Not much to say other than the premise being completely unrealistic. The whole movie is played out on this premise of a guy trying to do a good deed and sticking with it to help her over the course of a long night. They delve into each of their personal issues along the way, but I just couldn't get past the premise being completely unbelievable and unrealistic, it was hard to get on board with the rest of the film, but nevertheless I sat through the whole thing. It's like they watched Before Sunrise and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (even stole a song from it) and tried to replicate the chemistry and complexity of those films and failed miserably. I would say avoid this movie at all costs and instead, watch either of those movies instead. Most notably, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight if you are looking for this type of movie. Those are phenomenal.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Nine Days
(2020)
An Emotional Roller Coaster & One of the Most Thought Provoking Existential Film's I Have Ever Seen
13 February 2020
I had the pleasure of seeing this premier at the Sundance Film Festival and it was easily the best film seen. In fact, the past 6 years of attendance at the festival, there has rarely been a film that makes me walk out of the theater contemplating my own existence and the meaning of life in such a beautiful and profound way. The characters in this film are all so unique in that their presence on screen portrays a semblance of an emotion and personality that we all can connect with at some level. This film is certainly quite the emotional roller coaster as you are put into the perspective of each character as they strive for the chance to be born. Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Tony Hale....and the whole cast really give a performance of a lifetime and I commend them all of this outstanding achievement. That final scene though with Winston Duke....just WOW.
This film made me laugh, cry, ponder my own existence and beg for more. I am really looking forward to this once it is inevitably released in theaters or online, so that I can watch it again with my wife so that she can experience this beautifully orchestrated film.
This film made me laugh, cry, ponder my own existence and beg for more. I am really looking forward to this once it is inevitably released in theaters or online, so that I can watch it again with my wife so that she can experience this beautifully orchestrated film.
Mope
(2019)
I Was Laughing So Hard, I Was Crying
6 February 2019
Hands down the best film AND experience I have ever had at the Sundance Film Festival in my past 5 years attending.
IMDB lists this movie as a Drama, and I would have to disagree with that primary label. While it does tell the dramatic true story of 2 low end porn actors, mope's as they are called in the industry, this movie is very much in a unique genre of comedy and drama, in its' own right.
Throughout the film I found myself laughing so hard, that at times I was crying and almost had to step out of the theater, as the comedic situations and dialogue were too much to take in. The film's fantastic pacing and approach to its unique genre allowed for the story arc to perfectly transition from that of a comedy to a drama. As the film approached its climatic and very dramatic ending, I was in awe that I could find myself empathizing with the character of Steve Driver, when merely 20 minutes ago I was outright laughing at his quest and approach to situations he would find himself in.
While watching, you can't help but laugh at the situations the two main characters find themselves in, as well as their devotion and dedication to their 'craft'. The serious demeanor of the characters, in their absurd and degrading positions within the industry, pushes the viewer to root for them in their plight for fame, while also pitying them at the same time. The motivation by both Steve Driver and Tom Dong is admirable, even if what they are seeking is downright degrading and laughable. The film provides a perfect mixture of both absurd comedic situations and dialogue, as well as the dramatic humanization of the characters as they interact with family, friends and crack whores about their hopes and dreams.
After the film ended, even the Q&A with the director was hilarious to listen to. One viewer asked; 'why there weren't more dick's in the film', stating that the director seemed to have more female body parts shown than male, at which point the director answered: "You want more dicks? I can add more dicks" and then proceeded to take a poll from the audience asking whom among us wanted more dicks to be added to the film, with everyone's hands promptly being raised.
I really hope that this movie gets a wide release soon, as I cannot wait to see it again in theaters. And along with the Sundance audience's demands, hopefully with more dicks this time.
IMDB lists this movie as a Drama, and I would have to disagree with that primary label. While it does tell the dramatic true story of 2 low end porn actors, mope's as they are called in the industry, this movie is very much in a unique genre of comedy and drama, in its' own right.
Throughout the film I found myself laughing so hard, that at times I was crying and almost had to step out of the theater, as the comedic situations and dialogue were too much to take in. The film's fantastic pacing and approach to its unique genre allowed for the story arc to perfectly transition from that of a comedy to a drama. As the film approached its climatic and very dramatic ending, I was in awe that I could find myself empathizing with the character of Steve Driver, when merely 20 minutes ago I was outright laughing at his quest and approach to situations he would find himself in.
While watching, you can't help but laugh at the situations the two main characters find themselves in, as well as their devotion and dedication to their 'craft'. The serious demeanor of the characters, in their absurd and degrading positions within the industry, pushes the viewer to root for them in their plight for fame, while also pitying them at the same time. The motivation by both Steve Driver and Tom Dong is admirable, even if what they are seeking is downright degrading and laughable. The film provides a perfect mixture of both absurd comedic situations and dialogue, as well as the dramatic humanization of the characters as they interact with family, friends and crack whores about their hopes and dreams.
After the film ended, even the Q&A with the director was hilarious to listen to. One viewer asked; 'why there weren't more dick's in the film', stating that the director seemed to have more female body parts shown than male, at which point the director answered: "You want more dicks? I can add more dicks" and then proceeded to take a poll from the audience asking whom among us wanted more dicks to be added to the film, with everyone's hands promptly being raised.
I really hope that this movie gets a wide release soon, as I cannot wait to see it again in theaters. And along with the Sundance audience's demands, hopefully with more dicks this time.
Wounds
(2019)
Massive Potential Wasted
6 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I am a big fan of Babak's previous film 'Under the Shadow', which was a perfect summation of what a great supernatural film can be, with investment in the characters, overall story arc and satisfying, yet open-ended ending. So, when attending Sundance Film Festival 2019 and saw his next film 'Wounds' on the list, naturally I jumped at the chance to see it.
This movie had the right mix of tension built up between the characters from the very first scene and delivered an astoundingly eerie and ominous presence throughout the film as weird events transpired. Armie Hammer's performance and reaction to everything occurring to him throughout the sequence of strange events in the film was absolutely phenomenal and really captivated my attention. However, where this film fell flat was in the story arc and ending. By the ending, you realize that nothing was explained throughout the film and you can't help but have a ton of questions only to be left without any answers. What did the original owners of the phone do that caused the chaos that spiraled out of control in the entire film? Was Armie Hammer's character possessed? If so, by what and how? What was the image that his girlfriend was compelled to stare at for hours on end on her computer screen? This left me as the viewer feeling short changed and upset at what could have been a phenomenal film.
I know that this film was based on a book called The Visible Filth that I have not yet read, but hopefully there might be answers to some of these questions in there that the movie did not provide.
Overall, this film had massive potential that was utterly wasted with an unsatisfying and in-conclusive ending. I am hoping this is just part 1 with a 2nd movie to be released that can provide some guidance into the confusion that I just watched.
This movie had the right mix of tension built up between the characters from the very first scene and delivered an astoundingly eerie and ominous presence throughout the film as weird events transpired. Armie Hammer's performance and reaction to everything occurring to him throughout the sequence of strange events in the film was absolutely phenomenal and really captivated my attention. However, where this film fell flat was in the story arc and ending. By the ending, you realize that nothing was explained throughout the film and you can't help but have a ton of questions only to be left without any answers. What did the original owners of the phone do that caused the chaos that spiraled out of control in the entire film? Was Armie Hammer's character possessed? If so, by what and how? What was the image that his girlfriend was compelled to stare at for hours on end on her computer screen? This left me as the viewer feeling short changed and upset at what could have been a phenomenal film.
I know that this film was based on a book called The Visible Filth that I have not yet read, but hopefully there might be answers to some of these questions in there that the movie did not provide.
Overall, this film had massive potential that was utterly wasted with an unsatisfying and in-conclusive ending. I am hoping this is just part 1 with a 2nd movie to be released that can provide some guidance into the confusion that I just watched.
As Above, So Below
(2014)
Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Dantes Inferno
10 March 2018
Think Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Dantes Inferno. What a fantastic adaptation and inclusion of Dante's 9 layers of hell. The found footage aspect makes it all the more realistic and appealing, which really draws you into the movie more.
I stumbled across this movie randomly, as I was searching for another fixation to my supernatural/horror movie addiction and was more than pleasantly surprised. Some of my other favorites include Oculus, The Exorcist, and the Insidious series. Movies that focus on the supernatural that also present an intense psychological twist. As Above So Below really personifies the supernatural element while also bringing a historical aspect to it, making it all the more real. Overall I highly recommend and wish they would make a sequel or more movies like this.
I stumbled across this movie randomly, as I was searching for another fixation to my supernatural/horror movie addiction and was more than pleasantly surprised. Some of my other favorites include Oculus, The Exorcist, and the Insidious series. Movies that focus on the supernatural that also present an intense psychological twist. As Above So Below really personifies the supernatural element while also bringing a historical aspect to it, making it all the more real. Overall I highly recommend and wish they would make a sequel or more movies like this.
Jonah Hill Steals the Spotlight
30 January 2018
Wow, what a compelling and dramatic performance by Jonah Hill ....and of course Joaquin Phoenix. I come to expect great and unique performances in everything that Joaquin does and am never disappointed, but what really stood out to me in this film was the performance of Jonah Hill. From what the announcer at Sundance 2018 described as a "chameleon like character", Jonah really drives it home with his portrayal as Donnie, the AA friend and sponsor to Joaquin's true life character John Callahan.
Much like the comics that John Callahan has made over the years, this movie is filled with a lot of humor, despite the struggles he faced throughout his life, including his addiction to alcohol. Donnie is there as a source of inspiration and guidance to John in helping him overcome these obstacles while also providing some comic relief. Jonah's performance really gives depth and insight to Joaquin's character as he struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and continues on his journey to make some of the most outlandish and though provoking comics of his time.
Overall, I highly recommend watching this, as I feel we can all relate the context on some level. It will be quite the tear jerker towards the end and also allow you to empathize with both Donnie and John as they help each other overcome life's many hardships.
Much like the comics that John Callahan has made over the years, this movie is filled with a lot of humor, despite the struggles he faced throughout his life, including his addiction to alcohol. Donnie is there as a source of inspiration and guidance to John in helping him overcome these obstacles while also providing some comic relief. Jonah's performance really gives depth and insight to Joaquin's character as he struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and continues on his journey to make some of the most outlandish and though provoking comics of his time.
Overall, I highly recommend watching this, as I feel we can all relate the context on some level. It will be quite the tear jerker towards the end and also allow you to empathize with both Donnie and John as they help each other overcome life's many hardships.
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