Film reviews

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review

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The rise and fall of Spider-Man syncs up with a strong time for Tom Holland. As he is slinging webs into the world of Spider-Man, he is also starring in The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s epic which is experiencing great success at the box office. Holland is killing it in both his role as Telemachus in The Odyssey and his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man Brand New Day. The twist given the foes in both films—are the webs effective enough to save the city in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

I have always been sold on The Spider-Man movies. However, only two of the three actors who have played Spider-Man have stood out for me the most. Tobey Maguire played the role well and so does Tom Holland.  I was never a fan of Andrew Garfield’s performance because he never  had serious spider senses. That is an element that both Maguire and Holland performed well when playing their roles in the franchise. Uncharted territory abounds in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

For Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the universe has shifted, and he must utilize the world around him to navigate his life as a normal human-being and also a superhero.. At the same time, however, his friendships with MJ (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) are on his mind. He is friends with them in one universe, and in the current one, the slate is clean. With the new enemies in Spider-Man: Brand New Day explores some unique threats. Since Jean Grey can alter the minds of many individuals, there are forces stronger than anticipated. The name might be familiar from the X-Men franchise, and she is played by Sadie Sink. The webs and technology of Peter-Parker/Spider-Man are in for new challenges. The presentation is darker than I had expected.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has the mode of normalcy for Peter Parker/Spider-Man which amounts to saving people and utilizing technologies to help keep the streets and the city safe. Slowly though, more rapid evolutions occur, including his friendship with his friend Frank Castle/Punisher (Jon Bernthal). It is like Spider-Man has a sidekick. But, are they on the best terms? That question is a heavy one, because the universe that Spider-Man is swinging in keeps him facing plateaus with a significant impact on him. He is still able to survive and fight back. The darker alleys made the experience of Spider-Man: Brand New Day feel more intense.

Peter-Parker’s life goes on. The normal human mode keeps stirring his own emotions. When he puts on the mask and takes it back off—the agony of defeat (from the previous films) feels real in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The curiosity is whether he can continue to be the hero he was once strong enough to be. Be ready for more  moments of weakness this time around. Three out of four stars for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Film reviews

The Floaters Review

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This film begins with a strong music scene through the vibe of one where who lives for music and dazzles with it for life. She iswith a band and has some connections, but sadly it does not have a concrete following. It leads her to leave the band and end up in a camp with a group called “The Floaters.” The Floaters isfunny and touching. There are vibes of campground fun that spark positive energy. It is a comedy that defines acceptance in both serious and comedic tones, carrying just enough laughs to go along with the flow and keep the positive momentum going. Directed by Rachael Israel, her setting is Camp Daveed.

 

The musician of the film is Nomi, played by Jackie Tohn. Nomi is deep in frustration with being removed from her band–one that she sacrificed for. With limited funding she decides to take up a summer camp counselor job with her good friend Mara, played by Sarah Podemski. It is a camp where the focus is onJewish community. How hard can it be? For Nomi, there is new meaning. The film is called The Floaters because that is her foundation. The group of students she is in charge of is called that, because they are kids who did not sign up for any activities.

 

With Nomi in her new pattern of being a camp counselor, the uncharted territory does not come easy. The classiness of the directing though, is spot-on. Keeping the spiritual tone going while navigating quirky campers can take many turns in The Floaters. The camp though has found itself in the shambles of financial ruin. With thousands of dollars needed for restoration, Nomi and Mara must pull off a show to save the camp.  The ultimate question remains of “Can they do it?”

 

Challenges are posed by a camp rival named David, an enemy disgruntled by Camp Daveed.  He is played by Seth Green. Green, widely known for playing his role as Scott in the Austin Powers franchise, shines with that same ego in the camp setting. However, his nerdiness evolves in a calmer, yet sarcastic demeanor—it plays well with the community vibe and competition for connection. The camp resources are extremely limited. There is loyalty and hatred, but at the same time the campers realize that have each other and a chance. 

 

The film is truly about taking chances, because even though Nomi does not get to go on tour with her band, she can still utilize her voice for talent in a new setting.  She can inspire the many people around her with her stage presence and by overcoming fear. The encouragement aspect of The Floaters is so touching and inspiring. It is mischievous, joyful, and charming. Some hidden rituals of popularity are beneath the surface. Some scenarios go down at the camp but they are all just for show. The most positive music-related movie I have seen in a while. Its words and their message hold almost more impact over the music though. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Her Private Hell Review

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The title here is one of meaning, especially in a setting where evil slumbers. It is an enticing world of neon lights with many ominous moments–futuristic like a Matrix setting.  The title, Her Private Hell, however, spoke to me on a lower level. I felt I was on a journey through hell with this experience. The tangents of futures and space kept on being so clingy. I found myself awed, but then later shaking my head in frustrations. There arecool visuals as in sparkling and dazzling, yet the continuity throughout shifts with pointless patterns. This is a world where cinematics deserved better writing.

 

The film is directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, set in a metropolis setting. It is all about rivals, violence, sex, and fashion—all of which do not combine or vibe well in Her Private Hell. The film is about three women. They are Domonique (Havana Rose Liu), Elle (Sophie Thatcher), and Hunter (Kristine Froseth). It is set in the world of a movie, and surprisingly Domonique plays the guardian of both Elle and Hunter. There is a young demographic that does not make sense, and they are in the space setting where power, greed, and fame are the central focus. The three lead men in the film are Private K (Charles Melton), Johnny Thunders (Douglas Scott), and Nico (Diego Calva). 

 

A world of fame and jealousy keeps surrounding itself with sex, desire, and violence. It becomes almost too much to handle. The continuity felt cool and surreal. The focus though, is completelyoff topic. The central purpose kept relying a lot on CGI usage and technology. That kept me focusing on the fact that they were trying and creating disturbing elements rather than selling the film. For Refn, he is good at creating many dark or competitive moments. However, in Her Private Hell, he keeps on misleading it in a context that is not great. There are no positives with Her Private Hell.

 

The dynamics between Domonique, Elle, and Hunter all surround being famous in a movie—one in a futuristic setting where the lights and skies were given more attention than the plot of the film itself. Then the men– Private K, Johnny, and Nico are involved. There are forms of romanticism leading to forms of violence and jealousy. Somehow, they all loop into the film. The execution of direction though is horrid. Her Private Hell is such a downgrade of an experience. Quite disappointing for me to say the least. One out of four stars.

 

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