Film Review: "Hive ("Zgjoi")" (2021).

Sundance triple award winner, and Kosovo’s official submission for the Academy Awards comes Hive (Zgjoi). This Albanian-Kosovan drama film written and directed by Blerta Basholli, in her directorial debut. The film centers on Fahrije, who, like many of the other women in her patriarchal village, has lived with fading hope and burgeoning grief since her husband went missing during the war in Kosovo. In order to provide for her struggling family, she pulls the other widows in her community together to launch a business selling a local food product. Together, they find healing and solace in considering a future without their husbands—but their will to begin living independently is met with hostility. The men in the village condemn Fahrije’s efforts to empower herself and the women around her, starting a feud that threatens their newfound sovereignty—and the financial future of Fahrije’s family. Against the backdrop of Eastern Europe’s civil unrest and lingering misogyny, Fahrije and the women of her village join in a struggle to find hope in the face of an uncertain future.

In 1918, after World War I, Yugoslavia was a country in the Balkan Peninsula that came into existence. On 6th April 1941, after being a monarchy since its inception, the country was invaded by the Axis Powers. Two years later, a Democratic Federal Yugoslavia was proclaimed by the Partisan Resistance. After the abolition of the monarchy, the country became a communist state with Partisan leader Josip Bros Tito ruling from 1953 until his death in 1980. After an economic and political crisis in the 1980s, which was followed by the rise of nationalism, the country broke up and a bloody war ensued throughout the 1990s with approximately a hundred and forty thousand deaths and four million displaced. Kosovo was governed by Serbia until the Kosovo War (1998 - 1999). It was fought by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanian rebel group known as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). In 1999, the armed conflict ended when North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) carried out an arial bombing campaign against the former for approximately three months. The conflict resulted in more than ten thousand civilians killed or missing and two hundred and thirty thousand displaced.

The film stars Yllka Gashi, Çun Lajçi, Aurita Agushi, Kumrije Hoxha, Adriana Matoshi, Molikë Maxhuni and Blerta Ismaili. The film is a gripping one, mostly because of the fearless performances of the cast, led by Gashi.

Basholli's family drama goes to unexpected places that for better or for worse, stay with you for quite some time. Rewarding for those who stay the course. Dominated by periods of eerie calm followed by sudden, astonishing mood swings, the film is intelligent, emotionally complex world cinema at its finest. Watching the film is a long, hard, and emotionally draining experience but one that richly rewards the time and effort invested. It's a raw and brutal look at the unending strife in the region, but it's also an unforgettable tragedy that keeps the audience riveted through one surprising plot turn after another.

Simon says Hive (Zgjoi) receives:

Film Review: "Cyrano" (2021).

"Experience the greatest love story ever told" with Cyrano. This musical romantic drama film directed by Joe Wright, adapted by Erica Schmidt, and based on Schmidt's 2018 stage musical of the same name and the 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. In this re-imagining of the timeless tale of a heartbreaking love triangle, a man ahead of his time, Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles, whether with ferocious wordplay at a verbal joust or with brilliant swordplay in a duel. But, convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne, Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her — and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian.

In August 2020, it was announced that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had acquired the rights to a film adaptation of Schmidt's stage musical with Wright was hired to direct and Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett reprising their roles from the Broadway and Connecticut productions. By October, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ben Mendelsohn and Bashir Salahuddin rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place throughout Sicily, Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film stars Dinklage, Bennett, Harrison Jr., Mendelsohn and Salahuddin. Dinklage instantly secures his future as a romantic leading man, but every single member of the cast is giving it their all, infusing their vocals and movements with life.

The film is fun and heartfelt, finding genuine emotion even if the overall project clearly could have been cleaned up and focused. After a few years of torturous singalongs, Wright's dazzling adaptation breathes new life into a storied American tradition. In a year that is poised to be packed full of superhero tentpole movies, the film stakes out its territory early, giving audiences a fun, endearing, and poignant spectacle. The choreography is always terrific and there's that unstoppable energy which, given the film's running time, might eventually have you shouting: "Stop. Stop with the unstoppable energy! I'm over it!" But, you know, what the hell. The songs are energetic, and (usually) lighthearted, the dancing is expertly choreographed, and Wright's direction is solid and confident. While the individual musical sequences range from the exciting to the charming, the film drags in spots. Despite that it's a must for musical lovers. Most importantly Wright and his expert craftsmen delicately but boisterously balance the entire movie on a highwire between realism and surrealism where dramatic musicals can best thrive. The film reminds us of those moments with loved ones and gives us a sparkling light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. You'll leave with a smile on your face wanting to stream the soundtrack - a sure sign of a job well done. This is, of course, part of what makes great art: the capacity to withstand both devotion and critique. Which is a good thing, since I am confident that Schmidt is going to be part of our musical theatre and film landscape for many years to come.

Simon says Cyrano receives:

Also, see my review for The Woman in the Window.

Film Review: "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" (2022).

From the director of American Hollow and Without a Net: The Digital Divide in America comes Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. This documentary film directed by Rory Kennedy and written by Mark Bailey and Keven McAlester. A searing investigation of a once-iconic company and its tragic failures, the film exposes how Wall Street’s influence and Boeing’s crumbling internal culture resulted in two historic plane crashes, 346 fatalities, and a shocking cover-up.

Manufactured by Boeing's Boeing Commercial Airplanes division, the fourth generation of the Boeing 737, the Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow-body airliner that succeeds the Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) and competes with the Airbus A320neo family. The 737 MAX is based on earlier 737 designs, with more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines, aerodynamic changes, including its distinctive split-tip winglets, and airframe modifications. In late August 2011, the new series was announced. In late January 2016, it took its maiden flight and was certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 2017. In May 2017, the first delivery was a MAX 8 to Malindo Air, with whom it commenced service in late May 2017. The 737 MAX series has been offered in four variants, offering one hundred and thirty-eight to two hundred and four seats in typical two-class configuration and a three thousand, 3,300 to 3,850 nmi (6,110 to 7,130 km) range. The 737 MAX 7, MAX 8 (including the denser, 200–seat MAX 200), and MAX 9 are intended to replace the 737-700, -800, and -900 respectively, and a further-stretched 737 MAX 10 is available. As of November 2020, the Boeing 737 MAX had a backlog of three thousand, two hundred and ninety units. The 737 MAX suffered a recurring failure in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) causing two fatal accidents, Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, in which a total of three hundred and forty-six people died. From March 2019 to November 2020, it was subsequently grounded worldwide. Investigations faulted a cover-up of a known defect by Boeing, and lapses in the certification by the FAA. After being charged with fraud, Boeing settled to pay over $2.5 billion in penalties and compensation. Boeing produced over four hundred and fifty MAX aircraft awaiting delivery, about half of which were expected to be delivered in 2021, and the majority of the remainder in 2022. In late November 2020, the FAA cleared the MAX to resume service, subject to a list of mandated design and training changes. Transport Canada and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) both recertified the MAX in late January 2021, subject to additional requirements. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) followed suit in early December, as over a hundred and eighty countries out of a hundred and ninety-five had lifted the grounding.

As a dissection of injustice and inhumanity, the film is forthright and unsparing, and its message is a worthy one. Kennedy's take on this shocking and convoluted quagmire finds its balance somewhere between oblique reportage and post-hoc apologia.

Simon says Downfall: The Case Against Boeing receives:

Film Review: "Uncharted" (2022).

From the director of Zombieland and Venom comes Uncharted. This action-adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, based on the video game series of the same title developed by Naughty Dog. The film follows street-smart Nathan Drake and showcases his first treasure-hunting adventure with wisecracking partner Victor "Sully" Sullivan. The film spans the globe and follows Nate and Sully as they embark on the dangerous pursuit of "the greatest treasure never found" while also tracking clues that may lead to Nate’s long-lost brother.

In 2008, the film entered development with film producer Avi Arad stating that he would be working with Sony Pictures to develop a film adaptation of the video game series, but the film entered a complicated production process, with various directors, writers and cast members attached at various points. Filmmakers David O. Russell, Neil Burger, Seth Gordon, Shawn Levy, Dan Trachtenberg and Travis Knight were initially signed to direct, while Wahlberg was set to play Drake in early development. In May 2017, Holland was cast as Drake. In January 2020, Fleischer was hired as the director. In February 2020, Fleischer was confirmed as director, with the film's plot serving as an origin story to the games. The film will take inspiration from the fourth game in the series, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016). By mid March, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle and Pilou Asbæk rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late October. Filming took place at Babelsberg Studios, near Berlin, Germany, as well as Alicante, Barcelona, Valencia and Xàbia, Spain. Filming was shut down later that day due to the coronavirus pandemic. In late July, production officially resumed, shooting in Babelsberg Studios, with proper social distancing and mask requirements being implemented on and off the set. In early August, Banderas temporarily left production after he tested positive for coronavirus. In late August, Banderas recovered from coronavirus, returning to production soon after. The film was originally set for a June 10, 2016 release date, but was delayed to June 30, 2017. The film was later delayed to December 18, 2020, and then to March 5, 2021, after Knight's departure. It was further delayed to October 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was then moved up to July 16, 2021, before moving to February 11, 2022, and then again to the following week.

The film stars Holland, Wahlberg, Banderas, Ali, Gabrielle and Asbæk. It feels unintentionally funny, as if all the cast except for Holland and Wahlberg understood they were acting in a generic video game movie.

The first half hour of the film feels very rushed, as if the director is trying to get all the backstory and all the set up out of the way, sucking away all the emotional investment that the viewer is supposed to have. However, the film offers a nice reminder that there's still a lot of entertainment to be had in a film that just wants to be crazy fun -- and then delivers on that promise.

Simon says Uncharted receives:

Also, see my review for Zombieland: Double Tap.

Series Review: "Inventing Anna" (2022).

"Inspired by the true story of a total fake." This is Inventing Anna. This drama streaming television miniseries created by Shonda Rhimes and based on the New York article titled How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People by Jessica Pressler, which is inspired by the story of Anna Sorokin. A journalist investigates the case of Anna Delvey, the Instagram-legendary heiress who stole the hearts and money of New York elites.

Between 2013 and 2017, Russian-German convicted con artist and fraudster, Anna Sorokin, pretended to be a wealthy German heiress under the name Anna Delvey. In 2017, she was arrested after defrauding or intentionally deceiving major financial institutions, banks, hotels, and acquaintances in the United States for a total of $275,000. In 2019, Sorokin was convicted in New York state court of attempted grand larceny, larceny in the second degree, and theft of services, and was sentenced to four to twelve years in prison. Sorokin was being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and likely deported on March 14, 2022 (according to her attorney). In June 2018, Netflix and Shondaland acquired the rights to the life story of Anna Sorokin and Pressler's New York article, with plans to turn it into a television series with Rhimes serving as producer and writer. Sorokin received $320,000, which was used to pay restitution and legal fees. By early October 2019, Anna Chlumsky, Julia Garner, Arian Moayed, Katie Lowes, Anders Holm, Anna Deavere Smith, Jeff Perry, Terry Kinney, Laverne Cox, Kate Burton, Tim Guinee, Anthony Edwards, Caitlin FitzGerald, Joshua Malina, Ben Rappaport and Christopher Lowell were cast. Madeline Brewer was set to portray the role of Anna Delvey but had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place in New York and Los Angeles.

The series stars Chlumsky, Garner, Moayed, Lowes, Holm, Smith, Perry, Kinney, Cox, Burton, Guinee, Edwards, FitzGerald, Malina, Rappaport and Lowell. The cast, especially Garner, absolutely own every second they are on screen.

An unreliable narrator is notoriously tricky, and an absolute gas to play around with in film. And yet, like so much in the series and beyond, Garner makes it look easy. Both provocative and thoughtful, it's a showstopper of a film with a dynamite cast, and one of the year's most exciting and entertaining series. What a delight it is that just when streaming is about to get snobbish and cerebral that a streaming series as confident, slick and vivacious as this comes out of the woodwork and surprises people. The series, like its titular character, promotes itself under the facade of beauty and wealth but hides behind it a story loaded with a social criticism that confronts the viewer. The legs that the series stands on really do belong to Garner, who flashes her unbelievably glamours looks as she walks into the room (or scene). That is the fun of this series, its lack of concern for being a blatantly good time.

Simon says Inventing Anna receives:

Film Review: "The Sky Is Everywhere" (2022).

"Grief and love; we don't get one without the other" in The Sky Is Everywhere. This teen romance drama directed by Josephine Decker, adapted by Jandy Nelson, and based on her novel of the same title. Tucked among the magical redwood trees of Northern California and surrounded by her grandmother’s gargantuan roses, 17-year-old Lennie Walker, a radiant musical prodigy, struggles with overwhelming grief following the sudden loss of her older sister, Bailey. When Joe Fontaine, the charismatic new guy at school, enters Lennie’s life, she’s drawn to him. But Lennie’s complicated relationship with her sister’s devastated boyfriend, Toby, starts to affect Lennie and Joe’s budding love. Through her vivid imagination and honest, conflicted heart, Lennie navigates first love and first loss to create a song of her own.

In August 2015, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired film adaptation rights to Nelson's 2010 novel. The film was originally set to star Selena Gomez, with her serving as an executive producer as well through her production company. In October 2019, it was announced A24 and Apple TV+ would produce the film, with Decker hired to direct, and Nelson penning the adaptation. In July 2020, Grace Kaufman joined the cast of the film, in the lead role of Lennie. By October Jason Segel, Cherry Jones and Pico Alexander rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late November. Filming took place in Eureka, California.

The film stars Kaufman, Segel, Jones and Alexander. Kaufman and the cast's performances are showstopping-ranging over a striking spectrum from muted passivity to explosive chaos-and are reminiscent of gripping theater.

The film's depiction of a grieving teenager's perception of other teenagers, and themselves, is crucial. The director presents us with the honest truth we are our harshest critics. With that, Kaufman and Colimon's duo dazzles. As it is, the film is the perfect storm of Decker's style and technique and the cast's talents, creating a vortex that'll leave your head spinning. A subjective and engaging character study that's daring, disarming, dark and, unsurprisingly, anchored by a pitch-perfect Kaufman. The film is an engaging drama, which explores the intricacies of teenage relationships and roles in a considered, compelling - and stylish - manner. The proposal is effective, although so much excess is at times unnecessary, especially when you have a very good actress and she's portraying a writer who is so fond of forcefulness and narrative clarity. Decker's adaptation presents the psychosexual obsession, but the salacity feels perfunctory rather than passionate. While it's clear that the is supposed to be a type of psychological teen romance drama, the way its story is told and the imagery used to tell it make it less than compelling. Overall, the film displays a mastery of the medium in a story that defies easy and precise articulation. Her portrait of the creative process as an atmospheric thriller is subversively spooky in a way Lennie Walker herself would approve.

Simon says The Sky Is Everywhere receives:

Also, see my review for Shirley.

Film Review: "BigBug" (2022).

"From Jean-Pierre Jennet, director of Amélie, The City of Lost Children and Delicatessen" comes BigBug. This French science fiction comedy film, written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Humans have ceded most takes to AI in 2045, even in nostalgic Alice's home. So when robots stage a coup, her androids protectively lock her doors.

The film stars Dominique Pinon, Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty, Youssef Hajdi, Alban Lenoir, François Levantal and Claude Perron. All of this is handled in a breezy, off-handed, nutsy manner, as the superb cast combines to help bring it off.

Thriving on eccentricity, the film also utilizes an artistic entwining of music and sound effects, tinged with a spectacularly compelling atmosphere of unease. With its eccentric characters, its weird co-existence between humans and robots, its a uniquely quirky story and blend of dusty antiquities and futuristic gizmos, the film is indescribably wild. What will Jeunet serve for dessert in their next movie? Something equally daring, one hopes -- but more thoroughly cooked and a bit easier to swallow. Like a light-hearted Brazil it conjures up imagery of such impact, and such resonant subject matter that it will affect audiences for generations to come. Serves up a stew that seems to be made of a little of everything from one hundred years of screen comedy, seasoned with futuristic science-fiction. Part futuristic science-fiction, part domestic drama, part hostage thriller, this ingeniously original French film defies categorization, but is successful on all of these levels, which may explain why it will become an international cult classic. Eventually, the film descends into raw absurdity and excess. But first, it serves as an ample experimental field and proving ground for a wild talent that's thankfully become more disciplined with time. The film takes the futuristic, quirky scenario of humans taken hostage by robots and makes of it something quite poetic and quite funny. Sure, it's funny, it's quirky, it's horny, it's diabolically, unabashedly idiosyncratic, but it's also an epic ode to that most fundamental expression of human endeavor -- creativity. Increasingly inventive as it progresses, Jeunet's fast, funny feature debut entertains from sinister start to frantic finish. A hugely enjoyable film, the film welds comedy and magic into a bizarre, quirky and wild fantasy of an oddball future. This lunatic's take on the future of man is so delightfully warped that it's impossible to shake it out of your head and go get a decent night's sleep. An amazing film, filled with amazing style, a wonderful off-beat tone, and some bits of satire which work with the film instead of being apart from it. A fair bet for cultdom, a lot more likeable than its subject matter suggests, and simply essential viewing for humans and robots. The film showcases dazzling art direction that takes cinematic expressionism to new heights. Set in a wondrously futuristic world populated with eccentric humans and unique artificial intellegence, it glistens with dense fantasies, technological feats that make the catch-phrase "state of the art" seem antique.

Simon says BigBug receives:

Also, see my review for The Young and Prodigious T. S. Spivet.