eaveschristopher Reviews

On the Rocks (2020)

A LIGHT TOUCH COMEDY AND A CHARMING BILL MURRAY

[7/10 · 3 November 2020]

ON THE ROCKS MICRO REVIEW - --- On The Rocks is a comedy with a light touch exploring relationships and their infidelities. Laura Keane (Rashida Jones) suspects her husband (Marlon Wayans) of cheating on her while having an interjecting father (Bill Murray) who was himself a ladies man. Sofia Coppola presents an honest self-portrait or an artist dealing with domesticity bringing a charm that shines the brightest through Murray and Jones's exchanges.

Coppola constructs an authentic and complex version of masculinity through Bill Murray - one that is deeply flawed through his desire to be loved, his opinions of femininity beauty, and desire to fix in others what he has done wrong. The flavorful overlaying eccentricity of the character withstanding. However, I wish more conversation time was spent between Wayans and Jones which would have solidified the juxtaposition of Murray and Wayans variations on masculinity with Jones being caught in the middle.

On The Rocks is everything you think it will be but the journey to get there is charmingly enjoyable and always engaging. Especially from the always charismatic, charming and eccentric Bill Murray.

Alone (V) (2020)

Fresh But Familiar Genre Filmmaking

[8/10 · 23 September 2020]

Alone Micro Review -

Alone is masterful genre filmmaking harking back to the classic psychological thrillers of Spielberg's Duel (1971) and Kurt Russel's Breakdown (1997). With a 98 minute run time the film is self aware of what it is and fully succeeded in accomplishing that result. Alone is fantastic at rollercoasting the tension while presenting stunning cinematography and superb performances.

While Alone features many creative takes on the genre there are two specific clishies that occur for the sake of progressing the story. These will be self-apparent but are very brief moments that understandably serve as story shortcuts given the budget. The film features a fight scene that is better chrographed than most studio films due to its proper editing and use of longer takes.

Marc Menchaca as the disturbed antagonist is a standout. His body language oozes dred and tension. The choice of Menchaca to just be disturbed amplifies the tension in that you never know who you could actually bump into. Alone is a memorable film that walks the line of what genre needs to be but adds just enough new to feel fresh.

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

Most Triumphant My Fellow Movie Lovers!

[8/10 · 3 September 2020]

Bill and Ted Face the Music Micro Review -

Most triumphant my fellow movie lovers! Bill and Ted save the Universe through positivity. The film is Cinema Molly balancing heartfelt moments with authentic purpose. In an age of cashing in on eighties and nineties nostalgia Bill and Ted never felt disingenuous.

Dennis Caleb McCoy steals the movie and Alex Winter carries the film. This is NOT meant as being negative towards Keanu by comparison as Keanu was wonderful, but Winter truly delivers. With only a 92 minute runtime most characters find a moment to shine.

Bill and Ted incorporates and blends numerous elements from Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey delivering a strong and fitting conclusion to what was an unplanned trilogy. Although, the film does perhaps end a little too abruptly. While there was some questionable green screen work and some questionable story choices none of that really matters as the unique magic of Bill and Ted is in its whimsical wonderment and lovable characters.

Be Excellent to each other. Party on dudes.

Sputnik (2020)

Sputnik - A Travelling Companion

[6/10 · 25 August 2020]

Sputnik Micro Review -

Comrades! Sputnik is a new Russian Sci-Fi horror film that tells the story of the mystery behind a crashed Cosmonaut in 1983. While Sputnik in the United States is known as the first manufactured object launched into space by the Soviets, the meaning of the word Sputnik translates as "a travelling companion." This distinction is incredibly important in the understanding of the film's theme as an International Film playing to a United States audience - the role of internalized fear on personal choice.

Sputnik is quick to show the creature which is incredibly well done. The Soviet 1983 setting is a purposeful choice intended to play the creature horror genre against a backdrop of recent real-life nationalized based horror. The film uses its creature fantastically in this analogy. Although for the purpose of this theme the film does make several convoluted plot choices for the sake of progressing the story. Specifically, in how the Cosmonaut is not under 24/7 video monitoring?

Sputnik is probably not the film for someone who is not already interested in Sci-Fi horror. I do not see this as a good gateway film. But despite the few larger leaps of contrivances, I had a fun time with the film. I am extremely excited to see what writer-director Egor Abramenko creates next.

Project Power (2020)

Fresh Take on Super Powers with Rubbish Villians.

[7/10 · 16 August 2020]

Project Power Micro Review -

The city of New Orleans is under siege from a new street drug which unlocks its users inner super power for five minutes or causes them to explode. The film shifts away from a traditional depiction of "Superman" style powers being empowering wonderment to being seen as unnatural, frightening and eerie. Project Power has personality, style and fantastic protagonists but lacks real narrative weight from its villains.

When Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback are on screen the film works. The directors give these characters moments to breath and grow alongside each other. Unfortunately, the villains are all complete rubbish. There are two exposition sequences that dictate the motivations of the villains as being they are villains. Eventually the main bad is revealed late in the third act but is regulated to running around yelling orders for her Goons to "get them!" This is disappointing because there is so much potential for drama between the villain and Jamie Foxx's motivation.

Project Power's concept, style and protagonists are all fantastic. The film has great lighting design and the action, while featuring some shaky cam cam, is clear in what is happening. Especially one clever long take action sequence shot from inside a tank. Project Power has much more to love than to be frustrated with. Although, I was shocked to learn the film had a 85 million dollar budget. I would have guessed 20 to 30. So that's not too great.

Twisted Pair (2018)

Neil Breen - The Autuer Filmmaker or Andy Kaufman

[6/10 · 13 August 2020]

Twisted Pair Micro Review -

Justice will be Served! Twisted Pair is the classic tale of two identical twin brothers, one good and one evil, who are also AI (Artificial Intelligence) humanoid hybrids, from maybe the future, using superior science to serve justice against the world's corrupt CEO businessmen. Each in their own way, or maybe on their own terms - I really do not know. Either way Justice will be served. Also, the evil twin brother has a fake beard. But, is he really evil or just serving his own brand of justice?

Filmmaker Neil Breen is an auteur. Being an auteur has no correlation to the reception of one's work. Neil Breen films are easily identifiable as Neil Breen films in both their themes and style. Twisted Pair is Breen's latest film to which Breen has taken on the roles of director, writer, producer, lead actors, and editor. As well as handling make-up, production management, set designer, sound editor, lighting design, casting manager, location manager, music director and finally delivering exceptional craft services.

I mean this unironically. Neil Breen films are absolutely fascinating which stems out of inability to decipher if these are earnest creations from a filmmaker or a fifteen year Andy Kaufman(esq) character troll. Every interview plays completely straight. To paraphrase multiple Breen statements "..these are not midnight movies. These are real films." But to watch a Neil Breen film with its bizarre compositing of effects over stock footage, the nonstop usage of voice over exposition and Breen's characters always being divine beings of good - one must wonder if Breen isn't in on the joke. Or is he? I do not know! It is in this chasm of unknown confusion I find a real sense of wonder around this auteur.

Justice is served!

The Big Ugly (2020)

Fantastic Actors with Questionable Production Choices

[5/10 · 3 August 2020]

The Big Ugly Micro Review -

First and most importantly Ron Perlman is absolutely fantastic. Vinnie Jones, Malcolm McDowell, and Bruce McGill are also all wonderful. Unfortunately, the film's positives end with its cast. The Big Ugly features a great setting with intriguing character relationships but fails to deliver on its promise of West Virginia Gangster Shakespeare.

The Big Ugly has numerous questionable production choices. Interior bar scenes are filmed against bright large front windows blowing out the shot. The editing is extremely overworked bouncing around the room without motivation other than to give the appearance that talking about events is fast paced. The action that is portrayed in this genre gangster film is generic and forgettable lacking any personality.

Perlman, Jones and McDowell elevate the quality of a film that would have been a complete disaster without their natural talent, charisma, and excitement. That's the disappointment aspect of The Big Ugly. The story idea is actually interesting with an upper class West Virgina Gangster family dispute. Unfortunately, the talent of the Big Ugly's actors are miles above the quality of the film.

Wildlife (2018)

A Faltering Family Shown Through Unyeilding Love

[8/10 · 27 July 2020]

Wildlife Micro Review -

Wildlife is actor Paul Dano's directorial debut. Jeanette (Carey Mulligan) and Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal) are a faltering wife and husband in 1960 Montana while their 14 year old son Joe (Ed Oxenbould) struggles with this downturn. The film is beautifully told through the perspective of Joe's unyielding love for his flawed parents.

Jeanette and Jerry both make mistakes but both are also shown to care deeply for their son. The film never attempts to vilify any character but instead show them as complex and flawed people. Dano's acting background strongly shines through in his ability to pull performances from his actors; Wildlife also hits on the emanucalet production level and gorgeous cinematography.

Each character has multiple opportunities to express their emotional point of view of a failing relationship. Dano allows these scenes to play out showcasing acting and reaction in a single shot with little cutting. Although the film does leave a number of loose threads surrounding Joe's fellow classmate and an escalation that developed too quickly with its reveal. Wildlife is a phenomenal debut from Paul Dano building excitement for his next project.

Greyhound (2020)

Tension Driven WWII Naval Combat Missing Human Element

[7/10 · 22 July 2020]

Greyhound Micro Review -

From 1942 until 1944 the battle for the North Atlantic raged between roving wolfpacks of German U-Boats and Allied Supply Convoys racing for England. Greyhound is told from the perspective of a United States Destroyer Bridge defending against U-boat attacks. The film is dedicated to, and phenomenally depicts, this visual execution of naval combat which creates a great deal of tension. Unfortunately, the film is held back by its limited character work restricting Greyhound from growing beyond the situation.

There is surprisingly little character building and due to the identical military uniforms I cannot tell you about any supporting character other than the ship's cook Cleveland. Ninety percent of the film follows Hanks (Ernest Krause) rushing from port to starboard and back again amidst the battle. I believe Hanks did portray a character but most of that work was absent from the final film.

I enjoyed the film for what it presented although was left wanting more from the premise. While the film is written by and starring Tom Hanks the direction of Aaron Schneider forgets the human element. To compare Greyhound to the other WWII Hanks film "Saving Private Ryan" Greyhound lacks the conversations in the church and Damon's pre-battle story moments. Greyhound is well produced and creates tension with the battle but fails to deliver a feeling of dread through characters to empathize with.

Dark Encounter (2019)

The Aliens Are Here - But Why?

[6/10 · 20 July 2020]

Dark Encounter Micro Review -

Dark Encounter throws back to 1982 Pennsylvania when men wore jean jackets, drove boxy chevy trucks and aliens terrorized countryside homes. After a grieving family returns home from a memorial service for their missing daughter strange lights begin closing in on the house. While the film starts off strong through characters, production and an interesting third act revelation, Dark Encounter fails to come together at the end.

The eighties filmmaking style feels familiar but is just enough different in its premises to keep an interest and curiosity for the unfolding story. As the alien attack escalates the filmmaker never relies on jump scares but instead develops tension through atmosphere and the reactions of the actors. The film looks and sounds very good.

The inherent issue I had is with the third act. Essentially, there are two parallel storylines - one surrounding the mystery of the missing daughter and the second surrounding the aliens. While the initial third act reveal was surprising, it just kept going and lasted far too long in what I feel was an extended attempt to elicit more emotion, but instead just left me checking my watch. Unfortunately, the aliens' motivations are never realized outside of being the catalyst for "explaining" the missing daughter.

Palm Springs (2020)

The Cinamatic Manifestation of 2020

[9/10 · 16 July 2020]

Palm Springs Micro Review -

When Palm Springs premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival it never could have predicted it would be the cinematic manifestation of the year 2020. While the film is built upon traditional romcom scaffolding its characters and their balancing of hilarious moments with honest and authentic underlying feelings of loneliness elevates the genre. Palm Springs is near perfect at accomplishing what it set out to be.

Andy Samberg (Nyles) has been stuck in a repeating wedding day time loop for an eternity, when by chance, Cristin Milioti (Sarah) becomes unknowingly trapped with him. Samberg uses his comedic background as a well executed shield for Nyle's nihilism for the situation he has found himself in. Miloti faces her own challenges and plays off of Samberg's quirkiness acceptance of this bizarre situation fantastically. But Samberg and Milioti's back and forth is more than well executed hilarious moments, they punch upwards towards exploring our interconnections.

While I did not care for "how" the time loop was addressed, Palm Springs is not a film about escaping a never ending repeating day. Palm Springs authentically addresses the feelings of loneliness in a world we sometimes feel we have no control over with leviety. One of the best films 0f 2020.

Escaping Freedom (2020)

Escaping Freedom is a wonderful piece of artistic cinema.

[10/10 · 6 May 2020]

Escaping Freedom Micro Review -

Escaping Freedom is an intimate exploration of the contrasting masks people wear within society. Writer Director Edd Blott weaves an emotionally complex tale of two foster siblings (portrayed by Patrick D. Green, Kelly Godell) who reunite after a time of being estranged. Each is the others confident but also their foil as they come to terms with who they are.

Both Vincent and Krystal struggle with their self-identity and have chosen vastly different paths for their lives. The magic of Escaping Freedom is in the interwoven conflict of these two juxtaposed protagonists. Each character plays off the other's strengths and flaws towards personal discovery which feels very personal to the Director.

While Escaping Freedom deals with difficult themes, due to its wonderful rhythm to its pacing, the film feels like a brisk ninety-minute watch rather than its 2 hour and 20-minute runtime. This is because of Green and Godell's complex performances and Blott's choices. Specifically, the scenes between Vincent and Krystal just talking through their past are a standout. Escaping Freedom is a wonderful piece of artistic cinema.