I have extremely strong feelings about the modern age of horror films. It is because of this that I was hesitant to watch any of the Conjuring movies. However, I saw Annabelle: Creation in the theater, and I enjoyed it very much. That being said, I just recently watched the original Annabelle movie and, while it does have some plot issues, the atmosphere and tone have a genuinely creepy feel that will give you chills.
Annabelle is the story of a married couple who experience supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll. One of the major elements I enjoy about the film is how traumatizing these supernatural events are for this couple. It is affecting their marriage so much that they seek out guidance from an occult librarian and a priest. This is a horrifying journey for these characters, and you feel that horror every step of the way. However, there are a number of plot holes do hinder the film. Early on in the film we learn that John Form (Ward Horton) is in medical school. However, we have not seen any prior evidence of this, and it feels forced that they put that in the film. Also, when Mia (Annabelle Wallis) receives the Annabelle doll as a gift, she reacts with phrases as, "I can't believe you found it!". Found it from where??? The box did not even have a label on it!! Later in the film, Mia talks to John about certain things she discussed with Father Perez (Tony Amendola) in their first meeting. Yet, certain things she says she discussed WERE NOT discussed. Then, at one point in the film John gets a new job but instead of actually seeing a scene that reveals this, it is only merely implied. Also, John and Mia move to different residences a couple of times throughout the film, and yet continue to go to the same church. Perhaps it is just me, but I would attempt to find a church closer to where I live. Also, it seems forced that all of a sudden Mia and Evelyn (Alfre Woodard) are good enough friends that Mia would let Evelyn into her home. They just met a few days ago!!! These plot holes do hinder the film quite a bit, however I also feel that the director, John R. Leonetti, gives such an eerie and creepy feel to the movie that it makes it watchable.
John R. Leonetti is the director of Annabelle. The tone that Leonetti set for this film is the other reason I enjoy this film. I have been openly critical that modern horror films rely too much on gore and jump scares, but Leonetti creates great visual tension with the camera and puts the jump scares in unexpected places. This film is so creepy to watch. He also takes nods from films like The Exorcist and Poltergeist to give the film a classic horror genre vibe. There are two quite memorable sequences in this movie: the elevator scene and the final sequence in Mia and Johns' apartment. The elevator scene is shot in one take, and that makes you feel tense just watching. The final sequence in the apartment also has great long cuts that do not shy away from the horrific things that are happening. The lighting and lack of music in this sequence make is especially scary. This is a solid directorial outing by Leonetti.
Annabelle has a cluster of plot issues. However there is no denying that the tone of this film helps keep it on point, even if it is only by a bit. If you are a fan of the Conjuring film series, or if you are looking for a half decent modern horror film, you should give this movie a chance.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
The Heartbreak of Silence
I always enjoy watching foreign films. It broadens my perspective on film-making, and it also encourages me that movies can be so much more than just entertainment. Movies can impact you emotionally, and make you think about things that are happening in the world or in your life. Blackrock is one of those kinds of movies.
Blackrock is the story of a group of surfers whos friendship is tested after one of them witnesses a local schoolgirl get raped and murdered. I like the way this film unfolds because you see how close all of these friends are. They may get on each others nerves sometimes, but in the end all is forgiven because these guys are like family. I also like the side story with Jareds' (Laurence Breuls) mother, Diane (Linda Cropper). This element of the film adds an extra element of drama to the film that makes you care about Jared even more. This is a powerful film that makes you question where you stand between loyalty and truth.
Laurence Breuls plays Jared. I love Jareds' character arc in the film because for a majority of the film he struggles with whether to stay loyal to his friends or go to the authorities about what he saw. This also affects his relationship with his mother because he is being emotionally distant at a time when she needs him around. Breuls is solid in the role, and his character provides the necessary emotional weight. The scene where he confesses to his mother that he witnessed what happened to the schoolgirl is so powerful because of Breuls' performance. Every subtlety in his facial expressions and voice tone makes Jared as a character feel more human. I enjoyed watching Breuls develop this character very much.
Linda Cropper plays Jareds' mother, Diane. I like this character because she is one of the few people in Jareds' life that is attempting to get him to talk about what happened. I think that Jared wants to tell her, and that she knows he wants to tell her. Also, she is going through something personal in her life as well and she needs to talk to Jared about it. Diane and Jared have a complex relationship that adds to the story a great deal. Cropper shines in the role, and delivers every line of dialogue as an actual mother would. Like Breuls, Cropper inhabits the role and makes her character feel like a real person. Linda Cropper gives an authentic, standout performance in this film.
Simon Lyndon plays Ricko. There is a great deal of mystery surrounding this character as he does not get much screen time. However, I think that lack of screen time is earned when you discover the revelation about the character. Once that moment happens, his character becomes an important focal point. Ricko is quite a disturbing character because he believes in his motivations so casually. Like the aforementioned actors, Lyndon makes the character believable as a real person, perfectly inhabiting the character in every twisted aspect. Even though he does not get much screen time, Lyndon is truly something special to watch in the film. The final act of the film is so emotional to watch because of his performance. Solid work by Lyndon.
Steven Vidler is the director of Blackrock. I particularly like the way he uses the camera during the party scenes in the film. It may seem too hectic and "shaky-cam" for some, but I personally feel that the reason the camera is used this way is to reflect what the party scene is like in real life. I also like the way the camera is used in Laurence Breuls' scenes. Jareds' journey is quite emotional, and the camera stays on Breuls in the emotional scenes to emphasize how he is feeling. This brings me to a part of the film that I need to address. We do not actually see the schoolgirl get murdered. Now, some would argue that it is important that we see this because it is such an important part of the film. However, I personally believe that seeing her get murdered after she has just been raped would have been too much for this kind of a movie. Setting the tone is so important when making a film, and I think that seeing a murder scene immediately after a rape scene would have been too much to take in for the tone of this movie. That being said, this film is a window into these characters' lives, and Vidler gives the film a very real, raw look at life. This is a fantastic knockout directorial debut by Vidler.
Blackrock is a powerful film that will move you in such an emotional way. This is definitely a movie that every film buff should have in their collection. If you have the means and opportunity of purchasing it, I highly suggest that you do.
Blackrock is the story of a group of surfers whos friendship is tested after one of them witnesses a local schoolgirl get raped and murdered. I like the way this film unfolds because you see how close all of these friends are. They may get on each others nerves sometimes, but in the end all is forgiven because these guys are like family. I also like the side story with Jareds' (Laurence Breuls) mother, Diane (Linda Cropper). This element of the film adds an extra element of drama to the film that makes you care about Jared even more. This is a powerful film that makes you question where you stand between loyalty and truth.
Laurence Breuls plays Jared. I love Jareds' character arc in the film because for a majority of the film he struggles with whether to stay loyal to his friends or go to the authorities about what he saw. This also affects his relationship with his mother because he is being emotionally distant at a time when she needs him around. Breuls is solid in the role, and his character provides the necessary emotional weight. The scene where he confesses to his mother that he witnessed what happened to the schoolgirl is so powerful because of Breuls' performance. Every subtlety in his facial expressions and voice tone makes Jared as a character feel more human. I enjoyed watching Breuls develop this character very much.
Linda Cropper plays Jareds' mother, Diane. I like this character because she is one of the few people in Jareds' life that is attempting to get him to talk about what happened. I think that Jared wants to tell her, and that she knows he wants to tell her. Also, she is going through something personal in her life as well and she needs to talk to Jared about it. Diane and Jared have a complex relationship that adds to the story a great deal. Cropper shines in the role, and delivers every line of dialogue as an actual mother would. Like Breuls, Cropper inhabits the role and makes her character feel like a real person. Linda Cropper gives an authentic, standout performance in this film.
Simon Lyndon plays Ricko. There is a great deal of mystery surrounding this character as he does not get much screen time. However, I think that lack of screen time is earned when you discover the revelation about the character. Once that moment happens, his character becomes an important focal point. Ricko is quite a disturbing character because he believes in his motivations so casually. Like the aforementioned actors, Lyndon makes the character believable as a real person, perfectly inhabiting the character in every twisted aspect. Even though he does not get much screen time, Lyndon is truly something special to watch in the film. The final act of the film is so emotional to watch because of his performance. Solid work by Lyndon.
Steven Vidler is the director of Blackrock. I particularly like the way he uses the camera during the party scenes in the film. It may seem too hectic and "shaky-cam" for some, but I personally feel that the reason the camera is used this way is to reflect what the party scene is like in real life. I also like the way the camera is used in Laurence Breuls' scenes. Jareds' journey is quite emotional, and the camera stays on Breuls in the emotional scenes to emphasize how he is feeling. This brings me to a part of the film that I need to address. We do not actually see the schoolgirl get murdered. Now, some would argue that it is important that we see this because it is such an important part of the film. However, I personally believe that seeing her get murdered after she has just been raped would have been too much for this kind of a movie. Setting the tone is so important when making a film, and I think that seeing a murder scene immediately after a rape scene would have been too much to take in for the tone of this movie. That being said, this film is a window into these characters' lives, and Vidler gives the film a very real, raw look at life. This is a fantastic knockout directorial debut by Vidler.
Blackrock is a powerful film that will move you in such an emotional way. This is definitely a movie that every film buff should have in their collection. If you have the means and opportunity of purchasing it, I highly suggest that you do.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
On The Road To Meaning
I have always enjoyed dramatic, character-driven films. The scripts are better than most mainstream blockbusters, and the actors who get involved with the projects invest their time in the film to truly become the characters. The film Highway is a wonderful example of that, and showcases relatively young talent coming into their own as actors.
Highway is the story of a pool boy who gets caught with a Vegas mob boss' wife in bed, so he and his best friend Pilot (Jake Gyllenhaal) hit the road for Seattle so Pilot can find the girl of his dreams. This movie does a fantastic job of setting up the characters of Jack (Jared Leto) and Pilot. These guys are a couple of misfits in 90's America who are attempting to find their place in society. They put up with each others' trouble-making because it makes them who they are, and they both have rites of passage along the way where they truly become men. This is an incredible film about the meaning of love, life and friendship.
Jared Leto plays Jack. Jack is a young man who is struggling with his own manhood, and finally finds it when he hooks up with Cassie (Selma Blair). He also has an incredibly magnetic friendship with Pilot. He is there for him through everything even though he is tough to deal with at times. Leto gives such an amazing performance in the film, and brings his character to life in such an amazing way. On paper, this character may seem stereotypical. However, Leto is so dynamic in the film that you believe in him and his character. Personally, I think he steals the entire film and runs away with it in the process.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Pilot. Pilot is socially awkward, sexually confused and has countless questions about life. This film is his journey, and everyone else is along for the ride. Gyllenhaal is breathtaking in the film. He brings a certain vulnerability to his character that makes you sympathize with what he is going through. It is kind of cliche that he does not get the girl in the end, but that moment lasts for about a second because all he cares about is the trouble he caused his friends. This is a wonderful performance by a great actor.
Selma Blair plays Cassie. This character actually has a beautiful arc throughout the film. Everything from her introduction, to her being the mediator between Jack and Pilots' bickering fits perfectly into the film, and is essential in the relationship between the characters. In fact, just when you think her character is going to become cliche, she takes another path that makes you root for her even more. Blair plays the role quite convincingly, and especially shines in the scenes she has with Jared Leto.
James Cox is the director of Highway. I love the way he handles this film because the character relationships are the driving force of the film. Without this key aspect, we do not care about anything that happens to them. This film is a window into these characters' lives, and it succeeds amazingly at that on every level. Every time Leto, Gyllenhaal and Blair are on screen together it is pure magic. This is an incredible film by James Cox.
Highway is a great example of a film where the characters guide you through the world that they inhabit. This film has great characters that you connect to, and great actors to play those characters. Highway is yet another hidden gem that may be hard to find but, if you do, add it to your collection.
Highway is the story of a pool boy who gets caught with a Vegas mob boss' wife in bed, so he and his best friend Pilot (Jake Gyllenhaal) hit the road for Seattle so Pilot can find the girl of his dreams. This movie does a fantastic job of setting up the characters of Jack (Jared Leto) and Pilot. These guys are a couple of misfits in 90's America who are attempting to find their place in society. They put up with each others' trouble-making because it makes them who they are, and they both have rites of passage along the way where they truly become men. This is an incredible film about the meaning of love, life and friendship.
Jared Leto plays Jack. Jack is a young man who is struggling with his own manhood, and finally finds it when he hooks up with Cassie (Selma Blair). He also has an incredibly magnetic friendship with Pilot. He is there for him through everything even though he is tough to deal with at times. Leto gives such an amazing performance in the film, and brings his character to life in such an amazing way. On paper, this character may seem stereotypical. However, Leto is so dynamic in the film that you believe in him and his character. Personally, I think he steals the entire film and runs away with it in the process.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Pilot. Pilot is socially awkward, sexually confused and has countless questions about life. This film is his journey, and everyone else is along for the ride. Gyllenhaal is breathtaking in the film. He brings a certain vulnerability to his character that makes you sympathize with what he is going through. It is kind of cliche that he does not get the girl in the end, but that moment lasts for about a second because all he cares about is the trouble he caused his friends. This is a wonderful performance by a great actor.
Selma Blair plays Cassie. This character actually has a beautiful arc throughout the film. Everything from her introduction, to her being the mediator between Jack and Pilots' bickering fits perfectly into the film, and is essential in the relationship between the characters. In fact, just when you think her character is going to become cliche, she takes another path that makes you root for her even more. Blair plays the role quite convincingly, and especially shines in the scenes she has with Jared Leto.
James Cox is the director of Highway. I love the way he handles this film because the character relationships are the driving force of the film. Without this key aspect, we do not care about anything that happens to them. This film is a window into these characters' lives, and it succeeds amazingly at that on every level. Every time Leto, Gyllenhaal and Blair are on screen together it is pure magic. This is an incredible film by James Cox.
Highway is a great example of a film where the characters guide you through the world that they inhabit. This film has great characters that you connect to, and great actors to play those characters. Highway is yet another hidden gem that may be hard to find but, if you do, add it to your collection.
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