Film reviews

The Weight Review

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Directed by Padraic McKinley, The Weight is almost a masterpiece. The film is just slightly uneven. The era is the 1930s during The Great Depression. The story begins in Eugene, Oregon and is focused on the struggles of a father and daughter. The two face hurdles and many financial deficits. The writing is captivating in the sense that poverty sells the film. The main character is Samuel Murphy, played by Ethan Hawke. Hawke delivers an astounding performance.

The title has meaning, because their struggles carry a lot of “weight.” The film is about a heavy mission since they must cross over uncharted territory. Their goal is to find freedom sooner. Given the difficult setting, things do not go smoothly.

The main plot of the film begins with Samuel Murphy doing all he can to put a roof over his daughter’s head. There is not much context to why he struggles, yet the background says it all. However, after an eviction, he finds himself in a scenario where his daughter is taken from him and is made a ward of the state. With Samuel serving time, there is a glimmer of hope provided by his captain, J.J. Clancy, played by Russell Crowe. He informs Samuel that if he completes a task that he can get his sentence shortened.

The film highlights a risky mission and I found it to have layers of exhilarating cinematography and continuity. Samuel must smuggle gold over many miles through rough terrain in the wilderness. The time in the  forest leads to various encounters with other folks, moments of violence, and questions about who to trust.

The film feels immersive. There were limited cars or other technological advancements during this era. For example, there is a scene that includes both wonder and suspense in which Hawke’s character must tango with a car engine. Many other moments in the film are also interesting and memorable. 

Gold carries the story into unexpected areas. Samuel works with other inmates whose choices can be shady, but so are his from time to time. However, his purpose is to find a way to regain custody of his daughter. 

This film showcases a monumental performance from Hawke. Crowe is stellar as well although he is only in about forty percent of the film. Audiences will have to watch the film to see the reason for that. However, Hawke’s character is the hero and he steals the film with his brilliance. The Weight is vivid due to the context and setting. The writing involving the dynamic between the father and his daughter is the uneven element since it gets into an emotionally suspenseful mode rather quickly. Overall, the film offers a meaningful and enticing ride. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Soy Boy Review

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This is one of those films that felt like going to therapy or a workshop session. The type where an individual would process their insecurities, their strengths, and wonder where their blurred lines are. However, it is one where issues begin to downfall. It does so in a bizarre, yet exhilarating way. Written and directed by Atticus Orsborn, this is Soy Boy. A film where ideology and philosophy combine with a realm of comedic undertones. The main character calls his workshop “Positive Masculinity Workshop,” but how accurate is the title? One session reveals a key to many doors. Some good ones and some questionable ones, with the outcomes yet to be played out. I found myself experiencing many unexpected joys in watching Soy Boy.

 

The main character is Tim, played by Taylor Gray. He is getting over a situation where he had been made a cuckold, and questions his confidence, so he joins this workshop with the idea of gaining masculinity and courage…in some sense. It is led by a crazy head honcho who goes by the name of Father Eagle, played by Jake Hart. The class has a few other participants. They are Connor (Leo Kim), Dustin (Julius Reese), and Jaxon (Jon Selby). All of them are there for the same reason as Tim–an unexpected event and feeling like an element of their life is paused. That all changes though when the party gets crashed by a group of feminist women.

 

The women who crash the workshop kidnap the men in a silly way. They tie them up and try to make them feel they have control over them. The women are Alpha (Marie Faustin), Ash (Joyce Keokham), and Chess (Claire Mack). They are equipped and ready to riot in their sense of direction. Their goal is to break the men and change the course of the workshop. To an extent, it is the most calming, yet funny hostage scenario I have seen in that it is so clever. The direction is written to help Tim overcome his fears and I loved the twists and turns of thesedynamics surrounding Soy Boy.

 

Without Father Eagle, there would be no courage. The film would not have a sense of a leader—one that begins that way and then goes off grid for a bit. However, the focus is Tim and his classmates. They are the ones that are kidnapped by thewomen, and must think strong to overcome their sensitivities. The various “sensitivities” turn out to be the element of surprise in Soy Boy.

 

A gem of truth. A classic, and an arthouse picture unlike any other. I loved how the therapeutic approach gets taken over in a way to get characters to admit truth. This results in finding ahumanistic value in Soy Boy. So much of it that a lot of truths begin to burst like balloons. An eccentric comedy that is bound to be a sensational classic. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Soy Boy.

 

Film reviews

Resident Evil Review

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Terror strikes with madness when writer and director Zach Cregger tests the bounds of horror with new twists and allies. Resident Evil is compounded with sinister entertainment. At the same time, it has some witty kicks. The action plays out in scenes that are funny and creepy which is the perfect recipe for more surprises. A new era is born in Resident Evil. This time, the franchise is captured by a director who knows what he is doing.

My mind was spinning at first because the film begins in a hospital setting. It follows a medical courier who is working all hours of the night. The courier is Bryan, played by Austin Abrams. As he wraps up his shift, he’s given a new assignment.. He must deliver a package to a remote hospital. Getting to that hospital though is a challenge as evil dooms keep the chills coming throughout Bryan’s journey to deliver the package. He hits someone with his car who comes back to life. After that, he loses access to his car and soon realizes different types of creatures are following him

The atmospheric aspect of Cregger’s direction is heightened by the way he causes audiences to ask questions throughout the haunting ride. Why is Bryan going deep into the middle of nowhere? Why is there such a plague of monsters? Is he holding an item that may bring salvation to the crisis that he is facing? The evil monsters scurry in different directions, but Bryan is one man for himself. Abrams delivers one of his bravest performances. He went from the high-school nerd from Brad’s Status to the courier fighting his way through an apocalyptic masterpiece.

Sinners came to my mind while watching Resident Evil. The variety of moving parts coming together fuels the suspense in both films which Cregger directed. He continues to test the waters of what causes terror in particular environments. Sinnerstook place in evil territory with gangsters and supernatural elements. In Resident Evil, zombie creatures are mutating on a farm and in a corrupt city…Cregger creates amazing scares if audiences dare. 

I truly loved Resident Evil and kept wanting more. The suspense built around a package for medical purposes spoke to me. Since I have a sibling who works in the medical field, I kept thinking of a zombie scenario leading to a crisis. The outcome had many surreal surprises for me. Cregger’s vision is new, inspiring, daring, and scary. If audiences feel creeped out, then Cregger knows he has been successful in making this film bumpy and unforgettable. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Resident Evil.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!