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Film reviews

Lorne Review

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I have always been curious about what makes Saturday Night Live so lively and successful. I am a millennial and remember my parents always enjoying it on those weekend evenings. I even remember falling in love with the many unforgettable skits and sketches. What I did not know though, is that so much of it comes under the control of one man. Lorne is an absolute treasure of a documentary. Directed by Morgan Neville, there is a rich backstory of the world of television and finding an audience—the structure of continual change delightfully fulfilling. Lorne Michaels is the man behind all the angles of Saturday Night Live.

The first question that comes from the film is, “What is funny?” There is frequent portrayal of the serious business side of comedy presented in Lorne. Lorne has been around Saturday Night Live since it all began and the structure of his life is what defines the pattern of how the show runs today. The film brings back tons of nostalgia with a lot of compelling voices. The quote that defines Lorne frequently is that he is, “A creature of habit!” That element is in the weaving elements of this strong and profound documentary that I find truly special.

The level of prestige is what Neville is amazing at capturing. He knows how to grasp what is real about an individual. The narrative set to be so strictly around Lorne is where I found the backstory of Saturday Night Live compelling. Lorne is a film that carries  a prestigious list of contributors to the setting. There are many interviews with Mike Myers, Colin Jost, Jimmy Fallon, Dana Carvey, and more. They mention moments of his routine. Moments where shows have had ups and downs—the realism of what makes Saturday Night Live today feel as present as ever in Lorne.

The fact that Lorne Michaels was a man that was trying to fill a late-night slot is the aspect of what had my mind so driven for more information with Lorne. I was thinking so much about how audiences were more in tune in the era before personal computers and cell phones– in a time frame where television was just making the rounds. The “creature of habit” tones keepstreaming through the attitude of Lorne. Audiences will see his patterns, his moments, and his personality.

As the documentary continues to capture interviews from current and former members, audiences get a better idea of why Saturday Night Live continually evolves. The landscape of reality is surreal in Lorne. The fact that sacrifices and unfairness are all part of the game in the business side of creating an entertaining show comes through in the narrative. With the show’s colorful writing more context continues to unfold in the evolution of Lorne and the series himself. There is just a humanistic aspect that feels special to me.

It is mesmerizing, breathtaking, and historic. Lorne is a reminder of what talent can bring to the table when there are the many dynamics of show business and the right-thinking process involved. This gem has a flow of continuity to recreate a time and era of comic gold. Former cast member Tina Fey states, “You have to find a lunatic writer and put up with them!” Astatement saying it all– that tolerance of talent can be rewarding. Four out of four stars for Lorne.

Film reviews

You, Me, & Tuscany Review

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A B-level rom-com that flies its way over Tuscany, Italy. It maintains a sense of a joyful adventure that finds a family vibe and keep resorting to love as the downfall. Directed by Kat Coiro, this is You, Me, & Tuscany. A setup where a woman’s life is in disarray, but she manages to find a loving family thanks to faking a situation. A joyful and silly film that somehow has proper chemistry to create a fulfilling side which feels touching.

With Coiro continuing to direct full-length films, she keeps improving her use of elements that make love feel spontaneous. That is how it is throughout all of You, Me, & Tuscany. Wonderful in moments, but also predictable. Overall, though, she is a director with a clever mind. Especially with the mix of Tuscany, Italy and bringing together a loving albeit mistaken family. 

The main character is Anna, and she is played by Halle Bailey. She finds herself on a messy adventure. She always struggles to keep her life together, yet decides to take a risk by posing as a fiancé. Later she finds herself at a Villa in Tuscany, Italy. The family loves her, and she begins to feel connected to Michael, played by Rege-Jean Page. However, Anna lies and says she is engaged to Matteo, played by Lorenzo de Moor. The family adores both, but Halle’s lies are the only things bringing her closer to this family. The truth is that she feels love for Michael, and not Matteo.

The boisterous setup allows for some positive moments to flow. There are scenes of cooking and festivities and not letting traditions down. Anna learns to confide in herself. The film’s writing is so set on Anna—she is the queen of faking things andcan sometimes find a gap in her illogical choices. The “illogical” side of You, Me, & Tuscany is average.

I found myself feeling mixed response to this film leading me to feel almost neutral throughout the experience. This is primarily because my fascination was so much in tune with the scenery around Tuscany and the culinary side. The dynamics attractedmy attention, but they were  mediocre.  The cultural side is the winning aspect of the story.

On a level of clarity, I felt the performances and appearances of Halle Bailey and Rege-Jean Page are the selling point of this film. Especially since both are A list cast members for this romantic comedy. They play the roles well, but the rest of the dynamic behind it is purely predictable, relying on vast scenery to impress its audience. I do appreciate how it portrays in its context someone coming out of their shell, but also, I feel that the backstory could have provided much more. This is a film that deserves a more dramatic, yet empathetic premise–not one based solely on a setup of deceit.  It picks itself up with everyone enjoying the company of one another. I guess no rejection is what makes this film rather attention grabbing. Overall, I remain neutral. Two out of four stars.

 

Film reviews

Beast Review

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This is one of the most audacious films about the subject of sportsmanship. There is a lot to lose and a strong backstory in Beast. Directed by Tyler Atkins, he brings his audience into a boxing match of vengeance where redemption rises in the ring. There are many errors in the search for glory. I walked in with mixed expectations and left asking for more because Beast exceeded my expectations.  

There is a sense of brotherhood and fatherhood that prevails due to various components in the story that are torn and lost. Some things have occurred around the ring and others outside of the ring, involving those who left the glory days of MMA. The story has a purpose—one of resilience. Beast is monumental at almost grade A level.

The main character is Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson. His father is Sammy, played by Russell Crowe. His brother is Malon, played by Mojean Aria. Between the brothers and their father, the dedication to MMA is strong, but choices have led them to make sacrifices and incur debts. Patton is the one who made “sacrifices” and Malon is the one with the “debts.” Patton finds himself in a position to help his brother redeem himself by getting back in the ring. Over time, there are hurdles that do not make the return easy. This gives the underdog story of Beast brilliance.

In the sport of boxing, there is the drive to never give up. There is also the need to build mental toughness, and Patton is the king of that area in Beast. Given the complicated relationship he has with his father Sammy, he redeems himself by continuously putting his efforts into making strides to fight again. The films backstory has a harsh dynamic. However, it effectively displays the strong sense of purpose required to make a return.

Patton wants to fight to compensate for the problems in Malon’s life. However, he wants to be able to be the best father to his family as well. He wants to be the primary example of excellence to all those in his family. To do so, he must learn to channel his emotions to truly fight and win in the ring.Throughout the movie there is the repeated message that the ring is the place to be the king. The demonstration of sportsmanship flies like a rainbow of sadness surrounding brotherhood.

The depiction of madness in the narrative is inspirational and nearly flawless. The dynamics in the performances of Crowe and MacPherson are well executed. Beast is an underdog story, where falling and getting up again occur repeatedly. Winning brings out the best of the dramatics in Beast.

While this story has traction which is enhanced by a nemesis which makes the storyline even feel more enticing. That nemesis is another fighter, Xavier Grau, played by Bren Foster. He breaks the rules inside the ring and only cares about his title because it can bring him big bucks. Regardless of his choices,his hits have no impact. For Patton, on the other hand, his hits so have an impact. They count since they are meant to save those around him and give them a better life. That is why the fight is the epicenter of Beast. Three out of four stars.