Three years after the death of her mother who was a film star of a famous slasher film in the 1980s, a young woman attends a screening of that film with her friends as a fire breaks out and they find themselves in the movie as they deal with the killer in the film but also other things as they become characters in that film. It is a film that is a spoof of sorts of slasher films where a group of people find themselves in a slasher movie with all of its bad dialogue, stereotypical characters, and everything that is expected as they find themselves being part of the film. The film’s screenplay by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller is straightforward as it play into these five college students who attend a revival screening that goes wrong and then become part of the movie they’re supposed to watch. One of the students in Max Cartwright (Taissa Farmiga) is still dealing with the death of her mother Amanda (Malin Akerman) three years earlier in a car accident that Max had survived as she is reluctant to attend the screening of the film Camp Bloodbath as it was a film that Amanda was famous for but never did anything noteworthy afterwards.
Upon entering the film, Max and her friends including her best friend Gertie (Alia Shawkat), Gertie’s stepbrother Duncan (Thomas Middleditch) who is a horror fanatic, Chris (Alexander Ludwig), and Chris’ bitchy ex-girlfriend Vicki (Nina Dobrev), whom Max had been estranged from, all witness the events of the film as Duncan comments on what is happening as the character Amanda played in Nancy was someone who doesn’t survive in the film as the final girl is Paula (Chloe Bridges). Yet, things don’t go by the narrative due to the presence of Max and her friends as they all have to deal with the machete-wielding killer Billy Hopkins (Daniel Norris) as the script also feature exposition about why Hopkins kills people via flashback.
Todd Strauss-Schulson’s direction does have some style as it play into the style of 80s slasher films though it also maintains a straightforward visual style as it is shot on location in locations in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The film starts off with a young Max waiting for her mother returning from an audition as they deal with mounting bills leading to the accident that would kill Amanda as that scene and several others are presented in a straightforward manner in its compositions including some wide and medium shots as well as close-ups. The scene where the movie theater gets burned leaving Max and her friends to escape into the film screen is an inventive moment where Strauss-Schulson shows what happens and then the film changes. The moment where Max and her friends become part of Camp Bloodbath starts off as funny with its clichéd characters and setting as they then become part of the film. Even as they find themselves waiting for the van arrive and then it would arrive again 92 minutes later as it sets up the tone of the film.
Strauss-Schulson also maintains a certain visual style for the scenes of Camp Bloodbath and how Max and her friends would interact with those characters as it does play into these slasher film clichés with the flashback sequence presented in black-and-white. The approach to humor is offbeat as it play up the clichés including a scene where the hot counselor in Tina (Angela Trimbur) discovers Vicki’s pills and things go hilariously wrong. The film’s climax is typical of slasher films but there’s also these moments that do subvert expectation as it relates to Max and her connection with Nancy who becomes aware of the stereotype she plays. Yet, Strauss-Schulson also play up the idea of the final girl and adds something different to raise the stakes for everyone in the film within a film. Overall, Strauss-Schulson crafts a witty and exhilarating film about a young woman and her friends entering themselves into a 80s slasher movie starring that young woman’s mother.
Cinematographer Elie Smolkin does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography as it is more low-key and naturalistic for the scenes in Max’s world while the colors are more vibrant in the interior/exterior scenes in the day for Camp Bloodbath along with some stylish lighting for scenes at night. Editor Debbie Berman does excellent work with the editing as it has some style that play into rhythmic cuts for the suspenseful moments in the film as well as some stylized slow-motion as it adds humor to the film. Production designer Katie Byron, with set decorator Rachael Ferrera and art director Alexi Gomez, does amazing work with the look of the camp as well as some of the way the rooms are as it play into the 1980s aesthetics. Costume designer Lynette Meyer does fantastic work with the costumes that also play up to the look of the 1980s for the camp counselors as it isn’t afraid to look and be cheesy.
Special effects makeup artist Elvis Jones does terrific work with some of the design of the gore as well as it doesn’t just play to the conventions of horror but also for laughs. Visual effects supervisors David Lebensfeld, Grant Miller, and Matthew Poliquin do wonderful work with the visual effects whether it’s in some backdrops for scenes in a car or to create something that feels cheesy to play up the humor. Sound designer Lewis Goldstein does superb work with the sound in creating some unique sound effects that play to conventions of slasher films along with elements in how music sounds from a stereo and other sparse moments. The film’s music by Gregory James Jenkins is incredible for its 80s-inspired score with elements of eerie orchestral pieces and synthesizer-based music as the latter is something typical of 80s slasher films where there are these fun elements while music supervisor Susan Jacobs creates a fun soundtrack that features pieces from Warrant, Bananarama, Wang Chung, the Chordettes, the Cold Crush Brothers, Bleachers, Toni Basil, and Kim Carnes.
The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is marvelous as it feature some notable small roles from Lauren Gros as the hippie chick Mimi, Reginald Robinson as a hunky hiker Mimi hopes to have sex with, Eric Carney as the young Billy from the flashback, Tory N. Thompson as a camp counselor that Gertie flirts with, Chloe Bridges as the cool virgin in Paula who is the final girl in Camp Bloodbath, and Daniel Norris as the killer in Camp Bloodbath in Billy Murphy who wears a mask and wields a machete. Angela Trimbur is fantastic as the slutty camp counselor Tina who always wear skimpy clothing and becomes even more animated due to Vicki’s pills while Adam DeVine is superb as the douche-bag Kurt who claims to have a big dick and thinks he’s all that to the point that he annoys Chris for being a misogynistic douchebag.
Thomas Middleditch is excellent as the horror film fanatic Duncan who revels in being in the film as he comments on everything around him as he ends up annoying everyone. Alia Shawkat and Nina Dobrev are brilliant in their respective roles as Gertie and Vicki with the former being Duncan’s stepsister and a friend of Max as she is aware of what is going on while trying to be the sensible one of the group while the latter is a bitchy student who is possessive towards Chris as it adds to her estrangement from Max where Dobrev is also someone who is eager to get things done. Alexander Ludwig is amazing as Chris as a longtime friend of Max who also has feelings for her as he tries to help her while also doing what he can to ensure that he and his friends survive.
Taissa Farmiga is great as Max Cartwright as a young student still dealing with the death of her mother as she finds herself in her mother’s film as she copes with the presence of her mother’s character as well as the desire for both of them to survive which includes dealing with Billy Murphy. Finally, there’s Malin Akerman in an incredible performance as Amanda Cartwright/Nancy with the former being an actress struggling to find work despite her infamy for the film she’s famous for while being this upbeat counselor that is hoping to get laid and fit in only to learn that she doesn’t make it in the film where Akerman displays that sense of uncertainty but also a woman who realizes the choices she has to make.
The Final Girls is a remarkable film from Todd Strauss-Schulson that features great performances from Malin Akerman and Taissa Farmiga. Along with its ensemble cast, fun music soundtrack, and playing up the many clichés of slasher films with biting humor and offbeat suspense. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to be funny in making fun of slasher films but also with its heart as it has a group of people being part of a slasher film as they figure out how to survive but also change the rules. In the end, The Final Girls is a marvelous film from Todd Strauss-Schulson.
© thevoid99 2021
Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, The Intern is the story of a 70-year old man who decides to intern at a fashion start-up company where he brings guidance to its young CEO. The film is a tale of an old man trying to find some usefulness in his life while helping a young woman find balance in her life as a CEO and as a wife/mother. Starring Robert de Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine, Christina Scherer, and Zack Pearlman. The Intern is a delightful and heartfelt film from Nancy Meyers.
The film is a simple story about a 70-year old widower who has given up retirement as he decides to become an intern for a e-commerce start-up fashion company that is run by a young woman who is trying to balance her life as a working woman and as a wife/mother. While she is reluctant to hire this old man to be her personal intern, she eventually warms up to his service as well as getting some guidance in what she needs in her life. It’s a film that is very simple as writer/director Nancy Meyers creates a story where the old help guides the young while the young gives the old something to do in his life. The script isn’t just about that meeting of old and new but also in how they can coexist where Ben Whittaker (Robert de Niro) becomes a source of inspiration and drive to many of the young workers including the CEO Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).
Even as he would drive her to work and such as well get to know her family while becoming someone who guide her about what to do as she is considering taking in a CEO to help run the company that she built so she can spend more time with her family. The subplot that revolves around Jules considering taking in the CEO plays into her struggle to be with her family while she isn’t sure about taking orders from someone who might change everything she’s worked so hard to build. It plays into Jules turning to Ben for guidance while Ben is someone that knows his role but also give other younger interns the chance to express themselves more where they help him deal with the new world he is in. At the same time, he meets a middle-aged masseuse in Fiona (Rene Russo) as they share similarities in not just aging but also proving that they still have something to live for.
Meyers’ direction is quite simple where she doesn’t really go for any stylish visual traits as it’s really more about the world of the start-up fashion company where everyone is working on a computer or a laptop taking orders and such. Shot largely in the Brooklyn area in New York City with a few shots around San Francisco, the film does play into this idea of a new version of New York City that is for the young yet its older residents of the city still have a place in. Many of the compositions are simple with some wide shots of the cities but Meyers largely relies on medium shots and close-ups to maintain an intimacy as well as capture some of the chaos of the work place. Some of the humor in the film is lighthearted as it’s not forced as it’s more careful in its timing but also find a way to be loose and fun. There is an air of sentimentality as it relates to Ben and his friendship with Jules where it’s about him trying to be useful and live his life while helping her find the balance of being all things as she deals with issues in her own family life. Overall, Meyers creates witty and enchanting film about a 70-year old man interning for a young woman’s start-up fashion company.
Cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography as it‘s largely straightforward in terms of the interior/exterior lighting schemes as well as the look for some of the scenes set at night. Editor Robert Leighton does nice work with the editing as it is straightforward with a few jump-cuts for stylistic reasons as well as a montage scene of Ben getting ready for work. Production Krist Zea, with art directors W. Steven Graham and Doug Huszti and set decorator Susan Bode, does fantastic work with the look of the place where everyone works at as well as the homes of Jules as well as Ben‘s home that includes his lavish closet. Costume designer Jacqueline Demeterio does brilliant work with the costumes from the clothes that Jules is selling as well as her own style of clothing to the suits that Ben wears to work that would inspire the younger interns.
Visual effects supervisors Bruce Jones, Mark Russell, and Hameed Shaukat do terrific work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects as it‘s mainly bits of set dressing for some of the film‘s exterior scenes and some of the text that is displayed on phones and such. Sound editors Dennis Drummond and Sean Massey do superb work with the sound from the way many of the phones and computers sound in work as well as the sense of chaos that goes on in the job. The film’s music by Theodore Shapiro creates a wonderful score that is a mixture of jazz, orchestral, and pop that play into the vibrancy of the work place while music supervisors George Drakoulias and Randall Poster create a mixture of contemporary pop from Meghan Trainor, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, and Tegan and Sara to more old-school music from Ray Charles, KC & the Sunshine Band, Billie Holliday, Astrud Gilberto, Gene Kelly, and Benny Goodman.
The casting by Tiffany Little Canfield, Laray Mayfield, Bernard Telsey, and David Vaccari is great as it feature some notable small roles from Mary Kay Place as the voice of Jules’ mother, Linda Lavin as a friend of Ben who often tries to flirt with him, Celia Weston as another senior intern who would briefly replace Ben as Jules’ driver, Nat Wolff as one of Ben’s interviewers, and JoJo Kushner in a wonderful role as Jules’ daughter Paige. Josh Orley is terrific as Lewis as an intern who is fascinated by Ben’s old briefcase as he would help him out while Christina Scherer is amazing as Jules’ secretary Becky who feels like she doesn’t get enough credit for her contributions. Zack Pearlman is fantastic as Davis as a new intern who befriends Ben as he seeks his help in finding a home while Adam DeVine is hilarious as Jason as a veteran intern that is trying to go out with Becky as well as help the guys in any of the situations that happen. Andrew Rannells is excellent as Jules’ fellow executive Cameron who would start the seniors intern program as well as try to give Jules his views on hiring a CEO to help run things with Jules.
Anders Holm is superb as Jules’ husband Matt as a stay-at-home dad who befriends Ben as he tries to maintain his role at home but would do something that would cause trouble for Jules in their family life. Rene Russo is brilliant as Fiona as a middle-aged masseuse that Ben falls for as she finds him to be a charming and mature man that she can hang out with. Anne Hathaway is remarkable as Jules Ostin as a woman who has created her own company as she is trying to balance her work but also her family life where Hathaway brings that sense of obsessive-compulsiveness but also the desire to be a mother as it’s one of her finer performances. Finally, there’s Robert de Niro in a phenomenal performance as Ben Whittaker as a 70-year old widower who gives up retirement to do something with his life and feel useful where it’s de Niro filled with charm and a bit of low-key humor but also have this sense of fatherly warmth with the young actors while having some amazing rapport with Hathaway that is the heart of the film.
The Intern is a marvelous film from Nancy Meyers that features top-notch performances from Robert de Niro and Anne Hathaway. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself seriously as well as be good old-fashioned light-entertainment with a sense of wit and characters that audiences of all ages can care for. In the end, The Intern is an excellent film from Nancy Meyers.
Nancy Meyers Films: (The Parent Trap (1998 film)) - (What Women Want) - (Something’s Gotta Give) - (The Holiday (2006 film)) - (It’s Complicated)
© thevoid99 2016
Directed by Elizabeth Banks and written by Kay Cannon, Pitch Perfect 2 is the sequel to the 2012 film where a group of female a capella singers try to enter a global a capella competition in the hopes to save their sorority following a national scandal. The film is another tale about a group of young women who find themselves in a new world as some try to cope with life after college along with the fact they’re being scrutinized over something that was an accident. Starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Skylar Astin, Ester Dean, Anna Camp, Adam Devine, Ben Platt, John Michael Higgins, Katey Sagal, Flula Borg, Brigitte Hjort Sorenson, and Elizabeth Banks. Pitch Perfect 2 is a delightful and witty comedy from Elizabeth Banks.
Set three years after the events of the first films, the Barden Bellas become a national treasure in the world of a capella singing until a concert in front of the American president becomes a scandal where the group is faced with suspension and not being able to perform or bring in new members. This sets the course for what happens in this film where they find a loophole that would allow them to compete in a global a capella singing competition though their chances of winning is very long. Along the way, the group takes in a new member whose mother was a Bella while the group’s co-leader in Becca (Anna Kendrick) becomes an intern for an egocentric music producer. It’s a film that isn’t just about these ladies wanting to redeem themselves but also face with the prospects of growing up and dealing with life after college as it’s something Bella co-leader Chloe (Brittany Snow) isn’t ready to cope with as she had purposely flunked classes to remain a Bella.
Kay Cannon’s script doesn’t just play into the growing conflicts and struggles the group face from within but also in the fact that they’re considered pariahs over the scandal caused by Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) when she accidentally exposes herself in front of President Obama during a birthday concert. Adding to their struggle is the fact that they’re being replaced by a super-German a capella group known as Das Sound Machine who provide a lot of things that overwhelm the Bellas in their attempt to redeem themselves. While Cannon provides some funny one-liners and some structure to the story, the story does feel a bit familiar but it has some unique subplots such as the group taking in freshman Emily Junk (Hailee Steinfeld) who is a legacy as she wants to write songs. Another subplot involves Fat Amy’s own attraction towards former Treblemaker leader Bumper (Adam Devine) who is now the university’s security chief.
Elizabeth Banks’ direction is quite straightforward in terms of the compositions that are created while maintaining that lively sense of humor that made the first film so special in the first place. Though much of what happens is quite conventional, Banks does make sure many of the moments of the film are engaging while having that sense of feeling improvised to make it feel more natural. Banks’ usage of medium shots and close-ups help maintain that sense of intimacy as well as the importance of sisterhood among the young women while using a few wide shots for some of the performances including an attempted comeback performance in the second act where the Bellas try too hard to outdo the Das Sound Machine. Shot largely in Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the film doesn’t just play into something that is vibrant as well as modern while using some of its older streets for the film’s climatic showdown at Copenhagen. Even as Banks knows that the film’s heart is in the music and singing a capella where it manages to do a lot in its performance and a whole lot more. Overall, Banks creates a fun and exhilarating film about a group of young ladies trying to win back their respect in an a capella competition.
Cinematographer Jim Denault does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography with its naturalistic yet colorful look for many of the daytime scenes set at the college campuses to the usage of lights for some of the musical performances and scenes set at night. Editor Craig Alpert does nice work with the editing as a lot of it is straightforward with some stylish usages of jump-cuts and montages for some of the livelier moments of the film including musical performances. Production designer Toby Corbett, with set decorator Monique Champagne and art director Nate Jones, does fantastic work with the look of the Bellas‘ house as well as the studio Becca would intern at along with the retreat camp the girls would go following a humiliating performance. Costume designer Salvador Perez Jr. does wonderful work with the clothes from the casual yet stylish look of the clothes to the array of stylish costumes the Bellas would wear as well as the clothes of Das Sound Machine.
Key hairstylist Meagan Herrera and key makeup artist Judy Yonemoto do terrific work with the look of the characters in the way they would present themselves during a musical performance. Visual effects supervisor Steve Parish does superb work with some of the film‘s visual effects as much of it is set dressing for the scenes set in Copenhagen. Sound editor Erin Oakely and sound designer Jack Whittaker do amazing work with the sound in capturing the naturalistic sound of a capella singing in all of its layers as well as the raucous sounds of the crowds and parties. The film’s music by Mark Mothersbaugh is brilliant for its mixture of electronics, dance and orchestral music as well as providing that same mix for the sound of a capella music while music supervisors Sarah Webster and Angela Leus would create a soundtrack filled with contemporary pop tunes and hip-hop into some of the songs as well as what is playing in the background.
The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is incredible as it features appearances from Clay Matthews, David Bakhtiari, Don Barclay, Josh Sitton, and T.J. Lang as real-life players of the Green Bay Packers who do sing a capella, David Cross as a riff-off host, Keegan-Michael Key as a music producer Becca is interning for, Shawn Carter Peterson as the producer’s hipster yet dim-witted nephew, Snoop Dogg as himself, and as members of the Tone Hangers group, Reggie Watts, Joe Lo Truglio, Jason Jones, and John Hodgman. Other notable small roles include Kelly Jakle and Shelley Regner in their respective roles as senior Bellas Jessica and Ashley, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen and Flula Borg as leaders of Das Sound Machine, Ben Platt as Treblemakers co-leader Benji who has a crush on Emily, Skylar Astin as Treblemakers co-leader/Becca’s boyfriend Jesse, Anna Camp as former Bellas leader Aubrey who runs a retreat camp as she would help the team get back up, and Katey Sagal as Emily’s mother Katherine who is considered a legend among the Bellas. Hana Mae Lee is a total delight as the very quiet yet creepy Lilly who is the group’s beat-boxer as she always says some very funny things.
Ester Dean is excellent as the soulful lesbian Cynthia with top-notch rhyming skills while Alexis Knapp is wonderful as sensual Stacie who often uses her sex appeal to get ahead. Adam DeVine is hilarious as the former Treblemakers leader Bumper as the college’s new security chief that is trying to get himself back into the world of singing. Chrissie Fit is fantastic as the Guatemalan exchange student who joined the Bellas a year after the events of the first films as she provides some very funny comments about everything that is foreign to her. Hailee Steinfeld is amazing as Emily Junk as a freshman who is accepted by the Bellas because of her mother as she copes with her new surroundings as well as wanting to create original songs. Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins are incredible in their respective roles as a capella broadcasters Gail Abernathy-McKadden-Feinberger and John Smith as they provide some funny commentary with the latter being very misogynistic.
Brittany Snow is brilliant as Chloe as a super-senior Bella who is obsessed with trying to win as it is really a cover for the fact that she’s not ready to leave college and the Bellas while being very funny. Rebel Wilson is phenomenal as Fat Amy as the Australian in the group whose accidental actions has given the Bellas a lot of trouble as she tries to set things right while dealing with her own feelings for Bumper. Finally, there’s Anna Kendrick in a remarkable role as Becca as the group’s co-leader who is trying to help the Bellas redeem themselves from scandal but also deal with her own future where she learns what it really takes to become a record producer where she finds inspiration and help from a Bella.
Pitch Perfect 2 is a delightful and entertaining film from Elizabeth Banks. Led by a great cast, some very funny moments, and wonderful musical performances, the film is definitely something that has a lot to offer while providing enough substance and characters for audiences to care about. In the end, Pitch Perfect 2 is a sensational film from Elizabeth Banks.
Pitch Perfect
© thevoid99 2016
