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Film reviews

Oh, Hi! Review

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Romance and a relationship finding itself to be sabotaged are the themes in this fling of a romcom.  This is Oh, Hi!. Written and directed by Sophie Brooks, she creates turmoil in relationship direction that tries hard to find common ground. Deep below the surface though, there is uncharted territory to be navigated in a friendship that is hard to bear. It follows one relationship assumed to be serious with an odd turn that brings the film into a context of curiousness. Why is there a lie in a relationship? Why does a romantic plan have bad news at the most unexpected time?

Its main characters are Isaac (Logan Lerman) and Iris (Molly Gordon). A couple on a getaway at a cabin. A rendezvous type of adventure. One with some weird moving parts right from the beginning. Especially with the fact that an apple stand is knocked over accidentally in route for the trip. Once Isaac and Iris arrive, they show up and are in their lovie dovie mode. However, all the romance and connection all tend to be flawed. 

Even though they appear to be a strong couple, Isaac tells Iris he does not want anything serious. This leaves her in the mood to keep him locked to bed. Yes, a rather strange setup in navigating the situation. It is like a foreplay comedy trying to get truth be admitted in the form of writing lies in terms of how some may feel when dishonesty is hidden. Iris continually tries to play mind games with Isaac to get his mind and perspective to change—desperation in love is the thriving tone here.

The writing is creative in building a scenario of figuring individuals out. Especially with Iris continuously trying to look appealing while Logan is tied to a bed. She treats him like a slave but in the tone of being polite and all. That is where there is mediocrity. More just because many times audiences will wonder when the cuffs come off. This is where psychotic behaviors begin to get out of hand. It is both funny and haunting. Especially with the fact that it is all displayed in such a quirky light. Romance cannot be true via tying someone up.

If I had to elaborate, I felt a lot of the context was more around young love finding fulfillment. Also, forcing that aspect. Especially with the fact that Iris continually loses her mind while leaving Isaac handcuffed in bed. The longer Isaac is trapped, the more of a psycho Iris pans out to be This is one-of-a-kind silliness, but it is nowhere near a masterpiece. It is mediocre in its attempt to be an experimental form. A silly and comedic direction where boundaries are never established,especially since Iris continues to not untie Isaac. The act of becoming a grown-up is dismissed. A boring film trying to find its fair form in writing with no revelation. Clever premise and personalities but writing that lacks the quality to make this feel joyful or fulfilling.  Two out of four stars.

 

 

Film reviews

I Know What You Did Last Summer Review

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This is a continuation where alumni of its cast hold strong, but the momentum falls flat. I Know What You Did Last Summer has the thrills and terror to be a blockbuster and to continue in the vein of its 1997 title almost thirty years later, and with a plot that is the most predictable yet. Overall, though, I found some joy in the fact that many of the once young celebrities were back in a feature based on what made them famous back in the day. My issue though, is how I was able to predict every single outcome. I have to say I knew that going in, but the downside is that it dismisses the fundamentals of misdirection in a feature like this.

The focus of the film is on five friends, and they are Danica Richards (Madelyn Cline), Ava Brucks (Chase Sui Wonders), Milo Grifin (Jonah Hauer-King), Teddy Spencer (Tyriq Withers) and Stevie Ward (Sarah Pidgeon). They are involved in a horrid accident, and an indescribable creeper keeps stalking them making them their prey. The same setup is used as in the 1997 version with the town being back in Southport. The terrorizing event of the past is referred to as “The Southport Massacre of 1997.”  This is a tale with revisited events and alumni returning to help these new younglings in moving forward with the threat of the killer and the risks of the town finding itself in limbo.

The returned characters are Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Grant Spencer (Billy Campbell), Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and a brief glimpse of Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Ray, Grant, and Julie bring more to the table though since they have confronted a treacherous murderer before. The question though, is who can be trusted? The small town of Southport tries to keep the silence in strong forms. With the increased flow of quiet, more kills tend to happen, and with thatmore news spirals around town. It is set up where personalities mingle, and there are secrets that are looking to be uncovered. I Know What You Did Last Summer is fun in its foundational chills, however the downfall is that it leans toward being cheesy. “Cheesy” as in its writing lacks quality. The plus side though, is how it has a majority of its 90s alumni to help maintain some standards.

There is a darkness in the kills with slashing stabs. There are moments of misbelief. The tread of the depths of terror is deep and steady. The puzzle from the previous events keeps the focus at a high level. The outcome though, is mediocre. Even though I accepted the silliness, it felt good to see its cast from back in the day reliving the terrors through and upon others. Especially with Campbell and Prinze Jr, because nowadays their projects go seemingly unheard of. At least this is a fun comeback adventure for them. Overall, though, this film is rushed, funny, and kind of a bore. The gutsy scares of this script did not carry the same quality as its predecessor. I will say that my rating falls at two out of four stars for I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Fathom Entertainment, Film reviews

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (50-Year Anniversary) Review from Fathom Entertainment

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This is a film that has spanned the ages and captured audiences around the world. The story includes good times and bad, both of which have shed light on a variety of psychological and emotional issues. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is five decades old and it still holds a life-changing place in my heart. I have seen this film many times, and I have read the book. Reading the book was a hard, but captivating read for me as I tuned into the words on the page and correlated them with aspects of the movie. There is light and darkness that interweave poetically in this film set in an institution full of troubled minds.

Of course, the movie is known for the mind-boggling performances of Jack Nicholson (as R.P. McMurphy) and Louise Fletcher (as Nurse Ratched), a dynamic duo whose ongoing boxing match has invigorated the film’s fans for years. Given the many events that happen in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, I always contemplate, “What is fair?” The film is based on the novel by Ken Kesey and directed by Milos Forman. It is a masterpiece intended to be produced on stage but that touched a larger audience on-screen.

While watching the film at a local cinema in the western suburbs of Chicago with Fathom Entertainment, I could feel that the audience was enthralled. There was laughter when anticipated, and shock and awe during many emotional moments, including when Nurse Ratched puts her foot down. The abuse of power showcases the wrath of uncertainty in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. McMurphy is the only one brave enough to challenge the system and prove Nurse Ratched wrong. But when she is wrong, she still wins. When that happens, the story takes viewers on a journey of questions and answers which lead to an outcome of tolerance deep within the narrative of the film.

Even though McMurphy’s character is a bad influence, aspects of his personality show layers of empathy especially because of his close bond with his inmates. His friendships with Billy (Brad Dourif), Taber (Christopher Lloyd), Martini (Danny DeVito), and Fredrickson (Vincent Schiavelli) form a special bond that makes the film encouraging. Even though all these characters have done wrong, there is a form of goodness and inspiration within the institution.

Despite all the frustrations, there is light for those seeking change in this setting. The changes that do occur are not just because of authority. The institution is a place of routine and structure, but through the actions of the patients, some of the rigidity is challenged. Nurse Ratched is always the one who brings down the positivity or catches those who are mischievous. Although her job involves laying down the rules,when she provokes anger in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, it builds the notion in McMurphy to rebel. This classic film still successfully thrives in its 50th anniversary restoration. Four out of four stars.