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Film reviews

Cold Meat Review

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The cold, nerve-wracking scenery in Cold Meat gives viewers the chills and uncomfortable feelings of detrimental suspense.Written and directed by Sebastien Drouin, this thriller is a dark,anxiety-ridden narrative about a struggle for survival. The torrential danger in Cold Meat displays serious realism where personality and trust are tested. Cold Meat is a film that is stressful because it takes its audience by surprise and makes its think. Cold Meat’s direction is superb and relentless.

Cold Meat takes place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The film introduces its audience to David (played by Allen Leech). Allen stops by a diner for a meal. The waitress is Anna (played by Nina Bergman) and as she continues to look after taking David’s food order, her abusive and alcoholic ex-husband Vincent (played by Yan Tual) walks in. He belittles Anna and throws her under the bus. Vincent is one of the most verbally abusive and aggressive people imaginable. David witnesses the abuse and stands up for Anna. After overhearing the couple’s argument about the custody of their child, David puts Vincent in his place and says to Vincent, “So the real question is how much do you love your daughter?”

After this conflict, the film jumps to another scenario which is even more dangerous. Vincent follows David when he is driving. The weather is extremely treacherous with heavy snow and high winds. David’s car ends up stuck in the blizzard. When he gets out of his car to find safety, he realizes Anna is in the back of his car tied-up with duct-tape. The alarming premise of Cold Meat grows more challenging when David and Anna must figure out how to escape the snow and get out safely.

Cold Meat’s writing involves a trail of questions. How did Anna get tied up in David’s car? David’s car displays evidence that prompts questions about Anna’s safety. Did Victor put Anna in David’s Trunk? Did David put Anna in his trunk? Is David a hidden psychopath? Can Anna and David survive the blizzard? The anxiety in the treacherous situation displays unsmiling realism and creates conflicts. The picture painted makes it seem like it is the ex-husband who is the psycho in Cold Meat. By putting the pieces together, it appears that Vincent may not be the only one who is insane. The evidence in David’s car is shadyand includes pictures and IDs of other girls.  Anna fears for her life in the presence of David and the weather only makes their survival less likely. The reality of what is happening in Cold Meat is a deep adventure to find the truth.

The unforeseeable circumstances in a location where safety is not guaranteed makes for great suspense. Cold Meat contains unexpected realizations in a life-threatening situation. The scenes with Anna and David stuck in the car in a blizzard buildsuspense. Will someone survive? Will someone save them? Will the weather kill them both?

The faded lighting creates an environment which connects to the detrimental light of the situation. While the film’s opening contains a harsh dynamic between the characters, that dynamic only grows more serious. The film’s use of severe weather to create an impact on physical and mental conditions really sold me on Cold Meat. It is compelling and unpredictable. Three out of four stars for Cold Meat.

Film reviews

Shayda Review

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This film takes place in Australia in the year 1995 and writer and director Noora Niasari opens Shayda with racing thoughtsconsisting of turmoil and overwhelming moments. It is a scenario where having a better life will entail a mother taking risks. She is trying to find peace and discovers that escaping a troubling life comes with sacrifice and unexpected consequences. This is a story of a sheltered life that is eager for a fresh start.

Shayda is the name of the main character, and she is played by Zar Amir Ebrahimi. She is living in a shelter in Australia with her daughter Mona, played by Selina. Shayda is trying to provide normalcy for Mona—she does what she can to provide positive activities to promote a better mindset for her. They are in the shelter with other women and children. The environmentis set as a safe-haven, however the safety is questionable and there are always unsettling moments.

The holiday around the corner of the film is the Iranian new year…Nowruz. Shayda is spending the days leading up to that holiday in the shelter to maintain the safety of her daughter and herself from her soon-to-be ex-husband Hossein (played by Osamah Sami). Hossein is a narcissist and an outspoken individual. Shayda explores how a dramatic life shift and separation can create mental strife. It is a journey that keeps aconclusive atmosphere—Shayda needs to remain stable for the sake of Mona and to maintain a strong position in the legalitiesof her situation.  

As Shayda revisits moments in her divorce process, the devastation in her eyes belies detrimental  hopelessness. She maintains her loving mother’s attitude when she is with Mona. When Shayda deals with the dynamic stress, she lets out her feelings of heartache. She keeps to herself and limits her interactions with Hossein. The film brings up many questions. Is Shayda going to take custody of Mona? Are they going to have to do joint custody? Does Shayda understand that the situation is confusing and impenetrable for Mona? When Shayda must let Mona have time with Hossein, she is scared for her life. She fears she could lose Mona at any time.

The direction of Shayda also provides a view of life in the shelter. There is a dynamic of mothers with their children dealing with situations of abuse and neglect—they all want a new life outside of what they are suffering from. Shayda finds joy when she hangs out with Lara (played by Eve Morey) and Vi (played by Jillian Nguyen). Shayda also meets Farhad (played by Mojean Aria), and he is a nice guy that she feels is encouraging. The community around her reminds her to think of the holiday season of Nowruz. Despite all of what is going on, the holiday and the many people in her life fuel her confidence.

I find that the film explores themes of grieving and desperation. The shelter is the center for place of peace and well-being in Shayda. Shayda may be dealing with layers of inevitable conflicts with her Hossein, but the shelter is where she can feel at ease with her upsetting turmoil. This portrays a poetic dynamic of hardship fighting to find the light. The abusive pattern of Hossein is overwhelming. He is the most unbearable character in the film. There are moments where he devises manytactics to sabotage Shayda. He does this so he can have the upper hand in the arrangements of the divorce settlement. He also does so to make it seem like he is the better parent for Mona, although he clearly is not. Mona remembers to tell herself, “I am not afraid,” and faith is restored from the parenting of Shayda.

Despite all what Hossein tries to do, Shayda is always the one that will be the stronger and more shielding parent. There is that awareness of confidence that is written profoundly—the bitter situation forces her to climb to a brand-new reality. The suffrage throughout Shayda is long and crushing, however the bond of mother and daughter elevates the story to a more redemptive level.  Moments of Shayda’s past are ones where there is empathy for her situation with her daughter. Will they be alright? The domestic situation is one where the realism is gut-wrenching. Truly a vivid journey of love that is lost and found in different aspects of a blurred situation of conflict. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Shayda.

Film reviews

Kung Fu Panda 4 Review

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The adventures of Poe are continued in a creative adventure in Kung Fu Panda 4. With Jack Black still starring as the voice of Poe, his dialogue and humor are featured in this entertaining, family-friendly film. Kung Fu Panda 4 had a variety of scenes which caused me to laugh due to their positivity. This installment does not have as much combat as the originals did.This time around, the story is primarily in journey and adventure mode. Kung Fu Panda 4 dives in with full-on and almost continuous giggles.

The plot is a continuation from the third installment. Poe is experiencing success and opens a restaurant which leads to additional fame. The animation in this fictional world then diversifies. Poe has a new goal; he is training to become the spiritual leader of his Valley of Peace. This goal that is not as easy as it seems. Due to his departure as a Dragon Warrior, someone must take his place. Zhen (played by Awkwafina) is on his side and has hopes of taking Poe’s place. Poe has come a long way since the three previous films. His sensei is still Master Shifu (played by Dustin Hoffman) and his adopted father is still Mr. Ping (played by James Hong). Poe’s world is still one of a Warrior. However, a treacherous task awaits because a new enemy lies ahead for Poe. This enemy is the Chameleon (played by Viola Davis).  Her abilities include the power to assemble people from the past. Poe’s extensive training and many years of dedication are put to the test in Kung Fu Panda 4.

It’s all about the pieces of the puzzle in Kung Fu Panda 4. The elements Poe faces are detrimental, yet joyfully engrossing. There is a pattern of humor that swims through the many corners where obstacles lurk for Poe and Zhen. They even have moments when they distrust each other because they questioneach other’s skillsets and tactics. The film’s writing is fully in tune with the formula which works for animated movies to keep families enthralled.

The fighting scenes have effective dialogue and humor which connects. The journey has obstacles that are interesting and invigorating. The continuity is blurry and disconnected at times, but it still manages to send positive vibes throughout the film which results in non-stop fun. The message of the story in this movie is about connection and it is brought to life through the creativity of the martial arts.

Unfortunately, I did not love Kung Fu Panda 4. I do, however, have appreciation for the continuity of the franchise and this installment’s faithfulness to the franchise. Poe continues to be the primary focus of the story and grows into being the leader going forward. The voice of Black is stellar as always. Two-and-a-half out four stars for Kung Fu Panda 4.