Fantasia '21 Film Review - Agnes

Agnes (Hayley McFarland) is suddenly inhabited by a demonic force in the opening frames of the film. She is speaking in tongues, lashing out, and cursing loudly at her fellow Nuns at a remote strict convent. The order is so adherent to rote that it's a major act to let two men into the building al be it that the men are Father Donahue (Ben Hall) a veteran priest on set away from permanent banishment due to past acts and a neophyte Benjamin (Jake Horowitz) who has not taken his vows who is seen as a particular threat by the Mother superior. The Priest at first going on the description of the events see this as a potential medical issue but upon meeting with and attempting to exorcise the visitor find that the presence is too powerful for them and resort to call in some backup.

Rising Indie director Mickey Reece takes a bit of a mickey out on the religious possession genre in the opening portion of the film. The nuns are shown as following rules that are highly out of step with modern society with a select few straying from the path when out of view and range of Mother. Agnes' closest friend Mary (Molly C. Quinn) is an interesting study having come to the order later in life after the real world tragedy of losing a son. Agnes has also suffered the loss of a loved one which gives the pair a ready made connection. Reece turns up his sarcastic lense as Father Donahue turns to Hollywood cool TV ready Father Black (Chris Browning) to come in for the save. Mother is totally appalled Father Black's meeting with Agnes is catastrophic the as sudden as the film started events take a sharp turn to focus on Mary who has left the Convent after the botched exorcism and is now working retail as a cashier. 

Reece again shows that he is willing to chase after a narrative anywhere it lies be it unconventional or even jarring to his audience who had settled into a particular style of film to have that level of comfort upended for something completely different. Molly C Quinn plays Mary completely understated a kid of outie observer into her own life. An Angus link pops up again as Mary begins to spend time with stand-up comic Paul (Sean Gunn) an ex  of her friend. Quinn is effective in both sections of the film inside and outside of the convent. Ben Hall is equally as compelling in the first section of the film. He is the veteran priest who though an earlier misstep or misunderstanding has taken to his flask more than his bible and is well aware that he is a target for banishment by senior church administrators. Mary Buss is deep into character as Mother Superior. Her number one goal is to protect her charges from evil outside temptations. Her reactions to the ground shifting under her feet as events unfold around Agnes' possession are priceless especially her nonverbal body and facial contortions and movements behind her spectacles. 

Agnes may be the project that brings writer-director Mickey Reece more into the mainstream. His take on the church it's traditions rules,and bureaucracy morphs into a study of loss and isolation and how people deal with both. Anchored by a quiet yet commanding performance by Molly C. Quinn in completely opposite settings it's a film I can recommend and likely one that will be remembered as a launching point for a future top-level storyteller. 

***1/2 Out of 4

Agnes | Mickey Reece | U.S.A. | 2021 | 93 Minutes.

Tags: Convent, Possession, Exorcism, Sexual Misconduct, Neophyte,Temptation, Cashier, Loss, Regret.

Vortex Media Film Review - For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close

Del Close's tentacles reach out to touch three generations of comedians from Mike Nichols and Elaine May in the 1950s to May to Jason Sudeikis star of today's IT show Ted Lasso. Close met Nichols and May while part of the Compass Players in St. Louis of the late '50s. This was the first comedy troupe (relocated from Chicago) that did a new stage show every night with no formal script taking suggestions from the audience for scenes. Elane and Del hit it off coming up together with the initial rules of the format that featured tenants including take the unpopular choice and always knowing where the objects were on stage. This period resulted in Del's first disappointment when Nichols who could only be funny when working with May changed the deal on plans for New York securing a contract for a nightclub act for only May and himself. Del drifted to San Francisco taking all aspects of the drug culture and landing the job as the director of The Committee Sketch troupe where Howard Hesseman and Peter Bonerz of Bob Newhart fame cut their chops. It's also where Close originated his lifelong work of long-form Improv workshops that he called The Harold.

Director Heather Ross roots the often absurdity of Del's stories with the writing of the comic book Wasteland in the late '80s. D.C. has started to run non-traditional content in titles such as The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen. They Hired Close and teamed him with comic book writer John Ostrander and D.C.outside the box editor Mike Gold to pen Wasteland that Del could fill the panels with his stream of consciousness along with some mixed in autobiographical moments. Another effective tool is the use of scrapbook type stop motion animation to display  Del's story and the people that drift in and out of the tale. There are clips mixed in from the hit shows and movies of Del's disciples along with spot on sound drops. The narrative is made up mostly of Del's own voice from tape recorded interviews including one conducted by Bob Odenkirk as a student journalist. The rest is by the calm soothing voice of Michela Watkins who can throw in  a well placed curse word or jolting turn of a phrase as required. 

Close's next big sprout of his comedy tree occurred at Second City in Chicago landing in 1973 as the director. Here he was able to influence the next generation of comics many of whom formed the first cast of Saturday Night Live. He did his long form improv workshops at night but the producer Bernie Sahlins would never let these potential train wrecks hit the main stage. The main stage was reserved for scripted  comedy pieces that started with audience suggestions but were crafted through planning and rehearsals. After butting heads with Bernie one time too many he was exiled to Toronto in 1976. Where the cast there went on to start SCTV and beyond. Here Del suffered a clean break ending up in an asylum back in Chicago still phoning in sketch ideas to Toronto. Here again like with Nichols and May Close saw his pupils exploding into film and on stage while he was left behind to toil in obscurity. 

The third pivot point was a meeting with Chana Helpern who taught him to make the Harold teachable that kept the art form on the rails and limited catastrophic failures. From here came Tina Fey, Director Adam McKay, John  Favreau, Tim Meadows, Chris Farley, and Amy Poehler all graduates of the Improv Olympics.Ross ties four decades of a journey together that finally clicks in the Me generation of the '80s with the counter message of working in a supportive encouraging group. Moss keeps the story moving anchored by a wonderful recreation scenes cast lead by comic James Urbaniak as Close. If you are a fan of comedy on the big or small screen chances ae your favourite comedic actor or creator was directly or indirectly influenced by Mr. Close.

**** Out of 4.

For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close | Heather Ross | U.S.A. | 87 Minutes.

Tags: Improv, Kansas, Suicide, Dr. Dracula, Wasteland, D.C.Comics, The Compass Theatre, St. Louis,Witches,  The Committee, Second City, Harold, Teaching Harold, Chicago, Toronto, Cook County Hospital.  

 

Vortex Media VOD/Digital Film Review- Running Against The Wind

Two childhood friends that embark on different paths is a tried and tested narrative path. Here two young best friends who heard goats by day in their native Ganda Abdi end up branching apart. One Abdi Getachew (Ferhane Beker young then Ashenafi Nigusu older) has dreams of being a long distance runner following in the footsteps of the great Ethiopian runner Haile Gebreselassie (who appears in the film). The other Solomon Terefa (Alamudin Abduselam then Mikias Wolde) is more restless moving inas a youth with Abdi after his father passes away. Solomon discovers he has a knack for photography then disappears off to Addis Ababa without a plan ending up on the streets, begging and stealing developing into a full-blown street boy.

German Director Jan Philipp Weyl has shot in other parts of the world before and is comfortable conversing in multiple languages. With Running Against the Wind he wanted to show multiple facets of Ethiopian society similar to the track of his next project Buena Vista Chicho shooting in Cuba.  The narrative moves deep into the guts of the seediest portions of the capital city spending meaningful time with those that try to survive on the fringes. Solomon his wife Genet (Samrawit Desalegn) alongside crew mates Kiflom (Joseph Reta Belay and Joker (Sintayehu) occupy that segment of the population. Cinematographer Mateusz is particularly effective in training his lens on the goings on in notorious Chichinea where no one ventures to at night. 

Mikias Wolde gives a nuanced performance as Solomon. He is trying to keep his family together by staying a few steps ahead and out of the direct line of fire from local boss Tatek, an intense wild eyed Sintayehu Arega. He collects garbage by day using his industrial sized wheelbarrow stealing at night when  forced to by Tatek. Young Solomon Alamudin Abduselam is the other standout performance in the piece. He's struck by tragedy as a youngster, betrays the friend that takes an interest in him by showing him photography and abandons his village to fight for scraps in the big City. 

Running Against The Wind is a take on Ethiopia that shows both the best and worst elements of the country; side by side. Long distance running is its staple. The training methods are at the top of the field. Sponsorship is strong and recognition for a runner great if successful. But others also struggle, especially in a big city like Addis Ababa. However, Weyl does showcase the capital as a thriving local setting that has the bright lights and a big city feel. It's a story helmed by someone who has  obviously spent plenty of time in the country and has a great affection for its people and culture. It's a visit to a seldomly represented location that is worth a watch

*** Out of 4.

Running Against The Wind | Jan Philipp Weyl | Ethiopia/ Germany | 2019 | 116 Minutes. 

Tags: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Long Distance Running, Photography, Haile Gebrselassie, Street Boys, Stealing Cars. 

Vortex Media Film Review- The Dose

Marcos (Carlos Portaluppi) is an ICU Nurse whose life outside of work consists of isolation and loneliness. He sits at the bus stop on his way two and from work while meals at the hospital are simply a can of cold peas. He is dedicated to his role as a health care provide getting to know each patient's needs and quirks comforting them at every turn. When a patient Marcos saves by continuing CPR after the Doctors have given up is taken off pain med because the unavoidable end is approaching. Marcos takes affairs into his own hands turning into an angel of death or mercy depending on how one sees his actions.

Onto the scene comes Gabriel (Ignacio Rogers). He is positive, upbeat, and sparks an immediate kinship with Marcos. He gives him rides to and from work. Offers to cover less desirable shifts and buys him an electric can opener for his peas. Gabriel claims the posting is his first but Marco is no so sure and begins to investigate as things don't sit well with his gut.

Writer-Director Martin Kraut's story is slow to build, seems at first to be about mundane daily life that's a bit on the depressing side. Then after a few interactions between Marcos and Gabriel plus those of different intensity with Noelia ( Lorena Vega) a full fledged plot has quietly developed with an unlikely hero and a villain who both are in jeopardy.

The Dose is a film that works mainly due to the performance of its understated leading man Carlos Portaluppi. He dives deep into the role delivering in every scene. Rogers' Gabriel is the perfect foil. He is an extrovert, charismatic, and liked immediately by all almost everyone on staff. The production tackles a subject that unfortunately may be more prevalent that one would like to believe. It's a challenging piece that an audience needs to patiently let develop to be rewarded and glad that they did.

*** Out of 4

The Dose | Martin Kraut | Argentina | 2020 | 93 Minutes

Tags: Night Nurse, ICU, CPR, Pain Medication, Syringe, Euthanasia, Internal Investigation, Canned Peas

DreamWorks Animation Film Review - Spirit Untamed

Lucky (voiced by Isabel Merced) is a rambunctious girl who would rather play with the squirrel outside her window than do her math homework. When she unexpectedly ruins the launch of a political campaign for her grandfather she is shipped off to the American Southwest to stay with her estranged father Jim  (Jake Gyllenhaal)  accompanied by her Aunt Cora (Julianne Moore). Once in Miradero Lucky slowly gains her footing. She meets a couple of girls about her age Pru (Marsai Martin) and Abigail (McKenna Grace) that are deep into horses. Lucky also begins to pick up some clues about her mom who was a great performer but died the reason her dad to send her off to her grandparents for safety.

Directors Elaine Bogan and Ennio Torresan Jr. alongside writers Aury Wallington and Kristin Hanh craft a new entry in the Spirit franchise that originated with 2002's Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron  followed by the Netflix series Spirit Riding Free in 2017. The story has its villain, respect for nature and animals alongside a very positive message for young girls and their ability to formulate a plan and get the job done. 

Lucky on the train into town became intrigued by a pack of wild stallions running free beside the track. A group of horse thieves also on the train noticed them as well and stopped in Miradero to round up the herd. Lucky runs into the lead stallion again at Pru's dads' barn. She slowly gains the Mustang's trust as the horse thieves lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce once Lucky is welcomed into the fold. 

The animation is sharp but not fantastical. The action on the screen could easily have been part of a live action production. It's a welcome departure from most animated features that have little to no practical elements. The sound department lead by David Bach who also have dialogue on their plate in an animated feature produced a rich score to support the activity on screen. As a bonus there's Abigail as the singing cowgirl crooning spontaneous ditties that are part comedic and a touch expositional. 

Spirit Untamed is a brisk paced straight ahead tale that touches on important themes such as friendship, trusting in yourself your and standing up when called to action. The production is heavily female lead with three determined young female characters heading the cast. There's also a further subtle message of letting nature be. Lucky never put a saddle on Spirit acknowledging from the start and throughout the piece that the stallion can not and should not be tamed. 

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Spirit Untamed| Elaine Bogan/Ennio Torresan | U.S.A. | 2021 | 87 Minutes. 

Tags: Animated, 19th Century, Frontier Town, Trick Rider, Apples, Mustang, Horse Thieves, Train, Wanted/Reward, Canyons, Wild Horses. 

Universal Pictures Film Review - Nobody

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is buried in the routine. He takes the bus to work everyday toting his mug of homemade coffee to sit in an office and look at numbers on a spreadsheet for a manufacturing firm.  He just misses the garbage truck every week. He does manage to get out for a run but is largely ignored by his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and his eldest Blake (Gage Munroe) when he comes home at night. His daughter Abby (Paisley Cadorath) still thinks he's number one but his life at the margins of society appears destined to continue until a break-in at his home one night. 

The creative team of director Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry) paired with Derek Kolstad writer and producer of the John Wick series gives the viewer a pretty good idea that action and violence will be on the menu. During the break-in orchestrated by a young scared couple Hutch attempts to deescalate the situation bringing disappointment to his son, wife co-workers, in-laws, and even the responding officers. Editors Evan Schiff and William Yeh  the former worked on the first two Wick films and the latter with Naishuller on Hardcore Henry do a crisp job conveying the mundane repetitive ennuyant that is Hutches' life.  

Something changes inside Hutch when his daughter announces after the theft that she can't find her prized kitty cat bracelet. Hutches' expression changes his motions become deliberate as he heads with purpose out the front door. Daniel Bernhardt stunt co-fight coordinator alongside Greg Rementer lead the stunt team and coach up Odenkirk to deliver a gritty practical hand-to-hand and up-close high level of violence. Kolstad's script slowly reveals key elements in Mansell's life relationships, resources, knowledge and abilities that were stored away and kept hidden that all flow back with ease. 

Bob Odenkirk who got his start as a comedy writer shines in the role of Hutch Mansel. He battles a duality taking it gladly on the chin from family and friends as he clearly knows the likely outcome should he choose to react and respond. Christopher Lloyd is a casting find as Hutches' Dad David Mansel. Seemingly a feeble old man watching his shows in a nursing home on an antique T.V. he also has some some crafty tricks from his former line of employment close at hand. Look for Aleksey Serebryakov as Yulian a local Russian mob heavy that Hutch inadvertently wrongs ramping up exponentially the opposition threat.

Nobody is a straight-ahead action move well positioned to jump start the moving-going experience. The action comes in waves dotted with comedic moments striking a skillful balance. At one point Hutch explains to the most unlikely audience how he got from where he was to where he is and the misinterpretation of how he felt about his outwardly mundane existence. It's a well written, acted fun watch with a fitting mix of underrated songs that sync with the narrative.

***1/2 Out of 4. 

Nobody | Ilya Naishuller | U.S.A. | 2021 | 92 Minutes. 

Tags: Daily Grind, Break-in, Bracelet, Russian Mob, Obtshak, Hit Squad, Basement, Panic Room, Government Agency, Auditor, Code Name, Wolf, Sheep, Lamb, Short Story Long. 

 

Reel Asian 24 Film Reviews - Film Frenzy Shorts

The Last Ferry From Grass Island

A Quiet older man (Wang Yang) steers his fishing boat comes home with his catch of the day to his wheelchair- bound mother on Grass Island Hong Kong near Shenzhen China.  His mom (Yeung Yee Yee) is fixated on the TV watching a dubbed version of Police Story on the TVB channel.  The man preps the fish and starts dinner as a woman (Tai Bo) approaches with two baskets. She silently enters the home moving to the back of the residence past the older woman with intent. she has been sent to permanently retire the man who was her mentor. How they solve their dilemma offers twist and turns as her protegee is determined to finish the job and catch the last ferry out. Director Linhan Zhan packs an abundance of content and emotion into a largely silent.piece. Yeung Yee Yee offers depth and comic relief despite not uttering a single word as Ah Ma. It's a perfectly paced thirteen-minute short film that well worth the watch.

**** Out of 4.

Last Ferry From Green Island | Linhan Zhang | Hong Kong | 2019 | 13 Minutes. 

Receiver

A voice speaks over a cracking line counting down to one similar to a psychologist attempting to put someone under hypnosis. a female voice joins in as the count approaches zero  then we see her in her home working as a telephone counselor. She is trying to help others as it is obvious that she has health issues herself. Siriani (Tahirih Vejdani) takes her next call from a drug-addicted woman who she is tries  to help get into detox but a medical clearance is required. The woman balks at the extra required step then the caller from the opening returns even more aggressive and controlling than before. At the same time Siriani is late departing for her boyfriend's Elliot's place to celebrate his birthday. Siriani is caught between her desire to help and doing right by her boyfriend as she falls  under the spell of regular caller Drake.

***1/2 Out of 4.

Receiver | Cavan Campbell | Canada | 2020 | 15 Minutes.

RONG

A girl walks home alone at night is a good description of Rong. The Girl Yoni (Maryam Supraba) gets into a shared van taxi and is ogled by the other male passengers inside. A male performer Lingga (Anceoeamar) in a local sideshow spots her in her red dress and follows her into an alley with bad intentions. Being ignored makes him angry and he commits a vile act before cornering Yoni. He appears to be dominant when the ground shifts beneath him and the hunter becomes the hunted. Performed brilliantly in a tight space Rong is a mix of the supernatural and the psychological underpinned by driving drumbeat with a series of closing images that will stay imprinted in the viewer's mind's eye. 

*** Out of 4.

Rong |  Indira Iman | Indonesia | 2019 | 13 minutes.

Bow -wow

Making sure that you are chosen is the musical theme of Bow-wow featuring dogs up for adoption in a kennel. Komi  Chan Kang) the six-year-old male Maltese seems depressed. He is down to three days left before facing a final fate. Mix comes up with the idea of Dog-ception as opposed to inception which is for humans.  The plan; go into Komi's dreams and plant happy thoughts armed with your totem to get Komi presentable for adoption before the looming deadline. There is no worry of limbo as dogs can only go two levels. The incantation is sung and in they go. Moong/ Furloss( Hyunkyung Ko) Chuu-Chuu (Shinyoung Park)  and the leader Mix (Donggyu Lee).  Level one is a happy bright wide open field but a deeper dive to level two reveals a cramped dirty apartment of Komi's former master where the trauma took place. The positive message is sung to Komi in three party harmony everything seems good then it's not. Bow-wow features a playful twist on Christopher's Nolan's Inception in Korean featuring taking dogs that take on human form when they dream. The lesson here include the importance of friendship, family and persevering through tough times. Does their plan work? It's left up to the viewer to decide. 

***1/2 Out of 4.

Bow-wow | Hyungnam Pak | South Korea | 2019 | 23 Minutes.