Space: Fear The Skies

Space

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Whilst watching this film I felt very claustrophobic, I suppose that was the point. The vastness of space is hereby changed into a very narrow survival thriller, and it works very well. Personally, I always thought there was something menacing about space and I am surprised, so few horror films take advantage of this, as the setting really does benefit this film.

There are a few jump scares here, but they are not obvious, and actually serve the purpose of making you jump. However, the bigger thing to praise in terms of the horror of this film is it’s atmosphere: which is incredibly oppressive and menacing throughout. The atmosphere leads to a growing feeling of dread, which lasts throughout the film, being expertly fed by events on screen.

The acting is well done and convincing, you believe everything you are seeing on screen and the acting manages to perfectly capture the emotions of the scenes and the film as a whole and convey it in a very real and genuine way.

Overall, a well done claustrophobic horror film that makes the most of its space setting.

Pros.

The space setting

The acting

The scares

Making the vastness of space feel very small and very claustrophobic

Cons.

A few pacing issues

Somewhat predictable

If you enjoyed this review, then please head over to my Patreon to support me, I offer personalized shoutouts, one on one Q and As and the ability for you to tell me what to review next. Check it out!

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Here Are The Young Men: Ready Yourself For A Good Cry

Here Are The Young Men

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

I have seen, watched and red a great deal of unpleasant things over my life, but never before have I been as disturbed and unsettled as I was with this film. This film is not a horror film, rather a crime drama film based on a real life story, but that true story is so horrific that this is far more frightening than any horror film you might watch. The evil of the film is so personal and so close to home, as anyone could find themselves in this situation, that you can feel it breathing on your neck.

I want to state clearly that I don’t think this is a bad film, rather the contrary I think it has a lot of stuff going for it, however the reason why I have given it such a low score is because it is so deeply troubling and unpleasant, that it is hard to watch, and I had to take multiple breaks during it, to try and stave off falling into a depressed, almost nihilistic state. As such I can’t recommend anyone watch this film, unless you have a stronger stomach than I.

The performances across the board are terrific, Anya Taylor- Joy as always is fantastic. However, the man who steals the show here, in every sense of the phrase, is Travis Fimmel. Fimmel plays a deranged tv presenter, who we the audience don’t even know if he is real or a metaphor for psychosis, but whatever the case he makes the most out of his limited amount of screen time.

Overall, it is a powerful film with strong performances, but it so unpleasant to watch that I can’t see how a person would enjoy it.

Pros.

Fimmel/ Anya Taylor- Joy and the acting as a whole

The trippy feel and the aesthetic

Cons.

It is hard to watch

It is not always clear what is going on

It will upset you

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Interview With Dan Karlok: Crappy Mother’s Day

I recently had the chance to interview director Dan Karlok for his latest feature Crappy Mother’s Day. The film follows three generations of women who get together to celebrate Mother’s Day together only for things to go comically awry. We discuss motherhood, home-made vokda and the finer points of script writing.

Q: Who is your filmmaking inspiration?

A: Frank Capra. His mix of comedy and drama were always right on.

Q: How would you describe the film in a word?

A: Wacky

Q: What was your catalyst for making this film?

A: The writer/producer Bill Rutkoski approached me with the script. I thought it was funny. We had done numerous other projects; documentaries, short films and projects for tv etc., but this was our first feature film. The big challenge was shooting the whole thing in 8 days!

Q: Do you have any funny on-set stories?

A: Too many. Some would be too incriminating! Let’s just say, one of them involves a gorilla head, boxer shorts and home-made vodka.

Q: If you could go back in time to when you were starting out as a filmmaker what advice would you give yourself?

A: more aggressive and take more chances.

Q: What was the worst Mother’s Day that you were ever a part of?

A: I wish I had a good funny story for this, but unfortunately I don’t. Not to be a downer, but probably the Mother’s Day right after my mom passed was the worst.

Q: What other crappy day of the year films would you like to make next? Crappy Father’s Day? Crappy Christmas?

A: Crappy Father’s Day would be great. It writes itself! (don’t tell the writer Bill Rutkoski that!) I actually think it could become a tv series. It’s a crazy film family and the stories would be abundant.

Q How did you balance the comedy and the more sincere elements of the script? What was your mix?

A: With this script, the funny is in the words. The actors don’t have to be funny, they just need to say the lines with believability and the funny will come materialize. The same with the sincerity. You need to find the truth in the words whether or not it’s supposed to be funny or serious but then be able to change on a dime. It’s very tough to get the right mix. Sometimes it’s a happy accident. We were very fortunate to have an awesome ensemble of talent who could do both and I’m very proud of them and what we accomplished.

Q: If you won an award for this film who would you thank in your acceptance speech?

A: There would be a lot of people! One person doesn’t make a film. It takes quite a few people and as a director, you need to trust them and let them do what they do. If you’re smart, you hire the right people and let them do what you hired them to do. But in answer to your question, it might sound corny, but I would thank my mom and dad. When I was growing up, I wanted to make movies since I was 7 or 8. My parents never tried to talk me out of it and were always very supportive.

If you would like to check out Crappy Mother’s Day it can be found on all good VOD platforms and storefronts and as always check out my review of the film on site now.
https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Crappy Mother’s Day: Celebrating Women

Crappy Mother’s Day

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

I think more films should be set on Mother’s Day, there are a few, but in the vast tide of Christmas, Halloween and even a few Easter offerings, Mother’s Day really doesn’t get its due in terms of film representation. I enjoyed the premise of three generations of women coming together to share a Mother’s Day, I thought there was a lot of unmined comedy potential there- luckily this film executed well on this.

The film is by no means a laugh a minute, I was entertained well enough and laughed a few times throughout, but it is not the funniest comedy film you will see all year. More hits than misses though, and considering this film defines itself as a comedy that seems like a win.

I enjoyed the performances across the board and thought that each performer brought something different and special to there role. I found all the characters likeable and there wasn’t any that became grating as the film progressed.

There are slight pacing issues especially within the first act as the feature attempts to set itself up and introduce us to the characters/story, however these are only fairly minor.

Overall, a charming comedy film that mostly nails its comedy.

Pros.

A few good laughs

Strong performances all round

An interesting and fruitful premise

Cons

Not all the jokes land

Slight pacing issues

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Interview With Bill Oberst Jr: Painkiller

I recently had the chance to interview Bill Oberst Jr for his latest film Painkiller, which you can find a review of on site now. The film sees a man plagued by personal lose try and reclaim the tatters of his life through violent retribution. During the interview we talk about stars of silent cinema, the immortal work of Ray Bradbury and the dark truths of the human heart.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?

A: A man who rarely spoke – a silent cinema actor named Lon Chaney. He was dead decades before I was born, but as a lonely boy in the woods I connected with him through the pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. I was so moved by, and attracted to, Chaney’s intention to portray the humanity in the monstrous that it drew me into performing. In Ray Bradbury paperbacks I found a similar sensibility, and The Wounded Monster became the serving metaphor of my life. There’s a line in a play by James Saunders: “There lies behind everything a certain quality which we may call grief.” That’s true. I think recognizing that truth is the beginning of a life’s wisdom.

Q: How would you describe the film in a word?

A: Illuminating.

Q: Do you have funny on set stories?

A: Michael Paré, who stars, knew more about fight scenes and blood squibs than the rest of us combined. It was fun to watch Michael ask for more squibs (most actors want fewer) and to push to make the fight scenes more real. He knows action! Working with pros like Paré always reminds me who’s boss.

Q: The film covers very real world issues; did you find a personal stake in the subject matter whilst filming?

A: Yes. Executive Producer, co-writer and co-star Tom Parnell actually lost a child to opioids (the film is dedicated to his son.) I did feel a responsibility to well represent the millions of parents who have suffered similarly. My character is also living out a revenge fantasy, murdering those he deems culpable, which forced me to morally strip down to my naked vengeful self. I believe in the redeeming power of love, but my first instinct is never love. Darkness often reigns.

Q: How did you manage to capture the loss and personal destruction the character feels?

A: Our director, Mark Savage, says that knowing what is in the dark makes it less dark. We master by knowing. And on camera you can only show what you know. I know that suffering is the core of life. I know that it is the core of my faith. Perhaps it’s just a peeling away of life’s lies that allow the showing of truth.

Q: How would you describe your character?

A: He is hurting, and he is haunted, both by what he has done and by what he has left undone.

Q: If you could go back in time to when you were first starting out what advice would you give yourself?

A: Go to the funeral of your importance. Forget fame – just say what your soul needs to say and let it be.

Q: What is your favourite moment from the film?

A: There is an interaction between my character and a dog. The dog steals the scene. I loved that dog!

If you would like to check out Painkiller then you can find it on all good VOD platforms, and as always be sure to check out my review on site now.

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Spider Man 2: Spider-Man Forgets The Whole Secret Identity Thing In This One

Spider-Man 2

4.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Regarded by many as one of the best superhero films and certainly the best Spider-Man film there is something of an air of victory to this film. Whilst I agree it is certainly the best Peter Parker Spider-Man film, I would say Spiderverse is the best Spider-Man film of them all, I can’t say it is the best superhero film.

I enjoyed seeing the further developments of the awkward Spider-Man, who is very similar to the one we all know from the comics. His romance with Mary Jane, played by Kristen Dunst, his relationship with the Osbourn’s after the ending of the first film, etc- it takes them and ups them.

I think the reason why this film is so beloved is because it best encapsulates the Spider-Man spirit, the train scene when Spider-Man has his mask off and is almost broken, but he just can’t give up saving lives, shows the reason why the character is loved as he is: honestly it is a very powerful scene on a par with the best emotional moments from the MCU for sure.

I also enjoyed the film’s version of Doctor Octopus, played by Alfred Molina, and the tragic fall that this narrative takes him on, we see him as this great scientist driven to an extreme, and who ultimately pays a heavy price for it. The character is evil and loathsome, but also somewhat relatable and sympathetic and that is what makes him such a good villain; I am very interested to see what Marvel can do with him in the upcoming No Way Home.

Overall, a film that truly understands the Spider-Man character and is magnificent because of it.

Pros.

Tobey McGuire

Tying up the lose ends of the first film

Doctor Octopus

Developing Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship

Cons.

A little bloated.

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Painkiller: Fresh Blood Within The Revenge Sub-Genre

Painkiller

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

The revenge genre has been done to death at this point, we have seen every single take on, man loses family and then goes to get payback, yet this film managed to surprise me. I enjoyed how the film brought the opioid epidemic, a very distressing real world issue, into the narrative as I felt it shed new light on it and how it effects people.

Bill Oberst Jr truly can do it all, he is the standout of the film here and makes every scene he is in. I think the acting across the board is top notch, as a result the film feels more believable and the world more like our own, as you stop seeing this as a fictional film and instead see it as real people dealing with very real world situations, or at least that’s how it felt for me.

My one issue with the film would be that it did not know when to end, as such the final act drags on and on. There are multiple times in the final half an hour where it looks like the film is ending, but then it carries on and on. A tighter edit was needed.

Overall, there is still fresh blood within the revenge film sub-genre.

Pros.

Bill Oberst Jr

Shedding light on the opioid epidemic

The emotions and the character work

The violence

Cons.

The ending and the bloat

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Steve Jobs: Seth Rogen Should Do More Dramatic Roles

Steve Jobs

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

This film is a testament to the writing prowess of Aaron Sorkin. The film is simply two hours of Steve Jobs, here played by Michael Fassbender, having conversations with people, however what could easily have become boring and lost in a sea of tech speak actually sparkles and flies by. Sorkin perfects the art of the conversation, and as we see these moments in various different eras of Job’s life we are taken on an emotional rollercoaster and learn and feel far more about the former CEO of Apple then we ever have before.

Moreover, this film reminded me what a talent Michael Fassbender is, he perfectly sinks into the role of Jobs to such a point where I started to believe he was him. Furthermore, Seth Rogen is wonderfully muted and impactful in his performance as Jobs’ long-time friend and jilted business rival Steve Wozniak. Rogen plays the role straight, not going for dumb laughs, and manages to prove to us all that he can be a talented dramatic actor when he wants to be.

Though the film may have too slow of a pace for some, I do believe the film is near perfect in terms of pacing. The film does not feel like it is on for just over two hours and mostly flies by as you are so engaged with the subject matter

Overall, a riveting film that will easily entertain those who appreciate its slower pace.

Pros.

The writing

The sparkling conversation

Michael Fassbender

The near perfect pace

Cons

A slow pace that some may find off putting

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Justice Society World War II: I Think I Feel Asleep During This

Justice Society World War II

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

These days I am finding that a lot of the animated DC output is trapped in the meh zone, by that I mean it all just feels generic and samey, there is nothing to set one film apart from another. I used to love animated DC films when I was a kid, but recently I have been sorely disappointed, and this proves no exception.

None of the characters in this film felt likeable to me, and that is surprising considering that it is hard to make beloved superheroes unlikeable, yet they manage to find a way. The characters in this film range from boring and dull, to outright annoying.

The story feels uninspired also, are we not over the whole superheroes in history fad yet? Did Legends Of Tomorrow not entirely use up all the good ideas with the concept? Moreover, I felt myself getting so bored with this that my mind was starting to wander, and I was having a hard time paying attention.

Finally there are pacing issues galore here as well.

Overall, very meh, maybe if you were a DC diehard you might find something to enjoy here, but probably not.

Pros.

Matt Boomer is trying

Every scene with President Roosevelt

Cons.

The characters aren’t likeable

The premise is nothing we haven’t seen before

The animation feels samey

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Spider-Man: The Awkward Hero We All Need

Spider-Man

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

A part of me will always view Tobey McGuire’s Spider-Man as the one Spider-Man for me, he was the one I grew up on, the one I saw at the cinema when I was young, and though I did enjoy the darker Andrew Garfield version, and Tom Holland is fine, they can never hope to match the awkward charm of McGuire’s Peter Parker.

Raimi brings his very unique stylings to this film and it really helps to keep it fresh all these years later, watching Spider-Man cage fight whilst Bruce Campbell plays a cooler version of Vince McMahon is something I never knew I needed.

I also think McGuire is fantastic in the role, he feels like a believable nerd, which Garfield and Holland never did or do, and there is something of the awkward outsider in him that we can all relate to. Moreover, McGuire has a good deal of chemistry with Kristen Dunst who plays his on screen love interest Mary Jane Watson. Now say what you like about Sue Storm and Reed Richard, or the love triangle between Cyclops, Jean Gray and Wolverine, but when I think of romance in a Marvel story I think of Peter Parker and Mary Jane, this is why the chemistry is crucial- luckily this film has it covered.

Finally, whoever decided to cast odd ball Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin deserves an award, as he is the perfect version of that character: unrepentantly evil whilst also strange and darkly funny- perfect.

Overall, a fun goodtime that reminds us all of what is so lacking in today’s Spider-Man.

Pros.

McGuire

Raimi

Bruce Campbell

Willem Dafoe

Cons.

Uncle Ben dies yet again

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer