DIGGER (2026)

September 29, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. There will likely be a very distinct line of demarcation between those who ‘dig’ DIGGER and those who don’t. Director Alejandro Inarritu, who won Oscars for THE REVENANT (2015) and BIRDMAN (THE UNEXPTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE, 2014) and a list of five esteemed writers (Sabina Berman, Jez Butterworth, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolas Giacobone, Inarritu) seemingly crafted a film that looks amazing, while intentionally angering or annoying or confusing a big chunk of movie goers. Not only will those who prefer traditional storytelling be frustrated, the politics involved will surely irritate many (and drive some nasty comments).

The studio has requested that no spoilers or hints be included in reviews, so I will tread extremely lightly here. An added reason is that the film is certainly best viewed ‘cold’ or with no preconceptions. If you’ve seen the video, you know immediately that this is a much different Tom Cruise character than the strutting, cocky, too-cool-for-school Ethan Hunt that he’s portrayed in numerous “Mission: Impossible” films. It’s his best non-action role since MAGNOLIA (1999), and also his most exuberant (some will say over-the-top). Under prosthetics that transform him into a man that looks his actual age, Cruise becomes Digger Rockwell, a man of enormous wealth, influence, and ego. Cruise has a couple of extended single takes, one of which is mesmerizing in the sheer amount of dialogue he recites and the physicality he displays.

As you would expect, many actors jump at the chance to work on an Inarritu film, and here the cast includes Oscar winner Riz Ahmed as Dr. Ganesh, John Goodman as President Compson, Michael Stuhlbarg as the Vice President, Sandra Huller (one of my 3 favorite actresses since TONI ERDMAN, 2016), Robert John Burke as Fitzgerald, and Jesse Plemons as Kenny. Ahmed is excellent in his role, while Goodman makes his mark with world class bellowing. Huller’s smaller role is a bit disappointing, but fortunately she has a starring role in Pawel Pawlikowski’s new film, FATHERLAND.

Even beyond the studio restrictions, I’m at a bit of a loss as how best to review this film. It’s likely meant to be satire as it takes on big issues like contemporary politics, global issues, ecological concerns, and socio-economic fallout. My view is that it’s a blend of Kubrick’s classic DOCTOR STRANGELOVE and some Coen Brothers films (minus the hilarity), topped off with editorial commentary on backroom politics and corporate greed. Controlling the narrative is a clear objective of these characters. The film takes one huge change of direction early on, and then another much later … the second being easier to foresee. These shifts will definitely challenge viewers, while also leaning into the creativity noted by those of us who find things to admire about the film.

Inarritu’s team is as superb as expected. Three-time Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki expertly handles the VistaVision cinematography, while Oscar winner Dennis Gassner awes us with Production Design. As an added bonus, the song playing over the closing credits is the excellent (and quite fitting) “Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma” by Melanie. But then, not everyone will stick around that long.

Opens in theaters on October 2, 2026

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

BARDO: FALSE CHRONICLES OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS (2022)

November 24, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Many filmmakers mine their own lives for projects, making their work personal, revealing, and sometimes invasive. It’s easy to label these works as narcissistic, and by definition, that would be accurate. However, some of the finest films from our most interesting writer-directors fall into the autobiographical (or semi-autobiographical) category. Examples include Fellini’s 8 ½ (1963), Cameron Crowe’s ALMOST FAMOUS, and Woody Allen’s STARDUST MEMORIES. This time it’s Oscar winner Alejandro Inarritu looking inward. Inarritu won his Oscars for THE REVENANT (2015), and his previous nominations include BIRDMAN (2014) and BABEL (2006), and those are in addition to his other standouts: BIUTIFUL (2010), 21 GRAMS (2003), and AMORES PERROS (2000). He’s joined on this project by his BIUTIFUL and BIRDMAN co-writer, Nicolas Giacobone.

The film begins with a Terrence Malick-like dream sequence of a man leaping and flying through the desert as his shadow follows below. Next, we see a woman giving birth in a hospital as her husband lends support. Only this time, the mother and doctor agree that the baby didn’t want to come out, so they put him “back in.” The father is Silverio (Daniel Gimenez Cacho, (BAD EDUCATION 2004, CRONOS 1993), and it’s quite obvious he is representing our real-life director, Mr. Inarritu. A few years later we are informed that Silverio, a respected journalist and documentarian, has become the first Mexican selected for a prestigious award in the United States.

Griselda Siciliani plays Lucia, Silverio’s wife, and she is integral to his life, yet we witness much of his life outside of their relationship. The film struck me as a metaphysical exercise as an artist turns his lens into selfie mode. It seems as though Inarritu is coming to grips … and sharing his philosophy with us … that emotions drive the reality of our truth. Stated another way, truth is an illusion of emotion. Our emotion skews how we view everything. Additionally, he examines (his own) midlife crisis, and the corresponding insecurities, dreams, fantasies, and doubts. And since much of this occurs in his native Mexico, spiritual and cultural aspects enter into what we see, as does the uncertainty of time as an element.

Inarritu and cinematographer Darius Khondji capture some startling imagery, including a sequence on the dance floor, a segment where bodies drop in the street, and a bag of Axolotls being held on the train. Much of the film has a surreal look and feel, but then there are moments that are more emotionally grounded – like the terrific rooftop exchange between Silverio and his friend Luis (Francisco Rubio). In contrast to that heartfelt conversation, there are the moments when Silverio seems to be heard by others without his speaking. “Move your mouth when you speak”, he is told … yet, his thoughts are conveyed.

The use of sound is masterful, and is crucial to numerous scenes. A second watch will allow me to more fully appreciate this aspect. However, at two hours and thirty-nine minutes, Inarritu likely had many thoughts and ideas, and we find ourselves wishing things were a bit tighter on the editing side. Still, while the film may be self-indulgent and ego-driven, it’s also spectacular and stunning filmmaking. There are some slyly comedic touches, and the best may when this Netflix production doesn’t shy away from taking a jab at its competitor, Amazon.

WATCH THE TRAILER

2 Comments | Drama, Fantasy, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

JOHN AND THE HOLE (2021)

August 5, 2021

Oak Cliff Film Festival 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. Why would anyone be surprised that the actions of a teenager make no logical sense? Thirteen year old John (an excellent Charlie Shotwell, CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, 2014) comes across as a shy kid, and a curious one as well. He’s a talented tennis player, enjoys going head-to-head in video games with his online friend, and even plays piano. Despite his upper class family life, we sense there is something a bit off about John – although his busy parents are supportive and his banter with his older sister is pretty normal. But his emotionless demeanor sends our mind to dark, uncertain places … places we hope John doesn’t go, although we kind of expect him to.

This is the first feature film directed by Pascual Sisto, and the script comes from Oscar winner Nicolas Giacobone (BIRDMAN, 2014). You should know it’s not the typical narrative arc. One day John, with the help of his shiny new drone, locates a long-forgotten unfinished bunker in the nearby woods. The next thing we know, John has drugged his family and dumped them in that hole. That’s not a spoiler, as it’s shown in the trailer. When Mom (Jennifer Ehle, SAINT MAUD, 2020), Dad (Michael C Hall, “Dexter”), and sis (Taissa Farmiga, “American Horror Story”) awaken in the mucky pit, they are frightened and confused. When John appears to deliver food and blankets, he offers nothing in the way of an explanation.

As movie watchers, we have been conditioned to expect this type of situation will lead to significant violence. Instead, we watch as John steps into his newfound freedom. His image of adulting is what he’s observed from his parents: classical music, wine, cooking, milking the ATM, and driving the car. He has bypassed the coming-of-age stage, passed “go”, and moved directly into his version of adulthood. We know this can’t end well, but John is thirteen and isn’t mature enough, regardless of this manufactured freedom, to plan ahead.

This is a wealthy family living in a glass house … an unmistakable metaphor. A sense of entitlement and pursuit of money has distracted the parents from focusing on the importance of teenage years. Whether they realize this looking up at him from the bunker is debatable. John’s story is told by a mother to her daughter, an unusual sequence that acts as an awkward framing device. Cinematographer Paul Ozgur delivers terrific camera work with the house, the bunker in the woods, and John’s odd demeanor. This is an unsettling film that is more psychological drama than thriller or character study. It clearly borrows from two masters, Michael Haneke and Yorgos Lanthimos, but falls short of their best work (as you’d expect). Still, the film has a certain style, and reminds us that the moral to the story of a teenager’s actions often boils down to “don’t do that”.

Opens in select theaters and On Demand August 6, 2021

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Posted by David Ferguson