'North Hollywood' Review: A Coming of Age Film on Skate Life
Hollywood is the epicenter of pursuing dreams. People flock there from all over the world for the small chance to make it in the entertainment industry. Just beyond the hills of Mount Hollywood – away from the infamous walk of fame and the boulevard's bright lights – is North Hollywood, a place often left out of the conversation (since it is in the valley, after all). In his directorial debut, filmmaker and skater Mikey Alfred shows that North Hollywood is also a breeding ground for dreamers and doers.
Expression
If you're familiar with the world of skateboarding, you've probably heard of Mikey Alfred. Mikey is the founder of skate crew & company Illegal Civ and served as co-producer on Jonah Hill's directorial debut Mid90s (A24). Sticking to what he knows best, Mikey's film tells the story of Michael (Ryder McLaughlin), a high school senior who wants to pursue his dream of becoming a professional skater instead of following the college status quo, much to the detest of his father (Vince Vaughn). His friends (Nico Hiraga and Na-Kel Smith) encourage his nonlinear path but when Michael gets caught up in a relationship with his longtime crush Rachel (Miranda Cosgrove), he starts to doubt what is the best move for him. The film feels like Mikey's own coming-of-age story, an extremely personal, slice of life film that will no doubt resonate with Gen Z audiences, and especially fans of Illegal Civ.
Expression: 4 out of 5 stars
Daring
Putting professional skaters in front of a camera and calling "action" is a risk in and of itself (I say that from experience). But Mikey's faith in his cast is strong and they deliver. Of course, they're not aiming for Oscar recognition but the entire cast, including Blake Anderson, Euphoria's Angus Cloud, and even Mid90s' Sunny Suljic, all bring an authentic and fun energy to their roles. It's also a blast to see Mikey incorporate a good amount of skate footage into the film like kickflips, ramps tricks, and plenty of fails. After all, he is working with an insanely talented and stellar crew.
Daring: 3 out of 5 stars
Craft
North Hollywood is backed by some pretty legit producers and exec producers, including Pharrell Williams, Noah Centineo, and Mimi Valdés to name a few. Their experience enhances Mikey's signature blend of classic Hollywood cinema and youth culture. It's a fairly traditional comedy/drama but considering the fact that 26-year-old Mikey wrote and directed the film, it's a huge achievement.
Daring: 3 out of 5 stars
Impact
Has a movie like this been made hundreds of times over? Sure. But what's unique about North Hollywood is the genuine authenticity that illuminates from the screen. These aren't your typical "too cool for school" skater boys, Michael is an insecure nerdy type who suffers from hormonal acne and still gets grounded by his dad. The characters here are aspirational skate rats, and that's a term I never thought I'd say.
Impact: 3 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
If you're looking for a less "ultra-hipster" version of Mid90s, I recommend taking a peek at North Hollywood. At its core, the film is a universal message of fighting for a dream; whether that dream is running a board room or pushing a skateboard, aiming for a future that we want is something we should all aspire towards.
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars
Distributed by Brainstorm Media, 'North Hollywood' is currently streaming on VOD.
'The Me You Can't See' Review: Prince Harry and Oprah Talk Mental Health Struggles
Co-produced by Oprah and Prince Harry, The Me You Can't See is a documentary series comprised of hour-long episodes that go into intimate detail about their struggles with mental health and just how universal these feelings of helplessness and sadness are. This series is important, personal, and now available to stream on Apple TV+.
Expression
This is by far one of the most heartfelt and vulnerable series that is currently streaming on platforms today. I couldn't get through the first episode without feeling my throat start to tighten up and my eyes start to water from the pure courage it took to lay their emotions bare (and inviting criticism in the process). Seeing how some of the most powerful people in entertainment put on brave faces and pretend like everything's ok, when in reality they're struggling to make it through the day, is heartbreaking. The series also shares the personal journeys of other public figures, including Lady Gaga, with more to be included throughout the various episodes.
Expression: 5 out of 5 stars
Daring
This series is one that needed to be made; it's only a shame that it took until now to do so. The topic of mental health has taken on more importance over the last year when isolation and loneliness was universally felt at an all-time high. Throughout their candid sit down conversation, Prince Harry and Oprah explain how 2020 put a mirror in front of the grief that was already present in so many people, and their goal for the series is to shine a light on the "invisible injury" that is mental health.
Daring: 4 out of 5 stars
Craft
Technically speaking, The Me You Can't See is a very traditional docu-series and visually, it can almost be confused for a 20/20 special. It relies heavily on the "talking heads" style of interview but when the talking heads are Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey, we don't mind so much. The first episode is broken up into five chapters that highlight different people dealing with their own mental health struggles, none of which are alike. It's a safe narrative structure, the driving force here isn't the cinematic achievements but they stories they propel.
Craft: 2 out of 5 stars
Impact
Everyone who connects to this series in one way or another should feel comforted by the fact that we are all kindred spirits with struggles and insecurities of our own. Acting as a starting point towards collective healing and understanding, The Me You Can't See proves that everyone is carrying some sort of emotional baggage that goes undetected. We shouldn't go through life alone and with The Me You Can't See, now we don't have to.
Impact: 3 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
Whether or not you thought Oprah's March tell-all interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was eye-opening (or eye-rolling), there is more to be discovered in their latest TV collaboration that aims to show the softer, more vulnerable side of these media moguls. It's a series that should be embraced with an open mind and free of preconceived judgements.
Conclusion: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Me You Can't See is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Listen To Benjamin Woodgates's Track From 'Dream Horse'
Benjamin Woodgates may be young but his resume reads like that of a seasoned pro. In addition to making his debut feature film score in the Toni Collette-starring drama Dream Horse, Benjamin has also orchestrated music for a wide range of films and TV programs including Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
He's even adapted Jonny Greenwood’s Phantom Thread score for the film’s UK premiere with the London Contemporary Orchestra, as well as created arrangements for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, just to name a few of his many accomplishments.
In this exclusive track premiere that we are excited to share, Benjamin Woodgates proves once again that he's professionally wise beyond his years as he elegantly captures the sounds of optimism in director Euros Lyn's Dream Horse (in theaters this Friday).
Dream Horse tells the true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by small-town Welsh bartender Jan Vokes (Toni Collette), who dreams of entering into prestigious competitions. With the support of her community and determination to achieve a goal, Jan's inspirational journey takes her and Dream to the Welsh Grand National, proving that anything is possible with hard work and a little luck.
To capture the Jan's evolving unity with the beloved race horse, Benjamin got creative: he assembled a mix of instruments including an old upright piano, a harmonium, a fiddle, and an accordion which, when initially played together, resulted in wheezy, clunky, and jagged-edged melodies. However, as the characters' bond grows closer together, so does the sound of the ensemble of instruments. In "Let Him Run," whimsically frenetic orchestral strings transport us into the film's center of gravity where emotional tension is high and the impossible seems to actually be within reach.
On working with director Euros Lyn, Benjamin says, "[He] and I worked closely together to create the musical blueprint for this score, meeting regularly in the cutting room in Cardiff and picking up the phone to bounce ideas back and forth. Euros is an accomplished musician himself but made a point of communicating through dramatic and emotional ideas rather than using musical terminology so that we could build a musical language from the ground up.”
Bleecker Street Media is releasing 'Dream Horse' in the U.S. on Friday, May 21 and in the U.K. Friday, June 4, and Decca Records is releasing the OST on Friday, May 21, 2021.
'The Killing of Two Lovers' Review: Crackles With Dread, Until it Doesn't
In The Killing of Two Lovers, written and directed by Robert Machoian, a middle-aged man named David (Clayne Crawford) desperately tries to keep his family of six together during an amicable separation from his wife, Nikki (Sepideh Moafi). Even though they both initially agreed they could see other people, David can't control his hurt towards his wife's new relationship and doesn't hold back in expressing his male agro-rage.
Expression
Similar to how Marriage Story felt like a personal catharsis of sorts for director Noah Baumbach, The Killing of Two Lovers feels like familiar territory to director Robert Machoian. Full of heartache and angst, this character-driven drama tells a modern story of untraditional boundaries within a relationship and the complexities that come with veering from the status quo.
The film buzzes with electricity, Clayne Crawford is a firecracker who knows exactly when to unleash his emotional load or hold back and keep his vulnerabilities close to the vest. Crawford is the breakout from this Sundance-selected film, and I'm excited to see what kind of role he takes on next.
Expression: 4 out of 5 stars
Daring
What sets this film apart from other relationship dramas is that the suspense and tension comes from what we don't see on screen, mainly due to the use (and overuse) of long takes (more later). Robert Machoian's script forces the viewer to use their imagination as to the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the other characters in the film since we see the story unfold directly through the eyes of the protagonist David.
Although it can feel biased at times, it's an interesting directorial choice which earned Machoian a nomination for the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
Daring: 2 out of 5 stars
Craft
Robert Machoian seems to really like the "long take" technique, as he falls back on this shooting style a little too often throughout the film. The first couple of uses are mesmerizing as we follow David running down a snow-lined street, or watch David drive his truck down the highway to catch up with his wife's new boyfriend, or watch David and his kids set off mini-rockets, or... you get the idea.
This observational aesthetic would have been more impactful if used more sparingly. Nevertheless, the scenes are gorgeous and cinematographer Oscar Ignacio Jiménez creates a boundless cinematic landscape to fall in love with, almost on par with Nomadland. The soundscape is also noteworthy; much of the film's tension comes from quick cues and eerily ambiguous sounds.
Craft: 3 out of 5 stars
Impact
For as much as The Killing of Two Lovers feels like a never-ending upward swing of emotional chaos, ultimately and unfortunately, it is met with a lackluster ending. After investing an hour and a half into this messy and complicated family, I was hoping for an ending that fit the bill. But that's life– unpredictable and sometimes: disappointing.
Impact: 2 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
While it wasn't as hard-hitting or impressionable as I had hoped, The Killing of Two Lovers is undeniably rich in its visual aesthetic. It could be argued that it has a slight case of "style over substance" syndrome, but overall it is an impressive early feature from all involved.
Watching The Killing of Two Lovers is best compared to witnessing a thunderstorm. First, the calming, almost zen-like rain begins to intensify, and the ground starts to slightly tremble with the anticipation of what's to come. A bright light flashes, catching you off-guard. Then a large crash echoes throughout the sky, causing a range of emotional instability like panic, bewilderment, or fear. And then it's over, just as quickly as it came on.
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars
NEON will release 'The Killing of Two Lovers' in theaters and on demand Friday, May 14th, 2021.
Peter Baert Premieres Track from David Oyelowo's ‘The Water Man’
The Water Man is a film of firsts for both Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy-nominated actor and producer David Oyelowo, as well as Belgian-born composer and commercial sound studio founder Peter Baert.
The family adventure film marks Oyelowo's directorial debut and Baert's first foray into composing for an English-speaking, major Hollywood feature. But despite their "inexperience," when you have Oprah Winfrey serving as co-producer, it's safe to assume that both men are in good hands.
The film tells the story of Gunner (Lonnie Chavis), a young boy who sets out on a quest to save his ill mother (Rosario Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who possesses the secret to immortality, the Water Man. He befriends a mysterious local girl, Jo (Amiah Miller), along the way and the deeper into the forest they go, the more dangerous it becomes. Their only hope for rescue is his father (David Oyelowo), who will stop at nothing to find them.
Reflecting the film's ethereal soundscape, Baert's score is a mix of classical orchestra, piano, percussion, and electronics. Leaning into the electronic/synth side, he processes certain cues, like the Water Man’s screams and sighs, through long delays, modular tools, and tape echoes to create what he calls “The Water Man Synth.” In the exclusive track "Gunner's Theme," Baert mixes fantasy-like notes with sweeping strings to create an emotionally triumphant arrangement.
On working with the first-time director, Baert shares that “David Oyelowo is such a wonderful human being and a gifted storyteller. He took a giant leap in choosing me as a composer and I felt his trust and guidance throughout the time we worked together.”
The feeling is mutual. When asked about working with Baert, Oyelowo says, “Music and sound in film have always been important to me, which is why I consider myself lucky to have met composer Peter Baert when I did. While in post-production on The Water Man, I was working with another composer and had initially cut Peter’s music in as an experiment, and it all just worked perfectly. Within a week, he flew over, sat next to me in the edit, and that's how he became my composer.”
Lakeshore Records is releasing the OST of 'The Water Man' Friday, May 7, 2021. It is available to stream and purchase here.
'About Endlessness' Review: A Beautiful Look at Life's Mundane Moments
Famed Swedish director Roy Andersson likes getting deep. Best known for his philosophically-charged films like A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence and A Swedish Love Story, the auteur is back with another introspective work about the mystery and mundanity of life. About Endlessness is a collection of vignettes that show the inconsequential moments of daily living – which Scandinavians make look all too beautifully depressing – and is delivered in a slow burn fashion that feels a bit too lifeless to be life-changing.
Expression
Andersson clearly has an emotionally curious nature about him, and his unique perspective at the splendor and banality of life gives About Endlessness an interesting angle. It plays much more like an art piece than a traditional narrative feature; there is no plot or main characters, just snippets of everyday, highly stylized, moments of life. Death, dancing, and questioning the existence of God all come into play here (and I'd be lying if I said I didn't relate to many of these seemingly taboo thoughts). If you want to feel less alone in your thoughts about the purpose, or lack thereof, of life, About Endlessness will reaffirm your struggle to make sense of the world isn't a singular one.
Expression: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Daring
I'd imagine Andersson went into this project knowing that his target audience would be pretty niche, like his previous films. His commitment to vision won't alienate his biggest fans, especially those who appreciate the film's slow paced nature, and may even catch the eye of those who are wanting a reprieve from the typical sensory overload type of film. About Endlessness doesn't stray too far from Andersson's past work – stylishly speaking – and so while it's not technically daring in a cinematic sense, a case can be made for the subject matter being somewhat controversial for very uptight or ignorant viewers. But let's be honest, uptight people won't have this on their radar anyway.
Daring: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Craft
The visual aesthetic of this film is beautiful, every scene looks inspired by a Renaissance painting. Staying true to his personal style, Andersson loves a long take and every vignette is comprised of just one shot. The choreography is on point as actors move in and out of frame in a tragicomical way, giving this pseudo-documentary an. The whole piece gives off Greek weird wave vibes but less "weird" and more "pondering the vulnerability of existence."
Craft: 4 out of 5 stars
Impact
For as absurdist and boundary-blurring as this film is, I personally felt underwhelmed when the screen cut to black and the credits began to roll. Maybe my expectations were too high as I sat waiting for existential enlightenment to hit me over the head, but I can't say I left the film with much of a takeaway. Unfortunately, despite its stunning cinematography and bold thematics, About Endlessness isn't a film that will stick with me long term.
Impact: 2 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
While this film won't be for everyone, there is no denying the genuine intention behind it. Especially in these times when we're slowly reemerging from our COVID-19 cocoons and re-evaluating what's important in our lives, About Endlessness offers a poignant reflection on human life in all its beauty and cruelty. Roy Andersson says it best, "The main theme of my work is the vulnerability of human beings. And I think it is a hopeful act to create something showing vulnerability. Because if you are aware of the vulnerability of existence, you can become respectful and careful of what you have."
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars
'About Endlessness' opens in theaters and on-demand this Friday, April 30th.
'Gunda' Review: A Wordless Film of a Mother Pig Stuns in Black and White
Extreme animals rights activist Joaquin Phoenix has teamed up with director Victor Kossakowsky and NEON to bring the arthouse film Gunda to the big screen. Taking on an executive producer role, Phoenix's passion in support of the film is clear, stating, "Kossakovsky has crafted a visceral meditation on existence that transcends the normal barriers that separate species. It is a film of profound importance and artistry.”
Shot in black and white and with no dialogue or soundtrack, Gunda chronicles the unfiltered lives of a mother pig, a flock of chickens, and a herd of cows with masterful intimacy. This observational documentary sits in a class of its own with its quietly commanding message of animal symbiosis in the natural world.
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Nothing pulls at my heartstrings more than a good animal documentary that is authentic in it storytelling and not set up to create maximum emotional impact. On the contrary, Gunda's lack of any narrative whatsoever is what makes the film so devastatingly beautiful. It requires some mental stamina to sit through, at times I had to wonder if the camera was left accidentally rolling for minutes on end before any sort of action or movement appears in frame. Confident in its directorial choices and unique sensibilities, it's no surprise that Viktor Kossakowsky calls Gunda his most personal and important film he has made as a filmmaker and as a human being.
Expression: 4 out of 5 stars
Daring
Gunda is the definition of an experimental film, and I've never seen anything quite like it. It's not really comparable to the beloved David Attenborough BBC documentaries because there is no dialogue whatsoever here. It stands apart from the nature docs on Disney+ because of its drastic black & white look. Gunda's stark beauty resembles that of a high-fashion Vogue film, but instead of watching waif-like models describe what they eat in a day or give us a tour of their home, we're literally following a pig around a barn. It's not the most daring or visually stimulating film I've ever seen, but what gives Gunda its cinematic strength is the commitment to a bold aesthetic.
Daring: 3 out of 5 stars
Craft
Gunda was apparently a 25-year project for Kossakowsky, and not once did his dedication to the project, or his vision, waiver. What he's created is an innovative documentary that breaks the traditional rules of making movies, notably to never work with animals to save unnecessary headaches and stress. Any film that relies on a wild animal as its protagonist is indebted with risk, regardless if it's a documentary or not. In Gunda, Kossakowsky's entire film rests on the presence of these animals. Plus, the absence of additional music or voice overs leaves so much up to chance, and capturing that unpredictability in its raw, authentic state is the film's biggest strength. The decision to shoot in black and white was intentional for an interesting reason, and seemingly in opposition to how many filmmakers would have approached a film like this. Kossakowsky states, "I didn’t want to show cute pink piglets –and believe me, they are very cute indeed. I didn’t want to seduce the viewer in that way. It felt to me like black and white makes us focus on their soul rather than their appearance."
Craft: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Impact
Unlike some animal rights documentaries that are overly graphic and attention seeking, the message behind Gunda isn't forceful or political. It's a simple message that asks us to slow down and experience life as the animals do. Gunda asks us to meditate on the mystery of animal consciousness and think about how we contribute to their way of life. Can we do better?
Impact: 4 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
I think the best conclusion can be summarized by Paul Thomas Anderson, who so perfectly captured its essence and cinematic importance: "This is a film to take a bath in -it’s stripped to its essential elements, without any interference. It’s what we should all aspire to as filmmakers and audiences -pictures and sound put together to tell a powerful and profound story without rush.” - Paul Thomas Anderson
Conclusion: 4 out of 5 stars
93 min. ‘Gunda’ is now playing at The Landmark theater.
'Mapplethorpe: The Director's Cut' Review: This Second Take is Still Shaky
If you've ever seen a photograph taken by famed artist Robert Mapplethorpe, chances are high that it stopped you in your tracks, and for a moment, took your breath away. The stark images of naked men intertwined with each other, limbs in knots, are clearly provocative and bold–this is apparent even to the untrained eye. But it's the subtext of sexualized flowers within them that really shows off Robert's innate artistic genius. How he is able to take something so ordinary and add such deep, emotional meaning is why his is considered one of the most celebrated and controversial artists of the 20th Century.
Director Ondi Timoner attempts to breathe new life into her 2018 artist bio-pic Mapplethorpe with her new The Director's Cut (now streaming on digital platforms), featuring an all-new soundtrack and previously unseen footage of Robert’s childhood. Seeing the 2018 film's Rotten Tomatoes score may make you hesitant to invest two hours into watching this new version, and unfortunately The Director's Cut doesn't add enough to improve that thought.
Shot on both super 16mm and 8mm, we are transported to the grungy NY art scene where Robert Mapplethorpe (Matt Smith) and his partner Patti Smith (Marianne Rendón) are just getting their start. It's not long before Mapplethorpe, who has been suppressing his sexually curious nature since childhood, feels comfortable enough to embrace his authentic self. This act of self-acceptance is the catalyst for Mapplethorpe "The Artist" to thrive. So begins his journey, where he forms a relationship with powerhouse art collector Sam Wagstaff (John Benjamin Hickey), conquers the art world, and ultimately succumbs to AIDS at 42-years-old.
The film itself feels stale in comparison to its lively and flamboyant subject, which is the biggest disappointment here. The performances are risky, especially for Matt Smith who is naked in a handful of scenes, but it feels like there's a layer of Saran Wrap over the film that's keeping everything from fully expanding. What's missing is an organic fluidity–scenes feel overly scripted and rehearsed in a soap opera sense, which is a shame given the loose cannon nature of Robert's life.
If you're looking for more insight into Robert, his life, and his career, you'd have better luck with the HBO documentary Mapplethorpe: Look At The Pictures. This Director's Cut, unfortunately, proves that sometimes bigger isn't always better.