Author Archives: Keith Garlington

5 Phenomenal Movie Reveals

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When talking about movie reveals several things may come to mind. Therefore I feel the need to clarify what this week’s Phenomenal 5 is all about. This list isn’t specifically about plot twists although they certainly apply to each of my choices. Instead I’m looking at movie reveals that are strictly between movie characters. Great scenes where one character’s revelation directly impacts another. It may or may not be a revelation to the audience but it certainly is to someone in the film. Now when talking about something like this it should be obvious that there will be SPOILERS so if you haven’t seen the movie you may want to skip its caption. So many reveals came to mind therefore I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I believe that these five mentioned are certainly phenomenal!

#5 – “THE USUAL SUSPECTS”

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“The Usual Suspects” is built upon the interrogation of the feeble and handicapped “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey) by FBI Agent Kujan (Chazz Palminteri). Verbal is one of only two survivors of a fiery massacre on a ship docked in Los Angeles. Verbal weaves together a story of how he and his smalltime criminal buddies were hired and exploited by an almost mythical crime boss named Keyser Söze. Agent Kujan lets Verbal go knowing that Söze is the real culprit. But while sitting in the interrogation office he quickly learns that Verbal’s story was manufactured and he runs out after him. But Verbal is heading down the sidewalk, his faked limp now gone, and hops into an awaiting car. Verbal is none other than Keyser Söze!

#4 – “PSYCHO”

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When Lila and Sam stop by the Bates Motel in search of her missing sister Marion, I think it’s safe to say they get more than they bargained for. Clues inform them that her sister had been there but the motel proprietor Norman Bates suspiciously blows it off. They begin to investigate. They examine the motel an eventually the old house overlooking it. It’s in that house where the creepy Norman claims to live with his mother. But all true cinema lovers know what they find there. Norman’s mother is a corpse. In fact it’s Norman Bates who dresses as his mother and attacks Lila. He’s the true psychotic killer. This was a great reveal which became one of the most iconic angles in the horror genre.

#3 – “GLADIATOR”

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The reveal in Ridley Scott’s brilliant Best Picture winning “Gladiator” wasn’t anything that stunned audiences. We knew this bit of information all along. But it certainly stunned the socks off of the twisted self-crowned Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Thinking he had his chief rival to his father’s throne killed years earlier, Commodus hadn’t a care in the world as he waltzed out onto the Coliseum’s battleground to meet the unknown gladiator who had won the adoration of the bloodthirsty Roman crowd. Oh but this gladiator has a name and when he removes his helmet and reveals himself to be Maximus Decimus Meridius, the man who was long thought dead by the emperor, well lets just say Commodus almost lost his lunch. It’s a great reveal, not to the audience but to Commodus. It’s also one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite films.

#2 – “THE THIRD MAN”

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I absolutely love “The Third Man” and this isn’t its first appearance in a Phenomenal 5. But it is absolutely perfect for this particular list. This classic 1949 film noir follows Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), an American writer who arrives in post-war Vienna in search of his friend Harry Lime. Harry has offered him a job but upon arrival Holly learns that his friend had just been killed in an accident. Holly demands that Lime’s death be investigated. His persistence ends up revealing the shady and criminal dealings of his friend. But that’s not the big reveal. You see, Harry Lime isn’t dead. The great Orson Welles plays Lime and once he is revealed the tension amps up. It’s a fantastic reveal which sets up one of my favorite movie endings. What a great film.

#1 – “THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK”

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Let’s be honest, what else could it be? When you talk about great movie reveals “The Empire Strikes Back” automatically comes to mind. Whether you’re a fan of the Star Wars franchise or not, chances are you’re familiar with the mind blowing revelation between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Up to that point in the franchise the villainy of Darth Vader had been well established. Our hero Luke had watched him kill Obi-wan and now he was face to face with the monster. But instead of killing Luke, Vader tries to win him over to the dark side. In the process he reveals to Luke something that shocked audiences worldwide. “I am your father”. I still remember hearing that as a kid sitting in the theater. It was one of the first movie moments that blew my mind and for me it’s the best movie reveal of all time.

So there are my five phenomenal movie reveals. What are your thoughts on it? See a pick you agree or disagree with? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please take time and share them in the comments section below.

Revisiting “Amour”

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I’ve always had a unique affection for going back and rewatching a movie for a second time, particularly movies I love. Obviously there is the satisfaction of rewatching a good film. But more than that, I love seeing if a film holds up and justifies my high praise a second time around. I love seeing if my initial enthusiasm was merited or if it has fizzled over time.

This past weekend I finally had the opportunity to revisit “Amour”. Winner of more international awards than you can count, including the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, “Amour” was a global attention getter. It was also one of only three films from 2012 that I gave a perfect 5 star rating. Needless to say, with such a positive original review I was really anxious to see the film would still impress me. More importantly, especially with a film like this, would the movie still pack the moving and emotional punch that it did when I first saw it in the theater? The answer is an unequivocal and resounding yes!

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Michael Haneke wrote and directed “Amour” and to say I’m fascinated by his technique is an understatement. He’s a very identifiable filmmaker who has an undeniable style and never shies away from difficult subject matter. Such is the case with “Amour”, a tender yet crushing story of an elderly French couple whose lives change after the wife Anne suffers a paralyzing stroke. Her husband Georges commits to taking care of his true love even as her health slowly deteriorates. We get to see a true testament to the incredible and self-sacrificial love that so many never experience these days. We also see the reality of the harshness of life which Haneke never shortcuts.

The effect “Amour” had on me didn’t change a bit during the second viewing. I still loved Georges and Anne Laurent. I laughed with them. My heart broke with theirs. And even as their circumstances grew more difficult, I still wanted to be right there with them. A lot of that has to do with the brilliant performances. Emmanuelle Riva gives one of the most authentic and committed performances I have ever seen. Her convincing and uncompromising approach is one of the most essential and vital ingredients to the film’s success. The way she embraces Haneke’s script and direction is masterful. Not to be outdone, Jean-Louis Trintignant’s work as Georges is top-notch. Haneke wrote the script specifically for Trintignant. After a 14-year absence from cinema, the actor accepted the role and he is amazing.

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Haneke is often criticized for his focus on uncomfortable things and his willingness to crush his characters under the weight of torturous circumstances. Certainly movies like “Funny Games” and “Caché” have given a hint of credibility to those arguments. That same criticism was volleyed against “Amour” by some and a linear focus on one aspect of the film could feed that. But I think that misses another strong element of the movie that gives it such an impact. Yes “Amour” is sometimes difficult to watch and it unashamedly depicts Anna’s failing health in uncomfortable ways.

But sprinkled throughout the film are those special moments – sweet and beautiful moments that the couple share which reflect their love. It may be a funny moment at the dinner table. It could be a special bedside story. These lovely scenes are critical to fully understanding what Haneke is portraying. These are the scenes that give light to the darker moments of trial and difficulty. These are the moments I cling to and that help me understand and comprehend everything else I’m seeing.

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I’m also still amazed by Haneke’s technique. The director never manipulates for the sake of emotion. His camera is almost always in a state of observation. He strategically frames his shots and will leave the camera rolling allowing us to take in all that’s happening. Whether it’s long takes or his quiet and still camera, Haneke’s style is always perfectly in sync with the material. We see these techniques at work in the Laurent’s Paris apartment. In fact, other than a brief sequence at the beginning, we spend the entire movie inside the apartment confined just as they now are. By the end of the film, I knew every room and the layout was as familiar to me as to the characters.

Needless to say my opinion of “Amour” hasn’t changed one bit. It’s still the brilliant 5 star film that it was after my first viewing. It’s potent, painful, sweet, and real. These are just a few of the adjectives I could use to describe Michael Haneke’s Oscar winning gem. It’s filmmaking mastery featuring two of the best lead performances of the past several years. It paints a beautiful picture of love and a dismal picture of illness. Yet it all is interwoven to create a truly remarkable and touching experience.

Click here to see my original review of “Amour”.

5 Phenomenal Things About “Night of the Living Dead”

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How can I let Halloween pass without an applicable Phenomenal 5? And what better way to celebrate Halloween than to focus on my favorite horror movie of all time “Night of the Living Dead”. For many it would be impossible to narrow down the list of great horror pictures to one indisputable favorite. Not for me. I adore “Night of the Living Dead”. So today I’m going to throw out five big reasons why I love the film so much. Now there are many examples I could give of the movie’s greatness so I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But these five things about “Night of the Living Dead” are certainly phenomenal.

#5 – THE MUSIC AND SOUND

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For me one of the key ingredients to the success “Night of the Living Dead” is the fantastic sound design and choice of music. In many ways it’s key in developing the movie’s overall creepy tone and feel. It may surprise some to know but much of the music was purchased and previously used in a variety of other shows and movies. Subtle but effective alterations were made to some of the tracks to make them feel more connected to the film. The live sound effects were recorded by Richard Lococo and they are amazing. Echos and distortions are used to make things all the more eerie and I love the little sound choices which add to the tense atmosphere. For example the emergency television newscast that we hear in the background of much of the film. It and all of the sound design lends much to the film’s disturbing feel.

#4 – DUANE JONES

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He was a relatively unknown stage actor when George Romero hired him to star in “Night of the Living Dead”. But Duane Jones was stepping into what would become an iconic role particularly in the horror genre. His performance as the composed and resourceful Ben is a real strength of the picture. We don’t learn a lot about his character’s story but we learn a lot about who he is. He’s cool, calm, and collective and without him things would have fallen apart quicker. Jones’ casting was significant because at the time (1968) African Americans weren’t known as leading men and women in movies particularly with an otherwise all-white cast. But he fits perfectly into his role and without his rock-solid performance “Night of the Living Dead” just wouldn’t be the same.

#3 – THE SETTING

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I still remember the first time I watched “Night of the Living Dead”. My uncle brought it and a rented VCR to our house and my parents let me stay up and watch it with them. I’ve loved it ever since. One of the main things that has stuck with me from that very first viewing all the way to today is the film’s setting. The whole idea and concept of basically being cornered in an isolated farmhouse while hordes of the undead collect outside was terrifying to me as a child and still creepy today. The survivalist elements mixed with the simple “we have nowhere to go” angle is very effective here and of course it would go on to influence a large number of other movies that followed. I’ve seen “Night of the Living Dead” more times than I can count, yet with each new viewing I still find myself completely immersed in that Pennsylvania farmhouse.

#2 – GEORGE ROMERO

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“Night of the Living Dead” is known for several firsts and for paving new ways. Perhaps most notable is that this was the feature film directorial debut for George Romero. He was the real mastermind behind the project and in retrospect what he was able to accomplish is astonishing. First, the film was made with a miniscule budget of only $114,000. This seriously limited many things but also called for a much more creative sense. Romero certainly had that creativity. Intelligent uses of sound, the camera, and the limited special effects all fell into place under his direction. He also chose to shoot the film in 35mm black-and-white. Initially this was a budget constraint but he uses it like a master. Now it’s the only way the movie should be viewed. Again, what Romero does here is astonishing and it’s a true testament to the creativity of good filmmakers.

#1 – THE ZOMBIE CRAZE

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Zombies are all the rage aren’t they? The undead have found permanent homes in all sorts of media including comics, video games, movies, and television. So many people have been inspired to offer their own vision of zombies and the term ‘zombie apocalypse’ is known by everyone. And to think it all started with Romero’s vision. “Night of the Living Dead” wasn’t the first film to deal with the dead coming back to life, but it was the first film to truly develop zombies as they have come to be known today. It would be impossible to number all of movies whose inspiration could be traced back to “Night of the Living Dead”. It’s influence can be seen not only in cinema but in the culture as a whole – something I know Romero couldn’t have imagined at the time. So the next time you see a zombie movie, watch an episode of “The Walking Dead”, or play “Plants verses Zombies” just remember that it can all be traced back to the classic “Night of the Living Dead”.

So there you have it – 5 phenomenal things about what I consider to be the greatest horror picture ever made. What do you think of the film? What’s something you love about it? Do you even like the movie? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below and share your thoughts.

REVIEW: “Warrior”

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WARRIOR POSTER

First off I’m no fan of mixed martial arts. So is it possible that I would find something interesting in a movie about the sport? When the movie is wonderfully constructed and features an amazing cast, the answer is a clear and profound “yes”. In fact, while the MMA sequences are intense and extremely convincing, they take a back seat to a story that digs deep into a broken family’s seemingly unsalvagable relationships.

Director Gavin O’Connor’s film is a mix of these hard-hitting MMA action and intense family drama. O’Connor, best known for his 2004 film “Miracle”, has a knack for emotional sports pictures. But what makes “Warrior” so effective is it’s focus on the characters and the development of the painfully complex family dynamic I alluded to earlier. This is so much more than a feel good sports movie and it was easily one of my favorite films of 2011.

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“Warrior” is a story of two brothers who were split apart as a result of their parents divorce years earlier. Tommy (Tom Hardy) is an ex-Marine who has just returned from Iraq. He’s a tough but troubled individual still struggling with the scars of his parents split as well as his own baggage from his military service. Brendan (Joel Edgerton) is a high school physics teacher with a wife and two kids who finds himself on the verge of losing his home due to hard financial times.

The two cross paths after they both enter the Sparta Mixed Martial Arts Tournament, each driven by their own desperate motivations. Nick Nolte plays their father whose drunken past was responsible for the family’s destruction. But he’s turned his life around, becoming a Christian and approaching his 1,000 day of sobriety. His desire for forgiveness and reconciliation clashes with the brother’s individual resentment which makes for some strong emotional sequences.

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Even though there is plenty of realistic MMA fighting, particularly in the second half of the film, this is a character driven picture. What makes the characters work are the straightforward and earnest performances. Tom Hardy is riveting as the bitter, hurting, and rudderless Tommy and his performance should have garnered Oscar consideration. He’s a commanding presence in front of the camera and sells every scene. Joel Edgerton, who is fantastic in everything he’s in, is equally strong as the more grounded Brendan. He’s a committed family man and his performance feels authentic and genuine. And watching Nick Nolte hear is great. He tackles some of the film’s tougher scened and reminds us of what he’s capable of doing when given good material.

“Warrior” could easily be misconstrued as a typical feel good sports movie. While it does dabble in a few clichés that we’ve seen in many sports pictures, it’s the wonderful chemistry between the cast and the beautifully conceived family moments that make this an unforgettable film. The MMA action is bone-jarring and brutal and you can feel each punch and kick. But at it’s core this is a brilliant and heartfelt character study brought to life by some strong acting and a rock solid script. It’s a film that has still stuck with me since I left the theater.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS

Your Voices: On the State of the Comedy Genre

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Your Voices

Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic. After that I’ll make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

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I harp on this ad nauseam but I just can’t help it. I’m a big fan of the comedy genre. I mean who doesn’t love the chance to kick back and enjoy some good laughs? Dating all the way back to the great comedians of the silent movie era, comedies have always had a strong footing in the world of cinema. But to me that footing has grown more unsure over the past several years. In fact it saddens me to say that I rarely watch modern comedies and there are a variety of reasons.

Modern comedies mainly consist of the amateurish Adam Sandler kind of slop to the raunchy, vulgar crap that we seem to get every single month. Sparsely scattered between these films are the rare smart and original comedies that are becoming fewer and farther between. Apparently there is a market for what is being put out there. Take Sandler for example. His movies routinely do well at the box office. They are also routinely awful. And then there are the raunchy comedies which seem to come out regularly in one form or another. Obviously that means there are a lot of people who like it. Personally I’ve never found vulgarity and raunch to be funny. So my choices in today’s comedy genre are pretty limited.
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YOUR VOICES: What are your thoughts on the state of the comedy genre?

So now it’s time for Your Voices. What do think about the comedies that come out these days? Do you share the same annoyances I do? Are you a fan of where things stand? Please head to the comments section and let Your Voices be heard.

REVIEW: “Much Ado About Nothing”

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I wouldn’t say I fall into the group of Joss Whedon super fans, but movies like “Much Ado About Nothing” can certainly do a lot to change that. Talk about an unexpected treat. Coming off the heels of his mega-blockbuster “The Avengers”, Whedon writes, produces, and directs this modest reimagining of William Shakespeare’s play. It’s stylish, creative, and energetic. It’s also a shining example of how a romantic comedy should be done.

Filming took place at Whedon’s Santa Monica, California home and took only twelve days to wrap up. Whedon put together a cast pulled straight from his personal universe of movies and television. He also made the unique decision to shoot in black-and-white. In yet another stylish choice, Whedon chose to use the actual language from Shakespeare’s pen. This may require an adjustment for some viewers but soon the classic vernacular will feel right at home in the film’s modern setting.

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Most impressive is the way these words fluidly flow from the ensemble cast. The lovely Amy Acker plays the spunky and cynical Beatrice. She’s such an interesting character – headstrong but also a bit klutzy. She has soured on love mainly because of a past relationship with Benedick (played wonderfully by Alexis Denisof). He too mocks the idea of love and marriage instead choosing to beat his chest and tout his standing as a successful bachelor. Acker and Denisof have a fantastic chemistry and both have a real knack for both comedy and drama. Acker was the real star for me. She gives what I believe to be one of the best performances of the year.

You also have Hero (Jillian Morgese) who is to marry Claudio (Fran Kranz). There is her father, Governor Leonato (Clark Gregg), and Claudio’s father Prince Don Pedro (Reed Diamond). There’s also Don Pedro’s scheming and deceitful son Don John (Sean Maher) who would love to see the entire happy occasion ruined. We also get a host of great smaller roles from Nathan Fillion, Ashley Johnson, and Spencer Treat Clark among others. It’s a fabulous cast of Whedon favorites.

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It’s hard to put my finger on what I like best about “Much Ado”. Its playful and energetic melodrama is a blast. The humor, which really kicks in around the middle of the film, had me laughing out loud and thinking back to the classic screwball comedies of old. The romance builds up and works beautifully. It does get a tad self-indulgent at times, but it’s also bold and original – two qualities I greatly appreciate in this movie age of cliché and formula. And of course there are the great performances especially from Amy Acker. I would love to see her name recognized come awards season.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying “Much Ado About Nothing” has saved the romantic comedy genre. But it absolutely shows just how much fun the genre can be. My expectations weren’t that high for this movie but Whedon really impressed me. This is his film from the direction down to the musical score and I give him all the credit in the world. This is a project that could have fallen flat on its face. Instead it’s a ton of fun and one of the better movies of 2013.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS