I.S.S.

 

      I.S.S. stands for International Space Station which makes a very claustrophobic setting for this "thriller".

      As the film starts, two American astronauts arrive at the station to be greeted by their American colleague and three Russian cosmonauts. These six characters are the only people in the film and for the first day or so, they live and work in friendship and perfect harmony.

      The film stars Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, and John Gallagher as the Americans. Masha Mashkova, Costa Ronin, and Pilou Asbaek as the Russians.

      Very quickly things take a turn for the worse when they notice explosions of some sort back on earth. Each group then receives transmissions from their respective governments that war has broken out between Russia and the United States and they are to take control of the station at all costs. 

      It is an extremely intriguing premise that sets the stage for some suspenseful moments as friends and allies are now enemies and unsure just how far to take their orders. For a while the premise holds up, heighted by a suspenseful score but with only six people in a very tight space there can only be so much tension. There are a couple of twists to keep things off balance but eventually interest wanes.

     Definitely a movie you can wait to stream...or not.

       

The Zone of Interest

 

      Written and directed by Jonathan Glazer, this is an extraordinary historical drama in both it's inception and production. It is also quite possibly the most discomforting film I've ever sat through.

      Rudolf Hoss was the commandant of Auschwitz, responsible for the death of millions of Jewish prisoners during World War Two. He and his family lived in a villa directly outside the concentration camp walls. The story, filmed in and around the home (never in Auschwitz itself) tries to humanize Hoss and his family as they go about their daily life but it is impossible, as the sounds of the camp always linger in the background as well as the black smoke from the crematoriums. We follow their mundane life totally apathetic to what is taking place mere feet from their home. 

     Mr. Glazer's sound designer, Jonnie Burn's work is incredible. The sounds of gunfire, screams, barking dogs and other horrors are  unseen "characters" in the film. It's as if there is a second film running simultaneously fueled by the imagination of the viewer. The minimalistic score by Mica Levi is reduced to painful noise (with the exception of the prologue and epilogue) to add further discomfort.

     Christian Friedel plays Rudolf Hoss and Sandra Huller plays his wife Hedwig. Both do incredible work. They portray loving parents to their children and pets but are otherwise cold and unaffected by the world around them.

      Mr. Glazer's camera forces us to see beyond the ordinary life that hides a horrific brutality. While atrocities are never seen, the film is deliberately unsettling to watch and yet, it's an important testimony to the horrors of the holocaust.

      Post script (not seen in the film)- After the war, Rudolf Hoss was found guilty of war crimes and was hanged outside the very gates of Auschwitz.

Origin

 

     This new biographical drama, brilliantly written and directed by Ava DuVernay, is based on the non-fiction book, "Caste". The book came out in 2020 and shot to the top of the NY Times non-fiction bestseller list. "It examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions".

      "Caste" was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson. The film follows Ms. Wilkerson's journey from her decision to write the book, her research, and the writing itself, all while dealing with difficult moments in her own life. As her story is told, parts of the book  are brought to life through reenacted sequences and Ms. Wilkerson's narration. Both the book and the film look to connect particular actions of the past with their impact on our present, and to provide hope for our future.

       The film stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson, Jon Bernthal as her husband Brett and Niecy Nash-Betts as Isabel's cousin Marion. Ms. Ellis-Taylor and Ms. Nash-Betts are absolutely remarkable. The film co-stars Emily Yancy, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Isha Blaaker, Vera Famiga, Audra McDonald, Connie Nielsen, Myles Frost, Blair Underwood, and in a one scene cameo, Nick Offerman. Almost the entire cast portray actual people.

        This is not a film to necessarily "enjoy" but it is an important film to see. It is intelligent, insightful, thought provoking, brutally honest, heartbreaking in so many ways (certain scenes may shatter you and haunt you for days), and yet, is filled with so much love. 

         "Origin" asks us to look below the surface and find the humanity underneath, in all of us. It is a must see experience. 

         In select theaters now and opens wide January 26th.

The Book of Clarence

 

       This new biblical comedy/drama is from writer and director Jeymes Samuel. It borrows its DNA from "Life of Brian" and many biblical dramas but definitely has an odd originality all its own.

       Seeing how Jesus is revered by the masses, Clarence (a non-believer) decides to become a messiah himself as part of a larger con in AD 33 Jerusalem. His comical deception leads him down a parallel path of the actual Jesus, where he encounters the Virgin Mary, the 12 apostles, Judas, Barabbas, Pontis Pilate, Mary Magdelene, and John the Baptist.

        Clarence is played by LaKeith Stanfield, who is absolutely terrific in the role (he also plays his twin brother, Thomas). Co-starring are Omar Sy as Barabbas, RJ Cyler as Elijah, David Oyelowo as John the Baptist, Micheal Ward as Judas, Alfre Woodward as the Virgin Mary, Teyana Taylor as Mary Magdelene, Marianne Jean- Baptiste as Clarence's mother, James McAvoy as Pontis, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Benjamin. It's a fine cast caught in a film that has a hard time finding its core. 

       Divided into three "books", the film gets less funny and much more serious as we arrive at book three, "The Crucifixion". At once, a biblical satire, social commentary, comedy, and dark drama, the film is uneven but ultimately an interesting work.

         

The Beekeeper

 

        Jason Statham may be getting older, but he hasn't lost a step, starring in this action thriller. When a shadow organization of hackers cons his close friend into losing all her money, beekeeper  Adam Clay goes on the hunt for those responsible. While a literal beekeeper, Clay is a retired "Beekeeper", part of an elite organization dedicated to protecting "the hive".  Using all his skills, Clay goes on a one-man warpath taking down everyone responsible for, not only for his friend but all the innocents taken in by the hackers.

      It's an action revenge story anyone can relate to, which adds an emotional element to this "check your brain at the door" thriller. Mr. Statham shows he's still in great shape and very resourceful at taking down the bad guys.

      The film co-stars Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Jemma Redgrave, Minnie Driver, Bobby Naderi, and Phylicia Rashad. Mr. Irons adds a certain gravitas to a part he can do in his sleep. Ms. Driver's and Ms. Rashad's roles are not much more than cameos, but Mr. Hutcherson chews the scenery as the man behind the scenes running the scams.

       Getting hacked is everyone's nightmare so it's fun to see the hackers get “stung” for a change, even if it is only a movie.

 

Society of the Snow

 

   In 1972, a Uruguayan rugby team were on their way to a match in Chile. Their plane crashed in the Andes mountains. A book was written about the crash called Alive and then a film followed in 1992. It was filmed with an American cast and the most controversial thing about the book and the film was that the survivors of the crash resorted to eating the flesh of the dead to survive.

    This new film, while not a remake, does tell the same story with a cast of Uruguayan and Argentinian actors that lend authenticity to the story and is absolutely harrowing in its tale of survival. The crash itself is horrific in detail and the makeup, weather conditions and acting all combine to add a dimension of realism that couldn't be done in 1992. The cinematography is outstanding and if this was not a thrilling tale of survival, one could really appreciate the beauty of the natural surroundings.

    Director and co-screenwriter, J.A.Bayona does a remarkable job filming, not only in the Andes but at the actual crash site, adding another layer of realism to the film. The story doesn't shy away from the survivors making the incredibly difficult decision to eat the flesh of the dead, but it is presented with care and reverence without resorting to sensationalism. 

     Truely an amazing story of human resilience and endurance that should not be missed. It is currently on Netflix.

      

 

The Color Purple

 

   Based on the Broadway musical adaptation of the Alice Walker novel, this new version of "The Color Purple" hits all the rights notes in the music and dancing departments. It also incorporates elements from the original 1985 film, filling out the story.

   The musical numbers and the choreography are terrific but the story drags at times, seemingly waiting for the next number to start. The director, Blitz Bazawule's pacing is slow and somewhat labored but he is in complete control of the musical sequences.

    The cast is wonderful. Fantasia Barrino reprises her role from the Broadway show and she is excellent as the tortured soul, Celie. Danielle Brooks also reprises her role of Sophia from the show and she is a force of nature, stealing every moment she's on screen. As the villain in the film, Colman Domingo is a very frightening "Mister" and shows his versatility as an actor. The film also stars Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery. With a long list of dramatic roles in her resume, she now adds singer and she does a great job. Rounding out the cast is Corey Hawkins as Harpo, H.E.R. as "Squeak", Halle Bailey as the young Nettie, Jon Bastiste as Grady (who, of course, gets a musical number at the piano), Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mr. Johnson (he 's a national treasure), David Alan Frier as the Rev. Avery, and Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie.

    Personally, I preferred the dramatic version of the story as I'm not a big fan of movie musicals. They tend to take you out of the story's reality (as happens here too) but you can't deny the wonderful singing and dancing in this version. 

      

Night Swim

 

      Well, it's January and the start of the bottom feeder movie season. While I'm still waiting for a great horror film to scare me out of my seat, this one will have to do for now.

       Written and directed by Bryce McGuire, the film serves up a solid level of creepiness with a few good scares thrown in for good measure. What sets this apart from other horror films, is the idyllic setting of a backyard pool being the home of an evil entity. Pools are friendly and inviting, making this all the more unsettling as it goes on.  

       The film stars Kerry Condon (doing a great American accent) and Wyatt Russell as Eve and Ray Waller. Their kids are played by Amelie Hoeferle as Izzy and Gavin Warren as Elliott.

       Things get more intense or sillier, depending on your tolerance for this story, but despite how you feel about the plot, the cast works hard to make you believers in the evil oozing out of their backyard.  As silly as it may be, it's also unsettling and I, for one, will think twice now about swimming alone in a pool at night.