Monthly Archives: September 2023

REVIEW: “It Lives Inside” (2023)

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In the supernatural horror film “It Lives Inside” Sam (Megan Suri) is an Indian-American high school student caught between fitting into western culture and honoring the traditions of her Hindu heritage. It’s a key conflict in the film with one side represented by dim and insensitive white kids and the other by Sam’s stern and legalistic mother Poorna (Neeru Bajwa). In that brief description lies both the strengths and weaknesses of this admirable yet unremarkable chiller.

Despite being a little too on the nose in how it’s represented, the above mentioned clash offers writer-director Bishal Dutta an opportunity to explore several compelling themes surrounding cultural identity, assimilation, and faith in our modern society. Unfortunately the movie never goes too deep into anything. But even a light treatment of such interesting and relevant subjects is welcomed. How long that good will lasts may vary.

Growing up, Sam and her childhood best friend Tamira (Mohana Krishnan) were inseparable. But once they entered high school Sam’s desire to make new friends led to them drifting apart. Sam fell in with the popular crowd while Tamira found herself bullied and an outcast. But something else is going on with Tamira. She looks as if she hasn’t slept for days. And she walks around clinging to a mysterious mason jar. A sympathetic teacher named Joyce (Betty Gabriel) encourages Sam to check on her estranged friend.

Image Courtesy of NEON

Meanwhile Sam’s strained relationship with her ultra conservative mother makes things difficult at home. Her more lenient father Inesh (Vik Sahay) tries to play peacemaker but to no avail. Dutta creates an interesting family dynamic and sets the table for some potentially thoughtful developments. But like so much in “It Lives Inside”, the movie barely scratches its thematic surface.

Then you have the movie’s horror element which offers plenty of atmosphere but very little in terms of genuine frights. Not wanting to ruin her newfound popularity, Sam eventually confronts Tamira, breaking her jar and unintentionally unleashing something quite sinister. Tamira suddenly vanishes and the demon begins terrorizing Sam. There’s certainly ambition and some of the symbolism is pretty smart. But the movie never gears up into something even remotely unsettling.

So we end up with a movie that hints at its cultural themes more than digs into them. And we end up with horror that’s too derivative to muster much tension. There are flashes that show Dutta’s potential as a filmmaker and the cast is solid despite the sometimes flimsy material. But as it is, “It Lives Inside” never quite reaches its mark. And that’s a shame because it has plenty of good ingredients that could have made for something tastier. “It Lives Inside” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 2 STARS

REVIEW: “Love at First Sight” (2023)

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Haley Lu Richardson is just one reason to enjoy “Love at First Sight”, an unexpectedly contagious romantic comedy from director Vanessa Caswill. The 28-year-old actress has shined in a number of independent features since debuting in 2014 and she remains one of the most compelling young faces in modern cinema. She again shows why in this sweet but not saccharine Netflix Original that’s based on Jennifer E. Smith’s 2011 novel “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight”.

Interestingly, there’s nothing especially groundbreaking about the movie’s framework. Its premise is fairly familiar and the story plays out pretty much how we expect it to. But Caswill and screenwriter Katie Lovejoy do something that is essential for movies like this to work – they create and develop likable characters who we genuinely care about. And that attachment makes it easy to invest in their budding relationship, even if it’s a little by-the-books.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

While its hokey title may give you pause, “Love at First Sight” isn’t as much about the warm and fuzzies of love as it is about its meaning and the possibility of its inextricable link to fate. Yes it’s plenty sweet and charming. But Caswill wants us to see her characters as real people rather than stock quality rom-com cut-outs. So she presents them as real people by focusing more on their situations and circumstances rather than the usual genre schmaltz.

The story begins on December 20th which the narrator (played by Jameela Jamil) tells us is the busiest day of the year for JFK airport in New York. Jamil represents fate itself and she routinely pops up to play her part, sometimes as a flight attendant, a bartender, a bus driver, etc. She introduces us to Hadley Sullivan (Richardson), a 20-year-old NYU student and Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy), a 22-year-old Englishman. Unexpected circumstances lead to them meeting while waiting on their flight to London.

Hadley is on her way to her divorced father’s (Rob Delaney) wedding. Oliver is heading back home to attend a Shakespearean themed “living memorial” for his dying mother (Sally Phillips). Both are navigating tough family situations and both find solace (and maybe even true love) in each other after the stars align during their seven-hour flight across the Atlantic.

Of course you all know how these things work. It’s never that easy at first. In this case the two go their separate ways after customs and the narrator is quick to remind us that the statistics (and the movie loves sharing statistics) aren’t in the potential couple’s favor. But don’t forget about the craftiness of fate and its ability to defy mere facts and figures.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

The movie could have easily taken the more sappy conventional route. But to its credit, it does allow Hadley and Oliver some time away from the romantic angle. It’s welcomed time spent focused on their individual storylines and allowing them the space to grow as characters. Don’t get me wrong. It’s still very much a love story at its heart. But it might surprise you with how much attention it gives to other things.

“Love at First Sight” may not work for the curmudgeon at heart. But it’s the kind of lean and savory comfort food that certain others are sure to find tasty. Clocking in at under 90 minutes, the movie never overstays its welcome. Yet I do wish more time was given to Hadley and Oliver hammering out the feelings they have for each other. Still Richardson and Hardy have a sparkling chemistry and the movie gleams whenever they’re on screen together. They’re authentic, relatable, and all the motivation we need to see their story play out. “Love at First Sight” is now streaming on Netflix.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS

First Glance: “May December”

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Netflix has dropped a new trailer for their upcoming drama “May December” from director Todd Haynes. It’s written by Samy Burch and based on a story he conceived with Alex Mechanik. The film had its premiere in May at the Cannes Film Festival where it was promptly acquired by the Netflix for $11 million. The very premise is discomforting and by the looks of the trailer we’ll be able to say the same thing about the movie itself.

“May December” is anchored by two terrific leads, Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Portman plays an actress who visits a married couple’s home to do research for a film about their lives. It turns out that 20 years earlier the wife (Moore) and her significantly younger husband (played by Charles Melton) were involved in a scandalous affair that made headlines across the country. Their relationship begins to crumble as they’re forced to relive their troubling past in the presence of their watchful guest. Without question there is an ickiness baked into the story. I’m anxious to see what Haynes does with it.

“May December” opens in select theaters on November 17th before streaming on Netflix on December 1st. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

REVIEW: “Reptile” (2023)

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For my money Benicio del Toro is an instant draw and he’s handed a tasty role in the sleek new crime thriller “Reptile”. It marks the feature-film directorial debut from Grant Singer who co-wrote the screenplay with del Toro and Benjamin Brewer. Playing like a gritty whodunnit but with a dash of neo-noir flavoring, “Reptile” revolves around the brutal murder of a young real estate agent and a hard-boiled detective’s relentless search for answers.

In classic whodunnit fashion, the truth is elusive in “Reptile”. New characters enter the picture, each framed as potential suspects with their own potential motivations. Del Toro’s Detective Tom Nichols is the one tasked with sorting out facts from fiction. As he tries, “Reptile” takes on the feel of a slow-burning police procedural. One that uncoils at a methodical pace (perhaps too slow for some) yet maintains its simmer.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

But what sets it apart is the strange and slightly offbeat vibe that permeates the entire movie. “Reptile” is very much a crime thriller. But Singer takes it in some peculiar and even darkly funny directions. It takes a few minutes to get in sync (bad joke intended) with what he’s doing. But once you do, its smattering of cliches and overtly obvious needle drops end up adding to the movie’s quirky appeal.

Set in the New England suburb of Scarborough and with Juice Newton’s “Angel of the Morning” echoing in the background, we’re introduced to power couple Will (Justin Timberlake) and Summer (Matilda Lutz). They’re high-end realtors selling pricey homes in an affluent part of town. As for their relationship, there is some clear tension from the get-go. Enough that when Summer ends up savagely murdered, Will is immediately the prime suspect.

Switch to Detective Tom Nichols, a fascinating protagonist made so through del Toro’s wily performance. Throughout his career del Toro has excelled at playing intense and often eccentric characters. Here he’s a far cry from your prototypical movie cop. He sports a jet-black pompadour, loves Oklahoma square dancing, and has a deep appreciation for well-designed kitchens. He’s also fiercely dedicated to his work which now includes finding Summer’s killer. It’s a spellbinding lead performance.

While a big chunk of the movie follows Tom’s investigation, we also spend a lot of time with him away from the case. Much of it is with his wife, Judy (a deliciously cryptic Alicia Silverstone). They have an interesting chemistry that is a nice change of pace from the more conventional movie marriages. Then you have Tom’s close friends from the Scarborough Police Department that includes his Captain and Judy’s Uncle, Robert (Eric Bogosian), his partner, Dan (Ato Essandoh), and his mouthy fellow officer, Wally (Domenick Lombardozzi).

Image Courtesy of Netflix

As often happens in movies like this, both of Tom’s worlds collide as the truths (yes, plural) finally make their ways to the surface. The story ventures down some unexpected paths and the mystery (unsurprisingly) proves to be more complicated than Tom ever imagined. There are a few too many red herrings and not all the suspects are given enough time to feel like consequential pieces of the puzzle. And that’s saying something considering the film clocks in at a lengthy 136 minutes.

Yet “Reptile” never feels long and remains enthralling throughout in large part thanks to the beguiling lead work from Benicio del Toro. Less effective is Timberlake who seems to be channeling Ben Affleck from “Gone Girl” but never as convincing. Other performances make up for it including Frances Fisher as Will’s domineering mother and Karl Glusman as Summer’s creepy ex-husband. They help fill out a mostly excellent ensemble that gels nicely with Singer’s fittingly dark and deliberately peculiar world. “Reptile” releases on Netflix this Friday, September 29th.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

New on Home Video: “Insidious: The Red Door” on Blu-Ray + Digital

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This week Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is bringing their supernatural horror film “Insidious: The Red Door” to home video. It’s the fifth movie in the Insidious franchise and the directorial debut for the film’s star, Patrick Wilson. Released in theaters earlier this year, the film was a financial success and now it’ll be available to own in this new combo-pack that is releasing just in time for the start of spooky season.

This Blu-ray + Digital edition of “Insidious: The Red Door” hits shelves on September 26th. See below for a full synopsis and release information.

Official Synopsis:

Year: 2023

Runtime: 107 Minutes

Director: Patrick Wilson

Screenwriter: Scott Teems

Story by: Leigh Whannell and Scott Teems

Produced By: Jason Blum, Oren Peli, James Wan, Leigh Whannell

Cast: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Sinclair Daniel, Hiam Abbass, Rose Byrne, Andrew Astor, Juliana Davies, Steve Coulter, Peter Dager

Rating: PG-13 for violence, terror, frightening images, strong language and suggestive references

From the Studio:

The original cast from the horror franchise is back for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga, with Patrick Wilson (also making his directorial debut), Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne and Andrew Astor. To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh and a college-aged Dalton must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family’s dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the door.

Special Features:

  • Special Featurettes
    • Past, Present, Further
    • A Possessed Director

Specs:

1080p High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English – Audio Description Track 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish • Mastered in High Definition • Color

REVIEW: “No One Will Save You” (2023)

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I really enjoy taut and tense thrillers. I’ve long loved quality science-fiction. I’m always up for a good horror movie. These three genres (and more) come together in “No One Will Save You”, a terrific new Hulu Original film from writer-director Brian Duffield. This mesmerizing mash-up surprises at every turn, defying predictability and keeping us guessing all the way through to its final shot. What an unexpected treat.

Duffield deserves a ton of credit for shrewdly using everything at his disposal to create, develop, and sustain a gripping and suspense-filled genre experience. His film is artfully scripted, visually striking, and anchored by an emotionally rich and mostly wordless performance by a truly sublime Kaitlyn Dever.

Image Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Dever plays Brynn Adams, a quiet and reclusive young woman living alone in her family’s homeplace in the country. She’s somewhat of a pariah in her nearby community. So much so that her anxiety kicks in whenever she’s around the cold and leering locals. What’s going on? Why the unfriendly reception? Why has she been ostracized? This is the first of a handful of mysteries that Duffield patiently unfold over the course of his film’s lean 93 minutes.

At home, Brynn finds comfort in being alone. She spends time working on a model replica of the town – something she and her late mother once had fun doing together. She also writes letters to her best friend Maude who we learn died ten years earlier. These things may sound weird but for Brynn they’re almost therapeutic. Plus it keeps her busy while alone in the country, where lately the only excitement has been the strange circle of dead grass that suddenly popped up in her well-manicured yard.

One night Brynn is awakened by a loud banging outside her house. At first she thinks it’s varmints in the trash cans. But when she discovers her front door open and hears footsteps downstairs, it’s clear she has an intruder. From here the movie takes on the feel of a home invasion thriller. But Duffield doesn’t let us settle in. He quickly reveals that her intruder isn’t from this planet. It’s an alien which sends the film in a much different direction than I was expecting.

Image Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

This really is a case of ‘the less you know the better’ so I’ll leave you to discover the numerous surprising twists and turns for yourselves. I will say that many of the film’s classic sci-fi inspirations are impossible to miss and it possesses a tasty B-movie flavor that hearkens back to so many movies I cut my cinematic teeth on. But it’s what Duffield does with those inspirations that is so impressive. He takes a lot of familiar pieces and fits them together into something truly his own.

As I watched “No One Will Save You” thoughts of “The Twilight Zone” kept swirling around in my mind. At times the similarities are uncanny. I found myself routinely blown away by Duffield and DP Aaron Morton’s knack for framing one stunning shot after another. I was captivated by the storytelling which relies on its visual language and the intensely expressive Kaitlyn Dever rather than dialogue. And as a lover of genre filmmaking, I was giddy with excitement every time the movie took another unexpected turn. Like I said – what a treat. “No One Will Save You” is streaming now on Hulu.

VERDICT – 4 STARS