Multiplex Madness
Insidious: The Red Door
⭐⭐
Genre: Horror
Director: Patrick Wilson
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Sinclair Daniels, Rose Byrne
My experience with the Insidious franchise is limited. I saw the first one years ago and the second one only last week. Haven't watched the prequels yet, but that felt like the bare minimum I needed going into this one. The Red Door was directed by original star Patrick Wilson in his directorial debut, who picks up nearly a decade later with returning stars himself and Ty Simpkins (and also Rose Byrne, Andrew Astor, Steve Coulter, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, and Line Shaye returning in far more limited, semi-cameo roles), as Wilson's character, estranged from his family, takes his son to college, which simultaneously awakens the repressed memories of the Further and the beings that haunt it. The Red Door is surprisingly heavily invested in the personal drama of these characters, wondering whether, probably rightfully, a "happily ever after" is even possible for them. The tone is sentimental, as Wilson doesn't seem interested in telling a ghost story, wanting instead to tell a story of a regretful father trying to reconstruct his relationship with his son. Also ghosts. The movie's tendency to lean into this causes it to be casually paced, sometimes remembering that it's a horror movie at the last second. Because of this, I think Wilson probably should cut his teeth on indie drama instead of horror. The horror scenes are frustrating, as Wilson has a tendency to frame them with promising set-up with subtle spooks creeping into the frame, then he flashcuts to them screaming with a loud shrieking soundtrack. The Red Door left me feeling that there was little interest in another full Insidious movie, but rather an epilogue that was forced to be reformatted. It's uneven, but it has some enjoyment in it. Sinclair Daniel is a wonderful, charismatic addition to the film that keeps slow scenes charming. It's not a movie I'd fully recommend, though, unless you're investment in these characters is high. But this is the fifth Insidious movie, so I guess it's possible you are, otherwise the franchise wouldn't have gotten very far.
Art Attack
The Lesson
⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Director: Alice Troughton
Starring: Richard E. Grant, Daryl McCormack, Julie Delpy, Stephen McMillan
Interesting dramatic thriller tells the story of an emotionally abusive author who hires a writing tutor for his son, which turns into a tense relationship between the pair after reading each other's work. It's a smartly constructed movie, with a rich look and tone, while Richard E. Grant is sensational as the temperamental figure at the center of the conflict. The best aspects of the film are how it conveys a change in tone or emotion through lingering glances of its actors. What's funny about this movie is that it's a bit too in love with itself. It's a film about writing, but it occured to me that its screenplay is to devoted to its climax being poetic rather than dramatically resolving. The central conflict of the movie is primarily about a story's third act, and I found it ironic that I, myself, found the third act of the film wanting. However, the film feels meticulously constructed to be exactly what it is from top to bottom, and I feel like the dramatic turns are just part of the film's identity. It's an imperfect work, but one with promise.
Netflix & Chill
The Out-Laws
⭐1/2
Streaming On: Netflix
Genre: Comedy, Action
Director: Tyler Spindel
Starring: Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty
Get it? Out-Laws? Like a cross between in-laws and outlaws?
Yeah, I feel tired too.
This Happy Madison joint sees a bank manager suspecting his future in-laws of being bank robbers, and hijinks ensue. The comedy is clumsy, though a few dumb laughs might take you by surprise in a minefield of groans. The movie isn't particularly great by even the stingiest of Adam Sandler production metrics, but Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin are inspired casting, and Richard Kind and Michael Rooker are reliable in just about any character actor role you give them. Adam DeVine is capable as the wimpy lead stuck in the middle of action sequences (which are actually pretty well done, all things considered), but a little bit goes a long way with him. He's far and wide the least funny/interesting thing in this movie, which creates frustration when the camera switches from stronger performers to him. But the film is a better showcase for him than Jexi was, so there's that.
Movies Still Playing At My Theater
Joy Ride ⭐⭐⭐1/2
The Little Mermaid ⭐⭐1/2
Past Lives ⭐⭐⭐
New To Digital
The Blackening ⭐⭐⭐
Shin Ultraman ⭐⭐⭐
Coming Soon!
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