Lucy in the Sky

 

Directed by Noah Hawley and screenplay by Hawley, Brian C. Brown, and Elliott DiGiuseppi from a story by Brown and DiGiuseppi, Lucy in the Sky is the story of an astronaut whose experience in space has her lose sight with reality. The film is a drama where a woman deals with life back on Earth as it is sort of based on the real life story of Lisa Nowak and her criminal activities relating to her romantic affair with a fellow astronaut. Starring Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz, Dan Stevens, Nick Offerman, Tig Notaro, Jeffrey Donovan, Colman Domingo, and Ellen Burstyn. Lucy in the Sky is a messy and nonsensical film from Noah Hawley.

The film follows an astronaut who is eager to return to space but becomes disconnected with reality just as she begins an affair with another astronaut that eventually becomes troublesome. It’s a film that plays into a woman’s emotional and mental descent as she embarks on a tumultuous affair with a colleague as well as trying to go back to outer space despite the presence of a younger candidate who wants her spot. The film’s screenplay play into the descent that its protagonist Lucy Cola (Natalie Portman) endures as well as her desire to relive the experience of being in outer space yet it also goes into places where the narrative isn’t sure where it wants to go and what it wants to be. Notably as it doesn’t do enough to explore Lucy’s mental issues following her return from space as she believes she is alright despite the concerns of Dr. Will Plimpton (Nick Offerman). The man Lucy has an affair with in a fellow astronaut in Mark (Jon Hamm) is someone who says a lot of things but he also has kids and not much is known whether he’s married or divorced as he also has interest in Lucy’s new rival in Erin (Zazie Beetz).

If the script’s problems in establishing characters and its lack of exploration of Lucy’s disconnect with reality, Noah Hawley’s direction for the film is what makes everything fall apart. Shot on location in Southern California with some of it as part of Texas and Florida, the film has no clue on what it wanted to be where Hawley wanted to make this drama of a woman’s mental struggles but also this romantic drama with no sense of cohesive direction. Even in some of Hawley’s approach to wide and medium shots have him using different aspect ratios where some of the scenes on Earth including Lucy’s home with her husband Drew (Dan Stevens) and their niece Blue Iris (Pearl Amanda Dickson) are shot in a 1:33:1 aspect full-frame ratio where there’s some scenes shot in 1:85:1 and 2:35:1 aspect ratios as it gets confusing. Even where Hawley is trying to use the framing devices as a form of style but it ends up being a total distraction to the story as it would change every time until Hawley until sticks with one for its third act.

Hawley does use some close-ups that includes a scene where Lucy is training underwater as water went inside her helmet during the training scenario as she was able to finish it but raises concern about her mental state. It’s a rare good scene in a film that just gets crazier as the third act includes scenes that needed humor. Especially in light of the real-life stories that the film is based on yet it never goes there as Hawley just makes it dramatic leading up to this insane confrontation between Lucy and Mark as the aftermath of it is just a hollow and underwhelming resolution into what happened to her in the end. Even as it feels like it has been rushed and without explanation of how she got to the end as it’s just lazy storytelling. Overall, Hawley crafts an idiotic and humorless film about an astronaut who loses grip with reality as she engages into an affair with another astronaut that leads to chaos and stupidity.

Cinematographer Polly Morgan does excellent work with the film’s cinematography in its emphasis on low-key lights for many of the interiors in the day and night as well as some vibrant lighting for the scenes at the training stations. Editor Regis Kimble does a fine job in the editing despite the over-usage of jump-cuts to play into Lucy’s paranoia and troubled state of mind as it really does make the film jarring for much of it. Production designer Stefania Cella, with set decorator Jon J. Bush and art director Samantha Avila, does fantastic work with the look of the home that Lucy and her husband live in as well as Mark’s office. Costume designer Louise Frogley does nice work with the costumes as it is largely casual including the clean-cut look of Drew.

Special effects supervisor Mark R. Byers and visual effects supervisors Matthew Bramante do terrific work with the visual effects for the scenes in space though one sequence that involves Lucy moving through walls and into another location is one of the dumbest effects moments in the film. Sound designers Ai-Ling Lee and Tobias Poppe do superb work with the sound as it play into some of the natural locations though it does go overboard as it play into Lucy’s paranoia. The film’s music by Jeff Russo is good with its mixture of orchestral flourishes and ambient music while music supervisor Maggie Phillips provides a decent soundtrack that includes the B-52s, Riders in the Storm, Mel Tillis, and Norah Jones but it also features a horrendous cover of the Beatles’ Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by Jeff Russo and vocalist Lisa Hannigan.

The casting by Ronna Kress is alright despite the fact that a lot of the actors don’t get much to do while being hampered by a terrible script and poor direction. Performances from Nick Offerman as the psychiatrist Dr. Will Plimpton, Tig Notaro as the astronaut Kate Mounier, Jeffrey Donovan as the astronaut trainer Jim Hunt, and Colman Domingo as the mission director Frank Paxton aren’t just severely underused but never really do anything to be involved with the narrative with the exception of Domingo’s character who plays a key role in the third act as it relates to Lucy’s mental state. Pearl Amanda Dickson is wonderful as Drew and Lucy’s niece Blue Iris as a young girl who is concerned about her aunt’s mental state as she reluctantly joins her for the road trip in the film’s third act. Zazie Beetz’s performance as Lucy’s rival Erin Eccles is severely underwritten as she’s just there to be this romantic/competitive rival with not much to do while Ellen Burstyn’s performance as Lucy’s grandmother Nana Holbrook has a few funny lines and such but never gets the chance to be used more as her one appearance in the film’s third act is just dumb.

Dan Stevens is alright in his performance as Lucy’s husband Drew as someone who is religious and kind-hearted yet becomes concerned about Lucy’s activities as he is hampered by the fact that he is underwritten and is just there to be a cuckold. Jon Hamm’s performance as the astronaut Mark Goodwin where it has its charm but is hampered by the film’s script as someone who is a manipulator and a womanizer as he ends up being one-dimensional. Finally, there’s Natalie Portman in a stellar though flawed performance as Lucy Cola as this astronaut whose experience in space has made her lose touch with reality as Portman does what she can to play into that disconnect but she is held back by the film’s awful script while her Texan accent is spotty at times and having to sport one of the worst haircuts ever on film.

Lucy in the Sky is a lousy and horrendous film from Noah Hawley. Despite Natalie Portman’s attempt to give a fiery performance, the film’s terrible script, messy presentation, and lack of humor as it relates to the real-life story the film is inspired by. It is a film that wants to be a lot of things yet its lack of cohesion and idiotic presentation makes it a total chore to watch. In the end, Lucy in the Sky is a fucking awful film from Noah Hawley.

© thevoid99 2021

Bad Times at the El Royale

Written and directed by Drew Goddard, Bad Times at the El Royale is the story of seven strangers who stay at a hotel at the California-Nevada border in 1969 where strange things occur as it all lead to their own secrets. The film is a neo-noir thriller that explore a single night in this mysterious hotel as it also involved a major incident that occurred a decade earlier. Starring Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, Cynthia Erivo, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, and Chris Hemsworth. Bad Times at the El Royale is a gripping and haunting film from Drew Goddard.

Set in one day at the El Royale hotel on the California-Nevada border in 1969, the film revolves around a group of people who arrive at the hotel as they each carry a secret as they stay for the night where things would get stranger and terrifying as it goes on. It’s a film with a simple premise that play into these visitors and why they’re in this hotel as Drew Goddard’s script showcases the life of these inhabitants in small sections of the film. Among these visitors includes a Catholic priest in Father Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a singer in Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), a hippie in Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson), and a salesman in Laramie Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm). The hotel’s lone employee in Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman) is also a mysterious figure as he seeks to have a conversation with Father Flynn unaware of Father Flynn’s intentions at the hotel nor the intentions of the other guests. Emily has a hostage named Rose (Cailee Spaeny) while Father Flynn is trying to find something in one of the rooms in the Nevada section of the hotel. Darlene is on her way to Reno for a job while Sullivan is at the hotel for reasons that doesn’t involve sales.

Goddard’s script would give the four principle characters a segment of their own with everyone but Sullivan having their stories told in flashbacks as it relates to their motivations and why they’re at the hotel while Miles himself is someone that is troubled as his own story isn’t unveiled until its third act. Emily’s story does involve a reason why she kidnapped Rose as it relates to this charismatic cult figure in Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth) who would become a prominent figure for the film’s third act. Especially as it play into secrets of the hotel as well as the inhabitants who all have something to hide.

Goddard’s direction does bear elements of style as it play into this air of intrigue into this hotel on the California-Nevada border as if it was a place of style and glamour but there’s something about it that is off. Shot mainly in Burnaby near Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada with additional locations shot in Vancouver, the film play into this world in the middle of this state border as the hotel itself is a character with its stylish rooms and a lobby that features a bar on the California side and a casino on the Nevada side. Goddard’s usage of the wide and medium shots does take great coverage of the interiors of the hotel lobby as well as the secret hallways that feature a two-way mirror for each apartment that inhabitants aren’t aware of. The usage of close-ups and medium shots would play into some of the conversations between characters as well as long takes for a conversation to happen as it is Goddard breaking away from some of the conventional elements of scenes where he lets the camera just linger and capture the moment.

Goddard’s direction also play up this air of intrigue but also this growing air of tension that is to emerge where the secrets of the El Royale starts to emerge with its two-way mirrors as well as what happened a decade earlier where a man (Nick Offerman) had hidden something in a room as it would relate to what Father Flynn is trying to find. Yet, he is hampered by the fact that he is already showing signs of dementia as the second act has him and Darlene learn about each other as well as the former’s involvement what happened a decade ago. The film’s third act that involves Billy Lee definitely adds to the suspense and drama where Goddard maintains this uneasy atmosphere that emerges where it has elements of dark comedy where Lee bears a lot of the characteristics of someone like Charles Manson. Goddard has the camera maintain Lee’s presence but also the inhabitants who realize that this is someone of a greater evil yet Lee believes there is no such thing as right and wrong as it just adds to the tension throughout the film. Overall, Goddard crafts an unsettling yet riveting film about a dark night in 1969 at a hotel on the California-Nevada border.

Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography with its usage of lights for the rainy exterior scenes at night as well as the way the hotel rooms are lit from the inside and in the secret hallway as well as the look of the lobby. Editor Lisa Lassek does excellent work with the editing with its emphasis on rhythmic cuts to help build up the suspense as well as knowing when not to cut during a monologue or a conversation. Production designer Martin Whist, with set decorator Hamish Purdy and supervising art director Michael Diner, does amazing work with the look of the hotel rooms and the hotel itself as it is a character in the film with its major differences depending on what state the characters are on. Costume designer Danny Glicker does fantastic work with the costumes as it each play into the personalities of the characters and where they come from during a turbulent time in 1969.

Special makeup effects designer Toby Lindala does terrific work with the makeup in the look of Miles upon a troubling encounter as well as the look of a few characters to play into the times. Special effects supervisor Joel Whist, along with visual effects supervisors David W. Allen and Oliver Atherton, does some nice work with the visual effects as it is mainly bits of set dressing for the 1959 flashback scene as well as a few bits inside the hotel. Sound designers Casey Genton and Julian Slater do superb work with the sound in the way rooms sound as well as scenes of Darlene singing in her room and the way music is presented in the lobby. The film’s music by Michael Giacchino is incredible for its low-key yet eerie orchestral score that help play into the suspense and drama with its string arrangements and emphasis on building up the suspense with low yet heavy strings. The film’s music soundtrack features songs sung by Cynthia Erivo as well as music from the Box Tops, Deep Purple, the Four Preps, Edwin Starr, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Crystals, the Four Tops, the Mamas & the Papas, and the American Bread to play into the period of the late 1960s.

The casting by Carmen Cuba is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from Charles Halford as a convict that Father Flynn knew, Mark O’Brien as a bank robber, Shea Whigham as a prison doctor, Xavier Dolan as a record producer Darlene refuses to sleep with, and Nick Offerman as a bank robber in 1959 who hides the money. Cailee Spaeny is terrific as Rose as a young girl infatuated with Billy Lee as she seems to be entranced by his teachings much to the dismay of Emily. Lewis Pullman is superb as Miles as the hotel clerk who is harboring secrets of his own as he tries to run the hotel while wanting some guidance from Father Flynn. Jon Hamm is excellent as Laramie Seymour Sullivan as a salesman who is in town yet has other motives as it relates to things in the hotel. Dakota Johnson is fantastic as Emily Summerspring as a hippie who has taken a young girl as a hostage as it relates to a cult leader she dislikes as she presents herself as someone who doesn’t like anyone as it’s a front for why she kidnapped this young girl whom she’s concerned about.

Cynthia Erivo is brilliant as Darlene Sweet as a soul singer whose career to be a solo singer goes wrong as she is on her way to Reno for a job as she contends with the chaos at the hotel as well as trying to figure out what Father Flynn is doing. Jeff Bridges is amazing as Father Daniel Flynn as a Catholic priest who has arrived to this hotel on his way back home where he is ambiguous in his motives for being at the hotel yet he is revealed to be someone that is trying to find something but also is dealing with memory loss as well as other issues that makes him an ambiguous but a person with good intentions. Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a phenomenal performance as Billy Lee as this Charles Manson-like cult leader who doesn’t appear often in the film as he would play a big role in its third act where he has this presence that is discomforting yet entrancing while is filled with so much charisma that he just completely steals the film from everyone as the sight of him dancing to Deep Purple’s cover of Hush is probably one of the sexiest moments captured on film.

Bad Times at the El Royale is a tremendous film from Drew Goddard. Featuring an incredible ensemble cast, a chilling premise set in a remote location, interesting character studies, gorgeous visuals, a mesmerizing music score by Michael Giacchino, and a killer music soundtrack. The film is definitely a neo-noir inspired suspense-drama that explore a group of people in a hotel on the California-Nevada border who endure a hellish rainy night that would bring a lot of trouble and terror with the latter in the form of a Charles Manson-like cult leader. In the end, Bad Times at the El Royale is an outstanding film from Drew Goddard.

Drew Goddard Films: The Cabin in the Woods

© thevoid99 2019

The Little Hours

Based on a story from The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, The Little Hours is the story of a young man who is taken in by a priest to work at a convent unaware that the nuns are anything but celibate. Written for the screen and directed by Jeff Baena, the film is a bawdy take on Boccaccio’s story as it is set during the middle ages with elements of modern-day humor to explore some of the darkest aspects of faith and how insane things can go. Starring Aubrey Plaza, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Kate Micucci, Jemima Kirke, Fred Armisen, Molly Shannon, Nick Offerman, Paul Reiser, and John C. Reilly. The Little Hours is a wild and offbeat film from Jeff Baena.

The film follows a convent that is need of a new handyman where its priest takes in a young man that is on the run following a tryst with a nobleman’s wife as he pretends to be a deaf-mute leading to all sorts of trouble. It’s a film where a trio of nuns cope with temptation as they meet this young man who intrigues them as they deal with their own sexual repression and other things. Jeff Baena’s screenplay is quite loose where it play into these situations that are absurd as much of the dialogue in the film is improvised where the characters pretty much get to say things that are more direct and modern rather than take on the language of that period. It’s a format that is unique though it does go overboard at times where it would affect the narrative where it wants to be this raunchy comedy that lives up to the text but also a period piece that is true to the times.

Baena’s direction is very simplistic in terms of its compositions as he doesn’t go into a lot of style as it’s more about dialogue and the setting. Shot on location in the Tuscany area of Italy, Baena does use its mountains and forests as a suitable setting for the film that does create a world that is mysterious but also simpler despite the attitude of some of the characters. While Baena would use some wide shots for a lot of the exteriors and in some of the interiors in some creative compositions. Much of the film is approached more intimately with the close-ups and medium shots that play into the interaction with the characters as well as some of the comedy. Though Baena’s approach to improvisation would hamper the narrative a bit in terms of its pacing and its attempt to be shocking. There is still something that does play true to the text as well as showcase a group of nuns struggling to maintain their vow of chastity in a world that is very repressive. Overall, Baena crafts a witty though uneven film about a trio of nuns who go after a man pretending to be a deaf-mute handyman at a convent.

Cinematographer Quyen Tran does excellent work with the film’s cinematography as it is largely straightforward for many of the scenes set in the day as well as the scenes at night with its usage of artificial light and fire. Editor Ryan Brown does nice work in the editing as it’s straightforward to play into the comedy as well as some of the absurd moments in the film. Production designer Susie Mancini and art director Andrew Katz do fantastic work with the look of the sets in many of the interiors for the convents and churches as well as the home of the nobleman. Costume designer Natalie O’Brien does terrific work with the costumes from the look of the nun robes as well as some of the lavish clothes of some of the locals. Sound editor Christopher Barnett does superb work with the sound in capturing some of the chaos that goes in some of the funnier moments as well as the calmness of the exterior locations. The film’s music by Dan Romer is wonderful for its usage of folk-based music of the times with some orchestral music while music supervisor Zach Cowie provide a soundtrack of the music of those times.

The casting by Courtney Bright and Nicole Daniels is marvelous as it feature some notable small roles from Paul Weitz as a handyman that is verbally-abused by the nuns, Lauren Weedman as the nobleman’s mother that Massetto sleeps with, Jon Garbus and Adam Pally as a couple of inept guards for the nobleman, Paul Reiser as Sister Alessandra’s father who is a patron of the church, Jemima Kirke as Fernanda’s friend Marta who is a real troublemaker, Nick Offerman as the nobleman Lord Bruno who always say very dull things, and Fred Armisen as Bishop Bartolomeo who makes a visit during the film’s third act where he is trying to see what is going on. Molly Shannon is fantastic as Sister Marea as the nun’s leader that is trying to maintain order while John C. Reilly is superb as Father Tommasso as the convent’s head who is trying to help make money for the church while hiring Massetto as the new handyman and have him pretend to be a deaf-mute.

Kate Micucci is excellent as Sister Ginevra as young woman who often says a lot of things that she sees that she feels could trouble things while dealing with her own issues relating to her sexual presence where Micucci would show a very funny moment in her encounter with a drug. Aubrey Plaza is brilliant as Sister Fernanda as a young woman that is just very intense as well as secretive to the point that she’s extremely defensive due to the fact that she is carrying a big secret. Dave Franco is amazing as Massetto as a nobleman’s servant who gets caught sleeping with his master’s wife only to pretend to be a deaf-mute who falls for Sister Alessandra and later be put into some serious shit with the other sisters. Finally, there’s Alison Brie in a remarkable performance as Sister Alessandra as a young nun who copes with loneliness and ponders what her future will be like until she meets and falls for Massetto which she tries to keep as a secret unaware of the chaos that is around her.

The Little Hours is a stellar though flawed film from Jeff Baena. Despite its attempt to provide a more modern approach to the film’s original text and infuse it with 21st Century humor. It’s a film that does provide enough funny moments as well as its exploration of sexual repression in the 14th Century thanks in part to its very talented cast. In the end, The Little Hours is a pretty good film from Jeff Baena.

Related: The Decameron

© thevoid99 2018

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Based on the novel by Jesse Andrews, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is the story of a high school senior who befriends a girl suffering from leukemia as he calls on the help of a friend to make her life a little better. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written by Jesse Andrews, the film is an exploration into death as well as a young man trying to find meaning in his young life with the aid of this dying young woman. Starring Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler, Nick Offerman, Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal, and Connie Britton. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a heartwarming and witty film from Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

The film revolves around a jaded high school senior who is forced by his mother to spend time with a leukemia-stricken classmate of his where the two become friends and bring another friend into the circle. It’s a film with a simple story but it is largely told from this young man named Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) who is trying to write his college essay as he talks about the time he spent with this young girl named Rachel (Olivia Cooke) who tries to cope with her ailment. Even as he would eventually try to make a film for her with the help of his friend Earl (RJ Cyler) who would also befriend Rachel. Jesse Andrews’ script is told in a reflective narrative as Gaines tries to write his college acceptance essay which is largely about his time with Rachel and being her friend.

Even as it explores Gaines’ own unwillingness to socialize with other students as he has trouble fitting in while he and Earl share a love of watching classic art-house/auteur-based cinema where their parodies of those films is something Rachel would enjoy. Earl is sort of the film’s conscience in the film though his commentary on things including lots of things about women’s breasts make him an odd but an endearing one since he really does care. Gaines is someone who is just unsure of himself as someone who is full of self-loathing in his belief that he couldn’t do anything right where Rachel would mark a change of direction for him. Yet, he keeps wondering if he’s going to make things worse just as Rachel’s own health is failing which prompts to question his own self and his own reasons into what he wants to do with his life.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s direction is very simple not just in terms of the compositions but also in the way he creates a story that is simple and makes it more rich and extraordinary that it already is. Shot largely in an anamorphic format, Gomez-Rejon’s approach to shooting to shooting the school as well as various locations in and near Pittsburgh would give the film a lot to say visually. Even in the way he would put his actors into a frame where one would be in the foreground and the other in the background or would just go for a simple medium shot during a scene where Gaines, Rachel, and Earl are eating popsicles. The film parodies that Gaines and Earl would make not only have something that is amateurish but also with a sense of charm where the two put their own spin on classic films including the ones by Stanley Kubrick, Francois Truffaut, and Werner Herzog. Especially the one Gaines would make as it was created with the help of stop-motion animators Edward Bursch and Nathan O. Marsh as it would serve as the film’s climax for what Gaines would do for Rachel. Overall, Gomez-Rejon crafts a touching yet lively film about a high school senior trying to help a dying young girl.

Cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung does brilliant work with the cinematography from not just the look of the classrooms and lunch room but also in the way much of the daytime interior/exteriors are lit as well as some unique lighting for some scenes set at night. Editor David Trachtenberg does excellent work with the editing as it has a lot of style with its jump-cuts and other stylish cut to play into the humor and some of the drama. Production designer Gerald Sullivan, with set decorator Diana Stoughton and art director Sarah M. Pott, does fantastic work with the look of the rooms that Gaines and Rachel had to express their personalities as well as the DVD store Gaines and Earl often go to where they show a lot of art films. Costume designer Jennifer Eve does nice work with the costumes as it is mostly casual with bits of style to express the personality of the many characters in the film.

Visual effects supervisor Zared Shai does terrific work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects that include a few things in the home movies Gaines and Earl make. Sound designer Jacob Ribicoff does superb work with the sound in the way the lunchroom sounds as well as the way the movies are being heard on TV or on a laptop. The film’s music by Brian Eno and Nico Muhly is amazing as it features some soft, ambient pieces from the latter while the former would contribute music from some of albums ranging from experimental rock to ambient pieces while music supervisor Randall Poster would create a soundtrack that doesn’t just feature Eno’s music but also score pieces from composers like Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, David Shire, Wendy Carlos, and Jean Constantin and music from other films by Harry Nilsson, Explosions in the Sky, Ra Ra Riot, Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Cat Stevens, Lou Reed, and Roy Orbison.

The casting by Angela Demo is great as it features some notable small roles from Bobb’e J. Thompson as Earl’s older brother Derrick who doesn’t really like Gaines, Matt Bennett as the Goth kid Scott Mayhew, Masam Holden as the wannabe rapper Ill Phil, Edward DeBruce III as the young Earl, Gavin Dietz as the young Gaines, and Katherine C. Hughes in a wonderful performance as Gaines’ crush in Madison who would give Gaines the idea to make a film for Rachel despite his own reluctance to. Jon Bernthal is terrific as Gaines’ history teacher who would let him and Earl eat lunch at his office while watching classic film as he would give Gaines some very wise advice but death and what can be learned afterwards. Molly Shannon is fantastic as Rachel’s mother Denise who is a very sweet woman that is going through a lot as she also display a vulnerability as she copes with what she might lose.

Connie Britton and Nick Offerman are excellent as Gaines’ parents with the former as the one who would make Greg see Rachel and telling him to think about his future while the latter is an eccentric who likes to watch classic films while feeding his son and Earl some strange food. RJ Cyler is amazing in his film debut as Earl as this kid who says a lot of weird things yet is sort of the film’s conscience as this kid from the streets that is very kind and patient to Rachel while getting Gaines to deal with his own faults. Olivia Cooke is brilliant as Rachel as a teenager stricken with leukemia as she tries to deal with the seriousness of her illness while finding comfort in the presence of Gaines and Earl as she would also confront the former about his own worth as a person. Finally, there’s Thomas Mann in a marvelous performance as Greg Gaines as this jaded high school senior who is forced by his mother to hang out with Rachel where he tries to cope with her illness and ways to make her feel better where he is forced to deal with his own self-loathing and feelings about the ways of the world.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is an incredible film from Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Featuring a great cast, a compelling premise, and a sensational film soundtrack, the film is a witty yet engaging story that explores life and death from the views of teenagers as well as the ideas of the world itself. In the end, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a phenomenal film from Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.

© thevoid99 2016

In a World...

Written, directed, and starring Lake Bell, In a World… is the story of a vocal coach who struggles to make it in the world of the voiceover game as she contends wither very famous father and other men in an industry often dominated by men. The film is an exploration into an industry where men often runs things as a woman is trying to make it on her own terms as she copes with having to compete with her father. Also starring Demetri Martin, Fred Melamed, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Ken Marino, Tig Notaro, and Nick Offerman. In a World… is a rich and engaging film from Lake Bell.

The film explores the world of the voiceover industry as it revolves around a revered veteran, a popular voiceover actor, and the veteran’s vocal coach daughter all vying for this job to do voiceover work for a trailer for an upcoming film franchise following the death of a great voiceover artist. Yet, it’s really more about this woman who has her father’s gift for doing great voices as she struggles to make it on her own as she works as a freelance voice coach as well as do small gigs. Even as she is kicked out of her dad’s home as she lives with her sister where she copes with having to be in her father’s shadow. When opportunity knocks as she had gained two voiceover gigs that was supposed to be for someone else. It then lead to all sorts of things as she finds out she would have to compete with her father and the man whose gigs she accidentally took.

Lake Bell’s screenplay definitely explores the struggle for women to make it in an industry where men are often the driving force as it sort of plays as an allegory of the way the film industry is where it would favor men instead of women. Even as her character Carol Solomon is someone who is very good at creating voices and helping other actors with their voices. Unfortunately, it hasn’t done enough to get her own career in gear despite the help of some people including sound engineer Louis (Demetri Martin) who has a crush on her. Her father Sam Sotto (Fred Melamed) is even less supportive as he is more concerned in grooming the already popular voiceover actor Gustav Warner (Ken Marino) to be the man who will say the words “in a world…” that the late Don LaFontaine has been famous for.

While there’s a subplot involving Carol’s sister Dani (Michaela Watkins) who is struggling with her marriage to Moe (Rob Corddry), it does play into Carol using her voice to help them. Even as it reveals the sisters’ shared frustration towards their father who is often dismissive about Carol’s work as doesn’t think women have a place in the voiceover industry. Carol’s encounter with Gustav at his party would only complicate things due to Sam being more supportive towards Gustav as he is unaware of the fact that Carol was the one that took Gustav’s gigs due to Gustav being sick. It would definitely lead to this competition where Carol knows she has to compete with her dad and Gustav for this gig but she doesn’t have their egos as she knows that she will at least she put some effort if she loses the gig.

Bell’s direction is very simple as she aims for something that feels very intimate as well as provide some insight into a woman trying to break into a male-dominated industry. Especially as it has something that is a low-budget film but doesn’t have the look nor the feel of a low-budget film where Bell definitely creates some unique compositions such as close-ups and medium shots. Notably in the former as it plays to the power of the voice such as this climatic montage of Sam, Carol, and Gustav recording their voices for this trailer. The direction also has some effective use in its approach to humor that is very light-hearted as Bell prefers to create something that feels natural while not being afraid of displaying some quirks. Overall, Bell creates a very fascinating and entertaining film about a woman trying to get her break in the art of voice-overs.

Cinematographer Seamus Tierney does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography as it is vibrant and colorful for some of the film‘s daytime scenes while using some unique lights and shades for some of its nighttime interior scenes. Editor Tom McArdle does brilliant work with the editing as it‘s mostly straightforward while its climatic montage is very inventive to showcase how Sam, Carol, and Gustav each prepare themselves for this gig. Production designer Megan Fenton, with set decorator Elizabeth Garner and art director Ashley Fenton, does nice work with the look of the homes that Sam and Gustav live in as well as the small apartment that Dani and Moe live at.

Costume designer Lindy McMichael does terrific work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual with the exception of the party dress that Carol wears to Gustav‘s party. Sound editor Fredrick Helm does fantastic work with the sound editing to provide the usage of voice-over and how they‘re created as well as in the climatic montage where Carol, Sam, and Gustav are recording their narrations. The film’s music by Ryan Miller is wonderful as it‘s mostly a keyboard-driven score that is low-key to play into its humor while music supervisor Chris Douridas creates a very fun soundtrack that features a diverse array of music from Mulatu Astatke, Warren G and Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, Squeeze, Salt-N-Pepa, Rick James, the Commodores, Slick Rick, Eddie Money, the Police, Gerry Rafferty, and Tears for Fears.

The casting by John Papsidera is amazing as the film features cameos from Jeff Garlin, Eva Longoria, and a couple of noted voice-over actors in Joe Cipriano and Mark Elliott. Other notable small roles include Talulah Riley as a British neighbor of Moe who helps Carol out in finding a dress, Stephanie Allynne as the sound studio receptionist Nancy whom Louis goes on a bad date with, Corsica Wilson as a woman with a sexy baby voice that Carol meets, Jason O’Mara as an attractive Irishman that Dani meets in her work as a hotel concierge, Tig Notaro as the sound engineer Cher, and Geena Davis in a wonderful appearance as a film executive who would present the trailer that Carol, Sam, and Gustav have been competing for. Nick Offerman is excellent as the sound studio manager Heners who is trying to make sure things are going well as he reveals to despise Gustav for personality reasons. Alexandra Holden is terrific as Sam’s much-younger girlfriend Jamie who tries to smooth things between Sam and his daughters as well as be his supporter. Rob Corddry is fantastic as Carol’s brother-in-law Moe as a small-time chef who is trying to get some time with his wife as he copes with her frequent absences as he would help Carol out with her things.

Ken Marino is superb as the voiceover actor Gustav Warner as he is a guy with a sense of charm but also a bit of smugness which Marino manages to flesh out so well. Demetri Martin is brilliant as Louis as Carol’s sound engineer who has a thing for her as he copes with being single and Carol’s encounter with Gustav. Michaela Watkins is great as Carol’s sister Dani who copes with her work as well as an encounter with an attractive Irishman whom she met at work. Fred Melamed is incredible as Dani and Carol’s father Sam Sotto as this famous voiceover actor who has everything but is often distracted by his own ego and what he wants to do which often leads to a troubled relationship with his daughters. Finally, there’s Lake Bell in a remarkable performance as Carol as this vocal coach who is trying to get her break as she copes with competing with her father as well as the sexism she is facing in the industry as it’s a performance full of charm and naturalistic humor.

In a World… is an extraordinary film from Lake Bell that features a fantastic ensemble cast and a compelling premise that is very engaging. It’s a film that manages to be quite witty as well as have something to say about women trying to make it in an industry that is often dominated by men. In the end, In a World… is a marvelous film from Lake Bell.

© thevoid99 2014

The Lego Movie

Written and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller from a story by Lord, Miller, Dan Hageman, and Kevin Hageman, The Lego Movie is the story of an ordinary construction worker who is asked to join a quest to help a wizard defeat an evil lord. The film is an animated feature inspired by the Legos building toys as this ordinary person is believed to be part of a prophecy to help the world of Legos from this evil tyrant. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Alison Brie, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, and Morgan Freeman. The Lego Movie is a truly fun and extremely awesome film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Set in a world where it’s built entirely on Legos, the film revolves around an ordinary construction worker who finds a relic that is believed to be part of a prophecy to stop an evil lord from wreaking havoc and instill conformity as part of his vision of perfection and order. By taking part in a quest with a group of misfits led by a wizard, this ordinary worker in Emmett (Chris Pratt) finds himself realizing that he has been in a world where he doesn’t feel special as those question about whether he is this master builder that the prophecy claim to be. It’s a film with a simple premise yet it has compelling themes on the idea of conformity vs. individuality where the latter is rebelling against the ideas of this evil lord in Lord Business (Will Ferrell) as they’re known for creating things based on spontaneity. Yet, Lord Business is an individual who hates these ideas where Emmett would force this band of misfits to work together and find a way to use their spontaneity to defeat the evil lord.

The film’s screenplay definitely plays into aspects of conventional ideas about conformity vs. individuality yet the balance of that is Emmett as he is just this ordinary construction worker that is just trying to fit in as he works on creating buildings based on instructional manuals. When he meets this mysterious woman named Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) where he would accidentally find this relic, he comes across something where it is clear that he wasn’t meant to find this thing as he would team up with Wyldstyle and this wizard named Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) who is a master builder that leads a group of master builders. Yet, they’re pursued by Lord Business’ henchman Bad Cop (Liam Neeson) as they trek through different worlds as they do whatever it takes to stop Lord Business from unleashing the mysterious weapon known as the Kragle.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s direction is definitely wondrous not just for the fact that they created this unique mix of 3D computer animation with traditional elements as they would use Legos as their template. It’s also in how they use Legos to tell the story as well as play into how these characters interact with one another and feel like they’re a part of something. It’s part of the dramatic conflict that occurs in someone like Emmett who wants to fit yet he is unable to stand out as many of his co-workers just think of him as just no one. Much of the compositions aren’t just simple but they also have elements of surrealism in the way Emmett interacts with his surroundings as they’re very strange worlds that he is in. Among them is a world of the West, a medieval world, a world set in the clouds, and all sorts of crazy things that is definitely everything that Lord Business wants to get rid of.

The direction of the film also has elements that feels like a low-budget film where it’s clear that Lord and Miller are having fun as if they are playing with actual Lego toys. Even as the sense of spontaneity comes in whenever characters create something to get out of a bad situation. There’s also superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Gandalf, and many others that appear in the film as they do serve some importance to the film as it also plays to how silly things are in the world of Legos. Especially into what the object known as the Kragle is as there are elements that add to this strange sense of surrealism which does bring a sense of joy and weirdness that feels very accessible. Overall, Lord and Miller create a very delightful and extremely fun film about an ordinary construction worker trying to save his Lego world and its people.

Cinematographer Pablo Plaisted does excellent work with some of the lighting schemes needed for some of the film‘s interior sets to play into the colorful look of the film. Editors David Burrows and Chris McKay do fantastic work with the editing to play into the energetic tone of the film as well as slowing things down for the suspenseful moments. Production designer Grant Freckelton does brilliant work with the look of the Lego buildings and other objects to play into the strange world of Legos. Sound designer Wayne Pashley does superb work with the sound effects including the smaller things into how some things are built. The film’s music by Mark Mothersbaugh is amazing for its mixture of orchestral music with elements of electronic and other offbeat music as it also features the song Everything is Awesome by Tegan & Sara.

The voice casting by Mary Hidalgo is incredible as it features voice cameos from Will Forte, Dave Franco, and Jorma Taccone in small roles as well as other voice performances from Cobie Smolders as Wonder Woman, Channing Tatum as Superman, Jonah Hill as Green Lantern, Shaquille O’Neal as a Lego version of himself, and Charlie Day in a very funny voice performance as 80s space guy who always wants to keep building a spaceship. Other notable small voice roles include Alison Brie as a very optimistic hybrid of cat and unicorn called Princess Unikitty while Nick Offerman is hilarious as a pirate character called Metalbeard who seeks vengeance of Lord Business. Morgan Freeman is excellent as the mysterious wizard Vitruvius as he is this wise man that is often in some very funny situations. Liam Neeson is superb as Bad Cop as this good cop/bad cop who is often forced to do Lord Business’ bidding as Neeson also voices Bad Cop’s parents and his good side.

Will Arnett is fantastic as the voice of Batman as this hilarious variation of the superhero who is often full of himself and thinks he is better than everyone. Will Ferrell is brilliant as Lord Business as this evil tyrant who is keen on making sure that everyone is doing things his way in an act of conformity. Elizabeth Banks is amazing as Wyldstyle as this tech-savvy fighter who was trying to find the mysterious relic as she becomes an object of affection for Emmett while dealing with her own flaws as an individual. Finally, there’s Chris Pratt in a remarkable voice performance as Emmett as this ordinary construction worker who learns that he is part of a prophecy that can save the Lego world as he copes with trying to live up to those expectations while admitting that he is just ordinary.

The Lego Movie is a phenomenal film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Featuring a great cast as well as a unique premise that is inspired by Legos, it is a film that manages to be full of imagination as well as bring out all sorts of joy for those who love Legos. Even as it manages to infuse elements of surrealism and weird things that manages to be crazier than it actually is. In the end, The Lego Movie is a sensational film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Phil Lord & Chris Miller Films: (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) - 21 Jump Street - 22 Jump Street

Related: The Lego Batman Movie - (The Lego Ninjago Movie)

© thevoid99 2014

22 Jump Street

Based on the TV show 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street is the story where two cops go to college to find the supplier who had been creating new drugs that has been circulating into the world of college. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and screenplay by Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel, and Rodney Rothman from a story by Bacall and Jonah Hill. The film is a spoof of sorts on sequels where characters of the first film do the same thing for the second film set in college as Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum reprise their roles as Morton Schmidt and Greg Jenko who deal with their friendship. Also starring Amber Stevens, Peter Stormare, Nick Offerman, Rob Riggle, Dave Franco, and Ice Cube as Captain Dickson. 22 Jump Street is a witty yet off-the-wall film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

The film is essentially a re-hash of sorts of the first film where Schmidt and Jenko have to go undercover and pretend to be college students so they can the dealers and suppliers of a new drug that is about to become big in college campuses. Along the way, Schmidt and Jenko endure challenges that would separate them while they also deal with new enemies and secrets that come into play during their investigation. It’s a film that definitely takes the same storyline, plot-points, and such of the first film but makes it aware that it is a re-hash where there’s elements of the fourth-wall being broken as the characters often talking about budgets and doing the same thing all over again. The film’s screenplay isn’t afraid to comment on doing things all over again while there’s a lot more hilarity that goes on as well as suggestions that Schmidt and Jenko’s friendship is so much more. Notably as those that Schmidt and Jenko surround themselves would tell one person that the other is dragging him down.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s direction definitely plays into the same style as the first but with bigger set pieces, action sequences, and all sorts of things where it knows that it is making fun of itself. The compositions are quite simple at times but also stylish as it plays to Jenko’s ability to do parkour and such while Schmidt would try to do that as well. Another hilarious sequence is another take on the two getting high on drugs where both Schmidt and Jenko each get a different reaction. There’s also sequences where Lord and Miller play up the bro-mance between Schmidt and Jenko as it does have this chaotic sense of style that is a play on the cinematic style of Michael Bay.

The action sequences are over the top as much of it is shot in New Orleans while its climatic showdown is shot in Puerto Rico as it is this very wild take on spring break. While the results is obvious predictable, it is followed by a closing credits sequence that not only breaks down the fourth wall but also in the idea of what is to come in all sorts of genres and such. Overall, Lord and Miller create a very smart and extremely funny film about two guys pretending to be college kids to bust up some drug dealers, have a good time, and be aware that they’re doing the same thing all over again.

Cinematographer Barry Peterson does excellent work with the cinematography in terms of the vibrant exterior colors of the locations in its interior and exterior settings. Editors David Rennie and Keith Brachmann do fantastic work with the editing where it plays into the chaotic, speed-editing style of most action blockbusters while keeping things straightforward so that audiences can make sense of what is happening. Production designer Steve Sakland, with set decorator Tracey A. Doyle and art director Scott Plauche, does nice work with the set pieces from the frat house that Jenko gets accepted to as well as the new 22 Jump Street base that was created to showcase the bigger budget.

Costume designer Leesa Evans does terrific work with the costumes as it plays to the world of college as it‘s mostly casual. Visual effects supervisors Edwin Rivera and Peter G. Travers do amazing work with some of the visual effects that includes a hilarious scene of Schmidt and Jenko high on the new drug and the different effects it had on them. Sound editor Geoffrey G. Rubay does superb work with the sound from the sound effects of gunfire to the atmosphere of the parties. The film’s music by Mark Mothersbaugh is brilliant for its mixture of orchestral music with some electronic-based cuts while music supervisor Kier Lehman brings in a fun soundtrack that features a lot of dubstep, hip-hop, electronic music, and some songs from the 80s.

The casting by Nicole Abellera and Jeanne McCarthy is amazing as it features some notable appearances from Rob Riggle and Dave Franco reprising their roles as Mr. Walters and Eric, respectively, as well as Caroline Aaron and Joe Chrest as Schmidt’s parents, and Nick Offerman playing the role of Captain Hardy who puts Schmidt and Jenko back on the Jump Street program. Wyatt Russell is terrific as the jock Zook that Jenko befriends while Jimmy Tatro is good as Zook’s friend Rooster. The Lucas Brothers are funny as twin drug dealers who always say the same thing while Marc Evan Jackson is wonderful as the college psychiatrist who is the initial suspect as the supplier. Jillian Bell is brilliant as Mercedes who dislikes Schmidt as she is very creepy as well as being very funny. Amber Stevens is excellent as Maya as an art student Schmidt falls for as she knows about the dealer who had died as she reluctantly let Mercedes stay in her dorm room.

Peter Stormare is superb as the antagonist Ghost as this old-school drug dealer that Schmidt and Jenko try to capture as he could be connected to the new drug that is being sent out to college campuses. Ice Cube is hilarious as Captain Dickson who continues to berate Schmidt and Jenko as Cube gets more to do as it relates to a minor character in the film. Finally, there’s Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in fantastic performances as their respective characters Schmidt and Jenko. Hill displays a lot of the sensitivity and awkwardness of Schmidt that is fun to watch while Tatum brings in that physicality and dimness to his character as the two definitely have fun in their roles while not being afraid to showcase some homoerotic overtones in their bro-mance.

22 Jump Street is an excellent film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Featuring a great cast and a witty approach to the idea of sequels, it is a film that isn’t afraid to play dumb while be aware that it’s rehashing everything that made the first film so successful. Especially as it isn’t afraid to give the audience what they want as well as be even sillier. In the end, 22 Jump Street is a fantastic film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Phil Lord & Chris Miller Films: (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) - 21 Jump Street - The Lego Movie

© thevoid99 2014

Smashed

Directed by James Ponsoldt and written by Ponsoldt and Susan Burke, Smashed is the story of a schoolteacher who decides to get sober as she deals with her alcoholism as well as the aspects of her troubled life including her husband who is also an alcoholic. The film is an exploration into a woman’s attempt to get sober as she also tries to deal with the world around her where her life had been driven by alcohol. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullally, and Nick Offerman. Smashed is an extraordinary film from James Ponsoldt.

It’s a film that explores the world of a young woman whose drinking has finally gotten her to do some very dumb things where she would find herself waking up in places she doesn’t know or being hung-over in class where she actually vomited in front of her students. That moment along with other strange things forces her to confront the fact that she’s an alcoholic as she gets help from her vice-principal Dave (Nick Offerman) to go meetings as she also deals with the fact that her husband is also an alcoholic. During the course of the film, Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) tries to maintain her sobriety with help from Dave and a recovering alcoholic named Jenny (Octavia Spencer) as the latter becomes her sponsor. While Hannah’s husband Charlie (Aaron Paul) tries to be supportive, he continues to drink which causes problems into the relationship as Hannah’s need to be honest would finally cause more problems with her own life.

The film’s screenplay doesn’t have much of a plot as it’s more of a character study about this woman and her battle with alcoholism as she struggles to maintain her sobriety. Even as she admits to lying to her students by accident and later to her principal Mrs. Barnes (Megan Mullally) that she’s pregnant as she is later consumed with guilt over what she’s done. While Dave, who is also a recovering alcoholic whose been sober for nine years, is the first to notice Kate’s problems. He is also the one that offers her help while admitting to having his own issues trying to meet women which shows Kate that even maintaining sobriety is hard work. Notably as she’s forced to meet with her estranged mother (Mary Kay Place) as well as Charlie’s own drinking where she questions him about him really being supportive that would eventually cause some problems with the relationship.

James Ponsoldt’s direction is very engaging in the way he explores a woman’s struggles to becomes sober as Ponsoldt goes for a hand-held, cinema-verite style to make it feel as realistic as possible. Even as the drama gets intense that includes a scene of a drunk Kate walking to a nearby convenience store to buy alcohol at two in the morning where the clerk refuses to sell it to her because it’s against the law. Yet, a lot of the presentation is very simple in its framing as well as some scenes where Kate and Charlie ride bicycles through the city where they would be drunk early in the film. Even in the AA meetings where Ponsoldt keeps the direction very simple without the need to embellish and just keep it simple. Even as things would intensify in the course of the film where Kate struggles with her sobriety and the fact that she is an alcoholic where she realizes she needs to face up some responsibilities. Even as it would affect many parts of her life including her marriage. Overall, Ponsoldt creates a very poignant yet mesmerizing film about a woman’s struggle with alcoholism and her need to become sober.

Cinematographer Tobias Datum does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the nighttime exteriors of the locations in Los Angeles to the look of the bars and places the characters go to. Editor Suzanne Spengler does fantastic work with the editing to play up some of the chaos in the drama with some straight cuts as well as using some stylish cuts to help structure the story and create some abrupt moments. Production designer Linda Sena and art director Sarah M. Pott do nice work with the set pieces from the classroom that Kate teaches to the bars and meetings that she goes to.

Costume designer Diaz Jacobs does terrific work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual to play up the personality of the characters. Sound editor Ryan Collins does superb work with the sound to play out the atmosphere of the bars as well as the quietness of the AA meetings. The film’s music by Eric D. Johnson and Andy Cabic is wonderful as it features a largely indie-folk score to play out the drama while music supervisors Tiffany Anders and Lukas Barry bring in music that is similar to the score that includes pieces by Bill Callahan and Linda & Richard Thompson.

The casting by Kim Coleman and Avy Kaufman is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it features some notable small performances from Kyle Gallner as Charlie’s brother Owen and Mary Kay Place as Kate’s estranged mother Rochelle. Megan Mullally is terrific as the school principal Mrs. Barnes who wonders what is going on with Kate as she think she’s pregnant until she learns the truth. Nick Offerman is excellent as Kate’s co-worker Dave who learns about her problems as he tries to help her out while revealing his own struggles in being sober. Octavia Spencer is amazing as Kate’s sponsor Jenny who helps her with being sober as well as tell her about the struggles that goes on. Aaron Paul is fantastic as Kate’s husband Charlie as a man who loves his wife as he hard time not drinking without her as he wants to be supportive but is afraid of how much she might change.

Finally, there’s Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a remarkable performance as Kate as a woman whose alcoholism has finally gotten out of control as she tries to be sober. Winstead’s performance is quite charming and engaging at times but also intense in the way she can act like a very crazed drunk who can be mean and confrontational. It’s definitely a performance that is unforgettable as well as a true break-out moment for Winstead.

Smashed is a phenomenal film from James Ponsoldt that features an incredible performance from Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The film isn’t just a very realistic yet harrowing look into the world of alcoholism but also to showcase a woman’s struggle to be honest with herself and to be sober. Even as it showcases the lows that she goes through as well as deal with her husband’s own alcoholism. In the end, Smashed is a sensational film from James Ponsoldt.

James Ponsoldt Films: (Off the Black) - The Spectacular Now - The End of the Tour - (The Circle (2017 film)

© thevoid99 2013

21 Jump Street

Based on the 1980s TV show by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell, 21 Jump Street is the story of two former high school classmates who become undercover police officers as they return to high school to uncover a drug bust. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller with a script by Michael Bacall based on a story by Bacall and Jonah Hill. The film is an updated take on the hit 80s TV show that starred Johnny Depp as it explores new high school social orders and the world of undercover police officers. Starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, Ellie Kemper, Nick Offerman, and Ice Cube. 21 Jump Street is a riotous yet very entertaining film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Two former schoolmates in Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) meet up seven years after senior year in the police academy where they become buddies helping each to become police officers. After being assigned to park patrol where they would encounter a drug trade as they managed to nab a dealer but Jenko forgot to read the Miranda rights. After the screw-up, Captain Hardy (Nick Offerman) has the two transferred to a revived undercover specialty unit led by Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) who would have them return to high school to uncover a new drug craze that is spreading around various high school campuses. Living with Schmidt’s parents for the assignment, Schmidt and Jenko learn that the social order of high school has changed as they pretend to be brothers.

With Jenko hanging out with the nerds as he accidentally takes Schmidt’s classes, Schmidt ends up hanging out with the popular kids led by Eric (Dave Franco) who is the main dealer of this new drug. Wanting to impress Eric, Schmidt and Jenko throw a party where they gain Eric’s trust while Schmidt also befriends Eric’s friend Molly (Brie Larson). With Schmidt part of Eric’s inner circle while Jenko manages to get a group of nerds to tap into Eric’s phone to hear conversations. Yet, Jenko becomes upset over Schmidt’s newfound popularity in school as a moment to uncover more of what Eric is doing goes bad. When prom is about to start where a deal is about to happen, the two finally decide to figure out what is going on with some surprising results.

Since the concept of the film is about a group of undercover who pretend to be high school students in order to infiltrate whatever drug culture is out there. The idea of a film based on an old TV show doesn’t seem very promising as a film. However, the result ended up being a whole lot better than its concept suggests by exploring the world of the high school social order where two young men become baffled by these changes. Particularly as one of them was a jock and the other was a nerd back in school where neither of them came out of high school satisfied. Going back would give them a chance to a do-over as well as becoming great cops but the changing times and the new drug craze would have them be in very different positions.

Michael Bacall’s screenplay does follow a formula of sorts that is expected in these action buddy-comedies. Taking that formula and infusing it with the concept based on the TV does allow Bacall to for a lot of bawdy humor in the fact that these two guys are inept cops. Schmidt is insecure due to his physicality, lack of social skills, and can’t really fire his weapon at someone. Jenko is an imbecile who gets by with his looks but can’t remember the Miranda rights while is pretty ignorant about school subjects. Together, they become this unlikely duo where they would start to improve themselves in different ways. Schmidt becomes more confident while Jenko starts to use his brains where they would become this awesome duo.

Bacall’s script succeeds in developing the characters while reveling into how times had changed from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s. Back then, jocks ruled where a guy like Jenko was able to get away with anything, except in academics, while Schmidt tries to be cool by looking like Eminem only to be rejected by a girl. Through some witty dialogue that reaches into lots of raunchy humor and action scenes that revel in a mix of humor and playing with clichés. Bacall creates a truly fantastic yet extremely enjoyable buddy comedy that does more than what its genre suggests.

Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller do an excellent job in creating a buddy comedy that mixes over-the-top violence with frat-boy humor that is pretty wild. While a lot of the compositions in terms of its simpler, light-hearted moments are quite straightforward. They’re still engaging for the way it will play up the drama while they create one of the film’s most hilarious moments involving this drug that takes its time to play up the humor. Notably as it would escalate from one funny moment to something funnier and funnier as the drug itself proves to be very powerful. It’s among the many moments in the film where Lord and Miller are allowed to let the humor play out while getting their actors to be really comfortable in their parts.

The film’s action scenes also have Lord and Miller play up with the clichés as its most notable is this hilarious chase scene involving bikers, traffic jams, and all sorts of things that is expected in the action genre. What is unique about it is the fact that they play with what is expected as the main characters are wondering if something is about to happen and they’re caught off-guard. Notably in the film’s climatic moment where they meet up with the supplier as it would include a surprising mix of over-the-top violence and humor as it proves that Lord and Miller are able to do a lot with these sequences while not going too far into the conventions. Overall, Lord and Miller create a truly exhilarating and funny action buddy comedy that does a whole lot more for its genre.

Cinematographer Barry Peterson does a nice job with the film‘s photography to play up the sunny look of the locations, set in New Orleans, while providing some stylish looks for some of the film‘s nighttime exterior and interior settings. Editor Joel Negrone does an excellent with the editing in creating amazing montage scenes to play up some of the craziness of the humor with swift cuts that aren‘t too fast while maintaining more straightforward cuts for the light-hearted moments. Production designer Peter Wenham, with art directors Scott Plauche and Thomas Valentine as well as set decorator Bob Kensinger, does a superb job with the look of the 21 Jump Street base that Captain Dickson works at that includes a hilarious prop of a Korean version of Jesus Christ. Costume designer Leah Katznelson does a very good job with the costumes from the early look that Schmidt wears in the film‘s first scene to more casual yet stylish looks to play up the many cliques in high school.

Visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund and Helena Packer do terrific work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects scene including some of hilarious montages involving the side effects of what happens when being on the drug. Sound editor Geoffrey G. Rubay does a superb job with the sound work to capture the atmosphere of the party scene as well as the chaos in some of the film’s violent moments. The film’s score by Mark Mothersbaugh is wonderful for the thrilling score that mixes bit of orchestral elements as well as electronic music to play up the energy of the action scenes. Particularly as the film’s soundtrack is a mix of party music for many of the party scenes.

The casting by Nicole Abellera and Jeanne McCarthy is brilliant for the ensemble that is created which does include cameos from a few actors of the original TV show. Notable small roles include Dakota Johnson as an undercover cop, Caroline Aaron as Schmidt’s smothering mother, Jake Johnson as the school principal, DeRay Davis as a drug dealer named Domingo, Nick Offerman as Schmidt and Jenko’s original superior Captain Hardy, and Johnny Simmons as a nerdy kid that Jenko befriends. Rob Riggle is very good as the brash P.E. coach Mr. Walters who always tries to intimidate Schmidt and Jenko while Ellie Kemper is very funny in a small role as science teacher who is sexually attracted to Jenko. Dave Franco is excellent as the laid-back drug dealer Eric who tries to do things low-key in an attempt to be powerful.

Ice Cube is great as the profanity-spouting and intimidating Captain Dickson who always berates Schmidt and Jenko while trying to get them in line as it is Cube going back to his gangsta roots. Brie Larson is wonderful as Molly whom Schmidt falls for as Larson brings a nice charm to her character while proving be just as bawdy as the guys in the film’s third act. Finally, there’s the duo of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as they really are the heart and soul of the film. In the role of Schmidt, Hill brings a goofy charm to his character that tries hard to be cool while also being inept when it comes to getting physical. For the role of Jenko, Tatum is the film’s real surprise as he brings a real laid-back humor that also goes a little out there as he seems very comfortable playing the role of a dim cop who later becomes smart. Hill and Tatum’s chemistry is a joy to watch in the way they interact and do hilarious things together.

21 Jump Street is a flat-out hilarious buddy action-comedy from Phil Lord and Chris Miller featuring amazing performances from Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Along with amazing supporting work from Brie Larson, Dave Franco, and Ice Cube plus lots of insane gags that will keep audiences laughing their ass off. It’s a comedy that gets it right in terms of taking the premise of the original 1980s TV show and making it feel fresh while paying tribute to that show. It’s also a comedy that isn’t afraid to go the extra edge of being raunchy and inappropriate just so it can get a laugh in the right way. In the end, 21 Jump Street is marvelously-crafted action-comedy from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Phil Lord & Chris Miller Films: (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) - The Lego Movie - 22 Jump Street

© thevoid99 2012

All Good Things

Directed by Andrew Jarecki and written by Marcus Hinchey and Marc Smerling, All Good Things is about a young real estate heir who marries a working-class girl as his life spirals out of control due to his mood swings and his wife’s yearning to be independent. When she mysteriously disappears, dark secrets are uncovered as he tries to deal with his own demons. The film is based on the life of Robert Durst, the son of a real estate mogul, as the film explores a man’s troubled life. Starring Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Kristen Wiig, Philip Baker Hall, Diane Venora, and Frank Langella. All Good Things is an engrossing although flawed drama from Andrew Jarecki.

It’s the early 1970s as real estate heir David Marks (Ryan Gosling) goes to an apartment to fix the plumbing of a building that is owned by his father Sanford (Frank Langella). There, he meets a young woman named Katie (Kirsten Dunst) as the two go out as she becomes the thing he needed to escape the rich lifestyle that he’s set out for as they live in Vermont. While Sanford doesn’t entirely approve of the relationship, he convinces David to return to New York City believing that Katie will be happy. David reluctantly returns to New York City to work for his father while Katie is hoping to become a medical student as she has trouble dealing with David’s mood. While Katie yearns for a simpler life and wanting a family, David becomes more troubled as he learns that Katie is pregnant.

Yet, Katie’s hopes for a family life is shattered as she spends her time with friend Lauren (Kristen Wiig) as she and David become distant. With David spending more time working and Katie living at the Westchester country home to get herself into medical school. David suddenly becomes more controlling and violent as Katie ponders about what to do as their marriage starts to crumble. When Katie suddenly disappears in 1982, David confronts his father about his mother’s suicide prompting him to disappear. When a district attorney named Janet Rizzo (Diane Venora) wants to re-open the case over Katie’s disappearance in 2000. The Marks family is in trouble as David has disappeared in Galveston as he befriends an elderly man named Malvern (Philip Baker Hall) as David later finds himself in trouble again.

The film is the story of a young man who falls for a girl as she enters into a world of a posh lifestyle though she craves for something much simpler. When he is forced to give in to the world that he’s set for, he starts to unravel by his own past about his mother’s death and his family life as his wife has no idea who he is. Suddenly, she’s gone as questions are asked with no one knows what really happened until a district attorney re-opens the case while the young man has lived in secrecy in Texas trying to disappear. Yet, it’s all told from a man’s perspective as he is on trial for what he might’ve done as he is forced to look back.

While a story like this is likely to have some clichés and there are some which involves what is expected. Yet, the screenwriters are more concerned about what has happened to this young man that had him taking on the life he wanted to run away from and eventually starts to lose it as he becomes more controlling towards his wife. The film starts off as this light-hearted drama and then gets darker as the film progresses into a this restrained yet unsettling thriller where David Marks becomes more disturbed and such though there’s touches of that early in the film. The study of this man and his relationship with his wife and father are interesting though there’s moments where the script tends to fall into clichés at times. Plus, one of the script’s major faults is the time setting where it becomes confusing for the audience to figure out when is this happening.

The direction of Andrew Jarecki is really good for the way he engages the audience into seeing this young man unravel by the pressure he’s going through while trying to be a great husband to his wife. While he couldn’t overcome some of the shortcomings of the script, Jarecki’s does allow the story to build up where it starts off as this study of a troubled man and then becomes this chilling thriller. By the time the third act arrives where Marks is in Texas in a strange disguise, the mood doesn’t change but it is clear that the audience already figures out what happens and it loses some of its suspense. Despite the flaws of the story and Jarecki’s attempt to try and pull away from the clichés. He is still able to make a compelling and harrowing drama about the troubled life of this young man.

Cinematographer Michael Seresin does an excellent job with the film‘s photography that helps sets the mood of the film such as the sunnier countryside scenes with wonderful colors and Super 8 camera footage. Seresin also helps give the film a very dark look with blue and black to emphasize the haunting mood of Marks as the film progresses to a more heightened look towards the end of the film. Editors David Rosenbloom and Shelby Siegel do some good work on the editing where it is pretty straightforward to emphasize the narrative though it rarely jumps back-and-forth to the courtroom scene until late in the film.

Production designer Wynn Thomas, along with set decorator Rich Devine and art director Russell Barnes, does a nice job with the set designs made from the country homes that David and Kate lived in from the 1970s to the early 80s to the more posh home of the Marks family estate and offices. Costume designer Michael Clancy does a fantastic job with the costumes from the stylish dresses the women wear from the 1970s to the more casual, guarded clothing later in the film during the early 80s. Sound designers Karen Vassar and Tim Walston do a fine job with the sound work to play up some of the atmosphere of the locations while mixing Marks’ voice as he recalls some of things that was going on in his life.

The film’s score by Rob Simonsen is stellar for its orchestral-driven score with some low-key yet somber pieces to more dramatic arrangements to emphasize the dark elements of the film. Music supervisor Susan Jacobs creates a soundtrack that is filled with music from the 70s like Steely Dan, Carly Simon, and A Taste of Honey where some of it is anachronistic because some of the music wasn‘t made that year.

The casting by Douglas Aibel is wonderful as it includes some great appearances from Nick Offerman as Kate’s brother Jim, Liz Stauber as Jim’s wife Sharon, Marion McCorry as Kate’s mother, Michael Esper as David’s younger yet more responsible brother Daniel, Trini Alvarado as a neighbor that Kate befriends, David Marguiles as a NYC mayor, and Philip Baker Hall as the elderly neighbor that David befriends in 2000 Texas. Lily Rabe is very good as David’s longtime friend Deborah who tries to help David with his issues while Kristen Wiig is excellent as Kate’s friend Lauren as she has a funny moment during a scene where the two talk to an attorney.

Frank Langella is superb as David’s father Sanford, a man who likes to maintain certain standards while revealing to be very flawed in the way he treats David as he eventually starts to care for Kate. Kirsten Dunst is phenomenal as Kate, David’s wife who starts out as this lively woman only to deal with David’s dark behavior. Dunst’s performance is truly mesmerizing from the way she deals with her own depression as well as her struggle to be independent as it’s really one of her most chilling performances of her career so far. Finally, there’s Ryan Gosling in a spellbinding yet very entrancing performance as David Marks. Gosling’s performance has him starting off as very kind and quiet while it builds to a more brooding yet disturbing performance as a man undone by demons and his yearn for control. Gosling and Dunst have great chemistry while Gosling also has some great scenes with Langella proving that he is one of the best actors working today.

All Good Things is a good though very flawed drama from Andrew Jarecki that features a great cast led by Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, and Frank Langella. Due to some of the clichés revolving around the film and a few anachronisms that can be distracting. The film is still an intriguing drama about the disappearance of a woman in the hands of her husband and what drove him to possibly kill her. In the end, All Good Things is a solid but messy drama from Andrew Jarecki.

© thevoid99 2011