Author Archives: Ron

About Ron

I like to watch movies and share my thoughts on them. I have been writing reviews and distributing them since 2013.

Forbidden Fruits

Forbidden Fruits               1 ½ stars

The new film Forbidden Fruits by first time director Meredith Alloway at first looks like it could be the new witchcraft movie of our present age, like a modernized The Craft or Heathers. Filmed entirely in a shopping mall in Texas, it seems like a satire on consumerism or a commentary on female friendship, but it eventually devolves into bloody horror. The four main characters, led by Apple (Lili Reinhart of Riverdale as Betty Cooper) all work in a mall clothing store, but after hours they gather in their coven to perform rituals and scheme against their enemies they term as the snake. The other members are Cherry (Victoria Pedretti), a sexed up blonde bimbo, Fig (Alexandra Shipp), the smart girl and Pumpkin (Lola Tung), the newcomer from a pretzel stand who may have her own agenda. Apple is very controlling of the others who are usually all too willing to go along to win her approval. They must participate in a strange ritual of confessing their shortcomings to Marilyn Monroe when alone in a dressing room. We soon get the idea that Apple has a past she is hiding involving the death of her father. Then there is a mysterious death in the mall of a former coven member named Pickle (Emma Chamberlain) that Apple may be responsible for. Eventually all the melodrama comes to a climax with accusations and threats and recordings made using a hidden camera in a Barbie doll. And then there happens to be a tornado hitting the mall at a critical moment. The film has a few amusing moments from some of the characters, but in the end the movie was lacking in coherence or a payoff. The music was only lackluster and could have been a way to generate a little more excitement. Forbidden Fruits is definitely a movie not worth your attention. Hopefully, I can find something more interesting next time.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse      4 ½ stars

Later this year we will have the newest Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters. So, I took this opportunity to see the second film of the Spider-Verse series, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, made is 2023. While related, the Spider-Verse series has its own take on the web shooting super-hero. The creators, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have made a universe with a multitude of Earth timelines where superheroes and supervillains can freely travel between them, and each has its own unique Spider-Man. (Phil Lord and Christopher Miller also were the directors of Project Hail Mary.) This new film took a trio of directors to create it: Joachim Do Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. In the previous Academy Award winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse our Earth’s Spider-Man, teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) battled supervillains and met Spider-Woman Gwen Stacey (Hailey Steinfeld) from one of the other Spider-Verses. But now Gwen has been chosen by an elite squad of Spidey’s to help in the battle against a menacing supervillain called The Vulture, but first she returns to Miles’ Earth to help Miles with a troubling situation. Both superheroes are struggling with their crime fighting roles while keeping their secrets from each of their parents. Miles’ Spider-Man has had to deal with The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), an annoying villain who creates black holes at will, using them for his own type of crime. The Spot says that Spider-Man is his nemesis and is out to get even with him for destroying his life. Despite being grounded by his police officer father (Brian Tyree Henry) and mother (Luna Lauren Velez) for so many unexplained absences, young Miles ventures into the Spider-Verse to join the hundreds of other Spider-Men to track down and defeat The Vulture. Unfortunately, Miles learns that things are a lot more complicated in the Spider-Verse since as we know, in a multi-verse (or a time traveling situation) there is a space-time continuum and if it is upset, disaster can ensue. You cannot mess with a canon event! And poor Miles is at the center of it all. One of the attractions of the series is the fluidic nature of the animation that uses a fuzzy, colorful fast-moving appearance during the action sequences, and there is plenty of action to be sure. The characters constantly swing among the buildings of NYC rescuing the inhabitants while somehow not sustaining injuries despite getting beaten and falling from great heights. The movie also features voice performances from the likes of Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, Shea Whigham, Daniel Kaluuya and Jake Johnson (as Peter Parker, but with a baby girl with Spidey powers). Despite the movie being 2 hours and 20 minutes long, it turns out to have a cliffhanger ending. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse was planned for a 2024 release date, but that has been delayed until 2027. So, there is still plenty more Spider-Man to come!

Midsommar

Midsommar       4 ½ stars

Midsommar might be the fright fest of the summer.  This horror movie really establishes Ari Aster as a first rate talent in the horror genre.  Last year he brought us the disturbing “Hereditary” and now he brings us Midsommar, a horror story told in broad daylight.  We start the story with Dani, a young woman who suffers an unimaginable tragedy when her sister and parents are all killed.  She decides to accompany her boyfriend and his graduate school friends on a once in a lifetime trip to a summer festival in a remote Swedish village.  Once there the friends are welcomed to this commune like society and are invited to join in with the villagers in their ancient pagan rituals.  Being involved includes enjoying the effects of hallucinogenic drugs that distort their sense of reality.  The happy mood continues for a good while but things eventually take a dark turn as things are not all what they appear to be. (How could it be any other way?)  Things go from bad to worse for each of the American guests as they discover what their hosts really think of them.  Aster is a master at creating these disturbing scenes that are played out in broad daylight unlike most horror movies.  This movie may also be appropriate for the MeToo movement as it shows how women can react toward the men they are disgruntled with.  Beware, there are several very disturbing images in this one as you would expect from a first rate horror movie.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can You Ever Forgive Me?            4 ½ stars

Last year’s fascinating “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” tells us the true story of Lee Israel, a down on her luck celebrity biographer who upon losing her job embarks on a new career of fabricating personal letters of notable writers like Dorothy Parker and Noel Coward.  Written by Nicole Holofcener, directed by Marielle Heller and starring usually comic actress Melissa McCarthy, this dark comedy drama has some of the best writing I have seen in years.  McCarthy plays Israel like a woman that you love to hate.  The character speaks with some very sharp in that comes from a place of rudeness and a bad temper like I have never seen.  The best scenes are those that she shares with her friend in crime Jack played by Richard Grant.  The two of them can trade insults like masters of the craft.  You get the feeling that McCarthy really is Israel including the fact that she is never really repentant about the crimes she has committed.  Melissa McCarthy received a well-deserved Best Actress Academy Award nomination for this one.  Good for her.  The movie also was nominated for best Adapted Screenplay as the movie is based on Lee Israel’s book.

Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary             4 ½ stars

He has been half of a duo in a decades long love affair, a Brooklyn school teacher who makes it a habit of getting high, a man with a doll for a girlfriend, an astronaut walking on the moon and a man who started life as a doll. This time around Ryan Gosling is both a schoolteacher and an astronaut in Phil Lord’s and Christopher Miller’s buddies in space movie Project Hail Mary. Gosling occupies the screen for the entire movie going from well-regarded scientist to public middle school teacher to astronaut to savior of humanity and looks good while doing it. We first find Ryland Grace (Gosling) waking up after a long sleep on a spaceship while sporting a long beard not able to understand where he is. He sees a giant star and realizes that it isn’t the sun so he must be a long way from home. Then he discovers that he is all alone as the rest of the ship’s crew has not survived. Through effective use of flashbacks, we learn the background of his story. Grace was a biologist who published a theory that water may not be necessary to sustain life on other planets, was ridiculed for it then became a schoolteacher in Brooklyn where he inspires his students in science. When it was discovered that there is a space bacteria eating the sun that will eventually make life on Earth extinct, Grace is recruited by Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller of Anatomy of a Fall) to join in the massive research project she leads, to stop the bacteria and save the planet. The team discovers that the bacteria has spread to many stars in the galaxy except for one that has escaped this fate. Thus, if it can be discovered what is unique about this distant star and its planet, a cure could be found. A spaceship that can travel at near light speed is built but before the journey to the mystery planet begins, circumstances change leaving Grace as the best option to join the crew and figure out why that planet was spared. The catch is that there is only enough fuel to get there and not to return, so it will be a one-way trip for the crew. They will have to send their “solution” back to Earth using a deep space probe. (Of course, there are a few credibility issues with the science, such as the large amount of open space inside a spaceship meant to be crewed by only three people.) But that is only half the story. Upon reaching this planet, Grace meets another spaceship that is manned by a lone being from another civilization suffering the same fate as Earth. This species is very different from anything on Earth, having a different chemistry that doesn’t depend on water and looks like a pile of rocks with rock arms. Grace and “Rocky” as he is called cannot share the same atmosphere and have completely different languages, but that doesn’t stop the pair from gradually becoming acquainted and finding a way to work together to solve their common problem. So, it turns out to be a buddy in space movie. “Rocky” depends on the puppetry of James Ortiz who created the puppet and does the translated voice as well. Everything is done to make Rocky appear cute and endearing to the audience so that he feels like another character. Through their struggles, Grace and Rocky grow to really care for each other and as we see they would lay down their life for the other. Besides being an entertaining sci-fi movie, Project Hail Mary gives a message about forming bonds and caring for others that are very different from us. And it likely couldn’t be done nearly as well without the star qualities of Ryan Gosling who has hardly missed in his film roles yet. (Let’s forget about Only God Forgives.) The movie also respects the scientific process and the scientists that work to increase our understanding of the natural world, something we can use today. It is bound to be one of the big hits of the year.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco

The Last Black Man in San Francisco         4 ½ stars

The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a great quality film by some relative newcomers to the industry that is a tribute to the city that they love.  Young actor Jimmie Fails plays a black man of the same name who lives with his best friend, Mont and Mont’s blind grandfather in a tiny rundown house.  Both of them have jobs but the two of them seem to spend all their time together.  Jimmie has an attachment to the old family house, an old Victorian mansion that is now in a gentrified neighborhood so all of the black families have been forced out.  But this doesn’t stop Jimmie from tending to the house without the approval of the rich white owners.  We get plenty of background story about Jimmie’s family and the plight of many in the black community including how some of them live near a toxic dump that is in the process of being cleaned by the government.  The cinematography is outstanding as it shows us a great deal of the city’s beauty and the people that live there and keep it interesting.  The director, Joe Talbot, tells us a story about friendship and what those friends will do for each other.  He also describes a people who have a love for a city even while that city seems to be leaving them behind.  The movie does have a long running time at 2 hours and has scenes that seem to run on for a long time.  Much credit must be given to the lead actor, Jimmie Fails for some intense acting.  The movie was honored by receiving the US Dramatic Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Sirat

Sirat       4 ½ stars

At the opening of Sirat we see the words on the screen telling us that Sirat is the path between heaven and hell and that it is narrower than a strand of hair and sharper than a sword. These words serve as a warning for what the viewer is in for. Sirat, by Spanish film director Oliver Laxe, is the most slow-burning and harrowing film I have seen in a long time. As it progresses it becomes a test of endurance for the movie goer. The movie starts with hands building a large stack of speakers somewhere in the desert. Eventually, they are in place and the music starts. The sound we hear is that of loud rave music with a steady beat and non-melodic sound with over a hundred people seen dancing. They are some where in the Moroccan desert next to a mountain range. Luiz (Sergi López), a middle-aged Spanish man is wandering through the crowd with his young son, Estaban and their dog, showing a photo of his daughter to people asking if they have seen her. His daughter has been missing for months, and she was known to frequent these illegal rave events. Then a truck carrying armed soldiers appears, stopping the event and forcing the dancers to leave. As the crowd starts to drive away, a quintet of rave followers who are part of the crew drives off on their own path and Luiz decides to follow them in the hope that he may learn of the whereabouts of his daughter. There is another rave to be held in the desert in a few days, and they intend to get there driving through the desert. (They are driving a large truck and an RV, but Luiz and his son are in a mini-van that is not equipped for the rough roads.) We hear radio reports making vague references to there being a state of war. Later, they see troop convoys making their way through the desert. This movie is not about the search for a missing daughter, but something much more ominous and existential. Initially, it may look like a road trip movie, but it isn’t Thelma and Louise or even Mad Max. These travelers find themselves in one of the most isolated and unforgiving places imaginable. It is a place practically devoid of human or animal life. The mood of the film changes to something more ominous and is aided by a loud and hypnotic sounding score like nothing I have heard before. There are long stretches of the film showing the voyagers driving through the plains and on dangerous mountain roads with quiet rest stops along the way. As they make progress one gets the feeling of dread and heightened tension while wondering where the film is going. Then the sudden shock comes at the most unexpected time leaving the viewer completely stunned. The film may be described as an obscure arthouse film, but it is absolutely devastating and will not be forgotten. Besides López, all the cast are non-professionals who Laxe found among actual rave goers as he has followed the rave scene for the last six years. Thus, the actors are very authentic. Sirat is nominated for Academy Awards in the Best International Feature and Best Sound categories and is deserving in both categories. Of the nominated foreign films I have seen, I find only The Secret Agent to possibly be superior to this extraordinary film. You are warned though that this one is not for everyone.

Never Look Away

Never Look Away                                             4 ½ stars

Never Look Away is an epic storytelling of a young German artist who lived through the time of Nazi Germany and Communist controlled East Germany growing as an artist and developing his own special kind of painting.  Its three hour length covers a great span of time from the thirties to the sixties, starting with 10 year old Kurt witnessing a display of “degenerate art” and the horrors accompanying the Nazi’s waging war against the world.  After the war, Kurt, the young man (Tom Schilling) works as an artist for the Communist regime of East Germany producing art of the Socialist workers, but you can tell his talent calls for him to be something better.  Fortunately, he meets Ellie, a young pretty woman supplying new pencils to the artists.  Of course the two fall for each other having secret night rendezvous destined for disaster, given that her father is a former SS Nazi in hiding.  Eventually, the two of them escape to the West at the time of the wall going up where Kurt’s artistic career is advanced with the help of prominent artists of the growing movement of contemporary art.  The movie is at its best when we see Kurt being inspired to do his best work by the beauty of the world around him, but also influenced by some of the horror he has experienced from his younger days.  He develops a way of painting photographic images while blending them together in haunting black and white images.  The story is apparently loosely based on the life of real life artist Gerhard Richter, an admired painter of the 20th century.  Never Look Away was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and is one that should not be missed.

Sword of Trust

Sword of Trust                                   4 stars

One of the most original comedies of the year has to be Sword of Trust by writer director Lynn Shelton.  This is a low budget character driven comedy based on a most unusual premise.  Cynthia and Mary (Jillian Bell and Michaela Watkins), a married lesbian couple arrive at Cynthia’s grandfather’s house who has recently passed away.  They are there to collect on Cynthia’s inheritance, but she is alarmed to find out that the only thing left to her is an antique Union sword from the Civil War that her grandfather treasured.  Accompanying the sword are documents “authenticating” it as proof that it was surrendered by a Union general or Field marshal? To the Confederate army making it proof that in truth the South had won the Civil War.  Not being sure what they have, the couple then take the sword to a local pawn shop in Birmingham, Alabama to see what they can get for it.  The owner of the pawn shop, Mel (country song writer Marc Maron) is not too impressed by the story and dismisses them.  His assistant, Nathaniel (Jon Bass) then looks on line and discovers that there are people who believe this “truth” and are willing to pay big bucks for artifacts that prove that the South actually did win the Civil War.  This group of four then decides to put their differences aside and pursue a transaction with this racist redneck organization and see where it takes them.  To do this they have to be locked up in the back of a truck driven by a guy named “Hog Jaws”. All of this is done in a very comedic way, but the story about the sword is really just a mechanism to bring these people together and allow us to hear their stories of broken relationships and damaged souls.  We get the feeling that these are real people that have gone through difficult times.  Two other films I have seen by Shelton, Your Sister’s Sister and Laggies do much the same kind of thing.  But it’s also a lot of fun to see how the adventure with the sword and the redneck ranch turn out.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood                                5 stars

One of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer has to be Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.  This two hour and forty minute marathon is classic Tarantino all the way.  Set in 1969 Hollywood, we follow former TV western star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), whose star power is fading, and his longtime stunt double Cliff (Brad Pitt).  As we follow their dealings with Hollywood producers and directors and other stunt people, we are bombarded by an overwhelming amount of references to sixties TV shows, movies, commercials and other aspects of the pop culture of the time.  This is all out of the mind of Tarantino who makes no secret of what he is thinking.  We also get plenty of exposure to the hippie culture in the form of the Charles Manson family and this just happens to be in the year of one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Hollywood.  We also get a glimpse of the life of actress Sharon Tate (a delightful Margot Robbie) and her friends as she just happens to be the next door neighbor of Dalton.  Besides all the culture, the director treats us to many humorous moments such as the fight between Cliff and an arrogant Bruce Lee (Mike Moh).  There are plenty of other well known actors sprinkled throughout including Al Pacino, Luke Perry, Dakota Fanning, Damien Lewis (as Steve McQueen), Kurt Russell, Emile Hirsch and Bruce Dern.  I could go on, but please treat yourself to one of the best movies of Tarantino’s career.  And don’t be too shocked by the violent ending.  It may not go exactly like you expect.