Tag Archives: Edgar Wright

The Running Man


Edgar Wright takes an approach with this film that feels like a bit like Hunger Games. It is a game with a death trap, a setting where reality is in the context of a disaster.  It seems that WWIII has come and gone but lingers, and there is a game that lies beneath a lot of wealth for the whole world to see. The Running Man has promising moments but lacks in its approaches. The momentum is much too dry /and lacks energy. Glen Powell isthe lead role and is the biggest component to grab its fans for the film because he is the hero grandeur within the imagery of the film. I just continued to have issues with the writing and quality of how the film goes about things.

Glen Powell plays Ben Richards. He is an individual trying to work to save his sick daughter. He does everything he can to find work but has many violent tones to his personality. He ends up finding one way to make loads of money. He joins a game called “The Running Man.” It is a game show where a victim is manipulated into being a criminal to see how far they can make it  in a world where anyone can hunt them and kill them. The ultimate question is if Ben will survive. The shows following that are with two TV show candidates, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin) and Bobby Thompson (played by Colman Domingo). Dan cheats the system in order to manipulate and antagonize Ben. The success of the hunt is based on viewership. The clock ticks as the dangers continue to keep spiking. How far do the games go?

It is a thriller based off of a Stephen King novel. Overall, I found some value to this film with the directing of Wright, because the foundational aspects continue with layers of frustration to create purpose and suspense, especially with thebackground of Powell’s performance having issues with work and going down a rabbit hole. Otherwise, the film keeps falling into its blockbuster tones. Overall, though, the action finds its loopholes to have the meaningful selling points to make The Running Man astounding on some fronts. Particularly with characters who present a lot of surprises. When you have someone like Michael Cera with a basement full of traps, you have found a nerd with a lot to offer in an Edgar Wright sensation. Cera plays Elton, someone with many gadgets thatassist Ben at one point in the film—both together are a match that tango incessantly.

 The Running Man is not spellbinding or amazing, it is neutral. The need for money to save a family hits its peak moments. The pacing though I felt was not established properly, however, I still have respect for Wright.  He tries to keep aspects straight and move forward. I rate this film at about two out of four stars.

 

Last Night in Soho review



Director Edgar Wright often mixes action and humor. His latest film, Last Night in Soho, has some laughs, but he shifts his directing style in a terrifying way. Last Night in Soho is a grand spectacle, with surrealism and terror mixed with mystery and horror.


Last Night in Soho introduces us to London School of Design student Eloise Turner, played by Thomasin McKenzie. Eloise is living her dream until she has roommate issues that force her to move to a new place. At her new flat she begins dreaming of a 60s jazz singer named Sandie, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. A guy named Jack, played by Matt Smith, is also in the dream.

At first Eloise loves these nostalgic dreams of Sandie and Jack, but as they continue they become dark and disturbing, and Eloise begins to have waking visions that are also disturbing. Eloise tries to investigate why she is having these dreams and apparitions, and her investigations lead her to some real life terrifying situations.

Last Night in Soho is entertaining with its twists and mysteries. It has some interesting cinematography and lighting, with faded elements of red during Eloise’s flashbacks that signal impending darkness. The film almost felt David Lynchian at times.

This film is definitely a new direction for Edgar Wright. I loved many of his previous films, including Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010). This one was certainly different, with Wright diving into horror with a retro outlook, but still a few laughs. Three and a half stars for Last Night in Soho.