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Film reviews

Together Review

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When it comes to terror and having fragments that create elements making a scene feel even more creepy, Together captures that aspect and weaves it thoroughly. This film is written and directed by Michael Shanks and stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Franco and Brie are also the producers, the leads, and are married in real life. This is by far one of the most daring films that they have made as a couple. When connection and bonding are already in a blur, there is a force that makes disconnect impossible. This is especially true in a forest setting where a change is intended to happen.

The couple is Tim and Millie (Franco and Brie). They move out to a wooded area outside of a city setting for a change of pace.Tim is a struggling musician, and Millie is a teacher. They have underlying conflicts where resolution feels or seems complicated. Millie feels that the move is a way of restoring them. Once they get there, weird events begin to happen. Tim begins to lose his mind with anxiety and sees imagery of dark souls and moving parts. Above all that, Tim and Millie find themselves stuck with each other. The force to keep them together is harrowing and within their new home lies a key to breaking through that barrier.

The essence of an illusion and a strange upbringing with an immersive tone is where Together has that terror and classiness in its film making. The problem around the couple is one bound to be unbreakable, especially with the home bringing in so many moments of creepy attachments. At the same time, viewers will ask themselves why this is all happening. Chemistry and writing and mixed messages spiraling through the characterizations is where immersive components find a new tone of disturbing material.

Together has aspects where the weird moving parts of Tim and Millie spiral into grotesque matters. No spoilers, but I will say this is not a film to watch on a full stomach. Mostly because its glamourization is in the depths of the attachments finding themselves in rather graphic depictions. Together grapples with a relationship becoming more challenging with physical moments added on top of it. Almost like a special on the menu, but the downside is there is no sending anything back.

An above average terror ride where mentality is focused on in great depth. Stunning scenery and unexpected surprises with mixed characterizations from the performances of Franco and Brie. Freaky and at moments disgusting, but one that is bound to create memories for constructing an aspect that is different from any other horror film. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Together.

 

Film reviews

The Life of Chuck Review

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This is a film in three acts—they all go in reverse. Each event carries a multitude of what seems to be on track to be mesmerizing or revolutionary. The tracks of inspiration feel on par, although they come slowly and out of context. The Life of Chuck tries to look at life in different fragments. Directed by Mike Flanagan, it is based off of the novel written by Stephen King. Its introduction brings its audience into a place where it all seems lost, but then it transitions to a form of individuality. Once it gets to that component, it becomes sole focused on one man…Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz. Thomas Hiddleston plays the older version, Jacob Tremblay plays the middle version, Benjamin Palak plays the younger version, and Cody Flanagan plays the very young version. The universe setting of the film all revolves around Chuck, but where does its meaning truly lie?

The film begins with Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), as he is navigating the many weird disasters surrounding California. This brings him to think of his ex-wife Felicia Gordon (Karen Gillan). In uncharted times of global warming disasters, the imagery of Chuck comes up as a symbol of some meaning. Marty finds himself searching for peace within and a means to reconnect with his life. This all comes from the concept of Chuck being the figure around him, because in every moment of stress, Chuck is the spotlight. Older Chuck comes in, and he has a lot of background as a successful accountant. He is the presence that sparks the attention to finding the meaning of life. However, all of this dismisses the global warming factor in a heartbeat.

The switch over is in Chuck’s life. One of which brings him back to moments of his childhood living with his grandfather Albie Krantz (Mark Hamill). In presenting a childhood of despair the momentum is created for Chuck to be a prodigy of some kind. I appreciate the flowing aspect of seeing one having his ups and downs, especially when it comes to being a pro at doing tap dancing or having a talent for mathematics. At the same time though, I ask myself where is the film going? More just because the opening is a separate event compared to what the film leads into.

There is the saying in the film that goes, “Math can be art, but it can’t life.” That saying spoke to the meaning of the film to me the most, because it made me realize that I had to turn my mind to focus entirely on Chuck’s continuity. The ups, downs, the turmoil, the success, and the childhood—there is a revelation looking for an explanation. The lines though, do not fulfill the context in its entirety. It tends to be a lot because of the cliffhangers that fall in between the reverse storyline approach; however, there is a narration which keeps the film afloat. It is a film that guides the audience to be mesmerized by Chuck. It just does not link to the beginning very well. An artistic approach that has a hard time connecting the importance of a multitude of events  in reverse order. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

 

Film reviews

The Monkey Review

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When there is a feature of horrific scares from Osgood Perkins, it is an extravagantly adventurous treat. Perkins knows how to create elements full of surprises as a writer and a director. The Monkey contains a lot of them, even including backstories that come before the unexpected. The Monkey is a gem for its stories and the interconnected moments in which karma meets its maker. “The Monkey” is a toy that brings out the evilest of wishes and creates much peril along the way.

Perkins brings us into the story of twins: Hal and Bill (both played by Theo James). They have had a messed-up childhood due to many catastrophic events. Both accidents and bizarre deaths and accidents messed up their lives. Perkins’ focus is revealed in the title. With the presence “The Monkey” many events go awry. From childhood dangers to twisted moments, the brothers find themselves at odds and go their own separate ways. The Monkey is filled with many epic and crazy moments. The tagline on the box that reads, “Like life,” is a quote that describes the hidden can of worms waiting to be opened. Perkins knows how to entertain his audience by adding to the creative treasures The Monkey has to offer.

I was sold was on the concept from Perkins that if one faces tragedy by a stove exploding in their face, then karma is not to be dismissed. As the film continues with Hal and Bill living different lives, escaping “The Monkey” is critical. How well do they know their fate if they have had different outcomes from the many dramas they have encountered? The characterizations of their personalities and perceptions do a tango that is akin to fire from torpedoes flying gloriously and shockingly.

It is an odyssey that feels unreal because of the spectacular heights it reaches. Perkins escalates the fears of the characters and the past to a level where personification meets a new maker. The Monkey left me begging for an outcome, and I got one along with plenty of spooks. While feeling mortified. I also kept thinking about Perkins’ innovative mind. Fans will not be let down; they will be sucked in!

Perkins has a vivid imagination and knows how to place characters in the most unexpected places. With Elijah Wood playing someone who runs a church, I thought to myself that Frodo found Christ. However, it left me with a question. Does faith conflict with the outcomes in The Monkey? It may be problematic for some, but blindsiding as a tactic is essential when creating a scary flick for newer audiences. Perkins establishes a structure where hatred lies, and deadly wishes are likely. The Monkey is a film with many interactions galore that take place in a new breathtaking world.

Deep down the characters’ choices and the film’s pacing made me anxious. Once one fools around with “The Monkey” bad outcomes happen. It is like the Perkins’ version of Final Destination, but Perkins tops that by throwing in evidence and important factors which cause evil to linger in The Monkey. The treacherous feelings were awe-inspiring especially when Hal and Bill must come forth with “The Monkey” again in their lives. The words that rang in my ears were, “Whatever you do…don’t turn the keys in “The Monkey’s” back!”  Not only do the keys represent more to be fearful of, they also brought out one of the most unexpected frights I’ve ever experienced. When a director knows what it takes to shock with many unique qualities, then they also know how to bring in risks that take the cake at a surreal and award-winning level.

The Monkey is by far one of the best films I have seen since the start of this year, particularly especially in the scary movie genre. It creatively divulges and loops into the past to bring in the present. What was once dismissed always comes back with a vengeance in The Monkey. The question is, how badly will the audience want the doors to be opened? They will have to find out for themselves. This is a Perkins’ sensation filled with vivid fascination. A mesmerizing odyssey of a film that shocks its audience well. Four out of four stars for The Monkey.