Tag Archives: Steven Soderbergh

Film reviews

Black Bag Review

Leave a comment

Director Steven Soderbergh has an eye for making his characters fly suspiciously below the radar. He has a sense of direction that sends off vibes that allow audiences to know there is an operation that does not make sense. He has done this successfully with his films ranging from Sex, Lies, and Videotape to Erin Brockovich to Solaris to Contagion to Presence. The major difference is that Black Bag centers around espionage—which adds a layer of confidentiality to its writing. There are moments of vividness in this film, but the pacing tends to fall off the tracks in some parts.

Black Bag centers around the core theme of betrayal mingled with loyalty and deception. The film focuses on Kathryn St. Jean (played by Cate Blanchett), an undercover agent. Her husband is George Woodhouse (played by Michael Fassbender), an agent as well. There is a sense of a nation at risk due to dishonesty involving the spy tactics of Kathryn and George. However, the picture is painted showing Kathryn as the one making the matter seem harmful. The other characters involved are Clarissa DuBose (played by Marisa Abela), Freddie Smalls (played by Tom Burke), Dr. Zoe Vaughan (played by Naomie Harris), Col. James Stokes (played by Rege-Jean Page), and Arthur Stieglitz (played by Pierce Brosnan). All these characters are key to the film’s primary puzzle. The cat-and-mouse game approach proceeds along a professional track. To clarify, there are no haunting surprises or outbursts of truth. Neither would be the style I would expect from Soderbergh.

The film labels Arthur as the superior of the spy operations. With George and Kathryn as husband and wife, the curiosity related to who they trust and can communicate with provides on going questions. Some moments one seems more trustworthy than the other. Audiences will want to focus on the personalities and tactics of everyone involved—that is the key to the film’s underlying pattern. In retrospect, there is the fear of something to lose which is the subject of the breach. To some extent, the story keeps trying to cover up the answers through the characters’ egos and professional backgrounds. The two-faced dynamics that every character possesses offers additional lines of questioning in Black Bag.

As someone who has always been fascinated by Soderbergh, I was pleased with the calculation of focus in this film. Unfortunately, the methods of execution and ultimate resolutions led me into a state of disarray. Even though many moments are quirky and slow as expected, there is no proper meaning to the conclusion. It is almost like a more serious version of 12 Angry Men. The primary differences are the people and their jobs which cause lingering issues with the level of trust. At various points I had the notion that I was going to figure out that everyone is at fault—which is not the case. The dynamics of this film had me sold, however its subtle approach is written in a way that felt dry. Overall, it is a fun Soderbergh flick with plenty of interesting scenes. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Presence Review

Leave a comment

Director Steven Soderbergh makes the audience feel like they are the main character in Presence. Written by David Koepp, the story of a moving ghost and making the family the center of attention capture surreal value throughout the entire film. For clarification, the cameras and the whole frame are at the center of the film because every angle of the film moves during each moment of conflict or importance. While it is a bit shaky in some instances, the result is steady and perfect. Nothing even close to the shaky experience in The Blair Witch Project (1999). However, the film’s continuity and movement are clear and concise. I thought a lot about how Koepp’s writing feels like you’re following a story, and in this case it is through the moving angles of a hidden ghost.

The film is focused on a family that moves into a new home. The mom and dad are Rebekah (played by Lucy Liu) and John (played by Chris Sullivan). Their children are Chloe (played by Callina Liang and Tyler (played by Eddy Maday). Once the film begins, the dynamics of this family are captured effectively. Their disagreements weave back and forth through the motions of the camera (and the ghost is the camera.) However, they have a notion that their home is not normal, especially given frequent instances when the house is rumbling, and the lights are flickering. The audience is made to feel like they are the ones in control because of the way close-ups are used every time there are suspenseful moments. Soderbergh’s use of characterizations and realism are melded in a way that creates real stress and shocker moments for the audience given his careful direction of Presence.

As the camera/ghost weaves through rooms, the monumental lighting creates an atmosphere that highlights the characters. This produces anxiety in scenes when Chloe is with her boyfriend Ryan (played by West Mullholland). When they are together doing activities, the audience gets the sense that Ryan may be a bad influence. However, since the house can rumble, it feels as if the ghost is the protagonist preventing the antagonistic events in Presence. When Ryan has an evil plan, a rumble erupts. When there is a matter of concern, the camera pans closely on one of the characters. At the same time, the concern regarding what is making the house experience strange episodes is the central concern in Presence. The moving parts from the minds of Soderbergh and Koepp create a intriguing environment where outcomes are unpredictable, and tension spirals.

There are hidden events which may be the reason why there is a spirit lurking around the house.  There are hints in the story about someone who was important but lost. However, it leaves the audience hoping the invisible actions create more good than bad. The realistic human feelings are seen through the eyes of the invisible actions. This film takes a bold and new approach by Soderbergh which is genius and compelling. Three-out of four stars for Presence.