Fantasia '19 Film Review - Letters to Paul Morrissey

An enduring struggle and writing to the same recipient are the links between five stories presented in monochrome in Armand Rovira & Sadia Benzal's Letters to Paul Morrissey. Morrissey a staple of Andy Warhol's The Factor and director of several films in the Velvet Underground era including Trash in '70, Heat in '72 and his most famous collaboration with his influencer Chelsea Girls in'65. The first in German follows Udo Straus (Xavi Saez) as he flees from commercialism in Berlin to a Monastery in Spain in an attempt to escape his inner monologue of anxiety. All the while he becomes increasingly frustrated that God will not speak to him. The next and briefest a hard-edged love letter to drug abuse recited by Factory Alum Joe Dallesandro remarking that being a junkie is a true commitment, a way of life and the feeling of euphoria it brings is worth the seedy places, sights, and smells one must endure to possess it.

Co-writer Sadia  Benzal directed and has a supporting role in the fourth Spanish language segment that is more improv dance than scripted prose. Here we find two heavily linked souls separated by a barrier but so close they can strongly sense each other's struggle to make physical contact. The third and closest related to Morrissey/Warhol features Olena Wood (Maria Fajula) an aging former It girl that starred in Chelsea Girls preparing to attend a re-release of the film after suffering the indignity of ordering up a male companion through Man-connections. Her looks fading with the passage of time no longer possessing the ability to turn a man's head. The segment drips with dark humor chronicling the male/female dynamic, pool aerobics, and the precise art of putting on eyeliner.

The last and clearly the most scientific in Japanese charts Hiroko Tanaka (Almar G. Sato) as she tries to find a cure for a constant frequency buzzing in her head that she has dubbed Hoissuru. The key might be a woman's voice she hears by chance in a comic book store (Agnes llobet) coupled with a song from her youth Viola by Francois Hardy song. The very different subject matter of each story flows together nicely fuelled by Rovira's eye for imagery as all tell their tales of pain in a form of confession to the New York based auteur.

***1/2 Out of 4.

Letters To Paul Morrissey | Armand Rovira /Saida Benzal | Spain | 2018 |

Tags: Berlin, Monastery, God, The Factory, Chelsea Girls, Tick Tock, Candles, Breathe, Frequency, Nose Bleed, Hypnotism, Francois Hardy.

Fantasia '19 Film Review - Chiwawa

Introduced to a gang of friends by group member Yoshida (Ryo Narita) as his new girlfriend; Chiwawa (Shiori Yoshida) soon touches each member of the crew that hangs out to all hours of the night at Sedgwick in Tokyo. Straight off she makes a bold move to endure herself to the crowd solving a problem for the friends who want to have a great summer but have money to do so. The film then makes its first time shift to a morning newscast sometime after the initial night of partying and hijinks reporting that Chiwawa's body had washed up in Tokyo Bay.

© 2019 CHIWAWA Chang PRODUCTION COMMIIEE(TOEI VIDEO, VAP, KADOKAWA, GEEK PIKTURES, TOEI ADVERTISING) 

Miki (Mugi Kadowaki) who's the glue that holds the group together and Yoshida's prior girlfriend takes on the task of unraveling the mysterious persona that was Chiwawa. She was a first rate party girl that did not have a passport, loved the water but could not swim, quickly became the centre of any circle she entered but sought praise constantly.

© 2019 CHIWAWA Chang PRODUCTION COMMIIEE(TOEI VIDEO, VAP, KADOKAWA, GEEK PIKTURES, TOEI ADVERTISING)

Writer-director Ken Ninomiya tells the story using a series of key interactions between Chiwawa and the gang. Beginning with Miki who finds herself alone with Chiwawa after the formers bold act each of the young people come to the fore to recount a key moment or their last encounter with the deceased model turned couch surfer.

The tensest of Miki's discussions is with her ex- Yoshida. He's annoyed that she has taken this on, doesn't want to talk to her as he is preparing to go for an interview then flips in an instant to be the author of the most disturbing act of the film. In any police investigation, he would be the prime suspect. The boyfriend that Chiwawa was complexly dedicated to at the outset, caused the strain in their relationship then she traded up to a famous photographer who captured her essence by breaking her down then building her up again.

Chiwawa is the story of death by misadventure. The titular character took the name because she was short "5.1 like Mr. Bean". Her neediness made her vulnerable. Her beauty and openness made her an Instagram star then modeling CoverGirl. But her insecurities lead ultimately to her downfall leaving her in debt while her friends contemplate what could have been as the older generation blamed the victim as a symbol of young people today: low morals, no scruples, and even less work ethic.

*** Out of 4.

Chiwawa | Ken Ninomiya | Japan | 2018 | 104 Minutes.

Tags: Tokyo, Tokyo Bay, Memorial, Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol, Theft, Bribery,  6 Million Yen, Video, Photography, Instagram, 3-day blowout.

Universal Pictures Film Review - Yesterday

Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is a down and out singer-songwriter whose dream of becoming a working musician is hanging by its last chord. He plays in pubs, small halls, and hotels in Suffolk where he's more background noise than featured performer. Jack has one true supporter Ellie (Lily James) his manager, roadie, booker, driver and cheerleader helping him to keep going. But after a dismal gig in front of a handful of toddlers in a side tent at a local marquee music festival, he finally decides that this is the end.

However, Jack is literally hit by a bus knocking him unconsciousness during a worldwide power outage waking up in hospital seemingly the only person that can remember the Beatles. Suddenly the discount store shelf stocker with a teaching certificate scrambles to remember the words to the Beatles catalogue. Using post-it notes to build his set list Jack starts performing the songs, gaining worldwide fame landing an opening gig for Ed Sheeran who has far more than a cameo role in the film. He soon catches the eye of Sheeran's manager Debra Hammer (Kate McKinnon) playing the opportunistic shark record exec to the hilt. Whisking Jack off to L.A. to record a double album that is destined to be the greatest of all time and that will afford her the opportunity to build an even bigger beach house.

Director Danny Boyle alongside writer Richard Curtis takes the what if fantasy in unexpected directions that are heartwarming, eerie, surprising and exceedingly humorous. A strong secondary thread of the piece is Jack's missed pop culture references. The blank stares forcing him to consult Google for a series of whacky results.

Yesterday is a crowd pleaser for all comers. The melodies are unmatched and whether you are a  Beatlemanic or only like a handfull of songs their presentation will bring a smile to your face as you tap along to Jack's performances. Patel & James slide easily into their roles as they dance around each other with Jack heading off on tour with Sheeran then to record in L.A. while Ellie remains committed to teaching her students in Suffolk. Although the songs fit any generation the album titles and lyrics may not. As Jack's L.A. record label powerhouse marketing team rejects every proposed Beatles album title and Ed Sheeran changes in a recording session the title of Hey Jude to Hey Dude.

*** 1/2  Out of 4.

Yesterday| Danny Boyle | U.K. | 2019 | 116 Minutes.

Tags: The Beatles, Suffolk, Latitude Music Festival, Blackout, When I'm 64, Coca-Cola, Ed Sheerer, Russia, U.S.S.R., L.A , Liverpool, Post It Notes.

Film Review - Late Night

Mindy Kalig, wrote, produced and stars in Late Night directed by Nisha Ganatra. Kalig drew from her experiences on The Office for elements of the feature. Emma Thompson plays Katherine Newbury who has been the host of her Late Night Talk Show Tonight for 28 years. She has lasted through 6 network Presidents spanning from the Leno - Letterman era into the Fallon, Seth Myers (Who appears in the film) one. However, her show has been falling in popularity over the last 10 years. Newbury not wanting to keep up with the shifting landscape of man on the street or joint acts with guests in the studio. She would rather remain glued to her desk talking to academics instead of edgy comics or YouTube stars. Plus new network President Amy Ryan is looking to replace her with foul -mouthed comedian Daniel Tennant (Ike Barinholtz)

Kalig is Molly Patel, a single unattached chemical plant worker from Pennsylvania who works a meeting with the head of a parent company of Tonight into an interview for a writing position on the Show. She's hired, right away to questioning elements of the production working her way into the prestigious role of co-monologue writer alongside turf protecting Tom Campbell (Reid Scott) of Veep fame.

Kalig's writing rings authentic to the female experience in a male dominated industry. When she first comes into the writers' room she's automatically viewed as a P.A. with gopher tasks hurled her way. The male writers use the women's washroom to go number 2 even after she is working there since as Molly is told there has not been a female on the writing staff since forever.

The central relationship of the film is between Thompson and Kalig. Molly points out the disconnect on the show in the Quality Control analyst style she knows from the plant. The Legendary host knows that Molly is right but would rather lash out than take the constructive criticism. Her Professor Emeritus husband Walter Lovell (John Lithgow) in failing health is her whole family but she needs Molly personally and professionally to challenger her making her better.

Late Show is an entertaining, funny production that allows Emma Thompson to exercise her sharp comedic wit. Molly calls it casual cruelty that cuts deep because she does not care and is not interested; referring to her writers by number instead of by name. Although the audience will likely know where the film will end up there are a few ambiguous moments to give the viewer pause as they make their way out of the theater.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Late Night | Nisha Ganatra | U.S.A. | 2019 | 102 Minutes.

Tags: Late Night Talk Show, Talk Show Host, Writers Room, Diversity Hire, Boys Club, New York, Stand Up Comic, Parkinson, Chemical Plant, Factory, Pennsylvania.

levelFILM Review- Framing John DeLorean

As Alec Baldwin sits in the make up chair made up as John DeLorean for the first time he facetimes his wife to show her how he looks. She asks what he is doing, Baldwin explains that they are doing re-enactment footage of DeLorean's escapades shot as a movie then cut into documentary footage about DeLorean and what he went through. Baldwin also explains his process of portraying a character. Baldwin in the past saw him as a manipulator but playing him you get into his mind and play who the character thinks he is.

Directors Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott touch on the many failed attempts to turn DeLorean's life. The story has all of the elements: Ambitious genius, fashion model wife, two adorable kids. DeLorean was a  maverick that took on big business, plus cocaine and an F.B.I. sting. All during the return of Conservatism under Regan's war on drugs and the rise of the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher in Britain.

The narrative starts with DeLorean as a promising engineer at G.M. making an impression then given the option to head of any division he chose Pontiac the one in the most trouble. There he went against the grain to birth the muscle car the G.T.O leading to increased profits for G.M. and a seat at the table on the Executive 14th floor. However, the old guard wanted him out which occurred in 1973.

From there the story moves to the development of his dream car the DMC-12. Hiring his chief engineer, raising funding then building the vehicle in a plant in troubled Belfast because the British government gave him the most money. That was the first of many instances where chasing funding lead to bad decisions and eventually to that L.A. hotel room drug deal with the F.B.I.

Framing John DeLorean has duality even in its title. DeLorean maintains that he was entrapped by the F.B.I. a version of the facts that a jury believed in is 1984 trail. It also stands for an attempt to get a picture of the man who had many different personas but at his core as Baldwin states he just perverted some dream that he had. That, in the end, had a devastating effect on himself, his marriage and ultimately his children.

*** Out of 4.

Framing John DeLorean | Sheena M. Joyce / Don Argott | U.S.A. | 2019 | 109 Minutes.

Tags: Detroit, G.M. Pontiac, G.T.O., Firebird, Californina, Stardom, DMC -12, Belfast, War on Drugs, Cocaine, Sting, Trial.

levelFILM Film Review - Mouthpiece

Conceived as a work of performance art for the stage Mouthpiece staring Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava follows two actresses playing the same part simultaneously in the 48 hours leading up to the funeral of Cassie's mother Elaine. The pair of actresses reprise their roles from the stage, moving in unison, sweeping their hair at the same moment, dressed alike dragging a scarf behind them in parallel while they swap out turns dealing with life. Short Cassandra (Sadava) comforts brother Danny (Jake Epstein) when he comes the morning after the death. Both hook up with an old boyfriend for a quick romp to clear the mind alternating between doing the deed each critiquing the other's performance from a chair beside the bed.

The key theme examined is the marginalized role of women in today's society. Mother Elaine (Maev Beaty) had to take be the main caregiver to Cassie and her brother Danny. In flashbacks we see young Cassie (Taylor Belle Puterman) catching glimpses of her mom's failures. Loosing out on an editing/ writing opportunity, dunking her journal filled with hopes and dreams into a half full crockpot of cream soup burring her dreams in a vessel of motherly duties. There is a clip of Ruth Bater Ginsberg  proclaiming that nothing will change unless the next generation of men takes on a greater role in child rearing. Plus a call from her dad who tells young Cassie to say goodbye to her mom as he is busy doing very important things away on business that will keep him out of town longer than expected.

Sadava and Nostbakken know the material and characters well having authored the source material. Sometimes the pair move, act and speak as one. While at other junctures they argue, push each other and on a couple of occasions come to blows. The production plays off this duality. One telling scene in a fitting room trying on nylons turns into eight versions of the character fueled by mirror reflections as the leads discuss Mom's eating habits. The pair are often also dressed alike, except for one pivotal moment when Tall Cassandra (Nostbakken) dons a sweater mom gives Cassie a to wear at Christmas that is truly not her.

Mouthpiece is a bold experiment to bring an out of the ordinary play to the big screen. The project works due to the efforts of the four women at the centre of the cast. Nostbakken and Sadava alongside director Patricia Rozema and cinematographer Catherine Lutes who play up the duality on screen leaving the audience guessing at the relationship between the two leads even the prospect of one being real and the other imagined.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Mouthpiece | Patricia Rozema | Canada | 2019 | 91 Minutes.

Tags: Stroke, Funeral, Psyche, Eulogy, Divorce, Sexism, Bath, Christmas Party, Nylons, French Fries.

Universal Pictures Film Review - A Dog's Journey

Bailey; Ethan's (Dennis Quaid) faithful Great Pyreness from A Dog's Purpose is a mature steady companion to his granddaughter C.J. (Emma Volk) as a preschooler helping to look after her as her mother Gloria (Betty Gilpin) a self-absorbed want to be performer grieves over the loss of her husband Ethan and Hanna (Marg Helgenberger's) son. Gloria is suspicious and resentful soon pulling CJ away from the family farm and her grandparents convinced they are trying to get at the inheritance left by their son for C.J. after his death. The pair settle in a new town with a new incarnation of Bailey this time a beagle named Molly looking to protect the now grade school girl as Ethan has send his spirit to her as she will need a friend given her mother's nature.

Director Gail Mancuso presents a warm- hearted film that is straight shooter with a few welcome twists. By the time C.J. is a young woman (Kathryn Prescott) she is in New York attempting to break as a singer-songwriter with Bailey's spirit now housed in a Yorkshire terrier named Max determined track her down having let her get away in his one encounter with her in the films shortest stint as African Boerboel Big Dog spending most of his days at a roadside gas station convenience stop. In New York, Max leads C.J. back to Trent (Henry Lau) as a young man who we first met as a youth (Ian Chen) when Bailey as Beagle Molly first meets C.J. in Chicago.

The story contains positive pointed messaging for the junior moviegoing set including solid lessons on following through on a promise, loyalty, friendship and standing by someone in challenging times. Kathryn Prescott of Skins fame delivers a strong performance as teenage/young adult C.J. She has been damaged due to the neglectful and selfish attitude of her mother Gloria but remains true to her songwriting path determined to perform in front of an audience when she knows the time is right. Betty Gilpin as mom Gloria is the villain of the piece. She pulls C.J. as a toddler away from the loving environment of her grandparents home, forbids any contact and leaves her young daughter home alone often at night forcing a grade school girl to fend for herself for meals and dealing with the bumps and sounds of a home on her own.

A Dog's Journey is a story about the spirit of a family pet that spans three generations. Granddad Ethan's dog Bailey jumps to two other main personas a Beagle and a Yorkshire Terrier to guide his granddaughter. The material is naturally set up to be a tear-jerker, a road that it goes down willingly but along the way,there are a couple of recurring themes in which young and older audiences alike will find valuable.

**1/2 Out of 4

A Dog's Journey | Gail Mancuso | China/ Hong Kong/ India | U.S.A.| 109 Minutes.

Tags: Farm, Great Pyrenees, Inheritance, Reincarnation, Chicago, Beagle, New York, Yorkshire Terrier, Stage Fright Cancer, Friendship, Loyality.