'Villains' is a Stylish and Savage Battle of the Bad Guys
VILLAINS (2019)
Starring Bill Skarsgård, Maika Monroe, Jeffrey Donovan & Kyra Sedgwick
Directed by Dan Berk & Robert Olsen
Written by Dan Berk & Robert Olsen
Distributed by Alter/Gunpowder & Sky. 89 minutes. Opening 9/20 at Regal LA Live.
The allure of the "bad boy" has long been a cinematic staple, regardless of gender. From Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause to Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, audiences are equally fascinated and terrified by the suavity and unpredictable behavior of these characters. And when the bad guys are Bill Skarsgård and Maika Monroe, we're practically begging for these small-time crooks to break into our house just so we can be in their presence. In Villains, writer/directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen pit this charming duo against an equally charming, yet much more disturbed, couple in a dark comedy that's pure savage.
Jules (Monroe) and Mickey (Skarsgård) are the millennial versions of Bonnie and Clyde, robbing gas stations to acquire just enough money to escape to Florida and live out their wildest fantasies: a life without rules and responsibilities. After yet another successful robbery, Mickey and Jules encounter a hiccup when their getaway car runs out of gas, stranding them on the side of a highway. They spot an isolated, and more importantly, a vacant, house nearby and decide to break in and steal their car. What starts off as a simple con job turns into much more when the duo realize the homeowners' fruit is fake, appliances are out of date and find a little girl (Blake Baumgartner) chained up in the basement. Clearly, some discoveries are more shocking than others.
The tension comes to a crescendo when the homeowners, George (Jeffrey Donovan) and Gloria (Kyra Sedgwick), return home. What transpires is a darkly hilarious game of cat and mouse between the equally kooky couples. Sexual electricity mixed with mental instability provides plenty of twists to the high stakes our protagonists find themselves in. The laughs outnumber the scares, and Villains is all the better for it.
Villains feels like a much bigger film than its humble scope of production. It takes place primarily in one location and lists only eight actors in its cast, but the performances are mighty fierce. Maika Monroe (It Follows) and Bill Skarsgård (It) share palpable chemistry and bring the story to life with their exaggerated delivery, a perfect counterbalance to Jeffrey Donovan and Kyra Sedgwick's more even-keeled tone. Music from Courtney Barnett (Pedestrian at Best) and Redding Hunter (Safe Travels) further adds to the film's energy. It's set to screen only at Regal Theaters, for now (assuming a VOD in the near future), so keep this one on your radar if you're looking for a fun way to spend 90 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2tGz4wDaQM
Little White Lies' 'The Movie Quiz Book' Will Even Stump Cinephiles
It's my birthday in a couple of days and I just received the most perfect present.
The UK film website Little White Lies, known for its edgy journalism coupled with unique animations and illustrations, has just released the ultimate book to test film nerds' knowledge of cinema past and present.
Coined the "greatest, wittiest movie quiz of all time," The Movie Quiz Book has over 1,600 questions, broken up into 15 color-coordinated chapters, that will put anyone’s love of the movies to the ultimate test.
Over 277 pages long (on nice, thick paper), The Movie Quiz Book will test your knowledge on the growth of the film industry and the accomplishments of female directors throughout the years, as well as the ability to recall music and lyrics, spell actors’ names, recognize famous final lines, and so much more.
Perfect for game nights, birthdays, pre-Oscar parties, and Cinespia picnics!
The Movie Quiz Book is now available to purchase through LaurenceKing.com.
Answer to front page question: Signature Cup
'Monos' Mixes the Beautiful With Barbarism
MONOS (2019)
Starring Moises Arias, Julianne Nicholson, Sofia Buenaventura
Directed by Alejandro Landes
Written by Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos Santos
Distributed by NEON and Participant Media. 102 minutes. Opening 9/13 at ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark.
In only his third feature film to date, budding independent filmmaker Alejandro Landes has proven himself a talent for bringing uniquely realized visions to the big screen, filled with a dazzling display of mesmerizing visuals that bring an arresting and honestly observed look at humanity to life. His latest film, Monos, depicts a group of young guerrilla soldiers as they fracture and spiral into chaotic barbarism, evoking the thrills of Lord of the Flies but pushing new cinematic boundaries.
Set high atop remote Latin American hills (filled with incredibly photographed sequences), unsupervised Colombian rebel fighters belonging to a terror group known as "The Organization" pass the time the only way they know how to: horsing around, making out with each other and recklessly firing their machine guns (blame this on their immaturity as well as isolation). The young band's sole purpose is to keep watch over their American hostage, Doctora (Julianne Nicholson), who their higher-ups harbor as a bargaining chip in their favor. The "Monos," as they call themselves, receive periodic check-ins from a senior rebel leader, but for the most part, are left alone to fend for and govern themselves. When an unexpected ambush forces the Monos and Doctora down from their hideout in the sky and into the jungle, their desperation ramps up, as childish recklessness quickly turns into primal, physical and psychological warfare.
It's a slow burn of a film that raises more questions than answers (especially in the film's first act), but that doesn't mean there is a shortage of emotional strings that won't pull the viewer into this beautifully captured world. Led by powerhouse performances from the film's younger cast, including a combination of both amateur as well as professional actors (Moises Arias and Julianne Nicholson), the ensemble's on-screen chemistry is as authentic and disturbingly beautiful as the world in which they live. Bringing this all to life is cinematographer Jasper Wolf, whose stunning camerawork gives Monos a surreal fairytale-like aura.
Otherworldly visuals aside, the score and its Oscar-nominated composer is what initially attracted me to this film. Mica Levi, whose genius can be heard in films Jackie and Under the Skin, creates a sort of sound bath-meets-trance composition as opposed to a traditional orchestral score, making for a haunting, erratic, and pitch-perfect experience. While devoid of a more traditional narrative context, instead opting for an organically captured and impressionistically felt story, the payoff in Monos comes tenfold for those who are willing to give themselves over to Landes and his uncompromising vision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=disclpVzoMQ
'Ms. Purple' is a Visually Stunning Sibling Drama
MS. PURPLE (2019)
Starring Tiffany Chu, Teddy Lee, Jake Choi
Directed by Justin Chon
Written by Justin Chon and Chris Dinh
Distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories. 89 minutes. Opening 9/6 at the Nuart Theatre.
"373 backers pledged $73,634 to help bring this project to life." That's the impressive takeaway from director Justin Chon's Kickstarter page for his third independent feature film, Ms. Purple. Chon, who stunned audiences and critics alike with his sophomore film, Gook, once again brings a heartfelt story of Asian American cultural identity and the basic human desire of belonging to the streets of Los Angeles.
Ms. Purple centers around 23-year-old Kasie (Tiffany Chu) who unexpectedly finds herself the sole caretaker of her bedridden, comatose, dying father. Abandoned by her mother as a child, Kasie has always struggled with isolation and feelings of low self-worth, as depicted in the film's beautifully shot opening montage where she wanders alone and aimlessly down Koreatown streets. To make a living, Kasie depends on the seedy Soop Sok karaoke lounge, a local hotspot in the K-town pay-for-play market, where she works as a "hostess" (among other favors male customers may ask of her). Just as she feels like the world is caving in on her, Kasie's estranged brother Carey (Teddy Lee) agrees to return home and help with their father. Here begins the slow process of bridging the fractured familial gap between sister, brother, and father.
The brother-sister relationship between Carey and Kasie is an enviable one. They have much love for each other, and their dynamic reflects an undeniable sibling bond where things are often silently understood without the need to speak. It's clear throughout the film, that the relationship between Kasie and Carey is very tight-knit, and I couldn't help but reflect at how fortunate I am to have a similarly close relationship with my own brother.
Visually, Ms. Purple is a dreamy concoction of Wong Kar-wai, PT Anderson, and Barry Jenkins' Moonlight all rolled into one. The collection of colors, from sharp neon lights of the karaoke club to the naturalism of the morning sunrise, are exuberant. These pitch-perfect surroundings amplify the powerful performances from the whole cast, especially Tiffany Chu, whose raw emotions are felt bubbling to the surface throughout the entire film.
Ms. Purple is an all-around electrifying visual experience, from the production design to the soundtrack (available on Note For Note Records) and of course, the authentic and confident directorial choices. Justin Chon has made another powerhouse film that feels far bigger than the result of a modest Kickstarter campaign. Support true independent film by catching Ms. Purple this weekend, no doubt you'll leave the theatre inspired by both the film's message and the future of such new, diverse voices in filmmaking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4woqZIHg7w
'Jawline' is a #NoFilter Look at Influencer Culture
JAWLINE (2019)
Starring Austyn Tester, Michael Weist
Directed by Liza Mandelup
Distributed by Hulu. 99 minutes. Now streaming on Hulu.
In today's very real and very bizarre social economy, social media "followers" are a source of currency and an "influencer" is a profession. My first introduced to Instagram was in my early twenties, barely post-college and dating a guy who was obsessed with popularity (surprise: the relationship didn't last long). My initial impression of Instagram – an app driven by attention-seeking individuals who crave the envy of others – hasn't changed much in the 7 years since I created my first username, in fact, things have only amplified since then. In director Liza Mandelup's engrossing documentary, Jawline, she explores the extreme highs and lows of internet fame through the eyes of a 16-year-old boy whose only ambition in life is to be "internet famous."
Austyn Tester isn't a household name to most, but to his tens of thousands of online fans, he is a celebrity crush. His room is covered in "I Love Austyn" posters sent to him from teenage girls across the country, giving him hope that a more exciting and prosperous life outside of his hometown in rural Kingsport, Tennessee is very possible. Austyn is a cute kid, there's no denying that. His southern drawl and boyish good looks are the initial hooks, but it is his continual message of positivity and love he shares with his followers that sets him apart from his competition (other teenage boys with newly formed abs and side-swept bangs).
Navigating the online ecosystem IRL proves much more difficult for Austyn than he anticipated. He joins his first Influencer tour which is supposed to be his "made it" moment, but struggles amid issues with low follower growth and confusing contract negotiations as well as the potentially sketchy talent manager, Michael Weist. Jawline doesn't judge Austyn for his wide-eyed ambitions. Mandelup delicately documents his quest for fame without drumming up additional drama for the film's sake, and this patience gives the film its bittersweet authenticity. You root for Austyn throughout the film, it's impossible not to, even though you know full well that his road to stardom is nearly impossible.
Jawline should be required viewing for parents with young children who are growing up in this social media dystopia; may it serve as a cautionary tale for those who crave internet fame, as well as those who obsess over these internet "celebrities." Liza Mandelup set out to make Jawline as a documentary, and it's an eye-opening one, but I'd also classify it as a horror film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoVA0-w6VtA
Emotional Distress Turns Evil in the Artful Thriller 'Burn'
BURN (2019)
Starring Josh Hutcherson, Suki Waterhouse, Tilda Cobham-Hervey
Directed by Mike Gan
Written by Mike Gan
Distributed by Momentum Pictures. 88 minutes. Opening 8/23 at Arena Cinelounge Sunset.
This humble yet complexly thrilling feature is quite the impressive directorial debut for USC graduate, Mike Gan. Burn tells the story of one young woman's desire to be seen and the drastic measures she takes to feel in control of her life.
Seemingly taking cues from his film school days, Burn is a one-location, one-time frame film that centers around a small, yet mighty, cast of characters. Set in a gas station in the middle of nowhere, co-workers Melinda (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) and Sheila (Suki Waterhouse) couldn't be more different. Their opposite personalities – Melinda is socially awkward and Sheila is the social butterfly – makes having any sort of relationship difficult. This obvious strain has Melinda daydreaming about a relationship with Officer Liu (Harry Shum Jr.) the cop who stops by for his nightly cup of coffee. This particular night, however, the girls are forced to pull together when a masked gunman (Josh Hutcherson) demands they turn over the cash in their register.
For better or for worse, Melinda wants attention any way she can and feels like this is her moment to get it. Thus, begins her absurd quest to forge a relationship with the gunman. Melinda's gullibility is quirky and charming at the beginning of the film but her obsessive quest for this male's attention – which includes drugging and raping him – turns sour and frustrating toward the film's end.
Slightly reminiscent of Yoga Hosers, sans the Nazi-sympathizing sausages, Burn is a dark look at what the suppression of emotional distress looks like, and what can happen when one is pushed too far. If it leaves you with one message, it's this: don't overlook the unassuming quiet girl, she could be the devil in disguise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icb1Y_ZrKpk
'The Amazing Johnathan Documentary' Offers Tricks and Treats
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That is the question director Ben Berman faces after getting to know John Edward Szeles aka The Amazing Johnathan. An American stand-up comedian and legendary magician, Johnathan's story follows in the footsteps of many troubled performers before him: on top of the world one minute, drugs and depression the next. Fascinated by Johnathan's history and rocked by his public health crisis, Ben sets out to document the final days of Johnathan's life. However, things don't go according to plan, and the unraveling of everything Ben thought he knew about the man he considered a friend is captured in the thrilling feature, The Amazing Johnathan Documentary.
Johnathan is best described as a man with nothing to lose, a disruptor in the entertainment industry akin to Mickey Rourke or Angelyne. We are first introduced to The Amazing Johnathan at his lavish home in Henderson, NV. He has recently been diagnosed with terminal heart disease and given one year to live, (ironically, wearing a "Legends Never Die" t-shirt). The first quarter of the film feels like a traditional documentary as Ben and his crew and Johnathan and his wife, Anastasia Synn, discuss his drug habit (cocaine, speed, meth) and get ready to hit the road for his final comedy and magic tour. However, things take a turn when Ben discovers that Johnathan has allowed another documentary crew to film him as well. Two documentary crews making a documentary about the same subject understandably frustrates Ben, but he does his best to stay true to their original story. With the surprise behind him, Ben carries on production... that is, until he finds out there is a third crew coming. As well as a fourth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSRoKfecdXE&ab_channel=MadmanFilms
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary is one of the most fascinating portraits of the human condition and the power of manipulation. It puts not only Ben but every viewer into a situation where losing sight of what's right vs. wrong, truth vs. illusion is tested. This "straightforward" documentary eventually spirals into gonzo journalism when an unconventional proposition to smoke meth together on camera is made. Crazy? Absolutely, but given everything Ben and his team have been though, at this point in the film, he considers it. That's the power, or at least the illusion of power, that The Amazing Johnathan has over Ben. It's an unsettling circumstance that has Ben questioning the validity of Johnathan's condition; is he really dying? Or is this just an Andy Kaufman-esque prank? The Amazing Johnathan Documentary is an unforgettable portrait of a truly tortured artist and guarantees that you'll never look at a magician in the same way again.
'The Peanut Butter Falcon' is a BFF Drama That Defies Convention
THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON (2019)
Starring Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen
Directed by Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Written by Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Distributed by Roadside Attractions. 93 minutes. Opening this Friday at The Landmark.
Summertime calls for adventures, as seen in Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz's film The Peanut Butter Falcon. Described as a modern-day Mark Twain story, The Peanut Butter Falcon – from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine – is a charming tale of two bandits on the run and the lessons they learn about self-discovery and acceptance along the way. This unconventional buddy comedy stars the always excellent Shia LaBeouf and breakout Zack Gottsagen, a 34-year-old actor with down syndrome. The film may be predictable, but it's Gottsagen's inspiring performance as a determined and self-sufficient young man that makes it worth a watch.
Zak (Zack Gottsagen) is the youthful spirit that livens up the retirement community he calls home. Not much detail is given as to why his birth parents couldn't provide adequate care for him, but he is adored by the staff and residents nonetheless. The soft-spoken nursing home employee Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) pays special attention to Zak, giving him tough love when he needs it while also encouraging his passion for wrestling. One night, with help from his roommate Carl (Bruce Dern), Zak escapes the nursing home in an attempt to attend the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). Traveling alone with just the clothes on his back, Zak is determined to live out his dreams and meet his hero.
Zak's disappearance from the nursing home sends Eleanor on a wild goose chase as she attempts to find him despite his lack of phone, money, or any sense of direction. Meanwhile, early on in his journey, Zak meets and eventually befriends Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), the sharp-tongued fisherman who is also on the run from his past. Together, the young men navigate the elements, growing and learning from each other as the days pass.
I write this next statement in full sincerity: The Peanut Butter Falcon plays very much like an after-school special on the importance of friendship. It's essentially the quote "Friends are the family you choose" brought to life. The screenplay is very plug and play, the characters literally explain the plot through their dialogue. This may come off as pretty cheesy and unoriginal for hardcore cinephiles, but there's no denying that the message is sweet. The Peanut Butter Falcon offers the perfect sentiment for children and young adults, especially as many are entering a new school year in the upcoming weeks.
While the film itself is sweet, it is Gottsagen's boundary-pushing performance and inclusivity that makes it truly special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNl9RqjLCwc