Midsommar Film Review

Directed by Ari Aster

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper

Rated R for disturbing ritualistic violence and grisly images, strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language

There is a phrase many filmmakers and film critics love to say, show don’t tell. It is so commonly said when a filmmaker needs to present something on screen instead of having characters say it. Seasoned filmmakers know when to use this aspect and a majority of them use them well. Writer and director Ari Aster not only uses the concept of show don’t tell, but unfortunately uses it way too much.

“Midsommar” is a horror film in which a group of friends are invited to a Swedish village, which partake in cult like events. The main protagonist is Dani (played by Florence Pugh), who is recently recovering deaths in the family and is invited by her boyfriend, Christian (played by Jack Reynor). “Midsommar” is a film that is filled with shock and horror, along with gory images that are very unsettling.

This is the main criticism that was mentioned earlier, show don’t tell. There are too many aspects of director Aster showing too much on the screen such as graphic sex or gruesome deaths. For example, when we see two characters in the nude, we know sexual activities are engaging. But Aster has this scene play out for a few minutes which makes the audience feel extremely uncomfortable, that is perhaps the intentions of the director. But there is a line that is crossed when it comes to sexual and violent images and “Midsommar” certainly crosses the line.

But while there is criticism to be had with the imagery, I can commend the technical aspects of the film. Florence Pugh (who caught my eye in “Fighting With My Family”) does a tremendous job carrying the film. There are many moments where her character has to convey emotions of sadness, anger, confusion and all without saying any word. She does a great job with her acting, it is the highlight in the film. I certainly agree that Pugh was great to watch on screen and I do hope to see more of her in future films. The film is also filled with great cinematography and editing. The cinematography was certainly eye catching and was very pleasing to see on the screen. There are multiple scenes where the director chooses not to cut but instead keeps the film rolling.

The first 15 minutes of the film features a family dying in a disturbing fashion. Not only is it unsettling but it adds nothing to the rest of the film. There are multiple instances of this being brought up in the rest of the film but quite frankly, if this scene was not included in the film, then it would not change the film. The best way to describe the film is that it’s just slow. It is after the one hour mark where we actually get introduced the horror elements. When it is introduced, the film does drag on for the worse. To make matters worse, the film has a run time that is over two hours. Not that films with a considerable long run times are bad, but they need to be long for a specific reason. There were multiple scenes that could have been left on the cutting room floor to make the film shorter.

Although the film’s highlights are the acting, cinematography, and editing, the film unfortunately a slow burn with uneasy imagery. “Midsommar” is not meant for mainstream audiences, it is meant for the audiences who love indie films. If you are expecting a smart horror film that makes you think, this will certainly be your cup of tea but those who are expecting something else, such as myself, I would pass on this one.

2/4

Yesterday Film Review

Directed by Danny Boyle

Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Sophia Di Martino

Rated PG-13 for suggestive content and language

Hey Jude. A Day in the Life. Yesterday. These are just some of the iconic songs that were written by Lennon-McCartney along with George Harrison and Ringo Starr. These four men wrote and preformed some of the most influential songs in music that are still being heard today. The Beatles emerged from the early 60’s and throughout the decade, the group wrote classics after classics. So when “Yesterday” asks the question,”what if the Beatles didn’t exist?” it showcases how one man uses the Beatles classic to reintroduce them to the world.

“Yesterday” is a Danny Boyle directed film that stars Himesh Patel. Patel plays Jack, a musician who is struggling to make it big. After an accident, Jack realizes that no one knows who the Beatles are, therefore he takes their songs and credited it as his songs. “Yesterday” has a very interesting concept as the screenplay is written by Richard Curtis. Curtis wrote a heartwarming love story that features exceptional songs. This is the best way to describe “Yesterday” as a feel good rom-com that is above average.

The film also features Ed Sheeran as himself who does a decent enough job in his acting. It is not exciting but interesting to see him act than more just a cameo. We also get Kate McKinnon, who is know for playing zany, goofy characters. But the character McKinnon plays is a villain like manager of Jack who is just wanting money. I suppose the character is supposed to be an allegory of actual music managers who are in it for money but it is odd to see McKinnon play a character that is not the protagonist. McKinnon does get multiple laughs every once in a while but in short, I feel like she was miscast.

The screenplay written by Richard Curtis is unfortunately a tad bit predictable. “Yesterday” is a love story that we have seen in multiple films prior but credit due to the intriguing question of “what if the Beatles never existed?” that follows the film throughout. There are also many questionable decisions that are written into the film. For instance, no one also knows who Oasis are. I can accept that as if the Beatles were never formed or never gotten big as they were, then a band such as Oasis never got inspired by the Fab Four, therefore Oasis never became a band. But no one in the world also knows what Coke or Harry Potter are. Were the Beatles influential to the soft drink and the book series? Although it gets a laugh when presented on screen, it is very odd to have this inclusion. It leaves more questions than answers.

“Yesterday” may be predictable but in the end it is a very lovable, heartwarming love story that revolves around one of the most influential musical acts of all time. If you are a big fan of the Beatles, there is much enjoyment to be had due to the Easter eggs and references to the Beatles. “Yesterday” has a few laughs and numerous unforgettable songs that are featured, “Yesterday” a good time that audiences will certainly enjoy.

3/4

Pulp Fiction Film Review

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman

Rated R for strong graphic violence and drug use, pervasive strong language and some sexuality

What could be said about a universally beloved classic film that hasn’t been said before? Pulp Fiction is indeed a classic film because it is a film that still holds up 25 years later. The snappy dialogue, the funny moments, the relateable anti-heroes are aspects that makes Pulp Fiction a film that is still remembered to this day, all thanks to writer and director Quentin Tarantino.

Pulp Fiction tells a non linear story of two hitmen, a washed up boxer, a wife of a crime boss, and a couple robbing a dinner. It a sense, it shows “a day in the life” of these characters we meet on screen but the story is not told in chronological order. This aspect is what is remembered from the film and deservedly so got praise for this. This influenced other films that followed Pulp Fiction to tell a story nonlinear.

But the highlight of the film comes from writer and director Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino was coming off fresh from his debut, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction was his sophomore effort. It is still impressive that a film like Pulp Fiction was well written coming from a director who had only directed one film prior. Pulp Fiction would turn Tarantino into a household name and becoming a director to watch with all of his following successors.

Pulp Fiction is a dialogue driven film that is still remembered to this day. There are many scenes that feature several minutes of dialogue, yet the film does not feel like its dragging because of it. The first act features two hitmen Jules( Samuel L Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) walking to an apartment with a job to do. The moment both Jules and Vincent exit their vehicles and enter the apartment, we see the two characters have a conversation about foot massages, of all things. Most writers would have skipped the walk from the vehicle to the apartment and gotten straight to the action, but Tarantino is a writer that can make the dialogue work.

All of the acting is top notch as well. Travolta is the main star in Pulp Fiction, who has the most screen time in the film. His presence shines in the film, playing a drug using hitmen and he makes it work. We also get Samuel L Jackson in his most remembered role in his career and it also skyrocketed his profile and for good reason. When people think back to Pulp Fiction, most will think of the two most iconic characters of the 90’s Travolta and Jackson as Vincent and Jules, respectively. We also get Bruce Willis, who had mostly been in action films prior. His turn as a washed up boxer is a welcome change from a hero who is saving the day to a man who is in over his head.

Although the film is near perfect, it is not without its fault. The scenes that feature Bruce Willis and Maria de Medeiros are a bit slow but entertaining at the least. But when Willis goes off to retrieve his father’s watch, it starts to pick up. Nonetheless, Pulp Fiction is a must see movie as it is still has influences to this day. Reading a review of how excellent the film is does not do it justice. Pulp Fiction is indeed a timeless, classic film that stand the test of time.

4/4

Shazam! Film Review

Directed by David F. Sandberg

Starring: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material

Everyone at one point in their lives wanted to be a superhero. When I was a kid, I always imagined being a superhero saving the day. Shazam is a film that asks the question, what if a regular kid had superpowers? Would he use them for the greater good or play around with them for fun?

Shazam is the newest DC Comics installment in which 14 year old Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel) is an orphan who is given superpowers when shouting the phrase, “Shazam!”. When shouting this phrase, 14 year old Batson is suddenly transformed into a a grown adult with superpowers (played by Zachary Levi) . But Batson is not the only person with this type of power. Dr. Sivana (played by Mark Strong) has the power to summon the seven deadly sins but is also seeking the powers that Shazam has.

Shazam is a superhero film but it is actually a family film. Batson is trying to find his mother and is placed in a foster family. Batson feels left out in his foster family and the film asks the question, how does it feel to be left out? This is also something that the villain, Dr. Sivana also faces within his own family. The family arc in the film is very heartfelt and warming, and at time emotional as each character is likable. Batson is in a foster home along with other foster children with distinct personalities. Darla is one of the foster sibling and is played very well as lovable little sister.

But when we are not focusing on the family, we see how Batson deals with his new powers. At first, Batson does not use his powers for good but for entertainment. This is something we would all do if we all had newfound powers, well at least I would do. Levi who plays Shazam brings fun and excitement when he is on the screen. His humor is what makes this film worth watching. Shazam is accompanied by his foster brother, Freddie (played by Jack Dylan Grazer). Freddie is a comic book nerd who points out what the superhero has to go through. Shazam/Billy Batson and Freddie do have good chemistry when on screen. At one point in the film. Freddie refers Billy as his best friend and I can see the two characters best friends. But the true standout is the evil Dr Sivana.

Early in the film, we see why Dr Sivana has the motivations he has. When he was a young boy, Sivana was bullied by his brother and father and eventually causes a rift between them. He wants the powers Shazam as it something he has been seeking all his life and eventually has the demons of the seven deadly sins inside him . Dr. Sivana is not your regular villain, he is a villain who is willing to kill children and throws innocent people out of a building. He is a good villain who has a tragic backstory, so there is some reasoning on why he does what he does. But in the end, it does not justify the actions he does. The kills and the demons that represent the seven deadly sins are a bit dark for a lighthearted film.

The third act with consists of Shazam and Dr Sivana battling in at a carnival and in the city. Shazam is helped with his foster siblings in a fun little twist. Although some of the CGI is not believable. I know in a superhero film there will be CGI used heavily but there are some moments that you can tell the CGI is not done well. Fortunately this is something that is not major nor does it bring the film down.

Shazam is fun, exciting, and heartwarming. I highly recommend this film, especially if you are a comic book enthusiast. The villain is memorable and the overall theme is something we can all relate to. There is enjoyment and humor to be had, in the end you will be shouting, “Shazam!”.

3.5/4