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danieljfarthing
Reviews
My Old Ass (2024)
Surprise! It's a gently enjoyable & intelligent teen drama parable
"My Old Ass" ain't what it might appear to be. Despite its low-brow title & silly central premise it's not a gawdy role-reversal comedy but an intelligent teen drama... in which Aubrey Plaza has a surprisingly minor support role while lesser-known Maisy Stella takes the lead (very well) as a Canadian farm-girl about to leave for uni, who on her 18th b'day does 'shrooms... 'hallucinating' Plaza as her 39yr old self, bringing advice from the future, especially about the disarmingly charming Percy Hynes White (good). With her second movie as writer / director Megan Park defies expectations, to deliver a gently enjoyable parable that'll doubtless be adored by its target teenage audience.
The Critic (2023)
Polished but unambitiously simplistic Brit-crime-drama with a superb lead performance
Polished but unambitious Brit-crime-drama "The Critic" boasts a superb lead performance from Ian McKellen as the feared & revered theatre critic for a leading late-'30s UK newspaper. When Mark Stone inherits the paper tho, McKellen's position is threatened, so he stoops to plotting with assistant Alfred Enoch & actress Gemma Arterton (good yet again) to fight back... from where events spiral. Anand Tucker directs with rich polish, the likes of Lesley Manville support well, but experienced writer Patrick Marber's screenplay never twists & darkens as it should - it's ultimately too simplistic. Looks good, McKellen excels, and yet it still falls a tad flat.
Outlaws and Angels (2016)
Flawed, overlong, sluggish, violent Western
JT Mollner musta honed his writer / director skills in the eight years tween his 2016 debut "Outlaws And Angels" and his follow-up "Strange Darling", as the latter thriller rocks, but the former western is flawed & overlong. In 1887 New Mexico, Chad Michael Murray's violent bank robbing gang (inc Keith Loneker & Steven Michael Quezada) evade lawman Luke Wilson (solid) by holding up in the remote homestead of Ben Browder, Teri Polo and their teenage girls Francesca Eastwood (good) & Madisen Beaty... where tones & elements of "The Beguiled" & "Deliverance" unfold, tho way too sluggishly. It carries Mollner's distinctive style ok, but "Strange Darling" it ain't.
Strange Darling (2023)
Excellently twisty, bloody & bold serial-killer thriller with a cleverly chopped timeline
With his second movie, the excellently twisty & bold serial-killer thriller "Strange Darling", JT Mollner explodes into the elite pack of relatively new, hard-hitting writer / directors that already boasts Ti West, Coralie Fargeat & S Craig Zahler (tho where's Zahler gone?!). With a cleverly chopped timeline (those who loved "Memento" will like this) a bloody tale unfolds of the fallout of an attempted one night stand between Willa Fitzgerald (superb) & Kyle Gallner (also strong) which ropes in the likes of Ed Begley Jr & Barbara Hershey. The central twist is predictable but its backing detail is neat, and it's all brilliantly played out by Mollner. Top film, top film-maker.
The Groomsmen (2006)
Magically relaxing melodrama from the king of indie blue-collar friends & family dramas
Writer / director Edward Burns is king of the indie blue-collar friends & family drama (with a US East Coast Irish-American emphasis)... which 2006's "The Groomsmen" is an example of. As mid-thirties Burns (with the film's weakest perfomance btw) approaches marriage to pregnant Brittany Murphy (RIP) he gathers pals & family like John Leguizamo, Matthew Lillard (great), Jay Mohr, & Donal Logue for pre-wedding jinx like drinkin', ballin', fishin', puttin' the band back together, & delvin' into the personal issues that EACH has. It slips into melodrama, and certainly won't be for all, but for many it'll be like relaxing with old mates... which is the understated magic of Edward Burns.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Post-apocalyptic actioner prequel that's deeper, more interesting, better than the original
Post-apocalyptic actioner "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" is the origin story of the titular bad-ass from "Mad Max: Fury Road". Taken as a child (Alyla Browne) by wasteland warlord Chris Hemsworth (thoroughly enjoying himself) she then ends up with Lachy Hulme's rival tribe before growing into Anya Taylor-Joy (great), teaming with Tom Burke, and sparking a war through which to wreak revenge. George Miller & Nick Lathouris' screenplay (written without Brendan McCarthy this time) is deeper & more interesting than their first, and Miller's directing is even more stunning & stylish than last time. It's not always the case, but this prequel is better than the original movie.
Lee (2023)
Well-cast, dry, hefty & often hard to watch historic biopic
In well-cast dry biopic "Lee" Kate Winslet (good as ever) is American model come photographer Lee Miller who moved from France to London with bf Alexander Skarsgård as WWII broke out. For Vogue (under Andrea Riseborough) she covered (mostly with fellow photographer Andy Samberg) The Blitz, the liberation of Paris (and friends like Marion Cotillard), and most tellingly / harrowingly the uncovering of the sickening death camps - all told in flashback sequences punctuated by Josh O'Connor. Director Ellen Kuras and writers Liz Hannah, Marion Hume & John Collee give a post-#metoo edge to what is another hefty (often hard to watch) historic tome.
Prevenge (2016)
Modest but macabrely fun & deadly dark Brit dramedy
Comic actress Alice Lowe's directorial debut (and the second film as writer) was 2016's deadly dark Brit dramedy "Prevenge" in which she's 'told' by the baby she's heavily pregnant with to bloodily murder those apparently responsible for its father's recent death (inc Tom Davis (funny), Kate Dickie, Kayvan Novak, Dan Renton Skinner & Gemma Whelan). With Jo Hartley also in prominent support it is modest, but also macabrely fun and with a Halloween-time setting it's perfectly seasonal. Props to Lowe who does well all round, especially as lead actress and writer (avoiding many genre clichés - tho those who dislike ambiguous endings may not be thrilled). Good stuff.
Vice Squad (1982)
Cult classic seedy thriller that hasn't aged well over its 42 years
Despite its status as a cult classic, seedy 1982 thriller "Vice Squad" looks badly dated these days in terms of performances & production quality. It's set across one Hollywood night when the titular cops led by Gary Swanson rope working girl Season Hubley into going undercover to help them nail psychotic killer pimp Wings Hauser (best performance here (not saying much))... but when things go awry the race is on thru Tinsel Town's underbelly to stop Hauser wreaking his grisly revenge. Director Gary Sherman went on to a coupla other ok films, but this is just about his most notable... even tho it plays like an episode of 'Starsky & Hutch' without the charisma & humour of that tv series.
Some Freaks (2016)
Terrific, rich, original, & authentically ambiguous teen drama
Based on his first two film's Ian McDonald's a helluva writer. Prior to the superb "Woman Of The Hour" he penned terrific, original 2017 teen drama "Some Freaks". At high-school Thomas Mann & Lily Mae Harrington connect while being outcast by all others (but mutual pal Ely Henry) due to him having lost an eye & her being overweight... things tho get messy when she leaves for college across country. McDonald avoids cliché to tell a rich & authentically ambiguous tale (which'll frustrate some) while btw as director (it's only movie he's directed) he elicits great performances from his cast (also inc Marin Ireland & Lachlan Buchanan). McDonald's def'ly one to watch alright.
Mort in Sherman Oaks (2024)
Weakly meandering LA indie dark comedy
In weakly meandering LA indie dark comedy "Running On Empty" science has developed a way to accurately predict everyone's natural death date. On learning he has less than a year to live meek Keir Gilchrist's life takes a jolt. Fiancee Francesca Eastwood (Clint's daughter) dumps him, but he befriends Lucy Hale. Pimp Rhys Coiro steals his car and repeatedly tries extorting cash out of him. Oh, and his weird job for mortician uncle Jim Gaffigan (good) carries on as normal. Daniel André may have hoped his debut as writer / director would strike a bleakly genius tone similar to that of the likes of "Wristcutters: A Love Story"... but it doesn't. Disappointing.
Brothers (2024)
Lamentably weak, silly & forgettable gross-out comedy wasting terrific talent
Despite the talent involved, unoriginal comedy "Brothers" is WAY off the best of the silly gross-out genre. Peter Dinklage & Josh Brolin are twins (would calling it "Twins" push the unoriginality TOO far?) raised by mum Glenn Close as petty crims til she left when they were 15. Brolin ended up in domesticity (with Taylour Paige - so under-rated) while Dinklage carried on in crime (involving the likes of Brendan Fraser (terrific again), Marisa Tomei & M Emmet Walsh) - which he tries to pull Brolin back into here. Everyone involved (inc director Max Barbokow & writer Macon Blair) have done so much better than this lamentably weak, forgettable tosh. It's a turd. Flush it away.
Woman of the Hour (2023)
Excellently original & engaging true-tale serial-killer thriller
Anna Kendrick's fine directorial debut "Woman Of The Hour" is an original & engaging addition to the serial-killer true-tale genre. In the lead Kendrick excels as a struggling LA actress who in 1978 out of professional desperation goes on 'The Dating Game' (aka 'Blind Date' in the UK btw) where she picks Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto - also terrific) who'd later be convicted for the murders of multiple women (some of which are seen in flashbacks). Writer Ian McDonald cleverly uses Kendrick's character (and others) to help show how attitudes & norms of the time put women at even greater risk... and helped Alcala get away with his crimes for so long. It's an excellent film.
Revenge (2017)
Stunningly hard-hitting post-#metoo thriller debut from the new Tarantino writer / director
Writer / director Coralie Fargeat's debut, 2017 thriller "Revenge", was actually EVEN better than her superb follow-up "The Substance". When Vincent Colombe (great) & Guillaume Bouchède arrive for their boys trip a day early at the remote desert villa of pal Kevin Janssens (terrific) they meet his uber-hot mistress Matilda Lutz (outstanding)... with sex, drugs, violence & LOTS of blood ensuing. Fargeat's writing may stretch reality but her striking direction is simply sensational, AND she elicits such stunning performances. With her first two films both being SO hard-hitting Fargeat may well be the next Tarantino, as well as the champion of post-#metoo. Wow.
Bookworm (2024)
Confused, messy, implausible NZ dramedy that's not funny, poignant or charming.
NZ dramedy "Bookworm" (from director Ant Timpson & writer Toby Harvard) starts strong but collapses BADLY. When nerdy, arrogant 11yr old (note to film-makers: obnoxious kids are NOT charming) Nell Fisher's mum has an accident her biological magician dad Elijah Wood jets from the US to care for her - despite not having met her before (and only knowing her mum for two hours 12yrs prior). Even less plausibly they then head off to find a mythical panther in the remote wilderness... where even LESS plausibly they 'bond' (especially after meeting Michael Smiley & Vanessa Stacey). It's not funny, it's not poignant, it is a confused & messy turd - flush it far away.
The Substance (2024)
Amazingly stunning, stylish, hard-hitting shock-thriller full of analogy
Fans of tv's 'Black Mirror' will LOVE similarly themed hard-hitting shock-thriller "The Substance" - and those who don't love it sure won't forget it. Dismayed at how Hollywood (represented by Dennis Quaid's character 'Harvey') is dumping her, fading aging star Demi Moore (sensational) signs up to a mysterious service that spawns 'a better, younger' version of her: Margaret Qualley (also terrific). The two must co-exist via certain rules, but they don't, and the poop (and everything else) hits the fan. With her first English-language film, writer / director Coralie Fargeat KILLS it in stunning style, via analogies on aging, body image, misogyny, etc. It is an amazing movie. Wowza.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
A fine, fitting, & thrilling adrenaline-fest with which to launch 'Aliens' at a whole new generation
In "Alien: Romulus" Cailee Spaeny (great), her robot 'brother' David Jonsson, and various fellow twenty-somethings are trapped on a hellish mining-colony planet by an evil corporation, so they escape to a nearby abandoned & drifting space-station on which they find the speaking remains of robot Ian Holm (raised from the dead by cinematic AI)... and of course, terrifying aliens! Tho Fede Alvarez & Rodo Sayagues' writing has holes, it does homage the previous 'Alien' movies well, and Alvarez's direction is so stunning that it makes this 7th franchise entry (the 4th chronologically) a fine and fitting way to launch 'Aliens' at a new generation.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Fun blockbuster sequel in Tim Burton's magically dark & colourful feel-good style
Rejoice! Uber-director Tim Burton is back (after 5yrs out) with "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", sequel to his fun 1988 blockbuster "Beetlejuice". Michael Keaton returns as the titular undead comic demon, again haunting Winona Ryder (still seeing ghosts), her stepmum Catherine O'Hara, and this time also her sleazy bf Justin Theroux & her kid Jenna Ortega... while Keaton himself is plagued in the underworld by his soul-sucking ex Monica Bellucci & hilarious actor-cop Willem Defoe. Danny DeVito (cameo) & Burn Gorman support, to Alfred Gough & Miles Millar's jaunty screenplay, giving Burton the solid base to weave his darkly colourful feel-good magic from... which he does.
Salem's Lot (2024)
Decent, bright, silly, fun, entertaining, polished, forgettable horror - popcorn for the eyes
Writer / director Gary Dauberman's adaptation of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" is the first movie version of the 1975-based horror novel (following two tv mini-series) and a decent bright effort it is. Author Lewis Pullman (Bill's rising star son) returns to his titular Maine hometown at the same time as a sinister vampire arrives (via Pilou Asbæk) to wreak havoc on residents like Bill Camp, Alfre Woodward, Makenzie Leigh & Jordan Preston Carter. Dauberman's approach is mid-70s appropriate and perfectly light popcorn-munchin' fare for for example the drive-in cinema that features so prominently in it. It's silly stuff, but as entertaining & polished as could be hoped. A good fun film.
Hold Your Breath (2024)
Superbly crafted & performed Depression-era thriller. Terrific.
In Depression-era thriller "Hold Your Breath" Sarah Paulson (great again) lives on a remote Oklahoma farm with daughters Amiah Miller & Alona Jane Robbins, while her hubbie works away as Oklahoma's now gripped by the misery & fear of dust-bowl famine, sickness, & crime. To this backdrop, drifter Ebon Moss-Bachrach (fine rising star) enters their lives (and that of Paulson's cousin Annaleigh Ashford) but is he a good man... or evil? Co-directors Karrie Crouse (who also wrote it) & William Joines (both on their debuts) build tension & ambiguity so superbly that even those finding it tough, hard viewing should note its excellent craftmanship. It's a terrific movie.
The Radleys (2024)
Mediocre contemporary Brit vampire flick lacking in pace, bite, flair & style
In even-paced contemporary British vampire flick "The Radleys" Kelly Macdonald & Damien Lewis, with teen kids Bo Bragason & Harry Baxendale, seem a regular middle-class Yorkshire-coast family... til the kids learn (the hard way) that they're actually all vampires (albeit abstaining ones). Lewis' active-vampire bro (also played by Lewis) comes to help them through this tricky period, but makes matters worse (drawing in suspicious neighbour Shaun Parkes, fearing for the safetly of son Jay Lycurgo). Director Euros Lyn & writer Talitha Stevenson may want it to be the first of a new "Twilight"-esque franchise, but it lacks the requisite bite, flair and style for that. Mediocre.
The Trouble with Jessica (2023)
Neatly cast but troublingly inconsisent & implausible dark Brit dramedy
The trouble with "The Trouble With Jessica", despite it being a neatly cast dark Brit dramedy, is co-writers Matt Winn (who also directed) & James Handel's inconsistent tone that lapses in style from serious wordy play (albeit one with the characters taking ridiculously implausible actions) to bursts of "A Weekend At Bernies" crass slapstick. Middle-class Londoners Alan Tudyk & Shirley Henderson host friends Rufus Sewell & Olivia Williams for dinner, which free-spirited pal Indira Varma effectively crashes... sparking the evening to wildly spiral. Sewell & Henderson particularly are great, but their film does not know what it is to be... and THAT is the trouble.
The Wasp (2024)
Modest, dark, flawed but engaing, play-based British dramatic-thriller
In dark Bath-based British dramatic-thriller "The Wasp" middle-class Naomie Harris is stuck in a loveless marriage to douchey Dominic Allburn, so reaches out to pregnant old school-bully 'friend' Natalie Dormer with an indecent proposal... but as the two discuss details etc together, it becomes apparent that all ain't what it seems. For his debut screenplay Morgan Lloyd Malcolm adapted his own play (it has the clear feel of being based on a play) which Guillem Morales brings modestly home (with its various flaws) as his first English-language film as director. It's original, and decently engaging, though it lacks the strong stinging edge that woulda made it great.
The Rooster (2023)
Dark, bleak but quietly classy & cliché-free Aussie drama
In dark, bleak but quietly classy Aussie drama "The Rooster" the troubled psyche of rural cop Phoenix Raei plunges when brain-damaged pal Rhys Mitchell kills himself out in the remote woods. Spiralling towards his own suicide in those same woods Raei meets reclusive hermit Hugo Weaving, and the two forge an unlikely relationship... with details emerging of Mitchell's death - and Weaving's disturbing past. Avoiding cliché in his debut, writer / director Mark Leonard Winter delivers more of a moody character-study (requiring excellent performances, that his leads deliver) than a gripping thriller, which won't be for all - but folk who for example liked "Pig", should love this one.
Between the Temples (2024)
Bizarrely strange low-budget dramedy on dreary Jewish customs & explicit love/sex themes
In bizarre dramedy "Between The Temples" Jewish cantor Jason Schwartzman is deep in debilitating depression following his wife's accidental death a year+ prior. Attempts to help by his mums (Dolly De Leon & Caroline Aaron) & Rabbi (Robert Smigei - great) focus on getting him dating again, but they all fail... til his quirky old music teacher Carol Kane has him teach her in preparation for her Bat Mitzvah (!). Director Nathan Silver applies a deliberately low-budget look & feel throughout, while the screenplay he co-wrote with C Mason Wells swings from dreary specifics of Jewish religious customs to explicit filth talk to oddly-toned May / Sept love. It is a STRANGE movie.