The End of Oak Street

 

  

        Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell (who made the excellent film "It Follows"), this big budget follow up is a strange mix of storytelling, at once suspenseful and yet also ridiculous at times. 

          The plot is "Jurassic Park"  meets suburban America, circa 1982. Mr. Mitchell's costumes, visuals, and choice of music all represent the time period perfectly. Things start to go off the rails once a cosmic wormhole (at least that seems to be the explanation) sends the entire neighborhood back to the age of dinosaurs,

            Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor star along with Maisy Stella and Christian Convery as the Platt family, the core family trying to survive their horrific situation. Their struggles, along with a subplot of underlining issues within the family dynamic, form the drama that is the emotional center of the film. All four actors do a great job of expressing fear and anxiety. 

            At times, the film is exciting and suspenseful, especially in tight quarters but there are moments that truly make no sense and others that are really laughable. While most of the film stays within the range of its PG-13 rating, there are moments of visceral violence that could have easily given it an R rating instead. These moments are fairly shocking and seem out of place with the overall tone of the film. 

              While ultimately disappointing due to the confusing story construction, it's still a reasonably fun "popcorn" movie due to it's hard working stars and decent visuals. 

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

 

      Imagine walking through a contemporary art exhibit, taking in all the exhibits and liking some, while at the same time, hating some and being confused by the rest. That's how I felt watching writer/director Jane Schoenbrun's latest film. 

      One part slasher film parody, one part psychosexual love story, and one part film within a film, there is a lot to digest after seeing "Camp Miasma. The film is certainly bizarre, yet oddly touching as it explores self-awareness and queer themes in a satirical setting of a slasher film. It is also very funny.

       Hannah Einbinder stars as Kris, a queer filmmaker looking to make a reboot of an old slasher franchise. Her co-star is Gillian Anderson as Billy Presley, the original "survivor" actress from the first film, who is now a recluse living on the abandoned set of the film.

       Co-stars include  Patrick Fischler, Arthur Conti, Zach Cherry, Sarah Sherman and a cameo from Dylan Baker. The film really belongs to Ms. Einbinder and Ms. Anderson though, as the majority of screentime features just the two women as their initial relationship grows more intimate and certainly more intense as the story goes on.

       You can easily see flourishes of "Sunset Boulevard", "Psycho", and of course "Friday the 13th" throughout the film. Ms. Anderson plays it straight even as she channels Gloria Swanson. As for the slasher film backdrop, the killer in the film is named "Little Death", no coincidence that the French refer to an orgasm as "Little Death". In addition, the character lives in a hole at the bottom of a lake, born with a confusing sexual identity. Again, a lot to digest. 

         Not necessarily done for a mainstream audience, fans of both Jane Schoenborn and Hannah Einbinder will definitely enjoy the film and have a lot to discuss after the credits roll (by the way, there is a short post credit scene as well).

        

I Want Your Sex

 

       Yes, it's a provocative title but in the hands of director and co-writer (with Karley Sciortino) of Gregg Araki, I would consider this new comedy/drama a parody of contemporary art and sexual politics. This is Mr. Araki's first film in twelve years after a string of independent films (including "The Doom Generation") and he has a lot to say about the world today.

        The film opens with a clever nod to "Sunset Boulevard" and "9 1/2 Weeks" setting the stage for an unusual relationship between an artist with an open mind towards kinky sex and her new art gallery  assistant, who becomes her latest "boytoy".

         Cooper Hoffman stars as Elliot, the naive gallery assistant looking for a connection he is not getting from his current girlfriend (played by Charli XCX) or his life in general. Olivia Wilde is Erika, the gallery owner and artist hoping to make a splash with her latest outragous exhibit. Erika sees something in Elliot and he soon becomes entangled in a serious BDSM sexual relationship with the domineering Erika. The film also co-stars Mason Gooding, Daveed Diggs, Chase Sui Wonders, Margaret Cho and Johnny Knoxville.

         While erotic up to a point, Mr. Araki's exploration of sexual dynamics becomes more comedic than sexy, but he blends his genres so well the film becomes a smart commentary while, at the same time, poking fun at Generation Z's expense. His stylish and colorful direction is visually appealing and Mr. Hoffman and Ms. Wilde don't hold back in their onscreen chemistry. Their sex scenes are wild without being overly explicit.  These are daring roles for both actors and they pull it off. Mr. Hoffman, in particular, is exceptional as the conflicted Elliot.

          A mainstream audience may be put off by the title and apparent subject matter but the film sneaks up on you and certainly has more to offer than what one might think going in. 

            

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

 

           Tom Holland returns in his fourth go round as Spider-Man. The twist for anyone who missed "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is that no one recognizes Peter Parker as Dr. Strange's spell wiped the memory of anyone who knew him.

            Spider-Man continues to battle old and new adversaries but his friends no longer know his alter-ego. That includes MJ, played again by Zendaya and Ned, played again by Jacob Batalon. Jon Bernthal also returns as Frank Castle aka "The Punisher" (in a slightly watered down version). Sadie Sink joins the cast as a surprise character. And, anyone who has seen the trailer knows that Mark Ruffalo aka "The Hulk" makes an appearance but there are other surprise cameos that I won't spoil here.

             The film is a blast from start to finish. Mr. Holland has matured in the role and so has his character. There are plenty of action sequences but surprising moments of genuine gravitas as well as humor. CGI works overtime here but it's done so well, you hardly notice. There is real emotional interplay among the characters in a story that is a bit darker than the previous films.

              For fans who enjoy hidden "Easter Eggs", there are plenty to spot including recreating classic Spider-Man comic covers and other references to elements in the Marvel universe. It will probably take multiple viewings to spot them all.

               As with all Marvel films, audiences wait through the credits for extra scenes and while this one does have one tiny scene at the very end, it is cryptic and on the surface doesn't reveal any plot details about future Marvel films. My personal takeaway is that while Spider-Man will return, it won't be in "Avengers: Doomsday" coming later this year but rather "Secret Wars" slated for 2027.

                 For now, we can enjoy "Brand New Day" as it is terrific entertainment and try to see it on the biggest screen possible.

Her Private Hell

 

         More like our private hell, despite a good cast, this is a disaster of a film. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn from his original story, I couldn't even begin to tell you the plot. The film plays as if Brian DePalma was imitating David Lynch directing during a stroke.

           Sophie Thatcher stars and it's a daring role as I have no idea what she's doing but she appears to be doing it well.  Her co-stars are Havana Rose Liu (who's getting more and more deserving roles, but not here) and Charles Melton. The film also features Dougray Scott, Diego Calva and Kristine Froseth.

            The production design is interesting and the cast certainly seems to be trying hard but the story goes nowhere, if there is a story at all. If you're looking to escape the heat in an air-conditioned theater, this is a great choice for a two hour nap.

The Odyssey

 

         Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, based on Homer's epic poem, the film itself is an epic work of art. Entertainment on a massive scale, Mr. Nolan continues to push the envelope of what can be accomplished on film.

           The cast is so impressive. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, in one of his finest roles (and probably one of his hardest). He is supported by Anne Hathaway as Penelope, his patient wife waiting twenty years for his return from the Trojan War. Tom Holland is Telemachus, his son, who really should have referred to his parents as Mother and Father rather than "Mom" and "Dad" but otherwise a fine portrayal.  Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, a conniving suitor for Penelope. Lupita Nyong'o is Helen of Troy and her twin sister, Clytemnestra. Samantha Morton is Circe. John Leguizamo is Eumaeus. Zendaya is the Goddess, Athena. Charlize Theron plays Calypso. Jon Bernthal plays Menelaus. Himesh Patel plays Eurylochus. Elliot Page plays Sinon and Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon. Special consideration to Bill Irwin who portrays the Cyclops.

             There has been many critical comments about the casting which I personally think is ridiculous. No one really knew what these people looked like in ancient times and this is a film after all with Mr. Nolan's own vision. He cast the best actors for the roles and all the performances were excellent.

              Forgoing CGI for practical effects, the film is a visual marvel. Shot in multiple locations around the world, every scene is breathtaking. There is detail in every frame and since it was shot completely using IMAX cameras, it is truly an immersive experience.

               While it is recommended, you see in in IMAX 70mm, I'm sure it will still be one of the most incredible films you will ever see in any format. But I do highly recommend  you see it in a theater. The grand scale of this film won't be the same on television (unless you have a really large screen with high end surround sound).

                  This will be the film to beat in multiple categories at next year's Academy Awards. It is remarkable. 

               As a side note, there is an exclusive 22 minute "Making Of" documentary now on the Peacock streaming channel (where the film will eventually land).

Evil Dead Burn

 

        Strictly for fans of the franchise, this latest installment will not disappoint. While not particularly scary (there are one or two jump scares), it is incredibly gruesome with excellent special effects.

         Co-written and directed by Sebastien Vanicek, the film doesn't reinvent the story but certainly builds upon the visceral horror of the ongoing series. The audience can feel every painful moment and there are plenty. The realism is extremely well done with every inventive cut, stab, chop, shot, burn, buzz, or bite.

          Souhelia Yacoub star as Alice Price, Tandi Wright as Susan Price, Erroll Shand as Edgar Price, George Pullar as William Price and Luciane Buchanan as Thya.

         The cinematography by Philip Lozano is excellent with many inventive camera angles as well. The action is pretty much non-stop as the Price family tries to survive the onslaught of the dead. There are mid credit and post credit scenes that are actually important to setting up the next installment, so you may want to stay through the credits.