Review – Sasquatch Sunset

Sasquatch Sunset (2024)
R ‧ Comedy/Drama ‧ 1 Hours 30 Minutes
Written by David Zellner
Directed by Nathan Zellner, David Zellner

THE CAST

Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Christophe Zajac-Denek, and Nathan Zellner.

THE STORY

(In their own words). In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches find themselves on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

Acting and Character Portrayal: The actors, including Jesse Eisenberg, perform exceptionally, deeply immersing themselves into the roles of sasquatches. Their extensive physical training to master their characters’ body movements and non-verbal communication are major strengths of the film.
Makeup and Practical Effects: The film’s use of practical effects, especially the makeup, is praised. This choice adds authenticity to the portrayal of the sasquatches, enhancing the viewer’s immersion into the film’s world without relying on CGI.
Unique Concept: The film’s premise and execution are incredibly unique. The idea of a narrative told entirely through “sasquatchese” without any English dialogue or subtitles presents a fresh and innovative challenge to conventional filmmaking.
Physical Comedy and Absurdist Elements: The film’s physical comedy and absurdist tone are effective in delivering humor and entertainment, making it stand out in the comedy genre.
Engaging Performances: The cast’s commitment to their roles, particularly in their nonverbal acting and interaction, is identified as a highlight, making the characters compelling and memorable despite the lack of understandable dialogue.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the film

Lack of Deep Engagement: While unique and humorous, the film reportedly struggles with not being deeply engaging. This could be attributed to its unconventional storytelling and minimalistic plot, which might only resonate with some viewers, particularly those unfamiliar or unappreciative of absurdist humor.
Niche Appeal: The elements that make “Sasquatch Sunset” stand out—its absurdist tone and non-traditional narrative—make it challenging for the film to find a broad audience. Its appeal is likely limited to niche cinema fans with specific tastes, potentially alienating mainstream viewers.
Minimalistic Plot and Pacing: Despite the film’s short duration, there’s a feeling that not much happens throughout its runtime. This issue, combined with the film’s experimental nature, might lead some viewers to perceive it as slow or lacking in substantive content, which could affect its overall pacing and viewer satisfaction.
Absence of Subtitles or Understandable Dialogue: The decision to use “sasquatchese” without subtitles is bold but might also hinder viewer understanding and engagement. This choice requires viewers to pay close attention to non-verbal cues to follow the story, which could be demanding or frustrating for some.
Divisive Humor: The film’s humor, which leans heavily on absurdism, might not be universally appreciated. Scenes intended to be funny could be seen as bizarre or off-putting to those not accustomed to or fond of absurdist comedy.

THE COMMENTS

“Sasquatch Sunset” is not without its challenges. The film’s lack of a conventional narrative and its reliance on absurdism might not resonate with all viewers. Its pacing, while brisk for a 90-minute film, occasionally feels slow due to the minimalistic plot. Yet, these same qualities make the film a fascinating study for those interested in method acting and physical theater.

Despite its potential niche appeal, “Sasquatch Sunset” offers a refreshing break from mainstream comedy, using its bizarre premise to subtly touch on themes of environmentalism and the impact of human encroachment on nature. It’s a film that might require a particular taste to appreciate its humor and artistic choices fully, but it’s undeniably a bold experiment in filmmaking that some will find delightful.

In conclusion, while “Sasquatch Sunset” may struggle to find a broad audience, its unique approach and standout performances make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking something out of the ordinary. It’s an interesting film that, while it might not make it to everyone’s favorites list, certainly deserves a watch in a theater for its collective humor and the communal experience it aims to create.

THE LESSON

Environmentalism and Human Impact: The film appears to convey messages about human activity’s intrusion into natural habitats and its effects on native wildlife, represented here by the sasquatches. As the Sasquatch family encounters elements of human civilization for the first time, such as a paved road, it highlights human development’s profound impact on previously untouched natural environments.
Discovery and Innocence: “Sasquatch Sunset” also explores themes of discovery and the innocent wonder of encountering the unknown. This is reflected in the sasquatches’ child-like curiosity and their process of learning and understanding new concepts, akin to young children or beings not as advanced as humans. This can be seen as a commentary on the universal nature of discovery and learning, regardless of one’s level of sophistication or intelligence.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes, but only in the sense of research. If I was directing or acting in a play or movie that was non-verbal or wanted to show an example of good physical acting work. I wouldn’t watch this because it was on the tv and I wanted to enjoy a movie.

THE FINAL WORD

“Sasquatch Sunset” dives into the absurdist genre with its unique portrayal of a sasquatch family navigating life in the North American forests, communicated entirely through “Sasquatchese.” The film’s standout aspects include remarkable method acting and impressive practical effects that bring the sasquatches to life. However, its experimental nature and sparse plot might limit its appeal to a niche audience. Despite these challenges, “Sasquatch Sunset” offers a whimsical, if sometimes perplexing, exploration of environmental themes and the innocence of discovery, making it a curious piece of cinema that might be best enjoyed with a group for its full comedic effect.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

I rank “Sasquatch Sunset” as “Like It.” While I didn’t fall in love with the film, I definitely didn’t hate it either. Its unique qualities, and the performances are noteworthy, but it’s admittedly niche with its absurdist elements, which might not resonate with everyone. It might be better appreciated in a theater setting to capture its humor and artistic flair fully.

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Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
PG ‧ Animated Action/Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 40 Minutes

Written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg & Jeff Rowe and Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit

Story by Brendan O’Brien and Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg & Jeff Rowe

Directed by Jeff Rowe Co-Directed by Kyler Spears

THE CAST

Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, Nicolas Cantu, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Natasia Demetriou, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Brady Noon, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Maya Rudolph.

THE STORY

(In their own words). After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The humor/comedy – It’s a hilarious film. I caught a couple of callbacks to previous films, I’m not an expert in TMNT, and I’m sure there were a lot more, but I’m sure there is a lot more that I didn’t catch.
The writing – Quick, witty…dialogue flows seamlessly.
The updates – One thing that always scares me about bringing back long-time characters into the modern world is how they decide to update it. They flawlessly updated it to modern times. They reference pop culture as if they are just normal teen high school kids. April, the Turtles’ sole female ally, is modernized to be a young black/biracial budding journalist from previous iterations.
The Story – This was a tremendous first TMNT film for someone like me because it is an origin story that thankfully only wades a little bit into how they got to where they are, just enough to get the idea and feel like I completely understood the backstory. Most of the story involves the deciding to “go public” and let people know they exist. They set up the protagonists well with clear motivations for revenge over humanity, which is understandable and diabolical.
The Acting – The voice acting is top-notch.

THE WORST

The only thing I didn’t like about the film I would ruin a significant plot point by telling you. So, if you want, message me, and I will tell you after you’ve seen it.

THE COMMENTS

I confess I am not a huge animation fanboy. I usually have trouble connecting emotionally with animated films (aside from UP, I’m not a monster). But I found myself really getting into this film, which especially surprised me because it is full of gnarly-looking mutant creatures that are the foils of the Ninja Turtles. They don’t look believable as living creatures, and that kind of thing really takes me out of this type of film.

THE LESSON

Sometimes you gotta trust a stranger.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes, I see kids especially replaying this a lot.

THE FINAL WORD

The popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in animated form in a film that offers a fresh, fun adventure that is sure to be the start of a new series of adventures. This action comedy film centers around a brief origin story of the quartet and a journey of discovering who they want to be after being raised by a fearful, human-hating father figure. Excellent voice-over acting draws the audience into the film, almost making you forget you are watching animated turtles with all these emotions. A good family film with lots of action and minimal scares serves up a solid introduction to the Ninja Turtle universe.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem gets a Like It.

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Review: Barbie

Barbie (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Comedy ‧ 1 Hours 54 Minutes

Written by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach

Directed by Greta Gerwig

THE CAST

Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell.

THE STORY

(In their own words). Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The Story – A fun exploration of Barbie, the Barbie world, and the real-world attitude toward Barbie and how Barbie is perceived. The story captivates you and gets invested very quickly. It’s the most fun Barbie adventure I’ve seen, and I’ve raised two daughters, so I’ve seen a lot.
The messages – There is a lot of messaging about the weight of responsibility that women have on their shoulders. It directly addresses how the public perceives Barbie vs. what Barbie is trying to do, and it seems to empower. This Barbie movie is a feminist manifesto wrapped in pink.
The comedy – It is a really funny movie with a broad range of comedic styles. There’s lots of physical comedy in the Barbie world, all the way to more cerebral humor in the real world and everything in between. Then there are the elements of parody it has and self-awareness. It really has comedy for everyone.
The self-awareness – The self-awareness of the film and the brand is great. It allows them to tackle how everyone sees Barbie and address it. Having Mattel be an actual part of the film is brilliant.
Cameos – Fantastic cameos, if you can see them.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

I think the film is about 10 minutes too long. There was a time, I thought. Okay, I got it. Let’s move on and start wrapping these things up.
Its own internal logic doesn’t always seem to work.

THE COMMENTS

This film gave me some regrets. I had fallen into the trap of not wanting to buy my daughter Barbies. I bought her the Black President Barbie. I found that acceptable. I’ve hidden Barbie’s Mermaid Adventure DVD that some evil person gave us. As an adult, I’ve been staunchly anti-barbie for as long as I can remember. And maybe this film taught me that I got it all wrong. This film helped me put Barbie into a new perspective, understanding that Barbie was meant to be more about celebrating all the things girls could become, not boxing them into being a model. Barbie is about choice.

THE LESSON

Self-Awareness is something you can’t put back in the bottle.

People need to see you value them.

A young woman doesn’t have to fit into a box; she can be anything.

Be nice to your Mom.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

YES, YES, YES.

THE FINAL WORD

Barbie is an unexpectedly excellent film. Barbie has been called critic-proof. A lot of people will likely go see it, no matter what critics say. Turns out, they were right! It is funny, clever, and sharp script. It is wonderfully acted, skillfully directed, and manages to find a great balance between delivering a message and entertaining within one of the world’s most well-known intellectual properties. Director Greta Gerwig once again proves to be a solid director with a wonderful vision. Margot Robbie is a solid performer in the film. While the Oscars will likely snub her for this role, the MTV movie awards will hopefully remember it. This film is not just an entertainment fluff movie but a feminist manifesto wrapped in pink. At times it may even get a bit heavy-handed, but it’s easily forgiven with the absolute delight of a story it tells.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Barbie gets a very big LOVE IT.

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Episode #213: Tom Danger, Director of Sweethurt

Australian Director Tom Danger joins Silas to talk about his new film, Sweethurt, and to answer the world-famous 7 Questions. Available as a Video and audio only Podcast.

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Review: Rye Lane

Rye Lane(2023)
PG-13 ‧ Romantic Comedy ‧ 1 Hours 22 Minutes

Written by Nathan Byron and Tom Melia

Directed by Raine Allen-Miller

THE CAST

Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson

THE STORY

David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah in RYE LANE. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

(In their own words). Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.

THE BEST

Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson in RYE LANE. Photo by Chris Harris. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

The BEST things about the film

Moment of Brilliance – The karaoke scene in this film where Yas and Dom sing Salt And Peppa’s Shoop together….is probably my single favorite scene of the last year. It’s an absolutely adorable scene that makes the movie for me.
The Creativity – This film elevates a seemingly simple romcom to a work of art through a bold color pallet, fun cinematography, and very clever writing. Interesting movies are less about the story they are telling and more about how they tell the story. This story is told in a very creative and wonderful way.
The humor – It’s a very funny romcom. The writing is clever, the actors delivery honest and fun performances that fit into this comedic world.
Black Excellence – I don’t even want to talk about it because it really doesn’t have much to do with the film…but I feel like I would be remiss to not mention all the Black excellence in this film. This is a Black love story. It is full of wonderfully written Black characters, written by at least one Black Writer, Nathan Byron. To be honest, I couldn’t figure out if Tom Melia was Black as well (it’s very hard to find pictures of writers). The director, Raine Allen-Miller, is Black and is making an outstanding feature debut with this film. From head to toe, this film is pouring with Black excellence.

THE WORST

David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah in RYE LANE. Photo by Chris Harris. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

The WORST things about the film

While it is a super creative film, it does fall into the traps of many romcoms in making a clumsy ending wrap up the story.

THE COMMENTS

While it is a romantic comedy, a big part of me want to tell you that this is a film about healing. I was once told that a breakup is kind of like a death. There is normally grieving from at least one party and it can be really difficult to learn how to move forward from after this change in your life. I think this film does a great job of exploring how these characters try to cope after a break up.

THE LESSON

Breakups are hard. How you react to a breakup doesn’t necessarily define you as a person.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Yes

THE FINAL WORD

Rye Lane is a very special film. It is a very creative, British romantic comedy film that takes us through the lives of two people trying to process their recent breakups. The film features some wonderful writing, cinematography, and acting. It contains possibly my single favorite scene of the last year or so. Featuring a mostly Black cast, this film shows some wonderful promise from first time director Raine Allen-Miller.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Rye Lane gets a very strong Like It.

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming exclusively on Hulu

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Review: Champions

Champions (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Comedy ‧ 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Written by Bobby Farrelly
Directed by Mark Rizzo

THE CAST

Woody Harrelson as Marcus, a disgraced G-league basketball coach
Kaitlin Olson as Alex, Johnny’s sister and Marcus’ love interest
Matt Cook as Sonny, an assistant coach
Ernie Hudson as Phil Perretti, a fellow coach and Marcus’ friend
Cheech Marin as Julio, the manager of the rec center where the Friends practic
Mike Smith as Attorney McGurk
Scott Van Pelt as himself
Jalen Rose as himself

THE STORY

(In their own words) A former minor-league basketball coach receives a court order to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Despite his doubts, he soon realizes that together they can go further than they ever imagined.

THE BEST
The BEST things about the film;

All of the intellectually disabled actors are played actors with those disabilities and they do a fantastic job.
This movie made me smile the entire time. It was just such an enjoyable movie to watch. Touching, poignant, funny…it really hit all the right notes for me.
Woody Harrelson does a wonderful job acting and working with all of the actors/players and brings a level of prestige to a film.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film;

The writing isn’t the best. It borders on an after-school special level. It’s not intolerable, but that is I believe in large part due to the actors bringing more to the script than is there.
While mostly really respectful to the actors with the disabilities, there was one female character where I didn’t think the jokes worked because the humor may have been more directed at her than with her.

THE COMMENTS

This is an English-language remake of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones directed by Javier.
This is a film that is elevated by the actors. The script itself is a bit predictable, mildly preachy, and razor this with its premise believability. But the actors elevate this out of what it could have been.
My biggest fear about the film would be the misuse of the intellectually disabled actors and would be them making a lot of jokes at their expense. But that isn’t what happened. The film is very respectful.
I think casting Woody Harrelson in the coach position was perfect because of my knowledge of him as a person made me feel okay watching it. I assumed that he wouldn’t do a film that made fun of the players. Also, in my personal universe the film would take place in the same universe as White Men Can’t Jump.

THE LESSON

Being a champion has nothing to do with outcome, it’s a way of living.

IS IT REWATCHABLE

Absolutely.

THE FINAL WORD

Watching Champions is giving yourself an opportunity to smile for two hours. Heartwarming story and performances that elevate the script made it a solid sports-comedy film. The actors in the players in the film are in real life part of the intellectually disabled community and it was fantastic to see them have an opportunity to show a story with respectful portrayals and fully developed characters. Give yourself an opportunity to be happy and see this film.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Champions gets a Like It.

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Review: The Menu

The Menu (2022)
R‧ Horror Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 46 Minutes

Written by Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
Directed by ‎Mark Mylod

THE CAST

Ralph Fiennes as Julian Slowik
Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot
Nicholas Hoult as Tyler
Hong Chau as Elsa
Janet McTeer as Lillian Bloom
Judith Light as Anne
John Leguizamo as Movie Star
Reed Birney as Richard Liebbrandt
Paul Adelstein as Ted. Lillian’s editor
Aimee Carrero as Felicity
Arturo Castro as Soren
Mark St. Cyr as Dave
Rob Yang as Bryce
Rebecca Koon as Linda
Peter Grosz as Sommelier

(From L-R): Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, Janet McTeer, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, Aimee Carrero, Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, and Mark St. Cyr in the film THE MENU. Photo by Eric Zachanowich. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

THE STORY

“Young couple Margot and Tyler travel to a remote island to eat at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant run by celebrity chef Julian Slowik, who has prepared a lavish molecular gastronomy menu where food is treated as conceptual art, although his approach to cuisine has some shocking surprises for the wealthy guests.”

MORE DETAILED STORY

(In their own words) A couple, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), travel to a coastal island in the Pacific Northwest to eat at an exclusive restaurant, Hawthorn, where the reclusive, globally celebrated Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu for select special guests. Joining the couple are three young, already inebriated tech bros, Bryce (Rob Yang), Soren (Arturo Castro) and Dave (Mark St. Cyr), an older wealthy couple and repeat clients, Anne and Richard (Judith Light and Reed Birney), renowned restaurant critic Lillian Bloom (Janet McTeer) and her slavish magazine editor Ted (Paul Adelstein), and a famous middle-aged movie star (John Leguizamo) with his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero). Hosted by the immaculately dressed front of house staff led by general Elsa (Hong Chau), the evening unfolds with increasing tension at each of the guest tables as secrets are revealed and unexpected courses are served. With wild and violent events occurring, Slowik’s motivation begins to rattle the diners as it becomes increasingly apparent that his elaborate menu is designed to catalyze to a shocking finale.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes in the film THE MENU. Photo by Eric Zachanowich. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The story – It’s a very creative story, one that I don’t think I’ve heard before. It’s suspenseful, thrilling, really funny, and you have trouble predicting where it’s going to go. Wonderful satire.
The themes – There are just so many wonderful themes about class warfare. Rich vs Poor, Have vs Have Nots, Givers vs Takers. There are so many underlying themes, the more you talk about it, the more you see.
The writing – This is a really well written film. Subtle, great dialogue, and layers upon layer of meaning behind everything.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

More backstory of most of the cooks would have really helped understand more.

The cast of the film THE MENU. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

THE LESSON

The rich don’t deserve bread.

THE FINAL WORD

This is a film that the audience should really devour. It is a tasting menu of satire, horror, comedy, thrills, and terror. Wonderfully written and speaks volumes about the role of class and the divide between the rich and the poor. This is not just another horror movie, it’s a warning that there is a breaking point and a message to the servant class about the power of saying ‘No.” Ralph Fiennes is a stand out as the celebrity chef Julian Slowik.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

The Menu gets a ‘Love It”

A course from the film THE MENU. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

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Review: Bodies Bodies Bodies

Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
R ‧ Horror Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 35 Minutes

Screenplay by Sarah DeLappe
Story by Kristen Roupenian

Directed by ‎Halina Reijn

THE CAST

Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson.

THE STORY

(In their own words)

When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

The comedy – very funny film. Possibly now a current favorite horror comedy.
The suspense – Trying to figure out who the killer is, waiting for twists, waiting for the next death, trying to figure the whole thing out, was amazingly exciting.
The satire. The satire of the film to me seemed to be a commentary on the juxtaposition of the starring generation. This is a generation that is really in touch with their emotions and aware how their words can harm other people. Yet at the same time they feel empty.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

It’s definitely a film of convenience. Set up too perfectly.
Some exposition to explain dumb things people did, seemed unnecessary.
My lack of a time machine to go back in time and watch this again for the first time.

THE REVIEW

After every screening I see, I’m supposed to give notes to the PR firm holding the screening, let me share with you what I said to the things I told them:

“A refreshingly and surprisingly wonderfully done horror comedy, with an emphasis on the comedy.

Honest performances, never over the top, played for keeps never for laughs, but the laughs kept coming.

Pete Davidson is fantastic.

Wonderful ensemble! Acting, chemistry, they did it all so wonderfully.

Can’t wait to see it again.

It is the “do-not-miss horror of the year.”

Spot-on satire of a generation that has amazing levels of empathy and understanding of other people’s difficulties yet can’t find their own purpose.”

That should give you a sense of how I felt about this film.

They say it is a lot harder to write a review of a film you like than to write one for a film you hate. It’s really hard for me to write this review. I just want to gush over how much I enjoyed this.

I feel like I watch a lot of TV and film, and I just couldn’t predict this film. It’s horror, but it wasn’t as gory as I was afraid it would be. It showed it was also a comedy, but it was WAY funnier than I predicted. I thought I knew who the killer was, then I thought I knew who they were trying to make me think the killer was, then I thought I knew the red herring, cause it’s actually this other person….I was never right. I could just never predict what would happen. And that is absolutely exhilarating.

I don’t think the film will be considered a film to “change the genre” but it at minimum should set a bar of excellence because this film is truly wonderful. The writing is wonderful. The script is witty, the characters are fully developed, they are driven with clear motivations, they reveal things at just the right times, there are wonderfully developed social commentaries throughout the film, which is so wonderful to see in a horror comedy.

The acting is surprisingly awesome. Pete Davidson was just terrific and it makes me want to go watch his other films to see if I’ve been missing something.

THE LESSON

This movie is stacked full of lessons! It really is!

Lessons in white privilege, in ableism, in understanding the hardships others experience and trying to be an ally. But ultimately I came away with this:

Being an ally is great….but making yourself empty inside is horrible.

REWATCHABLE?

Absolutely. One of the first movies in a while that I can’t wait to watch again.

THE FINAL WORD

If you want a great laugh and scream movie, Bodies Bodies Bodies is it. It definitely has the blood and guts of a horror film. But it’s comedy makes me forget all that. This is close to the most fun I’ve had in a theater this year.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Bodies Bodies Bodies gets a Love It

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Review: Bullet Train

Bullet Train (2022)
R ‧ Action Comedy Thriller ‧ 2 Hour 6 Minutes

Directed by ‎David Leitch

Screenplay by Zak Olkewicz. Based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle (published in English as Bullet Train) by Kōtarō Isaka.

THE CAST

Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Sandra Bullock.

THE STORY

(In their own words) Five assassins find themselves on a fast moving bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka with only a few stops in between. They discover their missions are not unrelated to each other.

THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film

The story – Very compelling story and I really like the way it was presented.
The comedy – really funny film. Impeccable comedy and funny characters.
Brad Pitt – Such an enjoyable performance. You could tell he was having fun with the role so it was fun for us to watch. He plays an “Assassin” who is trying to change himself and not kill people anymore. He’s been doing a lot of therapy and he just wants to do “grab and go” jobs now. He also thinks he is bad luck now, because people around him tend to die, even if they aren’t connected to the job he’s doing.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

Honestly, I don’t have many complaints about this film. My major issue is probably that we somehow filled this Japanese story set in Japan with a bunch of people who aren’t Japanese. I’m nearly positive that in the original book, they weren’t a bunch of American and British people in the story. However, there is also something to be said that this film likely wouldn’t have gotten viewed by many if it didn’t have a big star attached to it like Brad Pitt. Further, to a degree the race of the people doesn’t matter. It’s not like they cast white people in roles that really relied on being part of Japanese culture.
Violence. There’s a lot of violence in the film. If you are shy to violence, this may not be for you. Much of it is done in a comical way, but it’s still there. Is it gorey? Not exactly, but there is a level of exaggeration. Not as bad as The Kingsmen or Kill Bill, but there is a level of it that you have to be able to deal with.
I love Sandra Bullock and was looking forward to some Sandra Bullock physical comedy, however that’s not the role she has for this. She serves mostly as a voice actor for this film.

THE REVIEW

Bullet Train is a high speed adventure with surprisingly well rounded characters. In this kind of

action film, you don’t expect the arch of the film to take you through so much character building. We end up with some really fleshed out characters that make you root for them throughout.

The film is an exaggeration. That’s the “world of the play.” When looking and examining a film like this you can’t judge the action sequences by the terms of a realistic drama, you have to look at the world that is created for the audience. Does the movie stay within the laws and world framework that they establish early on. While Bullet Train is in an absurd world.
It is in a world of exaggerated violence, characters, and therefore it is not a stretch when the world of physics get pushed to their max, and beyond. There are people who will judge this film based on how realistic it is and that simply isn’t fair. If the film breaks its rules it has established, it is jarring and the audience can feel it, that never happens in the film.

Bullet Train is my kind of action film. It is smartly written, full of comedy, suspenseful all the way until the end, and has some hidden lessons. In this film it comes from Brad Pitt’s character, Ladybug, who is about teaching yourself to have a good mindset.

To me, the film is less of a “who dunnit, and more of a “who DIDN’T do it.” It is full of twists and callbacks to earlier actions, people, and items, so you really have to pay attention during the film.

Bullet Train is easily one of my favorite action films of the year.

THE LESSON

Thomas The Train can really teach you to know people.

THE FINAL WORD

Bullet Train is funny, suspenseful, and full of exaggerated displays of violence. One of Brad Pitt’s most entertaining roles in quite a while. Bullet Train is a fun ride that doesn’t disappoint. One of my favorite action films of the year.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Bullet Train gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

Review – The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
R ‧ Action/Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 47 Minutes

Written by Kevin Etten &‎ Tom Gormican

Directed by ‎Tom Gormican

THE CAST

Nicolas Cage
Pedro Pascal
Sharon Horgan
Ike Barinholtz
Alessandra Mastronardi
Jacob Scipio
Neil Patrick Harris
Tiffany Haddish

THE STORY

(In their own words) Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan’s birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones.

THE REVIEW

Nicholas Cage is obviously a massive talent. He has what most actors dream of….a distinct voice and style of acting that draws people.

Above all though, he’s an artist. I believe that it takes true artistry to be self-reflective and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a great opportunity for Nicholas Cage to be self-reflective and self-deprecating. Nicholas Cage shows he is not afraid to make fun of himself and how self aware he is of how the public at large sees him. The film is a clear fictional version of Cage, but clearly painted with a lot of truth. Truths that lesser men may not be able to handle.

The essence of the story is that a financially struggling Nicholas Cage takes a million dollar paycheck to attend a fans birthday party. While there, he learns that his fan may be a high profile drug lord and the FBI wants his help to save a woman they believe is being held on the estate.

The results of this are a wonderful, refreshingly original comedy. Cage is a comedic force in the film. It’s a great tribute to Nicholas Cage that will be enriched by how many films of his you have seen, the good and the bad. The film is part buddy comedy, part action comedy, but whatever it is doing, it is consistently funny.

I love how self aware the film is…, it’s so layered. It’s almost a movie within a movie within a movie. Are we watching what happened or a story told about what happened?

There are really only two points of the film I didn’t care for. One, is that I think a film focusing on the celebrity of a Hollywood actor shouldn’t have so many other recognizable faces co-starring. I think it takes us out of the film. It constantly reminds me that the story isn’t real because Nicholas cage is pretending he’s talking to an agent when it’s obviously Neil Patrick Harris. Give us unknown actors for these roles.

The second point is the end of the film. I can’t tell if they just ran out of time, or just weren’t sure how to end it. But I felt as if I was robbed of a solid ending to the film with a little bit of slight of hand.

Javi Gutierrez’ (Pedro Pascal, left) and ‘Nicolas Cage’ (Nicolas Cage, right) zooming through the mountains of Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

THE BEST

BEST things about the film

Original
Self-Aware
Pacing
Very funny.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

I don’t feel like we get the ending we deserve.
I wish other actors in the film were not so well known. I really like the idea of Nick Cage the movie star being amongst all these regular people. But having other semi-stars around him takes away the potential realness feelings of some of the scenes. I really wish the roles played by Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, and Pedro Pascal were played by unknowns, even though they do a fine job.

THE LESSON

Being a Hollywood star doesn’t mean life is easy.

‘Nicolas Cage’ (Nicolas Cage) greets ‘Javi Gutierrez’ with a ‘Palm Hold Fist’ salute as he arrives in Mallorca, Spain. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

THE FINAL WORD

A very funny love letter to Nicholas Cage that could only work being starred by Nicholas Cage himself. It is hilarious, self-aware, and very inventive.

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

THE REVIEWER

ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas Lindenstein can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.