Tag: Movie

Scream (2022) Review

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More than ten years after the not so thrilling Scream 4 was released comes a fresh new take on the cult classic franchise.

Anyone who grew up watching horror films in the 90s knows very well the Woodsboro story of Sidney Prescott and the ghost face killer. There was just something about a creep in a cheap Halloween costume going around stabbing teens in the name of horror movie lore that drew us all in, and is the reason it remains a classic today. A horror movie that’s fully aware that it’s a horror movie, even going as far as giving viewers an extremely meta list of rules one must follow to survive. As the sequels began to spill out I found myself getting more and more uninterested as the same storyline was used multiple times, and decided the original was the best and only one worth watching anyway.

When I heard there was going to be a new film released close to ten years after the disappointing Scream 4, I was extremely excited. This was a new chance to revive a series with great potential, but lackluster sequels. After finally watching the film I can safely say it’s the best in the series since the original, and although it almost feels more like a reboot than a sequel, there were many things that made it feel fresh and exciting.

The story follows the character Sam as she returns to her hometown of Woodsboro after her sister Tara is attacked. After a series of revelations and reminiscing on the past, the two discover why the killer is after them and try to do all they can to get away. The best part about the Scream movies is trying to figure out who the killer is, and then it being revealed at the end as someone extremely obvious. This new movie embraces these classic horror movie tropes tenfold such as characters thinking things will be better if they leave town, suspenseful music buildups, and of course the cryptic man on the other side of the phone. One of my favorite scenes in the film centers on the characters Wes right after his mother has been killed. He is walking around the kitchen doing a series of menial tasks, but because of the build up of music we keep suspecting to see ghost face pop up behind a door. After several instances of this with no pay off it starts to become pretty humorous, and the satire becomes clear. Another instance of paying homage to classic horror is when Wes gets in the shower and ghost face asks Deputy Judy if she’s ever seen the movie Psycho. The character Mindy is one of my favorite additions as she takes over the mantle of slasher film expert from her uncle Randy, and provides a refreshing updated version of the rules to surviving a “requel”.

Although not a perfect movie, having a plot that is not very original and bringing back legacy characters only for the sake of applause, the new Scream movie is thoroughly enjoyable for any fan of the franchise, and any horror movie fan in general. The witty way it calls out classic horror movie tropes and twists throughout (that should have been obvious but still manage to take viewers by surprise), puts this film in the instant classics vault for me.

Newly Announced Dear Evan Hansen Film

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“Lift your head and look around, you will be found.” Another exciting thing to be found, in the world of both theatre and movies, is the newly announced Dear Evan Hansen film adaptation! The film will be based upon the hit Broadway musical of the same title, and is being produced by Marc Platt and Adam Siegal for Universal Pictures. 

The musical centers around a teenage boy named Evan Hansen, who struggles with mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. When a classmate of his takes his own life and Evan is wrongly suspected of being his friend, he goes along with the story to gain a sense of being seen by others that he hadn’t felt before. This show has gone on to win six Tony awards, including best leading actor in a musical and best original musical, and has stolen the hearts of many theatre lovers and fans. 

Almost every lead character has been casted and announced, and it looks to be filled to the brim with familiar faces. Oscar award winner Julianne Moore will be playing the part of Evan’s mother Heidi, which will be her first time ever appearing in a singing role. Amy Adams has been announced to play Cynthia Murphy, mother of Connor and Zoe. Adams has had experience in a musical environment, as she had singing roles in both Enchanted (2007) and The Muppets (2011). As for the younger roles in the movie, Kaitlyn Dever is heavily rumored to be playing Evan’s love interest Zoe Murphy. She recently starred in the movie Booksmart (2019), and has previously written and performed songs before. The Hate U Give’s Amandla Stenberg is going to be playing optimistic and outgoing Alana, and Atypical’s Nik Dodani will play Evan’s family friend Jared. Lastly, Colton Ryan, who understudied the roles of Evan, Connor and Jared in the Broadway show, will be playing Connor; the struggling student who takes his life. 

Some more news regarding the film is the rumors that Ben Platt, who originated the role of Evan Hansen on Broadway, will return to play him in the movie. This has not yet been confirmed, but Platt himself has discussed his eagerness to place himself, yet again, in Evan’s shoes. Another exciting bit of information is that a collaboration will be made with the musicals composers, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, to create a brand new song for the movie. It will be sung by the character Alana (Amandla Stenberg). 

As far as the public’s reactions to the announcements regarding the film, there have been a few worries. The most common being skepticism about Ben Platt’s ability to pull off playing a young teenager, as he himself looks much older, and the lack of Broadway performers in the cast. In my own opinion; I am just absolutely thrilled that they’ve decided to bring this show to the big screen. Platt has pulled off playing a teenager before, both on stage and in his tv show The Politician, so if he is for sure cast I think the directors will find a way to make it work. As for the lack of original Broadway cast members, this has always been something that troubles me with movie musicals. The original production of Dear Evan Hansen is filled with such talented actors and musicians, but I understand the need for big named actors/actresses. Especially in a musical film that not many people outside of theatre enthusiasts might be interested in seeing. All we can hope for is that popular actresses, such as Amy Adams and Julianne Moore, will draw more crowds for the film and that many people will go see it. The themes present in the musical of overcoming mental illness and opening up/talking about your feelings with other people in your life are so important. 

Anytime a movie interpretation of a musical is announced, there is cause for excitement! I am all for musicals getting more mainstream attention, and people who wouldn’t normally go see a live show getting exposure to it from the movie. Dear Evan Hansen the movie might not be getting a theatrical release for another year or two, but I couldn’t be more thrilled! 

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

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Numerous amounts of violence, extremely memorable characters, and unpredictability are just a few of the staples of a movie by beloved American directer Quentin Tarantino. Many of his films, such as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, have become classics and have given him high recognition among movie lovers and critics. His newest original piece, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has all of these qualities and more. It has the feel of an old 1960s Hollywood film, while still being delightfully entertaining for audiences today.

Although not constantly packed with action, Tarantino gives us witty dialogue among unforgettable characters, and scenes that make viewers feel as though these are lifelong friends welcoming them into their homes and their lives. In an age of blockbuster action films with unrealistic heroes and fictional situations, this movie is quite refreshing and different from anything on the big screen today. It is simple, yet satisfying with a feel-good vibe throughout. Laughter is an absolute given, as Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt play off of each other extremely well.

In this film, DiCaprio depicts an emotional and at times, insecure actor named Rick Dalton who feels as though his career is ending. He takes everything very seriously and is quite hard on himself, resulting in hilarity as well as a realness and depth to the character. On the other hand, Pitt portrays a struggling stunt man named Cliff Booth who hardly takes anyone or anything seriously. His devotion and friendship to Dalton makes him quite lovable, while his various destructive antics and mysterious past make him funny yet realistic. These two actors bring these characters to life in a way that no one else could. Their friendship with one another is so great it’s impossible not to leave the theatre with a smile on your face; wishing you had a friend like Rick Dalton or Cliff Booth.

It would be impossible to discuss this movie as a whole without mentioning its accompanying soundtrack; a perfect blend of timeless hits and undeniably retro favorites from this period of time. Including artists such as Neil Diamond, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and Simon & Garfunkel, these funky tunes are played all throughout the film; more specifically on the car stereo while Cliff Booth drives. This unique collection of songs truly makes audiences feel thrown headfirst into Hollywoods golden era, and adds a sense of nostalgia for a period many never got the opportunity to live through.

As a longtime fan of Tarantino, this film did not at all disappoint. He puts his own signature twist on history, resulting in a shocking yet satisfying final act. It is safe to say that this is one of my favorite movies of the year so far, and I can’t wait to get in my time machine once more and travel back to this glorious display of 1960s Hollywood.

Jordan Peele’s “Us” and the Evolution of Horror Films

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I have been a huge fan of horror movies for as long as I can remember. I vividly recall the very first horror film I ever watched; “The Ring”, and I remember my older sister terrifying me and calling me on the phone, leaving me a very cryptic “seven days” message. Ever since then, I have been completely enraptured by the genre and the adrenaline-pumping rush these movies always give me. A few of my favorites include “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Shining”, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat, no matter how often I watch them. No matter what the horror movie, there is one emotion I can always expect to feel, which is fear.

However, there is a whole new age of horror films on the horizon that movies such as “The Witch” and “Hereditary” have introduced audiences to. Jordan Peele has followed the footsteps of these movies before him, and has given his newest film “Us” a similar tone and feeling. It’s all about that feeling like you’re watching something that you really shouldn’t be. This new era of horror has made me feel something that I never imagined I would enjoy feeling so much during a movie, something I wouldn’t imagine I’d ever enjoy feeling at all; complete uncomfortableness.

In “The Witch”, it’s the scene at the very end when the goat begins speaking as the devil and the young women float up into the air. In “Hereditary”, it’s when the mom is eerily hovering in the upper corner of her sons bedroom. That uneasiness that physically gives you the chills and makes you feel like you might be literally cursed after watching a scene so bizarre and unnerving. No cheesy jump scares, no loud and eery music, but something so much more chill-inducing. In Jordan Peele’s “Us”, it’s practically every single time the character Red is onscreen.

Red was quite literally created to make us as viewers feel uncomfortable and like we should turn away, but at the same time physically unable to tear our eyes from the screen. In the movie, the Wilson family learns that there is a family of doppelgängers on the hunt and hungry for their blood. Although this family looks identical to them, they do not sound or act much like them in the slightest. In fact, the only twin who is able to talk is that of Red, who speaks in a voice that is horse and painful to hear. This voice, accompanied by the strange, sporadic movements she makes whenever she walks, as well as the uniform giant scissors and red jumpsuits “the tethered” all wear, is a recipe for a strange and uncomfortable, but extremely entertaining and enjoyable experience.

It must be said that “Us” is not a fantastic movie just because it plays into this new era of uncomfortable horror, but because of the amazing acting and scenes that were so brilliantly shot and directed. For example, my favorite scene is towards the end when Adelaide and her tethered Red are fighting below in the tunnels. During this scene, Red is using her dancing skills to move around Adelaide and to swiftly and gracefully avoid her punches and attack her with skill. While showing the fight, flashes of both Adelaide dancing up above and Red dancing down below are mixed in and the parallels between their movements are shown. It is extremely graceful and entrancing to watch, and very much adds to the depth of both of these characters.

Something must be said about the amazing score for this movie as well, written by Michael Abels. The music is both haunting and beautiful, creating the perfect ambiance for the film. It is one of the few film scores that I actually want to download and listen to in my free time.

“Us” is a movie that I want to watch again and again, knowing that I will pick up on some new, little detail each time that I do. Not only does it gives viewers that sense of “modern horror” uncomfortableness, but proves to be an excellent and original movie all around.