Tag Archives: Robert Pattinson

Film reviews

Primetime Review

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Written by Ajon Singh, based on the article by Luke Dittrich, and directed by Lance Oppenheim, this is Primetime. The film is based on events that occurred in 2006 with Chris Hansen, who did what he could to make television history with To Catch a Predator. The story begins with lots of surveillance, and then lots of revelations. Primetime is a magnificent and daring rollercoaster ride. Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, and he is spectacular. The moving parts in his performance explore the tension between reality and career choices. His character blurs the lines creating a world of unexpected possibilities. Primetime brought me back to the era of TV shows when most people tuned into programming like Lost and Grey’s Anatomy at night. 

In Primetime, Chris Hansen finds himself in a position to be on top with his TV series To Catch a Predator. This show involves a sting operation where he lures grown-ups who chat with minors online and then busts them. His tactics generate all kinds of buzz—some good and some bad. What it comes down to is trying to keep up with the popularity of Lost. The competition element leads to a bumpy ride for Primetime because every move poses a risk. There are risks for the show as well as for Chris given the choices he makes. An assistant named Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) goes out of her way to skyrocket the budget. This leads to Chris having to hire an actor to pose for the show. That character is Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo). Chris calls him “Decoy Dan” because of how he is the first person in a shot before Chris comes in. 

To provide some context to the show’s format, Chris and his team find predators, give them an address, and then the camera crew waits…from there Chris takes the show over. He exposes his victims, tells them what they did wrong, and televises it. The pursuit of finding people who make bad choices is written in a vivid and enticing way. Pattinson displays an egotistical manner in his performance. His character is hungry for the views needed to keep his fame afloat, but he has some personal issues as well.

As part of the NBC network (he was a correspondent for Dateline NBC), Chris’ personal issues have an impact on him. While he is playing someone trying to catch bad guys to gain popularity, his own choices catch up with him. There are moments in which infidelity, lies, and deceit come into play in his own life. These behaviors could ruin his career. So, while he is doing all he can to market To Catch a Predator, the pressure is intense. Chris is put in a mind-boggling position where he must be willing to risk his career or his team. Pattinson is outstanding playing the monster of success. Many pressures are thrown his way, and turn into a scattered puzzle that makes viewers want more. What spoke to me was how his problems kept growing. It felt like a boiling pot that made me ache for more to be enthralled by. Oppenheim knows how to harness the unique tones of the era in Primetime.

There is a scene when Chris says, “The whale is coming,”  This comment causes viewers to ponder the amount of power of a TV network. In pursuit of fame, there are always unforeseen consequences. Given the shady subject matter of Chris’ show, not everyone in this era was a fan. In the end, Pattinson’s portrayal of Hansen in an industry-driven true story is unforgettable. Four out of four stars for Primetime.

Film reviews

The Drama Review

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A title that speaks for itself. There is a level of melancholy that is disturbing enough to speak to a wide range of audiences. There are moments where a variety of strange topics reach audacity. The ultimate turmoil, however, is the relationship clashing. It is purely dramatic. Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, this is The Drama. After directing a film in which one man is showing up in anyone’s dreams in Dream Scenario, this time he creates dreams that become a negative reality. In The Drama, barriers and boundaries get crossed, and inappropriate gestures swirl. The primary setting for this entertaining disaster is a wedding.

The film’s main couple are Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson). Their wedding weekend is upon them and slowly disasters begin to arise, many of which come from social components. Emma starts talking about evil fascinations as a child as well as breaking up friendships based on loyalty and disgust. The couple’s friends are Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie). They begin to see the red flags, but the red flag scenario is just a fantasy. One that gets uglier every step of the way. 

Borgli’s direction of this dark comedy is created to showcase deceit yet be spellbinding and funny. It is quirky, but also silly in fragments. The daring chemistry between the characters solidifies the moving parts of the invigorating disasters in The Drama. The context behind the disasters makes the movie even more captivating, especially since it keeps audiences wondering if Emma and Charlie or happy or not. In addition, what is truly going on with their past and their careers? Ultimately, who is the bigger person with fewer red flags? Are many of them simply created?

One question from the film that kept spinning in my mind was, “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” That question turns the ignition at the wedding that veers into a hard place to return from. Then there is a scene where Emma tells everyone around her, “I planned to bring a weapon to school.” That backstory brings out vivid and vindictive chemistry surrounding The Drama and makes the film even more dramatic. There is plenty of context behind what is going wrong and the negative elements negativity spiral in various directions. Charlie’s nervousness escalates until he finds himself at a boiling point. Bridges are burned like crazy in The Drama thanks to the vivid and enduring direction of the film.

With everything going on in the story, it gives viewers the feeling of a burning sensation, The Drama is a portrait of sadness and depression, both of which result in bipolar motion that progresses throughout the film. There is lots of hatred, resentment, and evil fantasy moments. It is filled with turmoil as part of a tragic competition. There is a boxing match of egos between Zendaya and Pattinson that continues to rumble. The movie is stressful and enticing, but also cinematically engaging. It is a clever, yet satirical watch. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for The Drama.

Film reviews

Mickey 17 Review

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Bong Joon Ho has navigated territories that are hard to overcome as a filmmaker. He is from South Korea and has directed films that have blown audiences out of the water, especially with Parasite winning many awards in 2020. It was one of the first international films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year. From that aspect, the success of his work is how he ties themes together to create a purpose. Mickey 17 has that direction and approaches being monumental. The surfaces though, have tangents. It is a film based on the novel Mickey 7, written by Edward Ashton. Ho wrote the screenplay of this film and for those who know the foundations of his previous films, they will see the fantasy world through his eyes with Mickey 17.

Ho’s directing trait is that of having diversity among genres. Mickey 17 blends that aspect with the use of space and fantasy settings mixed with dark comedy layers. The film’s main character is Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson. The year is 2054 on an isolated planet orbiting in space. Pattinson’s voice is the narration of Mickey 17. It feels two-sided because his character is in the pattern of living and dying multiple times. Going forward, Mickey is used as a tool for high-risk endeavorswhere his many odd deaths come into play, simply because he is reusable. Under a strange and egotistical commander named Kenneth Marshall (played by Mark Ruffalo) and his wife Yifa(played by Toni Collette), Mickey must try to reassess his memories before his usage is thrown in the wrong direction, as itfrequently is. With the help of a friend, Timo (played by Steven Yeun), Mickey has does have some hope of accomplishing this. The mission though, is one that is bound to have many repeats.

The direction of Ho is bound to find its humorous aspect the purest form in Mickey 17. It is not as mesmerizing, but it is a film that feels like a video game or a sitcom on acid. This is especially true in modes where Pattinson is repeatedly talking to another version of himself, as it makes audiences curious as to which version is the brighter one. The various levels of seeming “brighter” go down a rabbit hole of catastrophic adventures with the planet and the orbit being at risk. Pattinson’s voice fuels the film with the narration providing continuous dialogue. For Ho, it is clear that he wants the full-on characterization on Pattinson.  The shifting of gears with conflicts and the world around Mickey 17 is a foundation that is complex and not always easy to follow. However, it is still a stellar film with great entertainmentvalue based upon its moving parts and qualities that endure throughout.

With Ruffalo and Collette in the roles of superiors, and Pattinson as the protagonist, it is a world that navigates its tracks by hovering over the surface. Their performances are not serious, but they build a well-crafted foundation for expectancy of a joyful ride off course. Ho is known to create disasters for cinematic effect, but I felt this time he did not accomplish much of that on the levels of his previous films. Still, Mickey 17 is well done and rapidly paced. Pattinson as one who is repeatedly disposed of and revived is where the volume of humor and contempt hit the fan here.  Mickey 17 is a universal voyage with many joyful turns that are unforgettable. Three out of four stars for Mickey 17.