'Stockholm Syndrome' Tribeca Review: A$AP Rocky Recounts His (Unfair) Arrest
In July of 2019, A$AP Rocky was arrested in Sweden and charged on suspicion of assault after a violent incident that was provoked by two young men went public. A video shared by TMZ went viral, and it didn't help that their clickbait headline wasn't an accurate depiction of what actually happened. In the new documentary Stockholm Syndrome, the Swedish authorities were going to make an example out of A$AP Rocky, and it didn't matter whether the punishment fit the "crime."
Directed by The Architects, Stockholm Syndrome shows how A$AP Rocky addresses that time in his life when money or fame couldn't get him out of legal problems, no matter how unfair and racially motivated they seemed to be.
The documentary goes in-depth into the early life of A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers. Even as a child, his mother and his friends all considered him to be a pioneer and trendsetter whose natural born talent never went unnoticed.
Speaking directly to the camera, A$AP Rocky reflects back on his upbringing, growing up with a father in prison and without black peers in school. He found refuge in music and the authenticity in his words connected with so many, catapulting him into superstardom.
About half of Stockholm Syndrome covers the arrest and trial of A$AP Rocky, in real time. Playing out like a courtroom drama with the engaging Slobodan Jovicic as A$AP Rocky's defense attorney and former President Donald Trump's unrequested involvement, the energy and anticipation is thrilling to watch, even if we already know what happens. The film also gathers interviews from his friends and industry peers, including Kim Kardashian (ex-West).
A$AP Rocky has an "Everything happens for a reason," attitude about life. He is earnest when he admits that many rappers flaunt their struggles for clout, but that is something he will never do. His humble, down to Earth persona is refreshing and unexpected for such a big celebrity, and The Architects captured this perfectly. I didn't know much about his life before, but after Stockholm Syndrome, I feel like I know not just A$AP Rocky, but Rakim Mayers too.
And because I know you're all wondering, yes – Rihanna does make a cameo as well.
'Gully': An Aesthetically Rich Debut from Director Nabil
Nabil Elderkin – or just Nabil, as he is more widely known – is the man responsible for the aesthetically brilliant music videos for the likes of Kanye West, Bon Iver, and countless other cultural icons of the moment (many of which have gone on to become viral sensations). And as of last week, Nabil made his directorial debut with a world premiere screening of Gully at the Tribeca Film Festival. Nabil takes the same cinematically-styled approach as he does in his music videos to bring screenwriter Marcus J. Guillory's emotionally-drenched drama to life.
Gully is billed as a "slightly dystopian version of LA." While there is truth in that observation, the dystopia isn't a farfetched depiction of chaos – it's all rooted in reality, which makes for an even more affecting watch. Best friends Jesse (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Calvin (Jacob Latimore), and Nicky (Charlie Plummer) live within blocks of each other on the streets of South Central LA and all come from troubled backgrounds. The effects of abuse, mental health issues, and an overall lack of supervision are contributing factors to the boys' tough outer shells and disregard for others around them. Out of boredom and abandonment, the boys cause fun-minded havoc around their impoverished community, despite the ominous warnings from the local homeless prophet, Mr. Christmas (Terrence Howard). They may have been forced to grow up prematurely, but these are still young boys in need of a childhood, trying to figure out who they are and where they're going amidst the chaos and unfair dealings that life has in store for them.
Read More: A Beginner's Guide To: Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Combining mixed animation, a pulsating soundtrack, and captivating performances from this trio of rising talent – Latimore, Plummer, and Harrison Jr. – Gully is a bold feature for everyone involved, both in front of and behind the lens. Amber Heard, John Corbett, Robin Givens, and Jonathan Majors lend emotional depth and stability to the film as supporting actors (with a special cameo by Travis Scott in an enjoyable surprise). Together, Nabil and Guillory have created a film as untethered as its leads, even forgoing a traditional three-act structure in favor of a looser and unpredictable vibe.
Gully is a reflection of a modern-day society devoid of the rose-tinted glasses often worn by the privileged. Our protagonists come from a marginalized group of underrepresented kids who have been and continue to be, in some cases, overlooked by the rest of society. This disregard for the troubled is a stain on the idealized image of any city striving for inclusion and prosperity for all. If the goal behind Gully is to evoke emotion, then Nabil and company should know that this film is a success.
This review originally ran on May 2, 2019 during the Tribeca Film Festival
Distributed by Vertical Entertainment, 'Gully' is now playing in select theaters with an On Demand and Digital release from Paramount Home Entertainment on June 8th.
'All Light, Everywhere' Review: The Corruption of the Camera
This review originally ran on Feb 1, 2021 during the Sundance Film Festival.
In his latest documentary, All Light, Everywhere, experimental filmmaker Theo Anthony (Rat Film) de-mystifies our good faith in modern technology as he puts an artfully-abstract lens on a hot button social issue that is currently plaguing our communities. In a somewhat meta sense, Anthony dissects the creation and purpose of the camera, coming face to face with its historical uses and, in his eyes, modern-day hidden abuses.
Comprised of a wide-ranging collection of stories that span from the advent of the camera, up to its present-day uses within police forces and private agencies, All Light, Everywhere aims to expose the inherent corruption of the camera by way of its subjective photographer. Anthony transports us all the way back to the 19th century at the advent of astronomical stargazing, up through 1918, observing the silent soldiers of WWI: the actual pigeons that were trained to photograph behind enemy lines during wartime.
While all fascinating history lessons, most of the film stays in the present to focus on Axon, a company with a near-monopoly on body cameras and tasers in the United States. As we tour the Axon facility, we're given a behind the scenes look at not only how police body cameras and tasers are made, but the ethical problems inherently attached, which have the potential to create life or death situations for those at the center of the lens.
For as much substance as All Light, Everywhere emits, it's also equally as stylish. The dark subject matter is easily digestible by Anthony, who breaks the 4th wall during filming to innocently poke fun at his main interview subject (Axon spokesman Steve Tuttle) and posing interesting rhetorical questions (brought to life by voiceover artist Keaver Brenai). "Every image has a frame, and every frame has a world that's excluded beyond its edges," is just one of the quotable one-liners here. My personal favorite was the follow-up statement: "When we understand something, we say 'I See,' even though we don't."
In All Light, Everywhere, not all technology is seen as evil; the fact that it can help us overcome the limitations of our human potential is a significant counter reason. Set against a dreamy, high-tech score from composer Dan Deacon, All Light, Everywhere is an eye-opening experience that leaves us questioning how we can trust the hands that this technology falls into.
Distributed by Super LTD, All Light, Everywhere is now playing in select NY and LA theaters.
'Breaking Boundaries' Review: David Attenborough Begs Us To Trust Science, Again
Sir David Attenborough is back with another troubling but ultimately inspiring documentary about the climate crisis and how we must, must, believe the science if we are to stop hurling towards total irreversible destruction. Not a light watch, but a necessary one. Directed by John Clay, Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet is another important addition to the Attenborough school of life.
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Shrinking glaciers in Sweden, rainforest degradation in the Amazon, it feels like we're becoming all too familiar with the devastating effects of the ongoing climate crisis. Sir David Attenborough has continuously tried to nail it into our heads that if we don't act now, life on the planet as we know it will be irrevocably changed forever. His latest film is more of the same – hauntingly bleak statistics, facts, and figures that are sure to wake you up – but this go around feels like more of a stern lecture from a disappointed mentor than his previously more digestible, slightly optimistic films. It gets the point across, sure, but Breaking Boundaries left me feeling more hopeless than hopeful.
Expression: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Daring
There can never be too many climate crisis documentaries. Why? Because we haven't solved the problem yet. Until then, I expect to see more films focused on this universally important issue with each one getting more serious than the next. In Breaking Boundaries, most of the information is relayed to us by world-renowned scientist Professor Johan Rockström. Throughout its 75-minute runtime, the film takes us on a journey of discovery of the 9 planetary boundaries we must maintain to keep our planet thriving at optimum capacity and protect Earth’s life support system. It feels like more of a scare tactic approach than a whimsical visual journey but maybe cold, hard facts are what some people need to truly pay attention.
Daring: 3 out of 5 stars
Craft
If you're expecting another Attenborough film with animals galore, you may be disappointed with Breaking Boundaries. Instead of primates, director Jon Clay focuses more on the people who have studied and researched the Earth's ecosystem for years. Interviews with scientists and scholars are conducted in a stereotypical talking heads style, and almost half of the film feels comprised of computer-generated graphics and TED-talk charts. We do see evidence of global warming in nature; from melting ice caps in Greenland to burned carcasses of animals in Australia's forests, there are still plenty of shocking imagery to absorb here.
Daring: 3 out of 5 stars
Impact
Typically, Attenborough documentaries are so impactful because of the stunning visuals that act alongside the narration. However, Breaking Boundaries lacks the imagery we've come to expect from past films and almost makes it seem like this would have been a good podcast. The facts are terrifying: We've already lost about 20% of the Amazon, air pollution kills over 7 million people every year and takes 3 years off of every human's life expectancy, etc. Not the most reassuring statements. Attenborough doesn't leave us on a doom and gloom note and instead offers us some simple solutions that we can easily implement into our daily lives. A couple of takeaways to help reduce carbon emissions are to plant more trees and eat more plant-based foods, less red meat. These are cost-effective and achievable and can truly save the planet.
Impact: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
"It's a remarkable time to be alive," he exclaims despite all the worrying news he just shared. If Sir David Attenborough – Earth's #1 loyalist – can still find reasons to be optimistic about our planet's future, then we should too. The facts may be scary, unsettling, and overwhelming but by taking small action steps, including educating yourself and others by watching nature documentaries on Netflix, we can begin to create global change.
Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars
'Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet' is streaming on Netflix on Friday, June 4, 2021.
'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.
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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+.
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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.
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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.