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Film reviews

The Teachers’ Lounge Review

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The profession of teaching must follow codes of conduct and a set of instructions in order to protect both teachers and their students. Likewise, there are also rules that students are expected to abide by, and they do not always understand given their young developing minds. In The Teachers’ Lounge rules and confidentiality hit the fan drastically. This makes for a movie experience that is both mentally draining and captivating. The choice of a particular teacher spirals the audience into the examination and inquiries involved. In The Teachers’ Lounge the question remains, “Is this proof, or an assumption?” The answer unfolds in the realm of a hectic and low-paid profession and quickly moves in an audacious direction in The Teachers’ Lounge.

I was raised in a family of teachers and professors and The Teachers’ Lounge spoke to me truthfully. The level of tolerance and patience needed each day is the key to understanding the film’s depths in portraying a hard scenario in a school setting. Especially when the rights of teachers, rights of parents, and rights of students are involved. The film shows that being a teacher is a career where a cautious mind is essential to solving many problems…no matter how big or small.

The Teachers’ Lounge takes place in Hamburg, Germany. The main character is Carla Nowak (played by Leonie Benesch). Carla is a schoolteacher of young students and her school routine is a consistent part of her daily life. That is until there is a theft, as Carla reports an individual that she suspects has stolen from her. That individual is a faculty member, Friederike Kuhn (played by Eva Lobau). Going forward, when disciplinary actions are taken, the matter does not remain quiet. The other factor to this problem is that Friederike’s son Oskar (played by Leonard Stettnisch) is also Carla’s student. With Friederike facing serious charges, Carla’s career begins to spiral downhill. Oskar starts to act out badly in her class as rumors go around about what has happened, and Carla struggles to keep her confidentiality intact as a teacher. Oskar becomes stuck in the middle of this intense and confusing matter with his mother and as a student. The question becomes one of who is most at risk in this confusing and frustrating scenario.

The writing in the film dives deep into a portrait of how rules and school systems begin to be at risk when serious questions develop. The parents of other students become infuriated, and Carla’s students act out more. The picture is thorough in pointing out that scenarios are not as private as some may think…even for teachers. Despite how true Carla’s case might be, there are still consequences. With rebellious students, the ugly dynamic is hard to tolerate, and Carla has no choice but to put up with it to keep her integrity.

This is one of the most chilling, exhilarating and mammoth experiences I have had with an international feature. It is a film in which going by the rules is questioned, along with the pressure of grueling rumors that carry through the film and enhance its psychological tension. The Teachers’ Lounge is unforgettable and the direction is on par with its inner conflict of underlying issues. It eagerly puts together the moving parts of the dynamic for a resolution. What will come of all this turmoil of a theft scenario? Who will suffer? How does it impact the faculty and the students? Find out in The Teachers’ Lounge. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Mean Girls Review

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This is a repeat of the 2004 Mean Girls film, but with a combination of different actors, some returning actors, and musical numbers. Mean Girls is a new revisited experience. In this version, adolescence goes into the modern age of technology. The old version was during the era of flip phones and before social media. In today’s version, social media takes a turn for the worst. Mean Girls is still about favoritism, class divisions and being cool. Mean Girls takes the original high school story up a few notches as it explores a concerning development. The movie is catchy throughout its adolescent-focused direction.

In Mean Girls, the new Cady Heron is played by Angourie Rice. She moves to the United States with her mom Ms. Heron (played by Jenna Fischer). Angourie struggles to fit into the classroom setting in a diverse high school full of dim-wit nerds and jocks. Cady is a brainiac and becomes friends with Janis and Damien. Janis is played by Auli’l Cravalho and Damien is played by Jaquiel Spivey. They are Cady’s mentors in this new world of high school. Cady then becomes friends with the evil Regina George (played by Renee Rapp). Regina’s group also includes Gretchen (played by Bebe Wood) and Karen (played by Avantika). Regina feels she is the queen and able to help Cady learn the rules of being cool and part of her clan, “The Plastics.” Being “plastic” may have its perks for Cady…until it creates a dynamic which impacts her relationship with the boy of her dreams, Aaron (played by Christopher Brinley). The film is entirely the same setup and premise as the 2004 version, but with musical numbers in between the conflicts.

The shift in Cady’s life is where there are realizations of truth. However, the context and the characters do not always seem to fit. For example, Cady’s personality is much shyer this time around. When she does gutsy stuff to boost her popularity, the believability lacks. Audiences watching the new Mean Girls will constantly be thinking back to the 2004 version. Tim Meadows is back as Principal Duvall and Tina Fey is back as Ms. Norbury. Reuniting these two characters will cause audiences to get their hopes up. However, they are in this film for much less time. Their reunion also has little to do with this musical adaptation of the film. Fortunately, focusing on today’s society and its impact on Cady’s character is what increased my appreciation for this version of Mean Girls.

The tensions are high as backstabbing goes back and forth. The “Burn Book” returns and with it the haunting premise of betrayal among adolescents brings realism to Mean Girls. The whole concept of labeling people to assert power over others to be popular is focused on again in this story. The tensions and hormones go awry with added musical moments in this new version of Mean Girls. It is a slick film that searches for answers to the challenges adolescents face today. Three out of four stars for Mean Girls.

Film reviews

The Painter Review

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The direction of The Painter feels like an independent version of a James Bond flick. However, this CIA thriller has many realistic tactics and actions. The moving parts gradually come together to make for one invigorating sensation. The Painter was a spot-on, unforgettable experience. The film is a stylized ride that dives into the depths of an overwhelming mission on a dark trail.

The Painter begins at a restaurant in Seattle, Washington. It focuses on the main character Peter (played by Charlie Weber), a former CIA Operative. In the opening sequence, he is very aware of his surroundings and the audience can sense the tension. Byrne (played by Jon Voight), Peter’s adopted father,joins him in the restaurant. Byrne has been there for Peter’swhole life following a tragic accident at a young age which caused Peter a minor loss of hearing. Over the years, Byrne has helped Peter learn the ropes as a CIA operative and walks Peter through his next mission while at the restaurant. Peter must stop an espionage scenario that will unleash dangerous information and put many at risk. The mission does not go according to planand causes Peter’s wife Elena (played by Rryla McIntosh) to fall off the grid and causes Peter to vanish as well.

The film jumps to many years after this catastrophe. Peter spends his time at his home in Cascade, Oregon, where he uses painting to cope with the tragedy of Elena’s disappearance. The world of espionage and cybersecurity reminds Peter of his past as a CIA operative, and his previous tragedies drive his motivation to gear up for what dangers might come his way.

Sophia (played by Madison Bailey), Elena’s daughter, comes into Peter’s life. The Painter is a thriller of hidden secrets that emerge slowly. There is not much context given to explain Elena’s disappearance, but that does not stop the film from being captivating. Peter keeps trying to insist to Sophia that they arenot related because he is trying to remain rogue. It is not long, however, until more treacherous moments arise.

An unexpected ambush at Peter’s home after Sophia’s arrival sets the suspense of The Painter in motion. The CIA is after Peter and Sophia and Sophia is now Peter’s responsibility. No one can be trusted, no one is safe, and there are limited places to hide in The Painter. Byrne is still heavily associated with the CIA and connected to other authorities…but will he protect Peter and Sophia? The writing in the film stays faithful as thecharacters keep their guards up. When Byrne tells Peter, “I’m the only one who can protect you,” the audience wonders how true that statement is because The Painter is a master puzzle of madness.

There is a dynamic of good guys vs. bad guys with layers of relentless peril that is relentless. Peter must stop the enemies after him, protect Sophia, find out what happened to Elena, and trust no one. There will be a lot of wet paint in The Painter. Peter’s only weakness is his minor hearing loss…but he is still reckless. His two biggest enemies are Ghost (played by Max Montesi) and Piasecki (played by Marie Avgeropoulos). They follow Peter and Sophia’s every move like helicopters. The mission is life threatening and creates a constant chaos of thrills.

The term “critical redundancy” is used in the film which means it is important to have an essential backup. Is it enough to protect Peter and Sophia? Can it also link back to where Elena may be? There is a puzzle to the CIA mission that flows throughout the story.

The Painter is mesmerizing. Voight and Weber both deliver monumental performances. I was on the edge of my seat thanks to the cat-and-mouse game that leaves hidden traps throughout the film. I was blown away by the resolutions in The Painter. Peter’s past mission has one irreparable consequence awaiting. Will he survive? Find out in The Painter. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.