Risky Business

 

You know the scene, you know that image of very young Tom Cruise’s grinning face in sun glasses, you already know something about the film even if you’ve never seen it. Sliding around the floor in just his socks, underwear and shirt, parents gone, house to himself. This scene is the one that everyone has seen before. But what’s incredible is that this is but a snippet of what Risky Business is about. 

 

When his parents go away on holiday, leaving him in the house alone, High School senior Joel decides to make the most of it. After been hounded by his friends, Joel invites call girl Lana over. But after a night of sexual pleasure, Joel finds himself stuck with never ending problems, including having to fix up his father’s prized car. To try and help, as well as helping herself, Lana convinces Joel to have party, he invites his friends and she’ll invite her friends/co-workers.

With the famous scene near the start of the film, there is room to sink in and just watch the chaos ensue as Joel makes one bad decision after another. Joel’s naivety is what brings him down throughout the film. Teased by his friends for not having sex yet, practically hoodwinked into ending up with a call girl and then being abandoned when he needs help, at least they all show up for his extra special party. Joel can do no right in this film, except maybe in Lana’s eyes. Despite the mad dash to the finish line to have everything in the house back in order, all it takes is one tiny crack in a glass egg for his parents to be disappointed. The sense that, Joel was doomed no matter what, makes the film have a slight scent of reality and grounds the whole story just for a minute.

Unlike his friends, Joel isn’t shown to have a special skill or academically inclined, he’s painted as an average, half decent guy just trying to get through high school. But he comes into his own when he must ‘sell’ the party to his friends. Though, enticing wealthy teenage boys to come to a party with lots of willing beautiful girls isn’t a tough sell. But still, Joel seems to be finally in his element and there’s even a hint to that typical Tom Cruise ‘charm’ that we’ll see in all his later films. Pairing opposite Cruise is Rebecca De Mornay as Lana, who almost matches his energy. Coming across as someone who takes opportunities where she can Lana is an enigma and unlike Joel who we seen some development, Lana remains a mystery. We’re never quite sure who truthful she’s being, anything she does to ‘help’ Joel is also beneficial for her. From over dramatic and ethereal entrance to her ambiguous last few lines, Lana never gives too much away, which would be infuriating if the story was over a longer period but a week, she’s just a base character, she could have been more.

There’s no question as to why this 80’s teen comedy is considered a classic. It is not just the breakout roll from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, it represents a teenage boy’s dream and pure farcical entertainment at naïve boys for the teenage girls, a common trend in 80s teen movies. Risky Business is entertaining and though would never have worked outside its release era, there’s still many laughs to be had.

Bottoms

 

With very little fanfare, despite the buzz the film has created since its release in the US earlier this year, Bottoms, is finally in UK cinemas. Touted as a queer high school comedy about two loser who try and win over their crushes through a female only fight club is one that doesn’t really raise eyebrows. The premise is just like any other teen comedy, it’s ridiculous, funny and problematic but its very enjoyable. It’s been a while since a comedy such as this has appeared on the big screen (not streaming) in a while.

Our two so called losers, PJ, the ever-charismatic Rachel Sennott and Josie, everyone’s favourite from The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri, just want to get with hot cheerleaders. But of course, they try and do this is the most ridiculous way. The female fight club could have had its own story to be honest, but add in horny teens and the stakes get higher, ridiculously so. So rare is it to see horny teenage girls on screen, for when they do appear, there is a bit of shock. The fact that girls can be just as manipulative as boys is a lesson well learned. But girls learning how to fight for their own protection (ultimately) AND getting to defend the poor helpless boys is beyond satisfying. 

There is some genuinely moving and somewhat serious moments, that are immediately followed by amusing and crass dialogue. But, its in there, just enough to ground the characters and the journey they all go on. Bottoms is that film you’ve wanted to see but didn’t know you needed, we were all due this ridiculous teen comedy.

The Craft Legacy

 

Spending too much time trying to tick all the progressive boxes, The Craft Legacy woefully misses the mark in what a sequel needs to follow a cult classic. This is such a shame as the first half had potential and lost its way completely by the end. 

 

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Neo Noir: Wild Things

SNAPSHOT POST

"People aren't always what they appear to be. Don't forget that!" - Ray 

With more double crosses than you can shake an alligator at, Wild Things really goes above and beyond to try and trick you into thinking it’s a cleverly devised thriller disguised and several ways; a teen thriller, erotic thriller (at a push), revenge flick and straight forward crime story but of course its deep seated neo noir at its core, especially with the very unsavoury relationship this teacher has with two of his students.

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

 

Rocks - BFI Film Festival

Firstly, it’s beyond a shame that 'Rocks' won't get to have its moment in cinemas this April. A story about a London teenager who left by her mum to take care of her young brother and fend for herself. But this isn't just about harsh realities or the tragedy that some young people suddenly find themselves left in, 'Rocks' is also about friendship and how we try to do the best for our friends even if it means making difficult decisions.

Sarah Gavron’s latest film may seem like other films of a certain genre but really, it’s been a long time, where a film, not a TV series, centres around a group of friends who happen to be girls. With 'Our Ladies' meant to be released later this month too, cinema is really be robbed of fantastic stories that you don't normally see on the big screen. But unlike 'Our Ladies', which was based on a novel, 'Rocks' was brought to life very differently. Working with the cast who mostly have not had any acting experience, Sarah Gavron worked on the script and dialogue for their characters. This refreshing way of telling the story really does shine through throughout, its realistic and very believable that these girls are friends and do deal with these problems at school and home at time doesn't feel like it’s a drama but a documentary and this is no bad thing.

Delving straight in Rock's world and the very dire situation she finds herself in. Too young to have to know exactly what to do, she's too young to have this responsibility but here we find her, asking for friends to let her stay the night, stealing stolen money from a new questionable friend, starting fights with those she's closest to. Her story doesn't have an end but rather a new start and new challenges. The last few scenes where her and the best friends take an impromptu trip to the coast is both full of joy and mischief but a sobering tone and a realisation that things will change, hopefully for the best.

A fantastic cast and a refreshing take on the over used 'coming of age' genre, Gavron makes this about friendship and growing up instead, which is a far better view of this story. I just really wish this British gem could be enjoyed in the cinema. Soon, I hope. But I feel I'll be saying that quite a bit in the weeks to come.

Watch List: September/October/November

This Autumn has been a strange one, what with the job hunting, doing the whole of LFF and then dealing with the come down which happens every year. I see so many films crammed into a few weeks I need a break. However, there are still a few more reviews from that festival I want to post BUT these might have to wait until cinema release dates. Other than festival films, I haven't ventured out to the cinema much. Missed lots of films too. But these are the ones I've seen over the last 3 months outside of festivals.

SEPTEMBER

 After champion swimmer Matthias insults a reporter using a homophobic slur, he is suspended from competing again unless he apologies and coaches the male water polo team for the Gay Olympics. A highly unusual premise and with a host of great characters, this is more than just a feel-good sports film with an LGBTQA+ focus. This is a story about friendship and about supporting your team no matter what. A rather personal story from writer directors Maxime Govare and Cédric Le Gallo, as the latter, who after he came out joined a water polo team just like in the film and felt a part of a community. Not sure if the team did or will get a wide release or whether it’ll get a DVD release at least. 4/5

Greta

Missed this one at the cinema and so glad I caught this on DVD release. I wrote about it in depth for Halloween which can be read HERE. 3/5

OCTOBER

Joker

I don't want to make you read any more than what I wrote HERE so there it is. 4/5

Shirkers

This was a documentary that had been in my Netflix queue since it was released. The mystery behind the disappearance of the feature film Sandi Tan and her friends made when they were teenagers and the man who had helped them but also disappeared was a mystery that had haunted director Tan. But as the story unfolds, home truths are told as well as how Georges Cardona had behaved with other people who he had ‘helped’. Comprising of a mixture of footage from the original film and interviews conducted decades later. The fact that everyone knows each other quite well, there is no holding back which gives the film and the story overall an extra added layer of truth despite the main mystery never being told, only speculation is left. 3/5

Brittany Runs a Marathon

 I wrote two posts for this, one from the Birds Eye View screening which can be read HERE and one review for Vulturehound. 4/5

The Laundromat

 I was surprised to see Steven Soderbergh ‘s latest suddenly arrive on Netflix and was eager to watch it BUT it comes across as less intellectual ‘The Big Short’ even with the natural charisma from Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas the film lacks a direction and instead feels like several different stories that don’t quite knit together and because of the subject just left me very angry and dissatisfied.  2/5

Apostle

As someone who tries to avoid horror films, I’m usually drawn in if it’s about cults, ghosts or is actually a psychological thriller. As ‘Apostle’ is a period piece set on an island and involves a cult that has kidnapped a wealthy woman and holding her to ransom, I’m going to be intrigued enough to watch it. Finding out that there is something far more disturbing in the barn and that there is a supernatural being, the guardian of the island, who is behind the cult like mannerisms, is horrifying and again, much better than I could have hoped for. A mixture of ‘hell is other people’ and ‘there’s something nasty in the woodshed’ vibe, I was surprised and honestly, scared. 3/5

I Do....Until I Don't

 I love Lake Bell. I loved her first feature BUT I couldn’t get into this story about an arrogant British filmmaker who wants to prove that marriage should be a 7-year contract which is open for renewal from both parties. She essentially wants to prove that marriage is dead. Then there are three couples, who have their own issues but overall love triumphs. The plot is all over the place and soon loses any connection, with everything being neatly tied up at the end and not really making much sense. I’m really hoping that her next film gets a proper release and is more like ‘In a World…’. 2/5

NOVEMBER

Doctor Sleep

 ‘The Shining’ is a film that rightly holds its status as one of the greatest horror films and a story I didn’t think needed a sequel but clearly creator Stephen King thought otherwise by writing about what grown up Danny would be like. Apart from being traumatised by events at The Overlook Hotel, he descends into drink and drugs and violence. His turn around and how he harnesses his ‘gift’ to help others feels genuine and it comes as no surprise that there are other kids just like him and that there is a beyond sinister group of people who hunt them. Rose the Hat is terrifying and is one of the best villains cinema has seen in a long time. Praying on children and torturing them, makes this a horror film but it also plays out like a thriller when Danny meets Abra, a young girl with great power. They work together to try and stop Rose the Hat as well as trying to find where they buried their last victim. With nods to Kubrick’s film, this is no nostalgia trip, but more like a last stand. 4/5

Support the Girls

 Set over one day, Lisa is the manager of one those sexist sports bars where they only hire girls and make them wear skimpy uniforms. I am not a fan of these kind of bars. However, this film not only humanises the staff, not to say that they aren’t but this is a flipside to how the staff work day to day along with all the bs they put up with. This is also another excellent example of Regina Hall just being brilliant. The more films I see with her in, the better. 4/5

Ideal Home

 This had been in my Netflix queue a long time. I had originally wanted to see this in the cinema BUT I don't think it got a proper cinema release which is criminal. Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan are a constantly bickering couple who work on a cooking show, Paul and Erasmus. Paul produces, Erasmus is the host. Their somewhat perfect life but by no means not perfect marriage is thrown a curve ball when Erasmus' grandson arrives and has to stay with them. The premise is not new but the characters and how they bond is brilliant. I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. Very funny and equally frustrating, mostly because of Coogan's character. 4/5

Let it Snow

 My thoughts on this particular Christmas film can be found HERE.  3/5

One for the Money

 In all honesty, this film did not have my attention. I was bored after 10 minutes and I really didn't care what was happening. I thought the voiceover was completely out of place until I found out the film is based a popular book series. There was no chance this film would spawn a franchise. It gets the bare minimum because Sherri Shepherd is great and deserves better. 1/5

Obligatory Christmas Netflix Film

This was meant to start off as a quick round review of films from the past month but seeing as I haven't written a 'watch list' post since August, I'll save that for another time. I just wanted to write something new this week. My Star Wars writing flow hasn't begun yet.

This post also goes against my rule about 'no Christmas films until December 1st' but in my defence, for some reason, I didn't know the film was set on Christmas Eve. From the trailer it just looked like it took place over a few days during the Christmas break.

The Christmas (not holiday season, it’s the Christmas season) season usually kicks off late November BUT this year, all round everywhere was getting into the Christmas spirit or at least trying to force people into it in October. The blood, guts and ghosts had barely even been taken out for Halloween before everywhere had started with Christmas, it felt like Halloween was being shoved under the stairs this year, barely making a mark. My guess is that everyone is eager (like me) for this year to be over, so bring on Christmas. And that wouldn't be complete without the obligatory Christmas Netflix film, this year, its 'Let it Snow'.

Beginning and ending with a voiceover from Joan Cusack, as the supposed voice of reason (?) but really, she's a tow truck driver who wears tin foil and won't explain why, she only really interacts with one character so her role, even from the start, is odd. But I like Joan, so I'll let that one go. Its Christmas eve and various teenagers are going through various stages of angst. It’s snowing and the town looks like a wonderland BUT of course with snow there are snow storms so no many cars on the road, followed by a few accidents and reasons for Joan Cusack to pop and tow a vehicle. Rather than a blanket plot, the film is separated into vignettes, which is in some ways is good as it offers the chance of sweet moments but on the other hand, there is no momentum throughout the film. Having a teen film be this relaxed is unusual, there is no sense of 'this is the be all and end all' of nights, which makes this an easy going Christmas film you could have on in the background of a party, which is amusing to say seeing as there is a party at the end of the film.

The stories within the film are centred around couples and friendship but mainly about romance which is to be expected, this is a teen film, on the verge of being a different genre. We have the best friends who are obviously in love with each other, the girl who's super obsessed with finding out where her boyfriend is and her best friend who is trying to make her see she deserves better, then that friend's secret romance with 'I've got feelings for you' for a cheerleader, the guy who just wants to throw a party and the famous singer who happens to be in town alone who meets the girl who doesn't know whether to go to college or not. Out of all of these characters, DJ K*Pow$ is the most fun even though all he wants to do is impress another DJ by having a party.

With moments of sweetness, outweighing the blandness of the overall feeling of the film, the little tiny moments of comedy are welcome and actually start to make you enjoy the film despite the very obvious ‘messages’ it is sending and the very obvious ending for all the characters. As an incredibly easy watch, it doesn’t quite have the Hallmark touch like the previous Christmas Netflix films and wouldn’t fall into the terrible Netflix film category either where ‘The Kissing Booth’, ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser’ and ‘Tall Girl’ live. It’s a safe Christmas feel-good film. Cannot stress that enough. But if it was going for a unique selling point, there’s no other film I know where Spiderman and (teenager) Dora the explorer make out, at Christmas or otherwise.

June Watch List

Thunder Road

 Jim Cummings is a force to be reckoned with, having written, directed and acting in the lead of this story about grief, pain and fatherhood. Jim, a dedicated police officer is struggling with the death of his mother and trying to connect with his daughter after a separation from his ex. He’s a good person or at least he tries to be but misfortune just seems to follow him round. The film has one of the best eulogies in cinema that opens the film and goes through all the emotions you can think of. Grief take many forms and one of those is trying to show tribute to your dance teacher mother by performing a dance to no music. 3/5

Booksmart

One of the best film I’ve seen this year so far. A brilliantly scripted story about two best friends and one night where they want to prove they are fun as well as smart. I wrote a bit more about the film HERE. 5/5

Teen Spirit

Max Minghella’s directorial debut about a quiet teenager on the Isle of Wight who loves to sing and decides to enter a reality talent show. I wrote more about the film HERE. 3/5

John Wick 2

I wish I had seen this thrill ride a long time ago, I can exactly why everyone loves John Wick. Keanu Reeves is just perfect as the ultimate hitman, continuing on from the events of the last film and feeding straight into the third chapter of the Wick story. This time round he settles with the Russians, annoys the Italian mob and has his house destroyed but he still has his adorable dog. Then he takes a job to kill off the head of the Italian crime family but instead of him be able to return to his quiet life, he’s drawn into a massive manhunt by ALL the assassins who seem to be everywhere! Can’t wait for the next part.  4/5

Animals

Two best friends, one writer, one party connoisseur, live in Dublin drinking their way through life, until one starts to look at their live without the ‘fun’ filter. I wrote more about the film HERE. 4/5

Always Be My Maybe

Netflix films seem to be hit and miss but this rom-com about best friends who drift apart after a one-night stand and grief then reunite after 16 years is actually not too bad. Ali Wong and Randall Park have great chemistry and are actually funny. I love it when a funny couple get together. But the best scenes are obviously with Keanu Reeves who is the best thing in the film. He’s superb.3/5

Murder Mystery

Murder mysteries and hitman stories are usually my kryptonite and even Adam Sandler couldn’t ruin this film. While all his other films have been….. well, terrible, this is one with Jennifer Aniston was great fun. I actually wrote a whole post about the film HERE. 4/5

Three Parties, Two Best Friends, One Hell of a Night

Side note before we begin; there’s been a trend in my viewing lately, which I’m pleased to say, where I have been watching films made by women AND female led films and it is a trend I am trying to keep up.

Having seen the trailer for ‘Booksmart’ sometime last year and putting it on my watch list, I had no idea how important it would become. I laughed at the antics in the trailer, already loved the two leads and it had a simple enough premise, which meant enough room for characters to be the story. All pluses in my book. But a few months ago, my Instagram was pleasantly plagued with adverts for the film. This was when I realised, this film is something very special. Which is a strange time to come to this conclusion, I admit. It’s also strange to realise that we’ve really been missing a film that feminist and queer orientated in such a positive way. We have all been missing this in our film lives.

Straight A students and best friends Molly and Amy have dedicated their time at high school to working hard and sacrificing any sort of social life outside their duo. But on the day before Graduation, they decide that it’s time to let loose and t prove to their peers that they are also fun. But getting to the party that everyone is at proves to be no simple task, they of course are in for a wild night, with a few revelations and truths along the way.

Every aspect about ‘Booksmart’ subverts the stereotypical high school film, there are no eye roll moments of despair, every second is gold. Directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern and Katie Silberman, the film is most certainly from another gaze. Brilliantly scripted and constructed, the film and it’s various weird and wonderful characters are something new to watch. It’s clear that no one in the film is a stereotype and no one falls into the trap of high school film clichés. These teens are smart and (some of them) know how to have a good time. There are elements to the film such as Amy, who is a lesbian, but this is just her and not the subject of the story, like it would be in other films. The film also does not revolve around Amy and Molly finding their crushes, this is just part of the whole night. Finding them is not the be all and end all of the film, unlike other films with teen boys at the centre of the story. Molly and Amy strive for greater things but more importantly, each other. Their friendship is the most important thing, even their differing goals, Amy the activist travelling to Africa and Molly the academic who wants to work in politics and law. You can easily believe the two friends, played by Kaitlyn Dever (Amy) and Beanie Feldstein (Molly), when they say they missed each other and they’re over the top compliments. The film’s story may be about going to a party but at its core, it’s about a friendship and the end of an era.

To say that ‘Booksmart’ is refreshing is an understatement. There may be many films about high school out there but there are precious few that really stand out. The film has been classed as a teen movie, a coming-of-age movie and even a female version of ‘Superbad’ (which it is not), the film is a comedy, an outright comedy that doesn’t step around anything, it hits hard and its actually laugh out loud funny. Having been in two different audiences for the film, it’s a universal hit. But more people need to see it for it to be a financial hit. The way female filmmakers are judged on one film and have a lot riding on a hit in order to continue making films is real. So, go support a film that deserves and needs more attention, you won’t be disappointed.   

This was part of 'Reclaim the Frame', an initiative started by Birds EyeView, exploring the female gaze as well as showcasing women in film.

 

"Jesus Loved Winners"

 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of so many films that were released at the end of the 90s. I was hoping to get to a few others BUT there is one that really deserves to be front and centre.

'Drop Dead Gorgeous' was one of the first 'grown up' VHS tapes I remember my sister and I owning, or at least, my Nana kept at her house for us to watch when we stayed round. It was a bright pink box, so inviting and sparkling next to all the dull grey boxes. Just something I remember. I only bought it on DVD (cardboard box would you believe) a few years back when I realised I didn't own it. It's really odd that the film hasn't been released on blu-ray yet. A 20th anniversary would be a prime opportunity. I hope the distributors can hear me!

For anyone who loves this film as much as me, you know how damn quotable the film is and just how brilliant the characters of Mount Rose are.

I've written a piece about the film that will hopefully be in the next Vulturehound issue but I also couldn't resist making a zine to mark the anniversary. I won't be putting up a more detailed version until after the VH issue is out. I have ordered a print version just to see what it looks like, but for now here's a sneak peak: