Lost River (2014)

I added Lost River on my list years ago because of Saoirse Ronan but, I don't know why, I never cared to watch it. Probably because it sent me a negative vibe. 

Anyways, the film centers on Billy (Christina Hendricks), a single mother of two who has fallen behind on her house payments and may lose her home because of it. As a desperate attempt to save her childhood home, she takes a disturbing job into a macabre underworld. In the meantime, her older, teenage son, Bones (Iain De Caestecker), steels chopper from old houses to make some money and gets into trouble with a vicious local criminal named Bully (Matt Smith). 

Writing the synopsis doesn't feel like the most appropriate thing when it comes to Lost River because it would be assuming that the film has a narrative structure, which it doesn't. This is not the issue with the film though, the fact that the plot is dreadfully developed, that it feels dragged even though it's quite short and rushed, and that there are many elements that aren't explored as they should have, and it has quite an abrupt ending, these are the major issues with the film. And it's quite angering because it feels the story had so much potential but ended up being a dull, predictable tale with no compelling twist. 

As for the characters, the film does a nice job at setting them up and, despite their oddness, they never feel like caricatures. Unfortunately, they don't have a background, they have very little development, and they are not very memorable —they are pretty forgettable, actually. Also, I didn't care about any of them and felt absolutely no sympathy towards them.

Despite the lacklustre screenplay, the cast does a pretty good job. Christina Hendricks is quite impressive as the single mother, although she never gets the chance to shine as she barely has something to do; Saoirse Ronan gives yet another of her compelling performances in the role of De Caestecker's love interest; Ben Mendelsohn is clearly having a lot of fun in the role of a sinister bank manager and club owner who abuses his power and position; and Matt Smith gives a menacing performance as (the) Bully, a violent, creepy man with an unpredictable behaviour. 

Warner Bros. Pictures

The visuals are easily the best aspect of Lost River. At his directorial debut, Ryan Gosling proves he has quite an eye as the film is filled with stunning, artistic shots, vibrant colours, neon lights, and successful attempts of symmetry, all clearly influenced by Nicolas Winding Refn. The melancholic score is also quite mesmerizing and fits the visuals incredibly well.

Ultimately though, Lost River still remains a pretty shallow, empty film that prefers style over substance. It doesn't have much of shock value, it's just a Refn wannabe that never reaches its potential.

First Man (2018)

As far as I can remember, I've never been a fan of biopics, specifically of those about American heroes portrayed like perfect human beings. Also, movies involving space travel didn't always appeal to me. In other words, Damien Chazelle, director of two masterpieces, Whiplash and La La Land —fight me—, is the only reason I watched First Man. 

Just in case you have never heard of this movie before, it is a biographical drama on the life of astronaut Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling). It is set between 1961 and 1969 and follows the journey that made Armstrong become the first man to walk on the moon.

The plot was my biggest concern prior to seeing the movie as I was afraid it'd be just a boring and obviously predictable sequence of the events that led to the moon landing. Thankfully, writer Josh Singer  —and James R. Hansen too I guess, since the film is based on the biography he wrote— decided to focus more on the personal life of Neil Armstrong, a life filled with loss, grief, sorrow and fragility.

It is clear right from the beginning that First Man is going to be a character study, and it is an excellent one. The film is a portrait of a quiet, introverted man who distanced, isolated himself from everything, specifically from his feelings and his family, after the loss of his daughter. The man history remembers as a stoic, unfriendly astronaut is actually a man haunted by death who sees in his mission, landing on the moon, his only chance at finding peace —as opposed to the USA whose goal was to beat the Soviets.

Ryan Gosling delivers an excellent performance as Armstrong, as he captures both the dedication and passion of the astronaut and the coldness and detachment of the man. We can see he’s suffering and in pain, and that he is hiding all that behind his stoic manner, and Gosling doesn’t even need to say a word to convey Armstrong’s feelings and vulnerabilities, his subtle facial movements are more than capable to do that.

The supporting characters, on the other hand, are pretty shallow. Armstrong’s wife, Janet, comes across as an icy woman who is always on the verge of exhaustion —Claire Foy does a great job though considering the little she’s given—, and Buzz Aldrin looks like a selfish and annoying jerk —it sure doesn’t help that Corey Stoll plays him as I find him very unsympathetic.

Universal Pictures

Visually, First Man is absolutely stunning. Most of the film is shot with a hand-held camera and it works beautifully as the film is told from Neil's perspective and this technique, which would be annoying as hell in most movies, really puts us in his seat and makes us feel his emotions. Also, cinematographer Linus Sandgren did a wonderful job in recreating an authentic 1960s look and vibe. 

The sound effects and the lack of them do a wonderful job at highlighting the tension and suspense, and the score, once again from Justin Hurwitz, carries the emotional intensity of the film —it fits incredibly well the melancholic tone— and conveys a wonderful sense of beauty, especially in the space scenes. 

Ultimately, First Man is one of those movies —a biopic, in this case— where you know what is going to happen and yet you still find yourself on the edge of the seat until the very satisfying climaxes are reached. An intense, powerful movie that often brought tears to my eyes.

Del Toro In Talks To Direct "The Hobbit"?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Guillermo del Toro is in talks with Peter Jackson to direct "The Hobbit" Could it be that my source is wrong on this one? Hmmm. I will have to see it to believe it. Even if he is hired the pressure on him would be immense to meet the expectations of Peter Jackson et al. Didn't Jackson screen Ryan Gosling and hire him too? Yeah, we will see what happens.

But more to the point, I am surprised that they are talking to him - could be a ploy for more publicity - more bang for the buck when Jackson finally announces that he is still the one to direct. But still, it is interesting enough to definitely post about it. Again I ask, could my sources be wrong? They said all along that PJ will be heading up the productions and in a way he is. I doubt very much that wires got crossed somewhere along the line however. We still say that Jackson will direct these movies. Stay tuned for this one! I will update when I hear more: Needless to say I am contacting my sources on my other Firefox tab as I type... :-)

Besides, Del Toro is SUPER busy. If you thought Jackson has a lot of his plate, look at Del Toro's (on top of his current commitments, he even recently announced his interest in his version of Frankenstein AND the final Harry Potter movie(s) - which seems to be destined to be broken into two movies as well!). A lot of distractions for that guy and with a huge $150-175 million budget for the two movies (to be shot concurrently) and a huge time sink. I can't imagine any director other than PJ doing it justice. Well they certainly will be getting publicity with this stunt. And I think that is all it is, a stunt. In fact, now that the Academy is recognizing stuntmen and women for the Oscars, PJ and GDT could be up for a little golden man. Effective though.

Let's face it - Del Toro couldn't even finish reading the LOTRs. Too dense. Too deep. He has admitted this himself and has been quoted! Now you want him to direct these very important two movies and have respect for where they are supposed to wind up? Think about it. Worst. Move. Ever.

Of course, "The Hobbit" will still be in 3D. I have heard nothing to the contrary on that level.