Normally it’s March that comes in like a lion, but this fool got hit hard at the start of April. Zero complaints, though, since being busy is always better than the torturous boredom of nothing happening. Maybe I’m just hitting a groove, but the funny thing is I actually tried not to do much this month. I had other projects I wanted to focus on. However, no sense turning opportunities down when they arrive.
Most of those came in the form of reviews for Film Obsessive. I’ve been stepping up my efforts as a movie reviewer there, thanks in no small part to Don Shanahan. He’s the founder of the blog Every Movie has a Lesson and a solid indie critic. That said, I did manage to get a book review done for Horror Obsessive too.
Let’s start friendly. Family friendly that is. Not the usual aim around here, but bear with me, it’s gonna get weird real quick.
Most of those came in the form of reviews for Film Obsessive. I’ve been stepping up my efforts as a movie reviewer there, thanks in no small part to Don Shanahan. He’s the founder of the blog Every Movie has a Lesson and a solid indie critic. That said, I did manage to get a book review done for Horror Obsessive too.
Let’s start friendly. Family friendly that is. Not the usual aim around here, but bear with me, it’s gonna get weird real quick.
Among the flicks I reviewed, I got to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It’s got some genuine laughs and rises far above the low bar set by the first Mario movie from 1993. That isn’t to say it’s perfect, although since seeing the movie I’ve become very aware how intensely fans are devoted to this film. When I went to the same theater to see a different feature for review, teenagers in cosplay were chatting enthusiastically about having seen The Super Mario Bros. Movie three times.
Once was enough for me. Not a bad viewing, though I wouldn’t’ve minded a whiskey or three. But the long and short of it is in the review. So, follow the link below.
Mamma Mia! The Super Mario Bros. Movie, It's-a Not Bad! | Film Obsessive
Once was enough for me. Not a bad viewing, though I wouldn’t’ve minded a whiskey or three. But the long and short of it is in the review. So, follow the link below.
Mamma Mia! The Super Mario Bros. Movie, It's-a Not Bad! | Film Obsessive
Around the same time, I watched a Netflix original entitled Chupa. Someone got the brilliant idea to try and make a cuddly cryptid movie. And I don’t mean for that to sound sarcastic. This movie’s got shades of Lilo & Stitch, and while I’d chose that over this, Chupa isn’t a bad kids’ movie. Ways in which it could’ve been better are laid out in the review, but cute is one thing it’s definitely not missing. I suspect some folks will get through a viewing riding one squee of delight to the next.
Chupa Makes Cryptids Cuddly | Film Obsessive
Chupa Makes Cryptids Cuddly | Film Obsessive
Then I got to do a double feature advance screening. That meant hopping out to River East in downtown Chicago and watching one flick followed almost immediately by another. The funny thing being that the tonal shift could not have been sharper. I started the afternoon watching a war movie full of bang-bang-boom and shot down the hall to catch a period piece about classical music.
The first film was The Covenant, Guy Richie flick featuring Jack Gyllenhaal. I confess I enjoyed writing the review more than watching the movie. The upside to a bad viewing experience is the dark delight of hammering back with sharp sarcasm. That’s not to suggest I think in any way my dismissal of this try-hard fail will bruise any egos involved in its production. However, there’s an odd catharsis to cutting criticism.
The Covenant Juggles Too Many Live Grenades | Film Obsessive
The first film was The Covenant, Guy Richie flick featuring Jack Gyllenhaal. I confess I enjoyed writing the review more than watching the movie. The upside to a bad viewing experience is the dark delight of hammering back with sharp sarcasm. That’s not to suggest I think in any way my dismissal of this try-hard fail will bruise any egos involved in its production. However, there’s an odd catharsis to cutting criticism.
The Covenant Juggles Too Many Live Grenades | Film Obsessive
Chevalier, in a way, made sense as a pairing with The Covenant. Both are films trying to deliver a serious message. Chevalier succeeds in that regard for the most part. Any flaws in the feature, as I expressed in the review, aren’t enough to trip up the movie. It involves such an intriguing topic, though, that not exploring things deeper can be frustrating. Fortunately, at least for me, it does what good historical fiction does, and inspires a viewer to seek out more information about its subject. Never trust filmmakers to give you the full proper history and truth is often more amazing than silver screen drama. To get what I’m talking about, follow the link below then do yourself a favor, at least look up the music of Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saints-George.
Chevalier Plays Well Despite Missing Notes | Film Obsessive
Chevalier Plays Well Despite Missing Notes | Film Obsessive
Things get a little weirder after that. I finished reading an anthology called “Pornography for the End of the World” which I must confess is a top tier title. It hooked me at a glance and sets up appropriate expectations. This is a collection of borderline splatterpunk horror stories by author Brendan Vidito. It’s a mixed bag with some pieces shining brighter than others, but there’s plenty of gruesome delights between these pages. For more details, check out my review.
Reading Pornography for the End of the World - Horror Obsessive
Reading Pornography for the End of the World - Horror Obsessive
Finally, I did a retrospective article looking back at the indie cult classic Velvet Goldmine. If you’re not familiar don’t worry about it. That’s part of the reason I write these articles. Hell, it wasn’t even well known when it came out. Yet, the movie has a following I think it deserves.
While not actually a biopic, Velvet Goldmine does draw inspiration from the life and music of David Bowie. The upside is that filmmaker Todd Haynes was free from the facts. The consequence is a movie that’s more about the idea of Bowie and glam rock and what that means for fans than it is a formulaic biopic. I won’t go into detail here, but what makes this movie special is laid in the article I wrote. So, click the link, and maybe watch it out soon!
25 Years Later, You Can Still Dig the Velvet Goldmine | Film Obsessive
While not actually a biopic, Velvet Goldmine does draw inspiration from the life and music of David Bowie. The upside is that filmmaker Todd Haynes was free from the facts. The consequence is a movie that’s more about the idea of Bowie and glam rock and what that means for fans than it is a formulaic biopic. I won’t go into detail here, but what makes this movie special is laid in the article I wrote. So, click the link, and maybe watch it out soon!
25 Years Later, You Can Still Dig the Velvet Goldmine | Film Obsessive
Otherwise, I’ve been doing edits for stories I’ve sold. More details on when those will be available as well as where to read them. Sales seem to be going well at the moment; he said jinxing himself. I’ve also done some voiceover work this month. All in all, April is closing on a high note. I’m already reading another book to review and am scheduled for several advance screenings. That means more reviews in May, not to mention music projects coming to a close (finally), and who knows what else?
Life feels like an adventure again. So, let’s all stay safe, and keep weird, while this train rolls to the next stop full of more marvelous madness. Cheers!
Life feels like an adventure again. So, let’s all stay safe, and keep weird, while this train rolls to the next stop full of more marvelous madness. Cheers!
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