'Things Will Be Different' Review: On The Run Through Space and Time
Sidney (Riley Dandy) and Joseph (Adam David Thompson) are siblings on the run from both their past and current reality in writer/director Michael Felker's upcoming sci-fi film, Things Will Be Different. Playfully pitting dark forces against each other in a game of metaphysical cat and mouse, the film is an engaging and suspenseful watch from start to finish. Achieving a tonal semblance of The Last of Us meets Back to the Future, Things Will Be Different offers a unique blend of heist drama and surreal sci-fi thriller.
A "Robbers on the Run" Drama Turns into a Time-Traveling Thriller
In order to escape the police after a robbery gone wrong, two estranged siblings concoct a plan to lay low in a farmhouse outside of town. What seems like a random location to Sidney is exactly what Joseph is looking for. Upon arriving at the location, Joseph details what makes the house so special: its ability to transport them into another dimension in time. Amused, Sidney agrees to follow Joseph's plan, which seems simple enough. They follow a series of routines before entering a dark room through a special locked door. This is where the process takes place. After re-emerging, they will find themselves in a different year. The siblings will stay for two weeks and wait for time to pass in their present until it is safe to return home without fear of persecution from the cops.
In the beginning, the plan works as it should. Joseph and Sidney spend the days drinking whiskey and exploring the farmland without a worry in the world. But it isn't long until they realize that they may not be alone in this new dimension. Just what–or who–this metaphysical farmhouse harbors is far darker than they ever expected. Trapped in this alternate reality, Joseph and Sidney are forced to face a mysterious entity that pushes their already fragile bond to its breaking point.
Backed by a Chillingly Atmospheric Score
Michael Felker crafts Things Will Be Different to have a larger-than-life story on an indie film budget. Large concept ideas are explored yet, admittedly, not always answered to audience satisfaction. Whether or not this will be a sticking point depends on your tolerance for unanswered questions. Nevertheless, the lead actors do a great job of embodying a restlessness and inquisitive nature within their characters. Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy create a convincing sibling dynamic with their authentic quips and playful banter. Another standout is the score by Jimmy LaValle (aka The Album Leaf). His meditative and atmospheric soundscape leans into Philip Glass territory at times, which adds an exciting element to every scene.
Takeaway
Things Will Be Different is an ambitious feature debut by filmmaker Michael Felker. Throwing their support behind the film as Executive Producers are directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, whose own films tend to live in the surreal fantasy space. Nominated for Best First Genre Feature Film at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, Things Will Be Different is commendable for its confidence in tackling the time travel genre in a fresh, new way.
'Pink Belt' Review: Changing the World One Self-Defense Class at a Time
In the documentary Pink Belt, director John McCrite shines a light on India's beloved feminist icon: Aparna Rajawat. Aparna is highly regarded as a changemaker in the city of Agra, saving the lives of young women and girls one self-defense class at a time. Having grown up in a dysfunctional household, Aparna knows firsthand just how toxic and dangerous it is to be a woman in India without the resources to protect yourself. Pink Belt follows a very special period in Aparna's life as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the most women trained in a self-defense lesson, to bring attention to her organization, Pink Belt Mission.
The Wonder Girl from India
Aparna is a local legend in India's sports scene. As a child, she received world attention by winning India’s national championship in martial arts. Growing up, however, she was not treated with dignity or respect. In candid interviews, she shares that the gender disparity was so apparent that she resorted to cutting her hair to pass as a boy so she could take karate lessons and learn how to defend herself. Her small frame and short haircut allowed her to experience the disparity of privileges that only males were accustomed to. As unbelievable as it sounds, Aprana admits that girls can't even fly a kite without getting in trouble.
Aprana also faced physical and sexual abuse at the hands of a cousin that went undetected for years. The inequality of the power dynamic between genders disgusted her and catalyzed her life's mission: To create a training program that would educate future generations of young girls about self-defense.
Before diving into Aparna's incredible success story of founding Pink Belt Mission, let's set the scene for what it's like to be a woman in India. Every 30 minutes, a woman is raped. Many suffer equally horrific conditions within their intimate relationships Nonconsensual sex, torture, and abuse, including acid attacks, are normalized. Aparna's mother was married off at 12 years old to her father, who was 21 years old. It was not uncommon for women to be considered property, void of personal rights. These are just some of the reasons why Aparna makes it her life's mission to insert some control into the hands of women, by teaching them self-defense skills. As feelings of empowerment grow, so does the realization that women don't have to rely on their abusers for freedom, be it financial or otherwise.
Changing the World, and Breaking Records, One Self-Defense Class at a Time
Aparna founded Pink Belt Mission to empower young women to feel confident and safe in their home country. The documentary chronicles this life-changing organization in great detail, interviewing survivors of assault and hearing their harrowing stories of violence. Filmmaker John McCrite traces the lead-up to the Pink Belt Mission's big event that could potentially gain the spotlight of worldwide attention. Aparna and over 7,000 women and girls attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest single group self-defense lesson. Not only does this serve as educational for the attendees, but it fulfills the mission of drawing media attention to the mission's cause.
Takeaway
Pink Belt tells a complicated story of both tragedy and inspiration. While it is a heartbreaking account of mistreatment, it is also incredibly aspirational to see women finally fighting back. Aparna Rajawat is a fascinating storyteller, allowing the audience to experience some of the most intimate moments of her life. Aparna's story is one that needed to be told, and John McCrite tells it with dignity and respect. Pink Belt also serves as a universal reminder that, while we can't change the past, we have the power to change the future.
'A Very Flattened Christmas' Review: A Wild Holiday Stoner Comedy
The holidays are typically a season of joyous celebration and time spent with loved ones. This is not the case in director Shane Wallace's stoner comedy A Very Flattened Christmas. Move over Frosty the Snowman, here comes an evil reindeer who is crushing the holiday spirit and leaving dead bodies in its tracks. The film is an obvious deviation from any traditional Christmas movie and confidently expresses its unique sense of dark humor through a solid b-horror visual style.
Madcap Holiday Horror
'Tis the season for death in this unconventional holiday thriller. Set in a rural part of America, a group of friends and co-workers at a local roadkill collection company encounter one animal they cannot rein in, and that is a camo pant-wearing, vengeful reindeer with an instinct to kill. The film opens with tension already rising between the employees, specifically Max (Key Tawn Toothman) and Rick (Jesse Bailey). Their banter escalates, but despite the foul energy it brings to the group, everyone seems to look forward to the annual company Christmas party. However, the life of a roadkill removal serviceman never stops. When duty calls to pick up animal remains on the highway, one employee agrees to squeeze in the quick trip before the party. Little did she know that a killer reindeer was waiting for her, hiding in plain sight, and ready to attack.
Dead bodies are mysteriously starting to pop up everywhere, leaving the roadkill crew in shock. Who–or what–is doing this? And why? What follows is a type of "Final Destination: Stoner Christmas" adventure that points the finger at some unsuspecting suspects.
An Unconventional Genre Film That Flips Christmas Spirit on its Head
A Very Flattened Christmas doesn't attempt to be anything other than campy and silly, and that's what makes it such a fun watch. Director Shane Wallace doesn't try too hard to pretend the killer reindeer isn't just a man in a poorly constructed reindeer mask, and that is hilarious. The performances are exaggerated and theatrical, leaning into self-satirizing and genre. It plays as if the gang from Scooby Doo were all grown up stoners (not just Shaggy). The colorful cast all have their moments to shine, with Key Tawn Toothman acting as the film's more sensible character.
Takeaway
If you're looking for an unconventional horror film that finds itself on the naughty list, A Very Flattened Christmas may be for you. It contains nudity, gore, violence, and many references to getting stoned. It's also a fever dream that has a demented reindeer playing a church organ, so there's that. And I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that this film has major cult potential.
'Cautionary Tale' Review: Art Imitates Life in This Intimate Story of Introspection
There is a common thread that runs through Cautionary Tale which is that it's never too late to follow your dreams. No one knows this better than director Christopher Zawadzki, who makes his feature-length debut with this highly emotional, music-led drama. Taking inspiration from his real-life experience living in Bangkok and befriending a local musician, the passion Zawadzki pours into this project does not go unnoticed. Set to beautifully crafted original songs, Cautionary Tale is a film worth diving into head first.
On Heartache and Healing
The film tells the story of Neil Kefalas (Ted Limpert), an American children's TV show host who struggles to regain a sense of identity after the loss of his daughter. Neil's passion for creating music died the day he lost his child, however, life goes on, and Neil is forced to make the best of an unimaginable situation. His current job, hosting the hit children's show "Cautionary Tales with Safety Sam" pays the bills but doesn't satisfy the soul. One day, the network tells Neil that a company in Bangkok recently bought the licensing rights to the show. He is expected to travel to Asia and play "Safety Sam" for a couple of weeks to familiarize their new audience with the character.
Shortly after arriving in Bangkok, Neil meets Bryce, an American expat who manages a bar. Sensing Neil's loneliness and interest in music, Bryce invites him to the bar to check out the resident house band. Instantly, Neil is impressed by a girl group cover band. He strikes up a sweet conversation with one of its members, Cherry (Napak Boonruang), and they make arrangements to meet up the next day to play music together. It's a wholesome pairing that brings out the best in each of them, and Neil becomes intoxicated by her positivity. For the first time in a long time, Neil's passion for music begins to resurface.
Zen Buddhism Offers a Fresh Start
Despite their shared love of music and budding friendship, Neil isn't forthcoming with Cherry about his tortured past. Since arriving in Bangkok, he has created a facade that his daughter is still alive and his career in the States is skyrocketing. The reality is that not only does Neil not want to be defined by his career, or lack thereof, but he is also not ready to say goodbye to his daughter. The truth seems impossible to admit until Neil begins to practice the art of Zen Buddhism and learning suffering is a part of life and unavoidable. Yet attachment only brings heartache. Most importantly, he comes to accept that nothing is forever. This new mindset gives Neil the strength to come clean about his circumstances to Cherry and Bryce, and only then are they able to build an authentic friendship.
Art Imitates Life in This Intimate Story of Introspection
Art imitates life in Cautionary Tale, as director Christopher Zawadzki drew inspiration from his time living in Bangkok. While there, he actually did become a fan of an all-girl band led by Napak Boonruang. In a full circle moment, Boonruang agreed to join the film and contribute her original music. Ted Limpert, who plays Neil, is Zawadzki's cousin. In addition to acting, he composed and performed the original score and songs, including the film's key climatic song "If You Can't Hear Me." Visually, Cautionary Tale shows off the very best of Bangkok with its natural beauty and sun-soaked afternoons.
Takeaway
The tagline of Cautionary Tale is simple, yet effective: A lesson well learned leads to a life well lived. For a feature film debut, director Christopher Zawadzki elicits a winning combination of resourcefulness and confidence. Cautionary Tale is a real joy to watch and its message of radical acceptance is a universal touchpoint.
Fantastic Fest 2024: 3 Films to Keep on Your Radar
After a week of watching boundary-pushing, bloody, and buzzy titles, Fantastic Fest wraps up today in Austin, Texas. Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the US. It showcases some of the best underground horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and action films. This festival is a special one. Every year, we are exposed to artistically-minded and thought-provoking cinema that celebrates new voices and new stories from filmmakers around the world. Kudos to the curators who continuously make Fantastic Fest a fantastic experience!
Below, check out the three films we saw and loved:
Apartment 7A
Coming to Paramount + on Friday, September 27th
Julia Garner leads this supernatural horror film about a promising dancer who suffers a career-ending injury. After breaking her ankle in a freak accident, Terry Gionoffrio (Garner) struggles to find a purpose. Dance was her identity and without it, she feels like a hopeless has-been. Then, she runs into a strange yet endearing older couple who quickly become surrogate parental figures. Minnie (Dianne Wiest) and Roman (Kevin McNally) Castevet are a soft-spoken, overly attentive couple who take an immediate liking to Terry. They offer her the vacant apartment next door to theirs while she heals her injury.
But strange occurrences begin once Terry moves into the apartment. She discovers mystery bruises appearing on intimate parts of her body with no recollection of what caused them and experiences terrible nightmares that blur the lines between reality and fiction. Worst of all, after unexpectedly becoming pregnant, Terry realizes that dark forces linger within the walls of this apartment. However, by the time she makes this discovery, it's already too late.
Apartment 7A solidifies Julia Garner as the Scream Queen for the new generation. Her performance demands many physical challenges. In addition to the typical horror nuances like exaggerated screaming and crying, Garner also demonstrates impressive tap and vaudeville performances. The story starts strong as a typical psychological horror film but takes a questionable turn nearly a third of the way through when it pivots to a "Hail Satan" level of religious horror. This bait and switch feels like a forced curveball and doesn't quite stick the landing. The ending, however, is redeeming and goes out with a bang that is sure to satisfy even the skeptics.
The Spirit of Halloweentown
Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year in the small Oregon town of St. Helens. Those familiar with the 1990s Disney Channel film Halloweentown may recognize the iconic streets that served as the backdrop to the cult classic. St. Helens residents are proud to continue serving this legacy, as seen in the documentary The Spirit of Halloweentown. Filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb (Jasper Mall, Butterfly in the Sky) descend on this picturesque town four weeks prior to its most beloved holiday, to interview the residents who have passionately embraced the Halloween spirit. Through colorful interviews conducted as a day in the life of various St. Helens residents, The Spirit of Halloween is an awkward and charming character study of the people who bring Halloween magic to life.
Enlisting a Danny Elfman-inspired score evokes a sense of lighthearted spookiness. It serves the film well, especially as Thomason and Whitcomb interview different St. Helens locals, including a dancer, a ghost hunter, and a new restaurant owner. At times, the film feels like a Tim & Eric skit due to the subjects' discomfort in being on camera, as well as various situations the filmmakers find themselves in. While a majority of the film is dedicated to the town's unwavering holiday spirit, the filmmakers also witness small-town drama. Examples include a patron who leaves a negative restaurant review on Facebook and a ghost hunter who believes he can locate the spirit of a young boy.
The Spirit of Halloweentown is a fun watch for this time of year. If you're in the Halloween spirit or want to relive it throughout the year, you won't want to miss The Spirit of Halloweentown.
A Fermenting Woman
Imagine The Bear was a disturbing, slow-burning thriller and you'll have a good idea of what to expect in A Fermenting Woman. Running 24 minutes long, the film follows a visionary chef and master fermenter Marielle Lau (Sook-Yin Lee) who navigates pending unemployment by the new owners of her restaurant. Desperate to save her job, Marielle develops a new dish with an unusual ingredient that she hopes will save her from the chopping block. The ingredient may be organic, but it's bloody disgusting.
The secret? Marielle's menstrual blood. She mixes it in the meat and fermented vegetables, and then eagerly awaits the reaction from a colleague. His comment, "funkier than expected", sent chills down my body. A Fermenting Woman is not for the weak of stomach. Things get even more grotesque as the jar she stores her menstrual blood in gives birth to a creature that resembles a steak with a beating heart. Convinced that this is the dish that will save her career, she serves it to the restaurant's new owners.
Directed by Priscilla Galvez, A Fermenting Woman is a bold and truly unforgettable film. It plays in the same cinematic universe as the early Yorgos Lanthimos film Dogtooth. Galvez's use of framing, and her direction for the score and sound design, are the key elements that stand out in this wildly weird short film. If you can stomach it, definitely seek out A Fermenting Woman.
'Saturday Night' Review: This Comedy of Errors Deserves a Standing Ovation
In his latest film Saturday Night, director Jason Reitman reminds us why we should all want to stay in on the weekends. Re-tracing the chaotic hour and a half before the live airing of NBC's inaugural episode of SNL, Saturday Night is a full-throttle, non-stop whiplash of hilarity and hijinks. Be prepared to laugh so hard it hurts as you relive one of TV's most historic and hectic nights.
The Countdown to a Riotous Revolution
Nearly 50 years ago, a young group of misfit comedians and writers changed the trajectory of television forever. Saturday Night begins at 10:00 pm, when Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) arrives at 30 Rockefeller Center for the final dress rehearsal of his new show. Immediately, chaos envelops him. There's a llama in the loading bay, John Belushi still hasn't signed his contract, the stagehands are stoned, scripts are being neutered by the NBC compliance officer, and the lighting director just quit. To put it mildly, it's a disaster.
To top it off, the cast is out of control. The combined untamed energy of Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O'Brien), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris) and John Belushi (Matt Wood) is enough to make Lorne combust with anxiety. But there is not enough time to panic. With NBC executive David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) expecting perfection and rival funnyman Johnny Carson (voiced by Jeff Witzke) expecting failure, Lorne Michaels can only do one thing: trust his instincts. And right now, his instincts are telling him that this ragtag troupe of performers will somehow be able to pull it all together just before the clock strikes 11:30 pm.
Pitch Perfect Casting Brings This Biopic to Life
An accurate recounting of true events, Saturday Night is a phenomenal showcase of cinematic symbiosis firing on all cylinders. This historical biopic is not a deep dive into any particular character, not even creator and showrunner Lorne Michaels. Saturday Night is a true ensemble comedy that runs like a well-oiled, coked-up machine. Sure, the hyperbolic moments are exaggerated, but then again, so was the real-time activity taking place in Studio 8H of 30 Rock.
The film's biggest selling point is, without a doubt, the cast. When taking notes during the screening, there were multiple points when I hurriedly jotted down "SPOT ON" when commenting on Gilda's hairstyle, Belushi's eyebrows, and Chevy's tonal inflection. How casting director John Papsidera found these up-and-coming actors who can fully (and I mean fully) embody these comedy legends is nothing short of a perfect match. In addition to the main SNL cast, notable standouts include Nicholas Braun's portrayal of both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Nicholas Podany as Billy Crystal.
Set to an electrifyingly uptempo and jazzy score by Jon Batiste, who also has a cameo role as the show's first musical guest Billy Preston, the soundtrack is a key component to Saturday Night's identity. It's no surprise that the score is heavily influenced by the SNL stage band. The music's bright saxophone and larger-than-life percussion act as the film's heartbeat throughout. The artisanship in front of and behind the camera is on full display here. The incredible casting and the zingy one-liners are outstanding achievements that make this film an unmissable watch.
Takeaway
"What kind of name is Saturday Night?" the puzzled NBC executive asks Lorne Michaels, noting the seemingly bland choice for the series title. However, director Jason Reitman is more keen on answering a different question: What kind of feeling is Saturday Night? Saturday Night is an homage to the spirit of creating art for art's sake and a testament to the freedom of expression. Despite the SNL we know today feeling lightyears away from the scrappy, turbulent, and drug-riddled frenzy it originated as, it continues to remain a place for the misfits to call home. And as an SNL fan let me tell you, there's no place like home.
'Bananahead' Review: An Aspiring Actor Falls Into a Stylish Fever Dream
An aspiring actor ends up starring in her own living nightmare in the horror short film, Bananahead. Selected to screen at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival, Bananahead comes from the mind of writer-director Christopher Greenslate. Inspired by personal conversations he had when meeting lead actor Sally Maersk, Greenslate tackles the theme of toxic expectations, a prevalent occurrence within the pressure cooker in the Hollywood film industry.
Following in Her Mother's Mysterious Footsteps
Andi Sanger (Maersk) is an aspiring actor whose reputation precedes her. The daughter of a famous author who mysteriously disappeared two years ago, Andi understands that, while she may get attention from her last name, her talent is what will ultimately book her roles. Luckily, there is one upcoming audition she knows she will nail. It's the lead in the film "Bananahead", a feature adaptation of her late mother's bestselling book.
Andi's audition comes at a busy time in her life. She is also in the middle of renovating her grandmother's house, which she has recently moved into with her boyfriend. One night, Andi stumbles upon a mysterious room that seems to turn her manifestations of fame and stardom into reality. This room is a fantasyland that plays out her deepest desires. Andi watches in awe, as she witnesses the life she's dreamed about. But then, she wakes up.
Life continues to go on as normal. That is, until Andi starts having bizarre night terrors and unexplainable sickness. When she initially entered the mysterious room, Andi was amazed that she could see her future playing out in front of her. But she soon realizes that by unlocking this dream scenario, she has also unlocked a haunting legacy, a psychodrama wherein she's the lead, and also may not survive.
A Stylish, 24-Minute Psychological Horror Film
Bananahead is an ambitious psychological horror film that does the most with its runtime and leading actor. Sally Maersk takes on many different roles and her performance is charged and captivating in each one. From a craft perspective, deciding to transition from square 1:1 framing to horizontal 16:9, once Andi enters the mysterious room, is a creative choice that serves the story well. At the same time Andi enters this new dimension, so does the audience. Director Christopher Greenslate also plays around with color in fresh ways. The mysterious room enlists pastel hues of orange and pink pastels while the moments on the "Bananahead" film set are captured in black and white.
Takeaway
A stylish fever dream inspired by common experiences between creatives, Bananahead is a cautionary tale about chasing fame and the expectations of one's legacy.
'My Old Ass' Review: A Mushroom Trip Leads to an Uncanny Discovery
In 2021, Megan Park made her directorial debut at SXSW with The Fallout. The drama, starring Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler, went on to win the festival's top honor, the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature. Three years later, Park returns with another festival darling in her sophomore film, My Old Ass. Featuring a delightfully deadpan Aubrey Plaza and rising star Maisy Stella, My Old Ass premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to near-universal audience admiration before it was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios for $15 million.
A Life-Changing Mushroom Trip Leads to an Uncanny Discovery
Elliott (Stella) is counting down the last days of summer at home before relocating to the big city for college. On the evening of her 18th birthday, Elliott and a couple of friends celebrate her impending adulthood by camping. They bring with them a plastic baggie of mushrooms that are all but guaranteed to induce a psychedelic trip. Elliott doesn't immediately feel the effects and is convinced she is immune to the drug. That is until she comes face to face–literally–with her future self. Sitting next to 18-year-old Elliott is 39-year-old Elliott (Plaza), whose words of wisdom and foreboding messages about what to expect in her future become all too much.
Watch My Old Ass here.
Both intrigued and horrified, Elliott eventually begins to humor her future self's warnings, whom she endearingly calls her "old ass". The most simplistic of the requests: stay away from a boy named Chad. It seems easy enough. But when she eventually bumps into a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed stranger who introduces himself as Chad (Percy Hynes White), her intentions get muddy with desire. Everything becomes complicated until Elliott comes to the realization that she only has one life, and she wants to live it to the fullest.
A Modern-Day Coming-of-Age Story
My Old Ass has many classic coming-of-age tropes that audiences will find comforting, like the journey of self-discovery and the butterflies of a first love. The film strikes the right balance between these nostalgic moments and more progressive themes, like navigating a fluid sexual identity. Director Megan Park crafts an honest, heartfelt story that also encapsulates a sense of freshness. The film's comedic leanings offer a charming examination of young adulthood.
Maisy Stella commands the screen as the angsty adolescent with a heart of gold. Her naturalness onscreen against comedy veteran Aubrey Plaza is impressive, giving a wise beyond-her-years aura. For her part as the titular "old ass," Plaza is expectedly great. Her dialogue delivery hits every humorous inflection point and even offers us a curve ball during the final scene's more emotional moments. My only complaint is that I wish we had more of her! Plaza only appears in two scenes, albeit very pivotal ones, but I selfishly wanted her presence to linger throughout the film.
Takeaway
A feel-good comedy that will leave audiences reminiscing about the good ol' days, My Old Ass checks the box as another homerun from filmmaker Megan Park. The film ends on a heartwarming, slightly melancholy note, serving as a reminder that love is a gift, uncertainty is unavoidable, and the only thing you can't get back is time, so it is important to appreciate the moment.
'The Substance' Review: Vanity Fares Poorly in this Multi-Sensory Stunner
Youth is a hot commodity in Hollywood. Once you lose it, you can never get it back. Everyone ages, of course, but if you're a fading A-List celebrity, one forehead wrinkle can be the difference between bankable and broke. In the erotically-charged body horror film, The Substance, French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat explores the toxic repercussions of ageism and body image. Bordering on fetishism when it comes to the film industry's obsession with beauty, Fargeat's latest work takes a stand against this demoralizing, anti-feminist treatment of women's bodies. In the ultimate power move, The Substance is a graphic and gory cinematic rallying cry that aims to upend the effects of toxic beauty culture.
Comparison is the Thief of Happiness
Demi Moore plays Elizabeth Sparkle, a Jane Fonda-type who has made a career for herself as an actor-turned-fitness personality. Despite having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her own aerobic morning show, Elizabeth knows her time in the spotlight is running out. She sees her life begin to play out in the past tense, picking up on the not-so-subtle cues from her boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), like "you were great". Despite her legendary status in the industry, she can't avoid the inevitable. She will be aged out of Hollywood. If becoming old makes one invisible, regaining youth is the only way to feel desired. Luckily, there's a drug for that.
Watch The Substance trailer here.
A chance encounter leads Elizabeth to discover a miracle drug that claims to be the fountain of youth. One injection of "the substance" is all it takes for her to become reborn as the gorgeous, twenty-something Sue (Margaret Qualley). Blinded by this promise of a younger self, Elizabeth acquires and injects the neon-green liquid into her body. After a demonic exorcism-like process, Sue is born and she is beautiful. Her long limbs, silky hair, and clear porcelain skin stand in stark contrast to Elizabeth's aging body.
Taking the substance comes with a non-negotiable rule: Remember, you are one. Therefore, the time between Elizabeth and Sue needs to be split equally. For one week, the world gets Elizabeth, the next week they get Sue. While the women take turns as sentient beings, their counterpart lays unconscious on the bathroom floor, being fed through a tube until it's time to wake up. Things go according to plan, in the beginning at least. Both Elizabeth and Sue are respectful of the schedule and Sue quickly becomes Hollywood's budding darling. The divide between Elizabeth's hopelessness and resentment and Sue's optimism and success escalates, eventually reaching a breaking point. What follows is a multi-sensory monstrosity as both women battle to break free from their repression and regain control of their womanhood.
A Visionary Feat, On-Screen and Off
Behind the riotous visual elements of The Substance, director Coralie Fargeat crafts a deeply personal message that resonates. It is depressing to see a woman, as beautiful as Demi Moore, give up on her life all because she is getting older. The film is satirical and unhinged in its exploration of this theme, yet I couldn't help but still feel a sadness toward women who feel ashamed of their bodies in this way. Portraying Elizabeth Sparkle is Demi Moore's latest crowning achievement. Her theatrical skills and comedic timing are on full display and are especially mesmerizing toward the film's second half. Margaret Qualley as Sue is another perfect casting choice. Her shift from a Bambi-like demeanor to a greedy it-girl is methodical and devilishly fun to watch.
Amplifying the onscreen visuals are a pitch-perfect score and sound design. What starts as slightly campy in tone, the sound eventually morphs into a hypnotic and brutal sonic experience. ASMR tingles, especially at the very beginning of the film, add another layer of full-body chills.
Takeaway
As the credits rolled after nearly two and a half hours, my jaw was practically on the floor. What had I just witnessed?! The last time I had a similar reaction was when I saw Titane, the provocative body horror film by Julia Ducournau (and, ironically, another French filmmaker). With The Substance, Coralie Fargeat cements herself as a new visionary and bold voice in modern cinema. The Substance is defiant, deranged, and demonic... and I loved every bloody second of it. It is the most fun I've had watching a movie all year!
'Winner' Review: A Story of Political Scandal (Based on Reality)
Over the past two years, a handful of interpretations have told the story of America's most unusual vigilante with the equally unusual name, Reality Winner. In 2023, Sydney Sweeney starred in the hybrid drama-documentary, Reality, which used actual police transcripts as its script. Later that year, Sonia Kennebeck directed the documentary Reality Winner, which included exclusive access to Reality herself, and was conducted over five years. It would seem like audiences may have gotten their fill of the girl with the remarkable name, but in Winner, Susanna Fogel's more comedic take on the matter is a refreshing and welcomed entry into the Reality Winner cinematic universe.
Reality Winner: Traitor or Hero
Reality (Emilia Jones) is a wise-beyond-her-years misfit who has never been satisfied with the status quo. She lives in Texas with her mom (Connie Britton), dad (Zach Galifianakis), and sister (Kathryn Newton). Her interests have always extended well beyond her high school classroom, and ultimately as far as the global stage. Upon graduating, the 18-year-old ditches any college plans to enroll in the U.S. Air Force. Reality's passion and expertise in the field of language translation make her a hot commodity for government positions. She quickly excels to a position as an NSA contractor. Here, she spends her days translating the Afghani language of Pashto into English to detect threats to the US.
One afternoon, triggered by an outburst by former President Donald Trump regarding election fraud, Reality decides this is the moment for her to take matters into her own hands. She knowingly accesses and sends out a set of classified documents to a political journalist that contradicts Trump's rhetoric, hopeful that the steps she took to conceal her identity will be enough. As we now know, it wasn't enough, and Reality is caught and sentenced to years in prison.
Turns Out, Espionage is a Laughing Matter
Winner's success comes from its light comedy, which garners laughs from many sharp one-liners. Emilia Jones makes for a convincing Reality, her voice-over narration lands perfectly between naive and smart-aleck. The rest of the performances are short but sweet, aiding instead of scene-stealing. As the film's visionary, Susanna Fogel brings a youthfulness and energy to a story we have never seen before. Fogel crafts Winner as an enigma that has yet to be completely figured out. She pays equal attention to the whistleblowing plotline as she does to Reality's personal life, including her family and romantic relationships.
Takeaway
It's true that Winner may not add a lot of new information to the existing conversation. However, Susanna Fogel preserves the themes of morality and justice. Bi-partisan in its agenda, Winner is an offensive, fun, and entertaining film about one of America's infamous whistleblowers.
John Gürtler, Jan Miserre Debut Track from Sony Pictures Classics 'The Outrun'
In the Saoirse Ronan-led drama The Outrun, award-winning composers John Gürtler and Jan Miserre craft a score so deeply immersive that it feels like the closest thing you can get to experiencing the natural elements without stepping outside. The duo creates a beautiful sonic tapestry that delicately drapes Nora Fingscheidt's festival darling by capturing the wild beauty of Scotland's picturesque landscapes. Blending harp, strings, flute, and double bass clarinet with modular synthesizers and drones, Gürtler and Miserre's unique approach to the film score can be enjoyed in its entirety when the soundtrack is released via Decca Records on Friday, September 13th.
A Festival Darling
Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir of the same name, The Outrun is a raw and honest depiction of addiction and recovery. After a decade away in London, 29-year-old Rona (Saoirse Ronan) returns home to the Scottish Orkney Islands. Sober but lonely, she tries to suppress her memory of the events that set her on this journey of recovery. Slowly the mystical land enters her inner world and – one day at a time – Rona finds hope and strength in herself among the heavy gales and the bracingly cold sea. The film made its World Premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.
Cinemacy is proud to premiere "The Long Way Home" from The Outrun (Original Soundtrack), below:
The Unique Inspiration Behind the Score
The nearly five-minute-long track starts gently before building into an epic horn and string soliloquy. As if Rona's suppression of memories finally bursts wide open, the song reaches a fever pitch around the 3:30 mark before settling into a calm resting place. Unlike traditional productions, The Outrun editors and producers didn't use any temp tracks. This could have easily swayed the composers' approach to the score. Instead, they booked early recording sessions to develop authentic recordings that guided the film’s musical direction.
Says Gürtler and Miserre of the inspiration behind the score: "During script development, Nora [director] added the idea of Rona [Ronan] conducting the weather, symbolizing Rona reconnecting with herself and the natural world around her. The idea was to maintain the feeling of ecstasy Rona experienced in a London club. But this time standing atop a cliff in the wind, with giant waves crashing around her. At the same time, it was clear that all the mystical tales and harsh realities of Rona’s experience should converge in a forgiving and hopeful manner. The title “The Long Way Home” came to me before this moment was written into the script, but it held up well for this scene."
About John Gürtler and Jan Miserre
John Gürtler and Jan Miserre are award-winning composers known for their collaborative work in film music. John Gürtler, a London-born, Berlin-based multi-instrumentalist, is recognized for his ability to create diverse and emotionally resonant scores. He received the European Film Award for his work on Nora Fingscheidt’s “System Crasher”. Jan Miserre, from Erlangen, Bavaria, was influenced by his jazz saxophonist father and began playing piano at age four. He studied Jazz Piano at the University of Arts in Berlin. Miserre has received several awards, including the GEMA Musik Author’s Prize for New Talent and the German Documentary Music Award.
Together, Gürtler and Miserre focus on international co-productions, often working on projects from their base in Berlin. Their diverse backgrounds and collaborative energy create compelling scores for film and television, earning them widespread acclaim and numerous awards.
Pre-order the soundtrack here.
'Dirty Laundry' Review: Hard Truths Are Revealed in This Magical Coming of Age Comedy
Dirty Laundry, the feature film written and directed by Rocky Walls, offers a nostalgic nod to male friendship. Set in 1997, the film stars Mitchell Wray and Charlie Schultz as two teenagers navigating a life event when their relationship is tested supernaturally. Delightfully similar to Freaky Friday in its story arc and resolution, Dirty Laundry tells a heartfelt story full of authenticity. Due to its relatability surrounding coming-of-age themes, it's the perfect film for adolescents, especially those entering high school.
A Nostalgic Nod to the 90s
The film opens with a montage that feels extracted from a 90s rom-com. The pop-rock soundtrack hits all the right notes and sets the stage for our protagonists, Kyle (Wray) and Eric (Schultz). It's a Thursday night, which to them means only one thing: It's time to call their bi-weekly business meeting at the local laundromat to order. Every other Thursday is laundry night, and the boys use that time to work on their developing business plan.
Watch the Dirty Laundry trailer here.
On this night, they encounter a woman who offers unsolicited life advice and leaves them with a parting gift as a spell. Once she leaves, the boys realize her magic spell has removed their lying ability. Kyle and Eric have fun with this newfound power, asking each other questions and knowing they will get the truth. However, the lightheartedness turns into a make-it-or-break-it moment when some hard truths are shared that threaten to disrupt their friendship.
Takeaway
Truth and friendship can never be fully separated in Dirty Laundry, whose title also refers to the secrets we all harbor within ourselves. Filmmaker Rocky Walls uses trust as the cornerstone of this sentimental coming-of-age film, and the result is a timeless story about the power of friendship. Dirty Laundry may not be a big blockbuster with an infinite budget, but it is a charming, small-scale production that is sure to relate to younger audiences.
'Seeking Mavis Beacon' Review: On Being Lost & Found in the Digital Age
If you were born in the early 80s, there's a good chance you're familiar with the name Mavis Beacon. Her beautiful smile graced the cover of "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing!", a software game used to assist middle school-aged children in becoming fluent in computer literacy. Many remember her as an icon and a symbol of excellence, with Oprah, Obama, and Wendy Williams singing her praises. But the shocking truth we come to learn in the hybrid documentary, Seeking Mavis Beacon, is that this legendary figure never actually existed.
The Woman Who Never Existed
Avid Mavis Beacon fangirl and filmmaker Jazmin Jones enlists her friend, Olivia Ross, a cyber security wunderkind and self-described "cyber doula", to investigate the disappearance of the woman they affectionately call the "The Aunt Jemima of Technology". Working out of a shared warehouse space in West Oakland, the young women embark on a years-long investigation to locate the most recognizable woman in technology, who had been out of the public eye for 26 years. After thorough "e-detective" work, they are stunned to discover that their beloved hero is a result of collective misremembering, better known as the Mandela Effect.
Upon further discovery, they confirm that Mavis Beacon was never a real person. Three middle-aged white men created the character, and the woman behind the facade is a Caribbean-born former high fashion model named Renee L’esperance. This bombshell throws Jazmin and Olivia for a loop, and they quickly pivot their search toward Renee. Who was she? Where is she now? And most importantly, does she want to be found?
Watch the Seeking Mavis Beacon trailer here.
Does the Right to Privacy Exist in the Digital Age?
Seeking Mavis Beacon starts as an engaging investigative documentary but slowly morphs into a cultural examination of ethical journalism, digital privacy, and the right to have one's story told on one's own terms. Renee L’esperance never makes an appearance in the documentary, which is a disappointing conclusion for audiences and I'm sure even more so for the filmmaker. However, her unwillingness to participate in the film and protect her privacy serves as a fitting reminder that you can't always control the narrative.
Another perspective that Seeking Mavis Beacon takes is the cultural impact Mavis Beacon continues to have in the tech world today. Her creation predates Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, leading us to question why all tech caregivers seem to be female. Further still, the film questions why Mavis was written as a Black woman. Was it an effort to address cultural inclusion, or was it the result of the coded gaze? It's an important observation, especially given the fact that most coders and programmers continue to be white men.
Takeaway
It's obvious that Seeking Mavis Beacon is a passion project through and through. Jazmin and Olivia are insightful and personable protagonists. Their side quests are charming, even if they don't always serve the plot. At times, however, the film feels slightly off-balance. It tends to overcompensate with a focus on the women's personal lives as much as on their mission to find Mavis. Perhaps they felt the need to pad the film with these unrelated moments to make up for not being able to include Renee. While this isn't distracting, the edit could have been a little tighter and the runtime cut by at least 10 minutes.
Jazmin and Olivia have accomplished their mission. They located Mavis but Mavis didn't want to be found. While not quite the Hollywood ending, Seeking Mavis Beacon is a fascinating journey and conversation starter about privacy in the digital age.
'My First Film' Review: A Meta Retelling of a Failed Film Shoot
My First Film is an experience unlike any other, where the boundaries of life and art imitate each other so closely that it's hard to tell where reality stops and fiction begins. Centered around a retelling of history from personal experiences, filmmaker Zia Anger draws inspiration from her past, and the failed development of what would have been her debut film. Channeling that heartache and frustration into artistic expression, Anger dramatizes her experience into this true feature debut, aptly titled My First Film.
An Indie Film Descends Into Chaos
"This probably shouldn't be a film..." says Vita (Odessa Young) as she types on her computer. Narrating through voiceover, the young filmmaker, meant to resemble director Zia Anger, sets the stage for the difficult journey we the audience are about to embark on with her. She speaks in hindsight, as most of the film takes place 15 years earlier. Vita recounts having to beg, borrow, and steal to get $5,000 to make her semi-autobiographical first feature. Nothing was going to get in her way of making this movie. Well, almost nothing.
Watch My First Film trailer here.
Fifteen years earlier: Energetic and brimming with passion, Vita assembles a group of friends to help her shoot the semi-autobiographical film, "Always All Ways, Anne Marie", a story about a young woman from a small town who gets pregnant and decides to leave home. A novice director in every sense of the word, Vita's eagerness can't compensate for her inexperience. Through no fault of anyone in particular, except for maybe the stoner crew members, the indie production quickly descends into chaos. On-set tension with her friend and lead actress Dina (Devon Ross) makes their relationship uncomfortable. Her well-meaning but distraction-prone boyfriend causes many derailments, which only increases Vita's resentment toward him. And when a near-fatal accident threatens one of the key cast members, Vita knows her dream project has officially unraveled and appears lost forever.
Set to an Abstract Score by Perfume Genius
Anyone who has spent time on a film set, professionally or in college, will feel nostalgic watching My First Film. Zia Anger captures those small but essential moments, when you're low on sleep, short on money, and spending hours a day hanging with friends. It's a magical time that doesn't come without its complications, including relationship dynamics. Perfume Genius (Michael Alden Hadreas) lends his whimsical artistry to the score as the film's composer. The breathiness and light vocals further contribute to the film's overall sense of intimacy.
Takeaway
Zia Anger touches on a deeply personal and sensitive moment in her life in My First Film. It feels cathartic to watch, and I can only imagine how therapeutic it was to make. Much like how Dina expresses herself in ways that Vita is afraid to, Vita acts as a vessel for Anger to explore deep, unearthed emotions. My First Film is a reflective critique of artistic truth. Through intricate and fearless storytelling, this labor of love stands as a powerful statement from an exciting director we should keep on our radar.
'Antarctic Voyage' Review: The Wildlife Inhabiting a Remote Island
Nature and science intersect in the documentary Antarctic Voyage, a fascinating exploration of animal life in one of Earth's least explored locations. Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Schreck takes audiences on a journey at sea as he documents a 2024 biological research expedition to the remote island of South Georgia at the top of the Antarctic convergence in the Southern Ocean.
A Fascinating Study of Remote Seabirds
Scientific consultant and field biologist, Dr. Samantha Monier, acts as the guide throughout the film's 48-minute runtime. She and her crew travel for days to reach their South Georgia Island destination, often considered one of the most remote and biodiverse places on Earth. Surrounded by ice and icebergs the size of apartment buildings (and that's just what's visible from the sea surface), the beauty of the island is breathtaking. Once Dr. Monier plants her feet on the icy ground, she gets to work on her research. During her weeks-long stay on the island, she will be studying predator associations between marine mammals and seabirds around the island.
It doesn't take long to see incredible and natural wonders play out in front of her and the camera. We catch glimpses of albatross soaring over the ocean's surface, with a wingspan of 12 feet, they are among the largest flying birds alive today. Another species native to this island is a carnivorous duck whose preferred meals of penguins are tough to stomach as a viewer. While the animals are charming and (mostly) cute, the landscape is dazzling in its own right. Stunning sunsets, crystal clear waters, and magnificent glaciers shine, providing a fairytale backdrop to this advanced research. However, aside from its beauty, the images also serve as a stark reminder that these elements are currently threatened by the effects of global warming.
Part Modern-Day Adventure Film, Part Visual Tone Poem
Antarctic Voyage is billed as part modern-day adventure film and part visual tone poem. Interestingly, the film does feel operatic at times, especially when leaning into the more abstract montages of birds flying overhead and water splashing below. It doesn't have the same production resources as, say, a David Attenborough documentary but the limited budget gives Antarctic Voyage a more cinéma vérité quality. Unconventionally approachable for a science-based film, the documentary proves that a good story stands out despite budgetary constraints.
Takeaway
Whether you are an avid ocean and animal advocate or just enjoy a documentary that sparks curiosity, Antarctic Voyage is a journey worth taking. It's hard not to feel inspired after witnessing the polar region's majestic wildlife, and feel gratitude for the explorers who dedicate their lives to preserving and understanding our fragile, natural world.