Eighth Grade - Review

Eighth Grade

Starring impressive new comer Elise Fisher and first-time film director Bo Burnham, the film “Eighth Grade” tells the story of a thirteen-year-old “Kayla” who must endure the daily gauntlet and tidal wave of contemporary pressures growing up as a suburban adolescent. She is trapped by choice and by things out of her control with wanting to make new connections, make new friends and make new social clicks but fully aware that making new friends and entering new social clicks can be filled with petty ruthlessness that can carry a high cruel price.

The film singularly follows “Kayla” the whole film. We watch from beginning to end her being on the verge of gladly wanting to graduate 8^th grade, focusing mostly on her very last week of middle school.  It’s a week that can only be described as a roller coaster of few highs but a lot of disastrous odd and unanticipated experiences as well. The effect on her is both hope and some consternation before moving on to a new high school where things might be better for her there…………. Maybe?

REVIEW: This film, whether you want it to or not, will catapult you back to the very time you were 13. And you will probably revisit that period in your mind with some vivid recall of some uniquely defining events that were great and others that you would rather gouge your own eyes out of your skull not to think about again.

This no holds bar film, with subtle delicacy, places a cinematic microscope squarely over young “Kayla” for all its 94 minutes running time. It will make you laugh occasionally, but it also will make you cringe from the seemingly naked difficulties of what it's like growing up as a young teenager in a status conscious country as America. Its also delves very adroitly into the role of parenting, in this case "Kayla's" father who tried daily not to be passive, naive or oblivious to the hurtful events going on in his daughter - he never assumed things were OK or would itself out. From his side of the film's story that in spite of her many rejections and non verbal communication episodes directed at him, we still see a loving vigilant father striking a tender balance of being engaged into her needs and fears while also giving her own space to grow; to her figuring things out. 

Again, this is not a totally serious story; there are some really funny moments. But overall this is an honest, nuance and solemn story that exams any girl anywhere in America who has to deal with an array of emotional obstacles while learning how to be accepting of herself. 

"Eighth Grade" runs the gauntlet of those many well known emotional issues that seemingly are always being uncontrollable trusted into children's life, ranging from acne, body image, shaming, fashion, status, popularity and sometimes the cruelty that comes from a reliance on social media for personal vindication and acceptance. And its through "Kayla's" eyes we see through this quietly executed film a smart and uncompromising viewpoint of its impact. Directed and executed with clever, sensitive, funny and heartbreaking impact on one young girl who came through those gauntlet of emotional issues with more confidence and more maturity.

This film creeped up on me in an odd way, reminding me of my own adolescent terrain by examining the perilous dynamics of modern adolescence. An examination of a universal awkward period in all of our lives with genuine humanity, decency and realism.

3.75 Stars

Mission Impossible: Fallout - Review

Mission Impossible: Fallout

Tom Cruise takes off again as super US spy Ethan Hunt in the 6^th installment in what has become almost his own personal James Bond-ish franchise type film in “Mission Impossible: Fallout”. 

This time out Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Actors Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames along with some familiar allies Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan are back for this large ensemble effort including some new actors Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby rounding out the dynamic cast.

REVIEW: Rare does any good movie have two great scenes; this “MI-Fallout" effort has about six and in this case I mean action great. First an impressive harrowing high altitude skydive at night. Then an all-out hand to hand fight in a pristine white bathroom. Next was a “Mad – Max: Fury Road“ comparable style motorcycle chase in Paris. Then a foot chase on top of buildings again in Paris. A roller coaster aerial Helicopter chase over rugged terrain. And finally hand to hand combat on the top and side of a jagged rock faced mountain. So visually the kinetic entertainment energy on display in the film makes it a very gratifying 2:24 minute viewing experience with its buffet of endless mayhem, daredevil escapes and visual intrigue.

However, for me the obvious flaw in “MI-F” is its plot which seems very convoluted, soulless and dare I say sometimes just plain stupid with not really much raw tension baked in its DNA for all of the many chases and clock ticking downward to certain disaster moments. I mean, this film is telling a story that the world is on the precipice of nuclear disasters right? Well, OK, then make me feel it’s going to happen which is where I feel the film falls short in that it never really attacked my subconscious that real pending doom was about to occur. Ethan Hunt in this film felt less like an ordinary man trying to save the world and more like Superman minus the costume and cape saving the world......... and of course we all know…..”Superman always saves the world in the end”.

In addition the central diabolical villain in the film named “Solomon Lane” felt less like some super evil genius and more like some Oxford educated homeless person with a British accent in more of a desperate need of a shower, shave and haircut than someone actually capable of threatening all of humanity. His portrayal for me was terribly flat and underwhelming. And to compound matters further the infusion of so many characters in this film, some feeling almost interchangeable to my mind, made everything about the events feel less and less compelling to the larger plot as the story proceeded to its neck break speed finale. 

Still, its summer and overall “Mission Impossible: Fallout” while is about 30 minutes way too long is still a very good throwback old fashion Hollywood blockbuster action flick. A thrilling ride, filled with tons of gusto, highly imaginative action scenes - sequences and just ridiculous fun…………………….TO WATCH – NOT TO THINK ABOUT TOO MUCH.

3.50 Stars

Tom Cruise – How Many Have You Seen?

Tom Cruise – How Many Have You Seen?

A Few Good Men (1992)

All the Right Moves (1983)

American Made (2017)

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

Born on the Fourth of July (1989) – Nominated for Best Actor

Cocktail (1988)

Collateral (2004)

Days of Thunder (1990)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Endless Love (1981)

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Far and Away (1992)

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Jack Reacher (2012)

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Jerry Maguire (1996) - Nominated for Best Actor

Knight and Day (2010)

Legend (1985)

Lions for Lambs (2007)

Losin' It (1983)

Magnolia (1999) - Nominated for Best Supporting Actor

Minority Report (2002)

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Oblivion (2013)

Rain Man (1988)

Risky Business (1983)

Rock of Ages (2012)

Taps (1981)

The Color of Money (1986)

The Firm (1993)

The Last Samurai (2003)

The Mummy (2017)

The Others (2001)

The Outsiders (1983)

Top Gun (1986)

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Valkyrie (2008)

Vanilla Sky (2001)

War of the Worlds (2005)

Meryl Streep – How Many Have You Seen?

Meryl Streep – How Many Have You Seen?

A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Adaptation (2002) – Nominated Best Supporting Actress

Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)

August: Osage County (2013) - Nominated Best Actress

Auschwitz (2015) (Narrator)

Before and After (1996)

Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)

Dark Matter (2007)

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Defending Your Life (1991)

Doubt (2008) - Nominated Best Actress

Evening (2007)

Evil Angels - Also titled "A Cry in the Dark" (1988) - Nominated Best Actress

Falling in Love (1984)

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) - Nominated Best Actress

Heartburn (1986)

Hope Springs (2012)

Into the Woods (2014) – Nominated Best Supporting Actress

Ironweed (1987) - Nominated Best Actress

It's Complicated (2009)

Julia (1977)

Julie & Julia (2009)

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) – Won Best Supporting Actress

Lions for Lambs (2007)

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Mamma Mia! 2 Here We Go Again (2018)

Manhattan (1979)

Marvin's Room (1996)

Music of the Heart (1999) - Nominated Best Actress

One True Thing (1998) - Nominated Best Actress

Out of Africa (1985) - Nominated Best Actress

Plenty (1985)

Postcards from the Edge (1990) - Nominated Best Actress

Prime (2005)

Rendition (2007)

Ricki and the Flash (2015)

She-Devil (1989)

Silkwood (1983) - Nominated Best Actress

Sophie's Choice (1982) - Won Best Actress

Still of the Night (1982)

Stuck on You (2003)

Suffragette (2015)

The Bridges of Madison County (1995) - Nominated Best Actress

The Deer Hunter (1978) – Nominated Best Supporting Actress

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - Nominated Best Actress

The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981) - Nominated Best Actress

The Giver (2014)

The Homesman (2014)

The Hours (2002)

The House of the Spirits (1993)

The Iron Lady (2011) - Won Best Actress

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

The Post (2017) - Nominated Best Actress

The River Wild (1994)

The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979)

Denzel Washington - How Many Have You Seen?

Denzel Washington - How Many Have You Seen?

HEART CONDITION (1990) 

JOHN Q (2002)

THE BONE COLLECTOR (1999)

FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY (1989)

VIRTUOSITY (1995)

MAN ON FIRE (2004)

FALLEN (1997)

THE SIEGE (1998)

THE BOOK OF ELI (2010)

POWER (1986)

THE PELICAN BRIEF (1993)

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (2009)

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. (2017) - Nominated Best Actor

SAFE HOUSE (2012)

DÉJÀ VU (2006

THE PREACHER'S WIFE (1996)

THE EQUALIZER (2014)

THE EQUALIZER 2 (2018)

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)

2 GUNS (2013)

OUT OF TIME (2003)

RICOCHET (1991)

TRAINING DAY (2001) – Won Best Actor

MO' BETTER BLUES (1990)

REMEMBER THE TITANS (2000)

FLIGHT (2012) – Nominated Best Actor

PHILADELPHIA (1993) – Won Best Picture

THE GREAT DEBATERS (2007)

ANTWONE FISHER (2002)

MISSISSIPPI MASALA (1991)

HE GOT GAME (1998)

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (2004)

AMERICAN GANGSTER (2007)

CRY FREEDOM (1987) - Nominated Best Supporting Actor

THE HURRICANE (1999) – Nominated Best Actor

COURAGE UNDER FIRE (1996)

UNSTOPPABLE (2010)

INSIDE MAN (2006)

CRIMSON TIDE (1995)

THE MIGHTY QUINN (1989)

DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995)

A SOLDIER'S STORY (1984)

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1993)

MALCOLM X (1992) – Nominated Best Actor

GLORY (1989) - Won Best Supporting Actor

FENCES (2016) - Nominated Best Actor – Nominated Best Picture (Director)

Blindspotting - Review

Blindspotting

Let me introduce you to two relatively unknowns. First there is Daveed Diggs. He is an American actor, rapper, singer and Brown University Graduate. He founded the experimental hip hop group “Clipping” and in 2015 originated the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson for in the highly acclaimed musical “Hamilton” for which he won both a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. He left “Hamilton” in 2016 and now has a recurring role in the television series Black-ish.

Now let me introduce you to Rafael Casal is an American actor, recording artist, writer, poet and playwright whose work has been seen on MTV and HBO. He's also performed with a number of different artists including Mos Def, Kanye West and Legend Carol King. Both of these men are friends in real life and together Daveed and Rafael wrote and star in the much talk about entry to the 2018 Sundance film festival called “Blindspotting”.

Essentially the story revolves around a young man living in Oakland, CA named “Collin” (Daveed Diggs). In the first two minutes, dressed in an orange jump suit, we see “Collin” is a convicted felon being released early on probation. During his hearing the judge admonishes him that if he violates his probation he will be sent back to prison for his full multiyear sentence. Fast forward 11 months and 27 days later we find “Collin” vigilantly working hard to make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a new beginning. We also see his childhood friend is also his best friend, always by his side named “Miles” (Rafael Casal), who seemingly seems to either be always hustling discarded merchandise he finds or generally always making trouble everywhere he goes when the two friends try to hang out after work. Both men are employed as a tandem team of furniture movers for a company called “Commander Movers” which is managed by a young woman named “Val” played by actress Janina Gavankar.

One night when “Collin” is heading home to his half way house in the company truck he witnesses a police shooting that appears to be brazen murder. Reluctant to do or say anything “Collin” does tell his friend “Miles”. It’s the back drop of this one event and their life long friendship that the two men's friendship is thoroughly tested as they grapple with “Collin’s” identity being “Black:” and “Miles” identity being White and their overall realities of the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood they grew up, combined with the larger political intersection of race and class issues in America set against the ever present backdrop of hip-hop culture in Oakland

REVIEW: ‘Blindspotting” is great. Not because it has some greater meaning of life story working for it. Rather for its superb direction that seems to thrust the viewing audience into a very smart and edgy fictional tale that feels like it’s bursting with authenticity in each and every moment of its 94 minute running time. And combined with a very smart kinetic screenplay the entire film has a uniquely infused gritty energy that is always present. It also has lots of style, tons of laugh out loud humor and equally real dramatic moments that will sometimes give you chilling goose bumps. Together these virtues are wrapped in a ebbing and flow dialogue that is part provocative theatric play to occasionally light hearted hip hop play on words, then back to dramatic theatric play again.

Directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada, “Blindspotting” at its core is a cathartic big screen, fast pace, meditative examination of the rapidly changing cultures in modern America. And examination not from a broad lens perspective but rather viewing it more from a perspective of everyday normal lives where people are trying just to survive by moving perilously on a narrow piece of thread where in one second you are having fun and enjoying life and one second later being shot and killed. And it’s in this perilous world of “Collin” and “Miles” where we see emotions that can lead not only to simple actions and reactions they also can have immediate life altering consequences encased in humor and drama.

Now there were a few scant times my old ears failed me in fully understanding and comprehending the specific meaning and relevance to some of the poetic hip hop utterances. But in the end my confusion didn’t matter as it was only a brief experience as the full measure of this surprisingly, highly entertaining film still grabbed my full attention with it wickedly delivered humor and wickedly delivered drama like very few low budget films rarely do. But the real strength of this film was the intensely charismatic chemistry projected between lead actors Diggs and Casal. I could be wrong but I believed we will be seeing a lot more of these two men for years to come as their acting energy genuinely project the raw range of emotions of two real lifelong friends that was just a true pleasure to experience.

“Blindspotting” is defined as a situation that can be interpreted in two different ways, but you can only see one of the interpretations. Then you have a “blindspot” to the second interpretation. Why this film will not be everyone’s cup of tea with its recurring rapid fire hip hop influences and with an ending that was more social commentary than typical film finale it still magically worked for me and my viewing pleasure.

Again, I must admit I am a bit naïve about how hip hop’s day to day vernacular and jargon seemingly sounds at time completely peculiar to me, especially with its impact on the lexicon on modern America. Still there is no mistaking my “blind spot” interpretation of its usage in the film itself as I found “Blindspotting”, part “Boyz in the Hood”, part “Straight Outta Compton” and part comedy hit “Friday“ one of the best films for 2018.

4.00 Stars

Leave No Trace - Review

Leave No Trace

Actor Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, Hell or High Water & Hostiles) stars in the lead role of an apparent emotionally broken veteran named “Will”.  He is the father of a daughter named ‘Tom” (new comer Thomasin McKenzie) and together they have a perfect life of living off the land on a minimum subsistence in Forest Park, a beautiful nature reserve near Portland, Ore., rarely ever making any contact with the outside world. But when a small mistake by “Tom” tips them off to local authorities about them squatting on public lands, they are brought back into a more conventional life to live in a home with running water and electricity. But only after a few days in their new life they become even more erratic and reluctant to living traditionally again by leaving on a more erratic dangerous journey for the search of a place to call their own perfect life in the perfect world of nature.  

REVIEW: “Leave No Trace” has the rare score of a 100 on Rotten Tomato, with one film reviewer commenting this film a “low key adult story”. But low key is not a bad thing if you can find ways to add some measure of substance either directly or subtly in explaining who these people are and how they got to be the way they. In this aspect of watching “Leave No Trace”  we never really get any answers to who these people are that made their journey a bit frustrating in this respect.

Now early on in the film there are some really veiled attempts to explaining who "Will" is. We see him having nightmares about the sounds of an approaching helicopter and we also see him walking to a local military VA hospital to secure medications that he eventually sells for money to other squatters living near the park. But we are only left to surmise that something terribly traumatic must of happen to him in combat that has broken him to abandoning the norms of a structured family existence to barely surviving from day to day in the woods in a single tent with his daughter. In addition to that point, there is only a single slight passing reference to the daughter’s mother.  It is never fully explained about why she is no longer a part of the family. Is she dead? Did she divorce “Will”? Did “Will” kill her?..............These significant gaps in the story bothered me somewhat as the father and daughter moved about through the woods for almost two hours running time with no real primary focus or day to day purpose than to finding someplace dry and warm to sleep and securing enough food to scavenge off the land. And as they go from eating one wild mushroom to creating ways to securing rain water to drink we go from scene after scene not really knowing anything about their earlier circumstances.

I also must admit I was a little creeped out by the nightly closely confines the father and daughter shared in their sleeping tent arrangements. While there was never anything untoward implied or remotely suggested about any sexually abusiveness about their story it still felt uncomfortable for me to watching a daughter and father share the same tight spaces in the same way a husband and wife would.

Ultimately “Leave No trace” is an acutely insular dramatic film about a father and daughter who genuinely love and care for each other with moments in their story that are moving and touching. Their relationship is also a contemplative, sensitive and honest portrayal about the American underclass. With that I found “Leave No Trace” easily watchable especially through the back drop of large beautifully trees, running streams of water, lush green forests and the sounds of birds chirping. It also is a one note story largely about Will” and his emotional problems as the reason for his inability to adapt to society again and the cost his choice to live off the grid puts on to his daughter's life. She is not emotionally broken as her father but nonetheless must still bare the day to day burdens of the impositions placed on her life by his hidden pain and torments. A younger life that is growing more and more by the day that is becoming more fully realized as a woman with her own needs, desires and choices about what she wants and need to survive in an ever changing world. 

I found it hard at times to really like what “Will" was imposing on his daughter; his life choices. Still the unusualness of their relationship and their heartfelt companionship through thick and thin was filled with a quiet and thoughtful redemption, candid honesty and sincere authenticity that does carry the film's story all the way to its sober dramatic finale.

3.25 Stars