The Iron Gaint (1999) Review

 

The Iron Giant is a movie of friendship and how that can weather the storm of criticism and fear. It embraces the fear of the unknown and evaluates our reactions to it. Do we embrace the unknown or do we rely on our own limited understanding to dictate our reactions to it?

The year is 1957 and the world is obsessed with Outer Space. Sputnik has just been launched into orbit and everyone is in awe of what man has been able to accomplish. The thoughts of aliens or foreign governments spying on them is occupying a spot in everyone's minds. And everyone, at least to a certain extent, is afraid of what the future may hold. This is where The Iron Giant comes in.

One evening, Hogarth, a 9 year old kid, sees something fall from the sky. Grabbing a helmet, flashlight, and his trusted BB gun he sets off into the woods to investigate. Upon reaching a power station out in the woods he spots him, the 100 foot tall metal man. The Iron Giant, however, has a problem. In an attempt to eat the metal of the power plant he ends up getting caught in it and is being electrocuted by it. Seeing this, Hogarth runs towards it and is able to flip the switch and turn it off, saving the Iron Giant’s life. At that moment the two became friends. The only problem, now, is how Hogarth was going to hide him.

With this happening, however, the Government, as you would expect, received calls from people who claimed to have seen something. Usually not the Iron Giant itself but mostly his trail of destruction, i.e. the bite marks and tracks that he left behind. Although, the Government, at first at least, not taking it seriously sent in an investigator. Think Fox Mulder but without the charm. At first, he too did not believe the stories but upon seeing the Giant for himself his attitude quickly changed. It just took some convincing to those in higher positions to believe him.

The film evaluates people’s fears and how we react to them. How we react to the unknown and the assumptions we make based on our own ignorance. Most just assumed the Iron Giant was evil. An evil from a rival country or one from the planet Mars. They assumed it was there to take over the world when in actuality, the Iron Giant just wanted a friend.

This movie is a movie of friendship. It is a movie of how we can endure what seems like the impossible and how we need each other to survive. It's a story of why we should be brave and accept others despite our differences. How some of the scariest things in the world aren’t always as bad as they seem and that all a friendship needs to get going is an act of kindness.

9.5/10

Silent Hill (2006) Review

Silent Hill is a movie plagued by its own design. While the film was exceptional in its atmosphere, the locations and sets fitting perfectly with its story, the story itself left a lot to be desired. The movie did have a few things going for it, however. A lot of the scares were in fact rather frightening, at least for the most part. From time to time, though, they felt cheap. Like they were trying too hard to frighten the viewer.

The story revolved around a woman searching for her lost daughter. The iconic “Fog” from the video game series was rather prevalent, making the town of Silent Hill even more frightening. You can only see a few feet around the characters, always left wondering what was out there just out of view. A religious cult has taken over the town. The only remainers from when the coal mines underneath the town caught fire. Convinced that the world has ended, they follow their leader unquestionably. A leader who was desperately clinging to power. The plot, however, didn’t give too much to the film. In all honesty the story doesn't really make much sense. The ending, too, (which I won't spoil for you) didn’t really make much sense and honestly, I couldn’t really explain it.

All in all, this was an interesting film but don’t go into it expecting a masterpiece. It has its moments where it shines but, unfortunately, most of the time it is just dull and bland.

6 out of 10 

Meme Monday #2 Ray Liotta

 

Ray Liotta, from Goodfellas has a laugh straight from your nightmares. The crackling sound heard multiple times throughout the film, the type of laugh that sticks with you like that one song they play on the radio that you hate but can’t seem to get out of your mind. That annoying sound playing itself on a loop, which is the perfect meme to express that fact that your laughter is forced and how you truly feel isn’t even close to what is being said. In actuality, y’all aren't’ even on the same train.

Bullet Train (2022) Review

 

There were many aspects of “Bullet Train” that were reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino film. With the over the top violence and comedic elements to the dialogue of the characters. The writing felt particularly strong. With the characters being particularly articulate and the chemistry between them being really satisfying. The friendship between Lemon and Tangerine and their interaction with Ladybug went along perfectly. Their interactions changing based on the circumstances of their current situation. From fighting to (almost) working together. The characters had, for the most part, tragic to sentimental backstories. Some of them at the same time being almost malevolent.

The story revolves around Ladybug, played by Brad Pitt, trying to steal a briefcase from two paid killers off of (you guessed it) a bullet train. Ladybug was a former assassin who was tasked with getting this package. He was replacing another who became unavailable at the last minute. At the same time he refused to follow his handlers advice to carry a firearm.

The cast was both amazing and varied.  Joey King’s performance as “The Prince”, posing as an innocent little schoolgirl who was appalled by the cruelty and violence of men, quickly exposed herself as a clever and ruthless means of destruction. Brian Tyree Henry (who played Lemon) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who played Tangerine) are brothers with a body count well into the triple digits who now find themselves escorting both a briefcase and escorting the son of the terrifying crime boss known as the White Death.

The White Death is a Russian who has taken over the Yakuza crime syndicate. “The Elder” played by Hiroyuki Sanada and Andrew Koji, “The Father”, The Elder's son are out for revenge after The Elder’s grandson was pushed off the roof of a department store, putting him into a coma.

The plot  of the film, at first at least, seems rather straightforward. Goal driven around the comatose grandson and the briefcase. But new characters are introduced into the mix, establishing the connections between them. All of them have, in some way, a connection. Each of them is in some way related to the others. Whether by blood or association. By family or enemies.

The film reflects on its themes of fate, luck, and karma. Ladybug’s frequent comments on these, sometimes annoying and sometimes humorous, voiced to his handler (Sandra Bullock) start to feel like an explanation to what the film is actually up to. Ladybug, trying to leave his violent life behind him, much like Jules from “Pulp Fiction”. His jobs being more difficult since he has decided to never pick up a firearm again.

The film was directed by David Leitch, a former stunt coordinator and double of Jean-Claude Van Damme. Also with Brad Pitt and the one time directing partner of Chad Stahleski, of the John Wick series. He has become a specialist in high-grade mayhem, having directed “Atomic Blonde”, “Deadpool 2”, and “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”.

The film, however, seems to have a conflict. At times it can't make up its mind on whether it is light and silly, with none of it actually meaning anything, or, at the same time trying to hit us with its moments of dramatic power.. The story between Lemon and Tangerine, two brothers who work as assassins hits you with the feels. The love expressed between these two can really be felt. Even when they fight and insult each other, their love can be felt.

But the rest of this film seems rather insincere. The film is at its best when it’s a comedy about badasses. Those thinking they are free agents when in actuality they are just passengers on a train, going from one station to the next completely oblivious to the desires of the others riding on it.

The film is abstract in another way, as well. The source of the movie is a Japanese novel by Kōtarō Isaka, the characters being Japanese. Leitch inherited the project from Antoine Fuqua who wanted to make a "Die Hard on a Train" type of film. Leitch recasting the tale “intentionally” for his longtime screen partner Brad Pitt. The film, also, was considered to be relocated to Europe but ultimately decided to keep its Japanese setting.

Parts of the story seemed like a bit of a stretch. For instance, the Yakuza being led by a Russian doesn’t seem likely. However, they played the role perfectly, really selling it.

As a whole, “Bullet Train” was immensely entertaining. While not always sure what type of movie it wanted to be it was still a fun ride and totally worth a watch.

9 out of 10

Biography: Christoph Waltz

 

The year was 2009 and Quentin Taratino had a problem. In his upcoming film “Inglourious Basterds” Nazi officer SS-Standartenführer Hans Landa, also known as “The Jew Hunter” was a character that that Tarantino said might have been a part that was “un-playable". The character being clever, courteous, multilingual and yet self serving, cunning, implacable and murderous. A character that was going to be difficult to fill. Christoph Waltz, however, seemed perfect for the role. HIs past full of talent and experiences that molded him to the man he was and the man he is today.

Waltz was born on October 4 1956 in Vienna. The son of a German set designer and an Austrian costume designer. He was born into a family of theatrical heritage. His maternal grandmother was the silent film actress Maria Mayen and his step-grandfather, Emmerich Reimers, and his great-grandfather, Georg Reimers, were both stage actors who also appeared in silent films. Waltz maternal grandfather, Rudolf von Urban was a psychiatrist who was a student of Sigmund Freud.

Waltz’s father died when he was seven and his mother later married composer and conductor  Alexander Steinbrecher who was previously married to the mother of director Michael Haneke who, as a result shared the same stepfather as Waltz.

As a youth, Waltz had a passion for opera. Having seen his first opera around the age of ten, he would attend the opera at least twice a week. In his early years, however, he had no interest in theater and instead wanted to be an opera singer. After graduation from Theresianum, a private school in Vienna he studied acting at the renowned Max Reinhardt Seminar while also studying singing and opera at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. But, after coming to the conclusion that his voice was not good enough for a career in opera he decided to focus on acting.  In the late 1970s, he spent time in New York City where he trained with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler. He also studied script interpretation and credits his analytical approach to Addler’s teaching.

On returning to Europe, Waltz worked as a stage actor making his debut at the Schauspielhaus
In Zürich. He also performed in Vienna, Salzburg, Cologne and Hamburg. From 1980 to 2000 he was a prolific television actor before making his directorial debut in 2000 with the German television production Wenn man sich traut. In 1990 he appeared in the British TV series “The Gravy Train.” The show a story of both intrigue and misdeeds set in the offices of the European Union in Brussels.

In 2009 Waltz was in Tarantino’s work “Inglourious Basterds” which earned him the Best Actor Award along with receiving acclaim from both the public and critics. He won Best Supporting Actor from the New York Film Critics Circle, the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and for Best Supporting Actor at the 67th Golden Globe Awards and the 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards in January of 2010. The following month he won the BAFTA for best supporting actor as well as winning Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Tarantino went on to say "I think that Landa is one of the best characters I've ever written and ever will write, and Christoph played it to a tee. It's true that if I couldn't have found someone as good as Christoph I might not have made Inglourious Basterds"

In 2011s “The Green Hornet” Waltz played gangster Benjamin Chudnofsky and that same year he starred in “Water for Elephants” as well as Roman Polanski work “Carnage.” Then in 2012 Waltz joined Quentin Tarantino again as King Schultz, a German Bounty Hunter in “Django Unchained” a role specifically written by Tarantino for Waltz. During which, in a training accident, he injured his pelvis. His role, though, once again gaining him acclaim, winning him another Golden Globe, the BAFTA as well as ultimately the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2013, at the Cannes Film Festival he was selected as a member of the main competition jury. Also in that same year he directed a production for the opera “Der Rosenkavalier” at the Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp and then in Ghent in early 2014. He was then selected as a jury member for the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.

Starring in Tim Burton’s film “Big Eyes” which opened in december of 2014, he played Walter Keane. He also appeared as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the 24th James Bond film: “Spectre.”  In July of 2016 he was villain Captain Leon Rom, a corrupt Belgian captain in “The Legend of Tarzan”.

In 2017 he directed the production of the opera “Falstaff” again at the Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp and then in Ghent in early 2018. In the film adaptation of of the novel “The Nazi and the Barber” he played the leading role. Describing the role of mass murderer Max Schulz as a “juicy role.”

In 2019 Waltz both starred and made his directorial film debut in the crime film Georgetown, a film about a man suspected of murdering his wife. The film premiering in 2019s Tribeca Film Festival and later released to cinemas on May 14 2021.

Waltz, with his former wife, Jacqueline (née Rauch),  lived in London with their four children. Their marriage lasted 17 years. He then went on to marry his second wife, German costume designer Judith Holste with whom they share a daughter.

Waltz speaks German, English and French in “Django Unchained” and also Italian in “Inglourious Basterds.” In 2010 Waltz received Austrian citizenship thus holding citizenships in both Austria and Germany. After being asked whether he felt Viennese he responded: "I was born in Vienna, grew up in Vienna, went to school in Vienna, graduated in Vienna, studied in Vienna, started acting in Vienna – and there would be a few further Viennese links. How much more Austrian do you want it?"

Christoph Waltz has a very colorful and interesting history. Coming from a heritage of theater his future was written in stone and he was destined for greatness. You don’t find too many actors of his talent and caliber. Cristoph Waltz is really a man in a league of his own.

Film Theory: Pennywise and Poppins

 

To fans of both IT and Mary Poppins it may seem hard to believe that the two could be connected. And in actuality they aren’t. However, it is rather fun to relate one to the other and even though there is no chance of this being factual the mere thought of the two sharing the same universe can be rather captivating.

Both Pennywise and Mary Poppins have a similar trait: They both reappear after 20 odd years: Poppins after 25 years and Pennywise after 27. Mary Poppins returns back to the Banks family while, in Pennywise’s case, he returns to the Losers. At the same time, Mary Poppins' powers are largely forgotten by the Bank's children while the Losers have mostly put Pennywise out of their minds altogether. At the same time, the parents of the Banks family and those of the Losers are largely oblivious to what is going on. It also makes sense that both Poppins and Pennywise would need to suck energy out of their children to regenerate their powers and come back to their full strength.

Both characters also share a love for song and dance. Pennywise calling himself the dancing clown while Poppins enchants the Banks children with dream-like musicals. They share another similarity as well. Pennywise has what he calls “The Deadlights” which can leave his subjects frozen in place if they look into it. While Mary Poppins doesn’t have anything quite like this she does have something else up her sleeve. In “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” an entire fleet of Lamplighters are proven to exist when Michael (played by Ben Whishaw) looks out his window and sees only Poppins and the other children.

Another similarity between the two has to do with the Balloons. The red balloon in IT always preceded Pennywise’s return while in “Mary Poppins Returns” they all grab balloons and float magically into the air.

There are major differences between the two, however. While Pennywise uses fear to feed his power, Poppins uses joy and imagination. And this is the reason Poppins is still alive and thriving while Pennywise is gone. Just like in “Monsters Inc” Mary Poppins learns that the true energy was laughter and joy and she harvested it. All the while Pennywise, pursuing fear which ultimately led to his downfall.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, there is little to no chance of this connection actually being true. Disney would never associate their beloved character with the likes of Pennywise. Still, though, it is rather fun to think about it and connect the two. It really makes you think, doesn’t it?

Meme Monday #1 Jurassic World

 

So for a couple of days the Internet was alive with the universal love for Dinosaurs. Specifically this scene from Jurassic World. In it dinosaur researcher Own Grady, played by Chris Pratt, engaged three velociraptors causing them to heel. As this scene spread across the Internet people began recreating it with their own little twists. #Prattkeeping became an Internet sensation where people joined in by recreating the scene with everything from inanimate objects to even babies. Not to be outdone paleontologists from the Smithsonian joined in with this:

I would call this pretty epic. Doesn't get much cooler than this.

Biography: Jenna Ortega

 Jenna Ortega was born to a family of both Mexican and Puerto Rican descent In September of 2002. Having become interested in acting at the age of six she, with the help of her mother and agents was able to make her acting debut in a 2012 episode “Baby Bug” on “Rob”. Following this was an appearance on “CSI: NY” in the episode “Unspoken” as Aimee Moore. Soon to follow was her film debut in “Iron Man 3” as the Vice President's Daughter. She made her Horror debut in “Insidious: Chapter 2” as Annie.

In 2014 on the series “Rake” she was cast as Zoe Leon. Then from 2014 to 2019 she played the younger version of Jane in the series “Jane the Virgin”. Then, in 2014 she starred as Mary Ann in the film “The LittleRascals Save the Day.” Then in 2015, she was cast as Darcy in the Netflix series “Richie Rich”. Also, in the same year she played as Anne Chapa in the film After Words

From 2016 to 2018 she starred in Disney Channel sitcom “Stuck in the Middle” as Harley Diaz. Her performance in that role won her an Imagen Award as well as having her being nominated for two others. The same year she joined the cast of Disney’s “Elena of Avalor”. The show was well received and she shared another Imagen Award with the cast as well as another nomination in 2019. In 2017 she starred in Jacob Sartorius “Chapstick” as Sartorius’ love interest which gained significant media coverage.

In 2018 she starred in the film “Saving Flora” as Dawn, a film that received positive reviews from critics, praising Ortega for her performance. At the Southampton International Film Festival she received a nomination for Best Lead Actress for her role. In the Netflix thriller “You”  she played Ellie Alves, a character both smart and meddling who likes to act older than she actually is. Commenting on her role with co-stars Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti she said: "I wish I had gotten to shoot with Victoria more, because I think she's really talented. ... Penn is such an eloquent speaker, so well-thought and so respectful and so kind, and just such a pleasure to work with." In 2019 she played Phoebe in Netflix's horror film “The Babysitter: Killer Queen”  In an interview with Cosmopolitan she said that she was "incredibly nervous" when they began filming, saying that "because it was a sequel, all of the other cast members already knew each other ... I went on the set panicking because I didn't know what I was doing.” The film, being released in September of 2020, received mixed reviews.

In 2020 Ortega voiced Brooklyn in Netflix's “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous” the series receiving mixed reviews, although Ortega was praised for her performance. Then in 2020 she announced that she would be having her writing debut with the book “It’s All Love” which was released in March of 2021.

“The Fallout” a high school drama film which was released in March of 2021, had Ortega as the lead role of Vada. It received positive reviews from critics. Her performance being praised with several critics calling it her “breakout” film role.  The Holllywood Reporter wrote: “...Ortega's beautifully nuanced turn understands the nothing-to-look-at-here façade and the chinks in the armor." Decider similarly wrote praising her performance as "raw without going overboard. What could have been cliches along Vada's character path become earnest and real thanks to her commitment to the performance and a thorough understanding of its emotional beats." Variety magazine described Vada as her breakthrough role, writing that "Ortega in particular seems to have found her voice."

In the 2020 film “Scream” Ortega was cast as Tara Carpenter. In that role she stated "I don't even think there are words in the English language to correctly express how happy, excited and nervous I am for this journey." She stated  that working with co-stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette "You never know what to expect when you're meeting people of that standard, but they truly were just the most down-to-earth, sweetest people.”

Ortega starred in “Studio 666” a film led by the “Foo Fighters” which was released in February 2022 and the horror film “X” which was later released in March. “X” earned critical praise, with Screen Rant writing: "Ortega, alongside her role-swapping co-star Mia Goth, is in rare form here, with the pair's performances as two horrified wannabe pornstars turned survivalists as shocking as they are compelling.”

Ortega’s performance in “Wednesday” a Netflix original comedy/horror series earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress- Television Series Musical or Comedy. Calling this role a “new chapter” in her career. She went on to say that she underwent "the most physical transformation I've ever done; I cut my hair, and it's black, and mannerism-wise, speaking cadence-wise, expression-wise" Then calling the production of Season One of “Wednesday” "the most overwhelming job" she ever had. Mentioning the constant state of confusion and stress over the direction of the series and character. Her performance, however, was widely praised. Ortega will star next in Paramount+ film “Finestkind” alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, and Toby Wallace and will return in the role of Rara Carpenter in “ScreamVI”

Ortega has used her platforms to support issues such as immigration and the politics involving them. Having also  been a huge supporter of “Pride over Prejudice” a pro LGBT campaign that promotes acceptance over hate. An organization she has backed since the age of 13. Also being pro-immigration and anti-discrimination, she said in an interview from Teen Vogue: "It's important to embrace your culture today because there are so many different ethnicities in America. At the end of the day, you are you. You've got to stay true to yourself, and you can't change yourself in order to fit in or to make someone else feel comfortable.”

In 2016 she organized a meet and greet for fans to help raise money for a young girl with cancer. At the Radio Disney Music Awards, Ortega wore a jacket with the words "I Do Care And U Should Too" in response to first lady Melania Trump. In 2020 Ortega was named brand ambassador for Neutrogena. On this, Ortega told “jHola!” "I could not be more ecstatic. I say it over and over, but it really is such a surreal feeling, especially with such an iconic brand, that I have looked up to for such a long time." The following year she announced on Instagram that she was partnering up with Neutrogena for their “For People with Skin” campaign. A campaign that advocates skin health to customers of all races, ages, ethnicity, skin needs or income.

In 2022, Ortega revealed that she almost quit acting to be a soccer player. Saying that she played in all attacking positions and in come cases as a midfielder. As a girl she took part in the American Youth Soccer Organization, a youth soccer program.

Her influences in acting started with the performance of actress Dakoto Fanning in 2004s film “Man of Fire” saying that "After watching Dakota, who obviously was so talented from such a young age, I decided that I wanted to be the Puerto Rican version of her." She also went on to say that Denzel Washington was "the coolest man I had ever seen in my life." She also cites actress Gina Rodriguez, who she worked with in “Jane the Virgin” as one of her major influences.

The Hollywood Reporter, in 2022 dubbed her the “Next Big Thing” and in 2020 PopSugar’s “20 under 20” listed her as number one.  Following her role in the Horror genre 2022 she was crowned a scream queen and “Inverse” observed that she expanded the titles definition, having been both the “red herring and the Final Girl, even within the same movie”.

Jenna Ortega has a huge career ahead of her and I know that all of us can’t wait to see how she grows and where she goes. Our adventure with her is just beginning.

Coming up This Friday!!!

 

Our next article will be out this Friday (tomorrow). A biography on the extremely popular Jenna Ortega. Someone who, over the past few months has been literally blowing up the Internet. If you're interested in learning more about her. Who she was and is then check back tomorrow. Until then, stay awesome!!!

The Menu (2022) Review

“The Menu” delves itself in a sense of pretentious charm. The high class meals with side dishes of arrogance and ego. Hawthorn, a restaurant settled on an island on the Pacific Northwest, caters only to the elite. Their menu items reminiscent of their false sense of superiority. But, to quote an old cliche, not all is as it seems. Julian Slowik, a rather militant chef holds, not only his team to their highest standards but his guests as well. His crew is on display. Their art out there for all to see. But the patrons are on trial, too.

As the elite prepared to dine they had no idea that they were all invited for a reason. The dishes weren’t the only things on display. The patrons' faults and sins were out for all to see. And each of them were going to be punished for them.

The fellow cooks were more like machines than humans. Robotically obeying orders with the decree of “Yes Chef”. As you will see in this film, nothing was off limits and they would do whatever was told of them.

Margot, however, was the outsider. Only invited there as a last resort. She went in place of another, going as a date to Tyler, a man desperately trying to impress the Chef. Caring more about appearances he leapt at every opportunity to make himself look good. Often at the detriment of his date. However, unlike the other patrons, she was not afraid to say what needed to be said. She wasn’t struck dumb and speechless by the presence of the Chef and instead of viewing him as superior she viewed him as an equal.

While they all had different faults, obsession was the one common among them. They all, with the exception of Margot, were obsessed with appearance. How they looked to others, inflating their ego while thinking that everyone else was under them.

The movie tells an interesting story of what our past sins can do to us and that sometimes our egos and arrogance needs to be purged.

The acting was phenomenal as, too, was the writing and directing. The story of this film is universal and will make people think about their actions and the repercussions of those actions. Am I saying that the ending was warranted? I can’t say. You’ll have to make that decision for yourselves.

8/10

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Just an Update

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Hello and Welcome

 

Hello everyone and welcome to Torchbright Films. A movie blog for those clinically obsessed with all things film. We will be covering movie reviews and previews. Background information and biographies on our favorite actors, directors, and writers. All genres will be covered. From the triple A titles to the Low Budget B movies. We will cover everything from Studio Ghibli films to Quentin Tarantino himself. From comedies and action flicks to some of the Horror Greats. Nothing and no one gets left behind. Be sure to subscribe and keep in touch. And as always, have fun!