Month: July 2021

OLD

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Starring Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Abbey Lee, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie and Eliza Scanlen

The release of M. Night Shyamalan’s new movie may coincide with the commencement of the 2021 Olympic Games, but let me tell you that Old is far from gold.

Wherever you are in the world, if you are living under some form of lock down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Old is likely to replicate and exacerbate all of the inner turmoil, anxiety and claustrophobia you might be feeling in an almost entirely unrewarding way.

Shortly after checking into their luxury accommodation by the water, married couple Guy and Prisca (Gael García Bernal and Vicky Krieps) along with their two children are offered the exclusive opportunity to be privately transported to a secluded beach for the day. If you are well acquainted with M. Night Shyamalan movies, then you already know there’s some kind of deranged catch to this opportunity for the characters! Well, it’s no spoiler and necessary for the latter half of my review to reveal to you one part of that catch; the movie is titled Old for good reason. An unknown and strange phenomenon at this idyllic beach is causing its guests to age rapidly.

Make no mistake, this film’s premise and its opening act will lure you in as intended. It must also be said that its revelations towards the end unearth some genuinely impressive ideas. As much curiosity and appreciation as they may draw though, it never comes close to being even remotely rewarding for tolerating everything that unfolds in between.

Old’s downfall first begins not long after our family of four arrive at the secret beach where the development and execution of the aging process to central characters quickly becomes implausible. Prior to this, the entire production had a distinctly amateurish look and feel to it that tarnishes it furthermore as the film’s downward trajectory continues. A similar thing can be said for the camerawork employed here; early on there are some nifty moves and perspectives captured until it then becomes and remains overly noticeable and ridiculously annoying. Not before long, Old is just way off. Certain scenes are so bad, they make you question if this is all meant to be a comedy. But the film is far too unintentional to be funny. It is definitely intended to be mysterious, however the highly unoriginal shenanigans to transpire throughout are barely capable of summoning intrigue and the characters involved are uninteresting or unlikable. For me, this is Old’s greatest flaw. There were surely so many creative and original ideas waiting for M. Night Shyamalan to discover and explore over the terribly lacklustre ones he’s written into the film (Old is based on a graphic novel titled ‘Sandcastle’). Its second major stumble occurs right at the very end as Old hastily finalises proceedings and inexplicably abandons a golden sequel opportunity it presented itself just minutes earlier. Had the film ended where I feel it should have, it would at least have left a stronger lasting impression.

Following on from Christopher Nolan’s Tenet last year, this is likely to be the second straight year a prominent and big time filmmaker hits a new career low.

Old is showing in cinemas across Australia from July 22.

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE

Director
Navot Papushado

Starring
Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett

Do you like seeing a bunch of badass women kicking the proverbial out of a bunch of dudes…in slow-mo? Well Gunpowder Milkshake is the film for you. Featuring a killer cast, led by Karen Gillan (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), this action packed dark comedy is quite the pandemic remedy.

In a John Wick-esque world, Gillan plays Sam, the daughter of notorious assassin Scartlett (Headey). Scarlett abandoned Sam when she teen to be raised by a minder from ‘The Firm’ (a group of men coordinating paid hits around the globe), played by Paul Giamatti. Not surprisingly, Sam ends up following in the same line of work as her mother, which is all good and well until she gets a little trigger happy and kills the son of a powerful crime boss. With The Firm turning their back on her, Sam must look to people from her past to take out those who wish her dead before they get the chance to eliminate her.

It takes a little while for the film to find its tone. The first 20 minutes or so seem a little confused as to whether it’s trying to be a neo-noir action, or leaning more into the comedy. Once it decided it wants to be funny though, that’s where it really hits its stride. This is a clever film, and really plays into its feminine brutality (which will no doubt upset a few man-babies…which makes me like it even more). Gillan has once again shown to us that she has an incredible propensity to lead this action/comedy subset of film. She has a subtle humour that goes a long way in this one. One of the real scene stealers though is Chloe Coleman (My Spy, Big Little Lies) as Emily, an 8 year old ‘apprentice’ that gets caught up in Sam’s chaos, but takes to the lifestyle without batting an eye. Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett all add beautiful depth as the gun toting ‘librarians’ who have been supplying Scarlett and other assassins with weaponry for years.

There isn’t much in the way of a meaningful storyline, but there is a lot to be appreciated in the artistic delivery of the film. The soundtrack is also brilliantly on point, and adds further layers to the experience. Gunpowder Milkshake isn’t a film you need to think too hard about. Just sit back and enjoy it for all its badass frivolity. It really is the kind of film we all need right about now.

Gunpowder Milkshake is in cinemas now.

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THE TOMORROW WAR

Directed by Chris McKay
Starring Chris Platt, Betty Gilpin, Yvonne Strahovski and J.K. Simmons

Many aspects belonging to The Tomorrow War look, sound and feel very familiar. From its visual effects and alien creation to its plot trajectory and music score, you get the strong sense you’ve seen this type of thing done so many times before while viewing the film. In fact, I found it slightly similar and of lesser quality to Edge of Tomorrow. Having said that, the story does have an element or two of newness to it.

In December 2022, family man Dan Forester (played by the ever-lovable Chris Pratt) must leave behind his wife and daughter after he is drafted to fight in a war. This war isn’t taking place tomorrow necessarily, but rather a few decades into the future on Earth against a breed of aliens known as ‘Whitespikes’. Shortly after his jump in time (via a device known as the ‘Jumplink’), Dan is sent to follow the orders of a Colonel (played by The Handmaid’s Tale star Yvonne Strahovski) and must confront his past and estranged father (played by J.K. Simmons) in order to save humanity of 2022 from this war.

Overall, The Tomorrow War is definitely solid popcorn entertainment, which is a genuine compliment considering its near two and a half hour length. The story is accessible for most ages and its cast are very appealing; particularly Pratt, Strahovski and the lesser-known Betty Gilpin, who I just loved in The Hunt. The card that The Tomorrow War keeps closest to its chest involves the origin of the Whitespikes; which is intriguing until it is ridiculous once revealed. Nevertheless, I’m up for the sequel when it comes out!

The Tomorrow War is available to stream exclusively through Amazon

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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