a remote Meiji-era community. His life is a peaceful, cyclical existence, given meaning by the essential role he plays in transporting people, livestock and goods across the water, connecting villages and lives. When news arrives that a bridge is being built, it's clear that his services will no longer be needed. Meanwhile, his life will be equally transformed by the appearance of a mysterious young woman whom he saves from drowning. Shot by star cinematographer Christopher Doyle and featuring an array of cameos from Japan's top stars, THEY SAY NOTHING STAYS THE SAME is a refreshingly old-fashioned work of classical cinema, its formal qualities mirroring its thematic concern with those fondly-remembered traditions sacrificed in the name of progress.

They Say Nothing Stays The Same's main draw is the beautiful scenery.  The film is set by an idyllic river next to untamed wilderness, and it really is a sight to behold.  And director Joe Odagiri does his best to highlight this setting with beautiful shots of the mountain and surrounding nature.  You get a sense of the area through several seasons as well, showing this beautiful setting over time.  And the setting is paired with some atmospheric nature sounds and wonderful music.  The nature sounds will make you long for some time outdoors, and the simple music is perfectly fitting with Toichi's relatively simple life.  Overall the setting is just so perfectly done that you can get lost in these characters and this story.  

And speaking of the story, I loved the focus on tradition, a simpler life, and the neverending cost of progress.  The film does such a great job showing Toichi and his life; allowing you to experience the tranquil pace of it within this beautiful setting.  It really will make you wish for something simpler, with the pace of life today and the neverending demands and distractions.  Toichi's life is not easy, but it seems pure and virtuous.  Additionally, for someone with so little he is generous of his time and personality.  And the film drives home the central idea of tradition versus progress throughout, making the viewer constantly question the cost of progress.

But, although They Say Nothing Stays The Same is an amazing cinematic achievement, there is a storyline that just seems unnecessary.  The film has a subplot involving a new character introduced partway through that seems like a distraction.  The character doesn't add much to the story, and seems to be put in there for some additional drama and a little bit of shock value.  I thought the film was strong enough with just Toichi and his friend; the addition of another character just didn't make much sense to me.  And some of the quirks of that character again didn't seem to contribute to the overall story and message.  But despite this, I really did love They Say Nothing Stays The Same and its understated, beautiful setting and message.

They Say Nothing Stays The Same has an idyllic setting mixed with wonderful music and nature sounds, driving home the central question of whether the cost of progress is truly worth it.  

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Mayor Pete: An Unprecedented Look At This Unlikely Presidential Candidate

Release date: November 12, 2021
Running time: 91 minutes
Directed By: Jesse Moss (Boys State, The Overnighters)

MAYOR PETE brings viewers inside Pete Buttigieg’s campaign to be the youngest President of the United States, providing an unprecedented intimacy with the candidate, his husband Chasten, and their ambitious team. From the earliest days of the campaign, to his unlikely, triumphant victory in Iowa and beyond, this film reveals what really goes on inside a campaign for the highest office in the land—and the myriad ways it changes the lives of those at its center. Recently appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg serves as the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in U.S. history. 

Like another previous high profile political campaign documentary (the surprisingly enjoyable Mitt), Mayor Pete aims to give an inside look into an unconventional candidate and life on the campaign trial.  It is an unprecedented look at this candidate, which really does give viewers an insight into the person and the position that they are running for.  Pete Buttigieg (and yes, I asked Alexa how to spell that) is an unlikely presidential candidate and politician, which makes his rise to prominence so fascinating.  He often will be introspective and thoughtful in what he says, saying what he really thinks rather than what would be a good soundbite.  This is not a normal quality for a politician, especially one running for the highest office in the land.  So seeing him molded into a legitimate presidential contender is a fascinating experience.

Buttigieg had an interesting and challenging life and has more to him than you can get in a simple soundbite or a debate.  Giving this window into his background and day to day routines is fascinating and endearing.  I loved hearing why he got into politics, what he didn’t like about the presidential process, and also seeing the decisions he made on the campaign trail.  It was an unprecedented year with some horrible occurrences and this documentary gives you a front row seat to all of that.

But the tragedy of this documentary is that it comes too late.  Obviously something like this could not be done during the campaign trail, but seeing the person after the fact makes you wonder what would have happened had this type of information been available during the campaign.  If the documentary didn’t make clear that Buttigieg doesn’t care as much about political strategy, I would think that this was an elaborate plan for a future presidential run.  And if it is, after spending this time with Mayor Pete and his family, I’m excited to see what his future holds.  

Mayor Pete gives an unfiltered window into this unconventional person and presidential candidate and the crazy circumstances that had him rising to prominence. 

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Mayor Pete is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Spencer Review: Kristen Stewart's Royally Good Performance Make This Emotional Royal Affair

Release date: November 5, 2021
Running time: 118 minutes
Directed By: Pablo Larraín
Written By: Steven Knight
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Sally Hawkins Timothy Spall, Sean Harris Jack Farthing

The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There's eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.

First and foremost, Spencer is not a documentary or a docu-drama.  It is an imagining of what might have happened during three fateful days over the holidays during a royal gathering.  It has some overly dramatic moments, and some exaggerated events, but what it does so well is depict just how stifling that life can be for someone like Diana.  Even if the words or events aren't true to life, the overall feeling in that house is masterfully created in this film.  From eyes always on you, to constant checks on your wellness, to a general lack of agency, this film shows what it could be like if you are living under the scrutiny of the royal family. 

And it does this with some amazing acting, wonderful music, and meticulous cinematography.  The film is a showcase for Kristen Stewart, who has to carry the movie a lot.  The isolation of Diana is a double edged sword, meaning Kristen Stewart is often the driving force behind these scenes.  Her fear, her uncertainty, her paranoia, and her lack of agency are all depicted by her brilliant performance.  The rest of the cast are also good, really no one has a bad performance here, but the film is driven by the powerful performance of Stewart.  

But what struck me the most in this film is the wonderful use of music.  The film masterfully uses the soundtrack to accentuate the mood and feelings in the film.  When the world is stifling, the music is as well.  When Diana feeling overwhelmed, the music becomes chaotic and overwhelming.  It uses energetic Jazz to highlight this chaos, helping to accentuate her moods.  And when something proper is supposed to happen, the film uses more traditional music to highlight the royal family and mood.  The film here uses melancholy classical music to show the royal mentality but also the melancholy of Diana's life.  These instances seem to be the most distressing to her and it comes through in the somber, but grandiose tone those scenes have.  And occasionally, the music will not be there, allowing you to really focus on what Diana says and the quiet isolation that she has.

And the cinematography also does a great job of showing Diana's lack of agency.  The film uses wonderful shots of the estate to both show the grandiose world she lives in, but also the walls that constantly confine her.  There are a few scenes where she is truly free, and in those instances the film shows the beauty of her newfound freedom.  And it also shows in the choreographed shots.  You see the structure and meticulous nature of the staff, which is impressive but also highlights just how little choice Diana has.  It is a brilliant use here, using the privilege that she lives in as a weight against her.  And overall, this movie gives a peak into an idyllic lifestyle and how that could come off as negative to someone like her.

Spencer is a brilliant film that is made by it's masterful use of music, Stewart's emotional performance, and the way it highlights the grandiose and overwhelming nature of a royal life.

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At The Ready Review: A Fascinating Look At Our Police State Through Young Eyes

Release date: October 22, 2021
Running time: 90 minutes
Directed By: Maisie Crow

Ten miles from the Mexican border, students at Horizon High School in El Paso, Texas, are enrolling in law enforcement classes and joining a unique after-school activity: the criminal justice club. Through mock-ups of drug raids and active-shooter takedowns, they inch closer to their desired careers in Border Patrol, policing, and customs enforcement. We follow Mexican American students Kassy and Cesar and recent graduate Cristina as they navigate the complications inherent in their chosen path and discover their choices may clash with the values and people they hold most dear.

At The Ready is a far more balanced look at police and our border than I would have expected.  It starts with an example of the extreme training that these kids go through in pursuit of their dreams.  The club that they joined is teaching all sorts of police techniques, including breaching and clearing, finding and handling evidence, and taking suspects into custody.  I was surprised at the level of training that these kids received, the serious mentality that they take into these exercises, and the types of feedback that they received.  It was like true police training, yet these kids are in high school.  And the way that they all have ideas of what they want to be when they grow up and have a path past high school was really interesting to see. 

But what I loved most about this documentary is the balanced look it gives to a very complicated issue.  I expected this to be very one sided, either for or against the militarization of police and their use at the border, but like all issues, this is a complicated one that At The Ready addresses with care.  It looks at the views of agents and teachers, and of these students themselves.  Some have very mature and well thought out viewpoints on this, as the the methods of policing and protecting the border have very real effects on them, their peers, and their own family.  And I really loved seeing the nuances that were presented to these kids. The debates between the kids were interesting to watch, you had different viewpoints expressed but done so in a cordial, respectful manner.  It's both a wonderful thing to see and a sad contrast to the rhetoric we see adults throw around for this subject.

And I also loved seeing the interaction of the Latino community in this area to the thought that these kids would become border agents.  Many of their parents are proud of them, that they are going to be protecting the community and making a good salary in their career.  And the kids themselves have very mature thoughts on this, recognizing the difficulty of being a Latino border patrol agent and what that means for their interactions with that community.  If there are negatives with this film, it is that it ends far too abruptly.  It follows one of the characters afterwards, but I wanted to know about many of the folks we have met.  But overall, this is just an interesting and balanced documentary.

At The Ready looks at a complicated societal problem through youthful eyes, giving insights into policing and immigration with a care and nuance that belies the high school setting. 

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Foundation S1E5 "Upon Awakening" Review

Release date: October 15, 2021
Running time: 50 minutes

A flashback reveals the origin of Gaal’s conflict between faith and science. The standoff on Terminus takes an unfortunate turn.

So Foundation is finally getting into the action and here we are. This episode allows us to both be reunited with old friends and to see the action pick up.  It proceeds in parallel with two storylines going on parallel tracks.  It is an interesting way to tell this story as they don't intertwine at all, but it does allow some break up during the whole endeavor.  I really liked the focus on these two characters who I greatly enjoy seeing and the extra time we get to spend with them.  We also finally get some backstory filled in from episode 2, solving that strange time skip. 

But although I have been clamoring for action, the action in episode 5 is not very good.  Don't get me wrong, the series is not going to be an action series and the drama and production values are still top notch, but the action is slow and choreographed heavily.  And apparently no one in this world is a marksman as there is a hail of bullets and very few hit.  And although I really liked seeing these characters, we didn't get any updates from the empire.  I imagine that we will get it in the next episode, but this was a very Foundation-focused one.  But that being said, this was a solid episode to move the Salvor storyline along and help flesh out some of the past mystery.

Foundation S1E5 brings back some characters and fills in some story, while advancing the conflict on Foundation and allowing Salvor to really shine.

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Foundation is available to stream on Apple TV+ with Season 1 Episode 5 "Upon Awakening" available on October 8, 2021.

The Spine of Night Review: A Unique And Ultraviolent Animated Adventure

Release date: October 29, 2021
Running time: 93 minutes
Written and Directed By:  Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King
Starring:  Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt, Betty Gabriel, and Joe Manganiello

In THE SPINE OF NIGHT, an ultra-violent fantasy epic, ancient dark magic falls into sinister hands and unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. A group of heroes from different eras and cultures must band together in order to defeat it at all costs.

The Spine of Night is just a film that doesn't get made anymore.  An ultra violent fantasy epic in animated form, but also one that uses the rotoscope animation process from the 1970s.  The film feels like a video game come to life, with a similar type of computer generated but also hand drawn animation that evokes Dragon's Lair and its ilk.  It is straight out of some of the more extreme, violent animated films from the 70s like Heavy Metal and the Lord of the Rings animated films.  And The Spine of Night has an epic cast, with some very big names attaching themselves to this quirky animated film.  The names associated with it are those that I would have expected to be in a video game type nerd film, and I am very happy that they all signed onto this. And the writers really fleshed out this world, with a full backstory, entities, and power dynamics at play. You get the sense that there is more planned for this and that The Spine of Night is just an introduction.  

However, despite the Spine of Night being an interesting project--and to be clear, one that I am very glad was made--the film itself is not that entertaining.  The ultraviolent aspect of it is intriguing at first, but quickly wears thin as it goes on.  And despite it having some beautiful, stylistic animation, the speed at which it happens is not very fast.  It is strange because the animation feels like it could have gone faster, but goes at a slower pace for whatever reason.  I wonder if it is simply the result of the rotoscope animation style, but it does feel like it could have been faster.   And with the world being a fully fleshed out world, there is a lot of backstory that is just not explained.  You can appreciate just how much work went into this film, but overall, the story is confusing to follow because it goes through various worlds and eras.  But that being said, I am very happy that this movie exists.  The labor of love and effort that went into this is impressive to say the least.  And it revives a look and style that is just not made anymore, one that instantly gave me flashbacks to some movies from my childhood.

The Spine of Night is a unique, ultraviolent animated epic, with an all star cast, a deep world,  and a style that highlights just how much of a labor of love this film was.  

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Antlers Review: An Understated And Perfectly Constructed Creature Feature

Release date: October 29, 2021
Running time: 101 minutes
Directed by Scott Cooper
Produced by Guilermo del Toro, David S. Goyer, and J. Miles Dale
Starring: Keri Russell (Julia), Jesse Plemons (Paul), Jeremy T. Thomas (Lucas), Scott Haze (Frank), Amy Madigan (Principal Ellen), Rory Cochrane (Daniel Lecroy), Graham Greene (Ex Sherriff Warren), Sawyer Jones (Aiden)

From the visionary world of acclaimed director Scott Cooper and horror maestro Guillermo del Toro comes ANTLERS.  In an isolated Oregon town, a middle-school teacher and her sheriff brother become embroiled with her enigmatic student whose dark secrets lead to terrifying encounters with a legendary ancestral creature who came before them.  Based on the short story “The Quiet Boy” by Nick Antosca. 

Antlers is all about the slow build up and an understated tone that really helps to elevate this horror film.  What I loved most is how this film doesn’t try to do too much but does everything exceedingly well.  The lighting and cinematography are top notch. The movie has some brilliant scenes using light to keep you on edge, especially when people go into dark spaces.  The unease of not knowing what is in there, coupled with the rush of breath as they fully are engulfed in darkness is the perfect way to build up tension.  But it’s not just the darkness, the film also uses the flashing lights of police cars and the utter endless night of the Oregon wilderness to great effect.  Some of my favorite scenes were with police lights flashing in the fog, an unsettling and perfectly constructed effect.

The understated aspect also translates to the music, where you have this wonderful classical soundtrack.  It uses a lot of solo instruments to both emphasize the emptiness and loneliness of this place, and also to give a sinister tone to the film.  You don’t have full, boisterous musical arrangement, just a singular instrument playing against the darkness.  The film also has really great effects.  There isn’t a ton of blood and guts, but what is there is well done and looks unsettling and realistic.  Nothing breaks your suspension of disbelief in this film.

And the characters are also really well done.  They have a lot of mystery that you don’t really understand until later.  My favorite was Lucas, who again, does a great job by not doing too much.  His character is quiet, scared, and strong, and he does an amazing job of projecting an unsettling persona from the experience that the has endured.  And Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons also add a lot by not doing too much, with characters that don’t get overly emotional but still have plenty of unsettling baggage to contend with.

And this film wouldn’t be much of a creature feature without a creature, and thankfully this film also does that quite well.  It doesn’t show much, and when you finally see the monster it is unsettling but also smartly portrayed.  You don’t get a great view of it and when you do it does look otherworldly.  If there are downsides to this film, it is that the pace is quite slow, though I didn’t mind it at all.  Additionally, the film touches on the subject of abuse, but not quite with the care I would have hoped for.  Still, these are minor issues in an otherwise fantastically done creature feature.  

Antlers will hook you with its understated tone, fantastic music and setting, and unsettling use of light and gore to create an atmospheric creature feature with a slow burning, but very unsettling story.

Watch it.

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Antlers is available in theaters on October 29, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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Last Night in Soho Review: A Stylish Film With An Underlying Darker Message

Release date: October 29, 2021 (DC Area)
Running time: 116 minutes
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Edgar Wright and Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Diana Rigg, Rita Tushingham, Michael Ajao, Synnove Karlsen

In acclaimed director Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.

Last Night in Soho is a very different experience than I expected.  After the shock of what was happening wore off, I really did like the style of this film. It goes from modern day London to an idealistic, 60s London and seeing those back to back was a treat.  I also really loved McKenzie in this meatier role, where she has to a variety of characters throughout this film.  And Anya Taylor-Joy was a revelation as Sandie, with a cool confidence and style that made her instantly stand out from everything else on screen.  

But this film also feels very unique.  The melding of the 60s style with an exploration of some of the darker themes that underlie that style was an interesting take.  I loved the jarring nature of some of this, where you see beautiful bright lights and classic, safe feeling locales only to have that shattered with later revelations.  I also really loved the music and how Edgar Wright used that for storytelling.  You will have these classic songs that you associate with a golden age of music or better times, only to have them playing over some sinister experiences.  It really was something that was stylistically impressive.  

And although Last Night in Soho does so much right, the ending does leave a little to be desired.  It kind of flips some of the themes on their head, and changes some of the conclusions and preconceptions that we have learned about before.  If I'm being honest, I really didn't like the ending and thought it was a little clumsy and too interested in shock value.  This was a surprise given how interesting and careful the film had been up until that point.  But thankfully, it didn't soil the overall experience, it just left me scratching my head for a bit. But after I got over the annoyance of the ending, I kept going back to how unique this whole film felt!

Last Night in Soho is a time trip, with a stylish format and some amazing 1960s music to aid this thriller that explores some darker themes than you initially expect.

Watch it.

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Last Night in Soho is in theaters on October 29, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy Review: A Subtle, Brilliant, and Layered Relationship Drama

Release date: October 15, 2021
Running time: 121 minutes
Director: Ryūsuke Hamaguchi 

An unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction, and a chance encounter with the past. Propelled by coincidence and imagination, and guided by love’s gentle current, acclaimed director Ryūsuke Hamaguchi (Happy Hour, Asako I & II) returns with an enchanting triptych that spins mundane encounters into a world of infinite possibilities. In Episode 1: Magic (or Something Less Assuring), a young woman is startled when she realizes that her best friend’s new flame might just be her ex; in Episode 2: Door Wide Open, a disgruntled student plots to trick his college professor, using his friend-with-benefits as bait; and in Episode 3: Once Again, a girl’s college reunion leads to an unanticipated run-in with an old friend, and awakens feelings long since forgotten. Playfully inspired by life’s tiny miracles, and bound together by memory, regret, deception, and fate, Hamaguchi leaves no stone unturned in his quest to chart the ever-deepening mysteries of the all-too-human heart.

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is not going to be for everyone, in fact it will likely not be for many people.  But for those that stick with it, you get a brilliant, layered relationship film that explores some unconventional friendships and some topics that Japanese cinema normally avoids.  The three stories were slow but they had plenty of depth in their characters and the dialogue.  And they do give some interesting insights into relationships and people's need for connection and love.  I really liked seeing how the different stories evolved because it was never the same as what you would expect.

And through the three, I think the middle story is the strongest.  I loved the conversation between the professor and the lady, their conversation was nuanced and charged with a ton of great imagery.  But each of these stories has something to offer and by including all three, the viewer is able to experience very different, discrete situations all dealing with one overarching idea.  Despite some of the stories seeming to have unnecessary setup, they each offer something different and unique.  And in the end, you are left with a sense of wonder and sadness, which is what the film goes for.  The conclusory story, however, also gives you a sense of hope.

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy uses its three distinct stories to give insights into love, relationships, and our need for connection by discussing topics that are not normally looked at in Japanese cinema.

Watch it.

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Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is available in virtual cinemas.  For showtimes, click here.