Category: Film Reviews
Did The Fabelmans deserve the Golden Globes? (Review)
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(from left) Gabriel LaBelle and co-writer/producer/director Steven Spielberg on the set of The Fabelmans.
At the 2022 Golden Globes The Fabelmans won Best Drama and Steven Spielberg won best director. Personally, I could not give less of a fuck about award shows and in particular the Golden Globes (I think that's most people now anyway). Nevertheless, I think these results have a lot of people who are curious about this film. And since it was only just released in Australia, there is a huge market still waiting to be won over. So the ultimate question becomes did The Fabelmans deserve these awards or is it over hyped?
The Fabelmans is a drama/ coming of age that is based on the life of Steven Spielberg. It follows Sammy Fabelman as he falls in love with movies and struggles with his family and high school.
Tony Kushner and Steven Spielberg have written a beautiful script. From beginning to end, I was glued to the screen. Since this is based on Spielberg's early life, it adds a depth to these characters that a lot of family dramas are missing. As a result, it never felt like the movie slowed down. The pacing worked so well because of how layered these characters were.
The Fabelmans starts of as a straightforward Spielberg movie. But about halfway through, it transforms into a 50s style high school drama. The student characters became cliches and its even shot similar to Rebel without a Cause. Maybe I am on my own here but this sudden change in the style and tone kind of shocked me. I loved this aesthetic and allusion but just wished it really committed to it from the beginning.
What I did love about this film was the passion for filmmaking. Every scene that involved a camera reminded me why I love what I do – the desire for storytelling. Spielberg has such a deep and profound love for stories that he effectively imparts upon the audience. The scenes of him creating shorts as a kid and showing his family was some of the most relatable film content I have ever seen. I walked away from The Fablemans more motivated to make short films then I ever have before.
The performances in the Fabelmans were a little underwhelming. I loved Gabriel Labelle as Sammy Fabelman and Paul Dano as his father but everyone else felt kind of miscast. It's not that they were bad I just think everyone seemed to be doing different things that tonally felt off. For example, Seth Rogen was doing Seth Rogen while Michelle Williams was trying to audition for Marriage Story. It made me feel a little lost in these characters and the tone of the movie.
(from left) Reggie Fabelman (Julia Butters) and Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) in The Fabelmans, co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
I won't spoil the end scene of the movie, but it is easily the best part of the film. In particular, the performances by Gabrielle Labelle and David Lynch. These two reminded me how excited I am for the rest of my filmmaking journey – something that is often clouded in negativity. That final shot displays clearly why Spielberg is one of the greatest American filmmakers ever. It so eloquently summarises the core themes of this film and perhaps his career – his love for stories.
Ultimately, I liked The Fabelmans. While it isn't my favourite movie of the year, it was still extremely enjoyable. I think Spielberg did deserve those awards. Not only for his career achievements but also the bravery to be this personal with a movie in a way he never has before. Now all we need is a sequel that dives into his early years making movies.
Should you see The Fabelmans?
Simply for the fact that this may be Spielberg's last movie, I would definitely go see this in cinemas. While it follows a predictable plot, the writing and directing are still beautifully crafted and well worth your time. If you are into filmmaking whatsoever you will definitely like this movie.
Tags 44 Clovers, Film, Movie Review, Review
The Best Movie of 2022: The Banshees of Inisherin Review
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In 2022, there were two movies I was excited for above any other – The Batman and you guessed it, The Banshees of Inisherin. This excitement came down to one simple fact – the directors. Both Matt Reeves and Martin McDonagh are two of my favourite filmmakers in the industry. In particular, Martin McDonagh. He is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious and unique writers in the world. Every film he has made has hit me on a very profound level and changed how I view cinema and writing. So, when I saw the trailer for Banshees, I was surprised. It seemed very different from his previous work and style but nevertheless I was extremely excited.
The Banshees of Inisherin is set on a remote Island off the coast of Ireland. It is about two friends – Padraic and Colm – whose friendship falls apart and chaos ensues. The film is written and directed by Martin McDonagh and features performances by Colin Farrel, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon.
When you hear the plot of Banshees, you wouldn't expect this film to be funny. But as usual, Martin McDonagh weaves in his dark humour effortlessly. The Banshees of Insherin is the funniest film of 2022 and perhaps one of the funniest movies of the last 5 years. Colin Farrel and Barry Keoghan have incredible line deliveries and comic timing that elevates the humour of this script completely. And you cannot talk about comic timing without mentioning Pat Short and Jon Kenny. Every time we visit the bar, these two make the scene hilarious simply through their mannerisms.
What really surprised me about the Banshees of Inisherin was how beautiful it was. In particular, the colours. The way the greens of the rolling hills popped against the coastline was incredible. Almost every frame is shot with this rough ocean in the background, further reminding us how desolate Insherin really is. Ben Davis (the DOP) does an amazing job at keeping the shots interesting with a very simple backdrop.
I truly believe the core cast of this film all deserve Oscars. Every single one of them creates these compelx and layered characters in a very stripped back script (an excellent decision by Martin McDonagh). Even with completely opposing perspectives, you somehow side with both our protagonists. As well as simply being funny, the subtleties of their performances reveal a loneliness and sadness buried so deep it is hard to see. Simply put, with a different cast, this movie would not work.
Before I move on, I must talk about Barry Keoghan. In the Banshees of Inesherin, Barry gives one of my favourite performances I have ever seen. In every scene of this film, he evokes a new emotion among the audience. Whether it's comedy, heartbreak, despair, loneliness – Barry does it all. I have never seen such contrasting emotions in such a short amount of time and truly believe no one else deserves the Oscar as much as him.
One of the most incredible parts of the Banshees of Inisherin is the lasting effect upon the audience (or maybe it's just me). As you are watching the film, it's a funny enjoyable ride. Then it gets sad and then it gets really depressing. And after this, it stays in your head. The cloud of loneliness, regret and sorrow that surrounds this film kept coming back to me for the following days. I seemed to constantly be worrying about these fictional characters in a way few films have ever done. While it sounds cliché, it honestly felt like I was on that desolate Island with those characters. For anyone reading this who hasn't seen the movie, don't judge the Banshees of Inisherin upon the first watch. Wait a couple days and then really think about how this movie made you feel.
Tags Movie Review, Review
Is Avatar: The Way of Water underrated? (Non-Spoiler) Review
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I am pretty sure I am in the majority when I say I didn't give a shit about the first Avatar, and I especially didn't give a shit when they announced the new one. It's not a hot take but this franchise never pulled me in or made me care. Nevertheless, I knew I had to see it. For the visual effects alone, I knew it would still be an entertaining and thrilling watch. But after seeing it in a packed-out cinema yesterday, I can safely say I was surprised…
James Cameron made an excellent decision going into this film that completely saved it for me – Avatar 2 isn't about Jake Sully or Neytiri. Instead, it is about the kids. One of the worst parts about that first movie is how boring the protagonists are. They have no charisma and charm and have a super predictable arc. In this movie, we explore the relationships between the children and the reef clan. These characters are engaging and for once I care about these blue people on the screen. It truly saved the franchise and made me excited to see them grow up.
As the lights went dark and the film started rolling, I quickly settled into the world of pandora once again. Avatar 2 starts at a breakneck speed that I loved. It gets the audience up to date and doesn't waste any time. What's even better is that the film keeps this pacing. It bounces between action set pieces in a thrilling first hour. Then, we go into the Water Clan. Now I enjoyed the dynamics between the families and a lot of the underwater scenes, but it just goes on for about 15 minutes too long. In particular, the Tulkun set peices. I get it's pivotal for the themes and arcs but some of it could be cut out.
You can't talk about Avatar 2 without going into the Visual Effects. They are obviously incredible. I think they especially shine in the action scenes in the final act. The way the fire and water bounce of each other is astonishing. I also love the style of this film. Each shot has this super exaggerated lighting that is refreshing amongst a slate of grey action films. The colours pop and bounce and the Navi were never not convincing as real beings.
While all of these elements worked for Avatar, it still had some fundamental flaws. The main weakness (which has been said plenty) is that the story is predictable. It has no twists or turns and went the exact way I expected. Although it didn't ruin the movie for me, this needs to change if they want to keep this franchise exciting.
Another core issue I had with Avatar 2 was the performances. Everyone kind of blended in together for me and didn't stand out. It's not that they were terrible it's just a movie this big should have better performances. I truly believe it's because James Cameron is so focused on the VFX and action that he doesn't give his attention to the actors. Even Kate Winslet felt underutilised with her range. I know how talented these actors are and I would love to see them really attempt something bigger in the following movies.
SHOULD YOU SEE AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER?
Absolutely. Avatar 2 is a movie that must be seen in cinema for the Visual Effects alone. While the story is predictable, it is still a thrilling and entertaining ride that has incredible action set pieces.
Tags avatar 2, avtar, Movie Review, Movies, Review
Glass Onion Non Spoiler Review: The Best Movie of 2022?
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Knives Out was one of the best movies of the last 5 years. It is one of the most entertaining and rewatchable movies I have seen in a long time and will undoubtedly be considered a classic in 10 years. So… the question becomes how do you top this and more importantly is it even possible? Can Rian Johnson improve upon one of the most loved and successful movies of the last 5 years? Truthfully, yes… Read on for more.
(Since this movie is very easy to spoil and I understand how easy it is to ruin it, I will keep it very broad and simple.)
Before I watched this, I was trying to work out what Rian Johnson could do to keep the audience guessing and surprised. As a filmmaker, it is embarrassing for me to admit that I had no ideas. Despite this, Rian creates a new and compelling that story that will keep you glued to the screen from the beginning. It goes in directions I didn't expect at all and plays upon the traditional narrative perfectly. Rian Johnson knows exactly what the audience is expecting and manipulates it from beginning to end.
One of the best parts about the first Knives Out is the characters. They each feel completely different to the other and are addicting to watch. I truly believe Knives Out A Glass Onion has better characters. Each one is a very clever and refreshing take on the modern celebrity. But what's even more important is that they feel like real people. They have multiple layers that are revealed as the movie progresses and while they have flaws, you understand where they are coming from.
On top of this, they are cast perfectly. Everyone in this movie brings these characters to life. With a different cast, this movie is nowhere near as gripping and entertaining. I think lately films just load up on huge casts only to get ticket sales. But with Knives Out 2, it feels like each actor was chosen for the character and not for their level of fame. Cough Cough Amsterdam cough.
Before I move on, I have to talk about Daniel Craig. This character that him and Rian Johnson have created is one of the best movie detectives I have ever seen. He is this weird mix of being an idiot while also a genius that I love. It is a unique and refreshing character that I could truly watch an entire season of. Also, he is just very funny. No matter how simple the line is, he manages to always deliver it perfectly.
While I loved this movie, there was definitely a slump. About halfway through, I just found myself a little bit bored. I think in moments it treats the audience a little stupid and takes too long explaining things. It isn't terrible it's more just feels like the run time could be cut down by about 10-15minutes. Also, I think some of the humour doesn't really work. It occasionally just feels forced and never seemed to get many laughs in the cinema.
One of the most important parts of a murder mystery is the twist. Now in the first Knives Out, the reveal never felt surprising or satisfying to me. In the sequel, I kind of feel the same way. But I think that's on purpose. There are so many other twists and turns in this movie that the killer or killers doesn't seem important. Instead, I think Rian Johnson wanted to focus on creating twists as the movie progresses instead of in the last few moments.
Should you watch Knives Out A Glass Onion?
Definitely. This movie is a very entertaining and enjoyable watch that will keep you guessing from the beginning. While the cinema run is over, watch it as soon as it's out on Netflix so it doesn't get spoiled for you.
Tags 44 Clovers, Brisbane Filmmakers, glass onion, interivew, knives out, Movie Review, Review, Reviews
Black Panther Wakanda Forever (Non-Spoiler Review)
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I think I must be one of the few people in the world who didn't love the first Black Panther. While the first two thirds were great, that last act was so terrible that I cannot rate the movie highly. But after seeing the trailer for Black Panther Wakanda Forever, I was excited for the sequel. It looked like a completely new direction for this series and the MCU entirely. But does it live up to the hype of the first movie? Read on for more.
Black Panther 2 is unlike any other Marvel film (the closest one I would compare it to is Winter Soldier simply for the pacing). It is a carefully crafted movie that takes it's time with each character. While it does have some moments where it drags, the story doesn't feel like we are trying to get from Point A to Point B but instead delves into some heavy concepts. In particular, the exploration of grief and vengeance creates one of the most emotionally layered and complex Marvel Movies. It effectively feels like such a breath of fresh air in the recent slate of formulaic films.
What adds to this excellent writing is a beautiful looking film. Each shot is vibrant and bursting with colours. The costumes, lighting and set design keep your eyes glued to the screen and add a depth to these incredible worlds. On top of this, the VFX look realistic. With the recent Marvel films looking like garbage, Black Panther 2 once again stands out. Only 2 shots in this movie look a little rough and that is completely respectable considering the scale of these set pieces.
The action in Black Panther Wakanda Forever never feels like the focus of the film. It is simply a backdrop for the story. Nevertheless, the few actions set pieces in this movie are very entertaining. Ryan Coogler weaves in his signature style to create fast paced and high stakes fight scenes. Each punch feels like it hurts and for once we see some people get stabbed.
What I loved most about this movie was the performances. Maybe it is because they are drawing from Chadwick Boseman's passing but every actor is bringing 120%. In particular, Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett. How they portray their grief for T'CHalla's death is some of the most outright heartbreaking acting the MCU has ever seen. I also loved the introduction of Tenoch Huerta as Naymour and Dominique Thorne as Ironheart. As usual, they have cast actors who are perfect for these roles, and you instantly want to see more of.
The final act of this movie had me on the edge of my seat. Not because of the suspense or stakes but simply because I thought they would botch the ending like every other Marvel film. But honestly, they didn't. Ryan Coogler wraps up this spectacular film with an amazing action set piece and a touching conclusion for Chadwick Boseman.
Should you see Black Panther Wakanda Forever?
Definitely go see this in cinemas. It is an epic story that deserves to be seen on a big screen. And if you loved the first film, this one is even better.
Tags 44 Clovers, black panther, Cinema, forty four clover, Movie Review, Movies, Review, Reviews
Marvel's first step in the right direction – Werewolf by Night Non-Spoiler Review
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Over the past three years, Marvel's track record has not been the best. Out of the last five movies only one stood out for me. While the shows are entertaining, they are formulaic. More and more, I am hearing people bag on this universe even though they once loved it – something that is completely justified. In all honesty, Marvel is just losing its way. It has started to focus on quantity not quality.
But one week ago, I heard about a new movie coming out that would be a 50-minute Halloween special. Instantly, I was intrigued. The idea of Marvel doing something new and refreshing in their slate of films sounded incredible. That film was none other than Michael Giachino's Werewolf by Night.
Harriet Sansom Harris as Verussa in Marvel Studios' WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.
If you do not know what this film is about, I will quickly break it down (the marketing for this was rubbish so I'm assuming most of you don't). Werewolf by Night is a 50-minute horror film set in the MCU directed by composer Michael Giachino. It is about a group of monster hunters who gather to hunt a creature to compete for an ancient relic.
The tone of this movie is incredible. Michael has balanced this campy and fun horror vibe with a little touch of the Marvel formula. While at times it could have dived more into the horror side, I loved the allusion to 50s' horror movies. The black and white grainy film was an amazing choice and enhanced this call back. Even the slight moments of gore fit this movie perfectly and had me wincing.
One of the core reasons this movie works is the set design and style. Each location in Werewolf by Night is truly haunting. The maze especially is by far the best location Marvel has ever created. It feels like a cheap and tacky horror ride that you are on with the characters. As a result, the whole film is such a stark contrast to the MCU. There is no CGI planets or a greyed out New York. Instead, we are brought back to a classic real-life set.
Even the fight scenes in this film feel new and refreshing. Zoe White (DOP) uses light in this movie to make each fight scene look beautiful. The flashes of bright light keep the audience engaged and glued to the screen. And it doesn't stop there. The rest of this movie looked gorgeous. Despite some dodgy VFX, Werewolf by Night reminded me how powerful black and white truly is.
The performances in this movie are excellent. Gael Garcia Bernal brings a whole new layer to this type of character I haven't seen. He is so calming and casual in his role which is a perfect contrast as his character develops. Laura Donnelly was great, but I think her character needed a little more screen time. She didn't have enough scenes to flesh her backstory and as a result it felt a little flat. On the other hand, Harriet Sanson was amazing. I love when an actor fully commits to being over the top and outlandish and that's exactly what she did.
Should you watch Werewolf by Night
Yes absolutely. Wait until night, grab some popcorn and watch this film. It is a very fun and entertaining movie that I think is very important for the MCU.
Tags 44 Clovers, Brisbane Film, horror, horror short film, Marvel, MCU, Movie Review, Review, werwolf by night
Is Don't Worry Darling that bad? (No Spoiler Review )
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After years of drama, gossip and rumours Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling is finally here. Before the film was even released, it had been trashed for the performances and plot. This can instantly destroy a movie. Audiences go into the cinema jaded by reviews or potentially don't even see it. So is Don't Worry Darling as horrible as everyone says? Is Harry Styles' performance that atrocious?
Don't Worry Darling is one of the most beautiful looking films of the year. The cinematographer – Mathew Libatique – creates this pristine and elegant world. Every shot has the perfect light that accentuates this idyllic 1950s' town. While the constant lens' flares aren't for me, I am 100% here for the world that he and Olivia Wilde have created.
Beautiful cinematography needs to be coupled with a well-constructed and tight plot. With a run time of 2 hours and 3 minutes, the audience must be kept engaged from the get-go. Unfortunately, I was not. I just found myself kind of bored in this movie. Scenes drag on for way for too long and once you figure out what's coming, it just feels kind of bland. I know Olivia tried to include some moments to keep you hooked but they just weren't enough. Ultimately, the beats of this story feel repetitive and dragged out.
What really failed for me in this movie was the horror. I understand it's meant to be more psychological than physical, but it felt very flat. I cannot even recall some of the sequences because of how forgettable and repetitive it was. It didn't feel like any new horror was brought to the table but instead just repeating what has been done in cinema for the last 30 years.
Florence Pugh certifies herself as an incredible actress. She is so talented at being scared that if all she did for the next 10 years was horror I wouldn't mind. On top of this, Florence delivers some dodgy lines excellently. I truly believe she puts this film on her back and carries it to the finish line.
Now the backlash on Harry Styles' performance is warranted – it's not great. He isn't even that bad it's just that there are so many other talented actors out there who would have smashed this role. It always feels like he is trying to give an Oscar worthy performance by screaming and yelling a lot when it isn't warranted and doesn't make sense. In a movie this high budget and high concept, Harry doesn't belong.
Everyone else is good. Chris Pine replicates this type of Andrew Tate man in a way that I haven't seen in a film yet (no spoilers). Olivia Wilde shows off her comic abilities and adds this light-hearted touch to the film. Gemma Chan and Nick Kroll were amazing but just not in it enough. With all of Nick's talents, he should have been in this film much more.
Before I go into spoilers, I want to highlight the soundtrack. John Powell has created a new and refreshing horror movie sound. Every time it played it made me genuinely remember to write about how good the music was. He has blended breathing, humming and music together to create a chilling horror theme that feels very different to everything being made right now.
!!!!SPOILERS!!! (RANT)
The twist in this movie is one of the most predictable and bland pieces of writing I have seen. 15 minutes into this film I had guessed what it was and spent the rest of the film praying it wasn't that. The problem with Don't Worry Darling is that the writer and director think they have this Sixth Sense level twist on their hands and spend the whole movie building up to it. But it isn't. Instead, the audience should have been shown earlier what is going on and the rest of the film should have been her working it out and attempting to escape. Imagine if this film had a similar plot to the Truman Show but really focused on how horrifying and scary this situation is. There could have been stronger ties to abusive relationships and control instead of this washy garbage. There is just so much wasted potential for this high concept idea that really could have been something special.
Should you see it in cinemas?
No, this is definitely a streaming movie. While all the pieces are there, it ultimately just falls flat due to a predictable script. If Harry Styles wasn't in this film, it would be on Amazon Prime right now.
Tags 44 Clovers, Brisbane Film, Cinema, Dont worry darling, Film, florence pugh, harry styles, Movie Review, Movies, olivia wilde, Review
Three Thousand Years of Longing Review
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George Miller is back with his third film in 10 years. Mad Max, Babe, Happy Feet – all critically and financially successful and yet we rarely see his name pop up in the credits. So something big had to be next for Miller. And that ambitious film was none other than Three Thousand Years of Longing. A film so unique and different that it makes complete sense for Miller to direct. But was this film worth his return to directing? Does it live up to the hype of his previous films?
Three Thousand Years of Longing is a romantic / fantasy film written and directed by George Miller. It sees a lonely scholar – Tilda Swinton – who is granted three wishes by a Djinn (Idris Elba).
Every time you go to the cinemas, you kind of know what you are already going to see. Between trailers and marketing, you have a pretty rough idea of what is coming. I was completely blindsided by this film. Three Thousand Years of Longing shocked me from beginning to end and that is for one core reason – the sound design.
I haven't seen a movie as precise and careful with its use of music and sound in a long time (probably Mad Max actually). Each scene uses it so sparingly that it makes the audience glued to the world in front of them. Even the transitions between locations use natural sound to make the film flow. But what accentuates this creative choice is the writing.
George Miller and Augusta Gore have replaced music with a script that feels like a song. The dialogue has a perfect rhythm that makes this film flow. You almost forget the lack of music when the words spoken by Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba feel poetic. For a film about storytelling, Miller understands exactly what makes a story work. It is not about the visual elements but instead the spoken word and that is exactly why this narration works so well. And while these effects were striking, they were not what made me love this film. Instead, it was the movies core theme.
The emphasis on the importance of storytelling to humanity is a perfect golden thread and something that means a lot to me. Three Thousand Years of Longing not only reminds the audience on why we need stories to survive but also the different forms they can take. It accomplishes this through roughly 6 separate stories each more intriguing and different then the last. With different themes and messages, they will leave any audience wanting to spend more time in the mind of George Miller.
Like a song however, the film ebbs and flows. It did have moments where I lost interest and was not completely gripped by the story. I think it comes down to the run time. While an hour and 40 minutes is by no means a long film, I do think it could have been cut down. If this film was 15 minutes shorter, the pacing would have been fantastic. When so much time is spent in one location, it is pivotal that the audience is still hooked by the story and especially the actors.
(Spoilers)
Now I did like the performances of Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. In fact, I loved them. They both did an excellent job of displaying loneliness and how it affects people in different ways. Also, what stories can mean to people's lives. Where their performances fell a little flat was in the chemistry. I never felt the love between them. While they bounce off each other well, the sudden turn in the story didn't make sense for these characters. It felt like a sharp right turn in a direction I didn't think these George Miller and these actors were going for.
Should you see this film?
Yes absolutely. It is a movie that will sit with you for days on end. Not only is it a completely original story but it is the craft of it that will keep you hooked. However, I do recommend going in expecting a slower pace and a different method to most Hollywood movies.
Tags 44 Clovers, Brisbane Film, Cinema, Film, Filmmaking, George Miller, Review
Is Nope Jordan Peele's Best film? (Non-Spoiler Review)
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After two box office hits, Jordan Peele is finally back. He is one of the few directors in Hollywood whose name brings a certain level of respect. Like Robert Eggers or Ari Aster, you are already going to see his film before you know what it's about. Nevertheless, there are two things you expect from a Peele film – 1. A tense and gripping horror and 2. A strong and clever social commentary. With so few films under his belt, it is truly an accomplishment he has already achieved this reputation. But does Nope follow this path? Does it live up to the hype of two previous smash hits?
From the beginning to the end of this film, I was hooked. There was never a dull moment. In a 2hr and 15-minute run time this is an incredible accomplishment and a perfect representation of how good a writer and director Jordan Peele is. Butnot everything worked. Nope has some parts I absolutely loved and moments that just didn't work for me.
Predictable
I was never shocked with this film. Sure, there was some slight twists, but nothing really surprised me. I think this is a real shame considering how many incredible and clever twists there were in Get Out and Us. Maybe it's due to trailers showing way too much (I avoided them as much as I could) but I knew where the story was going before I even saw it.
As a result, this affected the ending of the film for me. Obviously, I won't spoil it but it just wasn't satisfying. I didn't feel the entire story was completed and it just left me wanting another twist in the plot or to see more from these characters.
Jordan Peele is a master at creating tense horror sequences. In every movie he has made, he has a couple of scenes that make you want to look as far away as possible. Nope is no different. It's so refreshing to have the UFO as this horrible force of nature because as an audience, we are so used to looking down or around us. Instead, Peele introduces this concept of being afraid of what's coming from above that hasn't really been touched upon since the 80s.
There are also some other sequences that I honestly found even scarier (no spoilers). They feel so seamless and blend into the story perfectly. Unlike most horrors, it never feels like Peele went "hey we need another horror scene here." Also, how Jordan and his cinematographer – Hoyte van Hoytema – move the camera is beautiful. They know exactly what to do to make sure you are permanently "shitting it."
The Comedy
At no point in this movie did I laugh out loud. That wouldn't be a problem if it didn't feel like Peele had written in some purposeful jokes. These actors are all completely capable of being funny it's just the movie doesn't really commit to these comedic scenes very well. Sure, they might be worthy of a slight chuckle but when it's Jordan Peele writing – one of the funniest comedians in Hollywood- you want to see some lines that make you laugh out loud.
Daniel Kaluuya was excellent in this film. I really believed this character and all the choices he made completely fit his backstory. How Daniel mumbles and is so socially awkward he can't even talk to others perfectly fits a man who has known farming and nothing more. For Keke Palmer, I really had to settle into her performance, but once I did, I loved it. I like how she starts off as this over top character and as the film moves forward, she becomes more grounded and realistic. Now Steven Yeun I also liked, I just don't think he was given as much screen time as the others. But when he was on screen, he completely solid this capitalistic money-grubbing man. Apart from Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott (both were solid but didn't stand out) that is basically the whole cast.
I don't ever really talk about sound design because most movies are samey but holy fuck the sound in Nope is incredible. Johnnie Burn does an amazing job at making you understand exactly when the UFO is about to arrive. In an interview, he mentions how the barrel in Jaws shows you when the shark is coming. For Nope, they used wind whistling to represent the alien. Simple choices like this add a whole new level of suspense. It completely immerses you in the situation and makes you that much more terrified.
Minor Spoilers
Ultimately, Nope doesn't seek to offers answers but instead make you ask questions. Like Kubrick's style of filmmaking, Peele wants you to question the world around you. Whether this be the themes of the entertainment industry, animal abuse or capitalism, I think Jordan has a specific goal of making the audience challenge their views. While these messages are buried deep deep below the surface, I love that he is not beating the audiences' head about what the film is truly about. It's subtle and it's smart. On top of this, he brings a completely new structure to this film that worked. It was a simple signposting, but it kept me engaged and focused.
Should you see this movie?
Nope is a great movie with tense horror and well written heartfelt moments that kept me hooked from the beginning. While specific elements didn't work for me – like the comedy and predictability of the plot – it is still worthy of your time. You must see it in cinemas for its incredible sound design and beautiful cinematography. Definitely go see this film.
(It's not his best movie…)
A Complete Surprise: Thirteen Lives Review
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Thirteen Lives is a survival drama based on the true story of the rescue divers that saved thirteen Thai boys' lives. Directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Colin Farrell, Vigo Mortensen and Joel Edgerton. It is a movie that came out of nowhere. Maybe it's because of Amazon's horrible marketing strategy or because the documentary had already been released, but this film had absolutely no traction behind it. Despite this, it completely shocked me. Thirteen Lives was not what I expected in any way, let me explain.
I honestly cannot tell you if it is because this is based on a true story, but this movie is one of the most tense and nerve-racking cinematic (streaming) experiences I have had in a while. Every time that Colin and Viggo entered those caves I felt like I was right there with them. Even though I knew what was coming, it didn't take away from how horrifying this film is. It doesn't feel like a standard survival movie. Instead, it feels like I am watching a horror movie and that is an amazing thing.
Ron Howard and Sayombhu Mukdeeprom have crafted this film perfectly. Directing underwater sequences would be so challenging and they both did it for weeks on end. This practical work is so effective in making the audience feel as claustrophobic and tired as the divers were. Having a cinematographer who specialises in underwater photography is an excellent choice and one of the core reasons these sequences work. But perhaps what is most important is that it never feels like a Hollywood movie. Every underwater scene feels authentic and such a stark contrast to the CGI garbage that is being pumped out lately.
I think the script is going to divide a lot of film lovers. For me, it works perfectly. Thirteen Lives sticks to the events of the story and nothing more. It doesn't dive into back story, character arcs or even the Thai boys. In a BTS interview, Ron Howard specifically says he wanted to be as "journalistic as possible." I love this decision. We get to completely focus on this story and not get side-tracked with some forced backstory of our main characters. It feels so procedural and realistic that it adds even more suspense to this already thrilling story.
Thirteen Lives has an incredible core theme. The film is about community. In particular, the Thai community. This golden thread of sacrificing yourself for others is weaved in so subtly you could almost miss it. Ron Howard does an excellent job of showing that when people come together great things happen. The divers, families, villagers all give up what is important to them for the greater good.
Everyone in this film is bringing their A game. There is not one person in Thirteen Lives who did not completely sell me on the stakes and danger of this mission. Obviously, Colin Farrell and Vigo Mortensen are excellent. I loved the chemistry between these two, it felt like they had known each other for years. Furthermore, Joel Edgerton comes in at just the right time. He is so talented at being afraid and scared that it added a whole new layer of pressure to the task at hand. These three actors don't have much to work with and yet I completely understand them as people. I knew their motivations and fears as soon as they stepped on screen.
I also want to shoutout the actors playing the Thai boys. I think they did an excellent job of capturing how afraid and drained these kids would have been. Every time they were on screen, I completely believed their performance and consequently had this constant fear for their lives.
One Issue
There is only one problem with this film, and it bugged me as soon as it started – it wasn't released in cinemas. Usually, I don't give a fuck about where a movie comes out but when it is a film like this, it feels disrespectful to not see it on a big screen. It just would have been so much more captivating with proper speakers and a huge IMAX screen. I know it's where cinema is moving but a movie like this will always make me want to see it in a cinema.
SHOULD YOU SEE IT?
Abso – fucking – lutely. Thirteen Lives is an excellent and well-crafted movie that kept me gripped from the moment it started. While the run time may seem long, it never drags or feels like the 147 minutes it is. Definitely go watch this film on Amazon Prime.
Tags 44 Clovers, Brisbane Film, Brisbane Filmmakers, Colin Farrel, Movie Review, Review, Thirteen Lives