My critic colleague and friend Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree, and myself, Tarek Fayoumi of MovieswithTarek discuss Godzilla Minus One! Link is below!
Segments with YPA Reviews: Godzilla Minus One Is The Best Godzilla Since The Original
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Your Lucky Day Review
In the final performance of Angus Cloud, he plays one of the most surreal and deadly roles of his career in Your Lucky Day. The same attitude and dark side he brought to his character of Fezco (from HBO’s Euphoria) is displayed with intensity to the max in Your Lucky Day. The film itself though, is one that is average. Cloud basically plays the same type of character as Fezco in this story, as a seasoned criminal who knows risks and knows the limits of the choices he makes. In Euphoria though, he keeps his attitude intact and has a heart. In Your Lucky Day all bets are off if his scheme is unsuccessful. The result is a heist movie with attitude
The film takes place at a convenience store. It is just a normal day with people going in and out. That is until an individual wins a lottery ticket worth 156 million dollars. Sterling (Cloud) is the criminal in the shop. When he overhears that someone in the store is the winner of that money he goes on a rampage and locks down the shop putting everyone present in a hostage situation. With some dead and some injured, it comes down to three individuals that must learn to work dangerously with Sterling and his evil and deadly scheme. There is Abraham (played by Elliot Knight), Ana (played by Jessica Garza), and Amir (played by Mousa Hussein Kraish). Amir is the shop owner and is related to Ana and Abraham. The lottery ticket is in the hands of Sterling but with the scene he has caused, he has very few options to get out of the mess he has created. He decides to bring Abraham, Ana, and Amir down with him. He negotiates a cut of the money for their help and they must learn to find a way safely out of this dangerous situation. The clock is ticking, the suspicions grow, and all that matters is getting a cut of that 156-million-dollar lottery ticket. The question arises of how much risk individuals will expose themselves to when big money is the motivator.
A daring combination of risk and tension remains intact throughout Your Lucky Day, as it finds its best moments in the building of stressors during the hostage situation. The attitude in Cloud’s performance is violent to the point of being mind-boggling. He tells the hostages, “This secret’s got a price tag,”and with that everyone realizes they will pay a price regardless of survival. The narrative hits home the notion that when giving up is not an option, taking risks of legality is the key to making it out alive. Those involved also hope to see their cut of the money when it’s over.
The film has intentional elements of confusion. Sterling is cool and chill in some moments, but then manic later, rattling the audience with his unstable character. There is also the question as to why Abraham, Ana, and Amir would believe what Sterling is negotiating with them. The negotiations come from a place of injury and lies as they hide evidence to protect him. Viewers are pushed into their uncomfortable decision-making process.
The sheer suspense that thrives throughout the film keeps it moving. Also, the small setting of the shop fuels the tension. There is no escape. How can the Sterling’s hostages escape without repercussions when their fingerprints are all over the place? How can Sterling get away with the entire 156 million? How much back up is truly going to come in to help? The film builds up a series of blockades for the hostage situation to not be an easy escape. Although tense, the approach comes off dry and rushed. The suspense and the damages are attention-grabbingand a spellbinding final performance from Cloud might make this worth seeing. Otherwise, Your Lucky Day rates fairly average in the heist movie genre. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.
Maestro Review
The musical direction is strong, the artistic direction is unique and relevant, and Maestro is simply one of the most audacious and vigorous experiences from the mind of director, writer, producer, and lead actor Bradley Cooper.
Maestro will take viewers deep into thought as the film captures many captivating moments in the life of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and his relationship with his wife, Felica Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (played by Carrey Mulligan). Bernstein had a lot to live for, but it came with many struggles as well. Maestro is simply majestic in its stellar experience of grandeur and musical galore. It is also a story about emotional distress that eventually finds light.
As Leonard gains success with his music and composing, the stress of fame and his devotion to his craft begins to take a toll on his relationship with Felicia. The film weaves musical moments with many interesting dynamics between Leonard and Felicia. The film finds its sinking points of saturated black and white cinematography in the beginning, and then lights up as it progresses. Cooper’s use of this technological form enhances the richness of the film while emphasizing the darkness and turmoil that was hidden within Leonard.
The authenticity of Maestro shines within the eyes of Leonard and Felicia. Felicia is not fond of Leonard’s behavior or the reputation he is gaining, and she lets it be known. He is a brilliant conductor-composer, but he isn’t always the husband or father that he would like to be. Their children begin to have problems and, ultimately, Leonard must find what is right. In interviews during that time period Leonard talks about not seeing much positivity as a composer, and he makes it clear he is depressed. But can he turn despair into hope? Does he want to build a positive reputation and be an icon who inspires? Time will tell.
The film’s development of the relationship between Leonard and Felicia in Maestro is daring, brutal, and emotional. Cooper and Mulligan are a revelation together, and they both deliver Oscar-worthy performances. My only issues with the film centers around the very dramatic, almost disturbing at times, portrayal of Leonard’s mental struggles. The plus side though, is that the realism is almost poetic. It just felt very eerie at times.
Overall, though, Maestro is an unforgettable and alive experience with great cinematography, great acting, and a strong storyline. The story of Leonard Bernstein lives with purpose and beauty in the film. It reminds us of why life is important and what a person can accomplish when they have talent and passion, and they find their joy in their craft. Leonard certainly had those traits, and Bradley Cooper has them as well in his portrayal of Leonard. Maestro will leave its audience with feelings of glory and sensitivity. Three out of four stars for Maestro.
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