'Nancy' Review: A Manic Pixie Poster Child for Mental Health
A24's Hereditary is getting a majority of the "must-see", "edge-of-your-seat" buzz this week (and rightfully so), but there is another psychological thriller that may be less publicized but is just as powerful.
Director Christina Choe's Nancy is an intimate look at one woman's desire for human connection and the lengths she is willing to go in order to find or fabricate it. Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and Grand Jury Prize nominee at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Nancy opens today at the Nuart Theatre.
Andrea Riseborough stars as the titular Nancy, a thirty-something-year-old
Nancy calls Betty with the news and after the initial shock wears off, Betty invites Nancy to their home. Betty, the naive optimist, quickly falls in love with Nancy and the notion that her prodigal daughter has finally returned. Leo, on the other hand, is more wary and keeps Nancy at an arm's length in the beginning. The more time the couple spends with Nancy and vice versa, the more everyone believes in this seemingly impossible happy ending. However, Nancy's past behavior is questionable; can we really trust that she is the person she thinks she is? Or is this just another false character and elaborate lie?
Choe has successfully created a strong and multi-dimensional female character.
Nancy is writer and director Christina Choe's first feature film and her debut is a stunning one. Riding that fine line between unsettling and sympathetic, Choe has successfully created a strong and multi-dimensional female character. These types of storylines– where our protagonist is as unpredictable as the wind– are fascinating to watch play out on screen. This convincing story would not have been possible without Riseborough's fantastic portrayal of this complex woman as she transforms into a manic pixie poster child for mental health. Buscemi and Dowd contribute their talents to round out this small yet energized cast, giving powerful performances as heartbroken parents who believe in a miracle.
Nancy is a slow burn thriller that takes its time to build up the environment and desperation of the characters. It has the ability to make the audience feel physically uncomfortable through the stuffiness of Nancy's mother’s home, as well as translate the emotional rollercoaster Betty experiences in Nancy's initial phone call. While it may not make you jump out of your seat in terror, Nancy will send chills down your spine in its own cold and calculating way.
'Nancy' is not rated. 87 minutes. Now playing at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles.
'Solo: A Star Wars Story' Review: An Uninventive Telling of Everyone's Favorite Smuggler
While the Star Wars saga continues to propel the story in a new direction, the Star Wars universe is committed to exploring every corner of the galaxy far, far away.
Solo: A Star Wars Story, in theaters everywhere today, acts as a prequel to the original Star Wars by telling the origin story of everyone's favorite smuggler, Han Solo. As originated by Harrison Ford in the first Star Wars, he would play Han for the rest of the series, cementing his status as one of pop culture's most iconic characters. In Solo, Alden Ehrenreich steps up to the plate to channel the smuggler as a twenty-something-year-old street rat turned fighter pilot. While it's not terrible, Solo is uninventive and limp, which fans may be disappointed– but not shocked– to hear.
We are immediately thrust into following the titular Han (Ehrenreich), a smuggler escaping a life of "lawlessness" along with beautiful Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke). Fed up with their dreary life on the planet Corellia, Han makes a plan to escape with Qi'ra and live out his dream as a fighter pilot. Their attempt to leave ends up in chaos, Han narrowly escapes but is forced to leave Qi'ra behind. Determined to save her from an unknowing fate, Han continues on his journey alone (or, solo), desperate to find a way to rescue her from the evil powers that be.
His quest to rescue Qi'ra is not an easy one. In fact, Han nearly gets killed multiple times (but- no spoiler here- of course, he doesn't). He meets a cast of characters throughout his journey, including the killer wookie turned best friend, Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), and fellow back-alley smugglers, Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Val (Thandie Newton). Han becomes entangled in the duo's latest mission, to rob a train full of coaxium fuel for the criminal organization Crimson Dawn, which will bring everyone involved a major payday. Han sees the reward money as the opportunity he needs to buy a plane to finally rescue Qi'ra and wholeheartedly agrees to join. However, things go south before the mission is completed, which forces the group to take on an even riskier job. This new job introduces Han to Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), L3-37 (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and ultimately, the evil forces of Crimson Dawn leader, Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany).
Although for as much criticism as the film has received, there really is nothing like sitting in a theatre listening to John Williams' Star Wars theme song in surround sound. That alone may be worth the price of admission.
While it's a serviceable movie, there's no denying that we're cashing in on the currency of a character and world we already know rather than building things anew. There is only so much originality that can go into "prequel" films like this one, and unfortunately, that predictability is Solo's biggest downfall. While there are a few plot twists and surprises here and there, Solo as a whole comes off as flat. Action scenes aside, the story lacks the pizzazz that Star Wars fans have come to expect and deserve.
It's only been a year since the latest Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, was released which poses the question– is the frequency which Disney is pumping out these films making them less special? That could be one reason why Solo feels unnecessary in relation to the Star Wars canon. That's not to say that the film lacks talent, both in front of and behind the camera, including director Ron Howard (who replaced directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller after they were let go because of bumpy behind-the-scenes drama). Ultimately, Solo's biggest disappointment is that it is forgettable, especially among the sea of other hero movies that came out recently. Although for as much criticism as the film has received, there really is nothing like sitting in a theatre listening to John Williams' Star Wars theme song in surround sound. That alone may be worth the price of admission.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence. 135 minutes. Now playing in theaters everywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s
'That Summer' Review: Never-Before-Seen Footage Revealed in 'Grey Gardens' Prequel
If you're familiar with the documentary Grey Gardens, you're probably aware that it is arguably one of the most iconic American documentaries in cinema's history.
The story of an eccentric mother and daughter- Big and Little Edie Beale- who removed themselves from high society living to live together in an unusual yet loving codependent relationship, would eventually become the subject of the documentary Grey Gardens. The film's cult following in its devoted fan base would soon spark TV movies, numerous parodies, and perfect Halloween costumes. This Friday, fans of Grey Gardens can go behind the scenes of the East Hampton estate where they lived in never before seen footage, which includes appearances by Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, and Mick Jagger in the film, That Summer.
The film opens slowly. Using entirely archival footage, we spend the first five minutes with photographer Peter Beard as he recounts stories while flipping through the pages of his photo book, the most interesting being anecdotes of hanging out with Warhol and Jagger during the Studio 54 era. Through all of the glitz and glamour that Beard had photographed over the years, we find that- for all of their peculiarities- there was no subject quite like the Beales. Beard, along with his friend Lee Radziwill (a cousin of Edith and Edie Beale) would decide to chronicle the moments of their odd living at the place where they lived, the crumbling Grey Gardens estate, during one summer in 1972. The initial purpose of the film was to show how the East Hampton economy had changed over the years, and the run-down decrepit mansion was the perfect location.
...a fascinating collection of hilariously observed moments.
However, after spending the summer with Radziwill and the Beales, the project was ultimately shelved. A few years later directing duo Albert and David Maysles went back to visit Edith and Edie, and the outcome of their visit resulted in the iconic and infamous documentary, Grey Gardens. 45 years later, the original footage of Beard's summer with the Beales (close to four rolls) went on to become That Summer.
That Summer is a small, quiet documentary that should excite fans of the Beales. Between Big Edie singing opera in her oversized armchair, to Little Edie claiming that her cat with an eye disorder is the spitting image of Teddy Kennedy, the film is a fascinating collection of hilariously observed moments. With a runtime of 80 minutes, That Summer may confuse or be slightly off-putting to those who aren't already used to the nonsensical style of Grey Gardens or are expecting a documentary with a clear story with plot points, arc, or direction. However, fans will be thrilled with the access to this never before seen footage that amplifies the eccentricity of the Beale women (who were also cousins of Jackie O.).
Did we really need another documentary about the wildly wonderful Beales? Proving that there is never too much of a good thing, director Göran Olsson (The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975) creates the perfect prequel to Grey Gardens with this documentary. Both Beales have since passed but their memory will continue to live on in this iconic footage.
'That Summer' is not rated. 8 0minutes. Opening in select theaters this Friday.
'Maine' Review: A Bittersweet Missed Connection on the Appalachian Trail
One of my favorite films from the Tribeca Film Festival was one that I hadn't even planned on seeing.
Luckily, I happened to stumble upon a ticket on the day of the screening and after watching Matthew Brown's bittersweet and affecting drama, I believe I was destined to see Maine on that day. Fleeting love and missed connections are all too familiar situations that happen in everyday life, yet the number of films that successfully tackle these complex and heartbreaking feelings is very few. In Maine, Brown embraces the romance of nature and creates a love story that may be devoid of a stereotypical happy ending, but does not shortchange on emotional satisfaction.
Laia Costa and Thomas Mann play two hikers on a journey, both literally and figuratively, who cross paths while on the Appalachian Trail. When we meet thirty-something Bluebird (Costa) and twenty-something Lake (Mann), their relationship seems like it goes back for years, even though they had only met days prior. Their comfort around each other is evident in their horseplay, light flirtation, and jokiness– the word 'privacy' means nothing to them (public urination isn't taboo– in fact, we learn that an awkward bathroom situation is how they first met). Each of them is saddled with personal baggage– Bluebird as a married woman but insisting on independence and Lake, more reserved of the two, struggling to find his sense of purpose and direction.
The intimacy of the environment and their growing bond comes to a head when, after getting caught up in the moment, Bluebird and Lake kiss. Even though the affection is mutual, Bluebird makes it clear that she cannot continue to put herself in this position with Lake, she is married after all. Understanding but obviously disappointed, Lake does the best he can to get through the next couple of days until Bluebird leaves the trail for home. Under different circumstances, it seems like this relationship could have thrived, but the reality is that not everything that seems meant to be, will be. This makes one question: Can the heart make a mistake? Can loving someone be wrong?
Under different circumstances, it seems like this relationship could have thrived, but the reality is that not everything that seems meant to be, will be.
Maine is an intimate film set in a remote location in the backwoods of Maine (filming on the actual Appalachian Trail was prohibited) with only a handful of cast members, but the intense effect this film had on me was lasting. Laia Costa's performance as a conflicted woman torn between her head and her heart hit all the right emotional notes, while also keeping it light in the film's funnier moments. Bluebird has the personality of a grown-up Moonie from The Florida Project and that is a wonderfully refreshing thing to see on screen. Thomas Mann grounds Costa's energetic performance as the sensitive and emotionally-developed Lake, and watching his heart get broken is one of the hardest things to sit through.
Director Matthew Brown's aesthetic choices, like filming in square 1:66:1 format and keeping the production close to the vest, are all details that make Maine feel so authentic. Jessica Lea Mayfield's 2008 song 'For Today,' off of her "With Blasphemy So Heartfelt" album, is the perfect musical companion to Maine– highlighting the tenderness and vulnerability both Lake and Bluebird experience throughout their journey, both individually and together. Brown's decision to stay on a close-up shot of Bluebird while Lake sings an acoustic rendition of 'For Today' is one of the film's most powerful moments. We see Lake come out of his shell as he embodies the lyrics over the course of the four-minute song while Bluebird can't help but ride an emotional rollercoaster that draws us in. It's moments like these that make this low-key film stand out as a wonderfully unconventional love story.
'Maine' is 85 minutes.
'Songwriter': Watch Ed Sheeran Create His Most Personal Album
Ed Sheeran fans rejoice: the English singer-songwriter is getting candid by inviting viewers to take an intimate look into his artistic process in the documentary, Songwriter.
Directed by his cousin, Murray Cummings, the documentary follows Sheeran throughout the creation of his chart-topping album "÷" (divide) which, after just one week on sale, became the biggest-selling album of 2017. From early jam sessions in his tour van to brainstorming lyrics and chords with friends in Malibu, Songwriter is the ultimate film for Sheeran groupies, music fans, and anyone pursuing a creative passion.
Ed Sheeran is more than just a talented singer – that we know. His songs have found their way on to multiple “Best of” lists and his last record, "x" (multiply), earned him his first No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. But what sets him apart from others in the industry– besides his shaggy red hair and colorful tattoos– is the authenticity in his music and his poetic way with words. Sheeran is involved in writing all of his own songs, a process that is taxing yet ultimately rewarding and is fascinating to see play out on the big screen.
The phrase "it takes a village" is at the core of Sheeran's success, and the film does a fantastic job of showing how much he values and depends on collaboration and input from his creative team, which includes musician Foy Vance, producer Benny Blanco, and his brother Matthew, among other singer-songwriters. Seeing (and hearing) their ideas bouncing around the room gives off a vibe of infectious happiness and an "anything is possible" attitude. Much like the Showtime documentary, Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued, Songwriter is an equally powerful look into the writing and recording process that is neither as glamorous nor as easy as one may think.
Sheeran is involved in writing all of his own songs, a process that is taxing yet ultimately rewarding and is fascinating to see play out on the big screen.
Director Murray Cummings incorporates archival footage from Ed's younger days that show just how far back his passion for music goes. We see him learning how to play multiple instruments, get a glimpse into his family home life, and revisit his high school days. Seeing Sheeran’s determination and grit to get to where he is today will only gain him more respect as an artist.
Songwriter plays also like a private acoustic concert for an hour and a half. Sheeran's talent is undeniable– even when dressed in a green t-shirt, blue plaid pajama pants, and fuzzy moccasins– his soothing and uplifting voice is always on point, a juxtaposition that makes for some (perhaps unintentionally) funny moments.
I personally will never tire of music documentaries, and Songwriter is a beautifully composed and inspiring addition to this genre. Fun fact: at one point Sheeran admits that this is the first time he has ever written a song on camera, an act that typically leaves him feeling self-conscious. Songwriter
'Songwriter' is 84 minutes.
'Grace Jones: Bloodlight And Bami' Review: This Enigmatic, Fierce Feminist Belongs on the Big Screen
In 2015, Grace Jones released a memoir called I'll Never Write My Memoirs.
In it, along with proving that she is not one to be labeled “predictable”, Jones made the divisive claim that Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and other pop stars are guilty of copying her style. This, of course, caused a social media firestorm among the generation that was too young to know 'who this Grace Jones person' was – how dare she insult Queen Bey! In the long-awaited and (apparently) much-needed re-introduction, director Sophie Fiennes gives audiences a rare look at this controversial, multi-hyphenated artist in the documentary-meets-art house film, Grace Jones: Bloodlight And Bami. The result is a product that may make millennials think twice before discrediting Jones as a self-proclaimed “Original”.
Filmed over a ten-year span and throughout various countries, Fiennes has created a quintessential profile piece with Bloodlight And Bami that explores Grace Jones far beyond her controversial statements and tabloid headlines. Through hotel room conversations, intimate family dinners, and private recording studio sessions, audiences see Jones as a mother, a church-goer, and a daughter, among other personal monikers. Most of the film takes place in Jamaica, Jones' birthplace, and audiences are thrust into the center of her family dynamic. Perhaps the most revelatory fact is Jones' admission of an abusive relationship with her step-father, and the lasting effect it had on her. Yet she also credits the man, who she calls Mas P, for inspiring her extremely masculine and 'scary' onstage persona.
Approach this film with an open mind and prepare for it to get blown away by the wildly wonderful Grace Jones.
Watching Grace's creative process from early studio sessions to her live performances of “Slave To The Rhythm” and “Pull Up To The Bumper” are perhaps among the film's most fascinating scenes. Like a true artist, she performs without inhibition (except when she thinks she looks like a lady pimp with call girls as backup dancers) and follows an 'art over money' philosophy that is inspiring to anyone pursuing creative dreams.
Much like Jones herself, Fiennes' filmmaking style is a reflection of her innovation. This type of filmmaking includes using film that looks dated, including glitches and lags, and switches between more intimate, fly-on-the-wall moments to energetic live performances.
For as inclusionary as the film's content tries to be, it seems like if one is not already a Grace Jones superfan or particularly interested in the 80s music scene, Bloodlight And Bami can feel exclusionary. No scene is particularly set up, leaving the audience to find themselves dropped into the middle of a moment without prior context, which can feel confusing and exacerbating during long takes. The take away is to go in without expecting this to be a straightforward documentary, as Bloodlight And Bami is not trying to be the next Amy. Approach this film with an open mind and prepare for it to get blown away by the wildly wonderful Grace Jones.
'Grace Jones: Bloodlight And Bami' is not rated. 115 minutes. Opening this Friday at the NuArt Theatre in Los Angeles with opening night Q&As for the 7:00 pm & 9:45 pm showings with Grace Jones and filmmaker Sophie Fiennes.
vlog no. 004 | Sundance Film Festival 3/3
A behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Part 3.
On Camera: Morgan Rojas, Ryan Rojas
Editing by: Morgan Rojas
♫Music By♫
Joakim Karud - Loudness Clarity
Song/Free Download - https://youtu.be/4yFAnw2U_uA
Support Joakim Karud - http://smarturl.it/joakimkarud
vlog no. 003 | Sundance Film Festival 2/3
A behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Part 2.
On Camera: Morgan Rojas, Ryan Rojas
Editing by: Morgan Rojas
♫Music By♫
Joakim Karud - No Worries (feat. Dyalla)
Song - https://youtu.be/4E6Erhc0UaY
Dyalla - http://smarturl.it/Dyalla
Joakim Karud - Boost Song - https://youtu.be/cvOvQloDp14
Follow Joakim Karud - http://smarturl.it/joakimkarud
DJ Quads - Circus Song - https://youtu.be/VIoH-sYxoy4
Follow DJ Quads - http://smarturl.it/dj-quads