'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' A Review

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is superhero movie, the sequel to the 2014 adaptation of the Marvel comic. The movie opens on the Guardians preparing to defend some batteries from a monster for the gold skinned and snobby Sovereign. After Rocket steals the batteries and the Sovereign give chase Ego(Kurt Russell) saves them and takes part of the team to his deserted planet also called Ego.

It is nice to revisit the solid ensemble established in the first installment however without the individual time taken to introduce each character they aren't really given much individual attention, operating more as a group without much of an identity save for snark. The main actors all do as good a job but there is no real stand out, they don't have as much to work with. Russell is compelling as always but is mostly underutilized. Karen Gillan as Nebula and Michael Rooker as Yondu are the bright spots, given more time and attention in this installment. Overall the humor and the charm is there but not enough heart.

The soundtrack is even better than the original with some incredible stand-out musical sequences, the visuals are lush and interesting but as the movie progresses they become a bit too much, over saturated. The movie doesn't quite strike a balance between humor and action it abruptly alternates scenes drastically changing tone and it doesn't quite work.

Absolutely entertaining but a little sloppy and rushed.

See It.

Mental Health Day

It's good to remember work is not all important.
The tediums and pressures found behind a desk
don't encompass a fraction of what life can offer
and our first responsibility is to ourselves
health and happiness before obligation
for if we are weak and sad and worn down
how can we be present
let alone excel?
So I called in sick.
When I wasn't sick.
And ate eggs and drank coffee on the couch.
Watched TV and read and ran errands.
And generally didn't think about much.
Just watched the world go by.

'David Lynch: The Art Life' A Review

David Lynch: The Art Life is a documentary about the early life and career of film directer/artist David Lynch. The film follows Lynch through childhood to attending art school and eventually his move to Los Angles and the making of his first feature Eraserhead. Extensive narration by Lunch is cut together with personal family footage, old photographs, and shots of Lynch painting.

The perpetually enigmatic Lynch doesn't lay himself bare in the film but is mostly open with sharing particular stories and moments that had a significant impact on him. With knowledge of his work it becomes clear these informative events are dissected and returned to in various scenes, characters, and themes in his work. Although he doesn't directly say this thing lead to this idea, he doesn't have to and you get the sense it doesn't work like that, at least not for him. Much of the film is spent showing Lynch painting and his discussion of visual art and only towards the end do we see how this interest transitioned to film. It is much easier to show and discuss visual art and it becomes are clearer way for Lynch to if not exactly discuss than depict his process.

A lot can be inferred about Lynch and how he works from the film but not a lot is explicitly said, not exactly a surprise. But time and again Lynch comes back to the idea of simply working, creating art is the work, and there is tremendous joy in that. That he has a unflinching need to make stuff. He sums it up at one point "the art life- drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, and paint".

Great for Lynch and movie fans, maybe not as accessible to those unfamiliar or uninterested in his work.

See It.

Argument Metaphor

I wrote a basic how-to previously about argument and recently someone mentioned the commission I was on that prompted that post and I've been thinking that both argument and creative ideas both start from the same place- essentially you got to have an angle.

An idea requires an angle, an in, a perspective. If you're sending up something how are you doing it, through tone, genre, context, character etc. Similarly for an argument you need an in, a place to begin, a starting place from which to apply pressure.

Imagine a wooden deck. Depending on its construction it is either tightly put together or sloppily constructed. This dictates just how difficult it will be to begin. Imagine a crowbar or hammer. That is the start of your argument, the beginning of your inspiration. You find a crack, crevice, or hole and start prying up those boards. You insert your tool and exert force, depending on how seamless the construction the more difficult it is to get started. But with time and patience even the smallest crack can be exploited, even the most solidly constructed piece can be broken down, taken apart.

It's just a matter of getting an appropriate way in, a solid start. Some ideas or arguments seem impossible to realize or break open but with even the smallest opportunity, the tiniest flaw, pressure and time will pay off. Once you figure out the way in the whole thing will blossom.

'Sleight' A Review

Sleight is a drama about a young street magician Bo(Jacob Latimore) who moonlights as a drug dealer to provide for his young sister after their mother passes. After meeting Holly(Seychelle Gabriel) Bo decides to cut his latest batch in order to make enough money to get out. He's discovered by his boss Angelo(Dulé Hill) who demands a high price for his betrayal.

The film is perfectly cast, fresh and interesting. Latimore does well in his first leading role, Hill clearly relishes the opportunity to play against type as the heavy, Gabriel as the love interest does well within the limited confines of the script. Also notable are Sasheer Zamata and Cameron Esposito in supporting roles which are both essentially dramatic, great to see the two of them play roles that aren't straight comedy.

The magic done by Bo is well done, the effects most clearly practical are compelling and it builds to a satisfyingly explosive climax. Visually the film is interesting with some nice flourishes, the score is decent if relatively undistinguished however the biggest problem is the script. Although built on a good idea and a great cast the plot is obvious and predictable, an amalgam of many other stories, with some scenes and dialogue confounding if not outright cringe worthy. Even so it displays an exciting potential and bodes well for writer/director JD Dillard's future work.

A rough script somewhat balanced by a strong concept and cast.

Rent It.

'Gifted' A Review

Gifted is a drama about a young math prodigy Mary(Mckenna Grace) being raised by her uncle Frank(Chris Evans) in a small town outside Tampa, FL. After home schooling her for years Frank puts Mary into public school as a 1st grader knowing that she's is intellectually way advanced by in hopes she can make friends and have a real childhood. Mary's intellect comes to the attention of the principal who contacts estranged grandmother Evelyn(Lindsay Duncan) who comes to Florida and quickly initiates a custody battle.

Evans is good as the decent everyman with gravitas, nice to see him in normal clothes. Grace is precocious and emotional and has great chemistry with Evans. There's potential for more depth in both of their performances, its clear they have more to give but unfortunately doesn't allow them to. The ensemble has some incredible talent, not only Duncan by Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate among other less recognizable names and all are interesting but are limited but what they can do by the somewhat by-the-numbers inside-the-lines narrative.

The film has moments of comedy but is ultimately unflinchingly sincere and that is its greatest asset however there is a lot of missed opportunities at emotional and human complexity. A lot of the plot points are predictable, the story black-and-white bludgeoning us with what to think about the action as opposed to creating compelling enough material that leads us where they want to go. Some of the legal conflicts that propel a good portion of the plot are especially improbable, the grandmother and biological father never having seen the child making some kind of case for custody given they're only evidence seems to be "he's not rich". Although some of the court machinations drag the story is still compelling.

Affecting if somewhat blatant, unsubtle.

Rent It.

High Tension

Decisions can be difficult
when the right thing is muddled
it's hard to be critical
when emotion offer a rebuttal

But its best to ruminate
develop reasons, use logic
rather than wallow in malaise
waffle and remain neurotic

Ultimately we must decide
what is wrong and what is right
not with selfishness as a guide
but honesty an acolyte

Some things aren't as easy as
"call your mother on Mother's Day"