'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' A Review

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a dramedy/period piece set in 1969 Hollywood that follows actor Rick Dalton(Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double/chauffeur/best friend Cliff Booth(Brad Pitt) as Rick's star fades and Hollywood changes. Rick lives next door to Sharon Tate(Margot Robbie) whose story is shown congruently.

DiCaprio and Pitt make an effortless, engaging, perfectly balanced duo. DiCaprio giving an incredibly emotional, vulnerable, at times pathetic performance with Pitt as the cool, unflapple, almost zen counter. They make a striking pair and there are moments and sequences when the two are really zoomed in and focused on when the film really soars. There's an extended sequence with DiCaprio filming a guest spot on a TV show which is easily one of the best in writer/director Tarantino's career. The focus of the narrative however is unfortunately disparate. Robbie gives Tate a joyful vitality going through her day-to-day with a singular bravura scene at the movie theater with Robbie as Tate the character watching the actual Tate the person playing a character in The Wrecking Crew. The rest of the cast are mostly all great actors but the majority aren't given much to do, the Mason Family characters particularly are not well utilized but the bigger issue is their place in the narrative at all.

As far as the production Taratino is at the top of his craft- beautifully shot, amazing soundtrack, at times playful, surprising, but always effective editing, authentic and evocative costuming and set design. All elements in perfect harmony. But it is as a screenwriter where Taratino post-Kill Bill seems to falter. The film is overlong, the two narrative threads meander and seem to belong in two different movies until the climactic and exciting conclusion which is mostly unearned and whose message seems bizarre at best and hopelessly regressive at worst. The film doesn't seem to have much of a point beyond nostalgia and because there is a lack of clarity in the intent there are some wonderful scenes and sequences but ultimately it reads like the bemoaning of the fallen status of the white male dominance of showbiz in a particularly off putting way. There may be other layers and satire intended by Taratino but they are simply not clear enough to discern and thus what could have been a great film leaves a bitter aftertaste given the fact it being released in 2019 seems not to have been considered. Devoid of context or time perhaps the film's issues would fall away.

A complicated film conflicted by the myopathy of it's creator.

Rent It.

Phantom Verse

In the fog
upon awakening
a sentence
then another
knit together
to form a stanza
and fully formed
a poem unearths
in my clouded
morning mind
but
before I
can grasp the rime
it dissipates
in the workday grime.

'David Crosby: Remember My Name' A Review

David Crosby: Remember My Name is a documentary about the life and career of the now elderly musician David Crosby. Through extensive archival footage and present day interviews the movie methodically, almost pedantically, plods linearly through Crosby's biography/discography.

The incredible trailer makes it appear that Crosby, who has a reputation for being a difficult hot-head with a history of excess and addiction, in his old age is finally grappling with the wreckage of his past. But what becomes abundantly clear about a third of the way through is that David Crosby may no longer use drugs, he may be old, but he is most definitely still an egotistical asshole. And as such this by-the-numbers retrospective of a B-list classic rock star is not particularly interesting or illuminating.

Crosby straightforwardly declares things like "I was an asshole" and "I was a real monster" but the movie clearly shows us his behavior mostly hasn't changed and he doesn't really express any contrition or insight about his past. He also only refers to women as "girls" and there a numerous candid photographs, presumably personal items from Crosby himself, that feature naked women and it certainly begs the question- were these women tracked down and was their consent given? As, aside from Crosby's now wife, no women are interviewed or included in a meaningful way the answer is presumably no. Which, among many other aspects of the movie, is a big problem.

A boring portrait of an entitled ill behaved rich white dude who regurgitates his past but who has seemingly learned nothing from it.

Don't See It.

'Sword Of Trust' A Review

Sword Of Trust is a comedy about a Birmingham, AL pawn shop owner Mel(Marc Maron) his goober employee Nathaniel(Jon Bass) and a lesbian couple Cynthia(Jillian Bell) and Mary(Michaela Watkins) who, after inheriting a sword which is supposed evidence of a confederate victory in the civil war, coordinate in an attempt to sell it. Although this absurd and convoluted premise is ostensibly the film's plot it is more a casual, funny, occasionally emotional character study.

Maron puts in the most nuanced and evocative performance of his career to-date. He's afforded a lot of screen time so he has further to range than in most of his supporting roles, he also plays a version of himself (from New Mexico, in recovery) but is able to play more with the differences and channel some real pain and catharsis into the characters story. He has a monologue with the other three leads in the back of a box truck which is shocking in it's impact, one of the best films of the year. Both Bell and Watkins give playful, funny, but also grounded performances also two actors more accustomed to supporting roles(especially in film) so it is a wonderful chance to see more of them and their range. The outlier is Bass who is serviceable but a little over-the-top and uninspired, muted by the wattage of the other three. The rest of the cast all do well in what basically amount to extended cameos. The most notable is writer/director Lynn Shelton as Mel's ex Deirdre which is exquisitely heartbreaking.

Visually simple with a solid soundtrack, the humor and authenticity of the leads are what really carry the day, the plot about the sword is secondary to the breezy honest and provocative characters we get to spend time with. A small film that packs a surprising punch and a showcase for Maron who continues his slow trudge toward an astonishing career.

See It.

Black Box

I keep my memory in a box
folded, filed, put away
lest the past come back to stay.

On a shelf and out of sight
preserved for future appetite
if such exists, in the coming night.

History may overpower, overstay
although it has much to convey
no fealty is owed to ticking clocks.

'The Farewell' A Review

The Farewell is a drama about aspiring NYC artist Billi(Awkwafina) who has a close relationship with her grandmother Nai Nai(Zhao Shuzhen) in China who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, although the family decides to keep this knowledge from her. The family invents a wedding for one of Billi's cousins in order to get the family together for a final visit.

Awkwafina give a down-to-earth and stirring performance as the emotional center of this alternatively moving, funny, and inspiring piece of cinema. She effortlessly moves through the film, emotive, empathetic, and authentic. As great as Awkwafina is Shuzhen is the real star, in easily one of the best performances of the year, she soars as the loving, upbeat, playful grandmother-we-all-wish-we-had. She has an absolutely magnetic wry soulful exuberance that electrifies the screen. The supporting cast are also excellently drawn and build this wonderfully connected and relatable family that for, essentially, a domestic drama totally startles in its vibrance and potency.

A subtle but effective score and cinematography that's not flash but has a creeping simple beauty, even a sense of humor, the film delivers in all aspects. The Farewell is such a surprising almost operatic triumph further description would only detract from it's infectious freshness.

Don't Miss It.

'Toy Story 4' A Review

Toy Story 4 is a computer animated family comedy a continuation of the Toy Story franchise. The film opens on a flashback where Bo Peep(Annie Potts) was given away, flashfoward to the present and Woody(Tom Hanks) is relegated to the closet, not a particular favorite of Bonnie his new kid. Bonnie begins kindergarten and brings home a toy she made, a freshly sentient Forky who Woody looks after and acclimates to life as a toy. The family goes on a roadtrip and Forky and Woody are separated from the family, enter a free and feral Bo Peep as well as Gabby Gabby(Christina Hendricks) a menacing yet tragic doll and let the adventures begin!

The core cast is as solid as they've ever been with some great additions of supporting characters like Hendricks, Keanu Reeves as Duke Kaboom, Key and Peele as Bunny and Ducky, and a parade of fun cameos. There are some really interesting ideas hinted at in the script- the "birth" of a toy, toy autonomy- but the bigger themes are only hinted at and as a result there is a lot of fun but not a lot of depth in this agreeable rehash.

Fun, funny, and comfortably familiar Toy Story 4 is nice and entertaining but not enough of a compelling reason to resurrect the franchise after the beautiful finality of Toy Story 3.

Stream It.

I See You

Mid-twenties
red hair
loitering
in the lobby of my work's building
all week
plaintively almost desperately
trumpeting
into your phone
at first I thought you
some lunatic
that wandered in
to use the outlet
but after days I wonder
are you here on business,
stranded after some elaborate catfish,
marooned following the collapse of a pyramid scheme,
or lost, perpetually roaming the banks of the Chicago river stopping into the only place
that tolerates you to charge your phone and bark at some unfortunate relative who you've bullied
into picking you up but who seemingly is running hours, even days late.
Who's to say. But I see you.

'Spider-Man: Far From Home' A Review

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a superhero movie, a sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming and the latest installment in the MCU. Shortly after the events of Endgame our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man aka Peter Parker(aka Tom Holland) is ready to be a normal teen for awhile! His science class is planning a Europe trip and all he wants to do is tell MJ(Zendaya) he has a crush on her. But elemental monsters aka Elementals attack and mystery hero Mysterio aka Quentin Beck(aka Jake Gyllenhaal) enters to save the day and Spider-Man reluctantly dons his suit and pitches in. But all is not what it seems!

Holland's natural charm and humor are somewhat strained in this installment because of the overly packed plot and a bit of character push-and-pull that doesn't really ring true. Overall though he remains a solid and refreshing Spider-Man although if his next appearance doesn't invest in character and continues to plug MCU set-up into his installments he'll quickly wear out his welcome. Zendaya, again, is intriguing and funny there is simply not enough of her or her and Peter's burgeoning relationship which, along with his friendship with Ned played by Jacob Batalon, made Homecoming the success it was. Gyllenhaal goes pretty ham and it's really wonderful but he too is underutilized. There is simply too much traveling and Plot to make this installment particularly satisfying.

A predictable if regrettable lull after the titanic Endgame, Far From Home overloads on the CGI battles and mostly loses what made Homecoming and what makes Spider-Man in general a compelling hero- heart. Ultimately this is a rather flat entry into the MCU, again seemingly more concerned with pushing chess pieces around a board than telling a compelling narrative.

Superficial but still entertaining.

Stream It.

Chicago Summer 2

I respect those commuters
who remain
in this oven-like train car
all of us beading sweat
as we languidly chug north
from the vaulted Loop
more concerned
with seats and space
than functioning A/C
as we quietly persist
in the stifling heat.
I view the silent tenacity
of my fellow citizens
with pride, not misery.

Chicago Summer

I know the heat
as I know the cold
intimately and completely
being from this place
of this place
I do not reject its discomfort
as I would not reject its pleasure
I do not decry its capriciousness
as I would not denounce myself
born as I was in summer
on the plains of humid Illinois
I embrace the Midwest
as it is me.

'Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am' A Review

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am is a documentary about the life and career of Toni Morrison as related predominately by the author herself. The film is compromised mostly of present-day talking-head interviews as well as some archival footage, the most compelling are both present and past interviews where Morrison talks about her life, writing process, inspiration, and novels.

Although not particularly cinematic the film offers pointed and moving access to one of America's greatest novelists. Morrison's language, empathy, and strength come across with unwavering clarity and if you have not read her before the film will certainly cause you to go pick up one of her books. There are moments when some of the others interviewed sanctify Morrison in a way that is a bit incongruous given how much Morrison herself is featured in the documentary but that is ultimately nominal.

A delightfully extensive if formulaic portrait of a titan of American letters, wonderful excess for fans and a great introduction for strangers.

See It.

Flight

Perhaps we are not confined to Earth
but cling to its stability
for fear we might ascend
beyond the reach of time
above its rules and constrictions
to a new freedom, boundless
without dimension.

Top 10 Movies of 2019 So Far

Top 10:
Always Be My Maybe
Ask Dr. Ruth
Booksmart
Deadwood: The Movie
The Last Black Man In San Francisco
Long Shot
Meeting Gorbachev
Paddleton
Shazam!
Wild Nights With Emily

Worst Of The Year Contenders:
The Beach Bum
High Life
Midsommar

'Midsommar' A Review

Midsommar is a horror film about a group of college kids who unwittingly visit a Swedish cult. Writer/director Ari Aster follows up 2018's Hereditary with this equally ambitious if equally unsatisfying story. Dani(Florence Pugh) is a volatile young woman(per a hamfisted family tragedy) and travels with her gaslighting cowardly boyfriend Christian(Jack Reynor) on a trip that he and his dude friends(who are all categorically immature and undeveloped not to mention talk about writing their "thesis" but act like teens) have planned. They arrive in the perpetual summer commune in rural Sweden, and, gasp things are not what they seem. Presumably cults don't exist in whatever version of reality this is set or this group of collegiate hopefuls are inconceivably naive.

Pugh and Reynor and all the cast really are all fine, the acting isn't the problem, its the words they say and the way they deliver them that is. Almost categorically the cast don't act like real people, there is no sense of reality, the various interpersonal issues or eruptions of emotions are so immature and transparent it is hard to accept any adult would actually do these things. Dani's multiple scenes of over the top grief bring to mind centuries old rending of hair and gnashing of teeth rather than actual real human emotion as recognized today. There's also the groups unquestioning acceptance of what is clearly a murderous cult. Suspension of disbelief is one thing but buying that these 20-30 year olds would blandly go off the grid into a isolated community where everyone wears costumes is virtually impossible to swallow. If the core relationship between Dani and Christian was at all interesting or compelling or actually real in any way the believability of the situation might not be a question but their relationship, one of the focal points of the film, is tired and obvious and fake. The two of them and Christian's friends are so sparsely drawn and irritating there is no investment or care associated with the gruesome deaths we all know are coming from the beginning which the film takes two hours plus at a sleepily sedate pace to get to. And because the characters aren't interesting you have time to question the situation they've put themselves in which reflects the same problem, then you question what this cult even is because it seems a mish-mash of christian, heathen, wicca, and astrological ideas without any actual coherence so the whole house of cards falls down. No aspect really makes sense.

As with Hereditary the cinematography, score, and set design(particularly) are impeccable and inspired however Aster has an odd amalgam of tone with characters that act so far outside the realm of reality there is no actual interest in the bizarre incidents occurring. Not to mention using mental illness and suicide as a borderline offensive plot device to start things off.

As a piece of art to look at it's pretty impressive, as a narrative film its a pretty disappointing failure and a long one at that.

Don't See It.

'Yesterday' A Review

Yesterday is a romantic comedy about a struggling musician in the UK who gets hit by a car only to wake up and discover The Beatles never existed. Jack(Himesh Patel) passes off the songs as his own and leaves his best friend/manager/love interest Ellie(Lily James) behind on his rise to fame and fortune.

Patel is a decent everyman and a passable slacker-romantic-lead and his musical ability is significant however the script is too simplistic and underbaked to give him much to develop or quite frankly do. James, unquestionably talented, is given even less she's relegated to pining for and awkwardly fawning over Jack. Kate McKinnon as Jack's blood-sucking manager Debra is easily a bright spot in the cast because she swings big and isn't hamstrung by the uninspired plot.

The central conceit is interesting and a great hook but the story never goes further than what feels like the elevator pitch. The ramifications of this alternate reality are never really explored and Jack's decent into selling out, his romantic redemption, all of it play out more like items on a check list rather than an actual engaging narrative.

Cute but lazy, an intriguing premise that doesn't develop beyond that.

Stream It.