I enjoy putting on my Film Critic pants for some capsule (short) movie reviews, so here are my thoughts on four New Releases for the week of Friday, September 13th, 2024.
The original Dutch film "Speak No Evil" from 2022 is quite something. It tells the story of a married couple and their young daughter's scary weekend getaway with a very odd family that they recently met on vacation.
It is a biting, hilarious, increasingly uncomfortable black comedy about social norms, meeting new people, and cultural differences that takes a massively dark turn in the final third and becomes absolutely, jaw-droppingly HORRIFYING.
When the film ended, I was speechless and pretty much staggered out of the theater, completely blown away by what I had just seen.
Of course, it wouldn't take long for an American version to come along (from the never-ending conveyor belt of pedestrian horror known as Blumhouse Productions, no less), in which the filmmakers defang the entire point of the original and turn it into just another indistinguishable home invasion thriller.
The only saving grace of this completely unnecessary remake is the great James McAvoy, who is clearly having a blast as the charming but creepy head of the strange family who becomes increasingly unhinged and terrifying as the film builds to its unfortunate "Straw Dogs-Light" climax.
This nonsense can join the ranks of other lousy, gutless American remakes like "The Ring," "The Vanishing," "Martyrs," "The Grudge," "Let Me In," and especially "Goodnight Mommy," which this thing most closely resembles.
A message to Blumhouse and other American producers who insist on remaking foreign language horror movies and then completely neutering them for American audiences: STOP DOING THAT! - ⭐️1/2
Lana Wilson's intriguing, unusual, and striking documentary is about a group of New York psychics and mediums and their relationships with their clients.
There are no voiceovers, prompts, words, or identifiers to help the audience identify who is who. It completely sucks you in and unfolds in a gripping, hypnotic manner seldom seen in movies of this nature.
Beautifully shot and made with sensitivity and style, this movie is about hope, loneliness, and connection, as seen through the eyes of lost people (on both sides of the table) searching for much-needed stability.
The subjects are allowed room to breathe, take pauses, tell their stories, and share moments of stark intimacy that are both revealing and moving.
You don't have to be a believer or a cynic regarding psychic ability to get something out of this film.
It is simply a portrait of human beings connecting, talking, and telling their stories. And it's mesmerizing. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Kevin Smith's latest film is a lovely, nostalgic, semi-autographical period comedy about a day in the life of a New Jersey teenage film nerd who hangs out with his friends at the local movie theater before he has a first date with a girl he loves.
We've all seen this kind of romanticized vision of growing up and being a teenager, experiencing first love, goofing off with friends, etc.
But Smith's unapologetic sincerity and love for the time period (the film takes place on one day in May of 1986) and his almost uncomfortable willingness to share everything in his head and heart set it apart from other movies like this.
Like most of Smith's work, the dialogue isn't very natural, and it's often too wordy and loaded with more pop culture and film references than you can shake a stick at. But if you're already a fan (which I am), then the verbose style is precisely what you expect.
The young cast is good (Smith's stand-in, Austin Zajur, is terrific), the fabulous 80s hair, costumes, and production design (that Police Ghost in the Machine concert t-shirt!!!) are accurate and hilarious, and the film's simple story is told with straightforward simplicity.
Numerous cameos by Kevin Smith's buddies and regulars include Jeff Anderson, Harley Quinn Smith (Kevin's daughter), Jason Mewes, Jason Biggs, Rosario Dawson, Jason Lee, and a hilarious Justin Long as a goofy fan of the Christian Heavy Metal band Stryper.
The biggest laughs in the film come from the absolutely hilarious Adam Pally as a Goth/Emo Usher; his two scenes are definite highlights. Kate Micucci and Rachel Dratch are very funny as moms. Sam Richardson appears as a pro-wrestler clearly inspired by Sergeant Slaughter, and he is pretty amusing. Method Man, Ralph Garman, and Ken Jeong also appear.
But it is Genesis Rodriguez, as an insightful cinephile ticket-taker, who steals the show. Her scene with Zajur, in which they discuss their lives, movies, and pop culture behind the movie theater, is the best in the film and sums up the whole movie.
I'm a fan of Smith's work, warts, flaws, etc. I know that his dialogue is not the least bit natural, and he tends to overplay his hand and spell everything out for the audience, but I love his passion, honesty, and vulgar sense of humor.
I am also a sucker for his non-stop pop culture references and jokes, and this movie is LOADED with them.
Because it takes place 38 years ago, there are some funny "future" bits about "Star Wars" prequels nobody wants, the beginning of post-credit bonus scenes in movies (including a whole discussion of "Young Sherlock Holmes"), and lots of "Poltergeist II" references.
Multiple nostalgia-related gags involve call waiting, cable TV, and Hands Across America, and the soundtrack is packed with cool songs from the era.
I have a soft spot for 80s music and movies, so I had a great time. It's one of Kevin Smith's best films in a long, long time (it's certainly his most personal), and I highly recommend it. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
4) AM I RACIST?
Controversial podcaster and filmmaker Matt Walsh (who has been called the "conservative Michael Moore") goes undercover as a white hipster to find out if he is indeed a racist.
In short, YES, he is.
I walked out of this movie after roughly 45 minutes, and I will not waste my time writing or thinking about Walsh, his movie, or his backward beliefs any more than I have to. - Zero Stars
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