Film reviews

Ghostlight Review

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This film takes place in Chicago, Illinois. It is a tale about finding light and escaping during moments of turmoil. It proves that emotions can be portrayed outwardly and that some are stronger than many anticipate. Ghostlight brings its audience on a journey of deep thoughts. The storyline of a struggling father is the means of redemption in Ghostlight and one which Chicago natives will feel a bond with. Filmed around many areas of downtown, Chicagoans will feel the warmness of the city itself. They will especially recognize the theatre scene.

The film’s main character is Dan (played by Keith Kupferer). Dan is a construction worker and is dealing with grief and turmoil in his family. His daughter is Daisy (played by Katherine Mallen Kupferer), and his wife is Sharon (played by Tara Mallen). Dan finds himself dealing with conflicts and underlying issues with no resolution, so he decides to join a community theatre for a production of Romeo and Juliet. He thinks this will be an activity for distraction, but ultimately it foreshadows his own life as he is in character with rehearsals. Working with the mind of the theatrical director Rita (played by Dolly De Leon), Dan’s journey evolves into something more fulfilling than he had ever imagined.

The dynamics of resurfacing challenges are encouraging in Ghostlight, as Dan is faced with many days of having to think through hard choices for his daughter. His involvement in theplay is where his mind can think more poetically. Theexpression of that characterization is its message of brilliance in finding balance with what one is passionate about and how it can lead to more rewarding aspects of life. With the Shakespeare production, Dan’s finds that his emotions while being in character start to bring out the best in him. What happens on the stage carries over to his family life.

There is a feeling that Dan’s emotional path is leading him to let go of what is going on in his personal life and bring it to the dramatic irony in the community production of Romeo and Juliet. Feeling present is where the film finds the moments for Dan to have a sense of purpose. It is a triumphant and exhilarating ride that will touch the hearts of many.

This is a tale where the writing of the film is Dan’s life trying to use art in order to improve his mindset. This works not only for himself, but with his difficult conflicts with his daughter.  There are overbearing aspects to his hardship. The stage and his involvement are where he feels his sense of connection. Ghostlight is written to shed a unique light on the issues of boundaries and finding what is beneficial.

The direction of navigating and finding a balance is where Ghostlight is breathtaking. It reminded me of how much being involved in theater can change one’s life, especially for those who feel there is a hardship that is out of theiitr control. For Dan, his life is in a halting pattern, but the stage is his place of safety and sanctuary for his thoughts and finding rewarding moments. Despite the conflicts with his daughter, and the other issues, there is light and talent that can blend to bring forth empathy and happiness.

My love for Ghostlight lay in its portrayal of how putting effort into a craft can bring meaning to one’s existence in areas of artistry, fulfillment, mental health, and navigating life. There is a juxtaposition here between the stage and reality. Where does Dan’s life find its common ground? Is it with being involved in a production? Is it with his family? Ghostlight precisely navigates the conflicts of Dan with a continuity that is spellbinding.

The stage is the place of purpose in Ghostlight. The navigation of life for Dan is the world of possibilities he finds throughout the film itself. Ghostlight soars with an abundance of happiness, sadness, and acceptance through the heart of a man feeling that his thoughts truly matter. A revolutionary work of art that is diverse and compelling. Theater can truly change lives as it does in Ghostlight. Four out of four stars for Ghostlight.

 

 

Film reviews

Hit Man Review

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Director Richard Linklater’s style is displayed in the opening of Hit Man, a one-of-a-kind spy comedy. The setting has both normalcy and many unanswered questions. The film accomplishes its objectives with magnificent misdirection. 

Glen Powell plays Gary Johnson and narrates many segments of the film. He is a professor and a hit man for his local police department. Gary displays a classy personality. His style is presentable but a bit below-average. No one would be able to guess that he does con work on the side because his attitude is presented as book smart over street smart. Gary’s subtle character is how he gets the job done.

Linklater uses character traits of deceit and quirkiness to great benefit in this movie. The role and personality of Powell reminded me of Jack Black’s performance in Linklater’s 2003 classic School of Rock. In both films, the characterization involves someone who is under-qualified to be doing a task and yet they are doing it to their benefit. For Black it was pretending to be a schoolteacher and forming his rock group, and for Powell it is about using fake names to cover his identity and do dirty deeds. Linklater is superb in creating characters who can bring such surprises when the truth about what they do is revealed. 

In Hit Man, a load of revelations and curiosities unfold as part of the backstory of the lead character. The film is innovative withcatchy moments using disguises. Powell plays the role well as aclassic man of mystery who does not hide his shifting personalities.

There are creative moments including scenarios in which Gary has worked during his con work assignments. His assistants are Claudette (played by Reeta), Phil (played by Sanjay Rao), and Jasper (played by Austin Amelio). Gary is the most suited to get tasks accomplished. The writing of the characters’ roles provides personality with confidentiality. They all work within their means, but Gary plays the cards right all the time. The audience will feel that Powell is the mastermind of whatever is to come and will be able to handle most every problem that comes his way.

With Gary having a life as a teacher and a hit man, he starts to see shifts in his thinking as he feels a love for Madison Figueroa Masters (played by Adria Arjona). His love interest impacts his ability to fly below the radar. This element causes the humor to shift which is what works for Linklater, especially in a spy-thriller.

Linklater knows how to effectively establish reputations. Gary’s reputation is on the line when he realizes that Madison may be in danger due to her husband. Are Gary’s feelings getting in the way? What is worth more to Gary? There is a steamy chemistry that tests the limits and boundaries in Hit Man. The lies combined with Gary’s success as a professor, a hit man, and his hidden relationship with Madison all enhance the story. Powell’s role of a two-faced, nice guy makes for mysterious pleasures in Hit Man.

When does the red flag of confidentiality get too risky?Moments of truth unfold when Gary pulls out his gun in public. Slowly many acquaintances come across Gary when he is with Madison as his new mission is to help Madison get her abusive husband out of her life. With that focus, however, a lot is on the line. How low can Gary fly below the radar? Linklater does a magnificent job of portraying the moments of life and chaos. There are unique cliffhangers and unexpected surprises with plenty of enthralling twists in this different yet fun Linklater classic. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Hit Man.

Film reviews

Inside Out 2 Review

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It’s been nine years since the first Inside Out opened. The first one established a foundation, and this one elevates the experience to a whole new level. Inside Out 2 takes a deeper dive into emotions and all kinds of growth. This film has stellar animation galore. I walked out of the movie feeling mesmerized by the story which deeply connected to my own emotions. A combination of happiness, sadness, loneliness, and anxiousness were all swimming in my head. Inside Out 2 brings out strong feelings of empathy in a beautiful and poetic way.

The voices of the characters are back this time around. Each of them displays the emotions of the human, Riley, whose voice is played by Kensington Tallman. The emotions continue to thrive in this film. They are Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), Anger (voiced by Lewis Black), Fear (voiced by Tony Hale), Disgust (voiced by Liza Lapira), and Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke). These characters are all in their appropriate places for Riley, who is now in her teenage years, and off to Hockey camp. Given Riley is going through puberty, the characters hit some plateaus. There is a new world of challenges which portrayed like pieces of a puzzle which is falling apart.

The themes related to growing up combine into a unique creative adventure that I found exhilarating. There are scenes in which Riley is mentally discouraged as well as new paths she discovers to tackle new feelings. I appreciated the purity in the scenes which effectively portrayed the process of growing up. It made me think of The Toy Story franchise. As the child got older in that franchise, more challenges leading to new adventures came along, and opened even more doors. Joy takes the lead as the hero and navigates her way through various tough issues throughout the film. Anger plays a starring role in some parts and these strong emotions do not always see eye-to-eye.

With Riley being at a hockey camp, I felt the film’s writing was built on a strong foundation that allowed it to soar to newheights. Since Riley is not in one place as much as she was in the first film, she is now in a world with different people and diverse interaction. This gives the characters lots of ways to express their emotions. Riley’s self-esteem is the part that really brings out the positive feelings in Inside Out 2.

Ask yourself how you are feeling. Ask yourself if you are feeling up. Ask yourself if you are feeling down. No matter what emotions you’re feeling there is a wonderful message inside Inside Out 2. I enjoyed thinking about the characters and their feelings. Since audiences already know these feelings have a purpose, the story is very relatable. There are also moments in the film where the characters find themselves in hysterics which adds to the fun. In addition to the laughs, plenty of growth occurs in this invigorating animated film. Three out of four stars for Inside Out 2. 

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