Trial

Then come a long night

a testing

plunged into darkness

the mind- clouded

the body- rebelling

sleep, a distant shore

then

it passes

as all things must

'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes' A Review

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes is a documentary about the life and career of the titular actor. Through montage of archival footage and stills and audio interviews with Taylor her story is told.

The film is surprisingly compelling given the real spine of it is only audio. Director Nanette Burstein and editor Tal Ben-David weave together, from what seem like spare parts, an, if not totally complete, but a relatively in-depth and honest look at who Taylor was and why she was the way she was. A feat not many projects like this are able even to aspire to let alone attain. 

Because the "lost tapes" were recorded in 1964 Taylor doesn't address her substance abuse or her later life, the 80's through to her death are mostly skimmed over in the last several minutes. Yet it does feel like her and the way the film is put together we can understand what her professional and (non-existent) personal life look and felt like. It feels a bit like a time-capsule and its nice to hear her voice again.

One of the best of its genre.

Currently streaming on Max.

See It.

The State Of Things

O' Gods

how gracious you are
with all these gifts

'Sing Sing' A Review

Sing Sing is a drama based on the real life Rehabilitation Through The Arts program at the titular prison. Divine G(Coleman Domingo) and the group are looking for new members, they approach Divine Eye(as himself) to be a part of it and he joins the group as they begin to put together their next production.

Domingo gives an emotional and theatrical performance, able to play with the theme of theater, with moments of capital P performance balanced with some straight up realism. But he is, at times, tonally differentiated from most of the cast. As one of the few professional actors in the cast and as the lead, there are some moments, if not discordant, at least odd where you can tell he is an actor and the other inmates are not. Divine Eye is the real surprise, the groundedness and truth he's able to bring, the subtlety and transformation and exuberance is really wonderful. Perhaps more so than Domingo simply because he is less studied in what he's doing. The rest of the supporting cast are all great and their rough realism, mostly all playing versions of themselves, create an evocative if occasionally stilted reality.

Filmed mostly on location, visually the film is immersive and the various theatrical productions and costumes and sets serve to further the theme juxtaposing the bleakness of prison life with the potential of art. If there is a flaw its that the movie doesn't necessarily trust us to get what its doing, there are times when it is too direct with how it wants us to feel instead of trusting the actors and us the audience to get it. Even so its an effecting piece of cinema.

Inspiring, with a unique and talented cast, a small film with something to say.

Currently in theaters, coming soon to VOD.

See It.

'Trap' A Review

Trap is a thriller about the attempted capture of serial killer 'The Butcher', Cooper(Josh Hartnett), at the concert of a famous pop star Lady Raven(Saleka Shyamalan) which Cooper brings his daughter Riley(Ariel Donoghue) to.

Hartnett in his first lead role in awhile gives a deliciously evil and complicated performance, balancing humor, heart, and threat with a sophistication that is quite frankly above the rest of the movies abilities or concerns. He's having fun, you can tell, but he also roots the character with realism, imbues him with genuine emotion(however perverted) really investigating what this guy would be like rather than a 2D killer. Shyamalan is OK but doesn't have the presence the role requires nor is she really able to match Hartnett's commitment. Donoghue is servicable but there's no scene where she has to really contend with any of the underlying truths of what's going on so she doesn't have much with which to stretch. Alison Pill and Hayley Mills are both inspired pieces of casting but neither is given enough to do.

The look and feel of the production is a bit uneven. The first hour plays almost exclusively like a concert film seemingly only to attempt to further writer/director M. Night's daughter's musical career. She's not untalented as a musician but all her songs and various dance numbers that are featured are distracting given the movie is not about her and Hartnett is clearly the more interesting character and performance. The second half of the movie is when it really starts going, there's more movement not only in the locations but in the story. The pacing is uneven as is the tone, it veers from straight-thriller to camp in an odd ADD kind of way, some of which is really effective. But overall you are left with a feeling of unfulfilled potential.

M. Night, like many auteurs of his generation, should no longer write his own scripts. He is still a craftsman, he still has a great eye for talent and knows how to put together a good looking movie but his screenwriting ability has fallen off. Where this movie fails is in the sporadically stilted dialogue and lack of narrative focus.

An excellent Hartnett elevates a wobbly script. Not a great movie but a mostly fun one.

Currently in theaters.

Rent It.

Six Flags Great America

It is perhaps
more thrilling now
than it ever was

three friends and I

all middle-aged

more open

to the joy of it

more in touch

with pure wonder

than we ever were

as posturing adolescents

more grateful

for the six hour adventure

however corporate or contrived

having lived

the daily grind 

knowing its mundanity

we revel

in the simple fun

of the day

in the pleasure

of the company

and the immediacy

of the moment.

'Deadpool & Wolverine' A Review

Deadpool & Wolverine is a superhero movie, the third installment in the Deadpool franchise. Deadpool(Ryan Reynolds) attempts to join The Avengers and is rebuffed sending him into a depressive spiral. He's picked up by the TVA and told because Wolverine(Hugh Jackman) is dead(from Logan) his timeline will collapse, he searches the timelines for a replacement and together they attempt to save his friends.

Reynolds brings his patented irreverent humor and sincerity and it still works, Jackman revisiting his iconic role is fun but doesn't pack as much presence as he has in the past particularly in the wake of the definitive turn in Logan. Its nice but a bit odd. The two though have wonderful chemistry and the best parts of the movie are their fights with each other and them just spending time together on screen. The plot is convoluted to say the least and doesn't feel altogether necessary, there's no real need to narratively justify Disney's acquisition of Fox and although it makes for some good jokes the plot mechanics weigh down the enjoyment. The supporting cast is basically non-existent, all other characters are in essence cameos, and there are a lot of them and some of them are really wonderful. But the sheer size of the cast and the sidelining of the characters from the previous two installments does lessen the emotional effectiveness.

The movie looks slick if a bit over CGI'd, the fight sequences are cool, particularly the van one between the titular characters. The soundtrack is one needle drop after another and is great. There's a sense of exuberance and momentum from all the production elements which is really great and sweeps you up in the fun of it all. If there's a downside its with all the plot the movie has to get to and all the new toys it has to play with given the merger the story takes somewhat of a backseat.

High energy fun if lacking some heart.

Currently in theaters.

Rent It.