Greetings again from the darkness. It seems wrong (and a bit cheap and obvious) to use the word “unorthodox” to describe this latest movie from writer-director Nathan Silver (STINKING HEAVEN, 2015) and co-writer C. Mason Wells. However, that description fits … even if a bit too perfectly. The word also accurately describes the look and camera work from cinematographer Sean Price Williams, using harsh close-ups for immediacy and a filtered soft look for connection.
We first meet Ben (Jason Schwartzman) as his moms, Meira (Caroline Aaron) and Judith (Dolly De Leon) are trying to set him up with a plastic surgeon. Their efforts come mostly from a good place – helping him get through the grief of his wife dying, yet they would also like him to get his life back together and move back out of their basement. It’s been a hard year for Ben, and his grief along with questioning his faith and the fairness of life have left him unable to fulfill the singing portion of his work as a Cantor at the Temple.
Rabbi Bruce (Robert Smigel, former SNL writer) promises to help Ben get through this, but Ben’s trip to the local bar result in his getting punched in the face and reuniting with his elementary school music teacher, Carla Kessler O’Connor (the great Carol Kane). It turns out Carla’s husband died and she’s also dealing with being forced out of her music teaching job after 42 years. From here, things only get more interesting between Ben and Carla.
Joining his mitzvah class, Carla wishes to experience the Bat Mitzvah she never had as a 13-year-old girl. Rabbi Bruce reluctantly approves, and Ben begins the unusual process. Clearly, he’s attracted to her lust for life, while she understands his inherent sadness when he states, “even my name is in the past”. Rabbi Bruce also tries to set up Ben with his daughter Gabby (Madeline Weinstein), whom he describes as “a mess”. Gabby has excellent comedic timing with car locks.
Things get convoluted for all involved, even as Ben and Carla grow closer … even agreeing that sometimes the brain feels like it’s having a heart attack. Emotions (and confusion) hit a peak during the most awkward Shabat dinner on record. All characters have their moment to shine.
Jason Schwartzman delivers one of his most reserved performances to date. We can feel his grief turn to hope. However, it’s Carol Kane who brings the most interesting aspects of the film alive. Ms. Kane, with her trademark hair and recognizable voice was a true star early in career with memorable performances in CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1971), THE LAST DETAIL (1973), DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975), ANNIE HALL (1977), WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1977), “Taxi”, THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987), and SCROOGED (1988). It’s a treat to see her have a chance to shine again.
When one mentions Jewish movie comedies, it’s Mel Brooks and early Woody Allen that tend to come to mind. It’s possible some might be offended at Mr. Silver’s clever approach here, but I prefer to note the dual meaning of this film’s title … call it ‘unorthodox’ and leave it at that.
Opening in theaters on August 23, 2024
Posted by David Ferguson 
There are approximately 150 Oscar-qualifying festivals for short films each year, and the competition is always tough. So many filmmakers are looking to make their mark in short films, with many hoping to garner support for future feature-length films. Recognition is difficult to come by, although as one who watches dozens of short films each year, I find the quality of storytelling and filmmaking in this segment to be quite extraordinary.
Greetings again from the darkness. Even before the opening credits roll, we get a scene with gunpoint humor, as Antonio Banderas skips right over ‘chewing scenery’ and dives into devouring the scene. Banderas takes his crime lord Gabriel over-the-top, quoting Machiavelli, so that we understand we are in for an action-crime-comedy. Directed by Jon Keeyes and written by Matthew Rogers, some of it works and some of it doesn’t.
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s understandable if this movie makes you consider whether penguins might make better friends than people. David Schurmann directs a script from Kristen Lazarian Paulina and Lagudi Ulrich that is ‘inspired by a true story’. By now, we all recognize this as code for dramatic license has been taken, and it’s up to the viewer to differentiate fact from fiction.
Greetings again from the darkness. Add this to the long list of films reminding us to temper our expectations and high hopes prior to viewing. Still, optimism seemed reasonable given an excellent director and strong cast. Director Doug Liman has delivered such entertaining films as SWINGERS (1996), THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002), EDGE OF TOMORROW (2016), and this year’s remake of ROAD HOUSE (2024). Matt Damon and Casey Affleck both have Oscars on their mantels, and Hong Chau has a recent Oscar nomination. To top it off, the supporting cast includes such favorites as Jack Harlow, Alfred Molina, Michael Stuhlbarg, Andre De Shields, Ron Perlman, Toby Jones, Ving Rhames, and Paul Walter Hauser. All the pieces were in place. So, where’s the spark … the pizzazz … the fun?
Greetings again from the darkness. The Troubles of Northern Ireland were a 30-year political and social conflict that officially ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. Even today, the pain and memories and divisions remain. Writer-director Rich Peppiatt’s film is set in 2019 (West Belfast) and is billed as a “mostly true story” involving controversial hip-hop group Kneecap and the push to make Irish an official language. Early on we are told, “A country without a language is only half a country.”
Greetings again from the darkness. The secret sauce for movies based on comic books and superheroes has always seemed pretty obvious … give the hardcore fans what they want. Somewhere along the way, the industry shifted its focus from entertainment to pushing the boundaries of technology. The result was a (many) years long stream of visual extravagance with little heart and soul. Writer-director Shawn Levy and co-writers Rhett Reese, Ryan Reynolds, Zeb Wells, and Paul Wernick have managed to right the wrong and put things back on track. Of course, Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox and the Marvel Universe slowed down development, but they have finally capitalized on two fan-favorite characters developed by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza … Deadpool and Wolverine.
Greetings again from the darkness. We have accepted that a bartender can get elected as a United States Senator, and writer-director Liz W Garcia would have us believe a bartender may also become an astronaut … but only after submitting a fraudulent application with details, accomplishments, and references that NASA wouldn’t bother verifying until after admission into the program.
Greetings again from the darkness. With so many senior citizens (Boomers) around these days, we should expect more movies featuring older characters, and movies that this demographic might enjoy watching. Instead, most movies treat seniors as either mostly silent set pieces in family scenes or as awkward buffoons (see the recent SUMMER CAMP, or better yet, don’t see it). Writer-director Josh Margolin apparently understands this, and his first feature film is not just funny, it also allows a few elderly actors to lead the way.
Greetings again from the darkness. There is always space (and a need) for silly or mindless entertainment. But even that genre requires some skill and refinement, so as not to stoop to imbecilic. The Farelly brothers, the Monty Python troupe, Abrams & Zucker, and Mel Brooks all understood this when crafting a movie. Writer-director Castille Landon has been making movies for a while now, and it appears this concept has eluded her despite assembling her most well-known cast.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 