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Addicted to Fresno (2015)
As a Resident of Fresno...
As a resident of Fresno I found this movie to be simply terrible. Not because of any city bashing or anything like that, it was just extremely unappealing. Fresno doesn't get very many shout-outs in film. I remember in the movie, Monsters Vs. Aliens, a Fresno name drop garnered whooping from everyone in the theatre. So when Addicted to Fresno information started popping up people here were starting to get excited. And when this reaches a wider release they will be disappointed.
This slow burn of a film felt twice it's length as we watch unlikable characters follow a predictable plot in the most unappealing way possible. I would give the director credit in making an ugly movie, fitting to Fresno, but after watching her work I think it was just a lucky\unlucky accident. I love crude humor, things that make me cringe and ugly people doing ugly things, however this just felt like going for disgusting for the sake of it. There was no substance in the script at all. I was offended solely because of any praise whatsoever that is garnered for this trashy, dense, slow "comedy".
What irks me the most is that this is supposed to prove women can work in the film industry. The story is very feminism driven and with a stacked female cast and both the director and writer being women this feels like an embarrassment to the whole idea of that. I am all for equality and the likes but choose something else to jump behind when promoting feminism. Especially when the only two people putting effort into this craft were Jon Daly and Fred Armisen.
Indie movies are indie movies for one of two reasons. It pushes the envelope in experimental and artistic ways, or it is a piece of crap movie that major studios are smart enough not to touch. I'll let you guess which one Addicted to Fresno is.
Jurassic World (2015)
Formulaic money making product.
In Jurassic World flat characters predictably run from a ridiculous reptile while the film pretends to be self aware... brought to you by Mercedes Benz, Coca-Cola, Beats, Samsung and many more great companies. Let's start by admitting that none of the Jurassic Park movies were ever more than just big summer blockbusters, Jurassic Park wasn't a flawless movie and it doesn't contribute much artistically. That being said I still thoroughly enjoy the original and think it's very well put together. Jurassic World on the other hand is a bit of a jumbled up confused mess with hints of fun.
SPOILERS
As the movie starts we are introduced to the two kids we will follow throughout the film: excited young boy and moody teenager who likes girls. While we are on the subject of characters, every single one is terrible. Bryce Dallas Howard plays woman whose job is important, Judy Greer and Andy Buckley play parents who are getting a divorce and despite everyone's praises for Chris Pratt he simply plays cool guy.
Once arriving on the island the movie pretends to give characterization but in reality just shows the characters as flatter than pancakes by showing them act in one exact way, never changing. This is when the movie gets unbearably cheesy by making fun of its self in its advertising and that dinosaurs apparently aren't enough anymore but is so shameless that it doesn't try to fix the issues. Chris Pratt saves someone and talks back to a corporate boss to emphasize that he's really cool and we discover he is the alpha of a group of velociraptors, because he feeds them? Never mind that now the genetically modified lizard turns out to have superpowers and has escaped it's enclosure.
Plot conveniences are not sprinkled throughout, Trevorrow just grabbed a bag of them and called it a movie. "We need to get out of here but this car is busted." "Remember when we fixed up grandpa's truck?" Genius writing. Someone wants to weaponize the creature and then he dies in what would be ironic if it wasn't already so obvious.Some more stuff happened with terrible camera-work and CGI that is over stylized leading up to the grand finale that was practically announced at the start of the picture.
The spectacle is gone and cramming more things onto the screen doesn't make a movie better. The simpleness of the original is why it still holds up today. Movies need to be grounded in a bit of reality or they fall apart and become less grandjeur and more of just a bore. The movie has such an overwhelming anti corporate mantra but it spits into the wind as people line up and give the film, scratch that, Samsung, hundreds of millions. I didn't laugh, I didn't cry, I yawned but wasn't terribly disappointed overall. 58/100
The Babadook (2014)
Original Yet Lacking
Direction/Writing:
Jennifer Kent does a good job directing "The Babadook". The cinematography and direction is very well done and creates an eerie atmosphere. Her writing is below par and seeing that there were no other writers doesn't surprise me. The writing tends to be generic, unoriginal and corny. However it comes from a good place and I believe with some more development and maybe an assistant writer her films could be as well written as intended. A huge problem I had with this film was the sound. There was no eerie/ambient soundtrack or mix, but at the same time it wasn't dead silence which at times can create the same desired effect.
Acting:
I wasn't a huge fan of the acting. Very rarely does a child actor evoke a strong response from me and this was not one of those times. Essie Davis' job was on the weak side as well but was probably my favorite performance of hers to this date. Not much to say, it was rather bland with a few peaks near the end.
Final Thoughts:
I was never scared by this film at any point despite the well crafted atmosphere, this was possibly due to the very obvious foreshadowing if it can even be considered that. Some interesting symbolism throughout but none reaching too deep. The book was fantastic, I loved every scene including the book and I think it saved the film. I also greatly enjoyed the last 10 or so minutes but they do not make up for the rest of the film. I would recommend this film but set your expectations low.
Blue Ruin (2013)
A fun thriller.
In summary I consider this movie a fun thriller, but it's a great deal more than that. The second full length film directed by Jeremy Saulnier improves a great deal on his comedy/horror "Murder Party". Saulnier is already developing a great style and it's no wonder to see his cinematography listings. Most shots in this film range from unique to impressive on a technical scale to just outright beautiful. The key to this film's genius is the under-toned comedy which is a lot less blatant than his first film and the slight differences in plot from a normal thriller that end up making the movie. In a usual by-the-book thriller the death of the main character's wife and daughter bring his wrath unto those who wronged him, but in "Blue Ruin" it is Macon Blair's parents that he must avenge(not a spoiler). The biggest and most important thing is the clumsy way he attempts to go about this, being a normal man he has no training in killing whatsoever which leaves a dark yet funny result. People should really see this movie. One of my favorites of the past two years.
The Elephant Man (1980)
An amazing film.
I debate on whether or not this is my favorite film quite often. Right now it resides at the second spot on my Top 150 list. http://www.imdb.com/list/ls056382763/ In my opinion this is David Lynch's greatest work. I get called a Lynch fanboy quite often because of my fascination for almost all of his short films, television shows, feature films and even his music. But goddamn this man is a genius. A script and a story just waiting to be made into a Disney movie but put in the form of a dark twisted movie that still shows such happiness. Great acting from Anthony Hopkins, which is as to be expected but the performance from John Hurt, an actor who's filmography before 1979 is somewhat lackluster, is outstanding. He becomes John Merrick physically and emotionally and his performance is better than any I have ever viewed in a film. I don't know how to put in words the beauty of this movie, if you haven't seen it, GO NOW!!!