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Film reviews

The Lost Bus Review

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Director Paul Greengrass is a filmmaker I greatly admire. He always creates films based on actual events that feel real and emotional. He also incorporates elements necessary to stay true to a film’s story, especially one in which there are a variety of moving parts. With films ranging from United 93 to Captain Philips, the theme of survival portrayed realistically is what he knows how to do. In The Lost Bus, he is successful again making a film that is spellbinding and surreal. It is based on the California wildfires of 2018.

It is an exhilarating ride that begins at the start of the film. Greengrass opens the film up with dry and vast cinematography. He creates the foundation with a landscape for his audience to brace themselves. The film’s main character is Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), a dad dealing with his own problems at home. He works as a bus driver struggling to make ends meet. Things get a whole lot more complicated on his next shift because wildfires are scattered all over California. As he is navigating his workday, fires continue to spread and different disasters arise. Soon, Kevin finds himself needing to save twenty-two children on his bus. With the help of a schoolteacher named Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) who is on the bus with him, they try to keep the children safe while finding the right path to safety.

Greengrass has a writing style that is critical and revolutionary. As the story of The Lost Bus progresses, additional dangers pop up which cause jumps in heart rates for the audience. The quest for survival is anxiety-provoking, but that is why the movie is amazing. Greengrass uses skillful writing and knowledge of the real-life situation to keep his audience curious about the scenario. Why are their limited resources? How are the fires getting so out of control? What choices should Kevin and Mary think about? What options are possible? The persistent question of safety keeps heads spinning while also keeping hope alive in The Lost Bus. This film is mammoth ride where audiences will want to put their helmets on and fasten their seatbelts.

McConaughey and Ferrera play an effective tag team. Greengrass places them in characterizations that they inhabit fully. He lays out the logistics of the conflict and creates a pattern. The film does find itself scattered in moments of rapid ashes, which may seem blurry at times. However, that is also a necessary part of delivering the vibe of a real natural disaster. The multitude of anxiety-producing events invigorate the mind with The Lost Bus.

Safety in scarce and there is no easy answer in sight for these two adults and twenty-two children. All everyone has is each other in The Lost Bus. I felt the magnitude of never giving up aching in my heart throughout The Lost Bus. This is a captivating story based on real events which feels like a gut-puncher but is worth watching. Three out of four stars for The Lost Bus.

Film reviews

Emancipation Review

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Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a historic and realistic adventure that moves quickly. Emancipation is a film that consists of power, freedom, liberty, and perseverance. Will Smith is a machine for survival and Ben Foster is a monster of cruelty. Emancipation tests the limits of fate to the fullest. It has been a while since there has been a thriller set in the Civil War era. Fuqua portrays the power of authority among slaves and commanders in Emancipation.

My fascination with Emancipation is its surreal perspective. The film begins with many slavery settings and scenarios. There are also conversations between slaves regarding escaping, the politics of escaping, and where the slaves stand. Emancipation lays out the foundation in a realistic setting. The film creates a thorough understanding of how cruel slave owners are and why slaves want to escape. I am a fan of Abraham Lincoln, and Lincoln’s destinations are where the slaves try to escape to. In the film it is stated, “Lincoln freed the slaves.” If the slaves can make it to freedom, they have a chance to live new lives.

In Emancipation, the main slave is Peter (Smith), a man who has been a slave for most of his life and is anxious to find freedom. He wants to make it back to his wife Dodienne (played by Charmaine Bingwa). Peter takes the chance of surviving an attempted escape that is treacherous due to many dangerous factors. Despite the severities of the danger, there are benefits for him. As he escapes through the swamps of Louisiana, there are alligators, snakes, and all kinds of creatures. On top of that, the commander, Jim Fassel (played by Ben Foster) is onto him. The running goes on for days, and Peter must reach Lincoln’s territory. Emancipation is one epic and gruesome trail to where freedom awaits.

As the fate of survival is tested in this movie, I realized that Emancipation depicts nature’s uncharted territory. A swamp always has dangers. As Peter progresses through risking his life for freedom, there is always a chance of injury, death, or capture. Fuqua’s directing includes cinematography in black and white in many scenes and alternatively color in moments of action. The black and white is use when covering moments in time and color comes along in moments when there is an event.

I found these contrasts helpful because when the cinematography would light up in color, my mind would be alerted to a new event. When the film was in black and white, my mind would be alerted that this was a normal time frame. Fuqua is faithful in his artistic direction mixed with history, violence, and slavery. He is an auteur at adding layers of heightening factors in his films. Emancipation goes off the charts with vivid layers of suspenseful cinematography.

Emancipation is just pure adrenaline. The limits of survival are tested as is political power. Fuqua incorporates the harsh mindsets of those who are slave owners in the film. He also incorporates the fierceness of Peter. Smith’s performance is astonishing as viewers know he will not give up. A journey spent fighting the violent territory and terrors of a swamp is what makes Emancipation a dramatic yet invigorating ride.

I love Civil War history and especially love a film set in Lincoln’s era. Above all, I loved this film because it portrays slaves fighting for liberty during Lincoln’s presidency. Emancipation is empowering, surreal, and deep. Smith and Foster deliver thought-provoking performances. Fuqua’s directing goes to a whole different level of excitement with Emancipation. Three and a half stars.