Film Review: Under The Silver Lake

David Robert Mitchell’s Under The Silver Lake is enigmatic and compelling. Mitchell surpasses It Follows with  some outstanding filmmaking.

Sam notices a mysterious woman swimming in his apartment complex’s pool. When she goes missing, Sam embarks on a quest to discover what happened to her…

Under The Silver Lake is an engrossing mystery. For the first quarter of the film, writer-director David Robert Mitchell throws quite a bit at the audience. This includes the dog killer, the missing billionaire, and the voyeurism of the protagonist. The combination of real and imagined keeps viewers guessing.

Exposition through news reports works well to give necessary details in a succinct manner. The Comic Man brings these conspiracy elements together, propelling Sam to continue his mission. Sam functions as a detective, tracking down clues to solve the mystery. The obsession of the protagonist deepens as Under The Silver Lake progresses. Viewers will wonder where exactly the film is going. The cast of characters are enigmatic, with unusual tics. Yet none feel out of place in this bizarre world Mitchell has created. The dialogue is great; Sam’s monologues are always interesting, and often amusing. 

There are various elements in the film that hark back to other filmmakers. A Hitchcockian influence pervades the film (with the initial voyeurism reminiscent of Rear Window). Influences from David Lynch and the Coen Brothers are also present. Under The Silver Lake is very much a Hollywood film, in more than just setting. The seediness of the backdrop is palpable. References to both films and the strangeness of the city are abundant. 

The discussion on mystery that takes place is the film in a nutshell. Mitchell focuses on pop culture, questioning its dispensability and its meaning. As the film progresses, the themes become more encompassing. Mitchell gives the audience plenty to ponder. 

Camerawork in the film is great. Mitchell mixes long shots with quick zooms. The rapid, fluid camerawork is offset by more laconic shots. Cinematographer Mike Gioulakis frames some very picturesque shots. Nighttime and day time have distinct feels, capturing the idea that the city comes alive at night. The animated sequence going inside the comic book is a great device. Feels natural, despite a sudden mix of live action into animation. 

The score at times echoes the great Bernard Herrmann. The traditional score is a good contrast with the contemporary diegetic music. Older songs and presence of other archaic aspects give the film a period feel, although this is not explicit. Andrew Garfield delivers a compelling performance as Sam. Often acting alone, Garfield is energetic and always convincing. Grace Van Patten and Jeremy Bobb are good in minor roles.

Engaging, ambitious, and mesmerising, Mitchell’s neo-noir mystery is one of the year’s best pictures.

Under The Silver Lake will be released in DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on 26th August 2019.

Film Review: The Commuter

Jaume Collet-Serra’s The Commuter is very much a Liam Neeson action thriller. As such it is a bit silly but entertaining throughout.

Michael MacCauley is an insurance salesman who has done the same commute to work for ten years. On his way home one day, he is given an intriguing proposition. Yet things aren’t quite what they seem…

One of the more unexpected genres to emerge in the last ten years is the Liam Neeson movie. The characteristics are clear; Neeson is the gruff antagonist (with the specific set of skills) put in an unlikely but dangerous situation. These films have had varying degrees of success.

The Commuter is director Jaume Collet-Serra’s fourth collaboration with Liam Neeson. And the film does suffer from some of the same issues as its predecessors. Like Non-Stop and Unknown, viewers will have to suspend their disbelief with the increasingly far-fetched narrative. Nevertheless, whilst the incredulity can get tiresome in the earlier collaborations, The Commuter plays on this in an effective manner. The plot offers an interesting premise, which quickly stretches the realms of believability with every twist. Yet as this occurs, Collet-Serra ramps up the action and intensity to keep viewers engaged.

The film delivers an air of mystery with its premise, and protagonist Michael’s search for the mystery passenger. The screenwriters attempt to evoke a Hitchcockian level of suspense, and indeed there are parallels with The Lady Vanishes. Although The Commuter does not quite match the style it emulates, it is still very enjoyable. The dialogue offers lines which can only be tongue-in-cheek. The action is well executed, and the momentum is build effectively. Liam Neeson does his regular gruff action hero schtick. Vera Farmiga is decent in a small role.

Jaume Collet-Serra is clearly growing and improving in the action thriller genre. Whilst The Commuter is at times predictable and silly, it is finely paced and a lot of fun.

Film Review: 78/52

Alexandre O. Philippe’s 78/52 is a most entertaining documentary. The film is at its best when focusing on contributors’ reactions to the famous scene.

Writer-director Alexander O. Philippe looks as the iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic Psycho. The filmmaker speaks to filmmakers, actors, writers, and those more closely involved in the making of the sequence…

 

78/52, the title of Philippe’s documentary, refers to the number of set-ups (78) and cuts (52) in one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. The scene is certainly worthy of a feature-length discussion. For the most part, the documentary does its subject matter justice.

The film starts off by positioning the scene in its socio-historical context. The wider discussion of Alfred Hitchcock does not add much to proceedings. This is particularly the case given many viewers will be fans of the filmmaker. However, Philippe has a point to make in locating the scene in terms of censorship rules and the Hayes Code. Naturally, this facet plays an important role in the way in which the scene was shot.

Philippe talks to a variety of parties in the 78/52. It is interesting to hear the views of various actors and directors. Nevertheless, more insightful are the opinions of editors and composers, given how important these aspects of filmmaking are to the sequence. Also, interviews with Hitchcock’s granddaughter Tere Carrubba, body double Marli Benfro and Jamie Lee Curtis shed invaluable detail. SpectreVision’s Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, and Josh C. Waller inject fun with their observations, whilst a little less Marco Calavita would have been welcome.

The real meat of the film is the analysis of the actual sequence. Philippe gets most of the participants to watch it and react on screen to various elements. 78/52 focuses on one of the most important examples of editing in film history. And the importance of editing is also key to the documentary. The filmmaker shifts from differing viewpoints in an enthusiastic manner.

Philippe gets the balance right overall in covering the various aspects related to the scene. 78/52 is a great watch for any viewers who have seen Psycho. Die-hard fans may want the film to go into microscopic detail.

78/52 was screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2017, and will be released in UK cinemas on 3rd November 2017.

What to Watch on Shudder: Antiviral and More

This week’s guide of what to watch on Shudder features Brandon Cronenberg’s Antiviral, zombie sequel [Rec] 2, and Dark Skies…

What to Watch on Shudder: Antiviral

Brandon Cronenberg carries on his father David’s tradition of science fiction/body horror with Antiviral. At times uncomfortable viewing, the film nevertheless compels. Antiviral is about the employee of a clinic which sells injections of viruses harvested from celebrities to their obsessed fans. The premise of the film is fantastic, and so is some celebrity worship to the extreme with an interesting and unusual tangent. The theme and imagery create a distinctive atmosphere. Clinical and dystopian, there is nothing about the film that feels comfortable. Yet it is a great watch. Read a full review of Antiviral here.

What to Watch on Shudder: [Rec] 2

Sequels can be a mixed bag, but [Rec] 2 is certainly one of the better ones. The film picks up straight after the events of the first film, and focuses on a SWAT team and doctor who are sent in the building to retrieve blood samples. The film gives hints to the cause of the outbreak, and offers tension, gore and some great scares. The film is a must-see for fans of the first film, and indeed the zombie sub-genre generally.

What to Watch on Shudder: Dark Skies

Given the premise and advertising, it would be forgivable to think Dark Skies is a homage or a rip off of Hitchcock’s The Birds. Yet the film takes a different tangent. The film is about a suburban family whose lives are disrupted by a series of strange events. Scott Stewart’s film combines science fiction and horror. The film is a little generic; at times it feels as if it could be an episode from The Twilight Zone. Nevertheless, there are a few good scares, and a decent atmosphere prevails. Dark Skies stars Keri Russell and J.K. Simmons.

To find out more and to sign up to Shudder, visit https://www.shudder.com.

What To Watch on Shudder: Tenebrae and More

This week’s guide to what to watch on Shudder features Tenebrae, Halloween II, and short film I Want You Inside Me…

What to Watch on Shudder: Tenebrae

Dario Argento’s 1982 giallo classic Tenebrae is a must-see for fans of the sub-genre and horror in general. Taking place in Rome (but with English dialogue), the film is about an American writer who is stalked by a killer obsessed with murdering people relating to the writer’s latest work. The film was actually inspired real experiences; Argento received death threats over the telephone, and he wanted to explore senseless killings, which he had heard about in Los Angeles. Starring Anthony Franciosa, John Saxon, and Daria Nicolodi, the film combines mystery with a violent slasher. The visuals are impeccably styled, and there is a Hitchcockian air which permeates the film. With striking flashbacks and a high body count, Tenebrae is great viewing.

What to Watch on Shudder: Halloween II

The first sequel to quintessential horror Halloween is well worth a watch. Released in 1981, the film takes an usual step as far as sequels go. Events in the film pick up moments after the ending of the 1978 film, as Dr Loomis searches for Michael Myers whilst Laurie is taken to hospital. Halloween II reveals a twist in the central relationship, which has an impact on the rest of the film series. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, the film is a gory slasher. So much so, that several edits were made to the death scenes when the film was shown on US television.

What to Watch on Shudder: I Want You Inside Me

Director Alice Shindelar’s 2016 short I Want You Inside Me is a coming-of-age film crossed with horror. Written by Alex Cannon, the film is about a teenage girl who wants to lose her virginity to a guy from her high school. His disappear act, however, leaves her mystified. The film has a sufficient hook to keep viewers engaged for the thirteen-minute run time, and is worth watching alone for the surprising finale.

To find out more and to sign up to Shudder, visit https://www.shudder.com.

Film Review: The Neighbour

The Neighbour is an adequately tense thriller from director Marcus Dunstan. The film shifts in genre, with some aspects more successful than others.

John and Rosie live remotely in Cutter, Mississippi. When a neighbour appears, the pair are suspicious. After an incident, John decides to investigate what is happening in his neighbour’s house…

Director and co-writer Marcus Dustan is delivers a film that is engaging for the most part. The Neighbour has enough mystery in its first third to keep viewers guessing. The film takes obvious cues from Hitchcock’s Rear Window in its set up. Dunstan then subverts pre-conceived perceptions by shifting things around. The film reveals a surprising incident fairly early on in proceedings. This leads to a transformation of genre. The film keeps a suitable level of tension, although how this is generated does change.

In the second half of the film, the narrative takes an interesting turn. Here, the genre shifts from thriller to action. This dissipates much of the tension, although The Neighbour never becomes boring. In its climax, the genre transforms again, leaving a torture-pornesque finale. It is a shame, as the film begins rather well. Dunstan harks back to his The Collector roots doing this, and the result does not feel satisfying.

The film’s setting is good, giving a necessary undercurrent of isolation and untrustworthiness. The stylist opening and closing credits are also a plus. It is a shame, however, that these same effects were employed in the driving sequences. The Neighbour looks best in its interior scenes. Some of the exterior sequences, particularly the brightly-lit night scene at the end, highlight the limitations of shooting on digital.

Performances from the main cast of Josh Stewart, Alex Essoe, and Bill Engvall are believable enough. The Neighbour offers good atmospherics and a decent amount of tension. Although perfectly watchable, it is a shame that the strong first third is not carried through to the end.

The Neighbour is out on DVD on 31st October 2016.

Stuff To Look At

Plenty of cinema-related stuff this week for your visual pleasure, including the latest Captain America: The Winter Soldier poster, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Paddington…

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Here is the latest Captain America: The Winter Soldier poster. What the hell happened to Carter Baizen from Gossip Girl? Sebastian Stan returns for the Captain America: The First Avenger sequel, although he is looking a little different. More of the film’s posters are available to view here. Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits UK screens on 26th March 2014.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Damn, Optimus Prime. Here is the latest trailer for Michael Bay’s upcoming blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction. Like most I’m sure, I am looking forward to the Dinobots. Transformers: Age of Extinction is released in the UK on 10th July 2014.

Muppets Most Wanted

It’s time to play the music. It’s almost time to light the lights… The Muppets return in sequel Muppets Most Wanted, and in the video above they are joking about it in musical form. Kermit and co return to the silver screen when Muppets Most Wanted hits UK cinemas on 28th March 2014.

Noah

Above is a motion poster for upcoming biblical epic Noah. I like the idea of motion posters, they should be utilised more often. Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins, Noah is released in the UK on 4th April 2014.

Paddington

Ah this teaser trailer reveals everything and nothing. Based on the literary bear with a penchant for marmalade, Paddington will hopefully be a fun-filled adventure. The trailer does not feature Paddington speaking, but he is voiced by Colin Firth so is sure to sound like a marvellously English gentleman. Paddington is set for release on 28th November 2014.

The Other Woman

Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann show off their comedy chops in The Other Woman. They are joined by Kate Upton as three women being cheated on by the same guy. I think it is clear where this is heading. The Other Woman will be released in UK cinemas on 28th April 2014.

Guardians of the Galaxy

I am mostly interested in Rocket Raccoon, I’m not going to lie. A raccoon who is a superhero? Yes. Guardians of the Galaxy sees Marvel go all-out fantasy in their latest comic-book franchise. The blockbuster will be released on 1st August 2014.

Locke

I actually couldn’t tell what accent Tom Hardy was doing to begin with. It gets clearer. Locke has been receiving critical acclaim thus far. The trailer does not reveal too much, but it looks intriguing. Locke is released in UK cinemas on 18th April 2014.

Grace of Monaco

Nicole Kidman and Tim Roth star in biopic Grace of Monaco. Set in 1962, the film revolves around the period of Grace Kelly’s life when she is wishes to return to Hollywood, after her royal marriage and the birth of her children. Grace of Monaco hits UK screens on 6th June 2014.

Sabotage

When I read the title of this film, my first thought was Alfred Hitchcock. I don’t think this is a remake, but I could be wrong. Arnold Schwarzenegger heads the cast of action thriller Sabotage, which is set for release on 9th May 2014.

Film Review: Stoker

Stoker will surely be one of the year’s most memorable films. Director Chan-wook Park and screenwriter Wentworth Miller have created something truly special.

Following the death of India Stoker’s father, her Uncle Charlie comes to stay with India and her mother. India never even knew she had an uncle, and is suspicious of her new family member. As her mother becomes more taken with their new arrival, India’s interest grows…

Stoker is enthralling for its entire duration. The opening title sequence sets a bar that the remainder of the film reaches. Park’s film is aesthetically sumptuous, but also rich in terms of narrative. It is one of those rare examples of both style and substance being on point.

With a title such as Stoker, it is understandable that viewers may have certain ideas of the film’s themes. Miller’s screenplay excels in keeping the audience guessing. The sense of mystery is potent; for a significant time it is unclear where the film is going. Even at its climax Stoker is never predictable.

Stoker is ripe with Gothic themes. Transgression and duality are recurring motifs. There are some nods to folklore, whilst Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt cannot have been far from Miller’s mind. Stoker has a unnerving atmosphere that permeates the entire film. It is hard to escape this, even in the heavily-populated familiar settings.

Chan-wook Park direction is stunning. Stoker has a look of restrained engorgement. The film is laden with symbolism and distinctive imagery, yet this never feels forced or over pronounced. The camera work is beautiful and there is a breath-taking dissolve that highlights Park’s flair for the visual. Performances are excellent in Stoker, particular from lead Mia Wasikowska. Matthew Goode really seems to inhabit the character of Charlie, while Nicole Kidman is utterly believable as India’s mother.

Stoker is most highly recommended. An immaculate slice of cinema.

Film Review: Hitchcock

With The Girl being screened on television last year and now Hitchcock, legendary director Alfred Hitchcock is getting a bad rap on screen. Although Hitchcock looks great and is never dull, ultimately it feels unsatisfying.

In 1959 Alfred Hitchcock is a very successful director, skillfully abetted by his wife Alma. Looking for his next project, Hitchcock decides to adapt the horror novel Psycho. Self-financing the production, Hitchcock’s behaviour causes Alma to seek solace in another project…

Set during the making of Psycho, Sacha Gervasi’s film mixes events around the production of the film with Alfred and Alma’s marriage and the mindset of the director. Whilst the first and arguably second aspects are sound, the film is let down by this third strand.

The Ed Gein element of the film does not work well. Although the connection between the notorious killer and the film Psycho are clear, it seems a strange tact to focus on this character. The film’s depiction of Hitchock’s preoccupation with Gein is odd. Playing on the mental stability of a real person, especially one in living memory will rarely sit well. Hitchcock is very much the Gervasi and screenwriter John J. McLaughlin’s interpretation of events.

Although Alfred Hitchcock’s career has been widely praised, much has been made of his treatment of his leading ladies. Hitchcock goes a step beyond this to insinuate more serious problems. This is unlikely to sit comfortably with most viewers.

The script is littered with humorous lines and the pacing of the film is fine. Costumes are great, and the film has a glossy look to it, with everything appearing immaculate. Anthony Hopkins sounds the part of Hitchcock, and looks the part thanks to some prosthetics. Helen Mirren is good as Alma, while James D’Arcy makes a convincing Anthony Perkins.

As a fictional interpretation, Hitchcock is fine. Given that it is based on real people however, the film does become problematic.

Stuff To Look At

A bumper edition this week, with plenty of releases for 2013…

Man of Steel

I have always been more of a Batman child than a Superman one, but I did love the Christopher Reeve movies (maybe not the last one). After 2006’s underwhelming Superman Returns, this new version looks more appealing. Henry Cavil stars as the title character in the first full trailer for Man of Steel, due for release in June 2013.

Oblivion

Ageless Tom Cruise has been getting action-heavy recently, with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Reacher and now Oblivion. This futuristic thriller sees Cruise’s character Jack Harper battle to save mankind. Also starring Andrea Riseborough, Oblivion will be released in UK cinemas on 12 April 2013.

The Wolverine

The follow-up to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine is due for release in July 2013. The film sees Hugh Jackman reprise his role from the X-Men franchise. This adventure is set in Japan, as the above poster suggests. I’m sure a trailer for The Wolverine will be released shortly.

The Lone Ranger

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter together again, but not in a Tim Burton film? The emphasis in the above trailer is on the fact that it is the same team behind Pirates of the Caribbean. If executed correctly, The Lone Ranger should be a lot of fun, like the first film of that earlier franchise. The Lone Ranger is due for release next year.

The Croods

The latest animation from DreamWorks is The Croods, a prehistoric adventure film. The Croods features the voices of Nicholas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone. From the above trailer, I am liking the monkey. The Croods will be released in UK cinemas on 22nd March 2013.

Broken City

Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in Broken City, a crime thriller set in New York. My first thought on viewing this was ‘Russell Crowe’s weave!’. That aside, this tale of corruption could be quite good. Broken City is out on 1st March 2013.

The Last Stand

What is The Last Stand, you ask? Well it is Arnold Schwarzengger’s return to lead roles on the big screen. Schwarzenegger plays the sheriff of a small town where a notorious drug baron is trying to make his escape. The Last Stand, which also stars Forest Whitaker and Rodrigo Santoro, is out on 24th January 2012.

Hitchcock

Everyone loves a bit of Alfred Hitchcock, don’t they? The eagerly anticipated Hitchcock tells the story behind the making of Psycho. Anthony Hopkins stars as Alfred Hitchcock in the film which also features Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson. Hitchcock is released in UK cinemas on 8th February 2013.