Review: 'Christmas, Again'
Rising indie star Kentucker Audley finds himself working the night shift of a 24-hour Christmas tree lot in New York City in the drama Christmas, Again. Director Charles Poekel's romance/art film hybrid is a welcome addition to the holiday movie genre, going against the Douglas Fir grain of your typical "Merry and Bright" expectations. Christmas, Again is methodical, nuanced, and a breath of fresh air in which nothing really happens, but is still a pleasure to watch.
Bundled in plaid and a 5 o'clock shadow, Audley plays the auspiciously named character, Noel, a newly single, twenty-something night shift worker whose daily routine consists of sleeping in a cramped trailer during the day and working at a makeshift tree lot at night. He is a man of few words but of conviction. Though a man of few words, he is a man of conviction with incredible patience despite having to make small talk with customers who often lack both common courtesy and people skills. Noel's years as a tree salesman seem to have created a sense of apathy towards these customers so he doesn't take offense to their attitudes.
An official Sundance Selection charmer, Christmas, Again is a carefully unfolding look at the holiday through the eyes of our reserved protagonist Noel.
It isn't until one night when Noel spots an out-of-sorts and visibly drunk woman (Hannah Gross) sitting much too close to a homeless man, that his mundane routine changes. After retrieving her cell phone back from the homeless man, Noel carries her back to his trailer and cares for her, even gently cutting the gum out of her long brunette hair. After leaving the next morning without saying a word, she returns later that day and sheepishly introduces herself as Lydia, realizing in her drunken stupor that she had also lost her wallet and a shoe. This brief encounter is all it takes to bring Noel back to life, snapping him out of his monotonous rut. Lydia is authentic, genuine, and obviously beautiful. For a guy whose satisfaction came from helping other people get into the holiday spirit, Lydia may finally be his gift.
Christmas, Again has the unique ability to heighten the viewer's senses; from the smell of the chlorine from the gymnasium pool to the pine needles falling from the trees, we are immediately transported to a cold winter's night. Director Charles Poekel's decision to shoot on 16mm film is also bold and smart as it gives the film a worn in, warm feeling with a timeless quality.
An official Sundance Selection charmer, Christmas, Again is a carefully unfolding look at the holiday through the eyes of our reserved protagonist Noel. Kentucker's performance is another fantastic one, but personally, I'd like to see him in a role where he is the one to stir things up instead of just going along for the ride (See: Funny Bunny, The Sacrament) and I look forward to seeing a film that pushes his acting limits a bit more. In the midst of the inevitable holiday overdrive, Christmas, Again is a welcome slow burn of enjoyment and reflection on the nuances of the season.
Christmas, Again opens this Friday at the Laemmle NoHo 7 and on iTunes and select digital/ cable platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGHw3uJJAk
Review: 'The Letters'
Mother Teresa's 50-year epic journey from a cloistered nun to a renowned and iconic humanitarian is brought to the big screen in the drama The Letters. Director William Riead assembles a powerful cast to bring the letters Mother Teresa wrote to her spiritual advisor, Father Celest van Exem, to life. Her story is truly a fascinating one but, unfortunately, the film can't quite match the totality of the story, lacking the passion and vigor to keep our interest for the duration of its 114-minute runtime.
In the beginning, Sister Teresa was just another one of the many cloistered nuns living in the impoverished city of Calcutta, India's capital. One unsuspecting afternoon, she believes to have heard the voice of God call her to leave her current teaching position and serve the poor in the slums. This "call within a call", she writes in one letter, was the beginning of her true life's passion, becoming a voice for those in dire need of help and love. In 1950, she was elected to "Mother" after her self-started congregation- The Missionaries of Charity- was recognized by the pope and the church.
'The Letters' had the potential to be such a powerful, emotional, and laudable film with the word "Oscar" written all over it.
In a similar narrative style to The Notebook, Father Celest van Exem acts as a narrator using Mother Teresa's letters as the script. The story jumps from the past to present day, as the priests push her canonization into sainthood after her death in 1997. As far as performances go, Juliet Stevenson transforms into Mother Teresa, adopting her frail mannerisms and gentle soul. She exudes confidence and heroism as the driving force behind the story.
The biggest critique comes from the film's pacing. The beginning was so rushed, that in a state of confusion I actually had to rewind and rewatch the first few minutes to get a better understanding of the story. The second act- where Mother Teresa overcomes a hasty unwelcoming from the Hindus who distrusted her presence in their community because of her Catholic beliefs, to finally gaining their acceptance- takes it's time to build and develop. This is the crux of the story, so the attention paid here is expected, but then the third act rushes by too quickly. In the last few minutes of the film, she has accepted a Nobel Peace Prize, becomes a globally recognized and worshiped name, and has enlightened the world on her "call within a call".
The Letters had the potential to be such a powerful, emotional, and laudable film with the word "Oscar" written all over it. Instead, what we have here is a fair, melodramatic biopic that underwhelms when compared to what truly great work Mother Teresa accomplished.
The Letters is now playing in over 1,000 theaters nationwide including the Laemmle Playhouse 7, ArcLight, AMC, and Pacific Theaters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyAujrEur-U&feature=youtu.be
First Look at Sam vs Jeremiah in 'Sam Klemke's Time Machine'
Review: 'Kingdom of Shadows'
With all of the negativity and tragedy in the news lately, the last thing one wants to think about is another face of evil, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the ugly truths that are life's reality. This time, evilness comes in the form of rampant drug cartels in Mexico, whose utter disregard for human life is traumatizing it's own citizens. Kingdom of Shadows is a documentary that profiles three individuals trying to live among the corruption from Mexico's devastated city of Monterrey. Innocent people are dying and fingers are pointing blame in all directions, but one thing is made crystal clear- drugs in Mexico present a real problem and they come with deadly consequences.
The three people we follow through the film have all been personally affected by this ongoing war against drugs. Sister Consuelo Morales defiantly takes on the Mexican government in her quest for answers to support of the families whose loved ones have gone "missing". She acts as voice for the victims who believe the police and state officials know more than they are letting on. The second man is Don Henry Ford Jr., a rancher from Texas who was once a prominent marijuana smuggler. He crossed the Texas/Mexico border numerous times until he was eventually caught and jailed. He recounts his days of working for top Mexican drug lords as well as his regrets on the direction his life has gone.
However, director Bernardo Ruiz's documentary, much like this issue, cannot be ignored.
The third person, and by far the most interesting, is Oscar Hagelsieb. Once an undercover agent, Oscar, now a senior Homeland Security Officer, talks about his close encounters with smugglers and the daily fear for his safety and the safety of his family. Recovered video footage of his undercover work is so riveting, it is nearly impossible to look away.
Kingdom of Shadows is heavy handed, especially with its unfortunate release at a time when war and terror is an extremely sensitive subject. However, director Bernardo Ruiz's documentary, much like this issue, cannot be ignored. This is a country where mass graves are multiplying by the day and hundreds of innocent people are "disappearing". Kingdom of Shadows may not have the answers to solve the problem it presents onscreen, but educating viewers is the first step. There have been films before Shadows, like Cartel Land and Narco Cultura, and there will be more to come. Unfortunately, the subject matter in this film is becoming much too similar.
Kingdom of Shadows opens at the Downtown Independent in Downtown L.A., Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, and on VOD this Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV1MfCRes2k
Review: 'Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict'
Art in Los Angeles has been an increasingly popular cultural activity lately; with the opening of the new contemporary art museum, The Broad, in Downtown LA, the millennial generation has seemed to put a bigger significance on experiencing art in person (whether or not this is just for social media purposes is a topic for another day). Today marks the release of a well-timed documentary that gives art lovers and creative types alike a colorful biography about one of the biggest influencers in art history, Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict.
Everyone who knew Peggy loved her for her eccentricity and uniqueness. An heiress to the Guggenheim family fortune, Peggy often called herself the "black sheep" of her upper-class family. She loved being the center of attention and even shaved off her eyebrows as a teenager in rebellion to her preception of society's pressure on young women at the time. Peggy reveals her tragic upbringing, which included the death of her father when he drowned aboard the Titanic, to her biographer in audio tapes that were long thought of as lost but thankfully have been found for audiences to enjoy.
From giving Jackson Pollock his first break to being credited as one of the first galleries to mix European and American art, Peggy's candidness and vulnerability when talking to Weld are both inspiring and heartbreaking.
Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland uncovered the recordings between Peggy and biographer/ author Jacqueline B. Weld in Weld's basement and upon hearing the tapes, knew Peggy's story had to be told. This interview would also be the last Peggy ever gave before her death and Vreeland treats the significance of these tapes with the utmost respect and care. The "who's who" of the avant-garde world, including Marina Abramovic and Larry Gagosian, the art dealer who owns the Gagosian Gallery chain of art galleries reminisce about Pegg and the life-changing contributions she made to the art world. From giving Jackson Pollock his first break to being credited as one of the first galleries to mix European and American art, Peggy's candidness and vulnerability while talking to Weld are both inspiring and heartbreaking.
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict is just as diverse and spectacular as Ms. Guggenheim herself was. The film will leave viewers with a sense of wanderlust and admiration for a woman who helped define the art world as we know it. Guggenheim had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year and opens theatrically today.
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict is now playing at the Nuart Theatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8yy8Opyjcs
Charlie Kaufman, Jennifer Jason Leigh on 'Anomalisa'
With high winds (blaming that on the semi-decent audio quality) and only a few minutes to spare before the Anomalisa screening at the 2015 AFI FEST, Cinemacy had the opportunity to talk to Charlie Kaufman and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Our interview is short and sweet!
Anomalisa opens in select theaters on December 30, everywhere January 2016.
AFI Fest Review: 'Funny Bunny'
In the "American Independent" film category this year is director Alison Bagnall's oddball dark comedy Funny Bunny, an introspective look at a peculiar love triangle with three very quirky characters. Each one struggling with inner demons, they realize that their problems are what unites them, forming the most unlikeliest of friendships. Despite the lighthearted title, nothing is particularly funny about Funny Bunny, but it does leave one reflecting on human connections and the search for happiness.
Gene (Kentucker Audley) is a childhood obesity advocate who distracts himself from his failing marriage by going door-to-door in the hopes that someone will give him the five minutes he needs to get through his well-rehearsed pitch. When he knocks on the door of a large mansion, he is surprised to be greeted by a boy who calls himself Titty (Olly Alexander). Titty lives alone in the giant house and keeps himself entertained by pretending to be an owl and obsessing over a girl he knows only from her webcam antics, which include trying on wigs, sticking out her tongue in her array of funny faces, and playing with her bunny.
Reminiscent of last year's Felt, Funny Bunny is a good festival pick, and perfect for those with a taste for eccentric films.
The girl captures Titty's attention to the degree that he even goes so far as to donate money for her bunny's "medical bills". Gene relates to the desperation in Titty's face as he, himself, is dealing with heartache, and decides to help Titty meet the girl in person. When Titty and Gene finally meet Ginger (Joslyn Jensen) she doesn't seem to be as "together" as he imagined from her online persona. Ginger is obviously just as lost as the two of them. A self-proclaimed staunch, animal rights activist, Ginger convinces Gene and Titty to help her and her friends release pigs from a local farm. This shared experience allows the trio to foster a relationship strong enough to let their guard down and learn to trust again.
Funny Bunny does have some cool elements to the film but, unfortunately, there isn't one characteristic that is strong enough to leave a lasting impression past its festival run. As expected, the performances from Olly Alexander and Kentucker Audley are strong and likeable. Joslyn Jensen does a fine job, but it isn't until the near end of the film when she is really given a platform to display her acting abilities. It is Ginger's total breakdown proves to be one of the best scenes of the film. Slightly reminiscent of last year's Felt, Funny Bunny is a good festival pick, and perfect for those with a taste for eccentric films.
Funny Bunny will be released in select NY theaters on November 13th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TNAR094FKw
AFI FEST 2015
As each fall season brings the year’s Academy Award-vying Oscar hopeful films, so to brings AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi, which CINEMACY attended this former weekend. Held in the heart of Hollywood at (formerly Grauman’s) TCL Chinese Theatre, the film festival features an impressive range of diverse films and special events, where new American Independent films play alongside documentaries from the Netherlands and feature-length narratives from China, and beyond. The festival’s opening night film this past Thursday was the highly anticipated drama By The Sea, directed by Angelina Jolie who also co-stars alongside her husband, Brad Pitt. The closing film premiers on Thursday and is another hyped title, The Big Short, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling.
Once again, the CINEMACY team set out to cover a wide variety of different films this year, look for our reviews throughout the week, and even a few of these titles to come out in theaters soon!