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  • True Mothers: Review

    True Mothers: Review

    True Mothers: Review. By Luke Foulder-Hughes.

    True Mothers is a 2020 film directed by Naomi Kawase that follows three main characters as they work out issues with child bearing and adoption. I’m personally a fan of older Japanese cinema but I haven’t seen many films from Japan post 1990, so it was interesting for me to see how the country’s films have developed over time, as well as being intrigued to see the style of Kawase who is a director I’ve heard very positive things about. You can tell in this film that she definitely has a specific style and likes to take her time to develop the characters, which could be a negative factor for some audiences.

    This film is very slow paced, which can make it seem boring at the start however it definitely hooks you in with the excellent flashbacks which help focus on the characters and their motivations, which is an incredible way to help us connect to them, particularly Aju Makita’s character Hikari. Her story is by far the most interesting in this film, a 14 year old girl who is pregnant and her struggles negotiating this with family and everything else she goes through as a teenager.

    You can see her character’s mannerisms change as she gets older as she loses confidence after putting her baby up for adoption. Aju Makita definitely gives the best performance of the film, despite her looking a bit old early on she ages well as her story progresses and is very convincing. The rest of the acting in the film is decent, nothing special however not bad and off putting.

    The way this film was shot was very interesting, as at times it was beautifully shot, particularly the scenes at night, but sometimes it felt like a daytime movie you see when scrolling through the TV guide. This was mainly caused by over lighting scenes inside, and in the second half it occurred less. Sometimes it slipped into this Cassavetes hand held camera style, which felt out of place and unnecessary, as it doesn’t have the gritty atmosphere that is usually there when this camera technique is adopted, although it isn’t distracting and isn’t there most of the time.

    The music also felt like it fit well with the way True Mothers was shot, as it had the same issues, at times it was incredibly well made but in general the score was pretty simple and did the bare minimum to achieve the desired reaction from us. It did help contribute to the emotional ending, as both the cinematography and score were both taken up another level.

    True Mothers works excellently as an emotional film, and the writing helps this, despite it being relatively bland and predictable (which could be down to the subtitles being slightly wrong every now and again), it still works great with the performances to help us attach to these characters. The themes of adoption and teenage pregnancy don’t resonate with me, however I can imagine that for people who have had experiences related to these topics that this film would feel more real to other people.

    I definitely recommend this film to audiences that enjoy films that take time to develop characters, which is probably why I personally didn’t like this film very much and mainly have admiration for the great filmmaking on display from Kawase, and I will definitely check out her other films as her style intrigues me.

  • Wrong Turn: The BRWC Review

    Wrong Turn: The BRWC Review

    Wrong Turn: The BRWC Review. By Alif Majeed.

    When I heard that the Wrong Turn franchise was getting rebooted by the original movie’s writer, I was pretty apprehensive. It has often been unfavorably compared to slasher classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Hills have Eyes. With each subsequent entry and their attempt to expand its mythology with tales of toxic mutations and cannibalistic families.

    It was Wrong Turn 2 that cemented the reputation of the franchise the way it expanded on the story of the cannibalistic Odets family of the first movie. Subsequent prequels and sequels either diluted the family’s impact or made it more confusing, which is why it feels welcome when the makers choose to go in a different direction. Especially if you are aware of the mythology of the Wrong turn universe. 

    You almost believe that the reboot was Cloverfield-ed, with the makers almost deciding to take an entirely different movie and slap dashing it with the Wrong Turn name at the last minute. That initial apprehension gave way as the movie ended as Alan McElroy, the writer/creator of the original film, successfully toys with your expectations here. 

    He leaves enough red herrings to make you believe he will tread familiar territory and that it is only a matter of time before the Odets family will arrive to cannibalize the new gang of backpackers. He then surprises you and takes the movie in a direction that you least expect by avoiding the family altogether and brings in a new group of antagonists named the Foundation. 

    Comparisons to Midsommar are inevitable for the reboot and would make sense when you watch this version. There are even visual cues that you immediately connect to the former movie. But Wrong Turn also feels like a version of The Village if those people were hostile enough to outsiders to cause some real horror movie damage. 

    Bill Sage’s character might feel very similar to the manipulative Patriarch he played in We Are What We Are. But he is just as terrifying as the leader of the cult of the Foundation, who is more than willing to bend the community rules to suit his own needs while still keeping everyone in check.

    As expected by horror movie standards, none of the actors playing the backpackers are memorable. But one of the principal things that slasher movie lives or dies by is how impactful the “final girl” is. Charlotte Vega is pretty good in that role, especially in the second half where she is also is more than convincing in the final girl action mode. 

    And forget movie fathers, Scott Shaw, Matthew Modine’s character is precisely the kind of dad you hope to have on your side, especially when you are out trekking and get kidnapped and tortured by a fanatical cult. Am not sure how this character would fare against the cannibal family of the original franchise, but it was wonderful to see him here going all in trying to save his daughter.

    If there were any allegories about anything, I probably missed it as I wasn’t looking for any. I wanted to watch a horror movie that offered enough slash and dice thrills in line with the franchise while watching this film. That it provides enough of the chills while being its own new beast truly makes it a satisfying reboot.

    I hope the cycle will not repeat with the inevitable subsequent sequels trying to demystify the mythology surrounding the new villains they worked so hard to establish here by trying to expand, explain and hammer out every aspect of them. And then finally give up and straight-up give them superpowers or, worse yet when all else fails, send them to space. 

  • Beginning: The BRWC Review

    Beginning: The BRWC Review

    Beginning: The BRWC Review. By Alif Majeed.

    I remember the first time I watched the movie Irreversible and getting stunned by the violent rape scene at the heart of it. What made it more disturbing is how the rapist was treating Monica Bellucci’s character in that underpass. Kicking and screaming and treating her like dirt and letting her know she is dirt too. 

    The treatment of rape in Beginning bought a deja vu for me after all these years that was just as shocking, partly because the director Déa Kulumbegashvili went the opposite direction and still make the scene just as impactful.

    Beginning as a movie can be a divisive and conflicting viewing experience as a movie. If the visuals that you can’t take your eyes off does not take you in, the actions or lack of it of the characters will draw you in enough to make you let your guard down and then jolts you upright gently with what is happening on screen. 

    The lengthy opening sequence inside a Jehovah’s church is an example of that movie’s strength. The static camera follows the scene for a long time in the meeting, starting with the believers slowly entering the church before the preacher begins the sermon. 

    As he gets to the end of the sermon, an unseen figure throws a Molotov cocktail into the church, setting off the principal characters and the movie on its journey. The apathy that the main protagonist Jana (Ia Sukhitashvili), shows makes it obvious that it does not bother her. Almost not wanting to get involved or have anything to do with the church, even if her husband is its leading pastor.

    Ia Sukhitashvili as Jana provides a much-needed believability to the character, which is essential considering everything she goes through and does in the movie. She is not always an easy character to root for, and initially, her lack of reaction to anything that happens around her gets frustrating. Her apathy goes through different stages throughout the movie, starting with her response to her husband’s church burning down to his casual attempts to brush asides her issues and doubts about continuing with his church. And this man does not see no problems with their relationship whatsoever and brushes her off.

    Her toxic relationship with her husband and his religion spills over to her relationship with everyone around her. The detective investigating the bombing certainly does not help with his bizarre line of questioning to her regarding the bombing.

    The character of the detective played by Kakha Kintsurashvili remains nameless, and that makes him more hideous in the manner in which the guy comes and goes into Jana’s life as he pleases. The actor Kakha playing the detective can also get away with not seeming sleazy as we see nary a closeup of this guy to know what he thinks. But he makes you hate him with the way he treats Ia.

    The use of long shots in the movie also seemed like a distraction in the Beginning. I almost thought the video got stuck a few times before smacking myself, realizing it was by design and necessary to show Ila’s state of mind. When the camera holds tight on her face with her eyes closed while she is resting on her day out at the park, it shows her most peaceful moment that she had in a long time.

    That very park acts as a catalyst for the scene that will be the film’s highlight. There are a lot of starting points for extended discussions in the movie. But none of them would surpass the film’s centerpiece, which is the rape in the same park with yet another disturbingly achingly long take. It is shocking and vile, purely because of the matter-of-fact way in which it begins and ends that catches you unaware. 

    There might be a tendency to discuss the similarities you can find in Beginning with Michael Haneke’s movies. But for me, it felt closer to Lars Von Trier, especially his depression trilogy and, specifically, Antichrist. But unlike that movie, the director makes no overt attempts to spell out the reason for her sadness and what is going on in her head, letting us try to figure things out in ours.

    Beginning gave me the same kind of jitters about secluded yet eerily beautiful parks, I got the creeps when thinking about pedestrian underpasses for a long time after watching Irreversible. It deserves to be seen and discussed for its twisted take on patriarchy and the oft handed way women gets brushed off by it when discussing their inner thoughts.

  • The Benefits Of Video For Non-Profits

    The Benefits Of Video For Non-Profits

    The Benefits of Video for Non-Profits

    Running a non-profit is a noble endeavor, but it can also be an incredibly challenging one. Statistics show that there are over 1.5 million registered non-profit organizations in the United States alone, all vying for support, attention, and awareness for their own goals and needs.

    Trying to get eyes on your non-profit and draw attention to your cause can feel almost impossible at times, and while a few non-profits are nationally recognizable names, the vast majority are much smaller, often struggling to get by and having a hard time raising any serious funds.

    Fortunately, today’s technological world benefits a whole host of new opportunities for non-profits wanting to get more support. From social media messaging to custom non-profit apps, there are all kinds of techniques you can take advantage of, and one of the best options is video.

    Short films and TV commercials can be immensely advantageous for non-profit organizations, for a wide range of reasons, and there are many video production companies out there that can help you put together the perfect clip. Here are just a few reasons why.

    Impact

    Ultimately, when it comes to gathering support for your non-profit, you need to make an impact on people, helping them see why your cause matters and feel the need to support it. Video is one of the best forms of media to make this happen, and we can see just how effective video can be by considering how commercial films and TV shows affect our emotions in day to day life.

    People can feel just as much, or even more, from watching a couple of minutes of well-made video than reading dozens of pages of text. This is why so many of the biggest non-profits out there often make use of TV commercials to spread their message and build up awareness, and donations often rise exponentially in the wake of an effective video campaign.

    Clear and Concise 

    Following on from the previous point, it’s also important to note that videos allow you to be very clear and concise with your message. This can prove to be invaluable, especially for non-profits that may have somewhat complicated aims or in-depth goals, which can be difficult to condense or explain through text or other forms of media.

    For instance, this TV commercial from the Feeding South Dakota non-profit lasts just 30 seconds. In that time, it manages to convey an important message and tells the viewer a lot of what they need to know about the organization and its aims. Trying to get the same message across in text, could take several pages and be far less engaging for the average member of the public.

    Appealing to a Broad and Modern Audience

    A big part of running a successful non-profit organization is knowing how to be adaptable and move with the times, adapting to the needs and demands of today’s world. And one of the key facts about modern day audiences is that they favor video content over other forms of media and prefer when messages are delivered to them in a clear, visual way.

    This is why video can be so useful. Short films and TV spots help to get the message of your non-profit across to a modern audience in a matter of seconds or minutes. What’s more, modern audiences are much more likely to share and recommend this kind of content to their friends, helping to spread the word even further about your organization and generate additional interest.

    Versatile and Efficient

    Finally, we also have to note that non-profit videos can be highly versatile. When you’re working with text on a webpage or simple stationary images, there are only so many ways you can present your information and ideas. With a video, however, the sky’s the limit, especially when working with a trusted production company.

    You can play around with all kinds of ideas to get the message of your organization across to the audience, and this can be one of the most efficient methods of raising awareness for any non-profit. In just 30 seconds, you could get countless people interested in your cause. It also requires minimal effort on your part, as a lot of the hard work can be handled by your production partner. It benefits.

    Final Word

    Every non-profit organization needs to find ways to raise awareness and support, and video content really is one of the best options out there right now. Efficient, effective, and up to date, it’s the ultimate awareness-raising tool.

    The Benefits Of Video For Non-Profits

  • Will The Suicide Squad Be Able To Win Back Fans Of The Comics?

    Will The Suicide Squad Be Able To Win Back Fans Of The Comics?

    Will The Suicide Squad be Able to Win Back Fans of the Comics?

    The concept for DC Films’ 2016 Suicide Squad offering was strong. Gather a bunch of some of the most intriguing and captivating bad guys from the classic comics and put them all together in an action movie.

    Unfortunately, it wasn’t done well and seemed completely rushed. Despite doing well at the box office, it was negatively reviewed and didn’t appease comic book fans. Now, the studio is having another stab with The Suicide Squad, set for release in 2021.

    First Offering Was Not Well-Received

    In its desperation to catch up and compete with the Marvel Extended Universe, some of the initial offerings from DC Films have seemed hurried. Marvel spent a long time introducing various characters before bringing them together in The Avengers, but this didn’t happen in the DC universe. For this reason, each character’s backstory in Suicide Squad felt forced and there was little character development over the course of the film.

    This resulted in highly negative reviews, and the film has a terrible approval rating of 26 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics complained that the film was ugly and boring, and there was nothing super about it. Even so, it managed to gross $746 million worldwide. Because it was such a cash cow, it has inspired DC Films to go for a soft reboot to see if it can salvage the franchise and make it sustainable.

    Suicide Squad Still Big in Popular Culture

    The fact that the characters from Suicide Squad can be found on various mainstream platforms shows how they are still extremely popular. It suggests that fans will be willing to give another film a try, and aren’t feeling completely let down by the first offering.

    The gaming industry has profited massively from using the Suicide Squad brand, and there are many exciting games that feature the antiheroes. One of the standout options is the Playtech Suicide Squad slot, which is one of the top games at William Hill. As Bonusfinder explains, this site has a £300 deposit bonus for new players as well as free spins on selected games. And beyond that, this website points out the best online slots and software providers like Playtech. With enticing offerings like Suicide Squad, it is no wonder that it attracts a lot of players. 

    Another eagerly anticipated title to feature Harley Quinn and friends is Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. This continuation of the hugely successful Batman: Arkham series is likely to be a major blockbuster on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X when it is released in 2022.

    New Film Has Huge Potential

    Now that DC Films know what went wrong with the first film, they have a chance to put things right and try again. Director James Gunn will give the new film a fresh feel. For viewers to realise it’s a reboot and not a sequel, most of the cast from the previous offering has been changed. One of the only surviving characters from the original is Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie. Because the new film is going in a totally different direction, there is potential for it to be a success.

    Fans of the characters from Suicide Squad, along with the comics and games, will be eagerly awaiting the new film. If Gunn’s offering is well-received, the 2016 flop can be consigned to history, never to be spoken of again.