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Film reviews

The Last Voyage of the Demeter Review

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The Last Voyage of the Demeter is based on a chapter from “Dracula”, the 1897 novel from Irish author Bram Stoker. The chapter of the book that it is taken from is called “The Captain’s Log”, about a journey at sea. I have always been fascinated by stories or movies taking place at sea. In fact, the sea excels as a form of terror, because it’s just naturally a scary place, especially at night. Unfortunately, The Last Voyage of the Demeter’s faithfulness to Bram Stoker’s novel is mediocre, as is the film in general.

The ship on which The Last Voyage of the Demeter is set is a merchant ship called the Demeter. The people on board the ship include Clemens (played by Corey Hawkins), Anna (played by Aisling Franciosi), Captain Elliot (played by Liam Cunningham), Wojchek (played by David Dastmalchian), Abrams (played by Chris Walley), Joseph (played by Jon Jon Brione), and more. The ship’s mission is to deliver wooden crates from Carpathia to London. But the crates have a demonic-looking symbol that represents Dracula. Daytime on the ship is safe, but at night danger erupts for everyone on board. Nothing can protect the passengers from the demons that may arise from the crates they have on their ship.

There are hints to explain why there are monsters jumping into the film, but there is no clear background or indications as to why the terror is evolving. The film gives a brief introduction, cuts to the voyage, and the haunting begins. With this being based Stoker’s “Dracula”, I wish there was more background on Dracula to add to the excitement. There is no explanation his creation, his evolvements, his relationships, or his terrors. Dracula just shows up to eat those he craves—the people who are trying to kill him. It’s a fight to the finish for the passengers on the voyage, but are they equipped for the task?

The symbolism in The Last Voyage of the Demeter is one invigorating component of the film. The evil symbols on the boxes initiates a terror response from viewers. And this terror becomes increasingly enticing at night, bringing a certain level of cinematic joy, although the shock value decreases as the same sorts of terrors occur and the film becomes repetitive.

The amazing lighting and cinematography was also a plus for The Last Voyage of the Demeter. The film truly had great technical components throughout its spooky adventure. This gave the film the look of a brilliant horror film, but that doesn’t make up for what it lacked in depth. The writing and directing just failed to find the originality of Stoker’s Dracula, and failed to create an enticing experience for fans of Stoker. Instead, it relied on violence and monsters going crazy for viewing pleasure. I’m not a fan of that approach. I think that background and motive increases the shock values in a horror film, especially with a character as interesting as Dracula.

Is Dracula scary? It was in brief elements, but then it just goes awry and heads down a mediocre rabbit hole. My view is that it just wasn’t adventurous enough in its writing or directing. So I’m very much neutral and was just not very impressed with the film. I regret having to say that, but I just did not find the film as pleasing as I was hoping. Two and a half out of four stars for The Last Voyage of the Demeter.

Film reviews

Passages Review

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There are films in which relationships involve tension, confusion, and dishonesty. Then there are films where one’s desire may have irreparable effects. Director Ira Sachs delivers a brilliant and well-crafted drama that is surreal in its humanity.  In Passages, a man’s relationship is tested by sleeping with someone else. Passages was originally rated NC-17, but then was changed to Unrated. This was probably the best rating it could have received, because otherwise the film would not receive the recognition it truly deserves. The movie is a stylized ride of boundaries, which is seductively invigorating.

The film takes place in France and focuses on a gay married couple, Tomas and Martin (played by Franz Rogowski and Ben Whishaw). Tomas is a film director always striving for a successful project. When Tomas experiences mixed expectations of his own progress along with being bored by Martin’s enthusiasm, his attractions begin to shift. He meets Agathe (played by Adele Exarchopoulos), who is a schoolteacher and a colleague of Tomas. Tomas and Agathe begin having a relationship which consists mostly of meeting up to socialize and hook-up. Tomas is open with Martin about the fact that he is seeing a woman, but that causes the tension between the two men to boil. Is Tomas truly in love with Agathe? Does Tomas still have feelings for Martin? Is Martin feeling different about who he truly loves as well? The film is a sexy ride that mirrors reality.  Passages adds fuel to the emotional fire that thrives on the film’s conflict which is caused by lust, confusion, and jealousy.

The concept of separation speaks strongly in the film. The film’s writing is strong in exploring that it appears there is no easy door of departure for Tomas, Martin, or Agathe. However, there is still some strange connection between the three characters.  Martin’s personality helps the film to find calm in spite of the harsh situation that Tomas has created. Ben Whishaw who plays Martin does a fine job portraying an introverted, artistic nerd.  His role as the one dealing with frustrations fits the dismissive side of his character. Also, the part of Franz Rogowski as Tomas effectively displays his character’s boredom. The layers of solitude and quiet help the film’s tensions slowly boil, and then there are moments where tensions explode in upsetting scenes. There are no easy roads in Passages. There are only paths in which problems must be dealt with for the sake of Tomas and Martin, and for the sake of Tomas and Agathe. Who is the happy couple? In the end, happiness depends upon the truth and Passages will make its viewers want the truth.

This film is a unique, artistic revelation. Passages is faithful in portraying how humans want to go with their gut and how humans take risks which impact everyone in their lives. The risks Tomas takes impact the feelings of Martin. Is there a place where their hearts truly lie? Find out in Passages. Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Sympathy for the Devil Review

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In the beginning of Sympathy for the Devil, there is the presence of a man with struggles which gives a vibe of noir direction. That approach gets the audience prepped for dangerous and unexpected moments. The famous saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” comes to mind as the unsettling tone in the film gets eerie. Sympathy for the Devil is different in the way it finds its terror because it is based on personalities and characterizations which add shock value instead of violence. Evil does reign, however, but is created through the film’s suspense.

The film focuses on The Driver (played by Joel Kinnaman). He has a wife that is in hospital and is due to have a baby. The Passenger (played by Nicholas Cage) gets into The Driver’s car. The Passenger asks The Driver to, “Pick a card,” and when a card is selected, The Driver becomes the new hostage of The Passenger. Viewers know there is going to be some unsettling moments when The Passenger scarily says to The Driver, “I’m your family emergency now!” Cage’s portrayal of the bad guy isenhanced with demonic looks and his attitude causes tensions to rise. The Passenger wants The Driver to drive him from Las Vegas to Boulder City, but there is no explanation to why. This means that The Driver’s life may be on the line. With The Driver being extremely anxious and scared for his life, it is literally as if the Devil has found The Driver. The Devil is Cage himself.

Ominous music plays in the background of this scary journey. The choice of music keeps thae noir vibe in tune and the horror feels more real as it deepens. Cage’s performance as The Passenger ranges from normal to condescending and vicious. The more he talks, the worse it gets. The farther they go, the worse the danger becomes. The Driver is put to the test of survival. Kinnaman’s role is one of perseverance and bravery, but it may not be enough to survive Cage’s role of mayhem and danger.

Cage’s outbursts are surreal and intriguing, which add to the suspense. His performance proves his evil side is no joke in Sympathy for the Devil. The chances of escape for The Driver are slim because he has no idea what The Passenger is capable of until he does something dangerous. Evil is real in Sympathy for the Devil. The tension is not only due to the wicked nature of Cage’s character, but also the stories he tells before each dangerous scenario which all contain something explosive.

In all honesty, there is no sympathy in Sympathy for the Devil. It is just a predictable flick. I do give it credit for bringing back some classic road trip vibes of horror. Otherwise though, the fascination in this film is not all that remarkable. Cage’s performance is the only real place that killer fun lies in this flick. Two out of four stars for Sympathy for the Devil.