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Film reviews

A Quiet Place: Day one Review

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This is the third film in the franchise. However, this one starts at the beginning. The other two films were directed by John Krasinski and this one is directed by Michael Sarnoski. The beginning of A Quiet Place: Day One reminded me of an approach that that director Roland Emmerich might take. For example, it feels like the catastrophes in this film are leading up to a scenario in which the world is reaching its breaking point. A Quiet Place: Day One gives off vibes where sounds are of the essence. The New York streets shiver for survival and shelter. The creatures who follow vividly stroll the streets. There is a backdrop of evaporating mist that tangles effectively with the film’s suspense. And, it works!

The film begins in New York City. The main character is Sam (played by Lupita Nyong’o). She  is dealing with a disease andliving in a hospice unit. She wishes for pizza. Once she embarks on her journey to downtown New York City, the ravenous invasion of aliens comes alive. The beginning of the franchise rises, and everything comes tumbling down. People scream and run away completely scared. Sam is in the thick of the danger.She wakes up in a shelter and realizes that everyone around her is quiet. She quickly learns that staying quiet is the means to live. Despite the catastrophe all around her and not having long to live, she continues to focus on getting pizza.

Sam’s effort to find pizza during the apocalypse sends a clear message and represents a strong approach. It puts the audience in the mindset of thinking about what their last meal would be. I certainly pondered that question during the movie. The foundations of A Quiet Place: Day One are surreal and build gradually. I have respect for the more subtle attitude displayed in the direction of Sarnoski. His style was especially impressive given that this is a thriller where time is of the essence and characters must remain dreadfully silent.

Sam is not the only character facing danger. She befriends Eric (played by Joseph Quinn). Eric and Sam join up to find the means to fight for their lives. The depths of New York crawl with the creatures. The sporadic sounds cause them to linger repeatedly. However, there is more than just the silence in A Quiet Place: Day One. Sam and Eric’s journey creates an understanding that is fitting for the franchise.

A Quiet Place: Day One is full of scenes that make the audience feel stressed. The silence is presented in extreme ways which serve to heighten the suspense. Will Sam and Eric find a way out? What are the other factors they should consider? A Quiet Place: Day One brings moments of excitement that are unexpected with knockout surprises. This film is a thrill ride of shocks with meaning that lead to an unforgettable journey. While it is slow in some moments, overall it still shines. Three out of four stars for A Quiet Place: Day One.

Film reviews

MaXXXine Review

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The three Xs in the title are the correct context of MaXXXine. Ti West is back with a sexual and prolific adventure with no boundaries. The 1980s Hollywood era is mixed with tons of lethal drugs and behaviors. MaXXXine is a dangerous expedition. West did a thriller with the adult film industry in  X and Pearl. Both films opened in 2022. Mia Goth has been in both and continues to be the frightening and audacious actress in MaXXXine.

The eras of Hollywood are always a joy of grandeur for me especially when it makes its focus to be risky or risque scenarios. All the stories many have heard about Hollywood’s history play well into MaXXXine. MaXXXine though, had me in a bind. It is bonkers and quickly curated around its dangerous aspects, but is there meaning behind it? The film itself. The film tends to go down the road of being sexually horrific for the sake of it.

To explain the concept of the film, Goth is Maxine Minx. The three X’s make the point clear that she is an adult movie star. She is one of the bad choices. She does tons of drugs and is addicted to fuels of fame. She even has a nasty attitude. Regardless, she feels she is the sexy queen that conquers the world. However, the film takes place in the era of the night stalker scenario. Maxine finds herself with people who have been killed after the fact that she has seen them. Detective Torres (played by Bobby Cannavale) and Detective Williams (played by Michelle Monaghan) try to get to the bottom of Maxine’s involvement. However, Maxine is oblivious and only tries to remember she is the best.

Another officer John Labat (played by Kevin Bacon) comes around. He has got that dirty cop vibe. He is on the list of hatred for Maxine. The film is a dynamic of Maxine meeting bizarre individuals as the night stalker murder abounds. What is more invigorating? The fact that Maxine is an adult film star? The fact that it is around the night stalker scenario? The film begins to go down a road where personality is damaging. From that, I found the writing to start to have a blur.

Even around the personalities of the film, it is a ride that is average. “Average” in terms of performance and quality. Goth’s performance may be surreal, but her role in this one did not do it for me as much. That is more because I felt she was playing the same role in X and Pearl. Only this time, her way of revenge is getting people crushed in their vehicles. It is also one where bizarre exorcisms come around, and they are hard to take seriously.

The concept is interruption of fame. With all the murder moments zooming back and forth, it is Maxine being distracted from her privileged life. MaXXXine deserves three X’s because that is all the film cares about and so does the role of Goth. Drugs, sex, and murders, just keep going down the aisles. The presentation is bulky which is hard to manage. I found myself thinking how much more over-the-top grotesque moments do I have to endure? Will anyone find joy in this one? I will say I did on some levels. But I wish there was more meaning than over-the-top celebrity nonsense mended with a murder scenario. My rating falls at two out of four stars for MaXXXine.

Film reviews

Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1 Review

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Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1 is a film by Kevin Costner that builds upon the foundation of the pre- and post-Civil War era. I found myself enthralled with the movie due to its aesthetic value set amidst the turmoil. Horizon: An American Saga is just the beginning as the second chapter opens later in August. Although the lengthy film dragged at time, I was sold.

The dynamics in the story take place in the years 1861 to 1865. There are many events taking place throughout Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1. One event features a settlement built in Apache territory. Another event is an Apache raid that leads to several deaths as well as families without homes. A third event involves Indigenous land and moral codes not finding common ground. Territory, race, ownership, politics, and authorities clash and boil during this saga. It is an aching ride of conflicts.

The film’s writing is vast when it comes to the personality of authority, Lt. Trent Gephardt (played by Sam Worthington). Heleads the people who have lost homes to safety in a sanctuary camp. The issues related to safety do not stop in Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1. It all starts with one man marking his territory via land from the beginning.

The film also grapples with a couple trying to make ends meet through sales. They are Ellen (played by Jena Malone) and Walter (played by Michael Angarano). This is during a time when essential resources for the masses are limited. With thecomplicated moving parts and obstacles encountered inuncharted territory, the film does a fantastic job staying present in the Civil War era.

Even along the trails, the film feels like the computer game The Oregon Trail. There are individuals who try to collect water for use. They journey throughout Kansas and the Santa Fe area. The commander is Matthew Leyden (played by Luke Wilson). He makes it his mission to make sure there is water collected. The conflict comes about when they cross lands that have restrictions. The challenges during the Civil War go deeper than many anticipate and makes for a spellbinding story.

Now many may ask what Costner’s role is in the film. Costner plays Hayes Ellison, a drifter in the Wild West scenes in the film. He is the hero of the franchise. He may only come around sporadically, however, his role has a sense of purpose. Hayes knows the layout of the lands. He has an idea of where the confrontations happen. Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1 is like Tetris focused on history where conflicts arise, battles are won, or lost in defeat.

The vast scenery of Wyoming and the Montana Territory captured my imagination as they created an ambiance of grandeur. It also made me wonder if any of the same lands will be used in the second chapter.  The first chapter is a breathless adventure where revelations come to life. The authorities of the good, the bad, and the wealthy all fight for their land. Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1 is just over three hours. But with its in-depth focus, it sparks curiosities which may make the next chapter an even more enticing adventure. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter 1.