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Film reviews

Don’t Move Review

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Don’t Move is a cat-and-mouse premise with a spiraling limit. Directed by Brian Netto and Adam Schindler, the testing of the waters gets vivid (rapidly) in Don’t Move. The writing is a killer with a motive. However, the “motive” does not go as planned. There is a setting with a forest and a mountain. And one hiking trip in peril with a tantalizing twist.

The film’s main character is Iris (played by Kelsey Asbille). The film begins with going on a hike to grieve the loss of her child. As she stands over the ledge on her hike, another hiker gets her attention, and he is Richard (played by Finn Wittrock). They start some small talk, but within minutes, she finds herself as Richard’s hostage. She tries many means to escape, but then she realizes that Richard has injected a relaxant into her bloodstream. Therefore, running and being in shock causes a shutdown of her motor skills. The film makes the clock tick. Can Iris escape the dangers of Richard (who is a killer)? Can Iris keep her body from shutting down? Don’t Move is like an odyssey of its audience worrying about running out of gas. However, it is in terms of human functions to survive.

Don’t Move is a film of adrenaline. It is also thought-provoking. As Iris finds herself fighting to keep her system from shutting down, Richard finds himself to be causing more disasters among himself. This is because when witnesses get in the way, he mustkeep destroying the evidence (as he is dealing with Iris). Therefore, the film creates more for its audience to think about while the chaos is already mayhem.

There is a saying in the film, “Wrong place, right time!” it is the “wrong place” for both characters because both are in harm’s way. Iris is doing everything (in her power) to run before giving Richard the chance to hurt her (even more). Richard tries to keep his act together and keep Iris in sight. Otherwise, his raging behavior sends off red signals. The suspense is all intuitive. However, it does not offer many surprises. It contains more shock value of its graphic violence.

The frequent thoughts of Iris and her body shutting down had my attention on Don’t Move. The focus of that halting effect made my head spin repeatedly. The natural setting adds to that pressure (for the audience). Limited cell service, a small town, and a race to survive.

Even though it is in tune to be shockingly disturbing, its cleverness is that its killer is not getting his way. The two-sided stressors of the hostage (Iris) and the Killer (Richard) bring in lots of damage to be considered (for its audience). The damage creates a two-to-tango dynamic intensively in Don’t Move. Overall, it is a typical continuity setup that grasps terror with misdirection. “Misdirection” with one at risk for motor skills shutting down (along with the risk of being murdered) and one running out of time to hide his uncharted territory. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Don’t Move.

Film reviews

Anora Review

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Champion of the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Anorais an absolute wonder of a film that surpasses expectations. Written and directed by Sean Baker, Anora is his best film yet and is unconventional in the way it combines comedy, drama, and romantic genres. The writing is vivid, and the story leaves audiences breathless. This is the romantic comedy masterpiece the world needs. It displays how young love includes many moments to cherish while also navigating obstacles when things do not go as planned. The setting in both New York and Las Vegas provides a grandeur of adventure that spirals in an exhilarating light. These two cities never sleep and neither does Anora.

Baker’s Anora brings audiences into a strip club setting where they are introduced to Ani (played by Mikey Madison), a young escort in Brooklyn working many shifts and doing extra deeds to make ends meet. She has a kind-hearted attitude and presents a playful face that draws the attention of men. Out of the blue, a young stud named Ivan comes into her club (played by Mark Eidelstein). Ivan falls in love with Ani at first sight. He has many sessions with her and pays her well. He brings her into his castle-like home. They have so much fun together are inseparable. Ani and Ivan have incredible chemistry which is what makes Anora so riveting). Their love story goes from Ivan having many sessions with Ani, to them falling in love, and then Ivan proposing to Ani. Once they get married, the film shifts to a conflict over an issue that tests where Ani and Ivan stand with each other.

The moving parts in Anora have deep layers that are mind-boggling and engrossing. Emotions are heightened as the plot is exposed. The surprise is that Ivan is the son of a Russian Oligarch and comes from a family of wealth and power. His rich boy life is all because of his family, and they are distraught by the fact that Ivan has married a prostitute. When the news breaks, the fight for love truly begins. Soon, Ani is caught up with the authorities in Ivan’s family who wish for their marriage to be annulled. This is where the performances of Madison and Eidelstein get emotional, suspenseful, and even funny. With their marriage happening in Las Vegas, this creates a turmoil around whether their marriage is meant to be. The writing involving these circumstances and stressors makes the film more appealing despite the amount of added anxiety.

Love makes for a dazzling portrait, and it is painted with many layers in Anora. The life of two star-crossed lovers finding each other unconventionally creates an unforgettable landscape where happiness thrives audaciously in early parts of the film. When the dynamics of the family come into play, the emotions make audience repeatedly jump out of their seats.

Young love is true and surreal in Anora. Madison’s performance is a force of determination that fuels the hopes for lasting love. When their love story seems to be falling apart, her sensational acting will cause viewers to shed tears. Anora is a wild and breathtaking flick that is full of romantic vibes that lead to self-reflection about life and love. Mesmerizing and surreal, Anora is a knockout. Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Here Review

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Director Robert Zemeckis always shines a light in his projects. He is strong at making connections that focus on what is import ant to the narrative in his projects.  Whether it is highlighting the accomplishments of a man with a low IQ in Forrest Gump or an alcoholic pilot who saves lives while also struggling with his own errors in Flight. Zemeckis has a unique way of finding links to the positive and does it successfully again in Here, a Forrest Gump reunion for the ages featuring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. The movie shifts and changes scenes from the present to other time periods. Here is wonderfully told in the pattern of a story.

The flow of this film is steady and poetic, and the characterizations have a meaningful presence. Here focuses on the dynamics of families and is all about human values. Richard (Hanks) and Margaret (Wright) play a couple and during their life face various hurdles. The film uses squares as indicators that transitions are coming as the story evolves. Zemeckis has a majestic way of following the storyline. Using visual cues for switching scenes prompts audiences to be curious about what emotions to feel.

In Here, the “whoa” moments build upon each other with the aid of these fascinating visual cues.  When there is a scene with furniture, the square outlines the furniture, and then the film transitions to a different era in the same or similar setting.  This gives audiences the sense that they are in a different time in the same setting.  Relationships shift and encounter human flaws which are a significant element of the film’s true brilliance.

Zemeckis has Paul Bettany play the character named Al, Richard’s father. Bettany is younger than Hanks. Zemeckis uses make-up to create patterns for different roles with unique attitudes in diverse settings. Sometimes these patterns are good and at other times they’re confusing or even frustrating. Zemeckis has a way of directing that resembles reality by linking the bonds which result in the film’s continuity.

Here is about Richard and Margaret going through obstacles.  It makes audiences wonder how generations would behave in previous decades. There is turmoil, sadness, happiness, disbelief, and many emotional entanglements. Zemeckis turns the light on regardless of the scenario in a particular moment of the film. Even when Richard fights with Margaret, there is a transition to feeling optimistic. The optimism in Here provides a source of empowerment that demonstrates how humans can find happiness.

With the generational shifts in this film, audiences may wonder if the previous films of Zemeckis are interconnected especially since both the lead roles are from Forrest Gump. He uses aunique approach and a different mode of storytelling that connects with things that have and are happening in the real world.  The many realistic and known events play an essential role in the continuity of Here. This film will be valued and deeply cherished by fans of Zemeckis. Four out of four stars for Here.