First Man
Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast Headliners: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll, Buzz Aldrin, Ciarin Hinds
Original Release Date : October 12, 2018
Space, the final frontier. However this can be truly thought of as the first frontier or for films a well traveled frontier. What Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and all the personnel at NASA achieved is mind blowing to think of for logistics. How can a known figures laugh be made interesting and how does the midas touch of Damien Chazelle carry through. It ends up being what's expected and in some ways something unconventional.
To call this a biography is a bit misleading since it's not the whole story of former Navy man and astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) 's life. It's, for the most part, focused on his career leading up to the awe inspiring Moon landing.
Gosling is a acting highlight of nearly every film he's in and this lives up to that. He sometimes plays to a certain type but if it ain't broke don't fix it. Again it is a primarily physical role as he takes on the task of being the loyal and perseverant Armstrong. He manages to slip in some occasional emotional breakdowns as even up to and around the NASA days Armstrong had tough personal trials. Due to the plot much of every character's dialogue is delivered through headset and up close but his committed tone is felt.
The supportive cast, and it very much ends up being that due to the nigh-solitary nature of space, is filled with some high caliber as well working with an as expected solid script. Claire Foy portrays Janet Shearon who carries equal if not even more emotional weight in the film while also being a civilian angle to the mission at hand. Corey Stoll is Buzz Aldrin, the 'second man' of sorts and thus gets the most screen time compared to many misc other astronauts who are mostly obscured by helmets. He has some quips but like his peers is spouting intense factual science. The same could be said for Jason Clarke's Ed White and Ciarin Hinds's Robert Gilruth. Perhaps of notable other exception is Kyle Chandlers Deke Slayton who offers alot of NASA mission control. Together the cast shares various moments inspiring, slightly humorous, and at times somber.
Somber it is because this is a very realistic, at times slow, fact based work. It feels almost nothing like director Damien Chazelle's past work. There's no flashy one cuts or fast camera moves. It only possibly reminds of his past due to the quality of the up close cinematography and certain landscape shots (more on that later). But even masking himself with more common techniques he is still solid. The same applies for Justin Hurwitz score which is much more subdued than usual without a hint of jazz.
This may be due to a purpose. The way the visuals happen are so immersive and gritty it can be at times claustrophobic and dizzying. That must be commended due to its capture of what space travel is and what was like perhaps more than any other science fiction or fact recently. Then, after a fascinating journey the Moon is reached and things open so much up once they get there. The score becomes majestic and the scenery a surreal beauty. This movie could certainly be described as being redeemed by a few sequences alone amidst it's lengthy runtime.
It's not going to be for everyone. It's not for the faint of heart in the face of dizziness or those expecting the wacky free tone of Chazelle past work. But those interested in NASA's incredible space work and seeing some of the greatest efforts of human achievement should enjoy. The story, and the man at the center... And the main playing that main along the man filming that man are commendable to be sure. 8.45 out of 10
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Bad Times At The El Royale Review
Bad Times At The El Royale
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast Headliners: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, others
Original Release Date: October 12, 2018
Strangers in a stranger place with mysterious circumstances make for a typical but always interesting premise. Bad Times At The El Royale isn't breaking much new ground but it doesn't need to. It's cast of A list gems shines in between a story that's best to know as little as as possible.. It's groovy and dark and well long but with value
The year is 1969 and it sure does feel it. The production design breathes the groovy pre-disco era through every bit of color in its furniture and clothing while including some great pop tunes of the day. At the foreboding California-Nevada border residing El Royale Hotel a group of customers checks in for a night that will change their lives forever.
It can't be stressed enough how good it is to not know who's really who. At surface level there's kindly pastor Father Flynn(Jeff Bridges with his usual beard and western accent), hurried everyperson Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), cornfried southern businessman Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), and aloof roamer Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson) all checking in on the same day for their apparently seperate stories. Around they meet shy bellhop Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), charismatic hippie Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), and troubled youth Ross (Cailee Spaeny). Soon enough things get crazy .
Drew Goddard the director is an incredibly interesting talent due to his genre bending The Cabin In The Woods. Just as that appeared to be horror but was more comedy satire this appears to be funky shoot them up but is much more mystery and nuance filled. There's some great camera work along the mentioned production design. The hotel has its own visual and spoken lore that's hints at far more than what's seen. There's also clever uses of title cards for acts and flashbacks and alternative perspectives. That's how this movie bends its format and it might not be for everyone but it makes it mostly stand apart from its competition.
However the long runtime must be mentioned. At almost over two and a half hours it's not a light watch. There's heavy brutality but also heavier impact of twists .. Spaced far apart. The highlight performances from stern yet goofy Bridges to determined Erivo and more than meets the eye Hamm and Hemsworth are good but the long runtime makes each use mixed .
With some trimmed content it could have been more snappier (especially some flashbacks and setting changes that range from effective to questionable . Any cast not mentioned is just kind of there as well. However when it's good it's some dark mysterious funky fun if one has the long time. 8 out of 10
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast Headliners: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, others
Original Release Date: October 12, 2018
Strangers in a stranger place with mysterious circumstances make for a typical but always interesting premise. Bad Times At The El Royale isn't breaking much new ground but it doesn't need to. It's cast of A list gems shines in between a story that's best to know as little as as possible.. It's groovy and dark and well long but with value
The year is 1969 and it sure does feel it. The production design breathes the groovy pre-disco era through every bit of color in its furniture and clothing while including some great pop tunes of the day. At the foreboding California-Nevada border residing El Royale Hotel a group of customers checks in for a night that will change their lives forever.
It can't be stressed enough how good it is to not know who's really who. At surface level there's kindly pastor Father Flynn(Jeff Bridges with his usual beard and western accent), hurried everyperson Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), cornfried southern businessman Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), and aloof roamer Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson) all checking in on the same day for their apparently seperate stories. Around they meet shy bellhop Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), charismatic hippie Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), and troubled youth Ross (Cailee Spaeny). Soon enough things get crazy .
Drew Goddard the director is an incredibly interesting talent due to his genre bending The Cabin In The Woods. Just as that appeared to be horror but was more comedy satire this appears to be funky shoot them up but is much more mystery and nuance filled. There's some great camera work along the mentioned production design. The hotel has its own visual and spoken lore that's hints at far more than what's seen. There's also clever uses of title cards for acts and flashbacks and alternative perspectives. That's how this movie bends its format and it might not be for everyone but it makes it mostly stand apart from its competition.
However the long runtime must be mentioned. At almost over two and a half hours it's not a light watch. There's heavy brutality but also heavier impact of twists .. Spaced far apart. The highlight performances from stern yet goofy Bridges to determined Erivo and more than meets the eye Hamm and Hemsworth are good but the long runtime makes each use mixed .
With some trimmed content it could have been more snappier (especially some flashbacks and setting changes that range from effective to questionable . Any cast not mentioned is just kind of there as well. However when it's good it's some dark mysterious funky fun if one has the long time. 8 out of 10
Venom Review
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast Headliners: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate
Original Release Date: October 5th, 2018
This is really surreal to see.... After decades of existing in comic books, cartoons, and a somewhat lackluster turn in Macguire's Spiderman 3 the villian Venom now has a starring role. But it's a new cinematic Sony universe without Spiderman. Does that work out, does the tale of man and symbiote work in a vacuum.... Some of it does .
It's immediately felt through the setting that exists amongst more mundane craft. Investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) juggles his justice motives with his relationship with attorney Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Events concerning the mysterious Life Foundation and its CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) cause complications escalating with the arrival of the alien symbiotes and the powers they give .
Any comic book movie that introduces a universe is driven by its lead. Tom Hardy is an exciting pitch for that role but unfortunately results heavily vary. As Brock he has some attempted quips and ferocity but neither quite hits the mark they or his talent needs. What becomes quite interesting is the abilities granted by the symbiote suit Venom (also Hardy). This pile of black goo has a mind of its own and weapons to spare. This leads to some genuinely entertaining moments of bickering and growth between them or of brutal violent threats. This, as all the writing, can also be childish in a way with dumb toilet humor and simplicity. The audio effects for him, and his counterpart Riot (who's performer matches who that becomes) can be cool.
What is not cool are the visual effects for them. The movie attempts some frenetic action but the CGI feels like something from a lower budget, bygone era .. Aside their comic accuracy. Fleischers directing varies between closer up almost fine crafted and hollow. However it has its dumb moments of fine and chaos especially for a fan waiting for this to come to the big screen.
This dialogue which almost itself seems like an alien wrote it carries through to a mostly lackluster supporting cast. William's Anne is stereotypical 'ride along innocent bystander' but gets her moments. This applies to possible ally Dr. Skirth (Jenny Slate) who provides some cheesy exposition along various henchmen and hobos not even worth describing.. The human element this movie has not
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast Headliners: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate
Original Release Date: October 5th, 2018
This is really surreal to see.... After decades of existing in comic books, cartoons, and a somewhat lackluster turn in Macguire's Spiderman 3 the villian Venom now has a starring role. But it's a new cinematic Sony universe without Spiderman. Does that work out, does the tale of man and symbiote work in a vacuum.... Some of it does .
It's immediately felt through the setting that exists amongst more mundane craft. Investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) juggles his justice motives with his relationship with attorney Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Events concerning the mysterious Life Foundation and its CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) cause complications escalating with the arrival of the alien symbiotes and the powers they give .
Any comic book movie that introduces a universe is driven by its lead. Tom Hardy is an exciting pitch for that role but unfortunately results heavily vary. As Brock he has some attempted quips and ferocity but neither quite hits the mark they or his talent needs. What becomes quite interesting is the abilities granted by the symbiote suit Venom (also Hardy). This pile of black goo has a mind of its own and weapons to spare. This leads to some genuinely entertaining moments of bickering and growth between them or of brutal violent threats. This, as all the writing, can also be childish in a way with dumb toilet humor and simplicity. The audio effects for him, and his counterpart Riot (who's performer matches who that becomes) can be cool.
What is not cool are the visual effects for them. The movie attempts some frenetic action but the CGI feels like something from a lower budget, bygone era .. Aside their comic accuracy. Fleischers directing varies between closer up almost fine crafted and hollow. However it has its dumb moments of fine and chaos especially for a fan waiting for this to come to the big screen.
This dialogue which almost itself seems like an alien wrote it carries through to a mostly lackluster supporting cast. William's Anne is stereotypical 'ride along innocent bystander' but gets her moments. This applies to possible ally Dr. Skirth (Jenny Slate) who provides some cheesy exposition along various henchmen and hobos not even worth describing.. The human element this movie has not
As a whole this could have been so much more. It's a lot of slightly but not quite passing . The symbiote struggle and lore is neat along some laughs and woahs and darkness and comic shout outs but it's missing a certain web slinger and the touch that other company brings. For the dedicate only with some caution for quality. 6.7 out of 10
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