Movie Reviews
‘Bros’ Review: Boy Meets Boy Meets Multiplex
Eichner’s onscreen avatar, Bobby Leiber, is a strident variation on his persona: a podcast host who dominates conversations as if he’s the one one with a mic. Bobby blames being single on a litany of common laments that dovetail with queer-specific gripes, say, guys on Grindr who kind, “Should see pic of ass,” forcing him to fetch a hoop mild and razor.
At a promo social gathering for a brand new app known as Zellweger (“For gays who need to discuss actresses and go to mattress,” his good friend, performed by Man Branum, describes), Bobby meets Aaron (Macfarlane) and dismisses the hunky lawyer as yet one more homosexual paradox: a person who’s each strappingly stable and emotionally vaporous. (Cleverly, the cinematographer Brandon Trost and the editor Daniel Gabbe assemble their first scenes collectively in order that Macfarlane seems to fade mid-conversation — literalized ghosting.) Neither man claims to imagine in affairs that last more than happily-ever-next-Thursday. As a substitute, Bobby and Aaron are competitively blasé, fumbling by a relationship that begins with a first-date foursome and hits its romantic climax with a textual content that reads, “What’s up.”
The dilemma of the movie isn’t will-they-or-won’t-they? Macfarlane, a seasoned lead of a dozen-plus straight Hallmark vacation romances together with “Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen” and “A Shoe Addict’s Christmas,” is expert at a Labradoresque eyebrow crinkle that might make anybody swoon. The suspense is available in watching Eichner wrestle to reconcile his galaxy-brained cynicism with mainstream rom-com touchstones: Nat King Cole on the soundtrack, a sidewalk dash impressed by “When Harry Met Sally …” and a contented ending even he simply would possibly imagine in, a little bit.
“Bros” is extra convincing when it when digs into Bobby’s bitterness. His drawback isn’t that the world refuses to assist queer love. It’s that at 40, he can’t deliver himself to tear down the partitions he constructed when it didn’t. Bobby is a battle-scarred veteran of Twentieth-century homophobia struggling Twenty first-century whiplash. Acceptance has moved quick — nearly too quick for Bobby, who sneers that the Hallheart Channel — a Hallmark lampoon — is pandering to sexual liberation with movies like “A Holly Poly Christmas.” On the similar time, Bobby’s buddies are celebrating main commitments: throuples, surrogate-delivered triplets, even a gender-reveal orgy, and his various collaborators on the board of an L.G.B.T.Q. historical past museum contemplate white cisgender males to be mothballed relics.
Nobody on the museum can agree on what reveals to position inside, a subplot that enables queer folks within the movie to overtly debate which tales it needs to inform about itself. Should it nonetheless prioritize wrestle over pleasure? Is there room for everybody’s standpoint? And the way can in the present day’s storytellers honor folks from the previous whose passions could have been suppressed or erased? As a partial reply to those questions, the board creates a Corridor of Bisexuals the place Amy Schumer and Kenan Thompson play goofy, grinning holograms of Eleanor Roosevelt and James Baldwin. Let students argue in regards to the show’s accuracy. It accomplishes what “Bros,” like each different rom-com, goals to do: attraction audiences with a spirited, corny facsimile of life.
Bros
Rated R for intercourse, swearing and a fast snort of poppers. Working time: 1 hour 55 minutes. In theaters.
Movie Reviews
Civil War
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5)
Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) may not be a name as familiar to many. Yet, in his film making career, he has managed to write and direct some of the most creative works in cinemas. His vision of a dystopian future combines brilliance with an unnerving component that has garnered characters and stories that continue to capture the imagination. His latest project taps into the potential division within the United States, leading to a civil war between the states and the federal government.
Garland embeds the audience into the centre of the action as it unfolds with a team of journalists trying to get the story affecting the country out to the world. Photojournalist Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) leads a small team that foresees the downfall of the current administration and strives to get to Washington, DC, before the Western forces. Yet, the journey is marked by precarious situations in every community as anarchy and confusion have taken over the country since law enforcement has been disbanded. Their press credentials allow the team to move through each community and even provide them access to local battle scenes that occur along the way. As Lee tries to protect and mentor the aspiring photographer, Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), her Reuter’s partner, Joel (Wagner Moura), attempts to navigate the backroads of America to get them to the nation’s capital before it falls.
From the opening scene, Garland’s story announces the cautionary messaging of how close the United States is to destroying itself from within its own borders. Yet, the masterful manner that this film maker has gone with this storyline is how he manages to do this without taking clear sides on the topics affecting the country. He doesn’t pit race, social class or political affiliations against one another. Instead, the writer/director shows how horrifically this war would impact everyone, even those who choose to ignore what is happening in their neighbourhood. As a neutral observer, he gives the viewer a perspective of judging each community and situation without making commentary that would steer the interpretation of each scenario as it unfolds. As these journalists travel between communities, military actions and personal challenges, the audience gets a front-row seat to the horrors of war that should lead to reconciliation within this mighty nation.
Americans will feel mixed emotions as the movie rolls forward, which will cause tensions between patriotism, justice and what it is to be an American. What is most unnerving is the plausibility of all of this unfolding and how unnerving this possible reality impacts the emotional state of a nation. Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley and Cailee Spaeny make a perfect social experiment that represents the majority of the population and how each sees the downfall of America in a different way. Outside of some unlikely scenarios and equipment usage, there is little to discredit Alex Garland’s film. Every scene has a purpose; each character serves their role convincingly, and the story allows the audience to determine what they must do with what unfolds before them. Civil War proves to be a warning for countries and people that should lead to conversations of unification, forgiveness, identity, and reconciliation.
Reel Dialogue: Where do we find our identity?
One of the most profound moments in the film developed into one of the most ghastly as the journalists were asked, ‘What kind of American are you?’ This is a question that strikes right at the heart of personal identity. The answer to ‘Who are you?’ has plagued philosophers, theologians and university professors for centuries. The world of Civil War continues the discussion on identity by evaluating what it takes to determine who you are in this world.
Remember that this is a work of fiction. Still, these questions should force every one to determine who they are and what defines their existence. Fiction or not, it does not minimise the fact that people continue to question what it means to be a person. What might surprise many people is that there is one reference that can answer this question, the Bible.
It states that regardless of where we were born, where we live and what political affiliation we may identify with, we are made in the image of God, which means that God has a particular position for us in this world. An answer that merely begins to provide the direction to this existential query. So, why not dig in more? Interestingly, this study of humanity could bring one closer to knowing God and more about who you are.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27
If you would like to discuss themes from Civil War reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat with you about this and more.
Movie Reviews
Abigail Movie Review: When pirouettes turn perilous
Review: Set against the eerie backdrop of a sprawling mansion, the film introduces us to a seemingly straightforward scenario: a group of disparate criminals abduct a young girl in the hopes of a big payout. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals a layered and darker narrative: the apparent victim, a young girl named Abigail, is anything but helpless. Directed by the duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, ‘Abigail’ reinvigorates the horror-thriller genre with a compelling twist on the classic kidnapping plot. The film would arguably be far more effective if the twist were hidden from its marketing, but ‘Abigail’ is still a compelling watch.
A lot of that is credited to the ‘little girl’ Abigail. Alisha Weir delivers a standout performance, masterfully oscillating between angelic innocence and chilling malevolence. Her balletic movements, which transition into deadly attacks, add a hauntingly beautiful dimension to her character’s ferocity. Dan Stevens excels as the mercurial ex-cop Frank, whose unpredictable nature keeps the audience on edge. Melissa Barrera’s nuanced performance as a tough yet motherly Joey adds emotional depth, portraying a conflicted figure who forms a surprising bond with Abigail. The rest of the cast also enriches the film’s dynamic by bringing their own complexities and secrets into play. The chemistry among the cast amplifies the energy, with each actor drawing on their strengths to elevate the narrative’s intensity and unpredictability.
While ‘Abigail’ excels in pushing boundaries with its graphic violence and rapid narrative shifts, these elements sometimes hamper the film’s pacing and coherence, especially in the third act. The visual style, marked by a gritty and dark aesthetic, intends to enhance the ambience but occasionally makes it difficult to appreciate the meticulous special effects and fight choreography that is central to the film. Despite these critiques, ‘Abigail’ tactfully combines character-driven storytelling without the usual trappings of a horror thriller. It meshes sharp, witty dialogue with brutal action to keep the audience engaged and guessing. This film not only pays homage to classic horror but also carves out its niche with a blend of gore and humour that turns a clichéd premise on its head.
Movie Reviews
City Hunter (2024) – Movie Review | Japanese Netflix genre-mix Heaven of Horror
Watch City Hunter (2024) on Netflix now!
This new Netflix movie from Japan (org. title: Shiti Hanta) is the live-action adaptation of the legendary manga “City Hunter” by Tsukasa Hojo. The director is Yûichi Satô (Kasane) and the screenwriter is Tatsuro Mishima (Yu yu hakusho, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead).
“Ryo Saeba” is played by Ryohei Suzuki, who has an impressive six-pack and would be a lot more charming to me, if the silliness was dialed down. However, I suspect fans of City Hunter wouldn’t recognize the character then.
Misato Morita portrays his future partner, and the cool heroine, “Kaori Makimura”. Finally, Masanobu Ando plays “Hideyuki Makimura” while Fumino Kimura co-stars as “Detective Saeko Nogami”.
Despite being a fan of horror-comedy and other genre hybrids, this one jumps between moods, styles, and genres at such a pace that I cannot give in to it. A shame really. Especially because I can see the intriguing story there.
City Hunter (org. title: Shiti Hanta) is on Netflix from April 25, 2024.
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