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Babes Review

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The subject of pregnancy is not for everyone and is awkward for many. Pamela Adlon handles this “awkwardness” superbly in Babes. Adlon’s style of directing has no filter which brings out the best in satirical humor.  Babes is a one-of-a-kind comedyin which what should be commonsense does not always seem normal. This movie tackles a variety of difficult subject matter with heart.

The film takes place in New York City. The focus is on two best friends, Eden (played by Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (played by Michelle Buteau). Eden becomes pregnant after a one-night stand. She also suffers with some mental struggles. Eden expects Dawn to always be there for her given her unexpected condition.  Eden’s pregnancy is the overwhelming factor prompting her to keep her friendship with Dawn so close. However, Dawn is busy living her life with her own family and does not always have time for Eden. Still when they are together, they are like high-school besties. 

The art of friendship is portrayed honestly due to Adlon’s direction. There is a sense of disconnect that adults do not want to feel but impacts the relationship between Eden and Dawn. Pregnancy causes challenges which limit the joy in Eden’s life. The story provides a vivid portrait of Eden’s emotional condition and a clear understanding of why she may desire some form of escape. 

Glazer (who plays Eden) is also one of the co-writers of the film. Her character’s personality drives the frequent humor in Babes. Her persistent attitude and quirky coolness keep the awesome jams in Babes rolling. Eden is dealing not only with a major personal struggle, but also with trying to keep a friend in this tumultuous environment. Her vantage point is written and seen thoroughly throughout the film.

Despite some of the film’s peculiar moments, it is poetic. There are some gags that are repulsive and disastrous, but they do add some value in buffering some drastic scenarios. Between a pregnancy and a friendship, Babes paints a clear picture of the acceptance required in a true friendship. Does Eden want this baby? Does Dawn want to tolerate Eden’s nonsense? Are Eden and Dawn mentally prepared to deal with the changes evolving in their separate lives?  Babes explores some hard-hitting aspects of friendship that are very relatable.  

The complicated picture in this story is one where the paint does not dry quickly. The dynamics between Dawn and Eden get messy before they get pretty. There are rapidly flying colors of clever madness where frustration creates an unsettling atmosphere in this story of a fierce friendship. Adlon knows how to push the envelope when it comes to tough subjects. Her unique vision and directorial talent are on full display in this unique comedy.

What is more important? Is it friendship? Is it pregnancy? Is it the concept of adulting? All these dilemmas are questioned as the complexity of life plays out in this film. It is a bizarre comedy with class that is heartfelt and authentic. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Babes.

Film reviews

Furiosa Review

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A film directed by George Miller, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga keeps its momentum throughout. The film is power ball of adrenaline that climbs the ladder to an apex of excitement and entertainment. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga grasped my attention deeply. The heightening tones of suspense unravel in sequencesand although I enjoyed Mad Max: Fury Road more, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga still killed it.

The film focuses on the original story of Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). Furiosa fell into the evil hands within the film’s apocalyptic world–the warlord Dr. Dementus (played by Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa is navigating the uncharted territory of the wastelands. The citadel is in the hands of Immortan Joe (played by Lachy Hulme). Politics and corruption in the wastelands are heavily apocalyptic. Furiosa is on her own and must fight for the new lands. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga keeps its continuity on par with Miller’s style of direction. Miller uses less dialogue as many of his films have an emphasis on stylized action sequences. 

The film feels two-sided and then four-sided with Miller’s direction of cutting the film is into acts. This approach makes Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga feel more like a theatrical stage experience of a vast land putting itself back together with some boundaries in mind.  There were no boundaries in Mad Max: Fury Road, only continued on the path of action and road rage. Those two elements are in the depths of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, but it keeps combining a storyline.

The depictions of road rage are heart-pulsing, as my IMAX experience made me feel shaky. I felt the action sequences were stuck in my chest, conveying just how invigorating the film is in that format. The film has apocalyptic writing and a creative dynamic with a mix of good and bad. It blew me out of the water.

The story brings its audience to different environments of periland the vibe is rigorously antagonistic. It is a wild adventure where the world of danger and the impending apocalypse only adds to the adrenaline rush. It makes its audience think much more. With Furiosa as the center of attention, much of the film’s upbringing is her environment. Miller’s direction keeps up that flow of the moving parts of importance. That is why the acts of many moments serve a stellar purpose in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

With only thirty lines of dialogue, it contains the equivalent of a half-an-hour worth of words. The action is the focus. Miller’s belief in speed influences more than the road rages the battles, The mayhem never stops and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga throws its punches to the core. It does in a way that the moments stick with its audience. 

With the dynamic of antagonistic characters, the concept is conquered land. Evil having establishments is written and it creates an emphasis on the long road of survival for Furiosa. The tracks of finding roots to what was lost are obstacles filled with surprises. The technological aspects in the mind of Miller are hardcore. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a new Mad Max adventure with more foundations. The mayhem continues in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Strangers: Chapter 1 Review

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Why would there be the title The Strangers: Chapter 1? There were The Strangers, directed by Bryan Bertino, and The Strangers: Prey at Night, directed by Johannes Roberts. Bertino’s making of The Strangers remains the best one to this day. The Strangers: Prey at Night already takes the idea from the original and is mediocre. The Strangers: Chapter 1 is even more of a mess. It is a complete repeat of Bertino’s direction with some shifts. The “shifts” are drastic. The franchise finds its roots in silliness.

Bertino made use of his limited budget with his direction of The Strangers with his limited budget. He was also the original creator and writer. He had a mind to shock his audience. The Strangers: Chapter 1 is scares beyond the limits of predictability.

The film takes place around Oregon. A couple is going on a getaway. They are Maya (played by Madelaine Petsch) and Ryan (played by Froy Gutierrez). Their vehicle breaks down. They find themselves staying in a rented cabin in a remote forest. There are shady characters around the cabin. A night of romance becomes a night of a nightmare. It all starts with someone coming to the cabin and asking for someone who is not home. After that, three masked killers are on to Maya and Ryan. One is wearing a scarecrow mask, another is wearing a doll face mask, and the third is wearing a pin-up mask. 

As I have said before, it is a repeating feature. Poorly captured. I kept thinking back to moments from Bertino’s version. I would ask myself what direction is this trying to satisfy. In reality, it does not “satisfy” anything. It only fails to keep finding its roots in a drastic horror film. 

In its entirety, there is no clear line to finding the good in The Strangers: Chapter 1. Its writing and directions pick itself to fall in despair. The vibe of creating a horrific sophistication is one where “vibe” flaws. It does with a lack of structure in building the moving parts. In the moments when Ryan and Maya try to find their means of survival, there is no feeling of captivation. There are thoughts for its audience on how it is ripping off the original project of Bertino.

Is there a cabin in a forest? Yes. Does it start with someone knocking on the door? Yes. Do Ryan and Maya do all they can to fight back? Yes. Would it be better to revisit The Strangers from 2008? Absolutely. If the audience plans to watch this version, they should refresh their memory from the realism of the one from 2008. That one still had shaky moments that are hard to dismiss. 

The Strangers: Chapter 1 may be entertaining if people get a kick of horror. If fans have The Strangers from 2008 and then The Strangers: Prey at Night in 2018, The Strangers: Chapter 1 may be an easy pass. It is very hit-or-miss. There are no new gems to create something more terrorizing than the previous two in The Strangers: Chapter 1. There are moments to pick up on. That is all because of its goal to try and seem more appealing and start from the beginning. It does not accomplish anything of a revelation. One-and-a-half out of four stars.