Category Archives: Film reviews

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Film reviews

The Killer Review

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There are three quotes in the film that have a strong tie to the motive in David Fincher’s The Killer. The first quote is, “Stick to your plan. Trust no one.” The second quote is, “Stick to your plan. Never yield an advantage.” The third and most authentic quote is, “Stick to the plan. Anticipate, don’t improvise.” These quotes are used repeatedly in a structured narrative of brilliant writing from Fincher. The Killer is outstanding from the opening credits with Michael Fassbender as the lead and the narratorthroughout the film. During various scenarios, however, it is clear he is a man of a few words who is just trying to get the job done. The Killer is pure Fincher right down to the smallest detail. Fincher is an auteur of noir direction whose focus in this film is the life of a career hitman.

Fassbender’s character is simply The Killer. The film begins in France where he is setting up an assassination. He has a set of routines as he prepares for an assignment. He does his workouts and sets up space for assassinations.  He wears a Fitbit device to help him track his heart rate because it helps him establish when to act. The Killer narrates every moment of every step of the film. While in France, he experiences turmoil which causes him to go out on a run to find the people he did assignments for so that the traces of his assassinations do not link to him. 

Watching Fassbender play a man who is completely committed to his routines is quite mesmerizing. He has a setup for new locations, new jobs, and even a setup for failures. His routines involve establishing his contacts, including ones referred to as The Expert (played by Tilda Swinton), The Lawyer-Hodges (Charles Parnell), The Client-Clybourne (played by Arliss Howard), and more. He has a tie to each of these individuals and they each leave a trace. The element of error creates an atmosphere that is a spellbinding puzzle of untraceable espionage. There are moments where The Killer must hide in the shadows, and even then, Fassbender’s narration continues. Fincher keeps his audience engaged throughout the entire unexpected journey of The Killer. The film is filled with deceit and surprises that include evidence and crystal-clear thinking about how to avoid getting caught. The Killer will enthrall its audience until the end.

The question that came to my mind was, “How does The Killer manage normalcy?” The answer is routine, practice, and previous experience with law enforcement as well asconnections and technique. That is also why The Killer tries to clear anything that could identify him. A single trace could put him away for life. From his point of view, he is just an individual doing his job. Fassbender delivers a monumental performance of a solitary man carrying the dark secret of being an assassin. His narration adds to the suspense and provides insights into the pieces of the puzzle that the audience is waiting for. Fincher is effective at playing out his vision by setting up the right lighting, the right cinematography, the right angles, the right writing. The Killer has all of that plus Fassbender’s incredible performance of persistence and refusal to fail, despite the negative consequences.

The different locations in the film will enthrall audiences as they offer an in-depth understanding of the variations in The Killers routine. Whether in France, New Orleans, Chicago or New York, there is always an element of surprise. Fincher’s direction has many moving parts, and they come together in the most daring of ways. Four out of four stars for The Killer.

Film reviews, Music Box Theatre coverage

Cat Person Review

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A film with Nicholas Braun (who played Cousin Greg in HBO’s Succession) is one in which I expected his shy side and quirky elements to be featured in spontaneous adventures. In Cat Person, his character, Robert, is like Cousin Greg with a few twists. Cat Person is a film where there is desperation for a relationship, and it has the right characters to do so. However, the film does not begin with Braun. Instead, it starts off with Emilia Jones (who plays Margot), an introvert who believes in love at first sight.

The film introduces its audience to Margo, a sophomore in college who works at a cinema as a part-time floor attendant and spends a lot of time working in her science lab. She has the normal life of a college student, but that all changes when Robert (Braun) comes into her cinema. He asks for an odd combo of popcorn and red vines every time he visits the concession stand. He is fascinated by movies and loves to watch the classics on the big screen. He feels a true connection to Margot, and Margot feels the same about him. They begin to date and click over their mutual love for movies. Margot is often infuriated by her mother Kelly (played by Hope Davis) and her stepfather Ernie (played by Christopher Shyer), but she feels that Robert is the one person in her life that brings her happiness. After continuous loving text messages and a few dates, the love vibe feels right for Margot. That is until she realizes much of what Robert says about himself is not true. Once she begins to question him, Robert’s behavior becomes stalker-like and highly bizarre.

The film explores the life of Margot as she tries to avoid her problems as well as those who try to convince her that Robert may not be who he says he is. Margot’s roommate, Taylor (played by Geraldine Viswanathan), tries to warn Margot that Robert could have dangerous qualities. However, Robert’s shyness causes her to ignore the warnings which lead to matters getting more stressful. An added stressor is Margot’s science professor, Dr. Enid Zabala (played by Isabella Rossellini). Enid oversees the lab that Margot spends her time in, and an incident with Robert in the lab puts Margot in an odd place.

With Margot desperate for companionship, she begins to make herself seem more sexualized for Robert. This is obviously a big red flag as it opens her up to more vulnerability. Of course, it causes an even closer connection with Robert and further denial of his dishonesty up until he violates her boundaries. Cat Person will cause viewers to ask themselves if Margot is doing what is right for herself.

The movie involves a bizarre trail of deceit and the exploration of an individual’s truth upon close examination. Cat Person is more of a dark comedy in parts than a true psychological thriller because even the dangerous moments are presented in a matter that seems jokingly strange.

The film features the chemistry of young love with a desire to not give up. It involves an experience that is twisted and a relationship that is questionable. The title has meaning, but it is not as sweet as it appears. Cat Person is about building a trail around those who open themselves up to others, and the negative outcomes that can result. Its presentation lacks seriousness, but it is still fun to watch. Two out of four stars for Cat Person.

59th Chicago International Film Festival, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Silver Dollar Road Review

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This documentary is realistic because it is based on a true story and remains faithful to real-life events. The film’s subject involves cultural and racial issues regarding property and land ownership. Silver Doller Road is a documentary filled with meaning. It is a film that makes you think about property rights and the implications of ownership as well as inheritance. I found the film to be especially moving due to the narrative track and story. The message concerns truth and the role of morals. The story also focuses on the importance of family and tradition, and how those critical factors are often interfered with.

The film is the true story of the Reels’ family. They have fought for years for their land in North Carolina which has been taken away from them due to land developers. The interviews with members of the family are interesting and revealing. The film follows the journey of how the different laws and various real estate developers have had a significant impact on the family. Over the years, the Reels family has had their rituals and traditions messed up which has led to a feeling of disconnect. Silver Doller Road is a film about how lies can lead to frustration, but also about a family who will not stop fighting for their land.

I like how the film ties in historic moments and the issue of racism into the mix. It explores the concept of equality and the struggles which involve both race and class. The story also proves that the Reels’ family has a voice that they’re willing to use to fight for their land. There is a vivid landscape of emotions for a documentary. It is visually brilliant and wonderful. There is light in the tunnels of the darkness in Silver Doller Road. The film is one where its audience can expect to shed tears. This movie can bring out some strong emotions that were sometimes hard to handle. This is a film which is ultimately about a family that wants their lives to have meaning, and they are challenged to achieve that due to the struggles they face with their land.

There is not a happy motive in Silver Doller Road, but there is a strong inspirational message of courage which shines through when the family refuses to give up. Their historical tie to the land goes way back for them. The director Raoul Peck is crystal clear in his effort to bring in the emotional factors involved in the process. There is no easy way to define Silver Doller Road.

Can the Reels’ family save their land? Can the purpose of family and connection survive these tough circumstances? Why is there such hatred around race? It is a poetic ride of difficult questions, and the answers are an amazing revelation. It is a realistic depiction of life waiting to be fulfilled in a faithful context. Overall, a unique documentary with real class. Three out of four stars for Silver Doller Road.