ThePlagueLegion Reviews

Captive State (2019)

This is NOT an action movie, and that's a good thing.

[6/10 · 15 March 2019]

Written and Directed by Rupert Wyatt, CAPTIVE STATE follows several characters and multiple perspectives in a Chicago neighborhood in a world completely operated by an extraterrestrial force known as 'The Legislators'. The film portrays numerous aspects of this alien occupation, and chronicles the both sides of a brewing conflict between the human race and the aliens.

This is an extremely unique and likely very polarizing movie. Rather than a blockbuster-actioner laden with huge visual effects, CAPTIVE STATE is a somber look at 9 years after the major war has already occurred. What would usually be our primary focus is the framework of the story, which instead is much more of a political-espionage thriller with sci-fi elements. This automatically may be a turn off for some, but I found myself consistently intrigued and excited by the events that play out in the story. Aliens appear throughout the film but only in glimpses and from a far, usually. However, when we do see them up close, the effects work is actually quite impressive for a film made on $25 million. Not all the CG work is great but for the most part, much of it is very seamless and realistic in appearance. The creature design is also very well-done. The Legislators are extremely intimidating antagonists that, despite rarely seeing them in full, maintain a presence over the entire film. Some characters refer to the beings as 'Roaches', due to their insectoid behaviors and language, which consists of strange clicks, gurgles and buzzing. The sound design for these aliens is particularly effective, with many sequences upping the suspense due simply to the offscreen sounds of The Roaches, especially during a key scene toward the third act. The film succeeds in making us very intimidated of The Roaches, despite their infrequent appearances.

It's unfortunate that Captive State has a very unfocused structure. Scenes jump from character to character, with the closest thing resembling a lead being John Goodman's character Bill Mulligan. We never really manage to feel invested in every one of these characters, and instead can only attach to a few. Goodman easily has the best part, with his ambiguous morals and stern demeanor keeping him a very believable, restrained character that steals most of his scenes. Ashton Sanders is very good as another sorta-lead, Gabriel, and several character actors (Alan Ruck, James Ransone, Kevin Dunn) turn in very layered, realistic performances. It's the performances, really, that come through in the end and make us care. Director Wyatt seems much more interested in focusing on the event and entire system of society under alien oppression, rather than the lives and details of each and every one of his characters. In some ways, this is a detriment, as it makes some payoffs feel very numb and sorta empty. But in other ways (which I will not spoil), the restraint on developing the characters pays off completely, as we manage to attach ourselves to them based solely on subtle performances and small character ticks that recur throughout the film. Some dialogue is admittedly clunky, and again, some emotional weight is removed with some of these character's fates when we hardly know some of their names. However, Rupert Wyatt clearly respects his audience, using visuals and limited information a create a very gloomy, suspenseful atmosphere that consistently kept me on edge. The lack of detail on the alien species and their capabilities puts us in the same position as the human characters -- in the dark, scrambling to make it in this ruthless setting.

This, as well as the numerous other pros and a hefty load of solid social commentary, are enough to redeem CAPTIVE STATE of it's scripting faults and jumbled structure. An enthusiastic 7/10.

Fargo: The Lord of No Mercy (2017) Season 3, Episode 6

The best episode of Season 3 (so far).

[10/10 · 26 May 2017]

Undoubtedly the best episode of Season 3, the suspense kicked into high gear this week, and I'm thinking that the next four episodes will likely be explosive. Ray's surprise death was quite unexpected, and the way it functioned both as an emotional high point and as a plot progress-er was quite nice! Ewan McGregor deserves an award for this episode, for both performances are so genuine and fleshed out, though he shines most as Emit this week. The only negative I'd say is just that it was a shorter episode than usual, but the tight claustrophobia, the plot progression, the building tension, the unexpected twists and actual emotional empathy is bringing me back to the power and resonance of Season 1. Phenomenal.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Achieves Greatness but falls short of Excellence.

[9/10 · 16 March 2016]

The 8th film from director Quentin Tarantino, "The Hateful Eight", is a murder-mystery-western film about eight strangers stuck together in a lodge during a fierce blizzard while one or more is hiding a deadly secret.

I must say, this film was up to my expectations and then some. Considering I was expecting one of Tarantino's weakest films, given some of the backlash it received,but I was pleasantly surprised. I could see it being in my Top 5 favorites of Tarantino's, ranked somewhere lower than "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs", and "Inglorious Bastards", but higher than "Kill Bill", "Django Unchained", and "Death Proof". It is told in a play-esque format - with chapters and an intermission crafting the narrative structure as well as narration and long sequences of backstories, lies, confrontations and exchanges of conversation. This may be unappealing for some, but I found it charming as well as admirable of Tarantino to rely upon the strength of his cast rather than overblown action. Plus, it pays off, as the performances and the eventual action build in quality with each chapter.

The acting was both versatile and memorable, with standout performances from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Walton Goggins. Russell brings an intimidating, aggressive but strangely enjoyable personality to his role as John "The Hangman" Ruth while Goggins is both the funniest and most likable character, Chris Mannix, in the film. Leigh earns her Oscar nod in her supporting role as Daisy Domergue, who I found myself both hating and sympathizing with at once. Jackson steals the show, however, as Major Warren, a cold-hearted but irresistibly interesting bounty hunter that showcases Jackson's best talent in years.

Tim Roth is another standout in a cartoonish, but despicable supporting role as Englishman Oswaldo Mobray, whose exaggerated accent and mannerisms make him both unsettling and hilarious. Michael Madsen as Joe Gage, Bruce Dern as Sanford Smithers and Demian Bichir as Senor Bob are all great in their roles, as well.

All these characters fit the "Hateful" aspect but have moments of shining, likable personality. It's this conflict of flaws and strengths that make the characters the best part of the film. My allegiances switched commonly through the film, which was both more real and more gritty in it's tonal appeal. Russell as Ruth is abusive and antagonistic but later shows feelings and compassion towards both his own emotions and his allies. Jackson's Warren is a twisted, almost sickeningly evil, at times, man but has motives that make him understandable and "root- able" for. Goggins' Mannix is dim-witted, crass and biased against African Americans but has a good heart and an admirable loyalty to allies, and Leigh's Domergue is a lying, manipulative, conniving woman that still has a sympathetic side and an almost seductive (through her determination and fast talk) appeal to her. Dern's Smithers is a committer of war crimes but still holds a place in his son, Bichir's "Bob" is obviously hiding a diabolical secret but is still good mannered (and a talented pianist) Madsen's Gage is confrontational but is admirably defense of Daisy's safety, and Roth's old-fashioned, gentleman like behavior almost overshadows his blood-thirsty ways.

However, there are flaws present. A few scenes of predictably yet unsettling Tarantino-esque graphic content come across as borderline unnecessary and the pacing could be considered a tad off, as the whole first two "chapters" of the film are rather dragged out. These flaws are forgivable, but due to them, it makes holds back the film from truly being a 10/10.

That said, I found great acting, great dialogue and even better cinematography in "The Hateful Eight". The 70mm Ultra-Panivision looks great, bringing out nuances and details in both the outdoor environments and the indoor set of the lodge our characters find themselves in. Ennio Morricone's score is also great, as it builds both suspicious suspense as well as a deeply troubling atmosphere that keeps you on your toes for each tension-fueled moment of paranoia and confrontations.

Visceral, tight and suspenseful, Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" is an all round great movie that is undercut by both unnecessary controversy (This movie is not racist or misogynist - I can't stand those who have labeled it as such.) as well as legitimate flaws. While I personally didn't mind a few of them, I could understand other disliking it and even (ahem) hating it's flaws.

9/10 - Great, Superb, Nearly Excellent - "See this movie!"

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Intelligent, Witty, Honest - Yet possibly unappealing.

[8/10 · 9 March 2016]

The Coen Brothers are incredible, simply put. You can call them overrated, you can call them too artsy, you can call them bizarre; call them whatever you like, but they are some damn fine film makers. They give interesting, original insights to film, and always put effort into their work.

A lot of the gags of the film, however, rely a bit on knowledge of the glory days of '40s-'50s cinema, which brings me to the film's biggest issue; some people will not find it funny. This is simply because some people will not have enough of an understanding of the comedy, or it simply wouldn't be their cup of tea. The main source of laughs is the satire and almost spoof-like riffs on post-WW2 cinema, with spoofs of over-the-top westerns and synchronized swimming sequences, as well as soppy melodramas and espionage spy films.

The cast is great - particularly George Clooney as the dim-witted actor Baird Whitlock and Josh Brolin as tough guy "fixer" Eddie Mannix. Alden Ehrenreich's role is a nice addition to the film's great cast. He brings a young, fresh faced charm and charisma to his role,while Ralph Fiennes and Scarlett Johannson are hilarious in their side-character roles. However,some of the other roles, such as those from Jonah Hill and Tilda Swinton, are in glorified cameos that were prominently featured in marketing for the film. I can see many being upset that the actors and actresses in said roles were given only a few minutes of screen time.

Hail, Caesar! is a solid, thought-provoking offering from the Coen Brothers. It benefits from a strong cast, consistent laughs and snappy writing. However, it is slightly undermined by an occasionally jumbled plot structure, and a possibly unappealing comedic style.

Morally speaking, Hail, Caesar! is a tale of humans attempting and sometimes failing to do the right thing, while also trying to make themselves better. It's this timeless, empathetic theme that makes Hail, Caesar! a worthy inclusion to The Coen Brothers' already- stacked arsenal of filmography.

Rating: 7.5/10 - Worth-While Watch