Coast: Running Away

Written by Luke Barnes

Coasts is a drama coming of age film directed by Jessica Hester and Derek Schweickart. The plot revolves around a young woman whose life changes when a traveling rock band is forced to stay in her small town for a while.

This film was a very stirring coming of age tale. It struck me as very personable and relatable, we have all been there before, we have all faced the reality of our small town life or grown board with our city if we are not from a small town, the urge to roam and be free is something that every human being can relate to.

I thought the drama of this film was very impactful. The idea of do you stay with what you know and what is comfortable and familiar, or do you take a chance that might never come again and go and be wild, I thought this premise raised a lot of philosophical questions and makes one reflect on their own life.

Overall, a very thoughtful and thought provoking film that nearly everyone can relate to.

Pros.

The relatability

It causes you to reflect

It is entertaining and engaging

Cons.

It has a few minor pacing issues

4/5

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

The Voices: Family Trouble

Written by Luke Barnes

The Voices is a horror thriller film directed by Wesley Alley and Bradley Fowler. The plot sees a young woman escape to a family member’s remote home where she must deal with her own and her sisters worsening mental health.

I found this film scary in that you never quite know what is going on in someone else’s head or what they are going through. Mental health issues can and often do affect us all at some point in our lives which makes the horror of this film have a personal feel to it.

I think the scares of the film are quite well done, yes there are quite a few jump scares which I found off putting, but there is also a strong horror atmosphere to the film that greatly enhances the ultimate impact of the film and is able to make you feel unsettled after the credits roll.

The appearance from horror icon Lin Shaye is greatly appreciated, she adds a lot of credibility to the film and sells the scenes she is in.

My one negative of this film would be that it feels almost like a stigmatisation of people with mental health conditions, the characterisation of the sister and how she is put across almost feels like a demonisation of those suffering with mental health, which is not on. Of course, this could be me reading into something that isn’t there and be how I took it- it may not be deliberate.

Overall, a few good scares in a passable horror film.

Pros.

The atmosphere

Lin Shaye

A relatable horror

Cons.

It approach and depiction of those suffering with mental health

Jump scares

Quite uninspired

2.5/5

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

Doors: This Is A Closed Door For Josh Peck’s Career

Written by Luke Barnes

Doors is a science fiction anthology film. The plot revolves around alien doors suddenly appearing all over Earth, and when people walk into these doors they face their greatest fears as well as alternate versions of themselves and other such nightmarish frights.

I want to put my vote in on this being the most pretentious science fiction film of 2021 now as barring something spectacularly up its own arse, nothing is topping this film.

So where to begin with this one. Firstly, it is never made clear that this is an anthology film, you get the feeling as the film goes along that it might be one, but you can’t shake the feeling that maybe, it is all supposed to flow together and that you missed something. That is this films greatest problem, it thinks it is far more clever then it actually is, in actual fact it is a masterclass in how not to write science fiction. The structure, pacing and even the dialogue in this film serve to be off putting.

The perfect encapsulation of this point is the ending that tries to play itself off as grand and meaningful when in fact it actually just leaves you going ‘really’, it makes Annihilation’s ending look better. Disappointing is to light of a word for this.

Overall, it was nice to see Josh Peck back on our screens for one fleeting moment, sadly he hitched his horse to a stinker here.

Pros.

Josh Peck

A few interesting ideas

It is unsettling

Cons.

It is incredibly pretentious

It is boring

It doesn’t make sense

2/5

City Of Lies: Depp Back In Action

Written by Luke Barnes

City Of Lies is a crime film directed by Brad Furman. The plot revolves around the death of Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls, and the possible involvement of the LAPD.

It is nice to see Johnny Depp back on screen, it has been a while. Depp plays the detective who was investigating the case and the links to the LAPD, before he was thrown off the case as he was getting too close to the corruption, he meets Forrest Whittaker’s journalist character later on in his career and the two begin to investigate the case again.

I thought the two men had a lot of on-screen chemistry together and bounced off each other really well, true in both the banter scenes and also the more emotional and intense scenes. The emotions that Whittaker’s character has at the end of the film, for reasons I won’t spoil, feel heartbreakingly true and also reflective of how you’re feeling in that moment as well.

I think that though the story is not the most inspired, as there have been very similar plots in many other crime films, the quality of the acting really lifts it that bit beyond. Furthermore, the ideas and dialogues of this film start many important questions and conversations that will add to the ongoing introspection public towards the behaviour of the police.

Overall, a very strong crime film that overcomes a generic premise with strong performances from both of its leading men.

Pros.

Whittaker

Depp

The emotions especially at the end

Adding to a cultural dialogue

Cons.

The premise is fairly generic.

4/5

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Despicable Me 3: Throwing In A Long Lost Brother When You Run Out Of Ideas

Written by Luke Barnes

Despicable Me 3 is an animated family film directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. The plot sees Gru (Steve Carell), be fired from his job in the Anti-Villain League and have to find a way to prove to the new boss he has what it takes, to get his job back. The plot also sees Gru find out that he has a long lost twin brother called Dru (Steve Carell), who he never knew about.

All the same issues for the previous two films, that I have gone into detail about in my other reviews, are still here however, the new villain voiced by Trey Parker of South Park fame does provide a nice distraction.

Maybe I am bias, as I am a big South Park fan, but I really do think that Parker makes this film. He brings such an energy to his character of Balthazar Bratt, a faded 80’s child star who played the evil villain on TV and has tried to replicate it in his real adult life. Bratt is manic and zany and has some of the best lines in the series.

Overall, the sequels aren’t really any better or any worse for the most part they are of a consistent level, the good and bad factors still stay the same, so if you liked the other films you will like this to.

Pros.

Trey Parker

It is watchable

A few funny lines

Cons.

The character design

The needless side characters

Gru and Dru’s arc really goes nowhere

2.5/5

Friday The 13th Part 6: Jason Takes The Portal Gun

Written by Luke Barnes

Friday The 13^th Part 6 is a slasher horror film directed by Tom McLoughlin. The plot sees Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews), be proven right to fear the return of Jason Voorhees (C.J Graham and Dan Bradley), as he inadvertently ends up resurrecting Jason after his death at the end of Part 4.

This is a lot of dumb fun, is it as good as Part 2 and 4? No, no it isn’t. However, unlike a lot of those other films this film seems to have an almost self-aware air to it, and it seems to revel in knowing how ridiculous its premise is, though without making the film overly silly.

In that vein, it is in this film we see Jason start to develop his superhuman abilities, putting him power wise in the same ball park as a few of the other major slashers. To me these powers don’t ruin the tension of the film, but I can understand how they would for some. Jason teleporting around the area, though that is never confirmed, does make for some unbelievable moments though again this doesn’t bother me as I was not taking the film seriously to begin with.

Finally, I just want to touch briefly on the end credits song. As the credits for this film roll we are treated to the song The Man Behind The Mask by Alice Cooper, and it might be one of the best film tie in songs I have ever heard. For fear of this becoming a music review, let me just say that since I watched this film I have been listening to that song on a near constant loop.

Overall, more solid Jason action, the supernatural elements do derail things somewhat, however, if you were not taking it seriously to begin with then it doesn’t hugely effect things.

Pros.

The end credits song

The dumb fun

Still very watchable

Cons.

The supernatural elements derail it somewhat

Tommy Jarvis has a weak ending

3/5

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Despicable Me 2: Adding In Kristen Wiig And A Fair Few Cultural Stereotypes

Written by Luke Barnes

Despicable Me 2is an animated family film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. The plot follows the adventures of Gru (Steve Carell), as he now tries to fight for the otherside becoming a member of the Anti-Villain League. There is also a subplot about Gru searching for love.

The antisemitism of the character designs is still present here, but now only in Gru himself, however this film also adds in a number of hurtful cultural stereotypes which further puts me off the film.

I think in many ways, from story to execution, this film was weaker than the first. Really, it is just more of the same, the slight difference being now Gru makes Jam for half the film and there is a serum that turns the Minions evil. Neither of these plotlines are particularly interesting and that same can be said for the film as a whole.

I thought the introduction of Kristen Wiig’s Lucy Wilde helped the film somewhat. Wiig is not as cringey as she normally is here, though she is still to a degree, and her character pairs with Gru quite nicely. Do I buy their romance? No. Do I buy their snap immediate wedding? Again no, but I thought it was suitably sweet and easy to turn off your mind to.

My feelings towards the Minions themselves remain quite unchanged in many respects, my complaints from the previous film’s review still stand, however, I did find them slightly more entertaining this time around.

Overall, more of the same in both a good and bad sense, Wiig’s addition marginally improves the film, but it still lags behind its predecessor.

Pros.

Very watchable

Any scenes between Gru and his daughters

A strong emotional core

Cons.

Wiig’s character only marginally improves the film, and really the film did not need the subplot

The casual racism and continued antisemitism

3/5

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Despicable Me: Troublesome Character Design

Written by Luke Barnes

Despicable Me is an animated family film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. The plot follows the adventures of Gru (Steve Carell), a supervillain who is trying to prove he still has what it takes.

Before I get into it I just want to point something out. Personally, I thought it was a little suspect that all the characters in this film who are supposed to be supervillains, including Gru, have stereotypically over the top Jewish features in their designs. Now, I don’t know if this was done deliberately and I have asked others what they think and not everyone seems to notice it, but to me it reeks of cheap and fairly blatant antisemitism; if interested I advise you to look into the racism of the Despicable Me series as there is a fair bit written about it.

Setting that to one side for a minute, the film can actually be quite charming when it wants to be: the scenes between Gru and his adoptive daughters, particularly the scenes when he is reading to them with the cat finger print book are adorable and heart-warming.

The minions themselves seem to be love them or hate them, at least in terms of the online discussion. I found myself mixed. I did not like the fact they talk in gibberish, it reminded me of something like Shaun The Sheep which I also didn’t like for a similar reason- I prefer characters that talk. They do have some moments that allow you to warm toward them, but I was still indifferent to them by the end of the film.

Overall, there is some promise here, sadly the rather overt antisemitism spoils it.

Pros.

Some warm scenes between Gru and his daughters

The Minions have a few strong comedic moments

It is easy enough to watch

Cons.

The clear anti-Semitism

The Minions

3/5

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Interview With Jamie Insalaco: Writer/ Director For Will Reading

Written by Luke Barnes

Hey Everyone! I recently had the chance to interview Jamie Insalaco about his film Will Reading. The plot of the film revolves around a group of friends who meet up to help their friends widow find some money their friend has hidden from the IRS. Within the interview we talk, about the meaning of friendship, do it yourself filmmaking and the Coen Brother classic No Country For Old Men

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

JI: Everything!

Q: Who is your filmmaking inspiration?

JL: So many! The song drops in where old The Simpsons episodes would drop a musical number (“Marge vs the Monorail”), and the referential comedy of that writers room is certainly an inspiration. I appreciate Kevin Smith’s indie can-do “Why not?” spirit – and YouTubers showing how much they could do with so little really got me going. Will Reading is full of homages to other movies.

Q: What was your catalyst for making this film?

JI: I knew I wanted to make a movie and I also knew I’d have to do it myself – so the situation dictated which story treatment I would develop into a script and that eventually became Will Reading. The runner up was just too ambitious: it revolved around a wedding. Too many locations, too many costumes, too many extras… but it was kinda similar in the respect that it would have a long dinner scene and a fight as the climax. I don’t think I’d ever make a movie like this again in terms of no crew, extreme limitations on the script and so forth.

Q: What was the message behind this film?

JL: I think the viewer can take a few different ideas from the movie… and I guess I prefer to let them pick! One message that comes from the character journeys is “Know thyself.” At least for Steve and Tom. For Dave and Wendy, it’s more of a “Give Trust a Chance” situation. The movie takes place after the Great Recession economic downturn, so that certainly influences the messaging and colors a lot of what’s going on, how people are reacting to their situations and what the movie is saying about life at this time in the twenty first century in this little pocket of the United States

Q: Friendship is a key theme of the narrative in Will Reading, how would you say your film tackles this theme, what are its intentions?

JL: Relationships are always tricky. As opposed to family, when it comes to relationships we choose – romantic or platonic – maybe we expect or at least want them to work perfectly. And when they don’t, we end up with these “I thought I knew you” ideas floating around in our heads. What does it say about me that I chose this? Particularly here in Will Reading, Steve wants his relationship to go back to the way it was with Wendy when they were teenagers. That’s a big ask. Wendy needs to get back to a place where she can trust Dave – the nature of these relationships have to change so they can move forward – that’s the thing we’re really trying to show here.

Q: What would you do if you found a large amount of lost or hidden money?

JL: I’d probably leave it where I found it! I’ve seen NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN too many times. The line, “At what point would you quit bothering to look for your 2 million dollars” is burned into my brain! A large amount of money will always be missed, there are ALWAYS consequences to any action – the bigger the action, the bigger the consequence. My answer is NO COUNTRY! Everybody go watch NO COUNTRY. Leave the money where you found it!

Q: Sequels or future filmmaking plans?

JL: A sequel is highly unlikely but not completely off the table. It’d be more of a spinoff rather than a Will Reading 2: On the Move direct sequel. I have a short in the works and as far as features go, a horror movie and a “one last job” movie – one of which will probably be my next indie feature, unless something drastically changes!

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

JL: Be bolder. Drink more coffee and keep going. There were shots I wanted in Will Reading but they were too technically difficult to pull off by myself. Now, I have the experience and understanding to execute them – think it through. “There’s probably a way to cheat that in post if I plan it out right on set.”

Q: Any funny on set stories?

JL: Sometimes we’d get giggling and couldn’t stop. I would hand out bottles of water as a mini break, to try and alter the mood. From then on, if anything went wrong, the cast would suggest I hand out water – like, if the battery on the camera died: “Water will fix this.” Someone couldn’t get through a long bit of dialogue, “Have some water.”

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

JL: Of course the cast, who really brought Will Reading to life, and then a long speech about my wife and my mom, who were constantly behind me even though they are not particularly interested in filmmaking – they were just there for me.

If you would like to watch Will Reading you can find it on Amazon Prime right now, with a wider release planned for the near future and as always I have a review of the film up on my site right now!

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

https://www.patreon.com/AnotherMillennialReviewer

Will Reading: Helping Your Dead Friends Wife Cheat The IRS

Written by Luke Barnes

Will Reading is a comedy film directed by Jamie Insalaco. The plot sees a group of friends gather together after the death of one of their number, to help the deceased widow find money that her husband had hidden from the IRS.

I think there is something so earnest and pure about this film. It captures friendship in such a realistic and warm way, the friendships within this film feel genuine, it reminds you off those you are closest to and it feels like a warm security blanket.

I found the laughter from a sad origin idea to be quite ingenious, and I thought seeing this group come together to help out after the death of their friend only really added to the wholesome appeal of the film.

Though this film is not a laugh a minute, there are a good amount of laughs scattered throughout and many more moments to smile to.

Overall, a delightfully funny comedy with a winning personality and a wholesome appeal.

Pros

The wholesome appeal

The focus on friendship

A few good laughs

A lively pace

Cons.

Somewhat predictable

3.5/5

If you enjoyed this review, then please head to my Patreon to support me, I offer personalized shoutouts, the ability for you to tell me what to review next, and a film based Q and A. Check it out! https://www.patreon.com/creator-home