CLEAN (2022)

January 27, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. “The trash man wasn’t always a trash man.” Writer-director Paul Solet re-teams with his BULLET HEAD (2017) star, Oscar winner Adrien Brody, who not only has the lead, but also co-wrote the script, produced the film, and gets a “Music by” credit. Following in the cinematic footsteps of John Wick or most any recent Liam Neeson character, this trash man is the lone beacon of hope possessing a particular set of skills that he uses to escape peril, save the innocents, and generally rid the world of bad guys. He’s the avenging angel of Utica.

On the job, Brody’s character is referred to as “Clean”, and he’s so mechanically inclined that he often salvages items from his route, repairs them with parts he gathers from the junk yard where he feeds the guard dog, and then sells the refurbished goods at the pawn shop run by RZA. When he’s not working the garbage truck, Clean whitewashes the graffiti from the ramshackle homes in his hood, and brings homecooked meals to Dianda (Chandler DuPont), a local girl who lives with her grandmother. Now you might wonder how one man can accomplish so much, and the answer is that he barely sleeps. He’s haunted by demons of his own past via nightmares and flashbacks. It’s through these that we learn Dianda reminds him of the daughter he lost, and his past is one filled with violent images.

Clean attends group therapy sessions and has support from a “sponsor” played by Mykelti Williamson. Of course, as we’ve come to expect from this genre, past violence and efforts to redeem himself, won’t insulate him from modern day violence. In an early voice-over, a tormented Clean offers up a TAXI DRIVER-loner-style philosophy as he discusses the sad state of the streets, and a “sea of filth”. One particular good deed involving Dianda, places Clean in the deep end of that sea he finds so disgusting. It’s also a sea he masterfully maneuvers.

That good (and violent deed) finds Clean crossing paths with local drug kingpin Michael (a menacing Glenn Fleshler), who runs his operation through the fish market he inherited from his grandfather. Michael’s wannabe-gangster son Mikey (Richie Merritt, WHITE BOY RICK) doesn’t appreciate his dad’s “smell of success” and is the reason Clean and Michael square off. This also causes the big reveal in regards to Clean’s past life, and explains his proficient use of a screwdriver and pipe wrench.

For those familiar with this genre and its use of violence, you’ll notice many of the familiar and expected components. It’s really Mr. Brody’s expertise as a master mumbler, and his character’s (initially) low-key approach to improving the neighborhood, that provide the touch of difference making this watchable.

Opens on January 28, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

HARD LUCK LOVE SONG (2021)

October 14, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. The opening credits inform us that the film is based on Todd Snider’s 2006 song, “Just Like Old Times”. This caused me to stop the film before it ever really got started. I was initially stumped … other than Christmas and Elvis movies, what others were based on a song?  I spent a few minutes thinking and came up with ALICE’S RESTAURANT (1969, Arlo Guthrie song), THE INDIAN RUNNER (1991, based on Springsteen’s “Highway Patrolman”), ODE TO BILLY JOE (1976, Bobbie Gentry’s song about that Tallahatchie Bridge), and of course, CONVOY (1978, CW McCall’s annoying song). To my surprise, It turns out a movie based on a song is uncommon, but certainly not rare. I’m sure you can come up with others.

Director and co-writer (with first time screenwriter Craig Ugoretz) Justin Corsbie grew up in Austin, the live music capital of Texas, so it’s only fitting that he would deliver a movie about a dreamer who never realizes his dream of songwriting and performing. In fact, Jesse (Michael Dorman, THE INVISIBLE MAN, 2020) probably would be considered a “loser” by most. He certainly drinks too much. Drugs are not off limits. He tells lies with ease in social situations. And he ruined the best relationship he ever had, although he was too drunk to remember how it happened. Despite those “flaws”, Jesse is a pretty easy guy to like – quick with a smile and a hug.

Jesse doesn’t work as hard at songwriting as he should, but he does have a knack for hustling games in pool halls. One particularly big score puts him at odds with local baddie Rollo, played by mohawked and grilled-out Dermot Mulroney, looking about the roughest he’s ever looked. Once he slides out the backdoor to escape, Jesse immediately calls Carla (Sophia Bush, “Chicago P.D.”), his one-that-got-away. When they meet up at his room at the Tumble Inn (as cheap as it sounds), he tells her he’s on a lucky streak and “I’m doing good now”. They fall into a natural and familiar rhythm of old habits that include booze and drugs. Carla knows Jesse better than he knows himself, but she can’t help the attraction.

Of course, Jesse and Carla never have a smooth evening. First, Officer Zach (Brian Sacca, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET) knocks on the door after a noise complaint, and searches the room. It’s another Jesse interaction that pays off later. Next, while visiting the bar where she works, Carla and Jesse cross paths with her boss Skip (Eric Roberts playing Eric Roberts) and bartender Sally (the always great Melora Walters (MAGNOLIA). And yet we knew it was only a matter of time until Rollo and his crew would track down Jesse.

The confrontation gets ugly and violent and noisy, and we meet our final key character in Louis (RZA, AMERICAN GANGSTER, 2007), who is Carla’s boyfriend with a certain talent that comes in handy for Jesse. It’s an odd ending befitting the characters. Filmmaker Corsbie has a feel for the underbelly of music towns like Austin, train wreck characters like Jesse, and bad seed relationships of the ‘can’t live with him – can’t live without him’ type. Extra points are scored for the FIVE EASY PIECES nod, and Ms. Bush and Mr. Dorman perform admirably. A clip of Todd Snider performing his song plays over the closing credits, and we can’t help but chuckle at how the lyrics mirror what we just watched. A nice final touch.

Roadside Attractions will release HARD LUCK LOVE SONG in theaters October 15th, 2021

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Posted by David Ferguson

NOBODY (2021)

March 25, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. Revenge movies have long been popular because they let us live out the fantasy of getting even … a chance real life rarely offers. Of course, few of us actually cross paths with Russian mobsters or have a secret life that requires our government personnel file be redacted. But all of the above is in play for director Ilya Naishuller’s first feature film since his debut, HARDCORE HENRY (2015), an innovate POV action/sci-fi movie.

While watching this, numerous other movies kept popping into my head, but front-and-center were the JOHN WICK movies. It wasn’t until afterwards that I discovered this film’s writer was Derek Kolstad, the creator and writer of the first three John Wick movies to date. Knowing that leads to the obvious comparison of leading men – Keanu Reeves versus Bob Odenkirk. Yep, the same Bob Odenkirk who owns the Saul Goodman role from “Breaking Bad” and its terrific spinoff, “Better Call Saul”. And nope, he’s not as cool as Keanu, but it’s the risk of casting against type that prevents this from being same old, same old.

Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, a suburban husband and father, working as a bookkeeper at the shop owned by his father-in-law (Michael Ironside, TOTAL RECALL, 1990). A brilliantly edited opening sequence shows us the daily drudgery of Hutch’s life. The rapid cuts tell the story of a man whose existence involves taking the bus to a dead-end job, filling his coffee cup, receiving little respect or affection from family, and yelling at the backend of a garbage truck. Things only get worse when, one night, intruders break into his home. His teenage son (Gage Munroe) springs into action, but Hutch freezes, and is viewed as weak by just about everyone.

It’s at this point where Hutch awakens – his secret past coming back to life. Now you might chuckle a bit at the thought of Odenkirk playing a man who once was so dangerous, he was known as an “auditor” … the last person you want to see at your door. Well, that’s not likely to be your last chuckle, because the over-the-top moments are just getting started. Hutch fights a group of thugs on a city bus, and the one that dies just happens to be the little brother of Russian mobster kingpin Yulian, played with gusto by Aleksey Serebryakov (LEVIATHAN, 2014). Like us, Yulian underestimates Hutch, and most of the movie is spent with every living Russian gangster trying to end Hutch.

Hopefully by now you have intuited that Naishuller’s movie is cartoonish in nature, and has no sense of realism or logic. If you’re not quite sure yet, you should know that 82 year old Christopher Lloyd (as Hutch’s ex-FBI father) joins in on the action – and I mean, he actually joins in on the shootouts. Think of “Mayhem” from the Allstate commercials and you get some idea of the exaggerated shoot ‘em up/ blow ‘em up nature of the action. Connie Nielsen (GLADIATOR, 2000) plays Hutch’s wife and RZA plays Hutch’s equally talented brother.

If one squints and twists, there is some insight into today’s emasculated male – those more likely to bake lasagna than take down an intruder. But mostly it’s just exaggerated revenge action in a way that mirrors John Wick, rather than DEATH WISH (1974) or STRAW DOGS (1971). Director Naishuller gets extra credit for poking fun at the never-ending ammo issue in most action movies, and it might have benefitted from a bit more humor along the lines of the kitty cat bracelet. Fans of the John Wick movies will likely find enjoyment here, but probably “nobody” else … especially those looking for Saul Goodman cleverness.

This film opens March 26, 2021

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE DEAD DON’T DIE (20190

June 13, 2019

 Greetings again from the darkness. Love it or hate it. Sometimes it’s not that easy. Sometimes it is. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch has been making his own brand of videos, shorts, documentaries and features since the 1980’s. He has a loyal following of viewers who “get” him, and even within those ranks there is debate about which of his projects work and which don’t. You know who doesn’t care?  Jim Jarmusch, that’s who. He creates the work he wants to create and works with the actors and crew that he wants to work with … he’s best described as the type who lets the art speak for itself.

As we pull into town, the billboard states “Welcome to Centerville. A real nice place. Population 738”. It’s a bland town with a bland name filled with bland people whose bland conversations focus on doughnuts and pie from the town’s only diner. The police force totals 3 (seems high for such a small town). Cliff Robertson (Bill Murray) is the veteran police chief, while Ronnie Peterson (Adam Driver) and Mindy Morrison (Chloe Sevigny) are the deputies … all three are bespectacled.

Initial interactions provide a quick lay of the land. Farmer Frank (a loud-mouthed Steve Buscemi) accuses Hermit Bob (Tom Waits) of stealing his chicken. Hermit Bob lives in the woods and doesn’t take kindly to accusations. Frank, despite his racist core, is somehow friendly with Hank (Danny Glover), a mild-mannered local who chats it up at the diner. Bobby Wiggins (Caleb Landry Jones) is the town’s pop culture guru who runs the gas station/comic book store.

Even this law enforcement team recognizes strange things are happening: the sun doesn’t set when it should, watches are stopped, and animals are disappearing. We hear news reports that ‘polar fracking’ has knocked the earth off its axis, coupled with government denials stating jobs are plentiful and profits are up. Obviously this is Jarmusch taking his shots at the environmental policies and focus on the economy of the current administration. Our first zombie attack happens at the diner (of course) and features Sara Driver (Jarmusch’s long-time partner) and Iggy Pop (who requires little make-up to be convincing as a zombie). Many more zombies follow.

While Murray’s Cliff and Mr. Driver’s Ronnie maintain their deadpan conversations and reactions, it’s Ms. Sevigny’s Mindy who is terrified in the face of their nonchalance. Adding color to the mix is Tilda Swinton as Zelda, the samurai sword wielding mortician with a Scottish accent, a flair for make-up and an other-worldly secret. Also appearing are Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Rosie Perez and RZA.

As the opening film at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, it’s a blend of comedy, fantasy, horror, zombie, and social commentary … but none of the pieces are particularly effective. It’s somehow both wry and mundane, and not meant to be traditionally scary or laugh out loud funny. Jarmusch has delivered such diverse films as PATERSON (2016), ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (2013), and BROKEN FLOWERS (2005). “This isn’t going to end well” is a line Driver’s Ronnie states a few times, and it’s both foreshadowing and self-awareness from the filmmaker. It’s his commentary on the state of the world, as well as the movie.

Zombie-comedies have been done (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD and many others), and it’s usually best to bring something new to a tired genre. Instead, Jarmusch pays tribute to such films as NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, KILL BILL, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, PSYCHO, and STAR WARS. He even tips his cap to Samuel Fuller (gravestone) and George Romero (a 1969 Pontiac LeMans). As if to acknowledge the love-hate factor that goes with his movies, Jarmusch allows Sturgill Simpson’s (also appearing as the guitar-zombie) theme song to exemplify such division. Selena’s character and Ronnie love the song, while Murray’s Cliff can’t stand it and flings the disc out of the car window.

You are likely wondering if the world needs yet another take on the zombie apocalypse. Of course, the answer is no … which means in Hollywood, there are countless more zombie apocalypse TV series and movies (numerous sequels) in the works. Jarmusch isn’t here to simply add another number to the genre. No, he uses the format to proclaim that our society is soul-dead. He believes we are all stumbling, zombie-like, through life, rattling off our favorite products. He may be right.

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson