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Film reviews

The Watchers Review

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From the mind of M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter Ishana Shyamalan, The Watchers has promising value. It displays a layout for terror where audiences would have to use their minds. It has a setting where the direction is unique. It has an area where terror may lead the audience to shiver. Sadly, it is not that amazing. Ishana’s dad produced the film. It feels like a film that was in her father’s direction. It is a tail of lacking components that lack surreal emotions.

Ishana’s father knows how to tie connections into his films. He does so in contrast to what is lost and found. There is that element tied into The Watchers. My conflict is how detrimental the film feels. There is confusion that begins at the top of the film.

The film focuses on Mina (played by Dakota Fanning). She is an artist trying to find her roots. She finds herself in Western Ireland. A car crash puts her in a forest that is in great danger. Mina is not alone. She finds shelter in a mysterious bunker with three other survivors. Those three characters are Madeline (played by Olwen Fouere), Ciara (played by Georgina Campbell), and Daniel (played by Oliver Finnegan). The bunker has a glass wall and an electronic light used for the night hours. Mina realizes that she is an additional one hiding from the creatures in the forest. They are called The Watchers. They rise above the ground. The bunker is the only place of shelter. How long can Mina, Madeline, Ciara, and Daniel hide though?

There is that element where noises bring the creatures to have powers. The Watchers feel repetitive, especially with a franchise already going along these lines with A Quiet Place. The Watchers take this direction with grains of salt to create a more euphoric atmosphere. It does not work well. It is a dynamic of four survivors putting together a puzzle as to why they are all stuck in the bunker.

I did not feel scared of The Watchers. I had a few moments where I jumped and was surprised. Even the tactics of the film,trying to be unsettling, did not feel that way either. The only moment where I was scared was by the creatures being seen as wendigos. That is what made me think the film is going in a fairytale aspect of scares. Its presentation was still lacking.

It is a thriller about continued boredom. The Watchers try to bring in all the evil for suspense with little explanation. It tries to blindside its audience in characterizations with misdirection of trust. There is that idea that one of the survivors may have a demonic side to what is going on. The logic is a mess surrounding the puzzle of The Watchers.

The idea is promising, but the quality is the problem. The Watchers feels like a blend of previous ideas from previous projects thrown into a film of just over ninety minutes. Some may enjoy its plot, some may be confused, and some may find it hit or miss. Two out of four stars for The Watchers.

 

Film reviews

Ezra Review

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The autism spectrum is the focus of the film. Ezra is a film that touched me deeply because I am on the spectrum. I choose to be an advocate for individuals who are on the spectrum as well. There is curiosity about what the future holds. A film with a sensitive subject such as Ezra dives deep into that matter. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, it is a direction with a touching ensemble that brings light to the film itself.

With “light,” there are more rewarding moments than some may feel with Ezra. Many have different traits of how they are with being part of the spectrum. Some may be more hyper, some may be more focused, some may be more organized, and some may have pet peeves (this is me). Parents and support systems may find challenges in how to help navigate these patterns. Ezra proves that the spectrum can be a growth of learning for both parties.

The film gears on parents who are bound to be divorced. They are Max (played by Bobby Cannavale) and Jenna (played by Rose Byrne). They have their son Ezra (played by William A. Fitzgerald), and he is autistic. Max is a comedian. Max is living with his father, Stan (played by Robert De Niro). An incident with Ezra sparks Max to make a detrimental choice. He takes Ezra on an unexpected road trip. Throughout their journey, Max finds his son’s senses evolve in the extended time spent with him.

Max’s career as a comic is the artistic path of connection. Max finds the light of his life in his storytelling and crafts on stage. His son sits in on his father’s seats. The father and son bonding are from the viewpoint of Max’s material. Max feels that nature should take its course. He believes that the people around Ezra should learn to tolerate his patterns and accept him. The moving parts of patterns, therapies, and unexpected conflicts are where finding common ground is the conflict.

Goldwyn also stars in the film (on top of being the director) as Bill. He places himself as Jenna’s boyfriend and an attorney. The dynamics of grown-ups with different understandings is the boiling point of stress for Ezra’s well-being. Ezra does not understand the reality of his situation. The presentation of feeling love and loss grapples in a revolving door momentum. I know these patterns can be sufficed.  There can be persistence and empathy (when it comes to autism).

The sensory conflicts and patterns are some of the most authentic traits presented in Ezra’s character. He is an over-thinker. He cannot tolerate metal and does not like certain foods. Words and sounds also tend to impact Ezra heavily. Ezra’s thinking is in a blur. The traits of this are authentic and realistic. I have seen these patterns with many on the spectrum.

Of all the traits of the patterns of autism in the film, it creates a place of appreciation. Max figures out more about himself as a grown-up. Max realizes he is not alone. Max realizes that he must figure out obstacles that are present for him. “Obstacles” with Jenna, his father, and how to navigate his life as a comic. Is it all enough to be a fulfilling parent for his son? Is there a bright future? Are there new doors that can open in finding meaning for Ezra?

The spectrum is with the layer of parents. They are grappling with the concept of shifting patterns. Ezra is a journey of life, love, and acceptance. How far will Max go to feel that connection to his son? Find out in Ezra. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Young Woman and the Sea Review

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The art of swimming is an important life skill. It requires agility, muscle strength, and persistence. Daisy Ridley possesses all these skills in The Young Woman and the Sea. Directed by Joachim Ronning, the film is presented with the message of never backing down. The true story of Trudy Ederle, played by Ridley, has a compelling momentum. The era of the 1924 Olympics creates a galore of amazement. However, in some ways, the film is only slightly above average. Challenges with the depth of the story and associated obstacles cause it to drag at times.

I had to take swimming lessons as a child, and I forgot how much effort it takes to learn this life skill. Becoming a skilled swimmer who can handle deep water and currents has life-changing benefits. The film begins with Trudy and her sister Margaret Ederle, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. They are the daughters of a German butcher, Henry Ederle, played by Kim Bodnia. Women as athletes in this era were frowned upon. Trudy sets a significant goal which is to swim across the English Channel. She believes this test of her endurance will give her life meaning.

The dynamics of the film make it a bit shaky. At times, it becomes more about the political issues and the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic effect. The acting is superb. The scenes where Trudy is dealing with what is given to her for her impossible task are particularly strong. Her first coach is Charlotte played by Sian Clifford, but she is not able to use her. The coach assigned to her is Jabez Wolffe,played by Christopher Eccleston. James Sullivan, played by Glenn Fleshler, oversees her contracts and sponsorship. Finally, there is Stephen Graham, played by Bill Burgess, the sailor who follows the progress of Trudy’s swimming. These characters and their issues result in mixed dynamics involving politics as well as how to handle an array of trials and errors.

The Young Woman and the Sea dives into surreal moments of peril. With water conditions and obstacles along the way, the story sometimes feels like a version of The Perfect Storm. The waves and the currents are too Hollywood-like. Overall, the film captures the imagination with the human element and persistent pursuit of a life accomplishments.

Even though I found the technical aspects lacking, this is Ridley’s most authentic role yet. She plays an icon whose story’s poke to the world. Her experience proves that it is not easy to achieve success the first time around. The inspiration of never quitting is where I found the film to be most invigorating. Ridley’s performance is an important reminder that being fearless is a key aspect of becoming a winner.

I left the movie with bodies of water on my mind due to the unpredictable obstacles Trudy was up against. The mist, the cold, and the currents added to her dangerous journey in The Young Woman and the Sea. Three out of four stars.