The Brothers Grimsby

Sasha Baron Cohen was once king.  He created shockingly offensive personalities that pushed comedic boundaries few have been able to emulate.  Most notably, Borat, whose film turned both Sasha and his alter ego into cultural icons. You would be hard pressed to find someone(above the age of 12) who hasn't heard the name Borat, let alone seen the film. As we watched Borat go from one crass stunt to the next we wondered "can he really get away with this?" With Borat a distant memory, Cohen once again attempts to make the climb towards relevancy with The Brothers Grimsby.  Like they say with professional athletics, the hardest part isn't getting to the top, it's staying there.  In the case of The Brothers Grimsby, Sasha isn't going to be a repeat champion.

The film centers around Nobby, (Sasha B. Cohen) a well intentioned yet bumbling moron, who has been searching for his brother, Sebastian (Mark Strong) for the past 28 years. Nobby finally reconnects with his brother only to find out Sebastian is a MI6 agent who is on the run.  The two team up to help take down a terrorist plot and clear Sebastian's name. As you may have guessed, action and stupidity ensues.

My largest frustration with The Brothers Grimsby may lie in its own mediocrity. It is by no stretch a quality film, but not quite bad enough to discount entirely.  Somewhere deep in the movie's core is a funny and surprisingly touching premise.  The brothers' relationship, when explored is rather compelling, if only it wasn't followed by jokes involving genitalia. Humorous moments are quickly overshadowed by cheap one liners, disrupting a few promising bits.  I found myself laughing, but those laughs were fleeting and by the halfway point they had almost entirely subsided.

Sasha has become his own worst enemy.  He set the comedic bar so high years back, that now anything less feels disappointing.  As usual, there is a built up expectation to shock the audience with something they've never seen before. He succeeds on that front, but with situations far more gross than funny. It is as if he fears not including 'those' infamous scenes is somehow cheating the audience.  Frankly, he isn't wrong, we expect them, making it all the more tragic when they don't work.

In a nut shell:  I don't see myself revisiting The Brothers Grimsby. Sasha has become a slave to his old formula. He has the aptitude for comedic greatness, but is so fixated on the most vulgar aspects of humor that he cannot actualize his potential. I laughed, although I can hardly recall why.  Still, the film is watchable; never did I feel bored or in a rush to leave. Many of the jokes don't land, but if you are looking for gross humor, this isn't the worst thing out there. (1.5 out of 4)

10 Cloverfield Lane

3 and 1/2 Nuts!

There is something refreshing when a film releases its first trailer less than two months before it debuts. It is a confident yet risky move, limiting both hype and expectations.  Perhaps the producer, J.J Abrams is making a statement, that a film's success can occur on its own merit without months of traditional Hollywood promotions.  Time will tell if this was a smart choice depending on box office sales. Regardless, it is a bold move on the studio's part, but one that allows the audience to go in with an open mind.  Whatever your expectations may be they will not only be met, but surpassed.

The film focuses around Michelle, who after a terrible car accident wakes up chained to a pipe in a small underground room.  It is apparent she is being held captive; however,  her captor may not be the worst of her troubles.  Within the opening minutes of the film we are thrust into this nightmarish universe via a masterful title sequence.  It is brilliantly edited, highlighting her car crash and instantly engages the audience faster than any film in recent memory.

With little backstory the audience doesn't feel forced to care for Michelle, instead it happens organically through her actions and conversations.  The dire setting of the film strips the characters down to their core leaving them vulnerable. We gain a certain feeling of closeness to Michelle and she becomes someone you care about and want to see survive.

Although 10 Cloverfield Lane takes elements from other genres, it manages to keep us guessing. There is such uncertainty in every decision Michelle makes--who she should trust and if the wrong move will lead to her untimely demise. Our protagonist's danger feels real as does her own mortality. It creates a high level of suspense, making us feel more uneasy as the story progresses.

With only three characters in the entire film,  a good deal of scrutiny can be placed on the individual performances.  All three excel, bringing to life individuals who each have emotional depth and separate motivations.  The stand out performance comes from John Goodman who turns what could have been a very one dimensional character into a complicated multilayered psycho.  It brought back feelings of the film Misery, with Kathy Bates who plays a similar role-- motherly at times but capable of snapping at a moment's notice.  This type of character's unpredictability create tension in any scene they are in.

If there is one gripe with the movie, it is that the ending goes a tad over the top, taking what is a small scale film and really amping it up in terms of scope.  Some may find this jarring but I found it gave a real sense of closure to Michelle's character arc.  

In a nut shell: This is a tremendous piece of film making. Despite the film's unfamiliar setting and circumstance, the characters still feel relatable.  Not only does it play with audience expectation prior to viewing (due to its untraditional release), it also adds a fresh twist on some ideas we have seen before.  From start to finish the score remains haunting and adds its own layer of suspense to an already tense film.  Don't be surprised to find yourself  with fists clenched and mouth ajar.   It is a great addition to what the director calls the  "Clovervesrse" and I look forward to future stories from this world. (3.5 out of 4)

Cloverfield (2008)

With the release of 10 Cloverfield Lane only days away, I felt it was fitting to take a look back at the film which shares (in part) the same name.  One can only speculate as to how much of a sequel this new film will be.  From the looks of the trailer, 10 Cloverfield Lane will have a new cast and story-line while continuing to exist in the same universe as the first.  I would be hard pressed to call this a sequel in a traditional sense of the word.  Regardless, Cloverfield is very capable of standing on its own two feet as a welcome addition to the monster/disaster movie genre.

Although I would not consider myself a fan of the 'found footage' style of filming, it can still be an effective means to engage the audience.  Maybe the novelty has worn off for most, but here the handheld camera effect created a more intense viewing experience; we feel very much a part of the disaster. This type of filming eliminates the traditional three act narrative and allows us to jump right into the action with little backstory. Instead of investing time on the character's development we are able to focus almost entirely on the terror being recorded, which is the real strength of the film anyway.

The film centers around Rob, who after a one night stand with close friend Beth, is now very much in love with her.  In the midst of Rob's own going away party, Manhattan is attacked by a vicious monster.  Rob, accompanied by his friends, set out to save Beth and get off the ravaged island. TJ Miller plays Rob's best friend and is the "cameraman" for the film. Miller does a serviceable job tracking his way through the city yet his acting leaves something to be desired.  Generally Miller is quite funny in films, although here his jokes fall flat.

The film shines through its sudden bursts of intense action.  Despite its low budget, Cloverfield is a visual triumph.  It puts the audience right at the ground level, forced to look up and witness the monsters destruction. To watch Manhattan, a city so well known, fall to chaos is both jarring and familiar.  One can feel a strange sense of déjà vu, drawing parallels to the attacks on 9/11-- only now we see what a full scale attack on our soil could look like. Replace the monster for a more realistic adversary and the films true terror message can really hit close to home.

Cloverfield's characters can be frustrating and at times downright unlikable. Their decision to go back and save Beth is almost nonsense in the face of imminent doom.  To make things worse, Rob is arrogant and selfish which makes it hard to root for his survival.

In a nut shell: While Cloverfield may not have the most likable cast of characters, it certainly has enough action and suspense to captivate the audience.  It doesn't get bogged down with an overly complicated plot and serves as a crushing reminder as to how devastating a terrorist attack can be.  It takes everyday Americans and shows that in a moment's notice their entire world can change. The trivial issues in everyday life can suddenly feel insignificant when faced with your own mortality. It's a sobering thought--one that we should reflect on more often.  (2.5 out of 4)

Top 10 of 2015

Overall, it was a  good year for film.  Although the Oscars do a somewhat decent (if not subpar) job at showing off the best in film, there are a few nominations this year that made me scratch my head. In any case, who doesn't like a good top 10 list? Be sure to comment below if you think I am missing a movie or disagree; I haven't seen them all.

1. It Follows- Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for horror but this movie took me out of my comfort zone in a way few films are able to.  It is a unique story, masterfully told, that introduces a new horror folklore we have yet to see in this genre. The film's haunting score enhances an already frightening tale into something far more foreboding.  It is a must see.

2. The Hateful Eight- Tarantino is very much in his element. It is not his best work but certainly in the top half.  Another film with a tremendous score.  Give it a listen after you see the film.

3. Spotlight- My vote for Best Picture (If I had one)

4. Sicario- You want an Oscar Snub? How about Benecio Del Toro's masterful work as the mysterious lawyer/Colombian drug enforcer/CIA agent?  An anti-hero for the ages.  The story also sheds some light on the horrors going on right across our boarders.

5. Steve Jobs- They nominated Bridge of Spies and The Martian over this? Really?!  Some absolutely iconic moments in this film and one that I look forward to re-watching.

6. Creed- The best Rocky film since Rocky.

7. The Big Short-  The performances are exceptional and a complex story is broken down for the audience in a clever way.  I will still need to watch this one again.

8. Straight Outta Compton- A very informative and compelling film about the 90's surge of hip hop in LA.

9. Bone Tomahawk- A western/horror starring Kurt Russell. It is a slow building tale with action that is so abrupt you never feel ready for it.  Might have one the most gruesome scenes in a film that I wish I could 'unsee'.

10. Ex Machina- An engrossing film on first viewing that is mysterious and unpredictable.

Honorable mentions: What we do in the Shadows, Dope, Mad Max.

An aside: I am very anxious to see Son of Saul and feel as though it would have made my list.

Movies You May Have Missed - The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook haunted me. It shook me to my core.  So much so I've watched it four times over. I'm not done, maybe I never will be, and isn't that the critical sign of a great film? The film has an ending, the credits role, but the story and its themes live on through discussion and analysis. It strikes the perfect balance of scares, to engage us on a visceral level, and enough content/ideas to keep us thinking long after the film ends. To successfully create a chilling sense of unease while also being poignant in its message is a rarity and something only a select few horror films have been able to achieve.

The film centers around a mother, Amelia, trying to raise her six year old son, Sam.  He is precocious in some ways but also lacks the social polish most other children his age have already developed. He doesn't listen, has a penchant for violence and speaks freely to everyone. It is clear Amelia is overburdened by the weight of raising her troubled child but keeps her anxiety bottled up. Because of her nature, their contentious relationship remains fairly repressed.  Things take a turn for the worse once a  demon is conjured that inflicts great horror onto the family.  I would go into further detail but any more would be an injustice to the film's ability to stay unpredictable. 

The Babadook hits on certain themes that many films are unable to properly convey usually due to a convoluted plot.  It deals with grief, loneliness and the dangers that can come along when you repress these feelings. 

There is so much content in the film just begging to be dissected -- so many moments that demand exploration and further analysis.  It can be an absolute delight if viewed with the right mind frame. It is a film that takes itself seriously and demands its viewer to do the same, therefore I recommend watching it alone. This is by no means intended for the passive viewer.

The genius of this film is in its obscurity. Is the monster a literal form or simply a conduit for the character's anxiety and fears?  Maybe it's both.  You can interpret the film however you'd like; there is enough left open ended  for viewers to engage in lively debate as to what really is taking place.  

In a nut shell: The Babadook did what few films are able to do, truly scare me. There is so much dread, such foreboding atmosphere it can feel quite unsettling. However, having a sense of dread and feeling scared, to me, are two very different emotions. Some films try to supplant one for the other but to have a perfect horror film you need both to work in congruity.  Being scared is almost indescribable. We can't show it but we can feel it.  There is a childlike innocence to being scared.  When a film can conjure back those emotions with such ease, in a way that doesn't feel cheap, we realize the awesome potential of the genre. 


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The Witch

   2 1/2 Nuts

The Witch serves as a haunting parable whose application spans two distinct time periods.  On the one hand it is a cautionary tale for early colonial America that witches are undoubtedly real, so please be advised.  Simultaneously, The Witch is a tale intended for the current generation, regarding human nature and the divisive powers of religion. Regardless of its audience, The Witch is as chilling as it is thought provoking.

The film manages to keep a steady sense of dread throughout without relying on Hollywood's typical cadence of scare tactics.  What happens off camera may in fact be more terrifying than what is viewed on screen.  Far from conventional horror films, this smaller more "indie-film", certainly does not have the "wide" audience in mind (despite being a wide release).  Many going into the film expecting big scares and a simple plot will be disappointed.  That is not to say the film does not have shocking moments; it most certainly does.

The Witch centers around one family, cast out from a plantation they were a part of, over religious differences with the other settlers. They are sent off to fend for themselves.  The husband is not a good farmer, nor a hunter both vital for survival.  It is apparent the transition borders on untenability, however, the family's trust in god keeps them going. They do not waiver from their faith even when things seem most dire.  Enter the witch, who begins to make the situation much worse by stealing and occasionally possessing the children of the family.

Folklore tales at the time helped solidify public paranoia as to the validity of witches, showing how even the most pious of families can fall to the temptations of the devil.  I do not doubt these folktales are the very same that inspired the witch trials and the murder of innocent girls. Girls stuck in the most unjust of times.

The film effectively shows how religion was everything to these early pioneers. The witch is both a literal being in the film while also serving as a manifestation of the settlers' fears and doubts of making it in America.  She represents greed, lust, temptation, all things forbidden and repressed. They have such a devotion to God that blaming him for such intense hardship wasn't possible.  (God could only be testing them so much) The witch could be that outlet.  A physical being to explain why things were so unrelentingly tough.

An aside: Quality horror films today are scarce. It's a shame. When done right, the horror genre has the ability to explore the dark depths of the human psyche while effectively engaging the audience with an original story. It makes us question what is real and creates a sense of unease to thrust you out of the mundane. This was brilliantly showcased in the past few years with two of my favorite horror films in recent memory, It follows and The Babadook. If you haven't seen those, I suggest you do.

In a Nut shell:  The Witch is a beautifully shot film and the actors do an exceptional job portraying colonial settlers.  With a 1 hour 30 minute runtime The Witch can feel slow.  For a genre that I revere (indie-horror) this film couldn't create that bone chilling feel I was craving. However, it is certainly better than most of the garbage horror films put out today. (2.5 out of 4)

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Deadpool (2016)

2 1/2 Nuts!

Well it is(was) Valentine's Day weekend and this year you once again are pretty limited in terms of quality date night movies.  But if you want to hint to your girlfriend that you don't really care what she thinks then maybe go take her to see Deadpool.  She probably wont like it, but you will.  Also what's the other option, talk? hard pass.

Deadpool is one of the few Marvel "R" rated heroes.  He's more of an anti-hero in that he kills in quite devastating ways with no remorse.  He is also an ass. This is not what most are used to getting out of a Marvel film.  With the abundance of anti-heroes in film today, the concept isn't exactly earth shattering either, we are just not used to seeing it in our superheroes.

This anti-hero notion is juxtaposed in the film through the introduction of two X-men characters (Colossus and some super/fire girl) who come to the aid of Deadpool during the film.  They encompass all the traits that make a hero heroic and show how far off Deadpool's set of beliefs are from the norm.

 Ryan Reynolds plays Deadpool to perfection.  He is bold, disrespectful, and will say just about anything that pops into his childish mind. In many ways, Reynolds plays the role with the same wit and gall he displays in most film roles he is cast in.  Here this persona works perfectly. Reynolds is able to encompass the essence of the Deadpool character so well that it feels as though he was born to play this role.

Yes, the film is violent for the sheer sake of gratuitous violence; that's how we like it.  Most moviegoers who are hoping to see Deadpool shoot and cut people up will not be disappointed.

This isn't a perfect movie but honestly who thought it would be? It suffers from some pacing issues and a love story that is simply there to move the plot along (when is that not the case?).  It is also told in flashbacks that I'm sure were done to seem clever but really only serves to break up the action.  The ending tries to send a message. Something along the lines of, beautiful people are not always superficial and that looks don't matter once you have true love. It sounds like a lot of bs but the films needs to have a happy ending, I guess.

An aside: Can these films find a plot devise that doesn't circle around a love interest? Most of the guys seeing it probably don't have girlfriends, so give them a break.

There are few times that the film pokes fun at Hugh Jackman and one of the Wolverine movies.  If you get the references,  they make for some of the funnier moments in the film.  If you don't get the references, then I'm surprised you want to see this movie in the first place.

In a nut shell: If you're looking for a movie that you can turn your mind pretty much off and just go and have an enjoyable time, this is it. With the multitude of superhero movies released in the past 10 years, Deadpool certainly separates itself from the pack.  It's audacious, outrageous, and crass.  Don't watch it with your parents or do. (2.5 out of 4 nuts)