Spring movie reviews
The last few weekends, I have had the privilege to attend a few new movies that have been sparking controversies and conversation across the Internet.
The first controversial movie I watched was "The Drama." This is a film by the edgy movie studio A24. If you ever see their name on a movie poster or before a film you are watching, A24's brand is controversial, edgy, weird, and disturbing. I, at times, enjoy those type of movies. "The Drama" serves up a feast of these subjects. I will not spoil the big twist, but it has been reported everywhere what Zendaya's character did. The movie, in short, is about Charlie, played by "Twilight's" Robert Pattison and Emma played by Zendaya, during their chaotic wedding week. The film starts as a meet cute in a coffee shop between Charlie and Emma but soon turns into a very dark comedy about how we deal with the "worst selves" of people we love when they are revealed. The film's first trailer made it deceptily look like a sweet rom-com but its dark twist was revealed on the internet and a darker themed trailer had to be produced in its place. If I had not known about the darker tone of the film when I watched it and thought it was a frothy rom-com, I would have probably walked out of the theater.
"The Drama" is a very well-done piece of cinema that explores the darker impulses of human nature. But, the film would not have been a surprise hit without the leads of Pattinson and Zendaya. Their chemistry, and populaury in other more mainstream films, definitely got people to watch at time very disturbing film. I encourage you to watch with caution if you have trauma. It will make you think about relationships and whether you can go back to normal after dark secrets are revealed.
My second film that I watched just last weekend is the huge hit "Micheal." The film has grossed $200 worldwide and has become the biggest musical biopic ever. This film also came with some controversia of its own because of the subject of Micheal Jackson and his past.
There is always the discussion of seperating the art from the artist and you will have to do that if you want to enjoy the film. I am not going to go into Jackson's past but as we know he was under investigations and trials.
"Micheal" as a bio filim checks all the boxes. It follows Jackson's rise with his brothers in the 1970's and then Micheal's medioric rise staring with his first album "Off the Wall" and the his fame hit the stratopshere with the biggest selling of all time "Thriller." The film does have some darker themes with his abusive relationship with his father Joe Jackson. The film ends in 1988 during the "Bad" tour before Jackson's life took a much darker turn in the 1990s.
The film plays like a jukebox musical and the greatest hits of his career. It does feel like you have a front row seat to a Micaheal Jackson concert. So, if you enjoy his music, you will have a very good time. If you are looking for a deep dive on his life, this is not it. There is a sequel that is in the works that will be coming soon. I will be interested in how they handle his life in the 1990s and 2000s.
Michael Jackson was a once in a generation performer. We will never see the likes of his talent or fame again. We are no longer a monoculture and the music no longer works like it did during Jackson's time.
So, if you are looking for a couple of interesting films you can discuss over dinner or a fancy martini, "The Drama" and "Michael" are both fine options for a Saturday night.
See you on the flip side
