Film reviews

Seven Veils Review

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This is one of those rare experiences that feels like a project is the height of the masses. Seven Veils exercises anxiety and pressure to the point of disgust and the chances of having a meltdown. It also leads to a cinematic storyline of what thrives to make a portrait personal. “Personal” as to incorporate past moments to make a show breathtaking. Written and directed by Atom Egoyan—he has a background with parents that were artists. His inspiration for visual audaciousness is one of a natural element—it is present in Seven Veils.

The film’s main character is Jeanine, and she is played by Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried worked with Egoyan in the 2009 thriller Chloe, and she played the role of an escort. Her attitude shifts to the more serious and mind-boggling approach as she plays an opera director in Seven Veils. Her task is to put on an opera that was under the direction of a previous director. This task of hers is one that is mentally and visually overwhelming—both those elements grasp with a form of continuity that boils the film’s tension. Going forward, the film also introduces us to Clea, and she is played by Rebecca Liddiard. Clea is the props assistant, who creates crafts for many theatricals. The film has slews of narrations from both the performances of Seyfried and Liddiard—this paints the portrait that putting on a production and the stage has its own tensions off the stage.

The film had my mind wondering consistently about the artistic value in the sense of impact. Jeanine is written to be a person who is passionate about her work but also has problems at home. A lot to do with on and off relationships with her husband Paul (played by Mark O’Brien). Both their priorities are shifted, and that is the additional stressor for Jeanine (on top of directing an opera). The sense of exploration to tie in “personal” begins to become fiercer on and off the stage in Seven Veils. It is irresistible. Then there is a point where support comes from a fellow friend named Luke (played by Douglas Smith). He is one that is inspired by Jeanine. Overall, though, the ethics of what creates a performance to feel immersive thrives in an immense mode of prestige.

I found the film to be a study of a pattern. One that is faithful but also tries to focus more on the negative over what is positive. To an extent though, I respect this pattern, since it is one focusing on taking on a challenge (not anticipated). The ultimate question is do the outside moving parts truly fuel the narrative? Is there a reason for what is creating weird conflicts before the opera? Are their personal and competitive politics coinciding with Jeanine or Clea? The arts are a place of deception (in some circumstances). Ultimately, it is about if there is a light that sparks in the minds of those putting forth production. Almost, executed with a well-written craft, but still maintains its subtle speed in tone. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Black Bag Review

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Director Steven Soderbergh has an eye for making his characters fly suspiciously below the radar. He has a sense of direction that sends off vibes that allow audiences to know there is an operation that does not make sense. He has done this successfully with his films ranging from Sex, Lies, and Videotape to Erin Brockovich to Solaris to Contagion to Presence. The major difference is that Black Bag centers around espionage—which adds a layer of confidentiality to its writing. There are moments of vividness in this film, but the pacing tends to fall off the tracks in some parts.

Black Bag centers around the core theme of betrayal mingled with loyalty and deception. The film focuses on Kathryn St. Jean (played by Cate Blanchett), an undercover agent. Her husband is George Woodhouse (played by Michael Fassbender), an agent as well. There is a sense of a nation at risk due to dishonesty involving the spy tactics of Kathryn and George. However, the picture is painted showing Kathryn as the one making the matter seem harmful. The other characters involved are Clarissa DuBose (played by Marisa Abela), Freddie Smalls (played by Tom Burke), Dr. Zoe Vaughan (played by Naomie Harris), Col. James Stokes (played by Rege-Jean Page), and Arthur Stieglitz (played by Pierce Brosnan). All these characters are key to the film’s primary puzzle. The cat-and-mouse game approach proceeds along a professional track. To clarify, there are no haunting surprises or outbursts of truth. Neither would be the style I would expect from Soderbergh.

The film labels Arthur as the superior of the spy operations. With George and Kathryn as husband and wife, the curiosity related to who they trust and can communicate with provides on going questions. Some moments one seems more trustworthy than the other. Audiences will want to focus on the personalities and tactics of everyone involved—that is the key to the film’s underlying pattern. In retrospect, there is the fear of something to lose which is the subject of the breach. To some extent, the story keeps trying to cover up the answers through the characters’ egos and professional backgrounds. The two-faced dynamics that every character possesses offers additional lines of questioning in Black Bag.

As someone who has always been fascinated by Soderbergh, I was pleased with the calculation of focus in this film. Unfortunately, the methods of execution and ultimate resolutions led me into a state of disarray. Even though many moments are quirky and slow as expected, there is no proper meaning to the conclusion. It is almost like a more serious version of 12 Angry Men. The primary differences are the people and their jobs which cause lingering issues with the level of trust. At various points I had the notion that I was going to figure out that everyone is at fault—which is not the case. The dynamics of this film had me sold, however its subtle approach is written in a way that felt dry. Overall, it is a fun Soderbergh flick with plenty of interesting scenes. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Novocaine Review

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When it comes to an unexpected hero to save the day, Novocaine delivers lots of spellbinding revelations. Jack Quaid successfully plays a nerdy introvert whose life is altered when his reality becomes his biggest nightmare. Novocaine is boggled up with emotions waiting to be unleashed.

This is a thriller where there are lots of laughs. Audiences can really rock thanks to the premium 4DX format at select cinema chains which includes moving seat and strobe effects. Novocaine is the right title for this format, because its main character has a disease which makes him unbreakable. 

In Novocaine, Quaid plays Nate who has a career in accounting and leads a relatively sheltered life due his disease. The layout of Nate’s life provides the writing on the wall at the start of the film. Due to Nate’s genetic disorder, CIPA which stands for “congenital insensitivity to pain, with analgesia,” puts him to the test.  He is in love with a girl named Sherry (played by Amber Midthunder). A heist takes place at his bank, and she is kidnapped. Nate decides to put himself at risk to save her. By doing so, he utilizes his condition which shields him from feeling pain in his body. 

As the film moves forward, Nate goes on a spree to get answers about Sherry’s kidnapping. His presentation is dorky and witty which makes the film so joyful. Quaid’s babyface seems to be easy to punch. However, he is going bananas trying to save Sherry. He does so with every fragment of his body. The heist features events ranging from car crashes to fights in restaurants to combat with tattoo machines, and a whole lot more. The film is relentless with a variety of high hazard jams. The fact that there are no feelings in the main character’s body makes Novocaine a daring ride. Nate continues to display his dominance while the submissives hold Sherry hostage.

There is a sense of exasperation which takes effect during the film. A lot of the scenes are predictable, but then there are moments that are lethal and unanticipated. The aspect that impressed me the most was in Quaid’s performance as a hero who comes out of his shell due to his disease. His unusual, yet creative superpower makes Novocaine shine. There is also a nerdy connection, his gaming buddy Roscoe (played by Jacob Batalon) who helps him with his troubles.

There is a rapid dynamic in this story that is out of this world. Quaid is monumental in his quirky yet realistic portrayal of Nate. Quaid, Midthunder, and Batalon have an intriguing dynamic as last-minute heroes. With Quaid as the leader and Midthunder and Batalon as his sidekicks—their performance is fueled with adrenaline. Novocaine is a thrill ride of chills and hysterical aftermaths.

For the full effect, Novocaine is a movie I would suggest seeing in 4DX. I saw it at the Regal City North in Chicago. During moments when Nate was in motion, my seat was also in motion.When he got wet, water splashed in my face. During every key perilous scene …4DX provided the ideal format to feel mesmerized. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Novocaine.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!